by Eden Redd
Time slowed before Will fell into a fitful sleep. Shadows writhed around him, reaching out with black hands, pulling on his clothes and limbs. The frantic motion unnerved him as he tried to pull away. Shadows bled together until they reformed into people.
A room filled with people, drinking and eating while Will sat on a couch. A nervous energy spiraled before a witch walked up to him and held out a hand. Will reached up and took it as he was pulled out of the room and into a well-lit hallway.
“Stella,” Will asked as the redheaded witch smiled.
“I’m in your dreams. I thought it would be easier for us to talk.”
Will’s shoulders sagged. “I think I might have been too harsh.”
“You have your reasons,” Stella said with a sultry edge.
“My senses are alive now. I can smell her humanity.”
Stella kept her gaze neutral, “What will do you if we meet more like her?”
Will tilted his head forward, “Everyone gets one chance. She has to prove herself, despite what my gut is telling me.”
“What does it tell you?”
Will looked up, “She’s not what she seems. She’s not like Val or Morgan.”
The player stared as the serpent form of Yir stood behind the unknowing Stella.
“Will, there may be some who seem against you, but want to help you.”
Will’s eyes narrowed. “You sense something too.”
Stella smiled. “She is holding something back, but I don’t know if it’s out of fear or an ulterior motive. I think we have to wait and see.”
“Stella, I won’t let Jova become like Earth. I can’t. Humanity wasted away to nothing and now, we have a chance to rebuild a new world. I feel like…my soul is here and I have nothing to go back to.”
Will let out a tired huff, “Cyndi is going to poison everyone with memories of an old world better left behind.”
Stella stepped closer, resting her arms on Will’s shoulders and giving him a sultry gaze. “We can change her to your vision. We can show her the better world you want to create.”
Yir’s tongue flicked out, eyes still as two ponds at midnight.
Will looked into Stella’s eyes, “And if she betrays us?”
“Then, we ferry her soul to the afterlife,” Stella smirked.
***
Supplies gathered, the group set off from the tomb and entered the wild forests. Cyndi stayed toward the rear as everyone marched single file through thick woods. Will led the way, body refreshed and renewed. The events of last night fell away like dying leaves during autumn. Despite his dreams, he slept well. Well enough to take on any challenge.
Val was second to last in line, glancing back to Cyndi as she marched. The cloaked woman fell behind until she was walking side by side with the new hero to their group.
“Will is a good man,” Val said unceremoniously.
“Hard to tell by the not so warm welcome,” Cyndi smiled.
“He has a protective nature. It has helped us since Jova is a savage place at times.”
“He hates people,” Cyndi turned her gaze sideways to Val, “Unless they are different. I’ve met people like him in my old line of work. They have grand plans to change the world and are willing to sacrifice everyone to do it.”
“True, but is he wrong?”
Cyndi looked down as they walked. “I don’t know what’s true anymore. Some of the last things I remember were the world was dying. Judging from Morgan and Will, it actually happened.”
Cyndi turned her gaze to Val’s shadowy hood. “Now we are here, trying to get some artifact? I don’t know much of what’s going on, but I’m sure it isn’t so simple. If we are walking into danger, I would like to be armed.”
“Will instructed us not to arm you until you prove yourself.”
“From what you guys told me last night, I already proved myself by being in a Hero Tomb. I’m not sure what else I can do before we reach this secret location nobody wants to tell me about.”
Val looked forward as Sil turned her head and gave Val a suspicious gaze.
“Once we collect the artifact and return home, I’m sure Will will change his tune. Until then, when we have a chance, I would like if you told me more about my old home?”
Cyndi smiled. “I will, when we get a chance.”
Val smiled before picking up the pace and took her place in the line.
The day rolled on. Will stared out past the trees, a small smile forming as a mountain appeared beyond the leafy branches. Each step closer made the mountain bigger. The forest began to thin a little before Will put up his hand, the group stopping and gathering around him.
“We should see the entrance soon. If it’s anything like the last temple, we need to stay close and make sure nothing sneaks up on us,” Will said in a low voice.
Morgan looked up as the sun sank lower in the west. “It’s about two hours to sundown. Will we have enough time?”
Will gave a grave nod. “It will have to be enough. I won’t chance taking another day before entering the temple,” the player said as he glanced to Cyndi.
Cyndi kept her expression blank as a tiredness showed under her eyes.
“Let’s scout it out and then decide our next moves,” Will directed.
Heads nodded in agreement. The group turned and marched on. Twenty minutes floated by before the top hints of the entrance appeared through the trees.
Will kept his senses sharp as a rush coursed through him. Fingers flexed in anticipation as he moved through the cover of trees. The entrance grew in the distance, a similar dark slit against a tall mountain. Light painted the mountain early evening colors of yellows and oranges, but the darkness of the entrance remained the same. Reaching the edge of the tree line, Will froze.
Morgan and Sil were next, moving to Will’s sides and looking out. A chill touched their hearts before the rest of the group approached. The silence was deafening as the group drank in the sight before them. Stella was last and when she looked toward the entrance, she let slip a maddening smirk.
“He’s a big boy,” the witch whispered.
The craggy entrance to the temple stood like a black dagger laying against a mountain. At the ground section of the entrance, a hydra lay. Three necks fanned out, eyes closed as the main body of the monster rose and fell from heavy breathing. Black and gold scales ran along the creature’s length, its back legs and tail deep within the entrance. Around it, there was nothing but grass and muddy ground, presumably from the monster’s movements.
“Three heads,” Morgan said, the words lingering in the air.
“We could barely take on one with two heads,” Val added.
Will ground his teeth for a moment before turning to the group, “We have to change the plan.”
“This might be the time you give me an extra weapon to help,” Cyndi said.
Will ignored her. “We have about an hour and a half before sundown. If this temple is anything like the last one, the entrance should lead directly to the main chamber. I know we are not strong enough to take it on, but there is enough of us to distract it and others can go in to retrieve the item.”
The group nodded but it was Cyndi who spoke up.
“That thing down there might not want to play by you plans and who is going to go in to retrieve this item you want so much?”
Will looked to Val, “Want to take a chance by sneaking in?”
The pale woman nodded as shadows writhes against the edges of her face. “I can, if it comes out of the cave far enough.”
“What is so important we have to risk our lives?” Cyndi asked like they were all crazy.
Will looked to Sil and Nova, “I need you both to go with Val. Not sure what may be in there. Think you both can do it?”
Sil gave a strong nod. Nova imitated the kobold before looking away for an instant.
Will softened his gaze to the Stalker, “If you’re not sure.”
Nova firmed up her shoulders and held her chin high,
“I can do it.”
Will nodded before looking to Morgan, Stella and Cyndi. “The four of us will spread out along the tree line. The hydra will have no choice, but to come out if it wants to get any of us. By spreading out, it will make it more enticing. If it goes for one of us, the rest can help with distractions to keep it busy. It’s pretty big, so the forest is our best defense to duck and cover.”
Morgan nodded. “The trees will give some cover, but they won’t stop it. We should have a meeting location if we get separated.”
Will was quiet for a moment. “Two miles back in the direction of Cyndi’s tomb. Set up torches to signal for others. Hopefully, we can get the item and retreat before the sun sets. If not, set torches on the ground and stay high in any trees.”
The player eyed everyone gathered. There was a bit of uncertainty in their eyes. A three headed hydra was going to be a challenge, but Will knew he couldn’t wait. Knowing the risks and that their lives were in danger, he decided to try and alleviate those concerns.
“If things get bad, know that I can take the brunt of it. If you feel you’re in too much danger, run. I can take the risks, but I don’t want anyone sacrificing themselves. We stick to the plan and maybe we can get out of this together.”
Heads nodded again.
“What happens if the hydra follows us? I’m not sure if it's just going to stop once we get it riled up,” Val added.
“I’ll slow it down,” Will smiled.
“You can’t,” the words bursting past Nova’s lips before pink colored her green cheeks.
The player turned his smile to the concerned stalker, “We have to make sure we support each other. That’s how we are going to get through this,” Will’s gaze shifted to Cyndi before looking away.
Nova gave a nod, the pink in her cheeks draining away. Cyndi looked on.
Will stood at his full height. “We are losing the light. Val, how long do you think it will take for your team to reach the side of the entrance?”
“We will have to go slow, about ten minutes.”
“We will give you ten minutes before we begin the distraction. After that, it's up to your three to get the item and escape. Are we good with the plan?”
Almost all heads nodded except for Cyndi.
“Let’s get this started,” Will ordered.
Val, Sil, and Nova parted from the group, making their way along the tree line. Nova glanced back to Will and he gave her a nod and a smile. The Stalker smiled back before turning and catching up with Val and Sil. After a long moment, they disappeared into the trees.
“This is going to hurt,” Stella said in breathy tone.
“Hopefully it will hurt the hydra more than us,” Will said as they all took positions along the tree line.
“The last hydra seemed to have some kind of intelligence. We can assume this one does as well,” Morgan said in a low tone.
“Use that magical sword of yours,” Will said as he looked to the sleeping hydra in the distance. “I have some tricks that might work but the important part is to simply keep it busy.”
“It was nice knowing everyone,” Stella said with a sighing laugh.
Will smiled at the witch before looking to the entrance. “Start spreading out. I’ll keep an eye on the entrance. The moment I start walking out, that’s the signal to come out from the tree line.”
Heads nodded. Morgan made his way left from Will. Stella and Cyndi moved to the right. The sun sank lower as bodies moved silently along the forest edge. Soon, Will found himself alone and staring at the monster at the entrance.
Pulling up his stat screen, he mentally prepared for what was to come.
William Asher
Hearts: 10
Armor: 6
Primary Weapon: Copper Hammer: Gem slot Ruby: Fire Damage
Secondary Weapon: Copper Sword
Tunic: Stone Protection
Leggings: Swiftness
Boots: Leaping
Strength: 12 (Apprentice)
Intelligence: 11 (Apprentice)
Agility: 12 (Apprentice)
Will: 7 (Novice)
Mana: 5 (Novice)
Path: Beast (Apprentice)
Forms
Wolf
The weapons and armor he enchanted should give him a better edge in the fight. Will pulled his hammer from over his shoulder, his gaze lingering. It was finally time to test it in a real fight. The leggings and boots should give him enough power to keep the hydra busy. If the plan started to fall apart, the player made the decision to do whatever it took to keep the monster off of his friends.
A thought floated to Cyndi and something twisted in the player’s heart. This would be the moment of truth. A truth where she proved herself to be a real hero. It didn’t sit well with him. Despite his gut instinct, he knew this was asking a lot of someone they met last night. He couldn’t deny there was something off and he wondered if Yir’s Beast Path gave him a better intuition of other people, like animals when they approach and can instantly tell if they like you or not. There was much he had to explore and discover about his abilities, but at this moment, he had to be there for those he cared about.
A shadow moved along the right side of the entrance. Behind it, two small figures moved, staying low. The three of them hunkered down, fifty feet from the edge of the sleeping hydra. A breeze picked up, causing leaves to flitter and branches to wave. Will closed his eyes, drinking in the sensations before stepping out from the tree line and into the open field.
A hydra head sniffed at the air, closed eyes moving under thick lids. Will stepped out, large hammer held sideways with both hands. Chest out, he walked with confidence until he was about fifty feet from the tree line. Mentally mapping it in his head, he could run back the moment things grew out of control.
“Moment of truth,” Will whispered before he tightened the grip on the hammer, the head bursting into flames.
Lifting the hammer up, Will waved it in the air as he shouted, “Hey! Wake up!”
Eyes fluttered open. The hydra’s heads stirred, chasing away sleeps embrace. One of the heads blinked before its lids stayed open, a pair of eyes staring at the lone figure with the flaming hammer. Muscles moved along necks and body, clawed feet digging into the dirt, grass, and mud. The monster lifted the bulk of its body up, all three heads swiveling and glaring down at the man in the distance. The edges of sleep long gone; a rumbling growl pulsed along the air. Serpent eyes glared with malcontent as scaled lips pulled back to reveal sharp, wet teeth.
“Come on you big lizard,” Will said as he waved his flaming hammer.
Morgan stepped from the tree line, waving his sword. Stella came out, waving her hands. Cyndi was last, stepping into the open and waving her arms. The hydra’s heads turned in different directions, eyes and snout moving to the new comers. Its growl grew as each figure was a healthy distance away from the other.
“Go for the bait,” Will whispered, ready for a charge.
The hydra heads moved in different directions before the right head glared at Morgan, the middle head stared at Will and the left head hissed at Stella. A clawed foot stepped forward before each head reared back, taking a deep breath.
“Fuck,” Will whispered as he saw what it was going to do.
“RUN!” Will shouted to the left and right of him.
The hydra’s mouths opened wide as energy pooled on their tongues. A blink later, each head blasted out thick streams of lightning. Will jumped to the side as the ground exploded, a stream of bent energy ripping up the area. Hitting the ground, the stream blasted past him, sending debris into the air and falling on him. Legs and arms pushing, he was up and running again as the area lit up in explosions.
Val watched, stunned at the carnage as the hydra took another step forward, each head spitting out a stream of lightning. Sil and Nova stayed behind her as they watched helplessly. Will was running, as was Morgan. Stella turned and ran back toward the forest while Cyndi shouted at the creature. A head turned and fir
ed a bolt, energy streaking forward. Cyndi bent her knees and leapt to the side, the ground exploding where she was standing half a second ago.
Will moved, his body flashing forward, faster than he ever ran before. Leather leggings glowed with enchanted light as he raced along. Lightning blasted craters along the ground. The player saw Morgan retreating back to the woods. Turning, he flashed forward, running along with flaming hammer in hand. A hydra head reared back and fired off another stream. Will leapt into the air, jumping and arcing over the ground for forty feet before landing and moving. Glancing to the side of the entrance, Val and the others stayed where they were, the hydra not leaving the entrance.
“Dammit!” Will growled as he turned and bolted toward the three headed monster.
Stella reached the tree line, hands out. Gray hands took hold of a thick tree trunk, fingers digging into the hardwood.
“I’m sorry,” the witch said as she heaved and pulled the tree from the ground.
Turning around, she held the tree in her arms. Thighs tensed as she burst into a run, aiming the tree like a primitive lance. A head turned toward the tree coming toward it. Opening its maw, lightning blasted out. Stella’s eyes widened as the bolts struck the tree, shattering it to flaming kindling. The force of the blow sent her flying back and crashing to the ground, her body smoking.
Cyndi saw Stella go down and raced toward her, explosions knocking dirt and stones into her sides. A single stone hit the side of her head, knocking her balance off for a second before she righted herself up. Gaze boring down on the fallen witch, she leapt forward and landed on her, covering her body with her own as lightning blasted the area.
The middle head turned to see what its left head was doing. Serpent eyes narrowing, it opened its maw before a figure leapt into the air, hammer raised. The hydra’s middle head barely had time to look when a flaming hammer struck the side of its snout. A boom echoed off the mountain as Will was falling. The middle head shook it off before looking down, opening its mouth and blasting out lightning death.
Will hit the ground, rolled to the side and jumped up before nearby explosion threw him further. Hammer in hand, he hit the ground hard, sliding for ten feet before rolling back to his feet.
