by Paul Ormond
“That’s incredible,” Sage said as he watched Greg charge into a wall of grubs.
“You can thank me later,” Greg shouted, cutting a path into the attacking creatures. “Lets handle these worms first and figure out what comes next.”
“We need to focus on the big ones,” Candace shouted. “They keep spitting out more and more offspring. If we don’t shut them down, we’ll be drowning in worm guts.”
“If they can’t handle fire, how about we shove some down their throat,” Gareth shouted.
“Sounds like a suicide mission,” Donnie hollered.
“We’ll all be dead if we don’t do something quick,” Gareth shouted back.
“What do you mean by shove something down their throats?” Darren asked as he cleaved more grubs in half.
“I mean literally shove something down their throats,” Gareth said, dodging a grub. “Here’s the thing about these worms: When they eat you, you don’t die. You can pass through their system and live. I played a mission where you had to get swallowed by a similar worm to travel to an inaccessible cavern. If we can get inside those worms, we’ll be able to cut them down from the inside.”
“That’s insane,” Donnie shouted.
“Keeping up this slaughter fest in insane,” Gareth shouted while dodging an attack. “We need to do something different, or we’ll all die. But we’ve got to protect Sage. He is the one carrying the egg.”
“I’d help, but I can’t offload it,” Sage said as he backed away from another grub.
“So once again, Sage Rhinus needs us to do his dirty work,” Greg said before he flattened a grub with a fist of fire.
“This egg is the one thing that’s going to tell us what’s really going on,” Candace shouted. “If you die, you’ll lose a bit of loot, but we if we lose the egg we won’t get another chance to figure this out. From what we can tell, all of this Easter egg stuff has something to do with Mitch. But we won’t know until we can open it up. And we need all your help to figure it out.”
“I’m in,” Greg said. “I put hours into this armor, and I’m gonna make sure it was worth it.”
“Shaundra and Candace stay back with Sage. The rest of us are going to charge those things and get inside,” Gareth said as he readied his weapon.
“Back up the train there, Mister Macho,” Candace said. “You’re the one with all the creature and lore knowledge. It should be you hanging back with Sage. Besides, I’ve got a spell I’ve been saving that will be perfect for this situation.”
“We don’t have time for this?” Gareth said while Candace pulled out a vial from her pack.
“I think you’ll have time for the Dire Wolf of Fire,” Candace said as she doused herself with a glittering liquid.
Spasms pulsed across her form before she was engulfed in a ball of flame. Letting loose a loud howl, a tremendous flaming wolf leaped out of the fire and tore into a grub.
“That’s my girl,” Sage said while he watched fire wolf Candace tear apart another grub.
“I guess she’s made her point,” Gareth said, falling back beside Sage. “I’ll hang back with Shaundra to protect Sage. The rest of you are on the fire brigade. Get behind Candace and hack your way to the big ones. Don’t panic when they swallow you. You’ll drop into a wide sac. That’s their stomach. If you can hack your way out, we should be able to defeat them.”
“That’s easy for you to say,” Darren said after he doused himself in fire potion. “You’re not the one that has to get eaten.”
“Just get going. We don’t have time for anymore banter,” Sage said as he watched Candace leap over the wave of attacking grubs. Following after her, Greg and the others cut a path through the writhing grubs toward the towering worms.
“Let’s get to higher ground,” Gareth said, indicating a bluff of stone jutting out of the wall.
“That sounds like a good idea,” Sage said after he chopped down another grub.
“I’ll cover you,” Shaundra shouted, blasting a worm with a fiery orb.
“No, we all go together,” Gareth said. “My armor can take a few hits. I’ll help you up.”
“Ladies first,” Sage said.
“No need for the chivalry now, Sage,” Shaundra shouted while blasting another grub. “If you die, it’s all over. Get moving.”
“You heard the lady,” Gareth shouted.
“Fine, I’m just not used to being protected,” Sage said before he leaped onto the rock.
“Take it when you can get it,” Shaundra said, following after him.
“Whatever you do, don’t die,” Gareth said while climbing onto the rock. “Who knows when we’ll get another chance at this.”
“If we can keep ‘em below us, we’ll stand a chance, but if they get on the level we’re done for,” Shaundra said as she blasted another worm.
“It looks like there is a path leading up,” Gareth said, looking over his shoulder. “Let’s pull back and keep them at bay.”
“I’d say retreating is a good strategy. My HP is reaching critical levels and I’m almost out of heal,” Sage said while Candace’s fiery wolf form charged toward the worms. “Let’s hope you’re right about these worms, or else all our friends are about to get to turned into soil.”
“I’m right. I know I’m right,” Gareth said, chopping up a grub. “At least I hope I’m right.”
Letting loose another howl, Candace charged toward the nearest of the worms. As she opened her mouth, a fireball flew out of her jaws and burned into the flesh of the worm. It screeched in agony and turned toward its attackers.
Rising into the air, the worm opened its massive jaws and dove toward Candace. It slammed into the ground, swallowing her whole along with Donnie.
As the worms long torso drove into the ground at their feet, Greg and Darren glanced at each other before looking up. The second monstrous worm had risen overhead. Its jaws gaped as it prepared to strike.
“Just don’t move,” Darren said as he readied himself.
“This is going to be awesome,” Greg said while flames licked along the edge of his armor.
In a violent rage, the worm dove toward the ground and Greg and Darren disappeared into the creature's cavernous mouth as it burrowed into the ground.
“There goes all our help,” Sage said, watching the second enormous worm vanish into the massive hole it created in the floor of the cavern.
“Don’t worry,” Gareth said as he chopped into more worms. “They’ll be back. You just wait and see.”
“They better be back,” Shaundra said as she chucked another fireball. “I’m running low on ammo. I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to last.”
“Have you got a melee weapon?” Gareth asked, chopping down another worm. “One with fire strength?”
“I’ve got a couple, but their damage is pretty low,” Shaundra said before lobbing another fireball.
“Switch it up,” Sage said, jabbing his claymore into a grub as he backed up. “You’re better off saving your ammo until we absolutely need it.”
“Gotcha,” Shaundra said, reaching back and pulling out a short sword. “How long do you think it’s going to take for them to hack their way out of those worms?”
“No idea,” Gareth said while chopping a grub in half. “I don’t even know if it’s going to work.”
“You sounded pretty certain when you told them to charge in there,” Sage said, gutting a worm.
“I had to tell them something,” Gareth said before he dodged an attack. “It was either that or stand there and swing until we all die.”
“Wait a minute,” Shaundra said as she cut down a grub. “What’s that sound?”
“I hear it too,” Sage said, stabbing a worm.
“I don’t hear anything,” Gareth said, before a torrent of flame burst through the gaping hole created by the first worm. Liquid flame splattered onto the floor of the cavern, incinerating the grubs writhing on the ground. Another stream flowed out of the second hole, flooding the
cavern with a fiery liquid that scorched everything in its path. The remaining grubs succumbed to the wave of flames pouring over the singed corpses of their brethren.
“I think we need to back up,” Gareth said while fire licked at their boots.
“That sounds like a plan,” Sage said as he watched the grubs before them fall into the flaming liquid creeping up the stone path.
“Look, the fire killed them all,” Shaundra said.
“And the flame are subsiding,” Gareth said while he chopped down one of the last remaining grubs.
“At least our friends didn’t die in vain,” Sage said as the fire subsided.
“You don’t know if they died,” Gareth said, still clutching his sword. “What did they say would happen if all the creatures in the cavern were defeated?”
“Digital Mitch said we would be able to leave,” Sage said while he scanned the room for enemies. “But I’m not seeing a way out just yet.”
“What the hell is that?” Gareth asked, letting down his ax.
“It looks like a person,” Shaundra said as she peered at the far end of the cavern.
Walking over the smoking ash and debris, a solitary figure came to the center of the room.
“I see you have solved the puzzle,” the voice of Mitch Mythic echoed through the cavern.
“Is that Mitch?” Gareth asked as he charged forward.
“It’s not what you think it is,” Sage said, following after him.
Climbing over a mound of smoldering grubs, Gareth jogged toward the figure and stopped at a safe distance.
“Greetings adventurer,” Mitch said as Gareth approached with Sage and Shaundra close behind. “It takes a tremendous amount of courage to defeat the worms, and your party survived with the egg intact. This says much about your integrity.”
“But our friends, they went down with the worm,” Gareth said.
“You should trust your instincts, Gareth,” Mitch said, indicating the holes in the ground.
A scrambling sound caught their attention and Sage dashed forward as he saw Candace attempting to claw her way back to the surface.
“How was your trip?” Sage asked while he grabbed her hand and pulled her up.
“As much as one could expect in the belly of a worm,” Candace said as she dropped to her knees on the ground. “Did it work?”
“Take a look for yourself,” Sage said while Gareth help Donnie out of the hole.
“What happened to all those grubs?” Candace asked, getting to her feet.
“A bunch of flaming goo came out these holes and torched them all,” Sage said as Darren and Greg crawled out of the other hole.
“You guys all right?” Gareth asked while his friends dropped onto their knees to catch their breath.
“We just kept hacking until a wave of fire swept over us,” Greg said as the flames surrounding his armor fizzled out.
“I can’t believe we made it out,” Darren said while his chest heaved.
“But made it out you have,” Mitch said as he approached the group.
“Ok, so I’m looking at Mitch Mythic with my eyes, but that’s not Mitch Mythic,” Greg said, rising to his feet.
“It’s best not to think too hard about it,” Candace said. “As weird as it is seeing him as an NPC, that’s all he is.”
“Just let him talk,” Sage said. “We need to know what we have to do next.”
“Yes, brave adventurers. Sage is correct,” Mitch said as he scanned the group. “What comes next is of grave importance. You must make your way to the Guild of Mythic. Once you have made contact, you will receive instructions to unpack this information.”
“Where is this guild of Mythic located?” Sage asked. “And how come you know our names now? Last time you didn’t recognize us at all.”
“I could never forget my brave companions from past adventures,” Mitch said. “You must hurry out of here this place is not safe. There are others in search of this information. Imposters to the throne if you will.”
“You mean people impersonating Mitch like you are doing?” Candace asked.
“There are others who would seek to use my likeness for their own gain, but know this: the Easter eggs are authentic and their information is paramount to the survival of your earthly civilization.”
“Just tell us where to find the Guild of Mythic,” Candace said.
“It is right beneath your feet,” Mitch said as he looked Candace in the eye.
“This cavern is the Guild of Mythic?” Sage asked, tilting his head.
“The Guild of Mythic is not in DeathWorld, it exists in your world. In Kingsford,” Mitch said.
“The Guild of Mythic is in Kingsford,” Gareth asked.
“And you must leave this place immediately. There are eyes watching from under every rock. Choose your allies carefully and keep the information in the egg safe. You have a much to prepare, and when the time comes, you must be ready,” Mitch said as his form flickered before vanishing.
“This is just getting weirder and weirder,” Sage said, scanning the cavern.
“No, it’s only just beginning,” Candace said. “Whoever planted these things knows something about Mitch. We need to listen to what he said and get out of here.”
“I agree,” Gareth said. “The longer we stay online, the easier it will be for someone to find us. We need to log out or we risk everything.”
“I’m ok with that,” Sage said. “I’ve had enough Deathworld for a while now.”
“I’m with you,” Darren said.
“All right, let’s all pull out,” Gareth said. “You need to get your viewer to my place ASAP, Sage. We’ve got to get that data downloaded onto a secure system. I’ve been working on something that should do the trick.”
“Ok, I’ll get to your house as soon as I can,” Sage said. “The rest of you lie low. We’ll be in touch.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
“SO THE MASTERS trained you and enhanced your abilities even though you were nothing more than a hostage?” SoHee asked.
“It was more like an indoctrination,” Kalis said, brushing back her hair. “All the training I received was to keep me loyal, and to keep my mind in line with what they believe.”
“But you did believe it,” Robert said, cutting in. “You should’ve seen her. She was like a savage animal, always threatening to cut me into a million pieces if I got out of line.”
“I was playing the game just like you,” Kalis said, glaring at Robert.
“We know all about your sycophantic adoration of the Masters, and how that turned out for you,” SoHee said.
“I’m not a sycophant,” Robert said in protest.
“You certainly are, Robert,” Allan said from the side of the room. “I’ve seen Robert get excited about things before, but the way he threw himself into his role as the Masters’ attack dog was astonishing to witness.”
“I did all of that to protect you,” Robert said. “And I would do it all again, if it meant I could get home. You must understand, all of you, I’m a changed man. Laying on that slab as I was about to be sacrificed, I had an epiphany of sorts. I’ve seen the error of my ways, and I intend to right my wrongs. And that will start with all of you.”
“Where your heart lies remains to be seen,” SoHee said. “And everyone in this room is aware of your ability to manipulate others with your words. When the time comes, I’m certain you’ll get your chance for redemption, if that is what you truly want. In the meantime, I suggest you shut that serpentine hole of yours and let Kalis finish speaking.”
“Ouch,” Robert said. “You really know how to twist the knife.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way,” SoHee said, turning back to Kalis. “Now, where were we?”
“My training,” Kalis said.
“That’s right. They invested a great deal in your development. It seems like quite a lot just to keep you loyal. Do you think there was something else they were after?”
“Commander Holrathu
was quite interested in the history of my people and our planet. He seemed most fascinated by the ancient origins of our people.”
“Ancient origins? What kind of ancient origins?”
“According to the recorded history, my people arrived on Thylocene through a gateway from another world.”
“Like a wormhole?”
“It’s difficult to say. A lot of it is wrapped up in myth and legend. But the stories say our people descended from heaven to seed the stars.”
“What do you mean descended from heaven?”
“Interpreters of the story say that the architects of the network created my people as vessels of their knowledge and let us loose in the multi-verse in an attempt to expand their reach in an organic fashion.”
“Who are these architects?”
“As much as Mother and the Masters would like you to believe, they did not create the network. It is far more ancient than anyone can guess.”
“And the architects, they built it?”
“According to the legends, but I can not say if it is true. I used to believe it all when I was young, but now I’m not so sure.”
“But there is always a little truth to the story. When I was Mother’s prisoner, she took me to this place that she said was sacred. There were temples and worshippers. They told me there had been other gods before me. I wonder if this is all connected.”
“It’s possible, but no one can say for certain.”
“But I know what I saw and what I experienced.”
“You don’t know if Mother was just messing with your head in some way.”
“As strange as it sounds, there was far too much going on and too many details for it all to just be some hallucination. I saw things and visited places that were more real than anything I have ever experienced. I was taken to a temple and participated in ceremonies. A creature was sacrificed and its blood flowed into the stones beneath my feet.”
“Something about all of this sounds strangely familiar,” Kalis said.
“They kept talking about the Goddess, and there were statues and paintings of this figure everywhere. A silhouette of a woman, and a tail of fire.”
