Alejandra’s trembling fingers curled around the d20 before she shook it and let it drop. Eleven total was okay, but not stellar. Though, according to how time was slowing down and Hraktar’s weapon choices filled her vision, the hell hound must have rolled worse.
Was someone rolling for the hell hound?
She chose Hraktar’s trusty great sword. Her hand trembled as she rolled, thankful for the modifiers to lift that lousy roll into something that hit, because two d6’s appeared. The damage was even worse. She felt terrified and hoped it wasn’t affecting her rolls.
Time resumed as Nick let go of her hand to pass her a water bottle. “You’ve got to drink something.” She nodded, opening the water bottle and taking careful sips of the water. It must have been his water bottle from where he worked. It was cooler than the car.
Hraktar charged at the hell hound, but the roaring already made the creature skittish. What could have been a powerful blow was dodged by the creature, but not enough. A minor cut appeared on its shoulder.
Alejandra forgot that time slowed down a bit, so Nick continued the conversation as though there wasn’t a thirty second delay for her.
“I’ve now got that side quest, but I still don’t know how to summon him. How did it work for you?” Nick asked.
Alejandra’s concentration was split, and admittedly she was more focused on what the hell hound would do to Hraktar. It readied itself before it leapt toward her fighter. He dodged the leap and the hell hound landed on the ground, growling. Nick winced, clearly focused on the fight, too.
Once again, time stood still, and Alejandra tried to calm her trembling heart. Tried not to think that if the hell hound got a good smack at Hraktar, it could drop his hit points in half. She had to tell Nick the truth about what she suspected caused Hraktar to appear, no matter how awkward it was.
She took a deep breath and rolled her dice high enough to hit the creature again. She tried to keep calm and rolled her damage dice. A two and a five. Technically, she could re-roll a low number die since Hraktar was using his two-handed sword. It was one of his feats. She re-rolled the two, but it ended up being another two. It didn’t matter. With the bonus, it was still a better attack than her first one.
Hraktar came down hard with his great sword. The hell hound was on its four paws, so it got a nasty chunk of its side taken out. It gave another yelp of pain as Alejandra turned to Nick.
“I was terrified the hell hound would eat you. Terrified you’d be dead. I summoned Hraktar so he could protect you,” Alejandra said as quickly as possible. She didn’t need to feel embarrassed, even though heat still crept up her cheeks. Nick had always been a great friend, even if she felt more about him than just as a friend. He’d already asked her out once last year, and she pushed him away, afraid. Terrified, really.
The hell hound leapt for a bite, and Alejandra gasped in anticipation. Hraktar easily stepped out of the way, and the hell hound was looking far more furious at its constant missed hits.
Rules came into her mind. The disadvantage meant they had to roll twice and take the lowest of the two rolls. Which brought the strange question back to her mind. Who was the game master of this thing? Who rolled for the enemies?
Time slowed down again, and she got another hit, this time rolling a six and a two. She tried re-rolling the two, but once again, got a two.
Hraktar roared, bringing his great sword down on the hell hound. The creature yelped as the weapon sunk deep into his side. The creature looked bad, but also furious. Alejandra was terrified and in awe that perhaps Hraktar might take on the hell hound. She also knew that the only reason he could, was because he successfully intimidated the thing.
The hell hound rose to its hind legs again, and Alejandra gripped Nick’s shoulder. “This isn’t good,” she whispered.
The hell hound snarled before breathing fire from its mouth, directly at Hraktar.
“Shit,” Nick mumbled, grabbing his phone. “We’re going to need a healer, fast.”
Alejandra clutched her hair. “I’ve already tried calling everyone else. The hound must be almost dead. It’s got to. We need more people to help finish it off! We need Grizzizzik!”
The fire slammed against Hraktar, and time slowed down.
Make a dexterity saving throw.
Alejandra whimpered, her hands trembling. She had to roll high. She had to make the damage only go by half. This was a higher-level creature. If she failed, Hraktar would be unconscious. The damage could be high enough that he could instantly die.
She rolled, closing her eyes, and opened as the dice clattered on the invisible table.
Nat twenty.
The rest of the air came out of her lungs. She didn’t know what rules there were with a nat twenty on a saving throw, but at least it had to be high enough to cut the damage in half.
The fire encompassed Hraktar, who backed away at the heat. Alejandra watched as his health points plummeted before stabilizing at seven.
Nick closed his eyes, concentrating. Alejandra was terrified of what this meant. He couldn’t take another attack like that.
Alejandra rolled again, this time a seven. She cursed as no second dice appeared. Time resumed, and Hraktar went with a blow, but he was clearly weakened. The hell hound looked rejuvenated after finally hitting the fighter, giving a yip of enjoyment as Hraktar stumbled with his great sword. The hell dog, still on its hind legs, leapt onto the fighter, biting down on his shoulder.
“NO!” Alejandra screamed as Hraktar’s hit points dropped to four. Hraktar collapsed to his knees, looking far worse after the bite as fire bubbled the skin where the teeth sank into his flesh.
Time once again slowed down. Alejandra had tears in her eyes. She didn’t know how many hit points that creature still had, but it was a lot more than what Hraktar had. She needed a miracle. Or an incredibly lucky roll.
She got a seventeen, prompting two more dice to appear. She rolled, and with a five and three, plus the four for an added attack, she watched eagerly and hoped the hell hound would look worse.
As time righted itself, Grizzizzik materialized like he was always there. The rogue had an annoyed expression. It changed to one of shock when he watched Hraktar grab his great sword and stab it right through the hell hound, releasing the biting dog and forcing it back. Grizzizzik stared, terrified.
“What… the… hell…” the rogue said as Nick gave a breath of relief.
Hraktar straightened, holding his sword. “An excellent description of the thing.”
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Grizzizzik thankfully jumped right in the action. Nick groaned. “Nat twenty with a bad damage roll, even with a sneak attack. I hate those.”
Grizzizzik ran to the hell hound with his rapier, giving a wide and quite impressive flourish before stabbing it in the other shoulder. The hell hound sneered before it leapt toward Grizzizzik, landing another deadly bite into the snake’s flesh. Nick and Alejandra both winced as the rogue’s hit points dropped to six.
“I’m assuming he had a bad damage roll too, but it still dropped him almost in half,” Nick said.
“We need to keep calling the other three. Someone’s bound to pick up,” Alejandra said.
Once she finished saying that, time again slowed down for her. She quickly rolled her dice, getting a seventeen with the modifier. She tried again, hoping against hope for two sixes, and instead got a four and a one. Even re-rolling, she got another one. She was sucking at this re-rolling business.
Time resumed.
“That’s a good idea,” Nick said.
“What?”
“About calling other people,” Nick said.
“Oh, right.” Time slowing down was difficult to adjust to while having a conversation. Alejandra picked up her phone. She watched as Hraktar sliced his great sword through the side of the hell hound at it gave a howl. It was enough for her to pause before hitting Derek’s number. This might actually be enough. With the way the hell hound was staggering, there was a chance Grizzizzik could finish it.
“Damn it,” Nick hissed.
Grizzizzik went for another fancy flourish, but the hell hound dodged it.
“Don’t worry. It can’t be much longer,” Alejandra said.
The hell hound tried to snap back, but it was clear it was on its last leg. Time once again slowed down, and Alejandra tried not to whimper as she grabbed the dice again. She shook it and watched as a glorious nat twenty landed on the invisible table in front of her. She let out an excited gasp. This would be enough. This had to be enough!
Three six-sided dice appeared, and she shook it an extra time, just to be certain. She closed her eyes too long. The dice disappeared and time resumed before she could see what it was. She looked up, terrified, as Hraktar marched up to the hell hound. He raised his great sword high above his head before slamming it down. There was a crunching sound as the skull gave in, and both Nick and Alejandra recoiled.
The lava from the wounds, which had once been bright and pulsing, slowed before it dimmed. The black fires in the eye sockets went out. Alejandra took a few deep breaths, then realized just how deep her fingernails were digging into Nick’s skin. She let go.
“Sorry,” she mumbled.
He absently rubbed them, still staring into the distance. “Uh… no problem.”
Grizzizzik marched over to the car, tapping on the window next to Nick, looking angry. “We need to talk.”
Nick let out a sigh, almost annoyed, like he’d heard that before, and opened the door to get out. Alejandra got out, too.
“How did you do that? How did you call me? Why didn’t I have a choice?” Grizzizzik asked.
Nick leaned against the car. “Hraktar was in danger. We needed you.”
“I hate this mystical portal, thrusting me into a battle. Hate not knowing what I’m getting into. Hate that I transported here like… like…”
“I know,” Nick said.
That seemed to annoy Grizzizzik even more. “No, you don’t.”
“I created you. I have a better idea than you think. You don’t enjoy committing yourself until you know you’re going to get something out of this. You and Hraktar are a far cry from friends, and going out of your way to save him isn’t your cup of tea. More importantly, I know how much having the bag of dice unsettles you. Something you think you ought to have control over, but the simple fact of the matter is not even I have control over it. It’s completely up to chance. It’s all part of the game.”
Grizzizzik gave a hiss that made goosebumps rise on Alejandra’s arms. She saw his teeth lengthen just enough to look threatening. “This is not a game. This is my life.”
Alejandra didn’t want to stay and overhear. Besides, she had something more pressing to get to. She ran over to Hraktar, who sheathed his great sword. He was still on his hands and knees, trying to get his bearings.
“Hraktar?” she asked.
He glanced up at her, then looked to the side. “Hello.”
Alejandra understood that look, coupled with that tone. It was like Nick said. She had created this character into being. She understood the hesitancy, understood how much he felt like a monster, especially after taking down a hell hound. She had never vocalized his thoughts in role playing, but she saw the haunting fears on his face as clearly as though he had spoken them out loud. He was thinking of only one thing: perhaps his friends were finally horrified enough at what he was capable of that they would run away.
Alejandra didn’t need to drop to her knees. Hraktar was still tall enough that she wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling the tears she had already shed as more spilled onto her cheeks.
“I’m so glad you’re alive.” She felt a hand on her back as he attempted to return the hug. “Thank you for saving my life.”
“It… never would have hurt you,” Hraktar said.
“It terrified me enough, and you got rid of it. Thank you.”
Something flashed in front of her eyes, and the experience bar lengthened.
600/900 XP
Reached level two!
“Congratulations, Hraktar. You’ve gained a level,” Alejandra said as she backed away.
Hraktar looked confused. “I… don’t know what that means.”
“You’re getting stronger. We just need to figure out… we might need to make some decisions shortly.” Alejandra knew there weren’t a ton of options from level one to level two for a fighter, but more hit points would always be a welcome relief at this point. They always said that most characters who survived past five levels could make it pretty far. Another way to look at it was if people had enough sessions to get past level five, the character would go for a while. What with all their busy schedules, they barely made it to the fifth level when playing as kids, so there might have been some truth to that.
Her phone went off, and she saw Derek calling. “Oh, um, just a second.” She answered it, putting it to her ear. “Hello?”
Hraktar was still on his knees, resting.
“Alejandra? You called?” Derek said.
Alejandra glanced at the remains of the hell hound. “Um… you could say that, yes.”
“Is it… about something we’re both a part of?” Derek asked.
“It’s… car trouble,” Alejandra said, knowing it was partially true. “But Nick is here, so I’m fine. We’ve taken care of the initial problem, we’re just figuring out how to… take care of the rest of it. Where are you?”
“On my way to where you are. Where are you?” Derek asked.
“Parking lot outside the school.”
“On it.”
Derek hung up without saying goodbye. Grizzizzik broke away from the conversation with Nick to walk over to the body.
“Is everything alright?” Alejandra asked, as Nick appeared at her side.
“Yeah. I’m trying to convince him that experience points are actually great and he needs no more monetary incentive to pop up and start fighting, but he’s looting the body anyway.” They watched Grizzizzik poke the body with his rapier. “I don’t think he likes me much.”
“Don’t take it personally. I have a feeling Grizzizzik doesn’t like anyone.” Alejandra folded her arms, the heat of the day getting to her. She didn’t know how Grizzizzik could approach a body that looked like it was made of fire and start prodding it. “Thank you. I’m certain Grizzizzik saved Hraktar’s life by taking some of the damage the hell hound was giving.”
“Oh, I doubt it. I’ve seen Hraktar fight. Grizzizzik didn’t get a single swing in,” Nick said.
“Did you get experience points for that, too?” Alejandra said.
“Yeah, about a hundred and fifty, bringing the total to two hundred. Another hundred points and Grizzizzik will get to level two.”
Alejandra nodded, then glanced at Hraktar as he stood on shaking legs, the four hit points showing on his physical being. Also, the fighter didn’t want to be around the rogue who was still poking through the body.
“Hraktar got a lot of experience for that, but I’m happy to share a bit with Grizzizzik.”
“Nice. It must have given him more for doing more,” Nick said.
“Yeah, he did a lot.” Experience points were new to her. She was used to Tyler mentioning after a few sessions that everyone could level up. It was no doubt easier to keep track instead of dividing experience points.
“So, did he level up?” Nick asked.
She watched her fighter stumble toward the line of trees. “Yeah. He’s now at level two.”
“Good. Sure, leveling up is always a great dopamine hit, but it’s more than that now. The more these characters level up, the more likely they’ll survive. It’ll also buy us the time we need to figure out how to get them home.”
Derek sprinted into the parking lot and looked around. His eyes fell on Grizzizzik, picking through the body.
“What’s Grizzizzik doing, anyway?” Alejandra said.
“He’s got a feat that makes it so he can make weapons out of…” Nick trailed off. Memories came back of Nick requesting the different body parts to make weapons. Tyler simply agreeing to it versus watching Grizzizzik break the hell hound’s jaw open were two completely different things. Grizzizzik grabbed the large canine tooth and, with a quick pull, the tooth popped out of the carcass. Alejandra recoiled as Nick shook his head.
“That’s going to be a wicked awesome dagger, though. Not going to lie,” Nick said as Grizzizzik moved on to pulling out the other teeth and the claws.
Derek slowed down, frowning. He turned his attention to Nick and Alejandra. “How’d these two get here so fast? What happened? Is… that a hell hound?”
Nick sighed, then motioned for everyone to follow. “It’s too damn hot out here. Everyone in my car, then we’ll explain the story.”