Calvin – Beta Zone #76 Level 21 – 50
The now combined group had made good time after rescuing the survivors of the Troll ambush. When they had reached a reasonable distance from the battlefield they elected to burry Stephanie’s body and performed a quick and impromptu funeral for the girl, as she had no known friends or relations save for those present at her Outpost of residence.
After Un-Bep’ee had dug the grave a reasonable depth with his [Mining Pick] whilst the others kept watch, before Oksana made a rudimentary headstone from pile of collected rocks. Having a minutes silence in their fallen comrade’s honor, there was a heavy air around the survivors as they shared in their collective memories and sadness.
Not wanting to wait for more misfortune to find them, they didn’t linger long and once more ventured forth on their journey to Svetlana’s Party’s Outpost. After some time under way the tension eventually eased and they began to exchange names and other information as they walked.
The rescuee’s introduced themselves with varying degrees of politeness; The Scottish Apprentice Man at Arm’s was named Ewan. The small reserved Japanese Apprentice Thief was called Satori. The Apprentice Archer was a Swede known by Kivar. The now completely healed yet still grouchy Apprentice Knight, was clearly Russian and called Oksana.
When they had dispensed with the introductions, they progressed back to the outpost over the rocky and sparsely treed terrain. All the while they somewhat reluctantly, recounted the tale of how they had come to be overwhelmed by the group of trolls.
Like Calvin’s Party, they had set out to clear the [Troll Death Toll] Quest earlier that day from their own Outpost in a nearby Alpha Zone. After searching briefly they had come upon a group of 4 Troll’s around a campfire and proceeded to attempt an ambush. It was at that point when everything had started to go awry for the other Party, as although they managed to kill two of the monsters, the remaining survivors let out yell’s alerting a nearby, and more importantly, much larger group of Troll’s.
They had tried to beat a hasty retreat back from whence they had come, but before they knew it they were completely surrounded. The Troll’s kept on draining the group’s mana reserves by rotating out their injured kin with hit and run tactics and coupled with their high regeneration, it proved a near fatal combination for the set upon Party.
Once the story was recounted they thanked their rescuers again for their aid to which Calvin’s Party unanimously responded they were glad to be of help to fellow humans in need.
However Calvin was unable to help himself as he asked.
“Look, I know it’s a long shot, but you guys didn’t happen to see a thief with red hair called Judy did you?”
Receiving negative answers to his query from the other group he sighed resignedly before lapsing into the wary traveling silence as he took in his surrounds with guarded eyes.
It was an hour of travel later when he could once again make out the towering canopy of the Jungle Alpha Zone when things took an unexpectedly strange turn. He and the rest were forced to stop in surprise at a flash of light and a blue intrusive screen proffering a new announcement:
Greeting’s Elevant’s of Earth,
For those of you unaware, my designation is Seraph04762
Your current surviving Elevant population is: 2,901,647,950
Your planets current Mana saturation is: 74.5%
Given that your population to mana saturation ratio has reached critical level’s I am forced by Progenitor’s Elevation Code #5693 to deploy Dimensional Siphon’s on your Planet.
Successfully cleansing these Dimensional Siphon subspace pockets will reward the individuals who participated with Experience, Item’s and Manamotes.
The Siphon it’s self is only able to support up to 6 individual Elevant’s from your planet at any one time. When a Siphon’s cleansing attempt is in progress, should a new Elevant attempt entry, they will be prevented from doing so.
Should these Dimensional Siphon’s not be cleared of monsters or transient galactic Elevant’s within 30 days, they will release the beings contained within to your planet’s surface.
If you wish to locate a close Dimensional Siphon to that of your current location, simply mentally will it and a guidance arrow will be provided.
May your prosperous Elevation continue.
Reading and rereading the text Calvin got a sinking feeling that whatever these Dimensional Siphons were, they were not going to be good.
Looking to the rest of the group he noticed the differences in people’s reaction, ranging from dread in Satori case, to outright excitement in the case of Ewan. His Party’s leader however seemed contemplative as she voiced her thoughts.
“I will be the first to admit that today has been not the easiest, but while we are tired from our struggles I also see opportunity. When the box came up I noticed the place where flash occurred to our left, its distance seemed a short one. I have thought of going to the Siphon of Dimensions and it has provided me with arrow pointing to the same direction like box has said.”
Pausing to look seriously at each of their party, she continued.
“I will not command my Party to go, but I think we should at very least investigate… what say you Babushka?”
She finished turning a curious gaze at the older Russian woman.
“Nu ti dajosh! It seems not all my efforts raising you were waste! Of course we should look!”
She announced whilst first looking to Svetlana with approving eyes then to her Party in a more judging fashion and continued.
“But I too know this burda day has been hard one, I will also not be kicking these pansies backsides if they choose to go home with tails between legs…”
Stifling a laugh as he fought to keep his facial features under control, Calvin finally understood the connection of Svetlana and Oksana. It appeared to be that of something approaching an aunt and niece if their recent exchange was anything to go by. Add to the fact that the younger Russian had most certainly picked up the older’s abrasive speech and mannerisms.
Noticing realization dawn on Michelle’s face the two shared rueful knowing smiles, as minor arguments broke out amongst the other group’s members as to which course of action to take.
For their own part Svetlana’s team assented to investigating with further action to be decided when more information presented itself. As for Oksana’s Party they held a vote with Satori the only one voting to go home after Kivar changed his vote by being quite blatantly bullied by Oksana as she threw disapproving looks coupled with audible sniffs his way.
As the onlookers controlled their mirth at the display, Satori finally relented and agreed to go along with the rest, being that he didn’t feel at all safe traveling back alone.
The collective made their way to the area where the guidance arrow led and once they came round the base of a rocky outcrop their eye’s found the source of the flash.
In an unassuming rocky gully, some 40 meters across, 100 meters long and which tapered down to a dead end at some 30 meters deep. There was an oval and upright reflective surface of what Calvin could only describe as a body of water and the longer he studied it, the more he could make out vague shapes of green, and black shifting beneath its surface.
As they descended carefully and got a closer look at it, they discovered that it was an upright and freestanding circular aperture, yet at the same time the object had no depth to it at all, on account of being completely sheer back and front, with a radius of about 2 meters. This resulted in shared looks of confusion between those present.
While Calvin wasn’t a scientist by any stretch of the word, he had enjoyed more than the occasional sci-fi show and put forward his theory.
“So I, uh have a theory what this might be, there was this TV show that was popular in the early 2000’s and well the plot isn’t really important. What is important is that there were these gateway’s and people could travel through them into different places and times. Point is I think this is the entrance to the Dimensional Siphon thing. Now my advice, for what it’s worth, is don’t go through, because whenever something has been announced by one of those fucking boxes, the results are never good…”
Receiving looks ranging from approval to outright scorn in Ewan’s case, he waited to see what the rest wanted to do.
“Seeing as we don’t know what is inside, I also think it is bad idea to enter until we have more information.”
His leader said with a nod of agreement in his direction and also received identical nods of agreement from her other two Party members.
“Hah! My little polar bear, I’m disappointed our separation has made you anus perepuganii! I will just have to investigate myself, anyone care to join?”
Said the older Russian lady.
“Ye got my vote lass!”
Added the Scotsman.
“A-are you sure this is necessary?”
Asked the Swede.
“Y-you can’t be serious you BAKA! After all that has happened! Have you learned nothing?!”
Burst out the small Japanese man in frustrated outrage. Which Calvin thought was an entirely proportionate response given the day’s events.
“Eh, suit yourself little one. We will just be popping in and out quickly, there shall be no harm.”
She pronounced as she gave a reassuring smile to Svetlana’s slightly concerned face and the perplexed visage of Satori.
However as the three made their way determinedly toward the shimmering portal they all stopped at the same point parallel to the portal.
“Ya sru na tvayu mat’…that is just stupid!”
The older Russian declared in obvious frustration, to which the Apprentice Spearwoman inquired.
“What is it?”
“It is saying it is already occupied! Shluha vokzal’naja stupid thing!”
She announced as she tried to kick it, resulting in her booted foot rebounding on thin air some 50 centimeters off the portal.
“Hah!... Ok so new plan, we wait here and get the people who come out to tell us what is inside yes?”
Calvin’s leader proposed to which he agreed too instantly as it was one of the better ideas he had heard all day. The others followed suit after a short discussion and they took to waiting some 5 meters back from the Portal all the while taking turns at being lookouts.
Some 30 minutes later when it was not his turn for watch and they were apparently as safe as they were ever going to be, he turned his attention to other things. Calvin decided to kill some time by inspecting his new skill [Reckless Charge] which he acquired upon reaching level 25 at the end of the Troll ambush:
STATUS
Name: Calvin
Age: 23
Titles: N/A
Class 1: Apprentice Knight Level: 25
Class 2: N/A
Profession: N/A
HP: 231/191 + 47 (238) MP: 42/42
Status Effects: N/A
Vitality: 70 + 6 x 1.05 (80)
Strength: 50 + 12 (62) Dexterity: 20
Intelligence: 19 Wisdom: 8
Charisma: 7 Luck: 4
Undistributed Attribute points: 0
Passives –
Human: + 5 attribute points per level
Lingua System: Able to communicate verbally with any system integrated entity and be understood
Uncommon Fortitude: + 5% vitality
One With The Crowd: + 10% to damage dealt and -15% damage taken when fighting alongside others, -10% damage dealt and + 10% damage taken when fighting alone
Skills – Apprentice Knight
1) Shield Bash (LvL 10): Bash your shield against a single target, stunning the target for 1 second and dealing 250% damage based of the equipped shields block value (Damage, cooldown and mana cost scales with skill level). Cost: 7 Mana, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 20 seconds
2) Lesser Taunt (LvL 7): Yell in a threatening manner at your foes to gain their undivided attention. Level of threat generated inverse to targets combined Intelligence and Wisdom. (Cooldown and mana cost scales with skill level). Cost: 6 Mana, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 55 seconds
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3) Retaliate (LvL 4): When receiving a blow retaliate dealing 120% of damage taken to attacker (Damage, cooldown and mana cost scales with skill level). Cost: 3 Mana, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 25 seconds
4) Concussive Strike (LvL 5): Strike a jarring blow against your target with your weapon dealing 115% damage of weapons attack value and stunning the target for 2.5 seconds (Damage, stun duration, cooldown scale with skill level). Cost: 5 Mana, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 55 seconds
5) Lesser Parry (LvL 3): Interrupt a targeted opponent’s strike mid swing based off your combined dexterity and strength scores compared to your attackers, and deflect the blow and all associated damage. (Cooldown and mana cost scales with skill level). Cost: 4 Mana, Cast time: Instant, Cooldown: 25 seconds
6) Reckless Charge (LvL 1): Charge toward a target within 5 meters with reckless abandon, dealing 50% of weapon’s attack value whilst stunning them for 1 second on impact. Any damage incurred whilst charging will be increased by 50% (Damage, damage incurred and cooldown scale with skill level). Cost: 10 Mana, Cast time: 1 second, Cooldown: 90 seconds.
Taking in the information of the new skill, he was less than impressed with what he read. He mused that while it was nice to have a skill that could close the distance to an enemy, if he was hit whilst using the skill he may as well be giving his foe a second, free hit.
New skill inspected he ran his eye over his stats and marveled at the progress he had made over the past months. It had been no walk in the park, he grudgingly admitted to himself, yet he was not dissatisfied with the results.
He still felt a spike of anger and regret begin to build every time he thought of the lives already lost by this new and uncaring world.
His anger also stemmed from the fact that if a person, no matter their age, was unprepared to fight and get Manamotes and equipment, they died. Clenching his fist’s involuntarily at the brutal and utilitarian equation, as much as he had profited from such a system, he doubted he would ever be able to fully accept it’s horrific and indifferent cost.
Though short of just giving up out of adversarial spite, leaving behind his Party and Judy, whilst also forgoing the chance to ever reunite with his parents, he really could not think of any other option.
His mind began to focus again on the children that had basically been exterminated because of some fucking system, and his rationalizing was all but undone as his quenched anger began to build with renewed intensity. Taking deep breaths and looking for an excuse to move his legs he was just getting up to go and ‘take a leak’, when Svetlana interrupted him in a half teasing tone.
“Hey big man! Did you remember to check item durability?”
“Where is big man you speak of?”
Asked the robust older woman in genuine confusion. Caught off guard, he offered weakly.
“I think she means me…”
To which she snorted derisively and added.
“What him? Does he even have hair on his yajtza? I mean look at him, he is barely bigger than girl in school?”
In mock dejection his leader responded.
“I am no longer allowed to call him little as he agreed to save your life.”
“Hah! I think you got the short stick with this deal!”
The older of the two said after she barked out a laugh.
Groaning he decided it was safer not to add fuel to the Russian made fire and grumbled racially inclined slurs under his breath whilst checking his gear as instructed:
Gnoll Brute’s Leather Armor
Level Requirement: 21
Attributes: Increase physical and magical defense by 13%, +9 Strength, +4 Vitality, +47 Maximum Health
Durability: 49/68
Description: A mana infused gnoll brute’s leather armor, engraved with rudimentary defensive and enhancement runes. An uncommon magical item made by an unnamed gnoll leatherworker.
Undead Lieutenant’s Round Shield
Level Requirement: 18
Attributes: Increase in Physical and Magical Defense by 6%, +2 Vitality, Block Value +180
Durability: 57/83
Description: A mana infused undead lieutenant’s round shield inscribed with intermediate defensive runes and empowerment runes. The years may have dulled its once impressive appearance since its owner’s undeath but this uncommon magical item still retains some vestiges of efficacy.
Kobold Overseer’s Mace of Breaking
Level Requirement: 17
Attributes: Melee Damage + 23 - 29, + 3 Strength, +9% Damage to all physical skills.
Durability: 46/64
Description: A mana infused Kobold overseer’s mace inscribed with rudimentary offensive and empowerment runes. An uncommon magical item forged by an unknown Kobold smith.
Finding everything in order, he was about to respond when the gully where the group had congregated was bathed in a blinding flash of light.
When his vision had cleared, in place of the portal was the greyish naked body of a man, un-moving on the rocky ground. While this was certainly strange, the man in question was stranger still. While Calvin himself had become toned beyond his wildest dreams since E-Day, the man in front of him had definition in muscle that was like that of a Greek anatomy model cranked up to eleven! Hells, his muscle’s definition had definition!...Weirder still, he had no hair at all, not even on his fucking eyebrows!
The others were also taking in the appeared man’s form as vapor was drifting up and off it, when Oksana was the one to break the newfound silence.
“Now that….that little Calvin…is BIG man!”
At first he was unsure what she meant, as the man was probably 6 ft 5 at best when standing. However as he continued to inspect the unmoving individual, his eyes found her insinuation as he felt his face heat involuntarily. This in turn caused the majority of those gathered to snicker and in some cases openly guffaw.
Glaring at the crude woman, he wanted to respond but could think of nothing to say that wouldn’t make it worse. Thankfully Svetlana started to move toward the man in question with her spear out stretched in an obvious attempted to check if he was still alive.
Yet when her spear made contact there was resistance, when perplexingly its shaft began to bend in flex, as its head failed to pierce the skin despite the Russians visibly strained muscles. Svetlana muttered a disbelievingly.
“What the fu-“
The resulting reaction destroyed Calvin’s understanding of physics and flimsy sense of security at the same time.
There were two successive and ear splitting *CRACK*’s, followed by a brief rush of air and the sound of snapped spear halves clattering to the rock festooned terrain. With his mind was struggling to process what was going on and with ears ringing Calvin shook his head to clear it before trying to reassess the scene before him.
What he now saw in place of a spear probing Svetlana and naked un-moving man, was causing a chill to permeate his whole being. The previously motionless grey skinned man was now holding the broken spears owner as she struggled at arm’s length, suspended off the ground. Simultaneously opening his other clasped hand to release the splintered debris of spear shaft it contained, only for its remains to scatter like wheat chaff in the wind.
It seemed Calvin was not the only one having trouble adjusting to the new developments as when he looked to the others for guidance they were in varying states of confusion and outright shock. Michelle was the first to recover however as she yelled in alarmed anger.
“PUT HER DOWN RIGHT NOW HIJO DE PUTA!”
As she began to form a [Fireball] in back up of her demand, followed by the burly Russian.
“I would follow little sinorita’s advice if I was you big man…”
In a low and menacing tone.
Following their lead the rest of the others readied their weapons in similarly threatening fashion.
The figure however only spared them a passing glance before he turned his creepy red iris’ed attention back to the dangling Svetlana and asked in an unconcerned Australian accent.
“So are you going to explain why you were trying to poke me with your stick while I was sleeping? I know people used to pay good money for something like that but that’s not really my thing…..now answer….or do I have to kill everyone again?”
Svetlana stopped her futile attempts to free herself from his un-moving grip and choked out a reply while motioning to the others in a frantic openhanded motion for them to stand down.
“I….meant…no….harm….you…appeared…..checking….if….alive….not…sure….if…..monster….”
Tilting his head to the side in a considering fashion he paused for a moment, then apparently coming to a decision, he nodded once and shrugged his shoulders while releasing her.
She dropped to the ground in a jumble of limbs and quickly righted herself to a crouching position as she heaved for air and rubbed her neck with her working hand. Calvin’s fear addled brain only belatedly noticed in horror that her other hand had become a mangled and unusable mess.
Canceling her [Fireball] spell, Michelle rushed over to their leader and crouched down beside her in concern, Un-Bep’ee close behind her. Calvin’s instincts still screaming at him to run, clutched his armaments in a tight and barely comforting grip, unwilling to leave his Party behind but too afraid to get any closer.
The man now empty handed, began to inspect his surroundings in childlike curiosity, either unaware or uncaring of the threat the group still posed and spoke once more, this time looking at the older Russian;
“So, I think we may have gotten off to a bad start….how about this? I’m just gonna be on my way and we’ll chalk this up as one big misunderstanding yea?”
Eyes widening and brows quirking in confusion she responded.
“How about this…how about you try and explain first how you came to be here…with no clothes…or hair for that matter…?”
For the first time the unknown man’s face lit up in genuine surprise, only pausing briefly to take in his own appearance as he laughed self-consciously before replying.
“Haha..I guess that’s fair…I was sucked into the Dungeon and then got attacked by some people then got my clothes burnt off again….also apparently lost all my hair…again… then well…you found me…I spose?”
Then to the gathered onlookers mute amazement, from a thin and glowing blue line in the air, a black and mottled red, reptilian hide of some kind with holes for arms and a head, dropped onto and past the greyish mans up stretched arms, cladding him.
In response Oksana’s eyebrows had risen in proportion to her now saucer like eyes before she managed to collect herself, swiftly schooling her facial expression while clearing her throat and pressed the man again.
“Ehem…..I feel you have skipped much….What is this this ‘Dungeon’? Where did your coat come from and how do we know you are not making these things up hmm big man? For example what happened to these people you spoke of? Also where did the shiny puddle thing go?...so many loose strings…”
He scratched his bald head for a moment with a thoughtful expression before his features cleared in apparent epiphany and responded.
“Oh ‘Dungeon’ is just an RPG term for a closed instance that only allows small groups of people in at a time also contains monsters and rewards and shit like that. As for the coat and things well that’s a trade secret I’m afraid. The people though? Well they tried to ambush and rob me so….I killed them.”
Tension filled the air as the man’s last words sunk into the Party, whilst Oksana’s face hardened as she demanded in a low even tone.
“You say these things but still you show no proof. For all we know you are just a monster pretending to be human.”
The man seemed to be in conflict with himself for a moment before a blue glowing outline appeared in the air and then on the ground a few feet from Svetlana a body squelched down, then another and another until before a final one was added to the pile. The man had a relieved expression on his face as if he was glad to be free of them, and continued.
“See proof.”
Then after a moment’s pause he took in the Party’s shocked fixation on the bodies he continued.
“Well it’s been fun and all but I’m gonna hunt for a bit and wait for my hair to grow back, guess I’ll be seeing you.”
The yet again stunned silent group’s collective gazes focused on the pile of bodies in shared morbid fascination and fear. Calvin’s eyes however were focused on one body in particular which was clad in familiar black leathers, as he numbly began to walk unsteadily toward the pile the Scotsman began to speak in a threatening growl.
“I don’t know what yer game is boyo, but ye aint leaving this crevasse till ye’ve answered thungs ta our satisfaction!”
Calvin barely even registered the grey man’s amused tone as he asked the burly Scott in a mocking tone.
“And who exactly is going to stop me spicy McHaggis? You?”
The red faced Ewan’s next words seemed to come from far away.
“I don’t know who taught ye numbers champ, but we have ye outnumbered 8 ta fookin 1! And now ye pissed me off I’ll be takin yer Manamotes as well…. an thus time there’ll be nae sneaky catching us by surprise!”
By now Calvin had reached the short stack of bodies, the body on top of it had the same complexion and facial hair as the irate South American who had shot a [Magic Missile] at him. The face was a bit misshapen for some reason, but he could never forget that angry screaming visage so easily.
Ignoring his now deceased antagonist, he numbly circled the small pile till he came to what should be the face of the corpse who’s equipment he recognized. Finding that while it was intact, it more resembled a melted wax mannequin that had been left out in the sun than an actual person, however one thing was certain, its scalp was definitely in possession of Judy’s iconic red hair.
Mind fueled by adrenaline he began to play back the recent words of the man not 5 ft from him; ‘I killed them….I Killed them…..I killed them….I killed them….’ Unsure how long he had been staring at Judy’s killer for, and only certain of the fact that he didn’t care about social graces anymore he dashed to the side of the just [Minor heal]’d Svetlana and the rest of his Party.
The man was strangely still indifferent to goings on around him save for the escalating exchange with Ewan and all but ignored Calvin’s movements, beginning to narrow his eyes in annoyance at the burly Apprentice Man At Arms.
He also noted that the normally abrasive and outspoken Oksana, not saying a word, had silently taken up a defensive stance in front of Kivar and Satori. Her normally impassive face showed genuine fear and alarm at the developing situation, by way of her eyes flicking to Calvin and his party on the opposite side of the Gully, who were still some 10 or so feet removed from the bristling Scotsman.
“So let’s just review shall we? You stabbed me in the back. I didn’t even attack you in response, then I politely answered your questions, within reason and even provided you evidence! Now your trying to imprison and rob me?
I would strongly advise you to reconsider…”
Finished the grey murderer in an admonishing tone, during which Calvin swore he could feel the temperature drop in the clearing, causing the group to begin to ready their weapons for a fight.
Really beginning to panic now Calvin noticed beside him that Un-Bep’ee thankfully had the foresight to retrieve a [Troll Spear] from his [Minor Bag of Holding] and passed it to their leader, before Ewan snapped.
“I’ve had enough of yer creepy shite grey boyo! I’m gunnae pound ye so hard ye’ll wish ye were a fooken SCHNITZEL!”
He finished with a roar, raising his large mace in the blink of an eye and leaping toward the target of his ire. The world seemed to slow down as Svetlana and Oksana cried out in unison.
“NO!”
“NO!”
And once more breaking the laws of physics, the unidentified man had his arm instantly raised with his hand’s forefinger outstretched and thumb cocked back in a childish impression of a gun. Then he uttered a single word in an almost regretful tone, before firing the imaginary gun at the airborne Scotsman.
“Phrasing.”
And then the world started to make even less sense.
What followed was what Calvin could only describe as the flying Scotsman being struck by an invisible force traveling the opposite direction at impossible speed.
Instead of simply halting, the Man At Arms’ body issued a cracking sound, accompanied by the tearing of flesh and popping of joints, he and his mace instantly traveling the opposite direction.
When his body made contact with the gully wall it released a squelching sound and its orifices let out blood and liquefied remains of guts. Unlike his body however his mace was still in one piece and being such, was embedded headfirst, half way up to the shaft, right next to his now liquefied corpse’s point of impact.
However, where his mace had stayed embedded in situ, his body began to rebel at its now home as slowly. Gruesomely. It flowed down the wall from its indent to form a red and flesh colored viscous puddle on the rocky floor with the rest making it drips and plops, like some sick leaky science experiment gone wrong.
The crevasse was so silent you could hear a pin drop.
Nobody spoke as the man began to walk toward the only exit. But the words the man had said kept playing in Calvin’s head on repeat ‘…I killed them…” as if taunting him to action and next thing he knew he was screaming out as he cast [Reckless Charge].
“YOU FUCKING MONSTER!”
Then his body began to move of its own accord to his target at breakneck speed. Apart from Oksana who also appeared to have activate her own [Reckless Charge] when she saw Calvin drawing the man’s attention, whilst the rest of the group had yet to react.
In response, the man almost lazily turned his head to look at the young Asian-Australian as he charged, then his arm was instantly just raised again, except this time with palm open, saying in a quiet voice that seemed to encapsulate all of Calvin’s now blurry world;
“Kneel.”
With that utterance the whole group surrounding the man had the wind simultaneously knocked from them, letting out grunts and wheezes of air and falling to the ground as one, as if just introduced to an immense pressure from above. Calvin and Oksana were the exception however as their charges turned into a headfirst skids as the proverbial mountain of weight they now found their bodies under, brought them to a rocky and be-graveled, grinding halt, 2 and 4 feet respectively from the man’s now pitying gaze.
Calvin’s body having completely succumb to the new force, he saw a brief flash of golden light swiftly followed by what he thought was the sound of bones breaking mixed with a cacophony of screams and grunts of pain.
His red health bar was beginning to blink and deplete rapidly and he noticed feeling light headed as he ignored his body protests informing him in no uncertain terms that he was hurt in several places. Offering the only resistance his rage filled brain could manage, he forced out between gritted teeth.
“F…U...CK…..YOU!”
Looking down at him, the man’s bald brows rose in recognition as he replied in light conversational tone.
“I remember you! Man you survived this far huh? Look I’m sorry about your lady friend but well as I said, she attacked first…I…I’m kinda getting tired of having to kill people ya know? I mean I know it’s the apocalypse and all but why does everyone have to be such a dick?....anyway here’s what I’ll do. Seeing as you’re a fellow Aussie, if your alive the next time I see you I’ll give you a free shot. Can’t be more fair then that right? So how about it?”
“F…U…CK….Y…O…U!
He managed to force out in rebuke as his vision swam whilst he thought he heard a similar grunt from Oksana’s direction.
“I understand where you’re coming from man, I really do…..as for yourself older Russian lady? Bonus points for trying to talk it out before your team mate got mad squashed, so I guess that means you earned a free shot as well? Anyway take some time to shake it off and really think it over ok?”
The monster offered in an apologetic tone, then the grey skinned, hairless man swam in Calvin’s vision and turned before walking off into the rapidly fading out distance.
And with the pit of defeat and failure now supplanting his rage, Calvin finally gave into the painless black of unconsciousness.