The fight against the Blight Ogre had not been without its challenges, but Amara and I had been victorious. Yet, that had been a single, if tough, enemy. The Hellblade would undoubtedly be stronger, and it would likely not be alone. Dungeons were typically handled by groups, and I had only managed to find a companion by possessing the extraordinary divine magic of several Gods to heal her. Then, I had managed to defeat an enemy I doubted anyone was meant to overcome alone. What then was waiting for us when we finally confronted the Dungeon’s Boss? I steeled myself and recalled an old prayer to Mir, which I muttered under my breath.
“Mir, Mother of Aramyr, guard us against our enemies. Though we are few let the light that fills our hearts outweigh the darkness. I do not strike out of fear or anger, but towards a resolution of peace and…the renewal of hope.”
My brow furrowed. Why had I amended the end of that prayer? It normally ended, ‘…a resolution of peace and harmony of the spirit.’ I had felt something stir within me when I said the words. I felt suffused with a sense of confidence I could not explain. Even Amara seemed to stand a little straighter.
You have been granted the boon A Memory of Light!
You are now immune to Lesser Charm!
You are now immune to Adept Charm!
I had cast no spell and I was certain Amara had not either, especially when she silently dipped her head in my direction in thanks. I wanted to tell her it hadn’t been me who had granted the boon, but we had already reached the door to the Hierophant’s inner chambers. Amara didn’t hesitate. She put her shoulder to the door, which gave before her strength and she rushed inside. I followed just behind.
The room was in shambles. Candelabras were overturned upon the floor, candles scattered about with some still somehow remaining alight. A table had been smashed to bits, chairs overturned and destroyed. A large window, which had once been set with colorful stained glass, was shattered. Bits of glass were strewn upon the floor, as if something large had smashed through it from the outside. I had a fairly good guess as to what had done all the damage too.
There, seated upon the only upright chair in the room sat a red skinned, horned humanoid creature. It looked a mixture of man and demon, and I knew I finally beheld the Hellblade, a Cambion of the Demonic Planes. It grinned at us mockingly with fanged teeth glistening as it held cradled in its arms a small, golden-haired girl who appeared to be asleep. What shocked me the most was that her arms were around the Hellblade’s neck, and her face rested peacefully against his bare chest.
“Spawn of Hell, unhand her!” Amara snarled and stalked forward. I was still taking in the rest of the room as I followed. The Hellblade wasn’t alone. High in the rafters above, I saw several sets of glowing red eyes glaring down at us.
Imp
Level 3
I counted four Imps in total perched atop bookshelves or ineffectually trying to hide behind unlit sconces. They loomed like gargoyles showing rows of teeth similar to the Blight Ogre if on a smaller scale. I tried to ignore their cackling and I was glad I could not understand their infernal speech as they hissed amongst themselves. No doubt they were confident of their victory, but thanks to the boon I had received and our victory over the Blight Ogre, my own confidence was high. I sneered back in their direction which made them cackle all the louder.
“Now is that the appropriate way to speak to your new master?” The Hellblade’s voice was silky smooth and it lifted a clawed finger to softly stroke the cheek of the sleeping girl. It would have almost seemed a show of tenderness were it not for the mocking grin upon its face. “We are pleased that one of you somehow survived,” the Hellblade turned his burning gaze upon me. “And we are most curious where you came from, Human child.”
I wasn’t sure how to respond. My mind froze for being addressed by one of the Infernals.
You have resisted Infernal Charm!
Amara has resisted Infernal Charm!
“I told you. Let. Her. GO!” The Hellblade lost his smile and his eyes glowed like two molten discs. He lifted his arms and the girl floated up from his lap to hang suspended from the air. She did not wake, but floated stiff as a board in the air. The Hellblade directed her to float beside him as he stood from his chair and let a pair of large, bat-like wings stretch out behind him.
“And I told you this is no way to speak to your new master!” The Hellblade hissed. From nowhere, a large two-handed black blade appeared in his hands, and he stalked towards Amara. “Your God is dead. Your precious Hierophant will soon awaken as a Chosen of Xat and your entire race will learn to follow a new God. A God of Hell!” The Hellblade threw back its head and laughed, displaying sharp canines while Amara cursed him.
“There is no such God!” I yelled. “You are as false as the ones you serve, hellspawn! Great Ord, cast this dark spirit back to the pit that spawned him!”
I cast Weak Cleanse, my finger pointing at the Hellblade’s chest. The Cambion screamed in pain as he was briefly enveloped in a golden light. A red bar appeared above his head showing I had done very little damage, but I’ll not deny it was satisfying. The Hellblade quickly recovered and struck at Amara with his large sword and she reeled back from the strength of the blow despite getting her shield up in time.
You cast Weak Cleanse on [Hellblade]!
Weak Cleanse is unable to remove impurities on Target!
Weak Cleanse has had a negative reaction with {Unholy Mana}!
Weak Cleanse does 4 points of [Holy] damage to an Infernal creature!
Amara takes 4 points of bludgeoning force damage!
I quickly cast a Minor Heal to top her up again.
You heal Amara for 5 HP!
Keep calm! I’m a healer. Focus on Amara! Don’t overheal, you are wasting mana!
Yes, it had felt good to strike, but keeping Amara healed had to be my priority. I had to find the balance between mana conservation and what my heals were capable of. If I panicked and overhealed Amara each time she took damage, I would very quickly find myself bottomed out and we would both die.
I need to pace myself. Time the heals. Watch Amara’s health meter and try to throw Lesser Shadow Leech and the Minor Heal at the precise moment to keep her healthy. That is the role of a healer and I needed to master it now.
You cast Minor Shadow Leech upon [Hellblade]!
[Hellblade] resists Minor Shadow Leech!
Damn!
You cast Minor Shadow Leech upon [Hellblade]!
[Hellblade] resists Minor Shadow Leech!
The Cambion laughed. “You think to use the magic of Shadows against me? I am the Shadows!”
“Wik’s blade take you!” I swore. It was an epitaph I had heard some of the guards at the Citadel use once and I didn’t dare to repeat it for fear my mother might have heard, but I used it now. The Unholy creature either was resistant to Wik’s power or the spell was simply too weak to affect an Infernal. I would have to change tactics.
The Hellblade was strong. He struck again, his sword clanging against Amara’s shield forcing her back yet again. Only a single point of damage that time as she had switched her stance to better prepare for the force of the blow. She was fine. I kept my distance, but remained within combat range and so far the Hellblade was focusing upon Amara alone. However, I had almost forgotten about the Imps above.
Two of them swooped down to try and get their claws into Amara, while the other two dove towards me. I cried out in alarm, but Amara was there to activate an ability drawing the two who were coming after me to attack her instead.
Amara activates Boast!
Having five enemies attack her at once was too much. Her health immediately took a greater dip than it had ever done so during the fight with the Blight Ogre. The claws of the Imps tore into any exposed flesh they could find. I cast back-to-back Minor Heals to compensate. Then I raised my staff and struck at one of the Imps, determined to help Amara.
You strike Cursed Imp for 1 point of bludgeoning damage!
Well, I could annoy the creature at least, but amazingly enough it continued to harry Amara even as I struck it repeatedly. Her Boast ability had them completely focused upon her. I checked my mana and saw that it was steadily refilling even as I hit the Imp. When the Imp finally fell to the ground after I struck the tiny little head, my mana was nearly full once more.
You have killed an Imp!
You are awarded 50 Experience points!
Experience points banked until Class is chosen.
I cast another Minor Heal and turned towards another Imp. If it was to be another war of attrition rather than damage, we would win.
“Ord guide my strike!” I shouted as I struck the wing of one of the Imps, almost sending it careening to the floor. It screeched with anger. Then the Hellblade cast a spell.
Hellblade casts [Murmuring Cloud]!
Mist the color of angry storm clouds spread outwards in an ever-expanding circle originating from within the Hellblade’s wings. It covered the room obscuring my vision beyond a five yard radius. I heard the three remaining Imps cackling both above and behind me. I whirled around searching frantically for the demons to show themselves while I held my staff protectively in front of me.
“Amara, I can’t see!”
“Hope’s Light!” I heard Amara shout and I saw a moving circle of light cut through the mist. Amara’s shield! Her spell had suffused her shield with a bright glow allowing me to pinpoint her location. Knowing where she was allowed me to again cast another Minor Heal upon her while the Imps screeched in anger. The Hellblade laughed.
“Surrender, girl. This is pointless! Your lady will soon serve Lord Xat and your whole race will willingly give themselves to the Lords of Hell!”
“Bastard!” Amara shouted and I saw the shield charge towards where the Hellblade’s voice had originated. Then there was a muttered oath and a cry of pain as I saw the shield waver and the light disappeared.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
Amara is under the effects of Paralyzing Touch!
“Amara!” Without the light, I was again blind to what was happening or where she was.
“Now I shall deal with you, little Priest,” the Hellblade hissed. I could hear the glee in its voice, to my left, but I knew not to trust my senses. The magic in the mist clearly possessed a confusion effect. I grit my teeth but held my tongue. I couldn’t see him, but could he see me?
“Who are you? There are no humans in these lands. Your kind have all fled across the sea. Do your false, so-called Gods believe they can continue to take what isn’t theirs? The Lords of Hell will not be denied! You will all be ground into dust and your mana returned to the Void!”
I paused at the Hellblade’s words. They made little sense and so I ignored them, but then I remembered there was a way that I might be able to turn the tables upon him. My mana was still more than three quarters full. I would risk it for Amara’s sake.
You have cast Caretaker’s Guidance on Target [Self].
The mists were not dispelled, but thanks to the spell granted to me by Hul I was able to see the Hellblade smiling with his blade held lazily in one hand while he silently stalked towards me. It was as if here were outlined in a red fire, but the Cambion was clearly unaware of it. The Imps flitted about above me, but made no move to attack. Were they also blinded or did they hold back on their master’s orders? I imagine the arrogant bastard likely wanted to finish me off himself.
I could also see Amara. She was standing still and outlined in an incandescent blue flame, shield raised before her, an angry grimace frozen on her face. Only her eyes still moved as she looked around frantically. Without ever glancing at the Cambion, I inched backward and started working my way closer to Amara letting my eyes wander as if I were still oblivious and silently cast my next spell.
You have cast Caretaker’s Guidance on Target [Amara Silverdrake].
The Hellblade’s movements sped up slightly. Had he noticed my casting or was he worried I would locate Amara? No matter. I had only one possible card to play and it was now or never. The Hellblade lightly stepped between myself and Amara and made a gesture to his minions. The Imps screeched and as one all three dove towards me!
You cast Weak Cleanse on [Amara Silverdrake].
Weak Cleanse was a spell that had an area of effect that covered a set radius with the target, Amara, at the epicenter of the effect. I watched as her body immediately started moving as the Holy mana washed away the paralyzation effect that held her bound. The effect traveled and as both the Hellblade and now the Imps were all within the spell’s area, they were also hit with part of the Cleanse’s effect.
You have wounded a [Hellblade] for 10 points of {Holy} damage and is lightly damaged!
Imp has taken 6 points of damage and is seriously damaged!
Imp has taken 3 points of damage and is moderately damaged!
Imp has taken 4 points of damage and is moderately damaged!
The Hellblade arched his back and screeched in pain as the Holy magic washed over him. The mana cost was high and I was dangerously low once more, but I needed the Hellblade’s attention focused solely upon me for just a few seconds more.
“Lord Xat? What sort of joke is that?” I yelled and I pointed at his pain filled face. I didn’t hold back on letting my contempt show in my face or words. “I mean what I say, demon! There is no such God and there never will be!”
“You are a fool, little Priest.” The Hellblade raised its black blade and I held my breath for fear he would turn around and hear Amara creeping closer. “You are both weak. Ara was weak. The arrogance of mortals! To think you could take this world from us! That you could reap its mana for your own!” I looked over at the Imps.
I only have enough mana left to cast this on two of them. Ord, let this work!
You cast Vow of Denial on [Infernal Imp] !
You cast Vow of Denial on [Cursed Imp] !
I staggered as a wave of nausea washed over me as I used what mana I had left and held my breath as the Imps I targeted were wreathed in a golden light. The Imps screeched in rage and writhed in pain. I looked over at the Hellblade whose face betrayed his surprise and he fixed his glowing red eyes upon me before looking at what was happening to his Imps. The screeching abruptly cut off and the Hellblade’s eyes widened as the Imps started to shake uncontrollably before…Pop!
[Murmuring Cloud] dispelled!
Both the Hellblade, myself and even Amara stared in shock at where the Imps had once been. A feeling of well-being spread through my body and I gasped. Gone were the two Imps and in their place were two naked, golden winged Cherubs! They resembled human toddlers with curly blond hair and big, chubby cheeked smiles. They laughed and tumbled through the air playfully and wherever they flew streaks of golden light followed. I smiled and laughed as I fell under the effects of whatever spell they were channeling. I felt uplifted, confident, at peace within. Gone was my fear of the Hellblade and instead I felt only pity for a creature who would never know feelings of such contentment.
You are under the effects of Angelic Joy!
HP is increased 50%.
MP is increased 50%.
All Infernal/Eldritch spell effects are reduced by 50%.
Duration: 5 minutes
“WHAT HAVE YOU DONE!?” The Hellblade dropped his sword to the ground with a clang and raised his clawed hands to cover his ears as he howled in agony. The Cherubs laughed and danced circles around the Hellblade’s head as he screamed and cursed at them in his own infernal language. The remaining Imp was shocked and flew around in confusion, seemingly no longer sure what to do or terrified of suffering the same fate as its former brethren. The Hellblade’s rage only seemed to drive the Cherubs to even greater heights of laughter and one of them even wiggled its bare rump in the Cambion’s face which sent the Hellblade into an apoplectic rage.
“Amara! Now!”
The elven warrior had been staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed at the scene playing out before her, but she shook herself into action at my words and gripping her blade in both hands leapt upon the Hellblade from behind. The Cambion had no chance. Amara’s thrust was delivered with enough strength to punch through the Hellblade from back to front, skewering its black heart.
For the briefest moment the Hellblade regained its senses and leveled a finger at me.
“You will pay…” It crumbled to ashes a moment later, leaving behind a pile of loot.
I staggered to Amara’s side. She was still shaking off the effects of the paralyzation and I still suffered from the effects of the mana drain. She was breathing hard and staring at where the Hellblade had been a moment before, her eyes unfocused. “Amara?” I reached out a hand and gently touched her arm. She shuddered and blinked. “You did it. That thing is gone.” Slowly, she lowered her blade and let out a sigh. A moment later her eyes widened again.
“The Lady!”
We both rushed to where the Hierophant’s body still floated in the air, but the moment Amara reached out her arms the Hierophant’s body settled into her embrace and Amara gently lowered her to the floor.
“Please, awaken my Lady. Awaken!” Amara’s voice betrayed her desperation as she stroked the girl’s forehead. I was taken aback by how young the Hierophant looked, but when I saw the pointed ears I knew that this girl was likely far older than she appeared. Elves, after all, aged far slower than humans.
“Please, Brother Kenric. Can you help her?” Amara turned tear filled eyes to me and my heart broke to see it. These two clearly had a connection that ran much deeper than a bodyguard protecting her charge. I reached out and took hold of the girl’s hand. It was cool to the touch, but I detected a pulse. She slept. How to wake her? I sent a Minor Heal into her, but nothing changed.
“Perhaps something amongst the Hellblade’s things will help?” I murmured. I ran back over to the items the Hellblade had dropped upon its death and quickly examined them.
Tartarus-Fired Blade
Grade: Uncommon
Item Level: 10
Damage Type: Slashing/Piercing
Quality: Physical
Attack: 5 Magical
Attack: 38 Speed: Fast
Primaries: +5 Strength, +5 Constitution
Secondaries: +3% Haste, +2% Chance to Hit
Special Ability: 12% Chance to inflict {Paralyzation}.
I blinked. I was no expert in weapons or in their use, but it was plain the Hellblade had wielded an impressive sword. It had temporarily removed Amara from the fight, after all. It was useless to me, but perhaps she could use it?
Eye of Xat
Grade: D
Level: 5
Slot: Neck
Quality: Uncommon
Primaries: +3 Intelligence, +3 Constitution
Secondaries: +5% increase to all Charm spells
Magical Resistance: +10%
I held the amulet in my hand and stared at it. It resembled a staring eye, but slitted like that of a reptile. Unsettling, despite being a harmless piece of copper and some reddish metal I could not identify.
“No wonder he was upset when his Charm spells didn’t work. I doubt many of his victims were fortunate enough to have a boon granted them that allowed such spells to be resisted!”
“Have you found anything?” Amara asked, weary desperation in her voice.
“Perhaps,” I murmured. Holding the Amulet by it’s chain, I held it over the sleeping Hierophant’s head. I wasn’t sure what possessed me to do so, but I allowed the ‘Eye’ part to lightly brush her forehead. Her body jerked once, and her eyes flew open.
“Thank Ara!” Amara helped the confused girl sit up, while I sat back on the ground and let out a breath I didn’t know I had been holding.
“Praise Ara,” I added under my breath. I looked closely at the Hierophant until a soul window opened next to her head.
Name: Eliana Solandar
Class: Hierophant
Title: Echo of Ara
Level: 30
HP: 224/224
MP: 1000/1000
“Amara Silverdrake,” the Hierophant whispered, looking up at the now smiling warrior. She then looked at me again, confusion written across her face. “I do not know you, but I pray you are alright?” Amara answered her for me.
“This is Brother Kenric of Ordheim, my lady. It is only because of him I was able to rescue you.”
Congratulations! You are the first to complete the Hidden Quest: An Oath Fulfilled! By allowing Amara Silverdrake to finally fulfill her oath to rescue the Hierophant, you are awarded 1000 Experience points and allowed to choose one of three permanent buffs.
Amara’s Memory: +10 Constitution
Eliana’s Memory: + 10 Intelligence
Ara’s Memory: +10 Wisdom
Experience is banked until a Class is chosen.
You have gained +50 Faction with [Ez23d%I] ERROR!
You have gained +50 Faction with Mir!
Despite having just experienced what happens when every drop of mana is expelled from one’s body, I felt better after seeing the gains I had made, despite the bizarre error window one of the soul windows displayed. It was likely that as soon as I received my first class I would already have enough experience points to level. I glanced at Eliana who stared at me with the bluest eyes I had ever seen and felt my face grow red from the attention.
“I hope you are well recovered, Lady Eliana?” With Amara’s help, I sat up with a groan and gave a weak smile. Eliana continued to stare at me with a slight frown.
“My Lady, we must hasten to Elion as soon as you are ready for travel! When the Sultans learn of the attack upon your person they will march upon the Scorned Gate itself!” Amara stood and I with her. Lady Eliana nodded slowly, but not once did she blink or take her eyes off of mine. Finally, she spoke.
“Something is not right,” she whispered in sing-song voice. She looked around the shattered remains of her inner chapel. Even before the fight with the Hellblade it had been in rough shape, but after the fight it was a ruin. “Human, you should not be here. You should be…” Her brow scrunched up in confusion. “I should be…”
“My Lady?” Amara stepped forward, her face once again wore a worried expression, but Eliana forestalled her with a raised hand.
“No. Brother Kenric, you must take this.” Eliana reached around her neck and removed the amulet she wore. She handed it to me, and I wordlessly took it.
“My Lady! That is…” Amara’s face paled when she saw Eliana hand me the amulet, but she didn’t interfere.
“Take it, Brother Kenric. I know not why, but you must take it.”
Eliana Solandar has given you a {Shard of Ara}!
Shard of Ara
Grade: ?
Level: ?
Quality: Legendary
Primary: ?
Secondary: ?
My eyes widened. The only piece of information I could discern was the quality, which was legendary! That was enough to know I had just been handed something incredible.
“What do I do with it, my Lady?” I whispered, staring at the glowing sliver of gold that hung suspended within a small crystal sphere that was no bigger than a grape.
“You must hold it in your heart. That is where Hope always takes root.” Finally, she smiled at me and Amara watched soundlessly, her expression both confused and even a bit frightened. “Now, you must finish what you came here to do.”
“What I came here to do?” It was my turn to look confused, but then I remembered and I quickly pulled up my Quest window within my Status.
SPECIAL Quest: Locate {3} hidden pieces of Lore. This quest can only be completed within the Spiral of Ara.
Reward: Skill (Unique)
You have discovered Hidden Lore! [3 of 3]
Quest Complete!
You are awarded 3000XP!
You are awarded the Unique Skill: Lore Sight
Quest: Rescue!
A servant of the Infernal Pantheon has taken the former Hierophant of Ara captive. Rescue the Hierophant and defeat the servants of the Infernal Realm!
Success: Hierophant Lives. Hellblade defeated.
Failure: Hierophant Dies or Hellblade successfully corrupts Hierophant.
Quest Success!
Reward: Shard of Ara (1 of 6)
I let out a breath. I had done it! Rather, we had done it. I smiled at Amara, who fussed over Eliana as she continued to check her for any additional injuries. I wanted to read about my new skill too and go back over all the notifications I had pushed aside, but my heart felt heavy knowing I would never see Amara or Eliana again once I left the dungeon.
Is it strange to feel this way about shadows created by a dungeon? I know the past can’t be changed, but…
“SCREEEECH!”
“Oh, by the Gods!” I looked at Eliana and Amara in horror. I had forgotten about the Imp that I had not been able to target with Sul’s impressive spell. It shook a tiny fist at us as it ineffectually tried to gather up the ashes of the Hellblade and stuff them into a small sack it had found. It would have almost been funny had it not been so pathetic. Amara growled and stalked toward it. Eliana turned to me with a small smile.
“Thank you, Kenric of Ordheim.”
“Wait, can he not come with us to Elion, my Lady? My father would welcome him.”
“No, he cannot.” Eliana looked at me and this time she gave me a dazzling smile I would remember all the rest of my days. “Fate has other plans for him, I feel.”
“Then I bid you farewell, my friend. I will take the blade to present before the Sultans, but you must take the amulet. I’ll not touch it.” Amara placed a mailed hand upon my shoulder and squeezed gently. “If Ara wills it, we will meet again.” This time it was I who had to choke back tears. Eliana understood, I could see it in her face that she did as she turned away. There would be no reunion. Amara had died long ago and Eliana? Elves lived a long time, but did that lifespan extend to over a thousand years?
“Farewell, Lady Amara Silverdrake.” I placed the [Eye of Xat] into the pocket of my cloak. I supposed at the very least I could likely sell it if my father didn’t confiscate it first. Amara smiled and winked. Then, I watched in amazement as she walked over to the cowering Imp and with a lightning quick swipe of her sword, took its head off.
