“Alright,” Rain said moving towards the city and waving his hand back at them, “keep the party chat on.”
The three of them continued to walk north watching the city walls getting bigger and bigger. In the distance, a big group of people loomed. At the center a number of mounted horses like creatures gathered in a small semi-circle.
“Ok,” Rain said, “whatever that is, it must be interesting.”
Borg nodded and the three of them continued towards that group. Getting closer Maia distinguished the mob of players crowding the soldiers on the mounts. Some commotion was going on but from where she stood she couldn't make anything intelligible.
The closer they got, the loader the crowd got. Until at one point the crowd gave out a collective gasp and inched few steps back. “Ok whatever is happening, we need to be there fast,” Rain said and started running towards them.
Or run away fast. That sounded like the more logical response to Maia, but seeing as both men were now racing towards the crowd, she joined along.
Maia trailed few steps behind Rain and Borg who were another few steps away from the crowd when she heard it. A loud screech filled the area and everyone stopped on their tracks and looked up, including Rain and Borg. A dragon dropped in the middle of the circle between the soldiers. People around them gave way, some run away, but the majority stuck around to see this thing through.
From the clutter of bodies around, Maia didn’t have a clear view of the center. She managed to make out a roar and few crushes and thuds from all the screams and shouts.
“That’s him,” Rain said, still in trans state between shocked and exited.
“Him who?” Maia said.
Two whooshing sounds came from the center before the beast took flight once more. This time two men atop it.
“That’s Hok, I’m pretty damn sure,” Rain followed the flying beast.
That was him? Maia looked at the flying dragon circling once around the people below. They were supposed to capture a guy who can ride that? Was a dragon mount even common in this game? She sure didn't come across any prior.
“Are you guys near that thing?” Eb said in the group chat.
“Yes,” Rain said, “come here, fast.”
Then an arrow cracked the ground not few feet away from Maia’s foot. A second one only missed her head by an inch.
“Heads up,” Rain said.
Black dots curving towards her peppered the sky. She yelped and took few steps back before one struck her left thigh taking a considerable chunk of her HP with it. It did sting for a moment and took her off balance. Her knee hit the ground and she had to use her hand to stop herself from falling face first. That didn’t last long though, because more and more arrows pierced her body and her HP reached zero before she knew it.
What the hell? She laid on the ground, unable to move with the option to port back to her home point hovering on her view. More and more arrows flew just above her or in her. Thank God she was dead, otherwise she would’ve felt more and more hits.
“What the hell?” she said in the group chat when the assault of arrows stopped. Rain appeared in her display, holding his stomach unable to stop himself from laughing. “Not funny. What the hell happened?”
“The archers… the wyvern… You were collateral damage…” Rain managed between his breath, “they were trying to get Hok and you know, arrows eventually fall,” he laughed some more.
“And Hok?”
“He got away alright.”
“So we came here for nothing?” Maia sighed. Did they just waste all this time on a wild goose chase? How can you track someone who can fly on a dragon? Who can teleport anytime he wished? “Well, are you going to raise me or what?”
“Yeah, just wait for Jade to come here,” Rain said and looked around, “hmmm, it seems the Galawar army is gathering again. Preparing to attack I gue-”
“-guys,” Eb cut him over, “I didn’t personally see this old man you were talking about, but I’m pretty sure I’m looking at him.”
Forming a party would automatically create a loot box accessible by all party members. Any drop would fall into said box and all members can random to get a chance to receive it.
Nevertheless, the party leader could change the loot rules or give items in the box to certain members.
31 – Even the best laid plans
Few minutes have passed beyond the half hour point. Fitch didn't complain because the more time he got, the more time Oz and Paragon got to prepare.
Around an hour ago, Eric sent him a message asking him to log in and inform his captors that he’s ready to drop the pillar.
Checking the forums last night presented Fitch with a rather pleasant surprise. In his inbox he found a message from someone called Eric who offered to help. He briefly described his reasons and promised to talk more when they got out. “Whatever you do,” he kept repeating, “Don’t drop the pillar.” Thinking about it, he could be another one of the Dark One’s minions, but Fitch saw no harm in trusting him for now. Beats being stuck in a cell.
And so Fitch informed Tala earlier that he’ll drop the item, and Talion got on his way to the Trent King location. They told Fitch it’ll take half an hour or so for them to reach there and prepare for the battle. Fitch thought he’d be extra sure and call Oz and Paragon to help as well. After all, he only knew this Eric guy as much as he thought he knew Tala and Talion.
A minute or so later, a light started to form outside his cell. He got up from his chair and walked towards the door. Tala stood before him with one soldier behind. Either no one was on duty or they really were low in numbers.
“Talion just reached there and he can see the MC,” Tala said, “You can drop the item.”
“Ok,” Fitch said, better sell this nicely. He opened his menu and looked at the item. Not like they’ll be able to tell what he was doing, but it gave him the sense of how much time it’ll take him if he actually dropped the item. He waited few more seconds then declared, “Ok, dropped it.”
Tala looked spaced out for few seconds then said, “Ok, they engaged the monster. You better be telling the truth.”
“Why wouldn't I be? I want to get out of here,” Fitch said, “By the way, what happened if the item did not drop?”
“Could happen,” Tala shrugged, “Our guys will try two or three times. If it continues, we’ll know you didn't drop it.”
“Well, not that I’m going anywhere otherwise, but I’m curious, how would you know that I dropped it or not?”
Tala smiled; “Oh we’ll know,” she said and went away.
Fitch stood alone in the cell, again. He started to wonder why was he even playing. It’s not fun anymore. But he wanted to see what’s next. How could they possibly tell whether or not he dropped the item? Do they have access to the game logs? Are they that dedicated to have people working within ODI?
No point in mulling over that now, he went to his menu and gave Eric a call to tell him where they stood and asked how far away was he. The prison prevented him from adding Eric to his friend list, but the man was kind enough to provide his mobile number.
“Another five minutes on the boat,” Eric said, “the good news is the Dark One is busy, and the bad news is I’m alone here.”
“I called my friends Oz and Paragon, they are not max level or especially talented, but they’d go to hell and back for me.”
“Well,” Eric said, “we all need such friends, and it’s on those situations you find who your real friends are. Believe you me I know.”
Fitch smiled, reminded again of his friends, of why to this day with his bad luck in the game he enjoyed playing and always came back to it, “they are somewhere in the island as we speak. I’ll tell them to join you.”
He finished the call and informed Oz and Paragon to get ready. He sat back in his chair and waited, nothing more he could do.
Another ten minutes passed and Tala came back. “They killed it once, no drop. You better be telling the truth boy.”
“I absolutely have no reason to be lying. I don't know if you enjoy doing this, but I play the game to have fun. This is no fun at all.”
“For some it’s a game,” Tala said, “for others it’s life.”
To think about it, the game had been more than just that for Fitch. It occupied most of his free time and every waking moment at times. Ever since he got “addicted”, he met Oz and Paragon more online than off. It provided a fun way to be with friends and live outside of his stressful life, as far as a college student stressful life could be.
“So? Now what? I dropped the item like you said.”
Tala smiled and walked away, “Like I said, we’ve got our ways to know. But Talion would like to give it another shot.”
She said it again. They have their way to know. How could this be possible? Fitch scrambled to call Eric, better get a status update.
“I have probably less than ten minutes, where you at?”
“The good news is,” Eric said, he seems to be full of news today, “I’m just outside the castle and no soldiers around. And I just got hold of two more friends who are on the way to help.”
Fitch got more relaxed by the additional help coming, “I’m afraid I don't know where I’m at. I didn't even know that I was in a castle. What’s your bad news?”
“Those friends will take another ten minut-” Eric paused.
Few more seconds and Fitch got anxious, “What’s going on?”
“I think I can see that summoner you posted online. Two soldiers with her.”
“You must be close to me, she just walked away from my cell. Be careful, she’s a max level summoner.”
Eric snorted, “As long as I don't give her time to summon, she’ll fall easy. See you in a minute,” Eric said and cut the line.
Fitch tried to call both Oz and Paragon, no luck. He paced inside his cell, going back and forth. The anticipation twisted his guts. He tried to listen to any indication of a fight breaking out, nothing. Dead silence. That just added to his anxiety. How long a minute could take?
Few more minutes and he heard a scream, “Fitch.”
Fitch grabbed the bars and tried to squeeze his head through, “I’m down here.”
A full armored man appeared before him. He grabbed the door handle and pulled it open, “Nice to finally meet you,” Eric said extending an arm.
“Man am I glad you are here,” Fitch hugged Eric. The man flinched from Fitch’s reaction but didn’t back away; he didn’t return the hug either. Fitch felt stupid after the fact, but it was too late, “Sorry, but I was really stuck here.” Fitch looked at the door, “that’s all it took to open it? No keys?”
“All cells I encountered in this game are closed one way, no need for a key to open from the other side.”
“Fitch,” a familiar voice said down the way Eric came from. Oz and Paragon both appeared from the darkness.
“Your friends here helped a lot,” Eric said, “but I’m sorry to cut the reunion short. They must be respawning and coming back as we speak. We have to port out of here.”
“Well, unless you didn't notice,” Oz said, “you can’t port inside the castle.”
“What?” Eric frowned and spaced out, looking at his options it seems. Fitch did the same, “Damn it, we’ll have to get out of here the hard way.”
“You mean the fun way,” Oz said with an ear-to-ear grin, “If we die, we’ll spawn home anyways.”
Eric frowned at Oz, “Don't bother,” Paragon said putting a hand on Eric’s shoulder, “he’s always like that.”
Fitch equipped his weapon, shield and necessary items for battle. He also equipped the best item at his disposal for sleep resistance, “Just make sure they don't put you to sleep. That’s how they got me in the cell.”
“Ok,” Eric said, “Bash, stun, kill. Do anything to stop them from casting sleep. Tala should be weaken now and I’m sure they informed their people to move in. we better hurry.”
The four of them formed a party and stormed outside the dungeon. It took them few wrong turns but they broke into the main hall of the castle. They didn't face any resistance on the way; they must’ve focused all their power on the exit.
Between them and the big iron-gate at the end of the hall stood Tala with a handful of dark soldiers. Next to her a huge hunched fire demon stood on two feet. Fire and smoke blew out of its nose and mouth every time it exhaled. His huge horns and claws were not inviting, while cracks in his body glowed and faded red.
“Ok,” Eric said, “everything else is trash. I’ll take that big fire summon, you guys take out Tala. She’s dead; the big beast disappears as well. Fitch, get the leaver to open the door.”
Fitch looked around and located the leaver. The very far end of the room; behind all of them.
“Two hour her ass?” Oz said.
“Save it for when we really need it,” Eric said and charged towards the big beast. All the others went after him. He provoked the big beast and brought his shield up.
Oz took out his bow and loosened few arrows to catch Tala. The soldiers stood in front of her taking all the damage, obviously knowing their fate once Tala was gone.
The big beast roared and inhaled a large amount of air, paused, and then let out a huge cloud of fire. An outline fought the flame tongs remained where Eric should’ve been. Fitch saw his HP though, dropping in chunks. Not in the danger levels yet though.
“Ok,” Eric said, “the bastard did his equivalent of two hours, should be easy from now on.”
Fitch slashed a dark soldier when he noticed another one heading towards Paragon. All those heals tossed at Eric must’ve got their attention. Fitch provoked him and raced towards the leaver.
Few soldiers stood between him and the leaver, making sure no one touched it. Fitch engaged and started to slash away. One on one, a soldier posed no problem, but three ganged on him and his HP depleted by the second.
He bashed one with his shield, slashed the other and avoided the third. Two arrows took one soldier on the back and Fitch smashed his shield full force on another. He saw his opening to leaver, reached and pulled while a soldier snuck two slashed at his back. The gate cracked and whined before starting to give way.
Tala looked behind her, “Damn it,” she said and started casting.
The place shook and a puddle of deep blue water oozed from the floor in front of Tala. A large blue arm broke from the ground and crushed to one side, followed by the huge body of a water giant. The thing pulled itself from the puddle and stood before Tala. Huge arms, big belly and water dripped off its body continuously.
“What the hell?” Oz said, “I though summoners could only summon one beast?”
“She used her two hours,” Eric said, “better take her out fast.”
The water beast turned to Oz and ejected a torrent from its palm towards him. Oz tried to dodge, but the stream hit and tossed him few feet back. His HP lower than half.
“God damn it,” Oz said.
“I’ll get him,” Paragon said, “Fitch, take out Tala.”
Easier said than done. Fitch charged towards Tala but the water beast stepped between the two of them. Another torrent and Fitch lost one third of his HP. He looked at Eric who was busy enough with the fire demon and two dark soldiers. Paragon just finished from Oz and started on his way towards Fitch.
“Guess I’ll have to do this,” Eric said and took his shield off. A red aura engulfed him and he pulled out another sword, both swords glowing red. “Paragon, keep me alive,” he said and started pounding on the fire beast.
His HP was depleting with every hit, at the same time every hit took a huge chunk off of the beast’s HP. That’s the warrior’s two-hour move. He’ll go berserk sacrificing HP with each hit to inflict major damage.
Paragon pumped him with cure spells. The damage Eric was dishing ensured the hate remained on him. Few more seconds and the big beast crumbled and turned to ash. Eric dashed towards Tala ignoring the other dark soldiers around him. “I’ll
take her out while I still have few more seconds.”
Tala tried to dodge but one hit took out a big chunk of her HP. Eric raised his hand to swing again but a torrent sent him back few feet. His berserk mode went off and he was back to normal.
“Well, I did lose my two hours, but we are back to one monster,” Eric said, “should be manageable now.”
“You will pay for killing my pe-” Tala didn’t finish, her eyes popped and she grabbed at her neck. It sliced open and blood came pouring out. A ninja appeared behind her and jumped to one side, flashes of sword slashed left and right dropping Tala’s HP to zero before she could even turn around to see her assaulter. She dropped to the ground and so did the water monster. The rest of the soldiers flinched and turned around to see a ninja and a samurai standing behind them.
“Took you long enough,” Eric said.
“Sorry,” the samurai clad in red armor said, “add me to the party.”
He did not wait for the invite and went straight for the remaining soldiers. Eric charged towards the others and so did the rest. The dark soldiers dropped like flies. Fitch recognized him from earlier. The guy did warn them; sadly they didn't listen to him back then.
Kensin and Yayoi names appeared on the party list. “Run to the exit,” Kensin said still slashing at someone. This guy was good, really good. Fighting, accepting party invites and talking at the same time.
The rest of the guys dashed towards the exit. Fitch needed few more steps and he’d be out, his freedom inched closer with every step. The bright light behind the open door called for him. Oz and Paragon ran few feet ahead, dodging and ignoring soldiers on their way. Fitch took few hits, but nothing to worry about.
The light behind the door fell to darkness and a huge dark beast crushed just outside the gate. The impact sent everyone flying backwards and the beast screeched a deafening announcement of its arrival.
“Oh God,” Eric said, “What the hell is he doing here?”
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