Chapter 1:
The Healer
The sky above Earth roared with a sound like thunder, but there was no storm. Instead, a great rift opened in the fabric of reality itself. From this rift, an invisible force began selecting individuals seemingly at random, drawing 20,000 people from across the globe into its grasp. They were engineers, artists, soldiers, students, teachers, and more. As they were pulled into the rift, the last thing they saw was their world shrinking into the distance, swallowed by an abyss of darkness and light.
When they awoke, they found themselves in a vast, verdant valley surrounded by towering, mist-shrouded mountains. The air was filled with the scent of unfamiliar flowers, and the sky was a deep, unnatural shade of blue. They were on Lore, a world of magic and fantasy, where dragons soared through the skies and ancient forests whispered secrets to those who would listen.
In their new world, each person found themselves transformed. A shimmering, ethereal menu appeared before their eyes, much like those in a game. It offered them a choice: to select a class, each with its own unique powers and abilities. They could feel the potential power surging through them, ready to be unleashed.
As each person choose their path, they began to manifest their new abilities. Warriors felt their muscles harden and grow; mages sensed the flow of mana through their veins; rogues found their senses heightened and movements more fluid; healers discovered the soothing warmth of their touch.
They quickly realized they were not alone in this new world. The inhabitants of Lore, beings both wondrous and terrifying, began to take notice of the new arrivals. Some saw potential allies; others saw threats or prey. The people of Earth had to adapt quickly to survive, forming communities and alliances to protect themselves from the dangers of Lore.
In this strange, new world, the 20,000 chosen people from Earth faced the challenge of building a new society while discovering the secrets of their powers and the mysteries of Lore. They would have to navigate alliances with native factions, battle monstrous creatures, and uncover the ancient lore that governed this fantastical realm. The skills and knowledge they brought from Earth combined with their newfound magical abilities gave them a unique edge in this world of swords and sorcery.
Their ultimate goal was twofold: to find a way back home, if such a path existed, and to thrive in this new world of magic and fantasy, carving out a place for themselves in the annals of Lore.
Five Years Later...
The displaced people of earth have rebuilt their society in Lore, in the humble town of Battleon turning it into a thriving Kingdom of Progress that rivals other kingdoms.
At its center, stood the Adventures Guild. The sole military power and heart of Battleon's defense and expansion efforts.
This is their story.
Today is Will's first day in the Guild. Fresh out of training in the Swordhaven clergy, it's time for Will to enter the life of an adventure.
If she finds a party that is.
Will arrives at the Adventurers Guild, her white priestess robes billowing behind her as she hurriedly makes her way through the bustling streets of Battleon. The city is a testament to the hard work and determination of the displaced people from Earth, who have managed to rebuild their society in this foreign land. Everywhere she looks, there are signs of progress and prosperity: brightly painted shops selling exotic wares, skilled artisans plying their trades, and adventurers of all kinds gathering at taverns and guild halls.
The Adventures Guild, located at the heart of Battleon, is no exception. It's a sprawling complex that houses various departments dedicated to training and supporting the kingdom's adventurers. As Will approaches the grand entrance, her heart thrums with anticipation and nervousness.
Now...
How does one find a party?
Seeing that the guild entrance is rather crowded with other eager adventurers, Will decides to walk over to the information desk. The desk is staffed by a bored-looking gnome clad in leather armor, who idly flicks his pen through the air. Upon seeing Will approach, he perks up a bit and clears his throat. "Welcome to the Adventurers Guild, miss...?" he asks politely.
"Oh, uh, hi there," Will says, composing herself. "My name is Will. I've just finished my training in Swordhaven and I'm looking for a party to join. Do you know if there are any openings or ongoing expeditions?"
The gnome nods and sets down his pen before spinning around to face one of the many bulletin boards behind him.
"Certainly, miss Will," he says with a smile. "There are several parties currently in need of members. I'll help you find one that suits your abilities and experience." He indicates for her to follow him over to the board, which is covered in parchments detailing various quests and parties. The gnome scans the notices quickly before pointing at one in particular.
"This party seems to be in need of a dedicated healer like yourself," he explains. "They're currently on an expedition to clear out some ghoul-infested ruins just north of Battleon. If you're interested, their leader's name is Kai. Just head to the tavern across the street and ask for him."
Will thanks the gnome and hurries across the street to the tavern. As she enters, she's greeted by the loud laughter and clanging of mugs. The tavern is a bustling place, full of adventurers from all walks of life. Will scans the crowd, looking for someone who might fit the bill as Kai. She spots a figure in the back, leaning against the bar and engaging in a lively debate with the innkeeper. His posture is confident, his demeanor commanding. It could be him.
She makes her way through the crowd, weaving between tables and avoiding spilt drinks, until she's standing before him. "Excuse me, sir?" she asks politely. "My name is Will. I was told you might be in need of a healer for your party?"
Kai turns to face her, revealing a ruggedly handsome face with a fierce reputation preceding it. His eyes narrow slightly as he takes in her appearance. "Aye, that's right." Kai gestures for her to join him at the bar.
"I'm Kai, warrior and leader of this little band. We've been having some trouble keeping our healer alive on this last expedition. So, you must be good. Or lucky." He grins, baring a row of white, even teeth. "So, what can you tell me about yourself, Will?"
Will nods and gives him a warm smile. "Well, I recently completed my training at the clergy in Swordhaven. I specialized in healing magic and divine energies. I'm confident in my abilities, and I'm eager to prove myself as an asset to your party." As she speaks, she takes a step closer to him, meeting his gaze with confidence. Kai studies her for a moment, sizing her up, before nodding. "Alright, Will." He leans in closer, lowering his voice. "I appreciate your confidence, and I need someone reliable if we're going to get through this. But I want you to know that this expedition isn't going to be easy. We'll be facing some dangerous foes, and conditions will be... less than ideal."
Will swallows hard, but doesn't back down. "I understand," she says, her voice steady. "I'm prepared to face any challenge that comes our way, as long as I can help protect my allies."
Kai nods, seemingly impressed by her courage. "Good. Then let's move on. The sooner we leave, the sooner we can finish this and collect our reward." Without further ado, Kai motions for Will to follow him out of the tavern.
As they walk, Will gets to know of the remaining members of the party.
Kai leads Will out of the tavern and into the bustling streets of Battleon. The sky is overcast, threatening rain at any moment, but the air is surprisingly warm for this time of year. The cityscape stretches out before them, a testament to the adventurers who have helped rebuild it from the ashes of their old world. As they walk, Kai points out some notable landmarks and tells her more about the other members of their party.
"You'll be working closely with Ren" - he nods at a lithe figure walking a few paces ahead of them - "He's our rogue and the scout of the group. Make sure you keep him healed up, he's quick on his feet, but he doesn't like taking much damage." Next, he gestures towards a burly man who is shouldering a massive crossbow. "That's Gunnar," Kai continues. "He's our marksman, and he's damn good with that crossbow of his. Just don't stand too close when he's about to fire, alright? The kickback can be a bit much." As they round a corner, Will catches sight of a tall, elven woman standing gracefully beside a massive warhorse. The horse's armor glints in the sunlight, reflecting the steel of its master. "Ah, you'll want to watch out for Lorelei," Kai says with a grin. "She's our ranger, and she's got quite the bond with that horse. In battle, they're an unstoppable force. But she can be a bit... let's say, protective of her steed." As they approach the warhorse and its rider, Kai clears his throat. "Lorelei, this is Will. She'll be our new healer. Will, this is Lorelei. You'll be working closely with her and her trusty steed." Will nods politely to the elven woman as Kai makes the introductions. Lorelei returns the nod with a cool glance, appraising Will for a moment before speaking. "It's good to have some healing support. We could use all the help we can get against these ghoul infestations."
"Indeed," Will agrees. "I'm here to help in any way I can."
Kai claps his hands together, breaking the brief silence. "Alright then, everyone! Let's get moving. We've got some ghouls to kill and treasure to loot."
Later, at the Northern Ruins of Battleon Kingdom...
The Northern Ruins of Battleon Kingdom loom ahead, the crumbling towers and broken statues a testament to the long-lost greatness of a civilization that once called this place home. The air is thick with an eerie silence, only interrupted by the occasional howl or screech echoing through the ruins from the undead creatures that now infest the area. The group of adventurers led by Kai, Will's new ally, pace carefully through the rubble, their weapons at the ready.
Will, feeling the weight of her backpack as she carries her healing supplies, falls slightly behind the rest of the group. Lorelei, riding her mighty warhorse, must have noticed this, for she reins in the steed beside Will and says, "Need a hand with that, healer?" Will nods gratefully. "That would be very welcome, thank you." She hands over her backpack, feeling a sense of relief as the weight disappears from her shoulders immediately. As they continue to walk together, Will looks around the ruins, taking in the dilapidated buildings and the overgrown gardens. "It's so sad to see such beauty in decay," she comments.
Lorelei shrugs. "It's the way of the world, I suppose. Civilizations rise and fall, and all that remains are their monuments. Or, in this case, their tombs." She glances around, her expression growing more serious. "But enough of that. We've got work to do." The two women fall silent as they reach the rest of the party, who have come to a halt in front of a large, gaping hole in the wall of an abandoned palace. Inside, they can see movement.
Will quickly moves to the back, where she can treat any injuries sustained by her allies. Ren, meanwhile, darts in and out of the crowd, his daggers flashing as he delivers fatal blows to the ghouls one by one. Gunnar takes aim with his massive crossbow, picking off targets from a distance with deadly accuracy. A particularly large ghoul lurches forward, its misshapen limbs awkwardly propelling it towards Kai. The warrior meets it head-on, their swords clashing with a chilling metallic screech. With a mighty heave, Kai tosses the ghoul aside, revealing Lorelei and her horse nearby. The ranger takes the opportunity to send her steed charging forward, its hooves battering down on the ghouls as they struggle to get out of the way. The impact sends several of them flying through the air, their limbs flailing uselessly before they hit the ground with wet thuds.
Will quickly moves to the back, where she can treat any injuries sustained by her allies. Ren, meanwhile, darts in and out of the crowd, his daggers flashing as he delivers fatal blows to the ghouls one by one. Gunnar takes aim with his massive crossbow, picking off targets from a distance with deadly accuracy. A particularly large ghoul lurches forward, its misshapen limbs awkwardly propelling it towards Kai. The warrior meets it head-on, their swords clashing with a chilling metallic screech. With a mighty heave, Kai tosses the ghoul aside, revealing Lorelei and her horse nearby. The ranger takes the opportunity to send her steed charging forward, its hooves battering down on the ghouls as they struggle to get out of the way. The impact sends several of them flying through the air, their limbs flailing uselessly before they hit the ground with wet thuds.
As Will watches the battle unfold, she catches a glimpse of movement from the corner of her eye. In an explosion of wood and dust, a giant ghoul lumbered out of a ruined house.
Kai, Will, and Lorelei all jump in surprise as the giant ghoul emerges from the ruined house. Its body is almost as tall as the buildings themselves, a horrifying mass of rotting flesh and bone held together by an unholy magic. The thing lets out a gut-wrenching howl that sends shivers down Will's spine, its mismatched eyes fixed on them with an unsettling glee.
"Well, well, well," Kai says with a sigh, "looks like we've found our leader." He readies his sword, bracing himself for the coming battle. "Everyone, focus on it! It's our top priority!" The remaining ghouls in the area seem to hesitate for a moment before turning their attention back to the group, their bloodlust reignited. Will nods, feeling a surge of adrenaline as she watches the giant ghoul lumber towards them. She quickly dashes over to Ren and Gunnar, who are both trading blows with smaller ghouls nearby. "Ren, you focus on keeping that leader distracted while Gunnar and I take out some of the weaker ones!" she shouts over the chaos. Ren gives her a wolfish grin before darting away, disappearing into the fray once more.
With a nod of agreement, Gunnar raises his crossbow, taking aim at a group of ghouls that are closing in on Lorelei and her horse. He fires off several bolts in rapid succession, dropping them all with deadly precision. Then, turning to Will, he motions for her to follow. "Let's go, healer," he says, dashing forward. Will nods and follows Gunnar, her healing kit readying itself for use. They quickly weave through the melee, dodging swings and bites from the desperate ghouls as they make their way towards Kai and Lorelei, who are locked in battle with the giant ghoul. The leader of the pack seems to tower over everyone, its grotesque form casting a shadow that darkens the whole area.
"Kai, Lorelei!" Will shouts as she nears them. "It's going to need more than just brute force! You guys keep it busy while I try to slow it down!" She pulls out a flask of potent green liquid and tosses it toward the giant ghoul, aiming for its face. The liquid splashes against its hide, causing it to howl in pain as its flesh begins to bubble and steam. Kai glances at Will over his shoulder, nodding in understanding.
"Thanks, Will," he grunts out between clenched teeth as he parries another blow from the giant ghoul. He then turns his attention back to the beast, aiming a powerful strike at its exposed midsection. The sword meets its target with a resounding clang, doing minimal damage but managing to distract the giant long enough for Lorelei to get a clear shot with her horse. The warhorse charges forward, its massive hooves pummeling into the giant ghoul's knees, sending it stumbling backward with a roar of pain.
Meanwhile, Gunnar continues to pick off the weaker ghouls with deadly accuracy, his crossbow bolts finding their marks with unerring precision.
With the opening presented, Will casts her strongest anti-undead spell.
"Holy!" A brilliant, shining light emanates from Will as she focuses her magical energy. The pale skin of the nearby ghouls begins to smoke and sizzle as the holy magic courses through them, dealing significant damage to the Undead creatures. As the light fades, the ghouls writhe in pain, their already-fragile forms reduced to ash under its divine power.
"Thanks, Will," he grunts out between clenched teeth as he parries another blow from the giant ghoul. He then turns his attention back to the beast, aiming a powerful strike at its exposed midsection. The sword meets its target with a resounding clang, doing minimal damage but managing to distract the giant long enough for Lorelei to get a clear shot with her horse. The warhorse charges forward, its massive hooves pummeling into the giant ghoul's knees, sending it stumbling backward with a roar of pain.
The group takes a moment to catch their breath and tend to their wounds. Kai claps Will on the shoulder as he sheathes his sword. "You're a lifesaver, Will. I don't know what we'd do without you." Lorelei smiles at the warrior as she brushes her horse's mane. "And you, Kai."
Then a green bolt of necrotic energy blasted Gunnar. He was dead before he hit the ground.
Kai and Will gasp as Gunnar is struck down. "What the..." Kai mutters, looking around in confusion. "That was no ghoul!" He draws his sword defensively, scanning the area for any new threats.
Lorelei frowns, her eyes narrowing in concentration as she tries to sense any other presence nearby. After a moment, she shakes her head. "I don't sense any more undead creatures nearby... but there might be something else at work here." She turns her horse, readying it to flee if anything else attacks.
Ren curses under his breath as he sees Gunnar fall, then looks at everyone else. "Let's get out of here. This place is crawling with things we don't understand." He begins to make his way swiftly toward the edge of town, motioning for the others to follow suit.
"I think not, dear guests. How can I let you go after such behavior in my workshop." From the shadows of the ruined walls, a glasses wearing young man in guild staff uniform emerges.
His hands are still smoking with vile necrotic energies, the same one that killed Gunnar.
Will quickly scans the area for any more Undead creatures as Kai, Lorelei, and Ren do the same. She then turns to the young man in the guild staff uniform, her eyes narrowing in suspicion. "Who are you, and what do you mean by 'workshop'?!" she demands. "You were behind this all along?" Her hands begin to glow with a soothing, healing light as she prepares to defend herself against any further threats.
Kai, his sword still drawn, steps forward. "You didn't really think you could get away with this, did you? We know what you are now. And we won't let you hurt anyone else." He glares at the young man, daring him to make a move. Lorelei leans over in her saddle, her eyes fixed on the guild staff member.
"It's what I just said. This whole place is my workshop and today, you're my new experiments."
"And you don't need to be alive for me to be of use."
The now revealed necromancer thrust his arms to the ground, channeling his vile magic in copious amounts.
A small army of skeletons clawed their way out of the ground, armed with rusted weapons and armor.
"Kill them all but leave the Healer alive." Will quickly casts a protective barrier around herself and Kai, shielding them from the onslaught of skeletons. "Lorelei, Ren! To me!" she shouts, trying to coordinate their defenses. Meanwhile, Kai slashes at the first few skeletons that reach them, quickly dispatching them with powerful strokes of his sword. Lorelei reins in her horse, drawing her bow as the skeletons swarm towards them. Ren darts between the skeletons, using their attention on the others to his advantage as he strikes at their weak points.
The necromancer, pleased with his undead minions, turns his attention back to Will. "I'm sorry, dear Healer, but I can't have you interfering any further." He raises his hands above his head once again, calling forth more necrotic energy.
A ghastly blast of necrotic green energy flew out his hand towards Will's barrier spell.
Then darkness came to her.
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Hours later, Night fell.
Confusion swirls in Will's mind as she slowly comes to consciousness, her senses struggling to process the unfamiliar surroundings. She blinks her eyes open, taking in the dimly lit cottage and the ropes binding her to a rickety wooden chair. Her heart races as panic threatens to overwhelm her, but she forces herself to remain calm. This is no time for fear.
She takes stock of her situation, noting the old bookshelves lining the walls, the dusty candles on the rickety tables, and the various potions and vials scattered about. The necromancer must have taken her here, to his lair. She can feel his presence nearby, like a looming shadow. Will focuses her energy, trying to work the ropes loose.
Too bad she doesn't have the brute strength of a Warrior or a Rouge's flexibility.
Even her magic was cut off by a magic cuff applied to her wrist.
She is trapped.
"Oh dear, finally awake I see." Will looks up, catching a glimpse of the necromancer as he steps into view, leaning against the door frame. "You monster!" she spits, struggling against her bonds. "Let me go this instant!"
The necromancer chuckles darkly. "Oh, I don't think so, Healer. You have meddled in things that are beyond your comprehension. Besides," he adds, gesturing to the bookshelves, "I have a rather extensive collection here, and I'm sure you'll fit in quite nicely." Will feels her anger rising, but forces herself to remain calm. "Why do you want me here?" she asks through gritted teeth. "What could you possibly hope to gain?" The necromancer smiles, his expression cruel and mocking. "Oh, I don't know."
"Oh I know, access to a virgin subject or your holy attributes. Oh so many choices, yet I can only pick one. The last three parties that came here don't have a healer so you're a very nice treat to me." Will grits her teeth, seething with anger but trying to maintain her composure. "You sicken me," she spits. "But I won't let you use me for your twisted experiments. I will find a way out of here, and I will make sure that you pay for what you've done."
The necromancer laughs again, a chilling sound that sends shivers down Will's spine. "Oh, I think you'll find that rather difficult, my dear Healer. Even if you do manage to escape, what then? Who will believe your wild stories of a kindly necromancer keeping a helpless healer in his lair? No, I can assure you that your life here will be... comfortable."
Will shakes her head defiantly. "I won't give up," she whispers, focusing her thoughts on finding some way to free herself.
"Your friends say otherwise." The necromancer said as he opened the door outside giving her a view of a horrible sight.
Undead Adventurers.
She then saw Kai and the rest, shambling in the group as undead.
"Like my experiment? I'm trying to find a way to turn people undead but still retaining their skills in life. Still unsuccessful btw. But hey! w With my job in the Guild, there's plenty of dumb idiots like your group to lure in."
"No!" Will cries out, her heart breaking as she sees her friends transformed into mindless husks. "You can't do this! You can't just play god like this!" Tears stream down her face as she continues to struggle against the ropes, unable to tear her eyes away from the horrifying sight before her.
The necromancer watches her with dark amusement. "Oh, believe me, Healer, I am playing god. And it's quite a thrill." He chuckles and takes a step closer to her chair. "Now, I suggest you calm down and try to enjoy the show. There's still quite a lot of experiments for me to run tonight."
Will shakes her head in disbelief, struggling against the hopelessness that threatens to overwhelm her.
Pushing her chair down, Will fell down on the wooden floors as the man loomed over her.
"I think I will start with a virgin's semen." He licked his tongue as he pulled a small knife.
Will tries to scramble away, but the ropes keep her firmly in place. "No!" she shrieks, tears streaming down her face. "Please, anything but that!" The necromancer chuckles darkly, knife gleaming in the dim light as he approaches her. Will closes her eyes, preparing for the worst, as the man leans down.
With the knife in his hand, he began to cut her priestess robes, exposing her flesh to him.
Will gasped as the cold air hit her bare skin, shaking uncontrollably as the knife continued to slice through her robes. She struggled against the ropes binding her, desperate to escape the looming threat before her.
Meanwhile, outside the cottage, the undead adventurers continued their macabre dance, swaying to an unheard melody as they shuffled closer. The sight of Kai and the others, once brave and capable, now reduced to mindless servants of the necromancer, filled Will with a deep, primal rage.
As the last of her robes fell away, exposing her smooth flesh to the chilly air, the necromancer paused, his dark eyes fixed intently on her trembling form. He took a step back, studying her with a cruel smile playing on his lips.
"Now, how do I make you cum? I can't take your virginity, sadly. So my cock is out. Hmm?" Will looked at the man with disgust, tears streaming down her face. "You're sick. You can't just treat people like this!" She struggled against the ropes, determined to escape him even if it meant risking everything.
"Oh, I can! Why else did the rift take us from that boring old world of ours? Where life is always a monotony where the rich have power and the poor remain poor. Where incompetent leaders with very small egos go to war and send people to their deaths to appease their tiny dicks."
"But here, we are gods! I am a god! I command life and death! And will claim the title of the strongest Necromancer!
"Fat chance of that happening. Dage would probably turn you into a toothpick." A new voice cuts in.
The necromancer's dark expression shifts slightly, his eyes narrowing as he glances over at the sound of the voice. "And who might you be?" he growls, taking a step towards the doorway. "Another meddling hero? Is that it?"
Will look up, hope to flickering briefly in her heart, but it is quickly extinguished as she sees another figure standing in the doorway.
It was a kid, no older than 10, wearing some kind of black uniform with an oversized officer's hat on his head. The only thing remotely dangerous to him is the katana sheathed behind him.
"Oh, sorry. Didn't mean to cut your rant. It's just so basic and boring, I can't help but butt in." Will's heart sinks as she realizes the boy isn't here to help.
"Oh, he's just a brat who thinks he's funny," the necromancer snarls, turning his attention back to Will. "Well, kiddo, why don't you tell me what you find so amusing?"
The boy shrugs, grinning innocently. "Oh, nothing much. Just your delusions of grandeur. 'I command life and death,' you say? Please. You're nothing but a petty tyrant playing with powers you don't understand." The necromancer bristles at the boy's words, clenching his fists in anger. "And what would you know, child?" he snaps. "Just because you wear that ridiculous hat doesn't make you any better than the rest of us."
"Hey! My hat is cool! Not like your Guild uniform. Ever heard of "don't leave any evidence for a crime?" The Necromancer scoffs, "Oh, so that's what this is about? You're some kind of a hero, here to save the day? Well, I'm afraid you've come to the wrong place, kid." He turns back to Will, grinning maliciously. "And as for you, my dear Healer... It looks like you're going to have to find another way to get rid of those ropes. Perhaps you could use your 'divine' powers?" He chuckles darkly before walking closer to her once more.
"Oi! Doing it in front of my virgin eyes? Really?" Will glares at the boy, wishing he'd just go away and leave her to die in peace. "Shut up," she spits at him, still struggling against the ropes. As the man circles closer, she realizes there's no escape this time. She closes her eyes, tears streaming down her face, bracing herself for the inevitable violence.
"Wow, you are really dumb as you look. I thought glasses make you smarter? Guess, someone lied to me in that part." The necromancer freezes for a moment, his expression turning to shock as the boy continues to taunt her. "What did you say?!" he demands, taking a threatening step towards the young intruder.
"What? To dumb to use your ears now? Listen." The boy smirked, gesturing to the Necromancer to do so.
It was quiet. Eerily quiet. No undead moans or shambling. There are no rattling bones or skeletons nor the sound of ghouls walking about.
Only silence all across the ruins.
The necromancer's eyes widen with disbelief as he takes in the unnerving silence around them. "What have you done?" he growls at the boy, his voice quivering with fear and rage. It was too late. There was no escape from this fate that awaited him. The necromancer began to tremble violently, his knees buckling beneath him.
"Nick Rowler, Age 18, works in the Guild as one of its staff. You filled out your class as a Mage yet there are no mentions of you in the Mage tower so either your self taught or your lying."
"Unfortunately for you my sense of smell is strong and boy, you don't even hide the smell of rot on you." The boy smiled, a wicked grin blooming on his face akin to the Cheshire cat.
The necromancer stumbled backwards, his eyes darting around frantically as he realized that there were no more undead that were under his control. "You..." he managed to say before the boy lunged forward, grabbing the hilt of his sword with both hands and swinging it in a swift, powerful arc. The blade connected with the necromancer's skull, cleaving it cleanly in two, and sent his lifeless body crashing to the floor.
The silence that followed was deafening, interrupted only by Will's shuddering breaths as she struggled against the ropes binding her. She glanced over at the boy, who stood calmly for a moment before removing his hat and bowing deeply. "My apologies for the violence, miss," he said with a grin, "but I think you'll agree it was rather necessary." "You..."
"Guild officer, code name: Malgor." He tilts his oversize hat. "Sorry I arrived too late, I just came back after a long term mission. Sorry for your party, they're dead now."
Will's mouth hangs open, shock and relief warring for dominance on her face. "You... killed them?" she whispers, looking from the boy to the scattered remains of the necromancer. "But... but they were undead!"
The boy grins again, showing a set of straight, even teeth. "Oh, don't worry about that! They were just monsters. Now, about those ropes..." He steps closer to her, kneeling down so that they're eye-level. "Shall I cut you loose?" Will hesitates for a moment, still struggling to process the events that have unfolded before her eyes. Finally, she nods slowly. "I suppose... thank you," she manages to say, her voice trembling. With a flourish, the boy draws his sword and slices through the ropes binding her wrists.
"If you're mad I killed your friends turned undead, don't be. Our dead wannabe necromancer here did a poor job in reanimating them. A second death is mercy to them." Will looks at the boy, her expression softening as he explains. "I... see," she says slowly, still processing the information. As he frees her, she rubs her wrists, wincing at the sting of the rope burn.
"Here." A cape is thrown to her to cover her naked body, her priestess robes still in tatters on the wooden floors.
Will catches the cape and wraps it around her shoulders gratefully. "Thank you," she says, meeting Malgor's gaze. There's a hint of something unreadable in her eyes, and the boy feels his cheeks flush.
"You're welcome." He draws his sword, scraping the blade across the ground as he stands up. "Now, if there's nothing else you need, I should get going. The others will be here soon enough to investigate the commotion." Will shakes her head. "No, there's nothing else. Thank you..." As Malgor turns to leave, she hesitates, then calls out softly. "Wait! Hey, Malgor?" The boy looks over his shoulder at her, one eyebrow quirked in question. "Will I see you again?"
"Ha! You wish you didn't! I'm a Guild Officer after all." "Well, you know. Just in case we do meet again..." She smiles, trying to sound casual. "It's nice to know there are still some good people left in the world."
Malgor laughs, the sound surprisingly warm. "Likewise. Take care of yourself, and maybe we'll cross paths again under better circumstances." With a final nod, he disappears into the shadows, leaving Will alone with her thoughts.
Later...
Battleon Officials came to investigate the commotion. As it turns out, Malgor got rid of the undead, skeletons and ghouls by burning them in a pool far from the cottage Will was held hostage in.
Will was taken to custody and questioned. A Guild lawyer soon arrived to bail her out after revealing how a Guild staff lured and murdered adventurers for magic experimentation.
It was revealed that the Guild already suspected Nicks Rowler is a necromancer and is planning to recruit him to be sent on Doomwood to bolster its defense. Unfortunately, Nicks got impatient with his power over life and death, taking a bloody path to develop his powers.
Guild Officer Malgor was then deployed after the confirmation of Nick's misdeeds came in.
If he didn't let his greed go unchecked, Nicks could be still alive.
Will returned to her apartment, late morning at the break of dawn.
After a lengthy shower, she looked at herself.
In the mirror, Will saw a pale young woman with short blonde hair, blue eyes, she had a medium build and was of average height. There were several scratches and dirt marks on her body, evidence of the struggle she had been through. She wore a simple robe that reached down to her knees, revealing her toned legs beneath. On her feet were comfortable slippers.
Today's events run wild on her mind. Her first party is dead. Their killer is nothing more than a man child drunk in power due to impatience.
It shows how treacherous it is to live as an adventurer.
Should she quit?
Will thinks about the events that led up to this moment. The excitement of forming her first party, the thrill of adventure, and the betrayal that left her bound and defenseless. She can't help but feel a sense of accomplishment at having survived, and perhaps even a newfound respect for the darker side of the world she has chosen to inhabit.
As she continues to dry herself off, she comes to a decision. "No," she says aloud, meeting her own blue eyes in the mirror. "I won't let one terrible experience ruin everything for me. I'll find another party, become stronger, and make sure that those who would harm others are brought to justice." With renewed determination, she pulls her wet hair back into a tight ponytail and steps out of the shower.
Her story is just beginning.
Pilot chapter to a new fic I'm working on. Will update MSBloodPrice for real later.