by Jason Cheek
“Thank you, Miya. That means a lot to me.” I said, placing my hand over her’s as my eyes searched her face. Whenever I was this close to her, my mental gears would switch to the time we spent together in training as my eyes searched her face for some recognition of the past. I know it was stupid of me, but I couldn’t seem to help myself. It was almost like having an amnesiac for a girlfriend. Instead of being annoyed by my attention like normal, this time Miya surprised me.
“The White Unicorn has opened up its cellars to celebrate our victory and has invited all of Delonshire’s defenders to join in the celebration. I was hoping you would be my escort for the feast.”
Before I could even formulate a reply, I felt the emotional artic blast from my retinue as the ladies crowded around me using their physical presence to express their disapproval. Even Neysa got into it as she pushed against my leg to express her displeasure, forcing me away from Miya to dislodge her hand. Stumbling a step back, I came to a stop giving Miya a regrettable half bow.
“While I appreciate the offer, it looks like I’ll be needing to ask for a raincheck.”
“Rainchek?” Miya’s faced scrunched up questioningly as I hurriedly explained the newfar concept.
“A raincheck is slang for postponing our celebration for another time. I have responsibilities to my people that need to be looked after first before I can relax.” Besides, it was nearly two in the morning, and I really needed to log out and take care of my IRL body. I kept the last part of that internal as I took my leave from the disgruntled Captain. Whether or not that was due to turning down her offer or something else altogether, I had no clue as I made my way over to Sarka and Yun before they headed out for the evening. Grabbing a quick hug from Sarka and a promise from Yun that they’d be there in the morning for brunch, I wished them goodnight.
The rest of the event finished up quick enough. As I was making a few last minute plans with Vardrid, Kyarina, Thomas, and Kenzie about having our guilds work together to exploring out into the Plains of Atoll from BrokenFang Hold, my people finished up with the looting of the dead. Giving the rest of the players a final farewell, I gathered up my people and headed back in the direction of Requiem.
To be honest, I was ‘put a fork in me, I’m done’ exhausted and just felt like crashing for the night, but I didn’t feel like I could do that until I’d escorted my people back to safety. Even though the Valkyrie and Devil Dogs were now my friends and were generally good people, I didn’t like the thought of leaving Requiem mostly undefended now that people knew where my village was located. Especially not after what I’d managed to pull off against The Syndicate. It just meant I’d have to get my people moved into BrokenFang Hold sooner rather than later.
Neysa paced silently at my side as we ran through the dark forest. Thankfully our return was uneventful. Although, I was somewhat surprised to see that there weren’t any Goblins guarding the entrance into the Delonshire Mine. I wasn’t sure if that was because the Worg Riders had been slaughtered during the failed invasion or not, but currently, I didn’t care one way or another. Quiet or not, Theric made sure to keep several scouts out ahead of us to ensure we didn’t run into any nasty surprises.
Before I knew it, we were passing through the gate as the few remaining adults that were left to guard the village came running up cheering. The children came in their wake as everyone began talking and shouting excitedly in an impromptu celebration. Seeing Alanah standing forlornly at the entrance to the longhouse, I scooped her up in my arms as she hung from my neck crying her heart out with her tiny arm locked around my neck. Seeing her bandaged stump, I promised myself that I’d get her arm healed up now that House of Kayden had access to the Delonshire priests.
Our return turned into a semi-party as the NPCs I’d saved came up to thank me with a handshake or a hug. Little Mariona, our cook, happily cried as she gave me a deep kiss and a full body hug. Even Lady Chiara was uncharacteristically touchy-feely as she welcomed me back with a familiar Lord Ironwolf as I slowly made my way through the crowd of NPCs. Alanah jumped out of my arms to play with the other children when my four bodyguards came to collect their kisses. Their intensity nearly causing me damage, until I managed to break away from their games and slip inside the longhouse to my room.
I should have stayed up a little longer to eat or at least cleaned up the blood and gore that covered me from head to toe, but it was already nearly three in the morning, and I needed to log out and take care of my in real life body. Neysa followed me into the small cubbyhole that was my room. Throwing back the wolf pelt that I used for a sleeping bag, I collapsed onto my makeshift bed with Neysa immediately curling up by my side as I triggered the logout sequence. As my vision faded to black, I pried my eyes opened in the darkened computer room of my home croaking from dehydration as I fumble for the large glass of water on the desk next to me while unhooking the leads from the machine. Gripping the hard plastic cup in my hand, I hurriedly guzzle down every last drop while trying not to make too much of a mess as I stumble to the bathroom to relieve the pressure of my bladder, propping myself up on my elbow in exhaustion as I stood over the toilet.
Seven days. No, wait … that was just the first six days of gameplay. Stumbling to my bedroom, I drain another glass of water before collapsing into bed. Staring up at the dark ceiling, I could only think ‘Holy fucking shit!’ before falling asleep.
Chapter Four
(Sunday, April 27th/Epilogue)
Coming to a stop in front of the Gun Club Café, I drop my clutch into first gear before switching off the engine to my motorcycle. Looking in through the front windows, I could see Hefe already waving for me to hurry up from inside the restaurant as I dismounted and hooked my helmet next to the seat. Even from here, I could see AJ’s face as he argued with the bigger man while Jill jerkily shook her head from side-to-side and Krystal hid her eyes at whatever was being said. I couldn’t help but smile wondering what the hell Hefe had done this time to piss everybody off as I head for the door shaking my head.
The waiting area slash mini-country store was packed full of families in their Sunday best clothing as I made my way towards the hostess stand. Marg, the hostess, nodded at my friend’s table near the front of the restaurant as I wave a silent ‘thank you’ as I passed. I came to a sudden stop a moment later as I noticed the couple standing behind her. They were obviously not a part of the church crowd with their black t-shirts with ‘The World’ stenciled across the front.
I smirk immediately knowing who they were as I took a moment to covertly check them out as they waited looking around uncomfortably. The woman is a looker, wearing short, jean shorts and glittery sandals. She was taller than me with raven black hair that fell just past her shoulders and was built like a brick shithouse. I could already tell that we’d have to keep Hefe on a short leash until they got to know him a little better to stop any hard feelings.
The man next to her was even taller and had to be at least six foot five. He was bulky but not fat with dirty brown hair and a serious face. Instead of jeans, he was wearing khaki pants and loafers which fit the image I had of him being an engineer working for Pratt & Whitney. The two of them looked up at the same time as I strode in their direction. Their uneasy looks instantly disappeared from their faces as Sarka stepped forward to hug me.
“Star, is that you?” I roll my eyes at the shortened version of my in-game name being used in public as the churchgoers around us looked up in surprise. Ignoring their odd looks, I stepped forward and gave the beautiful woman a solid hug.
“Sarka!” I said, stepping back as the man clamped onto my hand to pull me in for a shoulder bump. “Yun! I’m glad to see you both made it.”
“Thanks for the invite. It’s good to meet you face-to-face finally.” Sarka good-naturedly replied as she stepped back into her husband’s arms. “Oh my god! Last night was unbelievable. I can’t believe we beat off that siege. When that army surrounded Requiem, I thought for sure it was over-“
“I warned you it was going to be crazy,” I said, cutting Sarka off with my hands held up as she shoved me away playfully.
“It was so awesome!” Sarka nearly squealed as the rest of the patrons looked at us like we’d grown an extra head as Yun slung an arm over his wife’s shoulder.
“Teaming up with you has been pretty insane, and this is just the first week.” Yun jerked his chin over his shoulder. “I take it they’re with you?”
“Yea, that’s them alright,” I said, looking around Yun’s shoulders to see my group arguing loudly and waving their arms in the center of the restaurant. Clapping the big man on the shoulder, I directed them both towards our table. The introductions went quick and easy. In no time at all, Sarka and Yun were going into the details about last night’s battle as Hefe got all huffy that the conversation wasn’t about him. Sarka didn’t take any shit and immediately put him in his place as the rest of the guild began asking questions about Requiem and the whole Lord Ironwolf thing with BrokenFang Hold.
We had to hold up for a moment to give the waitress our orders but, before we could start up again, Domenic walked in with Mike behind him as they both sat down in a huff. Before I could introduce them to my new friends, Domenic was leaning forward urgently with his elbows on the table. “I need everyone’s help, or I’m going to lose my Nightmare start.”
“What’s going on, guys?” I asked confused, seeing the same serious look reflected in Mike’s eyes.
“The High priest for the Temple of Light in Telrain proclaimed a holy crusade against Domenic’s House of Aequitas,” Mike said sourly with a shake of his head. “I have my people on the move, but we won’t be able to reach him for a few days.”
“It was The Syndicate.” Domenic spat angrily. “They started up some rumor about us being Dark Paladins and the next thing I know the entire human kingdom is set against us. This is complete bullshit!” He nearly shouted as his fist smacked the table jolting the plates and silverware. “I’m going to end up losing my Nightmare start after everything I’ve done just because some assholes finished their quest up first in the capital.”
“Don’t worry about it man; we’ve got your back,” I said, leaning forward to grip his shoulder as everyone around the table chimed in.
“I don’t see how.” Domenic angrily said, shaking his head. “Even if Mike makes it to me in time, his assassins aren’t frontline troops, and you’re on the other side of the straight. Even if everyone else makes it to Ironheart Stronghold in time, there’s no way we’ll be able to stand against an entire army.” Seeing the smirking faces looking back at him, he suddenly stopped his spiel. “Okay, what’s going on?”
Catching Sarka’s and Yun’s nod, I leaned back with a smile. “It’s going to take a little bit of planning, but I think we can help.”
Glossary
Add – When additional unplanned mobs unexpectedly join the fight.
Alt – Additional MMORPG characters, usually lower level, to that of the player’s main character.
AOE – Area of Effect damage attack that hits multiple mobs.
Bind – Where an MMORPG character reappears in the game after death.
Boss - A higher level mob with special attacks. Usually positioned at the end of a dungeon or level.
Buffs – Temporary boost to a character’s base stats.
Camping – When a player or group of players waits by a defeated foes corpse to kill them again and again.
CC – aka crowd control – The ability to temporarily remove a mob from combat.
Class –A specific skill set in MMORPGs with unique attacks and restrictions to armor and weapons.
Crit – Additional damage added to a weapon due to the specific spot attacked or due to attacking from stealth.
Damage Dealer – A character class or profession that solely focuses on damage output in an MMORPG.
Debuff – A negative effect applied to a character in an MMORPG.
DOT - Damage Over Time – An attack that causes a specific level of damage over a short or long period of time.
DPS – The amount of Damage Per Second for a specific weapon or spell.
Drops – Any usable loot that drops or is left on a corpse and is available to collect in an MMORPG.
Dungeon – Special location with unique loot and mobs to kill with a specific beginning and end.
Faction – A group, species or country that your character automatically owes its allegiance to.
Garrosh – The current most difficult boss in World of Warcraft.
Griefer – When a player continuously attacks or steals from another player over and over again.
Guild – aka Clan – When a group of players form a persistent group that shares chats and resources.
Healer – A class or profession of player that can replace lost Hit Points during a battle.
HOT – Heal Over Time – When a spell continuously heals a player over a specific amount of time.
HP – Hit Points – The amount of heal a character has before dying in an MMORPG.
Instacast – When a spell can be instantaneously cast.
Instance – A dungeon that is only available to the group of players that entered and not shared between groups.
Kill Steal - When a player or group out-damages or kills another player’s or group’s targeted monster.
Kite – A method of staying ahead of a group of monsters to slowly kill them one at a time over a long period of time.
LEET – A hacker’s or experienced player’s terminology for being the best.
Loot – Items that drops from a monster upon death that can be used or sold in an MMORPG.
Lowbies – Lower level characters in an MMORPG.
Main – A characters high level character that they play extensively.
Mongo – Enforcer class buff that makes the avatar grow three times in size while increasing strength and HP.
Nano – Chaos Online’s version of mana.
Nerf – When a game’s developers decide a class or profession of characters are overpowered and takes steps to reduce their strengths.
Newbs – A term used to describe when a player is new to a game or genre.
Ninja/Ninja looter – When a player takes loot off of a boss without following the rules of distribution decided ahead of time by the group.
Pick-ups – Additional unknown players added to a group to make up a full team or raid.
PK – Player Killer – A player that focuses on killing other players.
Pops – When a mob respawns back into an area.
Power-Leveling – When a player or group of player focuses their play solely on leveling up their character as quickly as possible usually by using advance means or techniques.
Primary – A player’s primary character that they play with or a player’s main weapon.
Profession – A specific set of skills assigned to a character in an MMORPG with unique abilities.
PuG – Pick Up Group – A group of random players that come together to complete a goal within an MMORPG.
PVE – Player vs. Environment – A type of game play that focuses a player fighting against the game.
PVP – Player vs. Player – A type of game play that focuses on a player fighting against other players.
Raid – A large group of players, usually 10 or more, that joins a group to complete a specific task within an MMORPG.
Real-Time Strategy – A resource / troop building game that features large scale battles.
Reroll – When a player deletes their character and starts a new character.
Respawn – When a player or a mob dies and reappears in the game.
RPGer – When a player assumes the role of their character within a game.
Skill Points – Additional attribute points usually given upon leveling that can be used to increase a characters base abilities of strength, intelligence, stamina, spirit, etc.
Spawn – When a monster or character appears in an MMORPG or location with
in the game.
Spawn Camping – When a player or group of player continuously kills a player whenever they spawn into the game or a location.
Stats – A character’s strength, spirit, stamina, intelligence, spirit, etc.
Tank – A player that focuses on absorbing damage and holding mobs.
Teleport – Moving from one location to another by use of a spell.
Train – When a player or group of players run from a mob or group of mobs that then kill everyone that they run past.
Whompa – A static teleport device that moves players from one city to another in Chaos Online.
Wipe – When a group is killed to the last player.
About the Author
Jason A. Cheek lives currently in Germany due to his current job assignment. He lives with his wife and daughter, along with their two dogs Melow and Monty. Originally from West Palm Beach, Florida.
Interested in martial arts, swords, archery, Dungeon & Dragons, SCA, reading Sci-Fi and Fantasy, Jason became a computer gamer after leaving the Army. Paying his own way through college while working as a waiter, he studied to become an Occupational Therapist assistant.