Chapter Fifty Seven: If You Could Hear Me Think
May 21, 2011
Salt Lake City, UT
“I am immensely proud to announce the next evolution, Awakening, the game that we have put our heart and soul into.”
Sandra was holding up so far. She still had a pounding headache, but the adrenaline in her system was keeping her functional, barely.
There was no way she would back down now. She had been working for years on this game, and the newest patch represented her crowning glory.
“After months of backbreaking work by our amazing development team, the next patch will be adding the highly anticipated player conflict framework. A new feature that allows players and teams to directly challenge each other in combat. Starting next week, the update will go live, and will be available globally to all players of Awakening.”
The crowd of spectators and players roared and cheered enthusiastically at the announcement. This had been widely rumored, but no one could have guessed that it would be available too soon. After a minute, the noise subsided, and Sandra continued. She just needed to get through one more section, and then she could get off the stage and collapse.
“To start, there will be two new dueling modes added, and more to come; now, what better place to show off this amazing new evolution of the game than to have the best players in the world challenge it for the first time, live-streamed during the championship tournament!”
More cheers and applause, meanwhile the comments on the official streaming webpage froze from overload and crashed.
“For today’s final challenge, players will be engaged in the new Team Duel mode. Once both teams have registered in an arena and agree to the duel, a one-on-one duel between a member from each team will be initiated. The duel rules are simple. Use attacks to reduce your opponent’s HP to zero. Once a winner is declared, another member of the opposing team is called up to face the champion. It should be noted that between each duel, the champion’s health, magic, and stamina will not be recharged, so they must face the next opponent in exactly the same state that ended the precious duel.”
A bead of sweat dripped off of Sandra’s earring. She was holding on, but barely. Just a bit more, she promised herself again.
“Duels will continue until one team has no more members left to duel, and points will be given to the winning team. One point for each surviving team member. There will only be one round, with the winning team from each duel gaining a spot in the final round, taking place tomorrow. As an added bonus, the team with the most points today will gain a special benefit going into the final round.”
Sandra had to fight to keep the smirk on her face as she spoke. She was one of the few people who knew about the “perk” and what a double-edged sword it truly was.
“I said that there were two modes, and before we announce the matchups, I want to give you a preview of the other new mode that will be going live. I hope you are excited, as you’ll be able to see this in action during our final tomorrow. I couldn’t be more proud of the team for this. I’m sure it’s going to be a real ‘game-changer’! Full, unrestricted team battle mode!”
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A somber orchestral soundtrack plays through the rooms speakers as a screen behind Sandra played a video showing a professionally produced, movie like pan of a destroyed city. A lone figure emerged from a dust cloud. Stepping into the clear appeared a handsome man holding a sword in one hand and a shield in the other, garbed in light fantasy armor.
The camera switched to a shadowy figure observing the man from the broken-out window on a high floor above the street.
Next, a pair of figures step out from behind a smashed wall, facing the swordsman. A young woman with elven features in a purple robe, carrying a long staff with a green glowing crystal at the tip, and a large man in heavy armor with a large full shield on one arm and a heavy war hammer in the other hand.
Suddenly, the orchestral soundtrack shifted to an 80’s big hair power anthem, complete with drums and electric guitar riffs, as a red streak of light appears from behind the first man, whizzing by his head and striking the shield of the large adversary. The dust dissipated to reveal two small Asian girls with identical features and clothing, one in a black robe and the other in one of pure white.
> … I’m always workin‘, slavin’ every day
>
> Gotta get a break from the same old, same old
>
> I need a chance just to get away
>
> If you could hear me think, this is what I’d say
Other fighters emerge: a dwarven archer, a huge brawler with the features of a panther, a lancer in shining armor carrying a flaming spear, and a hulking knight in full plate mail wielding a giant two-handed sword.
The battle that ensues is fast-paced and cinematically filmed. Special effects are all at the Hollywood level, as the two forces engaged in a frenzied battle, the background music emphasizing each new attack.
> … Don’t need nothin’ but a good time
>
> How can I resist?
The archer let loose a blue flaming arrow that struck the lancer in the chest, only to be hit himself by a savage lightning bolt summoned by the black-robed wizard. The knight bears down on the elemental wizard, not even slowing down as her spells bounce off his thick armor.
The battle progressed with frenzied action as the lancer, then the archer fell to attacks. As they are beaten, their appearances change. In a flash of spinning lights, the battle armor and weapons are replaced by ordinary looking people in street clothes, holding nothing but their cellphones. Exotic features like the black fur and golden eyes of the brawler melted away, showing a young girl in a school uniform with freckles and curly red hair. Finally, only two figures remained on the ruined battlefield. The view zoomed out and flattened, filling the screen with a cinematic view of a final battle.
> Ain’t lookin’ for nothin’ but a good time
>
> And it don’t get better than this
The swordsman from the beginning of the video now faced off against the shield of the giant warrior. They continued to fight savagely, but the speed of the swordsman eventually triumphs as he disables the leg of the giant, and as the towering man kneels down, the camera zooms to follow as the sword swings at the giant’s throat.
In a flash of light, the giant is replaced with a small girl with dark skin and permed hair, wearing a private school uniform. She scowls at the swordsman, who now raises his sword in triumph.
His smile disappears moments later as a ghostly form appears behind him. The thief pulls his dagger from the back of the warrior, who is replaced with a middle-aged man in an expensive business suit, and he collapses to his knees.
> … It don’t get better, baby!
The cheers of the winning team echo in the ruined city as the camera pulls back and graphics cover the screen. The Logo for Awakenings appeared, along with the text “The Ultimate Challenge: Free to Play, Download Now!”, as a voiceover encourages viewers to “Join the fight! New version available, Become the Hero!”
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The room was silent at first, then slowly whispers and questions started to fill the room, which quickly escalated into cheers and applause.
The screen then flipped to show a table filled with the matchups for the team duels.
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
As people rushed to the screen to check the parings, others gathered to discuss the new developments that had been introduced by the announcement. Only one pair of eyes left the screen while the new promo video was playing. Instead, they followed the speaker, Sandra Olsen, the director of game development for I.S.K., as she stumbled from the stage and was escorted from the room by one of the other employees. While everyone was absorbed into the battle scene, those eyes followed as she left through a door in the back of the room and stayed riveted to that doorway even as groups started to form to discuss the pairings for the next round of the tournament.
Arena 1: Team Gamers Union (India) vs. Team Delicacy (UK)
Arena 2: Team 8Mile (USA) vs. Team Rocinante (USA)
Arena 3: Team Otome’s Kiss (Japan) vs. Team White Tiger (Korea)
Arena 4: Team Salamander (USA) vs. Team Marmite (Australia)
“Are they crazy? Introducing PvP in the middle of the tournament? During the semi-finals?” Ryan complained loudly.
“It’s a shock play, that’s for sure. It will draw even more attention to the end of the tournament, guaranteed,” Jess confirmed with a thoughtful look on her face.
Always weak against confrontation, Leeroy looked ill, while Selena seemed excited.
“How is this going to happen?” She asked. “Who’s going first? How will this even work?”
After a few moments, Marc finally spoke. He spoke in a quiet and cold voice. It was the same intimidating voice he had used during the goblin attack on the Lobo. Although he spoke calmly, it chilled the rest of the team and they remained silent, questions and concerns momentarily dispelled from their minds.
“It’s a knockout tournament. Usually, you start with your weakest members, sacrificing them to discern the abilities and strategies of your opposing team.”
He said it so callously, it took his team members by surprise. Leeroy started to turn green, and even Jess appeared to be unnerved.
“The idea is to wear down the opposing team as much as possible, allowing the strongest to preserve their strength for the last matchup.”
Selena finally spoke up.
“So… Healer first. Sorry, Leeroy. Then Ryan, and I guess I go next, followed by-“
“No.”
Marc spoke in the same calm and cold voice. They noticed the change in his demeanor ever since the announcement, but had no idea what had caused it. The light and relaxed leader that they were used to had become a quiet, but intense figure. His unimposing demeanor belied an intense energy that was almost frightening. The sudden change shocked the rest of the team into silence.
“I’ll go first. Followed by Selena, then Leeroy, Ryan, and Jess.”
They thought about the order that Marc had set for a few moments. Considering what he had just said, it was a strange strategy. Incomprehensible, really. Still, no one had the nerve to respond, though they wanted to know why he had chosen this lineup.
Marc raised his head and looked at the team. One by one, he caught their eyes. His voice had been cold and mechanical, but his eyes conveyed something entirely different. They were the eyes of a desperate man. He had the look of someone who was drowning in the middle of the ocean, desperately looking for something to grab onto as he sank for the last time under the surface.
“Trust me,” he said again in a still, calm, and robotic voice.
“Please.”
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“As expected, Team 8Mile has sent out their support specialist, debuff specialist, GRADIOT. The big surprise is that he will be facing off against Rocinante’s TRAVELER in the first round. That’s the team’s leader and one of the strongest damage dealers in the game. While he may have the advantage in this round, he’ll be accumulating damage until he is taken out of the battle for good. It’s a risky move to start off with your strongest members. I hope Rocinante doesn’t regret this strategy.”
Marc couldn’t hear the commentary that was being broadcast to all the live-stream viewers. It was just him and his opponent in an empty, large room. Besides the two challengers, there were only two referees, positioned at opposite corners of the room.
While the room was a simple, conference room, viewing it through the phones camera, as well as the livestream, imposed a large gladiatorial arena over the empty, blank space, complete with torches, a cloud filled sky, and thousands of CG generated spectators.
Marc faced off against his opponent. A young man with baggy clothes, and a confident smirk on his face. Putting his phone up, Marc could see the other player’s avatar, a small, dark figure clad in ninja-like garments.
“Hey, Bro, you serious, bro? Gonna come out right at the start and try and intimidate me? That’s sick, bro. It alright? I ain’t scared, you know, bro, I can take it. This ain’t a good thing for you, though. No way, not a good thing for you, bro. I can take you, and all the rest of you all, and won’t even have to move a single step, you know, bro?”
The man spoke in a quick and low stream of words, never taking his eyes off Marc’s avatar through his phone’s camera.
Marc said nothing. He simply stood there like a statue until a countdown appeared on both of their screens.
DUEL! GRATIOT VS. TRAVELER
5
4
3
2
.
The cameras focused on the players in the room showed the actions of the two men immediately after the timer ran to zero. On one side, the support player from team 8Mile shifted his entire body, as though he was controlling a bowling ball telekinetically down the lane.
Marc appeared like a statue, hardly moving at all. Closeups would later show his fingers quickly, and efficiently siding back and forth across the screen of his phone. No other movement was noticeable, even in his face. His avatar however lunged forward with impossible speed and accuracy.
The round was over in less than three seconds. Even the video playback of the game environment had difficulty explaining what had happened. Marc’s warrior slid behind the ninja so fast that none of the poisoned daggers even left the hand of the assassin before Marc’s glaive had sliced through his opponent three times, each targeting a critical area.
Audio from the room was completely blocked out as expletives filled the room in a constant stream so loud and continuous that until the other player left the room, the stream could only play a long continuous censor beep.
Still, Marc did not move at all as he awaited the second member of the opposing team to enter the room and take their position.
The thin and tall force player SHOENHERR glared at Marc as he took a runner’s starting position. This time, there was no banter at all. As soon as the timer ran down, the athletic 8Mile DPS lunged to the side of Marc, while keeping his phone aimed at the center of the room. With a flick of his finger, the elven spearman controlled by SHOENHERR leaped into the air, aiming for the position just behind Marc’s Shan warrior.
It must have taken a tremendous amount of practice to accurately control his avatar while moving towards his opponent along a different vector. Marc, for his part, again did not move a muscle, save for his fingers, which quickly swiped his phone’s screen again.
The blade of his glaive precisely sliced through the air, neatly severing the elf’s feet, just as they passed behind the warrior, who made a single step to avoid the spear dropping down where his head had been a split second earlier.
Several quick strikes hit the now-disabled spearman, and the round ended again. Marc had yet to take a single point of damage.
The two following rounds presented a bit more of a show, much to the relief of the producer who was directing the stream of the tournament.
The healer known as DEQUIDRE from team 8Mile specialized in defensive buffs and regenerative healing. He was practically immortal, able to reduce damage and recover HP so much that it took Marc over a minute of constant and unrelenting attacks to whittle the player’s life down to zero.
The shield player, MOUND, was the only one to come even close to fighting back. The lone female on team 8Mile, she possessed an extremely rare enemy drop item, a shield crafted from the drop of the black turtle. The giant shield was all but invulnerable to physical damage, but it also had a secret that had never been documented.
After parrying a strike from TRAVELER’S glaive, MOUND kicked the bottom of the shield and slid onto her back with the shield covering her body. As soon as she hit the ground, the shield emitted a blast of shrapnel in every direction like a claymore mine. This should have been impossible to avoid, and would inflict crippling damage on any enemy within range.
As soon as she had triggered the blast, MOUND prepared to get back on her feet to finish off TRAVELER. It was a shame that the secret attack was now public knowledge. She would never be able to surprise another competitor with it again, but it was worth it to get rid of that monster.
Then she watched as the long blade at the end of TRAVELERS glaive impaled her avatar from the side. Before she could even get off her back, it was over.
Still staring at her screen, MOUND trembled as she cried out in disbelief.
“HOW? HOW DID YOU DO THAT? It’s not fair! He’s cheating. He has to be cheating! Judges!”
Her protestations after that were bleeped out as she ran over to accost one of the judges in the corner of the room. After this continued, a staffer had to come in and physically remove the screaming girl while Marc remained passive in the center of the room. This seemed to further enrage her, and she almost succeeded in breaking away from the much larger staffer before a second one came in to help rein her in and escort her out through her team’s door.
Word had begun to spread, not just online, but amongst the staff and local spectators. Rocinante’s TRAVELER was sweeping the former number one team, 8Mile, and he was doing it solo. He had taken out four of the five opponents without taking a single point of damage and in shockingly efficient and devastatingly one-sided battles.
In the waiting room for team Rocinante, the enthusiasm and cheers after the first win had quickly been replaced with serious and anxious looks. Even they didn’t know what to make of what was happening. This was not the Marc that they knew. His skills were there, but the play was cold and almost inhuman. He had never been so bloodthirsty, and the humiliating way he was dispatching the other team.
If this is what PvP was like, they were starting to form reservations. This wasn’t like the game they had been playing. Marc was acting like a veteran warrior, inhuman after a life of fighting life-and-death battles.
They watched the display as the final member of Team 8Mile entered the room. This time, it was a large man with muscular arms showing through a black wifebeater tank top and baggy grey pants. His short hair was tied up in dreadlocks that stuck out from his head at random angles, and he smiled a predatory grin with a single gold-capped tooth shining on the monitors.
CHRYSLER faced Marc without a hint of apprehension or fear in his eyes. Marc, for his part, continued to look ahead impassively, as he did throughout each of the previous battles. Both men raised their phones without a word, and the timer started counting down.