Apocalypse respawn

When Rargnes and the commander returned, a party was taking place. People were dancing to the music, and most of them were drunk. Under the influence of alcohol, some soldiers even began to find their new campaigns to their liking.

Sober, Rargnes watched with a glass in hand as the guests with red faces wandered around laughing and noticed, strangely, that only the mages were unaffected. Magic did not fortify the body. He first thought it was due to greater caution but scrutinized the guests since he had nothing else to do. They drank just as much, but the drug had no effect on them. The second thought he had made him hastily remind himself that a poison would be devilishly effective against people only energized.

His family-in-law was also attending the banquet. Luan was lying on a table, spun around by other locals who were singing in drunken voices. With a signal, they lifted him by the feet and spun even faster. With a cry, Luan was thrown onto another table, which he overturned.

Ava, her brother, and her mother were occupied with their cousins. Their discussions seemed less animated.

Rargnes raised his silver cup to his mouth and took another sip of wine after making sure all evening that there were no problems. Should he do something about his will? He looked around the room and did not see Sengrar or Heze. 'I could change it later, with goblins as witnesses.'

No matter if they couldn't lie deep down, as long as they didn't lie for simple acts, they brought the stability everyone sought. Maybe everyone just turned a blind eye. Luan, like most locals, regarded goblins no more than their size. Some aristocrats justified it by their subjugation and lack of class.

With a pain in his leg and a groan, he discreetly left the party to head to the first aid hospitals where the doctors resided – in an annexed area to their enemies. He passed through the sprawled bodies and consulted the doctors who, tired, treated the affected part and advised him not to fight and avoid long distances. They seemed to have some hesitation regarding the impact of the energy. Rargnes asked them. 

"Their wounds heal much better than normal," said one of the doctors. "But most of the injuries are different, and there could be sequelae related to diseases which are far more serious. Our immune systems are not so good." "But how come they don't die following our arrival like the American aborigines?" They mumbled a series of hypotheses about their physical qualities, their lifestyles similar to their history with animals, different apocalypses, and others. Their impatient tones made him leave the place after giving them a gift in thanks, even if they were free for soldiers. He increasingly adopted local customs, he thought.

Outside the magnificent building supported by stone columns and statues, he took out a lighter and lit a cigar. It was almost dark outside. Only the stars, the moon, and the red star faintly illuminated his area when he lit his cigar.

He was about to go back when he saw Heze coming out. The will's story came back to him, and he greeted him with a hand. Heze approached. "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?" 

"No," replied Heze rather coldly, "I was doing a security check."

He stared intensely at the cigar, waiting for the first opportunity to leave. He coughed regularly. With a frown, Rargnes threw his cigar on the ground and crushed it with his foot. 

"And I see you are..." said Heze, eyeing his leg. 

"Yeah, yeah, I had to tank for my team." 

"… And did you manage to protect them?" 

"We all made it out alive. And you?" 

"They're all dead."