Godslayer 1.28 Factory

“Dis is de factory,” says Valen as he, Drakvar and Karola stand on a rooftop overlooking the middle in question.

“Right in the heart of the quarantined Thirteenth District,” muses Drakvar thoughtfully, “Where no one will be stumbling over it. Clever.”

“Despicable is what it is,” growls Karola, “Using de deaths of countless people to cover up their misdeeds. How dishonourable are dese Southerners?”

“Not particularly,” replies Valen, “On a small or individual level, yes it is dishonourable. But when it is a major organisation like a government or an Order? Sometimes dese things happen. Often for good reason.”

“I doubt this is one of those occasions,” says Drakvar.

“Oh, I have no doubts dat it isn’t,” agrees Valen, “Otherwise we wouldn’t be here.”

“Any idea on what we’ll be facing?” inquires Karola.

“Probably any more of the machines dat have been constructed,” replies Valen, “And Kith guards as well. Might be some hired muscle, but it could easily be local police or military forces. Perhaps some Ti’darkei Knights if we are unlucky.”

“So are we just going to stand here or are we going to go in?” demands Karola, the Forge-Knight suddenly sounding impatient.

“With stealth or force?” asks Drakvar, interceding before Valen can make a snappy retort, even as the Archmage opens his mouth to speak.

“Neither,” says Valen, “We won’t try to draw attention to ourselves, but I don’t feel it is worth de effort to avoid detection. Especially since we intend to destroy de place anyway. Plus stealth will be pretty much impossible with Karola here and would have been blasting hard even if it was just me and you.”

“Shall I make us an entrance open den?” inquires Karola as she aims her shoulder mounted autocannon at the building.

“A large one if you would,” replies Valen with a smirk.

Karola’s cannon fires once before loading another shell and repeating the process three more times. In a series of explosions, the four shells rip apart the wall and a decent part of the interior, leaving a gaping entrance for the three attackers.

Without another word, Valen and Drakvar both leap from their positions on top of the roof and into the burning and crumbling hole. Despite the weight of her armour, Karola is easily able to follow them via the usage of her exoskeleton for it easily counters the heaviness of her armour in this particular situation.

Cautiously, Drakvar takes a few steps forward, drawing all four of his blades. His vigilance is for naught as he hears two loud cracks and Valen shout, “Light Shield!”

A thin barrier of white light appears between Drakvar and the shooter, barely appearing in time to stop the two bullets aimed directly at Drakvar’s head.

By the Four Divines, those would have killed me if it wasn’t for Valen. The Monster’s Curse is useless if I got two bullets lodged in my brain.

Acting quickly, Karola turns to aim her autocannon at the shooter and unleashes two shells. Racing into the dark halls of the inner factory, the shots miss the shooter with the tall Kith barely dodging each explosion.

With the light of the explosions, Drakvar is able to get a good view of his attacker. The Kith is almost as tall as Valen and Sir Galamin with what appears to be black fur. Their foe is heavily armoured in the white and gold plate armour of the Ti’darkei Order with the red shield and gold cross on his chest.

Two pistols are held in the Knight’s upper hands, but these are over an unknown make to Drakvar. They look like revolvers, but lack the cylinder and instead have a long, thin barrel. He opens fire at Drakvar and bullets are fired with every pull of the trigger in a way that reminds Drakvar of Karola’s cannon.

The Ti’darkei Knight unleashes another seven bullets from each pistol before he ejects two empty bullet containers from the handles. But Valen’s light shield holds just enough for it only shatters as the last bullet hits it.

Not one to stand around as he is attacked, Valen is already on the offensive.

“Fire Lances!” chants Valen, aiming his hand at the Ti’darkei Knight and a dozen lances of fire form around Valen before launching themselves at the hostile knight.

But this knight isn’t so easy to beat as he easily avoids the fire lances with great skill and agility as he reloads his pistols.

Annoyed by his uselessness in the fight so far, Drakvar sheathes two of his blades in order to draw his revolver, taking aim at the Ti’darkei Knight as his foe opens fire and Valen summons another light shield.

But before Drakvar can open fire, Karola beats him to it as her autocannon fires once again. The shot is a direct hit, slamming into head of the Ti’darkei Knight as it pierces the armour before exploding.

“Will dere be more?” inquires Karola.

“Yes!” yells Valen, “Wall of Light! Seeking of Jakcar!”

The glowing light-wall forms just in time to block several bullets coming at the trio. As Drakvar looks for their attackers, the fire left over from the explosions and the fire lances flies off into the darkness, seeking out of the flashes of gun fire.

Valen’s efforts are rewarded with a single scream of pain as one of their foes is engulfed by flames while the gunfire stops as their unseen opponents have to deal with the fire magically seeking them out.

With two of her own revolvers drawn, Karola opens fire at the closest foes while Drakvar takes aim at another collection of flames and the figure trying to avoid them.

He doesn’t get the chance to fire as Drakvar spins around in response to a worp behind him, his super adrenaline kicking in. His motions are just in time for the bullet hits his shoulder rather than his jugular.

Two more Ti’darkei Knights have teleported right in behind them. While the teleporting one with the new handguns engages Karola, a second one with wired gauntlets attacks Drakvar.

Red energy beams fire from the Knight’s hand, slamming into Drakvar’s chest, but have no effect beyond burning holes in his shirt.

Finally, a foe that my powers will be useful against.

With a ferocious smile, Drakvar fires his revolver into the Knight’s gut whilst bringing his two blades down. Unfortunately for Drakvar, he is rarely so lucky.

The bullet only dents the plate armour while the Knight proves herself to be a more skilled opponent for she easily deflects one of his attacks whilst blocking the other with only a bit of difficulty.

Snarling, Drakvar takes a back, putting away his gun as he draws his other two swords.

The Ti’darkei Knight lets out a quiet laugh as the battle rages on around them. She fires at Drakvar once again with her energy blasts, the red beams flying from all four of her hands.

But unfortunately for the Ti’darkei Knight, Drakvar has the power of the Monster’s Curse and the Pakdar has grown confident in his total immunity to direct supernatural attacks. As a result, Drakvar makes no effort to defend himself, focusing solely on attack.

The Knight realises her mistake too late for she is only able to block one attack and parry another with her gauntlet. Of Drakvar’s other two blades, one is rammed into in her cut, the enchanted blade piercing the metal plate while the final sword hacks her lower left arm in half.

Howling in pain, the injured Ti’darkei Knight reacts instinctively, slamming one fist into Drakvar’s head whilst grabbing him and throwing backwards. As he soars through the air, Drakvar flies through the Wall of Light, nullifying it as he makes contact.

“Idiot!” Drakvar can vaguely hear Valen shout as he slams into the wall, his head crashing into it hard.

As he drops to the floor, Drakvar’s head is bursting with pain while his ears are ringing. It doesn’t help the dazed Pakdar when the weaken floor gives way beneath him, sending him crashing down another level.

Feeling on the verge of throwing up, Drakvar rolls over and groans in pain before his world fades to black.

Godslayer Arc 1.26 - Questions

“Forge-Knight, that is a most useful set of powers that you have,” says Drakvar as he sips at his cup of tea.

“As are your own,” replies the Forge-Knight in question as she sips at her own tea, “It must be useful to remain unaffected by magical attacks.”

“It is very much so Karola,” agrees Drakvar.

“This tea is very good,” says Valen as he also sips his tea.

“I concur, but I will admit that I prefer coffee to tea,” says Karola.

Drakvar is silent as he considers the powers of Forge-Knight Karola Manlin. The young woman has received an enhanced body much like Drakvar, Jordis and Shocker, but her own powers are different to any of theirs.

Now I think about it, I don’t even know what Shocker’s powers are.

But Karola’s are interesting to him. She has two minor powers of being able to identify any material that she can sense while also being able to analyse anything that she can sense. Admittedly those powers are rather weak, but even then, they would be extremely useful on their own.

No, it is Karola’s third power that has Drakvar’s attention. The ability to create powerful weapons, armours and gadgets. Such as her mechanised heavy plate armour and shoulder-mounted autocannon.

These weapons are not of magic and yet surpass any conventional counterparts.

“So why are you here?” asks Drakvar as he decides to get to the heart of matter.

“What do you mean?” replies Karola.

“Kar’mire,” clarifies Drakvar, “You hail from the West, but here you are in the capital of the South.”

“Ah, I am looking for my brother,” answers Karola as she puts down her cup of tea, “He is three years older dan me and moved down here when I was just turning sixteen. About three, no four years now.”

“Come to tell him about your new abilities in person?” inquires Valen.

“Yes and no,” says Karola, “I do wish to show him what I can do, but my main reason is dat I haven’t heard from him in a while. It was only a few days, but we were in regular contact using an old radio system dat I fixed up. So I came down here a few days ago to meet him only to find dat his district was quarantined.”

“The Thirteenth?” guesses Drakvar with a sinking feeling.

“Yes,” confirms Karola, “I suppose it is de only district dat has been quarantined recently and as I’m sure you know, nobody has seen or heard from anybody in de Thirteenth District since it got quarantined. So in de meantime, I put together a small forge, dis armour and de cannon.”

“We know why de Thirteenth District was quarantined and why nobody has been heard from,” says Valen darkly as he throws a grim look towards Drakvar which Drakvar has no problems returning.

“Why is dat?” asks Karola.

“A god-like otherworldly being who is responsible for your powers showed up and killed everybody in se Thirteenth District,” answers Valen bluntly, “It took Sir Galamin, se Ordic and Sentinel Dorrin to drive it away from our world.”

Drakvar grimaces as he watches Karola gape at Valen, her face locked in an expression of horror. But that expression soon changes into one of cold fury.

“Tell me all that you know,” demands Karola in a solemn voice, her face hard, “I need to know it all.”

And so they do and between them, Drakvar and Valen fill in Karola up until the part where Valen got his arm ripped off. At that point, Drakvar instinctively raises his arm just in time to block Shocker’s electric bolt.

“Hello Shocker,” says Drakvar as he turns to face the Champion of the Ti’darkei Order.

“Don’t call me that!” shouts Shocker as she blasts him again, but Drakvar is too stunned by the sight before him to even bother trying to blocking her latest assault.

In Drakvar’s eyes, Shocker is the same as before, but just more beautiful. He had realised that her Manifestation had increased her already good looks, but is it only now with her new armour that he has realised how gorgeous and alluring that she actually is.

Shocker is now just over two metres tall, but still not quite as tall as Drakvar. Her brown fur and hair is silky while her bright green eyes glisten. Her armour is the same gold and white plates with the Ti’darkei symbol, but has been reshaped to accommodate for her new and most magnificent curves and Drakvar can’t help, but stare. Her cloak hangs loosely around her shoulders while headset is still in place even if it isn’t turned on.

Oh, she is truly beautiful.

“What are you looking at?” demands Shocker as she blasts Drakvar again.

“You,” answers Drakvar, again not bothering to block the latest attack as he is still dumbstruck by Shocker’s beauty.

Meanwhile Valen begins to laugh and Shocker turns her glare on him and blasts Drakvar again.

“Who is this?” asks Karola as she watches the scene unfold.

“I am Champion Miskara Stormmistress of the Ti’darkei Order,” Shocker introduces herself, “And who might you be?”

“I am Forge-Knight Karola Manlin,” replies Karola.

“A Forge-Knight?” repeats Shocker in an inquiring tone, “And what exactly are you wearing?”

***

Drakvar smiles at Jordis as he looks at the young girl sitting on his lap as she reads one of her books.

He treasures the young Kithen greatly and enjoys spending time with her. Just as he enjoys spending time with Shocker and Valen.

“Family is a wonderful thing to have,” says Sir Galamin from next to Drakvar and he jumps in surprise.

Where did he come from?!

“Yeah,” agrees Drakvar as he looks over to where Valen, Shocker and Karola are explaining things to each other, drinking some fresh tea that Drakvar prepared for them, “Do you want some tea Master?”

“No thank you Squire,” replies Sir Galamin, “But thank you for the offer.”

“So why are you here?” inquires Drakvar.

“The Forge-Knight,” answers Sir Galamin, “Her creations are not the first of their kind to exist on Lyatar.”

“What do you mean?” asks Drakvar.

“The Knights of Deltae that brought about civilisation so long ago used technology not magic to achieve their miracles,” answers Sir Galamin, “Now Squire, I would like a combat analysis of the Revenant Mechanical Units.”

Godslayer Arc 1.25 Second Wave

Both of these new mechs start the battle by each unleashing about a dozen of the exploding projectiles.

Using the enhanced reaction and analysis times that his powers grant him, Drakvar swiftly works out that wide spread of these explosive projectiles will cover the area he is in along with the street behind and in front of him. He can’t avoid getting killed or severely injured by moving backwards or forwards.

So I’ll just have to move sideways instead.

Drakvar darts to the side and jumps up at the side of a building. He runs up it for a couple of moments using his momentum, but it doesn’t last forever. So he is forced to stab one of his blades into the wall and pull himself up. A couple more times and he is able to make up to the roof.

He crouch rolls away from that side of the street. With the distance behind him and the street along with his prone position, Drakvar is confident the mechs no longer have line of sight to him.

Now I can just make my way out of here and I’ll be...oh, I forgot Jordis. Damn it!

Drakvar scrambles to his feet and in a running jump, he leaps from the rooftop and down to the utterly destroyed street.

One of the mechs is moving towards the building, likely trying to pursue Drakvar in whatever way it can and he aims for that one. It turns to face him, but it is to slow as Drakvar brings down all four of his blades at it.

One black blade tears through the rotary gun while another hacks the elbow joint of the spear arm. The third blade hacks the trio of glowing red eyes, taking out two of them even as the final sword stabs into the joint of the sword arm.

But the mech still has its fair share of tricks left open to it and its starts off with unleashes its flamethrower at Drakvar’s feet. The flames tear at his lower legs and feet and Drakvar’s face twists in a grimace of pain as he desperately scrambles away.

He runs down the remains of the street despite the pain with his adrenaline is dulling most of it. Bullets from the rotary gun of the other mech follow him and Drakvar is glad that he can outrun the barrel of the gun.

But his good run lasts only briefly as Drakvar is hit in the back by an electro-bolt. He trips and stumbles, ending up on the floor in a heap. The bullets whizz over his head with one actually grazing his fur.

Damn it! Damn it! Damn it!

Drakvar backflips off of his feet and take in the situation in the brief second that he has.

Wrecked street, no Jordis in sight, one mech that is completely undamaged while the other has lost half its arms and two of its eyes.

I can do this. I’ll finish off the damaged one first and then take out the second one. Then all I’ll have to do is find Jordis.

As Drakvar takes a battle stance, the first mech charges straight at him, its flamethrower and electrocannon ready to fire while the second one heads parallels Drakvar on the other side of the side. 
It is aiming all of its ranged weapons at him, but is holding fire for now.

Let’s do this. I don’t know how, but I will.

Fortunately for Drakvar, he never has to find out about how he will do this. A three beams of blinding white light slam into the main body of the second mech, tearing gaping holes into it.

While he still flinches from the light, Drakvar notes that he isn’t affected as he should be.

A magical attack with light powers. Most likely either Valen or Sir Galamin.

With that mech dealt with, Drakvar focuses on the damaged one coming his way, but it jolts forwards a couple of times with a pair of heavy thuds before stumbling and crashing into what remains of the street, coming to a halt just before Drakvar.

Knowing what comes next, Drakvar runs away from the mech, not eager to get caught in the following explosions.

The predicted blasts fail to touch Drakvar as the injured Kith was able to put enough space between him and his defeated foes.

Staggering to his feet, Drakvar ignores what injures he has gotten and looks down at the other end of the street.

He can see three figures, two tall and one small. The first he recognises is the welcome sight of Valen and Drakvar lets out a sigh of relief as he spots Jordis clutching at the duster of the Archmage.

The final figure isn’t someone that Drakvar recognises, but is an equally odd sight as someone like himself, Valen or one of the mechs.

The female Kith is of above average height like Drakvar, but her stature is increased by the mechanicalised set of heavy plate armour that she is wearing. Making its wearer about as tall as towering Valen, it has several tubes and pipes as part of it, primarily being attached to the various joints of the armour.

Furthermore, there is what is clearly weaponry attached to the overly bulky armour. A small cannon with a long, but thin barrel is attached to the left shoulder while a sleek blade is part of the right underarm.

“You alright idiot?” inquires Valen as Drakvar strides toward him.

“Yeah,” answers Drakvar as he sheathes his swords.

He doesn’t know who this woman is or that she even a woman, but if Valen is cool with her, then he is cool with her.

“So you took out one of dese things already?” asks Valen as he surveys what remains of the street.

“I did,” replies Drakvar, taking another glance at the armoured woman, “Those mechs are tough.”

“I have already taken out nine of dose things,” says Valen with a grin and Drakvar blinks, almost coming to a halt.

Nine! I had trouble taking out one and I had no idea how to handle those other two! How on Lyatar could Valen take out nine! Oh yeah, he is a badass Archmage. Sometimes I forget that given how ineffective his powers are against the Monster’s Curse.

“Well done,” Drakvar tells Valen, being sincere in his words, “So, who is this?”

“I am Forge-Knight Karola Manlin,” answers the armoured woman in a heavy, distorted voice as she turns her head to look at Drakvar, “I am an independent Knight and I hail from de Western Mid Coast.”

“A Forge-Knight?” repeats Drakvar as he tries to place the term.

I don’t think that I have heard of that particular term before.

“Just as you wield the power of a Curse, I myself wield the power of a Forge,” explains Forge-Knight Manlin and Drakvar’s mind clicks in understanding.

Ah, Forge-Knight Manlin is a Parakith.

Godslayer Arc 1.23 Revelations Part 2

“So what happened to Solara?” asks Drakvar as he stares down at the warrior-spirit in question, taking in her new appearance.

While her form primarily remains the same, it has taken a new look to it with fire replacing the light.

Where Solara was once white with gold plates of armour, she is now the colour of fire with black plates of armour. The white strands of light on her head have been replaced by locks made entirely of flames.

“I told you, she got destabilised by de Avatar of Paradise idiot,” replies Valen as he leans against the wall, “So to keep her from giving worse, I used my Grandfather’s pipe to fix her up and well, you can see de results. And it was my Grandfather who earn my family name of Greatflame.”

“So Solara is alright?” inquires Drakvar further, seeking confirmation.

“Yeah,” confirms Valen, “De only difference is dat Solara is a fire spirit now rather than a light spirit.”

“I already knew that,” says Jordis from where she is seating on a chair, an open book on her lap, “I spent the last two days with her while you two and been off together and Sir Galamin and the Ordic have been doing something and Shocker has been with her friends in the Inner Districts.”

“De idiot didn’t know,” points out Valen.

“Valen is right,” agrees Drakvar.

“Okay,” says Jordis as she goes back to reading her book.

To Drakvar’s surprise, Valen begins to laugh.

“What is so funny?” inquires Drakvar, confused at his friend’s behaviour.

“I’m just realising how well we fit in with each other because we don’t fit in at all,” explain Valen, “By de standards of society, we are freaks and outcasts, but dat is what draws us together. Never have I felt like a greater outcast than I am right now, but dis is also de first time I have truly felt like I belong.”

“I would comment on it myself, but this is all I know,” replies Drakvar, “You, Solara and Jordis are the closest people I have to family because I don’t even know who I am biologically related to. I have parents and a younger sister from what Shocker said, but I don’t know more than that.”

“I don’t have much family myself,” admits Valen, “Ma and pa died back when I was real young. My aunt and Divine-damned uncle took in my sister, but didn’t take me. De blasted gib hated my father and effectively casted me out of my own family. De Church did take me in and I’ve been part of it ever since. I suppose one of the reasons I want to improve my fire magic to strengthen my connection to my family. To me, my Light Magic represent my connection to the Church while my Fire Magic represents my connection to my family.”

Drakvar is about to reply when lightning comes flying towards him. Clearing noting it is supernatural origin and having a good of idea of who is behind it, Drakvar just ignore it as do Valen and Jordis.

“Hey Shocker,” says Drakvar as the Champion of Ti’darkei Order enters and in response, he receives more lightning.

“Don’t call me that!” says Shocker with a glare at Drakvar as Sir Galamin follows her into the room.

“I have brought Shocker so we can discuss recent events given how all of you have been affected,” states Sir Galamin.

“Okay, but there is something I wish to tell you first,” says Shocker.

“If it is about your super strength, senses and whatnot from birth, we already know about that,” replies Valen bluntly to Shocker’s shock, “Actually, we know more about it than you do probably given that we know the origins and extent of such powers.”

“How?” demands Shocker, still slightly shocked.

“Do you know of Saints?” inquires Sir Galamin.

“Those guys from Jord Mythology? Do you really expect me to believe in nonsense like that?” replies Shocker sarcastically and Valen begins to laugh, “What?”

“You found out magic is real, you got your powers and you’re speaking to the First Saint himself,” explains Valen through his laughter, “And yet you still believe the supernatural is impossible and just dismiss it like a typical Southerner.”

“T-that isn’t true,” protests Shocker in indignation, “B-but, that would...”

“Yes Champion Miskara,” says Sir Galamin, “You are Champion Miskara Stormmistress the Second Saint of Mirra.”

“That is-just no,” sputters Shocker in shock before letting out a nervous laugh, “Imp-impossible-Gah!”

With a cry of wild frustration, Shocker sends a bolt of electricity at Drakvar, who instinctively raises a hand to block it.

Sir Galamin gives Shocker a look and the newly declared Second Saint looks away in slight embarrassment.

“Would you like me to explain to you what Saints and Demigods are and what it means in your case?” asks Sir Galamin to the flushed Shocker.

“Yes, I really would,” replies Shocker in a quiet voice as she looks down at the floor.

“There are twenty Demigods and Saints in total,” says Sir Galamin as Shocker sits down on a chair next to Drakvar, “Each of which are rated by how powerful they are as a Saint or Demigod. As I am the strongest, I am the First Saint. I can tell from observing you that you are one of the top three and since I am the First and Grandmaster Loric is the Third, you must be the Second.”

“Oh,” mutters Shocker, “So you lot already know about my abilities?”

“Yes,” replies Sir Galamin, “And each Demigod or Saint has a connection to one of the Elder Gods or Four Divines respectively. Demigods means Those Born Of The Gods while Saints means Those Blessed By The Gods. From your electrical powers, you are clearly tied to Mirra, Lightning Soldier and Storm Goddess.”

“How does that work?” asks Miskara hesitantly, sounding very nervous, “Did this Goddess of yours pick me at birth or something?”

“De ties between a Divine and a Saint are formed at birth and without de input of the Divine,” explains Valen, “But de Saint is always someone acceptable to de Divine.”

“Saints and Demigods are always exceptional and rise to position of power while they are young,” continues Sir Galamin, “And only partially because those who know what a Saint or Demigod is want to get them under the control. Such as Alisarr and Dorrin.”

“So I was picked as the Champion because I am a Saint,” says Shocker, very distressed at the idea.

“No Champion Miskara,” replies Sir Galamin firmly, “You were picked because you are more than capable of fulfilling that duty. The fact you are a Saint just helped them realise your talent early.”

“Oh thank the Gods!” exclaims Shocker, clearly relieved at the news.

“I would also recommend not using your headset,” says Sir Galamin, “As a Saint, your powers run on Mana and Psychics used a fine balance of Chi and Mana. Due to the incompatible of Chi and Mana, your Psychic focuser is limiting your abilities rather than enhancing them in the case of the majority of Psychics as the use of Chi weakens your Mana-powered Saint abilities.”

“Oh, alright,” says Shocker and she pushes a button on her headset and the lights on it flicker and die.

“Now, if you wish for further training, you would be more than welcome to join the session in which I train my Squire Drakvar,” says Sir Galamin, “You know where to find us.”

“I will take you up on that offer,” replies Shocker.

“Now, we must discuss the powers you got from the Deceiver Entity...”

Godslayer Arc 1.22 Tying Up Loose Ends

“Follow me idiot,” says Valen as he strides straight past Drakvar.

“Alright,” replies Drakvar as he gets up from where he was reading.

Valen and Drakvar exits their home together and head through the streets, going into Darklurker territory.

“So what exactly are we doing?” inquires Drakvar as he notes exactly how deep they have gone into the claimed territory of the Darklurkers.

“Tying up loose ends,” answers Valen as he pulls a black bowler hat out of his duster coat and puts on his head.

“Taking out the Darklurkers then,” says Drakvar.

“Aye,” confirms Valen, “We’ve both had our encounters with them and frankly, I’m blasting fed up with them. They got the run of the district, corrupted the local authorities and blatantly terrorise the people with only minimal opposition. And now we got myself, an Arch-Mage of the Northern Church and you, the Monster’s Curse as they’re calling back up north.”

“Monster’s Curse?” inquires Drakvar, unsure of how he got that particular name.

“The Ordic and Sir Galamin came up with the term and it got mentioned a few times in reports getting sent up north,” explains Valen, “It seems that has caught on and that is your title as I am a Greatflame and Sir Galamin is the First Saint and the Original Knight.”

“I see,” replies Drakvar as he takes in this new information.

“I think it has something-we got our first bunch of targets in sight,” says Valen as a group of ten Darklurkers walk into view, laughing about something.

“So how are we dealing with the Darklurkers?” asks Drakvar.

“Breaking their power, which is their members and reputation,” answers Valen, “We beat up their members so dey need days or weeks of rest to recover. Dat will weaken their ability to enforce their will in addition to making dem look weak, hindering their reputation and ability to intimidate. De final blow will be cutting off their head by capturing their leaders and turning dem over to de uncorrupted authorities. Dat will lead to infighting and with their weaken state, dey will collapse.”

“That is a sound plan,” agrees Drakvar as they near the unsuspecting gangsters.

“-got dat gib real slugging good,” says one Darklurker to the chortles of laughter from his fellow, “Dey won’t be able to walk for a good month or-arggh!”

The Darklurker cries out in pain as Valen slugs him in the face. As the Darklurker is knocked off his feet, Drakvar attacks another bunch of Darklurkers.

Without a battle cry or anything of that sort, Drakvar draws all four of this black swords. He swings at the closest two Darklurkers. Both get an arm and a leg cut open and before any of them react, Drakvar has already moved onto the next two, doing the same.

“Light Swords!” casts Valen out of Drakvar’s sight, but he hears the Darklurkers cry out in pain.

Panicking, one of the remaining Darklurker draws a dagger, but Drakvar just grins at the insignificant resistance. Moving swiftly, he stabs at the hand of the ganger, the black blade of his sword going straight through the hilt of the dagger and the Kith’s flesh.

As the Darklurker cries out in pain, Drakvar slashes each arm with one of his swords. Finishing off this foe, Drakvar makes two downward strikes, cutting open the legs of the already injured Kith.

“W-who are you?” cries out a panicked Darklurker as the one in front of Drakvar collapses on the ground.

“I am Pakdar Drakvar Blackborn the Monster’s Curse,” declares Drakvar as he sheathes all four of his blades.

That felt good. My title is the Monster’s Curse so I might as well use it and Pakdar is the Jord term for a Knight that fights without honour, which is what I am. Yes, that fits me very well.

With no more opponents still standing, Drakvar turns to face Valen. Like Drakvar, Valen has defeated all of the Darklurkers around him.

“One lot down, who knows how many more to go,” replies Valen with a smirk, four swords of glowing white light in each of his hands.

“So what do we do now?” inquires Drakvar.

“I’ll knock out dese guys while you find another lot,” says Valen, “We got another a couple of hours 
until night falls. Let’s see what damage we can do in dat time.”

“Alright,” agrees Drakvar as he begins to head off.

“And wait for me before you engage idiot,” says Valen eagerly, “I don’t want to miss de fun.”

***

Drakvar jumps down from the rooftops, landing in the midst of two Darklurkers harassing a young female student.

He stabs one in the shoulder with one of his black swords while punching the other Darklurker in the gut and face. As the first Darklurker staggers backwards clutching his bloody shoulder, Drakvar focuses on the second gangster.

He slashes the Kith across the chest, making sure not to cut too deeply, as he grabs him and slam-throws the Darklurker into the wall. Drakvar yanks the gangster back and punches him once in the bleeding chest and again in the face, bloodying the nose. He kicks the Darklurker in the knee before throwing him into the ground.

He stomps on the back of the Darklurker before turning to face the other. As the Darklurker fearfully steps back, Drakvar pounces. He quickly covers the small amount of ground between them and punches the Kith in the gut even as he slashes him across the legs.

Even as the Darklurker drops to his knees with a painful cry, Drakvar slugs him hard in the face, knocking the Kith out with that single blow.

“W-who are you?” asks the young female that Drakvar just rescued.

“Pakdar Drakvar Blackborn the Monster’s Curse,” answers Drakvar curtly as he begins to walk away with the Darklurkers dealt with and the girl safe.

“Ah, thank you?” says the rescued Kith hesitantly, but Drakvar is already some distance away.

He and Valen split up to cover more ground as the Darklurkers are pretty spread out across the Twelfth District.

“Oi idiot,” says Valen from out of sight and Drakvar turns to face him with a smile on his face.

“So?”

“Only two so far,” says Drakvar, indicating the two fallen Darklurkers further down the street.

“Ha,” replies Valen with a smug smirk, “Five you twit. Three and two. And you won’t believe what one of them spilled.”

“I’m sure I will,” replies Drakvar as he grins right back at Valen.

“One of de Darklurkers told me de location of Falmar and Korren,” says Valen, “I figured we could go and pay dem a visit before hunting down Blorin.”

“Sounds good,” agrees Drakvar, “So fire huh?”

Drakvar indicates towards the fistful of fire that Valen is fiddling with in one of his hands.

“Oh yeah,” says Valen, “I know, I’m a Light Mage and all, but Fire is pretty similar and I’ve been meaning to learn more of it. Light’s is good and all, but it lacks punch. It’s very fine and accurate, but Light is de blade to Fire’s hammer. And since we’re taking out small fry, I figured why not get the practice.”

“Do you know where to go?” asks Drakvar.

“Yeah,” replies Valen, “Well, I know the general area in which the Darklurker leadership will be in. Once we get there, I figured we could figure out exactly where to go from there.”

“Then let’s go,” says Drakvar, “Lead the way my friend.”

Valen grunts his acknowledgement.

***

“I believe I have found our targets,” says Drakvar as he comes to a halt, nodding towards a pub with a pair of armed Darklurkers standing guard at the entrance.

“So it would seem,” agrees Valen as he stops next to Drakvar, “Regardless, we should take out dose two and investigate whatever is inside.”

“Any ideas on how to deal with them?” asks Drakvar, “They each have a lock pistol. While I am less vulnerable than most to them, I can still easily be killed or crippled by one.”

“Don’t worry dose,” says Valen, “You charge in and let me deal with de problem.”

“Alright,” agrees Drakvar and drawing all four of his black swords, he charges straight at the pub entrance and the two guards.

“Glorious Blaze!” Drakvar hears Valen casting behind him as the two Darklurkers begin to aim, “Seeking of Jakcar!”

Both gangsters prepare to fire on Drakvar, but freeze at the sight of whatever Valen is doing. While he can feel the heat behind him, Drakvar doesn’t see the magic. At least not until the leaping flames over take him.

Knowing his power grants him total immunity to being harmed by the fire, Drakvar doesn’t freak out or even slow down as the burning blaze engulfs him. But as soon as he realises what will happen once the flames reach the Darklurkers, Drakvar does slow down a bit.

As the flickering flames touch the gunpowder on the Darklurkers standing guard, Drakvar comes to an almost halt to avoid getting hurt. While his powers will protect from the supernatural, he is still vulnerable to conventional attacks if less so than the average Kith.

But even a powerful explosion will take me out just as a gunshot will.

As the roaring explosion blows apart the Darklurkers and caves in the front of the pub, Drakvar charges forward once again as the flames consume the air where the front of the pub once stood.

While Drakvar was hit by the explosion, his resilience allows him to ignore most of it. But Drakvar doesn’t waste any time recovering as he spots several stunned Darklurkers inside the pub, Falmar amongst them.

“I am Pakdar Drakvar Blackborn the Monster’s Curse!” declares Drakvar as he leaps unharmed through the flames at the shocked gangsters.

As he lands, Drakvar swings at the closest two Darklurkers, cutting them down non-lethally. Spotting the tough Korren, Drakvar decides that the second in command of the Darklurkers should be his main priority.

The ruthless Kith is a scarred veteran with electronic braces and greaves that grant her inhumanly quick reflexes. While he doesn’t know how the Southerners explain such powers, Drakvar does know that Valen says it works by using the technology to harness an unnatural harmony of Mana and Chi to grant Korren her abilities.

Drakvar swings at Korren, but she is the quickest to recover as Drakvar expected. But despite expecting such things, Drakvar is still caught off guard as Korren barely dodges his attacks. He attempts to swipe at her with one of his blades, but Korren ducks as she draws a pistol.

“Fire Lances!” casts Valen even as Korren aims her gun at Drakvar’s gut at point blank range and pulls the trigger.

As the ball rips through his flesh and into his gut, Drakvar staggers backwards as his super-adrenaline kicks in. But neither Drakvar nor the Darklurkers get to do anything as the local flames and fire, of which there is now plenty, form into lances of blazing flames and strike at the Darklurkers.

As all of the Darklurkers go down, Valen leaps in and grabs Drakvar. With Valen supporting Drakvar, the two of them quickly exit the burning and half-destroyed pub.

“You okay?” asks Valen as he glances down at the ball hole in Drakvar’s gut.

“Yeah,” replies Drakvar, “Just give me a bit of time to recover.”

“You’re going to have to get dat ball removed from your internal organs you blasting idiot,” grumbles Valen.

“Your healing magic doesn’t work on me,” points out Drakvar.

“Moron,” grunts Valen, “Healing magic isn’t de only type of healing dat I can do. How to do conventionally take care of injuries and illnesses is one of de first things taught to priests and priestesses of de Northern Church. Even before teaching us healing magic.”

The two of them make their way to alley, where Valen then puts Drakvar down against the wall once they are out of sight.

“I’m going to remove de ball now,” says Valen as he pulls out a couple of metal tools, “Den I’ll clean de wound and put a bandage around it. Normally I would use some sort of magic as well, but dat isn’t an option in dis case. And it doesn’t matter dat much anyway given your good healing properties.”

“Alright,” agrees Drakvar as he grits his teeth as Valen begins the process.

While it hurts, his adrenaline dulls the pain greatly and Drakvar just tunes out Valen’s work.

“Dere, done,” grunts Valen as he finishes trying a thick strip of cloth around Drakvar’s gut.

“Thank you Valen,” says Drakvar gratefully as he gets to his feet.

“Eh, you’re welcome,” replies Valen as he begins to head back to the street, “Now come on, let’s hunt down more Darklurkers.”

“I’m with you,” says Drakvar as he rolls his shoulders.

***

Drakvar blocks the pipe with his arm before slamming a fist into the gut of his attacker, staggering the Darklurker. Before his foe can recover, Drakvar clocks the gangster in the face and she is tumbles over backwards.

Another Darklurker attacks Drakvar with a pair of machetes. Drakvar blocks one, but the other cuts into the flesh of his upper right arm. With an angry growl, Drakvar counterattacks with one of his own blades, but the Darklurker easily parries.

This gangster is clearly a better swordsman.

The Darklurker steps to the side and jabs at Drakvar, lightly stabbing him in the side. Now irritated with his adrenaline following, Drakvar lets out a battle cry and swings fiercely at his opponent.

The Darklurker attempts to block with one of his own weapons, but the black shadow blade of Drakvar’s sword flares with power and slices through the metal. The shocked Darklurker cries out in pain as Drakvar slices open his shoulder.

Drakvar headbutts his foe and grabs them by the neck before they can recover. He slams his foe into the wall next to them.

“H-have you nuh-oo honour?” demands the Darklurker in a pained hiss as he glares at Drakvar

“No,” answers Drakvar bluntly as he slams the Darklurker into the wall again and then a couple more times for good measure.

“Die!” screeches another Darklurker and a dagger flies over Drakvar’s shoulder.

Dropping the unconscious Darklurker he currently has around the neck, Drakvar turns to face his latest enemy.

The lithe female Kith is wielding a dadao and she swings wildly at Drakvar, but Drakvar is quicker and parries the strike. Even as he defends himself, Drakvar stabs forward with two of his blades and stabs both of his foe’s shoulders.

She stumbles backwards and Drakvar pushes the offensive, headbutting her and kneeing her gut. As the Darklurker doubles over, Drakvar brings his fists down on her back and slams her into the ground.

Certain she won’t be getting back up anytime soon, Drakvar looks around for his next opponent. But all of the Darklurkers in this group have been defeated.

“I got another of de Darklurkers to spill de location of their leader Blorin,” states Valen as he approaches Drakvar, letting the two Fireswords that he is holding dispel.

“Then let’s go and take the blaster out,” says Drakvar as he sheathes his own blades.

***

“Dese slugging kints have been messing up our boys and gals for dese last few hours!” declares the large and muscular Blorin to the Darklurkers he has assembled in this square, raising two revolvers into the air.

“Blast,” mutters Valen from where he and Drakvar are watching from a rooftop, “De guy has some real good quality firearms and dere has to be at least fifty Darklurkers down dere and at least half of them have firearms demselves. Even with our abilities, dere is too many of dem for us to take out. At least we had a good run.”

“We shouldn’t give up so soon,” replies Drakvar, “I know how we can even the odds.”

“How idiot?” demands Valen as he turns his head to look at Drakvar.

“You’re a Light Mage Valen,” says Drakvar, “Flash them with lights repeatedly so they stay off-guard and then hit from form away with some light beams or fire bolts.”

“And what will you be doing?” asks Valen as he considers Drakvar’s plan.

“Dealing with Blorin of course,” answers Drakvar with a smile.

“Alright,” says Valen, “You attack on my signal.”

“Agreed,” confirms Drakvar.

“This is our district and we shall-” Blorin continues his speech as Valen shouts, “Blinding Light!”

Drakvar leaps at Blorin and winces as the entire square is lit up with blinding white light. While the Monster’s Curse reduces the effects, he isn’t entirely immune.

“I am Pakdar Drakvar Blackborn the Monster’s Curse!” declares Drakvar as he lands by Blorin, drawing all four of his blades.

“Slug you Drakvar,” curses Blorin as he aims at Drakvar with both of his revolvers, recovering almost instantly from Valen’s Blinding Light.

He’s a mid-level Regenerator Psychic. That is going to be trouble. As are those revolvers. And while I’m quicker and tougher than he is, I’m not faster than a bullet. But I don’t need to be as I am faster than his ability to aim.

As Drakvar tracks the barrels of his guns, Blorin pulls both triggers and two bullets are unleashed with a pair of loud bangs.

But Drakvar is ready and already moving his blades so they block the incoming bullets. As Blorin looks uneasy at how seemingly easily Drakvar eliminated his attack, Drakvar just smiles and charges at the Darklurker Boss.

Blorin fires several move times, but Drakvar just intercepts the bullets or outright avoids them as he closes. As he reaches Blorin, Drakvar slashes and stabs with two of his swords. He slices one revolver in two whilst piercing the arm holding it.

Drakvar steps back as Blorin staggers backwards cursing in pain. Before his opponent can recover, Drakvar steps forwards and slashes Blorin across the chest, leaving four bleeding gashes.

“Slugger!” curses Blorin even as the wounds slowly begin to heal.

He heals, but it takes time. And it runs on his Mana and Chi reserves and they can’t be as impressive as those I usually hang out with. All I have to do is keep injuring him until he runs out of magical fuel to heal himself.

As Drakvar attacks again, Blorin draws two dao swords and barely defends himself, being forced back even as he does so.

“You can’t win this Drakvar,” snarls Blorin as he and Drakvar exchange more blows, “No ‘atter how good and fancy you gotten since we last met!”

So he knew the old Drakvar? Can’t say I’m surprised. The old Drakvar was a real blaster. And damn it, Blorin is a better swordsman than me. Time to change things up.

Drakvar jumps back and sheathes his black blades.

“What the ‘ell are you doing?” demands Blorin, sounding confused and slightly nervous.

Drakvar doesn’t respond as he charges forward. As Blorin tries to fend him off with his weapons, Drakvar uses his superior speed and reaction times in addition to Blorin’s hesitation to his advantage. He bushes the daos aside via the flat sides of the blade and grabs the wrist of the revolver hand as he swings a fist up into Blorin’s jaw. The Darklurker stumbles backwards dazed and Drakvar seizes the chance to disarm Blorin of both his swords, tossing them aside.

Not giving Blorin any opportunity to recover, Drakvar repeatedly swings his fists into his foe. After laying into Blorin for a minute or two, Drakvar finally knocks out the Darklurker with one punch to the face as Blorin’s Mana and Chi runs out.

As the Darklurker goes flying backwards, Drakvar looks around the rest of the square. All of the other Darklurkers are down or have fled while Valen is just standing there, leaning against the statue.

“Let’s bring de blaster to de police,” says Valen with a smirk.

“I’ll carry him,” replies Drakvar as he picks up Blorin’s intact revolver.