Lord Of The Lost

All five players stood together in the dimly lit chamber, their attention fixed on Metatron, who had summoned them for this critical mission. A sense of anticipation hung in the air, thick with the knowledge that each of them had earned their place here, among the best of the best from the internal testing phase.

"The target of our journey," Metatron began, his voice low but steady, "is Shadow Castle, the lair of Count Vampire."

The name alone sent a ripple of unease through the group. Shadow Castle was infamous in the game world, and Count Vampire was a fearsome boss whose territory many dared not enter. Yet here they stood, ready to embark on a mission few others could survive.

Metatron, the de facto leader, gestured to the others. "Before we go any further, let's introduce ourselves. We need to know what everyone is capable of if we're going to take down Count Vampire. I'll start. I'm Metatron, a level 5 player."

William, standing to his right, raised her hand with a smile that radiated confidence. "The breeze blows over the hills. Level 9 player," she said, her eyes flickering with the memory of countless victories. Her movements were smooth, almost playful, yet there was a quiet power beneath her calm exterior.

Next was a man with an easygoing smile, though his eyes hinted at a more calculating nature. "Gambler here. Just a level 6 player," he said, downplaying his abilities with a casual shrug, though everyone knew he was far more dangerous than he let on.

A tall, stoic figure followed. "Alex. Level 8." His voice was firm, no room for bravado. He stood as if he were ready for battle at any moment, his armor reflecting the dim light of the room.

Finally, the Forum Master stepped forward. "I've also reached level 8," he said quietly, but there was pride in his tone.

Gambler, raising an eyebrow, turned to the Forum Master with genuine surprise. "Three levels in one go? You climbed the ranks fast, didn't you?" His tone was a mix of admiration and disbelief.

The Forum Master gave a small, bitter smile, shaking his head. "Trust me, it wasn't as smooth as it looks. If it hadn't been for Wallace's help, I wouldn't be standing here. Yesterday, we fought off more than 200 thieves in that cursed grove, high-level ones too. The blood soaked the ground. If each one gave me two or three experience points, it was enough to push me to level 8 and then some."

The memories of that battle seemed to weigh on him, but Gambler gave him a firm pat on the shoulder, breaking the moment. "That's how it goes. Higher risk, higher reward," he said with a knowing smile.

Metatron, seeing the camaraderie forming, stepped forward again. "Since we're all here, we should exchange some information about our abilities. If we don't, we'll be fighting in the dark, and that could get us killed. I'll go first."

The room grew quieter as the others focused on Metatron. He wasn't just their leader by default, he carried secrets few could fathom.

"My player ID is Metatron. Serial number 111," he began. "My talent is called 'God's Perspective'."

The group leaned in, intrigued.

"The effect," Metatron continued, "allows me to observe different world lines and witness multiple futures. The future I see is never the same. It's vague and incomplete, but I can gain valuable knowledge from it, sometimes just enough to change the course of events."

As he spoke, the others could feel the weight of his words. Having glimpses of the future, no matter how uncertain, was a power most could only dream of. But the burden of such knowledge was evident in Metatron's steady gaze.

"And that's not all," he continued. "I've mastered two extraordinary skills: 'Divine Protection' and 'Divine Attack'. And I carry an item called the 'Moonlight Codex'."

He paused for a moment, letting the significance of his words sink in. "The Moonlight Codex protects me with the power of the moon, giving me resistance against evil spells. It also comes with the spell 'Light of Purification' a beam of moonlight that can strike our enemies down. But it takes ten minutes to recharge after each use."

As he finished, a silence fell over the room. William, her curiosity piqued, couldn't help but stare at him. She was the first to break the quiet, her tone a mixture of fascination and concern. "You've seen different futures. What have you seen in this one?"

Metatron's expression darkened slightly. He met her gaze, his voice calm but heavy. "I can't see the future clearly this time. But I can feel it, it's bad. Very bad."

William's eyes widened as she processed his words. "Wow," she whispered, her usual bravado momentarily shaken.

The others exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of the situation. They had known this mission would be dangerous, but hearing Metatron's cryptic warning about the future made it all the more real.

Metatron straightened, pulling the group's attention back to him. "We need to be ready for anything. Whatever future lies ahead, we'll face it together."

With that, the five players shared a quiet nod, a pact silently forming between them. They knew the journey to Shadow Castle would test their skills, their courage, and their trust in one another. But they were the best for a reason and they wouldn't back down.

For Metatron, viewing the future from a God's perspective was never as straightforward as it seemed. The visions were more like fragmented dreams than clear paths. It was as though he stood at an endless crossroads, each road promising something different. One time, he might take the path on the right, only to find himself walking a completely new road the next time. No pattern, no clear answers. Just uncertainty.

The glimpses he received were random, fleeting moments. He might catch a glimpse of something useful, an overheard conversation, a flash of movement or nothing at all. And if the version of himself he was observing happened to die, the vision would abruptly go dark. A "black screen," as he liked to call it. This was his warning sign, a flashing beacon of danger.

When he began to observe his journey to Shadow Castle, it was always the same. Black screen. Every single time. It was a death trap.

The first time, Metatron ventured alone toward the cursed stronghold. But before he even reached the looming towers of Shadow Castle, he was dead. Cut down by dangers on the road, his journey ended in darkness before it truly began.

He realized he couldn't do it alone. So, next, he brought William along. With her strength and cunning, they hoped to make it further. And they did, deep into the heart of the castle. But just like before, death came swiftly, and the vision went dark again.

Refusing to give up, Metatron invited the Forum Master and others to join their mission. Together, they formed a stronger, more capable group. But the result was the same. No matter how powerful the team or how careful they were, they couldn't avoid the looming darkness that swallowed every future.

Despite his relatively low level, only a 5 compared to the higher ranks of his companions, Metatron was far from the weakest link. In fact, William, the Forum Master, and the others instinctively took it upon themselves to protect him. They knew how valuable his talents were, especially in such a dangerous setting. But even with layers of protection around him, Metatron still saw his own death in those visions, leaving the fate of the others all too easy to imagine.

Yet, recently, something had changed. Twice, Metatron had used his "God's Perspective" to peer into the future again. And while the future remained clouded, hazy, there was a noticeable improvement. For once, there was no immediate black screen. No sudden end.

William, ever the strategist, mulled over this development. "So, you're saying there will still be casualties?" she asked, her voice thoughtful but steady.

Metatron nodded, though his face remained calm. "I believe so. But it's progress. It's no longer guaranteed failure."

He knew William wasn't one to shy away from a challenge. Her thoughtful expression now was more a sign of calculation than hesitation. She had faced death before, and she would again. He had seen her in so many of his visions; this young man with whom he had never interacted beyond those fragmented futures. For Metatron, it often felt like watching a movie with blindfolds and earplugs, aware of the movements but unable to grasp the full picture.

Metatron's gaze shifted to Gambler, the most unpredictable of the group. True to form, Gambler was playing with a set of dice, tossing them in the air with an easy, almost cheerful grace.

"My talent," Gambler said with a grin, "is actually this dice." He caught the dice midair and displayed it like a magician revealing his best trick.

The others watched him with a mix of curiosity and suspicion. Gambler had always been an enigma.

…

Player ID: Gambler

Serial Number: 007

Talent: 'Gambler's Dice'

"The effect is simple," Gambler explained, tossing the dice again, letting it roll between his fingers. "I have a dice in my heart, so to speak. When I throw it, the number it lands on determines my abilities. If I roll a 1, my strength doubles. If I roll a 2, my agility and strength both get a boost. Roll a 6? Then my physical endurance skyrockets." He chuckled, as if the unpredictability excited him more than the power itself.

The group absorbed this new information, recognizing the chaos that would follow in battle, both a blessing and a curse, depending on the roll of Gambler's die.

But there was more to Gambler than just the dice. His wild smile hid layers of skill and deadly expertise.

…

Gambler had mastered the extraordinary skill 'Chaos Attack', which made his movements erratic and difficult to predict, both for his enemies and his allies. And he wasn't just about luck. His armor, 'Thorne Armor', was as deadly as it was protective, reflecting physical damage back onto any who dared to strike him.

Gambler might have appeared reckless, but his talent thrived on the edge of danger. It was as if he relished in the unknown, always betting on fate to swing in his favor.

…

Metatron looked around at the group again. William, the Forum Master, Alex, and Gambler; each one had their strengths, their own way of approaching the chaos that lay ahead. But in this deadly game, even the strongest might fall.

Shadow Castle awaited, and with it, a future still unclear. But for the first time, there was hope, however faint; that they might survive what lurked within.

William raised an eyebrow, her voice teasing as she said, "I always thought your talent had something to do with luck, Gambler."

Most people assumed that about him, given his name and his origins. Gambler had built his reputation in the gambling houses of frontier towns. He was known for splashing around money in the local taverns, always the life of the party. Rumors swirled about his wild nights and scandalous affairs, especially the one with an aboriginal man named Drunkard. It was said they were inseparable for a time, causing quite the stir in the border town.

Then there was the story of the Forum Master buying silver coins from a gambler on a forum 15 coins for an eye-watering 10,000 dollars. William had always felt that transaction was suspicious, perhaps even a setup. Sure, the deal might have been legitimate, but the way it played out felt too convenient. She couldn't shake the feeling that Gambler and the seller were in cahoots, orchestrating the entire thing together. Especially with the sly way Gambler carried himself, he was always a bit too smooth, too quick with a grin.

Gambler chuckled, his laughter warm and full of mischief. "Luck, huh? Well, the casinos around here are far too simple. Easy to win a little spending money." He gave a playful shrug and then flashed a grin at William. "Brother Wallace, how about you come with me next time? I can guarantee you'll walk away with more than a handful of silver." He held up his hand and made a gesture as if counting out coins in the air.

But William, unimpressed, just tilted her head and didn't respond. Instead, she shifted her attention to Alex, the silent figure who stood off to the side. His presence was always felt, even though he rarely spoke. Now, when he did, his voice was low and steady.

"My gift is a miracle," Alex said simply, as though that was enough explanation.

William blinked. A miracle? That certainly piqued her interest.

…

Player ID: Alex

Serial Number: 032

Talent: 'Miracle'

Alex's ability, as he explained in his quiet way, was nothing short of incredible. His talent made the impossible possible. With 'Miracle', events seemed to bend around him, creating outcomes that defied logic. If he threw something, it would hit its target. If he drank a bottle of water, another would magically appear. A lottery ticket? He would win every time. In a life-or-death situation, fate would shift just enough to ensure his survival. Even on a chaotic battlefield filled with bullets flying in every direction, somehow, none would ever touch him.

…

Alex wasn't just about chance, though. He had honed his combat skills to a deadly precision. He had mastered four extraordinary skills: 'Stealth', which allowed him to disappear into the shadows; 'Weakness Detection', giving him the ability to see his enemies' vulnerabilities; 'Vital Attack', which let him strike with lethal precision; and finally, 'Assassination', a skill that made him a silent killer when needed.

His gear matched his deadly abilities. He wore the 'Hidden Suit', a sleek black robe that seemed to melt into the darkness around him, enhancing his agility and allowing him to evade attacks. His weapon of choice, the 'Deadly Dagger', was equally formidable. It increased his attack speed and inflicted severe damage with each strike, making Alex a nightmare for anyone unlucky enough to face him in battle.

…

William scratched her face, trying to hide her amazement. "Damn it," she muttered under her breath. "These guys' talents just keep getting crazier."

The Forum Master chimed in with a smirk, "Actually, Alex's ability would be perfect for a casino. With 'Miracle', he'd clean the house."

Alex, ever pragmatic, shook his head. "No," he said calmly. "We'd be noticed."

He was right, of course. With 'Miracle', he could easily sweep through the tables, winning every hand, every bet, walking away with a fortune. But in the magical world they lived in, people were sharper. They would notice quickly that something unnatural was at play. After all, even a miracle, in the wrong hands, could look an awful lot like cheating.

It wasn't like back on Earth where magic didn't exist. Here, the residents knew the difference. And exploiting a talent like Alex's wouldn't go unnoticed for long. The consequences, William realized, could be far worse than losing a few coins at the table.