by Eden Redd
“They are still following us,” Sonja said with sword in hand.
“I see Lord Thorne’s castle. We just have to keep going,” Jayson said as he searched the shadows for another hint of the monster.
“They may try to take us out before we get to the castle,” Lance said with a hand on the pommel of his rapier.
“Not much we can do about that. They are badly injured so they may give up,” Jayson said, trying to be positive.
“They would have given up already if that was true,” Renner said as he moved up from behind. “We could take the fight to them and end it.”
Jayson looked to the forest and dread cascaded over his nerves. It felt wrong and a bit overzealous. Since he learned about NPC’s waking up from their programs, he began second guessing his decisions. It used to be simple to take out an enemy. They would re-spawn at another time and the cycle would continue. Now, thoughts were different. Looking to Oksuna by his side, the player knew he couldn’t risk taking a chance like that. They all had to be extra careful or the whole party could be wiped out, and if Oksuna was killed… The knight quickly pushed away the thought and firmed up his jaw.
“We press on to the castle,” Jayson said with authority.
Renner eyed the knight as he walked up to Jayson’s left side, “They are injured. I’m sure their hit points haven’t regenerated that quickly. Let’s have some fun before we get to the castle.”
Jayson shook his head, “We can’t risk it. There are things going on, not just reaching the west coast.”
“What things? Another storyline within the quest?” Renner asked simply.
A shadow fell over Jayson’s eyes, “You could say that. I can’t get into it but we have to reach safety, all of us.”
Renner nodded, “Does it have anything to do with the strange AI programs going rogue?”
Jayson’s brow shot up as he looked to the rogue.
Renner kept his face blank as they walked, “There have been rumors the last eight months about NPC’s acting strange. The rogue network has been passing those rumors and any information along. You three must have been out here for too long, you don’t know what is happening back in the kingdoms.”
Renner turned his attention to Oksuna, “Is she one of them?”
Jayson walked silently, shadows continuing to cover his eyes.
“You don’t have to answer, but now I know how important this quest is. I thought it was just a story line and I was going along with it but the way…..Lady Slytha spoke to me a few times. It made me curious. I had to be sure, when we met, what kind of raid this was going to be. The gossip is all over the place and if you know where to listen, it can be very enlightening.”
“Do you believe it?” Jayson asked simply.
Renner continued to look forward, “It’s not a question of whether I believe it. It’s more, if you believe it. I don’t judge people for what they do or what they want, but if we are on a raid and your pink haired troll is one of them, it just raised the stakes.”
Jayson fell silent again.
“My fellow rogues have their own ideas on what is happening but I will be sure to inform them that they need to take this a little more seriously. We will do everything we can to help you and Oksuna. Our lives we can throw away, but I have a feeling it’s not the same for her.”
Jayson gave the barest of nods. It seemed to be enough for Renner.
“I’ll make sure Vass and Rekt stay in line. My only concern is Thorrin, he seems to be taking the game seriously and I’m not sure if he will believe any of us about the NPCs.”
“We can’t doubt ourselves,” Jayson said in a low tone.
“It’s not doubt, just an observation. He seems like a good guy and will fight alongside us but I’m not sure he will be open to the idea of sentient NPCs. Don’t concern yourself too much about it, stay true to the quest. There are enough of us who know that make a difference.”
“Renner…thank….”
The rogue waved him off, “Just take care of Oksuna, and we will take care of you.”
The knight and rogue continued on with Sonja and Lance behind them and Oksuna to Jayson’s right. Toward the back, Vass and Rekt walked along, eyeing the drama between everyone. The elf was holding her hand over her mouth and the orc had a broad smile.
“This is turning into high school,” The orc grinned.
Vass pulled her hand away, “I didn’t know my little brother was into goth girls.”
Rekt raised an eyebrow, “The paladin is……”
Vass nodded, “He’s my brother in reality. Wasn’t sure I would run into him again until this quest. He can be pretty private sometimes.”
The elf folded her arms as they walked, “I know he likes MILF’s but Wynter is no MILF.”
“You did tell me how you and your musical tastes are a bit alternative in reality,” the orc chuckled.
Vass let a sly smirk slip, “Little brother, you pervert.”
Rekt let out a deeper chuckle and Vass grinned. The sudden growl behind them caused the elf and orc to whirl around with weapons in hand. Down the road, a wither beast stalked out, a large hole still in its throat. The growl was not contained as it echoed off trees and across the players. The entire party turned to see the lone beast in the middle of the road. Weapons drawn, the mood shifted from tense to battle ready. No words were spoken as everyone moved into formation.
The wither beast, a hundred feet away from the group, slowly stepped forward. Its black eyes staring menacingly as tentacles moved slowly in the air. A confidence rolled through the group, knowing that they could take on one of these monsters and come out unscathed. Hearts dropped and confidence swirled down the drain as three more wither beasts stepped out from the forest.
Jayson glanced over his shoulder to the castle tower in the short distance before turning back to the party, “Everyone….RUN!”
The party turned and bolted west. The wither beasts growled and charged after the fleeing adventurers. Legs pumping, players looked back to see the large creatures gaining on them. A sudden horror blanketed their minds as they clearly saw they could not outrun them.
Wynter pulled out several soul shards and began her incantations. Runic circles appeared on the ground and the shards faded from her hand. Black skeletons rose up from the road and advanced on the incoming beasts. The monsters seemed like they were ready as tentacles lashed out. Black skeletons were smashed to pieces or thrown into the forest, barely slowing down the beasts. Wynter pulled several more shards and began reciting the dark spell lyrics again.
Kai turned with bow in hand and letting an arrow loose. The run covered arrow shot across the distance in a blink of an eye but was quickly batted from the air by a white tentacle. The arrow spun into a tree and exploded into a fireball of flames. Several more ebony skeletons rose up and were trampled under wrinkled monster paws.
Lance looked over to the side where trees lined the side of the road, “Everyone keep going! I’ll slow them down!”
Jayson and Sonja turned their heads to the white knight as he stopped and turned around to face the monsters.
“Lance! We need you!” Jayson shouted, stopping on the road, as did Oksuna.
The white knight looked over his shoulder to his companions, “Don’t worry. You won’t lose me, now keep going!”
The party continued to run. Oksuna looked to her worried lover. Taking hold of his armor, she pulled, hoping he would go with her. Jayson resisted at first, but his priorities shifted when he turned to the pink haired troll, and an awful feeling caressed the knight’s honor.
Lance sheathed his rapier and pulled Shatter Light from over his shoulder. The thick white sword felt like a feather in his hand as he hefted it. The monsters barreled down the road toward the white knight, teeth flashing wet. Lance turned to the tree line and put the white blade a foot from a tree trunk. The knight cycled through his techniques until he reached “Pure Slice”. Activating the sword technique, his body turned into a white comet
. Shatter Light cut through tree trunks like water. Lance smiled when he cut through six trees and kneeled down onto one knee.
For a moment, the trees stood. Another moment later, they fell one after the other. Thick branches reached up like a makeshift barricade. The monsters reached the edge and hesitated except for the one with a gaping hole in its throat. The wither beast launched into the air, tentacles out and razor maw open.
Lance spun up to his feet and pointed Shatter Light at the monster barreling through the air. With a thought, the white blade glowed to life. A second later, a thick white shaft of light blazed forth. The wither beast roared as the light slammed into its horrific chest. Black eyes went wide as the light punched through and exited out its back. Lance watched as its yellow health bar turned red and then turned black. The monster fell from the sky, cracks of light appearing all over its body. The knight stared as the light dimmed from the sword. The wither beast fell onto the fallen trees and shattered into shards of greenish light.
The death of the monster seemed to embolden the remaining three. The beasts stalked onto the fallen trees, their growls growing louder with each step. Kai had stopped running. Turning around, he had an arrow notched and ready. Runes glowed along the shaft as he aimed at the fallen trees. With a small exhale, the ranger let the arrow loose. It cut through the air almost instantly, the arrow point sinking into a fallen tree and exploding.
Fire engulfed the trees and flames roared up. The wither beasts hesitated and turned as fire raced along limbs. Lance watched as the monster’s roars turned to screeches of pain. The white knight turned and ran back to his group. Reaching Kai, he looked to him and nodded.
“Thanks. I thought the trees would be an effective barricade. I didn’t think to set them on fire.”
Kai smiled, “Trees don’t normally burn so easily in reality. Good thing this isn’t reality.”
Lance clamped a hand on the ranger’s shoulder. The two players made their way back to the group and pushed on to the castle.
***
Eyes turned upward to the castle as they approached the main gate. A lone tower rose up, but below it was many black spires. The castle had an odd shape, almost like that of a spiked pit. The black stone walls surrounded the many spires and buildings just past the battlements. Some windows glowed with light while many others were dark. No one patrolled the walls and Jayson wondered how they were going to signal anyone inside to open up.
Around the fortress, the forest had given way to clear barren lands. From the north and south, no tree stood. Tall grass grew in patches but little else filled the land. Down the road to the west, the mountains stood, dark and ominous in the moon light.
As the party moved closer, Jayson brought up his hands, ready to cup them and shout for someone to open the gate. As if expecting them, the large metal doors pulled back, a creaking metal filling the areas. The party stood at the ready as soldiers in wicked pointed armor marched out. Ten soldiers stepped out, eyes drinking in the group. They marched in formation and halted feet from the travelers. One stepped forward and gave a salute with his hand over his heart.
“Welcome to Black Spire Castle. Lord Thorne has been expecting you. Please follow me.”
The soldier turned and all ten soldiers marched back past the gate threshold. Everyone in the party glanced at each other except Jayson. The knight stepped forward with Oksuna at his side. The rest of the group followed suit.
Sonja looked around once they passed the gate. There was a small town just inside the walls but the small houses were dark and appeared empty. Some soldiers stood to the sides of the main road inside the castle walls. The first thing she noticed was that they seemed severely understaffed. The entire castle and town came off abandoned. Even in the moonlight, the blue knight could see the lack of upkeep to the buildings. Looking to the main keep, large cracks ran along some of the walls and ancient tattered flags moved lazily in the small breeze.
The guards split up to flank the sides of the stairs leading up to the main keep, save for one. He continued on and the party followed. Glowing lanterns filled the main hall, giving it a shadowy, haunted look. Jayson looked around as they proceeded deeper inside. Occasionally he saw a castle servant look to the group with haunted eyes but they quickly scurried away after a moment.
A red rug stretched out up a series of steps and ended at a large archway. The soldier stepped through and Jayson followed, along with the group. The arch way gave way to a cathedral sized chamber. Pointed windows filled the walls to the left and right, black glass shining in the lantern light. At the end of the massive chamber was a gold throne. Before the throne, a man stood. Long blonde hair framed his thin face, the hair curling into waves just below the jaw line. Sharp eyes regarded the group as they entered, his mouth a thin emotionless line. The lord’s outfit was black leather. Around his neck, a collar stood straight up with golden metal running along the top of the collar. White cloth ruffles bloomed from his wrists. Black leather boots completed the outfit. Jayson was quick to notice he was covered completely except for his pale face, neck and hands.
“Lord Thorne, I presume,” Jayson said as he stepped forward.
The lord bowed his head slightly, “And you are Sir Reed. I have heard of your exploits recently. I welcome you to Black Spire Castle.”
Fourteen
Lord Thorne stepped down the stone steps with ease toward the knight and his party, “You are welcome to stay as long as you wish in my home. You are free to walk the grounds but only if you agree to no violence within the castle walls.”
Jayson nodded, “Thank you Lord Thorne. We only wish to spend a night or two before we continue our journey to the western coast.”
Lord Thorne nodded before his thin mouth curved into an amused smile, “No need to stand on royal courtesy here. We are on the edge of civilization and courtesies can slow our future discussions. I am Drakkus, Drakkus Thorne.”
Jayson’s eyebrow went up as did several members of the party. Renner was the only one to cough out “vampire” before covering his mouth and chuckling to himself. Vass gave him a punch to the shoulder, trying to hide her own smile.
Jayson ignored his own party as he continued, “Thank you Drakkus.”
The pale lord looked to the group with emotionless eyes before his smile broadened, “You have arrived just in time for supper. My servants are preparing the dining hall.”
“Dinner in the middle of the night?” Renner asked, out loud.
Several servants appeared from side doors and moved to the group.
Drakkus continued as if he didn’t hear the rogue, “They will show you to the sleeping quarters. Make yourselves comfortable. My servants will come to gather you when the hall is ready to accept guests.”
Jayson nodded his agreement. Watching the lord, the player couldn’t shake the creepy vibe he gave off. Lord Thorne’s appearance was that of stone, carrying a regal and stoic demeanor, but the moment he spoke, it was almost like someone trying to be positive as they fought through crippling depression. It came off strange and clashed with his appearance. Jayson couldn’t fault Renner for making light of the lord and his black castle. Drakkus did look like Dracula but with the flowing blonde hair of Lestat. It gave him a powerful visage but something odd called out with every word he spoke.
Drakkus observed as the servants crowded around the party, directing with their hands on where to go. His eyes fell magnetically on a blue haired guest and gently glided over to take in the knight’s smooth features. Stepping forward, he entered the gathering of adventurers and took Sonja’s hand. The knight gazed at the lord as he bent at the waist and kissed the back of her hand.
“I have not seen such enchanted beauty grace this hall in many moons. I must insist you dine at my side,” Drakkus smiled as he slowly stood straight up, eyes never leaving the blue knight.
Sonja was taken aback as the lord continued to hold her hand. The group looked to the lord and the knight as they stood, still as graveyard statues.
A smile bloomed across supple lips, “How can I say no to such a gallant request.”
“It is decided then. Please go with the servants. I look forward to gazing upon your beauty once again,” Drakkus said with a smooth whisper and released Sonja’s hand.
The blue knight couldn’t hold back the pink color filling her cheeks. Jayson eyed the lord and blue knight but Lance smiled, folding his arms across his chest. The rest of the group gave knowing smiles. The only two not amused were the paladin and cleric.
Jayson was first to notice that the two holier classes were clearly uncomfortable with Drakkus’ advances. As the servants continued directing everyone, Jayson could see the realization of Lord Thorne’s attraction flow over the two players. Thorrin eyed their host with a questioning gaze mixed with a growing tension. Lyra lowered her eyes but her brow formed a hard V. The knight could feel this was going to be a problem and made a mental note to address it when they reached their rooms.
Drakkus entered a doorway and disappeared into the shadows just beyond it. The rest of the party followed the servants to an archway and then to a spiral staircase leading up.
***
The guest wing was a long hallway with many doors lining each side. Servants moved with purpose, directing the party to each of their rooms. There were far too many rooms. The hollowed eyed servants even directed concubines to each have their own rooms, with many doors still left over.
Jayson could see that this was meant to house royal visitors as he stepped into his room. The chamber was immaculate. Walking further in, he ran his hand over the bed and not even a mote of dust appeared. Despite the crumbling castle outside, the inside was warm and welcoming. The furniture was polished metal and the wardrobe closet was made of sturdy oak. Lanterns hung, casting their warm light in every direction. The knight managed to turn around and fall back onto the bed. Arms out, he gazed at the fabric canopy top. A sound of shifting feet floated toward the relaxing knight and he raised his head.
