by Eden Redd
Jayson and Lance were back to their feet, rushing forward. Sardyna leapt into the air and landed on the creature’s leg, slashing with her thick claws. At point blank, she spits fire and leapt off. A tentacle whipped around at the spot Sardyna was just a moment ago. The battle raged on but the monster showed no signs of tiring.
Jayson and Lance charged, hacking and slashing at the monster’s legs once again. Tentacles whipped about. Jayson ducked as a white tentacle went over his head and smashed two trees at the edge of the forest. Lance reached behind to take hold of Shatter Light but wasn’t fast enough. A tentacle struck out, hitting his chest and sending him back thirty feet. Sonja backed up just as a leg rose up and stomped her second gray clone. The blue knight could feel the desperation fill her being as the monster advanced on them, no fear in its demonic eyes.
A song filled the night air. The blue knight turned to see Oksuna stepping calmly forward, her mouth open and the most beautiful song flowing forth. The monster gnashed its teeth before its eyes widened. The beast’s movements slowed and the concubines stopped their attack. Everyone watched as the pink haired troll moved forward with graceful steps, sword at her side and a song on her lips.
The pale monster stopped its attacks, gazing on the singing troll. It lowered its head and stared as she stepped closer and closer. It looked to be under her spell and all it wanted to do was hear her song. Oksuna lifted her blade as she stopped before the creature. With all her power and strength, she drove her sword under the creature’s jaw. The tip of the blade stabbed out the top of its snout. It attempted to roar when Jayson flashed forward, driving each sword into the monster’s neck. The knight twisted his blades and the thing’s hit points bar went from green to yellow.
A paw reared up and slammed into Oksuna, sending her rolling across the ground. Jayson looked back to see her sword no longer in her hand and rolling to a stop on her back. A tentacle came down, stabbing into Jayson’s back. The knight felt his body being pulled upwards and he was whipped from the monster’s stinger. Jayson could see the poison status effect blink in the corner of his vision as he struck the ground and rolled to a stop, next to Oksuna. Lifting his head and chest, he crawled toward the troll as she lay with her eyes closed. Purple and black moved toward the downed knight. Jayson turned his attention to Lunatina and Sardyna as they rushed to his side. The jester had an open potion in her hand. She fell to her knees before him and poured the contents onto his back. Jayson watched as the poison status effect faded. Sardyna stood in front of her lord as a tentacle came down.
“YOU WILL NOT HAVE HIM!” The hellhound shouted as she lifted her clawed hands in defiance.
The tentacle came down and clashed against something hard. Jayson looked up to see a large orc with a hammer in front of Sardyna. The orc’s muscles bulged as he held a large hammer sideways, parrying the incoming tentacle stinger.
“Pull your lord back,” the orc said calmly as muscles strained.
Sardyna turned and grabbed Jayson’s arms. Lunatina stepped back, her eyes drinking in the large orc holding the monster’s tentacle at bay. From behind, a beam of light shot forth, striking the pale monster in the face. It roared as its pale skin burned. Arrows shot one at a time, stabbing into the creature’s flesh and exploding.
Sonja looked over to the glowing portal as figures stepped through. A man in gray armor with gold lines stepped forward with one hand pointed at the beast, golden light streaming forth. A troll ranger unleashed arrow after arrow, each one striking true. Two figures in cloaks rushed forward into the battlefield, grabbing the hurt dryad and pulling him back. A scantily clad woman with a billowing cloak stepped out from the portal, her hands holding crystal shards and her mouth twisting to incantations. Black rune circles appeared along the ground and black skeletons rose up. Four ebony skeletons rushed into the battle, two each taking hold of one of the monster’s legs while a woman in black and white stepped forward, with a mace in one hand and an empty hand raised. A lock of red hair spilled from her habit as she stared. Golden light shot from her hand, just like the armored figure with the hammer. The light burned as it struck. The beast screeched as holes appeared along its snout and face. Black skeletons stabbed boney fingers into the creature as it struggled.
The man with the hammer continued to pour light as he charged. Tentacles whipped about but the man kept his body low. When he was within twenty feet, the armored man made an impossible leap. Sonja watched as the man raised his hammer and brought it down hard on the creature’s head. The monster’s hit point bar went from yellow to red as it made one last pathetic howl. The man held on with a fistful of wrinkled skin. He lifted his hammer up and brought it down hard, a golden aura appearing around it.
The shockwave caved in the monster’s demonic skull. Cracks of light appeared along its grotesque body. A moment later, it shattered into greenish light. Jayson stared with Lunatina by his side as Sardyna pulled Oksuna back to them. Lance was slowly getting to his feet as he stared at the armored man. Sonja kept her stance as she watched the man hook his hammer to his belt, turn around and step over to Jayson.
The man bent down slightly and offered his hand, “My name is Thorrin River. Lady Slytha sent us and it looks like we got her just in time,” The blonde-haired man smiled.
Twelve
Jayson took Thorrin’s hand. The paladin pulled the knight to his feet and the two players looked to each other with a mixture of relief and curiosity. Thoughts flashed across the knight’s mind and heart. Turning away, he looked down to Oksuna as she slowly sat up, with Sardyna’s help. The knight knelt down next to the pink haired troll, eyes filled with concern. Oksuna rubbed her head but shot her lord a small smile.
The newcomers moved closer, mixing with the concubines and knights. Sonja and Lance stepped closer, looking to all the new people. Thorrin and the cleric in a seductive version of a nun’s outfit stepped into the group, hands glowing with golden light. Thorrin touched Sonja’s arm and hit points healed. The cleric touched Lance and his hit points began to rise. Lunatina pulled out potions and started to hand them out to any who needed them. Soon everyone was healed and to their feet. The mood calmed and questions began to paint brows.
Jayson stepped to Thorrin with a disarming smile, “Thank you for the help.”
The paladin nodded and smiled back, “No thanks needed. We were on our way to assist anyway.”
“I’m sure introductions are in order but would all of you mind if I spoke to my fellow knights for a moment?”
“Take your time,” a cloaked man with a blonde curl said, smiling wide.
Jayson moved off with Lance and Sonja close behind. They reached the edge of the forest, well out of listening range. The knight turned to his friends and let out a long exhale.
“I’m not going to sugarcoat it, we nearly lost against that monster,” Jayson said in a low tone as he continued, “I know we have been holding back and we may have been a bit distracted but we can’t hold back anymore.”
Sonja and Lance nodded in agreement.
“It may have been my fault. I thought we were safe and I was distracting Sonja,” Lance added.
Jayson looked to Lance and clasped a hand on the white knight’s shoulder, “Let’s not look for blame. We’re still here and we didn’t lose anyone. I know we agreed to hold back on all our techniques so no one could know our full potential. We are at the end of the quest and now is the time to use everything we have in our arsenal. If we are going to fight more monsters like that, we need to go in with everything we have.”
“What about our new friends?” Sonja asked as she looked past Jayson’s shoulder to the group mulling about.
“I trust Lady Slytha to send us good allies. We should trust them but only so much. We can’t risk losing everything we’ve done should one of them try to sabotage us. Remember, we made our way out here. They’re here because we put in the work.”
“Then we need to make sure when we need to discuss things, it’s just us,” Lance said.
Jayson and Sonja nodded in agreement.
“Let’s go meet our new allies,” Jayson said with a small smile.
The three knights turned and walked back to the group. The seven newcomers created a semi-circle, facing the three knights. Thorrin stood with the cleric. The three cloaked figures stood in the middle and the woman and troll stood to the right.
Jayson looked to the group with Lance to his right and Sonja to his left, “Thank you all for showing up in the nick of time. My name is Jayson Reed, this is Blue Sonja and Lance Rook, knights for Lady Slytha.”
Thorrin stepped forward, “It might be easier if I introduce everyone. I’m Thorrin River, Paladin. The cleric to my left is Lyra Purebreeze. The three rogues in the middle are Vass Mistglow, Renner Wulf and Rekt Bloodhammer. The necromancer is Wynter Nightkiss and the troll ranger at her side is Kai Woodstride.”
Jayson took in their appearances. It was certainly a motley crew. Thorrin wore gray armor with golden lines running along the edges. He had short blonde hair and a goatish beard. The player couldn’t help but think he looked sort of like Thor from the movies. Lyra stood at his side, wearing a nun’s habit and clothes but they were cut to reveal the sides of her legs. Her chest was barely contained as cleavage showed. A single curly lock of red hair spilled from the habit by her temple. Her eyes were the most off putting because they were a blood red and wide. Jayson noticed she didn’t blink.
The rogues stood side by side. Vass pulled back her hood to reveal a beautiful thin face and pointed elf ears. Her hair was black and reached the top of her shoulders. She wore black leather armor but it fit her like a corset. She had a slender hourglass figure and bright green eyes. Renner stood in the middle, pulling back his hood to reveal dark hair and his signature blonde curl. His stance was relaxed and smiling but his eyes seemed to observe every detail. To his left was a rather large orc. Rekt had a cloak but his leather armor and clothes could barely contain his muscles. His head was bald and small pointed ears graced the sides. Over his shoulder, a rune covered Warhammer glowed with dim supernatural light.
Jayson turned to the necromancer and troll. A sliver of concern ran up his spine as he eyed the scantily clad woman. Wynter’s skin was nearly pure white. She wore a two-piece black bathing suit and thigh high boots. A cloak covered her shoulders but down the middle, there was little left to the imagination. White cleavage glowed in the firelight and her hips carried sensual curves. The lower piece of her suit was almost a thong and in her hand, was a metal staff with a carved skull at the top. The eyes of the skull glowed as Jayson looked to them and a creepy vibe crawled along his senses. Turning his attention to the necromancer’s companion, a troll in a dark green cloak and leather armor stood, his face a mask of indifference.
Renner stepped forward, “Just so we’re all clear, the paladin isn’t the leader. We are all players and here to help each other out.”
The rogue looked to Jayson, “We know you did a lot of work to get here. We promised Lady Slytha we would assist and that’s what we’re going to do.”
The necromancer stepped forward, “Renner is right. We all have our stakes in the quest but we are here to help all of Lukken.”
Thorrin tilted his head but kept a small smile on his lips, “They are all right but for all of this to happen, we have to work together. I’m not claiming leadership status but someone needs to be in charge to help direct the quest.”
Renner grinned, tipped his head to Jayson and coughed, “He seems like the one, since they came all this way.”
Jayson looked to Lance who nodded and then to Sonja who also nodded, “Thanks but we should all just work together. I’m not looking to boss people around.”
Renner stepped closer to Jayson and looked him in the eyes with a broad smile, “Sounds like leadership material to me.”
Jayson could barely hold back his smile, “We can discuss it later. How about we set up a look out schedule and rest the night?”
The players nodded in agreement but all eyes were on Jayson. The player felt a nervous twinge but quickly soothed it away. Off the top of his head, he began delegating the schedule.
***
The morning came with gloomy clouds and mist in the air. The sun was nowhere to be seen but its light caused the cloudy sky to brighten from dark gray to light gray. Camp was broken down quickly. As the group stowed their gear, Jayson looked to the portal one last time. The faint red light was there but once it was activated, it couldn’t turn off. Remembering Myn’s words, it would take a long time before it would go cold again, but as long as it was in use it would stay active.
With the fire pit doused and their gear packed up, the group made their way to the road. The Jayson took point and Oksuna was at his side. The troll looked to her lord with the pommel of her sword over her shoulder. Jayson wanted to be some fearless leader but he found himself melting to Oksuna’s eyes. Seeing her knocked down last night stressed the knight like no other time. She seemed fine but the player swore to himself he would do a better job at defending her. No more holding back.
Tendrils of mist seeped out onto Journey Road. The party made its way west with some murmurs filling the area. Lunatina walked with Sardyna, engaging the hellhound in conversation. Sardyna wasn’t much of a talker but seemed to make an effort since the jester was all eyes on the hellhound. Thorrin and Lyra walked side by side. The paladin carried a stoic stature but the cleric seemed to give off a silent creepy vibe. Behind them, the rogues walked along, engrossed in talk of gold and summer homes. Jayson glanced back to them and saw a strange golden fairy fluttering around Renner. She would zip about or sit on his shoulder. Renner carried himself like the most relaxed player in the world and the rogue elf couldn’t take her eyes off of him. The orc silently walked beside them, eyes glancing to the forest. Sonja walked, her eyes alert and Lance was behind her, watching the dark tree line.
To the rear, the necromancer and troll walked, silent as the grave. They were the two players that actually made Jayson uneasy, keeping up on events while outside of the game, the necromancer class and troll race were firmly entrenched in the southern kingdoms where one couldn’t really defect to human or dragon kingdoms. The rules were sometimes bent but not really for those to the south. Humans had the most flexibility to choose whichever side but troll players stayed true to their cause. Necromancy is outlawed in the dragon and human kingdoms so that prevented players from choosing any side except the troll kingdoms, or solo play. Jayson hoped Myn was right about them wanting to help. They must have something at stake for their cooperation but for now, the knight had to put his faith in the beautiful frost dragon.
Jayson and Oksuna continued their stride until several flashes of light appeared. The knight and troll reached for their swords as the light faded and angels appeared around them. Jayson eased his hand down as he looked up at Sil, her body hovering and wings gently flapping in the breeze. With a quick glance around, angels appeared before each player in their group, hovering just like Sil, eyes filled with sadness.
“Sil?” Jayson asked as he looked up to her magnificent form.
“Hello Sir Reed. I have been chosen among my fellow angels to speak to the group and gain your approval for what is to come.”
The party stopped in their tracks, looking to their own individual angels as they nodded in agreement to Sil’s words.
The angel continued, “You all have reached the edge of the western coast of Lukken. Because of the nature of the quest you are currently on, the rules must change to ensure your achievements are rightfully earned. Much like during the war for the Middle Kingdoms, you are now faced with a choice.
“If you continue on, death will have a greater impact. Concubines will continue to have a ten day cool down and resurrection but should any player perish in battle, you shall be locked out of Lewd Saga for 48 hours. Once the 48 hours has elapsed, you may only recall back to this very spot. Save points will only work from this point on if you log out but will not be saved if y
ou are slain.
“The purpose of Lewd Saga is to provide adventure and seductive encounters. Due to the erotic nature of the game, you must provide permission for these encounters. It is ultimately your choice but the game will change depending if you sign or don’t wish to sign.”
Glowing screens appeared before each player. Everyone looked down at a line where they could sign their name and some text about agreeing to erotic encounters and strange seductions. Every player looked to each other and then turned to Jayson, the knight looked to them and lifted a finger. Writing his name along the line, it glowed with white light. Once he finished, the screen closed up and disappeared from sight. A moment later, every player signed their name along the glowing line. As the screens disappeared, the angels smiled down on the players.
Sil continued, “Thank you brave adventurers. We wish you the best on your journey and you’re coming victories.”
The angels blinked away one by one until they were all gone. The players looked to one another again. Some shrugged while others smiled. The only one who seemed excited was Renner. The rogue leapt into the air, doing a flip and landing back on his feet with a toothy smile. Vass gave a girlish laugh at the rogue. Soon the group was moving again, minds wandering to what unknown encounters they might expect.
The day pressed on but the sun never showed. Ominous gray skies covered from horizon to horizon. The banter between some seemed to lessen and senses dialed to eleven. The forest to the right and left seemed to breathe with each step, as if the entire area would rise up and swallow them whole.
Jayson wanted to talk but second guessed himself. It wouldn’t have made the situation any less foreboding. They were moving into dark territory and now their save point anchors had become less effective. They were on their own and despite the added numbers to their group, it didn’t relieve the feeling that something horrific waited just down the road.