I wonder what that bar was for? Well the system did say it was working on things, maybe later it'll tell us. At least it's mostly working now. The tension left out of my shoulders a little. He's becoming stronger, he's going to make it. Maybe there's a chance.
Checking on Ron he was watching us both with quick looks. He gave me a tentative look and smiled a little. I gave him one back. I hope things go back to normal all I want to go watch a movie with both of them again, nice and quiet and safe. Probably Not going to happen any time soon.
Now, the movement circle went under the bear. Of course it did, why wouldn't it? A mental image of of our chances took a flying leap into a deep well. That's nice. Real nice. Wonderful. I attempted to swallow but it was like a sharp rock was lodged there.
It raced through the battle menu, chose attack and slashed at my brother again.
I screamed, "Defend! You got one move before it hits you, defend, damn it!" He can't take many more hits, or he's going to die!
I partially held my breath, slowing my breathing to short little puffs. A heavy shaking tore into my body as I watched the attack. I hugged myself tighter, tighter, tighter. Don't take him from me. No. Somehow even with the outfit change it was still there, my mini teddy bear: George. Dad gave him to me several Christmases ago.
I reached into my pocket — then snuck a look up at Ron, making sure he wasn't watching — I'm way too old for this. Giving him a quick squeeze. Some of the tension left my tight muscles, not much but always helped. It worked better if I could hold him. At times like this I wish he was real.
Then my brother curled into a ball again, this time bringing his tail up over his back.
Random Skill unlocked ARMOR PLATED TAIL!
Yesss! Hopping up and down I cheered. "Great job little bro!" That'll help him a lot!
The bear's claws raked across the tail barley scratching it. Thank god!
My empty hollow stomach decided to remind me it wanted food. I doubled over holding it. Go away, I can't eat yet. We all need to eat soon, and the only way that's going to happen is if we win.
My brother stiffened and fell over his little feet sticking straight out.
No.
I called to him so did Ron.
I blinked back tears, unable to move unable to hold him. My hands covered my lips that started to tremble. Not him! Wait. I'm just seeing this wrong. That's got to be it. Of course, I'm over reacting. Quit being stupid.
Breathing in a deep breath I closed my eyes momentarily, it had to be a spell or something the system just didn't show it. He needs me to not give up on him, maybie Ron too.
He lowered her head taking in a long deep breath. "I don't think it's what we think it is." He let the breath out slow, his voice came out croaky, "Everything's stopped if he was dead, I believe the battle would have continued." Run turned quiet for a long time before saying anything again, coughed then said, "I wish I could go over there and see if he's... uninjured."
Injured? This is more than that.
I pressed my fingers to my temples. “This is a nightmare, that keeps on going with no way to wake up, every day the pile on shit mountain just gets bigger. If he... leaves. I don't know. I just don't." I didn't want to think of the d word right now. I was held right now together with glue and duct tape, one more shake and I'd just slide apart, never whole again.
Just last month my brother and I went fishing with dad, somehow Avery had caught the strangest thing, a rusty waffle maker. It was hilarious, even covered in rust it had a frog shape complete with cartoon eyes on the top of it. He fought for a good ten mins or so to bring it up. He whines a bit, but he's a fighter I know he won't leave me.
I waited.
System error!
Failure to apply ARMOR PLATED TAIL.
Checking...
...
...
...
Unbelievable. "You're giving to give me a heart attack, system! I can't take it." I didn't know if I wanted to thank the system or wish a virus would hit it.. no that'd make things way worse. Positive thoughts.
One, two minutes passed. Don't even dare to call up his stats, what if it messed up something else doing it?
Ron frowned so deep the edges of his mouth looked like premature wrinkles. "Hope the whole system didn't break."
I didn't want a future without him, even when he was driving me to distraction. deep inside I couldn't ever stay mad at him. Not for long. After mom lost our sister I think it changed us, it changed her the most she became more of who she was.
She turned even more loving and gentle then before. There's always a touch of sadness in her eyes now, like a deep pain that we can't quite chase away or even fully understand. I think maybe, that she's afraid of any more of us will be taken like our sister was.
My hands relaxed at my sides, readjusting the brush I held it tighter. Once the system lets me, I'm going to smack that bear, maybe the attack will be stronger this time. I squinted my eyes, a large furry blob, it had the odd combination of smelling like sour dirt, moldy rotted leafs and fresh pine.
Working...
...
...
Repair underway.
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Please wait.
...
...
...
Repair applied.
Avery given 5 EXP. as a bonus. Sorry humans.
Returning battle grid back to characters.
BATTLE ON!
My brother relaxed and flopped onto his stomach, he pulled back up into a standing position. "My head feels fuzzy, what happened?"
"You bugged, I thought..." It doesn't matter what I thought. Besides, he doesn't need to know this time, it'll just stress him out. I'll tell him later if he ever asks again. Here, now, that's all that matters. I caught Ron's attention. You too.
"Is the system developing a personality?" While thinking I tapped my chin with my fingers. Maybe it's just some weird program it's running. The system was created by O T. Stiner generations ago and we've yet to see all if the programs run, he made it so that new ones would activate every generation. Someone needs to find out why it's glitching and buffing, it almost killed my brother! It did fix things. I sighed.
"Your turn, Avery." Please work this time, don't glitch!
"Battle Menu, Attack."
He began spinning end over end, spiraling off the ground. The terrific smack from his tail sent the godawful bear flying off the grid, out of the clearing and back into the woods.
CRAZED BEAR got damaged by 3!
AVERY earned 20 EXP. points.
We all cheered, however, there wasn't any time to talk as a nine point buck moved into the empty grid square.
It stretched its nose toward him sniffing the air, it's fuzzy cadaverous ears rotated forward. Then It turned looking straight at him, with an alien look in its narrowed eyes, they were ablaze with something, other.
What was there wasn't anything gentle or timid. It's ears went back around along it's thick neck. It's thick fur stuck out as it lowered its head turning to a side. Steam rose from its flesh, and a sheen of sweat dripped off its muzzle as if it had been running for miles.
It then called up the battle menu, immediately chose attack and stomped him with its sharp hooves.
CRAZED DEER cast CLEAVE STOMP!
Bam!
Avery took the full force of it on the side of his bloodied face, he fell down covering his head with his paws, groaning.
My stomach twisted at the crunching, of those hooves. I hate that I can't even do anything to help him until it becomes my turn again. "Brother!"
Ron's whole body became very tense during all this. "Jesus, Jesus, Mary, and Joseph..." his words barely above a whisper. He gripped the gun tighter, a hard line developed between his eyebrows while watching the deer. "Kill it! We need to kill it! For some reason It keeps targeting him."
"Then we will win," I whispered, I crossed my fingers for a moment, hoping that it'd actually work for a change. Wish I'd take that extra battle class last year after all, our chances would be higher. "Because we must, there is no other option."
Looks like the deers earned exp is starting to slow, that's good maybe we can catch up.
CRAZED DEER earned 20 EXP. points.
RON got damaged by 3!
Avey stood again, facing us.
"Check your stats Avey."
Fisst... he called the menus that came forth like fiz overflowing a can of soda pop and the stats screen appeared near his head.
AVERY Current Stats:
LV HP MP ATT DEF AGI MOV Weapon Spells Agro EXP 1 12 08 14 4 4 6
Middle Sword
PON HNS 14 49/99
"Look at that you're a little less than halfway there! Maybie the animals will stop targeting you when you're stronger." I doubted they wouldn't stop attacking it but, it cost nothing to hope. "You can't afford to take another attack!" I quickly hid my hands behind my back as they'd started shaking again. Can't let him see this. He needs to try. Anyone else's turn next, please, please.
The bear crawled out from the treeline and entered the clearing gain, as it stepped onto the grid a system message showed above its head.
CRAZED BEAR takes 2 poison damage.
It's still poisoned, maybe its weakened more now? It does look a little purplish around its muzzle.
Thank god, the movement circle spun under Ron. He speedily went through the battle menu, and choose the ice spell, then highlighted the deer.
RON cast ICE SHOT level 1!
The mixture of Ice and snow slammed into the the deer damaging it's body, as before the covering of ice chilled us all. Even the animals shook from the full force of it. Ron's breath froze in mid air before it fell shattering.
CRAZED DEER takes 2 poison damage.
How cold was that spell? "All you alright?"
Turning toward me the coat of frost had extended to cover the rest of his hair and creeped around the edges of his face framing him with delicately spiked frost. He shrugged. "I feel alright. a little different. But alright" Puffs of icy breath hung around him.
The ground frosted over and when he moved his foot the grass crackled under.
The pupules of his eyes dilated some, "What kind of changes?"
"For one thing, you're covered in ice!"
My brother put his paws on the sides of his head,. the howl the ripped though his throat was so laced with pain I fell to my knees and slapped my palms on the grass stopping the fall.
“What the hell?”