by Eden Redd
Juna maintained her gaze, studying the assassin. Jinn’s green sword glowed but he was as still as a statue over a grave. Juna took a quick breath and charged. Jinn stood his ground. White swords flashed first, followed by the emerald blade. Juna brought her twin swords down and Jinn parried both with his single sword. Arm moving, the green blade slid across the white swords as a foot kicked out. Juna pulled back, leaping into the air. Jinn moved in a blur, bypassing her floating body and slamming his open palm into her back. The half-troll landed with a stumble, took two steps and turned to see Jinn standing in the same calm pose he had before.
“You fight a little like your mother,” Jinn said simply.
Juna brought her blades up, ready to attack again.
Jinn sheathed his sword. “Power is not your weakness. It’s finesse. Your body has to glide with the blades.”
Juna was silent.
“Let’s call it a day,” Jinn sighed. “A glass of wine may be in order.”
“We should continue training.”
Jinn’s face shifted to a kind gaze. “I know you’re worried about your mother. I am too. We should rest before we rescue her.”
“It feels like it has already been too long,” Juna said with a dark edge. “She needs us.”
Jinn nodded. “She does, and I think the plan will not only help Oksuna, but all of Lukken. Edric and Faye have come up with a solid idea and we need to be rested and clear headed before we begin.”
Juna’s eyes and blades lowered at the mention of Edric’s name. The half-troll found herself thinking about him more and more, distracting her quiet moments. Try as she might, thoughts and feelings swirled into a state of confusion she didn’t completely understand. Impulses fired along digital nerves and her stomach flared into knots when he was around. The ideas of love and infatuation circled her mind but she couldn’t be sure what felt right. He had been so busy she couldn’t get any time to speak with him one on one.
Jinn eyed the beautiful half-troll as she seemed lost in thought. “Thinking about him again?”
Juna looked up, pink touching her light blue cheeks.
Jinn smiled. “It’s okay…what you’re feeling.”
Juna raised her blades and sheathed them over her shoulders. “His true love died. I don’t feel right…”
Jinn nodded as he stepped closer to his daughter. “Love and feelings can be a bit messy at times. Sometimes people connect instantly and other times, they just miss each other but, perhaps, reconnect later.
“I was with Sonja and Lance before I freed your mother. I had my reservations, thinking it would destroy what we all had. It made me very happy when it didn’t spiral into jealousy and our love grew stronger for it. The four of us understood what it meant to be together and it strengthened our bond.”
Jinn’s smile faded slightly, “Do you feel odd about him and his fellow rulers?”
Juna’s head tilted forward, “I only feel odd with Edric. I love all of them for different reasons but I’m afraid I may make things worse.”
Jinn nodded. “Anything’s possible, but I wouldn’t worry too much about it. He was mourning, but I’ve noticed a fire returning to his eyes, even if he doesn’t admit it. He really wants to help Lukken and he really wants to save Oksuna. I can’t help but respect him for it.”
Juna looked up, seeing through her father’s new “Jinn” avatar to Jayson’s true self. “Do you approve?”
Jinn’s smile returned in full force. “It’s not whether I approve or not. It’s your decision. I thought I lost you once and now that you’re here, I only want to see you happy and safe, but also self-confident. Follow your heart and know I will always be here for you.”
Juna’s eyes glistened before she launched herself forward, wrapping her arms around Jinn in a loving embrace. Jinn hugged his daughter back, holding her tight. Eyes watered as they held each other fiercely. The moment played on until the older looking assassin broke away leaving his hands on Juna’s armored shoulders.
“Let’s get some wine and talk. Dad needs a drink,” Jinn smiled.
***
Sonja swirled a finger against Drakkus’s defined stomach. The vampire lord lay on his back, the blue knight resting her head on his chest, furs covering part of their bodies. Thick shadows moved through the room, the heavy curtain drawn and a single lantern glowing on a table in the corner. Sonja’s long blue hair covered his nearly porcelain chiseled chest as he ran fingers along her bare shoulder.
“I can sense your concern,” Drakkus whispered.
Sonja closed her eyes, drinking in the vampire lord’s scent. “Jinn continues to be distant and Lance…” she trailed off.
“Do you believe Lance won’t return?”
“He might…but I feel it will be different. And it’s not just him returning.”
“What do you mean?”
Sonja opened her eyes before sliding back and lying next to the blonde vampire. “I’m the last of the original three. Jayson lost Oksuna, Lance lost Lorn and I…I have you, but...”
Drakkus kept his expression neutral. “You fear you’re going to lose me?”
Sonja sighed. “I do. I lost Jayson for a time after what happened at the coast. Now Lance hasn’t returned my phone calls in reality. Everything is changing. I feel it’s all slipping away.”
Drakkus held the knight a little closer, “Love changes with time. I have known love in many different forms through the ages…even if the distinction is a little strange since it all may just be stories in my code.”
Sonja looked to the vampire, “Is it odd, being aware of what is truly happening?”
Drakkus smirked. “It is a little strange but I feel I understand a little more with each passing night. My memory cannot fill in the holes of my experiences but I believe that is true for everyone. All I do know now is I am grateful to Edric for saving my life and I am grateful to you for sharing your time with me again.”
Drakkus raised an eyebrow, “Even when you say strange things like ‘Give me that dick’.”
Sonja’s lips stretched into a wide smile before she laughed long and hard. Drakkus watched with amused eyes as the knight’s naked body nearly trembled from laughter. After a few long moments, Sonja snuggled closer, running her hand down the vampire’s stomach and taking hold of his manhood.
“Again,” Drakkus said with a confident smirk.
Sonja nodded. “But first, bite me on my inner thigh. I want you full before you take me again.”
Drakkus nodded as his body slid down Sonja’s, “As you wish my beautiful queen.”
***
Renner looked into his half-filled mug of ale. The swirl of foam caused an image to appear in his mind of islands cracking and sinking into the ocean. A sigh fell from his lips as he lifted the mug and took a gulp before setting it down on the bar.
The bar was sparsely populated as it was noon. A knight slouched in the corner in a drunken haze while two women in pirate outfits played cards at a table. Renner sat at the bar alone, thoughts swirling down into his drink.
The door to the bar opened and a black-haired elf clad in black leather stepped in. Almond shaped eyes scanned the room before locking on the rogue sitting at the bar. The two pirates looked up as the elf sauntered to the bar, then returned to their game.
Renner’s eyes remained on his mug as the elf pulled a bar stool closer and sat down. The bartender came out and noticed the elf point to Renner’s drink. Nodding, he reached for another mug and began to pour dark ale into it.
“Where are the kids,” Vass asked Renner as a frothy ale was placed before her.
“Hanging with Uncle Rekt. They said I was boring and left with him to go drinking at another bar.”
“Sounds like something they would do. You have been down today,” Vass said before gulping down some ale.
“I’m sure you’ve heard,” Renner sighed into his drink.
Vass nodded as she put her drink down. “I did.”
Renner’s eyes watered. “
The summer home is gone. All the islands were destroyed. We only have four homes left on the main land. All that gold is gone and it will take weeks to get that amount back.”
Vass patted his shoulder, “There there, we will be fine. I have some gold I stashed away. I could give it to you?”
Renner shook his head slightly. “It’s not the same. It still feels like it’s our gold.”
“I could hide it and you can try and steal it from me?”
Renner looked to the beautiful elf, “You could hide it?”
Vass nodded and smiled. “If it will help you feel better?”
Renner looked down again. “Thanks for trying to cheer me up but no, we’ll get it back the old fashion way.”
Vass kept her smile as she picked up her mug and took another gulp.
Placing the mug down, the elf’s fingers lingered on it. “It’s not about the gold or the summer home, is it?”
The rogue was silent.
“You’re worried about the kids.”
Renner’s shoulders sank lower. “This quest to save Oksuna is a suicide mission. I’m already hearing rumors that Harkkon has returned to Kraznith but I don’t have any proof, no one does. The attack on the Turtle Islands is the only thing to point to the truth of the rumors. I don’t want Venner and Lydia in harm’s way. Jinn said he has a plan but he isn’t giving me anything since it’s a big secret. Since when can’t I keep a secret!”
“You can’t when you’re drinking,” Vass sighed.
“That’s beside the point,” Renner said with a harsh edge, “I just want to make sure Venner and Lydia have a safe home from all of this war. I can’t lose them like Gylda.”
Vass looked over to Renner, a tear forming at the corner of his eye. The elf reached over and squeezed his arm, eyes filled with understanding kindness.
Renner wiped it away before looking to the elf, “Let’s get married…in real life.”
Vass’s eyes widened to the size of saucers, “What?”
Renner nodded, squaring his jaw. “Venner and Lydia have shown me what life is all about. They are our kids in this world but maybe we should have our own in the real one. I never loved anyone like I love you.”
“You want to marry me so we can have kids,” Vass said, her breath taken away.
Renner shook his head, “No, I want to marry you so we can keep this beautiful thing between us alive and maybe have you push out a few kids in the process. It’s a pretty standard contract.”
Vass said nothing as she stared at the handsome rogue.
“I have the ring on the shelf over the fireplace,” Renner stated simply.
“Fuck yea,” Vass shouted before her hands reached up and seemed to grasp at something at the sides of her head. Pushing up, the elf’s body glowed before she disappeared from the bar stool.
“Hey! Wait for me,” Renner shouted as he grabbed his MEG helmet and pulled it off, his rogue body disappearing in a flash.
***
Edric, Faye and Rayna sat at the council table. A gloom filled the room as all three waited on Rayna’s details. The bard sat forward, elbows on the table and fingers in her purple and black hair, eyes carrying a tired expression.
“It happened two nights ago. Undead Sormir decimated the islands, cracking them open and sinking them below the waves. Almost everyone living there was killed in the process. Ships made a run for it but they were blasted to pieces. Players began appearing at Valtis and started telling everyone what had happened.”
“The rumors might be true, Harkkon may have made it back to Kraznith,” Edric said in a low voice.
“It’s not odd to think Valtis might be next. It sits on the tip of the eastern coast. Harkkon controls the dead Sormir and he will unleash their power on the human kingdoms. No coast will be safe,” Faye added.
Rayna nodded. “The dead have been seen in larger numbers in the forests and along Journey Road. The God Emperor of Death might be beginning his final assault on Lukken.”
Edric looked to his fellow rulers, determination filling his brow, “Let’s get everyone gathered in the War Room. I think it’s time we make our move.”
Three
Bodies clustered in the large rectangular War Room. Edric’s eyes glanced to everyone gathered before looking to a large model of Lukken taking up the middle of the room. The War Room was Edric’s own design. It was created so they would have a better picture of what was happening and how best to decide on strategies. Speaking to the city core, Elora would update the map with whatever new information she received from Rayna and trusted spies. Edric glanced to the waters beyond the eastern tip of Lukken, a flag showing where the Turtle Islands used to be. The summoner’s eyes lingered, never having had a chance to visit the beautiful islands.
Faye and Rayna stood by Edric’s sides at the top of the large model. Leeta and Magnys stood behind them. To the right, Sekka, Thalia, Dumadin and Lunatina stood. To the left, Jinn, Juna, Drakkus, Sonja, and Thorrin stood, speaking to one another while the paladin eyed the giant map.
“Is everyone here,” Edric asked.
“Renner and Vass haven’t arrived yet,” the lamia Thalia said with a bow.
“We can fill them in,” Jinn said with a diplomatic edge.
A small nervous chill ran down Edric’s spine as all eyes turned to him. Smoothing it away with a mental thought, his eyes looked to the map. Seeing the world of Lukken laid out before him filled him with purpose once again. Confidence growing, his demeanor changed as he took charge of the gathering.
“From what we know, the Turtle Islands have been destroyed by the undead Sormir. Players have been spreading the word of the attack. Our best guess is that the rumors may be true and Harkkon has found his way back to Kraznith from the Cursed Coast. I know we are close to putting the plan into motion but we may have to work sooner than we thought.”
“How soon,” Thorrin asked.
Edric looked to Faye and Rayna before looking to the paladin, “In two nights.”
Thorrin rubbed his jaw, “We need seven more days to complete all of the new weapons. We have enough to arm about 80% of our forces.”
Magnys stepped around the rulers of Elora and stood at the edge of the giant map. The white-haired man in a gray robe looked on with kind eyes toward the group.
“I think I may be able to help increase our efficiency,” Magnys said before turning to Edric, Faye and Rayna. “If we build two more spell forges, and have the spell smiths work through the night, we can get closer to 95%. It should be enough to adequately arm our forces. We have more than enough runic stone to create runic weapons but it is angel blood we need to finish adding Thunn’s holy ability to them.”
Edric nodded as he looked to the Sormir in human form. The summoner could not be more grateful. Magnys offered his extensive knowledge to help create weapons to fight against the Dread Lord threat. With the hive mind broken and most of his kind killed and enslaved to Harkkon’s bidding, he was more than ready to give away ancient secrets to help turn the tide against the enemy. Writing down the secret designs to create runic weapons and with the help of Skalor, a powerful dragon who assisted in the battle of Elora months ago, they were able to combine their knowledge to create weapons that would not only slay undead but disrupt their powers in the process.
The first few weapons worked better than anyone expected; Jinn, Sonja, Claudia and Thorrin clearing out a dangerous dungeon in mere hours instead of days. Edric remembered how excited Claudia was for her new spear before leaving on her private quest.
“Speaking of our forces, what’s the count so far,” Jinn asked.
Edric eyed the older looking assassin, “We have about eight thousand players ready to march on the Middle Kingdoms and Kraznith.”
“Why does it sound like we don’t have enough,” Sonja added.
“We don’t,” Faye spoke up. “We’ve assaulted the Middle Kingdoms with twice that number and were beaten back each time. Hundreds of guilds have pooled their forces at times to try a
nd take the kingdoms but the defenses were too strong.”
Faye turned her brown eyes to the black and purple clad jester, “Until now.”
Lunatina lifted her head, looking to all those gathered before she stepped to the edge of the map. The players and NPC’s eyed the jester as her crazy smile melted away and she placed her hands on the map. Head bowed, shadows covered her eyes as she took a small inhale.
“I was the royal alchemist for King Lord Belmont when he ruled the Middle Kingdoms. I’m sure many of you know, or were there when he began to lose his sanity.”
Lunatina looked up to Sonja and Jinn before turning her eyes to the little model and flags marking the Middle Kingdoms. “I was the only one to keep his madness at bay but over time, even my potions couldn’t cure him of his malady. When the troll army arrived to take the kingdoms, King Lord Belmont was slain during the battle.”
The jester looked up, eyes filled with sad knowledge. “I know of a secret tunnel into the kingdoms. It was one of a few put in place in case of invasion. I used it with a few friends to escape.”
Jinn stepped closer, kind gray eyes on the jester, “Tell all of it. No one will judge you.”
Lunatina looked to the older assassin with wide, gleaming eyes before lids closed half way. “It was unknown to many but I am King Lord Belmont’s half-blood child. He had relations with my mother and I was born sometime later.”
The room grew silent as all digested the information.
Thorrin was first to break the silence, “Did any of the royal family survive the invasion?”
Faye shook her head. “None, everyone who was in the Middle Kingdoms was slaughtered when it was taken.”
Edric nodded his head, “That means Lunatina is the rightful heir to the Middle Kingdoms.”
The jester gave the summoner a sheepish glance, “I don’t want to rule a kingdom. I’ve only wanted to be safe.”
Edric stepped closer, kind eyes on the jester. “You will be safe. It’s a promise we all have agreed to.”
