Surviving the Simulation: The Grand Crusade

Xander watched as the expedition train sprung into action, the wagons creaking back to life, and the drivers urged the horses forward, making them stamp the ground. Xander jogged to the front of the column as the wagons rolled. Cabbot, still perched atop the lead wagon, flicked her tail lazily as she watched the procession with her otherworldly eyes. The spectral cat seemed unconcerned, but Xander knew better than to dismiss Cabbot's intuition. If the cat was calm, it meant that, for now, they were safe. But that safety was fragile, and it could shatter at any moment.

As they resumed their journey north, the sun shone brightly, but it did little to dispel the shadows that loomed in Xander's mind. The undead were growing more substantial, and whatever the main objective of the world event was still unknown. Yes, the notification had talked about Undead Generals, but as with everything else the Simulation did, it was vague. Xander felt the event was building toward a rapidly approaching conclusion. If he was a betting man, and he was, he would place his money on their being a boss, someone or thing, that needed to be discovered.

By the time they reached the outskirts of Seymour, the sun was casting long shadows across the landscape. The road had been uneventful for most of the day, with only the occasional glimpse of undead shambling aimlessly across fields or along deserted paths. To Xander if felt like there was constant boss music playing the longer they traveled with no major event, just the anxiety of one ratcheted up to eleven.

Xander still walked near the front of the column, his eyes narrowed as he surveyed the town that lay ahead. Seymour was supposed to be their stopping point for the night, where they could rest and regroup before continuing the last leg of their journey. But as the town came into view, Seymour had suffered the same fate as Sadorus. Deserted streets and battered, blood-stained buildings showed the grim reality.

Beside Xander, Harvey's now trademark grim expression grew darker with every step closer they took. Gary jogged up alongside them, his usually jovial demeanor replaced by his own grim look of determination. He's hanging around Harvey too much, Xander thought as he compared both of their expressions.

"Looks like we've got another mess on our hands," Gary said, his voice laced with frustration. "Sadorus was bad enough, but this…" He trailed off, shaking his head as he stared at the ruined town.

"Seymour's not just a mess," Harvey replied. "It's a graveyard. And I'm willing to bet it's one that's about to get a lot more crowded if we don't handle this right."

Xander nodded, his gaze fixed on the town's outskirts. From this distance, he could see movement. Slow, lumbering shapes moving among the ruins, their silhouettes twisted.. Something large, much larger than the typical undead they had encountered, was moving with a deliberate purpose.

"That," Xander said, pointing toward the massive shape, "is a massive problem. Whatever it is, it's not just another shambling pile of bones. That's something worse."

Gary squinted in the direction Xander was pointing, and his face paled as he made out the hulking figure in the distance. "What in the hell is that?" he said..

"An undead giant," Harvey said. He handed Xander the binoculars without looking away from the ruins. "Saw one in Champaign. Salvage team barely got out. Slow, but hits like a wrecking ball and shrugs off damage. And it's not alone. Got a pack with it."

Xander raised the lenses and locked in on the shape moving through the wreckage. His stomach tightened.

The thing towered above the buildings, its height alone putting it in a different class from anything they'd fought so far. Not twelve feet of muscle, but twelve feet of bones. A ribcage wide enough to park a truck inside. Limbs stitched from too many donors. Four arms dragged beside it like loose rigging on a sinking ship, and each ended in claws honed to jagged white edges.

Its movements were slow, deliberate, but not mindless. The weight of each step sounded like a tree splintering. Bone against bone, grinding. And yet, it advanced like it had all the time in the world and no intention of stopping. The skull shifted from side to side as if tasting the air. Soulless empty sockets stared across the distance. Something about its presence made Xander's skin crawl. The Simulation bent reality every day, but this was wrong in a way that triggered instinct, not just intellect.

He lowered the binoculars. The weight of the moment pressed down like a hand to the chest.

"We can't just roll into town with the wagons," Xander said, his mind already working through strategies. "We'll be sitting ducks if we try to fight them all at once, as long as that thing is still part of the equation."

Gary nodded, his usual bravado tempered by the reality of the situation. "We've got to take it down before it can get too close. But if we go in loud, we'll have every one of those other undead on us in seconds. We need to be smart about this."

"Agreed," Xander replied. "Here's what I'm thinking. We send in a small team first to take down the giant quietly. We can use the terrain to our advantage. Set up an ambush near the outskirts, draw it out, and hit it with everything we've got before the others can react. If we can take it down fast enough, the rest should be easier to manage."

Harvey considered this, his eyes flicking between Xander and the town. "A small team might work, but everyone else need to simultaneously hit the rest of the mob from the other side. Divide and conquer. If the giant gets backup, or if we're too slow in bringing it down, the whole thing goes ass over."

"My team can handle the giant," Xander said, confidence in his voice that he wasn't quite feeling. "I think you've got a good plan of taking the rest of the group from the other side. The non-combatants can stay back with the wagons and deal with the lesser undead if they close in."

Gary looked from Xander to the distant town, his expression set. "I'm sold. This isn't quite like the crap with the troll, but it's close. I'll keep the wagons out of sight here and be ready to move in if things go south. But be careful, that giant could flatten a house with one swing."

Xander nodded, understanding the risk, but knowing they had to take it. "We don't have a choice. It's too far out of the way to swing around. If we don't take care of this now, it'll be much worse for us later. The longer we wait, the more those things bring in reinforcements. Plus, the longer we take to get to the train, the lower everyone's chances get. Not just ours, but Starlight's too."

Harvey reached out to shake Xander's hand, his grip firm. "We'll be ready to do our part. Just don't take any unnecessary risks. We need you in one piece."

"Right back at you," Xander agreed. He turned to look back at the rest of the caravan, where the others were waiting anxiously for orders. His gaze fell on Cabbot, who sat perched on one wagon, her spectral form flickering in and out of view as she watched the proceedings with a calm, unblinking stare.

"Cabbot," Xander called out, and the cat's ears twitched as she turned his gaze toward him. "Keep an eye on the town. If anything looks off, let me know."

Cabbot gave a soft huff, her eyes narrowing as if to say, Of course. I've got this.

Satisfied, Xander turned back to Harvey and Gary. "Let's get moving. The sooner we take care of this, the sooner we can get the caravan through and find somewhere safe to rest for the night."

Gary nodded and began issuing quiet orders to his guards, who quickly set about securing the wagons and preparing for the worst. Harvey, meanwhile, stepped closer to Xander, his expression serious.

"Watch yourself out there, Xander," Harvey said. "We're in this together, but you're getting the short straw here. Don't let that giant turn this town into your grave."

Xander met his gaze. "I won't," he replied, his voice steady. "We've got a train to catch, and I don't want to miss it. We'll take care of the giant, and then we'll move on."

With that, Xander turned and gathered the rest of his team to accompany him into Seymour's ruins. As they prepared to move, the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the town as they approached the outskirts.

"Is it too late to reconsider the invitation to this team?" Kane joked macabrely. Nervous sarcasm was quickly becoming his key trait when things looked grim, Xander noticed.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

"There are no deposits, refunds, or returns. Sorry, buddy. You're on this ride until the end," Xander responded.

"Let's just hope that this isn't the last stop," Zoey grimaced as she surveyed the giant with her binoculars. "I'm not sure what good I will be against that thing. All these damn undead are practically immune to frost."

"I'm not going to lie; we really didn't prepare for this, but step one of solving any problem is not 'create time machine.' I'm going to need you to hang back by Ford and try to capitalize on any vulnerable spots you can find to give us an edge," Xander said, trying to inspire his friend.

"It's a bone monster! It doesn't have any vulnerable spots!" She fumed. "Fine, I'll hang back and play spotter."

"Just keep it loose, and if something presents itself, then give us that edge. I'm counting on you to get us an edge. Kane, Jo, and I can probably hold our own for a while, but I'm not sure we can bring it down on our own. Truth be told, I'm hoping we can either find something on the fly or hold out long enough for Harvey to play Calvary and ride to our rescue," Xander explained.

"Ok, let's do this quick, then it will be miller time," Jo added.

"Quite right, team 'don't screw this up' on three. Break!" Xander offered as the various groups broke to head toward their assigned positions at this rodeo.

The night was falling quickly, yet the eerie glow of unnatural fires still licked at the darkness, casting flickering, ominous light over the devastation. The air was thick with the acrid scent of smoke and death, the silence broken only by the distant, echoing creaks of the undead patrol as they trudged through the ruins.

Bonecrusher's Revenge
Quest Notification! A titanic undead giant has risen! It must be brought down and its twisted form destroyed. Destroy the giant, the patrol, and the event pillar to bring about the end of the event.
Difficulty: Epic
Reward: Experience, gold, and one item reward. Completing this event will also create a temporary safe area for twelve hours.

Accept Quest? Yes/No

Quest Update! You automatically accept the Bonecrusher's Revenge quest by being near the event location.

"Called it," Xander hissed as the group ran past the event markers on their way into the village.

The group came to a stop, huddled at the edge of town, their forms hidden amidst the skeletal remains of what used to be a corner gas station. Its columns that once held the overhead canopy to the fuel pumps were nothing more than jagged, blackened spires pointing accusingly at the sky. The group moved with stealth so as not to attract unwanted attention.

The team crouched in the rubble, eyes sweeping the ruins. The undead patrol moved west with an eerie sense of purpose, their spacing too clean for coincidence. At the rear, half-lost in shadow, the giant followed: slow, massive, and worse up close.

"We need to separate them," Xander whispered, his voice barely audible over the distant crackling of flames. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword, ready for the signal. "Zoey, can you create a diversion? Draw the giant towards us."

Zoey nodded, already nocking a frost-tipped arrow to her bowstring. "There," she whispered, pointing towards the remains of a building that had once been a two-story brick building, now reduced to a hollow shell. Its remaining walls stood precariously on the verge of collapse. "If I hit that beam, the rubble should make enough noise to get its attention."

Kane grunted in approval, his eyes narrowing as he focused on the giant in the distance. "Do it. Once it's distracted, Harvey and his team should be able to move in on the patrol."

Zoey drew her bowstring back, the tension in the air mirrored in the taut string. The frost magic coursed through her, and the arrowhead shimmered with icy light, a small beacon of cold amid the heat and destruction. She took a breath, steadying her aim, and then released.

The arrow sailed with a powerful but graceful arc, slicing through the smoke-laden air with a whistle before striking the wooden beam with a sharp crack. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, with a groan that reverberated through the ruins, the weakened structure gave way. The remaining wall collapsed inward, sending a cascade of rubble crashing down with a thunderous roar that shattered the night.

The effect was immediate. Drawn by the disturbance, the undead giant paused mid-step, its hollow eyes flaring with unnatural light as it turned towards the sound. The ground trembled beneath its massive feet as it lumbered toward the collapsed building, its attention now fully diverted.

"Now," Xander hissed, his voice a sharp command in the darkness.

As the giant shifted direction, Harvey's team moved. They hit the patrol like a blade to brittle glass, tearing through the front ranks with a mix of practiced strikes and focused spells. Bones cracked under impact, weapons found joints and skulls, and for a moment, the undead faltered.

The timing had landed. With the giant gone, the patrol's remaining members were exposed. Xander could see it clearly now from his position across the ruins in the way the enemy formation lost its center, how Harvey's push had splintered it. The undead force split, reacting too slowly to recover from Harvey's push.

The patrol turned to meet Harvey's charge. While the giant continued heading straight for Xander.

The battlefield had broken open. Now it was on them to hold their side long enough to make that count.

Xander's hands gripped the shaft of his spear as he watched the giant close the distance, its towering form growing larger, more terrifying with each step. "Get ready," he said.

"Let's show this walking pile of bones that size doesn't matter… except when it does." Xander smirked, giving Jo a sideways glance and a wink. "Kane, now! Go, go, go!"

Kane sprang forward like a bolt loosed from a crossbow, banging his sword against his shield to grab the giant's attention. The undead giant loomed above him, a grotesque colossus of decayed flesh and jagged bone, its four arms swinging massive rusted weapons with terrifying force. The ground trembled beneath its weight.

"Go, Jo! Now!" Xander's voice echoed off the stone walls, filled with urgency and resolve. He dashed forward with Jo at his side, her sword flashing in the firelight. Behind them, Ford stood, his hands already alight with the divine radiance of holy magic. He focused on Kane, sending a pulse of healing energy in his direction.

Kane reached the giant's feet, barely avoiding a crushing blow from a colossal hammer that shattered the asphalt where he had stood moments before. His swords flashed, slicing through the giant's ankle with the precision of an artisan. The undead monstrosity howled, a bone-chilling sound that rattled the very air. Kane danced backward, narrowly avoiding the swing of the giant's arms.

Xander was there instantly; his spear wreathed in divine energy as he struck at the giant's other leg. The divine energy sparked and crackled, burning through bone with the relentless fury of a wildfire. But the simulation would not make things that easy. The giant swiped at Xander with a massive hand, and though he blocked it with his spear, the force of the impact sent him skidding across the ground, his arm numb from the shock.

Good thing you have an unbreakable spear, huh?

Well, that was a first, Xander thought as he stumbled and tried to get back up. Unbalanced, he thought maybe he'd just imagined the simulation forcing a snarky status message into his vision.

Kane charged forward, his shield raised high as he bashed it into the giant's knee, throwing his entire weight behind the blow. The giant staggered, one of its arms flailing as it struggled to maintain its balance. But it was relentless, its eyes glowing with an unholy light as it swung its weapons with brutal efficiency. Kane dodged one blow, then another, his blade a blur as he sought a weakness, any weakness, in the creature's defenses.

Zoey, perched atop a rocky outcrop, her bowstring taut, released a frost-empowered arrow. The arrow made a whistling zip as it flew true, embedding itself into the giant's shoulder joint. The frost spread quickly, turning bone to brittle ice. Another arrow followed, striking the same shoulder. The giant roared in anger, its movements sluggish as one of its arms fell uselessly to its side, the joint frozen solid.

"Nice shot, Zoey!" Xander shouted.

Ford took his chance. His eyes narrowed as he channeled divine energy, a ball of brilliant white light forming between his hands. With a shout, he released it, sending a searing bolt of holy energy into the giant's frozen shoulder. The thunderclap-like impact shook the nearby ruins, forcing the giant back a step. The remains of the giant's arm fell to the ground, clattering across the roadway.

The giant bellowed, its remaining arms flailing in agony and fury. Xander saw his opportunity. With a roar of his own, he dropped his spear in favor of his hammer as he leapt onto the giant's leg, using the amalgamation of bones as handholds. He climbed with the agility of a cat, hammer in one hand as he gripped the back of the giant's spine with his other. The giant swung at him, but its movements were clumsy, its arms unable to reach the position Xander currently held on its back.

Kane and Jo pressed the attack, their swords hacking at the giant's legs, forcing it down to one knee. Zoey loosed another arrow, this one piercing the giant's hip, freezing the socket and slowing its movements even further. The giant howled, its voice echoing in the ruins like the wail of a damned soul.

With a snarl, Xander unleashed his Steamforged Hammer's special attack, which he had been powering up for the last several swings. Driving the hammer into the exposed bone of the spine, the vertebrae exploded outward, sending Xander once again flying back toward the ground. The giant convulsed, its remaining strength failing as the dark magic holding it together began to unravel.

"Ford, now!" Kane shouted, dodging the tumbling giant as it toppled like a newly felled tree.

Ford raised his hands again, the holy light gathering between them, brighter this time and more focused. He whispered the words of power and triggered his spell. Sending the final bolt of holy energy straight into the giant's skull.

The giant's movements ceased.

Kane wiped sweat and blood from his brow, his chest heaving. "Is everyone alright?"

Xander nodded, grabbing his spear as he limped over to Jo, who was already tending to a wound on her arm. Ford approached, his hands glowing as he prepared to heal her.

"That was some damn fine shooting, Zoey," Kane called.

Xander clapped Kane on the back. "We did it. Great job. Now let's see if Harvey needs a hand."

"Give me a minute," Kane glanced at the fallen giant, still catching his breath, his eyes narrowing after a moment. "Hey, didn't the event say something about an event pillar that needs to be to be destroyed?"

Quest Update! The hero has slain the giant. Destroy the event pillar in the next ten minutes to prevent the resurrection of all slain event enemies.

"Shit… just had to say something, didn't you?" Xander cursed as he looked around. In the distance, he could see Harvey's team and the extra guards holding their own. "Okay, let's proceed with plan B, C, or whichever plan we're currently considering. We need to find that pillar."