Once more Victoria slept uneasily, her mind was filled with uncertainty and nameless dread. Groaning she found that she had risen before her alarm had sounded, “its not worth it.” She said as she stared at the clock. She found a small open space in her room then she lowered herself and did twenty full push-ups. This time she saw a notification come up and then disappear.

You have performed strength training.

You gain 0.001 to strength.

“Ugh.” She groaned as she realized that that would equate to over two thousand push-ups to raise her strength even one point. “There has got to be a better way.” She said aloud not realizing the positive effect of seeing real progress. She did a further three sets and saw a similar message with each set. Then she tried doing sit-ups. “My attributes grew a lot quicker yesterday,” she muttered as she continued to work out. She felt that she had raised her strength an infinitesimal amount. She dried the light sweet off her body, then began dressing for the day. She, of course, wore her school uniform, she chuckled at the thought of what she would do in college when she could wear whatever she wanted. That was still a far off dream for her, however.

“Hey Lacie,” She called softly looking for the little pixie. “Lacie,” she said looking in her bed and around the room> Shrugging she brushed her hair then left looking for breakfast. She found her brother Vincent already in the kitchen with a large bowl of cereal.

“Morning sis.” He mumbled through a mouth full of sugary paste.

“Uhh, how can you eat that? I think I’m getting diabetes just looking at you eat.” She had a disgusted look on her face.

Vincent just shrugged as he mumbled through another bite. “With a spoon.” Before smacking down another bite. The teen shuddered but turned around to find her own breakfast, but stopped as a realization hit her.

“Vince why are you up this early?” she said giving her brother a sharp look.

“Couldn’t sleep. I kept hearing cats or something fighting outside.” He said grumpily. Victoria noted the tired look in his eyes and wondered if that had been her problem. Was she hearing some of the catfight, then she remembered that Lacie had gone flying the perimeter of the home? While she had appeared to be unseen by the rest of her family could she be seen by something else? She went to the back door. “Where you going?” her brother grunted.

“I’m going to go see if there is anything that needs to be cleaned up, you know how mom would be if she found a dead cat in the yard. Vincent nodded his agreement and understanding.

“If you need me.” He said disinterestedly in what his sister was going to go do.

This march was a cold month in San Antonio, in comparison to past years. However, the teen still found it warm enough for a quick jaunt outdoors. Her brothers and her parent's rooms were both on the rear side of the home While her bedroom was in the front of the house. The back yard garden she found was a wreck with the stems of last years flowers hacked and damaged while there was a trail of destruction that led to a hole in the fence that had not been there only days before. Quickly she thought and grabbed a short spade that had been hanging on the outside of the garden shed. Then she hopped the fence to follow the trail that had been left in the disturbed soil. She followed the trail into the woods just behind her house. She noticed that it lead to a dark patch in the forest. “Let's be smart about this Victoria.” She said to herself.

She moved off the trail instead of rushing in to see if Lacie was in the den or if something else lived there. After a minute or two she had seen no hint of movement. Trying to be quiet and cautious she tried to sneak up to the den, it almost looked like a cave that had been formed by the collapse of two or more trucks. The depression was to dark for her to see into. But she recalled one of her spells. And cast light orb. There was a flare of intense light forming a globe of bright energy in her hand. Delighted she tossed the ball of light into the darkness. The ball hung at the lip of the cave then a stray breeze pushed the ball over the edge and it rolled down. Victoria Hurried up to the lip to look into the depression illuminating a room that was slightly taller than she was.

She found herself bounding the last few steps even as the ball of light fell down the incline. As she drew near she heard a loud growl and cry of rage as something bounded up toward her. She caught sight of a blue streak that came out of the underbrush. Reflexively she batted at the object in the air with the spade that she carried.

Roaming Gnome attacks you:

You attack Roaming Gnome using an unconventional weapon.

You hit the Roaming Gnome for 40 damage.

You Gain 0.01 Strength.

The gnome streaked back into the brush it had lept from as the blade of the spade bit into it. Though the creature had been knocked back it tough exterior aided it in its recovery. “You Hunters think you knows everythin. Well piss off and get offa my lawn.” It screamed as it drew a knife that in its hands gave the appearance of a mighty sword.

“Screw off. Twerp.” Victoria riposted in an attempt to emotionally wound the short figure before her.

“After I cut you and drink your power then I’m going to do the same to the pixie.” She saw the evil grin on the creature's face.

“Why me short shit?” She growled.

“Because hunters kills up and I need the power. I can’t live on cats and dogs no more it’s time I moves up in the world.” Victoria was startled and looked around her. She noted what looked like whitish sticks scattered around the hole.

“You’re the one? So my kitten didn’t run away?” She said in horror as she remembered a small kitten she got as a child and then the numerous missing pet posters around the neighborhood. “That is so gross!” she said as she thrust out her hand and cast energy missile at the small twisted monster that was a caricature of a man. She kept firing energy darts at him as he tried to flee. She found though that she had a little bit of control over the darts and they lashed the creature's body. Dirt exploded around it. “Whomp, Whomp” The soft dirt flew into the air and obscured her vision.

You attack Roaming Gnome with energy darts.

Roaming Gnome takes 65 Damage.

You attack Roaming Gnome with energy darts.

Roaming Gnome takes 37 damage.

You attack Roaming Gnome with energy darts.

Roaming Gnome Dodges.

Roaming Gnome Attack You.

The notification scrolled up giving Victoria no warning as the creature lept out fo the dust and dirt that hung in the air. Victoria caught a glimpse of a glint in the creatures raised hands and ducked to the side.

Roaming Gnome Hits you with Gnomish short sword.

You take 89 Damage.

She felt the pain burst inside her skull and didn’t know how she would continue to fight. She noted a flashing bar in the upper left of her vision that signified her health. The Gnome had taken nearly half of her health way when he had plunged it in her arm. She pushed forward though and managed to jerk the handle from his grasp. In her right hand, she brought up the handle of the spade then whipped it around bringing the blade across the gnomes midsection. She found she couldn't pay attention to the notifications and fight. She revered the handle and cracked the gnome in the skull with the improvised object causing it to lose its footing and stumble back. “Gnomes rule!” it bellowed as it got itself under control.

By then it was far too late as the teenager brought the full force of her strength down on the misshapen creature using an ax strike. The spades blade cut down through the gnomes rocky exterior and it fell in half its energy spiraling out into the cosmos. Victoria was huffing and puffing as she dropped the handle. She saw the edge of the blade had been scoured of rust. She stumbled over to the cave and saw a prone form of a small pixie. Lacie lay there bound and gagged with eyes wide with fear.

“I really should have questioned it more.” She said. She winced as she bent down. “Are you okay?” She asked. The pixie nodded and mumbled through the gag. Victoria pulled the gnomish sword from her arm with a cry of pain and a gush of blood. She quickly cast her healing spell on her self then used it to cut Lacie's bonds. and examined it.

Gnomish Short Sword: This is a fine example of gnomish craftsmanship a serviceable blade used to harm the unwary. Created by a race with a perpetual little man's complex. The jagged edge is designed to cause harm and not cut cleanly.

Damage 50-100: +1 Strength.

“I think its time to go home.” She said as she stood up and spoke to the pixie. “I can’t go to school like this.” Closing her eyes she mourned her lost kitten and missed the notification.

You have gained 358 energy. You have gained a level.

You are now level 2.

“What about the rest of the loot?” Lacie asked the girl.

She looked at her and replied.”Get whats valuable and we can put it in the house I guess.” The pixie picked through the rat's nest of things the gnome had to save. It made for a small bundle that fit into Victoria”s pocket. “I still have the Dorgon to deal with.” Victoria sighed in frustration. “Thank god it's Friday at least.