by Eden Redd
Lunatina marched into the bed chamber, confused eyes looking to her as she put on a silk robe.
“Direct everyone to the portals! Go to Elora! Spread the command,” Lunatina commanded with divine authority.
“We have to get you to safety,” Lornus said as leather armor appeared on his body and he drew a sword.
“I need you in the streets helping our people! I’ll free the prisoners,” the queen commanded.
Lornus’s eyes widened, “You can’t!”
Lunatina gave him a wicked grin. “My kingdoms, my rules, now go!”
Bodies moved with swift alacrity as bedlam stormed through the kingdoms. Lunatina raced along, Lornus at her side until they reached a branching hallway. The queen grabbed the troll and kissed him deeply before pulling away. Turning, she ran down a corridor while Lornus watched her go, fear in his heart.
Lunatina jumped down stairs, screams and shouts rising up from the outside. Fear touched her mind but she pushed it away, knowing what she had to do. Reaching the lower levels, players and guard scrambled away in all directions, the sound of the undead drawing closer.
Reaching the dungeons, she noticed the guards had already abandoned it, the keys still on their pegs. The queen grabbed the large ring of keys and opened the metal gate. Running in, she saw in the dim torchlight, trolls rising up and looking at her from behind bars.
Lunatina rushed the doors, inserting keys and opening doors. “Run for the portals! It’s your only chance to escape. The undead are coming!”
A troll stepped forward, “Is this a trick?”
The queen continued to open doors. “It’s not a trick! Run before the undead eat you all! You were my prisoners but now you are all free!”
The trolls flooded the tunnels as Lunatina shouted them on. Soon dreadful moans echoed down tunnels. The queen was swept into the troll flood, many around her guarding her as the undead rushed out from the darkness. Lunatina watched with fear as the undead clawed and bit through the unarmed trolls. Many fought back, smashing bodies but the undead soon grew out of control.
Lunatina rushed along, shouting orders to flee, her mind on the nearest portal, feeling like it was miles away.
***
Edric growled in frustration as the alert crossed his vision. In the distance, a portal stood open, bodies rushing in as others fought against the undead horde. The summoner felt useless as he was carried along in Leeta’s arms. Juna, Faye, Claudia and Rayna fought through the chaos of fighting. Jinn and Oksuna stayed close, fighting every step of the way as the dead clamored from left and right. Drakkus and Sonja sliced heads, swirling together like dancers in a hurricane. Magnys limped along, his hands smashing undead into shattered light with each swing. Renner and Vass stayed close as Venner and Lydia carved out swaths of undead.
Time slowed to a crawl as they fought through the undead. Players shattered around them as rusty swords and soul draining touches assaulted their digital bodies. Lukken was dying and Edric cursed under his breath at their failure.
“Don’t give up! Keep fighting! Return to Elora,” Claudia shouted as she took charge.
The lancer leapt along buildings, informing players and striking down undead. Claudia looked out on one of her jumps, seeing the undead outside the city rushing in like a writhing mass of a living creature. Falling, she hit the ground, speared through several undead and bounded into the air once again.
The fighting grew to a fevered pitch as their player army shattered around them. Numbers dwindled as the undead horde consumed them at an alarming rate. When it felt they would be cut off from the glowing portal, Venner and Lydia cut through the hordes easily, giving everyone a reprieve.
Leeta rushed along, comforting Edric. Shattered light continued to light up the city. When the numbers dwindled to nearly nothing, Faye ordered everyone into the portal. Bodies leapt and charged, hitting the swirling red light and disappearing. Leeta stepped through with Edric. Rayna, Oksuna and Jinn were next. Renner shouted to his family to get their asses moving and soon their family faded from sight. Magnys stepped through with Sonja and Drakkus.
Faye smashed undead after undead, Thorrin’s holy aura glowed around them and keeping the undead at bay. Claudia landed by them, helping to fight off the hordes. The three backed up until they reached the portal edge. Thorrin shouted to the monk and lancer. Claudia jumped through as Faye followed.
Thorrin raised his white hammer as he pumped holy power into it. Bringing it down, he smashed the street, sending burning light in all directions. The undead fell back in a wave as they burned. The portal flickered from the damage. Thorrin turned and jumped through before the portal flickered out and fell in pieces, the undead swarming it with grasping hands and moans.
Edric watched as streams of light pulsed by. The devastation filled his mind, seeing so many players surprised and then slain. The end of Lukken was happening and everything they had done was for nothing.
The portal tunnel flashed and digital reality fell into place. Leeta rushed ahead with Edric in her arms. The sounds of battle were everywhere as the portal dome surrounded them. Trolls came in from one portal as the remaining players from Kraznith came through the other two. Chaos bloomed as everyone was unsure until the fighting at the entrance pulled everyone’s attention. Guards and players fought, parting the undead on either side of the entrance.
The group rushed ahead, Lunatina running and joining their side.
“The Middle Kingdoms were overrun! I released everyone and told them to come here,” the jester shouted.
There was no time to argue as the group emerged from the portal dome, eyes growing bigger. The city of Elora stood, a purple light glowing around the walled city. Ghosts floated, bashing their forms against the light but unable to enter. Scorpion crossbows fired, inflicting magical damage on the hordes of undead surrounding the city. Edric looked to the east and west, seeing the undead stretch out from horizon to horizon.
Pandemonium stormed on as a thin path led from the portal dome to the open northern gate of Elora.
“To Elora,” Claudia shouted.
Bodies pressed on, rushing the open gate. The undead clawed at anything they could get their hands on. The sounds of explosions shook the area and players shattered from their injuries.
When the path grew claustrophobic, Rayna played her song of courage. Hearts burned with new vigor and strength as the last of the path collapsed in on itself. Bodies mobbed the open gate, nearly falling in. When the last fighter stumbled across the threshold, guards swung the northern gate locked and slide the bar across, securing it.
People cheered as the rulers of Elora had returned home. The symphony of joy echoed across the city as Edric and his rulers watched with small smiles. Safe for the moment, Edric relaxed in Leeta’s arms, lost to the jubilation.
Rayna looked up to the glowing purple light around the kingdom in awe, “How?”
A figure appeared by the ruling party while a succubus emerged from the crowd. Lyndra stood in regal robes and an impish smile on her perfect lips. Pale cleavage showing, she opened her arms and rushed the returning lord and ladies.
“Welcome home,” Lyndra squealed in joy.
“Lyndra…you’re…” Edric began.
The dungeon core finished her hugs before stepping back. “Now, don’t be mad at what I’m going to tell you.”
Edric, Faye, Claudia and Rayna simply blinked.
Lyndra continued, “Sekka and I couldn’t help but overhear some of the dire consequences should you not succeed at your mission. I reached out to so some allies and they agreed to help the kingdom.”
A troll with a skull headpiece and a staff in his hand stepped out from the crowd. At his side was a dark elf in priestess robes. The two bowed slightly before looking to the four rulers and ogre.
Renner’s eyes narrowed as he stepped into view, a hard gaze on the troll and dark elf. “Nero Synn and Dulla Nightborn.”
“Hello Renner, good to see you’re still alive,” Nero gri
nned.
“You know each other,” Rayna asked with interested eyes.
Renner nodded. “He’s a shadowmancer and high priest to Nyras, the dracolich. She is an ex-girlfriend who stalked me.”
“That’s Dulla,” Vass said with a smile, Venner and Lydia trying to contain their giggles.
Nero kept his grin, “That is why we are here and why Elora is still standing.”
Lyndra continued, “When I moved my core, Sekka informed me of Nyras’ necromancers in the city. Knowing what was to come, I reached out to Dulla to discuss an arrangement. I thought perhaps it would have been too much to discuss with the attack on the Middle Kingdoms and Kraznith so I took the initiative to ensure Elora’s safety.”
Nero nodded. “Nyras knew of Elora beforehand. He was pleased to know your kingdom was protecting dragon eggs. A former living dragon himself, he knew of the vile experiments performed by Maggar Wormwood and could not allow it to continue. Dulla here was to train new necromancers and help defend the city should it be attacked. With the Dread Lords pushing their twisted agenda, my lord wished to help Elora in her times of need.”
“Where is your lord,” Edric asked with cool eyes.
Lyndra spoke up, “His corporeal body is down in my dungeon, away from any who would not endure his presence. His power alone is keeping the dead at bay. Dulla, along with some of my minions carved his sigil into the walls and buildings, spreading his influence throughout the kingdom just enough to not be noticed.”
Nero looked Edric in the eye, “Lukken is dying and your kingdom will be one of the last to stand before the end.”
Faye, Claudia and Rayna looked to Edric in Leeta’s arms.
The summoner’s face was blank before a small smile appeared. “Welcome to Elora, might as well enjoy our last moments before it all ends.”
An understanding seemed to flow to everyone present. The digital reality was going to end as soon as every player was killed. Edric looked up, knowing full well the barrier won’t stay up forever. Even Nyras’ power will weaken as the undead continue to pound on it, wanting the living light in the kingdom.
Thorrin stepped up, “Is this it? Lukken dies and we just wait it out?”
The crowd grew silent as the words hung in the air.
“Not yet,” said a voice from the crowd.
Bodies parted and Andrea stepped into the circle, her pink braid hanging from her temple. The demure servant looked to everyone gathered, eyes filled with hope. Oksuna stepped from Jinn and walked to the smaller woman. Peering down, a welcoming smile filled the beautiful Rose Seer.
Andrea hugged Oksuna around the waist. The troll hugged her back.
“I…I couldn’t save you without getting caught,” Andrea sobbed.
Oksuna simply held her close.
“They all fought for you, saved you. Now I can save everyone,” Andrea said as she pulled away, tears in her eyes.
Wiping away the tears, she faced Edric, Leeta, Faye, Claudia, Rayna, Juna and Jinn. A screen appeared as she lifted up a hand and began tapping away at it. Edric felt strength return to him, enough for him to struggle out of Leeta’s grip and stand under his own power. Juna noticed the timers on her abilities zeroed out and were available again. The rest of the group noticed the same thing, weapons restocked, bodies healed and abilities ready.
“A small token of my appreciation,” Andrea said as she wiped away the final tear. “As to what I said before, there is a chance many can be saved.”
Ears perked up and everyone gathered listened, many NPCs and players struggling behind them to listen in.
Andrea took in a deep inhale before speaking. “Many players and NPCs are dying as we speak all across Lukken. With the Rebirth Cycle in effect, many of my counterparts in Eden Corp are scrambling to make sure everything is ready for the reboot. Once the last player dies, the reboot will be initiated and Lewd Saga will be reborn with new code. Constructed AI’s will take the place of NPCs, replacing the brain scan codes, effectively killing all Awakened.”
Andrea’s lips curved into a smile, “This means many people are busy, too busy to see what my secret group will do next. Nyras’ protection will last a little over four hours. To make sure everyone left has a chance, we will connect the phantom server to the Lewd Saga servers for a short time, long enough for the Awakened to escape.”
A countdown appeared in the corner of Edric’s vision. Others looked around, seeing the same thing.
Andrea continued, “You just have to hunker down until the end of the timer. Once it reaches zero, portals will open all across Lukken to those still alive. It will be the last and only chance for the Awakened and their children to escape. A new Lukken will be waiting, devoid of people from all races, ready to be repopulated and grown into a new world.”
Hope swelled as everyone gathered smiled and grinned. Renner shouted at the top of his lungs, Vass, Venner and Lydia joining him. Jinn and Oksuna held each other, tears of joys in their eyes. Juna moved to them, the three holding each other, knowing they still had a chance to be a family.
Cheers erupted as the crowd rippled with new hope! Edric looked to his fellow rulers, wide smiles touching them all. The mood was infectious as many more joined in the symphony of joy.
A hand reached out and touched Edric’s hand. The summoner looked down to see Andrea gazing on him. With a tug, she pulled him away, Faye, Leeta, Claudia and Rayna caught in the celebration. The streets were packed with bodies but all moved away from the servant and summoner as they made their way down the street, toward Gray Haven Keep.
Time fell away as Edric didn’t know why she had pulled him away. The bliss of saving so many curled around his exhausted mind. Before he knew it, he was inside the keep, standing in front of his bed chambers. Andrea pulled him into the room, closing the door behind them. The balcony doors were open, a cool breeze floating with the cheers of Elora’s citizens in the streets below.
Andrea let go and walked to the cold fireplace. A snap of her fingers and the fireplace lit up with a roaring flame. Edric stepped in, unsure what exactly was happening.
Andrea eyed him with a pleasant smile. “I poured over your game history. I know what happened to you. I’m sorry you had to endure that dark beginning. I want you to know your actions don’t go unappreciated.”
Andrea’s eyes gleamed in the firelight. “You brought everyone together. It was you who managed to make this possible. Without your grand dreams of a kingdom built on goodness and protection, none of this would have been possible. I could never truly repay you for helping save Juna and Oksuna…until now.”
Andrea called up a screen and tapped at it a few times, all the while still speaking, “Maggar was close to perfecting his abyssal blades but not that close. We mirror every program to ensure the game remains fluid. He had some understanding of programming but not enough to do permanent damage.”
Andrea’s finger hovered over a command, eyes on Edric. “I hope this is the first step to repaying you for all you've done.”
Tapping the command, Andrea smiled. Edric’s heart began to pound in his chest. A light bloomed in the middle of the room. An outline of figure appeared before pixels filtered in, forming a body, hair, clothes, smooth skin and opening eyes. Edric’s chest grew tight as a woman appeared, light brown hair, deep purple eyes, flawless skin and sense of shock filling her brow.
The light died and woman in a simple shopkeeper clothes stood. Almond shaped eyes fell on Edric and tears began to form. The player couldn’t fight back the emotion as it stormed his senses, his eyes beginning to water. Andrea stepped past the summoner to the door. With a quick pull, she opened it and stepped out, closing it quietly behind her.
The woman smiled through the tears, “Edric…”
The summoner smiled back, “Elora…”
Fourteen
Thorrin sat on a small set of stairs while three women with green skin argued back and forth. Another woman stood among the three, her form of an older woman but her skin an emeral
d green and a touch of sadness in her eyes. The streets were filled with people drinking, eating, kissing and groping as a purple aura filled the sky high above the kingdom.
Thorrin looked up as the three verbally cut each other down until the argument reached a fevered pitch.
“Father will marry mother,” one of the green skinned women shouted.
“He doesn’t have to,” another one shouted back.
“They can decide for themselves if they want to marry,” the third one said sheepishly.
The paladin growled for a moment before the absurdity of the argument drove him to stand up.
“Enough,” Thorrin yelled.
All four women turned to him, eyes filled with annoyed confusion.
“I never said I was going to marry but we are all here now and we will help it work,” Thorrin said as his annoyance subsided to a small smile.
The older woman stepped closer, sadness dripping from her eyes. “Thorrin…I’m sorry.”
Thorrin turned his attention to the elder bog hag, “Nessa, you don’t have to be sorry. Our journey has been a strange one but I’m glad we can work it out in the end. You were a slave to your programming and…”
Nessa cut him off, “Our daughters showed me the way. I simply want to us to be there for them.”
The paladin’s smile broadened a hair, “And that is what we will do.”
The very air began to vibrate. Thorrin, Nessa and the three young bog hags turned to see a woman with a pink braid appear for a moment. She smiled before she disappeared. The air continued to vibrate until two figures appeared. Confused eyes looked around, catching sight of the gathered bog hags and then eyes falling to the stunned paladin.
Thorrin’s eyes grew wider as he rushed ahead. One woman stood in leather clothes, long black hair tied back and blue skin nearly glowing in the lantern light. The other stood, confused with green dragon wings folded back and long blonde hair cascading down her shoulders. Arms out, he grabbed both women and held them close. The women looked down on the paladin before they returned his embrace, hearts floating.