As Aiden, Winterhell, and Skal passed through the archway, leaving the unnerving, looming guardians behind, they were met with the breathtaking sight of a sprawling sea of players, stretching far across the vast open field that was the Evergreen Glade.
“That's a lot of gamers,” Winterhell said.
“That’s a lot of competition,” Skal added, awestruck as his gaze swept over the crowd.
Aiden squinted, trying to take it all in. The sheer scale was overwhelming, a living, shifting mass of players moving like waves over the field. He let out a slow whistle while letting his hand comb through his dark brown hair. “How many do you think there are?” he asked. “They must be in the tens of thousands at least, right?”
“I’ve seen gamer masses in the tens of thousands before,” Skal said, his golden eyes scanning the expanse.. “Like during the annual reenactment of the Battle of Agincourt on one of the historical LARP realms,” he continued, “and this is more… much much more. I’d wager that the real number is somewhere in the hundreds of thousands.”
“Hundreds of thousands,” Aiden repeated in a hushed voice. “They weren’t kidding about this being the greatest gaming experience of all times. Whatever the record for the largest event used to be, I’m pretty sure this just blew it out of the water.”
The sheer mass of players in the Evergreen Glade was staggering. As the trio attempted to make their way toward the portal at its center, they soon found themselves at the edge of an enormous crowd, all gathered around the towering structure.
The only thing more impressive than the sheer size of the crowd of players was the deafening noise it generated. As far as Aiden could see, there were groups, both large and small, scattered across the expanse, their voices buzzing with excitement. The air was thick with nervous anticipation, an almost palpable energy coursing through the Glade as everyone waited for what was to come.
The trio stood on the edge of the sea of players, their eyes darting across the incredible variety of people that surrounded them. There was no rhyme or reason to the mix; players of all kinds were interspersed, the vibrant and the mundane standing shoulder to shoulder. Many still bore the plain, grayish skin and faintly glowing eyes of the Spawn race they had all started with.
The overall equipment was sparse, tattered cloaks, rusted swords, and dented shields. A dwarf with an ancient-looking helm strolled past a lizard-like Drakkin, whose only piece of gear was a jagged spear strapped to her back. Nearby, a towering Trollkin in mismatched boots adjusted the single shoulder guard he seemed to have scrounged from somewhere.
Aiden, who felt utterly ill-equipped, nudged Skal and asked, “Any chance I could borrow your wooden club?”
“What are the odds of me getting it back?” Skal said, “you seem to have a particular set of skills when it comes down to destroying what little gear you have.”
“Come on Skal,” Aiden said pleadingly, “don’t ask questions you don’t want the answer to.” He tried his best to give Skal a look of pleading innocence, which only yielded mixed success.
“Look at it this way,” Winterhell intervened, “if you give Aiden your club, he’ll be a nice squishy shield that stands between us and the bad stuff that’s about to come out of Lockhaven.”
“Oh?” Skal said his voice filled with delight, “I didn’t realize that you were volunteering to tank for the party.” He withdrew the club from his storage and tossed it over to Aiden with a bright smile.
“Wait, what?” Aiden said, “that’s not at all what I was doing. If anything you should be our frontliner with your fancy sword and uhh…. righteous fury?”
Aiden’s attention was abruptly pulled towards a small figure waddling out of the main crowd, and coming to a halt right next to where they stood. It was of the most unlikely race, one that Aiden had never even heard of before. A humanoid with bright white feathers covering her body, an orange bill protruding from her face, and webbed feet slapping softly against the grass. She wore a patched leather vest and carried a short sword that had glowing purple runes carved into its blade at her waist.
Aiden gestured towards the figure as he whispered to Skal and Winterhell, “Uh, is that a duck person?”
Winterhell’s eyes went wide “That’s adorable! I mean, look at her! A Quackborn? No that's not right... A Duckari? No, that's worse somehow. I'm not entirely sure what race that is, but it's absolutely amazing!”
Aiden hesitated, furrowing his brow. “I don’t know. Doesn’t it seem... I mean... compared to some of the other races walking about here, like Centaurs, Beastkin or Dark-Elves… she’s just a duck."
As if sensing his hesitation, the ‘duck’ player turned, her bright, curious eyes locking onto the pair. She quacked, actually quacked, before striding confidently toward them. “Excuse me,” she said, her voice carrying a chipper tone, “did I just hear someone say that I’m just a duck?”
Aiden’s face flushed. “I didn’t mean….uh, I was just saying….”
Winterhell cut in, her tone bright and welcoming. “No, he’s being ridiculous. You look incredible. If you don't mind me asking, what’s your class? A fighter? Maybe a rogue? That sword there looks fantastic! I’m Winterhell by the way, and this here is Aiden and that’s Skal.”
“It’s Billfolk,” she said, puffing out her chest, her feathers ruffling slightly in what Aiden could only assume was pride. “My name is Kaelwyn, and I’m a Billfolk Shadowblade, actually. And before you say anything, I’m absolutely thrilled.”
As she spoke, her name and level appeared above her head.
Kaelwyn - Level 5
Aiden blinked, surprised. “Really? I mean, I figured something like a uh… Billfolk was it? Might sound a little…underwhelming?”
“Underwhelming?” she echoed, cocking her head. “Have you ever played as a Billfolk? Well to be fair, I’ve never heard of them either until I used the Genesis Orb that I found in the ruins over there, but the idea of cutting through water faster than anything else in the game sounds like a unique trait to help me make my mark. I have this really cool racial ability, called: Slipstream Ambush, and it…well I guess you’ll just have to wait and see it for yourself.”
As Kaelwyn spoke, her energy was infectious. Aiden found himself smiling despite his earlier doubts. She wasn’t just proud of her race and class combination, she was excited about the possibilities it brought, far more excited than he’d initially been about becoming a Bard.
“Guess it’s all about perspective, huh?” Aiden muttered, almost to himself.
Kaelwyn cocked her head again, her bright eyes twinkling. “Perspective? Nah. It’s all about style. And I’ve got plenty to go around. Also nobody is ever going to recover emotionally from losing to, how did you put it? A duck!” She gave a wink, and a small bow before turning back towards the portal, her webbed feet slapping cheerfully against the grass as she walked away.
“That kind of optimism might just be her strongest weapon,” Skal mused, his gaze lingering on Kaelwyn’s retreating form. “More useful than that sword, and that's saying something.”
“I think I just got schooled by a duck,” Aiden said, staring at Kaelwyn as she blended into the crowd.
Winterhell nudged him playfully. “Billfolk. And yeah, you totally did.”
***
Aiden and his companions had just finished recovering from their near-duck experience, when the deafening, deep bellow of a horn echoed through the Evergreen Glade, its mournful sound cutting through the air like a blade. The ground beneath Aiden’s feet trembled, the reverberations rattling his bones. The excited chatter of the crowd instantly ceased, and was replaced by an eerie, suffocating silence.
Aiden's heart leapt into his throat as a system prompt appeared in his field of vision:
Quest updated - Defend the Portal
A mystical portal has appeared in the Evergreen Glade and forces have gathered and are coming to destroy it.
Objective: Defend the portal
Duration: 12 Hours - Time remaining 00 Hours 00 Minutes 00 Seconds
Reward: Individual rewards will vary based on personal performance
The portal pulsed, an ominous crimson light spilling out and painting the Glade in hues of flickering blood-red shadows.The horn blasted again, deeper and more resonant, as though the world itself were groaning under its weight.
And then they came.
At first, there were only sounds. An eerie cacophony like a million knives scraping against distant cobblestones.
Then, from every direction, like a tide of nightmares, the Nyxborn Lurkers surged out of the city and into the Glade. They poured from the archways, slithered through gaps in the walls that surrounded the Evergreen Glade, and leapt down from the crumbled heights. Their jagged, spider-like limbs tossed up clumps of grassy dirt, as they began to cross the field separating them from the mass of players. Hollow faces glowed faintly with an otherworldly energy, their twisted forms writhing with malicious intent.
The menacing blade-tailed guardians followed in lockstep. They moved with terrifying precision, their multi-jointed tails slicing through the air with a sharp, metallic whistle. The mere sight of them was enough to send waves of panic rippling through the mass of players.
The nervous excitement that had filled the Glade moments ago shattered. Chaos erupted as players scattered like leaves in a storm.
Some standing closest to the oncoming mass of Lurkers tried to push their way past other players in a frantic attempt to escape what they felt was their approaching doom, while others froze, their weapons clutched tightly but unmoving in fear. There were cries of alarm and confusion mixed with desperate commands as more organized groups tried to rally, forming shaky battle lines. Among the chaos, a few brave, or reckless, players charged headlong towards the swarm, screaming challenges and hurling insults at the advancing enemy. Their voices, bold and defiant, were quickly swallowed by the monstrous roar of the Nyxborn horde.
“They’re flooding in!” Winterhell shouted, her voice cutting through the rising panic. She gripped Aiden’s arm, her usual playful tone replaced with urgency. “We need a plan! Now!”
“What are you looking at me for?” Aiden answered, “I obviously don’t have an answer to that,” he said, pointing a shaking hand towards the oncoming horde.
Aiden’s thoughts raced as he scanned the chaos. His gaze darted from side to side. Amidst the chaos, he saw the faces of players who hadn’t fled to the back ranks. Their expressions were grim but determined, holding what little weapons they had at the ready, standing their ground against the encroaching nightmare. Despite the palpable fear in the air, there was courage here too, a stubborn refusal to go down without a fight.
From somewhere along the line of players, a voice cut through the chaos, sharp and defiant: “Give them nothing, but take from them, everything!”
The cry rippled outward, catching like fire. Others took up the shout, voices raised in raw defiance. The words echoed through the Glade, mingling with the clatter of advancing enemies and the panicked murmurs of those retreating. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to kindle a spark of hope, or at least fury, in the hearts of the players who remained.
“I guess this is where we fight. It’s not a great plan… it’s barely a plan at all, but probably better than whatever Aiden was going to suggest,” Skal said, nudging Aiden with a grin.
“One of these days Skal,” Aiden started, but broke off mid-sentence, his gaze fixed towards the archway they had used to enter the Glade. “Look!” he shouted, gesturing to his companions to see.
The elf player they had encountered earlier, the one who had dismissed their warning about the countdown, was running toward the mass of players at full speed. Her glowing daggers were clutched tightly in her hands, but her confident composure was gone, replaced by sheer terror. Behind her, her companions, what was left of them, were being torn apart by the relentless Nyxborn Lurkers.
“She’s done for,” Skal said grimly, his tone cold.
“I don’t think she can make it,” Winterhell added, her tone a mix of pity and frustration. “If only she’d listened to us earlier.”
Aiden’s gaze was fixed on the elf, her desperate eyes darting between the Lurkers on her heels and the safety of the players ahead. The screams of her companions echoed in his ears, a chilling reminder of how close they all were to the same fate.
Aiden was about to speak when he was interrupted by a system notification that appeared in his field of vision.
Bonus Quest available - Save the Elf
You have spotted a fellow player in need. While others stand idly by, you must choose whether to act or to leave them to their presumably well-deserved fate.
Objective: Safe the Elf
Duration: Probably only moments, I’d hurry if I were you
Reward: ???
“Guys,” Aiden started, “you’re not going to like this, and I don’t have time to explain myself.”
“Aiden don’t do it,” Skal said, his voice filled with warning. “You can’t save her and you know it.”
Aiden’s face was determined as he turned to Skal and Winterhell. “You’re probably right,” he said, his voice steady. Just as his friends’ faces relaxed with relief, a defiant grin appeared on his face,and he added, “the thing is, it's very likely that I'm going to die trying, so you’d better come and save me.”
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Before they could stop him, Aiden dashed forward, his borrowed wooden club clutched tightly in his hand. Winterhell’s shout of protest was lost in the cacophony of the soon to be battlefield as he charged headlong toward the advancing Lurkers. The glow of their hollow faces grew brighter as they closed in on the fleeing Elf, their jagged limbs slicing through the air.
Aiden’s mind raced as he activated his Sonic Blink, the world around him blurring for a split second before snapping into focus again. He reappeared between the Elf and the nearest Lurker. Without hesitation, he swung the wooden club with all his might, striking the creature squarely in its grotesque head. The impact sent a shower of splinters flying, but the force staggered the Lurker, its limbs flailing as it stumbled to the side.
With a pleasant surprise, Aiden saw the creature’s name and level appear above its head.
Nyxborn Lurker - Level 2
The fact that its level was significantly lower than that of the ones he'd faced in Bleeker Street gave him a sliver of hope that he just might make it out of this mess alive.
“Keep running!” Aiden shouted, his voice strained as he swung the splintered remains of the wooden club at the nearest Lurker. The jagged limb of another creature lashed toward him, and he barely managed to duck, stumbling backward. His heart thundered in his chest as he activated Sonic Blink, reappearing just far enough away to avoid being impaled by another razor-sharp appendage. “I’ll cover you,” he added, hoping that his efforts would be enough to save her.
The Elf was still running, but her steps faltered, her eyes wide with terror. Aiden didn’t have time to congratulate himself on another fantastically stupid plan, every action was driven by instinct, and the need to survive to buy her enough time to reach the safety of the other players. He darted to the side, narrowly avoiding a bladed tail that sliced through the air with a shrill whistle. Another Blink carried him further back, but the swarm pressed closer with every passing second.
He darted through the chaos, his heart pounding like a war drum. He ducked under a serrated limb, then twisted on his heel to dodge another’s bladed tail, its metallic whistle slicing through the air just inches from his head. Activating his Blink, he disappeared in a flash and reappeared several feet away, landing a solid blow to a Lurker’s stomach with what remained of his club. The one he had just struck was also at level 2, letting Aiden assume that the same would be true for most of them.
For a moment, he felt almost confident, his movements were quick, precise, and his early strikes landed true. But then he saw the vast tide of Lurkers converging on his position, their jagged limbs clicking and scraping like a symphony of knives. He had to keep blinking away from the Lurkers in fear of being entirely overrun. For every one he dodged, two more closed in, faster than he could escape. There were simply so many of them, that their lower level compared to the ones he'd fought previously simply didn't matter.
The air seemed to grow heavier as the swarm pressed closer causing his half-baked tactical retreat to quickly fall apart. He knew that at this rate, it would only be a matter of time before he ran out of mana rendering him unable to blink to safety. Then the cold realization gripped him, that his bold heroic action may have been a mistake.
Just then he heard a roar split the air as Skal charged toward the fray, his summoned sword blazing with righteous fury. “You bone-headed suicidal goat!” he bellowed. “If you die out here, I’m telling everyone, and I mean everyone, that you were hit by a cart filled with cabbages that fell from the sky!”
Winterhell was right behind him, her spells crackling with elemental energy as she flung bolts of fire and ice into the advancing swarm. “What part of ‘don’t do it’ sounded optional to you, Aiden?” she shouted, her tone exasperated yet fierce.
Their reckless charge ignited something in the nearby players. A ripple of movement surged through the crowd as others took up arms and joined in the reckless charge towards the oncoming Lurkers. Shouts of determination and defiance rose above the noise as spells, and arrows started to fly toward the oncoming horde.
Aiden gritted his teeth, feeling encouraged in the knowledge that help was on its way, as another Lurker lunged at him. He barely managed to duck beneath its serrated limb, swinging his club upward to deflect its second strike that shattered upon the impact. He was buying time, every precious second feeling like an eternity as he maneuvered to shield the retreating Elf.
“Don't stop! We're almost there!” he barked, his voice hoarse from the effort.
The Elf stumbled but kept going, her figure disappearing into the charging mass of players. Relief flooded through Aiden, but it was short-lived as another wave of Lurkers surged toward him. His legs felt like lead, his stamina draining fast, but he forced himself to stand his ground.
Before he was able to blink to safety, he was attacked by yet another Lurker. Aiden swung what little remained of the wooden club, the splintered end barely grazing the nightmare spider as its jagged limbs scraped against his arm, drawing blood. He stumbled back, the world spinning, his breaths coming in ragged gasps.
Nyxborn Lurker has afflicted you with Ebonshade Venom.
Ebonshade Venom has taken effect.
Aiden saw the now all-to familiar sickly green icon appear in the bottom left corner of his field of vision. His mana bar blinked in warning, dangerously low, and his movements slowed as exhaustion threatened to overwhelm him. He didn't have enough mana to get to safety, and he had to think of something quickly.
He tossed the remains of the ruined club towards the Lurkers, then stretched out his right hand. A soft hum filled the air, resonating faintly as a shimmer of light gathered before him. The glow coalesced into a solid form, the light fading to reveal his summoned lute in his hand. A small icon depicting a blue book on a white background appeared next to the sickly green skull, indicating that his mana bar would slowly but gradually recover.
He didn’t have time to formulate a plan to get himself out of his current mess, as the relentless Lurkers were upon him again. One lashed out, its blade-like appendage aiming for his side. Without thought, he parried the blow with his lute, that against his own expectations withstood the attack. Another strike came before he could react that grazed his shoulder, sending him to his knees.
Nyxborn Lurker has afflicted you with Ebonshade Venom.
Ebonshade Venom has taken effect.
He tried to blink, but he couldn’t focus his mind, his body feeling heavier than stone. The swarm pressed closer, their hollow faces glowing with cruel intent. For a moment, time seemed to slow. Aiden’s vision blurred, and he felt the crushing weight of inevitability settle over him, as his health bar started to flash angrily at him.
Suddenly, the ground beneath the advancing Lurkers shimmered. A shallow pool of water rippled into existence, spreading under their legs, summoned by an unseen force. Before Aiden could comprehend what was happening, a figure emerged from the water with the grace of a dancer and the fury of a tempest.
It was Kaelwyn.
The Billfolk erupted from the pool, her glowing sword cutting through the air in precise, fluid strikes. “Slipstream Ambush!” she declared, her voice filled with determined cheer. Her blade sliced through the nearest Lurker, sending it collapsing onto the shallow surface of the shimmering water.
“Really?” Aiden gasped, his voice cracking between pain and disbelief.
Kaelwyn didn’t miss a beat, her movements a blur as she struck another Lurker, forcing it back. “What can I say? The duck has come to the rescue!” she quipped, casting a quick glance back at him. “Now get moving! Here comes the cavalry,” he said nodding towards the charging players.
Aiden, who didn’t need to be told twice, summoned every ounce of focus he had left, and activated his Sonic Blink, disappearing just as there was a violent, ground-shaking crash, announcing that both sides had met for mortal kombat.
Aiden blinked into existence behind the main line of players who had rushed into battle. He stumbled, his legs nearly giving out beneath him, and caught himself against a jagged rock embedded in the dirt. His breaths came in sharp, ragged gasps. The Elf he had saved was just ahead, bent over with her hands on her knees, catching her own breath.
“You’re insane,” she said between gasps, her voice trembling with a mix of shock and gratitude. “I don’t know if you’re stupid, brave, or both.”
“Bravery is just stupidity with better branding,” Aiden replied, flashing her a weak grin. He straightened, wincing as the venom icon pulsed in his vision. “You good? You’re not going to keel over on me, are you?”
The Elf shook her head, standing upright. Her gaze flickered to the chaotic battle raging ahead. More players, emboldened by the sight of their companions charging in, were joining the fray. The once-panicked crowd was now a tide of defiance, surging toward the Lurkers. Spells lit the field in flashes of color, and the clash of weapons rang out like a symphony of rebellion.
Just then, Aiden received a system notification, popping into his field of vision:
Bonus Quest complete!
You have completed the Bonus Quest: Save the Elf
Reward: Talisman of Echoes, Recovery Potion (2)
Aiden swiftly withdrew the two potions from his inventory, handing one to the Elf who accepted it with wide eyes.
“Where did you get these?” she said, her voice shaking as she popped the stopper off the precious vial.
“I got a spontaneous bonus quest to save our skin,” he answered, as if that explained everything. He then inspected the talisman he just received.
Item: Talisman of Echoes
Rank: Rare
Effect: Dimensional Echo
Whenever you activate a dimensional spell or ability, the Talisman of Echoes gains one charge. You may then remove all charges stored in the Talisman of Echoes to deal a small amount of resonating damage to all nearby enemies for each charge removed this way.
Cooldown: 1 Hour
"Every step between worlds whispers back to its source, and those whispers can become a storm."
His eyes went wide with excitement as read the item description. Considering his current lack of offensive capabilities, this was a welcomed boon, making his reckless efforts to save the Elf more than worth it.
“A what?” she asked, bewildered, interrupting his thoughts.
“It doesn’t really matter,” Aiden said, then raised his vial, he hesitated for the briefest of moments before tipping it back.
The liquid hit his tongue with an icy shock, almost painfully cold, and carried a bitter, medicinal tang that seeped into every corner of his mouth. As he swallowed, the cold gave way to an intense, fiery warmth that surged through his body. It burned, not painfully, but uncomfortably, as though his insides were being forcibly reset. The aftertaste was something indescribably acrid, a blend of scorched herbs and stale ozone. His body jolted as energy flooded through him, muscles tingling with a strange, jittery vitality that felt just on the edge of control. For a moment, he wondered if recovery was just a fancy word for temporary electrocution.
While seeing his stamina, health and mana bar being fully replenished, he gave a deep sigh of relief, as the battle against the Lurkers raged in the distance.
“I’m AeriKnight,” the Elf said, her voice carrying a touch of hesitation. “Level 3 Rogue. I… I owe you my life, you know.”
Aiden shrugged, as her name and level appeared above her head, thinking of how close he’d come to yet another fatal disaster.
“Don’t mention it,” he said, his tone casual. “Seriously, don’t. My party will probably never let me hear the end of it.”
AeriKnight managed a small laugh, but her expression quickly turned serious. “Look, I… really screwed up. My party and I,” Her voice faltered for a moment as she glanced toward the battlefield. “We made a bad call. We thought that gathering as much loot would give us an early advantage.”
Aiden’s eyes narrowed slightly, but he said nothing, letting her continue.
“We weren’t ready when those things flooded the ruins,” she stammered, guilt weighing heavily on her words. “And because of me, they…” She trailed off, shaking her head. “I’m sorry. I know it doesn’t change anything, but I am. We… I should have listened to your warning.”
Aiden sighed, folding his arms across his chest. “You’re right, it doesn’t change anything. Your team’s gone because of a stupid, reckless gamble. And it wasn’t just you. They chose to follow you. But yeah, you’re the one left standing, so the guilt? It really sucks, but that’s on you.”
AeriKnight flinched but nodded, meeting his gaze with a mix of shame and determination. “Then let me make it right. Let me join your party.”
Aiden raised an eyebrow, his face a mask of incredulity. “Seriously? You think after what just happened, I’d want you watching my back? You made a bad call based on greed, not on the safety of your team. And look where that got them.”
Her eyes flashed with defiance. “And you didn’t take a risk? You threw yourself into the middle of that horde just now! How is that any different?”
Aiden took a step closer, his voice steady but firm. “The difference, Aeri, is that I wasn’t chasing loot. I wasn’t thinking about myself. I took a risk to save someone, not to get ahead.” His expression softened, but his tone didn’t lose its edge. “Look, would have I done it, had it not been for the quest prompting me to do it? I honestly don’t know, but I don’t resent you for what you did. I get it, competitive events like this one push you to make decisions like that. But I can’t have someone like you in my party. I need people who’ve got each other’s backs, no matter what. And right now, I’m not sure you’re that type of person.”
AeriKnight looked away, her jaw tightening as she absorbed his words. For a moment, the two stood in silence, the distant sounds of battle filling the air between them.
“I guess I deserved that,” she muttered, her voice low.
Aiden summoned his lute, which appeared in his hand with a shimmer of golden light and glanced toward the battlefield. “Look, I don’t want to be insensitive. But I’ve got people out there who need me, who are currently fighting against nightmare monster spiders and that’s where I’m going.” He turned back to her, his gaze steady. “You can join the fight if you want. Or stay here. It’s up to you. Honestly, I don’t care either way.”
Without waiting for her response, Aiden strode toward the battle, his steps unsteady but resolute. As he made his way towards the tide of players he was looking for Skal and Winterhell, hoping that his actions and their charge to help save him hadn’t brought harm to them. AeriKnight stayed where she was, watching him go. Her fingers tightened around her twin daggers, her mind torn between guilt and resolve.
Behind Aiden, the sounds of clashing steel and roaring spells grew louder. He didn’t look back. He didn’t have to. He knew exactly where he belonged, it was by the side of his friends.
This wasn’t about glory or loot. This was about fighting for the people who mattered, who’d charge into chaos for you.