“Information integrated. Party of Players recorded talking about Aleph with intimacy. Talk to the Demi-Human named Anna to understand relationship. Interaction permitted. If attacked, priority to destroy substation.” Shard’s voice came through the small Mirror of Communication next to the information terminal that the scout was connected to.
“Orders confirmed.”
“Report back with information on party, subset quest, power up possible, second condition.” The runes around the Mirror of Communication stopped glowing as the scout guardian pulled its hand from the terminal. Its hand flipped out and reformed into digits.
Objectives: Categorize kobold threat. Understand multiple species party’s objectives. Determine subject Anna’s relationship with Aleph Masters. If deemed objectives are aligned, give Players quest to clear kobolds. Upon quest completion, evaluate for possibility of Power Up Quest. Failure to pass tests: proceed to initiate subsystem destruction.
The scout guardian turned and walked away from the terminal, toward what looked like a solid wall with a silver arch around it. Before it reached the arch, its runes glowed as it seemed to disappear from existence. Invisible to the world, the scout moved quickly and silently through the substation.
The party was resting in the living quarters, discussing the kobold threat and looking around.
“I think that it might be best if we come back with the rest of the Stone Raiders to finish this one off. We’ve got a bunch of loot and kills that will give us enough gold to get materials, books, and whatever we need,” an Elven woman with red hair said, the apparent leader of the group.
“Agreed. I need some damn rest. Using all that Mana to keep my creations up and moving is taking a toll,” a High Elven woman said.
High Elves and Wood Elves have shown prejudice to one another. Relationship change? Players of different classes have been known to interact outside of people of Emerilia norms.
“I’m interested in checking out this class system thing. Might be a real boost,” a Dwarven Halfling said.
Oddity detected; weapons. The scout looked at the Dwarf’s two rod weapons. It ran the different readings that showed the rods transforming into different items.
Additional secondary objective: gain better understanding of weapons.
“It would definitely increase both yours and Suzy’s abilities,” a human-looking man said.
Demi-Human, variation unknown. Similar to female beside the High Elf.
“Anna, what do you think we should do? You know the Aleph the most,” the leader said.
“Well, the Aleph like to live in secret; their founders had been an Elven and Dwarven race. With time they had accepted people from all races, those that had been banished for pushing the boundaries of magic and science or their own traditions. They fled underground and they built an underground empire that not even the Dwarves could hold a torch to.
“The Dwarves and Elves were sorry for their transgressions. Well, most groups, but the Aleph who had lived in isolation for so long were happy to escape it all. Like this place, all of the Aleph homes and cities were only accessible by teleport pads and portals. We should have tripped the alarm when we got here, but it seemed that it only happened later. If this is the case, I am scared to know what the situation is for the Aleph AI.”
Subject Anna: in-depth knowledge of Aleph, possible personal connection by tone and word choice. Must confirm party’s objectives before interaction is deemed possible.
“An AI?” the Dwarf asked.
“Yes. It is not as high-classed as my own base model but it is impressive. It is called Shard. At one time, I had to give it some extra coding so that it could move from gestation to completion without breaking the rules of AI mechanics. Would have not been pretty without those rules and guidelines built into its hardware.”
Connecting to Shard, information priority one.
The Dwarven hybrid’s head snapped over and looked directly at the scout.
The scout continued to send its information to Shard, holding its position.
“Wow, now that is complex! Shit.” The Dwarf walked closer to the scout, who was hiding on the third-floor balcony.
“What is it, Dave?” the leader asked.
“I think he’s the scout guardian you were talking about,” the one called Dave said, climbing up the balconies.
Possibility that presence has been sensed 82%. New directive: understand Players’ objective.
Dave walked toward the scout, but made sure to not close within five feet.
The others of the party climbed up the balconies, watching Dave.
“Dave, you sure it’s there?” the High Elf asked.
“Yeah, Suz, I can only see bits of it.”
Dwarf Halfling “Dave”: facial expression—excitement. Stealth ability power drain to usefulness rendered useless. Move to vocal communication.
The Demi-Human Anna made clicking and hand gestures.
Understanding of Aleph communication techniques. Lowering stealth abilities. Alert level one. Ready for combat.
“Hello. I am able to speak the common tongue,” the scout said, dropping its stealth abilities as the Players other than Anna and Dave recoiled.
“Dude, that is fucking cool!” Dave looked the scout guardian over.
Connection established, Shard. “Ask Demi-Human Anna for last name.”
“Anna, what is your last name?” the scout asked.
“Kal.”
At hearing this name, Shard took direct control over the scout unit. The power consumption was heavy, but if it was the AI creation Anna’kal, it might be possible to deal with operation issues.
“Identity confirmed,” Shard said through the scout.
“Hello, Shard. It is good to hear your voice again. Why are you operating at such power deficiencies? I was expecting to see your guardians out sooner. I was not expecting to see kobolds in your substations either,” Anna said.
“Processes are running at low capacity; power substations have been harmed or cut off from main unit designated Shard. Running on backup power. Unable to access higher functions required in order to repair necessary systems. Moved into hibernation mode to protect Aleph main installations priority one. What are your objectives, Anna and party?”
“Well, things are worse than I thought. I have new information. Aleph are returning. I am capable of helping, if allowed. Will need larger access. My party and I are capable of helping in a decent capacity. I am guessing that with such a power deficiency, fighting even the kobolds here would be impossible. I can talk to other groups of Players who might be willing to assist if allowed,” Anna said.
“Anna’kal relationship with Aleph—valued ally. Highly trusted, one of few to reach Alephir. Deemed possible to trust. Recognized as having quest Aleph Homecoming. Updating quest and security clearance. Anna’kal, you are responsible for your party. Adding additional quest Power Up. Do you accept?”
***
Deia watched as the two new quests updated in her vision.
Quest: Aleph Homecoming
Shard has recognized Anna as being a trusted ally of the Aleph. He offers you transport to Alephir. The power cost will be intensive.
Requirements: Complete Quest Power Up to open additional gates to clear out the creatures that have overrun the Aleph’s different installations.
Rewards: ???
Do you accept?
Y/N
Quest: Power up
Aleph’s AI Shard needs more power. Fix his substations or supply him with enough soul or Mana energy to bring more systems online in order to fix it himself.
Rewards: ???
Do you accept?
Y/N
She looked to the others. She had heard of the Aleph in old stories, stories that had been made to teach the Elves humility and acceptance. It cautioned them that their people might change over time and that they should accept others for who they are, not disregard them due to their prejudices.
After hearing
their story from Anna, Deia was motivated to help them out. She smiled as she looked at the others. “Well, damn. I might have the Player bug because this looks like it could be fun as hell.”
The others looked at her. Smiles appeared on their faces. The excitement of improving themselves, defeating enemies, gaining loot and experience—it was addicting.
“It will not be an easy quest. We rate it as an S Raid-classed quest,” the scout said.
“Dave, how much power do we have?” Malsour asked.
“Got about a hundred and fifty thousand stat points, so one point five million Mana points, then a nice two thousand soul energy, which is like two hundred thousand Mana points if you convert it,” Dave said.
“How much power will we need to give Shard in order to power him up enough to start repairing his subsystems?” Anna asked.
“Quest updated,” the scout said.
Quest: Power up
Aleph’s AI Shard needs more power. Fix his substations or supply him with enough soul or Mana energy to bring more systems online in order to fix it himself.
You must provide 5,000,000 Mana points equivalent of power. (Power provided: 0/5,000,000)
Or
Activate a class A Power Station (0/1), three class B Power Stations (0/3) or Nine Class C Power Stations (0/9).
The more systems powered on, the larger the reward that will be offered.
Rewards: ???
Do you accept?
Y/N
“Damn, I haven’t seen a raid like this mentioned anywhere in the forums,” Dave said, making it sound like some holy relic.
“Okay, well, we’ve got a week and a half until the rest of the Stone Raiders get here. We’ve all got enough food and water for that time. I say that we go and check out this raid, gain some information on it and then tell the rest of the guild,” Deia said.
“Acceptable conditions. Group ability added due to Anna’kal’s status of trusted ally,” the scout said. “Will only allow Anna’s direct party access to Alephir. Area deemed the best for learning more information, also free of aggressive creatures. Holds Altar of Rebirth to link to as well as five Class B substations,” the scout said.
“I believe it will be an interesting time to learn more about the Aleph and assist their Shard in restoring order to their home. I’m in,” Malsour said.
“Sounds like an adventure to me. I’ll join.” Induca smiled.
“Well, I need to learn more about portals and these guys are some incredible creations. I’m in,” Suzy said.
“Is this really a question? Course I’m in!” Dave grinned.
“It has been too long since I saw Shard. It would be good to get him active once again.” Anna smiled and looked to Deia, whose gossip senses tingled at the look in Anna’s eyes.
Just who is Shard to Anna?
“Very well, we accept,” Deia said, looking at the scout.
“Follow me.” The scout moved through the living quarters and walked right through what looked to be a bathroom wall.
Anna followed without pause.
Dave smiled as if it were Christmas as he wandered through. Deia shook her head and followed, wincing as she put her hand ahead of her but found that she did indeed pass through the wall.
Behind it there was a small terminal, a few magical lights, and an intact Aleph teleport pad.
“These runes are incredible!” Dave looked at the silver arch around the wall that they had walked through. He and Malsour wandered around, making notes and talking to each other in low and excited voices.
The scout watched as Induca walked through last. It turned and walked toward the teleport pad; the runes lit up as different formations glowed with energy. A portal arch formed over the semicircle teleport pad.
Dave and Malsour ran around the thing. You wouldn’t think that they were a nearly five-hundred-year-old dragon and a master craftsman who had been in charge of thousands of people.
“Some things never change,” Suzy muttered to Deia.
Deia just rolled her eyes.
“It’s kind of cute, if I didn’t find runes just mind-numbingly boring,” Induca added.
Suzy and Deia chuckled as the scout walked through the portal.
Dave and Malsour disappeared through it and then came back, even more excited as they passed through again.
“I have a feeling they’re not going to be much help at doing anything but studying everything for a few days,” Induca said as they walked through the portal.
They found themselves in a room almost identical to the teleport room they’d passed through. This one had more lights on and instead of being in disrepair and made from rough stone, it was made from polished stone with walkways of malachite with engravings of gold, silver, and ebony.
It was not just functional; it was elegant. It reminded Deia of the High Elf Palace in Markolm she’d seen pictures of. The level of detail was breathtaking.
The scout stepped into a cradle; its body went slack as ports connected to it and it was hauled above the portal into a holding area. The roof closed, but not before Deia saw what could only be a few sets of complete behemoth guardians.
Dave and Malsour were studying everything, making a circuit of the room. Anna walked through the room as if she had been there hundreds of times before. Deia and the other girls followed her, looking over the beauty of the room.
“Dave!” Anna yelled.
Dave moved to follow, jumping up the steps after the ladies.
Anna stood in a control room that overlooked the portal. A piece of black ebony with all manner of runes was carved into it.
“Fuuuck me sideways.” Dave looked over the massive ebony sphere.
“Welcome to part of Shard.” Anna tapped the creature.
“Power reserves at twelve percent.” Shard’s voice came through the room.
“Yes, you big bowling ball, we’ve got it. Dave, could you put some power into that console over there?” Anna pointed to the console.
Deia moved to the malachite window that was at the back of the room. She couldn’t see anything beyond it, but she felt as if there was a large open area out there.
Then the power started to come online.
She looked to Dave as lights brightened; his arms were wreathed in shadows as his eyes glowed and his tattoos shone. She saw lights turn on not only in the area they were in, but in the darkness she had felt before.
“Holy shit,” Suzy said as an entire city two times the size of Nadorf was revealed.
It was not simply laid out flat. The city looked to be inside of a cylinder, with all manner of buildings pointing toward the center. There were gardens, skyscrapers, even trams all over the place. It didn’t look as though it was from Emerilia; it looked as if it were from the future.
Orbs in the center of the cylindrical city started to spin like a gyroscope. It was slow at first, emitting a faint light before they spun faster and faster, driving the shadows back and revealing the city.
Deia’s mouth hung open as she looked at the city that had been shaped from white polished stone, malachite, gold, silver, and ebony. The colors blended together, making the place look like an art installation. Runes were traced in all manner of patterns, not just circular formations or Dave’s own lines of code.
She had seen inside Mithsia Mountains; everything about the Dwarven homes was handcrafted, but it had a rigidity to it—straight lines, squares, and columns. Here it seemed that the city had grown like some organic creation. Walls were murals, another thing taken from the Dwarves, but they didn’t show history—they showed scenes of nature. Planters and gardens lay bare, the natural life that once rested in them long dead.
For a moment, Deia could picture the city as it might have been at one time. It was a marriage of Elven and Dwarven ingenuity and their distinct arts. Still, she didn’t believe that her imagination could do justice to what the Aleph had created.
“Hello, Anna. It has been too long.” Shard’s voice no longer sounded constra
ined, but normal as Deia looked around and found a short Elf wearing a one-piece jumpsuit made from a black material and silver stitching. “We have a lot of work to do in order to prepare for the coming of the Masters. It will be fun to work with you once again.”
Deia’s eyebrows creeped higher as the corners of her mouth tilted upward. She looked to Induca and Suzy; neither of them missed how Shard had Anna’s complete attention or the expression on their faces.
We’ll be sure to get the juicy details out of you later. Deia turned around and looked out over the city once again.
Chapter 9: Snakes in the Grass
Hevard looked at the rest of his guild that had gathered in Nelheim. He was the head of the PKP guild—People Kill People. They were a band of Players who worked together to make their name as assassins and killers. They had already accepted a number of high-classed kill orders on different characters that POE and Players had asked for. They’d kill anyone for the right cost. They were high-classed chaotic Players. All of them were part of the Black Thorn Guild, the assassins’ guild of Emerilia.
It functioned much like the fighter and traders’ guild, offering contracts and quests related to the guild. PKP made their name by taking on the most Player-killing contracts. They’d made a big name for themselves, but now they were planning something bigger, something that would make them the Player-killing guild on Emerilia.
“Our spies have been able to talk to different travelers and are tracking the Stone Raiders as they move toward the capital Zolunheir of the Heval Plains. Contacts in the Black Thorn have mentioned that a group of Stone Raiders were spotted in Selhi Capital, though they have been gone for a few days, so it is unknown where they are going to. They might be headed for Donsk or adventuring in the area. They were all of low levels for Heval and had come from Opheir. Otherwise, other groups of the Stone Raiders have not moved from their locations in Heval,” Koloa, PKP’s intelligence officer, said, rubbing his dagger-shaped goatee.
For The Guild (Emerilia Book 2) Page 11
