Droplets of foul black liquid splattered across my breastplate. My sword pierced through the creature's mouth, tearing through its jaw entirely. The zombie twitched, and a hissing groan escaped its lips before crumbling to nothing.

  A grin split my face. Leveling my shield, I charged.

  The closest zombie lifted its sword. A simple twist of my hips saw its sword bounce off my shield and to the side. Twisting again, my blade flashed, and its arm fell to the ground. Throwing my arm out, I slammed my shield into its face, parrying a stray cut as I did, before severing its head from its shoulders. Its body crumbled to ash.

  Another leaped at me, swinging its axe at my legs.

  [Iron Skin]

  My skin hardened. The axe shattered against my leg, peppering the remaining undead with shards of metal. Before the creature could recover, I plunged my blade into its chest and twisted. A sharp pop sounded from the zombie as if every bone in its chest shattered. Its body ruptured into a burst of fetid black mist, coating me in gore. Its body disintegrated, and the black mist that poured out of it seeped into the walls.

  There was a flash in the corner of my vision. Hopping backward, I knocked a descending flail out wide with my sword, using my shield to protect myself from the spiked ball. The next instant, I tore my blade through my attacker's shoulder. Turning the blade, I cut upward, cleaving its torso and skull in half.

  You are worthy.

  No part of me resisted the command. I'd never felt better. Every movement was effortless. My blade carved through limb, weapon, and body as if it were cutting through the air. The remaining zombies put up a token resistance, but they were nothing before me and my peerless blade. The weight of it in my hand, the heft of it. It felt as familiar as my own hands. It was as if the sword was forged just for me, made for me. I couldn't help but smirk.

  This was it. This was my time.

  With a flourish of my blade, the last of the zombies collapsed into a pile of broken flesh and discarded, rusted metal. A triumphant grin spread across my face as I surveyed the destruction I'd wrought.

  It was beautiful.

  Effortlessly, I had killed six zombies. Six! And I hardly broke a sweat.

  I spun the blade in my hand. Its red, glowing runes blurred in the air as I twirled it. Flipping it in the air, the grip returned to my hand with zero effort. Holding it up in the dim light, I marveled at it. It really was a masterpiece. A true work of art. I slashed experimentally with it, admiring the power I felt my blood pulse through my veins with every cut. Every movement was better than any I'd ever performed. This blade was meant for me.

  When I'd had my fill, I realized I'd forgotten something. A thought nagged at the back of my mind... What was I doing, again?

  Vral!

  I turned and rushed back the way I'd come. However, with the blade in my hand, the interior of the keep seemed different. The stones were still aged, the black energy still oozed along every surface, the air was still hot and damp, but everything looked off. There were less debris in the room than I remembered. Instead of four doorways leading out of the room, there was only one. Only the ruined wood of the display case was as I remembered it.

  Heading through the doorway, I found myself back in the long hallway. Except it wasn't long anymore. Before, it looked like it had been thirty yards or so. Now it was less than ten. There was still the alcove we'd ducked into and two others, but the opening Vral had disappeared down was gone. There was only a large set of double doors at the end of the hall. That was it.

  Cautiously, I walked up the hallway. I lifted my shield and took step after cautious step. When I got halfway down the hall, a shark click of a tongue stopped me in my tracks. Turning, I watched as Vral entered the hallway. Her eyes scanned the space, then drifted over me. I waved my shield and went to call out to her, but something seemed off. She didn't give any indication that she could see me. She began walking up the hall, and, when she reached the second alcove halfway up the hallway, her eyes met mine. She nodded.

  "I was almost afraid you'd try to go back for it. Good boy." She patted my sword arm.

  I instinctively pulled the sword away from her. She scanned it and me, but a moment later, all she did was shrug.

  "You feeling alright, bossman?" Her eyes dipped toward my sword again. "You're acting funny."

  I looked down at the sword in my hand. It looked as it always had. Dull grey steel, double edge, a simple crossguard. Nothing more. Certainly not the magnificent blade I'd seen earlier.

  How?

  Nodding, she looked back up at me. "Not thinking about going back for that fancy magic sword back there, are you?" Her voice was mocking, but I could feel the undercurrent of concern beneath her words.

  "I..." Words didn't come. She was going to be so mad at me. I mean, it wasn't exactly my fault. I followed her. I really did! It just so happened to be some illusion or something that guided me back to the sword. Totally not my fault. I went to explain, but, luckily, a groaning sound echoed down the hallway from the large double doors at the end before I could continue.

  "Shhh." She held a finger to her lips. "We're almost there. Just a few more rooms. It's to the left." She turned and walked toward the wall. Just before she would have run into the stone, a shadowy doorway appeared. Within was a room, inside of which I could see the outlines of the same debris we'd been running through for the past hour. So that's how it worked.

  Grabbing her jerkin before she entered the archway, I picked her up, placed her on my shoulder, and walked the final few steps down the hall.

  "What are you doing?" She hissed. It's that way!"

  "No, it's not. It's this way." I marched down the hallway with her squirming in on my shoulder. As I passed the final alcove, I heard her dry heave.

  "Ughh," she groaned, and her body teetered precariously. Her little hands covered her mouth, and she audibly gagged.

  "I've got you." I held her tightly against my shoulder until she calmed down. Whatever had happened, she seemed twice as green as normal. Soon enough, she stabilized. Picking her up and placing her on the ground, it was clear that she still looked green. More than usual, at least. But she seemed to quickly get a hold of herself. Squeezing her shoulder, she looked up at me.

  "How..."

  "Doesn't matter. We're here." I pointed to a large set of double doors at the end of the short hallway. "Let's get this done." My sword hand itched. It was time.

  Without waiting for an answer, I stepped forward and kicked the wooden doors with all my might. Wood shattered. Iron hinges squealed as they ripped from their anchors. Splinters peppered the room beyond. I'd gotten strong since I'd come to this world. Stronger than I'd ever been. But I held back. My conditioning on Earth held me back. But now... I realized I didn't have to. Leveling my sword, I walked into the room.

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  Within the chamber, six zombies knelt before a large stone altar on top of a dais, and a seventh, clothed in fine robes, knelt head to floor at the front. They were arranged in two rows side by side facing the back of the room. From their lips, a whispering, hissing chant filled the room. Above the altar pulsed a large black flame, which hissed and twisted with every echo of their inhuman voices.

  Behind the altar huddled three grey-skinned creatures. Their eyes were wide. They looked like humans but weren't. They were hairless, and their mouths were wide and distended, far too large for their skulls. Their grey skin was pale and covered in dark veins. Black eyes peered out from beneath their brows. Each wore a plate mail, though it was rusted and looked worn. As I stepped forward, they shifted, closing ranks. That's when I noticed that there was a woman behind them. Her hair was golden, and she was clothed in a fine, if dirty, dress.

  Vral made a surprised sound next to me. "Alex, I think she's—"

  "Going to be rescued. By us, right now." Filled with fire, I strode forward. Without hesitation, I decapitated the closest zombie. Its partner stood, but I sent my boot into its chest. Connecting, it stumbled backward and collapsed on the zombie behind it. Stepping forward, I twisted and swept my sword to the left, cleaving a kneeling creature's skull before slashing back to the right, catching the zombie I kicked before it could stand again. My blade bisected it from collar to groin. The next two stood, but a horizontal cleave sent blood spraying in the air, their heads cut clean off.

  That left two.

  One stood and spun, but a swift boot to the chest sent it flying backward onto the altar. Its decayed flesh brushed the black flame. An inhuman screech filled the air. The creature writhed in pain, its limbs moving at odd, unnatural angles. Black fire poured from the altar, consuming it as it withered away until nothing remained but dust. Then, even the dust dissolved into black motes and was gone.

  The final zombie stood and turned at me. A wicked smile split its decayed face. Opening its mouth, its lips broke apart as whispered words rose up from its emaciated throat. "Begone from this place, mortal. This is the home of the dark masters. We prepare it for their return. You do not belong here."

  "And you don't belong anywhere, shitbag."

  "If you will not leave, then you will die." Its lips crumbled away as it cracked a smile. Pointing a single bony finger at me, dark energy cascaded from its rotten form.

  I was able to raise my shield just before the energy struck me, but the black mist passed straight through it. For an instant, every nerve in my body screamed, but a flash of red filled my vision, and the pain was gone. Smirking, I thrust my sword at the creature, slicing its finger clean off. "That the best you got?"

  "How dare you! You are not worthy!" The creature's eyes burned as it took in my sword. "Unhand that at once!"

  I sliced at the creature, but it dodged at the last second. Uttering guttural words, it pointed at my face with its palm. A thin ray of black shot out and struck me in the eyes. Then, my world went black.

  "Vral!" I held my sword in front of me, but I knew this was bad. Swinging the blade from side to side, I did everything I could to keep the monster at a distance, but when I heard a series of foul whispers ahead of me, I knew another spell was coming. I don't know how I survived the first one, but I didn't have much fail I'd get lucky like that again. I stepped forward and slashed but only hit air.

  Cursing, I moved toward the whispers and swung wildly, but it wasn't enough. The creature's voice rose to a shriek. I felt a wave of heat wash over me. I threw my shield up between my body and the heat. Just as I did, a wave of force struck my arm, throwing me backward. With a crash, I landed on the ground and tumbled.

  I wobbled back to my feet. This was bad. I heard more words in front of me, felt the heat rise. Throwing my shield back up, I gritted my teeth, crouched, and tightened every muscle in my body. This was going to hurt.

  That's when I heard a voice.

  I will be your eyes.

  "What do you—" The energy slammed into my body, throwing me into a wall. The back of my head cracked against the hard stone.

  "Dodge, you big oaf!" Vral's voice shouted somewhere to my right. A loud explosion sounded immediately after.

  Do not hesitate. Listen.

  Taking a deep breath, I focused inward. "Okay. Guide me."

  Forward. Five steps.

  I heeded its commands.

  Cut diagonally, right to left.

  Like the wind, my sword arced in front of me. The smell of rotten blood flooded my nostrils. I heard something fall to the ground.

  Shield up. Brace yourself.

  Bringing my shield to bear, I took a long bow stance and hardened every muscle. Something slammed into me, nearly throwing me from my feet. My shield grew white hot, and the smell of smoke and burnt hair filled the air, but I was okay.

  Duck.

  I dropped without hesitation. Another ball of fire screamed overhead. An instant later, I heard an explosion, and shards of stone struck my neck.

  Roll left.

  I threw myself left just as another wave of heat flashed by me.

  Stand. Shield up.

  I kipped up and held my shield in front of me. Flames washed around my shield, but they were weaker now. I walked through them.

  Provoke.

  [Provoke]

  The creature shrieked. Then, I heard the whistle of two swords. The creature groaned a pitiful groan before a clattering sound filled the space around us.

  Forward one step. Stab downward.

  Without hesitation, I reversed my grip on the blade and thrust down. I felt the blade pierce flesh. A wet gurgling noise rose from under me. Then, all there remained was the smell of ash.

  Three enemies remain. Forward five steps. Left seven steps. Mind the stairs.

  Again, I did as the voice bid. I could feel the heat of the Black Flame beside me as I climbed the stairs. Behind me were small, light footsteps.

  "Alex, wait!"

  Forward slash. Do not hesitate.

  "No!" A terrified voice screamed. I heard the ruffle of fabric and the creaking of armor.

  I slashed with all my might.

  "Idiot!" That was Vral's voice in front of me.

  A chorus of screams sounded as my blade cut through the air. However, instead of the feel of flesh and the smell of rotten blood, my blade struck something hard and metallic. I sharp snapping noise filled the air.

  "Fuck!" Vral's voice cried out.

  I felt as if the metal thing gave way. Something wet splashed on my fingers.

  My eyes swam. The black mist covering them faded, and my vision cleared.

  My heart skipped a beat.

  Underneath me, Vral had crossed both of her blades in an upper block. One of her short swords was cut clean through, and my blade was embedded halfway through the other. A wicked gash ran down the right side of her face, from the eyebrow to the edge of her lip. The other half of her severed blade was lying several feet away. It was covered in a thick streak of bright red blood.

  "You dumbass!" She jumped and kicked me right in the chest. I was thrown backward and tumbled down the stairs. As I did, my sword twisted out of my hands and bounced away. When it did, it transformed from the dull grey of my old sword to the runed and gold-accented masterpiece I'd discovered in the hall.

  I tumbled down the stars until, with a loud crash, I struck a jagged stone in the floor. Seeing stars, I lay on the ground, dazed for a moment before the stars began to clear. Shaking my head, I tried to sit up, but before I could, something green collided with me, throwing me back on the ground. Before I could move, Vral was straddling my chest, and her face was inches from mine. Blood was gushing down her cheek and dripping on my breastplate and neck. "Vral! I didn't—"

  She squeezed her thighs hard enough my armor creaked. "Shut the fuck up and get me a potion." She pressed a hand to her face to stem the bleeding, but blood poured through her fingers despite it.

  I fumbled with my belt pouch. As I did, blood drifted from between her fingers into my mouth. My heart clenched. Finally, I felt the familiar shape of the glass and retrieved one of Farvad's potions from my belt pouch and held it up.

  Snatching it from my hands, Vral got off my chest and stumbled backward. Slumping against the side of the altar, she uncorked the vial and poured it directly on her face. A deep red flash glow emitted from her face as the liquid soaked into her skin. As it did, the skin of her face stitched itself together. In seconds, all that was left of the cut was a thin, dark line running down her face.

  With a huff, she stood up, snarled, charged at me, and smacked me across the face. "That's the second time you've scared me today! And you didn't listen to me! What the hell, Alex?!" Her eyes drifted to the blade. "And that fucking thing?! How in Dark One's taint did you have time to go back and get it? And why would you?"

  "I don't... I didn't—"

  "You know what? I don't fucking care. Get out of my way, boy toy." She shoved me back down and stood. Turning, she marched up to the blonde woman. Sitting up, I followed the irate goblin as she climbed the stairs. Behind her were the ghouls and the woman. For some reason, the woman was shielding the three ghouls with her body. "What the fuck are you doing down here, Sophia? And what in the fucking fuck happened to your knights? And why do you all look like so much shit?"

  Contrary to Vral's assertion, Sophia was gorgeous. She had flawless porcelain skin, a model's jaw, thick red lips, and a long, thin nose. Her face was without a single blemish, save for a small horizontal scar under her left eye. Her dress was once blue and white and obviously expensive. Even with the blood and dirt coating it and her, she looked like she was a short bath and a new dress away from being ready for court.

  Sophia's voice wavered as she spoke. "Vral?" Her eyes grew wet and shimmered in the dim light.

  "Yeah, it's me, you dumb bitch. Now start speaking, or my blades are gonna slip."