Chapter 11: Vastein
I wanted to be confident while facing Vastein, but even with the apparent edge that the system was giving me I was shitting bricks. I knew from first-hand experience that the crippled debuff could be potent. If I hadn’t gotten extremely lucky in the targets I ended up facing or their numbers I could have easily been killed. As for the other two status effects I had no idea what they meant, but I was sure that it was supposed to make the fight beatable for me. Knowing that the fight was beatable did not mean it was going to be easy.
I remembered hours of playing Elden Ring with a player of my Dungeons and Dragons group trying to beat one of the bosses and failing miserably. We finally managed to beat her months later though and it was a glorious celebration resulting in heavy intoxication. In this situation though I had no doubts that I would only have one chance. Staring down Vastein I watched as he stepped outside of his sarcophagus and sat down casually on the side of it. Watching him move sent danger alarms running through my mind.
The benefit of extensively studying martial arts is you gradually get a sense of how capable a person can be. You see who has skill, and who doesn’t. You start to notice strengths and weaknesses by how they stand, how they move, and even how they relax. Vastein was a predator through and through. The way he moved was the incarnation of fluid grace. From an untrained eye, he could have just been enjoying a relaxed sit, but I noticed how absolutely precise every movement had been. Vastein was someone who was in full control of his body and knew how to use it.
“So, Versyok told me he was around when you took your nap. That true?” I asked, forcing my voice not to tremble as I did. I didn’t yet have the mana I needed to summon more deathsworn minions, so I could waste a little time with chatter. I also reached into my inventory and pulled out my new item.
Item: Evershifting Raiments of the Void Priest
Item Rank: SSS
Item Description: Garments that can change shape, color, and design based on the user's will. Automatically repairs itself when damaged as long as some scraps exist. Continuously and gradually cleans itself to maintain freshness. Offers bonuses to damage resistance, and magical attack power based on the item’s remaining durability. Infusing it with mana increases the rate at which the raiments repair and clean themselves.
“Yes. Versyok was my brother. By birth, not just under the gaze of The Great Eye. We both joined the church at the same time after our parents were killed by -”
“Don’t tell me. Let me guess. It was a Threlnistari, probably down on his luck. Some sort of street crime that went awry. You go to the church who were already religiously insane assholes and you bought into their whole ‘Fishmen must die’ motto.” I replied as I disrobed and began putting on my new clothes. I felt grimy but as I put on the silky smooth raiments that came with fresh boxers, I began to feel much better about myself. I didn’t worry about my modesty, I didn’t have time for that.
“You are quite clever. I see now how one as weak as you managed to overcome Versyok.”
“You don’t seem overly distraught that he’s dead. Didn’t you love your brother?” I asked, raising an eyebrow. Six minutes on the clock, keep him talking. Versyok shrugged nonchalantly before casting his eyes in the direction of his butchered sibling. I looked for any flicker of interest in his eyes but only saw impassive acceptance.
“He could have been almost immortal. The path he followed gave him the ability to no longer age. It cost him dearly though. It had affected his mind and his soul. He could absorb the life force of all of those who died before their time. As long as he branded them first. Even when I was entering my hibernation Versyok was almost more beast than man. You put him out of his misery and sent him to the greatest reward any of us can ask for. Rejoining The Watcher in the Beyond.”
“You both are beasts from where I am standing. Wiping out an entire race of people just because they aren’t human. I would be hard-pressed to call either of you a man.”
“Please, when your home becomes infested with vermin it is only natural to have them hunted down. There could never have been true peace between our people. Can a hound see a feline without attempting to attack it? In nature, the cat can just climb away from the ravages of the hound. All I have done was prevent the cat from escaping the hound's attack. But what if the hound saw not just one cat but one hundred cats? Surely, the hound could be in danger. We, pure humans, were on the brink of extinction. Half-bred filth was being born more and more readily. I merely acted in the best interests of my people.”
As he spoke I pulled up my status screen and dumped more points into my attributes. Charisma had been falling behind so I invested in that bringing it almost equal with the rest, and then the last few points went into luck since I felt like I would need it. With only 13 free skill points though I put 10 more points into the skill that allowed me to share damage with my minions and saved the other 3 points for later. Bringing up the status screen and information screen for both I reviewed them in satisfaction.
Name: Leodon Xavier Walvin
Race: Fel-Human: C
Level:6
Class: Dark Monarch
Title: Apocalypse King
Status
Health: 93%
Mana: 37%
Stamina: 81%
Active Effects: Bolstered (Weapon Bonus) Enhanced (Armor Bonus)
Passive Effects: None Applied
Free Attribute Points: 0
Attributes
Strength: 33
Vitality: 33
Agility: 33
Perception: 33
Intelligence: 34
Charisma: 33
Wisdom: 34
Luck: 36
Free Skill Points: 3
Skills: 14 class skills, 3 learned skills (See skill tree for info)
Skill: Bond of the Deathsworn (Regulator)
Rank: C
Investment: 20 / 45
Skill Description: You now share a telepathic bond with your deathsworn army. You can mentally communicate with them or at the cost of mana, you can experience anything they experience, even using them as an avatar of your will. The greater the distance the more difficult it will be to communicate with them, and the more mana cost it will take to inhabit them. Your Army will now absorb 80% of the damage and healing you receive. Effectiveness will diminish over longer distances.
Rank Up Effect: Increase the damage and healing shared with your army by 20%
“Look, this is all very fascinating. I mean, not really. You are a tool, and I don’t like you. But really though, be reasonable? What’s your plan? Your endgame? You wipe out the Threlnistari, and then what? You can accept victory and die in peace? That doesn’t sound right. There has to be plenty of other races besides humans out there and you can’t kill them all.”
“That may be, but I can at least destroy this race.” Vastein barked, his voice dripping with menace for the first time since we started speaking. “They are nothing but leeches, always taking away from the bounty that rightfully belongs to us. The world has no place for them. As for what I will do next? Rebuild. Spread the message of The Watcher. Perhaps offer my services to other settlements. I am sure there are others who would be eager to give humankind the advantage against those who encroach upon our rightful place.” Four minutes on the clock, and 46% mana. I need at least 70% if I want to safely summon the remaining deathsworn.
“Wait, okay. I see you have this all planned out. But I think we should seek a different venue. Don’t you think this temple is a little cramped for your brilliant defeat? If you are so certain you can win, maybe we should find an open space. The castle grounds? It would make the perfect place for you to finally defeat your foes.” I said. It wasn’t my most brilliant attempt at persuasion, but Vastein did manage to chuckle.
“Of course, the castle grounds are a ten-minute walk from here. You are trying to buy time. Why? Do you think it will change anything?”
“Well, I don’t know. You told me that I was allowed to prepare. But I could use more time. Not only that but there are hundreds of Threlnistari left. It’s going to get cramped fast if they all try to squeeze in down here. It’s just if you have been waiting for this day for hundreds of years, you can spare a few extra minutes right?” The man seemed to ponder my words for a brief moment before nodding.
“I don’t see why I can’t be accommodating. However, I have one condition.” Vastein replied. I shrugged and then waved for him to continue. “Very good. The exchange is simple. For every minute over the time I have given you, you must offer freely a cursed Threlnistari for obliteration. If you can give me this oath I will agree to the deal.” As he finished a notification screen popped up that I hadn’t seen before.
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Oath Request
Agreeing to an oath creates a magical link between two parties. When an oath is broken, the offending party suffers retribution.
Vastein wishes to form an oath bond with you.
Will you form the bond? Yes / No
Notice: Due to your class perk [Anti-Trust] you are not bound by the oath. The other party will not be aware of this.
“That’s fine. I am sure they wouldn’t mind being put out of their misery anyway. It works out for both of us.” I answered him calmly and agreed to the oath. I had no intention of keeping it, but as long as he believed I did it could work out.
“Very well. I believe I shall let you lead the way if you don’t mind. I am not sure I can trust you to refrain from attacking me when I am not looking.” I only laughed in response and turned to leave the chamber, praying that he wouldn’t do the very same to me.
True to his word it had taken nearly ten minutes to walk to the palace grounds. It wasn’t a peaceful walk though. It was hard to relax when someone four times my level was right behind me. Then the night erupted into wails as the sky became black. Even the moon was barely visible as it hid behind large clouds that had blown in. Within moments of the sun’s setting Vastein and I became surrounded by the howling damned. I kept them at bay through my bond with Hythriem, Veipos, Railnia, and Werxiun’s influence. But only barely.
“Master, we should attack!”
“No, Hythriem. Not yet. He is weakened but I still don’t want to start the fight just yet. We have to end the curse, and I still don’t know how he is maintaining it. Also, don’t call me master.” I replied. Although what I told Hythriem was only technically true. I didn’t know how he was controlling the curse, but I had an idea. I just didn’t want to test my idea until I was ready.
“Master. You have brought down the barriers that prevented us from vengeance, but now you delay? We do not fear death. Better to die in battle than suffer in cowardice.” Rainia imposed in my mind. Of the four Threlnistari generals, she was by far the most ready for battle. Within the Threlnistari tribes, there was an elite force of women warriors that acted as both the vanguard for most battles and even as an elite commando unit similar to the Navy Seals. She was quite imposing.
“No, Master is right. It is better to claim victory for our people than just vengeance.” Veipos replied. His task as general had been to oversee the strategies of the ruling parties.
“I have told you. Stop calling me master. Also, Veipos is right. Railnia, this isn’t just about your vengeance. It’s about doing what we can for the good of you and your people. Your suffering should end, but not at the hands of this asshole.”
“Lord Leodon. Answer me this. What is your plan?” Werxiun asked me, his use of the word ‘Lord’ causing me to cringe. His presence in my mind was quiet. Hythriem the Leader, Veipos the Tactician, Railnia the Warrior, and Werxiun the Relentless. Werxiun rarely spoke, but he was always thinking. I could feel it. The general’s unit had always been the reserves. They would come in after the rest had engaged. Slow, steady, and imminent.
“Lord Leodon isn’t much better. Just call me Leo. The plan is simple. I made a deal with him to allow him to kill one of your people for every minute he gave me. I can’t drag out the time too much, or he might get suspicious. But have a few approach him and when he gets ready to smite them they flee and I attack. Once I have him distracted you all can swarm him.”
“I don’t like this plan” Railnia’s displeasure was potent through our bond, but that was fine. The others agreed and as we entered the courtyard Vastein and I took our places. The walk had been more than enough time to regain the mana I needed to summon more minions. Spreading out my hands I began adding to my undead forces.
My remaining mana took a big hit but in a few moments, I had 6 more members of my deathsworn army. I didn’t bother naming or bonding with them though. I didn’t design them to stick around, I wanted them to be boss killers. Three of them had arms almost four times as long as their bodies that were snakelike in their mobility. They would attempt to pin down Vastein while the other three did the work. The other three looked like humanoid hedgehogs. Spikes protruded from every part of their body. They didn’t even have hands, they had large mace-like protrusions at the ends of their arms that could both bludgeon and stab the opponent.
“Nice toys. This might be a challenge worth the wait.” Vastein chuckled, unbothered by my additions. It wasn’t difficult to hear him because of my increased perception, but the wails of the howling dead would be deafening to most normal people. “It’s time to uphold your end of the oath. I believe you owe me 7 of the filth to exterminate. Send them willingly so that I may destroy them.”
“As you wish,” I said and told my generals to send seven. Slowly six of the cursed creatures around me began drifting over to Vastein. I frowned for a moment until a seventh one began following them. My mental connection immediately told me that shit was about to go sideways.
“Railnia, what are you doing?” I asked her furiously. It was too late to tell her to return and send someone else. Vastein would probably see that as deception, and I needed him to be completely surprised when I double-crossed him.
“I am doing my duty.” She replied simply. My muscles tensed as I began to prepare for contingencies. Fuck, fuck, fuck, double fuck, shit-fuck. I swore to myself. Knowing her she wouldn’t pull away but attack as soon as she was close, and I didn’t trust her to be able to withstand Vastein’s magic. My deathsworn horde sensed my discomfort and began to slowly shuffle around agitatedly. I sent them a calming thought hoping the priest wouldn’t notice the disturbance.
His eyes were glazed in anticipation as he saw the approaching monsters. He smiled as he recognized who was approaching them.
“Oh, Railnia. How I longed to destroy you myself. Always so proud. I am glad that I get to be the one to bring you down. I’ll even make you the first of your kin to go. What is it you used to say about your warriors? First to strike, first to die, but last ones to be forgotten? I will fulfill that here.” Vastein chuckled and reached out a hand. A glowing orb started to form in it that slowly shone brighter and brighter. All around me, the Threlnistari began to scream and howl. The light was causing them obvious discomfort. Even my deathsworn seemed upset. Only I remained unaffected. Something was very wrong.
“The oath!” I shouted in realization. I knew I shouldn’t be mad considering I had been about to break the oath myself, but my stomach dropped as I realized what Vastein had planned.
“So you understand?” The man laughed as the light continued to grow brighter and brighter. It was even making it harder for me to see. “You were right when you said an open area where all my foes could be gathered would be beneficial to me. And true to my word I will obliterate the seven you have offered me. But the oath doesn’t stop me from destroying every last one of them altogether.”
Without thinking I sent out my will to everything around me, calling all of them to attack. I knew it would be futile though. With the Holy beacon he was summoning it would only be seconds before they would be burned away, their souls destroyed forever. I would have told them to flee, but they wouldn’t. The pain was only making them more murderous. I charged forward at the priest, raising my hands and sending a fully powered void bolt at his hand. I was starting to get another headache from how much mana I was using, but I sent three more bolts of void energy into the sphere that seemed to just eat them up at first. Then Vastein cried and the ball of light in his hand shattered. He looked at me in confusion for a brief moment. Then he scowled.
“You! You have infected me with your disgusting corruption. I will slay you for this!” He howled. It was my turn to be confused. Then it hit me. The ritual I had disrupted wasn’t just waking him up. It was infusing him. By mixing my blood and magic in with the ritual I had corrupted the energies he could control because he had absorbed my impurities. I didn’t have time to be smug though as he sent a beam of light flying towards my face.
I barely managed to avoid the attack as three more raced towards me. I kept moving as he launched spell after spell at me. I stopped in my tracks though when even though he missed, his bolts of energy eradicated a few of the Threlnistari that had been behind me. Now as they all began rushing in only more would die in short order. I was proven right when he swiped his hand through the air and a large blade of light washed through five of the wretched creatures. They were eradicated instantly. With a scream, I charged at him forcing him to smile as his skin began to glow just like his brother’s had. I watched as claws scratched at him only to be deflected as he started forming another powerful beam in my direction. I slid to the ground as it passed over my head.
I leaped into the air summoning Abyssal Ruination to my hand as I did so, feeling the rush of power as I swung, but he raised his staff blocking my attack as he did so. But I was now in range. Darkness radiated off of me as I marked him for death. I swung again and again as he kept parrying my blows. My tendrils kept sliding off of his skin, at first but slowly one and then another latched on. Several times I would have been battered if it weren’t for the skill I had picked up that guided my movements with my scythe. Even then he was level 25. I was struggling just to maintain even ground, and I inevitably messed up.
One of his parries knocked Abyssal Ruination far enough away to cause me to lose ground. Seizing the opportunity he drove his staff into the side of my head knocking me backward. Pushing forward he swung once more hitting me hard in the chest and causing me to stumble to the ground. Rolling with the fall I used my hands to push myself back up just in time to miss getting hit with another strike. Occasionally bolts of light would fly out of the aura around his body and strike at one of the Threlnistari. Fortunately, it didn’t seem to do much damage, but it kept them from closing in on him.
He thrust his staff at me and I dove forward reclaiming Abyssal Ruination from where it fell from my hands. I was facing one opponent so the power increase I got from my renegade class was minimal, but as long as I stayed in the fight I would get stronger. I just had to live. He attacked again and I blocked his blow, only for him to use my block to swing his staff and whip me in the chest.
My Health was down to 73%. Fortunately, he didn’t seem as strong as Versyok, but Vastein was noticeably faster, and with much more magical power. I could tell he was taking retributive damage when he hit me, but it didn’t even seem to phase him. I didn’t want to think about how much Vitality he had. His last attack sent me sprawling, but this time I clutched to my scythe fiercely. It forced me to land at a painful angle, but as long as I held it I had the attribute boost. I rose unsteadily to my feet and began to power another void bolt now that some of my mana recovered but I wasn’t fast enough as his own bolt of light drove squarely into my stomach.
The power of the attack felt weak, but it had a profound effect on Vastein. He cried in agony and visibly shuddered as he fell to the ground. I rushed at him and then swung my scythe with all the force I had left. My stamina too was getting dangerously low. He was able to bring up the staff to block, but he was only partially successful. He managed to interrupt my swing, but not my blade. It dug into his shoulder forcing him to cry out one more time.
“You’re dead,” I said while panting. It had been my first blow on him, but I could already feel the blight having an effect as a trickle of health slowly started to return to me. With each second I was gradually getting stronger, and now that he was blighted Vastein could only start getting weaker. “Give up, and I will make it painless at least.”
“Never!” He spat and then spun his staff jabbing me in the ribs and pushing me back once more. Rising to his feet he began laughing, as his body once more began to glow. This time it was with an eerie red light. “Oh, Great Watcher Bless your humble servant. Give me the power to strike down the unworthy, and cleanse the filth from this land. Bless me with the power of your light that way righteousness might prevail!”
Energy began to stir around him, the winds that had been dancing around us now rushing towards him as the light within his skin seemed to pulse. My eyes went wide as I could only guess at what he was about to do. If he wanted to play with the winds then so could I. I didn’t have much mana left but I activated my cloak for the first time since putting it on and a storm began to rage around me. Clouds formed in the winds and lightning sparked. Several of the bolts lashed out and struck Vastein causing him to cry in pain. The light within his skin flickered briefly but began to glow more fiercely with an even darker red. I raced forward once more trying to end him before he could detonate himself and take us all out with him.
Once more I sent out the command for everyone to attack. With a single unified wail, all of the Threlnistari pounced. My deathsworn rushed in, and I swung Abyssal Ruination as the magic under his skin began to reach critical mass. A resounding explosive wave was unleashed as we all collided.