by C. M. Carney
You have Reached Level 19.
You have reached Level 19.
You have 6 (5 Base + 1 Bonus) unused Attribute Points.
You have 1 unused Perk Points.
Gryph sighed, releasing pent up stress he hadn’t even realized was there. Since discovering the full health game hack he’d rarely let his available Attribute Points dip below five. That discipline had paid off and was one reason he’d lasted long enough to defeat the Scourge. Now that he’d leveled again, he could refill that well. That left him one Attribute Point, which he slotted into Intelligence.
Skill Level(s) Alert.
You have reached level 20 in Dodge.
You have reached level 18 in Leadership.
You have reached Apprentice Tier in Dodge.
With that tier boost, the skill has gained the Apprentice Tier Ability Shift.
Once per day an Apprentice in Dodge may Shift away from an incoming attack. Upon shifting the user moves through the aether in the blink of an eye and appears up to ten feet in any direction the user chooses, provided there is no obstruction. Opponents must reacquire the user's location before they can attack again.
Each additional tier in Dodge increases the number of uses per day by one.
Shift was a perfect complement to Gryph’s fighting style and he could not wait to put it to good use. You’ll get your chance soon enough.
He shifted his attention to Leadership. For a guy who’d spent the last few years avoiding connecting with people, he was surprised how happy advancing the skill made him. Just two more levels and he could add another member to his Adventure Party. He looked at the newest additions and wondered if either would become a permanent feature. He shelved the thought as Sean slowed.
“We’re here.” The small player pointed up to a circular hole in the roof.
“Wait,” Lex said, scowling as the stench hit him square in the nose. "This is a sewer, and that is clearly a toilet.”
“A privy if you want to get technical,” Sean said.
“Well thank you Captain Vocab. Either way, I am not climbing up there.”
“Well I climbed down here.”
“You climbed through that?” Gryph asked.
“Yeah, not the proudest day of my life.” Sean wrinkled his nose, whether at the stench or the memory, Gryph was not sure. “Trust me, it’s not as bad as it looks. It could be much worse.”
The words were barely out of Sean’s mouth when a large pair of buttocks eclipsed the light like a pale, hairy moon.
“You were saying,” Vonn said.
63
Gryph smashed the butt of his spear down hard and the last of the thugs fell unconscious. Around him, the others were tying and gagging the survivors. More than a dozen bodies littered the ground. Most grunted in pain or anger, but a few would never make a sound again. Gryph scowled at that but could not fault his people. They had done their best to follow his orders and avoid casualties, but some people insisted on being killed.
“I hate all of you,” Lex whined, sniffing himself. “I can still smell it.”
“There’s nothing to smell Lex,” Gryph said without an ounce of sympathy.
“I just crawled through a toilet, of course there’s something to smell.” He stared down at a smear on his robe. “What is that? Please tell me it isn’t.”
“It isn’t. It’s dirt,” Ovrym said. “You are filthy and unwashed. That never seemed to concern you before now.”
“No wonder people think you’re a Grumling,” Vonn said.
“You should show more respect. I am a holy man, a light in an otherwise dark and violent world.” He knelt to tie up a buck-toothed thug, when the man lurched upwards and head-butted Lex in the nose. “Ahhhggh!” Lex yelled and brought a heavy elbow down onto the man’s face. The man grunted and lost consciousness.
“You are an inspiration,” Vonn said. He knelt and pulled up the unconscious man’s sleeve.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever,” Lex said and got to his feet. “Who are these guys?”
“Durnarian Syndicate,” Vonn said showing the others the tattoo on the thug’s forearm.
Lex spun on Sean. “You hid your respawn point in a mob bar?”
“Didn’t have much choice. It wasn’t like I had a bunch of other pals in town.”
“Why were they your pals?”
“I'm not gonna stand here and be lectured by you, Mr. Mass Murderer.”
“How many times do I have to tell you, I don’t do that anymore?”
“We are wasting time,” Ovrym said. “Again.”
“He’s right," Gryph said, his firm tone drawing all eyes to him. “Sean, take Ovrym and get what you need. Vonn guard the door. The rest of you stay out of sight. We’re out of here in five.”
Ten minutes later the group crouched on a shaded rooftop a block from the crime syndicate’s hideout. Avernia spread out before them as large as Manhattan and twice as wondrous. Buildings of a dozen distinct architectural styles rose skyward alongside parks and green zones. If they’d been tourists, there would be a thousand things to see, but today their eyes were drawn to one place.
“The Dragon’s Nest,” Sean said, pointing to a massive fortress built in, around and on top of a lone spire of rock.
“It is beautiful,” Errat said, eyes wide.
“I hate that place,” Lex said. “Though the food was good.”
“Not where we're headed anyway,” Sean said, and pointed to a ring of snow-capped mountains in the distance. Jutting from the mountains, like the tooth of some long dead leviathan, was a formidable shard of raw stone. “The Crag.”
Silence hung as the group realized how impossible it would be to lay siege to such a citadel. It's a good thing we're not laying siege, Gryph thought. “Sean, you’re up.”
Sean opened a small wooden box and removed an odd set of goggles and a bejeweled beetle of onyx and gold resembling an ancient Egyptian scarab. He pulled the goggles over his eyes and pressed the scarab’s back. The jeweled beetle jumped to life and unfurled wings of filigreed gold revealing a dark green emerald at its core. The beetle shook itself and crawled onto Sean’s palm.
“Friend Sean, this is amazing. If we do not die today, Errat would very much like to speak with you about this wondrous metal bug.”
“Sure thing pal,” Sean said with a fearful twinge, Errat’s words reminding him how unlikely their survival was. He closed his eyes and hovered his other palm over the scarab. A glow pulsed within the emerald stone and Sean opened his eyes. “It's transmitting. Now we need to get it inside.”
The beetle launched itself from Sean’s palm. Gryph cast Telepathic Bond on Sean so he could share in the drone’s mystical telemetry. The beetle zipped over the city, glinting in the sun. Gryph scowled, fearful that the golden shimmers would draw unwanted attention.
“I know what you’re thinking,” the player said. “It’s too shiny. I didn’t have much choice of materials. I had to use parts from the respawn point Aluran forced on me, and that dude loves his bling.” Sean grunted and forced the scarab to dive and roll as a passing seagull noticed the shimmering drone. He sent the scarab into an alley, lost the bird and returned to his previous flight path.
“You disassembled your respawn point,” Gryph said, impressed. “I didn’t know that was possible.”
“Neither did I, but I was desperate.”
“So let me get this straight. You turned your respawn point into a flying bug, had it hitchhike its way from the Pit on the High God’s shoulder and then once it was somewhere safe, you killed yourself.”
“Yes,” Sean said bluntly, clearly unwilling to rehash the events in his mind. “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done.” He gulped, terrified at what he would have to do next.
“Thank you for agreeing to this,” Gryph said.
Without removing concentration from flying the drone, Sean spoke in a harsh tone. “I’m not doing it for you.”
Gryph said nothing, but part of him wondered how close this ma
n had been with his sister. She could do worse, Gryph thought and focused on the scarab’s feed. It left the city environs and dipped lower as the winds from the mountains blew fiercer. A few minutes later it landed on an unmanned section of the battlement, eyes scanning for a way inside.
“There,” Gryph said, drawing Sean’s attention to a drain at the edge of the Bailey, the central courtyard that surrounded the spire of the Crag. Sean nodded and ordered the scarab to dive. It took several tense seconds for the beetle to cross the open space, but it soon dove into the drain. The shared feed turned green as the scarab’s low light vision went active.
Gryph fed the Port Gate map into the beetle and soon it was crawling and flying deeper into the tower’s dungeons. An hour later it entered a large chamber that had long ago served as a storage room. The dilapidated crates and piles of detritus suggested that nobody had visited the room in some time.
“So far, so good,” Gryph said. “Now find the Port Gate.”
The scarab flew to the far end where a darkened archway stood. Unlike those they’d used before this gate was sealed by a wall of bricks. Gryph scowled as the scarab landed on the wall’s surface.
“That explains why the gate didn’t work,” Gryph said.
“Hope you guys brought a pickaxe, cuz that is one solid looking wall.” Lex grunted at the imagined effort.
Sean moved the scarab to the floor in front of the arch, giving enough room for his body to respawn. He sighed and removed his goggles. “I’ll figure it out.” He handed the goggles to Errat, who returned them to their box and placed it in his bag. Sean turned his gaze to Gryph and forced a wan smile. “I’m ready.”
Sean knelt and Ovrym drew his saber. The sound of the sword being drawn made Sean flinch and Gryph put a calming hand on his shoulder. “Easy.” Sean nodded, breathed deep and closed his eyes.
“Wait, wait, wait,” Lex yelled. “Why are we sending Sean, when we can send Gryph? I mean no offense, but my main man here is a lot more badass.”
“Because,” Sean said through gritted teeth. “The spawn point can only hold one pattern at a time. If Gryph overrides mine and then I die, I die for real, permanently.” Sean’s shoulders shuddered as the fear and the nerve raging apprehension took ahold of him. “Can we get on with this, please?”
Sean’s desperate tone gripped at all their hearts and Lex lowered his head. “Sorry bud, just trying to help.” Gryph squeezed Sean’s shoulder. Under his hand, the player calmed.
“I’ll make it quick,” Ovrym said, aiming the tip of his blade at the base of Sean’s spine.
“Thank …” Sean said, but Ovrym’s quick, precise thrust ended his life before he could get the next word out.
Gryph caught Sean as Ovrym eased his blade out. Gryph and Errat gently moved the body behind a short wall, away from prying eyes. Vonn covered him with a cloak and then stood. In an hour the body would dissipate into nothingness.
“I feel like one of us should stay behind, ya know, keep an eye on him,” Lex said.
“We stick to the plan,” Gryph said, and without further delay turned and walked from the roof.
64
They walked in silence though the catacombs and sewers beneath Avernia. If all went to plan, they would arrive back at the Port Gate a few minutes before Sean respawned. Then they’d wait until Sean smashed through the old bricks preventing the gate from creating a stable doorway.
Gryph thought back to the start of this journey, one that began in another world with a hail of bullets and the death of a mentor. He was close to Brynn. He could almost feel her. In a few hours, if they succeeded, his sister would be free. But, how do I send her home?
He’d been so wrapped up with saving Brynn, that he hadn’t considered how he would get her safely back to Earth. Gryph had tried to log out of the Realms soon after his arrival in the Barrow, but a blaring error message had been his only reward. Then, his log out window had disappeared, and with it his only way back to Earth.
I haven’t thought about logging out in weeks. Have I gone native so quickly?
He looked at his odd group of companions and felt as confident and at ease with every one of them as he had with his old unit back on Earth. Well, apart from Lex maybe. He smiled, and he realized that he felt more at home here than he had anywhere in a long time. The people he’d befriended since entering the Realms felt more real than anyone he'd left back on Earth. Maybe that would change if he could find a way to get Brynn and himself home.
Do I want to go back? Can I?
Gryph had made promises, and even if he could return to Earth without suffering the wrath of breaking those vows, he knew he wouldn’t be able to live with himself. The people of Dar Thoriim had chosen him to lead them. They needed him, and he realized that he needed them.
I have to stay. I have to fight.
Fear dug into his gut knowing that today's fight could very likely bring him face to face with Aluran. If he failed, if he lost, the men at his side would join him in death. If the High God discovered Gryph’s true identity, why he was here, who’d given him the Prime Godhead, then it would be Brynn facing a mortal threat, regardless of any affection the High God had for her.
I’m not strong enough to beat him.
Then be smart enough to beat him, came the Colonel’s voice from deep within.
Gryph nodded and smiled. There was something he could do here and now to help even the odds. It was time he paid a visit to the Merchant. He took a deep breath and activated the Perk Point Marketplace. His world shifted and once again he stood in the wall-less shop of the alien Merchant.
“Welcome back, sir. How may I be of assistance?” The odd eyeless creature asked.
Gryph wasted no time and sold the skills Traps, Alchemy, Recycle, Mining, Smelting, Brewing, Smithing (Armor) and Smithing (Weapons). Each one gave him two Perk Points, for a grand total of 16. He scowled upon discovering he'd lost all the knowledge of the skills, even those with levels above ten. A part of him wondered if his ghostly dwarven father would approve. Sorry Regveld, I appreciate all the tutoring, but I have higher priorities at the moment.
The Merchant explained it to him. “I am not purchasing ten levels of these skills, sir. I am purchasing levels one through ten. Technically you still own any levels above ten, but since you no longer have the foundational knowledge for those skills these higher levels are…”
“Useless,” Gryph interrupted.
“That is one way to look at the situation sir, however I would say, in limbo. If, at some point, you are able to relearn those skills up to level ten, then the levels beyond will once again be available to you.”
“That’s something, I suppose.”
“Always look for a silver lining sir,” the Merchant said.
“I want to purchase two levels in Leadership,” Gryph told the Merchant.
“Ah, a most excellent choice, sir. I think you will find this vintage to be particularly … cold blooded.”
Gryph’s eyes widened in alarm. “What does that mean?”
“I cannot provide too many details but the source of these levels of Leadership was a particularly ruthless and effective battle commander.”
Lovely, Gryph thought. Maybe I’ll become the next Genghis Khan.
“Is there a way to choose a different vintage?”
“Not at your current tier, sir.”
“Of course not.” He sighed. “I’ll take them.” He sensed the four Perk Points disappear from his interface and a prompt popped into his vision.
You have reached Apprentice Tier in Leadership.
With that tier boost, the skill has gained the Apprentice Tier Ability Inspire.
Once per day a Leader may Inspire the members of his Adventure Party. Inspired party members are more committed to the mission and exhibit more courage, toughness and perseverance. Inspired followers receive the following bonuses.
• +25% chance to hit.
• +10% chance to earn a Critical Hit.
• +5 tempo
rary levels in a Martial Skill of their choice. NOTE: Temporary levels do not provide tier related bonuses.
Duration: 1 minute per level of Leadership.
Damn, now that is a well-made deal. Gryph read the prompt again only getting halfway through the description before the Merchant cleared his throat in a less than friendly manner, drawing Gryph’s attention back to him.
“Is there anything else I can assist you with? I do have other customers awaiting my services.”
Gryph looked around hoping to see what other entities the Merchant provided services too but was not at all surprised to find they were alone. “Anyone I know?” The Merchant started to speak, but Gryph waved his hand. “I know, your client list is confidential.”
“Yes, it is … Sir.”
“In that case, I’ll see you next time.”
“As always sir, it was a pleasure doing business with you, and I hope to serve you again soon.” The Merchant bowed and then the market shimmered and faded and Gryph was back in the tunnels below Avernia.
Vonn gave him an odd sideways glance. “Did you go somewhere?”
“Course he didn’t, he’s been walking his dumb ass right next to our dumb asses in these stank ass tunnels for over an hour.” Lex looked up at Gryph and tossed a ‘this guy’ thumb at Vonn.
They rounded a corner, descended a staircase and found themselves back in the Avernia Port Gate room. Gryph ordered them to rest while they waited, knowing full well it would be their last chance for some time.
“I estimate we have 32 minutes and 13 seconds to wait before Sean clears the archway,” Bishop said.
“How can you know that?” Lex asked.
