“Only Champions of the god can use them,” Marysue sighed. “Damn him.”
“You’re Peace’s Champion… maybe you can use it since they’re married?” Karen suggested.
“No reason not to try,” Marysue said, taking the coin. “Justice, a little help, please?”
“It breaks the rules,” Justice replied in her mind, “and it will cost me, but it is worth it.”
Marysue blinked, not expecting to hear the voice in her head. “I was right...” she said in a bare whisper.
Above the raid, a circle of golden light appeared. Coming down through the glow, a tall man clad in ornate plate armor appeared. His sword was golden fire that blazed brighter than Tyr’s. “Stein, though it will cost me dearly, it is time I put a stop to your oppression,” the resonant voice filled the raid with hope. Alburet’s brow furrowed as something about the voice tickled the back of his mind.
“False god, your owner will not look kindly on this intrusion,” Stein sneered.
“I am aware. Already, she has taken my sight,” Justice replied evenly. “Heroes, fear not for your dead. They honored me before falling to Stein, and so, I can lay them to rest.”
Every raid member that had become undead dropped as if their strings had been cut. “No! Even you can’t do that to me,” Stein snarled.
“That is all I can do. Hurry, before he has a chance to adapt,” Justice said. A hand large enough to engulf him appeared and pulled the god back into the hole he had appeared through.
“FORWARD!” Tyr yelled, racing toward the barrier blocking them from Stein.
“Damn him and his siblings,” Stein spat as stood up from his throne. “Fine, we’ll do this differently.” A staff appeared in his hand, the top decorated with an Ouroboros. He slammed the staff into the ground and thrust a hand forward, “Rise again, my children.”
The raid was caught off guard as three hundred undead rose up. Flesh melted away from every dead body, leaving the Skeletons that now stood in front of them. Alburet grimaced when he checked the stats of what they now faced.
Stein’s Child
100,000/100,000 Health
Immune to all spells
“Casters, focus on the barrier. Melee and non-magical damage, we need to put these down as quickly as possible,” Gerald shouted. “Someone get Tyr back with us.”
Alburet spotted the King and dove, Cal Darkfeet and Pytor Flameeyes right behind him. Grabbing Tyr’s upraised hand, Alburet started to lift him clear of the Skeletons, only to falter when several Stein’s Children caught Tyr’s legs.
“We got him,” Cal said as he joined Alburet, helping him lift. The two of them started to gain altitude.
“I’ll help,” Pytor said. He slammed into the group of mobs holding onto the King’s legs, knocking them loose.
Suddenly free of their weight, the trio shot into the air. Alburet steered them back toward Gerald and Marysue, glad he had been able to extract the King.
“Damnable Demon Lords,” Stein grumbled, pointing his staff at them. “Your god can’t save you from this. Join your lost friend.”
Pytor’s scream echoed over the sounds of combat as one of the all too familiar beams caught him. Cal gritted his teeth and dropped back directly behind Alburet, “He said you have to be saved at all costs. Tell him we tried.” That was all he had time to say before two other beams hit him. Cal refused to scream even as his body disintegrated.
Alburet dove, sending himself and Tyr tumbling to the ground. “Damn him,” Alburet hissed as he got back to his feet. Stein was smirking at him when Alburet looked his way.
Tyr dusted himself off and resummoned his sword. “Indeed. My life came at the cost of both of them. I shall not forget that. We need to push through these undead to reach him.”
Alburet watched as Stein began to whittle down the minions. The fastest few were able to make it back to the raid before they were hit by beams. “It seems this fight isn’t friendly to my class.”
Tyr started to move toward the front of the raid, “I feel each death keenly, for they fight to restore the Empire. I shall not fail and let their deaths be in vain.”
“Sire,” Blaze said, appearing next to Tyr, “we need to keep you safe until we can get to Stein. If you fall, the raid will fail.”
Tyr’s teeth ground together, but he nodded, “If that barrier drops, I will be going straight for him.”
“We’ll be beside you,” Blaze said, the rest of his team beside him.
“Can’t we use the other tokens?” Marysue asked as Alburet came even with her.
“We can try,” Alburet said. “Fluff, can you invoke your coin?”
Fluff stepped back, letting another take her place as she fished the coin from her bag. After a moment, she put it back, “No. It says this is the wrong raid.”
“Damn it. I knew it was too good to be true that we’d be able to use them all,” Alburet said, a Fire Blast forming in his hand and joining the spell barrage hitting the barrier. “There has to be a trick to this.”
“Time for another round of fun,” Stein said as he reclaimed his seat on the throne, his staff resting across his knees. “Nine seconds this time.”
“Fuck, this fight has a soft enrage timer,” Karen said.
When Stein reached one on his countdown, every member of the raid lost ninety-one percent of their maximum health. They were ready for it this time, with the healers dropping area heals and everyone who could drinking potions the moment their health plummeted. Even though they had been prepared, a handful of raiders died, only to stand back up as Stein’s Children.
“Every two minutes,” Marysue announced. “Be ready for the next one, and expect it to take even more life from us.”
“This just gets worse,” Gerald said as he killed another of Stein’s Children. “Come on people, push! Do we want this or do we want to be like the last group that tried to bring Stein down?”
“Alpha Company!” Violet shouted, which was soon picked up by others.
“For King and country!” Ironhand shouted. “Stormguard!” Even more voices picked up the shout for Stormguard.
Stein watched them with contempt, “Fools. You could have sided with me and have been so much more. Instead, you’ll end up like Heart’s Light; playthings for me to use as pawns.”
“None of us believe you. You sat here and did nothing to help your trusted subordinates,” Gerald said.
“Oh, but some of you do believe me,” Stein laughed.
Two more minutes seemed to crawl by as they did their best to kill Stein’s Children, while the casters slowly whittled away the barrier protecting Stein. “Be ready,” Marysue announced.
“Yes, indeed, it is time for fun again,” Stein smiled at her. “Eight seconds this time.”
Another handful of raid members died, between losing ninety-two percent of their life and being attacked at the same time. As the latest dead came back as Stein’s Children, the raid pivoted on them, shoving the newly risen into the pack of mobs.
“We can get them down after the next wave,” Alburet said, trying to keep track of how they were doing.
“Well we can’t have that now, can we?” Stein said, glaring at Alburet. “I’m still surprised you’re with them, Two-souled. You of all people should have been with me all along. Did you not hand me the book that will help propel myself to equality with the gods? Or are you with me and just helping lead the King to his death, a gift as it were?”
“No one is going to believe that,” Alburet said.
“Really? Let’s see who is unsure of what they believe,” Stein laughed as he raised his staff. “Divided thoughts, broken minds, let all those with doubt show their fears.”
Tyr spun to face Alburet, his sword leveled at the Summoner, “You brought me here to die, swine? I knew the Dark Lord was with Stein all along.”
Numerous others turned on those close to them, the cacophony of voices growing as hundreds of claims were laid against others. Karen appeared beside the King, he
r blades drawn back to strike at him.
“Karen, no,” Fluff yelled, triggering her Crown of the Tiger Queen.
“Be blessed, child,” a throaty voice whispered to Fluff as her crown glowed brightly for an instant. Everyone who had been turning on their allies stopped, looking suddenly ashamed.
“Worthless cat,” Stein snarled. “Using your Champion to stop my fun.”
“He is trying to divide us,” Gerald told the King, who had quickly spun back to attack the Skeletons, hacking at them angrily. “Al is an honorable man who will sacrifice his own life for his friends. If he had really sided with Stein, he never would have rescued you from these things and the Infernals who helped him would still be alive.”
Tyr grimaced as he nodded, “I shall make amends after this is over.”
Stein sat on his throne, grinding his teeth as he watched the raid mow through his precious children. “You won’t make it in time. My barrier shall keep me safe until the ritual is over. Once I ascend to godhood, I shall make sure you all pay dearly for this affront.”
Chapter Fifty-four
The next cut to their health came when expected, and the raid only lost three people this time as Stein’s Children were being dispatched more quickly. Stein kept smiling, even though his minions were falling.
“Now that the opening act is done, we should move on to the real fun,” Stein smiled evilly. The sound of wings turned everyone’s attention to the large shape that appeared from behind Stein. “Deathscale, Fangeye, Elf’s Bane, show these fools what it means to stand in my way.”
“A Tyrant?” Mantoya gasped, shaking his head. “No, it’s just an Ancient… and it’s dead.”
“All melee, go attack the barrier. Casters, bring the beast down,” Tyr commanded.
Everyone in the raid knew the undead Dragon would have new mechanics they would have to deal with. A furry, rat-nosed face appeared over the side of the undead Dragon and a moment later, a barrage of daggers hit the casters.
“Poison,” the cry went up by those who had been hit by the knives.
The healers who could began to cleanse the poisons from the afflicted. The moment they did, a Troll’s toothy grin came into view from the dragon’s back. The Troll muttered and swarms of insects appeared in the middle of the casters, immediately attacking anyone they could reach.
Both Alburet and Violet reacted without thinking, Fire Bursts erupting from them and injuring their allies, but also killing every insect that had been summoned. “Sorry,” Alburet said.
“No, that works out better,” Marysue said, keeping an eye on Gerald, who was attacking the barrier around Stein. “I have a feeling those would have been even worse than what Gwain did.”
“Do we focus on the riders or the Dragon?” one of the casters asked.
“The Dragon,” Alburet said as he took to the air. “BJ, BB, I need you. Violet, your minions, too. We’re going to try and pull the riders off.”
“Things are always interesting with you around,” Gummy, Violet’s Imp, said.
“Right?” Gummy’s Copy, Bear, laughed.
“Come on. Gummy, Bear, you two are on the Vermin. BJ and BB, you go for the Troll. I’ll help out, but I want to be free in case there are more up there. Just knock them clear of the Dragon.”
“Got it,” BJ nodded as the five of them flew after the Dragon and went under it, hoping not to be seen.
“Gerald,” Alburet said over the Raidstone, “about to unseat two from the Dragon’s back. Probably need a few melees to help out with them if you have a few to spare.”
“Understood,” Gerald replied.
“Up the far side. Mind the wing and tail,” Alburet told the Imps as he angled to follow his own order.
Coming up behind the wing, Alburet discovered that the Troll and Vermin were focused on the raid over the other side of the Dragon. Smiling, he rushed forward with the Imps right behind him. Seeing the straps that held the two targets in place, Alburet pulled his axe and ignited it. The mobs finally noticed him, but it was too late for either of them to stop Alburet from cutting clean through the leather straps and into the Dragon.
“Fools,” the Troll spat, his eyes widening as BJ and BB hit him with all their strength, helping pitch him off the side.
Gummy and Bear were having a harder time with the Vermin. It had avoided them and was now standing on the back of the Dragon. “Stupid, stupid Infernals. Die, you should,” the Vermin hissed, pulling a familiar black gem from its pouch and turning to Alburet. “If you die, he will help Vermin and not stupid Trolls.”
Caught without an easy way to dodge, Alburet did what he thought best and threw his axe at the rat. With an alarmed squeak, the Vermin dropped flat to the Dragon’s back. The axe flew over it and hit the Dragon in the head.
“Missed,” the Vermin cackled.
As the Vermin stood up, the Dragon roared and pivoted, looking for the source of the attack. Eyes going wide, the Vermin dropped the gem and grabbed at the Dragon’s back, only to have Gummy and Bear hit him and help him off the side.
“Got you that time,” Gummy laughed.
Alburet smiled when we saw them pitch the Vermin off the side, but his smile faltered when he caught the Dragon glaring at him. “Sorry, not sorry?” Alburet said as he dove off the side of the beast.
With another roar, the Dragon swatted at Alburet with its tail, clipping him and sending him spinning. Pulling his wings in, Alburet was able to stop the spin in time to flare his wings and avoid falling. He was about to go back to the raid when he saw the Dragon turning toward him, murder in its undead eyes.
“Yes... eat him, Deathscale! Eat him and I won’t kill your mate,” Stein laughed. “Show him what happens to those who side against me.”
“Motherfucking bitch,” Alburet said as he took off as fast as he could. “Anyone got a way to get this thing off me?” he asked over the Raidstone.
“It’s immune to taunts,” Gerald replied. “Keep it busy for a minute; we’re dealing with the Troll and Vermin. When we kill them, we’ll have you swing it back to us.”
“Easy for you to say,” Alburet said, glancing back at the Dragon gaining on him. “I hope I’m more maneuverable.”
People kept looking up as Alburet played keep away from Deathscale. Fluff and Karen were focused on killing the Vermin and Troll that the Imps had gotten down to the ground. They knew that the sooner they killed them, the faster Alburet could be safe.
“I think it’s time for fun again,” Stein laughed as the fight and flight continued. “Oh, and this time, we’ll increase the fun. Deathscale, breathe upon these maggots for me.”
“Wait! We’re still alive,” Elf’s Bane shouted.
“You disappoint me,” Stein smiled.
“Stupid Troll. Vermin clear winner,” Fangeye chittered.
“No, you both disappoint me. I will wipe both of your races off the map with the Elves,” Stein said as he tapped his staff to the ground. “Six seconds and counting.”
When Stein’s spell went off, both Fangeye and Elf’s Bane died, shedding their flesh and getting back up as Stein’s Children. They were able to claim two victims as they died, using area of effect attacks to do as much damage as they could.
While most of those nearby piled onto the four new mobs, Gerald turned his attention to Alburet. “Al, we’re good, just— fuck.”
Gerald’s expletive coincided with screams from Karen and Fluff. Alburet had finally run out of luck. Deathscale’s mouth closed around Alburet only seconds before the Dragon turned its head and breathed a putrid cloud over the casters.
The healers did their best, and the raid members who still had potions left guzzled them, trying to counteract the damage from the breath. Their hit points were already perilously low from the raid mechanic.
Fluff let out a yowl of displeasure. Her white fur turned deep red, matching the color of her skin as the Dragon flew over the raid. Leaping, she hooked her claws into the undead mob and began to climb it.
; “Dammit, Fluff,” Karen yelled after her. “Not again.”
As Fluff climbed the Dragon, spells landed against its hide, but it just ignored them. Seconds ticked by before the Dragon made a hacking sound and shook its neck vigorously, dislodging Fluff. She used Wild Charge to target one of Stein’s Children, avoiding the falling damage she should have taken, instinctively using the game mechanic to control her fall.
“Fluff, stay here with me,” Karen said, grabbing her. “Al isn’t dead! Look at the raid window.”
Fluff’s red fur faded back to white when she did as Karen said. “Oh. Stacia is keeping him alive,” she murmured, watching Alburet’s life yoyo up and down.
Gamer for Love (Alpha World Book 8) Page 48
