First Light, page 34
The group pressed forward for what seemed like another hour. Not that this shaft was so much longer than the rest to increase travel time by that much. Rather, it was the fact that everyone was being exceptionally cautious. Since the rest of the mine was empty, it meant that the monsters had to be in this one. It also meant that the creatures were preparing for an attack and had huddled their forces in one place.
This was not typically the tactic that Rock Goblins would use, which concerned Rune greatly. The only reason he could think that they would combine strength for a single attack was because they were protecting something. A monster with something to protect was much more dangerous depending on how important it was.
Soon, the frontal assault group broke into a large open room that was several hundred feet in diameter. There was no light in the room other than that which came off the small lanterns the group carried on their hips. They had found a few undamaged in one of the earlier shafts and started using them. They were much safer than torches.
Chittering, clicking, and grunts reached their ears from the opposite side of the dark space. Lantern light reflected off dozens of eyes in the darkness.
Rune stowed his normal sword and reached for his altered one instead. He had been planning on conserving energy by using his normal sword without enhancement, but with the number of eyes they saw gathered, it was no longer an option. The atmosphere was dense with the tension between First Light and the Rock Goblins, but no one made moves until two more people approached from behind.
Tayven and Ven closed the twenty-foot gap they had left between their two groups. Tayven winced once he saw glowing eyes in the darkness. Teryn stepped behind the group, near Ven. Her job as a middle guard was to act as a stop-gap for anything that tried to get to their archer. She shoved her hand into a small satchel on her side, then pulled out a metal rod with a copper-like hue to it. It was a Volari invention known as an Aura Lamp and when the ambient Aura in the air was fed into it; it glowed as bright as a dozen torches. Of course, this feeding required someone to actively direct Aura into it, thus occupying one of Teryn’s hands and some of her concentration.
When the light rod’s illumination reached its apex, the Rock Goblins made their move. Ten of the largest ones charged them. Each creature stood nearly six feet tall. Their limbs were spindly yet surprisingly strong, and they had bulging pot-bellies. Brick, Tayven, and Rune rushed forward to meet them. Ven stepped to Teryn’s side and switched to her bow, now that she had ample room in the large space to maneuver the weapon. She provided covering fire for the boys from the back.
Three of the initial ten fell quickly to Ven’s arrows, but the other seven continued their attack. Makeshift clubs created by sticking sharp rocks into thick branches were clutched in the clawed fingers of each creature. Brick smashed his fists together, creating a quick flash of purple light where they met. He had silently enhanced his fists and arms to increase his melee power. A second later, a similar light appeared beneath his feet as he momentarily enhanced his legs to propel himself at two of the monsters.
Brick’s trajectory would have taken him between the two. However, just before he blew past them, he reached out his arms. The creature’s faces were enveloped by his massive hands before he slammed them into the rocky floor. Blood pooled beneath their now cracked and shattered skulls. A third tried to catch him unawares, but before reaching the massive brawler, it found an arrow blooming from its neck.
Tayven took two while Rune took another two. They separated a little from Brick, but Tayven was still within a second’s reach of his friend. Rune had carted his two opponents a few dozen feet away so his Area Disruption did not affect his friends. While he had learned to control and turn off his Area Drain ability thanks to his inherent knowledge of a standard Drain, he had yet to master the disruption one. As it stood, Area Disruption remained constantly active. Thankfully, unless it was actively countering Aura abilities or manipulation, it did not actually use any of his reserves.
Rune’s Area Drain also had two forms. If he silently activated the skill, he would constantly drain small amounts of Aura from creatures around him he perceived as enemies. However, if he spoke the skill aloud, it would activate only momentarily and drain Aura from every living thing around him for a few feet regardless if it was friend, foe, or neither. Not that it could kill anyone, but it certainly hurt.
Area Drain activated, increasing the amount of information Rune took in from the environment. His senses heightened and body felt more responsive. While in this state, the Aura he drained from his opponents would gradually weaken them and strengthen himself. He had thought that adrenaline caused his sharpened senses and increased strength in his past fights, but it was this ability that fed on his enemy’s strength.
Two Rock Goblins chased after him at first, but after six of their number fell in short order, additional fighters stepped forward. Now Brick was surrounded by five new enemies, while Tayven had gained an additional three. Thankfully, Tayven seemed to have already killed the first two.
Rune was surrounded by five as well, but the increased numbers did not scare him. In fact, more opponents worked in his favor. More monsters. More power. An unfamiliar, dark thought flashed through him. Rune activated his alderite sword with a sly smile. Something in him had clicked into place after coming back home. He had accepted himself for who he was and he had friends and family who did the same. The sounds of the rocky floor crunching beneath every step, the gibbering grunts of the goblins, and the sounds of his allies fighting nearby… For the first time in a while, he was feeling excited.
The closest two finally caught up to him. He deftly dodged a swing from one’s club and redirected the second one’s attack into his comrade with a deft flourish of his sword and a sickening crunch. A garbled scream accompanied a flash of red and white as the impact ripped into the monster’s collarbone.
Rune took advantage of the confusion to perform an upward slash at the back of the injured goblin. He carried the momentum into a small spin, turning around and smashing his buckler into the side of the second goblin’s face. Neither were dead, but they were momentarily stunned, with one permanently disabled. The other three charged and surrounded the tricky invader. With their modicum of intelligence, they understood that numbers usually equaled advantage.
Rune’s smile widened. He leaped behind the goblin and smacked it with his shield. Once he landed, he kicked the stunned goblin in the back and sent him flying towards his friends, breaking their charging momentum. The young man took advantage of the additional confusion to finish the bleeding goblin by removing his head with a quick swing.
Gods, I forget how amazing my father is at making these things, he mused as the blade cut through the goblin's tough hide like a hot knife through butter.
Now only a group of four, the remaining creatures gathered their senses before charging yet again. Rune dashed back to get a bit of distance. When he did so, he caught in his peripheral vision what the monsters were trying to protect, and it was the worst possible option. In the middle of the room, surrounded by three more monsters, was a group of ten much smaller monsters.
“Everyone!” Rune shouted quickly. “They grouped up to protect their young! Ven…” before Rune could finish speaking, the raven-haired girl had already caught sight of what Rune had called out. She released several arrows right as she heard her name.
The shouting of her name made a few shots miss, but at least three of the young goblins were struck dead by the barrage. As a result, the goblins that had seen the incident cried out in a pained rage. Their screams momentarily distracted the twelve fighters facing off against the boys. Brick released a painful grunt as a club glanced off his shoulder.
“Shit…” Ven shouted. “Might as well go all in now!” She unleashed a second barrage, releasing arrow after arrow, not really caring how much she missed. In less than a minute, the remaining young who cowered in the middle had perished. She cursed herself, now aware that Rune had meant to warn her not to target them.
With renewed vigor, the attacking goblins rushed at their targets once more. The three guardians of the young, now with nothing to protect, raged and joined the battle. One went after Rune, bringing his opponents back up to five, while two ran toward Ven and Teryn. Tayven was struggling with his three-on-one fight, barely keeping them from overwhelming him. Brick was also slowing down after reducing his number back down to only three. With them all distracted, no one blocked the two charging Teryn and Ven.
Rune had to quickly make a dangerous decision. He could not help either Brick or Tayven. Teryn and Ven should have been able to handle one each, but he was barely keeping the attention of the five facing him. If any broke off, the closest would be the girls, and since Ven was the one responsible for the death of their young, it was highly likely they would go straight to her, anyway.
Fuck it. I’ll have to use it… Just have to be careful, Rune thought before shouting, “Teryn, if you see any signs, do it.”
He could not see if Teryn understood his request, but a moment later, the skeletal handprint on his neck changed from its off-color tone to jet black. Rune flexed his left hand and met the goblin charge. He planted his hand firmly on the front of the leader’s skull. “Drain.”
Black scars stretched along the monster’s skin, emanating from where his palm was planted. It howled in pain, giving the other four a momentary pause. The scars grew in size quickly becoming deep crevices in its skin before its body crumbled into a black dust. Power coursed through Rune’s body. The world became clearer. His friends’ and enemies’ movements slowed to a crawl. Faster than they could recover, he wrapped his fingers around the neck of another goblin. After the second monster crumbled to dust, he panted, not from exhaustion, but from an odd hunger. Strangely, the darkness of the room faded away as his world took on a shifting series of colors, all different hues of hues of purples, from nearly white to almost black. The river from his dreams flashed through his mind.
Is this the world as a Volari sees it? Rune pondered as he carelessly severed the head of a third goblin. A desire to continue using Drain itched in the back of his head. It hungered. It wanted more. Death for strength. Rune gritted his teeth as he repressed the urge to devour. Within seconds, he dispatched the fourth and fifth goblins, finding them suddenly as dangerous as children. Ven and Teryn had to enter the melee with the enraged monsters that had made it to them, but Rune’s priority was to help the rapidly overwhelmed Brick and Tayven.
“Enhance: Rush!” A wave of light burst from beneath his feet, followed by a cloud of cracked stone and dust. With a single step, he seemed to materialize on the other side of the room with his sword dripping with blood. Brick’s jaw threatened to hit the floor as two of the goblins before him lost their heads. Before the skill ended, Rune moved to help Tayven. Unfortunately, Rune had only enhanced his lower body, so the force of the impact turned his arms to jelly and he lost the ability to grip his sword.
The weapon clattered to the ground mid-rush, so Rune improvised and placed his shield in front of him. He bashed directly into two of the goblins facing Tayven. The speed of the attack turned the first one into paste, while the second one was flung in one piece into the wall of the mine. All four limbs and its neck were bent at unnatural angles.
The webbing on Rune’s neck, chest, and back vanished, but the skeletal handprint remained. More importantly, the shield bash dislocated his shoulder. Still unused to using these abilities, he was unable to reinforce his upper body once again, even if all he needed was enough to manage the recoil.
With the numbers evened out, the rest of First Light handily finished the creatures. Teryn rushed to collect Rune’s sword and then seemed to teleport to his side to check on his condition. Brick and Ven did the same while Tayven stood back awkwardly.
“Um. Thanks for that. I guess I still need to figure out how to balance my Aura skills so I can last longer in a fight,” the blue-haired one said shyly.
Rune yelped when Teryn reset his shoulder, and then comforted Tayven. “You were trained as a knight. I know you are excited about using your Aura abilities. Just remember that your training also gave you skills just as, if not more, useful as those given to you by your class. Balance is key, my friend.”
“Ha,” Ven scoffed. “Good advice, but might I give you some? Try not to overwork yourself. I know you’re just as excited as him to use your own powers…”
He winced at his own word pointed back at him. She seemed upset about the risk he took. It was only fair. Rune ended up slightly injured. Ven also gestured to her neck. It seemed they all saw his gift from the Wraith showing up more noticeably. Teryn nodded in agreement with an angry expression, though behind it was one of genuine concern.
“You are right, Ven,” Rune said with a wince at rotating his shoulder once Teryn finally let go. “I just saw that a member of my party was in danger, so I moved before I could think. Say… anyone have any ideas about how I explain this thing to my mom?”
Everyone laughed at his expense. Having known Rune’s mother for only a short time, they could not claim to know her well, but they all easily realized that the woman babied her son. Ven patted Rune’s good shoulder solemnly before shaking her head, confirming that he was indeed on his own.
“Great…”
Chapter Thirty-Three
Erich
Erich Nefera stood in the center of a large, circular room surrounded by men in luxurious chairs. Directly behind him was the entrance he had been escorted through. Before him sat a red-headed man with a flowing cloak and a golden crown. King Leonidas looked down at the man with some form of pity in his eyes. Standing slightly in front of the king was a rotund man that Erich immediately recognized to be Archpriest Henner.
Erich had originally entered the room with his own guards, but they had been escorted away by the king’s knights. Another came up and placed iron shackles around Erich’s wrists and feet. They rattled as he turned slightly to observe the faces of the hundreds of nobles in the room. Only a handful were landed and possessed any sort of economic power, but as members of the northern nobility, even those who were unlanded still held great political influence by regularly attending the king’s court.
Erich thought about the fact that he might have been one of their lot if he actually cared to attend the court’s daily proceedings, or even if he simply sent an attendant in his stead. After he glanced about, he realized he knew several of the faces quite well. Many of them were knightly families who resided in the areas around his own city. Several others had frequented his home and dined with his family. Of course, none of the participants of this court were from the southern territories.
Those who lie with snakes should expect to be bitten one day, I suppose. I was aware of this, though, he mused.
“Lord Erich Nefera, son of Lady Jaleah Nefera and Lord Ferond Nefera. You find yourself before the great King Leonidas Faradin, first of his name. Greet his majesty,” a high-pitched voice called out. It came from a weasel-looking man who was the personal attendant to the king.
“Your Highness, King Leonidas Faradin, I, Lord Erich Nefera of the city of Nefera, greet you. May the gods provide health and prosperity to your family,” Erich responded with a bow accented once more by the chains around his wrist. Several nobles stifled laughter at seeing a powerful man such as him bound helplessly.
“You stand here charged with the crimes of Treason and Incitation of Rebellion Against the Crown. What say you regarding this charge, Lord Erich Nefera?”
Sneers broke out across the room. Despite not being told the reason for his summons to the capital, he had figured that this would be the outcome. Erich scoffed. “I would like to say, these allegations are slanderous lies meant to do nothing but placate the assholes who wish to see me kneel before the headsman. But since I can’t say that, I’ll instead say: I deny these charges laid against me.”
A thunderous roar echoed throughout the chamber as the nobility screamed at Erich’s words.
“Traitorous coward!”
“A mongrel not fit to beg before His Majesty!”
“Die a dog’s death, you heathen!”
The angry cries did little else other than bring a small smile to Erich’s face. While he could not do what he would like to have done, like physically slap the pompous bastards that surrounded him, he could verbally irritate them. The king’s attendant put both his hands in the air, demanding silence, but none of the crowd listened to his whiny pleas. Moments later, Henner stepped forward and put a single hand in the air, at which the entire crowd calmed almost immediately.
“Calm, my children and fellows. The God of Honor demands we protect the weak. Lord Nefera is a strong warrior, but while bound in chains, he has all the power of a child.” While Henner’s words had started out gentle, by the time he finished his speech, they dripped with the venom that suited a viper.
Erich glared at the priest before looking at the king. “I deny these charges,” he repeated.
Leonidas showed a pained expression, masked by a forced smile. It was clear he did not wish to hold this farcical trial; however, he lacked the power to prevent it.
No, he does not lack the power. He lacks the spine. Once more, he bows to the whims of those around him. Of course, Erich thought as he declined to return the smile, leaving a frown on Leonidas’ face. The attendant cleared his throat before continuing with the trial.
“It is noted that the accused denied these charges. The court will now question the accused on the evidence that has been brought before it. Lord Erich Nefera, you are to answer questions with a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ unless otherwise asked. Lord Henner, if you will?”
The priest stepped forward with a smirk on his face that screamed his confidence. Erich instantly knew who to blame for this and silently thanked the gods for the foresight he had in protecting his sons.
