by Paul Bellow
“I want you both to be safe,” I said. “This isn’t a battle for children.”
He balled his fists and exclaimed, “I’m no sissy!”
“You’re not, but this isn’t for you. I’ll talk to Thomas and get to the bottom of it. Women and children shouldn’t be at this fight. They’re too important.”
“Are they?” Monky asked as she walked up to us.
“They’re important to me,” I clarified.
“But they could help us win,” she said.
I tilted my head back while still watching her.
“Am I hearing you right?” I finally said.
“You’re not sexist, are you?” she countered.
“What do you think?”
The boy ran off in a huff. I turned my head and saw Marjorie walking toward us. She looked so much like Sarah in the real world. Was the Tower of Gates messing with me somehow? I smiled as she approached.
Monky groaned next to me, but I ignored her completely.
“Thank you,” Marjorie said as she stopped in front of me. “I told him he can’t go with you guys.”
I stood up straight and smiled. “Don’t worry about it.”
“You’re the first half-orc I’ve ever met,” she said. “You’re so huge...and friendly.”
I nodded. At the corner of my eye, I saw Monky roll her eyes.
Marjorie put her hands on my chest and stood on the tips of her toes to plant a kiss on my cheek. I would’ve turned red if I had the right pigmentation.
“Thank you,” she said. “We’ll talk more once you return.”
“I’d like that,” I said, waving as she walked away.
Monky sighed then mimicked me, “I’d like that…”
“Cut it out,” I said. “Don’t be a hater. I’m not into guys…”
She frowned and snapped, “First off, I’m not a guy. Second, we’ve had a great personal connection. You’re throwing it away on the first pretty NPC that comes your way.”
I played with the ring on my finger that allowed me to talk without an OOC penalty. She was right in a way, but I couldn’t wrap my mind around her outward appearance.
“Don’t be that way,” I said. “We need to work together.”
“I shouldn’t even be helping you with this half-cocked plan.”
She crossed her arms over her chest and shook her head.
“We should go over the plan one more time,” I said. “These villagers deserve it.”
She shook her head and said, “The game’s sucking you in. Be careful.”
“Maybe, but doing the right thing matters…”
“Of course it does,” she said. “We got this. I’ll lead half of us to the northern edge of Esterhollow. You’ll bring the rest of the men up to the south entrance of the city. Once Rizzo and the others come out to deal with you, we’ll sneak in and come up behind them. They’ll go down quickly.”
“We hope,” I said, unsure of the plan after hearing it out loud.
“Don’t be so negative,” she said. “Besides, you have a damsel in distress waiting here for you.”
“She reminds me of Sarah…”
Monky nodded, her lips pursed together. We walked toward the center of the village where most of the men had gathered. I took a deep breath, wondering if we were doing the right thing.
9
The Battle of the Brute
Josh
Six dozen men, haphazardly armed, marched behind Monky and me. After an entire day of marching, we stopped and split up as we approached Esterhollow. I took my four dozen men to the southern side of the city while Monky led the others around the area.
While setting up camp half a mile away from the southern city gates, I saw two armored warriors wearing black plate mail on horseback ride toward us. I met them halfway, my sword resting on my right shoulder.
“Captain Riggardo demands to know why you’re here,” the man on the right grunted.
“We’re here for justice,” I said. “Rizzo and his gang must die.”
Both men on the black horses laughed, their shoulders shaking and their polished armors reflecting the setting sun. I tilted my head back, watching them closely.
“You’re ordered to leave,” the man said. “This is your first and only warning.”
I watched as they both turned their horses and headed back toward the city gates. They wouldn’t let us in, but Rizzo and the others would come out.
Knowing them, they wouldn’t let someone like me get away with calling them out. I wanted them to pay for burning down the settlement.
Hunter walked up to me, gazing at the city in the distance.
“Maybe this isn’t a good idea,” he said. “Captain Riggardo is a bit crazy.”
“I’ll kill him too if needed,” I said. “We’ve trained hard.”
“Only for a month,” Hunter said. “I’m worried.”
“Leave me alone!” a female voice shouted behind us.
I turned and saw Marjorie struggling to get away from two men.
“Let her go,” I shouted as I walked over to them. “What’s going on?”
“I had to come to protect Tara,” Marjorie said. “And look after you.”
“This is no place for a princess like you,” I said.
She blushed and lowered her head.
“We’ve got movement at the city gates,” Hunter said.
I frowned and put my hand on Marjorie’s shoulder.
“Go hide,” I said. “This won’t be pretty.”
“It’s the red wizard and his gang,” Hunter said.
“Go, now!” I shouted.
Marjorie, almost in tears, turned and bolted toward our two wagons. I turned around, sword held up, ready to take on the entire city. Harvey, Rizzo, Sylvar, and Thero needed to pay.
I saw them walk out of the city gates side by side, acting unconcerned at our group of men. As they approached, I wondered if Monky was okay on the north side of the city.
Our plan would fall apart if she didn’t come through. I concentrated on my breathing, intent on restraining my barbarian rage unless absolutely necessary.
The band of four stopped a few hundred yards away.
“We’re killing Sarah after we finish with you!” Sylvar shouted.
I noted the longbow in his hands with an arrow nocked. Thero and the spellcasters worried me more. I’d trained the villagers to go after the magic users first.
“What’s the matter, big guy?” Sylvar taunted. “Too afraid to speak?”
“Enough!” Rizzo shouted, trying too desperately to be dramatic.
Peter ran past me, sword raised high and screaming as he ran toward them, “Taste my wrath!”
I started to run after him, but Hunter held me back.
“Remember the plan,” he said coldly.
But I broke free from his grasp and ran after the boy anyway. Marjorie must have seen Peter running to certain death because she came out of hiding and gave chase.
When I heard her screaming behind me, I stopped and turned, wondering who to save first. Anger flared up inside me as I looked back and forth.
Thero ran forward to meet the boy. I was too far away to reach him in time.
Desperate, I shouted, “Fire the arrows!”
A dozen men stepped out from behind the wagons. They all shot arrows into the air at the same time. I watched in horror as they rained down…and hit Peter.
“No…”
I ran forward as Thero pierced the boy with his sword. Unable to resist any longer, I tapped into my dark side. Thero grunted as I plowed into him at full force. More arrows fell around me as Rizzo began casting offensive spells at Hunter and the villagers.
After pushing the other fighter to the ground, I hit him with my sword. The blow bounced off his insanely thick armor, but I didn’t give up the fight.
Where’s Monky? She needs to be here…
As if she had heard me, Monky and her group rushed toward Harvey, Rizzo, and Sylvar. The healer noticed them at
the last minute.
I turned my attention back to Thero as he slashed his sword across my chest.
[PC] Thero’s slash WOUNDS you for 16 damage.
You have [87/103] health remaining.
Still in a rage, I didn’t slow down. Death filled my thoughts.
Your slash WOUNDS [PC] Thero for 17 damage.
Your pierce HITS [PC] Thero for 9 damage.
“Die, half-orc scum!” the fighter shouted, swinging his sword.
He missed.
I lost track of the others as I attacked again, still full of rage.
Your slash MAULS [PC] Thero for 22 damage.
Your pierce WOUNDS [PC] Thero for 18 damage.
He’s such a tank!
I heard Marjorie and others screaming around me, but I kept attacking the thick-headed warrior. He got in a few more good strikes, bringing me down to about half my health.
By that time, I had sliced him over a dozen times. When he fell to his knees, I ran my sword through his unprotected neck with both hands, nearly taking his head off.
With one thrust, I had killed Thero.
“No!” Harvey shouted in the distance.
I turned as my rage subsided, along with all my energy. I looked around the battlefield and saw all of the villagers dead, their gruesome bodies littering the ground.
Monky stood frozen near Harvey, Rizzo, and Sylvar. Captain Riggard had also appeared. He pointed a finger at me then motioned me over with his hand.
“Give it up!” Sylvar said as I cautiously approached.
I stopped halfway, sword still raised.
“Let Monky go, and we’ll leave,” I said.
Captain Riggardo laughed. “It’s far too late for that,” he said.
“He deserves to die,” Rizzo said. “He betrayed us.”
“And you killed Thero!” Harvey yelled in anguish.
“Kill him!” Captain Riggardo ordered.
Rizzo raised his hands and cast a spell. Lava discs shot out and raced through the air toward me. I weakly dodged to the left, but they honed in on me like missiles.
[PC] Rizzo’s Flaming Discs of Lava DECIMATE you for 32 damage.
You have [19/103] health remaining.
I caught fire as they hit, so I dropped to the ground and rolled around to put out the flames. When I stopped, I laid on my back, looking up at the bright blue sky.
Now’s not a good time to die, but I’ve got nothing left.
I waited for death, but it didn’t come.
A magnificent red dragon soared into view. It spat fire on Captain Riggardo and the others. They screamed then ran inside the city gates. I sat up, wondering what was going on.
Combat is Over!
You get 5,000 xp
You have 12,000 xp
Level Up!
Welcome to level 5 barbarian!
Bells rung in the distance as I struggled to keep my eyes open. The dragon landed near our impromptu camp outside the city. I saw four people climb down the noble beast’s back. I struggled to hold my sword up, but I was prepared to fight to the death.
While the others got off the dragon, I glanced over at the city gates and saw Monky, still frozen. She wouldn’t have been able to help me anyway.
I turned my attention back to the four strange figures walking toward me and muttered, “What now?”
10
Trapping the Dwarves
Josh
“I don’t want any trouble,” I said as the four mysterious figures approached.
A man in white robes with frizzy red hair bounded forward, hand out.
“We don’t want trouble either,” he said. “Nice to meet you.”
I hesitantly lowered my sword and shook his hand. Another man in green robes stopped a few feet away.
“The dragon would’ve killed you if we wanted you dead,” he said.
All four of the men had a different colored robe on.
“My name’s Ferris,” the man in green said. “You’ve met Thom already.”
“I’m Sherlock,” said the man in yellow robes with a white beard.
“There’s too many of you,” I said then nodded my head at the fourth man. “What about him? Doesn’t he have a name?”
“Aaron doesn’t talk much,” Thom said, seemingly the giddiest of the bunch.
“We’re here for Monky,” Ferris said. “We’re the Four Wizards.”
I turned to look at my still frozen friend near the entrance of the city.
“Shouldn’t we get her and leave?” I asked. “The others might come out.”
“I hope they do,” the dragon said then shot flames into the air.
The Four Wizards laughed then motioned for me to follow. When we reached Monky, Ferris waved his hands in front of her and dispelled the magic.
“Thank you,” she said then threw her arms around the wizard. “I didn’t think you’d come.”
“We’re always here for you,” Sherlock said while stroking his white beard.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” I said.
She smiled. Did the Four Wizards know all her secrets? Or should I keep my mouth shut?
“It’s good to see you four,” she said. “Any news?”
Ferris frowned then turned away from her.
“Not good news,” Thom said.
Sherlock raised his left hand and said, “We should go. They could overpower us.”
“Never,” Thom said, his red hair bouncing.
“I can’t go with you,” Monky said. “I’m staying here.”
“What?” I turned to her. “Why?”
“You know,” she said, widening her eyes.
“Oh…” I said, nodding. “Yeah, you need to stay here.”
“Everything okay?” Ferris asked.
He turned from her to me and peered deep into my eyes.
“I’ll be fine,” Monky said. “There’s some things I need to finish here.”
“Okay,” Ferris said. “You know how to get in touch with us.”
“Four Wizards to the rescue!” Thom shouted then pointed to the sky. “Yeah!”
“Calm down,” Sherlock scolded.
I saw Aaron looking toward the city gate.
“The gate’s opening,” I said. “Are you sure you’ll be okay, Monky? I can stay here with you.”
“No,” she said. “I’ll tell them you captured me. They’re dumb enough to believe it.”
I nodded, still not convinced.
“What if I want to stay?” I said.
She frowned then glanced over her shoulder at me.
“You can’t after what happened,” she said. “I trust these four with my life. They’ll watch out for you. I’ve known them for many years.”
“Okay,” I said, nodding.
“Let’s go,” Ferris said. “They might have dragonbane.”
I followed the four wizards over to the dragon. After climbing onto its back, I grabbed onto two thick, red scales before turning back to the gates.
Monky walked toward a group of soldiers with her hands up.
Her psionicist powers might get her out of it. I hope they do.
The dragon leaped upward.
I clung to the back of the dragon, excited and terrified at the same time. Thom screamed like it was a roller coaster, raising a fist into the air as we climbed toward the clouds.
Once we leveled off, I leaned over and peered down. Everything on the ground got smaller as we continued rising. The dragon headed west toward the setting sun.
I leaned forward to shout in Thom’s ear, “Where are we going?”
“Mines of Oriam,” he shouted over his shoulder.
I nodded, having no idea what he was talking about.
Would they take me to see Eric and Sarah? They all seemed harmless, but could I trust them?
As the ride progressed, I relaxed.
Peering over the side again, I saw fields below us. We passed a fort of some sort before approaching a mountain range. I stared in awe at their snowcappe
d majesty.
The Tower of Gates was an evil virtual prison, but the graphics looked so real. I began to wonder if all the theories about real life being just a simulation might be true. Maybe the entire universe was a grand simulation? I pushed the overwhelming thought out of my mind.
After flying over the tallest peak, the dragon dropped as we approached the foothills on the western side. I spotted an immense cave entrance in the distance.
“Land as close as you can, Wiley,” Ferris shouted from the front.
The dragon landed perfectly if not a bit clumsily. I flew forward, crashing into Thom. The red-haired mad wizard laughed heartily, not caring in the least.
As we dismounted, the dragon transformed into a human. Ferris rushed over to the naked man, holding out a dark crimson robe.
“Thank you,” the dragon-man said.
“What are we doing here?” I asked, glancing around.
A giant stepped out of the cave and lumbered toward us.
“Greetings,” it said in a booming voice.
“It’s us, Herb,” Ferris said. “We’re just passing through.”
“Fine with me,” the giant said in a friendly tone.
“Wait, don’t we need to fight this thing?” I asked.
“Hey,” the giant, frowning and clearly offended, “I can hear you, you know.”
“That’s not a thing, silly,” Thom said. “It’s Herb the stone giant.”
“Uh-huh,” I said, nodding my head. “And this dragon-man?”
“I’m simply a dragon in human form. My name is Wiley.”
“How’s the dwarf trap coming along?” Sherlock asked.
Dwarf trap? What have I gotten myself into? Are they helping Magi Inyontoo as well?
“Good so far,” Herb said. “A group of them ran into the roguelike.”
“No way,” Aaron said, finally speaking.
The stone giant nodded and said, “We haven’t seen them come back out yet.”
“That roguelike is as glitchy as the rest of the game,” Ferris said.
All four wizards nodded in agreement.
