by Tao Wong
“Bite me pimple face,” Ali retorts.
“Children!” Jason’s mum barks and the two fall silent, though not before Ali sticks his tongue out.
“John, I hate to ask this of you…” Andrea Badger starts and I look over at the old lady, actually look at her for once. She’s tired, so very tired and even with the rejuvenating properties of the System, she’s old.
Quest Received – Clear the Caves
Clear the caves found by the scout and report back to the Council of Carcross.
Rewards: 10,000XP
I look at her and then at the group, getting nods of confirmation from everyone. Including Jason who isn’t included and isn’t going to be considering the look his mum is giving me. It’s one thing to take the kid out for a stroll in the woods, another into an untested cave location against unknown monsters. I’m not that irresponsible.
Also, his mum scares me.
At night, we break up to catch some rest. Orel is sent off with a note to let Lana know that we’re staying the night and we quickly set-up a large tent to crash in our usual spot near the river. The eagle disturbs me - nothing outwardly has changed but I could swear it’s getting smarter.
It’s not our first night away from Whitehorse and the System purchased camping gear is much more convenient than anything we ever had as humans. Touch a button, you get a tent large enough to fit 6 normal sized humans or in our case, 4 humans and a turtle. The tent comes with internal heating controls, a humidifier and lighting.
The girls kick us out to get changed first and Richard and I manage to catch a few minutes alone. All around us, the town is quieting down as people get ready to sleep. In one stubborn corner of the camp, a small band entertains a few stragglers but overall, most people are turning in. There might still be light in the Yukon at midnight, but most still need their eight hours sleep.
Richard waves to me, heading off to see if he can pick up another young lady and I sigh, watching him go. I guess we all have our ways of coping and he doesn’t seem to be hurting anyone. Just a little secret I picked up from reading lips, but it seems he got himself chemically neutered in the Shop.
I watch him go for a moment before walking down to the water, lowering my bulk to the ground. One benefit of my high constitution and reconstructed genes – my sleep requirements have lowered drastically so unlike the others, I rarely sleep more than 4 hours a night. I can even make do on three without any major side effects which leaves me a lot of time. Alone, I raise my hand and pull out my latest light reading material – “A catalog of the types and peculiarities of System recognised classes by J.A. Ikyak”.
Chapter 17
As we hike up the mountain early in the morning, the trucks left behind on the road, I can’t help but listen to the conversations that my companions conduct as they catch up to me. Ali and Richard are talking about dungeons, delving into details that only the two of them could be interested in. Mikito and Rachel have paired up as well, the older woman taking the younger girl under her wing. It’s good for Mikito, having someone she can look out for – it gives her another purpose that doesn’t involve large-scale monster murder. She’s not healed, not by a long shot, but the reckless abandon seems to have muted a bit since Rachel has become part of the team.
Thankfully, the map the scout drew was pretty accurate so finding the cave should be little trouble. I have to watch myself to ensure I don’t outpace my friends, none of them having a Personal Assault Vehicle like me. Every once in a while, I bound ahead through the woods before stopping to wait for them to catch up, just enjoying the view while I wait. I don’t worry about potential threats, Richard’s pets are ranging out on all sides terrorising the local wildlife. The only one that says with him is Elsa since she wouldn’t be able to keep up otherwise.
Glacier capped mountains spread out around us, the snaking trail of the highway the only sign of civilization for miles. Summer in the Yukon has come and vibrant greenery assaults the eyes in the never-ending sunlight. In the distance, I spot the new lords of the sky – mutated storks, eagles and ravens are easy to recognise but scattered amongst them are more dangerous, exotic creatures that prey on them. Manticores, gryphons, a pair of snakelike creatures and in the far distance, what might be a drake.
“15 minutes,” I answer Rachel’s question to which she rolls her eyes.
“You said that twice before,” she rolls her eyes.
“15 minutes,” I just reply and flash her an unseen grin, turning around and bounding up the mountain. Away from my companions, I continue to enjoy the scenery. So easy to forget how beautiful a land we live in with the constant threat of monsters and sudden, brutal death. I pop open my helmet to inhale the fresh pine scent and can’t help but grin. Clear skies, beautiful scenery and mayhem in the future. What more could I ask for?
Thirty minutes later, the group finally makes it to the cave, Rachel having enough air in her lungs to curse me out further. I’ve been sensing the shift in mana flows for a while, a subtle shift in the way the world now works. No surprise that Rachel noticed it well before me. The cave opening itself is innocuous, carved out of the limestone by glacier water and still wet. Shining a light attached to my arm via Sabre into the opening gives us little additional information, just a gaping maw of darkness that sends shivers through my body.
“You should put a few more points in Constitution,” points out Mikito while looking pointedly at the pair. “Also, stop smoking.”
“Yes mum,” Rachel answers before pulling out a cigarette.
“Ali, scout it out?” I point to the cave entrance, looking at the foreboding darkness with a grimace.
“You do know I can’t see in the dark right?” Ali points out, waving his hand in. “I’m not picking anyone up though, so they’re definitely hiding.”
Can’t use the Quantum State Manipulator. It pulls me into a different plane, one that runs parallel to the world and doesn’t let me interact with this world till I drop-off. That’s great for running away or sneaking into areas, but when the cave is pitch black normally, it means that I’d be walking around in the dark. Night vision and Infrared on the helmet doesn’t really help either, none of those cross the dimensional planes properly unlike normal light. No, I don’t get why it’s that way. Ali tried explaining it once, but the moment he started pulling out charts and equations I decided I didn’t really need to know.
“Fine. Once Richard and Rachel get their breath back, we’re going in all together. Usual formation, Ali in front, me, Mikito, Rachel then Richard. Richard – keep Elsa with you. We’ve got no clue about the size of the cave, so it’s your call on the Huskies. Might be better to keep them all out here.”
Richard nods at my words, pursing his lips in thought. The increased size of the Huskies is very advantageous in combat, but it does mean they find maneuvering in tight confines more difficult. Going into the cave with a single pony sized puppy is going to be tough enough, three might be a bit much. I watch him silently debate his options before setting Bella and Max to guard and bringing Shadow along. Fair enough, I can deal with that.
I draw a deep breath once they are all ready, nodding to Ali and we step in. As we head in, the idle chit-chat falls away and we all focus on moving as silently as possible. We’re veterans of the apocalypse now, used to exploring our new world and killing the things that object, even if we do dumb things like check out monster lairs without backup. Unfortunately, calculated risk is the name of the game.
Ali floats ahead of us, glowing, as light from his body filling the cave as he taps into his Affinity. Behind him, I use secondary lights built into Sabre to provide additional illumination. At the back, both Rachel and Richard fish out chemical light sticks, tossing them along our path as we walk while Shadow ranges behind, marking his new territory with depressing regularity. A pony-sized dog comes with a pony-sized bladder.
One chamber to the next, Ali guides us without a word. Tension ratchets up as no attacks come and I find myself wanting so
mething to come out to kill us. Another thing I never expected to be thinking.
When the attack comes, it comes from the side. The first blow smashes into Mikito, snapping her arm like a twig and throwing her into a nearby wall. I spin, sword flashing in the direction of Mikito’s attacker. However, my sword passes right through the body of her assailant and I stumble slightly at the lack of impact. In that time, the creature reforms and punches me in the chest, armor deforming under pressure and my body is thrown back.
In the couple of seconds that the creature reforms properly, I catch a glimpse of it. Five feet tall, humanoid with two arms and legs, the creature is covered in purple fur so dark, it might as well be black in this dim light. Even fully reformed, shadows wreathe creature and make it hard to see.
I hit the ground and roll, my sword falling to the ground before me. Mouth opening wide showing a double row of fangs, the creature lunges forward to me. I’m already recalling the blade and get it up in time for the creature to impale itself on my blade, sword guard holding the creature just far enough away for it not to bite my face off.
As I begin to twist my blade, it dissipates into shadow again, disappearing entirely. I snarl, spinning around searching for it. In the corner, Mikito has staggered upright, naginata held in her uninjured hand while Richard waves his shotgun around, searching for a target as he covers our backs. Rachel is moving deeper into the cave, whispering a spell under her breath.
Ali zooms back from where he was, eyes wide as he shouts, “I can’t track it!”
No shit. I figured out that much. I begin to move to my companions, chest aching from the single blow the creature landed, once again thankful for Sabre and the additional armor. Bloody hell, that thing was strong. As I near Mikito, I notice that her eyes aren’t actually focusing properly, her entire body held up from sheer force of will and training.
I’m perfectly positioned to see the creature reappear behind her, a clawed hand arcing to separate her head from her body. I’m too far and too slow to do anything about it, only able to watch as Mikito’s end comes in a graceful arc.
Shadow appears from the darkness, black coat and dull red bone armor blended into darkness as it rips into the creature, throwing its aim off just a little. The claw catches Mikito across the back of her neck, gouging out chunks of flesh in a spray of blood and dropping her to the ground. Even as Shadow worries the creatures leg, it begins to dissipate into the shadows again. A bad move as it screams as the husky’s shadow rips into its incorporeal form with glee. Our attacker shimmers for a brief moment, then its corpse re-emerges into the light before us.
Shadow Aspected Crilik Shifter (Level 36)
HP: 0/370
I barely glance at the body as I finally reach Mikito, casting my only healing spell immediately. Her voice reaching a crescendo, a flash of green originating from Rachel reaches out and illuminates the cave and, the three other of the creatures which have been attracted to the noise on the opposite side of her.
Nature’s Blessing Received
Effect: Increases regeneration rate by 23%
I stare at Mikito’s still body, a hand already pulling a bandage from inventory and slapping it across the open wound. The bandage spreads on impact, the pseudo-science mixture of human stem cells, mana infused plant webbing and high tech nanites working to stem the bleeding and fix the tear and failing. The flowing blood lessons but it doesn’t stop. As I recall the three figures coming for us, the decision is easy, “Out!”
Richard nods, firing his modified, high-tech shotgun at where one of the creatures is. Light flashes as the shell arcs through the air, thankfully the firing itself is mostly quiet but the shell does no damage. Richard growls in annoyance, ratcheting a different shell as Elsa, laid down by his feet trundles forward and opens her mouth. Fire erupts in a small, focused stream which she plays across the entrance, drawing ragged screams from our assailants and filling the cave with heat and the smell of burnt guano and fur.
Ali spins around in the center of the room, eyes narrowing and his lips thin as the glow surrounding him increases and increases again. Motes of light begin to break away from his body, floating through the room and lighting it up further, an intense look of concentration on the little Spirits olive face. In the light, the Crilik Shifters lose the cover of their shadows and are forced to materialise where Richard is able to shoot them. Dim fires from Elsa’s original attack glow, the turtle breathing deeply as it recovers.
Spell cast, Rachel begins another, gesturing with her hands to pull earth from the ground to create temporary walls. All of this happens in moments, moments that I take to scoop up Mikito and bolt for the exit. A part of my mind idly notes that even gravely injured as she is, she has not lost grip of her naginata. Running, I notice my heal spell has come off cooldown and I cast it again, praying that it’s enough.
I have to trust my friends to get out without my help even as the howls of more monsters joining the fight erupt behind me. I’m the only one who can save Mikito and I can’t heal her and fight at the same time. Not when a single one of those monsters did this to us. I send a silent prayer that Richard and Rachel make it out just before I burst into the light.
Come on, come on, come on. I chant the words in my mind, a hand on Mikito’s body as I heal her whenever I can do so. Such a useless spell, it barely edges her health up each time I use it and she’s still losing blood, her health plummeting each second but I think, I hope that I’m slowing down the bleeding. It’s all I have right now though and when all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. I’m hammering away as hard as I can while waiting for the rest of my companions to make it out.
A subjective hour later, I finally spot Rachel as she exits, clutching Elsa in her arms. A few moments later, Richard and then Shadow come into view, Richard moving backwards and sweeping his shotgun in front of him in practised arcs. Nothing comes out of the shadows after him and he makes it all the way out into the sunshine. Only one person left…
“Where’s Ali?” I ask the two as they reform around me, Rachel flicking her hands outwards to complete a spell. This time, vegetation bursts from the ground and encircles the entrance and I know the spell - Grasping Vines. I relax slightly when they appear, knowing that anything coming out now is going to be grabbed and held by the vines. At least until the mana that Rachel imbued in the vines give out in a few hours.
“He disappeared a couple of minutes after you left John,” Richard looks at me, concern etching his face. “One second he was all lit-up and backing the creatures off and then next, he just compressed and disappeared.”
I blink, dumbfounded. No. There’s no way Ali could die. He wasn’t real, he was a Spirit. He couldn’t be dead…
“John?” Rachel pushes me and I look up at her, realising she’s been calling my name for a bit. “Have you checked your Companion tab? Maybe he was just banished.”
“Banished?” I blink at her dumbly and then nod slightly, grasping at the straw. Right, Companion tab. “Ummm…”
“You don’t know how to access it?” Richard sounds dumbfounded, looking away from the cave again.
“Ali normally handles that,” I reply sheepishly.
“Just think about opening the Companion tab. Same with the Status Screen,” Richard explains, looking down at Mikito. “After you heal her?”
I nod dumbly, bending down to cast another heal on Mikito. The wound around her throat looks a lot better, no longer leaking blood around the bandage and her arm is no longer broken. She’s probably out of the critical zone for now.
Following Richard’s directions, I pull out the Companion tab and breathe a sigh of relief as it indicates that my Spirit Companion is Banished currently. My eyes pop out a little bit at the cost of bringing him back though.
“He’s fine. I don’t have the mana to recall him, but he’s fine,” I report to the two and some tension eases from their postures. I look back to the cave and frown, “Those things going to come out?”
“Not likely. They died real easy while they were lit up, but there’s a bunch of them in there. I don’t think they do well in the light,” Rachel answers as she fumbles out a cigarette, only the shaking of her fingers showing how close things must have been.
“Right, well, let’s get out of here anyway. Richard, we’ll need the dogs to check for danger since Ali isn’t here. Rachel, you good with playing rear guard?” I gesture down to Mikito to indicate my role in all this and after getting confirming nods, we hurry out of there. No reason to push our luck by hanging out.
“Crilik Shifters you say?” Gadsby replies, tapping metallic fingers on the table and frowning. I nod in confirmation and he grimaces, looking over at our unconscious party member. “They did that to her eh?”
I nod again in confirmation and the faces arrayed before me draw tight in concern. The members of the council were all powerful with the exception of Elder Badger, the front-line team for the entirety of Carcross. Unfortunately, due to the concentration of strength in the Council, the rest of the combatants in Carcross were actually at a lower average level than what we saw among the dedicated hunters in Whitehorse.
“Don’t worry, we’ll finish the job,” I tell them and they look up, surprise etched on their face. Once again, they look at Mikito and I just smile back at them confidently.
“If you are sure John,” Andrea Badger says and I nod firmly.
“We’ll need a few days to prepare, maybe more if what we need to buy is too expensive. If you don’t mind, we’ll stay overnight and let Mikito rest before we go back to Whitehorse.”
Receiving their assent, I push back from the table as Richard meets my eyes, indicating he wants to talk. We head out, Rachel trailing along behind. Out of earshot, they wait for my explanation.
“It’s okay. I have a plan,” I grin at them and at their doubtful expressions, continue. “Give me a couple of days and I’ll explain. Trust me, will you?”