Yggdrasil Fallen, LitRPG Series
Book 1, Part 1: Obsidian
Chapter 17: Alliance
“Well, that was certainly… enlightening.” Silderson had sat in a long silence as Andre ran through the series of events as they had transpired. He had concocted quite the epic tale of heroics highlighting his exploits through the tunnel against the Shale Stalkers, which he had called “2 headed oversized panther looking monsters”. He tried to be as vague as possible, in hopes of protecting at least some of his secrets as well as dismissing suspicion and as many questions as possible. His tale culminated after the fight against what he described as a “Giant Zombie Thing”, where he had passed out from exhaustion. Andre carefully left out the events surrounding the root, and the meeting with Tione, as he’d left out meeting Phione. He didn’t know exactly how much Silderson knew about “aspects”, the “sisters” or really anything else he had learned in the last few days, and he wasn’t certainly about to reveal just how much he knew on the matters, or what he could do.
“That is, IF Silderson even knows anything about it all... for all I know they run into these chambers with enough firepower to invade a small nation.” He thought to himself.
“It is rather unbelievable, to be completely honest. Stumbling into an environment like that, surviving with martial arts skills you practiced heavily throughout your teen years. Though, I suppose if it were a low grade dungeon it would make far more sense.”
“Make of it what you will, all I can do is share with you what I experienced.”
“And you say the Greater Living Wall just “opened” while you were working in the room?”
“Yeah, as I stated I was cleaning up the glass that shattered in the little quake we experienced when that wavy wall or, I guess “Greater Living Wall” as you call it just split open. I thought it was a result of the quake. I admit curiosity got the better of me and I decided to investigate, as soon as I crossed the threshold into the cave, that damned wall slammed closed, trapping me in. I was stumbling around in the dark when the next thing I knew I’d found a chest with that weird sword, this bracelet, and the coins. In trying to find a way out I found myself entrenched in the monsters I described.”
“See, I believe that isn’t exactly the truth, an earthquake strong enough to shatter glass would have been felt throughout the valley, even if it was focused at the cabin.” Silderson interrupted him, with eyes akin to a hungry snake would staring down a mouse.
“The quake really isn’t a debate, if you don’t believe me just ask the other 2 who were at the cabin when it happened. They’ll fill in the story for sure.”
“I will do just that.” He responded, taking a note on a small square of paper.
“Now, how exactly did you get out of the chamber when you killed the… what did you call it, “Giant Zombie looking thing”?”
Andre rubbed the pointer and index fingers of both his hands into his temples, in a blatant display of frustration to the question. This question he had actually answered to the fullest extent of his knowledge, recounting this part the first time had been unsettling enough but having to retell it for a third time left him deeply troubled as to exactly what had actually happened.
“As I told you, I really don’t know… after the fight it was all I could do to pick up the items the monstrosity had dropped before passing out to the exhaustion of the fight. The next thing I knew I woke up tied to the bed in your medical wing. What happened in between, I really have no recollection of.”
Silderson took a long sip from his glass, setting it on the table and crossing his fingers together, continuing to stare him down, his eyes searching Andre’s face for any crack in his façade.
“Listen, you’re not in any trouble. We just wanted to know exactly what happened to you, incase we needed to provide additional medical care for you; we understand events such as this can be quite… traumatizing. It would have also been nice to know exactly how you got into the dungeon itself, as that may have provided some clues to help us unseal it for our own purposes. We have a tremendous amount of money tied up in this site, and would like to at least recoup a bit of the losses from it.”
Andre eyed him considering his words, realizing that in all likelihood Silderson was in fact being completely honest with him:
“He has told me so much about what they do and why, while there are some holes in what he’s told me, that could be attributed to any number of factors. But still… just how much do I feel comfortable revealing…?” As he thought through his options there was a loud knock on the office door.
“Ah, that must be the dinner I requested for our meeting, I do hope you don’t mind; I was not sure how long our conversation would go on and ordered for you.” Silderson spoke, before yelling “You may enter.” The door swung open and a far younger looking man than Andre himself, clad in chefs garb pushed in a wooden cart carrying a pitcher of cucumber/lime water, a decanter of wine, 2 water goblets, 2 long stemmed wine glasses, silverware rolled in black napkins and several silver cloche. The young man began setting the table before them: setting silverware and pouring water:
“The 73’ as requested sir” he questioned, presenting a bottle of red wine to Silderson.
“Very good, I greatly appreciate your service as always Kevin.” Silderson responded as the young chef set out a hidden basket of the fluffiest bread rolls and a plate of the smoothest butter for each of them, that Andre had ever seen. Placing the cloche in front of Silderson he lifted the lid revealing a glistening, steaming bowl of the most hearty looking stew Andre had ever seen.” Kevin did the same for Andre, aromas of carrot, onion, garlic, beef with seafood brushed with rosemary, thyme and a hint of a citrus h,m e did not recognize washing over him as the lid lifted.
“Aahhhhhh, I do love Chef Francisco’s Lobster Wagyu Bourginon.” Silderson taking a deep inhale of the fragrant bowl in front of him, seeming contented for the first time since Andre had met him. Andre heard a light “pop” as Kevin opened the wine and filled each glass with a strong pour before setting the bottle on the table between them.
“You may leave the Tiramisu on the bar Kevin; we still have much to discuss.’
Giving a knowing look the young man gave a gracious bow:
“Very well sir, I am at your service should you need anything else.” He placed 2 additional cloche on the bar, and quietly wheeled the cart out of the room, closing the door behind him.
“Shall we?” Silderson gestured to the meal at hand before dipping his spoon into the bowl before him. Blowing gently on a small bit of beef and potato, he bit in, a light moan of delight escaping his lips. Andre followed suit, scooping up a small bit; the fragrant herbs and vegetables met his nose with a second, more vibrant array of aromas. His first bite was nothing like he had ever experienced, the rich savory roux thickened broth was highlighted with scented undertones of sea salty lobster, the potato and carrot he’d gotten in the scoop; a creamy dance of sweet and earthy, perfectly complimenting the unreal depth of the gravy.
“This, is absolutely incredible!” Andre exclaimed, shocked by his own exuberance over the meal. They ate in silence for a few minutes, when while reaching for a bread roll Silderson continued the conversation prior.
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“Now, I understand your desire to hid things from me. You know nothing about me, I’m as much a stranger to you as your friend Jeff is to me. But let me be clear, events at this building today can only have one explanation in the eyes of our experts, and while we can’t prove anything it would be to everyone’s great benefit if you would tell the full truth.”
Andre froze; between the casual name drop of his best friend, and Silderson’s sudden switch from questioning to assertive commentary he found himself pushed to his back foot in the conversational repartee.
“Shit! What have I exposed Jeff to! How does Silderson know about him? Is he talking about the sudden activation of my “Blissful Storm” in the hospital room? Could he possibly know about the sisters and their aspects?” Questions raced through his mind as he set the licked spoon down next to his half empty bowl; his stomach somersaulting at the sudden tension. As though reading his mind, Silderson continued:
“To be fair, we have done a fair bit of research on you Andre. Quite the interesting life, I believe it would be fair to call it.” He began listing off details of Andres life; tightening the knots hold on his gut:
“Born in Sacramento, your father vanished when you were 4; leaving you, your mother and 2 brothers completely destitute, you were forced to move across the country with the assistance of your maternal grandparents, to live with them for the next several years while your mother dedicated everything she earned in the search for your father. By the time you turned 7, she had given up; moving on with her life she married an abusive drug dealing, drunkard of a man. He provided well enough for your mother, and in turn you children. This led to both your brothers and mother getting deeply involved in distribution and use of illicit narcotics. Those reasons being more than enough for you to emancipate yourself at 16, only to bounce from shelter to shelter, finally getting your life in line just before your 19th birthday.”
He paused, dipping the roll he had buttered during the soliloquy on Andre’s life into the gravy in his bowl before taking a bite “This never gets old” he purred.
“Please, help yourself, these yeast buns are unmatched.” Andre robotically complied, taking a roll breaking it in half before buttering it and dipping into the gravy of his own bowl. Taking a numb bite, the once glorious meal had turned to ashes; fear gripping him for the first time since he awoke. Seeing this Silderson laughed, a chillingly terrifying sound devoid of joviality.
“There’s no reason to be afraid Andre, remember we have resources far beyond the imagining of even many world governments. Tracing out your origins was a paltry matter.” He drew for the first time a long sip of wine from the glass Kevin had poured, swirling its contents as he contemplated the mouthful. Setting it down, his eyes focused on Andre’s:
“What’s the point behind all this lifetime recap, you might be wondering. My point is this: No where in all the information we have on you, can we pinpoint the moment you were suffused with Aqua Aspect Magic. There’s no need to deny it, on the off chance you were right, I had our engineers check the charge of our sprinkler system: It has shown no change from the last inspection. The only explanation for your survival in the dungeon, the saturated room, and that.” He spoke directly pointing at the back of Andre’s hand, where the once pink welted skin had healed over to a deep scar.
“Recovering so fast is that you have at some point in your life encountered an Aqua Aspected Artefact and inadvertently infused yourself with its magic and unlocking an ability that causes a healing rain or water torrent effect. We had suspected the possibility of a multi aspected Artefact, giving you a Volt power as well” he paused again, sipping his wine:
“But we have determined the unlikeliness given the extreme rarity of such items, we’re guessing that the doctor was the unfortunate bystander of an arcing electrical surge.” He set down his glass, to continue his extravagant meal.
Andre’s heart thudded in his throat, choking off any desire to eat or drink; the panic that had risen in his chest turned to absolute dread as his mind spun, trying to come up with a story to explain it all. Finally, he spoke, his voice choked and stammering:
“You’re right, I’m sorry for not being completely honest. For the longest time I thought I was completely crazy, being able to call a brief rain shower that healed wounds and sickness? How could it possibly be real, but the more I experimented with it, the more I realized it was real. But I didn’t think I could share it with anyone, out of fear of them locking me up. It was about 6 months ago, when I was doing an early fall hike near dusk. I was crossing a low bridge over a stream that was desperately in need of replacement when some boards caved beneath me. I found this: He said”, placing the “Sigil of Laguz” on the table between them.
“When I picked it up, I something that felt like cold electricity surged through me and next thing I knew I could will rainstorms into existence without the clouds, which as you said, seemed to heal any injuries.” He finished, breathing heavily, hoping Silderson bought his story.
“Now that answers some questions.” Silderson had a Cheshire cat grin on his face.
“Don’t worry, we don’t plan to lock you up in an asylum. In fact, your apparent stupid luck really has us intrigued.” He set his now empty wine glass down and slowly began to refill it.
“You have survived trials and tribulations that have killed some of our best, it seems this healing rain of yours is quite effective, and frankly could be of tremendous use to us. Mind you’ll be generously compensated for your troubles.” Noticing Andre’s spoon still sitting on the table where he had laid it several minutes before he gestured:
“Please, eat. I would hate to see such a wonderful meal go to waste. Plus, we have slices of world-famous Tiramisu with Kahlua waiting for us.” His grin not fading at all.
Andre compliantly picked up his spoon and continued eating, the delicious warmth of the food flooding his body with tentative ease, calming his heartrate and clearing his head a bit:
“At least he seems to have bought my story, but… for how long?” Reaching for a roll, he buttered it, and drug it through the gravy that had pooled at the bottom of his bowl.
“My compliments to your chef, this is above and beyond the most superb meal I’ve ever had the pleasure to enjoy!”
“He is a well-trained chef, that’s for sure. Better be considering his annual salary.” Silderson chuckled to his wine glass as Andre mopped up the last bit of gravy and set his bowl aside, picking up his own wine glass. The spirits of the evening not seeming to have muddled his thoughts or actions he took a deep, long drink while carefully considered Silderson:
“So, you really do know just about everything about me, making the directed point that any attempts to hid anything from you is absolutely pointless. Why namedrop my friend, you should know better than anyone else he has nothing to do with any of this.”
“Well, he did make an appearance at the cabin, so we naturally had to look into him. Unless he starts exhibiting any signs of aspect influence, he’ll be left to live his life as he will… unless you decide to spill any information to him. At which point in time naturally, we’ll have to seize control of the situation.” Silderson responded in a very cold, matter of fact manner.
“We don’t talk very much anymore. That was the first time we had met up since I quit the restaurant.”
Silderson had stood while Andre fumbled a feeble answer to a question that hadn’t been asked:
“I believe it is time for dessert.” Eying as he finished the glass of wine and set it on the table. Silderson strode to the bar, returning with 2 plates; cloche removed and 2 goblets of thick dark liquid. He set one of each down in front of Andre, returning to his seat.
“Now, before we begin, I have a proposal for you. I hinted at it earlier, but I wish to make it an official offer for your consideration. I want to hire you onto our exploration and extermination branch. Along with a generous salary, we can offer you the opportunity to grow stronger with abilities from Artefacts for which we have duplicates, or no longer need to study. The only thing we ask, is you use your healing ability to keep our combat specialists in tip top shape and assist in the extermination of monsters in the dungeons we assign you to.” Silderson pulled from his pocket an envelope and slid it across the table to Andre, who promptly opened it,
“That is extremely generous, why though?”
“Healing abilities from Artefacts are beyond rare, especially abilities that have an area effect. In fact, we have only seen one other in all that we have studied. To say you are a commodity would be gravely insulting. On top of that offer, we will give you a rent-free luxury suite within this compound, with full access to all amenities including but not limited to: Training facilities, food services, the bathhouse and our expansive medical care not that I believe you will be needing it…”
Andre considered his words carefully:
“By agreeing to this, ill literally be under his thumb… but who knows what is waiting for me in the world outside this facility. At least they seem to have a better grasp of what is going on than I do.”
“If I decide to join you, just for now. What happens when I should decide to leave your employ?”
“We have yet to see that happen but of course the decision is yours to make, and we can cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“Alright, this sounds like too good of a deal to pass up. Not like my life was going anywhere as it was.”
“Wonderful! Then I propose a toast. To new friends and lucrative alliances!” Silderson held up his goblet of dark sticky liquid in a motion to cheers. Andre met his goblet in the middle of the table, clinking them together.
“To new friends and lucrative alliances.” He repeated before taking a sip of the coffee flavored liqueur. Setting his goblet down, he joined Silderson in taking a bite of the Tiramisu.