Chapter 92: Tomorrow and Tomorrow and…

Lord Oscuro reigned for 869 years in Esem. For those who spawned after he died, and do not remember what life was like under him, only the stories of older players can bring back those times. I am sure many have heard about the bad things he did, but allow me to instead highlight some of the good things which he brought about. Sometimes, when talking to older players, they only want to scare the new spawns with tales about Lord Oscuro’s cruelty and his malice. But in actuality he was not exactly the ‘Dark Lord’ that so many make him out to be. He , shall I say, was complicated.

In SD100, Lord Oscuro spawned in Esem. He immediately took up residence in the Hub, raising Dark Cradle Castle with his magic and then residing within it. Players were very confused, as before this there had been no such events. It is said that the first players to investigate the castle met with Lord Oscruo, and, despite what many say, there is no evidence that they were destroyed or harmed in any manner. The first players reported that he was “a handsome looking NPC with a sharp wit and dark eyes.” There was no evidence that he was going to “turn evil” as they say.

Shortly after Oscuro named himself the ruler of Esem and its, at the time, three areas (Avalon, Killhiem, and Tangamar). A great amount has been written about The Battle of the Twin Rivers—a fight between players and Oscuro which solidified his claim to Esem. But in my research I have found little to suggest that it was more than a skirmish, and that Lord Oscuro allowed many to live after they had put down their arms. True, the names of those who were imprisoned in Abagandor are known to us, but their crimes are lost to history, and what they did to warrant such a sentence is impossible to know.

During the preceding centuries Lord Oscuro stayed mostly to himself, only venturing out of Darkcradle Castle occasionally. He made packs with the famous guilds concerning non interference, established the Gate Guild which oversaw the entrances to the Hub, made sure that his laws were followed (see chapter 7: The Laws of Oscuro) and always made sure that he was receiving tax money. Overall, there is little evidence to link him to his “dark lord” title. Lord Oscuro reigned primarily as a monarch over Esem and did little harm.

And for the naysayers who claim that his reactions to broken laws were disproportionate and that he would sometimes obliterate players who disrespected him: Of course he did! He was the ruler of Esem. And some (not me!) miss his firm ruling hand occasionally and prefer his time as ruler compared to this senseless system we now suffer under by a single guild.

-Lord Oscruo: The Myth and the NPC, by Ylibrek, SD983

Chase felt the fire within him. Suddenly the rocks felt as light as dry wood and moving them became easier. Amelie was right-he was not going to die here! The others seemed to feel the same and soon they were chatting amicably as he and Brent moved the stones. Even Alex, normally noncommittal unless he was upset or intrigue din something, had struck up a friendly conversation with Marlon about his work while they were away.

“You really did all that while we were gone? Impressive,” Alex was saying.

“Well, I had to have something to show when you all returned. Couldn’t just be lazing around the entire time, eh?” Said Marlon.

“Except you were, Marlon,” said Thomas. “What as that drink you had when we thought you were dead?”

“Ah,” said Marlon brightly. “It is a concoction I came up with-or at least thought I did. Sweet Christie told me that it was an old brew from before Oscuro.”

“Must have been good,” said Alex.

“It was! Only the hallucinations are a bit strong for my liking. Of course, they were no where close to some mushrooms I found a week ago.”

“I like mushrooms,” said Alex. “What was wrong with these?”

“These weren’t normal mushroom, lad,” chuckled Marlon. “They made me feel as though I were as big as a giant, and everything I touched was as tiny as a flea.”

Suddenly Chase felt a hand on his shoulder, and Claire’s head appeared next to his shoulder.

“Either of you ready for a switch?”

“I’m good, but maybe Brent does,” said Chase. He wrapped his hands around another stone. They were now close four feet back in the hole and were about ready to dip inside and begin moving the rest of the load.

“I’m okay, but thanks,” said Brent. He wiped his face, and the grime and dirt from the rocks coated his face. He grinned despite the filth. “Is it just me, or do I feel amazing?”

“So do I,” said Chase, panting slowly. He dragged his rock out and threw it one the ground behind him. The pile was much larger now. “It’s the feeling of hope.”

“Cheesy,” said Claire, but she gave a small smile. “Okay, but when you’re ready let me know. I can take Marlon’s potion and—.”

“I nearly forgot!” Said Brent. He reached into his pocket and brought out the bright red potion. He downed it in one go and smacked his lips, holding the potion toward Marlon like he was calling a toast. “Delicious! Well done Marlon!”

“Found some raspberries to flavor it,” said Marlon, stopping his story about the mushroom to respond. “Just a little personal touch!”

“Do you feel different?” Said Claire, peering at Brent curiously.

Brent blinked, and then looked down at his hands. Suddenly his eyes widened and the veins stood out on his forearms. He breathed a blast of air through his nostrils.

“Yeah, sure,” said Brent, before throwing himself back into the task.

Chase heard the scraping of a large rock being dragged, and then Brent stood up, a small boulder in his arms. A vein stood out on his forehead and he gingerly turned around and placed it on the ground.

“Chase!”

Chase turned around to see Alex, wiping his mouth, and handing the empty vial of his potion back to a grinning Marlon.

“Alex?” Said Chase.

“If Brent can move a stone that big then imagine what I can do. Stand aside,” added Alex, coming up to the hole.

Chase laughed for the first time in hours and allowed Alex to take over. The sounds of rocks being moved expertly and quickly soon filled the room. All the guild smiled and there were more than a couple laughs.

Another explosion came from above ground, and the laughter stopped, but the eyes of his guild still shone with hope. They seemed unperturbed by the noise and simply continued chatting as though the explosion had not occurred.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

“Ever have an experience like this before, Chase?” Said Amelie. She was still sitting on the bed and had been watching the others talk and work.

“Not exactly,” said Chase, shrugging his shoulders. He wiped his hands off on his pants and sat next to her once again. “Once I chased a bunch of bandits into a cave. They refused to come out, and so Solomon ordered they be blockaded inside. Karkren and Mac threw boulders the size of wagons and trees and whatever they could find until the bandits had no escape.”

I wonder what happened to those bandits, thought Chase, suddenly realizing that his story was not as cheerful as he had at first thought.

Amelie giggled.

“I always wished I asked you more about your past life,” she said. “We have had some adventures lately, but you had a long life of them before I ever spawned.”

“I am always happy to talk about them,” said Chase. “It just, you know. They are my life. My old life, but my life all the same. I sometimes forget them for days at a time and it takes something like this to bring them back.”

“I am sure,” said Amelie. She seemed to think a moment and then said, quietly. “I wish you could have told Christie you were still alive.”

“Maybe I should have,” said Chase with a sigh. “If she were here the Followers would never had dared approach us. But I suppose she couldn’t stay with us forever.”

“True,” said Amelie. “Don’t you miss your old life, though? And your old body?”

“It wasn’t so old,” chuckled Chase. “I’m only 35, remember.”

“Still,” said Amelie. “I imagine you do.”

“I miss the perks,” admitted Chase. “And my old powers. But I am young. A lot of famous players were over thirty when they spawned. I don’t feel as though I am missing anything in that regard. Besides, the journey is half the battle.”

Amelie listened to him but did not have a response it seemed. She merely nodded her head and gave a small smile, returning her gaze to Brent and Alex, who were now half standing in the hole as they worked.

“Claire,” said Chase, suddenly getting an idea. “What’s your plans for after this?”

“Huh?” Claire had been watching Brent. “Plan?”

“I mean if we get out of here,” said Chase. “Away from Lazerpail.”

“What do you mean?” Said Claire, a frown creasing her features. “Stay with the Banes.”

“Well I hope so,” said Chase. “What about your Class? Do you want to stay in the Fighter classes?”

“Oh, that,” said Claire. She stared at the ground for a moment, and when she raised her face her eyes seemed to burn. “I want to be a hand to hand fighter.”

“Like a Boxer?” Said Chase with surprise. “That’s a rare class and an interesting one.”

“No, not a Boxer. Those guys seem to be good only for making money at tournaments. I was thinking something like Martial Artist.”

“That’s wonderful,” said Amelie, clapping her hands. “You could do that easily! You would be amazing!”

“Thanks,” said Claire, her face growing red.

“What about you, Marlon?” Said Chase, wanting to keep the conversation going. Focusing on the future, whether it was dead in Fort Lazerpail or elsewhere, was far better than allowing the guild to fall back into their depressive state.

“I read something in the library on Training Island,” said Markon slowly, growing more serious than Chase was accustomed to seeing him. “There is a place in Great Nexia which is a location for Alchemists. All the best in Esem gather there to study their art. I have thought lately that I would like to go there someday, and finally meet people like me.”

“Old farts who tell bad jokes?” Said Thomas.

“No, Tommy,” said Marlon, ruffling the boy’s head affectionately. “People who are servants to science. What about you?”

“Me?” Said Thomas. He shook her head. “I have no idea. Stealing stuff is fun, though. I’ll sign up for whatever is next in my job tree. I’m more interested in what Amelie wants to do.”

“Me?” Said Amelie, sounding surprised.

“Yeah,” said Thomas slyly. “You gonna change to the Fighter class now that you’re a bona fide warrior?”

The guild laughed hesitantly, making sure first to see whether Amelie was going to have a fit at the mention of Astor, but instead of growing sick she seemed to become thoughtful, and when she spoke her voice sounded level and sure.

“I want to sign up for Mage I. An offensive Mage might have been able to get us out of the situation we find ourselves in now.”

“Mage I?” Said Claire, sounding perplexed. “But you can’t. You’re a Mage II. You can’t choose both, right?”

“Yes, well, that’s what Ghelion said but actually—.”

“Chase?” Interrupted Claire, turning to him. “Can Amelie do that?”

Not very likely, thought Chase, but he decided on a measured response instead of dashing Amelie’s dreams.

“Most people who do that find that they are incompatible with both types. Usually it is either one branch or the other.”

“But some can, right?” Said Amelie.

“Duel Mages,” said Chase, nodding his head. “They come around about once every hundred years or so. Most Mages end up just floundering around for a year until they can sign up for something useful when they try the other one. Of course, you’ll never know unless you try, but it’s a hard lesson to learn.”

“I want to try,” said Amelie with determination. “We need an offensive mage in this guild. I want to be able to protect everyone. Healing is quite satisfying, and I am happy any time I can do that, but using the other magic would be just as useful.”

“True,” said Chase.

There’s no harm in letting her believe that now, thought Chase to himself. Claire did not seem to share his sentiment, and she rolled her eyes.

“Amelie, didn’t you just hear Chase? A Duel Mage is a once in a century spawn. The chances you can do that is so small there is no point in even trying.”

“So?” Said Amelie, for once standing up for herself. “I want to try.”

“Fine,” said Claire, shaking her head. “Not like it matters anyway,” she added under her breath.”

“My turn,” said Brent. He had paused in his stone moving task and was gently panting. The potion was still effecting him as his eyes were wide and he seemed to want nothing more than to speak.

“Spit it out, lad,” said Marlon. “What great goal does Mr Brent of the Seven Banes have?”

Brent wiped his face, once again getting the dirt and the grime on himself.

“I want to be the best.”

“Isn’t that what you wanted all along?” Said Thomas.

“Yeah,” said Brent, nodding. “But now I want it even more. And I also want to fight Georgio again. I almost won that fight! Can’t let that stand.”

Before anyone could respond he whipped back around to retrieve another rock. He and Alex were now standing in the tunnel, bent over their rocks. Alex’s head popped out of the tunnel.

“No one asked me,” said Alex. “But I want to look at the class tree for my class again.”

“No enjoying the fighting life, Alex?” Said Thomas, chuckling.

Alex shrugged.

“It’s fine, but I want to look again is all. I am thinking if I can find a class that is more tactically minded that would be good for me.”

“I’m not sure about ‘tactics’,” said Chase. “But once you complete Fighter you get the option to either choose Warrior or Mercenary. Perhaps you would enjoy being a merc, like the Hard Won Warriors are doing.”

“What do Mercenaries do?”

“Make money,” said Chase with a smile. “A lot of money. Actually that might be a great way to get some funds into our little operation. We could send you out on jobs, which would be great not only for money but also for training. You would need to think like a Fighter, but also a businessman.”

“Business?” Said Alex, his eyebrows raising up. “That is quite…interesting. Maybe I could—.”

BOOOOOOM

Chase saw Thomas huddle against the wall as he looked at the ceiling. Claire whipped her head around, and even Marlon was now seemingly practicing some deep breathing to calm himself down. The explosions were coming with more regularity now.

“I’m glad we didn’t meet the Goblin King,” said Claire. “If he is giving Markon and Ethan this much trouble we would have been done for as soon as we saw him.”

“There is something different about the Goblin King,” said Chase, frowning. “He shouldn’t be this strong. He should be no more than a short fight for those two. Something is wrong.”

“Let’s hope he kills them,” muttered Thomas darkly.

BOOOOOOOOOM

Chase soon took over for Brent, who was slick with sweat now on his arms and face. He was breathing heavily but still argued with Chase when he was told to rest.

“I’m fine!”

“Just take a break, then,” said Chase. “Let me move some of these out of here, okay? There is no sense in you killing yourself over this.”

Brent nodded begrudgingly and gave up his space, to which Alex laughed at.

“You’ll never get more than me, now,” said Alex.

“It’s not a competition,” said Brent flatly.

“Yeah,” said Alex with a smile. “But it kind of is.”

Brent sighed but took a seat on the bed next to Amelie and began to chat with her. Chase tried to look into the hole to see where Brent had been working but the light did not reach far enough.

“Hey, Amelie,” said Chase, can you move you light closer? It’s too dark in here to see.”

“Sure,” said Amelie. She raised a hand and the light on the ceiling gently began to descend to the ground. It’s rays just illuminated the hallway outside the door when suddenly she screamed.

“There you all are,” said Ethan. He had a cut over his eye, and a flame burning in the palm of his hand. The flame grew bigger and he held it up for all to see. “You’re choice: either burn alive in here, or die upstairs. At this point, I really don’t care.”