AVARICE ONLINE: KEL'VAN RED HAND

by Titus Nettles

  “What do you mean the other sects?” she said coldly. “The other 4 sects have spies in my own retinue?!”

  The dying Holmgren, now lying on his back, began to laugh and point at the ceiling.

  “There..cough…up there…is where they put an Eye of Sol’saa. Very expensive…. but having someone kill the guards here warranted it…. Now their findings have been…. vindicated.”

  So, they did have spies in her sect. Not that it mattered now.

  “As we speak these images…. cough…. are being sent…I hope you find what you seek…. cough…for your sect will be destroyed…cough…for their…. ambition. “said the guard “You alone…cough… will be…. alive to have it…” then he smiled as his head turned to the side. “For a time…” breathing his last words, the light faded from his eyes.

  Ora’El remained silent as she stood over the guard's corpse who just told her that her sect was doomed. The other members of her retinue stared thoughtfully at her. The biggest of them stepped forward and got on one knee.

  “Mistress, shall we leave to help our sect?”

  “To what end?” said a morose Ora’El. “That crystal has been sending images since we entered. No doubt, they have already begun their attack. No, our only task now is to stay the course and get whatever the elemental is guarding to help what will remain of our sect.”

  Kel’Van eyed the Korai woman as she spoke her peace. It sounded like severe retribution to doom an entire people on the actions of one individual. But admittedly, he had very little information on how the politics of these people worked. For all he knew, they may be very well justified for their reaction. He did not know what the elemental was supposed to be guarding besides the exit for his party. To him, ultimately, it was the only thing that mattered.

  “We will rest enough to rebuild our stamina and magic resources,” Kel’Van said, interrupting the long silence. “Gather as much of the healing potions and salvageable gear we can get. Then we cross over into the instance.”

  Ora’El nodded her agreement and walked off silently with her guard.

  The looting was done swiftly as the miasmic smoked echoed the disposing of the bodies. Altogether, they were able to make off with a higher grade of gear, particularly leather, which became even more valuable for where they were headed. Ora’El turned to her retinue.

  “Do not enter the instance until we signal you to come through. I do not know the penalty for entering a 5-man instance when the limit is exceeded, but I have read that the consequences were fatal.”

  She then turned toward Kel’Van and his group who were standing next to the gate.

  “I am ready,” she pronounced, and she regally stepped toward the gate and passed through.

  “Well, let’s not keep the lady waiting,” said Kel’Van.

  They all walked through the gate one at a time, with Fer’shad being the last. Ora’El’s personal guard sat down and watched through the instance gate, praying to their gods for the party’s success.

  It was a short hop. As soon as Kel’Van walked through the gate, he had to brace himself from falling over as he landed. The gate opened up from a rugged downhill terrain of dirt and rocks. He had to almost get on his hands and knees to control his fall as he slid down, leaving a trail of brown dust in the air. He moved over to where the Korai woman was standing, holding her hand to her chest.

  “I guess she has a lot on her mind right now,” he thought. Hearing the sounds of his people sliding down the hill behind him, he nudged the princess on her shoulder. “Are you with us Ora’El?”

  “Yes,” she replied curtly

  “Okay, remember to do exactly as we planned. Stay back far enough that you’re in range to cast spells to keep that elemental in place.”

  She nodded in understanding as the rest of the party made their way over. They were eyeing the place in awe. No doubt, they haven’t seen an instance setting before, so it had to be a bit unsettling to them. For Kel’Van, it was just a bit gothic. It had the proper look of an abandoned crypt.

  They were in the midst of what appeared to be an ancient hall. There were four unlit torches in the room, two on each side, spaced out in the area. At the end of the hall was a grand door. On it was, drawing of two beings. One, a dark circle with two eyes in the middle, the other a woman who seemed to be covered in red flames. Both of which were on either side of the door. At the bottom, there was a circle in the shape of a sun. It had one gigantic eye that was covered in fire. On the outside of it was brown colored hands, four in total. They were also covered in fire.

  “What are those pictures on the door?” whispered Belar.

  “They are gods,” answered Ora’El. The dark sun on the left is Sol’saa, the god of Darkness, his eyes forever watching.” She then pointed to the right. “There, is the sun god Afarel, whose brightness sheds light upon the world. And there at the bottom is Robahn. Lord of the deep, blessed with affinities of both earth and fire.”

  “Is that where this door leads?” Voresh wondered aloud.

  “I don’t really care if it leads to Sol’saa’s bathroom. Kel’Van interjected. He then pointed behind him. “That instance gate behind us is the only door that matter’s and an elemental is stopping us from leaving. That’s what we are here for, so forget the archeology lesson and get in formation.”

  The party quickly formed up, with Fer’shad at the head and everyone else at their respective spots. No sooner as they got into position did a rumbling begin in the cave. Dust started to fall from the ceiling. Then mysteriously, the torch on the left came ablaze with fire, followed by another, then another. The torches went from east, south, west, then north as they all became lit. Then a shining light blazed through the center of the door creating a crease in the middle. Slowly, the door opened between the crease. At first, all they saw were glowing eyes and the silhouette of the elemental. Then it slowly walked through the door. It continued its gait till he was only 10 meters away from them.

  “I am Ter’Abran mortals,” it growled, “Welcome to my Gate and to your end.”

  CHAPTER 24

  Ter’Abran: Aberrant Elemental Level 12 HP 70,000 (Boss)

  All four of them were still in what Kel’Van called the “diamond formation.” Fer’shad in the lead with Voresh on his right, Kel’Van on the left and Belar in the rear. Ora’El was just a ways back.

  The aberrant elemental looked a whole lot more menacing up close. Like a blue and black satyr on steroids. He stood head and shoulders over everyone. His eyes, which couldn’t be seen from the instance window before, were burning coal red. The horns were curved inward, almost circling his ears and were pointed out like a bull. They were lit aflame and burning as if they were torches. The monster stood on four legs that ended in hooves. The legs were also covered in dark blue fur that was just thin enough to show the corded muscles beneath. The body was a mixture of almost midnight blue, with red veins all across its body. He was barrel-chested with bulging massive arms that reached halfway to his legs. Lastly, a large one-hander ax that he wielded at its side. He hefted the weapon as he smiled.

  “Time to meet your end mortals…”

  The beast raised up on its hind legs like a horse with its front hooves in the air.

  “Wait…why isn’t the monster stuck to the ground.?” thought Kel’Van.

  He turned quickly to see Ora’El looking at the elemental transfixed in horror. As the feet came crashing down on the ground, the earth shook, knocking dust from the ceiling and the rocks around them. The beast then followed up the attack with a sideswipe across the shield that Fer’shad had held up when Ter’Abran first raised his hooves.

  “At least one of us was paying attention in class,” murmured Kel’Van. “Ora’El get your head in the game and start casting those spells!”

  That yell seemed to break the stupor she was in, then she raised her hands, and the earth grabbed the elemental by its legs. Voresh reached out behind Fer’shad’s shield and landed a slash across the beast’s kneeca
p. It roared in rage more than pain. The blow didn’t seem to hurt the elemental badly. Which was not surprising given its HP. No, instance bosses were beaten by the pileup of assault by attrition, and like any boss fight, you were in there for the long haul.

  Immediately, Kel’Van and Belar dashed from Fer’shad, running along Ter’Abran’s right side. Knowing Ora’El’s current stuns only lasted 4 seconds, Kel’Van quickly ran his sword across the elemental's side. While Belar quickly rained hammer-like blows as she raced to the back of the elemental.

  The plan going in was to wait under Fer’shad’s shield, then wage a two-prong war. Ora’El would cast a stone spell to hold the elemental in place, while Belar and Kel’Van would make to the back of Ter’Abran and attack from there. At least till they figured out what he was capable of. Then Belar, following Kel’Van would regroup behind Fer’shad’s shield and change tactics if necessary.

  Kel’Van again struck the beast with his sword across its hind leg. Ter’Abran swung his ax backward, just missing him by inches. Belar quickly threw two punches at its other leg. The 4 seconds were up, and the ground let go of its grip on the elemental. It immediately turned and aimed its hand at the two of them. They scattered just in time as a cone of fire blasted where they were formerly standing. Belar, the faster of the two, had recovered quickly and threw a mailed covered punch at one of his front legs. He swung his ax in her direction, but she brought her arms together to shield herself. While the weapon did not cut her, the impact sent Belar flying past Kel’Van and crashing into a wall. She landed in a heap, slowly shaking her head to get her bearings. Ter’Abran’s arm shot a gouge of flame threatening to engulf her, but a wall of earth sprung up between her and the elementals jet of flame. Fer’shad and Voresh were now attacking Ter’Abran from his rear side, slashing their swords against his hind legs.

  Kel’Van ran at a full sprint and grabbed Belar by her arms, dragging her away. The wall was already crumbling from the streams of fire being thrown at it.

  “C’mon Belar, it’s just pain. It will pass!” he cried. He pushed some of his healing potion down her throat. She coughed both in pain and from the rushing of liquids going down the wrong pipe. It restored some of her hp, but she was still gritting her teeth in pain.

  “Your skin is still on Belar. It’ just hurts for now... But if you don’t get back into this, we’re dead.”

  “I’m fine captain,” she growled.

  “Good, anger is fine; we’ll need it to finish this fight.”

  They both turned to the battle and saw that Ter’Abran had returned to attacking Fer’shad and Voresh. They were both behind Fer’shad’s shield when the elemental raised itself on its hind legs again and stomped on the ground with its front feet. A wave seemed to flow underneath the ground, towards the two warriors. It broke apart once it slammed into Fer’shad’s shield. Ora’El, who stood directly behind them, but just farther back, also was not hit by the wave. But everything around them in a spread-out direction shook and toppled.

  “It’s an earth-based conal ability,” whispered Kel’Van.

  “What does that mean?” asked Belar. The concussive10 second burning effect had ceased and was no longer hurting her. At least, by the way she was able to answer without gritting her teeth in pain.

  “It means we have a workable plan until he’s at the halfway mark!”

  “What?!”

  “Just follow me Belar, we have to get back to the rest of them before his cool down ends!”

  They sprinted towards the two warriors who were underneath Fer’shad’s shield. The elemental had just swiped at the shield, then Voresh had retaliated with an overhead slash against his stomach, leaving a long red mark against its skin. Belar and Kel’Van had just scooted over to them from the wall.

  “Fer’shad, I know you’re tired and worn, but as soon as the elemental turns to attack us, gulp down as much of the healing potion you can!”

  “Yes captain,” said a weary Fer’shad. He was almost down to half his HP already from the constant shielding he had to endure. Kel’Van then sprinted the distance to Ora’El, while Fer’shad blocked another fire attack from Ter’Abran.

  “I’ll speak quickly because there isn’t a lot of time. Only use your earth spells to immobilize him after he does his stomp or turns around to attack us. If he tries it on us, just erect a wall in front to deflect it. This will save you mana and time. Fer’shad’s shield, if you haven’t noticed, is blocking the effects from hitting you. Got it?”

  “Yes, I’m already half-way through my mana stores.”

  Kel’Van hurried back toward Fer’shad and Voresh. Belar was eyeing him as Ter’Abran reared back on his hind-legs again. As soon as the front legs landed and the seismic earth-spell passed, both Belar and Kel’Van sprinted up the side. The elemental turned to attack them and was held in place by stone hands from the ground. He held out a fire spell that singed the back of Kel’Van. Gritting his teeth, he cast a heal on his back to mitigate the pain and the burn status he received from the blow.

  Flame spell hits for 35 hit points…burning effect 10 points for 10seconds

  Heal cast for 40 HP

  Voresh promptly renewed his assault with another overhand chop to his midsection, which he followed up with a sideways swing to the beast's lower leg. As soon as Voresh had attacked, Fer’shad downed one of his health potions behind his shield before Voresh returned beneath his barrier for cover. Ter’Abran, rightly sensing his immobility problems were caused by the mage in the back, tried to run around Fer’shad after the Earth grip spell wore off. The shield-bearing orc quickly sidestepped in the direction of the elemental’s right hoof, almost tripping him up, then blocked his path entirely.

  “You will die here, mortals!” Ter’Abran said, regaining his footing. With a growl, he gripped his ax in both hands and swung at the orc blocking his path. Voresh dipping out from under the shield and swung his sword in a slashing arc. Then using the momentum to strike again in a whirlwind like motion. Creating thin cuts along the elemental’s leg and stomach. In annoyance, Ter’Abran swung his weapon in a powerful chop against Voresh, sending him to his knees as he blocked the blow with his sword in both hands.

  Ora’El, who had moved to in a position diagonally behind Fer’shad, shot her hand out, casting another Earth gripping spell. Fer’shad fiercely bashed his shield against the beast’s stomach. Behind the elemental, Kel’Van blasted it’s rear end and back with a cone of fire. While Belar pounded its left flank with a metal-plated fist, then pivoted on her right foot to land a round-house kick to its leg. The 4-second stun wore off on Ter’Abran, then he spun and stood on his hind legs facing Belar and Kel’Van. Ora’El quickly raised a black wall in front of the elemental, shielding the two warriors from his seismic ground attack. Using the crumbling wall as a barrier, the pair attacked Ter’Abran with swords, fire, fists, and kicks.

  The battle against Ter’Abran continued in this fashion. Ora’El would stand behind or move so that the elemental could not target her while staying in range of Fer’shad. When the elemental would stomp the ground, the wedge created by Fer’shad’s shield would protect her and allowing her to also conserved mana. Then she would cast either the earth grip spell or an earth shield spell to control the speed or mitigate the damage that the elemental was trying to do.

  “It’s almost halfway there,” cried Kel’Van. The man had been both attacking the elemental and also keeping tabs on its health points. Now visible cuts and bruises could be seen on the body of the behemoth. Its legs and torso, a mountain of bulging red and black blue marks, stood testament to the amount of damage it had taken. Kel’Van signaled Belar with his chin, and they took off towards the front where Fer’shad and Voresh were holding off Ter’Abran’s fire attack from behind the shield.

  “Hang in their big guy, we’re halfway there,” Kel’Van encouraged Fer’shad. The heat from the flames of Ter’Abran was almost like sitting next to an open furnace. “I will endure captain. This thing will not keep us
from leaving this accursed place,” panted Fer’shad.

  Voresh swung his massive sword in an uppercut motion, trying his hardest to chop off the hand, shooting flames at them. The blade cleaved partially through the hand as the beast reactively shut off his flame and pulled the hand to his chest. Looking at the blood dripping from his injured limb, he clasped it into a fist. Then he peered at Voresh with his nostrils flaring.

  “Filthy worm!!!” Ter’Abran yelled.

  The monster’s skin turned from midnight blue to a reddish black. Then his ax ignited in flames as he rose up on his hind legs.

  “Voresh get your ass back here!” screamed Kel’Van. Voresh quickly ducked back under the crowded space underneath Fer’shad’s shield. “Here it comes; nobody attacks until I say so!”

  Then the onslaught began.

  Instead of Ter’Abran bringing down his front legs on the ground, he landed his hooves on Fer’shad shield. Three consecutive stomps of his hooves pounding down. Fer’shad was gritting his teeth in pain as he wrapped both his hands around the handle of his shield. Then the elemental gripped his flaming ax in both hands and crashed his weapon upon the shield, slamming Fer’shad deeper on his knees till he was almost on the ground. Kel’Van watched as the tank’s health plummeted. But the gamer in him was also counting the duration of each attack and the type of attack Ter’Abran was using. He slipped almost all of his health potions next to Fer’shad and patted him on his leg. “Use these as soon as we attack.”

  Kel’Van looked at his team and said, “Get Ready.” Ter’Abran then started pouring jets of flame on the shield. The erstwhile captain screamed “NOW,” and the three warriors streamed out from behind their tank and attacked the aberrant elemental with abandon. Kel’Van led the charge with a stab at the abdomen of the beast. The sword cut partially through the skin, sinking a quarter way through, instead of the scraping of his earlier attacks caused.

  “So, the more hp he loses, the more damage he takes, at least some things stayed the same,” he noticed.