To the left is Ryken. His undead horde has grown larger. The nightmare moves with great speed, cutting a diagonal path towards the large group. Does he hope to join them, or kill them? The rest of my competitors are scattered among mountains, careful to stay away from each other.
Past the mountains, there is a green valley. That must be the final leg. Several portals stretch across in a line. I bet they transport each player back to the start.
I return to my body and we take off again. With a little luck, I might be able to catch up.
Trees pass by in a blur as Fenrir sinks his claws in the ground, tossing up dirt and rocks with each thrust.
Once we’re out of the mountains, I spot the first group a mile ahead. Fenrir is faster than all of their mounts. It’s a balancing act between speed and stamina, but the finish line is only a few miles ahead.
Ryken’s horde approaches the group from the left. A black cloud surrounds him as he moves in like the angel of death. The group must know they can’t outrun him, because they turn to fight. I give them a wide berth as I approach, since I still don’t know what is wrong with my attack.
I’m several hundred yards away when the two groups face off, neither one making the first move. I slow down, giving them a wide berth, but using my enhanced hearing to make out a few words from the group with the bear.
“What should we do?”
“I don’t know. He’s taken out so many people, he’s practically his own army.”
“How do you even kill a death knight?”
The nightmare neighs and a cone of fire erupts from its nose, scorching one of the horses and its rider in flames. A few seconds later, it crumbles to the ground.
The armored bear steps forward. The gnome that rides on its back holds a staff in one hand and his hawk perches on the other arm. With a wave of his hand, the hawk flies into the air. The gnome casts a spell on the hawk and it burst into flames, flying through the undead mounts and setting them aflame. The bear rears up on its hind legs and the gnome holds on tight. The bear swings with its massive paws, ripping chunks of undead flesh off anything dumb enough to approach. The rest of the group sits back in awe.
Ryken is the biggest threat in the tournament right now. Part of me wants to go help, but not knowing what is wrong with my attack and if I’d be able to hurt him at all has me hesitant. I urge Fenrir to go faster, all the while keeping my eyes on the showdown.
Ryken sends all the undead mounts at the other group. Many of them are ripped apart by the bear, some fall to other combatants, and a few make it through, taking down two men on horses.
Now, Ryken stands alone against six. He moves motions and arms spring from the earth, grabbing two of the mounts by the feet. The horses fight for freedom, but the rotting hands refuse to let go. Ryken charges and then disappears. The nightmare and Ryken are both gone, vanishing into thin air.
A moment later, they appear between two riders. Ryken’s broadsword moves with speed that nothing that big should have and slashes both in quick succession before he disappears again. Is that the nightmare’s special ability?
Both riders fall off their mounts.
The bear swipes at something we cannot see and when Ryken reappears, a large gash runs down the side of his mount.
Four remain against Ryken. The gnome and bear, a swordsman and a cowboy, both on horses, and a robot riding some futuristic hovercraft.
The cowboy swings his lasso and tosses it around Ryken. It glows white hot and constricts, squeezing Ryken tight. He shoots a barrage of bullets that ding against the death knight’s armor. The swordsman charges Ryken at the same time several sonic beams shoot from the robot’s hands.
A few feet from Ryken, the swordsman raises his sword to attack. Steam rises from Ryken’s armor, the lasso cooking him alive. His orange eyes glow bright beneath his helm.
The sword is inches from hitting Ryken when he breaks free of the lasso, snapping the ends into frays. The swordsman slashes across Ryken’s body, but it has no effect. The sonic beams catch Ryken in the chest, knocking him from his horse. The bear moves in, sensing his opportunity.
If they can keep him on the ground long enough, he’ll be disqualified.
Ryken equips a large black shield, emblazoned with a silver skull, and thrusts it forward each time the bear attacks. The bear’s claws scrape against the metal, to no effect. The four mounted warriors surround the death knight. Can they actually defeat him?
Ryken drops to one knee and places his hands against the earth. A loud buzz fills the air and the earth opens, spilling thousands of black moths from its core. They surround all four warriors, inflicting who knows what kind of pain. The cowboy falls from his mount, his HP at zero. Ryken equips his broadsword and turns toward the swordsman.
The swordsman has had enough. He turns to run, but Ryken cuts him down. Flashes of light emanate from the robot’s eyes and his hands transform into blasters. He fires a volley of beams that pound into Ryken, pushing him to the ground. The nightmare attempts to return, but the bear blocks its path. Ryken must know he is nearly out of time because he runs at the bear, sword raised, and slashes hard. He finds the soft spot between the armor and a geyser of blood spurts into the air. The gnome casts several spells in Ryken’s direction, but they explode in the air inches from his armor. Is he using a special ability?
The bear stumbles back and forth. The nightmare returns and Ryken climbs on seconds before he would have been disqualified.
The robot fires again, this time spraying a shotgun blast of laser beams across Ryken’s chest. It barely affects him. How is it that he seems to be getting stronger as the others get weaker?
Ryken casts a spell and a blood red stream flies from his hand to the robot. The robot loses a chunk of health and Ryken’s HP regenerates. Lifesteal. He waves his hand again and the robot moves in slow motion. Ryken cuts him down and electric sparks jump out before the robot’s eyes go black.
All that is left is the gnome and Ryken. The gnome doesn’t have a chance. Even after all of that, Ryken still has over fifty percent health.
The bear is back on all fours. He lets out a deafening roar I could hear even without my enhanced senses. The bear paws at the ground, furious. There is no way it’s going down without a fight.
The two mounted warriors face each other. Ryken carries his sword over his shoulder. The gnome’s staff is pointed forward. Ryken charges the bear and the nightmare’s flaming mane grows bigger.
The gnome waves his staff and an electric current surrounds the bear. He swings at the nightmare and lightning shoots from its massive paws, damaging Ryken. It swings again and a second bolt connects, slowing Ryken’s attack. A third blow stuns Ryken in place. The bear bites Ryken’s shoulder and the death knight loses a third of his remaining health. His orange eyes glow brighter. Is it out of surprise or anger? The bear might just pull it off.
The bear swipes again, but Ryken parries it with his sword. He retreats a few feet and tosses his sword to the ground. Both of his hands touch together and a deep purple mist rolls across the ground. The earth rumbles and hands slowly break through its surface. The cowboy, swordsman, robot, and others rise up, their skin a blackish gray. No recognition registers on their faces as they turn towards the gnome.
I hesitate to turn around and engage in the battle. I’m close enough that I could make it in time. If I snare Ryken, perhaps the bear can finish him off. In reality, I know it’s a fight I can’t win. I’m ahead of him and all I can do is go for the finish line.
I continue on as Ryken’s horde of undead surround the bear and unleash their weapons. The bear falls to the ground.
Then Ryken turns his head in our direction.
I’m not going to die today.
“Run, Fenrir!” I yell and the wolf hustles faster. I can hear the rhythm of hooves behind me as Ryken chases us down. The portal is within sight so I put everything I have into Fenrir’s speed. His stamina drops constantly and I don’t know if we’ll make it before
he runs out, but we’re pulling away from Ryken. Right now, that’s all that matters.
We’re only a few feet from the portal when his stamina gives out and we fall to the ground. I pull on his body, but without my strength, I’m unable to lift him. The timer ticks down in my vision. Twenty-five seconds until disqualification. Fenrir looks at me, sorrowful that we are so close. I grab around his neck and pull. We only move a few inches at a time and I can see Ryken getting closer.
If I don’t do something, we are dead, and I can’t die this close to the finish line. I look through my inventory—is there anything I can use to help?
Substance: Fire Whiskey. Buff: +2% attack for the next hour.
I chug the whiskey and step between Fenrir and Ryken. The death knight has his sword raised, ready to cut me down.
I take aim and cast Haunted Earth. Roots spring from the ground and catch Ryken at the perfect moment.
The buff from the whiskey doesn’t reset my strength, but it gives enough that I can move Fenrir a foot at a time.
The countdown timer hits one just as I drag both of our bodies through the portal.
Chapter 28
Aleesia grabs me by the arm.
“You made it!” she screams, hugging me tightly.
Fenrir begins to stir, his stamina returning. A few seconds later, Ryken appears through the portal. He looks down at me, his eyes glowing behind the darkness of his helm.
“You!” His voice is deep and cavernous. Hollow. He raises his hand and I feel the ground shaking beneath me.
Hands reach out from the earth. This is where I die. At least I made it through the second quest before he kills me.
A silver orb surrounds us and the hands crumble against it, turning to dust and falling to the ground.
“It’s over Ryken. Go somewhere else!” The princess is furious. I’ve never seen her lose her cool before. She is vicious, her bow raised and pointed at Ryken. Her crimson face matches the fire inside her and her unicorn lowers its head, ready to attack. The shield protecting us must be from it.
“Okay, sister. We’ll meet again soon.” Ryken drops his sword and trots away.
Sister? What the hell?
“Why did he call you sister?” I ask.
“Because…Ryken is my brother. He’s a real ass and we don’t talk, not since he moved out and became obsessed with being the best. Dad cut him off to try and teach him a lesson, but by that time, Ryken was making enough to support himself, so he became an even more self-centered asshat. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. Fenrir ran out of stamina escaping your brother. We barely made it through.”
For the first time, I look around. The stands are chaos as people cheer and yell. Competitors continue to spill out of the portal and I realize I finished seventh. The last two to emerge are Ordin and a cloaked individual riding a camel. When all is said and done, thirty-two of us make it to the next round.
Once the last person is through, my notifications go off like alarm bells. My XP shoots up and I gain another level. I have to wait to check my notifications, though, because Nancy has another announcement for us. She flies down in front of the crowd on her pegasus. Her voice echoes across the land.
“What an exciting and thrilling race! Even better than we could have hoped for. To all of you who made it to the next round, congratulations! And to those of you who didn’t, I give you applause for making it this far. You all now have a better understanding of your opponents and what it will take to win. Use this knowledge wisely as you prepare for the next round. You will all be notified when the next stage is complete. Good luck and as always, never stop leveling!”
When the next stage is complete? Does that mean it’s not finished yet?
“What’s next for you, Esil?” asks Aleesia.
“Me? I’m going to go home and sleep.”
I wave to Buzz and Grayson in the stands. They shout something at me, but I pay them no attention. I’m mentally exhausted and we can talk tomorrow. There will be plenty of time to discuss strategy then.
Merlin hoots at me from my shoulder. In the excitement of trying to escape Ryken, I didn’t even notice if he made it through the portal with me, but Merlin is a smart bird.
We jump through the portal and I logout. Sleep finds me as soon as my head hits the pillow.
I wake up refreshed and ready to take on the world. Rain patters loudly outside of my apartment. I guess I won’t be going outside today. After eating, showering, and stretching, I strap into my haptic suit and log into Pangea.
Merlin and Fenrir are excited to see me. It’s amazing what a several hundred-mile battle-race will do to bond man and wolf.
I check my notifications from yesterday. There are messages from Buzz, Grayson, and curiously, the Pangea Online Developers. I open theirs first.
Greetings Esil,
This message is to inform you that a bug was detected in all characters whose initial class was miner from the Mines in Sector 247. The bug has been fixed and a new patch has gone through effective immediately. Have a good day and as always, never stop leveling!
-Pangea Online Developers
The next message I read is Buzz’s.
Esil,
Bro, things just hit the fan. Apparently, the developers found out about our you-know-what and fixed it. We’re normal now. Don’t know if this message is going to reach you or not. You’re about to reach the mountains as I send this. My advice if you get this: don’t fight anything!
-Buzz
Grayson is not so cryptic.
Someone ratted us out. Someone who went to Asgard with us. No one else knew about our little secret, so I would watch who you trust out there. Whoever told on you obviously hopes to benefit from not having you in the race. If you see anyone, don’t fight, just run. Good luck.
-Grayson
There is one more from Aleesia, dated this morning.
Esil,
We need to talk ASAP.
-Aleesia
That’s ominous. I try to wrap my brain around one of my friends betraying my trust. I don’t think any of them would do it, not even Glordin or Tinker, who didn’t make it into the tournament. I risked my life for Klink and Ordin. And yet, somehow, we were reported. I know it’s fair, but that was the only advantage I had going into this thing. Without my strength, I’m not strong enough to compete with the others. When Ryken can take down nine players by himself, what chance do I have of getting past him?
I send the princess a message and she replies, agreeing to meet in the Mortican Mountains.
After the second quest, my face is even more famous than before. Several people try to stop me as I make my way out of the town square.
The princess waits for me in a nearby field. I come across her battling a harpy. Her arrows soar through the air, taking down the shrieking bird-woman in a few hits. Her face drops when she sees me.
“I’m so sorry!” she says, running up to me. Tears stream down her face.
I wrap my arm around her and pull her close.
“Why are you sorry? It’s not your fault. With me being so famous right now, it was bound to catch up with us.”
She cries even harder.
“You don’t understand. It was me.”
“You? What do you mean?”
“I was asking my dad questions. If it was possible for characters to be created with hidden stats? I told him about how all of you were strong and that it didn’t make any sense to me, since you worked in the mines. He said they never paid much attention to the mines, but then he looked into it and found that there was a bug. Apparently, it had been there a really long time. So, then they fixed it and that’s why you lost your strength. I’m so sorry.”
Her words are like a blow to the gut. It takes me a moment to find my words.
“You’re the reason why I don’t have a chance at winning the tournament anymore?” An anger flares up in me that I can’t control. I know she didn’t mean for this to happen, but it doesn’t excuse
it. I told her to just let it go. She should have. “You’re the reason why Buzz’s mom is going to die. Dammit, Aleesia. I had a real shot at saving her. Now I’m just a bug that’s going to get stepped on.”
I turn to walk away. I’ve said enough hurtful things to her already, but I know if I stay, I’ll say more.
“Let me make it up to you,” she squeaks.
“Make it up to me? Can you give me my strength back? Can you get me thirty levels by the time the next quest starts? I don’t think so. You’ve done enough.”
With that, I take off. I can still hear her crying as Fenrir bolts away. Merlin gives me an annoyed hoot from my shoulder. He knows I’m being unfair. Why couldn’t she just keep her mouth shut?
I message Buzz and Grayson and they both agree to meet me after work.
While I wait, I travel to various worlds and level as much as I can. Even though I don’t have a shot, I can’t just give up on Buzz’s mom. I still have to try.
Fighting is so much harder without my strength. It takes me forever to kill monsters I could defeat in seconds only yesterday. I take more damage and run out of mana more often too. So, this is what it’s really like to level grind. I’m screwed.
I still have my stat point from yesterday. I look at my stats and decide to put it into Agility. If I can’t hit hard, I’m going to need to be faster.
Level 24:
Strength -14
Agility -4
Vitality -5
Intellect -6
Dexterity -5
Stamina -0
We meet up at a pub in Midgard. It’s Buzz’s favorite world now. A burly man wearing chainmail and a leather vest pours frothy ale into our mugs as we sit down at a table near the back.
Pangea Online Book One: Death and Axes: A LitRPG Novel Page 20
