Cryo Knight

by Tim Johnson

  It had cost him 75 mana but was worth every point.

  He dropped the corpse and picked up his sword, shaking the Demon’s sword off it. He looked for Alexia as his Ice Armor retreated. Battle raged around him. Far away, he saw her still on her mount, cantering through the battle, firing at anything that came close to her. She was too far away for him to get to.

  Ahead, he saw Sark, the path to him was nearly clear. Christian dashed towards him. He slipped under the blow of another sword, slashing and dodging Demons as he ran.

  Sark was fighting six Demons at once. Christian entered the fray. With a leap, he shoved his sword hilt-deep into the chest of one of the Demons fighting Sark. He wrenched his sword free and, with his free arm, flung a Frost Bolt at another nearby creature, knocking it down.

  Frost Bolt I

  Damage: 70

  Mana Cost: 25

  Mana: 100/220

  Sark weaved in and out, his speed was incredible. He ducked, skipping back before surging ahead with a blitz of fast attacks with his duel daggers.

  Christian sprayed Artic Gale from his palm and the Fire Demons wilted, covering their eyes like they had been doused with mace.

  I’ve not got much mana left, he realized. Just 25/220 left. But the ice was effective against these beasts.

  “They have a weakness to ice,” Christian shouted to Sark, in-between blows.

  Sark beheaded a creature. “They do indeed.”

  Sark gave a short, sharp whistle, and within a few moments his Road Breaker burst through the line. Sark leapt onto it, mid-gallop, gripping a stirrup, and within seconds he had cleared the group, leaving Christian alone.

  Oh, you bastard.

  Christian turned to see himself surrounded by Fire Demons.

  He didn’t hesitate but used the last of his mana to blast the weakest Demon in front of him with Arctic Gale while running towards it.

  The Demon curled up against the lashings of ice and Christian used it as a springboard, leaping from its back and up out of the circle. He landed hard, but stayed upright and sprinted again, chancing a backward glance to see the Demons giving chase. He weaved through the battle. In the distance, he could see Sark galloping through the enemy line on the Road Breaker. A line which Christian was now very much on the wrong side of.

  I should have fought my way to Alexia.

  As if by punishment, Christian was rocked from a blow from behind, a hard strike to the shoulder which lanced pain through his body. He stumbled and almost lost his footing. Arrows sailed through the air above him and a Demon screamed in pain. Ahead, he saw Alexia. His beautiful archer on horseback. behind the warring line of Sark’s soldiers. She had seen him too and was desperately trying to help, but with her so far away the accuracy of her shots was haphazard.

  Ahead, the wall curved, there wasn’t much between him and the gates. Just a small group of three Demons ahead, their attention taken up attacking the great white sabretooth which had managed to get itself isolated as well.

  There are better odds with two of us.

  He ran towards the Demons fighting the sabretooth and plunged his sword deep into the back of the first. He tugged the blade out and swung, managing to get a half decent blow into the second, who then had its head near taken off by the sabretooth’s paw. Together they decimated the third and a bell chimed in Christian’s ear.

  Level Up!

  Congratulations you are level 9!

  +5 Stat points to distribute.

  Ahead, Sark’s army had turned the tide and pressed the attack. Using the same formation as in the halls, with the mages hosing the creatures with ice and the warriors following up as the Demons covered themselves. The air became thick with steam as thousands of ice spells struck the molten walls.

  Then, finally, the last Fire Demon was down.

  The hall was littered with thousands of dead. With both Sark’s men and the Fire Demons suffering massive losses.

  Christian turned and looked at the sabretooth; its white fur singed and stained pink with blood. “Good boy.”

  The sabretooth tiger growled back.

  Sark emerged from the front, up high on his horse, his armor shining with blood.

  Ahead the wooden gates stood tall, framing his form.

  Then with a great groan, they began to open, cutting a curved arc across the ground. It felt like a huge oven door was opening.

  Christian had to shield his eyes as heat and light filled the hall. All he could see was the silhouette of Sark as he trotted forward on his Road Breaker into the brightness.

  20

  Christian squinted ahead. The gates were open, beyond them molten lava cascaded down the walls as a fiery waterfall. A thin path snaked its way through, curving left and out of sight on a backdrop of bright gold.

  Sark rounded his horse and spoke to his army. Only the black of his silhouette was visible.

  “These battles have not been without grievous losses. Hold in your mind the freedom of Valeria. You fight for your children and your children’s children. For your eternal prosperity. We go now to win Arnook. Elites step forward first. Mages, prepare barriers and ready your spells of ice. We traverse in three abreast along the path ahead. Stay strong!”

  The path was narrow, and the lava lapped each side like the edges of a deathly sea. The whole of Sark’s army started to reform. Christian worked his way back and looted as many Fire Demons as he could, returning to the army with the big sabretooth padding by his side. He saw Sulfur looting the pile of Demon corpses killed by Sark.

  Typical.

  Christian stopped when he saw his horse. Her eyes were open and staring up unseeing.

  She was a good horse, poor old thing.

  Alexia rounded her horse next to him. “I’m sorry.”

  Christian nodded. “Thanks for the help back there.”

  “I’ve been saving your ass way too much Mr. Lawson.”

  “Well, I appreciate it.”

  “Who’s your new friend?” Alexia looked at the large sabretooth that padded next to Christian.

  “I don’t know if it has a name.”

  When he stared at the creature the read out was simple.

  White Sabretooth Tiger

  Level 20

  The huge creature looked between Alexia and Christian suspiciously, a deep guttural growl echoing in its throat. It’s a damn powerful creature that seems to have a mind of its own. I like it.

  Christian surveyed the devastation of the landscape beyond, bodies littered the battlefield everywhere. Dying soldiers screamed out for healing. Others went looting the Demon dead. It was clear that despite the victory, Sark’s army had paid the higher price. The Fire Demons were formidable opponents.

  Despite their losses, Sark’s army had obeyed him without question and began to regroup, jostling as they readied themselves to go three in a row into the bright passage that lay ahead.

  Sulfur cantered towards them; his stallion cut up but alive, his neck red with blood.

  “So, you both survived. Here, take these potions. There is enough to max your health and mana. We stay behind Sark. Be grateful you are here for this historic moment. Glory will be ours.”

  Christian and Alexia downed the potions and Christian watched as the green bar denoting his health and the blue bar of his mana maxed out. He immediately felt refreshed and recharged.

  I need to get my hands on a stash of these potions.

  Sulfur looked at the sabretooth that stayed near Christian. “Christian, whatever that disgusting creature is, get rid of it before I wear it as a cape.”

  The sabretooth bared its teeth at Sulfur.

  “Where is your horse?” Sulfur asked.

  “She’s dead.”

  Sulfur stiffened up on his horse, looking down at the creature and let out a sigh. “Sabretooths are untrustworthy. We will deal with it once the battle is over.”

  The sabretooth stayed with them as they worked their way along the line towards Sark. Sark was surrounded by mages and
advisors. He turned to see Sulfur. “We shall move forward. Let us go and speak with Arnook.”

  With that Sark pulled himself up on his horse and began to move towards the treacherous path lined with lava.

  Sark rode past the gates leading from the front, just behind him was Sulfur and another elite advisor next to him. Christian, Alexia and the sabretooth followed closely behind.

  Alexia had to dismount and lead her mare along. They walked into the baking heat. The path was uneven underfoot and narrow. Molten lava lapped the sides and came down from vents at the top of the walls like a deadly bright sludge.

  All they needed was some kind of mechanism to raise the level of the lava. Then this dungeon would be impregnable, Christian thought.

  He wondered if that’s what Arnook was waiting for. Waiting until the army was on this path and then to trap and kill them with the lava. It would be a horrific way to die. With every step, he strained his ears for the clank of a trap.

  They weaved along the path for some time, when there was a scream from behind. A man had tumbled from the path. He tried to stand in the lava while his legs burst into flame. He screamed desperately, trying to move while burning, before disappearing under the lava.

  A murmur dispersed through the line, but the leaders snapped at their men to continue.

  Finally, ahead they could see the slope leading up to a huge portcullis gate, which was open.

  Christian felt a great surge of relief stepping off the path and onto the slope. He spared a look back at the army, certain it would be possible to flood the path with lava.

  He exchanged a look with Alexia.

  Why has Arnook left this open?

  They continued up the slope.

  “Stay close to me up there,” Sulfur said. “Do not speak. Whatever happens.” He smiled. “The gates are open for us, wanderers. The great Demon invites us in.”

  They reached the top of the slope and it opened into the biggest hall Christian had ever seen. It was decorated with flaming torches and the same geometric patterns from the lava veins crisscrossing above that disappeared into the distance.

  In front of them was Arnook himself. He was massive, nine feet in height, with great horns like the antlers of an elk. Hoofs and fur wound up to his waist where it tapered off, showing a muscular body and skin a deep red like the color of Blight. He held a double-handed sword, a gem encrusted human skull serving as the pommel and with three shining red gems incased along the blade.

  Behind him stood a bristling army of Fire Demons which stretched out as far as Christian could see.

  Sark dismounted his horse.

  Together, they began to file into the hall towards the great Demon.

  Arnook stepped forward, his hoofs making the sound of a hammer smacking stone as they struck the ground.

  Sark went alone to meet him. He looked like a child stepping towards a giant.

  Sulfur stayed back. Sark’s generals and mages began to slowly fan out as the two leaders met. Next to Christian and Alexia some of Sulfur’s men slowly stepped forwards.

  Arnook spoke first. “It was you that woke me from my slumber.”

  “It was,” Sark said.

  “You have woken us, invaded my kingdom and slain my guard. What do you want?”

  “I am the Knight Lord Sark, ruler of Valeria. And all I wanted was to speak to you. To offer you a chance for revenge against those that locked you in here.”

  The Demon Lord growled, the deepness of it echoing through the hall.

  Sark continued, “Who was it that sealed you here, cast you to sleep, walled you in and placed powerful spells on the doors?”

  “The wanderers,” Arnook spat.

  “It was,” Sark said. “And I destroyed them. I overthrew the wanderer Emperor. I found a way to their homes and slaughtered them. For wanderers are only powerful here, Lord Arnook. In their own worlds they cry like children, beg for mercy and die just once. I did not do it alone, but with the help of another great Demon. Together, finally united, we destroyed the wanderer’s world.”

  “I can no longer feel my brother,” the demon lord rumbled. “What have you done to him?”

  “The wanderer’s world is his now,” Sark said with a smile. “You call this a kingdom? Your brother now has an entire world.”

  The Demon Lord eyed Sark suspiciously.

  Sark continued. “It took much time to finally break the spells that trapped you here Arnook. You are the most powerful demon in Valeria, and it took the wanderers generations to break you. It took us a decade to find a way to break their spells and open the doors to your dungeon. We braved your traps and your army, at great cost. I do not come here to fight you. I come here because we have found another wanderer world. Your world. I bring proof.”

  Christian was suddenly surrounded from all sides. Strong hands gripped his arms and dragged him forward. Next to him, Alexia snarled as Sark’s elite officers dragged her forward as well.

  Christian tried to struggle but they were too damn strong. He was forced down to his knees.

  In front of them Christian could see the size of the Demon’s hoof was twice as big as a man’s head.

  Christian looked up into the black eyes of the towering creature as he was pushed down.

  Sark calmly continued. “Yes, your eyes do not deceive you, Lord Arnook. They are wanderers. Serving us. Not the other way around. A lot has changed since you were locked in here. I offer you their world. A great war will be fought to take it. A purpose fit for you.”

  Arnook, slowly crouched down. He smelled of burnt coal and sweat. Christian could feel the power emanating from him.

  His massive bison-like nostrils sucked in their scent with a hefty sniff.

  “Wanderers,” he growled. “They stink of it. So, it is true. I’ve heard enough. We have been trapped for too long and I ache for fresh glory. You offer me a wanderer’s world? I shall take it. I bestow myself and my armies to this quest.” He held his massive arms wide. “The wanderer’s world shall be ours and we shall remake it with fire!”

  Christian was dragged backwards, his feet kicking out as Sark’s men cheered and the Demon army echoed back a chorus of howling screams. He desperately struggled and received a blow to the face from one of the elites which rocked his head back and sent sparks across his vision.

  He locked eyes with Alexia, and the desperation he saw in her matched his own.

  21

  Christian and Alexia were taken back to the Kingdom of the Red Fist, bound and gagged. They were flung back in their quarters like old broken toys.

  The castle then shook with revelry. Bells rung and the soldiers feasted. Music worked its way up to Christian and Alexia’s cells.

  But no one visited them. Nothing had happened save the grate at the bottom of the door being shunted open for food.

  For a day Christian didn’t even pull out the stone that separated them. He just lay in his bed and imagined killing Sulfur, Sark and Arnook over and over again.

  The union between Sark and the Demon was deeply unsettling. Our enemies are getting stronger while we are locked in here, he thought.

  In the night there was a scraping sound as Alexia pushed the stone between their cells forward. Christian got out of bed and helped her, heaving the stone down.

  Alexia’s face was framed by the stones, and the light of the moon cast its shadow against her. The white light from the clear moonlight made her skin bone white and the shadows cast her eyes and lips black.

  “Hey,” Christian said.

  Her jaw flexed, and a tear of anger slid down her face. She looked down.

  “Alexia,” Christian said. “Give me your hand.”

  She put her hand forward into the gap and Christian reached in and held her hand in his.

  “They haven’t beaten us,” he said. “All that’s changed is now we know what we’re up against. The pieces are all laid out on the board. When we get out of here, and we will get out, that’s when the real game begins.”

/>   “You saw Arnook and his armies. You saw Sark’s armies,” Alexia said. “How can you still have hope? Our forces are nothing compared to theirs.”

  I’ve lost too much to fail again, Christian thought.

  “We are still in the fight. We are wanderers, Alexia. If they kill us, we will come back. I’ll fight Sark a thousand times if I must. I just have to kill him once.”

  She smiled at him, a grim smile that lacked belief. But she wiped her face and gave him a nod. “We are wanderers,” she repeated.

  He gently rubbed his thumb over her knuckles.

  She held his gaze for a second, then withdrew. “Thanks, Christian. For everything. I don’t think I could do this without you.”

  That night, Christian continued to lay awake, thinking about the circumstances that had led them here, wondering what they could have done differently before they were used as bait for Arnook to join Sark’s army.

  It all made sense. Sark needed him and Alexia to be strong enough to survive the dungeon, to be the living proof to Arnook. As a level 1 and 4 they would have been killed immediately. They had survived, better than that they had done well. Leveled up multiple times.

  Christian was a level 9 now.

  Thinking about that, he remembered that he had stats points to distribute and the Goblin Lord’s armor to equip. He opened his Stat Screen.

  He knew where he wanted these stat points to go. I can’t keep running out of mana all the time. He put all five stat points into his Willpower, pushing it up to 15 and giving him 300 mana to play around with.

  Much better.

  He reviewed his stats:

  Christian Lawson

  Level 9

  Build: KnightAffinity: Ice

  Health: 220/220Mana: 300/300

  XP: 3325/3500

  Stats:

  Points to Distribute: 0

  Strength 17 – Stamina 11 – Intelligence 20 – Dexterity 12 – Willpower 15