Civilization

Where am I? Huh? I can't speak? Everything is just dark as well. It's kind of cold as well but maybe that is just me…

Hmm… Let's think about this slowly. Sylvia and I were sucked into some orb that Casper had and Luke made some sort of deal with him. That should be the general gist of this situation. Now, questions that need to be answered. How did Casper even find both of us when we were hidden in the forest? What is his goal in taking us? What did he mean by experiments? How come Luke was with him? Why did Luke make such an unfair deal as well? Any plausible answers…? Yes? No? Maybe?

Perhaps Casper has some sort of heat vision? Did he sense our mana like in novels and games? Did he just see us? Is his goal related to Luke? No, perhaps it is to do with Sylvia and the Ares apostle. Then I need to make sure he doesn't realize that I am an apostle as well. Is experimenting on us his way of saying torture?

From what I remember Ian and the others said Luke and Sylvia had a thing for each other. Why didn't he rush to save her then? Why hesitate and choose to talk to Casper? Isn't Casper one of the Generals for the Horde? Wait, didn't he get kidnapped by Casper? Did I remember it wrong? If memory serves me right then, Ian told me that Luke had been captured by the Horde right before meeting me near the mountain.

This situation is so confusing… There are too many holes in this whole situation. Like someone is purposely leaving bread crumbs for someone to find, however, at the end is just another set of trails. Now, I'm in this place and Sylvia is nowhere to be found. I can't use my skills for some reason and I can't speak or hear or see.

My thoughts trail along as I float in darkness, I don't know how long it has been since I have been trapped here. It just feels like an eternity. I check my stats as well, since I had nothing better to do while I was relaxing in the dark.

Name: ArchWizardo

Race: Human

Health Points (HP): 50/50

Mana Points (MP):  41/41

Holy Energy (HE): 20/20

Strength: 10

Vitality: 25

Intelligence: 80 (+2)

Dexterity: 21

Agility: 23

Luck: 5

Equipment: Tattered Robe, Beginner Fire Mage Book, Woven Shirt, Woven Pants, Little Star Pin

Skills: Awakening, Mystic Palm, Holy Flame, Sacred Light, Blessing of Ares (Passive), Holy Energy (Passive)

Awakening (Active) (Upgradeable) 25% HP + 25% MP - Awaken the sleeping power of Ares within you. Doubling your stats as well as gaining enhanced reflexes. Recover all lost Holy Energy and increase any skills that use Holy Energy damage by 50%. Cooldown 12 hours.

Holy Flame (Active) 5 HE or 10 MP - Choose a target and create a burst of holy flames, setting the target alight dealing (20 + 100% Intelligence) as well as dealing double to dark-element monsters. The target will burn for 30 seconds dealing additional (10 + 50% Intelligence) every 10 seconds. Cooldown 30 mins.

Sacred Light (Active) 5HE or 10 MP - Create a beam of light hitting the first target dealing (50 + 80% Intelligence) over 10 seconds, every second. Can be canceled mid-channel if the user wants. Cooldown 30 mins.

Blessing of Ares (Passive) - All fire-element related skills will do additional 10% damage. Give the user 10% fire resistance. When the user is in combat for longer than 1 hour, increase user's all user stats by 10%.

[HE] Holy Energy (Passive) (Upgradeable) - The user is able to store Holy Energy within their body due to being an apostle of Ares. Holy Energy can be used as a substitute for MP. Current Holy Energy (20/20) can also be seen on status. This skill is able to be upgraded once the god gives more blessings to the user.

Compared to when I left HavenFall I was a lot stronger now, after traveling with Sylvia for so long, but that doesn't mean I was stronger than Casper or even Luke for that matter. As I was thinking about the different possibilities about why Luke and Casper were together, I feel the surrounding space shake. In the next moment, my body feels like it is being pulled out, and I fall to the ground.

Before I could even get up, I feel an immense pressure on my body, sweat instantly forms as my body shakes from the pressure. My head hangs low as I support my body up with my elbows. Sylvia lands next to me as well, as I hear her grunt softly as the pressure is applied to her as well.

"Casper, what have you brought me?" - ???

"My lord, these two were once allies of Luke and by chance I was able to capture them. Furthermore, it is the apostle of Ares that I have told you about before." - Casper

Is this the Horde? Am I actually in front of the Horde right now? Is it fear or joy that I am feeling right now? Who would have thought that I would have a chance to see one of the 4 kings in this game? Wait… There is no notification? No!!! I'm not the first! Who could have seen this figure before me? Oh, what if I need to actually look at him? Let's just try-

Doing my best to peek at the Horde, I try to lift my head up only for Casper's feet to press down on my head, forcing it to the ground. Wincing from the pain, I could only glance to the right seeing Sylvia with her face pressed to the ground by Luke's hand. His expression has a hint of sadness and regret but at the same time relief.

"Hmm… I see and for what purpose are they here?" - Horde

"I suspect that the girl here is one of those humans who can revive." - Casper

"And what are you going to do about it Casper? This isn't the first time you have assumed that a human is like those what was the terminology that they used again?" - Horde

"I believe it was players? The word is extremely strange, so I'm not sure." - Casper

"Players?" - Nina

By accident, the word escapes my mouth and even though I realize what I said was incorrect, it was just too surprising to hear them say something they shouldn't know. No matter how quiet I said it, both Casper and the Horde heard me say something. Immediately, the pressure increases from the Horde and I could see my HP depleting slowly as Casper applies even more pressure on my head.

"Care to say that word again, girl?" - Casper

"Wait! Please, don't hurt her." - Sylvia

"No can do, apostle of Ares. She knows something and I want to know it as well." - Casper

"I will talk but if you keep hurting me I will die." - Nina

"Let her speak Casper." - Horde

"Yes, my lord." - Casper

The pressure from both monsters lifts from me, and I could finally get up from my crouching position. Glancing at Sylvia, I see her pleading with her eyes. Worry spreads across her face, as she sees me stand up slowly. Smiling to her is the best I can do, as I look at the Horde, only to see a veil between us.

Why does this person have a screen between us? Does he not want to reveal his face? Is he in some sort of condition that might expose his weakness? There must be a reason.

"Hurry up and speak girl, the lord does not have all day." - Casper

"Well, it would depend. What is it that you are asking? What do you want to know? I only know so much after all. I'm not an all-knowing god after all." - Nina

"Don't play coy with me girl. Speak now or I will kill you." - Casper

"Alright. Then, ask away." - Nina

"Who are these players that you speak of and are you one of them?" - Casper

"Nina, don't answer anything!" - Sylvia

"Sylvia, please don't talk. Our lord is currently restraining your powers and your holy energy. It is better to not resist and to calmly accept the situation." - Luke

"Shut up Luke! I'm not talking to you. I'm talking to Nina." - Sylvia

"Sylvia…" - Luke

"Quiet. Speak, now." - Horde

Silencing the room with just a word, the Horde, directs his focus to me. Gulping down on my saliva, I proceed to tell him the desired information as well as try my hardest to see if my plan would work. There seems to be something hidden about this King and if I can find out, maybe I can help Ian get back Luke.

"I'm sure Casper already knows this and yes your suspicions were correct. I am a player and players are people like me who are undying, but that doesn't mean we want to harm you. We also have our own objectives and mine just so happens to align in your direction. I have been traveling for a while now, under the guise of being a follower of Ares, but frankly I would prefer something else.

There is so much more opportunity working for someone who has already established themselves in this world. I can help you with information and dare I say, I would prefer to join you. - Nina