by Eden Redd
Will went back to the Crafting Bench and created a third Soul Casket. Placing it down next to the other two, he retrieved the Stalker’s soul stone from the supply chest and placed it in the third casket. Pulling out a piece of quartz, he hoped it worked like it did with Milly, grounding it and making it less volatile. Placing the quartz piece in, he closed the lid and light flashed. Turning around, he saw everyone come in.
“I think everyone is hungry. I’ll cook some lunch,” Milly grinned as her eyes glanced to the three Soul Caskets and then back to Will with approving eyes.
***
The table was filled meats, vegetables, and breads. Milly moved like a whirlwind, making sure everyone had a plate. Val was first to wave away any food, saying she was already full. Morgan began chewing mostly rare meat with an appreciated head nod. Stella also waved away food, saying she wasn’t hungry yet and gave Will a wink.
Will stopped heaping food onto his plate to smile at Stella before finishing. Plate full, he attacked it as much as Morgan was gobbling down large chunks of meat. Milly sat down with a plate of vegetables and began eating. The mood turned light, Val observing the hungry men while Stella eyed Milly’s hair like she wanted to reach out and touch it.
“We should think about beds for tonight. I’m not sure we will have enough time to build anything to accommodate everyone,” Will said between bites.
Val leaned her elbows on the table and entwined her fingers. “What is the plan for all of us? Your home is nice, but the space inside the walls isn’t big enough to build much more. Most of the space is taken up with the gardens, animals, and the small pond.”
Morgan and Stella looked to Will, the same questions running along their gazes.
Will put down his fork and smiled. “I did think about this a little over the past day travelling back. The front gate is facing North as far as I can tell. Sun rises to the east and sets in the west. There is a lot of land to the south of us before the beach and ocean. I was thinking, we build another wall running the length of it and maybe build something bigger for all of us. A village or…”
“A castle,” Val’s eyes shined.
“A castle will work,” Will smirked.
“It might be safer for all of us if we have one building,” Morgan said before ripping a piece of meat away with his sharp teeth.
“The walls outside are enough to keep the ghouls out but there are larger monsters in the forests. One structure at first, might be helpful,” Milly added.
“It sounds like it's decided,” Will smiled before eating a piece of bread.
Stella cleared her throat before speaking, “And after?”
Will slowed his chewing, questions filling his mind. They could build anything, even villages or towns. The world was their canvas and they could create anything they wanted. It was a freeing and humbling feeling, to create something that could last through the ages. Remembering the village core stones, he recently learned he could build a village so others could come to be safe.
Looking over to the dark area under the loft, his gaze lingered on the three Soul Caskets. The primeval world of Jova needed some kind of order. Why couldn’t they be the first ones to bring it to the savage lands?
Will’s lips parted, ready to detail plans for the future when a roar blasted out in the distance. Eyes turned to the windows before a second roar caused plates to vibrate. No one spoke as they jumped to their feet and drew their weapons. Milly’s eyes widened as Will led the charge out the front door. Val, Morgan and Stella followed.
Outside, Will held his oversized hammer in hand while Val and Morgan stood to his sides. Morgan drew his copper blade while claws extended from Val’s fingertips. The sun beat down from the mid-morning sky and she seemed a little wilted but her eyes held a protective strength. Stella stood behind them, looking to the trees just past the gray wall. Milly was last, a sliver of fear in her eyes, but standing her ground.
The area shuddered as a double roar filled the sky. Birds took flight and as Will looked in the direction of the roars, trees buckled and fell in the distance. Something big pushed through the trees, the sound of wood snapping touching their ears. It moved in a singular direction and Will gritted his teeth as it came their way.
“Milly, lock yourself in the mine,” Will shouted over his shoulder.
“I’m not leaving you,” the horned woman yelled back.
“We don’t know what this thing is. Get underground and wait for us,” Will growled as trees snapped in a chorus of destruction.
Milly looked up at the parting trees, her heart trembling. “I know what it is,” she said as something big snaked out between trees.
A serpentine head pushed through branches, slitted eyes bearing down on the low wall, home and several figures standing. It growled as another head appeared next to it, looking down on the figures. A body pushed against trees and they snapped in half. Coming down, the tops brushed Will’s wall. The two heads moved on serpent necks, running down until they connected a large, four-legged body. Clawed feet dug talons into the ground as both heads snorted and breathed in succulent flesh.
“Hydra,” Milly said as she took a step back.
Will eyed the beast as it slowly approached. It was roughly the size of his home. Black scales shone against the morning sun as both heads moved independently of each other, jaws flexing with jagged teeth as large as swords. They looked around with a degree of intelligence, scanning the area before turning their gaze back to the group with weapons in their hands.
Will hefted his hammer, “Milly, this is a great time to tell us anything you know about them.”
Milly took another step back. “The number of heads equal its strength. A two headed one is the weakest of their kind.”
“Wonderful, a weak monster that could stomp us flat,” Val hissed as she loosened her wrists.
Will remembered the shattered path he came across. Was this thing hunting them? “Will it leave us alone if we back off?”
Milly’s heart froze in her chest. “No. It eats anything living.”
The hydra’s eyes narrowed as it took another step closer.
Will looked to his hammer, seeing the durability was in the red before he looked back to the two-headed monster. “We’re going to need bigger weapons.”
The hydra roared as it charged. The ground thundered as the bulk of the creature hit the 9-foot wall and shattered it. Stone chunks and debris went flying as the monster continued its charge. Will braced himself, hammer in hand before he, Val, and Morgan were blown backwards. Backs hitting the ground, dust flew up, giving the area a misty cloud in the sky, and a shadow with two heads high above them.
Morgan and Val slowly sat up, but Will was already on his feet and running. Rearing his hammer up, he charged into the dusty cloud and the moment he saw a hint of scales, he brought his hammer hard across. The hammer head slammed into a thick leg and bounced off. Will sidestepped as a head appeared with mouth open. A hydra head snapped at the last place Will was before he jumped and brought the hammer down on the creature’s snout. The monster gave a deep growl before whipping its head sideways and slamming into Will, sending him flying.
The player hit the ground and rolled back onto his feet, an alert filling his gaze.
You have taken 2 damage! You have 8 Hearts left.
Will gritted his teeth again. The monster gave him a glancing blow and it hurt. If it made a direct strike, he was as good as dead. The dusty cloud began to settle before two figures leapt into the fray. Hydra heads glared as a woman in black and red slashed at scales, sparks flying. Morgan charged with sword in hand. Raising it, he tried to stab at a leg, the point glancing off hard scales. The hydra’s leg snapped forward, smashing into Morgan and sending him thirty feet before he hit the ground.
Animals herded to one corner, bleating cries filling the air. Val moved like a dancer, slashing and pulling away with grace and skill. Morgan wiped blood from the edge of his mouth as he tried to get back up, arms and legs shaking. Milly w
atched as Will shouted and charged, hammer raised high. Eyes the size of saucers, she was paralyzed as Will leapt again and brought the hammer down on an attacking head. The hammer rang out as the hydra ignored him and used the side of its head like a club. Will’s hammer flew from his hand and hit the ground, shattering into bits of light and fading away. Will hit the ground again. When he stopped rolling, arms and legs shook as he tried to get back up.
You have taken 4 damage! You have 4 Hearts left.
Will cursed as he forced himself back to his feet. The monster was too strong and its health bar was still green even after their attacks. Drawing his copper sword, he readied to go in again. There was no way they could stop it, but if he kept it busy, everyone else could make a run for the mine. It meant his life, but he knew he would come back. Looking to the others as they fought, the player knew that death was permanent for them.
The hydra stalked closer, one head snaking forward. Val saw the incoming head and leapt to the side as the monster’s snout smashed into Will’s home. A wall blasted apart, causing part of the roof to cave in. Will squared his shoulders and charged at the beast, a sliver of fear coloring his mind, hoping the Soul Caskets weren’t destroyed. Sword in hand, he sliced across a scaled leg, sparks flying as a shadow covered him. Will looked up to an open maw, barreling down on him. Slashing upwards, he nicked the edge of the creature’s flaring nostrils, cutting at sensitive flesh not covered by scales. The hydra head roared in pain as it pulled back, but a leg snapped out, striking Will dead center.
You have taken 3 damage! You have 1 Heart left.
Will’s body weakened as he slammed onto the ground. Arms and legs trembled as he fought to get back up. Val was a shadow, slashing at the monster, but doing little damage. Morgan was up, sword in hand when he jumped to the side, a head snapping at him. The battle was turning badly and Will cursed himself for not being strong enough. A head turned to Will, mouth opening and saliva dripping from jagged teeth
“Leave him alone!” Milly shouted.
Will turned his gaze to Milly, charging the monster. Her head was low and curved horns glowed as she charged. Will wanted to shout to her, tell her to run. Milly’s arms were behind her as legs pumped with power. She made a direct line for the monster, head low and eyes sharp. The hydra’s heads turned their attention to the single woman with horns before she slammed into a leg, blasting out a shockwave.
The hydra’s heads roared in pain as the entire monster stumbled back from the blow. Will could barely believe what he just witnessed. Milly stood, shoulders heaving as she glared at the monster. The hydra regained its footing before charging. Milly’s eyes widened as the giant monster barreled toward her, foul intent in its two sets of eyes. A clawed foot rose up, ready to stomp the horned woman into paste.
Milly was frozen, fear returning as a shadow covered her body.
“Milly!” Will shouted as he stumbled to his feet.
Milly’s eyes watered as the foot came down, talons flashing. Raising up her arms, she crossed them in one last small attempt to blunt the damage. Closing her eyes, she readied for the end to come.
It never came.
Monstrous growls filled the air as Milly opened an eye. Stella stood before her, hands up and holding the creature’s foot at bay. Arms struggled as she grunted, legs bending slightly from the weight and power of the beast.
“Run,” Stella said with a grunting calm.
Milly stumbled back, stunned at Stella’s power as she held the massive creature’s foot. Arms bent slightly and the witch grunted. A head snaked around to see Milly on the ground and Stella holding up its foot. The head went for the easy meal as it shot forward like a viper toward Milly.
“NO!” Will shouted as he launched forward, sword falling away and light engulfing his body.
Will’s eyes narrowed into pinpoints as light swirled along his form, engulfing him in a dim brilliance. Val landed next to Morgan, took hold and pulled him back. The pair of heroes watched as the shadowy light melted away from Will’s form and a wolfish humanoid monster charged.
An inner beast roared as Will growled with power.
You have unlocked the first gate, Wolf Form!
The monster wolf launched into the air, claws flashing. A hydra head stopped just shy of engulfing Milly when a shadow fell over its eyes. Claws flashed again, some digging into scaled flesh while others cut down over a closing eye. The eyelid shredded as claw tips raked across the serpent eye. The hydra head roared in pain. A head snaked after the wolf monster still clutching to the other head. Will turned his wolfish head to it, growled and jumped. The hydra snapped its head forward but Will managed to drive his claws into its snout.
Growling, he slashed and dug with his claws. Staying on the hydra’s snout, he clung with one hand and his legs, slashing with the other hand. The hydra whipped its head back and forth, trying to dislodge the wolf creature. Will had enough presence of mind to see that he was back to full hearts as he slashed at the monster.
Stella pulled back. The hydra’s foot struck the ground before she reared back a fist and punched it. Air blasted out in all directions as the giant monster stumbled back again. The witch pulled back, taking hold of Milly and helping her to her feet. Milly watched in amazement as Will’s monstrous form fought with uncaged tenacity.
Will’s senses were dialed to eleven, catching a glimpse of a hydra’s neck by the head. Scales were fewer to allow the monster to have more flexibility. Will’s yellow eyes narrowed on the spot before letting go and leaping off a snout. The other head turned towards the flying wolf monster, snapping and missing. Will clung to the neck before pulling back claws and raking them hard along the softer neck flesh. Blood spurted as he slashed again and again. Spurting blood covering his snout, face, and chest, he gave a wolfish grin as he jammed his claws into the wound and pulled out rubbery veins.
The hydra’s health bar turned yellow as it thrashed. Will was ready to stab his claws into the wound again when something bit his arm. Pain flared as he was pulled off the neck and flung away.
You have taken 8 damage! You have 2 Hearts left.
Will spread out his hands in front of him, hitting the ground, tucking his body and rolling until he crashed into the wooden fence of Milly’s garden. Yellow eyes looked up as the hydra thrashed, turned and marched back into the forest. One of the heads looked back with fury while the other head moaned in pain, blood running down its slender neck. A moment later, it stalked into the woods, trees bending to the sides as it made a hasty retreat.
Will gave a wolfish smirk before his gaze shifted to bodies running toward him. Milly called out, but he couldn’t hear her, weakness filling every cell of his body. Eyes struggling to stay open, they closed as Milly fell to her knees, her voice lost to the darkness.
***
Will floated in the abyss, turning his attention to a silhouette. The figure gave him an approving head nod and Will stared, unsure what it meant. Confusion and shadows pranced like some obscene play before his eyes. Calling out, his voice echoed along nothing. When the shadows stopped and the confusion lifted, a kernel of knowledge touched his mind and he found himself smiling.
The darkness receded and Will blinked. Dim firelight touched the misshapen walls to the right side of his home. Flexing his fingers, he quickly felt that he was in his bed and under a blanket. Moving slightly, he realized he was also naked and there was a body next to his.
Milly lifted her head and smiled. “He’s awake,” she said with a small smile.
Will sat up slowly, Milly sitting up and helping him along. The player felt like he had spent the last few days drunk and his body still had not recovered. Flexing a hand again, he felt the first sensations of returning to normal. Glancing at his stats, he saw that he was completely healed.
Val, Morgan, and Stella climbed the stairs to the loft and moved to the bed. Val stood to the right while Stella stood at the foot of the bed and Morgan stood to the left. All three looked down with concern, but it was St
ella eyeing his bare chest and licking her lips.
“What happened?” Will asked as he tried to shake the mental cobwebs away.
“Thanks to you, the hydra ran off,” Val said with a wicked smirk.
“You were down and we didn’t know when you would wake up,” Morgan said next. “We put you in your bed while we attempted to make repairs to the wall and the house. As you can see, we need a little more practice.”
Will glanced to a window, seeing night had fallen.
“No need to worry,” Stella beamed. “We made enough repairs to ensure the ghouls will stay out for tonight.”
Will relaxed, his back to the wall. “Is everyone okay?”
“We are all healed up,” Morgan said.
Milly moved closer, “I made three beds so we can all sleep here tonight until we decide what to do tomorrow.”
Will nodded before a sharp memory stabbed at him. Throwing the blanket aside, everyone’s eyes widened as he grabbed his leather leggings and put them on. Stella fanned herself with her hand as Will moved to the stairs. Reaching the lower floor, he moved under the loft. Fear gave way to relief as he saw the three Soul Caskets intact. Timers counted down to zero and dim magical light flashed and faded away.
A lid slowly lifted up, oval eyes peering out as a half-naked man stood about three feet away. Beyond him, legs moved down stairs as other joined him from behind.
“It’s okay. We are all friends,” Will said with a disarming smile.
Oval eyes stared out for a few seconds before a clawed hand pushed the lid up a little more. Next to the soul casket, two more lids opened, bodies rising and Will’s smile growing.
Eleven
“It’s okay, we’re all friends,” Will continued to smile.
Mist poured from the edges of the open Soul Caskets. A clawed hand gripped the edge as a small, lizard-like humanoid stepped out. Thighs shook as the lizard creature looked to Will with wide eyes. Taking a tentative step forward, she fell to her knees, gasping like it took all her effort to try.
