Glimmer, A Throne of Souls (Convergence Book 1)

by Stephen Landry

  “Tricks won’t work, the ropes are sealed with runes,” said Ethan motioning towards the small design drawn onto our ropes.

  “Trolls,” said Bendi. Both of them were just as tied up as I was. Bendi a bit more because of his small wings.

  Shitty luck. We had been attacked and taken prisoner by trolls.

  “Let us go,” I ordered.

  Charisma - Fail

  “No chance, starving, we are going to eat good,” said one of the cackling trolls. There were two of them. One was steering the hover barge while the other was guarding us. They started laughing. I wiggled as much as I could until finally I broke my one good arm free of the rope.

  Luck - Success.

  I undid the rope around my legs and felt my powers return.

  “What the hell!” the bigger guard Troll yelled.

  I cast an ice wall around myself freezing Bendi, Ethan, and both of the trolls. I found a small blunt pipe on the ground and grabbed it.

  Steel Pipe

  Melee type weapon

  Damage 10

  Weight 10

  “Good enough,” I said and swung at the frozen troll. He scattered into a million pieces. Slowly everyone began to thaw. I only had a few seconds to hit the troll that was steering before my luck ran out. It did. The troll swung around towards me. It thawed faster than both Bendi and Ethan and grabbed me by the throat. The hover barge began to turn sideways out of control. I felt us hit the ground and slide. The troll and I fell into the dirt that surrounded us. We were in an open field. They had taken us all the way back to Hunter’s Chase.

  The troll still had his hand around my throat when we both realized we had crashed. I felt it squeeze. My health began to drop. My armor wasn’t resisting, I guess it was only good as far as damage hitting it but the trolls hand was around my bare skin.

  The troll was green. It looked more like an orc than a troll but I guess that didn’t really matter. It was probably some kind of mutant anyway. I could see a small pistol on its belt. I reached for it and the troll laughed.

  “You want this,” it said mocking me, moving its hips backwards and motioning towards the pistol. It lifted me up off the ground.

  “Augmeniate lightorous,” yelled Ethan making a strange gesture with his hands. The troll swung side to side and than let go of me moving backwards towards the wrecked barge. It landed against the barge hard, its arms against it in the shape of a cross. There were wisps of violet and silver in the air. The troll growled cursing looking towards Ethan and than towards me.

  I walked over towards the troll. I was angry. Angry we were so far from Arcadia, angry all my loot had been stolen, angry for what he had done to my new friends, angry he was going to try and eat us. I pulled the pistol from his side an aimed it at his head. I pulled the trigger several times until his health was almost depleted and screamed.

  The troll had 10 health left. Ethan walked up towards me and put his hand on my shoulder.

  “Stand back please,” he said.

  I did as I was told, I was seeing red. Just barely calm enough to listen.

  “Lagindo Torch,” Ethan said with a very straight face moving his hands in a circle and casting a lilac glowing wave outwards towards the troll. The troll screamed and dissolved piece by piece as his flesh disappeared into a void.

  “I didn’t kill him if that is what you are thinking,” said Ethan.

  “What did you do?” I asked.

  “I cast him into another dimension, he may have a chance,” he said.

  “Another dimension?” I guess anything was possible. The rules of this world seemed to be changing all the time but then again this was a game and anything was possible.

  “I didn’t know you knew how to do that,” I said.

  “I didn’t want you to know, I’m more than a healer, I don’t like doing it though, look,” Ethan than showed me his arm. It was bleeding red with several runes, “each spell costs me something in return, this rune speaks to me. This time it was a part of my life force, years that will never return. If I use too many spells I will die,” he finished covering up the bleeding rune with a small rag.

  We found Bendi and the rest of our loot. I picked up my gear and examined the cargo hold of the barge. Inside were several paladin class weapons including a chainsaw sword I didn’t dare touch. There were tazers, pipes, small swords, pistols, shotguns, pitchforks and plasma cutters. It looked like the trolls had been scavenging old mines and stealing from farmhands.

  “We’re near the troll caverns. Currently we are in undiscovered country not Hunters Chase though both look much the same. The caverns lead into the Valley of Decay,” said Bendi clear as day. I thought it was strange. Whenever something seemed scripted he always sounded so clear.

  “I guess you want us to go to the Valley of Decay and pacify the rest of the trolls, right, wrong we need to get to Arcadia now! I’m done with this shit,” I exclaimed.

  “We have to stop the trolls, if we don’t Arcadia will never allow us to enter, they are far too scared of outsiders,” said Ethan.

  “You didn’t mention that before? So this quest is a mandatory not a request,” I yelled. I was close to Ethan’s face now. I was still seeing red. Angry we lost so much time. I lost so much time. Already I had been stuck in this world for 4 full days.

  “Five,” said Bendi.

  “Five what?” I yelled.

  “Five days, it is next day since trolls attack,” it said.

  I had forgotten Bendi was somewhat telepathic and could pick up on certain things I was thinking. Five days… Five days lost. Five days gone. Five days without speaking to anyone real without any answers.

  Ethan looked at me, “I’m sorry, but please you have to help us. I hadn’t told you before but there is a prophecy, the witch has spoken of it, spoken of you, The day the last one is reborn, a challenge shall bring a time of serenity and a time of peace,” he paused, “when I saw you in the woods I knew that you were last of the reborn, the unchained, everything about you was different, I could see it in your eyes, that is why I called you hero, that is why you are Arcadia’s champion and I beg of you to help us,” he finished. Of course there was a god damn prophecy.

  “Fine,” I said, “lets get this over with.”

  We approached the Valley of Decay at dawn. Two statues stood outside the dungeon entrance. For miles there were mountainous walls that stretched high around the valley encasing it like a dome. That was what the Valley was after all. It was a dome. A stadium the size of a small landmass for players to enhance their skills. It was a raid dungeon. A large area filled with trolls, daemons, and other alien creatures that were mid to high level. The Valley of Decay had at least three random mini-bosses I could remember and one final boss that I had fought against with five other players to beat. In the game you were sent to the Valley of Decay after visiting the hub for the first time and joining a hunters guild. The final boss in the Valley was an undead dragon called Fanden.

  I had never joined a guild, playing in a guild was not my style but I had friends that I had met along my journey who asked me for help. Every once in awhile I would round out someone’s raid team and join them on adventures. That was the only way I got into the valley.

  This was not fun, these people were not my friends, and I didn’t like the idea of being such a low level and entering such a fucked up place.

  The first statue was that of Vudione. Vudione was a much adored and vastly trusted goddess. Advice, family and existence are but a few elements this divine being is associated with and most would describe her as charming and caring. Often depicted as a human with the body of a bear Vudione is usually worshipped through atonements and pledges. There's a few main places for those in pursuit of the aid of Vudione, but natural shrines and carried symbols are a good way to show your dedication. Worshippers were quite numerous and tend to come in the form of elderly and hunters, but if in need all others are welcome to seek the guidance of th
is god. But only ever if the right atonements and pledges are adhere to. Vudione had countless lovers, but the main one was Mineas. Of course this changes nothing to the guidance Vudione can provide, but love could be a distraction.

  The second statue was that of Gatrix. Nightmares, desire and hatred are vital elements this divine being is associated with and most would describe her as punctual and focused. Often depicted as a humanoid llama Gatrix is usually worshipped through gifts and offerings. There's no preferred place for those craving the power potentially given by Gatrix, but shrines and altars are typically found to be a good place to start.

  Worshippers are in the majority and tend to come in the form of outlaws and rangers, but if in need all others are welcome to seek the guidance of this god. Even when the right gifts and offerings cannot be made. Gatrix has a handful lovers, but the main one is Tomos. This just empowers the guidance Gatrix could potentially provide, but love brings about all sorts of emotion and not always the good ones.

  The two statues were yin and yang. One represented dreams and the others nightmares. Vudione stood facing outward while Gatrix faces inwards towards the center of the valley. From the outside the valley looked like an empty plain but once you walked past the statues you would be transported into a maze like environment filled with randomly generated elements such as rivers, mountains, transitional environments, etc. Nothing could prepare you for what was on the other side. The people of Eda believed that the valley was protected by some kind of dark magic or that radiation had somehow destroyed the place. Some kind of reality bomb.

  “Your first,” I said insisting for Ethan to cross. He did and disappeared before my eyes. I followed with Bendi close behind.

  There was a shrill in the chasm, a compressing of air, and suddenly we were greeted by a miniature creature of darkness and death. Two violent eyes stare at us with a bellowing fury, and another shrill pierces from its jagged mouth in pure agony. Four curved horns adorns its muscular head. Like other daemons I had seen it had glowing tattoos. Runes, runes, and more runes. A lofty, greasy body. Spikes cover its shoulders, suggesting this being's definitely not alone. The creature dashes forward, its two legs sturdily carry its diabolical body with a sedated energy. A whip-like tail writhes behind it, its movements are playful, yet determined. Two narrow wings extend themselves fully. Visible bones, and nothing but flames stretch upward, and side by side. The creature continues to glare at us with a vicious smile appears on its face.

  “I have this one,” Ethan shouts. He utters something I can’t hear with the creature coming towards us and I see a glowing red spear of fire appear in Ethan’s hands. He brings it down hard onto of the daemon and it begins to glow blue. The spear and the daemon meet and both disappear in a wave of yellow light. Another rune appears bleeding on Ethans wrist. I wonder how many years that attack took from him.

  “I’ll take care of the next one,” I said slinging Bendi’s rifle up onto the pike of ice that I am using for my left arm.

  “A great mage named Ariane taught me that one, I studied with her when I was 13. She came here looking for a way to increase her power but she never returned. I wonder if we might find her here,” said Ethan.

  “I doubt it, no one survives this place,” I said.

  “Do you doubt we will survive?” he asked.

  “We will survive, we’re not no one,” I answered. I didn’t want to explain, how could I. This place was meant for players. Bendi was looking at me strange. His face full of confusion yet somehow I felt like he was beginning to understand.

  “Conjuicus vex, augment vexation,” said Ethan. Another bloody rune.

  “Stop that,” I shouted.

  “Its’ ok, that one doesn’t cost much, we are concealed to those around us now,” he said smiling. I didn’t thank him. I didn’t ask him to cast any magic. I nodded my head and began looking around. We were underground in some kind of lost ruin.

  Chapter 12

  In-game the Valley of Decay was a massive dungeon that changed every time it was entered. Randomly generated terrain and randomly generated monsters. At least that was what I thought. Not moments after we were transported underground Ethan pulled out his Grimoire and from that a folded up sheet of paper that looked like an old map.

  “I got this from my grandfather, my family has a long history of being scouts, we were a part of the first branch that went out and defended the hub from the first daemons that emerged,” he said proudly as we started examining our guide. “From what I gather we are here,” he said pointing towards the top of the map. In-world they believed the valley had been created by some kind of rift. An area torn up by some kind of reality bomb. Basically it was magic. It was also home to many daemons, trolls, goblins, and thousands of different types of monsters. For the last hundred years the hub had been sending scouts into the area and piece by piece they had been mapping it out. It was a large area filled with many dangers but none of it was randomly generated. The only thing random about it was where you ended up once you walked inside. We were near the Crystal Caves.

  “From here we just have to make our way down towards the Deadlands and than back up through the goblin kingdom into the troll kingdom and the mountains of Douvre just south of the Chasm. There are several forts set up for scouts so we might find some safety there at Blackwall or Fort Estes,” said Ethan. It sounded like we had a long journey ahead of ourselves and he could see the frustration across my face. “We could always cross the red lake,” he shrugged, “there are piranha men to worry about though, not least serpents, fissures, and other creatures,” he said a half a second later. I began to shake my head. Obviously I thought about it. All that separated us from the Troll kingdom was a body of water. Once we were outside the cave the mountains would be visible to us.

  “Its going to be a two and half week journey,” he finished. I slammed my fist against the wall of the cavern.

  “You have got to be kidding me!” I shouted.

  “Keep your voice down,” Ethan shouted. Bendi was hiding behind his leg.

  “Am I really that scary to you? I’m sorry, I just… this is really frustrating,” I said trying to make an apology to both Ethan and Bendi. I knew it wasn’t their fault. They weren’t the reason I was stuck here, least not that I was aware.

  “No, that’s not it, I understand, you have every right to be mad, you woke up in this insane world and you aren’t even here a week and you are running from undead, fighting dragons, and being kidnapped by trolls, I get it. I’ve been training my whole life for this… you were probably planning to wake up in some kind of paradise,” Ethan spoke in a whisper… “I might have concealed us from sight but they can still hunt us by sound. I’m sure the monsters in this cave are pretty damn good at that so I need you to please keep your voice down, the damn shouting will draw creatures to us,” he finished. I cursed under my tongue. I had let my emotions get the better part of me. Ethan shouldn’t have wasted his magic trick on us earlier, at least not until we were really in some kind of danger. All I wanted was to get home and if that was going to happen I couldn’t just click my heels together, I had to play by the game rules. “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again,” I said. Bendi came out from behind Ethan. I looked down at Bendi and smiled.

  Walking through the wet Crystal Caves. Water dripped from the ceiling and we could see the ancient stalagmites all around us. Ethan and I started playing a game finding shapes and figures and naming the stalagmites like they were monuments of some kind. Each time we stopped we would come up with an elaborate backstory. For an NPC he showed an amazing amount of intelligence. He was coming up with stories better than I was. It felt real. Every moment of it. Artificial Intelligence was a thing but no programs had true consciousness. Not yet. Maybe they had cracked it.

  A cold chill blew against my cheek through the tight corners of the cave. We must have been pretty deep underground. There were areas we had to crawl. The cold felt like fuel. I could feel it make me stronger.
Bendi gave me herbs to deal with my arm. Every once in awhile the shock of having lost a limb kicked in. I felt scared. Terrified. Would I ever get it back. If I made it back to the real world would my arm still work?

  It took us two days to reach the outside of the caverns passing several monsters along the way. We were nearly ambushed by a group of yetis as we came outside on top of a very large mountain. The yetis looked like furry humans in costume. Ethan suggested we hunt a few for their fur but I refused. He seemed like he was such a kind kid but he could be pretty savage sometimes. Their fur would have kept us warm but it wasn’t necessary. The strongest among them was a level 5. It wouldn’t have taken much. Maybe I was just being selfish but I couldn’t prey on the weak. I felt at home as we walked through the snow down a mountain path outside the caverns towards the rocky valley below. Ethan had his magic to keep him warm anyway. As far as food went Bendi had packed several rations in its satchel which seemed small but never-ending. Even so we were slowly running out. Not to mention the bland taste was driving us crazy. Bendi was the only one that never complained during breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Ethan told me of a spice dealer in Arcadia. Spices were the best way to give food flavor in this world. He even promised once we got back he would buy some for me.

  The third day in the Valley of Decay we reached the bottom of the mountain. All in all things were going fairly well except for the fact that I felt dirty. I hadn’t properly bathed since I got here. I would kill for a shower, a bar of soap. My boots crunched the dirt with each step, trying to keep my footing as best I could while walking along the raised path. The sun bore down on my back, but I ignored it; Ethan's magic had worn off and we were visible again. I knew he should have saved it. He was going to cast it again but I deferred him not to. I couldn't bear the burden of letting him lose more time than he had already. For every spell he cast I felt guilty. Not enough to let him kill a yeti but still guilty. He was young and I felt like it was my responsibility to watch out for him. The valley felt strange, the wind was chilled and cold but it was hot and humid. I kept feeling nauseous, occasionally I would feel out of breath. Bendi was fine but Ethan was having just as hard a time as I was. He wore a full set of leather armor; the majority of his face covered as the orange and silver armor protected him from the elements, yet at the same time allowed him to be mobile and quick. He was wearing his sword rested on his back, his go to weapon for when wyverns attacked. He was here for a purpose; a reason far beyond hunting a creature like a troll, or god forbid a goblin.