Nick Smith

Adventurer Level: 7

Human – American

"Nick?" Yulk asked, seeing the shock on my face.

I tried to answer him, but couldn't come up with the words. Several feelings swelled up within me all at once, completely overwhelming me. Surprise was chief among them, but also confusion and disappointment. My eyes darted along the characters over and over, trying to make sense of what I was seeing.

"What's wrong?" Gali asked. "Do you know what it says?"

"I... No," I managed to say. "But... This doesn't make any sense."

"What do you mean?" Larie asked.

"The... um... The letters. I know these letters, I grew up writing them over and over again. But they aren't forming words. It's just a bunch of gibberish."

The tablet looked like a mosh-pit of English letters. Even the lesser used letters like 'z' and 'x' were in the fray. For a moment, I thought it could be a language that uses similar letters, but there weren't any diacritical marks. Just plain old English letters grouped together in ways that didn't make any recognizable words.

"Can I see the rest of the tablets?" I asked.

Larie gave the tablets to me and I began scouring them. The letters were jumbled all to hell, not a single word made sense. There were also hyphens and semicolons spread throughout, but no commas or periods. A sense of frustration began to rise within me.

'It could be encrypted,' Ten said.

'Maybe. But why?' I asked.

I hadn't been expecting an answer from Ten, but I was still disappointed when it remained silent. There isn't any need to write in code when nobody else can read the language you're writing. Hold on...

"Wait," I said excitedly. "This could be written in some kind of code."

"I had thought as much when you said it was gibberish," Larie said. "But, while knowing that might be helpful, you seem more excited than is to be expected of this revelation."

"It's a code using the English alphabet. The only reason to write in code is to make sure that others don't understand what you're writing," I explained. "Meaning that there were other people who knew the English alphabet, and possibly English as well. English is a human language, which means..."

I trailed off for dramatic effect, and everyone stared at me for a moment.

"There were other humans here?" Mako asked.

"Exactly," I grinned.

"But Nick..." Yulk said gently. "We already knew that there were other humans. Remember the Delver's Dungeon?"

"Yeah, but that was different. I was asleep and the other human was insane, but this is evidence that humans were actively communicating with each other and trying to keep secrets from one another. Why else would they bother with a code?"

"There are several disturbing implications that go along with that hypothesis, though," Larie said. "First and foremost, it implies that humans were active members of the Cult of Malos. If that were true, I feel that someone would have taken note."

"There's also the fact that the cult disappeared a long, long time ago," Yulk added. "Even if the humans had been a part of the cult and didn't disappear along with the rest of the cult, they would be long dead by now, right?"

Yulk and Larie seemed to be trying to temper my excitement, but every point they made just caused it to grow.

"That's actually a really good point," I said. "As I understand it, the cult was pretty secretive. What if humans were the leaders of the cult? That would explain why nobody knew about them. And what they were trying to find a way back home? What if the reason that they disappeared is because they succeeded?"

I wasn't fully sold on that idea, though. King Yssinirath had told us that he'd worked to exterminate the cult, and he'd probably have run into a human or two in the process. Unless the leadership had been elsewhere, or he hadn't been paying attention...

"I don't like that theory," Nash said, crossing his arms. "The cult abducted and experimented on people. I'm willing to do a lot of things to help you get home, but I draw the line at harming innocents."

"I wouldn't hurt innocent people to get home, Nash. But we shouldn't have to, right? What if they wrote down how to get home? What if it's written right here?" I pointed at the stone tablet for emphasis.

"Well, you still need to be able to read the fuckin' thing," Rebis said. "What are we gonna do about that?"

"Were there any other writings like this?" I asked Larie.

"Potentially," he answered. "There were several other sets of notes, but none that were in legible condition."

"Damn," I muttered.

"Why do you ask?" Rebis asked.

"Because ciphers have keys. I hoped someone had written the key somewhere."

The moment the words left my mouth, I realized how stupid it would be for someone to just leave something like that lying around. I blame video games. In a video game, the key would be hinted at on a mural within the dungeon or explained in a note next to a dead body. But that's because the people who are making the cipher within a game want you to crack it. Whoever wrote this probably had the opposite intention.

"Well, I don't know much about codes or secret messages or anything like that. Does anyone know anybody who would be able to help?" Gali asked the group.

A lot of shrugging and head-shaking followed. Larie and Yulk didn't reply, looking deep in thought. Olmira patted my brother on the shoulder, bringing him back to reality.

"Hmm? Oh, yes, my apologies," he said. "I do know a few scholars who enjoy complex puzzles, but I'm afraid this is likely beyond their capabilities."

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

"How come?" I asked.

"Well, solving a code is one thing. Solving a code in a language that you are unfamiliar with and have little to no reference for is another thing entirely. It might be possible, but it would be extremely difficult and would likely take a lifetime."

The words of the god-thing echoed in my mind. I doubt this is what it meant when it said time isn't a concern. Plus, it wouldn't exactly be entertaining to watch me wait around until someone finally solved this damn code. I stared at the tablet, trying to will the words into existence.

'Wait, what about you, Ten?' I thought to the machine in my brain.

'I'm afraid that I'm unable to assist you with this task,' Ten replied.

'Why not?'

'I have a fairly sophisticated processor and cooling system, but the processing power I would have to dedicate to this task would be intensive, and would come with consequences. Namely, heat.'

'So you could crack this cipher, but it would cook my brain in the process?'

'Not all of it. Just some very important parts of it.'

"Are we suddenly unable to seek help from the fair folk?" Mako asked.

"Would they know about this?" I replied.

"Possibly," Larie said. "The fair folk are an old and wise race of beings. While our ways are as alien to them as their ways are to us, they still watch. And some of them learn. So yes, it's entirely possible that a knowledgeable fae would be able to shine light on this predicament."

"So we still have to go talk to the fae, then..."

Memories of a certain anatomically-named arch-fae played through my mind and I had to resist the urge to shudder. Tits probably wouldn't be here, though. Right?

"I'll be fine, as long as Yulk remembers to keep me updated," Olmira said, mistaking my concerned expression.

"I'll remember to write," Yulk chuckled.

"He won't forget," Nash said. "I won't let him."

"We gonna go see the spooky guys?" Simeeth asked. "I should bring knife, yes?"

"No," Larie replied. "We've lost many, Simeeth. We must rebuild, and so I want you to go to the kobold caves and find us some reinforcements."

"More kobolds?"

"Indeed."

"All of them?"

"Well, no. Just those that want to."

"What if all want to?"

"That's too many. No, we only want a dozen or so."

"Duh zen?"

"Two groups of seven should do fine," Larie chuckled. "You can do that, right?"

"Yeah! Uh... Am I in one of the groups?"

"No."

"Okay, so two sets of seven plus me," Simeeth hopped up and down excitedly. "Go now?"

"Yes."

"FOR THE LORD!" the kobold shouted as he ran out of the room.

We stood silently as we listened to his footsteps patter down the entrance hallway. Once they faded, Mako turned to the lich.

"He'll be okay, right?" he asked.

"Yes," Larie said. "He's one of the smarter kobolds. Plus, he didn't take a weapon with him, so he'll be extra cautious."

"I'd think not taking a weapon would put him more at risk," Heino chimed in.

"Only if something is actively hunting him. But kobolds tend to get far more confident when they are armed, and this confidence is often misplaced. He'll be safer without a blade."

"Those letters look odd," Ithrima said from over my shoulder, making me jump a little.

"Really? Lemme see," Rebis said.

Everyone except Larie gathered around to have a look, and I lowered the tablets so that they could see them better. Nash and I made eye contact once he looked up from the tablet, and I grinned.

"Hey Nash, maybe you'll be able-"

"Shut up," he interrupted with a growl before I could finish the joke.

Nash crossed his arms and tried to look intimidating as Yulk and I began to laugh. Everyone else looked confused, but took one look at Nash and decided they didn't want in on the joke. Once Yulk and I had our fill of laughter, Rebis pointed at the tablet.

"That looks like an arrow-head," he said. "Or maybe a spear-tip."

"That's an 'A'," I explained. "It's the first letter of the English alphabet."

"Very stabby looking letter. Oh, we have that one," he pointed again. "An 'emv'."

"We call that an 'X'. It's the third to last letter."

"Your alphabet has a specific order to it?" Heino asked. "Why?"

I opened my mouth to answer but found myself at a loss. The hesitation I felt turned into a small existential crisis as it dawned on me that I can't think of any real reason the alphabet is in that order. Maybe it's historical? Or...

"I think it's because it's easier to teach it if it is in a certain order," I said. "There's a song and everything."

I sang the alphabet song for them, and my demonstration left everyone speechless for a bit.

"Humans have singing scholars?" Ithrima asked.

"Huh? Oh, I guess. Technically. Those scholars are usually children, though," I replied. "Kids love to sing, and teaching them the alphabet song helps them remember the alphabet. Or the names of the letters, at least."

More questions about public education followed, and I answered them to the best of my abilities. Everyone seemed impressed, except Yulk and Nash. They'd heard it all before.

"Well, that would certainly be better for the little ankle-biters than hocking goods in the street," Rebis said.

"Or the mines," Mako added.

"Nah, kids long for the mines."

"They most certainly do not," Ithrima argued.

I almost agreed with her, but decided to keep quiet once I remembered how popular a certain video game was back home. Even I loved it, but grew out of it when I became a teenager. Maybe kids really do long for the mines.

The conversation about public schooling continued for some time, culminating with Yulk and Ithrima discussing how such a system could be implemented. I answered a few more questions, but had difficulty pulling my attention from the tablets in my hands. Larie noticed my distraction, and interrupted the conversation.

"While this exploration of another world's educational systems is illuminating, I do believe we should see the fae sooner rather than later," he said. "If we leave now, you may make it back to town before nightfall."

"That's a good point," Gali said. "Alright, let's get going."

After a chorus of agreements, we began to make our way out of the dungeon. Larie disintegrated the fallen kobolds as we passed, silently praying for them. We all bowed our heads in respect, as well.

Finally, we left the dungeon. Fresh air flushed the stench of death from my nose and I inhaled deeply. Unfortunately, the smell had gotten into my clothes, so I gagged. That got a few laughs, but those quickly died out once everyone realized that they also stank.

"This is where we part ways," Olmira smiled. "I hope to see you all again someday."

"We will look you up the next time we're in Bolisir," Nash said. "And I'll make sure Yulk keeps you updated."

"I won't need a reminder," Yulk added. "I hope you have a safe journey."

"You too."

With a wave, Olmira began heading back to town.

"The terrain can be treacherous," Larie said. "Watch your step or you may injure your ankles."

The lich then left the trail, and the rest of us followed after him into the forest.

Chapter 69.5

Master Vampire Kirain Yith

Adventurer Level: N/A

Drow Master Vampire - Balushenian

'A miserable failure,' my mind whispered.

The void had once again enveloped me, but this time there was a sense of hostility to it that I found unnerving. It made me feel as if I were prey for a hungry and angry beast.

'Why am I here?' I demanded, forcing my unease aside. 'What happened?'

'You were defeated. Cast down by a novice better described as a child than an adult. I had such high hopes for you, and you have thoroughly disappointed me.'

'So this is the afterlife?'

'No. You've managed to survive by the skin of your teeth. Or rather, the skin behind your teeth.'

Tiresome riddles. I found myself struggling to make sense of what the higher being was saying. Then, my eyes saw the fight play out before me. The creature had burned me severely, and I had ripped off my tongue and cast it aside.

I felt it all again, but new it wasn't real. This was the higher being explaining what it meant. As long as any of my organs survive the flames, I can regenerate.

After our fight, the intruders and the lich had burned my arm, my body, and even the flesh I had torn off. But they had missed my tongue laying next to the throne. Actually, so had I.

'So what do you want from me now?' I asked.

'Nothing. You did your best and failed.'

'I can try again.'

'You will fail again.'

'No, this time I will be better prepared. I now know what that thing is capable of. I can take precautions. I can kill it.'

The hostility of the void increased, burning my flesh with its intensity. No, not my flesh, my essence. Pain, more intense than any I had ever felt before, coursed throughout my very being. I tried to scream, but had no mouth to do so. I tried to beg, but the words wouldn't form. Couldn't form. Suddenly, it stopped.

'Perhaps... It may be amusing to see you try again,' the voice taunted me.

'So you'll let me go?' I asked.

'I hadn't planned on holding you here, just tormenting you until you met your grisly end. Instead, I will discuss this with the others. If they agree, I will intercede and save you from what's to come. If not, we'll leave you to your fate.'

'And what am I to do in the meantime?'

'You will wait.'