A Dose of Fantasy

By Nathan Veyon

“Eustace,” his mother called. “Come say hi to Miss Marta.”

Eustace ignored the summons and kept practicing the combo on his controller. Two basic attacks, block, stab, slash, another block. It left just enough stamina for an ult. A forum online said the maneuver was so overpowered, he could beat dungeon bosses two levels higher than his own.

Attack, attack, stab—no, he missed the block. His hero took an arrow to the face, draining the rest of his health bar.

He reset the level right as his mother walked into the den. Her thin smile didn’t bode well. He lifted one side of his headphones.

“Eustace, our neighbor is visiting.”

He rolled his eyes. “Miss Marta is so old she won’t remember I exist.”

“Hmph.” A white-haired lady appeared in the doorway. “And yet I still know when I’m being insulted.” She peered at the screen. “That sword is ridiculous. Way too big. Any competent warrior would find a more practical weapon.” She patted the monitor. The image fritzed slightly. “It’s usually best to listen to one’s mother.”

Who talks about swords like that? Eustace stared at the ground. Maybe they would leave.

His mother sighed and stepped to the door. “I don’t know what to do with him.”

Marta followed her out. “Maybe he just needs a real dose of fantasy.”

Eustace adjusted his headphones. Miss Marta said the weirdest things.

He pressed play, but nothing happened. He shook the controller and mashed buttons. Still nothing.

Old people touch technology and it immediately glitches. He checked the connection.

The screen fritzed again. He tapped the top of it.

The room spun, sending him to his knees.

Blood-stained sand spread out in all directions. A deafening roar filled… the arena? He looked up—a seven-foot orc was rushing him. Eustace struggled to stand, but a suit of plate armor encased him, weighing him down.

A massive battle axe filled his vision. He screamed—

—and kept screaming, until he ran out of air.

He opened his eyes and stared around a dim room. A familiar sign reading “Eustace’s Quarters” hung above two doors labeled “Arena” and “Training.” Another wall opened into a market booth selling weapons and armor.

But no exit sign.

What? How? Was he in the game? The heavy gauntlet scraped his scalp as he ran his hand through his hair. With no exit, the only way out would be on the home screen. But that required him to beat this level’s boss: the monstrous orc that just crushed his skull.

He staggered to the stall and set his helmet down. Red “sell” and green “upgrade” bubbles appeared. He tapped sell then extricated himself from the rest of the armor and sold it too. It took him ten minutes to drag over the massive sword and maneuver it onto the table.

Once he’d sold everything, he pointed at a rapier and tapped “buy.” Eustace swung it easily. Huh. Miss Marta would approve. Next, he bought a leather vest and cap. Might be more vulnerable, but at least moving wouldn’t be such a problem.

The training door opened into a meadow. A long-limbed goblin charged him. Reflexively, he swung the sword.

The bodiless green head landed at his feet. Five XP and a bronze coin floated up.

Ugh. This was a little too immersive.

The goblin dissipated, and he readied his sword for the next foe.

That had been too easy. He strode over to a booth that allowed him to repeat or increase difficulty. He boosted the difficulty and set it to autorun.

Two goblins charged from the forest. He had to dodge one, but two slashes later he was richer and stronger.

Eustace increased the difficulty as he felt his reflexes sharpen and precision increase. An hour passed. Two.

Maybe… maybe now he could try the arena again.

He stepped to the meadow’s edge and was transported back to his quarters. With the accumulated wealth, he upgraded his weapon and armor to steel. He grinned as he hefted the gleaming broadsword. Training was paying off.

He opened the arena door and was assaulted by heat and noise. The massive orc was waiting for him. It charged. He used a quick block and slash combo and scored a hit. This was working! He repeated the move several times, but the orc kept coming. The battle axe swung at him. He tried to block, but had no strength. His stamina meter was completely empty. He dodged, but the axe-head caught his shoulder, knocking him to the ground. Decapitation was imminent. He squeezed his eyes shut.

Back in his quarters, Eustace mopped cold sweat from his brow and checked the stamina meter. It was refilling, but taking longer than he wanted to wait. He looked in the shop and noticed a rejuvenation elixir. He could only afford one.

He’d been so close. Should he try again? He nervously slashed the air in random patterns. Wait, this was familiar.

The OP strat.

He ran through the motions several times. This was it. He paused, considering how long it would take if it didn’t work, but he wanted out. He purchased the elixir and downed it.

With a deep breath he stepped into the arena. The orc charged. He swung once, twice. Then deflected a powerful blow. He stabbed forward, catching the orc’s flank, and then slashed its leg. Blocked a wild slice. He drew on all his remaining stamina to execute his ultimate ability. Pulling back his sword he threw it straight into the orc’s face.

The scene froze.

Eustace tumbled onto the carpeted floor. The game’s home screen appeared on his monitor. He scooted backward, careful not to touch anything connected to the console.

He staggered into the living room causing his mother and Miss Marta to stop their conversation.

“Is something wrong, Eustace?”

“No, Mom. I… I’m going to rake the lawn.”

Her mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Miss Marta gave him a wink as he hurried out.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nathan Veyon grew up reading Tolkien and Lewis. This developed into a lifelong love of science fiction and fantasy. He enjoys computers and science which he also currently teaches. In his spare time he also enjoys working on developing multiple worlds that are slowly being turned into actual books.

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