Dreaming Orora

by A H Alshehabi

  “Well,” Rain said, “long story short, he was created to look like what people interpret as the reaper. You know, black robes, a scythe, the works. Basically there is no coming back from a death by his hands. The character is gone for good. That’s why people fear this Dark One.”

  “The dark realm await those killed by the hands of the reaper,” the old man shook his head slowly.

  “So,” Maia said, “this Dark One is known as the reaper?”

  “No, no, no,” Rain shook his head, “he can summon the reaper. This is why no one dared to fight the Dark One when he was trapped in the arena. But now that he’s out, everyone is getting out of his path.”

  Borg approached the group.

  “But if I recall,” Jade said, “he was not the only one who could summon the reaper, right?”

  “True,” Rain said, “other bosses or monsters can summon him, but it took them an awful long time to do so. Something like thirty seconds, so interrupting them is no issue. The Dark One does it in an instance.”

  “Holy,” Eb said. The others just stood there in a state between shock and wonder. Borg only bobbed his head.

  “That’s why I didn’t want you to be there,” the old man shrugged, “the Dark One did show up there it seems, but I was too late, fortunately. Unfortunately, I was too late to see Hok as well. But, hearing about the war here I thought of heading this way to catch him.”

  “Well,” Rain shrugged, “unfortunately you are late again old man. We just saw Hok flying away before the war broke.”

  The old man smiled, “Oh, but I did see him. In fact I know where to meet him. I was heading there before the battle broke and you guys stop me.”

  “So,” Maia closed in on the old man, she stood few feet away from him, her face close to his, arms on her waist. She narrowed her eyes, “you were planning to run away from us again?”

  “Well,” the old man looked away, “I didn’t know you were around,” he sighed, “I guess I have no choice. We shall make a move soon.”

  “Are we not fighting here?” Eb said.

  “Not our battle young man,” the old man said, “There is a bigger battle brewing in the east. We must make haste before all is lost.”

  They started walking towards the exit. The cries of the battlefield drew closer.

  “Unfortunately,” the old man said, “we’ll have to pass the battle field again and head due east. Unless you’ve been to Akria during the time I was away?” the old man looked at Maia, she bit her lip and looked down in embarrassment.

  “All is well,” Rain said, “just another adventure for the B-Hunterz,” the old man had a puzzled look on his face, “by the way old man, you talked about protecting Maia from the Dark One. What about me and Borg?”

  34 – What’s in a name?

  “That was badass,” Oz said ogling Kensin who just dropped another Gruff with a series of sword slashes.

  They were XPing in the western side of the Akria continent on those gorilla-like creatures called Gruffs. Huge, hairy and walked just like gorillas, but with noticeably larger arms and hands. They sported long horns and a scaly tail. If Gorillas were scary upfront, these things pumped the scare factor up few notches. Fitch had a hard time keeping the hate on him and Kensin had no problem tanking for some time. At least Fitch didn’t feel inferior in a way he felt partying with Talion. After all, Kensin was ten levels above them.

  “Are you getting good XP?” Kensin said

  “Yeah,” Paragon said raising his hand, “all thanks to this.”

  In a normal situation, the huge level difference in a party would incur a penalty and all party members would suffer some XP drop. But thanks to the ring, the XP was good to keep Kensin going and enough for them to catch up. They still needed at least five levels to get into the fight, more to even matter in it.

  “Seriously man,” Oz said, “how are you not max level?”

  “This is not my first character,” Kensin said looking west towards the open ocean, “tried The Dark One sometime ago. Obviously it didn’t go well. Thus Kensin, Kenshin was killed in that battle.”

  “Ah, there it is,” Oz said, “I thought you just couldn’t get the original spelling of the Batosai.”

  “So,” Paragon said, “if you don’t mind me asking, how was the battle?”

  “I’ll pull something meanwhile,” Oz said and ran towards some possible candidates in the distance.

  They chose an open green field not far off the western beach of the continent to XP. Few islands peppered the open ocean and some small ships took their time traversing the big blue. From here the world looked peaceful, calm, unaware of the chaos brewing on the other side of this body of water.

  Kensin looked towards Yayoi and Kosaki who battled one another in the distance. They were both at max level and adding them to the party would’ve only hurt the XP more. So they elected to spar at a distance just to keep an eye on the XPing party in case things went south.

  “We were under numbered for the battle,” Kensin said, “but we thought we had a chance. It was a month or so after my sister…” he looked down at his feet and sighed.

  “I’m sorry,” Paragon said, “I understand if you don’t wish to continue.”

  “It’s ok,” he looked up smiling, “Kosaki was pushing me to do it, it was only six months since they got engaged,” at the distance the clash of sword and staff between Yayoi and Kosaki grew loader. “They met in the game.”

  Fitch looked at the two fighting friends, they both jumped back startled when Oz just run between them screaming, “incoming.” He screamed in the party chat so to them it was just a body dashing next to them all of a sudden and a huge Gruff following soon after. They smiled and continued on their training.

  Oz run past Kensin and Fitch; the Gruff close behind him. “We thought if we organize ourselves and hit him hard and fast, we’d get him.”

  Kensin took out his sword and slashed at the beast. Fitch activated a hate pulling ability and the Gruff took notice. The big hairy arm rose in the sky so Fitch raised his shield to meet it half way. It struck down hard and heavy throwing Fitch off balance. The next punch connected, hard. Fitch took a small hit to his HP but regained his balance and braced for the next punch, but the beast turned around when a brilliant red cross exploded behind him.

  Kensin followed one ability after the other, “as soon as he summoned the Reaper we’ll go all out,” Kensin unleashed another ability, “two hour, TP, everything. That was the plan at least.”

  The Gruff didn’t survive much longer. And Fitch felt the soothing breeze of a heal spell hitting his body. He didn't know why, but it always felt good when hit by a healing spell. Like drinking a cold minty drink in the hot of summer.

  “And?” Paragon said.

  “Nothing ever goes according to plan,” Kensin said sheathing his sword, “it took us long enough to get him down to the red. By the time the Reaper was out, people panicked. He caught few people off guard, more and more just dropped out of the battle. Then it was my turn; the thing flew towards me while I was attacking the Dark One. It all ended in an instance.”

  They stood there in silence for few moments looking at the dueling couple. Fitch noticed the seriousness on his friend’s faces, perhaps just now they were coming into terms with the gravity of the situation, of what they got themselves into and what they stood to lose. This realization was not lost on Fitch’s side as well, while they played the game for fun, others literally fought for their lives, or the lives of those they love.

  Oz smiled in his ever so cheerful way and raised a balled fist, “no worries, we’ll be the first to take this Dark One down.”

  “One thing I don’t understand though,” Paragon said, “how come you were so confident in sending Yayoi against the Dark One at the castle?”

  Fitch been meaning to ask that, but never really found the right moment. Perhaps he feared they’d think him an idiot for asking such question. Good thing Paragon took that chance. Although at the time, Y
ayoi, or the one who told her to charge towards The Dark One took the title of the idiot.

  “Confident?” Kensin said turning his head towards Paragon, “I was scared shitless,” he turned back to see Yayoi, “she is my sister’s best friend, more like a sister really. She insisted on doing it. To test our theory.”

  “Anyone with a pillar wouldn't get crystalized?” Fitch said.

  “Not that,” Kensin said, “we knew about the pillar beforehand. It was facing the Reaper that we wanted to test, and unfortunately what we thought was true.”

  Fitch arched an eyebrow, “what did you want to test?”

  “Not only is that thing un-attackable, you can’t even block his weapon. So once he swings the scythe, you better dodge. No point in blocking it.”

  “You are right,” Paragon struck his beard, “his slash went through weapon and flesh.”

  “Exactly,” Kensin said, “so the-”

  Kensin didn’t finish when Kosaki appeared next to them out of breath, “are you guys seeing that?” he pointed towards the sea.

  Fitch followed his finger, squinting, trying to make out something in the horizon. The cloudy weather did not help as well.

  Black figures dotted the horizon and got bigger by the second. More and more appeared next to them.

  “Are those ships?” Kensin said and Fitch just noticed the guys were running towards the beach. He broke into a sprint to keep up with them before coming to a stop atop a small dune. A patchwork of sand and green bordered the beach and provided a good vantage point.

  Kosaki took out a binocular and so did Paragon. Fitch never saw the need for one before today. And in the game you couldn't just give your item to another player just like in the real world. You had to go through the trade process and all. Not worth the effort.

  “Ships,” Kosaki said, “black sails,” he exchanged a look with the others, “it’s the dark army.”

  Baght, the major phenomenon within Orora is not just a card game amongst players. It’s a way of life for some.

  Few cards can be cashed in at special vendors for a descent amount of coins; others can be exchanged for specific items (indicated on the card).

  Others still, can fetch a sizable amount of money in the real world. That’s why few players focus more on Baght than Orora itself.

  35 – Before the meet up

  Yesterday qualified as one of the worst days as far as Mia was concerned in Orora. Yet, she found herself unable to wait for her day shift to end so she could go back and put on the VRR. She loved her job to no end, helping people as a nurse was a long life dream and she felt proud every time a patient smiled or commended her. It’s a privilege to be able to make people happy when they were at their worst. But, the game provided an escape, another life that enabled her to do what she couldn’t in this.

  It took her full playing time yesterday and then some to travel from Galawar to Buharr. A good hour and a half on a dreaded boat ride, another on a walk to Buharr and little time to explore the fort city. She made extra sure to set her home point there as soon as she spotted the lady statue.

  She walked around the city for ten minutes before logging out and heading to bed. The others played some more before heading out in hopes of sniffing a lead on the whereabouts of Hok. Mia wondered which time zone the guys were from. The clock approached midnight in the west coast where she lived. How much longer could these guys play? Have they no jobs? And how come she knew nothing about her friends? Mental note: get to know your guild mates better.

  After they bullied the old man to talk, he confessed his plans to meet Hok in the southernmost continent of Akria. If the old man’s word to be trusted, he “planned” to meet Hok in Buharr sometime soon, though he didn’t specify a time or a date. Did he not know that? Or intentionally hid the information? She just hoped they didn’t meet without her.

  For now, she just had to focus through the remaining hours of the day and head home for a nice play session.

  ~

  “That’s what I’m saying,” the old man said, “I didn’t meet him in what you call a real meeting, but he saw me and acknowledged. We have an understanding. I’m sure he’ll come. Only problem is, I don’t know when.”

  Maia narrowed her eyes and stared down the old man, “Why do I have the feeling that you are hiding something?”

  The old man smiled, “you got to be more trusting young lady.”

  “Your past doesn't exactly spur confidence to do so.”

  Rain stood to her side and pointed with his thumb, “careful old man, this one here never forgets.”

  Maia balled her fist and threw a punch. Rain flinched away and laughed. Few players looked at them for a brief moment then went on their way. The place around them provided little privacy for an intimate talk, a normal case anywhere in Orora around the Lady Altana statue. Yet they needed to be here. If they wanted to spot Hok, what better place but here?

  The old man sat on a bench next to the lady statue grabbing his staff with both hands. The statue sat in the middle of the outer ward facing the closed off keep which also housed another ward as per the old man. The side towers and curtains were accessible to the public, though Maia didn't have the time to go through them yet. She logged in little more than an hour ago, Rain almost two, with no indication or a lead on Hok. All the while, the old man sat there with the usual smile on his face.

  Maia pulled Rain to one side, “How could he possibly just sit there for all this time?”

  Rain stole a glance at the old man, “I’m beginning to think he’s an NPC.”

  Maia rolled her eyes, “You think? I am pretty sure.”

  “Should we ask him?”

  “No,” Maia said and walked back to the old man, still sitting, “so, how long are we going to wait here?”

  “You want to meet him right?” the old man said, “We have no choice but to wait.”

  From her place, Maia admired the barbican of the fort city. A magnificent bulk providing the only opening to this fortified castle. It wore prominent scars on both sides of its frame with valor. Any onlooker would think they made it less secure, but to Maia, it showed the ruggedness of the place and how it fended off many an invader in its days. There must be a great story behind it.

  “What happened here?” she nodded towards the barbican.

  “A battle between Buharr and the Orcs,” Rain said

  “It was during the Battle of Heaven and Hell,” the old man said looking at the gate.

  “I thought that was in the Graveyard of Champions?” Rain said.

  “Yes,” the old man said, “Buharr’s hero, Keynan the great, was a renowned Paladin and leader of the Buharr Irons, the army tasked with protecting the people of Buharr. During the war, Lady Altana took shelter in the castle due to its remote and closed nature to withstand a long siege. Keynan was leading the defense troops and shadowing the lady as a personal guard.

  “Some say they were in love, others say it was their time in the siege that sparked those feelings. A joint force of the Orcs and Goblins arranged an all-out assault on the city. The Orc King left the Battle of Heaven and Hell to join the siege. He believed that killing the Lady Altana would insure their win. So he gathered all his army and some of the Goblins’ to surround Buharr, unknowingly weakening the Beastmen forces in the main battle. The siege lasted the better half of three months. Keynan lead the forces fending off the attackers and Lady Altana with her disciples tended to the wounded. During this time, news of defeat of the Beastmen in the Battle of Heaven and Hell reached Buharr, and so the Orc King tried for a last assault to take the castle.

  “He clashed with Keynan on the footsteps of the main gate,” the old man pointed at the gate, the scars making more sense to Maia now, “The Lady Altana provided heal and backup support. The Orc King was defeated, but Keynan was mortally wounded. He vanished into the High Realm never to be seen again. Unable to bear the sadness of losing her love, the Lady Altana turned into a statue.” The old man pointed at the statue be
hind them, a tear flew down his cheek, “Other statues around the world were erected in her memory, but this one here is the original. The actual Lady Altana.”

  “Damn old man,” Rain said, “I need to look this up. You say it like you were there.”

  The old man smiled back at Rain. Mental note: read on the lore.

  This whole time, Borg sat on the floor next to the old man shuffling some cards. He never once took his attention off them. Squinted eyes, pierced lips and dead silent. The last part was nothing new for him though.

  Maia drew closer to see what put him in such trance and started when one of the cards moved on its own, “What the?”

  Borg turned his head for a second looking at her, then back to his cards.

  “What? You never played Baght?” Rain said leaning down to see the scattered cards on the ground.

  “Say what now?” Maia leaned with him.

  “Oh, lady know it all doesn’t know Baght,” Rain said with a grin, Borg shook his head.

  “Do I have to?”

  “Yes, everyone knows it,” Rain said folding his arms, “doesn’t feel good does it? When someone does that to you?”

  “Whatever, I don’t need to know,” Maia said and took a seat next to the old man.

  “It’s a card game,” Rain took a seat next to her, “THE card game. Pretty popular in Orora. There are tournaments and champions playing all over the world.”

  Borg snapped and slammed the ground with both hands. The cards scattered in the air. They flew away few feet before disappearing into thin air.

  “Another lost battle ha?” Rain said, Borg stood up and frowned back at him, “you can play with almost anyone logged in Orora. And as you can see,” he pointed at Borg, “some people take it very, very seriously. If only he took other things in Orora more seriously.” Rain frowned and Borg shrugged at him.

  “Any reward out of it?”