Out of the corner of his eye, he saw golden sparks gather around the fighter. He turned slowly back to her. Is this some sort of trick? He narrowed his gaze and studied her still form. He could smell the stench of the divine washing off her. No trick then. Two champions. What strangeness. His men snorted nervously and backed away from the suddenly revealed divinity. As much as the divine maddened them, they were wary of it too, memories of its wrathful burning imprinted in their psyches.
Puwroc hesitated. He was torn between charging the poorly protected champion down the corridor or attacking the heavily shielded one already in their midst. But what’s to say I can’t do both? Bag both champions. That would please Sufalyx.
Four of his knights should be more than adequate to overwhelm the two frail elves that stood guard over the unshielded champion. And if the fighter’s divine commune took as long as one normally did, well then, six minotaurs should be able to batter through her shield before she finished. Puwroc smiled. Already he fantasised of the rewards Sufalyx would shower upon him for this. Perhaps some of that delectable roast duck, he thought, salivating.
✽✽✽
Galian watched the swirling streams of golden light around Aveyad. For all his brave words to the champion, he was scared. Never had he been in a situation where death was so assured. Eld give me strength.
He looked up to find Alok and Elias staring at him. Alok, with eyes too wide and an expression that begged for reassurance. And Elias with his careworn face, filled with understanding and sympathy. Galian looked away, unable to bear the old ranger’s gaze.
“I am an old man, Galian. Let me take your place—” Elias began.
“No,” said Galian.
“Then let me replace Alok. My sword may not be as fast, but he is too young for this.”
“I’m not,” protested Alok.
Galian swung back to face the elder elf. “No Elias. You are our best damn archer by far.” He swallowed. “If we are to survive this, we need you to break their charge. Snare them. Cripple them. Slow them. Do whatever you can to stop their charge. Please.”
A minotaur charge was fearsome to behold. Renowned the breadth of the land, their charge was known to cause even hardened warriors to quake. The two rangers stood no chance against one, not unless Elias could steal its momentum. Even then, holding off the heavy-combat behemoths would be near-impossible for the two lightly armoured rangers.
Elias held Galian’s gaze for a second. “I will do so. I promise.” He saluted Galian before clapping Alok on the shoulder. “Stay alive, boy,” he said to the youngster.
Alok gulped nervously and nodded. Without saying anything further, Elias retreated to take up position behind the two.
Galian glanced ahead. The minotaurs milled about in confusion. Between their giant forms, he saw Talia was also surrounded by the golden motes that signalled divine commune. The presence of two champions had assuredly confused the minotaurs, but Galian did not doubt the demons would charge them soon. Aveyad’s unprotected form was too tempting a target for them to ignore. He took his place beside Alok. They could do this.
He hoped.
✽✽✽
Puwroc lined up with three of his soldiers. He would see to the champion protected by the elves himself. The corridor was barely wide enough to fit all four of them abreast. He looked to his troops. They snorted their readiness.
The lieutenant raised his head and bellowed a challenge, the sound one long drawn-out roar that set the walls of the chamber reverberating.
Puwroc has cast bull’s roar (radius: 3.9m, chance to resist: 41%, duration: 39 seconds, debuff: fear aura).
Then he lowered his head and the four minotaur knights charged.
✽✽✽
The six minotaurs surrounded the golden bubble that enclosed the champion, each of them eyeing the golden motes that orbited her with suspicion. The lieutenant had assured them that there was nothing to fear but none of them were convinced. Besides, Puwroc wasn’t here anymore.
They could smell Eld’s essence gathering about her. Eld who the demons feared more than any other. None wanted to be nearby if Eld manifested. Yet they had been given orders, and to disobey meant prolonged imprisonment in the Abyss. Sufalyx would show them no mercy.
In the end it was a bull larger than the rest, and one who fancied himself a leader amongst the minor demons, who took the first step. Licking suddenly dry lips, he stomped forward and raised his great axe up high. Then, with a bellow that contained as much fear as it did fury, he brought his axe crashing down on the golden bubble.
He paused. No angry Eld emerged to punish him. The champion herself remained oblivious, her eyes closed. Emboldened, he raised his axe to strike again. His fellows, who had been warily watching, grasped then that Puwroc had spoken true. With cries of their own, they rushed forward, and hacked at the divine shield to uncover the defenceless champion beneath.
✽✽✽
Elias, Galian and Alok have activated marksman’s eye.
Velia has cast barkskin on Galian and Alok (+24 natural armour, duration: 2 minutes).
Velia has cast haste on Elias, Galian and Alok (+24% physical speed, duration: 2 minutes).
It did not take the minotaurs long to sort themselves out. Four of the beasts formed a line facing towards the rangers and advanced. Which means the other six attacking Talia, thought Elias. He hoped her divine shield was strong enough to hold under the strain of their attacks.
He breathed in deeply to settle his nerves and gather his focus. He didn’t have the time to worry about the champion. The minotaurs gathered momentum and built their trot into a charge. He narrowed his gaze as he watched them. They were almost in range.
Elias raised his bow and set three arrows to it. He sensed Galian and Alok do the same. When the minotaurs neared melee-range, the two would swap out their bows for swords and axe. But for now, all three would work to slow the beasts down. Every second counted.
Judging the distance to a hair’s breadth, Elias waited for the demons to cross the imaginary line he had drawn in his mind. “Release,” he whispered across the battlegroup. Nine arrows took flight, each imbued with essence. The flight curved upwards towards the minotaurs and as the arrows fell back, they transformed into gyrating magical cords that attempted to wrap around the creatures’ limbs and lock them in place.
The ranger squad’s volley of ensnaring arrows has hit 4 minotaurs. Partially resisted (duration of effect reduced), 4 minotaurs ensnared (1 second).
As he had expected, the minotaurs resisted the spell’s full effect, but it had succeeded in causing their charge to falter. They would have time for two more volleys he judged. “Again,” he said. He set another three arrows to his bow and spun essence into them. The behemoths picked themselves up, and snorting in fury, advanced again. His arrows raced away, followed closely by Galian’s and Alok’s.
The ranger squad’s volley of ensnaring arrows has hit 4 minotaurs. Partially resisted (duration of effect reduced), 4 minotaurs ensnared (1 second).
The minotaurs crashed to the floor again. He almost smiled to hear their bellows of rage, but it could not last. “Deadshot,” he said to Alok and Elias, while he began channelling webbed shot.
It would take longer to release than the ensnaring arrows but the minotaurs would have a harder time resisting its effect. Unfortunately, as a rank two ability, its essence cost was much higher. And after the other battles they had fought today, his essence pool was already low. For this reason, he had restricted himself to casting it only once—during the behemoths’ final approach.
The minotaurs picked themselves up and trotted forward again, their eyes glazed red with rage. With arrows set to bow, Galian and Alok waited. They did not bother firing any ordinary arrows. The creatures’ armour was too thick for normal shots to penetrate, and their deadshots would be much more effective once the minotaurs were slowed to a crawl.
The ground rumbled as the minotaurs’ trot broke out into a charge once more. El
ias waited, struggling to hold back the imbued arrow. Just a little further... There! He released.
Elias has fired a webbed shot (radius: 8m, chance to resist: 13%, duration: 3 seconds), 4 minotaurs slowed (-90% movement speed).
The minotaurs were wrenched to a halt as the webs clung to them. A second later, Galian and Alok released.
Galian’s deadshot has critically hit a minotaur (armour pierced). A minotaur has been hobbled (left leg crippled).
Alok’s deadshot has critically hit a minotaur (armour pierced). A minotaur has been hobbled (left leg crippled).
Perfect shots. Their arrows struck with pinpoint accuracy, somehow finding and penetrating the weaker, more flexible armour around the minotaurs’ knee-joints. The two hobbled creatures bellowed in helpless rage. But that still left two angry behemoths for the rangers to face. Throwing away bows, Alok and Galian equipped melee weapons and waited.
✽✽✽
Aveyad sent his spirit out into the ether and searched for his God. “Master,” he called out in the soaring white-grey nothingness of the spirit plane. “I have need of your aid.”
The response was immediate. Eld’s presence wrapped around Aveyad and cradled his spirit. “Aveyad,” greeted Eld. His voice reverberated around Aveyad. “What do you require?”
Aveyad opened his mind and let knowledge of their dire straits unfold. Eld shuffled through the memories, examining each with a light touch. “Thank you, Aveyad. Talia has revealed the same. I will grant you my aid, Champion.”
Eld paused, then probed gently, “But are you sure you wish to continue with the dive beyond this encounter? I recall Sufalyx from the war. He was always a wily one. And surely remains so, even if he has fallen so far from Juldviza’s grace to be banished to the first floor. There is no dishonour in retreat. Zarr gambled—and perhaps poorly—in sending you two here.”
Aveyad stubbornly refused Eld’s suggestion. He would not willingly retreat, and he was sure, neither would Talia. Not unless Eld commanded it. “We will not fail you or Zarr, Master. We will complete the mission.” Eld was silent for a moment. Weighing his champion’s commitment, Aveyad suspected.
“Very well then, Champion. Prepare yourself to receive my blessing.”
“Thank you, Master.”
“Farewell, Aveyad.”
Eld’s presence faded from Aveyad’s mind as his spirit descended back into his body. Still locked within the trance of the divine commune, he began the preparations necessary to receive his God’s blessing.
✽✽✽
Alok wiped sweaty hands dry and watched the approach of the two hale minotaurs. The behemoths stomped forward, anger written into every line of their stance. Their faces were hidden, but he could easily imagine their bull-noses flaring in fury. The beasts were only a few steps away now.
His hands trembled, and his knees felt weak. How can we stand against this? From beside him, Galian sensed his distress. The corporal murmured, “Easy, Alok. Remember what we do here. Why we are here.”
Trite words, but they recalled Alok to his young sister, his parents, and all the countless others whom this war threatened. Of what life would be like for them under the rule of Xetil. Of Crotana’s cause. Of his cause.
His spine stiffened and his grip on his sword tightened. He was ready, come what may.
Alok has overcome Puwroc’s fear aura.
“Good lad,” whispered Galian.
✽✽✽
Fear aura resisted by Alok and Galian.
Puwroc snarled. The pesky elves had crippled two of his men and resisted his fear. He would show them. An arrow flew at his face. He ducked his head, causing the projectile to bounce off his helm.
Elias’ deadshot has missed.
That was the third elf. Still firing arrows. Puwroc ignored him. His time would come soon. With his remaining soldier in tow, Puwroc closed the distance to the two that guarded the champion. The lieutenant swung at the one on the right while the other minotaur attacked the elf on the left.
His axe flashed in a whirling arc. The elf, his swords locked together, fended off the blow, but staggered back at the impact.
Puwroc’s cleave attack has hit Alok for 0 damage. Strike parried.
Puwroc stepped forward and brought his axe sweeping back. The ranger raised his swords to parry the blow again, but this time, the minotaur adjusted the angle of his stroke to compensate. His axe crashed through the elf’s guard and bit into the ranger’s side.
Puwroc has hit Alok for 80 damage (slashing, 30 resisted by barkskin). Remaining: 280 / 360 HP.
The ranger, his body hunched over protectively, staggered backwards and nearly fell over the seated champion. Puwroc snorted contemptuously. He stepped forward, axe raised. Another arrow flew at him. He threw up an armoured fist to fend it off.
Elias has missed Puwroc.
He paused and swung an angry glare at the archer before he turned his attention back to his foe. The elf was unbending, the injury to his side healed by the divine mote that hovered overhead.
Velia has healed Alok for 50 HP. Remaining: 330 / 360 HP.
Puwroc grimaced. Damn divine—his internal ranting broke off, as the little ranger charged him. Involuntarily, Puwroc stepped back as he was forced to fend off the flurry of blows unleashed by his opponent.
None of the elf’s strikes penetrated his guard but he was pushed a step back again. The ranger began another series of blows, seemingly having forgone defence altogether. But Puwroc was done playing this game.
Sidestepping the flashing swords, he roared and slammed his head forward into the elf.
Puwroc has stunned Alok (duration: 3 seconds).
It was time to end this. He stepped up to the elf who swayed unsteadily on his feet, still dazed. An arrow thudded into Puwroc’s chest, barely penetrating the thick armour there. He ignored it.
His axe whirled forward and cleaved through the elf’s neck.
Puwroc has killed Alok with a vital strike.
The headless corpse slumped. Puwroc raised his head to the sky and bellowed his triumph.
Then he swung his gaze to the other ranger who still battled on, and advanced.
✽✽✽
Elias watched Alok fall and a berserker rage filled him, momentarily washing away his exhaustion. With his essence and stamina nearly depleted he had been forced into preserving the last of his strength. Instead of sending a storm of arrows at the minotaurs, he had fired only carefully timed shots to distract the two behemoths. But he had failed and Alok lay dead.
Memories of his slaughtered family flooded his mind. Of his beautiful wife. Of his butchered boy. With a cry of rage that echoed the minotaur’s bellow, he flung aside his bow and staggered forward. Eld give me strength, he prayed.
He would defend the champion, with his body alone, if nothing else.
✽✽✽
Galian knew he was dying. Despite his best efforts, he had been unable to keep out the minotaur’s blows. He bled freely from multiple cuts, and if not for the pulses of healing from Velia, he would be dead already. Yet he fought on. Doing his duty. The only way he knew how. Beside him he heard Alok fall, and Elias’ tortured wail.
But Galian did not allow himself to falter despite the spikes of sorrow that rippled through him. He ruthlessly blocked out the pain, and focused with single-minded determination on keeping the raging behemoth away from Aveyad. It was only a matter of time now before the minotaur got through. “Forgive me Alok,” he whispered. “Forgive me, champions, I tried.”
He had done his best. He only hoped it had been enough.
Chapter 13
The summon aspect spell is perhaps a champion’s most feared ability. As a conduit ability, the spell requires no essence from the champion to cast. So powerful is the ability, that it allows even novice champions to summon godlings and demigods. Thankfully, only master-ranked champions can summon aspects of the gods themselves.
However, the spell does not make champions invincible. For anyone who as
pires to kill a champion, the spell does have two key limitations that are important to exploit. The first is that the number of godlings and demigods available for summoning is limited. Whenever an aspect is summoned to the mortal plane, the divine suffers damage to its spirit which must be mended in Godshome before the aspect can be re-summoned.
The second limitation is time. The summon aspect spell has one of the longest casting times of all combat spells, which makes it imperative that an enemy champion is not given the space to complete the spell. —Dagzid, Brotherhood scholar.
Talia’s eyes snapped open. Within them a golden light blazed. She lay on the floor, and her shield was almost destroyed.
Remaining divine shield: 80 / 450 HP.
Her eyes darted about as she took stock. She was surrounded by six maddened minotaurs that chipped at her divine shield. She ignored them, her eyes flying to the party some hundred metres beyond. They fought on still. The tightness in her chest eased. With Talia so far from the party, her battlegroup link was down, and she was restricted only to what she could see. But, she exhaled a tremulous breath, some of them are alive. Knowing that was enough for now.
Four minotaurs beset the party. The rangers battled to hold two of the knights at bay, while the other two, seemingly crippled, hobbled towards the party. Her spell was completed and ready. She released the weaves and activated avatar’s boon.
Talia has cast avatar’s boon (buff: boon blessed, debuff: boon bereaved).
Talia is boon blessed (all attributes doubled and immunity to all physical damage, duration: 30 seconds).
Warning: debuff (boon bereaved) will be activated in 30 seconds.
Eld’s divine power flooded out of her eyes and coated her being in a liquid-gold alloy that was impenetrable to all forms of physical damage. For the next thirty seconds while the boon lasted she was near indestructible. Talia flowed to her feet. Ignoring the still-hacking minotaurs, she summoned her essence, and spun its golden threads into gossamer wings across her back.
Dungeon Dive Page 14
