Alterlife III

by Matt Moss

  Until the item has been found, PvP is no longer enabled.

  We all look at each other in disbelief after each of us receives the message.

  “Now that changes things a bit,” Fance says and clasps both hands in front of his big belly.

  “We’ve never known player-versus-player violence here in Thannadas. I was afraid that, on the mainland, we would be forced to experience it,” Seric says, looking up at the sky, as if giving thanks to the Creator.

  “Could have fooled me. You acted like a seasoned soldier when we were confronted on the hill at Baleton. You were brave,” I note.

  She looks me in the eye and forces a half-hearted grin, but I can see that she doesn’t believe herself to be brave. Probably because she’s never been tested. How can anyone know how brave they are if they’ve never faced their fears?

  All of these people will be put to the test soon. Will they rise to the occasion, or will they run and hide?

  “No worries about having to fight anyone now,” Meric says. “This is good for us. That means we can move freely as we search for the rabbits and not have to worry about being overwhelmed by the guilds.”

  Fance is eager to leave. “Well, what are we waiting for then? We’re killing time here clucking like a bunch of hens. Every minute we waste, is their gain. And they’ve got us outnumbered by a long shot.”

  I fold my arms and look to Giology. “He’s right. Send a message to the Saviors. Each member spends one hour each day, here, training with me. The other five hours per day will be spent on the mainland, searching for the pelts.”

  “Done,” Giology says and runs to his palace to send a mass message.

  “Come on, let’s go,” Meric tells the others, and they all follow his lead to the bridge—which acts as the waypoint, teleporting anyone to the mainland once they’ve been there before. For those who haven’t been off the island of Thannadas, Meric, Fance, and Seric will need to open a mass teleport for them to travel through. By the end of the day, every member of the guild should have access to the mainland—my home—and be able to come and go as they please.

  It’s a race against time to find a bunch of damn rabbits.

  And the Saviors are outnumbered twenty to one.

  Game on.

  20

  Of Rabbits And Men

  70 HOURS UNTIL THE BLOOD MOON

  The Saviors have been performing well in regards to the hunt. The barter system has worked, and we’ve traded valuable items and gold for information about the location of the nine rabbits. So far, we’ve found four. The Soldiers and the King’s Blood, however, have found seven.

  I wish I still had a friend in Alterlife among the two guilds. They would be able to tell me the location of the pelts we haven’t found yet.

  Bridges burned.

  Not my fault.

  Now where have I heard that excuse before?…

  Fine. It’s my fault. Feel better now?

  At least you’re able to admit it now. Baby steps.

  I’m working on it.

  Meric brings the report. I take a break from the training, cutting the hour short by a few minutes. The sparring fades away, but the effects linger on—my head buzzing from the lights and the sounds, and the constant need to monitor my health so it doesn’t drop too low.

  “Tell me some good news, Meric,” I say. Taking a step towards him, my leg suddenly gives out and I collapse to one knee; my head, fuzzy.

  He grabs me by the arm. “Ace, are you alright?” Helps me stand.

  Shake it off. “I’m fine.”

  No, you’re not. Your body is shutting down because you haven’t slept in over four days. Your mind has been here the entire time, in overdrive.

  It has to be.

  “We’ve just found number five. And there’s word from Fance that he’s on the way to collect the sixth now.”

  I stand up straight, acting like a strong leader. “Excellent. Keep up the good work.” I keep my orders short and sweet, not really wanting to talk to him, or anyone else, right now. And, I don’t want to appear weak. They all know what to do, anyway.

  “Sir,” Meric salutes, then leaves to rejoin the hunt.

  I turn around to address the next group and can feel the ground spin beneath me. To keep from falling over, I take Thal’s Sword of Eternity and use it like a cane to prop up my body weight.

  It’s time to take a break.

  Hedwig takes note of my condition and walks next to me. “How you doin’, old timer?” he asks.

  That’s what I like about you Hedwig; you speak your mind and don’t let titles or reputations intimidate you from being yourself.

  “I’ve been better.”

  “You need to rest. As someone who knows what it’s like to burn the midnight oil, take it from me. You’re not helping anyone if you’re not your best self.”

  I raise my eyes to his, fully aware of how I must appear to everyone right now. “How do I look?”

  Hedwig raises his chin proudly. “Like a Commander, sir.”

  I put a hand on his shoulder. “Tell everyone to take a fifteen minute break. After that, we resume.”

  “Fifteen minutes is hardly enough time to…”

  “Fifteen minutes, Hedwig. Thank you.”

  He gives a sharp nod. “As you will.”

  I log off while I can still stand.

  I can barely take the NueView off, I’m so exhausted.

  Giology comes into the room. “I saw you nearly fall in the arena. Here, take this,” he says and offers me a cup of coffee.

  You almost saw me fall? That just happened. I didn’t know you were there.

  I take the cup. “Thanks.” Before placing it to my lips, I notice him staring so I lower the cup. “What’s in this? Did you put drugs in here?”

  He takes a couple steps back. “Yes. You need the help, Ace.”

  “Some help you are, Gio,” I tell him, and lean forward to place the cup on the ground next to the recliner. I go to stand and move towards the door.

  “Where are you going?”

  “To get a cup of coffee—black, with nothing else in it.”

  He waves a hand. “Sit down, Ace.” Calls to Yuna to bring a cup of coffee. Thirty seconds later, she walks in with a steaming cup and hands it to me. Places a glass of water and a separate glass of ice onto the small table. Like a zombie craving brains, I reach for the ice and drop a couple cubes into the coffee. Take a long drink and am thankful for the temporary shot of caffeine, even though it does very little for me. Guess it’s more placebo at this point than anything else.

  Gio steps towards me. “What are you going to do on the day of war? Do you really think that you’ll be able to perform in this condition?”

  No.

  “I’ll be fine. Make it work, somehow.”

  “Nonsense.”

  I turn my gaze to him. “Look, if I could sleep, I would. But we can’t afford that; you know it, and I know it.”

  “Then take the medicine!” he yells.

  I stare at the bulging vein on his forehead and would be lying if I said that I didn’t take pleasure in making him feel this way. It pleases me to see him so upset and out of control.

  I raise the cup of joe up at him, then take a sip. Walk to the bucket and prepare to take a piss. Turn around to find him still standing in the room. “You wanna watch?”

  He scoffs and storms out of the room.

  After relieving myself, I go to the window-wall and press the button. Inside his room, Gio stomps around, picks up a wicker chair and throws it against the wall. Rips his yoga mat off the floor, and tosses it across the room.

  I drink my coffee and relish the moment.

  This is better than TV.

  After unleashing his wrath, he takes a deep breath and stands still. Raises his head to the sky and closes his eyes.

  Namaste, bitch.

  Moments later, he regains his composure and puts everything back in its place. He smooths out the mat, places the chair back in its
exact location, and replaces the incense. Pushes his glasses back up on his nose and straightens his dress clothes.

  I hear the lock click on the door and I quickly press the button.

  Yuna walks in with a plate of grilled fish and steamed vegetables.

  “Thank you,” I tell her.

  Without saying a word or looking me in the eye, she leaves and locks the door behind her.

  Four hours later, bad news arrives.

  “They’ve found the eighth rabbit,” Meric notes.

  Just hearing that almost makes me laugh. Rabbits… ridiculous.

  He continues. “Fance did locate the sixth for us, but I’m afraid we’re running out of time to catch up. They only need one more.”

  I look at all the faces inside the arena, each processing the dire report.

  I speak loud enough to be heard by all. “It’s not over until it’s over.” Address the leaders. “Double-up what we’re willing to give for any information about the locations. Offer them anything—the world if you need to. Whatever it takes.”

  No doubt, some of the Saviors will be scammed by doing this, ignorant to the cutthroat ways of the world. Cheaters and liars are everywhere. Some may even be solicited for personal favors...

  If that’s the way it goes, then so be it. We’ve no other choice but to put it all out on the table.

  Giology looks to me for an answer. “What are we going to do?”

  “The same thing we have been doing,” I tell him as I wave the next group on to get ready to spar.

  Three hours later, Seric brings news.

  “We’ve found the eighth rabbit. Meric and his group are in route to retrieve it right now. But they’re saying it’s difficult.”

  “How difficult?” I ask.

  “A dungeon of some sort, filled with monsters. They need reinforcements.”

  “I’m sure they’ll be fine.”

  That’s what the training is for. Time to step into the real world and see the fruits of their labor.

  Meric suddenly comes running into the arena, his health dangerously low. “We need help. It’s more than the ten in my party can take on.”

  Seric immediately begins to heal him.

  “Is everyone alright? Are there any casualties?” Gio asks, concerned.

  Meric cocks his head, briefly widening his eyes. “For now, no. Everyone still breathes. But in order to get the pelt, we’re going to need a lot of firepower. At least a hundred more Saviors.”

  Gio nods. “Take as many as you need.” Points at Meric as the Dragoon is already backing away towards the portal, preparing to rejoin his party. “You’re in command of them. Make sure they all come back, alive.”

  “Sir,” Meric salutes, then barks an invitation at everyone in the arena. It doesn’t take long for him to gain well over a hundred volunteers.

  Eager to test their new skills. That’s good. Get some battle experience before we go to war with the guilds.

  “Ace, time to log off.”

  I turn to Gio. “What?”

  His avatar disappears.

  Shit. I know what he’s about to…

  Back in the recliner, I regain my senses as Alterlife is ripped away. “What the hell?”

  Gio moves his hands away after peeling the Brainwave off of my head.

  “Whatever choice you think you have here, you’re wrong. I’ve been patient with you, but the time for rationalities has run out. I’ll be right back.” He leaves the room in a rush, doesn’t even bother shutting and locking the door.

  Dammit, Gio. Don’t do it. Don’t make me take them…

  It’s going to be alright.

  Moments later, he returns with a syringe and the pills. “There’s epinephrine in the shot—don’t worry, I’ve already done extensive research on both drugs and how they react to one another, along with the dosage. No harm will come to you.”

  “Why do I feel like that’s the furthest from the truth?”

  He hands them to me. “Ace, why would I wish ill will onto you? You’re the savior of the Saviors. The one that’s going to save the world. I would rather die than see anything bad happen to you.” Steps back and speaks with urgency. “Right now, our enemies are nearing the peak of the mountain. I… I don’t want to know what’s going to happen if they reach the top before we do. I don’t want to think about it.”

  Just to get him out of my room, I take what he’s offering. “Leave me.”

  He inclines a courteous nod that attempts to hide his true feelings, turns around, walks out of the room, and closes and locks the door behind him. If I didn’t take the drugs from his hand, I wonder if he would have forced them on me.

  I hear the door to his room close.

  “And don’t watch,” I yell out.

  I hear him over the intercom. “I’m not. I promise. Privacy is yours.” A pause. “I’ll see you back in the arena.”

  The arena. The man in the arena…

  Yeah, I’ve been a few rounds with the devil before, and somehow always thought I came out even. Hell, maybe even winning a few bouts from time to time. But looking back now, I think I’ve been losing all along.

  Not from a lack of money, or a lack of freedom.

  No, the battle I’ve been losing is the one with time.

  I’ve been such a fool.

  For years, everything I could have ever wanted was already there, right in front of me. I was just too blind to see. My family was everything—is everything I could ever want or need. Through the good times and the bad, we stick it out, and that’s what makes us better equipped for this mixed up, crazy world. The journey we all walk solidifies our bond with one another. They are my people, and I am theirs. To walk through this life with the ones you love—to relish in the good times, and make it through the bad times, all while being together—that’s one of the greatest things in the world.

  And I’ve been spending my time chasing the almighty dollar.

  My kids didn’t want more money from me—more things, more possessions. Neither did Jenny, though she’s been known to enjoy shopping sometimes. Who doesn’t? No, all they wanted from me was my time; for me to be there with them and to just enjoy having them around. All I ever wanted was for them to enjoy life, and to have the freedom to be whoever they want to be.

  And I’ve been squandering time away by being jealous of others, and by being selfish in my pursuits.

  I see that now.

  There’s got to be some retribution for me.

  Let me win this final round. Even if it costs me my life, I’ll give it willingly.

  I think I’m due for a comeback.

  Please.

  I close my eyes.

  Against my resolve, I put the pills into my mouth and swallow them down with a glass of water. The syringe goes into my thigh, and I press the drug into my body.

  It’s just medicine.

  I sit back and wait for the adrenaline to kick in as I stare at the white wall in front of me. Slowly place the Brainwave back onto my head.

  Seconds later, I can feel a change. Energy like I haven’t felt in a long time.

  Prepare to log in and give it all that I’ve got, one more time.

  Just give me one last shot...

  Oddly enough, I suddenly feel better inside of Alterlife. I’m more aware; sharper than I was before. My thoughts are clearer, and new ideas are already popping into my head.

  I wonder what I’d feel like back in the real world now that the drugs have had time to course through my blood.

  Squirt runs into the arena and raises his arms. When I see him, I stop the training.

  “Meric and the others got the eighth rabbit!” he says.

  Everyone in the Colosseum cheers.

  Squirt runs up to me. “They’re on their way back now.”

  “Excellent. How long will they be?” As soon as I finish my words, I see Meric and his party running towards me. He meets me in the middle of the arena and holds a piece of paper up in front of me.

 
I take it from him.

  “Found this on the eighth rabbit,” he says.

  “It’s a map,” I say.

  “None of us know how to read it.”

  I do.

  “How can we find the location of the ninth if nobody can read the map?” Giology asks, frustrated. He looks to me. “Please tell me you can decipher this, Ace.”

  “I can.”

  Sudden relief washes over everyone.

  Fance raises his voice and throws his axe over his shoulder. “Well then, what are we waiting for? Let’s get that last pelt. Commander Ace, lead the way.”

  I smile at Fance, recalling the thrill of the treasure hunt. Not to mention, I could do for a change of scenery.

  “Gladly, Sir Fance. Gladly.”

  21

  Solo

  36 HOUR UNTIL THE BLOOD MOON

  Deciphering the map is no problem. Over my last two treasure hunts, I’ve become skilled enough to pinpoint nearly any location on any given map. Now, thanks to Thannadas, and this map, I’m a Grandmaster Cartographer, and finding the location of the ninth is a breeze.

  It wasn’t always this way, though. It took a lot of grinding to obtain that skill. Many hours went into honing it.

  Along with many hours spent with Deana.

  Better times. Times when we would talk and laugh and wonder about the world of Alterlife like a couple of kids, both curious and excited to see what was over the next hill; what new experience might lie around the next corner.

  Not anymore. The wonder is gone. Like a couple of tired adults living in the real world, we’re jaded now.

  And no longer friends. Remember that.

  No worries. It’s not like I’m going to see her before the war anyway…

  My eyes widen as Deana comes riding straight for me. She, along with Gage and the rest of their party, rides to meet us on the road.

  I hold my arm up to the Saviors. “Everyone keep your mouth shut and don’t say anything.”