Contest (The Stork Tower Book 6)

by Tony Corden

  They discussed the options for a few minutes, then Michael went back to his own world. Leah sat for a minute then sent a message to Leon asking him to order two of each type of reclamation machine. She also sent Jimmy a message asking him to find a vacant area in the Switch she could use as a school. Leah explained why she needed it so he would have some idea of buildings and grounds she would need. Satisfied she’d done a much as she could she logged in to Dunyanin.

  71

  Chapter 71

  December 18, 2073 - Evening - Part 1

  DUNYANIN

  Leah arrived on the rock in Dunyanin. Ruhani was lying on one side of her and Canli on the other. Zaman was sitting nearby, his eyes closed. Leah watched him closely, trying to see how he used the Time mana. She remembered the images she’d seen in his mind when they had stopped and wondered how he connected to the future. She understood the game was always preparing scenarios in advance and the AI would have eight or nine possible scenarios pre-prepared based on the probable actions of the players, NPCs and MOBs. Zaman was walking through the most likely of those options. When he walked into the past, he delved into the game’s recorded data.

  After five minutes without any success in understanding, she opened her eyes and looked around. Ruhani also stirred and said, “Be patient, Atherleah, walking the future is the most difficult of all the Fae magics. Zaman was born to it and it comes naturally to him. Do not despair, I believe you will eventually understand how to use Time mana.”

  Leah ducked her head and said, “Thank you for the encouragement Ruhani. I will keep trying but now is not the time. What has happened overnight?”

  “I believe all the Günahkâr have awoken, not only a portion of them. During the night, Canli sensed some from each of the families heading toward those who hunt you, while others moved toward Lord Geckiş’ Arch. I suggest those who follow you have already met the Günahkâr in battle. We are too far away to sense what is happening, but I think those who follow you will soon be defeated.”

  Leah subvocalised, “Gèng, is there anything on the forums about an attack into Günahkâr lands?”

  “Yes. A force of five hundred desert elves was teleported to the edge of the Günahkâr boundary. They joined a similar sized group from clan Y’Haul and Demon Prince Mordesh added a hundred Elite Warriors to the group. Clan Y’Haul has invited other clans to join in the hunt, and so far over five thousand players from other clans have joined the army. One of Peter’s enchanter friends is a Grandmaster who makes teleport scrolls. He told Peter he has already sold eighteen group scrolls for twenty Diamonds a scroll. Each scroll will transport fifty players. Some commentators are saying this is now the largest conflict on Vatan this year. It is still small as far as records go, but it’s continuing to grow. Each demon that is killed is replaced almost immediately by Demon Prince Mordesh. Players love an Annihilation area. Each continent in Dunyanin has several, though this is the first unlocked on Vatan. All of the other Annihilation areas have been defeated. The last one was on Shenqi. It was finally defeated by a force which included over a hundred thousand players.”

  “How is the attack going?”

  “The Günahkâr are slowly being forced back, but they kill three or four for every one of them that’s killed. Each time its harder to kill them. Günahkâr warriors are still arriving and it’s almost certain the attack will stall. It won’t be for long though, as tens of thousands are trying to make their way to the conflict. Already some of those who were killed in the beginning have rejoined the battle. It’s even possible players will begin arriving from other continents.”

  “Are you able to pinpoint where the battle is taking place?”

  “From what I read, it is where you entered into the Günahkâr lands. Essentially the army is following your trail.”

  Leah spoke to the glitchwolves, “Ruhani, I need to change into my elven-human form for a moment. Will we be safe here?”

  “Yes, none of us sense Günahkâr nearby.”

  Leah changed into her half-elf form, then took the map of the Günahkâr from her pack and spread it on the ground. Her small group was almost eight leagues inside the Günahkâr boundary. Leah traced the path they’d travelled and had Ruhani explain the path she planned to take to reach the Arch.

  Leah said, “What percentage of the Günahkâr have travelled to the war and how many toward the Arch?”

  Ruhani said, “About one third have moved toward Lord Geckiş’ Arch, the rest are headed to the battle.”

  “How confident are you that we could sneak through and approach the arch?”

  “I do not believe it is possible with the Günahkâr awakened.”

  “How close would we get? Would we get to within sight of it?”

  “Yes, however by now the Günahkâr will have covered all entrances. I do not believe even a rodent would get through. Why do you ask?”

  “I think I can teleport past the defences as long as I can see the Arch.”

  “Then let us leave. We will be there before the end of this day.”

  “I am concerned for the Günahkâr. Thousands have joined those who follow me, and it is possible they will grow to more than one hundred thousand.”

  “Good, the Günahkâr will be distracted.”

  “I know you are correct, but it doesn’t feel right. Every bit of common sense says to continue on but it doesn’t feel right. Will you watch while I go think on this in the dream worlds? I will return shortly.”

  “As you wish. You are the Alpha of Alphas.”

  STORK TOWER

  Leah logged out and sat in her favourite chair. She said, “Gèng, I’m going to look through the forums and history of Dunyanin concerning Annihilation areas and wars like this. Could you help my research by finding relevant events and funnelling them to me?”

  Leah increased her processing speeds and began working at cyber speed as Gèng diverted streams of data to Leah. Her brain recognised there was still down times between receiving data and processing it, so Leah marginally slowed her speed but took over one of Gèng’s processors so she could effectively absorb twice as much data. Two cyber hours later or three and a quarter virtual minutes later, Leah slowed and said, “The Günahkâr will be destroyed unless the attacking army is defeated, even then more players will arrive to start another battle. My escape, one way or another won’t change that. The event now has a life of its own, and the players have an opportunity to plunder a whole region. Even handing myself over to them won’t stop the attack.”

  Gèng said, “I reached a similar conclusion. How do you plan on defeating the army?”

  Leah smiled and said, “What on earth do you mean?”

  “I know you well enough to know you won’t let a whole culture be destroyed, even if they are only AI who have been constructed for that very purpose. It looks to me like Dunyanin created the Günahkâr to be a do or die society. They were apparently created just for this type of event. There are no long term quests involving them. They are here to provide players with the opportunity to be involved in a full-scale war. I suspect you have been specifically directed here to stimulate such a conflict and to increase the interest in Dunyanin and Merkize.”

  “I agree that’s what it looks like. Dunyanin developers have done it several times before. With the extra interest in Dunyanin at the moment, this type of conflict will attract millions of new players. I’m going to go cyber again. Let me know when another five minutes virtual are up.”

  One part of Leah’s brain began sorting through the lists of ingredients and weapons for sale in Dunyanin while another researched the theory of large scale battles both in real life and in the virtual world. At the end of the three hours, Leah sent Gèng a stream of data and said, “Here is a list of what I want Peter to buy. Tell him I’ll need it in about six hours virtual. I’ll send him the communication box when I’m ready.”

  DUNYANIN

  As Gèng agreed, Leah stepped back into Dunyanin. She arrived on the rock with the glitchwolve
s and said, “Ruhani, I thank you, Zaman, and Canli for your service but I can’t let the Günahkâr be destroyed because of my quest. I could, but it isn’t the sort of person I want to be. I’m going to offer them my help. I can teleport myself closer to the battle and will try and talk with the Günahkâr leaders. I suspect that without my presence you can escape without detection.”

  Ruhani looked up at Leah and Leah could see Psychic mana moving between her and the other two glitchwolves but didn’t interfere. Finally, Ruhani said, “Can you transport all of us?”

  Leah looked through the teleport spell and realised she had progressed to the stage where she could teleport all four. “I can.”

  “Then we would continue in your service Atherleah. Your attitude toward the Günahkâr is similar to that of the great Safha Peslik. She knew we would suffer when she killed the Betrayer but realised it was the right thing to do. What is your plan?”

  “I want to lead the enemy into a trap. The Günahkâr and I will close it, hopefully killing all the enemy in one blow. Such a defeat should stop the attack. Nothing less than the complete annihilation of the other army will work.”

  “The Günahkâr will not work with you.”

  “Maybe not, but if that happens, I’ll set the trap myself.”

  “Where will you transport us to?”

  “There was a place near the boundary where we passed beside a small river which curved around a large rock outcrop. I thought we would arrive on top of the outcrop. From there we can see almost to the boundary.”

  Ruhani said, “I remember the place.”

  “Good. If you, Zaman and Carli would all picture it. Then could you join our thoughts so we are all looking at the same place? When we all have the picture, I will cast the spell.”

  It took a few minutes until they had a clear picture of the rocky outcrop. With the image clear in her mind, Leah projected all four of them onto the hill and cast Teleport. Moments later, they all appeared on the hill and quickly dropped to the ground. Ruhani looked around and said, “I believe we have not been detected; however, many Günahkâr surround us. They move toward the border.”

  Leah said, “Do the Günahkâr have a hierarchy?”

  Ruhani said, “I understand that within each family there are five major levels, and within those they have ranks. I suggest it will not matter who you talk to. They are connected almost as a single organism.”

  Leah said, “If I use psychic mana, will I be able to communicate with one of the Günahkâr around us?”

  “Yes, I believe you will be connected with all of them.”

  “Ruhani, I’m not sure if I can reach far enough. Perhaps you could connect me to one of the Günahkâr?”

  “I will wait till you are connected psychically to me and then we can reach out together.”

  Leah sat and closed her eyes and formed a ball of Psychic mana. Concentrating, she formed a complex strand between herself and the mana and then connected the mana to Ruhani. Using the connection with the psychic glitchwolf, Leah extended her complex weave toward one of the Günahkâr travelling on the trail on the other side of the river. She could tell when the Günahkâr became aware of the connection and said, “Hello, I apologise for invading your mind in this way, but I wish to talk with your leaders. I know why the army has invaded you, and I have an idea on how to defeat them.”

  Leah wasn’t quite sure what happened, but her weave seemed to stretch, and she suddenly felt connected through hundreds of Günahkâr. A voice said, “I am Duman, the Onbin of the Yalet Family. The invaders have explained their mission. They hunt a misbegotten, one of the broken children of light who they say is within our borders. They say she desires to use the Arch of Transition.”

  “I know. They are looking for me. My name is Atherleah. I am on a quest for Lord Geckiş. He invited me to enter his realm and this was the easiest way. I did not intend to bring an army to your lands.”

  There was silence for a moment, and Leah sensed several others actively join the connection. Duman said, “Why contact us and give us your location?”

  “I wish to discuss a way both to defeat the army and to help the Günahkâr.”

  “Help us? We desire the opportunity to improve our skills. Soon the army will tire, then they will either die or leave. Meanwhile, we will grow stronger.”

  “It is true you will grow stronger, but the army you face has many Travellers in it. They come from a world of dreams, and they return from death with their memories intact. More Travellers will come until even the greatest of the Günahkâr are beaten by the tide that overwhelms them.”

  “How do you know this?”

  “Because I am a Traveller. I know they will come in even greater numbers simply for the opportunity to fight the Günahkâr. When you are dead, they will claim your armour, your weapons and your land. If you help me kill them, then I will take their armour and their weapons, something you cannot do. Also, I have a plan to stem the tide of attackers. If you agree to my terms, then I will also remove the boundary limits placed on you.”

  “The limits are placed there by the King of the Fae. How can you remove them?”

  “By trickery and sleight of hand?”

  “We do not yet understand. What are your terms?”

  “Meet me face to face and I will discuss them with you.”

  “You will be given safe passage.”

  “Let me see through your eyes the place where you are. My three companions and I will come to you.”

  Leah felt the connection shift, and she looked out into a large cleared area with hundreds of Günahkâr lined in rows as if on parade. She placed the image in her mind and then withdrawing from the Günahkâr she said, “Do you still wish to travel with me?”

  Getting an affirmative from the three glitchwolves, Leah cast Teleport. The four of them arrived standing in front of the rows of Günahkâr and facing five Günahkâr. Each one wore a different coloured armour. Leah could sense the difference in the elemental mana they controlled. The Yalet wore the adamantine coloured armour with a silver edge, the Yangin had red edgings, the Rüzgâr, blue, the Sular, deep violet, and the Toprak, gold.

  Leah turned to the one with silver edging on his armour and said, “Well met Duman, Onbin of the Yalet Günahkâr. I am Atherleah.”

  Duman stepped forward and said, “What are you?”

  “I am many things, Duman. What exactly do you wish to know?”

  “You look impure, a mixture of elf and human, light and dark. You have wings made of both light and shadow, and though you wear an armour created by dragons, you have three companions who answer only to the Fae. What are you?”

  “I am all those things and more. If you agree to my offer and its terms then I will tell you everything. If not, then it is imprudent to tell you what might be used against me.”

  “What do you offer?”

  “First, I would like to know to whom I speak.”

  Duman said, “We five rule the Günahkâr. I lead the Yalet.

  The one with the golden trimmings said, “My name is Pudra, I lead the Toprak.”

  The one with the blue trimmings said, “My name is Tesin, I lead the Rüzgâr.”

  The one with the violet trimmings said, “My name is Sivi, I lead the Sular.”

  Then finally the one with red trimming said, “My name is Lemet, I lead the Yangin.”

  Leah said, “Shall we discuss terms here or in private?”

  Lemet said, “What we speak will be heard by all the Günahkâr. We decide as one.”

  Leah nodded, then said, “Before I offer my terms, I need to have two things clarified. First, am I right in believing you will continue to fight until the enemy is defeated or all the Günahkâr are dead?”

  Tesin said, “We will not be defeated, but what you say is true.”

  “What was the exact limit placed on you by the Far King?”

  Sivi said, “We are limited to the area currently ruled by the Günahkâr.”

  “Have you petitione
d them for a greater area?”

  Pudra said, “We do not petition, we claim by conquest.”

  Leah said, “I see. Will you hear my terms?”

  All five were silent for a moment then as one said, “We will.”

  “Those who attack will grow in number until they break over you like a tide. Already, tens of thousands are hoping to join those already on your lands. Some may even come from the other continents to battle the mighty Günahkâr. I know this pleases you as you will become greater fighters both individually and as a group. Most of those who come are called Travellers. They can be killed, but after several hours they return with their memories intact. I suspect some of them will die hundreds of times before the Günahkâr are finally overwhelmed, but overwhelmed you will be. Great warriors such as the Günahkâr can be found throughout Dunyanin, and each time they are discovered, the Travellers eventually end up destroying them. I suspect you can already tell who the travellers are. When they die, you are unable to claim their weapons, armour or their dropped money.”

  Tesin said, “We know that when some die, they fade and leave nothing behind.”

  Leah nodded and said, “They often leave behind armour and weapons, but these can only be collected by other travellers. When they are returned to life, they collect their armour and rejoin the fight. If I were to fight for the Günahkâr, then I would see what they leave behind and you, as my allies, would also see it and be able to collect it for me. Additionally, if we kill everyone in their army in a single brief battle, then we can not only collect their armour but also reclaim the area already won from the Günahkâr. Knowing they can lose everything will slow the number of attackers.”