New Horizons (Emerilia Book 4)

by Michael Chatfield

  Krenua watched as simple rune necklaces were placed around the captured Demons’ necks.

  “Take half of them back to Devil’s Crater, as well as the dead we recovered,” Lezar said to Krenua. “They’re going to want your firsthand reports of what we saw in there.”

  “Yes, General.” Krenua opened his interface and sent messages to his parties as he pulled out some of the prisoners.

  Medics knocked the prisoners out again as they all grouped together. Krenua looked over his people when they’d all arrived.

  “Let’s go!” Wind mages conjured Air around them as the Demons used their feet to grab onto their comrades who couldn’t fly, or their unconscious burdens. They rose into the air. The air tunnel died and they started to glide and flap their wings, making their way to Devil’s Crater.

  ***

  Alkao looked to Krenua. The man looked tired. He had flown all night and most of the morning, dropping off his charges, who were now across the different keeps.

  Now, he stood in front of the combined councils and Demon Army generals, finishing off his report of what he had seen in the approaching Demon Horde’s sleeping areas.

  “So, they’re starting to form groups? Have we been able to get any idea of what their leadership is like from the ones with Lezar?” Alkao looked to Kala, who had been talking to him last through a voice chat.

  “We’ve got a rough leadership forming. Lezar suggests that we attack it and take it out before it has time to fully form. I agree with him,” Kala said.

  “Before we get in there, we need some more information, like what the hell is wrong with these Demons.” Malkur had a troubled expression on his face. His medical people couldn’t figure out what was going on with them.

  “Well, I think I might have an answer for that,” Efri said. The tension in the room ratcheted up a few degrees at Efri’s frown.

  “If it wasn’t for the information on Xelur’s Demons one of my people has been researching, we wouldn’t know what’s wrong with them. It seems that somehow the Dark Lord has been able to make them hunger after souls. They can’t absorb or use the souls like the Xelur do to power their own magic, though they still hunger after devouring them.

  “Their minds have been imprinted with that idea. Add in a metabolism that burns through food at twenty times our own—they’re mindless beasts in a constant state of unending hunger.”

  “Can we fix it?” Malkur asked.

  “No. Their very bodies need so much sustenance that we couldn’t break the cycle of their hunger to trick them into thinking that they didn’t need to kill anything they see for sustenance, to try to get just a part of that filling feeling of devouring a soul.” Efri shook his head.

  “By the Grey,” Kala swore.

  Alkao’s face was hard as he looked to the rest of the people in the room. All of their eyes were hard, but the thought behind those eyes clear. “So, we kill them all and we wipe their stain from Emerilia. I will contact the Stone Raiders and see when they will arrive. I want to see if we can’t get some of our own people within the Demon Horde’s camp. I think if we had a few of the Black Hands blend in with them and then start to make internal conflicts, it might be useful,” Alkao said.

  Kala nodded approvingly.

  Krenua raised his hand.

  “Krenua,” Alkao acknowledged his second-in-command.

  “Another thing I noticed: they didn’t use their interfaces.”

  Alkao’s stony face turned into a hungry smile.

  ***

  “So, how long do you think this is going to take?” Josh asked Dave, who was hanging from a rafter that had multiple arms on either side of it. Before it, there was a cylinder of soul gem crystals. After the arms attached to the ceiling, there was a complex runed cylinder encasing the soul gem.

  “Uh, well, we’ve got the soul gem extruder, which the repair bots are dealing with, then the small machine shop—those aren’t bad at all. Mostly, it’s this main assembly line and the rune engravers.

  “With all of these working parts, they need some good ole maintenance on them and replacing a few sections down the line.” Dave tapped his chin in thought. “Be about…two days? If you give me the repair bots, I can teach them most of this stuff and then I can focus on the full replacements and the engraving areas.”

  “Fine. You’ll get them.” Josh looked around the line in awe. “We’re in the middle of a factory that makes wormholes. Ha! This game is awesome.”

  Dave hid his frown as Josh looked up and down the line. A cylinder was at one end; at the other, there were full teleport pads with their massive plates that lay on the ground. Underneath was a complex collection of runes and components that ringed down its length. Thick steel covered over these runes, engraved with their own forms that were made to hide the runes that made it up.

  Although it had taken Dave a million Mana points for him to destroy the runes on the broken teleport pad, it would have taken ten million Mana points to destroy the runes in a working teleport pad.

  He’d consumed the books on teleport pads and portals up to the Expert level. He didn’t get it all because of the higher concepts that Malsour was hacking his way through, but he got enough.

  “So, what’s the plan?” Dave asked.

  “After this? We’ll go take some R and R—see the sights, get a tan. Maybe go see a few dungeons.” Josh’s tone made it clear he was making it all up on the spot.

  Dave gave him a look.

  Josh devolved into laughing, a big smile on his face. “Well, we finish this off, get our loot moved to where the Exdar’s are and then I’m thinking Devil’s Crater is interesting this time of year.”

  A smile spread across Dave’s face. He had enjoyed fighting through the Aleph’s facilities. He’d learned and grown a lot. Now he was looking forward to getting the hell outside. “Well, that is one hell of a way to show back up after being gone for so damn long.” Dave grinned.

  “Stone Raiders take on Demon Horde—does have a certain ring to it.”

  “You know the Dark Lord’s not going to be happy. This will be the third time we’ve messed up something good for him. First with the citadel, then the Arch Lich, and now attacking his new massive army made up of Creatures of Power.”

  “He’s just an archetype. There’s no actual Dark Lord, just some AI, though if they did make one, be kind of interesting to fight him.” Josh looked thoughtful.

  “Want to fight gods?” Dave asked dryly.

  “Well, sounds a little more interesting than your average weekend of gaming.”

  Dave couldn’t help it; he laughed. Josh joined in a few moments after.

  I was thinking about this all wrong. I was thinking that it was just on Party Zero to deal with what Emerilia really is. Dave wanted to tell Josh and the rest of the Stone Raiders the truth. They weren’t strong enough yet. Maybe if they could defeat a god, they might be ready to know the truth of Emerilia and capable of defending themselves against whatever the Jukal brought to the fight.

  ***

  Dwayne and Kim walked out of the teleport pad that was hidden in a mountain range close to Devil’s Crater.

  The Stone Raiders who weren’t needed for the final fixes to the portal factory moved around them. They’d become closer as a guild in the time that they had fought through Aleph. A few laughed or started to kiss the ground. The Aleph’s homes had been dark at times, especially if their mage lights were out, though it hadn’t been horrible.

  All of them had big smiles on their faces, joking and laughing as they moved out of the silver arch that looked like a solid wall. They were greeted with a bright midday sun. They just basked in the sun for a while.

  “Well, let’s go see what this Demon Horde’s all about!” Dwayne led them down the mountain range and off toward Devil’s Crater.

  Excitement was in the air, all the Stone Raiders ready for their next battle. It had been less than a week since they killed the Arch Lich and they were already starting to crave a battle t
o challenge them.

  “Ah, I need a good beer and a city to drink it in!” Dwayne bellowed.

  “Oh, I could just do with about three weeks of sunbathing.” Kim sighed.

  “Well, how about an entire Demon Horde?”

  Kim’s face turned thoughtful as she seemed to weigh the options in her mind. “Yeah, I guess I could.” She laughed and broke out into a smile. “Would just be stones if not for the raiding part.”

  “Well, let’s get a move on, Stone Raiders! Can finally see how fast we are!” Dwayne jogged down the weaving trail that dropped down to a large forested plain.

  Dwayne whooped as he ran faster and faster; fighting in the Aleph areas, they’d been cramped in, unable to get in a large run, to reach their full speed.

  There was something freeing about just running and testing one’s limits.

  ***

  “Prince Alkao, we have a group of people moving toward your keep,” one of the scout commanders said as soon as they connected to Alkao.

  “Bring our forces to full readiness.”

  “Yes, sir.” The scout disconnected as Alkao opened up another chat.

  “Anna, I was wondering if I should be expecting anything today?”

  “Well, a group of the Stone Raiders is heading toward you right now. Most of our pure combat forces at least,” Anna said.

  “I think we just spotted them. Who am I looking for?” Alkao sighed.

  “Kim and Dwayne are the highest ranked two with them.”

  “Thank you. I better go say hello.”

  “See you soon enough. We’re almost done here.”

  “I look forward to it.” Alkao gave a small smile. He wasn’t sure whether anything would come from his feelings, but even if not, he had become close to Malsour, Induca, and Anna over the last couple of months.

  It will be good to see my friends in all the chaos that is about to come.

  Anna cut the chat and Alkao wandered out of his personal rooms, looking out over his keep, Devil’s Crater, and the plains that lay around it.

  He stepped off his balcony. His wings let him glide down to the parapets that watched over the crater’s sides. “Where were they sighted?” Alkao asked. It wasn’t long until his guards followed down from his balcony, watching for any possible threats to their master.

  “Over there, sir,” one of the watchers on the wall said.

  Alkao pulled out a telescope and looked in the direction they pointed. Alkao saw colors moving through the natural foliage and the glint of polished metal. Something was definitely coming through the forest. He didn’t know what it was but they were heavily armed.

  Alkao watched for a bit, seeing the group pass through a clearing at an alarming speed. They seemed to be laughing and joking, though it looked like a group of brigands by their mismatched gear.

  “It might be the Stone Raiders. Pass the word that all forces are to wait until engaging,” Alkao said.

  One of his guards who served to pass messages to the rest of his forces opened their interface and opened up the right chat groups. The keep was a mass of movement. People knew their positions after tireless drilling from one infraction or another.

  It had just been minutes since the group of armed and armored individuals had been spotted but all of the Demons and Beast Kin on duty were ready. Those who had been off duty would be another thirty minutes or so.

  It took three hours until the group started to slow down. Their pace was impressive. They ran nearly as fast as the Demons could fly.

  A large man wearing about three different kinds of armor held up his hand, halting his people far enough out to give them time to start dodging if Alkao had bows.

  Another thing that we’re going to have to invest in.

  Alkao had archers and many were trained in the art, but the problem was making proper bows. His crafters weren’t of the highest quality. The Beast Kin were trying their best, but supplying an army as big as the demons’ and Beast Kins’ was a massive workload. Add in settling into a new home and it turned into a downright nightmare.

  Even simple pikes were in short supply. Swords and shields were for training, with only Lezar’s soldiers being anywhere near to equipped.

  The man walked closer. Alkao saw the armor; even to his eyes, it looked as though it was expensive and powerful.

  “Hey! We’re the Stone Raiders. Was told that you were interested in hunting down a Demon Horde that’s looking to mess with your home! The name’s Dwayne.”

  Alkao focused on the one called Dwayne, waiting for his skill to kick in.

  Dwayne Trebault

  Human

  Level 184

  Alkao felt the tension fall from his back. “I will go down and check their identities.”

  His guard didn’t have time to argue as he stepped off the parapet and glided down the road that ran up the cliffs through the keep and into Devil’s Crater.

  As he glided down with his wings, he heard excited murmurs from the group ahead of him. They didn’t look organized at all, just milling about with smiles on their faces.

  Alkao looked at their eyes. Although all of them might be smiling and laughing, their hands were next to their weapons. These were people who were used to being attacked at any moment and were ready to respond in any situation.

  “Ah, you look like that Alkao fella. Party Zero is finishing up the last of the last quest and then they’ll be on their way over. We thought it might be an idea to check out what we’re dealing with and get to know one another.” Dwayne extended his hand to Alkao.

  He was a large tanned man with a big smile on his face. Alkao looked for Dwayne’s aura; he couldn’t figure out its size, making him raise an eyebrow in interest.

  “Thank you for coming to help us.” Alkao took Dwayne’s hand and shook it.

  “Seems we’re in the business of helping races of lore come back from the brink.” Dwayne smiled.

  “Welcome to Devil’s Crater,” Alkao said.

  “Thanks for having us. So, about this Demon Horde problem you’ve been having—they’re about five weeks away, right?” A woman walked up.

  “Kim, introduce yourself—ya know it’s the nice thing to do,” Dwayne said.

  “Fine.” Kim held out her hand. “I’m Kim. I do magic stuff and raids like no one’s business.”

  “Alkao, Demon Prince and General of the Devil’s Crater Army.” Alkao shook her hand.

  “Ohh, snazzy, I like men with big wings and large armies,” Kim said giving Alkao a sly wink.

  Alkao shook her hand, the massive Demon unsure of how to respond as his mouth opened and closed.

  “She gets like this,” Dwayne apologized.

  Kim grinned at Alkao’s confusion.

  Alkao chuckled. “I have often thought the same thing; it is no worry. I do not know. I will bring it up in the next meeting. I think most of the soldiers are already calling themselves it. It would make them more identifiable.”

  “Having a name that’s neither Demon nor Beast Kin brings you together. Calling it the Demon Beast Army, nah, but the place—the thing that connects you—perfect.” Kim winked.

  “She made up the Stone Raiders’ guild name and we’ve never lived it down.” Dwayne sighed. A few of the Stone Raiders laughed while Kim looked as though she were preening in the limelight.

  “Well, please come in. We have much to discuss.” Alkao indicated for them to follow him as they made the climb up the road.

  He shot a glance at the Stone Raiders again. Nearly a hundred undying warriors who could come back time and time again, with more knowledge each time. It’s no wonder the Players hold so much power in Emerilia.

  ***

  “We have to do something about that damned Exdar’s Traders branch!” Geswald, a balding human in flowing robes, said. A vein throbbed on his forehead.

  “Agreed, but what?” Tommen, a stick-thin Wood Elf wearing an expensive and over-the-top purple suit with pink highlights, asked.

  “We cut off their su
pplies. Take out their business. We put pressure on those who openly support them!” Geswald slammed his fist into the armrest of his chair.

  “You want to try and pressure the mage’s guild?” Lady Pina looked to Geswald. Her omni-chrome eyes and golden skin of a High Elf had captured more than one man’s attention and not his mind.

  “Of course not! I mean the other rabble around them selling food and their lesser wares,” Geswald said.

  “If we do something, then the traders’ guild is not going to give us coverage on this. If we win, then they’ll share in the profits. Otherwise, they won’t lift a finger if this comes back on us,” Orlani, the last person in the room, said. The overweight human sipped from an elegant wine glass.

  “I know that!” Geswald let out a frustrated noise.

  He was the

  Chapter head of the traders’ guild in the area, but even he knew his limits when it came to his power. The guildmaster himself made it clear—in flowery words—that they did not think going up against the Exdar’s Traders branch in Verlun was a good idea.

  “It all comes from that treaty that they have made with the Stone Raiders. It seems that somehow even with the raiding group seemingly vanishing from the face of Emerilia, they are still having the Exdar’s fence their goods,” Tommen said. “With it, they have become one of the largest trading guilds held primarily by Players.”

  “Something that we can use to our advantage.” Geswald waved his finger at his companion.

  “Oh?” Tommen asked. Everyone’s interest was on the

  Chapter leader.