The Brave Snail

Darkling Plain

There are very few monsters who warrant the fear we have of them

-Andre Gide

Interlude – Soothsayer

A quarter-turn to the left followed by a strafing swing of the halberd. One air assisted step backwards and two steps forward into its guard. He managed a critical hit by slashing upwards in the space between the Frog-Goblin's throat and jaw. The slightly blue glow emanating from the creature's distended chin was the only warning the player received before it shot several bullets of water from its mouth.

The response from the player was quick. A second taken to center his stance and another second to complete his palm thrust that released a wave of air. The water projectiles splashed ineffectively against the impromptu air barrier. The monster did not get the chance for a second attempt, as the player quickly stepped into its guard once more delivering a swift Horizontal and Vertical that lowered the creature's hit points to zero.

A menu then popped up Experience 120, Item(s): Eye of Newt (Quest), Goblin's Tunic.

The player closed it with a twitch of his finger. He swung his sword once, twice, three times before sheathing the blade on his back holster. The black-cloaked figure took a moment to spot his next before dashing forward a jet stream of air trailing behind him. His next target was a 'Lizard Dog' that was languidly perched on a boulder. The player did not slow his pace instead choosing to use his momentum to assist in his attack. He only slowed to gather the air necessary to send him careening through air his sword aglow with the telltale light effects. The reptile hybrid never stood a chance as it dispersed into hundreds of pixels.

The pop menu was closed in the same moment it opened. The player's eyes glowed green, as he probably used his search skill before taking off down the hill at an impressive clip. He jumped clear over a boulder that happened to be in his path without stopping. 'The perks of being an airbender' the observer thought.

The mountainous area was quiet save for the occasional jingle of digital polygons or the ringing sound effect of a critical hit landing. I observed all of this with a slightly detached gaze. I knew the player to be a former beta-tester and his player nameplate read 'Kirito'. Other than that this solo player—a particularly skilled one at that—was a new to me. I did not have time to interact with each player in the beta after all.

In fact, I only met the players who stood out as leaders or pinnacles of a particular style. Blue Devil, Argo the Rat, Vulcan, and Shen were those type of players—to name a few—that I kept an ear out for. The first two were known for their particular skill in politicking and information brokering, respectively. The latter two I knew from the pure lethality with which they wielded their elements. Vulcan had fought an army of two-dozen or so players—of comparable level—without dipping below the green. Shen was terrifying for a completely different reason. The tactics Shen utilized were incredibly uncommon for her element, but she was rarely noticed before landing multiple critical hits.

Throughout the beta each of these players became factions of their own or at the very least able to generate an astounding number of followers. The Devil had already been elected as 'Mayor' of Neptune. It would not be long before he had enough followers to start a faction. Argo was already a veritable millionaire and Vulcan had recently claimed his farming grounds. After the first day, and the list of causalities made known, nobody bothered the sleeping dragon again. I'd been within a mile of the mountain at the time. What I had seen that man do had only hardened my resolve to complete my dream. There were living legends out there now. People who accepted the same tools as everyone else, but created a pyramid with them instead of a house. In this world they've built an epitaph to their greatness, where no one dares to forget them.

Even if this all ended tomorrow, I know it would have been worth it. Even if the authorities somehow found my body, somehow managed to override the plethora of security measures I've prepared, and put an end to this world. I know my dream had already been achieved… at least partially.

This world has yet to be fully explored and there were many surprises in store—even for the testers. Because in a world made to satiate my inherent megalomania, my dream lives. Some would question the validity of my dream, not to mention the sanity. And to those people I would simply point to history. If I can admire anything about humankind—keep in mind I don't think much of the species—then it'd have to be our ability to come together as a community to slay a common enemy. And in this terrifying new world, here be dragons.

January 12th, 2023

I ducked left as a cascade of flames roared past my head. I retaliated by spinning on my heel and sending the contents of a water canister out in loose wave. My attack was evaporated in another gout of flames. Another annoying aspect of fighting firebenders is they have the tendency to deplete a waterbender's water stores. I quickly dived behind a relatively large stone as several balls of fire impacted the earth around me. The stone held as various bursts of flames glanced off its surface. I took a moment to breathe and take account of my resources. I still had the steel dagger I'd taken to carrying around with me and only one canister of water had anything left in it. I unsheathed my dagger before dashing out from my impromptu cover.

The firebender was waiting.

He unleashed a stream of flames in my direction, which I evaded by rolling out of its path. Upon completing my roll I reared back and chucked the steel dagger with all my strength. I hit the firebender in shoulder, but with the blunt hilt of the dagger instead of the actual blade. I let a sound of dismay before jumping up and continuing to avoid the seemingly endless rain of fireballs. As I jumped over a downed tree I spotted my salvation. A single pond, but it had more than enough water to finish the fight. I pivoted on my heel and called the water around me. Just in time to extinguish a sizable fireball that would have knocked me off my feet.

I met the firebender's eyes before charging forward. As he swung his fist forward to jettison more flames, I jumped and swung my left leg horizontally right. A lash of water cut across the distance between us and hit the firebender's right leg knocking him off balance and halting his attack at the same time. I landed before making my next move, which always required more focus than I liked to give. The water I collected from the pond flowed swiftly forward and caught the firebender's legs, then torso, and finally arms. I had to focus and slow my breathing as the water gradually froze in time with my breath.

It was over. I grinned.

"I won this time." The firebender scowled at me before releasing a sigh and shrugging. "I can't win them all. You still haven't beat me at a weapons only duel."

It was my turn to shrug before waving a hand at him. This motion caused the ice that had incapacitated the firebender to melt and gradually began to coalesce into a sphere of water. "I won't deny that weapons aren't my thing, but it's not easy to manipulate an element in tune with your body. If you are an awkward person you'll never be particularly skilled at bending."

I drew the sphere of water closer and then split it evenly into my empty water canisters refilling them. I then added. "Plus using a piece of metal to fight is far less impressive."

"Hey! Those pieces of metal are the only thing some people have in this world." My auburn haired friend said as he patted and squeezed at his armor trying to get the water out. Again I shrugged as I paused to think. Pakku was still out there somewhere. Possibly searching for his daughter's murderer or maybe like me he had moved on. I suppose it's much easier to forget if you only knew the person for little more than a day. Rose had been his daughter. I can't imagine a father as caring as him would forget. Nor would he forgive.

"You're right, but I'm not one of those people and neither are you." I resisted the gut urge to criticize his inefficient drying methods. He was a firebender he could simply steam the water off of him. Then again my friend had admitted to investing most of his points into spirituality, which translates to pure power with little control. He might burn himself if he tried it. The man sighed before scratching at his hair. "Doesn't mean the skill is useless. Even knights with magical powers need to know how to swing a sword. How else could they impress the damsel?"

I couldn't resist the sigh that escaped my mouth. If I learned anything from being friends with this guy, is there are extremely idealistic people out there. This redhead who I have tentatively taken to calling a friend is one such person. The first time I saw him he was facing down a pack of dire wolf-rats alone trying to protect a newbie earthbender. Despite the small part of me that wanted to leave the pair for dead, I ended up helping the firebender chase off the pack. After the battle, much to my chagrin, he insisted on getting my name and adding me as a friend. He had swiftly introduced himself as Klein and latched onto my hand to give me a completely unwanted handshake.

The novice earthbender had simply run off upon noticing the fact that neither of us was of his nation. Given the option of walking away or having to listen to Klein constantly thank me for saving his life, I might have run away too. But in that instance I didn't run from saving someone I had no prerogative to help. I'd like to think that means I'm somehow becoming a better person, but I'm not so sure. I was still very much a dick that much I knew. If some of Klein's reactions to my occasional attempts at socializing were any indication. I'd made at least three more friends though, which is impressive for me.

Two of them were really Klein's friends, but I sometimes messaged them to see if they could party with me, so I was at least acquainted with them. The third friend I'd made had been a weird guy named Ducker. He'd asked me to help him with a particular difficult swamp dungeon. As a firebender, he had a lot of problems actually fighting the monsters with his element. I have to admit my ego inflated slightly when I was able to handle several mobs while he had to whittle down one with his weakened flames and a halberd.

I was startled from thoughts when a bag was thrown at my face. I caught it, barely. I palmed the bad and tossed it once to hear the contents clink again. "What the hell, Klein?"

The man just grinned. "That's your take for the sparring lessons." Oh yeah, I was the type of kid to make his friends pay for sparring. It was one, of many, things I needed to redact from the first conversation I had with Klein.

"I uh-I don't need it. You can keep the col man." I made to toss it back to him, but he stopped me with a raised hand. "I insist. Consider it payment for saving me then."

Is that a serious look on Klein's face? Does he have cancer? Do I?! "Klein? Why so serious? I promise it was no trouble for m-" Klein shook his head and cut me off—annoying. "It might not have been important to you, but it was to me and probably that other noob you saved."

Ouch. I hope realized I wasn't undervaluing the worth of his life …then again I had debated leaving them to die. Another aspect of my personality I needed to work on. Right. Apathy not a trait commonly admired by others. Check.

I didn't say anything for a few moments. I definitely didn't tell Klein what I actually thinking. I was improving, but sentimentality is still beyond me. "Thanks?" I said lamely. What else was there to say? 'Your welcome?' or 'I didn't actually want to save you, but I would feel bad since I knew somebody who got killed in the early game?'. I really hate this emotional stuff. Klein seemed to accept it at least, nodding his head and starting off in the direction of Cyprus town. I followed, from a distance, afraid he would try to strike another conversation with me.

I didn't even see the monster before she was on me.

Heat rushed past my face. A brief flash followed by more heat. Another flash a series this time, I heard somebody grunt probably a male. I was last with Klein… I opened my eyes and looked around.

Oh, the forest is on fire. The once green expanse was now little more than fire and ash. I turned to my left. More fire still, but at least I located Klein. He was on the ground convulsing and twitching. Well that's not good. "Oh the little kitten has awoken."

A woman's voice drifted to me from the right. I turned again and blinked. If there is a word to describe her its viciously beautiful. She also looked terrifying. Standing there in ruby red and silver plated armor, it was apparent to what nation she belonged. 'Another insane firebender is it in the blood?'

"Stand up, kitten. I prefer prey to be standing when smitten." And she came with rhymes great. I did not wait for tell me again. Placing both hands on the ground I pushed off into a handstand. 'Thank god this world has video game physics' I thought as I kicked out a leg sending a missile of water at the wordsmith. She deflected it with the bracers of her armor without really reacting. I sprung off my hands into a normal waterbending stance as she clapped her hand together.

'Is that- holy shit!' I rolled my body at the hip raising the best water barrier I could in so little time. Lightning danced across the surface of my shield; I was suddenly thankful water was a good conductor. I didn't wait for the fire bender to get another strike in.

I sent disc after disc of water at the bender using the water of my still sparking barrier. The woman dodged these attacks unlike the first. She was as agile as fucking Azula dammit. When she paused to limbo under the seventh disc I stepped up to the barrier, as it was no longer sparking with electricity and stuck both hands in. The water from the barrier was just being divided evenly on each arm as the woman reared back up. She immediately sent out another bolt of lightning. I brought both arms down, while siphoning heat from the ends. The iced water warms shattered as the lightning struck, but I only felt a brief jolt of electricity instead being hit directly.

I spun on the spot sharpening both arms into scythe-like constructs. She avoided the attack by crouch on the spot. She placed both hands on the ground and suddenly she was on me. I haven't even seen an airbender move that fast. She struck on the hip once setting me off balance and as I began to fall backwards I kicked futilely with my left leg a weak lash of water following the movement. I seemed to have surprised her because she took the hit in the face with a grunt.

In the next moment my back hit the ground and an armored boot was on my throat. If her expression was crazy now it's positively unhinged. 'Is this an Azula cosplayer or something? She certainly has the lightning 'powa', but I've yet to see the telltale fire.'

I grabbed the boot and pushed weakly against it. She didn't move an inch. I glanced to the top left. I was in the yellow and slowly entering red. Today is the day I die…

Huh, I could have sworn I would be surrounded by loved ones or something, when I die. She bent at the hip too look me in eyes as I died. Her expression slowly fell into the apathetic expression my own face held. Her long dark brown tickled my nose as her head drew nearer. And then she spoke. "You're no kitten are you? You're a wolf in sheep's clothing. The imbecile over there is a mere follower to you, no?"

I didn't know what to say. So I didn't say anything. She continued unheeded. "Okay Wolf-who-thinks-himself-cattle I have three demands as the one who is sparing your life."

What.

She was jolted into an upright position and removed her foot from throat. I looked back to my health bar. A small chunk of the flashing red bar left. I slowly massaged my throat out of reflex than any real pain. She merely grinned down at me.

"First, you must cultivate fame. I don't care how. If you want to become a great merchant or something equally sheep-like go ahead." She shrugged taking a step back and deliberately turning her back to me. I didn't take the obvious bait. She turned back to me with a pout. "Very sheep-like indeed."

With that comment she raised her index finger and then raised her middle as she spoke. "Second, you must attain strength. In order you must embrace your true nature."

The grin she gave me as she said this was reminiscent of a devil. Her ring finger then joined the other two. "And finally, you must find me. Try to kill me alone, you'll fail, and then you'll become my friend and follower until you can."

This woman was insane and suicidal. I suppose they come hand-in-hand often enough. I opened my mouth to speak, but she shushed me—annoying. She paused at the expression that have crossed my face "Oh my, I see you have a wolf's eyes still. Do something about sheep clothing though. But as I was going to say, no comments. I don't answer to you or anybody or anybody's god."

"I'm tired of depending on the kindness of strangers." The brunette smiled at me. It was disconcerting because underneath all that crazy there was a world-weary woman. She waved lightly before turning and stalking off into the burning forest. She stopped before she was out of earshot. And despite the crackling forest fire I heard her clearly.

"Please be careful out there. You're no Saint George after all and I'm not that rare a beast to be honest. In this beautiful new world, here be dragons."

I decided not to end this chapter on cliffhanger and added the entire fight to the end. Well it's been a while so here it is! R&R people!