The Sleeper Must Awaken

by Kip Terrington

  Both Joe and Zoya wanted their people to be as well-equipped as possible for facing the hundreds of vampires who had no idea what was coming for them.

  Chapter 38 - Roll the Hard Seven

  The Wild Mountains.

  Path to the mistress’s territory.

  Day forty-six, an hour before the Morning Bunny.

  Grork and Bork led the army. Their former homeland fell on the path toward the vampire controlled territory, so they knew the area well.

  Grork chuckled, remembering how the last time they had traveled this direction, they had been forced to cover themselves in fireweed in order to survive the cold. This time, the whole of their army had been equipped with specially made cold weather uniforms. Though they held no rifles, the organizational style implemented by Joe and Zoya had created a crisp military style structure to their march.

  ***

  Looking back over his shoulder, Bork was happy to see that those with longer legs had begun to carry the halflings in order to help the army keep a good pace. He could see Joe and Zoya still conferencing together as they traveled along. He knew they were trying to nail down a formation which would enable them to use the NPCs effectively, without putting them in too much danger.

  ***

  Just about everyone’s blood pumped with excitement as they rallied forward. The only sore spot was Moes.

  Despite everything that was at stake, Moes sought out Joe and Zoya so that he could strongly counsel them to cancel the quest. He believed they should not step one foot into vampire controlled territory. In his opinion, the dungeon was not as far gone as they had been led to believe. And, taking on the vampires was too great a risk, no matter the reward. In fact, if they wanted him to accompany the army, his price would be a premium.

  They eventually came to a compromise. Moes would accompany the army until just before they crossed into vampire controlled territory. At that point, he would cast as many long-term buffs as he could. He would then wait and accompany the first group of freed slaves back to the castle. Since he would not be entering actual vampire territory, he had agreed and accepted a much smaller consulting fee. Joe and Zoya made it clear that they would not be deterred from their goal.

  ***

  After speaking with Chief Bridcha, both Joe and Zoya had agreed that they would prioritize speed over stealth for this mission. In their journey, they had headed west, down the mesa into the valley, where they then turned northwest toward the foot of Mount Pericolo. The size and composition of their army was such that the monsters and beasts of the Wild Mountains steered clear of them.

  ***

  On their first day of the raid expedition, the army made it almost to the cave entrance that would lead them through goblin territory.

  After they constructed a simple camp fortification at the foot of the mountain, they began their sleeping rotation. At any one point during the night, at least one third of the camp was up and ready for an ambush. Those who were sleeping stayed in their armor and used their weapons as pillows. Because of this strategy, very few soldiers in this diverse army experienced a tired debuff in the morning.

  As the army reorganized and began their march down into the cave tunnels, Bork quickly signaled to Joe.

  “My King, I smell a great deal of spilt goblin blood. Some of it is almost a month old, but over half of what I smell is fresh,” Bork stated.

  “Instead of heading straight into the vampire’s territory, we need to check on your village,” Joe concluded.

  “I agree,” Zoya said, “It’s only a slight detour anyway. If vampires recently attacked there, it would make sense to confront them so they don't end up attacking us from the rear.”

  “Lead us there, Bork,” Joe concurred.

  Bork looked greener than normal, but he gulped and nodded in the affirmative.

  ***

  Bork led them through the complex tunnel system. As they turned a corner, a large cavern began to open up and reveal an old dirty goblin village.

  Joe noticed that there weren't any sentries guarding the entrance. Before they had arrived at the entrance to this village, Joe had confirmed that there had only been one other large exit. Unfortunately, it would have taken too much time to run a group around in order to block that exit, but Joe had a few ideas.

  Though Joe had instructed the army to proceed with as little noise as possible, it was clear that if anyone had been paying attention, they would have heard them coming. If they were going to trap the vampires and keep them from warning others of their presence, Joe and Zoya would need to scout ahead. Joe finally had an opportunity to use the cloak that Zoya had made for him. Raising the hood, Joe equipped the Holocaust Cloak of the Mage.

  Joe's item and Zoya’s naturally silent movement allowed them to reach the village square without attracting the five vampires’ notice. Hundreds of goblins sat on the ground, cowed into submission, as they watched the five human vampires interrogate their chieftess, who was tied tightly to a wooden pole before them.

  All of the vampires looked as if they could be clones of the human vampire Joe had killed almost a month earlier. Joe assumed this group of enforcers had been sent because Devigo had never returned. The truth of his hypothesis was quickly confirmed after less than a minute of listening to the head enforcer.

  “You've already told me the team of vampires came through and killed a few of your goblins, just as we have, but you didn't tell me where they went afterward. If you don't start giving me new information about the whereabouts of my associates, then I'll have to start cutting off new limbs. Which is it? New information or new amputated limbs?”

  This threat was made all the more serious by the presence of the group of slaves that the vampires had brought with them. The pitiful lot consisted of three armless yetis and three dark elves with only three arms between them.

  Zoya and Joe had had enough waiting. A single glance between them was all the confirmation they needed.

  Joe activated L3 Ley Line Sight and picked the line that reached to the far end of the village square. Opening a short-range portal, he and Zoya stepped through and placed themselves in a position to block the vampires from fleeing.

  The open use of magic broke their stealth, so all five vampires stood staring at them as they exited the portal.

  “What is it with you vampires and cutting off limbs?” Joe asked.

  The leader of the vampires stepped forward and gave them a slight bow.

  NPC, 69 of 101

  Human Vampire Torturer

  “Some type of half-yeti mage and a dark fairy, I see. Well, I'm glad that you have chosen to accept my mistress’s gracious invitation. Before I was sent out on this low priority mission, I was told that if I came in contact with you, I was to immediately escort you to the mistress. You may call me Eskorto. Shall we leave these filthy goblins while we go bask in the presence of the malevolent mistress?” Eskorto asked.

  Wanting to stall for as long as he could, Joe returned the bow. The blue letters above the vampire adjusted.

  NPC, Eskorto

  Human Vampire Torturer

  “I feel privileged. No number for me. I get to use your name. Eskorto, tell me more about this invitation. Will there be a meal? Maybe some sauerkrout? Or no, better yet, maybe some Dakota Chislics? I had those once at a convention. Really good, I’m a big fan,” Joe said with a wink and a smile.

  “A meal? It is possible. She is most gracious in her hospitality. It’s not for someone so low as me to know what the mistress will provide. Let us accompany you to her and all will be revealed,” Eskorto assured them.

  Eskorto’s relaxed demeanor inexplicably stiffened as he swiftly turned to his companions and signaled them toward the tunnel behind them. His four companions raced off.

  “Everything all right, Eskorto? You were saying something about hospitality, or was it hospice care? You know, I can't remember. I swear I'd lose my head if it wasn't attached,” Joe said.

  A high-pitched whirling sound echoed t
hrough the cavern, followed by a chorus of screeches.

  “Sounds like our new net-sling entangled its first set of vampires,” Zoya said as she raised her hand for a high-five.

  Raising a finger, Joe smiled and connected with her tiny hand.

  Eskorto’s voice hardened. “If you want to live, come with me now!” he commanded, his volume just short of a shout.

  “Decided to go for the hard sell, huh? Good for you. Always be closing, but I'm afraid we’re not buying,” Joe consoled.

  The sound of a powerful crash reverberated through the village square. Eskorto turned in time to see his last surviving compatriot sprinting toward him, one of his arms missing.

  “Powerful invaders! A true threat to our mistress, FLEE!” the one-armed vampire screamed before Molasses, the troll-kitsu hybrid, tackled him from behind.

  In her speed, the glowing Nose Ring of Light she had equipped created an after image that resembled a bouncing white laser. Her steel shellac covered cat claws extended and produced a horrible grating sound as she attempted to penetrate the hardened vampire’s skin.

  Using his one arm, the vampire attempted to fend off the ferocious Molasses, whose feline speed had matched his own. With only the one arm, he failed to dislodge her. Even as he landed what should have been a deadly blow, she shrugged it off, her natural regenerative powers erasing the damage. The vampire knew he would not last long, for he had seen how quickly the three other enforcers had fallen. What rankled him, even more than his impending doom, was the fact that this being holding him down and shrugging off his attacks had been one he had fed off of. A vampire might forget the smell of ordinary blood, but troll-kitsu hybrids were rare. Brought down by his own food… he almost took solace in knowing it would be over soon. At least he wouldn't have to face the ridicule from his own kind.

  Then, the huge yeti, who had ripped off his first arm, came bounding up from behind, catching the vampire by his feet. And now, the yeti and troll-kitsu were playing a game of tug of war with his body.

  The moment the one-armed vampire had sounded the alarm, Eskorto had attempted an escape. He was faster than Joe, but Joe knew where the exit was, so that had limited the places Joe had to block. Each time the vampire attempted to go around him, Joe had simply sent a wave of kinetic energy and forced the vampire back. It didn't matter if the vampire went left or right, he would make no forward progress.

  “Here we were talking, and then you chose not to follow any of the social norms for ending a conversation,” Joe said as he continued to block the vampire’s avenue of escape.

  Eskorto’s fully extended fangs steadily dripped venom, displaying his obvious agitation. Realizing he couldn't maneuver around the man, he took the only other option available and began to sprint right for him.

  Joe stood still. He didn't even lift his hands to fire a wave of force. His only real response was a smile.

  Before the vampire could come within striking distance, seven thick binding cords wrapped around him and halted him in mid-air. Zoya had cast Seven Cord Struggle.

  “I have him. Shall I see if my magic is strong enough to cut through his vampire skin?” Zoya asked.

  “Not yet, we should collect as many fangs as possible. And who knows, maybe he'll be willing to bargain,” Joe postulated.

  “You, ungrateful cretin! The mistress offers you an invitation and you bring an army instead. She will not be pleased with this response. Your only hope now lies in me. If you let me go, and submit now, I will use all of my influence in an attempt to mitigate your punishment,” Eskorto snapped.

  “Never mind, this one's dumb. It couldn't see the writing on the wall, even if it was written in crayon. Too bad one of your binding cords didn't end up around his mouth,” Joe remarked.

  “I haven't quite achieved that level of precision yet,” Zoya said, suddenly wincing as she noticed the awful result of Chieftess Molasses and Chief Bridcha’s concentrated combined attack on a single vampire.

  “You're all alone. Do you wish to be dispatched like the rest of your brothers, or would you like to trade information for a last meal, so to speak?” Zoya asked as Joe pulled out a vial of blood.

  “Somehow, I will break free and I will kill all of you, even if it's the last…” the vampire choked on his last words as Joe shoved a large piece of Hammered Acer Saccharum in his mouth.

  “What are you doing, Joe?” Zoya asked, obviously confused by Joe's antics.

  “I'd like to see if vampire fangs are strong enough to bite into this,” Joe said as he positioned the wood just right.

  “Bite down, Eskorto,” Joe prompted.

  Though the vampire didn't want to comply, he was so furious that he inadvertently began chewing through it in his attempt to remove the wood from his mouth.

  “Look at that, Zoya. The things sink right in, even though this is extremely hard wood. The rest of the teeth don't seem to penetrate though. It must be the magical properties associated with vampire fangs,” Joe theorized.

  “We need to finish with the execution,” Zoya said, wanting the uncomfortable business to be over with.

  “I know. We need to get this done. We have a long way to go before we can sleep and all that. I just felt it was important to know how useful the fangs could be. Though this fight is the one we have to focus on now, neither one of us is naive enough to think we shouldn't be planning for the future’s greater enemy. The strength of these things is significant. If we were to collect enough of them, we could embed them in a club that one of our larger yetis could use. Who knows maybe knock down a castle. I mean, we’d have to be careful about accidental grazing of the fangs, but at least their venom is simply a paralytic,” Joe said.

  “Right, I know, I just hate talking to these evil things,” Zoya confessed.

  “Yeah, I get it, but you have to remember, they're monsters not people. Not that there isn’t a plethora of people out there who commit heinous acts, but vampires are just pure evil through and through. They have nothing else. They live on the pain and suffering of others. Nothing else can sustain them. Though it will be difficult, we have to finish this job. We can go to therapy later,” Joe sympathized.

  Zoya took a deep breath, grinned at Joe’s assurance, and nodded her acknowledgement.

  “Eskorto, I, Queen Zoya of the Five-Sided Castle, sentence you and all of your kind to extermination,” Zoya said, as she lifted her hand which began to emit a deep shadowy glow.

  Joe understood what was about to happen, so with as much efficiency as he could manage, he reached into his bag and pulled out two pliers. He then removed the wood from out of the vampire’s mouth and gripped each fang.

  Zoya cast Tighten the Cord. As the bindings constricted, the vampire died.

  Joe pulled with all his strength. His eye spun, landing on a 17.

  Successful strength check.

  As the pieces of the dead vampire fell, they turned to ash before reaching the ground. Joe, who had fallen on his backside, looked down at the pliers. Each one held a long pristine vampire fang.

  “We didn't even have to use acid to weaken them before yanking them out,” Joe said as the majority of their army began to fill the village.

  “Let's get that perimeter established, pronto,” Zoya told Bridcha.

  At her reminder Bridcha nodded and began to instruct his clan on their defensive positions.

  “Molasses, you focus on cutting free the goblin chieftess and getting her the first aid she needs. It looks like the majority of her clan will need aid as well,” Joe informed the troll-kitsu who was licking the fur on the back of her paws. She blinked her feline eyes at him and turned to take charge of her people once more.

  Taking a breather, now that they had delegated the important tasks, Joe took a moment to look at his messages.

  XP deposited in escrow account.

  Joe once again frowned at the annoying game mechanic he had been forced to deal with over the last month.

  Congratulations! Your army has defeated an ex
peditionary force of five vampire Fists and freed Bork’s home village. Items dropped from vampires have been distributed by the UI throughout your army, based on merit and luck. Your relationship status with Bork has improved from “Utterly Devoted” to “Do you need a kidney, boss? Please take both of mine!”

  Reward: 200 Gold Royals

  Procedural decision required:

  This is the first enemy you have defeated while on a Raid Quest. Though the item drop will be determined by the UI, all coinage distribution will be up to the commander’s discretion.

  Joe looked over at Zoya, worried that this might be a time they aren’t on the same page. Seeing the expression on his face, she understood his concern, and flew over to his shoulder to have a private conversation.

  “Joe, you're the only one with real military experience. Obviously, you're the commander. But you're more than just the commander. You've continued to shy away from this conversation. Which one of us will have the final decision when we don't agree? I've been thinking about it ever since my attempt to erase my existence. At that time, I told you I would follow your lead and honestly, my opinion hasn't changed.

  “I'm still figuring out who I am and I am not even confident in my ability to be alive yet—to make wise decisions, to feel real emotions, and allow those emotions to inform but not control me. Perhaps I will grow into becoming a great queen, but I do not believe that it would be wise for me to make all the final decisions at this time. I tried to do that before and it nearly killed me. And if I had died, I would have done so unloved and unmourned. I do not want that for myself.