Chapter 34
I have to say, I agree with Erik, Maroc said, taking a subtle step to the right that put him squarely between Obe and the rooms exit.
The other adventurers all shared glances as they spread out, making a half circle around Obe and Gorn that blocked off their escape. From the practiced ease with which they moved to seal the exit, it was clear this wasnt their first time doing something like this. While Obe knew that the world of adventurers was a brutal one, full of backstabbing and betrayal, he had never imagined it would happen to him
His face hardening, Obe glanced at Gorn but saw that his companions gaze was strangely hazy, almost as if he was unconscious. Gorn had been acting strange ever since theyd found the ghoul nest the first time, and Obe was starting to worry. This wasnt the time for either of them to be spacing out, however, and remembering the strange fainting spell that had overtaken the other gang members, Obe grabbed Gorns arm, afraid he would keel over. Shaken out of his stupor, Gorns eyes suddenly sharpened and he looked around, shocked by the sudden change in the situation. It only took him a moment to figure out what was going on, and with a flash his daggers appeared in his hand and he stepped close to Obes side.
What do you want? he demanded, glaring at Maroc and Erik.
The two adventurers looked at each other and smiled, seeing the same idea in each other. Despite the small smile that crossed Eriks lips, there was nothing friendly about the way he looked at Obe and Gorn.
Give us the nest stone and you wont suffer needlessly, the one-eyed adventurer said, lifting his sword and pointing it at them.
Shocked by his bloodthirsty tone, Gorn stiffened and anger crept up his neck, causing his face to flush red.
Are you threatening us? Obe asked, taking a step backward and pulling on Gorns arm.Visit no(v)eLb(i)n.com for the best novel reading experience
With a wave, Maroc commanded his team to step forward.
What does it look like to you? Maybe you dont understand the situation youre in. Were taking the nest stone. Which means we cant leave you alive. But dont worry, well let everyone know how incredibly heroic you were in the fight against the ghouls.
As the gravity of their situation sank in, Gorn and Obe glanced at each other. Both of them were strong fighters, but fighting against eight trained adventurers was beyond hopeless. There was no way they could win, and even if they did fight, they would be lucky if they could even manage to take down one of their enemies. Swallowing, Gorn wracked his brain for a way out, but nothing came to mind. Strangely, he found himself wishing for that sixth sense which occasionally popped up in his head, but it was as silent as the grave, just like itd been for the last few days.
Next to him, Obe was sweating, his hand still wrapped around the nest stone. Tempted to shift it to his other hand so he could wipe his palm, he didnt dare, in case the greedy adventurers used that opportunity to attack. If the nest stone hadnt been impossibly hard, he would have threatened to crush it then and there, but there was no way he would be able to scratch it, much less destroy it. Taking a step back, a shadowy figure appeared in his vision and he jumped in surprise, his head snapping over. Standing against the wall, Viper, who had been forgotten again in the fervor over the nest stone, once again came to everyones attention.
What about him? Maroc asked Erik.
What do you mean, what about him? Kolz said, sneering. Hes dead like the other two.
Agreed, Erik said, his face solemn. If were doing this, were doing it all the way. Its nothing personal, Viper. Just consider yourself unlucky.
Unlucky? On the contrary, Vipers raspy voice set everyone on edge.
There was something off about the robed adventurer, and as his voice bounced around the room everyone felt their hearts beating slightly faster. Slowly reaching up, he pulled his hood down, revealing the crimson mask he wore. A white flower was etched into the side of the mask, and Gorns eyes widened imperceptibly as he caught sight of the rainbow sheen that flickered across the petals.
If you wish it, I will save you, Viper said, looking at Gorn and Obe. But the cost will be the stone in your hands.
Before the three adventurers from the Farsight team could make it to the crack, Viper finally spoke, his voice drawing everyones attention.
I have to thank you. I was honestly at a loss as to how I was going to salvage this situation, but youve brought the solutions straight to me.
What are you babbling about? Erik asked, his one eye watching Vipers sword hand closely.
Am I babbling? I wonder if Im starting to develop a tendency toward monologuing, Viper mused, his head tilting slightly as if he was thinking about it. Regardless, Im talking about them.
A scratching sound from the dirt roof above them was the first sign that something was wrong, and as the adventurers looked up in growing horror, they saw two ghoulish creatures looking at them from the ceiling. Yells rang out in the room, accompanied by screams of pain as one of the three Farsight adventurers collapsed to the ground, both legs shredded by the sharp claws that erupted from the earth underneath him.
The room descended into absolute pandemonium as the monsters struck, and with a flash Vipers silver blade added to the chaos, stabbing into Marocs chest. Sparks flew as the tip of his sword skittered off of the thick chainmail the silver-haired adventurer wore. Sent stumbling by the attack, Maroc lifted his own short sword, at the same time trying to let out a warning shout. Unable to manage more than a coughing wheeze, he could only watch in horror as that silver blade reversed course, cutting through Amers wrist, sending his hand and axe flying.
In the scuffle the torches were dropped and tramped out by feet, causing the already dim chamber to be plunged into complete darkness. Already terrified, the darkness added a new level of fear and the adventurers could only flail about themselves with their weapons. Blades clashed with armor as they fought, their minds sinking into combat madness, so shaken by fear that they were unable to tell the difference between friend and foe.
Get back! Get back against the wall!
Hearing a shout, Kolz, who had fallen to the ground, scrambled forward, hoping to find a wall without running into one of the ghouls. Feeling a limb, he let out a roar and slashed out with all his strength, blanching as his sword bit through leather armor and cut deep into someones chest. Realizing hed just attacked one of Eriks men, he swiftly struck out again, afraid of a counterattack. His breath was ragged as the pained cry of the man he had cut faded, life leaving the body in front of him.
Covered in blood hidden by the darkness, he scrambled over the body, finally reaching the relative safety of the wall. There was no light in the entire room, and there was no difference between having his eyes open and closed, so he screwed his eyes shut as he pressed back against the wall, trying desperately to get his breathing under control. Feeling like a long claw was about to come out of the darkness at any moment, he heard a scraping sound near him and yelled out.
Stay back!
Kolz!
Marocs voice came from the other side of the room, causing him to turn his head.
Im near the entrance, can you
Cutting off with a gurgle, Marocs voice fell silent and the scraping sound suddenly stopped, only to be replaced with a terrified scream ending with a crunching sound. Horror completely seized Kolz as silence fell over the chamber. Too afraid to even breathe, Kolz stared around him at the darkness until a soft sound in the center of the room got his attention. There was a scraping sound and a spark lit a torch. A figure dressed in dark robes lifted the torch up, revealing the absolute carnage in the room.
With soft steps, Viper walked forward until he was in front of Kolz, crouching down to bring himself to the adventurers eye level. Behind him, six strange creatures lurked silently, adding an even greater sense of fear to Kolzs already overtaxed mind. The monsters looked like ghouls from their powerful legs to the long, blade-like claws on their hands and feet, but what truly terrified him were the large flowers that appeared where their heads should have been. Five glistening petals shimmered with an entrancing light, almost making him miss the jagged teeth that ran along the edge of each of the petals.
Y you who are who are you?
Unable to process the sight of monsters working together with an adventurer, and terrified beyond reason, Kolz wasnt even able to muster a defense as the crimson-masked man lifted his sword.
Someone you shouldnt have messed with, Viper replied with a shrug, the flower on his mask flashing with a rainbow light.
