Dreaming Orora

by A H Alshehabi

A gust of wind blew furiously above them, seemingly out of nowhere. They all looked up and to no one’s surprise, Hok slammed the ground atop his wyvern.

  “Never gets old man,” Oz said.

  “We are not catching a break are we?” Hok said jumping off his mount. He agreed with Bale in this one.

  “Actually I think we just got our first,” Eric said, “Fitch here got his home town set in Buharr.”

  Hok looked at Fitch who smiled back at him earnestly, “Worth a try I guess. I’ll fill you in on what to look for if this works.”

  “Cool,” Fitch said, “Guess I need to teleport?”

  “Wait a minute,” Eric said then looked around at the rest, “all of you. Guess this is as good a time as any.”

  Everyone turned towards Eric. Hok stepped back next to Bale, “Here we go,” Bale thought he heard Hok say.

  “I might not get the chance to thank you for this,” Eric said, he looked down and smiled, “for helping me, my wife, and every other person suffering because of this. You are under no obligation to do so, yet you chose to stick around and fight. To dedicate your time, for some, your life to helping someone you barely knew. I really thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

  Oz approached Eric, “nice pep talk.”

  Bale leaned towards Hok, “I thought you’d be the one giving this kind of speech?”

  “Me? Never been the one for such things.”

  “This goes for me as well,” Kensin said, “thank you again everyone for helping in this.” He bowed for a long moment.

  Way to ruin a moment. Try as he might, Bale still couldn't bring himself to forgive Kensin for what he did. He just couldn't stomach the guy. Yet, the other people had nothing to do with it. His sister had nothing to do with it.

  “Well,” Fitch said, “guess this is my queue,” he stepped towards the looming dark mass in the distance.

  “Sorry we can’t help with this man,” Oz said.

  “Actually,” Paragon said and stepped next to Fitch, “I can. My home point is there as well,” he looked at Fitch, “I’m coming with you man. But, why are we porting?” he pointed at the dark army at the distance, “We should go there and give them hell.”

  Fitch smiled, “You know what? This just might be a good idea. He looked towards the army for a moment then took a step forward and summoned his Vagrant. Paragon did the same and stood next to him. The two of them gave a final look over their shoulders, “hey Oz, this is the moment you say we’ll see you in the other side.”

  Oz smiled, “I’ll see you on the other side brother.”

  “I’ll keep you posted,” Fitch pulled the reins on his mount and galloped down the hill, towards his death. Paragon followed.

  Hok approached Eric, “We should gather the rest. Oliviera started rallying the troops for tomorrow.”

  “We have time to rest till then I guess,” Eric said, “everyone, we’ll meet here tomorrow same time. Until then, be safe and have some rest.”

  Rest? As far as Bale was concerned this’ll just be time to kill. He sat there looking at the dark army as the others popped out one by one until he only remained. Waiting.

  38 – Wandering hero

  The run was less glorious than what Fitch anticipated. What he saw in his mind, him atop the Vagrant screaming “Charge” while Paragon following suite few clicks back. They’d reach the dark army and he’d swing his sword one time to the lift taking few minions heads, then another to the right before jumping dramatically and continuing the fight. Sheer numbers alone would take him down.

  What actually had happened proved less graceful than that. He managed to scream “Charge” and Paragon did follow next to him, which pumped him up for the first few yards. The remaining way to the army waiting on the other side was cloaked in awkward silence with only the hoofs of the Vagrants pounding the ground. That took the epic-ness down a notch.

  Getting close to the army his adrenalin shot up again, but it died down soon after when arrows and spears started flying their way. His Vagrant got hit and he flew off his mount, hit the ground and bounced off couple of times before coming to a stop. Before he regained his composure an axe dug into his side, a sword crushed his helmet and another his right leg. He managed to take out his shield but few more hits followed and he fell down to his death.

  Shocked from what just happened, he looked up at the counter with the option to warp back home.

  “Well,” Paragon broke the silence, “that was less glorious than I thought.”

  “Tell me about it, I thought we’d give them a real run for their money. I think I know now how a piñata feels. Let’s not mention this to Oz, ok?”

  Paragon laughed, “anyways, let’s port back. Hope this works.”

  Fitch pressed the button and tried to cross his fingers. In death, he could only observe but not move his character, but in his mind he crossed his fingers, hoping.

  Everything went dark for a second or two and Fitch's heart skipped a beat, or two. Then shapes started to form. The Lady Altana showed up first, then the small fountain and rock grey ground. Other figures popped to existence and Fitch slumped his shoulders and let out a relief sigh. “Thank God it worked.”

  “Alright,” Paragon said, Fitch still couldn't see him, “let's look into this old man.”

  “Let me see,” Fitch said and went through his mailbox; Hok sent him a screen capture taken of the old man. It wasn't recent, as per Hok, but it should work.

  Fitch looked around, a large amount of people gathered in the main ward surrounding the Lady Altana statue. Aside from the increased number of people in the small closed city and the obvious increase of soldiers, the place looked good. No one could tell otherwise that an enemy lingered at their doorsteps.

  “This is not going to be easy,” Fitch said, “I’ll forward you the picture, take a look.”

  “I have an easier way,” Paragon said, “What’s his name?”

  “Um,” Fitch paused, he had to look into the mail again, “Balard.”

  “Ok, Bala…” Paragon stopped, “Wait a second, Balard the wizard? Are you sure?”

  “Yes.” The other end went silent. Fitch looked around, trying to locate the old man, or Paragon.

  “Damn, I don't think this’ll work. I don't think he’ll answer if we shout his name, even if he heard us.”

  “Why not?”

  “If it’s really him, then he’s a wizard. One of few in Orora. The Wandering Heroes, people call them.”

  “Heroes? As in Age of the Gods?”

  “Yes,” Paragon said and stepped in front of Fitch, “Hey man, I’m here. They are considered as heroes, but they belonged to no nation, no city. And up until now their existence was nothing but rumors and hearsay.”

  “You are right then, I don't think screaming his name would help.”

  “We can’t just shout that we are with Hok either,” Paragon said, “not a good reputation to be associated with.”

  “So,” Fitch said, “the old fashion way?”

  “The old fashion way.”

  Fitch forwarded the picture to Paragon and the two of them split up to look for the old man. Hok did say that he’ll be around the main ward, somewhere near the Lady Altana, but it seemed like everyone gathered in the main ward. Soldiers, NPCs, players and even summons. He couldn't look around any direction and spot the inner curtain walls of the city, only the towers and battlements atop the walls loomed somewhere behind all the moving heads.

  “Any idea what the Paladin’s guild is doing?” Fitch said.

  “Probably nothing,” Paragon said, “they don't get involved in any battles. Yet their members are free to join whatever side or guild they are part of. Although, I never really saw what they would do during a siege. Why do you ask?”

  “Nothing really, just killing time looking for the old man. Might visit them if I get the time.”

  Next to him a man in dark crimson robes screamed to no one in particular, few people in similar clothing stood next to him, others hu
ddled around him, listening. “Oh heroes where are you. Buharr is calling. It’s suffering. Great Keynan, where art thou.” A murmur started around him, “Lady Altana, we implore thee. Save us once again from darkness.”

  “Is this guy for real?” Fitch said.

  “Well,” Paragon said, “everyone enjoying the game the way they like. Just keep looking for the old man.”

  “For there to be Darkness,” the man continued, “there need not be light…”

  Others around him joined and continued the verse. Fitch shook his head and continued along. This sounded borderline crazy. But Paragon said it right, to each their own. And with this talk of the old man being a long lost hero, this craziness might just be real.

  Few more minutes of looking around and Fitch spotted an old man sitting on a bench. Wasn't the first old man he came across. When he started, he thought he wouldn’t have trouble finding an old man amongst the loads of young players. But when you factor in NPCs, things got complicated quick.

  Fitch pulled out the picture to double check, looked fitting to some extent; more facial hair on the old man before him. The man looked frail and ancient, Fitch doubted him for a moment. This man was the key for all of this? A hero of the ages? He pushed his way through until he stood at ear shot making extra sure that only the old man heard him, “Excuse me sir, Balard?”

  The old man looked up, confused. A thin man sat next to him talking to a girl raised his head. His gaze jumped between Fitch and the old man, “Balard?” he said.

  The old man grabbed his staff and pulled himself up, “Do I know you young man?”

  The thin man and the lady stood up as well. A giant fellow stepped next to them. Fitch hesitated for a second. Maybe he didn't think this through. A wandering hero would not want to be found by any passerby. A wandering hero would not wander alone.

  “Are you Hok Seven?” the thin man said. Around them a dozen players or so focused their view on Fitch.

  “Heavens no,” Fitch said waving his hands. Few onlookers kept eyeing him with accusing looks while others continued on their own way.

  “Get out of your party,” the thin man said, “I’ll send you an invite”

  Fitch dropped out and an invite from Rain followed soon after. Fitch accepted and PMed Paragon who stepped right beside him. “Please invite Paragon as well,” he said in the party chat. Few more seconds and Paragon joined the party.

  “Ok,” Rain said, “ who are you kid?”

  “My name is Fitch, I was sent by Hok Seven.”

  ~

  “What?” Mia said, “Why wasn’t I aware of that?” Rain chuckled and Mia punched him in the shoulder. He stepped away but kept on laughing. “So you are telling me we are stuck here and can’t port out?” her nostrils flared and her gaze locked on Fitch, both hands on her hips, “But you managed to get in?”

  She looked lovely, in a none artificial way, if a little aged for Fitch. She stood almost shoulder to shoulder with him, not that it was a great feat given Fitch’s height. Still Fitch found himself smiling at her, “my home point was set here, so.”

  After getting to know one another, they moved to one of the closed areas within the castle for a more intimate conversation. The main ward was overcrowded. Still few people walked about, but it should be a far better place for them to get comfortable hearing one another. At the very least no crazy people shouting.

  “But you know some Recruits are siding with the Dark One?” Balard said, his eyes closed and both hands on his staff. “They might alert him of the impending attack.”

  “True,” Paragon said, “unfortunately nothing much we could do within this short timeframe. Besides,” Paragon raised an eyebrow, “I think Buharr could easily withstand a siege for twenty four hours. We all know about the battle of Heaven and Hell.”

  The old man smiled and nodded as if understanding an inside joke. The rest looked confused.

  “You know sir,” Paragon said stepping towards the old man and placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, “when this is all over, I’d love to pick your brain.”

  The old man smiled and nodded. Perhaps Paragon just found a man his own age, at least in thought.

  “When the attack commences,” Fitch said, “Hok and the others will try to break through and meet us. From there it is a dash job to get the containment up and do the battle.”

  “Hey, hey,” Rain stepped between them, “Containment, battle? What the hell are we talking about?”

  Most abilities and spells come with the job or subjob equipped. Keyword there is most. There are few elusive abilities or spells that only becomes available when a special item or a weapon is equipped.

  Rumors that some jobs are also only available that way.

  39 – The war at hand

  Mia got two days off work to attend the impending big battle. While the team scheduled it to start in a Friday, Maia did not have a normal schedule or a normal weekend at work. And so she had to apply for annual leave. Thank God she had no shortage of those waiting to be taken. In fact her manager begged her time and again to go on leave, but what was a single woman with next to no social life needed with a vacation. Nothing exposed just how lonely a person was more than a time off from work.

  After explaining the plan, Maia came to know that she wouldn’t be able to join, because of the minimum level restriction. That got her angry at first, but she soon understood that they couldn't wait for her to level up and be part of it. Lives hanged on the line. Even if she leveled, just like Jade, she might not be allowed to join because of her sex. Eb detested, strongly, against Jade’s request to join the fight. After few minutes of arguing, Jade gave in to Eb’s request.

  “I can be with Maia,” she said.

  Mia thought about it for a second, did she really want to be stuck with Jade, a woman she barely knew, just cause they were in the same guild? But it should be better than being alone during this epic battle.

  And so the team decided to meet up today near the barbican. Rain, Borg, old man Balard, Eb, Fitch and Paragon would join the battle once Hok and the others arrive. Maia didn’t really care for the details since she won’t be joining the fight. All she needed to know that the battle would start early afternoon.

  Since Maia had nothing better to do, she got into the game two hours prior to the meet up time. To her surprise, or maybe by this time not really, she found the old man sitting in the exact spot she saw him before logging out last night.

  He raised his head and smiled, “welcome back.”

  “Why am I not surprised to see you here?”

  “I need to talk to you about something.” He ponderously rose to his feet.

  “Did you wait here the whole time?”

  The old man’s eyes wandered around a bit, “I strolled off a bit, then came here and waited, hoping you’d got on early,” again his worm smile decorated his face.

  They walked towards the main ward. Maia noticed the increased number of players gathering. More and more people had the same idea as her. Come few hours early and get ready, or watch the other people do so.

  Some people worked on small forges hitting their weapons with small little hammers. Others dyed their armor and equipment. Few displayed equipment with the promise of a discount because of the war. A guy in red robes, the same getup as the people she saw at the small port near Ladara, preached the imminent arrival of the heroes and how everyone should prey alongside him.

  Maia looked at the old man, “I bet you went through those kind of fights before ha? I’m sure this is not the first siege you’ve gone through?”

  The old man smiled, “True, I’ve been through my fair share of those. Always tried to avoid them though.”

  “Avoid this? This is fun. This is the stuff people get into Orora for.”

  A sad smile formed on the old man’s lips and Maia just realized how wrong her last comment sounded. If this old man was an NPC, as she highly suspected, she just expressed her pleasure in watching his world at war.

  “I�
�m sorry, I didn't mean it that way.”

  “It’s ok,” the old man said, “in any case, I wanted to talk to you about something you always asked me about, but I guess the recent events got you off track.”

  “I never forgot that, but I just thought it was not the time. I did do my research as well, no one seems to know how to be a wizard,” which is another fact that drew Mia towards the conclusion that this old man was an NPC.

  The old man smiled, “It’s a well-kept secret,” he extended his arm holding his trusty staff, “take it.”

  With a confused look Maia took it, it felt lighter than what she imagined. She placed it on both hands and turned it every which way, examining the thing. Nothing looked off or extraordinary about it.

  The old man took out another staff and leaned on it with both hands, “Go ahead, examine it.”

  Her eyes on the old man, she diverted her gaze to the staff and went through the menu to examine it. A small box popped displaying the stats of the thing. Again, nothing extraordinary. A level 100 prerequisite to equip, a normal damage for a staff and some minor stat boost. The last line made Maia’s eyes pop wide.

  Grants the ability to become a wizard. “Oh my God, is this what I think it’s?”

  “If you think this staff will give you my powers, then I’m afraid not,” the old man laughed, “it’ll open the path for you to learn the wizard’s abilities. It’s up to you from there to learn. But I think you got it in you, you got that fire here,” the old man pointed a finger between her chest.

  Maia blushed and felt her cheeks flush red. She jumped and grabbed the old man and squeezed. He did not expect that and it showed by the soft apologetic chuckle he had. “Thank you, thank you,” Maia pulled back feeling her eyes getting watery, but perhaps it was only in the real world and not here.

  “No, thank you Maia. From the moment I met you, you followed me around with convection and determination to see this through. I gave you some hard time in between too,” Maia rolled her eyes. “All of that and you treated me with respect and dignity, not like the others who just saw me as, an NPC.”