Well, It's been a few months since I updated. Honestly just been busy and working for the most part. Was going to write another Watching the Multiverse chapter right away, but I need to update this too!
So enjoy, read and review!
Chapter 12: The Maelstrom
March 3rd, 502 H.A. The Open Ocean (En route to Jarrow)
Having traveled southward, the Blue Pearl had then rounded the southern tip of the Basil continent, then swung westward toward the warmer climate of the equatorial trade winds and currents. Creaking and dipping into a low swell as the sunlight poured down on the lone ship, the crew worked, but not that hard as there was no haste on the mild tropical day.
"Ah, a fine day Mister Gib" Breathing in deeply of the salty, sea air, Captain Sparr cocked a toothy grin, his long coat flapping in a light breeze as he stood near the helmsman, a half orc who concentrated on steering the vessel through the rising waves.
"Aye sir. Good wind too" Eyeing the white sails, the older man cast a critical eye to the crew, watching for lazy work, but none was to be seen.
Maintaining his silence for a minute, Captain Jakk watched the clear, blue ocean and the curvature of the world. "Make sure the crew keeps an eye out for other ships. The main islands of Oceaavean are south of us, but there are many small islands and archipelagoes that pirates use to plunder the trade routes, many of them unmarked on maps. May the gods show mercy to the passengers with those brutes" Casting a gaze toward one of the passengers that had come to the top deck, Jakk recognized the emerald hair of Bisca Mulan, the strands blowing to the side as her old hat refused to budge from her head. Leaning against a railing, the woman just watched the ocean, the waves a calming force to the hero.
"Well, maybe not all the passengers would be at the mercy of pirates. I almost feel sorry for them If they face that woman"
Of course he and the crew had listened to the tales of Vera, the dark elf weaving stories of battles, monsters and war during the late nights upon the dark ocean, the blanket of stars adding to the greatness of the heroic tales with ale and laughter.
"Fear not, Captain. We have a veteran crew that knows these waters. No pirates will get the Blue Pearl without a fight"
"Still, the Des La Reyna Islands are only six days away and half of them are uninhabited. Many places for the ruffians to establish hidden bases"
"Aye captain. I'll make sure the crew be keeping a keen eye for pirates"
"SAILS! Sails to the North West!" The sailor in the crow's nest bellowed, the man's skin tanned and weathered from countless years at sea. Pointing in the direction, the ocean gave a swell as the wood vessel dipped, then rose, spraying several crew.
"Curses! You did it now Mister Gib!" Reaching toward his supporting belt sash, Captain Sparr pulled his brass telescope, the material glinting in the sun as he brought it up to his eye. "Aye…those are sails. Too far to tell at this distance the intent of the craft" Lowering the tool, the captain prayed it was just another commerce vessel, but it could easily be hostile. "Prepare the men, just in case" Glancing toward where Bisca had been standing, the woman was gone, leaving the crew to continue their efforts across the blue ocean.
Bisca descended the steps into the bowels of the ship, her destination the cabin that had become home for the last two weeks. Passing several of the crew toward the rear of the ship, Bisca saw a few of the other passengers idly talking in the passageway.
Vera was there, glaring at the slender and lithe elf, the blonde woman with fair skin glaring back, the racial rivalry going back centuries.
"I'm surprised the ship hasn't sunk with those giant hooker tits you have you damn dark elf" Taunting, the light elf smirked while crossing her slender arms over her less than ample bosom.
"Your just jealous that mine are superior to yours and I could get any man on this ship with ease" Stating proudly, Vera smirked at the proclamation.
"Hmph! Like you need help spreading your legs"
"Take that back you damn prepubescent child!" Noticing Bisca, Vera pointed with haste and a huff. "Bisca! Kick her ass for me!"
Bisca immediately dismissed the ridiculous request, stepping past the two bickering elven women. "No time, we might be facing pirates soon so stop fucking around and get your gear. Tell the others"
"This isn't over, light elf" Vera huffed, then turned and strode away to find her party on the ship.
Opening the door to her cabin, the gun mage made an immediate beeline for her armor and weapons, the need to wear it everyday unneeded on the open ocean. But with the possibility of pirates, Bisca would be ready.
Nothing happened.
Turns out the other ship was a merchant vessel, the Golden Sunset just leaving Port Reyna. A relief for both vessels as the crew on the other sailing ship thought the Blue Pearl were pirates themselves. Passing each other with a respectable margin, both craft went about their journey with no interference.
"I'm almost disappointed that they weren't pirates. I could have shown them the Light of Lanis" Celeste lightly complained as the settling dusk painted the horizon a deep crimson with the first showing of starlight. Gripping the handrail as the ship lightly rocked, a few ocean droplets flared among her blonde locks like a wave of golden wheat.
"A calm journey is preferrable over action" Bisca said calmly, the party leader and gunmage now out of her armor once more as the possible threat dematerialized.
"Tch! I had to end an argument with that anvil light elf. I bet she's just laughing in her quarters!" Curling her fist, Vera really wanted to put the other elf in her place. "Stupid, flat titted elf. No wonder they suck and get mistaken for children"
"Can't you let it go? We haven't even reached the halfway point yet. I don't understand why dark and light elves argue so much in the first place" Dia asked her friend, only to receive a ticking of the eyebrow from the very busty and tanned elf.
"BECAUSE SHE SUCKS!" Raising her fists to the air, numerous sailors glanced at the white haired woman, but went back to their duties as nothing important was occurring. Clearly fed up, Vera left to go lay down in the cabin, the adventurer done with the day.
Dia and Celeste left a few minutes later, both searching for something to eat as the dusk grew deeper and deeper. Bisca stayed however, the gunmage and hero watching the night fall and the stars appear like floating diamonds. The sea calmed, and with the exception of the water slapping the hull, the ocean was a serene beauty, a view that she admired for its tranquility.
March 5th, 502 A.E.
"PIRATES! Three sloops on approach from the West!" Bellowing the horrible news, the man in the crow's nest raised the hand held telescope to his eye, his fear rising as the three vessels flew black flags, the warning of death to all upon the Blue Pearl.
"You heard him! Prepare for attack! Load the cannon and arm yourselves men!" Walking along the length of his ship, Captain Jak Sparr bellowed orders as the wind picked up, rippling the sails. Drawing his gaze north, the horizon was darkening, the threat of a large storm brewing like a cauldron in the sky. "Damn, the winds will give them speed"
The tropical storm itself was another problem that would no doubt approach during the battle, assuming they lived through it. One ship the Pearl could handle, but three? He feared that this was his last day. Still, he kept the fear bottled up, putting on a brave and cocky face.
Picking up speed, the trio of pirate ships moved closer, the wooden bows cutting through the waves while the sails fluttered. At the masts, each flew black flags, the material ominous as the sailors of the Blue Pearl armed themselves with sword, musket and flintlock.
"GET READY, MEN!" Roaring out his defiance as he raised a cutlass, Captain Sparr wouldn't go down without a fight.
Already, he could hear the brays, taunts and threats coming from the pirates as two of the vessels split apart in a low swell, each moving to flank the Pearl on each side.
"FIRE!" Screaming out as the first pirate ship moved aside to try and board his ship, the Blue Pearl fired a broadside, the rippling cannon a thunderclap of noise and fire. Impacting the pirate ship on the port side, wood, splinters of shrapnel, men, and demi-humans screamed from the hail of shot and cannon.
"Leave no survivors! Take any women for your pleasure men!" A large man with a red coat, crimson tripoint and falling black beard roared as he stepped over a dying crewman, his deck slick with blood and ruin. "FIRE!" The pirate vessels cannon roared, the shot ripping across the deck and sundering sail to disable the Blue Pearl.
A man next to Bisca was ripped in half by a cannon ball with flailing chain, his innards spilling across the deck as the gun mage snarled.
"Dia! Destroy that second ship on the starboard side! Vera, cover her!" Screaming out as sailors of the Pearl fired muskets at the pirates, Bisca hunkered down at the ships railing, a portion missing while billowing cloud filled the nearby air. A few musket balls zipped and impacted the ruined wood, but to Bisca, it was just another day.
Leaning around the solid banister of the railing, Bisca fired her lancer, the cracking gunshots ringing out to kill the pirate captain, the bullets nearly severing his head in a single burst. Not about to let up as the black-bearded man dropped, she raked the brigand's deck with hellish bullets, the munitions cutting down five in barely a moment. Running dry, Bisca retook cover as another incoming broadside pulverized some of the nearby hull, the shards of wood flying in a burst.
"Miss Bisca! Please stay down!" Brandishing her holy blade, the shimmering steel gave a pulse in the presence of dark men with brutal souls.
"Like you can do anything! Just shut the fuck up Celeste and make sure none make it on board!" Reloading then slinging the Lancer rifle to her back armor plate, Bisca knew she would run out of ammunition before the three enemy vessels fled.
Therefore, a magical option would be needed.
Creaking closer after another cataclysmic broadside took more lives of men of both sides, several of the plundering foes started to swing hooks, the attached rope intended to bring both ships side by side for boarding and killing.
Not wasting another moment, Bisca formed a long tube in the cups of her gloved hands, the glowing green energies drawing the attention of musket fire as the balls of metal zipped above her head, some striking soft flesh with screams behind her. Ignoring the lizard man hybrid that thrashed and screamed from a torso wound, Bisca aimed at the ship.
"Magic Rocket Launcher" Speaking with a hollow tone of intent, Bisca leaned out as another bullet smashed into the wood, flecking her cheek with splinters that drew blood.
The magical beam of energy focused into a fine point, then erupted outward to strike the pirate vessel directly in the middle of the hull right at the water line. The latent energies burst in a brief moment, spewing men in a tumble of screams as the ship shuddered and splintered. Ripped open like a jagged wound, ocean water poured into the fresh damage, flooding the interior of the enemy ship just as the approaching tropical storm started to drop the first flecks of rain and billowing winds.
"One down!" Dismissing the screams of 'abandon ship' howling from the sudden panic of the brigands, Bisca started to turn with Celeste, the immediate threat of the vicinity gone.
The Blue Pearl shuddered, along with the cracking of wood that rose above the cannon fire and staggered musket roar.
"They've launched an anchoring harpoon from the rear, lass! They mean to board us!" Captain Sparr shouted as he ran to the stern with several men, the rain already making the deck slick with water and blood.
Roiling closer as lightning flashed and thunder rumbled, the tropical storm pushed closer, whipping the ocean into a cauldron of harsh waves that crashed against the ships. Washing over the sinking Black Queen, several pirates were swept away, disappearing into the depths while more tried in desperation to save the stricken vessel. Breaking in half a few minutes later, the pirate ship sank, the flotsam the only remains as the last of the crew were sucked down by the mass of ruin.
Dia's staff glowed, the mana stone ebbing with building power as numerous grappling hooks were flung form the nearby pirate vessel, the rugged men furious with a desire to plunder, steal and defile the visible females.
"Take the ship for the fallen Black Queen! All will be slain and the women will be ours!" A scarred wolfman howled while brandishing a cutlass, his silver hair matted with the falling rain and his fury. Braying rage came from several pirates as they started to swing across the roiling gap between the vessels, the ropes carrying them as the wind howled.
"DIE!" Vera Twinblade screamed as she swung fire and ice, the magical swords bisecting a bald orc-man who had the misfortune of landing before the elf. Intestines poured from the wound, his upper half falling to the deck in a howl of horror. Running to the next enemy as the foe swung a sword toward a musket wielding Blue Pearl sailor. The clash of steel sparked as the two men fought, only for Vera to skewer the vile man through the back, the burning embers eating at flesh and material.
"Almost…almost…Lightning Storm!" Screaming out her power and words while high wind ruffled her purple hair and pointed wizard hat, Dia's staff erupted in sparks of lightning, filling the moist air with the scent of ozone. Pointing her staff at the enemy ship and the surging pirates trying to board, the sparks of power collided with men, wood and sail, eliciting howls of agony from the vile plunderer's as their flesh cooked and popped. Fires erupted along the sails, the thick material quickly catching aflame.
A dozen men that had been running along the planks or swinging upon ropes died in an instant, their eyeballs literally bursting from their heads from the electrical surge that ravaged their bodies. Tumbling into the darkening ocean, another three nearly fell, the pirates hanging on for dear life as the rain intensified with the sky darkening into an ominous black.
"Fire! Douse the fire, men! Break off the attack!" Captain Bloodwolfe howled, the scarred wolfman kicking away the planks and cutting the hooked ropes connecting the two ships. Pulling away as the fire spread, the pirates had their own problems to deal with.
"Yarrgh!" Clanging steel met steel as Vera fought one of the last pirates before her, the two parrying, only for Mister Gib to run up and stab the foe in the back, seeing no dishonor in the deed.
Bisca fired at the first man climbing along the stretching rope between the final pirate ship and the Blue Pearl, the scream of bullets killing the demi-human holding a cutlass between his teeth. Falling in silence toward the ocean, another man took his place, hate in his eyes. Whipping suddenly as waves crashed and dipped, the storm intensified as the sky above swirled with howling winds, lightning, and dousing rains that started to whip sideways. Rocking both wooden sailing vessels among dipping troughs of waves and depressions that washed over both decks, the connecting rope whipped, tossing a demi-orc into the murky brine.
"Fucking pirates!" Firing her lancer at another of the vile men while the deck rocked and water completely doused her, the gun-mage's hat didn't even wiggle from her head as the bullets blew through a hapless man that was halfway across the rope. Sluicing down her armor, the rain howled among the gunfire, Bisca's face stern and filled with hate.
"MAELSTROM! WE'RE IN FOR IT NOW, MEN!" Howling like a maniac, Captain Sparr hacked at the thick rope connected to the pirate's harpoon, the massive piece of metal caught among his ship while rain pelted and sluiced across the deck. Connected by the thick harpoon rope, the flamboyant Sparr hacked and hacked at the rope, trying to cut through the taught tendrils that grew more slick with each passing moment.
A groan came from the ocean, almost silencing the storm for a brief moment, causing a sense of strangeness between friend and foe alike as the battle paused for several seconds.
Large limbs suddenly jutted upwards from the ocean around Ravager, the underside covered in suction cups of ominous, dark purple. The limbs themselves were an oily black, each thicker than a ship's mast as they started to coil above the pirate ship.
"My gods…KRAKEN!" Howling with a sense of mixed terror and horror, Captain Sparr felt true fear as the large limbs slammed down on the Ravager, the screams erupting from the pirates as their horror became full bore.
"SEVER THE ROPE! THEY"LL DRAG US DOWN!" Celeste howled as lightning cracked above, her holy axe burning bright in the presence of the massive monster. Blonde hair was pasted to her skull, droplets falling down her chin as she brought down the sharpened blade.
The large harpoon rope severed in a snap of frayed fibers, snaking back toward the Ravager as the Kraken's massive limbs fell across the pirate ship, ensnaring the vessel among dying men and cracking beams of wood. The central mast snapped, the splinters of flying wood landing on the deck while the sails and rigging collapsed in a tangle of ruin.
Finally dragged down into the roiling ocean of titanic waves, rain and darkness, Ravager cracked in half, the few survivors frantically swimming for their lives, only to be dragged down as well into the rising maw. Fully emerging, the giant squid revealed itself in all its horror, the maw of open teeth falling into a darkness of doom as one of the pirate's was eaten whole. Swallowing the meal, the rows of ragged spike-teeth folded inward as the beast swallowed the man, his scream cut off in moments.
"GET READY MEN! THE FOUL BEAST STILL HUNGERS!" Raising his cutlass as the deck tilted, Captain Sparr turned in a furl of his coat as a wave crashed, spraying the man. "INTO THE WIND, MISTER SPRIGG! FULL SAIL!"
Hearing the orders, the navigator spun the helm wheel, the dark elf's silver hair whipping across his face as rain doused the deck. "Aye sir!" Gripping the spokes as his gold tooth glittered, Sprigg grunted and used his body weight as the ship started to turn, the wooden craft creaking and dipping into an ocean trough. Plowing through the rising wave, water flowed across the deck, soaking Bisca and the others as the massive limbs of the Kraken broke the surface once more.
"Dia! Concentrate your spells on the limbs!" Bisca shouted as she moved, the gun mage almost slipping on some guts from a dead pirate cut open. Rushing to the railing with her party, she summoned her magical lancer, the rifle giving off a soft glow of green.
Limbs coiled and wavered around the Blue Pearl, the tentacles a dark dance of death. Swinging forward as magical bullets ripped along some of the suction cups of the nearest limb, the tentacle reached down to one of the crew.
"AHHHH! HEL—!" Pulled off the deck in a mere instant, the man was dragged into the ocean, disappearing into the murky depths.
"Acid lance!" With staff burning bright at the mana stone, Dia launched another magical attack as another limb jinked and wavered. Striking the flesh, the suction cups bubbled and hissed, causing a groan to come from the depths of the nearby ocean.
"Protect the hero! Miss Bisca, I will lay down my life for the cause!" Swinging her long blade that cut through the howling wind and rain, Celeste managed to graze one of the tentacles, furrowing the Kraken's flesh.
The cannon roared from the next broadside, the blast of cannon ripping some chunks of skin and mass away in gruesome ichor.
"Use your swords when it gets close!" Shouting out the command, Vera swung her twin blades of fire and ice as another wiggling tip came close, the dark elf severing it in a downward swing. Twisting from a sudden shout of panic, Vera rushed to inflict more pain and damage upon the tentacle that was coiling around another man.
"Kill it! Kill it!" Stabbing frantically, the half orc used a long dagger to stab with ferocious desperation. Lifted upward off the deck as the rain fell in droves, the lightning cracked across the darkened sky like the rage of Thor.
"Hold on!" Jumping upward with her blades burning and freezing the air, Vera swung, but missed as the man was dragged into the maelstrom. "Dammit!" Tumbling to the deck as rain poured, Vera refound her footing and sliced the air as yet another tentacle wavered in a sickening approach.
"Keep fighting! Don't let up no matter what!" Firing another stream of magical rounds that burned through the air and pummeling rain, the green magic severed part of a limb that held another man, dropping the soul to the deck with a heavy 'thud'
Flailed across part of the central deck and several crew, the limb crashed through some wooden grating to the ship below as wood splintered and water sluiced. "Help! My leg! My leg!" a lizard man shouted, his scales slick with panic as he tried to lift the severed appendage from off his lower limbs. Several crew moved to assist, but a heavy wave crashed into the ship, tossing men about as they slipped and fell.
"KEEP FIGHTING FOR THE PEARL MEN! HAHAHAHA!" Laughing like a madman, Captain Sparr swung at the underside of another tentacle, slicing open several suction cups that sprayed a gruesome red…not that it lingered with the falling rain. Swaying away for a moment, the limb then crashed into the ship near the damaged stern, breaking more wood and opening the captains cabin to the elements.
"You heard him! Don't let up!" Firing another hellish stream of magical rounds, the green stabbing lights sundered a fifth tentacle, burning the skin and flesh in a passage of ruin. Not liking the pain from the tiny mortals, the damaged limb swung toward the rear rigging as several others raked the deck.
"DOWN!" Yelling in a howl of fury, Bisca ducked low with her party, the long limb cutting the air like a scythe above their heads to sweep four men into the sea as another crack of lightning shattered the ominous sky. Rising from her position as rain pelted at horrific speeds nearly sideways, Bisca resummoned her magical lancer to send another hellish stream of power into the swaying joining of the limbs.
CRACK!
"Look out!" A random sailor screamed as some of the rigging was nearly toppled, the rear mast cracking from the force of another Kraken strike. Rope and fabric became entangled, ensnaring a man in the mess as the vessel rocked and dipped into another swell of the ocean.
Blue, serene light washed over the deck as Dia Stormclaw stood, the feline demi human now soaked to the bone as her pointed hat threatened to blow off from her head. Building more power into the staff, her cloak fluttered while rain ran down between the cleavage of her ample bosom. "Enough beast of the ocean! Lightning Storm!" Finishing the spell as a surge of yellow, crackling electricity burst forth, the magical attack snapped and burned through the air, homing in on the still partially submerged monster. Striking the tossing ocean, the magical attack traveled through the water and up the beast, causing the limbs to go slack as ebbs of power raced along the flesh.
Disappearing beneath the tossing waves and horrendous storm, the Blue Pearl limped and dipped into the next trough of the ocean. Rain pelted the crew, a torrential downpour that soaked man and hero alike.
"The Kraken…THE KRAKEN IS DEFEATED!" A man shouted among the Maelstrom, the rugged sailor still clutching his cutlass as he looked over the stern at the bubbling ocean where the monster had been slain.
"Well done, Lass! Well done! Why, I'm impartial to making you my wife!" Laughing uproariously, Captain Sparr slapped Dia across the back in congratulations as the crew cheered, their relief and joy palpable as many raised their cutlasses and swords.
"It was a mighty blow, Dia! Indeed heroic!" Wiping water from her soaked brow, Celeste gave the loud compliment as more lightning flashed above, the wind ripping across the deck in a harsh howl.
"Hell yeah!" Nearly tumbling as the deck rolled in a harsh pitch, Vera collided with the demi-human, both tumbling as they slipped. "You killed that thing! I thought we were all dead!" Straddling Dia, Vera grinned with joy, her white hair a matted mess as rain continued to sluice and pour.
"Ugh…so heavy…" Groaning, the black mage tried to push off the dark elf, but failed as Vera heard the light insult and sat harder.
For a brief moment, Bisca smiled from the rear of the tossing ship, the woman relieved that her party and the vessel itself had survived the pirate assault and massive squid that had almost done them in. "Good job, Dia" saying the words softly, Bisca doubted her friend heard the compliment as the rain fell harder, causing her to grip the rear rail.
'Brrroooannnnn!"
The insidious noise erupted from the ocean among the wavering tentacles that suddenly emerged, the large tendrils wrapping around the ravaged stern of the Blue Pearl. Pulling as the tips ensnared and wrapped around more of the ship, the Kraken pulled itself from the depths. Opening its maw of razor sharp teeth, the glinting spears of death reflected the next flash of lighting, showing their true terror as Bisca turned, the gun-mage's demeanor instantly reverting to battle mode. Gripping her lancer rifle, Bisca only had moments as the Kraken lunged forward, its harsh eyes locking onto the woman. Revving up the teeth, they spun in a howl.
"Bisca! Get away!" Howling in panic as she saw the horror unfold, Vera would never make it in time as the Kraken drew closer in a few brief seconds.
"I'm glad I met you all…NOW DIE YOU KRAKEN TRASH!" Jumping from the deck as the maw of teeth drew wider, Bisca's rage came full bore as her lancer's chainsaw screamed among the storm and howling rain. Swallowed whole by the Kraken in the next moment, the maw of teeth drew closed around the from of Bisca, the monster's hunger sated as it started to dip below the waves.
Bisca didn't say anything as she sawed forward, the innards of the Krakens mouth spewing gore and crimson as her ripping saw teeth cut and sundered the soft flesh. Water was all around her in the mouth, but the gun mage didn't worry about breathing, her new magical ring allowing her to continue drawing breath. Falling further as the Kraken screamed from the torment, the beast flailed and sprawled beneath the storm wracked ocean.
Cutting more and more as blood filled the water, Bisca snarled with each fresh cut, the hero continuing to cut and kill while gore spewed.
Celeste raced to the edge of the Blue Pearl, her eyes brimming with horror. "No…no…NO! MISS BISCA!" Stretching her hand to the dark depths, Celeste tried to jump in, only to be pulled back by Captain Sparr.
"I'm sorry lass! She's gone! The beast has claimed her!" Voice filled with regret, the dour Captain Jakk continued to hold the Holy Knight as she collapsed, the rain falling harder to mix with her sudden tears. "No…this…this cannot be…Miss Bisca can't be gone…"
"I failed…I failed to kill the Kraken" Voice filled with heavy remorse, Dia tried to wipe her tears, not that the rain mattered nor cared.
Vera simply stared at the roiling ocean, the dark elf feeling the pit of her stomach grow tighter and more sick. "This…this is a bad dream…" Starting to cry as the ship tossed and pitched, Vera Twinblade couldn't believe Bisca was gone…just like that.
The wind howled and the storm continued, but this didn't matter to Dia, Vera and Celeste as they stared at the site where they're friend had died.
March 9th, 502 H.A, Island of Des Reyna
Twenty eight miles long and three miles at the widest point, the largest island of the Des La Reyna chain had grown from the volcanic forces of eons past, the ancient cauldron jutting upward at the southern point of the island. Covered in tropical jungles that reached halfway up the extinct volcano, the foliage had been ravaged by the Maelstrom as the storm had made landfall, ravaging the jungle and its abundant life. The small city of La Reyna had taken heavy brunt of damage itself, the oceanside port of call facing damage itself. Numerous buildings had fallen in on themselves, the mortar and wood material ravaged by the storm as citizens tried to pick up the pieces of their lives from the debris. Along the quays and port, a few ships had sunk in the harbor, the vessels cracked and broken with tangles of rigging and ripped sails. A handful escaped damage, but mainly because they had arrived in the last few days, missing the terrible storm.
Limping toward an empty dock, the Blue Pearl and her crew threw some mooring lines to several dockworkers, the burly men grabbing and pulling them toward waiting masts. Tying quickly and with expertise, the islanders moved a gangplank with a rapidity of professionalism.
"Well, we made it Mister Gib. But I fear the port of Des Reyna has been battered as well" Standing near the gangplank, Captain Sparr surveyed the island city and port of call, noting the damage that was prevalent everywhere. Sighing with a deep depression, the normally flamboyant captain then turned to his ship, the vessel missing two masts, extensive battle damage and obvious destruction from the Kraken.
Stout and weary, the older man grunted. "Too many good crewmen died, Captain. Taken by the deep"
"Aye, and the brave lass" Shaking his head with another rueful remorse at the fallen hero, Jakk stepped down the gangplank, the wood creaking lightly under his boots. "Secure repair crew for the Pearl, Mister Gibb. I'll see to replenishing our losses" Taking one last look at several ships that sank in the harbor, the Captain gave one last shake of his head. "I'm sure we'll find some" Turning with a flare of his coat, the man departed swiftly, leaving Mister Gib to take care of the more mundane tasks.
Celeste, Dia, and Vera walked past, the trio of women in fallen spirits as they left the ship behind, their mood in extreme depression at the death of Bisca. Practically trudging to the closest drinking establishment, Celeste weaved past debris in the streets before entering the pub. Rank with the sweat of sailors and the sea air, numerous boards and planks still covered the windows, allowing shafts of sunlight into the bar.
Taking a seat in the corner, Celeste set herself down, the holy knight seemingly lost as Vera and Dia flanked her.
"You ladies look like you could use one on the house" Sliding a few dirty glasses with brown liquor, the swarthy and large bartender gave a knowing nod, understanding the look and mood of a storm ravaged crew.
"We…we fought some pirates. And a kraken. Our friend…our party leader…What are we going to do now?" Taking the glass, Celeste upended the whole thing, downing the burning alcohol and attempting to drown her sorrow.
The large man behind the bar nodded, then reached down and set a mostly full bottle on the bar. "Don't worry about paying. The kraken is a foul beast. Anybody who faces that…" Stepping away with a shake of his head, the bartender left the three women alone.
"Bisca…dammit…she saved my life the first time we met" Tears pulling at her eyes, Vera drank her glass quickly, then refilled for another, the taste burning and harsh. "So many monsters and battles…just to be taken like that!?" Slamming her fist down on the rough bar, Vera drew several stares. "FUCK! WHY!?" Grabbing the bottle, the dark elf drank deeply, letting several streams of booze roll down her chin.
"Is there even a point in continuing the quest to save Enterra? Without Bisca…" Sniffling, Dia wiped the tears away, the demi-human clearly unbound by loss and sadness.
"The goddess of Lanis…why have you forsaken us? Taken the hero?" Ever faithful to the goddess of light and her purity, Celeste felt her faith crumbling in the face of such loss. Drinking some more, the blonde found herself falling deeper into a sense of non-caring. "Miss Bisca…." Crying some more, Celeste continued to drown her sorrows with her surviving party, none of the women inclined to move from their seats while the surrounding patrons talked and drank, nobody caring about their loss or plight.
Island Selva Dura. The same time.
Located twenty eight miles from Des Reyna, Selva Dura was shaped like a teardrop with a central, fresh water lake surrounded by thick, unforgivable jungle. Stretching a total of over fifteen miles in length, rolling hills rose to the north end of the island, creating harsh cliffs that were constantly assaulted by the ocean tides. To the south, the land softened as the jungle gave way to plantations and farms, a few minor rivers traveling the remaining seven and a half miles to a feeding river delta. Along the delta and surrounding bay the small city of Selva Dura sat, the population of ten thousand fortunate enough to be bypassed by the Maelstrom. While the city had been hit by heavy rainfall and high winds, it had been relatively unscathed aside from fallen branches and a few broken windows.
A minor shipyard stretched out from the town, curving around the bay as a few merchant ships bobbed and floated with mooring lines attached. Sailors and dockworkers labored under the hot sun, the tropical islands dismissive of the winter and ice that ravaged more northern latitudes.
Of course, the town nor scattered farms and plantations couldn't be seen from the far northeastern shore of the island as the wildlife of Selva Dura howled and hooted from the dark foliage. Nearly all wilderness aside from a few
Water crashed against the beach, the ruined flotsam collected among seaweed, strands of plants and a few scuttling crabs. Mixed among the flotsam and debris, a familiar green haired woman lay, her form unmoving for several minutes.
Another loud growl and hooting scream of wildlife came from the thick jungle, the vines and greenery hiding hidden beasts and monsters.
"Ugh…" Gripping sand in her gloved hands, Bisca slowly opened her eyes, the woman wincing from the harsh sunlight that fell upon the beach. "Graahhh" Groaning again as she slowly rolled over, Bisca coughed while pushing herself upward. "That…I'm alive" trying to form words, they came out raspy as she rapidly grabbed her canteen and loosened the cap. Drinking the fresh water greedily, her parched throat sighed in relief from the water. Finishing after gulping down nearly half of the life essential liquid, Bisca looked around.
Eyeing her tattered and worn hat just a few feet away, she moved to pick it up and quickly replaced it back upon her head. Heavy with moisture and several frayed edges that were very new, Bisca only felt relief from having her hat safe and sound.
Walking a few more feet across the sandy beach, she found her lancer, the rifle laying in the loose sand as a crab scuttled away. Picking it up, the rifle was checked over by the gun mage as Bisca started to go over her supplies and state of self.
"Vera? Dia? Celeste?" Calling out the names of her party, Bisca heard no replies aside from the cries and calls of wildlife nearby, some of which sounded extremely hostile to her. "They might be wrecked further down the beach, or maybe on the other side of the island" It was a reasonable conclusion considering she had washed up on the shore, but as far as she could tell, she was alone here.
For a moment of curiosity, Bisca summoned her status screen and information, finding herself having gone up three levels for killing the Kraken and several pirates. Hell, she had sunken a full ship of the bastards.
"Fucking savages" Growling her words at the memory of the brigands, Bisca felt no remorse for taking their lives. She knew exactly what those types of men would have done to her and the other women on board. But dwelling on the fiends wouldn't help her find the others, only she could do that, and staying on the beach wouldn't help. Eyeing the thick jungle that seemed to ooze death and hostility, Bisca started to walk forward, the woman cradling her reloaded lancer.
Pushing away the heavy fronds of low hanging foliage, the canopy of shade was welcome as the temperature dropped by nearly ten degrees, providing some respite.
"Still humid as hell though" Grousing as she stepped over a tangle of vines, Bisca was constantly looking for signs of the others, but mostly hostile threats, human or monster.
Her stomach growled, the sudden gnawing hunger hitting like a box of anvils. Groaning from the hunger pain, Bisca leaned against a thick tree covered in moss and algae, the woman feeling dizzy as her vision swam. Reaching toward her utility for the ration pouch, she found it empty. "Shit…of course, why would I bother keeping rations in it on a ship journey that lasts two months? Great way to fuck up and be lazy, Bisca" Placing a hand on her side for another minute as the wave of hunger pains finally passed, the gun mage let out another pained groan before lifting her rifle once more.
More guttural, animal howls came from further inland, the sounds insidious with bloodlust and rage.
"Food. I need some fucking food" Finding a renewed purpose for her immediate survival, Bisca stepped away from the tree, her boots squelching the undergrowth as the humid air made her sweat under the canopy of foliage.
Walking for twenty minutes away from the beach, the lone hero felt like she was in another world. Birds made calls from the upper canopy, the songs and chirps mixing with several smaller animals that made the trees their homes. Looking up as her stomach gave another growl, Bisca saw a few bright yellow birds flutter and flit from vines and branches. But hunting them would be almost pointless as a single bullet would blow the little avians to mincemeat, defeating the purpose.
Ducking low under a fallen log covered in algae and moss that rose to her waistline, Bisca emerged from the other side, the soft soil wafting into her nostrils. Pushing more low hanging leaves away as bugs crawled across the green surface, Bisca moved to stand.
"Graaahhhh!"
Bisca immediately halted in mid crouch, the fallen log still behind her. Staying low, the gunmage studied the jungle before her as years of experience went into overdrive. "Something sounds hungry. Or angry. Or both"
Whatever it was, it still sounded some distance away in the green depths, but Bisca couldn't be entirely positive.
Something scuttled above her, the sound reverberating and heavy. Instantly snapping her gaze upward, the woman narrowed her eyes as five spiders the size of small cars worked their way down several thick trunks, the monsters moving toward her. Covered in green splotches and dark brown hide while numerous black eyes stared at her in hungry desire, the monsters no doubt used the coloration as camouflage to hunt and kill. Mandibles clacked and dripped greenish drool as they enclosed, the large monsters rapidly moving on six thick legs covered in brown and green.
"Great. Just fucking great" More annoyed than angry, Bisca moved back under the fallen log and not a moment too soon as two of the spiders halted on the jungle floor, their mandibles retracting to allow a narrow proboscis to emerge from the creature. Spitting a stream of bright, green liquid, the stinking concoction splashed against the fallen log, which immediately erupted in harsh bubbles and sizzles.
"Acid!? Fucking dammit!" Firing at the closest spider after resting her rifle on the fallen log, bullets ripped into the foul beast, punching through the mess of eyes. Targeting the next foul abomination, Bisca killed three of the horrid monsters in seconds as they tried to surge forward through the jungle.
Screaming as they died and thrashed with copious amounts of green blood spewing from their ruined faces, the spiders collapsed, but the last two kept coming as they spat acid toward the rifle woman.
Turning and shifting toward a large tree on her immediate left, the acid splashed the ground where she had just stood, the vile substance stinking like rancid pus as the soil bubbled. Rapidly switching out magazines, Bisca fired at the last two beasts, the heavy rifle rounds punching through their hides to spew ichor amongst insect screams.
Halting after the last large spider died, Bisca didn't move for several moments, the aperture of her rifle smoking amongst the fallen brass casings. Ears ringing from the small firefight, she kept still as nothing moved, the startled wildlife of birds and animals going silent or fleeing.
Moving into the open once more, the summoned hero moved further left, bypassing the log still smoldering from the acid attack. Studying the dead spiders, Bisca saw the seeping green blood pool around the creatures, bubbling with deadly sickness. "Yeah, not gonna try eating those things" Frowning as she moved past the dead, the woman hadn't even noticed the tick of experienced points compiling from the killing of spiders.
"GGrrrannnghhh!"
The bellow sounded closer this time, causing Bisca to halt once more as she peered in the presumed direction. "South? Damn, I can't even see the sun through the canopy. I could be walking in any direction at this point…wherever the hell I am" Walking through the vast undergrowth for another twenty minutes, the female ignored her growling stomach as her hunger made itself more and more apparent.
Water gurgled among a small stream, the liquid flowing over several piles of rocks that lay exposed from a minor hill to her immediate north. Pristine and clear, Bisca helped herself to refilling her canteen and slaking more of her thirst, the water refreshing.
Numerous birds suddenly broke cover further south, the hundreds of avians startled by something that crashed through the jungle before unleashing another bellow…then another with a slightly lower pitch.
"Two of them? Or more?" Climbing the small incline of the hill, Bisca reached the top, then promptly lay prone next to the gurgling creek while fronds of large leaves hung above, proving a position of cover. Using the scope of her longshot to peer into the dense foliage, all she could see was green and numerous colors of vegetation. "Whatever is out there…it's probably going to try and hunt me"
At least she didn't see anymore of those damn spiders.
"HIIISSSSSssss"
The sinister sound came from directly behind, prompting Bisca to immediately roll over into the streaming brook. Laying on her back as the water flowed around her, a deadly sharpened point stabbed down, barely missing her head as it skewered the soft soil.
"What the fuck!" Pulling her Boltok revolver, the hero struggled to focus as the jungle seemed to come alive around her. Firing, the crack of the gunshot rang and winged…something. Spewing greenish blood, the creature screamed with torment as the natural camouflage failed.
It was a mantis. A giant, seven foot tall praying mantis that angrily pulled its skewering claw from the soil as more vile blood spewed in an arc. "More fucking bugs" Snarling her hatred at the beast, Bisca fired two more times into the thorax, the heavy rounds boring through the carapace and insect flesh. Green erupted from the wounds as the creature gave another horrible howl, the vile concoction arcing across Bisca's face, neck and upper armor in a warm splatter. Falling a moment later, the mantis died in a collapse, pinning Bisca in the low stream as more of the monsters appeared from the jungle. Mandibles clacking as their large, insectile eyes focused on the lone human, four of them approached with a rapid skittering of their legs.
"Fuck…FUCK!" Firing the last three rounds of her revolver, the booming report and stinking cordite filled Bisca's nostrils as she blew off the head of the second mantis. But that still left three, and she was pinned under a corpse.
"Ge…get off me!" Pushing the insect corpse halfway off her form, Bisca rolled out of the way in a half tumble, only to fall down the small waterfall as one sliced the air with its razor sharp blades. "Gah!" Losing her breath from the impact, Bisca pushed herself up in the squelching mud along the banks of the stream. Looking at the three towering beasts still at the top of the hillock, two hissed…then jumped, landing mere feet from the female hero.
Not having time to reload her sidearm, the emerald haired survivor took up her lancer once more and fired into the closest beast, the stream of bullets cutting it in half horizontally. Falling with a slop of flesh and innards, the gunmage simple pivoted her footing. "Fucking bugs!" Shattering three of the supporting limbs of the next mantis, it fell in a howl of torment. Performing a rapid headshot, she turned in that moment to see the final mantis land, the beast immediately swiping at her head. Ducking low as the air sang, Bisca revved up her lancer, the blades spinning with a howl. Plunging it into the exposed thorax, green blood and gore spewed across her front armor while bits of flesh impacted her chin. "Ugh! So nasty!" Cutting through the monster in a very gruesome manner that spilt innards and ichor, Bisca turned as more hisses came from the nearby jungle. Coming alive from the trees and multiple spectrum of greens and vibrant colors, the giant praying mantis's were clearly in the mood to hunt.
Wiping a few flecks from her lips, Bisca's gaze was a glower of hate and violence, the woman counting nearly a dozen of the vile beasts that were moving closer and closer. "Yeah…I think I'm going to eat some of you. But first, I need some fire" Allowing herself a small smile, the gun mage summoned her magical scorcher, the pulsing weapon flaring with beautiful greens and emerald flares.
'HIIIIIISSSSsssss'
The monsters charged with a simple desire to kill, but they were already doomed as the magical flamethrower erupted with green, heated fire. Washing over the vile creatures, the green tinted magical fire ate flesh and fronds, the flames consuming monsters and jungle alike. Burning with screams as their limbs cooked and flailed, the praying mantis colony died under a terrible attack.
"Yeah…fucking burn…" Eyes reflecting the fire, Bisca waved the magical construct back and forth, the stream of flame ensuring none survived as the stink of cooked meat wafted upward. Cutting off the magic, Bisca's stomach rumbled as her hunger screamed for nourishment. Inhaling deeply, the woman walked to the nearest creature among the floating embers of ash and fire. Grabbing the seared limb, Bisca pulled it free with a sickening crack. Taking a bite after the flesh cooled, the female found it delicious.
"Like lobster legs. Damn, that is good" sitting on a nearby rock as the jungle burned, Bisca ate greedily, her teeth tearing mantis flesh. "Too bad Mira's not here, I bet she would find some good sauce or something" Thinking of friends and family didn't help though, especially when it suddenly started to rain once more. Looking up, Bisca still couldn't see much of the sky past the canopy of leaves, but water did fall.
"Tropical environment. At least it will douse the fire" Speaking to herself, she took another bite of mantis limb to sate her hunger.
For several minutes, Bisca got to eat her cooked meal in peace, the falling water not a bother to her as it washed away some of the horrid gore from her armor and exposed skin. But like a typical island storm, it lasted barely ten minutes before ending, leaving the jungle and corpses smoldering with dampness.
"RRRAAARRRGHHH!"
The monstrous howl came from her south, the sound a reverberating nightmare that caused several birds to flutter away.
Hunger and thirst sated, the hero began to reload her weapons and used magazines, her bullet regenerating pouch worth more than all the diamonds in the world…at least in Bisca's opinion.
"Rroowwwrrr!"
"Hmph. Something different judging from the tone and pitch" Frankly, she wasn't going to seek out each hidden beast or creature here, only deal with the crap that tried to kill her or prevent her from reuniting with the others. "They're capable to fend for themselves…wait. What if they didn't get shipwrecked?" It was an obvious thought that had eluded her earlier, possibly due to her ravenous hunger. "I fought the Kraken, but the ship was still sailing in that terrible storm. The Blue Pearl could have made it through…which means…shit. It means they might not even be here, but still enroute to Jarrow, thinking I'm dead" A very sobering thought, Bisca slowly stood from her rock seat, the unfairness of life throwing another curve ball her way.
"This island could be uninhabited. Or controlled by pirates…or even uncharted" Taking off her hat for a moment, she ran a hand through her dirty and sea drenched hair that reeked of salt as her mind compartmentalized the newest difficulty. "Fucking Kraken…fucking pirates…just…fucking monsters"
Another roar erupted from the south, the foliage of the jungle hiding whatever beast bellowed the sound.
Kicking one of the dead mantis beasts, the body cavity collapsed from the burning it endured, the innards smoldering as Bisca resumed her trek through the jungle, the hero determined to either find civilization, or a way off this island.
Several hours later…near dusk
Bisca had found a very large lake nestled deep within the jungle. A third of a mile long and half a mile wide, it was a body that fed most of the waterways of this island. Fed by numerous small rivers and streams that flowed from the hills and steeper land formations, the vastly important body of water then fed over a waterfall of cliffs to flow into a larger river that cut through the jungle. Surrounded by gnarled trees with dangling vines and branches, the lake was vastly alive as Bisca moved along the bank of a small river, its gurgling flow swift.
Sunlight was falling as the hero moved to the cliffs edge, the nearby waterfall no doubt a beautiful sight from the bottom. The sky was a dull crimson red and growing darker by the minute as she looked into the jungle, its cries of wildlife a constant reminder of how alone she had been. Squinting her eyes toward the southern horizon, Bisca could have sworn she saw a flicker of light, but with the emerging stars and falling darkness, she assumed a trick of the eyes due to exhaustion. Plus, the jungle was thick with foliage.
"Probably just a forest fire or some shit. Doubt there's anybody here" After all, Bisca hadn't seen a single soul.
Something rose from the foliage at the bottom of the waterfall past the banks, the stone overgrown with ancient ruins.
More roars of beasts came from the surrounding vegetation, monstrous and deadly as Bisca slowly rose, the dried gore from several more fights and killings marking a patchwork of horror and battle throughout the day. "Shelter. Or the remnants of one. So, are there humans here? Or some other race? Could've died out judging from the state of that structure" Looking for a way down, Bisca cursed as she moved to some very thick vines that dangled over the cliff, leading to the bottom. "Well, better than jumping" Grunting with exertion, the woman started her decent as misting water cascaded upward.
Crashing noise came from the rear as several galloping monstrous dire hogs emerged from the undergrowth. Weighing several hundred pounds with razor sharp tusks and four eyes that glinted red, the beasts slowed as Bisca disappeared over the edge.
Reaching the embankment minutes later, night had fully settled with the stars fully emerging in a tapestry of beautiful darkness. Allowing herself a small grin of satisfaction as the feral hogs looked down upon her from the cliff's edge, the monsters grunted with annoyance as their nostrils flared.
"You're lucky I didn't make you dinner" Turning away, Bisca's boots sank in the rotted and dank soil, the gloom of darkness getting thicker and more ominous as she moved forward. Vines ran vertically across the darkened path, thick as limbs while glowing bulbs started to open in a flare of bioluminescent light. "Would be pretty if things were so shitty now" Revving up her lancer rifle once more, Bisca cut into the closest vines, the roaring teeth interrupting the chirping of insects and nocturnal wildlife.
Moving past into a vegetative tunnel, more of the glowing bulbs cast jumping shadows as a wall of stone emerged on her right. Crumbling with obvious age and ruin, fallen stone-works littered the path as Bisca pushed past more of the hanging vines.
Several other abandoned buildings emerged in the gloom, the forgotten homes and structures enshrouded in vines, trees and habitats.
"An old village. Wonder who lived here?" It was a minor mystery that Bisca would never solve. The ruins were years old, probably centuries judging by the rampant overgrowth. Stepping over several large vines that dragged across the jungle floor and the presumed central road of the old village, she then ducked below a collapsed archway as the ruins of an old temple emerged before her.
There was no roof, obviously as several openings in the jungle canopy allowed stars to shine above. Numerous trees had grown directly through the stone floor of the temple, the growth pushing piles upward over the years. Walking slowly over fallen stone and vast undergrowth, more of the bioluminescent flowers glowed along the walls in a serene blue, trailing toward the fallen ruins of the rear wall past an overgrown statue of the goddess of light.
"Some goddess" Scoffing at the sight of the ancient work of craftsmanship, Bisca slowly panned her gaze toward the broken wall behind the statue, the crossing vines of glowing flowers still casting a soft light that seemed to make the hardships of the day fade away. Numerous windows still were open, the stain glass long gone as tendrils of plant life rose upward among the gaps. About to sit down at the base of the statue after a long and grueling day, a crash of noise came from behind the church along with a terrible roar.
"RRRRRAAAARGGHHHHH!"
"Fucking dammit! I can't catch a break today!" Moving to the rear of the church, Bisca crouched low behind the wall of fallen stone and glowing flowers. Peering into the overgrown village shrouded in darkness and the occasionally bioluminescent light, she waited as something slowly stalked into view, its form blending with the low light and foliage of the deep jungle.
The form rippled on twelve legs, the blue bulbs of flowers reflecting green pieces of a carapace shell. Working its way forward, the monster's front portion rose upward like a centipede near a few buildings and crumbling walls, to fall under a single shaft of moonlight.
The head was shaped like a snake, the colorations presumed green or emerald, but with tufts of silver hair behind the reddish eyes. Opening its mouth, the monster had four jaws that opened like a diamond, each covered with razor sharp teeth and curved fangs. Rolling outward in a hiss, the tongue wavered and sliced the night, its flicking tip like a knife. Starting to move forward as its nostrils flared, the abomination skittered over several piles of stone and low walls of ruined homes, the legs a flurry of insectile movement.
"A monster…nothing but another monster" Setting her rifle against her shoulder, Bisca took a deep breath as the beast scurried closer…with another emerging from the jungle…then another…and another.
"Shit! Firing a full magazine of bullets at the closest beast, the rounds cracked and snapped across to blow through the 'neck' of the Snakapede, spewing a sickening ichor across the jungle floor while chunks of gore were blown away.
'RRRRAAARRGHHHH!'
Four more of the howls came from Bisca's East, meaning she was being flanked by the jungle horrors. "Fuck! Fucking dammit!" Swiftly placing her lancer upon the back plate of her armor, the gun mage knew magic would need to be used as she rapidly formed a glowing Mulcher in her gloved hands, the weapon casting amber light as she gave a light snarl.
Insidious clicking and hissing came from the Snakapedes, four of them opening their mouths in a horrible manner to show their teeth while knifelike tongues flicked closer. Barely ten yards away as they rapidly flowed over the land among skittering feet and limbs, Bisca pushed magic into the weapon.
Stabbing green light flowed from the aperture moments later, a beautiful staccato that ripped into the night and the encroaching Snakapedes. "DIE! JUST ALL OF YOU FUCKING DIE!" Howling in rage and fury, the flashes of green illuminated Bisca's features as the first few monsters were slaughtered. Cutting two in half as their sickly innards spilt across the jungle floor and ruined road, the third shrieked as magical rounds ripped a third of the limbs away, causing it to topple with a crash barely a foot away. Opening its four jawed mouth, the snake head snapped toward Bisca, barely missing the woman's face as she sneered and rapidly pulled her Boltok. Firing point blank into the monster's maw, gore spewed, only to explode as she fired a second time.
More of the Snakapedes came from the darkened jungle, their forms highlighted by the flashes of magical gunfire that ripped and cut through the dank air. More died, the slaughter of monsters a cacophony of hell.
A crash of tumbling stone and destruction came from the Eastern wall, drawing the woman's attention as more of the beasts started to scuttle and crawl through the fresh opening of the collapsing temple wall.
"RRRRAAAGGH!"
Gritting her teeth in a pinched snarl, Bisca moved, her weapon now changing to the form of a Scorcher. "Nothing is ever easy…now burn" Laced with hate and climbing rage, the gunmage unleashed a horrid stream of glowing, green magical energy that washed over the first Snakapede that climbed through the fallen wall.
Shriek's of pain erupted from the vile monster as the magical heat ate at flesh, rapidly moving under the armor plates while the inner juices boiled and cooked. Smoldering as its body became engulfed in green light, the atrocity collapsed only for three more to move through the wall opening.
"Just like the fucking locust horde…they keep coming" Pushing more energy into the weapon, the stream of green fire washed over the next group, engulfing them in horror and screams of stinking flesh and popping ichor. Walking backward toward the ruined entrance, Bisca waved the arching fire toward the rear wall, causing more of the vile Snakapedes to be consumed by rage as the fire spread upward along the walls.
Ducking under the collapsed archway once more, Bisca snapped her eyes backward as the jungle teemed with the encroaching creatures, the monsters clearly wanting to kill the lone woman.
'HIIIIISSSSSSSSS!" One drew close, the long neck snapping forward as the jaws opened to tear flesh. Bisca rolled out of the way, her magical weapon dispelled as she reached for her lancer once more. Kneeling as the monster's long neck slithered her way, the snake head snapped once more in a closing of sharp teeth.
Shooting point blank, the disgusting head exploded in a strewn paste of gore, teeth, and bone. "Come on! Come on you fuckers!" Running over the twitching corpse, Bisca laid down the rest of her magazine, the bullets stitching into the center masses of two more before she turned and sprinted down an overgrown side road of the village. Reloading on the run, Bisca barely slapped the fresh magazine into her rifle as another Snakapede emerged from the ruins of a dilapidated home. "DIE!" Teeth screamed as the woman slid beneath the belly of the beast, the chainsaw ripping with a horrid scream. Horrible gore and blood rained down among a tumble of entrails upon the hero, soaking her as she rolled onto her belly and fired at the next beast coming from the church ruins now engulfed in green flames.
"Dammit! Is this their nest or something!?" Spitting out some of the blood and gore that got in her mouth, the vile taste was a horror she wouldn't forget. Brass tinkled and flew as she fired, killing the next monster as more came from the ruins of the fallen village. Climbing to her feet, the magical mulcher came into play once more, the weapon flaring deep green as shafts of light bore through the deep darkness of the night. Monsters fell and died, the brutality of combat howling through the jungle as Bisca fought and fought...the woman unwilling nor incapable of giving up as the howls of monstrous rage carried on the wind.
The next day…
A dozen men and women marched through the jungle, the pathway from the nearest plantation narrow and suffocating from the dense foliage. Mostly low level guards and a few adventures equipped with short swords, the party was joined by a woman with radiant red hair that poked out from beneath a tripoint hat of dark black. A ruffled white shirt allowed a small bit of cleavage to be seen, her bosom ample and full. Wearing a crimson jacket that was left open, her thin waist held twin flintlock pistols on a brown belt, along with a sharpened cutlass. The boots were black with brass buckles, matching the dark pants that hugged her slender legs and shapely rear. Along her right neck was a triangle tattoo, the dark ink declaring her status as a former pirate queen. The tattoo only added to her beauty.
Of course, that was years ago as she had abandoned that life for something more peaceful for herself and her daughter…whom was tucked safely at home with a trusted friend and employee
"Miss Kassa, what's the point of leading us deep into the darkest depths of the jungle toward the old ruins? There's nothing out here except violent monsters, disease and death"
Kassa Fend pursed her full lips, her gaze tacking sideways to the lowly guard as she pushed several fronds and vines from her path. "Because some of the outlaying plantations and farms saw magical blasts being used throughout the entire night. Whatever the cause, it bears investigation"
Another adventurer cut through the undergrowth, the demi-human a female with feline characteristics and radiant blonde hair. Holding a wizard staff in one hand and a short, sharpened blade in the other, the wizard wasn't foolish enough to leave herself unguarded for close quarters work. Wearing a light green cloak over her slender form, the demi-human groused with a swing of her blade to cut a path through the jungle. Furrowed with worry, she cut more vines with a grunt of effort as leaves and fronds fell to the damp earth. "I'm more worried about the Snakapedes. It takes three or four people to take one of those horrors down" Gulping, the female looked around as several treetop animals hooted and cried. "We're getting very close to their territory"
"Hopefully they're sleeping right now…nocturnal beasts" Warily looking forward, Kassa kept moving with her cutlass at the ready while the group enclosed on the old village by the river.
The scent of blood, gore and ash soon filtered to the search party, the soldiers and former pirate pushing past one final wall of green vines, large fronds and other foliage to emerge at the southern edge of the village.
Burns and charred trees decorated the fallen ruins as several small fires of greenish flames still lingered.
But the worst was the smell. The vile odor of charred flesh, spilt innards and rotting meats rising from countless Snakapedes that littered the old road. Some were cut in half, others burned or punctured with strange wounds while some even appeared to be sawed through, their intestines splayed out in a picture of horror.
"By the goddess…" Suddenly hurling, the young solider vomited from the charred stink of flesh, the breakfast spilling past his lips into a pile of ichor at his feet.
"Miss Kassa? What…what could have done this?" Eyes wide, the wizard gulped at the scene of slaughter.
Pulling one of her flintlocks from its holster, Kassa Fend kept a tight grip on the single shot firearm and her cutlass while droplets of sweat started to fall from her crimson bangs. "Keep alert and stay in sight. Whatever did this…" The sentence went unfinished, the implications not lost upon the group. Stepping over a dead Snakapede, the creature was missing most of its head, the cranium burst with flecks of broken bone and flesh. Her boots squelched some innards and more charred flesh, the sensation a sickening prospect as half the party entered the old temple of light, the structure bearing new damage.
"More in here!" A man shouted from inside as they continued to investigate.
Kassa flanked the temple with the demi-human wizard and a few swordsmen, the drifting ash and stinking gore growing stronger in the rising heat of the day.
"Ugh…the smell…" A man uttered as flies buzzed and insects crawled over the fallen beasts.
Kassa Fend ignored him as it was pointless to scold him on the obvious. Following the death and destruction among the ruins, more ash floated on the air, mixing with the heavy scent of copper voided bowels. "There has to be at least two dozen of the things around us, maybe more" the redhead observed in an awed whisper as more sweat dripped from her bangs. Walking around another Snakapede that had been literally ripped in half along the length, she avoided the spilt innards as the bodies seemed to be everywhere.
"This has to be a new monster, right? Like, some sort of S-class creature?" Another swordsman asked with a gulp, his grip on the hilt of his sword producing stress as his steps crushed a few shattered insect legs.
Kassa had no idea. Only that something had killed these horrors that had held the center of the island for nearly eighty years. In fact every year, somebody was killed by the beasts. Be it arrogant adventurers seeking glory or just some fool searching for lost treasure…or just an unfortunate soul that traveled too deep into the jungle.
"Look. That house" Pointing, the blonde cat woman indicated the dwelling as the bodies of Snakapede's grew so thick that the overgrown road couldn't even been seen. Piled up nearly three deep near the old windows and half collapsed doorway, the creatures had been ripped, torn or burnt. Crouching down near one, Kassa frowned as she studied the numerous puncture wounds in the long neck of the snake. "Gunshot wounds? But that's impossible. It takes time to reload even once. Powder and shot may wound one of these abominations, but then you'd be overrun and torn to pieces" It really made no sense to her as flintlock firearms were the most advanced form of weapon she had ever seen.
"Perhaps magic? It looks like fire was used on some of these monsters" The blonde demi-human offered in opinion as she looked around at the thicker piles of monsters…then the gaping darkness of the house.
"Possible. But do you know of any mage that could fend off even five of these abominations?" Standing up, Kassa Fend continued her thoughts out loud. "A high end battle mage perhaps? But here on Selva Dura? That would make no sense. Plus, they would've arrived through the port" Moving forward toward the half collapsed doorway of the old home, Kassa felt her stomach flip from fear, but she pushed it down as the former pirate kept her flintlock pointed in front of her.
More of the Snakapede's had made it inside the dwelling, their bodies shot, carved and broken in all manner of horrific ways. Wafting stenches of blood and ichor rose while vile coagulated remnants splattered the stone walls.
Entering immediately behind Kassa Fend, the wizard lifted her staff, illuminating the interior while three swordsmen moved to protect the duo. Pulsing, soft light filled the dwelling showing the true horrors of gristle, spilt intestines, charred flesh and ruined masses of bodies that seemed to collect to a single source at the back of the house.
A woman. A lone woman wearing a strange, heavy armor that gave a soft glow of blue along the vertical flanks. Slumped against the wall with her legs splayed out and half buried under the body of a Snakapede, the woman appeared dead. Splatters of gore covered most of her armor and exposed skin while visible gouges had been scratched into the armor, some hidden by other sprays of blood and chunks of ichor. The dirty hat upon her head was dingy and worn while an arc of blood had sprayed across the upper portion. Green, emerald hair hung down, filthy and dirty.
"A human? A lone human did this?" Moving quickly as the group advanced, Kassa knelt next to the fallen female, idly noticing the very strange rifle partially hidden underneath the nearest Snakapede.
"Impossible. A single human couldn't fight one of these beasts, let alone all these!" Waving his arm wide, one of the men was in disbelief at the notion.
"Do you have a better explanation!?" Shouting at the man, Kassa saw no evidence to the contrary as all signs pointed to this lone, blood covered woman taking on the population of Snakapedes that had infected the island center.
Slowly extending her hand towards the woman's exposed neck, Kassa Fend pressed her fingers against the flesh and quickly realized the truth. "She's still alive…she's still alive! Quick, we must return to the plantation and treat her wounds!" Shouting with surprised disbelief, Kassa stepped back as two younger adventurers moved to carry the female.
Grunting as they moved the pinning monster, the men did as commanded by the former pirate queen and very wealthy land owner. Watching the rifle slip form her lap, Kassa retrieved the weapon from the armored woman, her curiosity piqued by its strange appearance.
Leaving the site of death and charred ash, blood and rotting flesh, the party took the lone survivor with them, eager to leave the jungle and its teeming life.
March 13th, 502 A.E. Selva Dura, Fend Sugar Plantation
Rain fell upon the fields of sugar cane, the downpour a common occurrence for the island as light winds rippled across the land. Surrounded by several other plantations that grew cotton, coffee and tropical fruits, the outlaying communities kept a wary eye on the nearby jungle with several patrolling soldiers and guards walking among the stone roads that cut between the properties.
Towering three stories tall with a light yellow tone and deep red roof tiles, the Fend Plantation sat near the main river of the island, its churning waters moving toward the city of Selva Dura and the eventual ocean.
Numerous pillars of stone gave assistance to the angled roof of the mansions front, the white work simple in their design as windows of glass kept out the storm of rain.
Inside, numerous staff went about their duties as maids kept the home clean and tidy while a few cooks prepared a meal for Miss Kassa and her daughter. Decorated rooms, parlors and a long dining room occupied the first floor, along with an armory and treasury that held the assembled wealth and weapons Kassa Fend had acquired through years of plunder, trade, and luck.
Of course, owning half the docks of the port helped to ensure she would live very comfortably for her entire life, same with her daughter.
A central staircase led to the second floor and the numerous bedrooms held up there, including a certain one at the end of the hall. Beyond the closed door, a lone woman was laying beneath some white linens, her body cleaned and washed by several maids upon her arrival. In the corner, her cleaned gear and armor sat on a table, all cleaned and scrubbed despite the old blemishes, scars and other abrasions that decorated the heavy set of armor.
Rain pattered the window nearby, the noise a soft drum as the bedroom door opened slowly with barely a sound. Sneaking in, a short figure approached the bed, curiosity getting the better of Hayle Fend. Approaching the side as her lighter hair of auburn flowed down her back, the six year old looked with awe as the woman started to stir and groan.
Giggling with laughter, Hayle turned and ran as Bisca sat up with a start, her bare bosom exposed as her clothes had been filthy with grime, sweat and who knows what else.
"Locust!" Eliciting the word with terror while fresh sweat poured from her forehead, the hero looked around frantically as the nightmares slowly faded.
"Mommy! She's awake! She's awake!" Sprinting from the room with a scamper, the child was gone as Bisca looked on in slight confusion and bewilderment at her peaceful and rather clean surroundings.
"What…what the hell? A kid? Where the hell am I?" Placing a hand to her temple, Bisa breathed deeply as recent memories flared, the woman trying to compartmentalize the past few days. "Right…the Kraken…this island and new monsters. I…I fought them"
The brutal battle throughout the night replayed like a movie in her mind's eye, but it didn't matter as Bisca heard fast footfalls. Flinging off the covers in her fully nude glory and heavy heave of her large bosom, she made her way to the table, finding her weapons gone.
"Shit!" Forming a magical copy of her Boltok, Bisca turned on her heel just as the door reopened with a crimson haired female taking up the doorway, the woman flanked by several men and the tiny child.
Keeping the green tinted weapon raised despite her full nudity and pulsating light that fell upon her toned body and full breasts, Bisca watched the redhead who slowly placed herself between Bisca and the young girl, the unknown raising her own flintlock pistol that was constructed with a wooden handle and dull metals.
"Stay behind me, Hayle" Voice stern and filled with the strength of motherhood protection, she didn't move a muscle, the flintlock pointing directly at Bisca.
"A child? Here? Hostility is doubtful with children around" Slowly lowering the firearm, Bisca kept it at her side, the movement drawing a perceptible relief from the group at the door. Staring at the presumed leader of the group, Bisca was slowly dissipating her magic as embers of green started to flow upward past her toned abdominals and breathtaking nudity.
Not that she cared as a few of the guards stared too long at her nude form.
"Where the hell am I?"
Island of Des Reyna, the same time
Noise of workers enveloped the port and city of Des Reyna, the surging masses doing their best to repair and revitalize the damage caused by the Maelstrom that had torn through the region. Pounding hammers struck nails, sawing of wood and shouts of materials being lifted and hoisted rang across the yard, the repair men knowing their craft as several ships drew their attention. Sails were being hoisted on other ship's, the craft having escaped the more destructive elements.
Celeste Brightwood, Vera Twinblade and Dia Stormclaw had talked with Captain Jakk Sparr the day before, the flamboyant man informing them that repairs to the Blue Pearl would take at least a month. Also, true to a man of the sea, no returns of money would be had as all passengers had accepted the risks of oceanic travel. Some of the other passengers would decide to wait, but the three adventurers wouldn't.
So, they found passage upon the Stingray, its destination fortunately the city of Jarrow just like the Blue Pearl. Larger for more passengers and cargo, the craft would be carrying sugar, rum and cloth, not that the women cared too much.
Boarding the larger ship, the trio rapidly descended to their room, not bothering to interact with the other civilians as the crew made the ship ready to leave the port.
Sitting down on one of the narrow cots in the room while a few magical lamps cast a dull yellow light upon the cabin walls, Celeste braced her arms upon her knees, her armor seemingly lost it's sheen. Depressed and in dour straights, the holy knight sighed as the failure of her mission still raced through her mind.
The last few days had been hard. Hard enough that she had actually drank herself into a stupor that very first night.
"Try to cheer up, Celeste. Traveling with Bisca has made each of us pretty effective against monsters and demons. We could still help in the war against the demons once we reach the holy city of Lanis" Dia stated, the demi-woman leaning her magical staff against the wall.
"Yeah…but losing one of the summoned heroes will destroy morale of the people and church, especially with how effective Bisca was in combat" Breathing deeply once more, the knight just laid down on the cot, staring at the ceiling. "I will miss her efficiency and ease of vanquishing evil" Turning over to face the wall, the mood grew darker as the ship rocked gently.
"Dammit, this sucks" Taking a seat on one of the other cots, Vera didn't even feel like drinking or…anything really. Losing her friend hurt. It hurt so much and there was nothing she could do about it except to try and carry on the quest to help defeat the demon army.
Not engaging in conversation, the three women sat in the depressive atmosphere as the Stingray slowly left the dock, moving into the bay as the island of Des Reyna fell behind them…along with the death of Bisca the hero.
It would be a long month for the surviving members of the Emerald Rangers.
If only they knew that Bisca was only one island over, alive and intact.
Alright! I think that's a good place to leave the story! The group has been split up, Bisca's stranded on another island and the others are moving on toward the holy continent!
Sorry for taking so long, work and life as always! I'll be working on Watching the Multiverse next, then Rising once more!
TheHappy
