Midnight War

by Eden Redd

  Claudia took a few more steps back as the five statues glowed brighter with each passing second. The little unicorns turned their horned heads to each other before they jumped to life. The lancer clutched her hands together to her chest, the long quest over. The unicorns touched, bodies melting and growing larger. Energy swirled and before Claudia could blink, the ball of light turned into a horse shape.

  The lancer pumped her fist in the air as a white unicorn melted into view. The white spiral horn gleamed in the lantern light of the room and the mount bowed its head as it clopped closer. A saddle was strapped to its back and it huffed its approval as it moved to the lancer.

  Claudia let her hands glide along the warm hide of her new mount. A connection flared and the lancer’s smile grew broader. A wicked thought filled her mind as she slipped a boot into a stirrup and threw her other leg over the saddle.

  ***

  The corridor was quiet as two guards stood at their station. The evening was a peaceful one, to the point where both guards leaned against the wall, lost to day dreams. A growing storm of hooves slowly filled the air. The guards stood up from the wall, heads turning and eyes bulging.

  Claudia shouted from the top of her lungs as her unicorn charged down the almost empty corridor. Smile bright, she pumped her fist again, shouting with the fury of a Valkyrie.

  The guards turned and ran as their lady charged in their direction. Reaching a branching hallway, they dived to the side and hit the floor as lady and unicorn charged past. Claudia shouted with all her might as heads peeked around corners and doors opened to see what the ruckus was. Some in the keep smiled while she blazed past while others ducked for cover.

  Claudia’s heart soared as she hugged her unicorn’s neck in pure joy.

  Six

  Edric eyed the racks of runic weapons and armor filling the larger armory. Located deep within the keep, it was stockpiled and locked up so every weapon would be safe and accounted for. The summoner knew with so much at stake, they couldn’t risk losing a single blade, mace, helmet or armor. Time was slipping away and the player tripled the guard outside.

  In the armory, the rulers of Elora and their fellow heroes stood in quiet awe. Magnys moved through the racks, ancient eyes drinking in the brand-new weapons and armor before making his way around a shelf and back to the group. Edric looked to Faye, Claudia and Rayna. The three ladies stood at attention but it was Claudia with a wide smile on her face. Rayna glanced to the green haired lancer, pink touching her cheeks and looking away. Faye looked to Edric, a warm smile on her lips. The four rulers had met earlier in the morning, discussing strategies, bringing Claudia up to speed and meeting the lancer’s unicorn.

  Edric smiled to himself, a loving feeling filling the meeting as he felt the kingdom was whole again. Everyone missed the lancer and she was happy to hug everyone. When she reached Rayna, she kissed her deeply, the bard’s cheeks glowing red but not fighting her. A moment touched him as he wanted to spend time with just them but it quickly faded as they discussed what they were about to endure in the trials ahead.

  Jinn, Juna and Sonja stood in a small cluster, patiently waiting. Edric caught the beautiful half-troll stealing quick glances and he couldn’t help himself, glancing at her a little too often. Vass, Renner and Thorrin stood in another cluster, the rogues holding hands and the paladin standing with his arms crossed. Drakkus and Leeta stood close to Edric, the vampire lord talking about some of his adventures and the ogre listening in girlish delight. Edric eyed them, smiling internally as he saw Leeta had a crush on the dashing vampire. The summoner chuckled to himself as he noticed almost anyone near Drakkus seemed infatuated with him. When he spoke of his tales through the hundreds of years of his life, many stopped just to listen. Edric was immune to his charm but somehow, he ended up listening in anyway. It couldn’t be denied that he simply was good at bringing you into the experience.

  Dumadin, Thalia and Lunatina stood off to the side. The jester eyed Rayna while the dwarf eyed Faye. Thalia stood with a smile and humming a song in her throat as Ralis stood at her side, dark eyes on the group.

  Magnys stepped to gathered group, eyes filled with purpose. “Everything appears in order so I will get right to it. The weapons and armor were designed with a mixture of runic power and holy abilities. Lukken has not seen magic like this since the early dawn of our world. The weapons will be effective against most enemies while the holy abilities will double and triple against the undead.

  “Armor has been customized to your individual tastes. It will look like what you’re currently wearing but the insides will have runic sigils for their power. It will be effective at combating most status effects and provide protection against elemental attacks. It will not protect you completely but it will lower the damage. The holy ability in the armor will reduce abyssal attacks as well. I don’t believe even a Dread Lord will have enough power to kill you in one blow but we won’t know until you encounter one.”

  “You heard him, no one die,” Renner said loudly.

  A small laugh filled the armory, breaking the tension a little.

  Magnys nodded. “I’ll start gathering your weapons and armor with the help of the courtesans.”

  Faye stepped forward and all eyes turned to her.

  “We finalized our plans. Tonight, Dagger team will ride on wyverns to the secret tunnel location. Rayna and Claudia will gather our forces and march them to the portal dome. Once Dagger Team opens the first portal, Sword Team will begin the invasion. Remember, we need three portals open to ensure we have a foothold in enemy territory.”

  Heads nodded as Ralis stepped forward. The former troll ambassador bowed his head slightly before addressing the group.

  “The Middle Kingdoms and the Kunarr Kingdoms have enchantments that prevent non-troll recall stones from working within their walls. Once you are inside, if things turn sour, you will not be able to escape by any recall stone. I have had maps of the Middle Kingdoms and Kraznith drawn so you can use them if you get lost. Thanks to Magnys for enchanting them so only you will be able to read them and not the enemy.”

  Claudia stepped forward, “Once the Sword team takes control of the Middle Kingdoms, the Crown team will enter the portals and will take the throne. Once the Middle Kingdoms are secured, we will have 24 to 48 game hours before we launch for the final invasion.”

  “We won’t press the attack,” Thorrin asked.

  Edric stood next to Faye, giving her a quick glance before addressing the group.

  “We have no idea how bad it will get when we take the Middle Kingdoms. Kraznith is a fortress city and the heart of the troll kingdoms. We are going to lose some of our forces and we will need time for them to respawn and rejoin the fight. We don’t know what the death lock-out will be until we attack but most large-scale battles have a 24-hour lock-out. Once we have our army again, we will use the Middle Kingdom’s portals to launch our final assault on Kraznith. Ralis has identified several key points in the kingdom our forces will have to strike to cripple their forces. When we have the Middle Kingdoms, we will detail the plans for the final assault.”

  Edric tilted his head forward, shadows covering his eyes. “This is the end. We have to succeed or all of Lukken will pay the price. It’s only a matter of time before Harkkon sends his dead Sormir to destroy coastal towns and kingdoms before they march on land. Even with every hero fighting, we can never stand up to such a force.”

  Edric’s fingers closed into a fist at his side. “We all have heard about William Tanner. When I have logged off, I read it’s getting worse in reality. The news keeps reporting that the game Lewd Saga should be shut down. They say its corrupt and ruining lives. They never talk about how it has changed our lives, showing us what true love and compassion really is. How we can make a difference.

  “The Awakened will be affected if we don’t stop this madness. Friends we found and families we created will be taken away in an instant. We have to give them a chance before Harkkon or the ignorant in real
ity decide for us. We stop Harkkon, we can show that the digital world can be rebuilt and nurtured to something better.”

  Edric looked up, eyes filled with determined fury, “We will be the starting point to a new age!”

  Renner brought his hands up and gave a slow clap. Vass rammed her elbow into his side.

  “Ow! Why did you do that? It was a good speech,” Renner rubbed his ribs.

  The rest of the group looked to the summoner with polite eyes, heads nodding in agreement.

  Edric’s face flushed red. He had prepared the speech over the last two nights and he thought there would at least a rising of fists and some shouting. Maybe it only worked on NPC’s in the game. Head tilting forward, his back felt like jelly as embarrassment clouded his eyes. Juna was the only one looking to the summoner, tears of emotion in her eyes.

  Magnys and the courtesans stepped to the group, weapons and armor in their hands. The Sormir moved to Edric, clasped a free hand on his shoulder and pulled him to the side as everyone began gathering their gear. Edric stood, head bowed and shadows trying to cover his glowing face.

  “It was a good speech,” Magnys smiled.

  “I…I thought it would rile them up,” Edric said in a low whisper.

  Magnys nodded. “Heroes don’t really need speeches. They seem ready to take any enemy as they are. Though, I admire your energy.”

  Edric stood motionless as Magnys put some items down on a nearby table. Looking to the summoner, the Sormir touched his own chin as if deep in thought.

  “I have been thinking about you in the coming battles. You have skills to be a great summoner but you will need some added protection and weapon upgrades if you’re going to survive.”

  Magnys reached over to the pile and picked up a white chainmail shirt. Edric snapped out of his embarrassment as Magnys handed it to him. It was light as a feather in his hands and the metal felt like hard silk.

  “I made it myself,” Magnys smiled. “It’s lightweight so you won’t have any negative effects on spell casting. It’s has good protection against status and spell effects but medium protection against actual weapons. Try to not get stabbed.”

  Magnys picked up a crystal from the pile as his eyes went Edric’s whip. “A whip is a poor weapon in battle but I understand the limitations of your class selection.”

  Magnys held up the crystal before Edric. It was white like a thick diamond and radiated a pale glow.

  “It took some time but I made this for you to put in one of your gem slots. It will increase the power of your whip and add the holy effects to your attacks, just in case you run out of mana or friends in battle.”

  “Run out of friends,” Edric said with wide eyes.

  Magnys ignored him and continued, “Beyond this, there isn’t much else I can do. I’ll stay here and keep the mages working at the spell forges until the Middle Kingdoms are ours. I will come to you when we are ready to invade Kraznith.”

  Edric took the crystal from Magnys’ hand. “I wish you were coming with us tonight.”

  Magnys sighed. “I do too but our forces need to be armed for the final fight. Drakkus, Nykor and Leeta should be more than enough protection for you. Leeta will be given a new mace, more powerful than her current two. Drakkus is unable to wield the new weapons or wear the armor but he assured me he is more than capable with his natural abilities. Nykor’s power is tremendous and doesn’t need anything more.”

  The elder Sormir looked to the summoner with a nearly fatherly gaze. “Edric, I have seen many things in this world and in my travels. You have a spirit to reach great heights but the only way you will achieve them is if you let go of the past and look to the future.

  “Love can be mysterious just as it can be deadly or full of healing power. I can see the chains around your heart, guarding yourself. It is a pain I knew well, losing the love of my life. She was a troll of amazing knowledge and beauty. She took my breath away and her voice sent a vibration down my spine I have never forgotten. I followed her wishes, guarding Harkkon’s tomb but I too failed at my duty. What I wish to tell you is…open your heart again before the pain becomes all you will ever know.”

  Edric looked with cool eyes on the Sormir. They had spoken but he never opened up about his personal past. The words carried weight and the summoner knew that whatever happened, he would overcome it if he moved on with his life.

  “What was her name,” Edric asked with a warm smile.

  “Zusa,” Magnys said with a low sad tone. “She opened my heart to true love and it changed my life forever.”

  Edric touched Magnys’s shoulder. “We will make Zusa and Elora proud.”

  The Sormir smirked. “Yes, we will.”

  Dumadin helped locked a bracer on Faye’s arm. The wood elf watched the dwarf work. Dumadin gently brushed his fingers along the elf’s skin, eyes glancing up to see her reaction. The wood elf simply smiled, saying nothing and almost leaning into his gentle touches along her arm. The dwarf’s smile grew as he happily continued to attach the second bracer before working on her shin guards.

  Thalia slithered over to Claudia, helping her equip her light armor while Lunatina slipped arcane plates in slots along Rayna’s black leather outfit. The bard gave the jester a wicked leer as hands lingered on thighs. Claudia glanced over, noticing the connection for the first time. Thalia placed a new spear in the lancer’s hand as her gray eyes wandered from the bard to the pale white jester in black and purple.

  Jinn wrapped a thick belt around his waist. When it was locked into place, he opened one of the pouches to see hundreds of white metal darts. He gave a nod of approval before looking up to Juna’s smiling face. The half-troll didn’t need the weapons or armor but the elder assassin fought off dreadful thoughts of concern for his daughter. Mind swirling to Oksuna, Jinn squared his jaw before smiling to the half-troll, ready to bring his family together again.

  Drakkus helped Sonja put on her armor as Renner helped arm Vass with new, more powerful daggers. Thorrin took the armor but ignored the weapons since he had a Bracer of Thunn. When Dumadin finished with Faye, he picked up a white and gray battle-axe and a chainmail shirt.

  Edric looked at his chainmail shirt and crystal.

  Holy Arcane Chainmail Shirt

  +35 Protection

  70% Protection vs Status Effects

  60% Protection vs Magical Attacks

  70% Protection vs Abyssal Attacks

  Edric remembered that any percentage protection either nullified the effect or halved the damage from attacks. Looking at the chainmail shirt again, the percentages were fantastic but since Harkkon had grown so powerful, half damage still had a chance to kill him instantly. Damage could be reduced as long as they were glancing blows but a direct strike could still be fatal.

  Edric held up the white gem.

  Holy Arcane Aura

  +50 Damage to Weapon

  Double Damage vs Undead

  Edric pulled his whip from his hip. Looking at the stats, if he removed the lightning attack and put in the Holy Arcane Gem in its place, he could still use the power surge gem to maximize damage and maybe even triple any damage vs undead. Pulling up the weapon screen, he tapped at the top gem slot of the whip. The gem faded out of the whip and the player tapped the screen again. The new gem fit into place. Power glowed along the whip as he re-latched it to his belt.

  Bringing up his inventory screen, he tapped it a few times, the chainmail shirt disappearing and reappearing over his chest and under his green robe. The player pulled up his stats again and looked it over to ensure everything was in place.

  Edric Temple

  Summoner

  Hit Points- 160/160

  Mana- 260/260

  Armor- 40

  Strength- 22(+4)

  Intelligence- 40(+10)

  Wisdom- 30(+7)

  Dexterity- 27(+5)

  Stamina- 40(+10)

  Charisma- 51(+20)

  Spell Abilities

  Charm- 62

  Sna
re- 58

  Channel- (+STR/HP/DEX)

  Lock Stones (1)

  Leeta (Ogre)- HP-300/300

  Nykor (Drell-Kai)- HP- 6,000/6,000

  Drakkus Thorne (Vampire Lord)- HP- 1,666/1,666

  Magnys (Sormir)- HP- 9,999/9,999

  Spells

  Summoning Spell- 10 Mana

  Summon Demon Spell- 2o Mana

  Summon Angel Spell- 40 Mana

  Summon Elemental- 25 Mana

  Light Spell- 5 Mana

  Mana Shield- 1 Mana for 2 points of Protection

  Primary Skills

  Spell Casting- 70

  Spell Craft- 46

  Gem Craft- 46

  Rune Craft- 37

  Enchantment- 30

  Melee- 43

  Wilderness Lore- 25

  Equipment

  Holy Arcane Whip- 60 to 65 damage

  Whip Gem Slot- Holy Arcane Aura, +50 Damage, DD Undead

  Whip Gem Slot- Power Surge, Extra 20 to 50 Damage

  Dark Green Robe- 5 Armor

  Holy Arcane Chainmail shirt- +35 Protection. %70S/%60M/%70A

  Healing Potions (8)- Heal 100 HP

  Mana Potions (8)- Restore 100 Mana

  Elixirs (1)- Heals all damage and restores Mana

  Edric nodded to himself, seeing everything was in order. The summoner moved to Faye as she was looking over her new bracers.

  “I need to see someone. I’ll be back soon,” Edric said simply.

  “Is everything okay,” the wood elf asked.

  “I hope so,” Edric sighed. “Our new dungeon invited me for a chat before we set off.”

  ***

  The doors opened and Edric stepped into a gathering of Elora’s rich elite and average citizens. Violins and harps played as a large circular stone and wood bar stood in the middle of the large chamber. Bartenders served drinks as dark elves moved through the crowd, handing out drinks. An excited murmur flowed like gentle tides, the crowd lost in happy conversation.