Tower of Gates Omnibus

by Paul Bellow

  I stormed around, catching him as he picked up the reins.

  “Stop,” I said, raising my arms.

  He laughed, looking over with a smirk.

  “Or what, elf lady?” he asked. “What are you going to do?”

  “I’m a powerful mage,” I lied. “Do not leave until I attend to this man.”

  “We’re here,” Evan said, breathing heavily. “Are you okay?”

  I turned and saw the two brownies. Ewen hunched over.

  “We thought you might need some help,” Evan said.

  I smiled, touched by his attachment to me.

  This is such a strange game...but nice.

  “Can you sell me another potion to heal someone?” I asked.

  Evan glanced up at the man on the wagon.

  “He’s not hurt,” he said. “He’s just old.”

  “Now I gotta deal with brownies?” the old man asked.

  “Not him,” I said. “He’s behind the wagon. Go help him for me.”

  “I’ll give him the potion,” Evan said then walked past.

  “Can I go now?” the old man asked.

  “No,” I said. “We need a ride to the city.”

  “I’m not giving a ride to an elf and two brownies,” the old man said.

  Thinking quickly, I came up with a plan.

  “Ewen, give the driver of the cart a special potion, okay?”

  I winked. The gruff brownie tilted his head to the side and stared, still smiling as if his life depended on it.

  “Special potion?” he asked.

  “You know, the one you love,” I said, emphasizing the last word.

  Was he smart enough to understand?

  “I don’t need no stinking elf magic,” the old man said.

  “This will bring you wealth and riches,” I said, lying again.

  “Oh...” Ewen nodded his head. “I see what you mean. Let me get it.”

  The old man in the cart peered down at Ewen as he reached into a sack at his side. After retrieving a glass vial, he brought it over.

  “What’s this do?” the old man asked.

  “It’ll make you feel ten years younger,” I said.

  “Didn’t you just say it would bring me wealth and riches?” he asked.

  Thinking quickly, I said, “if you feel ten years younger, you’ll be able to accumulate more wealth, right? Not to mention the women.”

  He studied my face a moment. No one said a word.

  “Fine,” he said. “I deserve something for all this hassle.”

  Ewen handed the old man the love potion. I watched as he took out the cork then downed the entire contents in one go.

  As he quaffed it, I stepped into his line of sight. He blinked rapidly a few times then smiled like a lecherous old man.

  “You’re so beautiful,” he said, undressing me with his eyes.

  “Stay here and wait for us,” I said. “Please?”

  “Anything for you, my sweet elf princess,” he said.

  I smiled then turned and walked to the back of the wagon.

  Would things finally start going better?

  For the best game ever, I wasn’t having much fun.

  6

  I Don’t Know Your Father, Brah

  JOSH

  As I trotted toward the approaching caravan of covered wagons, my thoughts turned to Sarah.

  Would she be with this new group? Or would I end up fighting again?

  This game seems so stupid.

  Unlike the first group of wagons, these stopped and pulled into a defensive ring. I rode closer. A few hundred feet away, my horse stopped and whinnied in fear.

  “Whoa,” I said in a soothing voice. “Calm down, baby. We’ve got this…”

  She settled down, but I could still sense her nervousness.

  The horse refused to move.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  Several well-armored knights walked out from behind the wagons. One of them headed in my direction.

  Are they sizing me up? Can I take them all out? Should I kill these guys too?

  I sat atop my horse, wondering if I should charge them. From what little I knew about medieval history, being on horseback was a big advantage in battle, but I hesitated.

  Three of the knights screamed and charged forward on foot. With the reins in one hand and my sword in the other, I clamped my legs together to get the horse moving again.

  A fireball flew by, barely missing, and slammed into the closest knight. He promptly exploded into various pieces. My horse reared up, shielding me from the worst of the fiery blast.

  I twisted around and saw a man in black robes with a hood masking his face.

  Did he cast that awesome spell?

  I want to be his friend. That better not be Eric looking so cool.

  A knight shouted from behind the wagons.

  “Attack!”

  Several dozen other armored soldiers ran toward me, fanning out as they came. I held my sword up as I rode forward, slipping into the game even more every minute I stayed.

  Another fireball shot past me. Maybe if I showed the wizard guy I was on his side—he’d help me find Sarah—I reasoned, as I kept riding toward the armored knights.

  Could I kill them?

  I reached the first warrior and brought my sword down hard. The blade bounced off his helmet, and he fell to the ground. As I kept riding, several other knights ran forward to kill me. They never made it close as magic electricity shot at them.

  I watched the lightning hit one of them then bounce to several others. They all fell, shaking uncontrollably and yelling in pain.

  I reached the first wagon and stopped my horse.

  Every time a warrior came out, the wizard took them out with an even nastier spell. I kept expecting him to hit me.

  After he killed a few more, I rode toward the wagons. Two knights ran out with their swords raised. I stayed on my horse.

  “What are you doing?” he asked. “Please help us.”

  “I’m one of the bad guys, dude,” I said, then grinned.

  One knight ran back while the other charged me.

  The Paladin of Fish HITS you for 7 damage.

  You have [11/18] health remaining.

  “Come here, you,” I yelled as I twisted around to reach him; and as he stared up at me, I stabbed him in the neck.

  Your pierce DECIMATES the Paladin of Fish for 11 damage.

  This Combat is Over.

  The Paladin of Fish is dead!

  You gain +100 experience points!

  You have 1,200 xp

  You need 100 xp for level two Warrior

  I rode closer to the circled wagons. All around, burnt men groaned on the ground. Thoughts of Eric and Sarah faded as I got wrapped up in the excitement of battle.

  Nearby, I noticed a man on his knees struggling to get up.

  Not on my watch.

  I rode over and brought my sword down in a mighty arc. The blade hit his helmet directly.

  Your slash INJURES the Paladin of Fish Trainee for 4 damage.

  The Paladin of Fish Trainee is dead!

  You gain +50 experience points!

  You have 1,250 xp

  You need 50 xp for level two Warrior

  This is kind of addictive, I admitted as I looked for another target.

  The game screens made it more interesting.

  A knight darted from behind the wagons. I rode toward him at full speed. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the wizard in black robes.

  The warrior sprinted away, but he was no match for my horse. I caught up and went for his neck, hoping to cut his head off.

  He screamed as my blade hit him.

  Your slash DECIMATES the Paladin of Fish for 13 damage.

  The Paladin of Fish is dead!

  You gain +100 experience points!

  You have 1,350 xp

  You are now level two Warrior!

  You need to find a trainer (preferred) or training manual to reap all the benefi
ts of reaching level two Warrior. Would you like more information on a trainer?

  Trainer? I don’t have time for no stinking trainer.

  I led the horse back around the circle of wagons. Dozens of burnt knights littered the ground. No one stirred.

  Had we killed them all?

  Unable to find another victim, I turned the horse and scanned the horizon.

  Where was the man in robes?

  My heart beat faster as I frantically looked for him.

  “Over here, dumb orc,” a weaselly voice said behind me.

  I spurred my horse to turn and saw the wizard. The oversized hood still hid most of his features. He looked tough but not tougher than me.

  “You’re pretty badass,” I said. “Can you help me?”

  The wizard chuckled as he shook his head.

  “Why not?” I asked, getting angry.

  He said nothing, standing with his hands by his sides.

  What a wimp. Time to take this chump out and find Sarah.

  I spurred the horse. The wizard stayed in place as I rushed forward. He held up a hand.

  The horse stopped in fear, sending me flying over its head and onto the ground.

  You take 2 damage from falling off the horse.

  You have [9/18] health remaining.

  Down to half. That doesn’t sound good.

  I sat up, unable to get to my feet.

  All the strength had been sucked from my body. Was it another magic spell?

  The mage approached, looking down at me.

  A game screen came up.

  ALERT: PVP Enabled by [PC] Magi Inyontoo

  PVP? PC? What does any of this crap mean?

  “What do you want?” I asked. “Can you help me? I’m looking for two friends of mine. They should be around here somewhere.”

  “I’ll find your friends soon enough,” the man said then laughed like a bad cartoon villain. “Why would I tell you where to find them when I want them for myself?”

  “What do you mean you want them?” I asked.

  I struggled to stand, but I didn’t have the energy.

  “You make a great stupid orc,” the wizard said.

  He laughed like a maniac, looming over me.

  “Who are you?” I asked. “And why are you messing around? Is that you, Eric?

  OOC Penalty

  10% experience penalty next encounter.

  The man in black pulled back his hood.

  “My name is Magi Inyontoo,” he said dramatically. “You killed my father. Prepare to die.”

  “What?” I asked.

  “You heard me,” he said.

  “I did, but you’re not making any sense.”

  “Don’t you watch old movies?” he asked.

  “Wait...” I said. “You’re not part of the game?”

  Magi Inyontoo laughed.

  “I’m part of the game alright,” he said.

  “Can you tell me where I can find Eric and Sarah?”

  “Why would I do that? I told you I’m hunting them. You were much easier to find, and I have a special mission for you.”

  “You’re hunting her?” I struggled to my feet. “You better not hurt her.”

  Magi Inyontoo snickered then haughtily shook his head.

  I flew into a barbarian rage, wanting to kill him.

  Skill Activated

  You went into a barbarian rage.

  “Silly barbarian,” Magi Inyontoo said. “You think that’ll work on me?”

  I screamed, rushing toward him while wildly swinging my sword.

  He nimbly stepped aside, still laughing at my folly. Anger built up to intolerable levels as I swung at him several times. He moved around like Neo in the Matrix, avoiding me.

  Your slash misses [PC] Magi Inyontoo.

  Your slash misses [PC] Magi Inyontoo.

  “Enough playing around,” he said.

  I screamed and ran toward him as he raised his arms.

  A bolt of energy shot out of his palms. Still in a barbarian rage, I rushed forward—unconcerned about the consequences.

  The golden beam of energy hit me square in the chest.

  [PC] Magi Inyontoo’s Golden Bolts EVISCERATE you for 142 damage.

  * * *

  You are dead.

  I fell to the rough, hard ground.

  Everything went black.

  7

  Quest: Join Party is ... Successful?

  ERIC

  I sat up, staring at the elf and the two four foot creatures with oversized heads. Their constant smiling freaked me out, but I didn’t sense any danger from them.

  “Sarah?” I asked as the elf stopped and stared down at me.

  OOC Penalty

  -10% xp next encounter

  “Eric? Is that you?” she asked. “You can’t speak OOC without getting a penalty, but we can talk for five minutes now.”

  “Yes, it’s me,” I said. “Where’s Josh?”

  She frowned and shrugged.

  “I was hoping he was with you,” she said.

  The poison in my system caused another flash of pain.

  “Stupid rats poisoned me...” I said as I cringed.

  “Evan’s healing potion will keep you alive,” she said. “But we need to get to the city to take care of the poison in your system. Can you get back in the cart?”

  Like in the real world, I couldn’t move the lower part of my body.

  “I’m too weak,” I said. “This sucks so bad. I can’t be paralyzed in the game…”

  “Buckle up, buttercup,” Sarah said. “We have to find Josh.”

  “Maybe he spawned in Fishguard.” I struggled to stand. “Can I get some help?”

  The brownie who’d given me a potion rushed forward and reached out a hairy hand. I grabbed it, surprised at the small creature’s strength.

  Once on my feet, I stumbled toward the back of the wagon.

  “I can’t believe he kicked you out,” Sarah said. “This whole game is messed up. We should get out of here before my love potion wears off.”

  “Huh?” I tilted my head to the side. “Love potion?”

  She smiled and said, “don’t worry about it, I used one on the guy driving this wagon. That’s why he’s taking us to the city.”

  “That’s great,” I said, attempting a smile.

  I hopped up, sitting on the edge of the wagon.

  “Let’s go,” Sarah said, waving her hand.

  Both brownies climbed aboard, roughly using my shoulder as a hand-hold. I grinned through the pain and said nothing to Sarah’s NPC companions.

  She took a seat next to me. Our legs dangled over the edge.

  “To the city,” she called over her shoulder.

  “Anything for you, my sweet elf princess,” the old man said.

  The wagon lurched forward, almost sending me flying off the back.

  Sarah put an arm around me, holding tight.

  “Does it hurt?” she asked.

  “Not as much as it did, but I can’t feel my legs.”

  She frowned, then looked away.

  “Crippled in the real world and crippled here too,” I muttered.

  “Don’t talk like that,” she said, turning to me. “You know I don’t like it when you put yourself down.”

  The cart traveled south, bouncing with every small hole or rock in the dirt road.

  I took a deep breath.

  “Maybe we should quit and see if Josh is waiting for us back in the tower,” she said.

  “Are you sure?” I asked. “A little longer won’t hurt us.”

  “Where’s the quit button for the game?” she asked bluntly.

  I turned to her and tilted my head.

  “Huh? What do you mean?”

  “There’s no quit option, Eric.” Her smile faded. “What’s going on? The timer on the OOC window is almost up.”

  “I don’t know,” I said. “Let me check. Maybe you missed it.”

  “You know I’m not some noob,” she said. “The
re’s no quitting.”

  “I don’t think my hack did it,” I said as I stared at the heads up display.

  Had my hack trapped us?

  The thought terrified me, but I kept my mouth shut.

  “We should try to join our party,” I said to change the subject.

  “Now?”

  She shook her head. “I’m serious, Eric. We should quit.”

  “I don’t know how to quit,” I said. “Sorry.”

  “Quit lying,” she said.

  “I’m not lying. Something must be wrong. My dad will be home soon, and he’ll get us out of here.” I paused, my heart sinking. “Did I mention the time dilation?”

  “No,” she said. “What time dilation?”

  “Every minute in the real world could be a day or more in here,” I said.

  “Could be?” Her brows furrowed. “Don’t you know?”

  “Not exactly,” I said, wanting to tell her the entire truth. “We weren’t supposed to play the game, but I hacked a way for us to get in. That might be why we’re having trouble. Did you get the error message when we started?”

  “No,” she said.

  I lowered my head, watching the ground pass between my feet.

  “Look at me,” she demanded. “What did you do?”

  “I’m not sure yet, but I’ll figure it out. We just need to keep playing.”

  “For how long?” she asked.

  “I’m not sure…”

  She turned away, fuming.

  “Can we try to join the party?” I asked again.

  “Fine,” she said.

  I activated the button to join party with her.

  You have joined a party with Kali Tracaryn.

  * * *

  Quest: Join Your Party completed!

  * * *

  You receive 1,000 xp!

  -10% penalty = 900 xp

  You need 475 xp for next level.

  * * *

  Tip: Be careful who you allow into your party. Your decisions will affect your progress through the game. Choose wisely…