The scales around Abrenacht’s head flared, revealing a pulsing red glow, the heartbeat of a volcano. “I can smell your doubt, maggot. Your resolve crumbles.”
Skree had no response, for Abrenacht was right. His resolve was disintegrating. He had been afraid when he thought he would have to sacrifice himself in the quest to stop Abrenacht, his death seemed like a price he could pay. But living until the whole of creation died, then living on still? It was utterly soul crushing. His heart was pounding, sweat pouring from his skin in rivers as the ever present heat tore at his skin. His breath started coming in ragged gasps as pure panic set in. What choice did he have? If he did not seal Abrenacht away, it would destroy the entire universe in a matter of decades. Every planet, every star, literally everything and everyone would cease to exist. His mind tore at itself, shredding any cohesion of thought as his mortal mind tried to conceive of an infinity being consumed by this ever expanding nothing.
He fell to his knees, wailing in fear and anguish. His screams tore from his lips, carried away by the scouring wind and sand. He ripped at his hair, trying to drive the concepts from his mind but they were too immense and all-consuming. Tears ran freely from his eyes, scoured from his face in seconds by the howling winds. His mind stretched and warped, the fabric of his very being literally ripping and tearing as he tried desperately to retreat, to flee this endless void. Just when he thought his mind would shatter, a hand startled him back to the present, resting softly on his shoulder. When he gazed up, he saw Shaylian smiling down at him. Abrenacht screeched a wail of anger at the sight of her.
“You cannot interfere Shaylian, he must face my trial alone. As is the covenant agreed upon by all.” It hissed through its glistening fangs. It lunged toward her but again, the light of day sent searing, unbearable pain through Abrenacht’s body and it fled into the darkness.
The Archon of Life looked upon Skree, seeing the raging storm in his mind. She placed a delicate hand upon his brow and closed her eyes. In his mind, a vision took hold, a vision of life forming from the molecules of carbon, of single-celled organisms then multicellular life, then complexity and randomness began to spiral in millions of directions. He beheld the beauty of natural order, of life struggling then sprawling across the globe for millions of years in a matter of moments. The first Humans, Dwarves, Elves, and Gnomes, primitive but recognizable none the less began to flourish. They found fire and mastered it use. They began to build structures, discover their connection to the magic of Raiya. The population exploded, and they explored the entirety of their world. It was a history of life, from its most primitive to the rich cultures and beauty of the current day. These visions pushed back the infinite expanse of nothing, leaving him with a feeling of joy so pure, it made him weep.
“Earth Child, now you see what we strive to protect. Everywhere, in all of creation, this same march of life is happening, guided by the power of the Archons. This is what you protect. This is what you must bear for the rest of creation. It will be hard. It will eventually drive you mad, of that there is no doubt. Abrenacht is right in this. You have seen the end of all things, something so horrifying and inconceivable that it nearly broke you. But there is beauty in life, in its endless struggle to exist for a day, an hour, even just a second. Life finds a way and now, so must you.” She spoke softly, affectionately, though sadness touched her eyes. “This is the real sacrifice.” She bent at the waist, lightly kissing his forehead. It filled him with a bubbling lightness, and he couldn’t help but giggle. It was the tender kiss of a loving mother, granting him peace and serenity. In an instant she dissolved into a swirling cloud of leaves that crumbled to dust as they raced across the sand.
There, surrounded by the savage heat and screaming winds, Skree found his resolve. He would do what it required. Face his immortality with open eyes. As he stood, the surface of the abyss rippled once again and Abrenacht appeared, blisters and welts marring its jet black scales.
“Where is she!” it roared, the force of his anger nearly throwing Skree to the ground.
“Gone.” Skree said, the joy of her presence fading. “I wish to face your trial.”
Abrenacht roared and thrashed, sending chaotic ripples racing across the surface of the darkness. It gnashed its massive fangs; it hissed and spat, but it could do nothing but screech ineffectually.
“My Trial?” it hissed. “Let me show you.” Slowly, Abrenacht retreated into the darkness, and the surface began to shimmer, liquid silver in a midnight sky. An image slowly coalesced of a small figure huddled in the corner of a dark cell. Beside it was a bucket filled with feces, and the stained rags barely covering the emaciated creature. Skree didn’t understand what Abrenacht was showing him, but then the figure rolled over, looking directly through the shimmering portal.
“Skree?” Sawbones said, his lips cracked and voice raspy. Patches of scales were missing, exposing the pale, soft flesh underneath speckled with blood. Puffy, dark bruises swelled around each eye. Skree felt a rush of hatred and nausea at the sight of his friend. The friend he had left to die.
“Sawbones!” Skree yelled, taking a few steps toward the silvery portal. “You’re alive!” he said, tears welling in his eyes. He watched in horror as the once proud kobold king tried to stand, but fell to the ground after his first weak step, his legs buckling with the effort.
“What have they done to you!” he screamed impotently. He took another step toward the silvery portal.
“It is good to see you my friend. You look well. How is our little Priestess Kamilla?” he asked weakly, smiling and wincing as his battered lips broke apart releasing trickles of dark blood.
Through teary eyes, Skree met his friends gaze. “She is strong and deadly, just like her mother. She has saved our people. You should see her.” He said, voice cracking.
Sawbones smiled again, the blood on his lips, making his grin seem feral and dangerous. “I would love to, but I am afraid I have other plans for the time being.” The King looked around at his dark cell. “I am on vacation and don’t know when I will be back.” He winked at Skree who laughed. Even in his horrible state, Sawbones still made jokes. His friend had been strong before, but even in the face of torture and pain, he still liked to make jokes. Skree was laughing and crying, his laughs coming between teary sobs.
“Where are you?” Skree asked.
“I imagine I am in some dungeon cell beneath the palace of Emperor Tamarand. After I tried to blow him up with Samolin, he really got angry. Threw me through a portal and I landed here. He comes to visit me occasionally.” Sawbones subconsciously touched at his swollen eye. “Needs to work on his temper, that’s for sure.”
Skree chuckled again, wiping the tears from his face. “I will find you my friend. I will not leave youagain. I will find you, I swear.”
“No.” Sawbones said with a snap of finality. “Do you not see this…” he gestured to the portal, “for what it is? A trap? Stay as far from here as you can. Do not come for me.”
“But I can’t…” Skree said, words caught in his throat.
“NO!” Sawbones shouted, hissing and covering his ragged lips with a gaunt hand in pain. He stared through the portal at Skree, eyes full of resolve. “Do not come looking for me and do not tell Priestess or the others I am alive. It would only cause them pain. I should be dead, but I doubt the emperor will let me die soon. Promise me, you will not take the bait.” Skree wanted to respond, but the image rippled and became dark. “Sawbones!” Skree shouted, reaching toward the display as Abrenacht re-emerged, face pulled into a hideous version of a smile.
“Break your oath, serve me and I will release the king into your embrace. If you refuse, his torture will be immense and his pain unending. My servant will ensure he does not die.”
Abrenacht’s Trial -
Abrenacht has offered to free your friend Sawbones, in exchange for your devoted service.
Reward: Sawbones will be freed immediately.
Refusal: Sawbones will be tortured un
to death.
Rage flared in his chest, his muscles tight with anger. They had captured Sawbones and were now torturing his best friend in some dungeon. The proud king would endure torture to protect his people, to protect him. It was a perfect trap. From the smile on Abrenachts’ hideous face, it knew that. He took several deep breaths before returning a fiery stare of his own.
“I refuse. I will stop you and I will rescue my friend. You made a mistake Abrenacht.Seeing my friend there, tortured and alone but still willing to sacrifice himself to protect others? I will sacrifice to protect those I love.”
The Archon of Chaos narrowed his eyes, a deep laugh rumbling forth. “Not if my chosen kills you first. This is just the beginning for you and I. He will hunt you to the ends of the earth, destroy everything you love before cutting you down.” Abrenacht whirled behind his arch, and a gush of infinite darkness washed over him like a tidal wave and everything vanished.
Chapter 61
A cheer of celebration erupted from the crew of the Typhoon, watching as the enemy vessel capsized and sank below the waves. Fenna jogged up to the aft castle where her helmsman was hard at work steering the ship safely through the debris of the sunken ship.
She stared at the roiling water where the sleek black warship was sinking toward the bottom, enormous bubbles breaking the surface like a pot of boiling water. “Well done.” she said, patting the helmsman on the back. “Now let’s turn this tub around and-”
A massive boom, followed by a shock wave that rocked the ship interrupted her orders. She rushed to the railing and scanned the seas for the source. Half a mile away, the Sawbones was burning. It obliterated the mainmast, tattered sails draping across the deck and into the sea. Smoke rolled from the deck and a multitude of small fires burned.
She rushed back to the helm and shoved the pilot out of the way, taking the wheels in her capable hands. “Give me full sails and give them to me ten minutes ago!” Fenna shouted, spinning the wheel as the sails billowed and snapped. The Typhoon lurched forward, cutting a direct line for the Sawbones.
“Come on Hawkins, don’t you dare die on me.” she muttered to herself as the Typhoon smashed through the waves. “All hands prepare for boarding and if not, then prepare for rescue.”
The crew within earshot relayed her orders and acknowledged them with a desperate “Aye-aye, Captain!”
~~~
Hawkins scrambled to his feet, the weight of the dark red sails making it difficult. Maneuvering his blades, he slashed through the material with ease, and stood to his full height. Every inch of his body hurt, the explosion had sent him crashing to the deck and into a pile of crates, followed by the heavy sails and rigging. Now that he was free, he saw just how close he had come to disaster. A large section of the mainmast had fallen directly on top of him, and only the crates had stopped him from being crushed.
He moved as fast as he could, getting close to struggling shapes under the sails and cutting them free. Twice he had cut through the fabric to reveal a beetle armored knight, and each time he drove his blade through the neck of the surprised foes. Many of his temporary crew had died, evidenced by the dozens of blood-soaked patches on the sails wherever bodies lay slumped beneath.
His vision blurred and a wave of dizziness washed over him. Bracing himself on the railing, he hurled into the water below. Shaking his head and wiping his mouth with a sleeve, he moved toward the center of the devastation. The memories came rushing back as he recalled exactly what had happened moments ago. The leader of the knights was channeling some powerful spell but someone had thrown themselves from the crow’s nest at the last minute, sacrificing themselves to save the ship.
“Mills!” Jury shouted, running across the deck. He skidded to a stop when he found Priestess huddled over his young friend. The young pirate had been with the Typhoon for six years and he had been almost as disappointed as Fenna when Mills left the Typhoon. He had been a fine lad, and his sacrifice had saved many of their lives.
~~~~
Priestess looked up at Hawkins through teary ears. She clutched at Mills limp frame, holding his head against her chest.
“He’s dead Hawkins! He’s dead!” she said, gnashing her teeth in anger. He knelt beside her, taking in Mills battered face. His once handsome features now a broken mess of blood and bone. He gripped her shoulder firmly, shaking her gently.
“Priestess, we have to go, this isn’t over.”
She snarled, anger flaring in her eyes. “You’re damn right it’s not.” As gently as she could with help from Hawkins, she lowered Mills to the deck and stood, brushing dust and debris from her emerald robes. Together they looked out over the water and saw the black ship returning, the cursed vessel showing no additional damage from the explosion.
“What are we going to do?” Priestess asked, claws digging into the wooden rails.
Hawkins squinted at the vessel cutting a hard line toward them. “We fight until the end.” He turned from the rail, rushing back to the wheel. Gripping the spokes, he tested the rudders, the wheel gliding easily back and forth. “The Sawbones won’t be as fast, but she still has rudders and her smaller sails.
He spun the wheel and the Sawbones slowly began to turn, groaning like an old man getting out of a chair.
“Steady girl, steady.” Hawkins muttered to the ship as it broke through the waves. Each impact sent shudders racing through the timbers of the hull. The two ships drew closer together rapidly, the enemy vessel taking full advantage of the Sawbones crippled speed. Circling the ship at a distance to keep her guns at useless firing angles while peppering the damaged hull, the sleek black ship danced through the water and punished the Sawbones to the point of breaking apart.
“We can’t survive like this for much longer.” Priestess said, her voice fraught with fear.
Hawkins grinned like a maniac. “I know. Why do you think I have been giving them such an easy target?”
“What are you talking about? Are you trying to sink us?”
He rolled his eyes. “No, I am buying time.”
“Time for what?”
“That!” He said, pointing at the horizon.
Priestess followed his finger, her eyes lighting up as she saw the Typhoon sliding across the water at a blistering speed on a direct course for the enemy ship. In seconds, the typhoon slammed into the black ship sending a gout of water shooting into the air. Hawkins spun the wheel hard, the Sawbones listing dangerously as it came into alignment with the black vessel. Fenna was using the Typhoon to keep the black ship from changing course.
The Sawbones rode over the waves effortlessly, the mastery of Hawkins piloting skill on display as the distance between the ships evaporated. “Prepare to ram!” Hawkins shouted as they drew within two dozen feet.
Priestess reached out, placing a hand on the wheel and connected with the ship. She saw the prompt and activated it, mana rushing from her body in a great torrent as the ram burst into blindingly hot fire, the flames causing the surrounding water to boil violently. Steam rose into the air, covering the deck in a hot fog, before Hawkins drove the massive ram into the black ship.
Screams of terror and pain followed a thunderous crack from the enemy ship as the ram sheared the vessel into two pieces. Priestess released her grip on the wheel, the flaming ram returning to normal in an instant. The Typhoon pulled away from the crumbling ship and the Sawbones pushed through, shoving the halves further apart. Dozens of heavily armored men and women splashed wildly, trying to find anything to hold on to but most sank rapidly beneath the surface, leaving no sign they were ever there.
Hawkins spun the wheel, turning to match the heading of the Typhoon whose sails were being lowered to reduce her speed. The two ships slowly came together and the surviving crew members tossed ropes to pull them together. Fenna lept across the narrow gap and ran across the deck, plowing into Hawkins and hugging him violently.
“You’re still alive old man!” She said.
The old sailor groaned as her crus
hing embrace sent pain racing through his limbs. “Easy Fenna, I’m not dead but I’m not in great shape.” She let go of him, brushing his shoulders off with a smile.
“You look great, all things considered.” Fenna said with a smile. She knelt, throwing her arms around Priestess in another crushing hug. “And you, I knew they couldn’t kill you.”
“Not from lack of effort.” Priestess said. The kobold met her eyes. “We lost Mills, Fenna. I’m so sorry.”
Fenna released her grasp, and slumped onto the deck. “He’s really gone?”
Priestess only nodded, her eyes once again welling with tears. “He saved us all. If it wasn’t for him, that blast would have destroyed the entire ship.”
“How did he die?” Fenna asked, her eyes distant.
“He jumped from the crow's nest and interrupted the spell, killing himself and the enemy captain.”
Hawkins grunted, extending a hand to his captain. She grabbed it, and he hoisted her to her feet. “It was very brave what he did. They will remember him as a hero in Theseldora, but we don’t have time to mourn right now.” He pointed into the distance and a sinking feeling filled their chests as the massive ship on stilts was closing the distance.
“These arseholes never give up do they?” Fenna said, wiping the sweat from her brow. Hawkins stood beside her, slumping over the railing, his injuries finally starting to take their toll. The trio stared into the distance for a moment, none of them sure of how they would escape this time. The Sawbones was nearly dead in the water and the Typhoon’s last collision had caused significant damage to the hull.
A pulse of blue energy exploded from within the ship, racing outward in all directions from the Sawbones. They stared at the wave of energy as it raced away from the ship, fading away as fast as it had appeared. Everyone on both ships stopped in their tracks when a prompt appeared in their vision, accompanied by a regal trumpet song.
Raiya- Early Game Page 42
