Chapter 12 ***
Jinx struggled against the rogue as the rogue's daggers sliced deep into her flesh. A scream echoed from her lips as she fought back as desperation built within her heart.
She wished she had chosen more strength. The problem with being a magic user was one had to stand still while weaving one's magic spell. She couldn't do that now and she needed to!
Azhar's battle cry deafened her as Odar hit the rogue with a branch. Jinx was stunned that he'd battle a woman. It pleased her to no end that he was fighting for her. Even though he was ill-equipped to do so.
With a snarl, she sprang off her as Jinx rolled away. She staggered to her feet as Azhar battled her.
"Are you okay, mistress?" Odar inquired, dusting her clothes off.
"It was a trap! You knew it!" She growled at the rogue, weaving her hands as she chanted the Demon Fire, her dot.
Azhar's aggro kept her attention on him. Even though she moved like lightning, slashing at him, he blocked her.
He slammed into her with his mace, dealing a crit of 10 hp of damage. She was rocked back.
"You wouldn't understand! It was a fool-proof plan to kill people so she could gain their life force so she wouldn't grow old and die!" She said.
"Too bad." Jinx said. "You chose the wrong person to fool with."
The rogue's hp were 50, but they were of no concern to Jinx. Her demon was fighting her as she blasted her with spells.
The rogue leader was a whirlwind of slashing daggers. She moved like lightning, feinting, dodging and lunging in and out.
Azhar, like all demons, wouldn't give up. His blood burned to fight and kill. Since his skin color was red, the color of warriors, the more blows he took, or insults he endured, he grew stronger.
Rage in demons knew no bounds, but unlike most demons, he could use it to feed him. The rogue grew desperate, seeing that he wasn't quitting.
The queen of thieves glanced around, then withdrew an egg from her cape. Throwing it on the ground, it shattered and thick white smoke exploded around them.
When the potent smoke melted away, the thief was gone.
"Find her!" Jinx couldn't let her live.
Azhar sniffed the air as he took off. His roaring voice told her he'd caught her and she could hear them battling.
Jinx raced through the forest, brushing aside the branches that grabbed at her, seeking, it seemed, to stop her. She pushed on. Nothing was going to stop her from killing that bitch!
Emerging from the trees, she attacked the leader of the guild. She fell back panting.
"Mercy!" She cried, tears spilling from her eyes.
A cruel, evil smile twisted up Jinx's lips as she attacked the helpless woman. Azhar smiled his approval and attacked her, enjoying her helpless cries which rose impotently to the sky.
She stood over her foe with a sense of pride.
Quest complete.
She received her rewards.
Jinx returned to town to pick up more quests. There were plenty. Jinx selected as many as she could and worked the rest of the day completing the quests she'd gathered.
She was finding killing the mobs was getting too easy. For more xp, she'd have to move along to the next area.
To her dismay, she didn't want to leave, even though she knew she'd have to.
The next morning, as the sun rose into the sapphire heavens, Jinx trudged to the tower and went to her room. Falling on her bed, she slept.
When she awoke, rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she was greeted by Obsidian.
"I was wondering when you'd get up." She said in a cheerful voice.
"Good morning to you, too." Jinx said, rising to her feet, ready to plan her day.
"Drizilla wants to see you." The imp smiled.
Jinx didn't ask why she wanted to see her. Even though she was curious, it didn't cross her mind to ask. She'd find out soon enough.
"Wait. The Goddess is talking to another God." Drizilla's demon held out his large hand as she stopped.
"I'll wait."
Jinx walked to a chair and sat down.
"I'll send my best Founder." The large man spoke, his deep, booming voice vibrated over the walls. He strode down the corridor without looking right or left.
What was going on?
"She will see you now."
Jinx hurried in to Drizilla's office.
Her somber attitude struck her like a blow. She motioned her to sit down in a chair.
"What is it?" Jinx felt her breath shudder from her lungs and her hands were clammy.
"We have a problem. Razdua is causing more trouble." She shook her head. "It seems her goal is revenge - not only for you, but she intends to destroy the game."
"No." Jinx knew it couldn't be allowed to happen. This was home and it wouldn't be destroyed.
She leaned back as she stroked her cheek with her finger. What is her motive? Plain revenge?
If it was simple revenge, why hadn't she taken down the game already? There had to be another reason.
"Could she be working for a competitor or competitors? Have they fired anyone lately?"
"Not that I know about. Why?"
"She's too powerful to be just a lone hacker. Could she be working for your company but she or he was passed over on this project?" Jinx said, thinking of the many ideas which came to her as she thought about her enemy.
"I'll check over the list of employees and see if I can't trace her. If she or he can be found, I can stop them from causing damage." Drizilla said, tapping her foot on the floor.
She rose and with a flick of her hand, tore through the illusion of the game to a place Jinx had never seen.
The fabric of the game was rent and there was a forest of blue conifers with red oaks. She gawked at the landscape. Jinx stared at her quizzically.
"Follow me." Drizilla said. "We need to plan."
"This is the Dev's world." Jinx was awed. She never thought she'd see this world, where none of the players were ever allowed. Her eyes were wide with awe as she followed her into this mystic land.
Azhar followed her, as silent as a shadow, down the woodland path.
They walked in complete silence as an eagle flew overhead, screaming its cry. The summer breeze sang through the boughs as an absolutely perfect day was upon them.
"I need to get you geared up. You need to be able to battle her.
Warlocks worked alone. How could she be working with others?
"No." Jinx said. "I'm doing this my way."
"What?" Drizilla stopped and stared at her. "You know what you're doing? She can destroy you."
"I came here to play a warlock. I will not cheat like she has. I'm beating..." She shook her head. "I'm destroying her and I'm doing it my way."
"You will lose." She gritted her teeth.
"I'm not saying I don't want your help, but I want to know I've killed her on my own, with magic, demons and allies, then I'll be a real warlock. That's what I intended to play." Jinx said.
Maybe it wasn't the wisest course of action, but if she was going down the path of the warlock, she had to do things on her own.
"Why?" Drizilla shook her head.
"I have Valdara, who saved me from her clutches. She's a tester and can never be a Founder, but she drove her off. Why?"
Drizilla halted. "What? That's not supposed to happen."
"It did. I've been thinking on that. Why would a tester be able to find a way to defeat a hacker?"
"Maybe she can hack too?"
"I don't know." Jinx tapped her belt buckle.
Could Sandra/Valdara have something which she didn't know about it? She made a mental note to check it out.
"I haven't heard her whisper me. Has she been in the game since?"
"No."
"Tell her I need to talk to her." Had she grown so busy in rl, she'd forgotten her? Jinx banished the thought from her mind. She'd never do that!
"All right." Drizilla looked at her as curious as a cat, but Jinx offered no explanation.
; "I want your help, but I need to overcome her myself."
"This may be a life or death game." She warned.
"I know. What is the way of the warlock, according to the game?"
"To walk your dark path by your strength of will, cunning and knowledge of demons."
"Well said."
"The answer is in the game. I'll find it." Jinx smiled, hoping she was making the right decision.
"How can you be so sure?"
"I'm not, but it's just a little feeling." Jinx said. "Just get Sand...Valdara. Tell her to meet me by the spring."
Drizilla nodded.
She turned and walked toward the opening.
"Don't you want to see this? It's the place of the Dev's?"
"When I earn it, yes. Not now." Jinx said, knowing she'd need to live through this. Would she?
Inwardly, she shrugged. She was a warlock and needed to plan her next move and learn more about her enemy.
Valdara was her key right now. What she knew might help her tip the up-coming battle in their favor.
Jinx felt like a fool as she headed back to the rift between her world and the devs. Call it pride or just stubbornness, but she wanted to do this on her own.
The need to prove herself as a warlock beat strong in her heart. Yet fear whispered to her that she was wrong. She should turn back and ask for help, knowing that Drizilla would be thankful to provide assistance for this mission.
Maybe it was pride talking or just ambition. Either way, she'd win. She had to.
The odds of her surviving the upcoming battle were slim. However, she needed to complete quests to grow stronger and learn the game like no one else had ever done before or would ever do again.
For the last time, she took a bath and had the cook deliver her food to her. She contemplated her moves and knew that this was the biggest choice of her life.
She'd quest in the next leveling area of the game. Possibly, she would explore it to learn the land.
After a few quests, she finally received word back from Valdara.
"It's me. I'll be waiting by the spring." Valdara's voice whispered in her head.
It was a strange sensation to say the least, but Jinx was overjoyed to hear her friend's thoughts.
Jinx returned to the area where she saw her friend waiting on the stone that leaned across the small pool.
The spring fell from the cliff above them into the pond below.
"Rick told me what's happening." She said, her eyes solemn.
"I know. She is a hacker and she wants nothing more than to destroy me. I don't know what her plans are, but I intend to stop her."
"How?"
"When she was about to kill me and you showed up, you stopped her. How did you do that?"
"I'm a tester and they give me this." Valdara pulled out a device and held it out.
She inspected the circular device, with its flashing lights.
"What is it? How does it work?" Jinx ran her finger over the shiny diamond-like device. "Are you a hacker?" Jinx spoke the words which were on the tip of her tongue.
"Yes. I am and I will help you find this bitch." She said. "Once you've learned a few tricks, then you can face her."
"What tricks do you have to teach me?" Jinx asked.
"Before we get into specifics, I want something." Valdara smiled.
"What?" Jinx furrowed her brow. What could she possibly want from her?
"I want to work for you. We're friends, right?"
"Of course! Why were you gone so long, anyway?" Jinx wondered what was going on.
"College has been a bitch. You can understand that?"
"Yeah." She was glad she left it all behind.
"I want to be here so we can build an empire and be the best villains possible." Valdara smiled, clapping her on the shoulder.
Jinx threw back her head and laughed.
"Then lets get started in making our empire. We'll be the strongest of all the Founders." Valdara said as she motioned to the heavens above.
"You're not a Founder." Jinx laughed.
"Nope, but I saved your ass. That should count for something."
They both had a good laugh. Standing, they walked through the forest and found the path leading to the small starter town and to the world beyond.
"We're going to the second town to quest." There, they could find plenty of adventure to sate their adventurous souls.
Their spirits lifted as they walked into a rough-and-tumble inn at the poorer section of town. They'd come here for some fun.
Entering a large tavern with a mirror with golden etching in its corners behind the bar, they sized up the place. The rough-hewn wooden wall housed the heads of animals which stared at the patrons with glassy eyes.
In the middle of the inn, there was a large pit surrounded by tables with glowing crystals.
Patrons sat at the tables, discussing the day's events. Two were competing at a game of darts. Women at the other table argued over something.
"That's a pit! I bet I can earn money there and increase my skills!" Valdara's eyes danced in excitement, no doubt envisioning herself in the ring gaining glory and coin.
"Are you thinking of beating the shit out of someone?" Jinx snickered, knowing her friend could do that.
Valdara slammed her fist on the table, grabbing the attention of the bartender who scurried over.
"May I help you ma'am?" She asked as she cleaned a shot glass.
"I'd like a strong ale. When do the fights start?" She asked, jerking her thumb to the ring in the center of the bar.
"I can hook you up and you can fight within an hour if you choose. However, our fighter has never been defeated."
"There's always a first time." She said, taking a swig of ale.
"I'm glad you feel that way." The bartender reached under the bar and withdrew a pad of paper.
"What's this?" Valdara picked it up and studied it. "You mean if I can defeat him, I get five thousand gold?"
"Yes."
"If he defeats me, I'm rezzed and become one of your minions and fight for you?"
"Yep. Those are the rules." She pointed to the paper.
"Who is this champion? May I see him before I decide?"
Jinx whispered to Azhar and he vanished.
"No. It's a gamble and more thrilling that way." The bartender grinned widely.
"I don't think so." Jinx said.
"Life is full of gambles, this is one of those. Why not take the dare?"
Valdara leaned on the table, mulling over her words.
There was something about this deal Jinx didn't like. She tapped her foot, waiting for her demon to appear. How long did it take?
"Don't agree to it until Azhar gets back."
Valdara shook her head, clenching her teeth.
"I'll do it." She signed her name on the paper just as Azhar appeared.
Minutes too late.
"It's a Minotaur." He growled in her ear.
Jinx leaned over and whispered what her demon told her. Valdara gave her a sly smile and leaned close to her.
"I can defeat him because I'm a hacker." She said in a low voice. "Trust me."
Jinx didn't think it was a good idea, though she had a point.
"Just bet on me when I fight."
Jinx rolled her eyes and agreed. Sometimes she could be so stubborn.
"When do I fight your fighter?" Valdara pushed the signed paper back to her.
She rubbed her hands and read the agreement as greed gleamed in her eyes.
"When do you want to fight?"
"When I finish my drink. Then I'll show you what I can do."
"Very well. We'll prepare for a magnificent battle. He's never lost a fight and I'm hoping you will win."
Jinx didn't trust her, though her friend was eager to fight.
"Just bet on me and I'll win."
"That unicorn killed you. How are you going to defeat him?"
"Don't worry. I have a plan to make us richer than rich." Valdara said.
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"How?"
"Trust me. I need to work on these abilities I have." She said, not really wanting to argue about it.
Jinx became silent, pondering how Valdara was going to win. She'd wait and see what her best friend had up her sleeve.
When Valdara was through with her mug, she caught the bartender's attention and told her she was ready.
"Step in the ring."
Valdara strode to the pit, jumped over the iron bars and landed in the ring. She held up her arms as she walked around the 50 foot ring.
The elves in the room yelled and slammed their fists on the tables.
"Fight! Fight! Fight!" They chanted, their voices growing louder.
The bartender walked into the ring and held up her hands, shushing the cheers of the crowd. Silence fell over the bar as the people watched in anticipation of the appearance of the Minotaur.
"She'll beat him." One cried out.
The elves went to the counter and placed their bets on who would win the upcoming battle. The anticipation of the fight ran high because no one in a few weeks had challenged the mighty Minotaur.
"No, she doesn't have a chance." Scoffed one elf, placing her bet on the bull man.
Arguments broke out as tensions ran high. Drums thundered through the room and elves beat their hands on the tables. Excitement grew and roars erupted when the gigantic Minotaur trotted out into the pit.
His deep roar echoed throughout the room, causing all to shiver. He towered over her by two feet. The bull-man cracked his knuckles as he glared at her.
She threw back her head and laughed.
The bell rang and the beast charged toward her. She raced toward him with her weapon raised. Valdara yelled, slamming her mace down upon him as his fist slammed into her, flinging her against the bars.
Jinx gasped, recognizing that this thing's power was enormous. She wanted to help her friend, but resisted the urge.
Could she really win?
The large man bull gnashed his fangs as he charged. Valdara waited, then when he was almost upon her, she stepped aside and the monster slammed into the heavy bars with such force that they bent with a crying snap.
The crowd wooted.
"Come on, Valdara! You can do it!" Jinx shouted over the roaring crowd.
Valdara charged, slamming into him again and feinted as he attacked. She kept moving, avoiding his attacks and when the opportunity presented itself, she attacked.
Demons of the Dark Online Part 1 Page 12
