Absalom’s Trials

by J. D. L. Rosell

  Sarai had fled as I'd hoped, though some part of me was also annoyed she hadn't tried to help me further. Still, it meant I could run, if I could only find the opportunity.

  My mind leaped to the solution just as the dragon brought its jaws in to bite at me, its black eyes wide with anger. My free hand went to the glass pendant around my neck, and as I activated it, I squeezed my eyes shut. Even still, the flash was bright enough that I saw it through my eyelids.

  Stars before my eyes, I opened them to see the dragon was in worse shape. It moved his head lazily from side to side, stunned by the Glass Pendant of Dazzle. I briefly considering staying to try and finish it off, then came back to my senses and turned heel. Even if I managed to kill it before its siblings came to its aid, it wouldn't be worth the potions I'd have to spend on the effort. It would have to live to fight another day.

  As I fled through the ruins of the town, I heard the dragon begin to recover, its shriek rising to join its brothers and sisters. I ran, sheltering in houses and behind walls when any came near. The castle grew steadily closer. I hoped the rest of my companions were making progress as well. A quick check of our party overlay showed they were at least all still alive, though Sheika looked severely injured and had acquired a burn status. No time to speculate. I ran on, quaffing one stamina potion after another as I did.

  Just as the twisted gates of the castle came into view, I caught sight of Sheika and understood her predicament all too well. She faced no fewer than three of the dragons and was a blur of shadows and daggers as she kept them at bay. But from her sagging meters, it wouldn’t last long. Heaving a sigh, I gathered my courage and ran at them.

  Time to try my other new channel. Stopping fifty feet away, I held the secret knowledge I’d gained of Unholy Smite in my mind, letting the power build and thrum inside me. A second later, as the power reached a climax, I let it loose. A pillar of dark light blasted from the sky, slamming one of the dragons into the ground and holding it there as it roared. I stared wide-eyed at what I’d done. So that was what a level 5 channel could do!

  But for all the punch it seemed to pack, as soon as the pillar dissipated, the dragon slowly rose to its feet. Not enough to kill even one of these little guys then. Time for Plan B.

  “Quit playing the hero, Sheika!” I yelled as I ran a wide berth around them. Not wide enough — the dragon I’d smote roared and threw itself into the air to come bearing down fast on me. I gritted my teeth and sprinted faster.

  “I could say the same for you!” my fellow player snapped back. She hadn’t faltered in her deadly dance, knives drawing blood as they flicked past and into the wyverns.

  “Are the rest ahead?”

  “Why else do you think I’m holding this lot off? We’re waiting for you!”

  At least we were all gathered. “Then come on!”

  I dove as dragonfire blasted the ground where I’d just been. I felt the heat roll up my body, but thanks to my armor, I didn’t even take splash damage.

  Rolling to my feet, I kept on running, not bothering to retaliate. “Let’s just hope we don’t have to fight these guys later!”

  “Oh, we will,” Sheika promised darkly as she scored another hit. “Now quit jabbering and run!”

  I grinned and obliged. The gates were just ahead. In a flash, I’d vaulted over the twisted metal and was into the castle courtyard. Only twenty feet to the first stone archway, and from there, the corridors were too small for even these stunted dragons. I was almost safe.

  The dragon landed right in front of me and spun around, its mouth filled with fire. Without a moment to lose, I dodged to the side and narrowly avoided another plume of flames. This time, my feet baked inside my boots. As I came out of the roll and faced the dragon, I hobbled on my injured feet. It was directly in my way.

  Time to stop holding back.

  Throwing back a mana potion, I rushed it as my mana replenished. As I feinted left and moved right, the dragon struck where it thought I was going with its long tail barbed with sharp spines, splintering the stone where it landed. I spun around its grabbing claws then spent my mana with one spell. As Mass Deception took effect, a hundred stony-faced warriors appeared around me and leveled their spears at the dragon. I disappeared among their ranks as they advanced.

  Roaring in confusion, the wyvern struck out at the apparitions, destroying them by the handful as it swept its tail through. But it had bought me just enough time. Having positioned myself behind it, I dashed forward and leaped high onto its back to thrust my sword in between its shoulders. The ironcore blade sunk in to the hilt, and the dragon shrieked in pain.

  Planting my feet, I drew the blade out as I sprang away, then spun back in between the lashing limbs for another slash to its hind leg. A dodge and a roll later, it took a third hit. The delusion enchantment on my sword finally seemed to take hold, for the dragon started reeling and swiping at foes even more imaginary than my cast army. I kept up my hit-and-run tactics until finally, I slashed open its neck. Blood and fire spilled forth, and the dragon keeled over, its black eyes unmoving and dying flames leaking from its lips.

  “Well, well, well! You’re quite the warrior, my small friend!”

  I looked under the arch to see Brandeur and Sarai emerging forth. I raised an eyebrow as I wiped the gore from my blade. “You could have helped rather than watched,” I observed.

  “Ah, but I needed to take your measure. Besides, it would not do to singe my fine hair.” The mercenary ran a hand through his silky mane.

  I rolled my eyes and glanced back at the gate to see Sheika and Farelle jumping over it. “In!” Sheika commanded. I didn’t hesitate to obey but followed Brandeur and Sarai into the dark hallway. The shrieks of wyverns followed us down.

  Only when we were around the next corner — and safe from their fire — did we pause to catch our breaths and recover our meters with rest and potions. Sheika grimaced as she ran her hands over her burned face. Pink flesh shone through where hair had burnt away. “Looks worse than it is,” she muttered. “I hope.”

  I nodded at Farelle. “Everyone was supposed to gather inside.”

  “She needed help,” Farelle spoke up for herself wryly. “Besides, I wanted to try out the bow.”

  “And?”

  She grinned. “It’s brilliant.”

  “She took one out,” Sheika said, gripping the Wilder’s shoulder with a smile. “Only eleven more to deal with later.”

  “Ten,” I corrected. “Or didn’t you see the dragon at the archway?”

  She raised an eyebrow, while Farelle looked impressed. “Looks like the Golden Boy is growing up,” Sheika observed.

  “But is it in time?” Sarai wondered aloud.

  I ignored her. “Come on. We’ve got to press on while it’s still daytime.”

  “We lost time teleporting, too,” Farelle noted as we set off. “I saw through the ash that the sun was lower than when we left.”

  “We did travel east,” Sheika reasoned. “And this plane of the Everlands follows the same solar patterns as Earth.”

  I lengthened my stride. “Then I guess we’ll have to hurry.”

  29

  Labyrinth

  We traveled down one dark passage after another, twisting and turning inside the labyrinth. Each one looked the same, made of the same gray stone. I would have been lost in there for forever but for Farelle marking the corners of passages with a piece of charcoal she’d acquired outside wherever we turned. I hoped we’d be returning to make use of them.

  No monsters popped out at us, and only a few traps lay in our path. Absalom was going straightforward with this trial, apparently. There were many doors off the hallways, but even Brandeur grew bored with searching for loot when all of the rooms came up empty. There was only one way to keep going: onward and upward.

  When we ascended to the seventh floor, we finally heard signs of life. My heart was in my throat as I motioned for silence and turned up the final part of the stairs to peer through the door
way. At the far end of the room, an orange torch sent light flickering onto the stones. A moment later, the raucous laughter of men came echoing down the hallway. I grimaced. Thralls, no doubt. So it wouldn't be straight to Jin’Thal after all.

  I explained the situation to the others. Sheika, who had already perceived everything with her keen senses, crossed her arms. “We should sneak by them. We've wasted enough time and energy fighting already.”

  I was already nodding when the Isvallan priestess spoke up. “Or,” she said in a low voice, “I can try to rid them of the dragon’s influence.”

  Farelle's tufted ears flicked are that. “You can't beat an elder dragon’s thrall,” she said irritably.

  “Not I,” Sarai agreed coolly. “But I do not work my power but by the divine will of my goddess. If Isvalla gives me strength, I have faith this is a thing I can do.”

  I considered the possibility. “Actually,” I said slowly, “I think you should try it.”

  “What?” Farelle protested.

  Sheika arched an eyebrow. “And what of the fight it may incur?”

  “We’ll have to fight them sooner or later if we don't do this. You don't think Jin’Thal will just let them stand there once we begin our assault on her, do you?” I shrugged. “Call me soft, but I like the idea of handling this peacefully if we can.”

  +2 Alignment: Moral

  There you go! I could be a good person every once in a while.

  “Thank you, Catalyst.” Sarai knelt on the stair she stood on. “I must pray now.”

  “Pray all you want,” Brandeur said, sitting down and leaning back against the wall. “Brandeur Three-Horned never turns down an opportunity for rest.”

  “Since he's done so much to deserve it,” Farelle noted drily.

  He cracked open an eye and grinned at her. “I could do a bit more if you like.”

  As the Wilder snorted and turned away, the priestess ignored them both, but resolutely closed her eyes and folded her hands into her lap. I rested on my haunches as well, wondering how long this would take. I didn't dare close my eyes though, but kept glancing toward the doorway and down the stairs we’d come up. Sheika hardly seemed aware, closing her large gleaming eyes. But I knew she kept watch in her own way.

  Sarai didn't keep us waiting long. As she rose from her prayer, I noticed she'd gathered a white glow around her. “I'm guessing it went well?”

  She smiled faintly, her expression serene for once. “Isvalla grants me this one boon. Beyond this, she cannot help me.”

  “It's a power granted to Vallan high priestesses,” Sheika noted without opening her eyes. “Goddess’ Adoration or something.”

  Sarai didn't seem to notice, but walked boldly through the door. Farelle and I exchanged glances. I shrugged. “I guess we're going.” But as we followed, I drew my knife. I didn't have as much faith in Isvalla as our priestess.

  Sarai seemed half a goddess herself as she walked glowing down the hall. The holy light casting off her drew the attention of the thralled men down the hall. Some called alarm and turned around the corner, weapons drawn. They were a ragged bunch, their faces gaunt and their beards long and unkempt. Most seemed well into their fifties. I wondered if it had been a long time since Jin’Thal had ventured out for more while her current thralls aged.

  “Stop there!” one of them called roughly. “The Mother will want to see you.”

  “She is your mother no longer,” Sarai answered calmly, not seeming bothered in the least at the pikes and axes they held. I stayed close on her heels, wary and ready to rush in if need be.

  She raised her hand before her, and white tendrils of light reached for the men. They flinched away from the divine magic.

  “What's that—?” The thrall suddenly cut off with a strangled yell as the wisps suddenly seized him. He fell to his knees, wreathed in white light. Around him, his fellows did the same as Jin’Thal's influence was challenged. I watched hopefully, inching forward in front of the priestess, but all the men did was lie on the ground and groan.

  Suddenly, the floor trembled beneath us, like an earthquake had come. But I knew it was no earthquake. If she hadn't already known from her brood, the elder dragon knew we were in her castle now. And from the tremors, she wasn't pleased.

  The former thralls rose, blinking and looking around them with astonishment. “Where am I?” the man who had spoken before murmured. His eyes widened suddenly, a memory striking him. “Oh, fickle gods!” he groaned, and threw both hands over his face.

  “You have no idea,” I informed him.

  We allowed the men to flee, just shy of a hundred in total. Sarai, drained from her battle of wills with Jin’Thal, slumped to the ground once they were gone, and Brandeur crouched next to her.

  “Anything we can do for you?” Farelle asked stiffly.

  “Licorice tea would be nice,” the autumn elf said faintly. “Or coffee.”

  The Wilder snorted. “I can do you one better.” She unlatched the flask always attached at her hip and held it out.

  Sarai accepted it skeptically. “What is it?

  “Elderberry grog. If that doesn't put the life back in you, nothing will.”

  I smiled to myself as Sarai took a swig and coughed, while Farelle laughed and Brandeur clamored for his own turn. My party was coming together, and just in time.

  All except for my fellow player. Sheika moved forward without us, falling like a shadow over the joviality. “Come on. Now that she knows how close we are, I'll guarantee Jin’Thal is working up a nasty surprise for us. Best not to give her too much time to prepare.”

  She was right, though I wished she'd put it softer. Farelle secured the flask and Brandeur helped Sarai to her feet, then we were off down the dark halls again.

  We could feel the change in temperature as we drew closer to where the elder dragon waited. While outside on the ashy mountain the air had been hot and humid, within the castle had been cool up until this point. That changed as we rose floor after floor, until on the twelfth it was like walking through a sauna. Fortunately, it only seemed to affect me by discomfort, and my status remained Neutral.

  “I wish I had a collar to pull at,” Brandeur complained. Shirtless, he should have been the best off of all of us, but for all his intimidating size and swaggering manner, the mercenary was a crybaby.

  “I’d lend you mine, but I don't it would help,” I said irritably.

  “Actually, it would,” Sheika said. “He has the Overheated status right now, which our armor is preventing.”

  “Oh. Well, sorry I doubted you, buddy.”

  “I'll bet you are,” he muttered miserably.

  As we neared the latest stairwell, I noticed something different: an orange glow emitted from above. I licked my lips. “Do you think we're there?” I asked Sheika.

  Her lips twisted into a smile, which I noted was about as nervous as mine. “Putting the boss on the thirteenth floor seems like a dumb thing my fellow devs would do.”

  I glanced back at my party. To a person, they looked frightened but unwavering. None of us were backing down. At least I had a good team at my back.

  I nodded. “Okay. I'll go up and scout so we can plan our approach.”

  I started up the stairs, but Sheika moved in my way. “No offense, Golden Boy, but I'm going to be ten times as effective as you at that. Allow me the pleasure.”

  I hesitated, not wanting anyone else to take on the risk, but she was right. “Alright. Just be careful.”

  Her lips quirked, and I was momentarily glad for the flush the surrounding heat had already brought to my face. Silly to tell that to someone who literally built the game.

  “I'll be back soon.” She ascended the stairs at a silent run and was soon swallowed by the orange glow.

  I strained to hear after her, but a steady hum that I hadn’t noticed before suddenly filled my ears. What that hum was, I could only speculate. It put me in mind of a steady sound of fuel burning in a furnace.

  Five minutes pa
ssed. Farelle sidled up close next to me. “Should we go up and check on her?” she asked in a nervous whisper. She probably didn’t need to keep her voice down, but this close to our final destination, I didn’t blame her.

  “No, we wait.” I’d restrained myself from running up the stairs several times already. But if Sheika couldn’t get past Jin’Thal, there was no way in hell I was going to manage it following after her.

  Ten minutes.

  Eleven.

  Twelve.

  Rrrrsch!

  I jumped as a wrenching sound like a chain letting loose was followed by a massive boom. I cursed and sprinted up the stairs, Farelle fast on my heels. But even as I reached the top of the stairs, I found what I’d suspected I would: the doors, made of solid stone, were closed and locked fast.

  Sheika was trapped inside.

  I pounded futilely on the door for a second before I came to my senses. “Anyone have anything explosive?” I asked desperately.

  Brandeur, who had scurried up behind with Sarai, gestured to himself. “You think I’d bring a bomb with me? Hah! Why would I need it?”

  “Not now!” Farelle snapped. “We’re not getting through these doors, Marrow. We’ll have to find another way in.”

  “Or,” Sarai said with a slow smile, “we could learn from her mistake and more carefully plot our next actions. After all, why must we all die for her?”

  I thought through the choices quickly. It killed me to consider abandoning the one who was responsible for me getting this far in the Everlands, but I knew she’d resurrect and wouldn’t die permanently. However, there was no guarantee she’d be able to get back to us, not in any amount of time I was willing to wait, nor would she have her stuff. Each hour that we delayed was more time for my body to deteriorate. I couldn’t afford waiting for another chance.

  On the other hand, if we tried fighting Jin’Thal as we were and lost, not only would I lose my best chance at beating her, but I could lose my friends as well. Especially Farelle, but I didn’t relish the idea of leading Sarai and Brandeur to their deaths either.