[Chapter 28 part 1] Soul – The Field of Graves

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“And there’s your guide.” Emerit announced, retreating back inside. The man approaching was in his mid twenties, wearing Xarth’s customary black, “I’m Patrick Lonshire. Are you the adventurers I’m guiding?”

When they jumped down and introduced themselves, Patrick looked them over with concern, “Not to be rude, but aren’t you extremely young? The undead don’t play around.”

“We’ve faced them before.” Soul assured him.

“I haven’t though.” Kate muttered.

“Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.” Silver preened. It’s not often he’s the more knowledgeable one.

“We’re mostly familiar.” Soul repeated. “But if you’re nervous, you can wait outside of the Field of Graves.”

“Oh, no,” Patrick said quickly. “This isn’t about me. The undead will prioritize me last since I’ve taken the oath. Only once you’re all dead would I be in danger. No offense, but I’ll have fled long before then.”

That’s a relief. They wouldn’t have to protect a non-combatant.

“If everyone’s prepared, we should head off.” Patrick suggested. “I might not be as strong, but I’ll get you there by midday.”

“Give us a minute…” Soul walked to Wise and whispered. “Do you need a lift?”

“I’ll be fine. Yesterday Radin corrected many basic mistakes, and my strength has nearly doubled.” If he says so. “Also, you’re focusing on the wrong person.” Wise glanced towards Dawn, who surveyed the scenery with revulsion. She probably considers today a self-improvement torture session.

Soul returned to Patrick, “Are there multiple routes we could take? My sister over there has developed a mild fear of highs after a nasty fall.”

“I’ll do what I can, but this is the Twisted Lands.” Patrick said. “And there’s no avoiding the last part. Perhaps she should stay behind?”

“No, I’ll come.” Dawn cut in sharply.

Soul sighed, “Thanks for the advice, but we’ll manage.” Besides, if this turns out ‘A’ difficulty, we’ll need her.

“Suit yourselves.” Patrick shrugged, leading them onto a beaten path at a pace no ordinary person could match. Soul was pleased to see Wise kept up without issue. What Radin did is impressive.

They traveled from one snaking strand to another, at times running upside down, at others perpendicularly. Unsurprisingly, the vegetation is sparser below. Dawn keep her gaze focused towards her feet.

They made good progress… mostly. Dawn insisted on walking the rope bridges connected broken strands. This hadn’t been so bad at first, but then they’d hit this spot. Four long gaps in succession. They were watching from the far side.

“We can’t keep this up.” Free complained.

“Don’t worry.” Patrick said. “This strip feeds into the Field of Graves, eleven uninterrupted miles. Your sister will be fine until the Fold.”

“The fold?” Soul asked.

“Where the undead retreat during the day. They hate the sun.” We’ll face that hurdle when we get there.

“Is that a griffin?” Light asked. Far off, a majestic creature soared towards them.

“Yes, they’re common here.” Patrick explained. “They feed on flying kangaroos and rock bison. Look there.” Two-legged creatures were grazing on a grassy underside. Sensing the predator, they jumped high and glided towards a grove of trees. The winged beast dove in pursuit. They won’t make it.

Suddenly, something massive dropped down. The griffin veered away, screeching, as it swung through the kangaroos, snatching four in its multiple claws.

“A centisaur.” Patrick said emotionlessly. A reptilian centipede the size of a train. Soul counted at least forty legs attached to the armored body. Hanging from above, the monster eyed them as it devoured its preys. Looks troublesome.

“It isn’t a threat,” Patrick continued. “They don’t attack groups this large unless their starving.”

“How did that evolve?” Free was fascinated.

“Everything in the Twisted Lands needs ways to cross gaps.” Patrick offered.

“How do those get around?” Rose was peering upwards at a large herd meandering against the blue sky.

“Rock bison horns are fearsome earth magic catalysts. Hundreds gather and use telekinesis to pull strands together.” Patrick explained.

“Could we get closer?” Free asked hopefully. “Also, what other——”

“Focus, please.” Rose rebuked. Free relented, grinning sheepishly. Thank you. It wasn’t an accident they hadn’t encountered much fauna. Patrick was doing his job. Moving through that herd would be a nightmare.

“I wonder what this was like before the Fracturing.” Soul switched topics.

“Where we’re standing would’ve been above the Blue Abyss.” Patrick answered. I remember this. Besides lifting the crust, the HEAVENLY DAO had shrunk the oceans, deepening them. To make space.

“Is the Field of Graves visible yet?” Rose asked.

“No, it’s at a higher elevation.” Patrick gestured to a far off rock face. “A mile up from there. It’s quite a sight.”

When Dawn finally joined them, she turned back, fists clenched. “Why didn’t we warp?” She demanded. “For the return trip, I admit this was unavoidable. But why couldn’t we have met Patrick directly there?” Good question.

“That was the original plan.” Wise stated.

“WHAT?” Dawn exploded, a blast freezing the ground.

Wise hesitated, “It’s Emerit… He wanted to do that demonstration, so…”

“Because of the goat? That stupid goat?” Dawn’s eyes had a crazed glint. “When I get back…” Thank god he’s a Saint. Good with fire too.

“Calm down.” Soul said. “It’s solid earth from here on.”

With no obstacles, the scenery flew by so fast it was disorienting. The heavens were on their right, then left, then below… They even disappeared entirely. This place destroys your sense of direction. Soul grew queasy and had to stare down too. Then they were running strait up, the blue ahead brightening. They broke out, climbing through an uncluttered sky.

This particular loop rose higher than all the rest. we’ll see our destination at the zenith. Slowly, a vast, rust-colored plateau came into view. It towered over the sea of green pasta. Along the edges, strands shot out and snaked down. They were on one.

Soul saw them clearly now, millions of metal works glistening in the sun. Spears, swords, daggers, staffs, axes… The Field of Graves was a relic from the Dark Age’s bleakest period. In a desperate attempt to prevent the dead from rising, corpses were immediately incinerated. Nothing was left save their weapons. That proof was enshrined here.

This site had hosted humanity’s costliest confrontations. By the time the battle had moved on, the fields were littered with steel and the ground stained with blood. From that point on, until there was barely room to walk, the arms of the fallen were gathered and lain across the reddish hills.

They slowed entering the esoteric graveyard. There was no life whatsoever, only a solemn, unnerving feeling. It drives home the numbers lost.

“Remember not to touch anything. They’re cursed.” Patrick warned. The blades were haunted by their wielders’ regrets and remnants of the horrors they fought.

“I like it here.” Dawn said. She’s valuing solid ground above all else.

They made their way through the armaments. There’s no rust or wear. That had to be the HEAVENLY DAO. Or perhaps it’s the curses keeping them pristine. His senses felt distant screams emanating from the metal. Even after all this time…

“This is where we’d normally meet.” Patrick offered, passing an open area. Now why’d you do that? Dawn mouthed curses.

“You’ve done this many times?” Soul asked.

“Four times so far.” Patrick replied. “The place is close to Forstrand. If it isn’t cleared every few years, people go missing.”

This is why frontier regions remain well-populated despite the risk. Outside the safety of civilization, aging slowed. Somewhere like Forstrand would grant an extra decade. Deadlier places could provide centuries. Nothing dies of old age in the Green Hell.

They reached a mile-wide depression where the bladed fields wrinkled and stretched leading up to a chasm in its center. Like a blanket that’s been the pulled into a hole.

“So this is a Twisted Land too?” Dawn groaned.

Wise stopped them at the opening. Of course, he should be close enough. When he’d asked for details earlier, Wise had explained that foresight was challenging in unfamiliar environments, and this place was particularly bad.

“Damn.” Wise said. “Check our status.”

QUEST: Clear the Field of Graves

STATUS: Uncompleted

GUILD ESTIMATED DIFFICULTY: B

ACTUAL DIFFICULTY: A

“Thought so.” Wise said sadly. “At least we’re eight.” The rating was based on a four man party. Only Dawn’s strength should be A rank.

“Why’d it update?” Patrick asked confused.

“Yes, don’t keep us in the dark.” Rose pressed. “What’d you see?”

“There’s a death user in there.” Wise spoke in a tired voice. “He’s summoned and strengthened many undead. His mind is pretty corrupted. We won’t be able to reason with him.”

Those who called undead into the world, without proper training or the oath’s protection, were referred to as death users. They were invariably driven mad by their summons.

“You shouldn’t even try reasoning.” Patrick reprimanded. “They must be executed on sight.”

“This one has yet to kill.” Wise countered.

“I don’t understand how you’d know that, but it doesn’t matter. They always do in the end.” Patrick said forcefully. “I hope to travel to Xarst to complete my studies. Death users give all necromancers a bad names.”

“Setting that aside, what will you do?” He asked. “There’s no shame in retreating.”

Soul glanced around then answered, “No, we’ll continue. We were expecting something like this.”

A gale assaulted them as they descended. Dawn was right with her guess. They were walking perpendicularly down a cave. Their eyes adjusted quickly.

“Hell no…” Dawn whispered.

Below, or rather in front, was a vast space. The reddish, sword-covered earth had been shredded and scattered as if by a whirlwind. A thousand small islands were connected by even tinier strands, with only the center clear of debris. It looks like someone threw sand into a tube-shaped spiders web. Also, it’s swaying. Their surroundings undulated under the howling wind.

“You see the rock mass one mile down?” Patrick explained. “It’s a large section of the Field of Graves floating upside down. The undead congregate there.”

“There’s no way…” Dawn lamented.

(continued in part 2)