Wrimrung moved closer while he laughed demonically. The vines kept tightening, and the thorns dug deeper, almost to the bone. Varnoth was determined not to give the hobgoblin the satisfaction of hearing him scream. The shadow panther was unable to be silent. He moaned as he was in utter agony.
“Yep, I am a druid. There is not a whole lot of us around these parts, especially within the goblin race. What makes me extra special is that I have a legendary class as well—Dark Earther,” said Wrimrung as he circled the trapped panther. He placed his hand on the vine, and the color changed to fluorescent green, and Varnoth roared in pain.
“I added a personal touch as if the trap wasn’t already bad enough. The new painful sensation you are feeling is venom. I didn’t make it strong enough to kill you, just strong enough to wish you were dead.”
“Just kill me already. What are you waiting for?” Varnoth asked through gritted teeth.
Celeste screamed from behind, “Varnoth!”
Wrimrung put his blade to Varnoth’s neck.
“Is this your girlfriend? She is a looker. I’ll give you that,” the hobgoblin said as he looked into Varnoth’s eyes, “A panther bedding a human is kinda weird, but I can get on board.”
Flynn arrived at Varnoth’s right and William Marth to his left. Both of them had their weapons raised. Lastly, John, the Son of Ray, appeared behind Wrimrung.
“We’re with you cat,” said John as he gripped his hammertar. He still had the shaft of an arrow sticking out of his chest.
“It’s over, drop your sword and release Varnoth from this trap at once,” commanded William.
“Your army is dead and beginning their journey into decomposition. You are all that is left,” Flynn said.
Wrimrung pressed the blade harder onto his neck. He broke the skin, but he wasn’t deep enough to kill him.
“If there is no way out of here for me. I might as well take this kitty to hell with me, don’t you think?” The hobgoblin said as he looked at everyone.
“Let him go, and you will receive a quick death,” said William.
“Quick death? I don’t give my enemies one, so I don’t deserve one,” Wrimrung laughed, “The question is, which one of you is going to make the first move?”
The vines squeezed again, and Varnoth moaned in agony.
“Stop it, you sick bastard!” commanded Celeste.
“Don’t…worry...about me…just…kill this…monster!” Varnoth exclaimed in a pain laced voice.
Flynn had a plan, which was going to go really well or really bad. The Black Blade would have to rely on his archery skill more than he ever had before in his life. He didn’t know of any other strategy that would work in the current situation. Flynn closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He opened them and focused on his target. He released the arrow. Time seemed to stop. The arrow was the only thing that moved. The arrow flew at an impressive rate of speed and made a zipping sound as it traveled through the damp air. The arrowhead pierced Wrimrung’s wrist. The hobgoblin's hand immediately opened, and his sword dropped to the stone floor. John acted during this window of opportunity and performed an overhand swing with his massive hammertar, which smashed Wrimrung on the top of his head. Both of the hobgoblin’s eyeballs launched from his eye sockets and hit Varnoth in the chest. Celeste went into action and conjured a giant ball of fire in her right hand and threw it at the fallen war chief. Wrimrung ignited in an explosion of red and orange. He was already dead from John’s strike, but Celeste wanted to set him ablaze.
The vines loosened and turned to ash and fell to the floor. Varnoth fell limp on his back. He was covered with bloody holes from the thorns, and he squirmed from the venom still flowing through his veins.
All three of his rescuers rushed to his aid. Celeste reached out her hand and rubbed his chest to comfort him, but she realized that he was wounded all over his body. She pulled her hand away and wiped the blood on her dress.
“Did Dormatos survive?” Flynn asked.
“Yes, he is outside, attempting to heal everyone he can,” William replied.
Suddenly as if the gods were looking over Varnoth, Dormatos’ spoke from the doorway to the courtyard, “Is he dead?”
“He is on the brink of death, but I don’t think it is too late. Hurry!” exclaimed Celeste with tears rolling down her face.
Dormatos moved quickly but with a limp from a wound received in the battle. He knelt at Varnoth’s head, and he looked at the sky with his hands raised. The gnome’s hands began to glow with white light. He moved his hands down to Varnoth’s head and placed one hand on one side and the other hand on the opposite side. The shadow panther’s body began to glow for a few moments. When the glow dissipated, Varnoth’s large eyes opened.
You have completed a quest!
You have led your people in the bloody battle versus Wrimrung and his goblin army! Darthill has suffered many losses but has been victorious! You must heal and pick up the pieces now! Your people need you!
You have been rewarded 8,000 experience points!
You have reached Level 21!
May your loud be lighter, and the gods bless your path!
You have 10 attribute points to distribute!
Varnoth roared as the energy from gaining a level electrified his body. The sudden loud sound startled almost everyone around him, and they fell backward. Flynn was unphased by the sudden commotion, and he grinned at everyone who was on their butts.
"Thank the gods! I thought we had lost you, my friend," said William Marth.
"Welcome back, cat. You gave us a real scare, in more ways than one. However, aren't you supposed to have nine lives?" John asked, perplexed.
"I am afraid not," replied Varnoth as he attempted to get up.
Flynn approached and grabbed him under his arm, and William Marth grabbed the other, and they lifted him slowly.
Suddenly Varnoth's eyes grew wide, and he turned and sprinted out of the courtyard. He fell to his knees when he saw the carnage.
Humans and gnomes were scattered all over the ground, cut to shreds. As he surveyed the bloody scenery, he saw Henegarron lying face-first on the ground.
"No, no, no, no!" Varnoth exclaimed as he ran over for a closer look.
Henegarron lay dead with an arrow in his arm and multiple stab wounds in his back. Blood was congealed in a puddle below the brave dwarf. Varnoth covered his face and shook his head. Varnoth heard Celeste sobbing to his right twenty yards away. He looked in her direction, and he saw the source of her sadness. It was Owyn. Varnoth walked over behind her slowly and put his paw on her left shoulder. She grabbed the paw with her right hand and squeezed. Celeste's sobbing became even stronger. Owyn had a battle-ax wedged into his skull.
"He was so brave. When I leave this world, I hope people will say the same of me," Celeste said with tears streaming down her face.
"I know everyone here would say that of you today," replied Varnoth.
Celeste stood up and embraced the shadow panther for several moments until Varnoth had a sudden terrifying thought.
"What of the armory?" Varnoth asked with panic in his eyes.
"Everyone is fine, well physically, at least. The goblins never made it in the castle that far," replied William from nearby.
Varnoth turned to the survivors and said, "Let us bury our dead. They gave their lives for every one of us. We must live on and be deserving of this sacrifice."
The End of Book Two
Level 21
Shadow Panther
Black Blade Legendary Class
Attributes:
Strength – 110 + 5 = 120
Dexterity – 113 + 5 = 118
Intelligence – 64
Vitality – 120
Skills:
Stealth Shade
Black Rain + 1
Blade Shield
Dark Disciples
Spell of Affliction
Passives:
Acrobatics
Night Vision
Detec
tion
Executioner
Cool Links!
Thank you so much for reading! Please subscribe to my Youtube channel – LitRPG Re-Roll – Check my channel out for the latest LitRPG reviews(also classic LitRPG Reviews)!
Feel free to visit my Patreon page to see other ways you can support me!
Like my Facebook page for the latest news on Varnoth and what’s going on with my Youtube channel!
Please visit these amazing LitRPG Facebook Groups:
Gamelit Society
The LitRPG Forum
LitRPG Books
Spoiled Rotten Readers
LitRPG Rebels
Please visit these great LitRPG sites for latest news and reviews!
GreatLitrpg.com
LitRPG Podcast
Thank you for your support! I should have an Audible audiobook a little further down the road!
I am hard at work on Book 3!
Varnoth- the Black Blade 2 Page 20