The Ruined Temple: A LitRPG Adventure (Eternal Online Book 2)
Page 4
“Hey buddy,” I said in a soft tone. “What’s going on? You don’t look so hot.”
“I’m sure I don’t. Look, I don’t really want to talk, I’m…” he tried, but I saw he didn’t have the strength to finish the thought.
“Shut up, okay? Just take this and let me in.” I pushed the mug into his chest and barged into his room.
His eyes blinked in surprise, but he complied.
His room was the same as the last time I’d seen it, but the lights were dim. “Elendil, turn the lights on!” Elendil carried out my command.
Then I sat on his chair and sipped from my cup. “So, what is it? We’ve already told each other so much. You don’t need to hole up like a creep. Are you sick?” My questions were pushy, but I tried to make my tone casual, if not cheerful.
Shin sat down and drank some of the tea. There, that was a start at least. He didn’t reply though, so I waited for a while. A few minutes passed, the silence only broken occasionally by the sound of one of us blowing on the hot drink or sipping. I’d already forced my way in here, and I did not have the guts to insist on any answers. Yet I felt like they would come with time.
Finally, Shin cleared his throat and spoke a few strained words. “My sister. She… she won’t see me. Not now. Not ever.” Each syllable was pained and forced. He swallowed hard when he finished, but I still didn’t understand. The last thing I wanted him to do was repeat himself, but I needed clarification.
“Hey, that sounds terrible. What do you mean, though? Why won’t she see you? I thought you said you two were close?”
Another moment passed as he stared into the foam of his tea latte. He took another drink, this one longer, and I could see him steeling himself.
“She’s about to turn seventeen. According to our plan, she was going to come and see me, and we were even thinking we might live together. But I got an email a few days ago. She told me that I wasn’t someone she wanted in her life anymore, that she loved me, but not to try to contact her anymore. I… I don’t know what to do, Hana.” He gestured to the room around him.
“I don’t know. That doesn’t sound right, though. From what you’ve said about her, it just seems out of character, doesn’t it? Did she give any specific reasons?” I was hoping to find some angle into the mess so that I might be able to help.
Shin shook his head, avoiding my eyes. I saw he was struggling to contain himself, tears slowly spilling down his cheeks. I moved over and sat near him on his pod, placing an arm around his shoulders. Without any further ceremony, the dam of tears he was holding broke away. He sobbed quietly for a few minutes, and I found myself wiping away my own tears. I was indescribably sad and angry at the same time. I didn’t even know the girl, and had only just met Shin, but the situation seemed wrong.
My own family had been taken from me. Shin’s had rejected him. How weird was it to think that if my family were still around, they wouldn’t want to be in my life?
The anger began to win over in my heart and I stood.
“Shin, look at me. Hey.” After a time, he wiped his face and looked up at me with bloodshot eyes.
“What?” That was all he could say.
“I don’t buy it. Mae is one of the sweetest people you know, right?” He nodded. “And you guys were on great terms up until you got this email out of the blue. It just seems too convenient somehow.”
“Convenient?” Shin questioned, a bit of anger filling his own voice.
“Not like that. It just struck me that it might be convenient for your parents. They were the ones that exiled you. Don’t you think they might be doing something to influence Mae?”
Shin froze before me, his body completely still but for the building intensity in his eyes. Then, a moment later, they flicked up and stared into my own. “Those bastards,” he growled. “You’re right. She would never do this. I was just so afraid that it might be true is all. Oh my God, we have to contact her.”
Now I was reeling a bit. “We? What do I have to do with this?”
Shin smiled then, his face finally showing some of the easy good looks that normally characterized him. “Why, you’re my best friend, Hana. That’s what.”
3: “In the far reaches of the world, under a lost and lonely hill, lies The Tomb of Horrors.”
— Señor Ernesto Christy Cline
HANA
My time with Shin had been exhilarating. After he decided to take a much-needed shower, he met me back in the dining area, where I watched him gorge himself like three drunken bulls after a night out.
It was shocking to see the changes in him. Every part of his appearance, from his posture to his gleaming eyes, had all regained that sparky exuberance I’d grown to associate with Shin. It was as if his whole being had been filled with purpose again. I marveled at how huge his sister was to him, how vast and all-encompassing. Without her, Shin didn’t have much to run on. I couldn’t blame him, though, thinking of my own reasons for grinding away in Eternal Online.
“We’re gonna scheme, Dahlia!” he said while shoving a second helping of pizza in his mouth. “We are going to ruin those jerks.”
All I could do was agree with him.
We spent a few hours discussing how we might circumvent his parent’s influence and arrange a meeting with Mae. When we were done, a solid plan had formed. That was when I reminded him that despite how cool it sounded to stick it to his awful progenitors, I still had things to do.
It was October 20th. I had two days until rent was due for my room in EO, and five until I had to send my first payment to AllHands Inc. I explained all this to Shin.
His reaction to my plight surprised me. He leaned forward and clamped down on my arm with a hand full of fury. “Don’t worry, Dahlia. I’ve got your back, okay? You’ll make the money in time, and if you don’t, well, I have a lot of money at my disposal. My parents are such savvy and paranoid investors that they gave each of us our own ironclad portfolio.” I shook my head and tried to pull away. “No, listen. I wasn’t joking, Dahlia. You are my best friend. I’m not going to let you get taken away.”
I still couldn’t meet his gaze but nodded slightly. It was weird hearing him use my real name. I’d grown so used to hearing Hana all the time that Dahlia sounded foreign, as though it were from a past I could barely remember.
I told Shin that I’d meet him at the time we had planned. I would help him in his great adventure, but for now, I had a mine to raid.
When I materialized, Madi was standing with Alysand and Garren. It was nearly full dark, and the night shocked me with a chill I hadn’t expected.
“’Bout time, shorty,” Madi teased, slapping me on the shoulder. “You ready to stumble about in the dark for hours?”
“I can see fine. Sorry, but I think you will be the only one stumbling.”
Alysand stepped forward and handed me a bundle tied together with twine. “This is from Tumsley.”
I took the package and gasped.
It was bear fur, and when I untied it, I saw it was a portion of Marduk’s pelt fashioned into a long cloak. As my eyes continued to adjust, I saw matching cloaks wrapping around Madi and Alysand’s shoulders as well. The fur was indescribably soft. It had the smooth texture of silk, but the strength and bulk of wool. I ran my fingers through it and smiled shamelessly.
Marduk’s Mantle
Quality: Epic: Armor 40
Durability 140/140
+3 to all base attributes, +25% to Stealth
Applies high protection against cold.
“Sweet scrolls, that is awesome! I guess I don’t need my old one anymore.” I took off May’s trusty cloak. It was worn, torn, and mended, stained with blood and travel, but it had been my first piece of comfort in this world.
“It’s alright,” Garren said. “If you agree, one of my daughters asked if she could have it. I can trim it up to fit her. She has taken a fancy to you, Hana. Even carries around a stick and attacks anything that doesn’t move quick enough out of her way.”
When we finished our quick goodbyes with Garren, I had Madi follow me to his well. Following the simple instructions Tumsley had shown me, I enchanted my katana and then her axe with the Kuthwala’s fiery power. I smiled as I saw the edge of my blade gleaming with the red and orange of coals.
“That will no doubt help, but so will this,” Alysand said as he passed out some smoked bear meat. I took a bite and was pleased with the buff it applied, comparing it with the one from the carrying stone.
Status Effect: Smokey the Bear Meat
Smokey the Bear Meat: This travel ration carries the blessing of the gods. +20% movement speed while traveling, +5 Stamina, +10% Health Regeneration, +20% XP gained. Duration: 4 hours.
Status Effect: Kuthwala Fire Edge
Kuthwala Fire Edge: The Kuthwala has imbued your weapon with the power of the Reichi Pepper, adding the power of the fire affinity to all attacks. 15% of normal weapon damage added in the form of Fire Damage. Duration: 48 hours.
“Wow, that’s great, but shouldn’t we save the jerky?” I asked, addressing the obvious question. Buffs like that seemed best used when fighting mobs, especially considering the XP gain.
Alysand shook his head. “We have enough to last us a week even if we ate nothing else. The increase in travel speed will be worthwhile. Eat your fill, then let’s get started.” The man’s usual merriment and verbosity were absent, leaving little but resolve and pragmatism behind. This was the gunman, the bullet bard, that so many seemed to know and respect. I was glad he was on our side.
We were about to depart when the thunder of hooves came from the road leading to Garren’s farm. Alysand threw open one of his lapels, allowing his hand to rest on a pistol. I readied myself and watched Madi unbuttoning the clasp on her great axe, though neither of us drew our weapons.
After a few short moments, a figure came into view. They were hunched low over a horse, cloak billowing behind. For a moment, I thought the person would run us over, but they soon sat up and reared the horse, coming to a stop just in front of us. In one swift motion, a man dismounted and bounced to his feet, reaching a hand out to take Alysand’s.
“Ah, if it isn’t my good friend Liam,” the gunsinger said as he shook the man’s hand. “How does the road treat you, my friend? Well, I hope.”
Liam replied, “Well indeed. I have no time to lose, and I am grateful to have met you here. A convocation is being held, and you all are invited.” He was as tall and powerful as Corell, the hunter from Taelman’s Pond, but his face was far more handsome. Dark hair and eyes shone in the fading light, and his smile was bright.
“This is Liam of the Sirrushi Doondane, a close friend,” Alysand said and Madi and I took turns shaking his hand as well. “We were about to part, and I am afraid we haven’t much time to treat with you properly. I am very sorry.”
“No worries,” Liam said. “I cannot stay myself. I have a few more places to visit this night before I can rest.”
“Where is the convocation being held?” Alysand asked, his face solemn.
“Carnen’s Rock.” He leapt on his steed again. “I’ll see you two nights from now. It is urgent. Until then, my friend.”
“Alright. And perhaps we shall have the time to renew our acquaintance then. Godspeed, Liam.” Even before Alysand’s words had faded, the ranger was barreling down the road again, intent on some unknown objective.
Madi jabbed me with an elbow. “If I fancied men more, that one wouldn’t be such a bad trophy.”
I blanched and sputtered out a nonverbal response. He had been handsome, but the idea had not crossed my mind. When Alysand turned back to us and asked us if we were ready to depart, I was grateful.
The trail that led up into the hills was wide and hard-packed. It would have been easy enough to follow even without my elven eyes. The light of the moon illuminated the powdered gravel path and gentle slope. After perhaps an hour of travel, though, the trail veered up sharply and began to skirt around the hills we were traveling through. The side of the path fell away steeply. It was soon apparent that if any of us fell, we would not fare well.
I bit my tongue as I heard Madi, just like I had predicted, occasionally catching the toe of her boot on an up-thrust rock or sudden dip. No longer flat and easy to follow, the trail began to disintegrate, barely discernible to my eyes. In many places, I simply walked forward in a straight line, hoping to find some remnants of the trail ahead.
The night ground away at us, slowly digesting our spirits. After some hours, we stopped and ate more of the jerky, grateful for the strength of its buff filling our tired limbs. Still, it was hard to resist exhaustion. Only Alysand looked unchanged.
We grudgingly resumed our hike.
Madi taught me several new cuss words as she stumbled along behind me. Pachi and Tejón ambled easily behind, their animal instincts serving them well.
The warrior is not graceful, Pachi complained in my head. She bumbles about like a boar drunk on acorn mead.
I stifled a laugh and calmed her. You will need to show me both a drunken boar and acorn mead when we have the time. But leave Madi alone. You won’t complain about her size when she is helping us kill enemies.
Pachi seemed to huff in my mind, a strange sensation to experience, but she didn’t raise any other concerns.
When I thought the trail had begun to ease up, we came to a howling cliff face. The path was a foot wide, composed of a sheer wall on one side, a cliff on the other. To make matters worse, the canyon funneled the wind and sent it barreling up the cliff face. Rather than facing the ravine, which howled below like an endless maw, I turned to the wall and sidestepped my way across. It wasn’t hard, though I was glad I had emptied my bladder at our last stop.
I was worried about Tejón, but the chunky bear still surprised me by smashing against the stone and ambling across easily, not once pausing.
Alysand and Pachi followed, leaving only Madi behind. It was only a couple dozen feet, so I could still see my friend’s face. Her features were more beautiful than normal, wrapped in the silvery touch of moonlight. But fear raged in her glimmering eyes. Just when I thought she was going to ask us to wait, the warrior clenched her hands into fists, faced the wall, and began to sidestep across.
I held my breath, waiting for her to slip, to call out. I couldn’t help but imagine her beautiful form tumbling away into the abyss. Thankfully, she made it.
After that, the trail seemed more forgiving. It fell downwards at a gentle pace, and it widened and smoothed out once more. Soon, the sky began to light from the distant horizon, turning gray with the coming of daylight. Though we had hours more to travel, according to Alysand’s guesses, it felt like we had passed through the darkest portion of our journey.
We skipped breakfast and ate more jerky while we walked. Since our way was now broad and simple to traverse, we made tremendous time.
The path wound up and down and through hills, and the further we got, the more the ocher of the soil turned to a mottled rust. The iron was all around us. We were nearing our destination.
Every hill and mound in the area seemed to merge toward a single peak. It was not one of the lofty mountains that scored the horizon here and there, snow-capped and ancient. This was a wide, almost flat-topped mountain that was covered in thick forest. As we crested a rise, I saw that the face of the mountain had been removed, cut away by years of toil, and below its shaggy crown, a tunnel bore down into the stone.
Even at this distance, perhaps two miles away, I was able to discern the tiny forms of miners pouring in and out of the mine like ants.
“We will leave the trail now,” Alysand said, taking the took the position of leader ahead of me. “Step lightly and follow closely. I’d like to get close enough to s
cout about. The fewer surprises we happen upon, the better.”
Our progress slowed dramatically, and though the gunsinger lacked her skill, I could not help but be reminded of Selna as he made his way below bough and branch, hedging the entrance of the mine. At last we made our way around the opening, coming to rest in a copse of trees that stood a couple hundred yards away. I scanned the mine entrance and saw only a handful of guards, but there were many more miners. They were hauling out buckets of ore, some occasionally pushing up a cart filled with the stuff.
“I can count only seven guards,” Alysand said. “And you, Hana?”
I couldn’t help but feel like I was being tested, so before I gave my answer, I took one more count. I had missed one in my first pass, but I saw him now, a larger ratkin that was sitting on a crate, leaning his head against the stone of the mountainside.
“Seven if you count the sleeper,” I replied.
Alysand nodded. “No doubt, there are more that we cannot see, but I don’t exactly want to snoop about in the daylight. Our chances don’t bode well. More likely, we’ll end up stirring the hive. I say we withdraw a mile or so and return as the sun begins to set. The transition from day to night is an effective time to attack. The eyes have trouble, and there will certainly be a change of guard.”
We found a game trail nearby and walked up into an adjacent canyon. My belly was calling upon demonic powers, and I heard Madi’s make a noise loud enough to hear from twenty feet away. A mild stream ran through the canyon, and the sun shone down on us favorably. Pachi and Tejón drank their fill and found warm stones to lie on and rest. Madi stretched out on a patch of grass like the gorgeous lumberjack she was.