Mixing It Up (The World Book 2)

by Jason Cheek

  It was at that moment when I finished my spiel that I realized there was silence behind me throughout the room. Turning around, I met the angry faces of the Light Elves and Gnomes that we’d freed. Slowly the thirty-five survivors gathered around muttering to one another when I felt a hand grip my shoulder as a small little hand slid into my other hand, looking back and forth I saw Miya and Minny standing with me. A moment later, Spog and Sergeant Traovudd stepped up beside them both to face the crowd as Miya’s voice rang out throughout the chamber.

  “Are we going to throw our lives away for a handful of these monsters or are we going to get back to Delonshire and make sure we come back with the force to slaughter them all?”

  “Slaughter them all! Slaughter them all! Slaughter them all!” The survivors’ voices shouted out in rage as they violently thrust their weapons into the air.”

  We got moving pretty quickly after that. This time I could feel the difference as we moved down the corridor. No longer were we a group of random individuals acting as a mob, but a team of people working together for a common goal. Coming around the blind curve, we bumrushed the mass of Goblins guarding the intersection in an angry wave. My blades executed a double Sneak Attack as the rest of the NPCs following behind me throwing themselves at their hated enemy weapons first like savage beasts.

  Dual wielding my new blades, I cut a deep swath into the enemies’ ranks as swords and axes hammered at my armor. There had to have been at least twenty of the green bastards, but I didn’t care as I fought like a berserker. The battle was short and brutal. As the guards and miners threw themselves into the teeth of the enemy, the Gnomes rushed forward in tight five-man groups dodging in-between the fighters’ legs with their steel pickaxes flashing as they took down single Goblins like a pack of mini-wolves.

  Unfortunately, we weren’t able to kill them all down before the Goblins in the rear had a chance to sound their horns in alarm. Still, we never stopped fighting. As Sarka cut down the last Goblin, we charged down the main corridor to the entrance of the Dungeon as the battle line shifted around us. Immediately half of the mine’s guards shifted to the rear following Spog and Sergeant Traovudd as Sarka and Unalia took command of the rearguard. Without slowing down, Tinyr and I took the lead with Miya and Minny behind us leading the rest of their people in a charge down the corridor for the exit.

  We only made it two-thirds of the way down the last corridor before the Goblins countercharge found us. Shrieking in bloodthirsty rage, the Goblin threw themselves at us howling in hate. Screaming a wordless battle cry, I crashed headlong into their ranks like a whirlwind of death as my Brutal Skullsplitter, and Marauder Warblades sliced through the enemies’ leather armor like it was paper-mache with the mass of ex-prisoners following behind me.

  Using my elbows and knees as weapons, I pummeled my way through the horde of Goblins like a bull in a china shop as I brutally used my massive strength to smash the green bastards out of my way. A forearm to the face followed up by a slash from my blade to the mob’s neck. A knee to another Goblin’s gut with an overhand slash to the back of its head. A whirlwind spin with my blades held out to either side like a blender as I sliced through the next two Goblins only to slam to a stop with a bone-crushing elbow blow into another Goblin’s face. My blade slashed through the mob’s gut as I spun backhanding another Goblin off its feet followed by a blade thrust through its chest.

  Following in my wake, I caught glimpses of Miya’s and Tinyr’s flashing blades as they viciously rip into the downed Goblins. Like the flashes of a disco ball on a dance floor, I saw Tinyr’s blades embedded in the side of a Goblin’s head, while Miya was ripping her Marauder Warblade free from another Goblin. Behind them, I saw the mine guards striking at the down Goblins further back as Minny and her Gnome miners swarm over the dying Goblins with their steel pickaxes swinging wildly.

  None of us stopped to finish off our individual targets. We don’t need to with the pain train we were running. It was the death of a thousand cuts … okay, well maybe more like the death of twenty-five cuts, but it got the job done. Axe-blades hammered at my limbs as swords sliced into my sides as I took hits from every Goblin I blast off their feet. My Hit Point bar looked like some 80’s music visualization sound bar bouncing in time to the beat of a song as Yun chained cast heals at my back.

  Most of the battle was a blur of shrieking, screaming faces filled with hate as blood fountained into the air around me with every swing of my blades. Everything hurt, but the burning pain from each of the hits I’d taken wading through my enemies seems to drive me that much more into a frenzy. My voice was hoarse from screaming in rage. The sound foreign to my own ears as I broke into the room that marked the exit to the dungeon.

  In front of us, I saw the last twenty Goblins trying to fall back and regroup from the ferocity of our attack into a final defensive line. Before they could fall back, my Frost Nova spell blasted out from my ravaged body as a wave of ice washed over the retreating Goblins, freezing them where they stood. Our mad charge never faltered as we trample over the spread out Goblins, cutting them down where they stood as we race out through the shimmering portal of the instance.

  The world suddenly blurred as I found myself once again in the immense chamber before the instance. Immediately shouts of alarm rang out from the groups of players waiting to enter the instance as I slowed to a stop looking around momentarily confused. To my right and left Tinyr and Miya came to a stop beside me as the ex-prisoners, and the rest of the team began filing out of the portal behind us.

  “What the hell are we doing? I don’t know if those Goblins can follow us through the portal or not, but I’d feel better if we weren’t standing right in front of the damn thing.” Sarka shouted out as she backed up warily from the shimmering curtain with her shield and sword held at the ready.

  “What the hell is going on?”

  “Is this an event?”

  “What are NPCs doing here?”

  “Look at how many levels they gained.”

  “Is that the Slave Master armor?”

  The players’ comments came to my ears as I shouted out to the Raid. “Did everyone make it through?”

  “Yea, Unalia and I made sure we were the last ones through,” Sarka shouted back to me.

  “Why are all of these Newfar Light Elves just standing here?” Miya asked in a hushed whisper.

  “They’re here to kill the Goblins that have taken over the mine,” I said studying the body language of the players surrounding us.

  “Then we’re safe, right?” Miya asked, looking at my wary stance questioningly.

  “Not exactly,” I answered back with a grimace, scanning the jumble of players around us. “You’re not safe until we get you back to Delonshire. Many of these Newfar would gladly keep you safe, but a few will seek to see you slaughtered because they weren’t the ones to save you.”

  “Then let’s get moving,” Minny said, cutting into the conversation as she clanked her steel-pickaxes together nervously.

  “What in the hell do you think you’re doing?” A shrill Kyarina Valkyrie asked me striding forward out of the crowd with her team behind her.

  “What does it look like we’re doing? We’re escorting these survivors back to Delonshire.” I snapped back at her angrily.

  “That’s not what I mean.” Kyarina snapped back in the same tone.

  “She means, how did you manage to free the prisoners?” Vardrid Valkyrie translated a little more calmly.

  “How do you think? We killed the freaking Slave Master.” I answered back sharply. The Valkyrie players had a quick huddle as I checked everyone’s status. Getting a nod from Tinyr, I shouted out to our group. “Okay everyone, we’re moving out down the tunnel.” As if my words were the trigger, immediately Goblin war-horns began ringing throughout the tunnels ahead of us. Hearing the sound, a ripple passed through the gathered players as Vardrid urgently stepped forward to talk to me.

  “Startum, do you mind if we team up with
you on the escort quest?”

  The request caught me off guard. Catching Tinyr’s eye, I saw him shrug his shoulders. I was about to turn the Valkyrie players down when a thought came to me. Quickly popping my quest window open. I brought up the information for the escort quest.

  Rescue the survivors of Delonshire Mine!

  When the Goblins and their allies took over the Delonshire Mine, they kept a number of survivors alive for their victory celebration. Save the survivors and escort them safely back to the city of Delonshire.

  Warning! This quest will fail if all the survivors die!

  35/35 Survivors Alive.

  Objective: Save the survivors and escort them safely back to the city of Delonshire.

  Difficulty: Very Hard.

  Reward: Experience and Reputation with the city of Delonshire.

  *Recommended for a 20+ Raid!

  I thoughtfully frowned as I read the description. When had the quested updated? Had I just missed the ‘Recommended for a 20+ Raid!’ or had that part of the quest just updated once we exited the instance. Looking at the gathered players, a budding plan forming in my head, we’d probably be able to do this quest without any additional help, but Valkyrie’s could make the difference between maybe and definitely. Even though Kyarina’s mouth had pissed me off earlier, I’d still respected that she and her people had stepped forward and tried to help. It was easy to let higher level players pick on lower level players who couldn’t do anything to defend themselves. That in itself made me want to trust them. Also, the Valkyrie team looked like they had a strong build: warrior, priest, fire mage, frost mage and a hunter. Balanced on the high damage and crowd control side. They’d be a good group to team up with and having an extra healer was always appreciated. Closing the quest window with a thought, I met Kyarina’s and Vardrid’s eyes as the Goblin horns grew closer.

  “Has your entire team take the P&M exam?” I asked suddenly.

  “We all have boosted stats,” Kyarina confirmed, this time addressing me much more calmly.

  “Can I trust you not to attack my teammates or through inaction cause my teammates harm?” I asked looking into each of the Valkyrie players’ eyes. “Will you follow my commands as a Raid Leader?”

  “I swear by my word,” Vardrid said formally with a slight bow as the Goblin horns blared nearly on top of us. Without hesitation, the rest of the Valkyrie players gave their consent.

  “Okay, you’re in. Leave your team. I’m sending the invites now.” Working quickly, I invited the Valkyrie players into our Raid and shared out the quest just as a massive wave of Goblins Raiders charged out of the tunnel at the far end of the chamber. Immediately the players that had been waiting to enter the instance began turning around and drawing their weapons in concern.

  “Holy shit, this has a requirement for a 20+ Raid!” Kyarina exclaimed, her eyes widening in shock as she read the quest description.

  “How many freaking Hit Points do you have, Startum?” Vardrid asked in surprise as he checked over my stats in the Raid window. “I thought you were a mage.”

  “I think we’ll be okay, especially with your team’s help,” I said confidently to Kyarina as I looked over at Vardrid answering his question next. “I took a Nightmare start and … I’m spec’d as a Red Mage.” I heard both Kyarina and Vardrid’s hushed exclamation as I turned around and began shouting out orders to the rest of the Raid.

  “We’ll keep the same basic formation as before. We attack as we move. Sarka let me know if we get hit from behind.” I heard her affirmative as I addressed the Valkyrie players. “Vardrid you’re up front with me. The rest of you fall in behind the mine guards.” I ordered clanking my blades together as I faced the massed Goblin charge heading for us. Spreading my arms wide, I threw my head back and yelled. “Let’s do this people!”

  I started forward as the chamber erupted in combat as the Goblins slammed into the players like a tsunami. Shrieking screams of combat filled the air as the shadowy cavern lit up with the brilliant flares of fire and frost magic slamming into the mobs from the embattled groups of players fighting for their lives. All around us, Frost Blasts froze portions of the cavern floor in swaths of ice, stalling the mobs’ advance as melee fighters charged forward to attack. For now, our position by the instance’s gate meant that the Goblins had to make it through the majority of the players before they could reach us. Still, the mounting wall of enemies pouring into the cavern was alarming. Catching Vardrid’s eye, I spoke quickly.

  “Don’t worry about finishing off your targets. Just do your best to get an attack in and keep on moving to the next mob. Your raidmates will finish off the downed and injured mobs.” Seeing the confused look on Vardrid’s face, I gave him a wink. “Trust me; this will work. Just do your best to keep up.” Before Valkyrie player could think of a comeback, I turned back around and strode towards the melee.

  I hit the Goblins’ formation like a one-man wrecking ball. The first strike from my Brutal Skullsplitter sword pierced the frozen Raider’s open mouth as the blow rocketed the mob off its feet, while a slash from my Marauder Warblade ripped open the next Goblin’s neck, forcing the mob back clutching at its throat. Stepping forward, I spun in a tight circle following through with my strike to catch the next two Goblins in the face with the tip of my blade as my follow-up attack slashed deep into another Raider’s neck. Whipping my blades up over my head, I headbutted the next Goblin that appeared before me as my overhead slashes chopped down catching the next two Raiders by surprise.

  Behind me, Vardird fought like an armored tank. His first sword strike Backstabbed the Goblin that had just turned around to attack me. As the mob tried to recover, Vardird Shield Bash pummeled the Raider to the ground as he quickly stepped past the stunned mob going after the next Goblin in his path. On his other side, Miya ripped the sword out of a stunned Raider’s hands as her next attack struck deep into the Goblin’s chest. Ripping the blade free, she whipped both swords at the next mob in a dual-bladed slashing attack that tore through the Goblin’s leather chest armor. Bouncing around in-between the two warriors like a hyperactive sonic hedgehog, Tinyr struck in a whirlwind of attacks with his new blades in devastating combinations that ripped chunks out of the Goblins’ Hit Point bars with every dual strike. Behind him, the mine guards followed up his attack in a spread-out wedge as Minny, and her Gnomes ran amuck in waist height swarms causing devastation and confusion as the Raiders found themselves overwhelmed by the constant onslaught of multiple attacks.

  The combat was short and brutal as we ripped through the Goblins’ ranks like a hot knife through butter. The fighting reminded me of the Chronicles of Riddick fight scene of ‘Who's the Better Killer’ during the escape from Crematoria. While the rest of the players fell back in scattered groups trying to survive the onslaught, I led our Raid into the teeth of the Goblins’ advance heading for the entrance to the tunnels that ran back to the surface. My reasoning was that if this were an event, the only way for it to end would be for all of the survivors to either die or be returned to Delonshire. Otherwise, the game would continue sending waves Goblin reinforcements until one of those requirements were met.

  As soon as we reached the tunnel, the overwhelming numbers of the horde seemed to slow down to a trickle. In reality, it was mostly due to us blasting through the mobs’ tight ranks too quickly for a concerted attack to pin us down. Even though I was mowing Raiders down left and right, my biggest fear was getting trapped inside a tunnel fighting against a never-ending stream of Goblins that slowly whittled us down to nothing, so I pushed as hard as I could to reach the main entrance. I endured the pain as every third or fourth Goblin got a solid hit on me before taking them down. Yun and Kyarina did their best to keep me alive as glowing strands of golden light danced across my body as heals hit me left and right, leaving me looking like a neon sign on a Broadway strip.

  There was another buildup just as we broke into the next main chamber with all of the Kobold miners. As soon as we reached th
e mouth of the chamber, a wave of Goblins and Kobolds crashed into us trying to push us back. The battle felt like it went on for an eternity as chaos reigned around us. Minny and her Gnomes fought a pitched battle between our legs against the psychotic Kobolds, while the rest of us slowly forced the Raiders to fall back. All around us shimmering bolts for fire and ice blasted into the ranks ahead of me as the Valkyrie mages did some heavy hitting. Still, it took three blasts of my Frost Nova spell before we finally busted a hole through the blocking horde.

  The battle changed as soon as we made it into the last tunnel leading to the stairs that led up to the surface since the rear of the Raid was now being hammered. I was only peripherally aware of the tribulations they faced due to the battles I faced in clearing the tunnel. Thankfully it was just normal, lower-level groups of forty Kobolds and Taskmaster blocking our way. Raid chat, on the other hand, rang out with Sarka’s voice as she coordinated the rearguard’s fighting retreat. It was so intense that Yun even switched over to fighting with the rest of the mages as Kyarina took over the Raid’s healing. It was his Frost Blasts that kept the hordes back long enough for our people to break free to race up the stairs to the mine’s exit.

  As the Raid busted out of the mine into the orange torchlight, low-level players begin shouting out in alarm and scattering at the sight of our blood-drenched faces and drawn weapons as the mass of Light Elves and Gnomes came pouring out of the dungeon’s entrance behind me. Without slowing down, I race for the stone steps that lead down to the valley. I’d only taken a few steps before coming to an abrupt stop at the sight before me as I hear Tinyr and Vardrid immediately begin swearing as they step up beside me. Before any of us can speak, I heard Sarka’s pissed off voice shout out behind us.

  “Why in the hell are we stopping? Do you have any idea how many Goblins are behind us? We need to keep on moving …” The words die on Sarka’s lips as she looked out at the thirty Goblin Worg Riders lined up before us along with three mini-bosses at their lead. “Ah, shit!”