The Mudlands
1095 Words
Blade and his team crossed the plains of Enorcal to get to the Mudlands. There drastic change in the topography of the land marked the clear division between the Mudlands and the Enorcal. As soon as the team emerged from the plains, wet brown earth squished beneath their boots. They slowed down to a walk, taking note of the surroundings. Everyone gripped their weapons, alert to any signs of the boss they’re hunting.
“What does Stagra look like?” Valeria asked in a low voice over the communication link.
“A huge rock shaped like RagingInferno,” Blade replied.
“You mean he’s ugly as f?”
Blade’s response was a light laugh, together with B-Champ and Shadowstrikes.
“What do you mean ugly? You haven’t seen me in person, girl. You might change your mind. For all we know, you’d fall in love with me,” RagingInferno protested.
“Me? Fall in love with a cro-magnon like you? Ew.”
“Hah! You might eat your words later.”
“No, thanks. I have a girlfriend,” Valeria shot back.
“You like girls?” Shadowstrikes asked.
“And boys, too. I’m too fabulous for one gender only.”
“I see.”
“Are you surprised?”
“To be honest? No,” Shadowstrikes admitted. “But don’t get me wrong, it’s alright if you’re bisexual. We don’t mind.”
“And I don’t give a s**t if you do. Why aren’t you surprised though?”
“Because you’re not the first bisexual person we encountered,” RagingInferno interrupted.
“Really? Then who’s the first?”
“Me,” Shadowstrikes admitted.
“No way!” Valeria exclaimed.
“Yes, way.”
“Uh, guys? You might want to drop that talk for later. Our guest is here,” Blade’s voice reminded everyone.
Everyone quieted. From a distance, the hulking figure of Stagra loomed, as if he’s waiting for them. The fallen warrior remained unmoving as his eyes tracked the approaching group’s movements.
“What are we going to do? Attack first?” B-Champ asked.
“Not yet. RagingInferno would be the decoy before we move. Val?”
“Yes, captain?”
“Unleash Black Rain on him first. Wait for my signal first before attacking, Stagra must be at the maximum allowable range of your attack and it’s imperative that you’re not anywhere near his. RagingInferno, you ready?”
RagingInferno rolled back his shoulders. “Ready when you are, captain.”
“Good. Break formation, except Valeria. Stay at the back. You guys take the front with me. No one should step in earlier than the others. Do you understand?”
“Yes, captain!”
“After Valeria unleashed Black Rain, we attack. Val, watch out for everyone’s health bars. Your healing might be a far cry from a pure Healer Sidhe but yours has no cool down. Keep your eyes on your mana, though. Don’t get carried away.”
“Ah?” Valeria couldn’t hide her surprise.
“You didn’t know?” Blade asked, equally surprised.
“No.”
“Oh. I thought you chose to build your character as a Hybrid because you’re aware of the advantage.”
“No. I wanted to be a Hybrid Sidhe because I want some attack power. I don’t want to be limited to healing and be totally dependent on my team mates for leveling up,” Valeria admitted.
“Good call, though,” RagingInferno praised.
“Thanks.”
“But compared to other Hybrid Sidhes, your healing is a dozen times stronger so you’ll be able to maximize it’s use in aiding your team mates. You turned into a very important factor in team battles,” Shadowstrikes said.
“It’s all thanks to you, guys.”
“Credits to the captain,” B-Champ agreed.
“We’re a team, credits goes to everyone.”
Suddenly, RagingInferno shouted. “Guys! Incoming!”
They all shifted their camera view above. True enough, a flaming rock was flying in the air, headed into their midst. In a flash, everyone leapt away to safety. Valeria was originally safe at the back so all she did was take a few steps back. The four shielded her.
The flaming rock landed with a loud smack, splashing mud around. The flames at the bottom of the rock was immediately doused, leaving the half part of it smoking. It slowly sank into the mud, the flames gradually disappearing.
“Who stepped in Stagra’s attack radius?” B-Champ asked.
RagingInferno’s embarassed chuckle floated into their com links.
“Ah, that must be me. I remember stepping back a little before the attack came.”
“It’s alright. You’re originally the decoy. So go, do your thing,” Blade ordered.
“Now?”
“No, tomorrow. Of course, now. What are thinking? That monster would be cutting us all down any given moment,” Shadowstrikes mocked.
“Okay, okay. Don’t get your panties in a wad. Jeez!”
RagingInferno lumbered off, muttering something unintelligible to himself. They all watched him faced off with Stagra.
“Come on, guys. Get into position,” Blade reminded his remaining team mates.
They started moving. Liwan kept his eyes on RagingInferno, noting his health bar.
“Val, heal.”
“W-What? Who?” Valeria was obviously startled.
“RagingInferno.”
“So soon?”
“Yes. Your healing at this point would only restore his health points up to fifteen percent. Even if you maxed out eventually with good equipment, you can only heal a team mate’s health up to thirty percent.”
Valeria did not respond but did as she was told. From their spot, they saw RagingInferno’s health bar climbed up into a steady pace until it stopped. Blade did not lie about Valeria’s healing.
“But will this be enough?” Valeria asked.
“It’s more than enough. Don’t stress yourself about it,” Blade assured her. “We won’t be stagnant in this state forever. Once we get to equip everyone with good weapons and armor sets, you won’t have to be worried about us. You will get to be a Sidhe who dishes out pretty good damage. Have a little faith in everyone. Remember, we’re a team.”
“Yes, captain.”
“Guys, how long are you going to keep this up? I’m getting pummeled!” RagingInferno complained.
“I’m healing you, stupid,” Valeria mocked. “You’re not going to die anytime soon, not on my watch.”
“Hey, I remember the plan is for me to take Stagra’s aggro and then you put him to sleep. Why is he still wide awake!”
“Oh.” Valeria laughed. “Sorry, I got carried away. I’m still new to this healing thing, you know.”
“f**k! Get your ass working, woman! Put this big boulder to sleep!”
“On it.” Valeria turned to Blade. “Is it time, cap?”
“Yes. Put him to sleep. Everyone, get ready for combined attacks.”
The moment Valeria drew her bow, Blade and the rest rushed towards the fighting Stagra and RagingInferno. With Valeria’s healing, RagingInferno could at least stand up to Stagra. But he alone is not enough to chisel down Stagra’s defense and bring down the boss’s health bar.
Swosh!
Valeria’s arrows flew, leading the rushing characters towards Stagra.
- Writer
