From the Beginning

by Benjamin Haynes

  Defense Power:191

  Health:1271/1271

  Stamina:658/658

  Attack Speed +1

  Casting Speed +0

  Critical Hit +3

  Movement Speed +1

  Chapter Eighteen

  Making quick work of the boots Dante tossed them to Terrance without inspecting them as his Arcane Smithing leveled up to +13 Beginner. Excitement at achieving what had been impossible was overtaking him as he thrust a fist into the air and gave a shout of elation. Putting on the armor which now looked more like the old plated armor he had been wearing with a bone-like texture and scattered runes Terrance ran forward and high-fived Dante.

  “Fucking awesome man!” Terrance said in thanks.

  Walking out covered in sweat Dante led the group out of the cave on to the road. In no time they made it to the pass and were now in Trittaram territory with no further incidents. Still in a cheery mood the three almost walked into the gates that were closing off the pass. Looking around for a way in and finding nothing Dante shouted out in hopes of attaining the attention of guards.

  “Hello!” He yelled cupping his hands around his mouth to increase the volume. “Anyone there?”

  After a few moments there was someone clad in simple armor atop the ramparts “Hello yourself stranger! What are you doing in imp territory?”

  “Killing legendary beasts and creating peace among imps and humans!” Dante hollered back with a chuckle.

  There was a long silence as the man stepped back and soon the gates were swinging open with a small platoon of armed men waiting on the other side.

  “What nonsense are you speaking son” a grizzled old guard said from the front of the group.

  “I killed Chief Targith” and with a thought he triggered his new title Legendary Beast Champion “As well as laid to rest the Imp Wiseman so that neither will rise again.”

  Shock and then shouts of happiness quickly came from the group before the leader quieted the group down “So the land is ripe for the picking huh?”

  Standing tall as if blocking view of the land behind him from the group of greedy men Dante spoke with a stern and authoritative voice. “No one shall ransack those lands. They are in the care of the humans and the imps who were mistreated by the Chief and they all wish to live better lives!” The older man took a step forward and began to speak until Dante raised his blades and took a fighting stance. “Anyone who tries will face me and though I may die, unlike you I will come back. So please try me. The one who has slain not one but three legendary beasts.”

  Taking a step back and throwing his arms up in surrender the man did not press the issue. “I am not about to argue with someone crazy enough to achieve something like that title suggests.” Then with a signal he ordered the men out of the way and to let Dante and his party pass unscathed.

  Keeping a watchful eye on the men until he got out of site Dante and the party let out an audible breath as their own tension eased before resuming a more relaxed saunter through the pass. The mines to their right as they passed through the end of the pass seemed to have long since run down and were not being used by either imps or dwarves as they had in the past. No travelers were on the road as they got closer to Kerdon city. Not wanting to draw any extra unwanted attention Dante turned off his title before they met anyone else.

  Kerdon had grown since Dante had played the game. It had been a smaller city with decent trade and only two taverns at the time of the game. Now though it was massive, and had spread across the river overtaking the farm lands that had been there before. Refuse littered the ground though not to the point it could be considered unsanitary. Live with people and animals of all shapes and sizes none of which paid any amount of attention to the group as they passed through.

  “Where are we going next!” Terrance shouted over the din of the crowds.

  Pointing ahead to a sign depicting a pig holding a tankard Dante led both Terrance and Erchik through Main Street until they were standing before the building that could best be described as a busy though somewhat rundown pub.

  As they walked in there was a shout from the bar “Leave the imp outside! Their kind isn’t welcome in here!”

  Ignoring the booming voice Dante lead both of his companions to the bar replying to the glaring man “If you want my coin then both of my companions are welcome to join since all three of us will be placing orders.”

  Looking rather surprised the man looked first at Erchik then at Dante. “You let your slave order food or drink in public?!”

  “No I let my friends order anything they like on my tab,” Dante responded staring down the man “and I would like to start with a full bottle of Serlonian rum and a clean glass while,” looking at Terrance who simply raised two fingers “Terrance seems to want some Serlonian rum as well so make that two glasses a bottle and whatever Erchik decides.” Slamming a handful of gold coins on the counter causing the bartender's eyes to go wide.

  “Honey mead please,” Erchik spoke softly and politely.

  Pointing at a nearby table. “We’ll be over there and I’ll have my eyes on you if you try anything,” Dante said before he turned and walked with the other two to the table.

  Eyeing the bartenders every movement Dante thanked the woman who brought over their orders and change. While leaning in to pour each one a drink she spoke quietly “Careful flashing that kind of money. Might invite less savory types to try their hands at your pockets. Also don’t mind Patty, he’s lost some loved ones to the imps over the pass.”

  Nodding acceptance and tipping the woman graciously the three drank heartily and began to relax a bit and talk amongst themselves. Other patrons eyed them strangely but otherwise left the three alone. Day turned to night and all three were happily drunk as they stumbled up to a room they had rented for the night before the drink sank in too deeply.

  Dante Alexander: Knight Mage

  Level: 31.76

  Attack Power:114

  Defense Power:326

  Health:1674/1674

  Mana:812/812

  Stamina:611/611

  Attack Speed +5

  Casting Speed +5

  Critical Hit +4

  Movement Speed +4

  Gear:

  Main Hand

  +14 Blade of Chaos

  Off Hand

  +14 Short Sword of Chaos

  Helm

  +19 Hidden Circlet of Chaos +150 HP

  Armor

  +25 Leather Breastplate of Chaos +250 HP and +30% Damage Reduction

  Gloves

  +14 Leather Gloves of Chaos

  Shoes

  +14 Leather Shoes of Chaos

  Set effects:

  2 pieces: + 1 to casting/ attacking speed

  3 Pieces: ???

  Full set: ???

  L Earring slot Empty

  R Earring slot Empty

  L Ring slot Ring of Attack +1 to attack speed

  R Ring slot Empty

  Necklace slot Empty

  Belt slot Empty

  Skills:

  Basic Attack

  Swift Strike

  Cascading Blades

  Scatter Blades

  Chaotic Shield

  Hidden Power

  Cycle of Fate

  Chaos Hold

  Shadows of Chaos

  Intertwined Fates

  Chaos Dash

  Plight of Chaos

  Chaotic Blast

  Chaotic Subterfuge

  Light of Chaos

  Dominion of Chaos

  Core Attack: Annihilation

  Chaotic Flow

  Evasive Blade Stance

  Companions:

  Terrance Walsh: Warrior

  Level:26.23

  Attack Power:102

  Defense Power:242

  Health:1661/1661

  Stamina:832/832

  Attack Speed +2

  Casting Speed +1

  Critical Hit +4

  Movement Speed +4

  Erc
hik: Crossbowman

  Level:28.14

  Attack Power:97

  Defense Power:191

  Health:1290/1290

  Stamina:674/674

  Attack Speed +1

  Casting Speed +0

  Critical Hit +3

  Movement Speed +1

  Chapter Nineteen

  Dante woke to the agonized groans of someone nearby, head throbbing and mouth dry as the night before had left its mark on him. Looking around he saw Erchik sitting up in the second bed peering over at him with a smirk. It was then that Dante noticed that his armor was strewn on the floor and the groan he’d heard came from the warm fleshy thing slowly wiggling around next to him buried in the blankets.

  “Shit!” Was all that escaped his mouth as he tumbled out of bed inciting pain from his throbbing head while causing a new dull pain as his bare butt hit the solid wooden floor. Feeling more than a little vulnerable he rushed over to his leather pants and put them on as quickly as possible.

  Just as he’d gotten the last button done up and was reaching for his chest piece Terrance popped his head out of the blankets he’d just vacated with another groan and a single barely open eye. “Why are you making so much noise?” he asked not yet noticing his own state of nakedness.

  “I… uh…” Dante stumbled over his words all the while struggling to cover himself with every bit of armor he had available.

  “Great show last night,” Erchik piped up with a chuckle and pointing first to a confused Terrance then to Dante.

  This of course caused Terrance to sit up in confusion and swiftly realize he was clothless underneath the blanket. “Show?” he said not sure he’d want to hear the answer.

  “Oh yes,” Erchik said. “You two were doing all sorts of noise making in the bed last night. Tumbling around under the sheets and throwing a pillow at one point when I’d asked if you were ok.” Ending his words directing them to where a pillow rested on the floor below his bed.

  As Dante had done before Terrance shot out of bed in a hurry to cover himself but unlike Dante he managed to fall face first onto the hard floor eliciting a boisterous laugh from Erchik. Holding his head to steady himself and quickly moving about gathering his belongings Terrance donned his clothes not once looking at Dante as he did so. Once they were all ready to go the three of them walked downstairs and awkwardly decided to get food from a street cart on their way out of town. Munching lazily on the greasy meat skewers between bites of rolls and sips of fruit juice they headed further south for a few miles before anyone spoke again.

  “Where… Where are we headed now?” Terrance said not making eye contact with Dante.

  Taking a deep breath Dante spoke in a calm tone “To the shrine of demons.”

  At this Terrance stopped and grabbed Dante’s arm to halt him and looking at him with an incredulous stare shouting. “Are you fucking crazy, or are you just trying to see how many times you can die?”

  Yanking his arm away Dante gave a scathing look. “No Terrance I am trying to complete what I was sent here to do. I am hunting the stupid fucking legendary beasts” hands now waving in the air as if to depict magical emanations, “and see where in the hell it leads me.”

  Throwing his hands in the air in frustration Terrance just started marching onward grumbling under his breath about crazy Adventurers and their insane desires for pain. While this was happening, Erchik looked from one to the other snickering but otherwise keeping his comments to himself.

  Wanting to get to the shrine before dark but knowing they needed to rest Dante called for a break at midday as the three of them came across a stone bridge that seemed to drape over a little stream.

  “I think I need to cool off,” was all Dante said before wandering downstream for a private dip in the cool clear waters leaving Terrance and Erchik standing there debating who would catch lunch for them.

  A short while later while Dante was basking in the sun to dry off, armor placed securely in his inventory instead of strewn on the ground he was shocked from his peaceful mindset by a cold splash of water. Looking up in surprise Dante saw a clothless Terrance smiling and getting ready to splash him again.

  Unsure at first Dante hesitated until a large splash of water drenched him and chilled him to the bones. Without thought, he jumped into the waist deep water and began splashing back and forth with Terrance laughing the whole time. After they were done goofing off and both felt thoroughly clean and refreshed they laid in the sun on a warm stone outcropping and stole glances at each other.

  “We… Um… We should talk about what happened…” Dante spoke first though looking at the cloudless sky instead of at Terrance as he spoke.

  “Yeah,” Terrance replied. “I really don’t know what happened, but...” Thinking over his next words carefully. “But I do know I feel a connection with you all the same.”

  Nodding agreement Dante looked over at Terrance finally, eyeing his flawless lightly tanned skin from his feet up to the messy blond mop of hair on his head before settling on his strikingly deep blue eyes, followed by looking up at the sky again. “Where I come from,” he began, “this sort of thing. This kind of relationship is still frowned upon. Most of the world has laws to protect it, and it is mostly treated as something you politely ignore if you are not partaking. Those unable to politely ignore…” Taking a deep breath before continuing “Those who can’t simply let others be happy tend to attack those who take part in this sort of relationship. Either with words or acts of physical violence.”

  Terrance sat quietly watching Dante as he spoke but not saying anything until he was sure Dante was done. “It is not much different here, though most would only do these things in secret while feeling shame and not wanting their friends and families to spurn or shame them for being this way.”

  “Not so different then,” Dante said. “I’ve always been this way and though I have tried to have relationships, my love life has been lacking at best up to this point.” Chuckling at remembering the few times he’d managed to date a guy here or there.

  Terrance nodded agreement, “I can’t speak for you but I felt almost pulled to you when we first met and though I you joked around about this sort of thing with me I can’t say I didn’t think about what you had said.”

  Shaking his head as if to loosen the mental cobwebs inside Terrance sat up and pulled Dante closer, hugging him and chuckled before Dante continued. “My friend Shen always used to say ‘Even in jest we say things we mean deep inside’ so I guess I am not too surprised. I can also say I felt something when I met you. Almost like something was pushing me in your direction.”

  Head now nuzzled into Terrance’s bare chest Dante closed his eyes and thought aloud “I want to give this a try but I don’t want to hide this or for us to change who we are.”

  Kissing the top of Dante’s head Terrance nodded while agreeing aloud “I wouldn't want us to change either, and especially don’t want to hide what we have. Though there may be those who look down on us I would love to see them try to face you.” Laughing at the picture of one of the more aggressively hateful types he’d known back in Fort attempting to fight with Dante over a difference in beliefs.

  “Two souled is what we call your kind,” Erchik piped up walking towards the two with a string of fish slung over his shoulder. “I wouldn’t say we worshiped your kind, but we have great respect for two of the same gender who find love in each other. There should be no shame in love if you ask me. So long as you both are of sound mind and not hatchlings no one else should have say in what you do or how you live your lives.”

  Agreeing with that statement, and now that they were dry the two stood up and equipped their clothes before stepping away from the river and setting up a campfire to cook their lunch. They ate in silence, though no longer as awkward, the three didn’t speak a word but simply enjoyed the respite before setting out again. Trying to break the silence and semi-awkwardness Erchik told jokes and stories as they walked along the road after their meal heading mo
re westerly as they went.

  At one point he had both men laughing hard with tears of mirth wetting their cheeks until they heard something that sounded like a combination of a croak and a screech coming from the wooded area to their right. All three stopped in their tracks and readied themselves in case a creature decided to attack. Silently waiting they were rewarded with a repeat of the sound though this time it sounded closer than before.

  Bushes shook, and as they were watching in the direction of the noise a strange humanoid creature jumped out and upon seeing them croaked loudly in surprise. Looking it over Dante recognized one of the Frogue creatures of the game though this thing was more animalistic than he remembered. The slick almost slimy looking skin had patches of greens and reds. Hide armor looking to have been made from a combination of dead tree bark and an alligator or crocodile of some sort or another the color of murky swamp water and scales with scratches covered the emaciated creature that shook its spear at them. With bulbous eyes that were milky with flecks of green peeking out staring them down Dante was unsure what to do at first.

  Another one came out followed closely by two more all of which had the look of something born of frogs and humans and all of which seemed worked up into a frenzy upon finding the trio wandering down the road. Taking a moment Dante inspected them as each were between level thirty and thirty-five: