The XP: Chapter 16

Volnado and Shizaboom were sitting in private box in the audience area of the tournament grounds watching two teams fight each other in order to advance to the next round. Wainright teleported into the box and took his empty seat. “The End of the World club is on their way to the Planes of judgement and Torcano’s new toon is being griefed over in Spirit Flats.” He explained to Volnado.

Volnado watched with a smile on his face as the two teams fought bitterly against each other. “Set the Planes of Judgement to run Judgement of the Soul. I want them out of this competition.” He instructed.

Wainright nodded and then teleported away.

Torcano crawled on the ground, his legs below the knees were bloody stumps. His pistols no more than half a body length away. He scrambled as fast as he could before a shot rang out, the bullet knocking his pistols further away from him. He droped his face almost into the dirt.

“Man that’s gotta be getting frustrating huh?” Vrage asked sarcastically. You’re all super determined and your weapons are so close.” He crouched down by the pistols in the dirt. “Come on buddy, just a little bit further.” Vrage stood up as Torcano pulled himself forward a few more inches. He pulled his pistol and shot Torcano twice in the back. “But then disaster! You’re getting slower and slower, you haven’t gained any skill points in almost an hour Torcano, all that precious time, gone. And this is your second life this hour, if you die again you loose a half hour just waiting to re-spawn.” He crouched down, his shadow looming over Torcano. He stuck his gun in the gaping hole in Torcano’s back. “Aren’t you worried that you friends will think you’ve abandoned them?” Vrage asked.

Torcano looked bored. “Grief all you want Vrage, this is nothing more than a silly game.” Torcano admitted.

Vrage smiled. “Ahhh, the justification of the natural born looser. Destined to beg at the feet of winners for the remaining shreds of their pathetic little lives.” Vrange kicked dirt in Torcano’s face.

Torcano wiped the dirt out of his eyes. “You have serious issues dude.” He replied, pulling himself forward a few more inches. Vrage put his boot on the back of Torcano’s neck and does a little jump hop to kill him off.

Fifteen minutes later Torcano faded back to life. Vrage was leaning against the railing of the old man’s porch. “You’ve been able to re-spawn for five minutes now. D’j’ou make a sandwich or something?” Vrage asked casually.

Torcano nodded. “I had the time so I figured what the hell right?” He dropped his hand onto the handle of his pistol.

Vrage looked at him with a smile on his face. “What are you doing Torcano?”

Torcano tightened his grip. “Finishing this quest.” He replied with determination.

Vrage laughed. “Oh sure, but not till the Guild Wars are over.”

Torcano rolled his eyes. “Is that what this is about?” He asked.

Vrage nodded. “Come on man! You had to know I was being paid to babysit you like this.” He confirmed. Both of them drew their weapons Torcano’s pistols were shot out of is hands cleanly. He made a dash for them and Vrage caught him with a third shot in the shoulder, which knocked him on his back. Vrage sauntered over and looked down at Torcano. “All that time as  Game Master sure didn’t improve your play Style. Not going to be much help to your friends if you can’t keep hold of your guns Torcano.” Vrage leveled the barrel of his gun right between Torcano’s eyes. “Should remember something my daddy always used to say.” Vrage’s statement was interrupted when a bullet tore through his chest. Catching him completely by surprise and stunning him completely.

Sezario Stepped out of the heat waves in the distance and slung his rifle over his back with one hand and pulled a pistol from his side with the other. “A place for everything.” Sezario said now standing over Vrage stunned on the ground. “And everything in its place.” He finished while leveling his pistol at Vrage’s face.

“You’re dead meat noob!” Vrage yelled, still unable to move.

Sezario smiled. “That’s going to be a lot more threatening when I hear it again in ten minutes.” He pulled the trigger and Vrage disappeared. He then turned his attention to Torcano a held out his hand to help Torcano get to his feet.

Torcano took his hand and stood up. “Thanks, I owe you one.” He said.

Sezario smiled and shook his head. “No problem, I’m allergic to douche bags and he was messing with my sinuses something fierce. You need to be long gone by the time he gets back.” Sezario said nodding to the old man. Torcano nodded, picked up his guns, turned in the quest and headed off into the afternoon heat waves in the distance.