Chapter 30 - Burn

The four of them were riding down the streets of Linchester. Wrecked buildings and roaring flames that were slowly consuming the entire wooden town were all around them. Aegon and Francis seemed to be more introspective while Sarah’s eyes never stopped roaming, that slightly disturbing expression of anticipation on her face. Bel wondered what had happened, he didn’t know her that well, but she didn’t seem this bloodthirsty before tonight. The Warlock Aegon was silent and seemed lost in thought as well. Bel wondered why he was here.

Ignoring the questions for later Bel focused on Ignatius who was soaring along with them.

“I can sense the unease within you, what’s on your mind?” Bel kept his face forward, his eyes activated and scanning for threats, all he saw was corpses and angry ghosts. So many ghosts, hovering above their own corpses. Some were screaming and some were flailing their arms in anger.

“Noting makes sense Master. Your power is growing by leaps and bounds and after tonight, if we by the grace of the Reaper survive, your growth will skyrocket.” Ignatius whispered for once and his voice was not as pompous as usual.

“My purpose as a servitor to you is to act as a seneschal and an extension of your will upon the dead. I can see and sense your status and your being from wherever I am. Or I should be able to, now I can only sense the well of strength within you." The skull paused as we rode around a corpse in the middle of the road.

Bel looked at the man, his face caved in but otherwise fine. The ghost of the man was sitting in the street, holding his knees and gently rocking back and forth. Sorrow tried to grip Bel’s heart, but he wouldn’t let it, not now.

“You are fractured. You are an amalgamation of tiers and progression. It shouldn’t be possible. When I look at your status, I see only a blur.” There was a question in there, but Ignatius wasn’t sure if he wanted to know what was happening.

“I am. I can feel the damage to my soul as well, deep inside, an ache or itch I can’t scratch.” Bel’s armored face shifted and looked at the flying skull.

“I haven’t had the time to sit down and think about my situation, but I have a theory. I don’t think Death gave me the Breaker trait. I think I know who did and the thought scares me, if I'm right.” Bel whispered at the floating skull, but he noticed that Aegon had turned his head toward the pair. When he noticed that Bel and Ignatius were looking at him his face quickly turned forward again.

“I will tell you my theory when or if we survive this night.” Bel brought his focus back to his surroundings. That is why he noticed something strange.

A ghost was standing next to a caved-in house that was still burning. It was waving its arms toward Bel in a frantic matter. Bel mentally ordered his mount to slow down, and the others took a few steps forward before they also slowed down, looking at him questioningly.

Ignoring the others, he focused on the ghost, and it became clearer to his eyes. It was a human male once, a farmhand judging by the clothes. The man’s torso had been torn to pieces, but his face was free of damage, and his eyes were pleading.

Bel didn’t have the skill or power to speak directly with the dead, but he could clearly see the panic in its posture and desperate waving.

Bel dismounted and moved forward looking at the ghost who frantically kept waving toward the wreckage behind it. Bel threw his senses forward, something he was becoming better and better at, it felt almost second nature by now.

All he sensed was death, a family. More than eight bodies lay in the wreckage. Three of them were clearly smaller than the others judging by the death mana around them. Bel was glad for his helmet; he ignored the wetness at the edge of his eyes.

“I don’t understand, what do you want?” He asked the ghost. The ghost was clearly screaming and talking but no words reached Bel’s ears. He was pointing toward the edge of the house where a hand was protruding from the wreckage.

Bel was confused for a moment before he realized that he couldn’t sense any death mana around the hand.

“Help! There’s someone alive here.” Bel screamed and ran toward the wreckage. Francis and Sarah were hot on his heels while Aegon stood overwatch.

Bel summoned his shroud and started pulling the debris in an almost frantic manner. A hand on his shoulder made him freeze and he looked back, meeting Francis’s eyes.

“You are going to cause another collapse, Sir. Take a step back and let us help, please.” Bel felt a spark of rage in his chest that he immediately quenched. He nodded and took a step back, allowing Sarah and Francis to carefully move the rubble out of the way, slowly revealing a young woman in her late teens.

Bel quickly stepped forward, forming a stretcher from his shroud and gently pulling the unconscious woman out from under the remains of her home. The two warriors helped to stabilize her and set her down on the ground.

“She’s badly hurt. We need Liara or she’s dead within minutes. I don’t think we can make it.” Francis sounded resigned. People of this world had seen death many times and ascended people even more so.

Bel franticly racked his mind when an image entered his mind. He thanked Ignatius and rummaged through his belt pouches until he found it. His last healing potion.

“Here, will this help her?” Bel asked with a pleading tone.

“A potion, how did you get this? Never mind, yes this should at least keep her alive until we can get help.” Francis said with a shocked expression on his face.

“I got it as a reward in the dungeon, it’s my last one so make it count.” Bel watched as the young man poured the content of the potion, down the girl's throat.

“My Lord. I don’t think you realize how valuable these are, you should save them for yourself, not waste them on a Norm.” Sarah started to speak but when she saw the look on Bel’s face, she quickly rephrased herself.

“I mean, this is an item of incredible value and pure healing potions are rare and hard to produce. There is healing for many occasions but in the heat of combat when your life is on the line, that potion could save you.” She straightened at his steely gaze and stood at attention, probably unconsciously.

Bel’s expression softened and he nodded. This was another world with other rules. He couldn’t expect his own morality to apply everywhere, especially here where one's rank and power made you a more valuable being in everyone's eyes.

“You’re right Sarah. But I could never forget myself if I didn’t at least try to save the one person I found in need of help, from this horrible night.” Bel noticed that all three of his human companions were watching him and he blushed again, thankful for his helmet.

“You should take her back to the others Sarah. Can you manage alone? We need to get back to stopping Gorban.” Bel cleared his throat as he spoke, shifting from one foot to the other.

To his surprise, Sarah smiled and leaned on her polearm while shaking her head.

“I don’t think that I will. I don’t serve under you if you’ve forgotten. We all agreed to follow you here and the plan of Chadwick's. But never did we swear to serve you and we’ve followed your orders because they've made sense this far.” Her words made Bel blush even deeper from embarrassment. Her tone was friendly though.

“I... I’m... You’re right, I...” Bel stammered.

“Well, you could proclaim yourself as a Captain of a newly formed company under the system and see if it acknowledges your actions and successes this far. That way I might feel like swearing to you and then I would be both compelled and willing to do your bidding.” Her smile never wavered, and Bel felt himself squirm even as Francis nodded and Aegon cocked his head looking thoughtful.

“I’m no leader or someone worth following. As you can see here, all I bring is death. Why would you ever consider following me? I don’t want that responsibility nor your deaths on my conscious.” Bel held up his hands as if to defend himself from the woman's words.

Sarah and the others stared at him with unreadable expressions.

“I know you are new to this world, and we haven’t exactly been excellent teachers so far, but you need to know that swearing oneself to something in this world carries consequences.” Sarah’s smile was gone, and she was looking Bel straight in the eyes.

“The Inquisition took us all in under different circumstances. Francis was sold by his father, and I was captured in a raid and then sold to an Apostle looking for a good time. When he was done with me, I was allowed to serve.” Her eyes were suddenly far away even when staring into Bel’s. He found himself clinging to every word.

“The inquisition enforces certain things, like our affinities. They suppress those that they deem heretic or unsuited for their ranks. Your presence has awakened my affinities again and I finally feel like myself again. Affinities are who we are in a way. They are the sum of our souls and personalities, and they affect what classes and paths we get to walk.” Bel had suspected as much but it was harder to hear, especially with his affinity for death.

“If you want to know more specifics then speak to a scholar. The point I'm trying to make is that with you I finally feel like I belong. The church forced me to serve and suppressed me for years. In more ways than one. You set me free and for that, I will always be in your debt. So please Bel, call upon the system to acknowledge your position as a Lord.” Her tone never wavered, her eyes watering at the edges.

Bel felt lost once more, to his inexperience, and he didn’t know what to do. He sensed a strange calmness and emptiness from Ignatius who only watched him with his burning stare.

“I don’t think this...” He started.

“Swear, please.” Sarah’s voice was like iron.

“But I...”

“Swear, please,” Francis said with a resolved expression. His youthful face was suddenly shrouded in shadow, his eyes two gleaming points.

Bel was about to object again when Ignatius floated down and faced him face to face.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

“They know what they are doing, they are ascended.” He said calmly.

“I agree Master Bel. I understand that you do not yet trust me or my purpose here, but if you would let me I would serve to. That way you will know the truth of my conviction.” Aegon suddenly appeared next to the group.

The girl had started to move and groaned softly but no one noticed, they were all focused on the armored man standing before them. The ghost of the man had moved forward and stood over the girl with a bright smile and his eyes shifted between her and Bel.

“I... I proclaim myself Lord...” The words came to him then, like a skill he had just learned, a knowledge that was always there but that he couldn’t know until he tried.

“I proclaim myself Lord in the eyes of the system. I have served the maker of my path through deeds and victories. I am ready to raise those below me so that the Great Gods' and Goddesses' tribute will be greater. I shall care for those beneath me while those above me shall fear my ascension.” The words rolled off of Bel's tongue like they had a will of their own.

The System acknowledges your claim

Gathering information...

Sufficient accolades found

Authority bestowed, interface unlocked

A new sensation spread from Bel’s mind and as he opened his status, he felt new a new scroll.

Company of the Undying.

Lord: Bel – Bringer of the Apocalypse

Authority – None

The text was kind of lackluster after that big speech he was just forced to say. Like always he didn’t have the time to sit down and figure out what it all meant so he would have to figure it out as he went.

A quick system message appeared.

Bel-Bringer of the Apocalypse has been deemed worthy of Lordship by the system. Those that seek to ascend may do so at his feet

He didn’t like that last part, it sounded to... authoritarian.

“There, it’s done, and it seemed to have worked. Now could you please get the girl back to Liara?” He gestured toward the girl who everyone seemed to remember was hurt. Her wounds had closed but her eyes were cloudy from fever and pain.

“As you command Lord Bel.” Sarah bowed as she spoke.

“First though...” She quickly kneeled followed by the others.

“I swear myself to the service of Lord Bel Commander of the Company of the Undying, from this day forth until I draw my last breath or my Lord releases me from my vow.” They spoke in unison and a glow surrounded them. A thread of golden light appeared above their hearts and wove itself around Bel’s body. A tickling sensation spread from the same place in his mind as his new status.

He was about to open his status when more treads appeared in the brightening night, coming from where the battle still raged behind them.

Bel opened the status to see what had changed. As he did, Sarah rose and quickly picked up the wounded girl and slung her over her shoulder before running back towards the battlefield.

Company of the Undying.

Lord: Bel – Bringer of the Apocalypse

Authority – None

Vassals:

Sarah Dumont – level 34 Death Knight

Francis Fletcher – Level 32 Death Whisperer

John Thorn – Level 37 Death Knight

Arnold Farmer – Level 33 Undying Bulwark

Aegon Graael – Level 57 Dark Warlock

Subjects: None

His eyebrows rose in surprise. He could see the persons who had sworn to him and their levels. Something that he remembered was a huge thing in this world. The most shocking thing was that John had sworn himself as well and he apparently didn’t need to accept anyone's oaths. He wondered who Arnold was for a moment before realizing that Bull was probably not his real name.

Alexandra hadn’t sworn herself to him and he didn’t fault her, it seemed a stupid thing to do but he had taken up this burden now if just to save a poor girl's life. He remembered the look in Sarah’s eyes. Maybe two women's life he thought.

Bel cleared his throat and ordered the others to mount up again. The empty skeletal horse that Sarah left behind he de-summoned.

After getting back on the horses Bel flared his vision skill again and sought the ghost. He had moved and stood next to Bel now, looking at him with a smile. Bel almost jumped out of the saddle at the sudden appearance of the ghost but played it off as adjusting his seating.

“I hope you find peace now. Or do you wish for revenge?” Bel could sense the connection of the ghost to one of the corpses in the house. The ghost smiled wider but shook his head, instead he mimed two words slowly.

“Thank you.” It raised its head as if it could hear something and turned toward the sky, his smile widening, and he closed his ghostly eyes in contentment. A white light appeared on his brow and Bel swore he could hear a pipe organ playing in the distance. A shadow appeared around the ghost in the form of a winged man and Bel thought his eyes must have been mistaken but for a moment he saw a familiar face as it grasped the soul and departed. He also thought he saw a hint of respect in the phantom apparition's eyes.

“That was oddly soothing.” He whispered to no one. The others didn’t seem to hear him, except for Ignatius who seemed to look toward where the ghost flew off. He couldn’t read the skull's emotions.

“It was a rare reward for an un-ascended, Master.” He said just as silently.

“I hope he finds peace in whatever realm he ends up in. Now let's get back to finding that damn orc. We’ve already lost too much time.” It hadn’t taken that many minutes to save the girl, but Bel still felt somewhat embarrassed by what had happened. He just hoped the girl would pull through.

The now even smaller group returned to the broken road and made their way back toward the mayor's mansion on the west side of town. They passed much more destruction and death and even a few groups of survivors huddling in ruins and behind barricades. They didn’t stop to help but shouted instructions to where the people could find temporary safety with Conrad and his priests.

A few groups were fighting rogue monsters and the trio quickly dispatched any offending monsters without slowing down.

Aegon demonstrated his abilities by throwing balls of black force against the creatures and wherever he hit the creature was both crushed and its flesh started to rot.

Five minutes later the group rounded the corner of a broken house and saw the square containing the cathedral and town hall. The cathedral still stood but a small horde of monsters tried to swarm it but were repeatedly rebuked by the remaining priests.

On the other end of the square, a hellish battle took place. The entire town hall was covered in wriggling wines. It seemed the last of the Wildcaller's alpha-minion had formed a shell around the large mansion and outside, the remaining town guards tried to force their way in. All the while dodging wooden spikes and what looked like seeds, being fired from pods the size of dogs, from the house-sized creature.

A small army of lesser Leshen was trying to cut down the guards who defended the mayor who was screaming orders while cowering atop a wagon. The men and women around him dying to protect him.

Bel quickly took in the scene for a moment before coming to a decision. He started to gather as much mana as possible, taking deep breaths to draw as much mana as possible while channeling several skills at once. His head immediately started to throb with pain, but he ignored it.

“Aegon help the priests and keep that horde occupied for as long as possible. It’s a miracle the guard hasn’t been overrun yet. Francis, protect the mayor and the guard, keep as many people alive as possible but don’t risk yourself. Now go.” The two men hesitated for a moment before they nodded and rode off. It seemed the oath didn’t force people to obey, and Bel was incredibly grateful for that.

“What’s the plan, Master? I sense the skills building within you and I'm worried.” Ignatius said as he zipped around his master's head.

“Watch and see Ignatius. Stay close to me but stay as far away from danger as you can.” Bel didn’t wait for the skull's response, instead, he mentally commanded the skeletal horse to charge.

The creature reared back silently before it ate up the distance to the mansion at a speed far exceeding any living horse. Bel knew that the experience he had been holding back for his skills and levels would help tremendously, but he couldn’t be sure how that much power would affect him or for how long, so he kept a tight grip on the essence wanting to flow into him. He wouldn’t have been able to without the help of Ignatius. The skull living up to his purpose as a Servitor.

The horse rode passed the wagon, and a surprised mayor poked his head above the railing watching him speed by with huge eyes.

“Stop him!” a shout came from the wagon but Bel had cleared it and the guards were either too slow to react or too occupied trying to stay alive.

Bel approached the large mansion covered in wines and pods. Parts of the building were still visible beneath the roots of the alpha. Bel noticed in a detached sort of way that the building was oddly similar to a British medieval mansion. The odd similarity made him think of home and the unspoken connection these two worlds seemed to share. Both in architecture and clothing.

Ignoring those distracting thoughts, he instead focused on his skills and the plan ahead. With a deftness, he didn’t know he had, he quickly stood and crouched on the saddle keeping his balance perfectly as the horse kept running toward the front doors. Luckily Bel could see that they were open behind the moving wines, the wines seemed to be the thickest around the doors though.

A few Leshen and a couple of Ulvs tried to intercept him only to be trampled by the charging skeleton. A large whine the size of a tree trunk detached itself from the wall and crashed down toward Bel and his minion. As the trunk fell, he waited just until the thing slammed into the ground just in front of the horse, and with a heave he jumped just as the horse ran into the wine, crumbling into a thousand pieces before returning to ectoplasm.

Bel soared through the air, head first, like a mighty anvil and with the same grace as one. His skills were ready and charged way above safety. Bel's mana channels were burning and his inside felt like they would melt from all the power he held back.

He flared his shroud, and it appeared around him. It didn’t form into wings, instead, the front part formed into a spinning drill, aimed at doors. While the back part around his lower body formed into a hundred different blades. As the drill struck, he released the two other skills and the drill crashed through the vines like they were made out of tissues as the overpowered death strike assisted in penetrating the wall of brambles. At the same moment, the hundred tiny blades struck, sending out necrotic bolts that while weak individually, ate at the creature when a hundred or more of the small bolts struck it all over.

A wail erupted from all around Bel, the scream so loud he winced as his ears started to bleed. The guardsmen closest fell unconscious and others cup their hands to their ears. The creatures around froze and many fled in terror.

Bel felt almost ninety percent of his mana being pushed from his core in one go and not even his increased pain tolerance kept him from screaming in agony as well. He landed in a crumpled heap inside an ostentatious and lavishly decorated room, complete with portraits of the mayor and more wealth than Bel had ever seen before.

He rolled against a fine carpet several times before a large sofa slowed him down by exploding into splinters.

A moment later he got up with a bone-cracking stretch.

“Ouch, again...” he croaked before quickly drawing his sword from his back as well as the shield. Bel realized once again what a lucky idiot he was. Before him next to a burning fireplace, a screaming orc lay while convulsing. A small wine stretched from his chest into the larger ones surrounding them. Gorban had joined with his minion and had been affected by Bel’s vicious attack. Had he not, Bel would have landed at his enemy's feet, defenseless.

Even as Bel got up and took in his surroundings, he saw the wine release its master and the Orc started to come to almost immediately. Bel noticed that the orc had been sitting in a strange circle with runes drawn upon the floor and in the middle of the contraption a parchment floated.

Aged and withered its edges were covered in gold and a red substance kept dripping from its bottom. Bel didn’t think, instead, he jumped over the remains of the sofa and grabbed the parchment. The paper immediately contracted into a ribboned scroll and a system message was about to appear but before it could, he threw the thing into the fire. He could feel Ignatius's feelings first turning to pure joy and pride then as he tossed the scroll into the fire they turned to horror and shock.

Just as he did, the orc's eyes opened. His eyes followed the scroll as it entered the flame and as it landed a wave of energy was released. The wave passed through everything around it without leaving a mark and Gorban screamed in rage and shock.

“There, now you and the mayor can leave these people in peace.” Bel felt proud of himself for releasing the workers and people living here who were bound to this charter. Of course, he was still an unknowing idiot sometimes and the feelings from Ignatius should have cued him into what was going to happen.

Bel–Bringer of the Apocalypse has burned the Charter of Linchester. The zone has been abandoned and will be reclaimed by the system in seven days. Anyone left in the zone at the end of this time will be repurposed by the System.

“Fuck.” Bel whispered, feeling an odd sensation of déjà vu.