6 months pass…

Six months of the most grueling physical training you’ve ever had the misfortune of dealing with! However you fared better than some of your fellow cadets. Guess all that farm living paid off.

You’ve certainly improved what combat skills you had, but your marksmanship has improved greatly. You know that Drill Sergeant Kosser has been paying special attention to your abilities. You’re not sure if that’s a good thing of not.

In any event you’re being told where your first assignment is going to be. Most of those in your group are being sent to Tulan border. Not the most pleasant assignment. The fighting is getting worse there.

What started as a minor border dispute has turned into a series of battles with neither side making too much progress. Even before you joined the military you’d heard stories of the greedy king who runs the Tulan Kingdom. You heard from traveling merchants about how he allows a few demons to walk around in his lands! Utter madness in your opinion. The Zalan Empire might be a little strict on the rules and regulations, but better that than demons letting walking around, in your opinion they should all be killed on sight regardless on whether they’re obeying the “law” or not, they’re evil.

You sit anxious on your bed in the barracks as name after name gets called off. Finally Kosser calls off your name, and you fully expect to get sent to the Tulan border.

“I want to talk to you in private.” Is what you hear instead.

This makes you even more nervous. What’s he going to do? Send you on? A mission to assassinate the Tulan King?

After everyone else has gotten there assignments you follow Kosser back to his office. He sits down and speaks direct.

“Alright farmboy, I’m sure you’ve noticed me watching your marksmanship skills. You’re one of the best ones that have come in here for awhile. You have a natural talent and you’ve only improved it through training. It would be a blessing to have someone like you up at the Tulan border. The gods know we could use anything to help break the stalemate there.”
“…but?” you ask hoping that there is one.
“But…your skills might be better served in a place that has a better mortality rate, yet still needs taking care of.”
“Where’s that sir?”
“Here.” Kosser points to a map to a nearby location. It’s the Retlad Kingdom. You can’t imagine what’s going on there, since as far as you know, you’re Zalan is at peace with them.
“Retlad? I thought we’re at peace with them?”
“We are…in fact rumors are saying we’ll probably incorporate them into the empire in the near future. I dunno how much you know about politics out there on the farm, but Retlad is basically a bankrupt kingdom. Their dumb ass royalty spent a shitload of their treasury on building ships in some vain attempt to find more land mass on this world. Hah! Doesn’t exist! We learned than centuries ago! Anyway now they don’t have enough to pay for a proper military and their kingdom is being overrun by hostile Quillar tribes. They want us to help. Begging us practically and we have, but it’s a pain in the ass. Quillars are fast and as their name suggests shoot multiple sharp quills at their enemies. I’ve seen them go through plate armor.”
“That doesn’t sound good.”
“No, it’s not good. The Retlad knight orders got decimated within two months of the first invasion wave. We’re taking a better approach. We need to have equally quick troops that can at least match the fire power. We’ve sent a couple of war wizards, but most of them are serving on the Tulan border. Gunpower weapons are a little too slow for this sort of thing, so we’re looking for people good with a bow. Quick enough to at least get a few shots off from a distance and run. Because hit and run tactics are what the Quillars excel at, so you’ll have to do likewise.”

Kosser pauses his talking for a moment. You take this opportunity to interject a question.

“And this assignment you say has a lower mortality rate?”
“Well, we haven’t sent as many people there yet, but so far we’ve made a little more progress there than at the Tulan border. But of course I won’t say it’s a safe assignment. Those Quillar bastards are vicious and merciless. Up to you farmboy. You’re getting a bonus here. You’re actually getting to choose your assignment. Not many that get out of boot camp get that privilege.”

Some “privilege”
> You letters to home (Boot Camp)
Dear Mom,

I’m glad I’ve finally had some free time to write to you. Would you believe that when I first joined up, the recruiter thought I didn’t know how? Sometimes these city folk got a lot of nerve making assumptions about people that grew up on farms, I’ve had to learn that first hand just by the folks I’m currently bunking with. They’re all mostly from the capitol or another Zalan city. I think I’m the only one here from a small village, so I’ve been saddled with the nickname “farmboy”. Ha ha.

Despite this nick, I get along with most of the people here. The drill sergeant is mean, but luckily I haven’t had to suffer the full brunt of his wrath, which is more than can be said for a few of the people here. That’s never pretty.

Boot camp is very tough. Even tougher than working on the farm. I’m just glad its half-way over. They took my lute away as soon as I entered. I really should’ve known better to take it with me…but I dunno I thought I’d be able to practice it on what few breaks I have. Oh well, I guess I wasn’t ever going to be that traveling bard anyway. Just foolish dreams I suppose.

Anyway we’re going to start bow training tomorrow. I think I should do very well in that.

Okay, I can’t think of anything else. I hope everything is going well on the farm. I know you’ve always kept an eye on all of us, but make sure that Mallack pays extra attention on the chicken coop this month. The Kobolds come out a lot around this time!

Give my love to the rest of the family.

Your son


This is no way to live.

Working on a barely profitable rundown farm with far too many family members to feed. It’s a damn good thing you’re an excellent hunter. However, lately there’s even been a shortage of game to thwart your efforts.

You didn’t really want to be working on the farm your whole life in the first place, you wanted to see the world but when dad died, things got a lot harder for the family and you had to take over as “man” of the house and stay put.

Something is going to have to change.

While you’d like nothing more than to go through with your childhood dreams of becoming a traveling bard without any responsibility you don’t have that luxury. Hell, you barely have time to play your lute anymore in the small amount of free time you do have. You doubt if you’d even be good enough to make a living for just yourself doing it.

But you need to get away, but what can you do that won’t allow you to completely abandon your mom and all your brothers and sisters?

You suddenly think of the choice that many in your desperate position have thought of many times before.

The army.

Its not exactly ideal, but you be traveling and seeing the world so to speak. You’d also be making enough money that you could send to your family. Your own living expenses would be provided for by the army.

Of course there’s all that fighting that usually goes along with it that you’re not to keen on. Not that you aren’t a stranger to battle as their have been the occasional bandits or kobold thieves that have attempted to steal from the farm in the past, but you prefer not to fight if possible, especially not up close. The bow has always been your weapon of choice. There’s also the matter of mass combat on a grand scale that usually accompanies army life. A lot different than chasing away some thieves in the chicken coop.

As you’re thinking about this, you also realize that there is another option. There’s a small mercenary company passing through the area. They’ve been hanging out at the local tavern for a couple days. They don’t seem to be the noblest sort from what you can tell, but fortunately they seem to have kept their revelry confined to the tavern. Who knows how they act away from “civilization” though.

Still, it’s something to consider. There probably is less attention to discipline and a little more relaxed on rules and regulations. You probably wouldn’t be fighting in some mass land war that governments are fond of waging. Mercenaries travel a lot and tend to make more, however they tend to get hired for a lot weirder jobs, usually ones that the employer doesn’t want people to know about or ones that nobody else seems to be able to handle.
> You sign up with the mercenaries
You’re not sure if the formal military life is for you. If you joined up you wouldn’t be able to readily leave. You figure if you don’t like life as a mercenary or it isn’t working out for you, you can leave freely.

You explain your decision to join up with the mercenary company that’s currently passing through. Your revelation comes as a shock. Your smaller brothers and sisters don’t want you to go, your brother Mallack really doesn’t want you to leave since he’ll be next in line to take the brunt of the manual labor!

Your mother is a little apprehensive about your decision. You half expect her to say no, but she understands that you’re doing this for the good of the family. She gives her blessing.

Before you leave the next day with your packed belongings, your whole family comes to say goodbye to you. You almost hesitate to leave, wondering if it would actually be better for you to stay. Your mother approaches you.

“You don’t have to do this you know. We’re doing just fine.”
“Yeah, but things would be easier if this family had more money.”
“Hah. Things are always easier with more money son, but you don’t need to go and get yourself killed for it.”
“Yeah, I know, but I’ve thought it through.”
“Very well, you’re old enough to make your own decisions and live your own life, though I’m glad to see that you still want to help the family as opposed to just leaving in the middle of the night.”
“I’ll visit and return with whatever my pay is whenever I can.”
“I know…okay, you best get going. I think the mercenary company was leaving today.”

You make you way to the local tavern and catch them just as they’re getting ready leave. A lot of them look hung over.

“Hey wait up…” you say in a slightly loud tone, causing one mean looking mercenary to snarl at you.
“Shut the fuck up yokel! Shit, I got a splitting headache and it hurts like a sonofabitch.”
“Sorry. Are you the leader of this company?”
“Leader of these dickheads? Naw. The Boss is actually visiting his family in the Zalan capital. We’re going to meet up with him now and I suggest you get the fuck outta our way and not waste anymore of our time!”
“But I want to join you guys.”

The mercenary you were speaking to looks at you then looks at a few of his buddies and begins to laugh louder than your voice which previously annoyed him.

“HAHAHA HAHAHA! Y’hear that fellas? This yokel wants to join us! Thanks a lot, I needed a good laugh, now go fuck your pigs or whatever it is you farm types do.”
“But I’m serious…”
“Serious? Farmboy, this is a man’s job and not for the fuckin’ weak. You ever even use a damn weapon?”
“Yeah! I got this bow and this sword! I’m a really good shot!”

The mercenary still looks unimpressed.

“Uh huh, yeah well you ever kill anyone, hell you ever kill ANYTHING? And I’m not talkin’ about any of your livestock you might’ve slaughtered. I mean something sentient.”
“Well yeah, I’ve killed Kobolds that were trying to steal chickens from the…”

The mercenaries begin to laugh again.

“Oh shit, you are priceless boy! My sister can kill fuckin’ Kobolds and her only talent is whoring.”
“Haha got that one right, Dimitri.” Another one of the mercenaries agrees.

Suddenly the laughing stops.

“What the fuck did you just say Fermeli?”
“Uh, I was just agreeing with you…c’mon don’t take it like that! I mean you said…”
“Ain’t about what I said, it’s about what YOU said! You called my fucking sister a whore! You ain’t getting’ away with that shit.”

Dimitri draws his sword and stomps over to Fermeli who is trying to get one of his buddies to help him, but everyone else is backing away from the fight. Dimitri takes advantage of Fermeli’s state of panic and slashes him good with his sword.

Fermeli cries out in pain and begs for forgiveness. Dimitri looks like he’s going to finish him off, but then turns to you.

“You want to join hayseed? Kill this piece of shit then.”
“Huh? I mean…” you utter in confusion.
“Did I stutter pig farmer? Kill this… AARGH FUCK!”

Fermeli has now taken advantage of Dimitri by shoving a dagger into his leg and scrambling to get up

“Yeah! Take that! How’s that feel?” Fermeli taunts and draws his own sword in an attempt to kill Dimitri

At this point you unwisely step into the middle of this fight.

“Hey hold on, the pair of you are even now…”
“Fuck off pig farmer! You want some of this now? Yeah, let’s see how much of a killer you are!” Fermeli says who doesn’t look frightened of you at all and heads in your direction.

“Hey wait I don’t wanna…”

You barely dodge his sword swipe to your head. You roll out of the way and quickly grab an arrow and shoot it at Fermeli with your bow, hitting him square in the neck. Some blood spurts out and a surprised look on his face is displayed and then he falls dead. You’ve killed him. You’ve never killed anything before that wasn’t a Kobold or livestock. You feel weird.

In the meantime Dimitri gets up and pulls the dagger out of his leg and looks over at Formeli’s body.

“Heh, maybe you are a killer after all pig farmer. Well it seems we got an opening now. Take whatever he had as your own. You killed him, you earned it. Welcome to the Chimera Mercenary Company!”

While you MAY be in, you’re not necessarily sure if you want in. This may be a bit too much for you.
> You join anyway
You know this isn’t going to be easy and you’re going to have to be tough, but you remember that you’re doing this for your family. You quickly search Formeli’s body, which didn’t have that much to begin with.

“Heh, he always was a broke bastard. Spent all his money on gambling, I’ll miss taking his money that’s for sure. Alright then, you’ll probably be wantin’ to take that sword of his since it looks in way better condition than your rusted hunk of iron. Your bow seems to do the job just fine though. His armor too, and hurry up, we gotta meet the Boss! He’s got another job for us no doubt.”

As you’re stripping off some of the armor, Dimitri notices something on your back.

“What…what the hell is that boy? Is that a fuckin’ lute? Haw haw! What the fuck are you doin’ with a damn lute? You think that you’re some sort of bard or something? We ain’t got need for such things boy! Get rid of it!”
“No, it’s mine.” You defiantly say.
You wonder if this show of “courage” has gotten you into a whole mess of trouble that you don’t want, but fortunately it doesn’t.

“Heh, he kills one shithead and now he thinks he’s a tough guy! Alright pig farmer keep your sissy lute. But its just more weight for you to carry and you better not be falling behind! Come on men let’s go, the Boss is waiting for us. You too lute boy!” Dimitri exclaims and limps off. You briefly thought about telling him that he better keep up with his wounded leg and all, but you know when to stop.

And so your mercenary life begins.

A year passes…

You’re currently back in the Zalan Empire on a break in between missions. While most of your “buddies” are drinking up their pay and spending it on whores you take this opportunity to visit your family and give them your payment and spoils of battle as usual.

You think about how much you’ve traveled and experienced. Not all of it good, but then killing is never pretty. Some of the jobs are very straight forward: “There are some orc barbarians on the borders that have been pillaging our lands, kill them.” And you don’t have a problem with it. Other missions start falling into the “gray” area.

Your last job involved some Azi Republic senator hiring the company to take out some secessionists that wanted to form their own country. It wasn’t clean and it definitely wasn’t fun. The secessionists actually had a reasonable complaint about leaving the Republic, saying that it was corrupt and that their representatives didn’t care about them. But being a mercenary means you don’t take sides for moral or ideological reasons, you do it for money.

It’s not just that though, some of the things that have been done…well you can’t say you’re too proud of it. Granted, you’ve never actively engaged in some of the less moral and outright criminal things that your mercenary comrades have, but you certainly know about them and it almost makes you feel like you’re guilty of it as well.

As for how you cope with some of this stuff, you tend to keep to yourself and play your lute which has oddly made you a little more accepted. Seems there are more than a few music lovers in the company. Even the Captain doesn’t mind you indulging in your little hobby. The Captain is a huge man who you know gets a pleasure from killing and mayhem. He’s spent a lifetime doing it. In fact you have a hard time believing he even has a family that he goes to visit. Who knows though? Perhaps he is different with them.

(You’ve been working for the Chimera Company for a year and you still don’t know what the hell his real name is, mainly because everyone only seems to address him as “The Boss” or “Chief” or in a more formal tone “Captain”)

You spend the time with your family and tell them of some of the things you’ve seen and exciting places you’ve been to, of course never going into too much detail about the darker side of things. Your brothers and sisters enjoy the tales as usual. Your Mom senses that there is probably more to them, but she doesn’t ask too many questions. She does always asks if you’re okay and says that you don’t have to keep doing it, but you always reply that you’re fine and that you’re just a little tired that’s all.

When your time is done you say goodbye to them and meet with the rest of your company at the Zalan capital this time. Its odd, but things seem to be even more chaotic than usual around here. People are rushing around and an air of concern seems to be pervading the city.

The guards are telling people to calm down our there will be martial law and you hear something in passing about an attack on a city. You don’t really listen because you’re in a hurry to meet up with your company which you find mostly hanging out in a tavern as usual.

Dimitri sees you and speaks.

“Ah, it’s our own fuckin’ bard ! How’s my favorite string plucker? (Hic!) You have trouble getting into the city? Heard the guards have been cracking down on security.”
“No, but what’s going on? The city seems to be in a state of panic.”
“Fuck yeah it is! What you didn’t hear?”
“No. What happened?”
“Fuckin’ undead happened my pig farming friend! A whole shitload of them took over the the city of Nuro! Can you believe it? Fuckin’ Nuro! That place was supposed to be unconquerable! Heh! (Burp!)” Dimitri says without the slightest bit of worry.
“UNDEAD?! What the fuck? Nuro!? How?!”
“Fuck if I know, guess some rogue wizards got hooked up in that necromancy shit hardcore. Musta been some demonologists there too since we heard reports of demons too. Not the supposedly civilized type either, they’re the rip off your head and shit down your neck kind.”
“…there’s fuckin’ rogue demons in Nuro too?”
“Of course not, they all escaped and are now running around in the countryside, heard they’re heading for the Tulan Kingdom.” Dimitri says taking another drink.

You’re having a hard time digesting all this yet the rest of your comrades are still drinking and partying like nothing is wrong. Your Dad had once told you tales of a being called the Great Lich Lord that existed many centuries ago who nearly killed the world. Scared the hell out of you then and it doesn’t make you feel too good now.

“Isn’t this concerning to you?”
“What? Shit no! Just means more work for us and that also means more loot! Ha ha! You could get more loot to buy a new lute! Ha ha ha! (Hic!)”
“But this is the fuckin’ undead! I mean…”
“So? Stop bein a pussy! I’ve fought some undead before, when I was lootin’ a dwarven tomb. You just chop their heads off like everything else, shit ain’t that hard. They just tend to smell worse…well maybe not worse than trolls. Anyway I’m sure the fucking governments will take care of this shit as quick as possible, you know how politicians don’t like dead taxpayers, in the meantime we need to take advantage now while the conflict is hot!”

No sooner has Dimitri said this little bit of wisdom, when the Boss steps in the doorway. He’s as nasty looking as always, but this time he looks even moreso than usual.

“Alright you useless sacks of goblin shit. We got a new job. This one just came across rather unexpectedly. Ran into a Dwarven representative and we’re now in the employ of a Dwarven Clan, near the southern Tulan Borders. With the occurrence of this Nuro incident, they’re expecting some shit to spill over into their lands and they want some extra help. This is pretty surprising since Dwarves aren’t known to pay for mercenaries, let alone the likes of us.” The Boss tell you all.
“The Tulan Border? Oh fuck that place is a meat grinder! There’s no profit to be had anywhere near there!” Cal pipes up.
“Well you can just pick up your panties and get your pansy ass back home and stay there then! The dwarves are paying well and that’s the job. Take it or get the fuck outta my company!”
“Excuse me Captain, but weren’t there reports of demons running through that area?” you ask.
“Yeah so? That’s why we’re going over there most likely, but be fucking prepared for any damn thing. Maybe even undead…who knows if my…if those necromancer bastards started spreading their plague yet. We leave tomorrow.”

You think on this fucked up situation and seriously reconsidering your career choice.
> You leave the mercenary company
Nope, you’re not doing this. This is suicide in your opinion. You have no idea what to expect and it sound a lot more dangerous than anything you’ve ever faced.

Instead of leaving with them the next day, you go back home. You don’t worry about anyone coming after you, but you know you won’t be welcomed back into the company again, and you wouldn’t want to anyway.

When you get back home, your family and mom in particular ask what happened, you explain it and say you don’t want any part of that life. You apologize that you couldn’t go through with it, but your mom looks more relieved than anything.

“Well son, I’m just as glad you didn’t go get yourself killed over there anyway. You’ll be helping us out plenty just by working on the farm like always.”

You’re glad to hear that. Over the next couple days you fall back into routine again. You still wonder about the future though and you briefly consider the army plan again, but given your short lived experience with mercenary “life” you don’t think you’re cut out with battle on a regular basis. Plus the Zalan Empire is currently on heightened alert and battle ready status with this Nuro Incident and all.

You resign yourself to the farm life. You play your lute to yourself (and family) when you have the time to do so. It’s a simple life.

Two years pass and things have gotten worse. The Necromancer Lord (as he’s become to be known) has expanded, even to the point of taking over the Brot Kingdom. The Tulan Kingdom has been totally conquered by a demon army. A Grand Alliance of nations has been formed, but so far they don’t seem to be making much progress.

Meanwhile life on the farm is a little harder. Your youngest sister Makana becomes gravely ill during the winter months, but there’s not enough money to pay for a healer and most of the clerics have been summoned to battle with the undead or demon hordes. Sadly she dies making the overall mood of the farm a little more depressing. You don’t even play anymore, your enthusiasm for music died along with the grim realities setting in.

Another three years pass and things are down right miserable. War is everywhere. The Demons have been taken care of, (You heard your former mercenary captain died in battle with their leader Velzix) but the undead are stronger than ever. Reports even speak of the Necromancer Lord becoming The Great Lich Lord “reborn”.

To make things worse, the Zalan Empire has been becoming increasingly tyrannical. In order to help with the war effort they’ve started bringing back the draft and the talk of ceasing private property to be used for the good of the government. While they say owners will be able to live and still work on their lands and businesses, it will be owned by the Empire.

You know it’s only a matter of time when you get a knock on the door by Zalan army troops coming to take you and your brother Mallack away to the army and your family’s farm.

Another two year pass….

You’re on the eve of battle in a land known as the Garwold Confederacy although it’s steadily becoming a giant graveyard now. The undead hordes have been sweeping relentlessly across the entire landscape. Your own company has had to fall back several times. Morale is low. Not that yours was high to begin with. You don’t even know how you’ve survived this long. While you had some battle experience during your time with the mercenary company, it still hasn’t prepared you for the horrors you’ve seen. The undead…you’ll never get used to fighting such emotionless creatures that are the embodiment of death and all that’s unnatural.

You briefly wonder if your brother Mallack is alright where he’s stationed, but it hardly matters at this point.

Battle comes as it always does and you are not so lucky this time. Horrible and powerful creatures known as Blood Specters and Death Knights utterly destroy your side.

You fall to undead blades and chilling touches only rise up and join them in their goal of global genocide.


You know this isn’t going to be easy and you’re going to have to be tough, but you remember that you’re doing this for your family. You quickly search Formeli’s body, which didn’t have that much to begin with.

“Heh, he always was a broke bastard. Spent all his money on gambling, I’ll miss taking his money that’s for sure. Alright then, you’ll probably be wantin’ to take that sword of his since it looks in way better condition than your rusted hunk of iron. Your bow seems to do the job just fine though. His armor too, and hurry up, we gotta meet the Boss! He’s got another job for us no doubt.”

As you’re stripping off some of the armor, Dimitri notices something on your back.

“What…what the hell is that boy? Is that a fuckin’ lute? Haw haw! What the fuck are you doin’ with a damn lute? You think that you’re some sort of bard or something? We ain’t got need for such things boy! Get rid of it!”
“No, it’s mine.” You defiantly say.
You wonder if this show of “courage” has gotten you into a whole mess of trouble that you don’t want, but fortunately it doesn’t.

“Heh, he kills one shithead and now he thinks he’s a tough guy! Alright pig farmer keep your sissy lute. But its just more weight for you to carry and you better not be falling behind! Come on men let’s go, the Boss is waiting for us. You too lute boy!” Dimitri exclaims and limps off. You briefly thought about telling him that he better keep up with his wounded leg and all, but you know when to stop.

And so your mercenary life begins.

A year passes…

You’re currently back in the Zalan Empire on a break in between missions. While most of your “buddies” are drinking up their pay and spending it on whores you take this opportunity to visit your family and give them your payment and spoils of battle as usual.

You think about how much you’ve traveled and experienced. Not all of it good, but then killing is never pretty. Some of the jobs are very straight forward: “There are some orc barbarians on the borders that have been pillaging our lands, kill them.” And you don’t have a problem with it. Other missions start falling into the “gray” area.

Your last job involved some Azi Republic senator hiring the company to take out some secessionists that wanted to form their own country. It wasn’t clean and it definitely wasn’t fun. The secessionists actually had a reasonable complaint about leaving the Republic, saying that it was corrupt and that their representatives didn’t care about them. But being a mercenary means you don’t take sides for moral or ideological reasons, you do it for money.

It’s not just that though, some of the things that have been done…well you can’t say you’re too proud of it. Granted, you’ve never actively engaged in some of the less moral and outright criminal things that your mercenary comrades have, but you certainly know about them and it almost makes you feel like you’re guilty of it as well.

As for how you cope with some of this stuff, you tend to keep to yourself and play your lute which has oddly made you a little more accepted. Seems there are more than a few music lovers in the company. Even the Captain doesn’t mind you indulging in your little hobby. The Captain is a huge man who you know gets a pleasure from killing and mayhem. He’s spent a lifetime doing it. In fact you have a hard time believing he even has a family that he goes to visit. Who knows though? Perhaps he is different with them.

(You’ve been working for the Chimera Company for a year and you still don’t know what the hell his real name is, mainly because everyone only seems to address him as “The Boss” or “Chief” or in a more formal tone “Captain”)

You spend the time with your family and tell them of some of the things you’ve seen and exciting places you’ve been to, of course never going into too much detail about the darker side of things. Your brothers and sisters enjoy the tales as usual. Your Mom senses that there is probably more to them, but she doesn’t ask too many questions. She does always asks if you’re okay and says that you don’t have to keep doing it, but you always reply that you’re fine and that you’re just a little tired that’s all.

When your time is done you say goodbye to them and meet with the rest of your company at the Zalan capital this time. Its odd, but things seem to be even more chaotic than usual around here. People are rushing around and an air of concern seems to be pervading the city.

The guards are telling people to calm down our there will be martial law and you hear something in passing about an attack on a city. You don’t really listen because you’re in a hurry to meet up with your company which you find mostly hanging out in a tavern as usual.

Dimitri sees you and speaks.

“Ah, it’s our own fuckin’ bard ! How’s my favorite string plucker? (Hic!) You have trouble getting into the city? Heard the guards have been cracking down on security.”
“No, but what’s going on? The city seems to be in a state of panic.”
“Fuck yeah it is! What you didn’t hear?”
“No. What happened?”
“Fuckin’ undead happened my pig farming friend! A whole shitload of them took over the the city of Nuro! Can you believe it? Fuckin’ Nuro! That place was supposed to be unconquerable! Heh! (Burp!)” Dimitri says without the slightest bit of worry.
“UNDEAD?! What the fuck? Nuro!? How?!”
“Fuck if I know, guess some rogue wizards got hooked up in that necromancy shit hardcore. Musta been some demonologists there too since we heard reports of demons too. Not the supposedly civilized type either, they’re the rip off your head and shit down your neck kind.”
“…there’s fuckin’ rogue demons in Nuro too?”
“Of course not, they all escaped and are now running around in the countryside, heard they’re heading for the Tulan Kingdom.” Dimitri says taking another drink.

You’re having a hard time digesting all this yet the rest of your comrades are still drinking and partying like nothing is wrong. Your Dad had once told you tales of a being called the Great Lich Lord that existed many centuries ago who nearly killed the world. Scared the hell out of you then and it doesn’t make you feel too good now.

“Isn’t this concerning to you?”
“What? Shit no! Just means more work for us and that also means more loot! Ha ha! You could get more loot to buy a new lute! Ha ha ha! (Hic!)”
“But this is the fuckin’ undead! I mean…”
“So? Stop bein a pussy! I’ve fought some undead before, when I was lootin’ a dwarven tomb. You just chop their heads off like everything else, shit ain’t that hard. They just tend to smell worse…well maybe not worse than trolls. Anyway I’m sure the fucking governments will take care of this shit as quick as possible, you know how politicians don’t like dead taxpayers, in the meantime we need to take advantage now while the conflict is hot!”

No sooner has Dimitri said this little bit of wisdom, when the Boss steps in the doorway. He’s as nasty looking as always, but this time he looks even moreso than usual.

“Alright you useless sacks of goblin shit. We got a new job. This one just came across rather unexpectedly. Ran into a Dwarven representative and we’re now in the employ of a Dwarven Clan, near the southern Tulan Borders. With the occurrence of this Nuro incident, they’re expecting some shit to spill over into their lands and they want some extra help. This is pretty surprising since Dwarves aren’t known to pay for mercenaries, let alone the likes of us.” The Boss tell you all.
“The Tulan Border? Oh fuck that place is a meat grinder! There’s no profit to be had anywhere near there!” Cal pipes up.
“Well you can just pick up your panties and get your pansy ass back home and stay there then! The dwarves are paying well and that’s the job. Take it or get the fuck outta my company!”
“Excuse me Captain, but weren’t there reports of demons running through that area?” you ask.
“Yeah so? That’s why we’re going over there most likely, but be fucking prepared for any damn thing. Maybe even undead…who knows if my…if those necromancer bastards started spreading their plague yet. We leave tomorrow.”

You think on this fucked up situation and seriously reconsidering your career choice.
> You stick with it
You’re in this now and you can’t stop just because it’s looking tough. You got your family to think about. You’re staying.

However you do, do something slightly out of character, you spend what little money you have on a whore for the night, mainly because you’re a lot less sure if you’re going to come back from this mission.

The next day you’re on the job. The march to the dwarven lands is mostly uneventful, though the fighting between the Zalan Empire and the Tulan Kingdom is still going on their borders which even skirting around, still manages to find your company. The Boss takes advantage of straggling Tulan soldiers that have fled battle. The butchery isn’t uncommon, after all, nobody will know and the Zalan Empire will just be blamed anyway.

Arrival in the Dwarven lands is met with caution, the Dwarves obviously know of the Chimera Company’s reputation and a small group of them motion the Boss to just talk to him directly. A deal seems to be made and the Dwarves leave to go back to their underground home.

The Captain now addresses all of you.

“Alright, apparently there HAVE been demons running all up and down and through the area. The Dwarves are preparing defenses in case they try to invade underground; apparently they consider their underground city takes precedence so their main force is there. However they still have plenty of mines above ground and not nearly enough dwarves to defend them all. Now its been said the demons have been heading toward the Tulan Kingdom, but a lot of them still have been fucking around here and generally wrecking shit for the fun of it. Collapsing even the sturdy mines of the dwarves on their heads seems to be amusing to them. So our goal is to make things bothersome enough for them that they’ll leave the dwarves alone and go elsewhere.”

The Captain spits on the ground before continuing.

“We’re going to split up for this assignment and take different mines in the area. Watch your fucking ass. I don’t think any of you eunuchs have fought any demons before, but I have and they’re utterly fucking ruthless. Forget all that shit about some of them being civilized. They’re about as civilized as damn Quillar, but a lot more intelligent. The chaos that is in their hearts is always there and these ones are the complete embodiment of it. And for fuck’s sake DON’T stay near any explosives! The dwarves are always using shit like that in their mines and demons have a tendency to have fire throwing abilities. It’s probably the reason for all the easy mine collapses.”

The Captain takes out a map.

“One more thing. While I know the common thing to do on our assignments is to take advantage of things. We need to play this one completely fucking straight! Do NOT fucking do anything that’s going to piss off the dwarves! If you do, we don’t get paid. We don’t get paid. I’m going to get pissed, because we’re getting a lot for this one. And assuming the dwarves don’t kill you, I certainly fucking will. Alright now I’m going to assign you according to this map.”

You and a few others (Including Dimitri) are assigned to the Karzac Mines where you make your way to after some climbing which fortunately isn’t too far off ground level. The dwarves there regard you with suspicion immediately.

“Oh great they’re here. Alright, let’s set the ground rules. I’m head miner Morri and I’m in charge of this place! Don’t even think about trying to steal some loose bars of silver that you might find lying around. You do it, and your skull meets an axe or mining pick! Got me?”
“Stand up when you speak to me.” Dimitri laughs.
“Yeah, make yer jokes human, we’ll see if the demons will appreciate that humor when you’re meeting them face to face.”
“Demon, pah! Just one more thing for me to kill, people make a big deal about them. I’ve seen how they fall in line and become law abiding citizens just like anyone else when beaten down.”
“Yeah and those same civilized ones will kill you when they get the chance. Didn’t you hear the Captain?” you say.
“Yeah well he’s got a tendency to be over dramatic; he probably picked that up from that fine ass elven bitch he’s married to. Besides who DOESN’T try to kill you when they get the chance? They aren’t anything special. Their race just has a tendency to have assholiness come natural to them.”

Morri interrupts the pair of you.

“Hey if you two morons are finished, I’m about to tell you the fun part of this job. There are demons already in this mine.”
“What?!”
“Oh yeah, bunch of those fuckers as we speak. Seems we got the fortune of one sneaking in here and decided to have her spawn in the deep reaches of this mine. The only good thing is these types don’t seem to be interested in collapsing the mine, however they’re trying to turn this place into some sort of fucking demon hive or something. We’ve been trying to eliminate them, but of course it’s slow going. We need to get them before they start breeding more though. So we’re splitting up…”
“Here we go again…” Dimitri says.

Morri assigns at least a few dwarves with each mercenary. You, Morri and Dimitri make up the last one.

The demon hunting in the mines is actually a very “mundane” job. They certainly are horrible looking creatures and very vicious, but after the first few times, you get used to it. These particular demons have an insect like appearance so maybe that’s why these behave the way they do. They aren’t very tough in the scheme of things, but like Morri said there do seem to be a lot. You can’t use your bow like you want to either due to the cramped mine conditions.

Demons aren’t really the problem though, the problem is Dimitri.

After one of the harder battles, Morri is attempting to catch his breath. Dimitri notices the very large silver deposit you’re next to and the silver that’s just there for the taking. He quietly whispers to you that you and he should waylay Morri and take some of the silver. Leave his body to be munched on by a wandering demon. Who’s going to know?

You’re not really for this plan and you say no, but Dimitri begins to argue and Morri notices the both of you.

“I’m not doing it! The Captain said…” you exclaim.
“Fuckin’ pussy!” Dimitri says pushing you.
“Hey hey hey! Not doing what? What are you two on abo…”

Dimitri takes the opportunity of distraction and hits Morri in the face with silver bar that he lifted off the ground earlier.

“ Ugh! Bastard dog you’ll pay for this treachery!” Morri utters falling to the ground.
“Come on, this is your last chance to be a man and help me pig farmer!” Dimitri says as he goes to finish off Morri.
> You help Dimitri
You hate yourself for this, but you feel you don’t have much choice, if Morri lives he’ll certainly tell everyone and then you won’t get paid which will probably result in your death by the hands of the Boss. You raise your own weapon and help kill Morri. He doesn’t die easy, but Dimitri finishes him off before he can put up any sort of meaningful defense.

Breathing hard and smiling at you with blood on his face, Dimitri laughs a bit.

“Heh heh, knew you’d see the light, lute boy! Now come on, let’s throw his body in that left passage. I think I heard some of those demon roaches chittering down that way. Let’s just make sure we’re not around eh? We got a lot of silver to load up on!”

You don’t take any of the silver actually, you’re still worrying and not feeling right about this whole situation, of course that just means more for Dimitri.

You don’t even think this half assed plan of Dimitri’s is going to work. You and Dimitri are going to look mighty suspicious meeting up with the other dwarves without Morri, and trying to conceal a shitload of silver, though Dimitri claims everything will be fine.

Everything goes less fine when you start to realize that Morri was the one who was leading you through this mine maze. Neither you or Dimitri were paying attention to the directions mainly because you were on the look out for demon attacks and fighting them off.

Eventually you’re attacked by more of the demons as you proceed to get lost. You and Dimitri get into an argument and begin to blame each other (Though it really is his fault) You both get angry and come to blows, you however get the advantage, not being weighed down by silver. You leave his body for the demons.

You however don’t get too much further. The demons seem to be coming out in more force and you’re wounded many times. You get scared and confused and you know you’re a dead man when you see Morri’s body being eaten by several of demons. You’ve gone in a complete circle and now you’re hearing that demon chittering from everywhere.

A valiant effort is made by you, but you can’t fight them all. Eventually you are overwhelmed and eaten.


You’re in this now and you can’t stop just because it’s looking tough. You got your family to think about. You’re staying.

However you do, do something slightly out of character, you spend what little money you have on a whore for the night, mainly because you’re a lot less sure if you’re going to come back from this mission.

The next day you’re on the job. The march to the dwarven lands is mostly uneventful, though the fighting between the Zalan Empire and the Tulan Kingdom is still going on their borders which even skirting around, still manages to find your company. The Boss takes advantage of straggling Tulan soldiers that have fled battle. The butchery isn’t uncommon, after all, nobody will know and the Zalan Empire will just be blamed anyway.

Arrival in the Dwarven lands is met with caution, the Dwarves obviously know of the Chimera Company’s reputation and a small group of them motion the Boss to just talk to him directly. A deal seems to be made and the Dwarves leave to go back to their underground home.

The Captain now addresses all of you.

“Alright, apparently there HAVE been demons running all up and down and through the area. The Dwarves are preparing defenses in case they try to invade underground; apparently they consider their underground city takes precedence so their main force is there. However they still have plenty of mines above ground and not nearly enough dwarves to defend them all. Now its been said the demons have been heading toward the Tulan Kingdom, but a lot of them still have been fucking around here and generally wrecking shit for the fun of it. Collapsing even the sturdy mines of the dwarves on their heads seems to be amusing to them. So our goal is to make things bothersome enough for them that they’ll leave the dwarves alone and go elsewhere.”

The Captain spits on the ground before continuing.

“We’re going to split up for this assignment and take different mines in the area. Watch your fucking ass. I don’t think any of you eunuchs have fought any demons before, but I have and they’re utterly fucking ruthless. Forget all that shit about some of them being civilized. They’re about as civilized as damn Quillar, but a lot more intelligent. The chaos that is in their hearts is always there and these ones are the complete embodiment of it. And for fuck’s sake DON’T stay near any explosives! The dwarves are always using shit like that in their mines and demons have a tendency to have fire throwing abilities. It’s probably the reason for all the easy mine collapses.”

The Captain takes out a map.

“One more thing. While I know the common thing to do on our assignments is to take advantage of things. We need to play this one completely fucking straight! Do NOT fucking do anything that’s going to piss off the dwarves! If you do, we don’t get paid. We don’t get paid. I’m going to get pissed, because we’re getting a lot for this one. And assuming the dwarves don’t kill you, I certainly fucking will. Alright now I’m going to assign you according to this map.”

You and a few others (Including Dimitri) are assigned to the Karzac Mines where you make your way to after some climbing which fortunately isn’t too far off ground level. The dwarves there regard you with suspicion immediately.

“Oh great they’re here. Alright, let’s set the ground rules. I’m head miner Morri and I’m in charge of this place! Don’t even think about trying to steal some loose bars of silver that you might find lying around. You do it, and your skull meets an axe or mining pick! Got me?”
“Stand up when you speak to me.” Dimitri laughs.
“Yeah, make yer jokes human, we’ll see if the demons will appreciate that humor when you’re meeting them face to face.”
“Demon, pah! Just one more thing for me to kill, people make a big deal about them. I’ve seen how they fall in line and become law abiding citizens just like anyone else when beaten down.”
“Yeah and those same civilized ones will kill you when they get the chance. Didn’t you hear the Captain?” you say.
“Yeah well he’s got a tendency to be over dramatic; he probably picked that up from that fine ass elven bitch he’s married to. Besides who DOESN’T try to kill you when they get the chance? They aren’t anything special. Their race just has a tendency to have assholiness come natural to them.”

Morri interrupts the pair of you.

“Hey if you two morons are finished, I’m about to tell you the fun part of this job. There are demons already in this mine.”
“What?!”
“Oh yeah, bunch of those fuckers as we speak. Seems we got the fortune of one sneaking in here and decided to have her spawn in the deep reaches of this mine. The only good thing is these types don’t seem to be interested in collapsing the mine, however they’re trying to turn this place into some sort of fucking demon hive or something. We’ve been trying to eliminate them, but of course it’s slow going. We need to get them before they start breeding more though. So we’re splitting up…”
“Here we go again…” Dimitri says.

Morri assigns at least a few dwarves with each mercenary. You, Morri and Dimitri make up the last one.

The demon hunting in the mines is actually a very “mundane” job. They certainly are horrible looking creatures and very vicious, but after the first few times, you get used to it. These particular demons have an insect like appearance so maybe that’s why these behave the way they do. They aren’t very tough in the scheme of things, but like Morri said there do seem to be a lot. You can’t use your bow like you want to either due to the cramped mine conditions.

Demons aren’t really the problem though, the problem is Dimitri.

After one of the harder battles, Morri is attempting to catch his breath. Dimitri notices the very large silver deposit you’re next to and the silver that’s just there for the taking. He quietly whispers to you that you and he should waylay Morri and take some of the silver. Leave his body to be munched on by a wandering demon. Who’s going to know?

You’re not really for this plan and you say no, but Dimitri begins to argue and Morri notices the both of you.

“I’m not doing it! The Captain said…” you exclaim.
“Fuckin’ pussy!” Dimitri says pushing you.
“Hey hey hey! Not doing what? What are you two on abo…”

Dimitri takes the opportunity of distraction and hits Morri in the face with silver bar that he lifted off the ground earlier.

“ Ugh! Bastard dog you’ll pay for this treachery!” Morri utters falling to the ground.
“Come on, this is your last chance to be a man and help me pig farmer!” Dimitri says as he goes to finish off Morri.
> You help Morri
You’ve had enough. You’re not going to help OR stand by for another immoral act performed by your “co-workers”. It’s bad enough that it goes on, but that doesn’t mean you need to let it, if you can do something about it.

You run Dimitri through the back with your sword, he yells out in pain, but still manages to swing his armored fist to strike you in the face. You fall to the ground.

“Fuck…lute boy…goin…down…pig fucker…” he wheezes as he attempts to step towards you only to fall to his knees. At this point Morri has recovered and cleaves Dimitri’s skull in with his axe.

“Bastard.” Morri then looks at you. “Heh, I guess you must be one of the few with a conscious in the company eh?”
“I guess so.” You reply.
“Or perhaps you knew it would be better if I lived so you could find your way out this maze?”
“…Actually I hadn’t even thought about that. I just…just couldn’t let him kill and rob you like that. Seen it too many times.”
“That a fact? Well tell me son, why the hell are you hooked up with these bunch for then?”
“Money to help the family…besides it’s not that bad.”
“Okay, if you say so. However, this little incident is going to cost your company. We warned your captain that if any evidence of treachery occurred, we weren’t paying him shit and this deal was off!”
“But can’t we just keep this secret? I mean…”
“Secret? Fuck no! Look, you’re not a bad person, but you’re hanging out with bad people. The only reason why we hired you in the first place is because you ARE effective and you’re about the only mercenary company insane enough to do a job like this. But a deal’s a deal. You captain apparently doesn’t have control over his men like he thinks, because I’m sure he warned you all.”
“Yeah, but everyone will probably blame me and my life will be in danger!”
“…well…I’m sorry about that, but that’s the price you pay for the company you keep…look I’ll tell you what, because you helped me, I’ll take you back to the entrance and you can leave. Should at least give you a head start. Hell, maybe I’ll even tell them you died before this happened. You could then just hide out and stay out of sight without even anyone looking for you.”

Not knowing what to say next you just agree and ponder your possible future.

The way back to the entrance is uneventful as far as demon attacks are concerned. You don’t know what you’re going to do. You’ll have to go on the run or at least relocate regardless of what Morri tells everyone. And if he mentions the truth, then your family may well be in danger. You imagine that if the Boss couldn’t get to you, he may very well take it out on your family.

You feel sick and upset. You wish you hadn’t chosen this path. All you ever really wanted to do was play your lute, not fight demons or anything else really.

You follow behind Morri in a daze. You’re surprised that he doesn’t insist that you walk in front of him, but then that’s probably because he trusts that you’re not a murderer. You also realize you recognize this part of the mine and could probably find your way back from here…

You shake your head and take a deep breath.

“Hey Morri.”
“Wha…glagh!

An arrow goes right through Morri’s mouth and out the other side of his head. He gurgles obscenities while trying to raise his axe towards you. Another arrow goes through his eye. He ceases his struggle.

While you solved the problem of Morri telling anyone, now you have to cover your own tracks, then you hear a sound you never thought you’d be glad to hear. The chittering of those insect demons and a bunch of them are coming right behind you.

You pull the arrows out and run as quickly as you can to the entrance leaving the demons to feed upon Morri’s body. The thought crosses your mind to just leave anyway. Maybe they’d think all three of you got eaten. However, you run into another group during your dash to the mine entrance.

“Where the hell are you running off to?” a mercenary asks. It’s Cal. You come up with a lie quick.

“(pant) Shit! We got fucking ambushed! (pant) Barely fucking escaped! (pant) Dimitri and Morri are dead! Probably eaten! And the rest of those demon fuckers are heading this way!”
“What?! You cowardly fucker, you just let Morri die?” one the dwarves says angrily.
“It wasn’t my idea! I tried to help him and Dimitri, but they just came in force, I don’t even know how I escaped!”

Your story is a little suspicious, but thanks to the demons, you’re covered. They didn’t leave much for the dwarves to find. However, you’re not looked favorably on by the rest of the dwarves for the rest of the mission. Your fellow mercenaries don’t really care one way or another. It’s part of the job and Dimitri wasn’t well liked so they could care less if he died or lived.

You on the other hand are still not feeling so great about yourself. The longer you’re part of this company the more you’re starting to think or be more like them. You hate it and you’ll be glad when this job is over.

A few months pass and the contract is over. The “problem” isn’t completely gone, in fact there’s reports of some undead wandering in the area now, but the Dwarves are growing more weary of your presence, hand over your payment and tell you to leave. They say they can handle anything else themselves.

It’s quite a lot this time. Best job you’ve had. Upon your return to the Zalan Empire you buy yourself a new lute. It’s your “reward”. The rest of it goes to your family who of course are eager to hear about your tales as usual. You don’t tell them that many this time. You just try to take your mind off your “job” by asking them more questions this time around. When you’re alone you play your new lute, trying to emulate a couple of the songs you overheard the Dwarves engage in when you were there. You never knew they were musically inclined; it’s a shame you had to kill one to protect your future. You’re still debating on whether or not to give up the mercenary life, but you see how much it’s helping the family out, so you decide to stay and put up with it.

After your “break is over” you go back to the job as usual.

Three years pass…

Four years have passed since the “Nuro Incident” and things have gotten much worse in the world. The Necromancer Lord conquered the Brot Kingdom, A demon lord called Velzix conquered the Tulan Kingdom, both are expanding and a so called Grand Alliance of nations doesn’t seem to be doing much good against either of them.

The Chimera Company was recently hired by the Zalan government. Due to your past battles with demons, they decided you would be good to put on Tulan Border which is still a bloodbath, but instead of fighting the Tulan Kingdom, the Zalan Empire is fighting Velzix’s hordes.

It’s not an easy assignment or very pleasant, in fact it’s got to be the worst job you’ve been on. You company is assigned to make commando raids and sabotage shit to keep the demons fairly unfocused, while the Zalan Empire’s real armies try to make progress into Velzix’s realm. Currently you’re making your “camp” in small abandoned village in enemy territory where you have to fight the occasional demon patrols.

Why the Captain took this job on for the company is beyond you. Nobody really knows why. The company in general has been taking more dangerous jobs in recent years. Ever since the Nuro Incident actually. While it’s always been known he’s not a man to shy away from danger and has a love of battle, there’s a lot of talk within ranks that he’s got a death wish.

The only “good thing” about this assignment, is that the chance for usual Chimera Company wicked acts are much lower. There’s not many “innocents” in a demon realm.

As you think about things, strumming your lute in an abandoned general store by yourself. You hear someone speak.

“Pretty good playing. Wish my kind appreciated some of the more subtle things in life sometimes.”

You turn your head and see a demon! He’s not very tall and is “dressed up”. He must be one of the “civilized” demons who realigned themselves with their demonic natures and flocked to Velzix when he took over the Tulan Kingdom. He doesn’t seem hostile, but you drop your lute and draw your weapon, before you can yell a warning, he speaks again.

“Wait! Before you go warning your friends, I should warn you that there is a very large group of my fellow kin surrounding this village. You kill me and they’ll attack and quite frankly I don’t fancy your chances. However I got a deal for you that can be worth your while. What can it hurt to listen to me? You can always kill me afterwards.”
> You listen to the demon
You aren’t sure about this, but you let him speak.

“Speak demon, but make it quick!” you demand.
“Ah, glad you’re willing to be reasonable. Name’s Big Red by the way.”
“Get on with it!”
“Very well. Your company and everyone in it is doomed to the infernal planes when they die I’m afraid. You captain’s deeds alone make him one of the most sought after souls in Hell. He used to be much worse before he got married, but ah well; women often make men weak like that.”
“Yeah? Well not me.”
“Heh, yeah you too. I understand that you’re probably the most moral person in it, but this whole company has been targeted by Hell and Hell gets what it wants.”
“Well Velzix isn’t…”
“Velzix? I’m not talking about Velzix! Velzix is just another demon with big dick complex. If I trust my judgment he’s not going to last another year in his current status, he’ll probably either be dead by one of you mortals or that little Necromancer. (Sigh) Wish I’d known about him sooner, things could’ve been a lot…different.”

Big Red sees that you’re getting antsy so he gets to the point again.

“Anyway, seeing as you’re all doomed to Hell, I figured it would be nice if I got direct credit for bringing you there. Bringing in evil souls yourself is one of the few things makes Hell all worth it. You get all sorts of perks. However, if I just call in the reinforcements now to have you guys get ripped from limb to limb, I won’t get direct credit. The souls will just be gathered wily nily and then I gotta argue with the fucking collectors and lawyers and all that other shit about who killed who and who gets credit which will probably just result in nobody getting credit and doesn’t help me out at all.”
“Barring that you’re saying that I’m doomed in any case, I fail to see why I should help you.”
“Well that’s why I’m coming to you with a deal. I can see you’re not a bad person, you just serve a bad master, and he’s the one I really want direct credit for. The rest of you are just a bonus and you in particular aren’t even worth that much given your tendency towards good.”
“So what is it you want from me exactly?”
“I want you to take out the sentries and distract your fellows for as long as possible while my boys sneak up on this village and strike with as little resistance as possible. To sweeten this deal, I’ll try to tell my boys to not target you while you try to escape the mayhem. I’m not making any promises though, killing rampages among my kind encourage indiscriminate killing. You’ll be on your own; however it gives you a small chance for survival and by agreeing to this plan it gives me direct credit as the mastermind of this cunning plan. Getting other demons to kill isn’t any kind of feat, but employing a mortal to help is looked upon as more favorable. So do we have a deal?”

Big Red offers his hand…
> You make the deal
It sounds like your only chance for survival, slim though it may be. In some ways you’d like to be out of this company and who are you really betraying? From what you’ve seen the company is little better than the demons. You’re sick of all of this, the fighting, the demons, the company, all of it.

“It’s a deal, but make a damn good effort for your kin NOT to target me, AND not to go chasing me either!”
“Okay! Sheesh, you’re mistrustful. You just make sure you do your part.” Big Red says and shakes your hand.

You both exit the abandoned store and you look for where most of your fellows are located. The village square of course. You know there are look outs in each of “corners” of the village. You sneak about the village like an assassin and ready your bow.

You take out each sentry in relative silence with your skillful bow shots and drag their bodies into a nearby house. Now nobody will raise an alarm too soon. You then head to the village square and begin interacting with some of them. They find it odd since you’re usually keeping to yourself, but they enjoy your playing so they don’t mind it when you do that.

Your Captain on the other hand comes out from the house he’s set up in and is wondering what all the commotion is. He gets angry.

“What the fuck are you idiots doing? We’re fucking deep in demon territory and you’re all making enough noise to attract a damn army of them.”
“What difference does it make? They got patrols that have come across our location before, so they know where we’re at.” You remark.”
“The difference is that I want you fuckers to be alert and focused if we get attacked, not getting drunk and dancing to music like some fucking sissy elf!”
“Aren’t you married to an elf?” you say still playing and backing away from the Captain’s reach. He’s almost in shock that you’d speak to him in such manner especially since you never usually speak too much in the first place.

“You, pig farmer are really pushing my patience tonight. If I didn’t need all the people I can get for this job, I’d kill you myself!”
“Shhh! I think you better shut the fuck up lute boy.” One of the other mercenaries whispers.
“Why? We’re already in fucking Hell, who gives a shit how much noise we make?”

You defiance gets worse and finally the Captain draws his weapon to shut you up. At this point you call him a pile of orc shit and run. This causes the rest of the mercenaries to get out his way as he charges at you. Some of them also give chase, but most just stay out of it.

Fortunately at this point the demons have finally gotten into position and strike. Most of the company is so bewildered by what has occurred between you and the Captain that they’re unprepared. Your Captain immediately stops his pursuit of you when a particularly large demon jumps on top of him from one of the rooftops. He fights it off with the help of some of his men, but you see more coming and continue to make your escape.

As you run away from the village, a few demons pass you by and don’t attack, looks like Big Red kept his word.

To a point.

Big Red suddenly appears in front of you.

“Thanks friend, now for your reward!” he says and then puts his fist through your chest which kills you instantly.

You don’t know how much time has passed, but you eventually hear Big Red speaking to you.

“Get up, I need your word.”
“Huh?” you say in a daze.
“Did I not get you to distract the Chimera Company in an effort to collect all their souls?”
“Huh? Yeah…” you continue to say in a daze.

You start shaking the cobwebs and see that you’re in a completely different place. A very bad place. Big Red and another much bigger demon are talking. You see the rest of your Company in the distance, naked and in chains. The entire landscape is very barren, has a reddish hue and its uncomfortably hot.

“Okay, you’ll get credit for all these souls.”
“Hang on, I want to keep this one, he has certain talents and he did allow all this to happen.” Big Red says pointing to you.
“Very well…that’s your right. Just sign there, and there, okay. Let’s load these sorry souls up!”

Big Red looks pleased with himself as the souls are taken away.

“Come on, I’m going to take a break.”

You feel compelled to join him, but you still have questions obviously.

“What the fuck man?! I’m in Hell!”
“Got it in one. Excellent detective work.”
“But…But the deal! You broke the fucking deal! I don’t belong here!”
“No I didn’t. I said my fellows wouldn’t harm you, not that I wouldn’t. Besides YOU made a deal with me, which damned you in the first place. You definitely belong here.”

The reality of this situation has now caused a massive amount of fear within you. You’re in Hell and there’s no escape from it! You can’t even attack Big Red, he’s got a permanent magical hold on you from causing him any sort of harm, though you probably wouldn’t be a match for him anyway. You collapse on the ground and feel defeated. Big Red stops, but he doesn’t get angry.

“Now what is your problem? I just saved YOUR soul from being eternally tormented by my superiors. They’ll probably be eating them and shitting them out only to eat them again for who knows how long. Not a pleasant process.”
“But…but what are you going to do to me?” you ask.
“You? You’re going to play for me at my home in the Blood Hills. Trust me, its not nearly as bloody as the name makes out.”
“Play?”
“Sure. I said you played pretty well, and I do appreciate such things. Music is one of my hobbies other than the whole soul collection thing of course. I’ve got sheets of music from lots of places; I can’t play worth a shit though. The claws don’t help either. Now come on let’s go.”

You are finding this very odd, but you don’t feel as bad now. You’re Big Red’s slave, but given where you’re at, things could be a lot worse. You’ll at least get to do something you’ve always wanted to do. Play music without hindrance. You wonder about your family, but there’s little that you can do for them now. You just hope things work out for them in the living world.

Big Red’s home isn’t some giant castle, but a moderate sized house. The inside is decorated with grisly trophies, which you guess can only be considered demonic art.

“Sinthinia! I know you’re here! I can smell your scent!” he calls out.

A sexy female demon comes out of one of the rooms. You can’t help but stare, she barely acknowledges you at all though.

“I’ve been waiting for you Big Red, so did the deal go down well?”
“Well, it could’ve gone better, but it was still a good haul. So how is it really going with Velzix?”
“(Sigh) He’s probably going to lose as predicted. I can sense it, anyone with half a brain can. That whole world is going to eventually become a graveyard, I know it. And the undead are no fun. That’s why I’ve come back here.”
“Well my house is your house. Let’s put some music on shall we?” Big Red points to you. “You, go pick up that mandolin over there and start playing that something on those music sheets I got set up. Sit over there and continue playing until I say stop which won’t be anytime soon.”

Once again you feel the need to comply. You do exactly as Big Red commands as he and Sinthinia head to a bedroom. He then stops to turn to you.

“Oh, I don’t know if you realized it at the soul market, but your Captain was NOT there. You know why? Because he somehow managed to fucking escape death! Now I could blame the idiots that were working for me for allowing him to escape, but I figured since I got you anyway, it would be more fun to blame you. Enjoy playing music for all eternity!” he says as Sinthinia giggles and they close the door.

You don’t quite understand that remark until you begin playing the mandolin. You begin to feel excruciating pain all over. Your mind is tormented with negative emotions causing you great distress as well.

Big Red has made it so your greatest love which is music causes you pain.

And you can never stop playing.

All you can do is suffer.


You aren’t sure about this, but you let him speak.

“Speak demon, but make it quick!” you demand.
“Ah, glad you’re willing to be reasonable. Name’s Big Red by the way.”
“Get on with it!”
“Very well. Your company and everyone in it is doomed to the infernal planes when they die I’m afraid. You captain’s deeds alone make him one of the most sought after souls in Hell. He used to be much worse before he got married, but ah well; women often make men weak like that.”
“Yeah? Well not me.”
“Heh, yeah you too. I understand that you’re probably the most moral person in it, but this whole company has been targeted by Hell and Hell gets what it wants.”
“Well Velzix isn’t…”
“Velzix? I’m not talking about Velzix! Velzix is just another demon with big dick complex. If I trust my judgment he’s not going to last another year in his current status, he’ll probably either be dead by one of you mortals or that little Necromancer. (Sigh) Wish I’d known about him sooner, things could’ve been a lot…different.”

Big Red sees that you’re getting antsy so he gets to the point again.

“Anyway, seeing as you’re all doomed to Hell, I figured it would be nice if I got direct credit for bringing you there. Bringing in evil souls yourself is one of the few things makes Hell all worth it. You get all sorts of perks. However, if I just call in the reinforcements now to have you guys get ripped from limb to limb, I won’t get direct credit. The souls will just be gathered wily nily and then I gotta argue with the fucking collectors and lawyers and all that other shit about who killed who and who gets credit which will probably just result in nobody getting credit and doesn’t help me out at all.”
“Barring that you’re saying that I’m doomed in any case, I fail to see why I should help you.”
“Well that’s why I’m coming to you with a deal. I can see you’re not a bad person, you just serve a bad master, and he’s the one I really want direct credit for. The rest of you are just a bonus and you in particular aren’t even worth that much given your tendency towards good.”
“So what is it you want from me exactly?”
“I want you to take out the sentries and distract your fellows for as long as possible while my boys sneak up on this village and strike with as little resistance as possible. To sweeten this deal, I’ll try to tell my boys to not target you while you try to escape the mayhem. I’m not making any promises though, killing rampages among my kind encourage indiscriminate killing. You’ll be on your own; however it gives you a small chance for survival and by agreeing to this plan it gives me direct credit as the mastermind of this cunning plan. Getting other demons to kill isn’t any kind of feat, but employing a mortal to help is looked upon as more favorable. So do we have a deal?”

Big Red offers his hand…
> You decline the deal
Fuck this. He’s lying and even if he isn’t, making a deal with a demon is never a good idea. You’ve heard the stories and you’ve seen the former Tulan “citizens” that debased themselves just in order to live to serve their demon masters. It never ends well.

If you are going to the infernal realm when you die, you’re still not going to be helping anyone to take you there!

“Well, let me think about it….HEY THERE’S A FUCKING DEMON ATTACK COMING!” you shout at the top of your lungs. You’re pretty sure at least one person heard you.
“You asshole!” Big Red growls and lunges at you which you dodge out of the way and just focus on getting back to where most of your company is making camp, yelling the whole time.

Upon hearing your warning, everyone scrambles for battle. You can hear the demons bellowing in the distance. They’ll be here in force soon. You quickly climb on to the village rooftops and ready your bow as the demon hordes advance all around you.

The battle wasn’t as hopeless as Big Red made it seem like it would be (He must’ve ran off as there was no sign of him) however, the Company does take more than the usual casualties. One of the mercenaries starts to openly complain.

“This is just fucking retarded! Why the hell are we doing this shit?” Cal complains.
“You know the score; you don’t like it you can leave.” The Captain says calmly cleaning off his sword.
“Yeah and then I don’t get paid, which is when by the way? We’d all like to know when this contract is over! You never did tell us!”
“Oh that…indefinitely.”
“WHAT?!” almost everyone exclaims.
“Look, would you sissies calm the fuck down? We got a break coming up in a few weeks. We go back to the Zalan Empire to get paid, rest, re-equip and whatever else they got there, but after the break we go right back out here. Possibly even deeper.”

At this point the whole company is turning against the Captain, he doesn’t look worried though.

“Are you fuckin’ kidding me? You’re expecting us to go deeper into this shit? You’re practically asking us to stand in the middle of Hell!”
“Dunno why you’re protesting, we’re all going to the real infernal plane anyway when we die, might as well get used to it. Look, take it or leave it, I don’t give a shit. If you want to stay, go ahead. If you want to leave now, go ahead. If you want to leave after you get your pay, go ahead. But I’m sure you know by now, if you leave don’t come back ever.” The Captain says and goes back to the abandoned home he was staying in.

This comment by the Captain makes you think back to Big Red’s little speech, you start wondering about your future while everyone begins talking amongst themselves about what to do next. A lot of them are saying the Boss has lost his mind and is being suicidal. You can’t say you disagree. In fact you’re not sure you want part of this anymore. Your family might need the money, but what good are you dead to them?

A few weeks pass and your company makes its way back to the Zalan Empire. You get your payment. Almost feels like you’re in the “real army” given the formal nature of it. After you get your pay, you’re on your way home where you intend to stay, much like many others are planning to do. However, you bump into the Captain who speaks to you. There’s a hint of alcohol on his breath.

“So can I expect you to stay on lute boy?” he asks bluntly.
“Erm…well, no Captain. I’m sorry, but going deeper into demon territory is suicide.” you reply..
“Probably right, but who wants to live forever?”
“Well I’d like to at least live past the next year.”
“Hah! So you wish to die an old man in your bed?”
“Sounds about right.”
“Then why did you take on such a dangerous line of work in the first place?”
“My family needed the money.”
“Ah yes, you are one of the few in the company that has one. One of the fewer still that actually takes care of them…an honorable pursuit. I can respect that.”

You’re surprised to hear the Captain praise anything that seems honorable.

“I have a family that I take care of too you know.”
“Yes, I know you are married.”
“Yeah…but my daughter is a captain in the Zalan army. She’s stationed on the Tulan border as a matter of fact. She might even get transferred to the Grand Alliance army. Don’t know yet.” He says with a hint of pride in his voice, though he tries his best to conceal it.

The Captain is just full of surprises. You now know that this isn’t some simple death wish, but that he’s taken the job to help her out in a way. You don’t know, but can only imagine what growing up with a dad like him was like. You unsure of how to reply so you just follow up with something.

“Um, that’s great Captain.”
“Yeah, it’s great. Got a son too…he’s…a wizard. He’s a fuckin’ disappointment… y’know you look back on your life and you wonder what you’ve accomplished and it doesn’t mean shit in the scheme of things, at least not when the world has one foot in Hell and the other in the grave. But still you struggle and fight right? You still remain true to your nature.”
“Sure I guess so.” You say wondering where the Captain going with this.

The Captain sighs heavily.

“I guess I’m lucky…killing and battle are in my nature. I get to do it every fuckin’ day and it never seems to be enough, even after all the years and changes… but I bet you didn’t want this shit right? You probably wanted to just play that fuckin’ lute of yours right? You got a gift and its being wasted due to events out of your control…but you still play that thing when you can. It’s in your nature. It’s also in your nature to help out your family because you care about them.”
“I suppose it is.”
“Yeah, nature…it’s a fuckin’ bitch.”

The Captain now looks directly at you.

“Look I’m not gonna beg ya, but you’re one of the best men I got in the damn company, and I’d rather not lose you, so I’ll appeal to your nature. What’s going on in the world today is some fucked up shit. Quite honestly I don’t think it’s going to end well for any of us, but you struggle and fight anyway. The financial aid that you’re providing for your family pales in comparison to what you’re doing in the long term. You’re making the world safer for them so that they might be able to live. We got the Gates of Hell on one side and Death’s Door on the other and both of them need to be fucking closed. I don’t know if that makes us the so called good guys now, but all I know is if there’s an active way I can protect my wife and even help my daughter then I’m gonna do it. What are you going to do?”

The Captain then leaves you without saying another word.

Some pretty deep words for a man who you never saw as compassionate in anyway. He does make a point though. Lately what has been going in the world is pretty bad and you wonder if not fighting today will just mean putting off fighting tomorrow.
> You stay in the company
You might be a fool, but the possibility that the Captain knows what the fuck he’s talking about can’t be ruled out. If killing demons now is going to make life a little safer for your family in the future, then you probably should be apart of that. Same with the undead if it comes to that, though you’re hoping that you don’t need to. Fighting demons is bad enough, you haven’t even fought any undead and the stories that your dad told you and that you’ve overheard others tell still makes you dread the day that you’ll actually have to.

For now though you’re going home to spend time with your family and tell them all how much you love them.

One year passes…

Five years since the Nuro Incident and you’re deep in the heart of Velzix’s Realm. Guerrilla hit and run tactics and sabotage have greatly angered Velzix causing him to divert forces where he might use elsewhere. You’ve even managed to sneak into his fortress a few times to sabotage his goals of creating a permanent open portal to the Infernal Planes. Something nobody wants except the demons.

It’s odd, but the Chimera Company has been turned from an example of “thugs for hire” to “Heroic warriors” by the Zalan government, but then the Zalan Empire has always been a bit heavy on propaganda. The fact that the company is directly working for it, makes any politician that was remotely involved with the idea of hiring you in the first place to milk it for all its worth.

The real truth however is what’s currently of the company is made up of the suicidal, desperate or the insane. You’re not sure which one you are at this point, but in the eyes of the public, you’re a hero. (Surprisingly Cal is still there for all his past complaining)

The Captain has been telling tales of his past life a lot more lately when sitting around the campfire. He talks about the people he’s killed, the women he’s raped, and the treasures he’s plundered. Most of the stories you’ve only heard about in rumor from others in your Company, but hearing them come from the Captain himself makes him sound even more rotten. You’re sure glad you didn’t know him back in the “old days”. He doesn’t seem to show any remorse, though he doesn’t really talk about it gloriously either. He just tells them as a story to pass the time between fighting, much like you do with playing your lute.

Every now and then he tells you to play something specific. Some elven song that you’ve never heard before, though apparently he really wants you to play it since he gives you a crumpled piece of sheet music containing its notes.

It’s a not a complex song for an Elven one, but it still takes you a few weeks to learn it completely. It would probably take you less time, but there’s the demon fighting that sort of gets in the way of practice.

The first time you play it, the Captain, closes his eyes and begins to smile. You think that’s the first time you’ve ever seen him do that. Others in the Company are amazed as well.

With his eyes still closed he begins to speak of his family and how beautiful his wife is and how when he first met her it was love at first sight.

He then speaks of his daughter, and how proud he is of her. Her battle skills have gotten her a captain’s position in Grand Alliance army. He hopes that she has many victorious battles and kills all those that stand before her without mercy.

He is silent for awhile as you play…then he speaks of his son is much harsher tone.

“A disappointment…a fucking disappointment. Fucked up somewhere…wasn’t hard enough on him. Now look at this shit we’re in…demons, undead…fuck it. If I’m bound for the Infernal Plane for bringing destruction to the world then I’m gonna give those bastard demons a good reason for torturing the shit outta me when I get there. Namely by killing a shitload of them and fucking up their plans as much as possible. Just hope my necromancer spawn is eventually there right beside me getting tortured as well.”

You temporarily stop playing at this outburst by the Captain. Others in the Company are looking and whispering to each other. Did he just allude to what you think he did?

“What he fuck are you doin’? I didn’t say stop playing!”

You quickly return to playing and nothing more is spoken of it. As it happens the song is one of the last things you play. Your lute is destroyed in a battle a couple days later. You curse as one of the few things that took your mind off this shitty place is gone. You just hope you live long enough to buy a new one.

A few more weeks pass and what wasn’t spoken of, makes an appearance…

Two of the lookouts run back to the main camp one day and rush into the Captain’s tent. You can hear them babbling something about son, and death and doomed. You then hear him yelling at them to shut the fuck up and speak clearly. The rest of the Company starts to pick up there weapons as if expecting something to go down and you follow suit and that’s when you look in the direction where the sentries ran from and see a lone hooded figure.

None of you don’t know how to react. Every instinct in everyone is telling them to attack, but the aura of power and fear he’s giving off is very strong. Almost paralyzing.

Just then the Captain comes out of his tent and speaks.

“Boy, you gotta a lot of balls showing up here before me. Didn’t think you had ‘em either. Figured you’d be hiding in some tower somewhere.”
“Yeah, well sometimes you have to do things yourself.”

Weird. He doesn't sound at all like you thought he would.
> You attack now
You know who the hell this is, it’s the Necromancer Lord. You’re never going to get a better chance than now to kill him and put an end to some of the madness that’s going on. You muster up all your courage and quickly raise your bow.

“No! Wait you dumbfuck…” the Captain yells trying to stop you.

You arrow flies straight towards the Necromancer Lord, but it doesn’t even reach him, a magical shield causes it to bounce off harmlessly. However your actions cause the Necromancer Lord to react defensively and he unleashes a ray of pure black energy which drains you of your life force entirely.


You might be a fool, but the possibility that the Captain knows what the fuck he’s talking about can’t be ruled out. If killing demons now is going to make life a little safer for your family in the future, then you probably should be apart of that. Same with the undead if it comes to that, though you’re hoping that you don’t need to. Fighting demons is bad enough, you haven’t even fought any undead and the stories that your dad told you and that you’ve overheard others tell still makes you dread the day that you’ll actually have to.

For now though you’re going home to spend time with your family and tell them all how much you love them.

One year passes…

Five years since the Nuro Incident and you’re deep in the heart of Velzix’s Realm. Guerrilla hit and run tactics and sabotage have greatly angered Velzix causing him to divert forces where he might use elsewhere. You’ve even managed to sneak into his fortress a few times to sabotage his goals of creating a permanent open portal to the Infernal Planes. Something nobody wants except the demons.

It’s odd, but the Chimera Company has been turned from an example of “thugs for hire” to “Heroic warriors” by the Zalan government, but then the Zalan Empire has always been a bit heavy on propaganda. The fact that the company is directly working for it, makes any politician that was remotely involved with the idea of hiring you in the first place to milk it for all its worth.

The real truth however is what’s currently of the company is made up of the suicidal, desperate or the insane. You’re not sure which one you are at this point, but in the eyes of the public, you’re a hero. (Surprisingly Cal is still there for all his past complaining)

The Captain has been telling tales of his past life a lot more lately when sitting around the campfire. He talks about the people he’s killed, the women he’s raped, and the treasures he’s plundered. Most of the stories you’ve only heard about in rumor from others in your Company, but hearing them come from the Captain himself makes him sound even more rotten. You’re sure glad you didn’t know him back in the “old days”. He doesn’t seem to show any remorse, though he doesn’t really talk about it gloriously either. He just tells them as a story to pass the time between fighting, much like you do with playing your lute.

Every now and then he tells you to play something specific. Some elven song that you’ve never heard before, though apparently he really wants you to play it since he gives you a crumpled piece of sheet music containing its notes.

It’s a not a complex song for an Elven one, but it still takes you a few weeks to learn it completely. It would probably take you less time, but there’s the demon fighting that sort of gets in the way of practice.

The first time you play it, the Captain, closes his eyes and begins to smile. You think that’s the first time you’ve ever seen him do that. Others in the Company are amazed as well.

With his eyes still closed he begins to speak of his family and how beautiful his wife is and how when he first met her it was love at first sight.

He then speaks of his daughter, and how proud he is of her. Her battle skills have gotten her a captain’s position in Grand Alliance army. He hopes that she has many victorious battles and kills all those that stand before her without mercy.

He is silent for awhile as you play…then he speaks of his son is much harsher tone.

“A disappointment…a fucking disappointment. Fucked up somewhere…wasn’t hard enough on him. Now look at this shit we’re in…demons, undead…fuck it. If I’m bound for the Infernal Plane for bringing destruction to the world then I’m gonna give those bastard demons a good reason for torturing the shit outta me when I get there. Namely by killing a shitload of them and fucking up their plans as much as possible. Just hope my necromancer spawn is eventually there right beside me getting tortured as well.”

You temporarily stop playing at this outburst by the Captain. Others in the Company are looking and whispering to each other. Did he just allude to what you think he did?

“What he fuck are you doin’? I didn’t say stop playing!”

You quickly return to playing and nothing more is spoken of it. As it happens the song is one of the last things you play. Your lute is destroyed in a battle a couple days later. You curse as one of the few things that took your mind off this shitty place is gone. You just hope you live long enough to buy a new one.

A few more weeks pass and what wasn’t spoken of, makes an appearance…

Two of the lookouts run back to the main camp one day and rush into the Captain’s tent. You can hear them babbling something about son, and death and doomed. You then hear him yelling at them to shut the fuck up and speak clearly. The rest of the Company starts to pick up there weapons as if expecting something to go down and you follow suit and that’s when you look in the direction where the sentries ran from and see a lone hooded figure.

None of you don’t know how to react. Every instinct in everyone is telling them to attack, but the aura of power and fear he’s giving off is very strong. Almost paralyzing.

Just then the Captain comes out of his tent and speaks.

“Boy, you gotta a lot of balls showing up here before me. Didn’t think you had ‘em either. Figured you’d be hiding in some tower somewhere.”
“Yeah, well sometimes you have to do things yourself.”

Weird. He doesn't sound at all like you thought he would.
> You wait
You know who the hell this is, it’s the Necromancer Lord. Even if you are fast enough to get a shot at him, you doubt the arrow is going to connect. He’s probably got all kinds of magical shields to protect him for whatever it is he’s here for. You begin looking for your best route of escape and slowly start backing away.

The Captain on the other hand speaks directly to his son. He doesn’t even show any fear. They speak for a moment and things get very tense, you’re about ready to run, but things take a sudden turn for the very strange.

The Necromancer Lord has proposed a temporary alliance to assassinate Velzix. The Captain is hesitant about this at first, but an agreement is made on payment and he accepts.

The Captain then informs all of you in more detail of what’s going on.

“Alright men, we’re gonna go storm the Gates of Hell and close those fuckers for good. My…son there is going to provide magical support. He’s also going to be providing a shitload of money for this job. The stipulation is we can’t tell ANYBODY about this shit. I’m fucking serious. Word gets out that we were working with the fucking Necromancer Lord, we’ll all be hanged, regardless of so called heroic deeds of killing demons. We’re all in this together and there ain’t no backing out, because this deal is made. And if you think you’re gonna step out on me now, that ain’t in the plan. I’ll just kill you and have my son raise your undead ass to help us anyway!”
“What?! You just decided this for us?” Cal exclaims.
“Yeah? What of it? I’ve ALWAYS made all the decisions for your dumb ass! It’s why YOU’RE still working for me, because it’s lucrative! This ain’t gonna be any different. Plus we get to take fucking credit for killing a damn demon lord. Think of all the pussy you’ll get from that fucking fame eh? Now stop bitching and let’s go!”

You can’t say you’re enthusiastic about this, but it would appear you have little choice in the matter.

As you travel to Velzix’s fortress you overhear some of the conversations the Captain is having with his son. A strained relationship to be sure. They make a lot of cutting barbs to each other, each criticizing the other for various things. It’s obvious that they can’t stand each other, but are a lot more alike than either one wants to admit.

It makes you glad when you encounter the occasional demon skirmish on the way, since it at least it decreases the tension and possibility that the Captain’s son is going to finally lose his temper and kill everyone due to his father’s words. Eventually you arrive without any more problems. You enter Velzix’s fortress through the secret way that was discovered long ago.

“Dumb ass demons, we’ve been using this entrance for like a year now and they still haven’t caught on!” the Captain remarks to his son.

You make good progress in the fortress and then…

“There they are, just like Velzix said they would be!” a demon guard shouts.

“Haven’t caught on yet huh?” the Necromancer Lord says, looking at the Captain.
“Quit yer bitchin’ and start doin that death magic thing!”

You proceed to do battle with the demon and mortal guards that attempt to stop you. The Necromancer Lord starts to raise the mortal guards after they’re killed, but it begins to unnerve you though when the Necromancer Lord starts raising your own fallen dead.

Pretty soon it’s just the Necromancer Lord, the Captain, you, Cal and a bunch of corpses fighting off what seems to be an endless supply of Hell’s own. You begin to wonder if Velzix already got that portal working.

As you get closer to Velzix’s inner sanctum even the undead troops are being decimated at an alarming rate. You’ve been wounded several times and extremely tired. You don’t want to think about any of this, even in the heat of battle you start to take your mind elsewhere with a tune inside your head.

“Fuck man! We’re gonna die here!” Cal screams as he attempts to fight a horned demon which has obviously got the advantage over him. You feel a demon blade in your back causing you to fall to the floor. At this point nothing but music fills your mind; bloodshed and battle surround your prone body.

“Fuckers are without end! Come on! Raise these fuckers and let’s go!” you hear the Captain yell followed by “Hah, no lying down on the job anymore Cal!”

You’re not quite dead yet though, and the Necromancer Lord and his dad aren’t waiting around so they continue on quickly leaving you behind.

As your life force ebbs and more demon guards run past your body, you don’t know if what you did was worth it or even the right thing. All you know is you did what you could and hope your actions may have made some sort of difference and increased the chances of your family’s future well being.

You then smile. You’ll see them again someday.

“Yeah…I believe that…” you allow yourself to think as you die.

Big Red was wrong about your fate. There was no Hell, just peace.