by Eden Redd
“Finish it,” she ordered as claws slashed at ghouls and sending an arm and a leg flying.
Will was up and charging the gap. The swarm of ghouls thickened and Val was just keeping them at bay. The player knew if he pulled her in, the ghouls would gain a foothold and charge into the temple. Gritting his teeth, he placed one block after the other until the 9-foot wall was complete. Placing a block down on his side, he readied to climb up the wall and pull Val in when a shadow leapt into the air and landed on top of the wall.
Val stood, legs apart in a powerful pose as blood trickled down her arms, her eyes on the swarm of ghouls at the entrance. They hissed and growled, but they couldn’t reach the edge to hoist themselves up. The group thickened as more joined and the front of the temple was a sea of monsters.
“I was just coming to save you,” Will said as he looked up to Val’s back.
The pale woman stepped back, turned as she fell and landed on her boots, facing the young man with blue hair.
“Thank you, but I think it worked out as best as we could have hoped,” Val said with a neutral tone.
Will nodded. “It looks like we are sleeping here tonight. Ghouls don’t like the day so they should disperse by dawn.”
“Delightful,” Val said with a sardonic edge.
Will looked down at her arms, the trickling flow of blood stopping and her exposed pale skin fully healed.
“You heal as fast as I do.”
Val looked at her arms before letting them fall to her sides. “A blessing and a curse.”
The pale beauty brushed off drops of black blood from her hands as her claws sank back into her fingers. “Shall we start again?”
Will scratched the back of his head and gave a weak smile. “I suppose so, since we will be here for a while. This world is called Jova. I woke up here about a week ago, but I don’t remember much more than that. My memory is a little hazy.”
Val nodded. “I don’t remember anything beyond waking here, but I feel there is more. I have faint memories, but I can’t seem to remember what they are.”
Will listened intently, taking in the pale woman’s almost aristocratic tone in her voice. Val looked to the wall and then back to Will.
“How did you do that? I saw the stone block in your hand, but it grew larger when you placed it.”
Will nodded. “I don’t understand it much either. I mined stone and like most things here, I can place them where I need them to be. I have plenty more materials in my inventory.”
Val looked the young man up and down. “I don’t see a pack. How are you carrying it?”
Will pulled up his inventory screen but Val looked on. She crossed her arms, waiting for him to show her and Will’s shoulders deflated a little.
“It’s just something I can do,” he said before swiping the 2-D screen away.
“I will have to take your word on it,” Val said with a dark edge.
“So, you’re a hero,” Will said, unsure what it all meant.
Val raised a perfect eyebrow. “A hero?” Val smiled before throwing her head back and letting out a wicked laugh.
Will immediately noticed the pronounced fangs, longer than her perfect white teeth. A strange feeling washed over him as he knew what she was.
Val stopped laughing, eyeing Will. “What makes you say that?”
“This is a Hero Tomb. I have some memories, being told to search out Hero Tombs. I don’t know who told me, but it seemed important.”
Val crossed her arms against her stomach, “Your demeanor changed when I laughed. It’s fine. If I didn’t want you to know, I wouldn’t have done it. My claws were also a dead giveaway.”
Will kept his gaze, “I just wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t think a hero would be…like you.”
Val gave a slight shrug, but kept her arms crossed. “Neither would I, but here we are.”
Will looked away, the sounds of ghouls just on the other side of the entrance turning into a growling white noise. “I don’t know about you, but I’m a little tired. I have a bed and it is big enough for two.”
Val smiled. “You are forward, aren’t you?”
Will smiled. “I meant to just sleep.
Val kept her smile. “I know,” Val said before looking around, “But I think I’ve slept long enough. I may simply stay up and see if I can remember anything else.”
The player nodded before questions touched his mind. “What happens when dawn comes?”
Val eyed him in amusement, “I will be fine, but a little weak. The sun drains me, but it doesn’t kill me, if that’s what your concerned about.”
Will nodded before bringing up his inventory and pulling out a tiny version of his bed. Placing it down, it instantly grew to normal size. Taking off his hammer and sword, he was about to place them on the floor when a thought flashed that if he fell asleep with them in plain view, Val could steal or use them on him in his sleep. Another thought flashed in his mind, an image of her claws.
Val noticed the dash of concern and smiled. “I have no intentions of stealing or hurting you. We did help each other and that shows your character is one I can trust to some degree.”
“You seem to read people very well,” Will said as he placed the hammer and sword on the stone floor next to his bed.
“When you’ve been around long enough, you can read everyone. Your scent helps as well. Fear gives off a stink and yet all I smell is light concern from you.”
Will sat on the edge of the bed, torch light flickering against ancient walls.
Val looked to him, “What is Jova like? What kind of world is it beyond this temple other than ghouls and forests?”
Will’s shoulders sagged a little as he leaned forward, placing his elbows on his knees. “As far as I have seen, it’s a primal place. There are no towns or cities. Everything out there is some kind of animal or monster.”
“How do you know for sure?”
Will looked up to Val, “I just know. There is a memory of someone in white, telling me there would be nothing and I had to carve out my own place here. It’s why I came to this tomb. I’m searching for answers and my purpose.”
“You thought you would find it here?”
Will shook his head. “No. There is a mountain two days from here. I think there might be some answers there, but I thought I would stop here to see what a Hero Tomb was. Now that I know, I will continue on to another tomb before reaching the mountain.”
Val’s face was a blank mask, “You’re collecting heroes?”
Will smirked. “I’m searching and maybe finding others along the way. My first night here on Jova nearly killed me. I built a home and it was attacked by ghouls. I had to build a wall to keep them out, but I can’t stay there forever,” Will said, keeping the nightmares he endured to himself.
Val’s eyes narrowed before she turned away and faced the wall keeping out the ghouls.
Will stayed sitting, fingers entwined for a long moment. “Do you want to come with me?”
Val nodded without looking back. “It sounds like you have a home and a better idea than what I have on the workings of this world. I see no reason to stay here.”
The pale woman in black and red leather turned to face the player, “Just know, I may have a favor to ask at another time.”
Will nodded. “You need to drink blood and I might be on the menu,” the young man grinned.
Val gave Will a bright smile. “It seems you can read others pretty well. You are an enigma Will Asher, and that is not an insult.”
“Thank you for the compliment,” Will said as weakness bled into his arms and legs.
“I’ll take the night watch. Rest so we shall be off tomorrow,” Val said before leaping up onto the top of the wall.
Will looked at her back as she sat akimbo, her head facing the ghouls slathering on the other side. The player laid down, pulling the blanket over him. At first, he thought he would have a hard time falling asleep with a horde of ghouls just outside. The moment his hea
d hit the pillow, his eyes closed and he fell into a deep sleep.
Tendrils of dreamscape drifted along Will’s soul. Dark trees surrounded him as he sat in the middle. Wolves padded out from the shadows, tongues hanging out and yellow eyes glowing. The mood was one of playfulness as Will held out a hand. A wolf padded closer and licked Will’s hand before nuzzling its head against it. Other wolves moved in, pushing against the young man as he tried to pet and scratch all of them.
Will’s heart lifted in his chest as he felt the wolves’ affection. They seemed to really like him and the alpha licked his cheek. Where they once growled at him, now they seemed to enjoy his company and as quickly as they came to him, they padded back and parted down the middle. A lizard-like creature crawled on all fours towards Will.
The player stared as the lizard creature crawled onto his leg and stayed there, its gaze meeting his. It looked like an iguana, but it’s coloring was off with shades of red and yellow scales. It maintained its gaze as if it was peering into Will’s soul.
“Find me. Worship me. You will be rewarded,” the lizard said and not said.
Will touched the lizard’s head and power flashed.
You have gained +1 Agility!
Will pulled his hand away, shock and awe in his eyes.
“A small gift for your perseverance,” the lizard creature said before it crawled onto the grass and back to the clearing edge.
The wolves moved in closer, tongues back in their mouths and growls rippling along the pack. Will stared at them, unblinking. He would not show them any fear. The alpha padded closer; teeth bared.
“No,” Will said with a hard edge.
The wolf leapt at him, maw open and white sharp teeth inches from his face.
Will’s eyes shot open and saw he was in the temple. An alert scrolled by in his vision, the same one that indicated his Agility was raised by one. Calling up his stats, he looked at them briefly.
William Asher
Hearts: 10
Armor: 4
Primary Weapon: Copper Hammer
Secondary Weapon: Copper Sword
Strength: 6 (Novice)
Intelligence: 5 (Novice)
Agility: 6 (Novice)
Will: 5 (Novice)
Mana: 5 (Novice)
Sitting up, he saw light glowing from the temple entrance. Swinging his legs over, his feet touched his weapons on the floor. The temple was silent, the sounds of ghouls long gone, but Val was nowhere to be seen.
“Morning,” a voice said from nearby shadows.
Will turned his head to see a figure sitting, Val’s pale skin practically glowing among the shadows.
“Sleep well?” the pale beauty asked.
“Well enough,” Will said before he was to his feet.
Val nodded. “Good. The ghouls left about an hour ago. It would seem we can begin our travels.”
Will picked up his weapons and sheathed them. He next picked up his bed and added it to his inventory before facing Val again.
“Are you going to be okay out there, in the light?”
Val smiled. “You’re sweet for asking. I’m sure I’ll be as fine as I can be.”
The pale woman stood up and walked into the light. “Let’s continue on your magical quest,” she smiled with soul piercing eyes.
Will nodded as he moved to the wall he created. Pickaxe appearing in hand, he smashed it to blocks and they quickly added back to his inventory. With an open hand out, Val sauntered past him and into the morning light. When the pale woman stepped outside, Will noticed her shoulders sag a little. He wasn’t sure how she was going to handle the clear day. Taking out his map, he planned the route and started walking, Val trailing a little behind at his side, her eyes sagging in annoyance.
Hours floated by as the pair hiked at a slower pace. Will was fine, checking the map and walking normally, but it was Val who trailed behind, sometimes slowing her pace to a crawl. Will tried to be understanding, but Val huffed like she had a thousand pounds strapped to her back.
“This is, barbaric,” Val seethed as she tried to keep up.
Will ignored her. “We should reach the next tomb by mid-afternoon.”
Val looked up as she was practically hunched over. “I need glasses…to block out the sun…sunglasses.”
Will smirked as he continued to look forward as they walked.
“Please tell me you have wine back at your home?”
Will shook his head, “No wine. I don’t even know how to make it.”
Val stopped with wide eyes. “No…wine?”
“Nope.”
Val’s hands curled into tight fists. “Then why are we doing this!”
Will turned his head just enough to look back at the stunned pale woman. “I think we can learn new recipes to craft things. When I first arrived, I learned how to make basic items and weapons. I assume, we will be able to learn other things as we discover them.”
Val’s hands relaxed before she started walking, a little extra energy in her step. “Then let’s keep going. I can’t take any more of this physical exercise.”
Val stepped past and Will followed, eyes back on the map, a smile on his lips.
Time cycled on as the sun continued its arc across the sky. Val mumbled to herself as Will lead the way once again. Map in hand, Will enjoyed the hike, even if his hiking partner was turning into a princess. Despite her skills in a fight, she seemed out of place in a forest. He wondered if they were in an altercation during the day, would she be able to fight like she did last night?
A roar pierced the sky like a thunderbolt.
Val stopped, eyes looking around. “What was that?”
Will kept walking, “I don’t know, but it sounds big. I think I came across its path of destruction yesterday. We should keep moving.”
Val turned her head from left to right before following Will. “This isn’t as much fun as I hoped it would be.”
The sun sank lower into midafternoon. Will brushed away some low branches when, in the distance, a structure stood. The pyramid shape was the same as the one he found Val in with four pillars rising up from each corner.
Val stepped next to the player and peered out. “I’ll stay here as you investigate. If you need me, just scream.”
Will gave the pale woman a sideways glance before he gave her an evil smirk. “Okay. If whatever roared before tries to eat you, just scream and I’ll come to you.”
Val put a hand to her mouth, hiding her smile until she regained her composure. “New plan, we go together.”
“I like this plan,” Will grinned.
“Here I thought you were all muscle. It seems you have a mind too.”
“Is that a compliment?”
Val smirked before stepping past the brush and walking toward the pyramid a short distance away. Will followed.
The pair made their way closer until they reached a wide clearing, the temple tomb directly in the middle. Val’s shoulders sagged further as sunlight beat down on her. Her pace slowing, Will put his arm out so she could lean on him. Val looked to the arm and curled her arm into his. The pair moved as one, Val leaning on the young man until they reached the temple entrance.
Val uncurled her arm as Will reached up and drew his hammer. The pair stepped through the threshold, heavy shadows surrounding them. Val perked up, taking in a silent deep breath like a weight was lifted from her shoulders. Will’s eyes were sharp as he slowly adjusted to the darkness.
Will noticed the insides of the temple tomb were the same as Val’s. Dark alcoves lined the walls and a single rectangular block took up the middle. Knowing he only had to touch the sarcophagus to activate it, he thought he would do some recon first to make sure there was nothing else living here. The memory of the little lizard people flared in his mind’s eye and he didn’t care for another repeat of what happened.
“There is something here,” Val whispered as her nails lengthened into claws.
“Stay close. We don’t want it to get the drop on us,�
�� Will said as his hands tightened along the shaft of his hammer.
The pair stepped further in when they both stopped. A small oval thing rolled out from one of the alcoves before stopping at the edge of the light pouring in from the entrance.
Will and Val turned to see a clear blob of liquid between them and the entrance. It was red, but transparent, almost giving it a pinkish appearance. Will and Val faced the blob, hammer and claws at the ready. The blob bounced before making little cooing sounds.
“I don’t think it’s friendly,” Val whispered. “If it was, it wouldn’t be blocking our escape.”
Will nodded. The bouncing ball of slime seemed happy they were there, but something felt off. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but judging how everything on Jova was practically a savage monster, he guessed the ball of slime was getting ready to attack them.
“We should…” Will managed to say before the ball of slime stopped bouncing.
A second later, red tentacles burst from the ball and stabbed out. Val leapt into the air, flipping away as tentacles just missed her. Will held his hammer sideways, tentacles latching on and curling around. The player grunted as he tried to pull away only to have the slime yank him forward. Stumbling, his boots slid on stone as he tried to regain his balance. Unable to fight against the slime’s strength, he let go and stumbled back, drawing his copper sword.
The slime made more cooing sounds as it swung the big hammer around and brought it down. Will jumped back, the hammer cracking the stone floor where he stood just a second ago. Tentacles lashed out again as the hammer swung around. Will stood his ground, slicing upwards and cutting a tentacle away. Another tentacle coiled around his leg, but before it could pull, claws slashed hard across. Val slashed at the incoming tentacles, slicing off tips before the hammer swung down. The pale woman in black and red leather crossed her arms when there was a loud clang.
Will was next to her, copper sword parrying the hammer. Grunting, he pushed the hammer away. The two stood side by side as the ball of slime blasted out transparent tentacles and bringing the hammer down. Val slashed at incoming tentacles while Will sidestepped the hammer. When it cracked the floor again, the player aimed his sword at the tentacle holding it, cutting through with ease. Grabbing his hammer, it was back up before he looked down in horror.
