Chapter 9 - Dungeons and Dragons
As every good story begins, the group converges in a tavern. The place was a little run down but was doing well enough. Most of the crew was already established. Carl was a bard in charge of a llama stable and had magic that could summon an army of them at any time. Libby was a mage who could control the four elements. Cindy was a sharpshooter that could hit a bullseye from 10 miles away. They were together discussing what their next quest should be.
"How about this one?" Carl pointed to a quest on the list regarding playing security at the local carnival. "Sounds like it'll be easy money."
"Sounds like a waste of our talents," Libby remarked.
"I could see the appeal," Cindy started. "I could detect any possible intruders from afar…" she then saw another quest that caught her eye. "Wait, hold on! What do y'all think of this?!" She pointed to a quest that involved a treasure hunt. "This has us searching for the Radiant Emerald! Says here anyone in possession of it can grant them one wish! If we turn it in, we will have our weight in gold."
"Couldn't we just wish for that when we find it?" Libby inquired.
"Good point. Pretty sure they thought of that before writing it down." She then looked at the details. "Should we accept this task, we'll be handed a map to where the treasure is stored. Be forewarned, the journey will be perilous."
"Never stopped us before," Carl shrugged. "That said, I do think we should fine tune our weapons."
"Agreed," Libby nodded. "Taking on the Northern Orc Clan really did a number on our stuff."
"I think I know a guy who can help us," she pondered with a smirk.
As they accepted the quest, they were handed a map to use. After having a feast, they proceeded to the blacksmith's shop. There, they found Jimmy crafting his latest creation. Cindy spoke first. "Sup Neutron? Think you got a minute?"
"Ah Vortex," Jimmy waved. "To what do I owe the pleasure?"
"I was wondering if you can fine tune our weapons for this upcoming quest."
"Sure thing, but it's gonna cost you a pretty penny-erm I mean a hefty fine in gold." Jimmy caught himself.
Cindy attempted persuasion. "Come on sir James," her calling him James caught him off guard. "Can you do a longtime friend a favor this one time?"
This wasn't enough to convince him as he shook his head. "Sorry, but rules are rules. No money, no service."
Carl and Libby shrugged as they walked away. Libby then attempted to persuade Jimmy. "You know, it's a real shame to decline this offer."
"What offer?" Carl whispered as Jimmy raised an eyebrow.
"Just play along," Cindy whispered back.
"We're gonna go on this big journey. If you fix our weapons and participate. This will reward us our weight in gold, but I guess you don't want that so we'll be on our-"
"WAIT!" Jimmy pleaded to which everyone smiled as the persuasion paid off. "I can help you guys! Just hand me your weapons!" They proceeded to do that. "I just want some assurances first!"
"Like what?" Carl asked.
"Since I'm making the weapons and participating, I want 35% of the cut." Seeing that he didn't know about the Radiant Emerald, granting wishes they only thought about it for a second.
"Deal!" Cindy said as they shook hands.
"Alrighty crew!" Carl declared. "Let's gooooo!" Jimmy then fine tuned all their weapons and they were on their way. They ventured out across the land, from the mountaintops to the vast sea. Together, they fought any enemies that got in their way and camped together. They stopped through villages to replenish equipment. As they did so, Jimmy bonded with the other three compatriots. Eventually, they made it to where the treasure was. It was located in a cave near a volcano named Mt. Yōgan.
As they got to the entrance, a samurai guardian showed up as he jumped in front of them. "Halt! Who goes there?!" In real life, Sheen the DM was posing as him.
"We come in search of the treasure!" Cindy declared.
"The Radiant Emerald!" Carl added.
"Oh, okay." He shrugged. "You may proceed."
"That's it?" Libby asked.
"Of course not! Thousands that have come before you have perished at the hands of the dragon that's in there! What makes you think you are capable?!" the samurai challenged.
"Guess you'll have to wait and see, huh?" Libby retorted.
"Hahah- ahem," he calmed down and then spoke again. "You know, I like your spunk. Follow me. I'll show you what I know but from there, you'll have to retrieve it on your own."
"How come you never got the treasure?" Jimmy asked.
"I was tasked to be the guardian of this area from any outside threats. I have no need for such a jewel." As they were walking through the cavern, they passed the various skeletons that lay about. Eventually the path led to an opening where lava flowed below. The glowing treasure was just on the other side. "The fabled Radiant Emerald lays on the other side. The only way to get there is to cross this bridge."
"Please, even if there's lava, that's a cakewalk for us!" Cindy bragged.
"It may seem simple, but on the contrary, it's the most challenging puzzle known to man. At least I think so anyway. I haven't lived too far from here in my life." The samurai pointed. "This bridge has an ancient trap which will take a great amount of patience and precision."
(Outside the game, Jimmy whispered to Carl. "Since when did Sheen start sounding more intelligent?"
Carl shrugged. "Typically, he doesn't, but he's dedicated to the bit."
"I see.")
The samurai continued. "We mustn't make any mistake or it'll trigger an explosion that will wipe out the bridge."
"So what should we do then?" Libby asked.
"There is a way that's doable." The samurai explained as he pointed to the respective spots. "Starting from the center, use odd-numbered blocks only, moving forward with each step, except for every fifth step, which must be a lateral move. Left or right, it matters not, so long as the leader and the laggard remain equidistant. After which, proceed. Again, odd-numbered blocks only. However, at the midpoint we switch to even-numbered blocks. Same pattern, except now a lateral move after the fourth step, until we reach the three-"
Out of nowhere, the bridge proceeded to explode and immediately crumbled the bridge into the lava. The samurai turned to see who caused it and it was none other than Carl who looked extremely guilty "Uh… I might've put my foot there… Didn't think that's where it started."
The samurai nearly broke character as he looked at Carl with his patience wearing thin."
"To be fair, that does look structurally unsound." Jimmy attempted to come to Carl's defense.
"Maybe a bridge wasn't the only way?" Cindy suggested.
"What're you implying?" the samurai asked.
"I'm gonna try using my power to get it to us!" Libby declared as she got her staff. "Tornado snatch!" a gust of air was summoned and reached as far as the emerald sat. The treasure was successfully grabbed and almost in her possession, but then a dragon flew in and made its way to attack them. The explosion of the bridge caused the dragon to awaken from its century long slumber.
"Okay, let me just say, I had no idea there would be a dragon guarding the treasure!" Cindy commented.
Libby responded, "The quest was light on details! Anyone have any ideas!"
"I got one!" Carl decided. "I'm gonna seduce it!"
"Are you certain that's possible?" Jimmy asked. "Sounds far fetched."
"Eh, it's worth a shot," he shrugged. "If nothing else it makes for a good distraction." He then turned to the flying beast with the most smug face he's ever had. "Hey there, hot stuff. I came here for some very nice treasure, that which I seek is right in front of me. Want to get it down in your domain?" He then threw his shirt off in an attempt to charm the dragon. Jimmy cringed, Cindy tried not to laugh, the samurai facepalmed and Libby gave a thumbs up.
The dragon merely stood there unamused as Carl's charisma throw was low. Noticing this, Carl proceeded to run away with the group in tow. The dragon gave chase and the skeletons they passed came to life to attack the intruders.
"I can handle these guys!" the samurai ignited his blade to take them out one by one. "I deal with them once in a new moon!"
"What do we do about the dragon?" Cindy asked as they kept running. "I can't get a good shot on the move!"
As Libby held the emerald in the palm of her hand she had an idea. "I'll distract it!" She then proceeded to cast a spell on the floor around her to use the earth to throw rocks at the dragon. This got its attention as it flew towards her and breathed fire. Luckily she casted a water spell to dispel the flames. Once she was exhausted of her energy, Carl went in to use his magic to summon his army of llamas to attack the dragon in droves, almost overwhelming the beast.
"I need a way to get a clear shot of the dragon!" Cindy said in frustration.
"I got something that can help with that," Jimmy smiled.
She then nodded. After a few seconds she asked. "...What is it?"
Shortly after, the two of them jumped out. Jimmy used his tools to attach a small mirror to a nearby wall. Cindy then saw from the mirror which gave her a greater advantage. She found the opening needed and fired the shot right at the dragon's eye. This threw the giant creature off long enough for everyone to escape. Everyone then ran together fending off any of the skeletons that blocked their path. Jimmy then attached the bomb near the cavern entrance. As they ran outside, the bomb went off, sealing the way in. Everyone cheered and fist bumped each other.
The samurai cleared his throat. "Even though your methods are unorthodox, you all seem worthy of the jewel! Use your wishes wisely."
"Wishes?" Jimmy asked.
"Every person is granted one wish of their choosing."
"Don't you wanna have one?" Carl asked.
"I have no desire for such. I'll still keep protection over this area." The samurai looked back to the cavern. "My place is here, so you all must proceed without me."
"But we could use your talents," Libby suggested. "You're a better fighter than most of us."
"No, you must follow your destiny. This is mine. Farewell!" He then nodded and walked away from the group. Everyone decided to watch him as he was walking in as straight of a line as possible.
"Do you think he'll hit a tree or-?" Cindy asked only to see him walk through it.
"Asked and answered," Carl shrugged.
"So why were you guys holding out the fact that the treasure can grant wishes?" Jimmy questioned them.
"We promised we'd give you thirty-percent of the cut, didn't we?" Cindy responded.
"Thirty-five percent." Jimmy corrected. "But what good is that if we can just have our wishes granted?"
"We were promised our weight in gold if we just turned it in, so that's what we intended on doing," Libby explained.
"But we went all this way," Jimmy stated. "We could just have whatever we want!"
"Now hold on there!" Cindy stopped him in his tracks. "Libby, give me the emerald." She proceeded to do that. Cindy then looked closely at the treasure and realized something. "Guys look at this!" Everyone gathered around. She pointed to the "Terms and Conditions of wishes." They all read it and found there was a catch to making wishes. It can only grant one wish at a time, so to grant another wish for someone else would get rid of the previous person's wish.
"Ohhhh… of course it's nerfed!" Carl pouted.
"So what do we do?" Libby asked. "Turn it in?"
"Or should we grant one wish we all can agree on?" Jimmy asked.
[To Be Continued]
"Aaaaaand that's a wrap for tonight!" Sheen declared.
"It's over already?" Carl said, surprised.
"Yup!" Libby pointed to the clock. "It's past 10, so we should probably head out before security has a word with us."
"Wow, that was quick." Jimmy processed the session as he and the others were getting ready to go. "I was just getting into it!"
"You said it!" Cindy smiled.
"Does this mean you're down to another go next time?" Sheen looked hopeful.
"Yeah, definitely!" Jimmy gave a thumbs up. "You got really into it!"
"That's one of the many tasks of a Dungeon Master!"
They made their way to the parking lot as each of them was about to take their leave. Jimmy walked to his hover car. "Well, I'll see you guys later!"
"Goodnight!" They all said it in their own way.
Jimmy thought happily to himself, Huh, that was honestly a lot of fun! I'm glad I came back here! As he was getting the car started, Cindy decided to tease him once more.
"So you enjoyed your experience with role-playing?" she asked.
"Yeah, the game was good. I see the appeal!" he nodded.
"What about before the game started?" she pressed on.
"Y-you mean with the dance?" he asked to which she nodded with that smirk. "I-it, was… it was good too."
"Yeah, real shame that was a rehearsal round," Cindy shrugged. "Bet you wished it was real!"
"Good grief," he shook his head with a slight smile. "Don't know when to quit with the jabs, do you?"
"Ya know, what can I say?" she said as she leaned against his car. "It's in the Vortex genes."
"Still… if we did go to high school together and if you had no one to dance with, I would've gone with you." Jimmy said without thinking.
This caused Cindy to stand back in silence. Jimmy then realized he almost confessed to her.
"Uh… Anyway, haveagoodnight!" He then flew away with his face dealing the usual crimson blush.
"Heh," she said to herself. "Even though he didn't realize it, he caught me off guard. That said, I wish that dance was real too."
AN: Hey y'all I know that was a bit of a detour from the main story but it felt weird to skip the idea of D&D entirely, so I attempted to bring it into the story. Rest assured, we'll be back to the usual hijinks soon.
In other news, I'm thinking of finally updating the title of the story, so I wanna leave it up to you guys as to what you think is the most fitting title.
A: New Life in Retroville (keep it the same)
B: Back With My Flirtatious Rival
C: Something else entirely (open to suggestions)
With all that said, I'll be back with a new chapter soon!