Otherlife Dreams: The Selfless Hero Trilogy

by William D. Arand

  Two Orcs pounded into the stable a dozen paces behind her. Katarina stepped out and swung her shield at the second one as it neared her. A sound like a frying pan hitting the floor filled the air. The Orc’s face was crushed behind the weight of the Shield bash. Landing flat on it’s back the Orc was stunned and lay their motionless. Mercilessly Katarina moved in to skewer it with her sword.

  Locking his eyes to the first Orc Runner held up his left hand and threw a Fireblast into the it. Screaming in pain and fury it focused on Runner and continued its charge. It didn’t charge far since an Ice spear tore through it’s face. It’s feet shot out from under it with the force of the impact. Propelled backward the Orc crashed into the wall of the cells and fell dead. Thana must have scored a Critical to kill it on the first shot. That or it was weaker than what they’d experienced up to this point.

  Flicking his eyes back to Katarina he saw her standing over the corpse of the other Orc. Smoke billowed from the wound, a silent testament to the showmanship of a Fireblast enchantment.

  Giving the body a swift kick to confirm it’s level of deadness. Satisfied, Katarina next grabbed it by a boot and dragged it to a nearby cell. Unceremoniously and without a care it was left next to a pile of corpses. They’d fade over time, but they didn’t feel like tripping over dead bodies until then.

  Runner walked over to the corpse Thana had made and hauled it over into the same cell. Pushing it up against the other corpse an arm flopped out. Nudging it back inside he looted the creature of it’s worldly possessions.

  “That pull came in a bit faster Hanners, and weaker to boot. Did we miss a patrol?” Runner inquired, coming over to the map where Hannah was standing.

  “No, they came in on the path out of the thrice damned woods. For whatever fucking reason I don’t know. Maybe they had a group out there hunting? I’ll keep an eye out for them. Not much we can do about the goat fuckers. They just decided to show up,” Hannah groused.

  “Got it. Come’re for a moment. I think your enchantments will run out before you find the next group. Call me a paranoid fool and I’ll be forced to agree.”

  Runner waited for her to face him so he could begin. She ignored him until she finished with her inspection of the map. Facing him she held up her hands with a raised eyebrow.

  “I think you just like putting your shitty paws on me,” Hannah teased, smirking at him.

  “Can’t deny that, though this is hardly the time or place. Not to mention you feel, gasp, alot like Leather Armor. Realistically though, I think pushing your Armor and Constitution up would be ideal. No real need for you to do more damage right now, it would increase your survival rate too, in case the unexpected happens.”

  Rolling his fingers over her gear a piece at a time he bolstered her Constitution and Armor as he’d said. Now that he’d admitted his fear aloud he knew it was the truth, he wasn’t willing to risk her life. Not surviving a fight for the sake of an easier kill wasn’t a trade off he was willing to make.

  Finishing up Runner patted her on the shoulder. “Alright, you’re good. Go on. Skulls don’t just collect themselves ya know. You can’t expect me to make a Skull stool do you? Need a throne.”

  Rolling her eyes Hannah trotted out the door without a word. Katarina had been nearby and took Hannah’s place after she’d gone.

  “With her being more sturdy, I should be shifted towards damage.” Katarina asserted.

  Grinning smugly behind Katarina, Thana looked like she wanted nothing more than to laugh. Runner had no real argument to refuse Katarina with and it wasn’t a terrible idea either. It’s not as if they were pressed by time. Resetting the enchantments would give him a break from Thana as an added benefit. It’d only be for a few minutes, but it wouldn’t cost him anything.

  “Fair enough. Let’s see…” Runner muttered and laid his hands on Katarina’s shoulders. Concentrating for a moment he set on recycling the empowerments. Giving her Constitution and Strength in equal amounts he worked his hands over her equipment the same way he had Hannah. Finishing with her boots, he looked up to find Katarina watching him quietly.

  “All set Kitten. Wouldn’t want you to scar up that pretty skin of yours.”

  Not acknowledging that statement Katarina walked back to her post at the entry.

  “You’re spoiling her. She’s like, awkwardly enough, a kitten. Taking any and all attention your willing to give her since you’re treating her as an equal, rather than an inferior or a superior,” Thana chided, laughing at him.

  “Oh shut up. Don’t be jealous. I’d be happy to do the same for you if you like.”

  “You could, but I’m not wearing armor, remember? Thin clothes better suited, and smells like, working a field. You’d get a lot more than a handful of stiff leather if you tried.”

  Challenging tone matching her wolfish grin, Thana took a step and put herself in the same spot Katarina had been standing in. She held her hands up and turned her wrists outward as if inviting him and surrendering simultaneously. Runner found the idea tempting but controlled himself. His body made him painfully aware of the fact that Thana was beautiful despite being an NPC.

  “Foul temptress. You realize how weird that is? An NPC shouldn’t be like that. Why am I even considering this? This is insane. I’m in sane. I need a drink. A lot of drinks. And a beetle.”

  He’d turned his head to start rifling through his inventory when her cool fingers caught his chin and forced him to look into her upturned face. Though the view was impressive considering the height differential between them, her eyes held a dangerous glint that demanded his attention.

  “Again, and for the last time, I am a woman. A Sunless woman but a woman. You will not address me as that ever again. The NPC part, not the temptress part. I am certainly finding the role of temptress to be amusing. I don’t know what an NPC is but you say it in an insulting way. Runner Norwood, you are a man in dire need of manners and a person who will argue with you, rather than do as you ask. I will take this position and I expect you to fully cooperate.”

  Runner could only nod his head at this and let his inventory screen close. Seeing his agreement she released his chin, smiling at him once again.

  “I’m not normally so forward, but it seems the other roles are already filled in your building harem. Besides, it’s a lot more fun to not hide my actions in politics or diplomacy. Just to do as I would. As Katarina has always done, up to now at least. You yourself said it, no? I believe it was along the lines of, not caring for societal niceties?”

  “I suppose that answers one question I had about you,” Runner started. Thana tilted her head, inviting him to continue. “You give off the impression you’re from nobility, Lady Death. Your manners, etiquette, vocabulary, and honestly your very looks, all scream fine breeding and a grand education,” he finished.

  Blushing from hairline to neck Thana didn’t break eye contact with him. Brown eyes flashing alarmingly she gave no response. While she might try her hand at playing the seductress, pester him, spar with him, be forward, and dare him, it was transparent that she had only recently left court life. She was quiet, well spoken, kind, and a polite young lady at heart.

  “Forgive me, I did not intend to make you upset or offend you. I’m impressed with you. I cannot for the life of me fathom why Mr. Personality would declare such a creature as yourself as filth,” Runner confessed apologetically.

  Coughing delicately into her hand, Thana then gestured at the map. “Once you’ve depopulated the area, or zone as you called it, then what is your plan? While I am in your employ, I would know my future.”

  Permitting the change of subject with unspoken thanks Runner looked to the map again.

  “Elementary, really. I need to level up as fast as possible. This is just a quick means to an end that will provide a good experience reward. That and loot. Really need an upgrade to our equipment and funds to that end as well. This’ll be a wealth of both I hope.”

  “So you’ve said. And beyond that? Wh
y work so hard? You’ve not spoken to that goal.”

  “I don’t think you actually want to know. Perhaps another time. Let’s just say that I have nearly half a million people waiting on me. I’m hard pressed for time. Very hard pressed,” Runner answered. Taking a moment he pressed his thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose, sighing, closing his eyes. “I’m not even sure if they’re alive to be honest. It’s very possible they’re all already no longer among the living. Maybe they all existed a long time ago. Maybe I’m the last. Maybe I’m alone.”

  Thana said nothing at first but placed her small hand against his upper arm. Runner felt her hand rubbing up and down in a soothing manner. Such a plain gesture of comfort, yet it offered so much to him. Underneath it all he’d felt like he was struggling to uphold this burden.

  “You’re not alone, of that I am certain. Even if your worst fears were true in the way you stated them. Hannah may not be what a person would normally trust as a companion, given her heritage and job, but I truly believe she’d lay her life down for you first. It goes without saying that Katarina would probably cut off her legs if you asked her to.”

  “And you, Lady Death? You suspiciously left yourself out of that,” Runner asked. Opening his eyes he angled his head to watch her, waiting for her response.

  “I did, didn’t I,” Thana tauntingly confirmed. Looking pleased with herself Thana let loose that smile of hers once more.

  Chuckling to himself he couldn’t help but return the smile. Leaving it at that Runner returned to his quiet study of the map and his abilities. Making plans for both the worst case and best case scenarios here and abroad.

  As time is wont to do, it moved on without a care for anyone else. Late afternoon came and went. Early evening found the group hunched over the map, each confirming the same thing. Only the fort remained unshaded, all other buildings, patrols, houses and sheds, had been cleared of all enemies and loot. All guards, soldiers, and menial labor had also been cleared from the fort. Only the town leader, the dungeon boss, remained. Residing on the central floor of the fort. Hannah had scouted the room but made no attempt to try and pull him from the keep. Unlikely, to say the least, was the chance he’d leave his little throne room.

  “I suppose it’s time to just go in there and end this,” Runner said. “We’ve cleared everything, there’s nothing left but him. What do you think Lady?”

  “I trust in Hannah’s reconnaissance, I’ve no doubt there’s nothing left for us to do. Time to end this sordid affair.”

  “Thanks for the confidence. Still the same damned problem though. Bastard will sit on his throne and shit himself to death rather than leave. Katarina, what do you think?” Hannah asked.

  “We go in, I keep him busy, you kill him,” Katarina outlined.

  Catching himself before he could start laughing Runner coughed roughly. Clearing his throat he tapped the fort. “I suppose that’s it then, let’s go finish up. Kitten, take these and put the thought of, ‘Quick Slot 1’ in your head while holding it. If you suddenly find yourself cursed, bleeding out, on fire, afraid, or honestly anything out of normal, think ‘Use Quick Slot 1’,” Runner explained. In his hands he held out several small vials.

  Katarina scooped them out of his hand with her own, her long fingers enveloping them as if they were children’s toys. He briefly considered how life like NPCs could be. They were so real at times that Runner found himself having to rethink them with each interaction. Before his brain ran from him he pivoted on his heel, collected the map, and exited the stables.

  Fingers of sunlight slanted in from the west, the sun hanging beyond the tree line. Soon it would set and plunge the land into night. Taking a full day to complete the town was now a desolate place, for only the sound of wind could be heard. Distantly a shutter tapping against the wall could be heard; a melancholic harmony to the tomb like stillness. It was unnerving in it’s own way, like a corpse freshly picked clean.

  Setting a steady pace Runner angled himself for the fort. Katarina paired off with him directly on his right, matching his own stride. Hannah was a shade to his left and back a step occupying the same space as his shadow. And while he couldn’t see her, Runner knew Thana was directly behind him and within arms reach.

  Their boots drummed against the flagstones as they entered the keep. Perhaps it was a trick of the acoustics, but to Runner it sounded like a single pair of boots as they invaded the courtyard.

  In reaching the throne room Runner paused and cast an eye around the area. Quickly he confirmed it was all that Hannah had stated it to be. Front and center was a terrible imitation of a throne that sat in a large audience room. What might have once been art or tapestries were moldy hangings on bare stone walls. Near the rear of open room was a curtain that probably led to a private room.

  Atop the cheap throne sat an ugly old Orc who glowered at them as they entered his immediate domain. Red eyes glared from below bushy white brows. His green skin was mottled and webbed with wrinkles. Robed in a light fabric the color of wine and a rod clenched in his hands, he had the very image of an old magician.

  So…very uncreative. Need to remember this moment when I write my review.

  Finding nothing out of the ordinary Runner sighed heavily and looked to Katarina.

  “Kitten, I’m betting he’s a caster. Close with him, get his attention, hurt him, keep him busy. Keep your Shield bash ready until he starts to cast, then interrupt him with it. It’ll be obvious when he starts channeling. I’ll get your health back up should he actually get a hit in on you,” he said patting Katarina’s arm. Swiveling to his left he addressed Hannah next. “Get around behind him, start working his spine with your kind ministrations.”

  Turning on his heel he found Thana close behind him, her honey colored eyes boring into him with a smirk just waiting to be unveiled. Blinking Runner had to force his mind into action once more. “Lady Death, if you would be so kind as to cover the magical aspect of the battle. Once Kitten has his undivided attention that is. I’ll be with Hannah but holding myself in reserve to make sure we can handle whatever he throws at us.“

  “Prudent and rational. Consider it done Master Runner,” Thana answered. She evidently was was unwilling to tease him as mercilessly when the others were present.

  “Kitten, if you would?” Runner asked.

  A deep roar filled the room and echoed from every wall from Katarina. She launched herself at the Orc lord, her wordless cry carrying her forward. Sword trailing low, her shield held before her, her long red ponytail flying out behind her like a pennant that declared war.

  “Glorious,” Runner whispered, watching her.

  Hannah went Stealth next to him, shaking him from his reverie. Activating his own a second after Hannah he moved in to engage. Hannah reached the target a moment after Katarina did and set into the elderly Orc immediately. Runner circled to the right before delivering a thrust of his blade into the wrinkled Orc’s spine, Backstab activating on the contact. Ice slammed into the chest of Wrinkles, shattering and spraying Ice chips everywhere.

  Raising his arm to the sky the Orc lord was only able to utter a single syllable before Katarina’s shield clipped him in the head. Stumbling under the weight of the blow the Orc instead threw a fire spell into Katarina’s chest. In return Runner cast a Regeneration spell on her to make sure her health would remain near topped off. Regeneration cost far less than Cure.

  Another Ice spear cracked into Wrinkles as Hannah pierced his side with a thrust of her sword. Throwing his arms apart Wrinkles shouted, Katarina, Hannah, and Runner were flung back a few feet from the explosion of energy. Before Katarina could reengage him Wrinkles had managed to complete a spell. Four Earth Elementals clawed their way from the ground itself, forcing the stones apart as they sprung from the earth. Comprised of stone and dirt they had a vague humanoid shape. Overall, one could call them dirt men and be completely accurate.

  Katarina peeled three of them onto herself in addition to Wrinkles with a shout.
Hannah tagged the fourth and Runner turned to assist her with it. Battering at the dirt monster with his sword he was reward with a critical hit. Following his attack up with a Fireblast to it’s back he immediately danced backwards expecting a counter attack. As the Elemental began to move Hannah attacked, blades cracking off stone and sending the remains flying as it’s health ran out. The combat strength of Runner’s team was orders of magnitude greater than it should be from the number of enchants he placed upon them.

  Surveying the battle field Runner confirmed Katarina at the center, holding Wrinkles and two Elementals in place. Near the entry way he caught sight of Thana backing up from another Elemental. Pointing to center stage he then motioned Hannah over. Deciding that Thana was the more immediate need he veered towards her direction.

  Passing by close to Katarina he cast Cure as he closed in on Thana, her situation now becoming desperate.

  Unfortunately the creature had knocked Thana to the ground violently and struck her several times before he had been able to cross the throne room to her. Apparently it had used some type of ability to root her in place and she had been unable to flee.

  Fireblast exploded from his open hand and caught the Elemental squarely in his rocky back. Chasing his magical attack he struck out with his sword.

  It was enough to get it’s attention, suddenly jerking towards him and swinging a stone fist. Dodging to the side he hammered his blade through it’s mid section, the enchantment on the sword activating and dislodging a Fireblast into it’s internals. For good measure Runner removed his blade from it and swung around with a Slash attack, the sword cutting the top person of its humanoid head off.

  Collapsing heavily at an angle from him, dirt sprayed out in a cone, and the Elemental was no more. Glancing to the party window, Thana’s health bar was flashing red, Katarina’s was yellow and Hannah’s was green. Triaging the situation he cast Regeneration on Thana while offering her a hand up. Thana took his hand and levered herself upright. Snapping open a mana restoration potion from his Quick Slots he pressed it to his lips and downed it swiftly. Dropping the vial to the ground he targeted Katarina.