"I'm not following, why should I have it?" I asked, confused at Korbin's wanting to grant me ownership over the first Pylon on our conquest.
"Tom, you're a Beast-Tamer over beasts of the ocean. This is a giant castle sitting on the other side of our nearest body of water. As far as I'm concerned, this place was made for you to set up shop. Maybe even your own faction if you feel up to it?" Korbin explained. Most everything he offered up until that faction part was already selling me.
"I've got a feeling I won't have much of a choice given the whole 'Chosen' thing in terms of creating factions but…I'm not one to turn down a free castle." I said, accepting his offer.
"Excellent, the Pylon orbs beside that terribly placed throne up those stairs. It should be facing the water. I'm going to send some TP to your ring, ONLY spend it on upgrading this Pylon enough to withstand the waves of beasts that are to come. Some of these slaves had their Pylons raided by those brute bastards which, we'll be stopping in at along our journey. A few others wish to stay though, having never won their first Pylon wave in the first place." Korbin informed me, most likely in hopes I don't fuck around with the free TP when there's lives at stake.
"Yeah I got it, only on this Pylons upgrade's, no problem. Also, how many other Pylons are there around here?" I asked excitedly at the thought of more battles, or 'potentially peaceful mergers' if Korbin asked. The few we had around our settlement were for the most part barren or all but abandoned by man.
"From what I've gathered from the locals, quite a lot of them reside in this region alone. There's also apparently some budding new faction a few of the slaves were supposed to join but, these brutes showed up at their meeting spot instead. It's out of the way to go straight there, so we'll stop and rest at the Pylons closest first." Korbin explained in length, speaking as quickly as I assumed his tireless mind moved on a daily basis.
"Got it, I think. I'll just go claim this place and, we'll cross all those bridges when we come to them." I said dismissing Korbin's tactic talk. I'd had my fill of hearing drawn out plans the last few days, and he already gave me my out with the Pylon. Climbing up the stairs, Lonni and Cassi were stood at the Pylon buildings doorframe chatting up a storm directly in my path. It was with a heavy heart I decided to choose myself over Lonni's game this time around.
"Sorry, don't mind me, just squeezing b-"
"Oh Tom! You're back? How did the class evolution go?" Cassi asked excitedly. Lonni didn't seem to even notice much less care I'd averted her attention, making me question if he'd even liked her like that.
"Oh it was, uh…weird. You know that thing with no face we all met before the tournament? When we picked out classes?" I asked them both. Cassi nodded in agreement, however Lonni gave a puzzled look. I debated questioning it, however Cassi leaned in a little closer in anticipation to hear the story.
"Okay? What about him?" She pressed excitedly.
"Well, it was there. It told me all about evolutions and how they worked differently for races than for classes and professions. Shit, it even said we were it's f-" my voice failed before I could finish my words. The air in my lungs abruptly clumped at the back of my throat. The sentence just couldn't escape my mouth, even after taking a deep breath and trying again. It was so strange, it didn't feel like I was being harmed or compelled by anything. I simply couldn't say we're, 'one of its favorite groups so far'. They both watched on as I struggled to get air to escape my windpipe with concerned faces.
"…i-is he choking?" Cassi asked. Lonni quickly started patting my back way too hard.
"N-ah, no I'm n-AH, I'm not choking!" I finally spat out between Lonni's thunderous back pats.
"Oh shit, sorry Tom." Lonni said as I winced stretching my now aching back.
"It's fine, I just can't spit out this last part. No fucking clue why but, it's not important. Anyways, evolutions." I gave my companions the spoilers on evolutions, grades and records, even though they'd have their time to learn once they leveled up a few more times. Jokes on them, now they'll have to make conversation with No-Face, fuckin' suckers.
After giving them both a full summary on what I'd learned, Korbin called to me from the front gate below, giving me a 'hurry up' gesture with his hands. Remembering my first and only assignment here, I headed over to the Pylon atop the Castle without a word to Cassi and Lonni. The shimmering royal throne sat atop 'Red's rather hollow Pylon room was hilariously out of place. This 'Red' guy was not only a total monster, but a total fucking narcissist too. A weird one at that.
Touching my hand on the translucent crystal ball looking gem beside the throne, a deep red hue manifested and expanded from its center before a prompt showed.
Pylon status: unclaimed.
Previous owner status: deceased.
Would you like to claim this Pylon?
Willing for it to be mine, energy shifted from my hand into the glowing ball. The red hue morphed into a bright blue that looked whiter in the center, like a butane flame.
Congratulations! You've claimed this Pylon.
Would you like to personalize? 50 TP
Closing the prompt, I opened the storage in my ring Korbin gave to share TP through, and damn near fell off out of the massive Pylon window the amount he'd casually tossed at me.
10,000 TP
This made up the totality of my rewards for reaching the top 10 in the tournament that he's nonchalantly loaning me for essentially home renovation. A strong urge to buy more gear came over me, before the realization he hadn't even contracted me to do this activity with his money.
That meant he was actually trusting me to do this.
…damn it.
Reopening the Pylon tab, I willed to personalize my new Pylon. Immediately the castle walls emitted the same bluish hue as the Pylon orb, the large wooden door replaced with a much thicker metaled electrified chain link fence than my first Pylon personalization. The next few upgrades didn't hurt so badly, even though this place had clearly being upgraded a few times.
Pylon upgrade: 1,000 TP
Accepting the cost, the castle walls grew even thicker, the four towers longer with an extra floor of rooms and walkways. The staircase ascending to the Pylon room grew stone walls along the sides, and the Pylon Orb now resided within a stone slabbed building. The throne remained however, facing a massive open window to the sea. Peering out the door having heard the screeching of stone manifesting and rubbing against one another, the outer walls' were coated with a blanket of electric mana that hummed around the settlement walls. It's subtle hue glowed over the top of the castle walls as the sun finally set.
Feeling the upgrade-bug worming through my pockets, I quickly placed my hand back onto the Pylon orb.
Pylon Upgrade: 2,500 TP
The settlement erupted as the very hilltop it sat upon began terraforming up, lifting the entire settlement before jutting its growth out towards the sea. The settlement expanded in width massively, with over 10 new empty two story stone buildings bursting from the ground. The culminations of unrecognizable manas were palpable in the air, the warm embrace of my native energies taking agency over whatever system magic was creating these structures.
Our chain link fence gate creaked as the links bent into thick crossing bars, eventually forming into an iron barred gate pulsing with unstable Lightning mana facing the exit. Settlers heads snapped around in frantically, their faces contorting between a mixture of fear and wonder. Korbin simply nodded watching the settlement expand itself with a pleased grin. Heading back to the orb, my options for upgrading had now opened up tremendously, offering defensive measures like turrets and exterior traps, profession books, and work stations for different professions. There were a whole slew of other miscellaneous customization options as well, such as banners and structure styles.
First things first, we needed defenses. Korbin had kickass magma cannons, so my hope was I would as well. Of course, no magma cannons, but instead I was offered things more my affinities speed, such as storm traps.
Storm Traps (4-1,000 TP) - permanent beacons hidden underground that trigger a raging lightning storm, ravaging all foes within a 30 foot radius.
Hell yeah.
After getting 12 Storm Traps for a modest 4,000 TP and placing them all around the castle through the settlement map provided by the prompt, I moved onto some artillery options.
Lightning Cannons (1,000 - 2) - fires a massive lightning surge at any foes within 100 feet. Lightning bolts explode on impact. 4 second cool down per shot.
Perfect, I'll take 4.
Now, with 2450 left of borrowed TP, came the next important purchases; keeping the people employed. By that I of course mean professions, which I knew next to nothing about. Winding my way through the maze of new hallways and corridors, I finally made my way to the courtyard by the entrance, where Korbin still stood admiring the structure.
"Korbin!" I called out, waving him over. He didn't move, instead waiting patiently for me to arrive before taking a single step closer.
"Oh you're already here, what's up Tom?" He asked in a fake surprised voice.
"Ha-ha, listen I've got 2450 TP left and I haven't gotten any professions. Any advice?" I asked, a little nervous explaining my budget situation considering each profession book was at least 1,000 TP.
"Oh, I mean these folk can get those naturally too, I'd say instead get a dock for 2,500 TP instead. It won't be much but, it will help them travel and trade easier. The other stuff can be handled for them later, worst case." He advised insightfully. At first I figured profession books were critical for settlers to have a fast lane to a means of growth, but a means of trade and travel did sound much more valuable. Besides, docks were essential for someone like me who often traveled by sea to return comfortably, and I had more than 50 TP of my own to spare.
"Not a bad idea, I'll be right back." I said turning around.
"Oh don't bother rushing! We're going to settle here for the night, don't want to travel in the dark quite yet. Find the nicest room and claim it while you can, before I do." Korbin said from behind me.
"Got it!" I called, still heading back up the stairs to the Pylon room. The winding ascent to the Pylon room had grown far longer than I'd enjoyed, so I wanted to get it done today to avoid coming back in there. After reaching the Crystal, I opened the prompt and scrolled through the sections of until finding the 'Structures' section.
It took me a few seconds to scroll through the plethora of building options before purchasing docks for my new settlement. The viewing window in front of the throne crumbled into a door frame, the floor shaking violently to the rhythm of Stone developing down into a spiral staircase descending down the cliff face. At the bottom manifested a full dark wooden dock, a whole 70 feet down with multiple exits heading into the mountain itself.
Fuck, picking up traded goods is going to suck ass for them.
Despite my sympathy for the settlers who'd have to lug their traded goods up these states, I felt content enough with my work and quickly found the master bedroom at the corner of the Pylon room. Stripping myself of my armor, I leapt into the massive water and lighting patterned bedspread that was just entirely too on the nose for my taste, and fell fast asleep.
Morning arrived in a blink, making me wonder if I was more physically exhausted than I felt. Korbin's voice echoed throughout the city urging the small army to convene. Making my way to the courtyard, I noticed a couple of now ex-slaves training with our soldiers. They're form looked sloppy for the most part, barring the larger stand out fellow who appeared decently trained with a longsword. Though it shouldn't be a total surprise to see a capable fighter in shitty circumstances, as everyone had their own interests before the integration anyway.
"That's enough for now. If you boys are up to the task, we got fresh armor and sharpened swords waiting for you. It's at your own risk, I must warn you, and a contract must be signed before officially joining our faction's forces." Cassi offered, choosing her words carefully. The even newer recruits nodded in understanding.
"Alright, head over to Korbin and tell him I sent you. No slacking either, we're heading out soon!" Cassi hollered as they departed, who increased their pace from a walk to a jog over to Korbin.
"We decided where we're moving to?" I asked Cassi, hoping for a shorter answer from her than I got from Korbin last night.
"Oh yeah, one of the folks here said there's a decent sized settlement not 8 miles southeast of here through the woods. Also got word of another one deeper northeast through a desert biome but, Korbin decided it's best to work outside in geographically." Cassi explained, at more my speed.
"Ohhh! Why didn't he just say that? It doesn't sound that complicated?" I asked, more myself than Cassi.
"Probably because from what I hear you've always zoned out during any type of tactical dialogue in your vicinity." Cassi retorted casually.
"…so when do we leave?" I asked, not willing to pretend like she's wrong. Studying historically great generals was always more Korbin's speed. I preferred more personal exhibitions of combat prowess, like mixed martial arts.
"Soon. Go wake up your buddy Steve by the way, everyone's afraid to touch him all coiled up over there." She said, pointing to my scaly feathered companion napping unabashedly about 20 feet from the front gate.
"I'll get him, and tell the soldiers he's only scary when threatened, or if you're strong enough to be worth the experience."
"Is that supposed to make them feel better?" She asked sarcastically.
"No, just so they know better." I said with a toothy smile before heading over to wake my dear serpent Steve.
"Stevie! Wakey-wakey killer, it's about time to head out big guy!" I hollered to him mentally. His eyes fluttered open peaking over his scaly coiled body, his head still tucked low.
"Ugh, why did that water lady have to call me out?" He grumbled back.
"I know, it's hard being a badass snake blessed by the gods. Now please, if you would just start stretching or something? Show 'em you're ready when they are." I instructed. He sighed, uncoiling slowly. His head rose high in the air before shaking as he stretched.
After a few terrified gawks at my snake and some brief meditation, it was time to set off for our next target Pykon. There was an awkward pause standing at the front gate before we left. I'd forgotten I was the Pylon leader and therefore had sole automatic control over the electrified gate. My foot was impatiently tapping myself when Korbin snapped his fingers getting my attention.
"…well?" He said. I stared back confused before it finally registered. The electric energy dispersed into the air as the gate rose upward slowly. I gave a sheepish thumbs up and smile back at Korbin, who shook his head in disappointment. Our Druid's along with a few new recruits made our way out into the wilderness, marching southeast for our next target. Another beautiful sunny day to be completely overshadowed by the many slim trees overhead while traversing the uncharted forest.
After a few miles of spotting the occasional giant antlered elk fleeing on sight, soldiers and leaders alike began to grow restless.
"Tom, be honest, do you think anyone here could take the snake?" Cassi asked leaning in, Steve having trailed behind to cover the backside of our little army.
"No. Korbin maybe, but only with information." I said, still surveying the woodlands for any threats in hiding.
"'Information' you say? What kind of information?" Cassi asked, my realization of already oversharing drawing me to return her gaze.
"Nothing. Not information I'm willing to share, at least. It's not mine to tell." I said honestly, hoping to dismiss the topic.
"Aren't you his tamer or whatever? His business is your business now. Come on, I'm not gonna bite." She urged on, poking my shoulder with her elbow. It was annoying, I felt like I had an adopted little sister all of the sudden.
"Cassi, I said no. No means no, lady. Ask him yourself if you want to know so bad." I said, gesturing back toward my winged serpent slithering behind our soldiers.
"I'm not even convinced it talks yet. Part of me wonders if you just speak for it." Cassi teased, her eyebrow raised with a grin.
"Ha-ha, no he speaks j-"
"Tom, we got company back here." Steve mentally called in an urgent tone.
"Come on." I muttered smacking Cassi's arm away and sprinting toward the back. It wasn't much of a run, only 30 or so feet. However, Steve had stopped moving all together, his body in a ready posture with his head reared up remaining completely still. Sliding to a stop beside him, I noticed Steve's eyes were darting sporadically around the woods. However, I saw nothing.
"What is it, I'm seeing anything?" I asked, still searching for the source of his alertness.
"I heard them." He said, his voice soft yet sounding almost angry as his eyes narrowed. Once more, I looked around at the trees and foliage.
"Who?"
"No idea, but there's a reason I hadn't caught the scent of a single living thing within a 40 foot radius of us." He added, his tongue slipping in and out of his mouth as he mentally spoke. A creaking branch in the distance made my head twist over in that direction.
"Okay, you caught them first, what's your plan?" I asked, before twisting around releasing my twinblade sheaths to meet the pattering steps approaching behind. Luckily it was only Cassi jogging over.
"What the fuck Tom, you just ran? I had to get Lonni to take rear watch for your s-" Steve whipped his head around lurching within an foot of Cassi's face and hissed loudly, causing her to flinch hard, stumbling to catch her balance. Steve turned back to face the trees behind.
"That was so dick." I mentally reprimanded Steve, whispering out to Cassi before he could respond.
"Shh, we're being tailed. Tell Korbin to hold up with the rest of the squad, then get back here after." I instructed. She was doing just that when a puff of dirt bursted from the floor below her. Out leapt a man in black robes with a face mask and a hood. He held two daggers, both barreling for Cassi's chest.
Cassi heard the ground rocket up, her water gauntlets manifesting just in time to swipe away both incoming daggers.
"Steve!" I mentally hollered bolting over to assist Cassi. My blades had just separated the hilts when another cloud of dirt puffed up from the ground in front of me. Water stepping diagonally from the dirt raining back to the ground, another hooded warrior lunging blindly through the spray of dirt was missing horribly beside me.
I continued toward Cassi until I was in striking range, where a Lightning Strike was about to blast into the dirt ninja's spine when the earth under my foot shifted back. Ny body flipped horizontally crashing to the ground, the upside-down earth rogue I'd dodged now closing in. Kipping up from the dirt, my elbow rose to parry away the rogue's slashing strike when Steve's tail slammed into his ribs, compressing the bones inwardly from the impact. The rogues body flew off his feet folding backwards around a tree, rag-dolling onto the foliage lifelessly.
Rushing back to assist Cassi, I'd just reentered attacking range when her spinning elbow smashed into her attackers temple. Cassi's hand snatched the rogues nape, throwing him straight down into her leaping knee. The impact let out a stomach curdling crack as the rogue collapsed to the earth. Not seeing a reason to take any risks, my blade quickly stabbed the prone rogue in the throat, earning with no physical reaction other than bleeding profusely.
"He was dead, but thanks." She responded. The sound of clashing metals interrupted my protest. Peering around Cassi's shoulder, our soldiers were now in melee with 8 of the same dirt rogues. We sprinted to meet the new enemies, only for 3 to launch from the earth in a row along our paths. The middle rogue gestured his open palm down towards Cassi's legs. The dirt beneath her foot shifted out from under her.
Cassi stumbled but stayed standing, whereas I'd leapt forward for a lunging strike aimed under the earth moving middle rogues ribcage. He'd raised his arm to help brace his landing from bursting out of the ground, allowing me to stab deep through his side, even his spine severed clean through by my blade. The burst of energy having activated Lightning Strike ripped through his insides wide enough to quickly swipe away an incoming stab from another attacking rogue.
Cassi was in melee with the third rogue in our way, who was surrounded by cloud spiraling soil making it challenging to see him clearly. Steve's scaly body slithered straight past us, hopefully en route assist the squad ahead. My mind was more occupied dodging and deflecting the flourishes of swipes this rogue was unleashing without end, his two short-swords gliding through the air in differing rhythms. Water Stepping to stick to one side of his body kept most of his combination strikes at bay, but his speed was admittedly impressive.
Remembering how fucking around on day 1 ended, Water Stance triggered as I pressed hard on the outside of his blade with my own. My feet shuffled closer to his shoulder, stabbing with my other blade and activating Flow Strike. The rogues second blade lifted to parry but was too late, my blade piercing through his wrist. His weapon ejected from his hand, which he leaned forward to catch only to be met with my shin slamming into to his nose.
The rogues head shot up whipping a trail of blood from his nose, leaving his ribs and neck wide open for two quick stabs. He fell lifeless to the dirt, the ding confirming my kill while sprinting to assist the rest of our unit, chasing after Cassi who'd already finished dealing with the soil bender.
Lonni was just bashing his flail into the chest of the final earth rogue when I'd finally caught up, 12 corpses in total scattering the forest floor. Luckily, none of them were ours.
"EVERYONE!" Korbin yelled stepping in out so everyone could see him.
"Be mindful of your step. Look for any raised dirt mounds, or even tripwire. Whatever triggered these guys popping the fuck up like that, don't do it." Korbin instructed, sounding more than annoyed than concerned.
"Pylons not far now, let's move, carefully." He ordered, our soldiers walking eyes down in response. Korbin stood waitingfor me to catch up before turning and walking alongside.
"Were they trying to sweep you guys with the earth too?" Korbin asked in a hushed tone.
"They fuckin' did sweep me. Guessing their affinity's earth, sneaky bastards." I said in reverent disgust. It was on the ratty behavior spectrum but, a sweep's also a sweep. Can't not respect it.
"Wow, you suck." Korbin said before laughing.
"Shut up, you know I hate getting swept."
"Yeah who fuckin' likes it? That's why you don't let it happen. " Korbin shot back.
"Fair enough. Still, if we're close to the settlement, isn't it also fair to assume that was their boys?" I asked, hinting at a possible second siege. Korbin took on a more serious tone.
"Even if it were, we're a large armed force that just pillaged their neighbors. Can't really blame them for assuming us enemies if you ask me." Korbin pointed out, sounding a tad upset at the hypothetical.
"Maybe. Still doesn't mean we don't react in kind but, it's your call chief." I said, patting his shoulder. The rest of the hike was relatively peaceful, especially since the smaller animals had returned throughout the forest in our immediate vicinity. Finally breaking through the tree line revealed a wide open field of low, bright green grass.
The settlement itself looked pretty large for being considered a 'stop', as it rivaled my new Castle Pylon in size and definitely had more upgrades based on in its multiple guard towers. Its thick wooden walls took on a thickness similar to a concrete one, only keeping its jagged bark texture. The entrance gate was rectangular, stood 20 feet in length. From above the gate stood an archer, wearing clothing similar to the ground rogues that had ambushed us.
"HOLD! Speak your business here or be killed where you stand."
No way you start off with a threat.
Korbin placed his hands up, his axe still at his back.
"We come seeking negotiation! I am a leader of a couple of Pylons in our region, and wish to speak with your own!" Korbin called out, stepping forward to present himself. The archer turned away, entering discussion with his fellow tan clothed soldier.
"Don't move! The Baron is coming now!" The archer finally called back over his shoulder after quite some time. Confused, I leaned forward whispering to Korbin.
"What the fucks a Baron?"
"An odd title to give a Pylon leader." Korbin whispered back, maintaining his glare at the archer. The heavy wooden gates mechanisms screeched and rumbled as it rose into the massive wooden frame. Within the settlement stood a dozen more tanned clothed soldiers, all holding two short swords or daggers in hand. In their back line stood a taller bearded gentlemen, and the only one in any armor. It appeared completely covered in dirt, and only missed a helmet to complete the set. Instead, he had a crudely made hood pulled over, and a jagged metal crown atop it.
As the soldiers marched from their settlement, they filed out into two horizontal rows leaving a 4 foot gap between them, standing across from us at the ready. The armored one stepped out from the gap, addressing Korbin as he emerged.
"You are the leader who wishes to negotiate? Yet you've brought an army with you to make peace?" He questioned, using his double-bladed weapon like a walking stick. He had specks of white in his short beard, and walked as if it were a struggle to move. Though he stumbled once, catching himself with his legs first and blade second. He was pretending to be weak, for whatever reason. Korbin took a deep breath before responding.
"We've gotten off on the wrong foot. My name is Korbin. I seek to unify our people under my banner, like I have many others along my short journey." Korbin said in a cordial voice. The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes at Korbin's response. Then, his face contorted to one far more relaxed, arguably happy.
"Of course, my name is Taylor, but you may call me the Baron. I am open to negotiate rather than fight over whatever it is you wish to accomplish, however I will not be so foolish as to bring an entire militia into my camp. You may come alone." He offered authoritatively to Korbin.
"I appreciate your willingness for peaceful understanding, however I too am not foolish enough to enter a settlement I have no familiarity or allegiances with yet." Korbin answered, maintaining his affable manner. The Baron rubbed his short bearded chin a moment before responding.
"You may bring one to serve as protection. Final offer." The Baron offered in an aggressive tone. Terribly unfortunate he'd chosen to be so big-headed, I guess now it was time for the hard w-
"Of course, that's an acceptable offer." Korbin said, turning and very dramatically pointing his hand to me. I strolled over and stood beside him, facing the Baron.
"Good. Now come, meet me in town square. My friends will keep yours company while they wait." The Baron said before walking back into the settlement, 4 guards following behind. Me and Korbin followed, walking toward the entranceway. Looking over my shoulder, neither Cassi or Lonni wore very confident expressions, which was fair if you ask me. This felt incredibly fucking stupid, even to my standards.
"Korbin, you don't think this could be a trap, like what just happened at the castle?" I whispered as we walked by the row of guards.
"These guys aren't eating people. They look organized. Militant, maybe, but organized. That implies civil." He said back, not looking at me as he spoke. It was the first time in a while I'd genuinely disagreed with his line of logic, which is why I gave it a pass.
"Whatever you say man. Just don't get us killed." I answered as we broke the threshold into their settlement. The gate slammed closed behind the last leathered soldier following, leaving a large group of about 20 out with our squad. There were at least 60 people in here, mostly soldiers who stood in two lines at our side. Though there were a fair share of profession focused people as well, like smiths and merchants.
No one here was a mere citizen however, making me question as to who exactly the merchants sold to. By the looks of disgust shared by all who reside here, none of them were terribly friendly either. Suppose I would be too if my customers leave to pillage every so often.
Two soldiers quickly shuffled in front of Korbin and I, spinning on their heels and leading us down the settlement road. We passed many log-style homes and buildings, including their the smithery being the only non-wooden structure. Nearing the center of their town, the same Baron stood atop a wide wooden stage, surrounded by clothed soldiers.
"So, you wish to unify? Combine forces under your banner you say? Why would we do that exactly?" He asked Korbin, now standing far looser and relaxed with his blade up from the floor a couple inches.
"Simple, otherwise we'd be forced to take this Pylon without permission. I very much wish to avoid that outcome, so if we c-"
"Ohhhhh did you hear that guys? He's going to TAKE it from me?" The Baron interrupted, turning and laughing with his goons before recomposing himself.
"How about this, kid. You drop your shiny toys, and we don't immediately kill you and all your little friends outside, how's that?" The Baron offered through a shit-eating grin. I turned to Korbin, trying to burn a hole in his temple with my stare.
"…Baron, I mean it when I say don't pu-"
"Just STOP. Look around you. You walked straight in here with only your best soldier you fuckin' idiot, it's over." The Baron gloated, not hearing Korbin out in the slightest cackling to himself. Korbin's fists balled tight, the familiar orange glow sparking before his body launched forward towards the Baron, his body erupting in a ball of flame as he leapt atop the stage.
More than happy to assist, I shuffled around and slapped away a few incoming slashes from the two soldiers who'd lead us to the Baron. Both overcommitted trying to catch up with me, my successive parry's sending both stumbling into my two waiting blades chest and neck first respectively.
Choosing to head toward the stage before making a full stand, I stepped once to the side of a clothed soldier guarding the wooden platform. My arm lurched forward feigning a stab, tossing the twin blade by his head. Shuffling around him my hand snagged the hilt on the other side, ripping hard over my shoulder and breaking the soldier's neck between my chain. Spotting a short sword rifling in from the side, I twisted my hips the opposite direction and released one hilt, flinging the corpse to block the incoming attack.
Leaping onto the stage platform, my feet froze watching Korbin move at speeds I'd never seen from him before, his body burning the same bright hot energy as our fight in the tournament. Several mangled and dismembered bodies were strewn across the wooden platform, with 5 crowded around Korbin slashing in succession. Looking up, the Baron was actively retreating up a set of stairs toward the large multistory building behind the stage.
Blue light flashed across my face as my blades stabbed clean into the back of two clothed soldiers as they moved to attack Korbin in unison, their midsection puffing a red mist as the Lightning Strikes' energy dispersed. Korbin slashed across both of their throats in one fluid strike before kicking a soldier flanking behind me as I removed my weapons from their comrades body.
Another soldiers tried flanking Korbin clearly too distracted by the sentient fire running around to notice me trailing behind. I dashed to his side, wrapping my chains around his reared back blade. With his arms locked over his shoulder, I dropped my elbow swiping my blade across his jugular and chest. Korbin sprinted up the first flight of stairs in pursuit of the Baron, leaving an onslaught of soldiers climbing up the stage toward me alone.
I fucking hate peaceful negotiations.
My eyes narrowed assuming my Water Stance as the first of an innumerable amount of soldiers charged toward me. The soldier faked a slash with one short sword, lunging his second toward my chest. My foot crashed into his lunging shoulder before he could finish his stab, causing him to stumble off balance. My blade barely sunk into his solar plexus before having to parry another soldiers slash with my second blade.
Barely stepping away from a third attacker's flanking strike, I continued retreating diagonally while using Flow Inverse or dodging every incoming attack, though some admittedly came way too close. Reaching the edge of the stage, I pivoted back the other direction and pierced another attacking soldier through the neck before she could finish her leaping dual dagger stab. Seeing the many tan-leathered warriors now clumped in a group, I immediately shuffled toward the nearest soldier, faking a double overhanded slash and front kicking them in the chest, activating Flow Strike and launching them into their group of allies behind. My eyes darted to locate the next soldier's Flow point to strike, sliding his downward slash across my blade over my head and piercing into the soldier's inner thigh with the other.
The following soldier's attack entered way too close for my blade to block in time. Instead, my nearest leg swung up slamming my shin into the Flow Point created on the soldier's ribs opposite to his wide sweeping slash. His midsection shot to the side while his head and hips remained stationary, a cacophony of cracks accompanying the sudden violent shift in his spinal alignment. A single stab to the throat caused him to collapse to the ground limply.
Another warrior lunged with their daggers from the opposite side, forcing me to stomp the kicking leg down and leap away off the other. Two soldiers were too slow to parry my twinblade stabs to their throats, clearly not expecting me to change direction. There were no earth soldiers behind them, allowing me freedom to a portion of the walkway again behind them.
A few shuffles provided me with some breathing room from the group of weary soldiers, slowly creeping forward showing signs of apprehension regardless of their numbers advantage. Recognizing the effort needed to dwindle only a fraction of their numbers, I sighed before preparing to launch back into battle. The large wooden gate at the front of the settlement suddenly began reeling open, stealing every combatants attention including my own.
Our troops came charging in lead by Steve and Cassi, with Lonni in the center of our squad of now battle-seasoned water Druid soldiers and a few new recruits. Steve immediately slapped several earth soldiers through the nearest building with his tail, as Cassi launched a flying kick into another sending him barreling into the sword of his own comrade behind him. A large portion of the group I was fighting broke off to meet the charge, leaving just 7 to me.
"Well, this is hardly fair for you guys now?" I taunted, successfully egging one of them on as he growled angrily charging forward. I deflect his first slash, sheathing the second across my body off my blade. Slipping to the side evading his third strike, my sword slashed across his achilles. He dropped to one knee, allowing me to spin back toward him, stabbing through the side of his neck. Blood poured into his cupped hands as I twisted and ripped my weapon free in time to block his attacking comrade.
Maintaining the momentum from slapping my new opponents stab I spun one again, blasting my heel into the soldier's jaw. He reeled dizzily in place long enough to reset my feet and launched forward with a Lightning Strike through his neck, another flash of mana and puff of red painting the air. I'd just avoided another soldiers slash, landing a stab of my own to his buddy behind him when a hollow thump against the platform vibrated under my foot.
My stomach sank before leaping to the side, 3 arrows piercing into the wood platform next to me. Not taking the time to find their source, I stabbed into another soldiers leg and twisted, pulling and wrapping my chain around the soldier's neck behind him. Four arrows pierced into my human shield as I walked backwards toward the roofed staircase. A few more arrows rained in and finished off the blood-gargling soldier before I tossed him to the side, sprinting up the stairs behind me toward the building Korbin chased the Baron into. With any luck there'd be a ladder u-
"P-please I g-g-gave you the P-" the Barons pleas through his badly bloodied and swollen face were cut short by an orange burning fist.
"No-no, no begging now." Korbin said coldly before slamming a knee into the man's face. The Baron's back was leaned up against the wall with one of his legs and an arm bent the wrong direction at the joints, lying surrounded by his dead guards. Korbin must have been taking his time, something I honestly hadn't expected from him, especially right now.
"Korbin! Come on, you gonna help your soldiers or beat up this shit-stain some more?!" I yelled, looking back toward the carnage ensuing around the corner I came from. Turning back, Korbin was in the middle of swinging his axe into the now unconscious man's neck, piercing the wall behind the Baron's body. He yank it free, and headed back through the hallway where we'd come in without a word.
Not willing to question his brutality right now, I sprinted further down the opposite corridor, eventually finding a staircase upward. After some record breaking stair sprints, my eyes adjusted to the glaring sun having reached the roof. Looking down, Korbin and company were handling themselves well, however the archers had hit a few of our soldiers leaving them injured on the field of battle. Not willing to see any of my comrades die today, I sprinted along the wooden walkway lining the settlement walls, beelining for the nearest archer.
The first archer never even saw me, a blade slashing down on his arm actively loosing an arrow. The other blade slid smoothly through the back of his neck, piercing through front. The second spotted his friend collapse 15 feet away, and turned her bow toward me. My eyes focused intently on her draw arm while dashing forward, waiting for her elbow to stop pulling back her arrow.
The moment the Flow in her elbow paused, releasing her grip on her arrow simultaneously. I Water Stepped to the side mid-sprint, her arrow whizzing by my head as I continued my approach. Her eyelids stretched wide with her mouth agape trying to reach for another arrow from her quiver as I quickly closed in. Stabbing into her lead leg caused her to lean forward, to which I stepped around her reversing my blade grip backwards and stabbing down into the top of her spine. The 'archer' back bent unnaturally as I yanked my weapon free.
The next 5 archers went down in similar fashion, none of them firing before fully knocking their arrows. It made timing their Flow transfer in their firing hands easy at any range that dodging their volleys on reaction was out of the question. After the final archer fell, my attention turned back to the battlefield to find our squad, the only people left standing in the entire settlement outside of some citizens. The few settlers who previously appeared to be harmless laid lifeless among their fallen soldiers, and unarmed.
Finding my way back down, I met with Korbin to get a better grasp on what happened while I was dodging arrows. It hadn't been that long, though my vision was blocked for much of the fight with the horde of soldiers chasing me across town from the entrance.
"Well, the civilians decided to scrap rather than try to sign any contracts so, had to put them down unfortunately. We'll need to rid the bodies ourselves but, a Pylon upgrade will fix this place up." Korbin said, looking much calmer after having turned into a ball of flames on a murderous rampage not 10 minutes earlier.
Taking a better view of the area, I could see why he mentioned fixing the settlement up. The buildings had been thrashed, many collapsed with limbs poking from the rubble, likely Steve's handiwork.
"Sounds good, hey do you like, wanna talk ab-"
"NO, and if you fucking say 'I told you so' one time I'll break your fuckin' kneecaps, got it?!" Korbin growled through an aggressively sharp whisper. My only reaction was to raise my hands up and back away.
"…woah man. It's all good, he was a prick. Shit happens, we won." I said, smiling trying to avoid pushing any buttons right now. He rarely got this frustrated, and I knew not to poke the bear right now. Korbin let out an exasperated sigh before he spoke.
"Thanks, sorry just…we're gonna set up here for the night." Korbin's posture shifted from slightly disparaged to upright and focused once more before continuing.
"The next settlement's not far, and shouldn't be as large or populated. Couple guys caught an arrow or two so, we're gonna let the health potions do their thing for their wounds. Can't waste enough to fully heal everyone though. I'm gonna head to the Pylon building, let Cassi know if she needs me." Korbin said, walking away rubbing the back of his neck.
Part of me wanted to press further, as clearly he was troubled by something, but I knew that wasn't much of an option with him. Better to let Korbin process whatever it is and check back later. Otherwise I'd just be part of his process in dealing with his issue. For now, I had a bone to pick with a snake.
"Hey Steve, couldn't help but recall you had those wings now?" I said, angrily walking to my coiled napping serpent. His head lazily rose to address me.
"Indeed, and they're quite badass as you so accurately put." He said in a cocky tone.
"Mhm, mhm so why the FUCK didn't you fly over the wall? I fought like 30 guys at once?!" I shot back angrily.
"We had no idea what was going on, Tom. It wasn't until we heard the sounds of swords clashing that we were fired upon. It took us a while to dodge around the barrage of arrows flying in until the gate opened up. We all charged in partly to avoid being peppered with arrows so, sorry." Steve explained, making me feel a little bad.
"Ohh…shit. I didn't know that, that's my bad, Steve." Apologies are way easier mentally, I must say.
"It's fine, just let me sleep. There's no water around here to chill in after fights is leaving me really fuckin' drained, I couldn't even get any lift with my wings in combat." Steve said, lying his head onto his coiled body.
"Say no more, I'll leave you to it buddy."
Feeling a little spent myself at the mention, I decided to retreat back into the Pylon building. Not to bother Korbin, but to find a quiet place to meditate and check my notifications. Taking the first available room, I shut the door and sat cross legged on the bed.
You have slain (Earth Warrior [Level 3])
You have slain (Earth Warrior [Level 4)]
…
You have slain (Earth Rogue [Level 4])
You have slain (Earth Rogue [Level 3])
…
You have slain (Rock Archer [Level 2])
You have slain (Rock Archer [Level 3])
Jeez, that's a lot of experience for one afternoon.
Having killed nearly 50 people in the last 48 hours bore far less remorse than I'd originally anticipated. Sure one could argue I built a tolerance in the tournament, but an equally valid one could be made that was never truly 'to the death' anyway, alleviating a little fear for having your head lopped off. Still, part of me wondered the people I really did kill for good had ended up along the path they chose in a little over a week into the tutorial, especially these guys.
Why did they want to attack us so badly? They began their assault from the woods miles out, performing an ambush no less. It felt unfair to assume most Pylons had become war camps already, especially to the magnitude it had in this region alone. Of course, if I'm merely giving humanity too much credit, we might have our work cut out for us after all. My final conscious thought was more of a feeling. It wasn't anxiety, or nerves, or even anticipation. My gut told me something was wrong, but it had nothing to do with our conquest.
Just me.