/* 1. THAT IS THAT */
I am Alias, and I wish to be the Prime Beast Keeper in the game called Battle Beasts.
Ahead of me is the Holotable, which is a large cauldron filled with layers of glass, lights and mist. On top is the hard glass surface screen where we place our Holocards. As I take my seat at the table, I set my two decks of Holocards known in the game as my Den. Holocards are thin sheets of glass with a metal band around the edges. On the Holocard is an image of our Beasts, with texts of their name, savagery and abilities. These glass cards are used to interact with the table, so our beasts can be displayed within.
Across the opposite side of the Holotable is where my opponent Nitro sits. They thread their Holocards between each other smoothly and steadily as they shuffle their decks. I wonder if they are feeling nervous as I am. My gaze centres on their eyes as theirs focus down on what they are doing.
How can they be so settled at a time like this? Do they not care whether or not they would lose? Or do they have a strategy to beat me? I hope not. My hands are trembling as I reach for my deck of Beasts, known as the Pack. The flat sheets of glass clink together as I am shaking. I need to keep it together and be confident.
With the Holocards in my grasp, I stop my weak attempt at shuffling them. Instead, I close my eyes. My stomach expands, and I feel the airflow through my nose and into my body. Then I bellow out the air my body gathered, and my hands finish quaking. Before opening my eyes, I see myself standing tall on the podium with a Rookie Champion medal.
This match is the final of the Rookie League. Here is my chance to ascend into the Omega league and to begin making my dream into reality.
"Nitro, Alias, are you ready?"
No. I am not, but as Nitro gives the Official a nod; I too give the signal. My hands are still shaking as I stare at the Holotable ahead of me. With one more deep breath. I am ready.
As immediate as our response was, the Holotable lights up, and the Arena begins to appear. The mixture of lights, mist and glass creates the spectacle of three-dimensional images within the chamber. Seeing the Holotable is perhaps my favourite part of Battle Beasts.
I have always been fascinated by how these holographic gadgets work. Each layer is a single, two-dimensional screen. The glass is finely rippled for the light to split and reflect which is captured by the vapour. The sheets are then stacked, which creates a three-dimensional effect.
Within the table is where the three-dimensional models of the Beasts and Arena appear. The designers of these Arenas have created multiple themes of various designs. There are what is called the Ancient Roman styles, which mimics the architecture arenas were back on our home planet, Earth. The Arena we have is a sticky, wet and murky mud pit, with dark hickory wood logs circling the Arena.
Upon the top layers of the screen is the hexagonal grid which we lay our Holocards on, the board of the game. There are fourteen hexagonal grids in total, tiled to create a larger hexagon.
"Why isn't there a thirteenth grid, Granddad?" I remember asking when I was a child I saw the grids were numbered from one to fifteen.
"Because the number thirteen is bad luck," he would chuckle to me. Until this day, I never knew if even he believed that.
On my side of the table are two rows of Red hexagons. The two closest to me are known as Spawn Points, ahead of this row are three lighter red hexagons. These five hexagons are my Territory. Mirrored, on the other side, is the Blue zone which is my opponent's territory. Same hexagons, same layout, just blue. Between our zones is the Neutral Zone, a row of four white hexagonal tiles.
I am smiling as I watch the spectacular display of the grids zooming up towards the screen, which we see from above as the Arena materialises in front of us. I very often get immersed in this. If I move the perspective also changes as though the Arena is physically there. When I do, I can forget its just Holographic images. A dance of lights and mist. It is as though the Arena is literally inside this Holotable.
I quickly look around this small room, as only a few spectators surround us. All I have with me is Ana. I smile at her as I see her wearing her favourite rainbow dress which elegantly flows to their knees. Her light blonde locks intertwine delicately, twisting like an ancient knot.
I began to feel my hands tremble once more when I hear:
"Good luck, Erin," Ana's voice work its soothing magic, "and don't zone out, okay?".
My ears lift, my heart becomes weightless, and the corners of my mouth rise, "I won't."
"Promise?"
"Promise."
/* 2. I ♥ BATTLE BEASTS */
Alias is my Keeper name. My real name is Erin Lawson, resident number 20-64-32-53. I was born in the Clinical Unit of District 7 within Residential Zone A1 of Eco-City. I am aboard a spaceship called Eco One, commonly known as, the Aspire. Well, I say a ship, it is more like a megastructure constructed to be similar to a planet.
Forty-nine years ago, a corporation called Ecosys built and launched this pseudo-planet to colonise a distant planet. The Aspire is what is known as a Generational Colony ship. It was designed to house millions of people who were to live out the rest of their lives on this planet-like spaceship. As it is planned for the journey to New Earth to take over a century-long to complete, it will be the future generations who will be the colonist for New Earth.
I am part of the second generation, with parents, Yasmin and Regan; as well as my sister Luna. Our home is one of the class C apartments, which is one of the upper working-class residences. My father used to always drill into us on how lucky we were to have such a home if it was not for his hard graft in one of the local Recycling facilities in our district. Which if I think of the places we could have ended up, like the poverty of the Junkyard, we were one of the fortunate ones.
I remember being sat in front of the HoloTV with my legs crossed so I would get pins and needles when I stand. I did not care, as I was watching the most fantastic final, I have ever seen. Beside me was my granddad, as we would always watch every Alpha League Final together.
Within the HoloTV, a masked figure stood upon a podium with shimmering metallic frames bordering a screen with the Beast Keeper's name in bold letters; Incognito. The view would then cut and pan around this ample open space, with the hexagonal tiled floors. This was the Alpha Arena, where the Holotable was large enough for the Beasts inside to be almost life-sized.
In the centre of Incognito's territory was a ghostly figure. Their signature Beast, Mystique; with the Savagery of 10,000. Savagery is the Beast's strength. It is mostly used when the Keepers declare to attack their opponent's beast with their own.
It was Incognito's opponent's turn who goes by the Keeper name of Nova, which is displayed as N0V4.
"Nova has a high chance of winning now," one of the commentators, Alan Carvy expressed as the camera is showing a bird's eye view of the entire Arena.
"That's right Alan," the other commentator, Ashley Weatherby. Both of them talking over the action which had taken place that evening. Ashley was also a former Alpha Beast Keeper, and perhaps my second favourite of all time. "Unless Incognito has another trick up their sleeve, the Prime title is Nova's once again."
"Incognito, being a newcomer to the Alpha league this season, they have been riding their luck up until now," Alan sounded like he was through his teeth. I never liked him, as I looked up his profile on the Datastream and he has never played a single match in his life.
"Well, Incognito is topdecking right now," Ashley continues to make her point, "they should have drawn an Item from their Inventory on the last turn, but instead they took a gamble a lost big time."
Topdecking is the term we use in-game when a Keeper has no Holocards in their hand and are drawing beasts then playing them right away to defend themselves.
There are two ways one can win in Battle Beasts. Each Keeper starts with 10 hitpoints. If a Beast is within an opponent's territory and there are no adjacent beasts owned by the opponent, the opposing Beast Keeper can be the target of the Beast's attack. Therefore aim in the Alpha League is often to prevent your opponent from attacking you as a keeper, as the savagery levels are often so high there is no need to roll when attacking a Beast Keeper.
The second win condition is if a Beast Keeper has no more Beasts, as in all of their Beasts are in the Grave pile, they lose. If you have no Beasts to defend you, then eventually the opponent can stomp into your territory and defeat you. However, this is often skipped, and the winner is declared.
"You're right Ash, they're riding their luck," Alan repeats himself often, then his voice raises, "Nova drives their beast, Dawn's Doom, Zamaf onto Grid 4. Here they come, with the Savagery of fifty thousand, Incognito has no chance. They have one more action, attack!"
"I'll give you one chance," Nova's lips stretch, bearing their teeth at one side, with the glare of a cat stepping on a mouse's tail, "go on, hit me. I dare you!"
"Nova is getting cocky now," Ashley's voice deepens then under her breath, "fool."
Incognito, with their expressionless mask covered their face, all I could see was their eyes as they moved from side to side. Clearly, they were feeling the pressure. The millions of live audience who surrounded the life-sized arena fell still. They too sensed the climax of the match was near, as Incognito reaches for a Holocard from their Inventory. This was their only card in their hand.
"No," I yelled at the screen, "you need a beast to defend yourself with!"
"Have faith in your hero, Erin," the gentle, low and settling sound of my grandad, but my heart is still beating faster than my regular pace.
Granddad was right, as Incognito places their Holocard on top of Mystique. Everybody who observed this immediately inhaled, in both shock and interest when they realise the item card is unique and new to all who read it, as it states: Mirror Mask, when this Item is Equipped, the Beast holding this Item Transforms into a target Beast in the Arena.
In unison, the audience tapped on their interactive tablets, which displayed every information about what cards are in the Arena. I do too to learn the new keyword, Transform. The vital part of this game are the keywords on the Holocards. They each have their definition and rules.
"Wow, this one is new to me," Ashley's tone awakes as she reads out, "Transform. Immediately turn this Beast into a copy of a target Beast. This Beast also gains any Items the target Beast is holding, and their Savagery is equal too."
Suddenly, Mystique became a complete copy of Zamaf, with their deep emerald skin as it wrapped around the bulging anatomy of the Orc, the fierce wrinkles of their face and the menacing tusks. Above Mystique, their total Savagery rose to fifty thousand. Incognito's eyes snapped towards Nova.
"And there it is Ashley," Alan shouts as the surrounding live crowd roars as they lift from their seats in awe, "what a turn around! This is the trick they had up their sleeve."
As silent as ever, Incognito tapped on the screen which lays in front of them. On display are buttons for the Beast Keepers to press to interact with the game. Incognito touched the screen twice, triggering the declaration of Attack.
"Here we go," Alan screamed, "just one roll to decide who is to be the Prime Beast Keeper of this season."
The entire final was to be decided on this final roll. Whoever lost the roll, loses. Zamaf was Nova's last beast. Eliminating Zamaf meant Incognito would win, however, if Zamaf defeated Incognito's Mystique, Nova would then be able to attack Incognito on their next turn, thus winning the match.
Once the declaration was made, the Beast Keepers had to press their Roll buttons on their screens. This button triggers the random number generator to pick a number between zero and nine. Traditionally dice were used to determine a number. We would use a ten-sided die numbered from zero to nine; or one to ten, depending on how you interpret the zero. In Battle Beasts, we read the dice from zero to nine.
It is the method I prefer. My friends think it is strange, but how? I feel it is more satisfying to have something to hold and throw. It gives me the reigns of my fate and enables me to touch and feel my luck. I also love the anticipation as the dice rolls, while I hope it lands high. Yet the Battle Beast League regulations force us to use the button on the table, so synthetic. With dice, the game feels real.
Instead, nowadays, we use the Holotable to generate a randomly generated number. We press a large circle, with bold text inside saying, which sticks to the glass from the inside 'Roll!' We each have this button. When pressed, the result of the roll is displayed in the middle of the Holotable.
Immediately, Nova pressed their button; then above the Arena numbers began to juggle. Then it stops. Nine. Then it was for Incognito to press the button. The audience fell silent with anticipation. Seconds felt like hours, as the random number generator determined who won. Incognito took a massive chance because Nova had rolled the highest number possible. The only way Nova could lose is if Incognito was given the same result, which they did.
"This is why if you have the chance to finish off your opponent, you take it." Ashley's coaching commentary has always been something I'd taken note of.
"Well then," my Granddad's wrinkled brow was raised, with his mouth stretching showing a broad smile, "that's that and this is this."
He'd say that every time after a match. However, this time I would never forget. After watching Incognito become the Prime Beast Keeper, I remember looking up at my Granddad saying, "one day, I'm going to be the Prime Beast Keeper."
"Well Erin my boy," he kneeled down to be upon eye level with me, "if you can dream it, you can do it."
/* 3. THE GAME PREPARES */
“Draw and spawn your Beasts,” the Official drones.
They stand beside the Holotable, wearing a deep navy blue cotton polo shirt, with the Battle Beasts League logo on the upper left part of the chest. Tattoos of various designs and nerdy references are printed all over their arms like sleeves. They have a knotted, fuzzy umber ponytail; stubble across their cheeks which looks rough as sandpaper. Their narrowed eyes shifting between us, cheeks dropped, and their back is arching forward. It was apparent they do not want to be here.
At the start of each battle, we draw a Beast Holocard from the Pack. We then place our Holocards on one of our Spawn Point grids. This is known as spawning a Beast. Nitro draws their beast and puts it on their left most Spawn Point, which is a Boulder Smash.
Boulder Smash is a reasonably decent beast with Savagery-3. This means when Nitro attacks with Boulder Smash, they add three to their attack roll. As Nitro places their Holocard on the grid, the creature fades into view inside the table. The Beast with a body of hard, rough rock and earth, humanoid in shape with biceps of a weightlifter and enormous mallets as fists.
I, on the other hand, draw the Shieldmaiden, Savagery-1. The Shieldmaiden also has an ability called Equip. This means when I spawn the Shieldmaiden, I must either search my Inventory for the Item Holocard it specifies or use the Holocard if it is in my hand. Then to equip the Shieldmaiden, I place the Item Holocard on top of the Shieldmaiden's Holocard. If I searched my Inventory, I must shuffle that deck. At this point, it should not matter where I spawn my Shieldmaiden, but out of habit, I place her on the left Spawn Point, Grid 1.
The Item I must search for is the Shield, which has an ability called Defender. A beast with this ability cannot attack when it is their Keeper's turn. However, they can roll if the opponent attacks them. The shield also adds five to her Savagery, giving her a total of six. A suitable defensive beast, especially in the Rookie league.
My hands are still trembling as I pick up the Inventory deck. I am sifting through it quickly when I felt a soft touch on the back of my hand.
"It will be okay," the gentle, sweet voice behind me sends calming chills down my spine.
/* 4. TIME FLIES */
I remember when Ana and I first met. We were seventeen, and it was a few days after the final Basic Education Training Award or BETA exam. Even though we sent to the same school, we had never met until the after BETA party at a bar called Nebula. The interior had an ambient deep violet lighting, complemented by the bright neon tube lights which bordered each table surface.
The club was full of students who had either passed or failed their exam. It was Karaoke night at the Nebula too. I sang some songs, well, I attempted too. Then I remember hearing my favourite song was being sung; Time Flies by Enigma.
"Time flies when you are having fun,
Time flies when you're lost in the moment,
Time flies when the worries of tomorrow are gone,
Time flies when I am with you."
The club was still buzzing with countless conversations between its customers, but I remember leaning against the bar with my eyes and ear fixed upon the beautiful golden-haired girl. Her voice echoed into my ears, which vibrated my heart. It was then I knew, this girl had to be mine.
When she finished her song, I saw her walk towards me. My warm fuzzy heart suddenly struggled to beat. My hands became numb, but my legs were still active as I swiftly turned to face the bar.
"I'll have a Starguzzler please," she spoke, high and softly to the bartender. Then in the corner of my eye, I noticed her eyes were on me, "Hey, Erin, right?"
"Yeah," I smile as I felt my cheeks begin to burn.
"I remember watching you sing," Ana grinned as once her drink had arrived she raised her it to her lips before saying, "your voice is terrible."
"It's better than yours," I giggled, as my sparkling eyes were fixed on her's, "I often rather listen to static noise than your singing."
"Oi!" Her fist struck my right arm as I was about to pick up my drink. The glass tipped over, and the cold liquid of my beer spreads across the table. I remember the barmaid giving us such a glare as she gave us towels to wipe the table and a fresh beer, but we laughed anyway.
It was like this for the rest of the night. We would talk, laugh and gradually became closer until the nightclub kicked us out as it was closing. Since then we would meet up every now and then until we started dating. Each day our bond would grow stronger.
/* 5. THE GAME BEGINS PART 1 */
I smile, while I appreciate the support I have behind me. I find one of the Shield Holocards and I put it on top of the Shieldmaiden Holocard on the table. As I shuffle my Inventory, I look at the image of my Shieldmaiden, while her focused eyes are peering above her round wooden shield. She is calm, but from her stance, she is ready. I smile as I place her Holocard upon the table, she comes to life. Her fox fur, knee-high boots; her dress of moss green, plaid with colours of crimson, caramel and hints of Lapis; finally her thick padded gambeson with the outer layer of deep pecan leather, as her amber hair hangs down her back in an ornately twisting plat. She has an iron hand axe, strips on leather around the hilt for grip, and on her left hand is her trusted round shield, with the diameter as big as she is. On the table, she stands at a mere three inches, which is a representation of her five-foot-eleven posture.
"Beast Keepers," the monotone sound of the lazy Official, "roll to see who goes first and begin. Nitro, you first."
Just over three feet ahead of me, Nitro with their bald back and sides haircut, with a jet black quiff and spiky icy blue tips. They are the same size as I am at six feet and two inches. Their masculine attire, a long dark felted coat, trousers and boots. The only contrast is their light peach skin.
I recognise them, though I cannot work out how. I then look around the room, and it is as though I have been here before. The roughly thirty-foot squared, dim, stuffy room; with half a dozen decades-old, dusty screens blinking Battle Beast paraphernalia. Perhaps I have dreamt of this before? I am not sure, but as I look back at Nitro, I have a sense of complete familiarity of this moment.
My wits are recollected, as Nitro presses the roll button as it glows on the screen of the Holotable.
“A seven,” Nitro smiles, with a tight-fisted hand being thrust back along his side.
Then I begin to feel everyone's glare is on me. I take a deep breath, I have got this. I hope luck is on my side this evening. The matches leading up to this final today were incredible. I did not lose a single hitpoint, and I am confident I can win this. I reach for the button with my right hand. The cold, ice-like surface against my fingertips. There is no direct feedback from the button, only the flickering text as the machine decides my fate.
"Six," I imagine Ashley Weatherby coaching me, "Not to worry, this is just a minor setback. Not every game is won by the Initiative Roll-off."
Now the game truly begins. Each Beast Keeper takes turns to play to take two Actions. An example of an Action is the Draw action, where we have a choice to draw one Holocard from either the Pack or the Inventory. Moving one of our tokens to one grid adjacent is another example of an action. We can choose to move in any direction, but beasts cannot occupy the same grid. These are the actions I plan on taking on my turn.
/*TURN 1*/
Nitro goes first and draws a Holocard from their Pack. Then for their second action, they play another Beast, a copy of the beast they brought earlier, Boulder Smash. One, the Shieldmaiden could stand a decent chance, but with two, the difficulty increases.
It is my turn and I have six seconds to decide, as after the six seconds my turn ends. I do not even need one as I already know what I am doing. When declaring your action, you may say it out loud or do it. Saying your action out loud is useful for stopping the clock, but you must then do that action. Anything else would render your turn invalid, and you will be disqualified from the match. I have seen many Beast Keepers fall due to such rookie mistakes. Sometimes, one would declare to draw from the Pack, but instead, they draw from the Inventory. Hence I seldom say anything, as one Freudian slip is all that it takes.
I firstly draw a Holocard from the Pack. I can still hear my imaginary coach and commentator, Ashley, as I play my turn, "Alias draws from the Pack as their first action. Then they move their Shieldmaiden forward to Grid-4, a solid defensive position."
Once I have made my move, I look at the Holocard I drew. It was the Chain Angel, Savagery-2.
Gradually my hands begin to quiver again as I see the cards and Arena in front of me. I quickly gasp and my eyes widen as I realise who Nitro is.
/* 6. NITRO */
Five years ago, they were in the Gamma League Final. I did not see the whole match, but I remember seeing the highlights when the news broke out.
"Here are the highlights of the Gamma League Final," Alan Carvy leads the commentary, along with Ashley Weatherby; the two usual commentators, "it was Nitro's turn and they played Phobia, a beast with the savagery of 1,700."
"Yes, Alan," I could tell by Ashley's low tone, they knew something wasn't right, "unfortunately their card was invalid."
My heart sank as I heard this. How can a card be invalid?
"Indeed, it appears Nitro, an uprising star has made a grave error," Alan sounded flat too, he even gave a sly laugh, "now they are banned for five years. I wonder what their family would think?"
"I don't know, Alan."
"Seriously. You're a rising star and you have a top chance of being promoted into the Beta League. Why throw away your chances by playing a counterfeit card?" Alan ranted on, raising his volume too, "make this a lesson to you kids out there. Check your cards."
"He's stupid," I slurred at the HoloTV, when I noticed two pairs of eyes directed at me. Ana's sweet blue eyes, which narrowed at me. As well as, my Granddad's with their crow's feet wrinkles along their temples were more prominent.
"Erin," Ana snapped, "don't be so quick to judge."
"What?" My eyes darted between my company, "he clearly cheated; he's an idiot."
"Ana is right," my Granddad groaned as his arms were shaking as he lifted himself to sit up, "don't be so quick to assumptions. What they tell you on the HoloTV is not even half of the story."
The more my Granddad spoke, I heard his throat become muskier until he paused to clear it before continuing, "they have their reasons for making their mistakes."
"I guess," I slumped back into my seat, with Ana pressed against me. I tried to continue looking at the HoloTV, but I noticed she was still staring at me, "what?"
"Listen," she shook me gently, nodding towards my Granddad. I then look into my Granddad's eyes.
"It's not about the mistakes you make," my Granddad relaxes into his armchair once more, "its what you learn from them."
/* 7. THE GAME BEGINS PART 2 */
"Erin?" I hear the familiar soft voice of Ana behind me. I blink a few times, and I am back with the Arena in front of me, "are you okay?"
"Yes," I smile as I quickly sniff while my eyes feel damper than usual. I turn my head to see Ana's focused gaze, "I am fine. Thank you."
/*TURN 2*/
I read the Arena, and I'm reminded it is Nitro's turn. They pull a Holocard from their Inventory. Their lips stretch to the side, as their sly squint is directed towards me. What dastardly plan do they have? Nitro then draws a second Holocard from the Inventory deck, which they immediately nod to themselves as they read its contents.
They are up to something, and now it is my turn to prepare. I too draw two Holocards, one from the Inventory and the other from the Pack. The Beast I picked up is another Chain Angel. The Item is called Nightbane; it adds two to the Beast's Savagery and has the Dual-Wield keyword on it. Dual-Wield allows me to place another Item on the Beast, allowing them to carry two Items. This is perfect as I can give one of my Chain Angels this Item on my next turn, and I do have another in my Inventory as well as other neat tricks.
/*TURN 3*/
The two draws were my Actions, so now it is Nitro's turn again. I take a deep breath as I feel the temperature in the room rise, or is it just me? I watch Nitro move one Boulder Smash to a tile forward, moving from Grid-15 to Grid-12. They then move their second Boulder Smash from Grid-14 to Grid-10.
Do they plan on attacking me head-on? If that is the case, I must prepare and brace for impact. It is my turn, but do I draw another Item or play the Chain Angel? I look at the Turn timer as it is ticking away; two seconds have passed, three, four and five. I quickly pick up a card from the Inventory, turn it to face me to see it is another Shield.
Wait. What if I picked up the wrong Den? I have so many Battle Beast decks at home. Have I just lost the most important match of my life so far to a stupid mistake?
"Worried?" Nitro laughs as he notices the sweat upon my brow.
/* 8. REALITY? */
Am I that obvious? If only I wore a mask as Incognito does, then I can hide my expressions, so my feelings are my own. I can feel not only Nitro's eyes on me but every eye in the room are directed on me like spotlights. The heat of those lamps glaring down at me as I am centre stage of a comedy show. Watching me and silently laughing at the joke of Erin Lawson making his biggest dream come true.
"Oh look at that sleeper trying to daydream their way through everything," is perhaps what they are thinking.
A Sleeper is what they call people who are addicted to Dreamscape's Dream Reality device. With this device, you can experience anything you have dreamed of, literally. You place the visor upon your head, which is plugged into the Dream Reality machine. You then fall asleep with the device running. Once you do the program starts, the visor locks you into a state of sleep, and you are gradually brought into a whole new space of reality.
I do love those devices. I can do what I want, be who I want and be with who I want. Critics say it is not real. To me, it is real. It is my reality where only I can live in.
Two years ago, I was about to sit at the same Holotable which lays in front of me. It was my first attempt at playing Battle Beasts in the Rookie League, and I managed to ride my luck to get into the final match. I remember placing my bag on the table to get ready for the match when my IRIS notified me of an incoming transmission. An IRIS, also known as the Interactive Relay of Information System, is a device many of us wear on our wrist. The thin flexible screen bends upon a tight stretchy fabric band securely clings the IRIS around the wrist.
/*
Erin is introduced to the DR Device.
Dreamscape had released their first Dream Reality device.
Erin tries it, with a program (Battle Beasts DR).
Starts using it healthily, against Ana's and granddad's opinion?
*/
/* 9. Worried? Yes */
"Time is up," the Official interrupts my trail of thought with their abrupt, low and booming voice.
What? How? I look around the table to see what had happened. Nothing. The last thing I remember is that I drew this Shield, and then time is up?
No way, I daydreamed once again. The side effect of using the Dreamscape device too much. I promised Ana I would not zone out, so I must stay focused. I cannot afford to waste my chances again. As the six seconds tick by once more, I inhale air as I expand my chest and stomach, followed by a rush of calmness throughout my body as I exhale.
/*
the official reminds Erin to discard a card as they have more than 3 Holocards in their hand.. they discard the Shield
*/
/*TURN 4*/
I look around the room as heads turn to Nitro, who begins their turn. They simultaneously slide their two Boulder Smash Beasts forward once more. Within the table, the rocky images of the beasts walk to their allocated grids 7 and 8. Nitro's Beasts are now adjacent to my Shieldmaiden. They have made their two actions, it is my turn once again.
My first action is to enter the Chain Angel card on Grid-1. This Beast, a frail, pale female with black iron chains wrapped around her body. Loose strands dangle to the ground. The frames of her skeletal-like wings, made of the same iron links and shackles, expand outwards as she looks ahead of her with a white cloth covering her eyes.
For my second action, I move the Chain Angel forward to Grid 3. Here she can Attack the Boulder Smash the next turn, as I could also equip her with the Nightbane.
/*TURN 5*/
With my turn over, Nitro makes no hesitation and no delay in taking their's. Within a flash, they play an Item card from their hand: 'Snatching Gloves; The Beast holding this Item may, as an Action, Discard this Item, and replace it with any 1 Item any adjacent Beast is holding.' In other words, that can take an Item from a Beast on a grid beside them.
"Shield," Nitro immediately states as they discard their Snatching Gloves as quickly as they played it. Then they move my Shield Holocard from my Shieldmaiden onto their Boulder Smash on Grid 7. The same Boulder Smash which was beside my two Beasts.
My Shieldmaiden's Savagery drops, as do my hopes of winning this match.
The six seconds timer begins ticking down for it is my, but I after checking my current hand I already have a plan, which is only the Nightbane Item. I draw a Holocard from the inventory: 'Shadow Cleaver (+3 Cleave. You may hit 2 adjacent Beasts in one attack, both hits use the same attack result. Both Beasts also defend these attacks.' This means when I declare an Attack, I then must say which Beast I will hit first. I roll to attack, then Nitro goes twice to defend. The first roll is to determine the results of the combat between my Beast and the Beast I chose to attack first. Whoever loses, the Beast dies. If I fail, my second attack does not happen as my Beast would be dead. However, if I win, Nitro would then need to roll again, this time for the defence of their second Beast. My roll result stays the same on both attacks, which in my opinion, I should be able to roll twice also. But, rules are rules.
My eyes widen as I recognise the card. Now I have options. I could give this Item to the Shieldmaiden. However, I instead place the Nightbane on the Chain Angel. This gives her a higher Savagery to a total of 4, as the Shieldmaiden would total to 3. The Shieldmaiden is more likely to be targeted to an Attack. My heart picks up pace as I smile. Maybe I do have a chance.
/*TURN 6*/
But it is now Nitro's turn. As I expected, they declare for their Boulder Smash, without the Shield, to attack my Shieldmaiden. We reach for our roll buttons. I breathe in, then breathe out.
"I got this," I mutter as my hand trembles as the fingertips press the glass screen.
My vision fades to black for a second, as the weight of my head increases. Suddenly I feel myself fall forward, which caused my body to spring up. My eyes open as I see Nitro got a three, I a zero.
"Erin?" Ana's hand rests on my shoulder.
"I'm fine," I quickly respond.
"Are you?" Nitro calmly asks.
"Yes," I snap back without thinking, "cheater!"
"I didn't cheat!"
/* 10. I DIDN'T CHEAT */
It was the day before the final of the Gamma League. I was going to battle against Scorpio, who stomped through each league before this. I did not know they were part of the Battle Beast team; Quantum Order.
Within the Battle Beast League, Beast Keepers may join a team of other keepers. Joining a team is a great way of being able to earn money through sponsorships and playing in other league games; such as the Inter-District games. I wasn't part of a team, but Scorpio was.
I needed better cards if I was to go up against them. So using my IRIS I called a friend, Frankie.
"Hey, Frankie, you still have that friend who sells Holocards right?"
"For Battle Beasts? Yeah, I'll connect you to them."
Frankie hung up, then moments later I got a message from them.
"Meet me at the Entity, in Zone 5, at 11 pm."
So there I was, sat at the bar of the Entity. It was 10 minutes past 11. I drank my third shot of Whiskey, which burned less than the other previous. I almost got ready to leave when Frankie arrived.
"Hey Harris," Frankie clapped my shoulder, "I can you're slamming those shots down."
I smiled and nodded then I caught the sight of Frankie's friend. Her bald back and sides head, with a thick mohawk swooping back, fading from jet black to a deep pink. She dipped her tanned hand into the inner pocket of her black leather jacket. Then pulled out a small leather pouch between her long fingers with her sharp, pink claws, and places the pouch on the bar.
"Serena," she reaches out to me with a coy smile, then she frowns and squints, "wait, you're Nitro. Right?"
I nodded as I held her greeting hand, "the one and only."
"Wow Frankie, you didn't tell me you were friends with a celebrity."
"I am not a celebrity"
"Oh yes, you are. Every Battle Beast magazine says how you're a rising star. Didn't you know?"
"No, I hardly pay attention to the press."
She was about to respond, but paused for a second as she realised, "it's the Gamma League final tomorrow."
"So can you help a friend out?" Frankie leaned against the bar.
"Yeah, but first," Serena knocked on the bar, which gains the bartender's attention, "three of whatever Star Boy here is having."
I felt my cheeks glow when she called me that, but I kept quiet as more shots of whisky were poured. I already felt my senses start to numb as I continued drinking. Once our glasses were filled we raised them, clinked them together and drank.
"Want to see my wares," Serena quietly spoke into my ear.
"Excuse me?"
"The Holocards," she laughed, "though buy me a few more whiskeys and I might let you see more."
"I'm fine, thank you," I open the leather pouch by pulling the velcro apart.
"Oh yeah, you're married. I forgot."
Inside this pouch were three Holocards. As I slid them out and read them, I recognised two of them; but there was one which stood out.
"Ah, Phobia," I felt Serena lean against me as she read the card with me, "Savagery of 1,700."
"Yeah, I've never heard of this one before."
"That's because this is a unique one."
"You mean fake?"
"Fake he says," She smacked the bar quickly turned to Frankie then back at me, "well if you want to lose tomorrow then fine."
Serena reached for the Holocard, but I turned it away before she could pinch it, "how much?"
That was when my fate was sealed. I bought the Holocard for 90 Credits. After that, the three of us continued drinking throughout the night. All I can remember is the drinking, dancing and how Serena kept flirting with me that night.
The next morning, my heart sank when I woke up with Serena beside me. She was still asleep when I quietly got dressed and slipped out to head home, with the heavy burden of guilt. Then once I got home my wife wondered where I was, but I told a white lie that I crashed at Frankie's. Soon after I only had time to get my Battle Beast gear, add the new Beast card I bought into the Den and made my way to play the final.
I was so sure of myself I would win. Plus, the night before with Serena was fun. A new era of my life was about to begin, but not the era I had in mind.
The final had already begun and I was winning. I had drawn my new Phobia beast and placed it on my Spawn Point when the Holotable displayed; 'Disqualified - Invalid Beast!'
After that, my whole world turned into a nightmare. I was suspended from the Battle Beast League for five years after I appealed a lifelong suspension due to not knowing the Holocard was invalid. Then the press posted news about how I cheated in the Gamma League final and told the world how much of a let down I was. They even somehow got pictures of Serena and I kissing, causing my girlfriend and I fight then break up.
I hated myself, and I still do. I tried helping myself via the Dreamscape device, but all that done is made me realise how much I cannot wake up from the nightmare I put myself in.
/* 11. Losing */
"So here I am," Nitro sits back down after he raised himself to explain, "five years later and I trying to redeem myself. I didn't cheat. I -"
"You made mistakes," I replied as I exhale, my shoulders drop, and my back arches forward, "and now you have learned from them."
I catch a smile from Nitro, as I slide my Shieldmaiden off the Arena and onto the Grave pile area on my side of the table, where slain Beasts lay to rest.
The Official was kind, as they paused the turn timer as we spoke. We took a moment to focus on the game in front of us.
Then Nitro continued to take their turn. For their second action, Nitro slithers the same Boulder Smash to Grid 5, the one in my territory on the far right. I must admit this is a good strategy. With none of my Beasts surrounding the Boulder Smash, they can attack me on their next turn which if they roll a 7 or more, I am defeated.
It is my turn once again, but what do I do? I cannot lose again, not like this. This is why you must have at least one Beast in your hand at all times, but I was too busy chasing shadows and drew Item Holocards, which I do not need right now. I can only see two options; I move the Chain Angel where the Shieldmaiden was and test my luck against the Boulder Smash without the shield. I could defeat them, right?
The second option is the one I have decided to do. I draw from my Pack and place whatever Beast it is on the Grid adjacent to the Boulder Smash. Another Chain Angel, the last one I have as I only put two in my Pack. I have also got another Shieldmaiden and the best one I have, the Guardian; Savagery-4. The rest of my Pack are copies of a Beast called Sprite; who savagery levels are 0, as I'm only allowed to have a total Savagery of 10 within my Deck because I am in the Rookie League.
/*TURN 7, 8, 9, 10*/
It all starts going downhill from here, as during the next few rounds Nitro declares to Attack the Beasts I draw and play, and defeats them one by one. First the Chain Angel, then two Sprites, and finally I pick up the best beast I have in my Pack, the Guardian. As I place her on the Grid, she hovers above the ground, fluttering her angelic and feathered butterfly-like wings. Wrapped around her tight upper figure is a glistening, finely linked chain mail, as a skirt is around her waist. Her legs are also covered in chain leggings, going all the way down her ankles where her feet are bare. At last, my Guardian Angel is here.
"Wow," Nitro sits back on their stool, "she's pretty."
"Thanks," I smile, then stop when I hear.
"She would look better in your Grave," Nitro laughs, "I declare to attack her with my Boulder Smash."
I cannot lose her. I am running out of Beasts. If I have no more beasts in my Pack, Hand and the Arena, I have lost. I just need one more chance, one more breakthrough. If my Guardian Angel wins this attack, then I can win this. As I look at the table, Nitro had already pressed their roll button. The screen displays 1, so their attack total is 4.
Okay. Good. Just do not roll a 0. I press the button. 0.
/* 12. BREAKDOWN! */
After receiving the news of my Granddad, all I can remember is grabbing my things and rushing to meet Ana at the Phoenix Hospital within our District.
/*
I looked to see who was calling me at this time as I slide the ear-piece off the IRIS and into my ear.
"Ana?"
"Erin," I could hear her slobbery sniff and shaky voice, "it's your Granddad. I'm so sorry."
My whole body froze.
*/
Dreamscape had released their first Dream Reality device.
"Erin, you must give it a try," Frankie's face beamed with excitement.
"I would rather not be brainwashed in my sleep, thank you."
"Just try it once. Here," Frankie reached into their bag and pulled out the cloth helmet with the countless of wires attached to it, alongside a box, "borrow mine, plug it in tonight and trust me."
I groaned as I had no choice when Frankie put the device back into his bag and shoved it in my arms.
"I even put the Battle Beast DR program in the bag too," Frankie always knew the right things to say.
That night, I did exactly as my best friend had told me. I plugged the cables from the cap into the Dream Reality box, then placed the hat on my head. It was strange at first. The tight elastic fabric wrapped around my head, yet after a while, I could not feel it on my head at all. The wires felt secure, too, so I would have had no issues tugging them as I sleep.
At first, I would follow the guidelines outlined in the manual. Set the device to lock me in a lucid dream state for one hour in the night. But then, eventually, I started to take my chances by increasing the time limit. Two hours, three hours, four; until I set it to a full night's eight-hour sleep.
After a while, I got bored with the same old routine of winning every battle I could. I even fought and won against Incognito countless of times. I can still feel the rush of blood through my veins and the breathlessness of standing upon the podium as my Beasts shook the Arena with each hit they made.
But then, one night, I had forgotten to load a program. Instead, I turned on the device without any applications running. When I fell asleep, it locked me into the usual Lucid dream state; only this time, the program was my thoughts.
It was then I realised I could be whoever I wanted, be wherever I wanted, and I could do anything I wanted. Everything was in my control too. I was the master of my world, my destiny, my reality. What I dreamt of was real. In these dreams, I can see, hear, smell, taste and feel as I could while awake.
I can close my eyes now and remember my favourite dream. I was sitting on the soft grass, with my back was against the giant oak tree in my Grandfather's back garden.
My Grandfather was a Traditional Farmer within the Greenlands. No hydroponic bays, no chemical additives or pesticides, only the most organic crops and livestock were grown on his farm. He had acres of land, but he kept one area and called it, Erin's Garden as I would only go to this plot. It was the only place I could go to where I felt free, peaceful and secure.
Ana was laying against me. My arms were heavy but comfortable against the affection of Ana. My Ana. What felt timeless to be in, as we were locked in a warm embrace against the chilled breeze.
"Don't give up, Erin," Ana squeezed my hand, as she looked at me.
"But what's the point?"
"It is your dream. The day we first met, you told me, remember?"
"Yes, but I was how old? Four? Five?"
"Erin," her hand became tighter, "do you remember what you also once told me?"
I wish I could go back into my dreams. To be with my Ana one more time. The Ana who is there for me, the Ana who never hurts me or lets me down, the Ana who loves me. I can see her now. I am flat on the grass, with the world pulling me from left to right. Were we spinning and I fell? I squint at the bright clouds as my vision fades.
"Do you remember?" I see my Ana dissolve to a different, yet still familiar Ana comes through. The real Ana. The tears drop from her cheeks onto mine.
/*
"Ana?"
Her grasp tightens the collar of my jacket, "you said, never let the sunset on your dreams!"
*/
/* 13. WIN! */
I gradually return to the same dim, neon room. The back of my head is numb, as I lift myself from the hard, carpet floor. The Holotable is still in the same state as it was before.
"Disqualify him," Nitro knocks their stool to the ground as this fist slam onto the screen of the Holotable, causing it to flicker, "you must its-"
"I could disqualify you for almost damaging the Holotable" the Official gives a frowning glare towards Nitro, as their face drops in a huff.
We each pick up our stools and return to our original places. Thankfully, I am not disqualified. My head throbs and my vision is blurred, I think I even feel wet on the back of my neck. However, I must keep going. Ana is right, I must not give up on my dream of becoming the Prime Beast Keeper.
"Ready?" the Official awaits as I reply with a confirming nod.
Suddenly, I feel a soft, wet spot on my cheek while a familiar pressure across my shoulders.
"Erin," the mature yet still young, the same sweet voice of the real Ana, "I want you to do a favour for me."
I send her a questioning glance, which looks into her teary gaze, as she sniffs.
"Win."
/* 14. THAT'S THAT */
My heart rises to the occasion as a soldier stood at attention. I look at the Holocards in my hand. Shield and the Shadow Cleaver. Upon the Arena, are Nitro's two Boulder Smash beasts, with one of them holding a Shield which they stole from my Shieldmaiden. Fighting on my side is the Chain Angel, currently holding a Nightbane.
I got it. I move the Chain Angel to the grid between the two beasts. I could feel Nitro's beaming smirk shining in my face, but I have an idea. I place my Shadow Cleaver on top.
"You can't do that," Nitro points to what I have just done, "Chain Angel already has an item."
"Dual Wield," the Official stop my turn timer, then picks up the Nightbane Holocard to show the text on the surface, "see?"
Now I am the one beaming, as I see Nitro's frown and shifting eyes.
To recap, the Chain Angel's Savagery is 2, the Nightbane adds 2, with the Shadow Cleaver adding 3; giving her the total of 7. Why did I not think of this before? I wonder as I feel a familiar warmth on my left shoulder.
"Now go, get 'em," deep husky voice echos. I quickly turn to see the source of this voice. Instead, I see Ana, smiling at me. I blink once, maybe twice; with a slight shake to wake myself up.
I feel a second touch. This time on the back of my left hand. It is warm like a blanket as it wraps around the entirety of me. The heat floods from my hands to my arms then to my chest where the heat continues to spread all over.
"Stay with me," the cloudy voice clears, "good. Don't leave me."
I could have sworn my grandfather was here. But of course, how can he? At least, not in this shared reality, we all live in.
"Remember, Erin," she continues to soothe me, "if you can dream it."
"I can do it," I finish, as we lock smiles together.
/*TURN 11*/
My attention moves onto the Arena. Nitro's turn timer is counting; three, two, one.
"I'll Attack," the timer stops as Nitro immediately presses his roll button, "let's do this."
Their fist tightens, and it flung into the air, as the screen displays 8, giving Nitro's attack the total of 11.
Now it is my turn. Another deep inhale as I turn my hand over, so the palms of Ana and I are against each other. At the same time, my other hand as steady as it can edges closer to my button until my fingertips land. I slowly exhale as the numbers appear.
"5?" am I daydreaming again?
"Yes, Erin, you did it!" I smile as I still wonder if my eyes are telling the truth, but Ana's excitement confirms it; so too does Nitro’s frown as they pick up my Boulder Smash Holocard and place it on their Grave pile.
"It's not over yet," Nitro reminds me, and they are right. There is still plenty to do as they draw a Holocard from their Pack as the final action of their turn, "oh, but it will be over for you soon."
/*TURN 12+*/
The turns after that begun to fly by. After my small victory, I used the chance with my turn to draw two more beasts. One a Sprite with the other as the second Shieldmaiden I have in my Pack. Nitro drew one more beast then played the one they already had in their hand, Ironshard Bruiser. A humanoid in shape, the skin of deep silver plates of iron, with rusted bolts and edges. Its Savagery is 4.
I then spend my turn to attack the Boulder Smash with my shield and defeat them with a total of 14 against their meagre 9. This paves the way for me to move my Chain Angel forward one Grid, which I do. Nitro placed another Beast into the Arena, a Wimp; Savagery 0. It appears they have spent all of their Savagery points in their deck on a few hard hitters, expecting to win the game quick. They then draw an Item from their Inventory.
They have made a mistake. I look at Nitro's face, and I can see the sweat seep down their nose. Their eyes are shifting from one point to another. I slide my Chain Angel forward into their Territory, upon Grid 11, the spot with both beasts adjacent my Chain Angel. Their shoulders drop, and their face slumps into their hands.
"I'll attack with my Chain Angel," I declare, clearly and calmly. My heart sinks as I think how a few seconds ago, I was in a similar situation, facing defeat, "using the Shadow Cleaver's ability, I choose the Wimp first."
We make our rolls. Nitro's Wimp gets a total of 6, the Ironshard Bruiser rolls the maximum of 9 to a total of 13. I press my button, to determine if I defeat both Beasts or just the one. I need a 6; however, I roll a 5 giving me a total of 12. The Wimp is defeated, but so is my Chain Angel.
The rest of the game became back and forth. Nitro would bring their Wimps with Items forward one after the other, yet I had my final Shieldmaiden holding firm in the middle grid of my territory. I even placed a Sprite into the Arena and equipped them with another Shadow Cleaver, I managed to get them into Nitro's Arena, but they managed to slay my Sprite. Eventually, my Shieldmaiden had fallen, so we were both down to our Savagery 0 beasts. Each of our small victories soon brought us close to the climax of this brutal final.
My final Sprite versus their final Wimp. Both of their Savagery would be at 0; however, I have given my Sprite a Knightfall Item card. It adds 6 to my Beast's Savagery. Nitro, however, has given their Wimp two Fleshrenders; a Dual-Wield Item both adding 5 to their Beast's Savagery, totalling theirs to 10. My Sprite is in the middle of my Territory, on Grid 4. The Wimp, stands in the middle of Nitro's Territory, on Grid 11. It is their turn.
Nitro pushes their Wimp forward, so it is adjacent to my Sprite. Not a single word or sound was made, as they tap their Wimp then my Sprite to declare the final attack of the match. I stay silent. This is it. All I need to do is press this roll button one more time, and the game is decided. The winner goes into the Omega league, as the loser must try the Rookie league again.
Nitro, as quick as ever, presses their button first. 4, totalling to 14. The worst total they could ever get, as I need to roll a 9 to win. An 8 would set our results equal, but remember, equal results favour the attacker. There is only one way to find out, and that is to press this button. I cannot lose. My whole life leads to this moment. My dream of becoming the Prime Beast Keeper hangs in the balance.
Whatever happens, I must keep going. I cannot give up like I did last time.
"That’s that," my Grandfather would tell me before he passed away two years ago, "and this is this."
My fingers press the cold screen. Seconds feel like hours as the whole room waits. The numbers juggle on the screen until it stops. 9.
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