Darkborn, p.13
Darkborn, page 13
part #1 of The Unbinding Series
I grab the green flask. By my reasoning, this will either be poison, or acid. I think back to my wild flight through the forest, to the crash of glass against tree, to the burning sensation taking over my world for the few seconds before Rip finally put out the devouring burn. I uncork the bottle and reach out as far as I can. As I pour the solution onto the hard shell of the queen, it begins to smoke and bubble. A solid DOT, but more importantly, it weakens her armour. She doesn’t even seem to notice at first. I make her notice as I plunge my sword into her body. In pain, she rises up again, taking me with her this time. I hold on for dear life, and manage to get purchase on her back. Maneuvering myself so I’m straddling her, the position gives me the luxury of two free arms and a view of the room. Slowly, inexorably, the flames are coming closer. The goop seems to be a pretty good material for burning, but the little nymphs who are unable to move fast enough make for little firecrackers as they get caught up in the flames. With one arm, I open my last bottle of acid and carefully cover her back with the corrosive liquid. At this point, she’s thrashing around, trying to throw me off with all her might. She might have succeeded as well, if she wasn’t attached to the egg sack. I break her weakened carapace with my club, burying it deep in her gloopy insides. Withdrawing that, I begin stabbing her with my gladius, over and over. A few deep strikes later, and a small geyser erupts from her back, and she slumps over, defeated.
I stumble off her and limp towards the exit. My leg is mostly healed after the potion, but the debuff is going to be with me for a little while longer. I can hear pops and squeals from behind me, dangerously close. I don’t take the time to look behind me, clamoring up the passage as fast as I can. Air is rushing towards me as I ascend the tunnel, feeding the growing inferno I left behind, slowly dooming the entire nest. By the time I’m halfway up, my leg is recovered enough for me to stand on. The roughly carved corridor gets dark fast as I get further away from the queens room, and soon I’m in the black void again.
“Well done, child of darkness. You fought with deception, with speed and with effectiveness. And when you fell, when you were damaged, you found your way out of your predicament.”
I look around, but the darkness hides everything.
“Who are you? What do you want?”
The voice is deep and dark and sweet, making me relax and tense up at the same time.
“I’m your one ally in this world. I saw what that pesky spider did to you, and I’m appalled at the audacity. I’ll keep you safe from his prying eyes, no charge. You deserve better than that kind of treatment. But be aware that others are coming, and they will not be as friendly as I am. Watch out for the Basilisk and Ashlad especially.”
I switch to my planar sense, searching around for the one speaking, but all I see is a swirl of darkness standing out from the contours of the cave I’m in.
“I’ll find you again later, Shae DoomFlinger, when you need me.”
The swirl of darkness dissipates, and I’m left standing in the rough passage again, all alone. I shake off the chill I’m feeling and scramble towards the surface at top speed. With my enhanced senses I’m much more sure footed, reaching the surface in good time. I emerge from a hidden pit a short way away from the burrow, near the butchering ground. There’s smoke coming out of the central stack, clearly not doing well from my little adventure inside. I take a moment to rest before I start back towards the village. The sun is still up, but it’s a long way to go, and I don’t want to be out too long past darkfall. Not with the voice out there looking out for me.
Ability increased: Focus
Ability increased: Strength
Ability increased: Luck
Skill increased: Short Blades
Skill increased: Move Silently
Skill increased: Stealth
Skill increased: Sneak Attack
Skill increased: Marksmanship
Skill increased: Athletics
The notifications letting me know about advancements was delayed until I had a free moment to deal with them. Seems like the system was intelligent enough to know when I didn’t want to be distracted. It kept evolving, responding to my thoughts and desires, becoming more streamlined. I couldn’t help but wonder at what the various abilities and skills actually did, I mean, I don’t feel much more focused than before, and that’s at what, six now? I decide to do some research the next time I got some downtime. I’d have to do it through the ingame interface though, as I didn’t want to be captured by Spider again.
Chapter 11 - Draining
Back in reality, I never found an interest in walking. I just saw it as a boring method of getting from one place to another. Beyond that it always felt like such a waste of time. Just trundling along, left foot, right foot. Landmarks passing by at a snail’s pace, new landmarks arriving over the horizon. Then you arrive, do what you need to, and often have to repeat the process on the way back. Down below, I felt differently. All the colours were so much sharper. The meadow was brilliant emerald in the slowly fading golden sunlight. The animals around were so lifelike, even the ones with no natural analogue. Especially those. My body was different too. Besides the ‘being dead’ part. Stretching, reaching, holding, running, jumping. The real world never felt as.. well.. real as this. On a whim I decide to take a small detour, slipping from fast run to low sneaking gait as tall grass covers my approach towards a small family of rabbits frolicking in the afternoon peace. Closer and closer, my excitement grows, carrying me along. My heart would be beating now, if I had one. So close, right in front of me were the three smallest rabbits with two larger ones doing a poor job of keeping an eye out for interlopers. As my shadowed form approaches the little family I boggle at the way my skill has increased in such a short amount of time. I draw my blade as silently as a panther unsheathes it’s claws, my body tensing in preparation of the lunge. In a moment, it was over. I spring forward, thrusting the wicked blade of darkness into the largest of the bunnies, piercing it lengthwise. The other rabbits scatter as I lift my sword towards the sky, the dying screams like a salve on my tired psyche. Releasing a stuttered breath I wasn’t even aware I was holding, I lower the poor creature and end it’s misery with a quick twist of its neck.
Afterwards, I spend a few minutes at a nearby watering hole to wash off the worst mess. Gloopy slime mixed with soot. Gore from the queen, innards from the fieldrunners, blood from the bunny I just slew. When I’m clean, I realise I’m feeling relaxed. Unexpectedly so. All around me there’s a sense of wariness, like the animals in the vicinity giving me a wide berth. The new predator on the plains, where no new beasts had been seen since the valley was locked away. Grinning, I run on.
I make it to the village shortly before sundown. The peaceful settlement seems to have prepared for the night by lighting lanterns, heating up fireplaces, and sending all their children out at the same time. A dozen little furballs are running around. As they spot me, they shout in excitement, flocking around me as I slow down to avoid trampling them.
“Wow, are you the new herb lady?”
“Where’d you get that cool bow?”
“Ew, there’s blood dripping from your belt!”
“Oh my gosh, is that a dead rabbit?”
I’m swarmed by tiny little creatures, which is fine at first. Then they start touching me.
“Where’d you find these?”
A kid is pulling at my belt pouch containing coins.
“Why is this so filthy?”
I can feel my cloak constrict around my neck as one of the little imps pull on it. My vision starts to go red, but I push it down. Hurting these kids isn’t on the table. Can I blind them? Nah, can’t permanently hurt them. Stab them a little? Better to blind them. Still no. Acid? Look, if I’m gonna talk to myself, at least give me some good ideas. My ideas are good.. Your ideas stink..
I grin and activate my ability. There’s a noticeable shift in the mood around me almost immediately. First the closest kids start to wrinkle their noses. When the ones further away start, the closest ones begin waving their hands around, trying to remove the smell. The cloud of ill will is almost visible by the time the last one has run away. I cackle with glee. I finally got to use my racial special ability. I spend some time near the river to freshen up a little. Removing all my clothes, I give them a rinse with the soap I’d gotten from Huntex, finally getting out some of the most stubborn stains. As I walk back to Loes place, nearly naked, I get a lot of stares. I’m guessing they haven’t actually seen a furless person before. Especially not one in my state of decomposition walking around.
As I reach Loes place, I find it empty. I’m happy about that, in a way. Company wasn’t really what I wanted right now. I hang my catch over the bind in the kitchen, sneak off to my room and lay down to rest a bit, taking the opportunity to check out my abilities in more detail.
Agility 1
Agility measures your ability to move your avatar in the world below. A high agility helps with moving, attacking, dodging and falling amongst other things.
Curiosity 1
Curiosity affects your ability to notice things in your environment. It can also affect the way others regard you.
Endurance 7
Endurance affects your avatars health and fitness. A high endurance gives you more hitpoints and aids your fatigue regeneration.
Focus 6
Focus allows you to concentrate on your actions, letting you perform actions and maintain abilities through physical discomfort.
Luck 3
Luck is an esoteric ability that may affect anything, everything and nothing you experience. Generally considered a good thing.
Strength 3
Strength is the sheer physical power you can bring to bear against an obstacle. Also affects carry capacity and hitpoints.
Okay, that’s about the level of vagueness I’ve come to expect in this place. I close my eyes and let the darkness of sleep take me away from the general feeling of exhaustion. What feels like seconds later, I open my eyes. The sounds and smells of cooking are emanating from the door, and I assume Loe is back home. I put on my now reasonably clean clothes and join him.
“Morning stinky one.”
I’m greeted by his jovial voice.
“Did you have a good nap?”
“What do you mean, ‘stinky one’?”
I sit down at the table, and he serves up a plate of fried rabbit and potatoes.
“You’re the talk of the town today. All the village kids came running home as one, complaining of the smelly dead creature who came back at dusk. A few of them pretty ripe themselves.”
His shit-eating grin is appropriate.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was a perfect lady.”
I sample the dish he brought out as I try to hide my own grin.
“And if you don’t believe me, I dare you to pull my finger.”
He laughs as I extend my middle finger, and we eat together, sharing stories of the previous day.
“I’m getting worried, Shae”
He reaches for another plate after handing me one for drying.
“The new passages between the outside world and this valley have been peaceful so far, but there aren’t any animals there. I’d expect a few wandering wolves or big cats looking at the new territory. Maybe even a monster or two, but there isn’t even a squirrel. We’ve sent a patrol to see what’s out there. Maybe it’s just a coincidence.”
I place the dry plate into a cupboard and receive the next one.
“I’m sure it’s nothing. I mean, how would anyone even know about this place so soon. We shouldn’t expect the first scouts for at least another couple of weeks, and by then I’ll have finished the crown. Look at this.”
I put down the rags and pull the heart from my backpack. It’s perfectly cut, a royal gem of unrivalled clarity. Loe draws a sharp breath and almost fails to restrain himself, holding his hands tightly at his sides.
“It’s beautiful. I’ll never understand how you managed to kill the fieldrunner queen all alone, when this is what she was guarding. I’d never let you escape with it..”
I put it back in my backpack and smack him gently upside the head.
“It’s not as if I gave her a choice. Haven’t you noticed how awesome I am?”
I strut around a bit more before I excuse myself and run outside. It’s early morning in Wekeville. I notice some children walking around who see me, pinch their noses and run away. I smile in delight over my newfound reputation as I find my way to the elders barn. I avoid antagonising the guard this time, letting them open the doors instead of barging in as before. When I reach the pool, I greet them politely, presenting the gem.
“Well done Shae. The first hurdle of your quest has been conquered, and a small reward is in order.”
The old woman’s voice seems happy enough as she instructs me to dump the gem into the pool. In its place I get a small pile of silver which I scoop into my coin bag.
“I have a question, if you would indulge me. I had an encounter on my way out of the fieldrunner hive that I don’t understand. A voice in the darkness congratulated me and wanted to protect me from Spider. He also warned me about something called Ashlad and Basilisk. Do these names mean anything to you?”
The pool starts bubbling as I finish speaking, and soon the hoarse voice is back.
“You bring with you names of great power and dire danger, Shae of the undead. Basilisk is an avatar of Evil, an old and powerful force in this world. Ashlad is one of Chaos, much younger, less powerful, but still an avatar. They will not fight directly, but may send their champions to execute their will. As for the voice you heard, there are many possibilities, from an avatar of Darkness to an avatar that employs lies. I would be careful, considering the danger any such entity can pose.”
I thank them for their advice, and leave the room.
Your quest Clean up your Shtuuuu*Error* has been updated.
You have completed the task: Obtain the heart of a fieldrunner.
On my way out of the village, I stop by Hakat. I really need more equipment. Presenting my fresh silver, I obtain a few torches, a length of rope, a potion of mana and a flask of what I now know is acid. He grins all through the transaction, and at the end he throws in a bar of soap, free of charge. I blush, partly from embarrassment and partly from anger, as I leave his store.
Perot is the first person I talk to who doesn’t reference my little stinky spell. She welcomes me and we exchange pleasantries while I do more chores for her. When I finish, we sit down for some tea.
“Mother Perot, I was wondering what you could tell me about the swamps..”
She gazes into the distance as I sip from my mug.
“The swamps are a shitty place. It’s only redeeming quality is that it makes the surrounding area look nicer by comparison.”
“Oh.. Uhm.. I was wondering more like.. What will I find there? And how do I recover bog iron?”
A few more seconds of gazing passes.
“Mud. Sludge. Insects. There are some useful herbs there, but not so useful that I’d bother going there. The iron, however, can be made into powerful weapons against fay creatures. Much like the the dryads I’m told you’ll be hunting soon.”
“That’s why I decided to tackle this quest now. As long as I don’t have to fight some sort of ancient guardian of the swamps, it can’t possibly be harder than the queen.”
She smiles at me, knowingly.
“Child, you should never challenge fate like that. She likes to make examples of those who feel they have the right. I wouldn’t worry about any large monsters there though. There might be lizards, but as long as you stay out of the waters and keep your wits about you, you’ll be fine. The only other creatures that might enjoy it are the magical sort, and the iron keeps them at bay.”
Sounds nearly too good to be true. I sip the tea thoughtfully before I continue.
“What exactly does the bog iron do to magical creatures?”
“The cold iron in the bogs came from a place beyond our skies. It’s exposure to alien elements have left traces in it that interferes with the flow of magic. If a magical creature ingests it, or is attacked by it, the consequences can be terrible”
She gives me a comforting smile.
“But if you take proper care and avoid drinking the water there, you should be fine.”
I sigh deeply and finish my tea.
Before I leave, she instructs me in how to find the iron, what sights to look for and wishes me luck. We hug, and I take off towards the west.
I’m starting to enjoy the solitude of the plains now. No kids to touch me, no noobs to invade my personal space. Only me and the wildlife, which seems to have learnt that the undead are to be avoided, on penalty of death. I make it to the swamps slightly before noon, and I realise Perot was not kidding, this place is miserable. The trees were all dark green and rotting browns. The ground all soft and squishy. Sounds of things slithering, flying, croaking and splashing everywhere. I really wish I didn’t fit in so well here. At least I’m not being eaten by mosquitoes. Not so hungry for dead flesh I guess. I spend some time climbing the trees here, searching for a place there might be iron. She told me to look for a depression in the ground, a place there might have been an impact once upon a time. As I’m busily looking around, I fail to notice a large hole in the ground, splashing right into the chilling dark waters below.
