“We are currently either in Southern Turkey or in Northern Syria.” Steve had industriously found a map and estimated our current location.
“The way the test works is simple.” Gerhard turned towards me and handed me a scroll. “You need to activate it. Leave us.” The last phrase was addressed to Archibald and Iven. The Paladins headed off to the side without a word, cutting through the crowd.
“That’s it?” I verified, as I still could not understand what the catch was. “Just activate the scroll? No shaman’s dances? And then what?”
Gerhard nodded, looking around at the people.
“No dances. The strongest one grants the right to call the creature. What’s next? But you know the point of this ability. You know what will happen to these people.”
“Yes – they will die.” I looked around as well. “But they are just NPCs; there are no players among them.
“A month ago you were one of them,” Gerhard reminded me. Activate the scroll. Or have you changed your mind? It’s not too late still.”
“Em… No, I have not changed my mind. Leguria will kill everyone within a radius of 30 yards. Including you.” This really was the only consideration that stopped me from activating it.
“Your concern about me is commendable, but unnecessary,” the Head smiled. “You should be wary of the monsters within, not without. Go ahead.”
I nodded as if I had actually understood what monsters within he meant, and found the key phrase of the scroll. I drew a lungful of air and clearly shouted in Latin: “Non sum qualis eram, Leguria sum ego!”
The asphalt around us cracked and buckled; then it started melting rapidly, turning into hot lava. NPCs, terrified, were becoming stuck in it like moths in a spider web. Everything around turned dark and quiet. The city noise died, and I could not even hear the cries of the people. It felt like I was watching a silent horror movie. Just my own pulse thundered in my ears. The more dead was the silence, the more horrifying it was to hear a sudden peal of thunder in it and see a meteor tumble from the skies, cutting through the twilight and immediately turning into the creature whose assistance I was hoping to engage.
The monster found me unerringly among its future victims and stared at me, acknowledging me as its master. From that point on I could not feel my body any more. I realized that I was a person, a Paladin; so there were no changes to my personality. All that changed was my outer shell, and I felt a surge of childish delight in freedom. As if together with the old body I had shed some numbing shackles. That was so fantastic! To be everywhere. My body was in all the different locations. I squeezed by the people who turned still, I could weave around their feet or I could fly high up for a bird’s-eye view of the square. What could be greater than flight? I somersaulted in the overheated air. That was so wonderful! I was free!
The thirst caught up with me while I still was in the air. All-encompassing, making me forget everything. I did not want to fly any more, I just wanted to make the thirst subside. Or to die, just to make it all end. But it disagreed with me: it did not want death. It promised to show me how to quench the thirst. To do this, it moved my consciousness aside and came into play. It knew what to do. I just needed to trust it, and I would feel better. The thirst pounded with pain in my whole body, my head was burning, as if on fire. From then on I acted on pure instinct.
Having cast a look at my victims from above, I unerringly saw the tastiest piece – delight. There it was, large and tasty! It should be enough to allay my thirst. A lunge, and my body flattened against the invisible wall that guarded the head of the Paladins from my advances. It was hopeless! His delight, so tasty and desirable, was out of reach. What a pity. So I had to make do with smaller morsels.
It whispered calming words to me, promising that we would get even with him later; then it taught me how to make the surrounding vessels of food tastier. I did not resist, and we cried out together, sending horrible visions to all those fumbling creatures and bringing their worst phobias from the depths of their minds. Yes: that was the way! The vessels screamed, drowning in their own terror. That made things so much tastier and sweeter! That way generated more Energy, and my thirst gradually subsided. I found myself next to a bearded man. His scream was tasteless, so I tore out his tongue and with pleasure stuck my tentacles in his ears to reach the brain. The pain center was there, and I influenced it directly to receive even more sweets!
Leaving a part of me to work on the first vessel, I rushed to the second one. My time was limited, and the thirst was still torturing me. I had not a second to lose! The next vessel was small, soft, and yielding, but contained so much Energy that it took me a little longer than the first one. He was followed by the third, fourth, fifth… then I was engulfed by darkness.
I came to lying on my back on the ground. I opened my eyes slowly, and reflexively covered them with my hand to protect against the blazing sun. Awareness of my human body returned before the memories of what I had done. I was even able to stand up and look around. I was surrounded by piles of the bloody remains of NPCs and I only wanted one thing: to die, so as to remove the picture of that bloody massacre from my head. Recent events flashed through my mind as a series of bright cartoon drawings, and I bent down, retching shamelessly.
“You passed the first test.” That was Gerhard’s comment on the events. I was jerked to my feet. I turned my head towards whoever had saved me, but encountered a hateful state from Iven. That was the way the gold-armored Paladin sometimes allowed himself to look at Archibald; the only difference was that there would be no protection from Gerhard for me if Iven were to decide to kill me.
“Thirty two dead, one hundred and four injured,” Archibald joined us. “Pretty good catch for a Dark one. Judging by how much they all wriggled, I would suppose that the crystal filled to one hundredth of a percent. Am I right?”
“To one thousandth,” Gerhard corrected. “There were too few NPCs within the impact radius. Yaropolk was too slow with activation and several groups left the area; they were just in the fear zone. People will call this event the ‘Suruç bombing’. The second test is awaiting, let’s go.”
Another portal appeared and I was shoved into it like a limp doll.
“Second test.” Gerhard gave me the next scroll. He ordered the others: “Leave us.” “Activate it!”
I took the offered item from the Head, my hands numb, and looked around, feeling cornered. While previously we had been in a relatively deserted location, now the calling point for Leguria was a huge mall.
“Al Hamra Tower.” Steve saw a sign somewhere. “Shopping mall and office center.”
“It’s rush hour now, conveniently,” Gerhard added to my assistant’s words. “So the crystal charge could increase by another one tenth of a percent.”
“Does Leguria affect two dimensions on a plane, or is it three-dimensional?” I began to understand why the Head had made this choice. Even though I thought I knew the answer, I wanted to hear it from Gerhard. But he just gave me a patronizing grin and pointed at the scroll.
“I would like to inform you that the ‘Darkness’ scale has reached its limit value. Current level of Allegiance to Darkness: 2 units.” Steve added to the general confusion distracting me from the scroll as I concentrated on the scale. It became brighter and more vivid than it had been the last time. As soon as I concentrated on it, the assistant came up with a whole sheet of text describing this thing; however, I had no right to take the time for it now.
“Mommy, let’s go to the movies!” A high-pitched childish voice cut through my concentration. “Come, come now! I want caramel popcorn and a toy!”
A family of German burghers passed by us. A stolid dignified dad with a huge beer belly dragged along three ankle-biters and his long-legged wife, whose face hinted at past beauty. It seemed that the look on the face of this respectable frau was broadcast to the whole world: I have a rich husband, three healthy children, a good job and sex every day, and what do you have to show for yourself? The
family quickly passed by, pushing us aside.
“Yaropolk?” Gerhard politely reminded me he was still waiting.
“I cannot.” I sighed deeply and handed the scroll back to the Head. It was a hard decision. Not only was I not ready to feel again the delight brought by the sweetness of the pain and suffering of other creatures, I was not ready to kill a thousand innocent NPCs. My whole being protested that, and had I activated the scroll, I would have had to initiate a case against myself. There is no place in the Game for such a beast!
“You understand that by refusing to activate the scroll you forfeit this ability?” Gerhard clarified, so all I could do was nod. “Please explain your choice.”
I told him the whole truth without hesitation. There was no point in concealing the obvious from a being who could open portals with a flick of his finger and resist Leguria.
“We are going back.” The head created a portal, and in an instant we were standing in his office.
Amazing, but Archibald greeted me with a disappointed stare. Apparently, the headhunter was bored doing nothing for so long:
“So where is the sea of blood, my hapless student? Or were you not consistent enough even in your allegiance to Darkness?”
“Your student was a consistent Judge, and that is enough, Archibald! The second test is complete.” Gerhard settled down in his armchair and immediately the blanket slid onto his lap, making him look like a homely old man rather than the Head of class. I could not restrain myself from looking under the desk: the Paladin’s feet now sported comfortable slippers sinking into the thick carpet. “Yaropolk, you are right. There is no place in the Game for players with maniac inclinations – Dark and Light alike. Had you activated the scroll after what you had felt during the first activation, I would have had to kill you. Even Bernard would not have interfered. Take this; by my right of the strongest Dark I grant you Leguria.” Gerhard gave me the metal hexagon with the three-eyed skull. The message on acquiring a new ability flashed before me. Iven, who had been standing with his back towards us through all this, turned around sharply and addressed the Head:
“With all due respect, Milord, I consider it a mistake to allow access to Leguria to a young and inexperienced Dark one! You know to what it may lead!”
“I know, Iven, but I would like to remind you that I am also a Dark one who has Leguria. And that presumption of innocence applies regardless of Light or Darkness,” Gerhard responded and sighed. “Iven: it’s not really that important what killed Anna or what color her murderer was. Your grief makes you view each Dark one as a potential murderer; that affects the entire Order negatively. Think about it.”
“Yes, Milord.” Iven bowed his head humbly. “I suppose you are right.”
“Yaropolk, I hope that your new ability will be used only for good endeavors worthy of the name of Paladins. From time to time I will monitor your use of Leguria. Remember that, and that the consequences of your actions will always catch up with you!”
“Thank you, Milord!”
“It’s always a pleasure to help young Paladins! Archibald will take you to the Sanctuary.”
The Head returned to his papers, and I gratefully made a farewell bow. And froze still. Perhaps I would never have another chance. So it would be stupid to let this one get away:
“I apologize, Milord Gerhard, but may I ask for some more help?” The catorian, floating behind my back like a shadow, kicked me in the knee from behind and hissed into my ear:
“You are not so dumb as to bother the Head with questions?”
Instead of answering him I was trying to elicit some pity in Gerhard, who was taken aback by my forwardness:
“I understand that this is not in line with the Code, but you just said that it was a pleasure to help… I am sure you did not say that just out of politeness. I need some information regarding the disappearance of the pendant. The success of my investigation hangs on it. The order is interested in having this case resolved as soon as possible, if my understanding is correct?”
“Your understanding is correct. And since you are posing the question in this way, I am ready to hear you.” A brief smile curved Gerhard’s lips.
“Please tell me – what is the connection between the great warrior Anna and Elizabeth?” I started with my main question.
“That’s it?” The Head look disappointed; he asked Archibald: “Aren’t you supposed to provide this kind of information as his teacher?”
“Milord, I have been saying for a long time that Archibald should be prohibited from taking students! He shirks his duties, and only cripples the young ones! Their ignorance is a shame to the Order!” In his righteous anger Iven decided to remind everyone he was still there.
“Brother Archibald, there is truth in brother Iven’s words. What can you say to explain yourself? The Order of Paladins is going through a hard period right now; each new player is a bonus to us!” Gerhard pursed his lips and looked at the catorian with displeasure.
“I cannot agree with you, Milord. I am not a nanny. Yaropolk is an explorer, and information is his weapon. He will be able to appreciate its value only if he has to get it with blood and sweat. I don’t agree with the statement that I shirk my teaching duties either. My students demonstrated a high level of skills. They have been trained in battle and have demonstrated better academic achievements then others. Well, and Yaropolk cannot be considered truly uneducated. He is just very young and… inexperienced.” The last word sounded rather like “he is an untrainable moron, this Yaropolk‒ what could you want from him?”
“I have to agree with brother Archibald. Everyone has their own training and teaching methods. Let’s hope that they will yield the right kind of fruit,” Gerhard noted philosophically and finally deigned to answer. “Elizabeth is the only daughter of Anna, who was Madonna’s student. Anything else?”
Archibald sighed with disappointment, and hastened to reproach me:
“Yaropolk, this was obvious! I rejected your version about teaching! Where is your deductive skill?”
“It was not obvious!" I replied angrily, becoming more and more irritated with the cat. This furry ass managed to wiggle himself out of being guilty in front of Gerhard and made me look like an idiot. Some experienced teacher, right!
I did not hide my disappointment, so the Head of the Paladins decided to cheer me up:
“Brother Yaropolk, do share your thoughts with us. I am sure that your exploring abilities will help brothers Iven and Archibald take a fresh look at the disappearance of the pendant.”
Encouraged by Gerhard, I continued:
“I consider that the pendant was stolen by one of the spiritual advisors.”
“That’s out of the question!” It was the first time Iven deigned to address me directly; however, doing so he copied the condescending intonations of my teacher. It seemed to be that rare case when two opponents were siding together. “I checked each one personally! None of them were involved in the theft!”
“And Milord Gerhard checked you?” I asked, and immediately regretted it. Iven turned to stone and shifted his eyes to the catorian:
“Shut your half-brain up! Or else you will have to answer for his cretinism!”
Archibald grinned, came up to me and patted me on the shoulder good-naturedly.
“You see, my practically dead student, Iven simply could not do that. Anyone could, but not he.”
“Since I am practically dead anyway, perhaps you would now care to explain the whole thing to me?” It seemed I had nothing to lose at that point. I was so grateful to Bernard for suggesting that I change anchor point. If it came to that, I should be able to hide in his residence.
“I think it would be better if brothers Archibald and Iven wait for you in the anteroom, particularly since they need to coordinate their further work on this case. Meanwhile we’ll have a short talk.” The Head took pity on me, realizing that if those two were to stay, the talk would not likely stay short.
Iven walked to the door qu
ickly, and opened it for the catorian. The latter just shrugged his shoulders and continued mocking the irritated fighter:
“You want me to open my back to you of my own will?!
Iven turned purple and roared:
“Are you hinting that I am capable of …” He was lost for words in his indignation.
“I am not hinting at anything at all! The moment one hints at anything in your presence you run tattling to the Head!”
“Out!” the library owner ran out of patience, and both Paladins retreated quickly.
Looking after them I noted:
“Are you sure they won’t reduce your anteroom to rubble while they coordinate their actions?”
“Well, some friendly venting won’t hurt them,” the Head grinned.
I grimaced skeptically.
“With such friends…” I sensibly did not finish the phrase, as Gerhard’s eyes turned icy.
“Yaropolk, you need to learn to think before you speak! Frequently your youth cannot serve to justify insults!” Puzzled, I quietly waited for him to continue. What was so insulting in what I had just said?
“Just a moment ago you cast aspersions on my ability to rule my advisors and therefore, the Order! You put in doubt the foundations of our clan: all the Paladins are brothers, not enemies!”
Ow, that really had not come out well… I felt ashamed before Gerhard.
“I am sorry! I did not mean it! I just wasn’t thinking…” I hung my head in repentance.
Gerhard softened a little:
“I hope this will serve as a good lesson to you. Now about Iven. Anna, Elizabeth’s mother, was his other half. She was killed by Leguria. And Elizabeth is their only daughter, so this excludes brother Iven from the list of suspects.”
Tension hung in the air. I realized how deep I had gotten myself into it! Steve noted something that was already obvious anyway: the other half was a doll who had become a player. It used to be allowed. Therefore, Iven just physically could not… Wait! Madonna took a doll for a student? Or, rather, a player who used to be a doll? Why would she do that? What if she did it out of solidarity and memory of her own past? A Doll took another doll as a student. That’s quite logical. And when Anna died, then, using the right of the teacher … Oh really?!
The Quest (Dark Paladin Book #2) LitRPG Series Page 19
