by Jakob Tanner
The giant Rorn lifted up his right arm, pointing his finger to the clouds. Lightning struck his finger and he swiped his arm across the battlefield.
A Party Member Has Fallen
A Party Member Has Fallen
A Party Member Has Fallen
A Party Member Has Fallen
A Party Member Has Fallen
33
I blinked. Everything around me swayed. My vision blurred. What the heck happened? A bitter metal taste filled my mouth. I wiped my lips with my hand and dark red blood covered my fingers. What the—?
My HP was at 10%. How was I still alive? Sparks flickered off my mage gear. Eldron’s cloak. The rare mage gear and its increased resistance against lightning damage had just saved my life.
I materialized an HP potion in my hand. I uncorked it while my head swayed. I only had seconds to live if I didn’t take action. I brought the HP potion to my lips and chugged it down. After my first quick sip, my HP jumped up by 5%. My vision came back, my heart stopped beating at a thousand beats per second. I got a sense of what was happening.
Renful’s AoE lightning attack had wiped the whole party except for me. It killed the majority of the lesser ghost spirits as well.
I finished the HP potion and found myself above 50% health. I materialized another when a large shadow loomed over me. A giant ball of lightning was hurled in my direction.
I electric blinked out of the blast radius.
The rest of my party was dead. The entire plan was now in my hands. If I died, we were done for. Sure we’d respawn in a couple of hours, but who knew what such a future looked like. The Arethkarian regiment could have taken over the place by then. Our entire mission would be a failure. Arethkar and its enslaving magitech would take over all of Illyria and the world would fall into the fantasy dystopian nightmare we’d all been fighting against.
Renful launched another lightning ball in my direction. I electric blinked away.
I scanned the battlefield, searching for my dead comrades. I was looking for one in particular. Kari’s corpse laid in the middle of the stone staircase between Renful and me. I cast shocking speed and hurried to Kari’s fallen body.
Renful saw what I was doing and whipped another lightning bomb in the direction of Kari’s corpse.
Crap.
I halted and stayed out of the range of Renful’s attack. The lightning burst and crackled onto the stone steps. It had no effect on Kari’s motionless corpse. I hurried towards her and initiated nature’s revival. Kari’s small body glowed with a silver light and she coughed and gasped back to life. I didn’t have time to gently nurse her back to health, so I practically suffocated her with an HP potion.
A shadow loomed over us. Another lighting bomb. I grabbed Kari and held her to my chest and triggered flame dodge, sliding down the staircase, leaving a trail of fire. I placed Kari back down and she looked around. “Clay, what happened?”
“Renful has a super powerful AoE spell capable of wiping the whole party. We need to revive everyone.”
Kari nodded.
“Watch out for Renful’s lightning bombs as well. He knows we’re trying to revive the party, so he throws them right at our party member’s corpses.”
We split up. I ran for Serena, while Kari went for Jackson.
Renful threw out another lightning bomb at Serena, giving Kari the momentum to get to Jackson. She threw up her arms and cast raise, bringing Jackson back to life. She then spammed her heal spell until Jackson was back to full HP.
“This is a real nasty boss then,” grunted Jackson. “I can’t remember last time we were so close to a full wipe!”
Kari moved forward and brought Shade back to life. A lightning bomb fell towards them right as Shade gasped his first breath of air. Kari jumped back while Jackson picked Shade up and got him out of the blast radius.
I took the opportunity to run over to Serena and cast nature’s revival. Her body glowed silver until coughing back to life.
“What happened?” she said in a daze.
I helped her up. “The whole party but me was wiped by Renful.”
She rubbed her eyes and took in the deadly boss guarding the Iron Citadel’s control center.
“He mainly has two moves: ranged lightning projectiles and the deadly AoE attack,” I said. “He lifted up his right arm to summon the attack last time. That’s the signal for us to get out of range.”
“Got it,” said Serena. “Let’s do this guys.”
Serena charged Renful for the second time. Strafing in and out of the shadows of incoming lightning bombs as she ascended the steps towards the large ghost spellcaster. Jackson and Shade ran behind her.
“Protect Thy Allies,” shouted Serena, leaping in a crushing blow into Renful’s left arm. The blow left a mark on his arm, but hardly a deep gash. I threw out my arms and cast water blast. “Combo with my water projectile!”
Serena triggered blade tornado like a baseball player up to bat, catching my water projectile right as it was coming past her. The blade caught the water magic and sliced into Renful’s stomach. The ability was super effective. The spellcaster jumped back from the attacks. He lifted up his right arm.
“That’s the signal,” I yelled. “Everyone get back. Kari—if you have any buffs to increase lightning resistance now is the time to use them.”
Serena spammed charge strike, pushing herself back down the stairs away from Renful’s incoming attack. Shade and Jackson sprinted with all their strength.
Lightning came down from the sky into Renful’s thick hands and he swiped the air, sending out the deadly wave of electricity.
Serena, Shade and Jackson became black shadows with the bright purple light bursting forth behind them.
No notifications for the death of my party members came in and I sighed with relief. The lightning dissipated. Renful stood at the top of the stairs with a dissatisfied face at the sight of our living bodies. He looked dizzy, like he wasn’t standing straight. Holy crap! He was vulnerable. I hadn’t noticed before because I was so occupied reviving the others.
“He’s vulnerable,” I said. “Go go go!”
Serena led the charge once again. Shade and Jackson behind her. Kari threw out a spell called lightning channeller which increased one’s lightning resistance by 10%. She buffed Serena first then the rest of the party, including Will and me in the back with her.
“You know most people learn after sticking their finger near a burning fire to not do it again,” said Shade. “Yet we keep going back in for more.”
“Shush now Shade,” said Serena. “Sneak around him and get him in the back while Jackson and I occupy the front.”
Serena drew Renful’s aggro once again with her shout move. I threw in more water blast attacks, fueling her blade tornado. The water blade attack did even more damage this time as Renful was still stunned from his AoE move. The blade sliced through his chest. The glowing arcane blue lines etched across his face, armor and eyes, flickered as Serena’s deadly water-tinged sword chipped away at its strange flesh and HP.
Shade appeared out of the shadows, leaping towards Renful’s back, both his kunai drawn. The daggers slid deep into Renful’s flesh. The attack pushed Renful out of his post-AoE dizziness. The ancient Rorn threw out his arms in a large attacking swipe. Serena lifted her sword and blocked the attack. Jackson jumped over the sweeping arm and landed a sweeping kick to Renful’s jaw.
The ancient Rorn spirit jumped back and lifted his right arm to the air.
Shade fled further behind him into the shadows while Serena and Jackson ran back down the steps.
Bright lightning crackled down to Renful’s fingertips and he shot his lightning wave across the battlefield.
Serena and Jackson were safe.
“You know the drill now,” I shouted. “Keep going!”
They charged Renful. We were so close to taking him out now. I threw out a water blast, imbuing with Serena’s blade tornado. Renful’s eyes glowed widely, expanding. He
lifted his right arm again to do the AoE attack.
“What’s going on?” said Kari. “He just did the AoE!”
“Guys, get back!” I shouted.
Renful threw out his lightning wave ability, crackling across the battlefield. There was no way Serena or Jackson escaped the blast.
A Party Member Has Fallen
A Party Member Has Fallen
Renful was at 20% HP. We were so close to killing him. He must have been able to do his AoE move much more frequently the lower his health got.
“We have to heal the rest of the team,” I shouted. “But we gotta be careful. Look Renful’s not even stunned after using his lightning wave.”
Kari ran towards Serena’s corpse.
Renful lifted up his arm again.
“Kari, get back!” I yelled.
Will ran after the fox-girl to protect her.
Renful threw out his lightning wave.
A Party Member Has Fallen
A Party Member Has Fallen
I was so angry and pissed off. Renful was so close to being killed. Shade ran ahead and did another back stab, taking out another chunk of HP off Renful.
I conjured my ice sword and electric blinked towards Renful. I decided if he was going to spam his AoE lightning wave, it was actually potentially safer to focus on finishing him off. Or I was angry and acting reckless. Maybe both.
I ran and did an upper cut slice across his chest. He swiped and I electric blinked behind him.
“Clay,” yelled Shade. “We gotta revive the others.”
I electric blinked behind Renful and stabbed him in the back with my ice sword. The sword went deep into his flesh and I ripped it back out.
Renful was down to 5% HP.
“Get back Shade,” I said. “I got this.”
Shade’s face was full of concern, but he wasn’t going to argue under such an intense situation. He ran back down the steps.
I slashed Renful again. The spirit spellcaster lifted his arm and I power jumped straight up in the air. One mana puddle after another. The lightning wave happened beneath me. I then lifted my ice sword above my head and fell towards Renful’s large head, doing a crushing blow right between his glowing blue eyes. The Rorn spirit fell back and collapsed onto the ground. Experience points rushed into my HUD.
Congratulations! Your primary class (Druid) has leveled up (Level 33). You have gained (1) class skill point for your primary class.
Shade poked himself out from behind a rock. “Is he dead?”
I gave the dead fallen corpse a kick. “Looks like it.”
My heart thumped from the adrenaline of the battle. I used my newly earned class skill point to unlock berserk. Then I grabbed the keys from Renful’s waist. I hurried over to Kari’s corpse. I brought her back to life with nature’s revival. She blinked and stood up.
“Where is he?” she shouted. “Let’s finish. This.”
I smiled. “Ha. He’s done. I finished him off with my ice sword. I got the keys for the control center. Will you revive the rest of the party. I don’t want to waste anymore time.”
I ran back up the steps and put the newly acquired keys into the keep tower. I entered a large room with a glowing white orb at the center of it. I ran and placed my hand on the orb. I was showered in bright light.
Congratulations! You have conquered the fortress of Iron Citadel. See Town Menu to familiarize yourself with your newest piece of land.
Your conquering skill (Level 2) has gained 1.5 EXP!
You have leveled up your conquering skill (Level 3).
Heck, yeah!
A bright light filled the room. Soon my HUD was filled with menus and prompts with the stats of the once abandoned fortress. I smiled with relief. We were finally making headway.
The rest of the party ran through the door.
“Have we done it?” said Serena.
I smiled. “We have.”
We now occupied two strategic positions on the continent. I’d like to see Arethkar mess with us now. We were finally making headway with our goals of saving Illyria.
A new message popped in my HUD.
My stomach dropped as I read it.
Raylene: Clay, we need you guys back here! Crystal Port is under attack!
34
I pulled up the world map and the fast-teleport button. I was about to press it when I stopped myself. What was I doing? This wasn’t a plan. This was pure impulse and I needed to be levelheaded right now.
“Clay,” said Serena. “What are we going to do?”
I took a deep breath.
“Shade, since you can’t fast travel, you’re going to stay behind and guard the control center while the keep gateway develops. The rest of us will fast-travel back to Crystal Port.”
Everyone nodded.
I selected fast-travel in my HUD and dematerialized. I closed my eyes. When I opened them again I was in the control center of Crystal Port’s keep. The place was dead empty. Commotion—yelling, gunshots, explosions—came from outside. The smell of smoke, blood, and gunpowder filled the room.
Serena and the rest of the party materialized behind me.
“Well at least the keep is still around,” said Will. “That’s a little bit of good news.”
“Let’s go check outside,” I said. “We need to find Raylene.”
We exited the keep. Smoke and flames covered the rooftops of Crystal Port. In the distance beyond the city walls were three floating Arethkarian dreadnoughts. The massive ships were hurling cannons into the city itself. Below the airships was a massive ground army of soldiers with swords, pikes, bayonets, and magic staffs.
“Oh boy,” said Jackson.
I sent a message to Raylene in party chat.
Clay: Raylene, we’re here. Where you at?
She replied a few seconds later.
Raylene: Come to the western wall.
We hurried down the stone steps of the keep towards the western wall. The streets of Crystal Port were on fire. Citizens were rushing to and thro, screaming. Children were crying.
One portly man with a moustache pointed at me as we passed.
“There’s The Chosen who has brought this pain on us,” shouted the man. “Why is our city being attacked? Why is our home being destroyed? Because of you. Because you came here and claimed it as your own. No one cared about Crystal Port until you came. Now we’re all going to suffer for your actions.”
What could I say back to the man? He was right.
I turned to the man. “There’s nothing I can say right now to make things better, but I’m sorry. Find shelter, stay safe. We’ll get through this. I promise.”
The man was taken aback. He wanted to yell at me and direct his anger, but he knew it was wasted energy. We were all in this together now. We had to focus.
Inside the western wall, Raylene stood amidst all the chaos, directing messengers and ordering troops. A sizable army stood in front of her. Most of it was the troops we’d assembled for our initial siege of Crystal Port with a few new additions.
“Raylene,” I said, catching up out of breath, but she ignored me when she caught sight of Jackson. They embraced, hugging for longer than felt appropriate. Then realizing everyone was watching, Raylene turned to me.
“You see the mess we’re in,” she said.
“We have our own airships, don’t we? Why aren’t we attacking those dreadnoughts?”
“Those are dreadnoughts, Clay—one blast and our frigates are obliterated.” Her eyes dropped to her feet. “They already have.”
Crap.
“Our ground defenses are fine—but we need to stop the airships otherwise the siege will destroy Crystal Port from the inside out, leaving us defending mere rubble. I installed the anti-aircraft turrets as you suggested but their airships have long-range siege capabilities.”
“Okay,” I said. “Leave the airships to me.”
A messenger came up to us, out of breath. “The Arethkarian troops are preparing to storm the gates.
”
Raylene lifted up her rifle triumphantly in the air. “Then it’s time we met them on the battlefield.” She turned to me: “I hope you have an answer for those airships.”
I smirked at her and she nodded before jogging through the crowd of soldiers and out the gate. The soldiers followed behind her.
I did have a plan. One I’d tested before. I stretched out my hands and triggered the summon bound spirit spell. Gryph emerged in front of me.
Hiya Gryph, I said via psy-link. I know you hate being summoned blah blah blah, but—
What is happening here? The innocent are dying. We must stop this, said Gryph looking around with a serious expression. Hop on.
I turned to the others. “Gryph is in.”
Everybody cheered as we climbed onto his back. Gryph kicked off into the air and we were soon soaring above the walls of Crystal Port. We flew over top Raylene’s army rushing out into battle against the Arethkarian ground troops, meeting them in the field. Gryph flapped his wings and we headed towards the three dreadnoughts. Shadow wraiths swirled around the hulking metal ships of destruction. Cannons and laser fire came at us. Gryph swerved.
We need to hold a position, I said to Gryph.
“Uh Clay,” said Will, hugging the back of the gryphon. “Why have we stopped?”
“Just watch,” I said.
I threw out one arm and cast status cure. Over and over. Kari joined me.
Okay, Gryph spread the spell.
Gryph flapped its wings, casting twister, sending our collective burst of status cure down below to the left most dreadnought.
“Okay now let’s add to the rest of the chaos,” I said. “Gryph, get these guys down to the top deck. I’ll meet you guys there.”
I let go of Gryph and swirled through the air towards the top deck. Even after doing it plenty of times, freefalling through the air still made feel nauseous. I created mana puddles at my feet. The propulsion of my fall kept breaking through the layer of mana. Only after the sixth try was I strong enough to break the rush of gravity. I created a staircase below to the dreadnought. My boots hit the deck right as three newly freed chosen overtook an Arethkarian guard, bashing in his skull with the barrel of the soldier’s rifle.
