I'd been riding for over a couple of hours, following the faint glow of the Ley Line through the dense forest. The hum of my motorcycle's Ley Line engine was the only sound that accompanied me.
As the sun began to dip below the horizon, the valley opened up before me, revealing a Ley Line Node pulsating with ethereal energy. It wasn't my first rodeo with these Nodes, but the sight of the powerful energies converging and manifesting never ceased to amaze me.
I killed the engine and hopped off my bike. The damp earth squished under my boots, and the pungent scent of moss and decaying leaves filled my nostrils.
The trees loomed high above me, their branches twisting and contorting like the gnarled fingers of ancient giants. It was almost as if they were reaching out, trying to touch the ethereal light that pulsed and shimmered just beyond the canopy.
"Alright, Connor. You got a front-row seat," I muttered to myself, excitement building within me as I leaned against a gnarled old tree. “Let’s see how it all works.”
At first, the valley was cloaked in an eerie silence, the only sound the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze. But then, the air began to hum with a deep, resonant energy, as if the very fabric of reality itself was being stretched and pulled apart. The ground beneath my feet seemed to tremble ever so slightly, and the atmosphere crackled with anticipation.
Before my eyes, the Ley Line Node began to pulsate, its ethereal light growing brighter and more intense with each passing moment. The air around the Node seemed to shimmer and warp, and I felt a strange sensation in the pit of my stomach, like I was standing on the precipice of something monumental.
"Holy shit, this is unreal," I whispered under my breath, my eyes wide with awe and anticipation.
The glow intensified, and the air seemed to crackle with energy. My heart raced as I felt the familiar pulse of the Ley Line's power. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as the energy in the Node swirled like a vortex.
As the energy reached a crescendo, a shockwave erupted from the Node, rippling outwards like a stone thrown into a still pond. The trees around the Node groaned and creaked, their branches swaying violently in the wake of the blast. And then, just as suddenly as it had begun, the tumultuous cacophony ceased, and an eerie calm settled over the valley once more.
I blinked, trying to clear the spots of light that danced before my eyes, and when I looked back at the Node, I couldn't help but let out a low whistle of appreciation.
Where there had once been a simple clearing in the forest, there now stood the most extraordinary sight I'd ever seen. It was a city—or at least, the beginnings of one. The architecture was straight out of the Victorian Renaissance, with intricate ironwork and ornate stone facades that seemed to defy the very laws of gravity.
“Well, I'll be damned," I murmured, my voice barely audible over the sound of the wind rustling through the trees.
As I watched, the city continued to grow and evolve, the energy of the Ley Line Node twisting and shaping it like a master sculptor—the buildings seemingly sprouting from the ground like plants in some kind of time-lapse video.
The intricate details of the buildings, from the weathered gargoyles perched on the rooftops to the delicate wrought iron railings that adorned the balconies, seemed to appear out of nothingness. The cobblestone streets unfolded beneath my feet, stretching outwards in a tangled web of alleyways and thoroughfares.
Gas lamps flickered to life, casting a warm, golden glow over the deserted city, and I could almost hear the echoes of laughter and the clatter of horse-drawn carriages that had once filled these streets.
"I ain't never seen anything quite like this." It was like watching a ghostly apparition take form, an eerie and captivating sight that made my breath catch in my throat.
I couldn't shake the feeling that I was standing on hallowed ground, that I had been granted a glimpse into a world that was never meant for mortal eyes.
"Connor, old buddy," I whispered to myself, "you ain't in Kansas anymore."
As the city continued to manifest, I noticed the air grew colder, and a heavy fog began to creep in, shrouding the forest in an eerie, almost otherworldly mist.
"Man, this place gives me the creeps," I muttered, rubbing my arms in a futile attempt to ward off the chill that had settled into my bones.
As the city settled into place, the energy of the Node seemed to ebb, leaving an eerie silence in its wake. The fog that had clung to the forest floor began to seep into the city's empty streets, casting an otherworldly pallor over the ancient cobblestones and intricate facades.
"Jesus Christ, it's like something out of a damn movie," I said as I stepped forward to get a closer look.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of foreboding as I gazed upon the desolate city, a feeling that was only amplified by the knowledge that it would soon vanish as mysteriously as it had appeared.
"Alright, time to get moving," I told myself, shaking off the sense of unease that threatened to take hold.
Taking a deep breath, I stepped forward into the mist, my boots crunching softly on the damp cobblestones beneath my feet.
As I approached the outskirts of the city, the Gothic architecture loomed overhead, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch out and engulf me. The once-grand buildings, their ornate facades now weathered and worn, appeared both magnificent and unsettling in the dim light that filtered through the fog.
I couldn't help but feel a sense of awe mixed with dread as I stepped onto the cold, slick cobblestones, the eerie silence of the abandoned city weighing heavily upon me.
Just ahead of me, the street split open onto a broad avenue lined with towering skyscrapers, their windows glowing with soft lamplight. As I approached the entranceway, a massive iron gate swung slowly inward before me, beckoning me inside...
"Okay, that’s not creepy at all. What have I gotten myself into this time?" I whispered as I ventured further into the city, the fog swallowing me up like a ghostly embrace.
----------------------------------------
The moment I stepped through the gate, a message popped into view.
Server Name Mordenstrad Server ID Q91G Server Size Small Timer 8 days, 8 hours, 8 minutes, 8 seconds Subquests Remaining 4 Riftgates Remaining 1 Riftspawns Remaining 10 SCAVs Remaining 0 Main Quest Status Active This is a private Server. Only one Player can enter.
My eyes widened as I read the Server information. “What? Private Server?”
Aubrey never mentioned anything about Private Servers. Did that mean I didn’t have to deal with any other Players while inside? That gave me a little bit of comfort, but that also meant that I was really on my own—no support, no timely rescue.
The timer seemed short too. But since there were only four subquests, no SCAVs, and not that many riftspawn, it shouldn’t take too long to complete everything.
“Still…a Private Server, eh? Can I count myself lucky then? I think I’ll definitely rank up a couple of times after doing everything here. And—oh shit…and I get all the loot!”
Loot. Mother of god, I didn’t have anyone to compete with to get them all. What kind of loot would a Server like this have? Is it entirely random or is it thematic to the setting?
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
“I don’t think my backpack is big enough to hoard everything.”
The prospect of getting loot unimpeded made me quicken my pace. I felt like I’d been given a cheat level to power up in. No complaints here. Never look a gift horse in the mouth, as the saying goes.
----------------------------------------
The more I stared at the city, the more I became aware of the subtle details that seemed to set it apart from anything I'd ever encountered before. The architecture, while undeniably beautiful, also seemed twisted and dark, as if the very stones themselves had been warped and corrupted by some unseen force. The shadows seemed to stretch and twist in unnatural ways, and the silence that hung over the city was almost deafening in its intensity.
"I didn't sign up for a horror show, but here we are," I muttered, trying to shake off the creeping sense of unease that had settled over me.
The deeper I ventured into the city, the more I felt a sense of disquiet settling in my chest. The empty streets were haunting, as if a once-bustling metropolis had been suddenly and inexplicably abandoned. I couldn't shake the nagging feeling that I was being watched, even though I hadn't seen a single living soul since my arrival.
If things worked the same way as it did on the other Server, subquests were proximity activated so I needed to stumble into them before I could find out what they were. The System said that the Server size was small but the city itself seemed pretty big. I’d need to climb up a tall building just to survey its scale but with the damn fog in the way, I doubt I’d be able to see much.
I turned a corner and found myself in a small square, flanked by towering buildings that seemed to lean inwards, as if whispering dark secrets to one another. In the center stood a crumbling fountain, the murky water barely trickling from the mouths of the grotesque statues that adorned it. I couldn't help but shiver at the eerie atmosphere, feeling as if I had stumbled into a forgotten world that was better left undisturbed.
"Get it together, Connor," I told myself, forcing a chuckle to break the oppressive silence. "You've faced worse than a creepy city."
As I walked on, I tried to focus on my purpose here—the quests I needed to complete, the challenges I'd undoubtedly face. I couldn't afford to let my unease get the better of me. The city might've been unnerving, but it was also filled with opportunities, and I was determined to make the most of them.
As I pressed on, I began to notice more details in the city—the intricate ironwork on the balconies, the faded beauty of the frescoes that adorned the walls, the remnants of opulent gardens now choked with weeds and brambles. The city might've been a shadow of its former glory, but it still held a strange, decaying beauty that was impossible to ignore.
"Damn, this place has seen better days," I muttered, pausing to study the intricate carvings on a nearby building. "Looks like somebody's got a real thing for gargoyles..."
My attention turned towards one particular statue in front of me as I studied its snarling visage. Even though its features were partially obscured by layers of grime and moss, I could still recognize its fierce expression and sharp fangs.
"Well, at least they're keeping it classy," I said with a chuckle, shaking my head as I continued down the street.
My eyes lingered on the statue for a moment longer, and then I looked up to see something that made my blood run cold. A pair of glowing eyes, staring back at me from the shadows of a nearby building, seemed to materialize out of nowhere.
"Oh, shit," I whispered, dropping into a crouch and readying my SMG to fire.
I glanced around for any sign of movement, but the streets were as quiet as a tomb. Something was definitely watching me from within the shadows, but when I looked back at the building, the glowing eyes had vanished.
"I think that's my cue to move along," I said, quickly backing away from the building and making for the next corner.
I took another quick glance behind me before ducking inside an alleyway. Once safely hidden in the gloom, I waited for what felt like forever, every nerve in my body on edge, trying desperately not to draw unwanted attention to myself.
Damn it, this place was giving a worse vibe than the other Server. Was it because the sky above me was perpetually overcast? Was it because almost every media that had this gothic aesthetic always involved demons, devils, or ghosts? Maybe I should've taken a page out of Jack Sparrow's book and swapped out my guns for a sword...
Eventually, I convinced myself the coast was clear, so I stepped out onto the deserted street once more.
----------------------------------------
The damned fog was thicker than before. It swirled around me, obscuring my vision and making me feel like I was walking through a nightmare. Every step I took echoed through the empty streets, my boots tapping against the wet cobblestone. The silence that blanketed the city, the eerie emptiness that gnawed at my guts—it all felt like a cruel joke or some twisted play with me as the unwitting lead. Hell, I'd take a stray cat or a startled pigeon over this oppressive nothingness any day.
"Damn it, Connor. Stop walking like you're wearing lead boots."
As I turned a corner, my eyes were drawn to the haunting silhouette of a clock tower in the distance, The melancholy peals of its bells echoed through the deserted streets like a mournful lament, a dirge for this once-grand city—or a dirge for me.
"Just keep moving," I whispered under my breath.
I paused, squinting into the gloom. Up ahead, I could just make out the twisted, skeletal remains of a bridge. I decided to stick to the shadows, hugging the walls of the ancient buildings that lined the street. A shiver ran down my spine as I felt the cold dampness of the bricks against my fingertips.
And then I heard it. The sound was distant, barely audible over the oppressive silence, but it sent a shiver down my spine. A slow, steady clatter, like the rattle of a thousand bones. I crouched behind an overturned carriage, its once-elegant frame now twisted and blackened, as though consumed by a terrible fire.
My first instinct was to immediately activate my cloak and go invisible, but I resisted the urge. The invisibility only lasted a minute and I needed to save it until the right moment.
The clatter grew louder, closer, the sound echoing through the narrow streets like the approaching footsteps of death itself. And then, as I peered through the shadows, I saw it.
There, standing in the middle of the bridge, was a massive figure. It was clad in what looked like armor, glinting in the faint moonlight. But it wasn't just any armor. This thing was...different. The plates were twisted, organic, like the chitin of a giant insect. The details seemed to shift and change as I looked at it, making my head spin.
I squinted, trying to make out more, but the shadows seemed to swallow up everything except its haunting eyes that glowed like coals in the darkness. The air around it seemed to crackle with an unnatural energy.
And then I saw the steed.
The monstrous, six-legged beast that the rider sat upon was something straight out of a nightmare. Its armored carapace was as twisted and unnatural as the rider's, and its legs ended on razor-sharp blades that seemed to carve through the cobblestones as it moved. I could hear the low, rumbling growl that emanated from deep within its gut, a sound that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.
My Interface honed in on identifying the duo.
Name: Abyssal Marauder Type: Aberration Threat Level: Overwhelming Health: 1100
For a moment, I was paralyzed, too terrified to move or even breathe. My brain screamed at me to run, but my body refused to obey. I was a deer caught in the headlights, and I knew that if that thing noticed me, I'd be dead in seconds.
Slowly, ever so slowly, I sank into the shadows behind the carriage, my eyes never leaving the monstrous figure. I tried to steady my breathing, to make myself as small and invisible as possible. It was all I could do to keep from hyperventilating.
Jesus Christ, what was that thing? A riftspawn?!
I clutched my SMG tight to my chest, the cold metal a small comfort in the face of that unknown. Judging from what my Interface showed, I knew I couldn't take on that...thing, not without a plan. A really, really good plan, and maybe another rank or three. Every instinct in my body was telling me to run, to get as far away from that abomination as possible.
The steed shifted, its bladed legs clicking against the stone as it moved, and I held my breath. I could feel the cold sweat trickling down my spine, the taste of bile at the back of my throat. I knew I had to stay hidden, but I couldn't help but peek out from behind the carriage, trying to get a better look.
Its eyes seemed to bore into my soul, and I was struck by the overwhelming feeling that this thing was more than just a riftspawn. It had intelligence, a purpose. It was hunting, and I was the prey. The thought sent a shiver down my spine.
I watched as the rider and its steed prowled the street, their movements fluid and graceful, like dancers in a twisted, macabre ballet. They seemed to be searching for something, and I prayed to whatever gods were listening that it wasn't me.
The scraping sound grew louder, the clattering of the steed's bladed limbs against the cobblestones a cacophony that hammered against my eardrums. They were close now, so close I could almost feel the weight of their malevolent gaze.
I knew I had only seconds to act, so I activated my cloak and prayed that the invisibility was enough.
As they passed, I could see the wicked curve of the rider's blade, its obsidian edge gleaming with a sinister, otherworldly light. The thought of that thing slicing through me was paralyzing. Forget running away—I didn't even want to breathe anymore as its cold presence washed over me. I bit my lip, holding back a whimper that threatened to escape my throat. The steed's bladed limbs clacked mere feet away from me.
I held my breath, my lungs burning, my vision swimming as I stared at the monstrous pair. Time seemed to slow to a crawl, every second stretching into an eternity as they approached. But as they drew closer, a miracle happened. They veered off, taking a different path through the twisted labyrinth of streets. I risked a glance from my hiding spot, watching as it disappeared into the fog, leaving nothing but a cold, gnawing dread in its wake.
I wanted to collapse in relief, but I couldn't risk it, not yet. My heart still hammered away in my chest, but I forced myself to take slow, shallow breaths, trying to calm myself down.
It felt like hours had passed before I dared to move, even though I knew it was likely just a few minutes. I peeled myself away from the cold, damp stone, my limbs stiff and aching from the strain of remaining motionless. My legs felt like they were made of rubber as I forced myself to move, to put as much distance between me and that nightmare I'd just witnessed as possible.
"Fucking hell...should have looked at the horse's mouth."