Searching for the Wicked

Narrator Note//: Holy shit! 100k views! 1000 likes! Somehow my ridiculous, mid-tier story reached over 100k views and 1k likes. I can't thank you all enough honestly, this story has become a sort of escape for me since I hit a rough patch in my life and it's been fun to just relax and write this after a hard day. Thank you all who continue to read and enjoy every chapter, I appreciate everyone of you and even the people who read the first chapter for even just a second.

Also, if you enjoy this story, I highly recommend checking out The IRLRPG System by Hiddenblade. It's an amazing story and it is incredibly well-written by an awesome guy.

Anyway, I hope you all have an amazing day! J.

NORTHERN GATE - JOHTUN'S POV:

Johtun, who has healed some more, stands alongside Mordroe and their men at the signal fire that crackles with a glorious flame. The wood inside the large brazier sends a large plume of smoke into the sky as daylight is starting to break.

"If Imoga is in the city, she's sure to see that!" Mordroe says.

"Oh she will... we just have to make sure we're ready for whatever she sends to stop it!" Johtun replies.

Mordroe simply nods as he walks down the steps and regroups with his men to sort out the formation. Johtun however still stands beside the brazier, staring into it as the scenes from when this all started play in his mind, specifically one scene...

Mikael getting torn apart as Johtun helplessly looked on.

The guilt from that moment surges within his entire being, quietly reaffirming his promise to himself to make this right and to avenge his fallen men.

As he continues to stare into the flame, his concentration is eventually snapped as he hears, "ENEMIES APPROACHING!".

Johtun looks up, drawing his sword as he spots the large group of the undead shuffling toward them.

Johtun then heads down the steps, regrouping with the soldiers and Mordroe as he says, "Are the men ready?!".

"They'll just have to be!" Mordroe replies, readying himself for the battle as Johtun does the same.

The undead cross the invisible threshold of the groups defensive position and the soldiers go to meet them. Men with spears and polearms make up the front line as some of the others behind them pick up bows and draw their arrows before lighting the arrowheads in the brazier.

"FIRE!" Mordroe calls out and the archers let their arrows fly, hitting a few of the undead.

The front line then moves forward, using their long weapons to safely dispatch of some of the slower undead however because of this, the faster beasts get further forward.

The front line then moves back, allowing for a second small group of axe and swordsmen to advance and challenge the faster undead.

The unified groups begin to chop down the undead with a lot more ease than earlier. The combined, precise and planned attacks giving them an advantage over the panicked swinging from earlier.

The arches fire another few arrows and take out the last of the standing undead with a few of the others being dealt with as they lay on the ground.

Mordroe and Johtun reunite with the former immediately asking, "Are you alright?".

"Yes, Terra's magic is working faster than I expected. I feel better now than I did before getting a chunk ripped out of my side!" Johtun replies, earning a chuckle from Mordroe.

The two friends catch their breath as they watch their men celebrating their small victory in this war of insanity and it gives the two veteran soldiers some glee as they look on.

The silent viewing is then interrupted as Mordroe asks, "You think that was all she'll send?".

Johtun takes a breath before saying, "Not in the slightest Captain. I just hope John's group can find and put her down before we have to deal with much more".

THE KREAKY KAULDRON - John's POV:

John and the group, now joined by Lani and Sylus, get to the front door of the Kauldron where they are met with Nartoko and the rest.

"You found her!" Nartoko says.

"That they did" Lani replies with a smile on her face.

A moment of happiness and relief falls over the large group but reality kicks back in as Radvar then asks, "Uhh, doesn't that big ass cloud of smoke mean we have to look for Imoga now?".

"That it does" Cidal responds as the group go silent at the prospect of hunting down the Queen of the Dead herself.

They look amongst one another, seemingly waiting for the other to say something but eventually, John bites the bullet and says, "Okay, we don't know how long Johtun's team can hold out for, so we have to do this quick and we have to do this right. Now, is everyone ready?".

The group all look amongst one another once again before all giving differing versions of acknowledgement to John.

"Alright, let's go re-kill that undead bitch".

The large group let out some chuckles as they begin to make their way to the centre of town.

A FEW MINUTES LATER:

The group dispatch of a few wandering undead and as Nartoko pulls his halberd from the beasts skull, he comments, "You'd think these bastards would be leading us to her".

"Unfortunately, these ones seem to be drones, simply patrolling for something to chew on" Cidal responds.

"Doesn't matter, the more of them we kill, the easier it'll be to get to Imoga" Kyuala says as she walks up beside John and Lani who are scouting ahead.

"You see anything?" Kyuala asks.

"Nothing, it's eerie" John says with an uneasy tone as he continues to look around.

"Lani, can't you like track her magic or something?" Amilia asks.

Lani promptly answers, "We would've been able to track Imoga by her magic resonance however since all of her minions were brought back by her magic and are all currently shuffling around, it makes it almost impossible to get a direct scent as to where she is".

"We can't just keep going around, Johtun's team may not survive that long" Parlo says.

John begins to brainstorm and an idea quickly forms, "What if we do the opposite?".

The group all look at him confused before Nartoko asks, "What are you talking about lad?".

"We can't track Imoga because of all the magical feedback right? Well, why don't we get her to track us?".

The others begin to understand what John is saying and so Radvar asks, "You want to bring that crazy bitch to us?".

"Pretty much" John replies.

The group are not only stunned at the plan but at the almost cavalier attitude behind the mans words. Terra is the next to speak as she asks, "John, you do understand the ramifications if this plan goes wrong?".

"Of course I do" John aptly replies, "I may be an idiot but i'm not so dense as to not know the risks. I want us to find a location that we not only have the advantage but that we can defend if she sends her minions to scout first".

The soldiers of the group agree with this as Nartoko says, "We choose and control the battlefield, smart".

Parlo follows up with, "It is a bold idea but to win... we may need Johtun and Mordroe's group to help".

John thinks for a moment before saying, "Alright, so you all set up all around wherever we decide while Lani and I wait for Imoga to show. If she sends her horde first, we attack from all directions, trapping them in a sort a... kill box".

The group all suddenly raise a concerned eyebrow with Parlo commenting, "Let me guess this straight. You want to set an ambush for a horde of flesh-eating, undead monstrosities?".

"Well... yeah".

John's answer is left without a reply for a few moments before a smile breaks on Nartoko's face as he says, "That's brilliant lad! You sure you haven't done anything like this before?".

"Not in real life anyway" John replies, recalling his time playing video games and getting verbally abused online by ten year olds who were very adamant that they slept with his mother, several times.

Parlo snaps John out his memories as he says, "No matter the case, it's a good start.. but that doesn't help us get to Johtun and Mordroe or even get Imoga's attention in the first place".

Terra is the next to speak up as she has an idea, "What if we sent a beam of light into the sky?".

The groups attention is now on Terra with Kyuala asking, "You can do that?".

"Actually, it's relatively easy. It's most altering a light spell to project a beam. It can be draining with a single mage but considering we have three here, the strain will be almost minimal" Cidal interjects as he signals between himself, Lani and Terra.

"Okay, we've got our beacon. We just need to get Johtun and Mordroe" Parlo says but he's quickly met with a reply by his soldier who says, "I volunteer".

The sudden reply stuns Parlo, "Are you sure son? You would have to go alone".

The soldier takes a breath, "Sir, it's my duty as a protector of Reduna'z Gaze to do what it takes to protect this town. If I have to lay my life down to do so... then so be it. When this is all over, I want the history books to say that Manseer Aldright did his part".

Parlo doesn't respond immediately, instead, he simply shows a proud smile before putting his hand on the young mans shoulder, "I will personally make sure that your name is carved into history, Manseer".

Manseer and Parlo share a mirrored smile before sharing a hug with Parlo patting the young man on the back. As they let go, Parlo gives Manseer one last nod of approval before the young soldier splits from the group.

Parlo turns back to the group with Nartoko commenting, "That's a hell of a soldier you've got there Parlo".

"I know".

The group chuckle at Parlo's almost paternal pride that beams from his face but eventually they get back to planning with Sylus saying,

"I have an idea about where we can set up".