Disclaimer: Gods…I hate this things. Peh, whatever. So I don’t own Ragnarok, it’s the property of Myung Jin-Lee-sama. . And I don’t have any plans for world domination either. There! Are those legal suitors happy?

Second installment to my very late update! Yay! Go me!

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Chapter 6: The Undead Cometh

Pacing back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth. Back and forth.

Captain Loki said to wait for him here after he “rescues” his wards. He should return later by nightfall, he would casually say.

But in truth, when he would say things like that, trouble would just come spouting in just to throw him off his schedule.

And I wasn’t saying out of pure observation and intuition.

Because far on the east side of the city, a shadow loomed ever so close.

One wouldn’t find shadows that fly in the sky a common sight.

Much less a good omen…

…rather an omen of destruction and ruin.

(Earlier that afternoon)

“Captain, I see a large edifice floating towards the city from the east side…” I voice out my observation, as Captain’s steely gaze follows suit.

“It seems to be a large fortress of some sort…”

“Captain, this would spell trouble for the city and it’s inhabitants…it seems this is no envoy of peace…”

“Then, I should hasten to find my objectives at once. I will return by dusk. Keep an eye out for the structure and report to me at once if you find anything out of the ordinary.”

“Aye, Capt…”

A flash of eagle eyes…

“I mean, L…Loki…”

The smallest hint of a smile fleets his face before leaping off the Sanctuary rooftops and leaving me behind.

A smile, no matter how small, but nevertheless a smile…

(End flashback)

The sun had began to set and the floating object was now looming in the suburbs of Prontera. Powerful combinations of runes and spells were written across the whole of the structure. A few were recognizable and, as I can recall, enables one to be levitated.

To levitate a whole fortress, however, could not be a common feat for a mortal.

I just settled at a gargoyle’s back as I still warily observe the floating piece of rock.

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“What the…”

Everything happened in a split-second. The whole object jolted a landing right in Prontera itself. The whole suburbs rippled in the force as spiked pillars from the fortress, which seemed to be made out of bones, impaled itself into the ground. From it opened vents that allowed release for strange tentacles that writhed and pounded at the ground, crumbling anything in their wake.

Their movement seemed to calm down as for a few seconds, before mouths from the tentacles opened again, spewing forth undead, ghouls, and zombies. The creatures began to create a parade that devoured any living thing in its path.

And the worst part is…every living thing became part of the undead procession.

“Oh…cripes…” I seemingly mumbled to myself at the events that occurred within the last five minutes. My wound had somewhat healed already, but if not temporary. I had to do something…

I had my sword-bow ready and a few arrows I had kept for the trip. Not enough…

The roads had quieted down as I trudged in haste, except for the moans and sighs of those who had joined the undead army. I had to search the city armory for extra ammunition, it was careless of me not to note where the armory was earlier.

“HELP! Somebody out there!”

Shit. I jumped to the rooftops to find out where the voices came from. Out in the back alley were two squires, both holding out a growing mob with their lances. Sigh, it would be a pain to add two more “volunteers” for the mob…

“Woah! Ahh! Leggo, we’re gonna die! AAA…” I swooped to grab the two teens before one of the undead was about to take their first bite.

“Chill, bud. I’m here to save both of you, so stop whining already…” I said in calmness, but bit my lip back from voicing out a groan as my arm was stretched from holding the weight of three men in a tether.

We landed in a silent thump behind a small inn as the hook of my grappler dislodged itself from where it embedded.

“Oww….” I rub my sore arm as the two men lay before me in shock and surprise. One was a long-banged blonde teen while the other had a platinum shock covering his steely eyes. Both ruefully rubbed their bums that had obviously broke their fall.

“Huh? What are you two guys looking at?” I asked the two, who stared at me in a bewildered manner.

“Hey…you have the same costume as one of those guys that caused trouble in the suburbs…” The blonde pointed an accusing finger at me.

“Easy on the accusation pal. I may have the same attire but I am NOT the person. Nice way of starting a conversation to the one who just saved your sorry arses back there.” I said in narrow irritation.

“Oh…I’m sorry. Thanks by the way.” The blonde offered a handshake to me. I took it, just out of pure boredom.

“Do you have any idea what just happened here? I mean…where the hell did those foul creatures come from?” The platinum-haired dude asked me as I twined the grapple back to my bag.

“You’re guess is as good as mine. One thing’s for sure, they aren’t here to have dinner with us. It would be they want US for dinner…”

“Man…I just hope my family’s safe…” The blonde was on the verge of tears as his companion laid an arm on him. The blonde sought the other’s comfort.

“Listen, you two wouldn’t happen to know where the armory is?” I asked both of them.

The platinum blonde shifted his head, examining our whereabouts. He then pointed to an alley at the other side of the road we were in.

“There…as far as I can remember, its there on the other side of that alley. My peers buy their weapons at a shop there.”

“Thanks. Gotta go…” I made a dash to the alley.

“Wait! Take us with you!”

“Why? Just hide in their until daylight or something. I gotta hustle.”

“We can’t secure both of our safety if we split. T’would be wise to stick together so we can guard both of our backs.

I ponder on his words for a moment before nodding my assent. Both stood up and strode at my side as I peered out to see if there were other “guests”.

“The name’s Yohann by the way, and this here is Eigis.” The blonde pointed to his platinum haired companion.

“The name’s Strike. My real name is Sturaiker, but that’s just in the Yamato language. Feel free to call me both.” I nodded as we ran in the other alley.

The armory was indeed in the other side, however a four-clawed monster was guarding access to it. Only one way to deal with it…

I fit a lone arrow into my bow as I aim for the creature’s eye. With my tether stretched as far as it can be, I let the arrow go.

The creature somehow saw the glint of metal in the moonlight and immediately brought a claw to split the arrow in to two…

…not realizing that I had bounded under him as I brought the blade of my bow to a half-moon slice across his chest.

It was a shock to me when the creature moved with ensorcelled speed as he nimbly back-pedaled, dodging the swing of my blade across his chest. The slice however, was able to reach a lone arm that flew a few feet to my left.

“Crafty human. Is that the best you can do? Hahahah! Such trickery would not work with me!” The creature laughed, even if he realized one of his four arms was amiss.

“Nay, your dodging is superb, but the weight of your lumbering body will surely betray you.” I replied in mock to his words. One should know the war starts with the taunting and gloating at the beginning of battle.

“Arrogant low-life! Prepare to taste the blade of the children of Jormungand!” The creature made for a charge towards me.

“Whatever…” I said in a droll tone, as I fit another arrow pointing it towards him.

Yohann and Eigis watched in awe, not realizing someone behind them.

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