THE NECROMANCER
All but Sakura and the other refugees showed their nerves as they trailed after the broodmother up the hill. The broodmother led them down the dip toward the hilltop where the entrance to my lair hid.
The broodmother stopped and faced Sakura,
BROODMOTHER
I wouldn't leave that creature alone with your horses.
Her voice reverberated.
BROODMOTHER
You're free to bring them all in.
Sakura frowned, exchanging looks with Lorenzo, who perked up and snapped his fingers at Emily.
LORENZO
Go retrieve them, Emily.
He ordered, but she pouted at the back of his head for a moment before stomping off to go retrieve the horses.
PAIN
Let us go meet them.
I said to Clifford and Mac.
PAIN
I can only imagine the thoughts they would have if they entered on their lonesome.
I led the way through the Old Library and into the Arachnid Lair, where a horde of my familiars and sols alike presented themselves on either side of the lair, leaving a path for us through the two pillars. The lair was naturally lit by natural blooming blightshrooms. The other day, I forcefully added sconce torches upon the pillar to add a bit more light.
MAC
How quaint.
She remarked.
The elokos stood in front on either side, followed by the canines, blindinus, and shadinus, then the pantheras and blacats, then the brumaires, and lastly, the arachnids. Clifford eyed the white and black arachnids blotting the webbed walls and stone ceiling.
CLIFFORD
Still creepy.
He mumbled.
PAIN
I can have them all stare at you.
I chuckled.
CLIFFORD
Please don't.
He shivered.
We took our attention to the top of the stairs. The broodmother had led them through the secret entrance and waited for me behind the false stone barriers. I aimed my Celestial: Wukong's Black Staff and commanded the stone barrier to sink into the ground. I then quickly Stashed my staff—I had to keep my advantage hidden.
The broodmother stepped through and confidently made her way down the stairs. Sakura immediately held my gaze, and like the times before, she eyed me as if she knew me. No fear and not a single ounce of hesitation tainted her expression. I was content to see Ino, with her yellow-white diamond pattern eyes, and Hinata, noted by her deep blue diamond pattern eyes, both reflecting Sakura's confident aura.
Yet something even more bizarre tickled my curiosity as I eyed Sakura with Lesser Scan—she was thirty!? Ino, twenty-nine, and Hinata, twenty-eight. Yet, they all looked extremely young and just past adulthood. It must be a race thing, I quickly assumed as they came to a stop before us.
When I scanned Lorenzo, his age did not come up, nor did any of his MUAs, which meant he had a skill similar to Interference. Lorenzo kept his hand on his hilt as he approached the ygluens' side.
LORENZO
Well,
He glanced at Sakura.
LORENZO
This is when you explain why we're here.
Sakura nodded, her eyes finally leaving me as she glanced at the others. She then froze at the sight of Mac.
SAKURA
Mac?
She whispered.
All eyes fell on Mac, who flinched with confusion.
MAC
Um... Yea.
She frowned, glancing at me with a shrug.
SAKURA
My apologies,
She breathed, seemingly relieved.
SAKURA
You probably don't remember us, but we were—my family was a part of the camp—that camp meant to bring synergy and trust.
She spoke quickly. Ino and Hinata were nodding at her back.
MAC
Huh, interesting.
SAKURA
You saved us.
She continued, her eyes locked on Mac.
SAKURA
Protected us from the attacking Neorine. Thank you.
She bowed courteously, causing Mac to fluster and look at me for aid.
CLIFFORD
It was her pleasure.
Clifford came to her aid.
CLIFFORD
We did our best to save those that we can. Unfortunately, we couldn't save everyone.
Sakura bowed toward Clifford as well.
SAKURA
And you must be the Vampire Knight Clifford.
Clifford smiled broadly.
SAKURA
Thank you for your service. It's great to see that you two survived. I don't know if you all believe in fate, but after being saved by you two, we were then saved by Ire.
She looked at me, and I held her gaze.
SAKURA
I'm sorry to ask you this again. Can you aid us in our war?
She attempted to ask with conviction, but her voice cracked, and her eyes began to water. Ino grabbed hold of her hand.
SAKURA
We picked up a sword. We want to fight. My people are still fighting in the West, and I can't bear to lose them either.
She declared vehemently, holding her gaze and blinking away her tears.
CLIFFORD
I think—
MAC
Clifford!
She quickly pulled him back. Allowing me to formulate my answer. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath,
PAIN
And what makes you think I would want to help you?
Her jaws clenched, and her eyes fell.
PAIN
Well?
But she could not find an answer. Lorenzo stepped forward and patted her on the shoulder.
LORENZO
A good attempt, but—
SAKURA
Because I can feel your emotions.
She mumbled.
SAKURA
With Basic Emotion Sense, I can feel your pain.
She admitted, moving around Lorenzo. So that was what it was—Basic Emotion Sense. No wonder why she never feared me. But having no fear could be dangerous. If she was amongst the people of Dagon City, she would have felt my emotions and still died at my blade.
SAKURA
When we first met, you didn't want to see us die. You didn't want to bring us harm. You wanted to protect us, but...
PAIN
But what?
SAKURA
You... were afraid...
PAIN
What was I afraid of?
SAKURA
Failing... I think.
She looked up at me with watery eyes but a face of confidence.
SAKURA
I failed my brother, and I lost him.
Her voice quivered.
SAKURA
So now I understand. I don't want to lose anymore.
PAIN
And there it is. A reason for me to help.
Lorenzo stepped forward.
LORENZO
Only one issue with all of that.
He started with his arms behind his back.
LORENZO
You two didn't actually survive,
He eyed Clifford and Mac, but both of them kept quiet.
LORENZO
You two were both dead.
PAIN
Who are you, and how can you claim such a thing?
LORENZO
Apologies, we have yet to formally introduce ourselves.
Lorenzo, with his right hand, reached and slid out his (Physical Affinity) Crimson Blade Steel Katana, Petty Weight Control. He held it down to his right as he widened his stance with a brief emission of Willpower that whirled up his body smoothly.
LORENZO
I am Sir Lorenzo Nichols, Scout Tactician of the Redead City-State. Together, we are the Vampire Knights of the Redead City-State.
He stated and slid his katana back into his black scabbard. I noticed the scabbard was designed with a blood-red line down the middle.
PAIN
Why do you take out your weapon?
I questioned.
LORENZO
Why do we, indeed?
He stated, eyeing Clifford and Mac.
MAC
We do it to give up something.
Mac answered.
MAC
A way of greeting for vampires of the Redead, which is meant to show no hostility to other races... or something like that. But I haven't done that greeting in years.
She finished with a chuckle.
LORENZO
Yes... something like that.
He sounded disappointed.
LORENZO
We also do it to show our strength. Vampires are not trusted—I am sure you're well aware of that.
PAIN
And what if the person you are greeting is stronger than you?
I challenged.
LORENZO
As a tactician, that is the one and only risk I'm willing to take. But I do believe it is a noble risk.
Hmph, it's such a risk for a vampire to pull out his weapon in front of strangers. What if strangers were to attack? Well, then, I guess those who attacked first were not trustworthy to begin with. I liked it, but it came off as more of a challenge rather than a greeting.
PAIN
Well, I am Ire Farcather, also known as Pain.
He waited for me to continue, but I simply stared back at him blankly.
LORENZO
Right, I am aware.
He mumbled.
LORENZO
Well, as I mentioned, I saw Mac and Clifford's bodies among the piles of the slain when I first surveyed the area. Sakura mentioned you were a Necromancer. But I have to say,
He paused to take a look around.
LORENZO
This is a bit too much for your typical Necromancer. Your mind is still intact, which causes me unease. Having an intellectual hivolve creature such as a broodmother at your beck and call is not normal. Nor have I ever heard of one speaking.
ABIMELECH
He is a wise gent. Be careful.
Abi quickly interjected.
LORENZO
Bringing someone back from the dead to seemingly perfect health is not a trivial feat either. And for reasons beyond me, I traveled this far to seek aid from a Necromancer—
He turned to face Sakura.
LORENZO
—that allegedly decimated an entire city for what reason?
PAIN
They slaughtered those I had an interest in.
I told him. He digested my comment and then eyed me.
LORENZO
And what of the town? Leave it to rot?
PAIN
Claim it as my own.
Lorenzo straightened himself and tilted his chin slightly.
LORENZO
My goal was to claim Dagon City as my own before seeking your aid. Now, I have no right to it. Bluntly, we are now asking too much of you. I and my people will understand if you wish to have no part in our strife.
I glanced at Sakura,
PAIN
I believe I am already part of it.
I then shot my glare past him to the entrance. Emily had arrived with the horses, and my glare fell on the creature tightly secured to the back of a horse. Two golden seals in the form of golden spears protruding through his back prevented him from doing magic or attacking. I gave him a fang-wide smile,
PAIN
So you survived, Beka.
LORENZO
It was not safe to leave such a strong individual unaccounted for within the town. So, I brought him along.
PAIN
I want to hear your tale of the Neorine War, so let us take our conversation to a more comfortable setting.
Inside the Chamber, I created a table and seats of stone for us to sit. I caught Lorenzo and his fellow soldiers eyeing Abi and Basic Solusion Ritual setting behind us with curiosity.
Once we were set, Lorenzo explained their war against the Neorine. It was currently ongoing, but Lorenzo believed they had a slight advantage. Emily materialized an enchanted map—Walker's Tree Skinned Map and sprawled it upon the table.
The drawn landscape was able to shift and move about within the vast dimensions of the brown parchment. I noticed a path from their camp directly through the woods to Dagon City.
EMILY
This map automatically draws out my location in a five-mile radius.
She moved the image west, revealing the city-states.
EMILY
Sadly, this map erases areas I haven't visited in the past three years.
I noticed Wild Village was missing and a vast emptiness at the center. Redead Village sat at the far north, Golden Eye Kingdom to the southeast, and Town of Evergreen deep in the forest to the far west bordering the sea.
Lorenzo continued, informing me how, four years ago, followers of Neorine commenced a surprise attack on every city-state. In Wild Village, they either turned or killed every kinan there, thus sparking an all-out war in all directions among the states.
It took nearly a year for the other states to realize that the Neorine were a radical group of vampires. Therefore, the remaining states began focusing on Neorine, quartered in Wild Village.
LORENZO
In our fight, we lost Sinfall, War Chief of Redead, and Delaware, the War Tactician General. The State Tactician, General Oneye, revolted, for he was the nightwalker leading the Neorine.
He informed me.
One of Neorine's two other generals was Lich, an old student of Lorenzo's. With Lich's help, Neorine was able to find the vulnerable areas of Gold Eye Kingdom and Redead Village at the start of the war.
LORENZO
I thought of Lich as a son. I heard his complaints and saw the anger he had for Sinfall. But I ignored them as petty complaints. I felt his urge to leave, fight, or even betray the state, yet I continued to hope against it.
He shook his head slightly before continuing.
LORENZO
By the start of the second year, we were on the verge of defeat. I took the remaining fighters and healers into hiding. Then, something short of a goddamned miracle happened. Lich's army accidentally moved in on Dagon City while they were searching for my brother and the camp to the east. They were in the east for too long—almost half a year, if I recall, allowing me to scout and plain without stress.
Neorine heard of this and sent General Balgur to retrieve Lich. Lorenzo used that moment to launch an attack, assassinating Oneye of Neorine and destroying their morale. Unfortunately, Lich and Balgur were able to return.
LORENZO
For the past year or so, we have been in a stalemate.
PAIN
Was it safe for you all to leave?
LORENZO
We left the area months ago, baiting them to attack.
He shook his head.
LORENZO
But nothing. We even sent out a lie about my death months ago. Currently, we believe that they acknowledged it. We're just not too sure. After using my skills to the fullest, I can't find any signs of them hiding reinforcements. Either they are perfectly hidden, or they are actually numbered. I think it is still too early for me to tell. Now,
He straightened his posture.
LORENZO
If we turn several dozen kinans that remain at Dagon City, our force will be nearly enough to crush the remaining Neorine.
PAIN
Nearly.
I repeated, and he nodded confidently.
LORENZO
Precisely. That is why I am still alive. I am a careful bastard. I have no positive view that several dozen kinans would likely join our cause. So, instead, I wish to claim Dagon City and settle my people there. We are not many, numbering slightly over twelve hundred.
PAIN
It is yours and the land around it to the northern base of these hills.
LORENZO
Really!? That easy?
PAIN
I only think it is fair, considering how they abused your brother's trust.
He clenched his jaws and smiled uneasily.
LORENZO
My brother?
He asked.
ABIMELECH
You never mentioned you knew about Layondo.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
LORENZO
What do you know about my brothers?
PAIN
I was told Layondo was your brother.
I stated uneasily as he eyed Mac.
LORENZO
What makes you think he was my brother?
MAC & CLIFFORD
It was Captain Jetta. | Captain Jetta told us.
They mumbled quickly.
LORENZO
Jetta...
He growled the name.
LORENZO
I should've known... He's not my brother. We are related as he is more like a nephew... he's the grandson of my brother.
He finally took his eyes off of Mac.
LORENZO
On to the other matter, Sakura mentioned your strength. Well, I've seen it for myself. You alone would bolster our ranks.
He added as he studied Abimelech, who looked up from a book, Past of the Elemental Kingdoms, by Ignoc Soreled. Why was he reading? Wasn't that a bit rude!? Besides, I still have not read that one, but I pushed the thought away as Abi smiled back at Lorenzo's bewildered look.
LORENZO
They wanted me to ask for your help. So, will you help us?
He finally asked, and I exchanged looks with Mac, Clifford, Sakura, Ino, and Hinata—Abi hid his face behind the book.
PAIN
No.
CLIFFORD & MAC
What!
They exclaimed in shock.
MAC
Why?
I chuckled at their reaction.
PAIN
As you two know, I will destroy a city for you two. But if I join this war, I will help not only Redead Village but every city-state in that region. As far as I can tell, they are not my friends or allies, and they are not here asking for my help.
They eyed each other, but they understood what I was saying.
PAIN
Though, I will help only if each of the remaining city-states pledges their loyalty to you.
I finished, and Lorenzo looked at me as if a horn had sprouted from my head.
LORENZO
You're serious?
He asked, and I nodded. He attempted to hold it in but crackled into laughter.
LORENZO
Them! Those skittish ylguens and prideful bains swearing loyalty to a vampire?
He chuckled with tears in his eyes.
EMILY
Wow, you made Lorenzo laugh?
She gawked at Lorenzo.
EMILY
Amazing.
LORENZO
Be quiet, Emily.
He sobered up.
LORENZO
Apologies for my laughter, but I'm afraid you don't understand. The three cities are at war with vampires, Ire. There is no way in Limbo those bastards will bow down to me.
PAIN
Then why fight when I offer you the lands up north?
I pointed out.
PAIN
Rabbids, I can take care of it. North Star? I will fight alongside you? The Fire Kingdom? They will not dare act without the arrival of Cain the Executioner or my mangled body.
I paused, watching him think about it. He eyed Mac and Clifford, who kept their expression as neutral as possible.
PAIN
What are you fighting for back west?
I telekinetically pulled the map forward and slammed my finger down on Redead Village.
PAIN
This place looks faint! You all have not been home in years. Do you even have a home? And if the Neorine truly wiped Wild Village clean, there would be no more kinans!
LORENZO
We have ylguens and bains.
He gestured to Sakura and Kiefer.
PAIN
I see. I was wondering why you were among their ranks. But you are not yet vampires.
EMILY
They're training.
She chirped with a childish grin.
LORENZO
We have to make sure that they are up for it. Even if a daywalker willingly bites a victim in an attempt to change them, the victim still has a minuscule chance of becoming a nightwalker.
PAIN
How many are willing? What was it you told me, Clifford,
I asked him.
PAIN
About bains and ylguens, when we first met? Back when you spoke of your journey to become a vampire.
Clifford racked his brain carefully and mumbled,
CLIFFORD
Oh, um, we haven't had a non-kinan vampire for around ten years?
PAIN
Is that true?
I asked Lorenzo.
LORENZO
More or less.
PAIN
Clearly, the idea of using your advantage crossed your mind, right?
I asked him, and understanding slowly came across his face.
LORENZO
Your wisdom, despite your young age, is surprising. But that is beneath me. I can't threaten the other states with our departure.
ABIMELECH
Well, that is the Law of the Land,
He butted in, looking over his book.
ABIMELECH
I recall something of those states from five hundred years ago. They were not states—just one state, in fact. A band of outlaws and escapees they were.
He looked back into his book and flipped a page.
ABIMELECH
They were once an impenetrable fort of bains, ylguens, kinans, and even a few fishgents and one or two giants... Not fishergents, to be clear, fishgents and merfolk, mind you. It seems like race and hate drove them apart once again.
He looked back up at Lorenzo.
ABIMELECH
You must be a fine general. As a tactician, after the end of Neorine, do you honestly believe the states will coexist passively? No animosity? Even a child knows that the other two city-states will keep a private eye on you vampires.
PAIN
Abi!
I reined him, but he simply shrugged me off. What the hell was his problem with Lorenzo?
LORENZO
To be clear,
Lorenzo continued, ignoring Abi's blatant insult.
LORENZO
We of the Redead Village are the main force. If we leave, the states will ultimately fall.
I took another look at the map, sliding it back to where we were, and saw that Dagon's land was three times smaller than the city-states combined.
PAIN
All three remaining cities are packed within the size of one.
I raised a brow before responding to Lorenzo.
PAIN
All the more reason for them to bow to you. But that is something to think about. The matter at hand was your revenge on Dagon.
LORENZO
Congratulations for beating me to it.
He commented.
PAIN
Not quite. The true instigator was the North Star Kingdom. This is all the more reason to move your home to Dagon and prepare against North Star.
I leaned forward, quickly adding—
PAIN
But, from what I can see, an airship belonging to North Star has docked within the Azure Mountains.
He frowned at me,
LORENZO
You can see that far? How?
PAIN
I have my ways. I allowed the old Treasure Keeper of Dagon City, Donatello, to go free, but recently, I learned he had an artifact.
Judging from their blank faces, they had no idea what it was.
PAIN
I have no idea what an Artifact is.
ABIMELECH
And I need to revisit some old books to remember.
LORENZO
I'm sorry, but what exactly are you? A soul, I understand, but...
He shook his head in confusion.
PAIN
He is a rare soul with an ability called Soul Emergence.
I filled him in.
PAIN
Been around for over five hundred years. And this...
I stood and ambled over to the front of the ritual setting. They followed me, crowding around to fixate on the setting.
PAIN
I recently obtained Basic Solusion. The skill that allows me to bring back the dead.
ABIMELECH
Or accelerate the process of Transcendence.
All of them but Lorenzo looked confused at Abi's statement.
ABIMELECH
The ability to forcefully evolve a race.
LORENZO
I see...
He muttered, eyeing the broodmother who, in return, swayed seductively back at him.
EMILY
I think she likes you.
Emily giggled.
LORENZO
Be quiet.
ABIMELECH
Speaking of bringing the dead back,
Abi started as he stepped in front of me.
ABIMELECH
I have been meaning to speak to you about Cain and Dean.
I grimaced.
PAIN
What about Cain and Dean? Should I put flowers on their graves?
ABIMELECH
A mere suggestion, young master, to bring them—
PAIN
Not a chance.
I stated firmly.
ABIMELECH
Young master, they may have untapped knowledge and will undoubtedly have secrets to the Fire Kingdom.
CLIFFORD
Um, Pain?
He interrupted, and we looked over at Clifford, who gazed into the center of the ritual.
CLIFFORD
Is that normal?
We followed his gaze to witness the warping of reality as black lightning sparks flickered about within the center.
That familiar voice mumbled within the back of my mind. The second I focused on the voice, it began screaming and grunting in pain as if to be fighting something. A sudden silence came, and my mind began to leave me. I attempted to focus my mind, but a vision played out before my eyes: A bolt of black lightning expelling from one of the poorly made obsidian effigies struck Clifford. He screamed out in agony for a second before being reduced to ashes.
I blinked—Clifford was okay as I glanced past him at the northwest effigy that crackled with black lightning—that was a vision of the future. I Quickstepped, pushing Clifford aside as the black bolt lightning struck me.
I screamed, howling in pain. Never have I felt pain like this before! I felt it in my bones. The pain went deep, burning into my soul. But my soul raged in defiance, and the pain ceased.
Numbness came over me. A black void was all that I could see, and I felt myself floating upon a sea of warping lands. I jerked awake and was not surprised to find myself in Limbo again. Rather, I was in a familiar part of Limbo—the wall-less throne room. I felt someone staring into my back, and I spun around. There on the throne sat a gent. He looked familiar... like an old friend. His eyes glowed with a bright golden hue and pierced through me like the eyes of the Black Knight.
His skin was a caramel brown and glowed with youth. He had long, braided black hair that fell along his golden-plated armor. Two fangs jutted from under his top lip, but I knew he was no vampire. He told me long ago what he was... he told me lots of things, actually. The feeling continued as I remember we did many things together. We hunted creatures here in Limbo together. He told me of his friends, and he told me about his kingdom. Yet... out of all of these fleeting memories, I could not hold on to a single vital detail. As I got close to remembering, they would wither away from my mind.
The gent's lip twitched slightly as he squinted at me.
GOLDEN EYE GENT
Ire Farcatcher, you have gotten older.
His voice rumbled with a deep base.
GOLDEN EYE GENT
It has been long, then.
And at the sound of his voice, a memory struck me so fiercely I winced,
PAIN
Joshua... Joshua, the Golden Tyrant.
Class Acquired:
Necromancer
Actives Acquired:
Spell: Bone
Passives Acquired:
Petty Necrounion
Skills Acquired:
Petty Corpse Harvest, Petty Flesh Offering, Petty Bone Offering, Petty Blood Offering
*****
We arrived at the mountain villas early in the morning. I was riding up front with Dipaola and gripped the edge of my seat so firmly that I swore I heard the seat crack. I peeked to my right, and my stomach churned at our height.
As far as I could see, there were slopes of roads twisting and turning up along the mountain ranges. I could barely see the ground as mists of cloud blocked my view. Looking up, sloped streets went skyward along the mountains and into denser clouds. Looking around me, stores, homes, stables, and inns within these mountains were carved into the walls.
I continued to take in the sites below me despite my fear. I noticed cables and pullies being used to lift heavier items up and down. Other areas had enchanted designated sites that dispelled gravity and allowed people to leap meters into the air.
Floating between the mountain ranges were massive flat creatures with a furry surface that I was surprised to remember the name of—mantaberes. These yellowish furry creatures floated against gravity. Upon their back sat traders, adventurers, and commoners, using them to get from one mountain range to another.
Wizards and Witches zoomed overhead upon their enchanted brooms, boards, and poles. I gripped my seat tighter at their sudden appearance. I attempted to control my breathing, for Dipaola was deeply asleep, and I didn't want to wake him.
By evening, we were checked in at the inn, storage, stables, and villas. Dipaola tiredly informed me through telepath that having both the villas and inns was to give everyone in the caravan space and privacy. Dipaola also sought to meet with prostitutes.
DIPAOLA
I'll be on the east side. You stay on the west side.
He yawned as he handed me my papers for the inn and villa.
DIPAOLA
These ladies are the best ones in the Elemental Peninsula since none are slaves. Enjoy.
He stumbled down the street alone, which was quite surprising for a high-ranking official like him. The guards and soldiers didn't seem to mind it, and we all went our separate ways.
I found myself lounging in a warm pub, lit by dozens of warming crystals throughout the carved-out pub. The entire entrance side was openly carved out, giving it a unique chill.
I noticed dozens of adventurers, some with familiar faces, but not one of them seemed to recognize my own—which was perfect. I spent the next few hours sipping white, orange beer while reading up on Necromancers, ghosts, summoning, and Conjuring using the books from my Inventory.
PATRON
Yer seriously reading in a pub...
A bar patron growled at me, and I looked up from my reading to see a thin, round-faced gent. His orange eyes were half opened, and he wobbled as he stood.
BEGGAR
Name's Beggar...
He eyed me, awaiting my response, but I nearly kept eye level with him as I stared at him in silence.
BEGGAR
Yeah, I know that look.
He sang as he took a sip.
BEGGAR
Don't judge.
He chuckled drunkenly.
BEGGAR
This,
He said, catching himself as he leaned onto my table. His breath was rancid as he spoke.
BEGGAR
This is a place where you forget your troubles.
He said with a smile before standing up straight and wobbling off. I shivered in disgust as my neck and face tingled, and I scratched at it. I should probably go shower but suddenly doubled back at a familiar face across the pub.
With a hood over his head, he sat alone at a table facing me. Scowling in deep thought, he was hunched over a parchment with a charcoal pen in hand. I Stashed my books and carefully approached him.
He didn't even look up when I cast my shadow over him.
DONATELLO
Drake.
I stated his name, but he refused to acknowledge his name. But I knew it was him. His face was etched into my mind after the many complaints about his thievery.
DONATELLO
I understand that you have a pass into Sante June.
DRAKE
Really?
He mumbled after a moment as he began to draw a perfectly straight line on his map that was already bleeding with markings.
DRAKE
Are you here to pry it off my dead body?
He asked, tapping the map in thought.
DONATELLO
Those passes can accommodate up to ten individuals. Allow me to accompany your party. I can pay.
DRAKE
Yeah, that's what they all say. Why should I believe you?
DONATELLO
You can try to look up for one.
He sighed, pulled off his hood, and sat upright. The second he saw my face, his annoyance vanished, and a devious smile sliced across his face.
DRAKE
Oh, Donatello, Treasury Keeper of Dagon City.
He licked his lips in a disgusting, loud manner as he eyed me up and down.
DRAKE
How much?
DONATELLO
Fifty thousand.
He whistled with a smile.
DRAKE
Such an offer, but ya gonna have to wait till we're done scavenging.
He said before letting out a rough laugh at the sight of my confusion.
DRAKE
What, ya don't know the skirmish between North Star and the Lightning Kingdom is about done?
My heart skipped a beat as I remembered.
DONATELLO
Right.
And he and I glanced around—that explains the influx of adventurers.
DRAKE
Thanks to Fire King Solo, there hasn't been a great war in ages. Now, we bastards need to get our looting on. A tiny skirmish is bound to leave no goodies, so I doubt this one will be as peaceful as the ones long ago.
The looting was when scavengers looted the slain losers of the war right after the victors retrieved their slain comrades and spoils. The victors were usually quick about it, not wanting to spend any lives attempting to fight back against scavengers.
As for the losers of the war, they do not have enough resources or are unwilling to spend time and effort retrieving the dead, letting their bodies rot and decay where they fell. And because of this, adventurers... rightfully called scavengers, would come and loot sealed gear. Sealed gear could also be placed in Inventories safely, which had me wondering how much faith I should put into trusting this gent when I uttered,
DONATELLO
I believe I can help you with that as well.
*****
Back in time, nearly two months ago, a short meeting was about to take place in a dark metallic bedroom. Far north, away from Donatello, Hilroy, and Pain. There were no windows, dressers, cupboards, chairs, or tables.
A lofty, broad door at the room's entrance slowly opened and closed. Then, the sound of metal upon metal echoed throughout the room. Sets of five Lighting Crystals, emitting soft amber light, hung upon gold-plastered girthy pillars thicker than several oak trees combined.
The sound of metal upon metal continued. Even if one were to look up, the ceiling was shrouded in darkness as it was too far to be seen. As for the sound of metal upon metal, it was the sound of armored metal boots made of steel colliding against the iron floor of the room.
The bearer of these boots was Britamaus Cornelio, Chancellor of the North Star Kingdom. Past his knees, the metal ended, and leather trousers were seen, tucked into his metal boots. Over his torso, he wore a see-through, waist-length silk tunic embedded with diamond pebbles. His hands and arms up to his elbow were protected in polished steel, the left hand ending in metal claws tainted with fresh blood.
He continued to walk, his stride wide and his pace quick enough to allow the red cape at his back to hang in the air. Upon his head was a full bronze helmet, the face of which represented a bronze lady with a soft smile.
He finally came to a stop, slammed his feet together, and bowed before a towering statue of gold embedded into the wall before him. Britamaus was dwarfed compared to the magnificent bust with hieroglyphs written in silver paint running across its body. Webbing out from the statue were six golden limbs, reaching the insanely far ends of the room, each with several joints and ending in sharp golden claws.
BRITAMAUS
My Quing.
Britamaus's voice echoed throughout the mute room.
The head of the statue came alive and rotated several times before stopping on a saddened bronze face of a maiden. Its hallow dark eyes glowed a bluish hue, and it looked down at Britamaus.
NORTH STAR QUING
So it's true.
Several voices boomed deeply, shaking the room.
BRITAMAUS
Two of the four scholars we have captured have recently died. So far, it is true. Fire King Solo obtained Immortality from the God Item: Infinity three years ago.
The head of the statue spun again, and its limbs began to edge free from out the wall as it wailed,
NORTH STAR QUING
No... no! This is unacceptable! We can not have another tyrant!
Its head stopped on an angered bronze feminine face, and fire spewed out of its eyes.
NORTH STAR QUING
Call forth, my Holy Commander!
Britamaus whipped out his right hand, materializing his Scryer.
NORTH STAR QUING
We must prevent this! We have to call off our battle with the Lightning Kingdom!
Britamaus snapped his head up in shock.
BRITAMAUS
But my—
NORTH STAR QUING
I am aware of Mjolnir! But we must do everything we can to prevent our Overlords from knowing about Infinity!
*****
Thus, in the present day, just moments after Pain fell unconscious, the echoing sound of a strong wind sang outside a spacious sacred stone room. Hieroglyphs were written over the walls, ceiling, stairs, carved pews, and floor, occasionally glowing and emitting sparks of scattered lightning.
A sudden bang echoed as something smashed against the southern walls. A brief pause followed before the tip of a javelin bore through the stone walls. Then, the Lightning King crashed through the weakened wall and stumbled in. His armor was torn and battered. His right arm was seared, blackened, and bleeding relentlessly. His left foot was sluggish as they were broken and facing the wrong way. Yet, he could still limp toward the center of the room.
His body weight rested on his Celestial: Vel's Javelin. He was aided by its Dominion Authority as he slowly ambled. One foot after another, he climbed up octagonal steps that surrounded the center.
Stone statues of a robust god holding a small hammer above his head were positioned on the points of the first step. The god had shoulder-length curly hair, a magnificent beard, and a torso chiseled with defined muscles.
The Lightning King climbed onward as bolts of lightning riddled up and down his body. He ignored the pain and arrived at the top of the stairs. His mouth contorted into a bloody grin. Floating over a topaz pedestal in front of him was God Item: Mjolnir. Miniature clouds surrounded the item along with crackling lightning that only grew sporadic as the Lightning King approached.
Once the king was a foot away from Mjolnir, the lightning and cloud surrounding the item vanished, revealing a two-headed stone hammer with a short handle. The king took another step and collapsed, grabbing onto the pedestal as blood bubbled out his mouth.
He strained to keep himself upright, his right foot trembling under his weight. He eyed Mjolnir before him, and the sight of it empowered his Willpower. He stood confidently and grabbed Mjolnir.
Lightning surged up his left arm and spread throughout his body, healing his seared right arm and left leg. A twisting swirl of yellow and white mana energy whipped around him as he grunted triumphantly. Clouds converged over his body, wiping away his wounds, cuts, and bruises. And from out his back, two broad feathered wings formed, the left yellow while the right a pearly white.
He lifted Mjolnir into the air, and a swirl of dense clouds engulfed the weapon. While shrouded, Mjolnir transformed, and the clouds dispersed to reveal a stone javelin. The king spun the weapon before him and examined the yellow and white mana energy that bled up the stone shaft, forming into a crackling bolt of lightning at the tip.
The king eyed the wall to his right, tilted the spear, and fired off a stream of lightning. The stream of lightning seared through the walls, through the air, and cleanly sliced through the tip of a nearby mountain.
KING OF LIGHTNING
It is time...
He murmured softly.
KING OF LIGHTNING
…for me to take my rightful place as the Fourth Overlord.