Awaken Online (Book 3): Evolution

by Bagwell, Travis

  Riley just shook her head. “We just need to get to port and get the hell out of the city before the lizardmen arrive. We have the grimoire, so there’s no point in sticking around.”

  Eliza bit her lip, her brow furrowed with concern. “Wait, you all plan to just leave? But… but won’t other NPCs die – like Alma?” Her voice cracked slightly at this last part. Meanwhile, the Hippie’s smile widened a bit further as he listened to their conversation – a fact that didn’t go unnoticed by Jason.

  “Who’s Alma?” Frank asked.

  She’s the woman that took me in when I first started playing,” Eliza explained. “She lives outside of town and makes potions for the townspeople. She’s actually the one who taught me Herbalism and Alchemy.”

  “We could take her with us,” Frank suggested with a shrug. “What’s one more person?”

  Eliza just shook her head. “I’m not sure she would leave her house and garden. She spent years growing some of those plants. And what about the other townsfolk? Not all of them are Lord Baen. They don’t deserve to die.”

  “I don’t think you understand,” Riley interjected. “The lizardmen are bad enough, but we are members of Original Sin. Literally, the entire traveler population is gunning for us right now. There’s a pretty sizable real-world bounty on our heads at this point.”

  Throughout this conversation, Jason had kept his gaze focused on the water god. The Hippie seemed completely unperturbed by their conversation. In fact, he looked downright pleased with himself. Jason couldn’t shake the feeling that he had orchestrated this situation – yet, to what end, he couldn’t fathom.

  “I say we just leave,” Jason finally said, interrupting the argument that was raging across the deck. “This isn’t our fight, and these aren’t our people.” Silence immediately fell upon the deck at this announcement, and Eliza looked like he’d just slapped her. He didn’t mean to offend the girl, but he was also done playing games with these gods.

  The Hippie’s face also fell slightly before he could school his reaction. “Some friends you are,” he said, gesturing at Eliza. “Leaving a young girl and all of those innocent people to die.”

  “Eliza will respawn,” Jason said, stepping toward the god. “And those people can defend themselves. Other travelers will surely intervene. They may even fend off the invasion on their own. My decision is final,” he said, staring the god down and standing only a foot away.

  The Hippie looked troubled at this announcement and silence lingered across the deck. After a brief pause, Jason added. “Unless… you would like to stop lying to us.”

  A frown creased the god’s lips as he watched Jason. “Damn, avatars,” he muttered. “You act too much like the Old Man. He was always a cagey one.” The Hippie let out a heavy sigh, glancing at Fluffy. “Fine. I may have made certain that Eliza was sitting in the right tavern at the right moment. I may have also nudged you all in the right direction in the mists and held your hand through my temple – knowing full well that you would destroy it.”

  The rest of the group stood in shocked silence as they listened to the god. As the Hippie looked at their expressions, he spoke up again, “And I can see that you are all thinking, why would he do this? How could he? The answer is simple. I want to regain my place in this world.” His gaze turned to Eliza. “Yet those with an affinity for water tend to be a bit too… malleable. There was only one person who could help you – the infamous Jason himself.”

  Eliza just stared at the god in confusion. “What are you saying?”

  “He’s saying that you are his avatar and he is trying to recreate his elemental city,” Jason explained. “After I died, I spoke to the Keeper. Not the insane skeleton that we met when we first entered the throne room – the real Keeper. This is a competition. A game among the gods. They can’t influence this world directly, but they can appoint avatars to accomplish their goals.”

  The Hippie shrugged as the group glared at him. “Color me surprised. I didn’t take the old bag of bones for such a blabbermouth. He spent decades without saying much at all…” The god sighed softly. “Yet he is mostly right. Our divine curse is that we can only encourage our avatars along a particular path – they have to make their own choices. I suppose it makes things more entertaining. Plus, we get to meet such fascinating people.”

  “And if I decide not to help you?” Eliza demanded, ignoring the Hippie’s jokes. “Are you going to force me to stay in the city or something?”

  The Hippie’s expression fell slightly. “As I said, the avatar must choose for themselves. Those are the rules.”

  “How could you…?” Eliza said, shaking her head and lapsing into silence.

  Jason felt conflicted. He had been right about the Hippie’s scheming, but did they really stand any chance against the lizardmen horde if they stayed in Falcon’s Hook? Yet it was worse than that. They would likely be fighting off both the players and the lizardmen at the same time since they couldn’t keep their identities hidden forever. That seemed impossible, but, at the same time, creating a new elemental city and allying with Eliza could have its benefits. A war was coming. It was only a matter of time. He also suspected that there was more to this competition among the gods than they were letting on, and he could use some allies.

  He hesitated as he saw Eliza’s expression. Anger, confusion, guilt, and fear swam across her face. He could certainly sympathize with the emotional tug of war that was likely raging in her mind – especially at being toyed with by outside forces. It made his decision easy.

  Jason placed a hand on Eliza’s arm. “Forget him for the moment.” The water mage met his gaze, frustrated tears budding at the corners of her eyes. “This is your choice. If you wish to protect Falcon’s Hook, Original Sin and the Twilight Throne will stand behind you.”

  Eliza’s eyes widened, and she glanced at the other group members. Riley and Frank both nodded in agreement. “Why would you do that for me?” she asked.

  Jason smiled slightly. “Because we’re your friends. You helped us recover the grimoire and asked for nothing in return. Who would we be if we weren’t willing to return the favor?”

  Frank rubbed his neck and chuckled softly. “My only condition is that you all can’t use me as bait… again.”

  The barbarian’s comment caused Eliza to smile despite the tears that lingered in her eyes. “Thank you,” she said softly, her gaze dropping to the deck. “If it’s my choice, then… then I would like to save the townspeople. I know they aren’t real and that’s stupid…”

  “Stop,” Jason interrupted her, his thoughts drifting back to Rex, his dark form racing into an inferno of flames. The memory still stung, and Jason knew that he would make the same decision for his own people. “The NPCs in this game are more real than we seem to realize. You don’t need to explain yourself. If you wish to fight, then we will fight.”

  Riley stepped forward, offering her hand. “Together,” she said firmly.

  “More like die together,” Frank grumbled and added his hand on top of hers. He was joined a moment later by Jason.

  Eliza just stared at their hands for a long moment, and then she tentatively placed her hand on the pile. “Thank you,” she said quietly.

  “Don’t thank us yet,” Jason replied calmly, meeting her gaze. “I expect this is going to get messy before it’s over – really messy.”

  As he glanced back at the deck, Jason realized that the water god and his entourage had disappeared again. He could just barely detect faint laughter being carried away on the wind. A frown tugged at Jason’s lips as he mentally reviewed the conversation, not certain that he had really caught the Hippie in his game. He couldn’t shake the feeling that they had all just played perfectly into the god’s hands.

  Man, I hate that guy, he thought. Although, there was nothing he could do about it. He would just have to be more cautious when dealing with the in-game gods in the future.

  “Alright, let’s get ready,” Jason announced, clapping his hands
together. “We’ll be in Falcon’s Hook shortly, and we’re going to be sailing into port in broad daylight. We don’t have much time to prepare for the invasion, so we can’t afford to wait until nightfall.”

  “Rewind for a second. You’re just planning to sail up during the day and… what? Announce yourself as the most wanted man in AO?” Riley asked with a quizzical expression.

  “Exactly,” Jason replied, a grim smile curling his lips. “When you can’t hide, the only other option is to make a big splash.”

  “Pun intended?” Frank asked with a chuckle.

  “Always,” Jason said.

  With that, the group started preparing for their entry into Falcon’s Hook. The time sped by much faster than Jason expected, due in part to the steady wind blowing at their backs. Before he knew it, the familiar ridgeline had appeared. He could make out the city’s bay in the distance, a smallish inlet set against the otherwise straight cliff face that loomed along the coast.

  “Everyone understand the plan?” Jason asked as his teammates readied their weapons and Eliza handed out potions. They had spent nearly an hour walking carefully through each step.

  “I would like to state for the record that this is crazy,” Riley replied, as she cleaned her daggers and checked her equipment for the second time. “Even compared to your normal nonsense.”

  “That’s my line!” Frank retorted. The barbarian was jumping slightly on his heels to try to release some of his pent-up energy and anxiety.

  “Do you really think this is going to work?” Eliza asked.

  Jason shrugged. “Guess we’re about to find out.”

  The Marietta was beginning to drift toward the bay. A cloud of darkness still hung over the vessel, and its ephemeral ghostly sails stood out in stark contrast to the other ships floating near the city. Jason’s Perception skill picked out sentries along the cliff face. Men and women were shouting warnings to the soldiers he assumed must be stationed deeper within the bay.

  That was the least of their problems. With the universal system notice, Falcon’s Hook was likely flooded with players by now – with others hot on their heels trying to make it to the city before the invasion. Jason knew they would be coming for them. The only way to deal with that problem was to send a clear message up front.

  Jason channeled his dark mana as they neared the docks, the piers lancing out into the bay. Players and NPCs stood along the wooden latticework that crisscrossed up the side of the cliff. A familiar icy energy flooded his veins and clawed its way up his spine as he channeled his dark mana. Despite the chill, Jason’s anxiety was still present. He could feel his palms sweating and his heart racing.

  As they drifted ever closer to one of the piers, he could see several dozen heavily-armed soldiers manning the dock. They wore thick mail and clutched at their spears and longswords. Archers, with arrows already nocked on their bows, were arrayed along the ramparts leading up to the city proper. The city’s leadership was apparently taking no chances with their group.

  Notably, Jason identified both purple and green-garbed soldiers and archers among the defenders. His brow furrowed in confusion for a moment. That could only mean one thing…

  “It looks like Lord Baen and Lord Cairn are both anxious to meet us,” Riley observed dryly.

  “Well, then let’s give them a show,” Jason said, sounding far calmer than he felt.

  As the ship floated up to the dock, a hushed silence descended upon the bay. The liveried soldiers stood tensely, their weapons held at the ready. Meanwhile, dozens of other sailors and townspeople had stopped to stare at the ghost ship and its undead crew. Jason could see players standing among the NPCs, their expressions a mixture of excitement and worry.

  “Hail travelers!” a guard announced, breaking the silence. “Your vessel is suspected of transporting members of Original Sin as well as a powerful magical relic. Depart the vessel with your hands in the air. If we see weapons, we’ll be forced to burn the ship and slay everyone onboard.”

  “I have a better idea,” Jason shot back, his nerves calming now that the moment had arrived to begin their plan. His dark mana surged through his veins. “I’d like to speak to Lord Baen and Lord Cairn. Now, preferably.”

  “That will not happen,” the soldier replied, gesturing to the men behind them. They raised their weapons and advanced toward the ship. Meanwhile, the archers on the ramparts leading up the city drew their bows and prepared to fire. “If necessary, we can do this the hard way.”

  “I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Jason said, a grin curling his lips.

  As he finished speaking, his hands – hidden beneath his cloak – wove through the final gestures of Custom Skeleton. The world around him slowed, and his undead crew was now outlined in glowing blue. Acting quickly, Jason tore the sailors’ bodies apart. They were of no use to him now anyway. However, he grimaced when he saw that he only had enough materials to build a few more suitable bodyguards.

  The sailors’ bones ripped through the air, swiftly forming ivory maelstroms on either side of Jason. Two hulking Death Knights began piecing themselves together, shards of bones combining and connecting to form solid, multi-layered limbs. Spikes sprouted from their massive shields and curling horns jutted from their helms. With his final corpse, Jason replenished his three Bone Shields.

  Finished, Jason dropped the spell. A Death Knight now stood on either side of him, their blinding white forms towering over him and the wood of the deck crunching under their weight. Meanwhile, three ivory discs now orbited Jason and his dark mana pulsed around him malignantly, tendrils of energy lashing at the air. The soldiers on the dock stood frozen, several mouths hanging ajar. He could hear audible gasps from the townsfolk and players.

  “Now, then,” Jason said, gesturing to his new minions to lower the gangplank. “I believe I requested an audience with the two lords.”

  The massive wooden platform slammed against the dock with a resounding thump, soldiers backing away quickly. Jason strode down the walkway with his minions flanking him. A thick mist rolled away from the ship at the same time, spreading across the dock and wrapping itself around each man’s ankles like a living thing.

  Right on time, Eliza, Jason thought grimly.

  “I… I cannot do that,” the soldiers stuttered, eyeing the bone creatures with a terrified expression and his men backing away from the ominous mist that continued to spread through their midst. The fog glowed with a sickly yellow light that felt unnatural.

  “I think you can,” Frank added, pulling his battle axes from the loops at his waist and moving to join Jason. Riley and Eliza followed close behind. The archer already had an arrow nocked and tendrils of dark mana curled around the tip.

  “Perhaps I wasn’t clear,” Jason said loudly. “You should be much more afraid of us right now than this invasion. If we aren’t speaking to Lord Baen and Lord Cairn in the next sixty seconds, we are going to kill everyone on this dock. Then we will raise your bodies and burn this gods damned city to the ground.”

  The soldiers looked tense, uncertain how to respond. Jason could feel a worm of worry wriggling in his stomach despite the dark mana pulsing through his veins. He really didn’t want this to turn into a conflict if he could help it.

  “Fifty-nine, fifty-eight,” Jason began counting, crossing his arms and staring down the soldier.

  “It’s fine Gerald,” a voice sounded from behind the soldiers.

  The men began to part to let two gentlemen walk past. Jason immediately recognized Lord Baen, the older man walking with a limp and leaning heavily on his cane. Lord Cairn was not quite what he had expected. He was a much younger man, his face heavily bearded and the slight bulge at his waist indicating a penchant for food and drink. Jason also noted the heavy two-handed sword strapped to his back. Perhaps he was more competent than he seemed.

  “You asked for us, and now we’re here,” Lord Baen groused, glaring at the group. “I suppose you will be so kind as to explain what happened to my ship
and my crew?”

  “I will do no such thing,” Jason snapped at the older man, causing him to flinch. “After what we discovered on that forsaken island, you better keep your damn mouth shut until I tell you otherwise.”

  Lord Cairn gave a rumbling chuckle at this comment. “Finally, someone that recognizes our Lord Baen for what he is – a crook and a scoundrel.” This statement caused the green-liveried soldiers on the dock to shift slightly, the men glaring daggers at the burly lord.

  “I don’t believe that we have been introduced,” Jason said, addressing Lord Cairn.

  “Perhaps not, but I am already intimately familiar with you,” the lord replied agreeably, unimpressed by the posturing on the dock. “Lord Baen has been regaling me with your many misdeeds. You are Jason, the ruler of the Twilight Throne and founder of the guild Original Sin. I believe we also have you to thank for this impending invasion.” This caused the soldiers and townsfolk on the dock to whisper among themselves.

  “Now, why shouldn’t I have my men burn down your ship and kill your crew?” Lord Cairn asked in a firm voice.

  “For the same reason you didn’t sink the Marietta when you first sighted us along the coast,” Jason replied with a smile, unperturbed by the reaction of the people around them. This was all part of the show he was putting on for their benefit. “We are carrying a powerful magical relic.”

  Lord Cairn’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, but he controlled his expression quickly. “And now?” he asked. “Certainly, we can recover that little orb from your corpses.”

  “You could, but you wouldn’t be able to use it,” Jason replied, calmly. “The relics can only be used by someone who has undergone a quest granted by their god. Besides, I suspect you will be interested to hear the truth behind what transpired on that island and Lord Baen’s personal involvement.”

  Lord Cairn raised an eyebrow. “I will reserve judgment on the truth of your statements. But please, enlighten me about our Lord Baen.”

  Now I’ve got him. Jason smiled grimly as he saw the predatory gleam in Lord Cairn’s eyes.