Village: Chalice

Location: West Gate

Store: Gilbert’s Herd

“I don’t need a mount.” Nero said. They walked by dozens of stables before stopping at a rickety wooden building. His monstrous nature shifted beneath his skin. The crawling of a thousand worms filled him with worry.

Her hand grasped the sliding door firmly. “My back can’t take it anymore.”

He didn’t know what to do. The agitation in her voice was clear. Had he really hurt her? Nero thought his cling skill would disperse his weight, but it might have hurt her instead.

“You just don’t want to carry me anymore.” Nero said. She turned away from him.

Nero glared daggers at Arturia. She ignored him while they walked among the stalls. Her dainty hooves clattered delicately against the cobblestone of the stables. Mighty steeds lined the rows each wild and powerful. A few mighty stallions had six legs instead of the normal four, others boasted green coats, and one had a tiny horn jutted from his head.

With each powerful steed Nero felt a bit excited. No matter the choice it seemed like he was getting a good deal. The centaur in front was a powerfully built specimen of his race. By the way he looked at a few, Nero thought they might be some of his descendants or lovers. Truthfully, Nero thought it was like a human fucking a gorilla. Not that he’d say a word.

“Welcome the Gilbert’s Herd, my name is Patrick Gilbert Jr and I run this establishment. I’m a licensed agent her to see to any needs or concerns you may have. May I ask for your names and who do you have there. I can tell he’s a fairy but maybe not as quick on his feet. If that’s true son, you’ll need a mount?”

“Yes, we need a mount that’s vigorous and steady.” Arturia said.

“Why that includes every fine mount in my establishment. Don’t be shy look around.” Nero watched the man calculate their net worth with a glance. “Do you have an idea of your price range?”

“Can some of these horses speak?” Nero asked. Arturia looked back at him with an expression of worry.

“If you want to hear one sing then you’ve come to the wrong place. Every one of my mounts is top of the line and trained by professionals they will follow standard commands. They are also easy to train.” The Gilbert said.

“Under their ability list a few have that they can walk on water. They couldn’t get much exercise here. Is there a danger of muscle atrophy?” Nero defended.

“Yes, and a few look underfed. Are you certain the prices are right?” Arturia said. He watched her turn her head and give the I’m so sorry look.

“All our mounts are inspected daily for any medical concerns. We give each and every one the guild standard exercise and feed. If you don’t trust the guild’s standards then you can’t trust anyone.” The man said. Nero didn’t like the gleam in his eyes.

“Yes, I see the guild stamp of approval, I must be imagining the ribs poking out of that one.” Arturia demanded.

“That one is a rare desert black. His fine nose and delicate features are perfect in the hot lands. What you see isn’t starvation but good breeding.” The trader said.

“Today, I’m willing to spend two silver.” Patrick froze and swished his tail before stomping his back hoof. He shook his head.

“I do have a single mount that can meet that price. I’ll even throw in a saddle, bit, and riding leathers. Um, he’s a bit of a talker.” Nero had a bad feeling about this.

“What kind of coat does he have? He isn’t a mule, is he?” Nero asked.

“He wears a handsome leopard coat appaloosa.” The Gilbert said with a laugh. “Sorry, a bit of horse trader humor for you. Are you after an intelligent mount?”

“Intelligence is a valuable trait.” Nero said neutrally.

“He’s the smartest mount in the city by far.”

“That’s good as a daughter of Uther I’d be disappointed if you offered my retainer a dumb mule.” Nero caught a flash of something in the centaur’s eyes.

“Of course, my lady. I assure you we have no dumb mules here. His name is Ref.” They opened the stable door to see a mule with eyeglasses. A three-inch horn jutted from its head.

“Ref we have a buyer you’ll finally go on an adventure buddy.” The trader said.

Arturia reared back and kicked. The trader had already crept out of the way before the kicked landed. Arturia clicked her tongue and drew her blade.

“Patrick you have the worst sales practices, I’ve ever witnessed. Who are these poor souls and what have you promised them? Pray tell, you didn’t tell them I shit gold, or I love giving rides. Good people allow me to clear the air. Yes, Patrick in this metaphor you are a wet fart.” Ref said in a very controlled voice. His mouth didn’t move but the sounds emerged regardless.

“My name is Ref born of a donkey sire and an overly adventurous dame. I like the stars and the moon and dream of one day walking upon its glorious white surface. Magic is my chosen craft and I’m a diligent student. If you find my views outrageous or too fanciful then, Patrick has wasted your time.” Ref said. Nero nodded his head.

“Don’t worry Nero we’ll take our business elsewhere.” Arturia said through gritted teeth.

“I like him.” Nero said.

“That’s a first!” Patrick and Ref said in unison.

“I couldn’t have chosen a better steed. Pack your bags we’re going traveling.” Nero said. The mule froze and Nero met its eyes.

“Surely, you’re joking. Do you not see my spectacles? I’m not swift and even the most learned mind has said my dreams are impossible. Not even the birds can reach the moon. No magic can stop the wrath of the gods for entering their domain.” Ref said.

“Well I can’t promise I’ll get you to the moon, but I’ll get you out of this stable. Will you carry me?” Nero asked.

“Yes, if you will have me.” Ref said.

Village: Chalice

Location: West Gate

Nero was struggling in his preparations. The blanket was on along with the saddle. After pulling the strap tight and buckling it he had only to put the bit in Ref’s mouth. Still it took him well over 15 minutes and there were the saddle bags to think about.

“Nero, I found something to increase your vitality.” Arturia sang. She held out to him a black page. He turned his head away form it out of fear. “Don’t do that it won’t make you explode. I found a skill that will increase your vitality.”

Skill Learned:

Ogre’s Ritual I lvl1 VIT Skill

Type: Ritual

Attribute: Blood

Effect: +1HP x Skill lvl x (1 + (VIT x 0.05))

Requirement: Goblin Hearts x 2 x lvl

“Its just a direct stat boost. Why isn’t this practiced more often?” Nero asked.

“For the same reason most skills fall our of fashion.” Arturia said.

“It was popular less than a three hundred years ago. Today its deemed worthless. There aren’t any great goblin cities anymore.” Ref said.

“That was true until our forces moved to the front and left the territories of the north undefended. Between cities goblins have been allowed to propagate in vast numbers. Arturia said.

“Aren’t you in a hurry to get back to Guinevere?” Nero asked.

“I failed to return with a bushel of golden apples, instead I’ll return with a dozen goblin king crowns. Arturia proclaimed.

Nero sucked in a breath and let out a sigh. The blueprint settled in. The ritual was already active. Only piercing a goblin through the heart or chopping off their heads would work. He pulled himself in the saddle and gave Ref a gentle kick.

Location: Western Road

Place of Interest: Disappearance Sight

A pile of old bone was poorly hidden by a bush. Scraps a skin hung from them. Nero could see from his mount a yellowed tooth plunged in one of the bones. The tooth was broken off halfway. There was a solid split in the bone where the tooth bit down. Maggots crawled from the opening devouring the necrotic bone marrow within. Flies swarmed the bushes and raptor claw marks covered the ground.

“Who do they think their fooling? Why would raptors hide the bones?” Something smashed into his blood shield. He raised his hand and reached for Poison Needle. The skill came to his call faster than ever before. Ten rings flashed bound together spinning and he moved to the next target. Two arrows failed to harm Arturia. Her sword moved quickly deflecting the arrows.

“On your 3.” Ref yelled. Nero turned to see an orange ball of light form atop a skull covered staff. For a second sound vanished and only the roar of fire could be heard. He pulled on his mana envisioning the only thing that could save them.

Nero activated Water shield. It was painfully slow to form. The fireball moved in slow motion while the blue shield crept into place. There was no time to shield his face if he moved Arturia and Ref would be caught in the blast. He’d stay and form the barrier and if he was too late then he’d be the first to take it. Nero closed his eyes when the explosion went off. He waited for the heat and the explosion to shatter his shield, but it never did.

He opened his eyes to see a blackened landscape. A few of the trees were on fire and the goblin with the staff was gone. Nero cursed himself. He should have killed the magic user first. That was his problem he wasn’t thinking ahead.

An arrow flew through his shield and buried itself to the fletching in Arturia’s side. She let out a pained scream.

Arturia

HP 730/930

He formed more poison needles while following the line of sight of the arrows. Through his left hand he released the full might of acid spray. Streams of powerful noxious fumes flowed from his hand across the surrounding trees.

He heard screaming but didn’t care. These monsters had to die. More poison needles formed firing ten at a time. Eventually, the forest went quiet. Acid flowed down tree branches and dripped from leaves.

“That explains why so many died. Those arrows bypass neutral defenses. Do you have an earth or ice type defensive skill?”

Heart’s Pierced 20

Nero lvl17

Ogre’s Ritual I lvl5 VIT Skill

Type: Ritual

Attribute: Blood

Effect: +1HP x Skill lvl x VIT

Requirement: Goblin Hearts x 2 x lvl

Nero HP 316

“Why the hell aren’t you wearing armor there.” Nero yelled.

“It doesn’t matter pull it out. I know a healing spell.” Arturia said. He grumbled and took hold of the shaft.

“Easy its in deep.” Arturia whispered. The shaft had dug its way all the way in. It was scraping her insides without mercy bringing even Arturia to a moaning mess.

“You can have it if you want it?” Arturia said. “I can be you souvenir.” The head was in too deep. If he wasn’t careful it would scrap against everything on its way out. The shaft kept her plugged if he withdrew it then it would be a red geyser.

Nero knew it would be difficult, but he needed to get the arrow out while causing the least amount of damage. He closed his eyes and concentrated. “What are you doing there are so many of them?” He peaked his eyes open to see Arturia staring at dozens of tiny black tentacles stretching out from his clothes.

“You’re delirious from the poison there’s nothing there. Now be quiet, I need to focus.” He wrapped them around the base of the shaft and sent them down into the wound. When they touched the blood, they became rabid dogs. It took everything he had to keep them from sucking the blood from her arteries dry.

A euphoric feeling swept him to its embrace and whispered sweet nothings to his ears. All he had to do was feed and everything would be ok. It was a voice laced with milk and honey. Without speaking a word, it promised him things.

He saw veins of blood that promised to fill him up and when they went dry, there were more. A whole world opened up to him with all the things he never knew he wanted. Blood endless and welcoming trapped in vessels of skin, muscle, and bone. It begged for him to take it and collect it all together.

Nero would love to say he wasn’t tempted. He was human and what would blood mean to him. It cried to deaf ears he did not want or need it.

That was a lie and he needed look no further than the spider woman. He wasn’t altogether human anymore. That thought gave him all the power he needed.

He rejected the feeling, he rejected the blood, and he rejected the euphoria. His will collected into the form of a sword and cut any tentacles that dared to wonder from the task. Confusion swept through him and then pain. From his bones, to his muscles, and to his skin white hot pain stabbed into him. The tentacles wiggled off the path and he sliced them. Soon he had the shaft and he pulled. Nero protected the flesh from being marred any further.

When the head was free, he tossed the shaft away and took a step back. Every fiber of his being hungered for blood, but he refused. A dry feeling filled his throat, his skin itched, and every nerve throbbed. Still he refused.

A realization had come to Nero in the euphoria. If he gave in, then this thing attached to him would keep using him. It would use whatever trick worked. If he let it win with pain, then it would use pain. Nero died once rather than becoming a slave. He’d do it again.

A golden glow shown over Arturia’s wound. The flesh knitted back together, and a weight fell of his shoulders. The pain continued and he wanted blood. That didn’t mean he’d give in easily.

“Now that we know how the goblin’s attack lets invade their little grottos.” Arturia said.