Dodge Tank

by Rick Scott

  In my panic I’ve forgotten all about my other role!

  In between the claw strikes I cast Shadow Darkness and after three tries finally get it to land. I then squeeze in a Shadow Mist and manage to poison it, but the other two effect don’t stick. Finally I debuff for ice and I see Thanus’ Spells go from doing one and two percent damage to two and three.

  This is working. We might just be able to do it after all, but I know the next round of room AOEs has to be coming soon. I precast Shadow Copy to be ready for it and steel myself when I finally see the roomwide message appear.

  Vulnar readies Eruption.

  “Be ready!” Val Helena shouts. “If we get through this, we win!”

  The attack goes off and the damage put everyone’s HP bars in the red as my shadow disappears. I recast Shadow Copy immediately, but Vulnar hits me with a random claw strike and removes it.

  No!

  Vulnar readies Trample.

  I desperately try to recast as Vulnar rears back on its haunches, preparing to drop back down again. The timer should be close to resetting soon, I might just make it in time!

  I check the recast time when nothing continues to happen.

  Shadow Copy: You can cast this spells in 06 seconds

  What? Still 6 seconds? What the heck? I check my buffs in a panic and see that my Shadow Haste has worn off. No!! I should have recast it earlier, but I was too focused on landing those rebuffs!

  Vulnar crashes down and my HP drops to zero.

  You have been defeated by Vulnar.

  The dragon turns immediately to Val Helena and with a single claw strike it drops her to the ground as well.

  No! Damn it!

  Aiko: Looks like this is it. Nice try…you were actually doing okay for a while there.

  The dragon turns on the melee party next and takes them out with another AOE claw strike.

  Vulnar has defeated Jax!

  Vulnar has defeated Zeke!

  Vulnar has defeated Vic!

  Vulnar has defeated Stan!

  Vulnar has defeated Rolo!

  “Get Reece up!” Val Helena yells though the party chat while still face down. “We can still save this!”

  A raise lands on me from someone, drawing the attention of Vulnar. The giant beast lumbers toward the mage party at the edge of the arena while I start to raise up. The distance will help. If I can Warcry it away from them, maybe we might have a chance to recover.

  But the dragon doesn’t walk all the way. It stops and then breathes fire on them from afar.

  No….

  The HP bars of the mage team melt to zero and the entire guild is now dead…except for me.

  This is it.

  We’ve failed and Aiko is going to get the claim.

  I half heartedly cast Shadow Copy as the dragon turns back my way and I prepare to face it with just a couple of hitpoints and no one to back me up.

  I’m sorry, mike. I couldn’t do it. Just like you thought.

  Aiko: Leave your party and join me and we can still win.

  The idea sends a nasty feeling to the pit of my stomach as I consider it in desperation.

  But no. I couldn’t do that to Val. I could never sink to that!

  Me: You’re as bad as Val says for even suggesting that, Aiko. I’d never join you.

  But I’m about to die soon. And lose everything.

  I take a claw from Vulnar and recast Shadow Copy for perhaps the last time.

  “Everyone recall and run back!” Zeke says through the party chat and then disappears.

  Yes! That was it! I just need to stay alive until they return. “Hurry back guys!”

  And one by one the entire guild begins to vanish from the battlefield.

  “No!” Val Helena shouts. “Don’t do that!”

  Huh?

  (RNG) Val Helena: If you leave you probably won’t be able to get back in again. The key item is one use only.

  (RNG) Zeke: Damn! I’m sorry, Val. Crap! >
  (RNG) Val Helena: It’s no use. We’re all dead anyway.

  As soon as Val Helena says it, I take another claw and then an AOE fire blast with no shadow and fall.

  Aiko suddenly appears next to me, laughing. “Guess you made your choice. Looks like it’s going to be Gruzug all over again, for you.”

  I have an out of body experience as I watch Vulnar’s name start to blink as it prepares to change from red to white, becoming unclaimed. 14%. I can’t believe this! I’ve risked everything on this gamble and now I’ve failed. In a few seconds Aiko will claim the prize that I need to save my brother’s life. And I can do absolutely nothing to stop her.

  “Reece!” someone cries.

  I turn to see Gilly running onto the battlefield, her small mage’s wand already raised to cast. “Invite me to the party quick so I can keep hate on the boss!”

  *** Reece: Gilly?

  “Hurry,” she says as starts casting raise on me. “Val, I’ll get Reece up and then you. Invite me quick!”

  *** Val Helena: Dammit! What are you even doing here? This is not how it’s supposed to be!

  “Do you want to win or not?” Gilly shouts back.

  Val Helena invites Gilly to the party.

  Gilly finishes casting and Vulnar’s name solidifies in red as it’s drawn to her spell, but then it starts to lumber toward her as well. No! I have to save her!

  “Gilly!” I cry as I finally raise up. I dash in with no preparation at all, using hide just as it’s about to swipe Gilly with its front claw. I hit it with a backstab that removes another 1% of its health and Vulnar roars and shifts back to me.

  Gilly heals me up, but with weakened HP I can’t afford to take a single hit. I need to get Shadow Copy and Shadow Haste on again and fast, or we’ll have no chance at all. I’m naked and facing death depending on which attack Vulnar will use next.

  It snaps at me with its jaws and I praise the heavens as I blow Active Dodge to avoid it. One more chance! But I have to be smart about it. I cast Shadow Copy and then start casting Shadow Haste right after. I take a claw strike, losing my shadow as my cast completes, granting me Shadow Haste. I then use sprint to kite the dragon until I can recast Shadow Copy again. I take off running and my heart is in my throat as the ground trembles beneath me, Vulnar giving chase.

  I can’t believe this. We might just have a chance now.

  I stop and immediately cast Shadow Copy when the timer hits zero. I stand my ground with a Warcry and lose my shadow to a claw strike, but I know I have ample time to recast again.

  I’ve done it! I’m back in business!

  “Reece, stay alive!” Val Helena says as Gilly begins to cast on her. “I’ll be up to help you soon!”

  I keep tanking with Vulnar at 13%. Gilly finally raises Val Helena and when the Half Giant lands on her feet, her armor disappears as she quick-changes into warrior mode. She’s still weakened though and her HP is at 152/1752.

  Val Helena engages in the combat and begins hammering away at Vulnar’s flank with her massive battle axe.

  Aiko chuckles from the sidelines as she watches. “Pulling out all the stop are you, Helena? Won’t help. I’ll enjoy watching you all wipe again.”

  “Don’t listen to her,” Val Helena cries as she hacks at Vulnar’s side like a lumberjack. “We can still do this!”

  I narrowly miss another bite from Vulnar’s jaws and recast Shadow Copy just in time to lose my shadow to another claw swipe. Each hit I’m praying that there won’t be a breath attack in between to mess up my Shadow Copy casts. Just one and this will be all over again. Just like Aiko says. As I watch Vulnar’s HP barely move, it dawns on me…we’re not going to be able to do this.

  Not with just the three of us.

  “Val, we need to get Aiko to help us,” I say in party chat and she looks back at me shocked. “It’s the only way.”

  Val Helena glares like I’ve just stuck her in the back with a katana, but there’s a spark of rationality behind her steely gray eyes as well.
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  “You know I’m right,” I press her. “We can’t do this with just one tank. Please, Val. I need this win. You’ve got to get her to help us!”

  “Damn it all to hell….” Val Helena mutters and then shouts aloud, “Aiko, if there’s any soul left in you, join us and help us kill this thing!”

  Aiko merely smirks as I manage to get Shadow Copy up again, but then lose it near instantly to a claw strike. Please say yes, I beg inwardly. Please!

  “And why would I do that?” Aiko says.

  “Because his mother’s life depends on it!” Val Helena shouts as she buries her axe into Vulnar’s hide. “And you know why I need to do it too. So please, Aiko! Do something decent for once.”

  Val Helena invites Aiko to your party.

  Aiko just smirks again, but this time it comes with a scoff. “Decent? Like leaving your best friend alone to die?”

  What?

  Val Helena’s eyes flare with rage and she stops attacking Vulnar and looks as if she wants to attack Aiko instead. “I’m ready to pay for my sins, Aiko. Isn’t it time you paid for yours too?”

  Aiko doesn’t respond and the two just stare at one another as I blow my last Active Dodge to avoid Vulnar’s jaws.

  “Will you two hurry this up!” Gilly screams. “We’re about to lose here!”

  “Fine,” Aiko says and joins the party. “You win, Helena. But don’t expect me to go any further than this. After this, we’re done. You go your way and I go mine.”

  I have no idea what they’re even talking about, but neither do I care. I’m just thankful she’s decided to help. “Hurry! If this thing breathes I’m dead!”

  Aiko disappears and a few seconds later, Vulnar loses another 3% to a critical backstab that spins the beast about and away from me. I use the reprieve to recast Shadow Haste and get all my other buffs up.

  “Go all out before it AOE’s again, Helena!” Aiko says as her twin kunai become a blur, triple attacking the beast. “Reece, I’ll tell you when I need you to take the boss back.”

  Val Helena spread her arms wide and releases a powerful cry as she buffs herself.

  Val Helena uses Berserker!

  Attack speed and damage increased.

  Val Helena uses Onslaught!

  Critical attack chance increased.

  “I’m using my 24 hour ability,” Val Helena yells. “Try to keep hate if you can!”

  “Please.” Aiko chuckles. “When have I ever lost hate to you …?”

  “Always a first time.” Val Helena grins and I see an unexpected glimpse of camaraderie pass between the two women.

  Val Helena uses Rampage!

  Power attacks may be used at will for 30 seconds.

  Val Helena becomes a blinding whirlwind of destruction as her battle axe cleaves into Vulnar’s scaly hide. The movement is so fast it looks unreal. Every hit is a critical Power Attack that continues in an endless chain. Vulnar’s HP drops in steady chunks and it’s down to 7%.

  Then a glacier falls from the sky, taking Vulnar down to 5% as it crashes on top of its head.

  “Thanus!” Gilly cries and I see the mage along with Zeke and Silvi running back into the arena.

  “We made it back in!” Zeke shouts as he jabs his trident into Vulnar. “Let’s kill this thing!”

  My hopes are renewed as Silvi tops up our HP.

  Vulnar breathes fire and removes Aiko’s Shadow.

  “Take it now, Reece!” Aiko shouts.

  I shout using Warcry and the dragon turns its attention to me. I lose my shadow as it claws at me and then again right after I reapply Shadow Copy when it hits me with the other.

  3% disappear from its health as Aiko backstabs and the dragon faces her again.

  It’s down to 1%!

  Vulnar readies Eruption.

  “Hit it with a backstab now, Reece!” Aiko cries. “Kill it! Kill it!”

  I use hide and then thrust my blades up and under Vulnar’s scales and the beast releases a fiery groan as its death cry sounds across the arena.

  Reece has defeated Vulnar!

  The beast collapses to the ground and a spam of notifications scroll up my HUD.

  You have defeated Vulnar!

  You have gained 0 experience points.

  Congratulations! You have earned the title Vulnar Victor!

  Congratulations! You have earned the title World Boss Killer!

  You receive 5,714,286 credits

  My heart nearly explodes.

  We’ve done it!

  I’ve done it!

  I can save my brother! I let out a cry of cheer as does Gilly and the rest of the guild. I run to her and we hug in a deep embrace. “I can’t believe we did it!”

  A blue light emerges from the arena floor.

  “Reece,” Val Helena says as her feet begin to leave the ground. “Remember your promise to me!”

  “What?” I say as my body begins to float as well. What the heck is going on?

  And then slowly we all fade from existence.

  * * *

  I emerge in a dark room, void of anything. No light, no sound. I see Gilly materialize next to me, followed by Val Helena, Aiko and the rest of the guild who were with us.

  A prompt then appears on my HUD.

  Congratulations!

  You have defeated a World Boss!

  You have met the requirement to enter the optional test shard of Citadel.

  While in Citadel, you will be subject to the following new game conditions:

  Some abilities may be disabled or function differently.

  All Party claim mechanics, XP sharing and PVP restrictions will be removed.

  You will no longer have the ability to change your class.

  You may experience physical discomfort and/or pain due to enhanced feedback.

  You will be unable to communicate or trade with normal game world servers.

  You will be unable to log out until certain game conditions are met.

  You will be unable to respawn upon defeat.

  Failure to resurrect will result in permanent cerebral disassociation.

  Do you accept these conditions and wish to enter Citadel?

  [Note: Choosing no will return you to the arena with no memory of this event and/or its participants.]

  (X) No, I do not accept, return me to the arena.

  (O) Yes, I Accept, take me to Citadel.

  A one minute timer starts counting down with the default set to yes.

  Holy crap…

  “What is this?” Gilly says. “And what does permanent cerebral disassociation mean?”

  “It means death,” Thanus says. “I think…”

  “What?” I say.

  “Thanus is right,” Val Helena says. “I can’t force any of you to come with me. If you do, I’d appreciate it, but you’d have to come at your own risk.”

  “Death?” Zeke says the word again and then shakes his head. “Sorry. I don’t play the game for this kind of stuff. I’m out.”

  His decision is so quick that it takes me by surprise when he hits no and winks out of existence. So much for loyalty.

  “I’m out too,” Thanus says and disappears.

  Silvi looks sheepish but eventually murmurs. “Sorry, Val…”

  Val Helena sighs as Silvi fades away as well.

  Aiko chuckles. “At least you got some people with brains on your team.”

  “Shut up, Aiko,” Val Helena snaps and then she looks to Gilly. “You should go too.”

  “What?” Gilly says.

  “I mean it,” Val Helena says. “Hit no, Gilly. You didn’t sign up for this. Go back to the arena now. It’s far too dangerous for you to come.”

  Gilly’s face creases into a scowl. “Hey! The same way you can’t tell me to stay, the same way you can’t tell me to leave. Reece, I’m here for you whatever you decide.”

  Aiko disappears next to me, but I don’t see which button she pressed.

  Val Helena scowls at where Aiko once stood. “Damn coward.�
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  I look to Val Helena. “You want me to hit yes?”

  A shame creeps into her eyes. “I told you from the beginning, I needed you to be able to see this though no matter what. This is the part I really need you for, Reece. I need you to come with me and tank for me one more time.”

  I look at the six million plus credits in my account. “Are you saying I can’t go back to save my mother?”

  She frowns. “I’m sorry. It needs to be now. I didn’t want for you to have to choose like this. I thought you would have had plenty of time to earn the money and do that long before now. But you’ll be able to come back afterwards. I promise.”

  “Can’t he just go and come back now?” Gilly says.

  Val Helena shakes her head. “He won’t remember. And plus he’d have to wait for another world boss to spawn and defeat it again. And with the timing off now I don’t know when that will be.”

  Crap!

  “But I need to get back. Not just for my mother, but my brother now too!”

  0:42 Seconds…

  “Reece, just like before, I can’t stop you from doing what you truly want to do. The same goes for you too, Gilly. All I can ask is that you trust me, Reece. The same way I’ve trusted you.”

  Her words bring me back to our conversation while on the airship to Bangōr. It seems a lifetime ago now, but committing to Val Helena then was a lot easier than what she’s asking for now.

  Time ticks by as the options weight on my soul.

  0:29 Seconds…

  “How long?” I ask.

  “A few days maybe…”

  Days? “I don’t have a few days! How do we even stay in game for days? What’s going to happen to our bodies?”