Alpha Realm Online - Book I - The Beginning

Chapter 9- Alive

"I can't believe we didn't get to participate in that Alpha battle." I said, irritated. "Even if we had just struck it once, we would have gotten the XP. I'm almost at level 30."

Amber sighed. "I know, I know. But we could we have done? The guild matters were still being sorted out."

I snorted and stayed silent sullenly, leaning against a boulder, my arms crossed.

"C'mon, man, don't be like that. It isn't her fault!" the young Knight sitting cross-legged on the boulder above me exclaimed, looking down.

"Jace, she is partially to blame. Nebula allowed us to go left twenty minutes earlier! But she insisted we stay till the end of the meeting." the Mage in deep purple robes said, sighing as she sat up.

"Kira! How dare you take his side!" Jace exclaimed, a look of mock horror on his face.

She only grinned at him, lying back onto the grass.

Looking at Kira and I, Amber finally relented. "Alright, fine. I'm sorry, you two."

Jace smacked the top of my head lightly. "You two are such bullies."

Kira and I shared a look, before she blasted Jace with a jet of water with a flick of her hand.

He spluttered and tried to cover his face with his hands, causing Amber, Kira and I to burst out laughing. He wiped his face with the back of his hand and said indignantly, "Hey!"

"But, seriously, which floor are we on now? I forgot." I asked.

"All you have to do is turn around and check the Sky Counter. Really, you can be so lazy at times." Amber told me, still standing up to check it anyway.

"Floor 13." she said. "And no, I do not want to hear you say anymore about the number 13."

"Aw..." I whined, the mischievous look on my face disappearing.

"We're on 243 deaths, though." Jace suddenly remarked somberly.

"Wow...what a way to lighten up the mood, Jace." Kira said sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

"Not kidding. You do the math, 243 divided by 12, times 50. You get approximately 1012. There are only 1000 of us. That means if we continue at this rate, and that's not even counting the fact that the bosses and monsters will get stronger and stronger, none of us will make it out of here!" Jace exclaimed, suddenly looking very scared and confused.

"Hey, hey, Jace. Calm down. You're going to have another panic attack." Amber said concernedly, standing up to comfort him.

Sensing that the earlier merriment was gone, I stood up and stretched. "I'll be off grinding XP at the new floor. Anyone wanna come?"

Amber looked up and gave me an apologetic look. "I'd love to, but I need to attend to Jace. Sorry."

"No problem." I said, trying to hide my disappointment. I glanced at Kira. "You?"

"Nah." she said, getting up and shaking her head. "I'm only at level 24. Those monsters are too strong. Anyway I don't really feel like slaying monsters today."

"Alright. I'll be back by sundown." I said, turning and walking across the lush green fields, towards the Teleportation Pillars.

As usual, my thoughts went to Twisted as I waded through the tall grass.

Already been a month since we escaped that freak. I wonder if he's still there, rotting. Or maybe he dissolved, just that it took him a longer time.