“This is but a taste. This world is full of power, real power, beyond your wildest imaginings. One only needs to know where to find it, how to harness it, and how to master it.”

I sat soaking in the tub, letting his words wash over me. I wondered how long this man, Schlächter, had been here in the Metaverse. He was reclining against the far edge, one bare arm stretched out on the wood paneling. I could see the familiar barcode of a Volunteer ID branded on the skin of his wrist, but I could not make it out from where I was. Not that the numbers would have meant anything to me anyway.

I heard that the Serpents seek to rule over this world. To dominate.

Again, the man frowned deeply, nude folds of flesh on his large face wrinkling melancholically, as if the very suggestion offended him on a deep level. He scooped a handful of the pink water and slowly poured it over his bald head. He then repeated this action. It looked vaguely baptismal.

“There are those who question our methods. Outsiders. They do not understand. What is it we seek? We seek nothing less than transcendence. Apotheosis if you will.”

Apotheosis. How so?

“By finding the most elusive of all things. A Singularity. Or, rather, Singularities.”

Singularities plural? I don’t understand.

“Nor can you, as you yourself are an outsider. However, this power, and this path, can be yours to partake in if you pledge yourself to us. Believe me when I say that I know it is a harsh world out there. Lonely. Confounding. Full of pain. But together we will overcome the world and remake it in our image.”

I said nothing for a time, quietly processing. The pink water filling the ofuro had flattened. It was still remarkably warm, but no longer effervescent. Whatever special method had been used to harness and activate this mysterious liquid had run its course.

Are you propositioning me? Asking me to join up? Strange, this is the second offer I’ve had this cycle.

Der Schlächter opened his eyes and peered intently at me. It felt as if he were gazing into my soul, if such a thing existed.

“Is that so? Let me guess, the Forging Guild? Or could it be the Round Table? No, they are an elitist bunch and you are quite young.”

I just looked at him. Better not to put all my cards on the table.

“You will find that the Progenies Serpentium welcomes all without prejudice. That being said, I perceive that you are more self-aware than most. More than expected. Your light shines a touch brighter than some of the other children. Your newness, your lack of association, would be useful, for we have a need that someone such as yourself is uniquely situated to assist with.”

Oh? What need is that?

“Some of our flock have become distracted as of late and have wandered from the path. Their actions are resulting in descendance, not transcendence. We could use someone to help nudge them back. Someone with a fresh perspective such as yourself.”

Nudge?

Der Schlächter smiled widely, showing off his large white teeth. Und was hast du für große Zähne?

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

“From a certain point of view it is a simple package delivery. Tell me, what is your name?”

I hesitated.

“I thought so. Nameless and pathless. I was once as you are, in the beginning, until I found my purpose. Consider our invitation.”

You’ve given me a lot to think about. But… am I free to go? Will you really give me the 20 Crystals I was promised?

The man turned his head to the side and I could not read his expression. But soon, he rose to a standing position, then slowly climbed out of the bath and put on his white robe.

“Of course. Of course. Our words are true, and we always fulfill what we say we will do. Follow me.”

I got out of the bath and reached for a towel but realized that I was completely dry. As in my previous experiences of being caught in the pink-hued rain, once I was out of it the sensation of wetness faded as quickly as waking from a dream. I got dressed and double-checked my menu to make sure I still had all my possessions.

Der Schlächter opened a side door and stepped out of the tiled bathing area. I cautiously followed, looking around for any other Serpents but seeing none. We walked down a hallway, turned, and soon I found myself in an ornate bedroom. There was an oversized four post bed with a canopy, fit for a king or emperor, and what appeared to be antique furniture throughout. Various tribal masks unknown to me were mounted on one wall. A tall, illustrated ceramic vase stood in one corner.

The bedroom? I wasn’t sure I liked where this was going. But then, built into one side of the wall was a large metal vault door with a sophisticated wheel locking mechanism. It was a striking juxtaposition with the Belle Époque aesthetic of the rest of the room. The robed man approached the vault and engaged the mechanism, swinging open the heavy door.

Behind the door was a storage area shining with multifaceted brilliance. Mounds upon mounds of clinking Crystals were piled from the floor to the ceiling. My jaw dropped.

“Go right ahead. Take your 20 Crystals.”

Stunned, I walked forward. The brightness of the combined Crystals nearly burned my retinas. I tentatively reached out and counted 20 Crystals, trying to tamp down my surging avarice, and added them to my inventory. Der Schlächter cleared his throat, waiting for me to back away, and then secured the vault, sealing the stockpile. The big man seemed amused by my reaction.

“While you are still pondering our offer, let it be known that we will recompense you for Relics you find during your travels.”

Relics?

“Just so. Special fragments from the other side, of one substance with the plants and creatures we Volunteers so often encounter.”

You mean… invasive anomalies? Or, something else? Objects that appear like the invasive entities do?

The man shook his head.

“No, no, no. It is we who are the invaders here, not them. Someday you’ll come to understand that. But if you do find any Relics, we will pay handsomely in Crystal for them. And if Crystal is not your fancy, we can deal in Crypt. Or in boys, or in girls. Whatever you desire.”

At that, der Schlächter let out a low whistle, like one would whistle for a dog. Razor and Buzzcut obediently shuffled into the room, ready to escort me out.

“We appreciate your visit, nameless one. Please know that our doors are always open for those who wish to join our family. Do consider our offer.”

I followed the two Serpents back through the Penthouse to the waiting freight elevator. I thought I heard Schlächter reciting some sort of verse from the other room.

Life’s but a walking shadow, a poor player,

That struts and frets his hour upon the stage,

And then is heard no more.

Soon I passed through the spinning lobby doors and found myself back out on the dark, lonely streets of The Commons. I paused, typing a quick reminder under my Subroutines.

[>SUBROUTINES

* Assist Antisoc with Repository Heist (Pending)

* Assist Serpents with Package Delivery (Pending)]

Then I started walking back to the city center.

From behind the glass doors leading into Nadir Tower, Razor glared after me with undisguised loathing.