Princess & Cyberserk

The Patriarch's Gift

Dan cast one last glance at the boss. He was interested in the weapons of this protector of the portal to the other world. The young man nodded his head with satisfaction. The vampire had the usual sword of his race. Vampire swords left a great impression on Dan. He was not well versed in the edged weapons of Planet Earth. Of course, he knew that the Japanese had a sword called a katana. But he was surprised to find that the blade of a Japanese sword was curved. He knew that European knights used large and varied swords. All European knights' swords were straight and had a long blade. The ancient Romans had ridiculously short swords. Probably the ancient Romans did not know where to find many resources of quality iron ore. The young man had not given much thought to the issue of human weapons. He was surprised at how calmly he accepted the idea of fighting for life with sword and magic. Only hours spent playing computer games made him accept the new conditions of existence.

Vampire swords were beautiful. They strangely combined the power and menace of knightly swords with elegance. Dan viewed the vampire artifacts as some kind of beautiful models that were made to satisfy warriors with refined tastes. He also often saw vampire swords as an ornament in the costume of aristocrats. The blades of vampire swords were long enough but they were narrow and graceful. The blades were sharpened on both sides and allowed for chopping. The sharp blade was for stabbing.

Classes with Master Kornelius had permanently and painfully imbued the young man's body with a respect for vampire weapons. The vampire sword was a formidable and dangerous weapon. Tom once laughed and said that the swords of this world had nothing to do with the weapons of Planet Earth. The clone was persuasive and pointed out that the metal of game swords was a special game metal. The durability of the sword could be much stronger than any Earth metal. In this world, any weapon was to be treated with respect. And especially in the hands of a true master of swordsmanship.

Dan Raven frowned and moved away from the entrance to the hall with the head boss.

"Four strikes with patron skill," the young man wrote in a chat for Tom.

"Agreed. Don't forget to factor in the Boss Killer skill. Three pieces of pie. I'll be right with you. Lord Drarred doesn't need to see this," the clone wrote back.

"Are you kidding me? I have respect for this monster. He guards a certain second Well! He may be scarier than the dragon we know," Dan immediately responded. He liked using the group channel to communicate. A useful way to keep his decisions secret from outsiders.

Tom walked over to his friend and handed him the orc's scimitar. He liked this weapon. Not as graceful as a katana, but a rather attractive weapon.

The vampire lord stopped looking at the main obstacle and approached the humans. There was confusion and bewilderment on the vampire's face.

"Have you noticed that this monster has no name? It is a nameless monster that is not related to any lineage of the Children of the Night. This is not a misguided lineage of vampires. These are monsters created by the gods to inspire fear in our kind," whispered the patriarch.

Dan nodded his head respectfully. He wasn't interested in that point at all. Vampires or other people of the world... what difference did it make? He was ready to pit a clone against any enemy that stood in the way of their progress.

"You're right. We thought either way you'd hate to see it destroyed. Nothing pretty or dignified. Just the destruction of a monster in a few attacks," Dan agreed.

"And how many attacks?" Drarred smiled a sly and unpleasant smile.

"Three," Tom replied. He reminded Den that the young man must update him. The clone had already used the Rage of Ars attack. "Renew me. React to the clang of a fallen sword."

Dan mentally activated the phantom skill and handed his friend his sword. Tom took the weapon and prepared to run toward the hall with the head monster.

"Wait, Clone! I remember my commitment. And I remember going through my tower of Destiny with a company of faithful servants. I will pass through that portal when you have destroyed that monster with no name. I have a reward for you. Look at this young human," the patriarch held out to Dan a leaf that appeared in the vampire's hand.

Dan accepted the leaf and saw that it was a rather interesting drawing for blacksmithing.

[Bloodlust. Drawing Features. Level 7 - Epic. Requirements: Master, level 1. Property: gives the weapon the ability to restore health at the expense of the damage dealt.]

Dan held out the drawing to his friend and smiled.

"Nice drawing. Why did you suggest it? Why not any other artifact?" Dan did not understand the patriarch.

"You came to my castle for a drawing. I have never had any interest in the profession of blacksmithing. But I understand the need to develop peaceful craftsmanship. I am sure you are interested in this gift," the patriarch grinned and wagged a finger at the young man. "When you leave this rotten world, go this way. I'm sure we'll meet again. I have no evil feelings toward you, Dan Raven."

The young man shuddered at the ancient vampire's quiet words. The thought flashed through his mind that it would be better to go to any other world! He was willing to pay any price! But to have such a creepy acquaintance as a neighbor was unnecessary.

Tom held out the drawing to his friend and honestly acknowledged his gratitude.

"We thank you for the gift, Lord Drarred. It's a great drawing and we enjoy spending time crafting weapons. It's a great feature for a solid sword."

Tom made a deep bow to the ancient vampire. Then he grinned and sang a few lines.

"Trust I seek and I find in you.

Every day for us something new.

Open mind for a different view.

And nothing else matters."

The phantom lips whispered an elven invisibility spell and his body disappeared.

Lord Drarred tried to understand the meaning of the words of that strange song. The young man who stood beside him prevented the vampire from delving deeper into the comprehension of the high art.

Quietly but beautifully Dan sang the first line of the old song.

"So close no matter how far."

Metal rang out in the distance. At the far wall of the last dungeon hall, Tom struck the first blow and became visible for the vampire patriarch to attack. The clone had no defense! He was dressed in the usual robes of a resurrected player. But he had a full set of his friend's attributes! 444 points in the Strength attribute! And the power of the patron skill. The clone wasn't interested in the possibility of a second strike.

Dan mentally activated the skill and handed his friend the sword of one of the vampires he had killed. Tom took the sword and disappeared.

"Couldn't be much more from the heart."

A clang of metal marked another clone's death. Dan summoned a new phantom and handed him a new sword.

"Forever trusting who we are."

Again the sword fell on the stones of the dungeon, marking the end of Tom's attack.

"Phantom," said Dan Raven. "And nothing else matters."

Tom appeared beside his friend and managed to sing the graying lines of the song. He shook his head and his blue eyes looked at the ancient patriarch with delight.

"There's nothing in it. But there is something that matters in it. The way is clear, Lord Drarred. See you in the future," the clone pointed his hand toward the entrance to the last hall of the dungeon.

"Humans are strange creatures. But you are especially strange humans," laughed the patriarch of the Draco clan and walked forward.

"But we have great songs," laughed Dan.

"If Mozart had met Springsteen our songs might have delighted the gods," muttered Tom.

"Let's not think about how to impress the gods. I'm alarmed and even frightened by the theme," Dan said and hurried into the hall to check out the trophies the dungeon's top boss might have left behind.

As Dan and his clone approached the portal they felt a surge of special energy. The patriarch of the Draco clan had already left the room.

[Warning You have found the entrance to a new location. Requirement: Level 39. Do you agree to enter the location? Yes / No.]

"Not now," Dan murmured and picked up the vampire sword blade and a piece of gray paper from the floor. "Tom, this is the perfect Vampire Web skill! You can detect the presence of anything living at a distance. Great skill against assassins with their invisibility."

"Weak skill," grinned the clone. "That boss couldn't see me."

"You have an unusual blood condition. He was reacting to elven magic. But he couldn't sense your special blood," Dan said immediately.

"You're right. My blood is something special," the clone agreed. "Let's go back. The local vampires might revive soon. That's okay. We could use the experience."

"My quest didn't close," Dan said. "I'm talking about the Drarred quest. I have to go back to the initial room. Something strange and incomprehensible. Let's go to the exit of this hall. There's no point in meeting the boss revival. Are you sure we don't need to go to the other world?"

"Are you out of your mind? I felt your pleasure in meeting Koreima perfectly. Don't wrinkle your nose, insolent harem lover. I want to see my daring elf beloved. And don't tell me our s*x doesn't excite you!" Tom wagged a finger at his friend.

"Nonsense! Nonsense and insatiable p*********y. You're a couple of lunatics," muttered Dan Raven. "You know very well that I'm not a fan of visiting p**n sites. Your s*x exercise isn't exactly normal."

"Everyone has their faults," laughed Tom. "Magic and the thirst to know magic. Those are the two levers that can turn any bed upside down."