Chapter 1

“Did I faint?”

It would not be the first time Nick fainted while playing video games. The other kids during his high school years often teased him about it. He would play video games and completely forget to eat and drink. Once he lost track of time and played for nearly 30 hours straight before collapsing.

Needless to say, if it was not for the, “real world,” then games would be Nick’s life.

“Too bad I’m not that good at them. Why am I thinking about that now? Something serious is happening. Or rather, nothing is happening.”

Nick floated in darkness. His body felt numb, or more accurately, it did not feel like it was there. Occasionally he felt the sensation of pins and needles, which gave him the sensation about the shape of his body, but it was very mild and passed quickly. He raised his hand to his face but could not see it. So complete was the darkness that Nick couldn’t be sure if he raised his hand or not.

He strained to listen. Nothing. In fact it was so silent even the usual rush of blood in his ears, often heard when devoid of sound, was absent. No smells, either. It felt like the darkness permeated all his senses in some mysterious and supernatural way.

“Did I die? Am I a ghost?”

Nick heard his own voice and quickly decided ghosts can’t talk.

“I’m alive then. Is this a coma? Am I trapped in my own body?”

He recalled something he watched on the internet about people who were conscious but trapped in their own bodies. Panic started to swell in his chest. Most of the documentaries described it as a living hell.

And then there was salvation.

A large silver door appeared before him. Or rather, he suddenly noticed it was there. He did not think he had looked in a different direction but it was as if it manifested from the corner of his eye then presented itself in his view.

It looked like a movie screen turned ninety-degrees that displayed only white light. It’s edges, while straight, seemed indistinct. He gazed on it and the longer he gazed on it the more substantial he felt. He could see his finger tips, then his fingers, and then his hand. He could feel again.

The edges of the door seemed to be stitched open by moving geometry. Light gathered like dust motes, coalescing into a line which bent and moved at right angles, moving towards the edges of the door and pulling it open. And once that circuitry served its purpose it dissipated, only for the next circuit to move quickly into the new space. It gave Nick a feeling that the door was not going to last.

A voice echoed from the portal, like crystal notes played on a perfectly tuned instrument, “Enter.”

So he did only what he felt was natural: he moved to the door. He did not want to be trapped.

The darkness opposed him.

He noticed it when he started to move in earnest. It felt like an ocean of black oil, surging and receding like a powerful tide. Nick felt his body tossed closer to the door and then dragged away from it like he was caught in a rolling wave. When it pulled him away he fought to tread in place. When the darkness surged forward he rode it to inch closer to the door.

“Slumber with us.”

The darkness spoke. Or rather, it reverberated those words from everywhere. He could feel it shake him down to his bones.

Nick turned around. That was a fatal mistake.

The oily black was nothing but a conglomerate of menacing faces which could now be seen because of the light from the door. Each one a violent emotion. Each one staring hungrily at him. He screamed. In that instant the darkness rushed forward to claim him.

He screamed.

“Grab him! Don't let Ouroboros have him!"

And then hands pulled him through the door from behind.

Nick blinked his eyes several times. Bright spots in his vision blinded him. Geometric phosphenes danced his vision, forming complex circuit patterns. His eyes hurt. He squinted his eyes desperately and shielded himself from the glare with his hand, then shut them tightly, but the patterns, their after-image counterparts, continued to obscure his vision.

Once the after images passed the confusion set in.

He was on his back and he was real. He felt real. Nick took a moment to pat his face, verifying his body was solid again. Looking to his side he saw the doorway of light fading away. Those terrible faces of Ouroboros wailed, contained, beyond the portal. As the door faded, so did their wailing, until all that was left was a lingering echo in ones ears. The portal gently dissipated into small motes of light.

Nick looked up and gazed into the blue eyes of the most beautiful maiden he had ever seen in his life. She was straddled over him on her hands and knees and Nick decided he actually died and went to heaven. His heart stopped, then restarted, all because she was looking at him.

He stammered. Once he realized he failed to properly use any kind of spoken language he tried again.

“H-hi,” he said, “I’d do anything for you.”

She tilted her head in confusion and asked him a question. He failed to hear it because he was so entranced by her.

“Hey! Are you alright?” she repeated.

“Yes. Perfect. Stay with me forever,” he said dreamily.

She shot a look to one of the men standing in the corner. He was dressed in an ornately embroidered robe. Nick figured if she was displeased with this man so would he, so as she glared so did he.

“What did you idiots do?!”

“Yeah, what did you idiots do?” he echoed in the same tone. If she was mad at them he was going to be mad at them, too.

Why the hell am I acting like this? Nick thought desperately.

“Be quiet,” she snapped. So Nick obediently fell quiet, nodding his head enthusiastically. Trying to force words only caused them to die as a lump in his throat. Whatever she wanted he was going to give her. A pained look crossed Nick’s face as he realized how stupid he was acting then it instantly disappeared, replaced by the same love-struck face he had before.

Two of the men glanced at each other, guilt written all over their faces.

“You morons!” she screamed raising her hands to her head, “Do you have any idea how many laws you’ve broken?!”

The men she was screaming at seems to hunch up and lose several inches of height.

The female knight looked around, then asked apprehensively, “Where’s Master Sparrow?”

The robed wizards in the room could not look up. In shock she looked at the wall where the silver portal was, which was gone. The only proof it was ever there were smeared occult markings in chalk. For a moment she closed her eyes and set her jaw on edge.

Once she opened her eyes they were hard as glass. She stood up then commanded him stand. Nick scrambled to his feet.

“Stay by my side. Don’t get lost. Don’t get caught. Things are going to get dangerous, understand?”

“Of course. Anything for you. I’d walk over burning coals and face any danger just to see your smile. I’m Nick. Please, tell me your name. I want to get to know you better.”

“Valkyrie. Now shut up.”

While standing next to her he finally got a chance to look at her clearly. He looked into her eyes. Sapphire blue, Nick caught himself thinking though he had never thought of a person’s eyes like that before. In fact, he had no memory of ever trying to hold someone’s gaze as long before. They shined so brightly. He felt if he looked into them long enough he could--

“Stop staring at me.”

Nick looked away but continued to examine her from the corner of his eye while she conferred with the others. Her dress was very ornate. Like a military field uniform to be worn on a parade. It was well tailored and form fitting. The top had a few insignia on it, probably rank and medals but Nick couldn’t be sure, and the bottom was a pleated skirt and knee high boots. I’ve always liked that kind of thing, Nick thought, Of course she, of all people, would wear that. Her long blonde hair reached to the middle of her back and swayed as if in a breeze with each step--

“I said stop staring.” She was still looking forward when he said that. It embarrassed him she could guess he was even after being told twice.

“I’m sorry. If there’s anything I can do to make you happy and bring a smile to your face just let me know and I’ll do it. Anything at all--”

Why am I saying all that? Nick thought furiously.

“Stop groveling.”

Nick’s mouth opened, as if to say something else, then he closed it again. He scratched his head brainstorming ways to get on her good side.

“It’s the influence of Ouroboros. It can’t be helped at this point,” one of the robed men explained helplessly to Valkyrie. It only seemed to incense her further.

“What do you mean it can’t be helped? You cast the spell! Now undo it! It’s bad enough you attempted such a shoddy [Great Summoning] and got one of your own killed! And in this place no less! But to think you’d stoop so low as to use--”

Nick glanced at who he was berating. It was three robed men and a woman who, for lack of a better term, seemed to be dressed as a prostitute.

“It’s Ouroboros. The spell mingled with it and, well, cause it to strengthen and change. I don’t think there’s a way to undo it now. We’re not even sure if it’s even a spell now. We really are sorry. It wasn’t intended to link to you.”

Valkyrie grabbed her head again, “It’s even worse you intended it to link to a night walker!”

Another man rushed into the room. He was dressed in a military garb not unlike Valkyrie’s. He had a full brown beard and mustache which looked like he kept perfectly trimmed.

“They’re coming,” he reported and left.

The faces of the robed men and prostitute blanched. A shadow fell over Valkyrie’s face. She grabbed Nick by the scruff and he obediently followed along with her physical control. Although he was a couple inches taller than her he felt compelled to let her push him around.

“We’re leaving!” she declared, “Fall behind and you die!”

“I’ll do anything to get closer to you.”

Shut up! he demanded of himself.

Valkyrie stopped suddenly and turned to face him.

“Listen to me very carefully,” she whispered menacingly, “If you try and get physical with me, if you even touch me, I’ll cut it off. Got it?”

Nick’s knees flinched closer together.

“I’d never do such a thing,” he said earnestly. I really wouldn’t. You’re cute but you’re pushy.

Valkyrie tilted her head apologetically but kept a hard tone. “Good. Keep it in mind. You screw that up and I’ll abandon you.”

Nick shivered. The idea of being separated from Valkyrie was horrible.

Outside was black on black. The starry sky was above with a pale straw moon, fully waxed, cast shadows everywhere. The buildings, themselves, seem to be made with burnt wood and black stones, and covered in grey soot yet there was no signs of fire damage. Some of it got on Nick’s hand and he wiped it on his pants.

“Look out!”

The bearded knight from before charged by, carrying a long spear that looked to be made of glass and blue light. With a battle cry he rammed it into a shambling mass of rotten flesh that seemed to be rolling towards them. He hit it with such force the shambling mass was lifted off the ground and pinned to a wall after running with it for another ten or so feet.

The robed men followed up as soon as the bearded knight leapt back. Long red jets of flame shot out from their fingertips and engulfed the shambling mass. It screeched, flailing, and then burst into embers racing into the sky. Any evidence it ever was was completely reduced to black soot in mere moments. Their movements almost seemed choreographed.

Nick could only stare dumbfounded.

“Look out you idiot!”

He turned to look at Valkyrie berating him and was blindsided by a flying creature. It hit him head on, body-to-body, hard enough to instantly bloody Nick’s nose. Both of them tumbled to the ground.

The creature had claws, sharp ones, and used them viciously. Only by a stroke of luck did Nick manage to grasp its wrists and hold it at bay. It was not stronger than Nick but it was more determined to hurt him than Nick was to hurt it back. The imp was born to inflict pain and Nick had none of those instincts. This alone gave it all the advantage it needed. It buffeted its wings, to little effect, but also kicked at him leaving quickly forming bruises and lashed with its tail, leaving welts. It even attempted to bite madly at every opportunity. Under the sheer weight of the killing intent Nick froze up, only capable of holding onto the imp’s arms and do little else.

And then its head was gone. Just simply gone. He heard it bounce some distance away. Valkyrie has sliced it off with one perfectly placed attack. Her sword, a long curved saber, had the same translucent appearance as the other knight’s spear. She looked more elegant, and more menacing, than the bearded knight at that moment.

The imp’s body stiffened and Nick quickly shoved it to the side. It arched a bit, then veins of orange light appeared on its body. In a flash it disappeared into embers like the shambling mass from before.

Nick scuttled away on his butt like a scared crab, until he bumped into Valkyrie’s legs.

“Are you okay?”

He nodded, looking up at her. Although he was several inches taller she seemed to tower over him at this moment. She had a splatter of blood on her arms and stomach. Not hers. Nearby were three more dead imps. He failed to even notice she defeated them during his own struggle.

“On your feet.”

He complied, but not just out of adoration this time. He obeyed because he realized if he wanted to live through this he would have to listen to her. The competing instincts threatened to suffocate his mind. He tried to push them back and his panic and love squeezed him more, threatening to push out his very consciousness. His face felt numb. The edges of his vision darkened. The ground underneath him rocked.

“Don’t fight it,” Valkyrie said softly, “It just gets worse.”

She put a hand on his chest to steady him.

It felt like he was back in the door with the ocean of oil trapped with all those devouring faces. It surged and then it receded. His vision cleared and his balanced steadied. He realized to breathe again.

“I’m okay now,” Nick said quietly wiping his face clear of the sweat and trickling blood. Then his eyes and nose.

“Okay, let’s go.”

One of the wizards from before smiled smugly, “So the spell is working somewhat. Maybe we can still use him to--”

“I will leave you here,” Valkyrie threatened with a low tone. The wizard instantly fell silent.

The fighting was intense. The bearded man took the point. He was imposing. A head taller than everyone else, easily, and was muscular but not to the point of lacking agility. The combination of muscle, speed, and size made him lethal to anything in his path. Anything that got passed the bearded knight and the wizards was quickly eviscerated by Valkyrie’s precision swordsmanship. His movements, while expertly delivered, looked slow and clumsy compared to hers.

One of the things that confused Nick was cleared up. Where their weapons came from. They were not wearing sheaths or carried them all the time. Valkyrie and the bearded knight both created them. With an incantation they appeared in their hands. He tried asking but Valkyrie told him to be quiet again, curtly.

“I will explain later.”

However, things were not going smoothly. The fighting was constant. And behind them was a loud cacophony. No one openly stated it but it was clear that if they stayed in this necropolis eventually they would be exhausted and overwhelmed.

“Valkyrie, they’re coming,” one of the wizards fearfully reported.

Indeed they were. The sky was filled with pale-skinned imps. The rising incoherent mumbling of shambling mounds could be heard as well. Mixed in was metal banging on metal.

Valkyrie and the bearded knight met eyes.

“Move!” Valkyrie barked. The wizards bolted.

Nick looked quizzically at Valkyrie. She snatched him by the collar and started dragging him.

“I said move!”

Once he found his feet she let go and sprinted just in front of him, her summoned weapon constantly at the ready. The bearded knight no longer went for decisive blows but knocked enemies aside, not once missing stride. Enemies splayed out of their way as he pushed open a path. Even Valkyrie’s attacks seems shallower, focusing on simply running.

This made Nick scared. What could possibly pressure these warriors so?

And he heard it from behind. Metal scraping on metal, scraping on rock. Thousands of sources.

He looked. There was a sea of undead soldiers. As they chased them they slashed at everything in their path, even themselves. Their violent hatred of the living could be felt as goosebumps on Nick’s neck.

He screamed.

“Look ahead and fun faster!”

He complied with Valkyrie’s demand. But he was no warrior. Nick only filled his spare time playing video games and had a very sedentary lifestyle. Despite the fact he was still fit looking in no way meant his muscles were conditioned for continuous stress. He slowed the harder he pushed. Soon he was gasping and faltering.

The wizards and prostitute had no intention of slowing for him. Nick quietly cursed them for bringing him into this danger and them ditching him.

Valkyrie looked at Nick and met eyes with the other knight. Wordlessly they split their defenses. The bearded knight with the wizards and prostitute and Valkyrie with Nick. If Nick fell too far behind she’d stay with him and the bearded knight would press on.

“Through here!”

The bearded knight kicked a door and it splintered. Those following him fell in behind. Nick could hear another door splinter under the knight’s foot. Him and Valkyrie followed in close behind but were losing space.

“Don’t slow down!” she demanded. He was spurred on. But the distance was still, although bit by bit, was growing noticeable. His lungs were burning and he could feel his limbs starting to tremble. Soon they were tracking the bearded knight’s party by sound, though it still seemed like Valkyrie knew the way.

Then they heard it. One of the wizard’s screaming in mortal agony. Then a loud, “whooshing,” sound above.

He looked.

Valkyrie snatched him and pulled him under an overhang, covering his mouth before he could scream. Even she was trembling.

A dragon, its body about the size of a bus with a wingspan twice as large. It’s black scales glinted.

A hand landed next to Nick as the dragon flew over. The wizard’s hand. The wrist was mangled as if bitten off in the most haphazardly way possible. Shortly following was a splash of blood and tiny bits of gore. Nick could only imagine it was at least half the blood the wizard once had.

He wanted to pray but realized he knew no prayers. He was never religious but at that moment he could not resist seeking out help in a higher power. Any help at all. He understood the feelings a mouse has when hiding from a cat. The reality of being eaten alive caused Nick’s ice to run cold and he froze up on the spot.

Valkyrie put her hand on his chest again.

“It’s dragonfear. It will pass as the dragon leaves.”

“There’s no way it'll--”

Nick stopped mid-sentence. It was clear Valkyrie was under the same effect. Sweat was beading on her forehead. Her hand shook. But looking at it objectively her face was still hard and focused. She had not lost her cool even under the assault of magical fear. Nick concluded if she can then he should try. Although there was no way he could shrug off the fear that already grasped his heart he realized she was still right about one thing. The dragonfear faded away as the dragon left.

He mustered up the rest of his courage and meekly said, “Let’s keep going.”

She nodded grimly.

The bearded knight and the wizards backtracked, finding Valkyrie and Nick.

“The wizard?”

Valkyrie shook her head. The prostitute covered her mouth and started crying. The bearded knight ordered his group to keep moving. They did so silently but did not slow.

Valkyrie looked at Nick. He followed her. The scene played out again. The bearded knight’s group ahead with Nick struggling to keep pace.

“We’re almost there!” he could hear one of the remaining wizards cry out loud.

The sound of the clanging metal ceased.

The dragonfear, however, returned, and the icy cold sensation once again filled Nick. He seemed to sense it before Valkyrie.

“Valkyrie!”

He pulled Valkyrie under an overhang just before he heard the woosh of the dragon flying over head. The dragon had circled around again, looking for the rest of the bearded knight’s group. Both groups were under cover. Between the two groups was a large open street. If they moved now they’d be easily seen and pounced on.

She waved out to the leading group to keep going.

The bearded knight’s face twisted. Then he nodded after saluting her. The rest of his group, however, had already turned their backs and were fleeing, staying under overhangs and passing through doorways and windows.

Nick wanted to curse at them. For leaving him behind. For leaving Valkyrie behind. For causing this entire mess.

But he kept quiet. The risk was too great.

The dragon flew over again.

“What’s your name?”

“Nick.”

“Nick. We will be fine.”

“I believe you.”

He still trembled though.

“Trust me, okay?”

“Okay. I trust you.”

“We’re going to have to run across.”

“I was really hoping you were not going say that.”

“If we stay the undead will catch up and we’ll die. If we run we live. We have to.”

“Okay.”

“Believe me.”

“Are you convincing me or yourself?” Nick was making a half-hearted joke.

Valkyrie let out a, “Cheh.”

“Ready?”

“Ready.”

They both took a synchronized breath and started sprinting.

The dragon instantly pounced on them. The shock wave of its landing alone threw both of them into the air, separating the two into different directions. A swipe from its claw, desperately blocked by Valkyrie’s sword, sent her rolling shoulder-over-shoulder down the road.

Nick was far less lucky. The swiping tail hit him on accident, lifting him into the air. He was fortunate that the part of the tail that hit him was closer to the dragon’s body and impacted softer, otherwise the impact alone would have killed him. However, it was still enough force to lift him into the air and onto the roof of the nearby building. He crashed unceremoniously onto a pile of rubble.

When he came to he could hear the dragon talking.

“It’s been a while since I savored a meal. Won’t you join me for supper?”

He could hear the dragon talking to Valkyrie.

“Why can a dragonspawn speak?” Valkyrie asked, rasping.

“I can answer but I don’t want to.”

He crawled desperately to the edge. He could feel crepitus in his arm. Partially broken, maybe. He could not be sure as it hurt too much.

The black dragon was before her, stalking forward. Valkyrie was backing away, glowing weapon drawn, but trembling openly. Her face, however, was still stern but only from resignation. She was caught in the open. The only reason the dragon had not killed her yet was because it was toying with her.

Nick couldn’t accept it. His feelings for Valkyrie flared up. He had to be by her side and protect her. He desperately looked around for a weapon. The only thing in view was splints of wood, rock and rubble in this derelict city. He was on top of a acropolis, a temple, anyway. He had no clue how all this rubble got up there anyway.

One of the pillars, however, was cracked and leaning out. It look precarious to be next to, like it would fall at any moment.

Nick wondered if his prayer got through earlier and braced himself against it. If it didn’t fall at the right time it would not pin the dragon.

“C’mon. C’mon. C’mon!” he found himself screaming at the end as he strained. He felt something pop in his should but he ignored it, unflinchingly pushing forward under the double motivation of survival and adoration.

There was a soft grinding sound. Then a crack.

“Eh?”

The dragon looked up, too late. It had time to flinch but not move.

The pillar crashed down on it, then broke over it’s long neck, pinning it to the ground.

“I’ll chew you slowly for this!” it hissed, its voice straining as it struggled. It was obvious it would eventually work itself free.

“As if I’ll let you!” Valkyrie screamed, charging forward and thrusting her saber into its skull.

The dragon thrashed, partially breaking free and knocking back Valkyrie onto her haunch, but the lethal blow was struck. The saber, glowing brightly, sunk deeper into its head. It flopped it’s head down, flatly, and posthumously trembled with its eyes rolling into the back of its head.

Just with all the enemies before it burst into embers. But this time, instead of floating into the sky, the swirled around Valkyrie as she stood there, absorbing them.

“I can’t believe it. Lucky. Lucky,” Valkyrie panted. She stood slowly, her hands on her knees.After a moment she called out as loudly as she could muster the strength to, “Nick? Nick!”

A moment later she gently touched his shoulder. Nick was laying, nearly unconscious, under the stump where the pillar once was.

“You’re hurt,” she said as he nursed his arm while also limping herself.

Nick tried not to laugh. His face turned red holding it back. It was too much. The entire situation was just too much. Eldritch horrors trying to eat him, falling in love, watching someone eaten alive, the undead army, demons, and now slaying a dragon. All this in under an hour.

The sound of metal beating on metal started up again.

“Let’s go,” Valkyrie said. She was limping but still moved with impressive speed.

The dragon’s presence caused most of their pursuers to back off, whether from fear or because it demanded a solo hunt. It gave them plenty of space to move, for now.

“The edge of the necropolis is close,” Valkyrie said, pointing.

In the distance, just passed the last few buildings, was small torch lights. A camp.

The light of hope.

Behind them was the rancor of the undead.

“If we run we live,” she said.

“I’ll follow you.”