Ashes of the Fallen

Dragon's Breach was well-known throughout the game thanks to [FWB]. A few players that were nearby had already ventured out to take a gander. They were few and far between though. Most of them came by and looked around then quickly left as there was nothing to do. The area was too difficult to hunt in for most players, what with roaming packs of goblins, rattanorv, and the occasional dire wolf.

Depending on where these players were coming from and what their intentions were… I would either welcome them to stay a night or refuse entry.

Five players in the dead of night though.

I didn't like it.

It was time to sortie.

Glancing around the remodeled cabin, there was a large collection of furs and leather armor stacked in the corner of the room. My new favorite was the dire wolf pelt, complete with head and fangs. It was a small dire wolf, which made for a perfect fit.

Modifying the pelt slightly, my head fit inside its jaws as it wrapped around me.

In the darkness, I would look like a werewolf.

With [Enraged State] and [Frenzy] activated, my eyes would also glow red according to Kate. I couldn't see it unless I was standing near a mirror-like surface but I trusted her. She had no reason to mislead. The combination of the pelt and the special effects, were perfect for scaring random players in the forest.

I had already scared a few.

A smile crept up my face and I couldn't help but laugh.

"Time to spook some kids," I whispered to myself.

Right as I opened the door, I heard some noises from the bed as Katherine propped herself up and stared at me. Meeting her gaze, all I could muster was a smile.

"Get some sleep," I said quietly with a wink. "Just a little moonlight stroll through the woods, nothing to worry about."

She remained silent as I walked out the door, realizing that I was far too heavily armed and armored for a stroll. She understood though and didn't question.

The worst that could happen to me, was a return trip to the graveyard.

Nothing to worry about.

With a running start I leapt up onto the six foot tall rampart and then in one stride jumped off the ten foot tall palisade. Flash stepping at the peak of my jump, I traveled nearly forty feet before hitting the ground and breaking into a sprint.

Heading towards the tallest tree, I started flash stepping up as I teleported from one branch to the next. It was slow at first, due to the cooldown of the spell but the more I used it, the more proficient I became.

The more proficient, the shorter the cooldown.

I could now [Flash Step] every ten seconds, mana withholding.

Standing at the top of the tallest tree, my routine had already been etched into my mind. The process was habitual now, as I activated [Keen Sight] and scanned the area. I didn't know which way they were coming from.

They might not even be coming.

There was still the possibility that they were only passing through.

Whatever the case was, I would wait.

Thirty minutes passed with only a few sporadic glimmers appearing in the distance. Glimmers that indicated a creature was there; small singular creatures for the most part. A few dire wolves were running around but in general, activity was low.

An hour went by and still, nothing humanoid had appeared.

Then as I was about to call it quits, five glimmers of light shined in the darkness. All of them headed towards my location. They were moving slowly, cautiously almost as they stuck close together.

They were here.

Well, it was time to stalk my prey now.

Flash stepping from tree to tree as time permitted, I gradually began to close the distance as the five marked targets continued on their way. Oblivious to my presence in the trees, they would be in for a surprise.

I had made my way through the forest until the sounds of footsteps reached my ears. Stopping in my tracks, I crouched down on the branch I had been standing on and continued to watch. Nearly sixty feet above the ground, I could barely hear the men.

Five men slowly creeping through the night.

All wearing medium to light armor and armed with daggers and swords… rogues, most likely. They weren't balanced for any Player versus Environment action. They reminded me of a raiding party, purely a Player versus Player aspect to them.

They, were suspicious.

After they passed by, I dropped down as silently as I could and began to circle around them. Stalking my prey, I closed the distance until I was within audible hearing range. They were conversing quietly but I could hear it now.

Hushed whispers, loud in the silence of the night.

"You think we can pull this off?" asked a deep voiced man.

"It's almost two in the morning where he's from," answered another.

"Dude it's a weekday, no way he's on," replied a squeaky voiced one. "Plus he's the only player, it says so all over the net."

"How do you know its two in the morning where he's from?"

"Someone said they recognized him from a west coast meeting, for testers and shit."

They continued on but I didn't care to listen anymore.

I would kill four and leave one for questioning.