{[The cruel actions of others, often leaves good men picking up the pieces by cautious and distrusting victims.]}
“My people will gather the gold in the cave,” Ari reassured Ashner. "Now that the dungeon is destroyed, it's safe to venture in there… I know it's not much, but we will do that for you… Thanks to your efforts, elves can ventured into the dungeon and purified it… Instead of it being a haven for monsters, fae will be born into it."
“What are fae?” Ashner tilted his head.
“Spiritual beings with independent thoughts and desires. They usually seek out people they find interesting and create a bond with them. They often choose elves, but on occasion, they choose demi's or humans for companionship.” Ari explained with a loud tone, and she glared at the demi's below. As a warning to not mock Ashner since this was knowledge children learned at a young age. “Fae increase mana productivity, create new spells with a contract, and on rare occasions add another affinity to a magic user.”
Sounds interesting.
“As things stand, the Dead God has taken so much land that faes have slumbered,” Luna spoke this time. “Most dungeons used to belong to the fae, so the more we take, the stronger we become… Once the fae have fully awakened, I'll ask them to aid our kingdom.”
“As for her.” Both Luna and Ari glanced down at the elf who snuck into Ashner’s bath. She was on her knees, petrified and shaking.
“She missed the commotion and didn’t know she wasn’t allowed to go into the bath.” Ari continued. Behind Ashner, Gio and Wong fought hard, very hard to keep their faces neutral. “She confused you for a monster, pulled a dagger out in self defense, and vomited upon seeing your face.”
Wong and Gio lost it. Laughing so loud the hallways echoed with their booming voices.
Ashner narrowed his eyes and pouted.
Just let them laugh… Don't get angry… Don't shoot their dicks off… Not today… maybe tomorrow… But not today…
Gio tumbled on his ass, gasped for air, and continued roaring with laughter. Wong tumbled against the wall and laughed so hard his eyes were watering.
“ARE YOU TWO DONE!” Ashner yelped at his friends.
Both of them stopped laughing immediately.
“No.” Gio managed, and both of them continued laughing. This time, Wong fell down next to Gio. “I'm gonna piss my pants!”
Maybe today I'll shoot their dicks off… Not tomorrow… Today… TODAY!
Ari waited patiently until the two of them finished.
They weren't stopping, so she nodded at two of her demi-bulls. They each gently grabbed the two soldiers and walked them out of the makeshift court. Even as they left, their laughter continued to echo.
Once they were far enough, the queen cleared her throat. “I'm not an elf, so I can't punish her. The elven community as a whole will decide her punishment.”
“Don't punish her.” Ashner shook his head. "Under this mask, I do look like a monster."
His words did not put anyone at ease.
"This is a manner of respect." Ari interrupted Ashner. "No one is to lift a hand against you."
“Master, if I may.” Alex interrupted.
“What's up?" Ashner glanced at the smaller man, hoping to find a way out of his awkward situation.
“She's a warrior, and I need protection on Earth… So if you will it, please let her pay by allowing her to watch my back."
You brilliant little bastard.
"Six months in my world, protecting Alex. If she does this, I'll forgive her." Ashner added. The elf's ears rose. "I'll ensure she's fed and paid for her services as well. But don't mistake me. This will be a punishment, and she won't be allowed to venture back and forth between our worlds as she pleases... Plus, I know she'll face some level of harassment for having a slave crest."
“You're offering her a job?" Ari's eyebrows rose, and she crossed her arms under her breasts.
“Not just her. Any warrior that's willing to help is more than welcome to join Alex." He studied the elf. "But since this is a punishment for her, she won't be paid as much as anyone who volunteers."
“Do you accept?” Luna knelt down and got eye level with the girl. Her face trembled. “You’re lucky he’s going to pay you.”
“I accept.” The elf whispered hoarsely.
Why is Luna so menacing?
“I have some requirements.” Ashner continued. “Anyone who wants to serve Alex needs to become my slave and show their worth by killing monsters. Each killed monster will give me XP, which I will, in turn, give back to said slave. And, if you kill more monsters than you require, I will give you more power… I can give power to my friends in my world, but I can't give power to anyone in this world without the slave crest on their body.”
“Master?" Luna's ears wiggled down. "Is that wise?"
“Yes,” Ashner reassured her. He was revealing his power, but what was the point of keeping it a secret if he didn't use it to its full potential? “Ask Luna what power I gave her if you don't believe me… Are we done now?”
Ari nodded gently.
"Good… I have two so-called ‘friends’ to punch." Ashner stormed off, popping his knuckles. As he walked away, laughter echoed once more from Gio and Wong.
“Ow!” Wong moaned loudly.
“Hey!” Gio half screamed, half laughed.
“That's two for flinching!” Ashner roared. The demi's all tilted their heads in confusion. These humans were odd. They mocked and even physically harmed each other, yet they claimed to be the best of friends… They were, at the very least, entertaining.
“You should choose the elves that will protect Alex." Ari urged her friend. "You may not be queen by title, but all of your kin accept you as their leader… Will you save me the headache and just accept your mother's crown?”
“No,” Luna smirked. “I may be older than you… But you are far more wiser than me…”
“Wiser, yes.” Ari agreed. “But cunning? Not by a long shot… Ashner is ambitious. It's only a matter of time until more demi's come seeking refuge… We will need your cunning nature when that time comes…”
“More assumptions without merit.” Luna sighed heavily. “For now, let me just enjoy the time I have with the man who always saves my life.”
“You're a child in more ways than one,” Ari smirked.
*******
Ashner walked around the castle. Rumors of his true face had spread, and some of the demi's had given him harsh stares. He also offered demi's the chance to work for him, but it came at the cost of becoming his new slave.
A taboo requirement.
Ashner walked past the demi's eating in the grand hall. Then he stepped into the White Room. As he did, two male demi's scoffed.
“That human is going to enslave us all, then he'll work us ragged.” An elf with dark green hair glared at the White Door as he sipped on noodles. "As if any of us would accept his ridiculous offer."
“He admitted it himself. It's taboo accepting his offer, and he claims he looks like a monster under that mask.” A demi-bull with dark skin and jet-black hair continued the conversation. “He's a disgusting creature… I pity the women he forces to bed him.”
“Come on, guys." A slim elf woman sat between them. "He's not too bad, and he gave us food and water."
“He’s treating us like pets, but I won’t fall for it… That kindness is just a veil that he’ll unravel once he gets what he wants… And when that time comes, we’ll kill him.”
A heavy boot stepped next to the demi-bull. “Wanna run that by me?” Gio smiled devilishly.
Wong sat directly in front of the three demi's. Once he did, the elven girl smiled due to his beauty. “Don't you know it's unwise to bite the hand that's feeding you?”
Risa stood behind Wong with her hand on a dagger she had scavenged from the kingdom. Her eyes were similar to a wild beast protecting her young.
The three demi's grasped that they had screwed themselves. Instead of apologizing, the male elf doubled down. “You two don't have slaves, nor do you know the fear of becoming one…” He pointed at Risa.
“You're his slave, and you're beautiful, so I know he ravished your body… Admit it."
“I'm still a virgin," Risa spoke calmly. "Ashner has given me more than any demi has…"
“That doesn’t change the fact that he owns you.” The elf pitied her. “Once he’s tired of you, he’ll abandon and replace you… That’s why you never trust a slaver.”
“You only speak that way because deep down, that's what you would do if the master's leash was in your hand.” Risa glared fiercely. “I serve him because I want to.”
“Then you're a fool." The demi-bull mocked her. This made the elven woman lift her hands in a fetal attempt to stop their arguing.
Risa hissed, but Wong lifted his hand towards her. “Go with Ashner…” Risa defied him for a few seconds but broke away and walked into the White Room.
“I’m also a human. And don’t get it wrong, I told her to leave for your safety. That killer is ruthless.” Wong ate his noodles. “If I recall correctly, your name is Leon, and your sister was one of the slaves that I stitched up in the White Room.”
“Yes, you saved her life… And I'm grateful to you for that…” The elf studied Wong. He was a little intimidated by Wong’s charming allure. “You’re not like the rest of the humans.”
“And you, Gio, you've also brought toys and clothes for our people…” The demi-bull added. “So I don't hate you… But that slaver… He's manipulating us into becoming his slaves… So no, I don't regret what I said… If he gets out of line, I will kill him.”
Gio grabbed the demi-bull's collar and brought his face to him. “That's my friend you're threatening… A man who saved my life countless times… I love him like a brother… And you just threatened to kill him in front of me...” The demi-bull's eyes widened, both by the fact that Gio was much stronger than he imagined, and instead of his smiling nature, Gio was angry.
“Hey!” The elf reached for his sword, but Wong's 1911 handgun was already upholstered, and the barrel was on the elf's head.
“Don't do it,” Wong warned casually.
“I don’t understand…” The elf sat back down. “You two mocked him hours ago… You embarrassed him in front of the queen… And now you’re defending him?”
“Fuck yes, we are.” Gio unhanded the demi-bull. He had utterly manhandled him. Then he sat next to Wong. “It’s quite simple. Nobody fucks with him… Except us...”
Wong holstered his weapon, and everyone relaxed.
“Let’s pretend this never happened.” Gio grabbed his food and pointed his spoon at the demi’s. “Despite what you two say, any demi that takes Ashner’s offer will end up benefiting.”
“Nobody benefits from becoming a slave.”
“Ashner doesn't treat anyone like a slave. He cherishes the merits people possess, and I'll wager my left nut that the first demi's that accept his offer will return with wealth, knowledge, and technology far beyond your imagination.”
“I want to go.” The female elf spoke happily. This made both the demi's around her raise their eyebrows. “But I'm not a warrior, so I can't fight monsters like he asked.”
“I doubt Ashner will reject you. Just let him know what your skills are, and if he's impressed, he'll let you go.”
“Why risk yourself like that?” The two male demi’s questioned their friend. “He might kill you.”
“Because I'm tired of being angry, and these three humans are nothing like the slavers we constantly run from… Maybe I am foolish, but our options are to trust them or to keep living in this ruined kingdom, rationing our food and water… Remaining terrified of everything outside of these walls… I’m tired of it… Aren’t you?”
The two demi’s lowered their heads.
“Ashner will put us on the right path,” Wong reassured them. “Just don't do anything stupid.”
Wong finished his meal and grabbed Gio’s shoulder, breaking him away from the demi’s.
*******
“I’m learning about the war… I can’t imagine entire nations being destroyed…” Naomie was reading about Earth. “It’s terrifying…”
“It happened. Somehow, humanity survived.”
“The saddest part is, I would’ve loved to see some of those places…”
“You can still visit my world if you want to.” Ashner smiled.
“No thanks.” Naomie pouted. “Your world interests me, but it also terrifies me.”
“I won’t push, but don’t you get stir-crazy living in this little room?"
“I don't mind.” The door opened, and Risa entered with her tail straight up.
Her tail, she’s mad about something.
“What's wrong, Risa?” Her tail came down.
“Nothing. I just wanted to check up on Naomie.” The demi-cat walked up to the young girl, and Naomie explained how her electronic tablet worked.
Now's as good a time as any.
Ashner entered his world and returned with a handful of wooden swords coated with graphene. The two girls studied the weapons as Ashner put them on the bed.
“These are for you two.” Ashner fingered one of the wooden swords. “It has a thin layer of graphene on it, so it won't break… Naomie wants to learn swordsmanship, and with this, the two of you can train.”
“I appreciate it, master.” Risa bowed, and Naomie quickly and clumsily copied her. “But we can't train in this room.”
“We can't right now… Menu, for the White Room, buy level one Weaponry Training Room.” The menu popped up, and a new room appeared. It formed as a staircase leading upstairs.
White Room XP:2 > XP:1
Weaponry Training Room (Level 1) – Room is for anyone who wishes to improve their weaponry and hand-to-hand fighting skills.
- Infinite Weapons – Any weapon you bring into the training room will be copied. If the weapon is destroyed, it'll be restored in a span of twenty-four hours. No weapon can be taken out of the room.
- Perfect Muscle Regeneration – Your body will never become sore regardless of how hard you train in this room.
- Perfect Concentration – Training in this room gives you a X2 muscle memory boost.
This will be helpful not just for Naomie but also for Risa.
“What is that?” Risa studied the stairs as they formed from thin air.
“A place you can train Naomie.” Ashner led the way, and the two girls cautiously stepped behind him. At the top of the stairs was another door. Ashner opened it. “Now, this is awesome.”
The Weaponry Training Room was much larger than the rooms below. Easily as large as a professional football field. Along the walls stood stands for weapons.
Each empty and lonely. As Ashner walked across the room he bought, he grasped that white towels were hanging from wooden gaps in the walls and some parts of the training room had a soft floor. More than likely, it will be for hand-to-hand training. Some wooden dummies stood ready to get punched, and further into the room was a boxing ring and a handful of punching bags.
Above them, light shined down from skylights. There was no sky, but somehow, the light was oddly natural. Risa placed the swords Ashner had bought her on wooden stands.
“This is more than I could ever imagine.” Risa smiled delightfully. “Is this yours?”
“No, it’s ours.” Ashner was in as much awe as the girls. “Come here whenever you want to train.”
Ashner palmed the wall. It was made of wood, and it was spotless, like the rest of the White Room.
Naomie hugged Ashner. She was short, and her head barely reached below his chest. For a second, Ashner tried to pull away, but Naomie held him tight.
“Thank you.” She nuzzled her face on his body. As she did, Ashner glanced at Risa. He was obviously uncomfortable, but Risa smiled at him. She was indirectly telling him to accept the hug. So Ashner did.
Risa dug her nails into her palm and then glanced at her stomach.
As for the other XP point… It's time we bring in vehicles. It's unreasonable to walk everywhere. Menu, buy the Garage for the White Room.
White Room XP:1 > XP:0
Garage (Level 1) – Room is designed to store vehicles.
Spotless – Any vehicle you put in this room will become spotless and clean.
Re-lube – Any vehicle you put in this room will have its liquids cleaned to the point that they're practically brand new.
Endless Tread – All of your vehicle's tires or tracks will slowly be restored to new ones while they're in the garage.
These skills are helpful.
New Room Options Available. Choose one to add to your list.
Entertainment Room
Magic Training Room
Music Room
Three options floated around Ashner. The rooms were blanked out, so Ashner didn't have access to any details.
Only one of these rooms will be helpful. I choose Magic Training Room.
Armory
Bedroom
Basement
Bathroom
Closets
Crafting Room
Enchantment Room
Fire-range
Greenhouse
Kitchen
Library
>Magic Training Room
Medical Ward
Pharmaceutical Lab
Treasure Room
Trophy Room
Storage Room
Ashner walked towards the garage, which was oddly also elevated into its own room. When he opened it, the same wooden walls greeted him. The ground was made of pavement, and there were thousands of tools hanging on the walls, not just for everyday vehicles. Some items were exclusively used on military-grade armored vehicles or helicopters.
Ashner smirked and closed the door behind him.
*******
Ashner and his group ventured into the radiated world. A few days had passed, and they had scavenged a handful of stores.
Spin the Gotcha?
Sure, spin.
(Common) Reduce Target’s Jaw Strength
Level 1 – (Bought) – By spending 25XP, you can permanently reduce a target’s jaw strength as much as you like. Doing this will make it impossible for them to eat carrots.
Another worthless skill. These commons are trash…
“Where to next?” Wong studied the supermarket. They had picked it clean and left behind the food that had expired. Now Wong, Gio, Ashner, Luna, Alex, and Risa sat against their van. “We can start looting homes… It's not like anyone will stop us.”
“Homes are a good option… It's a shame nobody can live here. Most of these homes survived the bombs.” Ashner studied his group. “But for now, let's focus on essentials.”
Ashner studied an old map of the city. His watch expanded into a small hologram, and it showed a children's clothing store named 'Munchkins.' Ashner smirked and led the way.
"We should really think ahead." Wong studied the outside world. "We're eventually going to pick this city clean… Afterward, we can hit up another city, but all food expires, and clothes eventually wear out… We need to create a better solution."
"If I could take an entire clothing factory to Eden, I would." Ashner parked the van, and the group walked toward the building. A handful of skeletons with worn-out clothes lay scattered on the road. They were so abundant that Ashner had to drive around and sometimes over them. Luna stopped and talked to the wind.
“More spirits?”
Luna nodded. “They’re everywhere… I can spend my entire life in this world and constantly use my power, but I won’t be able to save them all…”
“What happens if a soul can’t move on?” Wong asked as he fiddled with his medic bag.
“In my world, they turn into monsters, but here… They just wander around… Some of them have lost all sense of sanity… Other's cry… But most of them are pleading with me…” She reached her hand out. “They just want to move on… They don't fear what's ahead. Instead, they fear staying trapped…”
Ashner tried opening the door, but it was locked. This was the first time he dealt with a sealed door. “We're gonna have to break the door.”
“2828.” Luna pointed at the security keyboard.
Ashner typed the code, and the door opened.
Everyone studied the elf. “How did you know that?” Wong asked.
“A spirit is here. He still has his sanity… He told me the code…” Luna stared into nothing once more. “Very well… A secret room with the same code… Okay, I'll tell them…”
Luna studied the three men. “The spirit wants to thank the three of you for serving… And he’s glad the three of you survived… And he has something he wants to give you… But first…”
Luna turned her attention to Ashner. “They're screaming to be released. Allow me to send some of them to the next world…”
If you come across this story on Amazon, it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.
“Yes… You don’t have to ask permission to do that.”
“I do have to ask permission… You claimed your world is violent, so I want to conserve my mana in case we end up fighting something…”
“If that happens, we’ll protect you.” Gio smiled as he held his SAW. His muscles popped whenever he carried the heavy weapon.
Luna nodded, and her mana surged. Around her, forty or so people became visible. Some were wearing clothes from era's long gone, and one man wore a veteran's hat. He was older. He gave the three a smile as his body disappeared.
The group entered the privately owned business. It was clean, and the lights still lit up the store. Luna led the way until they found a stairway. At the bottom was a secret compartment. Luna typed 2828, and the secret door opened.
“He said he was too old to fight in the war, but he was prepared,” Luna added as the door opened. An underground building came to life, and it was filled with weapons. Most of them were relics, but the group explored. Finding a handful of pistols, flash and stun grenades, ammo and the most impressive thing in the war prepper's collection. A fully armed Stryker.
Luna locked the door behind them. It sealed up and pushed away the radiated air.
“No fucking way.” Gio studied the machine. “This thing is a relic.”
“It might still work.” Wong nudged his friend. “It beats walking.”
“Guys!” Luna rushed towards them, happily carrying a feathered creature in her hands. “Look what I found!”
“A chicken!” Gio tried getting close to the chicken. The creature struggled in Luna's hands.
“You’re scaring her!” Luna pouted and then caressed the chicken against her head. “I've never seen an animal like her before. She's cute.”
She’s so adorable when she’s smiling and childish…
Ashner’s heart skipped a beat.
“I’m more impressed with the chicken…” Wong stroked his chin. “How is it possible for one of those to be alive on the surface?”
“Look at this!” Alex and Luna waved them down, and the group walked towards a machine with over a hundred and fifty chickens. Their food was dehydrated, their water was purified, and small robots kept their home clean. A handful of chickens were in the massive encasement.
“This must've cost a fortune." Ashner leered at the chickens and roosters as they ran away from the group. There was a small door that was airtight.
That must be where Luna got the chicken.
Wong tapped the glass. “Four inches thick, thousands of gallons of purified water, and dehydrated food that lasts for years… The shop owner was prepared for the end of the world. Not to mention, this entire room has its own air purifying system.”
“It's a shame he died, though,” Luna added as she caressed the chicken. “That man gave us permission to take anything we want from here… But we should take care of his animals…”
“They’re food.” Ashner studied the animals… “Let’s take them to your world… We’ll produce meat for everyone…”
“If we start eating them all, then they might not reproduce fast enough.” Luna half-heartedly accepted that her new pet was food.
“Chickens were genetically engineered to keep a certain population. The smaller the environment, the fewer eggs they produce. Depending on the place they live, they can usually lay five to ten eggs a day. And chicks mature into adulthood in about two weeks… They were essential for humanity when we had over fifteen billion people.”
“Your world had that many people?” Luna now grasped how many souls were wandering around the world. “What happened to all the animals?”
“They're dead… Most food companies were targeted and destroyed during the war, and the wild animals that remained more than likely got killed with the nukes… Some animals are still alive, but they're all sick.” Wong studied the machines as they scanned freshly laid eggs, then they took them out of the enclosure. “Only the rich have access to meats, fruits, and vegetables… Sure, we have ramen, but that's just rations that were saved from before the war…”
“Ashner.” Alex and Risa each carried a handful of items. “What are these things?”
Alex pointed at a picture stuck on a frozen cryo container. One picture had a tomato, and the other was of rice.
“No fucking way.” The guys rushed the group and studied the containers. “This is squash and green beans, and these are potatoes…”
Risa and Alex started becoming a little nervous with the guys so eager to inspect the things they discovered.
“This is a treasure trove.” Wong glanced at a refrigerator. It was frozen, but all the ingredients to re-create vegetation were there. “These aren't radiated… If we sell these to the government, we will become millionaires.”
“No.” Ashner shook his head. “If we sell this to the government, they'll recreate the food but only resell it to the wealthy… It's time we change that.”
“What are you plotting?” Gio asked.
“We mass produce food and sell it to the people living on the surface.”
“Enlighten me.” Wong grazed his lip. “The people on the surface don't have much to offer us. And if we get the attention of the floating cities, there's a good chance we'll become their enemy… Why are you suggesting we take this risk?"
“Iris is the owner and CEO of Raven Corp. No matter what we try, she will always see me as her enemy. So instead, we'll show her and everyone in the floating cities that we don't need their help to create a better world… Plus, I'm tired of seeing people die of starvation and radiation-related deaths… We have the power to try to make a dent in our society and make it better for everyone.”
Alex tuned into Ashner’s words. Saving each word in his heart.
“The government doesn't view food as a human right. They view it as a bargaining chip for us to work in dangerous places to maintain the wealthy high in the safety of their floating cities… If we play their game, then nothing will change… Their methods aren't meant for longevity, they're just trying to delay the collapse of our world as long as they can, and they're drowning in their greed… So they won't give up their power for the good of everyone… I, for one, want to help everyone, not just because it's right, but it's the only way we survive as a species.”
“Say we take your route. What can they give us that's worth the risk?” Wong's walls were starting to crumble, even if he didn't fully agree with Ashner's direction.
“Manpower, security, intelligence, technology, weapons, construction vehicles and robots… Our world wasn't perfect before the bombs dropped, but we had so many resources and knowledge at our fingertips.” Ashner held the cryo pod tightly. “I don't just want that world back… I want to make it better… And the three of us have the power to do it…”
The group stayed silent for a few seconds until Wong spoke up. “Medicine… If we start growing vegetation in the demi's world, then we should prioritize the creation of medicine, and we will have to find a way to either lift more islands into the sky or remove all the radiation from the Earth… Honestly, the islands are more achievable.”
“We can bring farming equipment into their world…” Gio added. “Why stop there? We can bring mining equipment as well.”
“That's brilliant. We won't have to rely on the major companies to supply us with other metals.” Wong smiled. “Granted, we don't know what kind of metals are abundant in the demi's world.”
“Why.” Luna interrupted the three. “Why go so far to help us? Your world may be suffering, but mine is on the brink of getting swallowed by the Dead God…”
“On top of the gold? Because we need your world to survive… And if things get bad, we’ll fight back… And worst case, I’ll bring as many demi’s as I can into our world.”
Luna’s eyes widen. Ashner finally said the words she wanted to hear, now she was confident she can trust the group a little more. “I know where the dwarfs are.”
“Dwarfs?” This got the attention of the three guys.
“It's a long shot, but before the war, they isolated themselves in their mountain… If you want rare metals, they're the ones who can find and mine it.” Luna still held on to the chicken, and as she talked, it bopped its head around. “It's a long walk to them… Several weeks… It won't be easy…”
“It’ll be easier with this.” Gio tapped the Stryker. “Let’s see what our hoarder friend did with this relic.”
Gio turned on a mechanic robot. It floated up and started opening up the Stryker, revealing its engine. Gio studied the machine and whistled.
“Good or bad?” Ashner asked and held his breath.
“Good. The electrical guts have been swapped out with a superconductor. Its 105 cannon is still operable, and he was kind enough to acquire rounds for it. It also has a fifty-caliber machine gun and the old-school CROWS system. It's the system used before AIs became essential in all armored vehicles.” Gio studied the eight-wheeled marvel and continued. “M6 smoke grenade launchers, they still seem operable. Sadly no combat AI assistant.”
Ashner and Wong smiled as Gio continued.
“The whole thing has a thin layer of graphene, so it didn't rust.” The hatch in the back opened, revealing nine seats. Gio smirked. “This guy must have spent a fortune and broke a handful of laws to get this puppy as modern as he could… The Stryker's were discontinued a long time ago… I heard most of them were dismantled, but somehow, this one survived. It's a shame we don't have an armored vehicle with anti-gravity superconductor technology, but beggars can't be choosers.”
The group glanced inside the armored vehicle as Gio continued explaining.
“But here's the real question.” Gio tapped on the floating mechanic droid, and it started closing the Stryker up. “How are we taking this into the demi's world? It won't fit through a door.”
“I… Oh damn…” Ashner was at a loss for words until his eyes took in the wide underground garage door that doubled as a sealed hatch. “I wonder.”
Ashner grabbed the key that hung around his dog tags and tapped the garage.
The metal shifted, and the elaborate designs of lands, clouds, trees, and dragons emerged, turning the metal into a hazel hue. Gio pushed the button, and the garage door opened. Instead of the White Room, it was a direct path into the garage.
It wasn't empty. It had two white vans, a single four-wheeler that Gio had scavenged. He had spent a few hours teaching Naomie how to use it in Eden.
Gio jumped in the Stryker and started its engine. As soon as it purred to life, he drove the Stryker forward.
*******
Ashner returned to the ruins outside of the castle admiring the flowers and the remains of a city of old. Until he got to the fountain. He placed more crackers on top of it. He hadn't seen the black-winged beauty, but he made it a habit to make the walk there with food every day, and the food was always gone when he returned.
Ashner caught a hint of red hue from the corner of his eye.
“Hello there.” Ashner turned towards the redhead.
The girl panicked and tried flying, but she only lifted a few feet before landing on the ground, her face bumping against loose stones. She covered her face as Ashner closed the distance, concerned with what just happened.
She still wore a black dress, but it was dirty.
“Please, don't hurt me.” The girl pleaded as she covered her wounded face. “I'll leave. I promise I won't bother you or anyone else.”
She’s gotten skinnier and smaller. I think she tried to fly away, but her strength has faded, so she couldn't. I need to give her more food.
“I'm not going to hurt you,” Ashner reassured the girl. She glanced at his mask and wasn’t sure how to process it. Instead, she covered her body with her wings.
Her eyes are red and catlike, sort of like Risa’s. But her face… She’s a bombshell of a woman.
“What’s your name?” Ashner knelt down and offered his hand to her. “I’m Ashner.”
The girl was hesitant, keeping her wings around her chest. “I…” As she spoke, Ashner noticed that she had fangs. Her lips and nails were black, and her long, beautiful hair was blood red.
“I’m Angel.” Her voice was sweet and a little timid.
“I’ve never met someone with wings.” Ashner smiled behind his mask. “Can you fly?”
“I can.” She stood up, her wings clasped away from her chest. Even with a slim figure, she was alluring. Her thin dress left little to the imagination. “But I’m so hungry…”
Ashner handed her a cracker. She hesitantly took it and bit into it.
Then she coughed.
“They're not the greatest, and those crackers will suck your mouth dry from saliva… But they'll keep you alive.” Ashner sat next to her. They were inside an old home. A rotten bed was nearby, along with metal cups and pots. She kept coughing, so Ashner handed her a water bottle he kept in his backpack.
Angel took it and sipped it. Then she glanced at Ashner’s face.
“Thank you, Ashner.” She tilted her head lower to the ground.
“Are you still hunting those rodents?”
She nodded. “I need to eat…”
“I can get you more food. Demi's are living in the castle. If you talk to them.”
She shook her head. “I can’t… They won’t accept me…”
“Because of your wings?”
“No…” Her eyes were confused, like she was talking to a child. “Don’t my eyes and fangs scare you?”
“No…” Ashner smiled. “In fact, I think they make you look beautiful.”
“Beautiful?” She hid her face behind her wings and kept eating her crackers.
“Are you alone?”
“Yes…” She spoke behind her wings.
“You don’t have to be alone.”
“I do…”
“Why?” Ashner was curious, not just because he loved wings but because she was wearing worn-out clothes. She must have been hiding away for a while.
“If I tell you, you’ll hate me too.”
Ashner glanced at his hands. The C-R tattoos had faded, but he grasped her emotions. When the letters were visible, he was belittled, glared at, and, at times, people attacked him. The marks on his hands had forced him to hide away… He shunned himself from society for years, both as a way to repent for Melissa's death and for his own safety.
“I won’t hate you…” Ashner smiled at her. “I know what it feels like to be hated by the world… And those who walk in my shoes don’t wish that hatred on anyone…”
“You have?” The girl was hesitant, but she finished eating. “I'm tired… I’m so tired of being alone… But I can’t let anyone find me… Because… Because…”
She hesitated and dragged her feet against the wall, preparing herself to flee.
“It’s because I’m a vampire…” Angel closed her eyes tightly. Preparing for the worst.
What is she doing? But she’s cute…
“So?” Ashner casually replied and reached into his backpack. He handed her more MRE food, this time more than just crackers, synthetic meat, dehydrated synthetic vegetables, and some brown blobs that were horrid, but they kept soldiers alive. He put them in front of her.
“So?” She raised her eyebrows. “Before the golden age, the blood age raged… Vampires and Werewolves ruled the world. They were the warriors of the Dead God… Until humans and demi’s joined forces and killed them all…”
“But you’re alive.” Ashner tilted his head.
“That’s because the curse picks demi’s and humans at random… That’s why my eyes are crimson red… And why my lips and nails are black… And why I need blood…”
“That’s why you’re hunting those rodents.” Ashner grasped her situation a little better. “You didn’t attack me, and you aren’t hurting anyone… Right?”
“I did… I killed some slavers though…” Angel’s eyes watered. “And I’m hated by my kin…”
Poor girl.
“Even my dad… He called me a monster… The man who used to hug me and kiss my forehead… He loved it when I sat on his lap and when we stared at the stars… My wings changed, and he took one look at me and decided...” Her eyes grew cold, hesitating with her next words. “He decided that he didn't need me anymore…”
How long has she been here? She hasn’t been able to talk to anyone… Is that why she’s opening up?
“Why do I need to die?” She poured her heart out as her tears ran down her face. “Why am I hated for something I have no control over?”
She’s just like me… I’m also hated, and no one cares to hear me out… But I wasn’t entirely alone… I had Gio and Wong… But she… She has no one…
“Dad… I’m so sorry… Dad… Dad… Daddy….” She wiped her tears. “I’m so sorry…”
Ashner stood up and walked towards her, Angel was still on the ground. Ashner knelt down to her eye level and her red eyes glanced up at him.
“Even with your eyes, nails, wings, and fangs… I don't see a monster… I only see a beautiful woman who's been alone for too long…”
Her jaw quivered, and she opened her wings, revealing her skinny build.
“I promise I won't let anyone hurt you,” Ashner said his part, and she jumped up and hugged him, which caught him off guard.
She cried in his arms, a lost soul thrown away by society… Innocent but stained by a power she never asked for… Her skin was cold to the touch, but her tears were warm… Angel's nails dug into Ashner's armor, and her breathing was mixed with horrid sobs…
“Dad… Daddy… I’m sorry… I’m sorry… Sorry…” Her words told a story of anguish, her tears painted the sorrow, and her desperation for touch displayed the loneliness she carried. “I’m sorry…”
Ashner held on to her, in a way. A part of him wished someone had accepted him when he was at his lowest… But he was there for her… They both carried a unique pain.
Ashner left her food and water, and regardless of how much he insisted, she refused to go into the kingdom.
“Will you visit me again?” She asked with her wings covering her chest.
“Of course,” Ashner reassured her.
Angel smiled brightly, showing off her fangs. Her wings opened up, and then she dashed into her destroyed home.
She should be okay for now… But I’ll find a way to convince her to join us… No one should be forced to live in fear like her…
*******
“Why do these taste so good?” Luna and Ari just about swallowed the eggs Ashner had given them. “Some animals produce eggs here, but these are so yummy!”
Luna just about cried as she continued eating her breakfast. Her ears wiggled up and down as she smiled. A habit Ashner observed with amusement. She did that when she was happy.
“Have you finished making their homes?” Ashner asked, studying a handful of wooden chicken coops. The chickens were running around and pecking on the grass. The Timor Forest was gloomy, but it still had vegetation, and the chickens didn't mind eating something other than dehydrated food.
“We gave them little homes to shelter them.” Ari extended her hand and pointed at the homes. They were a couple hundred feet from each other and scattered deep in the forest.
“Is it safe to have them roam freely?” Ashner didn’t want the rare animals they found to get hunted or wander off and get lost.
“Yes, my race has a special connection with lesser souls.” Ari knelt down, and three chickens ran to her like children who missed their mother. “They won't go far. We'll take care of them, and when they get old, they'll offer their bodies to us as nourishment.”
“What are lesser souls?” Ashner tried to grab one of the hens, but she dashed deep into the woods.
“Sentient creatures like you and me have greater souls. We're able to rationalize good from evil. But animal's souls are lesser. They can't grasp complex emotions like we do, but they're also like children… Instead of speaking, they tell us how they feel with their actions… These little ones understand their role is keeping us healthy and fed. In return, we will feed and protect them, too.” Gio studied Ari with a huge smile. “As for the fruits and vegetables you brought us… Unfortunately, that is out of our league. Neither demi-cows nor elves can grow them properly… I know these are valuable. As such, I can't risk destroying them with our ignorance.”
“I understand.” Ashner glanced around at the demi's. Some of them were playing with the chickens. “How come your people aren't harvesting animals?”
“That's because we fled when a powerful dungeon emerged near our old home. The monsters that emerged destroyed all our livestock and crops. We fled south and passed a human kingdom.”
“They didn’t enslave your people?”
“No, a young princess, maybe six or seven years old, let us pass…” Ari smiled at the thought of her. “She was demanding and had hair as red as flames. But I can tell she has a good heart… She let us pass through her territory and even sent her father’s army in the opposite direction to hunt down a monster she imagined.”
“She saved you.”
“She saved all of us…” Luna recalled the princess with a bright fondness. “And all it cost was a single cup of milk, created by Ari's mana… Her kingdom lies directly north of us. It's called Sacred Fire… And that girl should be twenty or so years old now…”
A princess that sides with demi’s… I want her as an ally.
“Can we rely on her again?” Ashner asked almost desperately.
Both Ari and Luna glanced away from him.
“Can we?”
“We can't say.” Luna's smile faded. “Children are like lesser souls. They don't grasp good from evil, but as they grow, that changes… For all we know, that princess might want to enslave every demi she runs across…”
“I also ordered my people to create a door large enough for your strange mounts.” Ari glanced at the Stryker that was left outside the castle. “When that emerged inside the castle, my people attacked it, thinking it was some sort of monster.”
“That’s on me…” Ashner rubbed the back of his head. “I should’ve warned you.”
“What do you plan to do with that mount?”
“We’re going to the dwarfs.” Ashner’s words made Ari’s tail and ears jolt up. “I wouldn’t get your hopes up.”
“I'm not… In the worst-case scenario, we find a mine and rare materials.” Ashner reassured the queen.
“No, worst case scenario, you run into slavers, or the monsters took the underground city and made a dungeon there.” Ari glanced at Luna, fully aware that she had given them that information. “Going there is dangerous.”
“Doing nothing will only delay our deaths.” Luna retaliated.
Instead of arguing, Ari smirked. “You're finally acting like a leader.”
Luna glared away. “We found this kingdom in ruins, and we don't know who it used to belong to… And we can't fix the damage that was caused during the years… Dwarfs were the builders of our past. They reveled in creating and rebuilding… If they're still alive and they choose to join us, we can fix this kingdom.”
“I don’t disagree, but the time where demi’s united together is long gone… Now it’s every demi for themselves…”
Luna rubbed the heel of her foot on the ground. “You’re right…”
Ashner glanced at the walls of the kingdom. Some words were carved into the stone, along with pictures, things he couldn't read.
Menu, buy that language.
The menu shook.
Level 4 Language Proficiency is required to read Dead Language.
That's too expensive...
“Oh, they're here.” Ari crossed her arms as two elves and a single demi-cow formed a makeshift line around Ashner. All except for a single elf who was instead focused entirely on the Stryker.
Wong paced towards the group with Alex.
“Introduce yourselves," Ari ordered the demi's. “And tell Ashner why you wish to serve him.”
“I’m Lupi.” The elf that had walked in on Ashner taking a bath. She was too ashamed to peep at him. “I will fulfill my duty to you.”
“I’m Zerena.” A demi-cow stepped up. She was slim and her arms were toned, like most of the other female demi’s. She had dark skin and blue eyes. “I wish to serve Alex.”
Zerena’s blue eyes pierced into Alex, and she just about drooled. Her silver hair contrasted against her dark skin.
Lucky fucker… But if she wants him, then at least he’ll be safe…
“I'm Elna.” This elf was slim and carried a few small daggers instead of a bow. “I don't have skills with a bow, but my talents lay with short blades… I wish to join you because I was unworthy of being an elven guard due to my inability to use the bow… If you'd accept me, I'd gladly follow you…”
Someone skilled with daggers is far more effective in my world than someone with a bow. And wow, she has pink hair and pink eyes…
“My name is Twila.” A half-elf kneeled. Her hair was so long she kept it up in a large ponytail, and it still reached down to her knees. Her hair was a deep purple. “I was one of the elves you saved from slavers… I witnessed your strength firsthand… And I wish to learn under you… My body has always been weaker than most elves… So I understand if you reject my offer… But even so… Alex uses the same weapon you use, and from the stories I heard, he effortlessly killed dozens of hell-hounds… If you teach me how to fight the way you do… Then I promise to serve you.”
This elf is gorgeous.
“Enough!” Luna intervened. “How dare you disobey me. I told every elf that my master's weapons are for him and him alone.”
Why is she getting upset?
Luna talked to Ashner. “I don't want demi's using your weapons… Because the power will shift in our favor and some of my kin still hold resentment towards mankind… If they turn on you, I know you can kill them... But if they have your weapons and they use magic on top of that… I might lose you forever… That is not something I’ll ever risk!”
Twila stayed silent with her head bowed.
“I forbid it!” Luna barked.
“No.” Twila glared back. “You may be a princess, but for ten years, you have refused to take up your mother's position… Some of us are starting to believe you're not worthy of living up to her name…”
Luna took a step back. None of her elves had ever spoken that harshly to her.
“Don't you remember… I was the first!” Twila's eyes were fierce, and Luna's eyes landed on the ground in shame. “When you led us directly into a slavers trap and our guards were killed… When the slave crests were burned into our souls, I was the first elf who was shoved to the ground and defiled…”
“I won’t ever forget what they did to you.”
“You saw it… But I experienced it…” Twila beheld Ashner. She was in awe as his hazel eyes illuminated behind his mask. “You were saved in the nick of time! Yet, I was covered in white when Ashner emerged from the cave, and like a hero of legends, he killed them all…”
Twila walked towards Ashner, still on her knees. “When you mounted their leader and unleashed your rage, blow after blow, I was petrified of you… Then he spat out his teeth, and you choked the life out of him… I see it now… That rage Luna admires… That strength you carry… Luna is loyal to you… But let me prove to you that my loyalty runs even deeper than hers…”
Twila hugged Ashner's leg. As she did, her heartbeat and breathing accelerated. “Teach me how to be powerful… Master… Teach me how to stop being afraid.” She tapped her head against Ashner's knee.
Risa reached for her dagger and kept a harsh grip on it. Luna reached for a hidden knife she kept in her pouch. Gio moved his hand to his sidearm, and Wong stepped forward, putting himself in front of Alex.
Everyone is on guard… But this girl is about to crumble…
“Stand,” Ashner ordered. Twila stood and shook. Her eyes struggled to focus on Ashner now that they were a handshake away. “Your job is to protect Alex. It's not to protect me.”
“Serving him means serving you.”
“You have to understand what's happening… You've scared everyone around us… So, as your master, I order you to speak only the truth.” The crest on Twila's chest lit a bright blue. “What are your true intentions? And do you seek revenge against mankind?”
As the crest lit up, Twila smiled. “I wish to serve you… Alex is someone you cherish, so I will protect him… But when I become strong, I wish for you to recognize my abilities, and I want to stand by your side the way Alex, Risa, and Luna do…”
“Will you ever betray me?”
“I’d slice my throat before I ever harm you.” Twila leaned a little closer to Ashner. “But I am willing to kill anyone on your order.”
“… Okay. I accept you.”
“Are you serious?” Wong raised his eyebrows. “That girl needs therapy, not a gun!”
“Serious Yandere vibes, bro.” Gio stepped forward. “I don't usually disagree with you, but think this one through.”
“Enough.” Ashner raised his voice. “You two weren't there… You didn't see what I saw… If she wants power, then I'll grant it to her…”
Twila’s lips split in a devilish smile.
“Follow my orders, and I promise you'll never feel powerless again.”
Twila fell to her knees and smiled brightly as her hands pressed against her cheeks. “Thank you. My master…”
Wong and Gio gave Ashner conflicted gazes. But they didn't argue anymore. Instead, they dropped the subject when the last demi introduced herself.
She was petite, and her hair was a mess of long red hair. Gio, Wong, and Risa recognized her right away. She was the slim elf that had sat between the two demi's who belittled Ashner.
“My name is Frayia…” Her eyes met with Ashner's, and her tone trembled as she spoke, not out of fear but curiosity. “I'll get to the point. I'm not a warrior, nor do I have the stomach to take a life… But I have a unique skill that might come in handy.”
“What skill is that?”
“Mana detection… I can sense pockets of mana… I’m also one of the oldest elves here.”
She is? She doesn’t look a day over twenty.
“I was born long before the golden era of our world… I was also the head researcher at the University of Luminous Magic… Long before it was destroyed… In fact, I might be the only survivor from the college.”
“What did you use to research?” The question lit the elf up, and her fingers started shaking. Her eyes twinkled.
“Magic, old ruins, dead languages. I’m very interested in the technology of your world… In a lot of ways, it's similar to what we do with magic… For instance, the lights your mount shines are similar to light stones that illuminate when you pour mana into it… I aim to learn as much as I can about your world and see how magic alters it… And I also want to see if your world has its own form of magic”
“It doesn’t.” Wong crossed his arms.
“If I'm there, I can look… I find it strange how you can enter our world without the use of magic… Maybe your world has some sort of lost magic… Or maybe it's a coincidence… Either way, I want to learn the truth… I know I won't serve well as a guard, and I can't kill monsters… So I can't meet the bare minimum you asked for… But if you allow me to research your world, I might be able to find answers.”
The elf shivered and glanced at the grass by her feet. Expecting the worst.
“I'm convinced.” Ashner nodded. “Even if you find nothing, I can tell you're thirsty for knowledge, and that's something I respect… I'll waver both yours and Twila's XP requirements. As for the others. You're still required to pay your way in.”
Frayia’s ears wiggled. “I promise I’ll do my best.”
“Does it matter what monsters we kill?” Zerena asked.
“No, but the weaker the monster is, the less XP it gives me… Don't risk your lives and face a strong one. Work with your limits.” Ashner urged the group. The last thing he wanted was for his future employees to get killed.
Ari placed a slave crest on the demi's, and Ashner cut his index finger. One by one, he bound them to him.
Four New Slaves Acquired.
20 Total Slaves.
A handful of demi's carried eighty or so duffle bags filled with gold. Ari smiled as they dropped the heavy bags at Gio and Wong's feet.
“We're finished collecting all the gold from the dungeon.” The demi-bull nodded at his queen, and Ashner knelt down and caressed the bags.
“This is only the beginning.”
“That dungeon gave more than just gold.” Ari opened a small wooden treasure box. Inside it was a single mid-potion and three red gems with what appeared to be a liquid inside the gem.
“What are these?” Ashner asked, holding on up against the sun.
“Those are enchantment gems… If they're infused with a weapon, it gives it a magical feature.”
“That’s awesome.” Ashner smiled. “What will these do?”
“I can’t say.” Ari bowed gently. “Enchantments were rare, even before the war. Only a handful of demi’s and humans are able to apply them on weapons.”
“I'll hang on to them. They'll be safer in the White Room.” Ashner walked to Wong and handed him the Mid-Potion. He didn't need to tell him anything. Wong was their medic, and an item as powerful as a potion was best in his hands.
*******
“This is lovely.” Ari fiddled with a necklace Gio acquired by breaking into a jewelry store. It was abandoned, and after several attempts, he broke the main door down and looted everything as he sang along to a classical song by an artist named George Michael, who lived long ago. The song was called Careless Whisper. And yes he danced as he robbed the place... All the gifts were for his crush. “But isn't this too much?”
“Nonsense.” Gio smiled and sat on a wooden seat with square designs molded into them. “This is just the bare minimum.”
Ari's eyes went from piece to piece. From silver to platinum and gold. Precious stones like diamonds, emeralds, and rubies. She had so many they overflowed from her jewelry chest.
“We’re heading out in the morning.” Gio smiled brightly.
“You don’t have to give me this much.”
“Yes, I do.” Gio leaned against the chair. “Every time I see something beautiful, it reminds me of you… And when I see you wear it, you give life to it.”
“I don’t know what to say.” Ari smiled and caressed the necklace Gio had put on her.
“Your smile is more than enough.” Gio stood up. “If you excuse me, I have to prep my gear. Tomorrow, we're heading out to see the dwarfs.”
Ari bowed. “Safe travels, dear warrior.”
“I'll return to you, my queen.” Gio winked, and Ari stuttered her words.
“Bye.” Gio smiled and walked out of her chambers. As he did, her two guards greeted him, and he made his way to the room the queen had given him.
“He’s something else.” Ari glanced at the jewelry. “But he is giving me too much… I wonder why that is…”
*******
“Ammo?” Ashner spoke loud enough for both Gio and Wong to tune in, even if they were both in different parts of the Stryker.
“Green.” Both Wong and Gio spoke at the same time.
“Water?” Ashner dabbled with the fifty-caliber machine gun. He had lubed it and was now loading its ammunition.
“Green.” Both of them replied again.
“Food?” Ashner jumped off the gun and landed next to Gio, who was checking the tires air pressure.
“Green.” Both of them replied together again.
“Radios?” Ashner walked to the back of the Stryker, where Wong was double-checking his medical bag.
“Green.” They replied in unison. It was a habit the three had developed during the war.
“But who are we gonna call?” Wong asked.
“Ghost-”
“Zip it, Gio!” Wong retaliated.
“What are you doing?” Alex asked. He had packed his items and was ready to go with them.
“We’re just making sure we’re prepared.” Ashner started checking Alex’s clothes. He wasn’t wearing a military uniform. But he did have a tactical vest that wrapped around his shoulders and held ammo around his belt. “Are you sure you want to go?”
“Yes.” Alex nodded. Next to him stood Luna and Risa, who were prepared. Risa had a new sword. That was more than likely given to her by the queen.
“You two don't have to come,” Ashner reassured the girls. Both the girls gave him a confused gaze.
“It's my duty to protect you,” Risa smirked proudly.
Luna carried a few hidden daggers, and she leaned closer to Ashner. Her flowery aroma caught him off guard. “I visited the dwarven kingdom long ago… You'll need me as a guide.”
Gio jumped into the driver's seat, and Wong took the gunner's seat. Wong waved at Ashner, telling him to hurry it up. They each agreed to take turns swapping and, if need be, sleep during their travels.
“May I go too?” Twila popped up from the side of the armored vehicle. She was wearing traveling boots, jeans, and a button-up top from Ashner's world. It was an odd sight to behold since elves were cautious about wearing clothes that weren't elven. Well, excluding shoes. Which were appreciated by every demi.
The elf bowed. Twila had her hair up in a ponytail. She lifted it up higher, and now her hair was about halfway down her spine.
“Twila. I haven’t trained you yet.”
“Master, this is a perfect opportunity… I know you're about to venture out, and you promised to teach me after you returned, but I can't wait… Please allow me to learn as I travel with you…”
The demi’s gave the elf a conflicted gaze. But Ashner tilted his head towards the truck. They all entered.
Luna and Risa sandwich Ashner between them, and Twila and Alex sat in front of them. Four out of the nine seats were taken. The Stryker took off, avoiding the trees of the cursed forest.
“Alex… Risa… Luna…” Ashner addressed his friends. “You three fought hard when we entered the Hellhounds dungeon. If it hadn't been for each of you doing your part, we would've all died.”
The three of them smiled.
“So I decided to boost your powers, but instead of giving you whatever I want. I want you to tell me where you want to improve.”
This conversation grabbed Twila’s attention. “You can give us power?”
Oh, I forgot my power isn't well-known.
“Yes, he can.” Risa held her head up proudly. “Ashner gives power to those whom he deems worthy. It's thanks to him I have the eyes and claws of the cat clan.”
Twila’s determination to serve Ashner rose.
“Let's start with you, Alex.” The demi-dog's ears wiggled, and his tail wagged. “You fought alongside Gio and Wong and held off the hounds. Both of them were very impressed… So tell me, what do you desire.”
“I want to improve my Charm and Illusion skills… I feel like no matter what I do, they're limited to my mana capacity… If I can improve my mana, then I can serve you better as the CEO of Key Corp.”
His Illusion and Charm racial skills are at levels three and four. It costs 1000XP to raise it. I’ll match them.
“What about you, Risa?” Ashner turned to his left. She gazed into Ashner's eyes. Beyond the mask he wore. But a part of her was timid, and she was scared of getting closer. “My wind magic, I want it to be stronger. I want to keep you safe. If my power helps do that, then that's what I'll ask for.”
They’re only asking for things that’ll benefit me.
“Luna?” Ashner turned to his right. She was more comfortable than Risa, so she pressed her shoulder against Ashner's, and her head leaned against his shoulder.
She smells nice…
“My spirit magic isn't as powerful as I want it to be… I struggle sending spirits to the afterglow… If the spirits move on, we have a chance against the Dead God.”
Luna is asking for the power to help everyone… These three are selfless…
“Alright, menu. Buy Racial Trait for Alex, increase his Charm by one.”
Alex's body glowed a yellow hue, and he sensed his power increase.
XP:5300 > XP:4300
Charm – Level 3 > 4
Menu, buy Love, Lust, and Trust to level four.
XP:4300 > XP:4225
Love – Level 3 > 4
Lust – Level 3 > 4
Trust – Level 3 > 4
“How do you feel?” Luna glanced at Alex, who was smiling.
“I feel amazing.”
“Next is Risa. Menu buy Wind Magic for Risa.”
XP:4220 > XP:3225
Wind Magic – Level 2 > 3
I gave Alex three trait power-ups, so I'll do the same for you. Menu, increase Wind Boost, Wind Slash, and… Hummm… Let's do Quiet Steps.
XP:3225 > XP:3150
Wind Boost – Level 2 > 3
Wind Slash – Level 2 > 3
Quiet Steps – Level 2 > 3
Risa's body glowed, and she leaned her head on Ashner's arm. Once the power settled, she studied him, then Luna, who was smirking at her. Risa immediately jerked away. “Thank you, Master.”
Twila observed and questioned why Ashner trusted them so much… And what it would take for him to trust her… She smiled devilishly for a quick second while no eyes were on her.
“Last but not least. Luna.” Luna rubbed her head against his shoulder. “Menu buy a level for Spirit Magic.”
XP:3150 > XP:2150
Spirit Magic – Level 3 > 4
Now increase her Cleanse Corpse and Holy Blast by one… Detect Life by two. Since she did help find this Stryker.
XP:2150 > XP:2050
Cleanse Corpse – Level 3 > 4
Detect Life – Level 2 > 4
Holy Blast – Level 3 > 4
Luna smiled as her power increased. “I appreciate it.”
I feel like a sugar daddy. I also burned through a lot of my XP. Let’s save it in case I need it later.
Ashner dabbled with a single gold coin.
It’s not fair. Luna is so close to me… At least she’s comfortable around me… I never would’ve imagined getting this close to someone… A part of me hopes these days never end…
Ashner closed his eyes as the Stryker moved past the forest and into the unknown.