“You aren’t the first Hero that I’ve helped, James.”
The darkness of the void then spoke. “Lad! Are ya’ sure this hag can still fight? The Dragons have long waned in their power. We are better off going to the High Wizards and seek wisdom from them!” a thud from two clanging metal rang through the darkness as light shines.
It reveals a grand labyrinth. Under the chasm, below the depths of the home of Bahamut was a vast endless sea of Gold and Jewelry and standing above her snout was a Dwarf with his warhammer. With a long braided beard, the small red haired person stood completely frozen as he looked into the eyes of Dragon. “You fool! Do not look into the eye of a Dragon! Do you wish to ask it for battle?! This is why I often hope for you meddling aire of a species to stay within your mines!”
With her eyes panning around, Bahamut notices the person speaking with such an irritatingly high and mighty tone was an Elf wielding a longbow and a longsword. Another Elf, this one, a fair female in sparkling white robes and long white hair shushes him as the ground rumbles and the Dragon awakens. “By Mir’s tits! Elf! You better catch me!” The Dwarf then knowingly dives headfirst into the Elf with a bow.
He did not bother to catch the Dwarf in his leather and metal armor. But with magic, this made the metallic coins to hit him on the side and still track to the Elf which made a large crash.
“Who dare awaken a slumbering Dragon? What deathwish do one possess to waltz into the Labyrinth of Bahamut. To bring annoyance to my Dragon Priests and Knights?”
“I do! The Hero of Tur! Sir Greatheart of Village Gwenynth!”
Fully lifting her head, she looks down to the person covered by her snout. The impressive looking Human wore a heavily etched and engraved medium plate armor that glistens brightly in the sea of gold. He had no sword in his hand, but instead wielded a stare that even the Dragon could see the words it was saying.
“Ah, the one the Cheating God had chosen to save this world from the Ancient Chaos that wishes to bring it ruin. What have you come here for? The Dragons have long lost their time. Albion grows weaker by the year and our kin is scattered and no longer united.”
“I know, but I also know that you, Bahamut! Dragon God of the Void possesses the ability to kill immortals! I heed to you, as the representative of Man. Give us your strength in the fight against the Ancient Demon Namulgdr and destroy this abomination birthed from the world beyond that of Tur!”
“Do not make me laugh, Human. May I remind you that it is your Almighty King that took the Sword of Heirs and languished it into the volcanic pits of Mount Sprigbeorg. Afraid of what Man may do to it in the future. So now, with your ability to kill such creatures gone. You come to me, a Dragon God in slumber to ask for help? Can you even give me a tribute that could measure up to your demand?”
The Hero’s eyes didn’t dare to look away from the mammoth head of Bahamut. This made the Dragon smile as the Man kept his chin up high and his hands clenched into a fist. “My soul. I am willing to give you my soul for your service. I only ask of you to rid of this one enemy so that the path to the Demon King may be cleared and I may slay him for all of Humanity and the Sentient Species of Tur.”
“A worthy price for a worthy battle. I have long waited for such an opportunity to fight against the abomination that is Namulgdr. I accept this tribute, Hero. Greatheart, I shall partake you of this wisdom. Look to the East and see through the barbarism of the Orcs and Goblins and seek for the Valley where the Dragons once built its great gardens and pastures. There you shall find the path you’ve long been asking. Lead Namulgdr to the statue of Albion and there, I shall slay it without trouble.”
With a nod. Greatheart turns to another Knight. Branding heavier plate armor, the two men looked at each other and their eyes seemingly transmitting an idea. “Brother, you are crazy. But I respect it.”
With a blink of an eye, she finds herself taking flight. Her Dragon Knights down below give the Hero’s party a pathway through the valley as they enter through a gigantic statue of a chrome Dragon that’s etched into a mountainside. In the valley, a dark cloud trails towards the statue that guards the entrance into the ashen lands of the Dark Continent.
Dashing through the mountainside path, the Hero and his party turn around before they enter the Heart of Darkness. Before reaching into the gray lands on the other side, they could finally get a good look at it. The ancient Demon, the God Killer, Namulgdr. With a body that is akin to a gargoyle, buffed and full of muscle with four huge fiery horns and wings.
It unfurls its wings in full and dashes towards the mouth of the valley exit and a rumble comes that makes it suddenly stop. Crushing the thousands of Goblins and Trolls below it as a mighty roar is heard from the other side.
The beast, irritating to the eye of Man, Dwarven and Elven returns the scream with its roar and starts to jog forward as a head of a Dragon appears. The Hero’s Party continues down, facing another army coming from within the dark lands as Dragon Knights secure their rear. Facing down Namulgdr head on.
“Ah, the Dragon God Bahamut. The great lizard that reins over the Abyss. I never expected you to still be in the realm of the mortals. Your kind has long passed this mortal plane.”
“Namulgdr, I shall spare my breath to your abhorrent kind. Disgusting and vile in your birth. Albion had exterminated your brothers and I shall do as our God did and exterminate you from the face of Tur.”
“Ahahahahah! Come at me Dragon! As the apex of the Demonkin, you are no contender! You are a mere hump in the dirt path that I shall trample over. The Demon King will make the of Chaos return! That Man will never reach the Ring that controls the Twelve Pillars. The greed of Man shall be its own downfall. Easy to corrupt and ruin as their soul are fragile and meek to creatures beyond their lowly eyes.”
“I do not think so, Namulgdr. It's best if you don’t look down on them. You yourself should know, being a King of Man in one long story in ages now forlorn in the abandoned crevices of vast libraries. How does it feel to live with hundreds of Dragon hearts that you’ve eaten, all fighting to be freed from your useless coil?”
“Of course it's a Dragon that would defend these anghrals. Made in the image of dirt and nothingness, they are to achieve nothing and we, made in the image of the Stars and its endless reach, shall rule supreme. We do not bring misery, but the truth of the vastness that engulfs the tiny speck that is Tur.”
“Pfft. You talk alot for a dead Demon Dragon. I wonder if you scream like your cousins that I cleansed eons ago. Do not let your ego get in front of your teeth. Abomination. It is a Dragon's duty to exterminate and genocide all of your kin and I am not one to shy away from my favourite past time.”
“Hah. You talk as if the Dragons influence still lingers as strong as it was before. Your kind has long passed. Sad, for a species the Gods of Misery, Hatred, and Anger had long respected. This is how you end up. Pets and useful idiots to bipedal creatures lesser than you. Such a sad fall of a graceful species.”
She turns her head to look at the Hero’s Party, valiantly moving forward to the Ashen Lands. “Dragons do not fall. We rise to the occasion.”
Back in the coffee shop, Bahamut starts to loudly sip from her coke paper cup. “So don’t be afraid. What you are feeling is something anyone would feel with such a burden brought upon their shoulders.” James was completely enamored by her story. His sparkling blue eyes were in awe and his face, giddy and happy. “What a beautiful story! To know that even in Tur, Mankind rose to the challenge of the world!”
“Mankind seeks power to enrich itself. If something was to endanger that, no matter what it is. They’ll rise against it. His Hero party wasn’t the first you know? The original one went back to their respective hometowns as undead. Controlled by the Witch of their party.”
“But still, even after such a fate of those great men and women. The Man of Tur came back swinging as they say, right?”
“They did.” The Prince’s smile even grew wilder as he held Bahamut’s hands. “E-Eh?!” he leans in forward and nods his head. “Hm! With this I shall fight against the Outer Gods with even more vigor! I herald you even more now Goddess! You truly are like the Gods in the story of old, aiding and helping the Hero of the day in his treacherous journey! Giving stories full of lessons and wisdom to those in need!”
Bahamut though just lets go of his grip and sips her cup of coke. Looking at the other cafe goers, many just kept to themselves as they buried their heads into their laptops and tablets. She could easily feel the leering eyes of the Grand Prince, admiring the sides of her face as she looked to the left, the clear and clean contour that leads to her sharp chin, the seamless arc of her nose to her forehead. His blue eyes sparkled at the sight of the Dragon.
It was akin to a man admiring a work of art, one whose beauty strikes the very soul of the person looking at it. The loud sound of Bahamut sipping the coke not even bothering him as he sighed and turned to the players minding their business. “It strikes me.” her golden eyes shift to the right, looking at him at the edge of her peripherals. “Humans in a world where there is only Man has made a society that’s full of abundance yet, I wonder why they haven’t achieved some sort of celestial ascension that would make us akin to the Angels or Gods.”
The handsome blonde man turns to the flatscreen TV on the wall, televising some combat footage from Schon which then switches to a commercial ad for a Medicine Guild that’s selling some brand new potions. “I do wonder if this is the life that we, the Man of Threa should look towards. It's secure, everything is in abundance, men and women live lives without having to look out for predators or demons.”
This made the Dragon lift an eyebrow as the Grand Prince had a more solemn feel to him. “I’ve been here for two weeks now, and I find it… not great… the Men of this place, they aren’t fighting to survive from Demons outside, but from Demons inside. So many, lost and clueless.”
Bahamut just gently places her paper cup down to the wooden table, resting her cheek on the palm of her hands. “I think the words of Master will come in handy.” The Grand Prince lifts his chin. “He once told me that his generation got so bored of living a life without purpose or reason that they started World War Three.” She then had a small cute giggle. “It's funny, Master tells me so many of them go to Tur to take the title of Chosen One to escape and run away, but when they are removed from the choice, they run back to these cities to live their miserable lives.”
“... Many Scholars in the Holy See often debate in why Humans are still the top population of Vitas, but I believe that like the people of this city, they much prefer security, a life of mediocrity rather than a life where everyday, you are afraid of death. I do not blame them, but at the same time, I wish the people of this city and of Earth may find purpose to such a life.” looking at Bahamut, she has her entire body facing him. Her eyes are not going anywhere, completely fixated on the Human. “Hm. You truly are special.”
Tilting her head, her eyes slowly squinted at him and then remained as she grabbed her paper cup. “Do you believe that Evil must be punished?” This made his eyes open wide as she swirled her cup. “As a Goddess, it is my duty to free damned souls and punish those who go against the cycle of life. To do what is unnatural to their purpose.”
“No. I vehemently go against the idea of punishing those who do Evil. What is our difference to them then? I may never know nor hope to feel the burden of a Divine, but in my eyes and from what my teacher had taught me. Those who do Evil are defeated not to be punished, but to be given the guidance to see the light and the wrong of their ways in hopes that they may help the community, then destroy it.”
This gave Bahamut a smirk as she looked at his blue eyes, reaching into his very soul. “Hope… You Humans always surprise me. Such… a bountiful sea of swimming dreams and restless pursuit. Even in Master, a generation raised on peace, liberal, opulent. and love never became satisfied and reached out for more.” James became frozen on his seat, as the face of Bahamut seemingly began to enlarge as it got closer and closer. “What drives your soul? What is the machination that pushes Men to strive for something greater even in a world of control? Why do you seek the uncontrollable when none of you have any hopes of surpassing nor understanding it?”
Her face has completely taken up his entire view, though none of the players were reacting, all silently sitting on their tables, doing their business. “The Trov, once blind followers of the Dragons as they walked out of the forests, with two legs and two hands, they ate up the land, conquered and destroyed chaos with us. Yet we never figured your kind out and before we knew it, we are the ones who are now blindly following you.”
“I don’t believe that, Goddess. You aren’t blind when you see the man you love. You see him whole, for all of his perfection and imperfections.” Bahamut is then sitting down neatly in her seat as another cup of coke was brought to her. “I might know Master, but after coming here, his future has become unreadable. I am no different from the Knights that fought with us in the War that ended the Age of Dragons. I am following Master into the unknown. Though I may be more enlightened than most, I can only see so far without the Gods noticing me.”
“It makes me happy to know such a beautiful creature like you is on our side.”
“What?”
“Nothing. Shall we depart?”
He stands up and proceeds to gentlemanly aid Bahamut in exiting her chair. Looking at her, he nods at her more modern ensemble. The V neck white shirt blouse with the long collar and pencil skirt with the black Eldwood General Leather Overcoat, she looked dashingly attractive and intimidating yet being a bit taller than her, he couldn’t help but see her differently. “I never had the moment to say this. But you look very cute in that attire. They call that a choker, yes? I love how you put that beloved Emerald Brooch of yours there.”
This made the Dragon smirk and cross her arms as she held her coke paper cup. “Heh. Nice isn’t it? Even Master said it looks great on me. Mars really knows her thing when it comes to Human fashion!” He nods in agreement and proceeds to open the door for her as she breathes in the summer air just as a city bus passes by. “Bweh! What?! Why is it polluted?!” She had to drink her coke and breathe out as the Prince bowed and gestured for her to step forward to the street. Pointing her downwards to the seaside.
Walking along the concrete sidewalk, the Dragon gets a ping on her phone. Taking it from the pocket of her skirt. She fans her face as a bus full of players drives past her. “Paul J. Has added you to a Group Chat: Dead Hand Party”. Scanning her thumb, the smartphone opens and she checks the chat and the woman just has a blank expression on her face as they reach the bottom of the block where the rushing water crashes on the wall.
And on the right was the golden beach of Woodstock, still active and alive even with all of the news and problems lingering in the world.
“Paul J.
Bahamut. Be sure to be here at the 8-gon by 4 or 5.
And hello everyone! Welcome to the official Dead Hand
Group Chat!
Elizabeth B. has renamed herself to Q. Elizabeth M.B.H.V.
1. Elizabeth M.B.H.V.
My Lord, what does wtf mean? Is this some expression that
I am far too unsophisticated to decipher? Countess, explain.
Alana M.
WTF - What The F*ck. An Human expression meaning of shock
due to the current event unfolding in front of them.
Paul J.
What she said. But where are you finding these words?
Don’t tell me you're getting into forums or social media sites.
Alana M.
Thank you, Mi Lord. I do say it's very “LIT” to be using
this device.
1. Elizabeth M.B.H.V.
Also, Dragon.
Paul J.
Alana, no need to censor yourself.
this is a private chat and again,
where are you people finding
these words from?
Alana M.
Oh, Mi Lord. I just prefer not to curse even in
a conversation through this device.
Paul J.
Now that I have thought about it. I haven’t once heard
you curse.
1. Elizabeth M.B.H.V.
Dragon, be sure to come here by the exact hour. Be not late.”
Bahamut not once replied and left them all with a notification that she had seen their messages. “Goddess?” Her attention was then taken by the Prince. Making her return the smartphone into her pocket as it kept ringing as messages continued to flow through the group chat. “Nothing. I just need to be at the 8-Gon by five.”
“Ah, no worries. I know a bus that takes you exactly there. Do you wish for me to escort you to the station?”
“We still have a few hours left. Don’t worry yourself.”
As the two walked along the seaside view, there they got a perfect image of the golden beach of Woodstock and the Pier that reaches out to the sea. “To think Humanity could reach such marvels. What do you think, Goddess?” Before she could reply, her phone once again kept on shaking inside her pocket.
“Paul J.
Okay, seriously tho. Wtf is on with these fucking
paperwork?!
1. Elizabeth M.B.H.V.
My Lord, have you seen the prices of food here?!
It's absurd! Can we ask the Guild to retain some
tax money for us?
Alana M.
Mi Lord, I have arrived at the Logistics Wing.
May I ask about how this fax machine works?
Paul J.
Heck no. that’s some ancient shit
Ask someone from there.
Alana M.
As you wish, Mi Lord.
1. Elizabeth M.B.H.V.
What is it with the men of this place?
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Do they not see my beauty?
Why are they avoiding me?
I do not get the gaze here. It's as if I am an
entity to be frightened!
Paul J.
Elizabeth, can you try to simmer down the whole Royalty act?
I’m just saying. You can be a bit overwhelming at times.
1. Elizabeth M.B.H.V
Preposterous! A woman of my caliber needs to be in such a state!
What else would I be if not the purest of the Vampires?
Shant I not need to be of dost great presence? Thy gaze
Paul J.
Elizabeth.
1. Elizabeth M.B.H.V
As you order, My Lord. I might don my turtleneck shirt then!”
Paul J.
Beth, Bahamut, if you need money.
Just say it. We have DigiCoins.
Woodstock has graciously offered me like 25k lol
Seen by Bahamut, Q. Eliza, Alana M.
Paul J.
Don’t get any other ideas.
All of you. We need to spend responsibly
Unless we wanna end up like fatso gov.
Alana M.
Mi Lord, I shall take a bit of leave and look around
Mayhaps a place to practice or enjoy my time.
Paul J.
No problemo. get a taxi from the main gate
its the south gate btw.”
Looking up from her phone, she notices that the Grand Prince has approached an ice cream vendor. He turns his head to her and gestures for the woman to come near him. “Goddess, What do you want?” Looking at the selection, she picks the Chocolate Chip flavor while he picks up the Vanilla with strawberry syrup added on top.
The ice cream man couldn’t believe his eyes, looking at both his customers and refusing to take the Heroes’ money but James pushes it and with the innocent smile of the man, he takes it but in return, makes sure to give both of them an extra scoop. “Since you still have some time, Goddess. May you walk with me to the beach?”
Bahamut was already busy licking her way through the ice cream and only changed her direction to the beach which the Grand Prince smiles at and the two of them walk on the seaside view.
With a lively atmosphere of the players, many just sitting by the golden sands, others playing volleyball and magic ball while others just kept to themselves, walking on the pedestrian lane that’s flanked by the bike lane. With multiple kites flying high in the skies, the duo just stood at the base of the stairs as a bunch of teenages rushed past them. Almost grazing Bahamut’s ice cream. “Oh! Are you fine, Goddess?” she just shrugs them off and continues to go lick in her leisure. “Looks like they came from there.”
Pointing at a sewer tunnel with its entrance filled with players, Bahamut lifts an eyebrow. Before he could even make a comment, she started walking towards it, making him trail her closely.
“Ahahahaha! Come on! Go in! You're a sorcerer aren’t you?” the player holding a staff that’s in the middle of the group shakes his head. “What do you mean?! I can’t summon anything that can defend me from ghosts!”
“Ghosts?” The group of teenage boys turn their eyes to the two magnificent duo, with Bahamut’s face and figure instantly gaining all their full fledged attention. In unison, they cried out a slow “Woaaahh…” as she smirked and crossed her arms. “Explain to me what you meant by that?”
One of the teenagers with a shortsword that’s sheathed in its leather scabbard points into the well maintained sewer entrance. “A Cleric told us not to go near this place a few days ago since the Mana in the area became unstable and it might be-.” This made the Dragon squint a little. “Because of an anomaly. Alright, scram you little meat scrap youngins’.” She flicks her finger and a small shockwave was emitted, making the teenagers run in panic.
Now able to observe the tunnel, she nods and finishes her chocolate ice cream. Eating the cone in a matter of a second. The Grand Prince closes his eyes and swallows his maple syrup vanilla ice cream but in his hubris, his brain froze. “Haaaah… are you a dimwit or just stupid?” The tip of Bahamut’s finger touches his shirt’s sleeve, clearing his mind fully. “W-wow! Than-” hearing the footsteps echo in the tunnel, the blonde man hurries inside.
Walking a hundred meters, the Dragon stopped and looked toward the ceiling, the Grand Prince looking with his eyes checking on every corner. The concrete tunnel itself is extremely well lit, with the LED wall lamps being only 1 meter away from each other, lighting up every possible corner with a full white shine. The water going in the middle wasn’t also particularly dirty though the smell left much to be desired.
“Goddess, may I ask why would you do this? A single ghost surely cannot be that much of a trouble.”
“Ghosts that linger in a place for long could cause mischief or even death… or worse, attract other ghosts to possibly demons.”
“Demons huh, now that’s something I can handle.”
With a hand on her hip, she turned around and stared at the Prince. “And ghosts?” he just gave a non confident smirk which made her sigh. “At Least Master can handle ghosts. Well, don’t move. It's right around us right now.” This made his eyes open wide as he looked at the walls and the floor.
Bahamut though just strolls along the tunnel wall and on a random spot on the concrete, she puts her hand into it and pulls out a translucent woman in a white gown. Her body is completely mangled with blood splattered on her tattered clothes and her hair a complete mess. James’ face seemed as if it was on the verge of fainting but he managed to collect himself as the Dragon held it by the neck.
“Change your appearance into something more palatable to my Human companion.” unable to talk, the ghost does as ordered and shifts into her intact self. That of an elegant lady with a golden circlet that held a green sapphire on her long black flowing hair as she donned a gown full of frills and the silver jewelry around her neck shone brightly as it was pointed at the light. “I will release my grip from you now, but don’t try to run.” With a nod, Bahamut opens her hand making the ghost gasp for air.
“PHWAAHHH! By the Gods, Dost not know a lady’s proper treatment?”
“Speak normally, or do you want me to trap you?”
“Okay! Okay! I’ll speak in modern common!”
“Good. Now, what awakened you?”
“I… Uhhh… it's only been a year but I was just a formless soul a few days ago.”
“And what killed you? You seem to be a strong soul to persist like this.”
“A Coven of Witches, Lady.”
This made Bahamut and James turn to each other and then back at the floating translucent lady. “You see… My baby daughter was stolen from me and my husband was out in a campaign. I had to collect what Knight and soldier remained to save her. But my baby Clarisse was already long gone when I reached this place.” The Dragon then began to linger around a bit, touching the walls and the flooring as the Grand Prince observed the ghosts’ gown.
I… Uhhh.. well, a Coven of Witches was more powerful than I expected. Poor Sir Knight’s Errant of mine. He was the first to die.” she then inverts herself as she looked at James. “Oh, you seem familiar.”
“Yes! I am Grand Prince James Sigured of Dragovh.”
“Sigured? You of the Royal Lineage of James?”
“Yes.”
“OHHH! By the Gods! If only you came here a few hundred years earlier! My poor daughter…” She couldn’t help but materialize her legs and feet, kneeling before the mortal Hero before her. “Please stand up, the dead not need to bow to those who live.”
“I apologize, I am a Noblewoman of Gareth, I was formerly a Countess, a strong Magician too. But my folly came in taking on an entire Coven without an army.” Bahamut though stands up, crushing a pebble with her fingers as James lifts his fingers up his chin. “I find it hard to believe though that there could be a Coven in Geraldia. The patrols of the Holy See, Gareth, and the Elves would’ve made it impossible.”
“Oh, but they used some form of illusion magic, ancient sort to fool everyone. I figured it out after I accidentally uncovered some bones in the valley forest.” She then makes a sigil on the floor, the Grand Prince looking away at it. “They had a sacrifice circle the size of the city above me back then.”
“Ah, interesting. Ghost, tell me, have you destroyed it? Or have any of your men killed the Witches?”
“I… do not know sadly. It’s also Lady Delna for your information. I am not a ghost! I am the beloved silver beauty of Gareth!”
“Hmmmm… and their house?”
“House? Oh, they live in a large tent on a hill. I think there’s an old timey town there now but my form is very restrictive to the city.” James though, still keeping his distance, lifts his hand. “May I ask why you picked this place?” she just sat on the floor and crossed her legs. “I like the view… and scaring children is fun. For boys most of all, it develops their much needed confidence.”
“Lady Delna, if I may ask.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.”
“Are you sure these are Witches?”
“What else could they be? The merchants who pass by the Kassrine Pass just South of his city often tell tales of Witches here who kidnap babies or pups or kittens to crush into paste and would mix some dark powder in a mortar and pestle to be thrown into the circle and talk to the cosmic Gods." This made the Prince’s hands clench into a fist. “I am truly naive. Witches nowadays are merely just a word for undocumented and unlicensed Mages. Thank you, Lady Delna. May I know how your soul can be freed then?”
She bows to the Prince and turns to Bahamut. “Can you do it, gorilla lady? I’d like to meet my daughter again. I’m sure my husband is with her now. He must’ve been devastated to know our only offspring and the wife he loved so much died while he was away.” the Dragon’s eyes just squinted as she crossed her arms at the ghost. “Go-... grrrr… Payment first.”
“Goddess!” Bahamut just tilts her head towards the Prince and it has a smirk on her face. “What? I am not gonna go and grant someone passage to the Abyss and then to your paradise without something in return.” James then rummages through his pockets till he suddenly smiles and turns around. Using magic, he finds himself holding a Royal Ruby which the Black Dragon drools at. “S-S-Shiinnnyy…”
“Is this payment enough for Lady Delna’s soul?” the Dragon nods and reaches her hand out to the ghost as she keeps her attention at the jewelry. “Grab my hand, remember the faces of your daughter and husband and then look up.” doing as it's told, the ghost then extends her hand slowly but stops midway and looks at the Prince. “Great Prince, please watch out for the coming Witches’ Sabbath. I know it's coming, the snow has just disappeared and the day is slowly becoming like that.” She then gently laid her small lanky hand on Bahamut making her suddenly glow intensely and with a blink of an eye, she was gone.
The Prince though knelt and grabbed a small wooden Sword Cross from his neck. “May Deus Vrax empower your soul, Lady Delna. He will surely guide your passage as he did with many other souls.” he kisses the wooden sword and stands up. “Goddess, was that part of her remembering her family a requirement?” She shrugs her head as she turns back to the tunnel entrance. “No. My spirit magic is perfect, I can send her away without that but… Master tells me in his culture, ghosts are often relatives visiting you and it's good to send them off with a smile.”
James had a big wide smile on his face as his cheeks turned beet red but he promptly shakes his head and lowers his upper body, hand in back and another outward. “Goddess, may we continue our beachside stroll?” she smiles and nods, putting the ruby into a portal as both of them walk back to the beach.
A few hundred meters down the beach, the Countess exits out of the Pier with a flier in her hand for a dance practice studio for rent called Night Fever. Located Downtown, Vittorio Street, the sparkly piece of paper had the price marked for 60 Gold Coins per day for a shared studio.
With this, she pulls out her smartphone and presses the camera app. As she poses for a selfie, the back camera automatically adjusts the lighting and mood and with a press of a button, the picture is taken. “Oh my, I know I look quite cute and wonderful but this device really elevates my facial contours!” She once again does this, this time making the foreign Sun to hit her on a 90 degree angle. The players passing by just smiled at the sight of the Vampire trying all sorts of directions for the camera to make her look the best.
After some pictures, she nods at herself and proceeds down to the main street. Her head down on the phone, sending the pictures of the groupchat which Jackson would always heart without skipping a beat. “Heh. He’s so easy to please.”
With the light turning red, the Countess crosses the road, noticing the majority of the players at that afternoon were Elves, though the occasional Human would appear, they outnumbered them by a mile.
All of the sudden, a patrolling officer pulls out a wooden Wand from his holster, shooting it up in the sky. The Countess instinctively steps aside from the curb as a wooden wardrobe that’s ridden by a Human Mage wearing a moving company uniform complete with the safety vest sighs as the cop pulls up to the side of his flying furniture.
“Sir, you are aware that only Brooms, Lage Sticks, and Living Mounts are the only ones allowed to fly without regulation from the Guild Act of Vehicle Flight Rights.”
“Look, the moving company forgot this! The client is some big honcho who just moved to Uptown! You gotta let me go, I’m closing in on the time out and we don’t get paid OT this week!”
“Uh huh, license and Mage registration.”
“Ehhhh…. Vanilla or the Mages Association?”
“Either one is fine.” The cop then pulls out his ticket and starts writing down on it as the player just had an endless amount of sigh to give. Though on the edge of his view, he notices the beautiful woman with long black hair in a bright coloured top and tight jeans walking away. “Yeah, she’s hot but you better pay on time.” The player hands him his documents. “How much if I fight this in Court?”
Entering the innards of the city, Alana arrives at a lightly graffitied bus stop where she reads the Metropolitan Transport Authority’s differently colored routes with one of them heading to Downtown, the purple line with the next bus arriving just a few minutes from now.
With some moment passing, a police pick up truck comes out of the street she was from, carrying the wooden wardrobe and heading directly to the hilly part of town. With a smile on her face, the bus arrived which was relatively clean and the players inside were all busy with earphones on or just left with themselves to admire the concrete jungle outside the thick glass with the news on the TV playing. “Tonight, expect some possible light rain. I’ve done the Weather Check spell three times today and it's been fluctuating, so do carry a small umbrella just in case.”
Paying the single gold coin, she takes a seat near the center as the bus drives off to a main street, making a turn to the right as the bustling metropolis prepares for another night and thanks to the moment she took the ride being far from when everyone times out of there job, the ride was relatively traffic free and crossed the bridge to Downtown before it hit 4 o'clock in the afternoon.
As she looked to the left, the massive industrial belt was in full swing. Rusty fences with trailer trucks parked inside as Dwarven players waddled around in their thick fireproof uniforms and helmets and the train horns blare deep inside the yards whilst the road became bumpy with small to large potholes and badly made patchworks.
The bus once again takes a right turn, this time entering a section of Downtown where dilapidated warehouses sat, with broken windows and veins eating up its walls and doors, the trash were also now more apparent, with the sidewalks being so badly maintained the cracks were large enough for her heels to fall into.
Though she felt an odd sense of peace, with the air condition of the bus blasting on top of her head as she laid her pale face on the window, hands on top of her thigh and the suspension bouncing lightly as the yellow tint of the late afternoon ate up the bright blue of the midday. “Approaching Downtown Center. We’re turning around from here due to military convoys cutting the route to the airport transit station.”
Lifting her head, she turns to the left where lines upon lines of restaurants were, many of them being Italian or Greek themed, with pizzeria’s going as far she could see through the many blocks. Gripping the steel pole, she unfolds the flier she got and upon the sight of the green plate of Vittorio Street, she presses the stop button and the bus knelt to the right and the doors open. “Thank you.” The driver just looked at the interior mirror and gave her a tip of his hat as the girl soaks in the hot afternoon sun on the cracked sidewalk. With a no parking sign, she leans her body on top of its pole and reads the flier once again, pointing at a basement door that’s on the main street itself.
Looking down on the street, one of the fire hydrants was opened and a bunch of children were playing with a Dwarf holding a torque wrench resting his elbow on top of the red pump with a gleeful smile on his face. Alana though had no choice but to step to the street a bit though the parked cars were getting more and more. Many of them being early 2000s models and lacking in much maintenance or wash, with windows seeming like they haven’t been thoroughly cared for in decades.
Walking down, many of the players noticed the slim figure of the Countess, with a dignified walk as her hips swayed in her tight jeans and her long lanky arms going up as she stretched it and went around the fire hydrant and into the sidewalk once again. The wet pavement with the cracked concrete is not enough to make her lose her balance as she finally arrives at the place.
The small neon sign is a bit tilted and the large arrow that points to a staircase that leads to a glass door wasn’t as inviting as she envisioned it. Though with a smile still on her face, she heads down and enters the basement establishment.
Already, her nose is riddled with the smell of the ancient carpet and wallpaper, with a Human on the reception desk, wearing a loose shirt with huge collars and a pair of disco bell bottoms and leather shoes on him. “Good afternoon, ma’am. Would you like to rent?” she nods, handing him the flier she got. “Ah, then what room would you like? Or would you prefer your own studio? We have five and two are available. You can pay via Coins, Cash, or QR code.”
“I’d like to do a personal studio, QR code please, thank you.” he nods and hands her a piece of paper with the code on it. She then began to type, her head lowered and her fingers busy tapping on the screen. “With your figure and posture, I guess you do ballet?” Alana looks up to him and then down with a smile to her. “Yes, I do. For over a few hundred years now.” he nods and rests his elbow on the counter. “May I ask what ballet do Vampires do here?”
“Ah, we do Romantic Ballet but for those truly skilled, individuals can practice Elizabethan Ballet which is one of the hardest forms.”
“Oh, please have mercy on the dance floor then.”
“Ahahahah, worry not. It’s known for this grace and ethereal performance, a showcase of our endless youth and beauty, the other worldly figure we hold and showcase to this realm.”
“Hmmmm…” with his strong chin and broad shoulders, the receptionist does an old hustle dance, stylishly showing off the old disco days that he would’ve long not been alive to see nor would his parents. “May I interest you in our weekend lessons for New York and Latin Disco Hustle Dances? It's akin to the traditional dance of Woodstock and the Men of the Woods.”
This made the Countess tilt her head and with a squint of an eye, she stopped tapping on her phone for a moment. “I shall think about it. I typically do not stay in a place for long, so I believe it might be a waste of effort.” he nods as she puts the phone over the QR code and it scans. “Alright, please follow me to the studio.”
Strutting down the hallway, the TV was on in one of the lobbies that separates shared dance floors from personal ones and on it, showed an inauguration of a specialized Platoon of Lizard Players being brought into service for the military. To her surprise, her Lord is on TV with Elizabeth in the back sitting by herself as he stood up to inspect the new soldiers of the UN.
It then shows him returning back to the stage and after shaking hands with the Governor and the new Colonel in charge, he sits back down on the chair with the red scaled reptilian humanoid lifting his cavalry saber and with a swing, the new specialized platoon marches away and the program changes the broadcast to a table with four players sitting at one side only. “My… I wonder what they’ll be used for? They can climb walls and swim, right?”
Sitting back inside his personal office inside the 8-Gon, the massive structure and its separating quadrants to represent the many departments of the military with his, on the Department of Logistics top floor, the red scaled Reptilian humanoid in his green dress uniform, specialized to fit his odd body salutes to Jackson with his four fingered claws as Elizabeth was busy in the back moving paperwork as he signed some things on his table.
“Alright Colonel Riley, I hope your deployment goes well.” The Reptilian man didn’t stop saluting as the General lifted an eyebrow at his posture. Leaning forward to his table, elbows on top, Jackson sighs. “What? Speak freely, only Elizabeth is here.”
“Sir, permission to be sent immediately to the frontlines.” This made the General facepalm. “We don’t want to be sent dealing with the Rogues, Werewolves are easy prey for us. Send us inside Vitas like what Rostock did when it tried to invade from the North.” Jackson then swallows his saliva as he leans back and looks at the player. “I can do that… maybe attach you to a friend of mine, General Trevor and his Black Ops Skeletons… yet, why should I do this? Your orders, sent from Iron Mountain itself, state that your duty will be Counter Insurgency.”
“Sir, I don’t feel like we’ll be able to truly help the cause by doing this. I believe the entire Regiment is better off fighting where it truly counts.”
“Tsk.” He then leans to the side, looking at Elizabeth. “You know Elizabeth, I wouldn't mind if you went with Alana. You just walked around the perimeter of the 8-Gon and came back."
"My Lord, with how much you are risking and paying just so that I may be free. My pride and ego will simply not allow it for you to be alone." She then stands straight up, hands together in front of her. “And as your adjutant, why must I not be at your side always?”
"Heheheh, thank you and all but you shouldn't really worry too much about me. I'm just doing my job as a man… look at Riley here all hopped up in the war fervor."
"And as your servant, nay, woman. It is my natural duty to show you my utmost support, loyalty, fealty and faith. Staying by your side is naturally my obligation… and the prices of food here… it appertains to me to be a broader problem with the logistics of food."
“Didn’t they mention something about a bit of a problem on the great plains or something?” the Reptilian Colonel lifts his hand. “Speak.”
“Yes sir. It’s between a Vampire and Werewolf Guild, both of them seemed to have been fighting before the transfer to this world and their personalities had been warped enough that they continued to fight.” This made him nod. “Mhm… that Governor did mention something when we arrived… hmmm… nonetheless, Colonel. With your request…”
“Elizabeth, what do you think? Should I let this young man in his armored body go and murder some people in Vitas?”
“For myself, My Lord. I am a bit astonished by his petrifying courage to fight, but I do wonder if he has enough actual combat experience to justify the escalation to a deployment to the Kingdom of the Dark.”
“Mhm… then how about this. Under her consideration, I’ll go ahead and have you sent under Trevor’s command.” This made the Colonel smile but Jackson wasn’t done. “After you accomplish three Counter Insurgency missions. Do that, and I’ll get you and your men transferred.” He then stands up, putting his hands behind his back as he walks to the player. “I hoped that you would prefer doing small work before the End Times comes, but just be ready when you're exhausted and the thing happens.”
“Don’t worry sir, we’ll get behind enemy lines no matter what.” Jackson had a smirk to his face as he giggled. “Behind enemy lines? Colonel, you’ll be sent to the frontlines alongside the skeleton grunts. Do you expect special forces to perform DRG work in the midst of an all out war?” the General just sits on the sofa, spreading his arms and legs. “You’ll be like those poor SEAL Team dudes my unit killed at the start of the Turkey campaign. They got accidentally spotted by a UAV drone and my tanks shelled them six kilometers away.”
“Sir, we’re facing against a horde that has commanders in the rear. I am sure it will happen.”
“Wrong. If Elizabeth herself knows she can’t stand up against those Commanders, what more with a player like you? Level Seventy? I am Two Hundred and multiple times did I escape by the inch of my life. Unless you are a Hero Class, you’ll be charging with the skeletons against enemy units and fortifications.” This made the Reptile swallow as he kept his hand in salute. “Do you still want to be sent into Vitas?”
“Yes sir! I hope we could at least do good work and slow it down atleast.”
"Alright then. But don't say I didn't warn you. Dismissed, Colonel. I hope you do well in the field. I expect much from the species that ended the Age of the Dragons and freed Humans from their absolute control.” He walks in front of the Reptile, standing easily at around 9 ft tall and salutes the player. He then turns around and bows his head at Elizabeth as his armored feet made loud clacks on the floor and to the hallway.
With a sigh, he returns back to his leather seat and looks at the stuff he still has to do. “You could be enjoying your time dancing with Alana or something. The issue with the Lizard Question has been a long debated topic and this is a very ballsy move."
“My Lord, why are they called Lizards when that person was a Reptile?”
“Their anatomy is actually a mix of both with a bit of Dragon and Human.” He spins his leather chair around to the window. “Oftentimes, they're just being used interchangeably. It’s a way better and common name than Varapien and calling them Dragon is either gonna make them super happy or super angry.”
“Varapien, My Lord?”
“That’s the name of their Species. A creation of a Dark Dragon God who sided with the Devil in the Age of Chaos. If only Bahamut was here. She could probably recount some first hand experience with those times, though she’d still be a Dragon Lord of sorts. There sub variants is on there colors.”
“And I noticed My Lord, how come the Yellow and Green coloured ones are only regulated to one to each squadron?”
“Green Scale means they are adept at Healing and General Magic they also don’t possess a spiky back, Yellow means Sorcerer and Forward Scout and only has horns. Basically the Combat Medic and Scout Sniper for their specialized role.”
“Ah, and the red one, My Lord?”
“The warrior or Rubrum Varapien, and the most numerous of their kind. Spiky back and big horns like the Colonel there while also having the thickest scales. Not much mana though.” He once again spins his leather chair around, facing the room.
“They are invulnerable to most kinds of fire, poison and can hold their breath for a long time while having the ability to swim.” With a sigh, he rests his elbow on the table. “Though blunt force trauma is their weakness alongside psychic magic, there are also extremely few. Most of the people that picked their species are from the West so aside from the VPN thing, they also don’t come online at peak times.”
“I am more intrigued by the equipment they possess. Those vests, they don’t have metal inside them, don’t they?”
“No. Their level seventy, their scales could easily shrug off rifle rounds… and it would be annoying to have to make entirely new kevlar-like plates just for them. Their uniforms and helmets are already a super unique thing to only their Regiment. Good thing they don’t need boots.”
Elizabeth then picks up the last stack of paperwork and places it on a cart and rings the bell and she elegantly sits down on the sofa, admiring the glass table with multiple telephones on it and the small map of the city. The main container port and harbor link was far off from the city, nearing the valley territory while the airport was located on the other side and also far off from the main city itself. “My Lord, my tomb is also here, right?” he nods. “Yeah, after the rocket launch. It was transported here alongside some other tombs that were found.”
She stands up and smiles at him. “What?” his eyes widened immediately and the General just had an empty expression to him. “What’s inside those tombs and why were they found on each of the twelve floors?” She then stood up, hip on hand and leaned down for her head to be at level with his. “Their my Royal Assassin Squad.” This made Jackson sigh heavily and breathe in. “No.”
“Come on, My Lord. I can do so much if I could have One by my side again." She then sat on the grand chair in front of his table, pushing it as close to the table as possible. “It’s not that I don’t trust you. My problem is what damage they could cause. It’s all gonna go back to us, me, you, Alana, and Bahamut.”
“Pfft. Worry not My Lord. They don’t dare to perform anything beyond what is instructed. When idling, they perform Maid duties to my Castle and Manors.” He nodded at her but kept his body steady even though she was all smiles and an air of positivity was exuding off of her. “Oh and My Lord, since I know you like beautiful women, I believe their lineage of being former Royals will suit your fine taste.”
“AHEM AHEM.” Though blushing, his fake coughs made the Queen laugh. “I… I… Won’t allow it still. I need more information before I sign off on this.” Elizabeth though was more than entertained by his reaction. “Haaaah… My Lord, your soul truly makes me happy. You’ve seen and touched our naked bodies countless of times by now, and to think you’d still react like a boy.”
“Wha-what do you mean-” He immediately catches on and he smiles back at her with a spiteful grin. “That’s not going to work. Not today. I’ve slept long and fine on that plane and my head is intact and blasting in all cylinders.” This made the Queen intrigued as she placed her arms on the table. “My… Oh my… you’ve grown, My Lord. But that just makes you more tastier in my eyes.”
He catches a glimpse of her emerald eyes which made him swipe his face away. “Grk. You're really good.” She then changes seats to the one nearest to his peripherals as he puts his hands inside his pockets. “You know, My Lord… if you want… you could spend a night with…” this made him lift his hands up his ears. “LA LA LA, I CAN’T HEAR. LA LA LA.”
Looking in front of him, she has disappeared from the guest seats making him lower his hands. “With all twelve of them, including me, the Countess and Bahamut.”
He sighs, lifting his hands up as if a gun was pulled at the back of his head. “I’ll see what I can do.” This made the Queen smile and kissed him on the top of his head as she returned to the guest seat. “Thank you, My Lord. Don’t worry, it will be worth your while truly.”
“Haaah… what do you plan to use them for anyways? We made this far with the Internal Bureau though they have there shortcomings.”
“Looking at it now, My Lord. Everyone is busy doing something. A bit of an extra hand won’t hurt, most of all, the problem you're foreseeing with the two Guilds fighting on the Great Plains. I believe the Governor might have us do something.”
“Haaah… you are right… I can feel it off that fatso’s arrogant smile. To send the UN on two troublemaking Guilds… Can’t he just hire mercenaries? The Hunters should be available and that’s literally their specialization.”
“It’s a statement, My Lord. He’ll also show those against him that he has the power to move armies and order Generals if he asks for it. It might also be a method for the city to be threatened and not try anything rash for the time being.”
“You're onto something. Since you want this, can you please get me some papers for this. I’ll make up an excuse that it's what the UN can do to apologize to you.” She stands up and leans on the wooden desk, kissing him on the cheek as she seductively struts along the room and to the hallway. “Vampires are truly scary.”