An NPC is a non-player character used in games to fill the background roles. In Deicide NPC’s are strictly programs used to carry out quality of life functions in the game to make the experience immersive. While AI was used to give some of them dialogue it was basic and they couldn’t really hold conversations outside of their predetermined role. Most NPC spoke a nonsense language to simulate conversation with each other which could be easily tuned out by a player.

What Kevin and Jessica were experiencing defied all logic they knew about the game. The two were in shock as the normally quiet and barely noticeable NPC not only conversed in Omni-Tongue with one another but showed genuine concern as to their current situation. They were aware that things were not right and checked on one another helping some of the more surprised maids to their feet. Kevin and Jessica just watched in silence as one by one the NPCs stood up and surveyed their surroundings.

“We must have gotten pushed into a development build of the game or something.” Kevin stated as if trying to convince himself. “The next major update must also include a new map or something.”

“I don’t think that is it.” Jessica said. “They are acting like real people.”

“Lady Lilitu,” Cullan said, grabbing her attention. “What should we do?”

“I-I…” Jessica struggled to speak for a second as all eyes fell on her. “Gather everyone here in the guild hall. There are others in the forest as well.”

“Ma’am!” Cullen and Noah both said.

“Alright everyone, the guild master wants all of the non-combat personnel to remain in the Guild Hall.” Noah turns to face the crowd waving his hands to get everyone's attention. “Guards, form ranks we are going to secure the manor and collect everyone we find and bring them here.”

“I am putting together a search and rescue for missing persons in the forest.” Cullen yells as soon as Noah was finished. “Guards with rescue training step up now.”

Cullen and Noah walked into the mob of people and started barking out more orders. They seemed to be effective in organizing all of the chaos between the shocked and scared people. The guards were lined up by their rank and level; those that were lower ranked had on basic gear with red uniforms which looked like a British colonial era soldier with the crest of the guild on their shoulder. Higher ranked had armored breastplates and slightly more extravagant uniforms. No one here was as highly ranked as Cullen and Noah who had red plate armor and were the personal bodyguards of the guild master.

Kevin and Jessica turned away from the crowd to distance themselves from the unbelievable scene playing out before them. Despite the impossibility of the moment for whatever reason they felt reasonably calm. It was as if they knew that they should be freaking out but the surreal nature of everything made it feel almost dreamlike. In fact the more the situation went on the more they both thought that it might just be a dream.

“Jessica,” Kevin stated, breaking the long silence between the two of them. “Is this real?”

“I don’t know.” Jessica stated looking down at the guandao in her hand.

Jessica could feel the weapon which should be impossible. Not only that but it was as if it seemed so natural and familiar to her. She could sense her soul press into the weapon when she used her spell earlier. Although she could no longer see her mana bar in the corner of her vision she could feel how much she had left. She was overflowing with power like a vast ocean ready to flood the world. These were not things that even the most advanced Sensory Augmentation could replicate.

“I don’t know why I am so calm right now. It feels like I just want to scream but I am not.” Jessica states as she puts a hand on Kevin’s shoulder then up to his face. “Maybe it’s real, maybe not, but standing here is not going to do anything.”

“Yeah. You are right. I think I would imagine you in something a little more revealing if this was a dream.” Kevin said with a slight smirk.

“Shut-up, this avatar is hot as she is.” Jessica shot back.

“Can you really feel stuff?” Kevin asked.

“Yeah I…”

Kevin leaned over and kissed her with a peck on the lips without any warning, an action that if this had been a game would have been impossible. Their heads would have passed harmlessly through one another without any contact. This time however their lips pressed warmly against one another for a second as Kevin pulled away. Jessica froze in place as her brain caught up to what happened.

“Sorry, I know this isn’t the time for that but I couldn’t help myself.” Kevin stated as he looked her in the eyes. “Dream or no, we are going to get through whatever this is together.”

Jessica and Kevin steeled themselves for whatever was going to happen next. They had many questions but standing around questioning everything wouldn’t get them any answers. They turned back to the crowd and walked further into the grand entrance. The guards that were searching the extravagant building had already dispersed leaving about twenty men led by Cullen that were preparing to explore the forest.

Kevin and Jessica were not worried about the NPCs though. As the two walked they saw Awen Shishri descending the stairs from the upper level. The trustale woman’s sleek form and flowing robes gave off power and authority. Awen scanned the room momentarily until her eyes locked on Jessica and Kevin. Awen made a quick beeline for the two of them.

“Guild Masster, Visse Masster,” Awen stated as she approached, her words had a hiss to them. “What iss going on? The world iss sso colorlesss here. It ssmellss vile, and different. Are we under attack?”

“You are Awen right?” Kevin stated, eyeing the avatar up and down.

“Asss far asss I know masster Harahel, are there changelingss here?”

“No,” Jessica affirms. “We don’t know what is happening though.”

“What is the last thing you remember?” Kevin asked.

“I wass getting ready to go to the market to finish the a consstruction I was working on.” Awen stated while looking up as if trying to remember. “I was pretty much done but ssome of the ssupplies were running low. Asss I was leaving the workshop I suddenly wass falling into a black space. When I reawoke I wass in immensse pain and used healing magic to sstop it before it got too bad.”

“Our experience was similar.” Kevin stated. “Are you really Awen Sinshri? You look like her but you can’t be talking when Jessica is here.”

“I don’t know who Jessica is,” Awen said. “But I can asssure you I am Awen. Are you two alright? You look like you have seen a Dark God.”

As they were talking another two figures descended the stairs this time sounding like they were in the middle of a heated argument. One of the voices was a woman’s voice that even while angry had a sweet hum to it. The other voice was a deep yet smooth baritone. Everyone’s attention turned to the arguing pair except for the guards leaving for the search and rescue.

The two figures where the perfect contrast Kokou was a tall and burly man in heavy armor with a massive sword taller than he was on his back. Svaralfer was walking down the stairs beside him with a finger angrily pointing at his face while she yelled. Svaralfer was thin and curvy wearing her usual light armor and a massive yumi war bow in her other hand.

“Don’t give me that! Why are you so insufferable?” Svaralfer yelled.

“Where do you want me to put them? The hallway is a perfect place to let them air out.” Kokou states just as loud but not looking down at her.

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“In your filthy room,” Svaralfer said, frustration boiling over at this point.

“Don’t we have more important issues to worry about than where I place my shoes at night?” Kokou stated. “If it is such an issue why don’t you just change room?”

“You would have a lady change her room because you don’t want to pick up your own messes?” Svaralfer said, offense ringing in her voice.

The two continued to argue as they descended into the main lobby. Their argument shifting back and forth about Kokou leaving his apparently smelly boots in the hallway after he trained. Svaralfer who is in the room beside his can smell the boots at night through her door. It seemed as though the argument would have continued had it not been for Awen walking over to them. Which drew attention to the fact that both the Guild Master and Vice Master had been standing there.

“Lilitu, Harahel,” Kokou said with gusto. “What's going on? I don’t sense any hostile presence in the area. But I also don’t remember the guild being in the middle of a forest.”

“I am pretty sure everyone in the guild was teleported to a new location.” Svaralfer stated. “It looks like more people are showing up as well pretty far out into the forest.”

Svaralfer's eyes had a soft glow as she used her archer’s ability [Sight Beyond] [Awakened] which allowed her to target any number of things in a 500 meter zone. She could even see through foliage and buildings without divination protection.

“I don’t think we have the capacity here to gather all of the people I am seeing out there.” Svaralfer stated. “I think there are more outside of my abilities range. We will need Pneuma to use her divination to locate everyone.”

“The forest is thick,” maybe it would be best to move some of the trees.” Kokou suggested. “Luckily we have Awen, do some of your tree talking magic.”

“I don’t talk to treess.” Awen said.

“You say words and they do what you say, it sounds like talking to me.” Kokou said matter of factly. “Or I can start cutting. Either way works for me.”

Kevin looked over to Jessica and gave her a look with a slight nod. The two of them knew that they were neck deep in all of this so they needed to act the part. He turned back to the group of what hours ago where nothing more than one and zeros they programmed in a game. Now they seemed to be living, breathing entities.

“We should focus on getting as many people safe as possible.” Kevin said with a breath. “Cutting back some of the trees is a good idea but moving them would be better so we don't have to deal with the logs. Awen and Kokou can you all clear out a perimeter? We will cut down a few and move the rest.”

“Shouldn’t be a problem ssir.” Awen hissed.

“You got it boss.” Kokou said.

“Svaralfer, help out with the search and rescue with your ability it will be easier to find everyone.” Jessica said.

“Anything to be away from that insufferable man.” Svaralfer said acussitoraly while glaring at Kokou.

“We have livess to ssave people.” Awen stated. “Kisss and make up later.”

“K-kiss that buffoon.” Svaralfer yelped. “He wishes.”

The three avatars departed to accomplish their individual goals. Kokou and Awen stopped at the entrance to the woodland while Svaralfer ran in with quickness and grace that made her movements impossible to track. Jessica and Kevin were once again left speechless. Avatars don’t normally talk and while they could be programmed with a few voice lines they could not hold conversations. Not to mention avatars don’t have personalities they are just vessels for the player to inhabit. Yet all of them had their own voice and attitudes towards one another as if they were real people.

Jessica and Kevin looked over the terrified servants that had all been collected so far. More of them were being escorted down corridors to meet friends that had already been found. Reunions seemed genuine and happy while those that still had loved ones gone looked worried. Jessica left Kevin’s side and walked over to one of the young maids.

As Kevin watched Jessica walk away in the body of Lilitu a fleeting thought flew through his mind. It was a flash but it planted a seed of doubt, he worried about if she was really Jessica or if he was really alone. He wanted to follow behind her but he couldn’t move another step towards her. Seeing the other avatars move and act freely the way that they had shook him.

Jessica continued to the young maid who looked to be about fourteen years old and was searching frantically for someone. Jessica thought this would be a good chance to see how human the NPC’s were. Jessica glanced behind her as she approached the maid and was surprised Kevin had not been following but she continued on without him.

“Is everything alright?” Jessica asked the maid.

The young maid stopped and looked genuinely surprised that Jessica had even noticed her. The young girls eyes shot open with awe and trepidation. To the NPCs the Guild Master might as well have been a Queen. For Lilitu to even acknowledge her was like a dream come true.

“Ma’am! I mean lady Lilitu!” The young maid said as she bowed her head. “It is nothing to worry yourself about.”

“What is your name?” Jessica asked, she wanted to know if all of the NPC had names. “You do have one, right?”

“Yes, sorry I should have introduced myself earlier! My name is Daiyu.”

“It is nice to meet you, Daiyu.” Jessica said with a smile. “Are you looking for someone?”

“Y-yes, my older sister works here too but I haven’t seen her yet.” Daiyu admitted.

“I see what is your sisters name?” Jessica asked.

“Milady, her name is Li.” Daiyu said.

“We have people searching the area I am sure will find her.” Jessica said. “Why don’t we wait together for her.”

“I couldn’t ask you to do that for me.” Daiyu said apologetically while bowing her head multiple times.

“It is okay I am sure your sister will see you if you are standing beside the Guild Master, right?” Jessica asked. “Why don’t you tell me a little more about yourself.”

While Jessica talked with Daiyu, Kevin watched from a distance. He then turned his attention to the front door and walked outside. He was surprised to see that a fifty meter perimeter around the Guild hall had been cleared. A few of the buildings that had been teleported along with them had been fully uncovered. Awen managed to move the trees without much issue which was no surprise since she was a Natural Cleric. Her magic skill [Bend Nature] [Awakened] gave her control over plant life. At her command the trees uprooted themselves and scuttled along the ground to replant themselves wherever she directed. More and more people found their way out of the grip of the forest thanks to the search and rescue efforts.

“Master Harahel.” A soft and shy voice called out to him from behind.

Kevin turned around to see Pneuma standing a few feet behind him. Pneuma was in her more colorful mage robes and her eyes darted around the room as she nervously approached with her head down. Her face flush red as she tried to do a few calming breaths.

“I am sorry I am late.” Pneuma stated nervously as she looked down at her interlocked hands while twiddling her thumbs. “I wanted to make sure I had something useful to you… to the guild before I presented myself to you. I would show Lilitu but she was talking to the maids.”

“What did you come up with?” Kevin asked.

Pneuma held out her hand and a scroll appeared out of thin air.

“I made a map of the forest to help find all of the missing people.” Pneuma said in a soft tone.

“Thank you.” Kevin stated as he took the map out of her hand. “That will definitely help out. I was wondering where you were.”

“You were?” Pneuma asked with more excitement in her shy voice. “I mean there are a few of us so I am surprised you wanted to know where I was.”

Kevin was surprised how different the Pneuma was from how he had always pictured her. All of the avatars seemed to act as if their personalities were inspired by the backstories he and Jessica wrote for them. He wanted to make sure he was careful with Pneuma. Jessica made it so that she was in love with Harahel and if the bio does affect their behavior he doesn’t want to send her mixed messages.

“Yes, Jes… Lilitu and I know you are the best diviner in the guild.” Kevin said being sure to insert Lilitu into the conversation.

Pneuma’s primary purpose was surveillance and anti-surveillance magic. This was a highly specialized role that in the Guild Battle was paramount to their success. These skills were called various types of divination which included a farsight skill called [All Knowing] [Awakened]. The skill allowed her to see everything within a large area. She also had the ability to make maps that could be shared to everyone in her party. In the game it would just highlight enemies and track their movements. Kevin guessed that the skill produced actual maps now.

“Oh, yes of course.” Pneuma side with a slightly defeated tone.

“We appreciate your due diligence in making this map. Do you know where we are?” Kevin asked. “Obviously somewhere on Tonantzin since the servants are still alive.”

Deicide had two main realms, the one of the mortal races called Tonantzin. The other was the realm called Enthroned where the immortal celestials originated. These two realms were inhospitable to beings of the other world. Special items or skills are required to travel between and survive which Kevin doubted any of the maids had. That would mean that they are still on Tonantzin.

“Normally, you would be right but I don’t think this is either realm.” Pneuma admits. “I have never seen a place like where we are. They aren’t on any known maps and the stars are different.”

“So you are saying we are in a new world.” Kevin mused to himself. “Have you seen people besides the ones that are being teleported here from our world?”

“No, but there may be some intelligent creatures out there. I did see roads far out into the grasslands.”

“Do you know where the rest of our guildmates are?” Kevin asked.

“Most of them haven’t appeared, you, Lady Lilitu, Kokou, Awen and Svaralfer are the only ones I have sensed so far. However, more people and buildings are appearing as we speak.” Pneuma stated.