Into the Darkness: A Fantasy LitRPG Adventure (Axe Druid Book 4)

by Christopher Johns

  A shiver of something akin to dread began at one end of the crowd and moved like wildfire to the other, landing in the pit of my stomach. How many people were experiencing the same? Elsewhere in this world, and possibly at home on Earth? How similar to situations I had almost been in? Where 'I was only following orders’, was used to transfer the guilt and blame for one's actions to another, higher power? It was too real.

  “Tell me, guard Fents, do you have naught else to say that can save you from this? Stand, turn, and address me, boy.” The guard turned, his face tear-stained, but he held his composure. “Is there anything you wish to proclaim?”

  With a heavy sigh that made my heart sink, he looked down, then back up and shook his head. “No, sir. I were wrong. I should’ve made it clear that this were wrong and gone to the proper folks when the chain of command had proven to be rusted.” He lifted his bound hands and wiped the tears away from his face before squaring his shoulders. “My only hope be that I can make amends to the ones what got hurt by their actions…and my inaction.”

  I found myself nodding without thought in agreement with what he said.

  Jay did the same, nodding, he stepped forward until he was almost chest to chest with the guard. In armor, Jay had been a little bulkier than he was now, but he was still tall. At least a couple inches taller than this guy, but their musculatures were night and day.

  “We who serve, wear the manacles and shackles of our duties.” He reached into his inventory and pulled out a pair of silver cuffs that he presented first to Fents, then to the crowd. “We, who are bound, bind ourselves to the greater cause, in hopes that those who are bound with us will help to pull those who cannot serve into the light of righteousness. These are cuffs of honor, duty, and selfless love.”

  Jay brought out a knife and sliced the bonds off of Fents’ wrists, to the other man’s shock, but continued to speak, “It was not you, who failed young Fents, it was these people. These guards and this corrupt innkeep.”

  As the crowd stirred once more, some excited at the prospect that the young man would be absolved of his crimes, others in confusion. The show wasn’t over yet.

  “It was these people who failed you and led you astray.” Jay held his hands up for silence, then sighed heavily. “And it was I who allowed it. As head of his Majesty’s guard, it was my duty to ensure that all of those who serve under me felt that they could come to me in times of need. And you did not. It was my duty to ensure that those who cared for this city were strong, and without corruption. I did not. And as I see you, ready to face this public punishment for something that could have been avoided, I cannot allow you to do so. Quartermaster Vinciswalla.”

  A large man carrying a cat o’ nine tails stepped into the group of people from inside the inn. His hulking form covered head to toe in armor that looked more like lead than steel, his footsteps almost heavy enough to shake the ground with each footfall. He wore a helm that covered his face, but I could see a glint underneath it.

  “Yes, Sir Renald?” A deep baritone voice ground out with a metal tint to it.

  “Please, how many lashes was young Fents to receive?” Sir Renald asked as he placed the shackles he had used to show the crowd what he was saying around his wrists, locking them in place and handing the key to the quartermaster.

  “By order of the crown, he was to receive ten lashes, and by your order, three more in lieu of stripping him of pay, previous earnings, and possessions,” the quartermaster turned to eye the young guard as he spoke, pulling his weapon taught. “Sir.”

  “Very well.” Sir Renald ducked his head once and smiled at the man. “Aim well, my friend.”

  The quartermaster didn’t do anything other than step into position as the knight turned to the guard with a soft smile, speaking low so that the humans around us wouldn’t be able to hear. Luckily, I wasn’t human.

  “Your punishment will come, but if you would be so kind, kneel here at the stake in front of me. I want you to see the consequences that can come with both action and inaction first-hand. And that it comes of all ranks, stations, and ability levels.” He turned back to the quartermaster. “Thirteen lashes for the boy’s penance.”

  The knight knelt down in front of the stake with the chain between the cuffs held by the stake as Fents knelt on the other side. The quartermaster brought his massive arm back and deftly whipped it forward, the weapon arching cleanly across his back, slicing cloth and flesh alike with a small spray of blood.

  Renald took the blow silently, but it was Fents who tensed, then teared up. The entire time Renald just watched him, whispering that it was okay, it was his fault. The only time he ever raised his voice was when Fents made to block one of the blows. Renald took the strike and shoved the guard back in front of him.

  After the thirteenth lash, we let out our breath, I was angry, but I understood. Leadership had a price. Some people weren’t willing to pay that price. Others were. My boy Renald was.

  “That is not all, Fents.” Renald gasped.

  I focused over his head, and his health bar appeared. He was at around 55% right now, but he was bleeding, too. And that whip was gnarly. “Your turn, you take the whip, and you give me seven more. One for each of the men in those stocks who are under my command.”

  Fents shook his head, “No, Sir Renald, please. No more. You more than paid for all of th—”

  “I did not ask your opinion, Fents!” Renald barked, surprising us all. “I gave you an order, and if you would defy me even now, then I truly have failed this city.”

  Fents looked horrified but stood as the quartermaster lumbered over to drag him to his spot. He shoved the whip into Fents’ hands and gestured to Renald. “You do it right, and I don’t throttle you and make you do it again. Understand? Nod if you do.”

  The guard nodded after a moment, took a steadying breath and called out, “I’m gonna start now!”

  Renald just stared ahead intently at the first man on his left. “This one is for you.”

  Seven lashes, well-delivered by Fents who feared to upset either of the other men involved and Renald’s health teetered at a measly 7% and falling.

  Dawn and Jaken both moved in to help the other man stand, healing him a little as soon as they touched him.

  “Thank you both for waiting as long as you did, I realize that it may have been hard on you,” he slurred tiredly, his eyes fluttering.

  “The show’s over, you lot!” The quartermaster called loudly, chasing off some of the crowd before turning to Fents. “Go home, guard. Your next tour of duty is the squire training grounds tomorrow morning at dawn.”

  Fents was stunned, his mouth agape, eyes wide, and stumbling to find the words to say anything.

  “Dismissed, squire-to-be,” The quartermaster growled, and the guard hustled away. After ensuring no one else was around but us, he turned to Jay. “You alright, my friend?”

  “I’ll be okay, Jenrie.” Jay grunted as we continued to heal him. The guy had a good amount of health. “You’re as delicate as ever, old friend.”

  “I’ve never been one to shirk my duties for a friend, Jay, you know that.” I heard the teasing tone behind the helmet. “If you lot will entrust him to me, I’ll see to it that he gets back to the castle.”

  “Good idea,” Manly added, making me look toward her. “Bonnie, Nic, and Nick are gonna be headin’ to see Nick’s family and bring some of ‘em here to start negotiatin’ with the king an’ queen.”

  “Will they be okay?” James looked to all of us, then blushed as Bonnie put a gentle hand on his shoulder.

  “You tell me?” She smiled as she pulled him closer to her. “Will we be okay, James?”

  “Nope, you guys should be alright!” He stuttered, and she let him go.

  “It’ll be a swift thing.” Nic smiled as he pointed to Manly and Dawn, “The two of you be safe.”

  “Thanks for all the lessons, Nic.” Balmur smiled over at the human wizard.

  “Happy to have someone who final
ly understands the finer things in life!” He grinned, then wagged a finger. “You be sure to contemplate your spells as you work on them and remember—you have the tools to change them as surely as you do yourself. Focus, and persevere. Also, don’t worry about that magic hating fool, we will see that she falls. Trust in the Braves.”

  Balmur nodded as the other man tapped his two companions on the shoulder, and they were gone from sight instantly.

  “Was that…” I blinked, slack-jawed, and pointing.

  “Teleport.” Balmur smacked my stomach with the back of his hand. “It’s a higher-level caster spell, sure, but for a wizard? It’s not all that hard to figure out. He’s been able to cast that for a while.”

  “That’s really cool, man.” I frowned, then grinned. “So, you really found your thing with magic?”

  “I’m good at killing up close, but with magic….” He shrugged his shoulders and just spread his arms with a smile. “I have so much more control over this than I did before. I don’t like losing control the way I do, it’s just what happens, but with my magic, I have ultimate control over the outcome.”

  “Provided nothing goes wrong.” Muu clapped the other man on the shoulder and nodded toward the road. “Let’s get to getting before it gets too late. We got some ass to try and kick.”

  I frowned at Muu, normally so flippant and goofy, being serious for once.

  “I look forward to seeing what you are capable of with your magics, Balmur.” Maebe offered him a thumb up that made her look weird.

  Balmur just laughed, and we began getting ourselves sorted out. Muu would ride with Manly, the others would ride on mounts while Dawn was in the cart, and I would fly with Kayda for a little bit, then train with the others with shadows at dinner.

  I took my eagle form, spread my wings, and lifted off after Kayda. I would leave Bea in my collar until I could earn her some experience to help her level up.

  Flying like this with Kayda, though, was still so very unreal. She loved it, as we chased each other from cloud to cloud on the breezes and thermals. Rising and falling at a whim, true hunters, and rulers of the skies.

  They’ve stopped father, Kayda’s mind touched mine, and I looked below, seeing that her observation was correct. Had it been that long already?

  Does this mean you plan to talk more often, little one? I teased her as we dropped from the sky.

  Not if you keep that up, she slapped me with her wing as she dipped through my path.

  I chuckled and spread my wings to slow my descent. Once I was ready to land, I shifted into my fox-man form and dropped to the ground.

  “I’ll never not be jealous of that shit.” Muu sighed as the others gathered around the cooking fire. “I mean, yeah, I can jump really fucking high, but you can fly, dude.”

  “It’s amazing,” I agreed, “I’ll never get used to it if I’m being completely honest.”

  “Well, druid abilities aside, come on, let’s get some practice in.” Balmur clapped me on the shoulder and waved to Yohsuke. “Yoh, you okay to let the food go?”

  “So long as someone can stir the soup as it cooks, yeah.” Yohsuke glanced over at Manly, who waved him away with a wordless nod.

  This evening, we practiced sensing movement through the shadows. Something I was already familiar with, but there was a knack to it. Balmur was more adept at this than even I was, and it was easy to tell why. He had to be intimately aware of where the shadows around him were, and the depth of them, so that he could move through them to better effect.

  We spent an hour trying to pinpoint where Maebe moved through the shadows inside her practice dome. It was fun for a while, but soon she began to use shadow doppelgängers that felt and moved like a real being.

  After dinner, Maebe gave me some more one on one practice with moving and adjusting the shadows with her causing it to resist my will.

  Finally, I’d snapped and growled. The low rumble in my chest made my blood race, and my mind sharpen a little bit. That minute flex in concentration allowed me to take in another two feet of shadows before Maebe’s resistance grew more oppressive than before.

  “Husband,” she whispered into my ear, her hands on my shoulder and around my waist. “Your anger can sharpen your mind, yes, but when you let it rule you, it can be detrimental to your observational skills.”

  I blinked, not having noticed the crimson in my vision, then began to take note of the jagged lances of darkness pointed at me.

  “Sorry, dear.” A sigh escaped my lips, and I waved the weapons away.

  “Do not be sorry.” Maebe comforted me with a gentle press of lips against the side of my head. “I have come to notice that even though you say that you have assimilated the manifestation of the werewolf inside you, your anger still holds sway over you. Why?”

  “I guess it kind of always has.” I shrugged as if I wasn’t sure how else to answer. Or if there even was another answer.

  Tap tap on my left hand, her tapping her ring against mine made me smile sadly.

  “I was never really the happiest person at home.” I raised my hands and added another barrier of shadows designed to stop noise around us to help keep our conversation private. “Life was rough, and I know that other people had it worse, but my anger has always been there for me. It helped me get through a lot of tough times. Kept me company. Got me through school, boot camp, the fleet. Even though no one ever really got to see the angry side of me because I hid it behind a mask of smiles and humor, my anger allowed me the strength I needed to survive and thrive.”

  “So, it is a source of comfort for you then.” Her touch was gone, but I felt her presence still near me. “I can understand that it is how I feel about the darkness. It is alright to take comfort in something when it is of no consequence, or when it serves a purpose, but those other times may be more easily navigated by simply turning to cleverness. If you had simply taken your awareness and probed for weaknesses in my own, you would have found places to draw from.”

  “Thank you.” I flexed my will and crushed my own barrier, sending the shadows into the ground. I pressed my awareness against her and it was flawless.

  “You are unhappy that I criticized you.” Her observation drew my attention to where she stood. “I did not mean to upset you, Zeke.”

  I couldn’t help the small smile on my face. “It’s okay. I guess I’ve kind of known for a while that my anger makes me a liability at times. Not just the lycanthropy, but my actual rage, that is mine. It feels good like you said. I have to get used to operating cold. Calculating.”

  “It would be helpful, yes, but I think I have a solution to offer if you would hear it?” I glanced at her, then nodded so she would continue. “What if you were to hone your anger into a weapon that you used while you were at your most cunning?”

  I blinked at her in confusion. “Uh, come again?”

  She frowned, then tried again. “Instead of letting your anger take control, you call upon it when you need it most. For instance, your spell Falfyre. It is expensive to cast in some cases, but it is worthwhile. Destructive, deadly, and highly effective.”

  “I mean, I just did that, didn’t I?” My eyebrows furrowed in concentration, thinking back on it.

  “Yes and no.” Maebe took her hands and spread them in front of her, the shadows above us allowing moonlight into the dome and light into the area. “Think of yourself as this portion of light.”

  She brought a thick band of darkness in around it until there was a six-inch circle, me, and then the rest of the light around it.

  “The outer band of light is your awareness of the world around you.” She motioned to what she spoke about. “As you act and think normally, it is clear, as you can see. When you allow your anger to take you, your perception of the world around you changes.”

  The light in the center was the same, but the light around it dimmed considerably, and I could see spears of darker black entering toward my position in the center.

  “If you were to use your
anger in a constructive, and more cunning way, it would allow you to plan for some of the consequences and avoid them while focusing your rage instead of letting it go.”

  This time the spears came, but the circle of light that represented me began to move about in the moonlight and avoid the dangers within, then a beam of darkness shot from me into the void, and then the circle was gone.

  “Do you understand what I am saying, now?” She watched me patiently.

  “I think so, but I don’t even know where to begin trying to do that.” I scratched my head in thought.

  “Making that mistake was a start, and from there, you learn to channel it in more and more brutal and cunning ways.” Maebe smiled and released her dome. “For now, we can retire for the night. I am sure all this training has made you quite tired.”

  I kissed her on the cheek, and we went to bed. She took my watch without asking and I slept through the night. I woke up to her meditating for once and kissed her on the head. It was nice watching her smile as I showed her affection in her equivalent to sleep.

  “Good morning, beautiful.” Her green eyes fluttered open and turned to me.

  “Good morning, handsome.” Her return was smooth, but she looked tired.

  “What’s wrong?” I tried to look her over, but she wouldn’t let me.

  “Sometimes, the more powerful Fae have ‘dreams’ in their meditative trances.” She began to explain but halted distractedly.

  “And you had one.” I finished for her. “Guessing from your reaction, it must not have gone over well. Want to talk about it?”

  “It was a dream concerning my mother.” she frowned some more. “I do not think I do. Let me digest this and I may be able to express it.”

  “Okay, I’m here for you, you know?” She smiled and patted my hand. “Good. Let’s get ready to go and then eat, yeah?”

  “Yes. Let’s.” She nodded once, and I had to ask.

  “It wasn’t something like my dream, right?” I couldn’t keep the concern from my tone. “The one that I had when I was in Sunrise?”