Chapter 651

Chapter 651: The Five

“Over there,” Jesse pointed in that direction.

“Grim Batol,” Greed squinted and said. “I knew this place wouldn’t be as hard to find as people thought; everyone had just been scared off by the evil in these mountains.”

“From now on, we need to be extra careful,” Vereesa said, looking down at the nearby valleys and hollows filled with plants. “The smells of the Red Dragons and Orcs were getting stronger.”

“Let’s split the potions here, in case we run into sudden danger,” Jesse said, taking out his potion pack. “There aren’t many, since I only made them for myself. But I can sneak in disguised as an Orc, so at least the Invisibility Potions are more needed by you two. Take one each.”

Vereesa and Greed each took a bottle of Invisibility Potion. Jesse held a bottle of Strong Shadow Protection Potion and thought for a moment. “Who needs this? It’s the strongest Shadow Protection Potion I could find. I think it can block a normal black dragon’s Shadow Flame.”

“But there are no black dragons here,” Greed replied.

“You keep it, Greed,” Vereesa said. “Who knows how many warlocks hide in that fortress? I don’t need it—I’ll shoot them in the mouth before they chant spells at me.”

“Okay, but try to shoot them before they cast spells at me too, Vereesa,” Greed said, turning to Jesse. “What about you?”

Jesse shook the round bottle in his hand. “I have a Weak Shadow Protection Potion. Since you took the Strong one, remember to charge ahead if a fight starts.”

“I always do that anyway,” the dwarf said, stuffing the Strong Shadow Protection Potion into his pocket.

“Mana Potions,” Jesse pulled out two bottles and handed them to Vereesa. “If trouble comes, don’t save your magic. There are many Orcs inside; use that spell that shoots lots of magic arrows.”

“I know,” Vereesa replied, putting the bottles in her cloak pocket.

Jesse said, “As the only spellcaster here, I should keep most Mana Potions and this Flask of Distilled Wisdom. No argument, right?”

“Give me a Mana Potion too,” Greed reached out. “If things go bad, summoning lightning will be tough with so many Orcs.”

“Alright,” Jesse handed a Mana Potion to the dwarf, then saw a bottle of Restorative Potion below.

“I’ll use this against that warlock leader; I hope it helps break their curse magic,” he explained.

“No problem,” Greed agreed. “Warlocks against warlocks.”

“Now for the Fire Protection Potion,” Jesse said. “You two take two bottles each. If we face a Red Dragon, like a Wyrmkin or other beast, drink it.”

“Aren’t you keeping any?” Vereesa asked.

Jesse tugged his robe. “Do you know how much Essence of Fire this robe cost? It’s time for it to shine. I’m not too scared of fire—I have magic shields and Mage Armor. You just protect yourselves.”

“Fine, if you’re sure, Jesse,” Vereesa said.

Jesse gave the Warlock Pack with imps to Greed. “Let Saenor go with you.”

“Why?” the dwarf asked.

“I can see demon shadows,” Jesse replied. “I see my own demon clearly. With the imp, I’ll know where you are. If Orcs head your way, I’ll stop them and give you hiding space.”

“You never said you could see demons,” Vereesa said.

“It’s a warlock trick—I have a few. I’ll explain later,” Jesse pointed to his head. “Don’t worry. Saenor can also call me. If you hit big trouble, or find where the Red Dragon Queen is locked up, have him shout my name.”

“How do we shout?” Greed asked.

Saenor popped out. “With magic! You mortals wouldn’t get it!”

Jesse explained, “It’s a demon spell—shout my name so I hear it in my mind, not out loud.”

Greed asked, “If he only shouts your name, how do we send different messages?”

“It depends on how strong the spell is,” Molofeel said.

The imp added, “Strong means we found the mother dragon! Normal means help needed! Master knows my normal shout.”

“That’s settled. Molofeel, come with me,” Jesse told the succubus leaning on a tree. “Having her nearby makes me look like a strong warlock, and she can scare off other warlocks’ succubi so they don’t mess with my mind.”

“Protect him, Molofeel,” Vereesa ordered.

“Don’t worry, I won’t let him die before me,” Molofeel replied.

“I hope you mean that,” Vereesa said, staring at her.

“Next,” Jesse stood up, packed his bag, and took out Krasus’ transformation orb. “Molofeel and I will meet them head-on to distract them. You two look for other ways into Grim Batol.”

“Leave it to me,” Greed said. “A city this big must have windows, small doors, or cracks to sneak in, especially since it’s been abandoned so long. My father told me Grim Batol has rings and layers inside, a bit like Ironforge. When he left, many walls were blown apart by Dark Iron Dwarves. I’ve seen drawings of Grim Batol and heard stories from sages. With me leading, don’t worry.”

Jesse listened, remembering the Grim Batol dungeon map in the game—rings around the central Khadros Anvil. He’d thought about using his game memories to warn them, but Greed’s words and the gap between game and reality made it pointless.

“Sounds solid, Greed,” he said.

“Then it’s on you,” Vereesa added.

“Of course,” Greed puffed his chest. “But only three of us attacking Grim Batol? If someone told me that, I’d laugh. It’s one of the world’s scariest forts.”

Molofeel said, “I think it’s five, dwarf.”

“Exactly,” Vereesa agreed. “Five.”

“True,” the dwarf said.

“It’s five!” the imp laughed.

“We are five,” Jesse nodded. He fixed his robe, tucked Living Ice Crystals inside, secured Azuresong Mageblade’s sheath, put away the Blade of Eternal Darkness, tightened his belt pouches, placed the scary purple demon bag outside, held Gorefiend’s magic wand, took the orb from his pack, breathed deep, and looked at the high walls.

Holy Light, sun, Elune, Mother Earth, or Bronze Dragon—if any of you can bless me, now’s the time.