Heather the Necromancer

Book 2: Chapter 5: Never Again

Heather looked through the dresses she had piled in her room. She needed a proper wardrobe to hang them in, but such a thing was not to be had in the graveyard. Fortunately, her panel did offer her the option of a full bedroom that included a large wardrobe, bookcase, a canopy bed, a large chest of drawers, and a few comfy chairs. She looked forward to getting enough experience to purchase the items, but the experience came slowly.

Grettah returned an hour later and tried the forest again before being chased out by bats. The next day a human player with a bow and a hooded cloak crept into the forest. He killed a dozen bats before going into the graveyard and taking down a few skeletons. Then he wandered down into the crypts and found Frank's dog. The battle was over in seconds, and he never returned.

Two more days went by, and nobody came down the road, but this morning, a group of three arrived. One was an elf woman with a harp who sang songs to boost the others. She fought a little with throwing daggers but otherwise did very little combat. Another was a very short man with a gray beard. He was barely taller than Heather's knee and carried a staff. He threw spells that looked like purple fireworks at the bats. The last was a broad gray-skinned human-like being who held a giant sword. He found it difficult to fight in the trees with the blade, but he shattered skeletons when he hit them.

They cleared the entire site, and Heather went out to meet them in a green dress with golden trim. She told them all about the graveyard and forest and asked them to stay and play some more, but they wanted to move on and find a town to sell at and set a home point.

Heather understood and waved as they went off in search of something better to do.

Well, this will take forever, she said as she looked at her panel. The experience gained for one clearing was a pittance, and her bar hardly moved. She realized now why Frank was leveling so slowly.

With a sigh, she set about reanimating the skeletons around her tower and went into the graveyard to do Franks.

You can just let them respawn, he said as he came out of a mausoleum.

I have nothing better to do, she said. This is boring waiting on levels. I wish there was a way to do it faster.

Frank scratched at the top of his head and shrugged. There is, go kill something.

She looked up at him and looked confused. Like what?

Go kill something in the grasslands. Look for a giant rat or a snake.

And what if I run into one of those carrion worms? she asked.

Kill that, if you can, he suggested.

Didnt you say you didnt think you could kill one?

He shrugged. I think they are the most dangerous thing in the grasslands. They are higher level than the rest to make it dangerous. I never wanted to fight one because they are so big.

And how am I supposed to fight one? Heather asked.

Frank shrugged. Bring your skeletons and use your spells.

Heather shook her head in disbelief. My most powerful spell is a touch spell. Im not getting close enough to touch one.

Use your weapon then, he suggested.

My weapon? she laughed.

You still haven't picked a weapon proficiency, or your third class have you?

She started to pace in irritation as his eyes followed her. And what am I supposed to use for a weapon? My scythe?

Frank scratched at his head as he thought about it. Is that a valid weapon?

Heather looked at the tattoo on her arm and sighed. I don't know. I guess I wasn't ready to think about fighting yet. I have been playing house.

Frank stood by silently, and she realized he didn't have any words of advice.

I suppose this is something I need to face too. She rubbed her tattoo, and her panel flared to life. She poked at the ghostly screen with a finger as she paced and looked at the options.

So recluse has only light weapons as an option, she said. As if I knew what that meant.

I am sure it has a list of weapons that are light, he said.

She tapped and a menu and nodded. Dagger, knife, club, sickle, hook, hand axe, and short sword.

What does the necromancer have?

She tapped the screen a few more times and pulled up the same list. This one had a lot more options, with most of them having long poles. She toggled through a few screens until she saw the scythe.

I can pick the scythe as a weapon, she said. But it looks different as a weapon.

How is it different? he asked, getting up to look over her shoulder.

She held out her arm so he could see it clearly and pointed at the picture.

It has a straighter shaft, and the blade is less curved, he pointed out. What are these class options?

She looked at the weapon screen and tapped the button pulling up an assortment of options.

You can modify the weapon based on the classes you pick, Frank said.

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Like what?

He leaned over her shoulder more, and she closed one eye not to see his dead gray skin so closely.

Like if you were a fire mage, you could make the blade burn, or an ice mage would make it cold. The druidic options can make it cut plants rapidly.

Great, so not only do I have to pick a weapon, but I have to customize it? Why can't anything be easy?

He stepped back and shrugged. I would love to have your options for things. You should be happy you have so many fun tools.

Heather sighed as she realized he was right. I'm sorry, I got childish again. I am just bored with how slow the experience is.

I think Quinny's idea about the town is a good one. If we can get one nearby, it will mean lots of players, and the experience will be faster.

But we need another player to have a class that can build a town, she pointed out.

You still have your third class to pick, he reminded.

She looked at her panel screen and chewed on a lip. She really didn't want to pick any of the town classes. She had her heart set on a class that she wanted instead. However, this was the reason she hadn't chosen it yet. Now that she was third level the moment she picked her last class, she would be stuck with it. She was holding out hope that somebody would come along to make a town, and she would be free to choose what she wanted.

I will think about it, she said.

Well, you can choose a weapon now and modify it later, he suggested. That way, you can start to earn skill in it.

I have to earn skill in it? she asked.

He nodded his head, sending drool flying. All weapon skills start at skill ten. You have to use them to level them up.

She looked at the panel and cycled through the list of spears, long hooked poles, and serrated swords. She went back to the scythe and with a shrug, pushed the button.

A light formed at her feet rapidly growing into the shape of the weapon and in a flash, left it lying at her feet.

Well, that's handy, she said as she looked down on it. If only we could order a pizza this way.

You should get a black hooded cloak to go with that, he teased as she bent down to pick it up.

She was prepared for it to weigh a ton, but to her surprise, she lifted it easily. With the but end of the pole planted firmly in the ground, the blade was still a full foot over her head.

Does this look stupid? she asked.

No, I think it suits you, he said. It's the perfect necromancer weapon.

She held it out with one hand and found it unbalanced. She had to use both hands to get any sense of control and gave it a few good swings.

Why does this feel so light? she asked.

Its your weapon. Anything that is bound to you like the weapon will be easy for you to use.

But what happens if I die or I drop it in a lake?

It will despawn and come back to you an hour later or so, he replied. Remember the Death knights sword? That was a bound weapon, and it vanished when he died.

But his sword could be leveled up, she said. Can I level my scythe?

I think thats a class feature of his. You seem to be able to add traits of your other classes to yours.

So with the recluse, I can add the power of being alone? she mocked as she swung it again.

To be honest, that looks like a frightening weapon, Frank said. I bet people will be scared to see you coming at them with that.

she gave it another swing and then held it out.

Beware! she cried. I have come to kick butt and cut your grass, and theirs a whole lot of grass!

Frank bust out laughing. Did you just make a pop-culture joke?

I watch movies, you know.

Frank shook his head. That comes from a video game, not a movie. Are you sure you're not a gamer?

I have a brother, she said. He played games all the time. Its the only reason I know the word paladin.

Well, it was a good use of the joke so well done, he said.

She smiled at his compliment and shouldered the scythe before going back to the earlier conversation.

So, the only way to level faster is to fight things?

We have to go out and fight, or bring more players in to play, he replied.

Heather nodded and looked back at the skeletons gathered around her tower.

I have no faith in their ability to kill a carrion worm, she said.

I wouldnt bet on it, Frank said. It would take every skeleton in the graveyard plus yours to kill one.

Heather looked back at him with a smile on her face. Maybe it could.

It could what? he asked.

We could lure one of the worms here and have our skeletons all attack it at once, she said.

He looked at her with narrow eyes. Lure it here how?

One of us will have to bait it, she said.

And which one of us does that?

She smiled at him, and he shook his head.

You should do it, he said.

Me? she said. It was my idea. Why do I have to do it?

I will reset if I die outside the graveyard, he reminded her.

I can give you a stone, she said with a bat of her eyes.

You run faster than Quinny or I, and you won't lose anything if you die, he said. You have nothing to worry about.

But what if it kills me for good?

It wont, he stated flatly.

Youre not being very helpful, she scolded, as her hands went to her hips.

If you can lure one back here, I will help kill it. I will even get Quinny to have her skeletons waiting at the gate to ambush it.

Fine, she said with a proud snap of her head. I will bring one back myself.

You dont have to do this, he said. I was just teasing you.

I ran from the thing once before with an injured foot. I am sure I can outrun it with a good one.

Don't go too far, Frank said. You will still get tired if you have to run a long way.

Heather shouldered her scythe and walked to the gate of the graveyard.

Make sure Quinny is ready for when I get back, she said as she stormed away.

As she got into the trees, she felt her heart starting to race.

It's a worm, Heather, she scolded herself. It isn't very fast. Just get its attention and run back.

She set her chin high and marched through the forest, but the closer she got to the road, the more nervous she became. When she reached the road, she shook from head to toe and carefully crept out, looking all around. She heard a branch crack and jumped in terror, searching the forest for the sound.

When she saw nothing, she stamped a foot in embarrassment. Youre not a child, you can do this! she shouted. She felt secure in her confidence for only a few seconds before she heard the worm roar.

Heathers scream echoed through the forest as she ran.

This was stupid! This was stupid! This was stupid! she repeated over and over as she ran down the trail. Behind her, she could hear the reverberating roar of the carrion worm, and the snapping of branches as it raced over them. She didn't have the courage to look behind her to see how close it was. She just ran as fast as her legs would carry her.

She turned the curve by Quinnys mound and nearly tripped as she ran for the gate. She realized a long dress wasn't a good pick for running but didn't have any choice now. She was grateful as she arrived at the gate to see three skeletons waiting. One of them had the spear Quinny looted earlier.

Its coming! she yelled as she passed the skeletons.

What already? Frank said from inside the graveyard where he stood with Quinny.

Heather didnt have to answer as the worm barreled around the corner and into the waiting skeletons.

Order your skeletons to attack it! Frank shouted to Heather, but she noticed they were already coming. She ran to Frank and Quinny as the skeletons joined those of the graveyard and charged in.

How did you find one so quickly? he asked.

It was on the road right outside the forest! she yelled. I didnt see it until it was already chasing me!

Well its hear now, Frank said and took a deep breath before running in.

Heather watched as the worm decimated skeletons. Frank threw himself on its side and began tearing away with his claws. The worm was already cut in a dozen places by the skeletons, and a spear protruded from its body, but it didn't seem to be slowing down.

I am going to help him, Quinny said as she ran in with her arms out.

Heather watched as Quinny tried to tear at it with her hands, but the worm lashed out with a tentacle and knocked her aside. A pair of them grabbed at Frank and slammed him to the ground before turning on more of the skeletons.

What do I do? she said to herself as Frank got up and slashed at a tentacle.

She looked down at her wrist and brought up her panel, going quickly to her spells.

How do I cast rotting bolt? she asked it.

Ding! -[Rotting Bolt]

She scanned the spell description and saw something she wasnt ready for.

I need a piece of bone? she grumbled. She looked around and saw more than half the skeletons lying in broken heaps. She scrambled to grab a loose finger bone and held it in her hand. She referenced the page and pointed the bone at the worm.

Zarrus necrotis! she yelled.

A green light formed over the bone and fired in the direction she was pointing. It created a pulsating ball and shot off in the direction of the worm, striking it on the side.

The worm let out a sickening roar as green goo spread over a small area followed by that area seeming to rot nearly instantly and create a festering wound.

Quinny bit the worm in the side as Frank slashed away at grasping tentacles, but Heather couldn't tell if her spell had any real effect.

In frustration, she pointed the bone fragment and repeated the spell.

Zarrus necrotis!

A second bolt struck the worm, and it wailed and thrashed as the festering wound grew larger.

The worm lashed to the side and pulled Quinny off her feet. In an instant, it dragged her to its gaping maw and prepared to bite down on her.

No! Heather yelled and ran in with her scythe in hand. She swung the weapon like a golf club and cut upward slicing through the mass of limbs around Quinnys legs.

It produced a horrible wail and turned on Heather, but she quickly followed her slice with a downward stroke burying the blade in what she assumed was its head.

The monster twitched, and its ring of black eyes rolled about before it lurched to one side and started to convulse.

Thank you! Quinny said as she struggled to get the green ropes off her legs.

We did it, Frank said, panting from the side.

Heather stepped back, leaving her scythe embedded in the monster.

I am never doing this again! she cried.

You did really well, Frank said. Was that one of your spells I saw you casting?

She looked up at him with panicked eyes and nodded.

Between your claws and her spell, you two butchered it, Quinny said as she got up. I hardly did any damage to it.

The skeletons did a lot of the damage, Frank said. We helped finished it off.

Heather looked around to see only one skeleton remaining and wondered how close it was.

Did it help anyone? she asked.

I am close to my next level, I think, Frank said.

I dinged! Quinny cried. Im level two, and I am most of the way to three!

I bet if you got another worm, she would level to four, he suggested.

Im not leading another one of those horrible things back here! Heather shouted. Not even to-

Ding! [Necromancer level 4: Recluse Level 3]

She jumped in panic at the noise and stamped a foot in frustration.

I hate this world sometimes!

You may hate it, but you're awfully good at it, Quinny said.

Heather sighed and put a hand to her face. At least I can add on to my tower now.

There is one thing we have to do first, Frank said.

Heather looked up with a raised brow. What?

You have to help me drag this worm away and bury it, he said.

Heather blinked as she looked at the worm that was the size of a car.

Never again, she sighed.