As a Priest, he was good with both hand-to-hand combat and magic. Although his magic spells could only be used for healing and support, it was a great combination. Especially since it meant he could pretty much keep himself healed. Waiting the extra few seconds to pass to pop her last mana potion, she felt useless. There would definitely be some changes to her character in the future. As long as Cameron was willing to make them for her. She really needed at least one physical attack for times like this.
Then the time was up and she popped her last mana, then immediately cast Shield All. She might not have any great heal all spells, but hopefully, the added defense would help. She heard Nika's new roar behind her and risked a glance back just in time to see another of the big ones fall. Eyes back in front, she realized that Striker was almost out of health points and was still locked in battle. They were down to three enemies and all three of them were at a low life level.
Taking a deep breath, she made the decision and cast one last Cyclone. The attack was especially powerful here in the desert as the wind picked up sand and made the attack give far more damage than from the wind alone. The desert made the Cyclone into a sandstorm and this one happened to be just enough to wipe the three enemies out of existence.
On a whim, instead of running back to help the others, she took a quick turn around the battlefield, pleased when she found four mana potions among the item drops. No legendaries this time, but they would most likely come from the bigger enemies, anyway. She left the other items for the rest of the team and turned to join them, feeling much better now that she could once again help them.
Of course, they didn't need it now. When she turned, she saw Nika with her ax raised in victory and the others in similar poses. As she watched, Nika turned to her and gave her a glorious smile. The woman truly was one of the most beautiful people Louella had ever met. She took her breath away.
After a very brief celebration of back slapping and congratulations, Dean made his way to Nika.
"I'm curious. Shouldn't this have been a bit easier now that we're all level twenty?" he asked.
Cameron was the one to answer him. "A lot of gamers are grinders," he said. "We wanted the game to be exciting and fresh all the way through it. So we took into consideration that some players might just max their level out before ever hitting the desert area. We compensated by having the Gaia creatures match the players' levels."
"In other words, Dean," Nika said. "The stronger you are, the stronger the monsters are." She frowned. "I thought you got that."
Dean sighed and nodded. "I do. I guess I was just hoping that stopped once we maxed out is all." He shrugged. "Well, Gaia should definitely be an interesting battle at this rate."
Cameron's brows drew together. "You know the boy has a point," he said slowly. "You might want to turn the team's mode down to novice before we get to her. It isn't like we need the extra experience points right now."
Nika smacked her forehead. Why hadn't she thought of that?
Dean looked a little relieved when he saw the mode go down to the basic beginner level. Technically, that was what he was, a total beginner. But at least he was a whole lot better than when they'd first started out. Louella could actually stand him now.
"So, do we go on to the Oasis for our much needed and awaited nap time?" Dean asked.
Louella hesitated. She didn't want to risk coming across another battle while so low on mana. Just because the mini-boss battle was back here didn't mean there wouldn't be a regular battle at the oasis.
Nika saw her pause. "You have a better idea, Louella?" she asked.
"Not really a better idea," Louella said. "It's just that I didn't stock near enough mana potions, and I almost ran totally out of mana in that battle. Without magic, my character is pretty useless."
"Mine too, for that matter," Ash said. "Don't feel bad, because I only have two potions left myself. That battle was rough."
Nika turned to her father. "Okay, Dad, if we all go back to town and stock up on potions then return by way of the portal, will we have to face this battle again?"
He shook his head. "The game isn't that sadistic," he said. "You will most likely have a small band of bandits to face between the portal and the oasis, but once the mini-boss is defeated for a player team, it doesn't repeat."
Louella let out the breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She didn't want to go through that one again.
This time they jogged on the trail back to the save fountain and portal. On the way, Ash came up next to Louella. "I take it you got some kind of revive spell with that level up, huh?" Ash asked.
"Heaven's Blessing, like you got with the staff," Louella said.
Ash nodded. "Thanks for bringing me back." She paused. "That was a really weird sensation for a few seconds. Kind of like floating in limbo. It kind of shocked me when I opened my eyes, and I was back in the battle. I totally expected to be back at the fountain."
Louella lifted a shoulder. "You'd do the same for me. It's what team mates are for, right?"
Ash smiled at her. "Yeah, it is. It's just...." Ash paused for a minute. "I guess I'm still not used to the whole friends take care of each other thing. My life outside the game just isn't like that. It takes some getting used to."
"I think you'll find once you get out of the game, that your life will have improved by quite a lot," Louella said. "I'm pretty sure Nika will see to that."
"Yeah, well I'm not one to accept charity," Ash said. "But I have to admit I'd love a job as a guide here in Gaia." She smiled over at Louella. "Plus, that would mean I'd get to visit with you more often."
"I'd like that a lot," Louella said softly. More than she could put into words, actually.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: Gaia's Caverns
When they got to the save fountain, Cameron surprised them all by wanting to stay behind.
"The area around save fountains are as safe as towns, you know," he said. "No creatures spawn here. If you are still worried about me, you can leave your fierce dwarf to guard my back." Cameron smiled over at Striker who puffed his chest out with pride.
"It would be my honor to guard the father of my goddess," Striker said gravely, bowing to the man.
"Then it's settled," Cameron said. "The rest of you can go and load up on supplies and then meet me back here."
Nika still wasn't nearly convinced. She'd only just gotten her father back, and she really didn't trust his care to anyone other than herself, not even Striker. But her father wasn't budging, and they wouldn't be gone long, so she finally caved in.
"Don't stray from the fountain area, okay?" she asked.
He nodded and crossed his heart with his fingertip.
Turning, Nika led the others through the portal and back to the Outpost. They made it there, did their shopping and were back in the heart of the desert in record time. Nika didn't relax for one second of the trip. Not until they crossed back through the portal and saw her father and Striker still sitting safe and sound on the stone wall of the fountain.
Taking a deep breath, she made her way over to him. He still had the terminal in his lap and was keying furiously. "Just a minute, dear," he said without even looking up. "I'm almost done with the last of my projects." Hitting a final keystroke, he cried out, "Voila!"
Before Nika could ask what the voila was for, she heard Ash behind her.
"Louella! Your wings! They're all healed up."
The pixie craned her neck backward and saw it for herself. She had been acting shy around Nika's dad ever since they met, but all that changed the instant her newly healed wings spread out for the first time.
Louella ran over to him and threw her arms around him, crying. "Thank you!"
He barely managed to get the terminal out of her way in time, but then he pulled her into one of his great bear hugs and patted her back. "There, there, child," he said. "It's nothing you couldn't have done yourself if the bitch back home hadn't taken away your program access."
Her tears finally stop
ped, and the shyness tried to return, but he wasn't any of that. "Oh no, you don't get to go shy with me again. You need to start calling me Cameron, not sir, too. Especially as we are going to be living so close to each other."
She sniffled and dried her eyes. "We are?"
Cameron nodded. "Yes, we are. When I designed the jewelry shop, I kind of made it a bachelor pad with just enough room for one to live. I've started on some adjustments for that. I'm adding an upstairs apartment complete with a private staircase to your very own door. You'll have your own space, but you'll always know that I'm right downstairs if you need anything."
Louella swallowed. "You did that for me?"
"Well, it isn't finished yet, but most of the code is in place. I figured once we were done with Gaia, you could help me design the space so it would be just what you wanted. Since it's just a matter of coding, the sky is really the limit here," he said. "But there is one other change that I made before you all returned so speedily."
"What's that, Dad?" Nika asked.
"I'm afraid I was concentrating mostly on our friendly pixie," he said. "She used up every bit of her mana plus potions in that last battle, and I realized that she hadn't given herself any mana-driven perks, so I took the liberty." He looked Louella in the eye. "Most magic dependent characters get a bonus for their magic use at the max level. So, as of the time you reached level twenty, or well, actually a few hours after you reached it, your use of magic now only uses half the mana it used to."
The pixie's eyes lit up. "That's wonderful!" she said. "Why didn't I think of that?"
He laughed. "I'm kind of surprised you missed adding something like that too, actually. You seem to be a fair hand at programming character classes."
Louella nodded. "I do okay, but I will admit I was kind of rushed on this one. If that's all I forgot, I guess I should count myself lucky."
"Indeed," he said reaching over and closing the terminal before standing. Then he looked to Nika. "So it's on to the oasis and the young man's nap?"
Nika gave a yawn and nodded. "A nap for all of us is in high order right now. Dean's right about one thing, we don't want to face Gaia as tired as we all are. Rest first, then on to face the boss."
She had been a bit afraid that the horde of bandits would have respawned by the time they got to that section of the path, but there was no sign of them. They made it to the oasis with not a single enemy battle.
Once there, they didn't waste any time setting up camp. Both Evan and her dad assured them that the oasis was a fairly safe zone and that they shouldn't be bothered there. Of course, that was the original programmers talking. Who knew what changes might have been made since then. Nika wasn't willing to risk all of them sleeping without at least one standing guard.
Striker volunteered, but she wasn't sure how effective he would be without his rest too. They had decided on a five-hour rest period, which would put them waking up about mid-afternoon. Giving them plenty of time to fully wake up, take the portal to Gaia's caverns and hopefully beat her before sundown. At least, that was the plan.
By tonight, Nika wanted nothing more than to be home. And for Cora to be behind bars where she belonged.
The only monsters or creatures that invaded their peace during the rest break were from the Trials update. Obviously, they didn't care much about the sanctity of the oasis. That was okay because once everyone was awake they took full advantage of them. They might not gain any levels, but Gaia still rewarded them with extra stat points for experience. Every little bit was going to help them during their final battle with Gaia.
It didn't take them long and Nika surveyed her little horde of critters before they headed out. Munch was still her favorite by far and a full level twenty now, just like them, because of it. The others were a variety of elementals and ranged between level fifteen and seventeen. Not a bad little crew and one she hoped could do the job if there was an arena set up outside Gaia's caverns.
They had to backtrack to reach the portal, but once again no Gaia creatures came out to play. It was almost as if the game was holding its breath. Nika would be too if there wasn't so much time between them and Gaia. As it was, her mind simply wouldn't shut off.
There was still that nagging little thought that had bothered her ever since the first oasis. She still hadn't been able to bring it forward, and it somehow felt important. Like she was missing something. Something big.
It was a silent ride and after they passed through the portal, the landscape changed drastically. The desert was now at their backs and they stood on the very edge of the sandy plain. Before them were hills upon hills of rolling green lushness. And centered in the hill directly in front of them was a large arched opening.
Everyone looked to Nika. Who then looked to her father.
"I'm not seeing a save point, Dad," she said.
He smiled. "Gaia is deep within the caves, dear," he replied. "The save point will be right before we reach her."
"Oh goody," Dean said dryly. "That means more creatures to fight before then, doesn't it?"
"I'm afraid it does at that," her dad said. "But they should be a good warm-up for the fight with Gaia."
Ash looked around. "No arena in sight, either." She sounded a bit disappointed. Even if she no longer technically had a team of critters, some of the ones in Nika's inventory were ones that the girl had recruited and trained. Nika knew she still mourned the loss of her precious FireStorm.
Dean frowned. "I thought you said the portals were all close to the fountains?"
Her dad nodded. "They are. Here they are simply a little less close." He lifted a shoulder. "We needed the save point closer to Gaia, and we didn't think players would enjoy being deposited into the pitch black of the caverns."
Ah, yes, the darkness. Nika had almost forgotten that lovely part of it. She looked over to Louella. "Better get your lantern ready," she said.
The pixie nodded and brought it out. Hesitating, she offered it to Nika. "Maybe you should carry it."
"Thanks, but I'm thinking if the height of the cavern will allow it, the best plan might be to have an overhead light for everybody."
Louella brightened. "Oh, yes, a good idea. I can so do that again."
"I can help a little with that, too," her dad said. "As a priest, I have the illumination spell for dark spaces. It works pretty well. With the pixie's lantern and my spell, we should have plenty of light."
"Good," Dean shivered. "I'm really not a fan of caves."
They crossed under the stone archway and into the mouth of the cave. The entry was large and had three separate paths leading into three separate tunnels. "Oh Lord," Nika said. "Please, Dad, tell me you didn't put in a maze."
He sighed. "I just couldn't resist. Can't let players get by too easily, you know, or they'll get bored."
Nika pulled up her area map, but it was totally dark. "And no map, either, huh?"
He grinned at her. "Wouldn't be much of a maze if the map just led you through it, now would it? The map will only fill in as you explore different areas of the caverns."
"Dad..."
"I know, I know," he said. "But just for the record, this is so not what I wanted for your first game run through."
He stopped and looked around, appearing to be getting his bearings. Then he started toward the right-hand tunnel. "This way," he said as he called his light spell into being.
It was a nice spell that created a globe of light that looked like an old-fashioned twentieth century light bulb. No matter what its appearance, the small bulb put out quite a bit of light. A quick glance at the ceiling said it was a good thing, too. There wasn't nearly enough clearance overhead to allow the pixie to fly.
At least with the priest in front of the party and the pixie behind it, the ground and cavern walls were fairly well lit. Enough to see where they were going and if they were about to be ambushed by enemies. She still regretted the map's inability to detect anything in the cavern, though. It would have been nice to at least know how
far they had to go to reach Gaia.
"I know this cavern," Striker said quietly. "My family mined in the deep years ago." He seemed a bit in awe. "I've heard tales of the creatures that live in here. Great cats the size of a full grown dwarf and even bigger. Fierce beasts with wisps of hair on the tips of their ears." Striker shook his head. "Many of my family's men went into the bellies of those unholy creatures."
"Cats, huh?" Dean asked. "Big cats. Any other creatures in those tales you heard?"
Striker considered for a minute and then shook his head. "Just the cats really. Now the hilltops outside are a far different story, but here mostly the cats."
"Well, with any luck we won't have to explore the hilltops outside and can stick with the caverns," Nika said. "Your family give any hints as to how to fight the cats?"
"Oh, yes," he said nodding. "The beasts seem to have only one fear. Fire." He cast a furtive glance over at Ash and sidled a little closer to her side. As nothing in the game thus far had seemed to faze the dwarf, his obvious fear of the cats had Nika a bit worried. They must be fierce beasts indeed. She was glad they had decided to push their levels to the max before entering the caves.
The tunnel they were following led back into the cave and then started shifting to a downward slope, the ceilings lowering just a bit. Still tall enough for Dean to stand upright, but Nika didn't know how long that would last. They'd been walking a good half hour before the tunnel branched out into a Y with two tunnels to choose from.
"Which way now, Dad?" Nika asked.
As she watched, he studied the area and finally pointed to the one on the left. "That way," he said.
"How do you know?" Nika asked.
He lifted his light so he could see her face and gave her a smile. "The maze wouldn't be much fun if it was static, so I programmed it to change a bit with each run-through of the game. There are signs that will tell you which to choose if you know what to look for but I don't want to tell you. That will be for you to discover next time. Something new."
She took a deep breath but knew better than to argue with her dad. In all of her life, she had never won a single argument.
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