Same day – Hiutotiaco POV
Hours later, we were already heading towards the ancient ruin that Meikosil indicated as being their base and where their former D.K.s would probably be.
The expedition consisted of four ankylosaurs, ten soldiers from the refugee villages and their two D.K.s given by the Goddess' champion and a guide.
The forecast was to reach the ruin in 2 days. According to Lich, the enemy forces consisted of two D.K.s, forty common skeletons and ten skeleton archers.
The real danger is the two D.K.s, the others are just mobs, but if we can separate them we can win without major losses.
As we continue through the humid forest, full of the sounds of insects and birds and the flourishing glow of fungi. I start to think about the last few days. Many things have happened, truly absurd things. Hethress reappeared bringing the creature after so long, the terrible magic she used, the immense display of strength, the sudden and lethal violence. But what causes the most fear and terror is the ability to copy people, and apparently not even death is an impediment. After everything I've seen and heard, it's obvious that Lady Hethress died and the one here is a copy under the control of the creature. But what can I do? His powers are almost divine. Not even the refuge of his thoughts is safe. He creates and destroys life with a mere wish. Apparently, the creature is either a demigod or a terrible demon. Sometimes he seems a little lost, unfocused, like a child in wonder on a fair day. Other times, a debauchery and soon after, a murderous beast. Clearly the behavior described of the Gods, fickle beings, with emotions and actions going from one extreme to another without a thought and woe to the mortals who are caught in the middle of these divine mood swings.
For now I will follow my debt to the priestess, copy or not my mission was to protect her and I failed, I was given a new opportunity and this time I will not fail, my honor demands it.
We follow the landmarks that only the guide can see, anyone else would have already gotten lost in a few meters, the damn fog is attacked today, the mood of the troop is not the best, they whisper all the time and stay as far away from the D.K.s as possible, which is understandable. Their aura of fear keeps away anyone who does not have pure will and purpose and besides, their burning eyes and the constant sinister giggles that they exchange do not improve things.
As soon as night falls, we stop to camp, with campfires in the middle, the four ankylosaurs around forming a defensive barrier with their armored backs and the tow D.K.s patrolling.
We all sleep peacefully, no wild animal will approach the camp with the D.K.s nearby, not even insects will come. With their ability to sense life, not even the most stealthy of assassins can hide from them. But even so, they tell everyone to keep their weapons close.
Then we wake up to the sound of battle, D.K.'s laughter that chills the bones. I grab my sword and shield and look at the source of the sound, where part of the forest is already in flames and in the middle of a circle of fire, tow figures are fighting, the D.K. and a huge humanoid creature in the middle of a yellowish mist that is dissolving everything around the tow. As soon as I start to head towards me, another D.K. runs past me. And with that, the troops, whose animals were already scared, panic. I turn to the troops and order them to contain the beasts while I hold one myself. D.K. two extends one of his hands and tow fire spears come out of his fingertips and hit the creature, but without causing damage.
The flash illuminates it briefly and I realize it's a Hag.
"FRAK". The common troops don't stand a chance against this kind of creature.
D.K. 2 enters the melee and the yellow mist gets thicker.
The hag hits D.K. 1's chest armor and the sound of impact fills the forest.
Both D.K.s dump a torrent of yellow acid at point-blank range on the Hag. Her scream of pain is enough to split the trees, she turns to flee the assault, but the two D.K.s jump on top of her and knock her to the ground and once again another torrent of acid is poured, nothing but the crackling sound of the forest being dissolved is heard until the D.K.s' victorious laughter signals the end of the fight.
Only a clearing in the forest remains and the D.K.s. stripped of everything but their swords.
The next day the rest of the journey continues normally.
The dense, humid fog of the ancient forest clung to the Hiutotiaco's legs, enveloping her in an icy embrace. The four Ankylosaurus, their heavy bone armor shining in the dim light that filtered through the treetops, followed her in silence. The two D.K.s, their faces in an eternal smile of death, their swords ready for any threat.
The air was heavy with humidity and the strong smell of damp earth and fungi were almost palpable. The trees, twisted and grotesque, seemed to stretch toward the misty sky, their branches covered in lichen and moss. The thick, opaque mist obscured the path, making each step an adventure in itself.
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
Hiutotiaco, with his shining armor and unshakable faith, firmly led the expedition. The mission was to reach the ruins where the Lich's old base was and destroy the remaining forces. The Ankylosaurus, with their brute strength and resistance, made their way through the dense vegetation, while the knights, agile and experienced, watched the surroundings, ready to face any threat.
Their nerves were still on edge due to the night attack and the night in which no one slept, everyone was alert and tense like a bowstring.
Suddenly, a loud and frightening laughter echoed through the forest. The Ankylosaurus stirred, their tails raised in defense. The knights positioned themselves in combat formation, their swords shining in the dim light and the common troops paralyzed with fear, instinctively recognizing the source of the sound.
Hiutotiaco, with his hand firmly on the hilt of his sacred sword, advanced with determination, accompanied by the two D.K.s, his eyes searching for the source of the sound.
The mist parted, revealing an impressive scene: a giant fungus, with a hat the size of a house and a robust stem, stood imposingly in the middle of the forest. Below, a battle was raging.
The Lich's D.K.s and the entire complement of skeletons fought in the clearing below the fungus, against dozens of mantis warriors, the yellow mist permeated the battlefield, already strewn with destroyed bodies of insects and scattered bones of fallen skeletons. One of the D.K.s fought without arms, using his mist while three mantis, with their exoskeletons corroded by acid, ripped out the remaining pieces of his bones with savage bites. The second D.K. was in better condition but the several missing parts of his armor show that the battle was not easy.
Clearly the mantis were losing, but as the battle unfolded, all the common skeletons would be eliminated and at least one of the D.K. would be destroyed.
She and her forces await the outcome of the battle at the edge of the clearing. An easy victory is an even sweeter victory.
A hard-fought battle ensued and ended with the victory of the Lich's forces, but it was a costly victory, as predicted, all the skeletons were eliminated and only one D.K. remained, seriously damaged.
Without taking her eyes off the scene in front of her and her target, she gave the command.
"Destroy the D.K., go!" The knights, agile and skilled, attacked another D.K. in a choreographed and lethal dance, to the sound of their bone-chilling laughter, a battle between monsters. The lich D.K. fought with great skill, trying to take at least one of his enemies with him, but this did not happen. My knights destroy him until not a single bone remains intact.
The battle ends as it began, to the sound of that damned laughter.
I'm still going to have bad dreams about this.
The battle was quick and difficult, but luck and the grace of the Goddess were on Hiutotiaco's side and his companions prevailed without suffering any damage or casualties. The lich's remaining troops were destroyed, the evil that plagued the region was defeated. Now it was time to find the ruins and rescue the artifacts left there.
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The afternoon sun cast long shadows over the ruins, painting the scene with shades of orange and gold. The air, heavy with the smell of mold and damp earth, hung thick, almost palpable. It was there, in the heart of the jungle, its walls covered in mysterious inscriptions and grotesque sculptures. The entrance, a shattered stone arch, revealed a dark and stuffy interior. Faint rays of light penetrated through cracks in the ceiling, illuminating dust dancing in the air. In the center of the room, a stone statue, of some race of giant, with empty eyes and a cruel smile, seemed to watch over the intruders.
“We need to be cautious, Meikosil didn’t say anything about traps or curses, but as a precaution, only the D.K.s and I will enter the ruins. You set up camp and if we don’t return by nightfall, leave at dawn.” Hiutotiaco says shortly before entering the ruins accompanied by his two D.K.s.
Crossing the empty rooms, Hiutotiaco came across a narrow corridor, with walls covered in faded paintings, which seemed to depict scenes of ancient sacrifices and rituals. A nauseating smell of decaying flesh hung in the air.
With each step, the tension increased. Hiutotiaco’s heart beat hard in his chest. “This place is cursed,” he thought.
Suddenly, in front of him one of the D.K.s disappears into a hole. He had fallen into a trap. A thin metal wire, invisible in the dark, activated the deep well trap.
Arriving at the edge of the well, she shouts “You can get out of there alone?"
And the damned D.K.s responds with his usual laugh and says "Yes."
Avoiding deep well trap, Hiutotiaco and the remaining D.K. arrive in the center of the large chamber, the walls lined with scrolls and tomes. In the middle of the chamber, a pedestal and on it, a shining object, an ancient artifact, emanating a golden light.
Hiutotiaco, with trembling hands, picked up the artifact. It was a golden amulet, with shining precious stones. An ancient power emanated from it.
Exhausted, she put the amulet away and then checked that there was nothing more dangerous in the ruin, then returned to the camp.
Now it was time to gather everything and go back.