Unlike the most die-hard fans, Jimbo could admit without hurting his pride that Kardax 10,000 was not the video game with the best graphics on the market. The reflections looked like they were from two technological generations ago, the interior of the buildings lacked animation, and the water flow system on the planets left much to be desired, especially for civilizations focused on underwater environments.
However, Kard10k's visual shortcomings were compensated by its ambition and complexity, hence its E-Sport level was quite intense, boasting hundreds of varied strategies to win. One of Jimbo's favorites was jamming enemy radars so they would believe a rival civilization was attacking them with nuclear weapons, sparking a war of extermination between them.
Now, what Jimbo has in front of him seems to possess the same level of possibilities as Kard10k, perhaps infinitely more, and all so realistic that if he focuses and zooms in, he can see the viscera fall when the shadow swords slice open the abdomens of the kingdom's inhabitants.
Jim recoils sharply and returns to the heights, almost touching the clouds.
«I think...! I think I'm gonna throw up!»
His ethereal being trembles from top to bottom, and he is thankful he has no stomach to empty. Jim inhales and exhales, or more accurately, he acts as if he were inhaling and exhaling air. After a minute, he manages to more or less clear his head.
«Focus, Jimbo. Just pretend it's a game... A very realistic and meticulously gory one.»
The feeling that his inaction is causing more deaths leaves a bad taste in his mouth. Since he understands he won't gain anything by letting himself be disturbed by the typical barbarities of war, he begins to pan around to get a general overview of the kingdom and decide what to do.
There are three circular walls, and two of them have already been breached. The inner one is protected by soldiers, with a broad man sporting a gray mustache fighting the fiercest to prevent the blue and purple-skinned, long-eared people from stepping onto the castle grounds—a fortress that looks like a shield from above. Jimbo mentally congratulates the mustached knight, who uses the narrow entrances of the walls so the invaders cannot exploit their numerical superiority.
«So there are elves in this fantasy world...»
The elves are quite handsome, just as popular culture dictates. But their beauty diminishes when they flash sadistic expressions bathed in the blood of their victims.
Strident echoes, sounding like the ground splitting in two, draw Jimbo's attention to the southern side of the kingdom. The wing of the outer wall pointing toward the great rift on the horizon breaks into pieces and collapses in on itself, its giant rubble crushing many of those nearby, both allies and enemies alike. Jim tries to look further away, but when he attempts to leave the kingdom, the invisible appendage pulls him back inside the outer wall.
He doesn't complain; he can still see what is happening below, even if the sight is hardly encouraging. The elf army and their beasts take advantage of the massive opening to concentrate on a single point and push through, while the dark forces that had stayed on the sidelines attacking from a distance advance to enter as well.
«Those things aren't horses...»
There are 100 or 200 riders in plenilunium armor, charging forward and kicking up a trail of dust with their bicorns' hooves. With their swords, whips, and war scepters, they shove aside the straggling beasts. One of the dark elves cleaves a centaur in two with a single slash, a creature that was simply in his way. They are like a wave of murderous shadows with beautiful faces, pulverizing everything placed in front of them.
«They really dialed up the intensity!»
Whoever the enemy commander is, Jimbo recognizes when a player wants to forcefully wrap up a situation using their most powerful units.
«It's a risky maneuver, but it can yield quick and massive benefits if it goes right. I wish I could see my opponent's face... Just to laugh at them when I win.»
Jim needs options, and just as he asks for them, new circles with messages begin to emerge. Information notices pop up one after another, so numerous that Jimbo's human mind is unable to keep up with them.
«Summarize, please!»
The shower of options retracts until they merge into four: Summoning, Construction, Environment, and Upgrade.
«Much better.»
He quickly opens the summoning section to see if he can bring out a giant dragon or Cthulhu.
Available tribes:
-Human
-Goblin
-Imp
-Undead
There is no time to read. Jimbo zooms out and quickly looks for a place to spawn his units, hoping to discover which one is best for this highly precarious situation.
...
"Bring her here!" Shadowkiss exclaims with a tone meant to be intimidating, which fails due to the high pitch of her voice.
Two of the soldiers obey, ripping the teenager from her father's arms as he is knocked out with a kick to the head, and a third soldier tosses a torch onto the roof of the house, setting it ablaze. Despite complying with her demands, the male elves display a half-amused smirk, prompting Shadowkiss to puff out her cheeks, lean forward, and clench her fists.
At only 130 years of age, Shadowkiss is Moonsong's youngest sister. However, she dislikes being compared to her, which is why she ties her hair in twin tails, and the surface of her flat breastplate bears the symbol of two crossed crescent moons instead of a full moon like Moonsong's, wanting to differentiate herself even further to build her own reputation.
Although dark elf society is highly matriarchal, Shadowkiss believes her male peers treat her with condescension due to her young age. To overcome this barrier, she decides to make use of a factor celebrated within her society: acts of cruelty.
It is said that the crueler and more feared you are among the dark elves, the better. Of course, there are nuances; if you lack the power to back up your cruelty, you will likely be the one meeting a terrible fate. Cunning is also celebrated, and though she doesn't like it, Shadowkiss understands she benefits from being the little sister of the current invasion's commander.
The most successful invasion since she can remember.
"Hurry up with that spear, we don't have all day!" she tells the soldier who threw the torch and is now working to erect a spear next to Shadowkiss's hippogriff, a decapitated beast revived through necromancy.
"Do we kill her first before doing it?" asks one of the soldiers holding the girl by the arm, who struggles futilely.
Shadowkiss raises an eyebrow.
"Are you idiots?" she asks, hands on her hips. "Impale her alive. If the human writhes for a good while, I will inspire more fear and respect in our enemies."
Someone taps her shoulder. Shadowkiss frowns at the soldier who, a moment ago, was adjusting the spear.
"What is it now? Do I have to do everything myself just to get a measly impalement done?" Shadowkiss asks grumpily.
The elf, eyes wide with shock, points down the street where four mysterious silhouettes are approaching.