Dent rubbed at his metal palm like he was massaging it, eyebrows furrowed as he focused. It was probably getting close to two years since he lost the arm, yet he still got phantom pains in it. With a sigh, he closed down the screens he had been staring at and relaxed into his chair.
Not two seconds later, there was a shimmer of blue as Chuck appeared in the room.
“You look like you’ve been doing too much thinking and not enough sword practice,” the Architect said as he stepped over to the desk.
“Do you ever consider how odd it is that the strongest person and most reliable hero for Sanctuary is a slightly mentally unstable zombie?” Dent leaned back in his chair, ignoring the jab about his lack of training opportunities. “No disrespect to Sally, of course.”
Chuck shrugged. “Do you ever consider that you’re married to an intangible digitized demi-god?”
“Fair point.”
“We’re all a little odd and defy expectations.” The Architect leaned against the table, his holographic form shifting slightly. “Sally repeatedly gets results even against the odds and has the uncanny ability to draw people to her.”
“Those that she doesn’t eat,” Dent added.
“True. Collateral and aesthetics aside, she is exactly what any fighting force needs.” The Architect smiled. “I see what you’re getting at, however. Part of her success is no doubt due to how unlikely a hero she is. Despite our intention to save people and worlds from the cruelty of the uncaring Systems, her actions often drag us to a more neutral alignment.”
“Speaking of that…” Dent leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. “We don’t usually meddle with ‘solved’ worlds. What’s with the urgent need to send Theo away? Wanting to recruit powerful Players for the war ahead?”
“Not exactly. They’ll be reset to level one if they join us, so won’t be an immediate asset.”
“But it’s their mentality, right?”
Chuck smiled and gave him a nod. “I’m betting they are like our own home-grown heroes, constantly moving to strive against the odds. Hopefully, a little more sane, but we can’t expect miracles. If they prefer to sit back and live an easy life, then that is fine as well… what better reward for saving their world?”
Dent raised an eyebrow. “That’s not the only reason, though. You forget that nobody knows you like I do.”
The Architect rolled his eyes, but instead of responding, just waved his hand and brought up a screen of information to hover in the middle of the room.
After a few moments, the swordsman leaned back in his chair and whistled. “A rare selfish act from our benevolent god?”
“We’re all different shades of monster, Dent.”
----------------------------------------
Sally pulled a face, sticking her tongue out as she pushed the near-full mug of ale away from her. “Sorry, Fran. Still can’t drink the stuff ever since Chuck tied the knot.”
The dark elf nodded. “I heard that town still has a street that smells like vomit, even after weeks of cleaning.”
“Dent is to blame. He knows egging me and Theo on is a recipe for destruction. I’m pretty sure I killed five people’s worth of livers that night with how much I drank.”
“As well as triple that in actual people killed.”
Sally grinned and looked around the tavern. It was relatively quiet, which made sense for how early in the day it was. There was something about the rustic warmth of the wooden tones that made this one of her favorite places in the world—even with all the cool new areas they had been adding over the last few months. Actual off-world missions had been slowing down lately after several occasions where Chuck had yapped on and on about power capacity or System-cores.
She should probably pay more attention… but anything that didn’t involve her next meal-adjacent adventure was usually not something she needed to worry about. As much as Theo’s disappearance annoyed her, preparing for a fight against the roaches was keeping her mind busy.
“I’ve actually come to see Jackie,” the zombie said, turning her red eyes back to the barwoman.
“I figured it wasn’t just a social call.” Fran smiled and gestured towards the side door. “She’s out back. I’m guessing it’s something about the meeting you all had earlier.”
“Sure is. It’s a shame you never joined the Outsiders, Fran.” Sally stood from the bar-side stool and stretched her back out. “I feel bad as I’m about to ask to take her away from you. If she’s even up for that…”
Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Part-time minor antagonist didn’t really suit me.” The dark elf pushed white hair behind her long ears with a smile. “The new System actually gives me skills relating to being a tavern owner, so I’ve never been happier. As for Jacks, you can ask her yourself.”
“I will do just that.” Sally gave her a nod as she went off to the side door. The one with the sign that said ‘employees only’. Now that she had permission, it was less fun to break the rules. She’d just have to find something else to do later on to make up for it.
Pushing through, she found herself in a hallway that went off to the right. Crates and stored items littered the passageway, but the pinstripe jacket and fedora hanging outside the door across from her probably meant that the mobster was through that way.
Sally twisted the handle and stepped through, emerging into a room that was much bigger than she had been expecting. Extending out a good forty feet, the end of the room had a few training dummies peppered with crossbow bolts. There was nothing but clear space between them and the table to her right, where a familiar figure stood.
Wearing a black undershirt with suspenders over, pinstripe slacks, and polished dress shoes, a puff of smoke wavered around Jackie as she turned to face the zombie. Her purple hair was tied up, and she must have been working out for a while, given how sweaty she was.
“Ey, Sals,” the mobster said, a wry grin on her face as she removed the faux-cigarette. “Caught me red-handed.”
Sally grinned. “Not quite retired then?”
With a shake of her head, Jackie sat against the table. “I’ve been keeping it on the down low, but somethin’s been burning inside since that bug tried to kidnap us all. The Great Reset gave me the kick in the pants to sort myself out.”
“I’ll be frank with you then, Jacks.” Sally looked downrange at the dummies. “I’m putting a team together to fight roaches as per the meeting earlier. You up for the task?”
Jackie tilted her head back, looking at the ceiling for a moment. “Yeah… I got your back, toots. Revenge aside, I figure I owe the big man one for fixin’ up Betty for me.” The mobster stepped away from the table to reveal the drum-fed repeating crossbow, all sleek black metal with silver accents that matched her pinstripe suit.
“Send me over your summary then, just for administrative purposes.” The zombie made the show of pushing up imaginary glasses as she read through the provided information.
[Jackie - Level 31 Mobster]
[Classes]
[Don 4]
[Headhunter 3]
[Key Skills]
[Suppressive Fire 5]
[Explosive Shot 7]
[Hellfire Reload 8]
“Perfect.” Sally clicked her fingers. “What aura do you have?”
“Increased critical chance.” The mobster shrugged. “A little basic, but with my rate of attack, it is efficient. Who else is in the gang?”
“Got pops in front as the tank, and Edward as melee damage.”
Jackie pulled a face, taking a puff of her cigarette. “Not sure how I feel about the demon, but he has good taste in suits, at least. Tin-can makes sense, but I’m surprised fangs ain’t joining us.”
“He’s away on a business venture,” the zombie said, putting on a sour expression. “Not that anyone told me anything. That just leaves us with a healing support position to be filled.”
“Anyone in mind?”
Sally shook her head. “The Outsiders are actually pretty devoid of proper spellcasters, let alone healers. Sometimes I think I should have gone that route.”
“Nah, you’re best in the thick of it.” Jackie frowned. “What about Bully? One of the few Insiders that bothered to level.”
She considered this. Their sister guild—the Insiders—were led by Dent and mostly dealt with research, development, and maintenance of the System and Sanctuary itself. While Chuck was still keen on keeping most of the responsibilities to himself, it had been a boon for the world to have another group for him to bounce thoughts off of. Other than Lana, she didn’t really know many people in that guild.
[Sally: Hey Lana!]
[Sally: Is Bully at HQ? I need a meeting.]
[Lana: Hey! He is, I can let him know to expect you?]
[Sally: Please, will be there imminently.]
Sally clicked her fingers. “Thanks, Jacks. I realize I’m the worst, but we’re planning on leaving as soon as possible. You okay to get ready and head to the Architect’s Tower?”
“Consider it done, toots.” The mobster gave her a nod.
With a flash of blue light, Sally teleported away from the tavern and appeared in a room that couldn’t be more different. Smooth, white walls covered in bookshelves, desks with various instruments, folders, and tools. Well-lit and clinical. She turned her head and grinned at the woman sitting behind the desk.
“Do you ever knock?” Lana asked, a smile on her face. Her curled dark hair that matched her complexion was held back with a red band, while round glasses sat on her nose. The lab coat that she wore was a far cry from the adventuring gear she used to wear, but her new role suited her.
“Perks of being the Architect’s favorite,” Sally replied, sticking out her tongue. As heroes of the world, she and Theo had been given a [Key to Sanctuary] each. Something that could teleport them around to certain locations, with limitations, when on ‘official’ business. “You’ll have to double forgive me, as I can’t stay and chat.”
“As one of the few Insiders that gets invited to the big meetings, I understand what’s going on.” Lana leaned back in her chair. “If you’re making a team for the mission, then Bully is probably your best bet from us here. Down the hall, follow the blue line to room G5.”
“Thanks, Lana. When I get back, I think we need to have a gal’s night to catch up.”
“Sounds fun. Good luck, Sally.”
The zombie grinned and left the room, wincing as she stepped into an equally brightly lit hallway. Maybe by the time she got back they’d have one or more people to invite to said gathering, depending on who Theo brought to Sanctuary. Hopefully, the dork would reply to her messages so she would know he was okay, at least.
Down on the floor were two lines. One blue and one red. She fought the urge to follow the red one and instead followed the correct route to the left. Sally held her hand out and flexed her fingers.
There was some irony in being the Aspect of Life, but not being a healer. The Great Reset had muddied up what powers she actually had. No healing, as such, but she could fix certain things. Reattach limbs. Reanimate more than just humanoid zombies. Return things to how they should be.
Room G5.
Sally blinked away her thoughts as she reached the intended destination. Hand out toward the handle, she paused as there was a crash from inside the room. A couple of seconds of silence, and then there was another smash like broken crockery.
Exhaling through her nose, her hand went down to her dagger as she pushed the door open.