Shadow of the Rogue: A LitRPG Fantasy Adventure (Shadow of the Rogue Book 1)

by Quinn Dallas

  “Keep your eyes open men!” The chief guard spoke. “ We've got plenty of action tonight!”

  “Yes sir,” the men spoke in unison.

  “It looks like they are plenty busy tonight!” Yvir peered over my shoulder. “They may not even miss us!”

  “With the Moon Festival going on,” Leonidas stroked his chin. “We should be able to slip out of here unnoticed.”

  “You forgot we left an unconscious guard back there!” Shauna spoke in a hushed whisper. “When he wakes up, he’ll sound the alarm.”

  “Does anyone have any idea what happened to Cairngorm?” Leonidas asked.

  “Never trust a dark wizard,” Yvir spoke up. “They only look out for themselves.”

  “He probably used a teleport spell to get away.” Shauna said.

  “He’s a bit dark,” Leonidas narrowed his eyes. “But I trust him. He always does the right thing.”

  “I have an idea,” I turned to the group.

  “What is it?” Yvir leaned in towards me. “Because there’s only out and it’s heavily guarded."

  “We are also unarmed!” Shauna said. “I only have healing spells, which are useless in this situation

  “Maybe not,” I told her. “Do you have an armor buff spell?”

  “I have a spell called Asthara’s Blessing,” she said. “It’s a short lasting armor buff with a heal-over-time.”

  “Perfect,” I said. “Does it work in pets?”

  “Oh, I get it!,” Shauna grinned and her eyes twinkled. “That’s brilliant!”

  “What are two talking about?” Yvir let out an exasperated breath.

  “We are going to use Kira's pet as a distraction,” Leonidas slapped me on the shoulder. “Brilliant”

  “Exactly,” I told him. “We buff her to the extreme and send her out there in full Orc Berserker mode.”

  “Hmm…” he said. “I have Righteous Conviction that should work on her!”

  “What’s it do?” I asked.

  “It will boost her damage, healing, and taunt,” he cracked his knuckles. “But only for a short time.”

  “Mahk,” I called for the Orcess. “I have something I need you to do.” Part of me felt guilty as I gave her the instructions.

  As a pet, she had no choice but to obey me. She’d been imprinted to do whatever I said. It was likely that I was sending her on a suicide mission. But she was our best chance of getting out of here.

  “What is your command?” She stood at attention before me.

  “You must distract those guards and pull them away from the gate.” I instructed her, “Can you do that?”

  “There are many guards ma'am," she said. “I’m not sure I’ll survive.”

  “I realize that,” I answered. “But you’re our only chance to get away. Please distract them and do your best to get away afterwards. If you survive your contract with me is fully resolved.”

  “I will do what you ask,’ Mahk answered.

  “Ok then,” I gestured towards Shauna and Leonidas. “Buff her up!"

  The Cleric and the Paladin approached and place their hands on the Orc. The trio glowed in a soothing aura of golden light. Shauna chanted in a steady voice invoking the goddesses to bless my warrior pet. While Leonidas made several crossing motions in the air. When they finished Mahk shimmered with power.

  “I’m ready!” she growled.

  “Then go!” I responded.

  Mahk let out a battle cry and rushed into the courtyard. She headed straight for the group of guards guarding the gate. She caught their attention immediately.

  I half expected her to face plant in mere seconds, but she didn’t. The empowered Orc had managed to disarm a guard and now swung a heavy battle-axe.

  She taunted the guards away from the gate and when she had their agro she ran. The guards yelled and followed her into the darkness.

  “We must go,” I said. “Mahk bought us just a few seconds!”

  Our group ran towards the open archway at breakneck speed. I don’t think I’d ever ran so fast in my life. My heart thumped furiously as my feet hit the ground. Before long we'd managed to escape through the iron gates and into the street.

  CHAPTER 6

  “This way!" Leonidas motioned for us to come after him. He directed us down a maze of back alleys. Our leather boots clicked along the cobblestone streets. The moon hung low and full in the sky.

  The bracing cold air licked at my nose and an uncomfortable chill went through me. I still had trouble believing how real everything felt.

  I knew the sensations were just electrical impulses being sent to my dreaming brain. But damn if this didn’t feel more real than my everyday life..

  “Ok, we’re here,” Leonidas spoke in a low timbre. “With it being festival night, the entire town has been invited to palace grounds. We should get into the chapel without much fuss.”

  “This evening,” Yvir said. "Visitors bring offerings to Ashtara’s Temple.”

  “So we disguise ourselves as devout worshipers,” Shauna’s gaze darted between us.

  “I should ask the lead here.” She pulled her cloak around her shoulders and lifted the hood over her head.

  “She’s a priestess of Ashtara,” Yvir nodded.

  "On the dot,” Leonidas replied. “A priestess with a Paladin guarding her isn’t all that unusual.”

  “I’ll go stealth,” I responded. “A smaller group should raise less suspicion.”

  “I have an idea!” Shauna grinned wide. “But we need another robe for Yvir.” She turned her gaze upwards.

  “There…” she gestured. “See those sheets hanging to dry, we need one.”

  “Piece of cake,” I shut my eyes and visualized my stat sheet. The climbing skill sat on my list of available talents. Being a rogue had benefits! I picked out the skill and waited for the knowledge to flood my mind.

  When I felt ready, I scaled the stone wall beside us. My fingers and toes found natural footholds as I climbed up the wall. Before long, I had reached the sheets.

  They fluttered in the wind as I reached up and snatched one. Then I climbed down swiftly to the group waiting below.

  “Excellent,” Shauna took the sheet from me. “Yvir put this on!”

  “You want me to put on a bed sheet?” Yvir arched and eyebrow.

  “They are looking for us,” the young Cleric replied. “So let’s disguise ourselves as pilgrims."

  “A sheet isn’t going to fool anyone,” Yvir remained unconvinced.

  “Let me handle it,” Shauna said. She draped the sheet over Yvir’s shoulders. “Wrap yourself completely and keep your head down.”

  Yvir pulled the cloth over her head and clutched it close to her body. I wasn’t altogether sure this would work either, but I kept my skepticism in check.

  The guards would be busy with so many people going in and leaving the palace grounds. Festival goers and pilgrims would be travelling back and forth. Chances were good this would work.

  “Here we go!” Shauna smiled. “Simply follow my lead and no one say anything.”

  I focused and soon felt the shadows wrap around me. Being invisible was eerie but I liked it. I accompanied the group towards the gate.

  A line of people flowed into the palace. The Moon Festival was the night to honor the goddess Ashtara. The Patron of the Tiberian Kingdom.

  Yvir and Shauna walked with Leonidas between them. I followed along closely behind him. The group strolled past the guards and then my heart sank.

  “Stop!” An overweight guard in palace livery walked up to the odd threesome.

  “May the goddess bless you!” Shauna made a holy gesture. “What troubles you my son?”

  “I’ve not seen you before,” he stated.

  “We are here on pilgrimage,” she pointed to Leonidas and Yvir. “This is my bodyguard and I’ve brought a novice with us.”

  The guard puzzled for a moment, “She’s an awfully tall one isn’t she?”

  “She was born in the Northlands,�
�� Shauna said.

  The guard paused for a moment and then motioned for the group to come inside. “ Well then, be blessed holy sister.”

  “Thank you my son,” Shauna bowed low and then motioned for Yvir and Leonidas to follow. I tailed them, keeping both invisible and mute.

  Before long, we had made our way onto the palace grounds. There was a carnival atmosphere throughout. Music played and celebrants danced in the street. Vendors sold relics and food stalls were dotted about the grounds. I melted back into visibility.

  “That was easier than I imagined,” I let out a relieved breath.

  “Now we just head to the temple!” Leonidas said. “This way.”

  We followed him down a rocky path, to a stone small stone building. Candlelight flowed from the windows and incense wafted through the gentle wind. We walked up the stone stairs into the tiny chapel.

  The building was a lot smaller than I had expected. A bronze statue of a woman stood on a central altar. Her arms were folded across her chest and her head was bowed down.

  Sweet smelling garlands draped over her shoulders. Offerings of flowers, fruits, cakes, and candles were piled high before her. The room hummed with the celestial power of sanctity.

  “It’s your show now Leonidas,” I said.

  “I hope this works!” he drew near the altar. “Great goddess Ashtara, we your humble servants have come to serve you. Please bless us with your divine light and open the heavenly door.”

  “Nothing's happening,” Yvir said.

  “Patience,” Shauna placed her arm around the barbarian woman.

  My heart sank- nothing was happening. The goddess was unmoved by the Paladin’s holy prayer. Was this it? Were we really stuck in the game with no way out?

  I thought about the life that waited for me back in the real world. It wasn’t perfect, but it was mine to live. Having it taken from me without warning wasn't fair.

  “What’s that?” Leonidas pointed.

  A shimmering point of light appeared in the middle of the altar. It rose and formed into the shape of a HUD display screen.

  Lines of code streamed along the display, as the screen took on its distinct shape before us. Abruptly, the face of a man appeared and spoke..

  “This is GM Jason,” he stated. “Who is this?”

  “Jason it’s me Leonidas!” The Paladin’s face brightened. “What’s happening to us?”

  “Leo,” GM Jason smiled wide. “I’m glad you remembered how to get through!

  We don't know what is happening exactly. There are over a thousand players stuck inside the game. After the system went down, most of those online were safely disconnected. But for some reasons, others remained linked.”

  “Then when the system rebooted,” Leonidas stroked his chin. “We got stuck in here.”

  “Yes,” the GM said. “And we can’t forcibly bring anyone out. If we do your bodies will go into serious shock and cardiac arrest.”

  The screen flickered again. “But we have dispatched medical support to the homes of those trapped. The docs are hoping they can come up with a way to safely disconnect you.”

  “Any idea what did this?” Leonidas asked.

  “We’ve got some theories. One of the subprograms may have malfunctioned.”

  “Subprograms?” I asked.

  “Yes,” the GM’s display screen flickered once more. “Each NPC in the game has its own AI. There are fail safes in place, but something actually overrode them.”

  “Wow,” Leonidas shook his head. “I reckoned that was impossible.”

  “It should be,” the GM replied.

  “What about that quest line you told me about?” Leonidas asked.

  “You mean the emergency exit protocol we installed for the Beta?” the GM paused. "We never meant to use it."

  “But it’s still active,” Leonidas sounded hopeful.

  “It is,” The GM shook his head. “But it’s impractical. You have to obtain three ultra rare items and defeat a high level boss.”

  “It beats, waiting to kick the bucket,” Yvir spoke up.

  "We've got nothing to lose," Leonidas said.

  The GM's holographic image flickered for a instant. "Ok then I'll ask you guys to group up!"

  I nodded and pulled up my stat screen. The others did so as well. The small square windows floated in front of each of us. I used my finger to tap the team-up option.

  "Who is going to lead?" Shauna scrolled through her holographic display screen.

  "Leonidas should," I motioned towards the tall Paladin. "He's the highest tier.

  "You guys sure about that?" He lifted his head from his display screen.

  "We'll benefit best from your leadership buff and heal over time auras that way." Yvir tapped her screen.

  "Ok then," he said. “The Team leader role accepted!"

  "I'm unlocking the hidden quest line," the GM spoke and our holo-screens lit up with a notification.

  THE ADVENTURE BEGINS

  FIND AND SPEAK TO ROLF ALEHORN. YOU HAVE SUCCESSFULLY PETITIONED THE GODDESS ASHTARA. YOUR GREAT ADVENTURE HAS BEGUN. SPEAK WITH ROLF ALEHORN AND RECEIVE THE MAP TO THE HIDDEN UNDERGROUND TEMPLE.

  I accepted the quest and waited for the others. That's when I noticed something peculiar. Near the door a little pinprick of light hovered. Then it shimmered and grew larger.

  "Guys," I cried out to my teammates. "Something is happening."

  The rest of the team turned their heads towards the doorway. Suddenly the outlines of two distinct figures appeared. The glowing aura around them faded.

  Cairngorm stood there with a triumphant grin on his face. Next to him stood a bleeding but relatively unharmed Mahk.

  "What in the-," my jaw dropped.

  "It's about time you showed up!" Yvir folded her arms.

  "I found you guys!" Cairngorm slumped in exhaustion. Mahk caught him before he hit the ground. He leaned on the Orc's shoulder, as she walked him towards us.

  "Did Mahk do good?" She asked.

  The female warrior's profile floater hovered above her head. Her stats reflected heavy equipment damage. She'd obviously been in a fierce battle. I hadn't expected her to make it out alive.

  "I used a tracking spell to find you," Cairngorm spoke in ragged breaths. "Ended up materializing in the center of a tussle between this Orc and a group of guards."

  "A glorious battle!" Mahk thumped Cairngorm on the back. The dark mage winced in pain. "Little man saved Mahk's life!"

  "I already regret it," Cairngorm sat down in a pew. His gaze fell on the floating hologram of the GM. "You managed to make contact with the outside?"

  Leonidas tapped his display, "Adding one grumpy mage to the party!"

  “Invitation accepted!” Cairngorm waved his hand over his personal holo-screen.

  “The mission chain should be available now,” The GM’s furrowed his brows. “Well that’s odd.”

  What’s wrong?” Leonidas frowned.

  “Something is trying to force me to disconnect,” the floating image flickered. “Hold on a second.”

  Everyone’s displays vanished with a pop. I tried to recall my personal screen, but nothing happened.

  “This is not good!” I shook my head in unbelief.

  “I believe I figured out our problem-” the GM’s eyes widened. “I recognize these algos, that are from a recently updated boss AI!”

  “I don’t understand,” Yvir placed her hands on her hips. “Can you dumb it down for us non-techies?”

  “We upgraded one of the NPC’s with an algos based on relatively simple mathematical logic.” He stroked his chin. “It more closely resembles how human beings think.”

  “Have you never watched a movie!” Shauna rubbed her temples. “That’s never a good idea!”

  “It’s traveling all over the VR network, like a virus attempting to infect the system.” The GM continued. “A very smart virus that’s bypassing all protections.”

  “Let me guess, it figured out we connected to the
outside!” My heart sank at the prospect.

  “Don’t panic guys, we are back online.” There was another popping sound and the holo-screens re-emerged.

  “And then the quest line has been assigned. You need to see an NPC named Rolf Alehorn, he will then-” Suddenly the GM vanished and the display went dark.

  “Where did he go-” I sped to the altar. A sudden flash startled me and I stepped back. An enormous holographic dragon’s head hovered above the communion table.

  The fearsome beast locked its eyes on me and bellowed. Next, the dragon’s eyes emitted a ray of light. The beam swept the room, scanning each member of our party.

  “Pathetic!” The Dragon spat and hissed. “Do yourselves a favor and seek me not!”

  The creature roared again and walls of the sacred chapel shook. Rubble and dust fell from the rafters. Raining down on us like a snowfall.

  The great dragon opened its maw, revealing sharp, dangerous teeth. A stream of flame shot out towards us and we ducked instinctively. I shielded my face with both hands and braced for the searing pain. Only nothing happened. I opened my eyes to discover the monster was gone.

  “What in the heck was that!” Cairngorm dusted his robes.

  “I think we just met our rogue AI.” Yvir grunted and stood. She had thrown herself over Shauna to protect her.

  The elven cleric got up and coughed, “We got to get out of here before-”

  I spun round and discovered an entire regiment of city guard. The rough soldiers stood with weapons drawn. Their commander strode towards us with fierce determination.

  “Halt in the name of King Alaric!” He commanded.

  CHAPTER 7

  “Let me explain,” I stepped forward, my hands held high.

  “No explanation needed,” the gruff captain curled his hands into fists. “You are guilty of disturbing the peace and assaulting officers of the crown.”

  “Things are not exactly what they seem,” Leonidas stepped forward.

  The captain of the guard drew his short-sword and pointed it at Leonidas. “Not one step further!”

  The place was quickly getting out of hand. Both Shauna and Yvir were tense and ready for action. Cairngorm shaped his fingers to ready an attack spell.Mahk grunted and tightened the grip on her club. Would we be able to fight an entire regiment of armed soldiers? The shrine room was cramped and there was entirely one way out.