by Quinn Dallas
“Here!” he pointed out a glowing indicator on the map.
“Thanks” I said. “It looks fairly close.”
We ran through the maze like corridors of the guild hall. Finally, we came to an alcove crowded with other excited adventurers. I couldn't believe word had traveled so fast. Players excitedly chattered among themselves about the new weapons and gear.
“There's the contact!” Cairngorm pointed to an unbelievably tall mountain of a man. He towered over the players surrounding him. My dark wizard companion grabbed my arm and pulled me along. Soon, we stood before the bearded NPC. His dark and mysterious eyes fell on us.
“Brave heroes!” he called out. “Welcome to the armory. Please select a new weapon for yourselves!”
“I know what I want already!” Cairngorm grabbed an ebony staff from the display.
“Ah,” Hephestus nodded. “The Staff of Hades! An excellent choice.”
I scanned the generous selection of weapons and items. Then my eyes fell on something that more than caught my attention. A pair of metal fighting claws.
ITEM NAME: TIGER'S CLAWS
DAMAGE TYPE: MELEE BLEEDING AND SLASHING.
ITEM DESCRIPTION: THESE VICIOUS CLAWS DEAL MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF SLASHING DAMAGE. THEY ALSO HAVE A HIGH CHANCE OF INFLICTING BLEEDING. A RARE WEAPON USED MOSTLY BY ASSASSINS AND ROGUES.
I picked up the black metal claws and slipped them over my hands. The feeling was both familiar and powerful.
“Marvelous choice young woman!” the NPC vendor nodded. “You will have to trade in your old weapons to use these.”
“Of course,”I responded enthusiastically. I pulled up my HD and removed my dagger and rusted short sword.”
“Ah I see you've unlocked neurotoxins!” he continued. “That's an excellent pairing with Tiger's Claws.”
“We should get back to the others,” Cairngorm interrupted. “They'll be excited about this new vendor.”
I nodded, “You're right!”
Then I swiped the air with my new choice of weapon. The game was definitely getting interesting.
###
“Leo,” I sat in his bed. “You look great!”
He sat up and flashed his award winning smile. “Thanks Kira,” then he winced. “Damn that stings!”
“That was a ton of damage you took.” I replied. “The healers had a helluva time removing that deep wound debuff from you.”
“I liked the game much better when there was no pain!”
“Me too,” I answered. “I'm just glad you're OK.”
“I'll be out of here in no time!” he leaned back. “So we really pulled it off?”
“Yup!,” I nodded. “The player's are alredy upgrading their weapons.”
“There's something else isn't there?” his eyes darkened.
“Grymme’s getting more aggressive,” I paused. “There's been some player kills.”
“We got to stop him” Leo clenched his fists.
“No doubt but you need to rest,” I answered.
“I just know we're going to win this game!” Leonidas grabbed my hand with a firm grip.
“You bet your ass we are!” I said.
###
“Young Rogue!” Varick called out as I entered his chamber.
“Master Varick,” I answered. “I'd like to have my combat level evaluated.”
“Yes it's about time.” He nodded and then waived his hand. My personal stats appeared:
CHARACTER INFO:
[NAME: KIRA] [CLASS: THIEF]
[RACE: HUMAN] [GENDER: FEMALE]
ABILITY RATINGS:
25%
50%
100%
Hit Points
✩✩✩✩✩
✩✩
Locked
Agility
✩✩✩✩✩
✩✩✩✩
Locked
Speed
✩✩✩✩✩
✩✩
Locked
Damage
✩✩✩✩✩
✩✩✩✩
Locked
Defense
✩✩✩✩✩
✩✩
Locked
Fighting
✩✩✩✩✩
✩✩✩
Locked
Varick stroked his beard, “You've passed from Green Tier to Blue!”
I watched with satisfaction as my stats improved and grinned. “Excellent!” Being much too impatient to wait I quickly tabbed to my skills table.
TALENTS & SKILLS:
[Stealth: Lvl 5] [Burglary: Lvl 4]
[Scoundrel: Lvl 4] [Shadow Strike: Lvl 6]
[Lucky: Lvl 3] [Stealth Sight: Lvl 5]
Varick sat in his overstuffed chair and folded his hands in his lap. “Thanks to you and your team, all of the players in the game are progressing well.”
“But we still have two more stones to retrieve.”
“Yes,” Varick nodded. “And Grymme’s forces grow stronger. Every day new recruits join his cause. His armies will be at our gates soon.”
“There's more isn't there?” I asked.
“I believe he may have recruited adventurers to his cause.”
“I'm not surprised,” I dismiss my HD overlay. “There are some who would welcome his rule.”
“There are enemies all around us dear Kira,” he advised.
I left Varick’s chambers somewhat disturbed. I believed what he said. But I couldn't tell him that I suspected our biggest traitor lay one heartbeat away from the throne. Nazyr was in league with Grymme. Of that I was one-hundred percent certain.
“Why so gloomy?” a familiar voice roused me from my innermost thoughts.
“Shauna! I didn't notice that you were here.”
“Well that's obvious,” she winked. “Why aren't you at the tavern?”
“What's happening there tonight?” I asked.
“Are you kidding me!” She placed her hands on her hips. “We're heroes and theirs a big celebration in our honor. In fact, I was sent to fetch you!”
“Well what are we waiting for?” I answered. “Let's party.”
Shauna grabbed my hand and led me through the winding streets of Kings City. When we walked through the tavern doors a wild cheer erupted.
“She's here!”
“Buy her a drink or four!”
“I thought she'd be taller!”
The evening went on and I lost my cares in drinking and dancing. A few women flirted shamelessly but I casually brushed them off. There would time for that later. I glanced over to a quiet corner, where I spied Yvir and Shauna snuggled together. Maybe someday I'd find happiness like that. As the party grew wilder I headed outside for fresh air. I stared into the impossibly brilliant night sky. The real world didn't have such breathtaking beauty. It was then a familiar sultry voice interrupted my thoughts.
“Cassie?” I turned in shock at the use of my real world name. No one in Odyssey Online should know it. Then my eyes widened in disbelief. Standing there was someone who seemed both familiar and strange at once. She wore the costume of a light mage. Impossibly blue hair draped well past her waist. She gripped a golden staff topped with a clear crystal globe. But it was her eyes, that stopped my heart. I'd know those deep and soulful brown eyes no matter what face they hid behind.
“Rachel!” I gasped.
The gorgeous mage wrapped her arms around me and sobbed. “I found you.”
My mind reeled. How had my old lover found her way into Odyssey Online?
*Learn more about Rachel & Cassie's previous adventures in the FREE short: Fort Apocalypse PvP Battle Available NOW on Amazon.com!
Author Notes
Thanks so much for reading Shadow of the Rogue. I hope you enjoyed your visit to realm of Odyssey Online. This LitRPG Fantasy is a little different f
rom the norm. First, we have the female protagonist Cassie/Kira. Who also just happens to like girls.
She was incredibly fun to write. I like her sense of humor and the sheer fierceness she pursues her goals with.
Next, while romance is an element within the story it takes a backseat to the action. At times, I found myself exhausted after writing a scene. I'm a huge fan of action movies. So I threw myself into those moments. My scenes often play like a movie in my head, so I hope they were fun to read.
You might wonder what's coming next? Well in book two we learn more about Grymme and the menacing horde he's forming. Remember, bad guys never think they are evil! Also, Rachel and Cassie deal with their past relationship issues.
More time will be spent with supporting characters like Leonidas, Yvir, Shauna, and Cairngorm. Plus, the gang will ban together in pursuit of the second Phoenix Stone.
Also, if you enjoyed the story please leave a review. Amazon rewards authors when they receive four and five star reviews. They do this by showing the book to more readers. So your good review is very important to me!
Thanks again for reading!
About The Author:
Quinn Dallas is the pen name of a part-time writer from Michigan. A lifelong fan of Sci-fi & Fantasy he's discovered a new favorite genre in LitRPG!
Quinn spent eighteen long years working as a Social Media Manager in the Bay Area tech scene. Tiring of the rat race, he returned to the Midwest for an early retirement.
When he found the quiet life too boring, he started writing and publishing. Quinn lives in small town with his family. He enjoys bike riding, hiking, and spending time in nature. When the winter's prove too cold, he fantasizes about Florida!
Social Media Links
Author Page: amazon.com/author/quinndallas
Facebook: facebook.com/quinndallaswrites
My Facebook Group: facebook.com/groups/LustyFantasyRealms/
