Chapter 12: Quest Completion
Abyssal Ruination sunk deep into Vastein’s body, carving through the man's skull and cutting through to his chest just as the energy building up within his body went supernova. A vacuum drew everything in for just a moment before launching everything away with a loud release of magical force. I was sent flying for several seconds before skidding to a halt on the ground. Ringing filled my ears and the night sky above me was spinning.
Agony screamed through my body as I lay there unmoving. The attack had taken out most of my health, leaving me only with 30%. Through my mental connection, I could feel that my deathsworn army had absorbed a significant amount. Most of them had not survived the dual cost of taking my damage as well as getting hit by the blast. Reaching out I could detect that the four Threlnistari generals had also survived, but Railnia was in bad shape.
Coughing I fought through the pain and rose to my feet. A maelstrom of holy energy was rippling through the air causing continuous damage to the remnants of my allies. Unfortunately, the death of Vastein did not mark the completion of my quest. I still needed to end the curse, and I didn’t have much time left.
17 Howling Damned Slain
It ticked up to 18 as I resisted my body’s demands to collapse after forcing it to stand. Where is it? I asked, casting my vision around the wrecked courtyard. A few seconds later and the number of dead rose by one. I don’t have time for this shit! I could feel the irritation and impatience clouding my mind and I tried to calm my nerves. As I let out a soothing breath one of the sparks of holy energy that still radiated through the air caused a glimmer that caught my eye. There!
Fifteen feet away partially obscured by the grime that now coated it was the crimson orb Vastein had been carrying since his awakening. I pushed myself towards it, pain flaring up my leg and through my spine as I did so. I glanced down to see my leg had been burned black along with half of my body. Another number appeared on my screen, 19 of my allies were now destroyed. Grimacing, I endured the pain as I marched toward the crystal sphere. Closing in at ten feet away, the number dead rose to 20. I have to end this! I told myself, forcing my body to go as fast as it could. Crossing five more feet of ground was a chore, grief rising in my chest as another of the howling damned perished.
I raised Abyssal Ruination with my one good arm and prepared to strike. The system taunted me with my every move by keeping the death toll going. I started my swing, stopping just above the orb. No! My instincts screamed. If it was that easy Vastein wouldn’t have been carrying it around. I kicked off with my less injured leg, diving towards the device just as the number climbed to 24. As soon as I touched the sphere a new notification appeared.
Notification: This is a Quest-related item.
Item: Orb of Undoing
While holding this item you can either maintain or end the blood curse.
Would you like to end the curse? Yes / No
Warning! Ending the curse -
I didn’t even bother reading the warning. Mentally choosing yes a sudden wrenching pain tore through my body. My little remaining mana vanished immediately as the orb began sucking in my energy. Without slowing the sphere moved on from my mana and it drained the last of my stamina next. My body was no longer capable of movement and unable to pull away, I watched on helplessly as my health began to plummet. Despairing thoughts began flooding my mind as the world around me seemed to be growing darker as my health rapidly dropped below 15% This is it, I am dead. What a waste of a new life. Once my health dropped to 5% I closed my eyes letting blackness overtake me as I embraced for the end.
A few seconds passed before realizing that the end hadn’t come. The sound of a pounding heart in my chest was the only proof needed. Still, though I waited for a few more moments, expecting the worst and saying final prayers. With every additional breath, it became clear I had survived the ordeal. Finally, I opened my eyes revealing a fortuitous sight.
Status
Health: 3%
Mana: 1%
Stamina: 2%
“Just fucking barely.” I coughed with a voice that sounded as if it had eaten sand. Somehow the orb hadn’t completely sucked me dry. That didn’t mean I was out of the woods though. I watched as the status screen showed my health rise to 4% just before dropping back down. Vastein’s explosion had done far too much damage, and the magical crystal ball only added insult to injury. If I didn’t heal up soon it was still possible to punch out of this life. If only there was anything that had life force I might have been saved, but the only allies I had left were undead. Here I thought improving my luck attribute would help. I mused just as a strange sound erupted from everywhere at once. It was almost as deafening as Vastein’s explosion had been. As the noise died it became somewhat more distinguishable. At first, it sounded like the wailing of the damned, making me think I had somehow failed in the quest. Then as the sound erupted once more I recognized the chorus for what it was. People were cheering. As the cheer ebbed a very loud voice could be heard.
The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.
“For the love of the tides, shut up! Are you going to just stand there and cheer while the one who saved your sorry asses dies? Quickly get over there and let the master take some of your health. Don’t you dare make me repeat myself” The feminine voice demanded. I knew instantly it was Railnia, and I would have laughed in relief if the act didn’t cause me severe pain. Surprisingly, I could still feel her mental connection.
“I thought I told you not to call me master.”
“Oh, shut up. You can scold me when you aren’t about to die.” She retorted testily, but there was a warmth and clarity that hadn’t been there before. I obeyed and in short order I could feel people laying their hands on me, offering me their life force. Using Vital Exchange I quickly siphoned off enough vitality to fully restore my body. Rising up to my feet I took in the wonderful sight.
All around the destroyed courtyard, the very alive and whole Threlnistari stood staring at me with joy on their faces. No, not just joy, I noted. There was plenty of sorrow too. They had suffered for over two centuries and lost countless loved ones. A few of them had performed unspeakable acts while under the curse. They were relieved, but they were far from whole. In this moment though, they were alive. Which is what mattered the most. Marching towards me out of the throngs of their people the four generals came to attention before kneeling.
“Master, no words can convey how much you’ve done for our people. There is no way to describe how much gratitude we have for your arrival. We..” Hythriem began, his voice bold, but faltering as he was overcome with emotion.
“Oh, for Liala’s sake. Listen, Master, thanks for saving us. It means a lot. You did good.” Railnia snapped, tossing Hythriem an irritated scowl.
“Truly, what you have done can never be repaid. Your dedication to aid us in our plight even at your own peril was truly admirable. I am happy to serve you in whatever capacity you need, Master.” Veipos chimed in with a smirk, which turned into a wide grin as he caught the frown forming on my face.
“Lord Master,” was all Werxiun said before grunting loudly. I raised my eyebrows at all of them as they held my gaze, each one bearing a wide but melancholic smile. That’s when I reached out with my mind and felt it.
“You-”
“No,” Hythriem replied, cutting me off. “We did not return fully to life. We are now somewhere in between. More than the specters we once were, but not yet alive. Don’t let this be a concern to you though. When we offered our fealty we were made aware of the consequences of that decision. By swearing ourselves to you, we would never be able to truly live again. For the sake of our people, it was a sacrifice we were willing to pay. Master.”
“Okay, STOP!” I shouted. “You are doing that on purpose.” It was the only way I could think to respond. To say any more about the sacrifice they willingly made would mean bringing dishonor to their choice. I understood why they made their decision and respected it. “How many times have I told you not to stop calling me that?” The generals broke out laughing before Veipos answered for the group.
“Pardon me, however, that’s exactly what you are now. As of a few minutes ago.”
“What did you say? You’re teasing me again aren’t you?” I asked but a pit rose into my stomach as I could detect no deceit through our bond. Staring at the general in confusion for a moment, he responded by tapping the side of his head. I felt my heart begin to race as I understood his gesture. I had been so caught up in being alive and the victory of the Threlnistari that the notifications I had received were automatically pushed to the side. Dreading what the system’s blue boxes would reveal, I began looking through the messages. The very first screen had my eyes going wide as I swore loudly.
Notice. You have killed an elite. You have gained an additional 50% experience bonus.
You have killed Vastein: Level 25
You have received 13,600 experience points.
You have reached level 11.
Notice. You have killed a titled enemy. You have been awarded a new skill.
Skill: Rival’s Enmity
Skill Rank: F (Upgradable)
Skill Description: When facing elites increases the effect of title bonuses by 25% per rank. When facing titled enemies increases the effect of title bonuses by 50% per rank.
Notice. You have killed a member of a faction. You will be awarded a new title based on the faction of the deceased.
Faction: The United Church of Divine Light.
Title: The Unholy Avatar
Title Bonus: Increases void and necrotic damage by 30% while increasing resistance to holy damage by 20%. Nullifies passive holy effects, and allows you to corrupt sanctified areas.
“Three fucking hells!” Annoyance built up inside of me as I read that screen. Vastein was a fucking douche-biscuit! What the shit are you thinking, System? How could someone who was a mass-murdering asshole still be considered part of a holy faction? For that matter, I was saving lives and the system labeled me as Unholy. As I continued to read my ire escalated with each blue box of text.
Quest Completed: End the Curse
Quest Performance Rank: SSS
Quest Reward: Enhances System Functionality. Quests will now appear more readily. All System based rewards can now be upgraded. Upgrade requirements are listed in the item screen.
Quest Completed: End the Danger in Shangrior
Quest Performance Rank: SSS
Quest Reward: Inheritance. You are now the rightful king of Shangrior. You have earned a new title.
Title: The Midnight Tides King
Title Details: While inside Shangrior’s borders, your attributes increase by 100%. Increases all regeneration by 50%.
Quest Completion Progress Updated.
Quest: Dismantle the Realms of Light and claim sovereignty over the Ten Kingdoms. 1 /10
“Oh FUCK NO!” I screamed. While my generals who could sense my outrage through our bond began laughing. They thought I had gotten upset by becoming the king of this land. They weren’t wrong, but as I stared at the last line of notifications I felt my blood boiling. As I continued to shout expletives Hythriem spoke into my mind.
“You have done a good thing and brought justice to my people. It is only your just reward to become king as there is no longer anyone who can claim the throne. No good deed goes unpunished.”
Fucking truth. I sneered inwardly. I had vowed never to complete the quest and the system still managed to push me in the direction it wanted. You hear me now, asshole. I am on to your game. I’ll beat you yet. I promised. Just because you saved me, doesn’t mean you can use me.