Everyone had their swords ready in hand, eager to continue the fight with this beast. It stared at them with its deep blue eyes flaring, like a cobra ready to strike. It let out a huge howl, looking as if it would soon go on an insane streak. It raised its gauntlet to strike, but before it could let out that freezing white beam, fire caught its hand and started to melt its hide.
The massive beast howled in pain and tried to snuff the fire out. Before it could turn to see the Phoenix, they collided in a fury of fire and ice. The Phoenix dragged the Ice Demon down the street. It was thrilling to witness a monster-on-monster fight. Buildings crashed, walls cracked, the ground beneath them shook. The bodies of the fallen undead avatars crumbled to ash under their heavy feet, finally allowing the fallen players the ability to respawn after an extended penalty. Sparks like fireworks flew around them, greeting the ice with fiery red flames. The phoenix’s wings blew blazing hot air at the monster, sending it staggering a few paces away.
The foursome followed the battle, their weapons raised should the Ice Monster defeat the Phoenix.
“I don’t think we could have defeated this monster without the Phoenix,” Vickie said.
James shrugged his shoulders and laughed, “Speak for yourself!”
Brad just kept quiet, watching the battle rage on between the two monsters. Allan too kept silent, happy that one of the monsters was on their side. His eyes focused to see if there were any weaknesses. Even though it looked like the Phoenix was winning, the Ice Monster, though beaten and weakened, did not look anywhere close to dying.
He raised his Broadsword and rushed into the fray, much to the surprising grunts that his friends gave him. He slid underneath the phoenix’s legs with fire and ice dancing above him, and cut through the ice monster’s legs with his sword. Despite the loud howl following, he leaped onto the monster and decided to complete the job. He drove his sword right into the monster’s heart and twisted the hilt as he retracted the blade while the Phoenix flapped its wings hard on its head.
Its icy hide broke asunder, shards of the frozen elemental smashing into the nearby buildings. Allan, meanwhile, had slid to the ground and looked content at the creature’s demise.
StabTwist: Difficult
Assisted Kill
[+270 XP]
Congratulations!
You have defeated a Level 16 Ice Demon: Boss Class and all of his minions. In addition to your gained XP, for your bravery and prowess you will be rewarded with the following:
+3 Strength
+2 Stamina
+2 Intelligence
His friends caught up to him and patted him on his shoulders.
“Who saved whom now?” he taunted.
He said it aloud to everyone, but he had actually meant it for James who smirked knowingly in return. Behind them, the phoenix disintegrated into ashes, which the wind then blew away.
Allan let out a tired sigh. “I miss that Phoenix already.”
Brad laughed. “Really? Not too long ago you were ready to kill it.”
He stared at his new friend. He opened his mouth to speak, but closed it again.
He’s right, of course.
His eyes fell upon Vickie and he asked, “We were searching for you. Where? How?”
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“Well, Brad and I were on a side-quest, and our destination was a cave nearby. I was scouting ahead when I got attacked by that Ice Demon and I suffered an in-game death. ” she sounded frustrated, “After I respawned I escorted the few remaining NPCs I could find out of the city. Behind me was pure carnage. The monster had killed all the NPCs it could find, and then an NPC woman cried that she had left a child behind. I got a quest prompt, and accepted it. So I returned to the city and I found the seven-year-old boy, but he was surrounded by the undead. I realized I would have to fight if I wanted to save the kid and complete my quest. I thought for sure that I was going to die. But then he turned up.” She pointed at James.
“Yup, I had heard rumors of the Ice Demon from the surrounding villages.” James chimed in, “I followed it here, but was I was too late. I entered through the western gate and found her in trouble. We fought through and returned the kid to the mother, who took the survivor’s group downhill into a refugee camp a few miles away.”
“Hey! I'm telling the story.” Vickie interrupted with a glare, “So then we came back to the city to get rid of the monsters so people could return. But the undead resurrected and we kept fighting until we heard a huge commotion. Smoke came from the south-eastern edge and we headed here. And we came just in time, Allan. To save you.”
“No you now too?” Allan remarked, feigning hurt.
Everyone laughed, especially Vickie.
“Well, guys, I need to call it a night.”
“Are you sure?” Vickie asked, “The night is still young!”
“Yes,” he replied, a yawn escaping his mouth. “I’ve been on since this morning, and I really need to get some rest. I’ve got a mountain of paperwork on my desk at work, and I have to be in court on Friday.”
“Court?” Brad raised an eyebrow.
“He’s an attorney.” James explained.
“Ooh!” Vickie patted him on the back, “Check out mister moneybags here!”
“Hardly.” Allan scoffed, “I barely had enough in my account yesterday to pay for my monthly pass. Just don’t tell my girlfriend that! She’s still under the false impression that I actually have some money.”
“And I remember how you used to brag all the time while you were in Law School that someday you’d be filthy rich!” James teased, “I guess things simply haven’t panned out, eh? You should’ve taken my advice and gone to the academy instead.”
“Academy?” Brad looked confused again, “You some kind of genius or something?”
“He means Police Academy.” Allan chuckled, “James is a cop.”
Brad and Vickie exchanged surprised looks.
“But in all seriousness, I need to turn in.” Allan sighed, “Besides, my girlfriend is probably losing her mind by now. She wants to have a ‘talk’ with me, and I really just haven’t been in the mood.”
“Been there.” Brad winked at Vickie, “But making up after a good fight is always fun.”
Vickie elbowed him playfully in response.
Allan sighed, “I’m afraid there won’t be any more ‘making up’ sessions for us. The last we spoke yesterday, she rejected my marriage proposal.”
“Ouch!” Brad cringed and looked kind of uncomfortable, “That’s a low blow. Well, good luck with that.”
I hardly know these people. Why did I just share something so personal? Now I made everyone feel awkward.
Vickie quickly changed the subject, “Well, don’t worry about us. We will search for the artifact and keep it safe.”
“Thanks.” I nodded, “Hopefully we can meet up again tomorrow night.”
“Sure.” Vickie didn’t sounds convincing, “Let’s go Brad. We still have a long walk ahead.”
As the two strolled off together, Allan took the moment to quickly access his HUD and check his stats.
Conquest: Player Stats
Name | @Hellekith
Class | Warrior
Level | 14
Experience | 7,250
XP to next level | 750
HP | 2,900/3,400
Mana | 70/100
Strength |Total: 17 | Original: 5 | Level Ups: 1 | Bonuses: 11
Agility |Total: 10 | Original: 5 | Level Ups: 3 | Bonuses: 2
Stamina |Total: 14 | Original: 7 | Level Ups: 5 | Bonuses: 2
Intelligence |Total: 12 | Original: 1 | Level Ups: 4 | Bonuses: 7
Willpower |Total: 11 | Original: 2 | Level Ups: 7 | Bonuses: 2
That was a great run today.
“Hey.” James gave me a concerned look, “How about I give you a ride home? We can hang out at your place and have a beer.”
Allan nodded, “Yeah, that’d be nice.”
Allan pressed on his right temple and the now-familiar system prompt appeared.
Are you sure you want to log out? As a Premium Member of the Arena, you are eligible to activate Sleep Mode.
***For more information about Sleep Mode, you can chat with a CyberBolt Associate HERE***
Log Out | Sleep Mode
Allan stifled a yawn, and clicked on ‘Log Out' without a second's hesitation.
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