Layla woke to a loud crash, still half asleep she rolled over confused, seeing Jacob sprawled on the floor she jumped, realising she must have forgotten to take his bag out from where she’d wedged its straps under the door after she’d finished cleaning up. She’d been so tired that she barely even managed to pull her damp clothes back on after rinsing them as best as she could in the bucket and climbed into the sleeping bag. About to make an apology for accidentally locking him out she noticed something wrong, instead of a bundle of firewood in his arms Jacob was holding a metal stick with some strange shape on the end of it. Confused, her apology switched to a question but before it could pass her lips the expression on his face chilled her to the core. Gone was the friendly smile and helpful cheer, replaced with dark greed and malice, an expression she knew all too well, one she’d given everything to escape from.
Kicking frantically at the sleeping bag to try and get herself free she couldn’t take her eyes off Jacob as he climbed to his feet, his eyes locked on hers. He muttered a strange word but it was like her ears refused to hear it, she saw his lips move and there was some kind of noise, but her mind just couldn’t comprehend it. Finally getting her legs free she scrambled back against the wall, eyes going wide in terror as the strange shape at the end of the stick began to glow, making her realise it was a branding iron. She glanced at the woodpile where she’d hidden the axe, itching to dive for it. But she didn’t know what that brand would do. It was magical, that much was obvious from the noise Jacob had made to activate it and the unnatural glow it now had. Deciding that she needed to avoid it touching her at all costs she tried to think of any way to get to her axe. Thankfully not content with whatever plan he had for her Jacob began to speak.
“Here’s the thing, see I didn’t really believe all that magic stuff, limitless power and whatever. Sure I’ve dreamed about it, who doesn’t dream of getting magic powers. But I just figured it was a bad dream, and when I woke up here the same as before there was nothing to prove otherwise. Just some really weird dream brought on by too much drink or some bad food. But then you came along. Appearing out of nowhere cut to pieces and then you manage to heal yourself before my very eyes. So I took it a bit more seriously, as soon as I thought about it that interface thing turned on. All my stats, all that power waiting to be unlocked, but it’s not like I've got a magic key lying around in my pocket is it?”
As he was talking Layla slowly pushed herself to her feet, back still against the wall, she carefully nudged her foot under the empty sleeping bag as she kept her eyes on Jacob, who had stopped at the edge of the raised platform, eyes looking almost through her as he talked. “So without a key I had to find one. Obviously. So I started having a more thorough look through that interface we get. There are so many options. The Merchant wasn’t kidding. It’s literally limitless. That’s the name of that figure who we met when this all started, the Merchant. That’s where I got this beauty. Slaving brand” Jacob waved the brand casually towards her, making Layla flinch. Tensing up she braced her hands against the wall, ready to launch. “See, thing is. It’s true, the saying. Nice guys do finish last. Years I spent being polite and kind, supportive. Always the gentleman. And where did it get me? Alone in the mountains. Alone because girls like you. Girls like you don’t care about the nice guy. We’re not good enough. Not exciting enough. Not handsome enough. Well now. Now I don’t have to be good enough. Now I’m going to be powerful enough”
As he finished his speech Layla kicked up, launching the sleeping bag at his face and tangling up his arms. As soon as her foot hit the floor again she pushed off the wall. Diving across the room to the wood pile. Grabbing blindly at the back of the pile she felt her fingers close on the handle and shoved herself to her feet. Whirling around to find Jacob snarling as he ripped himself free of the fabric. Not giving him the chance to try and use the brand she stepped forward and swung, the axe burying itself into his skull with a wet thud. A second later another thud as Jacob’s body hit the floor. Stunned Layla stared at the body, blood slowly spreading in a pool. Although she’d killed the guard this felt more real, more personal, before the Chained had really been responsible, they’d tripped him, made him fall onto the weapon. That’s what she had told herself in the quiet moments. Now though, Jacob was laying with her axe in his skull purely because she had put it there. She stared at the body, feeling herself trembling.
“He deserved it, he was going to make me a slave. He was going to take my freedom” she spoke quietly to herself, repeating it over and over as she stood there. In a daze she walked over and picked up the sleeping bag from where it had been thrown against the wall. Putting it on the platform she then grabbed Jacobs backpack and the few supplies that were left lying around. Packing up the bag she found more food and water, a camping stove, a tent, matches and a small knife. She glanced at the body but couldn’t see anything useful sticking out of the pockets. Maybe a phone but she didn’t know if it would even work after everything that had happened. The only other thing was the brand, still clutched in his right hand. Grimacing, she pulled it free from his grip. The thing felt evil, determined to get rid of it as quickly as possible she strapped it to the side of the bag. Lastly she picked the bag up, putting it on. She turned and gripped her axe, closing her eyes as she pulled it free. Walking out the door and not looking back. Following the sound of the river she quickly walked to the water's edge, kneeling to dunk the axe in the river, letting the water rinse away the gore before pulling it back out. Looking up at the glimmering starlight overhead she realised she must have slept through the entire day. Searching the skyline above the trees at the edge of the clearing she eventually found what looked like the mountain she had used as a guide the day before. Putting that behind her she took a deep breath of fresh air and set off following the river downstream.
As she wandered through the night she constantly looked up at the stars. The old constellation's she knew were gone, replaced now by strange alien ones across the night sky. She smiled then as a thought hit her. She would remember those old stars, as a reminder of her suffering. But these new stars, they would be a symbol of her freedom. She stopped and stared up at them fully. Vowing there and then.
“I will never be a prisoner, I will never lose my skies and I will never lose my stars. Never again” finding some peace in her new resolution she sat down to take a drink and refill the water in the stream. The icy liquid refreshing and crisp as she thought back over the last few days, there hadn’t been any moments before to really stop and relax. She didn’t count the wash in the bothy, she’d been too exhausted to even think about what she was doing, more concerned with finishing quickly and crawling into bed. Now though she had time to really stop and think. The biggest question she had was what to do next. Even if she could find them all her old friends probably thought she was long dead. She had no family worth finding and no home to try and get back to. Even her old storage locker had probably been sold off long ago. So what to do next?
She needed power, that much was obvious. Marcus had already proved how quickly people would be turning on each other with even the tiniest measure of power. If she was going to keep her promise to herself she needed the power to back it up. Reopening her status sheet she considered the blank empty slots again. Thinking about the fact she was alone in the wilderness and would probably be running into various monsters at some point soon it was clear her biggest weakness was literally how weak she was. With barely any fitness or endurance worth mentioning anything bigger than an angry squirrel could probably take her out without much difficulty. Revisiting the other sections of her sheet didn’t provide any new answers either. The lineage section didn’t make much sense to her beyond the fact they fell into three basic categories of mind, body and soul. But what they actually did remained a mystery. And how they linked into any of the other aspects of her sheet were just as much of a mystery.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
Once more at a loss she closed out the menus, resigned to the fact that even more than her wretched physical state she was utterly without enough information to make any real decisions. She leant back against her pack, only to sit up again as the handle of the brand poked her in the shoulder. Remembering where Jacob said he had gotten it, she reopened her menus, quickly finding the option for the merchant. Hesitant to encounter the cloaked figure again she reluctantly grabbed hold of the brand and mentally clicked on the option to visit the Merchant.
With a blink she was back amongst the vibrant, colourful nebulae of the Merchants domain. As before the mysterious fixture was sealed completely beneath a cloak and despite the lack of any visible features Layla had the distinct feeling that the figure was seeing more than just her outward appearance.
“You have returned mortal. And I see your circumstances have had a marked improvement. What is it you seek from me? And what do you bring to bargain with” the Merchant spoke with an amused tone, making it clear that it already knew both of the answers. Layla held out the brand in front of her, where a bubble encapsulated it, lifting it to float between them.
“A brand. Magical as best as I can tell. Though I'm told you're the one who supplied it so you should know the details anyway” Layla couldn't keep the resentment and impatience out of her voice, despite the deep fear she held towards the Merchant. The memory of her glimpse beneath the cloak still made her shudder. “As for what I need, that's a long list. My first priority though is protection, some kind of armour would probably be best?” She said shrugging, “I'm guessing here since I have no idea what's available or even possible in this new world you've brought us into”
“Watch your tone mortal, I have great patience for bargains and haggling, it is in my nature after all, but very little for insults and contempt. Do not mistake my previous assistance for any sort of fondness, it was but a passing amusement at your surprising creativity in bargaining. That is all” the voice was thick with malice and threat, but Layla found it strangely refreshing. For the first time in a long time she was being threatened for something she actually did rather than just existing. Taking a moment to force down anger she considered her options.
“I apologise, it’s been a stressful few days. What do you have available to trade for the brand?”
“Back to business then, you are correct in assuming it is a magical tool, since it remains unused I’ll consider it’s worth equal to when I first sold it. You said you wanted armour, depending on the type you want I have several options available within the price range of the brand” as the Merchant spoke several orbs like the one which produced her axe appeared above, though instead of flickering between options these remained stable. In some there were single items, a chest piece or a pair of braces. In others there were entire outfits. The difference seemed to be in material. The most extensive options seemed to be mostly made of cloth whereas the singular items were almost all metal. “These are your primary options. There is some small room for customisation, though how much will depend on the expense of your initial selection”
Though Layla knew very little about the practicalities of armour she had a passing familiarity with it. Most of the heroes in her old stories wore it after all. The metal armour may offer better protection but it was heavy and she was far from strong enough to wear it. Maybe eventually she would be able to walk around in armour like that, but so far she'd spent more time running and dodging hits than standing and taking them. Thinking back to get last visit here she remembered making a selection that would have multiple uses. With that in mind she spoke.
“None of the metal pieces, as much as I need the protection I need to still be able to move in it more. Something light enough for me to use in my current condition” at which all of the single piece options disappeared, and several of the smaller set options that looked to be made of heavier leather. “preferably something that will offer protection from the elements as well as any monsters or weapons that come my way” several more of the bulky options disappeared, leaving only the comprehensive fabric sets that would cover her entire body, thankfully a few of them still seemed to have some reinforced sections rather than simply thick fabric.
“I must admit to being impressed. In both of your visits to me you have been both decisive in what you need and also considerate of more than simply a single requirement. My dealings with you mortals would be far more interesting if they all thought as you do” Layla smiled at the praise but her eyes remained focused on the half dozen options still in front of her. Could she narrow her needs further? What could she only get in the primary selection and what could she deal with later during the customising?
“Thank you for the compliment. Though I think I've run out of decisiveness. I don't know enough about armour or about what I'm going to need when I leave here. Perhaps you'd be willing to offer a suggestion?” Trying to project as much earnestness and flattery into her voice as possible Layla finally looked away from the choices to the Merchant standing below them. A low chuckle rang out from the hooded figure, taken aback by the unexpected noise Layla blinked, only to find a single orb remaining in front of her.
“This would be my recommendation. Battle robes of the wanderer. Highly durable, reinforced leather panels across the torso, and thinner strips along forearms and shins, minor enchantments for climate control, cleaning and self repair. It is however at the very limit of the value of the brand so unless you have something else to bargain there will be no adjustments you can make” looking over the armour as she listened to the description Layla couldn't argue with the choice, it sounded perfect for her needs. But even without making any adjustments she felt uncomfortable leaving with only the battle robes. While they had been her primary goal in coming to make a deal she still had plenty of other needs. Though she this time had supplies and possessions they were too important to bargain away. The Merchant had seemed to be amused by her last bargain, so maybe she could think outside the box again?
“I'll take the robes as they are. In exchange for the brand. But I'd like to offer you another deal. It's not anything tangible, and it's not knowledge or culture this time. I'll bargain my potential” deathly silence followed the statement. Even as the magic of the place completed the first deal. The brand disappearing into the Merchants cloak and the armour manifesting itself around her.
“A bold suggestion. Though a vague one. What exactly are you offering?” The Merchant spoke cautiously, but filled with caution and more than a hint of amusement.
“My title, the bonus I get from Frontrunner” she kept her voice firm, swallowing nervously. Only for the Merchant to laugh even louder.
“Bolder than I thought. I haven't had someone try to trade their potential for millennia. Especially from that particular title. Few who earn it find themselves in such dire straits as yourself. What would you seek in return mortal?”
“I need knowledge. Knowledge of my new world, the things that inhabit it and how it works. I also need knowledge of my axe, I don't have a tutor available so I must teach myself to use it properly” she stated her needs bluntly, she knew it wasn't exactly a smart negotiating tactic but she'd never been a salesman and being blunt about her needs had worked out well for her so far.
“A simple enough trade. Though both what you offer and what you request are more valuable than you realise.”