Общий файл / Does Force Bind to Responsibility?: Глава 3

Chapter 3

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 07:11

***Daimon***

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 09:46

The setting sun was golden on the trees, giving the woods a rare windless weather. The clearly delineated shadows of the trees lay on the hills and edges of the ravines. The gradients between the still bright light and the dull shade were so sharp that travelers unaccustomed to the terrain always suffered an eye sore.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 09:47

The Cursed Forests. The triviality of the name caused an awkwardness, and almost everyone who heard it for the first time involuntarily cringed.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 09:50

And anyone who had the doubtful pleasure of living in these lands for any amount of time is no longer skeptical, but grimly frowning. The name didn't come from the views - on the contrary, they didn't fit the name at all. Dense thickets, mighty crowns, picturesque mosses, and even old deadwood looked quite life-affirming. Here one could find plants so rare that they were considered imaginary. Even fairies, creatures almost completely extinct in times immemorial, were rumored to have been found in these parts at some times.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 09:53

No, that's not why these thickets were called Cursed.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 09:54

These woods were shrouded in a great number of macabre legends, the most famous of which was the legend of the penultimate King of Greed.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 09:56

It was here that, according to the legends, he met his end. When drowning in the madness of greed, the Eight could not divide the world even among themselves, when each betrayed all others for their own ambition. When, in fear for their power, they destroyed the symbol of their own power and their loyal servants finally turned against them, a true hell on earth was unleashed. Hell compared to the nightmare they had plunged the world into by conquering it seemed like child's play.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 09:58

And the penultimate King of Greed, unable to defeat the onslaught of the rebellious alliance of former slaves, retreated into the deserts that were then these forests. His last battle was fought in these lands. A hellish massacre, lasting many days, in which time, space, and death mingled. The King eventually fell, taking countless legions of his enemies with him to the afterworld. A forest grew on that monstrous battlefield, leaving such fertile fertilizer. Hiding the unsightly picture of the war of gods against mortals, a war of mutual annihilation without compromise. And the ruins of forts and the mass graves of the fallen have found rest beneath its roots. And the curses that had fallen on the land had not gone away.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:00

At least, that's what the legends said.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:01

But even if one does not take the ancient legends seriously, it was a lot of the desperate to adapt to life in these forests. Beneath the tree crowns and picturesque reliefs lurked terrors that witnesses were wary of mentioning out loud. The beasts that lived here were a disaster, and even herbivorous prey was deadly to any hunter. Its blood was poisonous, and the urge to kill exceeded the instinct of self-preservation - what was normally fearful prey here knew no fear. Predators, hunting their prey, did not drive it into exhaustion - they fought a real battle with it. The price for unsuccessful hunting was not hunger, but life.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:10

Although, the sapient adapt to everything. In addition to the danger, there was a great benefit. Ingredients extracted from local plants and animal organs were highly valued throughout the continent. The ruins that occasionally showed up from under the landslides and the rivers that had changed course lurked with incredible rewards. Whoever was willing to take the risk always had a chance.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:12

Like Daimon's group, The Immortal Hope. This was their third quest into the Cursed Forests, one of the hidden dungeons they had found by sheer coincidence. A third quest that risked ending in fatal failure.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:14

Four men were breathing heavily in the narrow corridor, lined with hewn granite. Daimon, the leader of the group, was breathing in and out, resting his palms on his knees. His armor was visibly dull and scarred at the right shoulder and across his chest. Hot, dirty sweat fell from his face to the floor in large drops.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:15

"Daimon, we're in trouble." Looking into the darkness, Bryce said.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:15

"Really?" Daimon turned around with his eyes bulging.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:16

"Seriously. The exit was buried. There are no lights, not because it's night or anything."

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:18

Bryce, a short, very bony, and wiry fellow looked much better. His armor was a thick leather jacket, studded with tightly fitting steel plates, and the same cuffs with tucked-in trousers. His shoulders were scarcely protected except by the broad sleeves of a black shirt, baggy at the elbow. He didn't look rested, but he was clearly fresher than Daimon.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:19

"That's not good news, I agree. But there is some good news."

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:21

"That's a balm for the soul. You don't mean the approaching footsteps of those monsters, do you?"

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:22

" Huh, not without them. The good news is that the corridor is narrow, and if they don't have a change in lineup, I'll close it off. And no one will stop you from digging our way out."

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:23

"Are you kidding?"

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:23

"I'm gonna tank."

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:25

Bryce cursed and looked longingly at the blocked exit. It seemed that the ceiling had failed and sagged, succumbing to the many meters of earth above it. A pile of earth mixed with rubble blocked the way out of the dungeon. Then he turned his gaze to Era, the sorceress.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:27

Her robe had long since become grimy tatters, and the expensive staff remained there in the depths of the dungeon. She grimly ignored her last companion.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:28

Actually, the whole situation was about their overestimation of their skills, but Era blamed it all on him. Now it didn't bother the sorceress that the boy wasn't responsible for their plan. They were in dire need of a healer for this dungeon. And since there were no good spell casters or priests to be found, they had to take the first one that came into their sight. In conversation and training, Lias was quite good, not as good as their previous partner, of course, but not so terrible. They had risked going with him and now regretted it.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:31

Lias appeared to be a coward and a whiner, unprepared for the real business. Only on the spot, it turned out that his reserve of energy was much smaller than it had seemed at the beginning. His reaction speed in combat was worthless. In the main, he was completely unsuitable for adventure, except to sit in the camp and treat the group after they returned from the raid. As it turned out, that was exactly how he imagined the healer's job in the group.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 10:32

Thus, it was an absolute failure. Lias seemed to realize this himself, and just waited for it to be over.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 12:10

Daimon didn't like such problems, but as a leader, he had to deal with them as well. And now, unfortunately, there was no good way out. He preferred not to think about the fact that they might all die, too.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 12:13

Now he, too, could hear slow footsteps from the darkness beyond the corridor. He listened closely. Judging by the number of feet and the creak of rusted metal, it was the same trio who had chased them here. Daimon raised his heavy shield with a sigh and closed his visor.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 12:14

"Guys, I know you're all very tired, but I don't see any other options. You'll have to dig, and you'd better do it before I get cut up here. Era, lights, please."

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 12:15

The sorceress concentrated, detaching herself from discomfort and emotion. Daimon was right; she could say what she thought about the situation and the reasons for it later. Right now, the important thing was to survive.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 12:17

[light]

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 12:17

A flickering light source, like a very bright firefly, appeared behind Daimon's right shoulder, and out of the darkness ahead came two skeletons clad in deceptively rusty armor, and the outlines of another a little farther away. Daimon pursed his lips and stiffened, blocking the narrow passage. He'd dealt with the undead before, and at first he hadn't taken any skeletons, even if they were in rusty armor, seriously. It turned out to be a big mistake, almost costing them all their lives.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 12:26

One of the warrior skeletons, pacing like a drunken loader, leaped toward him with barely perceptible speed and swung his two-handed axe sharply. Daimon, already aware of their way of fighting, bounced back down the aisle. Taking such a blow with a half step on his shield would be a costly thing to do; his arm had nearly been broken the last time he'd faced it. The axe's blade jettisoned a spark from where he'd just stood. The second skeleton, a moment later, delivered a powerful straight thrust with his halberd. Daimon brushed it aside with his shield. There was a great temptation to pile on with all his weight and press the weapon against the wall, but the idea was spoiled by a skeleton with an axe. Pinning one opponent's weapon down would rob him of the ability to evade another's attacks. Daimon was well aware that without the ability to maneuver, he would be dead.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 12:49

By retreating to the back of the corridor, he gained an advantage - there was no room for the axeman to swing, and his blows without a good swing could already be blocked. And most importantly - there was no third skeleton warrior to get through. A more or less regular heavyweight brawl began. The skeletons, helping each other (also, who would have believed it), relentlessly poured simple, but powerful and fast attacks, while Daimon blocked them and led them away with his shield. Some of his attacks gave him a chance to close the distance and push the invading undead back, which he used to get back to his starting position. He didn't even try to attack himself now, only parrying what he could with his sword. There was no visible damage to his attacks anyway. Of course, if he had used an axe or mace, the result might have been different. But the axe and mace wore him out after a few minutes of combat, nullifying his advantage.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 17:46

Punch, sliding block, return kick. A strong but light foe is thrown back a step. A swift lunge of the halberd, Daimon not having enough time to shield himself, and the tip left another dent in his armor, his ribs aching. Another axe strike, another sliding block, another halberd lunge. It's all predictable, but it's too fast - there's no way to get into a rhythm. Hit - lunge to the body, hit - lunge to the head, hit - lunge to the legs. Taking another attack with an axe, he didn't have the strength to move it fully aside, and the heavy blade snagged his helmet. His head snapped back in a jolt, and Daimon could not react in time to the thrust of the halberd. The piercing tip pierced the visor, sinking into it but leaving a deep cut on his cheekbone. His ears rang with pain.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 17:50

The bone is caught. Daimon noted in passing. It's very bad.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 17:50

[shield push]

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 17:52

The muscles crackled with the sudden exertion. The fighting skill, one of Daimon's favorite special moves, threw the axe-maker out of the passageway with a crash. It took the rest of the skeletons with it, giving him pause for a few seconds. Sweat mixed with dirt and blood trickled down the back of his neck and tickled unpleasantly. The exhausted body was beginning to lose its grasp. That was it. There were no aces left for the day.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 17:55

Through the twisted visor, in the darkness broken unevenly by the flickering faint light, it was hard to see, but it was also clear by hearing. The enemies were up and attacking again.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 17:57

"Daimon, retreat, retreat, back, there's a way through!"

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 17:58

Hope filled with new strength, and the warrior, almost completely behind his shield, quickly scooted back down the passageway. Retreating that way made the enemy attacks much easier to bear. Keeping his balance wasn't easy, his feet were stuck in the soft dirt, and then his shoulders were barely able to squeeze through. The powerful blows from my opponents even helped a little to move this way. It was a little scary not knowing where you were retreating to, but Daimon had faith in his comrades. And, as always, not in vain.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 18:00

At some moment there was no support under his feet, and Daimon went tumbling down the thorny grassy slope. A few moments later, his back slammed into the shallow water, crushing the thin reeds. The evening sun glinted merrily through the hole in his helmet.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 18:02

"Fffuuuuuuh."

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 18:02

Someone came swiftly up to him and with a couple of jerks lifted the jammed visor. His eyes were teary and it was impossible to see who it was, but the voice and tone were unmistakable.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 18:04

"You're looking kind of creepy, Dai. Have you been beaten?"

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 18:05

"I was shaving drunk. The others are all right, the undead are not chasing?"

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 18:05

"Yeah, it's fine. Looks like the undead are at least somewhat normal, they stay out of the sun. Can you walk?"

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 18:06

Daimon analyzed the sensations.

Camrad_RIP 06.06.21 в 18:24