Surviving the Simulation: The Grand Crusade

The group moved through the broken town, their footsteps quiet as they navigated the twisted ruins and debris-strewn streets. Xander led the way, his spear in hand, eyes constantly scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. Behind him, Jo and Zoey followed, their packs bulging with the supplies they had salvaged from Dustin's bunker. Every creak of a broken beam, every rustle of wind through the shattered windows, set their nerves on edge.

Xander's mind jumped from one concern to another. The encounter with the gnolls had been brutal, but the memory of that sixth gnoll kept coming back to him. If there had been one more than they expected, how many more might lurk in the ruins, waiting for the right moment to strike?

Gnolls were rarely solitary hunters. They thrived in packs, their savage instincts honed by the strength of numbers. That they might have only encountered a fraction of the creatures gnawed at Xander. Flashbacks of Saint Joseph and the Dusk Tunnel Mine Complex filled his mind. The gnolls had already proven themselves to be cunning, capable of lying in wait and setting traps. The thought that more of them might be out there, watching, sent an icy shiver down his spine.

Jo seemed to sense his unease. She kept close, her hand never far from the hilt of her blade as she matched his pace. "You're thinking about those gnolls, aren't you?" she said.

Xander nodded, not taking his eyes off the path ahead. "We counted five, but there were six. And gnolls rarely travel alone. There could be an entire pack. I know we've talked about what happened before we found you, but we haven't gotten into the details. We had some nasty encounters with gnolls."

Jo frowned. "If there are more, they could be tracking us back to the camp. On the other hand, they could already be there."

The possibility was one Xander had already considered."That's why we need to hurry," he replied. "If they're tracking us, we can't afford to be ambushed with these supplies. If the gnolls are already at the camp, the others depending on us to give them a heads up."

Zoey, bringing up the rear, spoke up. "I'll keep watch from above," she said, glancing toward the remnants of a crumbling building ahead. "Give me a few seconds, and I'll find a vantage point."

Xander nodded, trusting in her skill. Zoey was as swift and silent as a shadow, and he knew she could cover their advance better from a higher position. Without waiting for a response, Zoey darted ahead, her lithe form disappearing into the gloom as she clambered up the skeletal remains of a once-proud structure. Within moments, she had found her perch, bow at the ready, her keen eyes scanning the area for any sign of danger.

The path back to the encampment was treacherous, winding through the town ruins, where every corner could hide a threat. The group moved cautiously, their senses attuned to the slightest sound, the faintest movement. Xander's mind continued with a whirlwind of thoughts. He was giving himself a tension headache by twisting himself in tighter and tighter circles.

As they passed through the remnants of an intersection, Xander glimpsed something out of the corner of his eye. A moment of movement, just at the edge of his vision. He froze, holding up a hand to signal the others to stop. Jo and Zoey halted immediately, their breaths held as they listened.

The intersection was silent save for the distant rumble of thunder and the faint rustle of wind. Xander narrowed his eyes, peering into the shadows where he had seen the movement. Nothing. The darkness was impenetrable, offering no clues even with his enhanced night vision.

"Did you see something?" Jo asked, her voice a barely audible whisper.

Xander hesitated before shaking his head. "Maybe. I'm not sure."

Zoey, still perched above, whistled softly to catch their attention. "All clear up here," she called down, her voice carrying just enough to reach them without echoing.

Xander wanted to believe her and trust that his mind was playing tricks on him after the earlier battle. But the unease in his gut wouldn't dissipate. He forced himself to relax and focus. They were nearly halfway back to the encampment, and their supplies were too important to risk now.

"Let's keep moving," he said, his voice steady. "But stay alert. We're not out of the woods yet."

As they rounded the last bend, the encampment's makeshift barricades came into view, a welcome sight after the tension of the journey. But even as relief settled over them, Xander's instincts remained on edge. The gnolls had proven themselves to be formidable foes, and the thought that they might wait to strike at the camp continued to stick with him.

"Zoey, keep watch until we're inside," Xander instructed. "Jo and I will head straight for Harvey. We need to let him know what we've found."

Harvey was waiting for them near the main tent. Concern etched his face as he saw their mud-splattered clothes and heavy packs. "Find what you were looking for?" he asked.

Xander nodded, setting down his pack with a heavy thud. "We found it, all right. A doomsday prepper bunker full of supplies. We grabbed the most important stuff; we'll want to swing by in the morning with the wagons to get the rest. But there's something else. Gnolls. We encountered a group near the bunker, and I'm afraid more might be nearby."

"Gnolls," he muttered, glancing toward the barricades as if expecting to see the creatures already there. "Damn it. We'll add to the watch and set up more traps around the perimeter. If they're coming, we'll be ready."

Xander nodded, though the tension in his shoulders didn't ease, and his head was still pounding. "It might be nothing," he said. He didn't believe it.

"Agreed," Harvey said. "But for now, get some rest. If things go to shit, I want you three rested up. If nothing happens before then, we'll wake you for your watch shift."

"Not sure I'm going to sleep, but you're right."

"Zoey, see if you can find Kane and Ford. Let them know we're going to crash for a bit."

"I just checked on them. They're already racked out in the tent next to our two," Zoey responded, pointing at the next tent over as she crawled into her tent.

Hours later, the dying embers of scattered campfires provided the only light in the shrouded camp. The rain had finally ceased, leaving the air thick with the scent of wet earth and damp foliage. A heavy silence hung over the encampment, broken only by the occasional wind rustle through the trees or the distant hoot of an owl.

Xander lay in his tent, his body exhausted but his mind restless. Sleep had come fitfully, haunted by dreams of gnashing teeth and the laughing hyena-like bark of gnolls. His spear lay within arm's reach, a minor comfort against the memories that plagued him. Beside him, Jo was still, her breathing deep with Cabbot curled up in a ball by her head, lost in a sleep that Xander envied.

And then, as if summoned by his thoughts, there was a disturbance. A faint, hurried footfall outside the tent. Before Xander could react, someone pulled back the tent flap, and a figure crouched in the entrance.

"Xander, Jo. Get up!" said the silhouette of a man at the entrance in an urgent voice edged with fear.

Xander was instantly awake, his hand already reaching for his spear as he sat up. Jo stirred beside him, her instincts kicking in as she grabbed her blade. The tension in the man's voice was unmistakable. Something was wrong.

"What is it?" Xander asked, his voice low but steady. He couldn't remember the person's name at their tent, but he remembered it was one of Gary's sentries that had been standing guard earlier.

"Gnolls," the sentry replied, his eyes wide in the dim light. "They're here. We spotted them just beyond the perimeter."

Jo was on her feet in an instant, strapping on her gear with quick, efficient movements. Xander followed suit, his heart pounding as he processed the news. The gnolls had found them.

"How many?" Xander asked as he secured his armor, his voice tight.

"Too many," the sentry answered grimly. "They've got us surrounded. The guards and Harvey's team are holding the line, but the gnolls have the advantage in the dark. We need you out there."

Xander didn't need to be told twice. He grabbed his spear and followed Jo out of the tent. The camp was already stirring to life, the alarm quietly spreading quickly as men and women scrambled to arm themselves. The air was thick with the tension of impending battle, and Xander could feel the adrenaline surging through his veins, sharpening his senses.

The camp was a flurry of activity as they emerged into the open. Reinforcements to the barricades and guards lining the outer perimeter peered grimly into the darkness. The gnolls had not yet attacked, but one could practically smell their wet fur and foul breath pressing in on all sides.

Xander spotted Zoey perched atop a nearby wagon, her bow in hand, eyes scanning the treeline for movement. Ford was already moving among the defenders, offering encouragement and casting various buff spells.

Harvey was at the center of it all, directing the defense with a calm, commanding presence. He spotted Xander and Jo approaching and waved them over, his expression grave.

"They're testing our defenses," Harvey said as they reached him, his voice low. "So far, they've been keeping to the shadows, but it's only a matter of time before they attack. We've seen at least two dozen of them, but there's got to be more. And they've got the advantage in this darkness. Not to mention, I swear I heard a gunshot earlier."

Xander nodded, his mind racing as he considered their options. The gnolls' low-light vision made them formidable opponents in the dark, and the campfires that had once provided comfort now seemed like beacons, highlighting their position for the enemy.

"We need to disrupt their advantage," Xander said. "If we can get enough light out there, we can level the playing field. But we'll need to hurry. You may have heard a gunshot. One of the gnolls we found earlier was called a gunslinger."

Harvey nodded in agreement. "Gary, get some men to light torches. Anything that can burn. We need as much light as possible, spread out along the perimeter."

Turning back to Xander, Harvey continued, "Cliffnote this gunslinger you encountered."

Pulling the pistol from his pack, Xander showed it to Harvey, "The gnoll never had time to fire it, but it sure looks like guns are still a thing. Just not pre-simulation guns."

"Well, that would have been nice to know earlier!" Harvey glared at Xander. "Let Zoey know she's on gunslinger duty. If she sees one, she needs to drop it quickly. I don't want to find out the hard way that they're worse than mages."

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Harvey didn't wait for a response as he left the duo to check on other areas of defense. They had their marching orders; now it was time to update the team before all hell broke loose.

Xander turned to Jo, his expression resolute as they found the rest of their group. "Zoey, keep them pinned down as much as you can. Harvey says they heard a gunshot, so we may have another gunslinger. If that shooter shows up again, take it down hard. Ford, stay close. We're going to need you."

The healer nodded, his face pale but determined. Kane clapped a hand on Xander's shoulder, his grin more feral than reassuring. "Let's show these gnolls they picked the wrong camp to mess with."

Xander forced a tight smile in return, but his mind was already focused on the battle ahead. The gnolls would be fast, relentless, and brutal.

And then the night exploded into chaos.

The gnolls surged from the darkness with a collective roar, a wave of snarling, vicious creatures that crashed against the camp's defenses like a storm. They were a nightmarish sight. Tall, hunched forms with ragged fur and glowing eyes, teeth bared as they rushed forward with wickedly sharp weapons in hand.

Xander was in the thick of it before he had time to think, his spear flashing in the firelight as he met the first gnoll head-on. The creature lunged at him, its claws outstretched, but Xander sidestepped the attack, driving his spear into its thigh with a powerful thrust. The gnoll howled in pain, blood spraying as it staggered back, only to be finished by a swift strike from Jo's blade.

"Stay close!" Xander shouted.

Jo nodded, her movements fluid and precise as she ducked under another gnoll's wild swing and retaliated with a brutal slash to its groin. The creature fell to one knee, and she finished it with a thrust to the throat.

All around them, the camp was a chorus of shouts, clashing steel, and gnoll growls. Gary's caravan guards fought with desperate determination, their swords and spears keeping the gnolls at bay. At the same time, Harvey's adventurers moved with lethal efficiency, striking down any creature that broke through the defenses. But the gnolls kept coming, their numbers seemingly endless as they pressed their attack.

Above the fray, Zoey was a deadly presence, her arrows finding their mark with unerring accuracy. Whenever a gnoll strayed too close to the camp's interior, an arrow would thud into its chest or skull, dropping it where it stood. Her vantage point gave her a clear view of the battlefield, and she used it to deadly effect, her arrows flying fast and accurate.

Kane was a whirlwind of steel, his massive sword cleaving through gnolls with bone-crunching force. He fought savagely, his laughter booming across the battlefield as he cut down foe after foe. But even he couldn't be everywhere at once, and the gnolls' numbers were taking a toll.

"Light them up!" Harvey's voice rang out, cutting through the chaos.

The flickering light from the blazing campfires and lit torches bathed the perimeter, pushing back the darkness. The gnolls snarled in fury, their advantage slipping away as the camp defenders rallied.

Xander's spear was a blur as he fought, his movements precise and controlled, but the gnolls were relentless. One gnoll, larger and more vicious than the others, charged at him with a guttural roar, its crude axe swinging down in a deadly arc. Xander raised his spear to block the blow, the impact jarring his arms, but he held firm, shoving the gnoll back with all his strength. The creature staggered, off-balance, and Jo was there instantly, her blade flashing as she hamstrung the beast, bringing it to the ground where Xander finished it with a thrust through the heart.

But there were dozens more still coming. The gnolls surged forward, their growls echoing in the night as they fought with a ferocity born of desperation. Xander could feel the strain in his muscles, the burn of exhaustion creeping in as the battle wore on.

Ford moved among the defenders, his hands glowing with healing light as he tended to the wounded. His face was a mask of concentration, as he mended flesh and bone. Despite the surrounding chaos, Ford's presence was a calming one, a beacon of hope amid the bloodshed.

But the gnolls were unrelenting, their low-light vision still giving them the upper hand in the shadows beyond the reach of the torches. Xander knew they couldn't hold out forever unless they broke the gnolls' resolve.

"Kane!" Xander shouted. "We need to push them back! Break their line!"

The fighter nodded, his grin feral as he hefted his sword and charged into the fray with renewed vigor. Xander and Jo followed close behind, their movements perfectly in sync as they cut a path through the gnolls, forcing the creatures to retreat step by step.

The gnolls, sensing the shift in momentum, faltered. Their snarls grew more frantic, their attacks less coordinated as they struggled to maintain their ground. But during it all, Xander came face-to-face with the leader of the gnoll pack. The gnoll towered over him, easily a head taller than its kin, its muscular frame rippling with menacing energy. This was no ordinary gnoll. Its eyes gleaming with predatory intelligence that belied the savage nature of its kind.

[Analyze] Grash Grimshot | Level: 10 Boss | Status: Enraged | Class: Gunslinger

The creature's lips curled back in a snarl, revealing rows of jagged teeth as it raised a pistol in one hand and a short sword in the other. The gnoll's powerful muscles showed through its matted, blood-and-dirt-stained fur and its patchwork clothing of scavenged armor and tattered cloth. This was a killer, a beast that had clawed its way to dominance through countless battles, and now it had singled Xander out as its next prey.

Of course, the boss had a gun. Why not rocket boots too or laser vision? The excitement never stops. Xander thought to himself, silently cursing the Simulation yet again.

The air between them was electric, charged with the anticipation of violence. The defenders and attackers seemed to sense the moment's significance, pulling back just enough to create a makeshift ring around the two combatants. While the battle raged on, it was as if both sides had reached an unspoken agreement. Xander and the gnoll would decide this fight, and none would interfere.

The gnoll let out a guttural hyena-like laugh, a sound straight from Xander's nightmares that sent a shiver down his spine. It raised the pistol, the barrel glinting in the flickering light of the torches surrounding them. Time seemed to slow as Xander watched the gnoll's finger tighten on the trigger. He knew he had only a split second to react.

Xander threw himself to the side just as the gun roared. The bullet whizzed past his ear, so close he could feel the heat of its passage. Xander landed in a crouch, his spear held at the ready, his breath coming in short, controlled bursts.

The gnoll's eyes narrowed in frustration, and it charged, swinging the short sword it was holding in its off-hand down in a vicious arc. Xander parried the blow with his spear, the metal clash of metal ringing across the battlefield. The force of the gnoll's attack was staggering, but he held firm, using the momentum to spin away and strike at the gnoll's side.

The gnoll was faster than Xander had expected. It dodged the thrust with ease, bringing the pistol around for another shot. Xander's eyes widened as he saw the gnoll's intent, and he twisted his body, bringing the shaft of his spear up just in time to strike the hand holding the weapon, causing the shot to go wide.

But the gnoll was relentless. It followed up with a powerful slash, forcing Xander to backpedal. The gnoll pressed the attack as it rained down blows on Xander, each strike more forceful than the last. Xander's spear was a blur as he blocked and parried the onslaught.

Then, in a moment of desperation, Xander saw an opening. The gnoll's attacks had left it slightly off-balance, its left side exposed. Xander lunged forward, driving the tip of his spear toward the gnoll's ribs. But the gnoll was not as vulnerable as he had hoped. With a snarl, it twisted away from the blow and, in the same motion, raised the pistol and fired.

The shot rang out, the sound deafening in the close quarters of their fight. Xander felt a searing pain explode in his left shoulder, the force of the bullet slamming him back a step. His vision blurred for a moment, his breath catching in his throat as the pain radiated through his body. His left arm went numb, the spear suddenly feeling twice as heavy in his grasp.

But Xander had no time to dwell on the injury. The gnoll, sensing its advantage, lunged at him with a triumphant roar, its short sword aimed directly at his heart. Gritting his teeth against the pain, Xander sidestepped the attack. He brought his spear around in a sweeping arc, catching the gnoll's wrist as he activated his disarm ability, knocking the pistol from its grip.

[Disarm] Success! Cooldown: 45 seconds.

The gnoll snarled in fury, but before it could recover, Xander drove the spear forward with all his strength. The weapon's tip pierced the gnoll's side, slipping between the gaps in its armor and sinking deep into its flesh. A critical strike triggered the blessed strike. The gnoll's eyes widened in shock, a choked growl escaping its throat as it staggered, blood gushing from where the spear had impaled it.

With a grunt of effort, Xander twisted the spear before yanking it free from the gnoll's side. The creature let out a pained howl, its black eyes locked onto Xander's with a mixture of hatred and despair. Xander didn't hesitate. He thrust the spear forward once more, driving it through the gnoll's chest with a sickening crunch.

The gnoll's growl became a strangled gurgle as it crumpled to the ground, the light fading from its eyes. Xander stood over the fallen creature for a moment, his chest heaving, the spear still embedded in the gnoll's body. The surrounding battle seemed to fade away, the sounds of clashing steel and growling gnolls distant and unreal.

And then, as the adrenaline ebbed, the pain in Xander's shoulder flared up with renewed intensity. His vision swam, the world tilting as his knees buckled beneath him. He staggered, trying to stay on his feet, but the strength drained from his body, leaving him lightheaded and weak.

Xander collapsed into the mud, the cold earth soaking through his clothes as he fell. The world around him blurred, the sounds of battle fading to a dull roar in his ears. He dimly registered someone calling his name, but the voice was distant, like an echo from a dream.

And then Ford was there, his face pale and drawn as he knelt beside Xander, his hands already glowing with the soft, golden light of healing magic. "Xander, stay with me," Ford said, his voice tight with concern. "You're going to be okay."

Xander tried to speak, to reassure Ford that he was fine, but the words wouldn't come. His vision flickered, the edges of his consciousness fraying as the pain and exhaustion threatened to pull him under.

"Just hang on," Ford whispered, more to himself than Xander, as he worked to mend the torn flesh and shattered bone. The golden light flickered, then flared brighter as Ford channeled more of his energy into the healing.

Xander's vision cleared, the fog lifting from his mind as the pain in his shoulder lessened. He could feel the warmth of Ford's magic knitting his flesh back together, the steady rhythm of his heartbeat growing stronger with each passing moment.

The world around him came back into focus. The sounds of battle still raging around him. And there, in the mud beside him, lay the gnoll leader, its lifeless eyes staring up at the sky, the short sword still clutched in its hand.

"Fuck, that hurts," Xander whispered, his voice hoarse, as Ford finally pulled back, the glow of the healing spell fading.

"Xander!" Jo screamed as she shoved gnolls and defenders out of her way to get to him.

"I'm fine, I'm fine. Just a little gunshot," Xander said, his laugh becoming a coughing fit.

Ford gave him a weary smile, his hand resting briefly on Xander's good shoulder before standing up to look around the battlefield. "Rest," he said softly. "The gnolls look broken. Everyone else can handle the cleanup."

"You scared the crap out of me, you asshole," Jo said, with tears running down her face, "Don't do that ever again."

"We really shook the pillars of heaven, didn't we, Jo," Xander mused again, his laugh turning into another coughing fit.

"Not funny. You're not Jack Burton," Jo replied, slightly smiling, as they shared one of their many inside jokes.

"I'm going to rest here a minute." And with that, Xander allowed himself to sink back into the mud, the exhaustion finally claiming him as the sounds of the battlefield receded into the distance. With everyone else taking care of the last of the gnolls, he took a moment to review his status logs.

+3 Light Armor | Congratulations! I mean, getting shot probably wasn't the best idea, but hey, you do you.
+3 Leadership | Congratulations! You know Jack Burton was the sidekick of that movie, right? You're putting off the main character energy, not sidekick energy. Still, the sidekick got Kim Cattrall in the end.
+1 Spear Combat | Congratulations! You're almost competent with those things. Lucky you can't break this one, right? You're welcome.

Level up! Congratulations, you are now level nine. Go forth and defend the realms, mighty hunter. You have one attribute point to distribute; do you wish to do that now? (You have one planetary cycle to assign attributes, or they will be assigned for you) Yes/No

Getting shot was undoubtedly enough to make it clear to Xander that more health would never be bad. With that thought, he quickly put his stat point into strength for more health and more punching power.

Name: Xander Kell

Class: Lightbringer Crusader
Level: Nine
Health: 205/320
Mana: 140/140

Stats
Strength: 9
Dexterity: 14 (+10)
Intelligence: 7
Constitution: 7
Charisma: 5

Abilities
Taunt
Disarm
Cat's Grace
Cat's Sight
Spectral Sight
Radiant Smite
Radiant Aegis
Crusader's Verdict
Judgemental Strike
Light Heal
Sanctify

Skills
Spear Combat: 16
Mace Combat: 13
Knife Combat: 1
Thrown Spear: 1
First Aid: 10
Analyze: 7
Light Armor: 17
Leadership: 7
Meditation: 2

His health was going up thanks to Ford, but he was going to be sore for a bit. Xander decided that a little of discomfort would be better than burning his own mana for heals. While the main battle was over, there was still a chance that someone would need critical healing and there were only a few healers in the expedition.

"I'm going to bed. Let's debrief first thing in the morning," Xander said as Jo helped him to their tent.