Midnight War

by Eden Redd

  Edric stepped in and many eyes and heads turned to him, raising glasses and bowing their heads. It slightly unnerved the lord summoner but he politely smiled and made his way deeper through the crowd. Bodies parted until the player noticed Lyndra standing by the bar, happily chatting with a few of Elora’s socialites, Sekka at her side. The dungeon core continued to laugh and touch forearms as Sekka looked to the approaching summoner with a welcoming smile.

  “And then I told him,’ If you bend at the knees, I have some holy water you can drink’,” Lyndra laughed and those gathered around her joined.

  The dungeon core turned her glowing eyes to the approaching summoner and gave a bow of her head, “Lord Temple, so good of you to join our little gathering. Sekka, please see that Lord Temple is properly refreshed.”

  The succubus bowed and stepped away.

  Edric put up his hands, “Thank you but I’m not…..”

  Lyndra cut him off, “Nonsense, I’m sure one drink will not dull your senses for the fight to come.”

  Sekka appeared with a glass of white wine and handed it to the summoner. Edric gave a polite smile and took the glass, lifting it up. Everyone around Lyndra raised their glasses in a silent toast before taking a deep drink.

  Lyndra’s smile was bright as she turned to the gathered nobles, “Please excuse us. I’m sure Lord Temple has urgent business to discuss. It won’t take long and then we can return to the pre-celebration.”

  Elora nobles and ladies bowed before stepping away, leaving a wide empty circle by the bar, Lyndra, Edric and Sekka the only ones there.

  “Pre-celebration,” Edric said with a small smile.

  Lyndra nodded, “The world may be ending so why not end it on a high note.” The raven-haired woman stepped a little closer to Edric, eyes glowing. “I’m happy you could come. Many of Elora’s elite were looking forward to seeing you. Many wish you well on your conquest of the Middle Kingdoms.”

  “We will certainly do our best,” Edric said and took another sip, the wine easing the small tension in his shoulders.

  Lyndra gave him a wicked, wanting gaze, “I cannot thank you enough for allowing my core to reside under your beautiful city. It took some time but many citizens have finally decided to come to my parties. It has been a magnificent experience and I have you and the lovely ladies of Elora to thank.”

  “You’re help in defending the kingdom won many over. I know I feel better knowing you are here, helping us defend the city and kingdom.”

  Lyndra licked her lips before she continued, “I know the duties of the kingdom have taken precedence but you have not answered my invitations for private meetings. One would think you’re avoiding me.”

  Edric tilted his head forward, smiling. “Kingdom and my duties to my fellow rulers have taken up my time. Please forgive me.”

  Lyndra nodded. “You are forgiven, for now. I only wish for prosperity for all of us in these trying times. Are you confident about your plans?”

  “We are,” Edric said with a quick glance away before changing the subject, “Have your people adjusted to life here in Elora?”

  Lyndra nodded, “They have. The transition has gone smoothly and the Elorian wine has helped.”

  The dungeon mistress leaned in closer as if to kiss his cheek but instead her lips parted by his ear, “There are terrible rumors the human kingdoms may fall soon. I have also heard Dread Lord Maggar Wormwood is in the Middle Kingdoms with a terrible new weapon. I speak to you with this information so you know; Maggar must be taken down as quickly as possible.”

  Edric’s brow rose and the dungeon mistress continued as if she read his mind.

  “My power has grown and so has my abilities. I have spies everywhere and they have reported back whispers of the mad Dread Lord’s plans. He will be in the lower levels of Bellor’s Keep. It may be tempting to take the throne room but search the lower levels first.”

  “What kind of new weapon does he have,” Edric asked in a whisper.

  “I’m not sure but it has been whispered as something that can rival Harkkon’s power,” Lyndra said and licked the summoner’s ear before pulling back.

  “A lick for luck,” Lyndra smiled showing her teeth. “Come back soon. Sekka has been beside herself missing you.”

  Edric eyed the dungeon core as she winked and turned away, strolling to her party guests. Sekka stood at Edric’s side, looking up at him with warm eyes.

  “I wish I could join you on your adventure,” the succubus said in a low tone.

  “I wish you could too,” Edric said before downing his glass of wine and setting it on the bar.

  Sekka touched the side of Edric’s chin and moved it so they were facing each other. Wrapping her arms around his neck and wings around their bodies, the succubus kissed the summoner deeply. Edric’s eyes closed, enjoying the sweet taste of the demon, his body reacting as it always did when she was close. The slight distraction pushed away the small nervous butterflies in his stomach as tongues danced and played. When the moment passed, Sekka pulled away with a mischievous grin.

  “For luck…and a promise for the victor,” the succubus said in sultry tone.

  “Thank you for the motivation,” Edric said as Sekka’s wings folded back, “Take care of yourself and your mistress.”

  Lyndra watched from the corner of her eye as Edric let go of the scantily clad succubus and walked toward the main doors. Seeing him leave, she took another sip of wine as a female dark elf with long white hair stepped to her side.

  “Do they suspect,” the dark elf asked with a whisper.

  “No, if he did, he would have asked. We will continue the arrangement after the main army leaves the city,” Lyndra returned in a whisper.

  “My master and his high priest will be pleased,” the dark elf said with a slight smile.

  “As long as all parties are honor bound, all should benefit, now I need some more wine,” Lyndra said as she snapped her fingers, five dark elves rushing to her with trays of full wine glasses.

  ***

  The air tasted pure as Edric looked up into the moonless night. Stars glowed across the heavens as a large group of wyverns flew silently through the dark skies. The summoner looked over his shoulder to the flying formation. No one spoke as eyes gazed south to the small light of the Middle Kingdoms.

  Edric turned his gaze, looking ahead to the lone beacon of the kingdoms. Recent memories washed over him like the cool wind, wyverns flying mere feet from tree tops. Images of Claudia and Rayna hugging him and Faye filled his mind, the lancer biting his ear and the bard smacking his ass. They turned to the wood elf and held her like a sister departing on a train to new horizons. Tears formed as if they didn’t want to let go and Edric could see the bond between them, all of them.

  Drakkus, Leeta and Nykor all moved closer, ready to enter their lock stone's, eyes and hearts ready for the fight ahead. Nykor lowered her head, nudging the summoner as he patted her neck. The rest of Dagger team arrived at the wyvern tower, ready for what was to come. Lunatina arrived as well, handing out potions and making sure everyone was stocked. The jester gave Edric a kiss on his cheek before moving to Rayna and kissing her on the lips. The two lingered for an uncomfortably long time before they parted and the jester cart-wheeled away.

  Jinn, Juna, Sonja, Vass and Thorrin were geared up and eyes filled with determination. Dumadin showed up, battle-axe at his back and muttering curses under his breath about they should be bringing more people. Edric thought the mood was a little somber as the sun set and he told the group what Lyndra had told him. It resonated that they needed to work fast if they were to succeed.

  Mounting their wyverns, each one leapt into the air, wings flapping and gaining altitude. Rayna, Claudia and Lunatina waved from the ground as the Dagger team flew higher into the evening sky and then veered to the south, toward the Middle Kingdoms. Vass looked down from her mount, not seeing Renner and knowing he couldn’t see her off. They promised each other to be careful but he kept the kids busy s
o they wouldn’t whine about going along.

  Nearly an hour had passed since they took off on their short flight almost to their destination. Edric scanned the kingdoms ahead, large torches on battlements and light surrounding the area. The lack of moonlight aided their approach but this was the coming moment where they had a chance at success or failure. If a single scout or magical spy caught wind of their approach, the mission would be a failure. Wyverns banked right, remaining parallel to the kingdoms and heading west. Lunatina’s words echoed in Edric’s head, the distance and location of the tunnel to the west of the kingdoms. It was far enough west that no one thought to look for such an entrance and Edric hoped it was still there.

  The wind picked up, blasting bodies with cool air as wyverns dipped low. A group of trees gave way to a clearing and stone outcroppings jutting up from the grassy ground. Wyverns glided down until they touched grass, claws digging into the earth and stopping their momentum. Players dismounted, weapons out as eyes looked to the kingdoms in the distance. No horns blew in alarm or announced increased activity.

  Edric and Faye moved at the same time, searching in the starlight for the marked pointed boulder. Lunatina said it would look like a dragon claw, sticking out of the ground. A frantic calm surged against Edric’s nerves as he stumbled through the dark. The gentle glow of boulders and stones barely providing enough reflected light to see where they were going.

  Edric walked past a boulder and his eyes locked on another one fitting Lunatina’s description. A cold sweat touched his palms as a nagging feeling washed over him, wondering if any traps were set and they would be discovered at any moment. The rest of team fanned out to help search but soon Edric raise his hand and waved them over.

  The summoner eyed the large, talon-like stone, a strange marking at its base. Before he knew it, Faye and Dumadin were at his side. The dwarf knelt to the grassy floor, thick hands running over the earth before his fingers slipped in a small crack were the stone and ground met. Fingers touched a mechanism, the stone side of the pointed boulder shifted and stagnant air flowed out. The dwarf was to his feet, taking hold of the edge and opening it further.

  The group converged, standing at the entrance and eyeing foreboding darkness beyond. Thorrin smacked Wyverns on their sides, directing them to take flight and return to Elora. When the last one flew away, the reality of the situation sank into the raid group. They knew there was no turning back now.

  Vass smiled as she put her hood up and cloak over her shoulders. The rogue bent her legs at the knees before stepping into the darkness of the secret entrance. The rest of the group waited, letting her gain some distance before they all looked to each other. Reassuring nods filled the summoner with courage. Edric entered the dark tunnel, feeling stone steps leading down. With a deep inhale, he began his descent with fluttering bravery.

  Seven

  Darkness parted as flaming torches illuminated the wide, cavernous tunnel. Jinn led the way, Faye close behind him with Dumadin. Juna and Edric took up the middle while Sonja and Thorrin took the rear. Edric held his torch up high, glancing to every dark shadow as they walked along.

  The tunnel was damp, the sound of dripping water echoing along through the darkness. They had been walking for twenty minutes; senses alert for anything that may jump out at them. Edric’s tension eased, enjoying the simple pleasure of exploring something close to a dungeon. It had been so long since he did a simple dungeon crawl; it was refreshing change of pace compared to his kingdom duties.

  Juna caught the summoner’s small smile, walking alongside him. Edric caught himself as he glanced over to see the half-troll smiling at him.

  “Happy thought,” Juna said in a low tone.

  “You could say that,” Edric smiled wider. “It’s nice to be out of the kingdom for a little adventure.”

  “This is far from a little adventure,” Thorrin grinned from behind.

  Edric glanced back, returning the smile. “You know what I mean. Here we are on an epic quest to retake the kingdoms and save Oksuna and possibly all of Lukken. I’m happy we can call be together on this epic quest but I do miss the smaller adventures when you’re a starting player.”

  “You’re preaching to the choir,” Jinn said over his shoulder. “I’ve spent so much time trying to make a difference; I wish I could just enjoy a small dungeon raid with a few friends.”

  “When this is all over, maybe we can,” Sonja smiled from the rear.

  “Sounds like a date,” Jinn chuckled.

  Edric turned his attention to Juna, “Maybe…we can go on a dungeon crawl together. I doubt they would have any high-level loot that would match your power but they can be fun.”

  The half-troll eyed the summoner, her expression taking a shy hint before she nodded her head. “Sounds like a fun experience. As Jinn said, it’s a date.”

  Edric’s cheeks glowed hot and then he glanced to Jinn who had turned his head and gave the summoner an approving nod. The nod caused the summoner’s face to glow hotter and he mentally berated himself. He didn’t realize he was asking Juna out and right in front of her father. It felt like he was back in high school were women were mysterious and he was awkward as hell.

  Juna enjoyed watching the summoner squirm as they continued their march along the dank tunnel. Edric cooled his thoughts but soon found himself glancing to the beautiful half-troll repeatedly. A warm feeling touched his heart as they walked along. The feelings were there, true to his soul. The pain he once held seemed to lessen as she would glance back to him, eyes almost glowing in the shadowy tunnel. It felt right and the player wanted nothing more than to kiss her perfect lips again like he did when he woke her from her sleeping trance. It was something out of a fairy tale but it didn’t diminish the fact that it was special. If they succeeded, the war would be over and then Edric could explore the connection he felt for the mystical half-troll.

  “How far is the portal from where we exit,” Thorrin asked.

  Edric and Jinn began to speak at the same time. Words jumbled before the older looking assassin bowed his head with a smile to the summoner.

  Edric nodded and continued, “Two city blocks north. It is also the closest portal to Bellor Keep. Once it is activated, we will need to open the portals to the east and west of it.”

  “Aye, how are we going to do that? Split the party?” Dumadin said in a low voice.

  “Splitting the party is bad, “Sonja and Jinn said in unison, smiling.

  Jinn continued, “With Edric’s new intel about Maggar’s weapon, we may have to do it anyway.”

  “Once the portal is open, our forces will march in to aid in the invasion. I can spare Nykor and Drakkus to help the smaller teams reach the other two portals while another team enters Bellor Keep,” Edric added.

  “It might be overkill,” Sonja spoke up, “I can clone an army of mirror images of myself. Nykor and Drakkus can fight an army by themselves.”

  Edric nodded. “We know there is large force of trolls in the kingdoms. Once the alarm sounds, all of them are going to be coming right to us. We need stealth to open the portal by the Keep before all hell breaks loose.”

  “Vass and I can open the first portal. I’m sure our stealth is high enough to get by undetected,” Jinn said. “Once we activate it, all of you will need to rush to our location and split to the other portals while a group enters the Keep.”

  “I’ll hold the main portal,” Sonja stated.

  “Dumadin and I can take the east portal,” Faye added and looked to the dwarf. Dumadin smiled broadly.

  “Vass and I can take the west portal,” Thorrin said with a nod. “It is closer to the Ludus Kingdom and we will have a flood of trolls coming our way.”

  Jinn looked to Edric and Juna as he walked, “That leaves us to storm the Keep and find Maggar.”

  “I’ll send Nykor with Thorrin and Vass. She will be able to help clear the way while Drakkus will go with Faye and Dumadin. Leeta will stay with us to storm the Keep,” Edric said with growin
g confidence.

  The summoner looked to Juna, “With your power, he won’t stand a chance against us.”

  Juna nodded with determined eyes. Jinn was about to speak when he turned his eyes to the tunnel before them, a shadow slinking from the darkness. The group stopped in their tracks. A hood pulled back to show Vass’s elven features.

  “You all sound like a train going through the station. I had to double back so you didn’t wake the Devil Spiders.”

  “A nest, how many,” Jinn asked.

  “I lost count after a hundred. The tunnel balloons out into a natural cavern. The spiders and their queen have webbed the entire area. No one is getting through without waking them.”

  “Did you hear the plan,” Jinn said as we approached the elf.

  Vass nodded.

  “Okay,” Jinn said and stepped past her. “Everyone stays here. I should be back soon.”

  “Jinn,” Edric said as he took a step forward.

  The grizzled white-haired assassin looked back, stopping Edric in his tracks. “It won’t take me long.”

  The group watched as Jinn was swallowed up in the dark tunnel. Long moments ticked by, only the sound of distant drips filling the silent gloom. Flames played with shadows as the dripping grew to a maddening level. Everyone stared into the darkness, waiting for any sign of the assassin. Juna was the only one with a small smile, eyes relaxed.

  A screech cut through the group’s senses before bursts of light lit up the tunnel and cavern beyond. A cacophony of screeches spiraled on as light bursts filled the area like a strobe light. The raid party watched as the flashes continued in rapid succession until they began to slow. A loud crunch vibrated down the tunnel before light flashed again and again. Seconds ticked by until the flashes lessened and soon there was none.

  All watched the dark tunnel until Jinn’s broad figure stepped from the shadows. He looked just as he had left, untouched and shoulders relaxed.

  “Cleared. Let’s keep going,” the assassin smiled before turning and leading the way.