The acrid stench of death and sulfur assaulted Qing’s nostrils as his head whipped around, searching for the source of the sound. He gripped the glaive tightly, muscles tensed as he sprang to his feet among the shattered remnants of the jungle horde.
Ghida and Morgana’s voices carried across the chasm, calling his name, but that wasn’t what had made his eyes go wide.
“Do you wish I was still alive?” Cedric’s voice asked again. The familiar yet impossible sound sent a jolt through Qing’s spine. He spun again, searching for its source, but found only empty air and the carnage of recent battle.
“Would you have traded the lives of those sailors for mine?” the disembodied voice continued, tinged with amusement.
Qing’s mind reeled.
Is it a ghost? Like how he had seen Kaela and her parents after defeating the Butchers? Am I hallucinating?
He swallowed, the feeling of failure pressing down at him, mixing with the uncertainty.
“Speak, boy,” the voice commanded. “Was I right?”
“What?” Qing shook his head, his gaze jumping between the bodyparts carpeting the ground, seeking movement yet finding none.
This can’t be happening. I must have lost my damn mind.
“Was my value higher than them? Would you have traded their lives for mine?”
For a moment, Qing froze, thinking back to the conversation he’d had with Cedric in the jungle. He’d argued everyone’s life was equal. Yet as he stood here without the wizard, he wasn’t so sure.
If a person is needed to save the lives of many, is he worth more? Do I even really care about the sailors?
“Yes, damn it,” Qing burst out. “You were right. And I was wrong.”
No sooner had the admission left his lips than Cedric materialized before him, whole and hale as ever. The wizard stood casually, leaning on his staff and inspecting his nails with an air of supreme nonchalance.
“Excellent,” Cedric said, a smug smile playing at the corners of his mouth. “And the next time you feel like arguing with me, remember this moment.”
Qing gaped at the wizard, his mind struggling to process the sight before him. After a long moment of stunned silence, he finally stammered out a single word: “How?”
Cedric’s smile widened. “Simple, really. A high tolerance for pain coupled with invisibility, some levitation, and centuries of experience.”
“But... why?” Qing asked, trying to wrap his head around the deception.
The wizard’s expression softened slightly, though his eyes kept their usual sharp glint. “A flair for storytelling and a powerful motivation to mold the minds of young leaders, ensuring they will have the right impact on the world. In this way, you will not make the same mistake twice. Now, rise and get the rabble moving. I would have us enter hell before nightfall.”
Without waiting for a response, Cedric blinked away, reappearing across the chasm next to Ghida.
Conflicting emotions surged within Qing - relief at Cedric’s survival warred with anger at being tricked.
The bastard is a freaking psycho!
Qing’s fists balled, and he seriously contemplated the satisfaction of punching the smug wizard square in his ancient face. Or maybe a Chain Lightning up the…
But wisdom prevailed. Qing remembered all too well how easily the old bastard had incapacitated him during the fight with King Sharyar. Sun Tzu’s warning about knowing one’s enemy echoed in his mind, and he forced himself to take a slow and deep breath.
l’ll get him back for this. Just not right now.
This entire charade proved just how powerful and cunning Cedric truly was. Had he ever even been in danger?
Did he truly let Gorzan maim him, crushing his legs, just to prove a point?
Or maybe he had been in trouble, in over his head, and Qing had saved him from death.
No. He’d proven now he had Blink and invisibility.
Qing raised his hand and waved back at Ghida and the others who were cheering and gathering around Cedric, the wizard walking slowly among them. They hadn't seen him die the way Qing had. They hadn't been the ones forced to leave him behind in the chasm to die. All they knew were relief and happiness at him having safely made it.
With a snort, Qing turned and looked at the massive remains of Gorzan.
"There had better be some phat loot here," he said, mumbling to himself as he stalked over, not caring what Cedric had said about hurrying. He pushed away some of the negative feelings.
I wonder if Lanolvar and Sheeran are watching. They probably don't know I'm Typiare, but still. Once I'm back and tell them about this, it'll be pretty cool. Actually, if I know anything about how the internet works, this must end up as a viral clip. This is an opportunity.
He cleared his throat, forced a chuckle and looked up at the camera and smiled.
"You see how I hit that bastard like an intercontinental missile? That's how we Earthlings deal with our problems, including homicidal maniacs like Blaine. Remember, if you are a geo guesser, or a good samaritan of Chicago, please help find out where they took me." Then he touched his forehead and nodded at the imaginary camera.
Hopefully they are watching my face and not zooming in on my butt like they do sand volleyball players.
That done, he Cast blink, appearing on top of Gorzan's remains.
Where the hell am I supposed to find loot? I'd really have preferred it if the system had gathered it all in a neat and tidy chest.
For a minute he walked along the demon's dead body, until he ran out of patience and started casting Arcane Explosion, systematically blowing the monster to bits. He was already covered in gore, so what was a bit more? And any item that would be destroyed by his magic was not an item he wanted.
As he stood on the ape's chest, right on the edge of where its petrified shoulder met its regular hide, and blew it apart, a piece of hide went flying and caught his eye. He hopped over to where it landed and picked it up, smiling.
Item: [Gorzan's Indomitable Hide, Level 25, Legendary]
This massive pelt, torn from the fallen demon ape Gorzan, pulsates with primal energy. When worn, it molds to the user's body, forming an impenetrable layer of fur and muscle. The wearer gains a portion of Gorzan's legendary strength and resilience.
+500 Defense
+20 Strength
+15 Constitution
+30% Physical Damage Resistance
Primal Fury: Once per day, the wearer can channel Gorzan's primal power, challenging surrounding enemies to attack them for five seconds.
(Armour, Chest)
The item was perfect for Rowan, improving his tanking ability massively.
He smiled as he hopped off its chest. That bonus ability nearly made the fight worth it. But only nearly.
"Thanks, monkey," Qing said to the great ape, the best insult he could think off, when a glimmer caught his eye near the monster's mouth. Slowly he approached.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
There, sticking out from the ape's mouth was the hilt of a magnificent sword.
"Something, something, never look a gift ape in the mouth, but...I'm taking this."
Item: [Gorzan's Savage Slicer, Level 25, Legendary]
This curved, single-edged sword is forged from one of Gorzan's massive canines. The blade emits a low, bestial growl when swung and grows sharper the more its used.
+550 Attack Power
+20 Strength
+15 Agility
Frenzied Assault: Each consecutive hit on the same target increases attack speed by 5%, stacking up to 5 times.
(One-handed, sword)
Too high level for Qing to use currently, it would have to go to one of the others. At least for now. Aria wielded Dawn's Edge, the sword he had taken from the harpy queen Cliomatrix.
"Maybe Rowan wants to switch to swords?" If Qing recalled correctly, it was nearly five times as powerful as the mace he'd gotten after escaping from the camp of the dead in Rosewood forest. And while it did break the set bonus, that was only +10 to vitality. This would put Rowan at a completely different power level.
Qing nodded to himself and went to rejoin the others, the loot lifting his mood.
***
They kept a high pace as they made their way across the desolate landscape, the cleaved mountain ever looming higher. And while every step brought them closer to their goal, it also brought them deeper into territory corrupted by hell’s influence. Tension was high, and despite his new items, Rowan snapped at any little misstep, keeping the group on guard for some new horrors to spring from the ashen ground.
The strong jump of going from vibrant, yet deadly, jungle, to this desolate wasteland only served to highlight the wrongness of it all. The oppressive silence, only broken by the crunch of long dead wood laying in the ash. Nothing living grew taller than Qing’s knees, and the stench of sulfur and decay thickened with each passing moment. Qing’s eyes darted from shadow to shadow, scouting the flat landscape for movement, every nerve on edge.
Suddenly, Cedric raised a hand, and Rowan snapped a command, bringing the column to an abrupt halt. Before Qing could voice the question forming on his lips, Cedric spoke. “Do you not feel it beneath our feet?”
Qing frowned, concentrating. “Feel what?”
“The gate,” Cedric replied, his voice low and intense.
Qing closed his eyes and felt the surrounding magic.
Nothing.
“Use your spiritwarden ability.”
Qing nodded and did, sending his senses down into the ground, seeking nature. With a yowl, he jumped into the air, the wrongness of what he had felt striking his mind as if he had touched a hot plate.
Qing closed his eyes and felt the surrounding magic.
Nothing.
“Use your spiritwarden ability.”
Qing nodded and did, sending his senses down into the ground, seeking nature. With a yowl, he jumped into the air, the wrongness of what he had felt striking his mind, as if he had touched a hot plate.
“My god,” he said.
“No. That is the corruption of the Devil.”
Qing sighed, letting his spiritwarden spell dissipate. “Let me guess, you want the sailors to dig? Not wanting to waste mana on what manual labour can do?”
Cedric shook his head, his expression grim. “No time. Monsters are approaching.” The wizard raised his voice, addressing the entire group. “Stand back!”
As soon as everyone had cleared the area, Cedric Blinked into the air, and while falling, thrust his staff forward, casting Gust of Wind. The spell was so powerful it didn’t even seem like the one Ghida had. A magical hurricane tore across the ground, blasting away years of accumulated dirt and ash in a single blast.
As the dust settled, a collective gasp rose from the group. There, revealed by Cedric’s spell, lay a series of massive obsidian rings. Arranged like circular steps descending into the earth, each one etched with intricate glyphs.
Qing stared at the uncovered gate.
This is it. Our entrance to hell itself. Hold on, Cleo. We’re coming.
As his companions gathered around the obsidian rings, Qing steeled himself for the trials ahead. Whatever demonic horrors awaited them beyond the gate would test their resolve and strength like never before.
His eyes traced the intricate glyphs, but staring at them too long made his head feel weird, and he had to look away.
“How long will it take to open the gate?” he asked.
“As long as it takes. Now quiet. We are almost out of time.”
Before Qing could press for more details, a sailor stepped forward. The man’s chest was puffed out, but Qing recognised the fear in his eyes.
“We have followed you this far, but no more,” the sailor said, his voice nearly steady. “We won’t enter hell, no matter what you say. Leave us here with the captain. We’ll take our chances at getting back ourselves.”
Qing snorted. “Fine. Once all the supplies have been thrown through and we enter, you are free to stay.” His eyes narrowed as he added, “But keep the monsters in mind.”
“Monsters?” the sailor asked, confusion and alarm warring on his face.
In response, Qing simply nodded towards the horizon. Dark clouds of dust rose in the distance, a clear sign of approaching danger. “Prepare to repel attackers!” he shouted, his voice carrying across the group.
The sailors’ resolve visibly crumbled, and they scrambled to gather supplies around the rings, their earlier bravado replaced by a grim determination to survive.
Meanwhile, Cedric begun the complex process of opening the hellgate. He moved from one obsidian ring to the next, his staff trailing arcane energy, lighting up each circle in turn. The air crackled with power, and Qing could almost taste the mana pouring from the wizard.
“Need any help?” he asked.
“Keep them off me,” Cedric answered without looking up from the glyphs that seemed to writhe and shift when viewed from the corner of one’s eye.
Qing turned to survey the enemies, and he saw they were three separate forces, all converging on them.
From the direction of the mountain lumbered an oversized basilisk, its scaly hide glistening like black latex. The beast walked upright on its hind legs, towering as tall as Gorzan had. A swarm of smaller lizards, each the size of a large dog, scurried around its feet.
Qing chuckled at the humorous sight. It was like watching dogs walking on two legs. Sure, they could do it, but it looked unnatural and weird. Despite its size, the basilisk didn’t instill fear.
Until it opened its maw to roar and a third eye blinked open on its forehead. A beam of sickly yellow light lanced out from this new orb, and where it touched, everything turned to stone. Even some of the creature’s own lizard minions got caught in the beam, transformed instantly into lifeless statues.
“Now we know where the petrified animals came from,” Knut said, walking to stand by his shoulder.
“Great,” Qing replied.
“I dislike the look of this,” Ghida said, and he turned to follow her gaze.
From their right, another giant demonic ape came charging towards them. This one, if possible, looked even more fearsome than Gorzan had been. Around it seethed another horde of twisted animals and vicious pygmies, all howling for blood.
And from the left, in a sight that defied all logic, came an army of trees. These were no ordinary plants, however. Each one stood as tall as the demonic ape, their trunks and branches devoid of leaves but bristling with wicked thorns.
“What the hell is in the water here?” Qing said.
“It is hell’s corrupting influence,” Cedric said, with a mumble.
Beside him, Ghida’s took a deep breath, but still her voice trembled as she asked, “Are they here to fight us or each other?”
It was Queen Ruqiya who answered. “It does not matter, my darling. Either way, we are doomed.” Then she added, “Knut, come here. If I am to die, I will do so horizontally and in great pleasure.”
“Mother!” Ghida said.
“Enough of my life was wasted, daughter. I will not waste more.”
Qing glanced back at Cedric’s progress, seeing the third ring light up with energy, and he tried to calculate how long until the portal opened. Whether the three armies were here for them or each other, they wouldn’t survive even a moment in a fight.
“Line up outside the circle, the supplies in your arms,” Qing said, putting on the tone of command. “Once the portal opens, throw the supplies through, and then do what you want. Any who does not toss in the supplies will be cut down by myself.”
The threat and the approaching monsters had its intended effect. The sailors scrambled to grab bags and boxes with frantic energy. Even Morgana got into the act, ordering two sailors at crossbow-point to carry her immobilized father
As the group scrambled to obey, the basilisk’s third eye glowed once more. Without hesitation, Qing blinked to the side of the portal facing the creature and activated Magic Shield. The petrifying beam lashed out, crashing against Qing’s defenses with terrifying force. He felt his mana reserves plummet and fell to one knee, teeth gritted in concentration as he fought to maintain the shield.
In that moment of distraction, the tree-monsters launched their own assault. A volley of massive thorns arced through the air towards the basilisk. Their aim was poor, however, and several of the deadly projectiles crashed down among Qing’s group. Two sailors went down, their bodies pierced by the enormous spikes. Even Jenny, with all her skill and armor, took a hit to the chest. Only the strength of her platemail saved her from being skewered.
Cedric’s voice rang out as the fourth concentric circle blazed to life. But the deafening roar of the giant demonic ape nearly drowned out his triumph. The beast beat its chest with massive fists as it waddled across the ground; the sound reverberating through the air like thunder. Eight nipples lined its chest, and Qing realized this must be the mate of the creature he had slain earlier.
The ape charged, now barely a football field away.
“Hold!” Qing said, but he knew they were out of options. He’d have to go on the offensive to buy time.
But just then, he felt a surge of energy behind him, and he turned to see a spinning black hole in the ground. Energy twisted inside, like water down a drain. A dark undulating scream rose from it, and Qing took an involuntary step back. White specks floated on energy, and he knew without a doubt that if he activated Shadowsight he’d see they were souls of the dead being dragged down to hell.
Hell, where they had to go.
Goosebumps ran across his back, and he swallowed, working to push his fear back.
“Go!” Cedric said, his voice cutting through the chaos.
Still, Qing stood frozen, until a spear struck a sailor through the chest, throwing him screaming into the portal.
“Jump!” Qing said, swinging his glaive, hitting the man next to him with the flat of the blade. Knocked off balance, the man fell screaming into the gate.
Jenny jumped next, axes raised and bellowing her war cry. Next came Knut, dragging Ruqiya with him. That broke the dam, and the remaining sailors all jumped in, taking the supplies with them.
Ghida went next, followed by Aria, clutching her belly.
“Go!” Qing said to Morgana, standing frozen on the other side.
“My father!”
The sailors had dumped the captain, and he lay bound to the log, too heavy for Morgana to lift.
“It’s too late!”
“I can’t just leave him!”
Qing looked around and cursed. The gigantic trees seemed hell bent on taking down the basilisk, that stomped towards the ape, who were barrelling towards the gate to hell.
For a split second, Qing considered grabbing Morgana, but he had given her the responsibility for her father. What would it do to her if it was taken away now?
He cast Blink, appearing by the captain. With muscles straining, he picked up the log and tossed it into the portal.
Then he made to jump into it when he saw Morgana had not yet moved.
“Go!”
“I’m scared,” she said, looking up and meeting his gaze.
“Me too,” he said, before Blinking behind and kicking her butt, sending her sprawling into the portal.
Then he turned and glared at the ape, flipping it the finger as it reached for him, and threw himself backwards into hell, narrowly dodging its massive fist.