Back in the Game

by Christopher Keene

  I know what I’m doing.

  At least I thought I did, and nothing at this stage was going to change my mind. Not when knowing that everything I had worked so hard on was now achievable. Bringing justice to Sue’s killers, making sure my friends were no longer harassed, it was all within my grasp. Brock was just going to have to accept that his friends signed their agreements and no wishful thinking was going to turn back time and make it otherwise.

  When the airship finally landed on the massive platform, I saw President Wona was waiting for me. He stood tall in front of Heaven’s Gates, his Asian-American face set in a smile that was knowing and welcoming.

  “Come, let’s talk business.”

  The path we were walking down parted again and we descended down the dark staircase, leading to the mini-theater room where I had seen the security footage and evidence collection. However, instead of the small screening room, the room Windsor led me to was an interview room, an exact replica of the one that had been in the security footage. However, instead of man in a suit passing me across the form, it was Windsor himself.

  “I will go through it with you just in case you don’t understand some of the terminology.” He pointed to the first line. “For later reference, in this contract you will be considered the employee and Wona the employer.” His finger slid down the paper to a list of bullet points. “We must agree to do each of these within one month of signing this contract.”

  It read: The employer has agreed to:

  -Ensure the arrest of Samuel Wona and Colban Bay and provide all available evidence against them in court.

  -Drop all charges against ex-employee Brock Driver (on the condition that all evidence taken by him is returned to Wona).

  -Give employee Noah Newbolt the authority to control his own team under Wona, allowing him all the powers this consists of and an opportunity to employ and lay off team members until they are up to seven in number.

  The next section was everything I agreed to do within the month of signing the contract.

  It read: The employee has agreed to:

  -Relinquish all copies of evidence from the information that was stolen by ex-employee Brock Driver.

  -Fulfill all obligations of a player under the Wona Company’s employ, including but not limited to: Keep a functioning team of up to seven members, following company commands to a reasonable level, and demonstrate player skill.

  “What does it mean by demonstrate player skill?” I asked, feeling my credibility and the fact that I had survived in here for a month demonstrated this already.

  “Just a formality each player must go through before they are raised to the rank of Hero.” Windsor made sure to emphasize the last word.

  Hero rank . . . just like Data.

  “What will I have to do?”

  He smiled. “Complete a new dungeon in Heaven.”

  I had only heard of one dungeon in Heaven that had been completed and decided to make a guess. “Apollo’s Lockout?”

  Windsor nodded. “And by complete we don’t mean just make it to the end. You have to kill every monster in the dungeon and . . . you’ll need to put the evidence at its top to complete it.”

  “Why?” Noah frowned. “I could just give it to you now.”

  Windsor shook his head, as though amused. “What will that show? That you are willing to make a trade? That’s not good enough, Noah. You need to show me you’re willing to do what Wona desires. We need to test your loyalty before we can trust you.”

  I don’t get it. Does Wona really have that much leverage over Brock that they don’t even care if I give them these videos?

  “Are you not willing to meet these obligations?”

  “No!” I said, too quickly. “I’m willing.”

  Windsor smiled again. “Very good then. For now, this is a conditional contract. Once you’ve fulfilled the necessary obligations, it will be considered official.”

  He handed me a pen. After reading up on some of the terminology in the contract, I eventually signed it.

  I’m doing this for my friends.

  “Very good. Now that you are an employee with us you may enter Heaven and make your way through to Apollo’s Lookout. I’d also recommend going through the stores and getting the best equipment you can find for your Niche. Heaven has some of the best gear in the Dream State.”

  I grinned. “I wouldn’t have enough money for all that.”

  “Don’t be so sure,” he said, gesturing to me. “Check your Moola counter in your menu.”

  I did and gasped. There was no number for my amount of Moola, only a red infinity sign.

  “You’re joking.”

  Windsor shook his head again in amusement.

  “I have unlimited funds?” I asked.

  “And you’ll also have every ability possible for a Spellcaster unlocked.” Windsor almost laughed and I could tell the expression I was making made the excitement I felt as transparent as a pool of glass. “Only seems fitting for the leader of Catastrophe, right?”

  I nodded. “Only if I put them to use.”

  I turned and moved up the stairs from the interview room, I felt lighter, as though my weight stat had gone down. In reality I knew that it was because the burden of being hunted by Wona had been lifted from my shoulders. Bitcon and his teammates would be arrested and I now had the power of the game’s creators at my back.

  Not yet. Not until I have fulfilled my obligations and complete Apollo’s Lockout.

  I couldn’t help but smile at the idea that even after I had given in to Wona, I still had to do a dungeon. That being said, my curiosity of what Heaven had in store made me giddy when I realized that I would be one of the first players to set foot there.

  I strode toward Heaven’s Gates and noticed Sentry Peter looking at me from his podium as I approached.

  “Name?” he asked, although his expression showed he recognized me.

  “Noah Newbolt.”

  He flicked through his massive ledger before stopping at a page and running his finger down it. He stopped and nodded.

  “It seems all of your sins have been forgiven,” he said.

  I nodded. “So . . . ?”

  Sentry Peter gestured to the gates. “So you may enter.”

  With a slight creak, Heaven’s Gates swung open.

  Chapter 26: City in the Clouds

  I had been impressed with Dream State settings before, but this was simply awe-inspiring. The first thing it made me think of was a romanticized pre-nuclear American city, but much more colorful, and of course, floating in the sky. Entire blocks of land were lifted up on metallic bases held up by giant blimp-like balloons. They drifted up and down, held together by reinforced bridges that were as solid and as tall as the buildings they led to.

  I was like a kid in Disneyland, running up to the first bridge’s railing to look down over the side, seeing nothing but clouds and small glimpses of the sea below. As I looked up, a small blimp flew overhead, a poster on its side saying: “Welcome to Heaven. Go by the grace of the Creator.”

  The first NPCs I passed were enough to confirm my suspicions about the era. Like the NPCs in Land’s End, there were men in vests and top hats, as though dressed for some formal occasion. The women were dressed similarly but nothing as over-the-top as the peacock plums in New Calandor. The wealthier-looking NPCs wore goggles, which made sense, considering how close they were to the sun. The bright light shone down on the bouncy blonde hair and blue eyes of the children playing in the street.

  At the end of a bridge was an intersection of land which had a large statue of a man holding a rifle. Although the flowing clothes and facial hair were hiding it, I could've sworn I noticed a resemblance between the statue and Windsor Wona himself.

  He’s put a lot of himself into this one. Maybe too much.

  As few of them as there were, it was odd to see vintage motor vehicles pass me by on roads so high up in the air. One that resembled an antique wagon nearly fell on its side when turning a c
orner. It stopped at the edge of a brick road that led out into nowhere, coughed a few times as it waited for a bridge to connect, and then took off down another row of colorful houses.

  A game designer’s passion project, perhaps? I guess it fits this era better than the others in this world.

  The shopping district seemed to be a long line of these interconnecting islands, each one with a different store to cater to whatever was needed in the Dream State. With unlimited Moola, I was excited to begin shopping, but I wanted to look around a bit more to see what I’d sold my soul to the corporate devil for.

  I continued over the bridges that connected the many structures holding up the city like a floating spider web. The buildings loomed over me, colorful flowers hanging from the high balconies and large banners that blew in the wind over the road. Being above most of the clouds, everything was bathed in warm sunlight, showing how beautiful the city really was.

  I passed the many NPCs, hearing the jovial, scripted dialogue between them. Whenever someone stared at me or remained silent when I passed, I could assume they were either administrators or Hero rank players confused at seeing a new face in such an exclusive area. I could usually tell this by what they were wearing, but after seeing the fashion in New Calandor and Land’s End, I wasn’t always sure.

  Like most cities and towns in the Dream State, Heaven was a non-combat zone, but knowing this didn’t make me feel any calmer. Having been on the run from Wona for so long, I was used to being on my toes just in case things turned sour. I felt justified in this fear—after all, I recalled how Catastrophe had stormed New Calandor when searching for me, showing that the ‘non-combat rule’ didn’t apply to everyone.

  Eventually I found the Synth Square. It was near the back of the floating city, and like with every other setting in the Dream State, the way the shops were set up wasn’t just unique, but done in a way that it couldn’t really be considered a square anymore. All of the stores were on the equivalent of a shopping Ferris wheel. When the right store spun up to the bridge, a player would cross over, and have to the wait for the bridge to appear again before getting off.

  A revolving shopping arcade. I see what they’re going for, but still, it’s a bit much.

  Now that I had infinite Moola, I thought I’d make the most of it and buy as many spells as I could. I had everything unlocked now after all. The spell shop slowed to a stop in front of the bridge and I stepped onto the floor. It shook a little as it started to ascend and bring me along with it in its rotation.

  Inside wasn’t a light fountain like in the Galrinth spell shop, but an open back wall with a full view of Apollo’s Lookout. It clearly showed the sun that rose far above the lighthouse.

  It wasn’t until I saw the dozen streams of light shooting off from it that I realized something about the Dream State that had remained a mystery to me since I had entered. Why were certain areas in constant daylight when others were always set at night? Yet I had noticed that whenever there was light in an area, the sun was always coming from the north.

  Does that mean . . . Apollo’s Lookout was created under the sun of this world? Considering there are no day-night cycles in the Dream State, a stationary sun makes sense.

  I had no way to confirm it, but it felt like I was on to something. Nevertheless, I approached the counter and a list of spells appeared. My mouth dropped when seeing that there were not just level one spells, but level two spells up for sale also. I could buy every spell I hadn’t unlocked yet, including the second level of those spells as well.

  That means I can get all of the protective magic Keri has!

  I gawked and went about splurging with my endless funds. Some say shopping can be therapeutic. This goes double for someone who has been frugal their entire life. Light shot into me from the sun with each one I bought. Regeneration, Protection, Toxin, Rush, and the second level of Enrage; Madness, I bought them all. I didn’t even know what half of the spells I purchased did.

  A sudden urge to buy more came over me, and in a mad dash, I strode back out of the shop as soon as it met the bridge, turned, and waited for the weavers’ store. Inside was a man with a mustache at a desk and behind him seemed to be yet another revolving wheel with every garment I had seen in the Dream State, and many more I hadn’t.

  I scanned over the gear I could get. Using the Red Goo I collected from the Sulphur Pit, I could make myself a long garment with twice as much magic and attack defense as my Night Down Robes. It was called a ‘Captain’s Coat’ and it was the exact same coat that had been worn by the boss in Pirate Cove.

  I didn’t hesitate to buy it. The scarlet material was fitting considering the red logo of the company I was agreeing to work with. With a flash, the coat appeared around me. It was fine and looked more like a long duster with a mantle and hood than the wizard’s robes I had been wearing.

  Deciding to go all out, I bought some leather pants, boots and gloves to go with it. I stepped back onto the platform, feeling proud of my new wardrobe but was far from done with my shopping spree.

  * * *

  Nearly twenty minutes later, I made my way back to the market with more of a swagger in my step than when I’d entered. Having glimpsed another gunstaff that I thought might suit my new gear, I made my way back to the market bridges to see if I could track it down. With all of the abilities and garments I could want now in my possession, I figured picking out a new weapon should be my next priority.

  I found the bridge I had been looking for and stepped into the forge. The place had two rooms, a reception and a display area for its armory. When I recognized a familiar face, I froze. The look Data gave me when he saw me in my new clothing was enough to make my skin crawl. The shock and confusion on his face turned to rage as he grabbed me by my coat and pulled me outside.

  He practically carried me behind the building before gripping my collar and pushing me against the brick wall. With the place facing the sun, a shadow loomed over us, making Data’s glare even more intimidating.

  “The heck are you doing here?” he growled, as though hoping the obvious answer wasn’t the correct one. “Don’t tell me . . .”

  I decided not to screw around with him. “I’ve made a deal with Wona.”

  “Tsh, you idiot!” He pulled and then pushed me back into the wall. “You have no idea what you’ve gotten yourself into!”

  “I do! Trust me Data, I know exactly what I’m doing.” I sighed. “The contract isn’t even confirmed yet, not until I meet their obligations. I’m on my way to do that now, so . . . if you don’t mind.”

  I went to brush him aside, but he gripped my coat again and brought me back to face him. “What dungeon?”

  When I wouldn’t tell him, he shouted the question, his eyes insistent. “I know one of your obligations is to complete a new dungeon! Every player contract has one. What dungeon is it?”

  “Apollo’s Lookout!” I burst out, pointing to the shining lighthouse in the distance.

  Data let me go and I went to move on.

  “I wouldn’t have wished what you’re doing on anyone. I can’t imagine what Wona told you to make you do such a one-eighty, but whatever it is . . .” He shook his head. “It’s not worth it, Noah. If you fulfill their obligations, they’ll own you.”

  I grinned back at him. “That didn’t stop you from helping us.”

  “Tsh, you have no idea what I risked by doing that!” He shook his head. “Just think about it before you go through with it.”

  I turned to leave, jaw clenching involuntarily at his words.

  I have already thought about it. If I’m the leader of Catastrophe, the most powerful party under them, what have I got to fear?

  Deciding not to waste any time, I turned and made my way toward the lighthouse. As far as this dungeon went, my Boomstick would have to do.

  Chapter 27: Apollo’s Lookout

  So, this is my final stage to becoming Wona’s puppet.

  The lighthouse that was built under the very sun of the Dr
eam State could be seen from miles away. However, it wasn’t until I was directly in front of it that I realized how massive it actually was. It seemed to need a balloon island all to itself, as Apollo’s Lookout was as wide around as most city blocks.

  The large doors were closed to the outside world and I was shocked something of this size could float this high up in the air, even in a virtual world. As my vision wandered over the beautiful garden that encircled it, I noticed someone was waiting for me outside the lighthouse, leaning against it with his arms crossed. From his red hair, I knew it could only be one person.

  Dice smirked at me as I approached. “Hello there.”

  My brow furrowed. “What are you doing here?”

  “The boss thinks it’s best you know from the get-go that I hated Bitcon as well. I was also hired by Wona after your accident, so obviously I had nothing to do with it. As for the rest, my only excuse is that I was following orders, which should show you how loyal I am to the company.”

  “So Windsor asked you to tell me this?”

  Dice bowed his head and raised his hand, as though pinching the brim of a hat that wasn’t there. “He thinks it would be a waste of my training if you were to fire me outright without giving me a chance to prove my loyalty to you. He . . . asked me to accompany you on this dungeon so we can . . . get to know each other a little better.”

  I nodded and gestured to the large double doors. “Have you done this dungeon before?”

  Dice shook his head and straightened. “As far as I know, it’s a Tertiatier dungeon that isn’t yet completed. It has six floors, each with a high ceiling and its own Chaos Engine. The goal is to reach the roof, but as someone who hasn’t tried it before, I can’t say how difficult that is. Also, because of its link with the city, this dungeon doesn’t allow players to use mounts, so you can’t just fly to the roof.”

  I remembered the sign on the Heaven’s Gates platform saying: “NO STEEDS HEREAFTER” and wondered if this was the case for the whole city.