Chapter 46: The Mysterious Stranger

Name Amelie Class Mage I, Lvl 4 Marks 1 Guild SevenBanes SD 984

“He’s back,” said Amelie, looking over Alex’s shoulder. The shadowy figure with a bow was watching them again.

“Later,” said Alex in frustration. “Need to kill this thing first.”

The ‘thing’ looked like a bat with the arms and legs of a man. It was hovering in the air some ten feet above them and screeching. This was the third one they had encountered and Alex, being the only one with a weapon, had done his best to fight the monsters. Fortunately, the bats didn’t seem to pose much of a threat as Alex had been able to kill all three. This one, however, was posing more of a problem.

“It’s like they are adapting,” said Amelie. “This one knows to stay away from your sword and tried to push us off the cliff.”

“Wouldn’t it be nice if that guy could shoot it for us?” Said Alex, motioning his blade towards the figure.

“I wonder who he is,” said Amelie. The figure was crouching, bow across his back, and he had an air of familiarity to him that she could not shake.

“Maybe—Ah!” Alex swung just as the bat creature dive bombed them. His blade nicked the creatures side but it managed to recover. It beat it’s wings desperately, blowing wind enough to buffet Amelie and nearly throw her backwards, but managed to ascend to the air again, a snarl on his face.

“Are you okay, Alex?”

“That…thing!…it got my sword!”

“Oh dear,” said Amelie, seeing that Alex was opening and closing his hands where his sword used to be. The creature was cackling now and had his blade clutched in both claws. The blade seemed too heavy for it and the monster was having to work overtime to stay aloft.

“ ‘Oh dear’?” Sneered Alex, rounding on her. “Is that all you have to say? Why couldn’t you have you picked a better class or at least learned how to use a bow?”

“I can’t practice the bow without breaking my contract.”

Alex huffed and picked up a rock from the ground.

“Why did I get stuck with you,” he fumed. “You better hope we make if through this alive.”

The monster was now flapping its wings closer to the edge. It had a mischievous look on its twisted features.

“What’s it doing?” Said Alex. He threw the rock but missed by a foot, the rock sailing harmlessly past the creature. “Hey! What are you doing! Stop it!”

Now well past the edge of the cliff, the monster gave a final cackle and then opened its hands. The sword fell point first and was lost beyond the cliff.

“DAMN YOU,” swore Alex. He began to pick up any rock he could find. He threw them haphazardly and without aiming, never coming close to the creature. The monster only laughed, clutching its stomach as it hovered in the air.

Amelie chose not to say anything as Alex vented his rage. She noticed that he was running out of rocks and glanced again at the figure in the distance. He hadn’t moved since Alex had lost his sword. She thought of the few spells she knew and realized that they wouldn’t be much good once the monster decided to charge again. Once Alex ran out of rocks they would have to find another way to rebuff it. She was sure that Alex was stronger than the creature but its claws were barbed and if they were hurt she would have to use some of her precious essence if Marlon’s potions didn’t work out.

“You think this is funny?” Yelled Alex at the creature. “You’re nothing but an ugly faced vermin with wings!”

The cackling ceased, and the monster scowled.

“Yeah,” said Alex. He had a fist sized stone in his hand and was breathing hard. “I bet your mother tried to push you outta the nest when you were born. Was that it? Too ugly even for your hideous mother?”

“Squaw!” Screeched the bat. It looked furious and was gaining air with a few flaps of its wings.

“That’s right,” said Alex. He tossed the stone and caught it a couple times. “Go just a little higher you ugly bird.”

Alex cocked his arm back just as the bat was preparing to dive bomb them again. The bat shrieked once more just as Alex threw his stone. He grunted as the rock flew threw the air. Amelie thought the rock missed, but then the bat, its eyes wide, stopped flapping its wings. It hung there motionless for split second before falling through the air. It disappearedover the cliff where it had dropped Alex’s sword.

“You did it!” Said Amelie. She clapped her hands. “Amazing shot, Alex!”

“It wasn’t me,” he said. He pointed over towards the man. He was no where to be seen. “I missed it. Saw my rock go right over its shoulder. The guy shot it for us.”

“Well that was nice of him,” said Amelie. She looked Alex up and down. “Did you get hurt? I can heal you if you did.”

“I’m fine,” said Alex, looking forlornly at the cliff. “But my sword…”

“I’m sorry, Alex.”

And she truly was. How were they to defend themselves now that their only weapon was lost? She had no weapons, and unless Alex had hidden a dagger in his bag they were totally disarmed for what lay ahead.

“Everything alright?”

“Xem?” Said Alex, looking around. “No, everything is not alright. I lost my sword.”

“Oh, my. That is unfortunate.”

“Can you help?”

“What, give you a new one? Sorry, Alex. We are competing against one another.”

Alex sighed and kicked a rock off the cliff.

“Xem,” said Amelie. “Can you at least tell us how far away we are from the temple?”

“You still have a ways to go,” said Xem.

“I think we will be fine against the bats,” said Alex, picking up a rock. “But what about that masked man?”

“Didn’t he help us?” Said Amelie.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

“This time he did,” said Alex. “Xem, who is that man?”

“What man?” said Xem coyly.

“You know who I mean,” said Alex, his face darkening. “You made this place, right?”

“As I said, this is a game. And you are playing against me. Why would I help you?”

Alex threw up his hands and stalked back to the edge of the cliff.

“It’s alright, Mrs. Xem,” said Amelie. “Could you at least tell us how Claire and Chase are doing?”

“I don’t know what it is but every time you talk I just want to…” She sighed and seemed to disappear for a moment. When she returned she sounded much more cheery yet there was a strain to her voice. “Both are doing fine. Just fine. Amelie.”

“Oh, well, thank you.”

“No need to be rude,” said Alex, returning from the edge. “If you wont tell us who that was then why are you still here?”

“Oh…THAT man. Yes I know who that is.”

“And?” Said Alex. “Xem? Xem!”

She was gone.

“There’s nothing for it,” said Amelie with a shrug. “She won’t help us anymore. We have to find our own way.”

Alex just looked at her for a moment and then walked away muttering.

“Why is it I am stuck with you and not someone else? After everything I do for this guild I’m the one playing babysitter. Unbelievable.”

Amelie was unsure how to respond, and instead hesitantly decided to follow him along the path and allow him to cool down. He often became frustrated like this but this was the first time he had ever directed is ire her way, and it was a bit much for her to deal with. She tried to ignore him as they walked but between watching the skies for more enemies as his constant complaining even her patience was wearing thin.

“…and then there was the one time I killed that goblin and Brent took the credit. Did I say anything? Not a word. Just let him have the glory.”

“I remember that,” said Amelie carefully. “Didn’t he save your life that day?”

Alex rounded on her.

“Is that what he told you?”

“No, well, its what everyone told me. Everyone who was there, I mean.”

“So everyone is talking behind my back, huh?”

Amelie looked at her friend, and beneath the anger she could see a very real sadness in him. It was incredible to her that someone who was obviously so logical and intelligent could not see something that to her was plain as day.

“They weren’t ‘talking behind your back,’ Alex. They told the story around the campfire, remember? You tripped and the goblin nearly speared you but Brent caught it with his sword.”

“Only after I stabbed the thing!” Said Alex, furiously.

“Still, Brent did save you, correct? I don’t think he lorded it over you, did he? He didn’t ‘take the credit’ as you said, either. I think this is the first I’ve heard about it since it happened.”

Alex stared at her, and then a look of disgust crossed his face. He turned away and began trudging down the path again.

“Everyone is always against me, Amelie. Even you, it seems. It feels like I am hardly even apart of this guild.”

Amelie hurried to catch up with him.

“Alex, that isn’t true! You’re just as much a part of this guild as anyone!”

“Oh yeah? Then tell me this: how come whenever I take care of your guys there’s never a word of thanks?”

“Take care? How do you mean?”

“Like when I was the dishes. Or straighten up the training area. Or make sure Moonshine is being fed and watered. There’s dozens of things I do that if I were gone would never be completed.”

“Alex, we all do those things. What do you expect?”

“I expect GRATITUDE.”

With his final word he turned around and bellowed at her. Amelie raised her eyebrows and took a step back. Alex was breathing heavily and staring at her with fury. She had never seen him get angry like this before, let alone her of all people. All she had done was ask questions, or so she assumed. They just stood there staring at one another until a small cough interrupted them.

“Well, this is awkward.”

The man was before them, leaning against a rock. A bow was around his back and he had his arms crossed. Upon his face was an intricate metal mask that looked familiar to her. Amelie had not seen him while she was talking with Alex and her friend seemed just as surprised. He immediately got in between her and the man and held his fists up.

“Who are you?” Said Alex. “What do you want?”

“Who I am is not important,” said the masked man. He pushed himself off the rock and began walking towards them. “As to what I want, I think you both know.”

“Stay right there!”

“Or what?” Said the masked man. “I saw you lose your weapon. And unless your girlfriend has a crossbow hidden somewhere I am the only one who is armed.”

“She’s not my…” Alex dropped his hands some. “You sound familiar. Do we know you?”

The man lowered his voice.

“Um, no.” He coughed. “Look, I need to know what that woman told you. I might be able to help you out.”

“Xem?” Said Amelie, peering around Alex. Alex sighed in frustration.

“Yes, that one,” said the man. “If that’s what she is calling herself these days. What did she tell you two to do here?”

“We might as well tell him,” Amelie told Alex. “Maybe she even sent him,” she added as he rolled his eyes.

“Fine,” said Alex. “Xem told us we are looking for a temple. Know where it is?”

“A temple, eh?” The man scratched his head. “Something at this temple?”

“A magical item,” said Amelie. “If we can find it then we win the game, basically.”

“I see,” said the man. He seemed lost in thought though his face was hidden. “I think I know where it is, then. Why don’t you allow me to accompany you two. Safety in numbers and all that.”

“How can we trust you?” Said Alex suspiciously.

“I think if I wanted you two dead I would have shot you a while back, no? Also, I am apart of this world so I have a purpose, as well. I guess today it’s helping you two along these peaks.”

“How convenient,” muttered Alex. “Amelie, what do you think?”

“Hang on,” said Amelie, realization dawning on her. She looked at the man’s mask again. Saw the distinguished swirls and the famous markings. She had studied them in a book back on training island that Brent had wanted her to read about the Old Guard. “You’re Solomon!”

The man laughed.

“Technically I am no one, considering I am apart of this weird simulation within a simulation.”

“Alright,” said Amelie. “But you are supposed to be Solomon, correct? He has been wearing that mask for the past 15 years. Nearly every photo I have seen of him has him wearing that mask.”

“As you said, it’s his mask,” said the man, holding his hands up. “Perhaps here I really am Solomon. All that is important is that you two reach that temple today, got it?”

Amelie looked at Alex and he shrugged.

“Fine,” said Alex. “You can come with us. Doesn’t seem we have much of a choice anyway.”

“Many thanks,” said the man with a half bow. “But really, it will be you two who are coming with me. The enemies only get stronger the closer we come to the temple and seeing as you both are without weapons I suggest staying behind me.”

“All you have is that bow?”

“Oh, I got more that that,” said the man. He pulled his left sleeve up to reveal a dozen small tattoos. “Ever seen what an OP player looks like?”

“How many is that?” Said Alex, sounding impressed for the first time.

“More than enough, that’s all you need to know,” said the man. He pulled his sleeve back down, concealing the contract marks. “For all intents and proposes I am OP, got it? I can do things you couldn’t imagine in your wildest dreams.”

Amelie nodded, Alex grunted in assent.

“Very well,” said Amelie. “Please guide us to the temple, Mr…?”

“Mr?” The man cocked his head. “Oh, a name. Haven’t been called a name in…ever, maybe.”

“Well what should we call you then?”

“I don’t know, Amelie.”

“So you know my name,” said Amelie, shaking her head. “I suppose you know Alex’s too.”

“He certainly does now,” hissed Alex.

“Just call me ‘Guy’. Sound good?”

“Mr. Guy?”

“Just ‘Guy’ will suffice. Get’s the job done, doesn’t it?”

Amelie shook her head and glanced at Alex. She was beginning to wish they had never agreed to this event or quest or whatever it was. Alex shrugged his shoulders. It seemed his curiosity was stronger than his caution because he simply motioned for them to go and Guy clapped his hands.

“Excellent!” Said Guy. “This way, young players. To the temple!”

They followed him down the path in silence. He kept a hand on his bow and an arrow half knocked, occasionally ordering them to stop with a raised hand while he watched the sky. The monsters were flying over head in circles and would sometimes sweep down, their cries echoing among the rocks. Eventually they came to a staircase cut into a rock which disappeared into the gloomy mountain.

“This is the tallest mountain around,” said Guy. “Once we climb the stairs there will be a long stretch of ground, followed by the temple. We’ve been lucky so far, but at the top of the stairs will be some monsters the likes of which you have never seen.”

“How many stairs?” Said Alex, nearly panting from the hike.

“I dunno,” said Guy, “few people have been here, fewer still who would waste the time counting them. Maybe you can be the first.”

“Guy,” said Amelie, before Alex could retort. “Does Xem know you are helping us? I would hate to think you may get in trouble being here.”

“Don’t worry about me,” said Guy, shrugging his shoulders. “Xem placed me here for a reason. Likely I’ll die some horrible death getting you two to where you need to be going.”

“Well, I hope not,” said Amelie. She took a careful step towards Guy. “It does seem odd, however, that she is helping us out, if she is playing against us, no?”

“It’s not for me to judge,” said Guy. He looked towards the sky at the sound of another screech and didn’t see her take another step towards him. “I think we should really start our—.”

“I mean,” interrupted Amelie. “It almost seems as though our actual goal is not finding this magical item, but something else entirely.”

“Again, I have no idea. How about we—Hey!”

Amelie lunged for Guy’s mask. At just the last moment, he slapped her hands away, but not before her fingers brushed its edges.

“Careful, Amelie!” Said Guy. “What are you trying to do?!”

But before Amelie could say a word the mask fell and shattered upon the ground. Amelie looked up and saw that Guy was holding his face with both his hands, his blue eyes glaring at her in fury between his fingers.

“That was very rude, girl,” said Guy. “You broke Solomon’s mask!”

“Amelie,” Alex half laughed and half sighed. “Well, you might as well show us your face, Guy.”

“I didn’t want to frighten you two.”

“It’s okay,” said Alex. “I am sure we have seen worse.”

Guy dropped his hands, and Alex and Amelie both gasped. His face was all together foreign, yet familiar. The dark hair in a pony tail had graced the newspapers for days after they had first spawned.

“You can still call me ‘Guy’, if you want. ‘Spade the Thief’ might make you uncomfortable.”