I Am Gamer III Read online

  I

  AM

  GAMER

  III

  Book 3

  By:

  Gabriel L. Rathweg

  Cover Art By:

  José Manuel Bethencourt Suárez

  Text copyright © 2019 by Gabriel L. Rathweg

  I Am Gamer, characters, names, and related indica are trademarks of © Gabriel L. Rathweg. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission from the author.

  SPOTIFY LINK:

  https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3oV6wcAKb0x2AoHjhhfPkV?si=BVFFM0SbSzyrYohCQm8fYw

  YOUTUBE LINK:

  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4EpaEEUcnmfsuZZaUYq2FMHrURt-vVQQ

  To Maggie, you are my love, my heart, and my life. I love you so much and am so glad you have become a part of my world. You make me believe in love, life, and magic. (P.S. I love the kitties as well.)

  TABLE OF CONTENTS

  TRACK 1 – BLOCK ROCKIN’ BEATS – THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS

  TRACK 2 – ROOSTER – ALICE IN CHAINS

  TRACK 3 – YOU CAN’T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT – THE ROLLING STONES

  TRACK 4 – WREK THE DISCOTEK – SOULSON, ROGER S.

  TRACK 5 – STANDING OUTSIDE A BROKEN PHONE BOOTH WITH MONEY IN MY HAND – PRIMITIVE RADIO GODS

  TRACK 6 – ONLY IN DREAMS – WEEZER

  TRACK 7 – TRUTH HURTS – LIZZO

  TRACK 8 – BALL FOR ME – POST MALONE, NICKI MINAJ

  TRACK 9 – DAYS GO BY – DIRTY VEGAS

  TRACK 10 – PURPLE RAIN – PRINCE

  TRACK 11 – GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN – CYNDI LAUPER

  TRACK 12 – STRAWBERRY BUBBLEGUM – JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE

  TRACK 13 – EVERYDAY – LOGIC, MARSHMELLO

  TRACK 14 – ESCAPE (PINA COLADA) – RUPERT HOLMES

  TRACK 15 – DO YOU REALLY WANT TO HURT ME – CULTURE CLUB

  TRACK 16 – BACK ON THE CHAIN GANG - PRETENDERS

  TRACK 17 – DOIN’ IT RIGHT – DAFT PUNK, PANDA BEAR

  TRACK 18 – NEIGHBORHOOD #3 (POWER OUT) – ARCADE FIRE

  TRACK 19 – CARRIED AWAY (TIESTO REMIX) – PASSION PIT

  TRACK 20 – TAKE A CHANCE ON ME – ABBA

  TRACK 21 – RIGHT ABOVE IT – LIL WAYNE, DRAKE

  TRACK 22 – PRAY FOR ME – THE WEEKND, KENDRICK LAMAR

  TRACK 23 – RIDE WIT ME – NELLY, CITY SPUD

  TRACK 24 – MIRACLE MILE – COLD WAR KIDS

  TRACK 25 – I LIKE IT – CARDI B, BAD BUNNY, J BALVIN

  TRACK 26 – LIVIN’ ON A PRAYER – BON JOVI

  TRACK 27 – THE MAN – ALOE BLACC

  TRACK 28 – I WILL SURVIVE – CAKE

  EPILOGUE – WAVE OF MUTILATION – THE PIXIES

  AFTERWORD

  SNEAK PEAK

  I

  AM

  GAMER

  III

  TRACK 1 – BLOCK ROCKIN’ BEATS – THE CHEMICAL BROTHERS

  The world turned a brilliant white as the two magical weapons collided. Their divine energies crashing together and exploding outward. The subsequent wave of power radiating out from the two combatants at the epicenter, a perfect circle of force washing over the surrounding spectators, myself included. The pulse of the wave pushed everyone back a step, so strong was the magical power.

  I blinked my eyes open trying to see again after the blinding light. Slowly, my vision returned and in the center of the circle I saw the two warriors. They were still standing, weapons locked together with huge ear to ear grins plastered across both their faces. Although, their grins were less happy go lucky and more, ‘this is gonna be fun before I kick your ass,’ and though their countenances were predatory at least they were smiling.

  The Viking Natives cheered the combatants on, chanting and banging their weapons and shields with abandon. Then their cheering turned harsher and more high-pitched, pulling my attention away from the fighters and back to the spectators. I turned from the momentary pause in the duel and looked over at the disruption. The warriors that I could see were still cheering and gesticulating wildly with their shields and weapons, yet the odd sounding screaming was still coming from that direction. I watched as the warriors in the front ranks began to slow their cheering and turn to their flanks, now noticing the screams then my Danger Sense went off like an alarm.

  Almost as one, they started stepping back to face some unknown attacker. The yells and clashing of weapons could be heard, even louder and closer now, but still not seen. Arun and Patty broke off their duel in mutual agreement and turned to see what was causing the commotion. None of us had to wait very long. Just a second later the bestial roaring sounded out again and over a dozen of the Viking Natives were launched across the dueling circle like bowling pins. They flew through the air wildly and scattered then landed in sprawling broken heaps. In their place stood a monster the likes of which I had never seen before.

  “What the shite is that?” Billy asked, pointing at the behemoth.

  My Identify skill activated and I partitioned my mind, studying the information and the monster at the same time.

  CHENOO (Level – 3)

  The Chenoo is also known as the Ice Giant. Some tales describe the monster as a Bigfoot-like creature. The original legend from the Wabanaki people tells that it was once a human but at some point, it committed a horrible crime for which the gods cursed it and turned its heart to ice. Its frozen spirit was then trapped within the body of a lumbering, troll-like monster, who devours any human they can get their hands on. Normally, they are only seen in the heart of winter and to the frozen lands of the far north. Chenoo operate without any detriment from the cold and water. Fire can hurt them but their thick coats, imbued with their innate Ice Magic, makes harming them with said fire, very difficult.

  I closed the window with a thought and focused on the monster. The MOB was huge, easily fourteen or fifteen feet tall. Its body was covered in snow white hair, except for where blood splattered it, which was pretty much all over its entire body. The monster’s face was black as night with burning coals for eyes, wicked looking fangs as long as my finger glistened in its mouth, and six-inch long daggerlike claws tipped its massive hands. It bellowed and raged as it attacked, its roars striking terror into the warriors around it, freezing them in place and making them easy targets. Its evil looking canines, that were perfect for rending flesh, glinted in the sunlight as they ran red with blood and saliva. It reminded a bit of a larger Wendigo but meaner, tougher looking, and even more dangerous and deadly.

  Its description said it was from the far north. What the hell was it doing here this far south and not even during winter? It didn’t matter, I’d save the questions for later because right now we just had to kill the damn thing. I dismissed the line of reasoning I was on and refocused on the MOB, all this transpiring in my super enhance mind in an instant.

  “Patty, the fights on hold get over here! Arun, get your warriors in formation!” I commanded, tossing out the orders like I was already in charge of the Viking Natives.

  Hey, you gotta act like you want people to treat you right? Arun gave me a quick scowl but to his credit nodded and immediately began calling out orders to his men. Patty ran up and engaged the monster with the Spear of Lugh leading the way. The massive MOB didn’t see the dark-haired Irishman approach as it was so busy striking out at the warriors in its immediate surroundings. Each swipe sent a Viking Native flying and blood flowed from everywhere its massive talon tipped claws touched. So engrossed was it that Patty got a strike in to its blindside before it even registered him as a threat.

  “Taste the head of my spear ya daft p
rick!” Patty cried, his spear piercing the meat of the Chenoo’s right butt cheek.

  I really needed to talk to him about his choices of Battle Cry’s, I mean why were they were always variations about his spear and why did he always strike at the glutes when he could? Whatever, that was a thought for another day. I pulled Nanook’s Bow from my shoulder and nocked a Firesteel Arrow all in one practiced movement.

  NANOOK’S COMPOSITE BOW OF SLAYING

  WEAPON TYPE – Composite War Bow

  NAME – Dark Wind

  DURABILITY – 500/500

  CLASS – Legendary

  UPGRADES – Far Sight

  DRAW WEIGHT – 150lbs

  WEIGHT – 15lbs

  DIMENSIONS – 60” by 33” Max Draw Length 40”

  The god Coyote’s handmade war bow given to him by the god Nanook, the Great White Eskimo Bear, in payment for a bet that the great bear god lost. These are scalable and grow with the owner’s level.

  FIRESTEEL ARROW

  WEAPON TYPE – Projectile Fire Arrow

  CLASS – Unique

  UPGRADES – Flame

  WEIGHT – 0.05lbs

  DIMENSIONS – 3” by 1” head 3’ shaft

  This arrow has a tri-tip steel head infused with MP. The user doesn’t need to have MP to activate the Flame upgrade. Each arrow is infused with a small reserve of MP that will activate no matter whom uses the arrow. After skill usage arrow is consumed. If Flame is not activated arrow is recoverable.

  “Billy, you have command of the SEALs.” I called, sighting in on the beast’s head and activating the arrows Flame ability, then letting fly in the same instant.

  My shot took the monster in the mouth, as it was still roaring in pain from Patty’s spear, catching it mid roar and turning it into a choked gurgle. If the MOB wasn’t so scary, I probably would’ve laughed at the awesome shot, but there was no time for that now. Our combined attacks gave the warriors around it time to scramble away and reset themselves. Arun was already barking out orders and getting some cohesion back into his tribesmen.

  The creature was far from finished though and it yanked the burning arrow from its smoking mouth, spinning, and catching Patty off guard. The Chenoo’s sudden move launched the Irishman and his spear out of his butt and into a group of confused warriors. All of whom crashed to the ground in a heap of bodies, limbs, arms, and armor. Then it turned its burning red orbs my way.

  We locked eyes and somehow, I knew it was here for me. Now, completely focused on me it roared again, although the effect was muted some by the smoke which was wafting from its piehole. Then, it leaped forward and began running, barreling towards me like a fucked-up smoke breathing Abominable Snowman. It reminded me of something Todd McFarlane would have created, that dude was dark as hell.

  I shook the random comparison from my mind, nocked another arrow and fired, not bothering to waste time by taking aim. The Chenoo had covered half the distance and was so large it was like firing at the broadside of a barn. I was already pulling another arrow from my quiver before the one I just shot had landed. My next arrow was quickly followed by three more in the blink of an eye. All five burning projectiles hit the MOB center mass in rapid succession as it charged towards me, now only twenty feet away and closing fast. It barely registered the shots though, it’s furry hide immediately dousing the Flame Skill and mitigating the fire damage.

  Well shit, time to switch tactics. I dropped my bow and yanked my Kukri and Bowie from their respective sheaths. Then, I crouched in a fighting stance and prepared to basically jump the fuck out of the way of the speeding MOB. It was only fifteen feet away now, the ground shook with the pounding of its massive feet. It was like I was in Jurassic Park and all that was missing was the cup of water, oh and the T-Rex was replaced with a Bigfoot. Plus, I was not Jeff fucking Goldblum, if anything I was Sam Neil god damnit!

  “Law, down!” Billy yelled.

  I spun and dropped to ground without hesitation, even though the huge monster was just ten feet away and rapidly closing the distance to me with giant ground eating footsteps. My eyes widened as I dropped now that I could see why Billy had yelled for me to get down. I let go of both my weapons, threw my hands up to my ears, scrunched my eyes closed, and curled up into a ball as fast as my magically enhanced body would let me. I finished just in time as the thunder struck, deafening me, and covering the entire area in a cloud of thick white grey smoke.

  TRACK 2 – ROOSTER – ALICE IN CHAINS

  “Reload!” Billy ordered, his voice ringing out over the battle but sounding tinny in my sound blasted ears.

  I leapt to my feet still disoriented in the slowly dissipating cloud but standing strong willing myself to get my shit together. After a deep breath I glanced at my mini map. It showed dozens of light green dots in differing groups. From their locations I knew which were the Viking Natives and which was my crew. My SEALs were behind me and each of them had their names over the dots, but that wasn’t what I was focused on. The map showed what looked like a bright red blob that was just a couple feet away from my position.

  A particularly strong gust of wind blew by just then, clearing out most of the lingering smoke cloud. My mouth dropped open at the newly visible and grisly scene. The monster was laying on the ground, no longer roaring, but wheezing and breathing pitifully. All four of the harquebuses had hit their mark and the MOB’s body was covered in blood and gore, not to mention most of the area in its immediate vicinity as well. The Chenoo’s cries were getting weaker and weaker as its life’s blood poured out.

  “Hold your fire.” Billy called.

  I glanced at the man and nodded, then pointed to the monster.

  “Cover me.” I said, reaching down and picking up my two blades, then I walked slowly over to the downed monster.

  Billy nodded in return and gestured all four guns, now reloaded and ready to fire at a moment’s notice, shifted angles and were all trained on the downed MOB. I walked the few feet and stopped next to the monster, which now that it was on its back and dying, was much less intimidating then before. I almost felt bad for it, almost, the maimed and dying men that surrounded the area reiterated the monster’s innate vileness.

  The thing was messed up, the four shots, each hole the size a tennis ball, had taken it twice in the chest and twice in the belly. The guts spilling out of it looked like giant viscera covered noodles. There was so much blood it looked like a kiddy pool, just full of blood and not water. The Chenoo wasn’t quite dead yet and its eyes were still glowing red, but the luster was quickly fading. It flicked its gaze to mine, as it was unable to move its head, and a small grin broke out on its black and blood-flecked lips. I raised my weapons and readied myself for it to try something. Instead, gurgling laughter began to emanate from deep within its chest.

  “Oh, you think laying there and bleeding out is funny you piece of shit?” I snapped, raising an eyebrow at the MOB.

  “Heh… you think… you… have won?” The Chenoo growled out in a low almost inaudible voice. If I didn’t have enhanced senses, I probably wouldn’t have been able to hear it. “This… is… just… the beginning…”

  “Yeah, well fuck you, you won’t be around…” I started to retort, but the chuckling died away and the light left its eyes before I could finish.

  “Is it dead?” Arun asked, standing with his men, now in formation, just a half dozen feet away.

  “Yeah, the fucker died just before I could finish my snappy comeback.” I answered, while crouching down to get a closer look.

  “By Dagda’s beard the bastard stinks something awful.” Patty said, mock retching from my side.

  I nodded in response, he was right, the thing smelled like a diarrhea filled diaper dipped in egg salad that was left out for a week. Just thinking about it made me vomit a bit in my mouth. I swallowed down the bile and refocused on the monster. Arun walked around then and knelt on the opposite side of the monster a grim expression on his face.

  “A Chenoo this far south and
not even in winter, this is a bad thing Law.” He said, shaking his head. “But, your weapons, they killed it with one strike, what are they?”

  I looked up at the big man and squinted in thought. Should I fill him in completely? How much should I trust him? He did just try to fight me and did fight my man. Well, I came up here to get his tribe and he was looking at me with awe now, I think he was probably on board. Nothing brings people together like overwhelming strength and a common enemy.

  “Those are harquebuses, guns, my people took them from the creators of The Great Suffering.” I explained.

  “Taken from the creators of The Great Suffering…” Arun said, voice trailing off in thought.

  “Ach, ya daft prick, why should we tell you a damn thing? You aren’t even part of our tribe yet.” Patty scoffed.

  “Chill man.” I said, reprimanding the fiery spear wielder. “We should talk more. Let’s head back into the hall and figure some things out. You are over the whole challenging me to a duel thing, right?”

  “Yes, things have changed. You speak wisely, let’s head in and…” Arun began.

  My Danger Sense started screaming at me again as he spoke midsentence and Freak roared loudly. I leapt to my feet and began scanning the area.

  “The attack isn’t over yet!” I called.

  “Shield Wall!” Arun cried, jumping up and running to his men.

  To their credit they immediately shifted position, facing out and interlocking their shields in front of them, weapons at the ready. My giant tiger appeared at my side, a low rumbling reverberating from its throat, sounding much like a racecar engine.

  “Where are they coming from Freak?” I asked my cat, checking my mini map as well, then raised my eyebrows and swallowed from a suddenly dry throat. “Oh shit…”

  Red dots filled the map surrounding us on all sides. So many, that it looked more like one mass and not individual targets.