Evolution: A Warlock’s Rise To Power

Lucan used the teleporter in Destol to transfer to the Dragon Spine fortress.  Commander Gear had already come to this fortress to oversee the situation.

"Lord Quilldrake."  Commander Gear said with a bow when he saw the warlock.

"Give me a report.  What is going on?"

"It is like this.  A large group of travelers were exploring the dark forest when a beast tide set upon them.  All the travelers were sent to the graveyard in New Avalon, where they immediately reported the situation.  After that Mayor Faylen gathered over one hundred travelers to go and scout the situation from both the land and the air.  Shortly after he received several reports that stated over ten thousand beasts were heading towards the new city.  At that point, he notified my men that were stationed in the city.  They informed me, and I passed the message to you."

"I see."  Lucan said while looking over the map in the command room.  On it was the markings of where the beast tide was half an hour ago.  From the look of it, the beasts would take at least four hours to reach New Avalon.

"Should I prepare my solders?  I can have them ready to move within twenty minutes."

"That won't be necessary.  The solders are responsible for keeping the fortress safe.  They don't need to worry about the beast tide as long as they don't come close to the fortress."  Lucan said.  "It wouldn't hurt to have them prepared, just in case the beast come this way."

"Yes, my Lord."  Commander gear said before going to instruct the shadow elves who guarded the fortress.

Lucan, Silent, and Marie went to the balcony that overlooked the city in the distance.

"Are you really not going to send anyone to help them?"  Marie asked.

"Like he said, it isn't necessary.  Ten thousand beast may sound like a lot, but New Avalon has a player population of over two hundred thousand.  If Lucan's guards die, they will be gone forever, where as if a player dies, they will only lose a level."  Silent said.

"Alright, let's head to the city."  Lucan said while summoning his magic carpet.

They took off from the balcony and Lucan sent Adrestia to go fly above the dark forest.  She would put her eyes on the beast tide and allow him to get a clearer picture of the situation.

Landing in new Avalon, the whole city was in a stir.  No one could sleep while there was a massive group of wild beasts heading towards them.

Most of the players were heading towards the outskirts of the city that separated New Avalon from the dark forest.

The group of three began to head that direction when Silent called out.

"Heaven!  Over here."  Silent had seen her sister.

Heaven's Kiss came over with a few of her guild members.

"Silent, you didn't need to come all this way."  Heaven said while she came over.

"How could we miss a chance to beat up some beasts."  Marie said before Silent could respond.

"Who might this be?"  Heaven asked while looking over the level seven player who was getting ready to fight off beasts over level one hundred.

"This is my Aunt."  Lucan said.

"Oh Mrs. Hekin.  I didn't expect to see you playing Evolution."

"Its good too see you Holly, where are these darn beasts, let me at them."

"Aunty, it is considered rude to call people by their real names in the game, you should address people by their character names."

"Pah, quiet down punk, I don't see Holly complaining."

"Ha, ha, it is fine Mrs. Hekin, call me whatever you like.  But… it might be a bit difficult for you to fight any beast with your level."

"I am not afraid of dying, just point me in the right direction."  Marie said.

"In that case… SpicyPumpkin, go to the guild vault and get a few pieces of fighter heirloom gear for Mrs. Hekin to use."

"Sure, guild leader.  I will be right back."

True to her word, SpicyPumpkin returned in less than two minutes.

"Here Mrs. Hekin.  Use these, they won't drop when you die and will grow stronger with your level. They aren't the strongest pieces of gear but since they grow with you, if you get stronger on the battlefield, you won't have to worry about your gear holding you back."

"AH, what a good girl you are.  I will make sure to tell your mother how nice you were to me."  Marie said while taking the greatsword, breastplate, and helmet that SpicyPumpkin passed to her."

"Mayor Faylen is gathering the players to issue a mission to protect to the city.  All the guilds are already there.  Let's head that way."  Heaven said.

"Look at that."  Marie said while elbowing Lucan in the side.  "Your girlfriends' sister is already helping me to get stronger while you haven't done anything to help out your dear old aunty."

Heaven's Kiss could hear Marie chastising Lucan and didn't bother to hide her laughter.

"Fine, fine, come shake my hand."  Lucan said before activating his pack magic.

He then proceeded to buy Marie a few different abilities.  Since she was only level seven, they were incredibly cheap.  And in fact, it had been a while since he had spent any of his banked experience. Now with over twenty million followers, his experience bank had grown quite large.  Especially since the NPCs grew nervous when they heard a beast tide was coming.

He gave her the shadow form ability, night vision, shadow double and a few other abilities that he considered basic but reliable.

"He, he.  That is a good Braxy-pooh."  Marie said while standing on her toes to ruffle his hair.

This time SpicyPumpkin and even Silent joined in while laughing.

Stepping out of the city, a huge number of players had already gathered and were listening to the former Grand Magister and now mayor, speak.

"The beasts are coming but we are relying on you travelers to help keep our people safe.  With my power as mayor, I declare that the one hundred travelers with the most contributions will be able to buy a plot of land at a discounted rate and be given priority by the local construction companies.  This a chance to make a stronger foothold for yourselves in the city of Avalon."

"Woo hoo!"

"Yeah!"

"Let me at them!"

The players cheered and shouted in joy.  Unlike Heaven's Kiss who had a bother-in-law she could call for a favor, the other players were having a hard time getting a property in the new city and an even harder time getting a construction company to make time to build for them.

"Currently we are waiting on information to come from the forest.  Once we have accurately predicated their trajectory, I would like to ask you all to enter the forest and take the fight to the beasts so as to prevent any harm coming to the defenseless citizens who have taken shelter in the city."

"Brax, you already know exactly where the beasts are right?"  Marie asked.  "Let's go get the jump on them right now."

"I am sorry Aunty, I will be staying here to make sure nothing happens in the city.  For all I know, the beast tide may just be a distraction to get players out of new Avalon."

"Come one, Brax.  It is just a game event.  You don't need to be so paranoid."  Marie said.

"It is okay Aunty."  Silent said.  "Brax may be a bit paranoid at times, but he is ussally always prepared because of it.  If you want, you can come with my sister and I.  We are planning to fight on the front lines."

"Good, good, Jenna you are the best.  I will follow you."

"Okay, if you are going with them then you need to take this guy with you."  Lucan said as he stretched out his hand.  The shadows swirled and condensed to create a little brown bird.

"How is a tiny bird going to help me."  Marie said with a huff.

"Don't worry Aunty.  Little Brown is capable of a lot, and Lucan can cast all of his spells through him."  Silent said as she took the little bird form him.

"Fine, fine.  I just want to slash some stuff."

Lucan left the women to talk.  Heaven and Silent were both giving tips to Marie so as to make sure she didn't die in the very first moment.  While they were chatting, Lucan walked towards the platform where Mayor Faylen stood waiting for his scouts to report.