Aurora

Night fell on the third week since this war started. I guess on Earth it would be Saturday. My magical eye watched as my vampires crept toward the goblin camp. Maxwell had taken out a few of them earlier today. I couldn’t let him get ahead of me. That was why I was testing out one of my new skills tonight.

Zaras waved for the rest of the vampires to hang back while he clocked himself in shadows. It wasn’t perfect, but in the minimal light, he was basically invisible. He then crept his way inside. The goblins had set up a tent city like you’d see in the movies. The soldiers were attending to various tasks such as sharpening their weapons, polishing their armor, or just getting supper.

None seemed to noticed Zaras. The Major claimed they planned to do something with the forest so I kept my eyes open for any shamans or similar individuals. It took a while, but I did eventually see a rather well-decorated tent. I had Zaras avoid it incase the person inside really was a magic user. He might be discovered.

When he was near the center of the camp, he placed a pitch-black jewel behind some boxes. He did this in a few more places before making his way back out of the camp. None of the goblins seemed the wiser. Too bad, since a lot of them were about to die.

Oh, how I wish I could be there in person. I walked over to the center of a massive magical construction. It had taken me almost four hours to carve it even with earth magic. Cutting my thumb, I let a few drops of blood fall onto the magical sigils. The circle began to darken the room. In front of me, a black portal opened that seemed to beckon me to hell.

A skeletal hand burst out ripping shadows. The black hood and cape did little to lighten the effect. A massive scythe came through next gripped in the creature’s other hand. Finally, the head came through. It was a harrowing sight. Then again, I was quite literally looking death in the face.

A soul sucking voice echoed around me. “Summon. Me. Death. Awaits.”

I nodded quickly, dropping to my knees. “Lord Death! I’ve marked the location as required by the ritual. There is more than enough life there for payment.”

Death’s hand reached out and touched me. I felt what little heat I had drain from my body. I wanted desperately to struggle but couldn’t move even a toe. The skull face lowered until boney jaw was right next to my ear. “Good.” Death vanished taking the last of the light with him. I checked my body over amazed that I was still alive. I knew there had been a risk in the spell, but I was glad that it worked.

Death has touched you.

I read the message then shakingly stood up. “That’s not ominous at all!” I stumbled over to my throne and dropped into it. Once I settled myself, I closed my eyes reconnecting to Zaras. The scene from earlier had completely changed. Everything was in black and white. Most of the tents were on fire. I moved deeper into the camp with my magical eye trying to catch sight of Death.

I found him near the center of the camp just as he cleaved a goblin Captain clean in two. The ground became drained of life where he stepped. Anything that stepped on the tainted ground seemed to suffer some damage. This continued for a few minutes. The goblins were doing everything they could to stop the master of death. If I were them, I would be running for the hills.

Turned out I had just spoken too soon. The goblins quickly realized that they were no match for the monster and turned tail. Death looked at the fleeing goblins before raising his hand. Spectral skulls flew out and decimated everything in their path. I wasn’t sure of the body count, but it had to be over a thousand by this point.

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Hopefully… Hopefully that was enough to pay him. Dread aside, I was racking in the levels. I had already gone up three. It should probably be more, but Death was taking most of the juicy experience for himself. Watching the scene, I started to wonder if I could worship him. I mean, if I could worship a demon lord, surely death was on the table.

Darkness washed around me. When light returned, I found I was in the goblin camp in my actual body. I felt an icy grip on my throat. Death appeared in front of me. “Payment. Enough. Request. You have. Made.” Death’s low voice echoed in my head.

Switch Scarlet Night’s religion to the Cult of Death. Y/N?

I stared at the face of Death hovering over me. Something told me that even as a player, I wouldn’t get off easily if this guy killed me. Demon Lords and gods were a real thing here, then hell and other… less favorable places were probably real as well. I hesitated, but finally hit yes. Above all else, I wanted to save my own life.

“Excellent.” His grip vanished as he dropped me to the ground, however, I didn’t hit the ground in the camp. I hit the ground back in my dungeon. I rubbed my neck to find that I had a necklace. It was a beautiful black gem with intricate silver metal weaved around it. It was lovely, but it felt like a collar. I checked the item’s information. Death’s Promise. Death magic power increased by 80%. Life-steal +10%. Hidden. I lowered my hand from the item. See. I knew it was something like that.

I climbed back to my feet. I dug this grave, I would lay in it just not until I got everything I could out of it. I turned my eyes on the battlefield again. Contrary to my expectations, there was a person standing up against Death. It was a human woman from appearance. Though, inside could be any number of monsters. I knew that better than anyone.

Case in point, the woman spoke something and two large white wings appeared on her back as she emitted a bright glow. The ground she stood on began growing grass and flowers. Some sort of life aura? Death looked at the woman with what I could tell was a mocking expression. He stabbed his scythe into the ground turning the area around him into hell. That was all, though, as he vanished from sight.

“Until. Next. Time.” I nearly screeched as Death’s cold breath hit my ear. When I returned to my main body, there was just some lingering darkness. Death was already gone. I rubbed my ear, finding that it was nearly frostbitten.

~~

“I’m not sure what she did, but she managed to take out over half of the goblin army!” Maxwell exclaimed without any prelude as he sat down at the table.

“That many?” I asked in my Kaga voice. I hadn’t taken the time to count the dead. I had gained four levels last night, but over four thousand for just four levels. That return was horrible. I was only going to use Death when I absolutely needed to in the future.

“Yes, that many.” Maxwell snapped and I glared at him. He realized that he overstepped. “Sorry. A bit worrisome when your mortal enemy has something tucked away that can decimate that many lives in a single night.”

“If it was an ability or something similar, then there must be a considerable cooldown on it. This is a game, after all.” Rowena commented. I closed my eyes, and quickly looked at Death’s Bond’s cooldown. Shit, it really was a long cooldown. Ten days to be exact. I returned to the war meeting feeling a tab disappointed. It was one thing not to use it of my own volition, another when I was not allowed to use it.

“Disturbing news aside, at least she did her part in cutting down the numbers. Two to one is much better odds than five to one,” Razz said though I could have sworn his voice cracked a little.

Maxwell took a long breath. “Razz is right. We need to look on the positive side of things.” He stood up and started pacing. “The army is in place. We’ll attack in two days.” He looked us all in the eye. “The players are up to us.”

“No guarantees, but I’m willing to try,” Sasha said getting up and joining him. She held out her hand. “We are a team right?”

“Right you are,” Maxwell replied placing his hand over hers. “Come on guys.”

I got up and joined them with a simple, “I’m in.” since I knew where this was going. I’d rather not make any speeches, and it helped that Kaga’s character was like that.

Rowena groaned but joined us. “At least we know we can’t permanently die. Pain isn’t’ exactly high on my list of things I want to willing experience, but knowing I’ll return lessened the fear a bit.” She placed her hand over ours.

Razz joined next. “A fight with a player. This will be epic! Let’s do this!” He shouted, putting his hand on ours.

“For Alflona, Free-Mud, and all the lives that call these places home!” Maxwell cheered. Everyone joined in, though, I kept my voice to a low level. Just barely noticeable. “To the battlefield!” I tried to pull my hand free, but was too late as he teleported us. As soon as we appeared, my stomach heaved as my mental link between bodies adjusted. Damn him to hell and back!