Chapter 51
Queen of the Dead
The environment melted away. Sound, smells, and even the feeling of her injuries. Everything became mute to Sally. It was like splitting a pistachio nut in half. Except instead of a little nut there was a lumpy and slimy prize within. Like an oyster? But made of cocaine.
As the husk of the Monk slunk to the floor, a warm bliss filled the zombie. She wiped her mouth on her gore-covered arm and her hands on her dress. All eyes were on her.
[Brains Eaten: 1] [Bonus: +5% Melee Damage]
[Unlocked Passive: Carrier - Players killed by you turn into Zombies]
Fresh tears ran down her face, cleaning thin lines between the grime and crimson caked around the wide grin of sharp teeth. Proper Zombie skills. A proper meal.
She bent over slowly and retrieved her sword. Warmth continued to flow through her whole body. Elation. Confidence. The glances of the human Party told her all she needed to know - their morale was broken. Fear and disgust overwhelmed them. Even Theo looked panicked. Perhaps warranted, she thought, as she winked at him.
“I’ll give you all one chance to leave.” Her words came out slightly slurred. It reminded her of when she had gorged on the Novices.
The sword of the Paladin shook as eyes looked to him for answers.
Was it in fear - or rage? Sally beamed at the plated man. It was hard to tell between the slits in the faceplate of his helmet. Was there ever a time that Players had given Monsters this option? They must be confused.
Could they even trust her? The power her apparent offer gave her almost made her laugh out loud. Either they accepted the mercy and became high-roaded by the evil that they so sought to destroy. Or they fought back against the injustice of their fallen friend and potentially also died. There was also the choice of betraying them and getting an easier fight if they relented. Get some easy brain food.
“Why?” The Paladin’s voice shook through his clenched teeth almost as much as his held sword.
“Because I have the choice to,” she smiled, wiping her sword off on her dress. She should really get cleaned up sometime soon.
The corpse of the Monk groaned and staggered up to its feet, turning around to walk over to Sally with glowing yellow eyes as she continued.
“We all have the right to live or die. The choice to kill or live. What do you choose?”
A strange mew that grew higher in pitch followed the extremely large cat unceremoniously shrinking back to his normal size. The Wizard looked rather relieved to this fact - and somewhat more confident. The Bard still looked sick, almost trembling in place.
Sally turned back to the Paladin and narrowed her eyes. The Rogue was nowhere to be seen. She shot a gaze over to Jackie, who just shrugged. There was an art to reading a situation. Sally could read the broad strokes of the scale tipping to an imminent attack. Somewhat desperate on the side of the Voices of Gaia - they were a full member down, and the Outsiders were only marginally hurt.
“What would you have us do should we decide to leave?” The muffled voice from inside the metal helmet did not have the same level of confidence that the rest of the Paladin’s Party seemed to be gathering.
That stood to reason - if he was their leader then trying to keep his Party alive would be more important than dying in a futile fight.
She shrugged. “Hope that we don’t cross paths again. Or if you do, you’ll either immediately yield or have powered up enough that your victory could be more decisive.”
“You’re… not like-“
“Normal Monsters? Yeah, I get that a lot.” She crossed her arms. “But I’m not in the habit of giving my unlife story to everyone I meet. Unless you have any more brains to trade.”
“Well… no?” The Paladin gingerly lowered their sword as they shook their head.
“What if we can direct you to people to eat?” The trembling voice of the Bard came from behind.
Sally turned to observe the man. A floppy hat of green and yellow had somehow managed to stay atop his head, matching the slightly extravagant outfit he wore. A small brown goatee was matted with blood and spittle, and he leaned slightly to the side where she had slashed him with her sword.
“Roger!” The Wizard hissed at the Bard. “You can’t do-“
Sally held up a hand to silence the spellcaster. “Hmm, Roger? I always forget Players have names.” Slowly she began walking towards the nervous man, hands clasped behind her back. “It’s rather dehumanizing of me to refer to you all as your Class only - but that’s how you guys see Monsters though, right?”
She stopped a few feet from the Bard and smiled. Approaching him had raised the tension again, but it also showed who was in control. They hadn’t attacked. She ran her tongue across her teeth. That might mean they could be trusted to leave. “Best tell the Rogue to stand down, huh?”
“Claire,” the Paladin ordered through clenched teeth.
The Rogue appeared, now a dozen or so feet closer to the mobster than when last visible. The cloaked woman sighed and crossed her arms.
“Yous lucky the boss is in charge,” Jackie spat, lowering her weapon to light a cigarette. “I’d fill ya like a pincushion for stabbin’ my leg.”
Sally grinned and looked around. Humphrey looked relaxed with his greatsword resting over his shoulder - still keeping close proximity to the Paladin but with a pleased smirk across his metallic skull face. Theo had collapsed to a sitting position on the floor and was applying some healing. Exhausted from his own efforts as usual. On the other side of the gate behind the Bard, Archie was keeping his eyes fiercely affixed on the Wizard, despite his normal small stature.
“So…” she continued, eyes idly focusing back on the musician, “where are these brains at?”
“There’s a planned r-raid at the Kobold Mines tomorrow - two Parties going in at the same time to f-fully clear it.”
“Level Three area,” Humphrey added from the back.
Sally tilted her head. “Why are you giving them up to me? That seems callous?”
“They’re griefers,” the Wizard said with a hint of hesitation, “they don’t PvP directly, but they use their numbers to make levelling difficult - or trap other Parties…”
“The Flying Swords.” The Paladin shook his head. “A Party of three that those assholes got killed.”
Theo stood up, stumbling on his feet briefly. “What are the two groups called?”
“OnetoFive and SixtoTen,” the Bard shrugged. “It’s not against the rules to raid together, but they do it to the detriment of everyone else.”
Sally nodded thoughtfully and turned, walking slowly back towards the low campfire before sitting atop a crate. The buzz from her first meal was starting to wear off, and she was tired of the bravado. Would getting the jump on ten Players be a danger or an easy meal? Numbers often had the advantage when the Levels were so close - they would have a lot more skills at their disposal.
She scuffed her trainers through the dry dirt, trying to get her head clear. It would be a nice way to get some of their own power up and utilise her new ability. Killing the Monk wouldn’t be enough experience, and her bloodlust was cooling off. One of her summoned zombies looked up at her from the floor. It was the last one remaining but had its legs hewn off at some point.
“Ay,” she glanced up at the Paladin, “what was the Monk’s name?”
“…Lars.”
[“Lars” - Undead Humanoid]
[Level Three Zombie]
She tilted her head at the information and then looked back down at the half-corpse. How was she supposed to move the zombies around? If they used the teleport scroll, then they might end up left behind. The thought of leaving them to fend for themselves made her feel sad.
“I feel sad,” she stated, “and I’m telling rather than showing because it might be hard for you to see with all your friend’s gore caked across my face.”
An awkward silence followed.
“Time for yous to scram,” Jackie blew a puff of smoke, “Boss lady is getting tired, and I’m sure you don’t want the very generous offer to be revoked?”
Slowly at first, then with some haste, the four members of Voice of Gaia began to gather at the gate before heading out into the darkened woods - the Bard only briefly looking back at the zombified Monk.
“Whatcha think metal-head?” Jackie raised an eyebrow at the Death Knight as she flicked away the end of the cigarette. “They’ll come at us for revenge down the line?”
“Ha-ha. I trust that they have been sufficiently scared off.” He stowed his blade as he continued to watch the shadowed figures vanish into the distant treeline.
Archie came up to the campfire and licked at patches of his fur where he had been injured - otherwise showing no acknowledgement of his rampant size increase.
Theo came and stood by Sally, hesitantly putting his hand on her shoulder. “You alright?”
Her message was sent from her STAR to Chuck.
[Sally: okay, did a little evil]
She sighed and looked up at the Novice, her red eyes dull and tired. “I gave them the choice, like we spoke about right before.”
“Morality stuff is difficult, huh?”
“Yeah.” Sally looked up into the sky at the two pale moons. One distant, almost hiding behind the brighter one. “I wanted to eat them, though. So bad.”
“The brain-eating was… uh.” Theo brought his hand back to rub the back of his neck. “Horrifying, I guess?”
She smiled and wrinkled up her nose, swinging her feet back and forth idly.
“Aw, pup,” bright light filled her eyes once more, “we are only getting started.”
Chapter 51
Queen of the Dead
The environment melted away. Sound, smells, and even the feeling of her injuries. Everything became mute to Sally. It was like splitting a pistachio nut in half. Except instead of a little nut there was a lumpy and slimy prize within. Like an oyster? But made of cocaine.
As the husk of the Monk slunk to the floor, a warm bliss filled the zombie. She wiped her mouth on her gore-covered arm and her hands on her dress. All eyes were on her.
[Brains Eaten: 1] [Bonus: +5% Melee Damage]
[Unlocked Passive: Carrier - Players killed by you turn into Zombies]
Fresh tears ran down her face, cleaning thin lines between the grime and crimson caked around the wide grin of sharp teeth. Proper Zombie skills. A proper meal.
She bent over slowly and retrieved her sword. Warmth continued to flow through her whole body. Elation. Confidence. The glances of the human Party told her all she needed to know - their morale was broken. Fear and disgust overwhelmed them. Even Theo looked panicked. Perhaps warranted, she thought, as she winked at him.
“I’ll give you all one chance to leave.” Her words came out slightly slurred. It reminded her of when she had gorged on the Novices.
The sword of the Paladin shook as eyes looked to him for answers.
Was it in fear - or rage? Sally beamed at the plated man. It was hard to tell between the slits in the faceplate of his helmet. Was there ever a time that Players had given Monsters this option? They must be confused.
Could they even trust her? The power her apparent offer gave her almost made her laugh out loud. Either they accepted the mercy and became high-roaded by the evil that they so sought to destroy. Or they fought back against the injustice of their fallen friend and potentially also died. There was also the choice of betraying them and getting an easier fight if they relented. Get some easy brain food.
“Why?” The Paladin’s voice shook through his clenched teeth almost as much as his held sword.
“Because I have the choice to,” she smiled, wiping her sword off on her dress. She should really get cleaned up sometime soon.
The corpse of the Monk groaned and staggered up to its feet, turning around to walk over to Sally with glowing yellow eyes as she continued.
“We all have the right to live or die. The choice to kill or live. What do you choose?”
A strange mew that grew higher in pitch followed the extremely large cat unceremoniously shrinking back to his normal size. The Wizard looked rather relieved to this fact - and somewhat more confident. The Bard still looked sick, almost trembling in place.
Sally turned back to the Paladin and narrowed her eyes. The Rogue was nowhere to be seen. She shot a gaze over to Jackie, who just shrugged. There was an art to reading a situation. Sally could read the broad strokes of the scale tipping to an imminent attack. Somewhat desperate on the side of the Voices of Gaia - they were a full member down, and the Outsiders were only marginally hurt.
“What would you have us do should we decide to leave?” The muffled voice from inside the metal helmet did not have the same level of confidence that the rest of the Paladin’s Party seemed to be gathering.
That stood to reason - if he was their leader then trying to keep his Party alive would be more important than dying in a futile fight.
She shrugged. “Hope that we don’t cross paths again. Or if you do, you’ll either immediately yield or have powered up enough that your victory could be more decisive.”
“You’re… not like-“
“Normal Monsters? Yeah, I get that a lot.” She crossed her arms. “But I’m not in the habit of giving my unlife story to everyone I meet. Unless you have any more brains to trade.”
“Well… no?” The Paladin gingerly lowered their sword as they shook their head.
“What if we can direct you to people to eat?” The trembling voice of the Bard came from behind.
Sally turned to observe the man. A floppy hat of green and yellow had somehow managed to stay atop his head, matching the slightly extravagant outfit he wore. A small brown goatee was matted with blood and spittle, and he leaned slightly to the side where she had slashed him with her sword.
“Roger!” The Wizard hissed at the Bard. “You can’t do-“
Sally held up a hand to silence the spellcaster. “Hmm, Roger? I always forget Players have names.” Slowly she began walking towards the nervous man, hands clasped behind her back. “It’s rather dehumanizing of me to refer to you all as your Class only - but that’s how you guys see Monsters though, right?”
She stopped a few feet from the Bard and smiled. Approaching him had raised the tension again, but it also showed who was in control. They hadn’t attacked. She ran her tongue across her teeth. That might mean they could be trusted to leave. “Best tell the Rogue to stand down, huh?”
“Claire,” the Paladin ordered through clenched teeth.
The Rogue appeared, now a dozen or so feet closer to the mobster than when last visible. The cloaked woman sighed and crossed her arms.
“Yous lucky the boss is in charge,” Jackie spat, lowering her weapon to light a cigarette. “I’d fill ya like a pincushion for stabbin’ my leg.”
Sally grinned and looked around. Humphrey looked relaxed with his greatsword resting over his shoulder - still keeping close proximity to the Paladin but with a pleased smirk across his metallic skull face. Theo had collapsed to a sitting position on the floor and was applying some healing. Exhausted from his own efforts as usual. On the other side of the gate behind the Bard, Archie was keeping his eyes fiercely affixed on the Wizard, despite his normal small stature.
“So…” she continued, eyes idly focusing back on the musician, “where are these brains at?”
“There’s a planned r-raid at the Kobold Mines tomorrow - two Parties going in at the same time to f-fully clear it.”
“Level Three area,” Humphrey added from the back.
Sally tilted her head. “Why are you giving them up to me? That seems callous?”
“They’re griefers,” the Wizard said with a hint of hesitation, “they don’t PvP directly, but they use their numbers to make levelling difficult - or trap other Parties…”
“The Flying Swords.” The Paladin shook his head. “A Party of three that those assholes got killed.”
Theo stood up, stumbling on his feet briefly. “What are the two groups called?”
“OnetoFive and SixtoTen,” the Bard shrugged. “It’s not against the rules to raid together, but they do it to the detriment of everyone else.”
Sally nodded thoughtfully and turned, walking slowly back towards the low campfire before sitting atop a crate. The buzz from her first meal was starting to wear off, and she was tired of the bravado. Would getting the jump on ten Players be a danger or an easy meal? Numbers often had the advantage when the Levels were so close - they would have a lot more skills at their disposal.
She scuffed her trainers through the dry dirt, trying to get her head clear. It would be a nice way to get some of their own power up and utilise her new ability. Killing the Monk wouldn’t be enough experience, and her bloodlust was cooling off. One of her summoned zombies looked up at her from the floor. It was the last one remaining but had its legs hewn off at some point.
“Ay,” she glanced up at the Paladin, “what was the Monk’s name?”
“…Lars.”
[“Lars” - Undead Humanoid]
[Level Three Zombie]
She tilted her head at the information and then looked back down at the half-corpse. How was she supposed to move the zombies around? If they used the teleport scroll, then they might end up left behind. The thought of leaving them to fend for themselves made her feel sad.
“I feel sad,” she stated, “and I’m telling rather than showing because it might be hard for you to see with all your friend’s gore caked across my face.”
An awkward silence followed.
“Time for yous to scram,” Jackie blew a puff of smoke, “Boss lady is getting tired, and I’m sure you don’t want the very generous offer to be revoked?”
Slowly at first, then with some haste, the four members of Voice of Gaia began to gather at the gate before heading out into the darkened woods - the Bard only briefly looking back at the zombified Monk.
“Whatcha think metal-head?” Jackie raised an eyebrow at the Death Knight as she flicked away the end of the cigarette. “They’ll come at us for revenge down the line?”
“Ha-ha. I trust that they have been sufficiently scared off.” He stowed his blade as he continued to watch the shadowed figures vanish into the distant treeline.
Archie came up to the campfire and licked at patches of his fur where he had been injured - otherwise showing no acknowledgement of his rampant size increase.
Theo came and stood by Sally, hesitantly putting his hand on her shoulder. “You alright?”
Her message was sent from her STAR to Chuck.
[Sally: okay, did a little evil]
She sighed and looked up at the Novice, her red eyes dull and tired. “I gave them the choice, like we spoke about right before.”
“Morality stuff is difficult, huh?”
“Yeah.” Sally looked up into the sky at the two pale moons. One distant, almost hiding behind the brighter one. “I wanted to eat them, though. So bad.”
“The brain-eating was… uh.” Theo brought his hand back to rub the back of his neck. “Horrifying, I guess?”
She smiled and wrinkled up her nose, swinging her feet back and forth idly.
“Aw, pup,” bright light filled her eyes once more, “we are only getting started.”
