Maia got up and so did the man. He dusted his oddly put together getup and smiled at Maia. “You are Maia I guess,” he said, “I’m Diego.”
A party invite from Hok appeared on Maia’s display. She accepted and the information display of her party members came alive before her.
“Hey girl,” Rain said, “how the hell did you get in?”
“I don’t know, I touched the dome and it pulled me in.”
“A wizard can do that,” the old man said. A smile warmed her heart when she heard his voice. Then anger took over. He knew of a way for her to join the fight and he kept her out. He decided for her yet again. Mental note: when this is over, punish the old man.
“In any case, welcome to the battle,” Hok said, “try to help in any way you can. At the very least stay clear off The Dark One.”
She looked up at the dragon, what could she possibly do to help with that? And he warned her about the Dark One and neglected that flying behemoth?
“Psst,” Diego said, “you don’t happen to have a healing spell do you?”
“Um,” Maia tried to recall, “not really, only low level black mage spells.”
“Well, had to ask,” Diego shrugged, “I’ll get it from our healers. Just go cast few spells on the dragon. Enjoy yourself, but stay clear of the Dark One.” He run towards the far end of the battlefield where few figures, Maia couldn’t make out, were duking it out. Yet another person warning her about the Dark One while encouraging her to fight the dragon.
Maia considered it at first. Few people fighting what she presumed The Dark One. Better join the bigger party fighting the flying dragon. As bad as it sounded in her mind, bigger party meant more help, and more people taking damage away from her.
She ran towards the party and stood alongside the mages. Paragon fired a spell and the other Asian looking mage readied another. A third guy held both hands in a frame and moved back and forth between the fighters and the healers. Anyone could not have assembled a weirder group even if they tried.
“Here he comes,” a man said, “get ready.”
The fighters ahead got their weapons ready. An archer pulled his string with an arrow that had a frozen head; Borg spun his Morningstar around and Rain braced with spear in hand. Maia took out her staff and readied an ice-based spell. It stood to reason for her that a fiery dragon should be weak to ice.
The dragon descended in front of the fighters and a slew of projectiles took flight towards it. Arrows, spells, even Rain jumping spear first. Maia started to cast but the dragon crashed with a thundering thud. Its momentum dragged it forward with a loud screech and Maia feared she’d disappear under it. She broke her casting and raced away from the sliding beast.
The noises got louder as the beast’s skin grinded the ground beneath it and the earth shook the closer it got to Maia. She took a dive on the ground and raised both hands on her head bracing for impact.
The noises stopped and the ground ceased its shaking. Maia raised her head, got off the ground and turned around. She saw the faint red of the beast’s eyes and jumped back. Then she noticed it none-breathing. None-moving.
A roar exploded behind her. Cheers and screams.
“Whenever you are ready guys,” Hok said, “we are kind of taking more than we can handle here.”
The whole party ran towards the other battle taking place in the far end of the arena. Screaming and spitting obscenities along with promises of death for The Dark One. Maia joined the party.
“So, you killed my dragon,” a voice said in her head. She squeezed her temple with her left arm. Was it the same voice as the dome? “It’s time to face me.”
No, this was different. Clear. Where the dome sounded distant and unfocussed, this was clear and direct. Was she the only one hearing this? She shrugged it off and run towards the others.
Getting closer she could make out a dark figure exchanging blows with Hok. Few feet away stood Diego and another figure cloaked in grey grab. The old man. Another rush of relief washed through her as she saw the old man well and fighting with the others. Something odd looked about him though. Maia only figured it out after watching the fight for few beats.
He didn’t use any of his devastating spells. Only healing and support. Were they not effective against this Dark One?
An account in Orora will entitle you to one character only. You can however delete that character, if you do so choose, and start afresh.
If you want to have more than one character, you’ll have to have a new account with a new subscription.
48 – The Reaper
Given the difference in size, this battle did not at all turn out to be what Fitch expected. He thought if not twice, this battle should’ve been three to four times easier than duking it out with the dragon. After all, it was just a single humanoid enemy. Boy did he read it wrong.
This guy moved faster, more agile and hit like a truck. Fitch did die twice against the dragon and failed to count how many times he reached near death status, but this guy was different. He downed Fitch more times than he could count. At one point Fitch worried he might level down, but after a quick check his fears were put to rest. He could still afford few deaths.
At least for now only Fitch paid the ghost so far. The other tanks, and some damage dealers who went overboard, danced too close to biting the dust, but the mages performed admirably. They not only kept the party alive, but also managed to keep out of the Dark One’s hate radar quite well. If an MVP was to be named for the battle, it would’ve been one of the healers.
What also impressed Fitch even more about the healers’ performance was the way The Dark One reacted to hate. As a tank, Fitch was used to holding the mob’s attention for some time before reapplying methods to gain more hate. This guy acted in a whole different level. Two, three hits max and he pounced on someone else. Hate between party members fluctuated like crazy. It’s all well and good until he decides to make a mage his target. And so far, that seldom happened. For a team that barely knew one another and never rehearsed this, kudos must be said to the mages’ performance.
Few more minutes and the announcement everyone dreaded came, “Get ready guys,” Hok said, “he’ll get in the red soon. From now on just build TP to use after the reaper is out.”
Fitch glanced his TP, eighty percent. Few more hits for a hundred at least.
The Dark One was hammering away at Qaz when Fitch started towards him to get few of those hits. Midway through, The Dark One changed focus and jumped to Bale and so did Fitch. He got one hit, two, before he spun around and jumped away from everyone.
“I think this is it guys,” Kensin said.
Fitch noticed his HP. Amber red.
“Damn he just got in the red,” Murad said.
Everyone kept a healthy distance from him. Mages fired few defensive spells. Fitch just kept an eye, waiting. The Dark One smiled and tilted his head sideways.
“Diego, tether him,” Hok said.
“On it.”
Purple tentacles erupted below The Dark One and wrapped themselves around his legs. Above him, a column of smoke appeared and formed a scythe. A hand grabbed it and slashed forward revealing the specter behind it.
“Run guys,” Hok said, “stick to the plan. Take out The Dark One fast, run if the reaper is after you.”
Plan? This was no plan. This was suicide. Yes, everyone did agree to this as, at the time, it indeed sounded like the only viable plan. But no one has anticipated The Dark One’s power. Part of the reason behind the dome was to throttle The Dark One’s power. Out in the open he had no limit on his powers. He could call The Reaper anytime, summon his dragon and minions any number of times. Here, all of that should be limited. After fighting him in the past few minutes, Fitch started to doubt it all.
Kill The Dark One fast enough to nullify The Reaper’s existence. It was like fighting in a highway zooming with traffic, a traffic that does not hit your opponent.
The Reaper looked at Qaz and flew towards him. Qaz took
flight as well.
A dark crimson sphere formed around The Reaper but broke soon after. The Reaper did not acknowledge its existence.
“Ok,” Diego said, “not only is he immune to spells, he is not govern by hate.”
“That’s why you run,” Balard said, “and hope he changes direction on his own.”
Fitch took the opportunity and dashed towards The Dark One. The damage dealers were unleashing hell that Fitch only saw smoke, fire and some other effects on a spot he thought the Dark One should be.
Few feet away Qaz screamed, “Guys, he’s heading back to you.”
Everyone turned around to spot The Reaper, and so did Fitch. The shadow glided towards the bulk of the party surrounding The Dark One. Not sure whom he saw as target, everyone took flight.
The Dark One raised a hand and blurted a spell. Jorgen stopped, “Shit, I’m paralyzed.”
The Dark One walked towards Jorgen, a broad smile on his face. On the other side, The Reaper approached.
“Death shall be sweet,” the voice said in Fitch’s head.
A white diamond formed around Jorgen and broke, “Damn it,” Paragon said, “I can’t dispel it.”
The Reaper was few feet away when Hok passed right through it, “Here you son of bitch.”
The shadow didn’t acknowledge him and continued towards Jorgen.
Two, three diamonds formed around Jorgen. Two broke and one expanded into nothingness. It got through.
The Reaper swung his scythe and Jorgen dropped to the ground. He hit the ground with both hands and rolled to one side to avoid the slash that followed.
Hok extended an arm and pulled Jorgen up. They both run while the shadow on their tail.
A scream came from Fitch’s left side and he spun around. The Dark One grabbed Yayoi’s neck and raised her few feet off the ground.
“No pillar to save you now.”
Fitch panicked, what to do? He started towards them. Small crystals formed at Yayoi’s feet going upwards. She screamed louder as more crystals crept upwards. Fitch pressed on, knowing full well he wouldn't make it in time.
A trail of fire flew towards them. The Dark One raised his other hand and the arrow stopped few inches from him before dropping to the ground. “Are you kidding me?” Oz said.
Getting closer Fitch hit his two hours move Absolute Shield in hopes of getting The Dark One’s attention. His body shimmered and a white aura grew around him. But as far as The Dark One was concerned, nothing. He didn’t even turn around to acknowledge Fitch.
Damn it. Fitch lowered his head, brought his shield arm forward and steady his legs bringing his center of gravity towards his lower mid-section. Two feet away he lunged at The Dark One.
The two collided, stumbled and rolled on the ground. In the spiraling panic, Fitch glanced at Yayoi who crawled on her knees in a trans-like state. No crystals around her feet.
Fitch sighed a relief as he took a breather on the ground.
“You miserable little-” the voice spat inside his head.
The Dark One stood above Fitch, grabbed his helmet and pulled him to his feet. Fitch grinned through and through. He managed to make the cool mysterious Dark One furious.
“Oh you’ll wipe that smile in a second.”
“Fitch, look out,” Oz’s voice came from a distance.
The Dark One grinned, his eyes deeper dark than his face. A dark scar on a dark face arched upwards as he smiled. His head tilted to one side. But he didn't move. He didn't attack.
Shit. Fitch realized it too late. He turned around and he saw a scythe slashing through him. He closed his eyes and braced for impact, but it didn’t come. It didn’t hurt. It felt like smoke passing through his body. He thought he heard few people screaming his name, but it was so distorted to make out. Could be battle noises.
His vision started to fade till darkness took over. The words Game Over came mid screen and he felt the VRR on his head. He never saw a Game Over on a normal death. Not in Orora.
For few seconds he waited for the respawn option. But nothing came. Just an Exit option. His heart sunk and he felt light headed.
A minute or so of staring into darkness he submitted and chose the Exit option. It took him back to the character selection screen. Only this time Fitch had a red cross over it. Below it, the option Create a new character was highlighted.
With both hands Oliver pulled off the VRR. His eyes adjusted slowly to his room. Still his mind in denial.
He looked at his phone. For a moment he thought about calling Oswald or Kayleb, but then decided otherwise. Last time he noticed the countdown it showed about fourteen minutes left. Should wait, probably they’ll call him.
49 – a light where darkness ruled
At first he thought it was only him, but standing next to Murad, Bale saw the panting. Heavy thick heaves for air. The battle took a lot out of them. Bale fought for air, for life and The Dark One. At the same time he had to keep an eye for The Reaper.
For a moment things looked to have taken a turn to the better when a lady joined their side in battle. Bale thought he had met her before, but all Recruits tended to look alike to him. Somehow she broke through the dome and got inside. Bale discovered soon after how low level, and useless to the fight was she. Very low level.
And a moment ago The Reaper struck Fitch. And he seemed to be gone, for good, which scared Bale to some degree. He saw The Reaper downing some of his men at the outpost, but he always clung to the idea that somehow, somewhere they’ll come back. Now, his eyes fixed on the respawn point soon after Fitch was hit. Nothing.
“He’s not coming back, is he?” Oz said.
“No,” Kensin said, “keep fighting or we’ll face the same fate.”
Bale regained his focus and saw Eric and Borg battling it out with The Dark One. The Reaper, few feet away, chased after Qaz. Can’t help there, might as well join the two in fighting. The sooner they killed The Dark One, the sooner this’ll all end.
Bale provoked The Dark One and started to run towards them. The Dark One closed the gap and slashed at him. Dark sword hit the cold steel of his shield. Bale spun around and planted his sword in the shadowy body. The Dark One flinched.
He smiled and tilted his head sideways, “Warden, how I wish we weren’t on deferent sides.”
“You killed my people and threatened my world. We’ll never be on the same side.”
At full TP, Bale tightened his grip on the sword and spun once, twice. Two trailing circles grew from his sword and exploded on impact with The Dark One. A cloud of smoke grew from the impact obstructing the view. Not to give him room to breath, Bale lunged, sword first at where The Dark One should be.
Bale felt his sword colliding with something from the right side, but his momentum carried him forward. Unable to stop, he decided to go on the offense. So he pulled his arm back and swung the sword to his right.
It stopped. No, his arm stopped. Something grabbed at it.
The smoke cleared and The Dark One’s grip tightened on Bale’s wrist. Pain shot through his hand. Try as he might, he couldn't cut himself loose. He only managed to make the pain worse. Then he noticed the ground dancing below his feet. The Dark One hissed with a grin.
Dark spikes grew from the ground towards Bale. He flinched back putting the shield between him and the ground. The spikes pummeled his shield, legs and feet. He jumped back and larger spikes sprouted after him. One collided with his shield sending it upwards. The next spike broke few inches away from his chest when he brought his sword in between. The third spike connected, tossing him few feet back. He hit the ground and rolled few times before coming to a stop.
For a second Bale didn't hear anything. He shook his head to regain some level of consciousness. Voices still around him, muffled and distanced, but they were there. His body felt heavy and unresponsive. He tried to move his arm, but it weighed a ton or more. No, it felt more like it wasn't there. He looked at it. To his relief, he saw it there. His shield broke though. Half a shiel
d remained in his hand.
He was dead.
Well, won’t be his first time, and probably not the last. Bale didn't know how Recruits experienced death, but to him, it was going through the void before following the guiding light of the Lady Altana to bring him back to his home point. Those who didn't see the light were doomed, or some say trapped, in the Dark Realm.
The thought scared him for a moment. What if he returned to his home point now? To Galawar? Bale never fought in a closed arena battle. As far as he knew, he should return to where they first entered the arena. But what if he didn't?
“I fought few battles with NPCs,” Hok told him when Bale asked what becomes of him if he died in battle, “They just respawned in the starting point.”
Bale hoped he was right. But that scared him less than what he saw now, or what he couldn't. The light of the Lady Altana nowhere to be found. By now, the path should be drawn to him and he would’ve been halfway through it.
Yet, nothing.
Stories of the Dark Realm played in his mind. Tales told to children to scare them straight. Dark creatures and Beastmen roamed the grounds. The Dark Order ruled over all bringing fear and destruction to all. Men enslaved and killed again and again. Doomed to a life of pain and suffering. Dark mountains with valleys to match only filled with molten and black fire. His heart raced, threatening to jump out of his chest.
A bright smoke gathered above his body and started to take form. A lady. The Lady Altana. A hazy vision of her, but Bale knew it was her.
He couldn't hide his excitement. His joy. Yet he couldn't show it. His body did not listen to him.
She extended an arm, “rise warrior of the light,” her voice played in his head, her mouth didn't move, “the darkness can’t have you today.”
He grabbed her hand, warm and smooth. He felt a calming breath coursing through him. She pulled him up in one swift move and he stood back in his feet. Everything came to light around him. Everything but the lady.
He smiled and raised his shield, whole again. He looked at his friends fighting The Dark One, “This is for you milady.”
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