AuthNote: Before you read, let me warn you that this chapter is a bit on the gloomy side… While I was writing, I came up with a few interesting ideas for the dark side of this story and got so stuck in its line of thinking that kinda forgot to lighten it up with some humor and stuff so bear with me on this one… ;) With that said, I’d like to warn people that even with all the tension free atmosphere that I’ll be trying to create for the story, the MC – Marcus, is my picture of a perfect anti-hero and the disregard for the human life will be displayed profoundly.. Probably.. Not sure what profoundly means exactly ;) And soz for poor spelling in AuthNotes.. I barely even look at what I type and just go straight with the thought that come out from my head… Either way.. Enjoy the read)
And once again, I, Marcus, am back to being a bad influence for you. Last time a got distracted by my quarreling uninvited guests, but now that they got over their differences and are busy bonding with each other, I can return my full attention to my story. Though, I must admit that I’m a tad bit unhappy over the fact that they’ve settled their argument with words alone. Indeed, a pity.
-----------------------------------------
If I remember correctly, last time the story stopped on the part where I acquired six loyal companions to act as my guides and provide me with, essentially, everything I required. Meeting this six, proved to be a godsend. Before I only had a goal and raw determination, but thanks to the chance encounter with this leather-bound outcasts of society, I have been provided with the means to follow through to my goal.
While being stranded in the forest, I understood that to make my journey lead me to acquiring undisputable power, wondering aimless would be futile. I needed information. Information on legendary relics, forbidden magic, location of ancient ruins, etc…
After meeting those six (Well, seven.. but since there are no PCs in this world… Tough Luck.) , and providing them with a few solid arguments, to prove that a life of devotion to me, is their best, and only, choice with 6 sharp solid ice arguments hovering pointed in the direction of the nether regions. This was it, all I need to get information is a source and a valid point. Valid point is that no information cost more than the life of its source. What use would the source have for information without he means, being alive that is, to use it.
Reaching such a conclusion, I spent the next year roaming the world with my six faithful assistants. Even though, this outing was nothing but a step toward my ultimate goal, yet I enjoyed every minute of it. We were playing a game with the whole human continent as our playground. It was a fun combination between – hide and seek, tag and breaking toys. Although most participants didn’t choose to play the game to enjoy themselves, each and every one of them was after the prize. No a single one of them could resist the temptation to achieve it, since the prize of this game was their life, while the price of losing was their demise.
This year we spent most of our time searching for and interrogating countless mages, officials, criminals, information brokers, etc… Basically anyone who might have any useful information to achieve my goal. Every time we located a potential target, we approach the person in question and proposed a generous offer. He tells us everything that he knows and he is free to continue through with the pathetic existence that is his life. Otherwise he may choose to flee to which we won’t interfere, but once we seek him out and tag him into a corner, where he will receive the privilege of having an actual purpose in life. That, of course, is until he breaks, just like the rest of my precious toys. As much as a treasure my possession, a broken item has lost its utility and can no longer serve any purpose to me, or to the rest of the world.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
------------------------------------------------------
Now that our quest for information has been fulfilled, it was finally time to put it to good use. You know… Ancient ruins to scavange, forbidden magic to practice, legendary artifacts to be stolen… No, not stolen, claimed is the correct term. Claimed to serve a greater purpose and reveal their true potential.
After putting the puzzles of acquired information together we spent the next five years treasure hunting. Busy Busy Busy…
Though it had its fun moments and we faced a fair share of dangerous situations, there was nothing particularly interesting or led me to where I am today. It all began after I collected all the required fragments and gained the power that I so much desired only to realize that it wasn’t even remotely enough to shed free from my coil and only weakness, that is mortality.
Regardless, I do not despair. I have no time for such pity emotions now that I’m in a race against time as a mere human being, but that is only a consolation that I came up with to keep me going. What really keeps from breaking up is my goal. I still have it, my goal, my most trustworthy partner. Now, it’s only a matter of figuring out the means to have our partnership finally bare fruit.
-----------------------------------------
Now that I reflect on those moments I understand why I was so hasty to grab at any means that opportunity provides. My goal was extremely complicated to achieve and the life time of a mortal, a simple human being is only so long. So taking drastic measures was a reasonable decision and it indeed led me to reaching my goal but the price was such a pain in the arse.. You simply cannot begin to imagine. *Sigh*
AuthNote #2: Next time I’ll continue from the part where finally gains the long awaited lazor pew pew powaz and realizes that it’s not enough… If anyone has any objections to skipping the collection of the treasures part then feel free to voice it.. If you guys are interested then I can set it up..) Either way.. suggestions and comments are welcome.. pwease am hungry for attentionz!!
Next Chapter