Chapter 255: Spirt Warriors

[Loyal Spirits - 47]

The turnout from my little inspiring speech isn't great. Only around thirty men and women chose to aid my war, it's not great but its workable. So long as there aren't any deserters.

But there are bound to be. Forming an army from the first pool of Spirits was an unreasonable expectation to have, of course people also wouldn't want to spend their afterlife fighting in some war and getting hurt for some cause. People have never been that generous with trust, so it's better I focus my attention on moulding the best fighters and loyal followers.

That's why we're back out in the Forest.

"Hyaaaa!" 

Practically invincible, two dozen Spirits launch themselves into battle with a variety of monsters. The rowdy cries of battle calling more and more beasts into what would be a feast for them. 

Only it's the opposite.

A battle with the monsters of the Forest was an idea I had, out of the kindness of my heart I wanted to offer my recruited Spirit Warriors a chance to gain experience and prepare for the bigger fights. But for whatever reason the bulk of my Warriors are fueled with a blind rage that makes better use of their invulnerability.

I can't help my grin, even as I command dozens of [Death Grip] tendrils out to incoming foes, casting [Undead Servant] on the troublesome ones and draining the weak ones of their blood and bone.

It's already a slaughter with several of my servants and Shaco dispatching foes at speed. I step forward, not wanting to waste the present opportunity and speak, a large Werebear locked in my sights, "Animate Shadow."

The spell activates on the very first syllable, tugging on the edges of my mana and splitting them, tearing a thin divide through it until I sense a cascading change throughout. The spell reaches out as it has my mana falling on itself, morphing into something far more malevolent than I've ever had, twisting from the green of fear and mischief to a sick obsidian of terror.

The spell latches onto my target within seconds, allowing the Werebear to take two more steps before its shadow springs to life, a spectre of darkness breathing necrosis and clawing away at flesh.

Swallowing heavy breaths I marvel at the spells handiwork, within seconds of activation the Werebear's skin is shredded and melting away to expose the bone beneath. 

However, from the strain I've just experienced, I can sense the risks of casting the spell without proficiency with the type of mana required to cast it. I can't imagine what would happen if I lost control. That along with the steep mana cost to casting it are enough to deter me using it further.

'At least I know what it's capable of.'

The surroundings are cleared of any other daring monsters without my notice and Eldwin popping up behind me catches me off guard. Hand on my chest I groan, "What is it, Eldwin?"

"We formed a perimeter around you and caught someone trying to get through, he defended against our attack with ease and is demanding to have an audience with you."

Behind Eldwin is a very unhappy Jungle, spear in hand and ready to stab.

"Right, let him through."

Eldwin hops to it and within a moment Jungle is fuming in front of me, "When?" he growls.

Rolling my eyes I look around, the air filled with Spirit Warriors, hovering and keeping watch for any monsters. Eldwin, a blacksmith and a former commander has done well for his first day as their Captain.

"We can head out now if you want." I offer.

I catch a glimpse of his eyes widening through the slits of his mask, "You mean you've been waiti-"

"No, you've simply caught me at the right time, be grateful and stop grumbling, I've raised forty-seven extra fighters, fighters just like Anselm."

"With the ice and skill with an axe?"

"Well, that part not so much, but focus on the fact that we have the numbers now and let's get moving. Or don't you want to kill tha-"

He's storming off before I can finish. A smile warps my face and I follow after him. With any luck a force this large should end the quest for this Beast Mother. 

Catching up to him I slap on a charming smile, "What's next for you after we kill this Beast Mother?"

He grunts, hefting himself over a fallen tree in our path while I simply have [Death Grip] tendrils carry me over, "I return to the Lord who cast me, with the Beast that started all of this."

"You still want to work for that guy? I mean, I bet you could sell the carcass of this Beast Mother for some great coin, you could become a Lord yourself."

'Of course, this is assuming I find no better use for the carcass myself.'

He shakes his head, "Not all of us have a desire to rule, and many that do are terrible Lords. Greed and lust for power does not inspire great leadership."

Again I roll my eyes, "Fine, but why back to him? If you want to serve someone shouldn't you serve the Lord that isn't as you just described? Greedy and Lustful?"

Bellows of laughter erupt from him, "And you would suggest yourself as the Lord who isn't like that? You think me foolish and gullible because I have lived in this Forest for years, but I have ears and I have eyes. I know you are at war, I know it's an offensive one too.

"Your foul magic reeks of your desperation, what other reason than greed would someone practice these kinds of magic?" He'd spit if he didn't have a mask on.

A pregnant pause falls while I reflect on his offensive call out, clearing my throat I respond, "You're right, I am greedy and I am lusting after power. It's all I want really but more importantly it's what I need to survive this world. Is it so wrong to do what's needed?"

He keeps trudging along, the shrubs slowly replaced by thin, wet swamp grasses.

"Just like you have to kill this Beast Mother I-"

"Don't compare yourself with me, we are nothing alike." He growls and I nod.

'Fine, guess I can't recruit everyone.'

We walk the rest of the way in a cold silence until we come upon the top entrance to the deep, hidden layers beneath our feet. The 'well' as I previously dubbed it is nothing more than a gaping hole in the ground, hidden within are the wet, cavernous layers filled with monsters. Slippery monsters that I've prepared an army for.

"Where's Anselm?" Jungle rumbles, his indignation yet to abade.

'Ugh, can't wait to be rid of him.'

"Anselm's decided to stay back a bit, he's running a tantrum about how I use my powers."

"So even the dead man sees your disgusting lust for the vain."

"You're not one to talk, the prestige and approval of that Lord you're running back to is just as vain. And just so you know, my war will come to his doorsteps. I hope he takes you back, if only so you're there to watch me turn him into a walking corpse."

Now it's his turn to pause and contemplate, behind the slits of the mask his eyes fix on me and my grin grows, "Do you need Anselm to hold your hand?"

Rather than answer he fixes me with a glare a moment longer before stepping off the edge of the hole with no help from my Spirit Warriors.

"Sir?" Eldwin starts and I nod.

He gives the orders and in an instant dozens of my Warriors dive into the 'well' ready to take on their next enemy. I follow after them and meet Jungle lounging by the entrance to the first level at the bottom and closest to the water. The water in question steams and there's much of it splashed across the walls and even on the ground of the first level. 

"Have a fun landing did you?" I chide, hung in the air by my tendrils.

"Enough of your banter, let's get this over with."

"Awfully confident for the weakest person here." His head snaps to me and he growls, "Oh I'm sorry, you're a level above Shaco."

"I could end you notwithstanding. Test me further and I may give it further thought."

Narrowing my eyes at him I lower myself, "You didn't ask for Anselm because you're concerned about our fighting strength did you?"

He shifts at the accusation, stutters and storms off into the level, the walls lit up by precious crystals, product I intend to harvest.

"Haha, I'm right aren't I?"

He twirls his spear and hisses, dodging long reaching attacks from a large reptilian creature. My Warriors zoom past me to answer the challenge and I hang around Jungle all while he defends against the assault.

"Will you help!"

"As soon as I can."

He spears the creature through its mouth in a fit of rage and roars back at me. In response I merely wag a finger and tut, "Now, now, that's behaviour unbecoming of a Knight, or isn't that what you want to be?"