A/N: Souls of Fire, nobody leveled their DEX, right?
TheAwesomess: Cause who would've thought watching Garr smack a baby would be this entertaining!
Doctor: Please stop deleting my employees, you brought a possessed teddy bear as an excuse.
Den3424: Please donate? :( The Oran is Always Right Foundation's running out of coffee...
Thunderwolf: No more Garlic requests, people! I love garlic bread, don't ruin it for me! D:
ItsJustCrow: You heard him folks, check out this guy's youtube channel for gaming! :D
Blackknight: Never thought I'd witness a knight of Londo sing...especially after a visit to the kiln...*realizes my own talentlessness*
NetherOrbit: Oh if only things got better, right?
Special thanks to xXFARTSALOTXx (please not in here :(, I lack windows in my basement) for supporting the story! Hope you're enjoying the quality provided here.
Have fun!
February 11th 2023 - Garr
The monstrous eight foot figure stood upright, bloating out the very sun with his shadow. I couldn't even put on a straight face, terror gripping me like a tightly knotted collar. Mother of God.
"I can smell the curse in your blood, Ares." his anvil thick shoulders drew back, "Why did you wake it? Do you not see?"
The weapon I held was a mix of stone and hardened steel. This thing made me feel like I could hurt anything, or anyone. When presented with one who chilled the very air, the only word that came to mind...was impotence.
"Okay, that name's not rubbing me right." I winced, stepping back, "How do you know that?"
"It's an easy name to remember." he grinned, revealing rows of pointed teeth, "Maybe too easy, the passage of time hasn't helped my memory."
I opened my menu, hoping to read the message, but he closed in again. Frack.
"You promised me a fight, brother...are you going to run?"
"Let's see, eight foot monster of a man with a sword two feet taller than me? Pissed that I took his pet?" I grimaced, "I'll come back to you on that."
"Ha...a coward...but why would a coward possess such a thing? It doesn't make sense."
The air seemed to turn cold from this guy's very presence. His sheer hulking size raising hairs of doubt from my back. Fear, weakness, I could feel it again. That same instinct that made me run from my problems, it was back.
That thing he called a sword looked more like a giant's [Kukri], the axe-like blade lurching over like a cobra's hood. The steel alerted me to my emotions, I had to fight it back.
"Ah what the hell, bring it!" I yelled at the top of my lungs.
Roaring in masked fear, I threw out a [Cleave] at my opponent, my weight cast into the strike as Punch Line soared left. I had to break the fear in my heart, or him, whatever came first.
A loud clang reached my ears, this eight foot figure blocking the strike, shrugging it down as if it was a regular sword. Time slowed to a halt. Was as if at this very moment that I somehow knew, I fucked up.
"Excellent, let's hope it lasts!" he roared back, converging with an attack of his own!
His overhead swing forced me to block, my knees bent as I raised Punch Line in defense. That seven foot weapon he wielded crashed against the stone barrier like a freaking car, my legs jacking down from the shock of his strike. Dazed slightly, it became apparent that I lost health just blocking him.
I stumbled back, my body sore from the clash. The man rushed me quicker than I could blink, my ears ringing as I deflected a side flying, a diagonal, an uppercut, my body breaking further with each block.
The crash of Ultras detonated the very air around us in a sea of sparks, my bones shaking in recoil from every attack. The shirtless giant swung right, forcing me to roll, the blade swooping over me like a low flying jet.
"Good people, let it be known that this match wasn't pre-planned!" the announcer shouted, "We're just as clueless as you right now!"
Jumping to my feet, he made a stab for the icy ground, cracking through the surface like paper. Landing a few feet away, I breathed tiredly. Just one swing of that weapon would easily shatter me, armor or not. Huffing, he pried it out of the ground.
"You shouldn't have agreed to the deal." he growled, turning to me...those soulless eyes gazing deep, "It's not good for you."
"I should've kept my mouth shut." I kept humble, "Now look where I got-"
He swung left, his gigantic muscles heaving the equally massive tool like a bag of rice. Punch Line blocked, too bad I wasn't as heavy, it sent me flying like a rocket. My back met ice, my armor the only saving grace between me and a shattered spine. HP already at 65%.
"Ugh, mother of God." I cursed, struggling to get up.
What the hell was this? He made an utter child of me, I doubt he was even trying either, the guy just kept such a straight face. Looking at me from fifteen feet away, I breathed...only to watch him move like lightning!
I nearly screamed in surprise, spacing him back with a [Mass Driver] in fright. I missed...his heavy weapon skimming the top of my head.
A horrible crunch and a rush of open air was heard and felt...my helmet rolling on the ground. That was hardened steel, he made that look like a soda can. Just as the hat flew off, he yelled in prep for another strike!
"Oh crap!" I shouted.
He twisted back, about to strike a diagonal right! Stepping back, something stopped me from moving Punch Line, his pose...it reminded me of something Yuuki did.
Always be ready for a feint.
Huffing, I kept still. In the space of that second, he diverted his swing. He dove left, my wait rewarding me with barely a deflect. I ended up smiling a little, enjoying that brief act of defiance. Thanks for the tip, Yuuki.
The eight foot tall monster rushed me with another four or five swings, going faster and faster, like he was just warming me up until now. Speeding up, I was forced to evade, unable to actively block them all.
Ice cracked around me, his attacks destroying the very field we stood on. I had to do something, or I would surely be crushed, my bones dust. Wrestling against him proved hopeless, my mortal frame not even close to his level of strength.
"I admit, if you were like the rest, just one of my hits would've broken your body."
"Not sure if that's a good thing. Jeez." I groaned, "But I'll take it, come on!"
Souls of Fire
The sparks of battle started, the jungle clearing hot with the glares of enemies, the captured, and the vengeful.
"Johnny?" Haru blinked.
"Oh, hey Haru." the guy smiled, "Man, you just keep popping up."
"Xaxa misses you."
The alchemist grimaced.
"He does?"
"Yeah...oh well." he drew weapons, "I'll give ya a chance if you run."
"No." Haru readied her flamethrower, "You have my best friend...I won't leave."
Johnny sighed. The rest of her team looking at her curiously.
"Alright then..."
"Humble sacrifices, lambs to the lion!" Nobel laughed, swooping on his diseased wings.
Flying in, the [Atrophied Great Moth] Nobel controlled unleashed a whirlwind of spines, green with filth! Oran, Wick, Haru, and Recon dodged, leaving Leafa and Lisbeth to absorb. Lisbeth's armor saved her from immediate damage, Leafa not so much, [Poison] afflicting her.
"Esquire!" Johnny barked, "God, I hate that name!"
The necromancer waved his hands, auras of blue emanating from his hands. Summoning two [Specters], an undead Renee and Korrin to the field, brandishing weapons wielded in life. Standing over a bound Graye, he ensured none reached the sacrifice.
Lisbeth looked, her face pale as she watched the dead rise. [Fear] took hold, reducing attack damage, boosting speed.
"He wasn't hallucinating..." she quivered.
Johnny's second comrade rushed Oran, locking him in melee, but failing to score a hit. Oran's staff locked with his assailant's [Mace], slapping it away.
"Holy shit, they move fast!" Oran cursed, "Piss off, ya wanker!"
Kymer readied a [Power Shot], Merser dashing behind a bush to ready volleys. Lox spotted Lisbeth and charged her with his [Great Flail], spinning it overhead in anticipation. Lobbing it, the giant spiked ball crashed against a nearby tree, the plant's bark scattering like a grenade, missing his target.
Setting his sights on Leafa, Johnny converged with his twin [Falchions], his great speed forcing the kendo member to retreat, making quick sweeps to zone him out. Sparks flew as weapons of iron and wood met faster than eyes could blink.
"The hell are these people?!" Leafa panicked, "They move so fast!"
"Bitches!" Recon raised his coin, "That's what!"
The thief used [Lord of Change], the coin flipping in the air. The gold circlet hit the rain specked dirt, flashing red. Result was [Moderately Bad], summoning an enraged [Tauran Warrior] on the field, its level scaled to match the summoner.
"Oh...not good." Recon groaned.
Wick rushed to confront Johnny, only to realize his opponent's skill, a single slash nearly sweeping his throat. The black cloaked Lieutenant not only blocked both him and Leafa's attempts at attack, but parried Wick at the same time!
Haru unleashed her flamethrower, aggressive in her effort to free the bound Graye from his ropes. The necromancer guarding him backed away, his lone dagger gripped in his hand, commanding his undead followers to attack the alchemist.
The long dead rushed Haru, assaulting with axe and spear, their eyes glowing a bright blue, moaning in torment. Korrin's spear missed, dashing past her, Renee's axes nearing their mark.
"Not happening!" Oran shoved his combatant back, casting a [Spark] Renee's way.
The corpse spasmed wildly, the electric pulse causing [Stun] just before the axe struck Haru. As price, however, the Laughing Coffin operative delivered a [Horizontal Square], four hits compounding his chest.
"Oh bugger."
Oran laughed, his HP already draining from the assault. His opponent's mace broke bones, his chest caved in by the trauma.
Lisbeth counter charged Lox, locking her mace to his hammer with a excruciating clack. Having much higher [Strength] stats, he shoved her back, but stepped back himself.
"Me no like this." he groaned.
"What?" she said.
"I'm scared." Lox decried.
The blacksmith gasped under his weight, raising an eyebrow at his remark. There was no mockery, he sounded legitimately afraid. She struck again, only to be blocked.
"Scared..."
Haru jumped aside, blasting Korrin with a gout of flame. The shielded zombie raised his wall, blocking out the fire with bronze strength. Unfortunately, the summoned [Tauran Warrior] chose him too, kicking the brain dead Spartan down from behind.
Nobel swooped in, activating [Minion Summon]. Zombified [Cordoads] emerged from the jungle, croaking as they answered their master's call. Just as a herd emerged, however, Kymer fired!
His arrow launched, scoring a [Sneak Attack Critical] on the middle toad of the horde. Like a row of dominoes, detonations of one led to another, one turning to three, three turning to nine! The sheer volume of sympathetic explosions tore out the trees of a ten meter radius, the rain splashing everywhere as the leaves released their catch!
The Russian smiled, watching the necromancer fly off in recoil to the blast! The chaos of battle was nothing new to him, it was just Tuesday. Training his sights next for Lox, however, he was quickly met with arrow fire from another, nailing him in the chest!
Kymer fell to the ground, his bow meeting the soil, silent.
"Kymer, no!" Lisbeth cried.
Lisbeth panicked, smashing Lox's leg with a [Mind Impact]! Due to the [Abyssteel] qualities of her mace, its density bashed the limb through blunt force. The leg bent inward, destabilizing the giant.
"Why you hurt me?" he panicked while stumbling back.
"You're on their side!" Lis shouted, the turmoil of battle robbing her of her common sense.
Leafa shoved Johnny, preventing him from committing a [Riposte] on Wick! Going with the flow, the Lieutenant landed back before reasserting control, catching Leafa's katana and punching her in the jaw.
"Do no harm, they said!" Nobel cackled, "No one knows how to hurt a man better than a doctor!"
Merser shot another round, scoring a hit on Leafa's back! Witnessing his crush get knocked to the soil, Wick yelled in shock. Using his shield, the clothed fighter desperately tried to hold Johnny at bay, whaling at him with his [Steel Falx].
The darker of the two souls simply taunted, flicking his [Falchion] in an effort to feint, to fool Wick into committing to a false front. Hiding behind his shield, Wick shook with fright, the man's smile disturbing him.
"Y-You're crazy!" Wick bleated.
"And loving it." Johnny swung high, "You some kind of pet?"
Wick raised the shield, only to have Johnny slash low. Given time to get back up, Leafa intervened, blocking this. Recon moved for the necromancer, only to be repelled by the restless dead. That being said, he spotted the sniper.
Lisbeth was slammed against a tree, Lox socking her square in the face before stepping away. Wounded and dazed, the blacksmith crawled on the ground for a moment. Despite her evident weakness, the man refused to proceed...turning away.
"Lox, what the hell?" Merser shouted, "Finish her!"
Lox turned on Wick, his [Great Flail] interrupting Johnny's assault with a [Moon Landing]. The strike shook the ground, forcing both fighters apart. With his partner distracted, Merser set sights on the smith, pulling back for a [Power Shot]. Just before release, Recon dove in, his great speed buying his distance towards the archer.
"Nobody snipes my friends, motherfu-!" he shouted, dagger jamming forward.
Merser rolled left, drawing a [Kukri] from his waist. Recon's knife stuck in a tree, forcing him to pry it loose. Graye kept wiggling, trying to break free of his bonds, only to be kicked by Esquire.
"Stay still!" he roared to the tied medic.
Struggling to match, the team fought back in desperation, losing ground as they fell back. Confidence turned to concern, a thought of defeat at the hands of supernatural threats.
Souls of Fire
The maniac stopped, Punch Line almost digging to the ground as I breathed.
"The fact you've lasted as long as you have...impresses me." the giant chuckled, "It's been at least...twenty years since I've met a warrior capable of blocking my attacks."
I coughed, my bones on the verge of breaking any minute, my muscles burning inside. He's even stronger than Lox...the strongest fighter I've ever met. If I was any weaker, or my sword any smaller, I would've been done. God, I could barely lift my weapon.
"What's your name, Ares?" he smiled, those incisors showing.
"Garr." I grunted, struggling to even lift Punch Line.
"Very well, you may call me by the name...Berec."
Wait, wasn't he that Knight Captain? He stepped closer, scaring me into an early swing! Punch Line whirred by with a [Slam], flying opposite of a [Cleave] as Berec paused. The cumbersome tool cracked the floor, forcing me back as he charged again.
"Come on, where's the rage? Has your anger already fled for the hills, has your strength already failed?"
I grimaced, falling back further and further as he pursued. There was no way I was any match for this guy, but I couldn't run either. He didn't give me nearly enough space or time to teleport out, I had to keep dodging in fear of a shattered frame.
Berec slammed down, the over sized [Kukri] far reaching. Shouldering Punch Line, my back popped as the steel beam of a weapon crashed on mine! Health...35%. Lunging forward, I balled a fist and socked his abs as hard as I could, mustering all of my weight behind the blow!
Was left gasping, my gauntlets clacking on impact. I must've hit a wall, but sight proved that guess wrong. His abdominal muscle had to be made of stone, almost hurt my hand to punch.
"Non likes his little games, but I'm a simpler thing..."
Raising a leg, he kicked me like a football across the arena! Meeting an ice covered wall again, my entire frame shook, my arms shaky as I tired further.
20%. This was getting hopeless, I couldn't even lay in an attack and my ability to block was diminishing fast. What level was this thing even?
Berec stepped forward, growling as he raised his weapon...waiting for me to get up. I had to make an attack, even if just one. Every nerve in my body demanded I flee, to run back to the tower from whence I came.
Disgusting as it was, it was there...I had to accept it. Taking a deep breath, I rose...my legs wobbling like they were mere stilts.
One shot, that's all I had. That's all I needed.
Drawing Punch Line back over my shoulder, I charged my most powerful attack...[Dissecting Blow]. The stone [Ultra Greatsword] clacked, the attack readying. Seeing my weapon holstered back, Berec started chuckling.
"Really, opening your guard?"
I said nothing, trying to find peace with the weakness inside me. He suddenly stopped laughing, his bushy eyebrows lowered.
"Oh...this is a bet, a gamble with your body on the line. Oh this is rich."
He lowered his sword.
"If only this was outside the confines of this arena. Then it'd be so much more interesting." He heckled.
"Tell me, would you still make such a bet? Knowing your very life hung on the single swing?"
I breathed haggardly, staring at him intently.
"Probably not." I winced, "I like living."
"Huh." he smiled, "An honest man."
Berec drew back, his [Ultra Greatsword] at a low stance...opening his guard just like me. Jeez, I was afraid. If I screwed this up, it was gonna be a long rest in the pool...most of it spent wondering where my spine went. But if I hit, I had a chance...risky, but worth it.
He swung first, the trap in my hands uncoiled. Careening myself left, the charged attack met Berec's weapon, my ears ringing at the two met. To my surprise, the approach caused his sword to bend, the stone edge of Punch Line ruining his move.
"Eh?"
Roaring excitedly, I jumped forward with a side flying [Slam], watching Punch Line knock the eight foot monster to Earth. My HP shot up like a rocket, a [Critical Hit] achieved, I stood a chance. Running up to the fallen warrior, I raised the sword, letting him get up was the last thing I needed.
Readying a [Down Chop], the man reached and grabbed my hands...stopping my attack.
"You...You actually...hit me?"
Looking down, I could only blink, my throat clamping in shock. His ribs, they were absolutely fine...not even the skin looked disturbed. His laugh only made the situation worse.
"Do you realize how long it's been? Since I've felt so mortal?"
Slowly getting up, he kept grip on my hand. Bones started to snap, but not mine. His face, it was stretching forward!
"To feel the pain of what would've been a crippling defeat, to be nearly bested by another...you have gifted me with something truly special."
Berec's body started to twist, his torso lengthening. Legs and hips spread apart, bones snapping with realignment. His hair wasted away, skin charring and wrinkling. Muscle swelled, filling the anatomically alien figure with sinew as it stretched.
I tried pulling back, what little bravery I had turned to fleeting fear. His fingers grown long, thick with muscle...each as thick as a young tree, serrated nails extending.
"B-Buh" I stammered.
Taking the snout of a horse's skull, the lower jaw flattened. Extending just past the lip, his teeth shifted outward, curving wickedly as the gums took their new position. A sand tiger shark's teeth, hooked and jutting. Its gums were a deep, inflamed red, the creature before me turning a whopping four meters...no five.
Patches of flesh turned to eyes, sickly green as they looked varying directions. I couldn't stop staring, this was utter insanity, what was I even looking at?! Staring down with two yellow eyes, Berec said nothing.
With the feathered wings of a crow, one notice stood.
[Champion Detected!]
My heart nearly gave out. This was what Godfree met...Asuna too. I kept pulling Punch Line back, failing to free it.
"I can't recall...not when I'm so excited." its horse headed, shark toothed mouth didn't move, "Saint Gigan would be proud...join him!"
Level 200...four times my nearest level.
Souls of Fire
Regaining composure, Lisbeth stumbled back to her feet, the screams of friend and foe echoing through the jungle clearing around her. Still, she felt half asleep. Her dark pink eyes drooped, her armor weighing her down as she shook herself awake.
Looking ahead, the zombified remains of old friends converged, Haru continuing to try and save Graye. Blasts of fire vented from her device, a burning Renee scrambling around, a raging [Tauran Warrior] stomping towards the blacksmith. Watching it all, Lisbeth could only blink.
This all felt so familiar. The trees, the shouts...was just like my first day on this journey. It was just me and my mace, still was. Who was even alive? I couldn't tell.
"Lis!" Haru shouted.
The Tauran kicked, only to be swiped aside by a [Parry] from Lisbeth's buckler. Riposting its still standing leg with [Brutal Strike], the bone folded inward, forcing the massive beast to the ground.
I'm not dying in this stupid jungle...haven't even had a good girls' night out all month!
Oran wrestled the Laughing Coffin member back, making a feigning sweep. Falling for the trick, the operative failed to block the real attack, a stab to the throat. The wooden staff caved the esophagus inward, the combatant choking before Oran finished him with a head cracking sweep!
"Wanker." Oran breathed, looking right.
Johnny had managed to repel Wick and Leafa at once, dancing between them both with twin [Falchions]. To his left, Oran spotted Recon. Double teamed by Lox and Merser, the thief's only means of defense was his ability to dodge, jumping back and forth between trees.
Swerving right, Oran dove to counter Johnny.
"You should've never come here!" Oran growled.
Johnny sidestepped, slapping the [Bo Staff] aside with a broad swipe! Opening Oran's guard, he went for the throat, only for Leafa to catch the blade, stopping the execution.
"Owe ya one, love!" Oran called, backing from Johnny.
Wick rushed Johnny from behind, only to be kicked back with unnatural strength, the purple haired fighter crashing against a tree. Recon jumped off a tree, tossing throwing knives at Merser and Lox as they approached.
"Lox you fucking idiot, corner him!" Merser cursed, firing arrow after arrow, missing Recon by mere inches.
What the hunter didn't see, was Kymer. Playing dead minutes ago, the assassin had crawled away, hiding himself among the trees after breaking a spare glass. Appearing like a ghost from the brush, the merciless Russian swatted aside Merser's [Kukri], stabbing him in the chest in a matter of seconds!
"What?!" Merser gasped, "How?!"
Kymer grinned a little, saying nothing.
"Merser!" Lox cried.
Lox turned, yelling angrily at the sight of his friend being impaled, lashing out at the Russian with flail and rage. Prying the knife from the hunter's chest, Kymer dove behind a tree, slipping back into the brush. Left critically wounded, Merser healed while Lox stood guard.
Recon took the opening Kymer gave as a chance. Flipping the coin again, [Lord of Change] activated. [Moderate Good] was given, Recon and his party given a 25% HP heal. Turning hard left, he tackled the necromancer off Graye, his speed knocking the taller figure off balance.
The second Graye was open, Haru swept in, grabbing and hacking off the rope with her [Shortsword], freeing the medic. The necromancer commanded Renee to attack the thief, forcing him towards Johnny's dance of steel.
"You came back." Graye's eyes lit, grateful to see her.
Haru smiled, helping the medic back up before priming one of her grenades. Watching Nobel dive for an attack, she pulled the pin.
"Fire in the hole!" Haru yelled, tossing the bomb towards the inbound [Atrophied Great Moth].
Nobel moved too fast, failing to slow before reaching the explosive. A thunderous crack filled the air, the moth spiraling to the Earth.
"Guys, get him!" Haru shouted.
Watching Recon fight Johnny, the flail wielding juggernaut growled.
"He nearly killed me." Merser groaned.
"No! Nobody hurt friend!" Lox roared.
"Recon, look out!" Leafa screamed.
Recon swerved, only to see a charging Lox steamroll into him like a train.
Souls of Fire
"A demon!?" the announcer called, "How far has this world fallen, to let such foul beasts roam?!"
The demon released Punch Line, smiling wickedly without lips.
"Fight me...it is in your blood, the heat."
All around him, a black ink spilled...pooling as Berec stepped forward. Such evil, so foul it corrupted the world it tread. This demon, this abomination hungered the lives of others, its yellow eyes uncaring...impersonal. An enemy of mankind, my enemy.
"No surrender!" I shrieked, terrified by what I saw.
"Yes, charge me...hit me."
Fearful as I was, I drove Punch Line at its arms, managing to not only scratch an itch, but send myself teetering aside. Dammit, this thing felt like it was made of concrete. I just kept whaling at it without any sign of progress, Berec just staring at me with a smug expression.
"Monster!" I yelled, hitting it over and over.
It kept standing there, completely careless to my attacks.
"Hm, I guess I spoke too soon." it blinked, "Well...guess I tried."
Raising one hand, a horrible scratching sound burst from the palm. A colorless hole appeared, drawing me towards it as it howled. Gravity shifted, the attack sending me floating up, my entire body get yanked apart by unseen ropes! My screams couldn't be heard, the steel of my armor piercing my frame like paperclips.
In the space of a moment, of a stray thought, I felt nothing.
Seconds later I was in the [Recovery Spa], only a percent of health to spare. My whole body just floated, immobile...function nonexistent. Least the fight was over, and by fight I meant overextended bitch slap. Freaking level two hundred monster, what kind of bull was that?
Wyvern escaped, quest got done, hopefully Oran would approve. Sadly with my arms still regaining function, I couldn't access the menu. Without such, my ability to open the still unread message was insufficient.
Man, looking past the fact my body was as mobile as a kitchen sponge, I felt proud. Yea I felt like shit, but morally? Felt right. I took a chance to go for a peaceful option, succeeded.
Course life took my efforts of peace and literally spaghettified me by black hole. Was gonna be a long day telling God I left Rika alone in this world to save some fat ass lizard. Then again, she might take me first...I mean freckles are soul collecting...shit.
"Good job, me." I chuckled alone.
That message kept blinking, taunting me with its bright green flashes. Maybe I'd talk to Wick later. Yea, being de-atomized would make great conversation, along with saying I crapped myself around some nightmarish freak. This totally wasn't gonna scar me for life, no!
As the warm waters of the pool brought me life, limb function restored. Finally got a chance to open that message. One flick of the wrist and...
[From Lisbeth: Aid help! Graye!]
Souls of Fire
Recon leaped right, only to be caught by a far reaching hand. Gripping him like a gorilla, Lox threw Recon over his head, slamming the thief to the ground with a bone shattering thump.
"Get off him!" Leafa yelled, trying to stab the monstrously large man in plate.
Leafa and Wick attacked from behind, frantic in their effort to free their friend. Recon punched, bit, and scratched, desperately trying to move.
Lisbeth and Graye charged the downed [Atrophied Great Moth], their weapons striking Nobel's demonic form with relentless fervor, [Mace] and [Halberd] crashing against the rotted exoskeleton, corroded as cost of allegiance to Evo'Gal.
Oran and Johnny locked in battle, Oran struggling to keep the other back with his staff. Sweeping left, right, high and low, the black cloak forced the white into retreat, twin [Curved Swords] presenting a poison dripping death for the boisterous monk.
Body slamming the tank and medic, Nobel took to the sky, Haru blasting the undead Korrin, immolating the zombie with unforgiving heat. The corpse vanished, its soul returned to Esquire, Renee having burnt long before.
In her focus, however, she failed to heed their master. Swooping in from behind, the necromancer kicked the flamethrower out of the alchemist's hands, backhanding her to the ground.
Failing to pry Lox off, Wick dropped his shield. In his anger, his left hand glowed a bright green as he raised it to his foe. Seeing the weapon deploy, Leafa herself backed away.
"Get off him!" Leafa screamed, "Lox, let go!"
Lisbeth and Graye scrambled back, Johnny jumping to protect Nobel. Merser pelted the tank and medic with arrows, forcing Lis to protect Graye with her shield. As the battle lines shifted, a sickening crack was heard.
Looking to the sound, everyone's hearts dislodged. At Lox's feet laid a head of green hair, arms limp. An ear piercing scream from Leafa breaking the sudden silence.
"Recon?!" Leafa cried.
In the space of a second Recon was no more. Mere shards of glass fluttered, gently gliding to the rain soaked Earth below. Lisbeth and Graye stared, their morale shattered. Haru cried in an instant, realizing an ally had fallen. Oran nearly dropped his staff...watching.
Gone, Recon's coin and knife rested in the cold. Leafa's babbling grew worse, falling to her knees. Wick stood, unresponsive to the present, his purple eyes looking far, but seeing nothing.
"Recon!" she shrieked.
Despite doing as his masters told, Lox stood still. Behind that helmet, he watched the two weep for their friend, the battlefield suddenly quiet. His heart slowed at the mourning cries. Shivering, the giant turned away. His world shrank to the width of that same coin, empty and alone.
"I...I didn't mean it." he mumbled to himself, "I-I got mad. Merser hurt."
The shrieks grew louder in his ears, Leafa slashing at him from behind with her katana. Watching his health drain, Lox barely cared. shrugging her disorganized swings with a shove, he just kept walking.
"You monster!" Wick shrieked, hacking at him in a vengeful sprint.
Towering over the orange hatted figure, Lox simply pushed him back...retreating with a drunken walk. Fighting no longer interested him, his enormous frame shaking.
"Lox, back us up!" Merser ordered, "Finish this!"
Johnny took the chance to force Kymer back, zoning him out of the brush with speed and a series of attacks. With the Russian rejoining the rest, Nobel's team surrounded them. Cornered, they looked in all directions...and found no exit.
"Drop 'em and spread 'em." Johnny chuckled, "Especially you, pinkie."
"No." Haru and Lis said in unison.
"Ooh, no giving up." Merser smirked, "Guess that means we try harder!"
"No need!" Nobel cheered.
The grounded flyer rose on its six legs, letting off a blast of plague from the moth's very abdomen. A green cloud detonated over them all, sending them falling to their knees, disease afflicting them with [Paralysis]. All except one.
The rest of Nobel's team turned on this one, except Lox. Standing unharmed by the plague, was Wick. His orange mage hat rested, soaked from the rain, Falx and shield in hand again.
"Ah...a fellow follower." Nobel chuckled, "I think you're honestly on the wrong side, my friend."
Wick said nothing, gripping the weapon as he shook...barely containing the rage sweltering in him.
"I'll give you a chance, and I want you to think this well."
He raised a leg, pointing to Lisbeth.
"Kill her, and I will let you and Leafa go. Unharmed, all for a limited time offer!"
Wick looked to the coughing blacksmith, her pink hair soaked in water.
"Don't do it, ya shit!" Oran shouted.
"Time's ticking!" Nobel called.
The plague knight did nothing, staring at who he had called enemy before that night.
If I do it, what would this mean for us winning?
Wick sighed, reaffirming his grip. Swerving, he raised the Falx, aimed right at Nobel's face!
The inwardly curved blade flew, only to be displaced by another, the sound of flesh and bone cracking to reply. Stumbling back, Wick was met with Johnny laughing, stepping casually towards him. Looking down, the plague mage realized his hand was severed.
"I mean, okay!" Nobel acted passive, "Your call."
"Wick!" Leafa cried, losing common sense as she coughed, weakened by [Paralysis].
Johnny kicked the artist to the ground, chuckling to himself as he raised the weapon. Wick stared up, his energy drained from loss and exhaustion. Holding up that shield, his knees bent one last time. The others could only watch, the battle turning to an execution.
Just as Johnny swung, he was brutally tackled, sent slamming against a nearby tree. Wick stopped, his body shaded. Looking up, he gasped in surprise. Lox stood...[Great Flail] aimed at Johnny.
"Lox, what the hell!?" Merser shouted, "He's on our side!"
"No he not!" Lox snapped, "He bad, he trick us! Merser, he mean!"
Johnny groaned, dazed by the brutal bash.
"He's our ticket out of here!" Merser counseled, "Stop!"
"No, no more!" Lox roared, stomping towards the black cloaked assassin, "You bad! You trick Merser!"
Johnny sighed, slowly getting up. Stained with mud, his smile never broke.
"I never did like stupid...or poor grammar. I doubt you'd-"
Lox rushed at Johnny, forcing the man back. His brute strength proved peerless, shoving the leaner figure around like a toy in a frenzy of strikes. Wick and the others watched, the fight seeming to go on forever, Lox knocking Johnny to the ground.
Just as the assassin's back hit the ground, however, a crack sounded off...an arrow lodging in Lox's skull.
"N-No." Lox cried, falling on his knees.
Merser walked over, his friend laying in the rain covered floor.
"Merser, help me." Lox pleaded, "Johnny bad, he trick you!"
"How is it a trick...if I agreed?" Merser kept solemn.
Hearing this, Lox burst into tears.
"I killed a little one, Merser! I didn't mean t-"
His cries were silenced with another shot, the archer finishing him with a whimper. Not a soul spoke. Not a single one felt pity for the lone giant, only distress to their own fates. Wick of all, however, felt the most for his death. As mean as Lox was to him, the brute saved his life.
Missing a hand, he saw Johnny draw a [Healing Crystal]. Feeling one last burst, Wick took his chance, sprinting at him with his shield, bashing the item out of his hand with a single swat!
Johnny cursed, the item flying back, Nobel watching in satisfaction. As his wings worked again, he fluttered back to the sky, his sickly green wings turning the rain toxic beneath him.
Wick was slashed in reply, the mage dropping without a fuss.
"No!" Leafa winced.
The [Healing Crystal] flew, landing just within Graye's reach. Haru looked to the medic, tears in her eyes fading with a glimmer of hope. Gripping the item, Graye made his call.
"Heal!"
In a bright flash of white, the party's HP was restored, the crystalline host remaining bright in the medic's hands. Wick rose from near death, though [Paralysis] still gripped his team.
"You know what?!" Wick shouted.
With an open left hand, the plague mage unleashed a [Rust Cloud], engulfing his own party in an orange mist. While they were unaffected, the opposing force withdrew, fearful of their gear withering away.
"Easy." Nobel noted.
Nobel lowered his altitude, blasting away the cloud with a beat of his wings. Sadly for him, by the time the cloud dispersed, the [Paralysis] had worn off. The team rose back up, Graye holding up a [Healing Crystal] in preparation.
"Fall back, all of you!" Nobel ordered.
The necromancer was forced to retreat, his familiars fallen. Merser, seeing the sudden arrow fire and weapons drawn, retreated to the jungle, mentally shaken by his recent deed. All that was left standing was Johnny and Nobel.
The [Atrophied Great Moth] took to the skies, his human comrade warping away to self preserve, his wingmen fallen to Kymer's team.
"Two...when I asked for one." Nobel flapped, "A worthy hunt, though that leaves me begging for more."
"Drop him!" Graye yelled.
Kymer flung arrows at the undead bug, scoring hits as it sprayed more poisonous darts. Readying a [Tower Shield] in response, Lisbeth jumped in front of the burst, taking them all with the metal barrier, gouges being made by a few lone needles.
As they fought, Haru glanced to the ground...noticing a terrible fact. Black pools of ink.
"Guys?!" she panicked.
Looking where she pointed, Oran shook his head. Familiar forms started to grow out, whip like arms.
"Great...got any more tricks, Haru?"
"No." she grimaced.
"Fuuuu!"
[Shades] emerged from the ground, dragging themselves over to the crowd of exhausted fighters. Seeing the crowd of nameless figures descend on his prey, Nobel kept back, letting them weaken.
Seeing the abyssal things, Haru screamed in fright, blasting them with her flamethrower, only to run dry. Graye swung wild, using his [Healing Crystal] to not only help teammates, but force back the dark with its radiant blasts. Leafa among all of them, just stared into the distance.
Wick dropped his shield again, raising his glowing green hand. His purple eyes lit as he cast [Poison Cloud], a red mist exhaled from his digits into the horde. Sadly, such creatures proved [Immune] to poison.
Efforts to contain them failed, the [Shades] breaking through their ranks. With vine like arms, they dragged legs, pulling members down. Some fell back, trying to defend. Wick slashed away at the encroaching masses, easing the catatonic Leafa behind him.
Lisbeth with her shield only made her a bigger target for the horde. Dragged to her back, the blacksmith screamed, swiping at the festering cursed beings with her mace.
"Someone help her!" Graye yelled.
"Can't!" Oran shouted, "Too many!"
"Leafa, help her!" Wick decried.
Unfortunately, Leafa was still lost, her mind locked from the catastrophic rush of events. In her eyes, the abyss had looked back, its pleasant green eye pleased. The mace's [Abyssteel] qualities shattered [Shades], but while brethren broke, too many approached to be helped.
Panicking, Lisbeth swung wilder, missing half the time as the [Shades] knelt to bite, to tear. Her armor clamped as their hyper dense teeth punctured the plate. Her heart raced, Lisbeth unable to escape.
"Lis, come on!" Graye screamed.
"Dammit, I'm running out!" Haru yelled.
Oran fell back further, trying to protect Graye and Haru, the latter reloading her thrower. As the horde encompassed the blacksmith, HP hit orange. Her strength drained, gradually losing ability to raise the mace. As her head fell on the rain speckled dirt, a poisonous clouded sky awaited.
No, can't give up now...not in a jungle. Where is he?!
Her health hit the red, strength failing as teeth broke through. Her mace hit the ground, Haru's flamethrower only then turning on. The blast hit only the [Shades] approaching her, the light of such flames just barely in sight. Seeing the bare embers fail to reach, Lisbeth's heart sank.
Her eyes closed, feeling the cold of the world embrace by ravenous teeth. Just as she counted down, something loud landed on her, a loud shout filling the forest. Opening them again, a pair of boots were seen.
A crack filled the air, pieces of her assailants flying in all directions. A familiar tool swung over her, [Shades] seemingly screaming as they shattered before him. She knew who it was.
"Yeah!" Oran yelled in cheer.
"It's gonna...eat me..." the [Shades] groaned, almost sounding afraid.
Aggroing the horde with [Incite], the brass knight's bloodcurdling yells drew the once silent masses like magnets, suddenly boisterous with despair as they whipped against armor, muscle, and hate.
"What's this?!" Garr growled, "Resistant to attack, hold my beer!"
The berserker swung only a few times. Even with their stats, Punch Line broke them like clumps of sand, their matter flying like the rain in the face of unruly force. The ground rumbled, bodies detonating around the laying smith, him refusing to move.
Tired, Lisbeth gently gripped one of his boots, smiling as he protected her with everything he had. With her other, she drank some potions.
"Medic!" Garr roared, stepping away from her to draw the horde away.
With the [Shades] distracted, Graye smiled before racing in! Backing him up, Haru burned a path through with quick puffs of her flamethrower, Graye reaching the fallen blacksmith.
Watching from on high, Nobel growled in disgust, swooping down and spraying Garr with a plume of gas! The berserker slowed, coughing as [Disease] afflicted him. Capable of flight, the [Atrophied Great Moth] feared no injury from the brute.
[Influenza]
[-15% strength, vitality]
"We gotta cover him!" Graye shouted, "Oran?!"
Kymer and Oran both raised sights to the pestilent foe. One tossed lightning, the other mere arrows. Kymer used [Arrow Volley], the charge up time longer. Flinging [Basic Bolt], blue streaks of light were thrown, most missing the quick flying nuisance.
Fully healed, Lisbeth rushed back, throwing her shield forward before charging the encompassing horde surrounding the weakened Garr. [Shield Charge] sent all in her path tumbling in disarray, securing her place by his side. Coughing, he felt her take his hand, helping him back to his feet.
"Counting...fifteen again." Garr coughed, "If you say you've got more-"
"Seventeen." she smiled sly.
He stopped.
"And counting."
Garr looked at his partner in playful challenge, looking back to the horde before swinging again. The two worked in tandem, Lis jumping behind Garr with every wide sweep. At each pause, Garr would fall behind her shield, swiftly countering those who battered.
Wick looked to his still traumatized instructor, tapping her on the hand.
"Leafa...we gotta help them."
"Recon..." she cried.
"Hey, we have to avenge him." Wick coaxed, "And right now, our friends need us. Garr and Lis already have the creeps busy."
Leafa looked at Wick with weeping eyes. In response, Wick held up the katana to her.
"Please, Leafa. Let me help you, just this one time."
"Guys!" Oran shouted, "Timber!"
A stray bolt of lightning struck the high flying Nobel, sending his winged form crashing to Earth!
"I gotta block its attacks!" Wick called, rushing to the moth's face.
Kymer readied a power shot, Oran and Graye striking the diseased beast as it flailed on the ground. Leafa stared at the floated bug, her green eyes sharpening with hate...seeing the thing that stole her friend.
Nobel breathed poison gas, Wick blocking it with [Absorb], a spell channeling the rot to himself. Being a plague mage, the purple eyed warrior had nothing to fear from such mundane effects. If the skill was used on anything other than [Poison] or [Disease], however, the negative effects doubled for him.
Buying the team time, Haru set the wicked fiend alight, the moth shrieking as it burst into flame! Nobel scrambled back to the air, unaware of the fact Leafa hitched on its back.
"Just another spray..." Nobel rambled to himself, readying another mist of poisonous darts.
Aiming the volley at Garr, the [Atrophied Great Moth] fired away. Sadly for him, Lisbeth saw it coming, protecting her partner with a [Tower Shield]. With the attack repelled, Nobel swooped low to tackle.
Climbing Nobel's winged back, Leafa slowly raised the [Katana], stabbing the moth in the back with the elongated blade! [Sneak Attack Critical] was engaged, the creature crippled by this and an incoming [Power Shot].
The combination of both forced to land, writhing against impalement. Bracing herself, she gripped on the handle.
Unfortunately she forgot the brittle nature of [Katanas], the force of the landing, her body flying aside, and her grip caused the blade to snap...inside Nobel's back. With a sword half buried in his flank, Nobel could only waddle on his six legs as the rest of the party descended on him.
The [Shades] eventually receded in number, berserker and engineer carving their numbers apart piece by bloody piece. The demon Nobel brought onto this world was swarmed by the angered party, brutalized in short order.
All Nobel did was laugh, letting them tear his form to shreds. As he too dissolved in purple flame, an unsettling quiet gripped all.
Souls of Fire
The jungle fell silent, the party gathered over the clearing. Encircling a single spot, there laid a knife and a coin. While the battle was won, it had come at a cost, for some greater than others. Sniffling, Wick reached down, picking up the coin.
With the fighting over, Leafa hugged Wick tightly from behind. Uttering the name of the lost friend, the two kept close to the muddy, unmarked grave.
Graye and Haru turned to one another, the alchemist hugging the medic warmly.
"Graye..." she cried, "I'm so sorry..."
"Shhh." he hugged back, "It's okay..."
"No..." she shook her head, "This's my fault...if I was around earlier today...I could've..."
"You came back." he reminded, "Haru, we're alive because we worked together."
Haru stopped talking, too busy hugging her friend in the cold rain.
I'm never leaving you alone again...I promise that. Graye, even if I have to go through this nightmare, you're getting out. I'll accept everything you said, just stay alive.
Stepping out of his group, Garr approached Leafa and Wick...saying nothing as he stopped. Looking back to the brass knight, Wick frowned. Leafa simply stared at the [Dagger], picking it up before mourning further.
Steady in his approach, Garr hugged the mage and fighter. Despite every effort to keep face, Wick's tears escaped, joining the rest as the reality of the world punished the fantasy away.
The rest gathered around, all except Kymer. Looking to the casualties, he simply looked away.
Observing for hostiles.
After minutes of quiet union, the brass knight let go. Seeing the Russian overlooking the brush, he snapped his gaze to the rest.
"We should go. Do you all have means of getting back?"
"No, Recon deserves a grave." Leafa detested.
"The jungle will swallow it." Kymer said, "I'd recommend building it elsewhere."
"Let's just go." Haru coaxed, "We can all talk about this tomorrow, right?"
The rest nodded, silent in their agreement. Haru and Lisbeth helped escort the traumatized Leafa away, the rest congealing to a single group, misery finding company among the crowd.
Souls of Fire
February 13th, 2023
Lifting Punch Line, the weight of the nearly one foot thick weapon again staggered me. Had to keep practicing my swings, the training room as quiet as a tomb. It didn't feel right, Recon not being around...or Leafa.
Yesterday was spent in silence, the sun setting in mourning. It all felt so wrong. If I had just accepted defeat earlier, if I didn't lose track of the big plan, things would've been different. Least, I thought so. Day two since the attack, still couldn't believe Recon was gone.
Punch Line slammed another [Practice Dummy], the humanoid figure splitting sideways as its foundation ruptured in a spray of hay. If I hadn't come to this place, would Nobel have been here?
No, I couldn't have mattered that much. I couldn't mean that much, being the one guy...who felt pain...to a sadist. The same guy who laughed, tearing off my skin like old paint. Okay, maybe there was something there, but that didn't matter. That was the eleventh, not today.
"Garr?"
That was Wick's voice. Looking back, I could only barely glimpse at the heart wrenching figure I saw. His appearance hadn't changed, but something in his eyes looked dead.
"Hey, Wick." I tried coping a straight face.
"...Can we talk?"
I lowered Punch Line in an instant, relinquishing my weapon in respect. Following the guy to a secluded corner, we both took a seat, the dimly lit pocket of the arena devoid of others.
"I can't say just how sorry I am." I lamented, "Wick, I know how you feel."
"How?" he turned abrasive, "I just lost my best friend, someone who..."
His composure neared its breaking point. Reaching out, I hugged him again.
"Remember when I said I ran?"
"Yes?" he sniffled.
"You saw the reanimated...did you notice the redhead?"
Wick nodded, wiping his face.
"That?" he questioned.
I said nothing, looking at him softer before looking back outside.
"How can I help you?" I put an arm around him, "You're hurt."
He hesitated, checking again for eavesdropping before settling back.
"There's a reason Leafa came here, it wasn't to be a champion."
I watched him carefully, letting him know I was listening.
"She's...looking for her cousin. Ithe offered that if she could beat him."
He sighed, the song of the jungle birds bringing momentary peace.
"But if you ask me, he's just keeping her on leash for-"
"Sex?" I noted.
"...yes."
"She didn't surrender that, did she?"
Wick shook his head.
"Mm...okay, now I see why you saw me so poorly. I was in her way...would you come with me?"
"Why?" he looked puzzled.
"I'm going to make things right." I rose, "Can you show me where she is?"
Wick looked skeptical, but willingly led me. A lonely room was revealed, the instructor glancing up to us as the door opened. Wick seemed a bit nervous, but I nudged him forward.
"L-Leafa?" he called.
"Go away..." she sighed.
"Leafa, listen to me." Wick coaxed.
"No, I'm not fighting him." Leafa growled, "He can start the match...but I won't fight...I'm done."
"That's fine, you're not fighting me." I stated, "Wick's got a plan."
The clothed mage looked to me, surprised by my call. His teacher's green eyes focused on him.
"I'm willing to repeat his idea." I reinforced, "But we need you to join us for a minute."
A moment or so passed, her looking at us. Sighing, she nodded before rising from her chair. It was my plan, but I wanted him to look better for her. Next on the list of members was Oran, thankfully he was eager to join us. Bringing them all to my room, Rika looked a bit surprised, her [Maid Outfit] on.
"Hun, care to join us?" I looked to her, "We've got a plan."
"Well I was gonna head out, business and all that." Rika noted, "Okay then."
Oran closed the door, eagerly attentive to me as I stood in front of everyone.
"So Wick just told me your situation." I looked to Leafa.
"Which is?" Oran questioned.
"She's in this arena for one reason, and Ithe's it. Wick's been watching Leafa struggle too many times."
Leafa looked to him, her expression softening.
"She needs to win to get information regarding a family member, he's out here somewhere in this giant floating paradise of a game."
"Paradise, one way to word it." Oran joked, "I mean unless you wanna get fresh anal from every creature in the-"
Everyone stared at him, shutting him up.
"Just thinking out loud!" the monk detested.
"Anyway!" I waved, "Oran? I need you to let Leafa win today."
He blinked.
"Now hang on, hear me out. We need her positioned in second, get Ithe nervous."
"He won't be." Oran noted, "She's a joke to him...that katana's not very good."
"Hm...now that could be changed." Lisbeth stroked her chin, "Leafa, can I see your weapon?"
The two females turned to discuss with each other. Wick smiled a little for the first time in two days, listening to me intently.
"Granted, but what if she wins?" I looked to Oran.
"He'll run...Merser was damn right about that." the six foot man stated.
"But he can't outrun you..." Wick quipped.
"He's a [Strength] type, he'd push me off."
"Not if you have help." I smiled, "Wick's calling for a team deathmatch, Leafa and I 'versus' you and Ithe."
"So you can beat me again?" Oran blinked.
"Technically yes. You need to catch Ithe after all."
Oran crossed his arms, nodding.
"I'll ask Haru and Graye to assist...and Kymer if he proves uncooperative." I assured, "Lis?"
"Taking care of it." the blacksmith answered, already deploying her equipment.
I nodded, looking to Leafa.
"The only thing I'm asking for in return, and Wick already knows. I want first place."
"Take it." Leafa nodded, "Once I know, it's all yours."
"Alright...once Oran's in third place, we'll start tomorrow." I smiled.
A union of minds was made, our plan ready to commence. This place's coming down, for Recon's sake.
A/N: Alright, so I'm gonna have to start grabbing popular names here...not enough blood's been spilled.
Hey everyone, thanks so much for reading this story. Honestly, the last chapter is next...and sadly that'll mean a hiatus. I don't know for how long, as the entire format of the next book will be different, if you can please give me one thing?
In your review or PM, give me your rating for this book. On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate this? Be as brutally honest as possible, cause I feel I direly need to improve my craft.
I have to admit, I've grown to love all of you as my community...you and all of your shenanigans and spicy memes. Even though you're all psychotic sadists that've enjoyed watching a guy get skinned, beaten, dismembered, and burned, you're still special.
Last chapter guys, can't wait to hear from you all :D
