by Eden Redd
After a long while, Thorrin stopped talking and eyed the goblin, “Here I am going on and on.”
“I like it. I haven’t encountered a dread lord so your experience will help when we reach Vyle Rath,” Ro smiled.
Thorrin put his hand to the back of his head, “I’m not sure how my war stories will help but if you think so.”
The goblin gazed up at the Thorrin, her heart thudding in her chest, “You’re just like in the books. I’m so happy we’re adventuring together.”
Thorrin smiled, “Me too.”
Ro’s eyes slid down as she talked, “I…hope I’m not rude if I ask you some personal questions?”
Thorrin let his hand drop to his side, “Not at all. Fire away.”
The goblin was silent for a moment before speaking up, “Where is Emmazulla? I thought you two were great together from what little the books talked about your relationship.”
Thorrin’s cheery smile dimmed, “She’s to the north in the dragon kingdoms. I haven’t seen her since after the battle of the Cursed Coast.”
“I hope I didn’t hit a sore spot? I just thought you two would be adventuring all over Lukken?”
Thorrin let out a sigh, “Me too. I know she and her people are trying to stop the war. Maybe there isn’t any time for romance.”
“Do you…love her?” Ro asked as her voice dropped a few octaves.
Shadows covered the paladin’s eyes as he walked.
Ro looked forward, sadness touching her eyes, “I’m sorry. That was rude. I just wanted to know….what real love is like.”
Thorrin looked to the goblin as she continued.
“I spend a lot of time in my head. Even here in the game, I still bury myself in other people’s lives. It keeps me from thinking about my own.”
“Why do you say that? You seem like a wonderful person….erm…goblin.”
A small smile crept into Ro’s lips before they turned into a sad thin line, “I could have been any beautiful person here in the game but I knew it would still be a lie. When I saw the list of races, goblin had become my obvious choice.”
“Does it help you feel better, to play a goblin?”
Ro nodded, “It feels more like my true self. Like this is what I’m supposed to be.”
Thorrin nodded, “I don’t look like this in reality. I’m short, dark haired and not as muscled. Still, I’m pretty positive about my looks. When I joined the game, I thought I would look a little more like my hero.”
Ro looked up and smiled, “I won’t lie, you’re pretty hunky, like Thor’s brother.”
Thorrin returned the smile, “Ro, you don’t have to worry about feeling strange around me. I’m pretty easy going and I hope we can be friends, even after this quest is over.”
The paladin looked to Ro’s almond shaped eyes and continued, “And to answer your question, I do love Emmazulla but as a very good friend. Right now, our lives are not aligned and that’s okay, with me at least. At some point, we will cross paths again and we can see where it goes but for now, I want to do good for all the people of Lukken.”
Stars filled the goblin’s eyes as she clutched her hands over her chest. Thorrin couldn’t stop smiling as she gazed at him with a sense of hero worship. It lasted a little longer than it should have, sliding into almost creepy.
“Ro, we have fought together and you are a bad ass in combat but as far as anyone is concerned, we are equals. We both took the paladin class because we wanted to do good in the world. I’m not a hero. I just want to do what’s right.”
The goblin nodded and grinned, “That’s something a hero would say.”
“Uh…I mean….” Thorrin stuttered.
“You don’t have to say anything. I’m happy we will be fighting side by side.”
Thorrin watched as Ro picked up her pace. Even with her little legs, she moved with steady purpose as she took the lead. The player couldn’t deny the affection he felt for the goblin paladin. She seemed to be another soul, trying to find her place. Thorrin couldn’t help but understand her. Being not that tall, he sometimes struggled with wanting to be more. Looking down at his digital form, it was the appearance he always wanted but looking to the brave goblin, he wondered if he made a mistake.
Deidra stepped to Thorrin’s side, cloak flowing down her shoulders, “She has a crush on you. I can’t blame her.”
Thorrin didn’t turn his head for fear he would stare at the rogue just like Ro stared at him. “She’s a lovely player,” was all Thorrin could say.
Deidra gave the paladin a wicked grin, “I wouldn’t mind if you two…..”
Heat crawled up Thorrin’s neck, “Maybe we should start coming up with a strategy for the dread lord?”
Deidra let out a sweet laugh. Thorrin’s face vibrated with warmth as Jon, Vass and Renner turned their eyes to the curvy rogue. A moment of silence fell between them before Vass and Renner began talking again. Jon kept his eyes forward but Deidra walked a little closer to the embarrassed paladin.
“I noticed you cannot create a holy weapon of light. Maybe you need a little more faith to gain such ability. Your hammer is impressive but if we are to have a chance against the dread lord, you will have to become stronger,” Deidra said in a low seductive tone.
Deidra turned her gaze to the goblin thirty feet ahead of them, “I’m sure she will do anything she can for her hero.”
Thorrin looked to the rogue as long blonde curls framed her beautiful face.
The seductive rogue continued, “You may think you are a good and polite person but I know what lurks in your heart. I know you have hungers that need to be fed. I know because I have them too. I saw it the first time you looked at me. It’s natural and yet you fight it like a drowning man. I hope I’m there when you let the waters consume you and unleash your true nature.”
Deidra glanced back to see Vass staring at her. The elf’s brows came together as a sliver of anger boiled into her eyes. The blonde rogue kept her wicked smile as she moved her mouth closer to Thorrin’s ear.
“I know you want to tell me I’m wrong, that I don’t know what I am saying. If you want to waste those words on me, be my guest. But your silence tells me more than any pretty words you can say. Tomorrow night we will be fighting a terrible monster but that does not mean we cannot help each other learn…and grow.”
Words stuck in Thorrin’s throat. He wanted to tell her she was wrong but he couldn’t say it because she was right. As much as he tried to push away those tempting thoughts, they clawed through his mind and heart with reckless abandonment. The beautiful rogue could look past the surface and instantly know what he was feeling or even thinking. Thorrin wished it unnerved him but it didn’t. She was speaking a truth the two of them could understand. He knew that if he made a move, she would surrender to him and he would do the same if she did it to him. Thoughts began to slip down the drain as a pulse sent blood to another part of his body.
“I should speak with Ro. Maybe she and I can come to an understanding,” Deidra said slyly before picking up the pace and leaving Thorrin’s side.
The paladin watched helplessly as the cloaked rogue moved to Ro’s side. The two began talking but the player couldn’t make out what they were saying. When they both looked back at him, he gave a grim smile and looked to the ocean on his left. For the first time in a long time, he felt exposed, like a raw nerve. He tried to cover it up with false explanations but they fell away in the light of his mind. Everything Deidra said was true and he was an idiot if he thought otherwise. When he looked back to the rogue and goblin, they were smiling and chatting like old friends.
Vass watched the whole display unfold. Looking to the laughing blonde rogue, a sharp dismay filled her eyes as an uneasy feeling bubbled in her heart.
***
Stars blinked in the darkening purple sky. The sun had vanished behind the horizon and night once again cast her shroud across the world. The campfire light danced to the small breeze as several tents stood in a semi-circle, their
flaps open to the beach and ocean beyond.
Renner stabbed at the flame of the campfire with a long stick. The group gathered at the edge of the fire, sitting down and relaxing in the warming glow. After a day of travel, it was nice to sit down and enjoy the breathtaking view. Rations were served and the party ate in silence. Around them, points of light glowed and fluttered into their camp. Thorrin turned his head to one of the lights and smiled. Lifting up a finger, a firefly landed on it, fluttering its wings and flashing a glow every few seconds.
The rest of the party looked on in awe as they were surrounded by dozens of fireflies, shining their glow to potential mates. It was a soothing end to a long day. Thorrin kept his smile a little longer as the firefly flew off to join the rest of its kind.
“We will need a plan for tomorrow evening,” Jon stated as his staff leaned on his shoulder.
“We could nuke the site from orbit,” Renner said with a deadpan tone.
“Last time I checked your pants, you weren’t carrying any nukes,” Vass grinned.
Renner raised a mocking eyebrow, “You didn’t check everywhere. I have a nuke that will blow your mind.”
“Oh, that nuke. I thought you had something with a larger yield,” Vass giggled.
“It’s still strong enough to spread your…,” Renner was cut off.
“Alright!” Thorrin said with a stern tone. “We still have to come up with a strategy.”
The group grew quiet around the fire for a moment before Thorrin continued.
“I can tank. My Faith and Sphere of Light is pretty strong. I can keep my holy aura up and hopefully keep him at bay.”
“We can tank together,” Ro added.
Thorrin agreed, “Okay but I should take the brunt of it while you keep him off balance.”
“I can heal,” Jon said. “But I can’t heal from a distance so I will have to move to each of you if you start taking too much damage.”
“The three of you should tank together,” Renner spoke up. “Jon could heal while Thorrin and Ro take on the big bad. Vass and I can snipe from a distance.”
“I only have five holy daggers. I won’t be much good when they are used up,” Vass said with a touch of uncertainty.
Renner looked to the dark-haired elf and stood up, “I wanted to save it for tomorrow but I can’t wait.”
Vass looked up with wide eyes as the dashing rogue bent down to one knee. All eyes were on the rogue as he looked innocently at Vass. The elf’s lip trembled as Renner stuck a hand into his cloak. The rogue hesitated before pulling out a black crossbow.
Holding it in front of him, Renner bowed his head, “Vass, will you be my partner in crime?”
Vass’s eyes glistened before she let out a wicked laugh. Thin hands snatched the crossbow from Renner’s hands. Aiming the unloaded weapon at Renner’s chest, the elf lined it up so it aligned with his heart.
“You better not have cheeped out on me,” Vass said playfully.
Renner gave a toothy smile, “Check the stats. It has +15 Aiming and +30 damage. It can fire five bolts before reloading. I also have a butt load of consecrated bolts because, well, you’re special to me. Do you like it?”
Vass lowered the crossbow and smiled, “I love it.”
Thorrin looked away as they kissed. He wanted to groan but he knew his sister loved corny stuff like that. She was often a crazy, unhinged sibling but he remembered how often her eyes teared up during romantic points in movies.
Jon looked to Deidra who sat silently to herself, “Is there anything you can bring to battle?”
The blonde rogue looked up with a somber expression, “I’m not sure there is much I can do. I prefer non-lethal combat. I’m afraid I may be a hindrance. Perhaps it was a mistake to join in this fight.”
Thorrin shook his head, “You are carrying most of the healing potions. You can be our second healer, making sure our hit points are full.”
Jon nodded, “If Vyle Rath targets me then you’ll be the healer in the party. Keep supplying potions and we could win this.”
Ro stood up, “Yea, if you keep him off balance, then we can beat him into the ground.”
Thorrin nodded when he made eye contact with Deidra, “We are going to need everyone.”
The rogue nodded and gave Thorrin a warm smile.
Renner stretched up his arms and yawned, “Well, that sounds like a plan. Boy, I’m bushed. I think I’m going to lie down.”
“Going to play with your nuclear weapon,” Vass leaned in with half closed eyes.
Renner gave her a smirk, “I was hoping you would help me disarm it.”
“I may have too. You get pretty clumsy around anything that explodes,” Vass giggled.
Renner hopped up. “Goodnight!” the rogue said and stepped to one of the tents.
Vass shot the group a smile before standing up and following him. Thorrin sighed as the elf and rogue stepped into a large tent and closed the flap. Not wanting to hear anything he didn’t want to hear, the paladin stood up and started walking for the beach. Ro and Deidra looked to him as he stepped from the firelight and into the shadow of night.
“I’ll take watch,” Jon said as he looked to the goblin and rogue knowing full well he was spending the night by his lonesome.
Thorrin stepped from grassy edge and down onto the sand. Stepping with purpose, he moved closer to the small crashing waves. Large boulders dotted the dark beach as sand glowed underfoot from the light of the twin moons. The player looked up at the starlit sky and it reminded him of Puerto Rico when he was a kid. Memories pushed at him, caressing his thoughts as he let peace embrace his spirit. The weight he carried seemed a little less now that he was closer to his objective. For that, he allowed himself a relaxing moment to soak it in.
Time spiraled on as the stars slowly drifted in the night sky. Thoughts turned with the tides and he found himself thinking about Emma and Talisa. He wondered if they were okay. The dragon and troll were beautiful and powerful but they were weak for him. Thorrin smiled to himself as he knew he was weak for them as well. Part of him missed them but another part was glad they were far away. If he lost either of them, it would hurt more than he would like to admit. They were NPC AI’s but the tender moments they shared glowed like embers. Thorrin told himself he was doing the right thing to aid in stopping the war but deep down, all he wanted to do was run away with them and spend his virtual life in deep bliss.
Thorrin grinned silently to himself. It was a happy fantasy but just a fantasy. Reality would always come for him. He wondered how long before someone important finds out about self-aware AI’s and tries to shut the game down? Would it happen while he was playing? Would he be the same if he lost two beings that have brought him joy even in a virtual world? Could he live his life knowing they were gone and could never come back?
Thorrin gently pushed those thoughts away. He couldn’t dwell on it. His rational mind told him to quit the game and stop believing in digital beings. It was just a game and nothing more. Maybe it was all nonsense after all, and he was a fool to believe they were aware and alive. It all seemed too much, messy and full of dark alleys but that bright spot in his heart glowed, knowing that deep down he believed all of it and wouldn’t rest until peace came to Lukken.
A shadow moved behind the paladin. Thorrin turned his head to see a billowing cloak and a beautiful pale face emerge from the darkness. Deidra moved to his side and stood, taking in the view.
“It’s beautiful,” Deidra said with a soft whisper.
Thorrin kept his gaze on the rogue as she looked to the heavens, “Yes.”
Something curled around Thorrin’s hand and he turned to his left while Deidra stood to his right. Ro held his hand and looked to him with big soulful eyes. The dreadful shyness she endured before seemed to melt away as she gazed up at the tall handsome paladin.
“We talked,” Deidra said in a low voice. “She wants to be here.”
Thorrin eyed the goblin dressed in white travelling clothes.
/> The goblin let a small smile slip, “I will do anything to help you.”
“You two have been talking,” Thorrin reiterated with a small smile.
Deidra closed her eyes and smiled, “If you are going to beat Vyle Rath, we should do everything to help you increase your power. Not that you have much of a choice.”
“I couldn’t stop you even if I wanted too.”
“Do you want to stop?” Ro asked with a sliver of uncertainty in her almond shaped eyes.
Thorrin squeezed her hand, “No. I’m happy knowing new friends want to help each other.”
Deidra stepped around and faced the paladin. Thorrin drank in her long limbs, cinched waist and alabaster skin. The wraps she wore held tightly against her breasts and body. The rogue’s hood was down and her blonde hair glowed in the dim moon light. Deidra reached down and took Thorrin’s right arm by the wrist. Lifting it up, she pressed his palm to his chest. Nothing happened since Thorrin had to be the one to allow it. Looking to the two beautiful women, he kept his hand to his chest before pressing a little harder.
Armor and clothes faded from view and the paladin stood naked. Deidra admired his body, drinking in his T shaped frame, strong muscles and thick manhood. The mood shifted from wonderment to undeniable needs. In the game, there was nothing to be ashamed of and that confidence flowed like a strong river. Strength filled his manhood as veins raised along the shaft and it slowly stood up on its own. The paladin waited for Deidra to remove her clothes when a pair of lips closed on the head of his cock.
A surge of bliss roared as the player looked down to see Ro gently sucking on the tip. Lips moved with loving warmth as she barely bent her head. A three-fingered hand took hold of the shaft and held his throbbing spear as her mouth suckled on the end. Thorrin was lost to warm sensations as the goblin’s tongue licked at the end while lips moved down another inch.
Deidra gave a devilish smile as she watched the paladin fall to his desires. She could see his willpower drying up and replaced with an almost demonic need. Ro’s head bobbed in slow, short strokes, almost enjoying the act with a sensual hunger. Thorrin felt powerless as inches filled her mouth. The rogue licked her lips as Thorrin’s hand touched the goblin’s purple hair. Ro was silent except for the sweet suckling noises lost to the sound of the surf.
