by Wolfe Locke
Copyright © 2021 Wolfe Locke
All rights reserved
The characters and events portrayed in this book are fictitious. Any similarity to real persons, living or dead, is coincidental and not intended by the author.
No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.
ISBN-13: 9781234567890
ISBN-10: 1477123456
Cover design by: Art Painter
Library of Congress Control Number: 2018675309
Printed in the United States of America
Contents
Copyright
Heroes of Darkness
Dungeon of the Old Gods
Prologue: The Quest
Chapter 1: The Bleeding Hog Tavern
Chapter 2: Into the Unknown
Chapter 3: Those Who Also Roam
Chapter 4: The Spawning of the Three
Chapter 5: A Blessing In The Dark
Chapter 6: Silence in The Library
Chapter 7: Further into The Abyss Below
Chapter 8: The Hall of the Gluttonous King
Chapter 9: The Knight and The Maiden
Chapter 10: The Grisly Feast
Chapter 11: An Audience with Hunger
Chapter 12: The Ring, The Pot, and The Servants
Chapter 13: She of Temperance
Chapter 14: The Place of Bones
Chapter 15: The Risen Horde
Chapter 16: Light the Beacon
Chapter 17: What Was Lost
Chapter 18: The Skeletal Champion
Chapter 19: The Rite Anathema
Chapter 20: Macabre, The City Without Stars
Chapter 21: Where the Bell Rings Twice
Chapter 22: The Pantheon of Twelve
Chapter 23: He Who Makes A Beast of Himself
Chapter 24: Allies. The Mage, the Healer, and the Rogue
Chapter 25: The Heart
Chapter 26: The Prisoner
Chapter 27: What Lay Within
Chapter 28: Humanity Lost
Chapter 29: Betrayal Most Foul
Chapter30: Blessing of the God of Winter
Chapter 31: The Doppelgänger’s Labyrinth
Chapter 32: Face Thyself
Chapter 34: An End and a Beginning
The Genesis Game
Beginnings
A Dark Dungeon Realm LitRPG
Chapter 1: Emergence Day
Chapter 2: To Help The Helpless
Chapter 3: The Enemy Within
Chapter 4: What Terror Has Wrought
Chapter 5: The Blessing of the Shadow
Chapter 6: The Black Emblem
Chapter 7: The Arrival
Chapter 8: Gate Keeper
Chapter 9: Legends and Chaos
Chapter 10: The Human Quarter
Chapter 11: Lengths and Bounds
Chapter 12: Officers Lounge
Chapter 13: A House Divided
Chapter 14: Peace Between Us
Chapter 15: One of Us
Chapter 16: Human Again
Chapter 17: Rendezvous at the Gate
Chapter 18: Into the Phoenix Refuge
Chapter 19: First Blood
Chapter 20: The Shield Wall
Chapter 21: The Dark Ability
Chapter 22: Soul Eater
Chapter 23: The Belied
Chapter 24: The Sum of All Men
Chapter 25: What Remains
Chapter 26: The Emergent
Epilogue
The Genesis Game: Volume I
Chapter 1: The Beginning of the End
Chapter 2: The Rebirth
Chapter 3: Back To The Past
Chapter 4: Sign Me Up
Chapter 5: Into The Dungeon
Chapter 6: Starting Point
Chapter 7: Phase II Begins
Chapter 8: Betrayal
Chapter 9: Discovery
Chapter 10: Teamwork
Chapter 11: The Infernal
Chapter 12: True Colors
Chapter 13: Left Behind
Chapter 14: The Wormwood Report
Chapter 15: The Ties That Bind
Chapter 16: Loose Ends
Chapter 17: The Remaining
Chapter 18: Revelations
Chapter 19: The Webs We Weave
Chapter 20: Welcome To Hometown
The Genesis Game: Volume II
The Genesis Game: Volume II
Chapter 1: Master of the Dungeon
Chapter 2: Here After
Chapter 3: The Arcane
Chapter 4: Hometown Hero
Chapter 5: Nightfall
Chapter 6: The Shifting Past
Chapter 7: The Inn of the Withered Fig
Chapter 8: Pier Park
Chapter 9: Cold Hands
Chapter 10: The Abyssal
Chapter 11: In Between
Chapter 12: Reunited
Chapter 13: Upgrade
Chapter 14: Going Forward
Chapter 15: Ability Shop
Chapter 16: Man Down
Chapter 17: A Father's Sacrifice
Chapter 18: Trump Cards
Chapter 19: Reunion
Chapter 20 - The Road
Chapter 21: The Game
Chapter 22: Recovery
Chapter 23: Allies
Chapter 24: Compromise
Chapter 25: The Mistake
Chapter 26: Casualties
Chapter 27: Ghost Touch
Chapter 28: The Halls of Rot
Chapter 29 - Three Kings
Chapter 30: - Into the Dark
Chapter 31: Purgatory Door
Chapter 32: Sins of the Past
Chapter 33: Guild Formation - Prometheus Rising
Chapter 34: Judgment
Chapter 35: Emergence Day
Chapter 36: The Forgetting Place
Chapter 37: The Lesser Evil
Chapter 38: The Prisoner
Chapter 39: Prudence
Chapter 40: The Station
Chapter 41: The Cabin
Chapter 42: Wormwood
Chapter 43: The Bound Table
Chapter 44: The Invasion
Chapter 45: The Immortal Amarath
Chapter 46: The Death of Michael
Chapter 47: The Way to The Armory
Chapter 48: Schism
Chapter 49: The Becoming
Chapter 50: Through The Portal
Chapter 51: The Other Side
Chapter 52: A Promise Kept
Chapter 54: The End
The Skeletal Champion
Prologue: A Meeting in Pandemonium
Chapter 1: Champion of the Dark Lord
Chapter 2: The Starting Kit
Chapter 3: The Change Within
Chapter 4: The Goatmen
Chapter 5: The Other Champions
Chapter 6: The Bloodying
Chapter 7: The Magic Within
Chapter 8: The Lingering Power
Chapter 9: A Group Battle
Chapter 10: Scorpions
Chapter 11: Aftermath
Chapter 12: The Item Shop
Chapter 13: Reunited
Chapter 14: The Hero’s Soul
Chapter 15: The Duel
Chapter 16: Be Prepared
Chapter 17: The Animal
Chapter 18:The Next Wave
Chapter 19: The Armored Demon
Chapter 20: Favor For A Lord
Chapter 21: The Rematch
Authors Note:
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Heroes of Darkness
A Collection of the Novels of Pandemonium
This collection includes the following novels in Chronological Order
-----------------
1. Dungeon of the Old Gods
2. The Genesis Game: Beginning
3. The Genesis Game: Volume I
4. The Genesis Game: Volume II
5. The Skeletal Champion
Dungeon of the Old Gods
By Wolfe Locke
A Novel of Pandemonium
Prologue: The Quest
* * *
A heavy cloud of anxiety had permanently descended over the establishment as soldiers, men of war, and world weary adventurers sat at their tables and quietly drank ale. The uncertainty within the kingdom had been weighing heavily on all of them as the early winds of the coming winter chilled the evening.
The door to the tavern opened with a crash, and all eyes centered on the newcomer. A Witch-Hunter, and the rumored killing hand of the Regent. All noise in the tavern ceased immediately. The presence of the black armored figure was an ill omen on top of already ill tidings and darker rumors.
The Witch-Hunter could hardly keep the ghost of a sneer off his face and didn’t bother to school his expression. To one such as him, there was no reason to treat those of lesser stations in life with anything resembling dignity or respect. He held a scroll in his hand with a wax seal that was the mark of the royal family and the Regent.
Once he was certain that all paid closer attention, the Witch-Hunter crossed the threshold and entered. Each heavy step of his armored boots causing the aged wooden floors to groan from strain. He stopped just in front of the quest board and turned around.
“Eyes on me.” The Witch Hunter shouted with a voice of absolute authority. “I, Johannes Eckert, on behalf of the Lord Regent issue a Call to Adventure. The Regent’s nephew and guards have gone missing while hounding in the woods north of Quincy. While I know your lot to be worthless, the Regent believes all boots on the ground are better than a few. As such, he has granted the following as an award. 1500 gold pieces and a title of nobility to anyone who finds the Regent’s heir safe and returns him. If the Regent’s heir has perished, 750 gold pieces for the return of the body.
Even in the presence of the Witch-Hunter, the greed of all those in attendance could not be restrained. 1500 gold pieces was the fortune of a lifetime, and any man who laid claim to such a prize could live a life of leisure forever more.
The Witch Hunter broke the seal on the scroll. A wave of energy spread out from the broken seal.
Kingdom of Arcanium
Call to Adventure
---------------------
Prince Marcus Lumiere has gone missing deep within the Northern Quincy woods. Of his guards and entourage no signs have been found, nor signs of a struggle.
The Regent Granz Lumiere has pledged 1500 gold pieces and the title of Lord to anyone who finds the Prince and returns him safely.
If the Prince has perished, the Regent has pledged 750 gold pieces for the return of the body.
When the Call to Adventure was recited, Johannes motioned for the bartender to bring him a hammer and nail which were readily supplied. None wanted to draw the ire of the powerful and volatile man.
Johannes walked out of the tavern, and as soon as the patrons were sure he was gone and not to return, all order broke loose as the patrons clamored and struggled to get closer and see the Call to Adventure themselves and confirm it was an active quest.
They all shared the same dark thought. The prince has to be dead and this is all an elaborate charade. For those who made their living on the point of a sword, none truly cared or gave it much thought. It wouldn’t be the first time somebody had disappeared under mysterious circumstances. Most of them assumed they would be competing to find the body.
Chapter 1: The Bleeding Hog Tavern
* * *
As John Younger rounded a bend in the road, the faint light of a far-off inn was like a beacon of hope that lit up the darkness. He had just about been ready to count his losses, and spend the night licking his wounds under the sheltered canopy of a nearby tree and hope for the best. Assuming I could light a fire and not go into shock from exposure.
With renewed vigor at the sight of a possible hot meal and a warm bed, John spurred his bruised body forward, pushing his pain and fatigue to the back of his mind with little effort. His throat was parched and ready for a tankard of ale to wash away the harshness of the road. Hot food, hot drink, a warm bed and maybe some company.
He had just set out from the heart of the kingdom of Arcadia on the Regent’s quest for the lost prince when he had been set upon by a group of goblins. A fool’s errand, but all needed to show proof that they’d at least attempted it. It had been his first quest since returning from his last venture as a sell sword to take out a group of former men-at-arms who had turned rogue and gone the way of the highwaymen. I should have just stayed in the city an extra day and spent my hard earned coin on the joys and pleasures only the capital could offer.
John pushed the thoughts out of his mind. Goblins were a cowardly bunch, though fierce and dogged when they were sure they could win. Being that they were small, Goblins preferred to operate in numbers, and they were known to be relentless and erratic fighters when there was gold or riches on the line. Though for goblins, the taste of man flesh was sometimes reason enough.
In his case, the promise of man flesh must have been enough for them to see that John was traveling alone. Once they saw the fat pouch on his person rattling with gold and silver shillings, the goblins found all the motivation they needed. For the right price, even a goblin could buy whatever they desired.
In John, they had seen an easy mark and had set an ambush for him as he was walking through a particularly dense part of the forest. A spot where the path had become overgrown with grass, weeds, and brittle vines that easily concealed the goblins.
The only thing that had saved his life was the reflexes he had honed throughout his years of traveling and a lifetime of experience fighting with an ax. Though recently he'd made a breakthrough and had started using two of them.
John was a tall man with dark hair that ended just before his shoulders. He had the muscular, lithe build of a fighter while lacking the usual preference for swords. He cut an imposing figure, and any sane man would have hesitated before challenging him. The fact that he chose to travel alone, even in parts of the kingdom that were less savory than others, proved that he was confident in his abilities, though maybe not so much in his judgment.
Still, regardless of how proficient a fighter John was, there was always strength in numbers, and the goblins brought plenty. They came after John like an angry swarm. His frenzied way of fighting, of lashing out with quick rapid cuts and blows was all that he could do to keep them at bay. His superior reach had meant that they couldn’t get very close with their crude daggers and cudgels, but their sheer number made it hard for him to score a critical hit.
The goblins knew what they were doing. As a group, they’d survived far longer than most of their kin. After a time of using their speed and numbers to dart in and out of his guard. John started bleeding all over. All the minor wounds he’d sustained were enough to wear him down as he grew fatigued.
John’s movements were a flurry of attacks with the axes, attacks bearing the speed of desperation. He knew his time was growing short before the goblins would find a window to overwhelm him. The goblins were fast, John was faster and had the advantage of experience, the advantage would not last once he exhausted himself though.
He turned his focus away from defending and deflecting, and refocused, going on the attack in a storm of blows. He was able to whittle down their numbers until only three remained. The remaining goblins recognized the
y had chosen the wrong target. Having the odds slip from their favor, the surviving goblins opted to flee so that they could live and find easier prey another day. John didn’t try to pursue them. That’s going to be somebody else’s problem. I can’t.
John forced himself to stay standing after the adrenaline started to wear off. He waited as long as he could, trying to make sure that they would not come back before he had collapsed in a heap, succumbing to his wounds and exhaustion. Sometime later, when he came to, the little bit of light he had from the moon was gone, and John gathered what little strength he had left to set off and try to find shelter for the rest of the night and a place to heal.
He had been walking for what felt like hours, but might have been far less, before the light over what John hoped was an inn or at least a place to rest came into view.
As John drew closer, he saw that the building was very shabby looking. The light that had drawn his attention emanated from a single rusted lantern hanging near the front door. Illuminated by that cone of light was a sign that proclaimed, “Bleeding Hog Tavern.”
Charming. John thought as he limped up to the door. In his present condition, he couldn’t afford to be picky. With a deep breath, he pushed his way through the wooden door and into the brightly lit tavern. The warmth from inside immediately washed over him.
It would have been too much to say that all conversation ceased as soon as he entered. Still, there was definitely a lull in the noise. More than a few curious sets of eyes turned his way, and more than a few of those glinted with a harshness John recognized as belonging to some of the traveling soldiers whom he was sure were heading towards one or another of the fronts. It was far less common these days to cross paths with another adventurer. Even in the Quincy woods where the prince had gone missing.