by Wolfe Locke
Arcane Summoner
by Wolfe Locke
This book is dedicated to the friends who’ve helped me along the way. This time, author Han Yang. He wrote Isekai Magus.
Thanks, man.
Buy his books.
@2020 Wolfe Locke
All rights reserved.
No portion of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publisher, except as permitted by U.S. copyright law.
Chapter One: Enter Arcadia. The Ancient City
* * *
Like the rest of the world, Arcadia had grown silent. The ancient ruins stood open to all, but everyone still living knew to stay away. It was just the way of things since the Harrowing. A world ending event that had destroyed the realm of men. Their old cities were now home to the Draugr and other creatures. Particularly, the powerful aberrations known as the Monsters of the Dark.
Zander knew this and went anyway. He was desperate and had been for a couple of weeks now, and he had grown tired of carefully trying to etch out a little bit of survival within the safety and confines of his village and of his role within it. He had not come alone. Rocktooth accompanied him. The creature of hard stone was his own personal summon, guardian, and stood by him like no companion ever had. Rocktooth was a golem who towered over him, with a body of hewn granite, its face and hands were smooth and solid.
Rocktooth looked down at him, and though the golem couldn’t talk out loud, Zander knew exactly what it was trying to say. They had a direct line of communication between each other, as did all summons and their masters. This is dangerous for you. Do not do this Zander, go back to the village and try again with a team. He ignored the golem’s concern and looked up at the sun to try for an accurate guess of how much daylight was left. Little past midday. Four hours maybe. He could get in and out before dark, but the Draugr in the buildings would still be a problem. They were far more active inside buildings, regardless of the time of day.
Through their connection, Zander could feel the quiet alarm and anxiety building up in his summons’ subconscious. It was not a natural state for one of its kind to lead their master into avoidable danger. I'm sorry to put you through this Rocktooth, but you know how important this is to me. A little bit of danger now has a lot of benefit for me if it pays off. The summon had no response to that logic.
Together they walked as silently as they could on the crumbling grey stone path that was stained green in parts from the overgrowth on the building and damp mold. While in other spots, Zander spotted darker stains. Something happened here. The thought made him shudder.
Today the two of them would be going deeper, seeking out a pace where few if any scavenger parties had managed to breakthrough in previous raids. If I’m going to put myself in danger, I at least need to be smart about it. He hoped to find something mostly untouched, something profitable and desired by the people of his village. Something he could trade.
Eventually, they arrived at the entrance to the old human building they would be exploring. Much of the paint had worn off with time, but part of the title could still be read in the ancient language of the humans. Cryo Hnologies.
Notification: Now Entering “The Ancient Ruins – Cryo Hnologies”
Details: In ages past, humans used to assemble and work in places like these. Now, all that remains of their civilization are the monsters that dwell within these haunted halls. Beware, for Draugr and other monsters are often found within.
The building itself was old but sturdy. In places behind holes in the building’s exterior, exposed like old bones, steel beams could be seen. It had none of the wear or rot he’d come across in some of the other old human buildings. Zander clenched his fist and gathered his courage. He passed through the opening into what had once been a lobby. Once inside, he saw half-melted plastic tables and furniture warped from time that had been thrown about as if something had set into them in a rage. In many places, huge gauges could be seen where claws had dug into the wall, leaving ugly scares.
“C’mon, Rocktooth let’s go,” he said with a whisper as he glanced back to look at his summoned companion to see what the hold up wise. Ah, yeah. My bad. Zander saw the golem was too big to come in. Zander sighed and walked back to poke at the magical core in the middle of the golem’s torso with his staff. The golem’s eyes lit up in response, reaffirming the contract between master and summon. “Follow me.” Aided by the magic command and contract, the golem started to shrink so he could fit into the building. Soon he stood no bigger than a man, though there was no mistaking the creature of stone for human.
The magic was simple enough, but Zander wanted more than simple magic. He needed access to more advanced spells and magical abilities. He needed to learn more, period. He needed a real teacher and that all led back to the sum of most of his current problems. Money and the lack thereof. But at least as of today I might be able to find something worth trading and put that worry behind me.
Zander waited before moving, as he stopped to listen, hoping he wouldn’t hear the telltale patter of feet that let him know Draugr would be coming. We’re good so far. He nodded at Rocktooth as he tried to open the rusted door to the stairwell. He had once learned the hard way on a previous raid that the ancients had relied on another manner to move about their buildings. Zander shuddered at the memory of the elevator. The square like tomb that he’d almost gotten trapped in. He pushed the memory away to focus on the task at hand. The door didn’t budge.
He looked over at the door and imparted a message to Rocktooth. I’m going to need you on this one. It’s too much for me. The golem’s eyes flashed green, and Zander smiled cautiously. Here goes. He stepped back, and the golem walked over to the steel door. The golem sent a flurry of messages to Zander’s mind, and he stifled a laugh. The golem turned to Zander, and when he nodded, it placed a heavy stone hand on the door and pushed it forward.
A horrible scraping noise followed. The door, rusted from age, was torn off of its hinges and fell to the ground, making far too much noise. Zander expected the Draugr or worse creatures to swarm the area immediately but heard nothing. Maybe we’ll be ok to keep searching.
They waited, but nothing came for them from within the dark. It’s not too late to call this off Zander. Zander shook his head. The golem knew his thoughts on the matter. Rocktooth went through first, and Zander followed behind. The light from his magic staff lit up the stairway, showing the stairwell went up for many floors and down just one. I’ll try down this time. I’ve struck out too many times heading up.
Rocktooth led the way and Zander followed behind, keeping his eyes peeled above them for signs of Draugr. They went down the stairs, and Rocktooth opened the door on the bottom floor, revealing what seemed to be a large kitchen. Something like this could have made enough food to feed my entire village.
It shocked Zander to see. Many cans lay strewn about, having been ripped and torn open. Whatever they contained had long since turned to dust. At least for those cans that hadn’t been opened yet. Zander moved passed the cans, careful not to step or trip on any of them. Next, he checked what he thought might be a pantry. He was wrong.
That’s just a linen closet, Zander. The golem was right, but Zander still had to check, he reached out to see if any of it was usable, but as soon as the lit of his staff illuminated the material, he saw it was rotted and heavy with mold. Nothing here is salvageable. This is going to take a minute; I need to find something at least.
He gestured for Rocktooth to wait outside for him and watch out for Draugr. The golem grumbled something unrepeatable. He frowned at the golem, and Rockt
ooth looked away. Is Rocktooth trying to hide a grin? Something scampered past the golem, and Zander aimed his staff at it, using a quick [Arcane Bolt] to kill it. Just a rat, he realized afterward.
Zander sighed in frustration. Nothing yet, and I’m already super jumpy. Maybe Rocktooth was right. We’re risking ourselves for nothing. He was ready to call it and move to another floor of the ancient ruin when he caught sight of the handle of a thick iron door with some boxes placed in front of it. I doubt anyone has been there before. What’s behind that door? Thick doors protect treasures, right?
He directed Rocktooth to clear the boxes and opened the door. Zander, the words you’re looking for are “Thank you”. Zander nodded and stepped through. He found himself in a hallway leading further down. But beneath the musty smell of stale air, something unnatural drifted on the breeze towards him, coming from the stairwell they’d left behind. The Draugr, I need to get moving before they reach us. He couldn’t see far into the hallway and charged more magic into his staff, commanding it to form into a ball of light. [Illuminate Sphere]. The ball was pushed out from his staff and traveled down the hall. If a Draugr had seen that, it would have attacked me already.
The hallway was long and damp, made of concrete with a single door at its end. The smell of the Draugr drifted closer. Rocktooth, close the door and watch my back. I’m going forward. He could only hope that the summon could keep out the coming Draugr, even if all the golem did was brace the iron door.
Zander walked down the hall, and though the smell of the Draugr had faded, the anxiety he was feeling hadn’t. Something is wrong here. A chipped piece of the wall fell down, and Zander looked up, noticing for the first time the holes in the cement ceiling. He lifted his staff up and the light illuminated the overhead dangling body of a monster. That’s far worse than a Draugr.
It dropped to the ground in a humanish mass of spidery limbs, and Zander wasted no time in casting another [Arcane Bolt] before it could get up. The magic sped towards the monster in a blast of light, and though it did damage, Zander grimaced when the monster was still standing after the attack. It turned to him. Half of its face was gone, while the other was contorted into the grimacing face of a woman.
How long has it been up there in the dark? The monster looked at him for a moment, curiously studying him as the monster salivated and licked its lips. Visitors Zander, I’ll hold the door. A glance toward the far end of the hall showed Rocktooth was no help, the golem was planted firmly in front of the door, and Zander could hear the banging of hungry Draugr on the other side. There will be no escape that way. Alright Rocktooth. Hold it as long as you can, I’ll manage.
Zander pointed his staff again at the monster and used a spell he had seen the Elders of his village use. [Cleanse Abomination]. Amber light shot out of his staff directly at the monster. The light enveloped the monster immediately and the effect was instantaneous. Once the light covered the monster, it flared light the sun and flashed out of existence. The monster remained behind and made a wheezing sound before it collapsed on the floor. Still not dead?
He pointed the tip of his staff at the undead and said a spell he had heard almost everyone who could do magic say. It was a simple cleansing spell. The undead snarled at him. A soothing white light emerged from his staff. The monster made a wheezing sound much like a death knell, and then seized breathing at all. Now it’s dead.
Notification: You have killed a creature worthy of notice. An Emergent Darkling.
Even an emergent is still a darkling. That could have gone bad for me. Zander took a moment to look over the body to try and see if the Darkling had only loot. With the sounds from the other side of the door, Zander almost didn’t hear another monster running towards him, He turned, but he was too late. It slammed into him, shoving him against something hard. He groaned. His side burned with pain.
I was too focused. I didn’t hear it. How did it get the drop on me? Zander rolled out of the way and scrambled up. He found himself face to face with another of the snarling abominations. This one was older than the last, and thankfully much weaker from injury and damage. One hand was gone entirely, and its entire face drooped uselessly. A clawed hand reached out, trying to tear into him, but Zander was able to get his staff in place to parry and moved past it further down the tunnel.
It’s too soon for another [Cleanse Abomination]. The monster howled and came after him. Zander! I hope you can handle this. You’re running out of time. The pounding against the door got louder. The Draugr kept locked out by Rocktooth redoubled their efforts, and Zander could see the door was starting to buckle and bend in places. He grimaced when pieces of both the door and Rocktooth were beginning to flake off from the strain.
Rocktooth, I’ll summon you again. I promise. Zander told the golem through their connection as he charged a different spell through his staff and used a lesser ability. [Flare]. Bright light filled the room, blinding the monstrous female and the host of Draugr that were peeking through the door. He slammed his staff into the stunned monster and ran past it, straight towards the end of the hall and the door he had seen earlier.
Relief flooded his body as the door opened easily enough. Without even waiting to see if the room was safe, He slammed it closed behind him, feeling an instant sense of gratification when he pulled an iron bar over the door, further securing it. His staff’s light revealed a green circle, and Zander was drawn to it, compelled by it. He touched it and overhead a row of electric lights turned on, revealing 12 pods. Each as cold as ice.
I need to get Rocktooth back here. Though he’d already used a lot of his magic, Zander knew better than to try and forge ahead without Rocktooth. He reached into a small pouch secured to the base of his staff and pulled out a small river stone, and set it on the ground, aiming the spell [Summon Guardian]. Within seconds, Rocktooth was revived, but the golem looked at him strangely as if to say, why did you call me back so early? But actually said nothing.
Guard the door Rocktooth, he commanded as he moved closer to the frozen pods. He held his staff, using an [Scan] on each of the pods. Only one showed any sign of life. That’s amazing. He walked closer to the pod. The top surface was made of glass, revealing through the glass the face of a sleeping woman. The door started to thump; it wouldn’t hold much longer. Zander, we’ve done this before. I’ll need your help.
I’ll try, but this is amazing. Zander was stunned. An ancient, here? A human! He had not seen a human in a long time, not a live one anyway. Zander didn’t know how to open the pod, so he smashed open the pod with his staff. It took six hits in all, to reveal the blue hair of a woman within. He pulled her out and held her head in his hands as he used a [Scan] to check for life, or at least the strand of it that was remaining. Zander was sure he felt it. It was faint, but it was there. He closed his eyes and imagined the stream of mana within him, and this time, Zander channeled that stream of power all into the woman as he tried to cast [Heal].
Notification: Class Unlocked - Necromancer
Details: Necromancers subvert the natural order of the land to raise their minions. Once the pathways of Necromancy have been unlocked, it cannot be forgotten and leaves those touched permanently changed.
Notification: New Minion Unlocked - The Frozen Dame
Details: ?????
Chapter Two: Welcome to the Future!
The woman sat up with a start. Her eyes were unfocused, and she was frantically gasping for breath. She had blue skin and was covered in ice crystals, and Zander could feel the frost magic spilling off of her. He slowly moved away, trying not to startle her. She was still desperately struggling to inhale, almost choking as she fought for air.
“I don’t think you need to breathe,” he said as gently as was possible under the circumstances. “You’re undead. At least something close enough to undead that it doesn’t matter the distinction.”
“Undead?” she said. “That can’t be true. I just fell asleep a few minutes ago.”
Notification: You have gained a
party member, Celeste.
Details: Found in a Cryopod, this ancient human has been reborn as a frost spirit bound to your service.
She looked down at herself and yelped in surprise at the trails of ice on. She tried to brush the frost off of her body. It didn’t work.
“What’s the last thing you remember?” Zander said, ignoring the door and the summon who needed assistance. Zander. Hurry it up.
Celeste frowned as she tried to recall. In her daze the pounding at the door went unnoticed. “I was…I was fighting. We were in the city and…something bad was happening. I don’t remember what it was. The memory is hard to reach. Only that they were chasing us. I think they were something…inhuman. Dark things. I remember I turned—there was a little boy. My friends went on ahead, but I went back to save the little boy. He was crying. I was able to reach him, to touch his arm and get him out of there. And then, whatever was chasing us caught up. It got him first, then me. It was—”
She winced, remembering one of the worst nights of her life.
“—It was very bad.”
“That sounds like the Harrowing,” Zander said. "But none of that explain how you ended up in the pod."
“The Harrowing?” she asked, the word and its meaning unfamiliar to her.
Zander! You’re taking too long.
“I’ll explain later.” he replied. Zander knew this wasn't the time.