The Magic Sequence

by Dawn Chapman

  AMESTEH’S DAGGER – JEWEL ENHANCEMENT - WILL DOUBLE ANY LEARNED STEALTH ABILITIES.

  The Jewel? I could barely make out anything shiny on it, this alone made it appear far more interesting than it seemed. It was an assassin’s weapon. A dull weapon that wouldn’t reflect the light or catch the eye of a victim as it was pulled out to attack with. The downside: its price tag! It was a little over half of my budget.

  I moved on, making a note of how much I’d have left if I did buy it. I planned on taking all the time this needed. Many more items, and artefacts caught my eye. Things that would make me stronger, do more damage, weigh almost nothing and all sorts of objects in between, but only two more made me want to buy them, a set of bracers which made the wearer faster, and a cloak that stopped the wearer casting a shadow.

  The choices complimented each other perfectly, and they were just cheap enough I could afford all three, just. It was almost as if he’d planned it. I pressed the buy button on all three pieces of equipment, taking them as I did.

  “Good. You’ve got twenty-four hours to rest before I’ll have need of you. Go back to your room. You’ll find some food and a potion, drink it first. I’ll send someone for you when it’s time for your task.”

  With that, Gestal left. I stood alone in what was possibly one of the biggest treasure troves of artefacts, weapons, jewels, and armour—and I was alone. Completely unwatched. The temptation to take something else caught me, any of the many small jewels which I could hide about my person, many of them enchanted with yet more cool buffs that would make me better in combat. I took a step back instead.

  Gestal wasn’t stupid. He had designed the dungeon I’d spawned in. Made money off the people who survived it. He’d know if I took something I shouldn’t. Trying to put the trove from my mind, I trudged back and eventually found the way to my room. I felt strangely alone after being escorted everywhere for days on end.

  A large tub full of steaming water had been placed in my room. Beside it was a stool, a towel and bar of soap placed on top. A small table had also appeared. A platter of food, a vial of some kind of red potion, and a pitcher of drink laid out on it. It looked like a feast, and for a moment I couldn’t decide what I wanted more. A bath or to feast. Then I remembered him telling me to drink the potion first. As I stepped closer, the smell of warm, recently baked bread made my decision for me. I took the final two steps in no time at all, my hands reached for the potion, which I downed. I picked up the small loaf, sniffing the outer crust. It smelled divine.

  I devoured it in only a few minutes, turning to the cheese and fruit next. By the time it was all gone my stomach was distended and aching from being stuffed so full so quickly. Groaning, but unremorseful I turned to the bath next. The water let off a curl or two of steam here and there, letting me know the delay hadn’t wasted too much of the heat.

  Slower than before I stripped my filthy rags off and slipped into the water, watching it change colour as it removed the first layer of dirt, blood and sweat from my body. It felt like heaven to my weary limbs. I finally let my body stop and relax. For the first time since I’d entered the game I had a moment where I could just be, just rest and not snatch what little sleep I was afforded.

  I glanced over at my new equipment, wondering what kind of mission I might face next. Gestal had said there was a rival Guild, and that plenty went on in this city behind the scenes, but he had been sketchy with the details. The only information I had to go on was the little half smile that had briefly crossed his almost entirely rotted face as I had finished choosing my new items. I’d evidently chosen something fitting for the task.

  Given the training I’d received already, I assumed there was would be combat; stealth would also be likely to be required. But my goal would remain unknown until Gestal sent for me. Already a part of me wanted to know, but I also knew I should make the most of my time to myself.

  Chapter 4

  Standing in front of a desk in Gestal’s office the next day, my eyes tried to take in the blueprints in front of me. Gestal wanted me to sneak into this large mansion, steal a specific item and bring it back to him. I hadn’t even had time to try out the goodies I’d picked the day before. This was a huge test, not only for my determinations, but to see if I could learn on the go. I stood as tall as I could. Not allowing him to see any weakness. If I showed weakness he would presume I’d fail, and I’d never accomplish anything, least of all learning all the skills I thought I might need to get away and find my sisters.

  I was to ensure that no one saw me—and if anyone did, I was instructed to make sure they didn’t live to talk about it.

  The last part made me gulp. So far, I’d killed creatures, monsters that I’d been pitted against. My very survival had depended on it. Killing someone because they’d seen me was different.

  “And in case you’re doubting you can kill anyone out there,” Gestal said, as if reading my thoughts. “The ones who own this place are monsters, and by letting anyone live who sees you, you’ll be signing your death warrant. They’ll put every resource into hunting you down and killing you for daring to try and take something from them.”

  I hadn’t seen Keld or Denny much over the time I’d been with Gestal, but the door went and when I looked, Keld stood waiting.

  “Keld will take you closer to your destination. Then you’re on your own. He can’t cross over their magical wards.”

  I knew I’d frowned; I felt my face change. “They don’t have many wards against Visitors. Getting noticed will alert them to many changes on Puatera, some I’d rather them not know about, just yet.”

  I nodded, and moved to leave.

  “Lila,” he said, and I glanced back. “Don’t let me down.”

  I followed Keld out of the office and through several corridors, then out of the main building through some backdoor or other. The street was nowhere I’d seen before, but there was great familiarity about the whole city. I looked up into the skyline and there it was. I was much closer to Big Ben now. This was a virtual London? I thought I’d recognised landmarks from here before but was this supposed to be a city from post-modern England. It was an interesting take on it, for sure. Straight out of our history books. The city wasn’t built up much. It was dank, dingy, and dark, very dark considering. Or maybe that was just the way they wanted things to look.

  I wondered how the game could make such a different version of London that also felt so oddly similar. London now was a whole lot different. My mum had taken my sisters and I there last year for the MCM’s comic con. I had loved walking around the city, even though I got in trouble for doing it without someone to watch over me. Now though, I didn’t have time to look around. Keld hurried off, giving me little choice but to follow.

  As we moved, I pulled my cloak around me, a grin flitting across my face as my shadow disappeared. I slid my bracers into place, feeling my limbs speed up with no extra effort. Exhilarated, I soon caught up with Keld, noticing he was puffing with exertion, but unwilling to slow to catch his breath.

  When we neared a corner he slowed momentarily, looked around and then hurried on, like he was checking for something, but whatever he was worried about, I saw no sign of it.

  By the time Keld stopped, tucking into the shadow of an alleyway, he was panting and evidently exhausted. I was lost. I’d passed a few London monuments along the way, but the routes between them baffled me. Keld hadn’t taken a straightforward route, but paths full of twists and turns through back streets.

  “I’ll wait here for you,” Keld said, removing my fear at having to find my way back. “I don’t know how long we’ll have, so I’d hurry.”

  I nodded, intending to do just that. The sooner this mission was over the better. I stepped out of the alley again, Keld’s nod aiming me in the right direction. The next corner I turned showed me my target. An ornate building with many tall windows, each surrounded by carved stone so old it was worn smooth.

  I tried not to show my fear but felt my body shake.
Somehow I had to find a way into the building. The street in front was busier than I’d have liked—people with carts, horses and strange creatures that walked on all fours and pulled heavy loads—so I made my way down the left-hand side, looking for an open window or an unnoticed door.

  Underneath my cloak I carried the small bag Gestal had given me. It contained a grappling hook attached to a light, thin rope and also a pouch for the artefact he wished me to retrieve. He’d also provided me with a pair of gloves and a bandana to cover most of my face. I spotted an open window only one floor up, and paused near it, checked for signs of people and pulled the extra clothing on as quickly as I could.

  I glanced once more either way before pulling out the grappling hook and taking the other end of the rope. I let the rest pool out at my feet, not wanting it to snag or tangle once I’d thrown it. For a moment, I paused. I’d never done anything like this before, but I couldn’t back out now. Gestal had made it clear. I had to do this.

  The first time I threw the grapple it hit the wall too low, spraying chips of stone and falling back down. I caught it, feeling my heart hammer. Once more I checked in both directions, but no one reacted to the noise. I tried to take a deep breath and calm myself, but it barely worked, my pulse too frantic and my stomach tied up in knots.

  My second throw was higher, but off target, and I showered myself in chippings and dust a second time. I growled my frustration as I caught the grapple again, my eyes not leaving my target. Before I could let my emotions take over I threw it again, this time I had the satisfaction of watching it sail through the small space.

  There was a dull thunk, and I only just remembered to tighten my grip on the other end of the rope in time. Not daring to look away from the window I pulled on the rope until it no longer gave, the hook had embedded in something I couldn’t see.

  Already feeling like my task had taken too long, I hauled myself up the rope, all my training paying off as the avatar I inhabited didn’t even struggle with the task. I moved rapidly, the bracers lending me speed until I was safely in the window and pulling the rope up behind me.

  For a moment, I considered unhooking the grapple and putting it away, but instead, I moved it from the obvious position it had claimed. One of the three prongs had hooked through the metal grating of a ventilation grill and stuck it firmly on the windowsill, pooling the rope beside. I moved the curtain a fraction to cover it from anyone who didn’t draw too close.

  With an escape route sorted, I finally looked around me. I was in one corner of a large open balcony area that ran around an open hall below. I snuck to the gilded rail, peeking over the edge at the room below, but it was mercifully empty. Rows of leather-clad chairs glinted in the sunlight streaming from the many windows.

  The building was impressive, paintings and gilded plaster and brickwork everywhere the eye fixed. But this wasn’t where I’d find the artefact.

  Closing my eyes, I tried to picture the building I’d seen in the blueprints. I was a floor down from where I needed to look, and that meant I had to find the stairs. Thankfully, I wasn’t too far from a set of those, the building was so large there were several.

  I crept towards the nearest door, hoping it would open into a corridor towards the back of the building and the set of stairs that had been marked as less busy on the blueprint. I didn’t know where the information had come from, but I had to trust it. Hesitating at the door, I listened for anyone who might be beyond, but heard nothing.

  Biting down on my lip, I turned the handle and pushed it open, finding the corridor I’d hoped for. Emboldened by my earlier success and seeming ability to trust what I’d seen, I hurried along, doing everything I could to keep my steps light and quiet. The boots on my feet aided my task; the soles were soft and springy, and helped me glide over the wooden floors.

  I came across the stairs exactly where I expected them to be and only paused for a second before heading up to the next floor. Near the top I lingered, the sound of approaching footsteps from above made me backtrack around the curve and out of sight. I found myself silently praying to whatever gods the game had that they would walk past and not come down. I listened carefully, my heartbeat pounding a double pace at each nearing step.

  My plea was answered as the clacking of soles on the wooden floor receded as quickly as they’d appeared. Letting out my breath, I hurried upwards again and out into yet another corridor. I stopped for the briefest of moments to listen for anyone else before carrying on. I was near my destination now, so close to having what I’d come for.

  It was behind the third door on the left. A small room in the back of the building, where it was out of the way, and somewhere people wouldn’t be likely to look, except those who knew what they wanted.

  Just before opening the door I stopped, noticing a small wire running out of the edge of the door frame, obscured by paint and a substance that was meant to make it blend in with the artwork on the wall. I paused, fearing a wire meant a trap, but on closer inspection, I noticed a small plate resting against the inside of the door. It was some kind of alarm, designed to trip the second someone took the pressure off it.

  I frowned, not sure how to get past it until I thought of the weapon I carried. I pulled the dagger from its sheath on my belt and bit by bit slid the blade between the edge of the door and the plate. Then, as I held the blade in place, I eased the door open.

  My eyes took in the shelves lining three of the walls. Many different objects were stored here, but I ignored them for now, aware I could still trip the alarm if I wasn’t careful.

  After slipping into the room, I moved the blade to this side of the door and closed it, only then daring to pull my dagger out and take the pressure off. When my motion was met with silence I exhaled, trying to encourage my body to relax. This was intense, but I couldn’t afford to let it get to me.

  The artefact I was tasked with stealing was a small golden device that looked somewhat like a pocket watch. It sat on a cushion in the centre of a set of shelves. I turned the pouch I’d been given for it inside out, and not touching the device I picked it up with the bag, pulling it around and over it before tugging the strings to keep it inside.

  QUEST COMPLETED – REWARDS GIVEN ON RETURN TO YOUR MASTER

  That felt awesome! Now I just had to get out.

  I stuffed the watch-like thing into the larger bag I’d been given and returned to the door.

  I’d got what I came for, now it was time to sneak back out. I only hoped Keld was still waiting for me. I repeated the trick with my dagger, this time in reverse and was just clicking the door shut and pulling my blade out when I heard a shout to my left.

  My attention had been so focused on not tripping the alarm, I’d forgotten to listen for people. A middle-aged woman rushed towards me, drawing a weapon as she did. I didn’t wait to see what kind of weapon it was, I turned on my heels to run away.

  It was only as I reached the top of the steps that I remembered what Gestal had said. I wasn’t meant to let anyone see me. I ground to a halt, hesitating for a fraction of a second before tucking in against the wall, ready to jump the woman pursuing me.

  My dagger was still in my hand and I raised it instinctively, but as the woman came around the corner I didn’t react. Something didn’t feel right. More importantly, I wasn’t sure I could hurt another person. Monsters, yes, I’d been fighting those since the day I’d arrived in Puatera, but another sentient lifeform? Another human? I shook my head; there seemed to be a dark fog or something clouding my eyes. I tried to rub it away, but it just obscured more of my vision. I stared at the woman, my thoughts of hesitation slipping away. Kill her. Sure. I could.

  The woman reacted faster than I’d expected, her eyes finding me surprisingly quickly. I saw her gun a fraction of a second before she fired. Pain exploded in my arm and shoulder as I tried to dive to the side. The splotch in my vision grew larger, and I tried my best to ignore it.

  Letting out a screech, I tightened my clench on my blade. Ins
tead of falling to the side, I managed to think clearly enough to dive at the woman, closing the distance so she couldn’t try and shoot again.

  Ping: “You have learned the ability Angered Strike.”

  My change in direction at the last minute knocked us both off our feet. A wave of pain and nausea rocked through me once more.

  Although this was more pain than I’d ever felt, the training in the pit paid off, and I managed to roll as the woman aimed and fired again. The smell of smouldering wood filled my nostrils as I rolled once more and managed to get my feet under me.

  I charged at her, bellowing with rage and hurt, remembering all my training and experience. Back and forth we wrestled, and fought for several seconds as she used her gun like a shield. I tried to find a way past it, intent on wounding her the way she had me.

  I wasn’t going to die in Puatera again. I’d promised myself I wouldn’t, but each second felt like a minute as I stabbed and hacked and found no way to hurt the woman back. I realised we’d slowly circled as we’d moved and her back was to the stairs.

  I feinted, making it look like I was going to dodge to the left, around her, before pulling back.

  Ping: “You have learned the ability Deceitfulness.”

  Damned annoying ping! She fired again, trying to twist herself to stop me. I seized the moment, throwing my body weight at her, my dagger gripped tightly in one hand while the other closed on the wrist holding her gun.

  We flew through the air, sailing over the steps before gravity took over. There was a sickening crunch as her back bore our weight, followed by the squelch of my blade finally finding its mark.

  Pain jolted through me as I landed on top of the woman, and we slid down several more steps. I whimpered once I realised the woman was dead, and tried desperately to get to my feet. The pain from my wound fuelled my anger, and I pulled my dagger free, pausing just long enough to wipe it clean on the woman’s clothing. I’d done it. Laughing at my earlier hesitation, I wondered why I’d paused. This had been a lot easier that I’d thought possible. The rewards from Gestal would be amazing. More than worth the pitiful life of this woman.