Dreaming Orora Page 17

  “True Colonel,” Minerva said.

  “With that in mind,” Orion said, “we’ll be able to withstand this war and see it to the end.”

  “I’m sorry, may haps I’m late to this,” Bale said, “withstand the war? Are we not attacking sir?”

  All eyes in the room turned to face Bale. He felt their gazes burning a hole in his brain. Did he say something wrong? “Perhaps it was my fault for not clearing things out to you,” Orion said, “The army with the Royals decreed that we stand off and make protecting the kingdom our priority.”

  “Protecting the kingdom?” Bale said, “Sir our people are being killed all over the kingdom. I just came from Paya and the place was nothing but ruins. The same could be said for every other place I passed by. Those people need our help.”

  “And we did call all of them here,” Orion said, “We simply can’t protect ourselves from the Beastmen and the Dark Army while spreading our forces thin across the region.”

  “Sir, the Beastmen are fighting the Dark One as well. They are in it as much as we are.”

  Few soldiers exchanged looks and some murmurs started.

  “Silence,” Orion said.

  “Do you suggest we ally with them?” Dahl put both hands on the table, few of the placeholders tumbled. His war scarred face suggested contempt; he ran his right fingers through them. This guy was conscious about those scars and wore them as trophies of war. “Do you suggest we leave our backs vulnerable to them?”

  “That’s not what I meant colonel,” Bale said, “all I’m saying is we need to bring the war to the Dark One. Waiting here will only get us trapped in our own city. I’ve seen what his army is capable off first hand.”

  “That is why we are fortifying the kingdom.” Dahl said, the grooves in his face deepened. “Galawar is impregnable.”

  “Galawar is not just this city,” Bale said, he pointed a finger at East point, “Galawar has already been attacked. My home was attacked. And I’ll be damned if I just stood by and wait for them to attack us here as well.”

  “Bale,” Orion’s voice boomed, “this discussion was done and the decision was taken long back. We will not spread our power thin across the region.”

  “But sir-”

  “That is enough,” Orion said, “I’ll take it that you are still tired and not to your wits. You may take the rest of the day off and join us tomorrow.”

  “I’m ok sir.”

  “I said you are dismissed soldier,” Orion said.

  Bale banged his fist to his chest, “Sir, yes sir,” he looked around the room one more time and walked towards the door.

  His rage at the idea of just setting back and doing nothing kept boiling as he made his way towards the living quarters. How could they possibly think this way? Abandon their people and their land. Defend? What are they hoping to defend against? That dark avalanche could not possibly be stopped. They should attack before the enemy ready their attack.

  A horn boomed in the distance. Several more followed through. Bale’s heart raced and tried to jump out of his chest. He ordered a similar horn calling to battle not long back when the dark army came to East Point. But in Galawar? It was never heard here, not since the Age of Heroes.

  Bale found the stairs leading atop the wall. The highest walls protected The Royal Court, so it provided the best vantage point. He kept hoping for the best, a drill perhaps? A mistake? His feet raced towards the top. Other soldiers hurried up, some down. Chaos started to form.

  Bale reached the top and stood at the battlements. A black mass swallowed the horizon. If they were waiting for war, war has come.

  24 – Life amidst all

  The post he uploaded exploded and sprouted a life on its own. More and more people thanked him; some posted their own pictures of Talion and Tala. Other pictures followed of characters suspected to be on The Dark One’s side. Knowing the Internet, never failing to provide a medium for people to vent, the thread turned to a hate forum with people posting their own enemies to frame as The Dark One’s allies. So Oliver did the sensible thing and logged off.

  He thought about dreaming Orora, but as much as he loved the game he couldn't find a compelling reason to do so? Last he checked, Talion and his pals still needed time to get ready for him to drop the item. Something to do with their people being busy attacking some city, not that he cared much about it. And aside from being able to twiddle his thumbs in a cell, he had nothing to do. He couldn’t even equip cooking tools to pass the time.

  Some days in Orora he totally wasted while farming a certain item or a quest without any good results. That he understood and cursed his luck for it. But this was different, this time he would log in and knowingly wasting his time with nothing to show up for it at the end.

  Oliver told his friends to delay any plan of rescue until he saw this deal through, his captors might honor their promise. Oswald did suggest joining them in helping the Dark One, but the idea did not fly through Kayleb. Thank God because Oliver didn't know how to convince Oswald otherwise. That’s why Kayleb always been the paragon of reason in their little group, a name befitting him in the game. The recent fondness of virtual beards played well into his character too.

  Oliver grabbed his thick World History 203 schoolbook and sat on his recliner. He had the option of reading it on his tablet, PC or even a virtual class if he fancied. With all the talks of VR affecting people in a bad way and all those gadgets hurting the eyes, getting some good old fashion reading sounded like a good idea. Besides, who had the energy to log into a virtual world to study? If you want to waste your energy and your body, at least do it on something you love.

  Few pages into his book and his eyelids started to get heavy. He slid in and out of consciousness few times before his phone rang. He looked at the phone, Oswald. He picked up the handset keeping it few inches away from his ear knowing what’s coming.

  “What the hell man,” Oswald said, “Kai is on conference by the way.”

  “Hey,” Oliver said.

  “Where are you?” Oswald said, “I’m beginning to think we are the ones in prison here and you are enjoying the time off.”

  “Dude, I cannot do anything in this God damn jail, so I might as well study for the exams.”

  “Two months, the exams are more than two months away. I thought Kayleb was the nerd here.”

  “I’m on the phone you know?” Kayleb said.

  “That’s the final exams,” Oliver said, “You do know there are other exams in between right?”

  “And you study for those?” Oswald sighed, “forget it, you are going to log tonight or what?”

  “Nah,” Oliver said, “like I said, let me catch up on some studies.”

  A short silence followed before Oswald sighed, “suit yourself, I might head to Galawar. Seems like some cool shit is going on there.”

  “We were supposed to get ready for the rescue,” Kayleb said.

  “Dude, he’s not logging today. What am I supposed to do? Wait for him?”

  “Yes,” Kayleb said, “you won’t be able to come here on your own later on. That was the whole point behind the quest.”

  Oswald produced a gurgling sighing mix sound, “damn it,” he paused for a second, “wait, that was before the dark army moved towards Galawar. Now we can easily head back to the Forgotten Island.”

  “Forbidden Island,” Kayleb said, “and we still can’t get through the mobs on the way there less you forgot our journey here. At least together we might manage to make a run for it.”

  “Damn it, happy now Oliver?”

  “Hey,” Oliver said, “I didn’t want this. I’m the one getting the short end of the stick here. This game keeps testing my resolve to maintain my subscription. I was this close,” Oliver held his thumb and index finger one inch apart, not that they could see it, “this time. This close to leave the game.”

  Oswald laughed, “I know your luck sucked man, but to be imprisoned in the game. That’s a new low even for you. Just make sure it st
ays with you.”

  “Don't get him started,” Kayleb said, “besides, you were the one who lost power in there and got us killed.”

  “Seriously? Like it would’ve made any difference. At least I managed to raise you.”

  “We would’ve given them some harder time. That’s all I’m saying.”

  “Yeah, yeah,” Oswald said, “you know what, I’ll just try to win some cards. Enjoy your studies.”

  “There you go,” Kayleb said, “you’ll have enough time to annoy some people in Baght.”

  “I can do that on my mobile,” Oswald said.

  “You know what they say,” Oliver said, “Too much VR can be bad for you.” He didn't really believe in it, but sometimes it worked to his advantage to use things he doesn't believe in.

  “And you somehow believe that crap?” Oswald said and paused for a minute, “I’ll set up few games if anyone is interested.”

  “Nah, I rather study.”

  “Good idea,” Kayleb said, “I might do some studying myself.”

  “Why am I not surprised,” Oswald said, “cutting you off guys.”

  “Hey Oliver,” Kayleb said, his voice getting more serious now, “I did some digging on this dark pillar item.”

  “And?” Oliver didn't really pay it any attention or bothered to research about it. Good think Kayleb managed to do some research.

  “And, no one seems sure, but some are saying it’s the key to bring down The Dark One.”

  “Are you serious?” Oswald screamed on the other end. Oliver had to pull the phone away from his ear.

  “I thought you disconnected,” Oliver said.

  “Nope still here. And if what they are saying is true, this thing would be worth a fortune. No way we’ll give it to them for free.”

  “It’s an EX item,” Oliver said, “I can’t sell it or give it to them for that matter.”

  “Still,” Oswald said, “dropping it for them to get it back is another way of handing it to them. You should get a reward for it.”

  “Oz might be right Oliver,” Kayleb said, “not as far as money goes, but how important this item is. Let me look more into this before you do anything.”

  “Well,” Oliver said, “I’m stuck in a virtual jail with nowhere to go. Nothing to do but wait. Anyways, got to go guys.”

  He ended the call as soon as he finished. That was a good five minutes or so of distraction. Oliver got back on the book trying to get some reading done, but the book won few pages in submitting Oliver to sleep.

  Something or someone got you down? You are dead on the ground and can only look around?

  You got two options: wait for someone to raise you (though only party and guild members can hear you talk while you are dead. The dead can’t scream) or suck it up and return to your home point. In any case you’ll lose some XP, so don't get used to dyeing.

  25 – Know they enemy

  “So, why didn't we think of flying mounts?”

  “I did,” Hok said, “flying mounts are either items or magic for us. So they won’t work inside the dome. This thing,” Hok pointed towards the big monster standing in the middle of the castle yard, “this thing is obviously neither.”

  They reached the castle parameter few minutes ago but kept away from all the fighting. Some players decided to tiptoe towards the beast, but once they identified it, they all decided otherwise. Some even logged out. The remaining stood next to Hok and Eric, behind the fence. Few soldiers had the guts to charge towards the big monster at first, but everything stopped now. This thing stood tall like it owned the place, growling and puffing.

  The castle’s door opened and Ivan stepped out surrounded by few of his soldiers. He raised his hands and made haste towards the big beast, “My lord, bask in the glory of our victory.”

  The Dark One dropped off his mount and dismissed it with a flick of his arm. The beast flapped its wings few times sending gust and haze all around, then jumped. The soldiers covered their faces with their arms. Hok felt the wind from where he stood. The Dark One stood, unfazed.

  The dragon hung about, hovering, maneuvering through the rain and thunder. It sent a message to everyone down; it owned the sky.

  Ivan approached the Dark One, “My lord, I got the order from your men and everyone is now trapped as planned.”

  The Dark One tilted his head sideways.

  “Who are you?” Hok’s head jolted back, startled for a moment. The voice felt like it was inside his head.

  “Yeah,” Eric said, “he kind of does that.”

  “My lord,” Ivan said, his voice sounded puny, far, “Your men-”

  “I have no men giving orders,” the Dark One said, his voice thickened, “I only give orders. I have slaves who do what I order out of fear, and I don't recall you be one of them.”

  Hok saw Ivan’s eyes grow wide; confusion betrayed his look, “My lord-”

  “-You bore me,” the Dark One said and swung his arm hitting Ivan across the face. The impact sent him tumbling few feet away. Soldiers flinched, some gasped, but they all got their weapons at the ready. The Dark One grinned and the dragon plunged behind him with a thud sending few soldiers flying.

  “Take care of them,” the Dark One said, “I’m going in,” he walked towards the castle gate.

  “This is some unexpected turn of events,” Eric said, “What now?”

  Hok turned towards Eric, “gather the guys, the outside attack should be anytime soon.”

  “And you?”

  “I’ll go in, this is as good a time as any to find the wizard. I don't think we’ll have a better chance.”

  “And you want me to leave you alone? Like hell I well.”

  Hok put his arm on Eric’s shoulder, “Listen, this is the Dark One we are talking here. You could lose your character. I literally got nothing to lose, and you stand to lose everything.”

  “You got the pillar. I can’t afford to lose that either.”

  Hok sighed, “True, but we don't even know if it’ll work anyways. Besides, you can always get it back if I’m killed.” He pointed towards the Dark One moving towards the castle, “this might be our only chance to break in. More so than the arranged attack.”

  Eric stood there saying nothing, if tears were possible, Hok expected some would be shed. “Don't you dare die on me,” Eric said, “I need you. I can’t do this alone.”

  ~

  Hok stole himself towards another room. He tiptoed his way towards an unknown distention with a hope of finding the cause of all of this, the promised wizard. The Dark One made the walk easier than expected. Hok followed the trail of blood and bodies scattered on the Dark One’s wake. He just hoped the Dark One wouldn’t reach a dead end and double back.

  The silence, broken only by thunder cracks and the constant hum of rain, added to the eerie atmosphere. Hok walked a dim narrow corridor that flashed whenever thunder clapped and poured its light inside. The dead bodies and gore decorated most of the way. Hok doubted it at first, but from what he saw, this Dark One sure as hell had no love lost for Ladara.

  He turned a corner and found himself in a somewhat familiar room. A big table missing where he last stood here. He shook his head and continued forward. He blamed himself again and again, how the hell did he fall for a make shift meeting room by NPCs?

  The path took him through more narrow corridors leading towards the dungeon. More soldiers scattered here and there, or what remained of them at least. More soldiers meant more important things to protect. Hok passed few empty and closed cells. His footsteps, though muffled, were the only sound in an otherwise dead silence.

  “Hok?” a whisper said. He jerked around to look at the source, his fists balled. A wave of relieve washed over him when the voice whispered his name once more. It wasn't in his head.

  He looked behind the cell bars he just passed and saw a familiar face, “Oh thank Altana,” Halvar said, “please help a friend in need. Get me out of this cell.”

  “The Dark One?”

&nbs
p; Halvar looked the other side, “he went deeper.”

  “He didn't attack you?”

  “He didn't see me,” Halvar said, “I just heard him asking the guards about a wizard before killing them.”

  A half smile crept on Hok’s face. Finally, a confirmation of the wizard’s whereabouts, but what did the Dark One want with him? This might complicate things far beyond what he expected.

  Hok grabbed the cell door and pulled it open. Thank God it just opened from the outside, no key required. “Your men?”

  “They were killed soon after they tossed me in here. Guess they had no need for them,” Halvar stepped outside and looked around, “should we leave?”

  “You can go, I need to follow him,” Hok nodded where the Dark One supposed to have gone.

  “Have you lost your wits?” Halvar grabbed Hok’s arm, “you can’t hope to defeat him. Not without a weapon. Not even with a weapon.”

  “Without defeating the wizard behind this, we don’t stand a chance even against the Ladaran army, let alone the Dark One. This is as good a time as any to try.”

  Halvar sighed, “I owe a great deal to you for saving me. And I think you are right, might as well try.”

  “Thank you,” Hok said and the two men shook hands.

  They continued on their mostly empty way, stealing glances inside the cells to their left and right. Nothing and no one in sight. And deep inside the dungeon, even the hum of the rain and crack of thunder couldn't penetrate through. Just the crackle of few torches they passed by and their muffled steps.

  They took a right turn and saw two soldiers nursing their wounds on the ground. The downed men raised their heads. Their eyes popped and sprung to life. Too late to turn back.

  With no weapons equipped, both Hok and Halvar raised their hands to defend the coming assault. A hand darted from behind Hok catching the closer of the two soldiers in the face. The man flew back few feet and came to a stop on the ground. The other soldier cowered back few feet.