.hack/Polarized/Leader.of.the.Wolf.Pack
by
Chad 'Graeystone' Harger
XXXXX
Thankfully my aunt was not home when I passed out. She doesn't know what I'm doing and as I far as I know she thinks I'm holding up my end of the bargain. I play very little while I wait for Annrika to e-mail me. At the end of the week she does and I reply that I'm committed to The World.
I log into The World and go to Annrika's place. I've read on the board that every so often a contest of some kind is held and the prize is an 'apartment'. Here a 'renter' can store their treasure instead of going to an Elf's Haven, have meetings, and other things.
"Good, you're here," Annrika says as I enter her apartment. "I was wondering if you were going to make it. I got something to show you."
"What is it?" I ask. I hope its something about what happened to us.
"I overheard a couple of players the other day. They spoke of a hidden event," answers Annrika. "The Werewolves are going to select a new leader today."
"Sounds like it'll help us," I say with sarcasm.
"Oh no you don't," says Annrika. "You're not going to ruin my good mood. Nobody has seen how the Werewolves pick a leader and I want to be the first."
Annrika taps my head with her staff. "Considering how powerful they are we can pick up some fighting tips. Heck, maybe we'll find an ally. Aura did mention something like that."
"She did and I do need to learn how to fight," I say. I look at my daggers. I don't feel as confident as I should. "Let's go meet some Werewolves."
XXXXX
We enter a grassland field. This one is different from the first one. There are mushrooms all around and the ground is flat.
"This way," says Annrika. I follow her to a small clearing. We duck behind a large rock. We peek around the boulder and we see a group of scantily clad players. "Its them," whispers Annrika.
A male Werewolf who looks like he was put through a shredder then blown apart is facing a beautiful female Werewolf. "Doesn't look like there's too many players."
"There are only ten Werewolves in The World," explains Annrika. "Five male and five female."
I look closer at the crowd. "I only see eight," I say.
"I guess a couple couldn't make it," says Annrika. "I wish we could get closer to hear what they're saying."
"Actually we were patrolling the area," says a voice from behind.
Annrika and I turn around. Two large huge male Werewolves are standing there. "Uh, hello," says Annrika.
We stand up and I hope standing will make them less huge. It doesn't make a difference.
The two Werewolves put meat hooks they call hands on our shoulders. "Come with us, intruders," he growls.
"Are we dead?" I ask.
"I don't know," says Annrika. "As I said no has ever seen how they do things."
"How did you know about the choosing?" asks one of the Werewolves in a threatening voice that doesn't affect me at all. The annoying part of my mind kicked in a few seconds ago.
"I overheard two Werewolves talk about it in a tavern a couple of days ago," answers Annrika.
"So much for secrecy," says the Werewolf who's holding me. "Come with us and we'll sort this out."
"Why do you keep it a secret?" I ask as we walk toward the crowd.
"It wasn't at one time. Because there's so few of us and we're considered mysterious, everyone and their cousin wanted to watch," explains the other Werewolf. "It was a giant distraction for us and after awhile so we decided to keep it a secret."
We reach the crowd. "We got visitors," someone says.
"How cares? This is getting good," says another.
"Who's fighting?" asks Annrika.
"Piotr and Ouka. Ouka is the female and our current leader," says my captor. "Now my question, who was it that overheard?"
Annrika looks around. She's afraid and I would be to. "Uh, they're not here."
"Don't lie. There're only ten of us. We won't do anything to you if you tell us the truth."
"I'm telling you the truth," said Annrika. She stares at the Werewolf. "I also know the rules. You can't do anything to me outside of a PvP." She takes her staff and points the business end at him. "It's no secret that Werewolves are stronger than Heavy Axemen yet are very weak against magic."
The Werewolf hesitates then smiles. "You have courage little one. Some other time perhaps. I've never fought a Wavemaster. It would be interesting. Let's watch the fight."
We turn our attention to the battle. Both combatants look exhausted. Both are grinning at each other. Piotr has a toothy smile that's all fangs and Ouka nods in appreciation. They circle each other trying to find an opening. Piotr sees me and blinks. "Hey Ouka, isn't that the kid you told me about over there?"
Ouka turns her head to the side. She has one eye on Piotr and on me. "Shugo, what're you doing here?" she asks in surprise.
Piotr changes into a wolf and takes advantage of the distraction. With a howl he jumps and attacks Ouka. He bites her right arm. Ouka tries to shake him off.
"Hey, that wasn't fair!" says Annrika.
"Outside of magical potions and scrolls, anything goes," says a Werewolf. "Ouka isn't out of it yet."
Ouka makes the point by grabbing Piotr's tail with her free hand. She drops to her knees and slams him into the ground until he lets go. With her arm free she grabs Piotr's tail and swings him around and lets go. In midair Piotr changes back into a humanoid. He tries to land on his feet. He miscalculates and lands hard.
"This has to be the most boring fight I've ever been in" taunts Ouka.
Piotr gets on his knees and lets out an ear splitting howl. He hits the ground with his fists. "Here we go, the wolf has gone rabid!" someone in the crowd shouts.
Ouka is on guard as Piotr charges with wild abandonment. Ouka tries to sidestep. Piotr see the move and changes direction. Ouka puts her hands up defensively. Piotr tackles her and they both go down hard. Ouka is punching hard. Even I cringe a little as the blows hit. The blows don't seem to register. Piotr is biting and scratching. Its like he snapped. If this was real life Ouka would be bleeding like crazy and Piotr would have a lot of broken bones.
The crowd is cheering them on. Both fighters are slowing down. The fighters untangle themselves. They get up. Both are limping. "You can quit anytime Divine Fist Ouka," says Piotr who's foaming at the mouth.
Ouka laughs and says, "Flattery gets you nowhere Piotr Volk who is the Rabid Wolf. I'm smart enough to not to let my guard down twice." Ouka changes into a wolf. "Let's finish this in wolf form."
Piotr flashes that toothy and changes into a wolf. The two charge each other. They are almost on top of each other when spikes of ice come out of the ground. Both combatants are thrown backwards.
The Werewolves look at Annrika and they aren't happy. "I didn't do it," says Annrika.
"I did," says a menacing voice. A dark figure comes toward us. My first thought is the monster. The figure is in view. I relax seeing it's not the monster but its still bad news. A tall male Wavemaster that looks like death warmed over. He reminds me of Emperor Palpatine from the classic Star Wars movies.
"What is the meaning of this!" growls Piotr.
"I am Charus the Darkweaver," replies the Wavemaster. "I have come to make an offer to the Werewolves. Great power awaits those who join the cause."
"What are you talking about?" asks Ouka.
"Bah! Annoying players who have nothing else to do but ruin others fun!" says Piotr.
"Stand down Piotr," orders Ouka.
Ouka looks at me and waves me over. "Ok Shugo, let's teach this joker a lesson," she says.
"I'm not Shugo," I say.
"I know I rode you hard before but now's not the time," says Ouka.
"Listen to my voice very carefully. I am not Shugo," I say with emphasis.
"How about Kite?" she asks with hope.
"Never heard of him."
The World's anti-swearing program kicks in and for a few seconds as Ouka swears and all that's moving is her mouth. "It all!" is all I hear.
"This Bolshevik is going down," growls Piotr. "Da, it'll be fun."
"I am merely a messenger," says Charus. "Like my namesake I give the news."
"And what news is that?" asks a Werewolf.
"The World needs structure and order. My master will give that order. Both the real world and game shall know true peace," says Charus.
Ouka laughs and says, "Let me guess, another administrator with an ego."
"The administrators don't know which hand is doing what," says Charus. "The only five that posed a threat quit a long time ago."
The game music stops. Ouka becomes on guard like she's been through this before. "Everyone get ready."
Two people teleport into the field. The first is Basilisk and the second is the monster. I am surprised to see Basilisk with the monster.
I choke down my fear and refuse to let it get out of hand. I also tell the annoying part of my mind to just shut up. "Ouka, get everyone out of here!"
Ouka does not question me. "You heard him! Everyone log out or get away from your computers!"
"Why?" asks a Werewolf.
Ouka grabs the Werewolf by the collar. "Just do it!" she growls.
"Too late!" hisses the monsters. He raises his hand and his bracelet glows as does mine.
"Annrika, everyone get away from your computers!" I yell.
I take the VR visor off my head and turn my head. I close my eyes and pray the affects of the Bracelet cannot reach me. The volume is still up and I can hear screaming as I imagine the players being knocked unconscious as their characters explode. After a minute of silence I put the visor back on.
The area trashed. Annrika stands beside me shaking. Ouka and Piotr are only two Werewolves who survived the onslaught. Ouka points at the monster and asks, "Who are you?"
The monster hisses at her. "Smart. Look away," he says.
"I will kill you with my bare hands," growls Piotr.
"This is no longer about winning or losing fights," says Ouka. "This is about outright survival."
"She's right," I say. "I on the other hand can take him." I raise my arm and point the Bracelet at him. "What's it going to be?"
The monster tilts his head. "Aura. Found another. Fight not," he says. He looks at Ouka with madness. "Name, Kite."
The three of them are thunderstruck. "Impossible," says Annrika.
"People change," says Basilisk. He looks at Kite and nods. "It's been fun kiddies. Stay out of trouble." They log out leaving me and the others standing there.
Ouka is the first to speak. "What's your name kid?"
"Uh, Chase the Twin Blade," I answer. "This is Annrika the Wavemaster."
"Welcome to The World," she says. "I'm Ouka the Divine Fist. This is Piotr Volk the Rabid Wolf. To make a long story short Chase, you're now the most important person in The World."
"Huh?" I ask.
"Does the name Aura mean anything to you?" she asks.
"I met her," I say wondering where this is going. I have a feeling I will not like it at all.
"I can't tell you everything you need to know. I'm not jerking you around or anything. Its just how it goes for players who get stuck in your kind of situation," explains Ouka. "What you're getting into can be considered dangerous and life threatening."
"I know. I felt the power of the Bracelet up close and personal," I say.
"As in being affected in real life?" asks Ouka.
"Yeah. I was knocked out," I answer. She is looking at me seeing if I am lying. "It's the truth. I got knocked out in real life. What's the problem?"
"I can't say right now," says Ouka. "Its one of those things you'll have to figure out on your own. In the meantime I suggest Piotr go with you. He's crazy-
"I'm not crazy!" growls Piotr.
"But he's a good ally and friend," finishes Ouka. "I need to contact an old friend about this." She logs out leaving Annrika and I with Piotr.
"Uh, hello," I say. Piotr is looking at us like the Big Bad Wolf sizing up Little Red Riding Hood. I wait for the annoying part of my mind to kick in. I am finding that outside of Kite, I cannot be intimidated by anyone in the game.
Piotr sizes me up. "Hrm. . .not the strongest player," he says.
"I haven't had time to level up," I reply. "With this whole save two worlds thing has filled up my schedule."
Annrika tries the diplomatic approach. "Piotr Volk is an interesting name. What does it mean?"
Piotr smiles and its not pleasant. It's all fangs in his mouth. He thumps his chest and says, "Is Russian. Piotr means Peter and Volk means Wolf."
"Will you help us?" asks Annrika with hope.
"Are you sure about this?" I whisper to Annrika.
"I know he's eccentric but Werewolves are powerful. We need him," she says.
"How about a trial basis?" I ask.
"A trial basis will work," says Piotr who heard every word. "Best to turn volume way down when whispering in front of a Werewolf. Nice little benefit of character, da?" He hands me his member address. "Only reason I help is to avenge fellow Werewolves. No more, no less." He logs out leaving just Annrika and I.
I look up at the fake sky and sigh. "This is going to be fun."
To be continued. . .