The in-game video was intriguing, but created many questions in her mind.
Who are these people? What are these creatures they were battling? Who is this “Father” they keep referencing?
The game's creators had obviously known that their audience wanted to know more about the backstory, so they included an interactive movie. Normally, she would have found the feature annoying, but if this was the best way to learn about the world she was playing in, then so be it.
The events were interspersed with cutscenes. She watched as the story unfolded. There was a reference to a planet called Kolob. The people of this planet had fought against a being they referred to vaguely as ‘the Beast’, who had consumed all of the suns. This led to the birth of the Light, and later, the creation of the Dark. As she played, she discovered that her character was present during the destruction of that planet.
After the video, she was dropped into the middle of the battle. She thought this was an interesting approach for the game design. Rather than providing the players an opportunity to personalize their characters, they assumed the role of an existing character as a spectator. This was a choice that she liked, because it allowed her to focus on the experience rather than what she was doing.
In this instance, she assumed the role of a foot soldier under the command of Officer T’alik. As the battle continued, she realized that there was a lot more going on than she had originally thought. Her squad was fighting for their lives. The enemy was massive, overwhelming, and intelligent. Not like a computer AI, but a living creature. She saw multiple beasts attacking the unit, and it was clear that the soldiers were too few in number to defeat them.
The one bright spot was that the artillery bombardment seemed to be working. When the shells landed, they destroyed most of the monsters. However, the sheer numbers of the creatures were far greater than any single artillery strike could destroy.
She watched as two of her squadmates died, torn apart by claws and teeth. She saw the others continue to fight, even though they were clearly losing. Then the skies lit up with an aurora of fire and lightning. She turned away, hoping that it wouldn't hit her. She took shelter behind the nearest artillery piece, which was actually a small building.
"You okay, Private?"
She turned around. It was Sergeant Kesh.
"Fine," she nodded. "Just need a minute."
He nodded and walked over to the artillery, loading up another round.
Lily watched as several of her squadmates fell to the onslaught of the Beast. She quickly pulled up her character sheet.
After scanning though her stats, she quickly learned that she had been assigned an alien race called the Malakhim. These were powerful humanoid beings, standing at an average height of 9 feet tall. Their skin was a metallic gray, which gave them a darker appearance in the dimly lit battlefield. Their hair was long and silver, like a wave of electricity, flowing freely. Even their eyes were different, the irises being a deep violet color.
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Their weaponry was also unique. Lily's rifle was a large twin-barreled plasma cannon. While she certainly didn't know exactly how this weapon worked, she assumed it packed a punch.
Lily loaded a grenade launcher, and then charged her energy in order to use the weapon. She fired off three shots, each one striking her target.
HeadShot: Difficult
Instant Kill
+15 XP
Skill Unlocked: HeadShot
Delivers an Instant Kill when in close range. Chances of longer range accuracy are 25%. Greater chances for Instant Kill increase with higher levels. Requirements: Level > 1, Agility > 1, Intelligence > 1
Congratulations!
You have killed your first enemy! For your prowess, you have been rewarded:
+1 Stamina
She smirked as she looked up at the sky. Another volley of shells was sent to the heavens. She waited until the next wave came before firing off her own. She moved from gun to gun, using every ounce of her power to kill the Beasts.
It was amazing how many of them there were. She tried to count them as she fired, but her mind kept getting distracted by the occasional image of her squad.
Her finger tightened on the trigger, sending another bolt of power into the fray. She saw a massive shadow loom over her, and she knew instantly that it must be whatever it was that they called ‘the Beast’. She turned around, and recognized the smoky creature immediately.
The Leviathan!
No one said anything as they watched it charge. Her squadmates opened fire. Shell after shell struck home against the beast, and yet it seemed to grow in size and strength. She watched as it bore down on her position, roaring in anger.
"Drago!" She called, calling her squadmate's name.
He heard her, but didn't respond.
"Don't listen to it," she shouted over the din of battle. "ignore the voices in your mind!"
Drago nodded, but didn't say anything. He picked up his energy rifle, and set it on the ground. He gripped the hilt of the halberd in both hands, and then walked forward, like a soldier going to war.
"I see you're still listening to the voice. Don't."
He ignored her. His hand tensed around the hilt, and then relaxed. His grip loosened. The sword slipped from his fingers. He looked down at the blade, and smiled.
"What are you doing?"
He continued to ignore her, and walked toward the barrier unarmed.
"Officer T'alik!" Lily yelled, getting his attention and pointed to Drago.
T'alik stopped. Turning, he saw that Drago had crossed the barrier, and the Leviathan was immediately before him. A white flame retreated from his chest, and the Beast grew larger as it consumed the embers of Drago’s soul. Once the creature finished, Drago turned and walked back through the barrier towards them.
“It’s not him anymore!” Lily warned Officer T'alik, “The Leviathan has consumed his soul!”
"Come on!" T'alik said, picking up the pace, "We have to get to him before he gets any closer! Grab your weapons!"
Lily grabbed her sidearm and followed T'alik, running as fast as she could. Plasma blasts whistled past her, one of them hitting her shoulder but not harming her. Her squad ran alongside her, while behind them, the Leviathan charged forward, its great bulk ramming into the magical shields.
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