Vampire World (VAMPIRE WORLD #1)

Part 41 Game Battle

Chapter 40: Game Battle

A fiery ball came out of the darkness, igniting a huge roar from the crowd. It landed in my individual square. Frowning with concentration, I spiked the ball into Rob’s space, optimistically hoping he would miss it. But of course, he didn’t. He slammed it back to me so hard that I was very nearly the one missing my shot. Fortunately, because we were allowed one bounce in our own square, I had enough time to direct my fire at Chris.

            The ball soared around a couple of times. We were pretty evenly matched, though I knew that a cheating Rob could only compete at this level thanks to his special blood. He obviously hadn't practiced anywhere near as hard as me.

            The main platform started to spin, rapidly increasing in speed when I pounded the ball yet again in Rob’s direction. As before, he was just too swift. Diving athletically close to the edge of his square, he knocked it over to Kristy.

            “Suck it, bloodbitch….” he yelled in my direction. While mocking me, disgusting drool dribbled down his chin.

            Now the game was getting really serious. Short handlebars magically morphed into each player’s square as the already spinning main square began to rise and fall sharply as well. I’d practiced under these kinds of conditions and velocities many times before, so it was nothing I couldn’t deal with. But the view of the floor so far below petrified the crap out of me, especially when the square dipped and I was forced to hold onto the handle bars with one hand while beating the ball with the other.

            I continued to swing hard at the ball, hoping to knock someone off before I got tired. But I'd still had no success with this tactic when a green mist suddenly appeared and enshrouded the entire playing square. I could no longer see the crowd, or even my three opponents. For a brief tenth of a degree I panicked. I threw my hands in front of me. All I could hear was the roar of the crowd and the pounding of the ball.

            Then, almost instantly, the mist cleared and I could see again. I gasped. The luminous fireball was only inches away from my face, courtesy of a grinning Rob across from me. With all my strength I swatted the ball away the best I could. It pummeled towards Kristy.

            Entirely down to luck, my hit turned out to be amazingly accurate. The ball hit the perfect spot, just inside the left corner of Kristy’s square. She tried to dive for it but was not quite fast enough. It bounced off the playing square and into the air. 

            A thunderous cheer rose from the crowd. I'd just got Kristy out. With a look of terror on her pretty and somewhat innocent face, I watched as her individual square shook. Then a circle opened from under her and she plunged hundreds of feet into the net below.

            There was little time for self-congratulations. The square was now spinning, rising and dipping with a ferocity that exceeded even the most difficult level three practice rounds. Nevertheless, I kept my balance when Rob effortlessly spiked the ball across to me. But I was beginning to tire. I wished I'd also had access to the special blood so we could compete on level terms.

            Something frightening flashed across the indoor sky. The first holographic image was now coming our way. It was a monstrous jade dragon with ruby red eyes.

            But I needed to keep my eyes on the ball as Rob flung it back at me again. With my section of the playing square plummeting down, I gripped the handlebars with one hand and managed to swat the fireball toward Chris with the other. It was clear to see that he was also growing weary.