Chapter 7- To Command The Dead
[Name: Ravon Aegismort
Faction: Undead
Race: Skeletal Commander
Rank: Aspirant
Level: 5
Exp: 0%]
[Attributes
Strength: 10
Vitality: 5
Defense: 10
Agility: 1
Dexterity: 1
Intelligence: 1
Will: 1
Charisma: 5
Perception: 1
Magic: 0
Total: 35]
[Skills
Passive – Bulwark Frame
Any attribute points allocated to Strength or Defense are doubled upon distribution.
Active – Defiance of Death
Activates automatically when the user receives a fatal blow. Instead of dying, the user remains on the brink of death for 10 minutes. If the user is not healed or combat doesn't end within that time, death occurs.
Cooldown: 1 day
Cost: Low Health (triggered)]
Xarion stared with wide eyes at Ravon's skills. Despite lacking facial muscles or skin, the skeletal warrior somehow gave the impression of a smirk.
"Impressive, is it not?" he asked, his voice full of confidence.
Xarion agreed. He had every right to be confident with those skills, both of which would have been considered hero-worthy back in the day.
Bulwark Frame was an excellent passive skill with a similar effect to Xarion's own Hero's Journey, both granting increased attributes compared to a regular person. While Xarion's skill was more generalized, Ravon's was specialized in Strength and Defense, which suited a shield-and-greatsword user perfectly. If he invested most of his points into those stats, he'd be an impenetrable bulwark.
His active skill, though, was perhaps even more extraordinary. It was a literal trump card, capable of turning the tide of any battle. The skill allowed Ravon to survive any otherwise fatal blow. Even Xarion, back in his prime, would have been forced to battle him for ten minutes before he could win. As long as Ravon could end the fight during that window, he'd survive, making Xarion momentarily green with envy at the idea of practical immortality. If he'd possessed such a skill during his betrayal, maybe he would have escaped. Maybe he would have won.
After some thought, Xarion's envy faded like footprints on a beach, replaced by purpose as he recalled the skill he now possessed.
[Skill Activated:
Available Skills to copy:
- Bulwark Frame
- Defiance of Death]
[Skill Copied: Defiance of Death]
Although both skills were excellent, Xarion felt the active one would be more useful. Hero's Journey already gave him an attribute advantage, while Defiance of Death provided a powerful and unique effect that could save his life in a desperate situation.
As the copied skill registered in his status, Xarion smiled and beckoned Ravon to stand. "Thank you for your loyalty," he said, acknowledging the man's earnest submission. Xarion had a strong sense of the kind of person Ravon was, and doubted the skeletal commander even knew what betrayal meant. Even so, Xarion kept his guard up, he wouldn't make the same mistake twice.
"Of course, my lord. Now tell me, am I to command a mere single soldier?" Ravon asked, pointing toward the sole skeleton Xarion had almost forgotten.
"That's right. I still have some Death Essence to use." He turned back to the Spawner and used the last of his remaining essence on more Aspirant skeletons. Though individually weak, they would make a fine test run for their boisterous commander. The building pulsed once more, and fourteen more skeletons, uniform in appearance, emerged and lined up in a neat row.
"Walk forward," Xarion commanded. The soldiers obeyed without hesitation, walking forward until they hit the wall. "Return," he said, making them walk backward in unison.
"Phfft, hahahaha!" Ravon began laughing heartily at the sight.
"What's so funny?" Xarion asked, confused.
Ravon stopped laughing and looked at him like a teacher addressing a student. "You don't need to verbally command your forces. All undead are linked to you telepathically. All you need to do is think, and they shall obey."
Xarion tried it and was surprised to find it worked. He ordered the troops to walk in a circle and jump lightly into the air, each command felt as natural as moving his own limbs.
"That's incredible," he muttered, watching the display.
"Of course! And fear not, in battle, so long as you issue basic commands like 'attack' or when to save active skills, they'll act semi-independently. At least, as much as an egoless undead can." Ravon continued watching the troops with approval.
"Egoless?" Xarion asked.
"Those without independence, pretty everyone aside from you and myself. I'll obey any orders you give me, but I don't need micromanagement to function," Ravon explained.
"So you'll obey anything I say?"
"Within reason, as long as it doesn't violate my creed."
Xarion stopped commanding the troops and turned to face him. "And your creed is?"
"Simple: never be cruel, never be cowardly, act with honor, know the difference between enemies and innocents, and most importantly…" Ravon began counting on his fingers but suddenly paused.
"And?" Xarion prompted.
"I can't seem to recall…" Ravon admitted, his golden eye-lights dimming.
"Mind if I ask you something personal?" Xarion asked.
"Of course. I have no secrets from you, my king."
"Who were you before?"
"Before what, my lord?" Ravon tilted his head.
"Before the dead. What was your life like?" Xarion asked, treading carefully, unsure if it was a sensitive subject.
"It seems you've misunderstood something, my lord. The undead may be made of the flesh and bones of the living, but we are not the same as them. Where this form came from or how I came to be is a mystery. My first memory was but a few moments ago, when we met…" Ravon trailed off.
"Then how do you have a creed? And why can't you recall the last part of it?" Xarion pressed.
"Hmmm… that's an excellent question. But I'm afraid I don't know the answer. That should be enough questions for now, don't you think, my lord?" Ravon asked, hoping to change the subject.
Xarion sensed his discomfort and moved on, more eager now than ever to put these troops to the test.
Xarion walked back up to the Labyrinth Statue and opened the shop menu, purchasing something he had seen earlier while browsing the common tab. A large kite shield made of bone appeared in his hand as his last core vanished from his status display.
"You'll be needing this." Xarion tossed the shield toward his hero, who caught it with practiced ease and immediately equipped it.
"Much obliged, my lord. I'll make good use of it," Ravon replied, nodding with respectful gratitude.
Xarion gave a curt nod in return and selected the Abyss from the labyrinth interface.
[Select Floor
-1
-2
-Locked]
Without much thought, he selected Floor 2. He doubted any enemies remained on the first level, having already cleared it earlier.
[Select Forces for Deployment
-Hero: Ravon Aegismort
-Troop: Skeleton (15)]
There was no reason to leave anyone behind. With a final confirmation, Xarion selected everyone, and a moment later, he and his small undead force found themselves in an entirely new environment.
Although they were still underground, the difference was immediately apparent. Unlike the dim, cavernous tunnels of the first floor, this area was teeming with alien vegetation. From a distance, the plants appeared to be made entirely of stone. Massive flower-like structures emitted soft glowing light as they swayed gently to a breeze that didn't exist. Everything around them felt surreal, almost like a dreamscape crafted from earth and crystal.
"Quite the strange place," Ravon commented first, taking point at the head of the group. He tapped one of the glowing stone flowers with the flat of his sword, producing a dull clinking noise. "These plants seem very peculiar... they feel alive, yet not."
Xarion studied the field ahead. Unlike the maze of corridors on the previous floor, they now faced a wide open plain filled with stone vegetation. Smaller tree-like rock formations jutted from the ground sporadically in the distance.
Suddenly, Xarion's high Perception attribute triggered a warning, something was moving through the foliage toward them.
"Be on guard," he ordered, his voice sharp. Ravon immediately turned toward the same direction, raising his shield.
"Stand back. A king shouldn't have to dirty his hands on mongrels," Ravon declared with vigor, stepping forward just as a blur darted from the foliage.
[Race: Lesser Eyeless
Level: 10]
A creature Xarion recognized lunged at Ravon, its jaw stretched wide to reveal rows of glistening, needle-like teeth.
"Begone!" Ravon roared, slamming the creature mid-air with his shield. The impact sent it crashing to the stone grass below. The skeletal troops surged forward immediately, striking the downed monster in a flurry of blows. Bone Crushers echoed among their attacks, each impact cracking flesh and stone-like armor. Though individually weak, their combined force overwhelmed the beast. Ravon ended the scuffle with a precise downward stab of his greatsword.
Xarion watched the short battle in silent approval. He was particularly impressed by how naturally Ravon commanded the troops in his place, adapting quickly and leading without hesitation.
"Good work," Xarion praised, as the creature's death essence emerged from its body.
"Child's play," Ravon said as he collected the essence and accompanying core, surprising Xarion again. At least he wouldn't have to personally loot every kill. "Shall we?"
Xarion nodded, and the squad began their advance through the glowing alien forest, staying vigilant for any further threats.
As they moved, Xarion noticed something peculiar: the skeletons had leveled up. More interestingly, their statuses were identical, suggesting the troops leveled collectively rather than individually.
[Name: -
Faction: Undead
Race: Skeleton
Rank: Aspirant
Level: 4
Exp: 43%]
[Attributes
Strength: 4
Vitality: 4
Defense: 4
Agility: 4
Dexterity: 4
Intelligence: 0
Will: 0
Charisma: 0
Perception: 0
Magic: 0
Total: 20]
[Skills
Passive – Ashes to Ashes
Active – Bone Crusher]
Their attribute points appeared to be distributed automatically, which was a relief. Xarion had no intention of micromanaging every skeleton's stats during combat.
The journey continued with frequent skirmishes. Lesser Eyeless creatures emerged intermittently from the stony growth, ranging from level 10 to 15. Ravon and the skeletons handled them with ruthless efficiency. Xarion didn't lift a finger, there was no need.
Everyone leveled up steadily. Spirits high, they pressed deeper into the crystalline field until something new came into view.
A structure, dark, oddly shaped, partially embedded in stone. At first, it appeared like a natural formation, but as they drew closer, its features became clear.
"Should we investigate?" Ravon asked, visibly energized by the recent battles.
"I see no reason not to," Xarion answered, narrowing his eyes as they approached. As the silhouette became distinct, his brows furrowed. "A barn?" he said aloud, voice tinged with disbelief.
Despite the thick encasement of stone, the structure resembled a weathered farmer's barn. Its double doors were poorly barricaded with a makeshift barriers. From within, muffled noises echoed, groans, growls, and dragging sounds. Something was alive inside. Or many somethings.
"We may need your strength for this, my liege," Ravon warned, gripping his sword tightly.
"Of course. It's getting boring watching you get hit," Xarion smirked, stepping toward the barn doors with purpose.