Walking Dead: To Be Loved

Chapter 20 of my Walking Dead story, enjoy.

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Now onto the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Walking Dead or its characters.

Chapter 20: Campaign

This chapter will be done a little differently, since the main focus is on the DnD game that the characters involved will be playing, character's will be referred to as their game characters/roles. To help keep track, here is who everyone is for the DnD sections (there will of course be parts used as asides that reference the actual characters):

Sophia: Dungeon Master (DM)

Carl: Endrin, Human Fighter

Mikey: Mehleid, Human Paladin

Anna: Rilme, Human Cleric

Rolland: Balqen, Elf Rogue

Brian: Nader, Human Wizard

Joshua: Urinan, Elf Ranger

Lydia: Bithana, Elf Barbarian

Now, the chapter.

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Sophia couldn't help but smile as she looked around at the others. They were in the basement of Brian's house and had been playing for a long time now and were reaching the end of her new DnD campaign, she had to admit she was impressed with how they had managed to work together and overcome the new challenges she had set up. Her smile widened slightly as she locked eyes with Anna, a smile Anna returned. Just the previous day, at school, shortly after Carl and Mikey told them about coming out to their families, Anna had finally told her the truth about her own feelings. So now she and Anna were together too. Carl and Mikey were also seated around the table, along with Rolland, Brian, Joshua and even Lydia. She was mostly impressed with Lydia and Anna, who were complete novices at the game, but they were picking things up fast. With everything set, Sophia cleared her throat, ready to continue.

DM: "Weary from their long journey, yet determined as they find themselves nearing the black castle of the demon king Mephisto, the end of their quest to free the land of his dark shadow. Together they enter the cavernous great hall, a dusty huge room with a ceiling so high it vanishes into shadow, webs and a cloying sense of tangible darkness fill the chamber. Looking around they see three doors, directly ahead of them are large black doors etched with the image of a skull carved into it. To the right and left are two smaller doors of solid age blackened wood, the sounds from within seem to indicate that these lead to an army barracks and the other to the dungeons. Meanwhile it is obvious that the large black doors lead to the throne room. They have a choice now on where to go, the question is, where first?"

"What do you think, where should we go?" Mehleid queried.

Endrin was the first to answer. "Right through those doors lies the demon himself, but would it be wise to charge through and try and end things quickly?"

"Not if he still has his troops in those barracks." Nader replied, frowning. "Also, it behoves to save those prisoners, surely."

Urinan then turned to the others and asked. "What do you think, any suggestions?"

"Uh, maybe we should check the barracks first." Rilme replied.

"I agree." Bithana said. "It would be very problematic if those soldiers of his crept up on us while we tried to fight their master."

Balqen shrugged. "Well, guess that's settled, right?"

DM: "With their decision made, our intrepid heroes make their way as quietly as possible towards the door to their left, easing it open they enter and find themselves in the shadows, just outside the light of the torches within the room within which several foul orcs are enjoying a feast, the noise is almost deafening but there is also opportunity."

Pausing here Sophia looked up and smirked at Rolland.

"What does our Rogue say?" She queried. "Ready for a skill challenge?"

Rolland smirked back. "Bring it on."

Sophia nodded and they prepared to resume.

DM: "Seeing this opportunity to turn things to their advantage, Balqen the Rogue steps up, gesturing for his comrades to wait and remain silent as he made his move."

"Alright guys, just hold on." Balqen whispered. "I'll use my invisibility and sneak up and poison their drinks."

DM: "With that things were set."

Taking his cue from Sophia Rolland rolled the dice and smirked, the score was more than high enough.

DM: "With everything he needed to hand, Balqen the Rogue turned invisible and crept forward, close enough to the large steaming cauldron of the Orcs foul beverage of choice, unseen by anyone he empties two poison vials into the cauldron and makes his way back to his comrades, turning visible again."

Mehleid smiled at this. "Good work, now we better get out of here and choose our next course."

DM: "The others agreed and they slipped out as they noticed the orcs beginning to pass around the next selection of drinks, all from the now poisoned cauldron."

"Nice work." Sophia remarked. "I think that's worth...3 points to stealth. Now, back to work."

DM: "With one room cleared, our heroes take stock of their next choice."

"There's no question." Rilme exclaimed. "We need to save those prisoners."

DM: "No argument from any of the others so they make their way into the dungeon, opening the door and moving carefully down the spiral stairs until they reach the long, dingy corridor. All the way down the corridor are cells filled with prisoners moaning and crying for help, a single brutal orc chief guards the cells, armed with a wicked axe and mace he spots the heroes approach and roars in fury."

"We can do this." Endrin called out.

Mehleid nodded. "Yes, a double team would be best."

Carl and Mikey shared a grin before rolling their dice.

"Oh yeah, twenty." Carl grinned.

Mikey nodded. "Same."

Sophia shrugged. "Good work boys."

So their attack continued.

DM: "Acting fast Endrin and Mehleid double team the orc chief, he is able to raise its weapons in defence and their blades lock, while able to hold back the warriors, the orc chief is now vulnerable to any other attack."

"Looks like this is my job." Bithana remarked. "I'll show him my Fatal Cleave!"

DM: "With a roar of triumph, Bithana strikes hard, her blow striking the orc chief on the head, the heroes step back as the orc chief collapses to the ground, dead. Taking his keys they quickly work to free the prisoners and escort them back to the great hall. Allowing the prisoners to escape and hearing the horrible cries and screeches from the now poisoned orcs, our heroes approach the final door, ready for their final battle with Mephisto."

As they readied for this moment, Sophia couldn't help but grin as she noted just how great things were now, not only were Carl and Mikey together, as well as her and Anna, but their friends were so happy and supportive. It made things so much better for them, of that she was sure. It was something which she knew to appreciate and she was sure the others did too. Gently holding Anna's hand under the table, she prepared with the others to begin the final battle of the campaign.

End of chapter, hope you enjoyed it, read and review please.