Warfang: (Sky Realms Online Book 5): A LitRPG Series

by Troy Osgood

  Swinging the spear low, Hall slammed the ironwood shaft into the soldier’s ankles. Leather boots did nothing to deaden the blow. The soldier yelped, hopping to the side, taking the blunt end of the spear in his chest. Hall rotated the spear around his shoulder, slamming the shaft below the sharp tip onto the soldier’s shoulder. The man stumbled back, Hall sliding the shaft of the spear through his hands. He gripped it tight, ramming the tip into the Expedition soldier’s throat.

  Pulling the spear out, Hall did a quick rotation, seeing that it was clear of Expedition soldiers. For now.

  He ran deeper into the camp, heading toward where he had seen the Desmarik and Norn. Smaller fights raged everywhere, the flash and boom of spells. He saw some of the Expedition soldiers returning spells, the buzz of arrows through the air.

  A caster appeared in front of him as Hall stepped around a tree. Activating Leap, Hall covered the distance quickly, landing next to the surprised caster. He didn’t even take the time to see if the enemy was a Witch or a Shaman. The spear stabbed, catching the caster in the side. Pulling the weapon back, Hall stabbed forward again, catching the turning and falling caster in the chest. The man hit the ground, not getting up.

  Hall heard shouting, someone yelling at the Expedition soldiers, trying to get them organized. He saw the soldiers running toward the clearing, gathering together. They encircled a small group, the Desmarik and Norn among them.

  There were about a dozen Expedition soldiers left, forming in the clearing under the command of whoever was in the center. He was almost as tall as the Desmarik, almost as broad. Blond hair, dark blue tattoos across his face and bald head, long braided beard hanging down his chest. A Storvgarde.

  The Norn shouted something, pointing a finger toward him. A blast of white energy shot out. Hall dove to the ground, the beam slamming into the tree behind him. Pushing himself off the ground, Hall saw the tree had turned white with frost where the beam had struck, tendrils spreading up and down the trunk.

  “What’s the plan?” Roxhard said, appearing beside him.

  The Dwarf was bleeding from multiple wounds.

  Hall wasn’t sure how to respond. They needed to attack the clearing. The more time they delayed, the more time the Expedition Lumber Company had to dig in. There didn’t appear to be any other casters besides the Norn, but their position would make it harder for Hall and his allies to attack without taking heavy damage.

  But if they just charged, they’d take even more damage. Either way they went, it was going to hurt.

  Arrows flew from the woods on the other side, the Expedition Bladeswingers lifting shields, the three in the middle ducking down. It distracted the ones on Hall’s side, causing them to turn.

  “Let’s go,” Hall said, seeing an opening. He sent a mental command to Pike.

  Using Leap, Hall arced low, covering the space quickly. He heard the pounding steps of Roxhard across the forest floor as the Dwarf activated his Battle Rush ability. They got to the circle of Expedition soldiers at the same time, the Bladeswingers turning back to see the attack. Roxhard slammed into two, the force of his charge knocking them back. His axe swung horizontally, just above the shields. One soldier’s head went rolling off, the other managing to avoid serious damage. Getting his shield up, he knocked Roxhard’s axe away.

  Hall landed in front of a surprised soldier, the shield lowering, a spear sliding right over the top. The end of Hall’s spear caught the soldier in the throat. Looking down at the weapon in surprise, the man fell backwards. Yanking the spear out, Hall twisted and drove the weapon into the side of the next soldier.

  He twisted, avoiding an attack from the other side. A blue-white bolt of lightning struck the soldier as Pike flew by overhead. It wasn’t enough to kill but enough to distract. Hall twisted, swinging the buckler into the soldier’s face. He fell back, giving Hall the space to stab the spear into his chest, dropping him to the ground.

  A large gap opened in the Expedition’s ring defense, leaving it open to the three in the middle. Hall heard and felt, not really seeing, Jackoby rushing past. The large Firbolg slammed into the Expedition’s Storvgardian leader.

  Soldiers on the sides of him tried to rush in but were intercepted by Caryn or Roxhard, spells from Sharra and Leigh slamming into them. The defensive ring fell apart.

  Hall activated Leap, jumping straight up and arcing down the short distance. He wanted to strike the Norn, but he was too far; instead Hall hit a glancing blow to Jackoby’s foe with Leaping Stab. He landed in front of the surprised Desmarik, using his Attack of Opportunity to land a solid hit in the green-skinned warrior’s chest. The strange pitted and rough metal armor stopped most of the damage. Quickly activating Double Thrust, Hall landed blows in the Desmarik’s shoulder and thigh.

  The Desmarik was quick to recover, swinging the two-handed axe in one hand. A weak swing, it slammed into Hall’s buckler with enough force to stagger the lighter Half-Elf. Regaining his footing, the Desmarik grabbed the shaft of the axe with both hands, bringing it up to deliver a vicious blow down on Hall.

  He growled in pain as talons raked across his exposed face. Pike couldn’t attack anywhere but the Desmarik’s face, the large spikes on the shoulder pauldrons preventing it. But the face was more vulnerable, and Pike was happy to take that option.

  Green blood dripped down the Desmarik’s face as he released the axe with one hand, reaching up to brush away the blood with the other. Instead his hand brushed against the shaft of Hall’s spear as it pushed through his neck. Eyes wide in shock, the Desmarik fell backwards.

  Hall kicked out, pushing the dying Desmarik back. The larger humanoid slammed into the Norn, the spell he was about to cast fizzling.

  Angrily, the Norn turned to look at the Desmarik, eyes widening when he saw Hall’s spear. The tip caught him in the shoulder. Hall pushed, driving the Norn to the ground. He tried to get up, but Hall pushed against the spear.

  Barking a word, light erupted from the Norn’s other hand, driving Hall back. He blinked his eyes, trying to get rid of the spots, holding the spear across his body defensively. There had to be an attack coming, but he couldn’t see it. Everything was a bright white.

  Slowly, blinking his eyes rapidly, Hall’s vision returned. The white faded, turning to spots that disappeared.

  He looked around for the Norn, seeing the body at his feet. Lying facedown, knife in hand, three arrows sticking out of his back, red leaking out, staining the white robe red.

  Hall saw Dain and two of the Rangers standing about twenty feet away. He raised his spear in thanks. Dain nodded.

  SLAIN: Expedition Bladeswinger

  +35 Experience (+35 Faction Enemy Bonus Experience)

  SLAIN: Expedition Bladeswinger

  +35 Experience (+35 Faction Enemy Bonus Experience)

  SLAIN: Expedition Bladeswinger

  +35 Experience (+35 Faction Enemy Bonus Experience)

  SLAIN: Expedition Bladeswinger

  +35 Experience (+35 Faction Enemy Bonus Experience)

  SLAIN: Expedition Bladeswinger

  +45 Experience (+45 Faction Enemy Bonus Experience)

  SLAIN: Expedition Bladeswinger

  +45 Experience (+45 Faction Enemy Bonus Experience)

  SLAIN: Expedition Shadowcaster

  +35 Experience (+35 Faction Enemy Bonus Experience)

  Red Storm Caste Wartalker

  +45 Experience

  Cerulean Regency Hexcaster

  +25 Experience

  Skill Gain!

  Light Armor Rank Two +.5

  Skill Gain!

  Polearms Rank Two +1.2

  Skill Gain!

  Shields Rank One +1.0

  Skill Gain!

  Small Blades Rank Two +.5

  RETAKING THE NORTH I

  Kill members of the Expedition Lumber Company 24/150

  The notifications flashed across his vision. Hall dismissed them, studying the last two Experience gains. He had wondered if adding the Desmarik they’d
encountered in Greenfire, the Black Growl Caste, would carry over to any other he met. It didn’t. He’d need to add this Red Storm Caste to the faction enemies list. As well as the Cerulean Regency.

  Hall was somewhat surprised to see them here. He had suspected the Regency’s mysterious allies were the Desmarik Republic; this just confirmed it. So did the quest notification.

  THE LONG SCROLL III

  Learn more about the Cerulean Regency’s allies 1/1

  Hall would have liked to have questioned the Norn. Found out more about the Champions. Who or what were they? He was sure there would be other Norns in the area. Just how deep were they with the Desmarik and now the Expedition Lumber Company?

  He could see what the Desmarik were doing. Instead of bringing in a full invasion force, find willing allies to help them do the bulk of the work. Allies who were looking to upset the status quo. The Cerulean Regency was one of the nine ruling clans of the Norns. Maybe they were hoping to become the only ruling clans.

  Help the Desmarik and get amnesty? Get to keep their own lands free from Desmarik control?

  But how long would that last before the Desmarik got greedy for it all?

  He looked around the camp, seeing that the fighting had stopped.

  Dain walked closer, the Rangers spreading out to check for any survivors or Expedition forces in hiding.

  “A Norn,” he asked, looking down at the white-skinned corpse. “What are they doing here?” He shifted his attention to the green-skinned humanoid. “One of your Desmarik? They are impressive looking. Why would they need demons?”

  “They weren’t always that way,” Sharra said, coming up to them. Tulla hung in the cage, giving off a violet light. She sat at the edge of the cage, looking down at the Desmarik with clear hate. “Long ago, they were the same as you and I. Physically at least, in size and stature. Then they started summoning the demons. Years associated with the demonic energy corrupted them, turning them into what you see now.”

  She crouched down, reaching under the Desmarik’s metal breastplate.

  “By the time they were physically as they are now, it was too late. Demons were too connected with every aspect of their culture. Without the demons, they are nothing.”

  “Is there one?” Tulla asked.

  “No,” Sharra replied, standing up. She noticed that Hall and Dain were looking at her, confused. “Some Desmarik when they are alone like this one, they carry a jewel that can summon a single demon,” she explained.

  “Can one of those be given to another?” Hall asked, thinking back to the Norns on Huntley who had summoned a demon as well as the Witch who worked for Cornet in trying to take over Silverpeak Keep. How deep were the Desmarik tied to the various factions of Hankarth?

  Sharra glanced down at the Norn, crouching quickly. With Dain’s help, she turned the dead man over. Hall could see a silver chain around the Norn’s neck. Sharra pulled a pendant out from the robes, holding it up. About two inches long, it was roughly a diamond made out of metal, intricate swirls and lines filling the shape. More came off the four sides like bolts of energy. Hall could feel energy coming off the pendant. It made him shiver.

  “These are onetime-use items,” Sharra said, tugging on the chain, pulling it free. She held it in front of Tulla.

  “I can’t tell,” the little fairy said. “A minor demon but not what kind.”

  Sharra held the pendant up, examining it, turning it around, looking at all the angles. Finally, she opened her pouch, sliding the amulet into it.

  “Is that safe?” Hall asked.

  She nodded. “Safe enough. The design is a cage of sorts. A demon is bound to it, forced to come when bidden. Only uttering the control word will release the demon.”

  That was good enough for Hall.

  “Let’s get moving,” he said. “I want to put some distance between us and the camp.”

  He glanced at Roxhard, who was busy going through the corpses.

  “Leave it,” he said.

  Roxhard grumbled a bit, moving away from the bodies, not wanting to leave any potential loot behind.

  Chapter 31

  Dain led them north. They encountered no more Expedition patrols but saw numerous signs of their passage. It was over a day’s travel from the camp they encountered the first signs of the corruption.

  The trees grew thick around them, green-leaved bushes, a bed of pine needles across the ground. A stretch of forest that had been untouched until recently.

  Purple stood out against the green leaves. Only a couple at first, scattered, barely noticeable. Leigh was the first to notice it, calling their attention to the few leaves. Then more started to appear, not just one here and there, but larger groups. Veins spread across the ground, crawling up the tree trunks.

  As they walked, it became more obvious.

  Leigh stopped, motioning for Tello and Surri to join her. The others spread out, forming a defensive circle around the Druids. Hall and Dain stood near, watching.

  “It’s safe to touch,” Leigh said, reaching up and grabbing a leaf with her hand. Gently she broke it off from the branch, a thin trail of slime following. She shook it, removing the slime.

  Holding it by the stem, she held it for the two Druids to see. The three leaned in close, talking quietly. Hall didn’t pay attention, his eyes moving around the forest. He’d heard Leigh talk about how the corruption attacked nature before.

  Lesson done, she handed the leaf to Surri. The Wood Elf looked at it, hesitating. Her eyes looked up, seeing Hall and Dain watching. With a scowl, she took the leaf. Purple energy started to surround her exposed hands, the edges of the long sleeves of her robe revealing light from within. The glow traveled up the stem of the leaf, covering it all. It flared, growing brighter and then very faint, barely there. Surri’s fingers tightened, her face showing intense concentration.

  Slowly, Hall saw green return to the leaf, the evil-looking purple fading. The last bit of corruption left, and Surri let out a deep breath, her hands no longer glowing. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she breathed heavily, acting like she’d run for miles.

  Hall remembered the first time that Seo and Bealee had tried to cleanse the corruption. Both had collapsed on the ground, near exhausted.

  Surri looked at the now green leaf in wonder. She turned, looking at the tree. Not every leaf was purple, but enough were. She shook her head, turning back to Leigh.

  “I apologize for my behavior, Custodian,” she said with a slight bow. “Cleansing this one leaf was one of the hardest things I have done. Cleansing all the forest…” She trailed off.

  Tello looked from her to the leaf, shocked.

  “There is nothing to apologize for,” Leigh said, reaching out and taking the Wood Elf’s hand. “Some things just need to be seen.”

  “May I?” Tello asked, looking at the tree.

  Leigh nodded. Tello reached up, gently removing a corrupted leaf from a branch. Hall had a feeling that Tello was younger, the equivalent age of Seo possibly. In human years, possibly low twenties.

  He concentrated on the leaf he held, a red glow surrounding his hands. With his sleeves rolled up, Hall could see the glow extending up his arms, following the lines of the intricate tattooing he had. The red covered the sickly purple leaf. The war between purple and red went on longer, Tello shaking at points. Finally the purple faded, the last bit crawling up a tip and disappearing. Tello shivered as the red glow faded.

  “There is no way we can do this,” he said, tears in his eyes. He pulled the cleansed leaf in close, holding it tight against his chest.

  Surri reached out, putting an arm around him. Leigh touched his shoulder, drawing his attention.

  “Not with the source active,” Leigh told him. “We must first remove that power, and then we can start cleansing.”

  “It will take decades,” he said, shaking his head. “The land will be foul for years.”

  “I don’t believe so,” Leigh told him, smiling, her voice full of conviction. �
�Without the constant power, nature starts to take over. It wants to be reborn. Each new cycle will bring more growth and cleansing with it. It will not take long,” she said, trying to reassure the young Wood Elf.

  It seemed to be working. The tears stopped falling, and he smiled.

  Hall wasn’t sure if Leigh was telling the truth or just what Tello wanted to hear. It had taken months of hard work to fully cleanse Meadow Grove, and that area was much, much smaller than the forest that had been corrupted.

  Maybe time had something to do with it. How long had Vertoyi been corrupted and influencing the Grove? But he hadn’t been directly sending the corruption; it had just grown from him. Here it seemed the corruption was coming from a source.

  Hall trusted Leigh, though. If she said it wouldn’t take long, then it wouldn’t take long.

  Leigh turned away from the Loch Hedn Druids, both still clutching their leaves reverently, walking to Hall and Dain.

  “We need to find that source and stop it quickly,” she said. “I think that needs to be our priority.”

  “LakeEdge is only a day away,” Dain said. “Warfang is weeks away, north of Graymalkin. And we do not even know exactly where the Hill is.”

  “I know, but the corruption will get worse the longer we let the demonic power feed it,” Leigh argued. She looked at Hall, pleading with her eyes.

  Hall agreed with Leigh but was hesitant to make the decision. It went against the gamer in him. Pulling up the quest log, he looked at the four towns and mills they were supposed to liberate.

  RETAKING THE NORTH I

  Kill members of the Expedition Lumber Company 24/150

  Retake the village of LakeEdge 0/1

  Retake the village of Cliff’s Walk 0/1

  Retake the Gray Tree Farms 0/1