by Alex Mulder
Damn it!
Luke pulled his conjured swords back to him, using each of the three to block one of the Falxion’s claws. The fourth claw, however, was unobstructed, and he felt the razor sharp, serrated edge of it digging into his back.
“Arrrghh!” Luke twisted, finally getting his blade free and managing to roll out of the way. Half of his health bar had been erased by the single attack. He slowly backed away from the Falxion, glancing over at Silverstrike in hope that his friend was faring better.
As a Rogue subclass, Silverstrike had enough natural speed to go up against most of the monsters in Yvvaros without being outpaced. Unfortunately, there were dozens of Wrye Wings, and even attacking more slowly than Silverstrike, they were still able to land frequent strikes. The image of him desperately swatting them away with his daggers reminded Luke of vultures descending on carrion.
PIERCE ATTACK 3
Luke took a risk, jumping into the air before activating his combat skill. He flew toward the swarm of Wrye Wings, managing to skewer one with his first strike and to cleave another in half with his second.
“I think we should consider retreating,” said Silverstrike. “This is more than we can handle.”
“Not yet!” yelled Luke. “Just stay focused!”
He spun in a circle, pulling one of his conjured swords into his free hand and positioning the other two directly in front of and behind him. The result was a whirlwind of death, several Wrye Wings took critical damage as they moved into range, unable to shift direction quickly enough in midflight.
The Falxion was only a few meters away from them, having closed the distance while the two were distracted. Luke ducked away from the Wrye Wings and charged forward at the lurching monster, his swords still whirling around him.
Several of his blades struck true, but just as before, the damage wasn’t significant. The Falxion snuck another hook claw past Luke’s defenses, tearing it across his chest. The blow wasn’t as bad as the previous one had been, but it was still enough to drop his health dangerously low.
We’re going to get ourselves killed!
“Kato!” Silverstrike was being overwhelmed by Wrye Wings, the creatures descending on him from every direction. Luke could see his health bar, and knew from a glance that it was nearing the same perilous point that his own was at.
“No!” Luke shot his conjured blades over toward the monsters attacking his friend. The action left him wide open, and the Falxion pulled its claw hooks back, readying itself to attack with all of them.
Something dropped down into the darkness behind the Falxion. The monster was still focused on Luke, and it moved forward to attack. Its two top arms suddenly stopped in place, and the monster moved back slightly, or rather, was pulled back.
“Fire! They’re weak against fire!” A voice called out from the darkness. “Attack it now!”
ELEMENTAL INFUSION: FIRE
Luke pulled all of his swords into his spell’s proximity, waiting until each of the blades was afire before starting forward. The Falxion’s upper arms were still restrained by something, but the two bottom ones shot out to counter attack. Luke used two of his swords to block them, and then jammed the other two flaming swords in his hands into the Falxion’s chest.
The monster’s health bar sank like a rock. It tipped backwards and fell to the ground, shaking the earth as its hulking body came to a rest.
“The Wrye Wings!” yelled the voice. “Quickly”
Luke nodded and charged. Silverstrike was crouched low, fighting off the flying monsters with only the tiniest sliver left in his health bar. Luke speared several through with his conjured swords, and the new arrival took down several more with strikes from strange, whip like weapons.
LEVEL 16 ATTAINED
MIRROR IMAGE 3 ATTAINED
The last few Wrye Wings took to the air, flying off into the darkness as quickly as they had arrived. Luke breathed a sigh of relief and helped Silverstrike to his feet. He quickly dropped his five newly acquired stat points into strength, speed, endurance, and luck, before turning back to his friend.
“Thanks,” said Silverstrike. Luke shook his head.
“Don’t thank me.” He turned toward the mysterious new arrival and waved a hand. “Thank you, stranger.”
“It’s no trouble.” The figure stepped a little closer, and in the dim light of the stars and moon, Luke could see who had come to their rescue.
It was a man, wearing one of the long duster coats that Luke had seen on some of the Rogue subclasses in Stark Town. He had medium length black hair, and coiled around both arms were long black whips.
“My name is Kaoru,” he said. “If I had to guess why you’re here on Wrye Island, it’s probably because of me.”
“Are you the one?” asked Luke. “The one who killed an Arbiter, and stole his armor?”
Kaoru laughed.
“When you put it that way it makes it sound like a much bigger deal than it really is.” He flicked a couple of strands of hair out of his face and smiled. “I’m doing what every citizen of Yvvaros should be doing. Taking a stand.”
He started walking back toward the burned out settlement, and Luke and Silverstrike followed.
“The town…” Luke increased his pace so that he was even with Kaoru’s long stride. “Did the monsters do this? Or…?”
Or did you do it?
Kaoru shook his head.
“The Arbiters have adopted a scorched earth policy when it comes to dissidents,” he said, stopping as the three approached what was left of the guild hall. “The Watchmen, the guild here on Wrye Island, was full of likeminded players. Most of them were here because of how remote it was. That’s the same reason why I came.”
“The Arbiters did this?” Luke raised an eyebrow. “This is complete destruction. I didn’t think they’d-”
“It’s more than just destruction,” said Kaoru. “Uh, what did you say your name was, again?”
“I’m Kato. This is my friend and guild mate, Silverstrike.”
“Kato.” Kaoru nodded. “Most of the members of The Watchmen had gone all in.”
They aren’t coming back. The people that were killed here are gone, permanently.
“That’s insane,” said Silverstrike. “How can… how can that be?”
“I asked myself the same question while I was watching it happen,” said Kaoru. “Quentin, the guild leader, made me swear that I’d stay hidden in the cliffs, and not reveal myself no matter what. I think he figured that the Arbiters would just search the guild hall and be done with it.”
“And you didn’t come out of hiding?” Luke didn’t mean for his words to sound like an accusation, but it was clear from Kaoru’s reaction that he took them as one.
“No,” he said. “I didn’t.”
Luke and Silverstrike didn’t say anything.
“I saw what they did to the players in the settlement,” he said. “To the people in the settlement, that lived here peacefully.”
Luke could only stare at Kaoru, open mouthed and in shock.
They slaughtered them…
“What you’re feeling right now, Kato, is the only logical response.” Kaoru held his body almost unnaturally still as he spoke, as though it was taking an immense effort to keep his emotion in check.
“I don’t know what I’m feeling right now,” said Luke.
“You do,” said Kaoru. “And you know what needs to be done. It just so happens that I have an idea about how to do it.”
CHAPTER 7
The trip back to Megwin’s Bay felt like it went by much more quickly than the trip out. Kaoru refused to give any further details about his plan, even after Luke and Silverstrike had committed themselves to sheltering him in Dunidan’s Rest.
Is this too much of a risk? If the Arbiters get wind of what we’re doing, our fate will be the same as the Wrye Island settlement.
The sun was slowly creeping up the eastern horizon when they arrived back in port. Luke felt fatigue beginning
to wear at him, both in-game and in real life. He and the others had a small meal of dried beef and bread as the boat pulled into dock. His stamina was restored in Yvvaros, but there was nothing he could do about his physical body right then.
“I see you were successful.” Megwin was waiting for them outside of his guild hall, and smiled when he saw the three of them. “As the Hero of Kantor, I expected nothing less from you.”
Kaoru looked surprised, and Luke sensed him looking him over, searching, for something in Luke he might have missed.
I’m just like any other player, sorry to disappoint you.
“Did you know?” asked Silverstrike, anger seeping into his tone as he glared at Megwin. “Did you know about what was going to happen to the settlement?”
“Easy, Silverstrike,” said Luke.
“I had my suspicions, but I didn’t receive word of the attack until after the two of you had already left.” Megwin shrugged. “There is no safe haven in Yvvaros anymore. It doesn’t matter if you’re hiding a wanted man or not. Other towns have been destroyed by the Arbiters in the same way.”
“Come on, we don’t have time to waste here,” said Kaoru. “Megwin, we will have a lot to discuss in the coming days. Keep your ears open.”
Megwin nodded, and Luke, Kaoru, and Silverstrike headed out of the settlement. They traveled at a brisk pace. Kaoru walked between them, his cloak covering his head.
“What happened to the armor, anyway?” asked Luke. “The rumors said that you had taken it for yourself after…”
After killing an Arbiter.
“The rumors say many things about you as well, Hero of Kantor.” Kaoru smiled. “In this particular case, the rumors are true. I was hiding it in the guild hall on Wrye Island. The Arbiters recovered it, I believe.”
“That’s a shame,” said Silverstrike. “Having a set of it around would be a great tool to use to inspire rebellion, or whatever it is we’re getting ourselves into.”
“If everything goes according to plan, we will not be lacking in tools of inspiration.”
The morning sky was clear and bright by the time the three of them reached the Sarchia Desert. Luke could feel the air warming up quickly and it sapped his stamina. He began to yearn for the water of the oasis and shade of the palms in Dunidan’s Rest.
“I’ve been through your zone many times before,” said Kaoru as they approached the walls of the settlement. “It’s the crowning jewel of the desert.”
“Flattery isn’t going to get you anywhere, Kaoru,” said Luke. “If you want to sell us on your plan you’re going to have to be more direct.”
“But of course.” Kaoru leaned forward, swinging his arm in front of him in a mock bow.
The gate opened and Luke led the group in. Tess and some members of Athena’s Wrath were milling around the new smithy. Anna, the newly appointed blacksmith, was working the bellows of the forge and talking to the girls at the same time.
“Hey,” called Luke. “We’re back. And we brought company.”
Tess turned. She’s been smiling with the other girls, but when she saw Luke, the expression on her face shifted.
I never responded to her letter. I’m still not sure what to say back.
“Hello. I’m Kaoru.”
Tess looked at Kaoru with cautious eyes.
“This is Tess,” said Luke, cutting through the silence. “And these are members of our allied guild, Athena’s Wrath. Tess, is Katrina around?”
“She said she’d be logging back in sometime soon.” Tess crossed her arms and frowned. “It shouldn’t be long if you don’t mind waiting.”
Luke wanted to pull her aside and talk to her, but the moment wasn’t right. They needed a chance to talk on their own, to really talk, to close the gap that had slowly formed in between them.
Hang on, Tess. Just give me time to get my life sorted out.
As if on cue, Katrina appeared over by the oasis, glancing around and going through the motions of taking stock of her surroundings after logging in. She saw Luke and Kaoru, and slowly began walking over.
“Kaoru, this is Katrina,” said Luke. “Katrina, meet Kaoru. He’s got a… proposition for us.”
Luke chewed his lower lip.
We’ve reached a crossroads. I’ve already put Dunidan’s Rest in danger just by bringing him here. Now we have to decide just what we’re willing to risk.
“Well, that’s certainly an interesting introduction for a new arrival.” Katrina was smiling as she walked over to Kaoru, giving him a curious look. “So, Kaoru, just what-”
“Uh, there’s another player approaching on the horizon.” One of Katrina’s lookouts called out to them from the wall. “Were you guys expecting more company?”
“What?” Luke hurried over, hand on his sword hilt. He climbed the steps up to the wall and squinted into the sun.
“Who is it, Luke?” asked Silverstrike. “Maybe Megwin decided to start the trade negotiations.”
“No.” Luke took a deep breath and then pushed it out. “It’s an Arbiter. We must have been followed.”
A murmur passed over the group. Luke closed his eyes and balled his hands into fists.
I’m not going to back down. Not this time.
“Kaoru!” Luke waved him over, and then leaned in close so that only the two of them were in the conversation. “How did you do it? How did you kill the Arbiter before?”
Kaoru frowned.
“I’m a Nightblade, Kato,” said Kaoru. “A Rogue subtype, devoted to sneak attacks and stealth magic. I snuck up behind one of them on a mountain, and used one of my whips to pull him off a cliff face.”
It was Luke’s turn to frown.
“I know, I know,” continued Kaoru. “Not exactly the most exciting war story. But they don’t go down easy. It might be best if we… well, if we run.”
Luke shook his head.
“I’m not running,” he said. “No matter what.”
“That sounds like something that the Hero of Kantor would say.” Kaoru clapped him on the shoulder. “Very well, I have your back. There are a couple of things we should keep in mind, however.”
The Arbiter was approaching at a steady pace. Luke had just enough time to gather all of the high level players together into a huddle.
“He’s going to get in contact with the rest of the Arbiters, if he hasn’t already,” said Kaoru. “We have to all attack at once and finish him off before he realizes what’s going on.”
“Is that even… possible?” Silverstrike raised an eyebrow and fidgeted nervously.
“Arbiters aren’t invincible,” said Kaoru. “They are incredibly powerful, but most of their strength comes from their armor. I suspect that’s part of why they pursued me so doggedly.”
Luke thought for a second about what they needed to do, and then turned to Tess.
“Tess, what level are you at right now?”
“Level 22.” Tess smiled. “Why?”
Level 22? She’s at a higher level than me?
“You look surprised,” said Tess. “I think you’re forgetting how much extra time I have to train.”
A loud pounding came from the settlement’s gate.
“This is a raid, open up.” The Arbiter’s voice was loud and commanding. “I have cause to believe that an anti-government dissident is hiding on these premises.”
“What’s to stop the government regulator controlling that Arbiter from sharing our location after we kill him?” Luke asked the question quietly, realizing the dilemma they were in as it left his mouth.
“I don’t think all of the Arbiters are actually human players,” said Kaoru. “It’s subtle, and they have rather realistic personalities, but they never log out. And they don’t play like humans.”
“Tess, you can cast a Silence spell, right?” Luke watched as she nodded, and then pulled her in a little closer. “Cast it on him as soon as we engage.”
“Right!” Tess gripped her staff in both hands and steadied herself.
; “Good thinking,” said Kaoru. “If we silence him, there’s no way he can get in touch with the other Arbiters. Our location will remain a secret, as long as he hasn’t already given it away.”
“It’s just one of many risks we’re going to be taking in the near future,” said Luke.
“Open up!” The Arbiter was pounding on the gate with a frightening amount of strength. Luke took a deep breath and then moved into position to open it.
“Sorry, sir, we were on the other side of the compound.” Luke pointed to various positions and ambush points, and watched as his friends took to them. “Please, come on in.”
He slipped the gate’s lock up and pulled it open. The Arbiter walked in. The shiny gold of its armor contrasted strangely with the gritty yellow sand. Luke felt a flash of emotion remembering the last time he’d faced an Arbiter.
There’s no backing down now. Either we take him out, or Dunidan’s Rest will eventually burn.
“Now!”
A number of things happened at once. Katrina dropped down from the wall and slammed the gate shut. Kaoru and Silverstrike rushed forward from either side launching into a furious attack. Tess finished chanting behind Luke, and a shining blue aura of magically induced silence settled over the Arbiter.
CONJURE SWORD 3
PIERCE ATTACK 3
Using up almost all of his magicka, Luke activated his combat abilities. He lunged forward, pointing his physical sword at the enemy and swirling the rest of them in defense around himself.
The Arbiter was much faster than Luke expected. He shifted at the last second, dodging not just Luke’s attacks but Kaoru and Silverstrike’s as well. Luke swung again and was surprised to find that his opponent wasn’t even within range of his sword.
“Look out!” He yelled, but not quickly enough to save Silverstrike. The Arbiter was wielding a mace, and he smashed it into the rogue without any hesitation.
Silverstrike’s health dropped to a sliver of his maximum, and he froze in place as though petrified.