by Jason Cheek
“Hello to the gate guard! Is anyone awake?”
As soon as the words left my mouth, I knew that I’d made a grave mistake as the undead goblins surrounding the village abruptly jerked around to face me as one. With a wordless, guttural shriek the zombies dropped to the ground on all fours and rushed me as one, even the burning ones. The undead creatures moved like something out of a Resident Evil movie. Their unnatural gate and rigid faces split in feral, unnatural hunger. Falling back in terror, I began blasting the nearest with my Flurry spell as a nervous voice called out from the other side of the barricade.
“Milord Ironwolf, is that you?”
For a second, I couldn’t speak as I focused on blasting out my attacks as quickly as possible. A good fifteen undead corpses were charging headlong at me from around the village as I lashed out with everything I had. My first three blasts completely missed their target as I threw my shield up just in time to stop the first zombie’s rending attack. I heard Neysa’s enraged growl as she ripped into the undead creature’s leg as I fell back from its flailing claws.
“Neysa!” I shrieked smashing the zombie in the face with an icy blast at point blank range. Kicking the undead creature back with a boot to the chest, I caught Neysa by the scruff of her neck before she could lunge at the undead creature again as my Frost Noval spell exploded out from my body in an icy wave.
“Stay out of the fight!” I shouted urgently tossing the Silver Dire Wolf behind me as the unnatural charge came to an abrupt stop. The intense fear I had of losing the adorable little wolf to these undead creatures surprised me in its intensity. Immediately I began blasting the corpses to death as quickly as possible, desperately yelling over my shoulder.
“Klaern, is that you? What the fuck is going on with our undead guards? I need help … Ahhh!”
I shrieked falling back as the undead mobs lunged after me with their inhuman speed. I’d expected to one-shot the level 15 zombies, but to my shock, the blasts only released the feral mob from its frozen prison. I barely got my shield up in time to block the zombie’s lunging strike as my second blast shattered the creature into putrid chunks of goo. I nearly retched from the horrid stench as I blasted the next frozen undead mob in the face.
There was no time to be sick; I had to take out as many of the undead creatures as possible before my freeze spell gave out. Focusing on my strikes, I began double tapping the zombies before they could cross the distance with their erratic charge. Within the last four seconds of my Frost Nova’s spell, I took down another two undead Goblins when the unreal battle turned into a chaotic mess as the remaining 11 feral zombies broke free of their icy prisons.
I didn’t bother drawing a blade. My strongest attack was my Flurry spell, but instead of casting it at range, I used it as a melee weapon since the undead creatures moved so quickly. The only chance I had was to kite the enraged mobs and reduce their numbers, or they would tear me apart within seconds. I mentally swore as I raced around the perimeter of the village. Who in the hell was the moron who came up with the idea of freaking fast zombies? Regular zombies were bad enough, but having undead creatures that could run you down like a dog and were more powerful then a regular mob was just plain wrong!
I no longer had the time to double-tap the fuckers. All that I could do was run my ass off and fight for my life as the zombies effortlessly closed the distance. Leaping to the other side of the small stream by the gate, I caught the two trailing undead Goblins that were right behind me. Body checking the first with a Shield Bash, I blasted the second mob center chest at point blank range. My open palm cast turned into a strike that blasted the frost covered zombie back over the stream into the trailing line of zombies as I spun around in a tight circle and flung the first undead Goblin away. Its long claws flailed helplessly trying to grapple my shield as it slid out of control across the snow-covered ground. My follow-up Flurry blast slammed into its mutilated face as I spun around in place again. This time I used my shield like a massive bat, body checking the next two zombies that sprang across the stream, knocking them back into the mass of trailing zombies.
My glowing fist flashed out with icy power releasing another set of Flurry blasts into the flailing group of zombies struggling to rise when my back was suddenly pierced in agony as hardened claws tore through my armor. As the undead Goblin sprang onto my back, I dropped to my knees. Using the zombie’s own momentum, I held the bloody claws away from my throat using the hold as a pivot point to slam the mob into the ground in front of me. As the zombie hurriedly scrambled to its hands and knees, my next Flurry bolt blasted out shattering the mob into icy chunks.
Seeing the cooldown for my Frost Nova spell tick over, I sprung to my feet shrieking in wordless rage as another icy wave exploded from my body covering everything in ice. Without hesitation, I targeted the injured zombies taking out four more zombiecles before my Mana ran dry. With four seconds remaining to my freeze spell and no Mana left, I did the only thing I could. I drew my Brutal Skullsplitter and leaped back across the stream to attack.
The triumphant shout died on my lips a second later as my blade bit deep into the side of the first zombie’s neck only to become stuck in its undead flesh. Immediately I regretted my decision to charge as the undead Goblin bodily leaped on top of me with a gibbering howl. Black claws scrabbled atop my shield and tore at my head and arms while I fought to free my blade. Spinning around, I did my best to keep the feral mob from my throat as its rotten fangs snapped inches from my face. Yanking my blade free, I lost balance toppling down the icy bank of the stream with the zombie on top of me.
I hit hard, losing my breath from the shock of the icy cold water as I hammered at the zombie with the hilt of my sword. Rotten, bloody gore splattered my face with each strike as I tried to pummel the undead creature to death. To death was an oxymoron. It was more like breaking the body up enough that the magic had nothing left to keep the corpse animated. As I fought, I heard the crackling sounds of ice shattering signaling the end of my Frost Nova spell.
The zombie in my hands finally stopped moving as the hilt of my blade shattered the creature’s skull like an overripe melon. Falling back against the opposite bank of the small stream, I brought my shield and sword up before me as the remaining four undead Goblins leaped on top of me like feral lemmings. I slammed the point of my sword into the open jaws of the lead zombie only to have the undead creature wrap itself around my arm as the remaining zombies tore into me. The only thing that saved me from dying right then and there was my shield. I battered futility at the slavering jaws snapping at my throat as the mobs’ claws tore bloody furrows down my body. The physical agony of being ripped apart clouded my mind as I fought for my life. The metal links of the armor covering my joints burst from the assault as the black nails dug deep into my flesh, but still, I fought as I helplessly watched my Hit Points plummet in my HUD. Even though I knew it was over, I couldn’t give up. I’d fought too hard to lose my Nightmare quest over a bunch of rotten corpses.
Somehow I got my sword arm free and managed to draw my dagger in the chaotic mess. Pummeling the zombies with my shield, I began stabbing furiously with my Leeching Dagger of Piercing. Each strike sent pulses of warm healing energy shooting through my ravaged body as I fought a losing battle for my life. Even with the extra boost, my health bar began flashing into the red as I felt my strength begin to fade. I only had moments left to live as the zombie on top of me finally ripped my shield away to get at my throat, but before the undead creature could sink its fangs into my soft flesh, a silver flash knocked the zombie off of me.
I immediately knew what happened as I weakly rolled over onto my hands and knees. Neysa had come to my rescue. While I appreciated her desire to save my life, I knew there was nothing she could do against these undead creatures. Ignoring the zombies tearing at my back and legs, I crawled towards the savage fight happening just a few feet away yelling for Neysa to run. Ignoring my command, the little wolf pounce atop the feral zombie without any th
ought for her own life. Growling furiously, her fangs ripping furrows into the foul creature’s decayed flesh as the zombie’s free hand clawed bloody rivulets down her side.
The thought of losing my little Dire Wolf to these feral monsters drove me into a rage. Using the last of my strength, I clawed up the zombie’s back as it lunged after my girl. Wrapping a forearm around the creature’s neck, I hammered my dagger into the zombie’s rotten head as Neysa’s jaws shredded the mob’s throat. It was bad enough that I was going to lose my nightmare quest, I wasn’t about to lose her too.
Tears burned my eyes as I helplessly watched Neysa’s health drop like a rock as her growls turned into whimpering cries of pain when the zombies were ripped from my back as excited shouts suddenly rang out around me. Urgent hands struggled to tear me away from the zombie as excited voices yelled at me to release the mob in my arms as an iron shaft drove the zombies away from my back, pegging their writhing bodies to the frozen ground. Unfortunately, none of the spear shafts struck the zombie I was battling.
“Protect the Silver Dire Wolf!” I shouted hysterically shrugging away the helping hands. “She’s my pet!” I worried that the NPCs coming to rescue me would either attack or leave the little Dire Wolf to her fate. Desperately, I jabbed the blade deeper into the undead Goblin’s head all the while screaming my warning again and again, when a long spearshaft suddenly punched through the zombie’s head just inches away from my face. As the zombie’s body collapsed underneath me in a lifeless heap, I felt my body give out in exhaustion and blood loss.
This time when the hands went to lift me up, I didn’t fight them. My head limply hung as I was carried into the village. My voice was a harsh whisper as I tried to warn my rescuers about the sleigh I’d left abandoned in the open field. Hopefully, someone heard me and retrieved the supplies before we lost everything to the local wildlife. My vision came in flashes as my Hit Points blinked urgently in my HUD at my failing health. I was gently set down inside the perimeter on the cold ground as the NPCs rushed urgently about talking in hushed voices. Bleeding debuffs filled my status bar as my numb fingers fumbled for a Healing Potion on my belt. I only had moments left before I died. Thankfully I felt helping hands sit me up and support my back as the potion was pressed against my dried lips. Immediately warm healing magic suffused through my abused body as my Hit Points slowly began ticking upwards once again. Opening my blood-encrusted eyes, I saw Chiara’s wrinkled face looking down at me.
“I’m glad to see you made it back to us, My Lord Ironwolf.” Chiara’s grandmotherly voice croaked out in relief.
“That makes two of us, Lady Chiara,” I said, smiling weakly as a silvery head of fur pushed itself under my arm. A wave of relief washed over me as I hugged Neysa to my chest. Streaks of bloody gore marred her white coat, and she was only at a third health, but thankfully she was alive.
Looking around the fenced-in area of the small village’s courtyard, I saw familiar faces hurrying about stripping down zombies before others hauled the rotting corpses away. There had to be at least thirty NPCs running around. Almost everyone present was armed with at least a spear and sported a boiled leather breastplate made from wolf hide. In spite of how bad I felt, a smile made its way to my lips. It looked like the warrior training that my crafting NPCs had been receiving was paying off in spades. Not seeing my gear anywhere, I anxiously tried to climb to my feet.
“I need to recover the supplies I brought back. I left everything out on the field when the zombies attack.”
“Be at peace. Klaern and a few of his soldiers went to retrieve the supplies.” Chiara soothingly said as she placed a calming hand on my chest as she began bandaging my wounds. “You need to let your body heal first.” As I tried to push her hand away, Mariona rushed up to give the old lady a hand as both women began bandaging the worst of my wounds. I had little choice in following their directions.
I was weak as a kitten. Leaning back my eyes studied my HUD once again. The bleed debuffs were still active, but between the bandages, the Minor Healing potion and my natural regeneration outside of combat, my Hit Points were hovering around the 80’s. Still, I noticed there was a diseased icon called Plague Touch that was active and was slowing down my natural regeneration. Frowning thoughtfully, I read through the debuff’s information. It must be from a secondary effect that the zombies carried with their melee attacks. Although the multiple bleed debuffs had nearly run their course, I knew I needed to get some healing going on and get rid of this last debuff. There was too much to do before I logged out for the night and, with my Mana nearly fully recovered, it was time to get back to work.
Fumbling in my belt, I pulled out an Antidote potion and down the bitter liquid in one gulp as my disease debuff disappeared a moment later. Next, I freed my arms and began casting Minor Heal as both women leaned back away from me in surprise. Their eyes grew even wider five seconds later as a golden glow surrounded my body while my Hit Points shot up 240 points.
“The Temple of Light gave you their blessings!” Chiara exclaimed in shock. It was more a statement than a question. I suppressed the smile that immediately came to my lips as I recast the spell eight more times to top off my health. Climbing to my feet, I helped Chiara to her feet as Mariona stood up next to her watching me in near awe. Looking around the enclosed square, I saw that all of the NPCs around the courtyard had stopped what they were doing and were looking at me with incredulously.
“Everyone, I just wanted to say thank you for coming to my rescue and saving my life,” I said blushing at all of the attention. Seeing Klaern standing next to the gate with my sleigh, I waved him over to me. “I’ve brought back a lot of crafting tools, clothing, and food for everyone. If you don’t mind, please help Klaern and his people pack everything away, and we’ll get everything straightened out in the morning. For now, I need to go heal Rayne and the other wounded.”
“Yes, milord,” Klaern clearly said as he thumped his fist against his breastplate in salute, before going back to work. I heard a mummer of “Yes, Milord” from the rest of the NPCs as I turned to speak with Chiara, while everyone got back to what they’d been doing. “Chiara, can you take me to the wounded?” The old Elf’s eyes regarded me closely for a moment, before giving me a slight bow for me to follow as she headed towards the nearest longhouse.
“Can … can I get you some food, My Lord?” Mariona hesitantly interrupted as Chiara stopped waiting for me to answer the young cook.
“Thank you for asking, but I ate a short time ago,” I replied, giving her a reassuring smile before nodding to Chiara to proceed.
As we passed into the log cabin, I looked around interested to see the changes that had been made, since I hadn’t had time to see how the NPCs had set everything up before leaving for Delonshire. The long room was barren of furniture, except for a water barrel and a few crates of supplies. Along each wall, there were wolf furs laid out as beds for the NPCs to sleep on, along with a few personal odds and ends with each pile. To be honest, it was a level of poverty that I’d never seen in real life, but it fit the medieval realism of the game. Still, at least the room was warm from the fire pit near the center and relatively clean.
For now, my people might be barely surviving, but I would make their lives better than this if I had any say in the matter. We came to a stop towards the back of the cabin where an internal wall had been built. There was no door; only a wolf hide over the entrance that Chiara pushed aside to enter. Stepping in behind her into the dimly lit room, I could smell the stench of festering wounds. As soon as my eyes adjusted, I saw Alanah’s red-rimmed eyes looking up at me in hope from where she bathed Rayne’s feverish forehead. Looking around the small room, I saw there were another six NPCs laid out with varying degrees of health. Most slept with burning fevers and low Hit Points, but a few looked up at me with hope in their eyes as I made my way to the one-armed Elven girl.
“Can you save her, Milord?” Alanah asked as soon as I kneeled down, her voice cracking with emot
ion.
“Yes child, our young lord made a special trip to acquire the skill needed to save her life,” Chiara answered in a kind voice as tears of relief streamed down the young girl’s face.
Looking at the obvious emotional relief on the NPC child’s face, I felt a flood of confusing emotions. These computer characters were so life-like … so real … it was truly incredible. I’d always been one to spend time talking with NPCs for unique quest lines in the games I’d played. I couldn’t even begin to count the number of inane side-quests and storylines that I’d discovered over the years to find some juicy, ultra-rare quest but this game was something completely different. My eyes teared up as I put a comforting hand on the disfigured girl’s good shoulder, while my eyes settled uncomfortably on the young girl’s bandaged stump. Seeing the focus of my eyes, Chiara spoke softly into my ear.
“My Lord, only a level 200 Grand Master of Priest can restore missing limbs. For now, I recommend that you focus on those you can help with your current abilities.”
For a moment, my hard eyes regarded the old Half-Elf unkindly, grimacing at the harsh reality of her words even though I knew she only spoke the simple truth. Pushing down my anger at not being able to do more for the young girl, I focused instead on Rayne who was burning up with fever. Kneeling down next to the swordswoman, I lifted her into a sitting position and gently poured one of my remaining Antidote potions past her dry lips. Before I could begin casting heals, I needed to stop the infection that was poisoning her system. Next, I began casting my Minor Healing spell again and again.
The ragged, festering wound slowly began to close as Rayne’s color started to change to a more healthy tone. Although her health bar changed from red to yellow, her Hit Points stopped rising above 70%. As I was trying to figure out what was wrong, Rayne’s green eyes weakly opened as she looked around in surprise as a quest notification popped up in the bottom of my vision. I read over the notification with a quick glance as Alanah sobbed in relief, her thin arms wrapping around my shoulder in thanks.