I was tossing and turning, sleep would not come. I arose as silently as I could, not wanting to wake up Ama. It seemed yesterday was like a dream, a good one. I had come up on the Jackass and the Kritiq. This lucky turn of events enabled me to use my T-loci spell to portal both of them together into one of the holding spheres I had made to capture the God's. If ever two creatures deserved to be locked into a sphere together it was those two.
Yet for all of the success yesterday had brought I did not feel good today, something just felt off. I gazed down at Ama curled up under the blankets. I could not help but smile at her, she made me feel happy and at peace. Is this what love is I wondered. Leaving the room I went to wash up and then went downstairs to the common room.
Gluzzie was already hard at work in the kitchen; I grabbed a hot cup of kavaa and greeted him. Seeing a stack of pots and pans I quickly heated some water and began to wash the dishes. I knew he hated to do dishes. After an hour, we were caught up and sat down to have a smoke. Gluzzie spoke first and asked, “What are you planning to do today, you are up pretty early?”
Taking a drag I said, “Going to do some exploring, and then heading up to the Temple mount. I want to see what the King is planning; I have heard he has been calling all the bigwigs from the Guilds and Houses to come up for some meetings. Gluzzie nodded and then put out his smoke. “Back to work,” he said with a smile, “I love cooking here, everyone loves the food.”
I nodded as he entered the kitchen; he was a hell of a cook. If a player could get fat Ingame I would have put on ten pounds already. I made my way to the door and left the Inn. The sun was coming up soon but it was still in the early predawn light. I strode down the street feeling an itch running up and down my spine. Something about today was really setting me off. I entered Shadows and began to walk through the second tier of the city; I could see that the industrious dwarfs were already reclaiming the smithy and some of the nearby buildings, probably using them for building materials I thought.
I was not sure if I had done the right thing giving the tome of science to Banhammer. It would bring changes to the game world. I hoped the changes would be positive. One way or another they were coming, my finding the book was evidence of that. It amazed me that I had found not one but four worlds Ingame and that I had the ability to go to each of them. The Roundland, I owned an island there. It needed work, enough said about that.
Then there was the Keep of the Trials of Temptations. Alone in its own pocket of reality just waiting for me to arrive and set up shop. I also happened to be a prince of Hell through combat and had won a principality. It was beautiful and pleasant, not what I had thought hell would be like.
Finally, I now owned a large part of the second tier of the city; it was abandoned and filled with haunts, ghosts, and zombies along with other undead. It was mine bought and paid for. I just needed to go in and clean it out.
I had arrived at the entrance way to the third tier as the early morning sunlight began to lighten up the streets. Seeing the guards half asleep at their posts I walked through undetected still stealthed in shadows. Continuing my path through the city I slowly made me way to the summit, eventually arriving at the table top. Here at the top, the land was divided into two parts, the Temple mount, and the Kings palace. I had been to the actual Temple half once before and had an unusual experience there. Now I was going to the Kings palace and hoped to give the Gods an unusual experience.
Looking over at the palace I could see that it was a sprawling structure with additions and wings added on to the original building. I had no idea how to find the meeting place and it would be foolish to walk around the palace even stealthed as I was. I stood near the main entrance way and waited while watching the servants arrive and the guards change.
Finally, the arrivals I was waiting for showed up. Among the group was my friend Archon, busy talking to the other guild leaders and House heads. I slowly ambled along with them as we entered the palace. We were led down to a large amphitheater and there the group settled into chairs. I stayed near the back and waited for two more groups to arrive, and when they did I finally slipped undetected out of shadows and then took a seat half hidden behind a pillar.
It took another hour before everyone was there. The place held probably three hundred seats and almost all were taken. Another half hour passed and then finally the curtains were pulled back from the small dais. There were four large thrones arranged in a half circle and in front of them on a lower level was a smaller throne.
This smaller throne had someone on it, handsome, well built and with a crown, I would guess he was the King. He began to speak, calling for quiet and when the crowd had become silent he then addressed us. “Loyal citizens of the city, I am pleased that you are here. This morning we will be blessed, the priests and monks have assured me that the Gods themselves are coming to anoint us, as we prepare for the upcoming war.” The crowds began to chant, “Victory, Victory.” I began to feel somewhat nervous.
It all smacked of political posturing and people turning off their brain while letting the emotional side take over. It was scary stuff to me. Still I was here now and wanted to listen and observe all I could see. The King continued to speak, he waxed eloquent on the need to go to war, and how we were all doing it for our city, our country our families but most importantly for our King.
I thought of the old saying as I listened to the King drone on, “old men dreaming up wars for young men to die in.” It seemed appropriate as I was sure that the king and his retinue along with the other leaders would not be engaging in hand to hand combat. After another hour of listening to this drivel, I observed a priest approach.
He bowed low before the King and then turning around to face us he began a long a boring blessing. Once he finished that he turned to the empty thrones and began to wave his arms around while praying in a loud and annoying tone. Once he was done he prostrated himself on the ground and was silent. We were all silent waiting and waiting for what would happen next.
We were not disappointed, as a glow soon began to appear on each throne, as it began to get brighter we all had to look away. Once the painful glow had faded, there were four persons sitting on the thrones. I could feel the presence of the Gods from where I sat, not as strong as Gaiatoci or the Unknown God, but there was no doubt that they radiated a presence.
The priest meanwhile had stood up and bowed to the Gods, and was now approaching the King. I watched as he stood in front of the King and began to whisper something in his ear. After a few seconds, the King nodded and then stood up as the priest bowed his way out from the thrones. “My people,” the King began, “We are blessed, by the very tangible presence of the Gods. The time has come to receive the blessing; all of you stand up and receive the gift your Gods have for you.”
No thanks, I can do without I thought as I watched everyone stand. I joined them and observed as the Gods all raised their arms and began to speak forth some kind of blessing. No time like the present I thought and cast four T-loci spells one after another. With each spell, there was a pop as the God disappeared. It took four seconds and the realm had no Gods left, at least, no major ones.
Suddenly the room dissolved into mass confusion as the people began to shout out. The King stood there with a sick look on his face. I watched people begin to lose it all around me. Suddenly there was a loud crack, and standing on the dais behind the King was a being, that was surrounded by a mist that burned with celestial flames and in the flames was a burning bush.
It was the Unknown God. His presence was much more powerful than the four other Gods I had just portalled away. I had the urge to prostrate myself and I was fighting it. Looking at the King flat on his face and all the other leaders who were also flat down on the ground I realized only the unknown God and I were standing. We looked at one another and I saw a smile appear on his face, it was not a happy smile but one full of pride and gloating.
The Bastard pointed at me and began to speak. “Men, listen to the words of the Eldest, I was here before the Gods and I am still here now that they are gone. I brought you up from the depth to this land fair and sweet. I have blessed you and caused you to multiply. All you have is the result of my plans for you. The other Gods were placed here to help you and yet in the time that you needed them most, they have been taken away from you. By him.” The Bastard was still pointing at me.
I looked around and could see that everyone was looking at me; it was not a comfortable feeling. Time to leave I thought but before I could portal out Archon stood up. Looking at me he turned and faced the Eldest and spoke; “I know this person and I attest to you in front of all these witnesses that he is not a man. He is a demon and has taken me to his realms and shown me things that no man has seen.
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The crowd began to look angry and as I looked at Archon I could see that he was sharing a smile with the Eldest. I was missing something here, and I am not sure I wanted to find out what it was. This smelt worse than the Kritiq on a hot day. Suddenly the Eldest spoke out and in the loud voice commanded the people near me to grab me. The fuckers, both the Eldest and Archon had betrayed me.
As the angry mob rushed at me I changed to my Dragon form. In reality, I was only half Dragon, and instead of the traditional Dragon body, I kept a humanoid form. I extended the hand and elbow claws and twirled into the crowd, cutting off limbs and impaling bodies, I chanced a glance at Archon who had gone pale.
Looking past him I saw the Eldest with a surprised look on his face. He had not thought I could go Dragon. I suddenly realized that this was a setup from the beginning of my entrance into the game. That Dragon would pay, I had taken care of the Gods and by God that lizard was going to be in my sights next I swore to myself. Looking around I saw that a crowd had formed around me, I could tell no one wanted to get very close, and that suited me.
I quickly cast T-Loci and went to Roundland. Something was deeply wrong and I needed to let Gaiatoci know. Just as I disappeared I noticed that the Eldest had a pleased look on his face. I opened my eyes to see the familiar terrace that Gaiatoci would appear on when I was in Roundland. Only it was not Gaiatoci, it was the Eldest that greeted me.
“Well done my son, you have done so much more than I had hoped for. You have far surpassed all your brothers and sisters in achieving my goals.” The Eldest actually looked proud, not at me but at himself. “Now my son, I need you to be still.” With a wave of his hands, my blood which had always burned so hot was now frozen. I could not move, I could barely think and it hurt a lot.
I watched as he walked over to me and observed as he lifted my frozen arms up. Strangely the tattoos were now more active than ever, thicker with sharp spines almost covering the two small swords. I watched as he grimaced and then somehow he reached into my arms past the flowers and thorns and grabbed the swords. With a strained look on his face, he began to pull the swords out of my flesh, as his hands cleared the roses I saw that they were covered in cuts, with deep punctures from the thorns.
Finally, he had them both out and stood there, admiring them. Speaking almost to himself he said, “The swords of Grief and Mourning, created by the greatest dwarven craftsman to ever live. Stien Ironforge. They were created for only one purpose millennial ago and now are about to achieve that purpose.” He suddenly looked at me and then said, “Now Tor, I have one more thing I need you to do and that is calling my granddaughter Twink.”
Suddenly the pain in my body translated to my head and I could no longer control my thoughts, I was trapped, only able to observe what was happening. The alien presence of the Eldest began to dominate my mind and the sheer power he was pushing through me was burning me out. Suddenly I could feel my mind making a mental link with Twink, telling her to go with Reona, who would bring her to me. Suddenly everything faded to black and I was gone.
I came to without knowing how much time had passed, with Twink holding my head. I looked up, my mind and body were free but so weak I could barely move. Slowly standing I observed Reona standing by the Eldest, and I thought what the hell, how did she tie into all this. The Eldest looked at me and smiled then said, “I see you are with us, you really are far stronger than I had thought. What do you think Reona is he strong, I believe you have some firsthand knowledge of his that?”
Reona looked down at me and then said, “Father, please there is no one who can compare to you in any way. She then looked at the eldest and moving in close shared a passionate kiss with him. I was weak and maybe not thinking clearly but had she called him father? As I looked at them kissing passionately, I knew that in a day of things going poorly this was the icing on the cake. What could be worse than this I thought?
Suddenly with a shimmer Gaiatoci was there, she walked over to me and placing her hand on me she spoke a word of life and health and I was suddenly back to normal. Gaiatoci then looked at Twink and smiled and offered her hand as she said. “Twink I am so glad that I am finally getting to meet you. You are so important to Tor and to me, please be welcome here.” Turning to look at the Eldest and Reona she smiled and spoke to them also.
“My son it has been so long, and this pretty girl must be your daughter, what a family reunion we are having. I watched as she moved towards them with her arms open to welcome them. I tried to yell, I knew something was wrong, but in a movement too fast to see, the Eldest suddenly was at her side and slid the swords of Grief and Mourning into Gaiatoci.
I watched helplessly as she stood there and saw as she gently lifted her hand up and stroked the cheek of the Eldest, looking at him she tried to say something then fell to the ground. I felt the tears rising in my eyes as I saw her laying there.
Suddenly, Reona had Twink by the arm and was pulling the girl towards the Eldest. I jumped forward to intercept them when suddenly the Eldest muttered an archaic word and I felt my blood start to boil, literally. My skin began to bleed and the pain was sharp. I fell to my knees next to Gaiatoci.
Looking up I saw Reona look back at me, I may have been wrong but I thought she looked sad. Then they all portalled out, they were gone and I was left alone, dying next to Gaiatoci. I reached out to my grandmother and was surprised as she opened her eyes and looked at me. I could hear her voice in my mind, gently speaking, “Do not worry my grandson, all things change. The regret is that we sometimes are not there to witness the change. Please take care of the children of the Kradula, I have sent them to your island with Oaktree. I know you are worried about Twink, and I am also but have faith in goodness. All will be well.”
Her mental voice was getting weaker; I was not sure who would die first. She spoke once more, “Tor you will leave but you will return, once you are back you will have much to do, take this gift and use it well.” With that, her voice was still but rising from her body two tear drops floated from her eyes to land on my forehead. I closed my eyes and the world faded away from me.
Suddenly I was awake, in a dark cocoon, floating on warm nano gel. With a hiss of compressed air and an audible plop, the top of the VRP opened and two of the camp counselors were there. They grabbed my arms and helped lift me over the edge of the VRP. They gave me a towel and I began to dry myself with mechanical motions. I overheard one of the counselor's whisper to the other one, “Did you see his eyes the irises look like they are on fire.” The other guy whispered back, “I know and he has some weird ass tattoo on his cheek and some faint ones on his arms. What the heck, I am sure he did not have anything like that when he came here.”
I tuned them out; I was slowly recovering from the shock of what had occurred. The betrayal at the Temple mount and the murder of Gaiatoci, it was overwhelming. And the Eldest had Twink, it all made my thoughts turn over and over. What had Gaiatoci done with those tear drops, I also wondered. I would probably never know unless I got back Ingame. Suddenly I thought of Ama and all the others who would be waiting for me.
This was a total cluster fuck of epic proportions, I thought as I reached up and removed the Google glasses. Holding them I told the two guys to leave, and when one of them objected I looked at him. Watching as he squirmed I pointed to the door. They both left. I quickly made my way to the shower and cleaned up. Then packing my things I went down the stairs, I knew I would be shipped back to the orphanage as soon as the camp could arrange a bus ride.
It took about half an hour and the same girl with the great ass was once again driving me, this time to the bus depot. When we arrived I looked at her, and said, “Do not sell yourself to one of those guys, you can do better than that.” She looked at me like I was crazy and then as I stared at her she nodded.
Softly she whispered, “It is not easy, all I have are my looks and they won’t last. If I don’t land someone soon I will have a shitty life like all the other poor people. I just want to have a life I can bring babies into and feel safe and comfortable, you know. I am willing to do what I have to if I can achieve that.” I nodded, it was how I felt. Waving at her I walked into the terminal and sat down to wait for the bus. I knew I was going to be busy, collecting the prize from Gnet and setting up my return to the Game.