Lucian shifted uncomfortably in his sleep to the sound of mindless groaning as if he had fallen asleep watching an old zombie movie.
“Wake up already, Crow,” an impatient voice demanded.
A world came into view before Lucian’s awakening eyes of being in a park near the center of the city ruins, the trees, grass and plants overgrown like an African jungle. The source of the groaning appeared at the sight of the backs of swaying tattoo-covered men in black clothing and metal armor, crafted in a fashion as if they were in a metal band. There were several of them, each wielding the strength of an Anointed.
“Wastelanders…” Lucian murmured. “Fuck this. I’m out.” Dougy and Two Tap were exceptions. He had no love for the people of this dusty land, each a villain ready to slit his throat as far as he was concerned. Yet, he could not rise. Panic set in Lucian when he finally saw he had been bound to a concrete bollard by a strange elastic binding.
“What is this…?” he murmured, stretching the binding substance, yet none of it broke or even weakened as much as he pulled.
“Snakeskin rope.” Beside him, bound to a neighboring bollard was the Corp Anointed with gray hair, Asher, his black suit still immaculate. “Wasteland slavers use the shed skin of a snakeman monster species called [Copperborn] to make it.” His expression darkened in watching the swaying Wastelanders with clenched teeth. “I could have killed these dusty barbarians if…” His black eyes shifted back to Lucian. “…If you hadn’t gotten me into this predicament, Crow.”
Lucian sucked at his teeth, hearing their captors were Wasteland slavers. “Fuck. This isn’t good. I really don’t want to be a slave.” His brow scrunched together. “And why do you keep calling me ‘Crow’?”
“Crows are by far the most annoying bird. Its calls sound strained and awful compared to normal bird song. Crows are also scavengers whose calls alert other animals to carrion nearby. You on the other hand just simply make noise because you’re stupid. Your incessant bungling has ruined my hunting here in Liberty Heights by alerting the surrounding monsters to your presence, making this area unsafe.”
“Is that what this city is called, Liberty Heights?”
“My God, I’m not sure why I am still surprised at how stupid you are, but here I am, in awe.”
“Jesus, calm down. I just became an Anointed.”
“As if that was a valid excuse.” Asher took in Lucian’s visage of torn armor and lack of weapon. “It’s like you’re pretending to be a Warden, like a child playing dress up. And Gatetech tools as well. Don’t tell me, you were a Monkey Harvester before the Master System showed itself to you? What an absolute buffoon I’ve found myself in the company of.”
Lucian became quiet.
“I’ve never seen someone so ill-prepared…” Asher muttered, leaning his head back against the concrete bollard. “Why the hell did you even come out here to the Wasteland for anyways—to be a burden to people like me?”
Lucian withdrew within himself as his mind became weighed by failure and recent ineptitude. He thought he would know enough to venture here. He had performed well before this. None of the Monster Gates he’d entered left him at a loss for knowledge. Where had he gone wrong? His thoughts journeyed to his Monster Guide. That was likely the culprit, according to him. The guide wasn’t close to being finished, having no information on the Wasteland or the monsters that inhabited it. He would correct that error soon.
Lucian’s eyes narrowed at Asher. He’d show this Corp Anointed what being prepared really looked like. There soon crept in the silence of quiet contemplation for both young men.
“Finally, some fucking peace and quiet,” resounded a nearby new voice, a voice that was aged like mold.
Above them, Lucian realized, hung a wooden cage supported by snakeskin rope tethered to a tree. Normal, powerless humans peered through gaps in the cage, wearing hopeless expressions on their dirt-matted faces. Rags and loose clothing draped from their sun-dried bodies, revealing a variety of tattoos, most crudely done by makeshift means. Sunbaked skin and veined eyes spoke of a life spent exposed to the elements.
They were people from the Wasteland the slavers had caught for the purpose of enslaving.
“You kids done yapping? Good.” Unlike the hopelessness painting the expressions of others, an old man with a dirt-stained white beard stood out, his visage one of impatience and grumpiness. He stood with arms hanging out of the cage, staring down at Lucian. “I’d rather die in fucking peace, thank you very much.”
"Please, help us!" screamed a young woman who pushed past others in the cage to plead with Lucian. Stark red hair and blue eyes, the color of plastic tarp, set her apart, along with an athletic figure hugged by tight jeans and a tank top that well complemented her bosom.
“Could you stop fucking screaming, Wendy? I don’t want to die with a fucking headache.”
Lucian stared at the Wastelanders suspended above him then focused on the old man. “Hey, old timer, what’s this about dying? They’re slavers. They need us alive to sell.” Beside him, Asher sighed as he shook his head.
“Those eyes just for show, dumbass?” the old man snapped. “Take a look around.”
It seemed to Lucian everyone had it out for him tonight.
Lucian finally took notice of the swaying slavers, moving back and forth like pendulums, unresponsive to their voices. “What's wrong with them…?” Lucian muttered, observing their synchronized rhythm, reminiscent of grass being gently blown by a shared breeze.
“Mind control,” responded Wendy, the red-haired woman. “Please, you’re Anointed. You can save us!”
“Mind control…?”
As Lucian spoke, he spotted a creature lounging on an old park bench, as if it were a throne. The seemingly female being had bull-like horns protruding from its forehead that grew upward, and golden eyes on black instead of white, watching them with a sinister smirk. Lucian felt a stirring as he met the sight of its stark naked feminine body, curving in all the ways a man would desire, with bluish scales emphasizing its contours. Its skin had a purple tint, as if it were freezing, and a spaded tail swayed behind it in sync with the slavers, while it had hooves for feet, and claws adorned its hands. Lucian knew what this creature was.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
“A demon!” Lucian sputtered.
“[Succubus],” answered the old Wastelander, “A real bitch of a monster that can devastate a whole town if it hooks its claws into enough people and get them moving the way it wants them to.”
“It’s just watching us…”
“Because that thing’s a sick fuck,” the old Wastelander spat, glaring through the cage’s wooden confines at the demon, “Probably likes watching us squirm.” The other Wastelander captives shrank away, fearing the demon’s wrath might manifest with the old man’s belligerent words.
“Heightened emotions,” Lucian explained, trying to calm himself. “It prefers to eat people when they’re emotionally high. Uncontrollable rage, blissful happiness, insatiable lust—[Succubus] can taste it all in the meat they eat, which they usually do when their victims are still alive.” He saw Asher watching him with interest. “It was in a book called ‘The Unknown Monsters,’ by Takamori Hayabusa.” Lucian remembered the book since it revealed traits in monsters that no other Anointed had discovered before.
“So, you’re not so useless after all,” Asher commented, prompting a wry look to appear on Lucian’s face. “That doesn’t help our situation, but I appreciate new information.”
“Why don’t you break out of those bindings?” Lucian responded, eyeing the gray haired young man, “I’ve seen your Spell. It powers you as well as defends you. Since you’re some kind of hybrid attack type Anointed, I’m sure you could break out no problem.”
“Do you not think I haven’t tried using my Spells already, Crow? The scales of [Copperborn] have incredible defense. Sadly, their shed skin shares the same quality. I can’t break this.” He breathed in and let out a heavy sigh. “And I’m not an attack type. I’m a support type.”
“Support type? Fine then. If you want to be an asshole, go ahead. I don’t have to play along though.” Lucian scoffed hearing what he thought was obvious lies.
Asher rolled his dark eyes. “[Acute Focus], a special Inner Trait I developed, recognized by the Master System,” Asher explained. He held up a finger, allowing Mana to shine at the very tip of it. “The Inner Trait strengthens a support Spell by concentrating it around a singular point. Concentrating my support spells multiplies their effect, providing me with offensive capabilities equal to an attack type Anointed or the defenses of a defense type.”
Lucian recalled their previous battle, where Mana moved around Asher's body, appearing impenetrable against Lucian's attacks. A realization struck him: Only the most talented Anointed could have the Master System recognize their skill—a truly uncommon feat. Even skilled martial artists who dedicated their lives to practice often couldn't achieve such recognition.
“…Are you some kind of genius?” Lucian had to ask. There were stories of Anointed loved by the Master System, their dedication and talent getting the system’s attention and earning them rewards.
“No, you’re just stupid, Crow.”
“Dammit. I should’ve known you’d say that.”
Asher turned away, gazing at the night sky, its darkness and blanket of stars resembling a glittery void to him. The Corp Anointed had hoped for anything but a support type. Yet, fate often played cruel tricks despite the aspirations of mere humans, even Anointed. Developing his own Inner Trait stemmed from his desperation to avoid settling for what he was given.
A memory haunted Asher, one of his father unable to bear the sight of him upon discovering the type of Anointed he had become. His father only ever respected power.
“Oh, God,” Wendy whispered in fear as the other Wastelanders caused the cage to lean as they backed away. Just below them, appearing face to face with Asher was the demon, its purple tinted expression twisted with hunger.
“Calm down, Asher,” Lucian carefully advised the Corp Anointed, “The [Succubus] is reacting to your emotional state.”
“I’m not emotional,” Asher hissed, prompting the demon to lean closer and lick the side of his mouth. “Fuck, that’s disgusting.”
The truth was melancholy had been driven into the Corp Anointed, triggered by his past. Lying about his emotions only exacerbated his state further. The eyes of the [Succubus] rolled back in ecstasy, sensing Asher struggling internally.
It would soon feed. Though the demon had planned to control Asher, much like the slaver Wastelanders, it would not pass up on a meal when he was already tender with emotion—exactly what it desired. Sharp teeth were exposed as it leaned forward to bite a piece of cheek off Asher’s face.
“Hey, demon,” Lucian called out, getting the creature’s attention. The [Succubus] turned its horned head to Lucian but as it did, a steaming purple liquid splashed against its face.
[Naga Venom]
The demon's blood-curdling shrieks pierced the air as it staggered backward, frantically clawing at its face in a futile attempt to rid itself of the venom. Yet, each swipe only served to spread the poison further, transforming its flesh into a grotesque semblance of melting candle wax.
Lucian’s [Naga Venom] had recharged somewhat while he slept, but the gathered amount was potent enough to be lethal if applied to the head, allowing the substance to eat straight to the brain. Droplets of poison fell onto Asher’s bindings, managing to melt them away and free him. The idea wasn’t lost on Lucian as he allowed venom residue in his mouth to fall onto his own bindings, granting him freedom as well.
Back on their feet, Lucian and Asher saw the [Succubus] writhing on the ground, its screams silenced in its last dying moments as it twitched uncontrollably.
“I owe you my life,” Asher said solemnly, turning to face Lucian, “I do not forget my debts. Despite my harsh words earlier, I’m alive because of you. You have my thanks…” He scratched at his gray hair bashfully. “What was your name again?”
“Lucian,” Lucian responded with an upturned mouth.
“Right, Lucian. From this moment, consider us allies. No favor is too big to ask for. You merely have to ask. I’m Asher and my word is my bond.”
“Why the fuck are you two celebrating?” shouted the old Wastelander in the cage.
Lucian and Asher saw the mind control gripping the Wastelander slavers had not been released, their eyes still glazed over and their tattooed bodies still swaying together.
“We can kill these dust barbarians easily,” Asher scoffed with Lucian whole heartedly agreeing.
“You idiots,” snapped the old Wastelander, “There’s more than one demon!”
Both Lucian and Asher saw another [Succubus] rapidly approaching, emerging from a dark alley between buildings, fury apparent on its woman-like face.
***
A Humvee soared into the air, having driven up and over a hill too quickly before descending heavily and landing back on the road with a loud bang. Inside, Amelia gripped the wheel with both hands, her face displaying panic, the radio completely turned off. In the passenger seat, Two Tap kept a watchful eye on the back window, anticipating the monsters chasing them to show up soon.
“We can’t just drive around…” Amelia muttered. Her gaze remained fixed on the roads leading into the ruined city, but they continued driving on its outskirts. They were fleeing from monsters that appeared out of nowhere to pursue them. Normally, such creatures would give up when faced with the speed of a Gatetech car, but these were uncommonly determined.
The only escape route from the pursuing monsters was to return to New DC. The New DC Anointed Force guarding the wall would eliminate the monsters for them. As safe as they would be doing that, it would leave Lucian stranded alone in the city ruins, otherwise known as “Liberty Heights”.
Resolving herself, Amelia clenched her teeth and declared, “I never betray my friends!” Without her seatbelt, Two Tap’s petite form would’ve flown out of the window as Amelia suddenly took a sharp turn to head into the city ruins.
“We’re coming, Lush!” Amelia roared, her foot never letting off the gas.
Two Tap turned back to see the figures of monsters appearing, cresting over the hill from where their car had taken flight. “M-monsters…” she murmured to Amelia, “They're coming back…!”
“…Can you fight them, Two Tap?” Amelia prodded, “Like, shoot abilities at them while we drive? I would, but I don’t fight…”
“Two Tap is healer type…!” Two Tap answered, shaking her gaunt head vigorously.
“It’s alright. It’ll be alright.” Amelia reassured herself as she drove on, anticipating the monsters to soon tire and give up. However, up ahead, the bright beams of their Humvee lit up the dust clouding the air. As they approached, a stampede of monsters of varying species came into view, the entire horde moving around Liberty Heights and blocking Amelia and Two Tap from reaching their destination.
“N-not good!” Two Tap squeaked, recognizing the formation of creatures from her life spent in the Wasteland. “M-monster wave!”