Soulcatcher

by Sergey Zaytsev

''Why would you want this bloodsucker! He's so small and useless!''

  ''How dare you interfere while I am instructing my descendant?!''

  ''My, my, my 'Altar'! I'm not giving it away!!!''

  ''Should I start pointing fingers?'' the girl loomed over the Gybberkin child like a storm cloud. He immediately stopped jumping and froze, pulling his head into his shoulders. ''No? Then don't interfere! The 'Altar' is yours, but you should have given it to me. And now the beast will be mine, and you will receive your initiation some other time. Wise, can I borrow one of your daggers?''

  I did not dare try to dissuade Foxy and gave her a "Bone Slayer". As it turns out, she was also adventurous and quick witted. There was never enough time to think in these situations, so I was on her side. What if it really worked? Not having to run through the woods in search of a suitable candidate could save one a lot of time…

  The monkeys started shouting again, both at each other and the girl, as she dragged the blade across her palm. Blessed silence ensued as soon as the first drops of blood fell onto the ''Seed''. Having apparently lost their voices out of annoyance, the Gybberkin observed their energetic guest. What's more, a very dangerous-looking dagger was still in the girl's hand, and one should never argue with an armed man. Or a woman, in this case.

  ''Owl, what should I do next?'' she asked in a strained voice, looking at the bloody hand. ''Lead, you know the ritual better.''

  ''How do I know?'' the mage helplessly shrugged. ''Meditate!''

  ''How?!''

  ''Ginger, just freeze and pretend that bloodsucker's your next of kin,'' crossly advised Pops. Unlike me, he didn't like the girl's riskiness, but he did not leave her without help. ''And pray for a safe outcome. If there is even the slightest chance that the system will respond to your initiative, the process will start by itself.''

  ''Ok, I'll try. I got nothing lose,'' she said, staring at the ''Seed''. Her eyes grew dim, and the crystals in the bowls all lit up at the same time. Rays of light enveloped the ''Seed'' and the archer with a soft, golden radiance. At that moment, she looked marvelous and stunning, like a divine maiden. Her eyes were burning emeralds, her hair danced like flames, and her clothes looked as if they were drenched in liquid gold.

  ''People, close your mouth,'' jealousy grumbled Gramps, breaking the magic moment.

  The bas-reliefs around the circumference of the hall simultaneously burst into flames of six different colors, and it even seemed for a moment that the silhouettes of the beasts carved into stone started moving. That's it, it's not just decoration! Local pet tamers didn't need to summon the elementals like the players did! The sources of natural forces were already built into the rock mass!

  The illumination lasted only a few seconds before both the girl and the ritual returned to their previous state. There was nothing left of the ''Seed'' which seemed to have melted and leaked through the ''Altar'' and into the cage, hitting the bloodsucker and forcing him to fall.

  ''Did it fail?'' I asked quietly, getting my sympathies ready.

  Suddenly, a flash of light swept through the archer's body. Level six! It worked!

  ''Guys, I completed a hidden quest!'' the girl blurted out, smiling happily. ''Instead of getting two thousand XP for the 'A Well-deserved Prize' I just got three thousand!''

  ''Risk and you shall profit,'' I smiled in response.

  ''Only if you succeed,'' Gramps retorted, but still choose mercy over anger. ''I must congratulate you.''

  ''You meant to say 'A Battle Trophy'," Owl corrected her.

  ''No, the quest title changed too!''

  Sitting next to the cage, she carefully took out the bloodsucker, stroked its soft belly and solemnly proclaimed:

  ''I name you Scrappy!''

  The ''Royal Batwing'' pup moved sluggishly, bared its small, sharp teeth, and fell silent again, without opening its eyes. This was normal; after being tamed, the ''Turtangle'' took its time to come to as well. Foxy carefully lowered it into the backpack where it would sleep comfortably. Only then did she remember the Gybberkin who stood there, mouths agape, staring at the girl with reverence, as if she were a deity.

  ''It never happened before,'' squeaked the bald chief and stared at Toothcracker with respect. ''Young lad, you have been marked by our patron, the Great Six-tails!'' The "young lad" immediately threw back his head and stuck out his belly, trying to seem older. ''You have passed the initiation and became an adult! And now, dear guests,'' the Gybberkin looked at us. ''Please proceed to the square. The two of you still need an 'Altar', right?''

  The square was crowded.

  I felt dazzled by the colorful gypsy robes, and the incessant chatter discussing, undoubtedly, super important matters. It was reminiscent of a large market at the day's peak. The smells were sharp, animal, and mostly feline. Among the bipedal and tailed creatures wandered at least as much quadrupeds, amongst which were dwarf cougars, panthers, and leopards, to name a few. Although they were only twice as big as the ordinary domestic cats, their sheer quantity and stench made my eyes water. However, I don't think that their owners ever bathed, either.

  Damn it, I wanted to quickly finish these Gybberkin related quests and be on my way. I did, however, admire the ingenuity of those who had designed the races. The details were incredible: appearance, habits, features, life, everything looked very natural. But I was already fed up with the Gybberkin.

  We waited for the chiefs, who still couldn't agree on what assignment to give to the outsiders, to reach a decision. The three elders, all in varying stages of baldness and wrinkling, were sitting imposingly on low chairs in the middle of the square, within a fifteen feet wide area cleared from their subjects. Bowing heads to each other, they lead their discussion in a low voice. As it was not intended for our ears, the system was not translating.

  ''How long will this take?'' Pops grumbled aloud, eagerly glancing around the noisy crowd. ''We'll end up staying here till nightfall. Actually, I don't really need an 'Altar', I'm just here for the experience. And the clan's common cause.''

  ''You don't need a pet?'' incredulously asked Owl.

  ''Why are you so surprised? Why would I need one? I'm a cleric. As far as I understand, that's the most self-sustaining class here. Messing with the animals doesn't particularly appeal to me. What good is your puppy, Owl? You're too afraid to get it out of the bag, because a simple breeze could knock it over. Maybe the Gybberkin could feed it to their beasties. Look at how the hungry eyes of all of those kittens are looking at us. In general, it's just too much fuss and a complete waste of time.''

  ''You're wrong,'' the girl smiled, lost in thoughts about the future of her pet. ''They are helpless at first, but later... I just wanted a winged one, imagine how great of a scout he will be!''

  She unconsciously caressed the hilt of the "Bone Slayer" that had migrated to her belt. I had to give it away, as letting her walk around with just a bow didn't seem right. Pops, of course, noticed that, but had nothing to complain about. Red really needed to be armed. Nevertheless, it was a point for me.

  ''You need to survive till 'the future','' Pops smiled skeptically. ''So far I saw only one serious pet - Grant's. Yours are just trophies, not assistants, tamed only for the sake of affection.''

  ''Well, let it be for affection,'' Foxy didn't give up. ''It will be nice to take care of such a baby. It cheers me up. I see no reason to hide my feelings.''

  ''You're still babies yourselves,'' said Pops, shaking his head.'' Better grow up before something bad happens…''

  ''Enough fortune telling, Gramps,'' I stepped in, unable to endure it anymore. ''My head hurts enough as it is. We discovered one useful thing, however – alternative taming options do exist.''

  ''And what will you do with those alternatives? Is there some plan you forgot to share with us?"

  His condescending gaze enraged me, but I resisted the urge to say something sharp and unpleasant. However, Gramps was not to blame. It seemed that the more we stayed there, among the Gybberkin, the faster w
e got irritated. We would start bickering soon.

  Luckily for us, the wait time was over. The chiefs finished their discussion and approached us.

  ''This one will be mine,'' said chief Bright Mind, pointing a crooked finger in my direction. ''You take the other.''

  ''And why do you get to choose first!?'' immediately protested chief Dark Past.

  ''Quiet, quiet, oh venerable ones,'' our friend-elder, Baldwise, conciliatory raised his hairy palms. ''We've already discussed this. This is what we have decided, dear guests,'' squeaked the Gybberkin, proudly sticking out his puny chest under the colorful robe and looking at me and Pops. ''Today, the 'Giving Rite' involves only two chiefs, since my 'Altar' was used by the lad…'' the old man looked over the crowd looking for Toothcracker, who was long gone. He probably went to celebrate the initiation with his tailed friends. ''The chief whose candidate wins the contest will rule our tribe tomorrow.''

  ''Contest?'' I cautiously clarified. ''What contest, oh venerable one?''

  ''The chiefs Bright Mind and Dark Past have chosen you as their fighters.''

  ''Who are we supposed to fight?'' Pops asked, squinting suspiciously, sensing a trick.

  Baldwise made a solemn pause and, grinning from ear to ear, showing his teeth, still razor sharp despite his age, quite gleefully said:

  ''Each other!''

  Chapter 17

  ''An alternative option''

  The cleric and I looked at each other. What a surprise. Pops was not my enemy, what's more, he was my clanmate now...

  ''I told you,'' Owl whispered bitterly. ''Complete assho-…''

  ''No weapons,'' the chief continued with an anticipating grin. ''No magic. No surrenders. A fistfight. First to fall down, loses. Whoever breaks the rules will be banished from the valley until tomorrow. If you refuse to participate, you will not get the 'Altar', neither today nor tomorrow. Never. You have a minute to prepare.''

  Baldwise solemnly retired to his relatives.

  You are giving us an ultimatum, you damn plushy scarecrow!

  ''And you were just trash talking the little brats, Gramps,'' Foxy didn't hide her concern. ''Now you see what happens when you take a quest from... from the big brats. The chiefs fooled you like children, too.''

  ''I need a couple of mobs put down before level six,'' Pops shrugged. ''Let's tell these long-tailed twats to fuck off, and go back to the good old woods, where experience with no claims is walking.''

  ''What did I drag you here for then?'' Owl pouted like a child whose candy got taken away.

  ''Owl is right,'' I threw the ''Uniq'' and the backpack onto the ground. After an afterthought, I threw the looted lash, too. ''Gramps, you may not need this 'Altar'. But I do. Desperately. We're gonna have to do this. Conditions are acceptable and we don't have to kill each other. A little bit of smacking around, that's all.''

  Noticing my preparations, the crowd perked up. There were plenty of those eager to have fun. However, they surrounded us a bit too tightly...

  ''Back off!'' Baldwise screamed angrily at his fellows, putting things in order. ''You all know the rules! Move!''

  Shouting excitedly, the Gybberkin crowd moved, clearing the required area and dragging away their snarling cats.

  ''A little bit of smacking around, you say?'' Gramps asked with a grin. ''Okay, Wise. You've been asking for it since the 'Replicator'.''

  ''Have I?'' I chuckled back. ''But I am just a greenhorn.''

  Gramps didn't answer. Silently getting rid of his hammer and bag, he moved his broad shoulders and twisted his neck, warming up. Then he took his stance, raised his fists to his chest and chuckled again, this time with promise. Did I not know anything about him? My physique was somewhat lacking compared to his, but my main stat was strength, and his was wisdom. I wondered what he could do without his magical hammer. Although, he was plowing through minions back at the ''Outpost'' …

  ''Come on, Wise, show me what you're capable of without a sword,'' Gramps spurred me.

  ''Guys, be careful,'' Foxy said anxiously.

  ''Don't worry about it, Red,'' I reassuringly nodded to the lass. ''Bruises heal quickly on avatars.''

  ''Get the ring off too,'' said the cleric. ''There should be no advantage. And turn off your auras.''

  ''Yeah, sorry, forgot.''

  I turned the auras on out of habit back when were riding into the valley. Once I turned them off, I took off the ring from my finger and gave it to Owl for safe keeping. At this point, the cleric struck a treacherous blow and hit my left cheekbone. My teeth clattered, and I had to step backwards twice in order to stay on my feet.

  It was dead silent; the attention of the onlookers was absorbed by the beginning of the fight.

  ''Where did you learn how to fistfight, Gramps?'' I shook my head, trying to get rid of the ringing in my ears. ''Rough childhood on the streets?''

  ''I don't remember a thing about my childhood, Wise, same as you.''

  The cleric rushed forward, closing the distance between us. A series of rapid blows followed. We fought fiercely and silently, and I suddenly realized that I was as proficient in fist fighting as the cleric was. I just hadn't known that that before the battle began. Was that a basic skill that had not yet been applied? I should carefully examine their characteristics later…

  With some difficulty, I withstood the cleric's attacks and pace.

  My body moved on its own; a rebound step back, an evasion, left hook into the liver and a direct blow to the solar plexus.

  A sudden wave of unbearably wild pain paralyzed my entire body, blowing the air out of my lungs, and forcing me to bend over. My legs failed me and I collapsed to my knees, vision blurred. For several long, agonizing seconds I couldn't breathe; then something pushed my shoulder and found myself lying on my back.

  Half-deaf, I heard the crowd let out an enthusiastic roar, congratulating the winner. The cleric stood two steps away, towering over me like... like that damn minion who had shot me with a bow. Hatred instantly boiled inside of me, woken up by the painful memories... And then faded when the cleric extended his hand and helped me up.

  ''Sorry, Wise. You know why I did it.''

  I felt dizzy and was swaying as if I was on a ship's deck. Noticing that I'm not alright, Red grabbed me by the arm.

  ''How could you?'' the archer shouted indignantly. ''He's one of us!''

  ''Yes, he was and still is,'' Gramps smiled. ''Would you have preferred a fight to the bitter end?!''

  ''No!''

  ''Quiet, Red... My head is ringing,'' I squeezed out a reply through clenched teeth with some difficulty, interrupting her. I turned to Gramps. Actually, what did you... do?''

  ''Do you not understand? That was my signature ability, a gift from my deity, the 'Lash of Pain'. Remember how I stopped Alice? I did the same to you to stop you before we hurt each other.''

  ''Quiet, the chief's coming,'' Owl interrupted.

  Looking all important, Baldwise approached us, and silently handed the "Altar"... to Gramps. Then he turned around and pointed his hairy finger at me.

  ''You'll come tomorrow. No more quests for today.''

  With that he left.

  I could only swear. To say that I was upset would be an understatement.

  ''You deprived me of the 'Altar', Gramps!''

  ''I don't understand,'' Pops helplessly gazed at the ''Altar'' in his hand and then back at me. ''I thought I was going to lose, Wise. I used the spell, I violated the rules…''

  ''Gybberkin…'' I gritted my teeth. ''They are moody bastards. Their quests, their rules.''

  ''I really didn't want it to end like this. Again, I have no desire to mess with those beasts. Look, just take the damn 'Altar', okay?''

  ''It will be the right thing to do,'' Foxy's voice got a little warmer.

  ''I don't mind,'' I shook my head again. The haze before my eyes had almost dissipated. Holy shit, what a powerful skill... Oddly enough, the HP bar was almost intact. I think I should go to the ''Temple'', too, and look f
or a patron, as the benefits of their patronage were too good to ignore.

  ''Exactly,'' Owl angrily looked at the cleric, clearly taking my side, but Gramps, quite pleased with how the situation was resolved, paid no attention to him.

  But why was it so suspiciously quiet around here?

  I looked around, not believing my eyes; the Gybberkin crowd was gone. When did they leave? All of the pets were gone, too. The valley looked the same as it did when we had first arrived; seldom scattered huts and a few tailed ones keeping to themselves. A pastoral idyll without noise, screeching, flickering tails, and colorful gowns.

  ''You're not mad, kid?'' the cleric stepped closer, smiled warmly and patted me on the shoulder. ''You know I had no bad intentions, right?''

  ''Sure,'' it was still somewhat hard to talk.

  ''Well,'' Gramps noticeably perked up. ''You got the 'Altar', but you're still level five. And you need to be level six by the evening…''

  ''It can be arranged,'' I waved. ''I have an idea where to fill up the experience bar…''

  I was interrupted by a system message:

  Completed the quest: "Debtor"

  Reward: 100 XP

  I chuckled forcefully. A small, but nice bonus brightened my mood after the defeat. Cavalier kept his word, returning my debt instead of me.

  We picked up our belongings and went to our fursters.

  ***

  Three hours after the events at the ''Gybberkin Mountain'' and I was sitting on the same, good old pine tree.

  My destiny was, apparently, to climb trees. Luckily for us, the ''Direcat'' was still sleeping on the warm, flat rock in the middle of the clearing. Maybe it never moved from there but waited, like some sleeping princess, for some player to come and drive it away. An unenviable fate. That wasn't a life, but a dull existence. Well, it was time to cheer it up. A beast which had a crown with four prongs was worth the risk.

  Fairy wings buzzed near my ear. To me, they all looked alike, but for some reason it seemed to me that this was the same fairy who had already tried to give me the quest. I turned my head to her.

  ''What do you say, tiny? Have you changed your mind about the quest yet?''