Chapter 7 - "Up and down"
???: "Warning! Hostile entities are close to the dungeon entrance."
The sound of the coin I was holding echoes through the room when it hits the floor. [Wha- ...] An attack in the middle of the night? [By Who?] My first though is, the humans came with more people to search for their missed brothers in arms ... But there is no one around. By scouting the surrounding, I also realize the limits of my night vision now. I can only see clearly, what is inside my dungeon. It's like the moon is shining only on my area, despite the fact that there is no moon up tonight. The walls and ground are emitting a slight bluish glimmer. Everything outside my borders is still dark. But even after looking closely, I can't spot anything suspicious. The Ashrani guards also doesn't seem alarmed ...
[Maybe, the Harpas are back!] The chief mentioned, that they will return, [I didn't expect them so early!] ... But on the dark, cloudy sky, there is nothing suspicious either.
I watched the surrounding for quite a while, looking out for every rustle in the bushes ... but nothing further happens, nor did Lizard-Man act unusual.
[... This is going to be a long and tense night ... ] It's not like I'm afraid of the dark or something, but getting a warning like this and then not see anyone or anything ... Not knowing what I'm up against, was still quite frightening. Not being able to sleep like that, I keep watching my small area like an eagle. I even stretched my Dungeon-area by 3 meters outside the wall.
Finally, when the first rays of sunlight sprayed over the - now cloudless - sky, and I am able to confirm that there really is no one around, a wave of relieve washes over me.
[Just, what was that?!] An attack-warning, without an attack ... actually even without an attacker! [That's weird!] Now, I do feel a little tired after all. But I also feel proud, for keeping watch over my new protegees. For a moment, the thought to get some rest crosses my mind, but then again, if I sleep for too long and the girls come and try to talk with me, my silence could easily be misunderstood. We should agree on a sign, when we want to speak to avoid any misunderstandings.
The Ashranie, that slept until now, are slowly getting up. [Quite early, if I may notice.] While Sari went to the forest and soon after returns with fresh water, Orsha prepares what seems to be a basic breakfast, consisting mostly of fruits and dried meat. After eating, the warriors shift guards and the ones who stood up the whole night just laid down on the floor near the wall, to get some sleep. [This does not look very comfortable ... ] Maybe I can provide them with a better place to rest, if I menage to open the tower for them. That said: [Sorry guys, the noise may hinder your sleep, but I need to get to work too ... ] Going up to the second floor of the tower again, I first take a long look at the surrounding, to confirm that there is really nothing threatening around. [Seems peaceful ... I hope it stays that way for a while.]
Looking inside the room I confirm to myself: [Rather the Key for the gate is on the first floor or not, I would still need to free the stairway of rubble, to allow the Lizard-Man entering the second floor and roof.] Having a high position may prove valuable during a fight, so I will begin by providing that.
So I thought, but looking at the huge pile of stone chunks, rubble and rotting wood, this may not be so easy. I need to consider which boulders I remove first to avoid an avalanche and cause even more damage. After inspecting the ruble for a while, I come to the conclusion, that I would need to start at the top of the pile and remove almost all of it from the room, to be able to even start clearing the stairway. [ ... Great ...]
...
The progress is slow. I remove the stones one by one, carefully considering which ones to take next, and place them outside on a new pile behind the tower. The process is accompanied by a lot of curiosity from my lizard-friends. At first, I tried to restore some of the holes in the outer wall, but since I am not a mason, this turned out to be futile. For a bystander it must look like the place itself is alive, trying to rebuild itself.
Eventually, my digging reached the two half-buried soldiers, when it stroke me: [Maybe they have the key for that gate ... !] It would even make sense, I can almost see the situation: ... They were under attack and loosing the fight. In a desperate attempt they shut themselves inside the tower and run upstairs. That's when something big hit the upper floors, and the tower collapsed, burying them! [Why haven't I thought about that earlier?]
In the next 30 minutes or so, I concentrated my attempts to dig them out, only to realize that there are others buried deeper inside. [With this, I really need to clear the whole floor, to uncover all of them ... ] After another two hours or so, I freed 4 of the corpses from rubble, but there are still more. [This is not a ruin, its a mass-grave ...] I carefully search every body that comes out from beneath the stone pile, hoping to find this much needed key, but what I encounter is something else ... When at one point I was getting impatient and tried to fasten the process, I managed to accidentally caused a small avalanche. There, as the chunks of stone rolled down, they uncovered - what I think is - the "projectile" that must have cause that mess here.
I removed a few more rocks, and what now lies in front of me is a big metal sphere, about a meter in diameter. I can't tell what kind of metal it is. It has an orange tone, but it's to solid to be copper. What is more intriguing are the detailed engravings on it. After inspecting it for a while, it looks like pictures of war: There are People with Wings, [Angels maybe?] fighting an army - or rather a swarm - of monsters, demons and unidentifiable abominations. [To be just a weapon, that one simply toss at his enemy, this is way to fancy!] The metal alone must be worth a fortune, not even speaking about the engravings ... [Who ever can afford using weapons like that ... I certainly don't want to meet them!] They didn't even bother to collect their fancy ammunition after the battle. [Or maybe they were in a hurry, and had not the time to dig it out ... ]
By taking a closer look I notice that the stones around it seem burned. Some of them even look slightly molten. [Was it on fire?]
Well, that thing was lying around here for ages, it can wait a little longer. Right now, I feel like I need to hurry, because I'm expecting two attacks: The Harpa and the soldiers. Thinking of that, I would really like to engage the soldiers diplomatically, but I doubt, that they will even notice my presents here.
As interesting as it may be, I leave the strange sphere aside for now, and continue on my self-given task. It takes another hour or so to dig out the last one of the corpses. The poor guy was lying near that sphere, and is pretty much burned up. [I hope, he was already dead, when that happened. I won't wish for anyone to be burned alive.] There are seven dead bodies in total. To my disappointment, none of them had any keys, but by the pattern they are scattered around the floor, I suppose I was right: it looks like they where running upstairs, when the tower broke down.
While searching them, I found some more coins and two golden rings. Also most of their weapons, while a bit rusty, do still look usable to me. I guess the fact that they were sheathed protected them from most of the corrosion. I also discovered their banner on the shields. It's a winged lion, fighting against something, like ... [ ... is that a bear? ... No ... What is that thing?!] The other creature on the banner is a black, hairy creature, standing on two legs. .. [Well, it doesn't matter now.] But maybe knowing the banner of this place will be useful in the future ...
Well there is no helping it, i need to clear the staircase to get down there. [I would be already done, if I sicked to the plan to uncover the staircase first ...] While a bit frustrated that none of the corpses had a key with them, I continue carrying stones outside, when I suddenly hear the panicked shout:
Lizard Man: "Ragnash-Harpa! Has-nogasé!"
[CRAP! Thats too early, I'm not ready yet!] My first reaction is to rush to the open place in front of the tower, to get an impression on the situation. Several dark shadows are moving on the clear, blue sky.[ ... There are 5, probably more ... ] Hassak is already giving orders and everyone is in uproar. But this time the warriors seem far more organized and better prepared. There are also some new faces among them. [So, the reinforcements have already arrived!] I silently blame myself for getting distracted by the sphere and the corpses earlier. [I really should have started with the stairway, now we are not properly prepared!] But since they haven't attacked yet, it may still not be too late. [If I'm lucky ... ]
I rush back to the buried staircase and immediately start digging again. This time, I don't bother carrying the boulders out anymore. Instead, they are merely tossed to the side.
???: "Warning! Hostile entities are close to the dungeon entrance."
Harpa: "Crreeeeiiiii ..."
The Ashranie, that slept until now, are slowly getting up. [Quite early, if I may notice.] While Sari went to the forest and soon after returns with fresh water, Orsha prepares what seems to be a basic breakfast, consisting mostly of fruits and dried meat. After eating, the warriors shift guards and the ones who stood up the whole night just laid down on the floor near the wall, to get some sleep. [This does not look very comfortable ... ] Maybe I can provide them with a better place to rest, if I menage to open the tower for them. That said: [Sorry guys, the noise may hinder your sleep, but I need to get to work too ... ] Going up to the second floor of the tower again, I first take a long look at the surrounding, to confirm that there is really nothing threatening around. [Seems peaceful ... I hope it stays that way for a while.]
Looking inside the room I confirm to myself: [Rather the Key for the gate is on the first floor or not, I would still need to free the stairway of rubble, to allow the Lizard-Man entering the second floor and roof.] Having a high position may prove valuable during a fight, so I will begin by providing that.
So I thought, but looking at the huge pile of stone chunks, rubble and rotting wood, this may not be so easy. I need to consider which boulders I remove first to avoid an avalanche and cause even more damage. After inspecting the ruble for a while, I come to the conclusion, that I would need to start at the top of the pile and remove almost all of it from the room, to be able to even start clearing the stairway. [ ... Great ...]
...
The progress is slow. I remove the stones one by one, carefully considering which ones to take next, and place them outside on a new pile behind the tower. The process is accompanied by a lot of curiosity from my lizard-friends. At first, I tried to restore some of the holes in the outer wall, but since I am not a mason, this turned out to be futile. For a bystander it must look like the place itself is alive, trying to rebuild itself.
Eventually, my digging reached the two half-buried soldiers, when it stroke me: [Maybe they have the key for that gate ... !] It would even make sense, I can almost see the situation: ... They were under attack and loosing the fight. In a desperate attempt they shut themselves inside the tower and run upstairs. That's when something big hit the upper floors, and the tower collapsed, burying them! [Why haven't I thought about that earlier?]
In the next 30 minutes or so, I concentrated my attempts to dig them out, only to realize that there are others buried deeper inside. [With this, I really need to clear the whole floor, to uncover all of them ... ] After another two hours or so, I freed 4 of the corpses from rubble, but there are still more. [This is not a ruin, its a mass-grave ...] I carefully search every body that comes out from beneath the stone pile, hoping to find this much needed key, but what I encounter is something else ... When at one point I was getting impatient and tried to fasten the process, I managed to accidentally caused a small avalanche. There, as the chunks of stone rolled down, they uncovered - what I think is - the "projectile" that must have cause that mess here.
I removed a few more rocks, and what now lies in front of me is a big metal sphere, about a meter in diameter. I can't tell what kind of metal it is. It has an orange tone, but it's to solid to be copper. What is more intriguing are the detailed engravings on it. After inspecting it for a while, it looks like pictures of war: There are People with Wings, [Angels maybe?] fighting an army - or rather a swarm - of monsters, demons and unidentifiable abominations. [To be just a weapon, that one simply toss at his enemy, this is way to fancy!] The metal alone must be worth a fortune, not even speaking about the engravings ... [Who ever can afford using weapons like that ... I certainly don't want to meet them!] They didn't even bother to collect their fancy ammunition after the battle. [Or maybe they were in a hurry, and had not the time to dig it out ... ]
By taking a closer look I notice that the stones around it seem burned. Some of them even look slightly molten. [Was it on fire?]
Well, that thing was lying around here for ages, it can wait a little longer. Right now, I feel like I need to hurry, because I'm expecting two attacks: The Harpa and the soldiers. Thinking of that, I would really like to engage the soldiers diplomatically, but I doubt, that they will even notice my presents here.
As interesting as it may be, I leave the strange sphere aside for now, and continue on my self-given task. It takes another hour or so to dig out the last one of the corpses. The poor guy was lying near that sphere, and is pretty much burned up. [I hope, he was already dead, when that happened. I won't wish for anyone to be burned alive.] There are seven dead bodies in total. To my disappointment, none of them had any keys, but by the pattern they are scattered around the floor, I suppose I was right: it looks like they where running upstairs, when the tower broke down.
While searching them, I found some more coins and two golden rings. Also most of their weapons, while a bit rusty, do still look usable to me. I guess the fact that they were sheathed protected them from most of the corrosion. I also discovered their banner on the shields. It's a winged lion, fighting against something, like ... [ ... is that a bear? ... No ... What is that thing?!] The other creature on the banner is a black, hairy creature, standing on two legs. .. [Well, it doesn't matter now.] But maybe knowing the banner of this place will be useful in the future ...
Well there is no helping it, i need to clear the staircase to get down there. [I would be already done, if I sicked to the plan to uncover the staircase first ...] While a bit frustrated that none of the corpses had a key with them, I continue carrying stones outside, when I suddenly hear the panicked shout:
Lizard Man: "Ragnash-Harpa! Has-nogasé!"
[CRAP! Thats too early, I'm not ready yet!] My first reaction is to rush to the open place in front of the tower, to get an impression on the situation. Several dark shadows are moving on the clear, blue sky.[ ... There are 5, probably more ... ] Hassak is already giving orders and everyone is in uproar. But this time the warriors seem far more organized and better prepared. There are also some new faces among them. [So, the reinforcements have already arrived!] I silently blame myself for getting distracted by the sphere and the corpses earlier. [I really should have started with the stairway, now we are not properly prepared!] But since they haven't attacked yet, it may still not be too late. [If I'm lucky ... ]
I rush back to the buried staircase and immediately start digging again. This time, I don't bother carrying the boulders out anymore. Instead, they are merely tossed to the side.
???: "Warning! Hostile entities are close to the dungeon entrance."
Harpa: "Crreeeeiiiii ..."
[It has begone! ... ] It's the same war-cry as yesterday, but this time it's much louder, because its a chorus instead of a single voice. Some rumbling can be heard outside, and soon after, the noice of battle ... [Com-on, I need to work faster! ... ] I try to motivate myself to hurry, hoping that every stone I remove, is the last one needed. It takes another few dozens of them, until I can get a first glimpse on the floor beneath. After pushing some more stones inside, to make the hole bigger, I take a quick look around. [It's dark!] There is a carpet and some furniture, but there's no time to care about that. After opening the construction menu, I immediately try to add the floor to my dungeon ... and it works. [Yes! Now the door ...] I move into the room, that suddenly became much brighter. It must be because it's part of my dungeon now.
To my surprise, there is a thick wooden bar, obstructing the big double-winged door from the inside. [So it's barricaded after all. A key alone wouldn't be enough to open it. Maybe I don't even need a k- ... THE KEY!] ... That small goblet, that I was looking for the whole time is simply sticking in the key-hole on this side of the door.
Outdoors, the fighting seems to get more intense. Hassags commands are getting more furious, I can hear screams from the Harpas and Lizard-Man alike. If I want to act, I need to do it "now"!
Orsha: [Sari and Orsha are calling Kalifos, the spirit of this place! ... ]
It's this two ... If they are calling me, then the fighting is probably not progressing in their favor.
Me: [This isn't a good time for a chat ... ]
With a move of my invisible hand, the bar is quickly removed from the door and drops to the the ground. Orsha hesitates before speaking again and I can hear the seriousness in her voice ... Or thoughts, what ever we are communicating with.
Orsha: [... The Ashrani are asking for the protection of Kalifos ...]
I'm already fiddling with the key, but it seems stuck. Which is probably the reason why they left it here. It's also covert in rust.
Me: [ ... I'm working on it ... ]
I try to turn it, but it doesn't move an inch. It's easy for me to just carry something around, but fine-manipulation is way more problematic.
Me: [ ... Damn! ... ]
It seems, I have no choice then. I move to the stairway, grab the biggest boulder around and drag it to the gate.
Me: [Orsha! I wll now try to bash open the door of the tower. Tell your people, that they can use it for cover ... There are also weapons here!]
I lift the stone in the air and rush towards the door, bashing it with the boulder with as much force as I am able to. Rust and dirt comes down from the gates hinges. Outdoors, I can hear Orshas voice, shouting something through the noise of battle. [I have to open the damn door!] After getting some distance, I accelerate the big boulder against the door again - and again - and again, after finally ... the gate opens with a loud *screeeaak*, and bright sunlight bursts into the room - probably for the first time in centuries. [Finally!] On the paved place in front of the tower there are already two Ashrani warriors waiting. One of them severely injured, barely on his feet.
Rushing outside, I close one of the gates wings again, to make the entrance easier to protect. Then I inspect the situation again:
The fight is all over the place and orange dust is already filling the air. Some Harpas are lying on the ground motionless. Others are still attacking by dropping from above, dodging the spears that fly towards them. The Ashrani are trying to get cover near the walls and bushes, and cooperate with each other.
On the opposite site of the small plaza, there is a Harpa pierced to the wall with several spears. Next to it on the ground, is an Ashrani warrior with deep slashes on his upper-body. He is crawling on the floor, trying to reach a spear, which is lying a few meters away. I move over to pick up the weapon, but right when I am about giving it to him, one of the invaders passed right over me in a flash and grabs an unaware warrior from behind. It's sharp claws dig deep into his shoulders and as he responds with a painful cry, the Harpa is already flapping her wings and lifts him up in the air. The warrior on the ground reacts immediately, buy shouting and pointing at the spear I'm holding, and than at the creature.
Worrior: "Saríg! Kosh-ran héssma! ..."
Does he want me to throw it? [No, I would just miss! Or even worse - I could hit the Lizard-Warrior ... ] Instead I rush to the rising couple, and press the spear in the Lizards hand. It was just in time, as in the next moment they went above the border of my movement reach. While surprised about the unexpected present, the Ashrani doesn't hesitate even for a moment, and pierces one of the birds legs. Unable to hold him she lets go of his right arm, which allows him to act more freely now. He grabs her left leg with the other hand and strikes her lower body. She lets go of him, but he is holding tight. If he would let go now, he would fall for about 15 meters ... I can't avert my Eyes from the deadly fight, as the Harpa tries to shake of the threat on her leg. It takes him two more hits, until she finally starts to loose height. When they are just a few meters above ground, he jumps down after giving his Enemy the final blow. [Did I really saved his life right now?] I feel relived and quite proud of myself.
[This guy is awesome ...] I'm honestly impressed. He managed to pull that stunt off, while being injured on both shoulders. After a moment of orientation, he pulls the spear from the still twitching Harpa he just killed and sprints to the one warrior on the ground. After helping him on his feet, he drags him inside the tower.
On the second floor I see another warrior already. The guy up there throws his spear at another Harpa in the air, that is aiming for a drop-attack. Her victim is trying to get some cover in a corner. [They are making use of the tower!] It feels good, that my efforts where not useless. Sadly, he misses, and the Harpa drops on his target with a furious scream. This time, there is nothing I can do to help, there is not even a weapon around. The warrior presses himself against the corner and sticks his bone-sword out in defense. But he doesn't get to use it, because in that same moment the chief jumps out from behind the wall and throws something, that looks like a bunch of ropes at the engaging enemy. While she tries to get them off, they seem to tighten around her even more instead. They obstruct her movements and finally causing her to fall. [She is done for ...]
At the same time the others menaged to drive the remaining two Harpas away, as they threw a bunch of stones at them from the the towers top. [Quite simple, but effective.] The flying creatures seem to understand, that the fight is already lost and retreat towards the forest in the west. Meanwhile, the captured Harpa on the ground is literally loosing its head.
After that, a few moments of silance pass ...
[Have we won?] ... I don't hear any cheering, like yesterday [ ... Is it not over yet?] Two of the warriors are carefully looking out from the tower, as Hassag sprints towards it's gates. After looking around, I decide to follow him, as the remaining warriors do. My ground is again covert in blood and corpses. I wonder how much more blood will have to be spilled for my protection.
Inside, the two heavily injured warriors are lying on the carpet, that is already soaked with their blood. [Tey don't look good ... ] I guess, the battle was more fierce, then they expected. The two women are already there, tending to the wounded. Until now, I haven't realized that it was so bad. This is indeed not a good moment for cheering. Hassag quickly gets some herbs and bowls from their hut, and starts preparing something. [I hope, they will make it ...]
Suddenly, something comes in to my mind. I open my dungeons inventory, and scroll through the list, looking for a specific entry ... [There they are!]:
{Small healing potion x3}
They must be lying in that crate, with all the other stuff. After moving outside, I can see how the first dead bodies are already being absorbed by the core.
The potions are quickly found and brought to the patients (I carry them in a helmet, to not have to move twice). To make it obvious, I put them next to the herbs, which the chief is slowly processing into some kind of salve. They react in utter surprise, and look around like they are hoping to see me. Obviously, they don't. [Do they even know what a potion is?] I should tell them somehow, but the girls are not trying to talk with me. Instead, they seem to discuss something with Hassag.
[I wonder ... ] If Sari and Orsha are able to establish a contact with me, then maybe I can do the same from my side? [I should try it.]
Orsha is always the one to speak, so I focus on her. Come to think of it, I haven't heard Sari speak even once. Not in that spiritual connection and also not with her real voice. [She is either non-speaking, or very shy ... ] But it's not the time to care about that.
I focus my concentration on Orsha, picturing some kind of bridge in my mind. After I see her freeze for a moment and turn around in confusion, I know, that it's working.
Me: [Orsha?]
Orsha: [ ... Is the great spirit "Kalifos" speaking to Orsha?]
Me: [Yes!]
(Who else did you expect?)
Me: [... Listen! The potions I brought you - you should give them to the injured! They should restore some of their heath ...]
Orscha looks at the two flasks in the helmet, and turns to Hassag again, who seem to understand what's happening.
Orsha: "Go-sher Shornag, ser megésh rog ma-gar ..."
She points at the Potions. A few moments pass in silence, until Hassag reaches out for them and starts speaking to Orsha, who listens carefully. Somehow, I have the feeling, that his words are actually aimed at me. It doesn't take long, until Orsha responds to me:
Orsha: [The Ashrani are thankful for Kalifos's help.]
Me: [Don't mention it, if not because of me, then you wouldn't even be in this situation.]
Hassag is giving the potions to the wounded, while she responds.
Orsha: [The Harpa took two hunters of the Ashrani with them ... ]
Me: [What?!]
I haven't noticed. It must have happened when I was occupied with opening the gate.
Orsha: [ ... Hassag knows where the nests of the Harpas are. He will go and bring the hunters back before the Harpas will kill the captured Ashrani.]
Orsha: [Sari and Orsha are calling Kalifos, the spirit of this place! ... ]
It's this two ... If they are calling me, then the fighting is probably not progressing in their favor.
Me: [This isn't a good time for a chat ... ]
With a move of my invisible hand, the bar is quickly removed from the door and drops to the the ground. Orsha hesitates before speaking again and I can hear the seriousness in her voice ... Or thoughts, what ever we are communicating with.
Orsha: [... The Ashrani are asking for the protection of Kalifos ...]
I'm already fiddling with the key, but it seems stuck. Which is probably the reason why they left it here. It's also covert in rust.
Me: [ ... I'm working on it ... ]
I try to turn it, but it doesn't move an inch. It's easy for me to just carry something around, but fine-manipulation is way more problematic.
Me: [ ... Damn! ... ]
It seems, I have no choice then. I move to the stairway, grab the biggest boulder around and drag it to the gate.
Me: [Orsha! I wll now try to bash open the door of the tower. Tell your people, that they can use it for cover ... There are also weapons here!]
I lift the stone in the air and rush towards the door, bashing it with the boulder with as much force as I am able to. Rust and dirt comes down from the gates hinges. Outdoors, I can hear Orshas voice, shouting something through the noise of battle. [I have to open the damn door!] After getting some distance, I accelerate the big boulder against the door again - and again - and again, after finally ... the gate opens with a loud *screeeaak*, and bright sunlight bursts into the room - probably for the first time in centuries. [Finally!] On the paved place in front of the tower there are already two Ashrani warriors waiting. One of them severely injured, barely on his feet.
Rushing outside, I close one of the gates wings again, to make the entrance easier to protect. Then I inspect the situation again:
The fight is all over the place and orange dust is already filling the air. Some Harpas are lying on the ground motionless. Others are still attacking by dropping from above, dodging the spears that fly towards them. The Ashrani are trying to get cover near the walls and bushes, and cooperate with each other.
On the opposite site of the small plaza, there is a Harpa pierced to the wall with several spears. Next to it on the ground, is an Ashrani warrior with deep slashes on his upper-body. He is crawling on the floor, trying to reach a spear, which is lying a few meters away. I move over to pick up the weapon, but right when I am about giving it to him, one of the invaders passed right over me in a flash and grabs an unaware warrior from behind. It's sharp claws dig deep into his shoulders and as he responds with a painful cry, the Harpa is already flapping her wings and lifts him up in the air. The warrior on the ground reacts immediately, buy shouting and pointing at the spear I'm holding, and than at the creature.
Worrior: "Saríg! Kosh-ran héssma! ..."
Does he want me to throw it? [No, I would just miss! Or even worse - I could hit the Lizard-Warrior ... ] Instead I rush to the rising couple, and press the spear in the Lizards hand. It was just in time, as in the next moment they went above the border of my movement reach. While surprised about the unexpected present, the Ashrani doesn't hesitate even for a moment, and pierces one of the birds legs. Unable to hold him she lets go of his right arm, which allows him to act more freely now. He grabs her left leg with the other hand and strikes her lower body. She lets go of him, but he is holding tight. If he would let go now, he would fall for about 15 meters ... I can't avert my Eyes from the deadly fight, as the Harpa tries to shake of the threat on her leg. It takes him two more hits, until she finally starts to loose height. When they are just a few meters above ground, he jumps down after giving his Enemy the final blow. [Did I really saved his life right now?] I feel relived and quite proud of myself.
[This guy is awesome ...] I'm honestly impressed. He managed to pull that stunt off, while being injured on both shoulders. After a moment of orientation, he pulls the spear from the still twitching Harpa he just killed and sprints to the one warrior on the ground. After helping him on his feet, he drags him inside the tower.
On the second floor I see another warrior already. The guy up there throws his spear at another Harpa in the air, that is aiming for a drop-attack. Her victim is trying to get some cover in a corner. [They are making use of the tower!] It feels good, that my efforts where not useless. Sadly, he misses, and the Harpa drops on his target with a furious scream. This time, there is nothing I can do to help, there is not even a weapon around. The warrior presses himself against the corner and sticks his bone-sword out in defense. But he doesn't get to use it, because in that same moment the chief jumps out from behind the wall and throws something, that looks like a bunch of ropes at the engaging enemy. While she tries to get them off, they seem to tighten around her even more instead. They obstruct her movements and finally causing her to fall. [She is done for ...]
At the same time the others menaged to drive the remaining two Harpas away, as they threw a bunch of stones at them from the the towers top. [Quite simple, but effective.] The flying creatures seem to understand, that the fight is already lost and retreat towards the forest in the west. Meanwhile, the captured Harpa on the ground is literally loosing its head.
After that, a few moments of silance pass ...
[Have we won?] ... I don't hear any cheering, like yesterday [ ... Is it not over yet?] Two of the warriors are carefully looking out from the tower, as Hassag sprints towards it's gates. After looking around, I decide to follow him, as the remaining warriors do. My ground is again covert in blood and corpses. I wonder how much more blood will have to be spilled for my protection.
Inside, the two heavily injured warriors are lying on the carpet, that is already soaked with their blood. [Tey don't look good ... ] I guess, the battle was more fierce, then they expected. The two women are already there, tending to the wounded. Until now, I haven't realized that it was so bad. This is indeed not a good moment for cheering. Hassag quickly gets some herbs and bowls from their hut, and starts preparing something. [I hope, they will make it ...]
Suddenly, something comes in to my mind. I open my dungeons inventory, and scroll through the list, looking for a specific entry ... [There they are!]:
{Small healing potion x3}
They must be lying in that crate, with all the other stuff. After moving outside, I can see how the first dead bodies are already being absorbed by the core.
The potions are quickly found and brought to the patients (I carry them in a helmet, to not have to move twice). To make it obvious, I put them next to the herbs, which the chief is slowly processing into some kind of salve. They react in utter surprise, and look around like they are hoping to see me. Obviously, they don't. [Do they even know what a potion is?] I should tell them somehow, but the girls are not trying to talk with me. Instead, they seem to discuss something with Hassag.
[I wonder ... ] If Sari and Orsha are able to establish a contact with me, then maybe I can do the same from my side? [I should try it.]
Orsha is always the one to speak, so I focus on her. Come to think of it, I haven't heard Sari speak even once. Not in that spiritual connection and also not with her real voice. [She is either non-speaking, or very shy ... ] But it's not the time to care about that.
I focus my concentration on Orsha, picturing some kind of bridge in my mind. After I see her freeze for a moment and turn around in confusion, I know, that it's working.
Me: [Orsha?]
Orsha: [ ... Is the great spirit "Kalifos" speaking to Orsha?]
Me: [Yes!]
(Who else did you expect?)
Me: [... Listen! The potions I brought you - you should give them to the injured! They should restore some of their heath ...]
Orscha looks at the two flasks in the helmet, and turns to Hassag again, who seem to understand what's happening.
Orsha: "Go-sher Shornag, ser megésh rog ma-gar ..."
She points at the Potions. A few moments pass in silence, until Hassag reaches out for them and starts speaking to Orsha, who listens carefully. Somehow, I have the feeling, that his words are actually aimed at me. It doesn't take long, until Orsha responds to me:
Orsha: [The Ashrani are thankful for Kalifos's help.]
Me: [Don't mention it, if not because of me, then you wouldn't even be in this situation.]
Hassag is giving the potions to the wounded, while she responds.
Orsha: [The Harpa took two hunters of the Ashrani with them ... ]
Me: [What?!]
I haven't noticed. It must have happened when I was occupied with opening the gate.
Orsha: [ ... Hassag knows where the nests of the Harpas are. He will go and bring the hunters back before the Harpas will kill the captured Ashrani.]
Thanks for the chapter, keep up the great work!
ReplyDeleteThanks, will do ^^
Deleteyour character is he stupid ? he removes pebbles while the other is in the process of fight
ReplyDeleteWhat do you want him to do? He can roughly move things, but its not enough to fight. He can't cast spells (yet). He can't speak with most of them. Opening up the tower, to provide some cover was the most reasonable thing, he came up with. It was almost done anyway.
Delete(I actually considered to make him drop some boulders on the Harpies, but it seemed unrealistic, since they would move to fast and he can't go up verry high either.)
No, really, what would you do?
sorry I was in the middle of a paragraph now I know that he's amorron and it's not the first time it took him three days to figure out that it was him the dungeon i dont ask that the MC is a genius but at least not brain dead
ReplyDeleteHonistly, i think, you are missing the point of his situation. Think about it for a moment:
DeleteYou just appear out of nowhere. Without Memories. Without Knowlage. Without Instructions. Without a Purpose.
You have no Idea where you are, "what" you are, or what you are supposed to do.
You dont get much time to think everything through. 3 battles in 3 days. Distractions on a regular basis. For every Answer you get more questions.
Its not like he is a powergamer, who knows exactly what to do and how to do it. He is just a "regular soul".
Honistly, i would like to see you in this kind of situation. I can't speak for others, but i would probably be dead by know. I would be to confused to properly react to annything.
That aside, this is written by concidering peoples sugestions. So im serious when is say: "What do you want him to do?"