Chapter 107
It was a strangely quiet morning. The streets of Bremerton were empty, but even the forest seemed devoid of life. Within the early days of autumn, when birds would sing, or insects chirp, there was instead a silence that hung over the area like a winter's fog.
"Eerie..." Riley trailed off.
"It is," Tobias agreed, for what felt like the fifteenth time that hour.
Her projected voice cracked the serenity like a board snapping, ratcheting up the tension like a constricting cable around his chest.
"Something I keep wondering..." Riley trailed off again, chewing on a problem, anything to keep her mind distracted.
"Yes?" Tobias replied testily.
They had been moving overland through the woods, following the remnants of a trail left by what seemed to be the first cadre of zombies to hit Bremerton. Dragging footfalls left a clear trail through the brush of broken trees, disturbed vines, and pieces of desiccated flesh. Their path seemed to shadow an overgrown road leading towards the Bremerton graveyard.
"How did the zombies eat all the birds?" Riley asked; her ears weren't just perked but strained up, tilting slowly, trying to catch any sound.
"They wouldn't; the life in this area has fled, which is not good news," Tobias replied.
Riley shivered.
"Perfect, just perfect!" She muttered, moving with deference to the silence, watching every step and planning every hop, using every bit of her training.
Riley felt something, a tremble in the ground, rumbling through her paws, if faint, which gave way to a distant sound of motion.
"Hold! I hear something," She whispered.
Tobias, sensing her distress, along with her words, dropped low and firmed his grip on his already drawn sword, cocking his head with one ear towards the air, listening intently.
"Form up and keep a good watch. There is a hunter about, and we are in enemy territory!" A distant voice sounded.
Tobias went pale. "That's goblin speak; someone has brought a company through the portal."
"They know we're here," Riley replied, skulking closer to her partner.
Carefully, Tobias picked his way to a rise, turning towards the road they were shadowing.
"Here they come!" Tobias gestured as the first beings began to file past.
Grey-skinned, standing no taller than four feet high at their best, each was wearing crude bone armor and carrying stone spears, marching four abreast in a sloppy formation.
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Riley cast analyze
Goblin Soldier, Infernal, 2-3
Abilities: Poisoner, Thief, Ice magic
Infernal soldiers of the Underworld, they are cowardly alone, but find their courage and lethality in packs.
Still more ethical than an average group of politicians
Tobias's jaw tensed. "We have to warn the Captain just as soon as they pass."
"Should we go back? Help in the fight?" Riley asked.
"No, we wait here, get an estimate of their numbers, and relay intelligence, then do what we're tasked to do. If we close the portal and destroy the lynchpin, they can't bring in reinforcements," Tobias replied, still projecting his voice.
"Someone's coordinating; this isn't a simple monster attack," Riley said as the eightieth goblin went by.
"No, it isn't. We're dealing with a Minor Devil. The Imp last night was a good hint, but this guarantees it," At that, the silver ward bracelet appeared in his hand, "Hold out your paw."
"You need that more than me," Riley replied, not moving.
"You're the healer, and you still have the larger vulnerability when you cast," Tobias countered.
"But it doesn't fit," Riley ducked and wove within her words.
"Paw," Tobias insisted as the last group went by.
Riley huffed but sat up on her hind paws, holding out her foreleg.
Tobias pressed it home. The gem glowed white, then pulsed black, only to shrink, fastening around her paw.
An urgent prompt flared to life.
You have equipped "Ward of the Winter Knight." This item is feeding off your mana and will provide you with a defense against magical attacks.
Your level is 2-7; the item is, therefore, at 2-7 and will level with you.
"Power up!" Riley giggled, examining the strange bracelet, all hints of protest gone, as the com crystal appeared in Tobias's left hand.
Gripping it, he projected through it. "Captain, this is Ranger forward, urgent report."
"This is the Captain, you have an update? We've not seen any more Zombies since your last check-in," The words were not audible, as it was the first time when Tobias reached out to Justinian, but rather, the resonance rang through within her mind, over their bond.
"There’s a Goblin Army, at least a hundred strong, presumably moving forward toward your position," Tobias replied.
"An army? We'll send runners for reinforcements immediately. Thank you, Ranger Forward, good hunting. Get that portal closed. We'll handle the Mucks. Command, out."
The light within the crystal faded as a blue-skinned being, wearing strange crystal armor, horned, carrying a pitchfork in one hand, appeared, only to look down at their hand, then turn in their direction.
A demonic grin spread across the devilish face, sharp and pointed features, framed malevolent yellow eyes. Fangs glistened with malice, poking down past silver lips, all as a forked tail swung.
In his hand, he was holding a com crystal.
"Come out, come out, little prey! I heard every word! My, my, it does not bode well for my poor Goblin Army!" He mocked, pointing his pitchfork at a random tree. A gauntlet of blue-white magical energy surged from the prongs of the pitchfork.
"Brace!" Tobias cried, tucking his head down, as Riley pressed up against his side and covered her head with her forepaws, flattening herself against the ground.
The bolt struck, freezing and cracking the tree before exploding into dozens of shards and splinters as the water within expanded into ice. The top fell, crashing down across the road, landing just a few feet from the blue devil.
"I think we found the lynchpin," Riley surmised.
"Not just that, it seems," Tobias replied, rising.
"Ah, seeking a quick death then?" They asked, as their demonic grin opened to a baleful smile.
"If you surrender, I'll make it quick," Tobias replied, unflinching in his resolve.
A laugh like an oil slick flowed as Riley cast analyze.
Sprazrael, Blue Devil 2-9, Elite
Abilities: Master of Ice Magicks, Elemental Resistance, Enhanced Rapid Healing
Demonic Commander
Colder than Hell
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy watching you freeze and die!" He said, pointing his pitchfork and bracing to attack.