The Way of the Clan 2 (World of Valdira)

by Dem Mikhaylov

  Calm down, Ross, calm down, it's not real. Just another icy nightmare...

  A quiet jingle. An incoming message from the unknown sender...

  "Ross! This is Vlas! Why are you ignoring Keira?! The girl is sobbing choking by her tears! Shit! We did not know that there would be snow at the end! We did not know about that! We couldn’t guess that it could harm you like that! But you agreed to that quest, bro. Nobody forced you. Try to understand – we couldn’t inform you before! The system is reading all your performance criteria! All your emotions! We would have failed if had started pretending. Everything had to be... "

  To the ignorelist. What the hell... it seems to start soon…

  The werewolf twitched as if it was shocked, I barely controlled my arm with the rod. Early, it’s too early... Grim pulled its paw, grinding by its claws and leaving ripped furrows on the ice - exactly the same as on Myrtle’s disfigured face. The werewolf was confused, in a stupor, it couldn’t figure out what to do. The burning eyes were shifting to me, then to Myrtle moaning and howling hysterically. System failure...

  I heard a rumble of thunder from the blackened clouds, a few lightnings struck one after another. The first burnt out a huge crater in the ice where a moment ago the werewolf was standing, other three crashed into the icy peak splitting its top. Icy fragments scattered in different directions, one of them hit me in the shoulder, throwing me back and almost killed me. A few huddled creatures hurled back, a couple was pierced through and they scattered in shapeless heaps of ash mixed with snow.

  'Healing,’ I muttered, squeezing a scroll.

  'Griiiiiim!’ Myrtle roared, blowing trickles of blood from her tattered mouth. A powerful jerk, another scream, the icy peak shuddered, swayed, cracked and crumbled... into a thousand of pieces. Crouching, I rushed under the cover of the carcass of Hope Eater and at the same moment - ice spikes pierced the place where I had been standing.

  The bulk of the peak just fell down, burying Myrtle. But not for long - bloodied ice blocks shuddered and began to move apart, unable to resist the oppressive forces. The ash monsters that obeyed the will of their mistress remained still. So, it meant that they hadn’t received any order...

  I caught the glimpse of a shadow by the corner of my eye. I rolled aside and ducked under the belly of Hope Eater, moving away from the clutches of the werewolf. Having lost the sight of Myrtle who was "embarrassing" his, Grim took up its main purpose again - me.

  Dull roar and Eater standing over me broke into two parts. The werewolf lowered its muzzle toward me with a wide-open mouth and... with a piercing howl of pain bounced back, getting struck by lightning of the rod. Without giving him time to recover, I let him take one more charge, but Grim dodged from the sizzling lightning and turned to me again.

  The ice heap shivered and a bloody hand emerged from the wreckage - Myrtle had almost worked her way up. But I had to control another enemy...

  The werewolf pulled its legs and powerfully tossed impetus itself into the air, jumping, stretching its forelegs with curved claws towards me. Fast... very fast.... I sent him a lightning, but I didn’t have time to step aside.

  At that point, everything stopped. Everything. Like a paused shot. As frozen time in a photo.

  The werewolf was hanging in the air, lightning got frozen one feet from its bared snout, Myrtle’s hand got mortified squeezing a piece of ice, snowflakes got frozen in the air, the clouds stopped their slow running across the sky. As for me… My body got stiff, and stopped at the incredible position - nearly horizontal, with Grim’s rod in the stretched hand with nascent flash of lightning at the end, the fingers of the other hand were clutching “fiery stream" spell. All I could do was to move my eyes and glance around, realizing that the whole entire location "died". Nobody was moving.

  A second later I heard excited voices behind me,

  'Yes, I froze the entire location! And should I do? We lost control of the whole location! Myrtle escaped! What the hell is going on?!

  ‘Oh... that's...’

  'Grim! Damn... it's Grim! He cannot be here!’

  'Here's the reason,’ the second voice whistled. ‘It’s the system failure! But how did he manage...’

  'Hush!’

  'What’s wrong?’

  'Shut up! Here is the gamer!’

  A shadow dropped on my face. I looked up slowly , I saw Amreeta leaning over me. Although, no… there was a white robe, but no purple or gold... sandals standing at my nose were not gorgeous without gold. In any case, Amreeta, maybe a representative of the administration or technical support of Valdira...

  "The gamer... but...’

  'Y-you...' my frozen lips were barely moving, not wanting to obey, but I still managed and exhaled, ‘You are... interfering in my gameplay!’

  'What? Uh... don’t worry,’ the man grinned leaning over me. ‘It's a small failure and now we are going to take you carefully…’

  ‘Nooooo! You are interfering in my gameplay...’

  'Get away from him!’ I didn’t see the owner of the worried voice as he was still behind me.

  'What are you doing?’

  'Get away! And do not talk to him! Have a look at his info! It’s Navigator! I’ll call to technical support...’

  Amreeta disappeared. I heard muffled whispers behind me, then a flash and creaking snow under someone's confident steps broke the silence.

  Once I saw gorgeous golden sandals and the edge of the embroidered purple robe, I knew right away – there was a true amreeta in front of me. Once again, squinting, I uttered the single phrase, ‘You are interfering in…’

  'Yes. We are apologizing,’ the amreeta beamed. ‘This is an unforgivable mistake and the guilty will be punished. We will go away, and you’ll continue the game. As compensation together with the apology, I can offer a monthly payment of your game account. Of course, maintaining its current class - diamond.

  'It’s a deal,’ I managed o utter "nodding" by my eyelashes.

  'Have a good game, Rosgard, Amreeta nodded curtly, stepping aside. ‘The location will be recovered in five seconds. Get ready. Five... four...’ the voice died away. I glanced at the werewolf that was flying toward me and continued counting down, 'Three two one…’

  The world began moving again.

  The lightning crashed into the muzzle of the werewolf, but didn’t stop it. But the impact was enough to make Grim blinded by the electric discharge miss. Its blow could have killed me, but it just tossed me aside. I lost three-quarters of life. Ignoring the crimson flash of blaze I yelled while flying away, "Fire flow!" While discharging the rod and adding lightning to the fire.

  The werewolf managed to dodge from a quicker lightning, letting the electric lance pass below its belly... and I saw how stream of flame overwhelmed it. The wild roar made me start. The monster breaking through the fire flashed through the fierce flames and smoke.

  'Healing! Black Whirlwind!’

  Burning Grim escaped from the fire. Its snow-white fur darkened, black smoke was surrounding it, fast lights were running here and there, "nibble" the monster’s life. The shrieking black funnel of a tornado managed to catch the very edge of the werewolf, but it failed to drag it into the spell. The beast staggered away, jumped a few meters away and with a muffled growl crouched, started spinning in the snow, knocking off the flame. I saw how its burnt skin was healed and tufts of white fur were growing. Bloody werewolf with its crazy regeneration!

  Snowballs soared into the air and Grim rushed to me again, bowing his head to the ground. So low, as if it was going to ram me by its powerful forehead. Another step... and the wolf plowing snow by its nose flew head over heels, as he had suddenly run into a cheerful green bush with white flowers that unexpectedly grew out of snow on its way.

  'Fire ball!’

  Another scroll turned into dust and a huge sphere filled with raging flames broke off my hand. I can do it… I have time... the werewolf is still lying on the ground... an ice block whistled in the air and pierced into Grim
’s side and blew the beast away. Fireball burst on the empty spot scattering pieces of fire blots.

  'Shit!’ I leaped back and turned my head in the direction from which a piece of ice had come. Myrtle...

  A female figure dressed in bloodied shroud was standing above the crashed ice and raising her hands into the sky. With a shriek Myrtle leaned forward and a fragment of the icy peak went after the werewolf tumbling in the snow. A miss!

  Shortening the distance, I fished out two scrolls of the bag. I decided to helpmy unexpected ally.

  But Grim was faster. After dodging from the ice block, it issued a chilling growl and pushed its hind legs to soar into the air. After a short flight the beast bumped into the woman. Both disappear behind a pile of rubbled ice, disappearing from my sight. But I could hear the beast’s evil growl and a female scream soaring to the sky...

  Holding the scrolls ready, I rushed forward leaping. I managed to notice on my way how Myrtle’s ash army was turning into dust without join the battle. Why? Did she lose control?

  Slipping and falling, I climbed up on the icy debris, and looking down I shuddered with horror. Oh my god!

  Myrtle was not fighting... she was lying on her back, pressing her hands to her breast and moaning, making no attempt to escape or crawl away. The monstrous werewolf was hanging over her, standing on his hind legs, tearing her body with its claws... sweeping strikes didn’t seem to ever stop...

  ‘There is no blood in Valdira,’ I whispered, looking at splashes of blood and some dark patches flying away… the ice around Myrtle was filled with steaming blood...

  Wake up, Ros! That’s the best moment for a strike!

  Throwing up the scrolls over my head, I was about to open my mouth, when Myrtle screamed just like a usual "real" woman, a victim of a wild animal...

  Suddenly I realized that I was running. I input all my strength and inertia accumulated during the short and slammed into the rough side of the huge beast. The impact was devastating, I flew off falling on my back. Standing on its hind legs Grim took a step aside, looking up from its victim. That was enough for me – a dazzling lightning broke off the rod and stabbed into the beast causing it to howl and step back. And then…

  'Rotten swamp!’

  The snow under the werewolf’s paws fell turning into thin gruel. Grim twitched violently, trying to get out of the swamp slurry absorbing him.

  'And take the last snacl! Hailstones!’

  Falling boulders cut the air with a whistle. Hit! Another! Letting out a furious scream Grim threw up its muzzle with a fierce grin and received another blow by ahuge stone hammering him into the swamp. The inscription hanging over the head of the legendary werewolf was furiously flashing, announcing that the monster was about to exhale the last breath.

  'Come on!’ I shouted, waving the rod. ‘Die!’

  The werewolf failed to dodge and the lightning hit the target. Hit! A furious roar! And boulders still falling from the sky. Flash... and the boulders fell into the empty swamp... a second and the swamp disappeared leaving dirty snow pitted by paws. And a cloud of gray ash slowly landing in the ground.

  Grim the Werewolf... it’s gone!

  'Where is he?!’ I screamed in rage and frustration. ‘Where?!’

  I kick a piece of ice, sending it on a long flight.

  'Griiiiiiiiiim! Griiiiiiiim!’

  Whistling breath snatching from the chest slowly calmed down, my hands fell helplessly. Grim left. I almost killed him, but he ran away...

  'You...' the bubbling voice made me start and turn back.

  Injured, hammered in the bloody snow and covered with pieces of ice littered Myrtle was looking at me. Her hands were stretching out, the abdomen and chest covered with blood-soaked snow. Bright blue eyes were burning on the scarred face, looking at me intently.

  'Oh my gos...' I gasped almost pitifully. ‘It's no longer a game, guys...’

  'Come closer...' her moan made me shiver.

  After looking at Myrtle for a moment, I shrugged my shoulders helplessly, stepped forward and leaned over her. If she kills me - I don’t mind. I was burned out, was tired, even snow wasn’t bothering me anymore. There was a dying woman in front of me, no matter that she was “local".

  'Does it hurt?’ I failed to invent a more intelligent phrase. Myrtle was silent, and I didn’t insist on an answer. I flopped into the snow next to her, stretched my legs and stared at the gray sky. I was tired…

  ‘You were protecting me...’ the words sped into the void, and I shrugged again. ‘Why?’

  'I do not know... I honestly do not know. You were crying…’

  'Your girlfriend left you here to die. She left you here as a toy for me. To quench my anger and to dispel boredom...’

  'Yeah, it is boring here,’ I said. ‘Look, I have a healing scroll of the highest rank. If you want, I will heal you and we can start it again. You an me and your funny pets...’

  'No.’

  'Why not?’

  'I want to sleep... sleep forever. Help me…’

  'Do you want me to kill you?’ I asked, glancing at the wounds that could be seen beneath the layer of ice.

  ‘I can go to sleep without your help… but there is somebody that doesn’t allow me to rest in peace. He is keeping me between life and death.’

  'Is it Grim? Well, today I tried to kill him. Your ex- boyfriend came because of me.’

  'No. But if you kill Grima... my dream will become sweeter.’

  'Agreed,’ I nodded.

  'Take him. Pleasef, become a true friend for him... and never betray him...

  'Do you mean Grim?!’

  'Damn Grim... although he was his father.’

  'What?!’

  Myrtle did not answer, but the blood-stained ice on her stomach slowly stirred and started splitting. Swallowing convulsively, I stared at the parting ice, almost dreading for further events.

  'He is not a human... there is no mind inside him, just a beast born from my womb. Not destined to take a different form, it was not destined to gain intelligence. Just a beast...’

  Recent lumps of snow and ice stepped aside and I heard a shrill whine in the air. Weeping... of a tiny newborn cub with black and white fur.

  'Oh my god...’ I blurted looking at the young one stirring in a bloody mess.

  'Take him!’ Myrtle demanded, trying to sit up.

  Stretching my arms, I quickly picked up the cub and pulled it to my chest.

  ‘And there is the road that will take you out of here,’ a blue line ran a little aside over the snow, outlining a circle. ‘Just stand inside it and won’t be afraid.’

  'Well... damn...’

  'Promise me that you'll take care of him...’

  'I promise. I swear,’ I choked. ‘I swear.’

  'It's yours forever. Give him a good name,’ Myrtle gasped closing her eyes and went limp.

  ‘Oh shit!’ I gasped.

  The cub pressed tightly to my chest hardly squeaked and then fell silent again. I looked at it, then at the glowing circle, lifted my face upto the sky and shouted, 'Amreeta!’

  The answer came immediately, 'Hello, Rosgard.’

  Looking back, I greeted him and again glancing at the broken body at my feet, swiped my hand to activate several pictograms in the interface, and only then began speaking, ‘My gameplay was intervened and it completely broke my effect of "total immersion." Blood on the dying "local". Unimaginable cries of pain when Myrtle was "dying." Her cramps, her crying, her moans, her tears. She was suffering and dying like a real human. There were horrible real wounds on her body. My mind was affected. It was severely damaged. I am shocked, I am shaking, I am shivering. I suffered a strong shock, which may harm my future life... Shall I continue?’

  'What do you want, Rosgard?’

  'I don’t want Myrtle to wake up again,’ I said. ‘Never. Promise that she will never die again!’

  'It was the first time, Rosgard. It happened for the first time and it was an emergency. She did not have
to die! Anyway, that's it!’ Amreeta waved irritably. ‘During the last part of the chain she had to hand the wolf cub with a lucky and joyful laughter ascending to the sparkling blue sky! That was a failure! Moreover - I do not know the reasons of… mmm… such realistic effects of suffering and death. But I'm going to find it out.’

  'Myrtle shall never wake up!’ I repeated. ‘I don’t want to threaten. I don’t want to make a fuss about it. I don’t want any compensation. All I want is allow Myrtle not to wake up again. I love Valdira... but this is too much...’

  'It will break the whole chain of quests...’

  "Put an ordinary piece of stone instead of Myrtle. A talking piece of stone with a bunch of incomprehensible and mysterious runes,’ I suggested.

  'Agreed,’ Amreeta sighed. ‘On behalf of the administration of Valdira I bring you my formal apology. Myrtle will never wake up. This part of the quest will be changed. My colleague has already prolonged your account for a month. I'll do the same - plus one month. And my congratulations!’

  'Congratulations?’

  'You've got a unique pet. There is no equivalent of it in the world of Valdira. Now he is sleeping. He will wake up once you offer him food. Then he will bind to you forever. Before that step, you can pass it to another gamer or sell.’

  'It is clear,’ I nodded. ‘Thank you for your congratulations. If it is not forbidden – tell me if this is the main reward for the quest?’

  'No,’ Amreeta laughed. ‘This quest is variabile, and i had not been activated. I can repeat it - it is a critical system failure. The main quest will continue as planned, but instead of Myrtle will install an inanimate object. Goodbye, Rosgard. Your coach is waiting for you.’

  'Yes,’ I said. ‘Goodbye.’

  'I hope that all those... hmm... minor violations and too realistic effects that you’ve experienced will...’

  'I won’t tell anyone,’ I interrupted Amreeta and waving goodbye, stepped into the middle of the circle drawn on the snow.

  An easy push-up, and I was taken up.

  Carefully holding the sleeping cub, I presed him tightly to my chest and stared up at the cloudy losing their gloom. I wasn’t looking down anymore.