Book 4: Chapter 23: Friend or Foe?

Book 4: Chapter 23: Friend or Foe?

Frank grumbled as the last pack of the shambling dead was located and destroyed. The beast that was creating them vanished an hour later, its bloated corpse leaving a stain on the landscape. He was grateful that nobody was seriously harmed, but something still bothered him. He knew about these monsters from the outside world. They were something of a sensation the first time one of them attacked a player area. The internet called it a world event, as players came out like an army to put the first ones down. Some speculated the visitors created them on purpose to see if humans would work together. Others assumed it was part of the world's mechanics. Despite that, one thing he did know was they were rare and never came this far south.

He set this thought aside to focus on the uncomfortable new problem. Skullman knew Heather was a chosen using the bonus class to conceal the necromancer. If he wanted to, he could expose her, stripping away the ruse that she was a flower singer. She would have no way to hide from the players who came next, and life would take a very different turn. What Skullman would do with the secret was up in the air. Moon already knew, but she was carefully guarding the secret lest Heather be stolen away. The two rangers also knew and had even made an attempt at Heather that thankfully failed. Still, with the list of people growing, she would find her secret harder to keep. Sooner or later, somebody who knew would come looking, and then they would have real trouble.

He turned to see Heather, Skullman, and Breanne arguing about player motives and their actions in the world. Frank had been in here long enough to know a lot of players agreed with Heather but just as many didn't. Most of the sympathetic players kept their heads down and went on with their lives. Whenever one spoke out, the more aggressive players would gang up on them and make their lives miserable. He had seen it himself where some hero players decried the bad behavior toward the monster ones. They were treated no better than the monster players themselves and driven away. Of course, the other players said nothing. If this was the world you had to live in, then making oneself a pariah was not attractive.

Heather was that rare individual who didn't care. She would stand against them no matter how much trouble it caused. She would stand her ground until the world burned around her, never giving up on her ideas. Was that why she was chosen?

Frank, Quinny called, disturbing him from his thoughts. There aren't any more in the forest,

He looked up and nodded, letting her know he heard. Quinny had retreated to her barrow mound to use the interface and search the woods for stragglers. They were surprised by how many packs were still roving about but one by one until they eliminated them.

These things are like army ants, Quinny added as she walked to his side with Legeis following along.

There are several monsters that swarm like this, he replied.

Yeah, but they don't drag the dead back to their queen to eat and make more, she laughed. On the plus side, I got a ton of experience. I almost leveled twice.

I got a good level and a half out of that, Legeis added.

I got a level too, Frank said and looked back to Heather. I am sure we all did.

Funny, we didn't level in the swamp, Quinny added. We did a lot of fighting.

He thought back to it and realized she was right. Nearly every step of the swamp was a battle, and it only got worse when they reached the caves. The lizard wolf things alone should have leveled them, yet they hadnt managed it. Defeating the monster in the water, then all those golems, the rogue and the wizard, why hadnt they leveled?

Quinny turned to look at the three people arguing in the distance. So another person knows Heathers secret.

We should have kept it and run, Frank said. We are thinking about leaving this place anyway.

Yeah, but it was all talk, Quinny said. We aren't ready to go yet, and I got stuff I want to move.

Heather has a bunch of stuff, Frank said. But I dont like her plan of taking it back through that tunnel.

It would take a heck of a lot longer to go over the roads, Legeis said.

Quinny nodded and began to wipe her sword on the grass to clean the pink ooze.

He's right. It's the shortest way back, she insisted. We can turn a trip that takes days into hours that way.

Frank understood the logistics of it, but there was something off-putting about that place. It felt like a world that didn't exist outside the light of those magic totems. The darkness around them felt alive and more real than the dust beneath their feet. Umtha was afraid of the place, and when Heather suggested moving her village through the tunnel, she said they would walk instead.

You know the tunnel is the best option, Quinny pressed. Besides, were undead, what is there to be afraid of?

What happened to her bone champion? Frank asked. It never leaves her side unless she orders it too, and even then, it sometimes disobeys and comes to her side anyway. It wouldn't just wander off on its own.

Who knows, Quinny said with a shrug. It probably walked too close to the darkness and got swallowed up.

And that doesnt bother you? Frank asked. What happens if it swallows one of us?

She tossed her head and held out the sword to look it over. We respawn.

He wasn't so sure that was true. The bodies of the paladins certainly seemed to indicate it wasn't. Whatever that place was, it felt disconnected from this world, and perhaps the respawn system. For all he knew, dying in that place left you trapped inside it, or worse.

You are worrying about it too much, Quinny said. Heather was meant to use those tunnels, so it must be safe.

Why do you say that?

Because of the letter, she replied. It was hidden so only the dead could see it, and contained the code to open the door. She was obviously meant to know how to open and use it.

Frank hadn't considered that point, but then it made things even more strange. Why did Hathlisora think Heather needed to use the tunnels, and why did it come here? Surely it wasn't a coincidence that the tunnel led right to their homes. It was more proof that there was a game being played, and now it involved them all.

What your suggesting is an endless civil war, Skullman shouted, drawing his attention to the three arguing people.

I am suggesting hero players say something and stop hiding from the truth, Heather argued.

You can't turn half the players on the other half, Skullman sighed. It would lead to endless fighting and chaos in every city. Even if one side or the other won a battle, it would only last until the respawn. Then the fighting would start again. Eventually, they would start destroying homes to try and force a reset to gain an advantage.

Hmm, Heather said with a strange smile. In a way, that's poetic.

How is endless conflict and destruction poetic? Skullman demanded.

Heather leaned on her scythe with a smile. It would force players to realize they cant solve their problems with violence. They would have no peace until they started talking and agreed on a solution.

That's overly optimistic, he countered. Some players will relish the chaos. With no way to enforce lasting repercussions, it will spiral out of control. Then the players who want to enjoy the world will be dragged into an ever-expanding conflict.

So how do you manage to control it now? she asked. Certainly bad apples are killing at random just for the lols.

Skullman sighed, looking away.

Go ahead, tell her how you control it, Breanne insisted, her sharp elvish features able to portray disapproval with alarming clarity.

Skullman didn't look back as he explained how hunting monster players helped unite them. It gave the bad players an outlet for their violence. The better players turned a blind eye to it because it allowed them to play free from harassment.

So you set aside one group of players to be persecuted to sate the blood lust of another, Heather said in disdain.

I didn't do it, Skullman said. When I came in, there was a lot of infighting. Player preyed on one another because it was easy, and players often carried better loot. The new players would adventure in the monster dungeons and come out with the loot only to be killed by other players who would steal it. It was like the wild west for a little while.

But then you found a way to turn that aggression on the monster players, Breanne said in a flat tone. Players began to organize competitions with rewards based on how many monster players they could drag back. Then the monster players were used for gladiator combat until they died and reset.

Skullman looked ashamed as he nodded his head. Again, I had nothing to do with it, but I also did nothing to stop it. I was happy that the towns were united in a single cause, and not deadly war zones.

The monster players became a sacrifice for peace, Breanne said. And of course, players who controlled towns discovered they got massive dumps of experience when monster players were killed inside their borders. Once that little gem was discovered, every town player in the land encouraged its inhabitants to drag monster players back.

I kinda blame the visitors for that, Heather said. They are rewarding bad behavior. I guess I see the logic of it though, you gave the players a target they could unify behind. It's a win-win for the hero players, but what happens when the monster players reset and become heroes or leave?

New monster players come in all the time, Skullman said. Some of them try and fight back, and the heroes stomp them.

So they flee only to be replaced by new ones to suffer the same fate, Heather surmised.

Skullman nodded and looked back, his eyes intense as she spoke. I wish monster players wouldn't reset for being outside their lairs. It would solve so many problems.

Hmm, Heather replied and paced a few steps. I suppose that would, but there are ways to avoid it.

There are? Skullman asked.

Heather nodded and turned in her pacing. I can put a spell on them that allows them to respawn properly even if they die miles from their lair. It only works once, and then I have to recast it, but its very simple.

Wait, you can protect them from being reset? he asked in shock.

I can, Heather said. But only because I am a necromancer, which is outlawed thanks to past events.

Now it was Skullmans turn to pace as he looked lost in thought. Is the necromancer the only class that cast this spell?

Frank listened as Heather explained she wasn't sure. Breanne seemed to think the necromancers were the only ones who could, but she wasn't sure either. Skullman seemed genuinely surprised at this news and suggested she keep that to herself. Frank wasn't sure that was important. Moon seemed to know Heather would be able to revive him. She had that death knight waiting in his lair for just such a contingency. If she knew, then others did as well or at least suspected. That could only mean the information was being carefully guarded, and only as select few knew. If that was the case, then who was Moon that she was one of the few?

Why did you stay here? Skullman asked, drawing Frank from his contemplation.

I am not letting people drive me out, Heather argued. Frank and Quinny will lose too much of their progression if we have to relocate.

They will lose everything if they get reset, and they will be reset for helping you, Skullman pointed out. If this ever gets back to Kevin or his paladins, they will reset every player they find within a mile of this place just to be sure.

Frank could see the anger on Heather's face as she heard this explanation again. He was grateful she wanted him to have his grand graveyard, but the risk was growing. Skullman used himself as an example of just what kind of players were starting to hear the rumors and come south. Sooner or later, somebody with some clout would come looking, and she would regret not having run sooner.

We are thinking about leaving, Heather stated.

Don't think, leave, and don't tell me where you're going. I don't want or need to know, Skullman insisted.

Why? Are you going to tell on us? Heather mocked.

Skullman took a deep breath as agitation showed on his face. He took a step toward her to make sure his next statement hit home. There are classes in this world who can see the truth or detect a lie. There are spells they can use to force you to tell them what they want to know. They can make you think they are your best friend and you will tell them everything. Then when the spell wears off, you will realize what you did. If I knew, and somebody thought to question me, I would tell them everything no matter how I wanted to keep it a secret.

Heather nodded as the point was taken. Frank could see the frown on her face as she accepted the dire threat. He hated to see her beaten back like this, but the point was made. They needed to leave, and the sooner, the better, but that meant passing through that tunnel again.

I think she is upset, Quinny whispered.

She is finally accepting the fact that we cant stay here, Frank replied.

She shouldn't be upset about that. There is plenty of room in the swamp for us, Quinny said. The two side trails don't even pass through the swamp. I could put my forest down one of them, and you could put your graveyard behind it all the way to the cave.

I think Heather is upset that she brought this on us, Frank said. She feels responsible.

Nah, if Heather hadn't been a necromancer, neither Breanne nor I would be here, Quinny countered. She is the only reason we have all this. If anything, she made it possible for us to have these opportunities.

Frank agreed, but he knew Heather was going to see it differently. She hated the idea of causing either of them to lose progress, but in a way, this was better for them. Breanne has unique abilities that only worked in a haunted area or a swamp. If they relocated to the swamps, she would have a considerable region to roam and affect. Quinny could expand into the swamp, building islands covered in dense trees as part of her forest. Even he had options to build islands covered in tombstones connected by wooden plank bridges.

Heather explained the tunnel and how it allowed them to travel from the swamp to here in a matter of hours. His smile faded away as Quinny described the bleak landscape and oppressive drone of the magic poles.

Are you sure its safe? he asked.

Well, nothing attacked us, Heather replied.

Except your bone champion, Quinny added as Finneous raised a brow.

We have no idea what happened to him, Heather said. He just vanished.

Maybe I will walk with the goblins, Finneous replied.

The tunnel is perfectly safe, Heather insisted. You just need to stay inside the light.

Finneous didnt seem convinced as he rubbed at his chin. I guess I could try the tunnel.

Good, Heather replied as a whispering voice came from the trail behind them. They turned to stare into the trees as a shrill voice spoke in her head. She closed her eyes to listen to the voice before throwing them wide in shock. Oh, that cant be good.

What cant be good? Breanne asked.

Webster is still by the tower, she replied.

So?

There was a cracking of tree branches as something moved through the dense foliage.

Umm, what did he say? Quinny asked.

He said my Bone Champion was back, and he looks injured.

Oh, Breanne said in alarm as another cracking noise was heard.

This is the one that vanished in the tunnel? Finneous asked.

Unfortunately, yes, Breanne replied.

Heather gripped her scythe tightly as a green light appeared in the distance.

Is that him? Frank asked as he felt the stress rising.

It has to be, Heather whispered as the light drew closer.

A shape appeared in the road, burning with green light as stood motionless as if watching them. It remained there for a long moment before staggering forward. It fell to its knees and struggled back up before continuing.

Umm, it's still friendly, right? Quinny asked.

Dont bet on it, Breanne said as she faded into her ghostly form.

Stop where you are! Heather shouted as the skeleton drew closer.

The bone champion came to a halt for a few seconds and then toppled over, falling to hands and knees as it started to crawl. Heather dropped her scythe and ran to it as Frank cried out for her to wait. He ran after her as she knelt beside the skeleton, who reached out a hand as if for help.

What in the world happened to you! Heather cried to see its armor was torn and shredded. The helm was gone, and part of the upper skull was broken away.

Heeeelp, it hissed as Frank arrived at her side. He looked over the battered minion and saw something moving around in its chest.

Get away from it, he shouted in alarm and jerked her back.

Frank! Heather yelled as he hauled her back. He needs a heal!

There is something wrong with him, Frank urged. Look inside his chest.

The skeleton continued to reach for her as she dared to look closer. She jumped back when she saw the movement and looked around in confusion.

What is that? she asked.

Some kind of parasite, Frank replied. If you touch it, you might be affected.

I cant leave him suffering like this, she insisted.

Maybe I can help, Breanne said as she hovered over in her Banshee form. She worked a spell, and a hand of black formed before her. She used the ghostly hand to reach into the skeleton's chest, fishing around inside. It's trying to avoid me, she said as she tried to grab it a dozen times.

Heeeelp, the skeleton hissed again, causing Heather to twist in concern.

Hurry, she insisted. I cant stand to see him like this.

Breanne focused and finally managed to grab hold of the thing. She jerked it back, producing a howl of pain from the skeleton as a long worm came out of the green flames.

What is that? Quinny asked.

Some kind of worm, Frank replied as he dared to step closer.

Whatever it is, we need to destroy it, Breanne urged.

It looks like pure blackness, Heather said. It's as black as your spells. Even as Heather spoke, the hand began to fade as if the thing was consuming it.

Look out! Breanne cried as it fell to the ground and raced for Heather.

A gout of fire burned across the ground catching the horror in its embrace. It thrashed and made a strange wail before fading away into nothingness.

I got it, Legeis said as they started at the flames.

You poor thing, Heather said as she put a hand to the bone champion. She called on her power and began to cast heal after heal, slowly restoring the skeleton.

What do you think that thing was? Quinny asked.

Whatever it was, it absorbed my spell, Breanne said. Heather could be right. That might have been a creature of pure shadow.

Why was it in the skeleton's chest? Frank asked. And how did it get out of that place?

It was some kind of magical parasite, Breanne said. One made of pure shadow like my magic. He must have followed his attraction to Heather and found the mirror portal.

What would have happened if that thing jumped to Heather? Quinny asked

Frank didn't even want to consider it. Maybe a healer could remove it with cure diseases, or curse spells. Worst case scenario, they would have to kill her so she could respawn without it. He was sure Heather wouldn't be happy with that, but then what else could they do?

How could it have used the mirror? Heather asked as she took a moment to examine the skeleton before healing it again. It closed minutes after we came through.

Did it? Breanne asked. I dont recall seeing it close.

Neither to do I, Frank replied. We just took it for granted that it did.

It went back to being cloudy, Heather argued. I assumed that meant it was shut.

Maybe it doesnt shut from the inside, Quinny suggested.

That could be true, Legeis agreed. It might always be open from the inside like a one-way door.

That still doesn't explain where he went, Breanne pointed out as she saw the bone champions armor begin to reform. Careful you don't overextend yourself again. You used a lot of power in that battle.

Heather sighed and stepped back as the bone champion slowly got to its feet. It still looked wounded but managed to stand and then held out a hand to show he was clutching something. As his bony fingers unwrapped, they saw he was holding a simple ring made of blue glass. Heather bent over to look at the ring in wonder as the skeleton held it out to her.

Yoouurs, the skeleton hissed, causing them all to flinch.

Mine? she asked as her hand slowly reached over it. Where did you get this?

Darknessss.

You went into the darkness to get this for me? Heather asked.

Yoouurs, it replied again.

This is a whole new level of creepy, Quinny said as the tension mounted.

Taaake! the skeleton insisted, thrusting the hand before her face.

Heather slowly reached for the ring as she held her breath. Her fingertips touched the metal as she began to glow with a gentle blue light.

Heather, Frank said in alarm as she took it from the bone champions hand.

It feels cold, she said as she turned it over in her fingertips.

Maybe you should research that before putting it on, Breanne suggested as Heather held it up to admire it. With a worried smile, she took it between two fingers and slipped it on.

Oh my! Breanne cried as the air filled with brilliant blue light.