We led the Iron Revenant towards the last trap, an electrified net. As it stepped into the trap, the net sprang to life, electricity surging through the conductive wires. The Revenant emitted a high pitched groan as the net tangled around its legs, causing it to fall to the ground. Its body convulsed as the electricity coursed through it.
“Final trap, successful. Iron Revenant temporarily incapacitated,” Fii reported, its camera lens focused on the twitching form of the Revenant.
We didn't have much time. The Revenant was stunned, but not for long.
“What do you think are our chances of winning if we engage it at this stage?” I asked.
“Calculating…calculation complete. Probability of success seventy-three percent.”
“I can work with those odds,” I said, my gaze locked on the Revenant’s convulsing form. “Let’s finish this.” I hopped off as Fii slowed to a stop and holstered my rifle.
As the electricity fizzled out, the Iron Revenant lurched back to its feet, its eyes glowing more fiercely than before. Fii sprang into action, its wheeled legs transitioning back into clawed feet as it moved to intercept the Revenant.
“Commencing combat operation,” Fii announced, its synthesized voice echoing over my Interface’s comm.
The Revenant swung its massive iron chain, aiming for Fii.
Fii moved with surprising agility for its size, its six-legged form weaving around the Iron Revenant's chain swings, skittering aside just in time as the chain smashed into the cobblestone street, sending shards of stone flying.
"I've got your back, Fii," I said, steadying myself and focusing my energy to summon a Shadow Blast. The darkness swirled around my hands, coalescing into a concentrated orb of dark energy.
I hurled the Shadow Blast at the Iron Revenant, watching as it struck the monster's side and sent it staggering.
Attack hit. You deal 32 Umbral Damage
Fii pressed the advantage, its slender arms slashing and jabbing at the creature's joints and exposed gears.
The Iron Revenant roared in fury, swinging its massive chain with renewed force. Fii narrowly dodged the blow, the chain slamming into the ground and sending debris flying.
Fii responded with swift action, its mechanical claws slashing at the Revenant, leaving gashes in its rusted armor.
As Fii continued to hold the Iron Revenant's attention, I focused on charging another Shadow Blast while positioning myself to flank it, sweat beading on my forehead as I concentrated.
Attack hit. You deal 32 Umbral Damage
The Shadow Blast hit the Revenant's back, causing it to stagger forward. The impact left a sizable dent in its armor, an improvement over the minor scratches my bullets had left earlier.
The Revenant swung its chain again, but this time, Fii wasn't fast enough. The chain crashed into Fii, the impact throwing the spider-like machine back.
I winced, but Fii quickly righted itself, its synthesized voice stating, "Systems functional. Continuing engagement."
Fii said that but I didn't want to risk it taking further damage. Now was as good a time as any to see how effective my Umbral Echo ability was. I approached the Iron Revenant and focused my thoughts on manifesting shadowy duplicates of myself behind it.
From its shadows, two dark apparitions emerged and coalesced into shadowy copies of myself, moving to block the Iron Revenant's attacks and divert its attention. I followed it up with a Shadow Spike Trap set directly below it which immediately activated and afflicted it with an Umbral debuff. The damage was very minor but it was consistently applied.
Umbral debuff deals 5 Umbral Damage to the Iron Revenant
Just then, I had an eureka moment.
The Revenant roared in rage, swinging its chain wildly and striking both shadow clones, causing them to crumple like paper dolls.
"Fii, kite it around the area but don't let it leave my line of sight." I conjured two more shadowy duplicates, using my Umbral Echo, before activating my cloak to turn invisible.
"Affirmative. Executing command," Fii responded in its synthesized tone as it switched to its wheeled mode.
I ran to a more centralized position and took stock of the situation. Fii darted out of range of the Iron Revenant's chains while keeping the monster in view while my new copies circled around it from different angles.
As the Iron Revenant gave chase, I continuously created my Shadow Spike Trap along its path. Every trigger sent spikes of shadow energy into it and applied another stack of the Umbral debuff, slowly chipping away at its health bar while simultaneously weakening its defensive capabilities.
Umbral debuff (2 Stacks) deals 10 Umbral Damage to the Iron Revenant Umbral debuff (3 Stacks) deals 15 Umbral Damage to the Iron Revenant
It would take some time, but I could see that we'd eventually wear it down. It reminded me of my fight against the Crimson Harbinger-just spamming one ability to get the win. I was alright with that.
"Keep doing what you're doing," I told Fii over the comms as I kept the Umbral debuff stacked. It seemed like using Shadow Spike Trap didn't deactivate my invisibility.
Our combined efforts were taking their toll on the Revenant. Its movements had grown sluggish, its roars of fury now sounded more like groans of exhaustion.
With a battle cry, I hurled another Shadow Blast at the Iron Revenant. The blast slammed into its back, causing it to stumble forward. The arcane energy sparking and crackling as it consumed the monster's form.
Attack hit. You deal 32 Umbral Damage
Seizing the opportunity, Fii leapt forward, its slender arms outstretched, aiming for the Iron Revenant's exposed energy source. The mechanical claws pierced through the metal plates, disrupting the arcane energy that held the monster together.
The Iron Revenant's form shuddered, its glowing eyes flickering and fading to a dull, lifeless gray. It let out a final, anguished roar before its body shuddered and collapsed, the metal plates and cogs clattering to the ground as the arcane energy dissipated.
You gained 700 Experience Points
I held my breath for a moment and approached its crumpled remains cautiously, wondering if it was just playing possum. But after a few seconds, nothing happened. Then my Interface chimed with the completion message:
Quest: "The Iron Revenant" complete You acquired Arcane Conduit (unique object) You gained 1000 Experience Points
A tracking icon displayed across the screen, pointing to an orrery-looking contraption lodged under the chest of that mechanical monstrosity. I walked over and peered inside, faint blue light still flickered within the device but the gears and cogs surrounding it had stopped moving.
Fii trudged back to my side, its synthesized voice breaking the silence. "Objective complete. Threat eliminated."
"We did it," I sighed. "Thanks for all your help." I paused for a moment before continuing. "You okay?" I asked as I reached out to pat Fii's dome-like camera.
“Affirmative," Fii replied. "Systems functional. Minor damage to chassis. There are sufficient materials at the dropship for repairs.”
I nodded in agreement. Repairing Fii was going to be a priority since it didn't have a way to naturally heal damage. I had to be more careful with using Fii on the frontlines. Maybe I could find a way to give it upgrades at some point.
“Alright, but before we head there, help me get this conduit thing out of this scrap metal.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
Fii approached the Iron Revenant, its slender arms extended. It moved slowly, carefully extracting the orrery-looking device from the cobbled mess of gears and cogs.
"Object retrieved," Fii reported.
"That's something, at least." I grimaced as the orrery-looking device came free, its metal plating stained with rust.
I moved in to inspect the item and found the strange blue light still pulsing within, a faint humming noise coming from the device as well. Well, it wasn't broken...but I had no idea what the hell it did and my Interface didn't reveal any new information about it. It's worth keeping since it's a quest reward but it was way too big and cumbersome to store inside a backpack.
"Fii, pop open your storage compartment. We'll store this thing there."
"Affirmative." Fii opened the hatch at the back of its abdomen, and I placed the orrery device inside—the device took up a fifth of the available space inside.
"Good. Let's go back to the dropship and get you patched up."
----------------------------------------
After salvaging the rest of the useful parts from the dropship wreckage, Fii and I returned to the manor house. The sun had set by now and nightfall had descended upon the city.
I ate my ration bar while sitting on the steps of the front porch, watching as Fii went about its work repairing itself. As soon as I finished eating, Fii turned its attention towards me, its camera swiveling in my direction. "Systems functional. No damage detected. All systems nominal."
"Good," I said as I got off the stairs and sat beside it on the stone floor.
"Suppose we fight another riftspawn tomorrow that was just as tough as the one we just fought, do you think it'll go as well as it did today?" I asked Fii curiously.
"Negative," Fii replied. "All components for the creation of functional traps have been depleted. There are no more salvageable parts to be acquired at the site. The combat capabilities of other riftspawn are unknown, however, based on prior encounters, the probability of success is low."
Well, shit. That sucks. If there wasn't anything left to scavenge here, and fighting more of those things wasn't an option either, then what was the point of sticking around the Server?
"So where does this leave us?" I asked Fii, staring at the empty sky above me. The moon hadn't yet risen, leaving only stars to illuminate our surroundings.
"The most efficient course of action is to leave this Server and continue to the next."
I sighed, leaning back against one of Fii's legs. I thought that stumbling upon this Server where only one player could enter had been a stroke of luck. But every encounter so far cost more resources than what I'd gain. Yeah, gaining experience was nice and all, but the loot so far had been scarce. Would I be better off just leaving this place? Maybe there could still be some secret reward or special event that'd make sticking around worthwhile?
I ran a hand through my hair, sighing again.
"I don't like the idea of leaving a job half-finished, but you're probably right." I stood, stretched my sore muscles, and started walking towards the entrance. "We'll leave this Server tomorrow."
"Affirmative."
----------------------------------------
The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon as I packed the last of my gear onto the motorcycle. The first rays of sunlight glinted off the polished metal and leather seat. I hopped on the bike and revved the engine, giving the throttle a hard kick to get her rolling.
"Ready to go, Fii?" I asked, glancing at my robotic companion. Its gears whirred and clicked as it shifted into its wheeled mode, metal feet replaced by segmented wheels.
"Systems optimal. Ready to proceed," Fii replied, its mechanical voice sounding clear through my Interface.
"Alright, let's roll out." I kicked the bike into gear and gunned the engine, racing out of the manor courtyard and onto the empty streets.
"Affirmative," Fii chirped, its synthesized voice a stark contrast to the growl of my bike's engine.
The ride out of Mordenstrad was as quiet as my entry. I found myself looking back at the hauntingly beautiful architecture one last time. Despite the deadly encounters and general gloominess, I had to admit there was a strange, solemn beauty in the decrepit ruins. Knowing it'd be gone in a few days, it sucked that I didn't get to explore more of the city in earnest. But I hardly found any useful supplies in that ghost town and the threat of running into another powerful riftspawn like that Abyssal Marauder made sticking around not worthwhile.
"I wonder if it'll show up again since there are still things left to do in there?"
As we moved away from the city, the terrain changed from cobbled streets and crumbled bricks to a vast, lightly forested prairie. The golden grasses undulated like waves in the gentle morning breeze, and the rolling hills spread out like a patchwork quilt, dotted with an occasional grove of trees. Yet, despite the peace, the air hummed with a wild, untamed energy that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
Rolling hills stretched as far as the eye could see, adorned with scattered groves of trees and underbrush that seemed to sway with the gentle breeze. The Ley Line stretched out before us like a cosmic pathway, shimmering ribbons of light against the clear sky. I was cruising along, one hand lazily draped over the handlebars of the motorcycle, the other holding onto the steering grip. The morning sun was starting its climb into the sky, casting long, dramatic shadows over the landscape.
Beside me, Fii trundled along at a decent clip, its wheeled mode keeping pace with my motorcycle. The metallic clicks and whirs from its mechanical body formed a rhythm that somehow melded with the hum of my bike's engine, creating a strangely soothing soundtrack for our journey.
"Feels nice, doesn't it?" I yelled over to Fii, my voice barely audible above the roar of the motorcycle and the whir of Fii's systems. "No rubble to navigate, no monstrous riftspawn looming around every corner."
"Somatosensory module not installed. Unable to acquire that sensory input," it responded in its usual robotic tone. I chuckled at its blunt reply, enjoying the absurdity of our dynamic.
I glanced over and saw its dome-shaped camera swivel and rotate in its housing as if maintaining a constant vigilance on our surroundings.
"Ever take a moment to just appreciate the view, Fii?" I called out over the rush of wind and the roar of the engines.
Fii's optic shifted toward me. "Negative. Priority function is survival and assistance. Appreciation of the aesthetic environment is not necessary."
As we journeyed, the land began to slope gently upwards, transitioning from flat plains to rolling hills. Every now and then, herds of strange creatures resembling some amalgamation of deer and gazelle grazed on the endless stretches of grass. They kept their distance, eyes trained warily on us as we passed by. Their strange horns curled elegantly, sparkling slightly under the morning sun.
The next few hours were uneventful, filled only with the soft hum of Revvy's engine and the rhythmic sounds of Fii's mechanical movements. The monotony was comforting, the solitude a familiar companion. Even though I had Fii with me, there was a certain peace to be found in the silence.
As we crested a particularly tall hill, I could see the Ley Line glow intensify as we approached a Ley Line Node. I pulled back on my bike's throttle, easing us to a halt at the convergence. The sky overhead was a mesmerizing tapestry of blues, purples, and greens where two other ley lines converged.
"Guess it's time to choose our path," I said, bringing the bike to a halt.
I swung my leg over the motorcycle, standing on the precipice of the hill, gazing at the majestic display of the Ley Lines. It felt like standing at a crossroads, two paths diverging, each filled with unknown possibilities. The sensation of uncertainty was a familiar one. Still, there was a thrill to it.
"Got any suggestions?" I asked Fii.
"Data regarding Ley Line directions is insufficient to predict the location of Servers," it replied. "Recommendation: Connor chooses direction."
"Alright, Fii," I said, pulling a small stone from my pocket. The stone was flat and had markings on each side that I etched into it with the Crimson Harbinger's knife. "We're gonna do this the old-fashioned way."
"Define 'old-fashioned way'," Fii asked, its camera focused on me.
"You'll see," I replied, smirking as I tossed the stone up in the air.
As the stone arched and spun in the air, I watched it intently. I caught it in my fist as it descended and then quickly snapped my hand open to reveal its landing—pointing left. I grinned, turning to Fii.
"Left it is. Old-fashioned way never fails."
Fii's camera eye swiveled towards the left-hand path. "Decision-making based on randomness is statistically no better than uninformed decision-making."
I chuckled, pocketing the stone. "Not gonna argue with you there, Fii." I got on my motorcycle and rode off towards the Ley Line going left.
"Following old-fashioned stone flip protocol," Fii droned humorlessly, lining up with me.
I couldn't help but laugh.
Perhaps it was the peace that came with solitude, or maybe it was the thrill of the open road—either way, I found myself relaxing into the journey. There was something strangely liberating about not knowing what lay ahead, about navigating this uncharted path one mile at a time. It was a departure from my previous life, one marked by predictability and routine.
It was in the midst of this reflective mood that I first noticed it—the faint rumbling in the distance. I squinted, trying to make out what it could be. As we crested a hill, my eyes widened at the sight that met us.
Dominating the landscape was a massive land vehicle, slowly lumbering in the same direction we were headed. It was a behemoth, looking like a crawling fortress. Its boxy, rugged body bore the signs of countless battles, painted in hues of rust and earth. Its treads tore through the terrain, leaving deep grooves in its wake.
"Holy hell," I muttered, pulling the motorcycle to a stop. I turned to Fii, who was already in the process of scanning the vehicle. "What is that thing?"
"Unknown," Fii replied after a moment. "My database does not have any information on such a vehicle."
"Fii, can you zoom in on that?" I asked, gesturing to the looming behemoth.
"Affirmative," Fii replied, and the camera rotated to focus on the vehicle.
A small screen fizzled into view at the upper corner of my Interface, showing what Fii was currently scanning.
The image before me sharpened as Fii’s camera zoomed in, giving me a clearer view of the colossal vehicle. Its chassis was intimidating, built like a rolling fortress. Metallic plating ran across its exterior, resembling scaled armor more than the conventional metal sheets you’d see on a regular vehicle.
At the front of the contraption, a large, armored cab jutted out, windows tinted so dark that I couldn't make out the inside. The top was a flat, expansive platform, strewn with an assortment of what appeared to be large, rusty crates and canvas-covered objects.
The vehicle's massive tracks churned the earth, unbothered by the undulating terrain, and carried the structure forward with a relentless, steady pace. They were built in a series of segmented metal plates, the monstrous threads each as tall as Fii.
Adjacent to the cab was a towering mechanical arm that ended with a claw-like grip. It was folded inwards at the moment, but I could tell that it was meant for heavy lifting. I imagined it reaching out, plucking objects with surprising grace despite its bulky appearance.
The back of the fortress was a sprawling structure, standing at least two stories tall. It was a labyrinth of corridors, stairways, and doors. Various antennas and satellite dishes crowned the top, all pointing in different directions, like the bristles of a metallic porcupine.
There were lights, too. They were dotted around the behemoth, casting a yellow glow. Some blinked on and off rhythmically, while others cut straight beams through the approaching twilight.
Around the sides of the fortress, there were what seemed like compartments, large doors closed tightly. I couldn't tell what they were for, but they seemed built for utility, like everything else about this behemoth.
A curious mix of awe and trepidation washed over me as I surveyed the leviathan making its slow journey across the prairie.
"Well, that's... something," I murmured as I leaned back. "Think we should approach it, Fii?"
Fii's camera swiveled to meet my gaze. "Uncertain. Potentially hazardous."
"Yeah," I said, sighing as I stared at the behemoth. "No doubt."
Still, there could be someone driving that thing, and maybe they're friendly enough to trade for supplies or something. It might be worth hailing it and if things somehow go south, we could at least outrun whatever's in there.
"Let's take a closer look," I said, kicking the bike back into gear. "And hope whoever is in there isn't hostile."
"Affirmative. Approach with caution," Fii replied, its tone even as ever.