He loosed a Magic Bolt at the forming knee of the giant but little armed monster as he ran towards it. It was half formed and his bolt did nothing to the monster when it impacted against the thick bone.

  So he focused his shots at the many skeletons that were now almost completed around them. His Magic Bolts blew off limbs and heads while he got closer. They cut the skeletons in half when a spine was blown apart but still three were being formed for every one he killed.

  Franco and Faye went wide, throwing Fire Bolts and Magic Bolts into the Skeletons, losing spells as fast as they could as their team split around the arch and the emptying stairwell.

  “I got the left one” Frazier said as she ran with Maph and Faye to the left.

  Franco went to the right with Mari and Oaken. They shot or cut down any skeleton in their way but he split from Mari as the monster was formed enough to step closer and swing its massive head in his direction. It came down at him, mouth open and viper quick. He had to jump to the side rolling on the dirt as it missed him and came back to his feet in time to see Mari deliver a [Sundering Blow] to the things out stretched neck. Bones cracked and the monster quickly reared its head back as it spun on itself to get its head facing the Dwarf.

  Fanco heard a yell and then felt a rush of wind as he turned in time to see the bone tail of the massive monster coming rushing towards him in its spin. Franco had enough time to begin to fall to the ground and enough time to think about how dumb he felt as the tail hit him and sent him flying dozens of yards away.

  ***

  Her bolts were digging into the monster as she kept a good distance as it now saw her as a threat and was heading her way. She had been infusing her bolts with the Force Adder stone and they had been working. Now with its focus on her she switched her Shooter’s Companion to her Lighting stone and infused her next bolt heavily before she shot it in the face. It jerked back from the impact which allowed Faye to rain shots on the leg Maph hit a few seconds later. His Anti Magic sword cut deep into the enchanted bones while Frazier did not let up. She shot one and then two magazines of bolts into it before its leg went out and it planted face first into the ground. All the while her Lighting infused bolts impacted deep into its skull and blew it apart seconds later. She turned in time to see how the other monster was fairing when she saw Franco go flying from a tail hit. She was going to give him so much grief if they lived through this.

  ***

  Franco hit the ground hard and went tumbling as he tried to roll with it but failed as something snapped in his left leg and it suddenly became hard to breath as he felt pressure on his chest.

  His Sea Dreamer armor held up but he had a broken rib or two it seemed. With one trembling hand he had to be fast as he reached for and pulled out a full healing potion. He had a half one but he might have to use all three to live through this day.

  With trembling hands he drank down the potion and felt the pressure in his chest lift as he regained his ability to breath fully. His leg was still broken and blood was pouring out the wound but he was alive.

  “How are you alive?” Oaken said as he sprinted closer coming to a stop as he slid on his knees next to him.

  Placing his hairy third hand on Franco's wounded leg, Oaken Free Cast Lesser Heal. The spell he had just mastered thanks to the Legendary Grimoire. Franco felt his bone pop back into place and the bleeding lessen.

  “Thanks” Franco rasped out. He was still hurt but he wouldn't die.

  “Lie down, my spell doesn't stack but we can use another potion” Oaken said as he tried to make Franco lay back down.

  Franco noticed that he had flown out towards the second ring of adventures that the trap had taken out. They needed them so he pushed away Franco's three hands trying to check over him and pointing with his now free left hand at the nearest moving adventurers.

  “Heal them, we need them”

  Oaken followed his pointing hand and then slapped his tail on the ground as he crouched and trilled as he stood up.

  “Good thinking” Oaken said as he went over to the group and started casting Lesser Heal on them.

  Franco, feeling well enough now took out his half full healing potion and drank the rest of it. His armor was hiding most of his leg wound as it would have been better to pour the healing potion directly on it but it was enough. He felt his skin net back together and the bleeding stopped. He stood and his leg was sore but he could move on it with a limp.

  He heard a crashing sound as he turned to see Mari somehow on top of the giant bone monster, his axe buried into the top of its neck as he rode the crashing monster into the arch toppling both it and the monster.

  A roar of anger so loud it stilled the battlefield emerged from the stairwell. Franco reached for a stamina potion and found that his last one had broken in the fall. He quickly checked his last healing potion and it was still good as he felt he knew what was coming next as he started to walk away from Oaken and the nearby adventurers.

  Looking back he saw nine Ivory Knights come forth from the stairwell and the rubble of the archway. Each one armored and armed with glittering artifacts of power, and each one distinct from the other. Behind them came a Kimber Bone Giant with midnight black bones dressed in traditional Kimber robes that were red with blue trim.

  That had to be the Lich and Franco felt the crown he stole from it bounce on his hip as he hobbled away. He was at least 200 feet away from that monster and Franco tried to move faster.

  “I’m so dead”

  “Give me my crown now child! and I wont boil you alive” The Lich yelled from behind him.

  Franco didn't bother to respond but started to run his leg shooting pain into him with every step.

  ***

  Faye saw Franco run away. Apparently holding something the Bone Giant lich wanted.

  She looked to Frazier who just put down another two skeletons nearby and turned to follow Franco as well.

  “We need to pull some of those Knights off him,” Faye said.

  Frazier just nodded and started running to intercept the Ivory Knights and the Bone Giant that started to chase after Franco. Some of the Ivory Knights had gone different directions leading hundreds of Skeltons and Bone Giants into the fighting all around them. The intensity of the battlefield went up another notch as the Undead elites joined the three sided scrum.

  Maph followed after killing the unarmed skeletons around him and he quickly passed Faye and Frazier to take the lead. Faye would need to thank her Physical Instructors at the Scholaria and impress on the first years how true all their dumb sayings were. A battle Mage was a runner or they were dead as the old adage went.

  Frazier got within range of the nearest Ivory Knight to them and shot off four Lighting bolts that took one of the Ivory Knights by surprise as it stumbled and froze up.

  Faye hit the same Knight with a Fire Bolt spell from her new robe and sent it to the ground. While still running she got near Frazier and free cast the robe’s other spell, Water Shield between them and the Black Bone Lich as it pointed at them and then a Death Bolt impacted against her Water Shield. It had hit harder and faster than any spell she had ever seen but still the Water Shield held.

  It did not stop chasing after Franco but it shot two more Death Bolts at them as they scrambled to get away as two of the five chasing Ivory Knights came for them.

  That would have to be good enough as they drew the two Knights away from chasing Franco. Faye finally saw the down adventurers around her starting to move and she felt relief as they only had to last a few more minutes before the Golds and Silvers got into the fight.

  She put away her Magic Bolt wand away and drew her short sword and went in to help Maph as he engaged the two Knights in melee. Frazier with her amazing auto crossbow made a better battle mage now at this level then she did.

  Cowboy hat on with her armored duster over her new robes moving easily with her as she went wide drawing the eye of the second Knight trying to flank Maph. This one was armed with three swords. Its large left hand held a blocky triangle blade that had some kind of spell shield ability with it as Frazier's arrows impacted against it and not the knight itself.

  It turned fully to face her and came swinging fast and hard. She recast Water Shield through her robes and it appeared just in front of the Ivory Knights chests blocking its swinging and causing it to turn away trying to get around the thick five foot radius water shield.

  She then shot a Fire Bolt into its crouch causing it to stumble as she did a quick lung at its third hands bone wrist and hitting true severed the wrist causing it to drop one of its three swords as she moved back, casting another Fire Bolt that it [Dodge] and using the ability moved closer to her to her surprise. Now swinging both of its remaining swords at her. She tried to move out of the way but was not fast enough as both swords cut for her chest.

  One of the blades bounced off her new robes shield that materialized suddenly to block the blow while the other broke it and cut into her armored duster slicing across her upper arm and causing her right elbow to go numb causing her to drop her sword as she stumbled away.

  Fighting the pain she Free Casted her Fire Bolt again which it battered aside as it closed with her again. Fumbling for a wand she backed away but didn't have time until four bolts sent her purser stumbling back and Frazier was there auto crossbow in her left hand while her right had her Desanigh blade cutting at the momentarily forced back Ivory Knight.

  Drawing her Magic Bolt and Shock bolt wands she started to fire off both wands as fast as she could. With her being so close it couldn't block her and as it staggered under the impact of spells.

  With it distracted Frazier put a Force infused Bolt through its chainmail covered chest and blew its spine apart.

  She turned in time to see Maph's Ivory Knight cut down by a trio of adventurers. Ones that had been trapped in the Soul Well and now were up fighting, finally.

  “About damn time,” Faye said.

  ***

  Cid laid Daggon on the roof top after having to use his Double Jump to get the old crusty sea elf to some safety. He was just now starting to come to but Cid had no time to wait. He left his teammate there hopeful that he would be safe here as Cid could not see any enemies nearby.

  Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

  He went to the edge of the roof and saw just a few houses down where a large street connected to the central plaza area and where the mad battle was going on. Cid wasn't really sure what was going on and hadn't said anything when Kara just kept running with Summer in her arms.

  But Cid knew Jax was down there fighting with a giant white four armed golem.

  Where did that thing come from, he thought.

  Minotaurs fought Minotaurs while some fought adventures and now Undead attacked everyone. He saw a group of four Minotaurs in green surrounded by their bodyguards and standing on a roof top half a block away. It looked like they were casting their spells and leading their forces from the spot and Cid knew what he had to do.

  Even with the golem cutting through minotaurs and undead the small group of adventurers were being pushed hard so Cid tucked his ears away in his helmet and pulled the armored mask that fit perfectly with it. Now hiding his furry face behind the Sea Dreamer chitin. He drew his new dagger that so much had been given for and the world went slightly grey and blurry around him as he slowly began to move to flank the Minotaur leadership and get close enough to slit a few throats.

  ***

  Franco took a Death Bolt in his back which sent him to the ground rolling but he got up again and kept running away. His [(Passive) Fleet-Footed] ability saving his life as it allowed him to move faster and easier around the plaza. He spit up a bit of blood as he ran and his back hurt badly as he felt skin and part of his soul being frayed from the Death Mana. He was only able to get up from it as his Sea Dreamer armor had taken most of the bolt; real damage. It's anti magic properties saved him but it was now smoking from the blow, a foul smell coming from as it felt different on his back. Franco was worried that it was shattered and wouldn't survive another hit as his purser wasn't quitting.

  “Die rat, just die” the Lich shouted as Franco ran away, zigging and zagging from the Death Bolts being thrown at him.

  ***

  Cid crept closer. He knew time was vital as adventurers were falling now but he had to get closer. With Sarah’s dagger in his left hand he was able to slowly creep by the surrounding minotaur guards. Most had their eyes on the battle below with a few more dedicated ones watching their backs as they should but even those missed him as he moved. The battle caused enough distraction that he was able to get within ten feet of the four minotaur leaders.

  They were monstrously big. Almost a full third bigger than any of the other minotaurs and all of them had an aura of weirdness around them. Mana seemed to warp around them causing light to deflect in strange ways.

  The one closest to Cid after bellowing fresh orders took in a deep breath and then paused for a second before he took in another deep breath through his nostrils. The second one much slower than the first.

  Cid didn't wait. He knew he had been smelt, so while still hidden he leaped at the four giant minotaurs. He didn't leap at the one spinning to meet the threat but the one next to him. The one that held a spear in its right hand loosely as it peered over the roof crenellations at the battle below and used his best thief Ability, [That's Mine:Weapon]. Instantly the spear in the second minotaurs hand flew to Cid’s open right hand as he leapt and with the turning minotaur reacting just a second to late he didn't have time to react before a spear head went through his neck as Cid let go and slashed out with Sarah’s dagger cutting the throat of the second Minotaur.

  The first minotaur was dead and while the second still lived as it jerked away from the blow, it hit the edge of the roof and toppled over without a sound. Hitting the ground three stories below. The roof exploded into action as the two monstrous minotaur leaders screeched in rage and the bodyguards reacted to the sudden death of their two leaders

  He once again didn't give them time to react as he jumped off the roof tossing behind him one of Daggon's Flash Fire potions. It wouldn't kill anyone but it would hurt a lot.

  He resheath Sarah’s dagger before he hit the ground, rolling with the impact before he was up and running again, pulling the dagger free again as he went back into hiding as the potion exploded behind him and the green sashed minitours broke in confusion. Next stop Jax, Cid thought.

  ***

  Franco took another glancing hit from the Lich. The Death Bolt left his shoulder armor smoking and the skin underneath it dead. He could feel his muscles boiling away as he stumbled on. He was getting too fatigued to keep this up and the Ivory Knights were almost on him.

  The three Ivory Knights with the Lich and were relentless like all Undead but they were fast as well and they were here and Franco wasn't sure what he should do. He stumbled forward trying to zig and zag so he didn't get shot again. He wasn't sure how many hits his armor could take.

  He had to get them to back off him, so he decided to gamble. After a few more steps he turned while he was already mid cast of his Soul Lance and speared an Ivory Knight in full plate that was nearest him. The Knight didn't die from a lucky hit unfortunately but it was now stuck. So Franco moved in and while the sword and shield Knight swung at him Franco used his Sabers [Perfect Perry] ability to block the strike and then step into the stuck Knight before his allies could close and used the stuck Knight to block the line of sight of the Lich.

  Using [Cleaving Strike] he beheaded the stuck Knight before he turned and ran to the side, away from the Lich and in a different direction than he had originally been going.

  That had been a perfect example of why a level 5 could kill a level 35. In the Way of Might you had three God given Abilities and your body Improvement by level five. All you really need is the dexterity or strength to deliver two Abilities to kill anyone. Franco had a faint memory of being taught that and it was true here.

  ***

  He had snuck through the lines and fighting front of the green shashed minotaurs. They were big and tough looking bastards and some good looking beastmen for sure but with Sarah’s dagger in hand they ignored him as he worked his way to the front where one of their big minotaur leaders was fighting Jax. He waited only a few seconds until the big bastard used an ability to make a lunging attack at Jax that he deflected with his shield.

  Cid went low and from under the daggers cover he hamstringed the massive minotaur’s backward stretching hoof that had been exposed by its lung at Jax. Smiling as he jumped away from the sudden change in the fight he was caught off guard as the Minotaur with hammer in hand while falling to his knees from the loss of use in his back leg used [Sudden Blow] on Cid as he jumped away.

  “Shit” Cid said as he brought up his dagger and used his [Unbreakable Block: Daggers].

  He loved and hated this ability because like always when two abilities like that hit each other both parties went flying from their incompatible natures if they were similar in strength.

  Cid stuck something metal hard as he flew back. His helmeted head bouncing off it and ringing like a bell as he hit the ground. Sprawled and now seeing double he couldn't move his feet as hooves moved around him. Suddenly something large and cold picked him up by his armor and raised him high in the area.

  “What is this masked thing, [Hoplite] Ajax?” a metallic voice asked.

  Cid was out of it and his mask had been bent and twisted.

  “That's my team member Cid, the Harekin I told you about.” Jax said, his voice full of fatigue and stress.

  “Do they always wear masks?"

  Cid came to instantly when something pulled his helmet off. Almost ripping off his one long ear while doing so. The pain focused him and he realized he was still being held up by his arm.

  “Now I see why they call you Harekin but I do not understand the difference. Yes you are a halfling of man and rabbit but in my time you would simply be beastmen” a metallic voice said.

  “Please put him down Master Zif I think he has a concussion” Jax said.

  Cid found himself on the ground with Jax over him and the taste of a healing potion in his mouth.

  His double vision was gone along with the headache he had. He still felt like he had been hit by a mountain but he looked up to see Jax and the golem standing over him.

  “Good work Cid of the Harekin. I am Brother Zif of the Jade Temple. I see you bare Sarah’s dagger and have put it to good use vs the Demon lead. The Goddess thanks you” Zif said.

  Cid turned to Jax who was looking down at him.

  “What about the battle?” Cid asked as he sat up looking around.

  “They broke and ran after you hamstring that big minotaur. Between him and the other two leaders you killed the fight went out of them quick. Thanks Cid” Jax said, offering him a hand up.

  Cid took it and saw that the adventurers around them and the minotaurs in blue sashes were looting, taking care of wounded or fighting Undead towards the center of the plaza.

  Jax handed him his dagger which he had let go of when he hit Zif apparently and looked at the large golem.

  “I’m a halfling, golem. I’m not a beastman like these Minotaurs. Only my head and my feet are that of a Hare” he said, making sure to emphasize the word Hare.

  Jax stepped in before Zif could say anything.

  “Good work Cid but we got more fighting to do, ready?”

  Cid’s ears twitched in annoyance and he drank his last stamina potion before he nodded. No better way for him to get that annoyance out than to kill some Undead.

  “Ready”.

  The three of them jogged back into the fight.

  ***

  He was still limping as he ran away and he turned just in time as a Death Bolt hit just near him. Franco turned away again in a different direction and looked behind him to see the two knights and the Lich chasing him still. You had to appreciate the Undead focus. A great strength but also a weakness.

  Should the most powerful undead here, the only one in fact that had a true mind be chasing him around? No, but it wanted its stupid crown back and it was letting its awakening army be destroyed in detail because of that focus. It would kill him in a few more minutes at this rate but at least he was giving his team a chance now.

  He turned again now mostly jogging as the lead he got from killing the Knight a few minutes ago was gone and they were just a dozen feet behind him now. He had nothing left, not really. He was hurt and tired and was burning himself out now. Franco didn't want to die, he really didn't but he was about done running.

  “Just another minute or two, you can do that” Franco mumbled to hismelf as he half ran turning away from the chasing Lich. He ran on, only slowing after another near miss. His focus on the few feet of roadway in front of him until he heard something.

  Looking up he saw a line of adventurers to the west running towards him down the large boulevard with Helmric in the lead, a red spear in two hands and a short sword in his third.

  Franco whooted in triumph as he pulled his last health potion and drank half of it as he ran. He felt strength returning to his shoulder and back as the limp lessened in his leg as he zigged again but this time closer to Helmric and the reinforcements.

  “Where did you come from?” the Lich yelled as his voice drew distant behind Franco.

  A minute later Helmric ran past him as did over a hundred and fifty adventurers all of them sweating and most of them drinking last minute potions as they rushed past Franco into the fight. He turned to watch their backs as he collapsed to the ground.

  He forced himself to sit up as he gulped in air and water as fast as he could. He was as tired as he had ever been or at least as far as he could remember. The battle was over and the Undead didn’t know it.

  Helmirc with a dozen other Golds were soon trading body blows with the Lich while teams of twenty or so adventurers brought down the other Ivory Knights while the rest went into the remaining horde of skeletons where Franco saw Sir Allen fighting six Bone Giants while another dozen or so lay dead around him.

  His eyes were heavy and he wanted to sleep but he couldn't out here.

  After sitting and watching for over half an hour he finally got up and began to search the battlefield for his team. He found them along with Faye walking towards him while he saw on the far side of the plaza Zif still fighting alongside Jax, Cid and the Lornghorn of the Rout as they fought two Bone Abominations with companies of skeletons around them.

  His team reached him and looked him over.

  “You’ve looked better,” Oaken said with a smile on his bill.

  “You haven't," Franco said as half hugged Oaken and then Frazier.

  “Kind of cliche for the hero to pass out at the end of the big fight” Faye said with a happy light tone as she joined the small group of friends.

  “I’m not passing out yet and I didn't fight. I just ran around. Besides I’m not the hero here” Franco said as he pointed towards Zif and then Helmric.

  He patted Faye on the shoulder as they locked eyes. They had a past together it seemed and she knew him. A chill ran down his back as Franco thought that but all that could wait.

  He sat down and looked at her with a faint smile and said “I’m tired, and I want to see” as he laid back and fell asleep.

  Franco soon found himself floating in that place where levels were given in front of that Basalt column.

  Level 10

  Choose a Class

  You must now choose a Class.

  Class Options are:

  Spellsword: Sword and Spell Focused

  Spellslinger: Sword and Artifact Focused

  Dualists: Nobility, Single Opponent Bonus

  Champion: Leadership and Combat Focused

  It was interesting to see the Champion option but he did not know about it and it did not tug at his heart like Spellsword so he picked that without much thought. It was one of the few things he had truly known when he woke up in the infirmary all those weeks ago, he wanted to be a Spellsword

  Class Choice: Spellsword

  Class Enhancement: Deadly Grace, Improved Dexterity, Vitality, Preception

  Class Skill: True Casting: Greatly Improved Intelligence, Will and Soul

  Class Ability: Blade Echo

  New Title Gained

  One Title Improved

  (New)Conquistador: I know the way. Improved Will, Perception and Vitality

  Improved: Adventurer (Silver)

  He was proud and to be honest he was happy to see how much he had changed. Was it worth the cost? No, Eloise should have never come here. He should not have brought her and he had gotten her and her guard killed because he wanted an adventure but the price had been paid. He was just happy to see himself improve. Next time he would be strong enough to save them.

  Level 10

  Way of the Might

  Class: Spellsword

  Titles:

  Son of Abigail: I Will Stand: Improved Strength, Will, and Soul.

  True Companion: Before you, me: Improved Vitality, Will.

  UPGRADED- Adventurer (Silver): More than Fear: Improved Perception, Dexterity, Will, Vitality and Strength

  True Friend of The Lost Temple of Jade: I have walked the Dark Halls. Improved: All Attributes.

  Demons Bane: Greater than thee has Tempted Me. Greatly Improved, Fate, Soul, Will and Vitality.

  (New)Conquistador: I Know the Way. Improved Will, Perception and Vitality

  Abilities:

  (Passive)Extra Charges (Lesser): Wands

  (Passive)Fleet-Footed

  Instant Recharge (Lesser): Wand

  Cleaving Strike (4)

  Class Ability: Blade Echo (3)

  Enhancements:

  Deft

  Spirit Mind: More Than Flesh

  Lesser Dexterity

  Class Enhancement: Deadly Grace

  Skills:

  Sabers

  Learner

  Class Skill: True Casting