by Paul Bellow
The undead birch GRAZES you for 6 damage.
You have [141/170] health remaining.
While not as bad as the many branches from the undead willow hitting me, I didn’t want to lose much more health. As the battle raged around me, I attacked again.
Your slash INJURES the undead birch for 14 damage.
Your hack HITS the undead birch for 10 damage.
Your slash INJURES the undead birch for 12 damage.
The undead birch is dead.
Sap covered my blades, but the undead tree had fallen. I turned to see Bernard, Derringer, and Josh all attacking the undead oak. Leena and Razzo were keeping the undead willow busy. I crept around, wondering if you could back stab a tree. The question would be answered quickly as I rushed forward with both blades raised high to swing down on the thick trunk. Several branches whipped down. I dodged the branches and went in for an attack.
Your slash HITS the undead willow for 8 damage.
Your hack GRAZES the undead willow for 4 damage.
Your slash HITS the undead willow for 10 damage.
The undead willow is not concerned with you.
I noticed an opening near the base of the trunk as I walked around to avoid the branches frantically swinging at me. On a whim, I thrust both blades into the tree hollow.
Your slash INJURES the undead willow for 14 damage.
Your hack WOUNDS the undead willow for 19 damage.
Critical Hit!
Your slash MAULS the undead willow for 25 damage.
The undead willow is slowed!
The undead willow is not looking good.
Your Dual Wield Skill has increased.
It is now basic level 6 of 10.
As the intense whistling of the branches increased in volume, I realized I’d found a weak spot. Leena and Razzo changed their target with me right in front of the undead willow. Two particularly thick branches swung through the air, hitting me full force and almost knocking me off my feet.
The undead willow HITS you for 10 damage.
The undead willow INJURES you for 13 damage.
You have [80/170] health remaining.
I concentrated all my efforts on piercing the soft insides of the tree through the hole near the base of its trunk. Both blades, covered in sap, sunk into the wood deeply.
Your slash INJURES the undead willow for 14 damage.
Your hack WOUNDS the undead willow for 17 damage.
Your slash INJURES the undead willow for 13 damage.
The undead willow is moving slow!
The undead willow is worried.
It should be worried, I thought confidently. Then three more branches hit me.
The undead willow GRAZES you for 5 damage.
The undead willow INJURES you for 12 damage.
The undead willow WOUNDS you for 18 damage.
You have [45/170] health remaining.
I fought back the pain and fear of dropping to zero health and stabbed the inside of the undead willow one more time with each weapon.
Your slash INJURES the undead willow for 12 damage.
Your hack WOUNDS the undead willow for 18 damage.
Your slash INJURES the undead willow for 15 damage.
The undead willow is dead.
“Look for the weak spot!” I yelled as the undead willow stopped moving.
The others had the undead oak surrounded, pelting it with blows as it fought back.
“We’re trying!” Bernard yelled.
I ran over to Leena and Razzo.
“Give it all you got,” I said.
Both spellcasters stood in place, moving their arms and legs. Another volley of offensive magic—a lightning bolt and more golden bolts—shot into the giant tree. The undead oak moved backward several inches as if to flee, but it was too late. Josh screamed and ran forward with his two-handed sword over his head, chopping off a branch. Bernard and Derringer followed up with their swords, slashing at the trunk of the dead tree. It let out a shrill whistle then stopped moving. The forest grew strangely quiet.
Combat is Over!
You get 85,000 xp
You have 6 party members
You get 14,167 xp
You have 222,837 xp
Level Up!
You are now a…
Level 12 Rogue -> Bounty Hunter
+12 health (182 health)
You gain 2 skill points.
You gain 5 stat points.
You need 92,163 xp for
Level 13 Rogue -> Bounty Hunter
I grinned as the rush of a new level hit me.
“Everyone okay?” I asked, looking around.
“Stupid dead trees,” Josh muttered. He stepped forward then stumbled to the ground.
I looked at Leena and said, “Heal him.”
She sighed but walked over and cast a spell. Josh sat up, holding his head.
“I’ve got a splinter in my head,” he said, picking at it.
Derringer laughed. The rest of us joined him except for Leena and Razzo. Even Josh laughed at the ludicrousness of our recent encounter with undead trees.
“We should go,” Raven said. “The treehouse is another half mile at least.”
“Hold on,” Bernard said. “I’ve found something.”
After rummaging around in the hollow hole at the base of the dead willow tree’s trunk, he pulled out a bag. I walked over, grinning.
“Good job,” I said. “What’d we get?”
He held the tattered bag in one hand and stuck his other inside.
“Gems,” he said.
Derringer raised his hand in the air and stepped toward them.
“What colors?” he asked.
“A bunch of them,” Bernard said. “Here.”
He tossed the bag to Derringer. The dark knight caught it midair.
“We should go,” Leena said. “It’s dangerous out here in the open.”
I walked toward Raven at the far edge of the clearing. She slipped into the woods, confidently walking in between the massive trunks that towered above us. We followed her. I dragged my feet one after the other. Memories of my hover-chair floated through my mind as I walked deeper into the forest. What a game. Freedom had become tedious.
Half-an-hour later, Raven stopped and raised her clenched fist, signaling us to do the same. Up ahead, I saw lights streaming from a wooden fortress built a hundred feet up between three trees. A long rope ladder swung in the evening breeze, inviting us to climb. Raven activated her ring of flying and flew upward. I stopped and glanced up, watching as she flew closer to the impressive wooden structure.
“It’s safe!” she yelled down.
Derringer stepped toward the rope ladder.
“What are you doing?” Josh asked. “We have the floating platform.”
I grinned at how far he’d come in the game since we first entered. Josh levitated the floating platform after we stepped aboard. It sped up toward Raven as she waited on a wrap-around porch that went around the entire building nestled between three huge tree trunks. Had Sarah built the place? We landed on the wooden planks beside Raven.
“Someone left the lights on,” Bernard said, peering in a window.
“Let’s go inside and check it out.” I moved toward the door. “Maybe we’ll find a clue.”
Heart pounding, I turned the wooden handle, hoping to see Sarah on the other side.
Chapter 23
A Very Strange Tower
Eric
The inside of the treehouse looked even more spectacular than the outside. Carved wood surrounded us in a cocoon of warmth. A lantern from the ceiling flickered, casting odd shadows on the wall. I saw several paintings hung on the walls.
“Who lit that?” Bernard asked, nodding at the source of light.
I walked over.
“Had to be recent,” I said.
“Something’s not right,” Raven said, looking around.
Leena stepped beside me.
“You’re being paranoid
,” she said, turning to Raven. “The guys we got the map from probably left it lit when they left.”
“That’s crazy,” Bernard said. “Someone obviously lit it recently. Who else would come here? Maybe it was Sarah.”
“I don’t know,” Razzo said then giggled.
“What’s so funny?” I asked.
He raised his hands defensively in the air. The sleeves of his red robe fell, exposing his skinny, pale arms.
“Nothing,” he said. “I’m just nervous.”
“Why would you be nervous?” I asked.
“I’ll kill him now,” Josh said then pushed the wizard from behind.
Razzo scrambled closer to Leena and me in the center of the room.
“Hold on.” Derringer walked over. “I can cast a truth spell on him.”
“Wait a minute,” Leena said. “He’s not even in our party. That’s going too far.”
I turned my head to look at her.
“Why are you protecting him?” I asked. “Something you’re not telling us?”
“No, but why waste mana on a truth spell?” she asked. “Don’t you trust me either?”
“Honestly, I’m not sure,” I said, noticing Bernard examining a section of the rounded walls.
“They’ve fought beside us,” Derringer said. “That should count for something.”
Should we make sure they’re telling the truth? Honest people wouldn’t mind. Or would they not like the intrusion on their privacy or the lack of trust? I took a deep breath.
“I’ve found something,” Bernard said, breaking the tension.
Everyone turned to him. He smiled as he pushed something with his finger. A section of the wall slid upward, revealing a room hollowed out of a massive tree trunk.
“Impressive,” I said, walking over.
Testing the honesty of Leena and Razzo could wait.
“Maybe the others missed a clue as to her whereabouts,” I said.
Bernard walked into the dark room. I turned to Razzo.
“Some light, please?” I asked.
“Now you trust me and want my help,” he said, shaking his head. “I see how you are.”
“There’s something in here,” Bernard said.
Razzo sighed then cast another light spell on his dagger. He carried it over, illuminating the hidden room carved into the tree itself. My eyes widened as I walked in. Intricate maps of the first three levels of the Tower of Gates were tacked to the walls. A fourth map showed the interior of the tower with all the portals to the different levels.
A wooden table in the far corner held a stack of papers. I rushed over, immediately recognizing Sarah’s handwriting. The papers contained lists of names, locations, and more. I glanced over them, looking for clues. Derringer and Josh walked into the spacious hidden room with Leena close behind them.
“I found a diary,” Bernard said from a bookshelf carved into the tree.
“We shouldn’t read it,” Leena said. “It’s private.”
“It can at least tell us how long she’s been on this level as an NPC,” Bernard said, flipping it open. “Looks like she’s been here…Oh, wow…”
His voice trailed off.
“What is it?” I asked.
“She’s been on her own for twenty years,” he said.
I furrowed my brow. “That’s crazy.”
“Not really.” Bernard flipped a few pages. “It’s happened to me before.”
“Me too,” Derringer said, frowning.
“Well, I’ve not died yet, so I don’t know.” I walked over to Bernard and reached for the leather-bound collection of pages. “Let me see.”
“Hold on,” he said, pulling it away. “I’m reading.”
Leena strode over and snatched it from his hands.
“We shouldn’t read this,” she said, walking toward the entrance.
I blocked her way, reaching for the book.
“We need to see if there’s any clues of what happened to her,” I said. “Give it to me.”
“Razzo,” Leena said. “Some help in here?”
I felt someone brush up against me, but I didn’t see anyone. The book left Leena’s hands then disappeared.
“Hey,” I said, feeling around for Razzo.
“Catch me if you can,” he said then laughed, giving away his location.
“I’ve got him,” Josh said then lunged toward the voice. He fell to the floor, unsuccessful.
“Where are you?” I asked, my voice raising.
“Leave him alone,” Leena said.
I stepped forward and grabbed her robes.
“What’s going on with you and him?” I asked. “Are you going to double-cross us or something? Tell me now.”
Leena frowned. “I’m doing what’s best for you,” she said. “You two need to talk.”
“Who are you talking about?” I asked.
“Let me go,” she said. “You’re hurting me.”
I sighed and let go of her robes. She stepped back. We made eye contact, neither of us saying anything for a moment.
“You don’t understand what he’s like,” she said.
“Who?” I asked. “Can you please try to make a little sense?”
“Someone’s coming!” Raven shouted. “It’s not good.”
“Who is it?” I asked, running into the larger room.
The door opened, answering my question.
Chapter 24
Half-Brother Encounter
Eric
Magi Inyontoo and four of his goons entered the room, all wearing black robes. He smirked as I drew my swords, ready to kill. Leena and Razzo stepped closer.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
The others stepped next to me on the far side of the room.
“Suddenly you care?” Magi Inyontoo asked.
“Don’t kill them,” Leena said. “You promised.”
“Shut up!” The smile faded from Magi Inyontoo’s face. “You can’t tell me what to do in here. Remember? You lied to me, and I know the truth.”
“What are you talking about?” I asked.
“Don’t worry about it,” Magi Inyontoo said. “You’ve got other stuff to worry about now.”
“Yeah?” Josh asked. “Like what?”
“I’m going to kill you all,” Magi Inyontoo muttered.
Our nemesis since level one-one snapped his fingers. The four men in robes rushed forward with daggers drawn.
“Stop,” Leena said, stepping in their way. “You promised you wouldn’t hurt them if I told you where to find us. I remember when your word meant something.”
I stared coldly at her.
“How did you contact him?” I asked. “Why betray us?”
“I called him on the magic mirror in the tower of bones while you guys took the treasure out,” Leena said. “We need to work together to get out of this game.”
Magi Inyontoo nodded, a smug grin on his face.
“There’s only one way out of the game, and that’s through me.” He stuck out his chest and tilted his head back. “You’re either with me or against me.”
“We’re against you,” I replied without hesitation.
“You killed my father,” Magi Inyontoo said. “Prepare to die.”
“Hold up,” I said. “Even if I knew your father, I’ve never killed anyone in my life. Why do you keep saying that line? Do you know the reference? My father read that book to me when I was younger.”
Magi Inyontoo smirked.
“You still don’t get my name, do you?” he asked. “What happens if you rearrange the letters?”
“They spell something else?” Josh asked.
“It’s an anagram,” Magi Inyontoo snapped. “You’re the biggest idiot I’ve met so far, and I’ve come across a lot of people in here. You killed my father figuratively not literally. Do you understand the difference?”
“Yes, I understand, but you’re still going to die,” I said.
“Wait...” Leena lifted her arms from where
she stood in middle of the room. “We need to work together. It’s the only way...”
“Enough!” Magi Inyontoo shouted. “James is also my father in the real world.”
“That’s not possible,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief.
“We’re half-brothers,” Magi Inyontoo said. “We both have the same father but different mothers. That explains why I’m so superior to you.”
My half-brother wizard reached into his robes and pulled out a wand.
“You didn’t kill my father literally, but because of you, he never wanted to be around me. Between you and his job creating this stupid place, he never had time for me.”
“That’s why you’re so messed up,” Josh said, nodding his head.
“All of you shut up!”
Magi Inyontoo held out the wand.
“Don’t,” Leena said. “James still loves you. He told me all the time.”
I continued processing all the information. The player trying to kill me the entire game was my half-brother in the real world? I took a deep breath to calm myself.
Magi Inyontoo activated the wand. A puke-green beam of energy shot from the gnarled twig and hit Leena in the chest. The surprise on her face would be etched in my memory forever. Razzo turned invisible as she fell to the floor, not moving.
This is not going good. Bernard, Derringer, Josh, Raven, and I stood side by side, ready to stand up to the six spellcasters on the other side of the room, including Razzo.
“Should’ve let me join your party,” he said. “I stick with the winners.”
“You’re a rat!” Josh shouted, his anger getting the better of him.
If he went into a barbarian rage inside, none of us might make it out alive.
“Why don’t you take an Everlast potion, Eric?” Magi Inyontoo asked then laughed.
“He took two of them at the tower,” Razzo snickered.
I took a deep breath, not letting my emotions get the better of me. To fight effectively, I needed to be as rational and unemotional as possible.
“Don’t you find it funny you haven’t found Sarah yet?” Magi Inyontoo asked. He still held the wand in his right hand, pointing it in our direction.
