Arvium [I.L.S. Beta Game #1]

22: Fighter, Part 2

Aella jumped over a small gulley, gasping when her foot caught loose soil on the other side and she fell forward, rolling into a ball as her momentum carried her down the hill. She groaned as she hit the base of a tree, small rocks pelting her on her head and back. She coughed, slowly unwrapping her arms and legs from around the trunk and laid still for a moment.

That hurt. She winced as she rolled over and sat up, inspecting her limbs for any wounds.

She stood and leaned against the tree, taking a deep breath. "Player menu," she groaned. She glanced up as a screen appeared in her vision, much like the one that had appeared during the Merchant tests. [description here] A new bar was on the top left, filled with blue. A green bar was above the blue bar, but was lower than the blue one, and flickered as she looked at it. A rotating number 45 appeared in the top right corner. She groaned and hit the tree with her fist.

Only thirty-nine minutes left? Why can't they give me an instruction guide before throwing me into a test. She shook her head, then frowned as a scroll appeared in the center of the screen. She tapped it, and the scroll unrolled. "Apprentice Defense spells activated. Each spell uses two bars of magic. Use with caution."

Great. Which one is the magic bar? The green one? The blue one? The green one is probably health since I just hurt myself and that one is lowered.

She reached down and touched the net that hung from her belt. At least I have some type of weapon. Because magic isn't going to help me this time. "Come and get me," she whispered, looking at the glade below her. A clearing was only ten feet away, with a cave on the opposite hillside. She jogged as she slipped and slid down the incline, using the trees to slow her down. Silence greeted her ears as she stood on the border of the clearing, looking into the dark opening of the cave.

I'm being watched as I perform these tests, right? "I know you are watching this," she said, placing a hand on her hip. "I know! Let's play a game--see how tough of a situation we can throw the players in, and see how they react when they're miserable." She bowed to the air, taking on a different accent. "Why, yes, my dear," she said. "I do think that sounds," she paused for effect as she giggled. "Like a splendid idea," she shouted, throwing all of her force into her words.

They echoed in the clearing, shouting back at her. "You've tried to drown me in a storm, and now I'm supposed to fight a massive monster? What kind of sick people are you? Can't we start off easy, with a rabbit or something?"

She paused, listening for any movement from the cave. That had to get a griffin's attention. Her hand moved to the net, her fingers pulling a barb from within the fibers. She froze, the hairs on her neck tingling as warb air hit her back. Something low rumbled, sounding almost like breathing.

She gulped, her grip on the barb tightening. "Defense spell," she shouted, twisting on her heel and slashing forward with the barb. She jumped back and jerked as the griffin screamed, and drops of golden blood dripped from the small cut on its cheek. It was massive, its shoulders at her head. It squirmed, moving like a cat as it prepared to jump, it's tail whipping the air behind it.

No spells. Greeeeeeeat--this is going to be awesome. "Sorry about the nose," she said, her tone higher than normal.

The griffin stopped moving, it's glowing yellow eyes staring at hers.

She shrugged. "I really can't fight you. I have no weapons, can't use spells, so I'm just going to talk until I figure out what to do, okay?" think, think. She frowned. Still nothing.

The creature had the body of a lion, a massive mane hanging from its neck. But it's face was furred, with a curved beak. Two wings slowly unfurled from it's back, spreading until they were fully outstretched. It's eyes moved to her hand, and she followed it's gaze, seeing the barb in her hand.