“Asura!” Scales yelled and moved straight to her. She eeked when he picked her up in a tight hug and swung her around in the air.
“Ahhhh!” she screamed. “Put me down! What's wrong with you?”
“Heh heh, sorry,” he said with a chuckle before stopping and setting her down, though he didn't let go. “I just haven't seen you in so long! I don't think I've ever seen you logged out from the game longer than a week!”
She blushed and looked away from him. “I've been busy...”
“School or work?” he asked with a chuckle before removing his arms. “I was beginning to think you decided to abandon us. Didn't know what we'd have done without our healer.”
“Pfft. I haven't healed for you in ages,” she said with a roll of her eyes. She then glanced to B4hamutt for a moment before looking towards the cave. “Yeah. School. I've been just busy with that. Big projects and all that. So, how long until our fifth gets here?”
“She should be here soon. Ah! There!” B4hamutt said as he motioned towards a figure plunging through the smoke. The woman landed in front of them after a moment, a smile on her lips.
“Skyth?” Asura asked.
“Oh, so you remember her name,” Andremedia said with a smirk.
“Please, let's not go into that again,” Asura said with a roll of her eyes. “Long time no see.”
“Yeah. Haven't seen you since the masteries,” Skyth said with a shake of her head. “Thought you'd left us. Happy to see you came back.”
“Yeah. I've just been... busy. Let's go, okay? We've wasted enough time here as it is.”
“Right,” B4hamutt said and went ahead of the group. The others fell in line behind him as they snuck down the tunnel.
“So, lots of leviathan masters these days?” Asura asked as she glanced between Skyth, Andremedia and Scales.
“Yeah,” Scalios said with a curt nod. “Once people figured out that the master classes removed the stat limits, leviathan, dragon and angel became the three most popular. There are dozens of leviathan-slash-dragon masters out there now.”
“Really?” Asura asked with a cocked eyebrow. “I figured the special bonuses from the demon and fae would have made them more popular.”
“Sometimes, yeah,” the leviathan said with a shrug. “A lot of players prefer the power of those three, though. Since it gives your weapons their max power as well as giving you the best defense to both forms of attack. Demon isn't as popular since the master level spells are only one time use and normal spells aren't as amazing. We'll probably see more variation next year when people start getting their fourth mastery,” he said with a chuckle before stumbling a few steps. “Oh... right. I'm sorry, I didn't mean... I'm sure you'll pass this time. I didn't mean to rub it in...”
“It's fine,” Asura said, though her fists clenched at her side. “I'm fine. There is absolutely nothing to worry about.”
“Hold,” B4hamutt said and raised his hand to motion them to stop. The tunnel branched off in two separate directions, left and right. “It parts ways here. We'll need to be very careful, since we're going through heavily contested areas. Everyone ready?”
The others nodded and slowly the group began traveling down the right tunnel. As silence fell over them, Asura began to notice every little sound. The gentle drops of water off in the darkness, the way their feet gently disturbed the rocks and dirt that coated the ground. But most of all, she heard the rhythmic sound of pickaxe against stone off in the distance. Soon a great light could be seen at the end, practically blinding compared to the dark tunnels. With nervous steps they stepped out from the darkness.
The tunnel opened into a massive cavern, lined with lanterns across the walls. Deep, treacherous pits occasionally opened up in the floor and dozens of tunnels spilled out from the large open space, as it went through the mountain. The cavern went on farther than they could see, the entire area lit up like an underground festival. The sound of miners working could be heard echoing through the walls, seemingly as if coming from all directions.
The five slowly began walking through the open area and kept their eyes peeled for any signs of life. Far to the right they could see a few players who picked at the stones. “Careful,” B4hamutt whispered as he watched them. The players were moving in perfect alignment, moving the picks up and down before hauling some stone to a nearby cart. After a few moments he shook his head. “I can't believe this. AI's? Here?”
“Huh?” Andremedia asked.
“AI's,” Asura said with an annoyed sigh. “Basically players do a task a few times and then the AI learns how to mimic it. They aren't as popular as they were before direct neural interface games existed, since they have to be far more complex. I'd heard a few games were starting to get them, but I didn't think there would be any here. Makes me want to kill them just because...”
“What? Why?” the fae asked and took an aggressive step forward. “You said they are AI's, right? That means artificial intelligence. If they're that then they might be really complex!”
“No, they aren't,” Asura mumbled when they walked by a few. The miners occasionally made strange face motions such as sticking out their tongues or moving their heads from side to side. “They aren't really AI's. They used to be called bots long ago, but once games like this became more popular people just started calling them AI's since they actually controlled the bodies. You could run over and stab them and they'd barely notice it. Probably.”
“Unless they were set up to call for help,” B4hamutt said quickly. “Sometimes killing one can send an alarm to the actual player. They probably are logged on somewhere, just playing another game while the AI gathers things for them. We kill it then the player and all his friends might come down on us.”
“A shame they aren't being AHHHH!” Andremedia screamed and jumped back, slamming into Asura. To their right, an angel with darkened wings and armor popped out from one of the large pits and flew over towards the cart. “S-sorry,” she said with a nervous chuckle.
“Ow... you know if it was possible, I'd think you broke my nose,” Asura said with a groan while holding her nose. “Be careful, okay? I don't want you sending us down one of those pits. It's a pain flying out of such a narrow place.”
“R-right, sorry,” the fae mumbled before glancing down the pit the angel had come from. The lights only went a few feet down before turning completely dark. “I wonder how the AI did it then.”
“Probably by... ummm,” B4hamutt trailed off when he glanced to the angel who was over by the cart, back to them. He didn't appear to be moving aside from tapping on the air. “I don't think it could. Oh crap.”
Asura drew her sword and charged towards the other angel. 'Class change: Dragon 10 seconds' appeared above the winged persons head a moment before her sword slashed through him. He let out a startled cry of pain as she cleaved through him twice more, before he disappeared in a burst of red sparkles. A few white rays of light remained where his body fell. “We need to move!” she yelled.
B4hamutt took off ahead of the group and his golden claws formed on his hands. “Okay everyone, stick together and follow me!”
The others nodded and raced after him, Asura taking up the rear. Around pillars of stone and over dips and rises in the chamber they ran until they heard a loud battle cry echo through the walls. To their right they could see a handful of people entering from one of the tunnels, two demons, a dragon and a fae.
“Ignore them, keep going!” B4hamutt yelled as he motioned ahead. “We're almost out of this area, if they get in our way, we'll cut them down!”
The fae fae-stepped closer and drew out his bow and took aim. He pulled the string back and fired. Asura skidded to a stop as the arrow flew at her, her sword held firmly in her hands. The projectile flew past her, missing by inches, as she tried, and failed, to cleave it in two with her blade. “Dang it,” she whispered in disappointment. “That would have been awesome.”
“Asura! Move it!” B4hamutt yelled. The angel eeked and t
apped the ground with her feet and fae-stepped after them. Andremedia held her bow in her hands and fired arrow after arrow at their pursuers.
“Wow, that's amazing!” Asura said as she kept running. “How are you able to fire so well when you're running?”
“Easy,” Andremedia responded before fae-stepping ahead of the group, “I just fire and don't aim!” A cry from behind them alerted them to a hit target. “Get your bow! The explosions could be useful!”
The angel nodded and ran her fingers across the menus. Her blades disappeared and a big black bow formed across her back. She fae-stepped ahead of the group before turning and drawing the string back. As soon as the arrow formed in her fingers she let it go, and the arrow soared through the air towards their pursuers. It flew by the dragon, not even coming close to striking her. Asura didn't slow down, quickly pulling the string back over and over as the arrows went wild. She finally hit someone and the arrow exploded in a massive fireball.
The four pursuers stopped for a moment before taking cover. After a few more arrows, she finally realized her friends were yelling at her.
“Damn it, Asura,” B4hamutt yelled. “Get over here! We're out!”
She fired another arrow before turning and running after the others. They were inside one of the tunnels not far from her, but she also could hear more yelling and running from behind her. Pain shot through her right leg as she stumbled and fell. She looked down at it, a single arrow jammed all the way through. “Ngggg...” she groaned before reaching down and snapping the head of the arrow off. With a quick tug she yanked it out, sending a dull, temporary pain through her leg. “So thankful the pain sensors are so low. Hate crippling attacks,” she whispered before getting to her feet and limping after the others.
Andremedia stood just outside the tunnel, her bow out and she shot arrow after arrow at their pursuers. “Move it!” Once Asura was in, the fae jumped after her.
“Rock wall!” B4hamutt yelled, rocks soon flooded over the tunnel entrance and blocked it off. “Okay, we need to move fast. Asura, heal the leg and then we need to go.”
“Rejuvenation,” Asura said before she tapped her leg. “It's only four of them, we can handle it.”
The dragon shook his head as he started walking again. “More of them were coming out of the tunnels while you were running. Their reinforcements are here. We need to go before they break down this wall.”
She gulped when the wall began to tremble and shake. The five quickly ran down the dark tunnel, the only light coming from B4hamutt's flaming hand. They soon heard a loud cheer behind them as the stones crumbled.
“Move!” the dragon yelled. The tunnel twisted and turned as they went, even branching off a few times, but their leader continued on without hesitation. It wasn't long before a light formed ahead. “Come on! We're almost there!” he yelled and motioned them ahead before stopping and turning. “Stone wall!” The tunnel closed up behind them.
The five burst out of the tunnel into a wide open grassy field. The wind blew the fresh scent of grass into their nostrils. Dandelions covered the plains as far as the eye could see, except a large stretch of land near the center where all the flowers had been smashed. Mountains surrounded the massive field to create a natural bowl with a rim that towered even over the clouds. Fortunately, it was mid afternoon so the sun could still fill the area with its light.
“You guys ready?” B4hamutt asked before stepping forward.
“It's the dragon here,” Asura said, “or the horde back there. Let's go.”
The five began walking into the field until a large message appeared in front of them. 'Warning, you are about to enter the territory of Niohoggr, lord of dragons. Turn back.' Other small text formed under it, but none of them stopped to read it. The group ignored the warning and parts of the world around them blurred for a few moments. Soon, everything was returned to normal and a massive roar tore through the air.
“Okay, we're in. Let's go!” B4hamutt yelled before his leathery wings formed on his back and began to flap. The others nodded before their wings formed and they took to the sky. High above, thick clouds had formed to block out the sky. They swirled until a large scaled claw tore through them. With a powerful flap of its wings, the clouds parted to reveal the massive beast, it's powerful black scales gleaming in the sunlight as it opened its mouth, revealing a row of powerful teeth. “Remember! Don't bunch up! We need to keep it moving and not let it get us in its fire breath!”
“We know!” Asura yelled before navigating the menu. Her bow disappeared and her sword appeared on her back, this time nearly as large as her. She reached back to grab the blade before pulling it out with both hands. “YAHHHHHH!” she yelled and flew at the beast. When she got closer the powerful flapping of its wings sent her tumbling back a few feet, the winds almost as strong as a hurricane. Despite it, she pushed through with all her might, weaving around the dragon's claw when it took a swipe at her. She shot in she with closed wings and flew like an arrow into its chest. Her speed thrust the sword in deep, cutting through scales, but when the blade stopped her grip slipped and she slammed into the beast, its rough scales cutting into her body.
“ASURA! Get out of there!” Scalios yelled. The noise drew her attention, causing her to look up. The dragon's mouth was open and she could see the flames beginning to form. With a kick, she shoved off from the beast, pulling her sword free as she went back, and fell as quickly as she could. A moment later flames enveloped where her body had been and, even though she wasn't struck, the heat radiating from the flames was almost unbearable as they threatened to sear her body.
Asura let out a sigh of relief before opening her wings and flying up. A shadow fell over her and she turned her gaze, one of the massive claws coming right at her. “Ahhh!” she yelled and tried to fly out of the way, but it was coming too fast. It stopped, for a split second, allowing her to narrowly escape. She looked up the beast's arm and saw large chunks of ice around its elbow and shoulder. Skyth was flying by the shoulder, her mace out. When she struck the creature across the neck, ice formed and temporarily enveloped where it struck. It only lasted a few seconds before shattering under the beast's strength. A moment later an arrow flew by and struck the beast's other elbow, encasing it in ice as well.
“So that's what the leviathan weapon does,” Asura whispered. “Scales! Look out!” The leviathan struck at the dragon's other shoulder, but when he did the Niohoggr's head turned around and opened its mouth.
“Ice shield!” Scalios yelled and a barrier of ice enveloped him. A moment later Niohoggr's flaming breath surrounded the ice. The fire rapidly died down, revealing the leviathan. The ice shield was gone, and the warrior fell through the air, his entire body charred black.
“Scales!” Asura yelled as she reached out for him. She had to pull her wings close to her body and dive, as the blue warrior plummeted to the ground. “Pull up! Use your wings!” She soon saw the leviathan's wings had been scorched and mangled by the powerful flames.
Scalios groaned and attempted to do as he was told, before letting out a hiss of pain when the wings refused to move. He held out his arms and legs as wide as he could as she dove at him.
“Almost there!” She reached out her hand for him. The ground was coming up fast as she tried reducing wind resistance as best she could. A split second later she felt something and wrapped her fingers tightly around his burnt arm.
“Agh!” The leviathan hissed with pain. Ignoring him, Asura spread out her wings and pulled him up higher to wrap both arms around him. Angling herself she slowly changed her angle horizontally and she flew in a wide circle before shooting back up.
“Restoration.” A white glow enveloped her friend. After a few moments the tattered remains of his wings began to grow and heal as black, charred scales reformed into slick blue ones. When they came back up into the fight she looked down at him. “Better?”
“Yeah,” he said with a groan. “Those burns hurt. I think they dialed up the feedback on this f
ight.”
“Maybe, just be careful,” she said before letting him go and gripping her sword tightly. “If you fall from this height there's no way you're going to survive.”
“I know,” he whispered before tearing off towards the dragon. The other three were holding it off as best they could. B4hamutt's claws were tearing at the monster's back while Skyth was doing everything she could to try and disable the beast's mighty claws. Andremedia was keeping her distance and shot arrow after arrow at the beast, freezing its mouth whenever it attempted to use its powerful breath.
“Scales, I got an idea!” Asura yelled. “While Media has the mouth dealt with, help Skyth freeze one of his arms!”
“What? Why?”
“Just do it!” she yelled before flying up above the dragon.
Scalios sighed and flew towards the right arm. As soon as Skyth froze the shoulder he charged down and brought his mace down on the elbow, striking it three time so ice flew over the limb.
The moment the arm stopped fully, Asura dove down as fast as she could. Gripping her sword in both hands she struck and cleaved down into the immobilized limb. Her blade cut through the scales, and deep into the creature's limb while it howled in rage and pain. Unfortunately, she didn't have enough force to cleave through fully. She gripped the hilt tightly and tried to pull it free, but the blade refused to budge.
“Come on!” she said as she pulled with all her might. “Let it--”
Her last words went silent as pain shot through her and the world went dark. The massive beast's other paw wrapped tightly around the angel before squeezing.
Agony shot through her body as the beast crushed her in its grasp like a grape. “AHHHHHHHH! AHHHHHH! GAHHHHHHHH!”
After what felt like hours of mind numbing pain, the dragon released her and she tumbled towards the ground. Arms wrapped around her crumbled body, and quickly flew her away from the monster's claws.
Landasy Reality: Angel's Escape Page 31