Last Horizon: Live

by Daniel Schinhofen

  As the words left her mouth she face planted into the dirt, her life ripped from her. The group spun at the cry and the fact Kittish's health bar went empty. Standing on top of Kittish's lifeless corpse was a very large black panther.

  Dumadin yelled, “Kittish!” The cat leapt back and vanished just as Dumadin reached the body.

  Terets entered stealth as he hadn't yet entered combat and moved up next to Amythyst. Dumadin triggered his shield and waited, furious at the cat for killing his love. A second later the cat bounced off his shield as it had tried to pounce on Amythyst.

  “You’re mine now,” Dumadin growled as he swung at the cat.

  The cat dodged the attack and backed away, growling back at him. The targeting icon read Nacht and there was a small silver crown above the name.

  “Dumadin it's a unique, its name is Night in German.” Terets said as he came out of stealth and got his backstab into the kitty. Twelve percent of the mob’s life went away, but it spun on the new attacker. “That was my critical backstab necklace.”

  Before it could attack Dumadin used Anger Howl to bring its attention back to him. “Right, so a fight like Theodore but different.” His next swing missed again as the cat dodged him and evaded Terets’ attack. “Fucker is nimble.”

  The cat’s attack tore a gash into Dumadin, taking five percent of his life away. “At least he isn't one shotting you like he did Kittish.” Amythyst said as she got ready to heal, waiting to give Dumadin time to build aggro first.

  Dumadin missed again as he swung at the cat and began to curse, “Come the fuck on. This is insane if we can't hit the fucker.”

  Terets landed a second attack taking another 4% of Nacht's life bar away and causing it to spin on him again. Dumadin was able to land a blow to the back of the cat for 2% damage. It hit Terets, ripping 20% of his life away.

  Amythyst got her Healing Light onto Terets, giving him back 10% of his life as Dumadin waited for Anger Howl to come off cooldown. Terets hit Nacht for 2% of its life as it returned the attack, taking another 20% away in return.

  “Fuck, how long for Howl?” Terets asked wincing.

  Dumadin used it as soon as he could, “Now.” The cat turned back to him as his hammer slammed into its muzzle, taking another 2% off its life.

  Amythyst cast two Healing Lights onto Terets as the duo attacked and landed a few more hits on the cat and it removed a total of 10% of Dumadin's life in return.

  The sound of electricity caught them all by surprise and caused the cat to lock up for a second. Terets used the opportunity to get a backstab off.

  “I'm not dead, yet,” Kittish yelled and started to cast a healing Pulse onto Terets so Amythyst could focus on Dumadin.

  Dumadin blinked and looked at his lover, who had a small bit of life that was slowly regenerating. His mouth was open and his shield dropped slightly which cost him 10% of his life as Nacht landed a critical on him.

  “Do your job,” Kittish yelled at him and hit the cat with another Chain Lightning.

  Dumadin spun around with a crazy smile on his face and slammed the cat in the face with his hammer. Kittish tapped off her necklace, putting the Slow Death DoT on Nacht and then using her double cast ring to Chain Lightning twice in rapid succession.

  Dumadin smiled and watched at Nacht's life bar dropped to 50%. Just as it hit half life it Vanished and the group blinked before joining up in a triangle facing out with Amythyst at the center.

  A few second later Terets cried out as close to 70% of his life vanished as Nacht hit him with a pounce, knocking him to the ground. Amythyst used both rings to get two instant heals onto him, bringing Terets back to half life.

  Kittish put a Healing Pulse on him as well, but the double heal from Amythyst pulled the cat to her. It got in one swing, removing 25% of her life before Dumadin could Anger Howl and get it back onto him.

  “It drops aggro when it vanishes,” he made sure the others heard him as he used his breastplate to negate the first attack on him. “Give me a second to land a hit or two.” He missed his first attack but got the second one to land as Terets got back to his feet.

  “Terets, let me land one more and by then Kittish should be able to stun it three times with her Lightning.” Dumadin said as he felt Nacht hit him twice in rapid succession before he landed another blow. “Now!”

  Kittish chain cast Chain Lightning three times to keep the mob stunned for three consecutive seconds and Terets landed three backstabs during that time. Nacht's life dropped to 26% as it came out of stun and turned to Terets who was back up to 75% life by then.

  Amythyst's Retribution took it under 25%, which caused it to Vanish again. The group went back into a triangle and waited. A few seconds passed before Amythyst went down, losing 85% of her life to the one hit.

  Knowing it was coming, Dumadin used Anger Howl as soon as the hit registered. “Give me eight seconds to make sure my taunt is back up. Once it is, burn him down.”

  Amythyst got to her feet shaking her head, “Fucker hurts.”

  Dumadin grunted as he noticed Nacht was attacking faster and his hits were landing harder. He then noticed the red gleaming eyes and froth about the muzzle, “He is enraged.”

  Amythyst nodded and used her last necklace to instant heal Dumadin. She then started to cast Healing Light onto him when Dumadin shouted, “Now!”

  Terets and Kittish leapt back into the fight going all out. Dumadin was forced to burn the charges from his rings to help mitigate the damage that was coming his way as his life dropped to 50% in a few short seconds. Watching carefully, he noticed Nacht start to pivot towards Terets and got off Anger Howl again, forcing the mob back to him.

  A few more seconds and Nacht collapsed at their feet with a pitiful whimper. The group let out a ragged cheer and collapsed to the ground themselves as multiple pop-ups appeared before them.

  You earn the achievement: Bloody Unique.

  Be the first to kill a unique mob in Last Horizon.

  NPC's will look at you with more favor for your adventurous spirit.

  You earn the achievement: You're a special kind of......

  Defeat a unique mob at least ten levels above yours in Last Horizon.

  NPC's will favor you more due to your fearlessness.

  Congratulations you have reached level 6.

  Stats increase along with health and aether.

  Congratulations you have reached level 7.

  Stats increase along with health and aether.

  Thallien's Memory

  Dumadin lay back on the ground and groaned, “I think that was worse than Theodore.”

  Terets nodded and turned his head to look at Kittish, “How did you get back up?”

  Kittish shook her head slightly, “I died, the first hit took me out. Once I was dead instead of kicking me out right away for thirty minutes I was left with a view like I was floating just above my body. I couldn't move or anything and a few seconds later I had a pop-up asking if I wanted to use my ability to resurrect. I did so and I was able to stand back up as if the elixir Smee had made for us was still working.”

  Amythyst frowned, “That shouldn't be right.”

  Kittish agreed, “I know, but I am not complaining right now. It was weird enough that Alvira still had the ability.”

  Dumadin grunted and sat up, “We should probably report it. This way Jazzy is made aware and we aren't accused of anything by the other Devs.”

  A bright light happened and when it vanished Jazzy stood there tapping a foot. “Less than a week and you’re breaking stuff already.”

  Amythyst sighed and stood up, “Not our fault, and we were just about to contact you.”

  Jazzy looked at her sister and let out a deep sigh, “Fine, tell me what happened.”

  Amythyst told the story of the fight with Nacht, stressing the bit were Kittish had come back to life. “So there it is, we beat it fair and square. Okay minus the issue where Kittish stood back up but that wasn't our fault.”

  Jazz
y groaned and shook her head, “Pavel is going to have a fit. Oh well, not your fault you guys geared up correctly and fought intelligently. I’m going to have a hell of a time trying to figure out why Kittish and possibly the other three of you still have the resurrect ability though. That is only supposed to come from the Elixir of Life made by a legendary alchemist.”

  Dumadin chimed in, “Which we took in the beta. Smee crafted them for us for giving him Theodore's heart. The question is more why is it still working now that live kicked off?”

  Jazzy frowned and shrugged, “Well, looks like my week just got busier. Pavel is still going to be pissed, he’s been following a group called Red Storm who was supposed to be tackling a similar mob in a few hours. He’s going to scream bloody murder when he finds out you four beat them to it.”

  Terets frowned, “You mean the group at the Carnival that seemed to pay Pavel special attention?”

  Jazzy rolled her eyes and nodded, “Larry couldn't find what tied them to Pavel but yeah, there is something there. We just couldn't find it. Anyway, that isn't your issue, it just is. Are you planning on breaking anything else in the next day or two so I should be aware?”

  Kittish laughed, “Maybe...”

  Jazzy eyed her for a couple of seconds until Dumadin laughed, “She’s just needling you Jazzy. We aren't planning on breaking anything. The amount of gold we got from the Carnival was what did this. So if he bitches and moans point that out to him.”

  Jazzy's eyes lit up and she smirked, “Oh, I like it. He was the one who set out the prizes to be won after all. Okay got to go, have fun and try not to break my game.” With a flash she was gone, leaving the four friends behind.

  Shaking her head Amythyst turned to the others, “Well that clears up that issue. Hun, skin the cat and let's go.”

  Terets got out his skinning knife and went over to Nacht's body and touched it and stopped. “Oh nice,” he murmured and held up a dagger. “Dagger of Nacht, it gives the wielder the ability to vanish once during a combat.” He tossed it to Amythyst and started to carve up the body.

  Amythyst caught it and looked at the other two who shrugged, “Guess I will just toss it into my bag for now.”

  Terets got the leather off the cat and had just finished cutting off the meat for cooking when he paused. Shaking his head he reached into the body and pulled out a heart. “Nacht's Heart, says it’s an alchemy ingredient.” He stuffed it into his bag and stood up, “Wonder what Smee will trade for it.”

  Dumadin laughed, “The last one made five Elixirs of Life, so I am going to say a king's ransom.”

  The group laughed and turned towards the path up to Thallien's cave as Nacht's body vanished behind them. Forming into a line they squeezed through the crevasse and started up the path, picking the few herbs and mining the ore on the way.

  An hour later they reached the flat ground and looked at the pond and stream that were mostly frozen. Terets shivered and looked at the others, “We have an hour, so let's do this quickly. I really hate the cold.”

  Dumadin smiled sadly and nodded, looking at the lone tree near the lake that showed healing signs of the limbs they had cut to build Thallien's pyre. The ground was still blackened where the pyre had burned. Dumadin pulled out the dead wood he had collected on their journey north and built a small bonfire. Terets stepped closer and gave a sigh of relief for the warmth.

  The group gave small chuckles at his theatrics before becoming serious again. Dumadin pulled out the incense and memory gift he had bought in Stoutbank, as well as the package from Bjorn. “We are here to honor the memory of a friend. We did not know him as well as others but we were grateful for the time we knew him. Al, we hope you have reunited with Bettie and have found your peace. From Bjorn,” he gently tossed the wrapped package onto the fire, “and from us.” He added the second memory gift and incense to the blaze and bowed his head. “I still hold to what I said when we cremated you, Al. From the stars we come and to the stars we return, we will hold your memory in our hearts and mind.”

  He stood up and wiped the tears from his eyes and hugged Kittish to him as the other couple also held each other. They watched the fire burn for a few minutes until the two packages seemed to disintegrate in the flames. With a deep breath they looked at each other and shared a small sad smile.

  Quest completed: Thallien remembered.

  Received: Increased reputation with all people of Stoutbank and extra reputation with Bjorn.

  “Off to Smee's to pick up the package for Dunstun and see if he wants to barter for the heart?” Terets asked.

  Dumadin looked back at the fire and shook his head, “Tomorrow. Let's call it a night and meet back up as normal. I just want to rest for a bit.”

  Amythyst shared a look with Kittish briefly before chiming in, “That sounds like a good idea to me.”

  The group logged out for the evening with heavy hearts, each thinking thoughts of mortality. As they left they didn't notice the shifting of shadows in the cave that could have been a cloaked figure watching them. A moment later the sunlight hit that part of the cave revealing only rock where a figure might have just been.

  Champions.... again?

  The next day Terets and Amythyst logged in to find Dumadin and Kittish waiting for them. The couple was exchanging a slow kiss when Terets cleared his throat, “We are here.”

  Dumadin looked over at his friend as he broke the kiss with Kittish and sighed, “I was so close, just two more minutes.”

  Terets shook his head, “Hudson Hawk. Nice reference. Now knock it off and let's get moving away from this cold mountain.”

  Kittish stuck her tongue out at Terets, “Spoilsport. Ruining my fun just because you don't have a proper beard.”

  Terets threw up his hands, “Heavens help me. With friends like you two I don't need any more grief.”

  Amythyst snuggled up next to him, “I balance the books out for them.”

  Terets looked over at her with a broad smile, wrapping an arm around her waist, “Salvation at last.”

  Dumadin chuckled, “Alright we are here, we finished our quest and we are off to Smee's.”

  Kittish frowned, “We haven't gotten credit for discovering this place which means we can't fast travel to it.”

  The others checked their maps and frowned. “Sure enough. When did we get the notice last time? Was it after we entered the cave?” Terets asked with a puzzled look at his friends.

  Dumadin shrugged and walked towards the dark cave, “I'll check.” He came out a moment later and nodded, “You get a pop-up when you go inside.” He stepped out of the way so the others could all go in. The trio entered the mouth of the cave and paused as the pop-up happened.

  You have found Thallien's Rest, this spot is now shown on your map.

  You receive two thousand experience.

  The group paused for a moment as they took in the new name. “I like the new name. Are you sure you want to set up our castle here, D?” Terets asked his friend as the group walked back out into the sun.

  Dumadin paused and looked at the sky for a second, “Yes. If, when we claim it the fast travel spot can be deactivated and if the architect can leave that cave as is.”

  “You want to leave the cave as his memorial,” Kittish said with a smile and hugged her lover.

  Dumadin nodded, “Of course. Wouldn't it be grand if we could all have a spot to be remembered by those that come after?”

  Terets watched his friend’s eyes for a second, not commenting on the longing he saw in them. After a brief pause he spoke up, “Still cold here, so can we get to Smee's?”

  Dumadin looked at his friend and chuckled, “Bitch, bitch, bitch, moan, moan, moan.”

  Kittish shook her head and hooked arms with Amythyst, “Shall we?” With Amythyst's nod the women vanished, leaving the guys at the cave.

  Terets shook his head with a chuckle, “I guess we should go as well then.”

  “Yeah. Goodness knows if we leave them alone what kind of havoc
they might get into,” Dumadin replied before the two of them also fast traveled to Smee's.

  The found the women chatting with Smee at the gate to his garden. “So here are the mushrooms for you, Smee.” Kittish finished saying while holding out a handful of the mushrooms for him.

  Quest completed: Help Smee.

  Received: A Potion of Finding and five hundred experience.

  Smee took the mushrooms and placed them into a pouch on his waist. “Oh my thanks kind ladies. I have this potion for you here in return for your service.” He held out a vial that seemed to have rainbows inside of it. “A Potion of Finding, it will lead you to what you seek. Drink it when you are close enough to hear a woman scream and it will lead you to the prize you think of.”