"Shit!" Drake cursed. He wanted to get to the enchanter, but there was no way as long as the barrier was in place. "We have two choices. We can destroy the bag or destroy the barrier."
"Try shooting the barrier with one of your skills," Mike offered. He doubted it would work, but they were running out of time before they even knew that there was an issue.
After Drake nodded, Mike set the small leather bag on the ground. Drake held his hand up, mixing his whirlwind and fireball. It seemed to be the most powerful so far. The fiery whirlwind shot lightspeed out of his palm, crashing into the small bag in the perfect center. The spell exploded, dust and rock flying everywhere.
As the dust settled, the little leather bag was revealed. It was as if the spell hadn't even touched it.
Drake held his hand out again, shooting a beam of glowing green energy. It shot like a laser, hitting the leather bag. It was a perfect shot. The beam subsided, and the bag was yet again untouched.
Chad was watching the bag, not saying anything. He could see that something was happening, but the powers used were unseen by him. "That thing looks like it has something in it. Maybe empty it and destroy the contents one by one?" he suggested. He wanted his friend back. He kept his mantra up, reminding himself to remember him.
Drake picked up the bag and attempted to open it. The bag held firm; he was unable to even open it. Something was keeping it closed magically.
"System, identify how the link can be destroyed."
Drake's green eyes began to glow as he looked at the bag. He felt like his system was inspecting the link for options.
After several moments, his eyes faded, and the soft voice floated through his mind.
{The target cannot destroy the link}
"Shit!" Drake spat out in frustration. He looked over at his friend, Mike. "I can't destroy it."
Mike relayed what Drake had said to Chad. Chad appeared to think for a moment before he said anything. "Maybe someone other than the target has to destroy it."
Drake set the little leather bag back on the packed dirt.
Chad took his bow off his back and pulled an arrow. Aiming at the bag, he shot. The arrow slammed into the bag, bursting into nothing. A cloud of dust formed from the impact. When the dust cleared, the bag was revealed; it was still unscathed.
Growling in frustration, Chad picked up the bag and tried to open it. It wouldn't open for him either.
Mike started to pace. "What are we missing?"
Panicked and frustrated, Drake slammed a fireball into the barrier that was trapping them inside the small town. The fireball burst, causing the barrier to vibrate; waves of energy rippled like water before fading again.
Mike, still pacing, was trying to figure out what they could be missing. After several minutes, he looked between his friends. "I have a theory." Looking at Drake, he explained. "You are the main character in the game, correct?"
Drake nodded.
Mike continued. "We are your cohort. You had to create our characters, which means we are a part of you in the game. If you are erased, we will be too as soon as you are gone."
Chad frowned. "What are you getting at?"
Turning to Chad, Mike glared. "You're not usually this dense," he said, shaking his head. "Anyway…What I'm saying is… is that we are linked. I think someone other than the three of us has to be the one to destroy it."
Drake nodded, in agreement. It was a sound theory. Ironclad even. "Let's test it out. We need to find Mayor Ivan. He's the only one who might listen and try to help."
Mike nodded, then explained the plan to Chad. "Mayor Ivan is either in the inn or the tavern."
Drake perked up. "In the tavern, that guy I made a deal with. Make him destroy it."
The boys rushed to the tavern to find Gavin. They knew they had to hurry. They were quickly running out of time.
When they reached the tavern, Mayor Ivan was at the long table, planning with some of the soldiers. They were discussing the monsters and the barrier.
Mike had been the first to enter, Drake and Chad behind him. When they entered, Drake separated from them after taking the little leather bag from Mike and headed to Gavin, who was in his normal spot at the counter.
Drake could tell right away that Gavin could see him. His eyes met Drake's as his face paled.
He weaved around the other patrons that couldn't see him, before stopping in front of the man.
"I came to collect my debt," he said quietly. "Don't talk. No one can see me at the moment, you don't want to look crazy, do you?"
Gavin shook his head slightly.
"The goal is to destroy a small leather sachet. It is filled with a spell created by one of the monsters. I can not destroy it, and neither can my cohort. The spell used prevents the targets from being able to destroy it. That's where you come in." Drake set the sachet in front of Gavin. "Once it's destroyed, our deal is done. First open the bag."
Gavin silently picked up the small bag. His eyes scanned the room. He was trying to see if anyone was watching. No one was paying attention. Most were focused on the Mayor, who was trying to find a solution to the barrier.
Pulling the opening apart as if it were a regular bag, he opened the bag.
Drake let the breath he was holding out. "Dump out the contents," he ordered quietly.
After dumping the contents of the small bag on the counter, Drake leaned over and inspected them. He could see that the line was still in place.
Several of the items were flammable. They were dried herbs and a tiny scroll made from skin.
"System, which item from the link needs to be destroyed to break the enchantment?"
After a moment of silence, the soft voice floated through his mind.
{The Scroll needs to be destroyed to break the enchantment}
Looking up at Gavin, he pointed to the tiny scroll. "That is what needs to be destroyed first." Drake added 'first' just in case there was more to it.
Gavin stood up, picked up the tiny scroll, and headed to the hearth. Bending down, he set the scroll on fire. Once it started to burn, he placed it on the ground where it could be observed. Drake watched the scroll burn, turning into ash.
The link was still active but much weaker.
Once the scroll was gone, he looked up at Drake, waiting for what to do next. "I think the bag itself needs to be destroyed also," Drake stated.
Gavin headed back to his seat, scooping up the contents of the sachet, and picked up the empty leather bag. Once he returned, he bent down and placed the bag in the flames. They watched it burn. Since it was made from leather, it took much longer.
As they waited, Gavin spoke quietly. "Is this what's happening outside? Is this why there is a barrier trapping us inside?"
His eyes still on the leather bag, Drake answered. "No, that's another issue altogether. I have already figured that one out. Not only does it keep us in, it also keeps the monsters out. I know how to take it down, but there may be a catch, just like that little bag."
As Drake watched the leather bag burn, Gavin tossed the rest of the contents from the bag into the fire that could burn. They caught the flames immediately, disintegrating into nothing. There was only one thing left. It was a small stone with a rune carved in it.
As soon as the bag turned to ash, the link was gone. "What do you want me to do with this? The stone can't be burned."
Drake studied it for a second.
"System, can this stone lead me to the enchanter?"
Drake's eyes began to glow a bright green. It lasted only seconds before the light faded. In that brief moment, Drake could see the red thread that linked the stone to the enchanter. He smiled widely. A soft voice floated through his head.
{The runestone can be used to track its creator}
{Quest 'Collect Debt from Gavin in a time of need' complete}
{You have received a skill}
{You have received 'cohort tracker'}
Drake smiled. "Thank you, Gavin, your debt is paid."
Gavin smiled. His demeanor changed completely from the previous days. "Are you going to help destroy the trap, or at least tell us how?"
Drake nodded. "We will discuss it. We may want to keep it up for a few more days to rest up and prepare for another attack. It seems to keep the monsters out as well. It will buy us time to figure out how to make this town safe. Either way, I'll let them know what to do to take it down. I'll let Mayor Ivan decide when he wants it down." Pulling out the page showing the visitors' list, he looked at where his name should be. His name was there, still faded, but easier to see. His name was reappearing. Drake smiled, "I guess I need to involve myself over there," he said, looking at the long table where they were discussing their multiple situations. "I'm not sure if they can see me yet, but I can at least try."