“Yes,” Flox grabbed his head and winced, “I experienced the same sensation. What are your orders?”
“Standby, I’ll contact you momentarily.” Flox flipped the communicator shut and looked up at Alec.
“Explaining difficult things in a manner that is comfortable to the recipient is not my strong suit,” Flox told Alec, “So I shall just say it…”
Before he could continue, however, the door behind him burst open and Elia charged into the room. She looked vibrant and excited. Alec stared at her, completely confused.
“What are you doing?” Alec asked, walking around Flox, “This is against protocol…”
“Crinnan is alive!” Elia shouted, looking as if she could barely believe what she had just said, “He is alive!”
Alec looked at Elia for a moment and then over to Flox. Flox nodded his head and Alec felt his own head get light. He tried to brace himself but could not as he fell to the floor, unconscious.
***
“Look, what I said about your daddy was wrong.” Dauid knelt down to meet his grandson eye to eye, “I shouldn’t have said it.”
Alec looked back at the port behind them and stared off into space for a moment, “It was not wrong,” Alec admitted as a tear fell from behind his visor, “My daddy… is an asshole.”
Dauid chuckled and hugged his grandson, “Don’t let your mama hear you talkin’ like that. She’ll have my hide. You just remember that I am your granddaddy. The grandest of them all if I say so myself. I’ll always be there for you… even when I am gone.”
“I know,” Alec sighed, “Grandpa, can we get a milkshake?”
***
“He’s awake now.” Flox’s calm voice announced, welcoming Alec back to consciousness. Matalo grabbed Alec’s arm and helped him to his feet.
“Some crazy shit’s going down,” Matalo said as he helped him to the bed, “Did you hear about this... weird ass vision thingy?”
“It’s true?” Alec asked, looking for Elia, “Is it true?”
“People all over the city just saw Crinnan's face in some kind of vision,” Elia explained as she walked over to sit next to Alec, “It was like some kind of wanted poster; it listed his name and everything. It called him ‘Demon’ and said he was wanted alive.”
“Demon…” Alec repeated, shaking his head, “So he’s really alive?”
“According to Govia,” Dierlok answered with a shrug, “We surely cannot be certain…”
“The whole fucking city saw it!” Elia looked over at the long black-haired Elf, “Govia does not use technology on things like this unless it is a big deal.”
Alec could not believe what he was hearing. It was as if everything that happened over the course of the past month had been a dream. He could feel his heart racing and his depression fading. He knew he had to do something.
“So what do we do now?” Kelso, their pilot, asked as he looked around at everyone, “Have we contacted Bran?”
“We are on standby,” Flox replied, “I spoke with Bran.”
“So, no new orders?” Kelso clarified.
“No,” Flox said.
“Come get me when we get orders then.” Kelso turned and walked out of the room. Dierlok followed and shut the door behind them.
“Fuck orders,” Alec stood eagerly from the bed. Elia jumped up to support him but Alec shrugged her off, “I was put in command of this team and I am giving the orders here. I expect you all to either follow them or stay behind.”
“What the fuck do you mean stay behind?” Matalo asked, looking nervously at the leader. He looked around to see if anyone agreed with him but saw that Elia and Flox were looking to Alec.
“I think you know exactly what I mean,” Alec looked at him sternly, “This has become a rescue mission and I need everyone’s cooperation. We are going to find Crinnan.”
Matalo hummed and stared at Alec for a moment with his mischievous eyes. Finally, he shook his head and chuckled, “You’re going to get us all time in jail... But hey, I’ve basically got my own cell there now anyway. What the Hells right? Let’s cause a little trouble.” Matalo extended his hand and Alec grasped it and nodded.
“Flox?” Alec asked looking over at the sniper, “You in?”
“I follow the orders of my superior.” Flox handed back the communicator.
Alec grabbed it and looked to Elia, “You in?” He gently asked.
“You bet your ass!” Her tone was one of excitement and hope. She grinned wildly and Alec smiled.
“Great. Matalo, if you are in, then Kelso and Dierlok are in too. Go get them; we have planning to do,” Alec ran his hand through his dirty blonde beard and took a seat on the bed. He released a short joyful laugh and spoke again, “Elia hand me that tablet.”
Elia grabbed the tablet and handed it to Alec. “Where did the vision say that Crinnan was?”
“I… cannot remember,” Elia said.
“Belhaas,” Flox replied, “No exact coordinates.”
“Belhaas...” Alec repeated thoughtfully, “That was where we lost Crinnan.”
“Yes,” Flox said.
“So he has been there for 90 days?” Alec couldn't believe what he was hearing, “How is that possible?”
“Not what we need to be worrying about,” Elia placed her hand on Alec’s back, “How do we get there?”
“We need a transport,” Alec thought to himself for a moment, “If we can get a fast one, we can make it by this evening.”
“How do we get a flyer like that without getting caught?” Elia asked, “And how do we get one out of the city?”
“Dauid’s fucking Automotive,” Alec replied with the first smile he had worn in weeks, "And we are Centurions. Getting out of the city will be no problem."
Chapter Seventeen
Crinnan XV
The First Hell
Crinnan opened his eyes and found himself once again in the field of flame. Bodies fell from the sky and the cries of the damned mixed with the gleeful screams of the demonic. Crinnan blinked and looked around; he realized he was back in the first level of the Hells. He snickered and pushed himself up.
“I am an idiot.” He sighed and shook his head as he thought about the sudden kiss he had planted on Milinka. He knew he should have been worried about other things, but that kiss had been more impactful than the Lord of Dread's Keep smashing his head had been. He looked up at the pitch-black sky and all he wanted was to see her again. He hoped he would be able to soon.
“You son of a bitch.” He thought of Sage. He shook his head and realized that although he had started over in the first level of the Hells, he still had his armor and sword.
Demons were peppered all over the place; they tortured the damned in various terrible ways and for the most part, paid no mind to Crinnan. He looked around and took in everything that was going on around him; he watched a demon snap a prisoner in half and then bathe in the blood that spewed from him. He saw demons taking turns at a group of females, they tossed between each other, laughing as they committed every manner of disgraceful acts. Crinnan grit his teeth together and sighed.
“Alright then,” He resolved, looking at the flames surrounding his feet, “This should not be too difficult.” He spun his sword in his hand and charged.
He darted toward the first demon in sight. The demon, confused at seeing someone running at him, screamed as Crinnan swung his blade and cut his arm off at the shoulder. He tried to run away but not before Crinnan spun and decapitated him.
The treacherous world around him seemed to stop. For a moment all the screaming and weeping and gnashing of teeth ended and Crinnan became the center of attention. The demons all seemed confused that they, the top of the food chain in the Hells, somehow had become prey. They all took up their weapons and moved on Crinnan.
He did not waste time talking. He charged again and leaped from demon to demon cutting through them as quickly as he could get to them. Eventually, after he had killed half a dozen or so, they began to r
un away from him instead of toward. Finally, after Crinnan caught one of the slower ones and shoved his sword through its back, a portal opened. He looked at the blue light of the portal and then back at the dazed prisoners. After a moment they began to whoop and clap finally realizing what had happened.
“Level two,” Crinnan declared as he stepped onto the black soot covered ground. His eyes immediately scanned the area around him and he saw that he was alone.
“Shit.” He groaned as he wiped the bloody sword onto his pant leg. He remembered how long it took him to get out of level two the first time, the days of walking. He sighed and jogged in one direction, hoping to find a demon to kill.
“Attention players,” He heard a female voice echo from the darkness of the sky, “A rogue demon killer is on the loose in the ashlands of level two. New players do not engage, experienced players you will find his coordinates in your log. A bounty is set at one thousand aurum. Find him and deliver him or his body to a Govian representative. Praise Dura’ana, Praise Cidro.” The voice went silent and Crinnan hummed softly to himself.
“That could be bad.” He gripped the handle of his sword. As he jogged and waited, he heard a familiar voice in his head.
“I should say you are becoming quite popular,” Sage said, “The chat feed is nonstop about you; everyone is talking about the demon killer.”
“Let them talk.” Crinnan snarled as he kept searching.
“It is nothing I did not foresee,” Sage continued, “But as you kill more your bounty will rise and things will become more difficult.”
“That would be great. Bring ‘em on.”
“Indeed,” Sage said dryly, “I will tell you, you have done remarkably. Your training and experience, no doubt, has given you quite the advantage. Understand though, the high level and professional characters have turned their eyes toward you. Some may have military training in their real lives, others are simply very skilled. You would be wise to take caution.”
“I will.”
“Good,” Sage replied, “Hold your hand out.”
“What? “Crinnan asked, “What do you mean.”
“Just do it” Sage commanded. Crinnan obeyed and extended his free hand.
“Good, Now command it to fire.”
“Fire?” Crinnan repeated, “What do you mean?”
“Just tell it to fire,” Sage insisted, “With your mind.”
Crinnan did as he was told. A surge of what looked like lightning burst from his hand and hit the ground in front of him. Crinnan jumped back out of surprise and clenched his fist.
“Magic,” he uttered, looking up to the black sky. He looked down at his hand and opened his fist.
“Do it again.” A small chuckle followed the command
Crinnan extended his hand again and commanded it to fire. Another blast of lightning shot from his open palm and Crinnan grinned.
“That will help.” He had a hint of excitement in his voice. He heard Sage laugh on the other side and clenched his fist again.
“We will get you out of there,” Sage assured Crinnan, “I will be waiting on the other side. For now, though, I must go. I will talk to you again soon.”
“There he is!” Crinnan heard a voice shout immediately after Sage left. He turned around and saw that a group of four demons had found him. Crinnan un-clenched his fist and walked toward them.
“Crinnan Jamiso,” He heard one of them call out. Crinnan found it odd that the demon knew his name and was waving at him. He spun his sword in his hand and prepared to fight.
“Crinnan!” Another demon shouted, “We come in peace; we are here to help!”
“Help?” Crinnan repeated. That was the last thing he expected, "Who in the Hells are you?” As he approached, he saw that they all wore what resembled Black Knight armor. Crinnan found that odd, considering where he was. He kept his sword at the ready.
“We understand we look like the enemy,” A blonde-haired Elf said, “But we have heard of what you have done. We have watched the feed, you are trying to escape, right?”
“I am.”
“We can help get you to level seven,” Another demon, a brown-skinned and black-haired Vampre spoke, “We bought these accounts specifically to help you. They are high-level accounts; we should be able to hold our own against the others.”
“You… bought the accounts?” Crinnan repeated, “What does that mean?"
“Do not worry,” The eldest looking of the demons stepped forward. He had thinning gray hair and a full beard of the same color, “Your sister sent us.”
“My sister?” Crinnan repeated, “But she’s dead…”
“Your sister is not dead, she is Bishop General Sarasin Fyr,” The older demon revealed, “We are members of an underground resistance group in Govia. We call ourselves Hope’s Point. My name is DeMaario. We want to help you so that one day when your armies hit Govia’s shores, you can help us.”
“My sister is Bishop General Sarasin?” Crinnan repeated. He shook his head and looked down at the ground in front of him. For years he had thought she was dead, the idea that she was not only alive but one of Black Knight’s worst enemies not only rocked him to the core emotionally but also infuriated him.
“What help can you bring?” Crinnan asked as he shoved the feelings about his sister inside, “I thought that demons could not kill each other.”
“They cannot,” DeMaario nodded, “That is true. We can in a sense, knock them out though, immobilize them. We can be your shield, we can get you to level seven.”
“What do you have to gain other than my gratitude?” Crinnan asked.
“As I said,” DeMaario replied, “Your sister sent us. That means she knows about us. We hope to remain on her good side, that her lips stay silent. We hope to open a channel to form an alliance with Black Knight, perhaps even one-day merge forces.”
“Do you see that?” The black-haired demon asked, grabbing DeMaario’s shoulder, “The chat, do you see it?”
“Yes.” DeMaario replied and looked up at Crinnan, “We have a slew of demons inbound, they are all out for the reward. We are checking their profiles now. Most are high level, some are mid-level. One famous player… his name is Auroch. They have all banded together to find and kill you, Crinnan.”
"Stupid name,” Crinnan replied, “But that should be enough to get me back to level three.”
“Follow us then,” DeMaario didn't waste any time, “As I said, we will be your shield.” The four demons turned around and began to run. Crinnan followed behind. He decided to trust them for now; he knew he could kill them all later if they turned against him.
The party did not run long, perhaps a half hour, before DeMaario stopped them, “We will wait here. The demons will arrive soon.”
Two of the demons took a seat on the ashy ground. DeMaario and the blonde-haired Elf remained standing next to Crinnan.
“So how many Govians have you killed?” The blonde demon eagerly asked.
“I don’t keep count anymore,” Crinnan replied, not looking at him, “Over a hundred.”
“Wow. Is that more than you DeMaario?”
“No,” DeMaario replied. He sighed and looked around, visibly troubled by his surroundings, “I have never been to this place. It is… truly terrible that this is what my fellow Govians do to pass the time.”
“You are a sick bunch of people,” Crinnan commented, “This… game is an abomination. Something like this should never be allowed to exist.”
“I agree,” DeMaario nodded his head, “It is the things like this that compel us to fight. You have to understand that not all Govians love the Empire. There are some of us with clear minds, some of us who understand the sins of the Emperor. We want freedom and true justice.”
“Good.” Crinnan dragged the point of his sword through the dust, leaving behind a small line.
“Auroch left a message for you in the feed,” The fourth demon, a female blue-haired Elf said, “He says to get ready, he is going to… rip your ass
apart very soon.”
“Yeah, that’s the type of message I’d expect from someone with just a tip and no shaft,” Crinnan smirked, “Probably likes his sister too.” The demons laughed and the two who were sitting stood up.
“How far are they anyway?” Crinnan asked.
“Close,” DeMaario replied, "Based on what they are saying in chat, I think they are just over that hill.” He pointed to a tall mound in front of them and Crinnan tightened the grip on his sword.
“How many?” Crinnan asked.
“A quick count says thirteen, however, there may be some who are not chatting,” the female demon said, “Expect at least fifteen.”
“That is a lot,” Crinnan replied. He wondered what a highly skilled demon was like. He thought about the ones he had killed and wondered if any of them had been high level.
“There they are,” The black-haired demon shouted, “Atop the hill.”
“It is Auroch,” DeMaario observed with a sigh, “No doubt he will be broadcasting this encounter. Hiilda, you are certain our identities are secure?”
“Yes, DeMaario,” Hiilda, the female Elf nodded, “We will not be found out.”
“Alright,” DeMaario replied, “Then my friends I wish you good fortune. Remember, we are to support Crinnan however we can, keep demons off of him, incapacitate as many as possible so that he can deliver the killing blow. If you go down, call out for help and we will attempt to revive you, and remember, do not use our names,” He turned his attention to Crinnan, “Finish every single one we knock down.” Crinnan nodded and they all turned toward Auroch.
“What a bunch of fucking faggots!” Auroch belted as he descended the hill, “Look at these fucking losers, how do any of them think that they can stand up to me?”
“Oh, he is annoying,” Crinnan groaned, “His death will be satisfying.”
“It is what he is known for,” Hiilda looked back at him, “Just a complete scumbag.”
“I cannot wait to kill him,” Crinnan replied.
“Look at the demon killer!” Auroch laughed and pointed at Crinnan, “Standing behind his butt brothers. Isn’t that cute?” The demons surrounding Auroch whooped and laughed as they all converged on the party of five. The demons were all shapes and sizes; some had wings and horns others were big and fat like the first demon Crinnan had killed. Some looked completely normal but were outfitted in heavy, extravagant looking armor, nearly all of their weapons glowed.
The Black Knight Box Set Page 46