Stray Elf: Lost in the System

VI.

Morning’s light came too soon.

I woke up to see massive wagons rolling like thunder through the battered pathways towards the other side of the fortress. I did not notice at first but I had new armor on, scavenged from the yards full of the dead. So I stretched, and got up to investigate those giant wagons. The Twin Suns were peeking out the clouds. It was rare that we were allowed to sleep like this. I stepped over a crowd of passed out men and made my way through the gates.

As I approached the beastly wagon, thumping was heard from inside the wooden frame followed by shouting by an annoyed, raspy voice. It occurred to me that the cargo inside was alive and apparently grumpy. A short fellow marched my way, smacking the side of the wagon with his burly fists. Green skin, I keep my face neutral. That’s a goblin, right? He nearly jumped out of his skin when he noticed me.

“Hells! A Nameless one,” he straightened his gear out. “Don’t jump out at me like that.”

“So, what’s in this thing?” I asked, ignoring his complaints.

“Me not thing!” Whatever the thing inside was complained by thumping. That dopey and slow voice made me realize that they were holding a troll inside of it.

“Ogres, Nameless one,” the goblin scratched a bump on his head. Close enough. “Ain’t worth a shit, by Ack’Sa. Fact is, they annoy the piss out of us.”

“I see,” I shrugged. The monster in the box started to howl, and the handler started banging on the boards again. “Why bring them along?”

“Fooooood!”

“Quiet! No food!” He shouted back. “You wouldn’t even know what food is even if it was under your mug!”

“Muuuuug!”

The handler sighed.

“We were supposed to use them for the seige, but they’re the Ack’Sa’s rejects,” he explained. “We can’t focus fire on a damn fortress if our pets want to eat us! Anyways—“ The ogre contained inside started thumping angrily again. “Gruu ain’t gonna feed you if you keep yelling my name like that, you hear me? Quiet!”

The ogre quieted down, but not without a sad moan. Am I at a circus right now, or some kind of zoo? Gruu must have watched my face twist into disdain, but he quickly waved his mitts in protest. His look betrayed him though as defeat painted his bushy brows.

“Oi, don’t give me that look! I know Gruu’s and my mates’ magics ain’t like they used to be, it’s just that,” he paused and leaned on the towering wagon. Was that sadness? I never thought I would feel pity for such a creature. “I was plannin’ to set him and the others loose on the villages. Big Boss wants us to kill our failures after the Sarwitz capital falls, but I just can’t bring meself to do it!”

“Those villages will be Demon territory,” I told him with a sigh, but he lit up as if I said something brilliant.

“Bloody Hells!” He exclaimed and pat my side with his paw. “You Nameless are bloody brilliant! I can tell that Big Bastard that they’re for cleanup on those pesky human villages!”

“G-Glad I can help,” I stammered and pulled away from his hand. Gruu stared at my armor oddly and shock struck his face. What was it now?

“Wait,” he scratched his head. “A Nameless, that black armor, and that dangerous insignia… You’re a Tusk, aren’t you! Not just A Tusk, THE Tusk!”

“What do you mean, the Tusk?” I feared that my antics had caught up to everyone, figuring that even a goblin I’ve never knew existed has heard of me.

“Dangerous woman, the Nameless who was freed from the Empire’s clutches,” he spoke with a sudden reverence. That made me feel somewhat embarrassed and more egotistical than I thought I could feel. This wasn’t good for my mind. “And you Tusks are the most dangerous ones shot straight from the Hells’ fiery buttholes!”

I did not like the way he said that, so I scoffed. He cackled from his choice of words. I still knew little about this world, and under different circumstances I might have been interested in exploring it like those adventurers. It was too late for that, now. Luck stat or not, I was fighting for my life for Tusks.

“We’re supposed to be working together,” he leaned in and spoke as if he was telling me a secret, pulling out a hammer and scratching his behind with it. “But the Generals will muck it up somehow. They’re always arguing in their fancy tents. Can’t even fix the food shortages, so what do they do? What do ya think they did?”

The question only elicited a shrug from me. It was not my duty to care for problems like that.

“Send the horses! Had we our top wizard still around, we could have used his creations! Maybe destroy a few human habitats! Bah!” The goblin poked me with his hammer. “Best be on your guard out there. Sarwitz defenses might have a trick up their thin sleeves, but thems Generals are worse!”

I nodded, but thankfully I caught Ake slithering out of the gates with the rest of my unit. I would rather do anything than talk with a stinky goblin. Yokgu eyed me suspiciously as I approached. I returned his look with a blank stare of my own.

“What?”

“You aren’t bullying those goblins, are you?”

“No,” I simply said. Ake flicked his tongue, but did not speak. It seemed like he had bad news to tell us, but any news that arrived usually was bad while we were on break. “They have big creatures inside them, and I was asking those green things about them.”

“Things? Ha!” Yokgu laughed. “They come from the hells. Like we all rise from there. Well, maybe not your kind, but still.”

He probably was correct. They mentioned rising from the portal in the center of this continent, while I remember nothing but falling from a great height. I shrugged, since I was lucky everyone just assumed they knew where I came from. The Human’s Golden Empire, I thought. How was I freed from such a place? I took up a spear from one of the slave soldiers and was able to keep the adventurer’s sword in its sheath with me.

“So you’re a Skill Holder now, huh?” Yokgu brimmed with jealousy.

“Power Sword,” I called its name out, but thankfully nothing happened. Perhaps it only worked if I wielded a sword. “I got it while fighting a Knight with an odd skill.”

“A Spirit Skill,” a feminine voice breathed from behind me, making me jump. Nanishtar seemingly appeared out of nowhere and enjoyed ambushing me. “A most devastating Skill.”

“So you got it from beating one of those guys, eh?” Yokgu pounded his chest, while I deftly dodged the succubus’s hands and tail from feeling me up. “That’s easy!”

“It was definitely not easy!” Silmil growled from behind us. She held me in some kind of light now, but I did save her after all. Samuel said nothing as we rested. I nodded in agreement. Yokgu stared at Samuel for a moment, as he peeked at Nanishtar’s butt.

“You healed yet?”

Samuel nodded, but before he could say anything Nanishtar perked up. The demoness’s magic, I have learned, is from the shattered Moon called Folly. It was destroyed a long time ago so it no longer affects the White magic when it falls closest to the world. Yet, demonesses like her can use it. Perhaps, it’s better that way, I think. Maybe it’s a folly to believe in such miracles, since being healed only sends you back into suffering.

“I healed this little boy up, all the way,” she crooned. I stared at her with open disgust. I did not want to know what she did to him. She gave me a devilish smile in return.

The horns blew, so we all lined up and awaited for the Knight to deliver orders to us, although I had an inkling on how bad it was going to be already.

“Vastil,” Yokgu muttered angrily.

“Really? I couldn’t tell,” I quipped. My sarcastic remark earned me a scowl, but the knight drew closer and took his helmet off. The horse, a jet black steed clad with heavy armor, puffed out flames and smoke as it stopped at his command.

“You guys are crazy,” Vastil sighed. “Taking that gate down. Here.”

A heavy bag was tossed to each of us. Perhaps, the knight was not so bad after all. He belonged to the Fair Demons, a circle of the Hells close to the Ack’Sa, I later found out. Handsome, I was sure to whoever. It was not going to sway my nervous anticipation of his orders. As if on cue, his red eyes narrowed and grin turned evil.

“Now, for your orders,” he withdrew a scroll. It was odd that he was addressing all of us but the paper unfurled. Its unusual tan and veiny texture made me realize they got it from human skin. Why did I not feel sick after learning that fact? “Your unit is going to join the Damned Army, for now. You will all head north to meet with them and await further instructions.”

“That’s it!?” Yokgu asked. Ake’s hissing snapped me out of my daydreams, but Yokgu simply settled into a seething anger. Surprisingly, Vastil did not seem to be angry at his response. The horse stopped, when the murmurs amongst our unit grew louder.

“What, need more details on how to walk? What’s the problem? You survive, you’ll get your Tusks, orc,” he says smugly. “Perhaps that new Skill Holder of yours can make it easier for you, hmm? Get moving—“ His helmet glances towards the towering wagons and his infuriating smile curled, revealing his fangs. “And you might get some nice ogre meat in your soups, too.”

Those ogres and the handlers were unaware of his insinuation, but I knew that the goblin was planning on releasing them. The other side of me wondered how good ogre meat tasted. We watched silently as Vastil and his horn bearing troops rode off. I sighed. This heavy bag of Horns and Tusks will definitely slow me down but we had no choice but to travel along.

The armies were much larger in number than even the Soul Army at the Battle of the Spine when we arrived. Sixteen thousand demons, but after looking through Caspan’s telescope the human numbers were much more vast. It was difficult to not feel overwhelmed by the swarms of enemy formations. I noticed several groups have already started fighting. Beyond the vast fields and hills, the huge statue of the Moon Goddess overlooked a tall city wall. The feathered arm took the telescope away, and Caspan mused to himself, mostly.

“Two crests,” he remarked. “Sarwitz and another— is that Perra’s troops?”

Humans teaming up so soon was not a good sign, I guessed. Yet we have not moved at all since Ake entered that pavilion quite a distance from us for those supposed new orders. Shit. I recognized the strategy the higher ups wanted to do and why they were so vague about it, since bits and pieces of my old life’s memories still remained in my mind. We were going to fight with their cavalry, but I could not find them amongst the swarming numbers. I scanned once more, but still only saw infantry.

A heavy offensive blitz that was designed to break through overwhelming numbers would work with cavalry. I don’t think I would be able to get lucky and slay one hundred people this time around, but if we were to succeed and divide the enemy forces we would be able to end Sarwitz fairly quickly.

Yokgu hit me on the shoulder. He seemed to be less angry than he was all the way here.

“So, we’re on standby?” He asked. “While the Hatred and Damned Army, they get to fight?”

“It’s because of what Vastil said. Waiting for food,'' I shrugged, nearly chuckling at that Army’s name. The Damned was a vast circle in the Hells, but I would not want to be from there. Yokgu is a smart man, so he roared in anger once he figured out what I meant.

“What is he angry about?” Silmil asked.

“They’re leaving us outnumbered. Or worse,” Yokgu growled. “They’re trying to get rid of us.”

“We are the strongest unit,” Ake slithered behind us. “It makes sense to be on the front line.”

Yet, we knew that was a lie. Corporate pressure, I guessed as I leaned back with my spear for support. I stood out too much now that my skill wanted more to level up. Now, our unit is facing dire circumstances because of me. I sighed.

“Any news, Commander?” Samuel asked. Ake shook his head. Nanishtar was practically attached to the kid’s hip, but her gaze was hidden beneath that veil of hers. Could she even keep up with us?

“No, dear,” Nanishtar shook her head. “I’m support, silly! I love your concern, however. We should meet up tonight!”

I groaned. Were my thoughts even remotely close to revealing my concern? She read my emotions too well, despite me having a gloomy and dull face compared to everyone else’s. It was odd enough that we had no orders yet.

“It’s you and your Power Skill’s fault,” he yelled. Back to being angry again, I rolled my eyes. I pointed at the Commander.

“But he’s the one you and I can’t beat,” I protested.

“It’s your fault, too!” He redirected his scowl at Ake, but the Snakeman ignored him.

Suddenly, the thundering of soldiers came through. If that was not our cavalry, then that could only mean one thing! The view of many foreign war banners rose above the defenses in the distance. The Perra’s east battalion is upon us!

“We don’t even have our orders!” Samuel pointed at the approaching army. “What do we do?”

“We get out there,” I growled. “Screw the orders.”

“I’m with her, Commander!”

Ake flicked his tongue, but the bloodlust in his eyes could not be hidden. We did not have much of a choice. We had to fight for our lives.

“Our target is the human’s Sarwitz City Moonwatch,” he hissed, then took charge. “Time to earn our Tusks and make that field red.”

I ran with the rest of my unit, confident that my Status skill would let me keep up. What did not make me feel easy was the new translucent blue Status window that displayed suddenly at the top of my vision the moment that army drew near us. It was the number “0.” The Status seemed to be tracking the amount of enemies I have to destroy. The stench of blood and sweat arrived too fast for me to react. Before I knew it, my halberd had found a Perra soldier’s head faster than he could swing at me.

Number of souls defeated: 1

I dodged the man’s head and lept over his collapsing body as I searched for more to destroy. Souls? Was I some kind of grim reaper now? I had to press on. If we were to make it out alive, we needed to fight and join the Damned army’s main unit quickly. Ake was swinging his glowing axe mightily, cleaving a path towards the enemy’s pavilions so I followed his carnage and picked off stragglers.

8 souls defeated. I watched the number climb. My improved Stats were extraordinary, though it seemed like these Perra soldiers had not been trained. The number quickly doubled as I continued, but suddenly a new alert appeared.

Alert: The Skill, “Power Sword,” has been successfully integrated into the System as “Power.” You can now use Power skill freely.

Freely? I dodged someone’s spear, and gave the skill a chance. Power. I thought, and as soon as the word formed in my mind the halberd glowed menacingly white. Power. Power! I probably had a sickeningly grim smile on my face, since the Perra soldiers before me began to retreat. There was no escape, fools!

Number of souls defeated: 41

The screen was terrifying to read, but I had cleared out a path. I glanced back to see my surrounding allies. They were not flawless, getting swallowed in the fight. Our numbers were still less than the battalion they sent us. Should I go and grow my Status skill by helping them? Did my Status skill predict I would complete this? The remaining Perra soldiers had regrouped at a dip of a small indent down the way and peculiar structures were set up alongside the path against the rest of the battlefield.

Anti-cavalry posts? Those were there for a reason, I almost ceased my charge. They were anticipating the Damned cavalry! They had to be on their way back from the village raids. That’s probably why management took so long to hand out orders! I heard lots of heavy breathing and armor behind me. Most of the unit caught up with me! I pointed, but Ake did the shouting. He must have pieced together what I had found out much faster than me. That’s the Commander, I guessed.

Numbers of souls defeated: 50

“Move your asses and tear those down!” He directed us. “Then get to those enemy tents!”

His command reached the necessary numbers, while the rest of our bewildered forces ran in the general direction of everyone else.

“Power Sword!” I shouted, and unleashed the Skill’s might upon the closest barricades I could reach. So rudimentary! These paltry defenses should be made of metal barb wire. The barbaric wooden structure shattered to pieces from my Skill, enough for the cavalry to trample through.

Suddenly the thunderous gallop of a warhorse was upon us. So soon! I whirled around and the hook of a pike crashed into me. My vision split into two and my gut felt like it was being thrown, with the rest of my body following. I laid there stunned, but the threatening growl of my attacker shocked my vision back into place.

An odd golden aura filtered itself in my eyes as I struggled to breathe. A golden light meant only one thing, I gasped as I looked up to face the enemy war horse. A massive giant with a golden set of illustrious armor, with a crest depicting the Twin Suns and a Dragon above sat upon the majestic beast. He was preparing to charge at me again! I knew what that gaudy emblem was, I heaved. This man was from the Holy Empire’s Royal Guard! Beyond him, the Damned army seemed like it was thinning quickly. More alerts flashed at the top of my vision.

Alert: Crowned entity and an Elite Squad nearby.

New objective for level up: Defeat the Crowned entity for bonus Souls.

Too much information at one time! I streamed quickly through the windows, just in time to roll out of the way of the charging Guard. Two more horses were closing in on me! The kill tracker window faded from my vision as I got up, but returned with a reddened tint. Perhaps that was the blood in my eyes, I hoped. The horses approaching me from my flanks had less gaudy armor on, but still would trample me if I did not get rid of them soon! But how? I growled, I was caught in the perfect pincer attack.

“Leave them to us!” A voice called to me. “Power throw!”

I turned to see a glowing spear impale the first horse, and saw Samuel standing guard with another glowing spear. Yokgu’s roar came from the distance as he caught the second Elite with his axe. When did Samuel get a Skill? Was it from the Crowned entity from last time? There was no time to worry about that! The Royal Guard’s horse grumbled and stomped a hoof, creating a dusty cloud. I sheath my sword and grabbed my halberd off the ground. Thankfully, my upgraded CON Stat must have kept me alive.

“The cavalry will come soon,” I yell at the Royal Guard. “Are you sure you want to die in a land far away from your home?”

“Prah! Sah, Usalah!” The gargantuan man took charge. That phrase again! I was certain this exchange was in my favor, but it was going to hurt.

“Power—“ I did not have enough time to shout it when the golden knight was upon me. I aimed the glowing halberd right at the warhorse’s neck. The force felt like trying to stop a falling boulder crashing down a mountain with my bare hands, but the roar of the warhorse thinned to a weak scream then silence as I was swept off my feet. As I rolled, the glimpses of the glowing Crowned Entity shot to the ground like a shooting star in a shockwave of dust.

The halberd remained in good condition, still wrapped with that strange energy from the Skill as it lay embedded in the dead horse. Underneath it, a pair of hands flailed around weakly. I pulled it out and approached the fallen enemy. The man’s helmet was caved in, and his spine definitely was not in a shape that seemed normal. I bet he was not expecting me to survive a charge like that, I sighed.

“Prah…” He gurgled up blood, staining his golden and trampled armor.

“I guess that makes sense,” I looked back at my two allies cleaving the Elites in two. A hand gripped my ankle, but it was too weak of a grip. I drew my sword and prepared to strike the poor man’s head. The grisly sound of blood gurgling and flesh getting sliced worm itself in my ears as I looked away. “You couldn’t even understand me if you tried.”

Numbers of Souls defeated: 75

“Seventy… Five?” I muttered in awe. Did Crowned entities count as twenty five souls? The presence of an Empire’s guard here surely meant someone important was in the city of Moonwatch, or even on this battlefield. He did not appear to even have a skill! Yokgu shouted something at me before I could get lost in my Status skill. The concern on his mug did not leave me guessing. The cavalry was coming! The two took off running and I was quick to follow.

“Where’s the Commander?” I asked Yokgu as we ran.

“Who cares! Still plenty of daylight to kill, friend,” he panted. “We got to run!”

“Samuel?” I called out, seeing the view of the horses cover the plains like tumbleweeds.

“Here!” The boy’s eyes looked nervously at the approaching cavalry. “How are we supposed to not get run over by that?”

“We’re getting the Hells out of the way!” Yokgu pointed to an empty opening.

Horns blew, much closer now. We were too slow! Yokgu shouted for cover. Thanks to my DEX stat, I could dodge the stampede with relative ease. A Tusk soldier near me was not so lucky, screaming at the stump where his hand was, then vaporized into bloody mist in the next moment as the cavalry blasted ahead straight through him and several others. Those bastards, I growled. Our numbers were thin enough!

A wave of dust crashed against us as the horns grew quieter. I spat up dirt and the stench of dust, but did not get rid of either. Someone retched next to me, and all around me the black armor of Tusks still standing looked bewildered. A towering silhouette approached us through the haze, but I knew who it was. Commander Ake could outspeed horses thanks to his strong body and I sighed. If STA stood for stamina, I should upgrade it so I could survive better in situations like this.

Yokgu sputtered next to me, leaning on me for support. I grimaced at his paw coating my shoulder with blood and dirt. Ake slid by, inspecting what was left of the Tusks. The orc finally stopped his coughing, and the cloud of dust lifted. The cavalry made short work of most of the army ahead of us. We had less numbers and were coughing a lot, but at least the tents were wiped off the battlefield.

“So now what?” Yokgu asked.

“We get to moving,” I sighed and peeled his hand off my shoulder. “We have an army to join with and a city to sack.”