I Am Gamer

by Gabriel L Rathweg

  SKILL LEARNED

  FLAME (LEVEL – 1)

  This is the most basic of skills in the realm of the element of Fire. By accessing your connection with the earth you are able to create a flame in your hands. Depending on the size of the flame you will use your Magic Points or MP. Once your MP is exhausted the flame will die and you will have to wait till your MP regenerates to use the skill again.

  I grinned as I read the prompts. Holy fucking shit, I knew fucking magic…

  TRACK 16 – THE START OF SOMETHING – VOXTROT

  We practiced a little bit longer until Colt was satisfied that I was proficient with my new skill. Then we headed back to the camp. The sun was up and dawn was fully upon us. I couldn’t hide the shit eating grin that was plastered across my face. Even Colt’s ribbing and joking about it didn’t kill my mood. I knew real mother fucking magic! I could create a fire at my fingertips.

  It was literally the dream of every nerd, geek, gamer, Sci-Fi fan, fantasy aficionado, and every other stereotype out there. Shit, even cool people wished they knew magic and here I was able to make flame just by thinking about it. The whole way back to our camp I kept snapping my fingers creating a flame and then letting it out over and over again. Until Colt finally snapped at me saying if I didn’t stop he’d take my magic ability away. I didn’t think he’d do it considering he brought me all the way back in time and everything but I stopped just in case.

  We arrived back at camp and Moon Flower was already up cooking more dire wolf meat for breakfast. Freak was awake and sitting two feet from the pretty girl hoping for bits of meat which Moon Flower provided the giant tiger. Winston whinnied as we approached and the girl looked up from her task watching as we approached.

  I patted Winston on the nose as we passed then sat down by the fire and inhaled the delicious aromas of the cooking meat. Then I noticed the new smell. Sitting next to the wolf meat were whole trout skewered on sticks roasting over the open flames. I gave Moon Flower a considering look.

  “Wow, you went fishing too. You’re amazing.” I said earnestly.

  “What, have you never seen someone catch fish before?” She retorted, snorting and turning her attention back to the fire and the ever so important task of cooking.

  I caught a small smile grace her lips though before she turned away completely. Score one for yours truly. I grinned today was starting out great.

  “That smells wonderful.” Colt said sitting down beside us.

  Moon Flower smiled and blushed at the old man as she set down flat rocks with cooked wolf in front of us. Then she pulled a trout stick off the fire and set one down next to each of our meat rock plates. The next little while was spent eating as the three of us made smacking and chewing noises, Colt and I being the loudest. The trout was fucking amazing. It was smoky, sweet, salty, and all the other descriptors. Never had fish tasted so fresh and delicious. I devoured it and I’m pretty sure I wolfed down quite a few bones as well.

  “Moon Flower you have done yourself and you’re your tribe proud once again. Thank you for the meal and for breaking my fast.” Colt intoned in some type of ritual that flew over my head.

  “You are welcome Old One. I am glad you enjoyed it and that I could be the one to prepare your meal.” Moon Flower answered in kind.

  “Yeah, I agree this was amazing. Thank you so much for the food.” I chimed in.

  Colt snorted then stood up stretching and yawning loudly. He walked over to Moon Flower and gave her a quick hug and whispered something in her ear. I watched as her eyes went wide and her mouth made a silent O. Then he let her go and turned around facing me. He walked over and held his hand out for me to shake.

  “Good luck Law. We won’t be seeing each other for sometime. You’re on your own now.” He said as I reached out and clasped his hand. “Do me proud boy.”

  “I’ll try.” I replied.

  Colt nodded as we finished our handshake and then turned and walked away. Moon Flower walked up beside me and watched with me as the old man disappeared into the trees. A few more minutes passed by then I turned to the beautiful woman.

  “So… what did he tell you?” I asked.

  Moon Flower gave me an appraising look.

  “If he had wanted you to know he would have told you as well.” She responded, snorting and turning back to the camp. “It is time to go. My family will be worried.”

  I watched as she began cleaning the campsite up. Taking a deep breath and blowing it out I began helping, we had a long day ahead of us so we had better get moving.

  Moon Flower was extremely efficient and we ended up clearing the campsite in no time. Water was poured on the fire then the stones were tossed back into the stream. I filled in the fire pit with dirt while Freak yawned lazily watching the both of us work. Finished with my last task I scanned the area one last time and noticed Colt’s water skin from last night sitting on a rock a few feet away. I walked over and picked it up. Underneath was one of the vellum notes. Now what did he have to say.

  Hey buddy,

  So last night was good. You’re on the right track. I left my flask for you. Sorry no JD in it, that was a one time thing, it’s just cool crisp water. Besides you drink too much you lush. It’s about a full days travel to Moon Flowers tribe so get a move on. Like I said it’s going to be some time till we see each other again so you’re on your own. Last night was the last time you will be under my safety umbrella. That’s gone now so be on alert there are many dangers out there, human and otherwise. Be careful who you trust and keep that head on a swivel. Remember get her tribe on your side and build up your tech base. Time is short. Anyway, good luck and watch out for the Eaters. Did I forget to tell you about them? Oh well, ask Moon Flower about it.

  Peace Out,

  Colt

  (P.S. this message…)

  I read the note over again then tossed it in the stream as it caught fire. Eaters… What the fuck? I don’t remember anything about Eaters. I picked up the flask and identified it.

  COLT’S NEVER ENDING WATER SKIN

  The god Coyote always has a skin with him, usually containing Jack Daniels. This particular skin is full of water that is always cool, crisp, and fresh. With this in your possession you will never be thirsty again, well for water anyway.

  Dimensions – 1” by 5” by 8”

  Weight – 1.3 lbs

  I dismissed the window hefted the water skin and took a long swig. The water was so fresh and so clean, clean. Thanks again Colt. I attached the skin to my belt with the conveniently provided thong and looked around for Moon Flower. I spotted her sitting next to Freak and scratching him behind the ears. She glanced up and looked at me as I walked over to her then knelt down on the other side of my tiger.

  “Are you ready to go?” I asked, scratching Freak under his chin.

  “Yes as I said earlier we have a long ways to go.” She replied, then paused tilting her head to side in thought. “I had been traveling for most of the day before the dire wolves attacked and then I ran for hours while they hunted me. If we leave now we should make it to my village by sundown.”

  I nodded standing up and stretching. Then I whistled, Winston perked up from his grass chomping and clomped over. I patted him on the nose then hopped up threw a leg over his back and mounted him. Once I was settled I reached my hand down to Moon Flower. She stood up, brushed her hands off, grabbed my proffered hand, then jumped up as I pulled, and mounted Winston behind me.

  “Let’s go Freak.” I called and tapped my horse lightly with my heels.

  My giant tiger stood up and joined us by Winston’s side. I nodded at him then looked back at Moon Flower. She pointed due east. We took off heading towards the trees and eventually her village.

  “So… what are Eaters?” I asked Moon Flower turning my head to look at her over my shoulder.

  Her face darkened and a look of pure hatred marred her beautiful features. Judging by the look on her face whatever Eater’s were they were not good... not good at all
.

  TRACK 17 – THE KIDS DON’T STAND A CHANCE (CHROMEO REMIX) – VAMPIRE WEEKEND

  After Moon Flower pointed the direction to go she was quiet as we walked along. I gave her time and made sure my Danger Sense was working as we moved. I closed my eyes and could pinpoint Freak who was ranging out ahead. There were some smaller critters around us but I didn’t sense anything dangerous, no dire wolves in the area at least.

  “Eaters as you called them are monsters.” Moon Flower said softly.

  I opened my eyes and glanced back keeping quiet while I waited for her to continue.

  “During the Great Suffering almost all of The People died. According to our histories most of my tribe and all the tribes we knew suffered the same levels of loss. This took place over the last couple decades. Our tribe used to number over a thousand strong. Now we are less than a hundred. My father tells tales of a time when you couldn’t run a mile in any direction without coming across another of The People or another tribe. Now you can travel for days and days and not come across a single person. It was during this period that the Eaters as you called them appeared. They are known by many names but the worst of them are the Wendigo.” She paused collecting her thoughts.

  I searched my brain for what I knew of the Wendigo. The term was familiar and I know that I had read about them in the past. I paused in my train of thought as she continued.

  “According to the histories the Wendigo were once just like us. But during the Great Suffering starvation was rampant and many of The People chose to eat the dead. Very early on they were called Eaters. At first they started off just eating the dead to survive. But overtime they began to change physically becoming more and more monstrous. Wendigo are pure evil. If we see any we must kill them.” She said vehemently.

  That was it! I remembered now. There was lots of mythology about them that came from the Great Lakes area. I accessed my skill Total Recall and pulled up the information.

  WENDIGO

  The Evil That Devours – Arguably the most deadly creature in North American indigenous folklore, the Wendigo appears in many different tribal legends. The best known description comes from the tribal communities surrounding the Great Lakes region. Many of the legends are cautionary tales enforcing taboos against cannibalism, by claiming that any human who eats another’s flesh will be transformed into a creature of pure evil. A form of Manitou cursed with insatiable appetite. Not even loved ones are safe from their eternal hunger.

  I closed the window and refocused on the now. Moon Flower had gone quiet wrapped up in her own thoughts. We continued in companionable silence each lost in our own thoughts. The day was beautiful. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the forest was cool as we passed under the branches of the large pine and aspen trees. We had been traveling for about an hour just making our way down the mountain when Freak roared at the same instant my Danger Sense went off. Winston whinnied and I spun him in the direction where my sense intimated which was the same direction Freak’s roar had come from.

  “Hold on!” I yelled over my shoulder, after pulling my bow free and snagging an arrow.

  I squeezed my thighs and Winston burst into motion taking off like a rocket. Moon Flower grabbed onto my waist and squeezed tightly to keep her seat causing my quiver to smash hard into my back. At any other time I would have reveled in the feeling of a beautiful girl wrapping her arms around me even with the discomfort. But I could sense Freak’s emotions now, due to him being my familiar, and he was not happy. Anger and fear radiated from him in my mind. If something could make a giant tiger scared it had to be a big fucking deal.

  We bent down over Winston’s neck speeding through the trees, dodging around tree branches, and leaping over boulders and downed logs. We were closing in quickly and I could hear Freak roaring and growling along with something else, judging by the sounds lots of something else.

  The Aspens, Firs, and Spruces flashed by, I barely noticed. We burst out of the woods and broke into a rocky clearing.

  “Freak!” I yelled as I spotted my best friend.

  He was backed into a cliff face and a dozen child sized monsters had surrounded him on three sides. Only Freak’s giant swiping paws keeping them at bay.

  “Oh no it’s Teihiihan!” Moon Flower exclaimed.

  I spared her a glance then quickly identified the monsters.

  TEIHIIHAN (LEVEL – 2)

  The Little Cannibals – Among the most dreaded figures in Cheyenne and Arapaho legends (and more), these savage humanoids may be child-sized, but they’re incredibly strong, and often attack in large numbers. According to some myths, the Teihiihan were fearsome warriors in a previous life, resurrected as dwarves after dying in battle. Most of those tales say they were finally wiped out by an alliance of several tribes. They were also known as Cannibal Dwarves or Enemy Dwarves.

  I quickly dismissed the window the world slowed down as I assessed the situation in an instant. It felt like everything was moving in slow motion. I quickly shoved my awe away and got serious. There were twelve of the little monsters. Each one was about four feet tall and their skin was the color of night almost jet black. Their tiny bodies bulged with muscle, their heads were bald, and they had pointy elfin ears. There was no way I wasn’t taking advantage of this situation.

  Some people were worried about fair fighting and all that shit. I remember one time I got in a fight at school and got sent home. This kid had given me a black eye, so not only had I got in trouble and sent home, I lost the fight. My dad got home from work and to my surprise didn’t spank me or ground me. He took me for a drive and had a talk with me. I remember it like yesterday because it was the first time he had talked to me where I felt like he was talking to another man. That kind of memory sticks with you. We drove for a bit and than he said.

  “The next time you fight someone you need to be smart about it. There is no such thing as a fair fight. If someone is trying to fight you do whatever you need to do to win. If someone is trying to hurt you or your family you take them out. Take them into an alley with a baseball bat and make sure they don’t leave if you have to. Otherwise, you don’t fight. Understand?” He finished.

  I know it sounds fucked up but I didn’t fight again. I took it as the only real fights are fights to the death for your family and your safety. But, I also took the do whatever you have to do to win part seriously as well. So, for most of my life I lived by this principal. That’s why I wasn’t going to waste this opportunity for a goddamn sneak attack! Plus, these scary ass monsters were fucking with my cat!

  SKILL LEARNED

  SNEAK ATTACK (LEVEL – 1 – Bonus x 2 damage +50% to hit)

  By flanking, surrounding, surprising, or by means of stealth a bonus is given to your attacks. This bonus causes you to hit your targets at a higher rate and imbues added damage. Subsequent levels will unlock different skill abilities and increase the skills power.

  Time sped back up as I fired an arrow at the closest monster and Winston skidded to a halt on the gravelly rock. The arrow hit with a thwack into the back of the head of the monster in the rear. Then the rest noticed me and half of them spun around to face the new threat. It was then I noticed the rest of their features, fanged mouths and clawed fingertips. Not only that they had large black eyes that didn’t blink when they looked at me. Honestly, they reminded me of little black Gollums but nastier, maybe Gollums on crack.

  “You are some ugly little fuckers.” I said to no one in particular.

  “Yes, ugly and extremely dangerous.” Moon Flower said, sliding off Winston and pulling out her knife and hatchet. “They must be destroyed.”

  The half dozen Teihiihan, fuck that I was calling them Gollums, hissed and spit at us. I nodded at Moon Flowers tone and slid off Winston’s back joining her on the ground. The ground was rocky and strewn with boulders which would make it difficult to fight from horseback. I motioned to Winston and he backed up into the tree line. This telepathy or whatever it was came in super handy. I’d be a horse whi
sperer back home, I chuckled out loud just thinking about it. Triple Crown baby!

  “This is not the time for laughter Law.” Moon Flower scolded as the monsters approached.

  TRACK 18 – WALK THIS WAY – RUN-D.M.C., AEROSMITH

  “Roar!” Freak howled in agony and anger as three of the Gollums attacked.

  “No!” I cried, as one of the monsters scored a long gash along Freaks hindquarter.

  Something inside me snapped. Whether it was the fact that those sons of bitches just hurt my best friend or maybe it was the consecutive bombs of craziness and shit that had recently been dropped on me. Starting with my shitty ex friend and girlfriend, being transported back in time, or whatever the fuck it was. It didn’t matter anger flooded through me and I dropped my bow, drew my kukri and Bowie, and stepped forward in one quick motion.

  A manic grin stretched across my face and with a thought fire burst from my hands covering my weapons from hilt to tip.

  SKILL LEARNED

  RAGE (LEVEL – 1)

  Anger clouds the mind causing the body to act on instinct attacking with all the pent up emotional energy the mind has been hoarding. Using natural instincts and the body’s natural athleticism and power the host will attack till all their energy is spent. Damage taken will be ignored until skill is over, causing all pain to be felt and assessed at once. Subsequent levels will unlock different skill abilities and increase the skills power.

  I ignored the window and continued stalking forward. The three little fuckers were still attacking my pal while the rest, all eight of them growled and faced off with me, hissing and spitting.

  “Here’s Johnny mother fuckers!” I growled and dashed forward into the group of little cannibal pricks.