When my focus cleared, Sergeant Butters was standing back. Mostly, he looked relaxed, or that was my initial impression. He seemed to study me for a moment then shook his head as if he were disappointed. Finally, he clicked his tongue and shook his head a few more times, emphasizing the point. And when he spoke, it wasn’t any better. “I expected better. Only rank II of Polearms? I suppose that is respectable for level 23 . . . though, completely unacceptable for the Goddess’s champion. I see I have my work cut out for me. I hope you are prepared to work,” the Sergeant said.
“It’s not like I don’t work on it,” I protested.
Sergeant Butters looked unimpressed with my answer. He asked, “And when is the last time you just trained with your spear?”
If I was honest, it hadn’t been since before the Hammer and Anvil Mountain Valley war. In the two months since I learned from Captain Saaya, I hadn’t really trained much of anything except for my magic. Sure, my skills had leveled up, but it wasn’t as much as if I had specifically trained for it. “It’s been a while,” I admitted.
“Then we best get to it,” Sergeant Butters said, taking up his stance once again. He didn’t wait long before the attack began anew. And he was ruthless, unrelenting, and absolutely brutal. I died several times that morning and into the afternoon only to be revived by one of the Paladin Guardsmen. The Sergeant pushed me harder than I had ever been pushed before. It felt like every time I gained a skill level to ‘Acrobatics’, ‘Body Control’ or ‘Two-Handed Polearms’, the Sergeant knew it. He knew it, and he made the fight against him just a little more difficult. And as much as the deaths left me dejected . . . and believe me, they really did . . . it pushed me to improve. My footwork got faster. My spear strikes more carefully chosen and aimed faster with less thinking through the attack first. My flips, rolls, and other evasive maneuvers became crisper and more polished. It didn’t take long before I lost myself in it. Suddenly, I was having fun again. I was just playing the game. Trying to make my character stronger and leveling up. There was nothing but the Sergeant, me, and the fight. Everything else, just . . . faded away.
I could admit, the last couple months had really stressed me out. I came into this world to have fun and lately . . . I hadn’t been having as much fun playing the game. Sure, it was fun being with my friends. Our banter and joking were great. And Rose . . . she was amazing, and I felt incredibly lucky to have met her and to just have her in my life. But it was all tainted by that giant . . . obligation hanging over my head.
It was that obligation that took the fun out of it. I started playing the World Tree Online because I wanted to have fun, to uncover mysteries of myth and magic. I wanted to climb the World Tree and see what awaited me at the top. I just wanted to get lost in the grand adventure of this world. And lately, adventures . . . maybe even as far back as the war in Hammerton, weren’t so much adventures, as they were obligations. Something I was required to take part in. Don’t get me wrong, the war was interesting as events go, but it was so much Player vs. Player and trying to save the province from other adventurers. There was none of the mystery . . . the lore that I loved so much.
Then there was the Endless Savanna, and it should have been this amazing grand Safari adventure, what with the grootslang and who knows how many other monsters. Instead, we got tangled up in a slave ring and village politics, not to mention I was worried constantly about Epic and what It might be up to. Even now, I was in Hurligville because it felt like I was obligated to save the citizens and not for the possibility of adventure. I mean, when was the last time I fought through a dungeon or uncovered ancient runes? When was the last time I really got to use my ‘Lore’ skill, except to give me a hint at the nightmare waiting for me in the next province? When was the last time I uncovered some grand exciting quest chain that was mired in mystery? Instead, it’s been pretty straight forward, go here, kill that, fight this. Somewhere along the way, I stopped having fun playing the game.
Maybe that was why I was so frustrated. If I thought about it, Epic had already won. I was no longer having fun playing this game. It took that away from me. Now it was all about defeating Epic. It was about undoing what he did to so many people against their will, and the dangers that presented to the real world. I was obligated to play . . . and I hated it. I hated the constraints that were now placed on me. I hated that I no longer had a choice in what I did. I needed to find whatever plot Epic had created and then I needed to defeat it no matter the cost. And I hated it.
Then add in all the Warrior-Priest stuff. I was supposed to stand between the citizens of the World Tree and the Player Killers. Adventurers who had no qualms about killing their way through the World Tree, regardless of whether they are killing monsters or citizens. It was another burden . . . another responsibility.
And yet . . . and yet, here I was, dying repeatedly to the overpowered weapons fanatic and former Knight . . . and I was just having fun again. For a little while, I forgot about my obligations to play and win. I was just playing like your normal, everyday adventurer. And when it was over . . . then it would be back to my obligations.
And then I was dead again.
After being resurrected, the Sergeant looked me up and down before speaking. “I think that is enough for today. I hope you worked out whatever was bothering you. If not, come back tomorrow and we will do this again.”
“Thanks,” I said, feeling the weight of the World Tree firmly rooted on my shoulders once more.
The Sergeant nodded. “Like I said, if you need to, come back tomorrow, we can talk again. And by talk, I mean spar. Maybe another beating will help you see straight. However, if you want to talk, maybe my wife or even that Goddess of yours can help you out.”
I smiled wanly. “I’ll try that.”
Fighting it out did allow me to forget for a little while. But my obligations didn’t go anywhere. They were still waiting for me. And part of my obligation was seeing just how much good that sparring session did for me.
Skill: Two-Handed Polearms
Rank: III
Level: 3
Experience: 1.11%
Description: Two-Handed Polearms grant you the ability to wield a polearm weapon with two hands. With training, you are able to learn multiple attacks specific to polearms. Spears, Glaives, Poleaxes, Bardiches, Halberds, and Lances are all examples of Polearms.
Damage Modifier: +151.50
Critical Strike Modifier: +8.40%
Range: *Weapon Dependent
Standard Attack Stamina Cost: -10-SP
Subskills:
Jab
A quick strike dealing an additional -151.50-HP damage at the cost of -313-SP.
Rapid Striking
Attack with 50 quick strikes, dealing reduced damage in a 30⁰ cone in front of you at the cost of -706-SP.
Ligament Rip
Pierce the joint of a target to damage the tendons and ligaments inflicting a -10-HP per second bleed effect and reducing the targets movement or attack speed by 50% depending on targeted area, also increasing the damage the target receives by 35.00% for 15-seconds at the cost of -200-SP
Impale
Pierce the body of a target and twist as you pull back your polearm to inflict -155-159-HP and a -15-HP per second bleed effect for 10-seconds at the cost of -323-SP
Power Thrust
Strike with all your strength to deal a heavy blow to a target inflicting an additional -303-HP damage with a 10% chance to stun your target at the cost of -353-SP.
Rank III! My skill jumped to Rank III. That was amazing progress. I quickly checked ‘Acrobatics’ and ‘Body Control’.
Skill: Acrobatics
Rank: II
Level: 100
Experience: N/A
Description: Being able to move in combat is just as important as being able to attack or defend. Acrobatics increases your chance to avoid damage while remaining close to your target to continue fighting.
Skill Effect (Active): Reduces the chance of bein
g hit by an opponent by 50%.
Skill Effect (Passive): Increases your Dexterity Experience Gain by 10.00%
Stamina Cost: -10-SP
That made me frown a little. Just like when I reached the end of Rank I, it stopped progressing. I wondered if, like when it progressed from Rank I to Rank II, I needed to get my Dexterity beyond a certain threshold. In this case, probably the level 30 cap. A quick check of ‘Body Control’ showed the same thing. Stuck at Rank II, level 100. Still, the bonuses were really quite nice.
Skill: Body Control
Rank: II
Level: 100
Experience: N/A
Description: Control of oneself is a necessary skill for any martial skill. Body Control is a step along that path and can be used to boost one's physical attributes.
Skill Effect (Passive): Increases your Strength Experience Gain by 10.00%. Increases your Stamina Experience Gain by 10.00%
Subskills:
Sudden Boost
Control the Stamina within your body to provide a sudden +3.00-Strength boost to a muscle group of your choice for 5-seconds at a cost of -30-SP per boost.
Pacing
Reduce the SP cost of all skills by 3.00%
Amped Up
Control the Stamina within the body to provide a steady +3.00-Strength throughout the body for 5-seconds at the cost of -30-SP per boost.
Sprint
Control the Stamina within the body to increase running speed by 20% for 5-seconds at the cost of -30-SP per boost.
Jump
Control the Stamina within the body to increase your maximum jump height by 12.50-feet per boost at the cost of -110-SP per boost.
Recoil
Control the Stamina within your body to reinforce yourself and reduce all physical damage taken by 30.00% for 5-seconds at the cost of -600-SP per boost.
I was more surprised to see my ‘Resist’ skill hit a cap.
Skill: Resist
Rank: II
Level: 100
Experience: N/A
Description: Learning to resist all the things in the World Tree that wish to do you harm is a long and painful process, but one that is well worth the effort.
Skill Effect (Passive): You have suffered greatly, so much so, that you have started to become numb to the pain. Resist -300-HP physical damage received. Resist -300-HP poison damage received. Resist -300-HP elemental damage received.
I would need to remember to ask Rose about that later. I don’t remember her saying she had any kind of cap on the skill. But maybe that was because of her class.
Instead, I wandered away from the training area at the barracks and headed toward the Temple. Maybe Trinico would be around to talk to. And if not, I could always try speaking with my Goddess. Unfortunately, it wasn’t like there was anything either of them could do about it. Still-
The temple hadn’t changed, not that I expected it to. I saw a Minotaur I assumed was Micaela’s daughter, but as we hadn’t met, at least not formally, she just ran past with a small fairy in tow. I was interested to see how she would develop as a player, both of them for that matter. Ignoring them, I went in search of Trinico.
I found Trinico where she was usually found. Standing at her pulpit with a line of players waiting to speak with her. I suppose I could have waited but I had another option. I meandered through the temple until I found the altar to the Goddess Issara.
“Hey,” I started, not really sure what else to say. I guess I hoped she would know what to say, so the silence that met me was disappointing. So, I continued, “I’m feeling a bit lost right now. The reasons I came to the World Tree are . . . no longer there. Somewhere along the way, I stopped having fun.” I unloaded all my frustrations and everything that was bothering me about my current situation. I let it all out. And when I was done, I didn’t feel any better. My burden hadn’t gone anywhere.
“I’m not sure what I expected you to do about it,” I finished lamely.
And the Goddess remained silent.
Without warning or preamble, I was engulfed in a bright light and the world around me changed dramatically. Gone was the temple and instead I seemed to be in a different temple. It looked similar to the Goddess Issara’s temple’s inner cloister in Root City, and yet it was different even from that. First, there was no ceiling. Instead, there was a cloudless starry sky. Though the stars all appeared to be so far away . . . and were those galaxies? There were only two walls. Both were enameled painted blue brick. Every few feet, a golden bull, lion, or dragon was inlaid in precious metal. Where the other walls should have been, a large balcony stretched looking out over an ancient city. I could see other similar temples but most of the city was dominated by a massive garden that seemed to surround all of it, hanging from pillars and long aqueducts. Even laid brick streets that wound around the building were bordered by massive flower boxes.
I was so lost in staring at the ancient city and the sheer beauty of it, I didn’t hear anyone approach until they spoke. “The Hanging Garden of Babylon,” the Goddess Issara said wistfully. “Such an ancient treasure lost to your world and only imagined in mine.”
I turned my head in surprise at the sudden appearance. My Goddess Issara. I had seen her several times in her temple before now, but this felt . . . different. Those times, she always felt . . . grander . . . mystical even. This . . . this felt more genuine . . . more real. The Goddess was free of armor. She didn’t have her sword. She wore simple robes, cinched by a rope belt. The only other thing she wore was a cloth bandage wrapped partly around her head, covering one eye, and holding back her blond curls at the same time.
I finally looked around the room . . . balcony again. There was a chaise lounge made of stone and covered in blue and gold pillows, next to which sat a small stone table with a bowl of figs and a lacquered brown clay cup. At the end of the lounge, a sheathed sword leaned against the stone backrest. And that was it. No art or sculptures of any kind. I didn’t even see a doorway leading out or stairs leading down from the balcony.
“Where are we?” I asked.
“You are in my home,” the Goddess answered. “This place is the home of the Babylonian Pantheon. And you are the first immortal-mortal to enter. You are also possibly the last.”
Immortal-mortal? Is that what the Goddess thought of players as? Disregarding that, I processed what she said, and sighed. I said, “I know, I know. If I don’t stop Chaos, it will overrun the World Tree and destroy your home. I’m aware of my obligation.”
The Goddess smiled faintly. “While that is mostly true, that is not what I meant.”
That kind of surprised me. What did she mean, ‘mostly true’? And if that isn’t what she meant, then what did she mean?
The Goddess Issara continued before I could ask. “No, what I mean is that I am taking a risk bringing you here. The others of my pantheon are . . . displeased with me bringing you here. My mother was forced to interfere on my behalf.”
“So why bring me here?” I asked. I still couldn’t understand why the Goddess Issara would do such a thing. Why risk so much when she couldn’t just take away my burdens? She couldn’t snap her fingers and make the game fun again. Epic was still out there.
“To help you, silly child,” a different voice stated, drawing my attention from my Goddess to another. This woman . . . this Goddess was older than the Goddess Issara, not old, just older. She was also gorgeous. The only person . . . Goddess I had met that could compare would have been the Goddess Aphrodite.
“Bye-bye Jacko, may I introduce you to my mother, the Goddess Ishtar. Goddess of love, sex, war, politics, and beauty,” the Goddess Issara said, bowing slightly to the other goddess in deference.
The Goddess Ishtar stood an inch or two taller than the Goddess Issara. Unlike her daughter’s golden blonde hair, the Goddess Ishtar had curly inky black hair that hung in tight curls to just her chin. And I don’t know if it was the difference in age between the two visages, but the Goddess Ishtar was more . . . womanly.
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“A pleasure,” I said, showing immediate respect and bowing.
“For you, it is,” the Goddess Ishtar replied haughtily. “Do not forget what my daughter has done for you this day.”
I forced myself to bite back a retort. I still didn’t know exactly why my Goddess did this, nor did I know what she hoped to accomplish.
Thankfully, the Goddess Issara explained. “You have had an unfair burden placed upon you by one of the Primordials. A being that is even beyond us Gods and Goddesses.”
The Goddess Ishtar scoffed at that statement but didn’t comment.
“You and those like you come to our world to entertain yourselves, often at the expense of those who live in this world. We understand that if this world no longer entertains you, then you, the adventurers, might just leave. And should you leave, this world will fall to chaos,” the Goddess Issara stated. It was nothing I hadn’t thought about already. “In the time you adventurers have been traveling this world, we have learned much about you. About what you consider fun. Most adventurers love to receive treasures, or loot as most of you call it. Many of you just like getting stronger, increasing your levels to untold heights. Others come for the challenge of climbing the World Tree. And others . . . well, they come to express their baser instincts.”
World Tree Online: The Order of Epic Grinders: 4th Dive Page 27
