The Linked Adventures

by Silver Octave

Rating: mature
Tags: Alternate Universe, Romance, Comedy, Random, Slice of Life, Human
Length: 8583

Chosen to test a Beta version of a new "VRMMO" called EQ-Hero, Coal Glaive is sent to Equestria with the specs he's chosen. But soon, he figures out that it isn't a VR game, but who's responsible?

Every game he's played was always set to the hardest difficulty. Reflexes that would put Anakin Skwalker to shame. He's always willing to test his limits in order to improve himself. Even sitting on the Boarder of Realities, he is content. Now is even an official video game tester for more than sixty different companies around the world. He has a hospital room with his name on it, sexy red-headed nurses with big tits, and as much time as he needs within the Digital Worlds known as VRMMO's.

After getting "noticed" for his "mastery" in the art of combat, Coal is given an E-Mail giving him a passcode for a new VRMMO called EQ-Hero. It says its the best game that the world will ever see. The only few questions remains is: Why can he not wake up, or why he's even bleeding in a game? And who sent him here?

Follow Coal as he deals with a new life in the land known as Equestria. Through many small adventures within a massive plot with crazy back round, it's hoped to keep you on your feet each word you read. Plenty of references from video games, TV shows, and movies that many will enjoy. Romance, love triangles, difficult choices that would make many say "That's not fair at all". Mystery and Murders, and fights for honor and love. Adventures spanning both sides of the vale as a darkness as old as reality itself approaches and threatens everything that moves.

Come one, come all! Bare your eyes for each chapter while I try to find different ways to fuck the the main character. Feel free to write criticism, but I will not care because, this….this is a WHATEVER FIC!!!

"This isn't a game anymore…" -Kirito, Sword Art Online

Basically, there's all but three tags in the fic. They are : Crossover, Anthro, and I guess Dark, dunno…I mean there are some anthropomorphous, but not everything is. I mean…Minotaurs are anthros…

Afternote for anyone approving this. There won't be any actual ponies for sometime, most likely until chapter ten or eleven. However, there are clear references to ponies and I hope that is enough.

Published 1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
Last updated 2015-08-12 02:44:17 UTC

2 - What Happened to Safe Start? / Killia Saves her Savior

**Welcome Player...

You are welcomed in the name of Peace...

Although, I would like to know who you are....**

First: Are you a Boy....or a Girl....?

Coal laughed as he remembered his Pokemon days and pressed his hand on the selector. [Boy]

And what a handsome boy you are. Such a well looking....Er...What are you exactly?

As soon as the race list showed up, his jaw dropped at all the unlocked races. He instantly began to think of all the time or people to create such an expansive list. It was crazy for him to gave upon the list of thirty different races. They were listed in their classifications and races. It was all sorted within different categories. Quadruped- Unicorn, Pegasus, Earth Ponies, with a Unlockable race known as an Alicorn which might seem it was made up of the others. Then he saw a Zeboricans. They looked like Pony sized zebras, but what was different about them is that their magic was known as Spirit Magic. They were masters at brewing potions and could connect directly to nature, by "Natural Means". Then he saw the Griffin Race and smirked, already guessing from the list so far, it was his favorite type of study known as Greek Mythology. He had field days when he learned about their culture. It was just too good to not study about. Then there were more realistic kind of horses. They were Arabians from the looks of it. They had crazy heat resistances, but their frost resistances were shotty at best. Crystal Pony, apparently they are made of crystals and mine them. Very rich nation in the middle of a barren frozen desert surrounded in a shield protecting them from said desert. Then there were the Changeling Race, they could change into, well...everything.

The next list comprised of stranger creatures. Orcs, Diamond Dogs-they just mined and were total dicks to ponies,  or so said the natural enemy of Diamond Dogs. Apparently he could also play as a Dragon or be a Phoenix Hero, a race devoted to the passing of wisdom and strength to those in need. Seen as the true symbol to loyalty and happiness, they more than just disliked dragons, and they were listed as bitter enemies. Yeeshh... Coal thought to himself. There were Minotaurs , also a Griffin-Pony Hybrid and a Dragon-Pony Hybrid.

There was some long thought that went into creating a character. First he had to think who had more allies over all others. There was a main kingdom known as Equestria, they had well over three fourths of the list, although most of them were neutral trade partners. Next he had to think about what kind of class he'd like to be. He had to think about with the class he'd pick would determine what he'd need to buy more of: health potions or mana potions. From there he would had to think about what types of armor or weapons to use. So much...

He slapped himself back to attention. He had to pick, he was on a time scale here, and there was no telling where he was. "Dammit!"

Please...take your time.

You are in no rush...Sometimes the conversion is a little rough of the mind.

"Wow!" His jaw nearly dropped to the void he floated in. "No kidding the AI is amazing!"

The voice laughed in response, only make Coal gawk in surprise.

If that is another way that your kind says we are intellegent...

then thank you.

He gave an even more surprised laugh. "Your fucking welcome!" Coal felt like he was in heaven already. Such an amazing AI, nearly killed him. "So amazing!"

Have you remember who you are then?

After a few more seconds he nodded. "Yeah, I think I do. I remember seeing a phoenix..."

I'm sorry to hear you lost your way young one.

It said.

Last question, I promise.

Is it the sword you wield, the essence of magic, or perhaps you walk in the darkness as a spy?

Coal smiled proudly. "I've always felt connected to nature, magic would be nice to have."

The voice chuckled in response to his musings.

Then you shall feel the magic flow through you as you serve as a Phoenix Mage. Go onward young hero, your adventure is only yet to begin, and there is so much for you to do! But be warned hero...Darkness is growing, for now it is still trying to keep itself up, but it will continue to grow more quickly as time goes on.

"Thanks for the warning...um...what's your name?" Coal scratched his head slightly.

Cora

That was all he was able to understand as the once black void began to glow brighter. This is it! Coal thought with a smile reaching from ear to ear. He felt like he was a kid again from just loading the world in. The bright light grew even brighter, and soon he passed out.

Everything was really dark now. Then Coal realized he had his eyes closed, although not sure how long. He all took notice that he was laying on the ground on his back. There was a slight pain in his head, followed by a rush of energy. Coal took notice to his UI screen. There was a health bar along with a mana bar extending past the health. His bones ached so much, he felt like not standing at all, but he remembered he was on a time limit that was imposed by his hot red headed nurse.

Coal pushed himself off the ground, grunting as he used a bit of the little strength he had in him at the moment. All around him, he spied some birds flying around in a forest. It looked close to fall judging by the color of the leafs on the trees. His armor was light in weight and was an assortment of old looking rags covered in a dark brown robe. The sun was shining in the sky which gave Coal a little warmth.

"Alright, where to?" Coal asked more to himself then anyone that could hear him if there was anyone around him. He swiped his hand down and peaked at his starting equipment. There was a stick with a small quartz crystal on the top. He had two basic spells, an extra set of clothes, two full mana batteries containing two hundred points of mana, and fifty gold coins called bits. Then he checked himself using the character mirror - which was a new thing to him. He saw that he had on his face three red stripes going horizontal below his left eye. His eyes were golden, and his hair was a copper color. He pulled it a little, doing a quick pain test. "Huh...The Doctor would've loved this." Coal chuckled at his bland joke, also letting go of his hair to end the successful pain test.

Finally finding the quest log, all he saw was just an empty list. He sighed, figuring that he would have to find some sort of civilization. Coal equipped his wand, and readied his fire spell in case if anything popped up out of no where. With the sun right overhead, Coal set out on his own quest to find someone to help him. This wasn't the first time he's had to find somewhere to go to start the first few quests. If the game had a quest log, then he was sure that there was a quest system, all there was to do was to find it, and he was sure it wasn't going to be easy. Coal took another glance around his surroundings before picking a random direction to walk in. He pulled his wand out and began walking through the red, orange, and yellow forest.

Over an hour passed by and nothing seemed to change about the forest, the sun moved much faster here than he had thought, or at least that was what his UI told him. His health was still at full and so was his mana, and he internally thanked Lady Luck for the peace. Perhaps he was lucky to be in a forest. Should night fall, he could log out safely. However, he refused to de-link from his device until he found a town. The more time that had passed, the more he felt a strange feeling in his stomach. The scents of the forest had this morning dew smell, paired with the smell of honey which both striked at his hunger.

Even more time had passed now, the clock on his UI read a quarter till eight in the game. He stopped by a tree to pull a few sticks off of it. Luckily they were dry, and then he moved to grab a few fallen leafs. Coal made a large pile out of the earthly materials and used a bit of magic to light a small fire. It was starting to get really cold-

RRRROOOAAAARRRR!!!!! Before he could even relax, Coal was forced to stand as quickly as he could. The edges of his screen turned red, and purple arrows were pointing upwards. There was a bright flash of light as a massive monster breathed fire from its mouth. Coal examined the sky more and saw it was chasing a small flock of glowing birds.

He studied the words he had to call to summon the spell. As it seemed his only two spells were in Latin. "IGNAS!" Coal shouted, firing a ball of fire at the creature. It hit the monster's face. He saw a star marked on his health with a red "A" in the middle of it.

"Dri!" The monster locked its own eyes on him, and narrowed them. "Nor dovi lokt! Phix Gah!" It roared before darting down towards Coal.

The closer it got to him, the more he began to regret even agroing the creature. As it happened, he fired a ball of fire right at the face of a dragon. "SHIT!" He hissed at himself. "Stupid fuck!" The dragon landed mere yards from him, glaring at him.

"Phix Gah! Dovi ix meira!"

Coal chuckled. "ENGLISH MOTHERFUCKER! DO YOU SPEAK IT!?"

It blew smoke in his face and huffed. "Lowering thine guard mortal being isn't the best for thou's survival!" It snarked. "Ignal dorok bowlay neeshta torax. Thou's fire is weak compared to our own flame! Paralok berra nutras pawl ixak? For what reason does one of neutrality attack a being of power such as our own self?"

"What were you doing up there?" He asked, pointing to the sky. The flock was hovering above them, seemingly trying to find out why their chaser wasn't chasing them anymore.

He huffed more smoke at Coal. "We were getting our food for the winter season for it approaches quickly this year." It replied. "Phix's are the only meal around that will fill us for the time being. Hexas agas tursa ieh rokas...All the fish are in the south, all the  bears are hidden, and...Now that we think about it, thou have the smell of a Phix as well... Kix...Yes...indeed, thou art much larger as well then the common Phix." Its throat rumbled as it shook its neck and head. "Lorbax trista boran, Phix!! Fight for thine's life mortal!" It inhaled deeply and roared in his face.

Coal steeled himself from the force from the roar. Just the force knocked most if not all the leafs off the surrounding trees. He gulped, trying to find a way to see the dragon's level. Sadly, it showed no level above it, but he did see that it had a meter of health right over its head. It had a green bar, and two other smaller vertical bars. Coal guessed that it was just two other hidden bars. He's seen something like that when he was just a child playing Dragon Ball Z games.

Coal had little time to dodge the torrent of fire the dragon let loose. He readied a fire wall to protect him from the fire, but most of it had already gone through. It stung him like a million scorpions stinging him at once in his right arm and upper right of his chest. He covered his wound, but felt something wet and warm. He removed his hand, only to see, Blood?! Instantly he felt his survival instants set in while his health was slowly draining away.

He dashed towards the dragon, firing balls of fire at its face. It only seemed to annoy the dragon. "Thou's fire is petty, Phix Nar!"

As soon as he was close enough, he unleashed a gust of air from his wand. "Aer!" He shouted and forced a horizontal tornado blasted into the dragon. He Coal watched as the dragon was pushed back a few yards from the force of the wind.

It laughed at him, like it barely did anything to him. Coal gazed at its health, only to see each hit he's made, only did at the most two hit points of damage. "Lixera, dos lork pota movas!" It laughed. "Death, it is near for thou! Paran noris saxi!" Coal's eyes widened at the pooling energy he felt the dragon absorb. Small orbs of light fell into its mouth while it inhaled. "KILE!" He shouted, firing a massive lazer at Coal's chest.

Coal was forced back nearly two football fields in length into a rock. There was a sicking crack along with him coughing up blood. He fell of the rock and landed on the ground burned and feeling faint. He had only ten health points remaining from the blast, but he noticed it was about to die. He weakly waved his hand, opening the menu to find the logout button, it was no where to be seen.

"N-no...." He gasped for air, but it felt like he was being stabbed by his ribs. "U-...Unl-...unlink!" He weakly said. 'U...unlink now!" But nothing happened. More blood started to pool around him, and he was starting to lose consciousness. The dragon seemed to forget about him as Coal felt like watching the dragon in what may be his final moments. It flew away back towards a wall of mountains.

Coal clawed the ground, trying to reach his wand, thinking he could burn his wounds so the bleeding would stop. Yet, he couldn't even find the strength to move more than two feet before his vision started to darken, and soon he passed out, slowly dying from blood loss. While he was dying the birds flew in and gazed at the human with large interest.

He is dying. The only female said solemnly. What shall we do?

The larger male stepped closer to Coal. He saved us, so we must save him. If it wasn't for him attacking the dragon, we would've died, and the dragons would have less of us to deal with in the spring.

Perhaps the elders will know how to save him? One of the males said. We have enough to fly him the rest of the way! We aren't far now!

The question is, how dead will he be then? There is only so much they can do before there is no fruit worth baring.

The female narrowed her eyes and squawked at the males. Then let's hurry morons! We must save him before it is too late!

The all nodded and all grabbed different parts of his body. Then they began to flap their wings as quickly as they could to lift off. UGH! He's heavy!

The larger male scoffed. Stop wining Hal, or I'll drink all your dew for the next week! The harsh words of the alpha pushed the other betas to work harder. Luckily it worked and they were flying their way back to the nesting grounds.

Hours passed as the flock gazed at the human while the elders worked on him. They were just barely able to save his life. The bird known as Killia was one closest to the human. She watched him with much greater interest than the others. While most of them were wondering who he was, what he was, or why he even felt like saving them. No, not her, not Killia, she was more than just as confused as her brothers and sisters, what she was is interested in how he looked. She had stolen the wand from the human while they were flying back, and she held it in her wing which somewhat acted like the claws on the human.

How long were you going to wait before telling us you had that hatchling? Asked an old voice. Killia turned her head, and nearly fell off the branch she was resting on.

Lord Ja'el! I-I was studying the creature's weapon he used to attack the draken. She bowed her head and gave Ja'el the wand. I was p-planning on-...On giving it to one of the elders for further study... Please forgive me and my idiotic foolishness.

To Killia's surprise the elder began laughing. He shook his head and grabbed the wand, then placed it under his wing. All is forgiven hatchling, you were only following what is but a mere instant for us. He opened up his wings. Come, fly with me, I wish to speak with you.

Y-yes, anything for you! She took off with Ja'el.

After they took off, and were some distance away from the nest, Lord Ja'el flew in closer to Killia. Why are you so interested in the human?

H-how do you know what it is? Killia asked him in surprise.

He chuckled in response. Answer my question first, then you may ask. Why the interest?

H-he saved us! Saved *ME*! She breathed out. Just in rags and covered with sent of the earth...And he stood up to a dragon...

Is that all?

**Hey!* I thought it was my turn!?*

Ja'el nodded and laughed softly. Quite right hatchling.... When I was only sixty years old my own father spoke to me about a race of very intelligent apes that called themselves *humans*. He described them to have very little on their bodies with more on their skulls. Ja'el nodded to himself. Yes....yes...They were obsessed with war, and fought for only their own survival. When our kind first exposed ourselves to them, they quickly began to hunt us for our feathers, and enslaved many including my father.

W-why!? Killia asked, shocked by Ja'el's words.

Our tears can heal anything, our feathers can be used for powerful magicks that surpass even our own natural magicks. Ja'el explained. He stared descending towards a cave. Have you seen Ursa before?

Killia shook her head. Only heard about him in my lessons, I'm sorry. Why are we here?

Because Ursa will decide what to do with the human. Perhaps, lead him to the Equines for further assistance. As they landed, they saw a large black bear with solid white eyes, and to the sides of them white lines that traveled down his body to his small tail.

Zirail, Lord Ja'el. Welcome hatchling. Tell me, what is your name? Ursa asked in a soft voice, careful not to care Killia.

M-my name? I-its Killia. She lowered her head, bowing to the large bear.

Then welcome to my home Killia. The bear motioned them to follow him inside. I suppose this isn't a regular visit? You are much too early Ja'el.

Ja'el laughed at the bear and nodded. Sadly, although it is good to see you are still as strong as ever Ursa.

Ursa lead them to a small stone table with a couple fish stacked on top of each other. He cut one in half,  and gave them to his friend and companion. Please, let us eat while we speak.

Killia was the first to begin eating. While she did so, Ja'el nodded before speaking. On to business I suppose. Along with Killia here, a small scouting group ran into a dragon while they were trying to return to the blesseded zone. Just a couple miles away they were when a unknown to them creature fired a ball of fire into the dragon's face. It distracted the beast while they were able to escape. Ja'el turned to Killia. As soon as the dragon realized he lost his meal for the winter, they returned to check on it.

Killia took the reins. He was injured beyond anything we've seen before. He was bleeding profusely, and covered in burns. I-I said that we couldn't just leave him there to die...It...It didn't feel like it would be right *not** to help it.*

Ursa threw the whole fish into his mouth. Pray tell, what is this creature Ja'el?

I was surprised when I saw it myself. I only heard about their race from my father, but as it turns out, it is a human.

A HUMAN!? Ursa roared in surprise. His voice shook the whole cave. Why would you come to me in dealing with it? Perhaps, you wish that I eat him? I must say I have never tasted a human before... He licked his chops. Why, I bet it even tastes like chicken!

Ja'el shook his head, looking rather angry at Ursa. I will not have him eaten since the other elders are working on healing his wounds and restoring his life. He hissed. Especially since he saved my granddaughter...and her friends... Ja'el gently pressed his head against Killia's neck. No...I wish that you help him find the closest path to the Equines to the east. I'm sure that their ruler who has my daughter as a companion will be able to help.

How is Philomena anyways? Ursa asked off topic.

She flew back a few weeks ago. She spoke of a pegasus who thought that she was ill because she was losing her feathers.

A rebirth I assume?

Indeed, she enjoyed fooling around with the pegasus, even fooling her with her death. Ja'el chuckled with Ursa. After much scorn from her lady, she apologized to the pegasus. Ja'el waited for Ursa to calm back down from his laughing fit before asking him, So will you aid the human?

I will take him to the wastes where the nearest settlement is located. The buffalo aren't exactly happy with the ponies right now, and I declared neutrality, so they don't exactly like me either. But any father, I will not go, too hot, and I am black. Ursa nodded. As soon as the human wakes, send him to my cave.

It will take sometime before he will be able to trek outside of the nest, Ursa. His wounds will need time to heal on their own, and we must instill some of our own magic inside him.

Why would you do that?

Ja'el shrugged. I am still unsure, as are the rest of the elders, but he carries with him the mark of our kind.

Do you think he is one of the Order? Usra asked.

Killia decided to speak up once more, finally fishing the fish off. What is the 'Order'? I wasn't aware of this, or even heard about it in my studies.

That is because there is little information about them my dear hatchling. Ja'el replied. All we know is that they follow the same path as us. They devote themselves to the passing of wisdom and loyalty, and are even considered to be a religious order.

How come we don't know much about them?

Because there are very few of them. In the last six thousand years, there has only been a hundred members at the most. Ursa replied.

W-wait, how old are you? Killia asked.

I'm a spirit of nature! Ursa laughed. The keeper of the earth. Did you know I took the form of a mystical deer once?

It was mentioned...but I just didn't feel like that would be possible.

Ursa began to glow brightly and turned into a massive white deer. He had looked so old to Killia, he even had moss handing from his antlers. She gawked at how Ursa had turned into the giant buck. See? He asked after changing back. As this, I also represent the *power** of nature as well, while also remaining connected. It is how I get my power.*

Could you teach me how?

It is not recommended dear Killia. It warps the mind.

Then how is he *'The Ursa*!?

They both raised a brow before bursting into a fit of laughter. We're all here, because we aren't all there! Ursa laughed while pointing to his head. You must be crazy to live as long as we have...

Killia rolled her eyes. Sure, can we go back to the human now? I wonder if the elders are done by now.

Ja'el looked up to his old friend and smiled. Hatchlings... He said wistfully. See you around spring?

Ursa yawned and patted his belly. I'm going to find a few more fish before I head to sleep.

Killia paused from her takeoff and looked at Ursa. How long do you sleep anyways?

Until the Spring Quarter young one. Ursa replied. Now go, I don't like anyone in my home while I'm not gone.

Ja'el and Killia flew off back towards the nest. "Hello Ursa..."

Ursa narrowed his eyes. "D-"

Ja'el felt slightly disturbed, Killia hadn't said a word since they arrived back at the nesting sight. He watched as Killia landed in her nest which remained alone and well kept. He flew up to her nest and sighed at her.

Must I ask why you are alone? Ja'el asked his granddaughter. He stepped closer to her, but she ended up turning away from him. What's wrong Killia?

I helped save a murderer...

What have you learned about making such harsh judgments such as that? For all we know, the humans have grown more than they had thousands of years ago. Killian, you helped save the very creature you saved your life. He wrapped a wing around her. Even if they hadn't, I would still abide by the very oath us elders go by. All life is, it is the survival of the those who are willing to survive by doing what is *right** for them. Do I think it was right that the humans hunted us? No, I don't think so since we offered them peace. Do I think he mainly saved you so he could harm you and your friends? Not very likely, I mean...He did face a dragon...* Ja'el gave Killia this look of disappointment. He removed his wing from her daughter and readied to take off. Please my hatchling, do not assume from what you have learned today. Try to find out who this human is. Find a name we may call him by, find where he is from, do whatever you would like, but do not harm him.

Killia nodded then rested her head on the edge of the nest. Why does my mother live with the Dia father?

Because of the same reason you brought the human to be healed. He answered. Because he saved *you*. Goodnight... Ja'el flew off into the dark night.

Killia looked towards the direction where she saw the Temple of Light. She gazed upon it for some time before taking off to the temple. As she flew she tried to clear her mind from what her father had told her. While he was right, deep down she felt like it was wrong to help the human. Then she asked herself why she even thought of saving him.

Because you didn't know. None of us knew about the humans... She groaned and huffed.

As Killia neared the temple, she descended through a small opening in the eastern most wall. Inside was a room filled with hundreds of different books and scrolls. She tried finding information on Ursa and how he can transform. All the while Killia thought of how to greet the human as a human. Perhaps, that is how she could keep the peace, and maybe even find out how the human feels.

Through all the books, she could only find a ripped page. On it was only half of the transformation spell however, but deep down, it didn't even stop her. It only gave fuel to her inner fire. I will do this...To show him I am thankful for him saving me. She narrowed her eyes and rapidly flew back to her nest, and made sure to be careful that she isn't spotted.

1 - LINK START! (TO ANYONE THAT PREREADS, PLEASE GO TO THE NEXT CHAPTER TO BEGIN)

-Silver Octave,Presents-

The Linked Adventures

"Alright, we're here." said Lance with a sigh. He swiped down with his hand and opened up his inventory.

"How're you doing on pots?" asked the team healer, Keyla. She had a staff in her hands with a green orb sitting on top. It looked like a long branch that grew the orb like an apple to a tree. "I have enough mana pots and team restores."

Galvirous  nodded and smiled. He started to check his own inventory. He had plenty of potions and still had his two maximum revives. "I'm fine, barely touched on the way here." He looked to Keyla and winked. "And an awesome healer."

Keyla blushed and looked the other way. "W-well...I-I'm just doing my job."

Gardin chuckled, shaking his head. "Tank's doin' his job well too. Good going on that second mini-boss on the way up here Galv. I nearly died if it wasn't for you two."

"Deeps need their cheers too." Complained Lance with a whine. He brushed back his silver hair and adjusted his sword. "I got kicked in the balls six times on the way here...." Just mentioning it, Lance started to rub his crotch and groaned.

Keyla giggled. "Thanks Lance, Gardin." She nodded to each of them as she mentioned their names. "Without your high attack stats, we might've lost to Galgadour." The boss in question had four arms and a very high physical and defense stats. It carried two swords and two shields, and it was one of the few bosses in the game that could heal itself over time. "Ready for the buffs?" The team nodded with cheers, raising the swords high. "Askterik-Divi-Nort-Balay-Navi-Sokta!" She slammed her staff onto the ground and in a giant ring, all four of them were given buffs to increase defense, agility, health, mana, and critical change.

Galvirous pulled a stone with a rune etched in it. "This is the last resort. We don't know what we're up against here so I'm going to use the stone."

Keyla and the others' eyes widened at the sight of the glowing green stone. "What is it? My Item Checker isn't reading anything."

"It's an item I won from the duel with the admins remember? The Seven Deadly Sins guild created a tournament, offering a stone that could give the user invincibility for ten minutes?"

"You have the Shard of Helios!? AMAZING!" Lance shouted, smiling like he belonged in a mad house. "How many uses does it have?"

That question had made Galvirous smile evily. "Five." He replied.

Keyla's eyes looked like they were about to let her avatar's eyes fall out. "FIVE?! That's way over powered!"

Gardin scratched his chin slowly, humming in thought. Everyone looked to him as he shook his head. "Not when you have a full party."

Galvirous nodded. "Exactly, but like I said, it's a last resort only. Understand?" They all nodded at him, still had surprised looks on their faces. "If Keyla can't heal us anymore because we're stupid fucks, I use it."

Keyla smiled at the idea. "Sounds fair, at least you're giving me a chance to help."

Galvirous shook his head while laughing. "No, I want you to work." His words dripped is sarcasm. He stepped over to Keyla and set his hand on her shoulder. She had an awful blush on her face while he looked down on the healer. "You try to stay calm okay? Your race can only recover mana if you remain calm. Don't push yourself, time the heals, and you'll do great." The others nodded in agreement. He smiled gently at her and planted a kiss on her cheek.

Keyla pressed her hand to the spot he kissed, trying her hardest not to fall over and unlink her connection - which would be bad for all of them. However, she was frozen for some few seconds as she tried to regain control over her emotions. Galvirous was right, she was a Fairy Elf, and if she didn't keep her heart rate steady, they would fail. She steeled herself up, and nodded sternly. "Okay! Let's kick some boss ass!"

"That's the spirit!" Lance laughed.

Slowly, they all faced the door and pointed their swords at it. "All for one! And one for all!" They shouted before running through the door and ready to face the boss known as the name the game gave it, Exivos. Nothing else was known about the creature because no one else had fought it before. Exivos and the Land of Elviem was the newest update to the game they played called Guardians of Galdia.

The room was dark at first with a shadowy form looming in a purple mist. They applied their class buffs, and readied their swords. Gardin looked to Keyla and made a motion to turn create a light. There weren't any sort of light sources around them like other boss rooms had. Keyla whispered the night vision spell and tapped the floor with her staff.

"Oh my god..." Lance and Gardin muttered at the sight of the monstrous demon. It's level was just over their own levels, and had two glowing red eyes.

It roared loudly at them, nearly blowing them back from it's screams. A ring of fire surrounded them, starting the battle sequence. Five bars of HP showed up on their monitors. It's body looked like it had a crystal in the center, but two of the six arms were guarding it. Examining the arena around them, looking for possible ways to distract the demon.

However before he got the chance to make the first strike to agro the boss, Galvirous was thrown back into the barrier. It made a twisted sound as it bounced him back onto the ground just in front of the barrier. He groaned as he tried to regain his bearings. The attack had made his vision blur, but the shield he had on still had nine tenths of it's charge before he would need to recharge it in a town. Lance took the chance for an attack,  but the boss was too quick and swiped him from the air.

"Agh! Dammit!" Lance struggled to get free, and he was just quick enough to evade the demon's next attack. Exivos roared in rage at his failure.

"Lance get back and recover!" Gardin shouted, throwing up a temporary barrier to help protect his ally. It wouldn't last long and the cool down almost made the ability not worth its use. Although it was helpful in times of need and he should of used it on the healer, but the attack had done a number on him already. Lance, while high in attack and speed being the assassin class, had very low health and defense. However, he was still very helpful with his agility buffs.

Keyla jumped on the chance to aid Lance while Galivrous threw himself at Exivos. Finally able to land the first hit, and agro him, Galivrous landed more combos. He jumped around and side stepped into the boss's back with his imperious sword before kicking off and throwing a flash bomb at his head. Galivrous smiled at his successful strikes and turned it over to Gardin.

Gardin used the stun debuff Exivos had and charged up his lance attack. The tip of the massive lance began to glow with Gerdin's orange energy. He watched as his mana drained and his charge meter go up. With only six seconds before the debuff wore off on Exivos, he thrusted forward with a fully charged lance attack. He shouted as he thrusted into the demon's eye. At last it moved it's hands to cover the eye, leaving the gem exposed.

Lance was finally healed by Keyla. He gave her a thankful nod and pulled his daggers out. He readied his class move by locking on to the gem. He counted down in his head the time it took to lock onto the weakest point on it's body. Soon, he realized that his targeting ability was moving to it's head and not the gem.

"It's weak point is his head!" Lance informed them. "Keyla, Stepping Stones!"

Keyla nodded with a evil grin. "RIGHT!" Almost in an instant, her mana dropped half way from six thousand to three. "Terra, Kii, Locit, Lusis!" Three sets of stairs for her team.

Almost as one, Galivrous, Lance, and Gardin had ran up the stairs. Just as Exivos recovered its eye, Lance stabbed his daggers into its right eye. Next Gardin jumped up and shoved his lance through its head. Lastly Galivrous swung and cut through its neck, causing a dark purple sludge to ooze out. Exivos roared once more in pain.

Keyla noticed unlike the others, before they had the time to recover from their own attacks, that while it had low health now, the gem began to glow with a powerful dark magic. It grabbed her friends, causing them to yell in panic. The gem threw her friends into the air and then slammed them onto the ground, creating three deep impact craters.

The party hud showed that only Galivrous was the only survivor of the attack, and he was only saved by his shield which was now fully depleted. Galivrous only had half of his health remaining.

"D-dammit..." Lance said before his character turned into a dim red pylon. "Get'em..." Gardin said before he too turned into a pylon of his energy color.

"NO!" Keyla screamed in rage. She downed her mana potions and activated her own class ability. "Ni, Tine, Bovus, Shine, Khes, Joves, Dova, Lokt, Jees, Ubrine,-" All she thought about was avenging her friends. The ones who aided in her recovery in the real world after getting hit by a car, and nearly getting crushed by a sixteen wheeler. Those were the friends who helped her, now, she need to help them. Game or not, she still felt like she had to help them in every way possible. "Gila, Vassa, *USROGA!***"

Keyla's body grew six times her normal height. Her mana completely drained, and now the effects of her ability started to set in. Her health began to slowly drain, ten each second while in use. Her skin had turned black and her eyes glowed bright yellow. She was only six feet shorter than the boss, but that didn't matter, she was just as powerful, if not more so than Exivos. There was a hole in her chest in the shape of a heart, and her once blue hair was as black as her skin and waving randomly around. All she saw was red, everything now was just another bug to her that needed to be smashed into dust and burned, then the ashes should be used to wipe her ass after she takes a fulfilling dump. After that, she would flush the tainted liquid and let it get evaporated in the nearest super volcano.

Galivrous had only seen Keyla use her class ability once before on a player killer who was trying to hurt him while they were still lower levels. It was known as Heartless Fairy. All of her stats would be multiplied by ten while in use, but at the cost of all her mana and her health would drain. "You're fucked now dude!" Galivrous only laughed at Exivos looked down at him while he still recovered. "I'd run!"

Before Exivos could attack with the gem again, Heartless Fairy Keyla shoved her hand into his chest, pulling the gem out. While he roared in pain, Keyla smashed the gem to dust with one hand and devoured it. Her mana filled up a quarter of the way, but soon it was drain as she held Exivos close to her face and fired a massive purple lazer from her mouth.

Exivos's health dropped to zero almost instantly from the blast. Keyla let go of him and let the headless body fall over backwards. She started to stomp on the body over and over until the ability started to wear off. In a bright flash as the light returned to her, Keyla was back to her regular self.

Galivrous started to laugh his ass off while Keyla started to fix her dress. "That was wicked!" He yelled in joy while using his revives on his fallen team members.

"I'm feel ALIVE!!!!" Lance cheered.

"Bein' dead just made me mad!" Gardin groaned as his body started to regenerate from the pylon powered by the revive crystal.

"You guys see that shit!" Galivrous asked with a smile that seemed to be stuck to his face. "Keyla, you were totally badass!"

Keyla blushed at the attention and looked away. "You guys got hurt...." She said as her team began to tightly hug her. "C-can't breath! Pl-please l-let go!"

And so they did. Just as the body of Exivos faded into dust the battle had finally ended. "Woo! Loot baby! Keyla got the last hit, she she gets first dibs!"

The others nodded in agreement. "Keyla go ahead." Lance bowed and stepped away. The other's followed in suit.

A large chest appeared out of thin air. She opened it up and saw four items inside along with enough gold to expand their guild hall by a lot. Of the items there was a golden staff with a purple orb on the top that looked just like the gem that was inside of Exivos. The item identifier named it as "[Legendary] Divine Staff of Gaia" As she picked it up, it read as bound to her and only her. This item cannot be traded or sold for currency. With a happy sigh she equipped it.

Galivrous whistled as he peeked at the item in her inventory. "Increases mana by three hundred percent, increases mana generation by three hundred percent for each member of the party that is under eighty percent health-" The others whistled in surprise while Keyla just  with her mouth wide open. "But wait, there's more! Aaaaannnndddd it adds a regenerative shield for each team member." Galivrous looked at his own shield. It was increased by two hundred and was rising up quickly. "I can finally stop buying shield stones! Sweet!"

Lance and Gardin checked their shields and saw their health bars were covered by a yellow bar that was slowly rising over them. "Wicked!" They cheered.

"That item is ssssoooooo overpowered." Gardin chuckled. Next he picked an item from the chest, dealing the second most damage to Exivos. It was "[Legendary] Divine Spear of Destiny." Soon they all realized they got legendary items as well, all increasing their stats by a fuck ton while equipped. "[Legendary] Divine Excalibur" for Galivrous and "[Legendary] Divine Daggers of Hephaestus " for Lance.

The room lit up suddenly while they were cheering over their victory and loot. A orb of light descended from the top of the room towards them.

"Greetings heroes...You have saved this land from a darkness that could have destroyed the entire world." It said with the voice of a woman. "My name is Luidia, Goddess of Light. I have gifted these items to you over your victory and the defeat of Lord of Darkness, Exivos. Use these tools of justice and vanquish the remaining darkness from the world."

[New Quest] : Trails of Luidia - Defeat one billion creatures of darkness.

Again, they felt like whistling at the idea of killing that much. "Well, at least it won't be that hard to get it done." Gardin sighed, sounding only slightly annoyed at the prospect.

"Just time consuming..." Lance added, Gardin nodded.

The orb glowed brighter, regaining their attention. "Tread lightly heroes, evil knows now that you have the tools to their true destruction."

"I bet it's one of those system AI's." Lance dryly commented. "Aren't you?" He asked the orb of light.

"I am apart of the system, yes users. However, this doesn't mean the gravity of the situation is negated. This world will be destroyed if evil is not kept at bay."

They knelt down on one knee. Galivrous smiled and said, "Of course, we will take these weapons and use them to defeat evil."

"That's good, now I will send you back to the last town you were in."

Sometime later... In the real world...

Yawning as he opened his eyes. Coal heard the familiar sounds of hospital equipment. He sat up in the bed as his nurse walked in, and took of his Cyberlink Gear.

"Welcome back!" She said with a cheerful smile. "What'd you do this time?"

"Beat a new boss that was just added a few days ago and got really overpowered gear." Coal replied as he helped Hera take off the IV tubes and probes that fed him and monitored his vitals. "What's for dinner?"

Hera pulled a box from her bag and gave it to Coal. "Something from Wendy's. That new spicy chicken sandwich with jalapeno sauce."

Just the sound of it made his stomach cry for the food and his mouth began to water. "So you do love me!" Hera only laughed in response.

"As much as my other patients." Ouch, friendzoned... Coal thought with a wince, even though he knew she was married to a doctor that worked there. "How are your friends doing?"

"Katie's fine, Lucas is still getting used to walking again, and Gavin is just happy to be out of that mental institution." As am I... Coal looked down at the box that protected his meal.

Hera almost sensed his attitude changing. Being with the young man for quite some time now, she grew to know him much more personally than she thought she had liked, but it helped her understand him more. "I forgot about him...."

"No one should be on that side anyways... I'm just glad he's out of it and back to realizing that there's a difference between the two realities." Coal said, then took a bite of his sandwich. "Mmmhhhfff....Dish ish gwood!"

Hera giggled and turned off the machines. "You act like a child."

Coal winked. "Bush dat's were ye luv meh."

Hera smacked him upside the head. "Don't speak with your mouth full moron, you might choke..."

"That's why I'm in the center of a hosptial isn't it?" He asked right before he took another bite, nearly a quarter of the sandwich remained. Swallowing before speaking this time, Coal checked the clock. "About a day and a half I was in this time."

"You were enjoying yourself with that new update for your game. Of course you were in there for a long time." Hera said, making some final checks around the room. "Looks like everything's good!" She said before sitting down and messing with her own phone.

Coal picked up his phone and looked at his e-mails and other shit. As he scrolled through the different pages, there was one e-mail that was highlighted and marked important. It had an unknown sender, or perhaps that was the name of who sent it. To him it didn't matter, although he checked it anyways.

~Chosen Individual~

You have been selected to be the soul tester for a new game that is currently in working Beta. It has been a long time in the making and we are proud to present EQ-Hero. It is a heavy open world magical adventure filled with endless quests, and the state of the art AI systems. You can play as over twenty different races, and you can also choose a morality system which will effect how the AI's view you. This game is unlike any other before or perhaps even after it's full release.

You start in a random area, but we assure you that you will remain safe until you reach the end of the tutorial region. Before you start however you must pick a race, class, and later on after you complete the tutorial you can select which subclass you wish to be. The land you will be starting in is one of the Twelve Kingdoms of the planet Terra. You will see many mythological creatures that can think and speak as you or I. They will act just like a normal user would, and have even complex actions that put most AI's to shame. It's current rating is AO+, with heavy sexual content. If you wish to take part in sexual acts we assure you that it is most realistic.

Once again, we hope you enjoy this new game. We chose you out of the eight billion other users around the world because your rather strange situation revolving around difficulties. The passcode for the game is [13462345627574571345714562581343049857103945613094857203495613045610356130459135019650134958710345610378456013495634965103945613456013456130478561034561034956013465018345130945603475050234028374602835720346028592345285293875203847]

And as always, Game On!

"Mhmmm...." Coal rubbed his scruff in deep thought. "Take a look at this will ya? Tell me what you think of it." He tossed Hera the phone.

She studied the e-mail for a little over ten minutes, seemly in just as deep thought as Coal was. She gave it back to him and stood up. "If you wish, I can set the equipment up again."

"What? Not even, 'Hey I think this is a little weird?' from you?"

Hera shrugged. "I don't really know what to say. I mean, from the looks of it, it sounds like a pretty huge game." Suddenly she had the most devilish smile across her face. "Sounds fun eh?"

Coal scoffed. "Like I would do that!"

Hera returned the look she received from Coal. "You haven't even tried it out yet! Who knows what you'll find there!?"

He went silent for a few minutes. Hera was indeed right, who knew what he'd find there. From the the sound of it, it did seem pretty big. An entire world to explore, not just a limited map like most other games. Coal picked up his Cyberlink Gear and had this far off look at it.

"Something wrong, Coal?"

He snapped out of it and shook his head. "Nah....It's just it's a lot to take it, ya know?" Hera shrugged.

"Well?" She asked, motioning to the equipment.

Coal nodded and place the gear around his head. "I guess it's back to cyberspace."

"You sound like it's a bad thing." She chuckled, plugging the machines back in and turning them on. Coal helped Hera place the probes over his vitals an on the back of his neck.

"Li-"

"Wait!" Hera shouted suddenly. "I hope it's a good game. Have fun okay? And remember, don't stay too long, you haven't done your stretches yet. One day, max, then unlink."

"Yes mother..."

"Oh, and happy twenty-fourth."

Coal smiled. "Thanks Hera, I'm glad you remembered."

"See ya!" She winked and jumped a little so her boobs made a slight bounce.

With that imprinted in his memory forever, Coal turned on his Cyberlink. "As the great doctor had said, Onwards and Upwards!" Hera laughed, remembering the words of her husband. "LINK-START!"