The Tellers Tales – Of Angels Fall
Book 1 : An Ode to Otiv
~ … ~
“Excuse me.” Spoke a young man in a hooded gray cloak. “Before we begin this tale, allow me to inform you of something. This tale is in no way, shape, or form; meant for minors. Within this story will be some very adult topics. Basic sex being the lightest of them all way to things that might be a sin or even illegal in real life. Please if you are not old enough to partake in adult rated content wherever it is you live; please do not read this tale. Also leave any righteous indignation or moral outrage for the internet; as no fucks will be given here nor will content be changed to make the reeing stop.” He gave a quick bow before going on. “Now those of you who are still here; hopefully those old enough for it. I do hope you enjoy my story, as I do feel it shall be a long one; this is after all but the first book. Please enjoy.” He gave a bow and a curtain fell.
~This has been a content warning; please enjoy the story~
Chapter 1 - A light doth fall
“Where am I? Voices, I … hear voices. Who is speaking?”
\tThere was silence in a room unknown. The sound of footsteps could be heard as someone walked around. “One last thing.” A voice said softly.
“That voice, it is … familiar.”
\tThere was a soft tapping, someone writing. “Annnd done; ok lets give this a try now.” The voice said to itself. “Hope I did it right; it will take me a fortnight to reform the dragon mask if I fucked it up.”
“His voice, how do I know it? My eyes, why can't they open?”
\tThere were moments of near silence. Except the sound of pen on paper. Finally, “Alagos?” The man called out. “Alagos, can you hear me?”
“He doesn't address me. So my name is not Alagos.”
\tThere were moments of near quiet; not but the sound of a man groaning. Seconds later a new voice cried out. “What... I live?”
\t“You do my child; how do you feel?” The first man asked
\tThe only sound that came next was the sound of fabric being patted down. “I think I am well. What honor is it; for the first time I get to look upon the true face of my creator.”
“Creator? Does the first voice belong to my Maker?”
\tThere was relative quiet as the two men walked around. That was until the voice of this man this Alagos grew close. “Creator; what of this one? He seems … different; special even.”
“This Alagos; his voice grows close. Is it my turn to wake? To look upon the face of my Maker?”
\t“Stay away from him.” The first man said.
“What?”
\t“Is he a failure creator?” Alagos questioned.
\t
“Am I? Does my Maker not love me?”
\t“The failure is mine; and mine alone. Please come away from him.” The first man quickly replied.
\tHowever.
“Mistake?! Am I a mistake, no it can't be so. Wake
\t\t\t\tI
\t\t\t\t\t\tMust
\t
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWAKE!”
\tHis eyes shot open, dismaying his maker. “No no, please my son you must sleep.” The man before him was pale, a brown beard growing long; hair growing a bit shaggy the same shade of brown. His eyes glowed a soft blue light. He was human but yet he felt far far more. He quickly embraced the newly woken being. “Please you are not ready yet, my son. Please go back to sleep.”
\tHowever what he did was ask. “Maker, am I a mistake?”
\tHis maker shook his head. “You misunderstand; the mistake was mine and mine alone. I misunderstood what you are and improperly formed you. You are not whole yet; I have yet found your critical missing piece. You must sleep it's all that will save you.” He kept his voice calm, collected, soft. Like a father speaking to his child. “It is impossible to explain; please you must go back to sleep. It's not too late.”
\tHowever it was. The newly woken man's head jerked to one side. Then the other. Voices so many voices angry. They were maddening. They made no sense. “Something, I hear something.” They spoke nonsense yet clarity; they roused chaos yet harmony.
\t“No no no.” His maker quickly stammered. Looking back to the man Alagos. “Al quickly. In the last room there is a glass jar with a blue fluid. Bring it to me now!” Alagos nodded and ran to the next room. Looking down at his hands the newly woken man shuddered the voices they were as numerous they were maddening, and growing; as if with each second a new voice was added to the chorus. “Shhhhhh.” His maker cooed bringing his forehead to his own. “Please try to remain calm. You are not whole yet my son; A piece is missing, an important one. I am sorry please try to put them out of mind and go back to sleep.”
\tHe looked at his hands again. His skin is a near charcoal gray. Slid his hands to his head and felt his horns. Now that he was awake he could feel the wings on his back; able to move each individual feather. He didn't feel anything like his maker at all. So he began to panic, his mind needlessly racing. Jumping to this conclusion or that wild assumption. Finally it grew too much. His head hurt, his mind ran wild; he did not even remember what happened next. He remembered breaking free, hearing voices that told him to run. He remembers a portal like object then falling.
\t“AHHHHHHH!” He yelled. He was falling, that's all he knew; the wind was nearly deafening. “RAAHHHH fuck...” He landed in a loud slam, followed by worried cries. He was stunned for a few seconds before shaking his head; and by and large finding himself among children and teens. He looked around at the frightened faces of the children around him. “Why is the first thing I see a bunch of kids?” He mused aloud. The more he looked around in fact the more he noticed how the kids were dressed; long flowing cloaks hoods pulled up. “What you kids a cult or something?”
\t“I don't believe it.” One boy muttered.
\t“It worked.” replied a girl next to that boy. “It really worked.”
\tHe was confused, however didn't have a chance to ask any questions. “They're coming!” A young boy shouted, running from where he had been watching a path. The figure gave a questioning look watching the children cowered among themselves.
\t“Oh great demon.” The boy who seemed to be their leader finally asked approaching the fallen one; then dropping down on one knee. “Please would you protect us from the dead ones?”
\t“Dead ones?” He asked left eyebrow raised. He held his head for a moment as a pain filled his senses; but he'd have to take care of it later. A foul smell started filling the air; like rot, pure rot so foul it reeked. Looking at the path the youngest boy had just run up from a walking corpse shambled up. “Oh the Undead, that's just great.”
\t“Please.” a young girl ran up to the lead boy; then grabbing his cloak. “We'll give you anything; save us please.”
\t“Well you guys aren't asking for much. Just got here and already someone is asking me to save their life.” The figure replied. “Anything though? You should be careful with what you promises to someone you don't even know.” The girl nodded; the boy next to her after a moment nodded. In fact shortly after the kids all nodded in agreement to the terms. “Fine it's a deal, and I will collect; count on it.” He looked to his left at an overlay on his sight. 'Alright what do I have in the way of weapons?' He took a quick look, all he had was a scythe. Unsure why a sword might have been better; but strangely it felt … right. He chose it and felt it manifest in his hand.
\tThe weapon clutched in his hand he rose, his charred feathered wings showing themselves ruffling for a moment before folding down. A blackened halo hidden over his head and horns sprouting from his forehead, his skin a pale white. His hair was neck length and a sandy blond in color. The children all ran behind him as he took a few steps toward the zombie at the pathway. “You lot will tell me what the actual fuck is going on after this however.” He quickly and swiftly used the scythe to hack off the zombie's head. Moments after however more of the dead showed up. Then more, and more, and more, and more … and more. “The fuck??” He said aloud. Well this was a mess. More zombies were crammed down the path; was a literal horde. “That's a lot.” He took a few steps back as his head ached painfully again. His senses went haywire for a moment; shouting in pain despite nothing had harmed him. His scythe clattered to the ground as he clutched his head hard enough his nails dug into his scalp. He yelled in agony for a few moments more. Silenced only when one of the children, a small girl, ran up to him and held him close.
\t“Please mister demon; get up we need you.” The tiny girl cried out. Everything else fell away. Thump thump, thump thump. So clear it was so soothing the sound. He held the girl firm resting his ear on her chest, his visage softening; the agonizing scream no longer emitting from him. Thump thump, thump thump. So crisp, so clear, so soothing the sound; in but seconds he was grateful for this child he found. He clutched the girl as he stood back up. He was unsure why but this one, this one was comforting; this one was special. He clutched her to his chest like a doll and picked his weapon back up.
\t
\t“That was not pleasant.” He said with a tone of pain. 'So many things I must figure out; what was that just now? Why am I here? Where was I before? Why can I barely remember it now?' He shook his head and looked to his right this time. Another box hidden in his visual overlay; Was listed as skills. The first skill was labeled as Summon Twisted Ones. “Alright.” Holding the tiny child snugly to his chest he told her firmly. “You will hold on tight.” She gave a quick nod. Then holding out a hand he called out, “Summon Twisted Ones.” His halo grew sold for a moment, as four black light stars came from it. After a moment of coldly shining they started to take shape. Like small children themselves except with impish features; maybe standing three foot five. Tiny stubby horns protruding from their foreheads as well as tiny impish wings; each clutching a black light bow with a sword on their hip and a seemingly empty quiver on their backs. After forming the four Imps looked up to their master who then ordered once more clutching his head. “Kill the dead ones.”
\tHe set aside his scythe for a moment bringing the tiny girl's heart back to his ear. Her heartbeat soothing calming; making the agony stop. His troop of Imps drew their arrows knocking their bows. They started peppering the pathway full of zombies with black light arrows; and blowing holes through them. They started culling many of the dead but more were coming. “Seems you children are up shits creek. I fear even this won't be enough.” He glanced around at his options, he had no other skills at the moment; and just thinking of them made his skull pound. He had to use the girl again to sooth his mind. He looked at other options. Noticed a box just about hidden from his view; was labeled property. He glanced at it reading quickly, he could own souls and use them as warriors, elites; it was all a matter of forming the blood pact then assigning an observer to train them. “Interesting” he mused to himself. He then looked to the boy he seemed to be their leader. “Boy, how far would you fall to save all of your lives?”
\tThe boy pointed to himself quickly, the fallen one giving a nod. “I'd give anything.”
\t“Good.” The Fallen One mused with a smirk. Holding out his free hand he ordered. “Blood pact stone.” A blackened stone formed in his hand, blood flowed inside the intricate carvings on it. Holding it to the boy he said. “Eat this and become my slave. Forfeit your soul to me, and I will save your friends.” He said coldly. The boy looked up at him then the stone; quickly picking it up out of his hand. “Worry not, it is not a rock. Bite it, eat it, submit.”
\t“If you will save the others.” The Boy said putting the blood stone to his lips; much to the disapproval of the girl next to him. “Then do with me what you will.” He put the stone in his mouth, and bit down. Felt the blood from inside flowing down his throat; his guts filling with pain. He cried out as he felt agony for a few moments.
\tIn the fallen one's ledger his new property registered. The soul of one Elliott Franklin Harbunkel; and all relative information. Sex male, age of seventeen. White skin tone. Five one in height. Brown hair color, green eyes. Even listed him as a virgin. “Good,” He mused with a smile, “Summon Observer.” On Elliott's left shoulder a black orb formed for a moment until deposited on it was a small impish boy in a black cloak.
\t“Observer Gabriel, I live to serve.” The Tiny imp replied kneeling down. “I stand ready for orders Master.” Gabriel replied looking up to the fallen one.
\t“Then hear my words.” He ordered. “My slave you stand on; you will train him in the path of … The Black Knight.”
\tGabriel nodded getting back onto his feet. “As you wish my Master.” Then lowering his hood exposed some features. Pale white skin, short and curly sandy blond hair, blackened at the tips. Looking to Elliott he then said, “Your owner has spoken boy. Salute him and thank him for his power! You’ve been given a gift.”
\t“Wha?” Elliott said, confused. However he nodded and then did as Gabriel was doing. Balled his fist, thumped it to his chest over his heart. “Thank … thank you for your power … Master. I … I live to serve!”
\t“Good.” The Fallen One said with a smile. Quickly snapping his fingers, armor primitive but effective formed on his body, before the boy a sword and shield; he quickly collected them. “Then stand and fight; and trust Gabriel to guide you.”
\t“Yes … Master.” Elliott replied if stiffly as if against his will.
\t“Don't just stand their lout.” Gabriel said firmly slapping the boy up the backside of his head. “Go and fight the zombies; your armor class is high enough to avoid the damage from unarmed zombies, even as piss poor your stats are.”
\t“Alright, i'll do it.” Elliott said gripping his sword tightly. With a clumsy battle cry he rushed into the fray; supported by arrow fire from the Twisted Imps. Gabriel barking orders and shouting commands to the boy. Sloppy at first but soon it was nearly like second nature to the boy.
\tAfter a few moments, mainly to jury-rig something to carry the tiny girl with; He also joined the battle. If he started to hurt like before he would simply take a step back. Soothing himself with the beating of the girl's heart; simple sure but it worked and that was all that mattered.
\tThe battle took at least an hour; but finally the dead stopped coming. “Good work boy.” The Fallen One said patting Elliott's head, seems the boy had gained a level. He would dibby up his points after he had a better idea of how this system worked. Looking to where he had left the remaining children he then said sharply. “Get up, we're leaving this place.” The other children got up and followed shortly after. Leaving the site of his fall behind.
\tElliott looked up to The Fallen One after they started down the path the dead had come from. “Uh, Master.” He started getting his attention. “Could I ask your name?”
\t“My name?” The Fallen One mused, he wasn't sure he knew what it was. He looked over in his visual overlay. He had an HP bar. His name listed above it was Lucifer; he knew not its meaning but strangely enough he felt the need or even the urgency to not speak it. Quickly a tiny hand held out in his vision. It pulled back as quick as he noticed then held out a card that read a name. With a nod the Fallen One simply lied and said. “Otiv. You will address me as Otiv.” He said looking down to the boy.
\t“Master Otiv.” Elliott replied for a moment. Then after giving a quick bow. “Thank you for saving us.”
\t“Sure.” Otiv told him, continuing to walk down the path. “Show me to your village boy. You lot came from somewhere.” Elliott hesitated for a moment then nodded hurrying ahead to show the way. And if what they had to deal with was any indication they most likely needed help
\t
\tOtiv and his collection of misfit children made way to their village; was a bit of a distance away. The Village they found was overrun by the dead. However Otiv could sense them; survivors hidden away in buildings. “Boy.” Otiv ordered. “Take the Twisted ones, and clear the dead from your home.”
\t“Yes sir.” Elliott replied then picking a battle with zombies; the Twisted Archers at his back.
\tAs he did that Otiv sat still coddling the tiny girl. His head on her chest, her heart soothing him. “uh Mister Otiv.” The little girl spoke unsure what to make of this. He looked up at her for a moment and gave a nod. “Can you put me down?”
\t“No.” Otiv replied promptly. “You are still needed.” He was unsure why her heart beat soothed himself so much; but it worked and that was all that mattered at the moment. Otiv sat there in silence listening to the girls heartbeat, for how long he was unsure. But when he was roused from his stupor by Elliott, the boy was bruised and battered but no worse for wear.
\t“Master.” Gabriel called out. “The village has been secured. The survivors have been rounded up. They wait for you in the village square now.”
\t“Good work.” Otiv cooed, finally putting the little girl down. “Do not go far, I may need you again.” She nodded and followed when he left. He walked through the village thinking to himself as he did. 'So what is this, a game world?' He asked himself as he walked. Looking around however he could tell. 'No this world is no game; an alternate reality then or a new universe? What of my abilities though those feel very game-esk.' He glanced to the windows he could see in his field of vision. 'Now these, they are skills and they feel from a game; am I the one from a game or am I not? Oh well, questions to figure out later.' He came upon the village square. Maybe forty people gathered, many adults; others elderly or children still swaddled. As he approached watching adults coddle their children, or siblings mourning with family members. He however did draw a lot of attention as he approached; slowly the gathered mass of humans silenced each other. He was standing about six three, the tallest here by far; wearing a long white if charred robe. Huge wings of blackened feathers, horns growing from his forehead. He clearly wasn't human.
\t“By the gods,” One elderly man sounded, having looked at Otiv. Then glaring at the boy who had been playing leader. “What in blazes have you children brought down on us now?”
\tElliott backed away with a nervous smile. “Well.” The boy started with a nervous chuckle. “You remember that strange merchant that came to the village about a fortnight ago?”
\tThe old man nodded, “Aye I remember him; I didn't trust him.” The old man rubbed his chin observing Otiv. “No matter how hard I tried I never could see his face hidden under that black hood; not natural if you ask me.”
\tElliott nodded then explained, “Well in exchange for a favor and some coins, he traded me a strange scroll; I think he called it the Wish spell. I couldn't read it at first. But a day ago I had a strange dream; when I woke that morning I could read the runes on the scroll.” The Old man nodded as the boy went on. “After the attack we ran, the kids and me; we got caught out and couldn't make it to a building. The scroll was instructions for a ritual spell whatever this Wish spell is. Fearing inaction would be worse then doing nothing but cowering I, we, performed the ritual. Master Otiv here was what fell from the sky. He saved us from the dead ones but, I sold him my soul I think.”
\t“You daft boy!” The old man yelled. “You did what?”
\tOtiv approached then spoke. “Elliott Franklin Harbunkel.” At his words the boy grew ridged, stiff. “Kneel.” He ordered. Elliott did as he was ordered and promptly fell to one knee. “Prostrate yourself.” He did, Elliott quickly laying his forehead in the dirt under him. “As you were.”
\t“What wickedness is this?” The old man asked. “What have you done to the boy?”
\t“He sold his soul to me, to save his friends.” Otiv replied. “He is now my slave to do with as I please; by his own choosing mind you, I did not force him.” He promptly held his hand palm up over the boy's hand; a bright light then clutched in his hand. The light pulsed as if a heart beat gone again once he let it go. Looking at the old man he then asked, “So old one you have a name?”
\t“Gerald Writtenhouse.” The old man spoke. “Elder and Aldermen of this village.”
\t“I see.” Otiv replied in a soft coo; now idly stroking Elliott's head. “Tell me, these Undead where do they come from?”
\t“No one truly knows.” Gerald replied promptly worried about the potential monster in his midst. “Always the same though. They come from the mist. At dusk the mist starts to form. By midnight the dead batter on the gate.” Otiv nodded.
\t“This means nothing to me, save for how interesting it sounds.” Otiv replied coldly. “Regardless, I have something I must find; something important to me. I will leave in the morning, I will take the boy and that girl with me.”
\t“Master please.” Elliott cried out clutching at his hand. “My village won't survive another night. Please with your power could you not...”
\t“What is it you ask of me boy?” Otiv replied, pulling his hand from Elliott's.
\t“Please, on this night the dead destroyed our gate again; and we have no warriors left.” Elliott started to plead. “Come night time this village will be destroyed. I beg you could you not protect us? Surely a being of your power could fel many a zombie; I'd be ever in your debt.”
\t“Don't called me Shirley.” Otiv joked for a moment. “Boy I own your soul; your debt is one thing that matters not. Do you lot have the means to afford my protection? Any old magic? A horde of treasure? Anything I might find of value?”
\tElliott backed away head hung. “We … We have nothing left. The only thing we have is our gratitude.”
\t“I see” Otiv cooed coldly. “You there Aldermen Gerald, do you know of anything this village could give me for protection?”
\tThe old man rubbed the back of his neck. “Nothing I'm afraid. What was not destroyed by the dead, has been taken by the duke in taxes. In truth the village stores barely have enough food to keep us fed for the season.”
\t“Huh I see; a pity.” Otiv replied again coldly. He took a moment to look around. 'These people are beaten. Indeed without my aid they just may die tomorrow. Should I care though?' Otiv panned around looking at the villagers. The old hiding wounds, the young cowering behind parents. 'They are hopeless; but maybe they could prove useful. So be it.' Otiv cleared his throat. “I have made a decision. As I have just arrived I do not know the lay of the land. So for the time being I will protect your village. However there are conditions that you lot will agree to; or I will take my leave of this place and leave you to your terrible fate.” Gerald nodded, he didn't have much of a choice. So far no troops from the duke had come to protect his home; this monster just may be their only hope. “First the boy Elliott is mine; this is nonnegotiable. He sold his soul to me for the salvation of his fellow rugrats by rights he is already mine. Second.” Otiv promptly pointed to the little girl he had been carrying around. “She is also mine, for reasons I have yet discovered, she brings me comfort and still the agony in my head; I will take her as a pet henceforth, again nonnegotiable.” The girl's family coddled her close terrified by his demand. “Last barring a lack of anything in the form of tangible payment; we will start with necessities.” Otiv quickly looked around and spotted a sizable clay jug, that would suffice. “I am thirsty.” Otiv cooed leaning to Gerald. “Send you people to fetch me water.” Pointing to the clay jug. “Daily your village will fill and provide three of those jugs full of water to me. And barring what tomorrow might bring; other payments for my protection will be announced on a later date. So Aldermen Gerald, do we have a deal?” Otiv asked, holding out his hand.
\tHe had a quick word with others in the village. However he quickly came back and tentatively took Otiv's hand. “Yes, we have a deal.”
\t“So be it.” Otiv replied clutching the old man's hand. “Henceforth, your village is under the protection of Otiv … the Deceiver.” He was unsure why he spoke that last part; in fact he had no control of it. It was blurted from his mouth without his knowledge. “Go now, fetch my water.” Otiv gave a dismissive wave then turning from them. He summoned Elliott over then beckoned the girl. Her family reluctantly gave her up, however Otiv soothed them with. “Worry not for her safety, or her chastity. What I desire from her is her heart beat and only so; for reasons I have yet discovered. I will endeavor to keep her heart beating, if only for my own good.” It comforted them a little, at least if what he said was true he would keep her alive.
\tLeading away from the village square, Otiv plotted his next move.
Chapter 2 – When Things go
\tOtiv was a bit of a ways from the village now. He had no desire to rule over them or govern them; he had told the Aldermen such before he left. He was going to require a base however; several of his summonables were unavailable due to a lack of tools or facilities. “Uh Master.” Elliott sounded from about five paces from behind him. “Where are we going?”
\t“To start working on a base.” Otiv replied.
\t“Is the village not good enough?” The little girl asked, still being carried by Otiv; light as she was it was nothing for him but a comfort.
\t“I am uninterested in your village,” Otiv coldly replied. “Save for my obligations to protecting it; and for that you should be thankful. No, I need a lot of room I believe and your village is cramped already.”
\t~some time passes~
\tThey kept walking for some time. Until they came upon a spot of land next to a mountain face; only a few miles from the village. “Huh.” Otiv sounded looking around. “This will do.” He claimed turning to the boy. “Alright so how do I do the things?” He asked mainly himself. Elliott was unsure what he meant, but he watched Otiv who seemed to be reading things that he himself could not see. “Ah Worker Imps that is perfect. I see; ok then.” Otiv promptly turned to Elliott, then swiftly re-summoning his Twisted Ones. “Boy, take the Twisted Ones, and go fetch me wood. For my next trick I will require a fire and a size-able one at that.”
\t“Uh yeah,” Elliott said with a nod. “I can do that, sure.” he promptly turned to the twisted archers. “Ok guys let go get Master's firewood.” The Impish humanoids nodded letting go their bows vanishing as they did and falling in behind him. “We'll be back shortly.”
\tElliott quickly vanished with the Twisted Ones hot on his heels. Otiv now alone with the little girl set her down finally. “Ok, I shall prepare a spot for the fire.” He told her patting her head. He walked around the area collecting up large rocks; his goal a pit for the fire. As he did he asked the girl. “So little one.” He paused to pick up a large stone. “You do have a name, yes?”
\tShe quickly nodded looking up to him as she answered. “Susan, Mama and Papa named me Susan.”
\tOtiv nodded patting her head real quick. “So little Susan you have a middle and last name?”
\tSusan nodded now following Otiv as he started placing rocks in a large ring. “Ahuh, my last name Finmen.”
\t“Susan Finmen huh?” Otiv sounded looking down at her. She gave him an adorable little smile and a head nod. “Well it's nice to make your acquaintance Susan.” As Otiv worked Susan got a little restless, most likely she was bored.
\tShe quickly looked up to him as he set down another large stone to form a pit for the fire. “Is there anything you want me to do?”
\tWell that put him to a stop for the moment. Otiv tapped a finger on his chin for a moment. “No nothing off hand. I would prefer you stay close by.” Having said that though he saw the disappointed look she had. With a “huum” he thought of something. He had spotted a patch of wild strawberries on the way here, she could do that. It wouldn't be too far away, close enough he could still sense her. “How would you like to go pick strawberries for me?” That excited her and she gave a quick happy nod. “Ok then,” He quickly paused looking once more to his visual interface. He looked to his inventory outside of his weapon; he had a listing for items called 'odds and ends'. They were labeled as crafting materials. “Crafting huh.” He kept looking into windows and new sections of interface; finding the one for crafting. It seemed what he could make was almost limitless provided he had the necessary tools and materials. “So long as I can explain it to myself? Ok let's try this then; how hard can it be to explain it.” He held out one hand and said. “Craft, Wicker basket.” And much to the amazement of the girl, a basket did form from his hand; first the handle then weaving down to a basket.
\t“Wow.” Susan cooed out. “That was amazing.” Her praise did make him feel a bit of pride.
\tPatting her head then handing her the basket Otiv told her. “Go now,” Pointing her the right way. “About twenty five paces that way, you'll find a patch of wild strawberries. Fill the basket and bring it back for me. And do be careful they may have thorns.” She nodded then accepting basket, “Go no father however. Should you hear me shout; drop what you are doing and come back right away.”
\t“K” Susan happily replied. She took her basket and hurried off toward where he told her she'd find the strawberries.
\tThe Trio went to work, and time passed. For the next few hours Otiv focused on preparing a plot for the fire. Slowly over the time Elliott and the crew of impish archers made trips back with wood and kindling. After some time Susan returned as well; she giggled with a basket full of berries, in fact she was struggling to carry them. By the time this time lapse had finished Otiv had a large bonfire ready for lighting. Susan and Elliott were enjoying some of the strawberries she had brought back; in fact the girl was now offering some to the imps.
\t“Alright.” Otiv sounded with a tone of pride. Quickly looking to Elliott who was enjoying strawberries with The Twisted Imps now. “Good work lot, thank you.” Leaving them to enjoy their treat he went back into his menus. “So can I make fire?” He looked at all the things. Sure enough in his listings of magic, there was a listing for create fire; alongside other basic elemental creation spells. “Alright lets try it out.” Holding his right hand out, palm turned up; he spoke, “Create Fire.” After a few seconds a flame came to life in his hand, dancing and flickering. “There we go.” He played with the fire for a few seconds, before setting it in the fire pit with the kindling. It quickly went up, taking a short time until the wood proper caught flame. However once the bonfire was roaring proper, in his summoning list the 'Summon Worker Imp' option was now available. With a nod he quickly held out both hands toward the fire, “Now then; Summon Worker Imps.”
\tFrom the belly of the bonfire orbs of flame started forming. Popping out of the fire until the sputtering flames started morphing and looking like Imps. Crimson skinned creatures unlike the pale skinned archers. About Ten of them formed, the worker Imps looking far stronger then the Twisted ones; if less battle ready.
\t“There we go, jobs done.” Otiv said with a smile watching his new Imps stretch and poke each other for a moment; one knocking another over and laughing. He looked into their info segment of his menus. They were builders and resource gatherers and got restless easily when bored. While they could be used in a fight, they were not meant for combat nor proficient in it but could fire lesser fire bolts. “So ten worker Imps. Suppose I should get you lot to work.” They nodded a few of them jumping up and down. “So, how about four of you go and continue to gather wood, until we have a decent stockpile.” He started first. The imps chattered at each other for a moment until four of them scampered away into the forest. “Two of you gather food, be it fruit, vegetables, or anything you can safely hunt.” The group nodded and once more chattering among themselves; finally two ran off to go do their task. “Lastly, for those that remain.” Otiv started pointing to the cliff face. “I'd have you do some digging; if you are capable. For both stone and to perhaps dig out some rooms.” The remaining Imps nodded then approached the cliff face. They proceeded to ignite their claws; once they were red hot they started digging at the rock carving it away. “I see so you are capable of digging at rock.” He spoke with a smile. “Good job I am proud of you.” The imps swelled with pride and continued to work.
\tBut by now the sun was starting to set. Otiv gathered his archers and Elliott, Susan as well. They returned to the village to stand guard; just as they had said a thick mist was starting to set in. As he traveled back to the village he looked into his skills, spells, and abilities. He looked to his options and he did have a few. But before long he was in the village. The aldermen had gathered in the plaza with men of the village. They had rallied into a makeshift militia to defend their homes. “AH Otiv.” Gerald called out as Otiv approached the square. “We are ready to make our stand; but we are gladdened to see you return.”
\t“Ready to defend your homes and families then?” Otiv asked, looking at the shaken but determined militia. “So how does this attack work, the dead come only from the mist?”
\t“Yes.” Gerald replied with a swift nod. “They vanish back into it before the mist rolls out; that is always just before dawn. But if slain the dead just keep coming for several waves.” Gerald explained. “After the deaths of our warriors, we had taken to hiding and waiting them out.”
\t“But something changed.” Otiv asked, looking to the elderly aldermen.
\t“Yes, indeed.” Gerald replied promptly. “Last night they took to attacking a building. Sadly one the children and many women were hiding in.” Gerald explained. “Thank the gods most got away; the zombies are still sluggish creatures. But if now they will seek to break into any buildings they find; then we can no longer hide.”
\t“I see.” Otiv flatly replied. Now rubbing his chin he proceeded to ask. “The Village has defenses? Walls towers?”
\t“Yes.” Gerald responded. “There is an outer wall. A lot of good it's done to us though. The dead ripped down the gate about a week ago.” The old man said swinging his hand down toward the main gate. “Sadly anything we put up to fix it gets torn down; and we lack stronger materials.”
\t“I understand.” Otiv said, now resting a hand on his chin. “Next question do you have any bows or crossbows?”
\t“I do believe we have a few, let me ask.” Gerald replied quickly calling a young lad over. “Cullen my boy. Do we still have any bows or crossbows?”
\tThe young man nodded. “Yeah, we have four crossbows, and I think five bows left; lots of arrows and bolts.”
\tOtiv nodded starting to plan. “Ok here's my idea. Gerald, You know your people better than I do. Arm those who you think can handle them with the crossbows. Others with the bows. Position them above the gate. I'll have my own archers join them. The rest of your volunteers shall join me and Elliott at the gate. If you have spears use them, if not gather whatever weapon you can; make do if you must.”
\t“Uh, yes. At once.” Gerald told him. Turning to the group he then announced the plan. Telling people to rush to the guard building and grab the leftover weapons.
\tAs they grabbed up what arms they could, Otiv informed his Archers to garrison the wall. They hurried up onto the walls and got ready for battle. Otiv stood in the gateway, scythe in hand. He observed the mist forming around the village; noting it indeed got thicker, he couldn't even sense through it. Elliott joined him shortly after. The tiny observer Gabriel on his shoulder kept him on his toes. Armed with what they had, the men of the village gathered with Otiv before the dead arrived.
\tThe battle began after a short wait; about an hour more before the first zombie crept from the mist. Otiv might have had an option to at least temporarily empower the villagers; however it would have required a lot of setup he did not have time for. Thankfully the battle while long and harsh was not a fetal one. Otiv alone easily mowed down the dead by handfuls; even young Elliott guided by his shoulder Imp put up a good fight. It lasted from nearly dusk until dawn; and all even Otiv were worn down by the time they shouted in victory. Deciding to let the children go to their families for that morning, Otiv returned to his at that point campsite; surprised and enjoyed when he found his worker imps had built for him a shelter. It was a simple lean-to made of scraps of wood and some large plant leaves. But facing the cliff as it was it would keep out the wind, and the warmth of the fire in. Spent, he laid down and quickly fell asleep. Under guard of his archers, and the scampering of his worker imps.
~To be Continued~","pools_count":0,"title":"The Tellers Tales - Of Angel's Fall (But a sample)","deleted":"f","public":"t","mimetype":"image/jpeg","pagecount":"1","rating_id":"2","rating_name":"Adult","ratings":[{"content_tag_id":"4","name":"Sexual Themes","description":"Erotic imagery, sexual activity or arousal","rating_id":"2"},{"content_tag_id":"5","name":"Strong Violence","description":"Strong violence, blood, serious injury or death","rating_id":"2"}],"submission_type_id":"12","type_name":"Writing - Document","guest_block":"t","friends_only":"f","comments_count":"0","views":"0","sales_description":null,"forsale":"f","digitalsales":"f","printsales":"f","digital_price":""}