The Roof

The group headed up to the roof, always an eye on the surfaces around them. Their feet landed in puddles of blood, leaking from the mangled bodies all around the hallways, one more grotesquely twisted than the last. The Wall Shadow had enjoyed the hunt with either terrifying calculation or instinct, each of its victim lying exactly three steps of John’s legs away from each other.

The curiosity he felt was unnatural to him. How could he prioritize the question whether the Wall Shadow had wanted to create this kind of display or simply naturally strangled people in the amount of time it took a running man to cross the same distance he did with three steps? Shouldn’t there be disgust, pity? Even for people that tried to kidnap him?

Yet all there was, was an uncaring, brooding calm that filled that emotional void. He was thankful for that calm, it had allowed him to formulate the plan that allowed them to avoid getting slowly worn down by waves of Rockers and Wall Shadow assaults. Still, the question remained how he could feel this calm. ‘Is it one of the Gamer’s Abilities?’ He asked himself quietly. That must have been it. Just like video game figure he felt no remorse as he advanced through the storyline. John made a dry smile, he wanted to use this power for his perversion but it seems the world wanted him to move the Plot along.

Rave, who had taken the lead of the little group, with Moira and John at the centre and Travolta at the back, kicked open the door of the roof. The old wooden door didn’t give much resistance and instead of opening it fell forward and was left lying on the stone slabs as each of the party members stepped over it and breathed in relief.

They were no longer surrounded by walls, the monster could now only attack from below. “What now?” Moira asked. “Ya asking me? I thought you would have a plan, Princess.” Rave taunted back but threw a questioning glance at Travolta. “We need to find the Wall Shadow and kill it before it finally finds and opportunity to pick one of us of.” The bald man said. “ Any suggestions?” The three remained silent.

John cleared his throat. “I might have an idea.” He said, “But I have no idea if it will work.” Rave pinched him in the right cheek. It hurt. “Ah, what the fuck, Jane?” he asked and Rave froze. “How do you know my name?” “It’s floating above your head!” John answered in truth. “John, you wouldn’t happen to know her last name too?” Moira asked, suddenly deeply interested. “NICE GOING JACKASS!” Rave shouted at him. “Tell her the second half of my secret identity and I am going to rip your….” The rest must be left to fantasy as Travolta suddenly pushed Rave to the side.

Four arms closed around where she just stood. Disappointed the Wall Shadow clicked with its mandibles. It was standing upright, revealing the rest of its body. It’s head with the four arms just underneath was attached to a long centipede like body that curved into the shadow of a nearby ventilation shaft. ‘Wall Shadow…Of Course!” John thought as the monster slithered back into the building, ‘It must use Shadows to enter and leave the Walls, it had more enough of them in the hallway so it wasn’t clear back then.’

Achievement Unlocked: Know Thy Enemy

You figured out the weakness of an enemy.

INT +1

The achievement only served to confirm his train of thought. He turned to Rave and pulled her closer. “What are you doing, Johnny Walker?” She asked, surprised by the move. “I need you to use your light Ability when the Wall Shadow next comes out.” “Why? We are in the midday sun…Oh, oh I get it…” Rave blinked. “Duh, it’s literally in the name, how can anybody not get it? Whatevs. Did you figure that out with your game power as well?”

John shook his head. “As you said, I got it after thinking for a second. It’s not like I can just do anything with this power you know?” Rave raised an eyebrow, “Eh, no monsterpedia or something?” That was actually worth a try. “Open Monsterpedia!” John said. Nothing happened. Rave looked in anticipation, again he shook his head. “Useless damn power.” Rave said. “It’s not like everything is like a game. For example I can’t just say Invite Rave to party and the system does it.”

Party Invite to the Party ‘I can’t just say’ sent.

‘Huh?’ John wondered and Rave stared at a window that suddenly popped up between them. She clicked on yes. “Well, I’ll be fucked there is a darn Interface.” She said as she watched at her HP metre with surprise. “Things for later though. How do you plan to lure that thing out?”

“That is actually the easy part.” John smirked. “Moira, so about her last name.” he said and turned towards the redhead. The Paladin had been watching the two of them whispering with curiosity but had honoured their privacy. However now that John addressed her directly she was listening completely. “Yes, please name her. We have been trying to catch her for months. She and her companions are doing nothing but trouble and furthermore…” Moira continued talking and John listened with all he had. If he, the weakest target, looked like he wasn’t paying any attention than the monster should follow its instincts and…

A light exploded at his side followed by the scream that made the hair in his neck stay on edge. He whirled around to see the Wall Shadow jump around on the ground like fish on land. A meaty stump stuck in the floor where John’s Shadow had been before the flash of light from Rave. John had guessed that the monster would be **** from the ground but not that it would actually cut him in the process. ‘I guess it is just like closing a portal in the Warcraft universe.’ He thought as he took a step back.

The Wall Shadow’s limbs were thrashing around as it tried to find balance on all four of its hands. The trio of fighters wasn’t planning on letting that happen though and now outside of its natural habitant the Level 23 monster suddenly was a lot less scary. Warhammer strikes, flashes of light and the meaty fists of Travolta rained down on the Wall Shadow and within a few moments the terror of the last minutes was reduced to a corpse that exploded into a cloud of ash.

+1542 EXP

Level Up!

Level Up!

You may now leave the Illusion Barrier.

John looked at the windows with disbelief and relief. Not only did he level up twice although doing nothing (He likely had Rave’s accidental party membership to thank for that) but he could finally leave. The rest of the group also suddenly looked like all tension had been removed from them. “The Illusion Barrier has lost its hostile character.” Moira said with a glance at her watch. “We barely have a few moments in the break left. John.” She turned to him again. “Tell me her name now! Do it and I will personally see to it that you are safe from now on.”

That sounded good. “Hold a sec, Moimoi.” Rave said and wrapped her left arm around John’s neck. “I call dibs on this guy, he is interesting.” “He will just land under your bad influence!” Moira argued. “True, but maybe that is exactly what he wants!”

“Can you two please shut up for a moment?” Travolta gnarled. “I think the kid is old enough to make his own decisions.” All eyes suddenly laid on John and waited for him to make a decision. He however was silent, overwhelmed by the sudden turn of events. “Seems like you will need to think about this for a bit.” Moira said, in a calm and understanding tone. “I will be waiting after school at the gate.”

“And I will wait for you right here.” Rave whispered into his ear, her voice a promise of wild and freedom. “Come back to the roof after school if you want to join the fun club.” Travolta just nodded and all of them left the Illusion Barrier and after blinking a few times in confusion at a window that had just opened John did as well.

New Quest: Pick a Side.

Join the Golden Rose,

Join Collide,

or

Join no side.

Reward: +200 EXP if you pick one side.
If no Faction is chosen you get +500 EXP.

This Quest is mandatory.