Jorden’s Skill activated and didn’t teleport him.

“Shit.”

Instead, the turquoise light blasted from his back and flung him straight up.

The tarp kept him from flailing as he rocketed toward the ceiling.

He didn’t even have time to squeeze his eyes shut as he slammed into the concrete roof.

Instead of going splat, the turquoise light cushioned him, compressing until his nose was almost flush with the cold concrete.

“Eek!”

He rebounded from the ceiling like a missile, and he got a brief flash of claws and long limbs before he hit the ground.

The light compressed again, and the slight angle of the garage sent him sailing away.

He ping-ponged off the floor and ceiling, gaining speed as he went.

Jorden had always loved roller coasters and had a habit of teasing his friends who couldn’t handle them.

As he rebounded off the ceiling for the dozenth time, he swore to apologize if he ever got the chance.

His frenzied bouncing finally sent him outside, and the tarp came free.

He windmilled in the cold air, his light jacket flapping in the wind.

He hit the ground and bounced again.

From the parking garage, two cries tore into the night. One high and piercing, the other a furious bellow.

Jorden hit one last time, and the icon in the corner of his vision flashed.

The light compressed one last time, but instead of launching him toward the sky, it dispersed with a snap. Jorden’s heart thundered in his ears, and he didn’t waste any time throwing himself to his feet.

He ran, uncaring of the ice, as he put everything into a sprint.

He glanced at his Skill. It was grayed out with a 30 on it.

It ticked down.

29

28

27

Shit! He looked over his shoulder to see a dark shape explode out of the garage.

Its spindly limbs were covered in patchy, mangy feathers that almost seemed to blur as it raced towards him, eating the distance between them in seconds.

Shit, shit, shit!

Jorden ran into an alley and vaulted a trash can, terror wiping away any hesitation.

He’d barely cleared the obstacle when the first hunter rounded the corner, a screech building in its throat.

Jorden pulled every ounce of speed his body could bear, racing down the alley as the monster trailed his heels.

He didn’t bother looking behind him. He couldn’t afford the distraction.

He burst from the alley and vaulted over a car before booking it across the street.

Freezing mist covered the ground, hanging around his ankles, the white river swirling and flowing around his limbs.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

The bellow shook the mist, and the ground, causing Jorden to stumble.

A whistle sounded through the air. Jorden hurled himself into a forward roll, barely dodging a claw aimed at his neck.

10

He couldn’t keep away for another ten seconds. He would be lucky if he held out for another five!

Jorden was going to have to use his other Skill.

Its box was a turquoise outline with a darker turquoise wizard's hat sitting in the middle.

Wizards Gambit

Skill: Active

Rare

Effect: cast a random elemental Skill with a higher likelihood of being an offensive Skill.

Range: X

Energy cost: medium

Cooldown: X

Jorden pointed one hand over his shoulder and activated his Skill with a tearing sensation in his gut as the energy was ripped out of him.

Despite his extended hand, his Skill decided that he should be casting from his feet. Ice formed around his ankles before creaking and exploding away from him.

Ice shards blasted out in a massive wave. As they screamed out in every direction, they curved around Jorden. Thank God.

There was a meaty thunk from inches behind Jorden, followed by a deafening screech.

There was a sudden shift as if a bonfire was ignited inches behind him, but without the heat, just the implicit knowledge that danger was behind him.

Red started to bleed into the mist, but before Jorden could find out just what the hell that was, Are Those New Shoes? Came off cooldown.

Jorden slammed his Skill and, blessedly, vanished in a flash of turquoise light.

His feet thunked onto tiles, and a bat swung for his face. Jorden let out a terrified squeak and backpedaled, instincts forged over the last week saving him.

The wooden tip sailed past his nose, missing by inches, and Jorden got ready to book it.

A man cursed behind him. “Stop, Kyle! It’s a human!”

The burly man choking back for another swing, paused, then lowered the bat.

He wiped his brow with a thick hand and let out a shaky breath. “Sorry about that, man. I thought you were…”

Jorden’s heart was beating so fast it nearly drowned out the man’s words.

He blinked, forcing his mind into gear. His legs were shaking, and it was taking everything he had not to run away.

The man who had spoken from behind him walked into view. He was a short, tan man with dark eyes and short black hair. He looked to be in his mid-thirties and spoke with a light Hispanic accent.

He smiled, and his face crinkled, making him look like a friendly uncle.

“Sorry about that. We thought you were a hunter.”

Kyle, the burly blond-haired man with a bat, nodded. “Sorry, man.”

Jorden’s heart slowed, and he took a deep breath. “I- it’s alright. Tense night.”

The older man chuckled. “You can say that again.” He extended his hand. “I’m Rick, and this is Kyle.”

Jorden shook his hand, the other man’s grip firm but not crushing. “Jorden.”

Kyle extended his hand as well, and the big man’s grip was surprisingly gentle.

Jorden took a step back. He’d been so focused on the bat swinging at his face that he hadn’t noticed where they were. Tile floors, a wide walkway with raised plants and benches in the middle, and shops lining each side.

He looked up and saw several other levels and, in the distance, a large elevator along with escalators cross-crossing between the floors.

They were in the Fifth Avenue Mall.

“Fuck,” Jorden swore. “I do not want to be in the mall for a horror-themed Scenario!”

Rick laughed, the sound light and airy. “They ain’t zombies, though, so maybe we have a chance.”

Other people peeked out from nearby shops, gazes filled with fear and curiosity in equal measure.

Jorden blinked. “How many people are here?”

“Around two dozen,” Kyle grunted.

Rick eyed Jorden, his dark eyes turning severe. “Can you fight the hunters?”

Jorden blinked. Fight the hunters?

“Uh, no. My Class is…unreliable.”

Rick pressed his hands into his eyes and sighed. “That’s not what I wanted to hear.”

Jorden paused. “Why?”

Rick met his eyes. “So far, you’re the only one here with a Class.

Jorden blinked as a cold knot of dread settled in his gut.

“Oh.”