by Eden Redd
Wynter’s eyes narrowed. One of her hands uncurled from her staff and let it drop. Patting Kai on the butt, the troll touched the back of his head to hers in agreement. The three cloaked men let a moment pass before each of them parted their cloaks slightly to reveal short swords.
“Leopold sends his regards,” the leader smiled.
Chaos bloomed as the three players attacked. Wynter pointed her fingers, black lightning streaking forward. Kai launched himself, sword slashing at incoming blades. A cloaked assassin whipped away and melted into shadows as black lightning blasted past. Two assassins rained down swords as Kai blocked each one in turn. The sounds of metal on metal rang out as the ranger blocked each blow. Booted feet moved as the two figures tried to get an edge in but the ranger had them at a stalemate.
Wynter twirled around to assist her guild mate when a dagger spun from the darkness and sank into her shoulder. The player noticed her hit points draining by two dozen points as she whirled around. The staff slipped through the air, striking at nothing as the figure was nowhere to be seen.
“Rogues!” Wynter shouted and began reciting incantations.
Kai’s sword clashed against blades as he enhanced his senses. His ears took in sounds but they were muffled with the music in the distance. Eyes darting around, swords clashed and the ranger pushed with his body. A figure was knocked to the stone floor as another came in with sword raised. The ranger blocked the incoming blade but a shadow moved close by.
Melting from the darkness, the hidden rogue pounced with blade in hand, aiming for the ranger’s ribcage. Light flashed as a flaming purple blade sliced upward, knocking the incoming blade away. The rogue hit the ground and rolled onto his feet as two black skeletons advanced. Wynter pointed her hand as black lighting surged forward. The rogue blocked an incoming purple blade but wasn’t fast enough for the second one. It sliced into his shoulder, damaging hit points as the magical blade burned for extra damage. Wynter’s black lightning bolt scorched his chest and another flaming blade bit down. The rogue tried to back up but the ebony skeletons hacked and slashed at him until he fell to one knee. Wynter advanced as a black bolt cut through the air and slammed into the rogue’s face. The player cried out as he was thrown, hitting the stone floor and shattering into shards of light.
The two remaining rogues stepped back as the black skeletons moved to Kai’s side. Wynter stepped closer from behind, hand reaching out and touching Kai’s shoulder. A rogue pulled something from his belt and threw it to the ground. There was a flash and smoke billowed into the air. Kai leapt forward with sword at the ready. Digital muscles bulging, he sliced at the air but struck nothing.
From dark corners, daggers spun out from two directions. Several sliced into a skeleton as it turned. Before it could advance, several more struck it in the ribs, neck and skull. Bones shattered as it fell to the floor. The other skeleton advanced on a deep shadow only to have dagger after dagger slam into it. As soon as it reached the shadow, it raised its fire blade only to have dagger points crash into its neck. The ebony skeleton fell to pieces with a clatter before bursting into dark light.
Wynter and Kai were back to back again, eyes searching every shadow around them. The light from the city played tricks and shadows moved of their own accord. Wynter figured the noise of their battle would bring others but with the music from the center of town playing on, no one would bat an eyelash in their direction.
“We try to run, they’re going to pick us off,” Kai whispered.
“Then let’s not run,” Wynter smiled and began another incantation.
A dagger spun out from a nearby shadow. Wynter couldn’t finish the spell as she brought her staff up, knocking the dagger out of the air. When she tried again, several more daggers twirled through the air. The ranger spun around Wynter, blocking the incoming daggers by knocking them away.
“Call up reinforcements!” Kai managed before a dagger sank into his thigh.
Wynter began her incantations once again until a dagger struck her in the back. Despite hit points draining, she resumed the spell. Kai kept at it, knocking away any blade coming toward them. At first it appeared the ranger could keep them at bay until a flurry of daggers flew out. For every two blocked, one managed to sink inches deep into the ranger. Red arcane symbols glowed in circles across the stone floor. Red skeletons rose up and spread out.
“I’ll hold them off! Get out of here!” Kai said and grunted from another dagger sinking into his stomach.
The ranger fell to his knees as bloody bones moved out to search for the assassins. Wynter fell to the ranger’s side; eyes on him, his legs shaking as he tried to stand up.
“Poison….” The troll whispered as his legs gave out and he sank to the stone floor.
“I’m not leaving you this time!” Wynter said with conviction.
The two rogues melted from the shadows. Bloody bones turned and converged on them. The rogues moved in tandem, slicing and cutting through each Bloody Bones. Their movements were graceful as they sliced across exposed red spines. Each red skeleton fell one by one.
Kai was on his elbows and knees while Wynter stayed by his side. When the last skeleton fell, the rogues stepped closer, sardonic grins on their faces. The necromancer stood up to confront the two rogues, determination etched in her brow.
“We knew the troll would give us a run for our money. Now that he’s down, this is your last chance to hand over the Eyes of Harkkon,” A rogue smiled evilly.
Wynter returned their evil smiles with her own, “You were worried about him when you should have been worried about me.”
Wynter took in a deep breath and burst forward, staff swinging. The rogues dodged the metal staff by backpedaling and a moment later; all three were engaged in battle. Blades clashed with the metal staff, sparks flying. Wynter kept moving, trying to knock them off balance but the rogues skillfully dodged each incoming strike. The three of them were locked in a deadly dance as Wynter’s cloak billowed from her movements. When she couldn’t land a blow, one hand pulled away from the staff and she released black bolt after black bolt. The rogues continued to spin, tumble and dodge each bolt of lightning until one melted into the shadows. The other one rushed the necromancer with blade gleaming in the dim light.
Wynter focused her attention on the rogue coming for her. She blasted crackling ebony lightning as the rogue was barely three feet away. He feinted to the side and rolled up to the necromancer, only to be met with the staff striking him on the side of his knee. The rogue’s blade sliced across Wynter’s stomach. The player could feel the strike and her body reacted accordingly as she stumbled back. Before she could recover, the rogue slammed his blade into her gut. Wynter let out a gasp as she laid her hand on the rogue’s chest and released a black lightning bolt.
Wynter fell backwards as the surge of power sent the rogue airborne. Hit points draining, she could see the wide disbelieving stare from the rogue as he flew back. The necromancer lost feeling in her legs as her hit points drained below ten percent. She let loose another bolt. It streaked through the air and hit the rogue, sending him spiraling through the air and hitting the hard stone floor.
The necromancer landed on her back, eyes wide as she tried to will herself to move. Head barely sitting up, she watched in horror past the short sword half buried in her gut as the rogue was slowly getting to his feet with black scorch marks on his clothes. The rogue pulled out a long dagger and stalked forward with a gleeful smile. After a few steps, his smile instantly faded when an arrow struck him in the chest. Wynter turned her head to see Kai on his side with bow in his hands, the string still vibrating.
The rogue looked down as the arrow glowed and exploded. Shards of light rose up and crashed down on the floor in a spectacular display. Kai collapsed, his bow clattering next to his open hands. Wynter tried to sit up but her movements were jerky. She reached for the short sword in her gut. Fingers curling around the pommel, she pulled it out and threw it aside. It clattered across the floor. Turn
ing onto her side, she crawled to Kai when the last rogue emerged from nearby shadows.
“Leopold should have warned us that you had some skill. I’ll up my fee when I see him, after I have fun with you,” The rogue assassin leered as he stepped closer.
Wynter feebly raised a hand, her body not responding correctly. Everything grew out of focus as she fought for control. The rogue bent over her, dagger in hand. His other hand reached out and grouped her breast, fingers worming under the fabric. Wynter tried to fight but hit points ticked down one by one, a poison status effect in the corner of her vision. Top pulled away, a breast lay exposed and the rogue looked to it with drooling eyes.
A white flash filled the area. The rogue’s movements stopped as he looked down at a sword point sticking out of his stomach. Wynter looked past the shocked rogue to Nikki’s grim eyes. The knight twisted the blade before she activated her Pure Slice technique. The sword sliced upwards, cutting the rogue in two. He never had a chance to scream as his body fell away in two halves and shattered into greenish shards of light.
The necromancer managed a smile as everything grew disjointed. Daven was racing up the stairs as Nikki fell to her knees, shouting at Wynter. Wynter couldn’t make out the words since the audio had faded out. Darkness came in short waves as the druid fell to his knees next to Nikki, hands glowing green. The player let out a sigh. The druid pressed glowing hands to her alabaster skin while the knight held her close with sadness in her eyes.
Eleven
Wynter floated in darkness before strange tingling sensations ran along her whole body. An instant later, her eyes opened and she looked up to Nikki fixing her torn top and Daven’s smiling face. Hit points surged upward to maximum and full control returned to her body. Sitting up, she looked over to Kai who was laid out on the stone floor. Daven was up and moving to him, pressing healing hands on the ranger.
“Daven healed you just as your hit points hit zero,” Nikki said as she helped Wynter to her feet. “What happened to you two?”
Wynter eyed Kai and Daven. Relief washed over her as Kai’s eyes opened and his body stirred, “Leopold sent assassins to take the Eyes of Harkkon and eliminate us.”
Nikki’s expression furled up into rage, “That asshole tried to have you killed! What the fuck is wrong with him!”
“I don’t know but I’m guessing we’re not friends anymore,” Wynter said as she slowly stood up.
Daven helped Kai to his feet. The ranger clasped a hand to the druid’s shoulder as his eyes turned to the necromancer. Wynter’s heart fluttered as he looked to her with concern. Unable to contain himself, the troll took three long steps to Wynter, his thick blue arms wrapping around and holding her close. The necromancer leaned into his embrace, the warmth between them merging together.
“Thanks for the heal Daven. You’re the MVP of the team,” the druid sighed out loud.
Wynter and Kai broke their embrace and walked over to the druid and knight. Kai hugged Nikki while Wynter hugged Daven.
Nikki broke Kai’s hug after a long moment and turned her attention to Wynter, “When I lost track of you, I decided to go looking.”
Daven kept his hands on Wynter’s hips, “And when she couldn’t find you she called on me to help find you. When I asked the mushrooms, they were very helpful in telling me where you both went.”
“Thank you both,” Wynter smiled.
Nikki’s brow was V shaped as she took in her surroundings, “What do we do now? There could be more coming to take you out.”
Three figures moved along the street toward the four of them. Nikki spotted them first and her hand lay against the pommel of her blade. Wynter stepped forward with Kai, Daven and Nikki close behind. Walking along the street, Palis looked up with concern, two dark elf women trailing behind him. The baron closed the distance and stood on the stairs leading up to the four players.
“I saw there was commotion. Is anyone hurt?”
“We ran into some trouble but we’re okay,” Wynter said trying to remain positive.
The dark elf stared at the beautiful necromancer before waving his hand across. Mana flowed in wisps, floating past the four players and taking shape behind them. The raid group turned to see spectral versions of themselves fighting the three rogues. Skeletons appeared and were shattered in moments. Spectral Kai let loose an arrow while a ghostly version of Wynter fought on against two cloaked figures. The scene played out until Daven and Nikki appeared and healed their fallen friends. The ghostly images died down and the smoky wisps faded from sight.
“Indeed, you ran into trouble,” Palis said as his hands folded into the sleeves of his robe.”
Wynter stepped down a few steps and stood face to face with the dark elf, “As you saw, we we’re attacked but now we must ask you to not say anything.”
Kai stepped forward to the edge of the stairs, “Wynter, what are you asking.”
“We need to keep this quiet. If we start telling everyone then the raid may start to fall apart. We are so close to the end. This attack could lead to divisions among the remaining guilds.”
“Do you know which guild attacked you?” Nikki asked.
Kai shook his head, “They were hiding their features.”
Wynter eyed the dark elf baron, “We need your help if we wish to keep the raid together.”
Palis was still for a moment before he nodded, “Follow me. I believe I can keep you safe until it is your time to leave.”
The dark elf turned on his heels and began walking with his servants trailing behind. The four players followed after them, eyes sharp as they reentered the city of Koth. Doubt lingered as questions swirled in their minds. An attack like that was more than a message and the necromancer worried not for herself but for her fellow guild mates.
Palis turned a small corner and disappeared down an alley with his followers behind him. Music played on in the background as laughter and moans filled the cavern. Wynter paused near the alley and glanced at the city square. Bodies writhed to primal urges. Dark elves surrendered themselves to the lustful appetites of players and trolls. A full-on orgy sang as arms clutched at bodies and hips pushed with lustful vigor. Mouths spilled moans, and whimpers echoed off stone buildings. Dark elves played their melodic symphony as wine spilled and bodies heaved to excited desires.
Wynter turned from the spectacle down the street and entered the thin alley way. Kai, Daven and Nikki followed her as they marched single file down the tight space. Up ahead, Palis ran a dark hand across the wall until he touched a brick. Pressing on it, the brick gave way and a secret door opened. Dim candle light greeted them as they stepped in one by one. When everyone was inside, the door closed and darkness filled the alley once again.
The baron walked down a small tunnel to a set of stairs curling upward. Wynter followed as an uneasy feeling filled her stomach. She had just met the baron and here he was taking them to a secret place. Her gut told her to trust him but her mind filled with the possibility that this was a trap.
Another door opened and one by one they stepped through. Making their way down a lit corridor, they reached the end to a set of double doors. Palis opened them and stepped inside. Wynter was not far behind when she stopped dead in her tracks.
A large lavish room spread out before the necromancer. The floor was covered in spider silk blankets and pillows. Dim light and sounds bled in from shuttered windows as golden ropes hung from ceiling and looped to the walls. Fine art and tapestries hung from the walls, and in the corner stood a fountain. Naked stone elves stood under running water as if caught forever in the act of sensual bathing.
Palis stepped to the center of the room and turned to the four gathered, his servants staying by the doors, “I do not know what foul plot is at play but I do not wish for any more bloodshed. I wish to keep the peace for as long as you are all here. You can rest and know you’re safe in my lover’s den. When your group is ready to leave, you can join them or I can keep you safe until I can open the portal to the surface w
orld.”
Wynter stepped in with soulful eyes, “Thank you for your kindness Baron Palis. We’re sorry this happened during the celebration.”
Palis lifted a hand and closed his eyes, “It is no trouble. This wouldn’t be the first-time people have taken advantage of celebration for their own selfish desires. I have read many books where those who would harm have no honor when it comes to achieving their goals. You are safe here under my protection.”
“How can we repay you?” Kai asked.
“No payment is required. Your presence here will spin tales for generations to come. Please use this room but there are other rooms down the hall. I’m leaving my maidens to tend to your needs and wants. I will personally visit you and help you with either decision you decide on,” the dark elf said as he lowered his hand.
Kai rubbed his blue chin, “If we leave, the other guilds and trolls will know something is wrong. For everyone’s protection, we have to see the raid until the end.”
Wynter nodded, “Kai is right, we have to keep up appearances if only to see what Master Kurss has in mind when we reach the end. Considering everything that has happened, this doesn’t seem like a normal dungeon run.”
Daven grinned, “What’s normal? We’ve run into secret assassins, a strange artifact and a troll master that might be playing all of us for his own ends. I thought this was completely normal.”
Nikki took a few steps forward and stood before Wynter, “I will defend you until my last breath.”
“We all will,” Daven added, still smiling.
The temperature in the lavish room grew by a few degrees. Kai’s gaze was unwavering as the necromancer’s head lowered. The love filling the room flushed Wynter’s cheeks pink. Palis bowed before the small group before moving to the double doors.
“When your group is ready to move on, I will come for you. In the meantime, make yourselves comfortable,” Palis smiled before opening a door and stepping through.