THE MOURNFUL MASSACRE
There is this great feeling when a set of plans plays out correctly. During my fight with Eldritch, I had ordered my white arachnids to travel to the city ahead of time. With their natural stealth and proficiency in symbology and auras, they were able to prepare teleportation symbols immediately south of the walls without being noticed. With the winter chill creating a lack of foot traffic and the arachnid's aura slightly making them invisible, they were completely unbothered for the entire day it took them to draw such a powerful symbol.
And that was where we reappeared, and as the guards began to notice, my wraiths were already upon them. In this vicious winter storm, my ghosts' resistance to light was immense, and their chilling aura was strong enough to extinguish torches.
I commanded the rest of my ghosts to feast on the souls of the sleeping city. Meanwhile, I positioned myself away from the wall and cleared my mind of what my ghosts were seeing.
I focused on the air around me, attempting to solidify it beneath me.
PAIN
You know Abi, it is a good thing I practiced this.
ABIMELECH
My apologies for jinxing the loss of your sword. I only wanted you not to depend on it for too long.
I released my hold on the air, causing an explosive force to propel me into the air. I grabbed hold of the air and soared high over the city. I came to a controlled hover and gazed down at the tranquility.
A moment's peak into the eyes of my ghosts, I saw the first signs of disarray in the homes and shops. Mothers and fathers stumbling upon the shriveled corpses of their children or children waking up to the loud siphoning noise of my wraiths to seek out their parents, only to find a corpse occupying their parent's beds.
PAIN
It is unfortunate that wraiths are so loud.
I thought out loud to Abi.
ABIMELECH
A fair trade to make use of their immense aura and light resistance.
He said—once again—since Recall Memory remembered word for word.
PAIN
Hmph, you said that before.
ABIMELECH
Oh, did I? My apologies. I do not have infinite memory.
I rolled my eyes at his sarcastic remark and attempted to clear my mind.
I then let go of the wind, falling toward the city's center. I was happy and yet sad at the same time. My mind raced through the past three years in seconds before a swathe of nothingness filled my mind.
I created pockets of void at my feet to cause forces of imploding wind to accelerate me. This was my form of justice and how I obtained revenge. If I can not be left alone, I will become the Pain in everyone's asses. I materialized my staff and whipped it before me as I crashed into the ground.
PAIN
Earthquake!
The ground beneath the entire city rippled like an ocean before a shockwave upheaved the earth and destroyed the foundations and walls of nearby homes and stores. The ripple of destruction fanned out, stopping just before the gates and walls as intended.
I rose to my feet within the crater and commanded the ground to lift me up. I slowly turned in admiration of my destructive power. Earthly spikes, no higher than a home, had pierced into nearby houses and shops. Buildings further away were slanted or leaning haphazardly on the misshapen ground.
People began to vacate their homes, fleeing toward the gates. The most frantic ones were dressed like traders, so I assumed they were. They bolted for the gates upon their horses only to find the guards' shriveled corpses lying before them. The gates were sealed shut, and thus, they began to climb the wall.
It was as if I was watching frantic ants attempting to flee their crumbling mound, but the thought was for only a moment as chaos spontaneously consumed the city. There were screams of horror, citizens seeking answers, others caring for the safety of their friends and loved ones, and the wealthy quickly boarding their fine wagons while taking only the finest pieces of belongings with them.
I took a deep breath and conjured a solid armor of blood. I Stashed my staff and extended my bloody grieves into foot-long claws, enabling my cursed arm to move. Guards with strong enough Willpower—strong enough to resist the Fear aura of my wraiths converged on me.
I Quickstepped and went after guards that could not, quickly cutting through their basic unenchanted armor. Some had enough Willpower to fend me off, though a single cut in their bare skin allowed me to create shards of exploding blood at the sight of the wound, catching them off guard.
I phased in and out of the shadows to further confuse them. To deal with their Willpower, I called upon my wraiths to spontaneously send fear down their spines before I dashed in and beheaded them. More guards appeared—soldiers? They wore better armor, some of which were +1, but as I engaged them, I saw that most were young gents.
PAIN
Stupid!
I shouted in anger as I punched the facial helm of one with a combination of magic and strength, sending his body hurling through a home.
PAIN
What idiot of a leader gives the best armor to children!
I could feel the fear engulfing the rest, and my control over their blood became possible.
Abi taught me this; when a creature loses the will to fight, it also loses the natural Willpower protecting its body from hostile control such as Blood Control. It was also why I could not teleport objects into the bodies of determined people.
But as these young, ill-trained fighters began to soil themselves and attempt to flee, I reached out and grabbed control of their blood and caused them to explode. Their bodies erupted within the confinement of their armor before their lifeless bodies fell flat in the snow.
I refused to stop and think—speeding through homes and shops, ripping my claws through the bodies of anything that moved. Their screams did not save them. Their begging fell on deaf ears. As I carried out my revenge, I saw no humor in this. How other people find laughter in the death of others was beyond my comprehension. The action I carried out was unbearable, and my eyes were burning with heat as I mourned each and every cry I cut short.
I could feel Abi squirm before he began to utter,
ABIMELECH
But you do not have to —
PAIN
Yes! I have to do this! If not, they will never leave me be!
I kept my gaze off the faces of those I slay, keeping my mind on the growth I would receive from the blood of my fallen victims.
PAIN
And if the survivors want to seek out revenge, let them! I will be ready!
I ranted as their blood converged onto my armor, further hardening and expanding it.
PAIN
I understand now. This is how we grow!
I beheaded the head of a pleading young lady.
PAIN
Our thrive for happiness!
I then exploded the body of her fleeing husband.
PAIN
Power!?
I cut down their children,
PAIN
Peace!?
And sliced through their retired elders with Blood Blade.
PAIN
It all requires this!
I Quickstepped outside and voided the air around an eatery. I then solidify the snow and air before letting the void implode, causing a dazzling explosion of crystalized ice to rip through the eatery.
PAIN
It requires us to kill each other!
I shouted at him as my mind recalled my torturing at the order of King Solo, Eldritch attacking me in the forest, the Black Knight beheading me for no reason, Solid's massacre of the vampires, and Leon parading my death to his people.
PAIN
How many have you killed in an effort to safeguard your knowledge?
He knew I was right and said nothing in response. This was the law of the land, and I will abide by it. From out my back, I sprouted bladed wings to guard my blind spots as I continued the slaughtering of the city.
Those that made it over the walls fell victim to my familiars and sols that waited for them. A few Witch and Wizard adventurers took to the sky upon brooms, staffs, rods, and poles. But a few were struck by lightning from the patrolling soratakas, while others could defend themselves at the cost of their flight.
Another Mage near the north gate had set a shop on fire, causing a torrent of flames to ward off my weaker ghosts. There was no better way to grab my attention, and I phased through the ground toward him.
I emerged, and similar to how Yuna predicted my attack, so did he. But I caught hold of his bolt of lightning with my superior control, whipped it around, and shot it back at him directly into his face. The bolt of magic collided with a sudden ward he promptly created.
PAIN
I remember you,
I stated softly as our mana energies collided.
PAIN
Why do you have both genders?
I asked him nonchalantly, but Farengar simply grunted in response and repelled me away with a force of Telekinesis. Hmph, this Mage had quite the skill, but I was in no mood to entertain him and materialized my staff.
*****
A sudden squealing cry stirred the entire barracks awake. The sound of a dying raven tortured my ears. One by one, we lit our candles to add light to the dim barracks.
DRAGO
What in tarnation is that noise!
He shouted.
We all faced Farengar, clenching his right hand painfully as the ear-piercing sound came from the radiating symbol drawn in his palms.
ROSA
What the hell is wrong with ya, Farengar!?
She shouted in annoyance.
ROSA
We are trying to sleep here! Stop playing with magic—
FARENGAR
He's here!
ROSA
What!? Stop playing with words! Who's he?
FARENGAR
Ire is here.
He grunted as he attempted to get a hold of himself.
HILROY
But we saw his head...
I muttered, still drowsy from waking up suddenly.
ROSA
Will you stop staring at it and stop that noise!?
FARENGAR
I'm trying!
He grimaced in pain as the high-pitched noise softened and the glowing symbol suddenly shattered into dust. Farengar heaved a sigh of relief before leaping out of his bed and gathering his things from his foot locker.
DRAGO
What are you doing?
TEMPEST
So Ire's is here... wasn't his head here? Is that what your magic thing sensing?
Farengar did not respond, and after a moment's thought, I decided.
HILROY
Get up,
I whispered to Panuka,
PANUKA
What?
She whispered back. I got out of bed and reminded everyone,
HILROY
Farengar was the one who first sensed Ire back at the southern hills. We should probably listen to him.
The room was quiet save for Farengar, fumbling for his items and slamming down the footlocker's lid.
FARENGAR
I'm leaving.
He told Drago, but before Drago could respond, a sudden chill engulfed the entire room, and I felt a cold stare trickling down my body. We all froze, but only for a moment, and as if plagued by rockblight, we slowly turned our attention toward a pair of red beady eyes protruding through the wall at the back of the barracks.
Drago suddenly fell out of his bed like a lifeless doll as the ghastly creature phased in through the walls. Its chilling effect crystalized the floor and beds as it approached, but it suddenly stopped, its eyes glancing at the Warming Crystals.
Was it afraid of them? Suddenly, the crystals dimmed slightly—
This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.
HILROY
Drago!
I called out, ending the eerie silence. I conjured my Willpower and rushed for the Warming Crystal. I grabbed it off the hook and shoved it in the face of the ghastly abomination, and it shrilled out in pain before fleeing into shadows.
HILROY
Drago!
I called for him, hearing him stir about on the floor as I came to his aid. The flickering of the Warming Crystal subsided as Drago regained his strength.
ROSA
What... What the fuck was that!
She bellowed, her strength returning.
FARENGAR
A wraith.
He breathed.
ROSA
A what?
Farengar looked up through the windows above the bed. He then suddenly leaped onto Millicent's bed—
MILLICENT
Watch it!
She shouted at him,
MILLICENT
Acting all weird. Say something! Talk!
After helping Drago, I looked back in time to see Farengar diving to the ground.
FARENGAR
Brace yourselves!
And the floor beneath me sank, and I flailed to the ground, bashing my forehead against Drago's bedpost. Seconds later, a thundering shockwave crashed into the left side of the barracks. The windows shattered as soil and snow poured in.
I moaned around on the floor and massaged the throbbing of my forehead. As I stood, my balance was off, but I soon noticed the entire inn was tilted. Everyone on the other side was thrown out of their bed. Nami went to aid Mantis' bruised shoulder, but other than that, there were no injuries. Farengar cursed, hammering the ground. He was eyeing the remains of the other Warming Crystal that shattered on the ground inches from him.
FARENGAR
We should've left when we had the chance.
He mumbled and pushed himself up to his knees.
He materialized a wrapped chalk piece made of powdered amber puries and began to draw onto the floor. The traders that were with us began to mutter and requested our protection.
DRAGO
Shut ya faces! If ya ain't paying, fuck off!
He barked.
Bolin's candle had shattered, causing a small fire he was beating out. As the influx of snow subsided, I leaped onto Bolin's bed. It took a moment for my eyes to notice the dozens of wraiths zipping around the city. People were out there, running away in fear, but the moment a wraith was upon them, they would fall limp.
ROSA
What in damnation was that sound!?
She shouted, but I ignored her and noticed the ground outside resembled the sea, frozen in the middle of a wave, with buildings all around upheaved or buried.
ROSA
Hey, Farengar!
HILROY
Stop being daft and look outside!
I shouted.
Bolin climbed to his feet and joined me on his bed. Following him, Rosa stood, and finally, everyone in the barracks except the short traders was staring out the left windows and was speechless at the sight.
SALINE
What the hell are those things?
ROSA
What the hell is going on! What are those things!
She shouted at Farengar.
FARENGAR
I told you already! Wraiths.
He growled as he finished up his drawing.
NAMI
Why are they here? What are they doing?
Farengar sucked his teeth and quickly fixed a portion of the symbol he was drawing.
NAMI
Farengar...
Farengar ignored her and continued to focus on his drawing as Panuka stepped down.
PANUKA
You said it was Ire, right? If you know of a way to protect us, how can we help?
He looked up at her with his piercing gaze,
FARENGAR
Thanks. Give me a moment. Keep that last Warming Crystals active no matter what. Grab hold of your lamps, break off pieces of furniture, and prepare to make torches for any wraiths that wander in here.
My party was the only one quick to obey.
DRAGO
Well, we shouldn't sit around, let's help.
And he and the rest began to dismantle pieces off their beds, wrap torn sheets around pieces of wood, and wait for Farengar's following commands. Rosa was still staring out the window.
ROSA
What are they doing to them?
She asked.
FARENGAR
Ghosts,
He started as he stepped back, eying his drawn symbol.
FARENGAR
They can all use Soul Siphon—the ability to eat your soul in blunt terms.
NAMI
What?
She whispered in disbelief in the midst of trying to rip her sheets apart—Mantis aided her.
NAMI
Were ghosts always that strong?
FARENGAR
No. They are not.
Farengar extended his hands to the symbol and generated a brief pulse of mana.
FARENGAR
Ghosts usually drift around aimlessly... feasting on anything alive, getting stronger as they consume. But naturally, they do not know how to hide when the sun comes up and are destroyed.
He emitted his mana once more, and the symbol on the ground was set ablaze. The inner portions of the symbol sunk inward into a red abyss.
DRAGO
That's some creepy magic.
FARENGAR
Simple pathetic conjuring. I thought I would never use this.
From the red pit, seven balls of fire floated out and hovered around the barracks. They seemed to move on their own, avoiding walls and objects. They radiated with a vitalizing heat, and when close, the soft sound of something burning reached my ears.
FARENGAR
I can't explain how lucky we are that I chose the fire element.
The abyss faded away, and the symbol upon the ground was reduced to ashen chalk.
FARENGAR
These are Fire Sprites—
MANTIS
Spirits—
FARENGAR
Fire. Sprites.
He clarified, predicting Mantis.
FARENGAR
Grab hold of one. And keep it close. Do not shake them, or they will explode on you.
ROSA
Huh!?
She exclaimed, suddenly letting go of her Sprite that fluttered through the air freely.
I chased after one as it floated about in an attempt to avoid my grasp.
FARENGAR
We need to get from the inn to the north gate. Sitting here and waiting it out will be the death of us. These Sprites do not last long. We have a single Warming Crystal—we're depending on you, Party Leader.
DRAGO
I might make you the leader after this...
He mumbled softly that only I heard him.
FARENGAR
No matter what, do not stop! Wraiths emit fear and chill auras that can render you helpless.
He eyed the room and took a deep breath.
FARENGAR
If I fall, don't attempt to save me because I am sure I will not hesitate to leave you.
I handed the Warming Crystal to Drago, and we headed out.
With Drago and I bringing up the rear, we rushed down the barracks, and I peeked into the third and second-floor barracks along the way. Withered corpses plagued the beds and floor. One of the traders following us broke off in an effort to snatch a nearby fat coin purse on the second floor.
DRAGO
Hey!
Drago called out, but a sudden wraith whipped out from its hiding place and embraced the trader within its aura. Drago and I Quickstepped in reflex and left the trader to his faith.
DRAGO
Damned the gods!
He cursed as we leaped down the stairs.
DRAGO
They're hiding?
FARENGAR
Keep moving!
He shouted as we tackled the winter storm outside the inn. The cold sting of harsh winds buffed my stride, and I was nearly knocked over.
FARENGAR
Hold your Sprites tightly!
He shouted from the front over the strong winds.
FARENGAR
Do not let go of them!
And I tighten the grip on my spirit, feeling the aura of its warmth intensifying. It created a bubble of heat, protecting me and those nearby. I looked up into the sky at the prickling sensation of stares and saw the heat was keeping the wraiths away.
HILROY
It's working!
FARENGAR
The aura of ghosts is a combination of Willpower and Mana Emission!
He began to explain.
FARENGAR
My Sprites' aura is a combination of Mana Emission and Symbology—
MANTIS
Tempest, look out!
He suddenly shouted as a black wolf lunged from out of the shadows ahead of Tempest, latching onto his throat.
The massive fiend and Tempest wrestled to the ground, and I grabbed Drago, preventing him from rushing to his aid.
DRAGO
Get off me!
He shouted and broke free.
FARENGAR
Keep moving!
ROSA
What was that!?
Before any of us could answer, the sound of a hawk's cry and lightning struck the center of our group. The bolt exploded into a puff of snow and dirt. Before I could reorient myself, the ground trembled as more black canines came at us.
I jumped to my feet, dodging the lunge of one. Panuka fired off an arrow, but the fiend evaded by phasing into the shadows of the buildings.
BOLIN
Get away! Get away!
I caught sight of Bolin on his hind, backing up through the thick snow away from prowling blindinus. He quickly materialized an enchanted item resembling a ribbed, oval-shaped red egg.
FARENGAR
Don't use that!
He shouted.
My eyes found Farengar running toward us and away from Bolin just as Bolin hurled the item at the blindinus. It bounced off the head of one and glowed a blinding light before exploding in a raging torrent of flames.
The blazing torrent engulfed Bolin instantly, and the sudden force ripped through the wind, knocking us off our feet.
In my disarray, I let loose my grip on the Sprite, and it flew away. I cursed and lifted myself through the piling snow. I trudged over to help Panuka out of the snow. The sudden sound of Mantis' Air Jab technique pinpointed his location.
Stares suddenly fell on me. Refusing to look up at the encroaching wraiths, Panuka and I rushed over to Mantis, who still held on to his Sprite.
FARENGAR
The store!
He shouted from my right before he hurled his Sprite toward the old store—the smithy that once belonged to Link. The Sprite collided and engulfed the store in intense bright flames, frightening the nearby wraiths into a panic.
We moved with haste to the store, and as we did, I did not hear Farengar following up behind us. Ahead, we spotted Millicent and Rosa, also sprinting toward the safety of the burning store. Millicent was in a fit of tears and anger as we huddled near the walls of the burning store.
ROSA
Stop it!
She yelled at Millicent and embraced her.
MILLICENT
But it was my fault!
Panuka also embraced Millicent as Mantis, and I kept a lookout for fiends and ghosts. The rest of Rosa's party was nowhere to be seen. Farengar disappeared, and I assumed he abandoned us. I was positive Bolin had died and was unsure about Tempest.
I wondered about the traders right when I caught sight of that familiar trader—the individual who was saved by Mokoto. He was fumbling through the snow, hauling himself toward the gates. But as I noticed the gate was closed, he didn't and continued his mad sprint.
MANTIS
We need to move Hilly!
He whispered harshly from behind me with fear in his shivering voice.
But my gaze was locked on the trader, and Mantis followed my stare. A wraith came down on the trader, sapping his energy in seconds before proceeding to siphon his soul with a loud scratchy wail.
I could feel the warmth radiating my back from the Sprite Mantis was still carrying—we had a chance, I thought. We could rush the gate and use Mantis' skill to Leap onto the scaffolds and over the walls.
HILROY
When we move, we must stay very close to Mantis and the Sprite!
I glanced back at them,
HILROY
Ready?
They nodded, and I eyed the gates with determination. Not even two steps from out the safety of the blacksmith's store, something crashed into Rosa, sending her tumbling through the snow ahead of me, followed by Millicent's scream of horror.
MANTIS
What in limbo was that!?
Blood trailed towards Rosa, and my eyes barely had time to adjust to whatever that black thing was upon Rosa before another crashed into Panuka. Her scream sent a chill down my spine—
HILROY
Panuka!
I screamed and rushed towards her before something crashed into me—
Mantis!? He had tackled me out of the way of a pouncing black creature. We tumbled through the snow. Sorrow welled within me as Mantis sprang back to his feet and kicked back the screeching abomination.
I looked up briefly, past the black abomination Mantis had knocked back, to see another two, gruesomely and eagerly ripping into Rosa's and Panuka's convulsing bodies.
This can't be happening... this had to be a dream. But the horror and pain were too real as I gazed into the Panuka's watery eyes. Her face scrunched up in pain. Her body jolted with every bite into her torso as blood spewed out her mouth, clogging her ability to scream in pain.
HILROY
Pa—
Mantis tackled me with a firm embrace and Leaped onto the house behind us. We crashed onto the roof and fell through. Like a stuffed doll, my body tumbled back and forth through several structural beams before the back of my head slammed into one.