Boost

by Paul Bellow

“Did they say anything about Sarah?” I asked.

  Josh frowned and shook his head.

  “We should offer them something,” Raven said. “As a gesture of goodwill.”

  “That’s stupid,” Leena said. “They’re orcs.”

  “I’ve got to agree,” Razzo added.

  “What do they want?” I asked. “We don’t have much.”

  I thought about my lost owl figurine. Would someone find it before we returned to Fishguard? Could I even find it myself?

  “We have extra gold,” Raven said.

  “Sounds good,” I said, reaching into my shoulder pack.

  I pulled out a handful of coins then stepped toward the two elders. The male held out his hand, palm up. After I dropped the gold into it, he snatched his hand closed, a big smile on his face. His wife then reached over and took it from his hand.

  “They’ve been battling the undead for a while,” Josh said. “It’s been tough on them. Not all orcs are bad.”

  Leena rolled her eyes.

  “It’s been tough on the whole realm,” Razzo said. “Magi Inyontoo needs to be stopped.”

  Leena turned and walked away. The rest of us followed. I fell into step beside Raven as we left the orcish city.

  “What else did they say about this tower of bones?” I asked.

  She bobbed her head from one side to the other a few times.

  “Not much,” she said. “We’ll probably face a necromancer or something.”

  “That one we took on earlier seemed to be high level,” Bernard said as he walked on the other side of her.

  Derringer and Josh were walking and talking behind us.

  “We’ll need a plan to take out another high-level necro,” I said. “That last battle didn’t go too smoothly.”

  “Agreed,” Raven said. “This group lacks discipline.”

  “Maybe Axelrod will show up,” I said in a joking tone.

  Raven stayed quiet as we walked behind Leena toward the city gate. The orcs we passed appeared different on the way out. Was it because I knew they were afraid of the undead too? Had the game humanized them for me?

  Outside Organaar, we headed north. I wondered if Magi Inyontoo had constructed the tower of bones. Maybe he’d killed Sarah again and she was a lower level NPC? Was that why we hadn’t found her yet?

  The questions piled up as we boarded the floating platform then flew north. Dry bushes barely alive were the only vegetation visible for miles around. I kept my eyes open for anything out of the ordinary. In the Tower of Gates, that could mean almost anything.

  Chapter 19

  Forbidden Orc Lands

  Eric

  Later that evening, after a long day of travel on the float platform, I noticed a funnel cloud in the distance. Dark grey clouds filled the overcast sky.

  “What’s that?” I asked, pointing.

  “There’s another one,” Derringer said.

  I looked to the left and saw a second funnel cloud, a dark mass spinning.

  “There’s a cloud of dust too,” Bernard said. “I think we’ve got company.”

  “Land the platform,” I said, drawing my swords.

  “Already on it,” Josh replied.

  The floating platform hit the ground as a semi-circle of dust clouds approached.

  “Do tornadoes even form during the winter?” I asked.

  “That’s no tornado,” Raven said. “It’s a bone-nado.”

  “What?” I asked at the ridiculous name.

  “Spiritual forces trapping groups of bones together,” Derringer said. “They’re more common on higher levels in the game.”

  “What are they doing here?” Leena asked, sounding concerned.

  Seeing the five funnel clouds on the horizon, I became worried too.

  “Okay, here’s the plan,” I said. “Spellcaster, hit it with everything you’ve got. Everyone else form a circle around the platform. We’ll hold our ground and protect our flanks.”

  “That’s the most idiotic plan I’ve ever heard,” Razzo said. “I should put on my ring and get out of here before you fools get me killed again.”

  “We could still retreat,” Bernard said. “Go back the way we came.”

  “Screw that,” Josh snorted. “We’re going forward to the tower of bones.”

  “Everyone quiet,” Raven hissed and placed a thin hand behind her ear. “There’s two bone-nados and three bone swarms,” she said.

  “What are bone swarms?” I asked.

  “Same concept as the bone-nados,” Derringer said. “Swirling masses of bones, but these occasionally form into a humanoid shape and attack with razor sharp claws.

  “Great,” I said, taking a deep breath.

  The three high-level Everlast potions in my pouch called out to me.

  “Maybe I should take one of the Everlast potions,” I said.

  While it hadn’t been fourteen days since the notification about taking another or permanently losing stats, I craved the power they gave me.

  “Save them,” Raven said. “We might need you to take it at the tower of bones.”

  “Agreed,” Derringer said. “A bunch of flying bones ain’t got no chance against us.”

  “Time for bashing,” Josh said, hefting his sword.

  I wondered how my blades would do against the swirling bone creatures. Both swords were magic, so maybe I’d get lucky.

  “Get ready,” Raven said, her silver sword drawn.

  I squinted my eyes to better see the horde bearing down on us.

  “What else is coming?” I asked.

  Derringer pulled out a looking glass from his seemingly never-full bag. He peered through it as the undead got closer.

  “It’s dogma zombies,” he said. “Vicious little runts.”

  “Be careful not to get bit.” Raven raised her sword. “Everyone ready?”

  “Let’s get some spells off,” I said.

  Immediately after the words left my mouth, an arc of green lightning shot over our heads and streaked toward one of the swirling masses of bones. Despite white bits flying everywhere, the swirling mass continued forward at even greater speed. The half-sized zombies with human bodies and canine heads rushed toward us.

  “They’re fast for zombies, aren’t they?” I asked.

  “Shut up and hold the line!” Raven yelled.

  I gripped my swords, ready to go wherever the battle took me. As the first wave of dogma zombies approached, I dug in my heels, ready to attack. Leena and Razzo both cast offensive spells, sending glowing lava and more electricity over our heads. The magic spells slammed into the front line of zombies.

  The dead bodies piling up didn’t slow down the others. Even more rushed forward, scrambling over their lifeless comrades. As the first wave of dogma zombies reached us, I attacked, instantly dropping three of them. Derringer fought to my left while Bernard did the same on my right.

  We swung, slashed, bashed, and pierced wave after miserable wave of rotting man-dog flesh. The bodies continued piling up, forming a barrier in front of us. I felt good about the battle until the first swirl of bones passed in front of us, scattering lifeless dogma bodies through the air. A jolt of fear flashed in my brain.

  The swirling mass of bones formed into a giant humanoid shape. It turned to me and swung a massive arm, clawing me.

  The bone swarm claw MAULS you for 23 damage.

  You’ve been poisoned!

  You have [147/170] health remaining.

  “Poison!” I shouted to let the others know.

  “No time to heal you now,” Derringer said beside me.

  He swung his dark black sword, slicing through two of the zombies.

  “Watch out!” Razzo shouted behind us.

  I glanced back and saw him cast a fireball. The heat singed my armor as it passed overhead. After giving him a nasty look, I turned to see it hit the bone swarm. The ball of fire exploded, causing the bone swarm to lose its shape momentarily. A chill went down my spine as it reformed into a hu
manoid shape nearby.

  We killed dozens of dogma zombies, but they kept coming. The three bone swarms and two bone-nados still circled us too, popping in to do damage when possible.

  “Try the golden bolts!” I shouted, wishing I had spells of my own.

  “Don’t tell me what to do!” Razzo shot back.

  I leaped to the side as a dozen golden bolts of energy shot past. They took out an entire line of dogma zombies, giving me time to run forward and attack a bone swarm.

  Your slash WOUNDS the bone swarm for 18 damage

  Your slash HITS the bone swarm for 8 damage.

  Your pierce GRAZES the bone swarm for 7 damage.

  The bone swarm does not look harmed.

  The bone swarm WOUNDS you for 18 damage.

  You are poisoned for 2 damage.

  You have [127/170] health remaining.

  The bones changed into a swarm and flew away as another wave of dogma zombies shambled forward. I swung my sword, taking three of them out. Another barrage of golden bolts shot by at the same time, hitting a dozen of the dog-headed undead. I attacked again, taking out another three.

  How many more?

  I surveyed the battlefield. Three swirling masses of bones zoomed around. I couldn’t tell the difference between the bone swarms and bone-nados. Several dozen dogma zombies had swarmed around Derringer and Josh. They were doing okay against the tiny creatures, so I turned to check the spellcasters.

  Leena and Razzo were okay, still casting spells at the bones. I didn’t see Raven, but Bernard was in trouble as three swirling masses bore down on him. I ran to help him. Green electricity and golden bolts shot through the air overhead. They all hit one of the twirling sets of bones, sending it to the ground.

  As the bones clattered into a pile, I ran around them and attacked one of the others in front of Bernard. My swords didn’t do much against the small bones, but I had to try.

  Your slash GRAZES the bone swarm for 5 damage

  Your slash HITS the bone swarm for 9 damage.

  Your pierce GRAZES the bone swarm for 7 damage.

  The bone swarm does not look harmed.

  Bernard also struck the mass of bones with his mace.

  “Thanks!” he shouted.

  “Don’t mention it,” I replied then attacked again.

  My swords barely damaged the bone swarm I’d attacked before. It changed shape then struck me with its tiny, dangerous claws.

  The bone swarm MAULS you for 24 damage.

  You are poisoned for 2 damage.

  You have [101/170] health remaining.

  “Do you have anything for poison?” I asked between labored breaths.

  “No,” Bernard said then swung again.

  Another volley of golden bolts hit the mass of bones we’d been hitting. It stopped moving, all the separate pieces falling to the ground. The three remaining swarms of bone backed off, flying hundreds of feet away. Derringer and Josh jogged over, both psyched by the battle.

  “I’ve been poisoned,” I said.

  Derringer walked over and pulled out his metal gadget.

  “I think it’s a green and red gem,” he said. “Let me try.”

  “You think?” I shook my head. “Maybe I’ll wait.”

  “No,” he said, dropping two gems into the metal box. “I’ve got this.”

  He pressed it against my chest, and I felt a warm glow.

  You feel better.

  You’re no longer poisoned.

  You feel refreshed.

  You have [145/170] health remaining.

  “Thanks,” I said.

  “Incoming!” Josh shouted.

  He ran forward with the Sword of Sands raised high. Bernard, Derringer and I formed a line as the three remaining undead tornados whipped toward us. Two of them reformed into humanoid shapes and swung with their claws while the third completely engulfed Josh. He screamed.

  The bone swarm MAULS you for 21 damage.

  You are poisoned for 2 damage.

  You have [124/170] health remaining.

  “Poisoned again!” I yelled, frustrated.

  Did the game have it out for me personally with all the poison? Bernard laid on the ground, barely moving after being hit. When the cloud of sharp bones moved away from Josh, the barbarian stumbled forward, a hundred small cuts over his body.

  He also fell to the ground, not moving. I glanced back at the spellcasters as they let loose another volley of damage-magic. The three swarms flew away to regroup.

  “Can you heal Josh?” I asked.

  Derringer nodded then knelt next to the barbarian, forcing the contents of a healing potion in his mouth. I knelt beside Bernard, rummaging around in his pack.

  “He’s out of potions,” I said, standing.

  The three swarms of bones moved toward us again. Leena ran over and cast a wall of fire. A semi-circle of flames protected us from the front.

  Raven and Razzo joined us behind the temporary protection.

  “Bernard needs help,” I said. “Can someone heal him?”

  Derringer walked over and knelt beside him.

  “I’m low on gems, but I’ve got it,” he said.

  “We need to take out those other three.” I turned to Raven. “Any ideas?”

  As she shook her head, all three swirling sets of tiny bones whirled around the edges of the wall of flames. Two formed into humanoids and struck at Razzo. He went down quickly, but with his red robes, I couldn’t tell if he was bleeding badly. Leena cast another lightning spell as I yelled and ran toward the closest one. My slashes connected but barely did any damage.

  Your slash SCRATCHES the bone swarm for 2 damage.

  Your slash INJURES the bone swarm for 12 damage.

  Your pierce SCRATCHES the bone swarm for 3 damage.

  The bone swarm does not look harmed.

  The bone swarm DECIMATES you for 32 damage.

  The bone swarm WOUNDS you for 21 damage.

  You are poisoned for 2 damage.

  You have [69/170] health remaining.

  With poison coursing through my veins, I needed to finish the battle. Time to take the Everlast potion? Both bone swarms flew away, surrounding Derringer. His metal armor had held up well, but he still cursed in pain as the tiny bones did their best to hurt him. Leena and Razzo both cast. Electricity and lava hit it.

  All three of the remaining creatures twirled toward Josh. He roared like an animal, swinging the Sword of Sands at the closest one. I ran forward to do what I could.

  Your slash HITS the bone swarm for 9 damage.

  Your slash INJURES the bone swarm for 15 damage.

  Your pierce SCRATCHES the bone swarm for 2 damage.

  The bone swarm is dead!

  As the cloud of bones stopped moving and fell to the ground, a second set did the same with the flames from Razzo’s lava discs spell. Josh scattered the last one.

  Combat is Over!

  You get 42,700 xp

  You have 6 party members

  You get 7,117 xp

  You have 182,795 xp

  You need 37,205 xp for

  Level 12 Rogue -> Bounty Hunter

  “Derringer, I need your help with poison,” I said. “Again.”

  “Give me a minute,” he said.

  I glanced around. Bernard sat down on the ground, breathing heavy. Raven walked over to him while Leena and Razzo stood next to each other. Derringer and Josh came to us, both of them still pumped up and grinning after the battle. I waited for the dark knight to pop a few gems into his gadget.

  “Here,” he said, pressing the metal box against my chest.

  You feel better.

  You’re no longer poisoned.

  You feel refreshed.

  You have [99/170] health remaining.

  “Thanks,” I said. “Still down about half my health, but I’m okay for now.”

  “We can’t be complacent out here in the wastelands,” Raven said. “I’ve never seen one of the lower three levels this tough befo
re.”

  “Stupid Magi Inyontoo,” Josh said.

  Leena stepped toward us.

  “He’s not stupid,” she said.

  Everyone turned to her.

  “I’d say he’s smart,” she said. “He plays this game like he created it himself.”

  “Did he have access to your computer when you were working on the game or something?” I asked, hoping to catch her off-guard.

  She crossed her hands over her chest.

  “I’m going to scout,” Raven said. “Anyone want to come along?”

  “We should make camp,” I said. “The sun’s going to set soon.”

  “That’s why we should scout,” Razzo said. “I’ll go with Raven.”

  I envied him a bit as he slipped on his Ring of Invisibility. Raven and an invisible Razzo headed off to the north. The rest of us choose a spot a few thousand feet away from the battle to make camp for the night. As I helped the others set up, I wondered what we would face at the tower of bones the next day when we reached our destination.

  With three Everlast potions remaining, I felt ready for anything, but I didn’t want to be too cocky. Leena kept to herself the rest of the evening, falling asleep soon after we got a fire going. Josh wanted to burn the bones, but we talked him out of it.

  After dinner, I settled down next to the fire, staring up at the brilliant stars in the sky above. The game pulled me in with its beauty sometimes. Despite the danger, I loved the Tower of Gates. And that scared me.

  Chapter 20

  The Tower of Bones

  Eric

  I reluctantly woke up the next morning. For once, I wanted my dreams to continue; Sarah had been in them somehow. I clung to the fleeting images as I laid on the barren ground. They gradually drifted away as the dread of another day in the game hit me. I sat up and stretched as a cold, biting wind blew in from the north—our destination, the tower of bones.

  Would it come alive and attack us like the shack when we fought the Wight Mage in the Mines of Oriam on level one-two? I stood and yawned, looking at the others. Derringer and Josh were standing next to our supplies on the floating platform. Bernard and Razzo sat next to each other, chomping on granola bars and drinking water.