He just got back from the dead so his powers were not yet about him. Still, he couldn't wait for his body to be back in full form. He placed his sword across his shield from the inside forgoing all his attacking powers to enhance his defense. This should last him few more hits. He brought his shield up and charged towards the battle.
With every step his resolve resonated deeper and deeper within him. He was brought here by the power of the light. By the Lady Altana. He was here to end this Dark One and bring a stop to his path of destruction.
“Bale watch out,” a scream came from his right.
Bale turned his head and saw The Reaper raising his scythe and just about to bring it down.
With no time to think he dove to the ground, rolled twice before coming to a stop on one knee. He spun around to keep the shadow in his view, but The Reaper hovered on top of him again with scythe at the ready. This time Bale had no time to dive, dodge or block. He just mustered the well to stay on one knee.
Was this it? Everything he went through, all those who had faith in him. His friends, his outpost, The Lady Altana. All for nothing?
Something crashed his body on the side and shoved him. Bale stumbled to the ground. He left his head and saw Kensin looking back at him and smiling, “save my sister.”
Bale opened his mouth but the scythe tore through Kensin turning him to nothing but smoke and ash. The Reaper turned around, his clothes floating about him, and went on his way.
“We lost Kensin,” someone said, Bale still not sure of the voices around him.
He wobbled his way up on his feet. Looked at where Kensin should’ve been. Only smoke disintegrated into thin air. That should’ve been him.
He shook his head. No, a good deed won’t dissolve a life of bad. Besides, Bale looked up, I’m doing this for my people, for the Lady Altana, for your sister.
The max level in Orora is 100, but that’s the max level for players. Many NPCs and monsters can reach way beyond that. The main reason being that those monsters or NPCs could fight an alliance or a party, so to level the playing field, they should be above the level cap.
There are also few abilities or items that could temporarily raise the player’s level cap. Very, very rare they are, but they are out there.
50 – Rain and thunder
How could she possibly have known how much of a bad idea this would turn out to be? Maia realized it after seeing those guys losing their characters to this Reaper monster. In any other scenario, she wouldn't have cared about losing her character, but now she had the means to be a wizard. Something most people didn’t. Something she might not be able to get back. Just now she realized how right the old man was in trying to protect her. And she felt sorry for giving him a hard time for it.
Even after losing his attack power, the old man stuck around making sure his party members were up and fighting. And yet, Maia just stood there doing nothing. What could she do anyways? She felt like an ant in an elephant fight. They could step on her any moment without even acknowledging it.
The old man casted a spell and run towards her. He stood next to her looking at the battle. From his head movement, Maia knew he was keeping an eye on The Dark One and The Reaper.
“Starting to regret coming here ha?” the old man said.
“A little,” Maia said, “but just so you know, I didn't want to. I was pushed inside.”
The old man smiled, “you can still log out you know.”
It crossed her mind at one point, but then she remembered what all of the others had gone through to get to this point and she got in by sheer luck, a fluke. She shouldn't let what opportunity given to her go to waste. She also remembered why everyone fought hard to be here. To help their loved ones. That Japanese guy just lost his character saving an NPC while pleading for him to save his sister. Maia had to admit, her throat caught something at that moment.
“I’ll help,” Maia nodded, “even if it’s a puny spell or a minor heal.”
The old man stepped ahead, turned back and smiled, “I knew I selected the right successor. Let’s go.”
There it was, again, that sad smile. When the time comes and The Reaper moved to end the old man, would she be ready to do what that samurai-looking guy did? She nodded, yes, yes she would.
She started to run but saw the old man stopping and casting a spell. A semi-transparent half circle erected in front of him, “get behind me,” he said.
Maia glanced ahead and saw dark shards ripping the ground in succession heading towards them. They collided with the shield the old man created and broke on contact. More and more shards sprouted around them. They started to grow on both sides of the shield, creeping around it, trying to reach them.
“Hold on,” the old man said, “this might hurt.”
The shield shattered to million pieces and the shards poured through what remained of it.
“Get down,” a voice said behind them.
Maia and the old man did. Something zoomed past them and crashed into the ground where the shield has been. A large slab of the ground cracked off and stood up forming a wall in front of them. With it a large chunk of sand and dust took flight.
Behind the haze stood a large man’s silhouette, Borg. When the dust subsided Maia saw him smiling ear to ear. Rain walked to them, “you guys ok?”
“I think so,” the old man said dusting himself off, “what of The Dark One?”
“Almost dead,” Rain said, “I’d say two percent.”
Maia looked at the indicator showing The Dark One’s HP. Rain was right. Two or even one percent. But why did the old man ask? Do NPCs not see this? That’s an unfair advantage for players.
“Ok,” Rain said, “we got to run.”
He took off to one direction and so did the others. Maia turned her head to see The Reaper flying towards them. She panicked for a moment turning her head right and left few times. Ok, left. She took off without thinking twice.
She glanced back and sighed with relief when she noticed The Reaper was no longer coming after her. She searched for him again and saw him going after Rain.
“Why am I always the unlucky one,” Rain screamed.
The Reaper flew few steps off Rain, but at this rate he’d catch up to him any moment now. Rain should lead him towards more people in hopes of making him change his mind. A shock took over Maia when she saw that’s not what happened.
Rain turned around, spear in hand, to face The Reaper.
“Are you crazy?” she said.
“This is pretty much my best option.” His left leg extended forward and his right inched back. Spear at the ready.
“You can’t hit him,” the old man said.
“Who said that I am?” Rain said and darted into the sky. Only a trail of dust lingered behind him. The Reaper stood where Rain had been, looking up at the sky.
Few seconds later, The Reaper flew away chasing someone else. A spear dropped to the ground and exploded, followed by Rain who grabbed it and landed on his feet.
“Woohoo, it freaking worked,” Rain said, “I’m invincible baby. Hey Borg, let’s go two hour the bastard.”
Both men run towards where the others fought The Dark One. So Maia did the same. Get a spell and two before he bite the dust.
At least five people were directly hitting The Dark One and few casting spells from a distance. This guy sure could take a beating with a smile on his face jumping from one man to the other while delivering a punch or a slash.
Getting closer, Rain jumped again into the sky, “here goes my two hours baby.”
Borg closed in and whirled his morning star. He jumped into the air and turned into a giant spinning rock. It picked up speed for two seconds then crashed onto The Dark One. A giant wall tore off the ground behind them. Borg jumped away from the debris and looked up. Few spears crashed where The Dark One should be, followed by more, and still more. It rained spears for half a minute. Where they hit, nothing more than dust and smoke remained.
Rain crashed soon after
then bolted backwards and stopped next to Borg. Both men looked at the carnage they left in their wake. The old man stepped behind them and casted a small protection spell.
“Nice work guys,” Eric said from somewhere on the other side of the wreckage, “I think that did it.”
“Hell yeah,” Rain said high fiving Borg, “Rain and thunder baby. No one gets out of that.”
Maia looked at The Dark One’s HP. It stopped at zero percent. Perhaps it was indeed over.
The battlefield fell silent for a moment, save for Hok running from The Reaper. The smoke thinned and dissipated, still nothing moved behind it. It was over. A smile formed on Maia’s face.
“I told you,” a voice said in Maia’s head, “you can’t defeat me just like that.”
Rain and Borg exchanged a look, “You’ve got to be fu-”
A dark smoke grabbed Rain and dragged him few feet up then slammed him to the ground. The smoke turned back and did the same to Borg who crashed but a few feet away from Maia before rolling few times and coming to a stop.
Maia run towards him casting a healing spell. He wasn't dead, but on the verge of it.
“You think those pathetic attacks can kill me?” the voice said.
“What the hell?” Rain said while panting, “Old man any idea what’s going on? He should be dead.”
“I don't know,” the old man said.
Maia grabbed Borg’s arm, it was like holding a slab of rock. How could he possibly be tossed this easy? She heaved trying to pull him to his feet. In reality, Borg did all the work to get back on his feet. He stood bent over supporting himself with a hand on Maia’s shoulder.
Maia tried to cast another spell, but Borg tensed and pushed her to one side. She stumbled and fell to her knees.
“What the-” she said and looked up. It was too late.
The scythe went through him in one swift move.
“Borg!” Rain screamed.
Borg looked back at Maia. His lips moved. Maia thought she heard something, but soon there was nothing but smoke.
51 – Death
Think. Think. Think damn it. His brain did not work when he needed it the most. The party members where dropping like flies and The Dark One should be way below zero percent HP by now. Yet, he mocked them by being alive, and kicking. Literarily kicking their asses.
No one came this far before. When people tried to fight him in the open they reached the same roadblock, only his HP never dipped below ten percent. Now he was practically dead. Yet, he looked more alive than some of Hok’s downed friends.
“What does it take to bring him down?” Eric said, “this is unfair, he should be dead.”
Unfortunately, that was not the only issue at hand. Hok glanced at the clock, less than five minutes. If they don't figure something fast, they’ll be kicked out of the arena. Kicked from the only chance they possibly have.
Think. Think.
Few of them used their two hours after The Dark One reached zero percent. It was clear they couldn’t end him that way. At the very least they hoped The Reaper would be gone by now. The specter continued on his hunt chasing after Oz and Paragon now.
Was it a timer thing? They just needed to bring him to zero percent when the timer finishes and survive The Reaper? Too risky to accept and just run. What if it didn't work?
So, think damn it.
“What do we do?” Murad said.
“I don't know,” Hok said, “I’m trying to think of something.”
“Maybe he’s just hanging to life by a thread?” Oz said.
“Don't think so,” Paragon said, “he made it clear that we can’t kill him that way. Either he’s rubbing it in or giving us a clue.”
“Just avoid The Reaper for now,” Hok said, “and think of something while you are at it.”
“Easy for you to say,” Oz said between his breath, “you are not the one being cha… oh, never mind, he got bored off me.”
Hok stole a look at The Reaper, the shadow flew after Murad. The Dark One on the other side exchanging blows with Qaz. Cmfour circumventing the both of them, taking footage it seemed. To his credit, he sneaked a spill or two every now and then.
Eric joined in, flailing his sword around. The missing hits far exceeded those that connected; his anger got the best of him. Can’t blame him though, he was almost there. He was actually there, but for some reason the game didn't acknowledge it.
Frustration and disorganization started to show in the party. That’s a problem with any prolonged battle. Barring any unexpected surprises, the start of a battle always looked calculated and beautiful. And the lack of fatigue had nothing to do with it. By nature, the people battling would plan their few coming steps and even keep in mind few contingencies, but the longer the battle drew, the harder it’s to stick to a plan or even control. Fatigue kicking in should get some of the credit too. This must end, and fast.
“He’s heading your way guys,” Murad said.
Everyone fighting The Dark One turned around to keep The Reaper in view. Eric stepped ahead of them, “Fuck it. Bring it on you piece of shit, I am not running anymore,” he spread his hands, “I got nothing to lose.”
“Eric!” Hok said closing the gap between them, “are you crazy, get out of there.”
Eric turned to face Hok, “Or what? I’ll die? I already am.” His voice faltered but his eyes were determined. “I might take this guy in those few seconds.”
He turned around and swung his sword towards The Dark One. The others backed away as The Reaper got closer.
Damn it. Hok was too far to do anything. But close enough to notice the little details. Details like The Reaper raising his scythe with every foot bringing him closer to them. The Dark One blocking a hit by Eric and returning it across his face. Cmfour dancing too close for comfort.
“Eric,” Hok said, “turn around God damn it.”
Eric took his sweet time turning to face The Reaper. If Hok ever saw a resounding defeat, that was it. Eric just looked at the specter, hands dead to his side, face down and only eyeballs gazing at his impending death.
“Damn it, I’ll be fired for this,” Cmfour said and tackled Eric full force shoulder first.
The Dark One took a step back; Eric bounced few feet away and The Reaper drove his scythe home. And just like any other life he claimed, it all ended in an instance.
The Dark One cracked his neck, “another life wasted. And your time is ticking.”
True, time trickled down to less than three minutes, but Cmfour’s life did not go to waste. Hok grinned, thank you Rayon, this just might be it.
“Diego,” Hok said running towards The Dark One, “I need you to tether him. Everyone else, get as far away as you can. Now!”
“I can try,” Diego said, “but he pretty much resists everything I use now, unless I two hour him.”
“Do whatever it takes,” Hok tossed a shadow bind to keep The Dark One in his place, “It’s the last chance we’ve got anyway.”
Hok put all his weight on his left foot and swung his sword. A blast carried forward hitting The Dark One. Hok closed in on him.
The Dark One cocked his head, “a final foray I see.”
Hok turned his head around looking at his friends; everyone ran away from them. “Keep going guys, I need them on me.”
The shadow bind broke off and The Dark One turned around to face Hok. Purple tentacles shot from the ground and squeezed around The Dark One’s feet. Hok exploded with an array of attacks. Got to keep the hate.
“Diego,” Hok said, “more, keep him in his place.”
Hok slashed again and took a blow to his right side. Another blow on his left shoulder. Not good, his HP dropped fast.
A mud pool grew beneath them. Then a gravity ball spun around The Dark One. A lightning shot coursed through his body. Not bad Diego, this should keep him long enough.
Hok turned around to spot The Reaper. He was closing in, few feet away, scythe rising.
“Hok?” Eric said.
“Don't worry,” Hok said, “I know what I’m doing.”
He turned to look at The Dark One, smiled, threw both arms around The Dark One and squeezed him closer. Anger flushed first with deep dark eyes glowing with dark flames, but then his eyes widened and fear took over.
“You are going down with me,” Hok said as he turned his head to see The Reaper bringing his scythe down.
He closed his eyes and braced for the hit.
It didn't come.
The first thing Hok lost was the sensation in his arms. Then everything went pitch black. No sounds, no lights, nothing. He felt the heaviness of the VRR on his head.
The lights came back and a familiar character stood before Jack. A staff in hand and a blue robe hanging loose on him. “Alkaizer” written on the lower left side and highlighted by a blue faint light. Below it, “Hok” crossed with a red line. The selection won’t go there. His heart sunk. He dreaded this feeling. Poor Hok, never catching a break.
Jack smiled, sighed, and then took the VRR off.
He looked off the window into the dark sky with a hint of snow threatening about. Did it work? Did they win? And was it all worth it? Was everything they worked for worth it? He wouldn't know. The only guy he knew in the real world, Eric, would be far too busy to bother updating Jack now. The only guy documenting the battle was dead. He wasn't showing it live anyways, only shooting footage for later viewing.
It’ll be sometimes before he got any news. Good news, he hoped. He could go online and lurk on some forums or watch some streams around Buharr. Not worth the trouble for some fragmented unconfirmed news.
He stood from his chair. His muscles ached. Although he didn't move much in the last few hours, but the strain on his brain was intense. He smiled; he asked for this. The thrill this game provided. As much as he loved his relaxed style with Alkaizer, he truly missed this.
He looked at his VRR one last time and glanced his phone right next to it. He grabbed the phone and cycled through his contact list. Saw Eric’s name and smiled. Thought twice about pressing it, but then decided against it. Good news or not, he was better off with Karin now. He’ll call when he call.
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