The Forsaken Crypts

by Terry C. Simpson

He headed into the Auction Market, intent on acquiring a new weapon, ammo, armor, and jewelry. Rows of small partitioned booths lined the interior, each row separated by a walkway large enough for two people to walk abreast of each other. Attendants in green jackets had the symbol of a hammer on their lapels. Frost studied the patrons, noting that many bore an emblem either on one side of their chest, on their shoulder, their cloak, or a combination of the three.

  Choosing a booth in a corner away from any other patrons, he strode over and sat on the chair provided. A thought connected him with the Auction Market interface.

  “Welcome to the Auction Market, shopper. I’m your host, Marie.” A fair-skinned, two-foot female asrai popped into Frost’s mind. Wings buzzing, she flitted this way and that. She stopped in front of Frost and graced him with a smile.

  “Hi, Marie. I’m Frost.”

  “Helllooooo, Mr. Frost. Brrrrrr.” She rubbed her arms and giggled. “Since this is your first time here, it is advisable to run the tutorial. It will give you a grasp of bidding, selling, longs, shorts, base pricing, duration, pick up, delivery, and other nuances needed for a good experience. Do you wish to run the tutorial now or skip it?”

  “Skip it.”

  Marie’s lips curved down in obvious disappointment. “Awwwww. Have you purchased a warehouse to have your items delivered? Smaller items can go directly into your inventory, but weapons, construction materials, and certain other things must be delivered to your warehouse where you can retrieve them.”

  “I haven’t yet.”

  “Would you like to purchase one now?” She perked up, wings flitting faster as she darted around Frost. “Your warehouse will be accessible in any town or city. Certain villages also have the capability. But this applies only in Coalition-owned territory.”

  “What’re the prices?”

  “Five thousand credits of any currency for a basic warehouse. Ten thousand for mid-range. Twenty thousand for deluxe.”

  Frost winced, knowing he had no choice in order to get a new weapon. “Fine. I’ll go with basic and pay in IDC.”

  “Yay!” Marie clapped. “Ignis dominion credits it is, for a basic warehouse. Say yes to confirm the agreement.”

  “Yes.”

  “Congratulations, you are now the owner of a basic warehouse!” She flew in circles before returning to hover in front of Frost.

  IM dinged. Notifications informed him of the warehouse’s size and location. A demo showed it to be more like a storage shed in a building on the town’s outskirts.

  “Happy bidding and selling. Goodbye!” The asrai flew away before disappearing in a poof.

  The Auction Market interface popped up with types of items listed at the top from left to right. Each had an icon. Weapons, Armor, Jewelry, Ammunition, Hierkas, Skill Shards, Skill-Effect Shards, Gems, Schemas, Materials. Letting his vision drift over one or another provided an additional range of options for sorting or searching.

  Identifying rarity was done by color. Common was in white, superior in green, rare in blue, epic in violet, legendary in orange, and relic in red. Hierkas fell in a classification called genesiswork, started at rare, and ended at genesis, which was dark purple, and one level above relic.

  Frost chose hierkas. Options opened up for bidding or selling. He chose bidding. Next, he picked level range from ten to twelve. Ignoring all the other hierka types, he settled on aether cannons. A list opened up with available aether cannons that met his criteria.

  Frowning, he looked for a way to input skill boosts connected to a weapon. He saw none. On a whim, he thought about searching for a hierka with added Cannon Kata. The search returned no results. Frost sighed.

  “Any type of cannon from level ten to twelve.”

  The first list returned. Frost roved down the choices. The damage according to level was identical on all of them. So was the force. All but one. A level twelve epic cannon called The Stunner. Its force was thirty. Its special was five percent chance to stagger on a hit. A note from the buyer said it was a drop from Emperor KiGyaba.

  He chose to see the cannon. In his mind’s eye, a live version of the weapon appeared. The Stunner was longer than Deadeye by about six inches. Its barrel was broader, black, and sleek. The battery pack was on the top right, midway down the weapon. The trigger assembly and handle were at the rear, apparently a common aether cannon feature.

  Frost whistled at the price. Ten thousand credits of any kind for an outright purchase. The bids started at a thousand. He’d be almost broke if he chose the weapon. And yet, he couldn’t let the chance slip by. Nor could he wait for the end of bidding in three days. With a sigh, he clicked buy.

  The asrai popped up. “Are you certain about this outright purchase?”

  “Yes.”

  Marie clapped her hands joyfully. “Awesome! How do you wish to pay?”

  Frost took a look at his credits.

  7050 IDC

  8000 KDC

  “Split evenly between IDC and KDC.”

  “Sold! You may pick up your purchase at your warehouse.” Poof, she was gone again. As was the image of the cannon.

  His credits diminished accordingly. After a deep breath, Frost took a look at his other needs. Buying any piece of armor or jewelry was out of the question. So were skill and skill-effect shards. Those were insanely expensive.

  His next skill, Strafe, was at level fifteen. He sighed. Having it now would have saved some time, but the seller wanted six thousand LDC.

  Hoping for some luck, he searched for any of the empowered spells for Benediction. The results came up empty each time.

  With a shake of his head, he spent a thousand of each credit type on korbitanium projectiles. Two thousand projectiles popped into his inventory.

  Thinking of a way to increase his power by utilizing shard slots, Frost took a look at the gems. They came in two main forms: precious and semi-precious. The first consisted of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and sapphires, all high level, and none for sale. There were quite a few of the second type, including tourmalines, peridots, topazes, amethysts, and citrines. When placed in a shard slot, they boosted various weapon or skill properties. It was the lesser version of empowerment. The cheapest to be found started at three thousand credits. Frost sighed.

  He closed out the gem menu and proceeded to miscellaneous. There, he bought a drake whistle for five hundred IDC.

  Acquired item:

  Drake Whistle

  Bonds with owner’s drake. With this item, the owner can call his drake to him from up to a distance of twenty miles. Once taught to fly away, the drake will remain within range. Blow the whistle while touching the specific drake to create a bond. Once bonded, the whistle only works for that drake.

  He decided to keep the rest of his credits for emergency. Frost took the storm lance, Luminance, from his inventory. He listed it with a starting bid of two thousand credits. Outright price was ten thousand. Perhaps he could make back what he’d spent for The Stunner.

  Marie reappeared. “Hello, again, Mr. Frost. If you would be so kind as to give the item to one of our attendants, who will take it to our warehouse until it is sold.” She gestured toward the booth’s doorway.

  A gurash man waited, dressed in the Auction Market’s green jacket over a yellow kimono. Frost passed Luminance to him.

  “If you have other items for sale, you may list them,” Marie said.

  Frost considered listing the skill shards before deciding to keep them. “That’s all I’m selling today.”

  “Thank you.” Marie vanished once more.

  The gurash bowed, turned on his heels, and strode away. A ding returned Frost’s attention to the auction interface. Luminance had appeared as an icon listed under Frost’s name.

  Frost disconnected from the Market. As he was about to leave, his Comm Orb din
ged. It was Dante, his high-pitched voice more than a little excited.

  “Hey, bro. Glad you hit me up. I’ll be right here with Ryne. Can’t wait until you reach so we can get down to some real action. We’re staying at an inn called the Creeping Man on Dervish Street. West end of town. Second floor. Room two-oh-two. If we’re not in our rooms, we’ll be in the bar area, playing shevla. See you soon.”

  A smile crept onto Frost’s face with the thought of Ryne. Dante and the goblin were the last two people he would have expected to be together. Shaking his head at the thought, he left the building and made his way to pick up RnB. Only to find several people inspecting the drake.

  RnB had his head down and seemed utterly depressed by the attention. He perked up when he saw Frost. Seeing the drake’s misery, Frost called RnB over with a simple wave.

  One of the people, a human woman, approached Frost as he was mounting RnB. Dressed in a long, flowing, green silk dress with shimmering sleeves and a cloak to match, she reeked of riches. “Hello, good sir.” Her voice was a wind chime.

  Frost turned RnB to face her. The woman didn’t shy away from the drake’s maw. Not even when RnB snorted.

  Her face was angular, brown-skinned, her skin smooth. Beautiful. Her hazel eyes were particularly intoxicating. It was as if she drank him in.

  “Hello.” Frost tossed his hood back and inclined his head.

  She smiled and returned the gesture. “My intention wasn’t to bother you, but my guildmaster collects rare drakes. He’d be especially interested in this one. You would be greatly compensated.”

  “It’s no bother, but I’m not interested.” Frost shrugged. “Sorry.”

  “Twenty thousand credits of your choice wouldn’t interest you?” Her eyes said she was serious.

  Frost’s brows shot up. He thought of the gear he could buy with the money. But almost immediately, he heard Pop’s voice, warning him of things that seemed too good to be true.

  “Forty thousand?” She smiled. Even her eyes twinkled.

  Frost narrowed his eyes. If the woman was willing to pay that much, RnB had to be special in some way. Extra special, probably. “Nah. This guy’s more a friend than just a mount. Money can’t buy friendship. Thanks for asking, though.”

  “Fifty thousand.” Her voice was flat now.

  “No thanks. And not meaning to be rude, but I gotta go.”

  “Very well. Can I at least know your name for when we meet again?”

  Frost almost replied with the truth before he caught himself. “I’m Lan.”

  She looked to Frost, brow furrowed, a few moments passing before she added, “And your last name in case my guildmaster wishes to contact you with an even better price?”

  Frost ground his jaw. “Just Lan, ma’am. And good evening.”

  “Well, Lan, if you should change your mind, my name is Meileen Elune. You can reach me by Orb. I’m sure we shall speak again. Good evening.” She turned and glided away, her cloak hiding her form. Emblazoning the cloak’s back was a crossed storm lance and a greatsword, a shield, and a brazier with a flame.

  Frost frowned at the design. Two men Frost had not noticed before stepped forward to meet the woman. They wore the elaborate signature silver armor of Vindicators. Their cloaks bore a tan mountain split by a blue river. The Coalition’s Mountain and the Aetherstream.

  Frost licked his lips at the sight of the Vindicators. A prickle of fear eased through him. What if she’d been to the bounty boards? What if she had recognized me?

  Sweat beading his forehead, he turned down an alley and hurried toward his warehouse. He had to flee this town as soon as possible.

  CHAPTER 11

  As Frost approached the warehouse, he linked RnB with the drake whistle. While touching RnB’s neck, he blew the whistle three times. There was no sound Frost could hear, but RnB immediately gurgled. IM alerted Frost of the active bond.

  Rather than use the hitching rail out front, Frost circled behind the warehouse to a copse of trees. When he found a spot where he thought RnB would be hidden, he dismounted. With a thought, he released the part of the reins that served as RnB’s tether. This way RnB could escape should someone try to take him.

  Frost preferred for the drake to fly off and wait for him to whistle, but he needed to teach RnB some sort of command to leave in the first place. Still, at least there was the bond. Something was better than nothing.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes, boy.” Frost reached up and stroked RnB’s head, the drake having snaked it down toward him. RnB gurgled.

  As Frost strode away, footsteps on the soft ground alerted him to RnB’s presence. Frost turned. RnB stopped. The drake was several feet away from the trees, watching Frost, eyes glinting gold, head tilted to one side.

  “You gotta stay here.” Frost help up his hand, palm outward.

  RnB tilted his head even more. He released a series of gurgles like a complaining belly.

  “Alright.” Frost nodded. “Whatever you just said. But I still need you to stay.” He held up his palm again.

  When RnB voiced no other complaint, Frost turned to leave. He made but two steps before snapping his head around. RnB froze, but the drake had definitely taken a step of its own.

  Frost strode over to the drake. RnB lowered his head level with Frost’s face. The drake snorted, breath positively rancid. Frost wrinkled his nose.

  “You can’t come into the warehouse, and I don’t want people bothering you.” Frost stroked RnB’s snout. “Come on.” He gestured for the drake to follow him and strode away. RnB turned and walked alongside Frost.

  When they reached among the trees, Frost stopped. “Please stay, alright?” He held up his palm. RnB snorted. “I’ll take that as a reluctant yes.”

  Frost smiled, turned away, made to take a step, and spun back around. He caught RnB with a leg raised. Smirking, Frost looked from the leg to RnB’s face and shook his head. The leg lowered to the ground. RnB gurgled.

  “I’d rather you be with me also. I promise I’ll be back soon.” Frost took in those intelligent golden pupils and irises surrounded by black sclera. “Stay. Pleasssseeee.” He held up his palm once more.

  RnB hung his head. He gurgled once, a quick sound that cut off abruptly.

  Frost acted as if he were leaving again. When he made a sudden turn back to the drake, RnB had not moved.

  “Thank you.” Frost gave the drake a sad smile, sighed, and departed with a heavy heart.

  Halfway across the field, he checked behind him once more. RnB had not moved. The drake was well hidden among the trees.

  Frost hurried to the three-storied building and entered. He spoke to one of the attendants, this one a female goblin with smiling eyes. The goblin led Frost to the warehouse, a ten-foot square room with shelves along two walls. The aether cannon was sitting on a shelf. Frost picked up the sleek black weapon.

  Acquired weapon: The Stunner

  Level: 12

  Damage: 120 − 140

  Force: 30

  Special: 5% chance to stagger on a hit

  Available shard slots: 3

  He equipped The Stunner, replacing Deadeye as his main weapon. The jump in his total damage brought an appreciative nod. One hundred and ninety-four to two hundred and fourteen. He looked forward to how fast he could drop enemies now and the chance to stagger them without using a skill.

  Frost turned to the attendant. “What if I wanted to leave my old weapon here?”

  “You could.” The goblin gestured to the shelf.

  “And if I wanted to put it on sale in the Market?”

  “We have a link to the Market. We would be alerted of the listing and place the weapon in the system.”

  “Thanks.” Deciding to keep Deadeye with him as a backup, Frost placed the cannon in his inve
ntory. With The Stunner resting atop his shoulder, he left the establishment.

  Outside, he brought the whistle to his lips and blew. As before, he heard no sound, but moments later flapping wings and a familiar cry announced RnB’s arrival. The drake landed next to Frost, kicking up dust. With The Stunner in hand, Frost climbed onto RnB’s back. He took a hold of the reins, pulled up, and RnB took off with a great beat of his wings.

  A mere thought brought up the map of Mikander and its two main continents, Marang and Korbash. It was akin to looking at a fully colorized render with his location on Marang marked as a red dot. Across the Empyrean Sea was Korbash, about a third the size of Marang.

  The world’s eight dominions were listed in white with the battle-scarred mountain range of the Dagoda Front separating the draconid-controlled Akufa dominion from Nimri, Ignis, Khertahka, Puria, and Lothal. In Korbash, there was the gargant dominion of Ostenia, and the yurid mountain and sky home, Lantano. Each dominion was further separated into nomes, with some cities, towns, forests, mountains, oceans, and various dungeons or places of interest clearly marked.

  If he focused on a location, he could zoom into it, but there were no details for most of them. Only shadow. From experience, he knew the details of the cities and towns only became visible after he’d visited them.

  He assumed the many shadowy spaces on the map worked in the same fashion. Most of them were beyond the Dagoda Front or in Korbash.

  Right now, he needed to find Nalanda. In response to his query, the town’s name glowed yellow. Nalanda was directly south from his location. Judging by the distance he’d already covered, he could make it there in a few hours, a tad after nightfall.

  Frost coaxed as much speed as he could from RnB. The drake’s wings beat a constant rhythm, the ground below a blur as they sped across a sky whose clouds burned with the burnished hues of early evening. The cool wind whipped Frost’s black cloak behind him.

  Concern for Gilda crept into Frost’s mind. He tried to chase away the worry by thinking about times they’d spent together. He smiled as he recalled their fight against the Azureguards in Snakewood Forest. Then, there was the dreamleaf they’d fed to the Sky Swords. The mad dash to Marna. He had particularly fond thoughts of her prowess and knowledge when they’d fought Azonoth and cleared Imanok Sanctum, killing Emperor KiGyaba.