Avalon Rebirth Page 4

  “If you're offering then yeah, I'll take it. But I'm not sure-”

  “Not sure if you'll fit in?”

  Taji shrugged. “I haven't exactly had the best track record for something like this.”

  “Well, maybe it wasn't you. Maybe it was your teammates. And pardon me for saying so, but me and my other partner are a cut above pretty much everyone else.”

  “Weren't you demoted?”

  “Well yeah, but still.”

  Taji grinned. “Ah, I didn't mean anything like that. And I get what you're saying. It's just...”

  “If you're nervous about this we can do a trial run,” Darin offered. “If we don't think it's going to work then we'll let you know and we'll find someone different to take your place. Or if you don't feel comfortable you can leave. But I don't think that's going to be much of a problem.”

  “That sounds fair. Do you have two more for the full team?”

  “One more, and one possible candidate. So you won't be the only one new to team combat,” Darin explained. “We'll have some time to figure it out.”

  Another screech interrupted their conversation. Darin spun his halberd around in his hands as another wave of skeletons approached. Grunts again, and yet this time he felt a lot more eager to face them. Maybe it was because things were finally looking up for him. A sliver of luck had finally showed itself.

  “I guess we have to keep fighting,” Taji commented, his sword and shield at the ready. “Any tips you want to give me?”

  “Nah, it's just a grunt horde. Go to town on them or whatever you want. If an elite or a boss shows up we'll deal with that when it happens.”

  “Got it.”

  Darin charged forward into the throng of skeletons without another word, his spirits soaring. Whether it was by fate or dumb luck, they had a way forward. It wasn't perfect. Leah still needed to confirm with her prospect, and they'd both need training. They'd need even more seasoning to be able to fight alongside experienced veterans effectively, and the former Silver Star members had to re-hone their skills as well.

  Skeletons exploded into clouds of dust and bone as he swung. Taji piled in beside him, swinging his blade and bashing out with his shield.

  It might not be easy. Their future might still be very well in doubt. But Darin couldn't help but smile a bit. They were getting somewhere.

  4

  Leah made one last check of her inventory and took a deep breath. “So, today's the day,” she said to no one in particular. She and Darin had arranged a meeting with their two potential recruits at the hub's central plaza.

  “That it is,” Darin nodded. “It might not mean too much, but...”

  “Oh no, I know what you mean. They may or may not work out. But at least we have some candidates for our team. And they're unique too. That's a bonus.”

  “Isn't everyone unique?”

  “You know that's not strictly true. Everyone seems to want to follow one particular pattern. I know it works, but it just gets so it's all the same after a while. You know, boring.”

  He shrugged. “But if it works...”

  Leah couldn't really argue with that. When they were on top there was no reason to risk their position. If they could keep all the other contenders at bay they would use the best tactics and character builds available to them, even if they weren't particularly inventive. There were only a few configurations that the A rank teams used, mostly because they worked and no one wanted to take any chances. A bad team build and a string of losses could send them plummeting down the ranks.

  But there were always shifts in the Avalon Online metagame. Eventually someone would figure out a way to break the mold, to find a different way to fight and win. They'd tear through everyone in their path before the other teams started to adapt, and then a new norm would settle in for a while.

  It felt like another shift was coming. Silver Star had weathered several before, but it had always been from the top. Darin and Leo had always kept a keen eye on the C- and D-ranks, watching for teams that were making their push up the card. By the time they reached A-rank Silver Star already knew what they were facing and could adjust accordingly to meet them. It served them well, allowing them to keep their crown for almost three years.

  But now they would have to go through another shift on the other end of things, at the bottom pushing their way up. Maybe it was better for them that way, Leah mused. When they were on top they always had to react to other teams and their new tactics. This time they could be the ones dictating the changes. If that was the case, she welcomed it.

  “We just have to make sure that our team fits together,” Darin said, breaking into her thoughts.

  Leah nodded. “Yes, but as long as they're willing and able to learn that shouldn't be a problem. You said that your candidate was a tank?”

  “Yeah, he used the sword and shield, defense magic, and heavy armor combination. Though he was a bit more aggressive than most tanks I've seen in the lower levels.”

  “Because he attacked after using Challenge Call?”

  “Yeah, because of that. I was expecting him to just turtle up and take damage. But he went out and attacked. I don't know if that's just something he did, or if he knew the reasons for it...”

  Leah didn't know either, but it was a good sign. Using defensive magic greatly increased the protection afforded to the user, but it also greatly reduced their offensive capabilities, limiting the damage they could do by half or more. Many players who acted as tanks opted to rely on their heavy armor and shields, just taking the damage. After all, that was what they were there for.

  But most of the A- and B-rank players knew differently. Tanks might not be able to deal a lot of damage, but they could inflict some. That could be the difference between one of their teammates scoring a killing blow or severely wounding the target but not completely putting them out of action. Every little bit counted, no matter how small.

  It was little touches like those that separated the players at the bottom from the players at the top, not the number of skill points or levels they possessed. A team could coast on pure strength for a while, but eventually they would run into the wall where everyone they fought was equally matched in skill. When that happened it was smarts and savvy that tipped the scales toward the winners.

  And teams that might struggle in the D-ranks could suddenly start a rapid ascent once they reached a certain level, because they had the ability to think creatively and put it to use. Strength in Avalon Online lead to linear success. Intelligence and creativeness made that grow exponentially.

  “They should be here any time now,” Darin said, looking down at his menu for the time. “Did you contact her?”

  “Who, Erika? Of course. She said she'd be here.”

  “I know. But-”

  “Have a little patience,” she said, poking him with one of the limbs of her bow. “Most people outside the B- and C-ranks aren't full-time players. You remember what it's like to have an actual job, don't you?”

  “Of course I do.”

  “Then that might be why they're not here. Maybe they got caught in traffic or had to work late.”

  “Point taken. You make it sound like we were so spoiled.”

  Leah smiled. “Well we were, weren't we? I know a lot of people watch the tournaments, and I know it makes them a lot of money in advertising revenue and the like, but still, we made millions of dollars because we were good at a game.”

  “So are football and baseball players.”

  “Yeah, and a lot of people say the same thing about them. I'm not saying that I would give the money back. If they're willing to pay out then I'm more than glad to take it. I just don't think that we're all that important in the grand scheme of things. But then, I'm not the one paying out all the money, so...”

  “It's not going to matter if we don't get back up the ranks.”

  “You're so focused on that,” she said. “I'm not quite sure if that's healthy, either. I think it's bordering on an obsess
ion for you.”

  “Don't you want to get back up on top?”

  “Of course. But don't you remember how long it took us to get from D- to C-level the first time? I know we're a lot more savvy this time around, but are we really going to be able to move faster this time around? If we can't, then what are you going to do?”

  Darin frowned. “We'll think of something. But I don't think that's going to be a problem.”

  “Hey, avoiding the question isn't going to make it any better,” she said.

  In truth, Leah wasn't sure they could make a quick ascent up the ranks, not if they wanted to have some new tricks up their sleeve when they arrived back at the A-rank. Formulating new tactics and strategies took a combination of time and trial and error, and that could mean weeks, months of preparation. Even if they had something concrete it might not work when they were under pressure. They could very well lose tournaments, forcing them to grind their way back to a respectable ranking.

  The process could go back and forth until the team managed to come together into a properly functioning unit. Many didn't make it that far. Those that stuck together still had a long climb ahead of them, facing foes with a plethora of knowledge and skill at their disposal. There would be challenges in their path, walls that seemed insurmountable, and that could stall their progress for months.

  “I want to be the best,” Darin finally said. “That's what I want. It's not about the money. We had the top. We held the top for almost three years. I don't want it to just end like this.”

  “Are you sure you're not just obsessed?”

  “Be fair, do you really want to go down like this? I can accept losing. I can't accept that we lost our spot for something we didn't even do.”

  He had a fair point, and it still bothered her, even as she tried to move past it. The fact that the only reason they weren't on top were the commission's sanctions didn't sit well with her either, but at this point they had no way to argue them. Nor did they have time to mope about them either. Leah wanted to get back to number one as badly as Darin did, truth be told.

  But she thought she was more realistic about their prospects. They had more skills and knowledge than the first time around, but that didn't mean this would be easy. They would have to fight their way up from the bottom again, and this time everyone knew who they were. They couldn't just become anonymous. Silver Star might be dead, but their names and faces had been plastered all over while they stood atop the A-ranks. What better way for a team to make their name than to take out two of the former top-ranked team?

  That did come with an advantage, though. Since everyone knew who they were, everyone would probably be wary of them as well. They could use the intimidation factor to equalize the odds somewhat. And in addition, they'd have two new team members. Even if a team had Silver Star's battle strategies completely memorized, the new team would fight in a completely different manner.

  “Like I said, I think this might be the time for us to start over and come up with something new,” she said, watching players going about their business around the plaza. A few glanced at them, but most seemed to be caught up in their own interests.

  “I know, but if we're too focused on coming up with something new that might impede our progress.”

  “You're such a downer,” Leah commented.

  “Why?”

  “Because you are. Listen to yourself. We might have lost our rank, but we have a whole path full of potential laid out in front of us. The possibilities are endless. I'm sorry, but sometimes being at the top felt like we were stuck in a very small cage. A very nice, gilded cage, but a cage nonetheless.”

  “And this give us the opportunity to spread our wings and fly again,” he said. “OK, I see your point. It's just...”

  “Having two friends just walk out on you like that with no warning really sucks,” Leah sighed. “Yeah, I know. I haven't deleted either of them from my contacts. Haven't tried to talk to them either. I probably never will. But...”

  “When you work with someone for so long it's hard to just suddenly separate from them,” Darin said. “And it's hard when someone you trusted just stabs you in the back with no warning. Let alone two of them.”

  “Let's not take it out on our new comrades,” Leah cautioned. “I don't know Erika all that well and I haven't met your recruit, but treating them with suspicion isn't going to get us anywhere. We have to be a team, not just four separate players working together.”

  “I know.”

  Teams were always talked about in Avalon Online. Commentators and even players discussed how important their cohesion was to the success of the best units. It wasn't enough to have four strong players on one side. If they couldn't work together, all their strength meant very little. A weaker set of players that were properly organized into a team could very well overcome the level and skill deficiency.

  Silver Star had started out as a team, but as they rose up the ranks they seemed to become something more. Leah had heard others refer to them more than once as a machine, unthinking, unfeeling, capable of grinding through anything in its path. That ruthless efficiency allowed them to chew through anything that crossed their path.

  But it also meant a loss of some of their camaraderie. They still had close relationships, or at least she had thought that was the case, but it was business as well. Maybe that was why Leo and Jon had decided to leave. Maybe they were tired of it all and wanted to go back to something they longed for, something simpler and more fulfilling.

  Leah couldn't exactly blame them for feeling that way, though she wished they would have said something about it. She had similar thoughts at certain points, and now might be the time to go back to that. She wanted to be back on top, but she wanted to do it with a team of friends, blazing their own path. Was that too much to ask? Did she want something completely out of reach?

  “It's not worth it if we end up like this again.”

  “I'm sorry?”

  “It's not worth fighting our way to the top of the A-ranks if we just end up collapsing again,” she said. “I think we got too focused on winning and ignored everything else. That might be why Jon and Leo left.”

  “Did they say anything like that to you?”

  Leah shook her head. “No. They never said anything about being unhappy. But they could always put their emotions aside to focus. Maybe they just got sick of it and decided enough was enough. Or maybe I'm just making things up. The point is, do we want to risk it again?”

  “So you want to take it slow to avoid that kind of risk, is that what you're saying?”

  “I'm not saying that we have to slow down. I'm just saying that it might be a good idea. Unless you want to go through all of this again.”

  “OK, point taken. But don't you think you're being paranoid about it?”

  Leah shrugged. Maybe she was. At this point, though, she only wanted to make sure that something like the last disaster didn't happen again. It wasn't unusual for a team to break up, even a high-ranking one, but not in such a spectacular fashion. Usually they just faded away. If they had to go through another change, she wanted it to happen that way.

  They didn't have any time to think about it any further. Leah spied Erika waving to them as she approached. Another player walked across the plaza toward them as well. She didn't recognize him, but Darin stepped forward to meet him.

  “Sorry I'm late,” Erika said.

  “No, it's fine. We weren't doing anything important anyhow. This is just to get everyone up to speed and see how we work together as a team.” She turned to the other newcomer. “You're Taji.”

  “Yes. Good to meet you,” he said with a warm smile.

  “I'm Leah. Looking forward to teaming with you. This is Erika, by the way. My other partner in crime, Darin. And Taji, as he already introduced himself.”

  The other three greeted one-another, and Leah felt herself relax a little. At least it seemed like it was going smoothly, though it was way too soon for her to tell whether they
'd make a good team or not. That would require some fieldwork.

  “So we're going to head to the Crystal Pillar today for some action,” Darin explained. “For now we're just going to work together and get in some fights. Hopefully we'll have to deal with a few elites. That should test our skills.”

  “Or a boss,” Leah said cheerfully. “That will test them even further.”

  “Yes. Though two of you managed to take one down by yourselves. Showoffs.”

  Taji looked over at them. “Wait, you took out a boss-class monster by yourselves?”

  “It was two of us,” Leah explained. “And it took a bunch of improvisation and tricks. It wasn't just us walking up and hitting it a bunch of times till it died.”

  “It kind of was,” Erika spoke up.

  “Well yeah, everything is, but there was a bunch of stuff in between.”

  Taji shook his head. “Kind of puts us to shame, huh?”

  “You held your own just fine,” Darin told him. “No shame in that. And that's what we're going out for. To see if we can get everyone to fit together as a team. Does everyone have their builds set?”

  Taji and Erika both nodded. Leah made a mental note of their party's composition. They had Taji equipped as a tank, Darin as an all-rounder with support magic, Erika as a quick-strike damage dealer, and herself as their ranged support. At first glance it seemed fairly standard, but it was in the implementation where the differences would become. Leah was eager to see just how they all fit together.

  The crystal giant let out a low, guttural roar and swung its club downward, slamming into Taji's shield and forcing him to stumble back a few paces. He kept his shield up and his balance steady, though. Leah took a quick look at the health bar floating above his head. Using a combination of his shield, Stone Skin, and positioning he had managed to avoid most of the damage. More importantly, the giant had expended its attack.