The Grind

by Dante Doom

  “Think about being above the ground!” Savannah agreed. “That sounds easy.”

  Elanor shrugged. “I guess it couldn’t hurt to try.” She closed her eyes tightly and began to whisper to herself. As she did, the walls rapidly began to drop down into the ground, until the group was standing back at the start of the Dream Lands where they’d found themselves originally.

  “It worked!” Savannah cheered as Fingers came falling down from the sky.

  “Ahhhhhh!” Fingers cried as he hurtled towards the earth. Elanor rushed over and was quick to catch the man.

  “Are you okay?” she asked as she put him down.

  “Ugh, well. we confronted one of my big fears—suddenly falling,” Fingers said as he dusted himself off.

  “I see another cloud!” Timon said as he pointed at a billowing cloud moving towards them.

  “We’re going to be fighting these things all day unless we get moving,” Elanor said. “And I do not want to deal with my other fears right now. I suppress my negative feelings for a reason, damn it!”

  “Well said,” Fingers agreed. “Let’s go that way!” He pointed to a lighthouse in the distance. “It might be safer over there.”

  “Oh yeah, a spooky, isolated lighthouse is going to be perfectly safe,” Savannah muttered as they all ran towards the very obvious trap.

  Chapter Ten

  The lighthouse loomed over Savannah as she ran toward it. They had to hurry—the clouds were coming from all directions now, carrying words like Sorrow, Dogs, and Dying Alone. All of these things encapsulated the fears that the group collectively suffered from, and she didn’t want to have to face her own fears—namely, the fear of being helpless— so she ran alongside the rest of the group as hard as she could.

  The lighthouse beacon was shining brightly, drawing them forward, and it seemed to radiate hope. While it did seem likely to be a trap of some sort, Savannah preferred to fight some kind of Lighthouse Guardian as opposed to more complex and confusing puzzles. Meanwhile, light from the beacon was actively pushing the thin mists away, and Savannah could feel her thoughts growing clearer once she was inside of the light’s radius.

  “Whew, look!” Fingers said as he pointed at the clouds hovering outside the beacon’s range, apparently unable to follow them.

  “Looks like we’re safe for a minute,” Timon said, pausing to catch his breath. His sprinting score was definitely going to be maxed out by the time they reached the end of this level.

  “What’s that over there?” Elanor asked as she pointed to the balcony of the lighthouse. There was a large, heavy machine gun resting on one of the guardrails above, and it appeared to be mounted on a swivel.

  “I’m guessing that’s going to be a real problem for us in a minute,” Savannah said as she pulled out her gun and readied it. “But hopefully this will be a straightforward fight and not some kind of abstraction.” Even as she spoke, Savannah realized that with the recent fighting, she needed to check both Timon’s and hers character sheets to check their points and supplies.

  Wishing they would have had time to stop for supplies and upgrades, she looked up as the wooden door at the bottom of the lighthouse swung open and a man stumbled out, carrying a large assault rifle. He was 30 yards away.

  “Hold it right there!” the man yelled. He was a player.

  “Hey, we’re friendly!” Timon said, waving to the player.

  “We’ll, we ain’t!” the man growled as his gun began to spin rapidly, opening fire on them. Hundreds of bullets sprayed out of his high-powered gun, some of them narrowly missing Timon as he scrambled out of the way.

  “Stop shooting!” Timon yelped as he dropped to the ground. Savannah rushed forward with her own shotgun, blasting a few shots to scare the man off, but he didn’t seem too worried about her. He aimed his rifle right at her and began to fire again. Bullets crashed into Savannah’s body and she felt a sharp sting of pain rushing through her.

  “Aigh!” she screamed as the notice 25 damage hovered above her. She dropped to the ground to dodge the rest of the bullets then, and throwing her shotgun aside, she pulled out her Energy Rifle.

  “A little help here!” Savannah yelled as she tried to shoot at the stranger. He had ducked back into the lighthouse and slammed the door shut.

  “We’re a little busy!” Elanor shouted as she ran past Savannah. Someone had just snuck up to the heavy machine gun on the balcony and was now firing like a madman on the group.

  “Into the lighthouse, quick!” Timon yelled as he ran for cover.

  “No, it’s a trap! Stand and fight!” Fingers replied as he pulled out a grenade and threw it to the top of the lighthouse balcony. The throw was an impressive one, and the grenade detonated in mid-air near its target.

  “Did you hit him?” Savannah asked. A rush of points came pouring down to Elanor and Timon, answering her question succinctly. 100,000/1,500,000 hovered above Timon’s head, but he was too busy running towards the lighthouse to notice.

  “Timon, get yourself together!” Elanor yelled as she reached over to grab him. They had all moved closer to the lighthouse to get out of the heavy machine gun’s range, but thanks to Fingers, the operator was dead.

  “There’s gotta be more inside of this place,” Savannah explained a she got to her feet and dusted herself off. She glanced at her health. She was at 75 points. She searched her inventory again for anything that could help, even knowing it would be bare—she had been going through healing potions like crazy, and her rib injury was still reducing her efficiency. She needed to figure out some way to find a Med Center, or else she’d be in trouble.

  Everyone crowded around the door since the base of the lighthouse would keep them safe from having to worry about any shooters on the top level.

  “Well, we can’t hang around here forever,” Fingers said. “Why the hell would those guys even be attacking us?”

  “Who knows?” Savannah asked as she took out her shotgun. “But the way I see it, they started shooting at us first, so our response is totally justified.”

  “You think we should breach the place?” Timon asked.

  Savannah nodded. “I’m low on health and I’ve got no armor left. They should have plenty of loot left for us that could help. Let’s figure out a way to break in and take these guys out.”

  “I really don’t care for fighting against other players,” Fingers said as he shook his head. “I mean, robbing players is one thing, but when you’re fighting against a bandit group, you’re not dealing with some fancy AI. You’re dealing with an irrational human being. They don’t always make the most optimal choices and, as a result, they’re unpredictable.”

  “That irrationality can be exploited,” Elanor said. “Besides, I doubt they are that powerful. Why don’t you and I kick in the door and push in? The rest can stay out here to guard the rails in case they try to jump over the side and ambush us from behind.”

  Fingers nodded. “Maybe… what do you think, Savannah?”

  Savannah shrugged. “I never do PvP stuff because people usually leave Grinders the hell alone. I think we should all push in. Let Elanor soak up the most blows because of her armor and we can overwhelm them.

  “How many are in there?” Timon asked.

  “It can’t be more than four or five,” Fingers said. “Most Wild Card gangs run about that size. Now then, you guys ready for the breach?”

  “Let’s leave the Machina to guard the door,” Timon said. “In case someone comes in from behind.”

  “Good thinking,” Savannah said, quickly instructing Ten-Thirty to guard their backs. She crouched down then and took a deep breath. This was more exciting than fighting a Viral. Virals had patterns and rules. Human beings were entirely unpredictable, and this would be a lot different than facing off against an ordinary monster; plus, the points were way better, and she wouldn’t mind getting her hands on more healing potions.

  “Now!” Fingers said. Elanor kicked the door open and began blasting with her
Lightning Gloves. The rest of the team followed suit, only to find themselves in a living room full of players armed to the teeth with shotguns, Energy Rifles, and revolvers.

  “Ah crap!” Fingers said as he dropped his weapon and held his hands up. “I think this is more than five.”

  “Hold yer fire, men!” said the leader. She was a tall woman, with an eyepatch and a metallic hand. “I recognize you, Fingers.”

  Savannah glanced around to see the reaction of the other soldiers. They all had their guns ready, and even with Elanor’s armor, if they opened fire, her entire team would be taken out.

  “Oh, wait a second!” Fingers said. “You’re Meria of the Diamond Gang?”

  “Yeah,” Meria said. “So, put the weapons down and maybe we can talk things out?”

  Fingers turned to the rest and waved at them. “It’s cool, I know her.”

  Savannah, Timon, and Elanor all looked at one another and slowly lowered their weapons, but they didn’t put them away. Savannah’s heart was jackhammering as she observed, though. If Fingers made one poor decision, they would all be slaughtered.

  “Well, let’s talk things out then,” Fingers said. “Any reason why you and your Wild Cards are shooting on sight?”

  Meria placed her revolver in its holster and slowly walked up to Fingers. “We’re holding this place for a client. He’s instructed us to make sure that no one is able to get through the Dream Lands without extreme trouble.”

  “A client? Why would you be working for anyone?” Fingers asked.

  “I don’t discuss the particulars of my business arrangements with rival gangs,” Meria replied. “Are these your new recruits? I heard that your people all vanished.”

  “Yeah, these dumbasses are with me,” Fingers said as he waved a dismissive hand at the group. “I tried to tell them not to breach, but you know how it goes.”

  Savannah could see that the Wild Cards were growing inattentive with the conversation. A few of them were staring at the ground now, and one had even lowered his rifle to the floor.

  “Well, I’m afraid that you can’t go any further into the Dream Lands, and you certainly can’t pass to Fieros,” Meria said as she sank into one of the nearby chairs and lifted her legs over the arm.

  Savannah let her own guard down somewhat, and looked around. It was hard to tell, from the sheer amount of people stuffed into the small room, but there were some quaint decorations on the interior, including several paintings of strange wooden machines on top of water. There were about nine men, armed to the teeth, and the living room was barely large enough to hold all of them.

  “But,” Meria went on, “I see no reason why I should turn my guns against a fellow Wild Card. Go back the way you came and you’ll be fine.”

  Fingers sighed, glancing back at his group as if for support. “Ma’am, I do apologize, but as you can see by the state of my team, we’re in need of some items that only the Fieros Medical Center can provide. We’ve come a long way now, and going back around would be a huge waste of time.”

  Elanor huffed a little at the excuse, and Savannah could see the impatience on the older woman’s face. The Noble caught Savannah looking at her and they made eye contact. Elanor’s eyes darted towards the right section of the room. Savannah could see that the three men on the right weren’t paying any attention at all. Meanwhile, Elanor’s right hand, still hanging at her side, slowly began to point at herself and then the other side of the room. Savannah tried to nod as subtly as she could. She gripped the shotgun that was at her side and readied for the fight that was about to begin again.

  Still focused on Fingers, Meria shrugged. “It’s not my problem. I was hired to keep people out of Fieros, and you should take note that I am being extremely kind to you by simply allowing you to turn around. I would hope that you understand my position, and I would prefer that you don’t press your own difficulties upon me anymore.”

  Timon stepped forward. “What is your client paying you?”

  Meria shook her head. “Sorry, grunt, but I don’t discuss business arrangements out in the open. The Diamonds are a loyal bunch—we don’t entertain other offers.”

  “Even if your original offer was a bad deal for you?” Timon asked.

  Meria snickered, but looked him over. “It was a very good deal.”

  “So you might think,” Timon said, “but how do you know it was actually good?”

  “What do you mean, how do I know?” Meria demanded as she stood up to face Timon. “I’ve been running this gang for a very long time; I know what is and isn’t good for me and my team.”

  “He’s right,” Fingers said. “You guys seem pretty isolated way out here. I can’t imagine many players move through the Dream Lands. You’re probably engaging in a fight every few weeks, right? That’s got to be a boring job.”

  There was a shifting amongst the gang members. They were all listening to Fingers now.

  “It’s a lucrative arrangement, and that’s all you need to know,” Meria replied. “Now, get the hell out of my lighthouse.”

  “I’ve got a question,” Timon called out, looking at the gang members. “You all seem so bored and restless, I’m willing to bet that this firefight was the most exciting thing that has happened to you in a while, right?”

  “Yeah,” one of the men grunted.

  Fingers grinned, picking up on Timon’s plan. “So, why they hell are you letting this lady boss you around?” he asked.

  “You’re Wild Cards, aren’t you?” Timon asked, shaking his head. “And yet she’s got you sitting here like guard dogs.”

  “Enough!” Meria said as she backed up a step and pulled out her revolver. “This is my reward for being merciful? Shoot them all!”

  The men behind Meria didn’t open fire, however, and Timon took the opportunity to continue. “You guys didn’t come into this game to sit around all day and wait for jerks to come to you, did you? You’re here to go on adventures and have fun. Did she tell any of you what she’s being paid?”

  “No,” one of the larger men said. His face was wrinkled in deep thought. “She only said it was… worth our while; not what she’s being paid.”

  “Well, is sitting around on your asses all day a good deal?” Fingers thundered.

  “No way!” one of the men shouted immediately, and the others echoed in agreement with their own shouts, renewed vigor in their voices.

  “Enough, men, we didn’t come all this way to get into a petty fight about this!” Meria said. “These idiots are trying to turn you against me.”

  “Honestly, Meria?” said a woman with a feathered hat. “It’s not hard to turn us against you. We’ve been cramped in this little lighthouse for months. It’s a waste of time.”

  “A waste of time?” Meria asked, turning on her. “King Leopold is paying us a fortune to guard this place. I’m not talking about items and points; I’m talking about real world money.”

  “Aha!” Timon said, pointing triumphantly at Meria. “She’s not even interested in the Grind. She’s talking about real money.”

  “Since when does a Wild Card give a damn about regular currency?” Fingers agreed. “You fellas are being suckered here. She’s making you sit around like idiots, and the worst part is that she’s getting rich off your work.”

  “Well, that don’t seem right!” someone in the crowd shouted out, sarcasm dripping from his words—all of them were angry now. The rest of the gang members began to bristle and grumble amongst themselves.

  “Damn you!” Meria said as she holstered her revolver and hustled past Timon. “Fine, whatever, I quit.”

  “I’m going to follow that woman—you hold things down here,” Elanor said to Savannah as she slipped past her.

  “Listen up, Diamonds,” Fingers said. “You gotta get back to your roots. Stop messing around here where there’s no one around and nothing to do. Go back to a good zone, like the Yawning Valley or the Imaren Fields.”

  “Yeah, screw that woman!” one of the guys sa
id as he stood up. “We don’t need her to be bossing us around anymore. I’m in charge now!”

  “Why the hell do you think you’re in charge?” the feather-hatted woman demanded as she swiveled to face off with him.

  “I vote for Jacob!” another one shouted.

  The room quickly descended into chaos, with the Diamonds all shouting amongst themselves about who would become their new leader. Guns were drawn in another moment, and before Savannah could even react, they were brawling and even shooting at one another.

  Timon and Fingers quickly retreated with Savannah as the violence inside the lighthouse continued on, the group finding their way outside and settling by the wall to take stock of what might come next.

  “You stick a bunch of thugs under a roof for too long and it only takes the smallest thing to get them at each other’s throats,” Fingers said with a laugh. “The Diamonds are not well known for being particularly friendly to one another.”

  “That was great!” Savannah said to Timon and Fingers. “You guys worked well together!”

  “I must admit, I thought we were dead for a minute,” Timon said. “But then I realized how bored they all looked.”

  “You just gotta stir the pot a little,” Fingers agreed. “Let’s wait for them to finish their brawl and then we can finish off the survivors.”

  “Doesn’t that seem a bit cruel?” Timon asked.

  “What’s cruel is the fact that these guys have been attacking innocent people for King Leopold,” Fingers said as he shook his head. “Cruel and strange. Why would he work with Wild Cards? That makes no sense.”

  “I don’t want anymore trouble from these guys—especially with Elanor running off,” Savannah said as she looked around. The elder Noble was nowhere to be found.

  “Yeah, we should keep moving,” Timon said. “And if we’re lucky, we can ditch Elanor for good,” he muttered under his breath.