Clouds rolled over the landscape covering the valley below the dark fortress. The temperature kept dropping, almost as if the black stone of the walls absorbed even the hint of warmth as Kelford ascended towards the 5th floor. Snow fell in large clumps, coating the steps in white in minutes. Kelford brought up his Interface to check what he had one more time.
Interface
User: Kelford Booker
Class: Called of The Black Sun
Class Slots: 0
Skills:
Language of the Mountain
Enhanced Strength
Enhanced Willpower
Weapon Proficiency
Heavy Armor Proficiency
Boon of the Black Sun
Radiance of The Black Sun
Shadow Flesh (Relic)
Enhanced Constitution (Relic)
Active Skills:
Empowered Strike
Spells:
Darkness
Relics:
Furs of the Warlord
Amulet of Storing
Ring of Shadow Flesh
Belt of Fortitude
Karma: 4780
Inventory: 9/10
Quests:
The Fifth Floor
Kelford nodded as he dismissed the golden words and continued. The Fifth floor was only a few steps away. Sword held tightly Kelford stepped onto the fifth floor with only the crunch of the snow disturbing the quiet above the storm. The Gnoblar Gorger Hunters and their Trained Sabertooths all watched him in tense silence, weapons drawn and teeth bared. Like always one of them lead the others , standing slightly ahead of the others. It sized Kelford up as he did the same. It was dirty but in the way that spoke of hard labor rather than squalor. The furs it wore seemed to be from the rams on the 4th, with a spear decorated with teeth and claws. They stood about the same size and compared to the Gnoblar Gorger it had more muscle. At least until the latter became an Ogre Youngling . Around it were two Trained Sabertooths and a half dozen gorgers with spears. They all watched him warily. Kelford spoke first.
“ I expected much more spitting and insults,” Kelford said in their tongue, “ Instead I get silence. Why is that?”
He was genuinely curious. The last time he’d reached this floor he had Shadow Attunement which had made all the gnoblars go mad with anger. Even on this run the 2nd floor gnoblars had treated relatively the same, with the added caveat that his fear aura seemed to be effective against them. Which couldn’t be the case here as his Radiance of the Black Sun was pulled back as close as he could hold it.
“ You are Called” The leader said quietly.
Kelford tilted his head as he forced the wave of shock down, “ What do you mean?”
The gnoblar spit , “ No play games creature. We smell the touch of the Black Sun on you. Every step leaves corruption. Your meat is too sullied to consume, your bones poison to the earth. You hear the calling of the one below.”
“ What do you mean corrupted? Is it Shadow Essence? What is the Black Sun ?” Kelford said, heart hammering in his chest. He wanted to get past them but this was more words then he’d ever exchanged with a Gnoblar. It was fascinating. They knew about his class and best of all they could answer his questions!
The gnoblar stared at him almost confused but then a hint of pity entered its eyes.
“ You are a dead creature walking . Bring the doom of your master to our lands. To ask these questions shows your ignorance or that the one below has grown clever.Attempting to subvert our watch with guile and words. We can only help you in one way, creature of corrupted flesh.” Its eyes flicked to the fortress, sad and heavy. “ We have already seen what the call can do to those much stronger than you. The only mercy we can give is death.The only question to answer is how swift to make it.” The others around it tensed and Kelford could see both worry and excitement in their eyes.
Kelford brought his sword up into both hands, adrenaline beginning to race along his limbs as he focused. This was not the same run as all the others before, he was not the same. A grin stole along his face as his heart beat faster with fear and excitement. Only the rising wind filled his ears as despite the gnoblars proclamation none of them dared to make a move on him. They weren’t like the monsters of the previous floors, they knew what was about to happen. They knew enough to fear the end of this fight.
They all stood there staring at each other. Kelford grinning and the gnoblars growling as they nervously edged towards him. Their leader kicked things off.
“ Raaaaaagghhhhhhhh” It kicked off the snow, crossing the distance in a blink. It’s spear shot forward parried by a quick parry from Kelford.Kelford retaliated with a side slash the gnoblar blocked with a growl. They traded blows , slowly feeling out each other as their blows pushed against the others defenses. Kelford’s heart hammered in his chest as he held back the majority of his abilities, slowly letting them loose as he ramped up the power of his blows. Sword met spear again and again, the air filled with the sound of the screeching onlookers. The hunters roared their support, chanting for their leader to show the corrupted it’s might.
“ Kill him !!!1”
“ Tear him apart!”
The gnoblar growled as it seemed to finally stop holding back, it slammed its spear into Kelford’s blade with the full force of its power. Essence roared over its muscles and Kelford’s eyes widened as the spear blurred. Wood broke Kelford guard and with a savage roar the gnoblar ripped its nails across Kelford’s face . Maw wide, It threw itself at the now blinded human with victorious glee. It clamped its jaws down only to find nothing but air. Purple eyes met its own moments before a fist broke its jaw! The frozen stone thunked as a gnoblar hit the stone , eyes blurry it clutched at it’s broken jaw.
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“ You know… I have learned alot about your kind” Kelford’s voice was punctuated by the sound of cracking as he kicked the gnoblar in the chest. It screamed as it skidded back towards it’s brethren who crowded around it. Kelford’s smile was sharp as the small marks on his face barely phased him.
“ Most of all I learned you like to play with your food” Kelford said as the lead gnoblar glowed green again. Essence seemed to weave itself around it’s broken jaw, Kelford ignored it. His blood felt hot under his skin, like molten magma pulsing to his heart beat. His hands, no his entire body, shook like an arrow held on a string . He kept his aura close and bared his teeth as the other Hunters finally grew a spine to attack him. Javelins filled the air. Kelford threw himself to the right avoiding the majority, he rolled to his feet only for jaws to fill his vision. One of the Tamed Sabertooths! Kelford didn’t have the effortless speed of Enhanced Dexterity but he found Enhanced Strength could be fast enough on its own. His fist smashed the side of its head. Bone cracked as the sabertooth flew to the side only for a hunter to jump from the side. Kelford whirled away , barely dodging only for two more to pounce while he was off balanced. Spear points passed through fur only to barely penetrate flesh. Kelford’s eyes blazed with essence as he slashed at the quickly retreating hunters. He found his footing only to hear a crunch to his right. Another one! He swiped away a probing spear thrust only for pain to cut his leg. The other Sabertooth.
The gnoblars encircled him , prowling like wolves around a bear. Each attacked with hungry efficiency, each drop of blood increasing their focus. Hunger had overtaken their previous hesitation as they harried Kelford. Their spear became bloody as they took turns attacking and defending. Roaring like possessed hounds at every thrust that found its mark. They’d done this before. Kelford raged within their circle as he battered at their wooden javelins. Each swipe held nothing back as he pushed himself to fight them off with Enhanced Strength and skill. The first javelin broke as a gnoblar over extended but swiftly it pulled another. Kelford took two javelins to the side only to break those as well. Kelford didn’t make a sound but his smile never left his face. He merely submerged himself into the combat as a part of his attention always flicked to the healing gnoblar leader.
Time passed in a storm of violence leaving drops of blood,broken javelins, and bodies across the stone.The gnoblars no longer screamed their vicious delight into the air, heaving chests and aching bodies no longer had the energy for that.Javelins no longer were replaced as quickly nor stabbed as quick. The last Trained Sabertooth hobbled on three legs, flanks heaving with its exhaustion. The gnoblars were bloody, wounds slowing them down. Still they desperately threw themselves at the bloody human between them. The wolves were tired but the bear hadn’t stopped. Kelford fought with every inch of his Enhanced Strength, all the skill he’d earned dying through these floors. His body threw blood and sweat with every movement. Cuts ran down corded muscle and leaked crimson onto the stone . A normal human would have been dead twice over but Kelford moved like a man possessed. He didn’t tire, he didn’t hesitate, he simply moved with deadly intent.
Slashes flowed into elbows that smashed into hungering maws. A kick stopped Sabertooth from biting his shin while also allowing him to swerve away from a spear thrust. Kelford punched a gnoblar in the gut , took a spear to the side,all while smashing a javelin to pieces with his sword without missing a beat. A javelin broke on his back but he didn’t even seem to notice. His eyes kept flicking to the gnoblar leader. It made a show of still healing but Kelford didn’t see essence flowing around it. It was faking, waiting for the chance to strike. Kelford’s movement stopped. The gnoblars staggered at the sudden change, most executing dodges or aborted parries. The wind howled as the storm heralded its arrival.
Kelford turned his gaze to the fallen leader.
“ Get up”
Only silence answered and the pain of his wounds pushed at Kelford’s straining rage. Yet he still maintained his control as he once again spoke. “ I know you’re healed. Get up and fight with your friends”
A long moment passed, the gnoblars around him panted as they took the pause to catch their breaths. Then their leader smoothly climbed to its feet. It turned with a predatory leer as it stalked to the circle of bodies around Kelford. The others didn’t lessen their guard, just moved to accommodate.
“ You could have had swift death corrupted,” The leader said as it held its spear forward, “ now you will suffer as we tear you apart.”
Kelford spit to the side, blood and mucus already freezing as they hit the ground. The Hunter leader growled at the lack of reaction but continued.
“ We outnumber you, we will present your heart as offering to the king after your death. We will feast and grow strong from the rewards for killing one such as you! Better lie down and die for your corrupted power not strong enough to beat our collective might!” It screamed into the air, essence rushing along it’s muscles and skin. The leader waited, looking to it’s brethren. They didn’t look away from Kelford, muscles tight and hands shaking.
“ It’s already over” Kelford said into the wind, “ They already know that you can’t kill me”
It had been obvious for a while now. As the fight had gone on, Kelford had proven it. As the gnoblars tired they made more mistakes which led to Kelford landing more blows. Gnoblars were opportunistic fighters. After fighting them for weeks that fact had been seared into Kelfords brain. When they were winning they fought harder. They liked to attack from surprise, in big groups, anyway where victory could be assured. So what happened when those advantages didn’t help them? Kelford had survived the onslaught mostly due to the build he had crafted on his way up.
Furs of the Warlord
Ring of Shadow Flesh
Belt of Fortitude
The mitigation had begun to stack. Mixed with his greater skill Kelford could have eventually won in the end. If they had all jumped in at the same time. Kelford was certain he would kill them all just with the Warrior class. With some uses of Hard Slash he would have been able to push past this room eventually. It… lifted a weight that he didn’t know he was carrying. That in some weird way the end result was up to his training and not just the Classes he’d been given. His progress mattered here. Of course this wasn’t a perfect demonstration. He had some different abilities. Enhanced Willpower had been helping him with the pain and he had been using some of his attention to hold back Radiance of the Black Sun. Still his hard work was worth something. Shadows coiled at his feet as Kelford returned his attention to the gnoblars. They hadn’t taken advantage of his momentary distraction. It was well, not like it would have helped them.
“ I hate you,” Kelford said. Shadows slithered across the snow. The gnoblars edged away as Kelford released his grip on his aura.
“ In all my life I haven’t hated anything like I hate all of you,” The words rushed out of Kelford even as he mentally reached for the Shadow Essence in the area. Motes of essence rushed from the shadow of the fortress, hidden cracks and crevices, then bolstered by the essence in Amulet of Storing.
Darkness
He was done playing around.
Shadows exploded over the area sending the gnoblars scrambling. Kelford dashed forward blade blazing with essence.
Empowered Strike
His sword cut through flesh with contemptuous ease before finding another victim. The gnoblars screamed in rage as they tried to find some semblance of order. They retreated from the magical darkness, trying to get their bearings. Kelford cut them down as they scrambled away, hunting in his magical darkness until it's blinding effect broke apart. Only four gnoblars lived to see the light, if only briefly. The leaders eyes were wide as it watched Kelford throw himself at it’s remaining underlings. The circle was broken and their roars of defiance died in their throats.
Radiance of the Black Sun
The lingering essence of Darkness contorted and empowered waves of fear. The first gnoblar staggered back, eyes bulging as Kelford pounced on its distraction. His blade split its guts across the snow as essence empowered it to cut straight through the next. The last gnoblar simply fell to its knees, tears in its eyes. Kelford decapitated it heedless of its blubbering begging . Blazing purple eyes locked on the leader. The last living gnoblar. It staggered back, weapons and power forgotten as it watched the monster stalk towards it.
“ You’re pathetic. Weak, leering freaks that revel in suffering,” each word oozed disgust as Kelford stalked forward, “ I had to crawl in the dark for weeks! Again and again until I can crawl my way into the light only to die to you ! You don’t remember. Don’t have to remember but I do. You know what the part that haunts my dreams the most is ?! The laughing. It’s not the knives, not my blood ebbing into stone, not the feeling of myself FADING away!”
The head Gnoblar Gorger Hunter tried to find some flicker of courage, some spark of anger. Then the aura washed over it and it learned how scared it could be.
“ It’s constant. Never ending , it’s the part of the nightmares that never, fucking stopped!”
Kelford’s tears froze to his cheeks as pummeled the gnoblar.
“You laughed every time. Every.Single.Time! I’d push all the way up here. Practice in the dark, cut my way back to the surface just so I can have the reward of being TORTURED TO DEATH BY YOU!!!”
Bones snapped and dimly Kelford could hear the gnoblar scream. He was too lost in his own despair to care. The wind howled around him.
“ You are EVERYTHING I despise about this place. The wall that blocks my path out of here. The fight that threatened to leave me catatonic in my sleep, as it played over and over and over in my NIGHTMARES!”
The kicks no longer broke bones. The wind howled.
“ I hate you. I hate this place. I used to fall down and cry during training after bad runs. I used to ask myself why go through this? Was it worth it? T.U.I thought so. T.U.I pushed me to train, reminded me of all the reasons why I wanted to complete the quest. The benefits, the potential Classes ! She didn’t have to die. Didn’t have to lay there as the fear creeped in. What if the Tower doesn’t bring me back, what if this is how I actually die. Then I thought it would all be worth it…if only for this moment.”
Kelford had stopped kicking, his boots were red. When did the wind get so loud?
“ The moment I could make you feel just a taste of the fear you left me with through all these runs.”
The gnoblar was dead. Its chest was a mess but Kelford was too emotionally exhausted to care. The wind howled around him, snow blanketed the landscape. Only the fortress stood out in the blizzard. it’s grey, metal gate slightly ajar. Just open enough for someone to slip through. Kelford stared at the body before him before turning to the rest. He couldn’t see them. They were already buried in the snow. It was dreamlike.Yet Kelford knew it wasn’t a dream. He didn’t hear their echoing laughs in the wind. Kelford staggered past the bloody corpse, near in awe as he finally stepped beyond the first room of the 5th floor.