Project - Chapter 21-22 - PDF/EPUB chapters 1-21 / AH note Saturday (Patreon)

Author's note: Forgot to add this. I'm pretty swamped with shit the coming days. AH chapters may be delayed until next week depending on how things go. Ideas for cool shit during the tournament are also welcome :/.

Chapter 21 Magic

Kate woke with a start, taking in a deep breath before she started coughing. She whined a moment later when the pain hit her like a truck.

“Keep her down,” Melusine said from somewhere to her side.

Strong arms held her shoulders.

“Bite down,” the woman said, now visible as she bent over and placed something into Kate’s mouth.

She felt the wood and bit down, breathing faster when she felt someone grip her arm. She tried to move up to see but Logan was holding her shoulders, his armor covered in blood, light from nearby flames reflecting off him. Something cracked. She screamed.

Kate passed out when another bone was set but she woke up again a moment later, cold sweat all over as she felt a strange energy flow through her. Stronger than the most intense painkillers she had ever taken. She had goosebumps all over, an itching sensation coming from her eye, arms, her legs, stomach, chest, and her face. It felt both horrible and amazing, her teeth biting deep into the wood as she tried to handle the sensations.

“Kate, talk to me. Who am I?” Melusine said, shining a bright light down and into her blinking eyes.

“Pweath of fuckim woob,” she said, still biting down on the thing.

“Think you can handle it if I remove it?” Melusine asked.

Kate shook her head.

“I think she’s fine,” Logan said in a tired voice. “Back to Ethan.”

Something soft was pushed below her head and knees. “Try not to move. I’ll check on you later,” Melusine said.

Kate closed her eyes, her body twitching from time to time, sending waves of pain through her but it felt strange. Confusing. She trusted the woman and simply lay there, trying not to move her head. Looking up, she could only make out some flickering light around her. She both tasted and smelled blood, and wood of course. That and burnt flesh and hair, not a combination she died to wake up to.

But I didn’t die, she thought with a sigh. Her spells had ended, or was she interrupted? She knew on a downright instinctual level that there were no more monsters close by. None she could’ve heard or seen. The ogre had been the last one alive. Running steps resounded around her, the creaking of a closing gate right after.

“He’ll make it,” Melusine said. It came from somewhere farther away and up, likely on the wall.

“Put out the small fires!” Logan called out, “Get blankets!”

I should be the one to do that, Kate thought, trying to move before she remembered the nurse’s command. Fuck. It didn’t smell or sound like anything major was on fire yet. The castle wouldn’t burn easily. Not with what little fire she had seen.

Her eyes opened wide.

Was that a nuke?

A nuclear strike… in Austria?

Monsters she could believe but nuclear explosions? She had expected the worst, but she wasn’t prepared to actually see it. What made them use it? What did they attack? Beyond the mountains. It could’ve been in Germany.

She tried to think of something else, noticing herself panic. Getting up and doing something was a bad idea until she knew she wouldn’t bleed out or break something, not without an immediate emergency. So she instead focused on her breathing, closing her eyes when she noticed the blinking notifications in the corner of her vision. Levels mean more options, and possible Vitality.

Kate noticed the pain had lessened quite a bit, the strange feeling slowly subsiding.

‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Goblin Rogue]’
‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Goblin Archer]’
‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Goblin Archer]’
…
‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Goblin Scout]’
‘ding’ ‘You have defeated [Ogre]’

‘ding’ ‘Berserker reaches lvl 9’

Stat points +2
Perseverance +1

‘ding’ ‘Berserker reaches lvl 10’

Stat points +2
Perseverance +1

That’s good. Four more points.

She didn’t spend them yet, not feeling like she was on the verge of dying.

‘ding’ ‘You have unlocked the passive skill: Intimidating Presence – lvl 1

Passive: Intimidating Presence – lvl 1
Your enemies will know your wrath. You have bathed in the blood of those who stood in your way. Beings will instinctively be wary of your presence, should you will it so.

Kate instinctively knew how to activate this new thing. She didn’t know if it used up any mana but decided it may come in handy. So far it had been somewhat difficult to avoid a battle but if there was an option not to nearly die every night, she would certainly take it.

‘ding’ ‘Mindless Ferocity reaches lvl 11’
‘ding’ ‘Mindless Ferocity reaches lvl 12’
‘ding’ ‘Mindless Ferocity reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Furious Dance reaches lvl 11’
‘ding’ ‘Furious Dance reaches lvl 12’
‘ding’ ‘Furious Dance reaches lvl 13’

‘ding’ ‘Reckless Charge reaches lvl 9’
‘ding’ ‘Reckless Charge reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Hunting Leap reaches lvl 3’

‘ding’ ‘Toll for the Living reaches lvl 9’
‘ding’ ‘Toll for the Living reaches lvl 10’
‘ding’ ‘Toll for the Living reaches lvl 11’

‘ding’ ‘Courage of the Unarmored reaches lvl 8’
‘ding’ ‘Courage of the Unarmored reaches lvl 9’
‘ding’ ‘Courage of the Unarmored reaches lvl 10’

‘ding’ ‘Two Handed Weapon Fighting reaches lvl 9’

‘ding’ ‘Unrelenting Carnage reaches lvl 2’
‘ding’ ‘Unrelenting Carnage reaches lvl 3’

That’s a lot of levels. Wait, what’s this?

‘ding’ ‘Support Class Requirements met [Berserker] – Show possible options’

Sure.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for Support Class acquisition [Berserker]: Flame Wielder’

Let them burn. You have fought overwhelming numbers surrounded by flames. You have killed three or more burning creatures. You have sustained heavy burns and survived. You have run into the flames without regard for your own safety. You have wielded a weapon wreathed in flames.

The Flame Wielder is an instinctual fire mage with a deep connection to heat and fire. They wreathe their weapons in bright flames to intimidate and maim their enemies, using their magic to set aflame their surroundings. Their rage burns ever brighter, unstoppable in their pursuit of victory, blood, and death. Return to ash, those who would stand in your way.

Unique stat: Torment

Would you like to acquire the Class: Flame Wielder?

When did I? Oh… my fire axe. I guess it was on fire that one time. No… two times. Also means that past achievements are taken into account. How does this system even know about that?

She read through the description and sighed lightly. I won’t choose fire. And whatever Torment is, I don’t want it.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for Support Class acquisition [Berserker]: Silent Striker’

Quiet rage. You have slain five or more creatures with a single melee blow before they noticed your presence. You have fought your instincts to attack at an opportune time, despite present enemies. You have used your vocal ability to strike terror into the hearts and minds of your foes. You have remained calm in life threatening situations.

The Silent Striker wields the elusive magic of sound itself. They inspire primal terror in the enemies they face but prefer to kill them in perfect silence, long before their chosen prey has noticed their presence. A fighter equipped with exceptional hearing and strange disorienting spells. A cold fury in their heart and mind, they are both calculating and ruthless. Fear the still Berserker.

Unique stat: Serenity

Would you like to acquire the Class: Silent Striker?

Sound magic? It seems… strange. Taking out monsters before they even notice me, that does sound up my alley. Exceptional hearing could be a life saver too. And it might work well together with the new Passive skill I just got. Cold fury… calculating… that sounds much better than the mess I am right now. If I use all my abilities that is. And Serenity at least sounds nicer than Torment.

‘ding’ ‘Requirements met for Support Class acquisition [Berserker]: Hammer of Justice’

The righteous warrior. You have slain ten or more foes in an effort to protect or avenge your allies. You have chosen the hammer. You have cracked seven skulls with strikes using a hammer. You have sworn revenge on the atrocities done to your peoples.

The Hammer of Justice wields their weapon with impunity. All those that stand in their way shall fall to their heavy strikes and brutal executions. Their strength is well known both to their allies and enemies, their unrelenting rage in pursuit of justice even more so. None shall stop their charge as they enact justice. Burn with rage. Burn with fury. Until it is done.

Unique stat: Brutality

Would you like to acquire the Class: Hammer of Justice?

Third and last option. Seems the safest. But again, it’s just rage rage rage. More hammer abilities and maybe an increase to my strength would be very helpful but right now I’m not sure if I should choose Brutality over Serenity.

Plus magic sounds cool.

She didn’t want to admit the latter to anyone, even to herself. Sound magic. It just felt right. Kate read through all three again, at first considering sharing the options with the others but her gut gave her a clear answer. And she couldn’t find a reason to reconsider. The potential benefits were clear, and getting in even a single strike on a monster before it noticed her would make a massive difference.

Most important to her were the potential effects on her state of mind, while she used her skills. The other support Classes may be stronger in a direct confrontation but she wasn’t exactly looking for that in the first place. With long term considerations in mind, she only saw one option.

She tried for a while to get more detailed information on the choices but failed to find anything. Alright, let’s see what this is about.

‘ding’ ‘New Support Class [Berserker]: Silent Striker’

Unique stat acquired: Serenity +1
Skill slot acquired [Silent Striker]: Active +3
Skill slot acquired [Silent Striker]: Passive +3

Skills gained in Silent Striker:

Active: Frightening Growl – lvl 1
Use sound magic to produce a growl. Enemies who can hear the growl may find their minds and bodies stricken with fear. The nature of this spell makes it difficult to locate its source.

Passive: Heightened Hearing – lvl 1
Your ears are far more sensitive to the sounds around you. You learn to focus on what you are looking for, to tune out unnecessary sounds, and to be alerted by creatures long before your other senses may pick up on their presence.

Well. Seems a little underwhelming. I guess it depends on how… oh. She immediately started hearing the steps of everyone around her, their conversations, even their breathing. She could tell that two of them were in bad shape. Everyone was exhausted. She could hear the remaining flickering flames, and the river flowing past below. She could hear the wind, the leaves rustling in the trees both within the castle and out in the forest.

Kate had to close her eyes at the sudden influx of new sensation, quickly figuring out how to tune out certain things. She spent a few minutes fiddling with the strange magic she felt connected to, the ability adjusting as she wanted, far more flexible than she had feared.

She sighed, refraining from using her growl right now. There were more important things to worry about. She did check the new stat she received from the supporting Class.

Serenity - Wisdom specialization. Increases your ability to stay in tune with your mind. You choose the path ahead. Slightly increases spell and weapon aim.

Well my Wisdom isn’t particularly high. Is that going to affect the stat? Or is it a separate thing entirely?

She didn’t exactly notice the difference but she wasn’t using any of her active spells at the moment, nor was she engaged in battle. Is the aim bonus going to help with melee range attacks?

Melusine returned a few minutes later, sitting down next to her. She sighed, a strange glowing light coming from her hands. “You… I thought it was worse. You didn’t look well, Kate.”

Kate huffed. “I was… hanging on.”

“Try using both arms next time,” the healer said. “You can move again. Barely any lasting injury. Bones were still there. You did lose a lot of blood… I don’t know how well my magic restores that. I would suggest rest but… well, given the situation. Just do your best.”

Kate sat up and looked at the mangled corpse of the ogre a few meters ahead. “That was my best.”

“It was very bloody,” Melusine said. “I decided I prefer movies to the real thing.”

“I don’t disagree,” Kate said and stood up slowly, checking her limbs before she jumped a few times. Everything seemed in order, though she did feel tired. “Thanks, Melusine. I thought I was dead.”

The woman just showed her thumb and index finger. “Close. Very close. Any other human would’ve died five times over.”

“Think the magic will help us against a nuclear bomb?” Kate asked, looking towards the mountain chain in the distance. Noticeable light still emanated from beyond, though far less than what she had seen before.

“Let us hope we don’t have to find that out,” the woman said. She remained sitting on the ground.

“Are you okay?” Kate asked. She saw the gates had already been closed. The light from over the castle walls had faded by now, none of the fires managing to set alight the forest. Logan carried Ethan, nodding her way when he saw her back on her feet.

Jon and Bert stood atop the battlements. Grey walked around and piled up corpses.

“I just need a minute. Using magic is… exhausting,” Melusine said.

“Coffee?” Kate asked.

“No, thank you. I don’t know if I can sleep as it is,” she answered.

“Hot chocolate then. I’ll go make a few,” Kate said. She was in no state to pile up corpses, dead tired as she felt. But she wouldn’t be the first to go sleep. She never was.

She walked around the monster corpses littering the yard. How many did I kill? She smiled, shaking her head. Could just check the list in your mind, dummy. The thoughts embarrassed her. Taking everything so lightly. I’m just tired. Cut me some slack, myself. She opened the door to Bert’s home, hitting her shoulder on the door frame. “Strange,” she murmured, flicking the light switch. Kate found she had lost her headlamp at some point. Instead she checked her belt and found one of the flashlights. Turning it on, she walked over to the fridge and opened it.

The light didn’t turn on. Nor did she hear anything running. She did hear the others moving around outside, despite the distance. I should hear a bloody rat running around in the walls. Fuse might be busted. She walked up the stairs, her vision blurring a little as she took the third step on the small stairwell. Kate shook her head which only made the feeling worse. She kept walking and tripped, her knee hitting the wood with a heavy impact. It didn’t exactly hurt but she failed to get up. Fuck. Come on. Mooove.

Her hand went for the railings before she pulled herself up and continued. She found the small breaker box and opened it, flashlight between her teeth. She flicked the switch back on but nothing happened. Every room remained dark. Checking the bathroom lights brought the same results. Doubt anyone has added anything that would cause a short.

She blinked her eyes and rested against the nearby wall, sliding down slowly until she hit the floor. The ground was comfortable enough. She closed her eyes.

A bright light shined into her eyes.

“Kate, talk to me,” Melusine’s voice resounded.

“Wh… why… don’t,” Kate stammered out with her hands moving in front of her face. “Why do you keep doing that?” she demanded, robbed of her rest as she turned away, still on the floor.

“Because I keep finding you passed out in strange places,” Melusine said. “Where are you, who am I?”

“You’re Melufuckingsine and I’m on the first floor. A good floor I might add. To sleep,” Kate said, already feeling herself fade out again.

“No it isn’t. You’re going to have back pain. Come, we will stay in the armory. In case of more attacks,” Melusine said.

“I’m fine here,” Kate murmured.

“Then where is your hammer?” the woman asked.

The hammer. Her eyes opened wide, Kate forcing herself to sit up before she blinked at the flashlight. “I…” she got up slowly, nearly stumbling. Melusine supported her as her vision blurred again. Her hand was gripped before something cold was placed into it.

“Here is your hammer. And now you come to the armory. Slow and steady. I did mention the blood loss, I believe?” Melusine asked, grabbing her arm and lightly pushing her forward and towards the stairs.

“Right… the blood,” Kate murmured. She walked down the stairs, taking a break near the door before they continued out into the entirely dark castle yard. Kate stopped and looked up. “I can hear them… hunting… growling in the night. Six… no seven, four legs. One is injured.” She turned her head another way. “A rabbit or squirrel… hiding. Shivering with fear.”

Melusine shined the flashlight into her face again, using two fingers to pry open one of Kate’s eyes. “Maybe you did get hit on your head.”

“Stop doing that,” Kate growled, grabbing the flashlight. It was terribly bright. “I’m tired,” she said, gripping the woman’s arm.

Melusine stood wide eyed, her lips quivering, heart pounding in her chest. Her hands were shaking.

Kate focused. “What’s wrong?” She tried to see or hear if there was anything around but it was just them.

Melusine started breathing again. “Y… you… what was that?” she asked. “That sound…”

“I don’t know what you mean,” Kate said.

“You… growled… or something.”

“Oh…” Kate said. “I did?” She calmed down. It had only been her. “Sorry. I’ll… explain tomorrow. New magic.”

Melusine raised a finger while grabbing her arm. “Well don’t use that on me! Now come, before you pass out again.”

Kate Lindgren

Unspent stat points: 4

Class: Berserker – lvl 10

- Active: Mindless Ferocity – lvl 13
- Active: Furious Dance – lvl 13
- Active: Reckless Charge – lvl 10
- Active: Hunting Leap – lvl 3
- Active:
- Passive: Toll for the Living – lvl 11
- Passive: Courage of the Unarmored – lvl 10
- Passive: Two Handed Weapon Fighting – lvl 9
- Passive: Unrelenting Carnage – lvl 3
- Passive: Intimidating Presence – lvl 1

Support class: Silent Striker – lvl 1

- Active: Frightening Growl – lvl 1
- Active:
- Active:
- Passive: Heightened Hearing – lvl 1
- Passive:
- Passive:

Status:

Vitality: 20
Endurance: 14
Perseverance: 10
Strength: 13
Dexterity: 8
Intelligence: 7
Wisdom: 10
Serenity: 1

Equipment:

Torso: -
Legs: -
Trinket: -
Food: -

Chapter 22 Moving Forward

The armory smelled sterile, the underlying stench of blood ever present. Kate dragged her hammer behind herself until she fell on an empty bedroll. She turned to the side and closed her eyes, sleeping in mere moments.

No dreams plagued her for the rest of the night, nor did anybody wake her up from her deserved rest.

She woke up when she heard the chirping of birds, a strong wind whistling through the cracks of the medieval structure. Blinking her eyes, she pulled the three blankets covering her closer. She didn’t remember how she got there. What she did remember was the fight. Gruesome bits and pieces of violence that still stuck to her mind. A long battle. Her teeth ground as she remembered the pain, the gruesome sounds of her strikes, the corpses strewn about.

What is this itching?

Get up. She didn’t want to think about any of it, instead eager to do what she could. The mess was surely around still. Her eyes blurred when she sat up, her body feeling like lead. Itching lead. She pushed harder but found her vision worsening, her heart beating faster, and her breathing picking up. Fucking. Shit.

Kate lay back down. I feel like a corpse. She turned to the side again and this time saw the young man sitting on the only actual bed in the room.

Ethan looked at her with two open eyes, arms hugging his knees as he pressed himself against the wall. Bits of blood clung to his hair, his hoodie clean however.

She blinked her eyes and closed them. What’s all this? She heard people shuffling around outside, heard the slight movements of Ethan. She could even make out the individual birds. Turn that off. The new skill was not something she wanted for a hangover. Deactivating the enhanced hearing just made her perception go back to normal. She sighed, warm and comfortable for a split second before the itching returned. She opened her eyes, once again seeing Ethan’s stare. “What?”

“Y… you… sorry,” he murmured, looking away.

“Is there something on my face?” she said and touched it, rubbing it before she looked at her hand. It was clean. “God what the fuck is that itching?”

“It’s eh… the healing. The lady explained it earlier. I have it too, on my legs,” Ethan said.

“It’s infuriating,” Kate murmured, turning to her back. She frowned. Still there. “How can anyone sleep like that?”

“I couldn’t,” Ethan said.

She looked at him.

He gestured to his face. “You were… messed up, ma’am.”

“Ma’am?” she asked, raising a brow. She glanced his way and saw him gulp, a smile coming to her face as she looked up to the stone ceiling. No respect whatsoever, but show a man how you smash in a monster’s skull with a steel hammer and suddenly you’re worthy.

“How the fuck are my bones itching?” she murmured, scratching herself now but it didn’t help. Not in the slightest.

“It gets better after a while,” Ethan supplied.

I would fucking hope so. She closed her eyes but that just made the sensation worse. I can’t. She tried sitting up, this time much slower than before, careful not to overexert herself. Blood loss, right. And whatever else this magical healing does. I did get hit quite a few times, and used my magic to heal. Without that I would be out there with the others.

She activated her heightened hearing again, focusing on the different people. It was strange, almost like squinting an eye or taking in a deep breath. A muscle of sorts, something she could control, though not particularly well as of yet. At the very least she could filter out the wind and birds to an extent, the two hardly important to her. Looking down on herself, she found that someone had stripped her of the jacket, the shirt below only showing marginal damage. Her pants were pretty torn up but not to an unwearable extent.

Still have four stat points. Maybe they could help against the itching.

The fight had shown that she could survive. Not without her skills but she could survive. Strength and Endurance to fifteen, and one point for Vitality.

She confirmed the selection and grit her teeth as a strange hot feeling washed through her. She shivered and pulled the blankets closer. The muscles in her arms were tense. She felt both weak and strong at the same time. As if she could lift a truck but only for two seconds before blacking out. The itching remained. Kate looked around until she found the crutches, left in the room for those who would need them. Which was her.

Slowly standing up, she moved a hand to her head as it started to pound. Her vision darkened but she managed to step over and stabilize herself against one of the cabinets. The crutches were right next to her. Good. Well done.

“I think… you should rest,” Ethan said in a downright whisper.

“I don’t,” she answered, the man nearly hitting the wall with his head at the unexpected reply. I need food. And coffee. She looked down at her hammer. “Can you help me for a second?”

Ethan nodded quickly.

She glanced around the room. “The sling on that bag, can you take it off and tie it to my hammer?”

He got up and walked over, doing as she asked with slightly shaking movements.

Kate only now realized that the top bit of her weapon was near fully covered in half dried blood. “Sorry. I didn’t see it,” she said, receiving the thing whilst leaning against the cabinet. She slung it around her shoulder and moved it to her back.

“It’s… okay,” he said and nodded, stepping back until he sat down on the bed, his breathing ragged.

“You got fucked up too?” she asked.

He looked up, his mouth quivering slightly.

“Yeah, sorry. I’m not in a state for conversation. Get some rest,” she said, nearly stumbling on her first step. She managed to shrug it off and continue towards the closed door. I heard all that through a closed door? She tried to focus on it when something new lit up in the corner of her vision.

‘ding’ ‘Heightened Hearing reaches lvl 2’

Sure. Kate opened the door with slow movements. She assumed the exertion was only possible due to her high magical stats. Vitality, Perseverance, Strength, Endurance. What else could I want? She smiled to herself as she walked down the stairs with slow and steady movements.

Allison sat in a chair on the ground floor, legs crossed, with a book in her hand. She glanced up and frowned. “Your coming was foretold.”

Kate stopped. “What kind of greeting is that?” She looked outside, the truck standing in the yard with bodies piled onto the back. She could just glimpse Logan and Grey scratching their heads near the massive Ogre’s corpse.

“I’ve been reading, fair maiden,” Allison said and turned the book to show the cover. A large muscly man brandishing a glowing sword, two toned and skimpily clad women clasping at his legs.

“He won’t be fighting well with those women hindering his movements,” she observed.

Allison raised a brow. “Oh for you see, perceptive one, they are in cahoots with the dark wizard. Also you should rest. Melusine said you would try to get up.”

“It’s itchy,” Kate said.

“Then maybe touch yourself?” Allison suggested. “I won’t help. Maybe. If you ask very nicely.”

“Jesus fuck, Allison,” Kate said and touched her pounding head. “I need a coffee, and you won’t stand in my way.”

“True, I won’t. Not sure if even this guy could stand in your way,” she said and tapped the cover, her focus back on the pages.

Not without armor, Kate thought absentmindedly as she stepped out onto the yard. It was cool but the sunlight made the autumn air bearable. She stopped at the carnage, gagging once before she took in a deep breath. Most of the bodies had been cleaned up but there were still bits and pieces of flesh here and there. And the smell lingered. Burnt hair, burnt flesh, burnt clothing. She shook her head to get rid of the memories, both from the last few days and older. A part of the barracks was collapsed, the roof broken into with debris collected near the ground.

She looked at the two men, their faces covered in cloth masks. Yeah. Let’s not do that. Instead she turned and slowly made her way to Bert’s home.

Her crutches krangled against the door before Celeste opened it from the other side and looked up at her with wide eyes.

The girl squinted her eyes and pointed at her. “You have to rest!”

Kate stared back, Unrelenting Carnage helping her win the long battle when the young girl apparently lost interest in the fight.

“Good morning,” Jon said, looking up from his notes and books for a moment.

Eloise sat at the table as well, adjusting the flame of a small gas cooker.

“Who’s the old one now?” Bert asked from his armchair, cackling to himself before his laughter turned to coughs.

Kate just watched him before she went over to the kitchen.

“Power is gone,” Eloise said.

“Right,” Kate said, flicking the switches. “Did someone check the… wait no I did that last night.”

“I can make you a coffee though,” Eloise said and stood up. “The water still works.”

“We need tanks, and gas,” Jon added. “You don’t look as bad as Mel said. But after last night, it’s a wonder you’re still alive at all.”

“You don’t seem particularly surprised,” Kate said as she prepared the french press. She watched the girl heat up water in a small pan, her blonde hair in a nicely done bun.

“Well, after what we saw last night, I don’t think your recovery is at the top of my list of things to process. Iodine… hmm… hardly makes a difference,” he murmured, scratching his head.

Kate nearly froze up. The light. She moved a hand into her hair. “Nuclear…” She looked at Celeste, the girl glancing up from her game boy.

“You should drink your coffee,” Jon said.

If any of that makes it over the mountains…

She didn’t want to think about it. Just the fact that someone had used nuclear weapons in Europe was concerning enough. More than that really but Jon was right, she needed her coffee.

Kate focused on the water pouring into the press. She made her coffee in an almost mechanical manner, finally smelling on the brew and sighing. The implications remained terrifying, but at least she could distract herself.

She sipped from the brew and closed her eyes. “What’s the next step?”

“Generators… and power cables… your next step is to rest up, Kate,” Jon said. “There’s little we can do right now. Once everyone is fit again, we can think about what to do next.”

“World is lost if they use weapons like that… man was not made to wield such destruction,” Bert murmured.

“Destruction!” Celeste exclaimed, pumping her fist into the air before she resumed her game.

Kate sipped from her coffee and moved to the couch. She finished the brew and lay down, quite tired after her adventure to the other house. Her stomach rumbled when Eloise brought her some crackers and cheese.

“The fridge isn’t working. Eat before it goes bad,” she said and handed her a few packets of cold cuts too.

Kate ate a bit before she fell asleep, the itching not quite as bothersome anymore.

She woke up in a warm cocoon of blankets, the food sadly gone. Kate pulled the things closer. It’s cold, she thought, hearing a set of voices talking behind her at the kitchen table. She moved up slightly, blinking as she took in the group of people. Everyone but Bert, Celeste still playing her game, the sound slightly audible.

“All I’m saying is they’ve consistently attacked… every night. It was close, Logan,” Jon said.

“We did… see them… bring away b… bodies,” Grey said, his voice quiet.

Logan wore a simple shirt now, his armor set aside for the time being, the hint of a beard on his face. He looked tense, lost in thought. “We don’t understand those creatures. What if it gets worse?”

“Worse than that?” Ethan exclaimed as he took his hands out of his pockets, settling against the wall a moment later.

“Kate saw the hordes. We attract some of them, yes, but if we become an aggressor, a larger group may focus on our presence here,” Logan said.

“It’s an assumption, yes. It’s also an assumption to think they will attack again tonight, but it’s clear they know where we are, and one group or the other has chosen us as a target,” Jon said.

“I’d like to know what they did to those bodies, and I don’t think they will stop coming. Not until we do something about it.” Kate said. The pounding was gone, her leg and arm still a little itchy. “It feels like they’re treating it like some sort of hunt, but I won’t sit here and take that.”

“Get up first,” Allison said.

“I am up,” Kate said, taking her hammer as she tried to sit. She still felt winded. Not as bad as earlier.

“Allison tracks the ones that came here, we go find out where they’re coming from, and if it’s close by or near Keilberg, we attack?” Logan asked.

“That’s the idea,” Jon said. “We need to find out what these creatures can do, why they’re coming here every night, and yes… we should find out what they’re doing with the people of Keilberg. Now that it’s still daytime.”

“But you read the list earlier. There are so many things we need. If we plan to become self sufficient,” Logan said. “I don’t think you quite understand how dire the situation is if the military is forced to use nuclear warheads.”

“It’s the reason I’m voting for Grey’s suggestion,” Jon said. “Otherwise I would suggest gathering supplies and hunkering down for as long as we can. Knowing how dire things are… or how dire the military thinks things are, I think we have to prepare. Not just for the next few weeks. Kate has shown us what is possible. You too, and Mel can heal… with magic,” Jon said.

“I can summon fire,” Ethan said with a smile.

“Yes, that too,” Jon said. “We have to adapt, Logan. I don’t like it one bit, but I think it’s necessary. We can’t sit here and wait until they overrun us.”

The large man tapped his pants, a frown on his face. “If the tracks lead towards Keilberg. And if we don’t find anything, we look for more supplies.”

“Of course,” Jon said.

“Who’s going?” Logan asked.

“The kids and Bert stay here. The radios don’t have enough range but so far there were no attacks during the day, and they will wait inside the armory,” Jon said.

“Dad, I’m as old as Grey,” Eloise said.

“Yes, but you’re not fighting with a sword. Mel is there for her healing and Allison is only coming because of her tracking skills,” Jon retorted.

“Tracking skills? Did I miss something?” Kate asked.

“It’s a hobby,” the woman said with a shrug.

“You have strange hobbies,” Kate said.

“Useful now. Isn’t it?” she said. “It’s great when you’re looking for animals. So judgy.”

“Yeah, yeah, I get it,” Kate said.

“Do you feel up for it at all, Kate? There might be another fight, but I’d like to have your new hearing there,” Logan said, looking at her.

“You don’t look perfectly ready either,” Kate retorted.

“That doesn’t change the question,” he said.

“Fair enough. Yeah, I can walk. I can lift my hammer. I don’t think it will matter much once my magic is active,” she said. “What about everyone else?”

“I’m good,” Grey said.

“Not like there’s much of a choice,” Ethan said.

Melusine nodded.

Jon moved a hand through his hair and sighed. “Everyone in favor then?”

Kate stood with her hammer in hand, nodding lightly. The others gave their assent too, none of them particularly enthused. Tired and battered. She grinned. “Into the flames,” she murmured, getting a look from Eloise.

Logan moved away from the wall. “It’s three in the afternoon. You better get your packs ready. We leave in ten.” He looked at Kate. “Fifteen.”

“Thanks,” Kate said, raising her hammer. She would need a few minutes to get a fresh set of clothes and gear ready. Eating a little more food, Kate soon returned to the armory, grabbing pants, new thermal underwear, a shirt, and a jacket. Everything fit rather well, their stock of supplies still quite extensive. How long will it last if I have to get a new set after every night?

She didn’t think too much on it, taking one of the prepared packs and moving the flashlights, knives, and radio from her damaged clothes to her new ones. Kate too a deep breath when she stood up, some of the others checking their equipment as well.

Logan gave her a look but then nodded.

She was glad he didn’t ask if she was fine for a second time. They both knew she wasn’t. But that didn’t change anything. Trusting some strange magic I got a few days ago. She looked at her hammer, dried blood still sticking to the top bit. She didn’t much care, nor it seemed, did anybody else. She checked her knives again, tested her lights, and secured her belt.

Their group slowly gathered outside, all of them dressed in the same grayish colors now, faces serious, and weapons ready.

Our turn.

Kate Lindgren

Unspent stat points: 0

Class: Berserker – lvl 10

- Active: Mindless Ferocity – lvl 13
- Active: Furious Dance – lvl 13
- Active: Reckless Charge – lvl 10
- Active: Hunting Leap – lvl 3
- Active:
- Passive: Toll for the Living – lvl 11
- Passive: Courage of the Unarmored – lvl 10
- Passive: Two Handed Weapon Fighting – lvl 9
- Passive: Unrelenting Carnage – lvl 3
- Passive: Intimidating Presence – lvl 1

Support class: Silent Striker – lvl 1

- Active: Frightening Growl – lvl 1
- Active:
- Active:
- Passive: Heightened Hearing – lvl 2
- Passive:
- Passive:

Status:

Vitality: 21
Endurance: 15
Perseverance: 10
Strength: 15
Dexterity: 8
Intelligence: 7
Wisdom: 10
Serenity: 1

Equipment:

Torso: -
Legs: -
Trinket: -
Food: -