Renegade Dragons

Chapter 2

Chapter Two

Getting lost in the game was easy. It always was. My character could whoop a whole lot of ass. More than I could myself if I was honest.

“Got you!” I cried at the screen as yet another demon dragon fell before me.

Okay, that was a little bit over dramatic.

I walked over to where the hovering gold chest sat and picked it up, adding a couple of new weapons to my armory and collecting the coins. This wasn’t a hard battle, but it was one I needed to do in order to get past the door and into the special Dragon Soul level.

I did wonder why a bar even had a level of its own in Realms&Rebels but then, anyone with a decent understanding of coding could do it. I’d been tempted myself but I was more of a player than a builder. Plus, where was the challenge in completing a mission if I already knew all the shortcuts.

I exited from the game mode to study the map and leaned forward to grab my soda only to discover my glass was empty.

Damn. I must have gotten carried away drinking while playing again.

“This what you’re after?” Fancy-shirt offered me a glass full of red liquid and I smiled politely.

“Thanks,” I replied, taking it from him.

“Mind if I join you?” he asked.

“I’m not the sociable type.”

“I meant to game,” he corrected me. “I always have more fun gaming with someone else.”

“You can game?” I tried to suppress my laugh but failed miserably. He didn’t seem the gaming type.

“Yes.”

“Really?” I quirked an eyebrow at him.

“Yes. How do you want me to prove it?”

“Sparring match,” I blurted.

“Fine. Any rules?”

“No projectiles,” I started.

“No electronics,” he countered.

“No eye gouging.” I didn’t really need to specify that one, we weren’t going to fight physically but it was fun to say.

“Best of three?” Fancy-shirt’s eyes twinkled as he looked at me and he took a sip of his own drink.

His own red drink.

Shit. I hoped he wasn’t really a fire dragon. Then the burning on my collarbone...I meant, around my tattoo, could mean more than I wanted to admit.

“Best of three.” My voice shook a little and I tried my best to contain it. I didn’t want to give away how I was feeling right now.

“What handle am I looking for?” he asked, setting his drink down and booting up the computer next to mine.

“Lola27,” I replied instantly.

“I’m guessing that’s your name then, inventive.”

“And what’s yours Mr. Fancy-Shirt?” I bit back.

“Flamemaster,” he admitted sheepishly.

"Seriously?"

"Yes."

"Well, okay then."

"It's not any less original than using your own name." He pouted at me which only made me laugh more.

"Maybe not. But at least I don't have a pretentious name to live up to," I teased.

"It might not be pretentious, Lola."

I shivered as he said my name. Damn, why did he have to have such an amazing voice? It spoke to something deep within me I was trying to ignore.

"Prove it then." I clicked the button to accept his request to spar. Luckily, my character was still loaded up with the weapons from her mission so I was ready.

A bright number three appeared on my screen before counting down. The flicker 'go' followed and it was time to see if the Flamemaster really was all that.

An hour later and the score was even. More annoying though, was the stupid grin lighting up my face. It was fun to play against him. Almost as fun as when I played at questing with my normal partners in crime, Tate and JJ.

"Martin?" a soft female voice called and the two of us turned to look in the direction of the bar.

Jealousy clawed in my stomach as I took in the beautiful brunette behind the bar. Tall and slim, with a cropped top showing off her toned stomach and long brown hair which made her look like she'd walked straight off a hair commercial.

But worst of all, she looked friendly. The epitome of the girl next door.

I certainly felt like a frump in comparison, but then again, I was wearing the baggiest t-shirt I could find with slouchy jeans to match. The perfect gaming clothes but not exactly attractive looking.

"I need to go," fancy-shirt, no, Martin, said.

"Late for work?" I teased.

"No, Zara has the bar under control. But I have a tournament to open."

Ahh fires of hell. How had I forgotten about that? I glanced at my watch in panic.

"You've got another hour or so, but I have stuff I need to do first," he said reassuringly.

"Thanks for the game," I muttered.

"You're welcome, Lola. I'll see you later."

I watched him retreat all the while thinking I hoped I would. The timer popped back up and a little disappointed to have lost my companion, I exited the sparring room. I completed the entry level for the Dragon Soul Quest so I just needed to check my inventory and make sure I was geared up for all circumstances.

I cycled through my weapons, debating whether I’d take my favourite flame staff or go with the two-handed Blade of Flames. Hmmmm… I preferred blasting my enemies with fire, but if everyone was well equipped against magic, I’d have a hard time getting rid of the competition.

The interface blinked and a little treasure chest popped up in the corner.

Flamemaster sent you a gift. Click here to open.

I glanced at the bar, wondering what he was doing. He grinned at me before diving back into his phone.

Huh… This game didn’t have a mobile version. Then how did he sent me a gift?

Carefully, I clicked the dancing chest and a simple health potion exploded on my screen.

For when you get thirsty - Flamemaster

I hid the grin stretching across my face and quickly clicked accept. Another screen popped up asking if I wanted to send a gift in return and I bit my lip. Did I?

That seemed like a very flirty thing to do… And yet…

Not able to resist, I threw open the map and found my way to the nearest tailor. My avatar teleported with a splash of purple magic and I whizzed myself up. The most basic shirt only cost twenty coins, but I doubled it to get the custom design I wanted.

I threw open the gift section of the game and found Martin’s name. With a note attached, I sent him the new flame shirt I made.

Now you look the part - Lola27

The chest danced away and only two seconds later, the confirmation came through. I heard a low chuckle behind me and without having to look, I knew he liked it. Pleased, I teleported back to the lobby and decided to grab my fire staff for the tournament. This was not the right time to try out new weapons.

A soft clink pulled me out of my concentration and I stared at the beautiful bartender, Zara. Her long wavy hair cascaded down over her shoulders and I hated how perfect she was. She pushed a red drink towards me and smiled.

“Ummm, I didn’t order that...” I stared at her in confusion.

“It’s on the house. You clearly made an impression on Martin,” she chuckled, winking as if we knew each other. With swaying hips, she moved back to the bar and I wanted to dislike her, but she just seemed too nice. Annoyingly nice.

I nipped from the refreshing drink and sighed contently. Still, not a bad spot to be in. I checked the timer and nodded to myself. Another twenty minutes to go before the DS tournament started.

Maybe it was time to check out who of my competition already arrived. I glanced over my screen to inspect the people sitting next to me.

Pink-headphones guy to the left, butterfly-shirt woman to my right. An older man in the far left corner and another three random guys in the row in front of me. That made six, seven including me. So we were just missing one more player. Whoever that was, they were cutting it close. If you weren’t logged in and in the lobby when the timer started, you were automatically disqualified.

I did a last check on my inventory, making sure to grab as many enchantments as my backpack could carry. I was going to win this damn thing. I needed to win it. The prize money would go a long way and the bragging rights were even better.