The Player's System

Old Wood 2

Thirteenth Quest

The people in the Old Wood dragged the culprits in the open. They were afraid that any time the island would sink in the water. They didn't want to fell in the depths of water and parish.

Their eyes fell at the people standing near the splitting ends of the island. They were not moving however their worried expressions were evidence that they wanted to help island in its crisis. The people might have interrupted however they knew very well that they cannot render any help.

Junan heard commotion at some distance. He casted glance at the people. Currently he was in a mess of situation.

The quest completion might take forever and they lost third level, this worry clouded his thoughts completely. Jake looked at team head. "One of our weapon could help us in the completion of the task however the player should give permission first." His words were clear but not the entire idea.

Junan constricted his eyes. "Give some explanation if you have idea." He hurriedly walked near the young player.

Jake nodded and spoke, "Pulling the entire island near the Exaza land is nearly impossible for us especially in the minimum possible time. The least we can sacrifice the chains weapon and repair the connection between Old Wood and the Exaza land. In my opinion the game portal would take it as the quest completion since there is no specific condition mentioned in the clue." Jake immediately explained.

Junan hastily looked toward Ahram. He possessed chains weapon, his permission could let the team complete the task. Ahram also heard what Jake has to say. "I don't mind however someone should bring me near the repair spot." Ahram didn't know how to swim so he needed assistance of another player. As soon as he heard the plan the chances for success lit up for others as well.

Ahram didn't think twice. He jumped in the water and Clark rendered help. There was less time for further discussion. It was similar of jumping at the last streak of hope. The third team was well aware that their enemies were ready to see them fell in third level and accept defeat.

Other team members remained silent, waiting for the outcome of this idea. Another twenty minutes passed. Clark brought Ahram at the surface five times for breathing. He was able to repair the first part of the island, the second part didn't take much time. Within forty five minutes the middle chain tightened the grip on both sides and the water could no more wave the island away.

Clark helped Ahram and brought out of the water. Before he could confirm the task, Junan saw thirteenth card floating on the water. As soon as he collected in the inventory, the island started crumbling.

They might have gotten scared however with the card they were assured about the completion of the quest.

(All those who were waiting for the demise of the third team cursed their luck thousand times. None of them ever imagined that weapon could be used particularly for such purpose.

Apart from this, most of them were jealous as to how the team members work with collaboration and immediately follow the orders of the team head. Those who thought that third team would get defeated, now lost their hopes. It was time for the planning of the two teams those were selected for the level four.

The selection was done by the first and second president. The players were given strict orders to capture the team head of third team or kill him. In their eyes, the team head was backbone of the team. If they killed him the third team would not be able to survive any further level.

They planned it for the fourth level to eliminate the third team. It could be one golden chance. Every day and each quest added in the popularity of the third team. It was not just the popularity that stung the enemies, the increasing support diverted to the 'Sovereign Rulers'

This support could become lethal for other CEO's. The portal game was introduced to accumulate piles of wealth and get rid the protesters. No one ever imagined that the top class teams would lick dust in the tough levels. This created huge impact on the Guild Monarchy as well as the companies those were backing these guilds.

It was question of status which most of them would lose. Once again live audience was ready to submit their opinion poll. This would determine the ranking of the third team after this level. Even blinds could tell the present placement of the third team. They were unbeatable for the time being.)

The island reformed itself, the third team heard the activation of last quest. Junan appreciated Jake. He was ready to see the requirements for the last level. The Fourteenth Cure' happened to b last quest and also it would complete the level as well.

It means all fourteen cards would be taken in order to release the perks of the level. Slightly the tension was lifted. There were still two hours and the hopes revived. "We are wonderful team and we will create history in the world of players. Remember our presence has single purpose, defeat levels." Junan spoke to increase the morale of the players.

The unavoidable tense atmosphere was part of last two hours. It was do or die. Team members could understand the importance of their actions, they were trying their best.

Ahram didn't mind losing weapon because after the last quest the level completion would grant level better weapon in the same range. The robotic voice sounded. "The Fourteenth Cura is the last card which got lost in the Intervals of the Cura. The players would use their senses to search it. The Cura Intervals are the timeless parts of the Theola Box. The limit of two hours could become centuries if the players lost their souls in any Interval. The Cura Intervals could torture to death, rob sanity or any unpredictable task, only the completed task could secure the life of players. Whoever got the card first should not delay." The team members heard brief instructions.

In front of their eyes, the island turned in to mysterious place filled with darkness. At its head, there was written with big words, 'Fourteenth Cura'

Orin stood agape after listening instructions. "Think they wanted the ending of the level as much remarkable as they could." He patted his hand on the mace.

Albert turned toward team head, "Does this means after entering in the quest area of the last level, the burden of the time would vanish?" He asked most pressing question.

Junan nodded, "It is as the instructions told. However I am thinking, all of us would enter inside and the Cure Intervals would separate us?" His question was equally important. The separation of team members meant they won't be able to help each other in time of trouble.

Sashi listened their conversation and reminded, "We should hurry. The Fourteenth Cura is closing?" They hurriedly looked toward the last quest area which was closing. It was enough to stop their hearts for few moments. They thought to discuss and some guidance from team head before entering in the quest area however the developers seemed in hurry.

"Let's go, defeat the Cura Intervals and get the card. Also remember the last sentence of the instructions." Junan spoke hastily and ran toward the quest area. All of them rushed madly and entered in the dark world of the timeless quest.

(The audience thought that it will be another quest where players would be thrown in to get the card however search for last card appeared as the death stake. They cancelled the opinion poll call in order to witness last quest holding their breaths.)

The dark world was not entirely dark. As they stepped inside, those who stepped at the similar Intervals ended up in the pair, for example Jake and Clark appeared in the same Cura Interval because of their similar timing of stepping inside the quest area.

Junan was the last to enter so he was all alone. Sashi stepped at the proper line of the Interval while Ahram and Albert unfortunately stepped on the incomplete interval line. Both were about to disappear in front of her eyes when she extended her hand and capture Ahram. Ahram remained in the same interval line while Albert disappeared in the next instant.

Albert shook his head after reaching in the difference Cura Interval. "I should keep in mind the choice of the girl for the next time." He turned only to met the strange eyes looking at him. The deadliest anger of the eyes were threatening. Albert thought in his head, 'What made those eyes angrier?'

Slowly the threatening glint started influencing his sanity. It was unimaginable and powerful. Albert felt as if he was guilty of something.. The angry eyes made him bent on his knees.