[ZERO SPACE]

“GRAVITY SMASH!!”

Umi’s war hammer crafted a bright brown Level 2 gravity dome, arranging twenty goblins in a stack for --

“FURY STRIKES!!”

DangerFace869 unloaded a hundred Level 2 fists, tearing through goblins and gravel.

Seventeen goblins swooped in --

“SUBTLE SLICE!!”

A pink flash of Level 2 energy! Lanzer was now behind these goblins, his claws raised towards the sky.

SLICE

Seventeen goblin heads erupted into red geysers.

Twelve goblins took their place.

“PIERCING SHOT!!”

Shae’s Level 2 pierced through one boulder, two tree trunks, and twelve goblins.

Seven goblins remained, each lacking the common sense and programming to retreat. They charged forward in one final suicide mission.

“LIGHT BEAM!!”

Asira’s Level 2 light melted them like candles, setting Sunlight Forest ablaze.

Every last goblin was dead. An army of hundreds, defeated in less than sixty seconds.

“Yes!” yelled Asira. “My level two is so powerful!”

“I love your level two!” Umi shouted.

“I should rename it to like, Laser Light, or Ultra Killer Sword Flash Death Ray!” said Asira.

“No no no,” said Lanzer. “It’s made of light. It’s a beam. The name makes sense!”

Bander played golf with a goblin head.

“This sucks,” said Bander. “I didn’t get to do anything.”

“Good,” said Shae. “If you have to heal, that means we screwed up.”

Shae stared into the setting sun - less than an hour of daylight remained. Plenty of time to reach the tower, and subsequently: the path.

“Umi, you need to sneak past goblin watchtowers,” said Shae.

“I knew Ledgess would watch over us,” said Umi.

“Ledgess is about to watch me kick your ass, idiot,” said Bander. “At least it wasn’t Danger Face this time.”

“Call me Dane,” said DangerFace869.

A guild in shimmering silver armor strutted past. Another guild strolled by, donning flowing sorcerer robes. And then one more guild, in grinning crescent-moon masks.

“They look strong,” said DangerFace869.

“Do you think they’re looking for the path too?” asked Asira.

“Nope nope nope,” said Lanzer. “Only developers and premium account users can see or use paths!”

A green armoroid flew alongside Shae’s group, buzzing along with beetle-like wings. It was half Bander’s size and coated in spikes, discouraging hugs or headpats.

“Looks like we have a new friend!” shouted Umi. “Hello small new friend!”

DangerFace869 swatted at the armoroid. It moved.

“That’s a player, right?” asked Shae.

“Yup yup yup,” said Lanzer. “I think it is.”

“Can we help you?” asked Asira.

The green armoroid didn’t answer.

“If you don’t need anything, buzz off,” said Bander.

The armoroid did exactly that, buzzing towards the tree cover and out of sight. It tore through leaves and branches, before eventually landing next to a tentacloid in a suit of knight armor. This was Tambien of the Deadly Skulls. He crossed his arm tentacles, leaning on his mighty lance.

“What did you learn Kezzle?” asked Tambien, looking down at the little armoroid.

Kezzle flapped her wings.

“She’s not much of a talker,” muttered Tambien.

Parper twirled his curved dagger between his fingers, giving Tambien a sly puppoid smile.

“Kezzle’s committed to her character,” said Parper. “Just like the two of us!”

“At least our characters talk,” Tambien muttered.

Parper knelt before Kezzle.

“Come now Kezzle,” said Parper. “This is very important. We just need to know if Shae’s group is also looking for the Dragon Sword.”

Kezzle flapped her wings.

“Kezzle,” said Tambien. “Flap your wings once if they’re looking for the Dragon Sword. Flap your wings twice if they’re here for some other reason.”

Kezzle flapped her wings many times.

“Curses,” said Tambien.

“It’s alright,” said Parper. “We’ll just have to keep following for a while. The Dragon Sword doesn’t appear until nightfall anyway.”

“As long as we don’t lose them,” Tambien muttered. “Master Valdi will want a full report.”

“We did a great job tracking Shae through the Battle Royale,” said Parper. “I’m confident we can do it again here. Let us be on our way!”

Parper, Tambien and Kezzle treaded the outskirts of the treeline, keeping Shae’s party in sight.

Asira watched with envy as a team of ninjas swung through the trees. Sometimes she regretted being an orange ninja. Orange helped her stand out, but as a stealth user, standing out was her last priority. Still, that was how people knew her. Modifying her outfit would have social repercussions.

Screams rattled the trees. A lone ninja emerged, taking three steps forward before fainting from a bite mark in his neck.

More screams reverberated from the forest.

“No no no,” said Lanzer. “The sun’s still out! This is too soon!”

“Oh no,” said Asira. “Please no. Not now.”

Nearby trees rocked and leaned from unseen battles.

Shae tensed up. He had never actually been in Sunlight Forest after dark. He had only heard the rumors. As with glitch missions, common sense kept him out.

“We’re screwed,” said Bander.

“Don’t worry buddy,” said Umi. “Ledgess will watch over us!”

A goblin poked its head out from behind a tree. Then another one. And one more - three goblins in total.

These weren’t normal goblins however: these ones had dark gray skin and red beady eyes. They didn’t need axes or slings; their long teeth and claws worked just fine.

The goblin trio surrounded Shae’s party, dancing in circles with serpentine fluidity.

“There’s only three of them,” said Shae. “Conserve your SP.”

“No no no,” said Lanzer. “Don’t conserve too much SP!”

“GRAVITY SMASH!”

Umi assumed his Level 1 would be more than enough for three simple goblins --

He assumed wrong. The goblins stumbled, yet held their ground.

“FURY STRIKES!”

DangerFace869 conserved SP with a Level 1, as per Shae’s suggestion. Dozens of fuschia fists thumped against a goblin’s torso. It was like punching a tree. A tree however, would have fallen.

This goblin retaliated with a swift claw swipe. DangerFace869 felt around his own throat - yup, it was gone. He was dead.

“Don’t hold back you idiots!” yelled Bander. “These goblins are the real deal!”

“LIGHT BEAM!!”

Asira was way ahead of Bander, sending a Level 2 ray of melting light towards a goblin foe. Unfortunately, this goblin was way ahead of Asira. He rolled under the beam, then kicked Asira’s snout so hard that her head turned backwards.

“SUBTLE SLASH!!”

A pink Level 2 flash! Lanzer was suddenly behind a goblin, his metal claws wet with blood.

SLICE

A large gash formed on the goblin’s face, spreading from its jaw to its eyes. That would leave a mark, but it wouldn’t leave a corpse.

The goblin growled.

“Uh oh,” said Lanzer. “Sorry sorry sorry.”

The goblin’s claws made a deeper gash in Lanzer - one that spread from his brain to his intestines.

A third goblin caught Umi in the middle of his ability-recharge. This goblin ripped out Umi’s heart, biting into it like a juicy red apple.

Shae stepped in front of Bander.

“Bander,” said Shae. “Stay behind me.”

“No duh,” said Bander.

“RICOCHET SHOT!”

-- Deflecting off a goblin’s chin.

-- Bouncing off a goblin’s nose.

-- The third goblin bit down, catching the bullet between his teeth.

Ricochet Shot was only at Level 1 - Shae should have known better. These goblins didn’t give him a second chance. All three leapt upon him, ripping him and his outfit to tatters.

“You idiots,” said Bander. “SELFLESS SAVIOR!!”

Five Level 2 spotlights descended from the heavens, one for each fallen party member. The Feather Birds reassembled.

“Level 2’s only!” shouted Shae. “Protect Bander!”

A fourth goblin emerged from behind Shae, pulling off Bander’s head with ease.

Shae paled.

“We really need more healers!” Umi laughed.

“Protect Shae!” yelled Lanzer. “Run run run!”

All five of them took off in a sprint. The edge of the forest wasn’t far. They just had to hold out a little longer.

“GRAVITY SMASH!!”

Umi’s Level 2 brought four goblins to their knees.

“I’ll handle them!” shouted Umi. “Get Shae to that path-thing!”

Umi’s warhammer pounded on goblin flesh. In all of Umi’s Zero Space experience, he had never encountered foes like this before. They appeared frail, but their flesh was like steel. These NPCs didn't play fair.

The goblins ripped off Umi’s arms, beating him to death with them.

Four Feather Birds remained, and there were just as many goblins. The forest’s edge was close, but the goblins were closer.

DangerFace869 looked back - all four goblins grouped together, united by Umi’s slaughter.

“Run Shae,” said DangerFace869, stepping into position. “FURY STRIKES!!”

A forcefield of Level 2 fists walloped the goblins. Bumps and bruises rose across gray goblin flesh. Then DangerFace869 disappeared into a whirlwind of teeth and claws.

Lanzer stopped running.

“Shae Shae Shae,” said Lanzer. “You can do this! Go go go!”

Shae nodded.

“SUBTLE SLASH!!”

A pink flash! All four goblins stood in stunned silence as Level 2 claws phased through them. It wasn’t the pain or surprise that rendered them stationary; it was just part of the move’s cinematic flair. For exactly three seconds, the goblins were enthralled.

SLICE

A series of cuts cleaved through goblin faces. No casualties, but plenty of bruises. These goblins gave Lanzer a lethal makeover.

Rays of sunset dotted the treeline just ahead. Shae and Asira sprinted faster.

“Can I fly on you?” asked Shae.

“No!” Asira snapped. “You’re too fat for that.”

Shae took that personally - his character was intended to be twinky.

The goblins closed in. Shae just had to slow them down a little longer.

“POISON SHOT!”

A goopy green bullet made a single goblin sneeze. That was it. These goblins had Level 1 antibodies.

“LIGHT BEAM!”

Asira’s orange swords projected a Level 1 spotlight. Her Level 2 incinerating beam was too slow, but nothing was faster than the speed of light.

Blinded, the lead goblin stumbled over a tree root. In turn, his colleagues stumbled over him.

All four goblins were down for the count - a three second count. Then they were up again, making up for lost time with a frantic burst of speed.

The forest exit was just ahead --

A goblin’s claws ripped through Asira’s back and wings. She let out a shrill pteranoid screech.

“PIERCING SHOT!!”

A point-blank Level 2 purple bullet passed through one end of a goblin’s face, then out the other. The goblins eyes turned inwards towards a large gaping hole in his face. He blinked once, then fell over, dead at last.

Shae knew the same trick wouldn’t work on the other three. NPCs could adapt to player strategies. Especially intelligent NPCs.

“PIERCING SHOT!!”

All three goblins ducked down; they were too smart for these stupid players.

But no bullet came out - Shae was still on his recharge time. This feint bought Shae and Asira just enough time to breach the forest wall. The two of them stumbled into a field beyond its border.

“Shae, we did it!” said Asira. “We did it!”

Asira then collapsed, clutching her bleeding wound. This would be a one way trip for her. Fortunately, a return trip wasn’t on the itinerary.

All three goblins snarled and hissed from the forest’s edge. According to game rules, goblins couldn’t leave the forest. This seemed to apply to dark goblins too.

Shae was tempted to quip that these goblins couldn’t “make like a tree and leave.” But after dealing with the Goblin King, it seemed safer not to taunt NPCs into breaking their own rules.

Instead, Shae employed a new strategy - these goblins were just playing their assigned roles. They were evil, but only because they were made that way. Credit was due where credit was due.

“Nice job guys,” said Shae. “You got most of us.”

All three goblins gawked.

“We’ll see you next time,” said Shae.

“Screw you premium!” one of the goblins said.

“Yeah, kiss my goblin ass!” another said.

“We’re gonna kill you slow!” said the last goblin.

The three of them departed with indignance. Shae was speechless, but at least he was alive.

“Shae, did you say something?” asked Asira.

“Yeah,” said Shae. He didn’t know how else to answer.

“Can you carry me to the tower?” asked Asira. “I’ve always wanted to see it.”

“You’re too fat,” Shae said.

“Come on,” said Asira. “You owe me for helping you get here.”

Shae sighed and hoisted her onto his shoulders. Having her arm around his neck wasn’t so bad, especially when it wasn’t trying to choke him. Pteranoid fuzz tickled his chin. Her hot breath rustled his hair. The pounding of her heart calmed his nerves.

Asira didn’t seem to mind either. She leaned her snout against his head, peeking out at her surroundings. Shae’s clothing had a nice texture to it. His expensive cologne smelled sweet. In spite of Asira’s horrible bleeding wound, she was having a nice time.

The last bit of daylight faded, cloaking the field in darkness. Moonlight streaked down the ominous Stone Tower just ahead. This tower was true to its namesake - it was definitely made of stone. And it was even taller than Shae had imagined. Just looking up at it appealed to his acrophobia; he couldn’t comprehend looking down from it.

Two stone tower doors opened wide. The server’s greatest secrets awaited within: the ultimate prize for the ultimate players. Time and SP were fleeting, but Shae couldn’t bear it - he had to take a peek.

Shae set Asira down on the grass.

“Shae, what are you doing?” asked Asira.

“Be right back,” said Shae.

Shae approached the tower doors. He inhaled a deep breath, then stepped inside.

A net of purple energy intercepted him, catapulting him backwards. Shae landed face-up in the soil, right next to Asira. There was definitely a bubble in there. Without satisfying its conditions, Shae couldn’t break through.

Maybe he could climb the tower? Or maybe not: the walls looked slippery and ready to crumble. Asira was in no condition to fly either - the tower probably had defenses for that sort of thing anyway.

Wait -- at the tower’s peak: Shae couldn’t be certain, but he swore he saw movement. A silhouette of a person. Four arms. Maybe a brutoid? That couldn’t be. How could someone possibly be at the top of that tower?

The distant figure stared back with six glowing blue eyes --

“Shae,” Asira interrupted. “Are you okay?”

Shae glanced at her, then looked back -- the figure was gone.

“We should find that path,” said Asira.

Shae nodded, lifting Asira to his shoulders. It was a miracle she was still conscious. Maybe her wound wasn’t as deep as it seemed. Or maybe she just wanted a little more time wrapped around Shae.

Just beyond the tower was a person-sized sphere of green energy. It hovered in place, sucking in surrounding air like a vacuum. This had to be the path; there was nothing else here, aside from a tremendous drop into the ocean.

“There it is,” said Shae.

“There what is?” asked Asira.

Shae placed Asira on the ground.

“I think only I can see it,” said Shae. “I have to do this alone.”

“That’s fine,” said Asira. “I’ll just wait right here.”

Shae ran his hand through the path. His fingers stretched and distorted into its orbit, melding with its existence. It didn’t look much different than a bubble. Shae couldn’t imagine an entirely new server waiting within something that small.

He leaned forward --

“Shae!” Asira cried.

Shae looked back to see a trio of Deadly Skulls standing over Asira. Tambien tipped his visor towards her.

“M’lady,” said Tambien.

Tambien flattened Asira’s head with an armored foot, grinding her brains into mush.

“So much for chivalry,” said Parper, spinning his curved dagger. “That’s not like you to break character.”

“Mercy is within the knight’s code of valor,” said Tambien. “That was a mercy-kill.”

Kezzle flapped her wings.

Shae spun his pistols to his hands.

“Hello again Shae!” said Parper. “We haven’t seen you since the battle royale. How have you been?”

“Shut up,” said Shae. “What do you want?”

“We’re just here to talk,” said Parper. “We saw your struggle in the forest. Those dark goblins only attack if you’re travelling in a group of five or more --”

“Parper!” Tambien interrupted. “Don’t tell him that --”

“PIERCING SHOT!!”

A level two bullet flew forward --

Kezzle launched into an orange meteor blaze. Her tiny armoroid body deflected the bullet, then impacted Shae’s ribs. Shae landed hard against the dirt.

Kezzle returned to Parper and Tambien, flapping her wings.

“Oh that’s right, you haven’t been introduced!” said Parper. “This is Kezzle, our newest member! We just recruited her from another guild!”

Kezzle flapped her wings.

Shae groaned. Only half his ribs remained.

“As you know, the Deadly Skulls are quite selective with recruits,” said Parper. “But Kezzle’s level two just seemed too valuable for Master Valdi to pass up.”

Shae struggled to his feet; another blow like that would be fatal.

His eyes drew a mental path between their three heads. A Ricochet Shot would take out Parper, but Kezzle and Tambien’s armor complicated things.

“Don’t be a fool Shae,” said Tambien. “It’s obvious what you’re planning.”

“Tambien’s right,” said Parper. “You see, we’re all level twos now.”

Parper spun his curved dagger.

“You’ve been a real trailblazer Shae,” said Parper. “Everyone’s watching your replays. The Goblin King was easy once we knew his mechanics.”

“Indeed,” said Tambien. “A whole new generation of players are finally advancing again, thanks to your efforts.”

Shae paled. If they weren’t bluffing, he was in real trouble.

“Perhaps we could exchange information?” asked Parper. “Keep it civil?”

“You killed Asira,” said Shae. “That wasn’t civil.”

“That was a safety precaution,” said Tambien.

“Here’s a safety precaution,” said Shae. “One of you jump off that cliff.”

“There’s no need for further violence,” said Parper.

“Jump,” said Shae. “Then we’ll talk.”

“Oh, you’re serious,” said Parper. “I see.”

Tambien raised his lance.

“Allow me to slay him,” said Tambien.

“No,” said Parper. “We need his information. If that’s what it takes Shae, fine, I’ll take a leap of faith --”

“You will do no such thing,” Tambien interrupted. “This is my burden to bear.

“Tambien, no!” said Parper.

Tambien stepped to the cliff’s edge.

“Your destiny lies elsewhere,” Tambien said. “Get that information from Shae. And don’t say anything foolish.”

Tambien leapt to his death. Shae admired the tentacloid’s resolve; he would never have the balls to do that.

“Your sacrifice will not be in vain, my friend,” said Parper.

Kezzle flapped her wings.

“Well then Shae,” said Parper. “I told you how to avoid the dark goblins. I believe it’s your turn to share. What do you know about the Dragon Sword?”

Shae froze. Dragon Sword? That was a new one.

“You are here looking for the Dragon Sword, correct?” asked Parper.

“Obviously,” Shae lied.

“Splendid!” said Parper. “We know it only appears at night, in one of four locations.”

“That’s not true,” said Shae. “You have to kill fifteen dark goblins for it. And then you can find it by a glowing tree.”

Shae smirked. That would keep the Deadly Skulls busy for a while.

“Fascinating,” Parper said. “So all those other guilds were wrong?”

“Uh huh,” said Shae. “Exchange your map data with me. Mark your locations. We’ll compare.”

“Of course!” said Parper.

Shae and Parper shook hands, exchanging map data between their palm interfaces.

Shae glanced at Parper’s map - it revealed four different points in Sunlight Forest. He didn’t know what the Dragon Sword was, but this seemed like a good start.

Parper opened up his palm interface, navigating to Shae’s map - it was empty.

“Shae,” said Parper. “There’s nothing here --”

Shae dove backwards into the path, disappearing in a bright green flash.

Parper’s jaw dropped.

“What did --” started Parper. “Where did --”

Shae was simply gone.

On cue, Asira’s body dissolved into a glowing green orb of light and fluttered back to her guild HQ.

“Kezzle, I believe I’ve made a terrible mistake,” said Parper. “Could we perhaps keep this incident between us?”

Kezzle flapped her wings.

“Wonderful Kezzle,” said Parper. “I knew I could count on you!”