Midnight War

by Eden Redd

  Rayna’s brow formed a sharp point, “I can’t wait. We have to talk before everything ends.”

  Instead of knocking, Rayna took hold of the door and pushed it in. The door swung wide as the bard stepped in, Faye and Claudia following. Three pairs of eyes went wide as they saw Edric on his back, Elora on top of him and their bodies joined in a sensual act. Edric lifted his head as Elora looked over her shoulder. The couple didn’t slow down as Elora rode the summoner, hips moving in a hypnotic tempo.

  “They must be your fellow rulers,” Elora smiled as her eyes fluttered.

  Edric nodded.

  “Please to meet you…” Elora barely said before her body shuddered.

  Rayna, Claudia and Faye watched as Edric’s hips pushed up. The two on the bed let out deep moans as their bodies pumped and writhed. White seed spilled between them as they continued their dance. Orgasms bloomed as they groaned in delight. When the storm cloud of bliss passed, Elora pushed herself off of Edric and collapsed at his side. Edric could barely sit up as Elora snuggled close.

  Rayna stared with hard eyes as Faye and Claudia stepped past her and to the edge of the bed.

  Elora smiled as she looked to the beautiful wood elf and then the lancer. Faye and Claudia sat on the edge of the bed, eyes wide in disbelief.

  “Andrea managed to re-spawn Elora from right before she was killed by Maggar and Kadvar,” Edric stated.

  Elora held onto Edric before looking to Fay again, “Thank you for trying to save me.”

  “No need for thanks. I’m just happy you’re here,” the wood elf grinned.

  “We need to talk,” Rayna growled, cutting through the warm gloom.

  All eyes turned to the seething bard as she stood, hands in tight fists.

  Rayna continued before anyone could say anything, “We are running out of time…and I have to…say something.”

  Edric and Elora sat up, close to each other and their attention on the bard. Faye and Claudia looked to their friend with concern.

  Rayna closed her eyes, brow still tight. She opened her hands, flexing her fingers. A cool breeze drifted into the room, caressing Rayna, her hard brow melting smooth. The crackling of the hearth was the only sound before Rayna parted her lips.

  “I was never meant to fall in love here. I was never meant to connect to so many people. It…it crawled under my skin...the longer I was here. It is against the rules to get involved but…I couldn’t put you all out of my mind. I couldn’t stay objective and it compromised my duties and my allegiances.”

  “Rayna…we are here for you,” Edric smiled, the once heavy weight on his shoulders gone to past nightmares.

  The bard eyed Edric before looking to Faye, Claudia and Elora in turn. “In a few hours, Lukken will be destroyed. I can have Eden Corp pull the trigger right now…”

  Bodies stiffened as they looked to the bard in confusion.

  Rayna’s eyes took on a sad edge as she continued. “My name is Samantha Chambers, Field Agent for the CIA. I was ordered to gather intelligence on the game Lewd Saga to see if it was threat to national security and find those in Eden Corp who may be working for other countries to destabilize our way of life.”

  “What,” Edric and Claudia said at the same time.

  Rayna sighed. “I needed confirmation there was programmers working within the game that may be security risks. When Andrea appeared and told us what was happening, my job was to report her immediately. I had kept reports on what was happening in the game. Behind the scenes, many governments we’re using Lewd Saga to frame or manipulate diplomats, government workers, politicians, the list goes on. It was only natural we had to have our own agents come into assess and evaluate the threats.”

  Rayna looked up to her friend’s wide eyes. “Our orders changed when it came to AIs. It’s why the game is being rebooted to fix the changes. The populace isn’t ready for actual AIs. The current version of the game is to be handed over to the government while a newer version would be put in place so AIs can be truly studied.”

  Rayna’s lips curved into a small smile. “I was good at my job, until we created the kingdom of Elora…and I fell in love. I thought I could stay objective until I started fudging reports. I knew then, things wouldn’t be the same. With so much at stake, I wouldn’t have felt right if I helped end the game and imprison every AI for study. The secrets had become too much.”

  “What does this all mean,” Edric asked with heartfelt eyes.

  Rayna looked to the handsome summoner and let out a small insane giggle. “It means I will have nothing new to report when midnight comes. The digital world is falling apart and I can’t bring myself to be the one who swings the axe.”

  Rayna pointed a finger at Edric, Faye and Claudia, “You three did this to me! I kept my distance but you had to be there for me…for us.”

  Rayna’s hand dropped as she looked to them like a whipped animal. “I understand secrets can destroy relationships. I couldn’t keep mine any longer. What I once thought was just a fling…has turned into something more. I had to say something…and I understand if it’s enough to destroy what we have built together.”

  A silence filled the room.

  Claudia stood up and turned her back to Rayna, “I think we need to put it to a vote. Raise your hand if you think we should throw Rayna out the window.”

  Rayna’s eyes went wide as Edric and Faye looked to each other. Elora snuggled closer to Edric. No hands were raised.

  Claudia smiled. “Raise your hand if we want to keep Rayna and make her work off the deceit and lies.”

  Edric, Faye and Elora smiled, raising their hands in the air.

  Claudia also raised her hand as she turned around and gazed into Rayna’s wide eyes. “It looks like you don’t get off that easy.”

  Rayna gave the lancer a wicked smirk before Claudia reached out and grabbed her. The bard didn’t fight back as she was pulled into the bed. The others watched as Claudia began to strip the bard a piece of clothing at a time, Rayna smiling the entire time. Giggles rose up as leather was tossed aside and soon a gasp filled the giant chamber.

  Faye began to undress as Edric and Elora looked down on Claudia burying her face between Rayna’s thighs. Pink touched the bard’s cheeks as her fingers took hold of the lancer’s head, guiding her delicate licks to her clit.

  Edric held Elora tighter, “Um… I hope you don’t mind? We usually end up like this and well…”

  Elora looked up with understanding eyes, “I was going to ask when your fellow rulers were going to join us.”

  “This doesn’t bother you?”

  Elora let out a small laugh. “Should it?”

  Edric smiled. “I suppose not.”

  Faye crawled into bed, her almond shaped eyes on Edric and Elora. The couple invited her to them. The three kissed and touched each other while Rayna’s moans rose up like a song, Claudia enjoying the taste and the view as hearts glowed together in love.

  ***

  Edric and Elora stood naked on the balcony overlooking the medieval city. Elora pressed her head against Edric’s chest, taking in his heartbeat. Edric held Elora close, enjoying her touch and warmth. The night air was cool against their hot skin. The purple barrier around the kingdoms began to show cracks but it held.

  Edric checked the timer in the corner of his vision. The last few hours were spent making love to the point of near exhaustion. The five lovers flowed with the tides of desire, each taking their turns with each other while some were allowed a short time to rest. Edric smiled wider despite the soreness he endured. The amount of laughing, gasping and moans filled the player’s heart to bursting. When he thought he could not go another time, the women he loved ensured he could. Bodies blended together as Claudia was unchained, needing everyone at some point. Faye healed nearly exhausted bodies until the group attacked her, showing their love with each time she was brought to orgasm. Rayna snuggled with Elora between forcing the purple eyed beauty to climax several times and then falling into small
conversations. Elora was no angel, enjoying each ruler in turn. Edric caught himself watching with love as the women played and licked each other into submission. When the love began to slow down, Edric said he needed some air and Elora was happy to join him.

  The time blinked in Edric’s vision. It was twenty minutes to midnight. Soon they would gather on the streets of Elora and enter rifts to a new world, a new Lukken.

  Alerts filled Edric’s vision as he held Elora close, a small smile forming.

  You have achieved “The Love that Binds”! You have gained the “Final Release” ability! You may now release a summoned creature from a lock stone. They will become free of your power.

  You have achieved “True Love of the Universe”! You have acquired the spell “Summon Star Dragon”! You may now summon a star dragon to aid the summoner for a short time.

  You have gained +40 Hit Points, +140 Mana and +20 Spell Casting!

  Elora looked up with a curios gaze.

  “It’s nothing. I gained powers I will never use. I’m just happy we are together,” Edric grinned.

  The two kissed deeply as the bards on the streets played on.

  A wave of energy washed over the couple and they pulled away, eyes looking to the south. The cracks grew larger along the purple aura around the city but something flared just beyond the southern gate. Edric and Elora moved to the balcony edge, peering out over the vast distance, their eyes locking of something moving at incredible speed.

  Red and black energy blazed as something rushed toward the southern gate of Elora. Each footfall caused the very ground to tremble. Tendrils of energy flared along as a comet charged toward the gate. Before the guards could even shout out a warning, the thing smashed through the undead barrier protecting the city. A rippling and shattering effect cascaded, collapsing the barrier.

  The thing slammed into the southern gate, instantly smashing it to kindling. Edric’s heart leapt into his chest. Even at the distance, he could see the brutish form of a giant bare-chested troll, seething in the city lights. Faye, Claudia and Rayna rushed from the bed chamber, reaching Edric and Elora’s sides and looking out with wide eyes.

  Kurss stood straight up and roared. The black and crimson aura blazed right before his voice shattered windows and cracked stone dwellings. The entire city trembled to his awful roar, chaos blooming in the streets.

  “I am Kurss Dark Whisper! I am death and life incarnate! All shall be enslaved to my will! Bring Juna Reed to me before I lay waste to this pathetic city,” Kurss roared with the might of a titan.

  Edric’s wide eyes smoothed into a knowing gaze, “Let’s end this.”

  Faye, Claudia, and Rayna nodded, hands touching chests. Armor and weapons appeared on their bodies and they readied themselves.

  Edric turned to Elora, the couple holding each other.

  “I can’t bear to lose you again,” Edric said in a low tone.

  Elora touched his cheek. “You will never lose me again. Defeat him and come back to me.”

  Edric nodded as the two embraced in a passionate kiss, the roars of a monster echoing off the city walls.

  Fifteen

  Lyndra stood by the bar, a glass of wine in her hand, Sekka at her side and a decayed humanoid draco-lich a few feet away. The dungeon bar shook as energy seeped into the ground. The dungeon core sipped her wine before she sighed and turned to Sekka and Nyras.

  “Sekka, be a dear and take possession of my core. I fear our time to leave is coming,” Lyndra said softly and took another sip.

  The draco-lich bobbed his head, glowing eyes straining against some unseen force. “Kurss is here. His power is too great. I am keeping much of the dead at bay but not all.”

  “I’m sure Elora’s ruling party will be able to keep the dead at bay until the portals open,” Lyndra said with a small smile.

  Nyras looked to the beautiful dungeon core, “Maybe. I will send aid to help keep the dead back until the time comes.”

  “Remember our agreement,” Lyndra said and took another sip.

  Nyras nodded. “Death is a natural part of life. I have no desire to wipe out the glow of the living. I only wish to maintain balance.”

  The dungeon core grinned. “Then the new world will accept us. Here’s to a new beginning,” Lyndra held up her glass and took a deep drink.

  ***

  Thorrin’s eyes grew to the size of saucers as the wave of death energy crashed into his senses. The group of friends and family gathered around him looked to the paladin as he stood up, white armor appearing on his body and a white hammer in his hand. Chaos bloomed in the streets as Thorrin turned south, readying himself for battle.

  “Thorrin! Thorrin!,” shouted a voice from behind.

  The paladin turned his body to see Vass, Renner and Gylda rushing toward him. Behind them, Venner and Lydia floated along.

  “Did you hear it? Kurss is here,” Thorrin shouted back with a manic edge.

  “We heard,” Renner smiled.

  “That is why we need you to marry us…all three of us, now,” Vass said with a happy smile.

  Thorrin looked to Vass, then to Renner and then down to Gylda. “I…We can’t. We have to fight…”

  Vass’s brow hardened. “Marry us brother!”

  “We have twenty minutes before the portals open. Plenty of time to kick his ass,” Renner grinned.

  “Marry us too,” shouted another voice.

  Thorrin raised an eyebrow as he saw Jinn and Oksuna running toward them. Behind them were Juna, Lady Slytha and Dalya. Sonja came running with Drakkus, her smile bright and nearly skipping.

  Jinn and Oksuna stopped running and smiled at the paladin.

  “We never made it official,” Jinn said with a wide smile.

  Thorrin’s shoulders drop as he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. A monster just burst into the city, threatening all of their lives and now everyone wants to get married.

  “Marry us too,” Lornus said, pulling Lorn along.

  Thorrin let his hammer fade away and threw his hands into the air, “Seriously, now?”

  “Come on,” the crowd shouted with enthusiastic glee.

  Talisa, Emma and the bog hags gathered around the paladin. Thorrin couldn’t contain the precious absurdity of the situation. A smirk appeared as he stood straighter and addressed the crowd.

  “We don’t have time for individual vows. We are doing a mass wedding,” Thorrin stated.

  All heads nodded in agreement. Jinn took Oksuna’s hand. Gylda took Renner and Vass’s hands. Lornus took Lorn’s hand. The group stepped forward before the paladin, eyes filled with caged excitement.

  An explosion in the distance lit up the dark sky but Thorrin ignored it as he addressed the wedding parties.

  “Do the grooms take the brides as your willing partners, to cherish, protect and love for as long as you both shall live,” Thorrin asked.

  “I do,” Renner said to Gylda.

  “I do,” Vass said to Gylda.

  “I do,” Jinn said to Oksuna.

  “I do,” Lornus said to Lorn.

  Juna’s eyes watered as she looked to her parents. Sonja and Drakkus held each other, looking at the wedding parties with a loving gaze. Lady Slytha touched the ice crystal tear at the corner of her eye.

  Thorrin continued. “Do the brides take the grooms as your willing partners, to cherish, protect and love for as long as you both shall live?”

  “I do,” Gylda said to Renner and Vass, squeezing their hands tight.

  “I do,” Oksuna said, never taking her eyes off Jinn.

  “I do,” Lorn said as he looked up into Lornus’s eyes, tears streaming down his blue cheeks.

  “Then by the power earned from the many gods and goddesses throughout the universe, I pronounce you married! Kiss and love each other for the many lifetimes to come,” Thorrin said with authority and a dash a kindness.

  Jinn kissed Oksuna.

  Lorn kissed Lornus.

  Gylda kissed Renner and then turned a
nd kissed Vass.

  The gathered crowd went wild with clapping and cheers! The mob rushed the newlyweds, patting shoulders, kissing cheeks and hugging with tight embraces. Another explosion filled the night sky again and the jubilations trailed off. Eyes turned to beyond Gray Haven Keep, fires beginning to spread.

  Thorrin lifted a hand and a white hammer appeared in it. “Alright, let’s go kick some ass!”

  ***

  Edric, Elora, Faye, Rayna and Claudia reached the ground floor of Gray Haven Keep, walking through the archways and stepping out onto the Riverwood Street. Bodies ran toward them, fleeing from the monster troll walking steadily in their direction.

  Edric felt Leeta and Magnys’ presence. Turning, he saw the two approach the group. The summoner beckoned them over as he turned to Elora.

  “Leeta will protect you,” Edric said as the ogre stepped closer with a protective aura.

  Elora looked to the beautiful ogre, their gaze meeting with delight.

  “I will protect you with my life,” Leeta said with confidence.

  “Leeta, take Elora to the northern district. Try to alert everyone to go north. The protective aura seems to be weakened to the south. We have about fifteen minutes before the portals open. Protect Elora and as many as you can,” Edric ordered.

  Edric turned away from the fear in Elora’s eyes. “Elora,” the summoner commanded.

  An image of Elora appeared, “Yes, Edric?”

  The real Elora looked on the city core image in wondrous amazement.

  “Alert every person within Elora’s walls to stay to the Temple District. I mean every guard, servant and citizen. They are to abandon their posts and be ready for when we leave.”

  Elora bowed, “As you wish.” The image disappeared.

  The city core’s image appeared throughout the streets of the city, calmly giving directions to head to the Temple District. Leeta touched Elora’s shoulder. The young woman looked to the ogre before turning her gaze to Edric.

  “We will be back,” Edric said with bright smile.

  Elora turned and walked with Leeta. The ogre looked back with loving eyes for a long moment before ushering Elora around the keep and to the north.