The scent of freshly baked bread and sizzling bacon filled the air as Sera, Zayzal, and Anders descended the narrow wooden staircase of the cozy inn they had spent the night in. Located in the heart of Hamburg, this establishment seemed to be one of the few places still operating with some semblance of normality. The inn's rustic charm, combined with its warm ambiance, provided the weary travelers a well-needed refuge from the chaotic outside world.
Upon reaching the ground floor, the trio found a quaint dining area filled with mismatched chairs and tables occupied by other travelers.
An old-fashioned TV, perched on a corner wall shelf, was broadcasting a news program. However, the signal was erratic, causing the screen to flicker intermittently.
Settling into a vacant table, they were quickly served hearty plates of eggs, bacon, bread, and coffee. As they began digging into their breakfast, they tuned into the TV, trying to decipher the garbled news broadcast.
"...Reports from Schneverdingen state that the Lüneburg Heath has become a hotspot for mysterious creature sightings and unexplained phenomena since the descent of mana," the news anchor's voice was barely audible amid static. "Local authorities urge everyone to steer clear of the area and not engage with any unidentified beings..."
Before more details could be shared, the TV's signal worsened, replacing the anchor's face with a screen full of snow.
Murmurs and hushed conversations filled the room. It seemed everyone was trying to piece together the fragmented news they had just heard.
As they finished their meal, Zayzal remembered his phone. He had charged it overnight, hoping to contact his family. Pulling it from his pocket, he sighed in frustration. There were still no signal bars. The descent of mana had indeed affected the cellular networks drastically.
Turning to Anders and Sera, Zayzal brought up the snippet of news about Schneverdingen and Lüneburg Heath. "If there are creatures in that area, it might be a good place to train and experience firsthand the changes that the descent of mana has brought to the world."
Anders pondered, sipping his coffee. "It could be dangerous, but I have no problems with that. If we can assist the locals while strengthening ourselves, I'm in."
Sera nodded, her eyes shining with desire. “Of course, I’m in! It’ll be a good place to test out our new gear.”
The group chuckled, but there was a hint of solemnity in the air. Every battle they’ve had against monsters has nearly killed them. One slip-up could cost them their lives or, at the very least, their future.
Zayzal smiled at their resolve. "Then it's settled. We'll head to Lüneburg Heath."
After settling their bill with a gem, they loaded their SUV and set their course towards Schneverdingen.
The road was lined with abandoned vehicles and signs of recent struggles. Every now and then, they would pass military checkpoints, indicating a significant military presence in the area.
A few hours later, the trio found themselves on the outskirts of Schneverdingen. The quaint town seemed eerily quiet. The once bustling streets were now deserted, and a thick fog enveloped the area.
Parking their SUV, they ventured into the heart of the town, only to find it in disarray. Buildings were damaged, windows shattered, and there were traces of battles everywhere.
"It's worse than I thought," Anders whispered, surveying the devastation.
Sera tightened the grip on her new shield, her senses heightened. "We need to be careful."
As they ventured deeper into Schneverdingen, an overpowering stench hit their nostrils. It was a mixture of rotting flesh, blood, and excrement. Their stomachs twisted as bile threatened to come up, but they shoved it back down and followed the smell.
The pungent odor led them to a massive sinkhole in the center of the town square. It was smaller than the one they had encountered before, with its depths obscured by a thick, greenish fog.
From within the sinkhole, the sounds of scraping and throaty grunts echoed, intensifying as goblin-like creatures clambered out. These creatures had green, mottled skin and sharp claws that were evidently adapted for digging.
They moved in hordes, seemingly working together to do… something.
The trio observed from behind a large old stone, trying to assess the situation. The goblins were not only emerging from the sinkhole but were actively digging and molding the earth, planting strange mushrooms and otherworldly flora that emitted a nauseating aroma. It was as if they were transforming the very landscape to suit their needs.
"We have to put a stop to this," Zayzal whispered, gripping his spear. "These creatures are literally taking over the city!”
Before they could strategize, a soft rustling noise came from a nearby alley. Turning, they saw a huddled group of survivors, their eyes filled with a mix of terror and hope.
One of the survivors, an older woman with silver hair and a fierce determination in her eyes, stepped forward. "You aren't from here," she stated, her gaze assessing the trio. "But maybe you can help. We've been hiding, waiting for an opportunity to strike back. These creatures... they came out of nowhere. First, they took our loved ones, and now they're destroying our home."
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Anders, moved by the woman's plea, nodded. "We're here to help. But we need some information first. What do you know about these creatures? And where are the rest of the town's people?"
The woman introduced herself as Elise. "Most fled when the sinkhole appeared, but many were killed or... worse." She hesitated, looking haunted. "And there are other creatures. Nachzehrer, they call them. Ghoulish vampires that emerge from the dead. When someone from our town falls, they rise again as one of those monsters."
Anders looked grim. “Damn.” He clicked his tongue, falling into thought.
He had heard of Nachzehrer before. They were told in old folk-tale stories and were made out to be nasty little things.
Suddenly, a high-pitched squeal pierced the tense atmosphere, alerting the trio to the danger they were in. A goblin scout with large ears and an even larger nose had picked up their scent.
In seconds, the goblin horde changed its direction and swarmed toward them, their eyes glowing with a savage hunger.
"Brace yourselves!" Sera shouted, taking up a defensive position with her shield raised and her axe ready. The goblins closed in quickly, their nimble feet making barely any sound on the cobblestone streets.
Anders and Zayzal took up their stance beside Sera, their spears poised for combat. Zayzal's eyes darted between his spear and the short sword strapped to his side, contemplating which would serve him best in close quarters.
With no time to lose, Sera lunged forward, swinging her axe in a wide arc. She managed to cut down three goblins in her initial assault, their bodies splattering across the ground. But their sacrifice didn't deter the others; if anything, it only spurred them on.
Anders thrust his spear into an oncoming goblin, then expertly twirled it around to fend off another two attempting to flank him. His movements were fluid and precise, each strike finding its mark.
He inwardly smiled, enjoying the fluidity of each motion.
‘It seems like my training is paying off.’ He thought and immediately realized that this was a perfect opportunity to put what he’d been working on into action. Images and forms on how to manage the spear swirled in his mind, ready to be put to use.
Zayzal, on the other hand, decided to use the range of his spear to keep the goblins at bay. He jabbed and parried, maintaining a safe distance. But when a goblin got too close, he swiftly unsheathed his dagger and drove it into the creature's throat.
Despite their efforts, the sheer number of goblins was overwhelming. Every time one fell, two more took its place.
The survivors, including Elise, weren’t just standing by. They had fashioned rudimentary weapons from broken wood and metal scraps.
They joined the fray, attacking the goblins with a desperation born of survival. Their faces were a canvas of terror and determination, every strike a silent vow to protect their home.
Elise wielded a makeshift metal club, her wizened silver hair like a wild cascade as she struck down a goblin with a fierce grunt. "For our home!" she yelled, rallying the survivors around her.
The battle raged on, the sounds of clashing weapons and the grunts and screams of combatants filled the desolate town square. The goblins were relentless, but so were Sera, Zayzal, Anders, and the surviving townspeople. They fought with everything they had, determined not to let these creatures desecrate their home any further.
Sera’s axe moved like an extension of herself, cleaving through the green-knotted flesh of the goblins. Sweat and blood mixed on her brow, but her eyes were resolute, the new gear proving its worth in the heat of the battle.
"Zayzal, on your left!" she called out, spotting a group trying to ambush him.
Grateful for the warning, Zayzal turned just in time, bringing his spear down with a powerful swing, warding off the would-be ambushers. "Thanks," he managed between breaths, keeping a protective eye on the townspeople as they fought valiantly.
Meanwhile, Anders moved. His spear danced in his hands, puncturing and slashing, a fine balance of aggression and defense. He moved smoothly between opponents, making each motion count, controlling the chaos around him with strategic strikes.
Mana rushed toward him and moved according to his movements. Every time he used the correct muscles, right positioning, and power, his strikes would be stronger and more efficient. Little by little, his power was rising. With every foe he slayed, his understanding of the techniques most suited to him grew.
Suddenly, the ground trembled as a larger creature emerged from the sinkhole, its bulging eyes scanning the battle. It was a monstrous toad, about the size of an adult man, its skin a sickly green and its massive, bulbous body oozing an acrid slime.
"Fuck! First, it was those goblins, and now this nasty ass frog!" Anders yelled, eyeing the beast warily as it joined the goblins in their assault.
Sera, taking a deep breath, readied herself. "We can handle it!" she shouted back, bracing her shield as the toad launched its enormous tongue at them.
The tongue whipped through the air with alarming speed, but Sera deflected it with a powerful swing of her axe. The momentum sent tremors down her arm, but she held her ground.
Zayzal moved agilely, avoiding the flailing tongue before he closed the distance and jabbed at the beast. His spear found its mark, sinking into the creature’s flesh. The toad let out a bellowing croak of pain, withdrawing its tongue and shuddering.
Around them, the battle intensified as the survivors used the moment of distraction to launch a desperate assault on the goblins. Their faces were grim, but a spark of hope ignited in their eyes as they saw the trio holding their ground against the monstrous toad.
"We can do this!" Elise cried out, smashing a goblin’s head with her club. "Push them back!"
Her words seemed to echo, fueling their spirits.
It became a grueling test of endurance. Each moment was punctuated by strained breaths, throbbing wounds, and the will to persevere. The trio and the townspeople were united in a singular purpose, forging a temporary bond in the midst of battle.
The toad, despite its size and ferocity, began to waver under the unyielding assault. The concerted efforts of Sera, Anders, and Zayzal took a toll on the beast, wearing it down.
Sera was slowly closing the distance, using the weight and quality of her new shield to hold it off. Once she got in range, she dashed forward, smacking its tongue with her axe and bashing her chin with her shield.
The massive beast staggered, dazed.
Seeing their chance, the trio pushed harder, the fervor in their eyes blazing like untamed fires. With a united battle cry, they unleashed a flurry of attacks, giving the monster no rest.
Finally, with a powerful downward strike, Sera cleaved into the creature’s head. It let out a final, agonizing croak before collapsing, the ground shaking with its fall. Its demise sent a ripple through the goblin horde, sapping their chaotic energy.
Exhausted but tenacious, the trio and the survivors continued the fight. The tides of battle began to shift in their favor as their morale was boosted upon the death of the toad.
Little by little, the square started to clear. The remaining creatures were either killed or retreated back to the depths of the sinkhole from whence they came.