Bones of Doom

by Mark Cheverton

  “Er-Lan believes in Watcher.” The zombie was suddenly at his side, his razor-sharp claws extended and ready for battle. “Everyone believes in Watcher.” The zombie laid a hand on the boy’s shoulder. “Er-Lan have seen your victory already.”

  “You mean in your visions?”

  The zombie hesitated for a moment, then nodded. “Become the hero Watcher was meant to be.”

  He’d seen my victory in the future—that must mean I can do this, Watcher thought.

  Er-Lan’s faith in him pushed aside any doubt or fear. He was here to protect his friends, and that’s what he was going to do. Extending Needle, Watcher took a step forward, the enchanted blade glowing bright.

  “Skeleton, I’m gonna punish you for your crimes,” Watcher said, then stood a little taller, his courage pushing back his fears. He glared at his enemy, refusing to retreat. “Come on, Rakir… it’s go time.”

  At that moment, Rakir swung Widow-Maker as Watcher swung Needle, starting the greatest PvP battle since the Great War.

  CHAPTER 34

  Their enchanted swords met in a shower of sparks, the blades crashing together with the sound of thunder. The force of the blow reverberated through Needle and into Watcher’s arm, making it go numb for just an instant.

  Rakir laughed a dry, scratchy laugh as he raised the massive blade for another strike. Moving fast, Watcher spun around, swiping at the skeleton warlord’s ribs, his blade tearing into the monster’s armor and finding a gap between the metallic plates. Rakir flashed red as Needle dug into the monster’s HP.

  At the same time, Cutter and Rusak circled each other like predatory cats. The glow from Cutter’s enchanted armor cast a soft purple circle on the ground, but the sparkling light from the Frost Walker boots made the illumination pulse as if it were alive. The two warriors carefully assessed their opponent … and then they attacked, their swords clashing together, thunder filling the hall. Cutter grunted in pain as Rusak’s sword slipped past his guard and dug into the NPC’s shoulder, but Watcher had to ignore his friend, for now. He knew Cutter could take care of himself, and Watcher knew his own battle would take every bit of skill he had to defeat the skeleton warlord.

  When he looked back to his opponent, Rakir was swinging Widow-Maker in a huge arc. Watcher brought Needle up just in time to deflect the blow, but the impact of the massive broadsword almost tore Needle from his grasp. Rolling to the side, he slashed at the skeleton’s legs, but his enchanted longsword just missed its pale femurs. Pain erupted in Watcher’s shoulder as the skeleton warlord’s dark sword came down in a mighty blow. The razor-sharp edge of the enchanted blade cut through a section of his armor and dug deep into his flesh, making the young boy flash red with damage. At the same time, Watcher heard Cutter shout in pain as he too took damage; their battles were not going well.

  Watcher stood, then charged at his opponent, his Frost Walker boots gripping the stone as if they had claws. He pretended to attack his right side, then twisted and attacked his left. Needle clanged off the warlord’s armor, but had no effect.

  Suddenly, the skeleton moved forward and wrapped his skinny arms around the boy. It felt as if a thousand spikes were stabbing into him as the monster held Watcher tighter and tighter.

  His armor has the Thorns enchantment, he thought. I must get away from him.

  Watcher twisted and squirmed, trying to get free, but the skeleton held on tight, his armor continuing to inflict damage. Reaching into his inventory, Watcher pulled out a water arrow and threw it onto the ground at his feet. Instantly, a pool of water spread out across the stone ground, making it slippery. The skeleton stumbled and fell, allowing Watcher to move away, the water instantly freezing under his feet and letting him step back quickly.

  The skeleton warlord struggled against the flowing water, then pulled out a block of dirt and placed it on the water source. Gradually, the water flowed away, leaving the stone floor dry again.

  “You can’t get away from me, boy,” the warlord said, his voice raspy. “Soon, the rest of my army will be here and it will be the end for you and all your friends.”

  Watcher glanced around the chamber, checking to see if more monsters were arriving. They weren’t there … yet. And then the two warriors attacked again, their swords clashing together, making thunder fill the hall.

  Ducking under Rakir’s sword, he rolled to a side and stabbed at his legs. Watcher noticed many of the villagers had removed their enchanted boots. And then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the boots just disappear from the feet of an NPC. The frozen water underfoot melted just as she attacked one of the skeletons. That’s curious … why would the copied boots disappear?

  Watcher pushed the thought aside and charged at his opponent, swinging Needle as fast as he could, allowing Rakir to block his attack, but then he spun around as he swiped at the huge skeleton’s chest. His enchanted blade gouged into the monster’s armor, but did little damage.

  The skeleton brought the Widow-Maker down in a lethal, overhead strike, aimed at his head. Watcher got out of the way just in time, the vicious blade glancing off his shoulder and tearing into the metallic sleeve. Part of the armor fell to the ground, leaving his left arm unprotected.

  Rakir laughed, pointing at the torn garment on the ground. Watcher took advantage of the distraction and rolled forward, then lunged at the monster’s chest. The warlord brought the massive blade down just in time to deflect his attack, then hit Watcher hard in the head with the hilt of the sword. He staggered backward, his head spinning, the monster’s laughter filling his ears.

  “You don’t stand a chance, boy-wizard. Soon, I will take the last of your HP and watch you disappear.”

  Watcher glanced around, looking for something to help. This monster was just too big, his armor and weapon too strong for him. I can’t do this … it’s impossible.

  Just then, a sparkling red arrow streaked through the air and struck Rakir in the chest. The arrow bounced off his enchanted armor, but pushed him back a step. Another arrow followed the first, pinging off his chest plate, the Punch enchantment forcing the monster back again.

  “Watcher, are you okay?”

  He glanced up and found Winger standing over him. She fired another arrow, then helped him to his feet. Rakir’s Fossil Bow of Destruction clattered to the ground as well as the cloning wand and other items that had been in his inventory. He thought about using the Bow on Rakir, but he doubted his HP could pay the price.

  “I can’t beat him, Winger … he’s too strong.”

  “Er-Lan believes,” a voice said in his ear.

  Watcher glanced over his shoulder and found Er-Lan standing at his side.

  “You said you saw me victorious in your vision?” Watcher accused in disbelief. “I can’t beat him … he’s four times stronger than me. It’s impossible. Your vision must have been wrong!”

  “Four times stronger?” Er-Lan asked.

  “What?” Watcher was confused.

  The zombie leaned down and picked up the wand of cloning and moved it in a circle over his head as Watcher had, then flicked it toward the boy.

  A bright white light engulfed Watcher, every inch of his skin feeling burning hot and freezing cold at the same time. The faint outline of Rakir moving closer filled him with fear, but then the image of the skeleton seemed to split in two as if Watcher had double vision, then his sight cleared. He glanced at Er-Lan. The zombie was flashing red as he took damage, the wand demanding payment. With another flick, the zombie shot another ball of burning, freezing light at him. Again, Watcher was enveloped with magical power, his vision splitting again as needles of burning cold pierced his skin.

  Er-Lan screamed in pain, then flicked the wand one more time, and collapsed.

  Did that wand take too much HP from Er-Lan? Watcher thought, fear exploding throughout his body. Is he dead?

  The twang of a bowstring brought him back to his senses.

  Winger fired another burning arrow at the skeleton as Watcher’s vi
sion finally cleared. He looked around to find three other Watchers staring back at him, confused.

  “What’s going on?” he asked his sister.

  “Talk later.” She fired another arrow. “It’s time to fight, and I’m talking to all of you!”

  Watcher glanced at the other Watchers. Each wore the same shiny, enchanted armor with the left sleeve missing, each one with their own Needle glowing angrily in their hands. They all turned their gaze toward Rakir who stared at the quadruplets in disbelief, then sneered.

  “One boy-wizard or four … it’s no matter to me. I’ll destroy you all.”

  “You think so?” one of the Watchers said.

  Rakir laughed, then took a step forward, Widow-Maker held ready.

  “Skeleton, it’s time we taught you some respect,” another Watcher said.

  “Yeah,” said the third, “and school is now in session.”

  The fourth Watcher banged Needle against his chest plate, then yelled his battle cry, his carbon copies all joining in. “ATTACK!”

  CHAPTER 35

  The Watchers charged at Rakir.

  The skeleton, shocked at the multitude of opponents, took a step back, then gave his enemies a growl. “Four of you … Rakir can easily destroy four boy-wizards who don’t have any power yet.”

  Leaping high into the air, the skeleton warlord landed between all of the Watchers. He swung his huge blade with two bony hands gripping the hilt, spinning in a circle. The tip of the enchanted blade cut a gash through the sparkling iron mail of his opponents. One of the Watchers charged at the monster, taking a savage hit to his ribs. The boy flashed red as he screamed in pain and took damage. Another Watcher attacked from behind, bringing Needle down upon the monster’s enchanted armor. He hit the monster hard, causing a wide crack to form along the monster’s back.

  Rakir turned and lunged at the attacker, scoring a hit on the boy’s shoulder. At the same time, two other Watchers charged, swinging their Needles with all their strength. Both blades came down upon the monster for a killing blow, but the skeleton warlord stepped away just in time, allowing the attack to miss. With the two Watchers off balance, Rakir stepped forward and slashed at them, tearing into their armor and chiseling away at their HP. The nearest boy screamed in pain, a look of fear on his square face. He glanced at his sister and started to say something, but Widow-Maker came down upon the boy’s shoulder, taking the last of his HP. He screamed in pain and disappeared. One Watcher had perished.

  “One down, three to go.” Rakir laughed a hollow, hacking sort of laugh, then charged at the nearest adversary, his dark blade coming down like a bolt of shadowy lightning.

  Watcher rolled to the side, the monster’s blade narrowly missing. When he stood, the other duplicates charged at the skeleton, slashing at arms and shoulders and chest. Needles bounced off the monster’s armor, causing wide cracks to form in Rakir’s metallic skin. The warlord screamed in frustration, then slashed at his attackers, landing a hit on each.

  Out of the corner of his eye, Watcher saw more of the Frost Walker boots disappearing right off the villager’s feet. The villagers fell through the melting layer of ice, getting stuck in the water that flowed across the stone floor.

  “Winger, help the others,” the boy shouted as he brought up his blade to block an attack.

  The skeleton kicked him hard in the chest, sending him to the ground. Before he could stand, Widow-Maker came down onto his leg, cutting through the iron leggings and digging in to his flesh. Pain shot through his body like fire as the sword tore into his HP; Watcher knew he was close to death.

  The Watcher doppelgangers charged the skeleton warlord, trying to protect the wounded Watcher. They slashed at the monster, tearing chunks from his enchanted armor. Rakir turned and brought his shadowy blade onto the duplicates, causing them to cry out in pain.

  He’s destroying them, and when he’s done with them, he’ll turn on me. Watcher glanced across the chamber at Planter. She was locked in battle with two skeletons, her golden axe hewing into their bones, but she too looked terrified. This must stop before all my health is gone. I need to get healed somehow.

  Just then, he remembered the arrows he still had in his inventory … but were there any left? Reaching into his inventory, he pulled out the last arrow of Healing. With the shaft gripped firmly in his hand, Watcher dropped Needle and allowed it to clatter to the ground. Rakir heard the sound and spun. Seeing the villager with no weapon and a single arrow in his hand, the warlord laughed.

  Watcher glanced at the other Watchers, then held the arrow high over his head. They nodded and also dropped their swords, each pulling out a similar arrow.

  “What are you gonna do with those, scratch your name into my chest plate?” Rakir laughed again.

  “It’s time for this to end.” Watcher took a step forward. He glanced at his duplicate selves. They nodded, each understanding what must be done. “NOW!”

  The three identical villagers charged at the warlord. Rakir swung his huge blade at one of the Watchers. The boy ducked under the attack and rolled across the ground. Then, as one, they all leapt into the air, holding their arrows like daggers. They fell upon the skeleton, the Thorns enchantment on the monster’s armor stabbing at them, but the pain didn’t matter, the agony didn’t matter … all that mattered was the arrows of Healing. They each jabbed the arrows between the armored plates until the pointed shafts found bone, then pushed away from the monster.

  The healing potion embedded in the arrows quickly spread across the monster. It coated his bones beneath the armor, the metallic layer doing nothing to protect him. Rakir screamed in pain. He dropped Widow-Maker as he flashed red, the healing potion acting like poison to the undead creature.

  The monster fell to the ground, writhing as he flashed red again and again. The silvery Helm of Calling fell from his inventory and rolled across the ground. One of the Watchers stepped forward and stopped the ancient relic with a foot, then glared down at the skeleton warlord.

  “I think the lesson is over, Rakir,” Watcher said. “Class dismissed.”

  And with a terrified expression on his face, Rakir, the skeleton warlord, disappeared.

  CHAPTER 36

  “The warlord is dead?!” one of the skeletons shouted.

  The fighting slowed as many of the monsters glanced at the pile of enchanted armor that had once been worn by their commander. A handful of the monsters turned and fled from the chamber, their will to fight now broken. Some of the skeletons continued fighting, but most chose to follow the examples of their comrades, and ran from the villagers.

  Watcher glanced at Cutter and the general. They had separated, and Rusak was now staring at the pile of armor that had once been his skeleton warlord.

  “No … it can’t be true.” General Rusak glanced at Cutter, then reached out suddenly and pushed the big NPC to the ground.

  As the warrior struggled to his feet, the skeleton ran for the elaborate throne against the far wall. He stood next to the hole adjacent to the throne, water pouring into the opening. Rusak glared at the Watchers, then jumped into the watery flow and disappeared into the darkness.

  Once he regained his feet, Cutter chased after the monster, ready to dive into the flowing liquid, following his enemy.

  “No … you can’t jump in there after him,” one of the Watchers said. “He could have blocked off the water flow farther down and you could drown.” He moved to his friend’s side and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Let him go.”

  “But he might have more artifacts. Some of them could be dangerous weapons.”

  “It’s okay; we stopped the skeleton warlord,” Watcher said. “That’s the important thing.” Cutter nodded, then glanced past Watcher to see the other two Watchers. “There’s three of you?”

  The three Watchers nodded.

  “But I don’t think we’re gonna be here for much longer,” one of them said.

  “Yeah, I saw the Frost Walker boots disappearing as well,” another
Watcher replied. “I think the items cloned with the magic wand only stay for a while.”

  “Er-Lan … he was hurt when he did the cloning. Is he okay?” The third Watcher scanned the room and found his friend lying on the ground. Winger was there at his side, offering the zombie a piece of melon. He ran to the zombie. “Are you alright?”

  The zombie glanced up at Watcher, then cast his gaze on the other duplicates. “I think so.” He took the melon slice and gobbled it down, then stood on shaky legs. Winger gave him an apple and a loaf of bread. “But Er-Lan has a confession to make. Watcher’s victory was not seen in a vision.”

  “You mean you didn’t see me defeat the skeleton warlord?”

  The zombie shook his head.

  “They why did you tell me that?” one of the Watcher asked.

  “Belief was needed. Watcher doubted what he could do, and if that doubt lingered, Er-Lan knew victory could slip away.” The zombie looked down at the ground as if he were ashamed. “Er-Lan lied to Watcher so success would seem possible. One can only do what they imagine is possible. If Watcher thought victory was impossible … then it would have been impossible.” He took a step closer to his friend. “Er-Lan gave Watcher hope.”

  “I guess you did the right thing, but I’d rather hear the truth.” Watcher glanced at his other doppelgangers. “How long do we have until we start to disappear?”

  The others just shrugged.

  “Er-Lan is confused. Watcher was cloned three times.” The zombie bit into the loaf of bread and chewed as he thought. “There should be four, but only three are present. What if the original Watcher was killed?”

  “Then all of us would disappear and there would be no—” That Watcher suddenly vanished in a puff of purple sparkles, the cloning enchantment having run its course.

  “Oh no.” Planter moved closer to one of them. “That means all of you might disappear.”

  The remaining Watchers both nodded their heads.