Alburet summoned a second Bob as Tiny stomped on the downed Imp. With a small puff of smoke, the washed-out Copy of Bob appeared and began to summon his own Fire Blast. “Now we’ll show it how to cook with fire,” Bob Jr. cackled.
Alburet ran forward as he drew his axe, “Time to finish it.”
Tiny lifted his foot, intending to stomp on the Imp again. The Imp sprang at his face, “No! This is our Wood!” it seethed.
“You fail,” Tiny replied as his shield slapped the Imp back to the ground.
Alburet got there just as two Fire Blasts bathed the Imp in flame. His axe came down a second later, separating the Imp’s head from its body. “One down. Bob, hold the Fire Blasts for a second,” Alburet called out as he and Tiny crossed to the other side of the path and got ready for the next Imp. “Okay. You knock it down and we’ll pile on.”
Bob and Bob Jr. released their Fire Blasts in unison. Together, the blasts were enough to knock the Cursed Imp off the branch. The blasts also woke it from Daze and it screeched as it fell. Tiny’s shield intercepted it, driving it into the trunk of the tree. As the Imp collapsed in a heap at the bottom of the tree, Alburet’s axe came down on it. Two more Fire Blasts hit it in quick succession, followed by Tiny’s axe and Stacia’s blades. Stacia’s attack was the one that killed the Cursed Imp.
Alburet looted the bodies, replaying the encounter in his mind. “They seemed really weak, a lot weaker than the Orcs in the Grasslands.”
“They do nay have the same health,” Stacia replied. “Iffin we did nay have the ability to knock them down, it would have been much harder.”
“We either would have had to retreat to lure them down, or climb up after them,” Tiny rumbled.
“Yeah, but we have me, both of me,” Bob added with a self-satisfied look on his face.
“Good job, Bob,” Alburet told his minion. “Going to make your wives proud. Okay, let’s head on, still need to find my guildies,” Alburet said as Tiny took the lead again.
A few minutes on they encountered a group of five coming towards them. Alburet waved at them, getting the other group to stop to chat. “How is the hunting going, Alpha Company?”
Greenbeard frowned at Alburet, “Alburet? What the hell happened to you?”
“Race change to Half-blood Infernal. Got the quest from my unique armor,” Alburet replied.
“You’re the second person to have race changed, then,” Ironhand added. “The first was on the forums the day before the immersion test meeting. A guy over in the Elf area, did some quest chain and became a half vampire. Supposedly means he gets faster health regen out of combat and a boost to his Strength and Agility during the night hours. Rumor also says he got a bite attack that drains 1% of the life from the one bitten and gives it to him.”
“That sounds so cool,” Leggylass said. “What did your change net you?”
“Fire resistance,” Alburet chuckled. “The other ability depends on which demon your blood comes from. Imp blood means you can cast spells without words, like my minion does.”
“For a caster that would be insane,” Greenbeard replied with a whistle.
“I’m sure it will come in handy,” Alburet laughed. “You all heading back?”
“Yeah, going to call it a night and hit up this Italian place I found yesterday,” Ironhand smiled. “You want to come with?”
“I heard there are two other groups out here. Still need to find them. I came out to see how everyone was doing.”
“We just finished up the quests here, headed back to turn them in. Tomorrow we’re gonna hit the dungeon in this zone. After that, we’ll move on to the Goblin Villages.” Greenbeard outlined his group’s plan to Alburet. “What about you and your team?”
“We’re doing the same thing now,” Alburet relayed, “but we need to back track a little and hit the lower zones. We’ll be doing that tomorrow and the next few days before we head back to the zones we’ve been in.”
“Hey, at least the mobs won’t be hard for you guys out here,” Ironhand laughed. “We’ll catch you later, boss.” He turned to the others, “Let’s go get some food, guys. I’m starving!”
Ironhand’s group continued back to the keep, intent on turning in their quests. “They seem to have settled in as a group,” Stacia commented.
“Yeah,” Alburet said, glancing back at the group. “Glad to see they picked up a guild tank, as well.”
Minutes later they dispatched another set of Imps and came to a clearing. The clearing held a ring of standing stones. A group of players fought a motley group of Cursed demons inside the circle of stones. Alburet motioned to his minions to wait as he watched the fight. He chuckled when Jaxton bashed the Cursed Succubus, stunning her. The damage dealers in his group all piled onto the Succubus while Jaxton taunted the rest of the demons to him with a burst of bright light. The Cursed Destroyer was the next to fall, followed by the two Cursed Imps.
When the fight ended, Alburet clapped, “Nicely done.”
Jaxton turned with a smile that faltered at the sight of Alburet. “Wow, that is a change. What happened to you?”
Alburet gave them the short version, like he had with the last group. “You guys seem to be doing well,” he smiled after telling them the story.
“We’re thinking of hitting the dungeon,” Jaxton replied. “Any hints for this one?”
“Nope,” Alburet shook his head. “We skipped this zone when leveling, which we know now was a mistake.”
“No kidding,” Brightlight added, “your priest could have done a lot of damage to these guys.”
“Yeah, Infernals and undead do not like healing from the divine,” Alburet nodded.
“They be fine iffin the healer be a paladin or cleric of the Dark Lord,” Stacia added. “They be the only ones who can do tha’, though.”
“Good to know,” Jaxton stated. “You want to tag along with us?”
“No,” Alburet sighed, “sorry. We just came out to check in with you guys out here. There’s still another group out here somewhere.”
Guild Achievement: Clear the Taint from the Henge.
“Or they could have just finished the dungeon,” Alburet laughed.
“They must have been on point,” Jaxton mused. “By all accounts, that dungeon isn’t easy. It’s a single fight with wave after wave of demons. No downtime at all.”
“Sounds fun,” Alburet laughed. “Well, good luck you guys. Now that I know how everyone is doing, I’ll think I’ll grab some grub and call it a night.”
“You don’t keep fighting after sundown?” Brightlight asked, puzzled.
“Not normally,” Alburet shrugged. “I try to treat this like a second life. Since I’m doing the longer-term immersion, I’ve got plenty of time.”
“Good point,” Jaxton nodded. “Wish I could have afforded to sign up for the six-month test. Oh, well. Maybe they’ll let me sign back up after this test.”
Alburet took his leave from the group and dismissed Bob and Tiny. He and Stacia used their Homestones to return to the city as the last sliver of sun was sinking below the horizon. Stacia made them a quick stew, then she was out the door to learn how to help Fluff and him. Left at home with nothing to do, Alburet wandered over to the guild hall.
Erin and Wilbur were sitting at the desk talking when he went in. “How are you both doing?”
Erin looked up and her eyes widened, “Darkness, he was nay kiddin’, was he?”
“Nope. I’m a Half-blood Infernal now,” Alburet smiled. “You ready to go start your new life as a Lady?”
“Aye,” Erin nodded, coming around the desk to give him a hug. “Thank ya for all ya have done for me, Alburet.”
He patted her back in a brotherly manner, “It’s no big thing, sis. I’ll take over and lock up for the night. Why don’t you head out and the two of you have a good night. Kim and your replacement will be in tomorrow morning, so you just need to pack up your stuff from the spare room.”
“Already did tha’,” Erin tol
d him as she went to stand next to Wilbur. “I be leavin’ the key to ya, and thank ya again. I would never have met me soon to be husband iffin nay for ya. Much less found me class and had all these opportunities.”
“Just remember to invite me to the wedding,” Alburet chuckled. “Wilbur, I leave my sister-in-law in your capable hands. If you ever need my help, I will be there.”
Wilbur bowed his head, “The same is true in return, Alburet. You have made me realize that not everything we are taught is true. You also helped me meet the wonderful woman I am soon to call my wife, and you have set into motion the realization of a long-held dream. House Theron shall forever call you friend and ally.”
You are now Revered with House Theron.
Your standing with House Theron cannot fall unless you act against them or the crown.
A broad smile spread over Alburet’s face, “Now, that is a gift I had not expected. Wilbur, I am honored.” He bowed deeply to Wilbur and Erin, “May you both find happiness and have lots of babies.”
Erin kissed Alburet’s cheek as they left, “I dare say I will be havin’ the first grandkid for me parents.”
“You’re very right in that,” Alburet laughed as he watched them go. Once they were gone he went through the guild hall, checking that everything was in place before he snuffed the lights and locked up.
Two hours after she’d left, Stacia came back into the house to find Alburet sitting on the sofa with coffee, “Welcome home, Kitten.”
“Thank ya, master,” Stacia replied, coming over to snuggle with him. “It was interestin’. Now I can do wha’ Ma’ be doin’ to help Fluffball.”
“Easy to pick up?” Alburet asked curiously.
“It be a matter of helpin’ the person see an event from a different angle. In ya case, it will be helpin’ ya put back the real memories where be the false ones,” Stacia murmured as she snuggled against him, “Ma’ showed me how to view a person to see how best to help them. Did ya wish me to help ya tonight?”
Alburet chewed his lip for a moment. He did want her help, but he was also afraid. Afraid of what he might learn and what he had tried to forget that would be revealed to him. “Not tonight, Kitten,” he finally said. “After you help Fluff a few times, then we’ll see about you tackling my more challenging issues. Tonight, we’re going to take a bath, then go to bed, and eventually get some sleep. After all, I need to repay someone for delaying us earlier, don’t I?”
Stacia giggled, “Oh, aye, master. Naughty wenches need to be punished.”
Alburet picked her up as he stood, putting her over his shoulder, “We shall start with a bath.”
Alburet
Half-Blood Infernal Summoner
Level 22
Strength: 49 (44)
Agility: 49 (44)
Constitution: 30
Intelligence: 104 (74)
Wisdom: 163 (98)
Charisma: 79 (44)
Health: 1400
Mana: 2730
Spells:
Demon Skin-Rank 2
Demonic Retribution- Rank 2
Summon Lesser Imp
Fire Blast- Rank 2
Sap Strength- Rank 2
Demonic Haze- Rank 2
Summon Lesser Destroyer
Demonic Vitality- Rank 2
Fire Burst- Rank 2
Summon Lesser Succubus
Abilities:
Personal Spells
Flame Weapon
Copy
Infernal Upgrade: (Succubus- Ally)
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 Nineteen
Seamus looked up as Sergeant Grey came to the door of his isolation room, “What is it?”
“You have a visitor,” Grey replied as he opened the cuff flap. “Come here and give me your wrists, so we can take you to the visitation room.”
Seamus sighed as he got off the metal bunk and went to the door, presenting his wrists at the small window. “Who is it?”
“Your parents,” Grey replied simply as he opened the door and led Seamus down the hallways he’d walked for so many years already. “We’re going to give you thirty minutes.”
“Policy says twenty,” Seamus told his old boss. “Don’t break policy for me, Sarge. God knows you guys are getting fucked on my account already.”
“You should have told me, Seamus,” Grey muttered as they stopped before the visitation room so he could open it.
“No. Then you would have been an accessory. You couldn’t have stopped me, Sarge. I did it my way so you could all be clean.” Seamus stepped into the room, nodding his thanks to Grey. He turned to face his dad on the other side of the glass. Taking the seat across from his parent’s, he met their eyes in turn, “You shouldn’t have come to see me.”
“I can’t not come and see my only child,” his father, William, said. “Your mom doesn’t know what to think. I know how much you doted on Kaylee, so I can understand why you wanted to lash out, son. I still don’t understand why you did it the way you did, though. Judging a person is God’s place, not ours. I know you don’t hold the same views I do, though I wish you did. You could have found a different way.”
“A different way?” Seamus’s voice was thick with anger. “What way would that be? He raped and beat her, dad. What should I have done? Hoped that the judge would deny the guy bail? Has what he did made the news? Have you seen her? I saw her in the hospital, dad. I know the damage she endured and how she looks at people now. She used to be so happy and free, outgoing and able to talk to anyone. Now she lays broken in a bed, crying and refusing to talk to anyone but David. How would you feel if I never talked to you again?” The last few words were shouted as Seamus got to his feet. “Where was God for Kaylee? Why did he not strike down the sick fuck that hurt her?” Spittle flew from his lips as he yelled, red faced, at his father. “God is a sick joke! If he does exist I hope he gets nutted by someone.”
William’s face was pinched in pain at his son’s anger. “Seamus, God doesn’t work like that, you know it as well as I do. I can understand why you feel the hate and anger you do, but you need to let them go, son. They are changing who you are, making you act out in ways that just aren’t you. Look, I can get your bail money up in a day or two, so just wait and we’ll get you out. We can get you the help you need, okay?”
Seamus was panting as he glared at his father, “I don’t need help and I don’t want to be bailed out. I killed him, knowing full well what that would mean for me. I just hope Kaylee will understand why I did what I did. Go home, dad. Go home and pray to the God you worship that I can find that sick fuck again in hell. That way I can kill him over and over again.” He spun and slapped at call button for the officer in charge of the section he was in.
“Seamus?” William called out gently, getting to his feet. “Son, I know you’re in pain, but you need to under… under… stand…” the last few words came out as a wheeze as William slumped and leaned on the counter. “That doesn’t feel good.”
“Honey?” Odilia asked, trying to steady her husband as he wheezed. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
“What is it you need?” came the voice from the speaker.
Seamus turned to see his father clutching at his left arm as he leaned on the counter. He froze as he saw his father slip from the counter and go down. “EMTs! Call the medics, we have a man down. Visitor is down, heart attack, get the medics here now, damn it!” Seamus launched himself onto the small counter on his side of the glass. “Dad! Dad? Stay with me, damn it! DAD!?”
“Will?” Odilia cried as she dropped to her knees beside him. She looked up at Seamus, “Why did you do this to him?”
~*~*~
Alburet jerked upright in bed, “DAD!?”
Stacia
came running into the room, “Master? Are ya okay?”
Panting, Alburet mopped sweat from his brow as he tried to calm down. “Sorry. Just remembering my father’s first heart attack. The one that caused my mother to stop talking to me.”
“Another memory?” Stacia asked as she came around the bed and took him into her embrace. “Are ya sure ya do nay wish me to try to help ya?”
Alburet took a deep breath, “I want your help, Kitten, but I want you to help Fluff first. Mother said that Fluff is not as broken as I am. If you can help her, get some experience, then we can see about you helping me.”
Alpha Company (Alpha World Book 3) Page 24
