by Atlas Kane
In a flurry of attacks, his axe bit into the flesh of several abyss monsters, each time a crackle of electricity climbing over its body. A barbed claw clamped down on his leg but he countered, again shocking the beast with high-voltage rage.
Knowing his blast staff was recharged again, Cade dropped another Explosive Shot in front of the Town Hall door. The two scorpions, shot through with mana-infused shrapnel, turned to find the source of their pain. That was his chance. “Come out and help! The door is clear now!” he screamed and dodged a pair of scorpion tails aimed at his chest.
He clipped one of the monsters, less injured and faster than its companion, with Culling the Pack. This time the skill failed so he tried once more with Spider’s Kiss.
Unsure of whether or not the venom would affect the scorpion, another creature that relied on a different type of venom, he was pleased to see it slow down as the paralysis took effect. A second later, the doors to the Town Hall burst open and a handful of villagers dove out and helped mop up the remaining monsters.
Things were quieting down in that part of town, but Cade was afraid other threats were hiding. He strode out and began a more thorough search of the shelters.
Cade saw Vrin amongst those who’d come out of the Town Hall. “Come with me,” he shouted. Then seeing Mole with the others, gave further commands. “Form a few more small groups. Fan out and search every inch of town. Send the apes back to their own camp when all is clear. And please, try to start getting a head count on our injured and fallen!”
Jogging toward the cluster of housing structures, Cade found himself passing Cha’s hut. The door was open, and from within, he heard a growl.
“Vrin, light a torch,” Cade whispered, pushing his back flat against the wall of the small structure.
In moments, the torch had been lit, and they were ready. Cade pulled his axe to his shoulder like a rifle. He was ready with a Double Tap as soon as they entered the building.
Vrin moved in first, holding the torch up so Cade could see. A dozen feet away, he saw Cha backed into a corner, clutching a broken spear in her hands. She was thrusting the point at a small, black creature on the floor. Without thinking, he fired. The bullet ripped through the monster’s body and killed it instantly.
Stepping closer, Cade held out a hand to the councilwoman. Her eyes were filled with fear and confusion. “But you… why did you save me?” she asked, completely dumbfounded.
“Because you are one of us, Cha,” he answered automatically. “Are you okay?”
Cha stared at his hand as if it were a viper. “But you… but you hate me, Cade.”
“No, I don’t. Listen, just come with me. We need to see if there are any other of those little guys lurking about. Okay?”
This time, she nodded, something passing behind her dark-rimmed eyes. Cha took his hand and let him guide her out of the shelter. Vrin held the torch up and waited for them to leave the hut. He gave Cade a look that showed he was as disconcerted with the woman’s behavior as Cade was.
Shrugging the matter off for now, Cade hefted his axe and stepped back out into the street. As soon as he did so, a massive creature smashed into his side.
He tumbled to the ground, feeling a pair of hands pin his shoulders to the ground. A terrifying face was staring down at his, a mouth full of sharp fangs and eyes that were almost human. Yet they were inky black and bottomless. Time slowed as Cade stared into the endless abyss itself, too afraid to move or react.
Having paralyzed its victim with fear, the monster lifted up one of its hands. It pulled six icicle-sharp fingers together, forming a sharp point. But before it could thrust it into Cade’s helpless body, something rammed the monster in the ribs.
It was Cha. She’d rushed in mindlessly, and tackled the monster as best she could.
Rolling toward its attacker, the abyss monster struck out and buried its hand in her stomach.
Cha yelped and fell to the ground, her lupine ears going flat.
Feeling strength return to his limbs, Cade stood up to fight the beast off. Vrin was on the move, however, and using an overpowered skill he must have only just acquired on their latest hunt, lunged forward with his spear. The spear point burned as if heated in the heart of a forge and plunged through the monster’s chest.
It fell limp soon after.
Scrambling to Cha’s side, Cade found the woman shaking, her eyes staring up at the star-filled sky.
“Healers! Vrin, go fetch a healer! Quick!” he cried, but a strong hand gripped his wrist.
Looking down, he saw it was Cha. Her eyes were boring into his. “I’m sorry.”
“No, don’t—” he tried, but she squeezed his wrist tighter, silencing him.
“Darkness came to me. In dreams. I’m sorry. It’s had me all this time,” she said, blood spilling from the corners of her mouth.
Cade felt dizzy with the implications of her confession. It made sense. All the weeks leading up to this point had been fraught with contention. Cha had always worked against him, but mostly, it had been the look of absolute loathing in her eyes that now made sense.
“It’s okay. It isn’t your fault,” he said in a soft voice.
She smiled. “Thank you. I tried to fight, but it was too strong.” The woman swallowed, her body trembling anew as whatever poison or filth the thing had driven into her took effect. Crushing his wrist with incredible strength, Cha lifted her head once more.
Her eyes shone with unbreakable conviction. “Seven days, Cade, including this one. Seven days and Abyss will come for you all… prepare yourselves.”
Then, still clutching him, her body growing rigid on the spot, the woman died. Her eyes remained fixed upon him, but the light that had danced within was now extinguished.
Cade pried the woman’s hand off of his wrist and sat back on the ground.
All around, people were rushing up. Some asked to help him, but he only gestured to the body. “Make sure she is cleaned up. Cha saved our lives tonight, and we will do everything we can to remember that.”
23
Picking Up and Diving In
“It’s somehow worse than any beast. I’d rather face a dozen of the scorpions than this nightmare,” Satemi said in a muted tone.
Staring into the sightless black eyes of the humanoid abyss monster, Cade had to agree with the woman.
Inspecting the creature in his UVS, for the tenth time, Cade wished it offered just a little more information.
Hardeen Loor - Abyss Manling
Level Unknown
Creature Type Unknown
“Yeah, the whole manling aspect really creeps me out. Besides, the manner in which it killed Cha…” Cade said, his voice trailing off, unsure of what to say after.
The arm had retained its deadly shape, even after the monster had died. Its right arm was like a normal humanoid arm, but for an extra joint between the elbow and wrist. It was also at least a foot longer than it should have been, and of course the six jointless fingers were a bit strange as well.
On the opposite side, the fingers had somehow been fused. They formed the end of a very scary, arm-sized spearhead. In the very center, a tiny hole could be seen, which explained Cha’s blackened veins and quick death.
Somehow, this manling bitch had poisoned her.
“Well, I say we burn it like the others. Nothing else we can learn unless we cut it open,” Minda said, her scientist brain turning over the issue pragmatically. “That presents a myriad of other potential threats. Infection, disease, god knows what else? That thing could have eggs inside itself or some other parasite. Burn it and move on.”
Finishing her speech, Minda turned and left the workshop. She had work to do down in the herb garden. They all had work to do, and waiting around and staring at this corpse wouldn’t provide any more answers. “Very well. Ronden, would you please do the honors?”
The giant grumbled, but wrapped the beast up in the old fur they’d moved it here with, and draped it over his shoulder. He left on M
inda’s heels.
“The Council of Five is short a seat,” Ketzal said softly. “I don’t want to be the one to bring it up, but if we are too busy to hold a meeting now, I suggest Vrin for the job. When we survive this invasion… if I suppose, the town can have a vote then. For now, we need our government up and running as efficiently as possible. What do you think, Archon?”
Cade nodded, agreeing not only with the need the demoness had highlighted but with her choice in representative. “Yes. I’ll tell him myself. Now, let’s get out of here, huh? I have to make another stop by Latsi’s workshop.”
Heading out, Cade waved goodbye as Ketzal left to visit the boars. The monsters had harassed their mounts, but only one of the beasts was dead. Though it was still unfortunate, Cade was glad it wasn’t one of the Casmeeri boars. The training involved and bonding between handler and mount were not easy to replicate. The only reason they’d been able to bond so many was due to the hard work of a party of villagers who raided the cave Minda and Cade had found the Pungent Eel Carcass in so many weeks ago.
By their report, no more of the large eels were left. They’d have to wait months if not years for the smaller eels to mature enough to allow for more mounts to be taken.
More painful were the three Kotani apes and two villagers who had fallen during the raid. The bodies had been disposed of already, burned or buried according to custom. But their absence was felt. One of the guards who’d held the wall couldn’t be revived from the scorpion venom, and of course Cha had died. A ceremony was scheduled to be held that night around the cook stoves.
Besides the Abyss Manling, the bodies of Abyss Scorpions, Abyss Hounds, and Abyss Reavers had been gathered up and burned in a great pile beyond the bottom wall. It was about a half mile away but every now and again, when the smoke shifted, Cade caught a stench so acrid it made his eyes water.
The tiny being that had cornered Cha was one of a few hounds involved in the raid. They were no more than twenty or so pounds of dense flesh, but another had nearly killed an unsuspecting villager. It had launched at the woman’s legs, and when she fell, attacked the neck.
Fenian’s timely arrival had prevented another death.
The reavers were massive balls of tentacles, propelled along in a writhing mass. They had no poison, no mouths to be found, but were dangerous anyhow. As much as they weighed, and how strong their appendages were, it was easy to see how they could pull a man limb from limb.
Cade stopped before the door to Latsi’s workshop and took a deep breath. Let it go, Cade. Let it go for now. I can always think of them in my dreams tonight, he thought bitterly.
Clearing his mind of twisted bodies from the void, Cade found his favorite mad scientist hard at work in her laboratory. Latsi had her hand stuffed down the barrel of her prized cannon, her face scrunched up in concentration. By the looks of it, he might have guessed the gun had gotten a little hungry.
“You know, there’s better ways of cleaning those things. A brush for example.”
She turned and smiled at him, still wiggling her hand about for some unknown reason. “When it needs cleaning, I know who to call on then.”
Finally, she sighed and plucked her arm free. It was coated with black powder. Dusting it off briefly, she asked, “So, you have come to see to your Occupational duties at last, eh? I am happy to hear it.”
“I have a little time, yes. Any update on the shells? I was hoping to work on a few alchemical recipes today,” he admitted, looking around her work space. “My whole afternoon is clear.”
Latsi’s smile was devious. “Excellent. And yes, Cade, of course I have. You don’t think I sat by idly while you all were away playing heroes in the darkness.” The woman crossed over to a chest lying on the ground and removed something wrapped in cloth.
Handing it over, Cade uncovered her sneaky gift. By the looks of it, the shell was no different than the previous ones they’d made together. After Cade had finished making a small stockpile of Combustion Powder Advanced, the two of them had spent a couple of hours packing the powder and a large slug into each empty shell. The final product was crude, but in all other respects, looked like a massive bullet. It wasn’t quite large enough to resemble the huge 120-caliber artillery shells Cade had seen in the Army. But they were big for bullets, each with a rough diameter of a tennis ball.
Turning it over, Cade saw that a small window had been cut out of one side. Within, a hollow chamber sat waiting to be filled. “So these will be specialty rounds then, yes?”
“They will. Come with me, Cade. One of the bullets is ready to test as we speak,” Latsi said and moved past him and back out into town. Cade followed, eager to see what she was about.
The two of them crossed the bridge leading to the apes’ encampment, and instead of turning right and heading into the Kotani village, they walked to the foot of the steep path that ran up the side of the cliff wall. What has this woman been up to? I swear, if I let her, she’d have a nuke built in less than a year.
Rather than question her, he trudged up the steep incline. Latsi was a scientist and an inventor. She was a bit off, but Cade trusted her. Besides, anything she came up with now would only help them defend against the coming tide.
Thinking on the countdown they’d been given, Cade couldn’t help but feel a great weight pressing down on him. The monster had attacked them in the early hours of the day, so technically, they still had seven days until the attack began. But today was already more than half over, and he wanted to be ready ahead of time. There was no good reason to trust the honor of whatever being was leading this abyssal army.
When his companion stopped, Cade finally snapped out of his morbid thoughts. They’d marched up a half mile of the trail, and Camp Casmeer was now out of sight. Instead, the vast rolling hills and jungle beyond their camp, tall mountains behind, made for a lovely vista.
More to his personal taste, however, was the cannon that stood propped up and mounted to the ledge.
“You made two of them?” he asked, a grin stealing over his face.
Latsi smiled back, happy to have already surprised him. “And this one, as you can see, has a more advanced mounting system. We will perform all tests up here, and when we are confident that our ammunition works, we can mount this atop one of the walls. I’ve already asked Satemi to build a platform large enough to accommodate it.”
Waving her hands at him impatiently, she continued. “But you don’t give a rat’s ass about any of this, trust me. Just wait until you see it operate.”
She held out a hand for him to do the honors. He moved forward, looking for some trigger or mechanism. On the back of the barrel was a round steel ball attached. Touching it, he earned an approving grunt from the woman beside him. Cade stared down the top of the barrel, this one a couple feet longer than the last had been, and saw two metal pins that he could line his sight up with.
He clutched the handle that attached to the left side of the barrel’s base, and pulled the steel ball toward him. As he’d suspected, it was made tense by a hidden spring. Pulling it as far as it would go, Cade released the ball and the cannon roared.
A broad swatch of bedrock lay exposed below, several hundred feet away. He saw the round dart out of the small cloud of smoke and land in the center of the rock. When it hit, an explosion sounded, large chunks of rock being sent in all directions.
Even at this distance, Cade could see the hole his shot had made in the dense stone.
“Explosive rounds, huh? That would have been pretty handy against that fucking turtle.”
Latsi smiled placatingly. “It will do just as much good against what comes next. Come, let us return. We both have plenty of work to do before I’ll let you rest.”
The rest of that afternoon was an endless string of tasks, all performed for the sake of improving his Alchemical Engineering skill level and producing more advanced reagents. As always, the work was enthralling, and he ground away the hours like so much powder.
He started
with the help of two assistants. With the three of them working, Cade made three massive batches of Combustion Powder Advanced. They stored it all in leather sacks created for just this purpose, and then put them into the Warehouse Inventory.
Having done the work, Cade was pleased to see his Alchemical Engineering level rise to 6.
The Powdered Bright was his next project. It was an advanced substance, but lower level than the other two options he had available. Surveying the recipe once more, Cade knew where he had to begin.
Powdered Bright (Requirements: Insect Crystal Shards, Cohesive Slime Mold, Powdered Rinan Root)
Each batch had a 45% chance of succeeding. That wasn’t perfect, but as he and his two unpaid interns continued to toil, his levels would increase.
Mashta and her friend Rhionne were everything he could ask for. Both were smaller humanoids, like tiny elves or large gnomes. Neither would be much use in the battle to come, but as they worked, Cade found their talent evident. Mashta he assigned the task of preparing a large cauldron of the Cohesive Slime Mold. The ingredient had been collected in the dungeon, and they had enough to fill a bathtub with.
He instructed her to heat the cauldron to a simmer and stir it for half an hour. Then it would be set to cool for twice that long.
Rhionne started in on the Rinan Root. He had to peel the ingredient first before slicing it up and grinding it into a paste. Thankfully, a little went a long way with this particular recipe. When he was done, the small man left to bake the substance on a sheet until it could be broken up into a fine powder.
While they worked, Cade moved ahead to prepare the same materials for their second recipe. The Shriek Gel had a similar recipe, with the addition of Tincture of Rinan Root. Cade prepared the root in the same manner that Rhionne had. He peeled and sliced a double portion, always thinking ahead, and set aside half for the third recipe.