Alternative Reality Vol 1

by A Uscila

  "Wait! What the heck do you think you're doing?“ - Voice raised a little too much than Wail would like. Which didn’t say much, because the bar for tolerating noise was set way too low for the lunatic. With a hand tightly wrapped around his own, she displayed a practically lethal glare at the potential child-abuser.

  By now, quite a few things traversed across Wail’s inner-mind. A topic on personal space, attitude issues, obvious acts that made the group stand out. He glanced at Bob who simply shrugged and minion number one, who seemed quite oblivious to the developing situation. He was on his own. Boy did that tickle his nerves.

  Yet, Wail considered himself quite a reasonable and clearheaded person. Thus he managed to stay on topic.

  "What does it look like I‘m doing? Disposing of evidence“- He replied with one brow visibly raised - while managing to maintain the glare. Quite the combination - „You do realize that if he finishes the drawing - not only will everyone know who was responsible for the fire, but also who to look for?" - Little by little, Wail seemed to be leaning closer to Willow - fire still in hand - "Do I have to remind you, that it includes you? Are you telling me that doesn't bother you? Especially when the whole issue arose due to ridiculous circumstances?" - Wail continued-on. His own tone rising little by little now. Heck, even Willow seemed quite surprised - as her grip loosened up ever so slightly.

  „But he didn‘t do anything wrong. He‘s just trying to earn a living. If anything...that‘s a good thing! - A seemingly desperate struggle - voice quivering ever so slightly. Weak arguments a sign of faltering will. She stared at Wail almost pleadingly - like she tried to persuade him with eyes, instead of words.

  It did seem to have an effect though. As quite unexpectedly - Wail‘s frown quickly turned into a crooked smile. Eyes no longer mimicking Willow’s - a playful glitter hidden within.

  “Tell me…” - He said in a low voice, no more than a whisper. She could hear him quite clearly though - as the two were almost face to face - “…what’s your current reputation?”

  By now Willow could no longer endure the intimate atmosphere - as she released his arm and took a step back. Seems like there was a line in personal space that even she would not cross.

  Willow froze - her eyes locked on some invisible sight. Seems like she did indeed inspect her status - without a second thought - Willow played right into Wails hands. He couldn’t help but smile with a full mouth - though he stopped quickly enough after noticing how startled Bob seemed to be. Yet another instance when Wail forgot about an item from his “not-to-do list”.

  Willow's surprise kept on getting more apparent - as Wail observed horror slowly creep into her facial features.

  “I knew it” - He then leaned back, gloating in the success of a well-placed comment. A tactful turn of the dialogue - “Let me make this clear. Now - you’re one of us. That negative reputation of yours will haunt you for the rest of your in-game life. People will ostracize you. Authorities will hunt you. Shopkeepers will beat you with a broom. Not only that - but you’ll be a suspect in what happened here tonight. How long do you think you’ll be able to live in peace…” - Wail gave his speech a dramatic pause as he drew a deep breath and pointed his fiery hand towards the child. Who - by the way, was still busy drawing - “…when your picture rests in the hands of the authorities?”

  Yet again - Wail leaned-in towards the stunned Willow - as her eyes stared at him. Eyelids as far apart as the moon and the sun. Heck - it’s like her eyes were about to explode. What horror it must have been to look upon Wail’s complexion from such close proximity.

  Slowly - Wail rummaged through his satchel with the now, fire-free-hand - while continuing to stare into Willow’s eyes. What a dramatic scene - which took a little too long. It really was hard to find what you were looking for with only one hand. While looking away. In a bottomless pit of a satchel. Eventually - Wail had to turn his gaze for a moment - only to draw out a small weapon. A beautifully decorated dagger. Willow’s dagger.

  “You’re with us now” - He repeated, while extending the dagger towards Willow - “Thus play along and everything will turn out for the best”.

  What a moment. A standard dilemma between good and evil. Black and White. Between isolation and Wail as a companion. Wail had zero chances.

  Yet, Willow could not turn her eyes away from the sight. Everything around slowly faded away - as her vision narrowed down. A bony pale hand - gripping an almost shinning dagger. An ominous feeling ran across her back - her hair standing up at the very notion. Slowly, yet decisively - Willow reached out towards the item. Like she was selling her own soul to the devil himself. Not the most far-fetched comparison, as Wail did indeed look like the devil. Not the fictional horned creature of fiery rage and scorn. Oh no. He was a much more realistic figure. One closer to humanities very origin. Their very base needs and instincts. He encompassed all the bad that humanity was. A reflection. A void one found hard not to look at - a mirror one simply could not look away from. Moments passed and the dagger was already in her hands. She gripped it tightly like a long-lost relic. Valued beyond belief. It was over.

  Wail barely held back his laughter - as a chuckle escaped and he slowly turned towards the child. Consumption itself in hand - he loomed over the victim like death. A black judge. Merciless. Unbidden.

  Wail loved fire. It symbolized so much - freedom being one example. Never did fire shackle itself - as it consumed once let loose. Consumed till there was either nothing left to consume, or it was destroyed. No human could ever hope to achieve such a level of freedom - always restricted and distracted by their own limitations. Though one could also see it as insatiable, bordering destructive, greed. That, for some reason, was something humanity did manage to realize every now and again.

  He also liked it because fire was the first true mistake humanity had ever made. Drawn in by the sound of its’ breath. Fire was the first step outside the shell of ignorance that humanity hid within. That first seed of corruption that drove them onwards. It taught them so much. How to destroy, consume and create upon the ashes. How to really live. How to finally - breathe in the world itself.

  Strangely enough - the kid was still busy sketching. All that talking, all those thoughts. All that time - yet there he sat. Oblivious. Ignorant. Wail sneered. This child was a true symbol of humanities past. A true symbol of ignorance, innocence even - and Wail was about to reintroduce them with the first step. To light a path towards a more interesting future. What a moment indeed.

  *******

  A stunning panorama of red and black covered the horizon. Pillars of smoke rose from the burning inferno below - piercing the red globe of light that surrounded it. Occasional echoes of bells and screams were carried upward by the wind - the last sounds of a fading settlement. All of it burning away in one great big blaze. A last gasp for air - a last stunning lightshow before all of it turned to ash. Until there was nothing left.

  Yet Wail could not fully enjoy the view from the hilltop that the four stopped on. As a new message popped up - another attempt to smack Wail across the face.

  -80 Reputation for causing a fire in a tightly populated settlement.

  -270 shared Reputation for causing numerous deaths of innocents.

  +30 Fame

  You have gained a new title – Arsonist.

  You have gained a level!

  You have gained a level!

  You have gained a level!

  You have gained a level!

  …

  Once again – Wail did not miss a chance to perform his signature move. Negative reputation and a new immoral title. None of it really irked him. What got on Wail’s nerves – was that he got blamed for all of it. Surely – the fact that circumstances forced his hand should have meant something. Yet obviously – it did not. Alternative Reality did not miss a chances to pummel poor Wail with its’ iron-clad sense of morals. He felt set-up. All of it seemed like a trap carefully prepared by the game itself - all for someone to trip in. A
tightly built settlement made out of wood. A flammable liquor soaked establishment. A feigned cover of rain. All of it - just to ruin someone’s day. Like that wasn’t enough - Willow joined in on the fun. As she complained about in her usual nagging manner.

  “You’re all bark and no bite, you know that?” - Waving her fragile pale hand around, while tilting her eyes slightly to the side in an overly-dramatic manner Willow continued on - “All that pompous talk and threatening fire-flailing, yet all you did was burn the kids notes? Seriously?” - Her face twisted into an almost disgusted grimace. For one who was so bent on defending the kid - she didn’t seem to show any joy in Wail’s merciful actions.

  Well. At least he received ten whole levels from all of this. Not a bad bargain to be sure. Who knew setting settlements ablaze and killing denizens coughed-up so much experience? During these pleasant thoughts – a sudden idea knocked on Wail’s door. He quickly turned towards the nagging presence with one brow risen -“Is this payback for dragging you along forcibly? For all that negative reputation you managed to get?”

  For a moment Willow seemed to freeze up. Only for a moment - as hysterical laughter quickly followed. “I was planning on staying to begin with, you dope!” - Willow shouted, barely able to squeeze in a sentence between all that laughter of hers. How completely bonkers did she sound - yet how beautiful she looked. Bright red lights reflecting off of her straight white teeth - “The dagger was just a nice little bonus. I can’t believe you gave away your trump card so easily!” - She even rolled into a ball, wrapping arms around herself - trying to control her aching sides.

  Wail was taken aback. A quick glance towards Bob - who simply shrugged to that. Seems like he decided to keep his distance. None could deny it as a smart move. After all – involving oneself with crazy was rarely a smart choice to make. Minion number one? Too busy trying to maintain a straight posture due to the weight of the bag. Wail couldn’t help but wonder if ignorance might indeed be bliss.

  Since Willow was still continuing with her crazy, a slight distraction was in order. Thus Wail decided to check out what bonuses the new title gave.

  Arsonist

  *Will receive bonus experience if victims die due to fire.

  *Will receive experience and bonus negative reputation for burning various objects. Amount depends on the object.

  *Will be pursued and burned on the stake by the general populace of the world.

  *Will receive reduced amounts of experience from kills due to any manner excluding fire.

  *Has a chance of catching on fire, due to longer periods of inactivity in arson related activities.

  Chapter 22

  -250 Reputation with all major religions.

  +50 Fame for completing Part one of “The Forgotten”

  *Agents of any major religion will show hostility at first sight.

  *Religious orders that belong or associate with any major religion may send out hostile parties to hunt you down.

  You have gained a new quest!

  The Forgotten : Part two

  Description: After reading “Fall of Silica”, you found out that their embers have not yet been stomped out. Locate their people and help them rekindle the fire that once blazed bright.

  Difficulty: A

  Reward: Unknown.

  Penalty upon failure: Unknown.

  Time limit: None.

  A loud smack echoed - as Wail struck his forehead forcefully. Who knew that he could advance that damn quest by just reading a damn book he already had in his possession?

  “What?” - Willow asked with eyes narrowed - “What?” - She repeated soon after - after noticing how little reaction Wail showed towards the question - as he remained frozen in a peculiar pose. Head slightly lowered - left hand covering his forehead, stuck there after a loud smack. Quite the gruesome sight.

  “Nothing” - He replied eventually, lowering his hand only to reveal a grumpy look, with a bright red forehead to accompany. He glared at the book that was held in his free hand. Its’ black surface smooth to the touch. One could tell something was wrong from a single glance.

  “You don’t use that much force in your usual smacks, something is definitely up” - Willow continued, not taking a single step back. Forceful as always - “I don’t want to be caught unprepared by some stupid shit you get us into. Now out with it!”

  “Look” – Wail finally caved in, while holding onto the bridge of his nose with his fingertips – trying to feign an exhausted state of mind. Trying to pretend he was the victim here, all in preparations for what came next – “It’s nothing major…it’s just that we might be pursued by a militant religious order in the near future. A slim chance, but…” – he went on. Or tried – since by the looks of it, none of the preparations placed before that mind-boggling piece of news seemed to work on Willow.

  “What?”- She almost shouted, while giving poor Wail an almost murdering stare. Heck, it seemed like Wail just turned into the source of all of Willow’s troubles – “God damn it, I knew sticking with you was a bad choice. Yet I had no idea how bad it actually was!” – She went on, walking around in an overly annoyed fashion – “And why the heck are you all quiet? Aren't you just as affected as me?”- She then shouted at Bob, who leisurely played with a campfire that burned playfully in the middle of their gathering. A large metal pot, held by various refurbished branches, above it. Surprisingly - he was completely absorbed in it and oblivious to anything else - until this frontal assault. Bob lifted his head toward Willow and shrugged – “I don’t see what’s the big deal. Not the first time crazy stuff happened, not the first hurdle in our road. Not the first time we had to rip obstacles apart ourselves. Won’t be the last as well. Most likely”- He replied calmly.

  A truly out of character moment to be sure – which caught Willow off-guard, due to which the heated debate died out. Wail’s undead minion didn’t help much regarding it either – as he staggered around pointlessly – with nothing better to do by the looks of it.

  An unexpected message caught Wail’s attention though.

  You have learned a new spell!

  Summon minor demon. Beginner level 1 (0.00%)

  Description: From the dark nether of the abyss, summons a demonic minion to serve its’ masters’ will. Due to its’ nature – might be hard to control.

  Minion strength: 1%

  Cost: 2000 mana; 10 Souls.

  Duration: Unlimited.

  Well that was a surprise. A new skill with almost non-existent information regarding it. Wail looked at it for a second or two and simply flicked his fingers. Igniting a spark in the process - which slowly fell to the ground.

  Soon enough, a bright red dot materialized out of thin air – quickly expanding in size. Which caught the attention of both Bob and Willow.

  “The heck are you doing?” - Willow commented, yet did not seem to get a reply. Nor did she need one as the peculiar phenomenon drew her attention.

  It swirled in red fiery fury, until its’ size was about one meter in diameter – a thin perfectly round disk. From it? A peculiar creature crawled out. A small, scrawny little thing – all skin and bones, with a big round head at the top – surrounded by a luxurious mane of black hair. It had big round eyes of swirling fire and a sneering mouth of sharp teeth – blackened and eroded. Not a pretty sight. Though its’ build did seem quite similar to Wail’s. Birds of a feather. They really should start eating more.

  Either way, the measly figure could barely reach the ground – as it tried to get down while holding onto the edge of the portal. Once on the ground – it swept the dust off its legs and looked around. “What a dump” – A hateful comment out of nowhere - as it observed the surrounding thick growth of greenery.

  Sharp blackened and crooked horns peaked out through the thick mane, while a blazing gaze took in the surroundings with a tireless glare that seemed to reflect the world in a sea of fire. Quite the sight.

  “Great. Another newbie trying to play with fire”- The little cr
eature complained, after taking a quick peek at his own miniature body – “I am not mentally prepared for this nonsense…”- It went on, lifting a glare towards Wail and quickly turning away in a seemingly unconscious gesture – “Fuck, you’re ugly!” – The little creature screamed while covering its’ eyes. One glance at Wail was enough to get that kind of a reaction – “Why the heck, couldn’t I have been summoned by someone better looking?” – It complained, after trying to avoid eye contact with Wail due to obviously displayed disgust. Though its’ eyes caught on Willow soon enough – “Like her for instance. I wouldn’t mind being summoned over there at all”- A wink, a sneer. Though Willow did not seem amused. Either way, it turned to Wail once again, barely able to look at the fellow for extended periods of time – “Yeah…screw this. I’m getting the hell out of here” – It quickly decided and turned to the narrowing portal. A jump – a surprisingly high one at that, and it was scrambling to get over the edge - back from whence it came. Though right before going over – it turned to the group once again – “Getting the hell out of here. Get it?” – A creepy chuckle and it was finally gone.