Chapter 12 - Saga 3, Anything’s Fate
Allies in Anything
*
The group trudged down the street amidst heavy traffic, after an enlightening conversation back at the tavern. Now, each was aware of the situation, and Archer led the way to begin recruiting allies. His plan was to visit the factional realms next, but he’d need ambassadors to each to plead the case for Anything. He figured their best chance was to get as many Mods on their side as possible. He never told the others that he wasn’t entirely sure of this plan.
“So who’d you have in mind, Arch?” CardinalFang, his former soldier, asking a question perhaps more complex than it seems. Our Trog thought for a moment. “We need Anything citizens with strong factional ties. DarkGuardian is an obvious choice for the dwarves, and DarkKnightZach for the Deverenians. Stormcrow isn’t close behind for the elves. The other three factions are giving me problems, though. Any ideas for, uh, mercenaries?”
The group looked amongst each other, exchanging shrugs and names and discussion. All except for Ter-Soth, who remained unusually silent, with a flat expression that never changed. Advocate actually suggested him, but that idea was quickly shot down, as they figured they needed someone a bit more charismatic.
“General-Lund?”
Archer initially frowned at the suggestion. “Didn’t DarkKnightZach kill him?” Acid_Flux grinned, having thought this through. “I believe there is one known as graveghoul who can help us there.” Archer smiled. “Ah, good, that may just work. However, how do we go about getting the attention of the lord of Hades?” The sharp-shooting NoThRoG squinted and looked around, finding Banon leaping across a few rooftops carrying a sack. He guessed he had been on a burglar run.
He raised one of his pistols and cruelly timed his shot, not firing until the shadowy figure was just about to leap again. The bolt entered the side of his neck, causing a sharp whelp of pain as he lost his footing and plummeted a couple stories to the street below, awkwardly breaking a bone in a loud crack.
He was then silent, as even from here Acid could tell he was bleeding profusely. He obnoxiously beamed at his shooting prowess, then muttering “Advocate, the body…”
Apparently the postmaster was already on it, a telekinetic penguin swooping down and yanking the body towards our group as apparently telepathically commanded by AOL. Graveghoul suddenly appeared where the body had previously been , neatly spinning his scythe as a sign of aggression as he floated toward the group, blackened robes fluttering in an otherworldly wind.
The reaper of souls hissed at Archer. “Hand over the body, as the soul is still within. You need it not.” The Troglodyte did not waiver in the least at the proximity of a being who absorbed the very life essence of those he was near. CardinalFang was cowering behind Ter-Soth, who also remained resolute. “We need a favor. We need you to raise the body of General Lund, the mercenary.” The darkness hissed again. “What’s in it for me, mortal?” Our hero hoped the scythe-bearer didn’t notice the slight quiver that went down his spine, as his next words would be spoken in nervousness.
“We need the general for a quest we are about to embark on. Once we have him, we will begin a journey that will result in many deaths. More souls for yourself, more blood to quench your thirst.” Archer hoped he was lying, also hoping the ghoul bought it, as his companions were smart enough to remain silent.
The scythe handle knocked on the street below. “You have yourself a deal. Every time Lund falls, I shall bring him back, to the very end of your travels together.” With this, the wraith wailed, a sound that caused the party to drop, wincing, gritting their teeth and cupping their hands over their ears. All except Ter-Soth, who was far too familiar with such doings, remaining completely unemotional towards it, as he was towards pretty much everything these days.
When the group again rose, they noticed that the graveghoul was missing, though Lund’s body was lying in the street, breathing heavily. “What has happened, why, where am-”
“Ter-Soth, could you explain everything to him?” The being of reason and light nodded, helping Lund to his feet as the rest of the bunch discussed the need for a Free Kingdoms ambassador. At this, siege911 suddenly piped up. “Being the meddling little Army runt I am, I couldn’t help but overhear what you were discussing, and I’d be glad to volunteer for the position of Free Kingdoms ambassador for Archer’s Army.”
The little man grinned, even under the weight of several massive banks of shoulder-mounted missile racks. “I’m sorry siege, but this position isn’t for ambassador from Archer’s Army, though I appreciate your strong ties there, I need someone with strong ties from Anything.” The Heavy Weapons grunt’s grin fell, as he plodded off depressed. Before he left earshot completely, he muttered “Always at your service, Archer. Maybe I’ll be able to help you out later after all.”
The group shrugged at the comment, quick to push it out of their memories. Archer nodded. “Shadowstar will be perfect. Not only is he a denizen of Anything, but he’s the very Mod of the Freek lands.” CFang frowned. “Archer, are you sure he’ll be sympathetic to the Anything situation? I mean, he’s not exactly a frequent poster here…”
The leader chuckled. “Trust me Fang, he’ll work.”
*
Soon they were at Shadowstar’s door, his home being a small country cottage in the middle of nowhere. While still technically within the bounds of Anything, it was no wonder he didn’t frequent the towns much. A knock, and he came, and after a lengthy explanation, he was quick to agree to help, sure the Free Kingdoms would rise to the aid of Anything, surely a valued realm in Lore.
Then, as Advocate giggled at his clever surprise, a few penguins arrived on scene, toting DarkGuardian, DarkKnightZach, and Stormcrow, though Stormcrow was difficult to acquire.
“Advocate, you devil! Thanks, appreciate the effort,” Archer said. Soon the former Fellowship members were all talking excitedly, like it was some kind of reunion. Suddenly Archer felt funny, realizing his possible status as the outsider in this group. Then he noticed Ter-Soth virtually ignored, though not seeming to mind.
DarKnightZach seemed only mildly enthused, until he caught sight of General-Lund, eyes widening. He drew two long daggers and went to work, Lund too surprised to offer much defense. A hundred lacerations later, as gallons of blood had sprinkled the area, the General finally fell, only landing a single blow on Zach.
However, a few minutes later, General Lund rose again, cheery-faced and sticking his tongue out, good as new. The Knight fumed, decided he’d kill him again later. Stormcrow decided to have some fun now though, as he managed to lodge a bolt in the general’s skull in such a way that the tip emerged from the back of his head while the other end of the shaft stuck out of his forehead. The elf giggled.
DarkGuardian discussed the new hammer he’d recently found, a highly impressive instrument of crushing blows. He claimed to be able to hit a man over six hundred feet with it. The others were hesitant to believe him, until he proved his point by mightily knocking Lund into a nearby neighborhood.
Shadowstar shook his head and tried using his Mod powers to get everyone to settle down, only to find that his powers had no effect here. Archer got the hint and retrieved Lund, threatening to punish anyone who did further harm to him, seeing as how they needed him to reach treaty with the Mercs.
One faction left, NoThRoGs. The topic was quick to come up, even amongst nostalgic former Fellowship members.
DarkGuardian was first to offer a candidate. “How about GreenDestiny? Like Shadowstar, he’s a factional Mod that has definite ties to Anything. I think reaching him would be easy.” Archer’s gaze narrowed. “DG, GD is also the Mod of the General realm. I hate to say this, but if there’s any animosity towards Anything, I have a bad feeling it’ll be from General. I don’t want to have anything to do with General until we absolutely have to.”
Flux frowned. “But, if that’s true, wouldn’t that only mean that GreenDestiny would be even more worthy as an ally?” Archer quickly nodded. “Yes, he would be worthy as an ally. Many enemies would be. Keep in mind, we have strong reason to suspect him as the instigator of these events, as a General Mod.” The advocate of lycanthropes bit his lip, remembering the mysterious packages recently received from General.
CardinalFang looked up after a moment of thought. “But Archer, you’re aiming to visit each of the factional lands anyway, correct? Meaning, GreenDestiny is our very target anyway. You want him to ally with us eventually, if your plan is to come to fruition as you intend.”
Archer sighed, confused about a great many things. Fact is, his current thoughts were ruled by paranoia, though he preferred to think of it as caution. If GreenDestiny was indeed the one behind it all, did they want to confront him right now? Or to offer him a place in their ranks?
Stormcrow furrowed his brow. “We’ll call Acid_Flux our ambassador for now, worry about GreenDestiny later? I understand your concern, nervousness around him.” Archer thankfully acknowledged the remarks before DarkKnightZach chimed in. “But, if I’m following you correctly, wouldn’t Kelanor be a prime suspect as well? He’s a Mod of both Anything and General.”
Archer opened his mouth to offer a grating comeback, only to think back on the conversation he’d had with Kel earlier. The way he said certain things… “Aren’t we all suspects? Who’s to say it’s a Mod? Could just be someone who managed an audience with Todd and convinced him of the ridiculousness of Anything.”
All eyes turned toward the undead general who dared to utter those words. “You know it’s true. I mean, maybe while I was in the afterlife, Todd was the only one who could hear me. Maybe I hate Anything for being the very death of me. Speaking of which, maybe it’s Haplo, crazy guy cooped up in his huge castle all day and night cooking up vengeance upon those who exiled him there. Maybe it’s Jeepo, in his final curtain act as grand jester of Lore.” General-Lund’s expression wore flat.
“Or maybe it’s me.” Weapons now had hands thrust upon them in thorough anxiety as Ter-Soth spoke, growing brighter with each word. “Maybe now, as a being of reason, I’ve found the existence of Anything to be against everything I believe in. Now that I am mature, I’ve found it immature, and thus repulsive. Perhaps that would be the most unfortunate, for, as you all know, it’s quite difficult to harm me.”
Still no emotion on his radiant face, no movement in his body, flat expression against eyes lacking pupils, the other members of the ragtag bunch glancing amongst each other, unsure of the entire situation. Then, in a moment of shock, the former boy scout smiled. “I apologize. I assure you, I find that Anything is necessary as the refreshing realm in Lore where everything’s different, where I can come to relax. Why else would I hang out here all the time?”
Archer was tense, thoughts unraveling in his mind at a rapid pace. Maybe Anything was doomed, maybe he didn’t have a real plan, maybe the days are now marked by desperation. The gravity of the situation was weighing on the group, and soon Drexlin, who’d been relatively silent, broke out the drinks. “I don’t know about you guys, but I could use some liquid refreshment!” The others heartily agreed, eager to smile and laugh again.
Before Archer could motivate the group to move further and head out, again, the Fellowship veterans were discussing amongst themselves, recalling memories and catching up with old times. It was CardinalFang who dared utter “Aren’t we missing a couple people?” All fell silent as Archer grew stern. “This isn’t a Fellowship outing. You’re lucky I allowed your inclusion on this deal. This is my show, no longer is DarkGuardian running the shots with a band of misfits.”
DG was clearly bit by the comment, but grinned. “You miss your army, don’t you? Let’s face it Archer, would it really hurt to recruit a couple more members to out party? Instead of leaving Anything now, while we’re still a bit tense, we could spend the rest of the day coaxing them into our party, the hit the sack at the inn on the outskirts.”
Archer breathed a heavy sigh out his nose. He didn’t say it, but he wasn’t liking this one bit. He felt as though he were being challenged, questioned, unsure of whether respect would be upheld down the road. “Fine. But after these two, we’re done, our party’s decided.” He nodded firmly, as if only for himself. “So who are we talking about, anyway?”
Advocate_of_Lycanthrope was the first to cheerily chirp “YOYOY and JWalker, of course!”
The party then discussed how JWalker might come in handy, at the same time wondering if YOYOY really had any useful purpose at all.
*
Oh, and sometime around then, Archer came across this guy called thenub76. Apparently, thenub was in town square being as absolutely obnoxious and horribly repugnant as he possibly could. He was seen wearing a dunce cap, but Archer had no pity on the mentally-challenged individual as he quickly drew back a flaming arrow and fired.
When the resulting explosion ended and the smoke cleared from the hazy crater left, nobody was sure exactly what happened to the nub, only indicated by the massive grin on Archer’s face.
© Eric Bailey