by Rick Scott
Gilly’s eternal optimism gives me hope, if not for this fight then at least for her perhaps becoming her old self again. We’re about to face off against an android with an Aerial Cannon, same as the Gun Queen indeed, except Kurgan’s no AI.
The android flexes with a lead-toothed grin as he twirls his Zanbatō.
“Now this should be interesting,” he says and focuses his single chrome eye on me. “I hope you took my advice and upgraded, boy….because I won’t be going easy on you this time. I’ll let you make the first move.”
Chapter 54: Battle Royale
A horn sounds as a thin blue force-field erects itself around the ring.
“A Battle Royale has commenced! The trial of Lord Rembrandt is now on hold!” High Council Najur announces from his pulpit above the arena. “The match is now sealed for safety reasons. Any actions from hereon are at the risk of the participants who subjected themselves to the ring. Winner take all, no judgments predetermined. May the strongest win!”
To my amazement, the crowd goes ecstatic and the leader board churns with new numbers and probabilities. These people are insane. Are they really trying to capitalize on something like this? Even the kings and queens who were True Killed by Kurgan, they don’t seem to care about anymore.
Kurgan grins at me from a distance. “I’m waiting.”
My heart thunders within my chest.
It’s do-or-die time.
I make sure Bullet Weave is slotted, disappear with Shadow Cloak and then launch into Kurgan with a Charge Strike.
“Go now guys!”
I’m just about to hit him with my Backstab, when Kurgan performs a spinning slash with his Zanbatō.
Kurgan uses Whirlwind.
Kurgan Parries your attack!
Your shadow absorbs the attack.
He then follows up with a blast from his gun at point-blank range.
Kurgan uses Gravitational Shot.
You take 854 particle damage!
My teeth slam together as I’m tossed back across the arena, every cell in my body on fire.
Ugh!
“Too easy!” Kurgan shouts and prepares to follow up on me with another shot.
Val Helena charges into him with a Shield Bash, stunning him before the blast goes off. She then flashes with golden light, using her 24-hour ability.
“Take me on!” she shouts into his face with a War Cry and then stabs him through with her longsword. The attack barely does any damage as Kurgan ducks low with a sweep that takes Val Helena right off her heels and onto her back.
Kurgan uses Leg Sweep!
Val Helena is Prone!
Aiko appears behind him with a Plunging Attack, hitting for an impressive Backstab that removes 5% of his health. Maxis launches in next with a flying kick, stunning Kurgan for a second. My brother then fires into the android like a machine gun, overwhelming him with a series of rapid strikes.
Critical Hit!
Maxis hits Kurgan for 435(764) damage!
Critical Hit!
Maxis hits Kurgan for 441(769) damage!
Critical Hit!
Maxis hits Kurgan for 437(758) damage!
The android breaks the CC with a Backflip and then cuts loose with a combination of sword strikes and shots from his pistol aimed right at Maxis. I watch in horror as my brother’s HP is chopped down to 20% in just a few hits.
A double healing spell lands on him from Becky but that only just brings him back up to full. Gilly raises her bow to cast a spell as well, but whatever it is, it doesn’t seem to have any effect.
“It’s not working,” Gilly says in a panic. “I can’t raise her!”
I look to the smoldering heap of android parts that was once Queen Angela and my stomach sinks. Don’t tell me we can’t raise her. She’s our only hope!
“It’s me you want, Kurgan!” Rembrandt opens full bore on the android, peppering him with armor-piercing rounds from his dual pistols. “Come exact your revenge if you can.”
The words infuriate Kurgan to the point he doesn’t even care that Maxis is punching him anymore. Instead he grabs Val Helena, just as she’s getting back to her feet.
Kurgan uses Grapple!
Val Helena is Held!
“Val!” Max screams as Kurgan locks his huge arms about Val Helena’s torso, making even her huge frame look tiny in comparison. He spins with her like a hammer throw and catches Aiko with the improvised AOE attack, knocking her out of stealth. Maxis goes flying back as well as Kurgan throws Val Helena into him. The android then immediately leaps for Rembrandt, covering the thirty-foot distance between them with a blast of thrusters from his back and legs.
Kurgan uses Jump Jet!
Rembrandt takes 679(1028) damage!
The two go barreling in a tumble as Rembrandt struggles to fire at him at close range. Kurgan sheathes his weapons and releases a savage howl as he takes to killing Rembrandt with his bare hands.
“You’re going to pay!” Kurgan bellows uncontrollably as he belts Rembrandt with fist-laden body blows. “You’ll pay for every second of pain you’ve caused me! He was my brother, damn it! My little brother!”
Healing spells land on Rembrandt from both Becky and Gilly, but they’re just barely keeping him alive amidst the onslaught. Gilly tops me up with a spell as well and I get back into the action, landing a Charge Strike on the android’s huge back.
You hit Kurgan for 241(554) damage!
Kurgan is stunned!
Kurgan Shrugs Off the attack without even looking at me, focusing all his attention on Rembrandt. The android grips Rembrandt about the throat with both hands, threatening to choke the life out of him. “Die! Just Die!”
Rembrandt holds onto his wrists as he struggles to speak. “I’m….sorry… I’m sorry for what I did.”
“Don’t apologize to me!!” Kurgan screams. “Damn you! Damn you to hell for even thinking you have the right to do that!!”
My friends all join in attacking Kurgan from behind, but he’s in such a rage he barely seems to notice any of us. We get him down to 60% health when he seems to finally realize why Rembrandt isn’t dying, both Gilly and Becky flooding him with heal spells. “Get off of me!”
Kurgan uses Burst!
We all go flying back ten feet as bolts of electricity flash over Kurgan’s body. The android then releases a savage cry as he materializes his Zanbatō.
Kurgan uses QuickBlade!
Critical Hit!
Kurgan hits Rembrandt for 2298(3756) damage!
The blade plunges straight through Rembrandt’s chest and the cyberpunker releases a sharp gasp as his HP falls to zero.
Kurgan defeats Rembrandt!
Rem…!
Blood pours from Rembrandt’s mouth as Kurgan withdraws the blade and then materializes his pistol in his other hand, aiming it straight for Rembrandt’s head. “Die!”
No!
I leap forward to stun him again, but Val Helena beats me to him, barreling straight into the giant android as his gun goes off.
Sprack!
Val Helena uses Cover!
Val Helena covers Rembrandt!
Val Helena takes 984(1304) damage!
Kurgan releases an angry howl of frustration. “I tire of all of you!”
With a boost from his jets, he leaps away, gaining a good distance from all of us. He then raises his gun to the sky. “I should have done this first…”
Blue beams begin to form, one of them landing right on Rembrandt’s head!
“Gilly!” I shout to her through the party chat. “Raise Rembrandt, quick!”
She raises her bow. “I’ve got him!”
Kurgan uses Aerial Barrage!
Gilly casts Miracle on Rembrandt!
Rembrandt’s vitals return to full in a burst of golden light, just as the ground begins to glow at our feet. I cast Shadow Cloak and look to Gilly, but she is way too far away for me to Rescue her.
Crap!
“I’ve got Becky,” Aiko says as the shot goes
off. My friends abruptly flatline as my shadow disappears—all save for Becky, who manages to stay alive thanks to Aiko.
Aiko Rescues Becky!
Aiko’s shadow absorbs the attack!
Aiko takes 15000 plasma damage!
Kurgan defeats Aiko!
“Face me!” I shout at Kurgan with a War Cry, hoping to provide Becky enough time to cast Great Miracle and bring us all back. The android looks back and forth between Becky and I, perplexed for a moment, taken off-guard by the outcome of his attack, but he’s no dumb AI.
His one eye narrows as he looks at me. “Clever trick, boy.”
He aims his weapon at Becky without looking at her, blasting the Halfling with a three-round burst.
Sprack! Sprack! Sprack!
Becky takes 785 particle damage!
Becky takes 785 particle damage!
Becky takes 785 particle damage!
Kurgan defeats Becky!
…Becky!
My hopes vanish as Becky’s body hits the arena floor.
“It’s game over for you, boy!”
Kurgan opens fire on me next, lightning-fast rounds flying from his pistol. I Bullet Weave through the first few shots but suddenly an AOE attack comes barreling along with them.
Crap!
I scarcely have time to raise Shadow Copy again and lose my buff immediately as the ball of dark energy flies straight through me.
Kurgan uses Gravitational Shot!
Your shadow absorbs the attack!
But in the momentary pause to cast Shadow Copy a few regular rounds hit me as well.
You take 785 particle damage!
You take 785 particle damage!
White-hot pain lances through my body as I’m knocked immediately to 10% health. I fall to the ground, reeling while Kurgan gives me a lead-toothed grin. “Ah…I’ve got that spell of yours figured out now, boy.” He lowers his gun and switches to his Zanbatō. “It truly is game over now. All your friends are dead. Fitting that you’d be the last.”
He’s right. Even with him down to 50% health there’s no way I can defeat this guy. And with an AOE attack from both his Cannon and his Gun, I won’t be able to keep Shadow Copy up long enough to make a dent, much less stay alive.
I’ve got to try something else.
“It won’t do you any good, killing Rembrandt, or us,” I say. “It’s not going to change what happened to your brother.”
“Don’t pretend you know about me, boy!” he bellows.
“I don’t…” I say. “But I know revenge.” I think back to how out of control I felt when I tried to kill Braxus and how empty and useless I felt afterwards. “No one truly wins that game. Not in the long run.”
Your Barter increases by 0.2.
He pauses, looking away, my words perhaps ringing true.
“You think I don’t know that?” He faces me again. “You think I didn’t feel that hollow sense of victory when I plunged my blade through Rembrandt’s heart? Or even the second time when I incinerated him after you brought him back?” He huffs out a laugh. “Felt like every other punter I’ve killed. But the True Kill’s going to feel different. That I know. And I’m not going to let you rob me of that again.”
My heart jackhammers in my chest. I need to do something to keep this guy from killing us all. But what? The only thing I can think of though…is the truth.
“Rembrandt told me about who you were before this all happened to you,” I say and he pauses. “Said you never liked PvP. The path you’re on isn’t really yours, is it? Wasn’t Rembrandt’s either…but it’ll lead you to the same destruction in the end, just like him. It won’t bring you back what you’ve lost, Kurgan. It’ll only cause you to lose more.”
Your Barter increases by 0.2.
He grimaces a moment before huffing out a bemused smile. “I’ve already lost more than you know,” he says and then pauses again, looking at me. “But you’re right, boy. Maybe it’s time I took something back.”
The way he says that while looking at me makes me nervous. What is he talking about?
He lowers his Zanbatō. “Make no mistake, I will True Kill Rembrandt this day, but you show promise and I respect that.” He then points his gun at me as he gets within ten feet. “Swear your loyalty to me and I’ll let you live.”
“What?”
He must see the incredulity on my face because he starts to chuckle. “Surprised? When I saw you soloing that Overlord, it was like looking at a younger me. You did things I still don’t understand and I’d like to see where that potential leads. But I also can’t have someone wanting revenge eventually stabbing me in the back. So make your choice, friend. Die now with the rest of your people, or swear down your revenge and live.”
“You’re going to kill all my friends and expect me to join you?”
“Why not?” he says, giving me a grin. “Or were you just talking horse crap just now about swearing off the path of vengeance?”
His introspection takes me by surprise, forcing me to face my own words.
This guy is no Axel.
“Let’s see you put your theory into action,” he says. “Let’s see you forgive me for the sins I’m about to commit.”
I glower at him, but I can’t deny the truth of his words. “You if anyone should know the power revenge can hold over you. Even if I agreed, would you really be willing to take that risk?”
Your Barter increases by 0.1.
Kurgan smiles again, bemused.
“Ah...so true. Perhaps it was aspirational of me to even pose such a question.” He then looks over his shoulder at my fallen teammates. “But such a waste of potential… I guess I need to make this decision a bit easier for you.”
He points his gun to the sky and the blue lasers emerge again, but this time they pinpoint on each of my friend’s heads. My stomach lurches as I realize what he’s about to do.
“Join me and I’ll spare them from True Death.” He then grimaces and I can feel the hate pouring off of him. “Even that spineless bastard, Rembrandt.”
What? Would he really forgo killing Rembrandt for this? There’s no way that’s possible. Not with what he just said. But why is he even interested in me like this? What’s he trying to get from me? I grimace as my mind struggles to contemplate my options. What does joining him even mean? The thought of being indentured to this psychopath has my stomach twisting in knots, but how else can I save my friends? I have to do something—if only to just stall for more time.
I’m just about to open my mouth to speak when a bright light bursts from behind Kurgan.
Angela uses a Backup Core.
Angela is fully restored!
Yes…!
“The answer is no, you psycho!” I launch into Kurgan with a Charge Strike at point-blank range.
You hit Kurgan for 223(445) damage!
Kurgan is Stunned!
He shakes off the stun with a roar of anger.
Kurgan uses Shrug it Off!
Kurgan is no longer Stunned!
But I expect his counter and back off, using the time to rebuff Shadow Copy and give myself a fighting chance. I look to Angela as she rises into the air, her restoration nearly complete. Just a few more seconds! I need to keep Kurgan preoccupied long enough for Angela to fire that cannon. Her eyes flash open as she lands on her feet and I shout to her through the party chat.
“Angela, hit him quick! Use Aerial Barrage!”
She regains her bearings quickly and nods to me as she raises her gun to the sky.
Angela readies Aerial Barrage!
A blue laser appears at Kurgan’s feet. He’s down to half health. One shot should do it!
But Kurgan suddenly rockets across the arena with a lunge. “You’re too slow!”
Kurgan uses Jump Jet!
Kurgan hits Angela for 678(1096) damage!
The android slams into Angela at full speed, knocking her down 5% in a single hit. The move sends her sliding across to the arena and Kurgan follows up with a second l
unge, lashing out at her with a series of blinding attacks from his Zanbatō.
Kurgan hits Angela for 1042(1264) damage!
Critical Hit!
Kurgan hits Angela for 2028(2245) damage!
Critical Hit!
Kurgan hits Angela for 2122(2457) damage!
He finishes in a flurry that sends his blade arcing high with a sharp ring of metal.
Kurgan uses Disarm!
Angela screams as she loses another huge chunk of her HP and her gun-arm goes flying through the air in a burst of sparks.
Angela!
She falls to the ground, crippled at 60% health, clutching her wounded shoulder.
My gut tightens as our prospects go from dire to zero.
God…what do we do?
Kurgan then looks at me. “Guess you made your choice, boy.” He raises his gun in the air. “Such a waste.”
A blue beam falls on me.
“Go on and cast your spell,” Kurgan says as he readies Quick Reset, his body swirling with 1s and 0s. “I’m already three chess moves ahead of you—going to use my Android special. You’re dead as soon as this attack goes off.”
My blood runs cold as the reality hits. He’s using the same tactic that Angela did on him. Two AOE blasts like that and I’m dead, there’s no time for me to recast Shadow Copy in between. Angela is mewling on the ground, about to be killed herself as a blue beam focuses on her as well. I’m the only one who can do anything now. But what? Panic floods my blood with adrenaline as my thoughts race. Then something forms within my mind with a spark of hope.
