The Way of the Clan 4 (World of Valdira)

by Dem Mikhaylov

  - Atta-a-ack! – said Kira with a rallying cry and rushed forwards, dragging the rest of the soldiers with her. Kaylen turned exclusively to stone peaks, which was reasonable— It was unwise to use fire.

  On the ice slid the ghosts of the elf, hugging the frozen enemies with their whole bodies and killing them.

  And I… I dropped out of the fight for a couple of seconds, fascinated as I looked at the snow.

  Before my eyes was a vision of the icy coast and almost black rolling waters.

  - Ro-o-o-os! – Kira’s cry tore me out of my stupor and I jerked back to reality.

  - Norma! – I shouted, understanding Trouble’s worry.

  But I’m fine. In absolute order.

  And combat magic glowed in my hands. No coals or thorns. Only the “ice shards” flew out of my hands, rushing to the target like bullets.

  The sight was magical, unforgettable and inerasable from memory, even after all these years and decades.

  On the ice hill, slipping and waving their arms, the dark rushing figures of the soldiers accompanied by misty ghosts. They occasionally stop at an ice statue, briefly descend their swords and cut into the statue, which shatters to pieces. And the soldiers and ghosts ae already rushing on, oblivious to the screaming. There are stone spikes sprouting from the ice. Howling ghost sometimes rush straight through the frozen bodies of enemies and then the statue falls by itself. The last five seconds are stretched for very long as the spell fades— we are so focused on applying maximum damage. Soldiers and ghosts are divided into two groups. Bom and Kray beat the first two Krabbers with furious cries, while Kira and the pack of ghosts hit the giant frozen leader who is already moving his terrible claw and crumbling the ice.

  The lines of gained experience I no longer saw, nor the notification about getting to the next level.

  You got a new level!

  Currently I did not care for new experience. Gritting my teeth, I aimed to beat the enemies, turning into an ice cannon standing proudly at the edge of the slope. Nearby was the other combat magician, hissing something fiercely and through clenched teeth, constantly creating more stone peaks.

  -Ba-a-ack! – abruptly turning around, Kira rushes back. Slipping, she collapses to the ground, but picks herself up and continues to run, catching up with the half orc and gnome. On the battlefield now there are only the howling ghosts, which continue to torment the enemy. And the magic continues to hit.

  The huge field of ice is beginning to be covered with gaping cracks, every moment becoming wider. The leader has already freed himself from captivity and is knocking off the last of the magic ice. His claw is hitting the Krabber next to him, breaking him free. And at that moment, a loud explosion is heard right under his feet. Both creatures are launched into the air and scattered into different directions. Whether it’s a coincidence or the lightening reaction of Kaylen, the leader swoops directly back to a peak of stone, writhing like a bug on a pin. He wasn’t struck through, but his armor took huge damage.

  But the explosion?! Another explosive potion?

  Yes, certainly. Because Kira obviously expected this and abruptly turned around, rushing to the disoriented enemies.

  This is a paladin! She not only managed to wield her sword, but also stockpiled her potions. Went to the zone of battle and immediately returned. An experienced player always has aces up their sleeve. Ice and grenades— a good set for all occasions.

  Bom and Cray were already running after her, aiming for the ordinary Krabber. Ahead of them was a pack of ghosts, tearing the Krabber to pieces like a pack of hungry wolves on deer. They came down and began to tear to pieces, sinking ghostly fangs and claws everywhere, if only to catch, to strike. The Krabber leaned to the side, rolled over, and with a wild howl some of the ghosts scattered into patches of fog. Orbit was thrown to his knees. Doc grabbed the elf’s shoulders, infusing him with life. The fierce cries of the soldiers sounded as they continued to beat the leader, who still hadn’t managed to get up.

  And we were not standing still either, and took the whole fight to the offensive. Two magicians a healer and an exorcist of spirits ran down the slope, hurrying to get closer to the range of fire. Now that the backs of our comrades concealed the enemies, combat magic was impossible to fire at random. Doc ran ahead of everyone, on long legs. Commendable. Not caring about his own safety, the doctor hastened to aid those in need of assistance. Behind Doc happily rushed the black and white wolf, who didn’t want to stay away.

  Collapsing on the ground, I put my hands in front of me and threw “ice sharps” into the shoulder of the Krabber, clearly visible from my position. I hardly had a chance to. After a moment under the armored shoulder rose a stone peak, throwing the monster up directly under the blade of a descending axe.

  Once again, the carousel of death began to turn as we spun it with all our might.

  The crunch of armor, the screams of friends and the flashes of magic. Turmoil in the mishmash of mud. I called for Tyrant in a hoarse voice, and in a couple of agonizing seconds he appeared before me, covered in mud.

  He battled and that’s enough for now. Especially since everything was over anyway.

  Two Krabbers were still alive— including the leader.

  But this is agony. My intuition long said that the victory was ours.

  And here is the proof— a line flashed before me to say that the penultimate Krabber went to heaven.

  And this had barely happened, as Kira screamed:

  - Stop! Stop! Stop hitting! Stop!

  The warriors didn’t stop easily and for a couple of seconds could be heard thumping until finally there was silence in the pit.

  The winners stood exhausted in the deep mud. Unrecognizable. We hadn’t had time to rejoice in victory, nor were we aware of the fact that the victory was ours.

  With a long moan Doc takes his hands from the back of the massive half orc and falls to his knees.

  - I managed! All intact… all alive… no one has departed… -- breaks from his lips.

  Arms outstretched, the skinny doctor flops back into the mud and smiles happily. That’s right. He has the right to celebrate. We all survived. What could be more joyous for the doctor?

  - We… we did it? – said Kaylen with a disbelieving smile— We did it?! We did! Ye-e-es!

  Heavily rising upon trembling legs, I step to Kira and cannot help the joyous grin which spreads across my lips.

  We did it!

  Bom removes his shield and sword and puts them behind his back, swearing hoarsely but happily, through clenched teeth.

  Cray is outwardly unmoved, but watches Kaylen as she dances in the mud in legitimate pride.

  Orbit doesn’t share in the joy— his cheeks are rolling with copious tears. The elf is mourning the dead ghosts. I would have wept in sight of such a sorrowful face, if not for the knife gripped in his hands. The elf is grieving, but already looking for someone to turn into another spirit.

  - I knew! I knew it! – splashing through the mud came Stump-eyes, who decided to leave his hiding place— Heroes! Heroes!

  The creature is pleased, but not triumphant. After all, one of his sworn enemies is still alive.

  Tyrant spins underfoot Kaylen, joining her dance of victory.

  And I didn’t take my eyes off Kira, standing in a fighting stance over the sprawled and twitching leader of the Krabbers. He is clearly unable to continue the fight. But he is not yet dead. Why would Kira not finish it?

  - Kira?

  - He wants to talk— she shrugs— With you.

  - No way? – I am exhausted and amazed— Krabber?! Speak?! And also with me

  - With the leader— says trouble.

  I stop next to the girl and look down at the defeated enemy, lying helplessly in the mud. His armor is a broken medley. There are many perforations in the seemingly indestructible protection. Kira rests a boot at his wounded chest, the tip of her sword at the throat of the Krabber. One movement and the enemy will die.

  - Y-y-you…. �
� the leader whistled— You’re their…

  - Aye. What do you want? – I proceeded unceremoniously. I did not want to talk. I’m tired. One blow of the sword and my job is done. Why bother?

  - It was a glorious battle— rumbled the dying squad leader— It was nice… you won… this time…

  - This is all you wanted to tell me?

  - You won. I failed. I failed— spat the Krabber— But others will come! We won’t retreat!

  - It happens— I shrugged with indifference— Is that all?

  - Ros! – intervened Kira— Let me ask… hey, crab meat, why’d you come here? What do you want?

  - Why did we come? – the voice of the Krabber gained strength— We came after our god! The god you stole from us! And we will never back down! We came for our god! Return him to us! Give us god!

  I heard the Krabber’s words without exception. And again there was silence.

  We needed time to be able to digest such a loud statement.

  - What I want? – continued the Krabber— I know that you have defended these boneless and worthless bog creatures… cowardly swine who defame the life bestowing waters! You cannot save them! Not we, nor anyone else can destroy them! And this shall go on until we accomplish our goal!

  - So what do you want from me, my enemy? – I repeated— Tell me! Do you need something from me?

  - Yes! If you can help, if you return what rightfully belongs to us, we will leave this place! We will leave this place to the hideous bog creatures… let them live! But only if your return what belongs to us!

  - What exactly? Return what?

  - God! Give us god! – escaped the furious roar— Give him!

  - Ok-a-a-ay… -- I said, exchanging a glance with Kira— Return god?

  - Yes!

  - Can we please have more details, dear dying one? – I asked, looking into the dimming eyes of the Krabber leader— I love details…

  Chapter Seven.

  The prayer-roar of the Krabber. Who killed God? Where is the lair of the Beasts?!

  - Since our god fell, the fate of our race is not an enviable one! And unenviable is the fate of those who allow god to fall! Since then, we can only take revenge! We leave the ocean and attack ground settlements, passing through only to bring death!

  The Krabber leader shuddered and sighed, spat a clot of green slime and continued, boring into me with rebellious eyes:

  - During one such campaign, one of the teams came across a wounded and dying man. Just before the claw closed on his throat he was able to get out the name of our god, ringing in an echo on our grieving hearts! Only one word reminded us of that, which happened many tides ago! The warrior held his jab and the man began to speak! Every word rang in our ears like an alarm!

  Holy god… I’m tired of long and passionate speeches lately. But I had to strain my tired mind. Another legend began to evolve about the god of the Krabbers, assassinated! Killed! A god! Which, in principle, is not possible and therefore, despite the harsh words of the Krabber, was only the “fall of god.”

  He continued to speak and we lined up in a semi-circle, listening to him. I’m tired, Orbit indifferent, Bom impatient, Kaylen and Cray fascinated, Doc amazed and Kira a little surprised.

  The Krabbers are opposites of the achilots, making it a real competition of the ocean floor. But the achilots were numerous and organized, crowding out the Krabbers. And as a result, in order to give them more power, a god appeared to the Krabbers. Since then, the ocean depths have been in delicate balance. The achilots didn’t care who was winning, but they remained strong and suffered no serious losses. God is god. Unrelenting and a steamroller. Krabbers continued to die, but they didn’t mind. After all the enemies died too! And wishing for immortality is for the weak.

  The god was called Digratsy. Sonorous and angry. And he met the expectations of his new believers, being bloodthirsty. It was during the time of the great Digratsy that Krabbers began to attack coastal cities, bringing death and devastation. And the god went with them in the shape of a giant crab. ( At this point of the story I chuckled under my breath. It seems the demons had little imagination, giving the Krabbers a crab god. ) Anyway, this wasn’t the only form of the god— in real time he preferred to remain in the form of a huge cloud of glowing plankton. The crab was purely a form of combat.

  Those times could be called the era of crusades. And still on the coast can be found the ruins of a glorious city. And this incidentally wasn’t true— the ruins on the coasts of Valdira was an excess. Krabbers attacked civilian settlements. In their time, the bog creatures refused to swear allegiance to Digratsy and aroused his hatred. It seems that the Krabbers hated all other races in Valdira by default. You have to hate someone. But nothing lasts forever. One fateful day a horde of Krabbers entered the bay of Oyster Frenzy. A quiet and peaceful settlement without the slightest trace of fortification. No protective walls or fortresses nearby. From the sky came drizzling rain, soaking the shells of Krabber soldiers and overcast clouds closed off a searing sun. Ideal conditions for the attack. But it all went wrong. As soon as they plunged into the narrow streets, the god Digratsy reached the little town center where all hell broke loose.

  The Krabber who told us the legend witnessed the events himself and survived only because he led one of the last teams and in the final moment was waist deep in water. He described what happened using the available and relatively concise words. Then I concluded grimly— in the town of Oyster Frenzy a nuclear bomb went off three times. It flashed three times an unbearable bright flame and the own disappeared. The blows were so strong that the cute coastal town simply melted into the ground! When the flames dissipated, the Krabbers gazed at a huge crater, at the bottom of which struggled the god Digratsy. The god was cruelly mutilated, roaring, with a cracked shell and burning eyes. Not even a trace of the hordes accompanying him was left!

  And on the edge of the crater were ranks of soldiers, led by a black haired woman dressed in shiny black skin, in whose hand something shone unbearably brightly. So bright that to consider the object’s outline was impossible. And over the heads of the human army proudly fluttered flags with a single eye.

  At this point in the story I grunted, and went into a long and hacking cough.

  The bald elf grinned happily and drawled:

  - Bu-u-u-sia!

  The dying, and still not dead, leader paused momentarily, eyed us and continued the story, obviously unable to stop until he was finished speaking.

  Many soldiers surrounded Digratsy, who had not yet had time to recover. Into the body of the god pierced flaming spikes! He was wrapped in chains! Out of nowhere appeared a cliff and pressed him to the sand! Plant tentacles broke through his shell! After that something terrible happened— the woman in black came to the god and stabbed him with a single blow to the head with the bright object! There was such a bright flash, that those Krabbers coming to aid the god were brought to their knees! Above the coast there was such a roar that everyone who believed in Digratsy huddled in convulsions! No matter where they were— by the coast or on the other side of the ocean!

  Writhing in the sand, he saw the god Digratsy as he fought for his life. As he racked his body and it sunk into the peaks, how he pulled the chains and threw his enemies. The Krabber couldn’t help his god— the body did not listen to him.

  But he saw!

  He saw as the hated woman in black pulled something shining from the body of his god!

  At this moment the god Digratsy died.

  Instead of him was born the Beast!

  The woman disappeared in a flash of teleportation, taking with her the most sacred! Taking the soul of the god!

  The leader of the Krabbers coughed, reliving what had happened, and I looked at him with dazed eyes, trying to understand the information.

  Not the soul of God. No. Apparently, an unknown and very powerful artifact the woman in black snagged from the god Digratsy in one of his incarnations. Most likely an object. A thing endowed with divine pow
er. Then Digratsy automatically turned into a ghastlier monster. His mind left him. And the body remained.

  And I personally knew only one woman in black, able to lead an army of soldiers under a flag with one eye on it.

  Lord Jesus… the Krabber really wants me to… I could not collect my thoughts. With a hoarse bellowing the leader came to the end of his story.

  The enemies disappeared and Digratsy remained. Not for long. The huge crab broke the shackles, rose to his feet and went away, breaking ancient trees in his path and splitting stones. That was the last time anyone ever saw the Krabber god. Digratsy disappeared forever. Deprived of reason, turned into a creature, the defeated god ran away.

  For a long time looking for Digratsy the Krabbers relentlessly attacked coastal cities, venting their savage fury and quenching their desire for revenge.

  And one day, recently, they stumbled on a trail. It was weak and fragile. But it was there! One of the prisoners, bargaining for his life, told them that under one of the great cities, in the darkness of the water drain, the labyrinth of catacombs, he saw a huge monstrous crab shell painted in gold and silver colors. The captive said that the crab was seen from afar and slowly sank into the mud and disappeared without a trace. And at that moment, he remembered the legends, which mentioned a crab, and described how it ruthlessly pillaged coastal cities. In wild fear, he ran out of the catacombs.

  There could only exist one crab with such colorings, in the world— this was the great Digratsy! Their god!

  To the Krabbers’ rage, the man was not able to tell them anything useful— his injuries caught up with him before he could pronounce the name of the city, in which the mad Digratsy resided. But the word great could belong to any of the five largest cities in Valdira! And among them was Algora!

  That is why, in all five major cities, Krabber troops were sent to find the lost god and bring him back into the ocean.