The Sleeper Must Awaken

by Kip Terrington

  Congratulations!

  You've completed a hidden quest: Respect the Kill.

  After defeating the rotund boss, you spurned the loot provided by the UI and instead, recognized the value of your kill. With exhaustive and meticulous effort, you harvested every drop of blood and every shard of bone. Hunters who truly respect the kill do not allow any of its resources to go to waste.

  XP received:

  Base- 100, Voice of Monty Ring bonus- 100

  Total XP- 200

  Reward: Unique Master Alchemist Recipe

  Unique Master Alchemist Recipe: Defense Potion Number 9

  Congratulations! You have received a Unique Master Alchemist Recipe: Defense Potion Number 9. This multifaceted defensive potion provides 25% increase of magical and physical defense by ensuring a one-in-four chance that the enemy’s attack will miss. Note: possible side-effects include dry mouth, racing heart, perspiration, increased eye contact, and a feeling of elation.

  Key active ingredient: Nueve Gato ground bone.

  “I believe only Moes or Bork have the expertise to read that scroll, but that is going to be incredibly useful,” Zoya postulated.

  “If you can force your adversary to miss when they would have struck home, it's like a mulligan,” Joe said.

  “Your Majesty, I don't think that translated well, did you say something about a meaty stew?” San clarified.

  “Shoot, sometimes I forget the UI is translating things. I meant the other definition of mulligan, where you get a do-over. It doesn't matter anyway. I don't know about you guys, but I am ready to be done with this desert. Let's head up to the Mezzanine,” Joe insisted.

  “That's a good idea. You should see how many groups have made it there. And don't forget there are still three NPCs we have to run through floors one through three,” Zoya reminded.

  “I didn't forget. I'm just nervous about it,” Joe confessed.

  “I need to head up to the castle to rebuild Obsidian One, so I will let them know you'll be running them through shortly,” Zoya said.

  “Thanks, I appreciate that. Hey, since Obsidian One broke, shouldn't you call that Obsidian Two?” Joe asked.

  “The heart survived, so Obsidian One survived,” Zoya said, as the group stepped in the still waiting elevator.

  “You know what, I can check on everyone in the Mezzanine after I run the three NPCs through the top three floors. Mind you, it goes against my key maxim, never do today what you can put off until tomorrow…” Joe said with mock seriousness. San’s face screwed up in confusion.

  New Fact:

  243- As of Day 18, the UI still fails to translate sarcasm effectively.

  “Relax, San, he's kidding. That's the opposite of what he tries to do,” Zoya reassured after pushing the button for the top floor.

  ***

  After supervising the NPCs through the first three floors of the dungeon, Joe opened the door of the Mezzanine with a big smile.

  Sitting at one of the halfling-sized tables, Moes jumped off his seat and ran to greet Joe.

  “Burning beards and spoiled custard! Why did you spend so much time on the fourth floor? You took so long that I convinced a group of players to accompany me on a rescue mission. Only, the dungeon wouldn't let anyone else in!” Moes spouted.

  “Calm yourself, Moes, at least let me step all the way through the doorway before you assault me with questions,” Joe said.

  The halfling backed up and with an overdone wave of his hand, invited Joe to enter.

  As Joe looked around, he was glad to see the Mezzanine contained at least thirty players. Some sat at the bar and ate, while many others gathered around the tables, either crafting or maintaining a weapon. Without fail, every player he clicked on had gained at least one level. Trailing close behind, the three NPCs Joe had been supervising entered the Mezzanine.

  NPC, Hollowbirch

  Elven Archer

  NPC, Krill

  Dwarven Human Transmuter

  NPC, Molasses

  Troll-kitsu Fighter

  The archer and the transmuter gawked at the wonderfully crafted wood ceiling. Molasses, however, didn't bother looking around. Instead, she went directly to the far corner of the bar and placed five food tokens down. She preceded in stuffing herself, all the while emitting a low threatening growl.

  “She is clearly not in the mood for company. I don't know what it is about you, Joe. Every time I see you, I have more questions. Now I also need to know what happened to her,” Moes said, motioning Joe to an empty table where the two promptly sat together.

  “That last question leads to a funny story,” Joe remarked.

  “I'm taking a small break, so lay it on me, but don't think you're off the hook for disappearing for a couple days—even if your story is funny,” Moes said.

  “Do you know anything about the mating practices of the birds-of-paradise?” Joe asked.

  “I don't even know what a bird-of-paradise is,” Moes answered.

  “A bird-of-paradise is a small, incredibly beautiful, multi-colored bird. They're great to look at, but that's not what makes them so interesting. You see, when a male bird-of-paradise wants to mate, he has to entice a female, both with his sense of home decor and his prowess in dancing,” Joe said.

  “You're kidding, right? And what does this have to do with why the troll-kitsu would be stressing?” Moes asked with skepticism evident in his tone.

  “It is a funny ritual, but I'm not kidding. The reason it relates to Molasses is, apparently trolls have a similar practice,” Joe explained.

  Moes covered his mouth to stop from laughing.

  “You mean the third-floor boss was hitting on Molasses?” Moes guffawed.

  “The moment he saw her, his whole disposition changed. He was smitten, and fighting was no longer on his mind. All of a sudden, the Boss Music took on a whole new meaning. He began by lowering his stance, holding his arms out wide, and jumping from side to side. Then, he upped the ante. As graceful as a troll could be, he leapt in the air like a ballerina, keeping perfect rhythm with the song. I've never seen a performance like it. His pirouettes were perfect. When a troll is able to stand on his tippy-toes with effortless balance, it is truly breathtaking. We couldn't help but just stare until the whole song finished and he took a bow. At that point, Molasses had still been clueless about what was going on, that is, until she received a quest to mate with the troll,” Joe laughed.

  “She didn't, though, right?” Moes asked.

  “No! A full-blooded troll is a straight-out monster—no sentience. Molasses is a person, so she was less than amused. She rejected the quest and charged at her suiter with an axe,” Joe said.

  “I know that's right and proper and all, but admittedly, part of me feels bad for the guy. Did it make it easier to kill it?” Moes guessed.

  “We didn't kill it. It continued to dance, leaping away from her attack every time she got close. Eventually, it decided that she really wasn't going to mate with it this time around, so it dove into a hole that closed up immediately after it. Then the UI informed us that the floor had been conquered and we received some unremarkable loot—mostly a bunch of food tokens. It looked like most of them were for ice cream,” Joe said.

  “You have plenty of magic now. Why didn't you stop it?” Moes asked.

  “They would have lost XP if I had joined in. On the first floor, I informed them that I would just be supervising and then the UI offered them an Escort Quest. Along with fighting their way through the floors, they gained the objective of keeping me safe. I figured if they had a problem, I could step in, but I never needed to. Molasses has the speed of a cat and the strength and regenerating powers of a troll. Someday, because of her, the vampires are going to regret their breeding programs,” Joe said, the levity departing from his voice.

  “Did the other NPCs do okay?” Moes changed the subject.

  “Even though their level was higher than Molasses’s, they aren't even close to as powerful as her, but still, t
hey did well. Hollowbirch was apparently a skilled archer as a child… before the vampires captured her anyway. Her skill is evident. The fact that she could make her bow with the materials we provided her with shows her worth, but she could shoot the eyes out of an amoeba. Her skill earned her an item I have never seen before. After an unreal shot made from mid-air, the UI manifested a one-time use stone that can make any item soulbound. It was designated just for her and was nontransferable, which was unfortunate, considering it is useless for an NPC,” Joe lamented.

  “That’s too bad. I would have loved to ensure I kept this ring, but it is good she is so capable,” Moes said.

  “Yes, she is definitely an asset, but I wish I could get her to talk a little. She is really quiet,” Joe commented.

  “If you had her memories, you'd be screaming. Trust me, quiet is better,” Moes implied softly as he leaned in and looked Joe in the eye.

  “I thought, in order for them to function, you removed all the worst memories or at least blocked them?” Joe inquired.

  “For many of them I did, but the mothers were different,” Moes conceded.

  “I saw many children among their group, but she wasn't holding any of them,” Joe said.

  “Even if your children are taken from you, you're still a mother. And she is a mother many, many times over. She began raising each child, but once weaned, they were all taken from her. In her mind they are all dead. Though my magic is strong, the natural magic of a mother's love is not something you can block. She remembers all of them and every excruciating moment of when they were taken away. Hitting menopause was probably the biggest blessing she had been given until you freed her,” Moes revealed.

  “We've got to kill all of those creatures,” Joe resolved.

  “You're biting off more than you can chew. You're supposed to be a Champion for the Way, not a vanquisher of evil,” Moes pleaded.

  “You can't be one without the other. The vampires are in my valley, or at least under it. So, if I'm going to create a place of safety, of refuge, they have to be removed,” Joe asserted.

  “Maybe, but you should wait until our forces are fully marshalled. When Gretchen gets here, along with all the others, then maybe we can take that fight on,” Moes insisted.

  “Well, hopefully, they're here within a few months, because we have a deadline. Gretchen, or no Gretchen, we are attacking before time runs out. I'm going to get something to eat and check on everybody,” Joe said as he stood up from the table and made his way to some of the others gathered.

  Moes let the king go and watched as he congratulated each and every player for their accomplishment in making their way to the Mezzanine. The high fives and merry-makings did not brighten the halfling’s mood.

  ***

  The heavy doors to the Mezzanine opened and another party entered. San and Phoebe were in the lead, each with puzzled expressions on their faces.

  “Phoebe, you okay? You look like you just ate a lemon,” Moes asked.

  “I don’t know. The last troll boss just walked up to San, knelt and started bawling…” Phoebe marveled.

  “What?” Moes asked.

  “Then, the UI offered us all a quest called Romeo’s End… San killed the troll to complete the quest and we received Bonus XP, plus an achievement. It was apparently a mercy killing,” Phoebe said.

  “I guess he couldn’t live without her love,” Moes commented.

  “What?” Phoebe asked.

  “You’re going to love this story,” Moes began.

  Chapter 27 - Small Talk’s Overrated

  The Wild Mountains.

  The bunny tunnels near the Yeti Floor.

  Day eighteen, an hour after the Evening Bunny.

  Zoya vigorously pumped her wings as she sped through the bunny tunnel. She spread her arms out and felt the smooth stone of the walls as they slid under her fingertips. She felt the exhilaration as she saw the opening zoom closer.

  New Fact:

  248- Exercise noticeably reduces stress contained in avatars.

  As she popped out of the tunnel exit, she expanded her wings fully and her forward momentum slowed to a stop. She was in the center of the castle near the outer door to the Little Yeti Vault on the floor designated for Clan Bounder. Taking in her surroundings, she saw everyone hard at work.

  Some of the yetis rounded out softball sized practice stones to use with their newly acquired long-range combat abilities. Others practiced with the lacrosse-style netted sticks Zoya had provided for them. The yetis were extremely powerful species when it came to close combat but unless the particular individual already had magic, they had very few long range attacks. Their paws were not well suited for throwing boulders, but they could grip a stick.

  It had been easy for Zoya to devise a way to harness their natural strength. Even the weakest yeti could whip a ten-pound stone a hundred meters using a lacrosse stick. If she could figure out a way to enchant the stones to explode on impact, her yetis could become something akin to highly mobile trebuchet teams, hurling missiles toward the enemy camps. Eventually, she would use her building points to make steel balls they could propel.

  The outer doors of the yeti vault slowly swung open and the chief emerged, for once, not looking guilty.

  Noticing Zoya, the yeti vassal held his paw close to his chest and bowed. Zoya returned the salute and addressed Bridcha.

  “Good evening, Chief Bridcha. How is your son doing?” Zoya asked.

  “He happy. Mostly happy…” Bridcha hesitated. Zoya raised an eyebrow, unsure if she should prompt him for more information.

  “Tig is a delightful child. Is he glad to have the other children back for company?” Zoya asked.

  “Yes… Though he miss Bork,” the yeti confessed.

  “Oh, I didn't realize they had bonded. I'm sure our goblin friend would love to visit Tig. Have you thought about asking him?” Zoya asked and the huge yeti looked away, not answering.

  “I have overstepped, and I should know better. Unsolicited parenting advice is the number three cause of premeditated murder. Forget I said anything. How are your people adjusting to their new circumstances?” Zoya asked, changing the subject.

  “Good rock, good shelter, good food. Clan growing strong. Growing dangerous,” Bridcha said, gesturing to a target that one of his yetis had just nailed on the bullseye.

  Before Zoya could respond, the yeti saluted once more, this time bowing deeply.

  “I overflow… Gratefulness,” Bridcha stuttered with emotion.

  Zoya had to take a deep breath, feeling a bit overwhelmed herself.

  “I'm glad things have worked out the way that they have and that your clan is beginning to thrive. We are clearly stronger together. I'd also like to say that I'm glad that you have finally given up on the idea that you must die for what happened,” Zoya said.

  The chief had a look of intense concentration on his face and then he spoke the longest sentence she had ever heard him say.

  “Death lighter than feather and duty heavier than mountain,” Bridcha intoned.

  Zoya nodded, but inside she couldn't believe that Joe had forced this yeti to learn a famous quote from The Wheel of Time.

  “Where Bork?” the chief asked, having apparently just come to a decision.

  “I believe right now he's working in the Alchemy Lab; though, you're definitely not going to fit through the hallways to get to him. I'm headed that way after this. Would you like me to give him a message? It's no trouble. That's my next stop, as I'm gathering a group for the king so that we can attack the fifth floor of the dungeon tonight,” Zoya informed.

  “Visit Tig... Please,” the chief said.

  “I'll deliver your message. Let me know if your people need anything else. Tomorrow I should be able to make another twenty lacrosse sticks. Hopefully, within the next few days, all of your people will have one to practice with. The woodworkers are still getting their bearings, but it’s likely they will be able to make better sticks that will last longer
and have sharpened ends. I have even given them the dimensions for a stick that you and Lil could use. Farewell,” the dark fairy said before she zipped up into another tunnel.

  The yeti was left wondering if he had made the right decision. He muttered something about the flying boogers his son had told him about.

  Chapter 28 - There’s No Rug

  The Wild Mountains.

  The Mezzanine in the Dungeon of Os.

  Again, Moes waited at a table in the Mezzanine as Grork, Bork, and Zoya stepped out of the elevator.

  “I'm ready when you are. Where's the king?” Moes asked.

  “He'll be here shortly. He wanted to take a quick shower,” Zoya said.

  “So, once again, the halfling’s left waiting. Why would you need to shower before going inside of a dungeon?” Moes complained.

  “Use your head, little man, monsters have a sense of smell. I wasn't afraid to let him know that he smelled like a farm animal. Goats are gross. I read that book cover to cover and there’s no law against the truth,” Grork said as he patted the small book in his pocket. He formed a silly smile on his face and raised his hand for a high five.

  Moes’ expression darkened, but he stood up and gave the goblin a high five.

  “I can't believe you made it a law that people have to make a reasonable effort to return a high five,” Moes whined.

  “When the book was written we believed this was a game. However, there's nothing wrong with healthy social interaction,” Zoya shrugged. She raised her tiny hand and Bork carefully returned her high five.

  “Was that technically a high five? I mean, he really only used one finger. Are you going to throw the book at him?” Moes laughed.