Manifest

by Cody Whitfill

  Kraznik had done his best meerkat impersonation. He shot up in a flash, looking absolutely terrified at hearing the evil laughter from high above. Having overcome his own initial shock, Gitch removed Kraznik‘s blindfold but left his bindings in place.

  Kraznik looked around wildly, trying to see where the imps were coming from, and how many were in their party.

  “Kraz, the imps are above and outnumber us easily 5 to 1. Tell me now, will you fight with us?”

  Kraznik took just a minute to calm himself before nodding. He still looked scared, but there was now a resolve in his eyes that Gitch had not seen before. For the first time, Kraznik had someone to fight alongside. He was not alone.

  Gitch removed the bonds and set the imp free. Contrary to what he might have thought, the imps above were not pleased in the slightest upon seeing their fellow released. In fact, this act sent them into a frenzy. Seeing one of their own working alongside fairies was blasphemous. Several of the imps started visibly shaking, whether due to anger or anticipation, he didn’t know.

  The imps began jostling to the front, ready to be the first to shed blood. Their large leader could not hold his jittery troupe back any longer. He waved his hand forward, and the entire flock dove towards their hated enemy.

  The three trained fairies shot colorful magic into the diving horde. They remained calm and collected, never was an ounce of fear found on their faces. Gitch respected them all the more. Even the two less disciplined fairies knew their roles and performed perfectly under pressure.

  Pinaki’s beam was a sage green, and the imp he had targeted didn’t even try to dodge. Rather, it took the hit in the mid-section and became ensnared in a thick leafy vine. He was not truly immobilized, however, as he was still falling towards the ground at an alarming rate. Unfortunately for him, he had just lost the ability to flap his wings.

  Wasi shot forth two purple bolts. Each struck a different target, and a taught rope, thick as a hawser, sprung forth to link the two unfortunate imps together. The dark line slowly started to pull the two wriggling and screaming creatures together. It almost looked like slow-motion horizontal bungie jumping. Gitch thought it would stop once they finally touched. It didn’t.

  They screamed as they continued to be melded into one another, helpless to do anything to stop their wretched fate. Gitch heard bones break and tissue tear as a new, hideous creature was formed behind a terrifying purple cloud of crackling energy. The cloud soon disappeared, revealing a truly hellish creature. It had three arms, stood one and a half foot tall, and somehow gained an additional three eyes, each burning with a purple flame.

  There was a hideous shriek as the creature took a swipe at one of the imps watching in horror at what became of his two former friends. The imp lost an arm and half his face in its hesitancy, which were quickly devoured by the horrid creature. Gitch made a mental note never to piss off Wasi.

  A cone of golden light radiated out from Chitt‘s hands. It was beautiful, and the four imps caught in its glow became dazed in its brilliance. They stalled in their advance, unable or unwilling to continue. The look of wonder on their faces was short lived, however, as the light unleashed its secondary effect. As one, the imps formed a screaming quartet. There must have been some confusion as to who would play the lead singer, though, because each was trying to scream over the others. Smoke rose from each of them as their skin slowly dripped off of their bodies. Gitch looked on in shock as the living imps were melting before his eyes.

  He had always thought magic would be more civilized than a melee affair. He wouldn’t have to hack off limbs or slash throats. He could just send a spell towards his enemy and they would fall over dead. Reality was much different. Blood, gore, liquid skin, and he didn’t want to know what else began falling from the sky, pelting them all in the head. It was disgusting, but he didn’t have time to freak out. It was his turn to join the fray.

  He was out of poop for the day, but he still had his wing blast spell. The spell might have had a shorter range than those cast by the other fairies, but he didn’t care. Gitch wasn’t just going to wait for them to fly into range, he wanted to fight!

  Much to the dismay of his new friends and allies, Gitch flew into the air to meet the foe head on. Five imps caught sight of the arrogant little fairy and rushed to meet him. They began salivating, eager to be one of the first to taste sweet fairy blood. The five imps surged forward in fits of prideful rage.

  When the last imp was roughly 10 feet away, Gitch launched his wing blast spell. He again felt his wings elongate and the gust of air roar passed his body.

  Congratulations! Wing Blast has increased to level 2!

  +1% range

  +1 damage

  The blast hit all five enemies, with varying degrees of success. One of the imps simply dove back down to earth, much like Kraznik when Gitch had cast the spell for the first time. Two imps started fighting each other in confusion. He wasn’t sure if they were both enchanted or not. The one might just be trying to fend off his former friend. It didn’t matter either way, as the larger of the two grappled with the other, causing both to tumble out of the sky.

  Gitch wasn’t sure whether they lived or died, as the remaining two imps charged him. These were unaffected by the spell’s confusion effect. He had no idea how he would fight both creatures, who were both twice as tall as he was. The cooldown to cast wing blast again would not expire until after the pair attacked, and by then it would be too late. Gitch pulled out his trident, readying himself for his heroic last stand.

  He wasn’t about to run. He wasn‘t going to live this life a coward. Maybe he could fend off the imps long enough so the others could make their escape. He held the trident in both hands and moved to intercept the enraged pair of devil imps.

  They were less than a foot away. One of them held both arms stretched wide and a wicked looking dagger in each hand. It was very 1kamikazee-esque, and freakier than… well he had never seen a monster fly at him full-speed while holding a pair of daggers and screaming for his blood. This was something previously found only in nightmares or Hollywood. As far as he was concerned, it could stay there.

  The daggers looked like they could cause some serious damage, but what truly worried him was the green tinge along each edge- poison. It would be impossible for Gitch to block both arms. He lacked anything that resembled proper training. What the imps lacked in magic, they more than made up for in brute strength.

  The other imp was trying to flank him on the off chance Gitch was able to deflect or dodge the attack. He began circling to Gitch‘s left, secretly hoping for his partner to fail so he could strike the killing blow. He didn’t need theatrics, only tactics. So what if his partner failed. He was just the distraction, and he didn’t really like him anyway.

  That was the last thought that passed through his cocky impy head. There was still one more ranged fighter on the ground, even if his attacks were a tad less colorful.

  Dwik was slinging furiously. His small stones were more than enough to take out an imp in one hit due to his own arm strength and accuracy. Killed or unconscious imps started raining from the sky due to the gnome’s onslaught.

  Dwik had given Gitch the opening he needed. Now that he had just one enemy in front of him, he could think more clearly. He wasn’t wielding that stupid sewing needle anymore. He had a freaking trident!

  He thrust forward with all his strength, which was actually very low. He may be weaker than a baby cockroach, but it hardly mattered in the end. The trident’s reach was much greater than the daggers’, and his high dexterity made him a regular Jack Sparrow. Savvy? He buried the trident in the imp‘s snarling face, and black blood spurted from three separate holes.

  You have slain level 4 Imp Scout

  Experience points received: 29 (28)

  Congratulations! You have learned the skill: Polearm Proficiency

  While some prefer the sword or dagger, you prefer to keep your enemies a bit further than arms reach. It’s typically
safer that way.

  While wielding a polearm, you experience the following:

  +2% damage

  +2% accuracy

  “Why is the rum always gone?!” He howled and cackled like a mad man, losing himself to the lust of battle. Similar to diving, fighting gave him such a rush! Something about almost dying and turning the tables on his foe was just exhilarating!

  He was about to go searching for more imps to slaughter when he heard the sergeant cry out, “Get your doodle berries back down here now or I will stick my foot so far up your squelcher that I will clean my toes with your tongue!”

  Daaang, Pinaki knew how to draw a fairy back to reality! Coming back to himself, he saw at least 15 more imps making a bee-line straight for him. Eyes wide, he dove as fast as he could back to his group. He spared a glance over his shoulder and saw at least a dozen were just a few feet behind him.

  “OH, FRICK! FRICK! FRICK! FRICK! FRICK! FRICK! FRICK!...” He shouted, hoping he would make it back before being turned into an imp version of Gitchburger Helper. He darted toward the forest floor, chanting his litany of frick the entire way.

  It was close, but flying with magic still beat their old fashion flapping. Amateurs. Dwik and the fairies provided covering fire until he was ‘safely‘ back with his team near the ground.

  In his peripheral vision, he saw Kraznik throw something into the air. After a quick three seconds, a brilliant flash of light filled the battlefield. Apparently, their imp ally had some explosives left after all. That was good.

  The three fairy NPCs grabbed their tridents with both hands, foregoing magic for the time being. The wolf pack tore into the imps once they came within range. Alpha bit both legs off an imp that flew a little too close, and Goldie decapitated another with a swipe of her paw. They were not without casualties, however.

  Runt leapt after an imp but was caught and carried by five more. The wolf let out a whimper as the imps flew 10, 20, then 30 feet into the air before simultaneously releasing their hold. The wolf 1yelped in fear as he rocketed back to the earth. He landed with a loud thud and didn not get back up.

  Another imp flew between the legs of Half-Tail and split her belly open with his poisoned dagger. She collapsed to the ground, but would still try and bite or swipe any imp that flew too close. Her movement delayed with time, each attack striking slower than the one before. She wouldn’t last much longer, but her fighting spirit wouldn’t quit. This sent the three remaining wolves into a rage, and they each let out a deep howl as they took their vengeance upon any of the winged devils within reach.

  Gitch saw an imp fly low, trying to make its way between Alpha‘s legs, presumably to try and do to Alpha what he had seen done to Half-Tail. Gitch was not about to let that happen. He zoomed behind the imp just as it began to raise a dagger to Alpha‘s under belly. Gitch let out a resounding war cry and jabbed his trident through the creatures back. It wasn’t an instant kill, but the imp did fall to the ground paralyzed. It just lay on the ground, unable to move anything but its shrieking mouth. Alpha looked down in disgust and stepped on its head. The screaming abruptly stopped.

  You have slain level 6 Imp Scout

  Experience points received: 41 (46)

  The fairies began zipping in and out between legs and low trees, trying to shake the imps that were tailing them. The fairies stood no chance in a straight up fight with the powerful enemy, but they were able to score some hits nonetheless.

  Chitt and Wasi began playing chicken with one another. They would fly straight at each other at full speed, breaking off at the last instant. At that point, one of two things would happen. Either the trailing imps would smash into each other, or the fairies would simply stick out their weapon and rake the enemy as they flew past. Their enhanced mobility allowed them to avoid the imps outstretched daggers with apparent ease.

  Gitch had been busy dodging daggers and wolf legs as he maneuvered around the battle field. He would occasionally see flashes of blue or purple, signifying the expiration of a cooldown for his allies’ spells. He also cast his wing blast spell as often as possible, but he had to be extra careful that none of his allies were in the spell radius. Already outnumbered, they could ill-afford any of their party to become incapacitated by friendly fire. Still, he was able to cast wing blast enough to increase his spell to level 4.

  Gitch saw Kraznik fly over to Dwik with raised hands. The imp was just as likely to be attacked by either side. Dwik urged him forward, and Kraz placed something in his relatively large hand. Dwik looked at the object in astonishment before a wicked smile stretched across his face.

  Kraznik tugged on his arm and pointed at a group of ten imps hovering in the air. Dwik didn’t say a word but simply put the object in his sling, took aim, and fired. Gitch may not have seen the explosion, but he sure felt the concussive BOOM. The sky turned white, and bits of imp rained from the sky. Just how many bombs did Kraz have? And where had he stored them?!

  Gitch was given new hope. Even though they had suffered casualties, the imp forces were greatly diminished. He saw a few turn and retreat, while several others looked hesitant to press the attack. They could win this!

  An imp suddenly grabbed a hold of his wing, and he was again reminded just how strong the brutes were. He tried his best to shake him loose, but the imp had latched on tight. Gitch could feel his wing tear as an intense pain shot through his body.

  YOU HAVE SUFFERED 37 PHYSICAL DAMAGE!

  YOU ARE BLEEDING! TAKE 1 BLEEDING DAMAGE PER SECOND FOR 10 SECONDS.

  Along with the other crappy moves GameChangers had pulled, they had increased all pain and sensitivity levels to 100%. Jerks. He felt himself start losing control of his flight as the imp gained a stronger and stronger hold. He was becoming delirious when he heard a bark above the sound of battle.

  “NOT MY GITCH FAIRY! NO! NO! NO!”

  Alpha appeared from his right and clamped down hard on the imp’s head with her powerful jaws. She gave a short jerk and he heard a very audible snap as both tendon and bone were ripped apart. She released her hold, and the limp body fell to the ground. The head was still attached, but only just.

  He didn’t care! Alpha had saved him! Gitch gave her a loving smile and flew up to give her head a good scratch. She closed her eyes in pleasure.

  He was happily scratching his friend and savior, when he felt her body give a sudden jolt. Her back legs gave out, and she toppled over. As she lay on the ground, Gitch could see her fur was blackened and large chunks of flesh from her back legs and a portion of her flanks were simply gone. She wasn’t losing much blood, as the wounds had already cauterized. Still, she didn’t look good.

  Small flames licked the grass around her body. Someone had used fire magic on his Alpha! The strange thing was, he hadn’t seen any of his allies using fire magic, and they certainly wouldn’t use it one of their wolf allies. That could only mean… he looked up.

  The imp flock leader looked down at him with a savage grin. He hawked up a glob of spit and let loose on the downed wolf. The five imps behind cheered as Gitch’s blood began to boil. He hadn‘t been so full of hate since Tommy’s ‘death’. Alpha was dead or dying, and he was staring at the very demon responsible. Nothing would stand in the way of his retribution.

  Gitch started to shake with rage, but he knew he needed to stay in control. His rage was a river to push and strengthen him, not an ocean to drown in. He slowly lifted himself into the air. He gazed quickly at his list of abilities, searching for the new spell he had acquired only yesterday. Gitch knew the effects were random, but had a strong sense the universe would not fail him now. Not this time. He reached within himself and activated polymorph.

  He felt every cell in his body change in the most excruciating way. He grew well over six feet tall and at least ten feet wider. His wings disappeared, and a thin skin formed between his fingers and toes. His tongue felt uncomfortably large inside his mouth, and his saliva felt almost carbonated. The transformation was immense but took less than a
second. When complete, a new message appeared.

  You have morphed into a Dire-Toad

  Warning! You must transform back to fairy form within 10 minutes!

  Congratulations! Polymorph has increased to level 2!

  Maximum duration increased to 11 minutes.

  Gitch opened his mouth to deliver a speech of vengeance. How they would pay for killing his friends, but he felt a large gas bubble building up and all that escaped from his mouth was one croak-like roar. The imps still looked petrified, so he figured he might have gotten his point across after all.

  A few more of the imps retreated until only the large imp and three of his more faithful companions remained high above. There were still several that were fighting near the ground, but his allies were handling themselves well enough at this point.

  Gitch puffed out his chest, readying as the three imps dove on him. He sensed they must also have the dive-bombing skill, seeing as each grasped a spiked metal ball in their hands. If that were the case, they now had a much lower chance to dodge his attack. All the better!

  He waited until they were 15 feet away before spitting out a ball of green mucous at the lead imp. He was hit on the top of his head, the only portion visible from Gitch’s position on the ground. The imp screamed as he saw the glob approach, but whether this was out of disgust or fear, Gitch would never know.

  It turned out that the carbonated saliva in his mouth was actually a potent acid. The imp‘s head started dissolving from the pointed ears on up. His screams were soon silenced as the corrosive spit started eating away at the brain. He was dead in seconds. A notification appeared, but he quickly swiped it away so he could take another shot.

  His two fellow imps didn’t even slow. They continued their dive for another half second, releasing two spiked balls which streaked toward the giant toad-fairy. There was no way he could dodge in time. Instead, he spat another glob at the fleeing imps, hitting one of them in his right wing. He heard a howl of pain, but didn’t pay it any mind as the spiked balls slammed into his soft flesh.