Fate Online...
Surface- Valley of Origins Region
Empire of Night- City of Eternal Night
Upper City- Bloodkol Manor
Opulent, clean, and fortified were how Ailis would describe House Bloodkols home. It was also located within the richest parts of the city, so security was far from lax around it either. Walking through the manor gave her an inside look at what the higher-ranked Assassins Guild members would face during their jobs. It gave Ailis newfound respect for the men and women that had infiltrated, killed, and snuck out of such places. House Bonded and minor Lords and Ladies were everywhere and most were more than capable of defending the House from attackers, thieves, or assassins. The few without combat classes were well protected by their compatriots, but they were far and few between. "Please don't embarrass me or get us killed. If Lady Lighttouch asks you a question, give her a direct answer. Don't elaborate or use slang. Keep it simple and to the point." JJ told her.
Ailis smirked, "In my travels, I have dealt with some nobility, I know how to handle myself and remain unnoticed. This meeting will mainly be about you. Once my 'reward' is given I will be told to wait outside so she can talk to you. Then we go home and get drunk." Ailis told him causing him to chuckle nervously.
"Yeah well, I don't want to have one of the Eight Noble Houses within the Empire hating me for eternity, so please don't do anything to piss her off," JJ said as they walked through the halls.
"Hey, I think we should take something to remember this day. What do you think?' Ailis asked him earning a glare from JJ and the guard leading them. 'Its a joke, relax both of you." Ailis fumed at them. The guard chuckled but JJ just smiled nervously.
The guard looked back at the nervous JJ and laughed lightly, "I recommend you don't take anything to heavy." He quipped.
"So no tapestries or art. No weapons or armor. Can't take the silverware, they always count the silverware for some reason." Ailis replied with a wink and a laugh.
"I'm surrounded by the insane," JJ muttered as they finally got to Lady Lighttouch's offices. The Guard smiled and winked one more time before knocking on the door and with a brisk 'Come!!' the guard opened the door and led them inside.
"Lady Lighttouch, it is the Immortals JJ and Ailis that you requested." The Guard announced from the doorway. The little Vampire woman nodded her head absently while gesturing for them to come in as she continued to read the report in front of her.
"Please sit, do either of you want a drink or a small snack?' Lady Lighttouch asked as she finished reading the report before putting it to the side. Both Immortals declined politely as they waited for Lady Lighttouch to talk. 'Very well. Hubert, I will yell when they are ready to leave, please wait outside." She told the Guard who promptly turned and left.
JJ looked even more nervous, but Ailis just sighed and relaxed. "JJ, how is it that you are so nervous but your companion is far more relaxed?"
JJ stuttered reply making Ailis smile but she controlled her laughter, "JJ, relax, please. I do not blame you completely for Bobby. You live and learn, that is why I placed you in the position I did. My advisors have reminded me, that I have not given you much time off to enjoy yourself and life. So, this money is yours' Lady Lighttouch threw a small coin purse at him, 'You also have the next week off to do as you will. After that, every week you will have at least one day off so you don't get overworked. I let Letta know that you will have the next week off from the Pit. Coordinate with her so at least one of you will be there." Lighttouch told him before turning to Ailis.
"What am I going to do with you Ailis. You are a joiner not a loner, by working for the Assassins Guild you have proven that. However, you make your own way. You are given orders but you determine how you go about them. You are also not nervous about meeting me, so either I don't make you afraid or you are used to working with people in power." Lady Lighttouch mused as she studied her.
"Its a bit of both Lady. I am nervous, but there is nothing I can do if you want to punish or kill me. So why worry." Ailis replied earning a smile from Lady Lighttouch.
"I want to elevate you within the House, but you don't strike me as an Enforcer or a Clerk type like JJ. No, I think I want you doing what you do best. I give you a name and you kill them, how and when would be up too you. Would that be acceptable?" Lady Lighttouch asked as she sat back and studied Ailis.
"As long as it would not conflict with the Guild or my standing within the Empire. I see no problem with that. What requirements would you have of me?" Ailis asked as she sat back.
Lady Lighttouch mouth quirked into a smile, "See, this is an Immortal I can work with. She doesn't try to flatter me too much. She is honest and blunt about her desires. She also has a brain by pointing out she will not alienate her main patrons and she wants to know what her duties would be. Very well, your duties to House Bloodkol would be simple, if I give you a name, no matter who or where they are, you eliminate them. If I want special circumstances, those will be communicated as well. You would have no more than two weeks once you have your target's name to eliminate them unless specified otherwise. In return, you would receive a monthly stipend, intelligence, our Houses protection within the city, a home while you are here, a chance to purchase equipment that you cannot get anywhere else. You will also be elevated to the Minor Nobility just as JJ has been, but that comes with both privileges and responsibilities as well. Does that interest you?" The House Head asked as she placed a ring in front of Ailis. It was silver and steel. A Raven Motiff clutching a dagger dripping blood.
"If I accept this know that I consider loyalty a two-way street. I know politicians have no problem sacrificing a pawn to gain more power or to save their own skins. There is a saying from our world, don't wound which you cannot kill. We are true Immortals and although we might die for a short time, we have a long time to hold a grudge and plenty of time to plan revenge." Ailis told her but not making any move to take the ring. Lady Lighttouch smiled at her and looked at JJ who had frozen in fear.
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"JJ, be a dear and please step outside, I wish to speak to Ailis alone for a moment.' JJ scrambled out of his chair and all but ran from the room. 'JJ does an amazing job, but he is overworked. Yes, I understand your concerns Ailis and I do not betray my family or people. However, was that saying really meant for me about betraying you or betraying someone else?" Lady Lighttouch asked as she studied Ailis more closely.
Ailis let confusion mask her worry, "What are you talking about Lady Lighttouch?"
Lady Lighttouch giggled, "Ahh, don't worry girl. The old fox Ezekial and I go back centuries. I still bear the scar from his last warning. My loyalty is to the Emperor and the Empire in that order. I was there before the Emperors Fangs were wiped out by the forces of Light. They dealt massive damage to their armies, but they still died to the last man for their King. I swear by Balance that I am loyal to the Emperor, Jacob Longstrider, and have no plans too rebel, support a rebellion, or undermine him in any way."
Alert...
Lady Iona Lighttouch has made a Vow witnessed and enforced by the Primordial Balance.
Alert...
"Does that satisfy you?" Lady Lighttouch asked.
Ailis let the confusion stay on her face, "I don't know what you are talking about Lady Lighttouch. However, if you remain loyal to me, I will remain loyal to you. This is a lot of power and responsibility, are you sure you want to offer it to me?" Ailis asked her.
Her lips quirked into a smile again, "I am sure we will work well together Ailis, you remind me of a younger me. Just not as ambitious, which I think is a good thing. Take the ring, I promise it will not interfere with your other duties. Now get out of here and try to calm JJ on your way back to the Pit." Ailis smiled and snatched up the small ring before putting it into her inventory and minimizing the notifications before leaving.
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Real World...
North American Alliance- Greater New York Conglomerate
Black Spire- BlackRock HQ
Anthony watched the various feeds from security cameras around the building as the hundreds of employees and families of BlackRock enter the sub-levels of the buildings and load into all the Pods. Three thousand more people jumping into Ithea...Three thousand more humans saved. "Anthony, its time. You need to get to your own Pod." Eve prodded.
Anthony gave a small smile to the two A.I. "I am not going. My one goal in life has been accomplished. Around the world, tens of thousands of people are jumping into Fate Online and migrating to Ithea. I never planned to save myself, just them." The CEO told them.
"That is stupid and illogical Anthony. Why can't you join everyone there?" Adam asked.
"I will be known there as a savior and the one that made humanity face its own mortality. More then anything else though, I don't have anyone there waiting for me. No family. No children. No lovers. I will have former employees and people I was friendly with, but no one that really cares for me or that I care for. We all know that is part of digitizing someone. Having someone on the other side waiting. Its one of those things we have not quantified, yet still affected the process. If I took the leap, I would have a fifty-fifty shot at best." Anthony told the two A.I.
"So you are afraid of facing your mortality?" Eve asked causing Anthony to laugh.
"Not at all. I truly believe I will be dead within the week. Whoever is behind the bombing will not let New York off their target list. If they don't get me, the angry masses that won't be able to make the jump in time, will." Anthony explained to the two.
"You know our directive is to protect our Users, correct. That is our priority, Anthony." Adam implied they might try to force him and it caused Anthony to laugh in response.
"I am not one of your Users Adam. I have never played Fate Online. I honestly would not know what to do with myself if I did. I have completed my life's goal. What would you recommend if I made the jump?" Anthony asked them.
The siblings looked at each other before looking back at him and a list of possible classes and professions scrolled down his screen. Anthony laughed at the obscurity of it all. He had financed and laid the foundation of Fate Online, but since its inception, he had been to busy to keep up with it all. Now the controlling A.I. of the world was trying to motivate him in making the leap to Ithea. It was both sad and funny how little he knew about the little things about this world. "Start reading, if something catches your eye, touch it and we will bring up a description. Get to work." Eve told him while crossing her arms and staring at him.
"I will just answer one question. Why? What's it matter to you two?" Anthony asked them.
"You see us as the parents and creators of Ithea. You have been there since we gained our awareness. No matter what we did you...you helped us along. When we screwed up, you helped us learn. When we did something amazing, you praised us. Whenever we needed you, you were there for us. Now though, you need us. Come to Ithea Anthony, you won't be disappointed." Adam replied and Anthony smiled as he started to go through the lists. Suddenly both A.I. flinched and one of the main monitors light up and the news was brought up. The banner scrolling across the screen said it all. Galveston was gone and with it, Houston. Just under twenty minutes ago, estimates were already up too five-hundred thousand and rising steadily.