by Cat Wilder
"I'd rather die than be returned to Lord Quinton as a slave," Kahlan shouted. "Don't surrender."
"So be it," Veronica said, eyes narrowing.
I finally caught her eyes, and she gasped. So I looked away, and then caught her eyes again. Electricity sizzled between us for half a second, and then Veronica averted her eyes. She shook her head, and grimaced. Did she realize I had used magic on her? So I quickly caught Hakira's eyes, and then Jamara's. The Prioresses looked rattled, but shook it off.
Eye contact alone won't save us. Should I surrender, and hope to make physical contact?
That thought frightened me almost as much as being butchered. But the prospect of losing Kahlan froze my soul. I had to do what was best for her, but was surrendering and condemning her to a life of servitude the best option?
I can't bear to see her die.
I started to drop my sword, when the huge stained glass scene above the outside doors exploded. The assassin-nuns all whirled around to the new threat, and I spotted an opportunity.
"Die!" I shouted, throwing the Sword of Kiantor at Veronica's back.
Hakira threw herself before her Abbess, and I watched the enchanted sword pierce her chest. Right through the heart.
"Tahki and Meike!" Kahlan cried joyfully.
The huge red dragon hit the floor hard, spread her batlike wings wide, and spewed fire at the assassins. I glanced at the mortally wounded Prioress, who dropped to her knees, and then toppled over. My sword reappeared in my hand when she started to fade away.
Help! Help! Tahki screamed in our heads. Meike is terribly wounded. Don't let her die!
Elky's bow appeared in hand, while sword and shield vanished. The Amazon started pumping arrow after arrow at the remaining assassins. I pulled my bow and arrows, and also started laying down suppressive fire. And that's how we moved Kahlan to the dragon.
Kahlan scrambled up behind the saddle and examined the bolt in the sorceress' shoulder. I turned to confront the assassins when I heard Veronica cursing.
"I'll take care of the dragon," Veronica said. "The rest of you kill the healer and sorceress, but capture the two warriors."
Elky and I exchanged a look, nodded, and attacked.
The best defense was an offense. That had always proven true for me in Battle for Glory. I tried to slice and dice my way to Veronica, when I heard Meike cry out happily. Heat washed through me, a sense of relief that we got Kahlan to her in time. And it got even better when fireballs began raining down on our foes.
"Tahki and I will take care of the Abbess," Meike called.
So I turned my attention toward Prioress Jamara. The half-elf stood toe-to-toe with Elky. Their blades were blurs as each tried to overwhelm the other. I could tip the balance by distracting Jamara for a split second, so I pressed harder against my foes. The brown-girls fell easily, but the black-leather sheathed killer nuns proved tougher.
A pair of them, one an elfmaid and the other drow, moved to block me. Just seeing elves and drow working together was enough to throw me off balance. How did they keep those two from killing each other? I did notice the elfmaid was Black Priory, and the drow was Red. Both also fought with two curved swords. Four to one?
"I bet your mothers are proud of you," I taunted them. "Drow loving elves, and elf loving drow are special."
They threw themselves at me. Good thing I had my shield out, because they drove me back across the hall. It was all I could do to stay alive. And then the drow penetrated my defenses to open a deep cut across my ribs.
I cried out, and noticed the elf swing at my neck. Ducking, I threw my shield up to defend. The edge of my shield caught her in the chin, forcing the elfmaid to stumble back a step. That distracted the drow, allowing me to spin as I swung the shield with all my might. The edge of that shield slammed into the side of her head, crushing it.
"I'll make you pay for that!" the elfmaid shouted, leaping over her deceased companion.
I rushed forward, using the shield to block her twin sword attack. My blade thrust up into her belly, and slashed. She landed on her back, entrails spewing out. The elfmaid had half a second to look at it in horror, before I thrust through her heart.
Ka-Boom! Ka-Boom! Shhhzzzzk-BOOM! Ka-Boom!
I turned to find Meike and Veronica battling, causing all of the explosions and flashes. I couldn't see most of the magic they deployed against each other, but what I could see looked spectacular. Multicolored tendrils wrestled between them, while they bashed each other's energy shields with lightning. Veronica also had to fend off Tahki's dragonfire, which splattered against her glowing shield as well.
I smiled as the Abbess' magical shield shrank. She was losing!
Then a trainee ran up behind Elky and stabbed the Amazon in the back. I cried out, and rushed them. The trainee's head went flying, and I parried Jamara's decapitating blow to save the Amazon. Elky stepped forward and thrust her blade into the Prioress' throat, before I stepped behind the half-elf and thrust through her heart.
"I just turned you back into a level 1 noob," I said into her ear.
"Watch out, Tahki!" Meike cried.
Shhhzzzzk-BOOM!
The dragon's roar turned into a shriek. I spun to see Tahki's belly opened up and her insides spilling out. My heart leapt into my throat. Elky cried out in horror, and Meike wailed in despair.
Chapter 35
Cormac
Meike attacked with all she had, lightning thundering in the Great Hall.
Ka-Boom! Ka-Boom! Ka-Boom! Ka-Boom!
Veronica answered with her own god-charged lightning. Shhhzzzzk-BOOM!
Both of their magical shields wavered under the vicious assault, but Meike's looked more iffy to me. Kahlan raced up behind Meike, laying hands on her shoulders. I assumed she was giving the sorceress the rest of her mana. It did seem to invigorate Meike.
Elky charged the Abbess behind the Shield of Isis. I threw the Sword of Kiantor at Veronica, aiming for her heart. Elky's attack distracted the Abbess, making her jump back, but the enchanted sword bounced off her shield and vanished back into the ring.
Shields stop magic, but not people.
"Elky…!" I shouted, but too late.
The Amazon slammed into Veronica's magical shield, Shield of Isis first.
Ka-BOOM!
That impact blasted them apart. Veronica's shield collapsed, and Elky slammed back against the wall and lay still. I charged the Abbess, Epic sword in hand, even as Meike renewed her attack. The magic shield popped back up seconds before I reached her, knocking the Sword of Kiantor out of my hand.
"Idiot," Veronica said.
So I kicked her in the face. She stumbled back a few steps, looking shocked, and then pissed. As her eyes narrowed, hands glowing, the Sword of Kiantor appeared in my hand. I wagged my brows at her.
"I'm inside your shield," I taunted. "Oops."
She threw a lightning bolt at me, which I parried with the sword. Yeah, that enchanted blade was good for something other than cleaning under my nails and turning big bad bosses into level 1 newbs. Dropping low and spinning, I swept her feet away before pouncing atop her. The sword vanished so I could lay both hands on her. I grabbed her neck, giving me skin-on-skin contact for the first time.
"Oh!" she cried, eyes huge. "What the…"
Her knees went up to her chest, feet on my belly, and thrust me away. Hitting the floor, I rolled back into a fighting stance, Sword of Kiantor in hand. Veronica stared at me incredulously, so I rushed her again. A sword appeared in her hand, and we pounded at each other for a moment.
Instead of coming to my aid, Meike and Kahlan rushed over to Tahki. Was the dragon still alive? Not for long if so. Unless Kahlan had enough mana to heal her. I didn't even know if the healer's magic worked on animals.
"I'm going to torture you to death a thousand times," Veronica snarled. "And your slutty harem, too."
I caught her sword on mine, leaving us face-to-face. "They really don't like being called a harem."
&nbs
p; I grabbed her throat again, but she brought her forearm up and around to bash my hand away. So I head-butted her.
"Hardest head wins," I taunted, kicked her in the belly, and then tried to thrust through her heart.
The abbess parried my blade, spun, and kicked me in the hip. That blow forced me to the side, and I barely regained my balance in time to defend. She plowed into me like a wildcat, kicking, screaming, scratching, and swinging that sword. Veronica almost had me running backwards.
"Fucking level 51 bitch."
Yeah, but I had the solution for that condition. Two, actually.
Ducking under an attempt to decapitate, I pressed up close. Face-to-face. And kissed her.
"Ugh. Bastard," she said, but she looked confused for a second. The Abbess recovered well enough, but I noted some of her fierceness seemed muted. "Stop messing with my head!"
Veronica threw herself at me. Once again, she drove me mercilessly across the Great Hall, barely able to keep her blade out of my flesh. A wound would end me, since I didn't have any healing potions and I was pretty sure Kahlan was out of mana.
"You know I love you," I said. That made her hesitate, an odd look in her pretty brown eyes. Up that close and personal, I could see the beauty of her avatar, though an ugly sneer twisted it a moment later.
The Abbess attacked. "I'll put that on your gravestone!"
I knew I was ten seconds from death. My arms ached, feeling leaden. Fights didn't usually last that long. And if Veronica won, then Meike, Kahlan, and Elky were done for.
Unable to really defend myself anymore, I went with another tactic. Looking over her shoulder, I widened my eyes.
"No! Don't kill her, Elky!"
Veronica only paused half a second to glance over at Elky, just starting to writhe as she woke. But it was enough. I hoped.
Smashing her blade aside with all my strength, I spun around the vicious cleric and threw an arm around her neck. Skin-on-skin hit her hard, pulling another gasp out of her, but then I kissed and nuzzled her ear. Veronica stiffened, back bowing. So I palmed the back of her head and pulled her lips up into a passionate kiss. Well, as passionate as I could muster.
I really hated that woman.
I held her tight, feeling her body relax. But she still remained a level 51 cleric-assassin. I couldn't take the chance. So I thrust the Sword of Kiantor into her back, straight through her vile heart.
Veronica looked at me with eyes so full of betrayal that I felt badly. Then she faded, before vanishing. Elky stumbled up, looking weary and tattered.
"She escaped."
"No," I said. "I bet her respawn site is her bedchamber."
I took off running, Elky fast on my heels. You know we didn't run up that tower as fast as we came down. The charge up those stairs left me stumbling, huffing and puffing. Elky wasn't any better off. Yet, we managed to get into the Abbess' bedchamber.
Veronica sat up in the bed, wearing a simple white tunic. She looked shocked. Horrified. Confused. I grinned at her, and she almost smiled back.
"What have you done to me?"
"I told you. My sword kills players back to level 1," I said, crawling up in bed with her. I pushed her back into the mattress, kissing her cheeks and neck. "I think we should be friends, Veronica. What do you think?"
She just stared open-mouthed at me.
Chapter 36
Meike
"Tahki, don't leave me," I begged, hugging the dragon's neck.
The dragon tried to lift her head, but gave up with a sigh. One huge yellow eye turned to me. All I could do was stare into it, hot tears streaming down my face.
I am sorry, Meike, Tahki said. Tell Cormac I am sorry I failed him.
"You didn't fail anyone. You are a hero," I said. Turning to the healer, I found her just kneeling and looking dismal. "Why aren't you healing her!"
Kahlan cringed, and then lowered her head.
"I don't have enough mana," Kahlan whispered, face wet with tears and looking ashamed.
"Take my mana!"
The healer shook her head. "It won't be enough. Size matters when it comes to healing, and I've never seen so much damage. Almost every organ is destroyed."
Despair consumed me. My mind reeled, spun wildly. Every emotion screamed in my soul, and above all… A deep sense of helplessness. And doom.
Please, don't despair, my Meike, Tahki said. Death is but a part of life.
"I don't want you to die," I cried. "We just met. It's too soon. I want to be with you forever."
Hmmmm.
"Meike," Kahlan whispered, sounding urgent. "We have a problem."
Tahki lay dying before us, and Kahlan had a problem? Rage filled me. I cut hostile eyes toward her, and she pointed to the back of the Great Hall. And all of my rage died, leaving a cold pit in my stomach.
Prioress Hakira had returned and gathered the few Sacred Death assassins around her. Well, they were only the brown-clad trainees. Did we kill all of the actual assassins still in the abbey? I received my answer a few seconds later, when Prioress Jamara returned with six black-leather sheathed assassins, still looking groggy from being gassed. I looked around and noticed others still asleep.
The rage returned. The Order of the Sacred Death killed Tahki! It was their fault. I wanted to slaughter them, but I couldn't leave Tahki's side. I refused to let her die alone.
You must defend yourself and Kahlan, Tahki said.
I don't have enough mana, I confessed. I wasted it all conjuring lightning.
Tahki mentally chuckled. Hardly! You and your lightning defeated two battle-trained dragons and their riders in aerial combat.
The two evil Prioresses started our way, blood in their eyes. Their remaining Sisters spread out to either side of them.
"Meike, we're dead if you don't do something," Kahlan whispered.
Allow me, Tahki said.
The dragon's tail whipped around, sweeping the Sacred Death assassins away. All right, to them it was much worse than that. Tahki brutally smashed them aside, thrown to the far end of the Great Hall. I scowled at them, because they were still alive, just sore and battered.
Well done, I told the dragon. Hold on. Please don't give up. Maybe Cormac or Elky can figure out how to save you. Renners can be quite clever and inventive.
Tahki snorted, a puff of smoke coming out. I've been in his head. He's not that clever.
That made me giggle. Well, he's a man. His solutions are generally hit it with his fist or sword, but he's had his moments and surprised me a few times.
"They're coming back," Kahlan said. She stood, pulling on my arm. "Meike, we have to go. We have to find Cormac and Elky."
"You go. I will not leave Tahki alone."
She is right. I fear your death as you fear mine, Tahki said. Though…
The dragon started coughing up blood. I'd never seen so much blood in my life. The sight sickened me, and I had to avert my eyes.
"Meike!" the healer cried when the assassins started moving faster towards us, building up to a full charge.
Meike. Meike, it's getting dark, Tahki whispered in my head. So cold.
The tears began to flow again. My heart felt like it would explode. My throat tightened to the point of pain.
I… I can't stay with you, my friend, Tahki whispered. But… There is a way to be part of you, if you so desire.
"Yes! Anything," I cried.
Quickly then. Press your full length against me.
I did as she requested, while Kahlan stared at me in horror. I tried to wave her away. "Save yourself, Kahlan."
"No! I won't abandon you."
She's a good friend, Meike, as are you. I have decided I like her, Tahki said. Now, my time is over. Welcome to my world.
A sudden surge of heat invaded me. It filled me up, threatened to burst me open. I felt swollen, huge, as fire and pain washed through me, through my soul.
My vision went black, at the same time I felt my body lowering to the floor. When my vision returned, as the pai
n and heat dissipated, I realized Tahki was gone. Literally. She'd faded away like a slain renner. Was she a renner all the time?
"Where did Tahki go?" Kahlan asked.
"Halt! Surrender or die," Prioress Jamara snarled.
I looked at the half-elf and felt my rage swell within. They killed Tahki! They had to pay for that crime. And then my world shifted, and the oddest feeling of… growth consumed me. I got taller and taller, and the assassins facing us stared in shock, their faces turning up as I grew to giant sized.
And then I felt my tail swishing back and forth behind me.
I'm a dragon! Tahki turned me into a dragon!
Chapter 37
Cormac
"I can't believe you," Elky growled, punching me in the arm.
"I can't believe you knocked me back to level 1," Veronica said, staring off into space while checking her stats. She remained in the throes of the Heart of Aphrodite's magic, so wasn't as appalled as she would be after it sank in. "This is so wrong." She looked at me with sad eyes. "Don't you know I'm trapped in the game?"
I knew. Tahki informed us, as well as the fact her entrapment was on purpose. When the Abbess and the two Prioresses learned of the glitch that caused anyone killed to be trapped in the game, instead of logging out they had themselves killed so they could be permanent. They chose to be trapped in the game, so I had no sympathy for her.
"I don't like her," I said.
Veronica remained kneeling in the bed, literally panting as she gazed upon me adoringly. I'd kissed, nuzzled, and hugged her into submission. The beautiful Abbess had an overwhelming need to breed. Indeed, moments earlier she'd declared her desire to have my baby. Yeah, I got off her immediately.
"I can't have sex with someone I don't like," I said.
Elky looked incredulous. "She's gorgeous!"
My eyes narrowed. "She killed Tahki."
Elky stiffened, tears welling up. I guess she'd forgotten. Suddenly flush, the Amazon turned for the door.
