Chapter 78 - King Gurthok

Jack let out a long groan, the numb feeling he had felt for the past day was finally gone, replaced with the sort of ache that comes from being dead asleep for the past twelve hours in a cramped and uncomfortable position. His hands moved around the… dirt floor that he appeared to be using for a mattress.

No wonder I’m so sore, Jack thought to himself.

With his eyes still closed, feigning sleep for a few more minutes, he began to open his senses to the world around him. He could smell the dirt he was sleeping on, taste it almost. It was fresh and pungent from the rain.

It was surprisingly warm wherever he was, he guessed a tent of some kind. His guess was affirmed when he heard what sounded like a flap raise as someone entered, spilling in the cool air from outside. He listened as they walked across the dirt floor and sat on something that made a loud creaking sound. A foot started tapping with tightly controlled, impatient anger.

Hannah.

“One of these days I’m going to wake up in my own comfortable bed, and this will have all been a horrible fucking dream.” Jack grumbled more to himself, finally opening his eyes to get a grasp on his surroundings. His memory of the last day was foggy and unclear and his current surroundings didn’t do much to bring things to light.

“Doubt it,” came Hannah’s matter-of-fact voice from the side. Jack looked up to see her sitting on a bed, tapping her foot and staring at him. Jack rolled onto his back and let out another long sigh.

“So, what the hell happened? Where are we? Last I remember, we were walking through the woods, bypassing the queen’s draugr army. Then it gets all fuzzy.”

“About halfway to our forward camp you became incoherent and delirious. I thought you were drunk when you started zoning out pretty hard. Reminded me of that job we had at that EDM concert. Me, once again playing babysitter all night because someone kept swallowing everything that some pretty girl in a neon thong handed to him.”

“Saying ‘No’ to pretty girls in neon thongs is not my forté.” Jack mused, his only recollection of that job was dancing with a 12 foot purple unicorn in a bikini. It was likely that was the drugs, but considering his current circumstances, anything was possible.

“Hurry up and get ready. They're waiting for us.” Hannah said, abruptly standing up and walking towards the tent exit.

“They?”

“Follow me. I’ll fill you in as we go”.Hannah said, voice both alert and concerned as she poked her head out of the tent then back into Jack. “Heads up. Things are…weird, in the camp right now.”

Jack pushed himself up off the ground and dusted himself off as best he could. What wasn’t weird these days. He looked down at himself and grimaced slightly. While monster blood and guts tended to fade away as the tower reabsorbed the dead corpses, he still looked rough. His next priorities involved finding a warm bath, a laundromat, and a stiff drink.

Jack pushed out of the tent and followed after Hannah. She was right, things were strange. Most, if not all, of the draugr in the encampment were standing perfectly still. No movement, no breathing, no sounds. They stared blankly into the distance of wherever they happened to be standing.

Jack stared at the eyes of the draugr as he passed and shivered. Nothing was there. As he inspected them he noticed that intermingled amongst the blue-eyed draugr were several of the red-eyed draugr. Their eyes weren’t the dim, glowing red he was used to. It had been replaced by a fiery red that burned and angry heat. Despite the red fire that he expected from enemy draugr, these creatures were perfectly docile like their blue-eyed counterparts.

What concerned Jack most was the silence. Everything was eerily quiet. He was still putting together the events over the past day as his memory cleared up, but he had remembered they were on the precipice of battle. This didn’t seem like a camp at war, and he heard none of the telltale signs of battle.

Jack and Hannah walked towards the center of the rough shod camp. It looked as though the draugr had thrown it up at the last minute with little in the way of infrastructure or planning. As they approached the large tent in the center, Jack stared at an awaiting envoy of Valkyries lined up in front. Directly opposite their retinue were… Evil Valkyries? Jack wasn’t sure. They had the same Valkyrie shape but were much more demonic in nature. They had the same appearance of Halldis after her transformation. Overall they were smaller in stature, sickly skinny with sharp angles. Instead of feathers, they had leathery wings punctuated with sharp horns at all the joints. Their skin was like dark angulating shadows and their eyes a pitch black with flecks of red compared to the brilliant golden eyes of their Valkyrie counterpart.

“Are those the things that attacked us in the sky before?”

“Screechers. Although don’t call them that unless you’re looking for a fight. Apparently, they are fallen Valkyries.” Hannah said in a low whisper..

“And they’re here to compete in a dance-off against the Valkyries?”

“They’re part of Gurthoks’ retinue, and he happens to be here visiting…” Hannah said, ignoring Jack's attempt at humor and pushing between the line of Valkyrie and Screechers towards the tent.

“Oh. Great. I feel like maybe you could have mentioned that before I left the tent, but sure, dropping that bomb on me now is fine, too.” Jack said, mind racing to figure out what the hell was going on. He immediately checked his core. There were technically two mana drops remaining, but his berserker channels were hungrily devouring them. He wasn’t sure how effective of an attack he could pull off with the drained mana drops. His channels on the other hand looked almost completely healed. Jack guessed it was a side effect of his static overdrive.

He’d been meaning to tell Hannah about his new trick and pulled up its description in his mind.

Static Overdrive - Lightning Variant

Technique - Rare

Static Overdrive draws on the static mana created by forcing two condensed sources of mana together. The lightning variant shocks the user’s system into a state of overdrive. Healing is accelerated and the users’ power and speed will be pushed beyond their maximum stats. In addition, the lighting variant sends the user into an extreme state of clarity, increasing mental processing speed, allowing the user to keep up with their enhanced body.

Technique, not an ability. Jack thought to himself. I feel like we're in Potayto, Potahto territory.

He focused on the technique tag when a new notification popped up.

Technique

A technique is any ability directly created by the user, not granted by the Tower. Techniques require the user to manipulate the mana themselves to produce the ability, skill, or attack. The Tower is unable to assist in the use of the ability. Any technique created will be integrated into the Tower and recycled as an ability for future climbers.

“Huh.” was Jack’s only thought. It looked like if he wanted to use static overdrive, he wouldn’t be able to cast it like any of his other abilities. It required him to actually manipulate his mana to use it.

Well, that’s a pain in the ass.

Jack closed the notifications in a huff and focused back on his body. His core was intact and his channels largely repaired. He was sore and a little tired but nothing a good cup of Irish coffee couldn’t fix. Overall he felt fine.

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Except he didn’t.

Jack had trouble placing the feeling of what was wrong. It was like something was missing in the overall makeup that made him Jack. He didn’t feel any weaker, but he felt less…powerful? Like he would be unable to reach his full potential if push came to shove. He gave his hands a few test flexes and was able to make a solid grip, so it wasn’t physical. Whatever it was, it was deep inside him. It made his soul feel weak and that was creating some sort of disconnect with his body.

“Hellooo? Hurry up.” Hannah said as Jack just stood there staring at his hands.

“Sorry, just making sure I’m ready.”

“This is just a meeting; we shouldn’t have to fight anyone.” Hannah said.

“How many times have we said that before a meeting only for it all to go to hell and someone ends up dead?” Jack asked, walking up towards the tent entrance.

Hannah grimaced, walking into the tent as Jack held open the flap.

He saw Onem first and had to stop himself from charging the draugr and burying his daggers into his skull. The last Jack had seen of his former teammate was the asshole fading into the shadows leaving him to deal with a horde of angry draugr. Onem didn’t spare him a second glance. Instead, he had a look on his face as though someone had been perpetually pissing in his bowl of Wheaties. That raised Jack's spirits a little.

Jack continued into the room noticing the queen. She was dressed immaculately in blues and purples that glistened in the dimly lit camp. She looked like a girl in love, batting her eyes lovingly at a new edition to their group.

Between the two, at the end of the table, sat a man radiating calm power. He was maybe six feet at most, with long red hair pulled back into a tail and a beard that was intricately braided, adorned with several golden trinkets. He wore a simple linen tunic belted at the middle, two plain as day hatchets that looked more equipped for bushwhacking than they did battle hung from his belt. He was relaxed, despite being in an enemy encampment, with his feet up on the table, leaning back in his chair as far back as it would allow.

With all eyes on the new visitor, Jack took a seat opposite the man and mirrored his position, kicking his feet up on the table and leaning back. Hannah stood beside him; eyes narrowed at the man.

“You must be Gurthok.” Jack said matter of fact. He could feel the Queen turn to stare daggers at him. Jack didn’t know what he had interrupted, but he didn’t particularly care.

“I suppose I am.” He said, tone jovial, flashing Jack a large toothy grin.

Gurthok suddenly leaned forward, his smile dropping with his feet and his chair. He stared at Jack with an intense focus, like he was looking through him, to what made him whole.

“A lifeforce ability… Very interesting…” he muttered to himself. “Tell me - where did you learn such a thing?”

“A life what? I’ve got no idea what you’re talking about.” Jack said, squinting back at Gurthok, who was staring at Jack like a mad scientist who might rip him apart to inspect his insides.

“Your soul is weak; you’ve clearly stolen from your lifeforce. I can see it clear as day. Now tell me why you did something so reckless?”

“Stolen my life force? What the hell are you talking about?” Jack asked, confused.

“Can we cut the shit and get down to business?” Hannah said, cutting off Gurthok before he could say anything.

Gurthok stared at her for a moment, his large, toothy smile returning.

“I like this one. She has a fire to her.” Gurthok said, turning towards the queen.

“I admit, she has been an interesting project.” The queen mused; eyes still fixated on Gurthok.

Jack stared at the King and Queen, and then at Onem, whose face was turning more sour by the second. He had no idea what the hell was going on, but things were getting weird. Everyone in the room had at some point admitted to wanting to kill Gurthok, Jack and Hannah even had a quest to kill him, and now here we all were sitting at a table with him like he wasn’t public enemy number one.

Jack felt his fingers slide down to his daggers, only to freeze as Gurthok’s eyes landed on him with a lazy and knowing glance. His hand froze as he touched the handles of his dagger and every warning bell his body was capable of producing rang out in his head as he watched Gurthok’s smile grow bigger and bigger.

Jack returned his hands to his lap in an overly casual gesture and started twiddling his thumbs. Gurthok frowned at him and Jack forced a smile back.

“Here.” Gurthok said, fishing something out of a satchel at his side and throwing it towards Jack. A vial sailed across the table and began falling to the rocky dirt beneath them. Jack watched as Hannah’s hand lashed out and grabbed it from the air. She gave it a quick inspection, and a brief look of confusion touched her face before she stuffed it into her void sack.

Jack shot Hannah an annoyed look.. Pissing off the enemy was negotiation tactic 101, and she just ruined it.

“You’ll want to make sure our friend here drinks that.” he said with a nod towards Jack. “I’ve dabbled in lifeforce techniques myself. You’re going to feel unwell and spiritually feeble for a long while if you don’t do something about it.”

Jack just nodded.

How does he know about the weak feeling? And what is a lifeforce technique? Is he talking about my overdrive thing? Jack wondered, staring at his own body. At this point, he was halfway decent at reading the flow of mana in not only his body, but others as well.. Gurthok, though, seemed to be staring at something either Jack failed to notice or lacked the skill to see, and that frustrated him.

“So,” Jack said, still staring at his hands. “Anyone want to tell me what the hell is going on?” He finished, looking back at a Gurthok who was making unsettling eye contact with the queen.

“Wha-” He said his attention returning to the rest of the table. “Oh, right-“

“He’s come to declare war, if that wasn’t already obvious.” Onem said.

Jack made eye contact with the draugr for the first time since walking into the tent. Onem stared at him with disdain. He wasn’t sure what the hell the draugr’s gambit was in all of this, and it was honestly starting to piss him off.

“Declare war?” Hannah questioned.

“Wait. Aren’t we already warring? I feel like we’ve warred. At least, I’ve warred all over the place.” Jack interjected.

“Nonono.” Gurthok said, waving them off. “Cleaving through mindless berserking draugr to storm my castle is hardly a war. That is a child's game. I want pitched battles, clever tactics, and unrivaled bloodshed. I want a war that will shame any that has come before it, or any that dares follow. I’ve lived long and fought often; I want a true battle. I want to fight next to my brothers and sisters in one final glorious campaign.” Gurthok said, eyes radiating an intense madness.

“Geildana, my Queen eternal, has brought me such an opportunity.” He continued “Turning my own soldiers, to the side of the redeemed so they may fight against me. She has raised an army worthy of dying at my hands. And you, foolish brother. Your betrayal is a welcome one, only serving to add to the glory of the battlefield.” He finished, smile turning sinister.

“If it’s a fight you want, we can go outside and settle this right now.” Jack said matter of fact. “Wait. Actually. Give me like a week. Then I’ll kick your ass.” He corrected.

Jack wasn’t really interested in playing along in whatever game Gurthok had. The man had obviously gone insane and dying in glorious battle in a dungeon of a sadistic Tower was not on his bucket list. In fact, watching the Queen and Onem nod along with the King's plan, he was pretty certain the whole family was insane at this point.

Hannah jumped in, backing up Jack's challenge. Apparently she was thinking along the same lines.

“If you’re looking for glorious combat, Jack is the one-“

“Do you not hear me? Am I speaking to simple fools who fail to understand my wants and desires?” Gurthok said, voice turning angry as he slammed down on the table.

“I. Want. War.” He finished, growling, a fiery red aura radiating off his body. A physical pressure bore down on everyone in the room, radiating bloodlust.

“And you shall have it my King.” Queen Geildana said, placing a hand on his arm and throwing cautioned glances at Jack and Hannah.

Gurthok closed his eyes and took several deep breaths, banishing his anger, and the uncomfortable pressure, completely. His eyes shot open and his jovial smile returned.

“You.” He said, leveling his gaze at Jack. “I do hope we cross paths on the battlefield. I hear that you’re the one to finally slay old man Authun. I’m very curious to know how you pulled off such a task.”

“Easily.” Jack said, a cocksure grin on his face. Gurthok flashed him another toothy smile and let out a raucous laugh that shook the tent, slapping at his thigh.

“I like this one.” He said, wiping a tear from his eye.

Jack flashed a worried glance at Hannah, unsure what was going on here.

“As you can see. War is nothing but a game to my brother.” Onem spat, bringing the mood back down. “Should you have bothered to ask me why I’ve betrayed you, this would be my answer. The draugr deserve freedom, not your perpetual wars of vanity.”

“So.” Gurthok said, completely ignoring Onem. “Let’s talk terms for our glorious war.” He said, leaning forward on the table, an expectant look on his face.

Jack stared at Gurthok for a long moment.

The idea of planning a war sounded tedious and there was the distinct smell of smoked meat that had wafted in from somewhere. It made his stomach grumble. Breakfast and a stiff drink. That’s what he needed. He didn’t much care for the planning of things. In the end he would generally do what felt right in the moment. That’s how he liked to work and Hannah usually accounted for it. She was better at this tactical planning stuff anyways.

“Nah, Hannah can deal with that shit. I’m bored.” Jack said, standing up and walking towards the exit.

“You will be missed, new friend. Please know, I’ve brought some delectable meats with me and a specialty mead that’s been aging in my cellars for quite some time. I would love to share it in celebration for our upcoming battle.” Gurthok said, flashing Jack a knowing smile. “Once we finish our negotiations, of course.”

Jack stopped at the tent flap, halfway out the door. He abruptly turned around and sat back at the table.

“Alright. Let’s talk war.”