Yggdrasil Fallen, LitRPG Series
Book 1, Obsidian
Chapter 16: Gold
Andre laid languidly in the steaming waters of his jet-powered roiling bath. It had been something of absolute wonders, the perfectly hot water had jetted around him with just the right amount of force and precision easing tension and aches he didn’t even know he had. He had slipped into such a deep stupor, relishing in the oddly aromatic water it wasn’t until Killen had popped his head in and yelled:
“You didn’t die on me in there, didja?”
“No, I’m fine. I’ll be out shortly.”
As Killen’s head vanished from the doorway, Andre killed the jets and pulled the plug on the bath.
“Well… since I’m here.” He mumbled to himself, striding into the nearby shower stalls and activated a “Blissful Rain” triggering a short but effective boost to his normal rate of healing.
“That skill’s really something else, not sure I’ll ever get over seeing this.” He marveled to himself as he watched the welts and painful looking skin rapidly bleach out to a scar about 1 inch in diameter, running from his palm and wrapping around his hand, forearm, and bicep in an almost serpentine manner to his shoulder where he lost sight of it. The pain of the wound had vanished with the angry pink skin and welts, leaving nothing but the drum tight pull of his skin against the scar.
“ALERT: while Effect: “Blissful Rain” has boosted natural biosynthesis beyond effects of “Unknown Affliction” during its duration, until the effect is purged; standard human rates of recovery will persist outside “Blissful Rains” recovery effects.” ALIAS spoke.
“What exactly does that mean to me?” Andre thought back.
“It means your fragile ass will be unable to benefit from the effects of your stat increases, and you should consider yourself just as flimsy as your fellow man.” ALIAS retorted.
“Ok… Ass. I’m still learning this shit, you know?” He shot back, subconsciously fingering the charm hanging off the choker around his neck.
“Well figure it out faster because shits about to get real for you. Dumbass.” ALIAS grumbled. Andre couldn’t help but roll his eyes as he stared at the thick white scar that had presented itself over the course of his last healing:
“Just another thing I’m going to have to explain, I guess. Though smart bet’s on Silderson knowing a hell of a lot more than he’s letting on.” Andre thought to himself. Upon opening his pack he found a loose fitting red/black/tan tracksuit, new boxers and a white tee shirt. He proceeded to dress himself and upon seeing himself in the mirror he couldn’t help but laugh:
“My god, their taste in clothing is as bad as my taste in women.” He exited the washroom, where Killen was standing guard, waiting for him.
“Are you ready?” he curtly asked.
“Ready to meet your boss for a tete a tete de tante?” Andre sarcastically answered.
“Funny, don’t worry about your pack, we’ll have it brought to your room. Assuming everything goes well during your dinner with the boss.” Killen replied, rolling his eyes.
“Oh, and do me a favor… can you remove all your jewelry before we leave? Silderson’s not a big fan of such adornments.” He continued. Andre found himself fingering the charm of his choker before he replied:
“I wish I could, but this piece is very special to me… it was gifted to me by a now dead… “friend”.” Several moments passed before Killen replied, eyeing him carefully:
“Very well then, I guess exceptions can be made…” He turned on his heels and led Andre out of the bathhouse and into a maze of corridors. It was several minutes before they reached an intricately carved wooden outlined elevator, that resembled a silvery portal in the base of the trunk of a grand tree. Killen approached the carving and pressed a hidden button that flipped open a hidden panel to reveal a small screen. Placing his hand on the screen, it emitted a loud beep of affirmation before flipping itself closed as the almost reflective doors of the elevator slid themselves open. Stepping in, he gestured for Andre to follow. As he stepped in, the doors silently closed, and with an almost inaudible hum began to operate. They rode in silence for several moments before the hum faded and the doors slid open once more to an almost shockingly shallow hallway. Opposite the elevator stood floor to ceiling double doors, carved in identical design to the elevator.
“Feels like I’m traipsing through a fucking forest.” Andre grumbled to himself, receiving a sharp look from Killen as he approached the doors and knocked.
“Enter” Came Silderson’s commanding voice. Killen pushed open the door and gestured to Andre, who strode into the opulent, well-outfitted office. Silderson was sitting behind a large, polished oak desk of similar design yet somehow more ornate than the door leading into the room. A hand carved lion tackling and pinning what appeared to be an overly large serpentine creature ran across the front. The embossed, intricate carving inlaid with gold, silver and gems of several varieties screamed old money to him. Silderson stood from behind an array of monitors, his hands moving in a gesture of greeting.
“Welcome Andre, am I to assume you found our facilities enjoyable?” His eyes had traced him from head to foot, lingering a particularly long time on not only his scarred hand which happened to be the only part left exposed by the sleeve of the tracksuit. But also, the choker hanging around his neck.
“Far more than I care to admit; actually. The water was something else.”
Silderson’s jovial laugh caught him off guard:
“I’m quite gladdened to hear, water for that facility is run through several treatment tanks purifying, then infusing it with Epsom salts and oils from pressed aromatics. Our employees do so much for us, we try to ensure a high quality of life for them to the smallest details.”
“Well, that is one experience id certainly like to repeat if at all possible.”
“We shall see, first there are some rather important matters to discuss. Firstly, I would like to apologize for how I have been to you since we first met; there are matters in which I am involved that if exposed could change the face of the world as we know it.” He paused, carefully considering Andre’s blank faced reaction before he continued:
“I would like to be completely open with you now that I’ve ascertained certain facts and explain a few things. Hopefully we can participate in a mutual exchange of information.” Motioning to one of the plush leather couches in the nearby lounge Silderson walked over to a bar against the wall:
“Can I offer you something to drink? I have a number of rather rare vintages, as well as a large collection of unique spirits.”
Taken aback by the sudden geniality of Silderson; Andre carefully considered his offer.
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“As though he weren’t suspicious enough before. At least when he was acting like a stuck-up jackass; he fit the rich prick norm. But now….?” He thought to himself before responding:
“Whiskey with ice, please.” Seating himself, sinking into the luxuriously plush material of the closest leather couch. Hearing the light ‘tink” of an ice sphere being dropped into a low-ball glass then the “Glug Glug Glug” of an amber liquid being poured over the top, he steeled his nerves knowing there was no way to avoid the coming conversation, though he truly had no idea exactly what was coming.
“Does he know about the sisters and their role in the worlds, about aspected zones… about that chamber and what it held? Neither Tione nor Phione had mentioned having to keep this all a secret, only most wouldn’t be able to understand. Then there’s the literal shitstorm I caused in that hospital room… if he doesn’t know about all of this how do I explain that?!”
Overwhelmed by the rush of thoughts he failed to notice Silderson had sat on the couch opposite him, having left a glass within arms-reach, a crystal-clear perfect sphere of ice slowly melting into the aromatic/smoky amber liquid. Holding an identical glass himself he began speaking, focusing Andre’s fragmented attention.
“In a gesture of pure good will, I guess I will start from the beginning. While I cannot tell you everything; I will do my best to be as thorough as I can be.” He paused to sip from his glass, eying as Andre picked up his own glass, taking a sip himself.
“This is unbelievably good!” Andre spoke, with the smooth lingering notes of smoked cherry, vanilla and oak having washed over his palate leaving behind a nice earthy peat moss flavor; the harsh burn he had expected from most whiskies having been tempered with age.
“It is one of my favorites as well, I bought up the last several barrels ages ago and usually only break it out for very special occasions.” Silderson took another lingering sip, relishing the complex notes.
“Now, to matters at hand. As you may or may not know I am COO of the large international medical technology conglomerate known as “Angio-Tech” where our primary drive is the development and perfection of Bio-Mimetic prosthetics for surgical implantation. While we are the forefront leaders in the industry, with our cutting-edge designs in the final testing phases before human trials can begin, we have also made tremendous advancements in several other areas in the medical field. But that is not what is important in our conversation here.” He sipped casually from his glass before continuing:
“But that is all a front. While a vast majority of our staff are doing exactly as I described; developing world changing technologies; caring for the sick; researching new treatments, etcetera; there is a branch of our operation dedicated to seeking out certain sites across the globe; which require a specialized team of operatives with the know-how and skills to handle.” Cutting in before Silderson could continue Andre spoke:
“So, you’re telling me I should be calling you Dr. Jones?” Laughing again, Silderson continued:
“No Andre, not like that at all. Now please let me finish laying the groundwork of our conversation before you interject again.” Leaning forwards, he set his glass on the well-polished coffee table; then with his elbows on his knees, he rested his chin on his hands, fingers interlocked before continuing:
“You see, Andre; there exists in this world forces far beyond the comprehension of the general population. These sites we seek out are the foci of those forces; our goal being to purge them of the nefarious beings contained within. Preventing them from breaking out into the wider world. You see, these beings aren’t exactly… natural.” He paused, staring at the glass in front of him, carefully phrasing his next sentence.
“They’re monsters, creatures of truly horrifying existence. If they were allowed to break out into the world around these sites… the amount of damage they could potentially cause would be insurmountable in property and life alone. The sheer panic the confirmation of actual monsters existing in our world would cause ripples of instability that inevitably would tear civil society apart. So, we have established this branch of elites specially equipped and trained to handle them; preemptively rooting out the problem.” Reaching for his glass Silderson took a long sip, relishing in it.
Andre sat stunned staring directly at the man across from him; seemingly having aged 10 years over the course of their conversation thus far.
“While most of what he says makes complete sense, something feels completely off. If they truly feel these sites are so dangerous, why unseal them… Wait, HOW are they unsealing them?” Andre thought to himself.
“Dude, if you would just stop the fucking internal monologue for half a second and pay attention, MAYBE you’d actually understand” ALIAS grumbled back.
“Now, we don’t do all of this out of the goodness of our hearts. There are treasures abound to be dug up and utilized from these sites. Items known as “Artefacts” carry tremendous value not only in what they can teach us, but also monetarily. There’s also a significant value in butchering the monsters for their hides, teeth, claws and in some circumstances meat. We’ve found several sites overrun with living plants with medicinal properties trumping the best modern medicines. Even chests full of currencies unique to these sites have been pulled up. All used to fund our research, and equivocally better mankind; while allowing us to live very comfortably.”
Silderson stood, walking over to his desk he returned carrying a large leather-bound wooden box. Setting on the table between them he spoke softly:
“These belong to you, I’m sorry we took them off your person, but we were greatly intrigued by their nature and had to examine them for ourselves. I would very much like it if you could explain to me how they came into your possession. We know where they came from: the Living Wall and Greater Living Wall present at the cabin are a dead giveaway that it is in fact one of the sites we seek, but…” He paused, watching as Andre set down his now empty glass and undid the leather straps binding the box closed; opening it to reveal possessions, due to the flurry of events he hadn’t realized were missing.
“How you managed to get your hands on them is a mystery to us. In fact, everything that transpired at the cabin after Curt left you in the drive until you were found against the rock face is unknown and could use a significant number of details filled in.” He paused yet again, watching as Andre pulled what appeared to be an ebony scimitar from the box with a look of confusion playing across his face. He turned the weapon over in his hands, its black blade a razor-sharp edge in an elongated elegant “S” shape, with its back having been flattened to an edge resembling a chainsaw blade made of small thickened yet oh so razor-sharp claws. The hilt was wrapped in tanned deep brown hide, fangs riveting it in place, from its end hung a 4-inch strap of sinew running through several vertebrae held in place by small steel spikes protruding from either side holding them in place; the end of the strap capped off with a blood red orb.
“This… this isn’t mine…?
“It was found with your pack where you were discovered, so we assumed it was yours. If it is not, we will gladly take it off your hands.” Silderson responded, eyeing Andre carefully while sipping the last of his whisky, casually setting his glass on the table.
*Item: “Stygian machete of the Fang”: A once common weapon having undergone the rigors of slaying countless Shale Stalkers has been reforged through the highly caustic remains of an immeasurably powerful enemy and imbued with the aspected forces released in the killing blow. When equipped “Stygian machete of the Fang” provides a +5 (plus physical level) augmentation to all statistics. Successful strikes landed with this weapon have a chance to apply a stack of “Necrotizing Blood Plague”; if 5 stacks are successfully applied “Necrotizing Blood Plague” changes to “Curse of the Hellborne”. This weapon can be imbued with aspected energy. Rarity: Unique/Legendary, Quality: Legendary, Value: Immense, Aspect: Shadow/Toxic/Terra/Blaze, Durability: Indestructible.
- “Necrotizing Blood Plague”: corrupts blood of target for 1 minute, slowly decaying the muscle and organs of the afflicted target, stagnating the ability to recover naturally. Additional stacks increase damage exponentially, every stack of “Necrotizing Blood Plague” has its own timer and will not be refreshed with additional stacks.
- “Curse of the Hellborne”: consuming all stacks of “Necrotizing Blood Plague” shadow aspected damage is dealt equal to all remaining damage from consumed stacks. *
Andre drew a deep breath, terrified of the blade held in his hands:
“Maybe I should hand this over, the risk to myself alone is enough to be rid of it” he thought to himself “though, I do always have Blissful Rain for accidents…”
“No, I’m sorry I was mistaken. This is definitely my machete, with everything that has happened, everything is still hazy, and I had a momentary lapse in memory.”
“Machete you say?” Silderson questioned.
“Looks more like a scimitar to me, but I do suppose it does have some “Machete-esque” qualities about it.” Silderson eyed him closely, almost suspiciously as Andre continued to pull items from the veritable treasure chest: A bracer, a rather large pile of Brass/Bronze pieces and finally an absolute mound of fangs, claws and cured hides.
“With your items back in your possession, I believe it is time for us to discuss exactly how these items came to be in your possession.” Andre met his almost apprehensive gaze before responding:
“Very well, I do suppose that would only be fair, but perhaps first… a refresher on this fantastic beverage?” He asked, holding his glass out.
Silderson nodded, taking the glass out of his hand; while picking up his own he strode to the bar, but not before saying:
“I was actually thinking the same myself.” Upon returning to the table, he handed the glass across to Andre, before taking a sip of the refreshed liquid gold. It was then Andre began recounting his tale, starting from his first day at the cabin.