DRAGONLORDS: A Call To Vengeance
Prologue
POV: Thomas (a tracker in the Elvin vanguard)
Location: Tribian forest
As the midday sun beat down on your head you could not help the painful ache on your feet that comes from walking too long. You have been on this quest for days and even though your captain was still marching ahead but you could see that the rest of the men in the party have begun to slow. Does he even know where he's going you ask yourself while slapping another mosquito that got inside your armor
Darius:
Having trouble rookie?
You turned to see Darius an older experienced tracker staring at you
Thomas
I get wanting to hunt goblins but do we really need to go this far? What if we get lost in this forest or something?
Darius:
Aren't you the tracker? How can you be afraid of getting lost?
You could clearly hear the sarcasm dripping from his voice and you felt the need to defend yourself.
Thomas
Normally I wouldn't be but I think you and I have been in the Vanguard long enough to know that this forest is not an ordinary one. If we get lost in here it could take a week to get our bearings and if we are unlucky it could take as much as three months. Did you bring enough supplies?
Captain
The goblins know of our hesitancy to enter into this forest and that is why they fled here. If we give those pests an inch they will honker down and breed and in a month of so we will be looking at an entire swamp instead of the two or three that were now chasing. That is why we must exterminate these pests and why we are not leaving until it is done. Am I understood?
You could only manage a weak "yes sir"
2 hours later one of your party members found a pair of footprint but one look at them and you could immediately tell that something was wrong.
Thomas
Captain does this look like boot prints to you?
Captain
Yes is that a problem?
Thomas
Ser, goblins don't wear shoes
Darius:
It's most likely bandits sir. They must have been hiding in these woods.
The captain thought deeply for a moment then he put on his helmet and unsheathed his bane rune sword.
Captain
No bandit who values his life will think twice about hiding in this cursed place. (He said dryly). If there are people in these woods then you can bet your worthless lives they did not come here just to hide. Follow me lads let's find out what in the saints they are doing here.
So saying he matched forward while leaving the rest of you struggling to keep up with him.
After a long while the footprints eventually led you to a clearing in the forest and in the center was the entrance to a very large cave.
Captain
Stay out here and watch our backs. The rest of you follow me
Without argument, you stood by the side of the cave and watched as the captain and all the men in your tracking party entered the surprisingly well lit cave.
A few moments later you began to hear the sound of someone throwing up.
Thomas
Is there anything in there?
Darius:
Yes but don't come in here if you have eaten.
Ignoring his sarcasm, you quickly rushed into the cave......only to see a pile of corpses placed in a circle around a weird looking pentagram drawn in blood
Thomas
Saints preserve us, who would do something like this?
Captain
Apparently someone who knew this was the only place they could do it. Any of you know what this thing means? (The captain asked while pointing to a blood written inscription on the ground close to the edge of the pentagram)
Darius:
It looks like ancient Sumerian sir. I studied the transcript while in the academy.
Captain
Can you read this?
Darius knelt down at the inscriptions and slowly began to read.
Darius:
Kagma Halman Miran Dor
The ground began to shake.
Darius:
Ukte Varman Geman Der
The copses began to rise.
Darius:
Tagma Lamu Zagan Zer
The corpses began pulling out swords from nowhere
Before he could finish that spell the captain gave him a fierce kick that sent him tumbling right into the center of the pentagram.
Seeing this all the corpses yelled out an unholy cry and then launched themselves in an attack.
This brought about a very fierce battle and though you held your own for a while due to the skillful fighters on your side, the undead outnumbered you almost 10-1, and when more began pouring from the outside the tide of the battle quickly shifted. Before long even the captain was overwhelmed and you became the only one standing amidst the corpses of dead vanguard soldiers.
Rather than kill you as you had expected, the undead simply stepped aside in a way that gave you full view of Darius's body in the center of the pentagram.
Before long an undead dressed in the flowing robes of a mage began walking up to Darius's body with what looked like a crown held in front of him.
The corpse then placed the crown on his head and tore open his stomach with a bone hilt dagger. As soon as the blood began to flow all the undead surrounded the alter and began chanting as one in a cold and terrible voice.
Undeads
Kagma Halman Miran Dor
Darius' flesh melted away leaving only the complete bone
Undeads
Ukte Varman Geman Der
A black smoke began to rise from the center pentagram
Undeads
Tagma Lamu Zagan Zer
The black smoke covered the bones in a spectacular thick black armour
Undeads
Quen Dor Harmo!!!!!!!
New Direction
POV : Valdur Stormfort
Location: Castle Ashmark
Vladur Stormfort
Can this trip get any worse?!!!!
You cry out in frustration while trying to drag your trusted Stallion that had collapsed due to hunger and exhaustion, through an abandoned road.
As far as you could tell, you had been walking without rest for over a week now, and the last of your food and water supply ran out 3 days ago. Your belly was grumbling, your legs were aching and you wanted nothing more than to turn back and run to the nearest village or town.
Voice
Why don't you do that then?
You know full well I won't stop you.
The same annoying voice that you had been in your head ever since your rebirth into this world jeered.
Vladur Stormfort
Did we not agree that you would not read my thoughts without my permission Cassandra? (You try as much as you could to keep your voice neutral)
Voice
First off we never finished that discussion and second are you really trying to avoid my question? (She said in a singsong voice)
Vladur Stormfort
What question
Voice
Do I really need to repeat myself?
Vladur Stormfort
Have you anything better to do?
Even though you couldn't see it, you could clearly imagine her rolling her eyes.
Voice
Why would you continue when you so clearly want to stop?
Vladur Stormfort
Because even if I choose to stop "somebody" will still possess my body and make me walk all the way there anyway. At least this way I have some choice in the matter.
Voice
Well glad that was out of the way. (Her tone was casual)
Vladur Stormfort
Where are we even going anyway, and why do you want to go there so badly?
Voice
You'll see. If you get there on time you will see.
That was not a satisfactory answer, but you knew Cassandra well enough by now expect anything else.
Abandoning the horse you decide to go the next few miles on foot and after a while you began regretting your decision.
Vladur Stormfort
How much further is this place?
Vladur Stormfort
Won't you say anything Cassandra?
Vladur Stormfort
Fine then forget it.
You continued with a resolve to keep walking for as long as your legs could carry you, and you were surprised that despite how tired your bones were you did not collapse like your horse did. You suppose you have Cassandra to thank for that.
After a long time you came to the middle of a very large but abandoned town with a very tall and good-looking Castle standing in the middle of it.
Vladur Stormfort
Is this where I go Cassandra?
Voice
Yes. And if you value your life I highly suggest you take serious care.
(She said bluntly)
Rather than question her reasons, you decide to simply obey her command and you carefully walked through the town and entered the Castle through its open doors.
Vladur Stormfort
Shouldn't a castle of this magnitude be better protected? And are you sure it is okay to just walk into someone else's property like this?
Voice
The Castle has been abandoned for over thirty years Vladur. The only people in it are already dead.
Refusing to take her at her word, you mustered the last of your strength to pull out your sword and cautiously entered the Castle one step at a time. Once inside you were forced to your knees as an unexplainable energy began to fill you faster than you could even breathe. By the time you could stand all your fatigue had disappeared and your body was glowing a faint gold.
Vladur Stormfort
What is this Cassandra? (You cried out in shock)
Voice
Bane cast my dear. (She said in ecstasy). Raw unfiltered bane cast. Why else did you think I asked you to come here?
Vladur Stormfort
You dragged me all the way out here simply because you wanted to feel raw bane cast
(This time the anger was clear in your voice)
Voice
Calm down my champion. Even I am not so callus.
Vladur Stormfort
Yeah right
(You scoff)
Voice
I'm serious. If I wanted to feel raw bane cast that bad, all I had to do was to kill you and refine the bane in your body. That should have been enough to keep me going for a week or so.
Vladur Stormfort
And you call that not being callus
(You think)
Voice
Why don't you rest first?
(She said seriously)
There are some things need to tell you, and I you need to be in top form if you are to listen.
Surprised by seriousness in her voice, you slowly removed your armor and began exploring the floors of the abandoned castle.
You have to say for an abandoned castle, the place was not only well maintained and cleaned but it also had every considerable thing that you could expect from a real castle. There were coins in its treasury, beds and blankets in its bedroom and armor and weapons in its armory. But perhaps the most surprising of all was that when you opened the dining room the food in it still looked as good as the day it was made.
Vladur Stormfort
If this place was abandoned for as long as you said it was, how is it that the castle is so well maintained.
Voice
Because of me my dear. (She said cheerfully)
I made sure that nothing in here went bad just as I made sure you were here to see all of it.
Vladur Stormfort
Should I know the reason why?
(You asked with caution)
Voice
Eat first, and then we will talk.
(Her tone made it clear that there was no room for argument)
Feeling hungry anyway, you sat down at the dining table and began to partake in meals that your fourteen years of mercenary work would never be able to afford and for the first time in twenty-four years, you eat and eat and eat.
Vladur Stormfort
For now? Yes. Are you going to tell me why I am here?
You heard a sharp intake of breath.
Voice
What do you know of the old Sumerian Empire?
Vladur Stormfort
Not much. Only they started as humble Fae shepherds in the northern mountain who eventually they learned how to tame dragons and this helped them built an Empire 1 DE that dominated the continent for over 400 years.
Voice
Do you know how they fell?
Vladur Stormfort
I did not pay much attention to history.
(You said with a smile)
All of a sudden your head began to ache you in such a way that you felt as though your skull was being split into two.
Vladur Stormfort
Alright!!! Alright!!!!!
Vladur Stormfort
All I know is that at the height of the empire some rouge mages performed a dark ritual that unleashed an ancient evil into our world. This brought about a long disastrous war that lasted for a decade. Finally, at the final battle of Ash mark the Fae defeated the great evil at a costly battle that cost them the lives of nine out of ten of their entire population. When the other Nations saw that the Sumerians had been reduced by the great war they all took that chance to assert their Independence. What is more they all banded together against their former masters and on 416 DE the grand alliance launched a five-year campaign against the old Sumerian empire. In the final battle the last Sumerian King burnt his entire castle to the ground rather than surrender to the enemies.
Why are you asking me this?
Just like that your body stood up from the dinning and began walking towards the throne room on its own. It walked into a room with a silver door and in their you saw a large King sized bed on it was something you thought you would never see again ever since you were reborn in this fantasy medieval world.
Vladur Stormfort
Is that......?
(You cry)
Voice
A laptop? Yes
Do you still remember how to use one of these?
(Her voice was teasing as always)
Vladur Stormfort
Yes, but what do you want me to use it for?
Voice
The fires of war have burned Elindor for far too long Fae. The humans, elves and dwarfs have played their bloody games for far too long.
The time has come for this jungle to once again have an apex predator. One who will drag the rest of the animals kicking and screaming into unification.
Vladur Stormfort
And you want me to be this Apex predator? No offence to my Fae given powers but have you forgotten that I am alone? I am nowhere near......
Voice
Enough? Yes I know and that is why I have made sure that you will not be alone.
Voice
I want you to use that laptop and contact other from your world who would be willing to strive and survive in this one.
Vladur Stormfort
You want to bring others here? How would that even be possible?
Voice
You focus on getting their consent. Leave the rest to me
(She said mischievously)
100% realism (Jason I)
POV: Jason Ajong Kim
Location: MIT
Meanwhile in the Prestigious Massachusetts Institute of technology, a precarious 17 years old boy sat down at the guardians and counseling office with displeasure registered on his face.
Councilor
Good afternoon Mr Lockwood, have I kept you waiting for too long?
Jason
Oh not long professor, though I am sure that our time would have been better spent had you not decided to use the bathroom.
The counselor was visibly surprised at first but he quickly schooled his expression to something more neutral.
Councilor
As expected of the number one student in the university.
(He said casually)
Your IQ is really off the chats
Jason
Thank you professor. I appreciate the compliment
(You said sarcastically)
Why I am here?
Councilor
What have you been told?
Jason
Only that I was to see the counsel. No one told me the reason why.
Councilor
I suppose you have to hear this from me then.
(He cleared his throat)
Kid in as much as the school acknowledges your achievements, we believe your behavior towards others had gone across the thin line between helpful pride and arrogance.
Jason
And what do you know of my achievement professor?
(You say in a calm voice)
Councilor
Do you need me to read it out?
Jason
If you don't mind. I would like to know what the school has gathered on me so far.
The Counselor thought deeply for a while and then pulled out a large file labeled confidential. You could not help rolling your eyes.
Councilor
Jason Ajong Kim
Age: 17
Mother died giving birth to you
Father died six months ago
Only surviving relative is your older sister who's also your legal guardian.
You won the world chess championship at age five by beating the then chess champion in 6 moves.
You won the architectural competition for the redesigning of Saint Peter's Balisca in Rome at age 8,
Hacked the world's most secure military satellite and started a cybersecurity business from the hype at age 10,
started up global crypto trading company at age sixteen,
And is credited with a scientific breakthrough achieved in the field of cloning that was made public just recently.
(He took a deep breath)
That is quite the achievement young man.
Jason
Thank you very much sir, can you now kindly explain why exactly am I sitting here instead of in class?
The man leaned forward and said.
Councilor
You are here because the students and teachers are beginning to feel that your achievements makes you think you are so much better than them.
Jason
And they would think that because?
Councilor
You show no respect for your teachers, you insult your fellow students and just the other day, you even went as far as insulting Albert Einstein.
Jason
And they all see it as arrogance?
Councilor
How else should they see it?
Jason
I am simply being honest and open about what is think and feel.
The professor almost scoffed
Jason
Take for example, are you aware that your smoking addiction is keeping you from being on time for more important things?
The Counselor's face covered in shock.
Councilor
How do you know about my......
Jason
You have a dark brown stain at your left shoe that comes from cigarette ash, your fore finger and your mid-finger are always 6 inches apart and this is the third time in three days you've come here late after being in the toilet for approximately 10 minutes 20 seconds which is all the time a person needs to smoke a thick Cuban cigar. Now any other person who notices this would most likely ignore it, for the sake of being polite, but I am telling you so that you can either deal with the addiction or try to cover your tracks better. Is that not a breath of fresh air?
(The man took one look at the camera in his office and said)
He then quickly gathered his things and hurried out of the hall with no intention of coming back.
Jason
Well you can't say I didn't try.
Juliana
Are you kidding me?
(Your sister yelled into the speaker system)
Who is their right senses would come back after that?
Jason
He said he will be back. Are you telling me he was lying?
Juliana
Don't give me bull shit
(She counters hotly)
Would you have let him go if you said he wasn't coming back?
Jason
That's actually a good point.
Your sister took a deep long suffering breath.
Juliana
This is the tenth psychiatrist you've chased away in just 2 weeks Jason.
(She says softly)
If this continues the school is actually going to think that you're really crazy.
Jason
Have they considered the fact that I just don't like sitting here and wasting my time on things that actually have no relevance at all?
She took a deeper breath.
She says and then turns off the speaker
On the way back to your apartment, you quickly notice that Alice was more quiet than usual and she had her phone almost glued to her face.
Jason
Are you trying to avoid someone?
Juliana
What?
(She asked distractedly)
Jason
What are you staring at?
Juliana
Oh, you know just some baloney from my friends in the chat group.
Jason
And it's so impressive that you have been staring at the same screen page for the past fifteen minutes?
Juliana
Please don't start.
Jason
I'm just saying that maybe avoiding trouble is not the best thing to do in certain situation
Juliana
And what should I do then? Pick a fight I can't win?
Jason
Well won't that be much better than.....
You had barely completed that statement before a red new model convertible drove into a puddle and sent the water splashing all over you.
Jason
(Mutter) Speak of the devil.
Stephanie
Hey Acne, did you lose your glasses again?
The girls who were in the car with little miss pompous, burst into laughter.
Juliana
We don't want any trouble Stephanie. We were just leaving.
She then tries to grab your hand, but you avoid hers.
Jason
Yeah, and just because you have grapefruit on your chest doesn't mean you should be jealous of those with fuller figures.
The laughter suddenly ceased and the girls mouths widened in shock.
Stephanie
What did you just say to me?
She walks out her car with two muscular men.
Juliana
He was just kidding there's no need to take his words personal.
Alice cried as she stepped between you too.
Jason
Excuse me, I'm only saying the truth both of you are well aware of. You should be grateful I didn't even add that her boyfriend Chris was staring at your chest during history class.
Stephanie
Is that so you ungrateful little b****? I am barely able to tolerate your presence in my school and now you're shaking those disgusting melons at my boyfriend?
Juliana
That's not what he.....
A stinging slap ended her protests.
Stephanie
(Coldly) Teach them both a lesson they will never forget.
She said coldly and her goons went to work.
By the time they were done, you and your sister ended up walking around the entire MIT without a single piece of clothing on you to the cheers and jeers of almost everyone in your department.
Juliana
Jason for five minutes, couldn't you just don't be yourself
(Yells)
FOR FIVE MINUTES?
Jason
What are you yelling at me for? It's not my fault she's such an insecure twat. Besides we both know that even if I hadn't said anything, she would have just found another reason to pick on you.
Juliana
Yes, but could you at least try not to escalate things for once?
Jason
No.
(You said simply)
They are assholes and I tell them so. It is my place in the society.
She simply rolled her eyes and smiled.
After a very humiliating trip back to your apartment, you showered, changed your clothes and began checking your emails while waiting for your sister to make dinner. The emails were mostly advertisement for all sorts of skin care products....
Jason
(Thinks)
Who gave these guys my number?
But then you finally saw a link from the online gaming chat group you belong to. To be honest you are not really fond of this group due to the incessant arguments and irrelevant topics but since they are the only group that had not yet kicked you out and seemed to encourage plain speaking, you find yourself logging into it on days when you have nothing better to do. Unfortunately for you today was one of those days so you quickly click on it and entered the platform in the middle of another intensive argument.
Dr one hundred
It's not just improbable son, it's fucking impossible.
Hand of God
How can you be so sure if you won't even entertain the idea?
Dr one hundred
Are you listening to yourself rookie? I know you only joined us last week but all of here take our gaming very seriously.
Thor's hammer
Yeah. and you coming here and saying that you know a game with a hundred prevent percent realism is as bogus as saying you know a snake with no slitter. Do we look like web novel characters to you?
As usual you had to intervain
Jason
Is the newcomer blowing hot air again?
Thor's hammer
This is worse than hot air man. The newbie is actually trying to convince us that his company is producing a game that will engage all your senses as though you were really in it.
Jason
Really? How does it work?
Hand of God
Well I don't really know much about it but my friend at the IT department said that they succeeded in developing a technology that can fully stipulate the human brain.
Jason
And it's really working?
Hand of God
Well it is not officially on the market yet but the company where I worked said that the game should be ready for the first batch of beta testers by Thursday.
Jason
First of all isn't there a rule against peddling products on this platform and second come on man who are you trying to deceive? If your company succeeded in developing something like that do you know the implications it could have to the global economy? Every country in the world would want to use something like that for use in their military and medical sectors. Why would your company restrict their profits to the uncertain profit margin of a game?
Hand of God
Trust me man I've been asking myself the very same question. All I know is that the big bosses decided they will make far more profit in a game and we've been on this project for so long I don't think we are going to want to call things quit now. Listen I know it's a hard to believe but I promise you that come Thursday I will definitely wipe that smirk off your faces.
He paused for a while as though he was thinking something
Hand of God
Since you guys don't believe me, I could pull some weight around and get you guys ticket as a first set of beta testers. What do you think?
Dr one hundred
I think I'm allergic to internet scammers
Hand of God
No one asking you to pay anything genius, all you have to do is click on the link I'll post on this group and then fill the form.
Thor's hammer
And just like that we get our hands on a cutting edge technology? Isn't that too easy?
Hand of God
Well you guys are our first beta testers so....
Jason
can you get a thicket for one more person?
Hand of God
That depends. Who is this person?
Jason
Someone who I think is way overdue for an adventure.
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