Unexplored - Into the Wilderwood: A LitRPG Virtual Fantasy Adventure, page 18
“They want to take your trees and kill your people. They wish to harness your spirits, and bend the clean and pure nature of the forest for their own wicked ends. They will not win this day, or any day. We will bring battle to them, and they will fall before our might. They’ll never dare bring harm to the sanctity of this forest again.”
Cleave expected to hear a cheer, at least from the NPCs, but he heard none.
“Great speech, Cleave,” Krug said wiping his brow, “but could we hurry it up before we get burned alive?”
A hot wind blew across Cleave’s face. Orange flames were spread to the trees around them and devoured the limb.
Cleave sighed. So much for the epic speech before a battle.
“Charge!” Cleave screamed.
The dryads cheered and ran forward. The sound of their feet thundered through the forest as they ran down the path. A few Crimson warriors got in their way, but were quickly dispatched. They moved with lightning speed through the forest and broke the tree line to face their enemy in a massive clearing.
Several men and women in red leather stood shoulder to shoulder in four rows. Faces grim, shields and weapons raised. They were ready for a charge. Behind them and to the center was Padwin, holding a sword and shield, flanked by four men in robes.
There were so many of them. Cleave felt like he was leading his allies into a slaughter. Doubt set in. A small part of him wanted to run, get away from all of these fierce warriors, find someplace safe and curl up into a ball.
Then he saw the dryads, weapons raised, screaming with battle rage as they boldly charged the enemy. The odds were stacked heavily against them, but they didn’t care. They boldly rushed forth and faced an enemy with superior armor and weaponry with undaunted bravery. It might have also been because most of them were NPCs and they didn’t have a brain, but that was beside the point. It filled him with hope and that was all he needed.
Cleave and his friends did the same and rushed out of the treeline with the dryads. They screamed out various war cries and attacked. Weapons smashed together as the two armies met. Dryads, the leather clad Fey Wilder, Cleave and his friends pushed forward with all of the tenacity they could muster.
The early earnestness of their charge caused the Crimson Kingdom’s line to waver, but a command from Padwin made them firm up and hold their ground.
Cleave rushed forward and attacked the soldier in front of him. The tall, red headed woman blocked his slash with her shield and answered with a thrust of her own. The elf dodged and scored a hit on her arm with a fast, downward slice.
Cleave pushed forward to take advantage. She tried to push him back with her shield, but he was able to slide around it and thrust his sword into her side. She stumbled and he finished her off with a downward stroke of her blade.
Another soldier, a large and muscled human, took her place. He swung down with a huge axe and Cleave brought his shield up to meet it. Reverberations rattled through his shield arm when the axe connected and sent him skidding back a few inches.
The large man swept forward with his weapon and caught the elf’s shield again. Cleave’s arm tingled when the mighty blow landed. The elf’s wooden shield cracked.
The elf knew that if he allowed this to continue his shield would break. He began using his speed to counter the man’s strength. He attacked with many small cuts and strikes that were mostly blocked by his enemy’s shield.
The elf’s opponent tried to get another attack off, but the elf’s strikes were so fast he was forced to defend himself. Cleave knew he didn’t have a great deal of time to waste. If they were going to have any chance in this battle he had to dispatch his foes quickly.
Cleave pretended to stumble and fumbled with his weapon. His opponent saw this as an opportunity and drew back his axe.
The large man lowered his shield enough to create an opening. Cleave quickly seized upon it and launched an attack over the upper rim of the shield. The tip of the blade connected with the large man’s throat. Blood decorated the elf’s blade as the large man fell back, clutching his wound.
Cleave glanced at his friends and noticed they were performing decently as well. Despite their smaller numbers they were able to hold the line. He saw Estelar step out from the trees and scream out a command word. A prismatic ray shot from his outstretched and exploded above two soldiers.
These soldiers were entranced by the multi-colored droplets that fell from the blast. They lowered their weapons and the members of the Fey Wilder they fought cut them down.
There was a loud, blaring sound coming from the right, followed by singing. Sphiel charged out from the trees singing, and pointed toward the enemy. Four wolves, several birds, snakes, rabbits, and a large bear charged toward the enemy’s line. The animals struck and harassed the Crimson lines. Some of the Crimson soldiers turned to fight the animals, allowing the dryads in front of them to take advantage and strike them down.
Estelar raised his hand and fired off another spell. Padwin pointed to the mage and gave a command. Six mages, three from the left and right appeared from the trees behind the dryad lines. As Estelar’s prismatic ray exploded above a few of the Crimson soldiers, two of these mages screamed command words and gusts of wind shot forth and dissipated the droplets from the explosion. They scattered to no effect. Estelar fired another ray and that one was also rendered useless.
Four of the flanking mages launched bolts of fire at the backs of the dryads. They connected and the green women burst into flames. They screamed and immediately crumpled to the ground.
One mage launched a bolt of fire at Sphiel. It connected and her clothes burst into flames. She screamed and fell to the ground, rolling to put out the fire. The spell singer’s song stopped and the animals were no longer under her control. Some of the smaller animals fled from the battle, while the larger, more violent creatures still attacked the soldiers.
Berryl twitched as she heard the shrieking goblet. A wild look came over her eyes and her entire body spasmed. The soldier fighting her swung down, but she dodged to the side. She crouched and leapt on his shield arm. Before he could react she brought her claws down on his neck.
He fell to the ground. The woman nearest the cat girl tried to strike at her. Like lightning the feline leapt upon her, grabbed her head and snapped her neck in one fluid motion.
One group of mages prepared to fire another volley of fire bolts at the druid’s backs when they heard a loud creaking behind them. They turned to see one of the trees had grown arms and legs. The mages yelled and fired their bolts at it. The tree burst into flames, but they weren’t able to stop it from bringing its fists down on the mages. In a few seconds all three mages were bloody heaps on the ground.
Another tree appeared behind the other group of three mages. This one was twice the size of the first and had a face, one twisted in horrific rage. Bitterroot didn’t give the mages a chance to defend themselves. He brought his foot down and crushed two. The other mage tried to cast a spell, but the Treant picked him up in its large hand and crushed the life out of him.
Bitterroot pointed at the burning tree and pointed at the Crimson warriors. The animated being charged forward and slammed into the right Crimson flank.
Padwin ordered some of his soldiers on the left flank to destroy the goblet controlling the animals. They charged forward toward the loud cup, fighting off the rabid animals the item was summoning. One of the Crimson warriors managed to reach the goblet and strike it with his axe. The goblet screeched once more and was quiet.
The animals paused as if confused. The Crimson warriors quickly cut a few of them down. Fonwilsa quickly struck down the warrior she fought. She pulled a green potion from her belt and threw it near where the animals stood.
It struck the ground and green smoke billowed out. A rabid look came into the animals’ eyes and they went back to attacking the soldiers.
Bitterroot directed the animated tree attacking Crimson soldiers. Padwin directed his troops, and through his efforts, they were able to surround the tree and hack it down. The burning tree fell toward the Crimson lines and crushed a few of their soldiers.
Bitterroot let out a loud yell and charged forward. The ground shook as he rushed toward the line. He took a place along with Krug on the left flank, and together, the two giants wreaked utter havoc on the soldiers in their general area.
The Crimson warriors were performing well in the center of the line. With their superior numbers, they were able to push back and cut down some of the dryads. Their flanks, however, were not holding up so well. The giants on the left rapidly pushed them back. On the right, the Crimson soldiers had difficulty keeping up with the combined force of animals and dryads. Sphiel had risen, clothing burned and skin red from the firebolt, and started singing again, bringing forth more new animals. Without any mages to impede him, Estelar aided the left flank, confounding enemy soldiers with his magic.
Cleave and Tarka fought hard in the center. Enemies that came close to them were either pushed back or killed. Cleave’s breath came in short gasps. The wounds he’d suffered just a few hours ago made it harder to swing his sword. If they could hold the line for just a bit longer, the shaky Crimson flanks would break and the dryads would be able to score a victory.
The elf looked up to Padwin, who didn’t look worried at how the battle was going. This filled the elf with dread. That could only mean the knight had a trick up his sleeve. He hoped it wasn’t the case. He hoped the knight was just an arrogant jerk who thought he was going to pull the battle out, but he knew that wasn’t true. Padwin probably wasn’t stupid. He knew the knight would have come to the battle with more than just one plan.
The feared trick was revealed a moment later. Padwin motioned to the men in robes beside him and they all raised wands. All of these implements were made from green crystals that shined with an eerie glow. Cleave’s eyes went wide. Those wands were made from dryad essence. He was afraid to see what power they held.
All four of the robed figures shouted a command word and dark green beams fired from the wands. Two of them struck dryads fighting near Cleave. The green women screamed and their skin turned black where they ray hit. Their bodies curled and turned to ash. He had to fight not to throw up as they turned to hollowed black husks.
One of the beams struck the bear still fighting on the right flank. The creature roared as dark green crystals erupted from its spine. Another hit Bitterroot. The ray blackened the bark and crystals appeared on his body.
“Burning pain,” Bitterroot screamed as he smashed a soldier in front of him. Two more rays dropped dryads in the center line. One struck a wolf that formed unsightly crystals on different parts of its body while another brought forth more on Bitterroot.
The losses in the center mounted quickly, and the line became brittle. Cleave fought desperately to keep the Crimson warriors at bay. Tarka darted from one enemy to the other, striking fast, trying to keep back the enemy as well as she could.
Dryads fell around the elf and kobold. The Crimson soldiers were able to utilize their superior numbers and mount an offensive that created even more dryad losses.
Cleave watched as the green rays struck animals, dryads, and Bitterroot. This must be the weapon they had crafted from the souls of the dryad, a magic that, by the looks of it, corrupted or instantly killed those it hit.
At the rate the dryads were falling, the battle looked lost. The Crimson soldiers would claim the forest, the part that didn’t burn down, and cut down more dryad trees to create more of these weapons.
Determination settled in Cleave’s stomach. Even if they did, he was going to make them pay dearly for it. They might walk away alive, but they wouldn’t leave without knowing they fought a fierce enemy. The elf unleashed a battle cry and brutally stabbed a Crimson soldier in front of him. Tarka and the remaining dryads in the center gathered around him and fought with all their strength.
Cleave’s muscles throbbed and his vision doubled. Sweat poured down his face. He slashed and hacked in front of him, fighting the seemingly increasing enemy.
The wizards continued to fire their wands. With the battle going so well at the center they focused their attacks on the animals and Bitterroot at their flanks. More corrupted animals were formed, and great swaths of Bitterroot’s bark were covered in green crystal.
Animals that were hit by the green beams became even more vicious. At first the soldiers fighting them thought the animals were weakened, but soon realized their miscalculation when the creatures with glowing green eyes rushed past their weapons and tore into their flesh.
Bitterroot screamed each time a beam hit him. As the battle wore on his attacks became more ferocious, he swung his arms and stomped his feet with a fury that even made Krug back off. The Treant scattered swaths of enemy soldiers. Small groups would charge him with their axes raised, only to be crushed or scattered by his attacks.
Padwin saw the devastation occurring at his army’s flanks and ordered the wizards to focus their fire into the center. They fired off one volley, turning four more dryads into burned husks. The dryads in the center were barely holding together. Only half of the original number remained. They looked frightened, but his rallying cries kept them together.
Cleave realized something as he watched the wizards shoot their abominable wands at them. Some of the rays began to miss and warped the trees behind them. This gave him an idea.
“Crouch low, dryads. Make it harder for the mages to hit you.”
They followed his commands and fought in a crouch. It was a little awkward to get used to, but the dryads quickly took to fighting low. Green beams passed over their heads or struck Crimson warriors, who seemed to be unaffected by the magic.
When they stopped taking losses to the dryad essence wands their losses in the center were not as great. The remaining dryads caught a second wind and pushed against the Crimson warrior central line. Leather clad soldiers tried to push back, but they were stalled by the stalwart dryads.
The Crimson warrior flanks were falling apart fast. The animals and dryads were tearing apart the soldiers on the right while Krug and Bitterroot smashed through their enemies on the left. Less than a minute later, the right flank was overwhelmed. The Crimson soldiers grew frightened of the blighted animals ripping them to shreds. They broke ranks and fled from the battle, rabid animals on their heels.
Bitterroot and Krug finished decimating the left flank. Those that weren’t killed pretended to be dead to escape the wrath of the Treant and half giant. Bitterroot’s gaze left the dead soldiers lying around him and fell on Padwin. Krug read the Treant’s intentions and both charged for the knight. The half giant swung his hammer in front of the creature, thinning the enemy enough so the Treant could barrel through the rest.
Padwin and the wizards panicked. Their magic seemed to only make the living tree mad, and with a half giant fighting at his side, they didn’t like their chances. They scattered and ran into the forest.
Bitterroot turned his attention on the main line and charged toward it. A few Crimson warriors tried to stop him, but they were only crushed or knocked aside. The Treant stopped just behind the front line and roared. He brought down his fists and knocked down two of the Crimson soldiers. The dryads from the left flank rushed to join their brothers and sisters in the center and bolstered their ranks.
Cleave watched as the brittle line grew strong again. He rushed forward with renewed vigor and swung his sword into the frightened Crimson soldiers.
With their attention divided among the two giants behind them and the dryads in front, the Crimson soldiers were not able to fight as well as before. Their line became disorganized and their losses mounted.
Two minutes of fighting passed and a third of their remaining numbers quickly dropped. They looked to Padwin for leadership, but he was gone. The Crimson warriors panicked. Without direction they had no idea how to handle themselves.
One warrior stepped forward and tried to rally his fellow soldiers. Tarka and Berryl rushed the man. With Tarka attacking low and Berryl high, he fell underneath the kobold’s stabs and cat girl’s slashing claws.
“Run!” One of the Crimson warriors screamed.
The Crimson army fled. A few were quickly caught and slain, while the rest were chased into the woods.
When the last living Crimson soldiers left the battlefield there was a hush. For a long moment, no one said or did anything. They only stood in silence and observed the carnage around them.
Krug held up his hammer and gave a cheer. The dryads that remained threw up their hands and whooped. Berryl jumped up and down, alternately pumping her fists. Spheil sat on the ground near Estelar and smiled. Lurupine broke away from the celebrating dryads and found Krug. Both shared in a quiet moment of victory.
Cleave fell to his knees and dropped his sword and shield. He wiped the sweat from his brow with shaking hands and huffed. Tarka limped in front of him and smiled. The two embraced as they listened to the sounds of victory around them.
FORTY ONE
Cleave and Tarka sat quietly while the other players looted the fallen corpses. Aside from the weapons, armor, and shields they managed to find some money, a few potions, and a few strange spell components from the fallen mages. The group unanimously voted to let Cleave and Tarka examine all of the treasure before it would be split among everyone. They both sat in a small clearing going over the loot.
A blue glow enveloped Cleave’s hands as he passed them over a shield. A little screen popped up over the item that said “NO MAGICAL PROPERTIES.”
Cleave sighed and picked up another item. He’d been checking for magic on all of the looted items. Other than the potions, he found nothing with magical properties.
“Is any of this stuff magical?” Tarka said.
“Nothing, other than the potions. I don’t think that Crimson King or whoever would give magic items to his lowly soldiers,” Cleave said.
“How much do you think we’re going to get for all of this?” Cleave said.
