Realms of Chaos: Episode 3 - The Druid's Dance
Darkness. Then, a swirl of muffled sounds and blurry shapes. Gretta's consciousness slowly bubbled to the surface of a sea of grogginess. Distorted voices echoed around her, as if she were underwater.
"Gretta! Come on! We gotta go! Get moving!"
The world started to come into focus. Blinking away the bleariness, Gretta found herself staring at her keyboard, a small puddle of drool glistening on the numpad. The voices grew clearer, emanating from her headset.
"Gretta! Are you okay? Come on! We gotta get moving!" TomeRaider's concerned voice finally cut through the fog.
Gretta sat up with a start, wiping her mouth. "Oh... uh... yeah. I'm okay. I... I fell asleep at my keyboard. Pretty sure I drooled on the numpad."
She quickly checked her gear, muscle memory taking over as she clicked through her inventory. "Where are we off to?"
PaladinMyAss cleared his throat dramatically. What followed was nothing short of an epic monologue, delivered with all the gravitas of a Shakespearean actor who'd had one too many energy drinks.
"My dear companions! We stand at the precipice of glory, the threshold of legend! For too long has the Amathyyl Dungeon mocked us with its rarity, taunted us with whispers of untold riches! But no more! Today, we march upon this elusive fortress, this citadel of chaos, this... this..."
"Badly rendered cave full of respawning mobs?" Gretta offered dryly.
"Exactly!" PaladinMyAss boomed, undeterred. "We shall claim the epic loot that is our birthright! We shall..."
LightFinger cut in, "Yeah, yeah, we get it. Big dungeon, shiny loot. Who knows, we might even see a treasure goblin."
Gretta's eye twitched at the mention. "Treasure goblin," she muttered through gritted teeth.
~~~~~ A Druid ~~~~~
As our heroes made their way towards the fabled Amathyyl Dungeon, the peaceful countryside suddenly erupted into chaos. A random event notification flashed across their screens: [Caravan Under Siege!]
"Oh great," Gretta groaned, "another fetch quest disguised as excitement."
But as they crested a hill, they saw it was anything but ordinary. A wrecked caravan lay scattered across the road, its NPC guards fighting a losing battle against a horde of giant spiders and maggots. In the midst of this nightmarish bug party stood a lone figure, his robes tattered and health bar dangerously low.
"Is that... a player?" TomeRaider squinted at the scene.
Indeed it was. A level 34 Druid, his character name "Greggg" floating above his head, was unleashing nature's fury upon the encroaching bugs. Roots erupted from the ground, ensnaring spider legs. A swarm of ethereal hawks dive-bombed the giant maggots. But for every bug he felled, two more seemed to take its place.
"We gotta help him!" PaladinMyAss declared, already charging down the hill, his new bone axe gleaming in the sun.
The party leapt into action. Gretta shadowstepped behind a particularly large spider, her daggers finding the weak spots in its exoskeleton with deadly precision. Green ichor sprayed as the arachnid collapsed.
TomeRaider's hands wove complex patterns in the air. "Let's see how you bugs like a little frost!" A wave of icy energy swept across the battlefield, freezing several maggots solid.
LightFinger's mace glowed with holy light as he smashed it into a spider's many eyes. "The light cleanses all!" he proclaimed, following up with a wide-area healing spell that washed over both the party and Greggg.
PaladinMyAss, true to form, was in the thick of it, his Whirlwind ability turning him into a bone axe-wielding blender. Bug parts flew in every direction as he carved a path through the swarm.
Greggg, reinvigorated by LightFinger's heal, shapeshifted into a massive bear. He reared up on his hind legs and let out a roar that shook the very ground. The remaining bugs seemed to think better of their life choices and began to scatter.
As the last of the creatures retreated, the party gathered around Greggg, who had shifted back to his human form. He gave them a winning smile, his character model somehow radiating cool despite being covered in bug guts.
"Thanks for the save," Greggg said, his voice smooth and friendly. "That could've been messy. Well, messier," he added, glancing down at his slime-covered robes.
"Happy to help!" PaladinMyAss boomed. "That bear form was awesome!"
Greggg chuckled. "Oh, being a druid is the gift that keeps on giving. Speaking of which..." He reached into his inventory and pulled out a glowing mace. "Found this in the caravan wreckage. I'm more of a 'turn into animals and maul things' kind of guy. Your cleric friend here might find it useful."
LightFinger's eyes widened as Greggg handed him the weapon. "Whoa, this is... this is an epic! Are you sure?"
Greggg shrugged. "Consider it thanks for the timely rescue. Besides, I prefer to travel light. Material possessions just slow you down, you know?"
The party exchanged glances, clearly impressed by Greggg's generosity and laid-back attitude.
"Say," Gretta ventured, "we're headed to the Amathyyl Dungeon. It's a rare spawn, supposed to have some crazy loot. Want to join us?"
Greggg's face lit up. "Amathyyl? I've been wanting to tackle that one! If you'll have me, I'd love to join your group."
And just like that, our party of four became five. As they set off towards Amathyyl, none of them could have guessed how this chance encounter would change everything – for better and for worse.
As the newly expanded party continued their journey towards Amathyyl Dungeon, the familiar landscape of the game seemed to transform before their eyes. Greggg, it turned out, had a knack for pointing out details they'd never noticed before.
"Hey, check out those flowers," Greggg said, gesturing to a patch of vibrant blooms by the roadside. "If you pick them at just the right time, they make for some incredibly potent health potions. And see that rock formation? Looks like a normal boulder, right? But if you approach it from the west at sunset, it reveals a hidden cave full of rare mining nodes."
PaladinMyAss scratched his head, bewildered. "How do you know all this stuff?"
Greggg shrugged, a serene smile on his face. "I like to take my time, really explore every nook and cranny. This world is full of wonders if you know where to look."
As they walked, Greggg casually addressed each party member's complaints, offering simple yet effective solutions they'd never considered.
"You know, LightFinger," he said, "if you're having trouble with mana regeneration, try picking up the 'Natural Harmony' skill. It's often overlooked, but it boosts your regen rate when you're near water sources. Super handy in dungeons with those decorative fountains."
LightFinger's eyes widened. "How did I never think of that?"
To TomeRaider, he suggested, "Your Frostfire spell might feel more impactful if you combo it with the 'Elemental Resonance' passive. It creates these beautiful ice crystals that amplify your next fire spell. It's not just effective, it looks amazing too!"
Even Gretta found herself impressed when Greggg offhandedly mentioned a little-known shadow technique that could extend the duration of her stealth.
As they crossed a babbling brook, Greggg paused, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. "Listen," he said softly. "Can you hear it?"
The party fell silent, straining their ears.
"Uh, the water?" PaladinMyAss ventured.
Greggg chuckled. "Well, yes, but there's more. Listen closely to the rhythm of the stream, the whisper of the wind in the leaves. There's music in nature, a symphony in every step we take."
To their surprise, the party found themselves noticing the subtle background music of the game for the first time. It had always been there, but somehow, Greggg had made them truly hear it.
As they continued on, Greggg strolled up next to Gretta.
"Nice moves back there with those spiders, Stabs," he said with a grin. "You've got a real talent for finding weak spots."
Gretta found herself smiling despite her usual cynicism. "Stabs, huh? I... kind of like it."
The journey, which had started as a straightforward quest for loot, was turning into something more. With each step, the party found themselves seeing the Realms of Chaos through new eyes, appreciating details they'd rushed past a hundred times before.
As the sun began to set, painting the sky in breathtaking hues of orange and purple, Greggg pointed to the horizon. "Look there," he said, his voice filled with wonder. "See how the light catches the edges of the clouds? The developers really outdid themselves with the sky box in this area."
The party stood in awe, marveling at the beauty they'd somehow missed all this time. In that moment, they felt not just like players grinding for loot, but true adventurers in a living, breathing world.
The peaceful journey came to an abrupt halt as the ground beneath their feet began to tremble. A notification flashed across their vision: [Random Event: Brogbrog The Fire Recluse has appeared!]
From the earth erupted a monstrous spider, its eight eyes gleaming like hot coals and its bristling fur crackling with flames. Brogbrog The Fire Recluse towered over the party, mandibles clicking ominously as it surveyed its prey.
Most players would have hesitated, perhaps even fled from such a formidable foe. But not Greggg. Without a moment's pause, he charged forward, shouting over his shoulder, "Come on, friends! Adventure awaits!"
Inspired by Greggg's fearlessness, the party sprang into action.
Gretta shadowstepped behind Brogbrog, her daggers gleaming with a deadly purple sheen. "Let's see how you like a taste of venom, you overgrown match stick!" She unleashed a flurry of strikes, each one leaving a trail of shadowy afterimages.
TomeRaider began weaving complex arcane symbols in the air, her hands trailing streaks of blue and orange light. "Time for a little elemental chaos!" Her Frostfire spell erupted from her palms, engulfing Brogbrog in a swirling vortex of ice and flame. Steam hissed from the spider's carapace as the conflicting elements battled for dominance.
LightFinger raised his new mace high, golden light pulsing from its head. "The light cleanses all!" he proclaimed, bringing the weapon down with a resounding crack. A shockwave of holy energy rippled outward, momentarily stunning the massive arachnid.
PaladinMyAss, never one for subtlety, activated his Whirlwind ability and charged in, bone axe swinging. "LEEEEROY... I mean, FOR GLORY!" he bellowed, becoming a whirlwind of destruction amid Brogbrog's fiery legs.
Greggg, meanwhile, was a blur of shifting forms. One moment he was a bear, swiping at Brogbrog with massive claws. The next, he was an eagle, diving and pecking at the spider's eyes. Then a stag, antlers lowered as he charged the beast's underbelly.
Brogbrog, however, was not an elite boss for nothing. It reared back on its hind legs and let out an ear-splitting screech. Waves of fire rolled off its body, setting the surrounding area ablaze.
PaladinMyAss, caught in the center of the inferno, saw his health bar plummet. "Uh, guys? Little help here? I'm about to become barbecued barbarian!"
Just as PaladinMyAss's health reached critical levels, Greggg swooped in. Now in the form of a massive water elemental, he engulfed PaladinMyAss, extinguishing the flames and restoring his health.
"Whoa! Thanks, man!" PaladinMyAss gasped as the water receded. "That was amazing!"
Greggg, back in his druid form, flashed a grin. "No problem, friend! Now, let's finish this oversized bug zapper!"
Reinvigorated by their narrow escape, the party redoubled their efforts. Gretta's shadowstrike found a weak spot in Brogbrog's armor. TomeRaider's spells kept the boss off-balance with alternating hot and cold. LightFinger's healing kept everyone on their feet, while his well-timed stuns gave them crucial openings.
PaladinMyAss, determined to repay Greggg for the save, unleashed his ultimate ability: Ancestral Rage. His eyes glowed with an otherworldly light as the spirits of barbarian warriors past infused his bone axe. With a mighty leap, he brought the weapon down on Brogbrog's head, cleaving straight through the beast's fiery carapace.
With a final, earth-shaking roar, Brogbrog The Fire Recluse collapsed, its eight legs twitching before falling still. As the boss dissolved into a shower of loot, the party stood panting, exhilarated by their victory.
"Now that," Greggg said, brushing some spider ash from his robes, "is what I call teamwork!"
The others couldn't help but agree. As they gathered around to inspect their hard-won loot, they realized something had changed. This wasn't just a group of players grinding for gear anymore. Somehow, in the heat of battle, they had become something more – a true team, ready to face whatever challenges the Realms of Chaos could throw at them.
The entrance to Amathyyl Dungeon loomed before them, a gaping maw carved into the side of a mountain. Ancient runes flickered along its arch, pulsing with an ominous energy that seemed to whisper promises of both treasure and peril.
"Well," Gretta said, twirling her daggers, "I guess this is it. Everyone ready to die horribly for the sake of shiny loot?"
PaladinMyAss flexed, his newly acquired bone axe gleaming. "Born ready! Let's show this dungeon who's boss!"
TomeRaider adjusted her spectacles, arcane energy crackling at her fingertips. "Just try not to pull every mob in sight this time, okay?"
"Hey! That was one time!" PaladinMyAss protested. "Okay, maybe three times. Five, tops."
LightFinger chuckled, his new mace glowing with holy light. "Don't worry, I've got enough mana potions to keep us all alive. Probably."
Greggg smiled at their banter, a serene confidence radiating from him. "Remember, friends, it's not just about the destination. The journey itself is the true reward."
If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.
"Journey, shmorney," Gretta quipped. "I'm here for epic loot and bragging rights."
As they stepped into the dungeon, torches flared to life along the walls, illuminating a vast chamber adorned with intricate carvings and ominous statues. The air hummed with ancient magic, and in the distance, they could hear the scuttling of unseen creatures.
"Okay, team," Gretta said, slipping into her role as de facto leader. "Let's take this nice and—"
Her words were cut short as a horde of skeletal warriors burst from the ground, their bony fingers clutching rusted weapons.
"—steady," Gretta finished with a sigh. "Or we could just dive right in. That works too."
The battle erupted in a chaos of clanging metal and flashing spells. But something was different this time. The party moved with a newfound synchronicity, as if Greggg's presence had somehow fine-tuned their teamwork.
PaladinMyAss charged in, his Whirlwind ability scattering bones in all directions. But instead of overextending as he usually did, he fell back at just the right moment, allowing TomeRaider's Frost Nova to shatter the regrouping skeletons.
Gretta shadowstepped through the fray, her daggers finding weak points with deadly precision. She found herself instinctively using the shadow technique Greggg had mentioned, extending her stealth duration and allowing for even more devastating surprise attacks.
LightFinger's healing kept everyone topped up, but he wasn't just playing defense. Taking a page from Greggg's book, he had positioned himself near a decorative fountain, taking advantage of the 'Natural Harmony' skill to keep his mana flowing.
And Greggg? He was everywhere at once. One moment, he was a bear, swatting skeletons aside like toys. The next, he was in eagle form, scouting ahead and calling out enemy positions. Then he was back in druid form, roots erupting from the ground to entangle their foes.
As the last skeleton crumbled, the party found themselves grinning, exhilarated but barely winded.
"Okay," TomeRaider said, a note of awe in her voice, "is it just me, or did that feel..."
"Awesome?" PaladinMyAss supplied.
"I was going to say 'suspiciously easy,' but yeah, awesome works too," TomeRaider agreed.
Greggg beamed at them all. "You see? When we work together, in harmony with our surroundings and each other, there's nothing we can't overcome."
As they pressed deeper into the dungeon, their confidence grew with each encounter. Traps were disarmed, puzzles solved, and mini-bosses felled with an efficiency that surprised even Gretta.
But as they approached the central chamber, a nagging feeling began to gnaw at the back of Gretta's mind. Things were going almost too well. In her experience, that usually meant the game was setting them up for something big.
The party cautiously entered the cavernous chamber, their footsteps echoing ominously in the eerie silence. Massive pillars, adorned with intricate carvings of writhing spiders, stretched up into the darkness above.
"I've got a bad feeling about this," LightFinger muttered, his mace glowing softly in the gloom.
As if on cue, a deep, rumbling laugh reverberated through the chamber. From the shadows above, a colossal form descended on a glistening strand of web. Dungbite The Wicked, in all her terrifying glory, lowered herself into view.
She was enormous, her legs as thick as ancient tree trunks, each tipped with wickedly sharp claws that could easily skewer a player in one strike. Her bloated abdomen pulsed with an sickly green light, promising a host of venomous surprises. But it was her face that sent chills down their spines – multiple eyes glowed with malevolent intelligence, and mandibles the size of longswords clicked menacingly.
"Well, well," Dungbite's voice boomed, filling the chamber with its foul stench, "fresh morsels have wandered into my lair. How... delicious."
PaladinMyAss wrinkled his nose. "Ugh, somebody needs a breath mint. Or ten."
"Enough talk!" Gretta shouted, dropping into a battle stance. "Let's dance, you oversized bug!"
The battle erupted in a frenzy of motion and magic. Dungbite unleashed a barrage of venomous projectiles, forcing the party to dive for cover behind the carved pillars.
TomeRaider's hands wove complex patterns in the air, her voice rising in an arcane chant. "Taste the fury of the elements!" A massive Frostfire bolt streaked across the chamber, exploding against Dungbite's carapace in a spectacular display of conflicting energies.
PaladinMyAss charged in, his bone axe leaving trails of spectral energy as he hacked at Dungbite's legs. "Come on, you eight-legged freak! Is that all you've got?"
LightFinger's mace pulsed with holy light as he kept a steady stream of healing flowing to his companions. "Watch out for the—" his warning was cut short as a glob of corrosive venom nearly took his head off. "—acid spit! Geez, that was close!"
Greggg was a whirlwind of shifting forms. One moment he was a bear, clawing at Dungbite's underbelly. The next, he was an eagle, harrying her eyes with razor-sharp talons. "Remember," he called out between transformations, "unity is our strength! Work together!"
Gretta nodded, a plan forming in her mind. "TomeRaider! Give me some cover!"
The mage understood immediately. She unleashed a dazzling display of arcane missiles, forcing Dungbite to rear back, momentarily blinded.
Seizing the opportunity, Gretta activated her Shadowstep ability, blinking rapidly around Dungbite in a dizzying dance of daggers and shadow. Each strike left a trail of dark energy, slowly enveloping the boss in a web of shadow.
"Now, Greggg!" Gretta shouted.
The druid, now in the form of a massive treant, slammed his roots into the ground. The shadow trails Gretta had left suddenly erupted into thorny vines, entangling Dungbite and holding her in place.
"LightFinger! PaladinMyAss! You're up!" Greggg called out.
The cleric raised his mace high, channeling a powerful burst of holy energy that washed over the party, rejuvenating them and imbuing their weapons with radiant power.
PaladinMyAss's eyes glowed with berserker fury as he activated his ultimate ability. "ANCESTRAL RAAAAGE!" he bellowed, his bone axe becoming a blur as he unleashed a flurry of devastating blows against the immobilized Dungbite.
The boss screeched in pain and fury, thrashing against her bonds. "Enough!" she roared, her body pulsing with venomous energy. The vines holding her began to sizzle and melt.
"She's breaking free!" TomeRaider warned. "We need to end this now!"
Gretta nodded, a determined glint in her eye. "Time to test out that new combo, Greggg. Ready?"
The druid grinned, shifting back to his normal form. "Born ready, Stabs!"
In perfect synchronization, Greggg unleashed a nature spell that momentarily stunned Dungbite, while Gretta activated her Shadow Storm ability. She became a living shadow, zipping between the boss's vulnerable spots with lightning speed. Critical hit notifications popped up in rapid succession as her daggers found their mark again and again.
Dungbite let out an ear-splitting shriek as her health bar plummeted. With a final, desperate effort, she reared up, preparing to unleash her most devastating attack.
But it was too late. Gretta reappeared in a flash of shadow energy, her daggers plunging deep into Dungbite's main eyes. The massive spider shuddered, let out a final, gurgling screech, and then collapsed in a heap of twitching legs.
Victory fanfares blared as Dungbite's body began to dissolve, leaving behind a glittering pile of epic loot.
The party stood in stunned silence for a moment, hardly daring to believe they'd actually done it.
PaladinMyAss was the first to break the silence. "We... we did it? WE DID IT! That was AWESOME!"
As the adrenaline of battle faded, they gathered around the loot pile, grinning and congratulating each other on their teamwork.
But their celebration was short-lived. As TomeRaider reached for a particularly shiny staff, she suddenly froze. "Wait... guys? Where's Greggg?"
The realization hit them like a shock of cold water. In the chaos of the final moments, none of them had noticed...
Gretta spun around, her eyes scanning the battlefield. "Greggg? GREGGG!"
And then she saw it – a lone figure lying motionless near one of the pillars, partially hidden by debris from the battle.
"No," Gretta whispered, her voice barely audible. "No, no, no..."
As the last echoes of Dungbite's death throes faded away, the party's triumphant cheers turned to confused silence. Victory fanfares blared as the boss's body began to dissolve, leaving behind a glittering pile of epic loot. But something was wrong.
"Guys?" TomeRaider's voice was hesitant. "Where's Greggg?"
The realization hit them like a shock of cold water. In the chaos of the final moments, none of them had noticed...
Gretta spun around, her eyes scanning the battlefield. "Greggg? GREGGG!"
And then she saw it – a lone figure lying motionless near one of the pillars, partially hidden by debris from the battle.
"No," Gretta whispered, her voice barely audible. "No, no, no..."
They rushed to Greggg's side, his character model lay still, a faint red glow indicating his defeated state.
LightFinger was the first to act, raising his mace. "Don't worry, I've got this. Resurrection spell, coming right up!"
But as he began to cast, something strange happened. Or rather, didn't happen. The spell fizzled before it even started, as if the game didn't recognize Greggg as a valid target.
"What the..." LightFinger frowned, trying again. And again. "It's not working. Why isn't it working?"
TomeRaider's eyes widened as a terrible realization dawned. "Oh no," she breathed. "Guys, I didn't notice it until now, but... Greggg was hardcore."
The words fell like a hammer blow. Hardcore mode – the ultimate challenge, where death meant permanent deletion of the character. No respawns, no resurrections.
"Hardcore?" PaladinMyAss exclaimed, his jaw dropping. "But... but he charged into everything like it was nothing! Who plays hardcore like that?"
"Someone who truly lived every moment," Gretta murmured, a newfound respect in her voice.
They stood in stunned silence, the victory over Dungbite now feeling hollow. The pile of loot, so eagerly anticipated, lay forgotten.
"I can't believe it," TomeRaider said softly. "He was so good, so helpful. I never even considered..."
"That's why he was so generous with his loot," LightFinger realized. "He knew every adventure could be his last."
Gretta knelt beside Greggg's fallen form, her voice thick with emotion. "You crazy, beautiful idiot. Why didn't you tell us?"
As if in answer, Greggg's body began to fade, the game's deletion process beginning. In moments, he was gone, leaving behind only memories and the lessons he had taught them.
PaladinMyAss, uncharacteristically solemn, raised his axe in salute. "To Greggg," he said. "The bravest player I've ever known."
"To Greggg," the others echoed, their weapons raised high.
As they made their way out of the dungeon, their victory celebration subdued, each member of the party found themselves reflecting on the brief but impactful time they'd spent with Greggg. They had won the battle, claimed the loot, but the cost felt higher than they'd ever imagined.
The journey back to Shadowkeep was quiet, each lost in their own thoughts. It wasn't until they pushed open the doors of the Rusty Dagger that PaladinMyAss broke the silence.
"First round's on me," he said. "I think... I think we need to talk about what happened."
~~~~~
The Rusty Dagger buzzed with its usual energy, but in their corner, our heroes sat in a bubble of subdued contemplation. Their hard-won loot from Amathyyl Dungeon lay scattered across the table – gleaming weapons, shimmering armor pieces, and mysterious artifacts. Yet each item seemed to carry the weight of their recent loss.
PaladinMyAss stared into his tankard, uncharacteristically quiet. Finally, he spoke, "You know, I've died like a hundred times in this game. Always thought it was funny. But Greggg... it feels different."
TomeRaider nodded, absently tracing arcane symbols in the condensation on her mug. "He showed us a whole new way to play. Not just grinding for loot, but really experiencing the world."
"Remember how he pointed out that hidden cave behind the waterfall?" LightFinger chimed in, a small smile playing on his lips. "I must've passed that spot a thousand times and never noticed."
Gretta, who had been silently carving a 'G' into the table with her dagger, looked up. "He made me a better rogue," she admitted. "Those shadow techniques he taught me... I never would have thought to combine them like that."
"And let's not forget," PaladinMyAss added, hefting his bone axe, "he got us through Amathyyl. We defeated Dungbite freaking Wicked! That's... that's not nothing."
They fell silent again, each lost in their own memories of their brief but impactful time with Greggg.
After a while, TomeRaider raised her mug. "To Greggg," she said solemnly. "May his next character be just as amazing."
"To Greggg," they echoed, clinking their tankards together.
As they drank, LightFinger couldn't help but chuckle softly. "You know, he'd probably laugh at us for being so glum. Remember what he said? 'Death isn't the end.'"
Gretta nodded, a small smile tugging at her lips. "Yeah, he'd tell us to get out there and find more adventures. Maybe... maybe that's the best way to honor him."
The mood began to lighten as they started to recount their favorite moments from the Amathyyl run. PaladinMyAss was in the middle of a dramatic reenactment of his "heroic" charge against Dungbite when Gretta stood up.
"I need some air," she said. "Don't let Paladin drink all the ale while I'm gone."
"No promises!" PaladinMyAss called after her as she made her way to the tavern's exit.
Outside, the virtual night air of Shadowkeep was cool and crisp. Gretta leaned against the tavern's wall, looking up at the game's beautifully rendered starry sky. For the first time, she really noticed the constellations, remembering how Greggg had pointed them out during their journey.
She was so lost in thought that she almost missed the sound of approaching footsteps. A voice, familiar yet different, called out:
"Hey there, Stabs!"
Gretta's heart leapt. She turned, hope and disbelief warring in her chest. There, illuminated by the soft glow of the tavern's lanterns, stood a level 2 female Sorcerer.
Gretta's voice was uncertain as she asked, "Greggg?"
The Sorcerer grinned, a familiar twinkle in her eye. "Yeah, it's me. Well, sort of. The name's JammyFay now. I started a sorcerer. Didn't like the druid as much as I'd hoped. He was okay, but so far I'm really digging the sorcerer."
Gretta stood frozen for a moment, her mind reeling. "JammyFay? I... we thought... in the dungeon, you..."
The level 2 Sorcerer's smile faltered. "Oh, right. About that. I'm really sorry you guys had to see that. I didn't realize I was playing hardcore until it was too late."
"Wait, what?" Gretta's eyes narrowed. "You didn't know you were hardcore? How is that even possible?"
JammyFay laughed nervously, scratching the back of her head. "Well, it's kind of embarrassing. I actually didn't realize I had set him as a hardcore character. I was thinking I'd selected Seasonal. It really explains a lot. And also, he wasn't seasonal. So this is... better?"
Gretta's jaw dropped. "You're kidding me. All that wise, fearless gameplay... and it was an accident?"
"Pretty much," JammyFay shrugged. "I just figured the game was really punishing. Kept me on my toes, you know?"
Despite herself, Gretta felt a laugh bubbling up. It started as a chuckle, then grew into a full-blown guffaw. "Oh my god," she gasped between laughs, "that is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. Wait till the others hear about this!"
JammyFay joined in the laughter, the tension of the moment breaking. As their mirth subsided, Gretta's expression grew more serious.
"Hey, I'm really sorry you died back there," she said. "We... none of us realized you were hardcore. We would've been more careful."
JammyFay waved off her concern. "No worries! It's my fault entirely. Besides, I'm kind of excited to try out this Sorcerer class. The spell combinations look amazing!"
Gretta nodded, then a thought struck her. "Oh! Did you manage to save any of your old loot? Transfer anything to this character?"
JammyFay's eyes widened. "Oh yeah! I just wish you guys could have gotten all the loot off my body."
"We got quite a bit off of the boss," Gretta said. "Did you have some good items?"
"Oh yeah!" JammyFay exclaimed. "My inventory was pretty much full of epics and rares."
Gretta's head spun. "What? When? How? I thought you had nothing in your inventory!"
JammyFay looked a bit sheepish. "Oh, yeah. Usually I don't. But when you guys were over talking about whether to make me a permanent member of the party, a treasure goblin went by. I killed him quickly and got all his loot. I was planning on dispersing it after the dungeon, but... well... I died."
Gretta's eye twitched. "A... treasure goblin? You killed him while we were talking? For 15 seconds?"
"Yeah," JammyFay said brightly. "They always drop great loot."
"Yeah... don't they?" Gretta turned away for a moment, muttering under her breath, "Treasure goblin!"
Taking a deep breath, Gretta turned back to JammyFay. "So, hey. I know you're only level 2 now, but maybe one day you will catch up with us. When you do, shoot me a ping. We'd all love to have you join the party."
JammyFay's face lit up. "Oh! Wow! That's super nice and generous of you. You guys are all great." Then, her expression turned slightly mischievous. "The thing is, I'm really looking for a more experienced and skilled group." Seeing Gretta's face fall, she quickly added, "Not that you guys aren't skilled! But... well... you know. I mean... you let me die."
Gretta's mouth opened and closed, at a loss for words. "Oh. Uh... ok."
JammyFay burst into laughter. "I'm joking! You guys are great! I will absolutely bust my ass to catch up with you all."
A wide smile spread across Gretta's face. "I'm looking forward to that day."
As JammyFay prepared to head off to start her leveling journey, Gretta felt a mix of emotions. The loss of Greggg still stung, but the promise of future adventures with JammyFay brought a new excitement.
"Hey, JammyFay?" Gretta called as the Sorcerer began to walk away. "Try not to accidentally set yourself to hardcore this time, okay?"
JammyFay's laughter echoed through the streets of Shadowkeep as she disappeared into the night, leaving Gretta shaking her head in amusement. As she turned to head back into the Rusty Dagger, she couldn't help but wonder what new chaos their resurrected friend would bring to their adventures.
Little did she know, the Realms of Chaos had only begun to unveil its surprises, and the greatest challenges – and laughs – were yet to come.