"I hate thunderstorms," I mumbled as I walked down Woodward Avenue. My shoes hit the next puddle with a splash. A second peal of thunder cracked overhead. The bright flash lighting up the Detroit Skyline. If it weren't my regular game night at the Stacked Deck, I'd be at home warm and comfortable. But I didn't want to let my gaming buddies down. Every Thursday night after work we'd get together and play our favorite 3D Card Game, Epic Arcane Duel. I'd invested a lot in my deck, and the owner of the local gaming shop had the best Holo-table in the state. The card game was unique and took advantage of the latest in gaming technology. Rendering the monsters and special fx in stunning 3D detail. I never got tired of watching the holographic creatures duel it out in real time. The game was a huge sensation and getting more popular every day. Besides, it was my one escape from my boring assed life.

By day I spent hours programming for the Big Data company. The daily tasks themselves weren't too exciting. Mostly banking and financial stuff. Two topics I could care less about. I continued to walk along the rain-slicked Detroit streets until I finally made it to the game shop. I pushed the door open, and the old bell which hung above the entrance rang.

"Well look who's here," A pale-faced red-head put down her deck of cards. "Glad to see you made it Luke."

"What's up Noreen," I answered.

"Just got a new card," she grinned as she peeled away the plastic wrapping. "Want to see?"

"Sure," I sat next to her. "Lady of Swords!" she turned it carefully.

I reached for the card, "Sweet!"

Noreen yanked the card back with a playful grin, "Hey no touching, I just got this!"

I laughed, "All right is everyone else here?"

"Jerrod's in the back. Phil and Jack went to get pizza!" She answered.

"Is Luke here," Jerrod came into the room. He smiled when he saw me. There was something about the guy that just made you want to like him. He owned the Stacked Deck and was probably a bigger nerd than me. Over six-foot tall and more than little overweight, he was the gentlest giant you ever did meet.

"Sure am," I replied. "Want to get a quick starter duel in?"

"Let's do it!" He rubbed his hands together.

"Ok fire up the holo-table and get started!" I pulled out my deck and selected my monster card.

Jerrod winked as he pressed the Holo-table's power switch."Prepare to be schooled!"

I calculated this duel would be quick. Jerrod slapped a card face down on the table. The LED screen flickered to life.

"Now the table will read the data from our Monster Cards!" Jerrod scratched his chin after a menu screen flickered to life. We both mulled over the selections.

"Which battlefield do you choose?" He asked me.

'It looks like we have our choice between Desert, Haunted Mine, and Collesium!" There were advantages and disadvantages to each map.

My buddy Jerrod had already made his decision, "Collesium!!!"

I knew he'd probably selected the best map for his chosen monster. "Ok, you win Collesium it is!"

Jerrod tapped the flatscreen, and the 3D image of a holographic Roman Collesium built itself with layers of light.

Ok, Luke, it's time to reveal our Monsters!"

Jerrod tapped his card and soon a swirl of pixels manifested. The three-dimensional image came into focus. Finally, a roman style Gladiator stood center stage. The newly created monster whirled it's deadly Morningstar weapon over its head and then held up its shield in a guard position.

"That's my Elite level Gladiator!" Jerrod cracked his knuckles. "So why don't you show me what you got?"

"You're not going to show off his attribute scores first?" I teased.

"Glad to oblige," Jerrod cleared his throat and then spoke, "Oracle, please display monster attributes and attacks."

Oracle was the gaming systems unique AI, designed as a virtual referee and player guide. In response, the AI replied in a soothing female computer-generated voice.

"Of course Player Jerrod, one moment while I access the Monster Card data."

"Did you have to make her sound so sexy," Noreen peered over her boyfriend's shoulder.

Jerrod blushed, "I don't think she sounds that sexy!"

"I swear," Noreen kissed Jerrod's cheek. "Boys only think about one thing."

"Not true," I chimed in. "We also think about pizza."

Noreen rolled her eyes and went back to her table, "Whatever, you both have fun. I'm going to read up on my new monster card."

"Time to battle," Jerrod rubbed his hands together.

Within seconds a status window appeared. On it displayed the full stats of Jerrod's fighting monster.

Oracle then read the Monster's stats aloud, "The Gladiator is an Elite Melee Monster. It has an Armor Class of seven. Your monster currently has five-hundred hitpoints. Its primary attack is Lashing Strike which deals exactly forty-five points of damage. Shield Block is the Gladiator's special ability. This signature move reduces damage from the next incoming attack by fifty percent."

Impressed by the Gladiator's attributes I flipped my Monster Card over, "He looks tough! Let's see how he deals with Assassin Bug!"

In response, the tables holographic display system built an image of my chosen champion out of light. Soon, a bug-like creature in Ninja gear stood across from the Gladiator.

Without prompting, Oracle recited my Assassin Bug's attributes.

"Assassin Bug is an Elite Rogue with an Armor Class of six. Its hit points are three-hundred twenty-five. This monster's primary attack is Cursed Daggers, which inflict seventy-five points of base damage. Stealth Strike is your monster's special ability. This signature move performs damage equal to fifty percent of any trapped targets current hit points."

I cracked my knuckles, "Hmmm, While your Gladiator is quite tanky, my Assassin Bug is faster and deals more damage."

"Let's see how it goes, roll for initiative!" Jerrod slapped his hand down on the table.

A 3D image of a d20 die appeared and spun in mid-air.

When it stopped I announced my die roll, "I got a fifteen, now you roll."

Jerrod nodded, and the die spun in response when it stopped he spoke.

"I only rolled a six, so you go first!

It was time for the action to start! I quickly laid out my initial moves.

"I'll move my monster six squares into melee range. Next, I'll play the Nimble Blade card. Now Assassin Bug can attack twice in one round!"

Jerrod took stock of position on the map and then made his responsive commands.

"All right time to buff my Gladiator with a Devastating Blow Potion Card! That will double the damage he deals!"

Now it was time to let our Monsters carry out their orders. This was definitely one of the most exciting parts of the game. I caught my opponents eye and nodded a signal that I was ready to go.

"Monsters attack," we both cried out in unison.

Both monsters charged into battle. Assassin Bug lunged forward and slashed with his gleaming daggers, while the Gladiator struck with his Morningstar. Their weapons raked across exposed flesh and blood dripped from the resulting wounds. The hovering numbers above each creature glowed red revealing the damage dealt.

Assassin bug had hit The Gladiator for one-hundred fifty damage. While The Gladiators vicious flail caused Assassin Bug to lose ninety hit points. The Gladiator, now with three-hundred fifty hit points, roared as it faced off against Assassin Bug, who had been reduced to just two-hundred thirty-five hitpoints.

After that first turn, I took a few moments to strategize. Jerrod's monster could hit hard and endure lots of damage. But it was also slow. Assassin bug was tons squishier but could strike fast. Meaning my best strategy was to hit in quick bursts while remaining mobile. I could then recover hitpoints using one of my potion cards.nd

"I'm ordering my monster to retreat and seek cover," I announced. "Then once he's found a cover I'll activate the Heal Monster potion card."

In response, the Assassin bug took cover behind a large column. The glowing symbol that represented the Heal Monster potion card hovered over Assassin Bug's head. Then it vanished, showing my monster in a bright green light. I grinned with satisfaction as I watched his Hit Point counter gain a buff of one-hundred and seventeen points.

Jerrod leaned forward cracked his knuckles, "Not so fast! The Gladiator is normally slow moving, but I'll play the Runner's Speed card to increase his movement."

Jerrod turned over his Runner's Speed. A winged boot icon manifested over his slow-moving Gladiator's head. The heavily muscled creature suddenly moved swiftly towards my Assassin Bug's hidden location. I also noticed that now both monster's were at an evenly matched three-hundred and fifty hit points.

"Time to make another initiative roll," Jerrod leaned back in his chair with a smug smile. "You ready?"

"I was born ready," I tented my fingers, "Let's roll."

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

The floating d20 spun around this time granting Jerrod a ten and me six. Damn! It looks like his Gladiator would make the first move. I bit my lip and hoped my Assassin Bug could take the heat.

Filled with confidence my opponent barked out his commands, "All right, looks like I move first. Gladiator attack Assasin Bug!"

Not wanting to be an easy target, I called out to my Monster Champion, "Assassin Bug use Cursed Daggers in a frontal assault."

The two monsters lunged towards each other. Jerrod's Gladiator struck, his barb-tipped flail slashed at Assassin Bug. My heart sunk as my Champion's blue hit point bar decreased to show his hit points were now down to Three-hundred five. The Assassin Bug's daggers dealt slashed forward. The Gladiator's hit point bar diminished by seventy-five points. Now the behemoth only had two-hundred seventy-five remaining hit points.

I grinned with satisfaction, "It looks like I got you on the ropes now!"

"I still got a few tricks up my sleeve!" Jerrod pointed at the holographic D20, "Time for another roll!"

"Let's do it," I responded.

On command, the die spun granting me a roll of nine and Jerrod a mere six.

It was time to make some quick decisions. I was sure I could finish off the Gladiator with a few decisive moves. While the creature was big and tanky, it was also slow moving. There was no doubt it was time to press the advantage.

"Ok, now it's my turn," I stroked my chin. "Assassin Bug's going to move six squares. That will place him behind your Gladiator. And I'm going to play my Binding Chains Trinket card. Which will give him a damage buff against your held monster."

"Tricky move," Jerrod pointed to his Gladiator. "Then I'll have to play my Eye of Freedom Trinket Card. Which will free me from Binding Chains but not until the next round." He paused in thought, " So that means it's best to command Gladiator to use his special Ability, "Shield Block" which reduces the next incoming attack by half!"

I admired Jerrod's strategy. It wouldn't protect him from damage in the current turn. He would remain buffed for the next turn. That gave him the opportunity to heal up and come back at me hard. There was no choice. I needed to finish off his Gladiator as soon as possible.

Our monsters entered battle. Assasin bug faded from view. Moving both silent and invisibly he crept behind the Gladiator. With one swift motion, my Assassin tossed a glowing orb towards the Gladiator. The sphere formed light green chains which now firmly trapped my opponents monster. Then Assassin bug fired off his attack. The blades sunk into the Gladiators back and his hit point bar crashed down to one-hundred thirty-eight.

Jerrod fiddled with his card deck, Ouch! That was pretty nasty.

I rubbed my hands together in greedy satisfaction. There was no way that Jerrod could win now.

"Ready to give up?" I asked him.

"No way, the battle isn't over yet," Jerrod's confidence was unshaken. "Just roll for initiative again!"

Admiring my opponent's grit, I gestured. In response, the D20 spun around, and new numbers appeared on the holographic display.

"Dammit!" Jerrod cursed. "A six! I rolled low again!"

"Yup," I replied. "Looks like I rolled an 11. Which means I get the first attack for another turn."

"Your monster's initiative and speed bonuses are a royal pain," Jerrod leaned back in his chair.

"You ain't seen nothing yet!" I tapped the gaming table, and my Assassin Bug moved in for another devastating attack.

"Not so fast," Jerrod interrupted, "Don't forget about my special block ability. It comes into play this turn! And I'll have Gladiator follow up with another attack from his weapon".

"Monsters Attack!" we commanded.

Assassin Bug wasted no time. It lunged forward and swiped its daggers at the looming Gladiator. The Gladiator's Shield Block icon appeared and then vanished. I grimaced when I saw that it had reduced the amount of damage done by my monster. The Gladiator was still standing at one-hundred hit points even. The Gladiator roared triumphantly and stuck the Assassin Bug with its deadly flail. Assassin Bug was knocked back and struck the ground hard. The strike had been brutal, but my Monster Champion still had two-hundred sixty hit points. The advantage was still mine.

"You only have 100 hit points left!" I leaned forward, "It's not too late to give up!"

"Not going to happen," Jerrod smacked the table. "Roll!"

The die spun and gave us both our next initiative roll results. I got an eight while Jerrod scored a roll of twelve.

"I got one last trinket card to play." He pulled a card from his deck and placed it on the holo-table. "I'll play Summon Reinforcements which allows me to call an additional monster to the field for one turn." He pulled another card from the deck. Then turned it over so I could see it, "Next, I call Blessed Cleric who is a healing Monster." Then he pointed to his Gladiator,"Finally, I command Gladiator to attack your monster again for another forty-five hit points in damage."

I couldn't help but admire Jerrod's strategy. He was going all out and wasn't going to give up. That was the kind of playstyle that made playing Arcane Duel Monster's so exciting. Even though I admired him, there was no way I was going to go easy on him. The victory was much to close!

"Let's even things up by using my Caltrops Trinket Card. Which spread tiny metal spikes over the playing field." I grinned, "That should slow down both your monsters. And I'll command my monster to move in for another dagger attack."

Our monsters sprung to life and swung headlong into battle. Assassin Bug swiped its blades and landed two devastating blows. Blood poured from the Gladiators wounds leaving him with just 25 hit points. However, Jerrod's Blessed Cleric flew in. She hovered over the battlefield with her white wings spread wide. With a gesture, she pointed her healing staff towards the Gladiator. The green beam of energy struck him and bumped his health back up to 38 hit points. Invigorated, the Gladiator moved slowly across the field. The caltrops were debuffing him as he swung his morningstar weapon at Assassin Bug. The deadly gun struck my Monster's chest, and I watched as his hit points went down to two-hundred fifteen. It was a good play, but unfortunately, it wasn't good enough. Jerrod's monster was fierce, but my Assassin had the advantage now. It would only take one more strike for me to win.

"Even with that healer, your HP is still too low!" I called out Jerrod.

Jerrod punched his fist into his open palm, "Just roll and let's see who moves first the next turn." I tapped the holo-table and watched as the D20 spun around once more. It soon stopped giving both of us are roll results. I smiled wide when I saw that I'd rolled an eleven while Jerrod had received a five. Jerrod slapped his forehead as I shouted out my next command.

"Assassin Bug go in for the kill!"

"Gladiator is toast!" Jerrod said in dismay." He'll die before he can launch another attack!"

Without missing a beat, Assassin Bug lunged forward and jabbed both its daggers into Gladiator's back. The defeated monster made a gurgling sound as blood oozed from it latest wound. Then the creature threw both hands in the air and howled dramatically. In a matter of seconds, the Gladiator dissolved in a burst of pixelated light.

"That was a good game," I leaned back in my chair. "Your Gladiator did well."

"Not good enough," Jerrod held out his hand for me to shake. "But you are the local champion!"

I took my buddy's hand and shook it. "Hey, don't forget we're playing together in next weekend's tournament."

Jerrods girlfriend Noreen put her arms around his shoulders, "Don't worry. We're going to build a killer deck for that tournament."

Of all the girl gamers who hung out at the shop, I liked Noreen the most. She wasn't pushy and was quite frankly a top-notch card duelist in her own right. No wonder Jerrod had fallen so hard for her.

"So you guys want to try team battles next," I grinned. "It will be good practice."

"Don't get cocky boy," she jabbed a playful finger into my chest. "We're just getting started."

"You're dueling without us!" Phil shouted as he and Jack entered carrying a grease-stained cardboard box. The delicious scent of freshly baked pizza filled the room. My stomach growled in response. 

"We got snacks and drinks!" Jack the shorter of the two men placed the white pizza box on the table next to us.

"Another round then," I called over my shoulders to Jack. "Hey come over here and be my partner!"

"Time to get the Monster duels rolling," Phil shouted and pumped his fist in the air. 

I grinned and leaned back in my chair. These guys were awesome and I was proud to call them my friends. Life could be rough, but gaming always made me happy. Surely, nothing could go wrong on a night like this. Little did I know that my world was about to come to a tragic and unforeseen end.