Breaker of Iniquity

By Christopher Mitchell

After standing up for a stranger in an online game the other players killed him for it… over and over again. They killed him two-hundred-and-thirteen times, as a joke. Edward might have been able to live with that, but everything in him changes when one of his bullies tricks the police into putting a gun to his head. Broken and no longer able to cope Edward creates, and then becomes, Absolute Iniquity; committing acts of revenge online and in the real world. As the lines blur between reality and fiction, vengeance and justice, Edward becomes hellbent on showing both worlds what their sins have created.

Breaker of Iniquity is a wondrous ride through the eyes of a young man who has made a fully immersive online world his home. Edward Bauer is an avid player of Breaker Online, a massively multiplayer online medieval fantasy game where swords and sorcery combine. After cleaving a man in half with his greatsword, and standing up to the leader of the server's most powerful guild, Edward's rune mage becomes subject to endless torment. In this revenge fantasy the cruel joke of his online bullies, coupled with an unlivable life at school and home, drives him to show them all that one's passion can become far more than just a game.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christopher Mitchell
• Release date: Jan 22, 2019
• ISBN: 9781386481560

Christopher Mitchell

Christopher Mitchell is a long time martial arts instructor with an unbridled love of anime, fantasy, magic, and combat. He graduated from the University of Texas at Dallas with an Arts and Technologies degree specializing in creative writing and game design. Christopher is infatuated with the idea of possibility and is constantly creating or exploring new magic systems and characters to write about.

Book preview

Prologue

The underground passage , bathed in the pale blues of magelight, played host to the rushing waters of an underground river and overgrown flora that seized the better half of the cobblestone paths leading to Maderscorn Manor. From the shadows of the entrance emerged four adventurers eager to take on the world. Not least among them stood a young rune knight with cropped blue hair highlighted by a black streak at the front. He was clothed in a long, black coat and gripped a six-foot, sapphire sword firmly in one hand. Planet Breaker allowed himself a grin at the battle to come and turned to his fellow party members, all of whom were strangers he was certain he could rely on.

To Planet Breaker’s rear was a pale dark haired man wearing a long leather duster and large wide-brimmed hat. Next to the leather-clad man stood a woman in a white kimono. with pointed ears and blonde hair kept in a braid that reached the small of her back. The final member of the crew, a stalwart knight clad head to toe in iron armor with tower shield and mace, stood at the ready.

Alright. We can do this, thought the Rune Knight.

I’m out, said the armored one. All eyes turned to him.

The elf in the kimono blinked at him. What?

There’s no healer, said the armored one. I’m out. Unless one of you wants to make room?

There was a brief pause before Planet Breaker spoke up. I’ve done this plenty of times without a healer, he said. If we just follow the mechanics—

You noobs can go and waste your own time. I’ve got shit to do. The armor clad warrior vanished into a pillar of light, leaving the party.

The group let out a collective sigh. Whelp, said the man in the hat. BRB.

Planet Breaker thought a moment, then said, I bet we can three-man it.

The elf shrugged. Worth a shot. What kind of magic do you use?

Rune, said Planet Breaker. You a taoist?

I’m Jewish. The elf smirked. But I use tao-magic, yes.

Planet Breaker smiled. Any melee? The elf shook her head. A quick glance above her gave her name: Adona Perfecta.

Back, said the man in the hat. I miss anything?

Planet Breaker glanced above the hat brim and read the floating name. Von Helsign...subtle. Von, what kinda magic do you use.

None, he said. Don’t worry I’ve still got this. Smiling, he drew two repeating crossbows in each hand from his coat.

Planet Breaker nodded in approval. Alright, let’s go.

The three of them raced down the dim paths flanking the underground stream, ever vigilant for oncoming threats. First came demonized dire bats, flying frenzies of fur and fang, unafraid to swarm the nearest target. Planet Breaker flicked his wrist three times and formed a runic circle before him. When he swung the sapphire sword through the array, it instantly lit ablaze with enchanted flame. The elf kept her distance, forming a series of symbols with interlocked fingers. A red light fell upon Planet Breaker. With the help of her enchantment, Planet Breaker’s sword swung true almost twice as fast as before. The bats kept their distance from the flame, screeching their outrage as a barrage of crossbow bolts found their mark. In a few short moments, what monsters weren’t scorched or cleaved were impaled to the adjacent wall or floating down the river, leaving streams of red in the water.

Nice, said Planet Breaker. The elf applauded the crossbowman, who showed off by blowing on the tip of a readied bolt only to accidentally shoot a hole in his hat. The party allowed themselves a quick laugh before racing on through waves of giant rats, and undead soldiers. A long flight of stairs took them up to a hallway furnished with various torn paintings and vases covered in dust. At the end of the hall was the disheveled dining hall of Baron Maderscorn himself.

The hall’s great banquet table lay on opposite ends of the room, smashed in half well before the group’s arrival. Remnants of food and the corpses of valiant knights lay strewn about, just short of a glowing black and red magic circle. Within the array stood two robed figures with hands raised high on either side of a rotund nobleman.

Do you know who I am? the local lord growled. "I am Baron Fredrick ponce Heraldrin Maderscorn! I’ll feed you to the peasants for this indignity!"

Planet Breaker and his party made their way to the center of the room as the event played out. Each of them already knew getting near the magic circle too early meant certain death.

You all know the fight? Planet Breaker asked.

The elf raised an eyebrow. Did he just say he was going to feed those people to people?

Nice guy, said their crossbowman.

Planet Breaker nodded. Right? So a big ass worm thing is going to come out. Stay out of—

A foreign voice drowned him out. Hey guys! Are you at the boss?

The new name on the party list caught their eye, but before anyone could answer, a sphere of dark magic encircled the robed cultists and the baron. The whirling energies shrunk down to reveal a massive, lamprey-like creature covered in grey and brown spikes.

Planet Breaker took his stance. Yeah, we’re at the boss, he said.

I’m on my way! said their newest member.

The worm shot forward. The three adventurers leapt in varying directions, dodging the charge. With a sharp turn, it launched itself for the two crossbows aimed for its head. Planet Breaker formed three runes and shot forth a bolt of lightning, blowing away a single spike. Jump to the side!

His words went unheeded. The worm took several shots between its teeth just as a long stream of bile launched from its mouth. Their ranger was too slow. The acidic phlegm covered him and all but locked his feet in place.

Crap! Von shouted.

The worm reared high. Unable to do much else, the ranger let loose another volley of bolts that ricocheted off the armored spikes of the beast’s hide. Craaaaaaaap!

Just as the worm came down, the elf leapt into her gooey party member dislodging him from the slime and tackling him to safety. The two exchanged a look. You’re welcome, she said. The worm’s mouth clung firm to the floor and began sucking up the bile.

The elf looked back. Ew.

Planet Breaker let out a low curse as the spike he had blasted off grew back. Use magic to clear the spikes, then hit the soft spots! Don’t get hit by or stand in the goo and it won’t heal when it hits the ground like that.

Got it! The others said in unison. For a time things went well. While Planet Breaker and his elven support shot forth fire and lightning, their ranged attacker landed bolt after bolt into the creature’s hide. Then it charged for him again. Certain it would be dead in a few more hits, the ranger fired again and again into the maw of the beast only to be covered in disgusting ooze once more.

You had one job! the elf shouted. Again she raced to save him.

Wait! Planet Breaker knew the timing of this fight all too well. It’s gonna—

The elf tackled the ranger just in time for them both to be swallowed up by the monster. Their health pools fell gradually from both the belly of the beast and slurped up acid until they fell to zero. Now the damn thing was back to half its maximum health.

...Eat you both. Planet Breaker’s brow furrowed. He took his stance and waited for the next attack.

I’m here! said the fourth party member. Oh. A translucent wall of crystal blocked entry into the room. I’m locked out. Just wipe.

Planet Breaker heard him, but was too focused to register the request. The worm shot for his legs. He leapt, formed a circle beneath him and plunged his sword through. Lightning clung to his blade as it crashed through the top of the monster’s head. The beast let out a shrill shriek and raced about the room, bucking and writhing in pain, trying to free itself from its unwanted passenger. Planet Breaker held firm through the wild ride that made the room a constant blur. The monster slammed its body against a wall. It scraped along the stone, breaking through pillars and ripping apart hanging tapestries before finally whipping its head back and throwing its assailant high into the air. The enraged beast shot upwards for its prey. Without a moment’s hesitation, Planet Breaker formed a new series of symbols and shot a ball of flame right down the creature’s throat. With his palm extended, he quietly sealed his foe’s fate with a simple word: Break.

The fireball erupted inside the creature and detonated like a bomb. The worm writhed, letting out a violent roar of smoke and flame. Planet Breaker fell at the perfect angle. The tip of his electrified blade found an open sore. His boot found just enough footing. He raced down the body of the beast, leaving blood and lightning in his wake until he reached the ground.

The worm’s gurgling cry faded, and its body fell, cleaved open from throat to abdomen. The brief moment of silence was shattered by the resounding applause from Edward’s fellow players. The youth felt himself blush.

That was amazing!

I didn’t even know you could do that!

Hurray! Free loot!

The spoils of victory made their way into the inventories of each of the characters. Planet Breaker received the same dagger he had about six of now, but the real treasure was the fight itself and getting to experience it with people just like him. Thanks for the group, guys.

Thank you, man! said the crossbowman. That was awesome!

G.G. guys, said the one who didn’t get to do anything. Take care.

Edward stretched on his bed, inadvertently causing his character to do the same. I gotta go, but do you guys wanna— Planet Breaker looked around the room, seeing only the corpse of the worm he had defeated, and the glowing exit of the dungeon instance.

Add me as a friend... The party list was empty. The room was quiet. All that remained was the resounding silence of solitude. It was amazing, truly, how a game labeled as Massively Multiplayer could leave him feeling so lonely. He supposed it didn’t matter, but if he couldn’t make friends in the real world, this one would have done just fine. He considered looking for another group. However, sleep beckoned despite his protests. Planet Breaker’s player logged out of Breaker Online and removed his headset. Hell awaited Edward in the morning.

Chapter 1: Impact of the Invisible

Coursing rage flowed through him like malicious black fire, sparked by a simple gesture that displayed his powerlessness for all to see. Sadly, the very essence of the presented shard of himself swallowed the flames of anger leaving in its wake hollow and empty fatigue. But this moment, like the thousands of others, did not go forgotten and joined the rest in the youth’s heart condensing into a core of perfect sin.

His sword hand twitched, itching to cut a path through the memories of a forgotten hero, and yet the girls refused to move. Edward’s legs burned from gym. He had a headache from Hell, but still there they stood gossiping away outside the door to a classroom they considered to be empty.

Excuse me, Edward said. Their chatter didn’t even slow. His green eyes narrowed. Instinctively, Edward lowered his head so his wavy golden brown bangs would cover his face. He waited, trying to distract himself. The weather had grown abnormally cold, even for Missouri. His black zip-up sweater did little to fight the frigid air outside, but managed to be just stifling enough indoors. The cheap blue jeans and sneakers did little to help, too, but he didn’t spend much time outdoors anyway. His backpack was heavy, full of books that only seemed to slow him down.

Excuse me! He said it louder this time.

One of the girls turned her back to him. As Edward reached to tap her on the shoulder, one of the others snapped at him. What do you think you’re doing? Don’t touch her! Her name was Stephanie.

Two years ago, in eighth grade, Edward had suppressed every natural instinct a boy could have when faced with a beautiful girl and made a sorry attempt at asking her on a date. He discovered days after her rejection she had spread enough rumors about him to get him pulled into the principal’s office. That incident forced him to endure an hour long lecture in front of his parents about respecting boundaries and keeping his hands to himself. Despite his protests of having never touched her, the lecture continued. They wouldn’t hear what he had to say. Why would they? It was a perfect, blonde, princess’ word against his. Months later when he overheard Stephanie say, I told them I thought he was gonna rape me, and they fuckin’ bought it. His hate began to bloom.

That was in the past however. To keep his reputation and sanity intact he had avoided her as much as possible ever since. Doing so had only put a target on his back. The memories made him forget he was in the middle of trying to get her and her friends to move just enough so he could go home.

Why is your finger in my face? Amy said with feigned innocence.

Edward lowered his hand. Amy was one of the prettiest Asian girls he had ever seen, and if the din of the lunchroom white noise were any indicator, one of the prettiest anyone had ever seen. The third was Mira. Mira had blossomed early and was more known for her rack than anything else. It was an effort not to look. Her father was a doctor from India whose bodybuilding hobby managed to keep the boys at bay, however.

Edward stammered. Uh, I was just— You look pretty today.

Mira and Stephanie erupted with laughter.

He was checking out your ass. Maybe he wanted to smell your hair, said Mira.

Stephanie smirked. Maybe if he spent more time paying attention in class and less time checking us out he wouldn’t be such a failure.

Ew, said Amy.

Once, Edward had bought Amy a Japanese soda he had heard she liked for her birthday. Mira had slapped it out of his hands insisting it was roofied. Another time, he had tried to offer his home to work on a group project with Mira and several of their classmates. He pulled a half dozen extra chores that week so he could afford to order pizza for them. After they arrived Mira suggested moving the meeting to a house that didn’t smell as bad. The group agreed with snickering laughter. When Edward tried to follow, Mira put a hand on his chest and said, Oh, we don’t need you. She closed his own door in his face, but not before taking all the pizza.

Being nice will get you nowhere, he told himself. Edward looked up to them trying not to fume. I’m just trying to leave. Please move.

So anyway— Stephanie continued on as if the girls had seen a roach in the distance.

Edward rubbed his face and retreated to ask the teacher about some menial thing regarding grade turn ins online. The reflection in the window stared at him in shame. A hunched over mixed boy with light brown skin, a mop top of blonde-brown curls, and green eyes looked back at him.

Can you ask them to move please? He said, again distracting himself.

The teacher tapped a few things on his floating computer screen of light. You run into people like that all the time in life, Edward. You can’t get other people to fight your battles for you.

Edward sat on one of the desk tables. Sit properly, said the teacher. Edward shifted into the chair and pulled out his phone. He perused through some social media on Lightwalk and tapped on a video about a makeshift cloaking device for vehicles using cameras and video panels. Thirty seconds into the video a commercial for the Oculus Magna interrupted, advertising the state of the art capability of the device to pick up on the alpha brain waves of the user to control applications, programs, or in Edward’s case video game characters, like never before. I already own one, can’t I just skip this? He looked up from his phone. The girls were gone, and now it was time to go from one prison to the next.

He had made it out just in time to watch his bus leave without him. Edward checked the time. 3:33 P.M. August 23, 2038, it read. A low growl curled into frigid vapor from clenched teeth. He began jogging on the freshly rained on brown cement paths. Ten steps later he stopped. His legs burned on the inside and froze on the outside. His lungs took in cold air by the mouthful, and the school was just as close as it was a second ago. Damn this bag. Damn gym class. Damn bitch-ass motherfucking fuck...

The walk home was particularly long. Maybe it was all the time in virtual combat that caused his thoughts to race. Maybe it was the fact that he couldn’t feel his fingers in the cold enough to do anything on his phone. Either way, the quiet forced repressed ideas to the front of his mind.

Anyone, rightfully so, might have asked themselves why they were subject to the whims of their peers and the administration that was meant to protect them. Edward knew it was a strong mixture of his lot in life and his unwillingness to change the status quo due to fear of the increasing difficulty of a battle with fate he was already losing. One question, however, barrelled through his fear carried on wings of anger.

Why? It begged. Not, ‘Why me?’ but ‘Why do they take such pleasure in the suffering of others?’ It just so happened Edward was among the ‘others.’ The worst part of all of this was he knew the answer. They did so because it made them feel good. Elevated. Strong. What he wouldn’t give to feel strong. For a moment, he wanted to swear to himself he would never revel in the pain of others, but he was almost positive he could never keep that promise. That fact alone meant he wasn’t strong at all. What is strength without virtue? He wondered. Then the inverse came to mind. What is virtue without strength? The answers eluded him, but busied his thoughts long enough.

His house came into view as he turned a corner. Edward may not have been strong in this world, but there was another one waiting that would allow for such an impossibility.

Unfortunately, he arrived to his father watching television with beer in hand and eyes glued to a sports cast heralding the one hundred and ninth season of football. The man’s frame was thick with leftover muscle from his more active days. His skin was light brown and his eyes light green like Edward’s grandfather’s. Ed tried to sneak past, but his dad turned at the sound of the shutting door. Hey, how was school?

Fine, said Edward.

Anything interesting happen?

My teacher is useless. I got bullied by a girl. I lifted some weights? By weights he meant his backpack. It was close enough, right? No, he said.

You try out for the basketball team?

If I did, I would have mentioned that!

He wouldn’t have. That would mean talking to his father. The one word responses weren’t a strong enough hint that was a bad thing. No, I don’t like basketball.

His father’s disappointment had become the normal tone for their conversations. Once in a while, he would have a ray of hope that Edward had magically transformed into the son he always wanted. But, like every other time, today was not that day.

Right, I forgot you only like to lay down all day. You can’t just play games forever. Eventually, blah blah... Edward nodded, and looked in the general direction of his dad with glassy eyes. Blah blah, and if you want to blah, You’ll blah blah off your ass and blah.

Yes, sir. Edward said.

His father knew he wasn’t listening, but because he didn’t talk back or show any sort of an opinion, the old man let it go and turned back to the game, head shaking. Edward said hello to his mother in passing, ignored his sister in her room, and made his way down the hall.

It was an effort not to race for his room. He dropped his backpack onto a beanbag. His sweater flew onto the back of a chair. Moments later, the Oculus Magna was on his head.

The device was a white circular visor that strapped to his head as comfortably as a pair of glasses from a science fiction movie. The built in headphones cupped his ears and drowned out reality with a blissful silence that came just before the dream. The machine came out of sleep mode and confirmed its owner with a retinal scan. A simple thought began loading the installed Massively Multiplayer Online game before the screen of apps even came into view. Swords, halberds, spears daggers, arrows, and crossbows flew in from every angle, forming a starburst of weaponry. Gently, a giant swirl of gold, green, blue, red, and purple lights grew behind the collage of arms. Before it all the words Breaker Online appeared. Edward logged in with a voice activated password, selected his one and only character, and welcomed home with a smile.

Planet Breaker walked through the crowds of adventurers beneath the Spellgate of Pollux. His exotic black coat drew more than a few looks; some of envy, some of admiration. Their eyes followed him as people tried to make out the ornate crest embroidered in white on the coat’s back. The view, however, was obscured by the epic greatsword Mana Divider, Edward’s pride and joy. His character was handsome. They were always handsome even if you tried to make them otherwise. He had yellow eyes, slicked back blue hair with a black highlight, and pale white skin. Best of all, he had muscles. Wide shoulders. Thick legs. A broad chest filled with pride. The in-game clock showed half past four. Shit. He ran past two scrubs who were deep in conversation, as they people watched. One had decent gear. The other was obviously new.

Like this guy here, said the experienced one. He’s using a damn greatsword and has like, no armor. It got him to where he is now, sure, but no raid is going to take someone like that.

Edward ignored him and took note of his name. I’ll kill him later, he thought. Right now though, he was late. A confirmation for voice chat with Frito Pie popped up in his in-game notifications. Edward accepted, still running for the city entrance. Hey, Matt.

Yo, where are you? said Matthew.

Sorry got hung up with something. You guys ready? Planet Breaker swept a fingerless gloved hand across the ground. From a streaking plume of blue fire and light, a white horse with a rune-engraved metal barding galloped to his side. Without missing a beat, he threw himself onto the horse's back, took the reigns, and galloped northward.

Dude, we’ve been ready. Hurry the fuck up!

Quit your bitchin’! said Edward.

Hurry! said Matthew.

Edward laughed. A few moments later, he heard the faint sounds of wood hit wood and a heavy click. He raised the visor of the Oculus. Someone had come by and closed the room door. Apparently even his laughter had become a nuisance. Edward flipped the visor back down and continued on to the ruins of Solaris.

He entered a small forested area. The sounds of his party member’s voices grew as he approached. Under a tree just on the outskirts that overlooked the ruins, his friends Mars and Matthew waited. Matthew’s character, Frito Pie, was decked in heavy metallic samurai armor that came straight out of an anime. The helmet had a beetle-like horn. A mask covered his mouth, and in the shadows between the mask and crown of the helm, his character’s eyes glowed purple. Attached to his back was a polearm, its broad curved blade jutting from a dragon’s mouth on the end.

The wind sent a shimmering wave over the sunlit grass and moved the blonde and green bangs of Mars Villiers. Mars’ gear was much more underwhelming than Frito’s outfit but offered just as many enhancements to his character’s stats. He wore a ruby vest made of drake scales and white slacks made from some mystic cloth. He had paid a high level tailor way too damn much to make them. Mars wore a cape, gauntlets, and a helmet, too. But, like some of Planet Breaker’s gear, it was hidden from public display.

Look who decided to join us, said Mars.

It’s Frito’s fault, said Edward. He wouldn’t stop texting me how much he missed me.

Matthew, and his character Frito Pie, laughed, What the fuck ever bro. Seriously though, when are you coming to visit? It’s been like a year and a half.

A twinge of guilt flowed through Edward. Soon, said Edward. Maybe I can visit around the holidays.

Mars’ eyebrow twitched. If you two are done sexting can we get goin’? I’d like to finish this up sometime before I die.

Dude, Edward began. Relax, game’s not going anywhere any time soon.

Is that what you told yourself when you spent the last thirty minutes jackin’ off? asked Mars.

Look, scrub. I don’t need to know how much you put the idea of jerking it and me together. If you spent less time thinking about my dick, and more time learning to play your shit right, you wouldn’t need help with this easy-ass quest.

In the real world, Edward smirked.

Frito Pie glanced between the complacent Planet Breaker and the stern glare Mars gave. That was pretty rude, man, said Matthew.

When Edward felt the curl of his lips, he thought of Stephanie and her comment. Failure. The word echoed in his mind with a certain truth to it. His grades were fine, save the one group project he failed because, ‘He wasn’t needed.’ But she didn’t mean his grades, she only said it the way she did to prevent any kind of argument. Not that he would have given her the satisfaction of one. The only thing worse than dealing with deceptively beautiful tormentors year after year was adopting their mannerisms.

Yeah, Edward conceded. Sorry, I just had a long day.

Next time, leave it out there. Mars led the way to the ruins.

The broken down city was wrought with soldiers of Al-Rune battling hooded cultists shouting pre-scripted drivel.

For the empress! one soldier shouted.

For the ancient gods! shouted a cultist.

Once they had left the safety of the garrison, and found themselves in the dilapidated keep, Edward was blowing off steam and blowing away bodies. He extended a hand and flipped two fingers up, then down, then to the left. A new rune appeared with each motion and took its place in the glowing magic circle before his hand. Planet Breaker took his greatsword in hand and slashed through the circle. The shattered apparatus whirled into writhing flame around his blade. An armored cultist slashed at him. Nimbly, Edward moved his character beneath the angled attack and spun cutting him in two. One came from his side. Planet Breaker flipped over him, bending backwards, and whirled with sword outstretched. The hooded head of the second cultist flew through the air.

In that moment, Edward had forgotten all about the girls blocking his way, about his father’s lack of interest in his own son, and about Mars’ snide comment after his apology. This was too much fun to be weighed down by all that.

Mars slid a hand along the length of his blade, enchanting it with golden light. He charged with a loud yell, cutting through one cultist after another. An enemy from above fell in flames when Mars shot him with a quick fireball.

The flaming cultist hit the cobblestone floor. He sprung up and made to move for Mars. A glowing Chinese symbol below held him in place. Frito Pie had his polearm resting in the bends of his elbows and his fingers together, interlocked in the hand gesture for kai. Mars extended a hand and clenched a fist, causing the burning flames to erupt into an explosion. The cultists only dropped minimal spoils: some silver and burned robes.

Mind if I take the robes? I’m working on my tailoring, said Matt.

Sure, said Edward.

I don’t care, said Mars.

After a bit of searching, the three found their way up the hidden path of the dilapidated library to a sacrificial altar on the rear balcony of the keep wall. They passed where the room leading here had caved in, blocking the original path. The others seemed disinterested, but Edward enjoyed thinking about what could have happened here. Did the cultists come for the virgin princess? Was she rescued? Was she actually the cult leader all along? If he was lucky, this fight would tell him.

The handle of a broken sword appeared in Mars’ hand from his inventory. The old blood stained altar—complete with skulls and melting candle wax—began to glow. You guys ready? Mars asked.

Both his party members said yes, but he had already started the event.

A bright flash filled their eyes and vanished with a trace of lightning leaving them in the rain under a black sky. The three of them found themselves standing among weary and wounded royal guard. Behind a wall of them was a pretty woman with her hair drenched under a milkmaid’s crown. The guard captain said something to them, but Mars was drowning him out.

So, there’s going to be three waves, some warrior types, then two warrior types and three mages, then the exact same but with two healers in the back. Something began pounding at the chamber doors. After the waves comes the boss. Just dodge his attacks and don’t die.

Brilliant advice, thought Edward.

They come! Shouted the captain. Ready yourselves!

Five minutes later they all died.

Chapter 2: The Start of Something Beautiful

The party reappeared in Pollux where they had set their respawn point.

Easy ass quest,’ huh? Mars said scornful.

Maybe if you gave us a better battle plan than ‘Don’t die!’ Edward strained to keep his manners. We need a healer, he said.

No, we just need to dodge the attacks more effectively, Mars scolded. Frito Pie and Planet Breaker exchanged a glance. They both looked at Mars and said, We need a healer.

Fine I’ll- oh, Mars paused.

Frito Pie’s player, Matthew, raised a brow. What?

Mars smirked. One just logged on, hang on. He switched to a private chat and turned so the others couldn’t read his lips.

Planet Breaker looked to Frito Pie. Do you think the cultists sacrificed her? Matthew said nothing. I mean, I bet that’s what they came to do, but maybe she escapes and goes and forms like a resistance, or maybe she becomes this Batman sort of character...are you even listening?

Edward heard shuffling just before Frito looked at his character. Sorry, I was talking to my mom, what’d you say?

Just thinking out loud. Don’t worry about it, said Edward.

Mars turned to face them again. Alright. Healer’s on the way.

Instantly, Matthew was skeptical. Is he good?

Mars turned to start heading out of Pollux again. It’s a girl, and she’s alright.

The other two followed. Before long, they were back to their original meeting spot under the tree on the outskirts of the small forest.

Your friend hot? Matt asked.

Edward rolled his eyes. He knew his friend would ask something stupid like that. Odds were it wasn’t even a girl at all. He pictured a greasy fat man with acne and a long ponytail taking advantage of the automatic voice changer for characters with genders opposite of their players. ‘Hi, I’m Tits McGee!’ The thought of a giggly innocent voice from the paired image made Edward shudder. His character mirrored Edward’s motion.

She is. Mars smirked knowingly.

Send me a picture, said Matt. Of her, not her character.

Give me your email. Mars sat against the tree.

What do you need my email for? Matt had Frito fold his arms.

I can’t send you files through the game.

Edward lifted both brows. When did they change that?

Mars looked between them both. You didn’t hear about the whole child porn thing a year ago?

Frito’s head moved in surprise. Well, that escalated quickly!

There was this big thing about people sending nudes through the game, Mars began. A bunch of idiots were trying to hold Vizox responsible for it.

Edward’s brows furrowed. Again, his avatar mirrored him. Well that’s dumb, he said. That’s like trying to hold the whole internet responsible because your kid saw a boob!

Right? said Matthew.

I know. Thankfully it didn’t work, but the company removed the ability to import and send pics in the game because of it, said Mars.

Footsteps approached. Each of them turned to see a nice looking slender girl with pointy ears come from behind a tree. She picked a twig from her bright crimson hair and greeted the group with a wide toothed grin. Hi!

The boys stared. The girl looked from side to side. She wore a black breastplate with a single shoulder pad over robes that hugged her form and ended in a leaf point by her feet on the left side of her body. Beneath the robes were a pair of dyed black breeches. A small black shield clung to her left forearm, and a thin bladed longsword hung from her hip.

Hi, said Edward. I’m Planet Breaker. Shatterer of worlds, conqueror of moons! Every time he said his name to someone it sounded a little more cheesy.

Frito Pie looked to him. Dude, she can see your name. It’s above your head, said Matthew.

Edward donned a flat look. At least his name wasn’t Frito Pie.

I’m Seralyn Vesper, said the girl. She extended a hand. Edward shook it.

‘Sup, said Matthew trying to sound cool. Edward laughed at him.

Mars stood up and brushed off his pants, not that there was any need to. Let’s go.

I like your sword, said Seralyn, as they walked to the ruin’s garrison.

Planet Breaker looked at her over his shoulder. Thank you, I like your... He looked over her gear. There was nothing impressive about it. Maybe she had just glamoured the gear to look different. He checked her character window. It was her actual gear.

...Whelp, we’re fucked, he thought.

Boobs? She said. The guys whirled.

Matthew made a loud spitting noise. I think I just spat soda all over my cat...

Edward was blushing. I uh...I don’t even know if you’re a girl, so...no.

Yup, said Matthew. All over the cat, AFK. The group stopped to wait for him.

Seralyn laughed hysterically. I promise I’m a girl. She calmed down. You just kept staring so I figured you were doing what every other guy does.

Whack it to your avatar? Edward asked. Nah, I’m good. I was checking out your gear. the gear you're wearing! Not...nevermind.

She laughed again. I just made this character like a week ago, it’s not my main. Seralyn suddenly looked at Mars. When Planet Breaker turned, Mars’ mouth was closing. He blinked at them. Anyway, she continued. Since the game lets me control my characters’ every move I thought I’d try some new builds that center around that idea. Seralyn opened and closed a fist one finger at a time. Are you a Rune-Mage?

They could hear Matthew on his mic. The cat’s attacking me! Bad kitty! Ow! Stop making me bleed my own blood!

Planet Breaker glanced at Frito Pie. How could you tell? Edward asked.

Mana Divider is meant to amplify rune magic, so I just figured. She shrugged.

Edward smiled a bit. It took a bit of work, but she was worth it.

Seralyn laughed. Did she? Like what?

First I had to find an ancient cursed sword in Sadalsuud. Then go and get it uncursed by gathering these three items from around the world, Edward began. Then after getting it uncursed, I had to take it to the memory of a legendary blacksmith in Radiance, have it repaired with a sapphire that I had to fight a demon for and—

Holy shit, Seralyn chuckled. That’s way too much.

Like I said, though. Planet Breaker held the sword up to the beaming sunlight. Edward smiled with appreciation at the translucent, shimmering, sapphire blade and curved gold hilt.

Mars folded his arms. Kind of small for a greatsword, isn’t it? The blade was as tall as Planet Breaker, a good six feet, but the width of the sword was no more than four inches wide. Compared to the wide blades of most greatswords, it was definitely the runt of the bunch.

"It’s mainly meant for Intelligence - Strength builds. There’s another one that I could have picked that’s larger, but this is more my style. Planet Breaker resheathed the weapon and returned his attention to Seralyn. Do you use light magic?"

Fey magic, she said. I have a dark magic user though.

Now she had his attention. I’ve been thinking about making one of those, said Edward. They fun?

They’re a blast! I’m enjoying the hell out of it!

Matthew returned to Frito Pie. Okay! Sorry about that.

Seralyn waved a dismissive hand. It’s fine. Sorry I made you blow your load all over your pussy.

Matthew made the same long spitting sound again. Damn you, vile woman!

Each of them laughed heartily.

As they made their way back into the broken keep, Edward and Seralyn talked almost non-stop. She asked him his favorite thing about the game and was ecstatic when he said the lore. They talked about the war that almost broke out in the game’s back story and how its instigators formed the very cult they were currently dismembering.

It was never actually meant to be a real cult, she said pulling her sword from a dying enemy. The whole cult mentality was used to sway the masses to their side and trick them into thinking they were fighting for a higher purpose—

And it worked, especially when they started summoning strange creatures and then killed Baron Maderscorn, Edward said.

He’s dead!? Seralyn shouted.

Mars apparently had had enough. Amazing! Let’s focus!

The group was quiet up until the start of the event again. For a moment Edward thought he might be able to hear the dialogue, but Mars felt the need to re-explain everything as though the group were composed of seven-year-olds. And still his greatest strategy revealed itself to be Don’t die.

Ready yourselves! They come! The captain’s call was their cue. Frito slowed the movements of the incoming axe wielders in chainmail. Planet Breaker and Mars charged forward. Seralyn swung an arm in their direction. A green light fell over both of them and began restoring their health over time. When Mars misjudged the angle of an axe and took