Chapter 27 – The Shroud

Bel ignored the terrified priest for now, hoping he would do what he asked of him.

Turning toward the battle he took a moment to take everything in as a trickle of energy settled into his muscles and mind. His sword was living up to its new ability as the life leech did its work.

He understood Alexandra now, this feeling was as different to his life transference as night and day. The energy was only a trickle as it seemed the sword was incapable of stealing a being's entire reserve, or perhaps he just killed them too quickly. The biggest difference was the feeling of being refreshed but still himself, he didn’t feel an increased bloodlust or that familiar euphoria he felt when he first used Life Transference.

Satisfied that the ability was working he turned his full attention to the battle. It wasn’t going well for the good guys.

The priests and residents of the town had formed up and were covering behind a makeshift barricade, several golden shields hovering around them as the horde threw itself at the outnumbered townspeople.

Bel could see several bodies around the battlefield and several more wounded being treated by a group of priests and Alexandra. He ignored the guilt gnawing at him and focused on the group of adventurers and beast men that had appeared out of nowhere.

The pale man who had spoken was standing on an overturned wagon throwing balls of dark energy at the horde. Wherever the balls landed an explosion of black flames erupted. Bel narrowed his eyes as he sensed the Death mana within the man's skill.

The giant barbarian stood at his feet swinging his giant axe. It looked like he was felling trees and with every swing, a monster died. Wendigos who were head and shoulders taller than the man died with ease. An ulv sneaked up on the man and clamped down on his forearm. The man didn’t even flinch as he smacked the creature in the snout causing it to release him with a howl of pain.

Quicker than even Bel could follow the creature suddenly stiffened and fell over. On its back, the tiny man sat holding his two daggers the rune on the red blade glowing as it seemed to feed on the death of the ulv.

Bel casually swung his blade killing two leshen who had tried sneaking up on him. He looked over to the beast men who were fighting close to the front line.

The big one was still swearing and hollering to the "Iron Gods” while he lifted and swung the creature before him like they were made out of paper. His fox companion was standing behind some wreckage firing magical arrow after arrow into the horde. Sometimes the arrows would penetrate through several monsters before stopping, other times they exploded in flames or froze the offended creature solid. It seemed he was able to imbue his arrows with an almost endless variety of effects.

The two wolfmen, twins Bel suspected without knowing anything about their race. They were so similar Bel couldn't tell them apart other than by their gear.

The one with the daggers was covering its sibling as any creature that came near had its throat cut before it could even react. The other one was holding his hand high channeling a skill, sending bolt after bolt of lightning into the approaching horde.

Even with all their prowess and the help of the town, the horde was winning. Piles of monsters lay everywhere but they didn’t stop coming no matter how many were killed. Bel could see Gorban at the edge of the battle, close to the hole in the palisade. He seemed to have recovered his wits and was waving his hands, sending skill after skill into his horde. Next to him the gnoll Packmaster was standing guard as well as the Leshen Matriarch.

The orc’s interference was easily seen as several empowered monsters charged the barricade one managing to barrel through a shield. It was an ulv with fire coming out of its mouth, and a frenzied look in its eyes.

The creature managed to swipe two civilians holding crude spears, cutting them in half before Solomon and Liara stepped forward and ended the creature with a mallet to the head and a quick stab with a glowing blade to its throat.

Bel knew the situation was getting out of hand now and he needed to do something. He didn’t have a plan but that hadn’t stopped him before.

With a roar, he charged forward sending a command to Solomon and Ignatius. The two responded immediately. The flameskull made straight for Gillroy and the draugr charged straight for the front.

Bel pushed his attributes harder than he had ever done before and his strength and dexterity sent him forward faster than an arrow. He ran straight through a leshen, the creature exploding into kindling, and any monster near him was struck by a wave of fear.

With a mighty heave, he jumped, soaring through the air, past the trio of adventurers. They stared at him in mute surprise and awe as he soared passed. With a crash, he came down just ahead of the beast men. His arrival made them stumble and their skills faltered for a moment.

Bel placed his shield on his back and his armor gripped it eagerly, holding it in place. Holding his sword in two hands he slashed and whirled clearing a large space around himself in just a moment. Notifications came pouring in, but he ignored them for now.

When the immediate area was clear he turned toward the shocked bearkin and retracted his helmet. He opened his mouth to speak when he realized he didn’t know what to say. This was the hardest part.

The bear looked at him with narrowed eyes and before Bel could say anything he spoke in his deep dark voice.

“Thank you, Rotten One.” Bel flinched at the title or insult, whichever it was.

“You’re welcome, ehm, emissary of the Iron Gods.” Bel was speaking out of his ass but it seemed to be the right thing to say as the bear man smiled, showing off his fangs.

“You do yourself a great honor in recognizing the Gods. Perhaps you are not yet lost on the path of the Carrion Lord.” Blurg casually kicked away a Wendigo that had gotten too close.

“It seems we have a common enemy, let us end this horde and the blight who leads it. Then we can talk.” Bel nodded at those words.

“That seems fair. I have a plan for doing that and I need your help.” He lied with a small twinge of guilt.

Blurg was about to answer when the foxkin approached.

“Are you going to work with an Unclean One, Blurg? What about the teachings?” Bel was surprised, the fox was not a man at all, her soft voice and slender proportions were much easier to see this close. He was still surprised. Her angry features and not just her words told him that she was equally unwilling to give him the benefit of the doubt right now.

“Yes, Silvero. I am not about to turn away the help of a champion ascended just to follow the teachings of a dead clan. Not when their killer is so close to justice.” Blurg turned with a snarl. He looked the smaller woman in the eyes and she quickly looked away.

“As you say Huntmaster. We’ve followed you this far and we won’t abandon you now. It’s just... I don’t trust him.” She didn’t even try to whisper as she looked Bel in the eyes as she spoke.

Bel stared back as he spoke.

“I don’t know what to say that would make you trust me. But all I want to do right now is to stop this lunatic and save as many people as possible. To do that I need your help.” His words were simple, but he tried to convey as much sincerity as he could.

The four beastkin looked at him and then each other before nodding.

"We will work with you, for now.” Blurg spoke for the group.

“From now until the next sunrise after our enemies are dead, we are one clan.” his words sounded like he was repeating something almost forgotten. Bel felt that there was a depth to his words that he wasn’t seeing but he took them for what they sounded like.

“Good, then listen.” He explained his simple plan quickly and since it was just that, simple, it didn’t take long.

“Your plan is stupid, but we don’t have the luxury of coming up with a better one.” Silvero said bluntly. Bel liked her for her honesty while her words still stung.

“Sticks and stone woman.”

“What?”

“Never mind.” Silvero frowned before looking away, drawing back her bowstring and unleashing a volley of glowing arrows at the approaching horde.

Bel turned toward the horde; his plan was simple. He would be charging straight for the Wildcaller while the others covered his flanks and rears. Then they would fight the orc and his pet elites together. Gillroy had orders to draw as much of the horde as he could while keeping as many people alive as possible. A tall order but Bel felt that the old priest was up to the task.

As Bel prepared himself the horde split as a group of people fought their way through. Liara was leading the charge followed by Bull and Francis. Behind them, Sarah and John were fighting viciously supported by Korgan. The dwarf was angrier than usual and the telltale red mist of his berserker ability surrounded him.

Bel noticed the changes in Bull, Sarah, and surprisingly John. Their eyes glowed a touch of green and their skills were death attuned now. Bel wondered what had happened there, but he didn’t have time to question them now.

“I thought you would never get here. Don’t they train you church mice to fight in the Inquisition?” He smiled at the group. Bull and Sarah smiled viciously while John frowned and looked away in shame. Francis and Korgan chuckled while Liara stared at him with a frown.

“We got here as quick as we could. The fighting is getting worse. The wounded will soon outnumber the fighters.” She reported in her, I don’t have time for your shenanigans tone.

Bel rolled his eyes at her and then he conveyed the plan. Liara wanted to protest as usual but Bel just rolled his eyes at her before activating Mortis Oculi again, flaring it to the maximum. The green glow surrounded him again and the night came alive with mana and information. He noticed the other's shocked expressions as he turned back toward the enemy again, willing his helmet on.

“I just hope this work.” His voice sounded strange to his ears as he spoke through the helmet's skull mouth.

“Remember to stay at least ten meters behind me. Im going to do something as quickly as possible but I don’t know if this will work or if I can control it as I want.” With those words he brought several skills to his mind, forming them in his core before Liara or anyone could react. He used Dual Combination to lessen the strain, but it didn’t help much as he tried to force a skill combination of no less than four of his skills.

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He had no idea if it would work but he was a system breaker after all, why shouldn’t he use it if he could?

First, he activated Bone Storm, forming the skill and channeling mana to it. Holding it active in his pathways was painful but he managed. The pain increased as he activated Life Transference as well. The two skills glowed brightly on his core.

Then he brought up his two new skills Death Grip and Necrotic Aura. They were as straightforward as they sounded. Death Grip would allow him to form a hand of mana that would stagger or stop an enemy, holding them in place. Necrotic Aura was similar to Bone Storm but instead of a storm of bone shards, it caused any living creature around him to take periodic damage, melting them where they stood.

In a way, he was sad that he didn’t get to use his abilities before doing something as insane as what he was about to do.

Forcing the four skills to activate and stay within him, made his pathways scream in distress and pain. His core was shaking from the effort, and he could sense his entire being shaking from the stress of holding them all back. With a colossal effort of will he stood before his core, seeing the four skills glowing in the configurations.

With a push that felt like he was moving a mountain, the skills shifted and moved. Flowing across the black round pearl that was his core, meeting in an empty space. The skills looked nothing alike, and their combination was hideous to look at. While his other combined skill looked like a perfect picture of lines and runes, this looked like a five-year-old had painted a person who had exploded from eating too much cotton candy.

The skills undulated and shifted, squirming against his grip. The pain was unbearable and only his Pain Tolerance allowed him to continue. System messages started to appear, ones he couldn't dismiss.

Error...

Error...

Skills incompatible.

Trait in effect

Warning.

Stop...

Please.

Bel almost lost his concentration for a moment as he saw the last message.

Trait in effect.

Merging skills.

Prepare yourself.

Again, with the almost personal message, Bel thought. Then he realized what it said, and his eyes widened in alarm.

A wave of molten lava erupted from his core. Spreading along his pathways, burning him, twisting him from the inside out. A scream erupted from his lips so loud and sudden. The others jumped in fright and stared at him. They had just prepared to follow him into battle and now he was screaming like a dying man. Bel didn’t even notice how Liara flinched and threw herself forward, a healing skill glowing on her hand.

Bel felt as if he was being submerged in the lava feet first. The pain spread throughout him, all he could do was keep holding on. Forcing the skills to join and stay still. Drawing on more and more mana around him to force the process to continue. Somehow, he knew that the experience he got from killing would help him now, but he couldn’t move, he could barely think. The only thing that could help him now was mana, lots and lots of mana. He knew there was not enough Death Mana around him and so he drew on everything he could.

His Mana Mastery and vision skill allowed him to both feel and see the mana around him. There was fire mana around the burning buildings. Light mana was pouring from Liara and the priests. Air mana was hovering around Silveros bow. The most surprising source of mana was that around the four beast men. Their mana was the same as the monsters of the horde opposing them. He found sources for all the types of mana Liara had spoken about as they traveled to Linchester. Death, Light, Fire, Water, Life, Earth, Air, and Monster.

Bel drank from all the sources, as deeply as he could. For every breath that eased the pain and spread the mana throughout his body, a new wave of agony pulsed within him. The molten lava soon reached his chest and his breath caught. Before he could pass out it reached his mind and the world exploded in colors and sensations. Everything looked and tasted strange, the world was underwater and upside down before it all righted itself in an instant.

Fusion Complete.

You have learned a new skill – Shroud of the Necro-Lord

Shroud of the Necro-Lord is now level 26

Forced tempering complete.

You have tempered your mind – Prismatic Tempering +10 to all stats

Warning.

Soul Damage detected.

You have forced a tempering with unnatural mana and means. You have damaged your soul. Until healed or remedied you will never be able to ascend passed Iron Rank.

As the world returned to normal Bel bit off his scream and the pain vanished leaving only a phantom sensation. Liara reached him then and her healing skill sent a wave of relief throughout his body.

With a sigh of relief, he gripped her by the shoulders as he almost fell over. They stumbled into each other and as they both steadied themselves their eyes met. Bel saw a moment of panic in Liaras slanted eyes. He hadn’t realized until now how strange an Elf’s eyes were compared to a human's. Bigger, wider, and somehow more delicate.

With a grunt, Liara pushed Bel who staggered backward in surprise.

“What were you thinking you, imbecile?!” She screamed in his face. The others had taken up defensive positions around them, trying not to listen as they fought.

“What did you even do?” She realized just like the others that they had no idea what just happened.

“I might have... forced a skill combination to form a... new skill, and I think I tempered my mind or brain or something. I didn’t think all of that would happen.” Bel fought the urge to scratch his head. It had been stupid, and he had almost killed himself. Then again, it worked. Except for the damaging his soul part. Bel didn’t like the sound of that.

“How is that even possible? Skill combinations aren’t possible until Silver Rank at least? And how did you manage to temper your mind already? That is late Bronze Stage.” Liara’s eyes widened in confusion and bewilderment.

“I might have had another cheat that helped me with that. All it cost me was some soul damage.” Bel laughed to ease the tension. No one laughed with him, they were too busy staring at him. Francis almost got skewered by a leshen's wood projectile as he turned toward Bel in surprise. Swearing he turned back and as his daggers flashed, he cut the wood creature's head clean off.

“Soul damage?” Liara sounded numb.

“Do you know how hard that is to heal? Or how that may affect you in the future? You might have just crippled yourself for a new skill Belmont.” Her tone was even but her eyes burned with anger and... concern? Bel thought.

After hearing that, Bel felt like a fool and the idiot he was. Nevertheless, what was done was done.

“You’re probably right. There are a hundred arguments for why I shouldn’t have done what I did. But now it’s done, and it was worth it. Now follow me as I show you why.” He didn’t wait for her to answer. He raised his blade and activated his new skill.

Shroud of the Necro-Lord

A Unique and Transcendent skill created by Bel – Bringer of the Apocalypse. This skill is not available to other Necro-Lords.

The wielder of this skill covers an area with their soul and mana. This skill causes the enemies of the wielder to wither away while stealing their essence and energy. The shroud is capable of altering its size, shape, and density. The wielder chooses the shroud's targets, and the wielder can form the shroud into any form it can imagine.

Bel felt the skill activate almost immediately, putting a drain on his almost depleted reserves. Still, the skill was impressive, to say the least, and it did everything he hoped that it would do. It immediately covered an area almost fifty meters across catching several dozen enemies within it. Immediately they cried out in pain as their life was drained from them and their bodies grew desiccated and frail.

The reason he incorporated Life Transference in the combination was evident now. A wave of energy, the good kind, slammed into Bel and he felt his mind and body growing stronger again. The small aches and the soreness of his body vanished and his mind which had grown steadily more tired was suddenly wide awake. The skill also only leeched vitality into him and not their essence, thus preventing the bloodlust or euphoria the original skill inflicted on him.

“Wow. That felt amazing.” Bel smiled as he looked at a frowning Liara.

“I still think you’re an idiot and you take too many risks. Just because it worked out this time, and I still don’t believe it did, doesn’t mean that you’ll have as much luck next time. Don’t do stupid things like that without talking to Korgan or me first.” Her tone brokered no argument and Bel felt a little cowed. He nodded in agreement before focusing once again on the skill.

The monsters didn’t die outright, and they still put up a fight before expiring. The weaker ones succumbed much faster and a few of the imbued ones didn’t seem to be affected at all.

Bel frowned and with an effort he condensed the skill drawing it in like pulling on a blanket. Then he threw it at a large Wendigo with black skin and red veins. The thing was imbued with some sort of berserk ability, and it easily ripped through shields and tore the defenders to pieces.

As the shroud settled on the monster the effects were visible to everyone. The concentrated skill quickly melted the creature's body as it screamed and tried fighting the air that was killing it. Another wave of energy slammed into Bel, and he smiled as he saw the creature die. He might have ridden himself of the bloodlust and influence of Death, but that didn’t mean that he couldn’t take pleasure in stopping these creatures from killing more innocents.

A drop of sweat was running down Bel’s temple as the effort of using his skill in this manner made it ten times as draining. When he relaxed his will, the skill spread out again surrounding the group, keeping the monsters away, and keeping the pressure off of this part of the battlelines.

Bel felt a sense of urgency as they had already talked and argued for longer than he intended. His experiments were stupid and had cost too much time as well and he knew it. Ignoring that thought though, he made ready to enact his plan.

“Are you ready?” He asked the group of warriors surrounding him. They all gave him grim nods and raised their weapons or prepared skills.

Bel held his Necro-Blade before him and deactivated the Shroud as he calmed himself with Battle Meditation. Raising the blade, he signaled the charge.

“Lord Bel!” A voice rang out, startling the group.

“Oh, for the love of... What now?!” Bel shouted in exasperation as he turned toward the voice. It was the trio of adventurers as he thought of them. He wondered how they had approached through his shroud, he hadn't designated them as friendly.

The scholarly man was standing a few meters behind the group with his companions slightly behind him.

“What do you want? I’m a little busy as you can see.” Bel waved toward the battle.

To his surprise, the man kneeled with a regretful expression.

“I am sorry my Lord. If I may be brief. My friends and I would like to join you in taking down the Champion of Morkin.” The man sounded a lot like Ignatius, with an academic and precise way of speaking.

“Stop calling me Lord and tell me why I should allow that. I can sense the mana in your veins. I know you must have some sort of forbidden class.” He didn’t look toward Bull or the others who very obviously had those as well now.

“I can understand the confusion, my Lord... eh Master Bel. I am indeed a follower of the betrayed one and I carry the class of Warlock. However, I did not answer his call to kill you and take your place. I came to serve. I swear it upon my eternal soul.” The man spoke in precise and short bursts.

Bel stared at the man, his face and eyes hidden behind his helmet.

“I have no reason to trust you, neither do I have a reason not to. You may help us for now and afterward, we’ll talk. If you try anything during the battle, I'll make you pay. Just as I did Crow. Am I making myself clear?” Bel felt his voice grow grim and he spoke with more authority than he felt he had.

The man nodded as did his companions. They stood silently behind their leader but now all three bowed and their expressions grew fearful.

“Thank you, my Lord.” The man spoke quickly as if he feared being interrupted or rejected.

“My name is Aegon Graael, Doctor Aegor Graael. These two are my trusted companions. Baldurr of the Frostpeak Mountains.” He waved toward the barbarian as if the name wasn’t enough to indicate who he was talking about.

The barbarian slapped his chest and spoke in a deep rumble.

“Hail bony one.” Bel stared at the man as Aegon shook his head in embarrassment.

“This one is Ding Ding son of Dong Dong.” He indicated the small man who coughed and looked at Aegon expectantly. The warlock looked exasperated as he said.

“Also known as The Wise.” Bel felt that that were enough introductions and distractions for now.

“Greetings to you all. You’ll cover the left flank and I’ll have a few of my guys in-between us at all times. Keep the horde distracted and stay out of my way.” He ignored their nods and turned toward the others again.

“Let’s go.” Once more he raised his weapon and the others prepared themselves. Bel took a few steps to gain momentum as a thought struck him.

Calling the shroud again he pulled it toward himself forming two giant feathered wings of pure darkness on his back and with a flex of will he shot upward and forward. Soaring through the air he marveled at the sensation and flexibility of his new skill.

Shroud of the Necro-Lord has leveled up x3

His joy at the skill upgrade was soon replaced with dread as he realized that he hadn’t learned how to land properly or steer. With a thought, he tried adjusting his wings but all he managed to do was send himself into a death spiral, tumbling toward the ground and the unsuspecting horde.

“Oh shit.” He managed to whisper before he landed in the middle of the nightmare horde like a skydiver without a parachute.

The others looked at the great idiot, the bringer of the apocalypse himself as he plummeted toward the ground, spinning like a cartwheel.

“Dawn, help us all.” Liara whispered with a plea.

They charged together.