FireWars

"You're messing it up!" I whined. "Come on, Art, you should have gone left."

"That's Pirostorm. How many times do I have to tell you, when we're in the game, it's Pirostorm? Also, I saw a blue crystal."

Arthur, who was my best friend as long as I can remember, was now my college roommate. Although we were both busy with classes, we always found time to play our favorite VR game, FireWars.

Unlike my math-nerdy real self, my avatar, Primus, was level 8 buff, level 9 nimble, and level 10 swift. My younger sister, Patrice always teased us, "Stop playing games and act your age." We didn't care. We liked the challenge.

I told Pirostorm, "Crystals are a trap eight out of 10 times."

I paused to wait for him when a flamethrower came out of nowhere. I quickly dodged and went at her instead of retreating. With my speed, I got to her before she could redirect her flames. I plunged my ice sword into her sexy body with no remorse.

I smiled as I heard, "Son of a..." Then sarcastically, "Thanks again, Primus."

"Glad to be of disservice, Ember," I answered back.

"Help, Primus! I'm trapped."

Just as predicted.

Pirostorm was caught in the middle of a group of Magma Poolers. They were slow, but one touch and you were toast... or toasted.

I told him, "This won't last long, so hurry." I made an ice bridge.

He jumped up and slid over. "Thanks," he let out a breath. "I was running out of energy. Luckily, Sapphire Pools are just around the corner."

So were two Lava Lords. I threw my last water grenade, but it only slowed one of them. I shouted, "Charge!" and sliced through the one in the lead. No sign of Pirostorm. I turned and battled the other. He was formidable. Finally, Pirostorm assisted and we got him down.

We got in the pool and I called it quits.

Arthur said, "Let's go one more level," even as he removed his helmet.

I shook my head. "I've got a trig test in the morning. Next time, we'll try to get to Splendor Falls."

We stored our gear, grabbed our toiletries and headed to the communal bathroom to brush teeth and pee.

Art, right behind me, said, "Way to handle those Lava Lords. I would have helped more, but I kinda... fell down."

I chuckled, "Don't sweat it. We got 'em, and you did get that ice crystal."

Back in our room, I couldn't hold back yawns as I got my PJs on.

"See ya."

"Yeah, see ya."

I drifted away pleasantly enough.

I woke in a sweat. "Yo, Art, did you turn the heat up again?"

But, when I sat up, I wasn't in my dorm room. I was in Cinderfrost, the FireWars world.

No sooner had I thought it, when a Flamethrower came at me. I was too slow to do anything other than hit the deck. A wave of heat hit me, and it felt like my whole body was sunburned.

Ember laughed, "I've got you this time, Primus."

I dove behind a stone pillar. Her flames hit my feet and the pain was real — and intense. I flinched and screamed, and instantly, an earthquake shook everything.

Weird. Not something that happened in the game.

I saw Ember fall down from the other side of the pillar. In a last-ditch effort to survive, I shot ice right at her exposed neck. She disappeared with a, "Son of a..."

I rolled over onto my back wondering what the hell happened?

I needed to get to Sapphire Pools, hoping the healing in the game would happen here too.

I couldn't walk, so I had only one idea. I created a sled of ice, depleting my sword. I rolled onto it and pushed off with my arms, careening downward. It was next to impossible to steer. I was making great time though. I saw another pillar ahead. I leaned and held out my shield. I grazed the pillar, sending me spinning out of control.

I bumper-carred painfully until my sled melted and I skidded to a stop. More earthquakes. I couldn't help groaning.

I heard, "Identify yourself!"

I moaned, "You identify yourself!"

"I'm Trice," a female came into view, fully armed. "You're hurt."

"Yeah, how close to Sapphire Pools?"

"Not far. Can you walk?"

"No way. I could roll, if you will guide me and watch for danger."

"I'll do my best. I'm a newbie, but I'm learning. You're going to want to head that way," she pointed.

I rolled and she followed. We had been at it— maybe 10 minutes, maybe 30— when she whispered, "Stop!"

A Lava Lord came around a pillar. She made quick work of him with her ice, but not before getting hit herself. Her helmet flew off and her shoulder was burned.

I gasped, "Patrice?"

"Call my Trice." She winced. Let's get to Sapphire."

I could see the blue glow. I started rolling again, concentrating rather than focusing on the awkward silence between my sister and I. There would be time to talk later.

Two Flamethrowers ambushed us just when we were 10 feet from safety.

Patrice said, "Tell Artie I..."

She jumped in front of the flames, shielding me.

I yelled, "No!" at the same time rolling into the blessed pool. I couldn't stop the tears.

After healing, I replenished my sword and decided to try for Splendor Falls. At least I was on my feet again.

I ran into several fire players. I got them all, but one Lava Lord got my left arm. Another earthquake. So, they happen when I get hurt.

Just as I was reaching the falls, two Lava Lords and a Flamethrower all shot me at once. I held up my shield and leaped backwards into the falls. I blacked out.

*

*

Water was splashing down on me.

I felt someone shake me.

I looked up. Arthur.

He chuckled, "What are you doing in the shower in your PJs? Hang on." Into his phone, he said, "I'll call you back, Pat...er...Mom."

I sighed in relief. She's okay.

I asked, "Dude, are you dating my sister?"

"How did you...?"

*

Author's note: This was inspired by a real nightmare I had in which I was hit by a fireball. My jolting literally shook my bed, which woke me up. Hence the earthquakes.