by G. Akella
"What in the..." Alyona gasped in the party channel. "You see who that is?"
It wasn't until then that Max read the name above the HP bar—the Great Forest itself had come to the aid of its protectors. Everything ended almost as soon as it had begun. The troll kept trying to push the monster away, but the roots had coiled around his entire body by now and held him tightly to the ground. Fifteen billion HP flew off him in less than half a minute.
"Max... Is that still you?" Alyona called out pitiably from behind him. "I fed him snakes... Should have been feeding him elephants instead."
You've completed the quest: Defending Phantasmal Wood.
You have gained a level! Current level: 298.
You have gained a level!
.....................................................................
You have gained a level! Current level: 330.
Urkhunt was down to a quarter life. He wheezed, staggered but kept his balance, and lay down next to the corpse of his slain opponent. Then, all five of the beasts sent by the Ancients lit up like wax in the flame of a candle and disappeared in a black cloud. Glitch slowly turned around, his crimson eyes flashing in the swamp miasmas. His gaze fell on Max, and the warrior felt a gentle warmth in his chest. Seemingly satisfied that his master was fine, he walked over to Urkhunt and unhurriedly began to lick his gaping wounds.
Max shifted back, spat out the filth filling his mouth, and looked around him in disbelief. Alyona came up from behind him and slid a flask into his hand. The cognac burned the throat with a pleasant velvety sensation, bringing clarity at last. What the hell was that? Did he just take down a raid boss in half a minute without armor and without using any skills?! His level had increased, but he hadn't gained any additional stat or talent points.
Still bewildered, he opened the talent tree. There we go. The stats had been allocated automatically, and the talent tree had undergone a slight change, now boasting strange new icons. New skills had also been picked up automatically—only the Guardian's own skills remained unchanged.
He recalled the power that had poured into him, sighed and took a few more swigs from the flask. The Great Forest had decided everything for him, endowing him with new skills and abilities. But he would think about that later. About that and the fact that he now had eight hundred million HP... Later.
"You all right?" he asked Alyona.
"I'm just peachy," she quipped, still staring at Glitch who kept licking Urkhunt all over as the giant lion's life recovering before their very eyes. From the side it looked like a wolfhound washing a stray kitten that had accidentally wandered near its kennel.
"And you? Who are you?"
Spellbound by the scene, Max realized that Alyona was tugging at his sleeve.
"Me? I'm your husband," he shrugged, took another sip and returned the flask.
"That makes me feel better," she gave a nervous giggle, took a swig herself, and put the flask away.
The monstrous figure standing over Urkhunt rippled, its lines blurring, and a few moments later a small silver weasel was scampering to his master. In a flash, the critter climbed up on Max's shoulder, licked his cheek, nibbled on his earlobe in a familiar fashion, and coiled around his neck like a fur collar.
I was afraid you wouldn't make it in time. Urkhunt got up off the ground, walked over and nuzzled Max in the chest. You see, we meet again, just as I had predicted. That blight would have spread through the entire forest in less than a day, but it's over now. Urgot has joined with the Ancients, the scum! But this place is closed to them now—for as long as the Great Forest still stands. Thanks to you...
Urkhunt was still communicating mentally. His voice was a familiar mix of sarcasm and introspection, but Max detected notes of weariness as well.
Happy to see you again, brother! Max embraced the lion.
I hope you won't be singing anymore? Don't think I didn't notice all that you've guzzled just now.
Not enough, clearly. But don't despair. What I just saw was inspiring enough that I still might. Especially if my singing gets me a prize.
The lion sighed. You have grown. And yes, you do get a prize. Five prizes, in fact. For your five kittens. He raised his huge, shovel-like paw, and five leather straps materialized in it, all different in color.
Why five? Max asked in surprise.
Because that's how many kittens you will have, Urkhunt nodded at Alyona.
Thanks! Max took the gifts and handed them to his wife who seemed more than a little flustered.
I very much hope to see a time when I can teach your offspring, Gray One, Urkhunt said with a touch of sorrow. Farewell for now, we will not meet again until it is all over.
The lion nuzzled Max again, this time in parting, and dissipated in the air.
Reality blinked. Max and Alyona were back in an ordinary forest with its familiar ragged moon in the sky, the wind rustling the foliage of trees surrounding the sanctuary, and the scents of pine and resin permeating the air.
The Guardian scratched his pet behind the ear, who had been unusually passive since returning, then nodded at the lion perched on the pedestal, and turned to his woman.
"Well, then? Shall we get moving to Syruan?"
She smiled at him. "Yes, it's time. Our friends must be worried sick by now."
About one hundred yards from Syruan, at the spot where Sata and his people had once sent a Night Blades' raid party, burned a campfire. Luffy was sitting next to him, his staff emanating a soft scarlet glow in his lap, contemplating the dancing tongues of flame. His gaze compelled the flame to assume all kinds of fantastic shapes, from long-legged birds to a ship swaying in the waves to a multitude of tiny sparks spinning and swirling like a flock of seagulls. Ten feet to Luffy's right sat Rexar with his back to the fire, studying the forest with the same kind of focused contemplation while lazily scratching a large spotted cat lying next to him. Helliona appeared to be asleep, her ears twitching comically while in dreamland. Alex and Ellanca sat on the other side of the campfire; the girl was smiling as she talked, gesturing at the moon hanging over the forest.
Tasha must be in the castle. Everyone else appears to be here, aside from Bonbon, Donut, Masyanya... and Roman. The realization that they had been waiting for him all day made Max feel unbearably guilty, but then he remembered the five small multicolor leather straps and smiled. It had all been worth it, and his friends would understand.
His step soft on the grass carpet, the Gray Lion and his redheaded spouse emerged from the forest and made for the campfire.
Rexar was the first to spot them. The ranger sprung from the ground, a wide grin on his face as he spread his arms.
"Finally!" he announced loudly.
Helliona opened her eyes and began wagging her tail like a dog. Then she shifted and gave Max a hug when he drew near.
"We've been waiting, bro," Alex said, getting up as well. "Whoa! How did you level up so high?! I mean, I know a Guardian can't be a gimp, but that's nearly a billion HP!"
"Leave him alone!" Ellanca scolded him, then gave Max a big hug and a peck on the cheek. Nodding to Alyona, she added. "You should be asking her how she had managed to get two seventy instead!"
The group continued to exchange empty pleasantries for a few more moments before somebody noticed Glitch in the firelight. Late to the party for whatever reason, the critter stopped and looked around, suddenly finding himself the center of attention.
"And who's this cutie? Where did you get him?" Helliona exclaimed. Seeing that he was in good company, the weasel proceeded to act like a proper familiar. The Great Forest loved all of its children, so Glitch made the rounds dutifully, introducing himself to each new friend, accepting treats and allowing anyone to pet him as much as they wished. He nibbled on Ellanca's finger for being especially doting, then shoved his muzzle in the back of a still-entranced Luffy. That set into motion a number of interesting events. The campfire shot up a good thirty feet to the sky, its flames taking shapes of fantastical tree
s. The mage jumped back from the fire, his hair singed, and took an astonished look around him. His eyes shone with a kind of inexplicable profound bliss.
"Yes! Finally! It worked!" He bellowed joyously.
Nobody would find out what exactly had worked, because that was when he noticed Alyona and Max.
"Brother! It's you! You're alive!" So overwhelmed was Luffy that tear streaks began showing on his sooty face. He pulled Max in for a bear hug, then turned and pointed at the campfire. "I felt him! I know I did!"
"More like, you were helped to feel him," Helliona smiled acridly.
"Helped?" The mage looked around, noticed Glitch, and fell into a baffled silence.
"Thank you, Allfather!" He said at last, getting a hold of his emotions. "I... I shall never forget it."
Ellanca shot Luffy a dubious look. "Allfather? Are you feeling OK?"
"Quiet, everyone!" Max barked a command. "Let's all have a seat by the fire, and I'll tell you everything. And I had better not be interrupted until I'm finished!"
His story lasted nearly an hour. There was no point in concealing anything from his friends, but when it came time to recount the last chapter of their adventure, Tasha emerged from the castle with a retinue of four elves. At the sight of Max, the four guards smashed their right fists in their left shoulders and bowed their heads low. Tasha repeated the gesture and followed it up with a weird sort of curtsy. Max greeted the warriors in kind, and only then did Tasha approach, leaving her escorts behind.
"I've known you for over half a year," she spoke quietly, without looking up. "The day you and my husband saved me, you were just a warrior, ordinary in every way. It was only here in Syruan that I had learned that you are the fabled Gray Lion. And now..."
Max smiled warmly at the girl. "Have I grown horns on my head, sister? Or do you think that something inside me has fundamentally changed?" He stepped forward and gave his sworn sister a hug.
"People like you don't change," she smiled through the tears. "Instead, they change the world around them!"
"Quit fondling my wife!" Luffy feigned indignation. "Tasha, my love, his familiar helped me UNDERSTAND! I feel like I've attained a new degree!"
"Familiar?" the girl backed away from Max and looked around. When her eyes fell on Glitch, she froze like a statue, and her escorts all fell to one knee and bent their heads even lower.
Max had had enough. "Enough bowing, all of you! Do you think Allfather wants his children groveling?! You!" He shoved a finger into Tasha's chest, then turned toward Glitch. "He's just an ordinary critter, until he isn't. You can comb his fur and give him treats. He is the projection of my attitude toward all of you. I only ask that you don't overfeed him. He's a weasel, after all, and not a pig!"
"Is he going to get bigger?" Ellanca inquired, scratching Glitch behind the ear.
"Oh, he will..." Alyona replied after a moment of pause. "You can't even imagine how big. I'll tell you about it later, girl."
"Enough!" Max broke off another nascent wave of chatter. Glitch hopped onto his master's shoulder like an obedient pet.
"Let's go home. Your brother must be getting tired of waiting."
"Oh, you have no idea," Tasha said quietly, admiring the silvery creature.
Syruan hadn't changed one bit. The same exact buildings, and even the same sentry guarding the entrance, if memory served him right. The difference was in the reception of Max the warrior then versus Max the Guardian of the Great Forest now. Not that he had cause to complain over his treatment during his last visit, but it was hard to get used to every passing soldier dropping to one knee at the sight of him. Then again, it was their right. And they weren't honoring him personally so much as what he represented to them.
Upon ascending to the lord's antechamber, he yelled to the officials awaiting him that if any of them dared to kneel or pull any such shenanigans, he would simply turn around and leave. Irwine, Phylatrim and Redcliff the Whisperer—all of whom were somehow present in his sworn brother's office—offered no visible reaction but extended a normal greeting. Only their faces grew a bit pale at the sight of his familiar. For his part, Glitch made himself right at home by leaping up onto one of the benches lining the wall and curling up in a comfortable, expectant position.
Irwine stepped forward. "I want to explain myself. I am no enemy to my people, despite what you may have thought at our last meeting, Gray One."
"Stop right there," Max gave an exasperated sigh. "I know all this even without your explanations. By the way, last night the Phantasmal Wood successfully rebuffed an attack of transformed beasts sent by the Ancients. Urkhunt is alive, albeit not in the best of shapes. That path is closed to the Ancients now. We've also learned that Urgot has joined with the Titans' cause."
Max took a seat on the bench next to his weasel and proceeded to recount the battle for the Phantasmal Wood.
"Urkhunt had thought that he and the Gray One would perish in the Phantasmal Wood, but no one could have foreseen him," Redcliff smiled warmly, nodding at Glitch. "I'm not surprised that Urgot now stands against us—he has much to gain from Allfather's death."
The shaman turned back toward Max. "You were ready to end it, weren't you? I can see it in your eyes!"
"What do you mean?" Max raised his eyebrow.
Redcliff sighed. "I knew Talverus. I know that you have an additional Infinity Point—the ability to attack three times by sacrificing yourself."
"And?"
"You must understand!" the shaman uttered in a trembling voice. "The Forest needs its Guardian! Even if the Titans make it to the Kraet Peaks, they can still be stopped. But if you die, our chances drop to zero."
"I haven't decided anything yet," Max shook his head. "Other than to play it by ear."
"I implore you to be reasonable, Guardian," Redcliff bowed his head with a sigh. "For I cannot demand anything of you."
Irwine walked over and spread a map out on a table. "If you're finished, let us discuss the details of the coming battle."
Chapter 14
"When I get myself a castle, I will definitely put a moat around it and fill it with crocodiles. If only the inflatable kind," Bonbon lit up from a branch from a bonfire, tossed it back and looked over at Reece. "You can't have a moat without crocodiles. Am I right?"
The mage nodded his approval. "Inflatable crocs are the best. You don't even need to feed them."
"Why don't you barbecue some meat for us instead, mister croc breeder?" Masyanya sniffed in Bonbon's direction.
"Isn't it your turn to cook?" Donut asked from beside her.
"My turn or not, this bald-headed wacko is better at it," the huntress gave a light shrug.
"You know what you need? A standard," Bonbon peered at the rogue with concern, ignoring her words completely. "Now, I know you're at a disadvantage with your woman who probably can't sew for sh... I mean, who might be challenged with respect to her sewing ability. Don't worry, my wife will hook you up."
"Thanks for your concern, but we can always place an order with a master of heraldry," Donut stood up for his lady.
Then the rogue turned his head and noticed me.
"Roman!" he bawled joyfully. "Where have you been?!"
"It's impossible to find you lot," I chuckled, hopping off Gloom and shaking the hand of a grinning Kan.
Having greeted everyone, I took a seat on one of the logs and gave a sigh of relief. Finally, I was back with my people.
When I had read Tolstoy's War and Peace, I sometimes struggled to comprehend the location of characters before each battle. The great Russian author was keen on describing warfare from different vantage points, as experienced by his characters. But here...
Anyone can imagine a crowd of one hundred thousand people filling up a football stadium. Now, imagine splitting up all those fans into squads. Some get horses for mounts, others get wargs. The commanders are issued Romanesque standards. Then you scatter the crowd across a territory spanning one-two square miles, and assign them different comb
at tasks... An ordinary person would be lost beyond hope. Thankfully, I knew that my guys were with the two arriving legions led by Duke Daar. Otherwise, I might not have found them until the next patch.
A large crimson sun shone over the prairie where the allied orc army awaited the invading undead. The Darkaan border lay a few miles ahead. The system log was bursting with rousing pleas to defend the steppe, but everybody who had wanted to be here was already here.Players made up a fairly large contingent at nearly a third of the entire defending army. Their levels ranged from just over 100 to 230, and their motivations from climbing the social ladder to banal war trophies. And yet, their eyes shone with the same resolve—they were ready to fight to the death. The world we found ourselves in had transformed us so fundamentally that we sometimes forgot it had once been a game that we played. An enemy army led by Vill threatened the steppe, and our homes had to be defended, no matter what. In Kargalar and other clan capitals, a lion's share of the volunteers were essentially told to beat it, left to defend the cities much like women and children had been in the Middle Ages on Earth. A truce was declared in the Great Steppe; the Bloody Spear clan accepted Rehan's emissaries and joined with the Great Horde. Duke Richard arrived to the Steppe at the helm of two legions. All in all, roughly one hundred and twenty thousand gathered here—human and orc, side by side. The game realm had not seen anything like this before. Well, some of the local NPCs had participated in events of a similar scale in the distant past, but for the players those were merely game lore. This, in contrast, was for real. The orcs were preparing to defend their home and their gods.
I drew plenty of curious stares as I made my way to my team. Admittedly, a level 285 hulk of a demon riding a huge boar made for an unusual sight, but nobody was brave enough to pester me with questions. Any questions would be pointless, anyway.
Gronn an Ghort had accepted his father's insignia. Thirty sacrificial bulls were butchered by the Bloody Spear to mark a Festival of Remembrance. Messengers were sent to Kargalar, and an army started to gather in Kohaeryn Prairie as soon as the following morning. I didn't bother Gronn with matters relating to tactics and strategy—I wouldn't have understood anything, anyway. I had my part down cold. The night before, I had been visited by Kahella...