As the seconds ticked by, there was no action, only planning. Eyes darted back and forth, hands twitched, but bodies were poised and ready to strike. Finally, Brad laid a white flag down to calm everyone’s nerves and step back from the edge.
“If we stare at each other for any longer, our eyes are going to start bleeding. Okay?” Brad asked.
His intentions were pure, honest and open, but there was too much bad blood between Blondie and Brittany to just give up that quickly. The two ladies stared daggers at each other as if preparing to duel at high noon in an Old West town. A continuous beeping on the map was the only thing that broke the standoff. All three looked at their maps and frowned.
“What is that infernal noise?” Blondie asked.
“I don’t know, but there’s a blinking icon on the map that appears to be located on the opposite side of the building.” Brad answered.
“There’s only one way to find out what it is. Let’s kick down every door until we find out.” Brittany said, reloading her Remington and double-checking her person.
The other two nodded and began the same procedures. Once everyone was as ready as they’d ever be, the journey started. It took less than five minutes to reach the first of many doors.
Whatever is behind door number one, I’m not gonna let it get me first.
“Well… here we are.” Blondie said.
“Yes, so instead of standing here, how about you do the honors and open the door?” Brittany asked.
“How about you do the honors yourself, or kindly shut up!” Blondie retorted.
“Well this is sure going to decide our fates.” Brad rolled his eyes and pushed on the door.
The door cracked open like a restaurant freezer. Steam rolled over their legs as the seal was unlocked. The chill was immediate, and powerful.
“This is like a scene from every scary movie ever created…” Brittany trailed off.
“Jeez, cold is one thing but, this is beyond ‘bone-chilling’.” Brad said, running his hands over his arms.
Within the freezer were beakers, test tubes, experiments in jars and other objects that, if they could talk, would tell them they’d rather not be touched or disturbed at all. The environment seemed trapped in the deepest reaches of time, space, and devoid of energy. The deeper they entered, the greater the feeling of overwhelming despair they felt.
“I think it’s time to leave, exit stage left.” Brittany said.
“For once, I couldn’t agree more.” Blondie nodded. “This place gives me the heebie-jeebies like I’ve never felt before. I can’t explain it. That’s the worst part.”
The trio departed, hoping to never come across this room ever again if they could help it. The next series of rooms all seemed to be locked or empty, as if they had been cleaned out in a hurry.
Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.
“Does anyone else get the feeling that the final leg of this quest has been a little too easy? Like, something needs to happen?” Brittany asked.
“Yeah, everything has been… quiet.” Brad answered, looking from side to side.
As the silent journey continued, the beeping became louder and faster in pace.
“I think we are getting close to something important, deadly, big, or all three…” Blondie said.
The crew slowed their approach, forming themselves into a triangle formation in order to cover every angle.
This better not be my last stand. Respawn or not, I’ve seen a soul taken. I’m not taking any chances.
“It looks like we’re finally getting somewhere, folks.” Blondie said. “Let’s just hope it isn’t somewhere terrible.”
“Wow you’re just a ray of simple, stupid, sunshine, aren’t you?” Brittany jabbed.
“More like a storm cloud of beating if you don’t shut your mouth.” Blondie kicked back.
As the two ladies verbally sparred once again, Brad moved closer to the beeping point. Closer and closer, the beeping became faster and faster until it transformed into a siren with no interval and Brad had to cover his ears. In front of him stood a wall with doors on his left and on his right.
“There’s nothing left!” Brad bellowed over the siren, “It’s just those two doors here!”
“Why is he yelling? We aren’t that far away.” Blondie said, annoyed.
As the two women started towards Brad, the same siren erupted from each of their maps, and they covered their ears as well.
“Jeez! What is that noise!?” Brittany yelled over the clamor.
Brad pointed to each of the doors and then proceeded to put his hand on the knob of the left-hand door. All three looked and beheld the symbol carved into it. A shield emblem.
Brad smiled. “Ladies I think we’ve found the weapons cache!”
Hope was lit once again. As Brad’s hand paused on the knob, he looked both ladies in the eyes.
“Well it sure beats dealing with zombies, whatever might be in there.” Blondie said.
Oh yeah? Well, I’ll be running for the hills if I see even the slightest hint of a dark cloud anywhere!
Suddenly, all three of their NR enhanced screens lit up.
System Alert:
Conquest Servers detect rare artifacts within your vicinity. A substantial reward lies in store for the player who locates these artifacts. Do you wish to accept this quest?
Yes | No | Share
“Sweet!” Blondie immediately punched an invisible button.
The alert then disappeared before Brittany had a chance to react.
She glared at Blondie who was trying to conceal a giddy grin. “Oh, no you don’t! You’re sharing that quest.”
Blondie feigned innocence. “What are you talking about?”
Brad chimed in this time. “Oh, come on, Vickie. We all got the quest alert for the rare artifacts. Don’t play coy.”
Blondie’s face fell. “Oh, that.”
Brittany and Brad stood there with expectant looks on their faces. “Well?” Brittany hissed. “Cough it up.”
Blondie shook her head. “I obtained that quest fair and square.”
Brittany’s eyes bulged. “Oh, I see how it is. When the shoe’s on the other foot, you’re not a team player!”
“I… uh…” she stammered, then lowered her eyes in defeat. “Fine.”
A new system alert popped up.
System Alert:
@BlondeWarrior wishes to share the following quest with you:
Conquest Servers detect rare artifacts within your vicinity. A substantial reward lies in store for the player who locates these artifacts. Do you wish to accept this quest?
Yes | No
Before Blondie could change her mind, Brittany punched the floating NR enhanced ‘Yes’ button. She watched Brad make a similar movement with his right hand.
“There.” Brad nodded. “Thanks for doing the right thing, Vickie.”
Blondie clenched her fists. “Whatever.”
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