Since the game began, a whole month had gone by, both Hiccup and Ragnar had gotten up quite a few levels just to begin the game, but many others weren't so lucky. At least two thousand people had already been killed and they still haven't conquered the island on floor one.

However, within that one month the two boys had improved their skills and magic. Ragnar had learned a few healing spells, since they couldn't play around anymore they had to place safe and smart.

Hiccup had been a beta tester and even with that advantage they haven't been able to locate the boss's lair. However, today they were meeting other players in a small town in order to locate and defeat the boss.

They have all gathered in a small ruin, all the best players had gathered. In the middle stood a knight with short blond hair and a firm look on his face. He was the one who had contacted every player here so in truth he was the leader.

"Okay, now that everyone is here let's get this meeting started," he said. Both Hiccup and Ragnar sat down on the steps and listened every word he said. "Firstly, I want to thank everyone for coming. My name is Cullen and I'm sure you're wondering why we've gathered here."

"To defeat the boss, what else?" said a very stern qunari. However, unlike any other qunari they've seen he didn't have any horns.

"Straight to the point that guy," Ragnar muttered.

Hiccup leaned towards him. "I've heard of him, his name is Sten and he's not someone you wanted an enemy."

Cullen face became serious. "Yes, that is why we've gathered. My party has found the boss lair in the top of the tower today." Everyone looked up and certainly everyone became very interested. "First, we have to defeat the boss and make it the floor two. The next step is we have to tell waiting in the Town of Beginnings that it is possible to beat this game. Fact is it is our duty as the most capable players here, do you agree or not?"

No one disagreed and one by one they began clapping.

"Well, he certainly knows how to inspire people," said Ragnar clapping as well.

"Yeah, he's definitely a born leader," Hiccup agreed.

Cullen gestured for them to stop. "Anyway, glad to hear that you all with me. Now, let's figure out how we're going to beat the boss. First off, will team up into parties of six. A typical party doesn't stand a chance against the floor boss, we need a raid group made on multiple parties."

This was a problem to both Hiccup and Ragnar since they had recruited anyone else on their journey. They watched as everyone else began to team up, except for one girl.

She sat at the other side of the ruins are motionless. Hiccup could make out, because she was wearing a cloak and had the hood over her head, but clearly she was human. He noticed that structure back was a battle axe and judging from the blade she sharpened it regularly.

Seeing how they had no other choice two boys wandered over to her.

"Got left out or something?" Hiccup asked.

"No, I wasn't left out… just everyone else seems already friends," she said.

"So you're solo," said Ragnar. "You know you could join us."

Judging from the way she was moving it was clear that she wasn't interested.

Hiccup then spoke up. "You heard what he said, we can't beat the boss on our own and it would only be for this fight."

She remained silent for a few seconds and then she nodded. Hiccup owned up his main menu and sent her an invite to join their party and the girl press the okay button.

At once her health screen joined theirs and they could see her name was Astrid.

Once that was done Cullen spoke up again. "All right, looks like everyone teamed up. Now then—"

"Hold on a second!" a voice yelled.

Everyone looked up and saw a very angry-looking dwarf looking down at them. He made his way down the steps and approached the centre.

"My name is Beraht, got that?" he said. He then turned and faced the players. "Before we set out for the boss. I want to get something off my chest. We all know the two thousand people who died so far and some of you need to apologise to them right now!"

Everyone looked at him confused. Hiccup exchanged a look at Ragnar and he could tell that they both knew what he was talking about. Apparently, Cullen also knew, because he approached Beraht.

"Beraht, I think I know who you are referring to," he said. "You mean the ones who were ex-beta testers, right?"

"Of course I mean them," he said bitterly. "The day this stupid game started the beta guys just up and vanished, right? They did squat to us beginners, they snagged all the good hunting spots and they grabbed all the easy quests to. They were the only ones getting stronger in here and this whole time they've been like were nothing."

He then looked about the crowd with resentment. "Hell, I bet there's some of them here. Come on out beta testers. We should make them apologise to us and we should make them give out all their money and the items they got. They can't expect the party to trust them when they don't trust us. Why should we?"

"I don't think gives a damn about those two thousand players," Ragnar whispered. "I think he just wants all their loot."

"It would seem that way," Astrid agreed.

Hiccup remained quiet, he can help but think that Beraht had a point. He may have teamed up with Ragnar, but they did very little to help the other players that inhabit experience like he did.

"Can I say something," said a voice.

Everyone turned and saw a large muscular man with a blonde rope-like moustache standing up. Hiccup recognised him at once, he was an old friend of his dad's and he had no idea he was in the game.

Everyone watched as he walked down the steps approached Beraht. "Hey, the names Gobber," he said looking down at the dwarf. "Beraht, right? I want ter make sure I'm on the same page. Yeh say the beta testers should be blamed for the rookie's death, because they didn't help them and ya want them ter apologise and give up their winnings. I leave anything out?"

"No. You didn't."

Gobber then pulled out a small handbook. "The item store hand these out for free. It's a guidebook, yeh got one did and ya?"

"Sure I got one," said Beraht angrily. "So, what about it?"

"Yeh know who was handing these out?" Gobber asked. "The ex-beta testers."

Everyone looked stunned, except for Beraht, who looked annoyed. It looked like Ragnar was right on the money and he only said those things we could to get the beta testers loot.

Gobber then turned and looked at the crowd. "Listen up, everyone had equal access ter this information. Even so a lot of players still died. I didn't come here ter point fingers at anyone, I'm here because I want ter learn from these players deaths. I'm here, because I want find out how were gonna beat the boss."

He then glared down at Beraht, who could tell that he had been defeated. He walked up and a half and sat down at one of the steps and Gobber returned to his seat.

Once everyone has settled down Cullen pulled out his own guidebook. "Okay, can we get back to the meeting now?" Everyone nodded any show them the guidebook. "For info on the boss, it's all in here. The latest issue of the guidebook you just heard about."

Everyone looked up.

Cullen then opened at the guidebook and began reading out loud info on the first boss. "According to the book, the bosses name is Orok the Bloodfang. He's an ogre that is surrounded by several genlocks. Orok fight with his bare hands, but his strength is twice that of a qunari, he has four health bars and when the last one turns red he pulls out a greatsword. He can change as pattern of attacks too."

Everyone began talking amongst themselves, they didn't like how top the first boss sounded. Cullen then closed the book and looked at the crowd once more.

"That's it for the briefing. As for the distribution of loot money will be divided equally amongst everyone. The party that defeats the boss gets the XP and whoever gets an item gets to keep it. Any objections?" No one objected. "Good, we leave tomorrow at ten in the morning. Meeting adjourned people!"

People then began to talk amongst their parties, except for Astrid who just wandered off.

"That girl's cold," Ragnar noted.

"Yes, but something tells me she can handle yourself in a fight," said Hiccup.

"Well, if she's working alongside as we need to know if she's a team player."

In truth Hiccup wouldn't call himself a team player either. In all the games he's played he never actually joined a party and in fact he never really had a real friend, Ragnar was the first. He wasn't sure he was cut up enough to lead a group.


Later that night, the raid group began drinking, eating and talking amongst themselves. Astrid, however, was sitting by yourself eating some bread.

"There was a pretty good, aren't they?" said a voice.

She looked up and saw Hiccup approaching her. "Mind if I sit down?"

Astrid didn't answer and Hiccup took this as a yes. However, the moment he sat down she moved further away.

Hiccup shrugged and grabbed some bread himself.

Astrid looked at him as he ate. "You really think these tastes good?"

"Huh-uh, since I came to this town I end up eating at least one a day. Of course, I've got a trick to make it taste better."

"What trick?"

Hiccup pulled out a small jar. "Try it with some of that."

Astrid looked at him wondering if he was serious and not and then tap the jar. The moment she did a bright glow covered her finger and she traced it over the bread. As she did cream began to pour out.

"Cream?"

Hiccup did the same with his and the jar shattered, because it was now empty. He then took a bite and reluctantly she did to and found the taste had improved. She then quickly gobbled up the bread.

"I got it from the Telus Strikes Back, that's the quest in the village before you get to this one," Hiccup explained. "Do you want to know how I did it?"

Astrid shook her head. "I appreciate the offer, but… I didn't come to this town to eat good food."

"Well, I guessed that."

"I'm just trying not to lose sight of who I am. I don't want to lock myself in a room in the Town of Beginnings and slowly rot away. I'd rather stay the way I am until the last moment. Even if a monster beats me and I die I won't lose to this game or this world. No matter what."

Hiccup sighed. "To be honest, I'm actually quite scared."

Astrid snorted. "Then maybe you should be part of the boss raid."

Hiccup shook his head. "No, I'm not afraid of the boss. I'm afraid of failing to lead this party. In fact sometimes I wonder from better off by myself."

Astrid looked at him. "I find that hard to believe, you and your friend seem to get along quite well."

"I trust him with my life, but taking those first steps leading a team to the unknown that's what scares me. However, I will do whatever it takes to beat this game and free everyone trapped inside it."

Astrid stared at him, he didn't look that tough and yet he was the strongest person she had ever met. Maybe being a party with him wouldn't be so bad.


At ten on the dot they set out towards the tower in order to face the boss. Hiccup and his group were hanging back and he was giving them some last-minute instructions.

"Let's go over this again," he said. "We're the backup. So, our target is going to be the genlocks."

"I know," said Astrid.

"Hiccup, we've been through this a dozen times," said Ragnar.

"Give me a break, this is after the first time I've led a group," said Hiccup. "Anyway, Ragnar you hang back to give support to us. Astrid since your warrior your better at the frontline, you distract them and I attacked them from behind."

"You know it's fortunate that we have all three classes in our party," said Ragnar.

Astrid stared at them. "Does that make any difference?"

The two boys stared at her.

"Okay, level with us is this the first time you've been with multiple classes?" Hiccup asked.

"Huh-uh."

Hiccup and Ragnar exchange looks this was going better by the second.

Hiccup began to explain. "Well, mages like Ragnar are excellent at giving support from the rear, a warrior like you are at your best on the frontlines and I'm a rogue we specialise at sneak attacks."


It took about half an hour, but they final reached the tower and were now standing in front of a large door that led to its lair.

Before they entered Cullen turned to face them to give one last speech. "Listen up everyone. I've only got one thing to say to you. Let's win!"

Everyone ready themselves as Cullen opened the doors.

They soon entered inside and found Orok standing there waiting along with a small group of genlocks. The hallway was dark and damp, but once they were all inside the entire place lit up and they got a good look of Orok's ugly face.

Orok was about ten feet tall with a pair of horns that look like they could pierce the hide of an elephant. He was wearing armour as well and strapped to his back was a large handler must have been his greatsword. The genlocks too were wearing armour and armed with swords. They could see their names and health bars and that when the battle started.

"Commence attack!" Cullen commanded.

At once they all charged at their enemies and began to fight for their lives.

Five minutes into the fight and they were doing pretty well, Cullen's action leadership was giving them the advantage. When one party looked worn out he sent another to give the other party time to recover.

"Squads A and B, switch in!" Cullen ordered.

The tactic was working perfectly there were wearing down Orok. He also could tell whenever Orok was about to attack.

"Here it comes! Squad B, block! Squad C, keep guarding and prepare to switch. Everyone else when you fall back regroup and flank them. Squads D, E and F keep those minions of us!"

"Yeah, you got it!" Hiccup yelled.

His party were clashing with a genlock, Ragnar given support from the rear shooting out spells just when it went for their blind spot. Hiccup was able to keep it on its toes and managed to push it back.

"Astrid, now!"

"I'm on it!" said Astrid rushing past him.

Hiccup stared at her at first he thought that she was a beginner, but she had excellent skill. He never seen anyone charging that much power in an axe before. He and Ragnar watched as he sliced through the genlock's weapon and then sliced its head off with ease.

"We might actually survive this," said Ragnar as he fired a fireball at another genlock.

Hiccup then blocked an attack from another one and then stabbed it with a dagger while its chest was open. Once it vanished he turned his attention to Orok and saw that the others had finally managed to get into the red zone and began to reach was handle of his blade.

"Looks like the guidebook was right," said Beraht.

"Stand back!" Cullen ordered as he rushed to the front with sword and shield in hand. "I've got it."

Hiccup stopped and stared, he thought the plan was for everyone in the group to switch around it. He then saw the smile on Cullen's face at his or began to glow in a golden light.

However, Hiccup then notice that Orok wasn't holding a greatsword, it was a large battle-axe. This meant that there have been several upgrades since the beta.

Hiccup managed to kill the genlock he was fighting and turn to warn Cullen. "Stop! It's no good! Get out of there!"

But it was too late, Orok roared a charge straight towards Cullen with his axe held high. Cullen realised too late was happening and try to block the attack, but instead was sent flying.

"Cullen, no!" Beraht yelled.

Orok then began to approach the other groups and without their leader they were disorganised.

Hiccup and Ragnar rushed over to Cullen, who was sprawled across the floor.

"Cullen!" Hiccup yelled. They saw as his HP gate was dropping to the zero and Hiccup quickly grabbed a healing potion. "What the hell were you thinking?"

However, Cullen stopped him before we could administer the potion. "You know… you were a beta tester to. Weren't you?"

Hiccup then realise how well coordinated he was, it was because he had faces and me once before. He then realised why he moved the frontlines.

"You were after the last attack bonus. The rare item. You're just like me… a beta tester."

Cullen smiled. "Please, you have to-to defeat the boss. For everyone here."

He then shattered into a million pieces as his health bar dropped to zero. Everyone stared in horror as they saw their leader die.

Ragnar then looked up. "I might be able to save him," he said.

Hiccup looked at him bewildered. "What you mean?"

"Before we got here I make sure I learnt the resurrection spell," said Ragnar extending his hands which began to glow in a bright blue aura. "If a mage use the spell they can revive fallen comrade, as long as the use it ten seconds after death."

Hiccup stared at him and saw that the pieces began to reassemble themselves. He was actually bringing Cullen back.

Hiccup looked at the pieces that were reassembling to form Cullen and remember the reason why he was here. He was here so that it can bring everyone back home and he swore to himself that he would do that no matter the cost.

He then got up to his feet and Astrid joined by his side knowing what he was about to do.

"I'm coming to," she said.

Ragnar began to sweat as he maintained his concentration. "I won't be able to move or while, though. So I won't be to assist you in the battle until the spell is complete."

"Okay," Hiccup nodded. And the two of them charge straight towards Orok."We'll hit them just like we did with the minions."

Astrid nodded. "You got it."

Orok saw them coming and his axe began to glow a very dark purple. Hiccup charged with his sword blowing a fiery red and blocks the attack. This left him wide open for Astrid, who's axe glowed a bright blue.

However, Orok could see the attack and had enough time to raise his axe.

"Astrid!" Hiccup yelled.

Astrid ducked in time advocate was shattered and revealed a golden blonde headed girl with steel-blue eyes glaring up at the ogre. Astrid then slammed her axe into and he was sent flying.

Hiccup stared at her, he never seen someone as beautiful. He shook his head and remember the battle was still going on when he saw Orok getting back onto his feet.

"He's coming back!" Hiccup yelled.

Both he and Astrid charge is once again and use the same tactic again. However, this time he made a quick recovery and when he was about to attack Astrid, Hiccup placed himself in between it and her blocking his attack.

When he was able to put away his axe, Hiccup fry to get in below his guard, but Orok had adapted to the tactic. He lowered his arm just enough for Hiccup's sword to pass over it and it slammed him in the chest send him back toward Astrid.

The two of them about the ground and when Astrid looked back up she saw Hiccup's dropping. She then saw Orok towering above her ready to deal the final blow. She raised her axe to block, but Gobber appeared out of nowhere and sent him backwards with his massive hammer.

Then the rest of his squad charge straight towards Orok with the sword raised. He then turned and looked at Hiccup and Astrid.

"We get all this bastard off until your health backup," he said.

"You got it," said Hiccup weakly.

Gobber then joined the rest of his squad on their attack on Orok, but even with his health in the red zone he proved to be a difficult opponent. Despite all their attacks he was able to knock them aside easily and raised his battle-axe for the final blow.

However, at that point Hiccup's health had been restored. "Watch out!" He raised his sword which once again glowed a fiery red and charge straight at Orok. "You're going down!"

He sliced right across Orok chest and he was sent flying, but Hiccup wasn't about to let up. "Come on Astrid! Help me beat this sucker! One last attack!"

"You got it," said Astrid getting to a feet.

The two of them charge straight towards Orok and when he tried to attack them with his battle-axe, Hiccup knotted aside. This allowed Astrid to strike him in the chest with her axe and Hiccup follow that up with a slash attack.

Hiccup then channelled the last of his remaining strength into a sword and plunged it into the ogre's chest. He drew the blade upwards cutting the beast and half and everyone watch as Orok exploded into a million pieces.

Then a huge noticeboard saying: Congratulations appeared and everyone cheered uncontrollably. Hiccup, was the only one not cheering he was still recovering from his last attack and he looked down to see that he got a notice saying: Congratulations you got the last attack bonus!

Astrid then approached him. "Nice job."

"That was some fine swordsmanship, congratulations," said Gobber. "Today's victory is all thanks to you."

"No," said Hiccup shaking his head.

However everyone disagreed with him and began to clap. That was everyone but Beraht.

"Stop your cheering!" he yelled. He then glared at Hiccup. "Why did you do it, huh?"

Hiccup stared at him. "What are you talking about?"

"You know what I'm talking about! You knew the technique the boss was going to use, you could have told us. Then Cullen would have stand a chance!"

"He didn't tell anyone, because it was not in the beta," said a voice.

Everyone turned and found that Cullen was still alive, though Ragnar had to support him.

"Cullen?" said Beraht bewildered. "But—but I saw you die."

"I would have been, if it was not for one of Hiccup's friends," said Cullen looking at Ragnar. "And if you have a bone to pick with the betas, then you have to include me. I was once a beta tester."

Everyone stared at him and Beraht looked flabbergasted. Apparently he had an expected any of this to be flown back into his face.

Hiccup then turned to face everyone, here now equipped the armour he had acquired from Orok. It was pitch black and was clearly made with fine leather.

"I maybe a beta, but that doesn't mean I don't care about the other players. I will complete this game even if I have to do this by myself and I will use any means. Even if that means using a few cheats."

"What you mean by that?" said Beraht.

"Most of the thousand people that took part in the beta were rookies. I, however, was not… I conquered more island than any other player and I know every single shortcut on each of those floors I conquered."

"If that's true, then you're worse than a beta tester, your god damn cheater!" Beraht roared.

"He is neither a beta tester nor a cheater, he's a beater!" another player yelled.

"A beater, huh?" said Hiccup rubbing his chin. "You can call me whatever you want, but know this I will do whatever it takes in order to complete this game and get everyone home. For this moment fourth the Grey Wardens are formed and anyone is free to join us as long as they commit themselves to completing the game."

Beraht laughed. "Who would join you?"

"I will," said Ragnar making his way over to Hiccup.

"As will I," said Astrid doing the same.

Hiccup look to the crowd and could see Gobber smiling, Sten given him and respected not and Cullen saluted him.

Seeing how no one else was joining them, he decided to make his way to the next floor. However Astrid stopped him.

"You called me Astrid," she said."

"That is your name, right?" Hiccup blinked.

"But I do remember telling you my name."

"If you look right about here, you see another HP gauge under yours," said Hiccup pointing at his HP gauge. "There's a name written right next to it."

Astrid looked at her HP gauge and saw that he was right. Under hers was to others, Hiccup and Ragnar. Since Ragnar's health hadn't really dropped, she guessed Hiccup was the boy right in front of her.

"Hiccup?" She then looked up at him. "Your name is Hiccup?"

"Yeah," said Hiccup.

Astrid then looked seriously embarrassed. "I can't believe I didn't see it before."

"Well, you get to know us after all we just formed our own organisation," said Ragnar placing an arm around each of them.

However, there was one thing Hiccup couldn't understand. How did Ragnar know about the resurrection spell and that it had to be Within ten seconds or players death. He was hiding something, that his thoughts disappeared when the three of than made their way to the door that reached to the next floor and it closed right behind them.