vMMORPG: Broken Chains

** Outside the game in the tournament viewing area **

Announcer: "The curtain on the final stage of the first annual Breaking Chains Tournament is soon to fall! There are only five teams left standing! Four of the final teams are at the final showdown in the plains while the final team, who currently is in last place with zero points, are still at the top of the volcano where they have been since shortly after the battle began. Are they looking to secure the final victory by letting the other teams duke it out or are they messing around? Who knows but I am sure we will find out!"

Jesting and jeering was heard from the crowd watching the fight live in the tournament viewing platforms.

"What losers, they haven't moved in five and a half hours!"

"They were so boring that the cameras stopped following them after the first two hours, the cameras only check them out every 30 mins now! What a joke!"

"Their team might have won all the life skilling portions of the tournament but there are more points in this battle then all the previous events combined! What are they thinking?"

"They are just a life skilling guild, what purpose do they think they have in the combat portion of the tournament? Do they think they can pull off a comeback win?"

"I know right? They are crazy if they think that it is possible to swoop in at the last minute to win! There is only 30 minutes left until the battle is over. Not only that but they are in the center of the map. It took the other teams over an hour to move from the villages near the base of the volcano, let alone from the top!"

Announcer: "There appears to be alliances that formed between the final four active participating guilds! Desolate and Above the Heavens are fighting as if they made an agreement. While Solemn Sword and Oblivion are doing the same! Let's watch to see how long these alliances last!"

** On the battle field **

A large figure readies a great sword that is larger than his own body and roars out [Crescent Strike!] A dark blue aura starts to form over the blade of the great sword as the man swings his sword in an horizontal arc to the ground. On the receiving end of the attack an equally towering man wielding a longsword and a towering shield readies himself. His shield glows white as he braces himself for impact.

*BOOM*

As the great sword makes contact with the towering shield a shock wave bellows out. Dust and small pebbles are blown away with the two warriors as its epicenter.

[Repulsion!] The man with the still glowing shield calls out and shoves the great sword out of the way. The great sword wielding man attempts to regain his position as a hooded figure appears from the shadows at his side!

Two twin daggers make their way towards the side of the fleeing man, [Veiled Strike!] While another person appears out of the shadows directly above the first assassin and kicks the great sword wielding man on his face making him fall to the ground. At the same time he strikes downward with his own dagger, [Hidden Strike!] The first assassin's attack hit empty air while the second's landed a direct hit on the first assassin.

( *Crit* -210 – Bleeding ) appeared above the first assassin's head. The second assassin and the great sword wielder both retreat backwards while the first assassin somersaults backwards to fall behind the great shield wielder.

[Quick Shots!], two arrows swiftly arrive in front of the great sword user and the second assassin causing them to attempt to put up a guard as best as they can. [Wall of Earth!], a thick sheet of rock grows from the ground directly in front of the two blocking the arrows from making contact.

The earth wall shatters and the arrows break into pieces. The two leap backwards to avoid the incoming debris while the area around the battle grows hotter.

The air around the tower shield user and the first assassin continues to head up until it is unbearable, [Heat Flash!]. Flames erupted from burning oxygen in a 3 meter radius around the warrior and first assassin.

Both the warrior and assassin tried to defend themselves but they still took damage; the warrior used [Block] while the assassin used [Quick Steps] trying to leave the area of attack but failed to avoid all the damage. [Block] works best against physical attacks while only mitigating a portion of magic damage while the [Swift Steps] was not fast enough to avoid the final meter of the [Heat Flash].

( -325 – Burning ), ( -620 – Burning) the warrior and assassin took a large amount of damage! [Healing Winds!], a green wind swept across the battle field and the warrior and assassin were coated in a green aura as they were healed slowly.

This was not the only intense battle taking place. In the background a large scale battle was thriving, this battle was lead by the generals of the four guilds.

The battle between the leaders of the guilds came to a halt as both sides took the time to regroup and reposition.

The second assassin, who was a thin but strong looking man dressed in a black hooded cloak which hid most of this appearance except his glowing dark orange eyes, started playing with his dagger. "My, my, my, Scarlet your engagement is too simple and bland; did you not take my teaching seriously?"

Scarlet, the first assassin who was dressed in the same black hooded cloak, took off her hood revealing her shoulder length red hair, ocean teal eyes, and a face that could attract the attention of any man she so desired. "Shut it Rend, you were too interested in getting in my pants than actually teaching me anything, dating you was the worst choice I ever made you damn womanizer."

"You never showed me this side of you while we were together. Who would have thought you'd kick your own ally in the face just to save him from my blades. I don't know if you are a blessing or a curse for anyone you team up with. You're helpful but insulting at the same time, I do not know how you still have allies at this point."

Hearing Scarlet's remark the great sword user cringed. [That damn Scarlet is right! Who does Rend think he is? Kicking me in the face, such a bold move! Does he think I wont end this alliance just to get my dignity back? I am the Founder of Solemn Sword damn it! Is my dignity something anyone can simply walk on?!]. "She is right Rend! Do you think you can step on the leader of Solemn Sword as if I was nothing? You are the first one on my list after we defeat their alliance, don't you dare die until I pierce my great sword through your chest!

Rend, turns to look the great sword wielder up and down. He smiles and it is obvious that he likes what he sees.

Starting at the feet he sees dark grey combat boots, followed my dark red combat pants that were loose but tight enough to show off the man's strong muscles hidden behind, then the abs of a god were in plain view on his shirtless torso, the only thing on the naked chest was a rune symbol in the middle of his chest that made him appear more divine due to its majestic appearance, finally the sharp jawline and serious dark brown eyes that felt like they could pierce your very soul.

The look Alexander received made him shiver in disgust.

Licking his lips Rend teased, "Hehehe, Alexander looking divine as usual, it's a shame that I cannot leave a cut on your perfect chest right now."

"Rend, the way you always look at me disgusts me. Just you wait! Like I said do not die; I want to see the life leave your eyes as I pierce my great sword into you."

Looking like a pervert Rend starts shivering with excitement, "Oh my, Alexander that better be a promise. Just the thought of your massive great sword piercing me gets me excited! I didn't know you had it in you to dirty talk, such an indecent man."

"Rend, I didn't know you turned bisexual after I left you, or maybe you always had it in you. I always thought you looked at Alexander weirdly ever since you first saw him…"

The warrior with the great shield could not take it anymore. "Cut the crap there is only 20 minutes left in the battle and we all know we are the deciding factor our armies will crumble was we fall! Keep your fantasies to yourselves until this is over! Scarlet we agreed that you would handle Rend to get your revenge, keep your mind focused or did the fact he betrayed does not actually bother you!"

Scarlet, Rend, and Alexander all looked to the man clad in silver armor. From his armor there were pauldrons that protruded from his shoulders which made him truly look like a tank. His great shield was off-white with gold trim around the edges; his longsword was thin, deadly sharp, but extremely durable. They all knew that his speed defied his look. Even in all that armor he was still one of the fastest combatants here due to his hidden class. He had a nickname among the player base, they all referred to him as King Author due to his accomplishments through his time.

A man in a fiery red robes holding an ancient looking staff walked over to the group, "You guys always have some drama going on."

"Even though you are all battle maniacs you get distracted with either trash talk or your weird behaviors." Another man in light gray robes with a glowing green book floating next to him also closed in to the group's location.

Finally the last two members of the battle walked over. The first one was a man dressed in studded leather armor and a long recurve bow in hand; the most notable trait of this young looking man was his pointy ears. The second was a young woman dressed like a priestess walked up. Both stood there quietly and just waiting with impatient looks on their faces.

Watching them approach Rend laughed, "Jack, Violet why are you so unhappy? Lighten up a bit would ya? There is plenty of time to slaughter each other."

Neither Jack nor Violet retorted to Rend.

[Healing Ring] Violet murmured under her breath.

"Damn it Violet that is cheating! We are not even fighting but you healed these two back up to full HP! Have you no shame?"

"Rend, it is you that has no shame. I saw your eyeing up Alexander, everyone here know he doesn't swing that way. This battle has lasted long enough let's get this over with."

As Violet finished her sentence her entire being started to glow a golden color then she started to chant one of her spells. Everyone readied themselves for battle when all of a sudden something strange happened.

Descending from the sky where beautiful lotus flowers. Their petals where fiery so much that they looked as if they were dancing and waving. They almost looked alive. The fiery lotus flowers glowed orange, red, and yellow. When they approached they gave off a warm heat that soothed the soul.

Quickly a sea of dancing flowers soon surrounded the entire island. The flowers were of all different sizes but all contained an unparalleled beauty. They were so captivating that it was difficult to look away from the flower.

Looking around for their source everyone saw the lotuses where coming out of the volcano at the center of the island. It looked as the volcano was erupting the beautiful lotus flowers rather than deadly fire balls.

Everyone's focused shifted to the lotus flowers that hovered near each individual. Those with the [Inspect] skill examined the flowers.

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Lotus of Life

A lotus flower made out of enduring fire.

Effects:

Minor Healing (Recovers HP at 10 HP a second)

Minor Rejuvenation (Recovered Stamina at 10 Stamina a second)

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Tomas, who was untrusting, was still on high alert questioned the sight. "Why do these lotus flowers have a healing factor and why are they coming from the volcano?"

After examining the lotus flowers Violet was surprised, "These flowers have both [Minor Healing] and [Minor Rejuvenation]! These buffs are not often naturally paired together. At the very least it is not something a player can accomplish."

"These buffs are strong even at the minor versions, so strong for game balance no one has found any items or spells that allow them to be together… Does this mean the hosts want an even more intense final battle, making us use all of our trump cards at once?"

Tempest used [Magic Sense], he was amazed and could not help but exclaim his thoughts. "The fire in these lotuses is so pure! It is almost like it is directly from nature. It makes sense since these came from the volcano. If I were to guess these came from the heart of the volcano. I think Violet may be right."

Both Scarlet and Rend were skeptical at best, "I don't know, I don't trust these flowers."

Rend was surprised by what Jack said, "I actually agree with Rend, my class's ability tells me to be wary."

… Meanwhile at the top of the volcano …

Six individuals are looking towards an outcrop at the top. They are watching three people doing something unheard of until now. A man was surrounded by two beauties; they both seemed to be channeling energy into the man in the middle.

Even though they are at the top of an active volcano a young man slightly shivers at the sight, "Man the boss is terrifying, who the hell can channel and cast a spell of that scale? That is downright inhuman."

"Hehe, brother you shouldn't doubt our Lord's plan and ability. We are sure to make a big splash after this!"

"Karma, Destiny you should keep your voices down. Do not distract him. You know the punishments and 'gifts' he likes to bestow onto us."

Hearing what Riven said made everyone, even the two individuals next to the man who was still casting a spell, cringe a little bit. They all suffered through hell from time to time. Their Lord's excuse for the pain and suffering was that "it would make them stronger". They all knew it turned out to be true but the devilish smile he showed when talking about their "training" and his 'gifts' terrified them.

Off to the side sits an older man, seemingly in his late 30's, who has had his eyes shut for a long time suddenly snaps open his eyes. "The camera is on its return, it's later than expected. I feel they might have forgotten about us if not for the lotus flowers. It will be here in less than 2 minutes."

The man producing the uncountable lotus flowers stops his casting and turns his head to the group. "Excellent job Twisted. I started to worry that we would miss our chance at stealing the show. Everyone get ready." Smiling with just a small smirk he continued, "Let's give the world a show they will never forget."

Seeing that evil smile gave his nine companions cold chills. Not missing a beat they all gathered around their leader. The moment before the camera arrived only one thing was heard [Lotus of the Damned].