by Paul Bellow
The two fighters smiled at each other. I wasn’t as confident about our decision, but the two old foes might have information about Sarah. We needed to find her.
If things went too bad, I had three Everlast potions left. They were shaping my thoughts by simply having them available. Even with the cravings, they were helpful.
“Let’s do this,” Derringer said, clapping his hands.
Josh lifted his arms in the air.
“Battle time,” he said then laughed.
I noticed most of the patrons in the tavern watching us closely.
Raven stood. “Let’s go,” she said then walked toward the door.
The rest of us followed her outside. A crowd formed around us as we walked toward the city gates, ready to take out another party. Would their five increase in number?
I wondered what other ways they might spring a trap on us outside the city walls. Whatever happened, I had the Everlast potions as backup. Their power enticed me even more.
“Back up,” Josh snarled at a group following too close.
They stepped away, still following us as we walked down the cobblestone street. As we neared the eastern gate, I pulled my weapons, preparing for battle.
“Hold on,” Razzo said behind us.
I stopped and turned, ready to attack.
Razzo lifted his arms in the air.
“I come in peace,” he said. “Let me join your party. There’s a trap outside.”
“Here we go,” Raven said.
Bernard nodded his head at Razzo.
“Maybe you’re the trap,” he said.
“No, no,” Razzo said, keeping his arms raised. “I’m trying to help you. Let me join your party, and I can explain it all.”
Josh laughed and Derringer joined him. I took a deep breath and shook my head.
“No,” I said. “You can’t join our party. Sorry. Best for you to join your friends outside.”
“They’re not my friends anymore,” Razzo said.
“Why should we trust you if you’re turning on them?” Bernard asked.
“Yeah,” Leena added. “You’re not making any sense.”
“Nothing makes sense to me anymore,” he said. “Magi Inyontoo has been testing new potions and spells on us, and…things are messed up.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“I can’t tell you unless you let me join your party,” he said. “Please?”
The look of desperation on his face appeared genuine, but I couldn’t tell for sure.
“No way,” Josh said. “We don’t need you.”
Razzo repeated his plea.
“Please?” he begged. “I’ll do anything to prove myself.”
“You should leave now,” Raven said and drew her powerful blade.
Razzo sighed then turned and fled into the sea of people around us. Several pointed and gasped while others talked amongst themselves, whispering back and forth.
“Keep your eyes open,” I said. “Something’s not right.”
“You’re the king of the obvious,” Leena said.
I stared at her for a moment, wondering how she’d known my father. Could we trust her? She always brought up the negatives in any situation and loved to complain.
“Cut him some slack,” Bernard said, coming to my defense.
Leena looked away. What secrets was she hiding?
I walked toward the city gates which they kept open during the day. Walking in formation, ready for a fight, we went through to the other side. Several citizens followed, going about their business as usual.
“Anyone see anything?” I asked as we kept walking down the dirt path leading away from Fishguard.
“Nothing,” Bernard said.
Josh pointed down the road to the left.
“What’s that?” he asked.
I followed his finger, barely making out a figure.
“What about the others?” Derringer asked.
“Stay here,” Raven said. “I’m going to scout ahead.”
“Wait,” I said, pulling out my owl figurine. “This might help.”
After I spoke the command word, the owl soared into the sky. Raven glanced over. I swore I saw a speck of respect on her face.
“Hold on,” I said out loud, then thought, “What do you see, Who?”
“Good to see you too, Eric.”
“It’s great to see you, but we’re in a bit of a fix.”
“That’s not surprising,” Who replied. “I see a figure ahead.”
“Check it out, but be careful.”
The others stared at me expectantly.
“He’s checking it out,” I said.
“Eric, I’ve been hit. Arrow…”
Who’s voice faded from my mind. I saw its body fall to the ground. Would it change back to a figurine if it died?
“Forward!” I yelled then took off running.
“I’m with you,” Josh said from behind me.
Retrieving the owl figurine would have to wait. We needed to take out the ranger and the rest of his friends. I pulled my swords as I ran closer. Why is he not moving? As I got closer, I realized the figure was nothing more than a scarecrow with dark clothes whipping in the cold, winter wind. I stopped a few hundred feet away.
“That’s a letdown,” Josh said, staring ahead.
Bernard, Derringer, Leena and Raven walked up.
“It’s a stupid scarecrow,” I said, reaching out to touch it.
“No!” Raven screamed.
When my hand touched the cloth, a brilliant light flashed from inside it. I didn’t feel any pain, but I also couldn’t see. Why didn’t I check for traps?
“Anyone here? Can you hear me?” I asked, still blinded.
No one responded. Even the Everlast potions in my pouch couldn’t help. Or could they? I resisted the urge to quaff one as I stepped forward, waving my hands in front of me.
“Is there anybody out there?”
Fear hit me when I received nothing but silence.
Have I died yet again?
Chapter 17
Double Necro Attack
Eric
My vision returned after a few tense moments of nothingness. I saw arid wastelands all around. Had we been transported? What about the others? I turned and saw them nearby.
“What happened?” I asked.
“You didn’t check the scarecrow for traps,” Josh said. “Great job.”
“The magic transported us to the orc wastelands,” Raven said. “I’m not sure where exactly, but I recognize the landscape.”
“Me too,” Josh said. “This is where I started the game originally.”
“The area is a bit different on this level,” Derringer said, sword held out. “More dangerous for one. We need to keep our eyes open.”
“I lost my own, but at least we’re alive and didn’t take damage,” I said.
“Can you see again?” Derringer asked.
I nodded.
“Good enough.” I saw a dust cloud on the horizon. “What’s that?”
The others looked to where I was pointing.
“I’ve got no idea, but it doesn’t look good,” Bernard said.
“There’s another cloud,” Leena said. “Over there.”
I turned and saw another dust cloud heading our way.
“There’s two groups of people,” Raven said.
I stared at the closest group approaching us. Had Sylvax and Razzo raised an army? As the clouds of dust got closer, I noticed four headless riders leading the main group. Hundreds of skeletons and zombies followed made up the rest of the approaching horde.
“Now would be the time for spells.” I turned to Leena. “Do you have anything ready?”
“Hold on,” she said, watching the approaching armies.
Both groups of skeletons and zombies stopped then fanned out, forming a massive ring around us. Four figures rode forward while holding a white flag. Should we attack them anyway and get first strike? I held my swords up as they st
opped a few hundred yards away.
“You have one chance to surrender,” Sylvax said. “This is it. Bow to Magictology or face our wrath. The choice is yours.”
“Bring it on!” Josh yelled.
Raven grabbed his arm, holding him back. He glanced down at it but said nothing.
“Wait,” she said. “Maybe we can talk our way out of this mess.”
“I’ve got Everlast potions,” I said. “We shouldn’t worry.”
“You didn’t take one, did you?” Raven asked.
“No,” I said. “Why?”
Before she answered, Sylvax screamed. I glanced over and saw Razzo galloping toward us.
“He attacked Sylvax,” Bernard said. “I don’t believe it.”
“I need your help!” Razzo shouted as he got closer.
“Stop!” I shouted.
He reined in his horse and stopped in front of us.
“Why should we trust you?” I asked.
“I just attacked Sylvax,” he replied. “Isn’t that enough proof?”
“Don’t kill him,” Raven said. “We might need an extra spellcaster. There’s even more undead coming.”
On the horizon, I saw three mammoth skeletons lumbering along. Razzo jumped off his tan horse then threw his hands in the air.
“I’m seeking asylum,” he said. “I killed Sylvax. That should be enough.”
“He’s not dead,” Bernard said, pointing to the elven ranger I saw climb atop his horse.
“Let me help finish the job,” Razzo said.
“Fine, but you’re not joining our party right now,” I said. “The first time you double-cross us and attack will be the last time you play as this character. Understand?”
“I don’t care,” Razzo said. “I’m tired of all the craziness with Magictology, and I want to do the right thing.”
My instincts told me not to believe him, but we didn’t have much of a choice right before a huge battle. One of the two other riders blew a horn, sending an eerie sound through the air.
“That’s an orc horn,” Josh said.
“I’ve heard of more than one orc necromancer recently,” Raven said. “Prepare for battle.”
“Where do you want me?” Razzo asked.
“Offensive spells to keep the hordes of undead back,” I said. “The first time you hit one of us with a spell, even accidentally, you’re done.”
He nodded then rolled up the sleeves of his red robes. Around us, the undead marched forward to the awful sound of the horns.
“For the glory!” Josh shouted then ran forward.
Derringer tossed one of his holy water bombs in the other direction, taking out a dozen skeletons and zombies as they marched forward. Bernard walked by my side as I tried to decide who to kill first.
Behind us, Leena let loose pink lightning that chained from one undead body to another, dropping a lot of the creations. Raven also fired several arrows into the air, taking out a few more of the low-level undead.
We’ve got this. My confidence waned as I saw their two necromancers casting a spell. A couple of wights materialized in front of them. The break in the line of skeletons and zombies closed as they got closer. The skeletons and zombies closed the ranks as they marched forward to attack.
“Go for the necros!” I shouted, waiting for the onslaught of lesser undead.
Bernard yelled and attacked as the skeletons and zombies reached us. He sliced the head of a zombie clean off its decaying body. I attacked with both weapons, trying to pace myself because there were so many coming at us.
Your slash INJURES the skeleton for 14 damage.
The skeleton is dead.
Your pierce INJURES the skeleton for 12 damage.
The skeleton is dead.
You slash HITS the skeleton for 10 damage.
The skeleton is dead.
The waves of undead continued. I hacked, slashed, and pierced, turning around when needed. Bernard fought valiantly by my side as spells of fire and electricity went off around us. Inch by inch, I fought my way toward the two necromancers, but as I neared them, I noticed they were orcs. They talked back and forth as their hordes protected them.
While one wight had gone in the other direction toward Derringer and Josh, the other hovered just above the ground a few feet away. I dispatched four more zombies while slowly working my way forward.
“Get the wight!” Bernard yelled between hits. “I’ll cover you.”
As Bernard stood his ground, I ran forward, dodging between slow-moving zombies. The closer I got to my prey, the more I craved the effects of the Everlast potion. When I reached the wight, it turned and hissed, lashing out.
The wight GRAZES you for 6 damage.
You lose 1,500 xp.
You have [164/170] health remaining.
One of the mammoth skeletons was getting closer. I hoped the others had a solution to take care of it. The wight facing me demanded my attention. I attacked.
Your slash GRAZES the wight for 5 damage.
Your pierce GRAZES the wight for 7 damage.
You slash HITS the wight for 8 damage.
The wight has noticed you.
It hissed then lunged again as two skeletons strolling nearby attacked too. While I tried to dodge their attacks, all of them connected.
The wight GRAZES you for 5 damage.
You lose 1,500 xp.
The skeleton HITS you for 8 damage.
The skeleton GRAZES you for 5 damage.
You have [146/170] health remaining.
I hated losing more experience, but I had to keep going. With three more slices of my blades, the wight dispersed, leaving a lifeless pile of tattered clothes and a rusty crown on the barren ground. Two skeletons swung again, both hitting me.
The skeleton HITS you for 8 damage.
The skeleton HITS you for 10 damage.
You have [128/170] health remaining.
Although I hated turning my back on the necromancers, the skeletal creatures gave me no other choice. They needed to be dispatched first. Both shattered into scattered bones as my swords did their work. I turned again to check on the orc necromancers, but didn’t see either.
What the…
A mammoth skeleton tumbled apart, its bones scattering on the ground while I scanned the battlefield, looking for my next target. The others had done well. Most of the skeletons and zombies were destroyed. Someone had also killed two of the mammoth skeletons, leaving only one more. Bernard, Derringer and Josh had it surrounded, so I turned, looking for the others.
Leena and Razzo stood near each other, both casting spells at a dirt hill nearby. I caught a glimpse of the necromancers on top of it. As they ducked behind the hill, I ran toward them.
“Be careful!” I shouted to our spellcasters as I passed them.
Where did Raven go? I wondered as I got closer to the mound of dirt.
I ran up and over the hill when I reached it. On the other side, I saw Raven facing off the two necromancers. She swung her sword, slicing off the arm of one of them. Can he still cast with only one hand? I dashed forward, racing toward the other necromancer. He saw me and raised his hands. A black beam shot out of his right index finger.
I dodged to the left, but the magic hit me on the arm. A cold chill traveled up my arm to my chest. All the wind left my lungs. I stopped running, desperately trying to catch my breath. Exhaustion had fallen over me in an instant, making it difficult to move. Was it the spell? As I wondered, the orc necromancer cast again.
Uh oh…
A fireball shot from his palm, racing through the air toward me. It exploded on impact.
The fireball MAIMS you for 52 damage.
You have [76/170] health remaining.
You’re extremely fatigued.
I fell to the ground at the bottom of the dirt mound. The fur wrap over my armor caught flames. I dropped and rolled around on the ground until it went out. He’d made the right move casting the other spell first.
My fatigue continued
to prevent me from standing. I hoped Raven or the others thought of something. Being killed the first time in the game by an orc necromancer wasn’t my idea of fun. As I laid on the ground, I reached for my pouch with the Everlast potions. Should I take one? With the magic in my system, I’d be able to defeat everything else and end the battle decisively.
“Don’t do it,” Leena said from behind me as I held the vial.
I turned and saw her and Razzo crest the dirt mound.
“Get down!” she yelled.
Another fireball flew overhead, hitting her before exploding in a brilliant ball of flame.
The fireball INJURES you for 12 damage.
You have [64/170] health remaining.
You’re extremely fatigued.
No kidding, I thought, struggling to stand.
Razzo lifted his arms and sent a volley of fire back at the necromancer. The flames barely missed me as I got to my feet. I glanced over and gave him a dirty look before turning. The necromancer raised his hands for another spell.
Oh no. This is it.
Instead of a fireball, a tall wall of smoke rose quickly from the ground, blocking the orc spellcaster from view.
“Get him!” I shouted. “Don’t let him get away!”
I felt my strength gradually returning, so I held off on taking one of the Everlast potions. Something in the back of my mind didn’t like the idea of taking them ever again. I’d dealt with addiction in the real world long enough, and I didn’t need it inside the Tower of Gates.
“Let me clear the air,” Leena said then cast a spell.
A gust of wind pushed at the wall of smoke, blowing it away. I turned to see Raven take out the second necromancer, leaving only one left.
“Where are the others?” I asked as my strength slowly returned.
“Don’t know,” Leena said. “Where’s that other necromancer?”
I scanned the dissipated smoke, not seeing the spellcasting orc.
“Over there,” Raven shouted.
I caught a glimpse of the necromancer running out of the corner of my eye. He flickered out of view then came back. It happened continuously as he walked toward us.
“Blink spell!” Raven shouted.
She pulled her bow out and nocked an arrow. Leena cast an orange lightning bolt while I raised my swords, wishing my full energy would return. The necromancer, blinking in and out of view, stopped and began casting another spell. Raven shot an arrow, but it just missed when he blinked out of existence then reappeared a few feet away.
