Crossroads of Fate (Cadicle #5): An Epic Space Opera Series Read Online Free
Author: Amy DuBoff
Ian dismissed, his eyes never leaving the screen. He selected a medpack and used it on the fallen troll.
Ian then swept his hand to activate a tall, female figure with blue skin and pointy ears. He mimed raising a staff above his head and fanned his arms outward, causing the onscreen character to release a wind blast toward a group of enemy soldiers holding longbows. The enemy archers all stumbled backward two hexagonal spaces.
“Ha!” Ian declared triumphantly.
In retaliation, the barbarian standing over Ian’s troll readied its club for another blow.
“Not so fast.” Ian jumped up and to the side, causing his newly healed troll to dart out of the way before the barbarian could strike. He spun around and swung the troll’s ax in an arc over his shoulder to strike the barbarian’s ankles.
The barbarian cried out with surprise while Ian simultaneously activated his three dormant characters to launch an assault on the opponent player’s combat units. Within moments, the battlefield was ablaze with fireball attacks cast by a sorceress on the enemy team.
Michael leaned against the doorframe, taking in the action as Ian and his opponent slowly wore down each other’s forces. The other Primus Elites gasped and cheered with each attack, completely captivated by the game as it unfolded before them. In time, the battle came down to Ian’s caster—Galinda—and the sorceress in the opponent’s party.
“How is the game won, anyway?” Michael whispered to Bran.
Bran didn’t take his eyes off the viewscreen. “One of the players needs to collect the Essence from the other team’s slain characters.”
Like absorbing their souls? Michael scowled. “Sounds kind of morbid.”
“It’s just a game. Shh,” Connor hissed.
Ian continued to wave his hands in a throwing motion as Galinda cast her spells onscreen. “Ah ha!” he declared. “Power attack is ready.” He cupped his hands in front of his chest and an orb of energy began to form in front of Galinda, radiating purple sparks.
When the orb was the size of her torso, Ian thrust his hands forward and the orb shot directly for the remaining enemy character. The sorceress opponent fell to her knees, then all the way to the ground.
An orchestral fanfare sounded. The Primus Elites burst into exuberant cheers.
“Now that is how it’s done!” Ian directed Galinda on a path through the battlefield to collect tiny white orbs that appeared above each of the fallen enemy characters. When all the orbs had been collected, the music swelled and the Essence orbs combined into one sphere, which merged into Galinda’s chest. A white halo appeared around her, and the staff in her hand transformed into a new weapon with intricate carvings and a glowing white orb on the top. The fallen characters from Ian’s party rose and turned to Galinda. She victoriously thrust her staff into the sky.
Ian grinned. “Thank the stars that’s over!”
“Now you just have to defend your title next year,” Curtis said with a smirk.
“Oh, I will!” Ian declared.
Hopefully we’re done battling the Bakzen by this time next year and we can get this life back. Michael inched back into the bedroom, remembering his unfinished contract review assignment. “Congratulations, Ian.”
“Thanks!” Ian replied, his eyes radiant with victory. “Glad to see you finally joined in.”
“Sorry, I’ve been pretty preoccupied with another fight.”
Ian nodded. “I guess we all will be soon enough.”
Michael withdrew the rest of the way into his bedroom. Though he had remained on the outskirts of some of the group’s social activities, there was an unquestionable bond between them. Seeing them become so enthralled and connected with one of their own playing a game, he liked to think that was a good indication they would make it through the war to come. Except, when lives were on the line, there would be no safety net—no chance to try again next year, or revert to a previous save and
Ian then swept his hand to activate a tall, female figure with blue skin and pointy ears. He mimed raising a staff above his head and fanned his arms outward, causing the onscreen character to release a wind blast toward a group of enemy soldiers holding longbows. The enemy archers all stumbled backward two hexagonal spaces.
“Ha!” Ian declared triumphantly.
In retaliation, the barbarian standing over Ian’s troll readied its club for another blow.
“Not so fast.” Ian jumped up and to the side, causing his newly healed troll to dart out of the way before the barbarian could strike. He spun around and swung the troll’s ax in an arc over his shoulder to strike the barbarian’s ankles.
The barbarian cried out with surprise while Ian simultaneously activated his three dormant characters to launch an assault on the opponent player’s combat units. Within moments, the battlefield was ablaze with fireball attacks cast by a sorceress on the enemy team.
Michael leaned against the doorframe, taking in the action as Ian and his opponent slowly wore down each other’s forces. The other Primus Elites gasped and cheered with each attack, completely captivated by the game as it unfolded before them. In time, the battle came down to Ian’s caster—Galinda—and the sorceress in the opponent’s party.
“How is the game won, anyway?” Michael whispered to Bran.
Bran didn’t take his eyes off the viewscreen. “One of the players needs to collect the Essence from the other team’s slain characters.”
Like absorbing their souls? Michael scowled. “Sounds kind of morbid.”
“It’s just a game. Shh,” Connor hissed.
Ian continued to wave his hands in a throwing motion as Galinda cast her spells onscreen. “Ah ha!” he declared. “Power attack is ready.” He cupped his hands in front of his chest and an orb of energy began to form in front of Galinda, radiating purple sparks.
When the orb was the size of her torso, Ian thrust his hands forward and the orb shot directly for the remaining enemy character. The sorceress opponent fell to her knees, then all the way to the ground.
An orchestral fanfare sounded. The Primus Elites burst into exuberant cheers.
“Now that is how it’s done!” Ian directed Galinda on a path through the battlefield to collect tiny white orbs that appeared above each of the fallen enemy characters. When all the orbs had been collected, the music swelled and the Essence orbs combined into one sphere, which merged into Galinda’s chest. A white halo appeared around her, and the staff in her hand transformed into a new weapon with intricate carvings and a glowing white orb on the top. The fallen characters from Ian’s party rose and turned to Galinda. She victoriously thrust her staff into the sky.
Ian grinned. “Thank the stars that’s over!”
“Now you just have to defend your title next year,” Curtis said with a smirk.
“Oh, I will!” Ian declared.
Hopefully we’re done battling the Bakzen by this time next year and we can get this life back. Michael inched back into the bedroom, remembering his unfinished contract review assignment. “Congratulations, Ian.”
“Thanks!” Ian replied, his eyes radiant with victory. “Glad to see you finally joined in.”
“Sorry, I’ve been pretty preoccupied with another fight.”
Ian nodded. “I guess we all will be soon enough.”
Michael withdrew the rest of the way into his bedroom. Though he had remained on the outskirts of some of the group’s social activities, there was an unquestionable bond between them. Seeing them become so enthralled and connected with one of their own playing a game, he liked to think that was a good indication they would make it through the war to come. Except, when lives were on the line, there would be no safety net—no chance to try again next year, or revert to a previous save and
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