Alterlife III

by Matt Moss

  “Can we go take a closer look? I’ve always wanted to see the real thing in Rome, but have never had the chance to.”

  I smile. “Alright. I suppose that won’t hurt anything. If anyone asks about you, I’ll just say that Gio already said you’re part of the guild.”

  I lead the way back down the stairs and into the main hall of the palace.

  Stop and turn. “Oh yea. You know the last Sanctum Stone the guilds are looking for? It’s right over here.” We walk into the room with the altar and Deana looks at the stone with amazement.

  “I can’t believe it’s the last stone. Here, all this time,” she says, eyes fixed upon the relic. Turns to me, shrugs and grins. “I guess it’s just like you said; the guilds will never find it here. No worries about Thal coming back.”

  “No worries. Come on, let’s go check out Rome.”

  As we leave the palace, the NPCs all stare at us, and their blank expressions make me feel like I’m doing something wrong. The monkeys are no longer outside, which I’m thankful for. I’d hate to have to toss them over the bridge, then explain to Gio what happened to his pets.

  On the other side of the bridge, we run into Hedwig.

  “Ace, how splendid to see you out and about here in Atlantis. I will say that it gives me great pleasure to know you are part of the Saviors.” He raises an eyebrow at Deana. “And who might this beautiful woman be?”

  “Deana,” she says and sticks her hand out to shake his.

  He takes it and is slow to let go. “Pleasure to meet you. I’m assuming you’re new to the guild, so Ace is showing you around.” He holds a finger up in excitement. “Speaking of which, you haven’t seen my shop yet. My contraption is almost complete and you must come see it for yourself.”

  I hold a hand up. “I don’t know about right now, Hedwig…”

  He grabs my arm and tugs me along. “Nonsense. No better time than the present. It won’t take long, and I swear it’ll be worth your time.”

  We follow Hedwig through the town and try our best to match his quick pace. He leads us up the hill, through a pass, turning left before the Colosseum. Along the way, he fills us in with what he’s been working on—mainly the airship, but all his other gadgets and inventions as well. We draw a few curious looks along the way from others in the city, but despite Hedwig’s older frame and appearance, he walks fast, and nobody stops us. Head down and talking the entire time about his craft, he doesn’t ask us any questions.

  Fine by me. I’ve never liked talking about myself or answering a bunch of questions. I know Deana feels the same way.

  After peaking the jungle hill, I turn around and see Atlantis from a new angle. It sprawls far beyond the Colosseum; shops and houses follow the main road, choked by the surrounding mountains and the chasm with the river far below.

  Turning my gaze back to where I’m going, I can see that there are many more houses scattered about the valley on the other side of the mountains—inhabitants of Atlantis living just beyond the city. Just ahead, smoke rises from a stack on a large, wooden building. I assume that’s Hedwig’s shop.

  He continues to talk right up to the doorway. “Well then, that wasn’t so bad of a journey now was it? Make it myself at least three times a day to get supplies and whatever else I need from town. Come on in.” He slides the large, wooden door open, and the effort it takes makes me wonder why he doesn’t fix the problem to make it open any easier. One would think a Tinker would do that. Especially to his own shop.

  Maybe he likes it that way.

  The inside of the shop is dusty, and smells of iron and smoke. Light streams in from the many busted or missing boards in the walls and ceiling.

  Hedwig clears his throat. “Make yourself at home. But don’t touch anything. Sign on the door says if you break it, you buy it.”

  “I never saw a sign on the door,” Deana whispers to me.

  “Me neither,” I whisper back.

  He walks to the back of the shop where there’s something the size of a yacht covered by a massive, old, brown blanket of sorts. Standing beside a chain that hangs from a pulley on the ceiling, he reaches up, wrapping both hands around it, then looks at us with excitement. “Are you ready to see it?”

  “We are ready, Hedwig!” I say, acting excited. Truth be told, I’m not expecting much judging by the looks of this shop. I can see him pulling the veil off and some half-baked idea of a flying machine will be there before us, totally incapable of flight, let alone anything else that might serve a purpose other than fueling a good bonfire.

  “Alright. Here we go,” he says, and gives the chain a pull.

  The veil goes up and we see the airship in all its glory.

  I step closer to examine it.

  Proud of his work, Hedwig stands in front of us and puts his hand on the hull of the ship. “So, what do you think of her? Isn’t she a beauty?”

  I’m at a loss for words. This thing is incredible! Wide-eyed, I walk around the ship and run my hand over the wooden frame. On the backside, there’s a step ladder that I climb to the deck. While Deana talks to Hedwig, I walk to the edge and speak to them with hands held high. “I’m on top of the world!”

  Deana laughs. “How’d you get up there?”

  “Come with me, m’lady,” Hedwig says and guides her by the hand.

  They climb up the ladder and meet me on the deck.

  “Hedwig, this is incredible. I mean, I’ve never seen anything like it before.” I walk to one of the two masts and look up at the enormous propeller that’s attached to the top.

  “Thank you, Ace. I’ve been working on it for quite some time, though only in earnest as of late.”

  “What did you name her?” Deana asks.

  “Bella. After my late wife.”

  Deana touches his hand but doesn’t offer condolences. She’s not sentimental like that. “That’s a beautiful name,” she says.

  “It’s a true masterpiece, I’ll tell you that, Hedwig.”

  Hedwig throws his arm out towards the controls. “Well, go on then. Assume command and take the wheel.”

  I step up onto the platform and can practically feel the wind in my hair, nothing but blue skies and blue seas filling my vision. Reverently, I wrap both hands around the wheel and stand tall.

  “Shall I pull anchor, Commander?” Deana plays.

  “Pull anchor and prepare to set sail,” I reply and give the wheel a spin.

  Hedwig jumps up next to me. “The propeller on the back turns pretty easy, eh? Power steering… gotta love it.”

  “When will this thing be ready to go?”

  He rubs his chin. “Hmm. Shouldn’t be too much longer. Around ten days or so.”

  “Perfect.”

  That will be just in time to launch our assault on the gods. And an airship like this would prove very useful.

  Deana speaks. “Quick question. What if you’re up in the air and you fall? I doubt a person would survive the impact.”

  “That’s why I made these gliders.” He pops a chest open and holds one up for us to see. “Similar to a parachute, these things should, in theory, get you to the ground safely.”

  “In theory?” I ask.

  He tosses it back in. “I admit, they have not been tested. Couldn’t find any volunteers.”

  Deana laughs. “I would imagine not.”

  “How fast can this thing go? Can it outrun a Dragon?”

  Hedwig tucks his thumbs in his pockets and rocks back on his heels. “Bella is the fastest thing in the sky. Nothing will be able to keep up with her.”

  “But you’ve never tested it...”

  “No. I’m basing my assumption on my calculations.”

  I look up at the propellers. “I only ask because I’d hate to be up in the sky with a Dragon coming at us. A ship like this might not last long.”

  Hedwig nods and speaks with confidence, albeit a bit rash. “Don’t you worry about Dragons. I built her strong, and she’ll be able to withstand more than you think. B
esides, I told you she’s the fastest thing in the sky. I’d appreciate it if you’d keep your concerns about Bella to yourself from now on. I said I made it the best in Alterlife, and that’s what I meant.”

  He’s protective of his creation. No fault in that.

  I hold my hands up in defense, walk towards the old Tinker, and clap him on the shoulder. “I have no doubts. This is a magnificent machine you’ve built here and I can’t wait to see it in action. Thank you for showing us, Hedwig.”

  “You’re welcome. Stop by anytime.” Turns to Deana and becomes his old, jovial self again. “It was nice to meet you, ma’am,” he says and kisses her hand.

  Deana’s flattered. “And you as well, Hedwig. See you again soon.”

  “I sure do hope so,” he replies with a grin.

  Deana and I walk out and leave Hedwig to his work. As we leave, she remarks how much she loves this place. And that all the people seem nice.

  “That Hedwig is a hoot.” she says, then notices my stare. “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “I’m just glad you’re here, Deana. That you’re back with me.”

  She looks down then back into my eyes, and I’m transported to another place and time; a time that seems like so long ago, but wasn’t.

  It’s hard to explain what we have together. To me, it’s not sexual—though any red-blooded man in his right mind would want it to be that way.

  It’s not like that between us. It’s a friendship. A real, meaningful friendship. My only real friend that I can trust in Alterlife.

  “I’m glad to be here with you, as well.” She takes my hand in hers, then remembers her place and lets it go. She knows my heart is spoken for and I’ll never waver in my loyalty.

  I smile. “I’ve got a lunch date with my daughter and I better be going now.”

  She brushes her hair back. “Yeah, I should probably be going too. See you tomorrow then?”

  “Sounds good.”

  I wave, log out, and watch Deana and the rest of the world fade away.

  Taking the NueView off, I shake the fog from my head. Feeling particularly good, I clap my hands and place the system into the duffel bag.

  Everything is falling into place. Just the way it should be.

  Finally.

  I’ve been long overdue to catch a break.

  And I can’t wait to settle all of this and put Alterlife behind me.

  15

  Alterations

  Another night at home.

  Another morning passes.

  Text Deana before I leave the house.

  hey

  i’ll be online in about an hour

  see you soon

  I go back to the cleaners, excited to meet up with Deana and introduce her to the guild. Giology will make the announcement and then it will be done. Then we can make preparations and discuss our next course of action against the guilds and the gods.

  Officially, Deana will still be a member of the Soldiers, but unofficially, she’s a Savior. With her working for us on the inside, our chances of victory are assured. I haven’t a doubt in my mind that we will destroy the gods; hopefully with minor casualties to the Soldiers and the King’s Blood. I don’t want another life lost in this war.

  Pulling into the parking lot, I find it empty. The inside of the cleaners is empty, too.

  Odd.

  Yuna is behind the counter most of the time.

  Inside my room, I lock the door and get the system ready. Curious, I go to the window-wall and press the button. The wall flashes and I see Giovisi already logged in, sitting cross-legged on his yoga mat.

  What a freak.

  I press the button again and go to my chair.

  Text Deana one more time, letting her know I’m about to login. Still no reply.

  System on.

  I appear at the bridge in Atlantis as usual.

  But the city is not normal. Friendly faces and smiles are gone; replaced with anger and sorrow. Tears stream down faces and, for the first time, I notice the unfavorable weather. Rain beats down on my head and soaks the ground, dark gray clouds brew overhead. Lightning flashes and thunder rolls in the distance.

  Somewhere in the jungle, the monkeys howl.

  Something isn’t right.

  What the hell’s going on?

  BANG

  BANG

  BANG

  “ACE!”

  I throw the NueView off, disturbed by the sudden, jarring sound of Giovisi banging on the outside of my door.

  “Open the door this instant!”

  I’ve never heard him like this before. He sounds concerned.

  I open the door.

  He forces himself past me and walks into the room. Throws his hands up and turns to me for an answer. “Do you know where the Sanctum Stone is?”

  “No. What the hell are you talking about?”

  “You didn’t take it from the altar inside my palace?”

  I shake my head. “No. I don’t understand. Where is the stone?”

  He swipes his hand, shutting me up. “Enough! Your friend stole the stone and took it back to the gods.”

  No. Don’t believe it.

  I shake my head. “Hold on a minute. Don’t accuse Deana of stealing the stone. She didn’t do it.”

  “I have it on good authority that she did. You brought her to my palace—uninvited, mind you. Now the stone is gone.”

  “Deana didn’t steal the stone. She would never.”

  You know she did...

  “She did steal it!”

  “Fuck you.”

  He gets up in my face. “Fuck you!” His nostrils are flared and he looks like he’s about to snap.

  I clench my fist, ready to drive this guy’s head into the wall.

  Calm down.

  Breathe.

  “Get out. No more for today. Tomorrow, we’ll discuss what’s next, along with what punishment you will receive for bringing such a foul creature into my land and into my home.”

  My eyes widen. “Punishment? I don’t think so.”

  We both stand in place, holding onto silence for a moment, attempting to get our emotions under control. He’s right. Deana stole the stone. It had to be her.

  Damn you, Deana. How could you do this to me? And after everything we’ve been through...

  After we both take a few seconds to breathe, I shake my head and put a hand up. “Look, the fact of the matter is that the stone is gone. There’s no way we’ll be able to stop them from raising Thal now. That was our one shot. And now Deana has turned against us and assured their victory.”

  “At least you admit that it was her.”

  She turned against me.

  Damn fool. I still can’t believe that she would do this to me. I should have expected this, given our past. I just hoped...

  Dread sinks in as reality hits me in the face like a ten-ton brick.

  The only ace the Saviors had up their sleeve—the only way we could have possibly won this war—was the element of surprise. It was bad enough that Gage told the gods about me. But having Deana on the inside was everything.

  Now that she has the Sanctum Stone, they will resurrect Thal a little over two weeks from now, and there’s nothing I, or anyone else, can do about it.

  I shake my head. “Game’s over.”

  Gio stands tall. “What do you mean the game’s over? It’s not over.”

  I meet his eye. “Yes, it is. The guilds will be standing vigilant now more than ever. Now that they’ve got the last Sanctum Stone, there’s no reason for them to leave Baleton. We will never get them to separate from the gods now, so, yeah… game over.”

  “We will find a way. Don’t give into despair and forsake the mission. The Creator will aid us.”

  I throw my arms up. “Helping us is the last thing he wants to do, trust me. He’s probably in on the whole thing and is helping the gods to spread the virus.”

  Gio clenches his jaw and his fist, and takes one step closer to me. “D
on’t you speak of the Creator in my presence that way. Ever.”

  I can see that he’s about half a second from throwing a punch. For his sake, he better not. In the heat of the moment we’re both in right now, I’d mop the floor with him and not think twice.

  I shake my head and walk away before I say or do anything else.

  “Where are you going?”

  “Home.”

  I can hear him balk behind me, wanting to call me back, thinking about giving me an order. But we both know that this isn’t Alterlife. We’re in the real world and whatever control over people he has there, he doesn’t here.

  Especially not over me.

  “Ace.”

  I turn around to hear what he has to say. It’s as if a still peace suddenly washes over him and he’s his calm, cool self again.

  “I’ll see you tomorrow then. I apologize for my rash reaction to the situation with Deana and the stone. You trusted her, and she broke your trust. That happens. Forgive me.”

  “No worries.”

  “It will do us no good to dwell on things we cannot change. In the morning, let us begin anew and get back on track.”

  Whatever psycho.

  I don’t plan on playing anymore. I’m done. It’s over. We can’t take on the might of the guilds and all of the gods.

  Don’t say that. You can’t give up. At least sleep on it.

  Fine. I’ll sleep on it. Then I’ll come back and tell Gio whatever decision I come up with in the morning.

  But I’ll be the first to say that, right now, the fate of Ace the Great isn’t looking so good.

  You don’t mean that...

  “See you tomorrow, Gio.”

  He nods and pushes his glasses back up on his nose, breathes a sigh of relief, and smiles.

  “See you tomorrow, Ace.”

  Driving home, I begin to cry. I can’t help it. Losing Alterlife again, betrayed… again. This time by someone who I thought was my friend.

  Maybe she was the poisoner all along…

  Maybe. What does it matter? I don’t really give a shit anymore. It’s over and I’m tired of it all. It’s time to get on with my life.

  The virus…