General chat:
Arlexior: My boys are getting into position…
DarkAssassin: I’m ready!
Billyboy: gimmie a sec…
Unkillable: How do you climb this damn barn thing?
Groundable: what’s his stream link again? So, I can get his direct position.
Arlexior: Good idea, lets all jump on his stream to fuck him up…
Sammyggg: [Stream Link]
Lookatmei: Nice… I’ll shoot him as soon as I can see him.
Lionfury: Stream sniping is against tos.
Beastman: Your against tos!
Yolkb4me: Yeah stfu Lion.
ThatDinosaurKid: I’ll post the link on the forums as well.
Beastman: Sweet, let's watch the cheater get minced together!
Yolkb4me: nice...
Stargirl: getting myself some coffee for this.
ThatDinosaurKid: Does this mean we finally get to see his class?
Beastman: He’s a portal mage or something.
ThatDinosaurKid: oh… what?
Yolkb4me: yeah he makes portals.
Beastman: And now he has the Pure orb of Purity.
Billyboy: Um. What? How?
Beastman: it turned greeny pink.
Ulberta: I thought he was a cook?
ThatDinosaurKid: …
Sammyggg: Just jump on his stream and watch…
Ulberta: What's that link again?
Sammyggg: [Stream Link]
Desmond moved through the heart of the tower, his mind abuzz with excitement at his newfound power. The Orb of Portals had proven to be an incredible weapon, capable of both delivering fatal blows at a distance, with the added convenience of never needing to fetch the projectile. Instead, it floated by his side ready for use, just like his soul wand.
There was no need for storage or ammunition. He could hardly wait to put it to the test against the player waiting for him on the barn roof.
“We got this,” said his talking magic wand.
Desmond glanced down at Nigel for a moment and grinned. “Thanks.”
With his eyes on his character sheet, he waited for a few moments for his mana pool fully replenish. He took a deep breath and stepped back out of the tower and through the greenish walls of the ethereal portal box, re-entering the open world of Fanswald. He couldn't help but feel a rush of adrenaline as he emerged from the box, standing on the rooftop of the large barn once more.
“What the…,” said a voice.
Desmond spun around but couldn’t see anyone.
“Who’s there?” he asked.
Are they invisible?
“Come out and play chumps!” Nigel added.
User has entered the chat.
User has entered the chat.
User has entered the chat.
User has entered the chat.
User has entered the chat.
User has entered the chat.
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Chat:
Arlexior: Ah! There you are…
DarkAssassin: XP
Billyboy: nearly there..
Unkillable: brt
Groundable: Where is he?
Lionfury: Watchout mate! They are stream sniping!
Beastman: dude…
Yolkb4me: omg Lion just go away!
ThatDinosaurKid: uploading this vod btw.
Beastman: thx dinokid
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
Yolkb4me: Prepare to die cheater!
Users online: 12
Desmond glanced at the chat, looking for answers, but found only a jumble of taunts and madness. Somehow, instead of deterring him, it only helped to fuel his resolve. He knew this wouldn't be easy, but he knew he was ready.
A shuffling sound echoed from beside him. Glancing to his right, he spotted the fingers of a player gripping the roof, attempting to climb up the side of the building. Desmond was determined this time. With a flick of his wrist, he summoned the Orb of Portals from his side, and its pink magical energy enveloped the flying orb. He grinned, knowing what comes next.
As the player peered his head over the edge of the roof, Desmond aimed and released the orb.
-10 mana.
He could feel the orb drain his mana as it shot through the air like a pink shooting star. Desmond grinned as it soared but then froze in shock when it thudded to a stop, inches from the target.
75 Damage.
Critical hit.
Back attack!
Instead of hitting his original target, the climbing player he had struck something solid and very invisible. Whatever it was, it made a groaning sound. “Ugghh!”
“Nice one!” Nigel cheered.
Before he could make sense of what had just happened, a figure materialised right before him. The once hidden player was now visible, clutching an old dagger in his hand.
“Who are you?” Desmond asked, as both the man’s player name and level were hidden somehow.
But instead of replying the player clenched his jaw and concentrated on keeping his footing. Suddenly, the magical orb disappeared from the roof and teleported back into his hand. Desmond's other hand fell to his side to grasp his wand. As soon as he felt the wood brush up against his fingers, he swung it with all his might.
“Hiyah!” shouted Nigel.
White light burst from the end of the wand as a blob of energy hurtled towards the defenceless hostile players.
The magic struck the injured player in the chest, knocking him off the roof and into the warm embrace of gravity. His arms flailed about, trying to grip anything but found only the rear end of his companion. Within a second, they both fell from sight, screaming.
DarkAssassin has died.
Billyboy has died.
"Oops!" Desmond said, half-surprised and half-amused at his accidental success. Apparently, the barn was tall enough for the fall to be fatal.
“Man, we make a good team!” Nigel commented.
Desmond nodded.
A familiar sound echoed from behind, causing Desmond to spin in place. Another player was attempting to climb up the other side. He clutched his Orb of Portals in between his fingers and eyed the edge of the roof.
A tuft of black hair popped over the edge, revealing dangerous eyes and a line of sharp teeth.
-10 mana.
With a precise throw, he sent the orb whizzing towards the climber. The orb spun through the air with incredible speed and struck not the player but the roof he clung to. The surrounding material exploded in a shower of tiles and timber, evaporating from the players' grip. Just like the others, the climber’s eyes widened in shock as he too fell from the rooftop, leaving only a cloud of dust behind.
Unkillable has died.
"Well, that was easy," Desmond said, laughing as his weapon appeared back in his hand. "This orb is amazing!"
“Hey what about me?”
“Oh, don’t be jealous, you're handy too!”
Chat:
Arlexior: ……..
DarkAssassin: BS!
Billyboy: DarkASS wtf? U knocked me off!
Unkillable: seriously?
Groundable: what’s going on?
Unkillable: This dudes OPAF!
Lookatmei: Really guys? C’mon suck less…
Lionfury: Serves you all right!
Beastman: wow… can we get anyone else to attack him?
Beastman: Someone who doesn’t suck?
Yolkb4me: This is… BS
Lionfury: I hope he kills u all…
Yolkb4me: OMFG Lion STFU!
ThatDinosaurKid: …
Lionfury: You know what… I’m going to follow this guy.
Users online: 12
You have gained a follower!
“Um, thanks,” Desmond said quickly to his chat and ignored the spam of hate. There was no time to revel in his triumph. As he peered over the edge of the roof, he spotted the other players approaching. There were three left. The one named Arlexior wielded a sword, while Lookatmei and Groundable brandished bows and arrows. They were all level three and ready for blood.
An arrow sailed overhead, missing him by an inch, so he ducked back behind the safety of the roof. The odds were against him. Desmond took a deep breath and steadied himself. He held his Orb of Portals comfortably in his hand, feeling its energy tickle his fingertips. This time, he couldn't rely on gravity to secure the victory.
As the players closed in, his thoughts ran through his head. He needed some sort of plan. Glancing to his side he looked at this cool down timer. There was still a minute left on his cooldown.
“Come down here!” shouted Arlexior from below.
Desmond's eyebrows shot up and couldn't help but smile. Unlike their fallen companions, they dared not climb up. The tables had turned, granting Desmond both the high ground and the advantage with ample time to prepare. Chuckling to himself, he flipped open his portal box and jumped inside once more. As he traversed through his personal portal paradise, he spotted the eager faces of his new friends. In a jumble of words, he blurted out, "Could you guys create another target dummy for me?"
The two reformed bandits glanced at one another and nodded. Within a few seconds they had hammered a crude construction, sensing Desmond's urgency. Within a minute, Desmond ran back out of the tower with a bulky human mannequin over one shoulder. As soon as his feet landed back on the roof, he pushed the target dummy to the edge of the roof and chuckled as two arrows thudded into its wooden face.
“What the?” called one archer.
Seizing the momentary distraction, Desmond hurled the orb towards the voice before he could reload.
"Duck!" shouted Arlexior, but the warning came too late. The orb soared with unstoppable force, hitting the archer square in the face.
32 damage.
Critical hit.
As the orb struck, the archer stumbled backward, clutching his nose. However, there was no time for Desmond to enjoy his success, as the other archer loosed an arrow a second later.
With a quick step back, Desmond narrowly avoided the attack.
Chat:
DarkAssassin: Get him boys!
Sammyggg: DUDE GRAB THE ORB!!!!
Billyboy: gogogogogo!
Lionfury: onoes
Users online: 12
“Ahaha! I got it!” shouted a voice from below.
Desmond held out his arm and expected to see the orb teleport back into his hand. Only this time, the orb wasn’t the only thing to appear. Desmond shivered as his eye met the cold, calculating stare of an angry player wielding a long, rusted blade.
“Shit!” Desmond swore.
"Hello, kid," Arlexior snarled. The red text above him served as a warning of his malicious intent. Desmond tried to snatch his orb away from Arlexior, yet the sphere didn’t budge. The steadfast warrior was armed with a sword and looked determined to end him. Arlexior pulled the orb, but it didn’t move. They were evenly matched.
A sudden realisation flooded Desmond. The orb had given him superior stats, increasing his strength by 6. Arlexior snarled. He had not expected Desmond to possess such power.
“Get him Des!” cheered Nigel.
Desmond's heart pounded in his chest, but he stood his ground, his grip on the orb unwavering. "I don't know what you want, but I won't let you kill me," he said firmly, his voice betraying his uncertainty.
Arlexior's eyes narrowed in disbelief. "How are you stronger than me? I’m a fucking warrior!" he spat. “Fucking cheater!”
Arlexior's face contorted with anger and frustration. He swung the sword in his spare hand at Desmond with all his might. However, the enhanced stats provided by the orb allowed Desmond to react with surprising agility and counter the attack.
The clash between resembled more like a ballroom dance as the sword swung and Desmond dodged with the power of the orb. Sparks flew as it struck the roof, and the air crackled with energy. Arlexior struggled to keep up with Desmond's enhanced stats, his frustration mounting with each failed attempt to land a blow.
“What the fuck dude!” Arlexior shouted.
“This is getting silly,” Desmond said as he wriggled away from yet another attack. His eyes met the corner of his vision, and he knew it was time. The cool down had finished.
“Summon ordinary portal!”
-30 mana.
A pink portal opened up under the feet of the hostile warrior and Desmond let go of his orb. Arlexior’s eyes widened as he fell straight through the open portal below him, only to reappear through the other end, ten meters in the air far beyond the safety of the roof.
“FUUUUUUUUCCCKKKK!!!” Arlexior shouted as he fell.
As Desmond peered over the edge, he had just enough time to see the warrior fall directly on top of one of the archers.
Crunch!
Arlexior has died.
Groundable has died.
“lol…” Desmond mumbled as the final archer screamed at the sight of the two deceased players and ran.