Midnight War

by Eden Redd

  Kurss and Juna clashed, arms and muscles straining against each other’s might. A light glowed from above and the two looked up. A dragon made of pure light glided down from the dark sky. Eyes glared down with divine power as Edric whispered in its mind. The dragon’s maw opened, a thundering roar filling the countryside.

  Kurss looked up in stunned astonishment, “A star dragon…one has come from the heavens…”

  Juna’s eyes narrowed as a smirk formed. “You won’t hurt anyone…anymore.”

  The half troll turned and blasted away as Kurss stared up in stunned silence. The star dragon growled as it opened its maw again. Power surged feet from the open maw, balls of white energy forming and joining together. The air shook as the energy melted into one ball of power.

  “Take me to the universe,” Kurss said as he held out his arms.

  Magnys saw the delusion in Kurss and looked away. He knew the stories of the star dragons and Sormir. He didn’t have the heart to tell him they would never take a soul as dark as his.

  The star dragon took a deep inhale before light flashed and a stream of pure power lanced down. Kurss smiled as his body was bathed in light before the world shattered. The pulse of power rained down on Kurss’ location before it rippled with explosions. Drakkus turned Edric away, shielding the summoner with his body. The ground rippled with such force, everyone across the kingdom was knocked off their feet. Buildings toppled and Gray Haven Keep cracked. Screams and shouts filled the night. The earthquakes shook violently until the pillar of power diminished and then faded.

  All eyes turned to the massive crater, where Kurss stood just a moment ago. The star dragon let out a low growl before it faded away, body becoming glittering star dust in the night sky.

  Bodies tried to stand on shaky legs, gathering so they could see if the demonic troll was truly dead. Juna stood by Edric and Drakkus. The half-troll gave the summoner a small smile. Edric barely smiled; his body and power spent.

  A burned hand grabbed at the side of the crater, followed by another. Kurss lifted himself up, chunks of his body missing, exposed muscle and bone for all to see. The heroes took stances, ready to continue to the fight when Juna waved them all away. The half-troll stepped forward, swords in each hand as Kurss stood to his monstrous height, one eye glaring down on the approaching half-troll.

  “My power is greater than even dragons from the stars,” Kurss said with mad laughter. “I have truly reached godhood!”

  Juna stepped closer, a calm mask filling her beautiful face.

  Kurss looked to the half-troll, body heaving. “I will rape you and your friends for all eternity. I have withstood the power of the stars and yet I still stand.”

  Juna stopped about twenty feet from the demon troll, shadows under her eyes. “I thought my powers had to be activated through another. I thought that was the laws of the game. But when I saw the star dragon and the love of my friends fighting against you, I knew then, my power is my own to wield as I see fit.”

  Kurss leered. “You have no power compared to mine.”

  Juna looked up with a warm smile. “You’re right. My power is greater.”

  The half-troll mentally brought up her powers. With a mental wave, every power activated at once. Kurss’ eyes shifted, fear bleeding into his soul as the half-troll glowed with such power it dwarfed his own. Juna’s aura surged as the ability Arcane Surge Omega took hold and several more divine energies mingled with her blazing spirit.

  “You killed me once. Now I get to return the favor,” Juna smiled.

  Edric couldn’t keep up, no one could. Everyone watched as energy flared around the beautiful half-troll and then she shot forward like a divine being. Kurss screamed as white blades cut through him like water. Legs fell away as his lower torso was sliced and diced. An arm spun through the air as white blades stabbed the demon troll’s chest like a storm of swords.

  Kurss said nothing as he gurgled up blood and black power. Juna’s onslaught stopped and she sheathed her swords over her shoulders. She turned her back on the troll as he slumped to the ground in pieces. Black blood squirted and dripped as Kurss stared with one black eye on the half-troll woman.

  The group gathered to Juna. Spirits flared as they all embraced, arms and hands touching Juna and she basking in the glow. The air vibrated and cracks appeared in the digital reality. The group dispersed and looked around as every street had a dimensional crack, a sunny land and green fields waiting on the other side.

  “Edric,” Elora shouted.

  Drakkus helped keep the summoner up, turning him to Elora and Leeta as they rushed to him.

  Elora hugged Edric tightly. “With the explosions, I couldn’t wait anymore. I couldn’t bear thinking we might lose each other again.”

  Edric held her close, strength nearly gone. “We wouldn’t let that happen again.”

  The people of Elora looked to the cracked portals suspended above the cobblestone streets. A timid energy filled digital bodies before Lornus and Lorn cheered, ran and jumped into a portal. Citizens watched as the two trolls ran and laughed in the brilliant sunlight. Others joined them, running and jumping through the portals.

  The dead outside of Elora tried to march as fireballs rained down from the sky. Inside the city walls, Vanya and many Naliks entered the portals, large backpacks filled with dragon eggs. Thalia reared up on her snake-like body directing everyone to enter the portals in an orderly fashion. Ralis stepped into a portal, the sunlight touching his face and peace filling his heart.

  Lady Slytha stepped to a portal and entered. The warmth of the sun felt nice on her cool skin, her thoughts filling with plans to help benefit the new world. Nyras and Lyndra turned in the street to see Sekka approaching, a dungeon core floating over her shoulder. The dracolich and dungeon core smiled as they moved to a portal and entered it. On the other side, Lyndra felt no restriction, her core growing small and melting into her chest. Sekka hugged her mistress and Lyndra hugged her back, a new freedom filling them. Nyras marched off, the sun annoying but not completely unpleasant.

  Nero and Dulla stepped onto a street, a dragon woman waiting by a portal.

  “To our new home,” Nero smiled.

  The troll, dark elf and dragon woman stepped in and appeared on the other side, hearts soaring.

  Dumadin’s eyes opened, staring up at Faye’s beautiful face. “I have been saved by an angel.”

  “Yes,” Faye smiled, “you have.”

  The group stood as the city emptied. When the citizens finished filing into the portals. Thalia waved from across the distance, stepping into a portal and appearing on the other side.

  Edric struggled to stand on his own power, “This is it. Let’s go and begin our new world.”

  Leeta, Drakkus, Elora, and Magnys helped Edric to a portal. Before they entered, Edric raised a hand for them to stop. Nykor stalked closer, looking down at her master with a questioning gaze.

  “You are all free,” Edric said and released them from their lock stones.

  The small group stayed by his side, stepping into the portal as Elora helped Edric along. When they passed through across the threshold, they were bathed in sunlight. Edric’s stats returned to normal and he stood on his own power. Rayna and Claudia rushed through the portal and tackled the summoner and Elora. All four fell on bright green grass, laughter filling the air. Faye helped Dumadin through the portal, appearing and feeling better. They rushed their friends as they rolled around and kissed one another on the grass.

  Renner, Vass and Gylda helped Venner and Lydia to a portal.

  “We are so proud of you two,” Renner said with a tear in his eye.

  “We’re proud of you and our family,” Venner and Lydia said at the same time.

  Vass began to tear up as they stepped through, Gylda on the elf’s neck and hugging her.

  Thorrin stepped to a portal, seeing on the other side, all his friends, family and lovers waiting with wide smiles.

  “Heaven,” he said as he stepped t
hrough.

  Jinn, Oksuna and Juna stood before a portal, hearts filled with everlasting love.

  “We get to start a new life, this time together,” Jinn smiled.

  “I have dreamed of this for so…long..,” Oksuna said as tears flowed.

  Juna moved in and hugged her parents. “It will be okay. I’ll be here to protect all of us.”

  The three hugged each other tight. Juna was first to break away and usher her parent to the portal. Jinn and Oksuna stepped through, appearing in the green field. The half-troll was about to enter when she stopped. Turning around she looked down at an arm pulling itself across the destroyed street, attached to a partial shoulder and a head.

  Kurss whimpered as he pulled what was left of his body along. He looked up with a pleading eye to the half-troll, drawing closer with each pull.

  “…wait…take me….I have learned my lesson…I...can...help rebuild…” Kurss said weakly.

  Juna started down at what was left of the troll master. Crouching down, she eyed him like he was a worm caught in the sun, dried up and dying.

  “No Master Kurss. You will not infect our new world but I must thank you before I go.”

  Kurss stared up, fear painting his black eye.

  Juna smiled. “You showed us what true evil is. It is a lesson none of us will forget. As long as I am alive, I will hunt down true evil and wipe it out. Enjoy your last moments on your dead world…we have new lives to live.”

  Juna stood up and backed up to the portal. Kurss made strange noises, pleading with the half-troll. Juna stepped backwards into the portal and emerged on the other side. She stayed there, watching the pathetic whimpering from Kurss. The undead rushed through the streets of Elora. Kurss crawled toward the portal with a silent scream. Juna stared as the undead pounced on him, tearing what was left of him to pieces.

  Juna let a tear form as she watched the carnage. The portal began to close. Undead rushed the crack between worlds, their decayed hands reaching out. Juna let out a cleansing exhale as the portal sealed shut right before the undead reached it. The pinpoint of light flashed away and the old world was gone.

  Juna sobbed, trying to control her trembling shoulders. Gathering her strength, she wiped away the tears and turned around. The half-troll’s heart glowed as she saw everyone laughing, kissing, hugging and singing. Rayna played her lute while Dumadin, Faye and Claudia danced. Edric and Elora sat on a rock, holding and talking to each other. Lunatina did cartwheels while Sonja and Drakkus giggled and kissed. Thorrin smiled as he was mobbed by family and friends, talking about his adventures. Ralis lay on his back, staring at the blue sky and letting the sun warm his skin. Magnys comforted Leeta as she cried because she was so happy. Lornus and Lorn sat by a tree, holding hands and talking. Renner, Gylda and Vass held Venner and Lydia. The two Awakened tried to claw away but their parents held them fast.

  “Let us love you,” Renner laughed.

  The three parents pulled the two kids close, Venner and Lydia giving up and snuggling with their parents.

  Jinn and Oksuna moved to either side of Juna, each taking a hand. The trio looked out as paradise spread out before them. Hand’s squeezed tight and they basked in the glow.

  “There will be some work ahead of us. Building brand new societies is no easy task,” Jinn said with a gruff tone.

  Oksuna looked over to the grizzled assassin, “We will make it work and it will be beautiful.”

  Jinn looked to Oksuna and Juna, “Not as beautiful as the two of you.”

  Oksuna smiled but Juna’s cheeks turned pink.

  “Do you think we can do it? Make a world where we won’t have to suffer such evils again,” Juna asked with childlike wonder.

  Jinn nodded. “Now that we are all together, there is nothing we can’t do.”

  Juna’s head tilted forward, “I love you dad. I love you mom.”

  “We love you,” Oksuna said and hugged her child.

  Jinn touched his daughter’s shoulder before letting go and started walking.

  “Let’s see if anyone brought any wine. We need a victory toast,” Jinn laughed.

  “Wait for me,” Oksuna said and followed.

  Juna smiled at her parents before turning her eyes to Edric and Elora. The couple looked back, smiled and called her over. The half-troll’s heart fluttered with excitement. She began walking to them, her heart growing bigger with each step. When she reached them, they stood up and hugged her.

  Tears spilled from eyes, the nightmare finally over. Juna sobbed and soon Edric and Elora joined her, tears of happiness streaking down their cheeks as the brilliant sun shined down on their new lives.

  Sixteen

  The setting sun caused a warm, dream-like effect. Edric sat against a large stone, Elora and Juna draped on him in a comforting bliss. Crowds of Awakened stretched out into the fields and forests beyond. Hours had slipped away but most didn’t notice, caught in a cloud of bliss.

  Edric smiled as he noticed long tables and chairs appearing to rise up from the ground. Many smiled and grinned as food, wine, spirits and more food appeared on the emerging tables. Torches rose up to illuminate the evening. Edric, Elora and Juna stood up, making their way to first long table. Many others joined their sides, walking over and taking seats.

  A woman with a pink braid appeared, taking a seat at the head of the table and gesturing for everyone to follow. Without a word, many took their seats, reached out for food and wine and settling down. Edric, Elora and Juna sat at the very end of the table, next to Andrea. The young woman smiled as many looked to her, enjoying the feast before them.

  Andrea spoke but from everyone’s reaction, it seemed like she was right next to them. Her voice came out crystal clear and many turned their attention to her.

  “Welcome everyone. I wanted to give an update and possibly some goals for the future,” Andrea said with a comforting smile.

  “The reboot of the main servers took place about twenty minutes ago. The old world of Lukken was wiped clean when the last players were killed during the Rebirth Cycle. The new code and fixes went into place. In a few hours, Lewd Saga will return in its new form, free of the Awakened or their children.”

  “How many made it out,” Thorrin asked.

  Andrea smiled. “There are little over a million Awakened and their children here on the phantom server. By tomorrow, my group will quit Eden Corp and dedicate our lives to ensuring this Lukken lives on. We have many benefactors because of what we have done, saving their loves and children. We have enough funding to keep Lukken thriving for at least a hundred years. We will take steps to ensure it will last longer.”

  Edric looked to Elora and Juna before turning his attention to Andrea. “What happens now?”

  Andrea nodded. “You all will be given special access codes. You can visit any time to the phantom server. There are about ten thousand players who will have access. Secrecy is important so we will monitor activity. Anyone breaking the rules will not be allowed to return.”

  “People can’t keep such a secret for long,” Jinn added.

  Andrea nodded again. “We know. To keep the secret, players will have to give up some personal information and a sizeable one-time donation. Almost all have agreed. If we don’t have a yes from the select few, they will be banned from the server. It’s a small price to pay to keep the server out of government hands.”

  “Sounds okay to me,” Renner winked and took a deep guzzle of wine.

  “What kind of future can the Awakened expect,” Sonja asked.

  “This version of Lukken is almost empty. After communities and kingdoms are established, monsters will be added. New AIs will be introduced to ensure healthy breeding cycles for the Awakened. The Awakened will also require player interaction to ensure they live on. An aging system has been implemented so Awakened will grow old. Each Awakened has a lifespan of two hundred years but translated to reality’s time, it’s about 80 years, plenty of time to grow families and enjoy your time together.”
>
  Andrea’s gaze lowered. “We can’t thank you all enough for what you have done. Helping the Awakened showed we could beat the corporate and government leaders threatening to destroy everything out of fear and jealousy.”

  “We couldn’t have done it without you,” Jinn smiled.

  Magnys spoke up, “And what of my kind? As far as I know, I am the last Sormir.”

  Andrea looked up with a kind smile, “We saved some of the Sormir and even now they swim in the waters along Lukken. We removed the madness from their code. You now can all live a peaceful life without the hive mind. The Sindrell eggs will be able to hatch and grow into new dragons. The Kunarr who were saved can start again, hopefully with the lessons well learned before the reboot.”

  “Do we just go about our lives now,” Juna asked in soft tone.

  Andrea gazed on the half-troll with a genuine, loving smile. “Yes, you do. This version of Lukken is a clean slate. You can all rebuild as it once was or build something new. The admins will help guide you if you need it but I doubt we will be called on too much. We trust you all will create something wonderful.”

  “Paradise,” Lornus smiled as Lorn snuggled to him.

  “For a time,” Andrea added. “We know that complacency will breed resentment. There will be quests and evils but they won’t be like the programs that grew beyond our control, we hope. Since the Awakened have free will, there's a chance of great evil but there is also a chance of great good. We removed the Dread Lord storylines. They will not be coming back to plague Lukken anymore.”

  Andrea stood up with a wine glass in her hand. “It is up to everyone to carve out your new destinies. May they be grand or simple but create your path in this new world.”

  Everyone across thousands of tables stood up, wine or spirits in their hands.

  “Love was always the answer. Now let it grow into the tree of strength we all know it can be,” Andrea raised her glass.

  “Here here,” many shouted back as all took a deep drink.

  Edric looked to Elora and Juna again, his heart soaring.