Jorg pressed himself against the tree, a cold wind rustling the forest, masking the sound of his clinking armor. Carver crouched in the bushes not far away, the boy’s eyes fixed on the men who waited outside the fortress’s gates. They wore dark leather armor and carried swords and axes, their leader standing at the front with a mask of bone. Lich cultists. Jorg’s Justicar superiors had wiped their scourge from Lonelen years ago, but pockets of them still remained to taint the land. They were a society of necromancers and their underlings, and their presence here was troubling. The necromancer he was sent here to kill had escaped execution in the capital, but they had done…extensive interrogations. She had no connection to the Lich cult, yet ten of them stood awaiting entry. Even more troubling was that four hauled a coffin along with them. Necromancers often traded powerful corpses to each other as a form of currency. Whatever was in that coffin could not be raised. Destroying it in Argus’ holy flame was the only proper course of action.
“What’s the plan?” Carver whispered.
Jorg inspected the sky above the fort. It was dark, inky blackness shrouding the silver clouds above. A Nether Gate was within, but he saw no points of entry. Indeed, the undead had been busy restoring the fort and Jorg had spotted signs of construction in the forest. She’s not just building an army out here. She’s building a damned empire.
“We wait for now, find a spot to get inside,” Jorg said, tightening his fist around the handle of his mace. If his squad were still alive, assaulting the fort would be child’s play. But with only Carver as backup, Jorg knew there was only so much they could do. But he steeled his resolve. Dying in service to Argus was a worthy endeavor and if they were lucky, he could manage to take one of the gates out with him.
He patted the satchel slung across his shoulder, the firebombs within clinking. Only as a last resort.
“The gate’s opening,” Carver said, his body growing rigid.
It opened slowly, skeletons shuffling on the other side. The cultists exchange words with each other before entering, one of them laughing. Must be nice to walk right through the front door. Jorg thought about launching his assault, his holy wrath building. But he waited, watched as the cultists disappeared through the gate.
It was as the last of them vanished behind the walls that a loud crack filled the air. Jorg rose, peering at one of the fort’s high towers. There was another crack and then one of the tower walls burst apart, a blinding flash of blue on the other side.
Stone rained down and chaos soon followed.
***
Darian jumped back, Valmier’s electrified blades smashing into the stone at his feet. The ground fractured from the blow, more attacks coming before Darian had time to form offence of his own. He was forced on the back foot, Valmier’s speed blinding. Chops and slashes came at him from all angles, the arcane swords a dance of bright blue. Darian was able to block most of the attacks, but a glancing blow sliced down his arm and leg, leaving an angry red line across his pale flesh.
“Slow,” Valmier rasped. “Weak.” He raised both blades at once, sending them crashing down in an overhead strike.
Darian brought his sword up just in time to block the swing, the force nearly sending him to his knees. But he and Valmier were even in physical strength, neither side giving ground to the other.
An arrow flew past Darian’s shoulder, the electrified tip sparking against Valmier’s skeletal cheek. The creature pulled away, then raised one arm, a writhing mass of shadows shooting toward Fria.
Darian took the opportunity to finally muster an attack, and he added not only a corrosive [Arcane Blade] to the blow but the weight of a [Determined strike]. Valmier proved to be too agile, however, and the skeleton leapt back, the tip of Darian’s sword nearly grazing the monster. But Darian was not through. He turned on his heels and activated [Dash Strike]. The sudden burst of speed caught Valmier off guard, and Darian’s sword cracked into the monster’s shoulder, splitting his black robe and cracking the bone.
“Insolence!” Valmier’s body burst with tendrils of darkness, the mass coalescing around his right fist.
Darian lowered, tried to dodge, but he was too slow. Valmier’s fist caught him in the cheek, his body filling with pulsing energy. But though the strike knocked Darian back, the energy within him was pleasant. He could feel it flowing through him, the cut along his arm and leg healing. Negative energy. His trait [Negative Energy Healing] had rendered the attack not only useless, but beneficial. He smiled, his confidence growing.
But then Valmier laughed. “You are a curious creature. Not really living, not really dead.” He gripped the handle of his blades tighter, the edges bursting with flame. “I wanted to play with you more, experiment to my heart’s content. But I’m ashamed to say you’re just strong enough for me to take this seriously.” He cackled, the sound dry and without warmth. “And I can tell by the way you look at this flame, you not only share my kind’s strength, but our weaknesses too.”
Darian closed his mouth, not realizing it had fallen open when Valmier’s blades lit up with flame. “So what if I do? It won’t help you win this.”
Valmier burst forward, Darian caught completely off guard. He stepped back, brought his blade up, but the tips of Valmier’s swords carved down his forearm and his leg, searing away the flesh. Then Valmier dropped one of his weapons, his palm flashing out. He pressed it against Darian’s chest, blue flame erupting from the skeleton’s open hand.
Darian screamed, the pain worse than anything he could have imagined. But he grit his teeth, then knocked away a lazy slash from Valmier. He’s still underestimating me. Another zapping arrow from Fria nearly caught Valmier again, but he ducked it, snatching up his dropped sword in the same motion.
“You are beginning to annoy me, child.” Valmier lowered, knees bent for what Darian guessed was [Dash Strike].
But Darian stepped between him and Fria, Valmier’s attack cut short as Darian elbowed the skeleton in the face before striking him along the arm. But his attacks seemed to have little effect, and the skeleton came at Darian again.
Activating his new skill [Bulwark], Darian blocked the first slash but was cut along the chest by the second, his mail shirt deflecting most of the attack. While he’d managed to keep from taking a serious blow so far, Valmier’s attacks were growing harder to deal with. He has a lot of the same abilities as me, but he’s a higher level. Darian jumped back, a spear of flame just barely missing him. It’s like I’m fighting a stronger version of myself. And not only was Valmier more powerful, he was also more experienced. He seemed to read Darian’s attacks before he made them, feinting and slipping away whenever Darian got too close. But there are two of us. Fria’s arrows hadn’t done much damage, but they’d distracted Valmier enough for Darian to survive.
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But he could only hold on so long, and a pit formed in his gut as he realized. I’m losing. He’d come up those stairs earlier with such confidence, but now he was left feeling like a fool. There’s always someone stronger. But something about that fact lit a fire under him and he shook his head, dispelling all doubts. I didn’t fight off cancer all those years just to give up here. He ducked, Valmier’s blade slicing the air.
He stepped back, Valmier circling him, keeping Darian between Fria. There has to be a way to win. Darian blocked one sword, the other nicking him along the arm. Think! There has to be something. Darian could hear Fria behind him, her breath hissing with each arrow, the sounds of skeletons banging on the door behind her. And from beyond Valmier Darian spotted the chained man. He moved about the room, chains rattling as he poured random contents into a bowl. Darian wasn’t sure what the man was doing, but he doubted he was Valmier’s ally.
“Fria!” Darian called. “Don’t worry about hitting me, just keep shooting.” With his enhanced hearing, he was able to make out her labored breathing. But each time she shot an arrow, she made the same inhaling and exhaling sound. If he waited for the sound, he could move out of the way. And she still has one more use of her unique skill. I have to give her an opening for it. Darian now had one use left of [Arcane Blade]. It, combined with Fria’s [Omni Element] attack might not be enough to kill Valmier, but it would get him close enough. Just have to pray I’m fast enough.
Darian rushed forward, his attack enhanced by [Determined Strike]. Forgoing measured offence, Darian instead pressed Valmier with attack after attack, doing anything he could to keep the skeleton busy. Fire and ice launched from his palm, the weak spells dodged or knocked away. But still Darian advanced, his onslaught just enough to keep Valmier pressed back. Then he heard it, the hiss followed by a heavy breath. He dropped down into a lunge, the arrow speeding over his head. The flaming shaft exploded against Valmier’s chest, the skeleton crying out. Using this opportunity, Darian came forward with a slash, the edge of his sword cracking into Valmier’s arm.
But Valmier stuck his left sword into the ground, his hand now crackling with electricity. He shot the bolt at Darian, the sound deafening. Ducking low, the bolt of arcane energy crashed into the far wall, splitting the stone near the locked door. Glancing at it, Darian noticed the door itself jerk forward, its position within the wall now compromised. They’re going to push the door down. Darian turned back to Valmier, teeth clenched as the skeleton’s hand lit up again. He jumped back and rolled, the bolt exploding against the stone.
Then Valmier readied another attack, but this bolt was not aimed toward Darian, for Valmier’s eyes narrowed at a diffident target. Fria! Darian shot to his feet, ready to use a [Dash Strike] to interrupt the attack, but he was too slow. With no other option, he jumped between Fria and Valmier, the arc of light piercing his chest. He fell and rolled, body tingling and his limbs growing numb. He didn’t have time to check, but he knew his HP had to be running low. One or two more attacks like that and he was finished.
Valmier raised his arm, a spear of fire appearing in his hand. But Darian had seen this spell before, knew it was slower. So he ran, the room blurring, nothing but he and his target remaining. The spear flew out, searing flame licking at the air. It was aimed right at Darian’s head, but he didn’t slow his advance. With his health running out and the door breaking down, it was time to end this, one way or another.
Just as the fire reached his face, Darian swiveled, the spear searing along his cheek but missing center mass. And despite the pain, he kept running, his sword lighting up with electricity. Valmier took a half step back, skeletal mouth falling open in what Darian could only guess was shock. Combining [Dash Strike] and [Determined strike], Darian’s sword cut into Valmier’s arm with all the power he could muster. He pushed, willing his sword to cleave the skeleton in half. His sword broke through bone, the arm beneath his blade shattering, reduced to splinters. Then his sword cracked into Valmier’s ribs, half the skeleton’s right arm falling to the ground, his sword clanging against the stone.
Then the room lit up, multicolored light dancing across the ceiling. Darian pushed into Valmier and ducked, Fria’s ultimate attack speeding through the air behind him. He could feel the arrow as it passed over him, heat, cold, and the tingle of electricity combining as they exploded into Valmier’s chest. The skeleton was thrown back, his crumpled body crashing against the wall.
Valmier fell to the ground and Darian sprang forward, sword raised for the finishing blow. But Valmier’s left hand reached up, a bolt of arcane lightning burning into Darian’s face. He flew backwards, back hitting the stone hard. Everything blurred, the world flashing white. His eyes blinked open, ears ringing. Valmier was up, arrows flying at him. He ducked, prying his sword from his severed arm. Darian thought he would come for him next, finish him before he could recover. But then he sprang through the air, his sword slicing along Fria’s midsection, her fur and leather armor coming away red.
Darian clawed to his feet, a shape appearing in the open door to his left. “Here!” came a voice, a small vial of bright red liquid flying through the air.
He caught it, the chained man yelling something else from the doorway. But the notification was all Darian needed.
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Item Obtained: Alchemist’s Fire
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He threw the vial, the glass erupting against Valmier’s back. The skeleton cried out, dropping his sword as hungry flames crawled across his body, lighting the room in a flickering blaze. Fria lay on the ground across from him, her hands cradling a glistening wound along her stomach.
The smell was delicious.
It fueled Darian as he advanced on Valmier, his fangs fully emerged. He realized as he approached that his sword must have been knocked from his grip, but he didn’t need it. He grabbed the skeleton by the shoulders and threw him onto the ground. Darian’s fingers burned from the flame, but he didn’t care. Only rage and the sweet smell of blood mattered to him now.
He pressed his knee into Valmier’s chest, swatting away the skeleton’s hand as he tried to defend himself. Fire bit into his leg, but that didn’t stop his fist from splitting Valmier’s face open. His knuckles cracked into the skeleton’s cheek, bleeding as they drew away covered in splinters of bone. Another strike snapped Valmier’s jaw apart, the next smashing his cheek bone. Darian smiled, the scent of blood thickening in the air, invigorating him. He hooked his fingers under Valmier’s teeth and lifted him, the fire sputtering out.
Valmier kicked, the strikes thudding against Darian’s ribs. “Unhand me, beast.” Darian cocked his head to the side, eager to oblige.
He threw Valmier against the far wall, bones cracking. But then the creature laughed as he sat up, his hand reaching out, oily blackness appearing around his fist. He’s accessing his inventory?
Darian was about to rush forward when Valmier pulled out a pulsing blue sphere, one that radiated with powerful magic. A bomb.
“Fine, you win pale one,” Valmier said, his face a smashed ruin. “But I will not be giving you the satisfaction of killing me.” He smashed the orb against his chest. “Forgive me, my sweet Victoria.”
There was a blinding flash of light, then an explosion. Darian rolled back, the air in the room filled with crackling energy. He sprung to his feet, eyes peering through the haze of dust. A large portion of the far wall was gone, shrouded starlight flowing in through the hole. But the explosion was near the locked door, and it clattered open, the stone around it cracked.
The skeletons beyond rushed in, their blazing eyes all on Darian.