Evolution: A Warlock's Rise To Power

Super was giddy with excitement after Hellfire won and spoke the endorsement directly into the camera. "Ha, ha, ha. We will get more from that one tag line than the rest of the advertisements put together."

Lucan left Super to his business. Even though he was 'Live Streaming'. Only the first moment was live. The game ran 3 times faster than the real world. The people watching at home were only a third of the way into the fight. That gave Super time to pick the best camera angels and have a quick chance to redo any commentary before it was put out.

Lucan's interface notified him of a message. He took a moment to read it over before he sighed.

"What's wrong?" Silent asked.

"I have good news and bad news for you."

"Oh?" Silent asked, not sure what was going on.

"People online have noticed you in the crowd. Ton's of people started watching after thinking that Heaven's Kiss was watching."

Lucan watched as her head fell and her shoulder started to slump. She took a few deep breaths before shaking it off and sitting up straight. "It was bound to happen eventually. When the time comes, I won't hide from my sister."

"Oh, so you're going to talk to her?" Lucan asked.

"Pff, no. I said I am not hiding. I didn't say I am going to run and find her."

"Ha, okay. Well the good news is that your sister recognized me and sent me a message." Silent suddenly got tense again. "Don't worry, she went on to chew me out and called me many different names for using an illusion of her to gather more views for my fellow warlock."

"Ha, really?"

"Mmm, I told her to not be so full of herself. Then I blocked her so she can't message me again."

"Ha, ha, ha. It sounds like you have stirred up a hornet's nest." Lucy said to Lucan.

"It's not ideal, but it doesn't affect my plans. Besides, she could benefit from being seen with me. She should thank me." Lucan said in an arrogant tone.

"Ha, ha, that's not how the people online feel." Said Super. "Everyone is very jealous and upset with the guy who is sitting between Heaven's Kiss and Lucy, who they are calling 'The Robed Angel'."

Lucy covered her mouth while giggling at Lucan who started cursing at the internet commenters who couldn't hear him.

When Lucan finished his rant of curse towards the sky, he sent a congratulation message through coven chat to Hellfire. Lisel also congratulated him on his win and promotion.

[Thank you both. Tomorrow I'm was thinking of visiting the Eldritch Battlegrounds. Do either of you have any interest?] Hellfire replied.

[You can count me in.] Lisel said.

[My level is low, but it is worth a look.] Lucan replied.

[I can bring my leveling partner; he is a barbarian.] Hellfire said.

[I have 2 I can rely on. Melee DPS and a druid healer.] Lisel said.

[I can probably get 4. I saw a 10-man level 120 dungeon near the portal area, maybe we can poke our heads in.] Lucan suggested.

[I like it. I need to meet with SuperSleuth, then Raze and Baelgore, and my time for today is almost up. I will be back on tomorrow evening.]

[See you then.] Lisel said before logging off herself.

***

"So, any interest?" Lucan asked Silent and Lucy after he explained about the battlegrounds.

"Sounds like we will need to be careful." Silent said.

"Madlad and Van should be available, but do you think they can get here in time?"

"If they are available, we can make it happen. If 3 or more warlocks from the same coven are together, they can summon followers for mana."

"That makes it easy." Lucy said. "I will send them a message."

Lucan said goodbye to SuperSleuth. Super was going to stay in the Shadow realm for a little while. Lucan gave him permission to stay at his house here in Vertshadow. After confirming that Madlad and Van were 'in' for tomorrow, Lucan, Silent, and Lucy returned to his house and logged out.

***

Brax stretched before getting into the shower and cleaning himself up. Coming from the kitchen, he sat down in front of his computer, clean and with a full stomach. He turned over to Super's site. Hellfire was being interviewed after his promotion.

"It's like Baelgore said, how could I defeat him with power I received from him. Even when I was pumping out damage to my fullest extent he was able to cope without using his skills. My only chance was to act weak and try to get the Duke to put me out of my misery."

"Ha, yes and we all say you turn the tables on him. Then that last move was impressive. The shadows swarmed him, restricting his movement."

"Yes, that was a new spell I bought just for this fight. "Call of the Shadow's." It's good stuff."

"Incredible magic. Just one of the many spells skills and abilities you sell to your followers. If I am right, some has to think your name 'Hellfire' three times then ask for power?"

"Yeah, it's that easy. Everything I used except 'Full Counter' is for sale along with thousands of other ways to strengthen yourself."

Hellfire was doing well, and SuperSleuth was spoon feeding it to him. Brax muted the interview and scrolled down to the comments.

The exit interview was already climbing past 110 million viewers making the comment board move so fast it was unreadable. When he held it still, he found many well wishes for Hellfire, tons of people talking about Heaven's Kiss. Hellfire already had a small group of haters saying his win was cheap and due to luck, they were trying their best to discredit him. Their numbers paled in comparison to the amount of haters Lucan had. Nobody had a good thing to say about him. Apparently, he was the embarrassment of all Raze's followers.

'Screw them.' Brax thought to himself. He decided to get off the computer and decided to visit the near by gym. He could always work off his frustrations.

***

Lucan went downstairs for breakfast. He logged in the moment he was able to. Lucan checked his friends list to find Silent Night hadn't logged in yet. He ate quickly before turning to formations. They were a great source of power if he could become a true Formation Master. A formation master could also earn a good amount of gold by selling a defensive formation.

After seeing Hellfire make a good amount of money overnight, Brax couldn't help but be disappointed when he returned to his crummy apartment.

Different guilds and player run organizations would pay thousands of gold to have their bases behind a formation barrier. Formations had many different applications, and all were equally lucrative opportunities if you could find the right buyer.

He would hone his craft for now. When the time was right, he could go to Super to be pointed to those in need.

Half and hour later Silent and Lucy had logged on. The three went out to stock up supplies and make sure their gear was fully repaired. Lucan emptied his saved up experience and spent it on a Telekinetic Wall spell that held great promise. He hurried back to the house to get in a bit of practice before it was time to leave.

***

Hellfire Introduce a bare-chested barbarian player named Calder. Lisel brought a shadow elf hunter named Will and a shadow elf druid named Cheese. Lucan introduced Silent and the others. Before a decision was made, Lucan invited them to his party. No one complained when the group loot was set to reward through contributions. The A.I. system would value healing and support just as must as damage. Those who preformed their roles the best for that fight would get best loot if they could use it.

"We are all ready to go." Hellfire said to Raze.

"Hold on." Lucan said. "Hand over the list." He said to Raze.

"The List?" Hellfire asked.

"I am guessing there are things you want us to pick up while we are there, right?" Lucan asked Raze.

The old man nodded. "That's true, but why bother with a list? It's easy enough to tell you. I want everything. I will pay out experience to be spent for whatever you are willing to part with, so make sure to return with filled bags." Raze said before pulling out a wand as thin as a pencil. He waved his wand causing a door to materialize in front of them. "This door will stay here as long as you are a coven. Try your best not to get lost."

Hellfire nodded before reaching out and turning the old brass knob. He pushed the door opened and stepped into a broken city. Collapsed buildings spilled into the dilapidated streets. There wasn't a soul around or a noise to be heard. Lucan brought up the rear and closed the door behind them. Fortunately, only those who entered through the door could open it to leave.