Hunter's Choice

by C E Keene

  As they talked over drinks, the plan continued to evolve and shape into something solid. Arheis would lure the Petravor to the shock-rocks and force-feed the thing if he had to. Mira would blow up any nearby rocks that weren't needed to keep the cave from crumbling and Galen would move those rocks to create a staircase of sorts. Zindar would already be on the Petravor's back while Arheis and Higrem scrambled up, getting as many plates off and as much damage in as they could.

  Then the real fight would begin.

  Arheis wanted to make a couple of backup plans for when things inevitably went pear-shaped, but that happened even earlier than he expected. A rumble shook the light fixtures above them, sending one crashing down on their table. Glass shattered, oil soaked into wood, and flames blazed hungrily along the whole mess. It took a group effort to put out the fire, and that was only the beginning.

  Everything else began to quake after that. The tremor ran deep through the earth and seemed to push upward, shaking the very foundation of Iskaral. Arheis beckoned his companions underneath the table, protecting them from the worst of the debris as the rafters started to come down.

  He waited for it to end, but that… never seemed to happen. The tremors kept coming, stretching into one endless rumble.

  "What the hell is going on?" Higrem yelled over the din of hysterical patrons.

  Outside, Arheis heard the frantic clopping of horses. The royal guard. As bad of an idea as it was, he needed to see with his own eyes. Dodging terrified patrons and falling beams alike, Arheis headed for the door, Mira and Zindar both calling after him.

  He grabbed on to the frame to keep himself steady, then pulled out onto the street. Mounted guards were rushing through the Trade Quarter and it wasn't hard to see why.

  At the end of the street, the square they'd seen when they first came to Iskaral--the one with the sinkhole that swallowed the fountain--was just gone. A massive, gaping hole was in its place, pulling in buildings and people alike. He could hear the terrified screams, the wailing of parents who'd lost children, the disbelieving shrieks of onlookers.

  "Gods." Mira's voice shook almost as hard as the city itself. "All those people…"

  "We have to get down there and stop it." Zindar stood behind him, crouching lower to the ground to keep his balance.

  Galen and Higrem weren't far behind, the latter letting out a string of curses as he saw what had happened.

  "Good luck getting anybody to sell to us in the middle of this," he said.

  "We have to try."

  Higrem might be right. It might be wasting valuable time. But it was the only plan they had, and Arheis intended to stick to it for as long as possible.

  > Your quest Terrible Tremors has updated!

  Gear up and take the battle to the Petravor before it destroys Iskaral.

  Eventually the tremors subsided, but the chaos remained. Buildings continued to crumble into the hole, and people ran through the streets trying to get a better look despite the barricade the royal guard had put up. Most vendors had closed up shop, but they were able to find one to sell them shock-rocks. Sixteen shock-rocks, to be exact, for a quick 2,500 GC that Arheis gladly paid without bothering to Haggle. He scoured the market for the trap Zindar had bought before, managing to find one for a markup of 3,000 GC. Climbing gear was next--they all agreed that hole was going to be the quickest route, even if it wasn't the safest. Kits for each of them cost 250 GC, and the compound Mira wanted to buy for her bolts was another 500 GC.

  Their last stop was the Hunters’ Hall, where they collected the finished pieces. Everyone in their party was outfitted with chestplates and helms, Arheis' taking the form of sturdy, ribbed leather. He would have admired the craftmanship more if they weren't up against the clock.

  Protector’s Helm

  Slot: Head

  Armor Type: Medium

  Protection: 20

  Protector’s Chestguard

  Slot: Chest

  Armor Type: Medium

  Protection: 23

  Everything was moving so fast that Arheis didn't really have a chance to get inside his own head. He was in hunt mode, focused only on taking care of this one beast before it brought the whole city down a few hundred feet.

  He could worry about Treyous' words and all the rest of it later. If he was lying, then it wouldn't matter in the first place. If he was telling the truth, the swift action of Arheis and his friends was the only thing standing between Iskaral and certain destruction.

  "Halt! By order of His Royal Highness, Prince--"

  They'd made it to the square--or what had once been the square--and Arheis held up the writ he'd been given by the Prince-Regent. "We have His Highness' express order to kill the creature causing this. Let us pass."

  The royal guard lifted his visor, examining the writ more closely. He blanched, looking at the Hunters before him, then passed the writ back.

  "Of course. I'll… I'll inform the others."

  After that, they didn’t encounter any more trouble. Armored up--as much as they could be--and in possession of the supplies they needed, Arheis and his companions began the arduous task of climbing down the ruins of the square to finally face the Petravor once and for all.

  28

  The bottom of the cave-in was a mass grave in progress.

  Arheis counted twenty-six people crushed by the rubble of whole buildings falling on top of them, only an odd limb visible here and there in most cases. He was sure there were many more trapped beneath it all.

  To his surprise, a few were still alive. He dismissed the quest prompt that appeared when he first heard the muffled cry for help, not interested in dehumanizing these people any further by just making them an "X out of Y saved" or whatever.

  With Galen's magic they were able to free nine people. Most were badly injured and he wasn't sure they would survive the trip to the surface--accomplished through an impromptu harness pulled up by the royal guard--even with the healing potions Mira gave them. One of them died in the middle of the recovery effort and another was in full-blown shock, with Arheis yelling up to the guards to keep the woman warm.

  "This is unfathomable," Mira said, her voice stricken with a pain Arheis felt in his soul.

  "That's why we have to end it."

  It was the only response he could give, and one the others grimly agreed with. Even if there were survivors they could potentially pull out of the rubble, they had to leave the ruined town square behind and seek out the Petravor. If they didn't, the death count would rise to hundreds--maybe even thousands.

  Equipped with a torch, Arheis led the group through passageways he thought might at least look a little familiar. But everything had changed. The deep furrows from the Petravor's plating were everywhere, the Pruvari tech was destroyed, and the massive clusters of crystals were just gone.

  "I wonder how long it's been looking for a way to the surface," Zindar mused.

  Arheis wondered that as well. It hadn't been that long since they’d washed up on the shore. A week at most. Whatever growth cycle had kicked this whole thing off, it had happened quickly.

  "The crystals may affect it in ways we do not expect," Galen said. "Everyone must be on their guard."

  Arheis didn't have to be told twice. Every cell in his body vibrated with tension. He held his shield up in front of him, his spear braced just behind it as he walked with careful purpose toward the sound of loud, almost pig-like snuffling.

  The caverns began to quake, rocks shaking free from the ceiling. Galen diverted most of them, with Arheis' shield taking the brunt of a few. Any second now this whole cave system could come down with Iskaral on top of it. It would be like finding yourself trapped on the ground floor of a parking garage as it collapsed.

  Only Arheis and Higrem would survive, and only because of their ability to resurrect. Everyone else would die.

  Steeling his resolve, he pressed on, ignoring the system messages about the temperature. It didn't take much more walking before they found the crea
ture.

  Its back was to them, inter-lacing, slate black plates covering almost everything Arheis could see. He expected to spot those useless back legs, but the bony, almost vestigial limbs weren't there anymore. In their place were two muscular rear limbs with wide-stretching, clawed toes that caught the dirt and rocks shoveled out from the front and pushed them behind the creature, building up a mound as it dug through what Arheis was pretty sure was a solid cave wall.

  Tucking his spear under one arm, he reached for the shock-rocks. He'd tied them together with string, lashing them into one irregularly shaped stone. He handled it carefully, as though he were picking up a bomb, and tried to decide what he was going to give up to hold the thing.

  In the end, both his shield and spear were fastened on his back. It was too important that they stun this creature. He couldn't afford to mess this up.

  "Is everyone ready?" He kept his voice quiet, but the Petravor was making so much noise it likely wouldn't have mattered.

  He was answered by the ring of steel, the sound of a crossbow being primed, and the crackle of magic in the air. Nodding, Arheis moved into position, took a deep breath, and threw caution to the wind.

  "Hey! I’ve got a rock you can have. Come and get it."

  It wasn't the strongest Provoke he'd ever let loose, but his head was clouded with the overwhelming weight of the people they'd lost and a growing anger at the city for not handling this sooner.

  It worked, and while Arheis had expected the Petravor to turn quickly, the speed with which it shuffled its entire, massive, tunnel-blocking body around was frightening. So too was the sight that greeted him when it burst through the mound it had made.

  Key traits of the Petravor were still present. That pink, alien nose, the ears set back in its skull, a rodent-like mouth with large teeth made for crushing rocks and bone alike.

  But something had clearly happened to it. There were more ridges, thick plating protecting the face and forelimbs now, with gaps so small he could barely see them, let alone plan how to pry them up. The creature's front claws were larger, fused into one mass of keratin that was shaped like a trowel and obviously made for swift digging. Corded muscle connected the limbs to the body, suggesting a greater and more effortless strength. Every ridge was formed in such a way that the beast looked almost aerodynamic, built for tearing through tunnels with ease.

  And beneath the pale skin and the dark plates, a blue light pulsed, spilling out through fissures in the creature's body. The crystals were a part of it now. Absorbed and poisoning its blood.

  "Holy shit," Higrem said behind him.

  But Arheis didn't have time to marvel at the wonders of rapid evolution. The Petravor was barreling toward him, carving up the tunnel as it went.

  "Stand back," he yelled to the others, bracing himself for what was to come.

  The beast moved far quicker than he'd expected, surging toward him like an unmanned subway car. Its mouth opened and Arheis thrust out the cluster of shock-rocks, trying to dart backward and to the side.

  But he wasn't fast enough.

  Vice-like teeth clamped down on his arm just below the shoulder. Sharp, agonizing pain burst through him as he felt his bones crush beneath the pressure.

  > Petravor bites you for 66 points of critical damage.

  > You have sustained a critical injury. If treatment is not acquired, you will suffer permanent damage.

  He didn't have time to process that. He was too busy trying to wrench his arm free before the shock-rocks activated and paralyzed him, too. Stepping up with a roar, Higrem swung his sword down in a powerful chop, catching the Petravor in the side of the jaw.

  It wasn't enough to severely hurt it, but it was enough to make it open. Arheis yanked his arm free--or what he could feel of it still, anyway--and used his uninjured arm to push Higrem backward with him.

  The Petravor lunged, but suddenly stopped, its body wracked by convulsions.

  > Petravor is stunned!

  "Now!" Arheis yelled.

  Zindar was already in motion, leaping atop the beast. Mira activated the sonic trap, then loosed a bolt that struck the mound of rubble the Petravor had created. Galen's hands moved with a practiced grace as he positioned the rocks beside the stunned creature, creating three layers in a makeshift stairway. Greatsword in hand, Higrem started up and Arheis prepared to follow him.

  "You can't help them!" Mira grabbed his good arm, holding firm. "Arheis, your arm."

  It hung broken and useless at his side, the color already beginning to drain from his fingers and hand. All he could feel was a tingle, like it was asleep and still waiting for the circulation to catch up.

  He couldn't even hold it up, much less hold a spear. But his left arm still worked. Pulling away, he went to get a handhold on the rubble, intent on climbing with only one arm.

  It went about as well as expected.

  "You have to trust them, Arheis," she pleaded.

  He did trust them. Looking up, he could already see Zindar and Higrem working at the loosened panels. The Petravor was letting out that bass-heavy, ear-shattering sound again and his head felt like it was about to implode.

  Looking back at Mira, he saw the fear in her eyes. Fear of seeing him killed again, like what had happened with the Morditul. He could feel it through their bond, so fiercely that it made him question his own mortality.

  "Do what you can," he called to Zindar and Higrem, using his good arm to pull his shield from his back. "I'll let you know when the shock-rocks are about to wear off."

  As the other two worked, Mira started fussing with his arm. What he could feel of her touch was gentle. At least until the sudden sharp poke and the surge of something coursing through his veins. He looked over, wide-eyed, to see her holding a syringe.

  > You have been healed for 43 points of damage.

  When did she…? No, not the time.

  He focused on the creature, staring right into its eyeless face. The sound of plates cracking filled the cavern, rocks crashing against the hard armor as Galen did what he could to provide a bit more leverage. They had a few panels off already. Arheis could already see the pale skin, blue veins pulsing beneath it.

  "Attack the body," he told them, leaning into his Leadership ability to rally them to his side.

  Even if he felt otherwise useless right now.

  Zindar and Higrem began to slash away, chopping into the exposed flesh. The Petravor screeched, its blood flying from the ends of both weapons, cast against the cave walls. Galen used his magic to pick up several sharp fragments of rock and sent them in like a volley of missiles, penetrating the open wounds.

  It was working. They were going to beat this thing.

  > You have performed a Redemptive Action!

  > Current Morale: 100/100

  He felt bolstered, his Morale returning to normal. He'd trusted his companions and it was paying off. He might not be the hero of this situation, but he didn't need to be. If he could hold a shield, he could contribute.

  Focusing on the Petravor's face again, he could see the moment the muscles began to slacken, the convulsions ceasing. The shock-rocks were wearing off, and Zindar and Higrem were still up there.

  "Get down, it's wearing off!" he called to them.

  Zindar was the first to abandon ship, leaping easily off the creature's back. Higrem got one last, stubborn strike in before he jumped, too, landing with a roll.

  When the shock-rocks finally wore off, all hell broke loose.

  All of the momentum it built, all of the kinetic energy stored in its muscles was expelled in one forceful surge forward--directly toward Arheis. He held his shield firm in front of him, used his Dauntless Guard, but even that wasn't enough.

  It crashed into the shield, every ounce of its weight pummeling what felt like the flimsiest barrier imaginable.

  > Your Dauntless Guard is only able to absorb some of the blow.

  > Petravor charges you for 21 points of damage. (53 deflected)

  Arheis'
body screamed with pain, his ribs cracking immediately with the impact, his "good" arm not faring much better. He was slammed backward, pushed with a speed that made his head spin, barely conscious of the fact that he was about to be crushed against a wall.

  "Arheis!" Zindar's voice was distant, and Arheis didn't even truly process that it was him until a crack of bright yellow light suddenly appeared in his peripheral, the ethereal image of a Fulcorn speeding toward him.

  He felt the impact as it lowered its head and knocked into him, but there was no pain. He was just moved, shoved out of the Petravor's merciless ramming pursuit.

  > You are protected by Zindar’s Ethereal Charge.

  The beast hit the wall with a force that would have ground Arheis into dust. He was still winded, adrenaline coursing through his veins at what had almost happened. He looked over to Zindar to give his thanks to the Pruvari, but he wasn’t the only one who’d taken an interest.

  The Petravor recovered in no time at all, seeming virtually unaffected, the plates on its head protecting it from the impact. Its anger was palpable, a snorting screech filling the chamber as it charged. But not at Arheis.

  Arheis pushed off hard from the ground, the near-constant ringing in his ears drowned out by the whooshing sound of his heart. He felt like he was stuck in a thick mire of molasses, his limbs reluctant to move as fast as his brain could direct them.

  He wasn’t going to get there in time. Not by normal means. But he didn’t have to use normal means.

  Digging deep, Arheis called upon the bond ability he’d just gained back in De’shal. His body felt lighter, his legs like coiled springs, and this time when he pushed off of the ground he was sent forward with a speed that rivaled the Petravor’s.

  Throwing his shield in the beast’s path, he braced himself for impact in midair. It came, but not from the freight train that was the beast’s head or body. Instead he was swiped aside by the massive claw.