Temple_GD_

REND - 6.41

“Just one? Nobody else?” I asked, recalling the drawings made by Big Marcy. The island had three rivers flowing out to the sea. Each had arrows and notes about guards posted. They must be rotating the entrance they used. Smart. I wanted to check the drawings but didn’t want Jubjub to know about them. My connection to Big Marcy was an ace Dario’s side wouldn’t expect.   

REND - 6.40

Downtimes sucked. The silent ones, especially. They gave me an opportunity to think, to realize how little I planned for shit. Much better to jump into action and improvise later. That was my strong suit.

Like, how do I fucking destroy Red Island? There were no guides online. I pictured an action hero, attacking the enemy base, plowing through grunts to take on the final boss. Victorious,...

REND - 6.39

“This is not on my bucket list,” I said, carefully kneeling and sitting back on my calves.

My legs were covered by my wetsuit, so they weren’t slathered in slime. In this position, I could minimize the contact of my bare skin with the ground to only my toes. Even the squishy surface was disgusting though, feeling like a water bed that wasn’t right. I’ve had plenty of experience ...

REND - 6.38 - Reo Hinode (Oberon) – Part 2

Reo Hinode (Oberon) – Part 2

Reo was rooted to the floor, staring at Dario’s message, his mind messier than usual. A string of texts from Everett followed, asking Reo where he was, doubtless wanting to talk about the development. This should be a huge celebration; it erased any possible change of plans to sneak on the boats to Red Island. Yet, there was a...

GH - 231

“It’s dead…” I came to a halt, warily eyeing the orb if it’d attack me next. It was golden in color with tiny runes revolving around it. The face of a monster I couldn’t recognize was curved on its smooth surface. 

The orb was pretty powerful to easily delete the Glacial Ifrit, though the annoying spirit was probably quite weak without a body. I didn’t run away because ...

GH - 230

“A literal legendary gift!” I exclaimed. “And it’s level thirty to boot. I can equip it soon. It scaled with the player’s level since it’s a reward. Thank you very—wait a second. It’s two-handed?”

Drumming needed two hands—at least, this sort of drum does—but why remove the off-hand slot? Would it be too strong otherwise? The [Lowan Oud] given by the crimson goat of ...

ExD - 5.23.11

“You’re quite energetic today, Deen,” Mom said.

“Because it’s a wonderful morning,” Deen replied, waving her hands and putting on a big smile. I wanted to punch her. She winked at me. “Vegas gets such a bad rap, but Erind and I have been enjoying our time here. We needed to get away from La Esperanza and relax after all the stressful things that happened.”

“Definit...

ExD - 5.23.10

Light peeking from between the heavy curtains of my window knocked on my eyelids. It wasn’t the sun; my internal body clock usually woke me up before sunrise. This was Vegas, so it had to be bullshit drones projecting crappy ads everywhere.

Someone really needed to stop this. My petition-signing idea might prod politicians to act.

Most likely not.

Maybe I should just destroy...

ExD - 5.23.9

Amber Deen Leska

Erind opened one eye and looked at Deen in the mirror, the side of her lips and a cheek raised in a smirk. “Are you looking for a loophole for the no-touching rule?”

“N-no!” Deen’s voice cracked, betraying her lie. “I-I just thought it’d be easier for you to relax instead of sitting up.”

Erind laid back on Deen’s...

ExD - 5.23.8

Amber Deen Leska

Amber Deen closed her eyes and braced for a slap. Her Guardian Angel was silent. She cautiously opened an eye and spotted a grinning Erind with a raised hand. Erind swiftly brought down her hand to Deen’s face. Deen flinched but made no effort to block. Still, no warning to evade.

Erind didn’t hit Deen. Instead, she lightly pinched ...

GH - 229

The wardcrafter zombie took damage from [Healing Touch], screeching as it recoiled. I sighed in relief. Part of me was worried the runic armor would negate my skill. What if Ancestral Flame Arts didn’t work on Mardukryon-crafted equipment? But the target was still an ‘undead’, I supposed, regardless of its outfit.

“Good thing you didn’t jump-scare me while examining you a while ...

GH - 228

“What is it up to this time?” I eyed the Glacial Ifrit with suspicion.

It closed its mouth, reforming the vague Mardukryon face it still had. It glared at me with four piercing blue eyes as it gathered its limbs around its grotesque body, making itself as small as possible. It hung from the ceiling like a giant mutated fruit. It didn’t cast any skills, and neither did it attack.

GH - 227

“You can’t what? Your spears would make short work of this Glacial Ifrit. It isn’t a powerful named monster like that many-headed snake.”

(The dead, my horns will not meet in combat,) said Mr. Inuus, lowering his head. (It’s rest, I will not disturb. I can protect us, but this is an enemy I cannot fight.)

The Glacial Ifrit continued firing from its mouth ...

GH - 226

“A wardcrafter? The runes on his clothes… Are those wards?”

(Nay, my musical friend,) said Mr. Inuus.

“Neigh? Isn’t that the sound horses make? You’re a goat.” I looked around. My reflections on the ice stared back at me while imaginary crickets chirped. “I concede that was a lame joke. Go ahead, Mr. Inuus. What’re those symbols carved on the strips of met...

REND - 6.37 - Reo Hinode (Oberon) - Part 1

Reo Hinode (Oberon) – Part 1

Was that Erind in a wetsuit, running barefoot across the lobby? Reo Hinode blinked, his neurons not wanting to process what he had just seen.

That was possible trouble. He didn’t want to see trouble.

He examined the glass of whisky in his hand. It was only his third for the night but probably his last because it was mo...

REND - 6.36

“It’s gone…”

“What’s gone?” Deen pressed her cheek against mine so she’d look in the same direction as me. “I can’t see anything. What did you see?”

“I don’t know what it was, but something was there,” I said, pulling away from our contact. “I guess it’s not very helpful just saying ‘there’. But I’m sure I saw points of light on a big… thing. ...

REND - 6.35

“Have they already left?” I asked, peering down over the railings. Only darkness. The possibility of drowning loomed once again. I shook my head and then answered my question. “Nah. If they have, you’d already be chewing me out for being late.”

Deen frowned, illuminated by the lights behind me. “You’re not taking this seriously.”

“I am. Thank you for being here. I�...

REND - 6.34

“Fuck,” I groaned, recalling the beginning of the end of my condo building—a zombie parasite knocked on my door. A pretty polite zombie, thinking back. Now, someone else was outside. If this was another zombie, I’d sink this ship. “This better be a good sequel. Parasites II: Infested Cruise, just released in theaters. Or should this be the third—hang on…”

I blinke...

GH - 225

I observed shards of ice grow all over my body as I pondered my conundrum.

The shards extended and spread every two seconds, soon making me look like a frost porcupine. I could comfortably move as I followed Mr. Inuus; the ice didn’t make me feel any heavier. Still a bit of a hassle having this added armor of ice, but it wasn’t too cumbersome. I didn’t need a wide range of movements...

GH - 224

The Mardukryon corpse appeared to be male and older than me given its musculature and size. Pure white and flaky, like completely burnt-out charcoal. No magma veins glowing. Definitely dead. It sat on the ground, legs folded beneath it, upper body slumped against the ice pillar. Some chunks have broken off, parts of its right arm, a few fingers, an ear, and a tusk. I couldn’t tell how long ag...

GH - 223

“Onward, Mr. Inuus!” I buffed our movement speeds, charging into the unknown. At this point, everything was unknown.

Mr. Inuus continued bringing down parts of the tunnel we passed. Because of that, the world was one giant shaky-cam scene. Difficult to maintain my footing—my hoofing—as I galloped along the cramped passage. Mr. Inuus kept up with me though I had much longe...

GH - 222

“What’s behind you?” I asked, trotting over to Mr. Inuus. “Just kidding. I know you’re telling me to hide. Looks like a big attack that’s—uh, why’re you sending your ghost buddies away?”

The clones of Mr. Inuus disappeared, along with their instruments. Mr. Inuus then summoned more instruments and started playing songs that constructed barriers. I took it that he couldn�...

REND - 6.33

I quickly sat up.

Cutting my arm off… I’d never considered this option before. Time to seriously consider it now.

Was there a knife in this room? Anything with a sharp edge? Likely nothing.

Room service was twenty-four-seven. I could order something that came with a knife, like steak or ribs. Going to be expensive, but might as well spend my money because I just k...

REND - 6.32

Deen didn’t look surprised. “This is because of Vanessa, isn’t it?”

I nodded. Sure, let’s go with that.

I didn’t meet Big Marcy through Vanessa. Rather, it was because of Domino’s nonsense with Jeffrey. Though Vanessa did plan to introduce me to Big Marcy and join their side, so Deen’s guess could’ve been true in another timeline. When Deen and I parted wi...

REND - 6.31

Offscreen wardrobe changes in movies were very convenient. They didn’t need to show how the actor cleaned himself in the aftermath of a huge action scene—the blood, wounds, soot, and dust were simply gone. And, cut. The next thing, the actor was in new clothes, looking fresh as a banana that was fresh or something. Didn’t know what to use for comparison. Wish I had that as my superpower i...

REND - 6.30

Jubjub blinked. “M-my help?”

“I have no one to turn to,” I said, wielding puppy dog eyes.

“We can tell Dario about—no.” She chewed her lip. “No… we can’t do that.”

“Why not?” I simulated how the conversation would branch out and the replies I should give. Though my neurons whirred in overdrive for this enjoyable game, I noted that Jubjub didn’t poin...

REND - 6.29

“Who are you?” I asked in a fake apprehensive voice, raising my fists. Jubjub’s here!

I did a good job hiding how pleased I was for correctly guessing she was tailing me. I’d done some pretty dumb shit in my life—okay, not some; a lot—but I was generally smart. My correct prediction about Jubjub was proof.

I came to these hills to call out Jubjub and confront he...

GH - 221

Coated in gleaming blue scales and shaped like a kite, the head of Karnon was as wide as my shoulders. If this oversized snake could stretch its jaws like those in the real world, its mouth could probably open as big as this tunnel and swallow Mr. Inuus and me whole. Swirls of white vapors puffed out of pits lining the middle of its head as its red eyes shone even brighter. Frost coated the roc...

GH - 220

(Indeed, a Gate, that’s what Mardukryon friends call it. Our herd does not care for stones so ancient that time forgot. However, Mardukryon friends dearly want to regain control of it. Their escape, they say.)

“Yep, that’s a Warp Gate alright,” I muttered, stroking my tusk as if it were my chin. “Our ticket out of this icy prison.” Like many other players, I had assum...

GH - 219

Most people wouldn’t ever consider a goat leading them to their destiny.

Yet, here I was, following a fellow cloven-hoofed creature to future world quests, valuable secrets, and honor forevermore to my name. I wasn’t the superstitious type to believe in charms, trinkets, and whatnot, though I did know that fate revolved around me. But at that moment, I decided that goats woul...