by Eden Redd
Orbs flashed into existence, bathing the cavern in bright light. The sandy floor stretched on until it touched a still lake. The water was as smooth as glass, filling the rest of the cavern from left to right. Lights blinked on and the other side of the great underground lake showed a single small door. The water spread out so far that there was no way to cross it, other than swimming. The guilds and trolls filled the sandy underground beach, dwarfed by the immense shoreline.
Before orders could be given, something big moved in the middle of the lake. Even with the distance between them, players could make out the white serpentine form as it moved lazily through the water. The lake conformed without a ripple as it moved closer and closer to the shore where everyone stood at the ready. The sound of unsheathing swords hissed out as eyes were glued to the thing in the water. Kai nocked an arrow while Nikki gripped her sword. Tension filled the shore with an unnerving fog. The thing in the water grew smaller the closer it swam. The white thing shrank until it touched the tiny waves ebbing along the sandy edge.
A wet rat crawled out onto the muddy bank, scurrying closer a few feet before stopping and standing on its hind legs, sniffing at the air. Wynter smiled as she knew instantly it was the same rat that seemed to follow them during the raid. She remembered how it bit her when she moved toward the Eyes of Harkkon and knew something deeper was going on.
Master Kurss eyed the rat for a moment before closing his eyes and smirking, “Magnys, you don’t have to hide any longer. Show yourself in all your powerful glory.”
The rat’s beady red eyes stared at the imposing troll for a long moment before its body began to convulse. Muscles rippled under fur as limbs stretched. The fleshy tail shrank into the body as the rat stood up, body contorting. A nervous wave filled the guilds, player by player. Wynter looked to Jakar as he stood unfazed, sword still in its sheath. Body shifting, a man took form. A white robe appeared to cover his naked body as he stood to his full height, short pure white hair nearly glowing in the cave light. The man carried himself with refined easiness as he stood, his eyes gazing on the troll and the army behind him.
“Master Kurss Darkwhisper, I wish I could say it was a pleasure,” the man in white said with a sardonic tone.
“You know why we’ve come,” Master Kurss said without mincing words. “Please step aside. Your duty has finally come to an end.”
Magnys kept a neutral expression as he addressed the master, “My duty shall never end. I took an oath. Your desire for power only reinforces that oath.”
Master Kurss gave a mock look of disappointment, “You wound me. I took an oath to serve the troll kingdoms and its people. What you are guarding will serve to only strengthen my people and the lands of Lukken.”
Magnys’s eyes brightened as a strange wildness took hold, “You have no power here.”
Master Kurss stared with knowing eyes. Lifting up a blue hand, he beckoned with a single finger. A cloaked figure moved to his side. Blue feminine hands reached up and pulled away the hood from her head. A pink haired troll looked up with dispassionate eyes. Hands falling to her sides, she stood like a statue, ready to be commanded.
Magnys eyed the pink haired troll and his wild eyes softened, “You fear me so much, you bring a rose seer to calm my madness? You have nothing to fear just yet. The time down here has calmed the affliction that plagues my people.”
The man in white looked away for a moment, as if a deep memory rose to the surface, “Love also tamed that wild beast long ago.”
Master Kurss nodded slightly, “I know. It is the only thing that can help your people. Mistress Zusa was my ancestor and she loved you dearly.”
Magnys took in a deep breath as if something touched his heart, “Then you understand what was asked of me. I made a promise to guard the foul thing down here, even against her own kith and kin.”
“Times have changed. War has arrived and every side is gathering their weapons. The dragons seek to dominate Lukken, and our kind fears extinction.”
Magnys let out a howling laugh, “Do you think I care about your wars! No, I will not break my oath or my love to satisfy your need for power. Mistress Zusa would be disappointed to find one of her clan so far removed from honor.”
Kurss let a wicked grin slip before returning his face to a strong mask, “I have read her journals. She loved you like no other creature on Lukken. The time you spent together were the happiest moments in her life. There are rumors in the family that your very blood flows in our veins. We hold that to be a great honor.”
Magnys’s eyes narrowed, “An honor you throw away to release a monster on this world.”
Kurss relented with a nod, “An honor I must break for the greater good.”
The white-haired man looked past the large troll to the players and trolls gathered behind, “He deceives you. Many of you know me as the rat that helped you in your perilous times. I did so, knowing you would hear me now if you made it this far. Master Kurss wishes to awaken a foul thing that has been imprisoned here. I am the guardian, bound by love to stop any creature from crossing these waters. If you continue on this mad path, you will only know sorrow.”
Wynter’s heart surged as she looked to the handsome man. He did indeed help her and her friends when they were nearly overrun. He tried to warn her when she reached the Eyes of Harkkon. The murmur from other players seemed to wave back and forth. Some kept their eyes on the prize, determination fogging their logic. Others shook their heads while yet others readied themselves. Trolls on either side of the guilds pulled rune covered spears from their backs and held them at the ready. Wynter felt the mood shift as the majority of players thirst for battle and conquest.
Wynter looked to Jakar. The knight’s head bowed, darkness covering his eyes and jaw grim as if he was holding back something he wanted to say. Nikki lowered her blade as she glanced back to Wynter, uncertainty coloring her eyes. Daven shook his head, eyes wide in disbelief with the realization they were going to do something wrong. Kai kept himself ready, eyes hard and not looking to Wynter.
“Great Grandfather, step aside or you will join your love in the next world,” Kurss said with dripping sardonic dread.
Magnys lowered his head, eyes growing soft, “You are not my blood. My blood would never turn against love.”
The master troll looked on, “True love doesn’t blind you. It opens your soul to limitless possibilities. You have been imprisoned for too long. Now, I release you from your burdens.”
The troll raised his hand.
Magnys raised his head and smiled, “I will always be there, ready to turn you back onto the path of love and honor.”
Kurss nodded and dropped his hand. A volley of spears launched through the air. The runes covering them glowed with arcane light. They streaked forward, glowing points aimed at the man’s chest. Magnys stood as the shafts made of light slammed into him and exploded. Wynter, as did everyone else, shielded their eyes as the light lit up the cavern like the afternoon sun. Time slowed down as the brightness faded and hands pulled away to see Magnys’s smoking body flying backwards through the air and splashing into the calm lake. Ripples turned into small waves as the explosions finished echoing through the cavern.
Kurss looked across the lake, a satisfied grin on his azure lips. Trolls readied their spears for another volley. Wynter stood in shock, processing what just happened. Before she could regain her wits, the water in the middle of the lake began to bubble. White foam splashed upwards among dark water. Something big unfurled and a moment later, it reared up with explosive power.
A status effect took hold, blinking in the corner of Wynter’s vision. It blinked “Serpent Awe” over and over again. Reading the quick description, her and every other player was paralyzed by the enormous creature rearing up from the lake. Water cascaded down thick white scales as a serpent, bigger than any dragon, growled foul intent. Its head was that of a dragon but with fewer horns, and streamlined for swimming. The body was segmented, thick and powerful as it mov
ed like a cobra in the water. Pale eyes shined under a chitin like brow and small spines hung from under a pointed chin. The serpent’s snout opened and steam poured out from nose slits.
“My knowledge and power far exceeds yours. Leave my home or every living thing here will die,” the serpent bellowed
Kurss stared up at the giant serpent with cool eyes, “Once we have what we came for, death will be under my control. You have no power here, old one.”
“POWER! I WILL SHOW YOU POWER!” Magnys roared.
The status effect blinked away and Wynter could move once again but it was too late. The cavern bloomed into a maelstrom of magic, skills and chaos. The serpent opened his maw and hissed out a stream of thick mist. The heat rose as the stream burst toward the center of the guilds. Players dove to the side as they released arrows, magical bolts and special sword techniques. For some, it was their last action. The steam struck four players dead on. Bodies melted and caught on fire at the same time before bursting away in greenish light. Arrows and magical bolts filled the cavern, striking the serpent at the trunk of his body and his head. Colored smoke billowed from impacts but they quickly blew away as another stream of blazing steam burst forth.
Wynter rolled to her feet and kept running as the blast struck two more players and melted them instantly. The necromancer glanced to the sea serpent as the smoke cleared. A white aura surrounded the creature as it took in a deep breath. There was not even a cut or crack against the monster’s armored body.
Trolls heaved and launched rune covered spears. They glowed as they darted across the cavern, striking the serpent over and over again. The blasts were so powerful that it knocked the serpent’s aim off. A stream of mist blasted out and struck the side of the cavern, melting stone. Kai pulled back and released arrow after arrow. Players threw volleys of spells and across the churning water at the serpent. Daven was running to fellow guild mates as they writhed on the floor from being too close to the serpent’s breath weapon, their bodies suffering major damage. Green energy spilled from his hands as he healed several players at a time.
Nikki and Jakar were side by side. The guild leader was shouting commands but the chaos stormed through the ranks. Jakar threw his sword in the air and activated his technique. The sword glowed as it twirled. When it stopped, the blade pointed at the serpent. Many swords of light appeared around Jakar’s sword and hurled forward in a torrent. Dozens of bright blades rocketed across the cavern in a steady stream, striking the serpent’s aura. Magnys was pushed back in the water, his aura taking the brunt of the damage. When the technique finished, the guild leader fell to his knees, his sword stabbing the sand next to him. Nikki took hold of him and pulled him away as the serpent opened his maw and fired off a stream of molten steam.
The battle was not turning in their favor. Wynter struggled to come up with a plan to fight such awesome power. A hand dug into her side pouch and she clutched greater soul shards between fingers. She hesitated to throw them because she wasn’t sure she should be fighting this fight.
He will kill you and your friends. Use my gifts or forever know you failed to protect them.
Wynter frowned as streams of hot mist melted some players and trolls while others burst into fire. Necromancers in battle called up ebony skeletons, banshees and ghosts to the battle. The undead moved toward the water and were instantly struck down by melting steam. Kai, along with many other players holding bows, unleashed every magical arrow they had only to explode against the serpent’s aura.
“Keep hammering at the aura! It can’t take damage forever!” Jakar shouted as he tried to stand up with Nikki’s help.
Wynter watched in horror as two other guild mates cried out before being shattered into green light. Master Kurss stood at the edge of the water, unmoving and eyes on the serpent. Trolls hurled spears, crashing into its aura. With everything they threw at it, the serpent continued to blast them back and for a second, it looked like they were all going to lose.
Wynter’s brow formed a hard V. Whipping out her hand; four greater soul shards sank into the sand. Speaking the new incantation, she learned, the metal skull at the top of her staff glowed. Purple rune circles formed around each shard as the necromancer finished the incantation. Ghostly forms rose up from the sand. Glowing, purple eyes opened as shadows took form to create spectral knight armor. The figures pulsed with abyssal power as they stood at attention. Wynter took control as her shadow knights waited for her command. With a whisper, the knights drew their swords.
Kurss turned his head and leered as the four shadow knights burst from their stances and ran to the water’s edge. Wynter took out four more greater shards and threw them to the sandy floor. Whispering arcane words, she spent her stamina and strength to call four more shadows knights as the other four followed their mistress’s commands.
The dark knights, with purple bleeding wisps from their joints, ran over the churning waters. Magnys turned his attention to the four undead crossing the lake in mere moments. Rearing back, he released another stream of molten mist. The knights leaped from the incoming stream, gravity having no power over them. Magnys turned his serpentine head, trying to hit one. The shadow knights ran up cavern walls and leapt from the incoming attack. When the serpent’s breath was used up, the four knights converged with ghostly purple blades. One knight bounced off the aura, spiraling away until it hit the cavern wall and resumed its attack. Two others slammed their blades into the aura half way and inches from the serpent’s armored hide. The last one threw his entire spectral body forward like a spear. The ghostly blade penetrated and the tip sunk into an armored scale.
Magnys pointed his maw at the three shadow knights against him and blasted them point blank. The knights were shattered into dark light. The last knight floated down, slashing at the aura over and over, moving constantly so not to be hit. Spears slammed into the aura as the attacks continued. Kurss grinned as the glowing aura around the serpent began to crack.
Kurss turned his attention to the pink haired troll and nodded. The Rose Seer opened her mouth and began to sing. Wynter’s heart dropped in her chest as the haunting melody filled the entire cavern. Magnys closed his sharp toothed maw and swayed as the song touched him. The serpent shook its head, trying to stop the strange calming effect it had. Confusion sunk in as its eyes looked around, lost.
Kurss opened his hand as red and purple energy spiraled along his forearm. Wynter sank to her knees as four shadow knights stood around her, waiting for commands. A blade made of dark light appeared in the master’s hand. Fingers and palm taking hold, the master eyed the white serpent as it swayed from the seer’s song.
“No…..NO!” Magnys bellowed as he took control.
The serpent opened his maw once again and unleashed a torrent of mist. The pink haired troll on the sandy shore lowered her head as the stream engulfed her and blasted her into shattered light. Kurss let out a war cry and leaped.
Wynter struggled back to her feet but could not look away at what played out. Magnys was breathing a stream of mist as Master Kurss made an impossible leap. The troll spiraled, muscled body turning while his dark blade pointed downward toward the serpent. Magnys closed his mouth, the confusion melting away. When his wits returned, the serpent let out a pain filled roar. Kurss hung by one hand from his mystical blade as it stabbed hilt deep in the giant serpent. With his free hand, dark energy balled around his fist and the master punched through the remainder of the aura disintegrating it, and shattering several thick scales. Wynter’s shadow knight took advantage and drove its spectral blade into the serpent. Rune covered spears whistled through the air, striking the serpent around the neck. Explosions bloomed. Kurss planted his feet and launched off the bulk of the serpent. Soaring through the air, he landed back on the shore with a simple thud.
Wynter watched in horror as the serpent swayed, eyes wide and confused. She called back her shadow knight and it obeyed, falling to the water and running across it. Players and trolls halted their attacks as Kur
ss lifted a thick arm. Magnys swayed before sinking down in the water a little at a time.
“You have doomed yourselves….,” the serpent spoke, with a deep tone.
Kurss stared as the serpent let out a weak moan. It sank further into the water until just its head showed. After one final glance at Kurss, sad eyes turned downward. A moment later, the serpent sank below the water’s surface and its white body enveloped by the darkness below.
The master troll turned to the battlefield with a smile, “We are victorious.”
The remaining players and trolls pumped fists in the air and cheered. Wynter stood, her heart sinking in her chest. The victory seemed hollow as players congratulated themselves. Kai’s head lowered, sorrow painting his dark eyes. Nikki held Jakar up, her own shock evident. Daven helped fellow players, lucky enough to survive, to their feet while looking to Wynter.
A crawling dread filled the necromancer’s heart as she felt this was not the victory her and her guild mates desired. Doubt lingered with the player as Master Kurss called to everyone to gather before him with open arms.
Thirteen
Players gathered with their guild mates as Wynter made a quick count. Of the thirty-seven players left, only twenty-six remained. The necromancer saw that the other two guilds had about ten players a piece while their guild only had six, including her friends. The trolls didn’t fare much better. Of the hundred and twenty that entered this level, only about ninety remained. The player knew they were down to the bare bones and an uneasy feeling filled her as the remaining trolls formed into columns around the three guilds.
A robed troll moved past Master Kurss as he turned around to address the gathered crowd. Wynter and few players watched as the robed troll spoke incantations. The air grew colder and ice began to form along the lake surface. Everyone watched as the ice spread out, tendrils of cold turning liquid water solid. Shortly, the lake was covered in a thick layer of ice.