Chapter 2

Early next morning

The elder’s wife Willow was a cleric, and she was fully trained in the healing arts. She had taken the Hight Human Rudina to the Keeps royal room to sleep and recover.

While she treated her for exhaustion and any other ailments she could find. She also found the unusual truth of what a Transgender Woman was after removing her clothing to give her a sponge bath. She then asked her goddess what a ‘Transgender Woman’ was. The goddess being well aware of things mortals weren’t, whispered the truth and the cure for Rudina. She then covered Rudina up and asked for her husband to come in.

“Garth, my dear, I need your help with one of your spells.” She asked her husband the Elder of their community.

“What spell is that?” he replied unsure what wizards spell could be used in the healing arts.

“Her condition is uncommon, but not unknown, however it is easily cured with a sex change spell, she needs one that will turn a man into a woman, and then she will be whole.”

He didn’t quiet grasp but shrugged and left the room to his study which was the very top room of the keep. It took him about an hour to find the spell.

Looking at the spell in one of his ancient tomes, he realized it was an easy one to have prepared. It was a classic spell from elvish lands. He never understood why someone developed it, however he was familiar with its use. It would cause a person to change sex. “Evil beings used it as an ironic curse. Elves used it, daily to confuse non-elves” he thought while chuckling.

Rudina the High Human Hero was awake as he entered back into the room. His wife Willow talking to her.

“Did you find it?” Willow asked.

“Yes, dear,” he replied, “for what purpose is the spell needed, as it is an uncommon spell, and as far as I know only Elves use it for purposes I do not understand.”

Willow turned to Rudina, “He’s really highly intelligent, but still an idiot with life matters. He can cure your gender dysphoria if you so wish, by casting a spell which will turn you into a natural born woman.” She was proud that her goddess had given her the words to use in this situation, until now she was aware that people could have dysphoria but had no words to describe the condition.

Rudina’s eyes shown with a happiness she had never expressed before, and said “Yes please, this would be the greatest treasure I could ever receive.”

Garth the Elder said, “Well then I guess, no time like the present.” He then reread the spell to insure he knew it’s method. Once he was sure of the spell, he took out a few precious gems from a small pouch at his waist. He then closed his eyes and cast the spell which changed Rudina from a Transgender woman in to a Cis Woman. As a bonus, the spell also resets the persons age to the equivalent of 20 years old. Elves, they do love their youth.

Rudina’s body shined for a few seconds in a pale pink tone. The glow was bright enough to make being able to see her impossible. Once the glow faded, Rudina still looked basically the same, still tall, still a High Human, however she had a full head of hair that was reddish brown, and it was clear she was all woman, and an attractive one at that.

Once the change was done, Rudina started patting her body carefully, and asked for a mirror, she was clearly very happy.

Willow asked for a bit of privacy as the young human woman started to explore her body hidden under the covers, “She’s got a life time of pent up frustration that has just been freed, give her a bit to settle. You’ll find she’ll be glad to help out and finish things once she calmed a bit.”

Late Morning Kings Chambers

After a couple of hours of privacy and a few pleasant and happy sounds, Rudina partially opened the door and asked for some clothes.

Willow had of course been waiting outside patiently for this with some nice comfortable woman’s adventuring clothing. It was a Bards set, but they should fit her perfectly.

Rudina gladly accepted the clothing and carefully dressed in them.

The Bards set was a short burgundy suede dress, with built in bodice and corset. The matching leggings were full tights but made of a light leather like elastic material which made them look and feel like pantyhose while being rugged and strong like a pair of jeans. The boots where thigh high with a three-inch heel designed in a way that they could be used in stirrups or while hiking on a wooded trail much like a good pair of cowboy boots.

The outfit was amazing, it made her feel like a real woman, and she was knock out gorgeous, while not sacrificing mobility or comfort. The only thing from her world she still wore was her bra, and panties which surprisingly still fit. Willow explained that a spot of magic was used to size her old clothing, to fit, which was also used on the bards set as well.

She smiled and then attached the holster for her pistol and checked the weapon properly before holstering it. Clearly no one touched it, besides removing the holster straps while she was asleep.

Then she realized her home was crushed last night. Her clothing, the rifle with a partial box of ammo and her service pistol with two magazines were the only things she knew would still be serviceable. She sat back down and started to cry, Willow gave her a hug as she could empathize with the young human after all the things that have happened in such a short time.

Once her emotions relaxed, Willow showed Rudina to the Meeting hall of the keep, “We’re having a community meeting about what has transpired, and your role in things. I think this will make a good debut of your new self and figure out what professions and class you are willing to take up, also we will be able to divine your skill levels then.” I think this will make a good debut of your new self and figure out what to do next.”

Earlier that morning

Deep under the earth, in the lands known as the Abyssal Dark, not far from the cave entrance where the Tiefling village sat blocking the way to the lands in the light. The mighty beast returned to its master, in great pain it died.

She looked to her creation and was angered, what manner of weapons could ruin his beautiful eyes, who had the ability to remove his great Arms. Lovingly she placed her black delicate hand against his last good eye. “Randell my sweet boy, I will avenge your death.”

Standing she made a quick hand sign, to her unseen forces, and motioned to follow her.

The Great Hall late morning

Rudina was smiling as they walked down to the next level of the ten-story tall Tower.

An ancient Stone Throne was empty as Garth the Village Elder sat on a small chair in front of it. The rest of the community elders sat at a pair of large tables which made a crescent circle in the room facing towards the throne. Standing against the walls where about a hundred young warriors, mages, and bards.

The hall had a large stained-glass window on the ceiling which lit the great hall with uniform light. This puzzled her slightly as she was sure that the floor directly above this hall was where she just was, and there was no place for light to shine down.

“must be magic” she whispered to no one in particular.

She then took a moment to study the art on the window. It had an image of Roman soldiers in a pike formation with large shields and red plumed helmets, there was also a Roman standing over the dead body of a slain red dragon with its severed head held in his hands.

Willow tapped her side to have her move forward, and interrupted the meeting by commenting, “The Lady Rudina, High Human of the mysterious World, and Savior of the village of Heorod.”

Rudina blushed as she had never been introduced before, and to begiven what was basically titles was slightly embarrassing.

All eyes looked at her. Those sitting at the tables had to rotate their bodies and look behind them to see her. She realized that the men had wolfish eyes for her.

“Umm, ... thank you,” she stated while quickly looking around and giving a slight curtsey, “where should I sit Garth?” She looked to the village elder hoping it was ok to talk to him like this.

“My young lady, High Humans sit on the Throne,” he pointed at the stone Throne across the hall, which she then realized was set so everyone was looking right at it.

She gulped and walked to it and sat demurely in the throne asking, “what is a High Human, and what are you guys anyway? I’m sort of new to this world after all.” She then pointed to the stained glass on the ceiling, “Also are those Roman Legionnaire?”

Garth moved his small chair and set it down to the right of the throne and sat next to her, “High Humans are Humans from the world you came from. All Humanoid beings descend from your kind. Even my people the Tieflings. Millions of Years ago Dragons pulled humans from your world as slaves and reshaped our bodies to fit the roles they needed. My kind were mixed with infernal energies and were used to help keep other slaves in line. Ours is one of the few communities on this world with records left from those dark days. These days, Elves claim the Gods made the Mortal races in their images, and that elves were the first born,” the elder sated with a huff. “Most people accept the Elvin story.” He pointed to the overhead light. “That is a representation of when the Hysponian helped overthrow the Dragons who used mortals as Slaves about nineteen thousand years ago.”

“Nineteen thousand, not nineteen hundred?” she asked puzzled, because she was sure Rome was about two thousand years ago, nineteen thousand years ago the Earth was still in a great Ice Age, and humans had yet to develop civilization. She also seemed to recall that Modern Humans were at most two to three hundred thousand years old, no more. Three million years ago Human ancestors where basically still chimpanzee like things.

“From what I know from our records, your world and ours experience time at a different rate.” The Elder replied

“Oh” Rudina replied.

The Elder in a more serious tone while looking back to the gathered community leaders, “Well the ‘demi-arachne giant’ has been severely wounded and has fled back to the abyss. Until we know it is truly dead, and that it was alone, our community is not safe.”

Pointing at the woman next to him, “I used my strongest buff spell to aid Rudina during the fight, and she saved the day. But now it is time to decided who goes into the abyss to track and destroy the beast and to ensure our community remains unseen by the denizens of the dark. First a show of hands who is willing to volunteer for this quest.”

Rudina stood up, with her hand in the air, “I’m game. He killed a lot of your people, and destroyed my home, which had all my worldly possessions in it. I feel better than now than I have my whole life. So, I have no issue chasing him down, and putting a final bullet in its brain.” She looked to Garth, “However, I do want to check somethings before I head out. I want to see if I can use magic like the spell you used on me, and also to see what kinds of weapons you have here. As my own weapons have limited ammunition, and I am unsure I can make any more while I’m here.” She sat back down. With her legs crossed, but in a more relaxed fashion, as if something dawned on her “Oh yah, I have no idea where I am, or where I’m going so, I’ll need some help from you lot.”

Four of the Men, and one of the Women Stood and raised their hand, and each stated they would help track the beast.

They all gathered in front of Rudina, in turn they each took a knee and said their name, and what they could do.

I am “Alfred a Wizard. Garth our village Elder trained me personally” the first one said.

“Ferdinand, although you can call me Fred. I’m a Ranger and Scout I will be able to track the beast, I also have a magic sword passed down from ancient times by my forefathers. It’s called in the ancient tongue, ‘Sancti plus tria Ultor’, which means, ‘The revenger of more than three things, the Holy.’ the next person said as he took his knee.

The next person with a flourish of his hands, “My fair lady, I am Asher, a Bard. Besides increasing our spirits, I am well versed in healing spells”

The last of the men was a grizzled man in dull full plate armor, using his Halberd as support he took a knee, “Brenner, ma’am I am a Warrior and a town guard. I was guarding the tower gate, you saved my life. The beast was reaching for me when you hit him hard in the back”

Rudina looked to what she had to admit was a stereotypical Paladin, the woman was standing tall in full plate armor which was designed to look good on a woman and might not have been as practical as Brennan’s armor. The woman spoke up with authority, “I bend no knee to any man,” she then used her shield as support and took a knee “But your ladyship is no man, and the goddess herself has informed me to always be at your side. I am Helga a Templar of the ‘Templum Luna’ I wield the power of the goddess while being a frontline warrior.”

Rudina was impressed, she was actually a Paladin. If she was building an adventuring party, then she was sure that this party was good.

“I guess were an adventuring party of six” Rudina said. She then walked up to face them directly, “Please rise, I am uncertain of the rites and traditions of your people, but for mine,” She gave a fast and crisp USMC salute and released it just as fast and crisply, “Stand at ease, we are going forth to face a monstrosity we need not be so formal.”

The Elder spoke to the Six Heroes, “You should prepare to leave as soon as possible, however give yourselves a day to rest, and to prepare for the worst with your families, because the Abyss is a dangerous place. Rudina, I’ve had the villagers remove the wreckage of your home from the courtyard, they pulled out everything that wasn’t building materials, and set that aside for you. You should go through your possessions, we can use magic to fix most of it, and I have a gift for you once we are done sorting it.”

He turned to the rest of the party, “Go prepare, and come back late this afternoon, so you can work out your roles as a party and get to know each other better. You’ll be sleeping here in the keep tonight as a Party in the Kings Chambers. As you will set out first thing tomorrow.”

The Courtyard noontime

Garth led Rudina to where her possessions had been collected. Not all of it was beyond hope. There were piles of her furniture, piles of her clothing and shoes, books and collectibles, kitchenware, food, and computer hardware. She was ecstatic to see her entire armory room had survived with only being covered in dust. She had used two walk-in safes to store everything, and had a workbench set between them with cabinets for gear and supplies. She was glad that she used such good quality safes. Just past that was all the hardware of her home, she couldn’t help but laugh as the wiring, pipes, electrical outlets, solar panels, house battery, and utility meters laid out as if they might be worth something to her now there was no house.

Turning to the elder, “Garth” she pointed to the house trash, “sadly this stuff here goes with the house and is worthless without a home, she then pointed to the furniture, likewise, no home, no need to furnish it, so make of it what you can. The food and kitchenware are useful, albeit smushed, have any cooks in town that can use it take it.”

She then looked at her Armory safes, and clothing. “So, magic can adjust the size of my clothing?” she also fished out her camping gear, from a cabinet that was attached to the outside of one of her safes.”

Garth looking at the clothing pile, pulled out a scroll from a tiny bag at his waist, holding out his hands, he chanted what was said on the scroll and raised his hand over the pile of clothing. It all lifted in the air and started to shine a bit.

Rudina was watching with amazement, as the clothing all flew up glowing, and then sat back down neatly folded.

“They are all cleaned, repaired, and sized correctly for you.” Garth said, “it’s a spell I got in the city from a merchant who specializes in such matters. It’s called a Dry-cleaning spell with Alterations and Repair.”

This left Rudina’s jaw hanging when she heard those words. “That is so cool” was all she could say. Forgetting the backpack on the workbench, as she walked over to look closer.

Garth then, pulled a small bag from under his robes, “this is a very valuable gift, I’m sure it will serve you well.” He said as he held it up so she could see it. “It’s a greater bag of holding, much like the one I use.” he pointed to his belt pouch. “It was mine from when I was a young adventuring Wizard. I’m giving it to you as a gift. It has several tons as its maximum capacity, and can be used to store anything nonliving, food will be preserved fresh forever.”

He held the tiny bag, so the opening faced the pile of clothing, and said, “Take all.” The clothing jumped into the tiny bag. He closed the bag and handed it to her, “To retrieve something, just think about what you want, and reach in and grab it. To put something in, put it in, size doesn’t matter. You can also say ‘empty all’ if you want to unload the bag completely. Or like I just did ‘Take All’ to place a pile of objects in to the bag. there are a few warnings, it won’t open a safe to retrieve an object, and if you put a bag of holding in another bag of holding, you’ll end up with a bag of devouring, which is a nasty thing which consumes everything that it comes in contact with.”

She looked at the bag, and then thought “Doctor Martin boots”. She pulled out her old and not as worn out pair of boots, she then put them back in the bag. “Empty all” as she pointed the bag to the empty space in front of her. The pile of neatly folded clothing flew out of the bag. On top of the pile was her Winchester Model 70 Alaskan, a box of ammunition, and a pile of gold and jewels.

“Wait, what?” she looked at the wealth in front of her.

“As you can see, I’ve also given you your official reward for your help as well, that’s worth about 1000 gold in currency, and another 1000 gold in materials needed for reagents in magic. The bag is my personal gift to you, as are the clothing you received. I saw your books on Magic, and they are useful if not a bit out dated.” He pulled a book out of his own bag of holding. “This is a good study of modern spell craft, it goes up to about 5^th level mage spells, with a selection of Bard spells, that focus on healing and enhancement of abilities and gear. It was the book I used when I first got started. Your skills with ranged weapons, and the lack of heavy melee weapons and armor, says a lot to me. I think you might have talent as a Ranger or Bard, with a possibility of also being a hedge wizard. Before you leave, we’ll test you for the adventure’s guild, I’m sure you have enough skills already to have a high starting level.”

“Thank you,” she said a bit stunned, but yet she was accepting of what has happened, this was no dream, and this new world was amazing.

She then walked to her armory, seeing how impractical it was to load and unload the two large safes, she removed all her weapons and all her ammunition, plus her cleaning kits, camping gear, sleeping bags, sleeping mats, tents, combat knives, bows and arrows, cross bows and bolts, sling shot, and a paintball gun with it’s supplies.

“So, magic has easy to use repair, and easy to use storage, but what about ammunition? I’ve got a lot for now, but without specialized gun stores, my firearm ammunition will run out, is there a fix for that in this world?” She asked him.

“Yes, there is, I’ve known many archers with special quivers that duplicate any ammunition stored. They are very similar to bags of holding but worn on the back.” He replied, “you might be able to buy one for about 10,000 gold in the city, or like most adventurers try to find one while questing. Which is what I would suggest. Also, a trick, pick your favorite weapon. And I’ll teach you a spell to convert any ranged ammunition in the type used for your bonded weapon.”

“Well, that’s easy then.” She drew her service pistol, removed the magazine, cleared, and checked the chamber that it was clear, and held it so he could see it. “Colt m1911a1, .45cal used by the Marine Corps as a Service pistol until they switch to Glocks in the ‘90s. I purchased this one from government surplus back then. I’ve maintained it as it would have been when in service. It’s been at my side for over twenty years now.”

“I see, that’s a small handheld ‘firearm’, I was wondering what it was.” Garth replied, “ok then, take the spell book I gave you, and turn to the page with the flower stem as a bookmark,”

She followed his direction, and she read the spell. He then instructed her on how to cast it. She then picked up an arrow and a gold coin and chanted the spell as he directed. The arrow became a .45cal bullet in its casing just like what she usually used in her pistol, although both the bullet and casing looked to be made of brass.

“Oh, wow, that is awesome!” she exclaimed. “I did magic, real honest to goodness magic!”

“We’re not done, that bullet you made wont work yet, as the magic that powers it hasn’t been created.” He said, “from what I understand, you need to now cast the spell on the page marked with the red colored leaf to make it work. the reproduction is always slightly flawed, in this case the ammunition is made up of only one magical metal, so the chemical reaction that empowers the projectile portion wont happen without special magic.”

She turned to the page he marked for her and cast the spell that he indicated. The spell also cost one gold coin, but the case had a slight reddish tone to it that it didn’t have before.

“May I try it” she asked.

“Yes, I insist actually.” He pointed to human shaped dummies in the opposite side of the courtyard. Clearly, they were used for martial training.

“Cool” she grabbed two pair of ear protectors and two pair of cheap shooting glasses. She put on one set of each and handed the elder the other. “You should wear these.”

She walked up to a mark on the ground which looked to be about ten yards from the dummies, loaded the magic bullet as the second round in the magazine. She then loaded the pistol and took a standing two-handed shooting stance. Relaxed her breathing and squeezed off a perfect headshot. In the minds eye, she made a slight prayer and squeezed off the second shot. She noticed no difference, she took a third shot to be sure there were no complications.

While holding her stance she cleared the weapon, checked the chamber, and then bent over picking up her brass. She noticed the magical one was fading into smoke. “Well that’s convenient, don’t have to pick up my brass afterwards.” She holstered the weapon, and walked back to the bench between the safe, her DD was still sitting there from yesterday. “Time for cleaning and inspections, and then I’ll load my weapons and ammo into the bag. I’m gonna need a chair.” She looked to the furniture, although she had chairs there, not one of them was in condition to be used. The elder, pulled out a wand from his cloak and with a word and a flick of his wrist a broken chair flew next to them and magically healed the damage.

“Neat trick, I guess that’s a special item or something?” She asked.

“Naw, the instructions to make a wand and to use that spell are in your book, it’s just a pure wizard spell, unlike the bard stuff I had marked.” He replied.

“I figured bard spells were songs” she commented.

“You did sing them, you just didn’t notice it.” He chuckled.

“Oh, great, I’m the singing Marine now.” She joked.

That afternoon, on the Courtyard by the training dummies.

The remains of the house had been completely removed, Rudina had moved everything she needed to her bag of holding and gave the safes to the village elder along with the combination to unlock them. She kept the workbench in her bag of holding though, it was as much a necessary tool as her cleaning kits. However, she did find a wizard’s spell which seemed to do the cleaning part fairly well. She still needed to lubricate the weapons and check the repair.

She had found an enhancement that she could add to her magical ammunition which allowed each shot she fired to have a magical property, this apparently was useful to hit things immune to non-magical damage. Also, the property choices were simple one for each of the four primary elements. She also found as she got better with magic the spell would open up to further choices of elements and energies such as lightning, ice, lava, holy, unholy, nature, and undeath, she wasn’t sure what undead energy was but was impatient to experiment with it.

She filled her magazines with her self-created ammunition, as they were practical, and made cleanup much easier.

The rest of the party was training along side her, to get use to the sound of gunfire. She also gave them cheap in the ear earplugs as she had several full bags of them. She used her personal hunting set, which were washable and reusable. Turns out thanks to magic, the cheap ones were now just as practical.

Besides her service pistol, she decided to use her Remington 700 set up as a M40. It had excellent range and one of her armory friends from years ago was a Marine Armorer, and he set the weapon up for her. It wasn’t exactly like the version she had trained with in the Marines, as it was based on the a5 and not the a2, but that was fine. It was even better than the old one, and being a natural lefty, meant that the custom build could be set up just right for her. She was still an expert shot with her right eye, but it was far more comfortable to shoot lefty for her. Plus, her grouping was much better that way.

To show what the weapon could do, she cleared the courtyard, and had the party follow her to the top of the tower, she fired five shots from the tower, all five were kill shots to the head of the dummies, all the dummies now had a nice fist size hole in the back of their heads.

But now they were training together, she wanted to conserve ammo with her rifles, until she had a way to replace it like she did with her pistol. Which she found would happen sooner than later as eventually she could form a bond with a second weapon.

Together they worked on movement, as three of them relied on melee while the other three were at range. The bard was a master with daggers, he used them as ranged and in melee. The Ranger, although he had a big sword on his back, he used a short bow, his grouping and skill was rather impressive. As he could do tricks while shooting, such as flips and cartwheels. Which he said made it harder for people at range to target him.

Rudina’s POV

Although I was billing myself as a ranged fighter, I also practiced my Krav Maga, as it seemed a good time to practice my throws, punches and kicks. Brennan made a good sparing partner, as he was almost as tall as I was, and he could keep up with me using his kickboxing like martial arts. He moved like an MMA fighter once out of his armor. This was the most fun I’ve had since I was twenty something. Before the backpain, before I couldn’t move. He taught me a few of his moves, and I explained a bit about the martial arts I used, and the history of the people who developed it. Turns out the Martial Arts he uses came from the heroes that were summoned a hundred years ago, the ones in the M1 Abrams. Kind of hard to get my mind around that idea. Especially if the guys who taught him were Marines. I’ll have to check out the Tank before we leave tomorrow.

That night the party was exhausted, we trained well, and were really getting use to how we each handled things. Although I’ve never felt like a leader, as my highest rank was corporal in the Marines, I was able to handle the leadership position the team wanted from me. While we ate, I pulled out a few toys from my bag. I pulled out my camping generator, a small Honda, I didn’t have much fuel so I figured I might as well have some fun with it until I can find a new way to produce electricity, I also pulled out my PS4 and a few Blu-ray movies. I have a 4k projector, so I could watch movies like in a movie theater. Now was a good time to watch something fun. The only trouble was, I was the only one who spoke English. So, we had to cast comprehend language on everyone.

I then put it to the group what kind of entertainment did they like? What kind of story?

In the end, I picked the greatest adventure film of all time.

Star Wars: A New Hope

For a screen, I settled on using one of the walls covered with an old white sheet I had. Sadly, my actual screen was never found, must have been taken away with the rubble of the house. I still had to use a repair spell on the projector, fortunately it worked fine.

My audience however may have missed the wonder a bit of the Force, as magic in this world was real, and there is such a thing as monks who use magic the way Jedi use the force, and there are even magical swords apparently that work the same way light sabers do. Other than that, they enjoyed the movie, and told me that in the cities, they have recorded plays that are the same as the movie. Although they use magic not science to show them, and they are called recorded plays. So, I switched tactics and pulled out the best animated film of all time.

Spirited Away

Yah they loved it, no questions asked, no interruptions, they cried when it was appropriate, and laughed at the same time. When it was done, they only asked one question, why was it subtitled.

I then realized I played it with Japanese audio with English subtitles. Magic allowed us to understand both. I sighed, finally I could understand Japanese, and I would no longer be able to get Anime.

We all fell asleep in the great hall.

Later that night after the Honda Generator ran out of fuel

The newly created and newly bonded team were sleeping well, each had made themselves comfortable in sleeping bags and blankets for the two movies, they had a bit of alcohol, and even though a few of the male party members where highly attracted to the two female team mates, no one acted badly, nor did anyone make any attempt to flirt.

Garth and Willow had both gone to sleep in their usual room in the keep.

A short distance from the village however under the cover of Darkness, a cloud of dark fog enveloped the town. A few guards on the perimeter, died before making a sound, and the villagers slept unaware of the danger slowly moving towards the keep.

As the darkness silently moved forward, a handful of bodies darted in to random houses in the village, and took one tenth of the village population, while not making a sound. The stolen villagers were all young, and all male. The power behind the Darkness wanted good strong backs to use as slaves, and as fodder for her twisted experiments.

The Darkness was formed as if it was the train of a dress. It was following behind what appeared to be a woman with deep purple black skin, flowing white hair, and eyes that glowed deep red as if they were made of lava. She was very clearly an elf, she wore a dress made of pure darkness, and was barefoot. She moved with grace and beauty, and made slight hand gestures, indicating to her followers which house to raid, whish guard to kill. They did nothing unless she flicked her fingers or wrist with intent.

Quietly with a slight hand gestures the gate to the Keep’s courtyard was flung open as if they weighed nothing. The dark being became a whiff of black smoke and flew up to the top floor of the Keep and entered through an open window in the elder’s study. She silently went down the small spiral stair case, to the Kings chambers.

She stood over Garth and Willow, both were sleeping. She pulled a thin dagger from her robes and took a drop of his blood. She then used her darkness to ensure everyone in the keep was sleeping and then used the blood to find their leaders first born.

As the party slept the woman of darkness, stopped over each person. She was looking at the blade of her dagger as she stood over each. When she was over Rudina, she smelled her body, and smelled her crotch while licking her lips. Then frowned and moved over the next person. She stopped moving once the blade gave off a sinister red glow when she was standing over Alfred.

She sheathed the blade and picked up the wizard in one hand. She woke him, while casting a silence spell on him which caused him to be unable to move or make a sound. She smiled and moved around the room as if she was dancing with him his feet never once touching the ground. After her short dance, she placed him on the ancient Stone Throne. And took off all of her clothing in a striptease. She also cut his robes off, leaving just his underwear in place, and then she sat on his lap facing him, with a wicked grin.

“Did daddy ever tell you how special you were?” she asked. “Did he promise this Throne to you one day?”

“I give this to you now as a last gift.” She then pulled a cooked birds wing from thin air and placed it in his mouth. “Here is a meal for your end, may it never be said, that I didn’t hold the most ancient of traditions.”

She then cast a spell which shimmered around the two of them, and then she released his vocal cord. “As my final call to the ancient rites of justice, I give you your voice, tell me your last words”

He screamed in terror.

“My my, I always thought you Tieflings were good with words, I am so disappointed.” She kissed him on his cheek, “here a kiss for the dying in the tradition of the Hysponian Empire.” She then bit off his cheek.

He never stopped screaming as she slowly tore him apart piece by piece. She carefully healed him to insure he didn’t die until she was satisfied.

As he was being brutally murdered, no one heard a thing, no one stirred from the magical sleep.

When she was done, she wrote a note on a parchment in her language, the language of the Dark Elves.

“Dearest Tieflings,

I do apologize for getting blood on your throne, but he was worthy of sitting on it once, so I did him that favor.

In the words of the ancient book of laws, ‘a child for a child, is the right of the injured.’ You slew my son Randell, I slew yours. Since your village sits within my territory, I have also enacted the rule of Decimate, and have taken one in ten as levy. I spare your honored guest as it is proper according to tradition, ‘Harm not the Guest at the dinner table’. She is so cute sleeping on the table, so innocent so pure. I was very tempted to brake tradition to eat her virgin flesh, but I have self-control, and will not sully the good name of Dökkálfar kind.

I will now leave for a year, for next year your tax may be one or all of your people, I’m not sure which. Depends on how well your sons serve my tastes.

Yours with love

Morafmorke”

She then pinned the note using a jeweled silver dagger to the dead man’s forehead. She left as silently as she came, closing all the doors as if she was never there.

That night no one woke until mornings first light.

The Party Members in the Great Hall were the first to react to what had happened, as the Dark Elves left no damage, and not a drop of blood was spilled from the slain town guards. Dark Elves are truly the most terrifying raiders.

Rudina pulled the note from the dead man’s forehead, it was the only part of his body which had any skin left on it, except the cheek which was torn off. She then covered him with the same sheet she had used as a screen the night prior. This was possibly the worst thing she had ever seen, but she now knew what their enemy was capable of. She had a name. This went from being about helping people to a rescue mission, and a quest to destroy something truly evil.

Garth was in tears, when he heard what happened. He insisted that he take the place of his son. The rest of the community was a bit surprised to find out that Alfred was Garths son, as Alfred was born to a single mother long ago just after Garth left as an adventurer. She had married and had since passed. Garth had married a Tiefling on his adventures who wasn’t from their village, Willow was from lands far to the north.

They held off leaving for a day to burry Alfred, and so Garth could get his gear together. Rudina said little as she was visibly shaken.

Each Party member said a few words, Garth said a few words, and admitted that he had only found out Alfred was his son before his mother died a few years ago. He had promised to never tell.

He also worried that the village may have to move, if they fail in their expedition. Willow was going to fill in as Village Elder while he was gone, and that if needed she would lead them along the hidden paths through the mountains to a land safe from Dark Elves and Humans.

After the funeral, they gathered at the M1 Abrams, Rudina checked to see a few details, first thing she noticed was it had a red kangaroo painted on one side. ‘Not American, good to know’ she thought. On her quick inspection, she found why they had abandoned it there, it was not only empty of fuel, but it looked like it was set up for training. It had none of the extra armor, or other accessories needed in a combat zone. The crew had not stripped the tank either as she checked inside, and found plenty of gear inside, she even found a few personal items that the crew must have not needed. When everyone was gathered, she explained the combat maneuvers they were going to use to Garth. then in silence they headed out to the massive cavern entrance.

When they left, the party was silent, Fred led the way with Helga right behind him, Rudina, Garth, Asher made up the center with Brenner following to the rear. Rudina had them in a spaced and staggered formation and would move a pace that everyone could see at least two other party members if they were in tight or especially dark spaces. They also moved at a slow pace, constantly checking for ambushes and traps.

Since Rudina was the only one without Darkvision naturally, she had to use a spell to allow herself to see. The group decided it was safest since the Dark Elves were at home in places where there was no light. Even then, occasionally they had to stop and cast the spell again, unfortunately the spell wasn’t permanent, and only lasted a few hours. It was still more reliable than night vision goggles which she did have, but she felt magic was better when she didn’t have replacement parts or enough battery life for long term operations. Part of why she had decided on a service pistol and one rifle, was because magic would make it possible to have enough ammunition for the two.

The trail of goo that the Monstrous Randell left behind was easy to follow for the party, it even glowed at times. After a half day of following the trail of goo, they came across a vast underground lake, with a castle in the center of the lake. Unlike the Medieval style Keep, this castle was all sharp spires and pointed edges. To Rudina it looked like a sand castle made from stalactites. The castle had a few ice blue lights, which gave it an eerie cold feel. The cavern roof however was just as scary as it was clearly a spider’s nest, that spanned the entire cavern ceiling. Although she couldn’t see the spiders, she could see the movement in the web.

Fred Silently indicated that there was a small boat tied to a dock right next to the cave entrance. However, on closer inspection they saw that it was a trap, that there was a couple of fine delicate lines that went up to the ceiling and web. Rudina instead silently asked for Garth to make a spot which would stifle all sound, as she had a couple of small inflatable boats for fishing, which would be perfect to use right now. The only problem being inflating them made a lot of noise.

Garth understood and made an area for them to inflate the boats in silence.

They were just big enough for 4 normal sized people, however Rudina and Brenner were both taller than normal. So, they split to melee in one boat, and ranged in the second. Rudina had her rifle ready in case anything should happen. While Garth and Asher rowed. In the other boat, Helga took point and Fred and Brenner rowed. They maintained silence the entire trip across the lake and wouldn’t have been noticed if not for a slight amount of Bad luck. One of the Dark Elvin guards decided to relieve himself in the lake when they were only 50 yards out. Rudina was surprised when what she thought was a very thin and skinny female elf pulled out a normal looking penis and started to pee. It really ruined the mystic of elves in one giant stream of liquid. Everyone held their breath hoping that he wouldn’t look in their direction, and he almost didn’t but he tripped as he was putting his junk away and looked right into Rudina’s eyes. He started to yell and ready his bow. Rudina made a louder noise, and he fell dead.

“Shit” was all she could say, as every Elf in the cavern, and possibly every being underground heard the report of the .308win, without even thinking Rudina chambered the next round and started popping off every head she saw.

It was a surprisingly one-sided battle, Rudina in a kneeing position on the beach, with her rifle and a box of ammo, the party in a semicircle in front of her also at the ready for any that made it close to them. It took about 5 mins for the elves to understand that if they became visible, they would die to the thunderous sound of the m40. Once they saw no evidence of any braver elves, they walked to the open door that the first guard had opened when he went for a pee brake.

The door led to kitchens, this gave the party even more reason to hate these elves, as they had been using captured Tieflings as both food and slaves. They freed the young men and told them to follow quietly. Fred ask one if they knew where to find the lady in charge, the young man opened his mouth, revealing his tongue was missing, but then pointed down.

Rudina stored her rifle and readied her service pistol. The mute slave showed them to a stair case that led down. It quickly became obvious to these dark elves, down was the superior direction, so as they moved down things started to become more luxurious. At the same time there was also fewer lights. Dark Elves seemed to love things in darkness.

After descending about ten levels, and not seeing any elves, they came to a large open space, that was almost as large as the Court yard of the keep. Only this space was filled with elves and slaves. The sight looked like a BDSM party, where the slaves where being used for all kinds of sexual pleasure, not all the elves where the ‘master’ in the BDSM kind of way, it was very clear some of the slaves held tools to whip and dominate their masters in a sexual fashion. Not all the slaves were Tieflings either, most it seemed where actually pale skinned elves. All of the slaves had the same dull expression on their faces, as it was clear how the Dark Elves managed to maintain control in this most diabolical of situations.

In the center of it all was a Throne clearly drenched in blood. The lady Morafmorke had several young Tiefling boys tied to gather while she did something unseen from their positions.

“Oh goodness, gracious a Virgin Human is in our presence.” Morafmorke spoke out loud, it was the first sound they heard since entering the castle, and it made everyone in the party treble with fear.

“You may kill them, but I want the two women.” She instructed while waving a hand lazily in the air. The entire Room stood up, Masters and Servants all faced the party and charged silently.

Rudina snapped off a few quick shots without aiming, hitting her targets perfectly. This sort of surprised her, because she had never felt herself that lucky, she had actually hoped the sound would cause them pause while her team started to push through the mass of Elves and slaves.

She tried not to kill the slaves, since she was sure they were being controlled. However, she had no forgiveness for the Dark Elves. She noticed that the only meat they were eating was Humanoid flesh. Besides being evil, the Dark Elves were cannibals, hedonists, and slavers who used mind control. They all deserved to die. After a few minutes of fighting they had more or less cleared the room. Dead bodies and injured were laying everywhere. None of the party was injured. Which defied logic, but then she noticed that she had killed most of the Dark Elves with a single head shot, and the Party had disabled the rest in the confusion.

Morafmorke looked at them, and sighed without a sound and then spoke, “You lady, that is the loudest thing in all the seven hells, please stop with that nonsense right now.” Wiggling her fingers, the pistol flew out of Rudina’s hand across the room. She then, picked up a trident looking weapon which was as much an artistic statement of evil as it was a weapon, and threw the weapon at Rudina. Fred jumped into the flightpath of the trident and was impaled by it.

“Oh look, the little devil sacrificed his life to protect his first romantic interest.” Morafmorke teased as she reached for a long sword at her side. She then proceeded to knockout Brenner and Helga with the flat of her sword before they had a chance to react. “these two will made fine slaves.”

Asher tried to sneak behind her for a backstab, only to be cut in half by a backward slice of the long sword.

Garth created a magical shield around himself, Fred and Rudina. “Hurry use all your buffing spells I taught you, you’re going to need them now.”

Fred looking at the blood draining from his chest, unhooked his sword. “Please take this sword, maybe it’ll be of use.” He died as soon as she took it. Rudina then cast a few spells that Garth had bookmarked for her.

She cast four spells that were clearly intended to improve a person’s martial ability and held the sword and charged the evil Elf.

“Nice sword, although I think your Paladin would make better use of a Holy Avenger.” Morafmorke teased as she effortlessly caught the sword with an open hand, and then kissed Rudina lightly on the lips. “What fun we will have once I make you obedient.”

Rudina pulled away letting go of the sword and running around to the other side of Morafmorke’s throne. She saw what she was doing with the slaves and was disgusted. She was cutting them up live and stitching them together with giant spider bodies. She gagged at the stench and sight.

Morafmorke perked up and told Rudina “I am making new children, to replace my son. If you are lucky, I may even use you to make a daughter. I so much would like a nice strong daughter.”

Rudina grabbed the nearest weapon she could find, it was a black longsword with spider patterns that was sitting on the ground near her feet.

“Oh yes, maybe now we can have a serious battle. That sword is named Pìos, but I doubt you have the one ability needed to use that sword.” Morafmorke said, “That is the opposite aspect of my own sword, Banainn.”

Rudina ignored her and rushed in for a strike. Although Morafmorke parried it, she wasn’t able to quite keep from taking damage. As Rudina attack forced her to collapse backwards. “That’s impossible” Morafmorke said while trying to get back up and take a better stance.

Rudina then pressed the advantage and made several lunging attacks. Although Rudina wasn’t used to sword fighting, it seemed natural to her, as if somehow someplace she had spent years honing her swordsmanship. Eventually, Rudina’s aggressive persistence overwhelmed Morafmorke ability to parry.

Morafmorke was panicked and tried to cast a spell of darkness. However, before she could finish chanting the spell Rudina smashed through her parries, with a thrust to her chest. The Blade hit her through one of her lungs.

She looked at the blade in her chest and asked “How, you need to have been born with a penis to wield that sword, you have to give up your manhood willingly to bond to it and use it to its full potential.”

Rudina, violently yanked out the blade, kicked Morafmorke blade from her hand, and whispered, “Than this is the perfect blade for me.”

Morafmorke last thought as her head was severed from her body, was essentially ‘Oh shit, that’s why she was still a virgin.’

After the battle, Rudina, sat down next to the evil bitch she killed. “Assume makes an ass out of you and me, bitch.” She then walked over to her service pistol and returned it to its holster.

She then rested a few minutes, as that battle winded her worse than she could have guessed. Garth looked around at all the bodies, woke both Brenner and Helga, and then collected their dead and removed their gear and wrapped them in cloth, their gear was placed into Garth’s bag of Holding, While Brenner and Helga prepared a Holy fire to burn their bodies in a purifying fire, They also dragged as much flammable material as possible to make it so the fire would spread uncontrollably. At the same time, they rounded up the surviving slaves, and led everyone back to the main level. They instructed the freed slaves to unlock every slave in the castle.

Rudina, looted the other sword from Morafmorke, might as well keep it as a souvenir. However, she realized she had met the requirements of this sword as well and would be bonded to it on her first period. “What an odd pair of swords.” She said, “One requires a male to give up a penis, and the other requires a woman to be fertile.”

“Elves!” Spat Garth, “I will never understand them. Odds are those blades were meant for someone like you in the first place, once you get to know them, who knows what their true potential could be.”

After a few hours, they found the surviving Slaves, and they even found that most of the young men taken from the village had not yet been processed and were held in one of the towers. Rudina found the remains of Randell and removed its head.

The freed slaves also showed the party to the special passage that led them to the shore, as to avoid the difficulty of having to row a couple hundred rescued slaves across the shore.

Once across the Shore, Garth did one final thing. I think its safe to do this now. He cast a very strange spell. It seemed simple, he made a slight gesture with his hand, he said a few rapid-fire words. Then he said in simple words. “I wish to Collapse this cavern and make it impassable for all time.” Then he passed out. And the cavern with the castle and lake and the massive spider web collapsed into itself and became a solid wall.

They were done, they headed home. Garth didn’t wake up for a few days, and when he did, he looked older than he was when Rudina first met him. He whispered to her, in a faint voice, “Never cast a wish spell unless you mean it. It takes a lot out of you.”

Weeks later, the community was restored, the dead were mourned, and Rudina realized, that she had lived up to her Role as Hero. They checked her level at the Adventure Guild and was given a Character sheet, it looked just like one you would have when Playing D&D.

Adventure Guild Identification Papers

Name: Rudina Race: High Human Age: 25 Hight: 6’3” Weight: 120lbs

Faith: Science Hometown: unknown

Strength: 12 Dexterity: 19 Constitution: 14

Intelligence: 16 Wisdom: 14 Charisma: 15

Class/Classes: Ranger 4/Monk 4/Bard 1 /Wizard 1

Total Class Level: 10

Skills: Acrobatics, Animal Handling, Arcana, Athletics, Deception, History, Insight, Intimidation, Investigation, Medicine, Nature, Perception, Performance, Persuasion, Religion, Sleight of Hand, Stealth, Survival

Languages: All

Weapon Proficiencies: Ranged Weapons, Krav Maga, Daggers, Long Swords

Titles: Hero, Savior of Heorod, Bane of Dark Elves, Slayer of Randell, Slayer of Morafmorke, The One who wields the Spider Soul blades, Emancipator

She looked and looked at her papers, “This looks just like a D&D Character sheet!” she gasped.

For the next few chapters I’m going to have her grow as an adventurer, no need to skip to the Dragon for a while, since Beowulf didn’t face the Dragon until he returned home as King and was an old man. This leaves me lots of room for D&D type adventures. However, as you can tell, I have an end game in mind. But she needs some levels, also I am using a version of the SRD as core rules for this world, and the fights. Yes, Garth was a Level 20 Wizard, however he was also at Maximum age, so he had a lot of drawbacks. The Party was all level 4 on everything, the Mother was Level 10. The Magic Swords are really OP, but I can’t go into what they do, because Rudina doesn’t even have a clue. Technically Level 20 is not Max Level, but then that is true of D&D. Rudina also gained 4 levels as a Ranger by being a US marine, and being a level 4 Monk by being a Martial Arts master. She really hasn’t leveled up her casting levels. And it currently only using cantrips, and a few homebrew level one spells. The only cheat I gave her was her ability to know any language, and her sex change. Both of which are essential for the long-term narrative I am planning.