by Paul Bellow
“I can control it,” he snapped, face still tinged with red.
“Technically, he’s correct,” Bernard said. “I’ve known a few barbarians.”
“Everyone shut up,” Josh said. “I’m trying not to rage. There’s drawbacks.”
“Like killing Sylvar?” I asked. “He might’ve had some information.”
“No kidding,” Axelrod said. “We should keep going.”
“But where?” I glanced around. “There’s just the tunnel…”
As the last words came out of my mouth, the tunnel dissolved like a bad holographic image. The four of us stood in a rectangular room. Sylvar’s body was missing.
“What’s going on?” Josh asked, brow furrowed.
“You tell me,” I said.
“Over there,” Axelrod said, pointing behind me.
I turned and saw two men in armor standing next to an ornately carved door.
“They’re not moving,” I said. “Should we try to talk to them?”
“Are they holding, Sarah?” Josh asked. “I’ll get them to talk.”
He rushed toward the two guards stationed at the door.
I sighed then took off after him. Axelrod and Bernard followed.
“Where’s Sarah?” Josh yelled as he stopped in front of them.
“Hold on,” I said, also stopping. “That armor’s empty. Look at the helmet.”
“If they’re empty, how are they moving?” Bernard asked.
“Attack!” Axelrod shouted as he rushed past me while holding his hatchet.
The two animated suits of armor turned and raised rusty swords.
While Axelrod and Josh attacked the empty suits of armor, keeping their attention, I snuck around to flank them. Bernard stood nearby with his Wand of Healing.
I reached the closest set of armor and attacked.
Your pierce HITS the animated suit of armor for 8 damage.
Your pierce MISSES the animated suit of armor.
The animated armor is not concerned.
I stepped back, hoping the one I’d hit didn’t turn around.
Axelrod delivered a massive blow, knocking off its helmet before it could. The rest of the armor fell to the ground as Josh hit the other empty helmet. It flew a few dozen feet away, landing with a clank on the stone floor.
Combat is over!
You get 2,000 xp divided by four party members.
You get 500 xp.
You have 77,391 xp
You need 27,609 xp for level 10 Rogue --> Bounty Hunter
“Josh, you’ve got to quit rushing into battle all the time,” I said.
The half-orc turned to me.
“Oh, so it’s okay for you to get me in a barbarian rage to stop a massive boulder, but now I’m not doing a good job?”
“You kinda killed Sylvar, too,” Bernard noted.
“Knock it off,” Axelrod said. “This isn’t over yet. We’ve got to find that glitchy wight mage and defeat him once and for all.”
“I’ll knock his head off,” Josh said then laughed.
Axelrod stepped up to the door and pulled the handle.
Brilliant white light on the other side blinded me.
I braced myself for anything as we entered.
23
Cut Scene: Potion Power
Magi Inyontoo
In the Tower of Sherlock on level one-two, I waited for two recently deceased players to visit. They would be the key to making sure I got a chance to talk to Sarah privately.
I needed to convince them I had a way out of the game if they killed Sarah. They’d adventured with her before, so she would trust them. That would allow them to get close.
With my quick-acting poison and other magic, they could teleport to her exact location and kill her without any problems. At that point, I could talk to her in the Tower of Gates.
Even if I didn’t finish my potion to keep the gamemaster AI away, I had to try and convince her to help me. The new player Eric had been able to break into the game.
I wanted to pick his brain to find a way to finally escape. After such a long time trapped, I’d forgotten a lot about the real world. I wanted to experience everything it had to offer.
As I walked down the circular staircase to the first floor of the tower, I thought about the best approach with the brownies. They had no memory of what I’d done to them.
By lowering their intelligence, the two had become powerful tools in my arsenal. I didn’t regret anything I’d done to any of the players.
Dirty, stinking criminals. All of them.
Well, except for the brownies. They weren’t greedy like Eddie. I needed to convince them another way. Each step down, a new idea flew through my brain.
I reached the first floor of the stone tower and glanced around. Skeletal servants had stocked two long tables with every delicacy imaginable. I smiled at the feast.
Voices from the stairs leading to the basement caught my attention. I stood and waited for the guests of honor to arrive. Knowing their true ages freaked me out a little.
As the first one bounded up the stairs with a tiny dagger in his right hand, I saw the permanent smile etched on his face. He stopped and looked around the room.
“Hello,” I said in the most pleasant voice I could muster. “Welcome.”
A second brownie, more rotund than the first, stood near his companion. Both looked over at the tables prepared with food. I found it hard to read their emotions.
“Hungry?” I asked. “We could eat before talking. I’m sure you’re famished.”
After they’d been intercepted coming through the portal to level one-two, I’d made sure they didn’t get enough food or water. They needed to be hungry.
“I’m starving,” the skinnier one said. “Let’s eat.”
“Not yet, bozo,” his companion said. “This is a bad guy.”
“I’m not evil,” I said. “Just misunderstood. Like you two. Your friends let you get killed again, didn’t they?”
“Don’t talk about Sarah,” the skinny brownie said.
“My name is Magi Inyontoo,” I said. “What are your names?”
“I’m Ewen,” the pudgier of the two said. “And that’s Evan.”
“Nice to meet you,” I said. “Let’s eat and talk about getting even.”
“I could eat a plate or two,” Evan said, still eyeing the food.
“Go ahead.” I waved my arm. “Dig in.”
Both brownies rushed forward, starting at opposite ends of the first table. I watched in awe as they sampled at least half a dozen dishes in a row without stopping.
While they ate, I went over my offer in my mind. They would believe anything I told them because I’d lowered their intelligence so much. I smiled at the thought.
As two of the few babies inside the Tower of Gates, I valued them. They weren’t tainted by life outside of the virtual prison. I loved their child-like innocence.
They acted like typical eight year olds because that was as far as they’d developed mentally. I continued watching them gorge themselves with food.
“Good?” I asked as the brownies slowed down.
“Not bad,” Evan said, still chewing and smiling.
“The chicken’s dry,” Ewen grumbled.
He kept eating regardless.
“I want to talk to you about Sarah,” I said, watching their reactions.
Even with his constant smile, I could tell Evan wasn’t pleased.
“What about her?” he asked.
“She doesn’t care about you,” I said. “She told me.”
“You’re a liar,” Evan said.
“And a bozo,” Ewen added.
I smiled, biting my tongue.
“Sarah’s the best,” Evan continued. “I want to find her.”
“Finding her is easy,” I said.
Evan dropped a spoon on the table.
“You can find her?” he asked.
I nodded.
“But I need you to kill her,” I said.
Evan picked up his dagger.
“Shut your mouth,” he said. “Sarah’s my girl.”
“Woman,” Ewen chided.
“Either way, she’s mine,” Evan said.
“Do you love her more than getting out of the game?” I asked.
“You’re a liar,” Evan said. “Nobody has a way out of the game.”
“I do,” I said, noticing I’d gotten their attention.
“Liar, liar, robes on fire,” Evan sang.
Ewen chuckled, food flying out of his mouth.
I took a deep breath, wondering if it was worth the effort.
“There’s a way out of the game,” I said, stepping closer. “But it’s only good for brownies. You two made the best decision anybody’s ever made in the game.”
Evan and Ewen stared up at me as I stopped a few feet away.
“Why should we believe you?” Evan asked.
“Good question,” I said. “You two are as smart as they say. If you do this simple thing for me, I’ll make sure you two can get out. And it won’t even hurt her. Sarah will respawn like everyone else in the game. Killing her will be helping her.”
“That doesn’t make sense,” Evan said.
“Because you’re a dumb bozo.” Ewen turned to me. “I’m the smart one.”
“Obviously,” I said.
“Hey…” Evan stepped forward. “I’m smart, too.”
“You’re both very intelligent,” I said. “That’s why I decided to ask you two to help me. I could’ve asked any other number of brownies to help. But you two are special.”
The lie landed with a critical hit. I could see it in their eyes.
They believed me.
“Sarah will thank you both after it’s done,” I said. “Maybe even love you.”
I stared into Evan’s eyes, using my headband of Thought Control.
“We’ll do it,” Evan declared.
My smile was almost as big as theirs.
“After you finish eating, I’ll tell you the plan.”
“We can listen and talk,” Evan said.
He picked up a slice of pie as if to prove it.
“Yeah,” Ewen said. “We’re not the bozos.”
“Great.” I rubbed my hands together.
I didn’t tell them my entire plan. After they killed Sarah, some of their intelligence would return. They would understand killing the others would free them completely.
Brownie baby assassins might not be common, but they could be effective. The gamemaster AI tended to treat them with kids’ gloves because of their real age.
I wasn’t concerned with how they turned out. Part of me wanted to help them level up to see how powerful they could become. Could they get me past the warp zone?
After so many years inside the Tower of Gates, I wanted out.
No matter what it took.
24
Blame a Black Dragon
Sarah
I opened my eyes and saw Ryu standing above me on the floating platform.
“We’re going down the pit,” Charlotte said.
“I can see that,” I said.
Ryu cocked his head to the side.
“You can see what, dear?” he asked.
“First—don’t call me dear. Second, where are we going? Are the others okay? Did Sylvar put you up to this?”
“Calm down,” Ryu said.
He held up the glowing ball of light in his hand.
“This whole underground kingdom is magnificent,” he said, not looking at me.
I struggled to stand.
“Don’t bother,” he said. “My spell is still wearing off. You should still be asleep, but your will is strong.”
He turned to look at me, a smirk on his face.
“Where are you taking me?” I asked.
“To my lair, my dear.”
As I watched on in horror, his head shifted to that of a young black dragon.
He switched back, his grin even wider.
“You’re the black dragon?” I stammered.
“I told you we should watch out for him,” Charlotte said.
“Not now,” I snapped.
“Are you talking to your familiar? You shouldn’t have a connection still.”
“No, I’m talking to you, idiot,” I said, playing it off.
He tilted his head again, staring into my eyes. I looked away, taking deep breaths to calm myself.
“He’ll kill us,” Charlotte said.
“We’ll be fine. I’ll get us out of this mess.”
“Are you scared?” Ryu asked.
I turned and shook my head.
“You should be,” he said then waved his hand.
A wave of fear rushed through my mind, affecting my body. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as a chill rushed down my spine. He kept grinning.
“My friends will come to get me,” I said. “You won’t get away with this for long.”
“That’s what you think,” he said as the wooden platform continued down the Pit of Doom. “You’re welcome to join the winning team if you want.”
“I’m not evil,” I said.
“Who said anything about being evil? It’s all relative, just a number.”
“You want to expel all the people playing dwarves from the game,” I said. “That’s kinda evil in my book.”
His expression changed, anger sliding over his features.
“Be careful, Sarah…”
I stared into his evil eyes, not looking away.
“Are you working with Sylvar?” I asked.
He laughed.
“They’re pledges,” he said.
“In the Magictology cult?”
He smirked. “You’re cute when you’re angry.”
“Shut up,” I said.
“We’re almost at the bottom. You were out longer than I thought you would be.”
“You drugged me?”
“I cast a spell on you,” he said. “I’m more powerful than you. You should join us.”
“No,” I said firmly.
“Your call,” he said.
The floating platform slowed its descent.
“We’re here,” he said. “Finally.”
“If you’re a dragon, why didn’t you fly down?”
“You ask too many questions,” he said.
The magic dwarven platform stopped a few inches above the ground. Ryu raised his ball of light into the air then spoke some hushed words. It floated in the air, following him as he stepped onto the bottom of the pit.
“Let’s go,” he said. “I’m already late.”
I struggled to my feet and stretched. My entire body ached.
“Late for what?” I asked.
“My daily talk with Magi Inyontoo, the smartest player in this stupid game.”
I shook my head then stepped off the platform to the ground.
“Walk ahead of me,” he said, nodding toward a tall, wide tunnel leading away.
“Listen to him, Sarah.”
I wanted to scold Charlotte, but I kept quiet.
Should I wait for the others to come rescue me? Or should I take matters into my own hands? What if Ryu killed them before we left?
“Are the others okay?” I asked as I walked.
“Don’t worry about them,” Ryu said from behind me. “Keep walking.”
“Where are we going?”
“I told you,” he said. “My lair. Are you playing dumb?”
“That spell took a number on me,” I said. “My whole body hurts.”
“At least you’re still alive,” he said.
I continued forward. The tunnel narrowed briefly then widened again. I could barely make out the rough-hewn stones on the sides of the passageway.
“Hold on,” he said. “Stop.”
I turned around.
“What?”
“I need you to do something for me,” he said, looking in my eyes.
“What?” I asked again.
“You ne
ed to keep walking and not say anything when we pass the force shield.”
“Why would I say anything?”
“You’ll see soon enough,” he said ominously. “Let’s go.”
I sighed, turned, then continued walking. The tunnel widened even more as the space above us also grew. In the distance, I saw a flickering blue force field.
“Wait here,” Ryu said, his voice deepening.
As I turned, my eyes widened. Ryu’s body twisted and changed before my eyes. He transformed into a dark black dragon roughly twenty-feet long.
I stepped back against the wall of the tunnel as the dragon lumbered forward, breathing slow and deep. As I watched in horror, a blast of dark blue fire raced out of its mouth.
The dragon’s breath weapon hit the energy shield, lighting it up. A thousand or more screams filled the air as the energy field further down the tunnel glowed more brightly.
I glanced down the way we’d come, wondering if I could outrun the majestic creature.
Would he eat me? Kill me?
The tortured voices continued rising in pitch.
“Let’s go,” Ryu said.
I turned and saw he’d changed back into human form.
“What are you doing to them?” I asked.
“They’ll be fine,” he said, waving his hand. “It’s just a stupid game.”
“You’re messed up,” I said, struggling to stop trembling.
“Are you afraid now?” he asked.
Lips pursed together tightly, I shook my head.
He laughed then said, “You’re a good actor. Let’s go.”
“Where are we going?” I asked as we walked toward the blue energy field.
“Right here,” he said. “Turn around.”
When I did, I saw he’d opened a secret door in the tunnel wall.
“Inside,” he said, waving his hand again.
“Do what he says, Sarah.”
“Whose side are you on?”
I walked through the doorway and into a cramped room.
Bookshelves covered three of the walls completely. A tall mirror like we’d seen in Esterhollow stood against the wall opposite the entrance. Clouds covered the reflection as they had earlier.