by Paul Bellow
“Fast drop now,” Axelrod said.
The rest of my party suddenly fell faster.
What do they think they’re doing?
About a dozen feet from the floor of the pit, they activated whatever magic they had and gently floated down the rest of the way. Eric rushed over after his feet hit the ground.
“You’re alive,” he said, too surprised for my liking.
“Barely,” I said. “Good to see you. Ryu Elf-napped me.”
Eric smiled despite the tense situation.
“That dragon’s gonna come back,” Axelrod said from behind Eric. “Battle positions.”
“You have mana?” Eric asked. “Health okay?”
“Not much on either, but I’ll stay out of the way. I’ve got a trick or two up my sleeve.”
I pulled out the wand and waved it in front of his face.
“Nice,” he said. “What does it do?”
“Let’s go!” Axelrod shouted. “The dragon’s diving!”
I nodded my head for him to join Axelrod and the other two.
“Pay attention, Sarah,” Charlotte said.
With my staff in one hand and the Wand of Wonder in my other, I looked up and saw Ryu swoop down then land with flourish.
The dragon roared. Dark blue smoke came out of its nostrils.
Josh laughed and stuck out his chest.
“Come and get some, punk,” he said.
I shook my head, wondering what I ever saw in him.
“Attack!” Axelrod yelled then ran toward the dragon with a small hatchet.
Eric and Bernard held back as Josh joined the dwarf in his attack.
“Concentrate, Sarah,” Charlotte scolded.
Axelrod and Josh both connected, doing little apparent damage to the dragon.
Ryu clawed back—literally. Josh flew backward, landing on his back. Hard.
“That’s got to hurt. But he’ll be okay. We’ve got this. The Wand of Wonder will save us.”
“Not yet, Sarah.”
“I know, Charlotte.”
Josh stood as Axelrod attacked again. Eric and Bernard snuck around the dragon.
Could they pull off a double backstab? Would the battle be over before it even started?
“Bring it,” Josh said then ran forward, swinging his sword.
I pointed the Wand of Wonder at Ryu, ready to zap.
Axelrod got in a good hit. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed Eric and Bernard creeping closer. Surely, the dragon would sense them.
Eric ran up hit the dragon’s back with both weapons while Bernard did the same. Ryu whipped his head around and roared.
The sound echoed off the walls of the pit rising into the darkness. I used some mana to distract the dragon and let Eric and Bernard sneak away.
Your Lance of Lightning INJURES [PC] Ryu for 14 damage.
Your Lance of Lightning WOUNDS [PC] Ryu for 19 damage.
You have [55/260] mana remaining.
The dragon turned its body while pulling its head back.
“It’s about to breathe, Sarah. Use the wand now,” Charlotte said.
After pulling it out of my belt, I zapped and hoped for the best.
Your Wand of Wander Makes it Rain
The wand has [980/987] charges remaining
Ryu spit blue fire in my direction as torrents of rain poured down. The water diluted the fire, but some of the weird, colorful flames hit me.
[PC] Ryu’s Black Dragon Breath MAULS you for 21 damage.
You have [25/46] health remaining.
The rain continued pouring down as rivers of water flew back through the tunnel toward Ryu’s secret lair. Would it help dissolve the blue energy trapping the dwarves?
I had no time to answer my question. The failed breath weapon attack sent the dragon into a rage. Ryu roared, whipping its head around, looking for a new target.
Axelrod, Bernard, Eric, and Josh all attacked at the same time from different positions around the dragon. They all connected with solid blows.
Ryu yelped in pain.
“Get him,” Axelrod hissed, bossy as ever during the battle.
The dragon crouched down then leaped into the air. On the way up, he grabbed the dwarf with strong talons. I watched in horror as they flew up into the darkness.
“Save Axelrod,” I shouted, not knowing how to make it happen.
The dragon continued rising high into the air. I raised my new wand, aiming for the dragon.
“No!” Charlotte yelled, but it was too late.
I zapped the wand.
Your Wand of Wonder enlarges [PC] Axelrod.
The wand has [960/987] charges remaining.
Do the various effects of the wand cost different amounts of charges?
Axelrod cackled, his laughter echoing up and down the Pit of Doom as he grew to at least ten-feet tall—the largest dwarf of color in history? Maybe.
I watched as he swung at the dragon.
After getting his, Ryu screamed then dove toward us.
“Don’t do it,” Charlotte said.
I couldn’t resist pressing my luck and zapped again.
Your Wand of Wander Projects an Image of You.
The wand has [959/987] charges remaining.
A tall holographic image of myself appeared before me, hiding me as the dragon landed. The others on the ground weren’t so lucky.
Ryu rose on his back two legs and threw his head back. The jet of blue-flame that shot from his mouth lit up the bottom of the pit.
A huge shadow of Axelrod projected on the walls as the dwarf fell back to the ground. The other three screamed as they burned.
We need a healer so bad, I thought, not wanting to chance hurting them while hoping for a heal spell from the wand. What to do?
Ryu turned his head toward me. Even in dragon form, he had a smirk on his face. It would be impossible to get along with everyone in the game.
Some of them needed to die.
I zapped the wand again.
Your Wand of Wander shoots Gems.
The wand has [929/987] charges remaining.
My eyes opened wider as gemstones shot out of the tip of the slender wand, pelting the dragon’s hide at high-velocity. My holographic projection mimicked all my actions.
“Is there anything that new wand doesn’t do?” Eric yelled.
As I turned to him and the others, the dragon crept forward.
Bernard, Eric, and Josh all charged forward. Axelrod dropped to the ground, smashing his gigantic boot on the dragon’s head. Ryu screamed then flew up.
“Get him,” I said.
“We’ve got no ranged weapons,” Eric said, looking up.
Josh jumped into the air, stretching with his sword, but he missed. I watched as Ryu disappeared into the blackness of the pit above.
“He’ll be back,” Axelrod boomed then laughed. “I love being large.”
Ryu the dragon reappeared, slicing through the air.
“Watch out,” I said then zapped one more time.
Give me something good…
Your Wand of Wander Creates Butterflies.
The wand has [923/987] charges remaining.
A stream of butterflies of various sizes shot out of the wand one after another. Hundreds filled the air, their fluttering wings blinding everyone, including me.
“That wasn’t helpful,” Axelrod grumbled, batting them away.
“Where’s the dragon?” Eric asked. “I can’t see anything.”
“I hate this,” Josh said. “We’re losing.”
Not on my watch.
The dragon walked out of the cloud of butterflies, bumping into me. He turned as he noticed me and swept me with his claws.
[PC] Ryu’s claw INJURES you for 11 damage.
You have [14/46] health remaining.
That’s not good. I’ve got to stop him before I die. No NPC-time for me.
Unsure of what else to do, I zapped the Wand of Wonder.
Your Wand of Wonder turns [PC] Ryu
Purple.
The wand has [922/987] charges remaining.
Ryu stopped before clawing me again and peered down at his body.
“What did you do?” he bellowed.
“There you are,” giant-sized Axelrod said.
I watched as his hatchet connected with the dragon’s neck. As Ryu screamed, Axelrod grabbed his neck with both hands.
“You’re not flying away this time,” the dwarf said. “Over here, boys.”
The other three ran toward the dragon as the butterflies flew upward.
“Kill the dragon,” I shouted.
Should I give the wand one more try?
Ryu screamed then slumped to the bottom of the pit.
[PC] Ryu the evil aligned black dragon is dead!
No alignment penalty incurred.
Combat is Over!
You get 25,000 xp divided by five party members.
You get 5,000 xp
Main Quest Complete!
You get 25,000 xp divided by five party members.
You get 5,000 xp
You have 86,971 xp
Welcome to level 9 Wizard --> Warlock
You need 33,029 for level 10 Wizard --> Warlock
“Level up!” I shouted, full of that adrenaline rush after a win.
“That’s what I’m talking about,” Josh said, raising his sword in the air.
Eric wandered over, swords still in his hands.
“We lost a lot of party members, but we did it,” he said.
Axelrod shrunk to normal-size then walked up to us.
“That was incredible,” he said.
“It’s not over yet,” I said. “Magi Inyontoo is still out there, and we need to free those dwarves. Ryu has a room down the tunnel. There’s another magic mirror.”
The screams from earlier returned in full-force, the sound magnified by the vast Pit of Doom rising above us. I frowned, feeling the evil the game could dish out.
“We’ve got to save them,” Axelrod said, the smile slipping from his face. “The hard part is over, but we’ve got to finish this all the way.”
He walked away from the slaughtered dragon and down the tunnel toward the blue energy. I followed him as he broke into a jog.
Low on health and mana, I hoped we didn’t run into any surprises.
“Let’s go,” Axelrod yelled. “We need to save the dwarves.”
I picked up my pace, wondering how we’d get rid of the blue energy field.
Knowing the Tower of Gates, it wouldn’t be an easy process.
27
Dark Knight Seeks Asylum
Eric
I walked next to Sarah and the others—happy to still be alive.
Axelrod stopped before we reached a glowing blue force field.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Something’s not right,” Axelrod replied.
“Tell us,” I said. “Is it the blue energy force field thingy?”
“No,” Axelrod said. “Someone poked their head out of that door up ahead.”
“I saw it, too,” Bernard said. “Looked like full-plate armor.”
“We’ll never survive this,” Josh said. “I’m about dead after the dragon.”
“Me, too,” Bernard added.
“We’ve got no other choice,” I said.
Sarah put one hand on my shoulder while holding her staff in the other.
“There’s always another choice,” she said, then added, “Usually.”
Down the tunnel, a man in black plate mail peeked out of the doorway.
What now? Magictology assassins sent to kill us?
I gripped the hilts of both my swords.
“We can’t run,” Axelrod said. “There’s no way up that pit.”
“Hold on,” I said. “He’s got a white flag.”
I pointed down the tunnel. A man in a full set of black plate mail—including a helmet with visor—walked out of Ryu’s room carrying a white cloth at the end of a stick.
Was he trying to get close to zap us with a wand?
Axelrod stepped forward.
“Everyone be ready for anything,” he said, not taking his eyes off the armored man.
“I just want to talk,” the dark knight called out. “Is that okay?”
“Yeah,” I yelled. “But no funny business.”
The man continued forward with both hands in the air.
“I don’t trust him already,” Josh said.
“Let’s give him a chance,” Sarah said.
“I’ll do the talking,” I said as the man approached. “That’s far enough. State your business or prepare to die.”
“Direct,” the man said. “I like that. My name’s Derringer…”
He paused and lifted the visor of his helmet.
“I’m looking for asylum,” he continued. “I’ve been with these other guys since I’ve come to these lands, but they’re into that Magictology crap now.”
“You can talk freely,” Sarah said. “We have magic for no OOC penalties.”
The imposing man laughed, his armor barely making a sound.
“Praise all that’s holy,” he said. “These goons wrapped up in Magictology are in character all the time. It’s been driving me nuts. They think I’m out here trying to get you to surrender. You guys are my only hope.”
“We shouldn’t let him into the party so easily,” Bernard said.
“You guys look pretty beat up,” Derringer said. “When Magi Inyontoo heard you killed Ryu, he lost it and sent a bunch of players to kill you.”
“We’re hurt bad,” Bernard said. “Can you help us? What class are you, anyway? Fighter or healer? Something else?”
“A little of both,” Derringer said. “More specifically, I’m a Dark Knight. It’s a special class. I’ll tell you about it later when we have more time. Do you guys have any yellow or green gems on you?”
He pulled out a metal box that had been camouflaged well on his waist.
“Whoa,” I said, raising my sword. “What’s that?”
“It does a lot of things,” he said. “To be honest, I haven’t named it yet. We’ve been so busy trying to fix everything you guys have been messing up.”
“We try,” Sarah said then smiled.
“Do your friends want to stop us from rescuing the dwarves?” Axelrod asked.
“Likely,” Derringer said, still holding the metal box. “There’s an even bigger bounty on your head now. Let me help. Give me a gem.”
“Why do you need a gem?” I asked.
The Tower of Gates had a way of making you suspicious.
“Here,” Bernard said as he handed Derringer three small gems.
“The technology works by transforming the game-matter of the gemstones into powers,” he said. “It’s a bit more complicated, but I can explain it later if we survive.”
Sarah turned her head to me. We made eye contact, neither of us looking away.
“Tragedy of the Taverns,” she said then smiled.
I nodded my head, remembering the raid.
“What are you two going on about?” Axelrod asked.
I turned toward Derringer the Dark Knight.
“Here’s the deal,” I said. “You help us win this battle, and we’ll let you join our party.”
“Wait a minute—” Axelrod said.
“Deal,” Derringer said.
He stuffed a couple gems into a compartment in the metal box then closed it up. After flipping a simple black switch, the entire box glowed an unearthly green.
You feel better.
You feel refreshed.
You have [128/128] health remaining.
“Wow,” I said. “What is that thing?”
“I’m not sure if it’s magic or science,” Derringer said. “Maybe a bit of both.”
“All my mana is restored, too,” Sarah said. “Are there any side effects?”
“Little late to ask that question,” Derringer said then chuckled. “I’ve been using it for five years now, and
I’ve not had any problems. Well, except for an ear growing on my back.”
Sarah’s eyes widened.
“Just kidding,” Derringer said.
“We need to be serious.” I peered past Derringer. “There’s someone else at the doorway. How many people came here with you?”
“Not too many,” Derringer said. “But with the bounty on your heads, I expect more will show up no matter where you go.”
“What’s going on down there?” a voice yelled.
Derringer glanced back a moment.
“Let me help you with this battle,” he said. “After it’s over, you can decide if you want me in your party or not. There’s information I need to tell you first.”
“Battle positions!” Axelrod shouted, walking past Derringer.
I saw six armed warriors spill out of Ryu’s secret lair.
“Attack of the nerds,” the one in front yelled.
“Clobbering time,” Josh said then pushed his way past me.
I didn’t complain. Axelrod followed him with Derringer close behind.
“Let’s see how it goes before you spend mana,” I said, watching as the larger group of six approached out tank-group of three.
“I’m not an idiot, Eric. You know I play games.”
“There’s no way to sneak around,” Bernard said. “Let’s back up the front line.”
“Agreed,” I said.
My dual-blade skills needed practicing. I stepped forward with Bernard at my side. Josh and the others met up with the armored men about halfway to the blue force field.
Axelrod cleaved one of the poor men on the leg, knocking him to the ground. Josh pounded another on the head with his sword.
I kept my eyes open, waiting for an opportunity and keeping an eye on Sarah.
“Now,” their apparent leader in a red helmet said.
The other five men backed up and moved out of the way, clearing a path. Red-helmet pulled out a crossbow with a glowing bolt.
“Get them,” Axelrod said, rushing forward.
Josh followed the dwarf while Derringer stayed in place.
A blue, glowing arrow shot from the crossbow, hitting Axelrod in the shoulder.
