Alterlife III

by Matt Moss

  “I’ve seen a few fishermen here from time to time, but not many people come to this place. I guess that’s why Davi chose it,” Cervial says.

  “With the rite taking place tonight, do you think he’ll show?”

  Cervial leans around the giant oak that we’re hiding behind and looks up to the sky. “I don’t know.”

  “Well, we can’t afford to sit here much longer. Every minute we waste is a minute we could use to mentally prepare for the war tonight.” I pick up another rock and throw it into the pond.

  “Will you stop doing that?” Cervial asks.

  I stare at him, pick up another rock and throw it into the water.

  He shakes his head.

  That’s it. No more waiting.

  “It’s time to go,” I say.

  No sooner than the words leave my mouth, a sound from overhead, similar to an airplane, makes me pause.

  “That’s him. Go now. Quickly,” Cervial says in a hushed voice as he motions for me to run.

  I take off through the woods, darting between the oaks and pines, and jumping over fallen logs and broken trunks that are in my way, to gain an advantageous position from behind.

  The noise continues to grow until the god touches down on the ground near the pond. The secluded grove becomes deathly silent. Curious, Davi turns and observes the fading ripples in the water.

  “Cervial? Are you here?” his voice booms, echoing through the forest. “Someone is close by. Who is it?”

  With my back to a tree, I equip Thal’s Swords of Eternity. Glance at Cervial and give him a nod. He nods back.

  “I am here,” Cervial says, stepping from his hiding place. Slowly, he walks towards the god.

  Davi turns to face Cervial as he remains standing by the pond. “Why have you been hiding from me, Cervial? I have called your name for many days now, but you did not answer.”

  Cervial holds his hands out, apologetically. “Forgive me. I have been rather busy as of late.”

  “Busy? I was under the impression that you didn’t want to meet with me anymore.” Davi says and switches his elemental staff from his left hand to his right.

  Cervial shows no fear as he bravely walks towards the god who could surely kill him. Speaks calmly, setting the trap. “Of course not, my lord. Nothing pleases me more than teaching you everything I know.”

  That’s it, Cervial. Keep distracting him.

  I step out from behind the tree and creep towards Davi, mindful of my steps so as to not make a sound.

  “I’m beginning to think that I already know everything that you know, and that you no longer have anything to teach me. If that is the case, then you are no longer useful to me. Would I be wrong in my presumptions?”

  Cervial draws closer to him now.

  Not too close, Cervial. Keep a safe distance.

  “Indeed, I have taught you much—nearly everything I know about Alterlife—but there is one lesson I’ve yet to teach you. And it’s the biggest one of them all.”

  Davi leans towards him slightly, eager to know more. “Tell me what it is. Now. I have other pressing affairs and don’t have much time to deal with you today. Tell me what you know, Cervial.”

  I leave the protection of the woods and step onto the lush, green grass at the edge of the pond, nearly fifty paces away from the god.

  “I will teach you this last lesson now since you’ve no time to waste.”

  Drawing closer now, my steps still light.

  “Go on,” Davi tells him.

  Closer.

  “Well, it’s uh…”

  Davi taps his staff on the ground, growing impatient.

  “It’s…”

  Damn. Cervial’s got nothing left to say. Time’s up. I’ve got to move.

  “Speak!” Davi commands.

  Cervial’s eyes shift ever so slightly to his left. Davi shifts his head, sensing.

  I use Dash to speed towards him, swords held out wide.

  Three strides away, Davi suddenly turns and waves his staff. “Gah!” All the water violently rises from the pond and blasts towards me. The impact stunts my attack and forces me backwards. Davi rises into the sky, out of reach.

  Locked onto him now, I prepare to Jump.

  “You!” Davi says as he calls down lightning from the sky. It strikes me, but doesn’t deal much damage. His eyes go wide in shocking revelation.

  I’m sure he’s not used to someone being able to take a hit like that.

  My feet leave the ground as I use the Jump skill. He tries to fly away, but there is no escaping Jump once I lock onto a target. Rising into the air, I then drop quickly and bring Thal’s swords down upon Davi, cutting his health in half. Landing back on the bank of the pond, I look up and prepare to Jump again.

  Davi curses, then soars high up into the sky, barely visible, and far beyond targetable. Safe from my vengeance, his voice booms over the land.

  “Thank you for sharing all of your knowledge with me, Cervial. It has helped in more ways than you know.” In the blink of an eye, he zooms into the eastern sky and flies away towards Baleton.

  Cervial walks to meet me and breathes a sigh of relief. “I’m sorry, Ace.”

  I put my swords away. “Sometimes, the fish gets away. Still, it was valued experience. Now I know what I can take from him. And he knows how powerful I am.”

  Cervial looks down. “Still, I feel at fault. He saw me glance at you, and that’s what alerted him.”

  “No worries.” I prepare to teleport back to Atlantis. “What was he talking about during that last bit, Cervial? What knowledge did you share with him?”

  A blank stare. “Nothing. Nothing of note.”

  You lie.

  I open the portal for us. “Whatever he was talking about, it doesn’t matter. He’ll be dead in a few more hours, you can be sure of that.” I place a hand on his shoulder. “No more running, Cervial.”

  He forces a grin, then walks into the teleport.

  No more running; for anyone.

  26

  The Last Supper

  6 HOURS UNTIL THE BLOOD MOON

  Giovisi unlocks my door. Walks over to me with a pair of wire cutters in hand.

  “Don’t move.”

  He places the tool between my wrists and cuts the cable.

  Shocked, I move my arms freely. It feels strange.

  He bends down and cuts the ties from my ankles.

  “What is this?” I ask, stretching my legs out.

  “Take the NueView off and join me outside whenever you are ready.” Without saying another word, he leaves the room and closes the door.

  Slowly, I raise my arms and remove the Brainwave. Unstrap the NueView from my chest and take the contacts out. It feels like the tops of my eyeballs are going to rip away with them. Gently, I place the system beside me on the floor, then stand.

  Stretch.

  My god, I never thought it would feel so good to stretch.

  I’ve always taken my freedom of mobility for granted. Only when it was taken away from me did I realize how blessed we are to be able to move our bodies.

  I go to the window-wall and press the button. Everything looks normal inside Gio’s room. Press it again and place my hand on the door handle. I don’t know if I want to open it; don’t know what’s waiting on the other side.

  There’s only one way to find out.

  I turn the handle and swing the door open. In the middle of the cleaning room, there’s a fold-out table with a tablecloth, two chairs, and place settings for two.

  Giovisi stands next to the table and offers me a seat. He’s wearing dress clothes—a white shirt, sleeves buttoned around his wrists, and a black tie which matches his black pants. Shoes that shine. Fresh haircut and a shave.

  “Please, join me for a meal.”

  I take a seat and can’t help but to fix my eyes on the steak knife that’s among my silverware. All I need to do is catch him when he’s not looking.

  He takes his seat and places the white lin
en napkin in his lap.

  “Steak is on the menu tonight. It will be paired with a house salad and grilled asparagus.” He sits up straight and places both hands on the table. “What will you be drinking? I recommend the Cabernet Sauvignon, but we also have a selection of craft beer if you would prefer.”

  I’m still getting used to the freedom and am trying to figure out what’s going on.

  He’s feeding you. Be grateful.

  The last supper…

  “Water will be fine. Thank you.”

  Giovisi snaps his fingers, and Yuna comes walking into the room carrying a plate with a loaf of sliced bread in one hand and a bottle of oil in the other. She takes two small plates from the table, pours some oil onto each, sprinkles in a mixture of herbs, then hands a plate to each of us. Halves the bread and splits it between Gio and me.

  “Water for our guest. Wine for me, please. Thank you,” Gio tells her.

  Yuna inclines a bow, then leaves the room. Apparently, there’s a kitchen behind the front desk. Hell, maybe an entire apartment. I wonder if Yuna stays here all the time.

  I wait for Gio to talk, but he doesn’t. We both sit and enjoy the bread.

  Fine by me because I got nothing to say. The only thing this date reminds me of is how I’m his prisoner and how my life has been ripped away from me. I don’t give a shit about his deal with Alterlife and forcing me to either play or rot here if I don’t—he’s crossed the line. He knows that.

  Yuna returns with our drinks. “The food will be ready shortly.”

  “Thank you.”

  Every minute or so, Gio’s eyes meet mine, but only briefly. He’s probably just as nervous as I am now that I’m loose. Probably has Yuna holding that shotgun behind the wall there. Likely has a pistol under the table, ready to draw on me if I make a move towards him with the steak knife.

  He’s breaking bread with you right now. Take that in good faith.

  Either way, we both need each other in Alterlife right now. And we’re so far in, there’s no turning away from it; no escaping our fate. In a few more hours, we’re going to war.

  Might as well enjoy the meal that’s to come and this last bit of time we have here.

  Gio takes a slow drink of wine, savors the flavor, sets his glass down and speaks. “Ace, I want you to know that when this is over—when we win the war—I’m going to set you free. You’ll walk right out of here and go home to your wife and children. Live your life once again.” He pauses in choosing his next words, then gives me a genuine look of concern. “I know that we’ve had our differences, and I can’t take back what I’ve done to you. Just know that it had to be this way. I just hope that we can be friends when it’s all over.”

  I feel the urge to catch him by surprise, flip the table and lunge towards him, knife in hand. Wormy little son of a bitch.

  I cock my head and suck air through my teeth. “Friends? Never going to happen.” I meet his gaze. “But I can assure you that we will never cross paths again. After this is over, I never want to see you again.”

  He purses his lips and nods. “Fair enough. I understand.”

  Yuna brings the food and sets my plate down in front of me.

  “Steak is my favorite. Thank you.”

  She bows, then serves Gio.

  We both eat in silence. Normally, I’d be so enraged that I wouldn’t want to eat, but I’ve come to terms with where I’m at right now. I just want to enjoy the food and prepare myself for when I log back into Alterlife and all the things to come.

  After the meal, I speak. “You better stay true to your word and release me after we win this war. If you don’t…” I search for the right words, my blood pressure rising. “You think Thal is the worst of your worries? He’s a little bitch compared to me. I’ll burn Alterlife, and everything in it, to the ground. Including Atlantis and everyone who’s there.” I give him my best Samuel L. Jackson eyes to emphasize how serious I am as I narrow my gaze onto his.

  He pushes his glasses back tight on his face. “I’m a man of my word, Ace. I never break a promise.”

  “Good. Let’s get this over with.”

  I wolf down the meal and excuse myself from the table. Walk back into my room, shut the door, and take my seat in the recliner.

  Moments later, the key goes into the lock and the deadbolt slides—click.

  I strap back up and prepare to login.

  27

  The Navigator

  3 HOURS UNTIL THE BLOOD MOON

  The leaders of the Saviors stand on the bridge in Atlantis, preparing for departure.

  I turn around and find Gio standing on his balcony, overlooking the city for what might be his last time.

  In front of me—lined down the road all the way to the Colosseum, overflowing to the inside—are the Saviors, ready for battle.

  Every one of us are equipped with the finest weapons and armor the Grandmaster Smiths could produce; each item imbued with magic, and our inventories all full of potions.

  I speak to Meric. “You’ve been to Eden before. Open a mass teleport to the town so everyone else can travel there.”

  “Yessir.” He conjures the spell and opens the portal.

  “See you on the field of battle,” Fance says and grips my hand.

  A firm handshake as I look him square in the eye. “I’ll meet with you there, Fancy.”

  He looks around, nervous that someone heard the name, then glares at me in warning. Mumbles a few curse words under his breath then walks through the portal.

  Seric steps to me, clicks her heels and salutes before she leaves. I salute back.

  Squirt’s next. “See you soon, Commander.”

  “See ya soon, kid.”

  Be careful.

  Meric stands proudly. “We’re with you, Ace. To the end.” Before I can reply, he goes into the portal.

  The rest of the Saviors follow his lead and run through the portal, twelve-wide, filling the road with their cadence.

  Five minutes later, the portal fades away and I stand alone on the bridge.

  Giology joins me.

  He speaks, breaking the haunting silence that sits over the city. “What about the Staff of Deity?” he asks. “Does it worry you?”

  “It would have been nice to have it, but in the hands of our enemies, no, it doesn’t worry me. We’re going to kill the gods anyway, so I don’t see how it’s going to benefit them.”

  “And what then when they raise Thal and control the God of War with the staff? That doesn’t worry you?”

  I don’t know what’s worse, Thal in control of himself, or someone else in control of Thal.

  “There won’t be a Thal if we finish the war before they can perform the rite.” I turn to him with a confident grin. “Did you summon our… friends?”

  No sooner than I say the words, I see Gio’s eyes shift to the road ahead. A horde of monkeys come running through the town, emerging from the jungle.

  They gather around us on the bridge, hooping and hollering.

  Cries from the sky.

  Gio and I look up.

  Drakes take turns flying down to both sides of the bridge, and the monkeys jump onto their backs.

  Shake my head. “I wouldn’t have believed it if I wasn’t seeing it for myself.”

  “Then let us hope then that our enemies won’t see it coming,” Giology notes.

  The airship rises over the hills, flies over the Colosseum, turns in the air, then comes to meet us. Slowing to a stop over the bridge, it hovers and drops us a rope.

  I climb up the rope, grip the railing, and jump onto the deck of the ship.

  “Welcome aboard, Commander,” Hedwig says with pride.

  I clap him on the shoulder. “Well done, Hedwig. This is a marvel to behold. A true one-of-a-kind.”

  He folds his hands and places them on his stomach. “Well, as grand as she is, I’m still getting used to flying. I’m afraid to report that the last time I took her out, which was the first time, I didn't fare so well. It pai
ns me to say that I lost my lunch, and a bit of breakfast to boot.”

  I recall some of my experiences on a helicopter, and can see how it could make someone queasy. Jenny and I took a tour in one over the Smokey Mountains during our fifth anniversary trip to Gatlinburg. We didn’t have money to do much else, but that twenty-minute trip made Jenny smile from ear-to-ear, and that was worth it to me. Her smile is priceless.

  “Where are we heading?” Hedwig asks.

  “You know how to get there by using a portal, but can you guide us from the air?” Giology asks, jumping onboard next to us.

  “No.” I grin. “I’m going to let the Creator guide us.”

  Gio smiles at that. “Now, you are a true son of Thannadas.”

  Just as we’re about to leave, a monkey climbs the rope and jumps on deck. Screams at me.

  I tilt my head and size it up.

  That’s the same, damn, dirty primate that’s been on my case since I first arrived here…

  I look at Gio and point at the beast. “He’s not coming with us.” I move to scare it off. “Get out of here, you little bastard.”

  It jumps back, leaps to the side and climbs the mast in the middle of the ship. Shits in its hand and throws it towards me. I jump out of the way to avoid the flying feces.

  “Yep. That’s the last straw.” As I prepare to use a Fireball on the monkey, it screams at me again and points north, towards the palace.

  “Wait, Ace,” Giology urges. “Look. He’s telling us something.” Gio runs to Hedwig who’s standing ready at the wheel. “Hedwig, go north, past the palace, and stay the course until we tell you to change direction.”

  “Aye, aye, sir.” Hedwig chuckles. He speaks to himself out loud. “I’ve always wanted to say that.”

  I cross my arms. “Are you telling me the monkey is going to show us the way?”

  Giology holds his hands out and smiles. “The Creator works in mysterious ways.”