Chapter 3. Tatakai!

"We have made it to the second floor the day after the 1st floor boss was defeated. We are excited to progress in the game and Matty has a informat out to notify him once the next boss is found. This is so we can join the raid party.'' Xonj thinks to himself

The party walks over hills of grass. The hilly territory is not enjoyable because you never know what's on the other side. Matty points out to the party that his informant told him the details of the 1st floor boss not being the same as in the beta. Its almost a whole new game even for the beta testers. His guidance is still incredibly useful. Xonj thinks of how he may be a wandering fool with out him. When walking Matty and Xonj take the lead with Philus and Cherub close behind them and walks in the back. Matty begins conversation with Xonj.

"So my informant tells me that the other beta testers she is in contact with know nothing about a skill called Shield Combat. She is calling it a unique skill."

Xonj looks down at Ai in his left hand. Matty continues to talk.

"You are getting pretty good with using it also! You know it makes me feel like we can make it though this game with someone as strong as you. I can't imagine what that skill will open up for you in the higher levels. I am relieved to have you here."

Xonj responds

"I am glad I can improve your spirits."

Xonj lifts his attention from his shield to Matty. Matty smiles and says

"It is not just me, it is all of us. I was sure Philus was going to lose it before we even got out of the town of beginnings. Cherub has been singing more often. has really taking a liking to sparring with each us. Also I have seen him smile quite a few times after training with you."

Xonj eyes become wide and says

" smiled? Thats hard to imagine is such a serious individual."

Matty laughs softly then responds

"You have really given me hope. I know it is early in the game and I keep pounding it into your head, but I have no way to express the relief I have felt lately. I was afraid that everyone would be looking to me for everything inside this world since I am beta tester."

"Well like you said things have changed. We are all new to this world." Xonj tells Matty

Matty stares forward to the hills and says

"Yeah I guess so."

The party continues to travel up a rather steep hill. Then a scream echoes through the hills.

"That sounds like another player!" Matty says.

Xonj and Matty take off up the hill. Once they reach the top of the hill they look down. There's a valley surrounded by large wooden spikes to keep people out and is a arena with a dust covered battleground. A single entrance is spotted by Xonj and he calls it out to the rest of the party.

"There! A way inside!"

Matty and the others stand frozen. Inside the arena were two minotaurs and three bulls. The party of three players are cut off from the entrance. One by one a bull rushes the players while the Minotaur stand in the back closest to the entrance. The players stumble when they parry and trip as they dodge. They have been exhausted. Matty and the rest run to catch up with Xonj heading towards the entrance. Xonj turns quickly to his right sliding on his left foot. He then plants his right foot on the ground facing the pit entrance.

"Xonj! Xonj stop!" Matty yells out

Matty and Mr. Clark catch up, soon followed Philus and Cherub.

"Xonj we don't know how strong these things are, or what kind of traps might be inside."

The Screams ring through Xonj's head. He looks down towards his hands. His shield in the left and his right hand clenched in a fist of rage. Xonj whispers.

"Give me strength cause…"

A catch in Xonj's sentence. His hands shake from anticipation of his next actions.

"Cause I can't hold back!"

Xonj grabs his long sword on his back and the heels of his feet raise off the ground. He begins a full sprint towards the minotaur on his right side. The minotaur is holding a large sledge and the other minotaur a two handed axe. In mid run he unsheathes his sword and reaches his opponent. He swings from his side and cuts the minotaur across his back. The minotaur stumbles forward and gains his balance. The minotaur pivots then swings his large sledge into Xonj's shield. Xonj try's to hold the block but it is broken and his shield arm is forced upwards. As Xonj back peddles from the hit he spots the other minotaur running towards him and closing in fast. Xonj is caught by surprise and thinks to himself.

"Oh no he has me! I can't gain any traction!"

The second minotaur has his axe held to its side as he charges. It swings aiming for Xonj's exposed side. Matty slide's in between Xonj and the minotaur and parry's the attack and rushes out of the minotaurs path. Xonj regains traction and side steps the charging minotaur. The first minotaur then thrust his sledge into Xonj's gut. Xonj is thrown off the ground and sent backwards a few feet. Using the fang like spikes at the bottom of his shield and throwing his feet back to the ground.

"That bar!" Xonj realizes

Xonj lifts his shield slightly above the ground and stomps the bar on the inside. The teeth of the shield are now buried in the ground. He peers past the shield through the groove on the top left. He sees Matty and engaged with the second minotaur. Philus and Cherub are rushing to aid Xonj. Xonj then yells out.

"Philus! Cherub! Stear those bulls away from the other players! I got this one!"

Philus and Cherub pause for a moment and change direction towards the bulls. The first minotaur has closed the distance and is in striking distance of Xonj. Xonj braces himself behind his shield. The minotaur delivers a direct hit on the center of his shield. A hard battering rings from the blow and the shield holds the attack. Xonj releases his grip on his shield and grasp his sword with both hands. He rolls to the right of the shield so his is positioned beside the shield and strikes the minotaur. Then strifes left in front of his shield and strikes again. The minotaur prepares for a strike and Xonj rolls to his left and is once again behind his shield. He grasp the handle of his shield and uses it to absorb the attack. He then rolls to the left from behind his shield. So he is once again positioned beside his shield and strikes the minotaur. Strifes right to be positioned in front of his shield and strikes the minotaur. The minotaur's life bar has now fallen to the red. Xonj thinks with certainty.

"Now it is time to finish this!"

Xonj uproots his shield from the ground and turns it to the right slightly to see his target through the groove. The second minotaur has rushed to the first minotaurs aid and is in striking range of Xonj. Xonj spots Matty in the distance on his side reaching from the ground towards Xonj.

"Xonj!" Matty screams out.

The minotaur swings his axe from his right towards Xonj's head.

"No time to block!" Xonj thinks with urgency

Xonj eyes widen. A couple more feet before contact, a players body jumps in front of the attack. The axe is absorbed by the body and is pushed into Xonj's shield. Xonj rolls to his left around the player and turns towards the second minotaur. He performs a sword skill lunge into the second minotaur shattering him into crystals and then rolls to his right so he is facing the first minotaur holding his shield with the teeth pointed towards his shield glows and Xonj performs his first shield skill, Shield Thrust. Xonj thrust his shield into the minotaurs gut shattering him into crystals as looks around and sees Cherub and Philus had managed to defeat the three bulls. The other players are on the ground in resting positions. Cherub stands in shock looking past Xonj and Philus drops to his knees releasing his weapon to the ground. Matty is still laying on the ground with horror in his face. Xonj turns to see who he already knew was there. laying on the ground on his side and his rapier on the ground inches away from him. then shatters into crystals, is dead. The crystals wither away and Xonj releases his weapon and shield from his adrenaline fueled grip. He then to drops to his knees and starts to crawl slowly where laid. Xonj whispers with a catch in his voice.

" . No. no."

Tears begin to fill Xonj's eyes. He bows his head and tears drip to the dust. A message appears in front of Xonj. Tears phase through the message screen.

Event Cleared

Quest Reward

Bulls Horn