World At War

by Dave Willmarth

  Alexander was about to cast a light globe when Sasha stopped him. She smiled sweetly at Brick as she said, “How ‘bout we make our friend here a shining target for whatever’s in there?”

  Brick’s eyebrows shot up and he looked a little nervous. “What’re ye thinkin’?”

  “We’re going to light up your shield. Just think how handsome and brave you’ll look to the ladies watching the feed.” She continued to smile, making him more nervous. Sasha only smiled at him that way when she was about to send him to his death in some horrible way.

  Alexander laughed as the dwarf took a wary step back from Sasha. He put a hand on the tank’s shield and concentrated on modifying the Light Globe spell. He channeled the spell into the shield, watching it glow slightly, then get brighter. When he thought it was bright enough to light their way, he stopped channeling.

  Brick gave them a dirty look before stepping through the archway. The light from his shield illuminated an area about fifty feet ahead of him in an arc. Behind the shield, he was standing in shadow. Seconds after he stepped into the chamber, a roar that shook the walls echoed around them.

  “Oh, sure. Make the dwarf the bit o’ tasty bait. Ye know I be too sexy fer any beastie to resist.”

  Brick moved farther out into the dark space. The light from his shield illuminated a rough stone floor, small rocks scattered here and there in shattered pieces. Likely having fallen from the ceiling. As the others moved into the room behind him, the tanks fanned out in their usual half-circle. The others maintained their battle formation, keeping pace.

  Another roar echoed around them and chunks of stone could be heard bouncing off walls or striking the floor. Brick slowed a bit as he walked, turning his body slightly left and right to shine the light in a wider arc. He called back quietly, “I be thinkin’ this weren’t the best idea. I dunno-”

  He was interrupted as something swooped into the light from his right side, roaring in irritation as it grabbed hold of the tank and lifted him into the air. Brick and the light sped up and away. The raiders could hear him yelling and cursing as whatever it was flew off with him. The light from the shield gave them flashes of a leathery wing and a horned head, but most of the creature was in the shadow behind the shield with Brick.

  Alexander checked his buddy’s health bar on his UI. Brick was still at ninety percent health. His armor mostly protecting him from the claws of whatever grabbed him. He could hear the dwarf cursing.

  “Ye big featherless canary! I ain’t no snack fer ye! I’m gonna roast yer scrawny wings ‘n eat ‘em fer dinner with some hot sauce and-”

  There was a familiar flash as Brick hit the creature with Holy Smite. It was briefly revealed to them in full as the holy light illuminated it.

  Gargoyle Matron

  Level 110

  Health: 80,000/80,000

  The creature screamed and dropped the dwarf.

  “Aaaaaahhh dammit!” Brick hollered as he fell maybe sixty feet. There was a resounding crash of metal mixed with breaking bones when he struck the floor. The impact killed him instantly.

  Despite the fact that a giant mama gargoyle was flying around somewhere above them, Alexander could hear Max laughing in the dark.

  “Hahaha! That was classic! I’m…He…” He gasped for breath. “He just shot himself out of the sky! That’s gotta be worth some kind of achievement or something!”

  Fitz cast several light globes up into the sky, then began casting Mage Sight on every member of the raid. Alexander assisted, beginning with the healers and ranged DPS. As soon as Max was able to see the mini-boss, he began firing arrows at it. Lainey started channeling Shock into an arrow, letting it build up as she’d done with the troll. After several seconds, she loosed the arrow at the matron.

  It struck true! Blasting into the matron’s face just below her eye as she’d been diving toward the group, the Shock spell caused her muscles to seize. She dropped from the sky, her forward momentum carrying her closer as she bounced, then skidded, on the stone. The stun wore off almost immediately and she began to flap her wings.

  More and more of the raiders began inflicting damage as Mage Sight or the light globes allowed them to see their target. Her skin was jet-black and nearly as hard as stone. Crossbow bolts bounced off her torso and legs but managed to penetrate her wings, tearing rents as they passed through. Alexander hit her with Wizard’s Fire, then cast rapid-fire Mage Bolts at her damaged left wing. The holes in the wing grew larger and several of the muscles and tendons were severed as the damage was poured on. The wing was disabled before she could regain flight.

  Letting loose the now-familiar, but no less intimidating roar, she charged the tanks. Her claws dug into the stone floor as she propelled herself toward the line. At the last minute, she spread her wings and beat them once as she leapt over the tanks and landed amongst the casters and archers. Her hands shot forward and snatched Sasha. Talons ripped into her shoulder and arm as the matron pulled her close to her chest. Jagged teeth clamped down on Sasha’s other shoulder as she screamed in pain.

  The matron spun about, causing several attacks that had been aimed at her back to strike Sasha instead. Her wings swept raiders off their feet as she turned and kicked Pollock so hard that he flew back, crushed ribs complaining as he hit the floor.

  She continued to spin every few seconds, forcing attackers to duck her powerful wings or leap back out of range. The whole time she tightened her jaws on Sasha’s shoulder, trying to tear out a large chunk of the healer. Sasha was casting heals on herself, as were Martin and the others. But the gargoyle matron kept squeezing with jaw and claw, doing more damage every second.

  Lugs caught up to the matron, managing to get behind her and grab hold of her wings. He used his ogre strength and the bulk of his belly to lift her off the floor. Her back legs immediately began to shred his legs as he held her there. He pulled harder on her wings, trying to rip them from her shoulders at the joints.

  With a roar of pain and determination, Lugs flexed his arms. One of the wings dislocated out of its socket with an audible pop. The gargoyle let go of Sasha with her jaws and screamed. Her eyes flashed blood-red and her whole body seemed to grow larger.

  Gargoyle Matron

  Level 110

  Health: 39,000/80,000

  Moving her arms in opposite directions, she tore Sasha’s arm off and dropped both pieces of her to the floor. Pushing off with her feet and flinging herself backward, she tipped Lugs off balance and they both fell to the floor. She tried to roll off the ogre to regain her feet, but he determinedly held on. His weight was sufficient to keep her pinned.

  Helga jumped forward and swung her Legendary weapon. The sword sliced through a waving arm, severing it just above the wrist. Alexander, seeing her health dropping, cast Trap Soul on her. Pollock and his guys were right behind her, leaping atop the monster’s torso and hacking away with no regard for their own safety. Pollock jammed his sword into the matron’s mouth as she screamed at them and swiped at his neck with her remaining hand. The sound cut off with a gurgle, and she lay still. Pollock collapsed atop her, his health bar at ten percent and blood pumping from his wound.

  Martin healed Pollock and Lugs as the others focused on Sasha. She was barely conscious and bleeding badly, moaning in pain. Alexander was inclined to let her die. They could heal her, but couldn’t reattach her arm. She’d have to finish the dungeon with one arm.

  “Stop! Don’t heal her. Let her die. She’ll respawn with both arms.”

  The healers backed off and Sasha used her remaining hand to make a rude gesture at Alexander before passing out. A few moments later, her health bar went grey.

  Max went to loot the mini-boss. Beatrix walked over to Brick’s corpse and retrieved his gear for him, then did the same for Sasha. The others took seats against the wall and rested. Some ate rations or drank some of the keep’s water that gave buffs.

  Jules asked Alexander for a light globe so she could explore the room better. Mage sight reve
aled many things, but not everything. He conjured a globe and assigned it to float above her head. She began to walk the perimeter of the cavern they were in. Alexander chuckled as he watched her go – she looked like a wandering NPC with a quest to give from the old turn-of-the-century MMORPGs.

  As they waited for Brick and Sasha, Alexander pulled up his stats. He’d leveled again with the death of the gargoyle boss.

  He decided to wait and assign his available points later. Still a glass cannon, the thirteen points he had weren’t going to make a huge different in his Stamina or Strength, Agility or Dexterity. He briefly considered just dropping them all into Charisma to make himself a more effective leader and public speaker. He was distracted as Fitz approached him.

  “You’ve grown again, boy. I have more magic for you, if you’re ready.”

  “We have some time before Brick and Sasha respawn. So, yes, please. Take your best shot.” He grinned at the old wizard, who’d nearly killed him with new spells last time.

  Alexander closed his eyes and felt Fitz’s hand on his forehead. A moment later, the familiar pain of new knowledge made itself known. This time it started as a vague itch somewhere in the back of his brain. He suspected Fitz was being gentle with him out of guilt. But soon enough, the itch turned into a burning sensation, which quickly increased to a searing pain that felt like a white hot needle being pushed through his brain.

  He gritted his teeth, telling himself that it was almost over, he could endure any amount of pain for a few more seconds.

  Five seconds later, he wasn’t so sure. His legs felt weak and he couldn’t seem to open his eyes. The pain had increased by an order of magnitude, and he could feel sweat trickling down his back. His fists were clenched so tightly he could hear his knuckles creaking. It was all he could do not to wet himself.

  When Fitz finally removed his hand, Alexander simply let his legs fold and his body fall to the floor. His eyes still closed, he heard a few surprised exclamations. Molgo had to be restrained from attacking the wizard, whom he thought had just attacked Alexander. He could hear Max’s voice saying, “It’s okay. That’s just how Alexander learns new ways to get us into trouble.”

  Chapter 16

  No Time Like the Present

  Alexander woke to the sound of Sasha’s voice. “Dammit, Fitz! We’re in the middle of a raid and you broke his brain!”

  He blinked his eyes a few times, taking in his surroundings. The first thing he saw was the floor, a few inches in front of his nose. Followed by Sasha’s boot not much further away. He inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of stone and blood, which made him cough.

  “Oh! He’s awake.” Lainey bent down and rolled him onto his back. “How are you feeling?” she asked with a concerned look on her face. Ever his nurse and trainer, even in the game, he’d rarely seen her this worried.

  “I’m good. Fitz offered to train me. Hurt more than usual. I might have passed out for a minute.”

  Sasha snorted. “A minute? Brick and I respawned. Fitz came to get us cuz your happy ass was snoring on the floor there. We’ve been here fifteen minutes or so.”

  As Sasha spoke, Lainey was looking into Alexander’s eyes and checking his pulse. He smiled at her as she fussed over him. “You realize that my pupils here may have zero correlation to my pupils back home, right?”

  Lainey smacked him lightly on the head. “Shut up and humor me.”

  He relaxed and set his head down on the stone. In no hurry to get up, he was fine with letting Lainey check him out. He knew it would make her feel better. And probably Sasha too, though she’d never admit it.

  His eyes found Jules standing next to Sasha. She gave him a half-smile and a wave, seeming much less worried about him than the others. Feeling a little hurt that she wasn’t more worried, he decided to mess with her.

  “Hi there. I’m Alexander.” He looked into her eyes and tried his best to look innocent. “You’re very pretty. What’s your name?” He smiled warmly at her, doing his best to be charming.

  Her eyes widened as Lainey gasped and put a hand to his forehead. “I didn’t see him fall. Did he hit his head when he fell?” She began looking around frantically for someone to answer her. Alexander immediately felt guilty.

  Jules saw the guilt cross his face and her mouth dropped open. “You big ol’ FAKER!” She pointed at him.

  Alexander blushed and looked at Lainey. “I’m sorry. I was trying to trick Jules. I didn’t realize…” He let his voice tail off. When he looked back at Jules, she held a dagger in one hand and was using a stone to sharpen it as she gave him a look filled with promise.

  Lainey stood up and kicked him gently in the leg. “You idiot!” She turned and walked away to sit by Lugs and Fibble.

  Sasha kicked him too. Not as gently.

  “Nice going, dork. Lainey is already afraid this immersion stuff is messing with your brain. And you go and pull a stunt like that?” She and Jules both gave him dirty looks and moved away to join Lainey.

  Alexander was left staring up at Fitz, who was doing his best to look innocent.

  He slowly got to his feet. The wizard watched him, waiting for him to speak. Finally, he said, “Well, that was an experience.”

  Fitz nodded his head. “I am sorry, boy. I felt it was appropriate to give you some knowledge that may help in the battle ahead.”

  The wizard paused as Alexander rubbed his eyes and tried to shake off the past two minutes.

  “When we reach the wizard, he is mine.” Fitz held up a hand to forestall Alexander’s response. “Do not argue, boy. The war between these wizards and the dragons is an old one. It is my right to claim his life. Do not presume to get between me and my prey.” The wizard’s voice took on the growling echo of his dragon form. The tone and threat behind that last statement caused several of the raiders to get to their feet, weapons in hand.

  Fitz continued, “The apprentice you faced outside your keep? There will be more like her. Maybe dozens more, guarding the wizard. You must be prepared to face them. Which is why I’ve given you what I have. You’ve neglected some of your spells, boy. Not used them enough to increase your skill levels. So I was forced to advance them for you.”

  “Aaaand that’s why the pain was different this time.” Alexander took a moment to pull up the Spells tab in his UI and seek out the new spells. It wasn’t difficult; they were helpfully highlighted for him.

  Mage Shield: Level 5 Cost: 1,000 mana. Cast time: Instant

  Caster can create a single shield over themselves or others that will absorb up to five times the caster’s HP in physical or magical damage. Alternately, caster can create up to five smaller shields on multiple targets that will each absorb the caster’s HP in physical or magical damage. Once cast, shields can be maintained or recharged with the infusion of additional mana.

  Alexander grimaced. Fitz was right. He’d neglected his shield spell. Thinking back over the past weeks, he could only recall using it maybe half a dozen times. As opposed to his teleport spell, which had become second nature. He returned to the list.

  Mage Bolt: Level 5 Cost: 50 mana. Cast time: Instant

  Casts a bolt of magic at a target, dealing 2,000 damage per bolt. Critical hit multiplier: 2.5

  Wizard’s Fire: Level 6 Cost: 200 mana. Cast time: Instant

  Sets target ablaze with Wizard’s Fire. Deals 200 burn damage per second. DoT has 60% chance of interrupting target’s spell casting. Can be applied to multiple targets at once. Wizard’s Fire cannot be extinguished by physical means.

  Reclaim Soul: Level 1 Cost: 2,000 mana. Cast time: 5 seconds

  This light magic spell can return a target’s soul to their body after death. Must be cast within ten minutes of target’s expiration. Cannot be cast during combat. Target will be restored with 20% Health, Stamina, and Mana. Reclaimed souls will not suffer experience loss from death. Cooldown: 24 hours. Cooldown will reduce by 2 hours per skill level.

  “Holy shit, Fitz!” Alexander looked at the grinning wizard a
s he finished reading. “These are totally worth getting my brain squeezed!” The res spell alone was huge. Not only did it mean no loss of XP when his people died, but if he used it enough he could level the spell to where he could resurrect multiple people per day. Level twelve would eliminate the cooldown altogether. Then again, he’d never heard of a player achieving a skill level of twelve in anything.

  Turning toward the group, he said, “I just got a rez spell. Anybody wanna take one for the team so I can test it?” He grinned, looking at Max specifically. His friend sidestepped to hide behind Lugs.

  “Thank you, Fitz.” Alexander bowed to the dragon wizard. “And thanks for not warning me ahead of time.” The wizard winked at him. Then he turned to the other players.

  “As I’m the only one here able to do so, I will instruct the rest of you as well. All of you have new levels and qualify for training of new skills.”

  Lainey was first on her feet and moving toward the wizard. She threw Alexander a dirty look as she passed by and turned her back on him. Fitz laid a hand on her and her body locked up as if she’d been struck with her own Shock spell. When he was done, she dropped to her knees, breathing hard. Tears flowed down her cheeks. Alexander moved to assist her but Jules hip-checked him and stepped in herself to comfort Lainey.

  One by one, the players all accepted new knowledge from Fitz. Then, much to Alexander’s surprise, the wizard called the NPCs forward as well. The orcs and minotaurs had no magic that Alexander had been aware of. When he threw a questioning look at Fitz the wizard just chuckled. “You’ll see, boy.”

  Sasha had a different question. “Hey, ummm, Fitz? How come you can train everybody here? I mean, you’re a wizard. But you’re giving skills to warriors and archers.”

  “Ha! I have lived for eons, child. Do you think I spent all that time fighting with Rufus over tasty treats?” As if summoned, Rufus appeared atop the wizard’s hat and waved. “I have traveled many worlds and fought in more battles than I can count. I have mastered languages and crafts. And yes, I learned to wield sword and hammer, shield and spear. Come here, and I’ll teach you something that might surprise you.”