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Blood and Honor
Chapter 259- Just Living

Chapter 259- Just Living

Surface- Torrential Waves Region

Island of Sorrow- Stronghold of Devastation

Jacob was woken by someone pounding on his door. Jacob went and opened it where Alexi was standing with a smile on his face. "Oh, you are awake. Good, get dressed the next step in your training begins now." Alexi stated while Jacob glared at him, tempted to try and smack him. However, Jacob had no idea how strong the other Vampire was and he wouldn't break their deal. So he sighed and went over to the little closet he had and donned his armor for the day.

Jacob was still tired and sore from yesterdays training with Master Galliger, "What do we have today?" Jacob spit out as they quickly moved through the halls heading towards the dungeons.

"Well for starters, we are going to push you just a little bit more this morning. Then after you recover, you can get some breakfast and head to the Dark Room for more training with Master Gilliger. This afternoon after lunch, you will be seeing Mistress Shots." Alexi stated as the walked deeper into the dungeons.

"Who is Mistress Shots?" Jacob asked as they passed all the beaten and tortured prisoners. Jacob ground his teeth at the sight of them.

"She is a Mage of some power. She will be teaching you some tricks of the Arcane sort." Alexi stated over his shoulder.

Jacob frowned as he considered his words, "Who will be teaching me Warrior Skills?' Jacob asked and Alexis stopped and looked at him while quirking an eyebrow. 'Of course, it's you." Jacob mused as the other man nodded as they approached a locked door. 

Alexi unlocked it and gestured for Jacob to go inside. Jacob snorted and followed Alexis directions, inside were four men and women. All of them had been prisoners and glared hatefully at Jacob and Alexi. "Ahh, good morning one and all. I want to thank you all for joining us on this fine day." Alexi stated causing all the prisoners to glare at him. 

"Enough asshole, you told us we could go. All we had to do was one little thing. So what is the one little thing?" one of the men stated causing Alexi to smile and nod.

"Yes, very true. If you all want to go home, you are more then welcome too. All you have to do is kill my companion here. Once he is dead, you are free to leave." Alexi stated before backing out of the room and closing the door. 

"ALEXI YOU ASSHOLE!!! GET ME THE FUCK OUT OF HERE!!" Jacob yelled out before someone slammed into the back of his head causing him to stumble forward into the wall. 

Jacob turned around quickly, it had been the women that had sucker-punched him. Jacob shook off the ringing in his head, "You don't have to do this. Please stop, I don't want to hurt any of you!!" Jacob implored them but like sharks, they smelled blood in the water and pushed forward. 

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Less then two minutes later Alexi opened the cell door as Jacob was still shaking from receiving another infusion of power from Sever. Its special Ability had triggered on three of the four prisoners, stealing their experience and lives. Jacob glared at the Chaos Lord, "Why?" Jacob asked softly. 

Something like pity filled Alexis' face, "I have my orders from her. She wants you pushed as fast as you can take it." Alexi replied as he studied Jacob.

"For how long?" Jacob asked as he wiped the blood off on one of the corpses. He had not wanted to fight them, but they wouldn't stop. 

"I have orders to push you as long as you can take it or until your new tattoo fills in either one," Alexi stated as he gestured to Jacob's hand. The mark that had started yesterday, was starting to fill in a little bit. It started on the back of his hand right hand and went all the way up to his shoulder and across his chest to his opposite shoulder. Less then an inch had been filled in on the back of his hand. 

"What's the tattoo for? What's it mean?" Jacob asked and Alexi shrugged. 

"Each Chaos Lord is marked differently by the Lady. Each is different. Time to go, Master Gilliger is waiting for you at the Dark Room.' Alexi stated as he gestured for Jacob to leave. Jacob glared at Alexi as he walked by and whirled to punch him but he stopped Jacobs fist cold. 'Stronger and faster, but still not enough to take me on boy. GO!" Alexi commanded while shoving Jacob away. 

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Surface- Valley of Origins Region

Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night

"What do you want me to do? There is no trail to follow. We have no idea where he is or who he is with." Darren stated as he glared around at the other officers. 

"We have to be able to do something?" Tarren responded. 

"If we knew even one little bit of information, it would give me something to start with, but we have no idea why he disappeared," Darren replied as he sat back in his chair. 

"How is everything on the Empire side?" Tarren asked Ezekial.

"it is coasting right now, a coin on the edge of the table. If someone pushes us wrong...it could all fall apart. I think we need to bring Captain-General Nadal into this circle as well as Captain Shadowstrider." The Shadow Master responded. 

Tarren looked at Darren to gauge the other Immortals response, the Rogue agreed with the spymaster. "We need both of them and Cathrine as well. Hell, with their Psychic link, she might give me a direction to look." Darren responded and Ezekial nodded. 

Tarren sighed, "The more people know, the more likely that word will get out and this house of cards that we have built will come crashing down. Those three, no more. Now while you guys are doing that here, I am going to logout and see if I can get any answers on Earth." The new guild leader stated and the other two nodded in agreement. 

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Surface- Torrential Waves Region

Island of Sorrow- Stronghold of Devastation

Jacob sat and ate his food while trying to ignore all those around him and their whispers. As bad as the other places were in the Stronghold, the Mess Hall was worse. The higher ranked Acolytes liked to play the lower-ranked Acolytes off on each other. Considering Jacob was being 'groomed' by the sole Chaos Lord living there, there was significant jealousy and vitriol aimed at him. 

Only the most senior Acolytes knew the nature of Jacobs' recruitment and smirked at his predicament. If Jacob let the truth out, the others would consider him weak, but if he pushed back too hard they could attack him in mass. Jacob had no allies, no friends, he was alone and if he misstepped he would be sent to respawn very quickly. 

Someone bumped into him as they sat down, "Opps, sorry.' the guys mockingly stated. Jacob ignored him and continued to eat. The guy narrowed his eyes at Jacob and dropped his hand on his shoulder to get Jacobs' attention. 'HEY! I said I was AHHHH!!"

Jacob grabbed the guys wrist and quickly moved the guy's hand to the table before pulling Sever and shoving though the guy's hand and into the table below. Jacob slowly stood as the other Acolytes screams filled the air as he pulled his head back making him look at him. "When you respawn or create a new Avatar remember this. Don't touch me." Jacob pulled Sever from the guy's hand and slammed it through the other Acolytes right eye before twisting it. The other Acolytes whole body started to glow as he died and Sever feed the other Immortals Experience to Jacob, who ground his teeth together at the feeling of raw power flooding into him. Then the body exploded into motes of light before that too disappeared. 

Jacob sat back down and continued eating as if nothing had happened. The muttering and whispers stopped for the first time which brought Jacob some small happiness before another person sat down. "Good, quick, decisive, and brutal. You are learning, I am Mistress Shots. I will be your instructor of the Arcane. Finish your meal quickly and let's go." Jacob nodded his head and pushed the plate away, he had lost his appetite. 

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Real World

North American Alliance- Greater New York Conglomerate

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Black Spire

Matt glared at Seth, "Come on, my friend is in there. I was here just the other day, can't you just call him and confirm who I am." 

"Sorry sir, if he was expecting you we would have been notified by his V.I. Now I would suggest you call him and have him come down here and let you in, or have him call us. Either way works for me." Seth replied before closing the door in his face. 

Matt ground his teeth in frustration, but there was nothing he could do. "Hey, Matt!! What's wrong? What are you doing here?" Hayley asked as she walked up. 

"Something is going on with Kevin and its got a lot of people freaking out. I need to talk to him, but he won't pick up his phone and I cannot get in. Can you help me out and try to get him to call any of us?" Matt asked her. Haley rolled her eyes and nodded before going into the building. Matt shook his head, she was a real piece of work, but just maybe she could be salvaged he thought as he flagged down a taxi to go back to the Pearl. 

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Surface- Torrential Waves Region

Island of Sorrow- Stronghold of Devastation

The Arcane Bolt slammed into Jacob's gut as his shield collapsed leaving him sore, bloody, and exhausted on the floor. Jacob quickly looked at his status to see what De-Buffs he had.

Alert...

De-Buff Open Wound: Lose 10 Health per Second (Duration 30 Seconds)

De-Buff Mana Exhaustion: Decrease Mana Regeneration by 50% (Duration 1 Hour)

De-Buff Mental Exhaustion: Decrease Intelligence by 5 (Duration 1 Hour)

De-Buff Hungry: Health Regeneration decreased by 25% (Duration Until you eat) 

De-Buff Exhausted: Skills develop 25% Slower, Carry Capacity decreased by 25%, Health, Mana, Stamina Regeneration decreased by 25% (Duration Until you get at least 6 hours rest)

Alert...

Jacob dismissed the information as he slowly regained his feet. Mistress Shots nodded her head in acknowledgment, "I will give you this. What you lack in skill, you make up with guts and the unwavering will to not stop. I will reiterate my recommendation to Lord Sunstreaker that you be sent away or destroyed, you are too dangerous to us." 

Jacob smiled a little bit for the first time since he got here. "Hey, I don't want to be here anymore then you want me to be here. If you can assure the safety of the people I care about, point me to the nearest Portal Pad and I am gone." Jacob told her and the Elven women shook her head. 

"It's not that simple, the Lady wants you. She does not care what we think or what you want. She thinks she can subvert your will or that you will eventually work with us willingly. We both know neither of those options will happen." Mistress Shots stated as she waved him over to some chairs.

Jacob smiled as he followed her. "You are right, there is nothing you can say or do to convince me to follow the Lady of Chaos willingly. I will never give up on the people I care about and as soon as I figure out a way to keep them safe or kill Alexi, I am gone. I do appreciate your honesty though, I did not expect it from...an enemy." Jacob replied causing the High Elf to snort and smile. 

The Elf smiled, "Do you know why I joined Chaos?' the Elf asked and Jacob shook his head no. 'Multiple reasons, but the top one is that the world as we know it is fucked up. The people in power and gods don't do anything about it, they only care about themselves." She lamented and caused Jacob to stare at her. 

"The world will never be perfect, no matter what you do. We can try and make it better but that's all we can do. Destroying everything and killing everyone is not how you go about fixing things. Then you are just a killer and no better than the ones doing nothing." Jacob stated his opinion as he pulled up his notifications. 

Alert...

You have learned...Arcane Bolt Skill

You have learned...Mage Shield Skill

You have learned...Arcane Ray Skill

Alert...

Alert...

You have increased your Arcane Bolt Skill to...Level 3

You have increased your Mage Shield Skill to...Level 2

You have increased your Arcane Ray Skill to...Level 2

Alert...

"So you think you know everything and how to fix the world?" The High Elf replied.

"No, I do not know everything and I have no idea how to fix everything wrong in the world, but by burning it all down, you fix nothing at all and the same mistakes will be made in whatever fucked up world the Lady of Chaos wants to make.' Jacob replied as he stood up. He was exhausted and hungry. 'Excuse me but I am going to go grab some food." Jacob told her as he stood up and left the Mage training area. 

Suddenly a chirp sounded in his ear, "Sir a Miss Haley Jackson is at your door." Jacob groaned. He needed to get some food and sleep for his Avatar otherwise he was going to be dragging balls tomorrow. 

"Tell her to go away Juno. Please." Jacob told the A.I. 

"Sir I have already told her you are indisposed, she refuses to leave until she sees you," Juno replied causing Jacob to growl in frustration. 

"Ok, give me five minutes to grab some food then I will log out," Jacob told her as he walked toward the Mess Hall. 

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Real World

North American Alliance- Greater New York Conglomerate

Black Spire

Hayley walked into the apartment and immediately started to yell for Kevin. "Ma'am, Kevin is currently in his FIVR Pod and will be out in less than five minutes. If you would like a drink or a small snack there is plenty of food in the kitchen." Juno stated.

"Let me guess he is playing Fate Online??" Hayley rolled her eyes as she went to the kitchen and pulled a bottle of water from the fridge. 

"Yes, ma'am he is. Would you like to view his Live Feed? I can place it on the main TV in the living room." Juno replied. 

"Sure, but no sound just video and can you play some classical music in the background." Hayley requested as she plopped down on the couch and kicked off her shoes. The screen turned on as a piano started to play in the background. Several glowing icons appeared on the left side of the screen while the view was over the shoulder of who she assumed was Kevin. He was gathering food and popping in his inventory when suddenly a ball of fire slammed into him sending him skidding backward. 

Hayley laughed as Kevin quickly recovered and brought up a shimmering shield between him and his attacker before blurring forward and burying a dagger that glowed brightly as he jammed it into a women's chest. Suddenly the girl was glowing as well before she exploded and disappeared. Kevin whirled as another attacker appeared right behind him and the dagger glowed brightly again as Kevin buried the dagger in the attacker's throat, but this time the body did not explode.

Hayley watched as Kevin glared at other figures around him before he said something and left the room he was in and quickly moved through several hallways before finally getting to a room and closing the door behind him. He quickly removed most of his clothing and placed it into a simple wardrobe while keeping the knife with him before moving over to the bed and laying down. Less then ten seconds later the body faded away and the tv screen went black. "Wow...that was intense Juno. Who the hell was Kevin fighting?" Hayley asked Juno. 

"You will have to ask Kevin, I am forbidden from discussing his work with anyone outside authorized personnel. I am sorry Miss Jackson, but you are not on that list." Juno replied. 

Hayley frowned, "We will see how long that lasts." she muttered to herself as one of the other doors in the apartment opened. Hayley smiled at herself as she leaned back into the couch and waited for her host.

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As soon as the Pods hatch was out of the way, Kevin made for the bathroom then towards the kitchen. "Juno let the princess in so we can get this over with," Kevin muttered as he entered the living room.

"The princess is already here and waiting," Hayley stated with a smirk causing Kevin to study her before he made his way to the kitchen. 

"What do you want Hayley? Why are you here?" Kevin asked as he grabbed water and beer, Kevin quickly chugged the first before he started sipping the second.

Hayley smiled, "Your friends for some reason are worried about you. They want you to call them. Why I don't know? I don't understand how anyone could care about you." She replied cuttingly. 

Kevin smiled indulgently, "That's because we are humans. You are just a cunt that no one cares about unless they want to use you. Message delivered, get the fuck out of my apartment and don't ever come back. Juno, don't ever let this...thing into my apartment again." Kevin stated as he pulled Hayley to her feet and pushed her out the front door and closed it behind her as she squawked in protest.