Lewd Saga Omnibus: 7 Book Collection: An Epic Digital Fantasy Adventure of Lust, Love and War

by Eden Redd

Kai stepped over, “Wynter did all the work.”

  “I couldn’t have done it without the party. We did it together,” the excitement was infectious and Wynter couldn’t stop smiling.

  Jakar nodded, “Either way, we might beat this dungeon.”

  “What’s our next move?” Kai asked.

  “Master Kurss said we are all travelling as one group to the lower depths,” Wynter added.

  Jakar looked to each of them in turn, “He’s correct. There are only three guilds left in the raid, ours, the Dark Touch guild and the Banshee’s Moan guild. For protection, we will be working as one raid group the rest of the way.”

  Horns sounded off, the vibrations echoing through the oversized cavern. Eyes and heads turned to see Master’s Kurss’s soldiers waving flags. Alerts popped up in the corner of player’s visions, signaling that the raid was ready to move. Kai shot Wynter a warm glance and the necromancer smiled back, heat bleeding into her pale cheeks.

  Jakar stepped forward, “Alright, let’s beat this dungeon!” he shouted.

  Midian’s Lovers raised fists as they quickly fell behind their guild leader. Players and trolls moved as one cloud toward the rear of the cavern. Wynter looked around, taking in the beauty and splendor of the underground forest as she marched with her fellow guild mates. Trolls flanked each side of the groups as they advanced in uniformity. The staircase to the lower levels beckoned in the distance. Daven and Nikki marched next to Wynter and Kai, the excitement turning the air electric around them.

  ***

  Empty levels passed one by one. The excitement had faded and was replaced with dark caution. The massive raid group didn’t encounter a single monster. Wynter was sure the last number of levels would have armies of monsters to fight but instead, they moved through empty dark caverns. She didn’t know what was worse, the battles or the tortuous, quiet threat of one. Descending down from level 97 to 98, a cold dread filled the raid group.

  “We won’t be able to go down much farther. Something tells me it’s going to get real bad,” Daven said as he looked around. “I miss Tara.”

  The massively wide stairwell spiraled down to the 98th level. Master Kurss led the way with his soldiers and for the first time, it seemed the trolls were actively protecting the players. The guilds moved in the center with trolls on high alert surrounding them. There was little talking the whole way but it was plain as day that the players knew something was going to happen, and soon.

  The raid continued on, stepping down ancient stone steps, ready for anything. The necromancer looked down as columns of players and trolls moved to a large stone opening at the bottom of the stairs. Taking each step, she hoped it wasn’t another empty cavern. The itch to finish the raid was there and felt by many. The long road was coming to an end.

  When Wynter and her fellow players reached the opening, there was a collective gasp. Indeed, a cavern lay before them but it was not empty. Tall spires with dark colored lights glowed. Beings moved along streets and the spires made of hard stone stood like alien buildings in this underground world. On the outskirts, giant white mushrooms stood and a wide road opened up between them, leading to the sublevel city.

  The raid force moved, hands close to weapons, ready to defend themselves. From within the city, white haired creatures with dark skin turned. They moved in large groups to the edge of the city. Kurss led the way, his soldiers and captains at his heels. The air was warm and a little humid. The dark-skinned beings moved together to meet with the Troll master. Their demeanor was relaxed and many smiled, showing white teeth. As the groups drew closer, Wynter could make out the pointed ears and almond shaped eyes.

  “Welcome to the City of Koth!” A dark elf smiled and held his arms out wide.

  Master Kurss smiled, “Thank you for the welcome.”

  Wynter was toward the front with her fellow guild mates, right behind the troll captains. They leaned in to hear every word.

  The dark elf looked to the stream of trolls and creatures of many races, “There are so many of you but we welcome you none the less. We haven’t had visitors in several centuries. Please enter our city and rest. My name is Palis, elected Baron for my people here in Koth.”

  The road lead down into the city and despite the tall trolls, Wynter was able to see the striking dark elf leader, and she stood smiling. He wore a white robe that nearly glowed against his rich colored skin. A red crystal hung around his slender neck as it pulsed with crimson light.

  “We wish you no inconvenience. Our people are exploring and wish to reach the lowest level of the dungeon. We regret to intrude on your beautiful city,” Master Kurss said with the smoothness of a politician.

  The dark elf half turned and put his arms down, “Nonsense. This is cause for celebration. My people would love for a chance to meet with others from the surface world. We have traders that go to the surface for supplies and books but never have any outsiders come here. This will truly be a marvelous time. Follow me and I will show you our small city.”

  The underground city grew larger as the small army entered the cobbled streets. From windows and balconies, dark elves waved and smiled to the newcomers. Magical glowing lights hovered with soothing blue, red and green hues. Wynter spun around as she walked, drinking in the marvelous city. Kai smirked as he watched the pale necromancer look around in wonder. Nikki kept her eyes sharp while Daven strolled along, shoulders relaxed.

  The comforting glow of Palis’s people filled the air. Master Kurss walked alongside the dark elf, the two engrossed in conversation. Dark elves from windows blew kisses and some in the raid blew them back. Soon everyone was at the city center where a large stone statue stood, a robed elf with a book in his hands. He was peering down at the book as if deeply engrossed. The center of the city was big, many players and trolls filling the streets to one side.

  Wynter turned her head to one street. The cobbled stones led to a raised dais where two large pillars rose up, thirty feet apart. White mushrooms the size of pumpkins lined the walkways. The necromancer turned her eyes to the big streets past the statue. Two oversized heavy iron doors stood against the back of the cavern. Strange statues stood to either side of it but the player couldn’t quite make out the features. From what she could tell, they resembled giant snakes.

  “You mentioned that you leave the dungeon for supplies and books. Being so far underground, how do you manage through the levels of monsters?” Kurss inquired as his eyes glanced at the two pillars down the stone street.

  Palis nodded, “My people have mastered the art of portal magic.” The dark elf pointed at the pillars, “We send a few of my people to gather supplies seasonally. We do like our privacy but to be honest, some of my people have expressed a desire to meet with, or adventure to the outside world. I would be a poor leader if I didn’t listen to their concerns.”

  Kurss nodded and smiled, “I to understand their concerns. Who are we but voices for the very people we take care of.”

  Palis smiled, “It would appear we are kindred spirits.”

  The large troll returned the smile, “Indeed we are. When we finish here, I will send envoys with many books from our libraries. I wish to have open communication between our people going forward.”

  Palis’s eyes nearly glowed in delight, “That would be splendid. To show our willingness and gratitude, you and your fellow travelers are welcome to rest here before you continue on your journey.”

  The dark elf baron turned and gazed to the large iron doors in the distance, “I wish we could help you but the doors leading to the lowest level of the dungeon has long been sealed. My people have never ventured beyond that point, no one has.”

  “Let some of my captains and mages take a look at it. If we cannot get through, would you open your portal so we may return home?”

  Palis nodded, “Yes, we will assist you with returning to the surface world but please do stay with us and share your tales. I will have a proper celebration prepared for our guests.”

  Master Ku
rss smirked, “Thank you for your hospitality.”

  The large troll turned and faced the crowd gathered behind him, “Palis and the dark elves welcome our group to their incredible city. Please take the time to rest and recuperate before we move on to the final level of the dungeon.”

  Heads nodded and murmurs blanketed the area. The troll soldiers dispersed and soon all the players broke into groups. Dark elves moved excitingly through the groups of players, their hands reaching out and taking hold of free hands and shoulders. Some players smiled as they were playfully pulled away while others enjoyed making out on the street with new friends.

  Two beautiful female dark elves took hold of Daven. The druid grinned as they led him away. Nikki kept her guard up as a male and female dark elf approached her. Their smiles appeared genuine but the knight kept her stance rigid. Seeing her, they eased their desires, kept their distance but talked to her. The knight glanced around and noticed that some other players carried on quiet conversations. She turned her head to see Daven leaning against a wall, two dark beauties running hands over his slightly exposed chest.

  A male dark elf stared into Nikki’s half-closed eyes, “We understand your hesitation but please understand we mean no disrespect. It is rare we have such beautiful visitors.”

  The knight gave a sarcastic smile, “Thank you but maybe some other time.”

  The dark elves nodded and moved off with smiling lips. The knight let out an audible exhale. They seemed nice enough but her thoughts clouded with images of a certain pale necromancer. Nikki turned her head, looking for Wynter and quickly noticed the necromancer and ranger were gone. The crowd continued to mingle as dark elves ran colored sheets from windows in celebration, and cast dozens more magical orbs in the cavern air.

  ***

  The rune covered pillars stood silently atop the dais. Wynter took each step upwards as her eyes drank in their ancient magic. When she reached the top, she moved closer, fingers reaching out to run along the smooth grooves and arcane symbols. The symbols were carved in a way that they blended into each other like a painting.

  Raids, dungeons and adventuring were one thing but Wynter loved the care and sophistication of the artwork and design that went into the game. She often took snap shots of beautiful pieces and kept them as background images on her computer. When she changed them out, she’d finally print some from the color printer at her job and hang them at home. The player wanted to feel silly about it but found it gave her comfort instead. She liked how the fantasy world looked and wanted it to grace the walls of her apartment. She had quite a few pieces and looked forward to adding more.

  Centering her eyes on a rune covered pillar, she took a quick snapshot and added it to her library. She readied to take another when a comforting shadow touched her spirit.

  “Watching me this whole time?” Wynter said without turning around.

  “Is it creepy if I say yes?” Blue lips curled into a grin.

  “No, only because I know you want to watch out for me.”

  Kai stepped up the stone steps one by one, “The dark elves seem nice but I’m not sure if we can trust them.”

  With a mental command, Wynter took one more snap shot and then turned to the blue skinned ranger, “You think they want to lull us into dropping our guard and then attack us? I thought the same thing.”

  “Great minds think alike,” Kai said as he stepped onto the dais, feet from the necromancer.

  The two players stood before each other, a rising heat spilling from their bodies. Violins and other strange instruments began to play in distance. The cavern filled with pulsating light as the celebration was rapidly underway.

  “This may be the calm before the storm,” Wynter said shyly as she looked up into Kai’s dark eyes.

  The troll’s eyes met Wynter’s with kindness and deeper wanting, “Should we join them or maybe stay here?”

  “Do I have a choice?” The necromancer said playfully.

  Kai stepped closer, head tilted to gaze as Wynter’s beautiful features, “I can’t help my feelings for you. I think Daven and Nikki feel the same, maybe even a few others in the guild.”

  “If this was the real word, I would tell you that I’m no prize to be won,” Wynter said with a smile. “But here, I already know what you mean. I know what everyone wants and….I want the same thing.”

  “You do?” Kai asked.

  Wynter barely gave a nod, “I’ve wanted to be free to share my love with anyone I want. I’ve spent so much time with guys that treat me like an object to be won. I feel like I’m waking from some terrible dream and for the first time, I’m in control.”

  The necromancer tilted her head forward, shadows covering her eyes, “Our guild is filled with so many wonderful players. I never thought I could connect with so many people at once. I sort of wish someone had said something sooner about Leopold. I might have left him instead of being dumped.”

  Wynter grinned as shadows covered her eyes, “I thought I would be a wreck about the break up but instead I feel like a weight has lifted off my shoulders. The guilt I feel is because I think I should feel terrible and mourn the loss of my relationship but I don’t, not really.”

  Kai stood, inches from Wynter. Even in the game world, the heat from their bodies glowed like a hot summer day. Wynter bit her lip as the last shreds of guilt fell away like dying leaves. A need to unleash coiled around Wynter’s heart as her shrouded eyes drank in the handsome troll standing before her. A terrible thought stabbed into the player’s mind and her wanting smile faded.

  “Are you going to betray the guild?” Wynter asked with a whisper.

  Kai reached up and ran the back of two fingers against Wynter’s smooth cheek. “No,” he said simply.

  “Why are you spying for the dragons?”

  Kai let his hand drop as his brow wrinkled into grim lines, “I want to tell you but I can’t just yet. All I can do is promise to tell you when the time is right.”

  Wynter looked away, “Kai, please don’t do this to me.”

  The troll could see the pain curling into the corners of her eyes. After everything they had been through together, the mistrust of being close to someone reared its ugly head. Wynter didn’t want Kai to be like the men she had been with. She didn’t want to be just some woman, placing her trust in another only to have it torn to shreds later. A fire blazed as the pain smoothed away. Eyes turned with fire behind them. Fingers tightened around her staff as she stared hard into Kai’s eyes.

  “I won’t wait. Tell me now or never. I won’t use the guild or even my feelings to make you tell me. You expect me to trust you when you should trust me. You talk about feelings you have but you don’t trust me enough to tell me why you’re spying for the dragons. You keep secrets and don’t believe I can’t keep the same secrets.”

  Kai’s eyes softened, “I’m under orders.”

  Wynter leaned forward with restrained fury, “You follow orders and talk about honor but it was you who broke your own honor when you kissed me while I was with someone else.”

  Kai’s eye widened to the size of small saucers. He opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out. Lips closing, his shoulders sank as his mind whirled. Wynter stared with unblinking eyes at the large troll. Still leaning forward, she could feel the point of her remarks drive deep into the ranger’s code and shred it to pieces. The silence was deafening, to the point that Wynter’s fury ebbed and profound sadness slipped into her heart. Turning on her heel, she made to walk away until a strong hand clasped her arm and held for a second. The necromancer turned to see a defeated expression painted onto Kai’s face.

  “I’m helping to save the guild,” Kai said flatly.

  Wynter turned and Kai let his hand fall away, “What’s happening to the guild?”

  The troll glanced around before talking in hushed tones, “There is a rumor that the guild is being targeted. Among other things, some troll masters have been murdered in the last few weeks. The ones murdered had recently spok
e against the war with the human and dragon kingdoms.”

  Wynter’s eyes widened slightly as she listened intently.

  Kai continued, “Some of the guild had come across some information that anyone who speaks out against the war will be targeted. The masters urging the war effort have secret troll groups infiltrating many guilds. They are trying to find out who is on their side and who may be a potential enemy. A dragon contacted us in the guild and provided evidence and protection if we spy for them.”

  “There is more than one spy in the guild?” Wynter couldn’t believe what she was hearing.

  Kai nodded, “I was given orders to not tell you because……” The ranger turned his head sharply.

  Wynter followed suit as the shadows around them grew longer. The necromancer gripped her staff while the ranger unsheathed his sword. The two players put their backs together as the shadows slipped away. Three men in cloaks stood, surrounding the two players. The only thing visible was their chins and mouths as hoods covered their heads and cloaks closed around their shoulders, covering their bodies. The music in the distance played on as Wynter and Kai stood at the ready.

  “Hand over the Eyes of Harkkon,” One of the cloaked men said menacingly.

  Wynter eyed them with her staff sideways before her.

  The cloaked man took a step forward, “Hand it over now or you both won’t make it to the end of the raid.”

  Wynter gave a sly smirk, “You’re not going to let us go anyway. You need me to give you the Eyes because if I die then the Eyes will be reassigned to another part of the dungeon and I’m sure you don’t want that.”

  Inky shadows moved above the cloaked figures lips, “We don’t have to get messy, but if you don’t hand them over then it looks like me and my friends are going to have to make you hand it over. Can you watch as we kill and resurrect your pet troll over and over again?”

  “You won’t get the chance,” Kai spit.

  “Yes, we will. You see, we have the coveted fae dust that will help coax it from you. A seductively effective concoction of the Fae people used to for extracting truth and desire. It will take a little longer but you won’t say no as we take turns with both of you. Hand over the Eyes now and we can all walk away.”