AFTERMATH
A harsh whisper echoed at the back of my head, poltergeist. The wraith that absorbed Mantis' soul had evolved into a poltergeist. I watched it transform, its hair becoming longer and more frantic. Its body slimmed down even further as its forearms extended and ended in large, ten-fingered hands. And its translucency became barely noticeable, for it now appeared solid.
From its thick neck, a wide cloak emerged and hovered around it. Within the cloak's shadow were several retracting arms that could spring out at a moment's notice. My lips curled slightly at the sight of its small head on a bulky neck. I looked into its face and saw my reflection... rather a lifeless version of my face, solemnly staring back at me.
Upon Scanning it, I learned it could now use Basic Soul Harvest and Basic Soul Siphon. Its arms and retractable arms could direct cones of focused auras to send a chilling aura to freeze the air or engulf a living thing with Basic Fear. The most fascinating part of my new ghost was its ability to carry solid objects. Useful, I needed it to help my familiars transport bodies.
Strolling the ruined city, I watched, from the eyes of my ghost, Donatello, escape through a lit tunnel. He reappeared north, within a small home in the woods and adjacent to the bridge dam. I decided to let him go after I saw Solitaire moving about. He survived and gradually regenerated his wounds before he reported what transpired to Gate and the others.
I had long pulled my ghosts away from Gate during my battle with Cain. I recalled their twisted face of anger, confusion, and despair after learning of Donatello's betrayal. Hmph, I wondered how strong their need for revenge would be.
I sighed and began harvesting souls in the dozens. The number of ghosts that could come out of Basic Souls, a kinan soul, was nine. Compared to only receiving one from animal souls—I called Petty Souls. With Basic Soul Harvest, I could combine three Petty Souls into one Lesser Soul and nine Petty Souls or three Lesser Souls into a single Basic Souls.
While I harvested, a black arachnid and a white arachnid sol skittered along with me. I had them poison and paralyze any citizen brazen enough to address me. While I harvested, I kept an eye out for wagons and carts left behind by the rich and had them rolled away by the elokos and brumaires.
After a peaceful hour of hunting, searching, looting, and hauling, I prepared to depart from the ruined city.
*****
The blizzard was relentless for me as a bookkeeper with no skills, no classes, and, godly, no survival tactics. I had to abandon the safe house the escape route led me to. The safe house had no provisions, torches, lamps, flint stones—nothing. It was simply a dark underground box for me to die in. I shivered in annoyance as I thought back to when Leon removed the guards from the safe house—all because a few guards died doing their duty.
I hastened my pace at the thought of a fiend tracking me this very second. I forced my feet up and down, one after the other, through the waist-high snow. All I had to guide me was the parting of dead trees on either side of me, hopefully leading me west.
The land sloped upwards, and my waist began to rise out of the snow—yes, this must be the way. After several dozen more steps, I arrived at the waterfall bridge and turned north in long strides. I had no time to waste—I knew a fishergent who lived just north of the bridge. I personally funded the building of the fishery, but unfortunately, the last time I spoke to Ed was almost a year ago.
DONATELLO
Gah, dammit!
The wind nearly knocked me over, and my body could not stave off the cold. Even while wearing two sets of clothing—the second I had shamefully taken off Leon's shriveled body—the cold still reached me.
There! I saw it! I hastened my steps and rushed towards the wooden cabin, glimmering with warmth. I could feel it now, sitting beside a warm fire and hopefully with something hot to eat. The stone foundation it sat on was raised slightly above the road and off to the left.
I nearly jumped up the frosted stone steps and marched along the rectangular foundation towards the shack at the far right corner. Barrels, crates, wagons, and nets were piled neatly and covered in snow on the left side of the cabin. I briefly looked out at the Azure River—frozen with a blanket of snow swept across it.
The sting of wet fish pelted my nose as I passed the boarded windows and approached the frostbitten wooden door. I stood before it, shivering slightly before building my confidence to knock sternly three times.
ED
Fucking bastards—
The door swung, and a bloody spear was at my throat—
ED
Back for more—
His gold and yellow eyes squinted at me,
ED
Don?
He lowered his Steel Dagon Spear +3 and slid the black woolen cap off his smooth, bald head.
ED
Don, is it really you?
I nodded, but it was more of a shivery tremble.
ED
My manners! Come! Come in!
His body, chiseled by the lifelong days of hauling nets of fish and designed with red angular lines upon orange, moved aside to allow me in. The thick smell of fish smothered me, but despite its pungency, my stomach churned in favor of it.
Just before me, two dirty cushioned armchairs and a rocking chair were positioned upon a clean rug around the fireplace—each chair flanked by cupboards. To the right, Ed's kitchen and dining—possibly cleaner than anything within Dagon's estate. Ten buckets or so of fresh water lined the right wall, and moderate glass silverware was organized within wall shelves over a self-draining sink.
Up against the front of the sink was a bucket, allowing the dirty water to flow down after cleaning. Ed gestured towards his small dining table of five where a plate of food sat—boiled fish, some herbs, carrots, and beans. My mouth watered despite the bland food.
ED
Have a seat, Sir Don! How is the trading? Jokul's wing, ya must be wealthy as of late.
He pulled out a slightly dirty cushioned chair for me,
ED
My apologies for the grime upon the cushions—damn things are too hard to clean.
He laughed as he made his way to a door at the back of the kitchen,
ED
Clean the others over there twice! Made it worse.
He pushed open the door, revealing a storage filled with shelves lined with jarred preserves and herbs, barrels underneath the racks on the right, and several pairs of wrapped items within a crate of snow along the left. Ed knew how to survive, but... I looked around,
DONATELLO
I could've sworn you had a wife? And a son?
He laughed again, returning with a wooden cutting board, raw fish fillet, herbs, and carrots.
ED
Sent my wife off north to be safer with her sister.
He placed the board next to an enchanted stove— Self-Lighting Stove, that not even Leon and I had. I refrained from asking about it and figured it was due to his profession and minimalist lifestyle.
I frowned as he pulled out a skillet and pot, both enchanted with (Fire Affinity) Lesser Burn Resistance. Our kitchen had a few, but it bothered me that a fishergent had two. Have I been living with my head in the clouds for so long that I did not bother to see commoners living as I do?
I shook my head as Ed began to chop away and excavate for bones. It must be Leon's desire to bring everyone to his status. By the gods, what a fool.
ED
Don?
I blinked away my sudden tears and looked back at Ed. He was looking at me with worry.
ED
You okay?
His head titled as if he suddenly had an epiphany,
ED
Actually, where are your guards?
He asked, worry now in his voice as he may have finally realized why I was here.
ED
What happened? By the gods, my apologies—
He became frantic, urging me to speak,
ED
It slipped my mind—the gates were closed, and an earthquake. I saw no guards at the gates, but...
I looked over at his bloody spear lying against the wall.
DONATELLO
We don't know.
I mumbled, almost whispering. I took a deep breath, not wanting to explain too much as a plan came to mind.
DONATELLO
Ghosts. Ghosts of all kinds attacked the city.
He followed my gaze,
ED
Thieves looking for trouble.
He returned back to cooking.
ED
Go on friend, tell me. I'm all ears.
And so, I explained all that had happened to him—with a trail of lies and elongated truths. I hid any hints about me carrying nearly a wagon of treasures within my Inventory. Ever since I obtained it years ago, I have trained day and night for the sole purpose of being a one-gent mule. But what I needed more than ever right now was a guard, a protector, or a scapegoat.
Ed had set down a plate of food in front of me as I finished explaining,
ED
Just you, then?
He took his seat while I shook my head.
DONATELLO
Not sure.
He took a bite out of his food.
ED
You can stay,
He garbled with a mouthful.
ED
As long as you need. Have my son's bed for the rest of the night.
Stolen story; please report.
I turned behind me to where he pointed past the living quarters and eyed the drab small bed that wouldn't fit my body next to a broader bedstead with poorly knitted covers. After the kitchen, I was expecting something out of the ordinary, but as I tried to make sense of it, I could only guess Ed valued his cooking and food over his comfort.
I prayed I only needed one night before moving on. My stomach churned as I eyed the food before me—a slushy pile of fish. But the smell was watering my mouth—I felt Ed's stare and decided I should probably take a bite.
ED
I know,
I looked up at him.
ED
Not what you're used to, but try it.
DONATELLO
Sorry, it's... my mind is just wondering.
I grabbed the royalty-like fork, nearly fooling myself that I was back in my estate, and scooped at the crumbling fish—doing my best to add some roasted herbs onto the fork before rushing it into my mouth.
Juices overflowed, and my cheeks became sore as saliva forced its way out. It tasted wonderful—more so because I was starving.
ED
Alright, yeah?
I nodded.
DONATELLO
Pardon my rudeness. Thank you.
He laughed—coughed as he nearly choked, and then laughed again.
He was no different than he was a year ago and quite the same as when I first met him. The memory came, but briefly, as I stood next to him along with Chieftain Leon, Trember—the previous Keeper of the Guards, Gate as a captain, and several other fishergents standing at the bankside of the river.
I urged Leon and his father to fund this, but they took too long to decide, so out of my own impatience, I funded it personally. The rabbids down south had ruined the farms and halted any form of expansion for the city. Then, vampires came, but just as that memory came, I saw that I had finished the food on my plate.
ED
How was it?
I nodded with a wry smile,
DONATELLO
Better than I expected, Ed. Thank you again.
He waved it away humbly,
ED
Always good to help a friend, I say.
He got up and grabbed both of our plates.
DONATELLO
Do you miss them?
I asked, referring to the other fishergents who used to share this shack that once was a bustling cabin.
DONATELLO
The other fishergents?
He smiled and faced me with an inquisitive look.
ED
Of course. They're like brothers to me. But... after what has happened to Dagon City just now... they can't come back. I might have to find a way to join them north shortly. How about you? Heading north, I assume?
I thought about it,
DONATELLO
It is too dangerous for a whelp like me.
Ed smiled in retort,
ED
I feel the same way—about me, that is.
He added quickly.
DONATELLO
Why not come along with me?
I asked, but he sighed.
ED
I don't know... too soon for me. Abandon the cabin? Leave with no plans? If I showed up to my fellow gents with such news...
He shook his head at the thought.
ED
Sorry, Don. I don't think I can.
DONATELLO
Pardon? Didn't they leave you after Lich's attack?
I pointed out, and he turned away, guilty of hypocrisy.
DONATELLO
It's too dangerous here.
I pushed, and he shrugged in thought.
ED
You may be right,
He continued to wash the dishes.
ED
I just...
DONATELLO
Trust me, they will understand. More so after I spread the news of what happened.
ED
What's more to know?
He looked back at me with a raised brow,
ED
Something ya not telling me?
Perfect. Now, to see if I could persuade him with more information.
DONATELLO
Sorry, there is...
I admitted uneasily and materialized Ire's bounty.
DONATELLO
The attackers I mentioned,
I started as he leaned in and gawked at the bounty reward.
DONATELLO
They used Fire Magic.
ED
Are ya implying the Fire Kingdom!?
DONATELLO
Who else could it be? They issued a fake bounty. Send Cain—Cain the Executioner! I am positive this was all a ruse to pressure our Chief into bowing down to the Fire King.
I was not actually positive, but if I could get him to believe me, that would be a plus. Then, there were the traders coming from North Star. With North Star and the Fire Kingdom at odds, spreading the news that the Fire Kingdom attacked Dagon City will garner their hate.
More so with such a high bounty. Ire looked too young and civil to be worth such a fortune, further helping my "fake bounty" claim.
DONATELLO
The Fire Kingdom had always wanted this land. History mentions they owned the land further south hundreds of years ago.
I studied his face, looking for a break.
ED
But this is where I live. My home.
DONATELLO
How do you think I feel, Ed?
I barked, and he dropped into a seat,
ED
Oh my, Sir Don, I am so sorry.
DONATELLO
I've lost my home too. The Chief is gone!
I exclaimed. Suddenly, the clinking sound of silverware grabbed our attention, a small warning before the entire room began to shake, and the ground began to rumble.
ED
An earthquake?
Was Ire here? Did his magic reach this far? But as I thought about it, the air thickened, and I gasped for air. A tingling jolt spread up and down the surface of my skin. The weight of my body doubled, and my head slammed against the table—it then tripled, and the furniture beneath me shattered under pressure. I heard cracks and the splintering of the ceiling, but by the gods, it held up. A deafening boom ripped across the sky, leaving a lingering echo that sounded like the harmonious cry of several harmonic roars.
*****
Before leaving the city, I carried Hilroy's body into the safety of the nearby remains of a ruined home. With seven rich wagons secured to my brumaires or pulled by forest arachnids, I began to leave the city with hundreds of bodies—dead and alive.
Counting the number of sols, familiars, and ghosts I had lost, the outcome was favorable. My familiars dwindled to single digits, and I lost only seven sols and six ghosts—only one of which was a wraith.
A sudden sensation came over my body, and I stopped. My familiars and sols stopped along with me, and we stared over the snowy land into the western woods. A sense of hunger or wanting was pulling me. A sudden chasm filled my entire being as I figured out why this sensation came over me.
I ordered my sols to continue toward my lair without me. I took a dozen arachnid familiars with me into the woods. One foot after another, I sloshed through the high snow, blanketing the roots of the trees.
A lump of despair formed in my throat as I formed a tiny ember to light the way. The sight of destruction caused by the North Star was painfully evident. The trees were bruised, and deep pockets of snow filled the disturbed ground.
I continued on past the charred barked trees toward the clearing. It started off as a murmur as I approached. The wailing sound of a hundred damned souls. The chorus became deafening once I entered the clearing.
I surveyed the image before me. Snow settled upon the vine-covered stone, and the white of the snow blended in with the sea of souls.
PAIN
Their souls are still here... why?
I mumbled to myself. My eyes switched from one soul to another—vampire and soldier alike were slain here. I exhaled a shaky breath and guided myself to the other side of the clearing. There, I saw them—at the spot they were slain. Clifford's soul sat on its knees silently and motionless. I looked ahead at Mac's soul, seemingly running away in frantic terror.
I clenched my jaws at the memory of their deaths. If only I was this strong back then, I thought. But that monstrous Sword Master, Solid, seeped into my thoughts. Would I be able to take him on now?
I kneeled at the site of Clifford's soul and pushed away the chattering souls. I beckoned Mac's soul closer and studied the frantic movement of the soul—it was desperate to get away from something.
I never had much thought about what was behind these souls' silhouettes and what they meant. But as I solemnly looked between Clifford's and Mac's souls, I began to hypothesize it had something to do with their nature.
My eyes began to tingle with heat. It was difficult to watch Mac's soul in such a frantic manner. Maybe their silhouettes painted a level of regret. Maybe I should try to bring them back to life. Would it work?
PAIN
What do you think Abi?
I questioned his notable silence.
PAIN
Should I bring them back? Or leave them?
Annoyingly, uncertainty and sadness tainted his soul, and he kept quiet. This may ultimately be my decision, and whatever the consequences of attempting to bring them back... I closed my eyes at the thought of further causing them torment by ruining their souls. And then Recall Memory decided to spite me, and the vivid visuals of that unforgiving massacre filled the black void.
The voices of that memory began to merge with the souls around me, and I forced my eyes open. A single line came to me as I raised my hand and commanded the souls to converge onto me—What idiot wishes to die?
Silence. I enjoyed it. But the moment was quick to fade as my Danger Sense tingled. From above? I commanded my ghosts up into the air in search of griffins. But instead, a twinkling light flared in the distance.
PAIN
What in damnations is that!?
I growled. But suddenly, the air became dense with mana energy rivaling that of an ent. The air began to thump and rumble as the twinkling blue light expanded in a second, rattling reality and splitting the clouds with a condensed beam of pure mana energy that echoed several harmonic roars.
My wraiths were too slow to respond, and I nearly lost them all to the sudden beam of mana. I withstood the pressure as the feeling of tiny bolts of electricity ran up and down my body. The godly beam soon thinned out and faded into scattered lightning bolts.
My ghost saw the storm clouds converge on the vacant space and twisters, the width of a damn hilltop, formed and touched down at the edges of the beam's path. Meanwhile, lingering mana energy within the air twisted into thick bolts of lightning that tore into the ground around me and throughout the plains.
I glanced at the spot where a bolt of magic-induced lightning struck and witnessed the formation of a frozenheart. They were elemental fiends, looking like snowgents that would pivot on their bottom ball of snow, tracking anything that moved within their range. Each bolt of lightning that struck the snow gave birth to more.
They had icy glass eyes, no arms, no form of nose, and an unhinged mouth that smoked with utter darkness. I read about these creatures and learned that making eye contact with them would trigger them to spit forth a barrage of dense crystalized pellets.
They were also easy to deal with. Simple heat and fire forced them to avert their gaze, so I had no worry for my sols returning to my lair on their own. Brumaires were with them and could quench these frozenhearts with their fiery hooves.
As for the frozenhearts surrounding me in this clearing, a simple thought was all it took for my little ember of flame to pulse an expanding ring of heat and return them back into the snow. I stood and proceeded to gather their hearts... unironically named frozenhearts. I picked one up and studied the clear oval-shaped stone with bolts of lightning bouncing about within.
Knowledge from my soratakas warned me that giant twisters of snow were steering toward me, so I hastened my pace. Curious about where that mana energy came from, I commanded five basic ghosts to travel north as far as possible. It was about time I tested the range of my ghosts and saw how far I could truly see.