Dreaming Orora Page 4

  “Yes, unfortunately,” Kensin said, “They believe it is part of an event or something. They say it’s a world changing event and they don’t mind siding with the bad guys.”

  “In a way it is,” Eric said, “never before did a boss from a closed arena break free. It just does not make sense. What if other monsters started doing the same thing?”

  “That would be bad for sure,” Hok said, “but as far as players siding with him, it’s not the first time people sided with the bad guys. And like I always tell you, the population of this game are a bunch of ass holes.”

  Eric shook his head, “he kind of had a horrible experience.”

  “That’s not my concern,” Kensin said, “We are trying to gather enough people to fight The Dark One. So far, it’s only me and two friends. With the two of you that makes five. We are still way under.”

  “Under what? In the arena we were capped by a specific number, eighteen I believe? And a level eighty minimum requirement.” Hok said and both men nodded, “Now he’s in the open, we can bring any number of people.”

  “That won’t work,” Kensin said, “out in the open he does not bring the crystals. I think you noticed that?”

  “Yes,” Eric lowered his head.

  “So? What can we do?” Hok said.

  “No idea yet, but I believe that’s why you are meeting them?” Kensin said.

  “It is.” Eric said.

  In Orora, you should not be afraid of only Beastmen. Recruits are a threat just the same if not more. Anyone can attack you anytime, anyplace. And death on the hand of another Recruit is a death nonetheless.

  Want to engage in a friendly competition without suffering the perils of death? A friendly duel is one option. Fight a friend to your heart content without getting interrupted or bothered

  5 – Enters the Wizard

  Maia’s grip tightened on the railing. She tried to steady her spinning head to avoid retching her dinner. She wondered why the hell would she be getting seasick in a game. Was it by design as a sadistic joke by the developers? The more pressing question however, would she throw up in the game or in real life?

  Since joining Orora and for the last few days Maia utilized every waking moment logging into this game, or Dreaming Orora as they called it. The game managed to revive the addict within her. The last MMO she got hooked on demanded so much of her time that it started to consume her life. Less sleep, low motivation at work and spending every hour not logged in the game researching about it. Maia feared a resurface of that person.

  In the limited free time she had at work she researched about the game; being a nurse demanded most of her time while on the job, but it did offer few breaks. So she utilized them to the fullest. She found out Orora was a world of its own. A literal living, breathing world of its own. Anything you wanted to do, within the game backdrop, you could do.

  She found out during her research that Ra Varra, the town she chose as her hometown, only served as a starting point for the first ten levels. So, to find better mobs and more people to interact with, she would have to move further north. For a noob like her, the ferry was the only option. Aside from walking, of course.

  As soon as Maia boarded the ship, she found out the reason behind the cheap fare. Worn out body, basic facilities and an absence of service in any way. It started moving and things only went downhill from there. The ship rocked back and forth on an almost still bed of water. For a daughter of an avid late fisherman, Maia felt a tad ashamed when the seasickness started kicking in.

  “You know it’s just in your head, right?” a soft hand touched Maia’s shoulder.

  She started and turned around. An old man smiled back at her. “Oh, yeah” she said, “still trying to get used to it all.”

  The old man’s face twisted in astonishment, “A genuine newbie!” he laughed, “You can never tell with people changing jobs and all.”

  Maia just realized that. With everyone having the ability to jump between jobs any time they wished, anyone could be a noob anytime. “Just started last week,” her head glanced around, “but I’m liking it all so far.”

  The old man put both hands on his staff and kneeled forward looking into the horizon, “It’s great, isn’t it?”

  Maia tried to check the guy, but the small box showed nothing. He must’ve set his status to be anonymous. She saw the option while fiddling with the menu few days back. Didn’t know why people would opt for it, but apparently some did. The long dark staff, dark grey robe and pointy hat matching in color kind of gave the man away, “A black mage ha?”

  The old man turned slowly towards her and smiled, his wrinkles dug deeper in his forehead and cheeks, “A wizard actually.”

  Wizard? Maia did not recall reading about this job in the past few days. Then again, she just found out about the Dark knight and a Druid jobs last night. Obviously she just made it to the letter D as far as jobs were concerned. Enough variations existed in the game to last anyone a lifetime to go through them.

  “Oh, how is that different than a Black Mage?” she said.

  “A black mage is, how do I put it? A jack of all trades master of none when it comes to magic. A wizard is more or less focused in one elemental.”

  “Oh, forgive my ignorance. Never been a mage person.”

  “That’s fine, who knows, you might like the job and go into that path one day,” the old man smiled and Maia couldn’t help but return it. “And about your headaches, try to keep your mind off it,” he said and walked away.

  Yeah, thanks for the reminder. What could she possibly get her mind busy with to forget this swaying box. She thought about logging out and coming back after an hour, but she wasn’t sure if she’ll be at the destination or the origin. And the prospect of being back at the origin did not sound good, at all.

  Items. That should do it. She remembered her journey to the ferry. On the way she had the pleasure of battling few mobs. Not wanting to miss the ship, she did not go through the loot and just piled it in her inventory. Should be a good time to go through them.

  She placed all her inventory before her and gazed upon her possessions. Few trinkets, some rusty bracelets and low level equipment. Good thing only she could view the items, otherwise she would’ve been a laughing stock to everyone around her. Most people probably just dropped those things or sold them to an NPC who would offer few coppers for it. Maybe she could use some to start a blacksmith or an alchemy career, but it was too soon for her to decide on what profession to take.

  She had one topaz gem she could augment a bracelet or a piece of equipment with if she had the necessary skill to do it, which she didn’t. The neat thing about this game, just like viewing your items, you could augment items the good old menu based way where all the items would be in a list and you could attach trinkets to them, or you could sort through them just like you’d do in the real world. Maia chose to do the later.

  This way, she had a miniature representation of her items in front of her and could decide where she wanted to place the augmented piece. This provided a level of customization parallel to that in the real world, where the menu option would only place the augmented items in a default place. Fashion designers in Orora and people who loved unique armors in general found this ability amazing. It applied to dyes, trinkets, gems and all other fashionable items. People were making a living out of armor and clothes design in Orora.

  This level of realism applies not only to menu viewing and item customization, it also applies to the way players wear their equipment. They can use the menu and with a poof, minus the sound, the item would be on their character, or they can go full immersion and actually put on the item. Some people love to role play to the extreme.

  She placed the gem piece on the middle of the silver bracelet and turned it around, admiring her handy work. A message popped below the item, you don’t have the necessary skill level to complete this customization. So much for that.

  She was well drowned in her little item world when a voice s
creamed behind her, “Pirates!”

  Maia jumped up, she looked down to see all her items broke to pieces and disappeared. Good thing this was not the real world; otherwise she would be scrambling on the floor flailing to sort her stuff. In here, they just all disappeared, back to her bag.

  “Pirates?” she peered from one side of the ferry and noticed small boats coming dangerously close. “What the hell do they want?” she looked behind her to the almost empty ferry deck. Who would bother with this rust bucket?

  Two to three men per boat casted their hooked ropes and climbed their way on the ferry. It was obvious from the way they just let their small boats drift that whatever they were planning, they don't intend to go back. They had no exit strategy but to take over the ferry.

  Two players on board took out their weapons and charged towards the invaders. They lasted a total of ten seconds before all the invaders ganged on them. Maia just saw a bunch of guys wailing on something on the ground. They broke away soon after with nothing left behind but a small puddle of blood. And it popped out of existence soon after.

  Maia stole herself towards the stern. Fighters in their thirties and forties were being swatted like flies by those pirates, what would she, a level eight assassin, do? She did the only thing she could do, hide.

  A mental note: this is shaping up to be one hell of an event.

  She wanted to survive just to see what’ll happen next. Looking at the disappearing pools of blood the dead players left, it seems like a regular event. Unlike her, they were not sticking around to see this thing through. They were just porting home. The prospect of riding the ferry again made Maia nauseous and solidified her decision to stick around. Even if it meant arriving dead and waiting for someone to raise her.

  The pirates all wore black except for their shining weapons. One of them stood in the middle of the main deck and raised his sword, “The ship is ours.” A lush black beard, black bandana and a bulky sword, just missing a parrot for a full typical pirate looks. The others didn't look far off. Either they were NPCs, or players doing this pirating thing full time.

  The other goons cheered on. Some of them dragged few NPCs along and forced them to their knees in front of the black bearded guy. Maia tried to check the pirates, all anon.

  Not able to hear the conversation she only saw one of the NPCs standing to face the pirate’s leader, got punched in the gut then thrown to the others to finish him off. They took turns throwing punches and kicks before one of them tossed him off the ship. The gang burst in a unison laugh.

  One of the pirates whispered to their leader and they pointed towards her. Her heart skipped a beat. The man started checking few boxes and barrels while making his way towards the stern. At the very end of the ferry she squeezed herself behind some boxes squinting through a small opening looking into her eventual doom. Perhaps it’s time to die valiantly like the other boys? Or jump? At least she had the presence of mind to go anon before all of this. She didn’t want some pirates having her name on their kill-on-sight list.

  The man drew closer. With every step she went through her options. Jump? Fight? Surrender? She clutched her kunai when a hand forced her shoulder down, “Guess it can’t be helped, I’ll have to intervene.”

  Maia looked behind her. The warm smile greeted her. When did he get here?

  “Just stay here.” The wizard said and stood raising both hands, “please don’t kill me. I’m just an old man hitching a ride.”

  Startled, the approaching pirate drew his sword, “What the?” the other pirates looked this way, “just an old man. Come here slowly,” he waved his sword beckoning the wizard towards him.

  The wizard smiled, took out his staff and before the pirate could react hit him across the chest blowing him out of the ferry and into the water. The wizard clutched his staff and continued towards the others.

  The pirates screamed all kind of profanities and charged towards the old man. This was when Maia realized it, the thing that nagged at the back of her head about this wizard ever since they met. He was an old man. Not young, buffed and curved like all of the other players. In her few days Dreaming Orora, she did not encounter an old player. Who in his or her right mind, given the option, wouldn’t take away all those wrinkles and extra fat? Yes, you could not change your height or limbs length, but body shape and looks were up for grabs.

  Could he be an NPC? Or just an old man proud of his wrinkles? Maybe a wise old wizard fan, there was no shortage of those in fantasy games and movies.

  Few more swings and most of the pirates were either smeared to one side of the ship or swimming with the fishes. Their leader stood alone facing the wizard. Shaking in his boots, “you, damn you old man, the-”

  Before he finished the old man’s staff sparkled white and a bright lightning shot the pirate in the chest. He disintegrated to a puddle of blood before his body managed to hit the ground. It was brutal, yet amazing. The NPCs cheered and approached the old man patting him on the back and thanking him. He just smiled and waved them away.

  A mental note: wizards are awesome.

  Yes, you can be any job in Orora anytime you like, but certain jobs have certain ways to unlock them. Many became well known by everyone over the years, but there are still the elusive and rare jobs that are known amongst the few.

  6 – One against all

  “Get up scum, the master wants to see you,” a guard said as he opened the cell door. Bale cocked his head unsure of what to say. They pretty much ignored his existence for God knows how long. He furrowed his eyebrows at the guard.

  For an amount of time unbeknown to him, Bale sat in this small cell with no windows, no lights and beyond the cell bars he couldn’t make out but few feet of existence. A wash of relief came over him that they decided to see him at last. They won’t just leave him rot in here after all. The idea that his time has come crossed his mind though, but they wouldn't have bothered to spare him this long just to off him now.

  At the very least, going outside even to be tortured or interrogated would provide for a good reconnaissance for when the time comes for an escape. Got to keep his eyes peeled for patterns and exit locations.

  “You waiting for a fucking invitation? Get up.”

  Bale stood and walked towards the door. Outside, another guard held a torch. “Move it,” the guard shoved Bale from behind.

  They passed few other cells on both sides before descending a flight of stairs. Bale’s sight barely reached beyond the light of the torch the guard ahead of him was holding. They walked through some narrow tunnels fit for one person at a time. Both guards spoke no words at all; their steps and crackle of the torch were the only source of sounds around them. Few more tunnels gave way to a large darkened hall.

  With the exception of a huge flame dancing in the far end, Bale couldn't see anything, neither furniture nor decoration. Just a dark abyss and a fire at its end. It was like looking into the sun in a night’s sky. With every step taking him closer he managed to decipher more details. A set of steps stood between him and the flame. They stretched on both sides to no end. A flaming throne atop a dais shrouded in darkness. The throne itself looked dark as night, but the lashing flames around it shone like day. The flames hissed in a constant exhale. The throne wasn’t burning, but emitting fire.

  A deeper darkness lingered within the throne. The Dark One.

  “Ah, Bale,” a sinister voice said in his head, the same from before.

  The flaming figure stood and tilted his head sideways. The flames on the chair died. It looked nothing more than an ordinary big chair now. The shadow paused for a moment then started to descend the steps. With each step, Bale could feel the malice, the darkness in this creature.

  “Warden of the East.” It was definitely him, his mouth remained closed though, just a voice inside Bale’s head.

  The Dark One circled once around Bale, inspecting. Each step slow, calculated. Bale didn’t move his head to follow. He stopped in front of Bale and leaned forward to take a be
tter look at the flying eagle of Galawar insignia on Bale’s chest armor. Smiled and pulled back.

  “Tell me something, warden. All the time you spent defending that place and not a single soldier was sent to rescue you. Does that not bother you? Do they even care about you?”

  “I chose to defend my kingdom,” Bale said, “It was never the other way around.”

  A sinister laugh bellowed from the shadow, “you amuse me, warden. Fighting for a cause unbeknown to you. Just because you were put there. Created there.” The shadow laughed again, “tell me something warden, do you know why I brought you here?”

  “I’m still searching for an answer.”

  “I think it is better you don't know,” the shadow turned to the guards, “take him back to his cell. Let no one near him. I want him to rot there.”

  Bale wanted to retaliate, say something at first, but what would that accomplish? The guard shoved Bale towards the tunnel they came from, “Move it.”

  They walked back the same way they came from. This time only one guard behind him.

  The guard’s attire had no nation’s insignia, not even a Beastmen armor. “You’re an adventurer, a Recruit, aren’t you? Why are you doing this?”

  The guard laughed, “I don’t answer to you filth,” another shove, “move it.”

  Few more twists and turns in those dim tunnels before some cells appeared around them. The cells were empty as far as Bale could tell, save for one few feet ahead. A shadow hugged the bars. Bale could not see but a large figure in the shadows.

  “Hey, let me out of here,” a woman’s voice shouted, a thick voice, but that of a woman nonetheless, “what the hell does he want with me?”

  It seems she was in the same predicament as Bale. Imprisoned for reasons unbeknown to her. The voice kept shouting and banging on the bars as Bale drew nearer. Not only that, but the shadow kept getting bigger the closer they got. When the torch’s light finally hit the shadow, Bale saw what lingered behind the voice. Surprised, he had to stop at first, another shove from the guard forced him forward.