“Just blast everything and raise the remainders,” Gabrielle said and withdrew an orb of pure black from her pouch. One of those high-level flesh-corruption bombs she’d mentioned in passing.
Rowan wasn’t sure if he could raise demonic skeletons and regrow their flesh. “A little longer,” he said, temper rising.
The Overseer's feathers glowed and a ring of black mana whipped back Rowan's stalkers. Two dead. The rest with a sliver of life.
“Arrhh,” he growled and resigned to Gabrielle’s suggestion, pinging her to go ahead. “Do it!” He unleashed a spray of tainted ice, killing the majority of his own and the Overseer’s forces. Then prepared a blizzard, pumping his bone wand with mana. The skill was powerful but took far too long to charge.
Gabrielle lobbed her bomb at the bird. “Get back, my pretties!”
The sphere landed by the Overseer’s talons. It cackled down at the object. Not too smart.
Rowan’s Undead puffed out of the way as he broadcast a retreat order with a thought. The enemy stalkers paused in surprise.
Liquid black detonated in a vortex, engulfing the battlefield before Rowan’s blizzard rumbled to life at the chandeliers.
Though the fallout cleared at surprising speed.
Hundreds of demonic skeletons littered the chamber. Less than a quarter of his force had survived—the imp Mages and a few of the stalkers. Clawed imps whined in pain, gripping their various wounds and diseased flesh. Rowan canceled his channel and sneered at the useless lot without pity.
“Weeeee that was fun!” Gabrielle’s fist pumped into the air. “And that was one tough owl. It had more shields than me and it wasn’t even a boss!”
Rowan sighed, cold disappointment sinking to his feet. His force of imps hadn’t been nearly as effective as he’d imagined. He had been debating on whether to just attack the Water Mages with the poultry force he’d built up or invest more time in this dungeon. The latter was clearly needed—the high-level Water Mages would make short work of his fire imps. His arrogant ways had crept up on him yet again. “Yeah…” he mumbled, not meeting Gabrielle’s eye.
“Huh? What’s wrong?” Gabrielle poked his cheek. “You don’t have any disease debuffs.”
“Thought those imps would be worth more.” These pathetic things couldn’t possibly take out level 180+ Mages—or protect his beautiful Gabrielle.
She laughed two breaths. “Ya silly… There’s a reason why they’re only level 90.”
“I see now.” He huffed and headed for the center of the carnage.
“Ya think you can raise the skeletons?”
“Why not try?” Might as well. Demonic skeletons would still be useful though far weaker.
“Kay.” Her tone was off by a few notes.
Rowan didn’t bother to question her as a grimace tugged on his nose at the sight. Lesser Mass Raise better work on these…
A tedious, long chant and strenuous drain of mana passed in a blur, the spell leaving Rowan’s lips without thought. He’d drawled these verses countless times now—an uninteresting soliloquy about death and the damned and eternal servitude as Undead.
Gabrielle whistled a tune as mana swelled through the room and mired into each skeleton. He fed extra into each stalker and concentrated on the owl skeleton over everything else, binding the thing to his absolute will.
Something different took place as each skeleton ate their share of Rowan’s power. Black and red flaming pentagrams flared around each target. The first clawed imp skeleton melted into a bubbling, black blob. Then every skeleton. The Overseer’s mass undulated in a spinning, demonic circle far more complex than the others. The cracked keystone at his heart vibrated, voices growing louder while the masses bubbled and morphed into rough figures.
A wave of sicknesses pulled Rowan to his knee as the blobs imploded into the resurrected bodies of imps, stalkers, and that disgusting owl. The overseer fidgeted for five seconds before he tied a mental leash around its neck. It blinked like an owl and those molten eyes calmed. It hooted once at him. Ready to serve.
Coughing, Rowan tasted bile. His mana and stamina bars were at zero, mana reserved by 42% thanks to this crap gear.
A warm hand rubbed his back. Gabrielle. “There there… Take ya time.”
Drops of cold sweat ran down his neck and chest. The familiar rush of mana through his heart was gone in this drained state. “What just happened?” he breathed, voice weak, “Did I just raise them or summon new ones?”
“Well, I think the answer is obvious, isn’t it?” Her lips were close to his ear, her breath cool.
“Yeah.” It was—that was definitely a re-summoning. Demons and the Undead were linked in this game. Though he couldn’t directly summon them, raising a downed demon was the equivalent of a new summoning. Perhaps demons were Undead that possessed sentience and pseudo-immortality. Rowan could only guess, the game becoming more intriguing by the hour.
Gabrielle said, “Good job, my less grouchy Rowan. Good job.”
Her grouchy Rowan? He would’ve bent her over and spanked her raw if he was at full stamina.
* * *
The descent sped up significantly with the Owlish Overseer and over forty stalkers—which knew a few generic melee skills and Illusion Copy—at Rowan’s command.
[2 slots each] Raised Owlish Overseer (2): Average Level 126
Average Health: 14,410
Average Mana: 26,900
Average Stamina: 7,320
Active Skill: Puff (T7)
Active Skill: Corrupting Ring (T5)
Active Skill: Mana Shield (T7)
Active Skill: Pestilence Aura (T6)
Active Skill: Unholy Aura (T6)
Active Skill: Bone Disease Curse (T6)
Active Skill: Flesh Disease Curse (T5)
Active Skill: Dark Essence Bolt (T7)
Passive Skill: Demonic Skin (T4)
More or less weaker versions of Gabrielle’s past Witch-Doctor but beefier. She could focus on dealing damage and removing curses now. They’d cleared another ambush, gaining another one with less fatigue. They hadn’t been skelefied like before. The things knew a small arsenal of spells. Rowan doubled their speed after that.
Time was running out for Rowan and the rebirthed dark humans. They had spent close to seven hours in these mines and there was no sign of an upcoming boss floor. The fortress walls had been increasingly lined with anti-detection runes and rendered Gabrielle’s ward near-useless. The corridors grew complex, the chambers morphing into altar rooms of some sort. Altars for summoning these demons.
The first room holding multiple Overseers sported an empty square platform and four pillars at the corners, like something had been missing on that square. They’d been no match for Rowan’s dark-imbued Overseers thanks to Sazar’s ring. Few clawed imps and stalkers fell in that exchange which ended in under a minute.
A while later, Gabrielle had stopped at crumbled wall leading into a narrow tunnel. Rowan had tensed when she had entered but she’d assured him it was safe, her detection ward unimpaired. Still, he sent an Overseer, a couple of imp Mages, and as many stalkers he could fit into the gap.
The alcove at the bottom was clear as she’d predicted, fortunately. A pool of lava bubbled at the end next to twenty stalagmites and stalactites and an opposite tunnel entrance. Gabrielle had proclaimed the area a fit hiding place and tucked away her crafted spawnstone within three stalagmites. Then incanted many long verses in the dark language before the stone activated, taking up one of her ten spawnstone slots. One slot remaining.
Rowan attuned to the new dark spawn point while Ambiguous Pain wormholed to their side in a crackling twist of purple and black.
She waved a relaxed greeting. “Hey.” then flinched when her eyes swept the demons. “Those yours?” she asked Rowan.
“Yeah.” He smirked.
“Heya,” Gabrielle chirped. “So—”
Rowan cut her off. There was no time to waste. “I need to use the market box in your mansi
on to pick up a set of level 120 gear. The Demons are getting stronger.”
Her eyebrow rose. “And why would I let you use it, Mr. Demonic Necromancer?”
Gabrielle puffed in the way and tugged at her robe sleeve. “Heeeyyy, you said you would help.”
Ambiguous eyed Gabrielle, a silent exchange bouncing back and forth for several seconds—negotiating the terms of Rowan’s access. They probably involved Rowan but he let it slide. They needed to hurry up with this dungeon crawl and raid the Water Mages. He hadn’t even begun planning how he’d do that yet… Or hold the base afterward. The minions so far were mostly of sub-par quality and his raise skill was only tier 4. Their chances of success were looking grim despite Gabrielle and Ambiguous’ confidence.
Ambiguous finally said, “Very well.”
“Let’s go then,” Rowan said impatiently.
She shook her head. “Under the following conditions.” She held up a finger. “None of your minions shall enter my domain.” Then another. “You will not damage any of my property, or landscape, or my pets.” A third finger. “And you shall not fornicate with Gabby while in my domain.”
His face heated at the last one, Gabrielle breaking into hysterics. “What?! What do you mean not for—”
“Final terms. Do you accept?” Ambiguous crossed her arms.
He scoffed. “What’s with that third term? I’m not some sex-crazed pig!”
“Everything that happens there is available to my sight and I would rather not catch you two going at it like bunnies. Ever. Do you accept these terms?”
Damn her. Rowan didn’t know why but the fact that Ambiguous could see his lust for Gabrielle so clearly irked him to all hell. He hadn’t even bedded her once yet and it was already public knowledge within this dark circle of three. He would’ve blasted the scantily dressed Mage if she wasn’t Gabrielle’s friend. “Fine,” he spat.
“Ahahahahahahah!” Gabrielle’s laughter climaxed.
“Quiet, you,” he said and slapped her behind with all his strength.
“Oh, Rowan!”
Ambiguous’ eyes narrowed. “I’m warning you. Don’t try it under my sky.”
He snarled, “I won't. Just open the damn portal.”
Ambiguous studied him for a minute as a vein throbbed at his skull. He sank into the cool aura of his keystone to prevent any accidents here. Could he take her down with his superior Necromancer power? He Examined her calculating, gray eyes.
[Player] Ambiguous Pain (Chaos Mystic): Level 209
Health: 15,900
Mana: 23,200
Stamina: 9,540
Buffs: Mana Shield
Bloody hell. She was far tankier than Gabrielle. Though she was a melee-range mage while Gabrielle was a support full of tricks.
“Oh come on,” Gabrielle said, her laughing faded, “I’ll make sure he behaves. No spankings either.”
Ambiguous let out a long breath. “Alright, very well.” She drew the staff at her back and shot Rowan a final scathing warning look before muttering a few words in the dark language.
Rowan returned the look without blinking. He ordered his minions to stand guard as the alcove flashed in bright purple then faded to black. A dialog appeared.
Ambiguous Pain has invited you to her dimension. Do you accept? (28 seconds remaining)
Just as he was about to accept, grumbling at the third term, a thought hit him: why was that so important? Ambiguous could just look away if she didn’t want to watch and she knew they were on a strict schedule. She wasn’t a prude, judging those lacy, tight robes that revealed much of her mid-drift and chest and legs. Guys could look up her skirt while she was in the air. Did something else take place during that wordless exchange and this was merely a cover-up?
Something definitely had happened and he’d been manipulated by the two girls.
Ambiguous Pain has invited you to her dimension. Do you accept? (6 seconds remaining)
Rowan sighed and projected his intention to accept.
The world faded in. He stood before a cathedral-like building made from dark granite, imposing and two stories high. Arched windows of frosted glass glinted under an evening sun in a sky filled with sparkling streaks of purple and dark mana. He glanced at the surrounding forest. Twisted willows and pines seeped a gentle pulse of dark mana every few breaths. A large, black bird flew overhead, its eyes intelligent, watching Rowan.
Not bad, he had to admit.
“There ya are,” Gabrielle said from a balcony and waved, “I thought you didn’t accept.”
Ambiguous appeared next to her in a flash. “There’s a market box in the lobby. And remember the terms.” She disappeared in a flash, Gabrielle puffing away with her.
Rowan glowered at their hasty retreat. Something wasn’t right there. They were definitely hiding something. Were they planning to betray them?
No—Gabrielle was with Roth and Roth had a written agreement with Rowan. If it was a betrayal it had to be something minor. Or something monumental, involving Roth as well.
Or… Dare he to trust those two?
He shook his head and strode to the front entrance. Making a scene now wouldn’t be worth it. Too much was on the line. He’d used his only charge of Ione’s Dark Conversion and his identity had been revealed to the good players. He’d thought it would’ve made for a powerful entry and cause mayhem and division but now second thoughts bubbled into his mind. There hadn’t been a panic on the forums like he’d thought—that part of the plan had fallen flat.
He had to trust the two for now and be extra careful. No other choice. They were his only allies. His beautiful, sexy Gabrielle and that enigmatic, calculating Ambiguous Pain. He’d just need to trust Gabrielle and vow vengeance if she dares turn on him. That wasn’t a thought he liked to entertain, his Gabrielle betraying him like that.
Swallowing a sharp lump in his neck, Rowan stepped into the lobby and his breath hitched.
This was truly a mansion. Not a cliche, boring one either. Everything in here oozed style and unique creativity from the polished tiles to the paintings on the walls.
He discarded his awe and strode to the market box on a marble table, similar to those back in the town. He reached in and a dialog flooded his view displaying his market bank and a few tips on how to operate the box. Will an intent to withdraw a particular item. Deposit by simply placing an item into the box. Search for an item via intent. Easy enough.
Ten minutes later, Rowan stood in a garb of common rarity level 120 control oriented gear consisting of a robe-top, pants, boots, and belt. No hat or cloak or gloves. He checked his character sheet.
Name: Rowan Black
Title: Powerful One, Bastard Noble Kid
Race: Draconian-Human (focus to expand)
Gender: Male
Level: 131
Class: Necromancer
Boss Status: World, Tier 3 (Hidden. Focus to confirm advancements)
Fame: 2056
Faction: Kingdom of Draconis
Health: 100 (6 regen/minute)
Mana: 2850 (28.5 regen/minute, 920 reserved)
Mana Type: Ice-Dark
Stamina: 290 (29 regen/minute)
Strength: 21
Dexterity: 29
Vitality: 10
Magical Power: 195
Magical Capacity: 285
Control: 492
Points Available: 11
Skill Tier Points Available: 4
Not bad for common rarity gear offering no special bonuses. The unique wand and ring granted the largest bonuses, a large gap between the ring and the common robe-top.
But it wasn’t enough. Not anywhere near enough to take down high-level Water Mages and subsequently hold the base. He sported less than three hundred minion slots and his blizzard was barely on-par with Gabrielle’s ultimate death blast. Most of his power came from skills and his minions, not his character stats apart from control or Magical Capacity. Magical Power boosted his spell damage but it was only an additional 0.25% per
point, multiplicatively—not much.
He concluded: the path to victory would be through finding more scrolls and maximizing Magical Capacity and control. And leading his dark followers, Gabrielle and Ambiguous included.
Who was still off doing whatever. Plotting whatever betrayal they were pulling on him.
But why would they?
Damn, they were so difficult to understand. Normal, good people were far easier to read.
Rowan breathed the cool mansion air and stowed away the mix of negative emotions tumbling through his stomach and chest—faint but still there and affecting him, tainting his judgment. He should be planning for the next few in-game days, not worrying about his allies’ secret plans which may or may not be his downfall.
Oh, his boss status had leveled up. That’d completely escaped his notice. A lucky break just when he needed it. So far his luck streak hadn’t been broken since the little mishap with the mimic. It had to be ending soon.
Aeon Chronicles Online_Book 1_Devil's Deal Page 30
