Chapter 87
The whirring sound of the helicopter overhead created an unsettling atmosphere for Ethan as the cameras captured every detail of the battle unfolding below. He found himself cornered, facing a tide of aggressive orcs crawling up the vines, their intentions clear and malicious. The severed head that one of the orcs held aloft sent a chill down his spine; it was Cedric, a fellow knight, and his expression was frozen in a dreadful mixture of shock and horror.
Amidst the chaos and the adrenaline coursing through his veins, Ethan felt a profound sense of isolation, realizing that no other knight came to support him in this moment of dire need. The knights in the nearby guild had seemingly turned their backs, wishing only for the downfall of the Vermilion Sovereign, a title Ethan bore despite the jealousy he incited within their ranks. Rather than seeking wealth or personal glory from hunts, Ethan had always prioritized helping others, a value instilled in him from a young age.
This selflessness had earned him the respect and admiration of many, but also the envy and resentment of those who saw him as a threat to their own ambitions. Despite the abandonment he now faced, Ethan knew that his duty as a knight was to protect the innocent and uphold justice, even if it meant standing alone against his former comrades.
For him, survival was about more than just coin; it was about purpose.
As the young orcs advanced, relentlessly striking at Ethan with brute force, he recognized the urgency of his predicament. He could hear the other orcs climbing, their snarls and growls rising with each heartbeat. Three more orcs stood poised at the rooftop edge, weapons drawn and ready to join the fray.
With a deep breath, Ethan focused on his training and instincts, knowing that his skills were not just for his own benefit, but for the protection of those he cared about. As the remaining second orc lunged towards him, Ethan met the attack head-on, determined to fulfill his purpose and emerge victorious in this dangerous battle.
But Ethan, fueled by determination, transformed his fear into action. With a sudden flourish, he activated his whip sword, an extension of his will and skill—a blur of glinting steel in the aggressive sun. The orcs faltered, bewildered by his precision and speed. In a masterful sweep, Ethan dispatched the two orcs before they could even draw a breath, leaving only the three remaining foes to contend with.
Knowing that fear had just gripped his enemies, he seized the moment to overcome them. In a low crouch, Ethan darted forward, confident that the orcs' clumsy muscle would hinder their agility. He was a force of nature, using the rooftop to his advantage—a launching pad for his next strike. With a controlled burst of energy, he lunged toward the trio, his whip sword extending to an impressive ten feet, each blade singing as it sliced through the air.
The orcs were caught off guard by Ethan's speed and precision, unable to react in time to defend themselves. As his blades met their mark, Ethan's calculated movements left no room for error, ensuring that his enemies fell swiftly before him. With each strike, he felt a surge of adrenaline, knowing that victory was within reach as he continued to dominate the battlefield.
Ethan wasn't merely charging; he was a whirlwind of movement, twisting and flicking his arms with tremendous force that summoned a gust of wind in his wake. He targeted the orcs with deadly precision, propelling them off the building with a calculated swing, each victory resonating with his resolve to fight not just for himself but for the legacy and honor he believed in.
Meanwhile at the thirty floor corporate office tower offered an extraordinary perspective, towering over a bustling entertainment district that pulsated with life just a few blocks away from the were the hotel casino was located.
Situated just a stone's throw from the hotel casino, its glass façade reflected the vibrant colors of the neon lights below, creating a kaleidoscope of hues against the night sky. From this lofty vantage point, the hum of distant music and laughter floated upward, a merry sound that painted a stark contrast to the sterile, quiet atmosphere of the office space. Here, conversations were banal and focused on quarterly reports, oblivious to the revelry happening just beneath them.
As the employees worked late into the evening, their thoughts were consumed with spreadsheets and deadlines, leaving little room for the chaos unfolding outside. Below them, patrons flitted from bar to bar, drinks in hand, lost in the euphoria of the night. With each muffled cheer and burst of laughter filtering through the glass, it became evident that the occupants of the thirty floor were too tethered to their mundane responsibilities to notice the vibrant world that thrived just a few floors down. Police cars occasionally raced past, sirens blaring, while fire trucks and news helicopters hovered, but such sights had become ordinary, mere background noise in the grand tapestry of the entertainment district.
The office's panorama, framed by the vastness of the midnight sky, seemed to amplify the disconnect. While vibrant life thrived below, the people inside were shackled by deadlines and corporate expectations. They were distant observers, reclusive amidst the revelry, shielded from the exhilarating chaos that defined the entertainment district below. Little did they know, the world outside their glass walls was a relentless celebration, a cacophony of freedom that they could only catch whispers of while remaining firmly anchored to their work, unaware of what they truly missed.
The Four working office personnel decided to spend their time to drink and celebrate on top of their office roof top building, watching the pulsating city lights below as they momentarily escaped the confines of their professional lives. As they clinked their glasses together, they felt a sense of liberation and camaraderie that was missing within the walls of their workplace.
Paul leaned against the low wall that surrounded the rooftop, his heart racing. The wind whipped through his hair, and he felt alive, teetering on the brink of something exhilarating. He glanced at his phone. It was nearly midnight — the time when the city truly came to life, but he was here for a different reason.
"Hey, are you sure about this?" a voice called from behind him.
Paul turned to see Sarah, his closest friend, her auburn hair blowing wildly in the wind. She looked both excited and apprehensive, her eyes wide. "I mean, this is insane. We could get kicked out… or worse."
Paul shrugged, a grin spreading across his face. "Come on, Sarah! Look at this view! It's amazing!"
"Yeah, but standing on the edge of a fifty-story building? What if we slip? Or what if someone sees us?" She took a step back, her heels clicking nervously against the concrete.
He stepped closer to her, trying to reassure her. "It's fine! Just for a second. I promise." He gestured to the edge, where the city sprawled beneath them. "You can't miss this. It's perfect!"
"Perfectly dangerous," she muttered, but there was a hint of a smile tugging at her lips.
"Just trust me!" He took her hand, pulling her gently towards the edge.
"Just look. Breathe it in."
As they approached the edge, the view opened up like a canvas of lights. The Strip glowed with an energy that felt almost tangible. Laughter echoed from below, mixed with the sounds of clinking glasses and the distant thrum of music. Ethan closed his eyes, feeling the rush of the wind.
"Okay, okay! Just a quick peek!" Sarah relented, stepping closer, her heart racing.
"See? Isn't it incredible?" He leaned over the edge, his heart pounding with adrenaline. "This is what life's about, right? Moments like this!"
"Moments that could end in a splat," Sarah quipped, but her voice was lighter now. She leaned closer, her fear melting away as she took in the breathtaking view.
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from the stairwell door behind them. Both Paul and Sarah jumped, spinning around. A group of three guys stumbled onto the rooftop, laughing boisterously.
"Whoa! What's going on up here?" one of them, a tall man with a goofy grin, asked.
"Just enjoying the view," Paul replied, trying to sound casual.
"Yeah? Mind if we join?"
The man sauntered over, followed by his friends, who were equally boisterous.
"Uh, sure, just be careful,"
Paul said, glancing at Sarah, who looked slightly apprehensive again.
"Careful? Where's the fun in that?"
The man laughed, stepping right up to the edge.
"Look at this! We're on top of the world!"
"Just don't fall," Sarah said, crossing her arms, her tone half-serious.
"Relax! It's not like we're going to jump!"
the man shot back, but there was a wild glint in his eyes.
"What's your name, pretty lady?"
"Sarah," she replied, her cheeks flushing slightly. "And you?"
"Zach," he said, extending his hand. "And these are my buddies, Mike and Tom."
"Paul," he said, waving. "So, you guys here for the view?"
"Of course! What else would we be doing?" Mike chimed in, a cocky grin plastered on his face.
"Winning big and partying hard!"
The group exchanged banter, laughter blending with the night air. Paul felt the energy shift, the rooftop now alive with voices and excitement. But as the group edged closer to the wall, he felt a flicker of unease.
"Hey, let's do something wild!" Tom shouted suddenly, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "How about a selfie from the edge?"
"Are you crazy?" Sarah exclaimed, her voice rising. "That's a terrible idea!"
"Come on! Live a little!" Zach urged, leaning over the edge, his phone raised. "This will be legendary!"
"Legendary or fatal?" Sarah shot back.
Paul watched as the guys crowded around the edge, the tension in the air palpable. "Guys, maybe let's think about this—"
But before he could finish, Zach had pushed himself halfway over the edge, balancing on the wall. "Smile!" he called, a wild grin plastered on his face.
"Zach, no!" Sarah screamed, her hands flying to her mouth.
In that split second, time seemed to slow. Paul lunged forward, reaching out, but it was too late. Zach lost his balance, stumbling backward.
"Whoa!" He flailed, arms win milling, and then — thud! — he collided with Tom, sending them both sprawling to the ground, laughter erupting from the unexpected tumble.
"Dude! You almost gave me a heart attack!" Tom wheezed, still chuckling.
Sarah's eyes were wide. "That's not funny! You could have fallen!"
"Lighten up, Sarah!" Zach said, getting to his feet. "I was just testing my balance!"
"You call that testing?" Paul shook his head, heart still racing. "You're insane."
"Yeah, but it's fun!" Zach grinned, brushing himself off. "Can't take life too seriously, you know?"
Paul exchanged a glance with Sarah, who looked exasperated but also a little amused. "Still, let's keep the stunts to a minimum, okay?" she said, her voice firm.
"Fine, but let's take that selfie!" Zach insisted, pulling everyone in close. "Come on, Paul! You're in this too!"
They crowded together, arms around each other, as Zach leaned precariously over the edge again. Click!
"Got it!" he shouted, triumphant. The rooftop echoed with his victorious cry, a sound that pierced through the thick haze of tension that had settled over the group. As they broke apart, laughter filled the air again, twisting around the flickering lights of the city below. It was a moment of unrestrained joy, but beneath it all, Paul could feel the lingering tension that clung to them like a second skin. The thrill of the rooftop, the excitement of the night, pulsed in their veins, yet it was underscored by the stark reminder of how quickly everything could spiral out of control.
"Let's get a drink!" Mike suggested, his eyes sparkling with exhilaration. "There's a bar on the rooftop, right?" The prospect of a drink felt like a welcome distraction from the fear that had threatened to spill over. The night had already taken unexpected turns, but the camaraderie and shared thrill of the moment made them forget their worries, if only for a while.
"Yeah, let's go!" Paul replied, eager to shift the mood. "I could use one after that heart-stopping moment." His heart raced not just from excitement, but from the vivid memories that had been etched into his mind. Yet just as they began to move, an abrupt silence fell over them. The laughter faded as a horrific scene unfolded before them. Zach's expression shifted from exhilaration to shock; he stopped talking mid-sentence as blood spurted from his mouth, the horror of reality crashing down when an arrow pierced his chest. In that instant, the thrill of the night vanished, eclipsed by a terror that gripped Paul's heart, and he knew that the rooftop would be forever marked by this moment—a stark reminder of the thin line between joy and tragedy.