The Life

by Paul Kite

  “We’re going back!” Kirk commanded, turning to us. “Kraven, do you have the heart?” he first asked and only then noticed the gray stone that was wedged under my arm. “Fine! You’ll walk in the middle. Guard this totem with your life! We’re lucky you didn’t miss this bastard! He cast our eyes with a spell! The orc cattle…” the captain stammered and looked with an apologetic glance at the young orc.

  However, En-Dig was gazing happily at the heart of the totem and completely forgot about everything in the world. He seemed not pay any attention to the captain’s words.

  “En-Dig?”

  “Oh, yes?!” the orc awoke, turning his head.

  “We’re returning to the village!” Kirk repeated.

  “Yeah,” the young orc nodded in agreement. “Let’s hurry!”

  The village greeted us with loud thumping of axes and hammers. The survivors, with the help of the crewmembers, were rebuilding the houses near the shaman’s hut. Ir-Zan himself was sitting on his porch and was looking thoughtfully at a pile of weapons and other things that were left after the fallen players. All the artefacts and weapons were now lying before him.

  “You’re already back? So fast?” the old shaman asked in surprise, noticing us.

  “You didn’t catch up with them?” he asked gloomily.

  “Why, of course we did!” Kirk delighted Ir-Zan. “Here’s your totem heart,” the captain motioned for me to approach the shaman.

  I handed the gray stone to him with a smile. The old orc was almost moved to tears. I stepped back and read the system message that appeared.

  Task: Help the orc island settlement to return the ancient relic, the totem, is completed

  Reputation with the NPS Ir-Zan increased to ‘Revered’

  Reward: You can ask the shaman to become your teacher and get the appropriate class or choose a few items at your discretion

  New level received

  New level received

  New level received

  Chapter 24

  It was exactly what I needed! I mean the reputation. After all, I was absolutely not interested in any classes or subjects. I didn’t think that Ir-Zan had anything valuable. Even if there was something, it was most likely tied to all the same shamans and orcs, but this didn’t suit me at all. Thanks to my penultimate level of reputation, I could discuss almost anything with Ir-Zan! Most importantly, I was going to ask him about totems.

  “My gratitude to you knows no bounds,” the shaman bowed down, holding the totem’s heart tightly to his chest.

  “Oh, it isn’t worth it,” Kirk said.

  But, it is! Of course, it’s worth it! I thought.

  “Well, I insist!” the shaman emphasized the last word. “Kirk, I know your family very well. I’m always glad to see you in my village. But, Kraven,” he looked at me, “I’ve met you today. From now on, I’ll gladly respond to your request for help! At any time! Thank you, you have no idea how much you’ve done for me! I’m going to repair the totem now. I’ll be waiting for you at dinner tonight. Okay?”

  “With pleasure, but... I was thinking of visiting my people on the ship,” Kirk sighed.

  Yeah, your people, of course. You mean Princess Ariana! Surely, you shouldn’t leave her alone for that long. She’s probably out of her mind with excitement. You’re right, go to the ship! I thought.

  “Another time, then,” the shaman shrugged, and the captain breathed a sigh of relief. “Though at least I hope you won’t refuse?” Ir-Zan asked me nervously.

  “I will gladly come. When should I be there?” I asked, trying not to sound overexcited.

  Kirk won’t get in my way, this is simply wonderful, only... there is, of course, the wizard, he may want to join us.

  “What about Lsaeros?” I immediately wanted to know, I really didn’t want him there.

  “I have already talked to the legendary wizard,” the shaman said favorably. “Well, we’re going to have dinner in a narrow family circle, in the presence of my daughter and son. They, of course, won’t meddle in our business. And if we agree, then I’ll go to restore the totem. But don’t forget, Kraven, I’ll be waiting for you at my house at dusk!”

  “Of course I won’t! How could I forget! There isn’t much time left.”

  “Not much, but quite enough. I can do this meanwhile,” the shaman agreed. “Forgive the old man, but I cannot invite you with me. Mere mortals are forbidden to participate in shamanic rituals for the rebirth of the tribal totem. This is the gods’ will!”

  I would really like to look at the magic ceremony of the shaman, even secretly, while invisible. Still it would be better not to interfere without his permission just to satisfy my curiosity. Well, I just nodded, and once again assured Ir-Zan that I would definitely come to dinner. Then I went for a walk around the island...

  The long-awaited evening came and so I approached the house of the shaman. I knocked on the door and, waiting for permission, came inside, stepping over the threshold.

  “Good evening, Kraven!” Ir-Zan waved at me affably. He and his daughter were at the set table, with food that was not plentiful, but which was quite nutritious and very tasty. There was a roast bird, a young hog’s grilled leg, some salad in a large bowl, and a couple of decanters with some kind of drink. I was sure it was local alcohol.

  Saying hello to his daughter and sons, I sat down in an empty chair. His children were young orcs who’d recently come of age. Mmm! What smells! I would like to taste... everything! Although, I had a hearty meal just three hours ago in order not to get a debuff. However, it was impolite to start eating before the hosts, I was a guest in this house.

  Finally, Ir-Zan’s family joined me, sitting down around the table. After exchanging a few pleasantries, we began to eat.

  After the plates were empty and everyone was full, the old shaman suggested that we go up to his office on the second floor. He wanted to discuss one important question. However, Ir-Zan didn’t mention what, but I hoped that this wouldn’t be the next task. I didn’t have that much time for them. I would prefer to talk more about totems.

  Taking a seat by the window, he gestured for me to push the chair closer to him and sit down.

  The next moment, as I sat on a soft pillow and leaned back, Ir-Zan almost knocked me off my feet (thank god I was sitting!). He asked me without hesitation,

  “You want to talk about totems? Right?”

  “Uh,” I said, a little dumbfounded. “Yeah... but how did you...”

  I was fed up with oracles and predictors! If I now found out that Ir-Zan was a telepathist and could read thoughts of the NPC as well as the players, then... I could finally confirm suspicions that the realm of Noria was no longer a game. It turned into something unpredictable - no matter how fantastic this version sounded.

  “Kraven, the totem you saved has belonged to our kin for fifteen hundred years! My father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather and all the men on my father’s side worked with it. Did you think that I wouldn’t notice your mark from one of the generic totems?” The shaman squinted slyly, but I mentally cursed.

  No, the orc isn’t a telepathist and I’m very happy about it!

  “But for some reason, it’s very different from Ilu Li Ro,” meanwhile, Ir-Zan continued thoughtfully. “It’s different from all the totems that I’ve seen in my long life. There weren’t many of them, but enough to say for sure that your totem is... it isn’t quite a totem,” the shaman said. “Oh, it’s a pity, of course, that there are almost no orc families who own stones with incarnated souls. Yes, and we almost lost our totem today... However, the gods have been kind to us, thanks to you and Kirk. Kraven, can you tell me in detail how these marks appeared on your skin?”

  Taking into account the orc’s kind disposition towards me, I decided to tell him my story. I explained how I received the totem Zurval un Ra, omitting, of course, game terms that the shaman didn’t understand.

  “Oh, I see,” Ir-Zan clutched at his head. “Did anyone tell y
ou that you... I’ll try not to sound too harsh…”

  “They did,” I sighed sadly, understanding what the shaman was aiming at.

  “Oh,” the orc waved his hands. “I don’t even know who might do this. I couldn’t have imagined that you have one of the most ancient beast-gods! I think your marks are only partially similar to mine.”

  “The totem of the half-beast, the demigod,” I automatically corrected the shaman, recalling the legend that Dazrael told me.

  “No!” Ir-Zan said firmly, disagreeing with me. “I mean what I said! This is no ordinary totem. It isn’t the same intelligent animal entity like our Gray Cat Ilu Li Ro, which can be called a half-beast, a demigod. Well, your... hmm... totem is actually the beast-god, one of the progenitors of the tribal totems of orcs, goblins, trolls, and many other races! The creature is so ancient that today’s gods are real babies compared to him. I can’t even imagine for what reasons, and how it had taken over the patronage of the cave goblins. However, it linked its fate with them. It’s amazing to me how the wizards of Sartar, the Dark Forest ruler, have managed to bind its essence to your Daggers of Chaos! After all, it’s the essence of a real god, even if it’s a beast!”

  We stayed silent for a couple of minutes. Each of us was thinking his own thoughts. I didn’t know what the shaman was wondering about. Instead of finding out more about these totems, my confusion only grew.

  “And what should I do with it?” I pronounced sadly, secretly hoping that the shaman could prompt.

  “Don’t let it come into our world!” Ir-Zan exclaimed immediately. “Never! Although it won’t be able to stay here for long. This insane god can cause chaos in a second! The war between two countries using the most powerful magic would be like a mild tussle compared to this.”

  Well, of course, I guessed that everything was very bad there. I remembered the warning of the gods of light and dark elves. This god was too problematic...

  “I hope it won’t gain its strength soon,” I said.

  “Yes, this is the problem of all totems, including your beast-god. They doomed themselves to such an existence,” the shaman said. “Totems lose strength over time, and, having manifested themselves in this world for the last time, they disappear for a very long time. Our Ilu Li Ro’s been in hibernation for almost a year,” Ir-Zan told me wistfully, “so those damned orcs managed to get his heart! And if we don’t fill the Gray Cat with energy, then it’ll sleep for at least another month.”

  “Fill it with energy?” I asked clarifying. “Is it possible?”

  “Of course,’’ the old orc confirmed. “It’s necessary to immerse the heart of the totem in the source of divine magic. But I can’t go to the nearest source, the local lake in the Wastelands. I’m not strong enough, and I don’t have enough warriors. After all, the heart can’t be hidden. There are too many people desiring to get the totem.”

  What lake? Is it by chance that very Gran-al-Hron? I thought and immediately asked this question out loud.

  “Yes, you’re right,” the shaman nodded, squinting. “Only for the sake of all gods, don’t try to approach the source! Did you understand me? Don’t even think about it!”

  “I’m not going to.”

  “That’s good!”

  “By the way, what if those orcs return again?” I asked, remembering that player’s promise. “And why did they appear yesterday, and not a month ago or last week.”

  “I’ve already sent a request for protection to neighboring friendly tribes. They’ll help us hold out till the end of the month. Although I should have done that earlier. I relied on my strength in vain.” the shaman answered my first question.

  “As for the attack... I have no idea how they learned or heard about the totem. Who would ever think that there would be reasonable people who decided to pop in such a backwater as our favorite island on the very edge of the map of the inhabited world?”

  “That’s right,” I said, reflecting. “Oh, I didn’t want to offend you,” I added after a moment, realizing that he could take it as an insult, me agreeing with his term “backwater”.

  “It’s okay,” Ir-Zan grinned cheerfully.

  “Wouldn’t it be better for you to leave this island and move to another?” I turned the conversation to another topic.

  “Alas, that’s impossible. This is a long history associated with my ancestors and our family totem,” the old shaman answered. “Don’t worry, Kraven. Ilu Li Ro will soon restore its strength and everyone will forget our island for a couple of years. After all, as soon as it’s embodied in this reality, any enemies will be instantly destroyed. No magic will save them except the divine one.”

  Yeah, now everything fell into place. I used to think that a clan of players could send people here any day. However, it was not so! If they don’t manage to capture the heart of the totem in a certain period, then they have to said goodbye to this idea for at least a couple of years.

  “Thank you for a nice evening,” I decided to end the conversation. Of course, I’d like to know what Lsaeros and the shaman were talking about. Though I didn’t ask and Ir-Zan’d would probably not tell.

  “Thanks again for your help,” the orc bowed. “Don’t forget. You’re welcome in my house any time. You can always count on my help!”

  The shaman accompanied me to the gate and we said goodbye. I almost immediately bumped into Lsaeros on the street.

  “What have you been talking about for so long?” the wizard got down to business immediately.

  Heck! What should I say? I panicked. Did he wait for me on purpose?

  “Well, nothing important,” I decided to let him know I wasn’t going to reveal my secrets. “By the way, I didn’t ask you about what you discussed with him while we were chasing after that squad of orcs.”

  “Of course, you didn’t!” the wizard answered too sharply. “Wizards and shamans’ businesses don’t concern ordinary people! Well, let your conversation remain a secret. I just wanted to warn you that we’re going to the source tomorrow.”

  “What about Kirk and the others? Can’t we help them?” I asked in surprise.

  “How are you going to help them?” Lsaeros replied with displeasure. “They’re going to wait for help from the neighboring villages. The captain will try to hire those local orcs who at least have some knowledge of seafaring. He also plans to hire a shaman who knows how to protect the ship against sea monsters living near the Ilinar barrier. Kirk, all the same, decided to go around the Damned Lands by sea and go straight to the dwarfs. He plans to teleport from there to the kingdom of Ariana’s father.”

  “This is very risky.”

  “It’s no more risky than sailing back or making their way through the Wastelands of the orcs,” the wizard shook his head. “So, yes, we go our separate ways from this point on.”

  “Then I should perhaps say goodbye to Ariana.”

  “Sure,” Lsaeros said calmly. “Although I already told her everything.”

  Chapter 25

  Kiera was online, visiting one of the shady Norian websites, searching for a qualified thief. Despite the fact that the Life Corporation closely monitored the purity of the gameplay and constantly blocked such resources, this site was active for quite a while. It regularly changed addresses and providers.

  It was not only thieves that could be found on such sites. Artifacts, the exchange of money to bypass the game banks and much more was available to any player who decided to break the law. The offender could end up in prison for a period of three months, or received huge fines for such illegal actions.

  Yes, after that conversation with Livion, which was the last straw, the young woman had firmly decided to rob him. She didn’t need his artifacts, weapons, armor or treasure. Despite the fact that the necromancer had more valuable things than a clan or a guild could have possessed. Such wealth, of course, contributed to the fact that he was present in the game almost from the first day of its development. Livion had been living in the big world as a true resident of N
oria for three years after he got out of prison. He had no right to exit into the real world, by the way!

  Kiera just wanted to get the documents and contracts, all the papers that Livion preferred to keep at home for some strange and unknown reason. The necromancer didn’t trust banks or his own memory. Although the game allowed loading every second of the game character’s life from logs and thus retrieving absolutely any information. However, the necromancer’s habit was profitable to Kiera. The day when she signed the contract, the girl came to Livion’s office on the second floor of his house, which was full of traps at almost every step. After the contracts were signed, the wizard placed the documents in an artifact safe. It was built into the wall. Kiera guessed that the safe wasn’t made by simple dwarves. She, of course, didn’t see its properties, but judging by the marking and the emblem on the door, the top non-game guild carried out that order. These dwarves made the highest quality products.

  She no longer believed Livion. There were too many inconsistencies in his stories. She didn’t trust Arthur either. By the way, the girl made a mental note that she should talk to the guy in real life and remind him who she was. He apparently forgot! However, the young man left the game instantly that day and went somewhere. Let him just get out of his shelter, she’d track him down.

  Kiera soon got tired of staring aimlessly at the monitor. At last, she decided to make herself some breakfast. This helped brighten up the painful waiting.

  When she returned to the computer, the long-awaited sound of the incoming message came from the speakers. Kiera impatiently opened an anonymous mailbox and read the text.

  Hello. I can accept your order.

  The return address consisted of a random set of characters and letters, which indicated this stranger’s intelligence. He, like Kiera, used an anonymizer. This helped encrypt his identity from the law, which they anyway violated merely by their presence on the shadowy site.

  After running her fingers across the keyboard, the girl quickly wrote the answer.