Are You Ready

Pulling himself up on a mountain ledge, large beads of sweat poured down upon its surface. Coughing from dryness of mouth, Ace fell to his side and rolled on his back. Filling for his water sack he slowly tipped it in his mouth so not to choke. Quenching his thirst after a couple gulps, he leaned his head back and noticed a shady cave. Flipping to his side the Arcadian slowly flipped again, pushing himself to his knees. Crawling up to the cave his Tasmanian instinct told him to stop. Rocking his head from side-to-side Ace sniffed the Entrance to inspect it.

Foop. A long slimy tongue shot out of the cave. Falling backwards and laying flat Ace managed to dodge the first strike but the creature struck again. Rolling to the right he attempted to get up but foop, once again the spiked oyster like creature shot its tongue out this time scathing his hand. Peeling his hand away from the Argahkyl tongue as he rolled for the third time Ace knew that he couldn't let it get hold of him.

Clamping its vertical mouth shut, the Argakyl rose off the mountain wall it leaned on. Balancing itself on one spike it began phase two of its plan. Rotating rapidly the tips of every it released pin needles out of its spikes.

Reacting swiftly Ace rolled off the ledge while converting to his Arcadian form at the same time. Sinking his left claws into the mountain wall he hung from it until he could get a better grip. Dipping his head slowly the Were-Tasmanian felt as if he was hit with an overdose of heroine or some. Losing possession of his limbs he fell.

~Reach The Mark~

Coming upon the red line that marked her defeat for the last couple of days Mariah could feel the energy swelling up inside of her chest. She was positive today she was going to make it through. Not only have she leveled up, but her daily training also raised her stats.

Pressure Maximum coming up in 500 feet…350 feet…50 feet…Threshold Cleared Objective Complete 50 exp gained.

Wooosh, woooosh. Slithering through the water with the flick of its mermaid tail an eel faced creature jerked its head to the left. A rather large object had entered its electrical field which needed investigation.

Danger! Danger! Danger!

"What is it now?" Mariah thought staring at flashing red letters. Swimming in place in the vast ocean of glowing specks she searched for the danger that awaited her. Kawish in a red blur mermaid like creature with claws for hands and tentacles that flowed passed its tale amputated her right arm. Releasing bubbles as she gasped in pain her head was chopped off before she could respond.

"You whore." Mariah whispered upon awakening. "Make me go through all that just to set up another obstacle for me." Nodding her head, she slipped her hands from under the covers grabbing her phone. 2:02. "I got time." She smiled drifting back to sleep.

~Preparation~

Flicking on the lights of to the simulation room a three-eyed lion humanoid pushed the button to the P.A with his stony-bronze fingers. "If you are going to join me on my quest to Roarke Isle then I need the two of you to be at your A game. Roarke Isle is comprised of warriors, savages, bandits, and beasts of all kinds. If you are not careful, you might find yourself throwed on top of a slab of stone being dissected or sold for the highest bid.

Cracking a bit of smile Rebecca took a glance at her associate. "Sounds like an adventure. What you think?"

"Sounds like everyday life to me." Shrugging his shoulders, he chuckled. "At least I get free training for what to come in here."

Simulation starting in 10…Popping up as if someone flicked on a light switch a forested background with clay, stone and wooden buildings materialized. Eyes from one space to the next analyzing the ancient city covered in vines, moss and other vegetation Rebecca scanned for a refuge from the impending danger of whatever this simulation may bring.

5…4…Ogling at a giant statue of a what appeared to be a griffin of some sort, Steve caught his comrade breaking off into a sprint from his peripheral. Shifting his attention to her he watched her peek inside stone hut she waved him over. 2…1…Running to her side the ground shook in the simulation initiated.

~Lost~

Twirling around a columns of stalagmite Ace came to a stop. Looking around at various doorways of stalagmite the entire chamber resembled a gothic labyrinth that kept you on your toes in wonder of what resided in this dark, damp cave partially lit up by the crystals forming on the ground and stalagmites themselves. Scratching his head on which way to go something caught his nose it was the stench of decay but not of an animal or person. Sniffing the air a few more times the scent of multiple creatures of the same species entered his nostrils.

Shifting into his Were-Tasmanian form he trotted off in search of the pack hoping to spot them before they spotted him. Weaving his way through the maze by the whim of his nose. Stopping on a ledge he could smell at least seven beasts in the surrounding area. It seemed that they were the observants, and he was the object to behold. Staring at two of the Hijorns at the bottom of the ledge Ace could feel the blood lust of the one creeping up behind him.

Peeking its black houndish features out of the shadows the Hijorn pounced. Diving out of the way the Arcadian rolled to his feet knocking away the stinger from the beasts, scorpion like tail. Turning around to face its prey six bloodshot eyes locked onto Ace. Strutting its massive lionish body it slowly crept towards him ready to strike again.

Positioning himself for an attack Ace eyeballs almost popped out when the Hijorn spewed a black toxic sludge from its mouth. Staggering backwards and tripping over his own feet from trying to avoid the acidic saliva he caught himself with his left arm. Flipping backwards to avoid another toxic spray he lunged a bone dagger at the creature once its, closed its mouth.

Smacking the dagger away with its tail the Hijorn snarled toxic sludge dripping from its mouth leaving tiny holes upon each drop. "Well, it's obvious who built these mazes." Ace said to himself sarcastically, plotting on his next move well, aware of the cave wall that blocked him from going anywhere. Deciding to follow his instincts he let his subconscious take over when the beast finally attacked. Twirling around on one foot Ace broke towards the wall running along it then flipping pass his aggressor.

Arp! Letting out a sharp bark after smacking its face against the wall the Hijor whipped around to face the Arcadian lunging at him sword in hand. Leaping out of the way the beast positioned itself to pounce. Arp! Tossing its head to the side from a stinging blow from a bone whip its assailant was upon it before it could set his head straight.

Arp! Plunging his sword into the neck of the Hijorn blood rushed down his arms. Removing his blade from the beast its body hit the ground with a thud. Shifting his attention to two more of the beasts that ventured to his ledge due to their companion tardiness. Shooting his gaze from Hijorn to the next he slowly backed up till he was at the edge. Taking a chance, the Tasmanian leaped to the bottom losing a little over half of his life in the process.

Healing himself using Store Ace scrambled to his feet breaking into a sprint only to end up surrounded by four Hijorns that circled him from a distant. Standing in the middle of the beasts the Arcadian displayed no fear. In truth, the Tasmanian in him became more aggressive pumping an extra shot of adrenaline through his body.

Pivoting pass his first attacker Ace was tackled by a second. Placing his sword in between the beast jaws and his face he used the momentum of his fall to kick the Hijorn off him. Springing to his feet the Arcadian ducked pass the stinger of a third landing on his hands as he did. Snapping up he winced in pain from a chunk of his leg being chomped off. Swinging wildly at his opponent before him Ace watched the stinger of its comrade hurl towards him but there was nothing he could. Pakwish, the lead like stinger slid in and out of his side with ease injecting its venom. Taking a second sting to the back Ace hit the ground in convulsions.

Surrounding their prey, the pack of Hijorns ripped away at his flesh until his Status bar hit zero.

~Rivals~

Zooming pass her old threshold Mariah, continued to swim while probing the sea for her foe. Detecting the Chisapho in its field the Jungta, propelled forward sliding through the water like a snake from behind. Spotting the creature in her rearview toward the right Mariah licked her fur then whirled around throwing an upper slash. Coiling its upper half back the sea monster struck with a jab.

Swirling pass the strike Mariah bolted forward only to get caught in a net of tentacles. Duhnnnnnn, electricity vibrated through the water shocking her. Fighting to break free a spear to the gut from the left her blowing bubbles out of her mouth like a toddler at play as she propelled backwards through the water flipping uncontrollably.

Rolling her arms to slow herself Mariah took a deep inhale sucking water through her gills to obtain all the oxygen possible in her lungs. G-Force manipulation, she knew the deal. That was nothing but her aura something that everyone had but did not know how to control. The fact that she had a chance to harness this power was incredible and the fact that she watches a ton of Anime only made it easier. Activating her ability upon an exhale her fiery glow engulfed her body.

All Stats +10. Staring at both the sea monster and her screen Mariah could feel the difference in her strength. Clenching her fists, she balled hody up then rocketed forward towards her rival who was also homing in for her like a torpedo. Meeting up with each other halfway both assailants exchanged blows as they spiraled around each other. The Chisapho along the chest and the Jungta the face.

Jetting out of the way before the Jungta could wrap its tentacles around her Mariah curved around but the beasts. Eeeen, surging electricity through its appendages the sea monster redirecting them towards its prey. Paweeeesh, blood squirted out of the Chisapho arms upon puncturing it.

Swiping away the tentacle Mariah propelled backwards. Swimming belly up she glided through the water like a boomerang back towards its thrower. Landing a second strike to the midsection she received a back claw to the face. Swimming upwards then diving back down the Jungta slapped the Chisapho in the back of the head with its tail. Whirling around its opponent after the vicious blow the beast struck the back of its prey neck with its razor-sharp tail rendering her motionless.

Unleashing oxygen from her mouth Mariah body slumped over. "This game is more realistic than I thought." Sinking to the bottom of the ocean she could feel the creature gnawing at her body, ripping the flesh from her body. "This is strange, I thought you weren't supposed to feel pain. I mean its not all that bad, but it is still irritating."

Little that she knew that she would be the first to feel the effects of the game evolution.