Dreaming Orora

by A H Alshehabi

  “Of course, you can convert cards to items or sell them for in game gold. You can participate in tournaments and games to make money, real money. Some people are actually professional Baght players. Some cards can also fetch you some good price in the real world.”

  “Seriously?”

  “Yeah, some cards are so rare that only a handful exist in the whole of Orora. Naturally, those can fetch a huge amount if a player decides to sell them. But they usually don’t. Borg has had some standing orders in the auction house for some rare cards for a long time now, with a big reward to boost. No luck yet,” Borg shrugged.

  “Perhaps I’ll have to look into this,” Maia said. Mental note: look into Baght.

  With a snap, the old man stood up looking towards the gate, “they are here.”

  Maia raised her head to see him, his eyes sharp, “They? I thought it was only Hok?” she said. All this time she assumed Hok was alone. No one anywhere mentioned other people besides him.

  “No, it’s the dark army,” the old man said and all of them stood.

  They started to make their way when the sirens thundered around them. City guards run left and right and in the far end at the barbican, the drawbridge inched up. Another set of portcullis drew closer to the ground.

  “Are they locking us in?” Maia said.

  The old man looked left and right then pointed to the far left, “the tower,” he said and moved towards it.

  People panicked and moved every which way. Then Maia noticed it was just NPCs, players were confused, but rather more curious than panicked. After all, players could just teleport away if needed. Some NPCs might be able to do that as well, but this was their home.

  They got inside the tower and started to ascend the flight of stairs. Few soldiers and players pushed their way through as well. They reached the top to find the turret full with onlookers. They all swarmed west. Maia pushed through wedging her tiny body between the hulking soldiers and other players until she got a good clearing.

  A black sea poured towards the castle. It slithered towards them with a definite start, but no end on sight.

  “What is going on here?” Eb voice said in the clan chat, “what did I miss?”

  36 – Beautiful things

  It irked him to no end that he had to do this, but he kept telling himself it was for Eric, for Karin. Not since the olden glory days did he come to this place. Again he cursed his luck for giving him no other option, or perhaps it was his fate he needed to curse.

  The dragon ride took him a little over the half hour mark but now he had to finish the journey on foot. No one would like a dragon barging on their doorsteps, let alone someone they hate, nay despise.

  So, he walked, with the looming white tower in the distance glowing and spitting dancing lights around it. The cloudy sky helped exaggerate the pop. The threat of rain lingered in the background with every crack of thunder. Hok looked up in dismay.

  “I’m almost there,” Hok said in the private channel, “not promising much, but let’s hope for the best.”

  “I’m sure she’ll understand,” Eric said, “Bale said he had some people in mind that might help as well.”

  “With what’s going on in Galawar, don’t hold your breath.”

  “I guess, anyways, keep me posted. And Jack, I’m really sorry you need to do this.”

  Jack sighed and closed the channel. No need to make Eric feel worse than he already did.

  He walked another ten minutes before he reached the doorsteps of the giant tower. Music played all around him. The festive atmosphere and the sensory assault just kept coming.

  Two soldiers stood at the door crossing their spears. A deja-vu flushed through Jack’s mind. Unfortunately, the same approach as the Brotherhood guild wouldn't work here.

  “State your business,” one of the guards said.

  “I’m here to meet Oliviera.”

  “Do you have an appointment?”

  “No.”

  “Walk-ins are not entertained, please arrange for a meeting before coming here.”

  “Tell her it’s Hok Seven.”

  “I’m sorry, I’m not authorized to pass any message at this time.”

  Hok sighed and took few steps back, “I really, really did not want to do this.”

  He took out his sword and stood ready. The two soldiers shifted their spears to point at him, “Sir, put back your weapon or we’ll be forced to take action.”

  “Oh, I already did,” Hok said and the screech helped emphasize his point. Before the soldiers managed to raise their heads, the wyvern dropped between them. It slapped one with its tail sending him sprawling few feet on his back. The other found himself tangled between the beast’s teeth being dragged left and right.

  Hok stepped forward and pushed the door. It didn’t budge. He expected that much, nothing came easy. He jumped on his wyvern and with a pull of the reins both were airborne. The wallowing alarms soon replaced the rowdy music. Hok smiled.

  He took a round, two around the tower. Not a single window on sight, it was by design. He knew this before commencing his plan. And so he pulled the rein to one side and his wyvern spat a fireball on the tower. The flame hit the wall with a bang and broke to million glowing pieces. Aside from the wall turning black, nothing happened.

  Hok smiled and fired again, and again. His beast kept spitting full lungs of air towards the tower. If the tower shined pure white earlier, it looked like a Dalmatian now.

  Hok tightened his grip on the saddle and pushed downwards. The beast crashed on the ground next to the main gate sending dust and rocks every which way. When it settled, Hok jumped off his mount and stepped forward, “Get me Oliviera or I’ll burn this tower to the ground.”

  The door cracked open inwards and the soldiers kept pouring out. They surrounded Hok keeping him and his wyvern at weapons length. The beast flinched, snapped and roared at the crowd. Hok smiled, where did he saw this before? “That got your attention, ha?”

  The soldiers near the gate made way and a young man approached Hok. If not for the flashy purple, his set of armor would’ve been intimidating. It clanged with every step he took and covered the man head to toes. “I guess the lady was right,” the man said. Hok stood corrected, his voice a more offence than his armor, “only Hok Seven was stupid enough to pull such stunt.”

  His voice, Hok couldn’t see his face through the helmet, gave a kid like feeling behind it. Hok grinned, “Kid, get me your master before I roast everyone here.”

  The boy stood firm, “Many an army and guilds tried this before, please do try,” he pulled out his swords and his men snapped ready. More men marched out of the gate.

  Two swords? Must be a berserker or a warrior. Hok looked around assessing his odds. The others looked to be NPC soldiers; only the boy could be a player. This won’t be much trouble. “You had the benefit of seeing an army coming miles away. Tell me something boy, how many times would I kill you and your men before the rest of your troops log in?”

  Hok couldn’t tell what was the boy thinking from his face behind the helmet, but the half step he took backwards betrayed his stance.

  “Let him in,” a soft voice came from within the tower, “we don’t want to deal with the damage this one will do.”

  Hok smiled and the soldiers stood down. The boy kept his weapon up. “Stand down boy, listen to your master,” Hok said.

  “I prefer to keep them pointed at you at all times, thank you.”

  Hok’s smile turned to a grin as he made his way inside. True to his word, the boy kept his two swords up.

  ~

  “You know,” Oliviera said, “when Jorgan told me you visited them, I told myself you’ll never come to say hi here. And yet, here you are.”

  Hok sat on a small couch opposite the lady who kept him waiting for some time before making an entrance. To his surprise, she wore a very less eyesore of a dress than she usually did on stage. Then again, it was to be expected. Those dresses must be a pain to put on and
walk in, not much in Orora than the real world though. Her black hair cascaded in lush drops to her shoulders and contrasted well with her pale complexion and deep full red lips. She was, as ever, a beauty to behold.

  The room they sat in though, offended all senses. At least now the music stopped. The chairs sported a seizure inducing vomit of colors. The place smelled like an amalgamation of flowers and rotten fruits to the point where Hok’s nose, or the game sensor, gave up on distinguishing what was going on.

  Yet, at the very least, she looked as normal and as beautiful as ever.

  “Well, given our, you know,” Hok waved a hand around, “and the fight we are going for. I thought it was better not to get you involved.”

  “So, what changed? I’m still who I’m, and the fight is still the same.”

  Hok glanced at the door. The boy stood there motionless since Hok took a seat. He only straightened up once Oliviera came in, but now was back to his relaxed-ready stance.

  “Things actually got more complicated.”

  Oliviera put her elbow on the armchair and her hand on her chin, “Buharr?”

  “Yeah,” Hok said, “the Dark Army laid siege on that place with no apparent plan of attacking. And knowing Buharr, they can withstand a siege for days on in.”

  “True, and where do I fit in? I can’t afford to lose my character and you know that.”

  “I know, what you can help us with, however, is gather troops,” Oliviera tilted her head with a quizzical look on her face, “with your influence, you could gather people to the cause fairly quick.”

  “Go on.”

  “We need a big army to give us an opening, from there we’ll take the Dark One out.”

  Oliviera stood up then started pacing around her chair, “Hmmm, I can do that, but you have to do something in return,” she stopped behind her chair smiling at Hok.

  “Go on,” Hok sat straight, his back not touching the chair.

  “I need exclusive broadcast to the fight, any video taken within the battle is mine, you or your friends have no right to record or broadcast any footage of the fight. Ever.” Hok slumped on his chair. He could care less about broadcasting any footage, those days were behind him, but he couldn't speak for the others. “And…” Oliviera smiled, “I’ll have two of my men in the battle.”

  “What?” Hok stood up.

  “Trust me, they are competent enough. Qaz here will be one,” she pointed at the boy who perked and puffed his chest, “and cmfour.”

  “cmfour?”

  “Camera man four, you know, generic names for my camera men. They are actual camera operators.”

  “Are you kidding me?”

  “Relax, he’s a max level player, but his priority will be taking quality video than fighting. You won’t have to keep an eye on him in battle though. Qaz here, which you were about to lock swords with, is more than competent in battle. He’s my head of security and I trust him with my life. Here at least.”

  Hok looked at the boy, he must be gloating behind that helmet. “Well,” Hok started towards the door, which brought him closer to Qaz, “we’ll see that. For now assume your terms are agreed with. Give me some time to confirm with Eric and you can start your thing.”

  “Leaving already?” Oliviera put a hand on her hip, “you know you always have a place here.”

  Hok stopped and looked back at her. Beautiful indeed. “Only here ha?” Oliviera smiled and raised both eyebrows, “Maybe some other time, I have pressing issues to attend to.”

  “Give my regards to Eric… and Karin.”

  Hok reached the door, “Why don’t you do it yourself? Oh, I forgot,” Hok stole a last glance at her. She pierced her thick lips and smirked at him. Beautiful, yet unnerving. Maybe in another life.

  Guilds and armies alike can arrange an attack on a city or a stronghold. If they besiege the city it enters into a siege mode.

  To make the fighting fair, in a siege mode, teleportation to a sieged city or stronghold is disabled. This ensures a fare and entertaining fight.

  Note, Beastmen can also besiege a city.

  37 – Siege

  He had no second thoughts now or anything of the like, but looking at the army surrounding Buharr, Bale questioned their ability to even reach the Dark One, let alone fight him. He looked at the company he kept, their number not exceeding ten with a promise of reaching eighteen or so. None of them he knew prior, some he even hated. He looked at Kensin alongside his two close friends.

  But what were his options? His people hated him, exiled him to ever set foot on his beloved outpost. His beloved home. At times he questioned why he fought still? To help the people who dishonored him? Who wanted him imprisoned? His love for his outpost always won though. Being there or not, he couldn't live knowing someone or something threatened their existence.

  That’s why after spending some time in prison with Varga and getting to know, and see, how Beastmen stood against the Dark One, he thought about soliciting for their help, to ask the Orcs to join hands in this battle.

  After asking around he found out where their stronghold was located, or what was left of it. The dark army flattened their stronghold to the ground. Nothing but ash and smog. It pretty much resembled what he saw at Paya. Only no Orc appeared on sight. Not even dead Orcs. No leads or anything to go by. Only few Recruits run in and out of what once might’ve been a stronghold. So much for his short-lived plan.

  And now he sat with the others atop a small hill gazing at this blackness surrounding the fort city, ready to attack, but for some reason was not, yet. For the past few hours the small blob of darkness surrounding the city turned into a sea of darkness swallowing the area. His outpost had some warnings at the very least, for all the good it did them.

  They kept a healthy distance from the army, but Bale still saw the apprehension on his team’s faces. Looked like most of them got the chance to see their enemy’s full power for the first time.

  “What are they waiting for?” Fitch said.

  “Reinforcement perhaps?” Kensin said.

  “What reinforcement?” Oz said, “anymore soldiers and they’ll flood the city by just walking towards it.”

  “That’s what you say when you don't know the lore,” Paragon said, “Buharr withstood the siege at the battle of Heaven and Hell. This is probably nothing.”

  Soldiers clad in dark armor stood motionless, their gaze towards the city. Thick walls separated them and the fort city grounds. All his life Bale just heard about Buharr. The second, and some people counted it as the first, impregnable city around the world. After Galawar of course. He hoped its reputation would hold the test.

  Oz leaned towards Bale, “He’s a nerd. Sometimes I’m embarrassed to be seen with him.”

  “Shit,” Eric said looking at the dark mass, “Shit, shit, shit.”

  “What is it?” Paragon said and the rest huddled around Eric.

  “Give me a second, I got to contact Hok.”

  He sat on the grass-covered field looking at the distance, but not really looking at anything. The others just exchanged confused and worried looks. “Damn it,” Eric said, “he’s not in.”

  “In what?” Fitch said, “What is going on?”

  Eric sighed, “the city is put under siege and Hok didn't manage to get there earlier.”

  “Meaning?” Fitch said.

  “Meaning Buharr is off limits for the time being.” Kensin stepped in front of them towards the city, “unless we are crazy enough to go through that,” he pointed towards the not so inviting army.

  “You mean something like what happened in Ladara?” Oz said.

  “Not exactly,” Eric said, “Ladara was restricting everything through magic. Any settlement that gets surrounded by an opposing army gets into siege mode. Basically, no one could teleport in or out of the city. It’s a mechanism to level the playing field for the invader and the invaded.”

  Bale’s gaze never left the city walls. He lived through few sieges back in the day. His out
post, small as it was, got besieged by Hywars often. His men managed to defend it every time though. No thanks in part to Recruits.

  “Ok,” Fitch said, “so no one can teleport in or out. We still can attack them from where we stand.”

  “True,” Eric said, “but we need to meet someone inside. Now we are stuck with no way in or out of the city.”

  Bale looked at the mass of dark figures standing between them and the gate of the city. Every few paces a bulk of a big creature or a trebuchet peeked above the soldiers. Then there was the colossal dragon with no doubt the Dark One atop it. Bale could not make him out from here, but he swore he saw a darker spot on the dark dragon’s back. No one could force their way through all of that.

  “We can send him a message,” Paragon said, “or communicate outside the game?”

  Eric shook his head, “Won’t work. He’s a…” Eric stole a glance at Bale, “he’s an NPC.”

  Bale didn't show any range of emotion. He was sure Eric meant nothing by it and reacting would only make it worse. Although, this latest bad news piling up on the many before did call for a frown, or a shallow scowl at least.

  “Um,” Fitch said biting the tip of his thumb, “What about people with home town set in Buharr?”

  Eric and Kensin exchanged a look then looked at him, “I think that might work,” Eric said.

  “Give me a second,” Fitch said and zoned out for a second, “Yep, it’s Buharr.”

  “Oh God,” Eric stood up and walked towards Fitch. He placed both hands on Fitch’s shoulders, “you just might’ve saved us boy. Are you sure you up for this?”

  “No doubt,” Fitch said, “we came this far right? Besides, not that I have anything better to do for now. Otherwise I’d be just studying.”

  “That kind of makes me more guilty about the whole thing,” Eric said.

  “Don’t worry,” Oz said, “I’m sure this’ll be like his fourth or fifth revision.” Oz laughed and Fitch grabbed a pebble out of thin air and tossed it at him. Oz managed to dodge and continued laughing, “I kid, I kid.”