Skies of gray covered the landscape with the pale lighting of a world in repose. With the season of winter came the heavy and cold rains that washed the kingdom in their unforgiving dredges. Just being caught outside would result in being soaked, a state quite dangerous to anyone traveling the roads when the nights were so cold. This was in addition to the thick frost and possible sheets of ice that would form the previous day's moisture and make everything miserable in the out of doors. One would be seen as foolish to travel in these conditions unless it was absolutely required of them, or they were in possession of a thick fur coat.
Such was the environment two travelers were left to contend with as they journeyed through the western province of Rellabellum. There on the muddy road walked both Jagger Nalark and Markku Kepple, an unlikely pair brought together by their shared connection to the great goddess of the land. Neither of them fully trusted the other but they worked together in the name of Jenna. Jagger with his life as a former errant knight had been taught him to be careful who he let close. Markku on the other hand had lived a life of seclusion and fear of being found out for what he truly was and friends outside his village were once an impossibility.
Despite these storied pasts the two men were able to find common ground despite being almost ten years apart in age, with Jagger being the older. Together they had journeyed out into the wilderness in order to fulfill the mission laid out by their goddess herself: that was to investigate the undead around the Henjuk Mountains. Though originally the newly minted paladin's quest alone he was joined by the capable werewolf due to the latter's expertise in wilderness travel. This cooperation offered up by the warrior himself upon hearing about Jagger's mission.
It was only a day or two before that Jagger had completed his so called training at the temple with the high priest, the knight's grasp on magic now passable at least. Such marvelous spells were granted to him by the goddess herself. There were simple things like casting an orb of light or detecting invisible creatures should they exist. But also there were more complex and dangerous things such as imbuing his sword with magical power and even firing an arrow of light from his very hands. Such things just part of being a paladin according to the all knowing goddess.
As for how he had reached the far flung western province of the kingdom that was also thanks to Goddess Jenna. Upon his readiness she had simply teleported him over by way of portal to the village of New Bellumis. That is how he came to meet the capable Markku and ended up partnering with him to foray into the wild. The werewolf warrior had a bone to pick with the undead, in both a figurative and literal sense, and was so inclined to volunteer himself for duty without hesitation.
It was the original village of the werewolves that was their destination. Ever since their abandoning it from the attacks led by the vampiress Neske the place had been overrun by the shambling dead, some of which had been either forgotten or stationed there for unknown ends. The fields next to the former village were one of the first places the living had contacted the undead and thus were a stellar place to begin their search. Though the dead were not known to talk even when raised to false life there were still possible clues to uncover there.
The two men had just come upon the very edge of the now abandoned village, their feet carefully placed as they crept up to the edge of the treeline. It was a drab and dreary day with the rain having let up easier in the morning and thankfully not returning from the overcast sky. This made the ground mushy and tricky to maneuver on. Thus the element of stealth was important. Markku led the way and Jagger felt no need to attempt to assert himself.
Markku was crouched behind a large bush in human form and gestured to his companion, speaking with his voice low.
“Come friend.” He whispered. “Look at this.”
Jagger crouched and made his way over next to the hunched man, peering out of the trees and into the arrangement of half burned buildings.
“What do you see?” He replied.
Without answering his question the warrior simply pointed out between the buildings. There could be seen several figures standing motionless in the light mist. Of course these figures were not people nor statues, but upon closer inspection could be seen as raggedy frames of rotting bones. The skeletons were armed with deteriorated armor of various kinds and held rusted armaments in their bony hands. Unmoving they stood in silent watch, for what purpose none could know, but remain diligent sentries they did regardless.
“How many do you think there are?” Jagger asked in whisper. “I can only see five myself.”
Markku shook his head and pointed to various places in the village as he spoke.
“I'd say there are far more than that my friend.” He replied. “My eyes are better than your human ones but even I can scarce see them all I fear. I'd figure there to be at least a dozen, if not more, scattered about the vacant buildings. There might even be some inside waiting in ambush.”
Jagger sighed and put his hand upon his sword. “I'm not sure why they'd lay traps for people.” He remarked. “They are unthinking creatures be they not? If that nasty woman left them here they would surely be simply forgotten wretches not useful enough to carry away.”
“Such way of thinking is mine as well.” Markku said rubbing his chin. “Though I wouldn't assume such things explicitly of our enemy. I concede the goddess doesn't see the vampire as much of a threat as of now but that she could grow into one in time. The less soldiers she has access to, forgotten or not, the better.”
Jagger stood up behind a nearby tree and drew his sword, its steel glinting in the gray light of the day.
“So shall we go in there and clear them out? If I recall you saying they are easy to put down.”
With a nod of agreement Markku stood up as well and drew his own sword, his werewolf form unavailable to him during the day.
“Lets get this over with.” He said with a low growl. “It will be a petty vengeance but a vengeance nonetheless.”
Steeling themselves for what was to come the two men stood up and began their approach upon the village. The buildings were half collapsed and damaged from fire, signs of the attack leaving their marks upon the place. All around the barrels and other belongings left behind from the escape were completely untouched. The undead in no need of possessions or food and thus having no reason to loot the place. Altogether it made for an eerie sight.
A righteous fury filled the warrior Markku as he changed into the village with reckless abandon, the skeletons not even moving to respond to him until he was upon them. The anger of his loss being so plainly defiled before his very eyes made the man fight with a ferocity befitting a monstrous beast.
The first skeleton he fell upon was quickly dispatched with a blow to the head, the blade of his sword cracking the skull and sending the abomination scattering to the ground in a clatter of bones. The muddy terrain gave no difficulty to the warrior as he twirled around to go after the next skeleton in his sights. Thus he took out one after another, the creaking of bones replaced with the cracking of them instead.
Not to be undone Jagger also threw himself into the fray. Upon his companion's thunderbolt of an opening attack the skeletons had become aware of the invaders and began moving to respond. They were slow and uncoordinated however and were no match for a seasoned veteran. The first skeleton to wander towards the paladin was quickly cut down with a blow to the center of mass.
With a grim face the man continued the disturbing work, his sword rising to block the haphazard swing of a rusted battleaxe. The skeleton behind the blow crumbled as Jagger gave its legs a swift kick, the impact of metal boot enough to snap the bones in half and crumple it to the ground. This was followed up with a stomp on the skull, the destruction of the head enough to make the pile of bones go still.
All of the mud was making it difficult for Jagger to maneuver where his companion was not troubled in the slightest. It was no issue in the end however as their opponents were little more than moving training dummies with ineffective weapons. Children armed with sticks would likely pose more of a threat to these men. Nonetheless it was tiring work as any combat was. Their enemy seemed to keep coming beyond what they had expected with the final count being close to twenty.
This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Eventually the skeletons stopped creeping forth from the buildings and the two men were allowed a chance to stop and catch their breath. They stood in the middle of the village square, a variable graveyard of bones scattered about in the mud at their feet. The stink of death hung in the misty air, a ever present reminder of the nature of their enemy.
Jagger was still taking deep breaths and wiped the sweat from his forehead with a scrap of cloth. He leaned his back on a nearby well and looked to his companion.
“Heavens but these things are disgusting.” He remarked after spitting on the ground.
Markku was standing with his back pressed up on an abandoned wagon, his posture relaxed as he recovered. His face was pointed towards the sky as he replied.
“Agreed.” He almost snapped. “I still remember the days I spent culling the things in the fields. Such a pointless endeavor looking back.”
Jagger stood up straight and prepared to sheathe his blade while giving one final look around.
“I wouldn't worry about it now.” He said with a smile. “Should we succeed in our mission, which we shall, Goddess Jenna will sort this out with the snap of her fingers!”
Markku also righted himself and flashed a small smile in return.
“I'll drink to that friend.” He then paused and lifted his gaze to the nearby storehouse. “Wait. Listen.”
Jagger tilted his head in curiosity and turned to look in the direction the warrior was.
“Listen to what sir?” He replied. “I don't hear any-”
He suddenly went silent. There was a sound coming from within that building. It was the thumping of something on wood, as if some large hammer was being pounded into the walls of the storehouse. The sound was getting louder as well, almost as if something was trying to break free. The two men readied their weapons again and walked to the middle of the street, the storehouse being about fifty feet away from them.
“Should we go investigate?” Jagger asked nervously.
Markku shook his head. “No. Whatever it is shall be visiting us shortly.”
The two men stood there in silence, grim looks on their faces as they awaited whatever it was to free itself from its prison and be revealed. The pounding sound got louder and louder as the wooden door began buckling under the attacks from within. After several more moments whatever it was made its grand appearance at last, the final blow crushing the door and wall alike with splinters of wood scattering to the muddy street all around.
With the entire wall of the storehouse destroyed the source of the carnage was finally revealed. There standing before the two stunned men was a towering skeleton of bizarre configuration. It stood at least eight feet tall with huge thick bones in every part of its body. In its right hand it held a massive sword of rusted iron too big for a man to even lift. The most terrifying thing about it however was its head, for instead the skull of a man in its place was the skull of a bull. Huge curved horns dominated the monster's head while its elongated face instilled unsettling feelings of dread in those who beheld it.
Jagger almost choked on his fear as he looked at the creature, his hands beginning to shake.
“W-What is that thing?” He gasped.
Markku was gritting his teeth in grim determination and his hands gripped his own sword tight enough to turn his knuckles white. He had no wolf form to fall back upon but his fury still burned brightly.
“I've no idea human.” He replied in grim tone. “You have magic do you not? Use that power and we shall smite it down!”
A sudden realization came upon Jagger and his eyes went wide. The fact he was gifted with magic by the goddess had wholly slipped his mind.
“Oh of course!” He then steeled himself and grinned with grit. “Lets go friend.”
As if to facilitate their gathering of wits the hulking skeletal monster had not attacked, instead standing there and looking about as if searching for what had disturbed it. Their voices however had alerted it and it turned to face them. It threw back its head and opened its jaw as if letting out a billowing roar though its skeletal neck made no sounds. Then it lowered its head like a bull and charged them with sword held back and to the side.
“Here it comes!” Jagger shouted.
Mud and splintered wood was sent flying as the huge skeleton charged the two warriors, its attack coming up short of its mark as the two much smaller combatants easily dodged to the side. Its sword however was still poised to strike and was brought forward with a menacing swing. The huge chunk of metal went right for Markku who was able to barely step backwards to avoid the blow, the swishing blade cutting the place he previously stood.
Markku returned aggression by jumping behind the skeleton and striking at its left hip with his own sword, though his tiny blade bounced off with only a scratch left behind. He cursed and dodged backwards as the thing turned to face him with its head still lowered.
Jagger saw the skeleton's attention was elsewhere and decided now was his chance to try some spells.
“That's it!” He yelled. “Keep its attention while I try something!”
Markku was too preoccupied dodging another charge to reply and thus Jagger was left to his task. He lifted his blade aloft and brought up the technique Timothy had taught him. With a shout to the sky he called upon the magical power within his body.
“Goddess grant me a holy weapon!” He shouted
Suddenly a brilliant flash of light blinded the paladin as his sword burst into a brilliant golden glow. It was shining like the sun itself and caught him wholly by surprise. This could only be a good thing however and he leapt into action to put it to use.
“Here I come!” He cried.
With his battle cry let loose the knight charged at the backside of the behemoth, his first attack finding its mark on the center of the creature's coccyx. The blow struck true and with another flash of light a huge chunk of bone was cleaved clear off, plopping into the mud with a splat. Immediately the monster turned around, its attention now falling upon the one that did it damage.
Markku was just as surprised as Jagger was, though he was a bit more focused on the battle. He noticed the knight standing there in awe at his own weapon and shouted out.
“Dumb bastard!”
Jagger was snapped back into the battle by the sudden insult, his gaze lifting up from his weapon in time to see the huge sword of the creature coming to bare on him. Quickly he dove to the right and landed with a wet splat in the mud, the death blow swishing over top of him harmlessly.
“Dammit!” Jagger shouted. “Get its attention again! I've got something else!”
Markku shook his head and readied himself.
“Suit yourself human.” He called out. “But make this one good!”
With swift footwork the werewolf warrior was upon the towering skeleton again and landed several mildly effective blows along its legs and lower rib cage. This succeeded in drawing its attention back onto him and it turned to take stomping steps on hooved feet towards its original prey. The smaller warrior was no easy target however and continued evading its slow attacks.
During this Jagger stood to his feet again and looked down at his still glowing blade. He had only moments to think as his companion couldn't dodge the creature's attacks forever. While this holy weapon was effective he needed something with more oomph. He remembered the goddess telling him one of his spells was very dangerous. Smite of thunder she had called it. Yes! He would use this.
He raised his sword and made himself ready, facing the monster and yelling to his friend again.
“Get clear!” He shouted.
Taking him quite seriously Markku dodged one final swing of the creature's huge weapon and started running towards the nearby house. The skeletal beast was too slow to follow and with its back turned to Jagger had left itself wide open. Jagger let out a battle cry and threw himself at the thing's back with his sword swinging wildly.
“Thunder smite!” He yelled.
In repose to both his words and actions the magical power held within him billowed to the surface and made him feel like he was being lit on fire. Cracking lighting arched from his chest, down his sword, and into the creature as his sword landed along its spine. Then the thunderclap came. With the sound of a roaring wave breaking upon the cliffs the sound of thunder blasted forth from his blade like a force of nature.
The effect on the surrounding area was profound. Ripples in the air tracked the powerful sound as mud and debris was sent flying through the air in the space immediately around the paladin, his ears ringing from the sound. The monstrous skeleton had taken the brunt of the force however and it was utterly destroyed. It instantly shattered into fracturing bones as if the goddess herself had been standing there and kicked it like an angry child knocking over a pile of blocks. The bones were scattered across the entire village in a variable rain of death.
Jagger stood there with his sword held aloft, the look on his face one of utter bewilderment as he failed to comprehend his own actions. Markku on the other hand came walking out from behind the building he had taken cover from with his hands falling down off his ears. He looked at the paladin knight with a look of one who was quite impressed.
“You tricky bastard!” He cried out in delight. “Why didn't you start with that one you brick?”
It took several moments for Jagger to recover enough to speak as his entire body had been shaking since the spell had been used. Once he finally collected himself he stood up and lowered his sword to his side. A look of accomplishment coming upon his face.
“Well I-I” He stammered. “I just didn't know what I was capable of I suppose!” He claimed proudly.
Markku shook his head unable to clear the smirk from his face as he sheathed his weapon. He then let out a small sigh while walking over to the paladin
“Well count me impressed!” He said. “Our goddess aught to give me some tricks like that I think!” He then crossed his arms and looked around. “Either way that was surely the last of them. I'd vote we catch our breath and head out to the fields sooner than later. I'd like this whole ordeal to be behind us before evening comes.”
Jagger nodded in agreement and slid his own sword into its scabbard.
“I wholeheartedly agree my good sir.” He replied. “Believe it or not I don't have an unlimited number of tricks like that and they do seem to take a great deal out of me.” He looked around as well. “The mere thought of being here in the dark sends shivers down my spine.”
Markku turned and started walking towards the now half demolished storehouse.
“Let's go sit down for a moment inside there. Its exposed enough that we'll have vision of the whole village I'd gather.”
“Very well.” Jagger replied. “I like your way of thinking. Lets do just that.”
Together the two men gathered their wits and trudged through the bone clogged mud towards the broken storehouse. The would enjoy a short rest to recover their strength before venturing out into what would surely be the true challenge ahead.