Nathan ran over a heads, ghostly legs rustling, poking his nose into all the dark slots…
Scary…
I don’t know all the subtleties of Orbit’s class but one thing is for sure— if the elf finds a godly patron in the future it will definitely be a dark God. Because this is one step away from necromancy. Next there’s only worse. After all, Orbit took not the bodies of his defeated enemies, but their immortal souls. The bald elf would not even be able to go into a light temple— the priests would immediately attack him.
And not just the priests. I already warned Kira of Orbit’s “dark” class. So that she wouldn’t later run into a wild insult. Because Kirea is a light paladin. And paladins are forbidden to rub shoulders with the likes of the bald elf. To talk, of course, was possible, but to create alliances was downright impossible. An immediate hit to karma. What is “grace” to the paladin Is like a sharp knife across his throat. Fortunately Kirea had not yet sworn allegiance to any of the gods of light, so she could be in a group with anyone, regardless of “light” and “dark” sides. I had warned Orbit, too, by the way— but the bald elf only moved his ears and gave his catch phrase “inter-rest-ting.” Damn…some group I have come up with here… I had begun to calculate the pros and cons, but my adventurers didn’t seem to care. Maybe that’s how one should play? Just enjoy the game…
- Very very near, my lady! – piped up the bog creature in a thin voice, running ahead and looking Kira in the eyes. He even folded his hand on his chest for effect.
“My lady?” Bastard! Forgot who saved him from so many troubles! Damn swamp beaver!
- My honey— lisped Kirea, holding out her hand to the bog creature— Here’s some smoked fish. Have some.
Apparently I made some evil hiss because the two of them turned to me— the hastily chewing bog creature and Kirea.
- What? The poor thing is hungry— said Kira.
- She always has fish! – said Stumpy— Deelicious!
“And I always have an axe” I wanted to say, but resisted and waved my hand. Forget him.
- Looks like we’re almost there – added the girl, taking her shield from behind her back— How much longer to go, honey?
- Very, very little my lady!— reported the bog creature cheerfully— Forty five dives and strokes! We are still far from their nest but they walk around here! They watch! They harass the poor bog creatures!
Too close to the surface, these Krabbers. Or do I exaggerate? I’ve lost count of the corridors, stairs and turns. The catacombs are deceptive.
And the bog creature has probably warned of the security patrols. Good. I wasn’t going to break into their camp. We would run into one initially and evaluate our combat capability.
- Ready! – roared Kira and I in unison.
Ugh! Goodbye leadership…
- Sorry— apologized the paladin, removing the notes of command in her voice.
- It happens – I snorted— Okay, guys, everything like it was in the breeding grounds. But worse!
- Sounds cheery! Damnit! – Doc panicked, probably imagining that he could not cope if one after the other his companions would fly to the revival location, sending curses upon the incompetent healer. Everything is always blamed on them…
- Don’t worry— I advised Doc— Work according to the law of “traffic lights” and everything will be ok. You started the aura?
- Already! Ha! – in the hand of the doctor was a folded whip. The same “OzOzh”— To whip us into shape!
- Well done— I chuckled.
- BDSM party? – Kira lifted a brow— interesting.
- Yes! – agreed the bald elf— Int-teresting!
- Orbit, will you be able to turn one Krabber into a spirit? – I asked. Such a powerful ghost would make a good ally.
- If I kill it then— said the elf, taking his knife from his bag— I’ll kill it and call it… call it… u-m-m… call it…
- You think about it— I nodded— Guys, if anything, leave the last Krabber at low health and leave him for Orbit.
- If the Krabber doesn’t bring us to that point— snorted Kaylen, pulling on her gloves— a thin black leather with glowing patterns, leaving the inside of the palm bare. Elegant… but mine is better. But has nothing to do with the magician class.
Damn… I imagined the storm of questioning I’d have to endure if the comrades would see my legendary armor. Bom would nearly strangle me… another sensation for my “fans.”
- Ready? – I asked, looking at the order of battle— Okay, Stumpy, lead the way! Guys! Keep an eye on the bog creature! We cannot lose him! Tyrant! Come here! Enough eating mice…
- R-ruff! – said the cub, running up to be.. And I also had to look after Tyrant…
- I’ll watch after the honey— Kira reassured me, gently scratching the bog creature in between the ears— My honey… I won’t let anyone hurt you…
- Oh, thank you my lady! – said the Stump.
- Hrm… -- I grumbled— Let’s move! I want crab soup!
- And I ! – said the bog creature— Woohoo! It has fish in it!
- You’ve been talking a lot— I winced— I would smash you on the head, but you’re the guide…
- I c-can sl-lay-y – suggested the bald elf, approaching me— He’ll be a spirit guide! I’ll name him Coot!
- A-a-a-and… -- said the bog creature to this proposal, hiding behind Kira.
- For now we’ll refrain— I looked at the knife-wielding elf— That’s it! Stumpy! Onwards!
Honestly, I fucked up in full.
No, not everyone could spot this creature and I didn’t expect to anyway, but the problem was that at the critical moment I was unable to utter any smart thing.
It went like this: we continued our proud march through the underground catacombs of Algora, scaring small animals and filling the corridors with the gloomy echo of steps. Guided by Stumpy, be he damned, we turned into a wide passage and at that moment everything began to happen.
I still had time to notice a strange lumpy growth on one of the moss covered walls when this very growth came to like and with one sharp movement, stepped to the bog creature.
A giant crab claw flashed at the thick neck and … a flash of silver metal. Kirea worked at lightning speed, having to stop his weapon. Her sword pitifully cracked and shattered into two unequal parts. Kira pushed the bog creature back, moving him out of the way and at the same time hitting the Krabber with the edge of her shield.
Bam! Gram! Tink! Rattle!
All took literally two seconds— a surprise attack, an attempt at a fatal blow, the salvation of the bog creature. Kira had already stepped back, hiding behind the shield and pushing Stumpy back, and I was still standing like a complete fool, gasping for air like a fish thrown ashore. But I wasn’t the only one frozen in shock. This was forgivable— I was the leader. The leader fucked up in the most critical moment.
The claw of the Krabber flashed again and Kirea was hurled back a step.
The famous kick of the Krabbers— when the claw is used as a powerful ramming weapon, stunning and knocking opponents off their feet.
Kirea the Protectress lived up to her name and not only stayed on her feet, but also kept the shield.
At that moment I came back to life and hoarsely shouted:
- Hit him! Cray, Bom! Cover Kira!
I shouted completely useless commands— but they slowly recovered and started to act by the principle of “do what you can.”
A shout came from Kaylen, forgetting to change the spell cast of “fiery thread” which now had flown over the balding head of the bog creature and getting Kira in the back!
- Stone peaks, Kaylen! – I snapped, jumping to one side and exposing the hand charged with the “thorn wall— Stone peaks!
- Sorry!— the woman shouted, frantically “shuffling” spells.
Something crashed— Cray and Bom were engaged in battle, standing on either side of Kira and crashing the Krabber. The monster didn’t remain inactive, a
nd hit Bom with a long leaf shaped spear. Damn it!
On the back of Kirea whipped the “OzOzh”— our experienced paladin had lost quite a bit of life. Doc panicked and in full turmoil began to lash all he could.
I took aim at the middle of the corridor at the bony frame of the Krabber, and didn’t have a chance to cast the “wall” because the whip slapped into my face. Startled, I stumbled away and hit my head against the stone wall. Before my eyes flashed smiling stars— literally. Another trick of Valdira. Always at the wrong time!
Fuck!
- Doc! Enough whipping! – I shouted, putting up my hand again among the stars and looking for my target— Easy!
A quiet rustling and among the Krabber rose prickly rose bushes with jaunty white flowers. The monster was not diminished in life by even one point, though now he actively tossed among the thorns. Armor! Only now it dawned on me— my miserable thorns were nothing to the Krabber! They were simply breaking off against his unyielding armor! But the “thorny wall” at least significantly slowed him down, enveloping his arms and legs.
-D-damn it! – I yelled, shuffling spells.
The Krabber issued a high pitched squeaky sound— more like the cry of a dolphin.
A damned cage bird singing!
He’s calling backup!?
Bam!
Directly under the Krabber rose a hefty stone peak, and hit him with a crunch at all four legs.
- Oo-oo-oo— the males in the group groaned in chorus, unable to resist sympathizing with the sufferer.
The Krabber was not especially injured from the hit, and wasn’t going to bend in “male pain.” He has armor there too!
- Press him against the wall! – Kira growled, pressing onwards— Stumpy! Back! Cray, Bom, corner the freak! Get him in the armpits when he raises his hands! And in the knees! There are cracks in the armor there! Thrust deep and turn!
The experienced warrior began to command, of which I was only glad of— I was slightly confused.
- Kaylen! When we press him to the wall— right away cast a few “peaks” under his thighs! – she continued to yell, actively wielding her shield— Ros, the “wall” is no longer cast!
- Got it! – I cried, falling to my knees and peeking out between the warriors to cast the spell. I was aiming right at his face, at the strange helmet with eyes. And that’s where it hit.
The Krabber furiously screeched, clearly offended by this.
The half orc didn’t miss his chance, delivering several crushing blows on the head of the Krabber. The banging on the head of the monster produced a large cracking sound. The armor was breaking!
From somewhere in the ceiling collapsed Nathan the ghost, clutching his long legs into the eyes on the enemy. Somewhere in the misty body I saw a flash of purple, and the Krabber howled as though he were being pumped with acid.
- Well done! – Kirea snapped, momentarily lifting her shield and kicking the Krabber in the chest.
The Krabber reciprocated, and so well that Doc immediately had something to do with his whip— Bom’s life slipped by a third from a severe blow to the throat. At least not a crit! Our doctor again began enthusiastically whipping the back of the orc.
- Push him with your shields! – the paladin shouted, ignoring the spells cast by Kaylen and I rushing by in close proximity.
All three of the soldiers stepped forwards in a wall of shields. The ugly opponent jerked his broken head and punched the shields with both hands, and they were forced to take a step back.
- More! More! – Kira cheered.
The warriors stepped forward again, pressing the enemy to the wall.
With a thud the Krabber hit the wall and shook his head, pouring green slime generously over his enemies from the cracks in his armor. Kaylen didn’t forget the instructions. Under the monster’s feet grew a stone peak, literally pinning him to the wall.
- Take that! – commanded Kira, tearing a short mace from her belt— Grisly centaur!
The rest of the soldiers followed suit and we— magicians, healers and exorcists of spirits— stopped, helplessly staring at the wall and the powerful enemy.
Having closed in, they hid the enemy – we weren’t going to attack our own.
The corridor was filled with a wild roaring and crunching— the soldiers literally hammered the twitching and screaming Krabber to the wall, furiously wielding weapons and shields. The ghost of Nathan rushed to his bald host, scatting between the half orc’s legs. Doc ventured forward and touched Cray with his hand, infusing him with life. He touched him and immediately jumped back, rightly fearing impact with the Krabber.
Behind us excitedly danced the bog creature, waving his tiny fists, and shouting something clearly obscene in his language. The words “govosyuk- matyuk” I definitely caught. Under my legs was the spinning wolf, howling with excitement and looking at me— come on, owner, let’s go and bite him just once!
But I was not thinking about bites now. I turned around and searched the darkness with all my available senses. I didn’t want to miss the Krabber relatives.
Soon the “grisly centaur” fell with a crash to the stone floor. Before my eyes flashed a line about getting experience.
The warriors reluctantly parted, breathing wearily. “Burned”— at the full level of fatigue, no less. What else did I expect? We had walked right into a meat grinder. Here, dedication would not be enough. Especially at our level.
- It there had been two – said Kira, rising from the floor with the spear of the Krabber— Many would have departed for the revival checkpoint. Damn… too bad about my sword!
- I’ll buy you a new one! – I hastened to assure her. She had saved us from certain death.
- You will – nodded Kira— I assure you that you will. And you’ll give me Stump-eyes!
- Stumpy agrees! – said the bog monster, clinging to Kira’s foot— Oh, lady! Savior! I gift myself to you!
Savior! Gifting himself! I also saved his skin!
Of course he will not be “gifted,” he is simply expressing his extreme gratitude. Before it was my knee he was clinging to. However, he didn’t express his emotions so violently.
But I was being quite severe with him, and Kira was kind. That’s why the creature was being attachy…
For revenge I am going to call her Kira the Bog Creature! Not here, but in real life when we are alone.
- Oh— drawled Kira, patting the creature on the top of his head— My reputation level has increased with him! Honey you’re mine! Have some fish.
- Thank you, Kir-rea— I came to my senses at the last moment and called her by her game name, rather than her real one— If not for you, there would be one bog creature less in Valdira.
- It worked! – the half orc nodded— Respect! What a reaction, damn it!
While Bom uttered his appreciation he managed to gather from the floor “the cool remains” of the Krabber and hide them in his bag. I saw fragments of the shell and the terrible claw. Now Bom reached eagerly for the spear clutched in Kira’s hand.
- I’ll keep the spear— Kira smiled sweetly, throwing the long pole behind her back – The weapon is not much, but if you need to get someone in the last minute— it’s a sweet deal.
- What about a sword? – asked Cray.
- I have another one. My last one. I forgot that Krabbers love to ruin enemy artillery. It’s not a claw they have but a miniature crusher. And he got my shield too…
- Sorry for the “friendly fire” – said Kaylen— I didn’t change my spells, and that was the result…
Now the apology was accepted. But if it was something above the rank of “fiery thread” then a couple of our friends would “fly.”
- It’s not your fault! – Cray immediately rushed to her defense— Happens to all of us.
- That’s right— I nodded— It happens. I screwed up too. I didn’t see him until he started to attack.
- I too! – said Kira with annoyance— I barely had time to react!
- And wha
t if this Krabber missed the soldiers in the front, and jumped on us? – Doc voiced his concern, carefully reeling in the “OzOzh.”
- We would immediately end up with nothing— I said— No armor, no life. Damn… this is a problem. Cray, did you also not see the monster until he started to attack?
- Nope— the discouraged dwarf shook his head— Didn’t even pay him a glance.
- Kirea, any ideas? – I asked, not hesitating to ask the advice of a more experienced “party” fighter.
- Well, we know the main thing— she shrugged— We can kill a lone Krabber. Even if he attacks suddenly. Moreover, we killed him without using the prepared surprises. Which is good. What remains to be determined is how we will cope with two at once. Again, without surprises. Just with our gear and skills.
- Damn it! We should have given the final blow to the elf— belatedly said Bom.
- You were beating him with such rage that it was scary even approaching you— I chuckled.
- Yes— smiled the half orc— We are strong and ferocious!
- Rest for five minutes— I ordered, first falling to the floor— We have to think! Oh! – I leapt up instantly— Idea!
- What? – Kaylen was interested.
- Int-teresting? – said the younger brother of the Black Baroness.
- Fire thread! – I blurted out— If you regularly shoot not at the ceiling, but at waist level, them it should hit any lurking Krabbers! Right! But damn…
- You can’t let a mage go in front— Kira nodded, understanding— One hit, if that, and hello “revival.” It won’t work. Ros, we won’t change anything. Just triple the caution. Poke weapons in every niche and hole. If you notice a peculiar build up— shoot “coal” or something. This is the only way.
The Way of the Clan 4 (World of Valdira) Page 22