by Michael Ryan
“You don’t believe there’s a war with aliens?” Dale asked.
“Of course not,” Cole answered. “It’s the usual government and corporate propaganda. Don’t worry about it. Once you’ve taken a few history classes, you’ll realize you can ignore ninety percent of what you hear.”
“What about the other ten percent?” Dale asked.
Cole smirked. “Forget it. There are no aliens, and no war. Follow me. There are so many departments and projects here that even I haven’t heard about all of them. Sometimes, when I give a tour, a professor will see me and offer to show something I’ve never seen before.”
“Can we go to the bone lab?” Dale asked. He was anxious to see how advanced the tech was inside the university. The public was always in the dark and years behind. He’d signed a confidentiality agreement, so he was imagining there must be amazing things going on behind closed doors.
“Sure. Follow me,” Cole answered.
“Have you been studying here long?” Dale asked.
“Three years, and I still get impressed by something new almost every week. This way,” Cole said, and guided Dale through a series of corridors.
Most sections they entered required retinal scans or voice commands to pass through. With each new door, Dale became more excited. They approached a hallway where bones painted in glowing white paint seemed to leap off the walls. Cole approached a security keypad and verified his identity. Double doors swung open, and a lab unlike Dale had ever imagined was revealed.
He surveyed the room, his mouth open in awe.
Full-size skeletons hung from the ceiling. Animal bones were displayed in glass cabinets. Hundreds of skulls were suspended from mounts on the walls.
All of the world’s significant cats were represented, from African lions and cheetahs to long-extinct saber-toothed tigers. Giant felines, inventions of someone’s imaginary cat evolution, were displayed as examples of how ingenious inventors could create relatable monsters for video games.
Besides the other carnivore categories, there were elephants, whales, hippos, camels, and every other type of grazing animal.
Dale could study in a lab like this for months and never get bored. There were obscenely bizarre constructs, too, which were the ones that Dale liked the best. No matter how strange or improbable a skeleton appeared, it always seemed to remain within the realm of possibility, even if only barely.
The school’s designers worked at a level far beyond anything he’d imagined.
“Wow,” he said.
“That’s a common reaction,” Cole said. “Especially from people who really understand what’s been accomplished here.” Cole walked along the rows of lab stations. “Follow me.”
Dale looked up as they approached a bus-size skeleton that looked like a combination of a triceratops and a crocodile.
“That’s a Zollerdon boss,” Dale said, recognizing the model. His face broke into a huge grin.
“That’s right. His designer, Alex, donated the skeleton to us last year. In exchange, I’d imagine, for a healthy bonus.”
“I played that game when I was eight. I don’t think I talked to my parents for two weeks when Damage Zone was released. It took me three days before I could defeat one of those.”
“Look here,” Cole said. He pointed to a red dot on the thigh bone of the beast. “See that?”
“Yes.”
“That’s the spot where the engineers attached a tendon in the flesh-modeling stage. It’s the beast’s weak spot and very hard to hit. Alex had a unique artistic flair in his development and design. I’ve seen birds that he did for props that had tiny and intricate bones. I’ve also seen herbivores with thigh bones several meters long.”
“It’s amazing,” Dale said. “The patience required. The attention to detail. I’m impressed.”
“Come on. We’re on the clock,” Cole said.
They finished touring the lab with a fish and reptile skeleton display that was suspended in a tank of clear liquid. Small motors and gears moved the skeletons, and Cole dripped red dye into the container to show Dale how water movement was tracked for realistic design adaptations.
Next, Dale was shown creatures that were to be featured in new Rhith Worlds and expansions, and Cole reminded him of the nondisclosure agreement he’d signed.
“I know you’ll be tempted to talk about this stuff. But remember, gossip can come back to bite you,” he said. He pointed to his head. “Keep it in here.”
Dale swallowed hard at the obvious warning and nodded.
Chapter Six
Humans have been volunteering for war and hangovers since the invention of beer.
~ Unknown Rhith Corp Engineer
The first of the flanking dragonlings to break out of the forest swung its spiked tail like a chain mace.
It connected with the head of one of Rohini’s guards, and spikes speared through the back of his skull. The protrusions burst from his face, and he remained upright for a brief moment. The wound barely had time to bleed before the soldier dropped to the ground. He hadn’t made a sound, and Rohini hoped his death had been painless.
The next dragonling to attack didn’t kill with the same swiftness. A dying soldier screamed in agony under its claws. The dog handler unleashed the fighters, but it was too late for the first casualties.
“How many more?” Rohini, still mounted, asked the nearest foot soldier.
“One, I think, Your Hiiiiiiiiii–”
The soldier’s scream ended as the dragonling crushed his skull with its jaws. The sound of cracking bone caused Rohini to cringe, and she felt nauseous.
The dragonling flung the headless corpse, and it hit one of the ponies. The creature panicked and bolted.
She realized that if she didn’t act swiftly, death was imminent for the entire party.
Rohini was tasked to protect the treasure known as the Jewel of Sartozel. It was one of seven hundred and seventy-seven gemstones that were keys to winning the war. The Nagant Monks hadn’t revealed why the stones were requisite for victory, but the most popular assumption was that they were critical to creating magic.
Rohini had used a simple enchantment to hide the jewel inside her pony. She thought she’d been exceedingly clever in this – who would kill a sweet pony?
Of course, she’d been thinking of players who’d find utility in the beast. A dragonling wouldn’t put a saddle on a pony; it’d eat it for a snack.
The pony reared and screamed.
She hung on but was unable to stop it from breaking into a sprint.
Its race to safety was short-lived.
A dragonling leaped into its path and clamped its jaws on its neck. Rohini drew her bow and fired an iron-tipped arrow. She was a decent shot considering her level and skill, but the creature she was attempting to kill was moving swiftly, and her dying mount was an unstable platform.
The arrow she fired missed the dragonling’s heart, but slowed the creature. She leapt off as her pony fell to the ground. When it died, the jewel dropped as loot.
Another arrow, fired by Ruthann, struck the dragonling. For the first time it displayed signs of weakness and pain. In its frustration it tore apart the dead pony as if it were still a threat.
“Come quickly, Princess,” Ruthann said.
Rohini scooped up the jewel and followed her aide.
“There,” Ruthann said, pointing to a fallen tree. “Get behind that log and range attack. You’re no good here as a tank. Hurry!”
Rohini was indeed best when she delivered DPS – damage per second – ranged attacks using arrows, spears, and other thrown weapons. Eventually, she hoped to gain skills in ice magic, but nothing she’d acquired yet was strong enough to work against the level six dragonlings.
From her new position, she fired an iron-tipped arrow at the wounded beast. Her aim was good.
+600XP
Killed: Mountain Dragonling Level 6
Dropped: Ice Magic Book
Dropped: 2 iron-tipped arrows
&n
bsp; Dropped: 4 gold bars
There were two remaining dragonlings, and they apparently had battle knowledge and experience. The beasts moved in tandem and kept their backs to the ranging fighters. While the arrows caused damage and slowed the beasts, it was impossible to pierce their hearts with an attack from the rear.
The last fighting dog rushed them and was bitten in half.
Rohini’s stomach heaved.
The remaining soldiers assembled into a tight formation. They put the tanking soldiers – those with the most brute strength – closest to the dragonlings while the DPS attackers launched arrows and spears.
Their weapons had varying degrees of success, while the dragonlings’ intelligence seemed to grow as the battle raged on.
Rohini positioned herself out of immediate danger and opened the ice magic book she’d just received.
Ice Magic Skills Increased: Student Level Achieved.
As you increase in Ice Magic, you’ll be a better damage dealer and you can also chill drinks…
Hint: Not all spells are created equal. Fire & ice don’t mix.
She imbued an arrow with ice magic using her newly acquired ability and launched it at the nearest dragonling. The creature shrieked and whipped its tail wildly. Its black eyes landed on Rohini, and she felt a chill of fear.
The beast rushed her without warning.
Multiple arrows from her companions struck the back of the dragonling as it charged, but nothing stopped it.
Rohini stood her ground.
She fired arrow after arrow, targeting the heart, but none pierced the vital organ. The reptilian monster continued toward her in spite of a brave tanking soldier who jumped in front of it and swung a battle axe at its head.
While the soldier died, Rohini switched her arrow selection to one of the two from the previous loot drop. The projectile was elfin made and iron-tipped. She imbued the weapon with an ice magic spell and fired it. In a cold-blue blur, flying at magically high speed, the imbued arrow struck the chest of the dragonling and exploded in a brilliant flash of bluish light.
Dragonling blood, dark and sticky, splattered everywhere.
Rohini wiped gore from her eyes and surveyed the scene as the loot notification popped into view.
+600XP
Killed: Mountain Dragonling
Dropped: 2-Carat Ice Diamond, masterful quality
Dropped: Lore Book
Dropped: 100 gold bars
Dropped: Dragonling Tooth Charm
Before she could react, the remaining dragonling killed two more of her men. From the corner of her eye she saw movement behind her in the forest. She turned to investigate as another soldier cried out in anguish. His scream tugged her attention back to the fight, and she disregarded whatever it was that had distracted her.
John, her artificial intelligence, spoke: There’s something behind you.
Rohini: Shit.
John: A scavenger beast, but a dangerous one.
Rohini turned her head and observed the creature’s pop-up screen.
Creature: Jala-Jala
Level: 3
Health: 724
Intelligence: 18
The Jala-Jala is a pack-hunting scavenger. It has claws and teeth, carries diseases, and usually stinks.
Weapons: None
Magic: None
Tech: None
Rhith Wikis: [Lore] [Quests] [Range] [Drops] [Tags]
Actions: [Scene Capture] [Tag] [Message]
She closed the window and looked back to the remaining dragonling. It had become even deadlier by adjusting its attack and defense styles during the fight. Apparently the beasts weren’t dumb, only naive, and they adapted quickly.
“I’ll attack the dragonling, Princess,” Ruthann said. “Look out behind you!”
Rohini turned.
The Jala-Jala charged her. She could smell blood and death in the air, and undoubtedly the scavenger beast noticed it as well.
She exchanged her bow for a lightweight saber. It was sharp and deadly, but small enough for her to wield with skill in a confined space. She sliced the creature’s belly open, and its intestines dumped at her feet. She retched at the stench and wondered why anyone would program such horrid features into a game.
+300XP
Killed: Jala-Jala Level 3
Dropped: Nothing you’d want to touch (trust us)
She returned her attention to the dragonling. Ruthann and the remaining men were trading blows with the creature.
John: Oh, shit!
Rohini: Whaaa–
She felt a burning sensation across her back as if something had lit her skin on fire. The intense burning was followed by a ferocious bite to her calf, and she fell to her knees.
She screamed. Something struck her, and she fell forward. The forest floor was earthy and damp against her face.
John: The Jala-Jala hunt in packs.
Rohini rolled onto her back and used her saber to thrust upward. While she drove the blade into one of the beasts, another clamped its jaws on her forearm and shook its head.
She dropped the blade.
A third creature snapped at her eyes.
A fourth latched onto her left leg.
She retrieved a hunting knife from her inventory and killed two of the attackers, but a fifth mob ripped her forearm off at the elbow. She shrieked so loudly her vocal cords shredded. And with that, she could no longer scream.
Ruthann rushed to her aid.
Together they killed the remaining Jala-Jalas, Rohini slashing from the ground, one-armed and desperate.
The dragonling, which had just slaughtered the last of Rohini’s soldiers, leapt on top of Ruthann and ripped her chest open, flinging blood across Rohini’s face.
Firing arrows with one arm was impossible, and she slumped in defeat as the dragonling dropped Ruthann and lunged at her. The last thought as she died alongside her friend was that perhaps her mother had been right.
Lia felt nothing in the darkness.
She wondered if she still had a body.
She’d heard stories about in-game death, but she’d ignored most of them. She realized as she floated that they hadn’t all been incorrect. Her mind drifted in the strange void, and she was no longer sure of reality. She attempted to shout for help, but without a mouth, what would make the sound?
Even if she succeeded in making a noise, who would answer her?
She called to John in her mind, but the AI didn’t respond. Never before had she felt such loneliness and despair. Patience, she finally decided, was all she could practice.
But that patience ended when sensations of being burned alive began at her feet and moved up her legs. Panic struck.
Then hopelessness.
Even though she had no tear ducts, she felt as if she were bawling her eyes out in the gloom.
Mama, you were right. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.
Chapter Seven
I am accustomed to reality.
~ Vice-Dean Bold
Cole guided Dale to the administrative offices.
He had a mandatory meeting with one of the vice-deans of the technological school, and he hoped the school would offer him a scholarship. Cole pointed to a waiting area and told Dale to sit until someone called for him.
“You can ask for a beverage while you wait,” he said.
“Ask who?” Dale questioned.
“Just ask,” Cole answered. He pointed upward. “If you speak anywhere in the building, they hear you.”
“May I have an iced mocha?” Dale asked, speaking to the high ceiling.
The voice that answered sounded upbeat and friendly. “With whipped cream, sir?” it asked.
“Sure,” he answered. Dale grinned at his upperclassman guide. “That was easy.”
“It’s one of the perks of being at the best school,” he said. “I hope you get offered a scholarship. You seem like a cool kid. Good luck, and forget about all that alien stuff. You’ll go crazy worrying about invasions and wars.
This is your future, right here.”
“I’ll try,” Dale said.
Cole punched something on a touchscreen next to a set of double doors and excused himself.
A few minutes after Cole left, a robotic serving module silently glided into the waiting area. “Your drink, sir,” it said. The machine spoke in an old-school robotic voice, almost as if it had been programmed to mock itself.
“Will there be anything else, sir?” it asked.
“No,” Dale said. “Thank you,” he added, old habits being hard to break.
The robot spun and headed back to wherever it had come from. Dale watched it depart, sipped his drink, and then ate all the whipped cream. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, which embarrassed him even though he was alone.
He heard his mother’s voice scolding him in the back of his mind.
Before he reached the bottom of the cup, the doors slid open automatically, and another robotic voice spoke. “Please proceed to your meeting with Vice-Dean Bold. Down the hall and turn left.”
Dale entered an elegant corner office with floor-to-ceiling windows that provided a view of downtown Cincinnati. The city was crowded, dirty, and sprawling. Rhith Hover-Jets sped left and right across town at various altitudes, while others ascended and descended with choreographed precision.
“I’ve never been up this high,” Dale said. “I always thought fancy offices used view screens.”
“You expected a view of a beautiful island in the Pacific?”
“Yes.”
“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m accustomed to reality.”
“It’s fascinating, I’ll admit,” Dale said.
“You should see it at night, young man,” Vice-Dean Bold said.
Bold had sharp features and short dark hair. His eyes were piercing blue, and as he approached, they seemed to glow. His mouth quirked into a professional smile.
“I’m sure it’s amazing,” Dale said as he extended his hand.
“It is.” Bold introduced himself. “And you must be Dale Brown, the promising young designer. It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said, taking Dale’s hand in his.
They shook.
“Please, sit.” Bold indicated a seat in front of a glass and steel desk.
