Icarus Awakens

Something rained down on the sheet of ice covering the lake. The projectiles spread far because they were small. They were roughly rod shaped, tapering at one end while spreading out to four tendrils that looked almost like elongated fingers. In the center of the underside where these projected from was a mouth, above which faint red shapes squirmed under the slightly blue, translucent skin. The only other color to these creatures was the orange markings at the tapered tip and end of each tendril.

They streaked like arrows across the sky, adjusting their course by bouncing off the others. Coordinated action. Only a few noticed, the rest reacting differently. Lograve’s mental warning to key individuals was enough to put them on edge. It saved a few from what was about to come, but not everyone. Some were too close, almost buried by the small monsters. Those furthest away had the most time, the least to fend off, and the best chance. Lograve’s shell of ice would protect him completely, the rest would have to dodge or kill.

Daniel missed what initially happened when they hit the ice as he rolled backward and out of the way of the ones aimed towards him. It was just from an instinct to evade, but it saved him. Recovering from the roll was tricky, even with Balance, causing him to slide a bit further before righting himself.

“Ow! Fuck, get this off.” One of the living projectiles was grasping tightly to Thomas’ arm while quite a few were covering Spinner who’d moved to cover the group under it. Evalyn was missing entirely.

No, Khare has her. That had to be it. Unless the new threat could make someone completely explode!? Don’t be stupid.

I’m keeping this ice completely sealed for the moment. Was anyone else harmed? Lograve asked mentally, voice unable to pass through the solid barrier.

“Yeah, a couple fuckers got me. This stupid thing just ran off on its own.” Tlara kicked the silk shocker while tearing the last of the unknown creatures off her body. It wasn’t resisting overly much and didn’t move when it struck the ground.

“Khare, you got Evalyn?”

“Contained.”

“Hunter and I are fine!”

That’s good, Tak. Honestly, it might be best to keep Evalyn sheltered until we know what these enemies can do.

What are these Daniel? Hunter asked, looking disgustedly at the vaguely squid-shaped creatures on the ice.

Being bitten by the creatures had annoyed Tlara, but when she heard that voice in her head she grew deadly serious. “What the fuck was that?”

Oh dear. Tlara, uhm. By the look on his face, Lograve seemed to be drowning in these strange creatures. That was Daniel’s ringcat. Sorry, I forgot to keep the Telepathic Networks separate.

“That’s not funny.” She glared at him. “Seriously, did anyone else hear that? You?”

“I did.” Thomas nodded, wrenching the squirming creature off his arm and stepping on it. The other surviving ones around them were still on the silk shocker. They weren’t trying to grab onto it but trying to get off. Whenever one emerged from the fur someone in the group would kill it casually. They were surprisingly weak. “I think that is Guy’s ringcat. He can talk to other people now?”

It’s me, Lograve sighed mentally. I can group people into a telepathic conversation now that I’m level 4. If someone’s already in a group the two can cross as long as there’s a bridge. I take it Hunter wasn’t aware he was speaking to everyone.

“Bullshit. Fuck! Hey, forget that these things bite.” Tlara dismounted and approached Thomas, indicating three spots that were indeed shedding a good amount of blood. “Patch me up.”

“You’re level 3, go find William.” Thomas waved her away and instead put a hand to his wound. “Potions should still work.”

So no one else was injured? Good. I’m going to check with the others. It seemed the people closer to the dragon were worse off. Can you identify anything about them, Daniel?

“I’ll try.” The things that had rained down were faintly reminiscent of leeches, crossed with a squid and a bucket of neon paint. “I can already see the name, they’re-” he drew in a breath as he read the tag above one of the living creatures on the silk shocker.

Illustrious Slave Swarmling - (5)

-

Alert: God: Torch has added additional information to the entry for Monster: llustrious Slave Host.

“Not good. Lograve, they’re level five.” No time for the god stuff. System, no Monsters, stupid Encyclopedia!

“Level five? These are too weak.” Tak scraped the remnants of another of the so called swarmling from his hands after it tried to jump at him. “What are they called?” Daniel told him and the rest of the group as he continued to search through his phone, keeping a fair distance between himself and the infested Spinner. Behind the ice, Lograve’s eyes widened.

“What kind of type is ‘Illustrious’?” Thomas asked, looking askance at where he’d been bitten.

“That’s the fucking word you have a problem with?”

“I know what slave means, Tlara.”

It’s not the name of a monster type. Daniel, I don’t know what these are but the Illustrious, that’s something I can’t think on right now. Most of the others were bitten but nothing seems to be happening.

“Hold on, I got it.” Daniel blinked at the longest monster entry he’d ever seen. Not even the information he’d gleaned from the sparkbats was this extensive.

Illustrious Slave Host – 5 (???, Aquatic, Domination, Domain: Enchantment/Transmutation, Colony)

An aquatic lifeform optimized to secure and control underwater domains. Each colony contains attack forms carrying parasites and the host itself. When a mortal is afflicted by the parasites, they come under the host’s Effect: Domination which may be resisted through Defense: Wisdom or Powers which augment mental fortitude. The force of the domination effect scales with the total parasitic burden of the target, which increases with time following initial infection.

When the domination of a target is successful, a multi-stage secondary effect is initiated. At first, the target will be completely controlled by the host. This domination cannot be broken by any means beyond death of the swarm host or use of appropriate powers able to contest the Offense: Wisdom of the swarm host. If the parasites within the target reach a certain threshold, the domination effect cannot be broken by any means other than Resurrection after death. Should the target spend ten or more days in this state, the domination effect will become Indelible.

Parasitic mass within the target can be influenced through a variety of means. Healing effects will affect the parasitic mass more strongly than the afflicted in most circumstances, quickening its growth. Contact with additional attack forms, or the blood of another afflicted, will additively contribute to the total parasitic mass. Powers that can specifically target the parasites or Transmute the afflicted body into a nonviable target are the best countermeasures to directly address the parasitic mass and serve as an additional means of countering the domination ability.

Damage Absorption:

• Radiant (Host only)

Damage Immunities:

• Poison

Damage Resistances:

• Unenchanted Weapons (Host only)

• Cold

• Fire

Damage Vulnerabilities:

• Lightning

• Necrotic

Moment of Clarity. Lograve, tell me you can hear me.

Hunter responded instead. I don’t like this.

It’s bad Hunter. I need to revoke Regeneration from you.

Why?

How much time did he have? He’d used his ranged attacks and heightened a few features, but that had been it today. Most of his mana was avialable. To think he’d been impressed with himself for surviving with so much. That should have been the clue that things were just getting started. They weren’t biting them, they were infecting them. Do you have any cuts on your paws?

No.

Why is time stopped?

What the fu- Tak!? Of course he was here. Tak, you have Regeneration too right?

Yep!

Have you been bitten, or could any of those creatures have gotten close to a wound?

I am uninjured.

Get out of here Tak. Immediately.

I can’t move. Is that normal for this?

Yes. Listen, these monsters are carrying a parasite that can control you. Quala told me something about this earlier, but basically any kind of healing makes it worse. If enough are in you the control’s permanent.

Slaves. Hmm. We should try to save Thomas. Daniel didn’t question Hunter’s leaving out of Tlara.

Shit, he was healing himself! I need to think for a second. How fast were people being taken over, and how much faster was Thomas? Tlara had been bitten three times to his one, so who would go first? What about those in the center, and where was the Host? That was the most important thing, killing that. Otherwise, they didn’t have anything that could free people from the influence. No antibiotics for Sigron meant no antiparasitics from them unless someone did have a Power that specific. No, he couldn’t bet on that.

Thomas’ aura is less green, Hunter commented in the pause. Not green is not good.

Of course!

Green?

So Tak can’t see Identify Creature at least, Daniel thought privately. Hunter and I could tell when people are getting close to being taken over since their mind would be more and more hostile. What about Tlara?

Can’t see her. Neither could Daniel. The things weren’t biting her monster.

I didn’t think about that. Hunter was perceptive if nothing else. If we assume the parasites’ control is based on their concentration, they’d be trying to bite that one the most.

Too many words, I am having trouble following. What are we doing?

You need to run Tak. Hunter, without Regeneration you won’t be at as much risk but if a single parasite gets into you we can’t stop it until we kill the bigger one.

Worse for you.

Yeah. I’m going to use the wings and tell Lograve everything in the air. It sounds like these things are normally aquatic so I doubt they can reach me. Thank god Lograve’s sealed up, I can’t imagine how bad it’d be if he was affected.

Which one? Tak asked.

What?

Which god?

…

Four minutes of thinking led to Tak sprinting to the east, Hunter backing off, and Daniel streaking into the air while mentally pinging Lograve.

“What the fuck?” Tlara said in response, nonplussed. The day was bringing those exact words out of her often.

Thomas, stop healing yourself. Tlara, put away your beast. Both of you need to lie flat on the ground. Khare, move away from them and keep Evalyn contained. If you can, tell her to move a little outside so I can explain.

“Why?” they all asked, Thomas slurring the word ever slightly.

Do it now. Khare complied, but the two affected were more reticent.

“Damn it, I’m not just going to, hey!” Tlara jerked away as Thomas suddenly jerked towards her. A large leg knocked both of them to the ground, and then Spinner was on top of them. Lograve was surprised but chalked it up to Tlara falling to the influence. If she’d given it an order to protect her, then restraining her while she was controlled would be a valid interpretation of that order. Monsters controlled by Beastmasters could think to that degree. Right?

Daniel, I think Thomas and Tlara are gone. I’m restraining them, can you confirm?

There was a brief pause before his spotter answered. Yeah. They’re both red now. Everyone close to the dragon is too, but I can’t tell if the ones still sane are afflicted. It only took seconds for Thomas to change.

Are any of the gestalt we have remaining affected?

No. Wait, how-

Bloodborne parasites don’t work if you don’t have blood, Lograve explained quickly. Murdon, what do we do?

Our target is the Host, and I take the point of your question. The skull of the dragon burst out. The little ones couldn’t do that alone, so it’s no longer sheltering in the body. If it is aquatic, it must have slipped into the lake while we were distracted.

Lograve imagined trying to fight these things in the water. Daniel must have as well because he thought, It’s a level 5. How can we beat that in the lake?

It’s a swarm host, they both answered at the same time.

Murdon let Lograve continue explaining while he used the knowledge of who wasn’t afflicted to organize the rest of the ice shelf. It should have been obvious since they’d have the monsters still attached, but some had ripped them off in the initial moments. What was happening? What mistake had he made? They’d won! They’d killed a titan and had been rewarded with this horror. Some of those who had been covered with the swarm were already jerking into enforced motion, opening wounds on their hands and covering what they could with blood. They were making everything they could touch a vector for the infection.

William could have been a disaster by himself, but the Ranger had acted immediately after hearing the warning by throwing every healing potion he had to the ground. Almost every one. The last showed just how terrible it might have been as he lost control of himself, instilled the potion with his blood, and used the suddenly teeming liquid to infect Alost from a distance. The Ranger tried that with the other potions to limited effect, which told Murdon the Host didn’t have a complete understanding of what it was taking over. Good tactical information. They’d need every bit as none of them could have ever encountered this before. Illustrious was what Daniel had said it was called. One of the Illustrious’ mad creations. How could one be here if they had been extinguished in the Collapse?

He saw the attack out of the corner of his eye. Not against him, and not by someone who was controlled. “You, what have you done?” While the controlled near the dragon were massing to attack, the surrounding groups were doing their best to lay afflicted members on the ice where Lograve could embed their limbs. Only, one group had just executed a Bard who had been rendered helpless.

“Infected!” The gestalt executioner held their sword at length, wary from the warning about the blood.

“Do not execute any of them! If we kill the monster they will be saved!” His words didn’t carry the same weight or have the same effect as they did before. Captured mortals weren’t being slaughtered universally, but the frightened survivors were taking matters into their own hands. Worse, the gestalt hadn’t gotten the full picture.

The trouble was not being able to universally confirm who was clean, as those with the slightest of exposure took longer to succumb than those who’d been bitten. The explanation Lograve had quickly given terrified the others more than if they’d kept silent. Against a dragon it was life or death, and you knew who your allies were. Now?

Lograve, isolate myself and Daniel. Murdon wasn’t adept enough with Lograve’s newest telepathic developments to screen out the others from that message, and the others around him looked on with suspicion. Oh well, like before it was better they didn’t hear the truth.

It’s ready.

Daniel, how many people are still unaffected?

Five, not counting the gestalt or my group.

So few? There had to be something they could do.

Murdon, I don’t care what you’re about to say. We’re getting out of here.

But the others-

Damn them, we’ve done enough! They know what to do. If the gestalt can kill it then everything is fine. We can’t stop them on the ground. I’ve already released my control on the ice field and you know I can’t get that back.

We’re running? Daniel asked

This is the Origin Beast. It has to be. We can’t affect this battle anymore, but we can ensure someone survives to warn the world.

But how are you going to get away?

We’ll go around the lake. The ones being controlled don’t seem to be able to use active abilities or move as fast as they would otherwise. Even if that was the case, I could float us above them with ice. In the worst case, we can return and save these people. The lake is close to the border, a rescue mission may be approved if-

I looked up indelible.

What?

It had a hyperlink. Uh, my Focus had an entry on it. We would have ten days, and then nothing can reverse the domination.

We’ve already made sacrifices, Lograve said grimly.

I don’t want Thomas to be one of them!

We don’t have a choice! Murdon, get over here with anyone you can before you’re overrun. Murdon?

It must have been when he’d crushed the few that had gotten on him. Murdon was sure none had gotten through the gaps in his armor, but he hadn’t known the faint red mass inside the swarm were parasites until afterward and the broken stump on one arm left a clear way through. Even then he hadn’t been careless, but it only took a drop.

Lograve… his aura.

…

“Not good,” Tak remarked from his position on the ridge. He was too far to speak with Hunter or Daniel and was not made aware of Murdon’s affliction, but he could make it out himself.

This is what he saw. First, the death of the ice age that had come to the mountain pass. The body of the dragon was getting closer and closer to the water as the ice receded. Maybe the lightning in it could have killed whatever was in the water, but that had died with it. Unfortunately, the creature’s skull had protected the parasite before it’d been exposed.

Then, there were the afflicted. A large mass moving forward with bloody weapons. A few had accidentally cut too deep when they were poisoning their equipment and were bleeding out. Gadriel wasn’t one of those, but even he had been converted. Too close to the initial eruption of the parasites. It had been close for Tak too, even though he had been far from the dragon. A few were headed to him before Spinner had interceded of its own will. A spirited one? Maybe.

Murdon and the others who thought they’d survived were in the center. It was clear each time one of them turned. Subtle changes in posture, like that person no longer fit in their skin. Further back, Thomas and Tlara were already straining at their bonds in an attempt to get at Lograve. Or Hunter. Tak quieted a burst of emotion and looked at the last group. The masses of vines slipped into the water with every weapon they carried. Khare was there, having joined up with the other gestalt to hunt whatever was in the lake. They were immune to the parasites that had no doubt infested it as much as the people above.

Back to Hunter and Lograve. The Arcanist’s concentration had slipped. Across the battlefield, the icy restraints on those that had been pinned broke. The survivors there were being infected quickly, lacking an easy way of navigating the ice or escape. By the slow pace of the others, it would be a few minutes before they reached his friend. Ten, maybe? Tak wasn’t good at math.

Hunter could get away. So could Lograve and Daniel. He was floating down to the ground like a leaf. Did he have any idea that could change the outcome? Any item he could make to solve everything? Tak didn’t know, but he could see how distraught Daniel was by the tears on his face. Tak had good eyes, even if he couldn’t do as much as others with what he saw.

The ice around Lograve burst. Not from outside but from within, shattering as the man created a hole in the remaining sheet to dive through. Why? There were those things in there, orange points visible even in the darkness of the night. Was Lograve overcome with despair? Tak didn’t know what the Arcanist was doing, unable to track him through the ice.

Spinner suddenly jerked as both mortals it was pinning broke through their restraints. Against Thomas it afforded more pressure through additional legs, but it seemed unable to do anything else against Tlara. Would that be defying its orders? And Hunter, instead of running he was rushing to its aid. Why? Spinner focused on Thomas, not containing Tlara but not stopping Hunter. It must have known the ringcat intended harm but restrained itself. Hunter leapt, nominally at a disadvantage but he was fighting a class weakest by itself. Furthermore, Tlara couldn’t use her powers while under control. Tak would’ve given him a good chance if he ignored the fact that all Tlara had to do was bleed a little.

He made contact with the Beastmaster, refraining from claws or biting and using the force of his momentum. Tlara responded with her talons, but they couldn’t pierce the armor Daniel had made. Good, that was good. And Hunter was far faster, he circled before hitting her again. Knock her down enough times and she wouldn’t get up.

Daniel was descending faster. Was his plan to get to Hunter and escape with him? Surely, that was all they could do now. This was a losing fight. That was what was stopping him from trying to help. He was far enough away that either Hunter or Tlara would win first, and Tak was the only one who had run. If nothing else, he had to warn the villagers. Tak was smart enough to know that.

Hunter used his jumping attack again. He was smart too. Very smart. He was fighting Tlara in a way that made it impossible for her to drip blood on or cut him. If everyone else here was going to lose, then it was good he was getting revenge on the one that had been so hostile to him all this time. He didn’t wish permanent control on Tlara for what she’d done, but getting beaten by Hunter before being saved was-

“N-no.” Tak saw Tlara do something different the next time Hunter attacked. Instead of trying to block, cut, or grab, she bit a chunk out of her hand, let the blood pool, and then threw it. The armor covering Hunter’s face was by no means air tight. Tak’s keen eyes saw drops go into the ringcat’s open ones. Was that all that was needed? No. Did it have to be blood to blood contact?

He’d kill Tlara himself. No, he had to save Hunter. No, he had to warn the villagers. No, he- Anger. Fear. Guilt. Responsibility. Tak grabbed his head as the thoughts raced and emotions crushed his sensibilities. Slowly, something else began to win.

…

HUNTER!

Did she get me? I don’t feel different.

Daniel couldn’t cope. Hunter had taken a spray of blood to the face, there was no way he wasn’t afflicted now. There was only the hope that he still didn’t count when it came to who the parasites could affect, but that would mean something was going right. Everything had seemed so bright when they’d killed the dragon. There had been a future. Not anymore. Kill her.

What?

Fuck everything. Kill her. Nothing mattered anymore. He’d given Tlara every chance, hadn’t he? At the end of things, it had turned out to be her responsible for-

No. Below the rapidly descending Daniel, Hunter jumped headfirst into the Beastmaster and knocked her down. She was free to claw him for several seconds, guaranteeing infection if Hunter wasn’t already contaminated. Not caring about that any more was what let the ringcat bludgeon her on the ground, though not to death. You don’t want that.

But she, she…. Daniel couldn’t say it, not to Hunter. Lograve, Hunter’s infected.

It took a few seconds for the Arcanist to reply. I see. You’re moving toward him? Land in the ice sphere I left behind first. Bait Hunter into it and then jump out.

Why-

I’m not arguing with you. Lograve’s thoughts were completely flat and directed at him out of what seemed the corner of his mind. Do it, or don’t.

He couldn’t argue either. Daniel landed in the broken egg, noting the walls were already reforming. Hunter, come here.

The ringcat gave him an odd look from under the armor. It was still him, the aura didn’t lie. He was sad, but also knowing? That’s not for me.

What? The ice around him snapped fully together and the sounds from outside were cut off. Lograve, what are you doing!?

The ice around you will melt slowly. I believe those affected will stay in the lake, while you float to shore. Use your Telekinesis to move away after that. If we lose, then run. Aughal is the closest to the west. Find a man named-

Lograve, get me out of here!

Arpan Morel, he continued, not listening. I believe that old Artificer is still around. He’s a good contact, you should be smart enough to figure out the rest. Don’t tell anyone other than him about your class. If you must go to Threst, try as hard as you can to meet with its regent, Soraso, and tell him I sent you.

Lograve! There wasn’t an answer. Below him, the aura of Lograve was shooting through the water far faster than the gestalt were as they chased something. He’d never had a chance to tag the Host, he could’ve guided them otherwise.

Not… a slave… Hunter’s thoughts were strained. His aura was slipping to gray. A person, this was only happening because he was a person. He and Lograve had already realized the parasites couldn’t affect monsters because they didn’t target Spinner, but Hunter was a person. Because of him.

They’ll, they’ll kill it. I turned off your Regeneration so you’ll be fine. If he was talking, Daniel’s voice would have choked up there. We’ll get you back.

Don’t want… don’t…

Hunter? The last of the friendly aura slipped away. Hunter was gone.