She cast a bright spell, which disorientated both him and Jinx.
The shimmering shield faded as she blasted the demon with fire and brimstone clear across the room, smashing him into the wall, which shattered under his weight.
He lost 8 hp from the magic blast and 5 more from slamming into the wall. He shook his head and growled. He'd lost 13 hit points, leaving him with only 15.
Jinx didn't like using it so soon, but she activated the trinket, healing him for 12 health, bringing him back up to 27. Her hands felt clammy and she wondered if she could win this battle.
The witch cast another spell of the icy blast which dealt 5, 7 and 7 hp of damage, bringing Azhar down to 8.
Jinx couldn't believe it! Tendrils of fear wrapped around her fast-beating heart. She swallowed as she called forth her glowing orb to shine it in the old hag's eyes.
Her screech sounded like a harpy's as it echoed in Jinx's ears.
It was a surprise and temporarily distracted her as Azhar charged, slamming into her, bringing his mace down upon her head. His blow dealt 7 points of damage.
He gave her another powerful hit for 9 hp and 2 more as she slammed into the wall. That left her with 75 hp.
Springing to her feet and screaming like a banshee, she started casting another spell.
Jinx called forth her caltrops and threw them in front of her as she blasted her with her wand.
The witch screamed as 4, 4 and 3 hp were drained from her health bar, leaving her with 64.
The wand's powerful blast critted for 16 points of damage, bringing her to 48.
Maybe the tides had turned and she really could win this. Jinx licked her lips, confidence filling her.
She blasted Azhar with a fire spell which dealt 2 hp of damage. It brought him down to 6.
Jinx clicked her trinket, which cast a pink healing spell over him, bringing him back up to 27.
Jinx didn't like it when the witch turned her attention on her. The witch cast her powerful spell over her. Dark magic shot through the air and slammed into Jinx, causing 5 hp of damage as Jinx staggered back, gritting her teeth in the determination to win. She was down to 36 hp now. She couldn't give up!
Azhar slammed his shield into her, knocking her back into the wall. His shield slam did 5 hp of damage and hitting the wall added 2 more.
With a feral shout, she blasted the demon with a spell that cast him back as if he was nothing more than a rag doll. The shout did 10 hp of damage to him and 2 more as he fell to his knees.
Jinx couldn't believe how much power the witch had. Would she be able to defeat her? She nibbled her lips, thinking about what she should do. She couldn't heal Azhar now but, in another turn she could and would have to.
She cast her spell and blasted her with her wand, which critted and took away 12 points of life.
Her spell erupted from her fingers and slammed into the witch, dealing 7 more.
The old hag blasted Azhar with her powerful spell, causing him to howl with agony as he collapsed into a heap.
Something deep within her was sad that her demon was dead. She knew she could call him forth from the nether, but it wasn't the same. She was going to have to buy supplies to rez him, though.
Now, she was all alone with the witch who was determined to kill her.
I can rez. Those thoughts did not provide the comfort she thought they would. She didn't want to experience death in this world. Maybe she could resurrect as the game was programmed to bring people back, but she had no desire to actually experience it.
"You little bitch! I've been watching my daughter for three years to make sure she doesn't hire clowns like you to kill me. Do you know what happens if you succeed?" The woman said with a sneer.
"No, I don't. What happens?"
"My family will destroy you. You'll die a painful death."
She cast another spell of ice fire. It was shards of ice flung toward her with fire glowing inside. There were only 3, but she didn't want to experience anymore pain. Jinx had to kill this witch and get the ruby. She cared for nothing else.
She tried to dodge, but the ice fire hit her three times. 4 hp were drained from her and it was a crit so it was 4 more points taken from her. The second hit for 3 and the last scraped her for just 1.
She was down to her last 12 hp.
Clicking the trinket, it healed her for 11, bringing her health back up to 23. She was going to have to finish this soon.
She blasted her with her wand and Demon Fire and just realized she'd forgotten her dot. How stupid was she?
She had 26 hp and Jinx had 12.
Jinx wondered if she should stay and fight or retreat. She couldn't retreat without getting killed. Her stomach twisted and turned as sweat trickled down her back.
What had she gotten herself into? All for what? A stupid rock?
She blasted her with Demon Fire again, dealing 14 damage. Her wand's energy smashed into her, dealing 5 hp of damage.
The witch's spell slammed into her and tossed her against the wall, knocking the breath from her lungs. Her spell caused 6 points of damage, while crashing into the wall added 4, bringing her down to 2.
Weakened by the blast of magic from the witch, she gasped as she aimed her wand for one final blast. She needed air in the worst way and that was making her weak, but still she rose her hand and cast her spell.
Before the witch could utter a spell, the first blast ripped into her. Her wand socked her for 3 hp of damage and her Demon Fire blasted her in the chest, adding 5 hp of damage.
The old hag crashed to the floor and lay still, her life force draining from her body. Jinx didn't move for several minutes, gasping like a fish out of water.
Dizziness overcame her as her whole body cried out for air. For what seemed like hours she couldn't move as she tried to regain her breath.
Her breath came in shuddering gasps. As soon as she regained her strength, she slowly staggered to her feet, not believing she had won this battle.
She gained 1000 xp which doubled to 2,000 xp.
Pulling herself up, she staggered to the the corpse and felt through the pockets. The old woman had a few copper and silver on her and two notes.
Letters?
Opening one note she almost dropped it as she leaned against the wall, still panting.
"Dear mom, I am sending you another fool for you to kill and devour their energy once they're dead. You can't believe how many fools there are who accept the quest to steal that Ruby from you."
"That rat!" She crumpled up the note and shoved it in her pocket. Jinx gritted her teeth, then chuckled. She had to give her kudos. It was a good plot and it had very nearly worked.
She would pay for this - her and her brood. Jinx couldn't have any loose ends.
Then she looked at the other note. She perked up as she read the words.
For killing this mob, you will receive her servant, Odar.
Founder Quest: "Kill Family Members."
Interesting.
Kill her two sons and one daughter. Will award you with a spell which has five spell power. Plus Slippers of Power, which adds 3 spell power to your stats.
Where would this lead her? What other powers were to be gained?
"M..m...mistress?" The witch's minion whimpered as he stood in the doorway.
"Yes?"
"Can I bring you some tea or something that will heal you?" He asked, pleading with her to let him serve her.
Her own servant! Sweet.
"Why are you doing this?" She was curious to see his programming.
"I've been a minion all my life. She was a horrible mistress, but I served her well. Since you won that battle fair and square, you now own me. I seek to serve you as loyally as I served her." His voice was shaking with fear as no doubt he was wondering what type of mistress she would be.
"Yes. I'd like that. Bring it to me." She nodded. He was gone in an instant and she heard clattering in the kitchen. He would be a valuable ally and an asset to her since she didn't know this family that we
ll.
They would come after her, she was positive of that. How much time did she have? She needed to get this quest done before they found out.
He brought her a cup of steaming tea and she sipped it. It tasted so good she drank it down without another thought. It was stupid, she knew, but true to his word it was a healing tea.
Jinx regained 10 hit points after drinking the entire cup. She was still weak from the fight, but maybe sleeping at the inn would help.
The horse she rented would cut down time. Maybe she could make it there in a day and have time to spare. With more cups of tea, her health returned to 40 again.
She felt much better.
"Show me where your former mistress worked. Did she have a library?"
"Yes. This way." He bowed and motioned for her to follow him.
He led her to the basement.
"I don't know what spells she knew. She had other things which I have no knowledge, but I do know one thing..." He stopped shuddering.
"What is it?"
He swung open the door and pointed to a large thing which looked like a flower. It rose on its stem, spreading its purple and gold petals.
"She fed disobedient minions to it. She named him Harzan. He'd eat anyone who got near him." He shuddered even more violently.
"What is your name, servant?"
"My name is Odar and I promise to serve you well, mistress."
"Very well." She was pleased she'd gained a minion.
"HUD."
"Yes?"
"What happens to the house?" She inquired.
"You can't keep it. It stays in the game to be replayed by others on their Founder Quest Line." Hud said.
Jinx nodded. Even though this mansion was elegant, she desired something else. She wanted a castle with a bustling city surrounding it. There had to be a moat around it where farmers tilled the land outside the castle gates.
She checked the map to the city and found her two sons were in different sections. Now they would die as would their sister. Yes, they would die a very painful death, she rubbed her hands together at the thought.
She explored the luxurious home, marveling at its architecture. Ideas formed in her mind of what she wanted in her castle.
"My former mistress's prized possession was this." He marched up to a tapestry and pulled it aside. There in the wall was a safe.
She licked her lips as intense pleasure built within her like a thunderstorm. Could this be the ruby that her daughter craved?
"Open it." It was a thrill to command her new acquisition.
He did and within the safe glowed the ruby. She could feel the red light of the magical gem bathe over her. Jinx knew exactly what it did and it was a socket-bound gem for Keylos.
She held the pulsing gem which matched her heartbeat. Even though it was a ???, she knew she would pay to see what the properties of this gem were.
"Good." She dropped the gem into her leather pouch and felt its warmth tingle her.
Once she found the gem, she was no longer interested in exploring the rest of the mansion. She had what she came for and knew she would get more coin when she quested more.
She walked down the spiral staircase and out the door, heading for the black magic shop. Jinx studied her map as she walked along.
Her new minion followed behind her as silent as her shadow. When she made an inquiry, he promptly answered her question. Jinx could tell he was willing to serve her with all his might, mind and soul.
Jinx entered the shop and looked around, pleased at what she saw. At the counter was a plump woman dusting off decorations.
There were skulls hanging from the roof as candles gave light to the room. There were pentagrams and other mystical insignias that she had yet to learn along the walls of the shop.
Incense burned, sending its dancing tendrils of smoke through the shop, making the entire place smell like jasmine.
A black cat greeted her with a meow as she sat on the counter. Its green eyes glowed with a magical light.
"Welcome to my shop. How may I help you?" The cat purred in greeting.
"Do you have any Demon's Dust?"
The cat flicked her tail and the plump woman give her a smile, then went to one of the jars on the shelf.
"How much do you need?" The cat asked, curling its tail around its front paws.
"How much does it cost per ounce?"
"50 copper pieces per ounce."
"I'll take 2 pounds." Jinx was amused at the cat. How did the cat take over the plump Shadow Elf's position as the master?
There were stories she would have to make up, to how they got this way and this was one of them. All she knew was she was coming back to this shop.
The plump woman measured out the Demon's Dust and put it in a bag and weighed it. The cat told her the total and she paid.
"It's been a pleasure doing business with you. Have a good day." The cat said.
Jinx found a field outside the city and scattered the Demon Dust over the grass. She called for the demon's name and he appeared before her in all his masculine glory.
"Welcome back." Jinx smiled at her demon, who grunted in response.
"We've got some work to do." Jinx explained what had happened and what her plans were for killing the two sons.
They made plans and executed them perfectly as they fought the two male Shadow Elves. She felt a certain sense of pride when they lay at her feet, dead.
Not only did she gain a level, but she felt pride at killing them. She'd reached level 5 and it felt great.
"It's time to deliver this package." She looked at the small package, wondering what was in it.
Delivering this package would take her to the Shadow Elves capital city. What sights would she see? What allies would she make?
She'd go. The rogue would have to wait.
She was eager to head out and kill the crafty rogue. It was a good plan and her respect for her grew.
It'd be a pleasure to kill her. She was a worthy opponent.
Her horse clopped along, lead by Odar as her demon trotted along side, ready to battle anything that challenged them.
It was a long journey, but it seemed to fly by. She loved seeing the forest as they rode along. Also she discovered her servant had a knack of spinning entertaining tales.
Jinx learned to control her mount and enjoyed the experience. It was fun.
The sun was past the horizon when the city came into view. She stopped and admired the distance metropolis.
"It looks like thousands of people live there. It reminds me of what I think Egypt or India looked like in ancient times. It's so awesome!" Jinx smiled as she urged her horse forward and her demon and minion followed on behind.
It glittered in the distance like a black gem surrounded by green velvet. A lace of blue cut through the city, making it look like a ribbon cut for a woman's hair.
The mountains in the distance were bejeweled in a cloak of white. It was a picture-perfect town. She wondered what all there was to do in a city like this. Maybe she could gamble or sample of the many varieties of food.
When she entered the city's stone archways, she was studying her map to see where she would drop the package off. It wasn't far from the outskirts of the city on the far side.
"Make way! Make way!" A voice shouted from the crowd of milling people as they moved aside.
Jinx felt her mouth fall open as she saw the large parade as it moved like a wave toward her. There was something that looked like a dragon that moved down the street, followed by dancers and then more things.
It was so amazing and so unexpected that she moved aside, watching the people cheer and clap as the parade passed them with all its eye-catching finery.
The glint to the sun made the gold and the silver glitter and dance among the crowd. The people cheered and clapped their hands as the dragon passed by them and the dancers.
On a platform pulled by six black horses, a man was showing off with his six exotic animals. They did tricks at his
command for the crowd's amusement.
Jinx stood, transfixed, as she noted what the animals were. One was a winged tiger who flew over the crowd as they cheered. Another was a six-armed warrior woman who juggled sharp scimitars with the grace of a dancer. There was also a three-headed wolf who danced on its hind legs.
The exotic animals thrilled the crowd more than anything else so far.
"What holiday is this?"
"Why it's the Queen's birthday. She always celebrates like this." Odar said, his eyes danced with excitement at seeing the parade.
Jinx enjoyed the shouts of the people as they enjoyed the floats as they passed, pulled by horses. There was so much to see and each float had something different and entertaining on it. She was impressed by the displays and magic and how other warlocks use their demons.
Fireworks dazzled the crowd, filling the sky with bright colors. There were pinks, blues, greens and golds, dazzling everyone as rainbow-hues bathed the crowd. Children stared at the display with wonder in their wide eyes.
Trumpets blared through the noisy crowd and all fell silent as the largest display on the parade appeared around the corner. There was this shield of glimmering magic like the witch used to shield herself. A woman waved at the crowd and she waved back to them as the people were wild with excitement.
"Queen Elisha'Di! Queen Elisha'Di the greatest queen in history." The crowd chanted as she passed them.
"Queen of the Shadow Elves I will die for you! You are our living Goddess!"
Her name was spoken by a river of voices rushing through the streets.
Jinx had never seen a leader so close as she saw the queen of all the Shadow Elves. A strange sense of pride filled her. This was her leader, in this world and she decided she'd serve her as her dark queen.
Someone bumped her as she pushed her way through the crowd.
The figure had a ? over her head as she shoved her way through the throng.
"Hey!" Jinx said, watching the Shadow Elf melt into the crowd.
An unknown sense told her she should follow the elf. Why? It was just another rude person.
Not knowing the reason why, she followed the shadowy elf. She climbed up the stone staircase and saw her draw a crossbow from her cape, aiming it at the queen.
A quest appeared before her.
Demons of the Dark Online Part 1 Page 10
