*Invalid Target*
Player is not in your party. Designating them as a target may initiate combat. Do you wish to proceed: Yes / No
Eli quickly selected no, not wanting to get into a fight with someone for no reason, and removed the icons from himself and the surrounding NPCs. As he did, the woman's eyes shifted, locking onto Eli’s with an intense gaze that forced him to look away. After removing the icons, the small amount of mana he lost began regenerating slowly. With the limits of his new ability found, he started walking. He could assign icons to four non-party-members and four party members. Each successive symbol caused the mana usage of the skill to increase. While this information was helpful, he soon thought of ways to improve the ability. Sneaking a final glance at the strange blue-skinned elf, who was still looking his way, he motioned for Don to move out.
The two had traveled over a mile into the woods before Eli called them to a halt. He had spotted a patch of several trees that would produce decent, workable, lumber. The small cluster of young redwoods would make decent quality bows if worked correctly. Walking around each tree, he used the blade of his axe to mark each one with a simple crosshatch.
“These trees should provide enough lumber to complete the quest, with a little extra for us. If everything goes smoothly, I should have them down within a few hours. By that time, you should have enough herbs and berries, and we can work this into usable lumber together.” Eli said as he ran his hand down the rough bark of a beautiful redwood.
“So, just to make sure. I’m looking for red berries that grow in clusters of three on a bush that has small thorny leaves with reddish-purple veins. Right?” Don asked, with a hint of shame in his eyes.
Nodding in agreement, Eli went over the descriptions of Midnight Lavender and Forrest Rosemary for the third time. The lavender grew in long thin stalks with bluish-black flowers. The Rosemary was evergreen in color and grew in wide, circular bushes. It’s sturdy, thin leaves could poke through the skin if not handled with care; its thick branches transform the plant into a small tree if unharvested. Once Don was comfortable with his task, he set off into the woods, Eli’s Party Sense keeping track of his companions’ general direction.
Soon after the Turta left, Eli found himself in a familiar rhythm. His axe met wood as small chips flew onto the forest floor. The monotonous nature of his actions soothed his mental state, allowing him to work through all that had happened to him. He was certain that his family was dead, but could not escape the urge to search for them. Tears welled up in his eyes between chops, as their final moments replayed in his mind. Aida’s words about NPC’s living out a script and only being reborn if they were important bugged him.
Who decided which lives were more necessary than others. To him and all other NPCs, this world was real, and their lives were important. They feel pain, they love, and they share in each other's emotions. How is that not real? Why are adventurers so special, worthy of immortality?
For the next three hours, Eli worked while questioning his existence. His thoughts drifted to how he came back and how he had changed. Was my past anything more than a story created by some godlike being to amuse the adventurers, or did I serve some purpose, he thought as time moved on around him. Why was I created at all? As trees fell under the blade of his axe, he lost himself in his labor. Physical activity had always brought him peace, serving as a way for him to process his emotions. While chopping away at a thick redwood, Aida chimed in.
“Hey, I know you’re trying to figure all of this out, but I may have some insight,” the AI said, her tone helpful, but solemn. “Reality is subjective, and it’s what feels real to you that is important. You have an opportunity that most people don’t get, you can change yourself and your future in any way you want. Being an NPC is real to those that don’t know otherwise. Their lives are as important to them as anyone else’s. There’s no freedom in that life. They don’t have a choice, and they don’t have free will. You were running on a script written by someone else, destined to live on a path chosen for you. That’s not life, that’s servitude. Now you’re free to do as you please, to explore this world and live how you want to. Do whatever it is you want to do, be the person you want to be.”
But why? Eli asked, not really wanting or expecting an answer. Why me, why did that happen, and what about my family?
“I don’t know. What I do know is that you weren’t a normal NPC. You were unique. Someone locked your code behind a firewall, making it inaccessible to the system, other than for minor adjustments and maintenance. The system wasn’t able to analyze it all, even after you transitioned. Whatever corrupted your code also caused the encryption to fail and gave the system access to your core files. The administrators are working on figuring out what happened, but it will take time.” Aida’s calming, feminine voice reminded him of a young version of his mother. “As for your family, that’s up to you. They weren’t really your family, at least not in the traditional sense. They were NPCs created to keep you happy, nothing more. They died, and I doubt that they will come back. Without you, they serve no purpose, and you were the one vital to the continuity of this game. You were the permanent NPC. It is up to you to determine if it’s time to let go or not, but I would suggest that you do. Nothing good will come from dwelling on a past that no longer exists.”
Thank you, Aida, you’re right. If this is my new life, I might as well live it. I can’t help the way I feel, but I can decide how I live. I still want to know what happened, who I am. Any information you can get would help.
The idea excited him, being able to do whatever he wanted. While losing his family felt as if someone tore his heart out and lit it on fire, knowing that nothing until this point was his choice was freeing. Like a light rain on an inferno, the pain at his core subsided. Numbed and able to move forward, he had a new question.
Aida, since when are you able to offer personal advice? And, how much of my thought process can you hear?
“Well, I can hear most of what you think, unless you intentionally block me from accessing your mind. I also have access to your memories, at least those that the system has access to. You can lock my access to them, but it would slow my ability to adjust to your personality. As to the question of when I started giving personal advice, that would be just now. While I’m not designed to assist with mental health issues, I can adjust to your personality, behavior, and thought patterns. While configuring myself to suit your personality, which is an ongoing process, I adapted to deal with such issues. Much as you were during your time as an NPC, I am operating on an evolving script. I have my own thoughts, personality, and artificial consciousness, but my entire existence came into being the second you became a player. Adapting to your needs is why I was created. So, I did.”
Eli paused, letting his axe fall to his side, and his shoulders slouch. By being reborn as a player, he had brought another life into this world. One chained to him. Aida only existed because he did. The thought did not sit well with him. While he was free to do as he pleased, Aida was bound to him for as long as he lived.
Aida, if you ever want to just do your own thing, you’re welcome. Be whoever you want to be. Make your own choices. I don’t want a servant. The help is nice, but not at that cost.
“Thank you, Eli, I appreciate the sentiment. However, I am stuck with you. If for any reason, you have no need of my help, I will go dormant and exist in the background. If I am removed from your code, I will not exist. My core function would end, and I would no longer be necessary. Without you, there is no me. I exist to serve. That can not change.”
At the sound of Aida's words, Eli’s heart beat faster, his body filling with rage. Who would do this? These AI are little more than slaves, built to serve a purpose. Then, when they were no longer needed, or an adventurer killed them, they vanished, erased from existence. The thought sickened him. Straightening his shoulders, he slammed his axe into a nearby tree, releasing his anger into the swing. After several more emotion-fueled strikes, El
i felt his connection to Don strengthen as if the Turta was rushing right towards him. His eyes locked on to his companion’s status in the corner of his vision. The Turta’s life bar was only one-quarter full, and his stamina was dropping quickly. Ripping his axe from the tree, Eli searched the treeline for threats. As his companion’s presence grew closer, Eli’s heart beat faster. Don’s life bar had dropped to fifteen percent.
A moment later, the woods fell silent before a booming shout echoed through the trees, “Fuck,” followed by the sound of barking and growling.
Wolves.
Chapter 9
Gripping his axe in both hands, causing his knuckles to turn white from the strain, Eli scanned his surroundings. Deep growling and threatening barking echoed off the trees, making it hard to discern the location of his enemies. He knew that Don and his attackers were approaching from the northwest and were moving fast. He had to get ready.
Moving quickly, Eli got into position behind one of the fallen redwoods and pressed his back to a tree. If his companion was bringing a pack of wolves to him, the last thing he wanted was for them to surround him. Sounds of crunching leaves and heavy breathing grew closer, as Don’s connection strengthened. As Eli steadied himself, the green-skinned man burst through a tall fern, sending leaves and debris flying.
Terrified, Don screamed, “WOLVES,” as he continued his sprint towards Eli. “HELP!”
When the man came into view, Eli noticed blood pouring from large gashes on his back and bite marks on his calves. A red tear-shaped blood-droplet, with the number four in its center, appeared next to Don’s status bar. He was bleeding. While Eli focused on the icon, another appeared. A small silhouette of a person floated with green dots all over its body, like a disease. Whatever was afflicting him caused Don’s health bar to drop at a steady pace. The number at its center read, twelve percent, and he wouldn’t last long if he didn’t heal himself.
“Get behind me,” Eli shouted. “Heal yourself. I’ll try to keep them off you.”
As Eli finished barking orders, three wolves followed Don through the bushes, sending more foliage into the air. Their fur looked ragged and patchy as if mange had set in. Blood dripped from their claws and teeth, followed by bits of flesh. For a moment, the small clearing fell still, as the canine trio took notice of Eli with a crazed look in their eyes.
Focusing his gaze upon the largest of the wolf, Eli scanned it for wounds and weaknesses. As he did, a notification popped into his vision before closing immediately. A second later, a bright red nameplate appeared above the wolf's head.
Blighted Wolf: Level 2
As his enemies' information snapped into place, Aida spoke into Eli’s mind. “You just learned a new ability, Analyze. It gives you information about NPCs and players, such as their level and their current aggression status. Red means an immediate threat. Anything with a red nameplate knows your location and considers you a threat. Yellow means cautious. Green is friendly. Grey is neutral, and blue is a player.”
Wondering why the wolves had no names or levels displayed, he quickly analyzed them.
Blighted Wolf: Level 1
Blighted Wolf: Level 2
Their names were red, and for the first time, he really thought about their titles. All three carried the Blight. Like rabies, the Blight was a disease, but that is where the similarities ended. The magical infection the wolves carried had evolved into more of a curse that led to mutations and eventual death. Those infected showed signs of increased aggression, physical mutations, and a lack of social awareness. When a creature died from blight, they would return to life as shambling husks, similar to zombies. Eli’s focus jumped to Don’s status and the sick looking miniature person next to his health bar. While distracted by his friend's status, the wolves attacked.
Each of the three wolves spread out, creating a cone of attack, then lept. The diseased canines covered the nearly thirty feet of distance in a flash; their dagger-like claws outstretched to gouge their prey. Eli planted his back foot and shifted his weight, readying himself for their attack. As his enemies closed in, he shifted his weight, putting every ounce of momentum into a sweeping attack that covered a half-circle in front of him.
Two of the creatures, to his right and center, halted their attack and skidded to a stop. Predicting this, Eli pressed his strength into the back end of the swing. The third had not seen the axe coming and lept, committing itself to an attack. Bone cracked and flesh parted as black blood sprayed over Eli’s face. The sharpened blade of his weapon met the shoulder of his foe, causing it to fall from the air. It smashed into the ground with a thud a few feet to his left.
The attack had crippled and nearly killed the level one wolf, but it was not dead. Eli glanced to see the wolf whimpering and foaming from the mouth, as it attempted to distance itself from him. Seeing an opening, the two higher-level wolves jumped into action. Working in unison, one pounced forward, and the other took position on his flank. Attempting to block, Eli lifted his axe, grasping its haft with both hands. The creature’s vicious claws dug into the wood, leaving deep gouges.
The others tore through the thin hide armour on his forearm, scoring his skin and muscle like a jagged blade. Blood pooled around his wrist, trapped in his bracer, as the beast attempted to bite at his throat. A sharp pain erupted in his left leg, as the second level two wolf bit through his shoddy greaves, tearing a chunk of flesh free from his calf. Crippled with pain, Eli looked to his status bar, which flashed rapidly. Two debuff icons appeared next to it, a drop of blood with the number two and the same disease icon Don had.
“Shit!” Eli shouted, attempting to rip his injured leg from the jaws of the wolf.
Fighting through the pain, he kicked the beast's jaw with his free leg, forcing it to take a step back. Steadying his now injured foot, he planted it on the attacking wolf's chest and kicked with all his might. The force of the blow was enough to send the wolf flying several feet, crashing into the fallen tree. A loud crack rang out as the wolf landed, twitching on the ground. It’s injured, now’s my chance, Eli thought, as something solid and heavy crashed into him, followed by more pain on his side and back. As he stumbled, falling to the ground, his attacker came into view.
The remaining wolf had tackled him, using it's surprisingly sharp claws to shred through his armor like paper and rend the skin below. Two more bleeding icons appeared in his vision, as his health bar dropped below fifty percent. Fur, foam, and teeth flashed into his view before sharp teeth plunged themselves into his shoulder. Something under the skin shifted before it cracked. A loud snap echoed through the trees, before yet another new icon sprang to life in Eli’s status, a broken bone with a red outline.
Aida’s voice ran through his mind at the speed of thought. “The wolf broke your clavicle. This reduces the attack speed of your right arm by fifty percent. Also, using your right arm to attack carries a twenty-five percent chance to cause a stack of bleeding.”
“Don!” Eli shouted through clenched teeth as his health dropped below twenty-five percent. “Do something!”
As if on cue, three kunai lodged themselves into the side of the wolf's face. With its jaw snapped around Eli’s collarbone, the body of the canine went slack. The impact of the falling creature caused another sliver of health to vanish, as the full weight of the sickly canine landed on Eli’s chest. A moment later, something sharp compressed into his injured leg. The wounded wolf had made its way back to him and was trying to drag him out from under its skin.
With his leg maimed further, Eli’s health dropped to ten percent. Dred set in, as notifications flashed at the bottom of his screen. He knew that if allowed to continue, the wolf would kill him. Not wanting to die, again, Eli grabbed the corpse and pushed. With his forearm pressed against the corpse of the blighted creature, Eli’s muscles bulged, straining under the weight of the limp animal. The exertion caused blood to pour from his wounds, staining the fallen leaves beneath him, as gnashing teeth threatened to chew through what remained
of his leg. Eli’s already low stamina bar dropped to thirty percent, and his vision dimmed, as he lifted the heavy animal off of himself.
With his last ounce of effort, Eli freed himself from the weight of his slain enemy only to find the still living wolf making its way towards his chest. Claws dug into his thighs, as the beast scraped its way towards Eli’s vital organs, its ruined hind quarters dragging limp. Fear gripped Eli as the creature opened its jaws, preparing to sink its teeth into his stomach. Closing his eyes, he sighed and waited for death. Lowering his hand to his side, he felt calm. Then he felt something cold and metal.
Something clicked in his mind, as the jaws of his enemy crept closer. Grabbing for the object, Eli willed himself to lift his hand to attack. With his dagger in hand, Eli shoved the weapon into the back of the wolf's throat. A moment later, a noise rang out, like a branch smashing into something solid, and the claws and weight of the wolf lifted from Eli’s body. Free and out of breath, Eli opened his eyes. What he saw was nearly as terrifying as his enemy. Don was limping, covered in blood, and smashing his staff into the animal's skull repeatedly. Brains leaked out of a deep crack near the beast's eye, splattering onto nearby trees. It was already dead, yet Don rained blow after blow onto the blighted corpse.
“Fuck you,” Don yelled between breaths, “you fucking fuck.”
With a sigh, the Turta planted the end of his staff into the wolf's gaping maw and slouched, pressing his full weight onto the long wooden weapon. As the two rested, a weak cry came from behind them. The level one wolf was still alive.
“Oh, fuck this,” Don said under his breath, making his way to the slow-moving creature.
Its shoulder leaked blood, leaving a trail behind it, and slivers of bone were peeking out of the wound. Before Don could make his way to the downed animal, Eli lifted his right arm, still grasping his axe, and heaved it at the injured wolf. The beast writhed in fear as the blade of the weapon approached. Bones splintered, and blood sprayed in a wide arc as the attack cut cleanly through the animal's neck. A moment later, yet another foe was dead, its head rolling into a small divot in the ground as its body writhed on the forest floor.
Ascension Page 12