The Forest's Secret
The Evil Eye observed a Vagrant approaching Vardy, likely drawn by the scent of blood and death. It stood three meters tall, with smooth white skin and a heavily muscular body. It moved with a hunched back, dragging its knuckles along the ground. Its appearance was almost unsettling, resembling an overly muscled mannequin from a horror movie.
This creature was a Geist. Vardy remembered from his research in White Oak that Vagrants were classified into three categories. Natural Vagrants, like the Essentrias, adapted to nature and behaved like wild beasts. Geist Vagrants, on the other hand, were inexplicable monstrosities that were functionally immortal and had a relentless thirst for blood and flesh. Titans were monstrously powerful Vagrants of legendary size.
"We're leaving," Vardy declared. He wasn't willing to risk a fight with a C-rank monster at the moment. Ferah sensed his hesitation and agreed to follow his lead.
"Geists hunt living humans," Vardy explained. "So, as undead, we should be safe if we avoid it."
As they prepared to leave, Vardy saw something unsettling through the Evil Eye. The Geist regurgitated a woman, holding her like a puppet on its tongue. She appeared to be a hero, her torn costume indicating her status. Vardy recognized her as Dynamite Girl, a hero taken by the Geist during its attack on Haven.
Vardy knew he could fight the Geist, having studied its powers from news reports. It emitted a deadly neurotoxic gas and could control other creatures with its tongue. Despite the odds stacked against them, Vardy was determined to face the Geist.
"What is it, master?" Ferah asked, noticing Vardy's focused expression.
"We will fight," Vardy affirmed, already strategizing as they prepared for the impending battle.
The Geist entered the clearing, using Dynamite Girl as a shield to protect itself. She stumbled forward, controlled like a puppet, her movements awkward and jerky.
"Master, what's happening? Why is Dynamite Girl acting so strange?" Ferah asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"Calm down, Ferah. It's the Geist controlling her. We need to be cautious," Vardy replied, his tone steady despite the tense situation.
Cocking its head, the Geist sat by the stream where the Essentrias had rested, examining a Essentria corpse. It picked up the wolf creature but quickly discarded it upon realizing it wasn't human.
"Gehgeh," the Geist uttered in a strange, alien voice, sounding curious as it observed a trail of Essentria corpses leading into the forest. Sensing something suspicious, it made Dynamite Girl investigate while it stretched out its tongue, tethering her to itself.
"Dynamite Girl, can you hear me? Fight against it, we're here to help!" Ferah shouted, her voice echoing through the clearing.
As Dynamite Girl moved farther away, the connection grew thinner until she reached the last Essentria corpse. Suddenly, something severed the Geist's tongue - the Skeleton Rogue had appeared, slashing through it.
With Dynamite Girl freed, Vardy's plan unfolded. He had baited the Geist using Essentria corpses, knowing it couldn't detect the Evil Eye. The Skeleton Archer provided cover from the trees while Ferah charged in, distracting the Geist.
"Ferah, keep it occupied! We need to buy time for Vardy's plan to work," Luthor called out, his voice filled with determination.
Ferah attacked relentlessly, her blows landing with force but barely fazing the Geist due to its rapid regeneration. Meanwhile, Vardy reanimated Dynamite Girl, keeping her under his control.
Ferah's assault continued, but the Geist's regeneration proved formidable. Vardy intervened, spamming Chill Bolt to freeze the Geist's body, preventing its regeneration.
"Keep it up, Vardy! We're wearing it down!" Tracy encouraged; her voice full of hope as she watched the battle unfold.
Finally, the Geist was defeated, and Vardy gained experience points as it vanished into a grave, marking the end of the battle.
Vardy drew in a deep breath, feeling a surge of power as a green aura enveloped him, boosting his level by two and granting him 10 stat points to allocate.
"Wow, that feels amazing!" Ferah exclaimed with delight as power flowed into her, her aura a deep, bloody red compared to Vardy's green.
Being a Chosen Undead like Vardy, Ferah also leveled up twice, raising her level from 10 to 12.
"How should I distribute my points?" Ferah asked, eager to optimize her stats.
"Focus on strength, vitality, and agility, with a spread of three in strength, five in vitality, and two in agility," Vardy instructed, aiming to enhance Ferah's physical prowess.
"Got it, master," Ferah replied, closing her eyes and concentrating as she distributed her points.
Observing her stats increase, Vardy noted that Ferah's class as a Death Knight specialized in blood magic and body reinforcement due to her chosen path of Blood and Bone. With her affinities in strength, vitality, and agility, she was geared towards being a durable brawler.
As they both adjusted their stats, Vardy invested his points into increasing his attunement and units controlled, inching closer to unlocking more powerful spells.
"Your progress is impressive, master," Ferah remarked, her admiration evident in her voice.
"Yes, we're getting stronger," Vardy acknowledged, his gaze shifting to the frozen Geist corpse. "Serve."
With a flick of his staff, Vardy reanimated the Geist, though the process drained a significant portion of his mana.
The Geist revived, its eerie smile fixed on Vardy, ready to obey his commands as a fully controlled unit.
Satisfied with the outcome, Vardy reflected on the limitations of his necromantic abilities, pondering the nature of souls and the consequences of resurrection.
Turning his attention to their surroundings, Vardy led Ferah through the Settlements, a makeshift community populated by Nomads and their cybernetic enhancements.
Navigating the bustling streets, they approached a trailer marked with a neon sign reading "TECH" and the symbol of the Odinsons gang.
"Ferah, be prepared for potential conflict," Vardy warned, recognizing the reputation of the Odinsons for violence.
Ferah grinned, her aura radiating power as she stood ready to defend herself and her master. "No problem, master. We're ready for anything."
Vardy took a deep breath, his power surging as a green aura surrounded him, boosting his level by two and giving him 10 stat points to assign.
"Wow, that's incredible!" Ferah exclaimed happily as power flowed into her, her aura a deep, bloody red compared to Vardy's green.
Like Vardy, Ferah, being a Chosen Undead, also leveled up twice, increasing her level from 10 to 12.
"How should I use my points?" Ferah asked eagerly, wanting to improve her stats.
"Focus on strength, vitality, and agility, with three in strength, five in vitality, and two in agility," Vardy advised, aiming to enhance Ferah's physical abilities.
"Got it, master," Ferah responded, closing her eyes and concentrating as she distributed her points.
Watching her stats rise, Vardy noticed that Ferah's class as a Death Knight specialized in blood magic and body reinforcement due to her chosen path of Blood and Bone. With her affinities in strength, vitality, and agility, she was suited to be a strong and durable fighter.
As they adjusted their stats, Vardy allocated his points to increasing his attunement and units controlled, getting closer to unlocking more powerful spells.
"Your progress is impressive, master," Ferah remarked, showing her admiration.
"Yes, we're getting stronger," Vardy acknowledged, his attention shifting to the frozen Geist corpse. "Serve."
With a wave of his staff, Vardy reanimated the Geist, though it cost him a significant portion of his mana.
The Geist came back to life, its eerie smile fixed on Vardy, ready to follow his orders as a fully controlled unit.
Satisfied with the outcome, Vardy reflected on the limitations of his necromantic abilities, contemplating the nature of souls and the consequences of resurrection.
Turning their focus to their surroundings, Vardy led Ferah through the Settlements, a makeshift community inhabited by Nomads with cybernetic enhancements.
Navigating the busy streets, they approached a trailer marked with a neon sign reading "TECH" and the symbol of the Odinsons gang.
"Ferah, be prepared for possible conflict," Vardy cautioned, aware of the Odinsons' reputation for violence.
Ferah grinned confidently, her aura radiating power as she stood ready to protect herself and her master. "No problem, master. We're ready for anything."