MMORPG: Shattered Land

Super Nova and Cold Mist easily completed their quests.

With their Gold Grade Customized Weapons and high-grade equipment, they had swept through Stone Cave, eliminating the Stone Gollum and the Feild Boss with ease.

Afterward, they took on and completed the Beast Tamer quest. During these quests, Super Nova realized why Marius had given them each a 'Ring of the Shade'.

Of the newly formed trio, Cold Mist was the most well known other than himself.

The Guilds knew of Super Nova due to their business transactions over Materials.

The Player knew Cold Mist as the most well-known expert, despite the astronomical Level difference between him and the two monsters at the top of the game.

Without the 'Ring of the Shade', Players would have recognized and swamped Cold Mist. That would have definitely raised questions that neither wanted to be asked yet. Especially why he had reset his account. It would be best to leave that until after he had returned to the top of the Leaderboard.

Super Nova was grateful for Marius' forethought.

The main thing that caught them both unawares was the drastic change in the game environment. Namely how the Guilds no longer held annexed the Maps.

Now, there was a steady flow of Players, both solo, and Guild affiliated, sweeping through the Maps.

Super Nova had thought such a thing would further stagnate the Player base's Leveling speed, yet it had the opposite effect. The increased competition had forced the Player base to take on riskier Maps to level up.

The lack of bureaucratic control on the Maps had also freed up the Maps resources which allowed the Gather occupation to grow outside of the Guilds influence.

This sudden release from Guild restricted growth enabled the other occupations to develop, with better items and equipment being made and distributed among Players. This bolstered the power of the Players to a large degree, improving their survivability on the Higher-Leveled Maps that they did battle on.

Cold Mist was amazed by the change and could only attribute the change to the announcement Bucky T had posted on the Forums.

"I wonder what caused that guy to do that," he had been musing on this matter for some time, even bringing it up to Super Nova in case he had any insights.

"My guess is, it was Soli," Super Nova replied.

"Why do you say that?"

Super Nova smiled. "I know that he doesn't really show himself in the game like it, but he is a bit of a softy. He doesn't like oppression and he doesn't like being oppressed. Besides, Ardern was only a matter of time."

Cold Mist was still confused. "Why does he have a grudge with Ardern?"

Super Nova shook his head. "When we were looking for you some Ardern guys got in our way. Back when I first met him, Winnie P was after me. I don't think he really has time for grudges, but also isn't the type to look away."

Cold Mist didn't quite understand so he asked, "But there was no problem right?"

"In a way, they were extorting you," Super Nova disagreed, "It might have been an agreement between you and Bucky T, but it was still you having to reimburse someone for the privilege of using a free resource that Bucky T had no right of ownership to, nor reimbursement for."

"So Midnight Solitude stepped in for my sake?" Cold Mist wasn't sold.

Super Nova laughed. "No. You were just the guy that we wanted to join us. Even if you said no, the old man probably would have taken some form of action."

Cold Mist shook his head in amazement. "You must have known him for a long time."

Over the past week, they had spoken a lot but the topic of Midnight Solitude had never come up. Almost like Super Nova had wanted to avoid the subject.

"We only met a few weeks ago," Super Nova replied. "But I guess I just respect him a lot."

"You are worried about him."

Super Nova smiled. "He's old," he said simply. "And the world will be a lesser place when he dies."

Cold Mist laughed. "Come on, don't be so overdramatic. I'm sure he's got a lot of time left."

Super Nova did not answer.

"Come on, let's go finish those quests and start leveling up our Beast Taming. If Soli is right we should be able to start on the Obsidian Ranked Monsters in the 25-30 Leveling Maps."

When Marius next logged in he saw that Super Nova and Cold Mist had grown to Level 13.

"Those two," he said wistfully. "I really do envy their stamina."

"Super Nova, how are your quests going?" He sent.

"Soli, we're all done. We're grinding on Stone Cougars." Super Nova replied.

"Ok, I'm on my way. We should be able to grind the both of you up to Level 20 today."

Marius started running towards the Level 25-30 Map. Stone Cougars were Level 29 Obsidian Rank Monsters. If they were grinding on those then their Beast Taming should have grown by a large margin.

Before long, Marius had found them.

Sure enough, both of them have raised their Beast Taming to Level 6. This was very good progress, but what was even better was the Pets they had chosen

Screaming Hawk Level 12 - High Lord Rank

Health: 2000

Mana: 800

Attack: 240

Defense: 190

Intelligence: 200

Spirit: 100

Dexterity: 250

Skills: (Descending Scream - Summons a 10 Obsidian Ranked Screaming Hawks to suicide bomb targets dealing 200% AoE damage on impact)

(High-Lord Scream - Lower's Targets defense by 80% for 20 seconds

(Dive Bomb Talon - Attack, dealing 200% base damage but enters a vulnerable state for 20 seconds lowering defense and dexterity by 30%)

Stone Cougar Level 12 - High Lord Rank

Health: 1800

Mana: 950

Attack: 180

Defense: 250

Intelligence: 150

Spirit: 200

Dexterity: 200

Skills: (Stone Defense- Passive buff that increases Defense by 200%)

(Honed Claw - Passive buff that increases attack by 220%)

(High Lords Maul - A ferocious attack that deals 180% Base Damage and inflicts bleed)

"Soli," Super Nova greeted. "How do you like our new Pets?"

"They're very good," Marius complimented. "They will do very well for sweeping Maps."

Super Nova grinned brightly.

"Midnight Solitude, where do you plan on us grinding?" Cold Mist asked.

"I think getting you guys to Frost Gate City would be a good idea," Marius replied, " We have a lot of things we need to farm there so being able to Teleport there easily is important. If we grind on the way it should take us a couple of hours."

"You mean the Skill Stones?" Cold Mist asked.

Marius nodded. "They will be very useful later in the game." Marius turned to Super Nova. "Now that we don't need to stop, we should also discuss a new battle strategy."

Super Nova nodded. He didn't think that it would be possible to quickly clear the Maps if they just sent the Pets ahead to fight for them.

So Marius laid out his strategy, allowing Super Nova and Cold Mist to add their opinions and adjust certain factors to better suit their style.

Once the trio was satisfied they began.

Marius took them through the Iron Mountain Maps with relative ease, allowing the two young men to get used to fighting as a three-man unit. By the time they had cleared the Level 45-50 Map, their teamwork had become fine-tuned operation, with both Super Nova and Cold Mist rising to Level 15.

Over the next hour, Marius spearheaded their journey to Frost gate City. With him taking lead, their speed increased significantly and cold Mist saw for the first time how formidable the old man was.

"I thought you guys relied on his Pets to get so strong so quickly," he said to Super Nova in awe.

"He was pretty good even before he got the Beast Tamer occupation. In all honesty, if I hadn't been a Gather, we probably would have reached Frost Gate after a week after entering the City."

The revelation stunned Cold Mist. He had thought he was an expert, but compared to Midnight Solitude, he had much to be desired for.

"Looks like I'll need to improve a lot," he said gloomily.

Super Nova laughed. "Ask Soli. He helped me get stronger. I'm sure he won't mind giving you some pointers."

Cold Mist nodded. He really didn't like being an anchor on any team. But he still had his misgivings.

Super Nova had his own. Marius had seemed like his old self but something felt off. Something that he couldn't put his finger on and it irritated him.

A part of him was wary, half expecting Marius to up and disappear, gallivanting around the Shattered land alone and free of his two burdens.

Much like Cold Mist, he didn't like the feeling of being an anchor and didn't want to hold the old man back. But he sensed that if he didn't the old man would begin playing with a total disregard for his own health.

For that reason, he could not oppose his current position as an anchor. And if he could get Cold Mist to help slow Marius down, it might be for the best.

Right?

True to his word, Marius had both Super Nova and Cold Mist at level 20 by the time they reached Frost Gate City.

"You guys go and accept some quests from the Ice Giant Lordess. You should be able to complete the easier ones."

Super Nova's concern spiked. Was Marius ditching them to go off an play alone? The three of them had already been together for two hours.

"Are you going to log off?" Cold Mist asked drawing Super Nova's gaze.

Marius gave him a peculiar glance. "I haven't shown you my schedule have I?" he asked.

Cold Mist shook his head. "The times you've been playing over the last week, I didn't realize you had one."

'Why is Super Nova worried about you?" Cold Mist sent to Marius in a Private message.

Raising an eyebrow Marius replied, "I'm old. He's probably worried that I'll play until I lose all semblance of health."

"Remind me to show it to you one day," Marius said out loud.

"Look, I like both of you, but don't be so selfish man. It's like Super Nova is under the impression that you're dying. That's not cool man."

Marius did not bother responding to Cold Mists message.

"I am dying," he said simply so both Super Nova and Cold Mist could hear him.

"What?" Cold Mist was startled by the sudden revelation. Super Nova looked away.

"I am dying," Marius repeated. "I am old, I am sick and this is my last dance before dying. I thought I had told you that?"

This caught Super Nova's attention. Cold Mist was shocked.

"You never told me you were dying," Cold Mist objected angrily.

Marius was at a loss for words. His mind reeled as he thought back to every conversation he had with the Professional Gamer. Had he really not mentioned it?

Marius shook his head. "My apologies Cold Mist, it slipped my mind." Marius offered a small apology. "I didn't mean to drop that on you so suddenly. The whole purpose of my playing Shattered Lands is to give me something to do. My real life body is old and weak. The only part of me that isn't half in the dirt is my brain. And it looks like that is going too."

Marius had a troubled expression on his face.

Cold Mist had a moment of omniscience. "Did your friend design this game for you? The one that you are an in-game monitor for"

"He might have," Marius admitted. "So far I've had a feeling that he's been pulling a few strings in regards to our relationship. But if I had to guess, I would say I am at least a small factor as to him creating this game."

Super Nova didn't know this and looked at Marius oddly. Just how much does this guy suspect that he doesn't tell anyone?

"Cold Mist," Marius began. "Are you ok playing a game with a dying man? If you are not you and I can part ways now."

Cold Mist considered him before answering. "Did you have any part to play with Ardern putting a stop to the Map annexation?" he asked carefully.

"I did," Marius replied.

"Why?" Cold Mist pressed.

Marius smiled. "Because of I quite like this game," Marius admitted. "The freedom within it, the gameplay and the challenges it presents. I truly love playing it. Which is why when I found that even someone as strong as you had to pay tribute to a Guild like Ardern just to play. Well, I figured it was only a matter of time before Ardern or another guild tried it with ordinary Players. It would ruin my friends game and I didn't want to let that happen."

Cold Mist nodded. "I feel that, but how did you do it?"

Marius looked a bit guilty. "I made Bucky T think I had made you and Super Nova reset your accounts. I then threatened him that if any Guilds kept on annexing the Maps then Ardern would be the first Guild I would hunt."

Cold Mist couldn't help but be impressed by the old man. He was a crazy old man to be sure. Yet Cold Mist sensed that he would never understand the man's depth, crazy or not.

He wanted to break a game, yet fought to stop people from ruining it. He picked fights for moral reasons that would give him little gain other than protecting something he enjoyed playing.

He even made threats that he could back up yet did not want to waste his time on. Cold Mist knew that now because the old man probably wouldn't live long enough to finish dealing his wrath, let alone complete his own goals.

Cold Mist suddenly felt a great appreciation for this old man.

"If you help me improve in the game then I'll be more than happy to help you fulfill your goals." Cold Mist decided.

Marius smiled.