– Era of the Wastes, Cycle 215, Season of the Rising Moon, Day 23 –

The Captain returned from her surveillance flight over the Bulwark with a grim expression.

“Was Devon right?” asked Lizzy while preparing for the worst.

“Afraid so,” stated Megumi. She retrieved her Guardian card and sunk her consciousness into it.

Lizzy’s eyes widened when she saw the card. “Is it that bad?”

“Worse.” Megumi switched the signal on the links with the nearest Wasteguard coordinators to have them send help. Afterwards, she took a deep breath.

“The death signatures on the plateau on top of the Bulwark are ghouls. Lots of them.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad.” Terry blurted out.

“Let her finish,” said Lizzy. “If it was just that, then the Captain would not request reinforcements.”

“There is an undead horde lurking right on the other side of the Bulwark,” said Megumi. “Not a small one.”

“Wait, what?” Lizzy looked at Devon.

“I don’t sense anything.” Devon looked perplexed and tilted his head. “Nothing, actually. Complete lack of signatures, now that you mention it.”

“The death signatures are cloaked.” Megumi stared at the Bulwark.

Lizzy stood with mouth agape. “But that would mean… It’s not the big one, is it? Please say, it’s not the big one.”

Megumi shook her head. “No, but it’s not a small one either. It’s larger than your average horde. Maybe two or three times more than normal. It doesn’t add up.”

“Which part?” asked Terry.

“Such a horde should not have liches,” said Lizzy. “Nor any other creature with both the ability to use a large-scale cloaking as well as the intelligence to actually use it.”

“If the group split from the big one, then it would be possible, but…” Megumi continued staring at the Bulwark. “Why would it? Why now? Why lurk outside the Bulwark? Why did the ghouls start climbing the mountain?”

“Were you able to assess the threat-level?” asked Lizzy.

“I did not dare to get too close, but I could not detect any creatures that would confirm the big one as the origin. Corpse corruptions. Higher-level second-rank death auras. Nothing out of the norm. There are probably some third-ranks, but it still doesn’t add up. Something is amiss.”

“Corpse corruptions?” inquired Terry.

“Term for mana-corrupted ghouls or zombies,” said Lizzy.

“I saw a shade on the plateau,” said Megumi. “And I could smell the stench of blood abominations.”

“Ugh,” uttered Lizzy with a grimace. She elaborated for Terry: “Shadow-aspected ghoul corruption and blood-aspected zombie corruption. One is annoying. The other is annoying and disgusting.”

“The sheer number is problematic.” Megumi shook her head. “With us alone, I don’t see a way to contain this if the horde starts moving.”

The Captain grunted in frustration. “Anyway, let’s focus on first things first. As long as the horde is staying in place, the cursed on the plateau have priority.”

“Mhmh, no need to wait around for the cavalry and stand idly by while ghouls are infesting the Bulwark,” said Lizzy while she was switching the signal on her own Guardian card.

“The inside of the Bulwark is off limits, but the plateau is fair game.” Lizzy looked around. “Which one of us three will give Devon a lift?”

***

Megumi eradicated the nearby ghouls and they could finally step on the plateau.

Terry saw more ghouls in the distance and retrieved a light-aspected metal rod.

“Not a good idea this time,” said the Captain. “You should throw that away quickly.”

Without waiting to understand her reasoning, Terry hurled the rod to the front.

“Hiss.” A black creature with a fuzzy outline and indistinguishable features stepped out of the shadows. The creature pushed the glowing rod into the shadows and the rod disappeared.

“Shade,” said the Captain and quartered the corpse corruption with two wind blades.

“Time to start pest control,” said Lizzy and equipped her weapons.

The group hunted down all the ghouls they could see. Afterwards, Devon pointed out the remaining death signatures on the plateau.

“Still doesn’t add up.” Megumi muttered to herself.

“Well, ghouls do have the ability to scale walls,” remarked Lizzy.

“Yes, but they don’t normally. Not unless they are in a frenzy. Battle frenzy. Life signatures paired with the scent of deceased ghouls. Light-aspected mana.” Megumi surveyed the plateau again. “Nothing that would match what we are seeing here.”

“Do you suspect that there was a command involved?” Lizzy grew concerned. “A death whisperer?”

“It’s possible that one is among the third-ranks in the horde, but…” Megumi shook her head. “It still does not add up. Why would it have the ghouls come up here? Why would it have the rest of the horde wait down there?”

“Did you detect any aspect beings risen from death among the horde?” asked Lizzy.

“None. If there is a death whisperer, then it has only whispered to the cursed corpses.”

Lizzy was relieved and shrugged. “If it’s a death whisperer, then that would indicate that it’s not a high-level one.”

“Yeah, the high-level ones do love their death spirits,” muttered Megumi.

“Hmm…” Devon tilted his head and stared at the ridge in front of them. “It comes from in there.”

“Shade again?” guessed Lizzy.

Megumi furrowed her brow. “Possible but unusual. Could be— Above!”

Things came flying at them.

They blocked, dodged, and batted the projectiles away.

“Curses, constructs!” Megumi instantly flared her mana when she realized the nature of projectiles. She flung out a rapid succession of wind blades and then released a quickened Raging Winds spell.

*Bzzt*

Among the hail of projectiles, even more constructs had appeared out of camouflage when hit by the winds.

Some constructs started to release bouts of electricity and these constructs then overcame the wind pressure and flew fast at Lizzy’s metal armor.

Another moment later, Lizzy’s metal armor turned liquid in several places.

“Hmph.” Lizzy focused on regaining control of the metal to keep her most vital spots protected.

While Lizzy was busy worrying about her heart and similar lethal vulnerabilities, the earth under her exposed feet turned liquid.

“Ouch!” exclaimed Lizzy. She had sunken slightly into the earth and something had pricked her foot.

The Captain flew over and pulled Lizzy away from the area of effect. From the corners of her eyes, she could see metal spikes poking out of the muddy earth.

“Haargh.” Lizzy was gasping for air and collapsed in excruciating pain.

“NO!” Megumi’s face became ashen. “Some kind of poison.”

Megumi retrieved healing items from her storage item and applied them.

Terry clenched his fists. He hated not being able to cast any healing spells.

Devon furiously pushed his palm against the wall. The rock was melted by hellfire. In the bright red fire, a fettered ghoul became visible before it, too, was incinerated.

“None of them are working.” Megumi turned frantic.

Terry retrieved some of his own items to try. He wanted to hand them to Megumi when he noticed terror in her eyes. He followed her line of sight and saw faint purple lines appearing on Lizzy’s face.

“No…” Megumi struggled with herself and then anxiously turned to Devon. “Could you—?”

“No, he can’t,” spoke the gloating voice of a woman.

A face made of vines had appeared at the ridge. “Not unless your little freak knows a fourth spell that he has kept hidden. I know that the freak can cast a blood-aspected variant of the Healing Light, but I’m afraid that even if he were to sacrifice all of his health using the Sacrificial Light, it won’t help one bit with spirit poisoning. Otherwise, I would not have gone through the extreme hassle of acquiring some.”

Megumi’s eyes turned blood-shot when she heard the words ‘spirit poisoning.’

“A life for a life,” growled the voice. “The Castellan killed my sister. A blood debt has to be paid in blood.”

Megumi shredded the vines with a wind blade.

“And here I was trying to give you a chance.” Another face had grown from the ridge. “I have heard some stories about the famous Captain. Rumors say that there once was a planned bombing by the Magic Liberation Front.”

Megumi’s eyes became empty.

“The rumor goes on to say that it was the famous Captain that discovered the plot ahead of time.” The voice laughed derisively. “But not without being detected. It is said that the Captain’s family was kidnapped to force her into stopping her report so that the attack on the Assembly could progress forward.”

Megumi’s breathing became erratic. Her fists were clenched so hard that her nails dug into her palms.

“Did they really make you listen to their voices? Listen to the torture? Listen in on their deaths? Your parents, your uncle and aunt, your—”

“Shut up,” spat Megumi.

“Your adorable little cousin that idolized you as her hero?”

“One by one.” The voice snorted. “And the Assembly is still standing to this day. What a hero indeed.”

“What do you want?” demanded Megumi.

“To confirm another part of the rumor. It is said that the honorable Captain may have some regrets regarding her heroic decision.”

The voice snorted. “So? How about it? A life for a life. My private debt is with the Castellan, but your life is worth more in the war. If you take your own life, then I can consider sparing your loved one this time.”

“It’s not always possible to save everybody,” said Devon with a shaking voice.

“Shut up, Devon!” Tears were rolling down from Megumi’s eyes.

“You know, there is a time limit on this offer,” spoke the face of vines. “I’m afraid the clock is already ticking for your companion. Her mana is still shielding her spirit and the Castellans seem to have a higher resistance than most, but the clock is ticking nonetheless.”

Megumi’s eyes were glued to Lizzy’s face.

“Or is it that the honorable Captain is willing to trade the lives of others but never her own?”

The Captain took deep breaths and glared at the face. “‘Consider’ sparing, huh? Empty words, nothing more. You’re trying to tempt me with lies.” Tears were rolling down her cheek.

The Captain turned to Devon. “We need to get Lizzy to a proper healer.”

“Oh no, you disappoint me, Captain,” interjected the voice. “If you don’t like the first choice, I’ll have to force the second one on you.”

Devon’s head jerked around. “Life signature matching folk in the Bulwark.”

“If that is you, then—”

“Then what?” The voice interrupted Megumi with taunt. “Are you going to split the Bulwark in half? Crack open the earth to pull out your target?” Derisive laughter echoed. “Frankly, I don’t believe you will find the time.”

Terry and the others jerked their heads towards the Wastes. The cloaking of the undead horde was gone. The undead creatures started moving towards the Bulwark.

“I am not sure if you can make time for a healer appointment either. Brings back memories, doesn’t it, Captain? Save your loved ones or do your duty? Which regrets will you pick this time?”

Megumi shredded the face again.

“Devon, get Lizzy to a healer as fast as possible!” Megumi stepped forward towards the Wastes. “I’ll entertain the horde.”

“No.” Devon grabbed Megumi’s arm. “You’re angry.”

Megumi exhaled sharp air. “You got that right. Now take your hand away or I will cut it off.”

“It’ll grow back”, retorted Devon nonchalantly. “You’re faster than me.”

“Don’t you regret that you did not take the first offer?” The voice interjected again with glee.

Megumi turned and glared with hateful eyes at the face of vines.

The voice giggled and then a sharp edge entered her tone. “In Tiv, lives may not be worth much, but in Thanatos, we still honor our dead. All you needed to do was to lay down your life and face the consequences of your actions.

“Pay for the past that has caught up with you. Instead, you are forcing me to drag the innocent citizens of the Tiv Empire into this. Now they will— What?” The voice’s tone switched to surprise mid-statement.

Megumi turned again to see the back of Devon and his fluttering dress. Devon was sprinting towards the edge of the Bulwark.

“If you die while I live, then Lizzy may stab me again…” With those words, Devon leaped over the ledge. He was falling right into the path of the undead horde.

“That’s two down. Haha.” The voice gloated and laughed after the woman had regained her wits.

Megumi stared after Devon for one more breath. She glanced at the face of vines and tried hard to compose herself. She muttered: “Venting my frustration by cutting down undead won’t save her.”

The Captain took one more look at Lizzy. Finally, her gaze rested on Terry.

“Can you protect her?” asked the Captain while staring into Terry’s eyes.

“I— I will try my best,” said Terry hesitatingly.

“Can you protect her?!” demanded the Captain.

I don’t kn—

“Yes.” Terry replied firmly with clenched fists.

“Good.” The Captain nodded and stared into the distance. “I’m faster.”

The Captain burst as much mana as she could manage and soared into the air. Then, she took off into the direction of the open Wastes. A moment later, she had already vanished into the sky above the red sand.

“Escaping on her own?” The voice was tinged with confusion. “What does she hope to find in the Wastes?”

Terry ignored her and retrieved one of his new tertium items. It was a single large sheet of tertium that represented a flat cube. The cube’s edges were perforated to allow Terry to easily fold the flat surface into a cube and back.

Terry pulled Lizzy onto one of the squares and then bent the cube around her.

“Is that your plan for protecting her?” sneered the voice. “I should thank you. Now, I can create a statue for the Captain to commemorate her failure.”

A construct fell onto the cube. Terry quickly ignited his prepared spell structure. The construct’s attempt to liquify the tertium cube failed and Terry pierced the construct with his inscribed dagger.

“You will fail,” insisted the voice.

Within expectations.

Terry snorted. “Just one more voice to ignore…”

“It seems you have all forgotten that there were ghouls on the plateau. Why don’t we invite some more?”

Terry could see blinking lights in the distance and narrowed his eyes. “Hmph.”

He glanced at the face of vines and pondered.

Most likely a nature-aspected spell to create an avatar. If it is orthodox spellwork, then there is not much risk to the caster. If the spell was channeled through the soul, however…

Not every soul-channeled spell is as vulnerable as corporeal soul spirits, but only a few don’t present any opening…

Nature aspect…

The voice’s derisive laughter rang through the air again.

“Worth a shot,” mumbled Terry.

He retrieved an item shaped like a bell with a handle as wide as his own hand. The handle controlled metal parts inside. Rotating it to the right caused the inside near the handle to tighten. Rotating it to the left would do the opposite.

Next, he retrieved the core of a poison slime. Terry put the mana core into the wide opening at the bottom. He rotated the handle to the right until the core was held in place.

Terry aimed the open bottom at the face of vines. He activated the handle attachment that had been imprinted with the Immovable Object spell. Next, he channeled mana into the inscribed device.

The focused mana sublimator discharged a poison-aspected blast of mana.

“Wha— AHH!” The face of vines grimaced and disappeared.

“Huh, it really worked,” exclaimed Terry.

Congratulations, you made her angry.

“What is she going to do? Send ghouls after me? I think we’ve crossed that line already.”

Terry took a deep breath.

Devon must have arrived on the ground.

The sky in the distance flashed repeatedly with the bright red illumination of Devon’s hellfire. The illumination clearly outlined the shadows of the creatures that were crawling up onto the plateau.

What if she leads the ghouls to the other side?

“I have to protect Lizzy.”

So you are just going to ignore the undead breaching the Bulwark and entering into the Wasted Zone? What if they reach one of the villages? No patrols. They’ll multiply and…

Terry clenched his teeth and estimated the size of the plateau.

That won’t work. No way will you be able to move around fast enough while maintaining the immovable cube.

Terry slowly exhaled the air in his lungs. He stepped away from the cube and started to retrieve two other items.

Terry jumped and transfixed a brightly glowing rod in the air.

Not a good idea this time.

Terry closed his fingers around a heavy glaive. The glaive’s long, single-edged blade was surrounded by flames while the spike at the other end radiated an icy cold.

“Let them come.” Terry stared at the silhouettes in the distance.

Yeah, just a bunch of chubby Alricks!

Except for the shadowy Alricks that haven’t submitted to your experiments yet. Don’t worry about those. I’m sure they’re very tame and cuddly.

Don’t think about what else might come crawling up either.

“Not helping,” grumbled Terry.

Who said I was trying to help?

***

Terry injected additional mana into the cube and judged the remaining time with his mana sense. “Should hold for a while.”

“““Hiss!”””

Terry grabbed the glaive tightly and charged towards the next batch of ghouls that were clawing at the shining metal rod in the air.

He swung the glaive with both his arms from left to right. The glaive’s blade cut through the first line of frenzied ghouls. The heavy weapon split the closest ghouls in half. Those that were standing further back suffered gashes that went up in flames.

Terry pushed with his left arm and then let go with it. His right arm guided the glaive’s momentum to finish the half circle that cut into the ghouls.

Near the end of the half circle, Terry finished casting a quickened Immovable Object spell with his right hand. The spell’s activation stopped the glaive’s momentum instantly.

While the glaive was thus transfixed, Terry turned around behind the glaive’s immovable cover to change his grip. His right hand moved to the glaives front and his left hand grabbed the back.

The spell ended and Terry swung the glaive with both arms. This time, he pushed with his right arm and let his left hand guide the glaive’s momentum. Again, the half circle ended with a transfixed glaive.

Terry mowed down the gathering of ghouls line by line. All the while, he paid attention to the mana signatures in his mana sense – both to watch for possible enemies and to keep an eye on the duration of active Immovable Object spells.

Terry noticed a hint of shadow-aspected mana and quickly retreated. A shadow rushed towards the transfixed glowing rod. The shade yanked at it in order to pull it down, but the rod remained immovable.

Not for long, however, because when a layer of shadow had completely enveloped the rod, the Immovable Object spell got disrupted. The shade fell back to the ground with the rod in its claws. Soon after, the rod vanished into the shadows.

With the light-aspected distraction gone, all remaining ghoul heads turned to Terry.

Uh-oh.

Terry quickly retrieved another light-aspected item and hurled it away.

***