The horde continued to scratch at the barrier, and at the front of it towards the bottom were the undead goblins clawing away. It almost seemed painfully ironic for the party for them to see Goblin Slayer returned as an undead towards the back of the room, now the same as the monsters attacking.
"Can you put an arrow in him?" Spearman turned toward High Elf Archer with his request.
Everyone else looked at him, some had wide surprised eyes as if they could not believe what he was saying while others had angry expressions about them for having heard him suggest such a thing.
"We…we can't! That's Goblin Slayer!" Half-Demon Thief was one of those with the surprised look on her face.
"I know that's Goblin Slayer, but…at the same time it isn't him anymore." Spearman grunted as he looked back at the blood stained creature that remained in the back of the room knowing it was his friend, or rather used to be. "The least we can do is let him rest in peace."
High Elf Archer looked at him then drew her arrow back as she aimed for Goblin Slayer in the back. As she focused on the man her hands began to shake and she could feel the tears starting to well up in her eyes again.
"I…I can't get a clear shot, his helmet is blocking the way." High Elf Archer grunted as she lowered her bow and closed her eyes. "That's only part of the truth, I can't shoot him. That man has saved me multiple times…how can I kill someone I have feelings for."
The blood-stained, armor-dented Goblin Slayer stared at the group from the back of the horde then looked toward the left and right of the armory and slowly made his way toward the right. The figure reached out and placed its hand on a flanged mace and picked it up checking the weight of the weapon. The others looked on with curious faces, this undead was gripping a weapon, did it remember part of Goblin Slayer's past?
"Beardcutter…what is he doing?"
The undead Goblin Slayer still gripping the mace in its right hand then reached behind its back with its left hand and started to rummage around its bag. It then pulled out a vial containing a strange liquid and grunted as hurled the vial forward toward a group of the undead, shattering the vial and watching as the contents splashed around several of the monsters. He then repeated the same motion twice more, the actions caught the rest of those behind the barrier of Protection completely off guard.
"Lightning…use lightning like the other night." The undead Goblin Slayer struggled to say through ragged breaths.
Apprentice Cleric was completely shock by what she heard and knew at that moment he was directing her to use Holy Smite to ignite the undead.
"Lord of Judgement, sword-prince, scale-bearer, display here your power…Holy Smite!" Apprentice raised her sword toward the horde and watched as the lightning bolt shot out and struck the undead.
Like before the undead lit up from the gasoline surrounding their bodies, they continued to claw at the barrier but little by little the flames took their tool and the undead started to fall. The two surviving skeletal warriors shrieked as they rushed toward Goblin Slayer with swords raised, Goblin Slayer raised his shield to block the first strike then brought the mace down and crashed the skull of the first skeleton, he then turn swung toward the right and destroyed the next skeleton beside him. As the flames died down, Protection was ended and the other warriors rushed forward to destroy the last remaining undead as Goblin Slayer did the same. The flanged mace easily crushed through the helmets and pierced the skulls of the undead as their form of protection became nothing more than a metal coffin.
"That's the last of this horde." Spearman breathed a sigh of relief but then looked toward Goblin Slayer.
Goblin Slayer slowly dropped to one knee, using the mace to help support his body from falling over. The party looked at him unsure just how much of Goblin Slayer was still in there. Now that he collapsed was he changing into an undead, did he still have his mind and will about him?
Wolf and Snow quickly moved past the others toward the armored man, tails wagging, while Priestess tried to stop them. Goblin Slayer's panted heavily, his eyes toward the ground until he looked up and found the two dire wolves, to which he reached out with his left hand. The others were slightly panicked, wondering if this person would reach out to attack the dire wolves or to see if the dire wolves would growl or attack this creature.
"Wolf…are you okay?" Goblin Slayer patted the dire wolf atop the head only to have it wag its tail and then turned toward Snow and did the same. "Snow."
"Goblin Slayer…are you…are you still you?" Priestess gripped her sounding staff with shaking hands hoping that Goblin Slayer was not an undead.
"I...I need a stamina potion." Goblin Slayer looked back toward Priestess and the rest of the party.
Instantly the rest of the party rushed toward Goblin Slayer with happy expressions and for some tears of relief in their eyes. Dwarf Shaman immediately gave Goblin Slayer a stamina potion which he down immediately in one gulp. Once the potion started to take effect, Goblin Slayer stood where everyone clapped him on the shoulder, shook his hand or hugged him around the waist, though he was confused by sudden actions.
"Goblin Slayer, I thought we had lost you." Priestess had tears in her eyes as she hugged him.
"I'm…I'm so sorry Goblin Slayer! I should have let you taken the sword, then you would have…I'm sorry." Half-Demon Thief bowed her head toward him tears also present in her eyes.
"It's fine." Goblin Slayer looked toward these two then looked back to see High Elf Archer glaring at him. "What's wrong?"
"You damn stupid human! Do you have any idea how we felt when we thought you were gone?" High Elf Archer clenched her fists tightly as she glared at him tears in her eyes as well.
"She's right!" Spearman stepped forward and angrily hit Goblin Slayer's right shoulder. "What the hell was that with your stunt down in the sewers? I really thought you died!"
"I see. I'm sorry." Goblin Slayer looked toward everyone still stained in blood. "It was not my intention to make you worry or upset, I meant to help the others."
"How the hell did you survive? I thought the horde below had torn you apart in the sewers? They didn't bite or contaminate you?" Spearman asked curious how Goblin Slayer made it back to them unscathed.
"It was my intention to keep you and Rookie Warrior from being dragged in too, that's the reason I released your grip." Goblin Slayer looked toward Spearman and Rookie Warrior before returning his gaze to the others. "When the horde attacked I remembered what the blacksmith's note said about Wolf's armor."
"What did the note say Milord Goblin Slayer?"
"The chainmail and armor should protected from bites from the undead, I put my trust in that as I fought the undead. Their teeth could not break through my chainmail or armor, so I was forced to fight constantly being knocked down by their sheer numbers over and over until I made it back to the location by the kitchen where we first entered." Goblin Slayer sighed as he was still fighting the effects of the exhaustion. "I then had to deal with a small patrol of skeletal warriors as I made my way from the bowels of the castle to the great hall. That is when I heard someone scream and I followed the sounds."
"Damn it Orcbolg! You had me and the others despairing that you had been lost. What would we tell Guild Girl or your friend on the farm?" High Elf Archer started to blush as she turned her head to the side knowing that she wasn't the only who deeply cared for him. "I'm just glad you're alright. You owe me at least five adventures for making all us worry like that."
"Understood." Goblin Slayer looked over the party and noticed that some were missing. "Where are the others?"
"They're fighting the Lich Queen to give us time to find the horcruxes, although the Lich hinted that there is a fourth horcrux that we don't know about Beardcutter."
"She said that I was the fourth horcrux. I…I was prepared to end my life on the chance that it was true, but the others stopped me."
"Good. You don't have to give up your life needlessly." Goblin Slayer replied as he continued to examine the mace, nodding his head in approval of it weight and ease being used one handed.
Once again he failed to notice how his comment had brought a blush to Half-Demon Thief's face and smile of the others.
"So what now Beardcutter?"
"We continue with your plan to destroy these…whatever they're called to weaken the Lich Queen." Goblin Slayer then walked toward the opposite side of the armory to inspect the swords and took hold of a medium size sword. "It's a bit longer than I prefer but it will have to do."
"Seeking…new weapons…Goblin Slayer?" Witch smiled as she was relieved to find Goblin Slayer returned to them, even she did not wish to see Guild Girl heartbroken to find him gone.
"I lost all my weapons during my battles. These will do until I return to the Guild." Goblin Slayer sheathed the blade as he looked over the other party members.
"He's got a point, maybe you best get a new quiver of arrows before we move on and this might be a good opportunity for you to get a better sword and armor for free." Spearman's comment was directed toward High Elf Archer and Rookie Warrior.
"I have no desire to use these weapons created by the enemy, however given that they will be used against dark forces, I guess I have no choice." High Elf Archer sighed as she replaced the lost arrows with those found in the armory.
"What if these weapons carry a curse? Is it safe to take them?" Rookie Warrior looked over various items in this armory.
"These weapons are safe. It's my understanding that they were constructed by dark dwarves, but had not been infused with any type of foul magic." Half-Demon Thief said as she went over toward the right and picked up a bandolier of throwing knives.
"Bah, dark dwarves…then these are nothing but inferior products." Dwarf Shaman spat as he turned his head to the side.
Rookie Warrior took full advantage of the offer and moved about the room and found a new sword of black steel and sheathed his older sword while opting to follow Goblin Slayer's approach and placed a layer of chainmail under his armor for extra protection.
"This should be enough…too much armor will throw off my balance." Rookie Warrior smiled as he looked over his new sword.
"Are you sure you don't want a set of black armor, you'd look pretty menacing in it." Apprentice Cleric smirked as she teased her partner.
"Orcbolg, you better make sure to hold onto those weapons. These aren't like the other ones you normally get, they're much more durable."
"Hrm." Goblin Slayer looked over the items once again and finally replied. "I'll do my best, but can't guarantee they won't be lost."
"Alright then, enough shopping around, time to get moving, those others are still fighting as we speak."
Spearman was quite correct and the party got moving through the castle, rejuvenated to have their missing comrade back with them. Meanwhile, Hero and her party continued to battle with the Lich Queen, but it was a losing battle as all they could do was keep the monster at bay. Hero was suddenly struck by the Lich Queen being knocked back to the ground and losing her sword in the process.
"Poor little Hero, just like last night, you've lost your sword and now can only cower before me." Lich Queen chuckled as she slowly approached with swords at her side.
Hero looked up at the Lich Queen, exhausted from the battle and indeed scared of this creature but remembered what Goblin Slayer had said to her before they departed.
"Are you the Hero only because you found the sword?"
"I am not the same as I was last night!" Hero was defiant as she looked back at this monster.
"Then die cursing your weakness." Lich Queen raised her sword and prepared to bring it crashing down upon Hero.
"Catch!" Female Swordmaster rushed forward throwing her sword with all her might.
Hero saw this and quickly caught the sword just as the Lich Queen struck and blocked the attack. As Female Swordmaster rushed forward, she scooped up Hero's sword to join her comrade. Lich Queen continued to push her swords forward until she was struck by two fire bolts that set her cloak ablaze. With the distraction Hero quickly got back to her feet and joined her party members, where she and Female Swordmaster traded weapons back.
"Thanks! Both of you!"
"My pleasure." Sage replied with a small nod of her head.
"We will not die in a place like this!" Female Swordmaster too nodded her head and smiled.
"Damn you." Lich Queen grunted as she gave a quick flutter of her cloak to dispel the flames. "You could have ended your suffering in that moment, but instead you have chosen a much more painful demise ahead of all three of you."
"We will not be defeated here!" Hero proudly proclaimed as she and her party charged forward to continue the attack.
xxxx
The party then came to a spot where the hallway branched off into three different sections.
"Each path will lead us to a different horcrux, but more than likely the Lich Queen will have them guarded." Half-Demon Thief cautioned as she looked over the three pathways.
"How many spells does our party still have?" Goblin Slayer looked over the rest of the party.
"I've unfortunately used up my spells." Apprentice Cleric sighed as she hung her head. "I can still help with the wounded."
"I still…have all of…mine." Witch smiled.
"I still have three myself Beardcutter."
"I have one spell left Goblin Slayer." Priestess smiled as she bowed her head.
"I have only used mine for my Swordclaw."
"I meant to ask about that Scaly, why haven't you summoned any of your Dragontooth Warriors?"
"I was concerned that given the Lich's ability to control the skeletal warriors, she might be able to influence mine."
"Makes sense, so how should we assault these horcruxes?"
"I shall head down this pathway to the right"
"Hold on there Goblin Slayer, you're still not a full strength and Guild Girl and the others would never forgive us if something happened to you. You and I shall take the path on the right." Spearman quickly placed a hand on Goblin Slayer's right shoulder.
"Understood."
"We'll split ourselves up from here then Orcbolg, you make sure you don't go and do anything else as damn foolish as you did earlier."
"I will try."
Goblin Slayer and Spearman rushed off toward the right, while Dwarf Shaman, Lizard Priest, and Witch took off down the middle path, and finally High Elf Archer and the others took down the left path. With Apprentice Cleric and Priestess being at a disadvantage in terms of spells and combat experience, it was decided that they would be paired with the dire wolves and the others.
Down the end of the hall on the right, both Goblin Slayer and Spearman found a single door and immediately kicked it down and stormed in. There in the room were dozens of skeletal warriors who turned with weapons raised and at the front of them was one skeletal warrior dressed from head to toe in black armor. From with its black helmet, the skeleton's features contorted into a scowl as its eyes blazed with a red light, as it look at the two warriors who entered, it tightened its grip around its battle ax. Behind him, upon a pedestal was the horcrux, a black magic rod with a single blue gem atop it, a relic of the Lich Queen's past when she was a human sorceress.
"You." Armored Skeleton glared at Goblin Slayer clenching his free fist so tightly his bones were cracking. "I will slaughter you and feed your remains to the horde. Destroy these foolish mortals! For our queen!"
The skeletal warriors cackled wickedly as they charged forward to attack Goblin Slayer and Spearman and who stood ready to receive them.
"Care for a wager Goblin Slayer?"
"What kind?"
"Whoever kills the fewest of these undead has to buy the other a drink?" Spearman slashed with his spear easily decapitating one of the skeletons
"Hrm…agreed." Goblin Slayer followed suit and crushed one of the skeleton's skulls, helmet included, with his mace.
xxxx
Down the center hallway, Dwarf Shaman and the others reached their door and even before opening it, could smell the stench of the undead coming from the room. Lizard Priest broke the door down and the three entered the room to find it full of undead creatures of all races who moaned loudly as they turned to stare at the adventurers. Behind them were two massive skeletons, the remains of trolls, with giant clubs in their boney hands. Between these two troll skeletons was a pedestal, and upon it was the next horcrux, a golden ring with a ruby atop it, a gift from her fiancé as part of their future marriage, that is until she killed him as part of the ritual to become a lich.
"Trolls! This might be a bit tougher than I first imagined." Dwarf Shaman held onto his hand ax tightly but smirked at the sight.
"Indeed Sir Mage, a living troll was hard enough in that dungeon, so let us see how an undead troll is."
"Then…let us…show the others…what spell casters can do."
"Quite correct. I held off thinking the Lich would control them, but with her pre occupied, we will need allies to assist us." Lizard Priest threw down sic of his dragon teeth catalysts and began the chant. "O horns and claws of our father, Iguanodon, thy four limbs, become two legs to walk upon the earth."
Two Dragontooth Warriors appeared and charged forward with Lizard Priest to engage the undead while Witch used Magic Missile to obliterate the undead before her.
xxxx
High Elf Archer and her party arrived at their last door to which she eagerly kicked down and before she and her party entered. There inside they found a combination of the undead and skeletal warriors guarding the final pedestal, upon this pedestal was a golden hand mirror, a lingering reminder of the vanity Lich Queen had when she was still human during a time before she forgot her own name.
"There's the horcrux!" High Elf Archer quickly drew out an arrow and aimed it for the nearest undead. "Leave the undead to me, I want you to focus on the skeletal warriors."
"Yes ma'am." Rookie Warrior nodded as he tightened his grip around his sword.
"You two stay back there with the dire wolves." High Elf Archer was quick with her response to Apprentice Cleric and Priestess as she let loose an arrow.
"We understand, but we can still be of use to you." Apprentice Cleric replied as she fired a rock from her sling.
"We'll keep them disoriented for you." Priestess join Apprentice Cleric in using her sling against the undead, smiling as her rock struck one of the undead in the head. "I'm hopeful the Earth Mother won't be upset with me using this against these undead, at least I can let them rest in peace."
"I'll leave the horcrux to you then."
"I'm on it." Half-Demon Thief drew out her daggers and rushed forward, using her agility as a thief and assassin to avoid the undead and reach the pedestal easily. "Time to end you!"
"I won't let you traitor!"
Using her daggers, she quickly knocked two knives out of the air and cautiously looked around only to find Half-Demon Assassin appear before him.
"Brother."
"I'm surprised you made it this far, even more surprised that the human garbage let you live this long too. What are you their pet? Their trophy?" Half-Demon Assassin drew out his own daggers in readiness to attack his sister then paused as he remembered her expression when the armored man saved her from the Lich's spell. "That armored man…are you his concubine then? Is that why you follow with him?"
"What? What the hell kind of question is that you moron?" She hissed as she stood ready to battle, angry at all the accusations her brother was making, especially about Goblin Slayer. "I am no one's pet, trophy or concubine! I am a thief and assassin! I am their ally and they…are my friends!"
Half-Demon Assassin stood there with an emotionless expression as he heard his sister say all of this to him in her defiant tone.
"I see…your sense of loyalty has truly been destroyed then by these foolish people. I would have hoped that you would have supported me, but I can see I was wrong. I no longer see you as my sister…I have no surviving family."
"Brother." Half-Demon Thief was shocked and hurt to hear him say such things.
"Prepare to die a most painful death."
Author's Note: A short chapter to set up for the final battles and to clear the air on the state of Goblin Slayer, although he and the others are not out of the woods when it comes to dealing with the Lich Queen and her minions. With my vacation coming to an end, I'll be back to updating the story once every week or two, just depends.