by Eden Redd
The knight turned on her heels and jumped to one side of the room. Before anyone could question it, an evil glint filled her eyes as she bent low with sword at her side.
“Pure slice!” The knight shouted.
The group stared as they fought. Nikki burst forward along the battle line with impossible speed. She smiled as her sword cut through one kobold after the other, separating their upper bodies from their lower. Legs pumped as her body became a comet with her sword out. When she reached the other side of the room, she fell to one knee. An entire two rows of kobolds burst into shattered light. The remaining kobolds at the doorway were stunned. For a brief instant, Kai and the trolls managed to take a breath. Nikki stood up, turned around and walked back to the middle, sword at her side.
The kobold’s stunned expressions melted away and a new torrent flowed in. Nikki grinned and reengaged, sword lopping off heads.
“Impressive!” Kai shouted as he started carving up incoming kobolds.
Daven’s hands dropped to his sides, “I’m out!”
Wynter knew that the battle would start turning soon. Without a healer, the kobolds were going to cut them slowly to death. Blasting black lightning, she tried to think of something.
“Can anyone smash the wall above the doorway? Maybe barricade them out?” Wynter shouted over the sounds of battle.
“It could cause the whole room to collapse on us,” Kai replied with a grunt.
Daven leaned heavy on his staff. The futility of the situation weighed on him as he watched his companions fight on. The druid used the last of his mana to heal the party, knowing there wouldn’t be enough time to regain it back. With a defeated sigh, he held his staff and watched as his companions fought against impossible odds.
A tapestry fluttered nearby. The druid turned his head and watched as a rat nose pointed out from underneath it. Stepping closer, the white rat crawled out and stood on its hind legs, sniffing at the air. Kneeling down, he could feel a cool breeze push at the stagnant room air. The rat moved to the edge of the tapestry and bit the end, pulling slightly. Daven reached out and pulled it aside. The wall behind it didn’t quite match up with the surrounding stone work. Realization cascading over his weary mind as Daven shot to his feet.
“Secret passage! There’s a secret passage!” Daven shouted at the top of his lungs.
Wynter heard him first. Mentally commanding one of her skeletons to break away, it walked over to Daven’s side. The druid pulled the tapestry back to reveal a secret door slightly ajar. The skeleton took hold and opened it further.
“I’m sending it in,” Wynter said and gave a mental command.
The skeleton moved in through the doorway. Wynter opened her connection and with closed eyes, could see what the skeleton could see. The tunnel stretched on for about twenty feet before reaching a dead end.
“It’s a dead end,” The necromancer shouted.
“There must be something more to it! Pull back to the secret passageway. Wynter, can you check it further?” Kai shouted.
Wynter concentrated. The skeleton moved further in, looking at all the walls. It was a dead end, nothing more to see. The skeleton took another step and the floor came out from under it. It slid down a hollowed-out slide, twisting and turning until everything turned black.
“There’s a trap door! Don’t know how deep is goes but it was far enough to break my connection.”
“I think we’re out of options! Go for it!” Kai sliced a kobold in half.
Daven was first to go through, stepping down the small corridor until he reached the end. The floor fell out from under him and he let out a yell. The group back peddled to the secret door. Wynter watched as the rat squeaked in her direction before scurrying off to a crack in the wall. The trolls pulled back with Kai. Nikki was the only one now holding off the mad kobolds. Light burst to her left and right as she fought on. The trolls went next down the small corridor and again, the floor gave out. Wynter and Kai were next, stepping to the end as they fell and slid into the tunnel slide. Nikki fought backwards as kobolds came at her until she was at the spot where floor gave out. She stared upward as the kobolds crowded the edge, hissing and howling before the tunnel slide veered and she slipped into darkness below.
Five
Darkness parted into light as Nikki slid out of the stone chute and hit the stone floor hard. Scrambling to her feet, the knight turned around with sword in hand, ready for anything coming down. Wynter was on her feet as were the rest of her raid mates. They all stood at the ready, expecting a flood of kobolds to come swarming out of the chute. Long moments passed but nothing came. Not a single kobold appeared and the room was silent as a tomb.
“I don’t think they’re coming,” Daven said with a heavy breath.
After a few more seconds, the group relaxed. Sheathing weapons, they took in a relieved sigh. Kai brought up a 2D screen and began scrolling lines of information. Captain Vell and his trolls stood at the ready. Daven sat down and leaned against a wall, staff across his lap. Nikki continued to eye the chute and when she felt comfortable enough, finally sheathed her weapon. Wynter held her staff and let her shoulders relax.
Kai continued to look at the floating 2D screen as he began to talk, “The chute brought us down to Level 11. Raid teams are reporting in. The kobolds took out two teams before the other teams could make their way down. It seems the kobolds don’t follow after reaching a certain level. Our team is at the lowest point but other teams are getting closer.”
Daven let out a small sardonic laugh, “The kobolds won’t follow because there are more dangerous things down here.”
“For now, that works in our favor, we can take a break before we continue,” Kai said.
“I’m going to need at least twenty minutes before my stats are strong enough to heal again,” Daven added.
“My trolls will need about that much time to regenerate the damage taken,” Captain Vell said as he eyed his wounded warriors.
Kai nodded, “We should wait then instead of using healing potions. We may need them later.”
Wynter stepped forward, “I didn’t take any damage. I can explore the area; see if there is anything we need to worry about.”
“I’m not sure that is a good idea,” Kai said.
Wynter smirked, “I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll join you,” Nikki said as she stepped over to Wynter’s side.
Kai returned the smirk, “Alright but if you run into any trouble, get back here so we can take it on together.”
The necromancer and knight nodded before turning and walking to a single doorway at the end of the room. The door had long rotted away and inky darkness waited as they stepped closer. Balls of glowing blue fire followed the two players as they stepped out and began walking down a long dark tunnel.
A sense of relief washed over Wynter’s nerves. The battle had become a tad intense and she needed a moment to calm down. Nikki walked along, a small smile on her lips as if she was having the time of her life. The pair continued on as they inspected open doorways along the long corridor.
“Wynter, you were great back there,” Nikki said, breaking the silence.
“Me? You were the one kicking ass. I’ve seen knights fight but you were incredible.” Wynter smiled.
The knight lowered her head as they walked, “What I mean is, you kept your cool even when things were getting bad. I know this is a game but it can be so real sometimes. I’ve seen knights start to lose it when the battle goes badly. I sometimes think their true nature is coming out, even if it’s not real.”
“Thank you but I was having a hard time concentrating. If you didn’t use that fighting technique, I would have been messing up my incantations.”
Nikki lifted her head, eyes still searching pockets of darkness along the corridor, “I know we haven’t adventured together much before tonight but I’m glad to be here with you.”
Before Wynter could tell her the same, Nikki continued, “Leopold was such a jerk. I hated how h
e tried to control you.”
Wynter’s eyes widened, “He didn’t control me.”
Nikki kept her face a blank mask but the emotion was there, bubbling along her digital blood, “He was subtle, always having to be with you wherever you were. How he had to hold your hand or put his arm around you during guild meetings. I used to have a controlling boyfriend like that so I know it when I see it.”
Wynter walked on, astonishment clouding her eyes. Did Leopold do those things? Was he manipulative and she just turned a blind eye once again to it? Thinking back, she did notice how he eyed any player or guild mate who talked to her. Wynter never really had time by herself, she was always with him. She thought they were working together to stay on the path to becoming stronger. Now she questioned everything he did. Was she that blind?
“I don’t want to ruin your weekend but Leopold really rubbed everyone the wrong way. The game was about being free and having fun. I meant it when I threaten to cut him up.”
Wynter nodded, unsure what to say.
“Everyone sees how beautiful and kind you are. I’m surprised you took the necromancer class.”
Wynter questioned the same thing sometimes. Despite her normal life in reality, she was fascinated with the darker side. It helped that her father was a huge fan of horror and even at an early age, they would watch horror movies together. The memories welled up and caressed Wynter’s heart before they turned sour. She didn’t want to think of Leopold when she was supposed to be having fun. But memories floated up, challenging everything she thought she knew. Leopold was insistent on taking the necromancer class. He painted a pretty picture of raising an undead family together. The romantic image was enough to push her to do it. She had her own curiosity as well. Some of the other classes had their perks but something about the necromancer class spoke to her, even if it was in a broken sort of way.
Wynter remembered how Leopold took to it. He loved the control, killing the enemy and making them his slaves. He enjoyed making them beg to become greater soul shards. The two of them held private orgies to increase their power. Wynter’s eyes looked to the side as she remembered how she liked it but found something missing. The NPC’s were attentive and sexy lovers but there seemed to be something lacking. Wynter thought it was the uncanny valley between digital AI’s and the human mind. Maybe she saw through it, or maybe just knowing caused some of the luster to fade. The guild often had orgies but Leopold was adamant that they didn’t take part fully and preferred that they focus on each other, or bring in several of their soul slaves. Wynter let out a sigh as she realized the only other player she was ever intimate with in the game was Leopold.
Nikki glanced over to Wynter who was staring at nothing, “I’m sorry. You guys just broke up and I’m sure you’re still getting over it.”
The necromancer snapped her head up and looked to Nikki with a small smile, “I’m not that broken up about it. I had a feeling this was coming. My relationships…..don’t last that long.”
Nikki stopped walking and stared at Wynter with big eyes, “I don’t believe that. You’re wonderful and beautiful. The guys will be fighting to be with you now.”
Wynter gave a shy grin, “The guys will want to be with anyone.”
Nikki shook her head, “No, they respect you. Everyone in the guild respects you. I respect you.”
Wynter noticed the quick glance away when Nikki said the last sentence, “Nikki?”
The knight bowed her head just an inch, eyes cast downward, “Maybe it’s the heat of the battle still talking but you’re beautiful. Anyone would be lucky to be with you.”
Warmth wrapped Wynter’s heart as she looked down at the knight, spilling her emotions at her feet, and Leopold became a faraway memory. The sudden thrill had returned that she didn’t have to answer to anyone. For the first time in a long time, she was herself again. The game stripped away barriers and made the allure of deep feelings spiral upward into a storm of freedom.
“I wish I could show you…” Nikki was cut off by Wynter’s lips touching hers.
Heat glowed as lips locked and tongues slipped between them. Wild sensations blazed as Wynter tasted the knight. Nikki let out a low moan as she gently pressed her hands against Wynter’s smooth curves. The necromancer pressed her body against the knight’s armor, feeling its strength against her nearly nude body. Raising a hand, she touched Nikki’s neck. Wet tongues slid across one another as eyes closed. Electric current bolted across nerves. The taste of being alive coiled around each player and Wynter felt comforted.
A long moment passed before they broke their embrace. The necromancer leaned her head against the knight’s head. Nikki let out a heated sigh. Wynter pushed back the tide, afraid it would consume her.
“I will always be there for you,” Nikki whispered.
“I’m bad luck,” Wynter whispered.
“Not to me or anyone else in the guild,” Nikki pulled back and looked up into Wynter’s eyes.
The charge was still there, ricocheting inside her heart and mind but the prudent side took over.
Wynter pulled away and stepped back, “Let’s get back to the group. We can talk later.”
Nikki nodded. The pair turned and began walking back the way they came. After a few short minutes, they stepped into the room where their team was. Daven pulled his healing hand away from one of the trolls, green leaves of light falling away. Kai stepped past the group to meet up with the necromancer and knight.
“Anything out there?” the ranger asked with relief in his eyes.
“Nothing to report,” Wynter smiled.
“The area seems pretty clear,” Nikki said with no emotion.
Kai nodded, “We just finished healing and are ready to go. If everything is all set, let’s get back to breaking this dungeon.”
The raid group nodded their heads in approval before turning to the tunnel and continuing the long quest ahead of them.
***
The levels blurred together the further down the raid team went. When they weren’t fighting monsters, Kai gave status updates on the other raid groups. The dungeon’s levels varied from mazes to wide open, almost gladiator styled halls. They fought goblins, snake monsters, giant worms and even strange monstrous trolls that seemingly lost their minds. Throughout each battle, the raid team held their own, fighting with skill and precision. The further down they went, the more in-tuned they had become. When they reached level sixty-four, out of the twenty raid groups that entered, only nine remained.
Wynter was actually having a good time as they ventured down. She and Daven fought progressively better with each battle. They timed their attacks until they remained in sync, the druid healing and the necromancer protecting the group. Kai was a force to be reckoned with as his arrows whittled down the enemy before he finished with his sword. Nikki threw herself into battle like a controlled berserker, using her entire body as a weapon. Despite their power, they reined it in, making sure to not over extend themselves, fighting well within their means. They did lose the other male troll, leaving Captain Vell with the two female troll soldiers.
On and on they fought, the excitement of defeating the dungeon drawing ever closer. Occasionally they came across other raid groups and fought together. After a battle, they would part to cover more dungeon ground, searching every dark inch. Wynter was having the best time with that because she could see the hungry look in everyone’s eyes as they fought harder, realization pouring in that they were winning. Word was getting out there on how well the team was doing and other players sent notes congratulating everyone on being the first group to make it this far.
When Wynter’s group reached level sixty-seven, it was Captain Vell who called for an extended break. The high of progressing finally dipped and the entire raid team had to agree. In a medium sized chamber, the team picked a spot to sit down and a relieved sigh fell from everyone’s lips.
“I don’t know about you guys but I need a relaxation break,” Daven said as he leaned back aga
inst a stone wall, his staff across his lap.
“I thought that’s what we were doing?” Kai said as he sat next to Wynter and Nikki.
Wynter sat up, stretching her body a little before sitting back. Nikki sat to the right of her while Kai sat to her left. Vell and his troll soldiers were about fifteen feet away. One of them eyed her commanding officer and ran a blue hand over his thigh. The Captain nodded his head as he leaned back.
“They have the right idea,” Daven said and pointed his chin to the trio of trolls.
All three players turned their heads to see one troll taking off her armor while the other one skillfully undid Vell’s leather leggings. A short moment passed before the Captain’s cock emerged half hard. The other female’s shapely nude body bounced as she moved to her captain’s side, hand reaching down and taking the bottom of his thick blue shaft while the other one closed her lips over the tip. Vell kissed the one holding him in her hand, tongues slipping in while firm breasts pressed against his chest.
Wynter smiled as Nikki and Kai watched. They had been around enough trolls to know this was as normal as sitting down to eat together. Daven let a sly smile slip as his staff began to shape shift across his lap. The long staff grew thicker and took on sensual curves. Wynter turned her attention to Daven just as the staff finished shifting into a beautiful brown skinned woman with pointed ears and long bark colored hair.
“Yes, my love,” the wood nymph said with blinking oval eyes.
“I hope you guys don’t mind, but I need a release,” Daven smirked before turning his attention to the wood nymph, “Tara my sweet, you know what I like.”
Tara nodded; her naked body pooled between the druid’s legs. Brown hands reached down and pulled away his robe. Daven rested his head back as his member was quickly revealed. The heat in the room grew as Wynter, Kai and Nikki watched the events unfold. Moans and suckling sounds bounced off walls, causing the mood to become infectious. Wynter felt the sudden stirring deep within but remained sitting, watching the show. Kai was still as a statue but he eyed the wood nymph as her head bobbed up and down.
