Otherlife Dreams: The Selfless Hero Trilogy (14 page)

Setting a steady pace Runner angled himself for the fort. Katarina paired off with him directly on his right, matching his own stride. Hannah was a shade to his left and back a step occupying the same space as his shadow. And while he couldn’t see her, Runner knew Thana was directly behind him and within arms reach.

Their boots drummed against the flagstones as they entered the keep. Perhaps it was a trick of the acoustics, but to Runner it sounded like a single pair of boots as they invaded the courtyard.

In reaching the throne room Runner paused and cast an eye around the area. Quickly he confirmed it was all that Hannah had stated it to be. Front and center was a terrible imitation of a throne that sat in a large audience room. What might have once been art or tapestries were moldy hangings on bare stone walls. Near the rear of open room was a curtain that probably led to a private room.

Atop the cheap throne sat an ugly old Orc who glowered at them as they entered his immediate domain. Red eyes glared from below bushy white brows. His green skin was mottled and webbed with wrinkles. Robed in a light fabric the color of wine and a rod clenched in his hands, he had the very image of an old magician.

So…very uncreative. Need to remember this moment when I write my review.

Finding nothing out of the ordinary Runner sighed heavily and looked to Katarina.

“Kitten, I’m betting he’s a caster. Close with him, get his attention, hurt him, keep him busy. Keep your Shield bash ready until he starts to cast, then interrupt him with it. It’ll be obvious when he starts channeling. I’ll get your health back up should he actually get a hit in on you,” he said patting Katarina’s arm. Swiveling to his left he addressed Hannah next. “Get around behind him, start working his spine with your kind ministrations.”

Turning on his heel he found Thana close behind him, her honey colored eyes boring into him with a smirk just waiting to be unveiled. Blinking Runner had to force his mind into action once more. “Lady Death, if you would be so kind as to cover the magical aspect of the battle. Once Kitten has his undivided attention that is. I’ll be with Hannah but holding myself in reserve to make sure we can handle whatever he throws at us.“

“Prudent and rational. Consider it done Master Runner,” Thana answered. She evidently was was unwilling to tease him as mercilessly when the others were present.

“Kitten, if you would?” Runner asked.

A deep roar filled the room and echoed from every wall from Katarina. She launched herself at the Orc lord, her wordless cry carrying her forward. Sword trailing low, her shield held before her, her long red ponytail flying out behind her like a pennant that declared war.

“Glorious,” Runner whispered, watching her.

Hannah went Stealth next to him, shaking him from his reverie. Activating his own a second after Hannah he moved in to engage. Hannah reached the target a moment after Katarina did and set into the elderly Orc immediately. Runner circled to the right before delivering a thrust of his blade into the wrinkled Orc’s spine, Backstab activating on the contact. Ice slammed into the chest of Wrinkles, shattering and spraying Ice chips everywhere.

Raising his arm to the sky the Orc lord was only able to utter a single syllable before Katarina’s shield clipped him in the head. Stumbling under the weight of the blow the Orc instead threw a fire spell into Katarina’s chest. In return Runner cast a Regeneration spell on her to make sure her health would remain near topped off. Regeneration cost far less than Cure.

Another Ice spear cracked into Wrinkles as Hannah pierced his side with a thrust of her sword. Throwing his arms apart Wrinkles shouted, Katarina, Hannah, and Runner were flung back a few feet from the explosion of energy. Before Katarina could reengage him Wrinkles had managed to complete a spell. Four Earth Elementals clawed their way from the ground itself, forcing the stones apart as they sprung from the earth. Comprised of stone and dirt they had a vague humanoid shape. Overall, one could call them dirt men and be completely accurate.

Katarina peeled three of them onto herself in addition to Wrinkles with a shout. Hannah tagged the fourth and Runner turned to assist her with it. Battering at the dirt monster with his sword he was reward with a critical hit. Following his attack up with a Fireblast to it’s back he immediately danced backwards expecting a counter attack. As the Elemental began to move Hannah attacked, blades cracking off stone and sending the remains flying as it’s health ran out. The combat strength of Runner’s team was orders of magnitude greater than it should be from the number of enchants he placed upon them.

Surveying the battle field Runner confirmed Katarina at the center, holding Wrinkles and two Elementals in place. Near the entry way he caught sight of Thana backing up from another Elemental. Pointing to center stage he then motioned Hannah over. Deciding that Thana was the more immediate need he veered towards her direction.

Passing by close to Katarina he cast Cure as he closed in on Thana, her situation now becoming desperate.

Unfortunately the creature had knocked Thana to the ground violently and struck her several times before he had been able to cross the throne room to her. Apparently it had used some type of ability to root her in place and she had been unable to flee.

Fireblast exploded from his open hand and caught the Elemental squarely in his rocky back. Chasing his magical attack he struck out with his sword.

It was enough to get it’s attention, suddenly jerking towards him and swinging a stone fist. Dodging to the side he hammered his blade through it’s mid section, the enchantment on the sword activating and dislodging a Fireblast into it’s internals. For good measure Runner removed his blade from it and swung around with a Slash attack, the sword cutting the top person of its humanoid head off.

Collapsing heavily at an angle from him, dirt sprayed out in a cone, and the Elemental was no more. Glancing to the party window, Thana’s health bar was flashing red, Katarina’s was yellow and Hannah’s was green. Triaging the situation he cast Regeneration on Thana while offering her a hand up. Thana took his hand and levered herself upright. Snapping open a mana restoration potion from his Quick Slots he pressed it to his lips and downed it swiftly. Dropping the vial to the ground he targeted Katarina.

Casting Cure on her one of the Elementals fixated on him. Katarina apparently noticed and slammed her shield into it, bringing it’s attention back to herself.

Thana threw an Ice spear that tore through it like wet paper and ended its magical life. Hannah smoothly dispatched the last in the next heartbeat, clearing the dance floor of the extras.

Wrinkles stood alone again in the middle, Katarina kept him occupied and involved. Under the focused barrage of the party as they reformed around him, Lord Wrinkles floundered, and died to Katarina’s blade.

Quest Complete

Experience gained: 230% of level

Level up!

You’ve reached level 22

Level up!

You’ve reached level 23

Level up!

You’ve reached level 24

Bellowing Katarina held up her sword in triumph and then stamped her foot down viciously on the head of Wrinkles. Runner could only shake his head with a small smile. Tapping the decline message for his level up he took a breath and let it out slowly. He’d take care of it later.

Sheathing his blade he confirmed Thana’s health was slowly refilling, now that they were out of combat. Attempting to get Thana’s attention he touched her arm gently, she focused on him with those large eyes. Noting the trembling in her hands and shoulders he could only wonder at how bad the shock was to her. Being pinned in place without the ability to move and having a dirt monster beat you to death didn’t rank high on the “To Do” list.

“Care to talk about it?” he quietly asked her.

Thana gave no response immediately to his question, but then shook her head slowly. Her hair fall across her face like a curtain, hiding her from his view.

“Later than?” he suggested.

Her hair shook as her head bobbed once in acceptance.

He’d have to settle for circling back with her later, after she calmed down. Perhaps the close brush with death would have her rethink her position in the group. Coming to grips with the assurance of a violent death would tend to do that to a reasonable individual.

Rejoining Katarina at the center he laid his hand on her shoulder and looted Wrinkles with the other.

“That was some great work there Kitten. Solid work. I couldn’t have asked for more. I’m well pleased with you,” Runner gushed. He craned his neck to peer up at her. Those dark eyes were riveted to his own, glistening black eyes with a fiery center fueled from the heat of battle. Katarina had sheathed her blade. She slammed a hand down onto his shoulder and smiled widely at him. Her hand pressed down firmly on him and she gave him a light shake. Katarina opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted.

“Runner, you better get your ass over here. There’s a woman back here behind the drapes. She’s alive but pretty fucked up. If you can call that alive? Fuck me…” called out Hannah from across the room.

Katarina jolted at the sudden shout from Hannah. Runner frowned and patted Katarina once more. “We’ll talk, I promise Kitten. Let me see what’s going on though?”

Runner trotted over without waiting for a response. Hannah was crouched down near the curtain he’d assumed had been a partition. At her feet was a shapeless lump of clothes laying in a pool of dark red blood. Activating the Analyze ability on the NPC named “Merchant” he found that her health was slowly draining. Status ailments flashed crazily in reds and yellows warning of some pretty severe problems.

There was no way to get any other information except that it was a human female, level four. Cleanse would only do so much for this poor wretch. Figuring time was of the essence he produced a costly vial of Remedy.

Reaching down and gently lifting up the woman’s head in his right hand he lifted the vial. Rolling her neck towards him he inspected the face that was presented to him. Swollen with bruises, cuts criss crossing her face, lips cracked and puffy, she had been very badly mistreated. Bright green eyes, aware yet dull with pain and sorrow, tried to focus in on him. He attempted his best smile for her as her gaze finally settled.

“Hey there, I’m Runner. It’s okay now, I’ve got you. We took care of every one of them. I’ll have you fixed up shortly, try to relax. I’ll take care of you. You’re a bit of a mess but that doesn’t make you any less human or in need of kindness,” Runner said softly. Placing the vial to her bloody lips he started to upend the vial.

You use Persuade on Merchant

Merchant is Persuaded

You use Seduce on Merchant

Merchant is Seduced

Holding back a sigh, he could only smile as the glass tube emptied, green eyes watching him.

I am suddenly the lord and master of terrible cliches. All bow before my royal self.

Chapter 7 - Problem Solving -

05:31pm Sovereign Earth time

09/06/43

Empty, the vial was carelessly dropped to the ground. Checking her status with Analyze he found the vast majority of debuffs were gone. A few remained which he wouldn’t be able to dismiss without her allowance. Hungry, Thirsty, Fear, to name a few.

Using his free hand he lightly brushed golden strands of her hair from her eyes. Green eyes tracked him like a hunting dog, unswerving, unwavering. Her health still flashed in the danger area but was now steadily refilling.

“You ok? Can you talk at all?” Runner inquired.

Studying her reactions, it was safe to say she was in shock. That or a really low grade AI that wasn’t meant to be conversed with.

Whatever had actually been done to her definitely fell on the violent side. She was fully clothed so that dismissed any type of sexual assault.Large rents in the fabric of her clothing, the blood that covered the clothes liberally, and the volume of status problems she had it was clear she underwent a very brutal attack.

Chimes sounded in his ear in a preprogrammed alert. A flashing icon presented itself in the console tray. Before he could respond to it, the light flickered off again. The indicator had been programmed to go off when
§┌îτ
was no longer Away. They’d only been around for a few seconds, he’d just have to wait for next time.

Runner moved his attention back to the young woman. Nothing physically with her had changed but the dim haze that had clung to her eyes was receding.

“You a bit more coherent now? Care to try some food? Water? Maybe sit up on your own?”

Her eyelids drooped before she blinked twice and then haltingly nodded. Doing his best to encourage her he smiled and retrieved a melon he’d managed to forage up earlier. Holding it out with his free hand he kept himself still. Without letting her gaze drop she took the melon from his fingers and started nibbling at the food. Once she finished the first piece Runner handed her a second, and glancing up he established eye contact with Hannah. Tilting his head subtly he indicated Thana who was standing by herself at the other end of the hall.

Hannah flashed a look to Thana and back to him. She held her hand out to indicate her understanding and acceptance. She ambled off towards Thana.