Patron Saint

"Really?" Azroc asked as he looked at the security room. "This is your fucking base of command? It's pretty pathetic."

"I'm not really sure what you expect us to have. This is perfectly functional." Brian objected.

"For fucks sake. You can purchase upgrades from the guild menu and have so many more things to make this job easier." Azroc threw his hands in the air at their rebuttal.

"But we need to use those points for expansion," Brian countered.

"No, you need to use them for things that might help with any kind of....let's say possible invasions." Azroc tried to sneak around the issue.

It was becoming clear that Azroc was bending the rules in trying to help them. Tom had seen what happened when he broke a rule the System put in place. It wasn't pleasant.

"So, what is it you suggest?" Brian asked pointedly.

Azroc stopped and closed his mouth. Furrowing his brows, he stared angrily at Brian.

"Well?" Brian continued.

"He can't give us details, Brian. He's bending the rules enough as it is. Give him a break and try to see what he's saying as helpful." Tom cut into the conversation.

"Fine. Sorry. I'm just trying my best to get us prepared and there's so many things to do I just don't know which is right." Brian hung his head slightly as he admitted to his feelings of being overwhelmed.

"You are doing an amazing job. There's nothing wrong with a little help." Tom walked over and put a hand on his shoulder to comfort him.

"I know. I'll take a look at the upgrades available and see what options we have." Brian gave in and sat down in a chair.

"Cameras are great, but there are better options out there. You'll have to see what you can do. Might even be able to get a little more space out of the deal." Azroc commented as he turned to head for the door.

"Let's head to the garden next." Tom offered.

They exited the security office and began to walk across the lobby to the elevators. On the way, they passed by a group of children kicking a ball around the open space. Most parents didn't want the children playing outdoors with most of the space beginning to be taken up by the expansions and monsters being a possibility, so they normally took to playing in the gym. Since Tom and his team had been using the gym to summon and speak with Azroc, this left them with little option but to play in the lobby.

Azroc saw the playing and paused to watch. One of the children accidentally kicked the ball too hard and it went past the child playing as a goalie. Rolling to a stop at Azroc's feet, the Patron stared at the ball for a moment before picking it up and holding it out to the children who had come to retrieve it.

"Thanks, mister," The small boy said gratefully accepting the ball. "You wanna play with us?"

Azroc stared at the child for a long moment. Tom could see his facial expressions softening at the offer.

"I think I can spare a little time," Azroc said looking back at Tom for reassurance.

"We've got as much time as you think you can spare being with us," Tom replied.

Azroc stood and walked back over to the other kids and began to play ball with them. They laughed and giggled at his pretend awkwardness when he kicked the ball around and chased after them. And not one swear word came out of his normally foul mouth while he was with them.

At one point he picked up the ball in mock frustration and began to run around as the children yelled after him, following to try to get their ball back. He pretended to trip and the kid dog piled on him while he protested as the children laughed even louder at the display.

When Azroc finally extricated himself from the dog pile, he explained to the children that he had to continue his tour.

"Awwwwww," Came the collective cry from the children.

"Please, mister. Can you come back to play with us again?" One child asked staring up at Azroc with pleading eyes.

"Sure thing, buddy. I'll come back sometime and play again. But I'm pretty busy so it might be a while." Azroc kindly said as he tousled the boy's hair.

Disappointment showed on their faces, but they seemed okay with the promise to return. Everyone in the guild was busy most of the time. They had to get used to taking whatever time they could get. He walked over to the elevator and he and Tom got on together to head to the gardens.

"You seemed to enjoy that time with the kids," Tom said offhandedly, a small smile on his face as he didn't make eye contact with Azroc.

"Shut the fuck up. Kids are still innocent. They haven't seen the harsh realities of the way things work. They don't need to see the other side yet." Azroc said, also not making eye contact.

Continuing to stare up at the numbers awkwardly in the elevator, as one does, the pair finally reached the top floor and exited after the doors opened. Rows and rows of green vegetation greeted them as they left the elevator. Everything was lined up in nice, neat grids set in raised wooden plant beds. Some trees had been planted throughout which offered a bit of shade while the rest was left open to the sun's rays.

"This is nowhere near enough to feed everyone is it?" Azroc asked staring around at the open area of crops that were being tended to by members of the guild.

"No. It's been a good start, but we have more area out back that has been set up for the other crops including a space for a small orchard." Tom replied staring around and looking at the progress.

"Still not enough," Azroc said simply as he shrugged.

"We know. But this city isn't exactly filled with prime farmland." Tom shot back.

"True. But maybe there's an alternative that you can use some of those guild points on." Azroc said as he began walking out into the crops.

Tom followed closely behind as he continued to inspect the progress while walking with his hands held behind his back.

"What the hell is this shit?" Azroc said looking down at a plant in confusion.

"Those are cucumbers. You can cut them up and eat them on salads, or pickle them to keep for longer." Tom said walking over to see what Azroc was talking about.

"They look like green dicks. Do people..." Azroc began and trailed off.

"Ummm...Sometimes, I guess. But I would advise against it." Tom said, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment.

"Oh, come on. Don't tell me you never thought about it?" Azroc asked, now taking pleasure in Tom's discomfort.

"Can we talk about anything else?" Tom asked.

"Fine, fine, fucking fine. Didn't know you were such a prude. What about the purple dicks? The emojis?" Azroc asked changing the subject but still prodding Tom.

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"Eggplants. Not sure we have those. I'll be sure to ask when you aren't here." Tom replied, shutting down the subject.

An hour later, Tom and Azroc reentered the lobby.

"I still can't believe so many vegetables look like," Azroc began.

"Do you really just like dicks? Sweet baby Jesus on a fucking Roomba, it's like talking to James." Tom rolled his eyes so hard he was worried they'd get stuck.

Tom and Azroc walked out to the garage where they climbed into the GS2 after Tom's insistence that they take a small tour of the areas right around the guild building. As they drove, Tom noticed a lone goblin out hunting for food.

"Wanna go bowling?" Tom asked, a malicious grin on his face.

Azroc looked up at the road and then back at Tom, grinning suddenly as well.

"Fuck yeah," Azroc replied.

Hitting the gas, the pair shot off after the goblin. Hearing the roaring of the engine and the screeching of the tires, the goblin looked up from the trash pile it had been sifting through and its eyes went wide. Squealing as it tried to both stand up and run at the same time, it managed to trip over its own feet, falling to the ground. Still scrambling to get out of the way, it clawed at the ground with all four limbs flailing at once.

With a slight bump, Tom plowed over the creature silencing its screams.

"That was almost as much fun as killing them yourself," Azroc clapped his hands as he laughed.

"Well, now that you've seen most of what we do here, what do you think?" Tom asked him as they continued driving around the city.

"You've accomplished much, but the trials coming will push even you to the very limit of what you can do, if not further," Azroc spoke sagely to ensure Tom knew he was serious.

"We can only do what we can do. We will not go down without a fight." Tom replied, eyes not leaving the road, a firm expression on his face.

"That's all anyone can ask. Keep working hard at upgrading and you will survive. I mean, maybe not all of you, but some of you." Azroc said offhandedly.

"That's bleak," Tom replied, finally turning to look at Azroc.

"It's fucking reality shitbiscuit. You get stronger or you fucking die. The way of life in this mess." Azroc said, folding his arms over his chest showing he wasn't trying to argue about it.

"I know. I just wish there was another way." Tom looked back at the road and his shoulders slumped slightly under the weight of the thoughts.

Azroc looked at Tom out of the side of his eye without turning his head.

"How many dungeons have you completed and put my mark on again?" Azroc asked him after a long pause.

"Three. Why?" Tom asked, confusion playing across his face as he scanned the city as it passed. "You just gave me a reward for that."

"I know, I know, hold on, I'm working on something," Azroc said in irritation.

With his eyes unfocused, looking at screens Tom couldn't see, Azroc put a hand on his chin as he thought. Suddenly a window popped up in Tom's view.

"Fuck! I'm driving you bastard!" Tom said as he quickly minimized the window and stopped the vehicle.

"Oh, come on. Learn to multitask better." Azroc rolled his eyes at the response.

Pulling the prompt back up now that he had stopped, he read the information.

Your Patron has issued a new quest:

Azroc has given you a new quest to complete. Show Your Might! Demonstrate to Azroc that you have been working to prepare for the impending invasion to receive your prize. Accept?

Yes

No

Tom looked at it confused. Selecting yes, the prompt disappeared and was replaced by another pop-up.

Quest Complete!

You have completed the quest, Show Your Might! Azroc is satisfied with your progress in upgrading Vanguard. You may select from the following rewards.

 Tattoo of Eldritch Horror - Activating this tattoo will transform the user into an eldritch horror with all the powers that come with it. The user will lose control of their actions for a time as the creature will act on its own and destroy all in its path. Tattoo casting cost is 500 mana.

 Tattoo of Perception - When activated, this tattoo will heighten the user's senses, allowing them to see farther, hear better, and smell greater than human perceptions would normally allow. Cannot be surprised while this tattoo is active. Tattoo casting cost is 250 mana.

 Tattoo of Inspiration - This tattoo will boost the morale of all those who choose to follow you. Using your Charisma attribute, those around you will receive additional defense points. Those following you will receive 0.25% per point of Charisma you have lasting 10 minutes. Tattoo casting cost is 250 mana.

"Can you actually do this?" Tom asked.

"Sure, as shit can. I get to decide how the quests and rewards go. Well, at least the level of the prizes." Azroc replied. "Can't control the actual gifts specifically."

"I don't know what to say," Tom replied shocked at his show of generosity.

"Look, kid. I've been doing this for a long time. There are a lot of shitbags out there. You're one of the good ones. I can't say I see that a lot. So, I want you to succeed." Azroc explained.

Tom nodded to him as he looked over the options one more time. The decision seemed obvious to him. He needed to keep his people safe. Tom selected the Tattoo of Inspiration, and the stinking sensation began on his chest. It was directly on his left pectoral muscle and lasted slightly longer than the others had when he had been inked.

Unable to see the tattoo at this moment because of his armor, Tom decided he would wait to see it later when he showered. Another prompt filled his vision after the tattoo had been completed.

Your Patron has issued a new quest:

Azroc has given you a new quest to complete. Survive the Invasion. Successfully repel the invasion or survive until reinforcements arrive. Accept?

Yes

No

Tom selected yes.

"I guess this means I won't see you again until after the invasion?" Tom asked.

"Probably. You could always summon me sooner, but there's no telling if I'll be busy. When someone completes a quest, I have certain abilities that allow me to be present." Azroc said.

"Like what?" Tom asked.

"I can't tell you that. Too much information at your level." Azroc said succinctly.

"Damn. Alright. Let's head back for now. I think you've gotten the general idea." Tom said, feeling a little down at not getting to know more about some of the advanced abilities. "And Azroc, thanks."

"Just doing my job, dickweed. Nothing different from any other Patron." Azroc winked at him.