Surface- Torrential Waves Region
Island of Sorrow- Stronghold of Devastation
A week had gone by and every day Alexi took him into the dungeon to kill and steal experience from captives brought in. They all received the same promise before Alexi left, kill Jacob and they could leave. None of them had been successful despite the number Jacob had to face every day increasing. Today he stood over the bodies of twenty men and women, all of them had been killed by Sever, but its Ability had only triggered fifteen times out of the twenty times he used it to kill.
Jacob could tell he was getting stronger and faster despite not looking at his Character Sheet. The dagger was working, but he had no idea what level he was at currently. The tattoo on his right arm was growing steadily and was near to his elbow though. It covered the outer part of his hand and both sides of his forearm. The tattoo was of bones and bodies so far, very intricately designed from what he could see. Some of the bodies looked like people Jacob had killed in the dungeon, but he was not sure.
Today instead of Stealth or Mage skills and tactics, he was working on Warrior Skills with Alexi. However, the older Vampire wanted to test Jacobs combat abilities with a sword. The only rule was no Skills or Abilities, only the practice blade and his body were the only weapons Jacob could use. Jacob had done these dozens of times against James, Thorgron, and others.
Alexi put them all to shame with his sword skills. Backed by his speed and sheer power, Jacob was beginning to understand why he was a Chaos Lord. Over the last thirty minutes, Alexi had landed over a dozen blows while Jacob hadn't even come close to striking him even once. Jacob was trying to control his anger, but after having to kill twenty people, he was furious and becoming hopeless.
He had been hoping that the forces of Chaos or its allies would have broken the pact they had made, but he hadn't received any notifications yet. Alexi's abuse of him wasn't physical, it was mental. The long walk to the dungeons then having to fight for his life against the prisoners every day. Then knowing that something was going to happen as soon as the tattoo was complete and watching as it grew every day was wearing on him. "Yield boy, you cannot defeat me with a blade. You are not strong enough or fast enough. In fact, you should be stronger and faster then what you are...why aren't you investing you Stat Points?" Alexi figured out.
"I haven't looked at my Character Sheet or my Talent Trees since I got here. I have no idea what level I am nor do I know how many Stat Points that I have. I have turned off the notifications for experience gains, I only get notifications about Skills leveling up." Jacob replied as he blurred forward launching a series of attacks that if struck would have causing bruised or broken bones in Alexis upper legs, but the older Vampire deflected or avoided all the blows before launching a counter assault.
Jacob managed to keep up for about ten seconds before Alexis practice blade slammed into Jacob's forearm. Jacob felt the bone crack and somehow he held the scream in, turning the synchronization up to seventy-five percent allowed dozens of good things in, but the pain was no joke and once you changed it, you had to keep it that way for one Earth week.
Battle Alert...
De-Buff Fractured Arm: Cannot use your main hand (Duration 5 Minutes)
Battle Alert...
Jacob dismissed the notification as Alexi fell back, "Do you concede?" the man smugly asked as Jacob tried to hold the weapon in his main hand and failed to do so. If he had a healing potion or tonic, he would be battle-ready in seconds. However, Jacob had not received any since he had gotten here and he had not seen any healing magic wielded by any of the Acolytes despite their rank.
Jacob smiled and whirled and plowed into one of the Immortal Acolytes. He tried to punch Jacob but he ignored it as he sunk his fangs into the other Acolytes neck and activated Bite to speed up the process. Within seconds all his minor injuries were gone, the De-Buff was gone shortly after that as he stepped away from the other Immortal who drunkenly tried to stagger away. Jacob smiled at him before he broke his neck. "Feeding off another Acolyte...I can accept that, but killing him was childish." Alexi stated as Jacob made his way back over too him.
"You can always send me home if you don't like what I do.' Jacob offered with a mirthless smile. Mistress Shots snorted in amusement at Jacobs quip. 'We all know they would kill me or destroy my Avatar if they could. Go ahead and admit it, people, I am not offended." Jacob told them and most nodded with smiles on their faces.
Alexi sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "We are done for the day Jacob. You can go to the Dark Room or the Mage training area and practice your Skills. You are dismissed." Alexi stated as he strode away.
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Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
"Two more of the Free Cities Alliance members, Illephis and Suxron, have come under siege by the Slavers Alliance and their allies. The cities have requested aid, but according to the kings' wishes, we have denied them military aid. He was very firm in stating unless they swear allegiance or become Client States, we would not militarily assist them." Captain-General Nadal reported as the Strategic Map shifted around to the various area affected by the ongoing conflict.
Tarren shook his head in frustration, "How did Jacob make decisions like that with tens of thousands of lives on the line."
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Nadal snorted, "Easily. He wasn't going to commit the Legions to a battle that did not benefit the Empire in some way. If we assisted everyone that needed our help, the armies we need to face the coming war against Chaos would quickly be spent everywhere else. You have to think of the long-term consequences Tarren, not just the short-term ones. He also did not make these choices easier. It caused him great discomfort to make them." Nadal informed them.
"Enough, moving on. How is the conflict going against the pirates of the Lost Islands?" Darren asked as the map shifted to Anchorhead and the Whitecap Ocean.
"We are no longer pushing into their territory, but they still send groups of two to four ships into areas we have already cleaned out. Most of those are sunk or captured, their crews either killed, captured and put to work serving on ships or hard labor. I do not understand why this Pirate Lord continues to spend his strength on feeble attacks that accomplish nothing.' Nadal reported before continuing. 'As of right now, there are ten squadrons of Light Tririmes stationed at Anchorhead, Six at Aramore, and four at the docks here. The original construction of twelve Tririmes and twenty-four Bririmes has been completed." Nadal finished as he stepped back.
"Well after talking to Sergeant Gains and looking through the old archives, I can confirm that the king was talking to Alexi Sunstreaker on the day the king disappeared. From what you have said, he is the newest Chaos Lord. Why would Jacob do anything he says?" James Shadowstriker informed them.
Tarren frowned before looking at Darren who nodded, "If this Alexi was threatening the people he cared about, he would do anything. It is probably his one great weakness." Tarren stated while Darren nodded.
"Can you tell us anything about him?" Darren asked Cathrine who was curled up on a small couch. Two Heart Guards were standing guard near her, they had become more protective of her since Jacob had disappeared.
"No, nothing new. I know he is alive and far to the north, beyond that...It's too far for me to get any feelings. Has he contacted any of you on Earth?" Cathrine asked after replying to the question
Both Immortals shook their heads and leaned back against the nearby walls in dejection. "If he would only talk to us..." Darren stated.
Nadal considered pulling the letter from his inventory, but Jacob Longstriders instruction had been specific and the first step was getting those stubborn Free Cities to become Client States. "All we can do is look to the future for now and continue building on what Jacob started. Lady Longstrider are you willing to meet the Diplomat from the Free Cities Alliance and try to persuade them to join the Empire as a Client State?' Ezekial asked the Banshee who nodded immediately. 'Good, while you do that the Immortal Darren and I will continue to monitor the Eight Families and their machinations. I do believe they have started to a game with all their recruits among the Immortals." Ezekial stated as the meeting broke up.
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Real World
North American Alliance- Greater New York Conglomerate
Black Spire
Kevin pounded the punching bag as music blared in his ears. He bobbed and weaved around imaginary counter punches and attacks as he did his best to destroy the bag as he vented his frustration. Suddenly he stopped as he felt someone tap his shoulder causing him to jerk away and move defensively. A woman stood there, she was in her late twenties to early thirties, petite but kinda top-heavy with brunette hair and bright blue eyes.
Kevin hit his comm unit pausing his music as he pulled the earbuds out, "Sorry ma'am what did you need?" Kevin asked her.
"I was just wondering how much longer you were going to use the bag? You have been at it for the last thirty minutes." Kevin looked at the clock on the wall and snorted, she was right.
"I am sorry ma'am, I just got into it and zoned everything else out. I am done, sorry." Kevin replied as he started grabbing his things.
"Its no problem, I was just wondering. I am Cindy Lawson, I have never seen you before, are you new here?" Cindy introduced herself with a smile.
Kevin smiled as he dried out his hand on a towel before offering it to her, "Kevin Jones, and yes I moved in just over a week ago. You are the second person that has stopped and introduced themselves, the first was...more teeth and claws then, polite introduction." Kevin stated with a smile as she shook his hand.
"Hmm, based on that description I am betting it was Hayley Jackson? Don't judge everyone else here by her standard, most of us are nice, just busy during the workweek. So what do you do Kevin?" Cindy asked.
"I work for BlackRock, R&D and consulting. Although at times I fell like a lab rat. The good thing is, I get to set my hours. You?" Kevin replied as he finished collecting his things.
"Aquisition, freelance. It keeps life interesting, but like you, I set my hours as well." Cindy responded and Kevin nodded as he started to head for the door.
"Well, it was very interesting meeting you Cindy, but I desperately need a shower and I need to cook dinner. So if you will excuse me.' Kevin stated as he left the gym. As he was walking out he saw the women fiddle with her Comm Unit, he couldn't see it clearly but he could almost swear it was an image of him. 'Juno, did you see that? What was your take on Cindy?" Kevin asked as he walked the hallway back to his apartment.
"Odd to say the least. Based on my observations of other people living on this floor, they go out of their way to avoid each other and enjoy their privacy, she was the opposite of that." Juno replied and Jacob agreed with her.
"Agreed, most of the people, except for spoiled little girls and boys are still at work. She is an oddity, get on the NET, I assume you have a picture of her and a recording of her voice. Start looking please, nothing illegal, but look hard please." Kevin stated as he entered his apartment.