In Deicide there were two major currencies val and urru which were used in Tonantzin and Enthroned respectively. The currency was worth the same but would have to be exchanged depending on the realm the player was in. A good player would have a stockpile of both currencies and Kevin and Jessica were no different. Val were coin based currencies with its denomination being silver with iron core coins, then pure silver coins, followed by gold with silver core and finally pure gold coins. It would take ten of a lower denomination to equal the next highest denomination. Urru followed the same denominations but where coins made from jewels native to Enthroned.

Kevin and Jessica did not know what to expect from Cena or what their currency would be worth if anything at all. Kevin felt like he would once again have to rely on Jessica as this was way out of his depths of understanding. There were many unknowns in this new world and the last thing they needed was to draw too much attention to themselves. Not being able to speak the language of the people will only cause more trouble in the long run.

Cena presented them with the case of fifty magic jewels each on leather bound necklaces or bracelets and none as extravagant as the one he had around his own neck. Jessica pulled her hood down now that she was inside revealing her new elven beauty. She had a neutral look on her face as she skimmed over the jewels then back up to the one around Cena’s neck.

“These look different to the one you have.” Jessica stated with disappointment dripping from her voice.

“Ah…yes. The jewels are the same but mine is a family heirloom.” Cena stated seeing the frown on Jessica’s face. “When my great great grandfather moved to Mighthand he did not speak Onsus like the locals so he had the setting made. So I understand how you feel, I had someone else say the same thing not too long ago. In fact, I told them I knew a local jeweler that would give them a discount to make settings for my babble stones.”

Jessica looked back down at the stones looking unsure but nodding. She recognized the salesman tactic he was using. It was a basic one that empathized with the concern of the buyer, showed them that someone else had the same concern then closed them on the idea that there is a solution that worked.

“May I see one of the green ones.” Jessica responded pointing at the one she would like to see.

“Yes, of course.” Cena opened the case with a key and took out the one she pointed out. “This one right?”

“Yes.” Jessica said as she took the necklace. “This jeweler, I am assuming they are in Tintagel where you are from?”

“Yes, they are a close friend of mine actually. If you all are traveling out there, come to my inn and I will introduce you.”

Jessica decided it would be best to test out another of her skills. This one did not require an incantation but her eyes had a slight glow as it activated. The skill was [Appraise] Maxed, which allowed her to learn the general value and potential of an item. The information on the babble stone was simple, it was a stone that passively allowed the wearer to speak and understand the language of others. Which confirmed it was genuine although did not tell her what it was worth like it would in the game.

“Is that an appraisal power?” Cena asked as he watched Jessica's eyes glow. “It is a rare gift. Are you a mage… or an arcanist?”

“You have seen this type of magic before?” Kevin asked.

“Yes, several members of the merchant guild have the ability to detect forgeries. I have an appraiser on staff for the same reason. His name is Albert. He came here with me but we got separated. Although there is a girl named Silvia he has a crush on who lives here so I am not too worried.”

“Young love. Oh… is it considered rude here to use this magic though?” Jessica asked as she deactivated the magic. “I don’t mean to imply that your goods are forgeries.”

“No-no, it is not considered rude in the least.” Cena rebutted, putting one finger up. “If you have the magic to appraise it shows that you have good business sense. Although the case is appraisal glass so you can check without having to use your magic.”

Cena tapped the glass lid of the jewelry box over one of the necklaces. The necklace was highlighted in white as the glass became black only allowing the highlighted item to be seen inside. What appeared to be words in another language came into view in glowing blue lettering across the surface. Jessica could read the language since she had the babble stone in her hand. To Kevin the language looked similar to the artwork of Arabic he saw in school on ancient Earth languages.

Item: babble stone necklace, green, leather cord, accessory

Rarity: Common

Effect: Wearer of the babble stone can speak, read and understand the languages of others

Secondary Effect: Translates the spoken language of the wearer to the language of others

Mana Cost: This item uses ambient magic and requires no additional mana from the wearer

Jessica handed Kevin the babble stone so he could read the words on the glass as well. They were even more intrigued at the box than the stones inside. This was not magic that existed in the game of course appraisal magic was so common it would have been pointless. This was a microcosm to potentially a wide divergence in what they knew about Deicide’s magic system and this new world.

“How much for everything including the appraisal box?” Jessica asked.

“Everything?” Cena said with surprise but was quick to recover. “The babble stones are fifteen soi each but if you want all of them I will drop it to twelve each. Unfortunately, the appraisal box is my only one so I cannot part with it.”

Jessica thought about his response. She was able to glean the name of the currency used here which was a name she was not familiar with, but she didn’t have high hopes it would be val or urru. Of course this meant that they may not be able to purchase anything if their currency was not accepted. The price didn’t matter if they didn’t have the currency anyway.

“I am sad to hear that.” Jessica responded. “We do not have soi. Only the currency from our homeland.”

“I see, may I see this currency?” Cena asked.

Jessica looked over to Kevin who reached into his traveler bag and pulled out a small sack. He opened the bag and pulled out one of each denomination of val and placed them along with the babble stone on the jewelry box. Cena was surprised obviously not expecting the exotic coins. He picked each one up examining them closely.

“I have never seen or heard of coins like this before.” Cena stated as he picked up the gold val. “I will have to appraise them to determine their value if you don’t mind. Are you from the Elvish Imperium?”

“No, our homeland is very far from here.” Kevin stated.

Cena didn’t respond, he just nodded as he placed each of the coins inside of the appraisal jewelry box. He then tapped the glass over each coin and pulled out a notebook from his breast pocket. He wrote down the descriptions of each coin that displayed on the box. Jessica and Kevin could no longer read the words since neither had the babble stone. When Cena was done he removed the coins from the box, stood up and searched through one of the crates and pulled out a small scale and weights.

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Cena placed the scale on the crate they had been using as a table. He placed each coin one at a time on one side of the scale then weights on the other until they evened out before recording the weight. When he was done he pulled out several soi banknotes which were paper money. He explained the conversion based purely off of the value of the precious metals. Their lowest valued coin which was silver and iron was worth about twenty soi while the highest value being pure gold was worth 2,500 soi. He recommended that they travel to Tintagel to have an official evaluation done but in the meantime he would be more than happy to sell the babble stones to them and exchange some of their currency.

Jessica took the opportunity now that she knew the value of the currency to get information out of Cena. There was still the issue of not knowing where they are. Cena gave them one of his spare maps of the region but didn’t have any of the country or continent since he didn’t travel much. Cena explained they were in the Testial Empire, a nation of humans that is divided into twenty-four individual self governing territories that answer to the emperor and a demigod called a Mortal Divine.

They were currently in a town called Kilverstead in territory of Mighthand, one of the fringe domains that bordered the territories Brinecross, Dimbarrow and Basnmout to the south and summercrest to the east. To the west was the Yawshi Alliance, a nation of hostile sand orcs that were pushed out of the region thousands of years ago. To the north was the Dragon Territory, while the dragons were normally peaceful; their territory was breeding grounds for monsters. Those monsters would constantly travel south into the region invading Mighthand and other fringe territories.

Argonauts were warriors, adventurers and mercenaries that were hired by territories to explore unknown regions, kill monsters and aid the people of the territory. Argonauts were separate from the normal military since they specialize in hunting monsters. Cena didn’t know much more than that about Argonauts other than a few stories here and there from them staying at his inn.

“That sounds a lot like adventurers from Deicide.” Jessica said to Kevin in the guild chat.

“You're telling me. This world sounds like a RPG fantasy world. Next thing you know there is going to be some demon king trying to take over the world.” Kevin responded in the chat. “Actually you are a demon and your family practically owns one planet already. Do you have any plans for world domination? Maybe you want to follow in your mothers footsteps.”

Jessica turned with a glare which Kevin responded with a sly smile. Cena stopped talking as the two seemed to no longer be paying attention.

“We don’t own Mars.” Jessica said in the chat, her voice was getting softer with every word. “We just have a lot of businesses there… and own one of the cities, and the largest interplanetary trade networks out of Mars… and have members of… my family on the board of the Marsano Trade Commision.”

“Are you just now realizing your family owns Mars?” Kevin asked in the chat with disbelief.

“Shit, my family does practically own Mars.” Jessica said in the chat. “I think you should refer to me as your highness from now on. I didn't realize how much of a catch I am.”

Cena cleared his throat to get their attention. He couldn’t hear their Guild Chat conversation but could tell they stopped listening to him while they stared at each other. The two apologized to Cena and excused themselves to continue their journey through the town. They had already found more information than they had hoped and a means to communicate with the people. Jessica and Kevin both wore babble stone bracelets and packed the remaining forty-eight inside the travelers pack Kevin toted around.

“Thank you again, Cena.” Kevin stated as they walked away from the carriage. “We will definitely stop by the inn when we are in town.”

“I will hold you to that.” Cena responded as he took the reins of his carriage.

Kevin and Jessica waved Cena off as he continued his search for his assistant that disappeared on him earlier. The two left the shopping district which had become quite popular. Cena had told them that it was harvest season for pale moon wheat. The legendary grain was impervious to rot and was the primary ingredient in Mighthand pale ale and pale bread. The harvest was the main reason Cena was in town as well. This town is one of very few that can produce the legendary grain. The couple decided it would be best to take a few stalks so Murder could analyze the grain.

Jessica raised her hood again to keep the sun out of her face as they continued to walk around the town. The town was larger than they originally thought when they were looking at it from the sky. The town center was abuzz with trade as people from Tintagel and other cities came to try and secure the right to purchase the wheat. The town extends on both sides of the river with fields that stretch far out from the mountains. Several smaller settlements make up the outskirts of the farmland which are all the private residents of the town's main families.

As they walked along one of the dirt paths between the fields aimlessly Kevin was transfixed by all of the new sights and sounds. He had never seen plants grow naturally nor a farm under a blue sky. He always thought that Deicide was realistic in its depictions of what a healthy world would look like but the longer he was here the more he saw how fake the game was in comparison. The air was cleaner, the sky a hazy mix of blue and silver and the wind didn’t carry the smell of rust and oils.

As he began to lose himself to thought Jessica grabbed Kevin’s hand to get his attention. She squeezed his hand with a shaky but firm strength. Kevin stopped walking as he turned to face Jessica who had an expression of uncertainty, had she been wholly herself there would have been tears from her eyes. However, whatever Kevin and Jessica became when they were forced into this world neither were fully themselves. She could tell that she was an amalgamation of Jessica and Lilitu. She was a being forged by the union of her personality and the fictitious bio she wrote for the character her soul now inhabited and it frightened her.

“So I have been thinking,” Jessica stated, her eyes fell away from Kevin.

“Uh-oh you’ve been… thinking!” Kevin said exaggeratingly with a smirk.

Jessica squeezed his hand.

“Seriously.” Jessica said.

“What is it, your highness?” Kevin continued.

“Kevin.” Jessica said flatly. “I am serious.”

Kevin let out a breath and turned his body to face hers.

“Okay, what is on your mind.” Kevin responded.

“Since we came here and we know that we are really here… this isn’t some dream, or game, or dev build but a real world.” Jessica said, her voice trembling. “But I am Lilitu and you are Harahel… despite how goddamn insane that sounds.” She lets out a calming breath. “My mind is full of Lilitu’s fragmented memories which shouldn’t even exist! H-her personality seems to be fusing itself into mine. I can’t even begin to imagine what could have brought us to this world-and… and in these forms… but I can’t help but wonder… are we dead? Like… our real bodies, what happened to them? I want to scream and cry but Lilitu is too strong and she won’t let me. I can’t even cry…”

“Jessica, I don’t know what happened to us.” Kevin started as he placed his other hand in hers. “I am concerned about the same thing as you… I have Harahel's memories. For me though, the most important person in the real world came here with me. You are alive here and now and it doesn’t matter how much you or I change.” He let out a breath soaked in anxiety and uncertainty. “I love you and Harahel loves Lilitu. Two times the love from one man and I was already head over heels before, now I don’t even know what to do with myself. We were already getting ready to leave everything behind and start a life together even before all of this happened. Sooo…”

“Hello, travelers.” A man said in a friendly manner as he interrupted. “Do you have a moment?”

The man that spoke was Willy, the leader of a local Argonaut team. He had a smug look to him and sharp green eyes. His raven black hair was styled in a loose man-bun and his facial hair was a well groomed chin strap. He was a sword master with a rather impressive rapier at his side. He wore lightweight cloth armor that looks no different than normal clothing. Jessica could sense the magic on the otherwise unassuming garments and could tell they were enhanced by magic to increase their durability.

Behind Willy was his team which consisted of a female archer who was also Willy’s wife named Gia. She had long curly red hair and lightweight leather armor that was even less impressive than the concealed armor Jessica wore. Next a male cynocephali wizard named Bruiser who had the head of an old and tired great dane. His small frame looked like he struggled to hold the book he hadn’t looked up from. The final member of the team was the brains of their group and the youngest named Evan. He looked too young to be an Argonaut but was actually twenty-two years old and a skilled trap specialist who was also the most well versed on the monsters in the area.

Jessica and Kevin were snapped out of their moment as they angrily turned to face the group. Willy and his team all take a step back and Willy’s friendly wave hits some trepidation.

“Sorry about this, I know you are in the middle of something. We just have a quick question and it is really important.” Willy back peddled.