Fractured Spirit (Alpha World Book 5)

by Daniel Schinhofen

  She was right. Less than a minute later the group stood victorious over the broken bodies of the undead horde. They took a few minutes to catch their breath, as it had been a while since they’d been challenged like that.

  “Reminded me of fighting for the Keep,” Fluffball murmured as they started to loot the bodies.

  “Edge of your seat kind of fight,” Karen agreed. “We haven’t needed healing potions outside of dungeons and raids before now. Maybe they’re the crutch to help solo players get by.”

  “Could be,” Gerald mused. “We need to look around for information before we go.”

  “Check the buildings with the bodies first?” Marysue suggested.

  “Good idea,” Karen, Alburet, and Gerald said in near unison, before they started to laugh.

  “Great minds think alike,” Alburet chuckled.

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Reappearing before the gates of Lament Keep, the group greeted the guards on duty with friendly smiles. They were surprised to see that the inn was the only building open for business besides the keep itself.

  “I think it’s one of the few times I can recall seeing stores closed,” Gerald commented.

  “It happens an hour or two after sunset,” Stacia told him. “Tha’ be the time most businesses close for the night.”

  “I guess it’s because we rarely hunt after night fall,” Marysue added.

  “Let’s turn in the book we found in the ruins,” Karen said. “The sooner we do that, the sooner we can grab some dinner and get a bath. I know the gore from the monsters vanishes after the fight, but it still feels like I need a bath.”

  Alburet chuckled as he nudged her with an arm, “Maybe you’re just a dirty girl.”

  Karen eyed him with a gleam in her eyes, “Did you just ask to get submitted again?”

  “We should go turn this book in,” Alburet said, sidestepping the question.

  Gerald snorted, “Well, that answers any questions about who’s really in charge of your odd relationship.”

  Karen laughed, “Right?” Her eyes sparkled as she watched Alburet try not to react to Gerald’s statement. “He does the best he can to put up a good front, though.”

  Rolling his eyes, Alburet walked past the guards stationed at the door of the Keep proper. “I hope the right sergeant is on duty.”

  Gerald chuckled at the change of topic as he followed Alburet inside. “We turning in to the redhead or the Elf?”

  “The redhead,” Karen said quickly. “I didn’t like the way the Elf scoffed at her.”

  “Doesn’t matter to me,” Marysue added.

  “I’m with Karen,” Fluff commented.

  “I like finishing with the same person,” Gerald offered.

  “I don’t have that hang up,” Alburet said, then winced as the words hung in the air.

  “We noticed,” Gerald deadpanned.

  Rubbing at his face, Alburet shook his head. “I walked into that one,” he muttered.

  A man with grey hair at his temples and wearing a monocle over his left eye sat at one of the desks. He looked up as they walked in. “Might I help you?”

  “Sir,” Alburet began as they stopped before the desk with a salute. “We have quests to turn in, plus something more. We were hoping to speak with the lady sergeant who was on duty earlier.”

  “Sergeant Sonya?” The Duty Sergeant questioned, getting a nod in return. “Very well. Please wait a moment.” He pulled on a rope behind his desk and a young boy came running out of a back room. “Find Sonya and have her attend the front desk, and don’t dally.” The boy took off at a run for the stairs. “It will be just a minute,” the Sergeant told them.

  A few minutes later, the boy came back down the stairs, followed by the red haired sergeant. She wasn’t in uniform, her hair was tousled, and her clothes looked to have been pulled on in haste. She glanced at the group with a raised brow, then addressed the sergeant at the desk. “Yes, Gregor?”

  “This lot here said they wished to turn their quests in to you, special like. Also, they hinted at having found something interesting,” Gregor said, taking off his monocle and polishing it.

  Sergeant Sonya pursed her lips as she turned to the group. “You chose Alown earlier to speak with, so why are you turning in your quests to me?”

  “Didn’t care for his attitude,” Karen spoke up from behind Alburet.

  A faint glimmer of amusement flitted across Sonya’s face. “I see. Well then, let me see how I can help you. I see you’ve completed all four of the quests.” She went behind another desk and pulled out five bags of coin along with a bronze disk for each of them. “Here is the gold and a token for an item from the Quartermaster for each of you. Did you have anything else?”

  Quest Completed: Kill twenty Broken Dead

  Receive: Two hundred gold and increased rep with Stormguard guards

  Quest Completed: Kill twenty Furious Dead

  Receive: Two hundred gold and increased rep with Stormguard guards

  Quest Completed: Banish five Spiritual Takers

  Receive: Two hundred gold and increased rep with Stormguard guards

  Quest Completed: Cleanse the Ruins of Lament

  Receive: Five hundred gold and an item from the Quartermaster stores.

  Alburet passed the coins and tokens to the others, dropping his into his pouch. “Yes, we found this book in the Ruins.” He placed a slim leather-bound journal on the desk. “The author claims to be a Necromancer named Walker. He was conducting experiments on the remains of the dead in the ruins. He was attempting to create a lure that would draw undead to them.”

  Sonya’s eyes narrowed as she picked up the book. Scanning a few pages, she nodded, “I’ll have to bring this to the Commander. He will have to decide on an appropriate reward for you.”

  “Can we just ask for as much experience as he can give out?” Alburet asked quickly.

  Sonya blinked at him, then her lips creased into a smile, “I can do that, without having to bother him tonight. You have my thanks for bringing this to us, Alpha Company.” She bowed her head as a pop-up telling them they had gained a level appeared before the group. “I wish you well in your future endeavors. If you will excuse me.” Alburet gave her a salute, as did the rest of the group. After returning it, the Sergeant headed for the stairs.

  Bonus Quest Completed: Hand over the journal to the Commander of Lament Keep.

  Receive: Maximum experience allowable for quest.

  As she vanished up the stairs Gregor chuckled. “You have certainly made her year. Is there anything else I can do for you?”

  “Is the Quartermaster available?” Alburet asked.

  “He normally can be found at the inn around this time. Tell him I sent you,” Gregor smiled.

  “Thank you, sir,” Gerald said as another salute was exchanged.

  The group headed for the inn so they could finish their business for the night. Most of the customers were off duty guards, relaxing with mugs of ale. At a table by himself sat a Dwarf with the Quartermaster insignia on his sleeve.

  “Excuse us, sir,” Gerald greeted the man. “Sergeant Gregor sent us to you to turn in our tokens.”

  The Dwarf looked up from his mug, “He did, eh?” The group was taken aback at the visage of the dwarf. His lower lip was missing and jagged scars creased his face. “Fine, let me finish this mug, and I’ll take ye over to the shop.” The Quartermaster downed the mostly full mug in one swig. The tankard thunked onto the table followed by a loud belch as he got to his feet. “Follow.”

  Following the brusque Dwarf, the group exchanged a few glances but no one made any comments. It was a short walk over to the smithy. The Quartermaster lit a lamp and pulled a thick red leather tome out from under the counter.

  “Do nay take all night,” he told them as he leaned against the counter.

  Marysue opened the tome first and quickly flipped through it. Nodding, she put her token on the counter and tapped the page. A beautiful platinum and opal ring
appeared in her hand. “This will do nicely.”

  Fluffball chose a ring of rubies set in mithril. Karen picked up a ring with emeralds framed by gold. Gerald took a moment, but settled on a ring of an unusual white metal that held three diamond chips.

  Alburet was the last to take the book. He scanned the last few pages as the others had done as their armor and weapons were still new. He finally settled on a plain band of Infernal Steel that gave him 65 Wisdom and 10 Intelligence, which would replace his old 10 Intelligence ring.

  “Good, glad ye nay all take yer sweet arse time,” the Quartermaster grumbled as he took the book away along with the tokens. “Now tha’ we be done, ye all mind shovin’ off so I can get back to drinkin’?”

  “Have a good night,” Gerald replied as the group all took out their Homestones. “You all up for another zone tomorrow?”

  “Gladly,” Alburet told him. “See you then.”

  They vanished from the smithy, each reappearing at their bind location. The party disbanded as the quartet entered their house. “We are going to go out with them again?” Fluffball asked.

  “That is the current plan,” Alburet replied. “As long as it doesn’t hinder Gerald in running the guild, they can come with us as often as they want.”

  “Tha’ be good,” Stacia murmured. “We be havin’ a stew to be makin’, Fluff. Karen, will ya take her gear so we can get it started?”

  “Of course,” Karen agreed as she waited for Fluff to hand over her stuff. “We going to sell stuff tomorrow before heading out?”

  “We can wait a day or two, our bags are barely touched,” Alburet told her as they walked towards the bedroom to drop off gear. “How about we clean up while they start dinner?”

  Eyes smoldering as her desire washed over him, Karen smirked, “Oh, yes. After all, I’m such a dirty girl, right?”

  When Karen and Alburet finally emerged from the bathroom, dinner was almost ready. Stacia was smirking at them as she motioned them to the table. “Now tha’ ya two be clean in body iffin nay in mind or deed, we can be havin’ some food.” She brought the opened wine bottle to the table, along with the bread. “Fluff was very diligent in learnin’ from me. I will nay be surprised iffin she can replicate the meal again without me aid.”

  Fluff’s smile echoed the happiness they could all feel from her. “It is ready,” she said, turning off the stove. She set the pot on the table next to Alburet then took her seat next to him. “I hope you all like it.”

  “I’m sure it will be wonderful,” Karen replied as she took the bowl that Alburet handed her.

  Once everyone had a bowl, they took the first bite at the same time. Stacia looked thoughtful while she chewed, smiling at Fluff after swallowing. “Aye, an apt pupil ya be. This tastes almost like me own.”

  Happiness and embarrassment swirled around Fluff as she smiled down at her bowl. “I had a wonderful teacher. She walked me through each step, never once chiding me when I made mistakes, but gently correcting me instead.”

  “She does do gentle pretty well,” Alburet agreed. “I have to agree with Stacia, this is very good. I don’t know if I’d be able to tell the difference.”

  Another surge of emotion came from Fluff as she gave Alburet a sidelong glance. “Being praised for my cooking is still new, but it feels nice.”

  “It always feels nice when someone we care for tells us they like what we do for them,” Alburet replied as he touched her hand on the table.

  “Agreed,” Karen added before taking another bite. “This is very good.”

  The four of them fell into comfortable silence as they enjoyed the meal. Fluff’s happiness permeated the air along with the enjoyment of the others as they ate. Stacia was the first on her feet when they’d finished eating.

  “Iffin ya will handle the dishes, Karen, I be thinkin’ it be time for me and Fluff to clean up,” Stacia told the others as she came around the table. Holding her hand out to Fluffball with a smile on her lips, she asked, “Ya be ready?”

  “Oh, sure, and I’ll keep Alburet busy out here,” Karen chuckled as she started to collect the dishes.

  “Have fun you two. Goodness knows Karen delayed us long enough earlier,” Alburet intoned dryly.

  “I delayed us?” Karen raised a single brow at him. “Who was it that rolled who over on the tile?”

  “Come, Fluff, let them enjoy their argument. It be our turn to get cleaned up,” Stacia led Fluff away.

  Fluff glanced back over her shoulder, her brow furrowing slightly as she looked at the other two. Their words sounded like arguing but the love that moved between them carried no hint of anger or hurt. “Stacia, do you think they’ll always be like that?” Alburet heard her ask just before the bedroom door shut behind her.

  Alburet

  Half-blood Infernal Summoner

  Level 66

  Strength: 269 (264)

  Agility: 269 (264)

  Constitution: 222 (192)

  Intelligence: 192 (162)

  Wisdom: 854 (569)

  Charisma: 299 (264)

  Health: 5,520

  Mana: 11,840

  Spells:

  Demon Skin-Rank 7

  Demonic Retribution- Rank 6

  Summon Improved Imp

  Fire Blast- Rank 6

  Sap Strength- Rank 6

  Demonic Haze- Rank 6

  Summon Improved Destroyer

  Demonic Vitality- Rank 6

  Fire Burst- Rank 6

  Summon Improved Succubus

  Abilities:

  Personal Spells

  Flame Weapon

  Copy

  Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Ally)

  Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Big Boom)

  Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Demonic Shell)

  Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Comforting Touch)

  Copy

  Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Essence Drain)

  Still Caster

  Infernal Upgrade: (Imp- Burning Cleanse)

  Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Savage Roar)

  Infernal Upgrade: (Destroyer- Bash)

  Racial Abilities:

  Cast spells without verbal components

  Physical damage reduction 25%

  Magical damage reduction 10%

  Influence emotions

  Fire resistance 50%

  Reputation gains at half value

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Alburet and the others didn’t waste much time the next morning. While Stacia made them a quick breakfast, Alburet sent messages to Gerald and Marysue, deciding what zone they should visit next. The four of them headed out to the zone, the Swamp of Misery, and picked up the quests from the sergeant on duty inside the Keep. They were hanging around near the gates wondering at the delay when Gerald and Marysue showed up.

  “Morning,” Gerald greeted them. “Sorry about the delay. I had to remove a couple of people from the guild before we left the Keep. It seems two of our new recruits thought the staff that Kim arranged for to work in the Keep were free game.” His face darkened, “Not only did they lay hands on two women, they then decided to fight the guards who arrived to help the poor girls.”

  Alburet’s hands curled into tight fists, the hate pouring off of him palpable enough that Marysue stepped back from him. “They raped them?”

  “Thankfully, no,” Gerald let out a deep breath. “They had just started to seriously grope them when the guards arrived. Though it might have made it to that point, if they hadn’t been interrupted. I had just finished replying to you guys when the guards summoned me down to the throne room. The two of them were trussed up before the throne by the time I made it there. The whole time I was listening to the guard’s account the two kept repeating the same thing, how they hadn’t done anything wrong because it didn’t matter what they did to the NPCs.”

  Stacia touched Alburet’s shoulder, helping bleed away some of his rage. “What happened to them?”

  “Turned them over to the Guards to have them sen
t to Stormguard for a stay in the stockades. Seems attempted rape carries a one year sentence,” Gerald replied with no emotion. “Both of them vanished at that point. Pretty sure they used the emergency out tab that we were told about before we went into the pods. That means they aren’t testing anymore, and they’ve been kicked from the guild.” His face took on an evil smile they hadn’t seen before, “Fleeing a sentence is another five year sentence and if they do it again it earns them hated reputation with the Guards. That’s kill-on-sight for any guard that sees them.”

  “Serves them right,” Alburet hissed as his anger began to abate some with Stacia’s aid. “Why are people such scum?”

  “Not everyone is,” Fluffball told him as she touched his curled left hand. “No one here is, for instance.”