CHAPTER 33: Bruddanem...
Brenden woke me from the flames of sleep, bright and early with the smell of coffee. He and my mother were sitting on the deck sharing a cup and chatting. From the sound of it they were talking about some childhood escapades of mine involving a potato gun and the police station.
“Don’t tell him that Mom. I don’t need everyone thinking I’m stupid.” I reprimanded.
“I would never think such a thing sirrr!” Brenden stated.
“Oh stop! It’s funny in retrospect, we all know you aren’t stupid honey.” She cheered, as always.
I shrugged, “Tell Arthur that.”
“What does that mean? Does he think you’re stupid?” She asked giggling.
“He’s got quite the sense of humor.” I started off backed by Brenden’s laughter, “Brenden saw the last one. Before that though I said something along the lines of ‘So I was thinking..’ and he pounced on it like a regular Mitch Hedberg. Tongue hanging out, tail wagging along as he cocked his head to the side as if to ask, ‘you can do that!?’ Real nice pup... Ah, speak of the devil.”
Arthur walked out during the explanation and sat next to me then looked up with his head sideways.
“See, like that!” I declared, pointing a finger at Arthur’s face.
He licked at my finger, getting a laugh from everyone. The acting like just a normal dog bit was pretty funny considering how smart he is.
We sat and laughed, sharing coffee and stories of our time before the calamity. After finishing our cups Brenden and I stood together.
“Well, you ready kid?” I asked.
“Indubitably Sir!” Brenden answered, his voice full of excitement.
My obviously nervous Mother looked up at us, “I wish you would stay and wait. I’m sure they’ll be okay, but I know nothing I say will change your mind. Never did before, why would it now...”
“I’ll be fine. If anything goes wrong I have this guy to blow everything up.” I thumbed at Brenden over my shoulder, “Plus, Arthur has a way to keep tabs on me. It won’t work on Brenden since he doesn’t have a copy of the item but if I’m okay, so is he.”
This made Brenden curious. As my mother went inside for more coffee I shared the description of Oli’s BFF Bracelet and talked about the boy who made them for us.
“That is incredible, did he know he was creating a magical item?” Brenden asked.
“I don’t think so. He’s only 7. He was just making us a going away or thank you present.”
“Hmm, he must have unknowingly directed Mana into the crafting somehow. I must meet this future prodigy.” Brenden hypothesized then whispered.
“Maybe. I know I have a few Soul Awakened skills that I use. Maybe he had something similar happen while making them. He’s a funny little man.” I said walking inside to say goodbye, Ava woke up and was sliding out from under Jayce so I spoke quietly, “Hey Ma, we’re heading out. Arthur will take care of you guys. Don’t worry about us.”
“Take care of yourselves, please. I love you honey.” She said, the words making me feel safe again.
“We will.” I said hugging my mom back and heading outside to the boys with a Z.
“Arthur, I know you’ll keep them safe, but don’t snap the bracelet. Not unless I fall, then snap it and get Brenden out. We’ll need it for whats to come, so try to save it please.”
Arthur whined for a moment then acquiesced.
We set off, but as we reached the intersecting road at the top of the long dirt drive a familiar screech invaded our ears.
“EEK BREEK!” Spout screamed in my ear from the tree to my side.
“Jesus!” I said bringing my fists up in defense before realizing who it was.
“Danger, Sir! Quick Toss!” Brenden tossed a charged pebble from his pocket while screaming the name of his skill as if he were an anime character. Probably not even the name of the skill.
“No!”
His arm flew forward releasing the rock and I slapped just behind the pebble with a cast of Gale Charge as he released.
The gust shot the pebble off course. It flew across the road, obliterating a tree on the other side to shower bark and wood chips on our heads, once again.
The bush started screaming at Brenden, “EEK EKEEK EEEEEK!”
“Calm down. It’s just Sprout. Sprout, this is Brenden. He’s a good guy, just a little jumpy.” I introduced the two.
“My apologies Sir Sprrrrout!” Brenden said as the tree across the road began to tip.
“Damn, put enough into that one?” I asked as the tree slammed the road.
“I may have over packed that one a bit much sir.”
“EEK!” Sprout screeched.
“Yeah, right Sprout. A bit he says. That would have blown me and sprout up, you probably would have lost your arms as well. No more throwing bomb rocks after that one.” I said.
“S—Sorry,” He started to break down.
“It’s alright bud, shit happens. Learn from it. Anyways! Good morning Sprout, what’s up bush fella or gal pal?” I said turning to the bush.
“BRRREEK!” Sprout said, removing another nut and passing it to me.
“She’s gal pal,” Brenden said.
She looked at Brenden, checking him up and down for a second, making a noise that sounded a lot like hesitation, then acceptance as she handed a nut to Brenden.
“Ah thanks buddy. We’re heading out, any humans like us that pass are okay, no monsters though. Oh, and don’t shoot my dog either. The big furry fella at camp” I used my hands to gesture, trying to explain everything as simply as I could.
“BREEK!” The bush lady said.
“Pleasure to meet you Sprrrout! Thank you for the boon!” Brenden bowed then we left her behind.
“What boon, and how do you know she’s a girl?” I asked as we walked.
“The nut, ‘tis the boon sir; my profession hit level 5 while brewing potions this morning. I now get many more details on plants and a deep description on plant based monsters and wildlife. You acted as if you knew this, lady plant?”
I laughed at myself for the foolishness again, “I never checked the nut. Man, I suck.” I reached in my pocket and the nut was still there from last night. I stored it in my inventory with a mental cue, “Yeah, I met her on my rounds last night before bed. She kept shooting shit at me and hitting me in the back of the head. She’s a sneaky one. I saw her tag and didn’t want to hurt anything that wasn’t a monster. I get the feeling that she was just a bush that evolved into whatever she is now due to the Mana.”
“Corrrect, that is exactly what it was. If she hands these out to us every time we go out, then we shall be loaded in gear soon enough.” Brenden said.
“I guess you do get a lot of info, huh.” I pinched the nut in my fingers and held it up.
Happy Days Hazelnut
Epic
Crafting / Consumable
+10% Luck
+35% Better Chance of Finding Magical Items
Effects Last 10 Hours. Ayyy!
“Holy shit, you weren’t kidding.” I said after reading the bonus from the nut.
“Shall we indulge now, or wait?” Brenden asked.
“Good question. We did fight quite a bit on our way here but they were all low level.” I said, pausing to weigh our options, “Let’s save them for the dungeon. The previous dungeon I was stuck in didn’t have too many mobs but I’m guessing this one will be completely different. I wonder what type of loot we’ll get from ghost enemies. Gotta be good right?” I asked curious on his thoughts.
“I would assume, Sir Rick. However, if your brrrother has slain everything by the time we reach him I fear it may be a waste.”
“I don’t think so, but if that’s the case then we push into the woods hard and fast or save it for the next adventure.”
“Very well sir! I wonder if she would spare another so I can see what sort of concoction we may craft with the little nut.” I could see the wheels turning in his mind already.
“Bahh okay fine, here... She gave me one last night. Hold onto it and see what you can do. Just give me a heads up before doing anything, yeah?” I handed over the spare, “If you can’t upgrade the buff then we can give the nut to Arthur so he has one as well.”
“Of course!”
We stayed in the road as we ran down the mountain to keep our pace. We ran into multiple mobs on the way, passing most of the Spriggans since the only decent loot they had were potions and the occasional rare core. We chose to fight every meaty monster to gather as much food and leather as possible.
We received quite a few rolls of Basic Beast Leather, which I was itching to mess around with. We also looted a few more health potions each.
I was using more of a rogue type fighting style to avoid drinking through my potions. Rapid in and out strikes, letting Blood Lust drain them if my Arcing Thorn Whip didn’t kill them from a distance after a few strikes.
Halfway down the mountain and a few dozen random squirrel, chipmunk, and the occasional Splitjaw later, and Brenden had finally reached level 20 and we attempted an awkward high five. We slowed to talk about what type of weapon he wanted to use. I didn’t think staff was the best choice to start and was trying to talk him into a Polearm of some sort. While we were speaking, a new idea formed in my head, it was a light bulb above the head moment for sure.
I hadn’t made any weapons since gaining my Makeshift Guru profession and I had a perfect starter weapon in mind if I could talk him into it.
“What about a hammer, like a looong hammer? We need blunt damage, I know I have my Mace for emergencies but it’s my most basic weapon compared to my spear, dagger, and sword.” I said thinking of the materials needed to create the weapon, “It’s basically a staff but with slammer on one end. It would be easier to master and I have an idea for crafting, I think I have almost everything I need.”
“I suppose it would serve well for training. My end goal is a magical staff, and perhaps a dagger or shield. I haven’t decided on an offhand yet.”
“Dagger would be cool but shield would be smarter. Like a small buckler, that way you have more defense to go with your super offensive magic.” I offered my opinion, “I’ll get to work on something when we take a break.”
“Hmm, yes. I do like the sounds of that... Very much! Thank you as always Good Sir!”
“So, I have this spell crystal that I’ve been holding onto, actually I have a couple. The one I’m speaking of is for a summon. I was torn on giving it to you or Arthur, but it seems like Arthur is going to have a lot of spells at his disposal. You have the one spell with variations, but it blows everything up. If something gets close your main spell is too dangerous to use and you’re left without many options. So, this guy should give you some extra back up.” I handed the Spell Crystal for the Glider Rat Summon to Brenden.
He read the spell over, “Are you sure? A spell crystal is a useful thing. You could use it as well.”
“Yeah I’m positive. I already have my backup, now you have yours!”
“Achemm! Well, I must thank you once more fine sir.” Brenden said, choking up for some reason.
“What’s going on? Why are you doing that? Stop it. Stop.” I asked confused.
“Achem! Why yes my Good Sir! Grrrreat! I’m just lucky to have friends such as yourself and Arthur.”
“Okay, Tony. It’s nothing. Absorb it, summon the little guy up!” I said.
We came to a stop and I turned on Manasight.
I watched as he absorbed the crystal.
Pure Mana, almost completely transparent even to my eyes, flushed into a vortex around us. The air turned thick, funneling into Brenden’s palm before covering every inch of his body until he almost shined as if covered in a glossy stain. The thick light that covered his body made his face nearly unrecognizable. In an instant the Mana was vacuumed through every pore of his skin.
The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“Mmm. Still feels amazing.” Brenden said with a smile on his face.
“What does it feel like?”
He responded with one word, “Power.”
“That doesn’t sound ominous, like something a soon to be villain would say.” I said under raised eyebrows.
We both laughed as he said, “Although I could see my background being that of a villains story, I swear to you, I will be anything but.”
“Alright, I’ll take your word. Just try not to stab me in my sleep some night.”
“Or when you’re eating venison.” He said joking.
“Actually, that may be the way I wanna go. Enjoying my favorite food then it just shuts off.”
“Jeesh, who’s the dark one now! A bit much sir.”
“Yeah, probably. My turn!” I said cringing at myself but moving past.
“I’m using this one.” I removed the Spell Tome for Blood Cycle and showed Brenden.
“That, is a great skill sir. I’m guessing at level one its a one for one trade off but I’m sure higher level it will boost.”
“My thoughts exac—” I was cut off as I accepted the prompt and the tome opened on its own.
An abyss appeared in the sky above. Blood red and dark purple passages written in an alien language swirled in the blackened pit high above. Then all together, they fell down.
I couldn’t see anything as I was surrounded in darkness, but the power I felt was intoxicating. Dark Mana permeated every piece of me. I felt as if my soul were being fed pure darkness, and thrived on it. The power and darkness surrounding me poured into my body as light shone through the dark. Mana soaked my skin, bone, muscle and blood, empowering every part of me until it reached its final resting spot in the center of my chest just below my diaphragm.
“Whoa.” I was finally at a loss for words.
“Right.” Brenden said, matter of fact.
Not long after we reached the Rift. I turned Manasight on, realizing I should have done this the prior day to save us the long detour. A brilliant dark purple portal, twenty feet wide and twenty feet tall stood before us. It looked like a tear in space and time.
I looked through the center and I could surprised to actually see the other side.
It was the same area, but with a dirt road and only one erect house standing completely untouched. Rather than the row of dilapidated homes that lined the side of the current asphalt road. I walked to the side of the portal and looked around it down the road. I saw the same house that was in the portal. Only it was updated, then downgraded to rubbish.
“Ready?” I asked, turning off Manasight and looking to Brenden.
“Yes sir,” His voice nervous but excited.
“Looks like we’ll be stepping back in time.”
“Hmm, this ought to be interesting. Shall we, sir?”
“We shall my trusty and definitely not evil Squire.” I said, chuckling at myself.
We stepped through the Rift and a notification lit our HUD’s.
[You have entered Dungeon Rift—“The Mystery of Glastenbury and the Bennington Triangle”—Solve the Mystery of Glastonbury and the Bennington Triangle to Exit]
Ding!
Quest!
[New Quest! “Spooky Ghost Stories: The Bennington Triangle”—Missing Hikers, local tales of horrors and ghosts, chains rattling, groaning men, SO SCARY! Solve the Mysteries that haunt the locals of Southern Vermont—Quest Rewards: Possible Safe Zone, 2500 Experience Points Per Person, 1 Random Epic Tier Item for Each Member]
“Yeah yeah. Let’s take a seat for a minute.” I called to Brenden who was looking around in awe.
There wasn’t much different about the area. Of course it was foggy, can’t have a haunted spooky area without it.
The sun drowned in the rising fog, dyeing the world an unsaturated sepia hue. It was as if most color had been removed from the world. Even the once vibrant logo on my hoodie was grayed out.
I walked to the shed behind the one house. I found a saw and removed the long branch that I cut off of a tree similar to Oak.
The tree was called a Titancrown. My survivalist profession explained that despite its immense strength, it greatly absorbs shock from impacts and is flexible. I also learned that the branches are stronger than the trunk itself, the higher the branch the higher the durability.
Needless to say, I climbed as high as I could for this stick. The branch I removed showed as a Rare Crafting Material and was a pain in the ass to remove. I had to use Conviction’s Claw backed with the cutting force of Gale Charge.
Even knowing what it took to remove the branch, I still removed my old survival knife and attempted to shave down the end of the stick. The bark actually dulled the blade where I struck, trashing my knife in a second.
I removed Blood Lust and as always, she did the job.
I shaved down the end of the branch using quick, Wind-enhanced strokes, molding the shape to fit the Sledgehammer. I attempted to use the saw to cut a slit for a wedge at the end of the branch but of course, the saw blade snapped and did nothing to help. I threw the saw into the back of the shed and walked to the porch to sit next to Brenden.
I removed what remained of the old handle from the sledgehammer head and worked on the branch more.
After an hour or so I finally had a finished polearm handle, kind of.
I cut a piece of Basic Beast Leather into 2 matching rectangles. Using the cork of the tincture, I rubbed Sap of the Six on the back of the leather then rolled them onto the branch. I removed Necrotic Ichor and Hellspawn Ashe, combining them into a paste then covered the entire handle with my invention.
Brenden asked questions each time I used a new item and I gladly explained.
I’m sure it looked like I was a crazy person just mushing shit together, and I sort of was. The items just seemed to speak to me; I somehow knew it would work, but didn’t know how.
“Why don’t you summon your little buddy while I finish up.” I suggested.
“I shall. It will make me low on Mana so we will have to wait a moment before continuing.”
“That’s fine, I’ll have to wait as well. I’m dumping everything I have into this. I want you to be a power house. Actually, let me finish this quick so the little guy doesn’t interrupt somehow.” I said continuing my work.
I used the remainder of my sap, soaking the top of the branch and the inside of the hammer. I put the 2 together, hammering with my Necrotic Mace until the branch was snug inside the hammerhead.
I struck my knee with the Resonance Tuning Fork and held it to the unfinished item as I focused my intent.
The same blue grid appeared and covered the item, moving from the bottom to the top as the note sung out. As the blue glow traveled I pushed small explosions of Mana through the tuning fork, strengthening the already strong wood with purpose.
The Hellspawn Ashe and Necrotic Ichor mixture set in, altering the golden wood. It now had swirling gray and black lines traveling around the haft. I crossed over the Basic Beast Leather and forced more Mana through in a burst.
Each time the ringing fork touched the Armor Material it changed keys, from the high E it usually sings to a low G with an orange glow accompanying the change. It was fighting against uniting the two materials.
I triggered another burst, pinning the Beast Leather with my will. I felt my Makeshift Guru title help override the accepted crafting within the system. The glow on the leather moved through a rainbow of colors as my will and profession battled against system directives. After another burst of Mana the color settled, matching the glow on the rest of the shaft.
I moved up toward the Hammerhead. My Mana was spent so I cast Blood Cycle, exchanging my health for more Mana. I filled my entire Mana bar only using 25% of my Health Points.
Dangerous in battle, but useful here.
I clamped down one last time.
The action grew easier to control, as the shaft welcomed the addition of the sledgehammer. Past battles played out in my mind and I pushed every memory and learning experience into the head of the weapon. The hammer stretched, growing larger as one side reshaped itself into the spike pictured in my thoughts.
The cross peen warped and stretched, drawing out further. I cycled again, the task of shaping the metal was physically painful now and drew out more Mana than I had but I kept the picture in my mind and kept pushing.
“Rrmm. GAHH” I screamed in pain as I fell to my back, my vision going dark.
“Did it work!” I rushed to my feet.
I was inside the housee, lying on an old couch. I looked around and didn’t see anyone.
“Brenden!” I hollered, receiving no response.
How long have I been out?
I ran outside and yelled again at the top of my lungs, “B-REND!”
I waited...
“Back here Sir!” The familiar voice echoed around the house.
“Whew.”
I walked around the house to find Brenden out back. Squirrel circling between his legs as he swung his new weapon around, practicing some of the footwork we’d been working on.
“Glad you’re alright. How long was I out?”
“Only a few hours sir!” He said still swinging.
“Did it work?”
“Did it… Really sir?” He held the weapon out.
The tip was the exact shape I pictured. Full sledgehammer on one side with a straight spiked claw on the back end. The shaft was the same beautiful gold wood with gray and black swirls coiling the length. The Beast Leather appeared to be set into the wood, as if someone sanded down the area where the leather was to sit. I felt no seams or grooves as I moved my fingers from the wood to leather.
I mentally clicked on the question mark above the sledge.
Rapture’s Delight
Unique—Growth
2 Sockets
+25% Chance to Block
+50 Blunt and Piercing Damage
+15 Earth Elemental Damage
+5 Poison Damage Per Second for 4 Seconds
+10 Strength
40% Chance to Knockback
+10% Increased Attack Speed
Grants Skill—Earth’s Divide / Epic—Level 1—Cost: 25 Mana—100% Weapon Damage, +30 Extra Damage as Earth—Slam the ground with weapon to call the Earth beneath you to your aid. Stone erupts from the ground traveling up to 10 yards from impact.
“I made that?” I asked completely flabbergasted.
“Indeed you did. I need to raise my strength to get the full damage from it but I should be able to swing freely after one more level up.” Brenden explained.
“How do you know that?”
“I don’t believe you would see the notifications due to your crazy stats but since my strength is still low I received a notification telling me I need a strength of at least 20 to properly wield the item. I need 2 more points. ‘Tis very heavy, I’ve been swinging it around as a workout.”
“Well, I didn’t know there were stat restrictions, good to know I suppose. That thing is overpowered as fuck.”
“Yes sir, it surely is! I believe you should wield it as our melee fighter. Plus, when I touched it, I saw things. ‘Tis meant for you.” Brenden tried passing me the hammer.
“No, I made it for you. It’s yours. If you get severely overpowered someday and don’t need it, then I’ll take it for sure, but for now, don’t even think about giving it back...” I said.
Brenden grasped my forearm and we shook like Knights of the Roundish Table.
“Let’s go,” I was ready to find my brother and get out of here as fast as possible.
“One thing first, follow me.”
I followed Brenden back into the house. He showed me to the kitchen where 2 words were carved into the counter top.
GO BACK.
There was a note on the table behind us.
Brenden read it out loud, “Once you leave the area surrounding the house you will be stuck until the dungeon closes. There is no coming back. I tried. Over and over. I thought it would be simple. I’ve been in here for a month now. There are more, lost like me. We are staying in Glastenbury. I don’t know if this note will reach any of you but I love you, Ava, Jayce, Lucas. Take care of each other. Signed, Love Cole.”
With my resilience faltering I said, “You should turn back. Go to camp and walk with them to Conviction when they’re ready. I don’t want to drag you into this.”
Brenden was appalled. He shouted with both anger and confidence, “Turn back?! Drag me into—You are not the only person who gets to help! You are not the only person capable of helping others! I’m not weak!”
“I didn’t mean… You’re definitely not weak, and you can probably help more than I can. I just didn’t want to drag you into danger or be the reason you get stuck.” I said trying to save face.
“Nobody drags me anywhere anymore. I am well aware of the dangers I face just being outside. I’m fighting through my fears. While you helped me a lot, I overcame my own demons, and I will continue to fight them off to the gates of Hell.” Brenden said sounding more determined and undaunted than ever.
“Fuck ugh, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t talk like that…” I paused to consider my own thoughts and words, “I think seeing a note like that from my older brother shook something loose inside me. You’ve grown leaps and bounds from the scared kid I met a few days ago hiding in a trailer behind a heap of shit. The gates of Hell bit was kind of bad ass…” I shook my head, angry and ashamed at myself for acting that way, “My bad B, I’m back. Let’s go fuck this place up.”
“You sure? It wasn’t too much?” Brenden asked turning back to grin as we left the house.
I started laughing, “Nah, it was perfect.”
“By the way, 'twas The Great Wall of Barnumville, not, The Heap of Shit” He said while holding his new weapon with both hands making blocking and parrying motions.
We set off through the woods in a straight line toward the town of Glastenbury, which last I knew had a population of two, maybe four.
The sepia toned wilderness gave off a very spooky vibe, especially paired with the thick fog and absolute silence. It seemed like the system or whatever created this caricature was leaning heavily on the abandoned ghost town theme.
Better than underground tunnels with caves the size of my waist and a resurrecting Birdman.
So far anyways.