The RoadFollow

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So there I was, standing in front of Trila of Harclave entrance...again. My head hung low and my aching shoulders slumped. I didn't want to go in, as I have many times before. But I knew I had to or my stuggle would just be extended.

I was level 49 and some change, with 50 in my sights. If only I could get a few more kills I could finish this long and winding walk that I have begun 9 months ago.

With a defeatist sigh I stepped into the portal through Very Difficult, which is not really difficult at all.

Inside was the familiar cavern to greet me, almost mocking me. Without looking I deftly extended my left hand to grab the Harclave torch, knowing exactly where it was after so many times. It felt even more heavy tonight, more so than the last time.

I drew a large breath of dank cavern air and went through the robotic motions of buffing myself and my pet. I finished with Invisibility, allowing me to get past the gnolls guarding the caverns.

I easily sneak past the gnolls, light the braziers, and get to the Arc. This arc has kept me alive in impossible situations before, it will be no different this time. I tap the arc, get the buff, and procceed to deftly kill everything in the cavern.

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I watch my exp bar crawl up slowly, as my vitality quickly drops with each kill. What was a small glimmer of excitement turned into dread as I slowly realized that I was not going to get enough exp in this run.

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I exit the Harclave cavern and return to Splitpaw defeated. A guildmate suggested I try the upper caverns for more exp. Welp, may as well grind this out...

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I start some good killing in the upper caverns before tripping some gnoll agro and tried to run back to the tereporter...dead.

Oh my...

Now this wouldn't normally be a big deal, but I have 2 other death shards out in very impossible places. One is in Meraguls Menagerie, a instanced zone in Everfrost. You can't click on the door to get the shard, you must go in and get it. The other is on the steps of the Temple in Lavastorm, right where I saw a Ratonga die. So no way to get those back until they fade.

That's it, I decide I've had enough for now and camp for a while. I figure I'll build up a little Vitality then give it another go.

A few hours later I get back on, my Vitality is up to 2.5%. I Figure that will be good enough to get to the end. I begin Harclave again and go around killing everything.

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Almost there! I look for a familiar gnoll that is yellow^^, figuring it will push me over the top. I cling to the keyboard as the death blow is dealt, expecting the familiar chime...nothing.

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Fury swells up in my Erudite forhead as I know that I am determined to make this happen. I've been on the road for too long, I've fought and died too many times to stop now! I WILL PREVAIL!

I place the planks together and jump headfirst into a team of Zygomyd warriors. I was yelling and chanting as my hands bring down my full rage of elemantal magic. I call upon forces I have never seen and would normally cower from, but this time, they belong to me. I cackle as I slam them onto my opponents. My pet has to duck as I spin around, flailing at the Zygomyds with my weapon, my hands, my magic, my entire being.

Ding! Congradulations, you have reached level 50!

I stood up from the dead bodies, calm as the fury slowly subsided, the elements retreated, the darkness cowered. I feel a electric charge as newly gained knowledge of the ancients spill into my brain, their secrets no longer a mystery.

I gated back to town to pick up my upgrades, which included a level 50 Master spell I got a while ago. Business done, I strode to my room at the Inn, greeted by my flaming boars. Their flaming eyes flared in excitement as they greeted me, they have no idea what has just happened, nor do they care.

I looked around the meager room, quiet, peaceful, quite the opposite to what I had become not long before.

I noticed the statue of Antonica on the window ledge, rays of light surrounding her. I felt a bit embarrassed to how I had let rage envelope me, and wondered if she disapproved. Or maybe just by me regretting it, she has already forgiven me.

My legs trembled, I slumped to the floor, kneeling in front of her visage, and fell into a sleep deeper than I have even been.

Thanks, and I agree. I tried crafting a while ago but it never caught my fancy. Guess I can't stand being in a dark basement for days on end.

I start twitching...

edited for spelling.

Edited, Mon Aug 15 12:34:58 2005 by tutanbriarpaw

Outstanding job, Tutan. Congratulations!

Somehow, I just knew you had it in ya!

Congo rats tutan!