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  [PC] Mario’s Dark Lightning MAULS you for 24 damage.

  You have [69/128] health remaining.

  With no time to hesitate, I flipped a switch and cranked the wheel. The amount of resistance surprised me as I struggled to turn the crank.

  “I’m coming for you,” Mario said in an irritating sing-song voice.

  Another bolt of lightning came in through the doorway and zapped my left thigh.

  [PC] Mario’s Dark Lightning WOUNDS you for 18 damage.

  You have [51/128] health remaining.

  He must not be too high level, but if I don’t get this gate open, I’m done. The realization hit me and sent a surge of virtual adrenaline rushing through my veins. I screamed and turned the wheel a few more inches.

  “Time to come out,” Mario said behind me.

  I turned and rolled to the left on the ground, avoiding the next lightning bolt.

  “That’s no fun, little one,” he said. “It’s time for you to die. Then my brother.”

  Mario’s taunts were getting to me, but that was the whole point.

  Time to fight fire with cold, hard steel. I stood, crouching low, then rushed toward the remains of the door.

  Mario’s eyes widened at my bold move as he froze in place. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the gate cracked open.

  “Get in here!” I yelled, hoping the others could force it the rest of the way.

  Both my blades hit Mario, each on a separate arm.

  Your slash INJURES Mario for 15 damage.

  Your slash HITS Mario for 9 damage.

  Mario looks ready to flee.

  After so many one-hit-kills against the zombies, Mario not going down right away surprised me. I didn’t let that stop me from circling, looking for another attack.

  “Help!” Mario cried.

  I glanced over his shoulder at the main building inside the keep and saw the blade wight step out into the shadowy courtyard. It swung its sword-arms back and forth through the air while staring in our direction.

  Can we beat a blade wight?

  “You’re so stupid!” Bernard yelled on the other side of the gate.

  As Josh’s familiar barbarian rage filled the air, giving me hope, I closed the gap between Mario and myself, hoping to stab him with both swords.

  He cast a spell before I reached him. Magic clouds of dust formed around my head.

  I coughed and stepped backward, swords raised as I struggled to see.

  Mario would likely run for cover, but I needed to worry about the blade wight getting me.

  The unholy beast with arms of sharpened steel shrieked, sending chills down my body. I froze in fear, unable to move and still coughing.

  Josh screamed nearby.

  I stumbled backward, still struggling to breathe.

  “Stand still,” Cario said from beside me.

  He mumbled some arcane words, causing the cloud of dust around my head to dissipate. When my vision returned, I saw Josh barrel straight toward the blade wight like a linebacker during the big game. Behind the vile creature, Mario ran into the tall stone keep, slamming a door behind him.

  “Hold on,” Cario said. “I’ll heal you too.”

  You feel better!

  You have [128/128] health remaining.

  When he reached the blade wight, Josh swung but missed completely. Boki, Cario, Derringer, and Rekon all ran forward to assist Josh while Bernard stayed at my side.

  Still overcome with fear, I felt the Everlast potion in my pouch.

  Should I take it?

  “Are you okay?” Bernard asked.

  “Yeah,” I said. “Stupid fear effect.”

  “Come on, you got this,” he said. “We have to kill it.”

  I watched as he ran across the courtyard toward the others.

  “He takes our experience!” Josh yelled after getting hit. “Watch out!”

  The thought of our party dying because I’d fallen prey to fear spurred me into action. Swords raised, I headed toward the others, looking for an opportunity to strike.

  Boki screamed in pain as the blade wight struck him with both arms. Cario crept up behind him to heal right away, but the dwarf looked almost dead.

  “Die, scoundrel,” Rekon yelled then swung his short sword.

  The blade wight screamed and turned toward him.

  I ran between Derringer and Josh, attacking the undead creature from the side.

  Your slash GRAZES the blade wight for 4 damage.

  Your slash MISSES the blade wight.

  The blade wight is doing fine.

  We’re in trouble, I need that Everlast potion.

  The blade wight turned and stabbed with both its arms.

  The blade wight’s hand WOUNDS you for 18 damage.

  The blade wight’s hand MAULS you for 24 damage.

  You have 86/128 health remaining.

  You lose 2,000 xp.

  You have 88,466 xp.

  You need 16,534 xp for level 10 Rogue -> Bounty Hunter

  Fed up with the experience draining mid-level boss, I attacked again without stopping to quaff the supposedly dangerous OP potion.

  Your slash HITS the blade wight for 7 damage.

  Your slash SCRATCHES the blade wight for 3 damage.

  The blade wight has seen better days.

  “Kill it,” I shouted as if the others weren’t already helping.

  Josh, coming out of his barbarian rage, still attacked, scoring a direct hit on the blade wight’s leathery head.

  Boki swung his Warhammer, delivering a solid blow. After screaming again, the blade wight rushed toward the keep. We can’t let him escape, not so close to killing him.

  “Get him,” I shouted, running after the fast-moving creature.

  “You’re not going anywhere,” Boki said from behind me and to my left.

  I saw his Warhammer soar toward the blade wight, hitting it square in the back. Emitting a final scream, it fell to the ground ten-feet away from the door to the keep.

  Combat is Over!

  You get 10,000 xp divided by 7 party members.

  You get 1,429 xp.

  You have 89,895 xp.

  You need 15,105 xp for Level 10 Rogue -> Bounty Hunter.

  “Great job, Boki,” Derringer said, slowing down.

  He stopped in front of the blade wight’s body.

  “We should cut off those arms,” the dark knight said.

  I stopped next to him.

  “Crafting?” I asked.

  He nodded. “They’ll make great weapons.”

  “I’m more worried about what’s still inside,” Cario said.

  “Me too,” Bernard added.

  Everyone glanced over to the closed wooden door.

  “Might as well keep going,” I said. “Can I get some healing?”

  Cario casually walked over and placed his hands on my shoulders.

  You feel better.

  You have [128/128] health remaining.

  “Anyone else?” Cario asked.

  Nobody answered as Boki walked over and pulled his Warhammer from the back of the blade wight.

  “Enough chit-chat,” Josh said. “My adrenaline is still pumping. Let’s go.”

  He marched to the door then kicked it in.

  “So much for subtlety,” Cario said.

  “Follow the barbarian!” Boki yelled before bolting toward the doorway.

  As I walked through after them, I found it difficult to see in the dark interior. My eyes slowly adjusted to the lack of light.

  “It’s a lich,” Derringer said as he pointed to the far end of the huge room we’d entered.

  Our group of seven stood in a semi-circle facing the lich.

  “I have a name!” he shouted in a scratchy voice that bounced off the walls of the room. “Aquarius shall be your doom!”

  “Bring it,” Josh said, taunting it with a hand gesture.

  “Magi Inyontoo warned me of you.” The lich pointed directly to me as it walked forward. “You’ll
not survive unless you leave now. Go in peace or suffer a fate worse than death.”

  “We’re not going anywhere,” Cario said. “You killed my family, and you’re going to pay.”

  “Not all your family.” Aquarius kept coming forward. “Do you want to join them?”

  “Die!” Josh shouted then rushed toward the lich.

  The evil creature stopped, raised its arms, and shouted in an unholy voice, “Kneel before me!”

  An overpowering urge to obey came over me. I dropped to my knees along with Bernard, Derringer, and Josh. Only Boki, Cario and Rekon stayed on their feet.

  I struggled to move, unable to fight the effect of the lich’s magic command.

  “You’re not worthy of my time,” Aquarius said.

  Two doors opened behind him. Skeletal humanoids swarmed into the room.

  “Die by my grunts,” Aquarius said as the skeletons continued coming in waves.

  Still on my knees and paralyzed with fear, I saw the lich retreat into another room. A couple dozen skeletons wearing armor and carrying all types of weapons kept coming.

  Rekon put his hands together to say a short prayer.

  “No fear!” he shouted at the end.

  The veil of control lifted. I stood and drew both weapons.

  “Kill the skellies!” I shouted then ran forward.

  I attacked the first two I came across.

  Your slash INJURES the skeleton warrior for 13 damage.

  The skeleton warrior is dead!

  Your pierce HITS the skeleton warrior for 8 damage.

  The skeleton warrior is dead!

  Not much tougher than the zombies.

  Three of them overwhelmed me, all attacking.

  The skeleton warrior HITS you for 8 damage.

  The skeleton warrior GRAZES you for 6 damage.

  The skeleton warrior HITS you for 7 damage.

  You have [107/128] health remaining.

  On the other hand, they’re better equipped and know how to fight.

  I attacked with fury.

  Your slash GRAZES the skeleton warrior for 6 damage.

  The skeleton warrior is dead!

  Your pierce MISSES the skeleton warrior.

  Not as good. Maybe I got lucky on that first attack.

  I stepped back as the others fought to my left and right.

  Bones were quickly piling up on the floor as the tide of the battle turned.

  “We’ve got this!” I shouted and continued attacking.

  Your slash HITS the skeleton warrior for 9 damage.

  The skeleton warrior is dead!

  Your pierce GRAZES the skeleton warrior for 7 damage.

  The skeleton warrior is dead!

  Your Dual Wield Skill has increased.

  It is now basic level 5 of 10

  Only three skeletons remained. Boki, Derringer and Josh brought them down.

  Combat is Over!

  You get 2100 xp divided by 7 party members.

  You get 300 xp.

  You have 90,195 xp.

  You need 14,805 xp for Level 10 Rogue -> Bounty Hunter.

  I heard screams come from the room where Aquarius the Lich had run.

  “Keep after him,” Rekon said. “Take no prisoners.”

  “We need to kill all the undead,” Cario said.

  I glanced around the room scattered with piles of bones, armor, and weapons.

  “Can I go back and get the arms off that blade wight first?” Derringer asked.

  “Axelrod might want them,” Boki said.

  “Go get them while we check the next room,” I said. “We should kill the lich since we’re here. Maybe we’ll find even better treasure.”

  “Sounds like a plan,” Derringer said.

  While him and Boki went back for the blade wight’s body, the others followed me as I ran toward the source of the unholy screams deeper in in the building.

  Chapter 4

  Waves of Mutilation

  Eric

  Inside the smaller interior room, I saw a cornucopia of treasures, including chests (metal and wooden), piles of coins and gems, and enough armor and weapons for a small army. The screams were coming from a ten-foot by ten-foot square hole in the floor.

  I walked over and peered down the shaft into the darkness. Those screams. So deathly.

  “Let’s finish this,” Josh said. “Anyone got rope?”

  “I’ve got something even better,” Boki said as he and Derringer walked into the room.

  The red-haired dwarf pulled out the wooden platform in its shrunken state as the Dark Knight held up the arms of the blade wight. Both smiled as if they’d found the meaning of life.

  Boki stopped near the opening and bent over.

  “Let me adjust it to the size of the hole,” he said.

  “Perfect.” I smiled. “That’s coming in handy.”

  “You can thank Axelrod for letting me bring it,” Boki said.

  “Check these out,” Derringer said, still holding up the blade arms. “I’ll make the bone into a hilt. They’ll sell for a high price once things get back to normal.”

  “You’ll have to teach me how to craft a weapon once things calm down,” I said.

  “Things might not ever get back to normal,” Cario said gravely.

  “Can you heal me?” I asked, wanting to change the subject.

  He walked over and put his hands on my arms, sending me back to full health.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  Josh, standing on the platform, shouted, “Enough chatter. Let’s go.”

  “A lich can be high level,” Bernard said. “Are we sure we want to do this now?”

  Rekon strode over to the platform and stepped on.

  “We’re killing this lich and freeing High Keep in the name of the gnomes,” he said.

  I joined the others on the floating wooden platform.

  “Wait,” Derringer said. “We’re leaving all this loot?”

  “Can you identify any of it?” I asked.

  “No, but…”

  His voice trailed off.

  “Going down,” Boki said. “Everyone be ready for anything.”

  Everything got dark the lower we descended.

  “Someone light a torch,” I said.

  Rekon raised a gem in his left hand.

  “I’ve got this,” he said as it glowed brightly.

  “Great,” I said. “There’s no telling what we’ll meet down here.”

  Time passed as we kept floating down.

  “How far is the bottom?” Bernard asked. “We’ve been dropping a while.”

  “There’s no telling how entrenched this lich has become over the last few months,” Rekon said in a serious tone. “If he kills us, the realm won’t stand a chance.”

  “We’ll be fine,” I said. “Keep it positive.”

  “Look,” Bernard said, pointing over the edge. “There’s the bottom and a tunnel.”

  The floating platform gracefully stopped and hovered a couple feet off the ground. A tunnel wide enough for two people to walk side-by-side stretched out in the distance. Rekon’s magic stone only cast enough light to see maybe thirty feet into the murky darkness.

  The sick screams continued in the background.

  I stepped off the platform and peered into the dark tunnel. After the others got off, Boki shrunk our incredible magic transportation then slipped it into a bag slung over his shoulder.

  “Be ready for anything,” he repeated.

  “We need to choose a walking order,” I said. “The tunnel’s not wide enough for more than two. I doubt if anything’s going to attack us from the rear, so we should have the casters in back.”

  “I’m small, and I can see well in the dark,” Boki said. “I’ll go up front.”

  “Me too.” Cario stepped forward. “I want first crack at Mario or the Aquarius.”

  “This lich isn’t going to go down easy,” Derringer said. “We should’ve waited until I made my holy water bombs.”

>   “How long do those take?” I asked.

  “A day or so,” he said.

  Rekon stepped forward and said, “We don’t have time. I’ll take second row.”

  “Next to me,” Derringer said.

  “Bernard and I will go next.” I turned to Josh. “Can you handle the rear?”

  He chuckled nervously.

  “What did you just ask me?”

  I shook my head and said, “You know what I mean.”

  “Don’t worry about me” he said.

  We lined up then marched into the dark tunnel. The screams continued, rising in volume and intensity the further we went.

  After a few hundred feet, the tunnel turned then turned again. We came to intersection with two directions to go in.

  “Mark the walls,” Rekon said. “We’re in a damn maze.”

  “What undead creatures build a maze?” I asked.

  “I know living ones that do, but no undead maze builders come to mind,” Bernard said.

  “Quiet,” Rekon hissed. “We keep going.”

  He’s too pushy, I thought, gripping the hilts of my swords. Can’t wait until we find Sarah.

  I thought of her as we walked down the left tunnel. Josh in the back made me feel a little better. As we walked, the screaming in the distance stopped suddenly.

  “Something ahead,” Cario said in a low voice.

  “Lock and load,” Boki said.

  A roar from the tunnel ahead stopped me in my tracks. I watched in horror as a minotaur skeleton lowered its head and charged toward us. Boki and Cario both took defensive stances as it reached them and swung a giant, rusty axe.

  Boki ducked, leaving Cario took the brunt of the hit.

  “Poison!” he yelled then stumbled to the floor.

  I saw him reach into his bag and pull out a potion as Derringer stepped forward to take his spot on the front line. Boki swung his Warhammer, hitting the bony minotaur on its arm. Our Dark Knight took the brunt of the blow, knocked him back a few feet.

  I slipped past Boki and ran past the minotaur skeleton to attack it from behind. While not a proper back stab, we needed to be getting in more hits.