The Nightmare system

Leaving the tavern Drake began his trek to the goblin forest, the woodland being the reason for so much traffic from Guilders and adventurers due to a old legend of a catastrophe. It was brought on by a surplus of goblins giving rise to what was known as the Goblin Emperor, it was a creature that was said to be the size of an ogre with incredible might and magic. The birth of the emperor would cause the goblins to go into a ravenous frenzy attacking and killing anything in their path.

At least that was how the legend went.

'and now there is a constant cull quest on the little blights.' thought Drake as he arrived at the camp.

"It returns, Grogna."

"Bring it to us."

"Keep it happy"

With those shouts the cute but feral goblin girl was shoved out of the camp to greet him.

"It returns, is it hungry ..." Asked Grogna thinking of what she could sacrifice next.

"I have questions." Stated Drake causing the goblin girl to smile her sharp teeth gleaming but concern was etched in her stance.

"Grogna will take it to Chief, we not have answers maybe it not be angry...." Asked Grogna leading him into the camp.

"Depends if I think you're lying." Answered Drake causing Grogna to look towards the Chief's tent nervously.

"It's here"

"It's different"

"It's stronger"

Drake could hear the words of the goblins which was a question he had as before when he was used for bait they only chittered and shouted in odd syllables.

"We here, it talks to Chief." Stated Grogna watching Drake carefully lest he decide to kill her.

---Gaba's tent----

Stepping into the tent he was welcomed to the sight of a muscular green skinned goblin that looked more like a human.

"So you are the one who eats souls. I didn't expect you to be so young. I am Gaba, Chief of the War Wicks." Stated Gaba looking to Drake as he turned to face him.

"So you do know something. Is that why your kind have been avoiding me?" Asked Drake with interest.

"I do not know much just stories from a time long since passed, a time when the lesser races served a master, a terrifying man who would make even demons and angels tremble in his presence." Explained Gaba as he seemed to be inspecting the lad.

"Then tell me of the stories." Stated Drake with interest.

"Hmmm, I suppose the beginning. In the days of old when steel was still fresh and magic still wild the humans, elves, dwarves and the other races chosen by the heavens had joined together with great cause. A demon who proclaimed himself king had assembled a great legion and was set on claiming their lands. This wicked king enslaved the races of monsters and forced them to fight his battles and wage his war. For years and years the war waged until champions chosen by the heavens appeared. They slew our kind by the hundreds allowing them to finally reach this wicked king, the battle that was fought changed the landscapes and lasted seventeen days. It was was on that final day that the wicked king drew his last breath. Forces from both sides cheered however those champions did not stop with the wicked king and had turned their sights to erasing all of those creatures that made up the legion of the wicked king.

No way to fight back we were forced into hiding for decades until HE appeared. The soul eater, the ravager of the spirit, Lord of undeath, he slayed a champion taking their weapon and their power for himself. It was a turning point as he used that power to devour the weapons and power of the forces of the heavenly alliance. As he grew so did his followers each of us lesser races swearing fealty to our protector.

He slayed all the champions and when he did so he ceased his hostilities. He built a mighty fortress that split the land allowing free entry to any who would challenge him in his cold arena. There he sat for years, never eating, never sleeping only waiting for those brave enough to face him. Alas even his time would come as new champions appeared, divine scion, demi gods. They took him by the swarm until he was felled, however this conqueror finally spoke on that dying day. He spoke of his Heir, one from his line that would find his purpose through battle and bring about his vengeance." Told Gaba causing Drake to snort.

"Something amuses you?" Asked Gaba a bit of offense in his tone.

"Seek his vengeance, he was human and fought for monsters. Then fell to the wrath of the gods, it seems foolish to ask for vengeance when he chose to go against the world and lost. Sounds like a sore loser in my opinion." Answered Drake causing the goblin before him to bristle a bit.

"You do not understand his sacrifice, he was a paragon of the races enslaved by the demon king and a defender against our eradication. You understand nothing of the world but that is fine, I am certain you will soon take his path whether you want to or not." Grinned Gaba with a knowing gleam in his eye.

"What do you mean?" Demanded Drake.

"You will see soon enough.. until then Grogna will tend to you as you see fit young Master." Grinned Gaba.

-----

Outside Gaba's tent Grogna heard the chiefs words and grimaced. However the look was replaced with a smile as the lad in question stepped out.

"It is angry...." Spoke Grogna nervously.

However he didn't respond and marched out of the camp.

Marching through the forest he slashed at any living thing in his way, boars, snakes, and any other creature.

The orbs from these creatures flew to his left arm causing it grow larger and tougher as plates of cartilage began to form like a morbid armor. Growling to himself due to the pain of the cartilage plates forcing themselves between his skin and muscle, he punched the ground causing a small but noticable set of cracks.

The pain soon subsided and he rose to his feet staring at the appendage watching in morbid fascination as the limb bent in all manners of ways before seeming to snap into normal position.

"He couldn't have been too tough if he lost with this kind of potential." Stated Drake thinking back to what Gaba had said.

With that said he returned to Hamburg, but noticed that there were more Guilders than usual.

----- Hamburg

Walking to the tavern he was very aware of the eyes on him, he was also aware of how those he walked by conveniently began to follow him.

'Seems I will be gaining quite a bit...' thought Drake his weapons rattling in excitement at the prospect.

As he made it to the tavern he was quick to notice the man from that morning standing at the entrance along with several others.

"I figured you'd show up here you-" started the man.

"No kidding, any nit wit could have figured that out. The only tavern in the village, of course I would return. Now cut the theatrics, you obviously gathered some friends so if this is going to end in blood then let's begin. I'm quite hungry." Grinned Drake causing the man to go red in anger and embarrassment.

"You think you are so strong just cause you finally got a skill, well let's see how it does against all of us." Shouted the man.

"That's rich coming from a group of people who tormented me before I had a skill just to feel a little bit strong." Laughed Drake as Watcher began rattling excitedly waiting for the command.

With that said the lad swung his sword at a person behind him wielding a battle-axe. This action causing the fight to kick off as magic was fired causing Drake to roar out as he was struck in the back. Turning his left hand he fired a torrent of fire from his palm causing them to fall back before he punched another causing a sickening crunch as their body flew a short distance tripping a few others.

However the distraction cost him as he was stabbed by several throwing blades and took a club to the chest.

Opening his mouth a purple toxin flowed out causing those in range to fall back clutching burning flesh while some inhaled causing a cruel death. Suddenly he felt a powerful punch in his back sending him tumbling allowing for a bolt of lightning to strike him.

"Go damn you!" Roared Drake as Watcher and Shattered Edge began to fly taking some of the attention off him as he released another flow of toxin before jumping through it and slashing at anything within range.

He managed to maim a few before he released another torrent of flames to give him some space. Hacking at his downed opponents he delighted in their cries as he felt the impact of several arrows hit his left arm causing him to grin as he couldn't really feel the pain from their piercing.

Suddenly a man with extremely heavy armor appeared and crushed his ribs with a mighty swing of his hammer sending Drake flying. Growling he he released another stream of toxins before blasting his flames through the cloud causing an explosion that knocked him off his feet as well as sending him flying a bit further and killing a few others.

Gasping Drake was looking down at his side where a piece of spear was lodged in his body.

Gritting his teeth he pulled it out and growled as he ran back in to the frey doing a triple threat attack as he spewed flames from his while spraying toxins with his as he swung wildly.

While he was doing this Watcher and Shattered Edge had been picking off careless guilders until there was only two left.

The man in armor and the man who started this.

Drake growled as he pulled arrows from his left arm and stood as souls flew towards his arm, stomach, and Edge Fiend. The weapon shards went to the thin blade causing it to grow heavier in his grasp. Another set of shards turned to a bag on his waist and his mouth now held pronounced canines.

Watcher gained a more sleek look while Shattered Edge flew into the opening of the large armored man's defense. Eating his soul before doing the same to the man who started it all.

The armor shattered and formed around Drake, Black as could be. The mail covering his chest almost seemed form fitting and his helmet, a bascinet, seemed to swallow the light.

"There could be no other end..." Came the cruel echo from the his lips

However he soon turned his eyes towards Shattered Edge.

[Shattering Edge: through its greedy actions it has gained a tremendous strength and impact, born to bust armor and defend. Though be warned as it desires further improvement.(Weapons consumed 4, souls consumed:2)]

"Do not seek things that don't belong to you..." Came the stern command as the two flying knives returned to their station.

He was going to pilfer the bodies but feeling something slithering up his armor he saw the pouch.

"What the..." Questioned Drake causing the pouch to belch and open it's mouth revealing an assortment of goods.

"You already gathered their items?" Questioned the youth causing the bag to swing happily on his hip.

Now he turned to look at his left arm that had gone through some changes.

[Dream Crusher: the arm of dark embodiment, it will grow as you do. (Shards of corruption: 2)]

"That's new..." Remarked Drake as he cought movement out the corner of his eyes.

"You..." Growled Drake fixing his gaze upon a familiar red haired girl.

"Please no, I wasn't apart of this. I just want to live... Please. I'll do anything..." Pleaded the girl causing him to raise his blade until he thought about it.

"Anything?..." Came the chuckle as he reached down and grabbed her by the throat.

"So here's what's going to happen, you're going to tell everyone about the 'dark guild' that was here and how I single handedly killed them but not in time to save the villagers. If you say anything else other than this I will find you. Do you understand?" Asked Drake forcing the girl to nod as he released her.

"Go and remember I will find you if you say anything else." Stated Drake as he set fire to buildings and killed any he saw. His new tool the bag collecting any supplies it found of its own accord.