by Skyler Grant
Alex toggled Analysis Mode and the world shifted as his vision updated. Although Alex wasn't exactly sure what he was looking for, he had some ideas where he should begin. The fact that no bodies had been encountered and that nobody had seen anything meant whatever he was hunting avoided crews of people and the most harvested area.
If he was going to find anything his best option would be tracks of workers traveling alone deeper into the wood where many trees still stood. The forest preserved signs of passage well and there turned out to be no shortage of these. It appeared mostly to be people relieving themselves, just into the forest out of sight before lingering near a tree.
Alex followed several of these tracks without any signs of anything like foul play. That seemed reasonable. The vast majority of these were going to be dead-ends.
Changing tactics, Alex moved even farther into the woods and began to circle through the area where the woodcutters had been plying their trade. It also exposed him to the same threat that might have grabbed the lumberjacks—which would be one way to identify the danger.
The first three trails Alex found went a little deeper and circled back, but the fourth he found something unusual. A woodcutter’s axe propped against a tree. It didn't make sense for someone to abandon a perfectly good tool.
He hadn’t gone much further when he found a body. The chest cavity had been burst apart and based on decomposition the man had been dead for weeks.
There were a few other, unusual things about the scene—as if a corpse wasn’t enough—and Alex set to analyzing them in order of what he considered their strangeness.
The man was naked and his clothes were in a pile nearby. Alex knelt down and looked over the garments.
Clothing, mens, peasant
Poorly maintained
No signs of claw or teeth marks on cloth
It was a mystery, what would have convinced this man to remove his clothing?
Alex moved onto examining the body closely. He started with the eyes which were a solid white, with no pupil or iris.
Eyes
Monochromatic
Possible possession or infection
Possession might explain things. It certainly could cause unusual behavior. Alex studied the massive wound in the midsection. The stench was awful.
Abdominal Damage
Surrounding blood patterns suggest injuries occurred after death
Missing mass. Multiple organs consumed.
No signs of dining on external flesh
There was one last bit of unexplained damage. The man's genitals seemed to have been particularly mangled.
Genitalia (male)
Massive trauma
Unconsumed
That all seemed like enough to identify what was responsible and yet Alex's Grimoire still wasn’t returning any results. There didn't seem to be any other clues. Alex wasn't going to start a fire even if the corpse should be burned. He'd make a note of the location and send someone back to retrieve the body later and give it a proper burial.
Alex resumed his search through the forest. There had been more than one victim and if the first didn't give him what he needed then the answer might be to find another body.
It took an hour of pushing through the trees and following trails that came to nothing. The sight of the next corpse didn't fill him with confidence, mostly because this body was so different than the last.
The man was sprawled out on the forest floor and surrounded in a pool of blood, fully clothed and face-down. An axe was nearby, the blade coated with a dried black fluid.
The smell even after some time was distinctive, memorable. Rotblood.
Alex studied the axe to log that into the bracer, then turned his attention to the corpse, flipping it over.
The throat had been torn out and the body showed a number of deep gouges.
Throat
Teeth marks, circular mouth with triangular teeth
Alex moved on to the torso and the claw marks.
Claw wounds
Groupings of four
Straight nails
Correlation with previous corpse
Deductive Engine analyzing data
Match Found
Grimoire Entries Unlocked
Deep Spawn
Alignment: Black
Deep Spawn are the children of Deep Maidens who have lured men to their deaths in the ocean. Their claws can infect a target with a wasting disease of the muscles that in many cases can prove fatal. Their mouths can attach through suction onto a target while their teeth grind it away.
Vulnerabilities
Harmonized Steel, Lightning, Decapitation, Essence of Earth
Resistant to Slashing, Blunt
Previous body related to a connected entity
Deep Maiden
Alignment: Black
Deep Maidens are Glitch most commonly found in the ocean although any body of water can host one. They possess a hypnotic gaze and their touch is a powerful aphrodisiac. They mate with their victims, planting eggs inside of them in the process which later grow into Deep Spawn.
Vulnerabilities
Deep Maidens possess little in the way of natural defenses, rather their ability in self-defense comes from offensive abilities in taking the fight out of a foe. It is advised when fighting them to not meet their eyes and to avoid physical contact.
That latest upgrade to the bracer was already starting to pay for itself. The improved Grimoire was useful as well.
Alex could start to put together what had happened. The first victim, or perhaps victims, had fallen prey to a Deep Maiden who used her abilities to seduce them and fill them with eggs. These eggs had eventually hatched and become Deep Spawn who were now killing on their own.
This stretch of woods was near the ocean. Either the Deep Maiden had wandered into the woods from the beach or there was some other body of water nearby where she had taken up residence.
That was something that Alex could easily check. He scouted for one of the older trees with a good branches, climbing up so that he could get a view above the forest.
The ocean was close to the north, and perhaps a quarter mile away to the south there was a small lake. Alex clambered down and set off south.
All this seemed likely to be unrelated to the quest that brought him to Falkirk, but was it? It hadn't escaped his notice that both these kills were made by a Glitch utilizing black quintessence.
Regardless of whether these events could be connected to any sort of master plan, he always needed to be on his guard. Drawing closer to the lake he found another body. This one was more akin to the first, the clothing tossed to the side and very similar mutilations.
The lake was probably home to a Deep Maiden then, maybe more than one, although he didn't think so. If they were typically found in the ocean, this one had probably somehow gotten lost and wound up here. It would likely be alone, although if the Deep Spawn were as fond of the water as their mother, the lake could also be home to them.
Closer to the water he picked another tree to climb. Alex wanted to make sure he got a good look at what he was getting into before whatever was at the lake got a look at him.
The water of the lake was wrong, a brackish color with black goo washed onto the shore. There were shapes moving there, five slouched forms with grayish flesh and black eyes. They moved in and out of the water.
Alex couldn't see anything that might be the Maiden. Perhaps she was out on a hunt or had already returned to the ocean.
Alex had a few ampules of lightning that Yasmine had given him for the potion-caster. Alex swapped them for his current load-out before he got down from the tree. Drawing both sword and hammer he inched his way through the forest to the lakeshore.
The stench here was overwhelming, thick and putrid. Again it was similar to the aroma of rotblood, something that spoke of death and decay. There was dissonance as well, the multiple Glitch creating a din to Alex's ears, and he sifted through the tones.
Deep Sp
awn
Alignment: Black
Level: 2
Hitpoints 24/24
The Deep Spawn were all the same level and health. Good, there weren't going to be any surprises there. There was still no sign of the Deep Maiden. That was one foe in particular he didn’t want to let get close. The goal here would be to kill the Deep Spawn as quickly as possible and then to pull back. There might be more in the lake and he didn't want to get overwhelmed.
It was time to come up with a plan.
21
“I must inform you once again that a large-scale version of a potion-caster is impractical. I’ve attached designs for my weighted siege ladders and urge you to consider them instead.” Correspondence between Valek Moore, House of Artifice and King Moloki of Verova.
Alex had decided to load up lightning because it was one of their vulnerabilities. He was always reluctant to use ampules—he didn’t know how to make replacement potions—but between Yasmine being back in town, and Sabrina and Kationa at the keep, he shouldn’t have a problem replacing any ammunition later.
In terms of weapons the choice was obvious. Given their resistance to blunt-damage his Songhammer would be much less effective. Even with some magic damage and the stunning enhancement he couldn't rely on it. His Songblade would need to be carefully utilized too. The Deep Spawn were also resistant to slashing. Stabs and trusts were going to be his primary attack. He'd need to hang back, pick his moments carefully and lunge.
Once Alex struck a tone the fight would be on, so he waited until he got into position. The Deep Spawn were still going in and out of the lake. Alex would start by firing a lightning ampule into the water. It should conduct the electricity well, and if he timed it properly he could catch multiple Deep Spawn with a single shot.
It called for patience.
It was curious how right all this felt, watching these murderous monsters without them knowing about it and waiting for his moment. To be the hunter, hunting hunters.
It was almost five minutes until Alex got the opportunity. Three of the Deep Spawn were in the lake close to each other and he ran forward, aiming his arm and releasing the potion.
The lightning ampule shot out, glass cracking when it hit the water. Bolts of electricity danced along the surface of the lake and struck the three Deep Spawn.
You have hit the Deep Spawn with your Lightning
7 Lightning Damage
Vulnerability Exploited
14 Damage Dealt
You have hit the Deep Spawn with your Lightning
5 Lightning Damage
Vulnerability Exploited
10 Damage Dealt
You have hit the Deep Spawn with your Lightning
4 Lightning Damage
Vulnerability Exploited
8 Damage Dealt
That wasn't enough to kill any of them, but it did some damage. The three hit were stunned. The two out of the water were rushing at Alex with alarming speed.
Alex had to make a decision in a moment. Either he got off a second shot at those in the water, or he defended himself against the two charging him.
There wasn't going to be a better opportunity to hit the first three again. Alex kept his arm steady, loaded another ampule into the chamber, and fired. The vial exploded against the water.
You have hit the Deep Spawn with your Lightning
6 Lightning Damage
Vulnerability Exploited
10 Damage Dealt
A Deep Spawn has been killed
You have gained 3 Black XP
You have hit the Deep Spawn with your Lightning
5 Lightning Damage
Vulnerability Exploited
10 Damage Dealt
You have hit the Deep Spawn with your Lightning
5 Lightning Damage
Vulnerability Exploited
10 Damage Dealt
That was one down and two badly wounded from the lightning. Alex was left with one ampule in his potion-caster, he wouldn't be able to reload until after the fight.
The two Deep Spawn rushing him had closed the distance and lashed out with their claws.
You have been hit by the Deep Spawn
Dissonant Claws
9 Dissonant Damage
8 has been absorbed by your armor
7 Slashing Damage
4 has been absorbed by your armor
4 Damage received
You have resisted a dissonant disease
You have been hit by the Deep Spawn
Dissonant Claws
12 Dissonant Damage
8 has been absorbed by your armor
5 Slashing Damage
4 has been absorbed by your armor
5 Damage received
You have been infected by a dissonant disease
Negative Strength Modification Detected
Effect grows stronger over time
Quick conclusion to combat recommended
Alex could feel it already, a weakness in his limbs that was spreading. It was something that he could deal with for now. If it got worse then his bracer was right, he'd need to end things quickly.
Alex swiveled towards the Deep Spawn that succeeded in infecting him and drove a fist at its face. The mouth really was a nightmare. A circular hole filled with jagged, pointy teeth. Alex wasn't counting on the punch to do anything, not with this thing’s blunt resistance. Alex twisted his wrist at the last moment and released a lightning ampule through the open maw.
You have hit the Deep Spawn with your Lightning
Internal Damage
Spectacular Hit
45 Lightning Damage
Vulnerability Exploited
24 Damage Dealt
A Deep Spawn has been killed
You have gained 3 Black XP
The Deep Spawn stumbled backward, lightning crackling along its body as it spasmed wildly. Then with a loud pop it exploded into a mass of rotblood.
Alex had worried about wasting his last shot on a single target, but that was at least a gratifying use. His potion-caster empty, he drew his weapons. With his latest Songblade power there was a visual indicator on the blade, a soft blue glow, and he struck it harmonizing the steel.
Alex did the math. The two Deep Spawn crawling from the lake should be his first targets. They had already taken quite a lot of damage, one should have 4 HP left and the other 6 HP.
The closest Deep Spawn lunged at Alex, burying itself against his armor and he felt the scrape of teeth pressing in.
You have been hit by the Deep Spawn
Dissonant Fangs
17 Dissonant Damage
8 has been absorbed by your armor
25 Piercing Damage
4 has been absorbed by your armor
30 Damage received
Alex hadn't been expecting that. The sounds of teeth against armor were like a blade being honed against a grindstone. Alex tried to step backwards and the Deep Spawn came with him, suction holding it tight against his armor.
The others from the water closed in.
Alex couldn't let himself get surrounded. He had no idea just how much health he had left. Only that the attack had taken a good chunk of it.
When the other Deep Spawn got close he lashed out at each, aiming his hammer at the skull of the one he thought had less HP and thrusting his sword at the face of the other.
You have hit the Deep Spawn with your Songhammer
9 Blunt Damage
8 Blunt Damage Resisted
7 Magical Damage
2 Magical Damage Resisted
6 Damage Dealt
You have killed a Deep Spawn
You have gained 3 Black XP
You have hit the Deep Spawn with your Songblade
Harmonized
14 Harmonized Damage
1 Harmonized Damage Resisted
9 Piercing Damage
2 Piercing Damage Resisted
6 Damage Dealt
A Deep Spawn has been killed
Yo
u have gained 3 Black XP
The two dead Deep Spawn dropped. The one pressing against his abdomen pushed forward, knocking Alex off his feet. He went with it as the dreadful teeth continued to grind through his armor and into his flesh.
You have been hit by the Deep Spawn
Dissonant Fangs
13 Dissonant Damage
8 has been absorbed by your armor
24 Piercing Damage
4 has been absorbed by your armor
26 Damage received
Now Alex could feel the jaws chewing on his internal organs, dissonant damage at that. He absolutely could not survive another hit like this—he wasn't certain he could survive the one he'd just taken.
Alex dropped his hammer so he could grip the Songblade with both hands and force it into the creature’s skull, driving it into the brain and working it around.
You have hit the Deep Spawn with your Songblade
Harmonized
20 Harmonized Damage
1 Harmonized Damage Resisted
12 Piercing Damage
2 Piercing Damage Resisted
24 Damage Dealt
A Deep Spawn has been killed
You have gained 3 Black XP
That was that then. Alex kicked the Deep Spawn off him and fumbled for his potion belt, chugging down a healing potion. The strength was still fading from Alex's limbs from both the fierce nature of the fight and the wasting disease from the claw wounds.