Chapter Twenty-Five
It had been a while since I’d had such a great steak. Sure, the grazlitaurs tasted great, but this was different. This was from back home, not from inside a strange new world. Kade and his wife sat across from Melina and me as we finished eating and were enjoying some alcohol. The mood was generally good, and I almost felt bad for asking about the information they’d promised.
“See, Edge is one of those people who are hard to control. He should be as loyal as a dog, but only if it suits him. Give him power, and you’ll see his real character.”
“Oh, I already thought as much, Kade. What I want to know is if he even deserves a chance. And what about the others? Are there any troublemakers among them? If there are, they need to be rooted out immediately.”
Linda offered her hand to Melina suddenly, pulled her up, and then disappeared into the kitchen.
“Dessert.” Kade chuckled. “You’ll love it.”
“Sorry, I’m just twitchy. Can’t really help it,” I replied with a shrug.
“And yeah, there are several bad apples in there with Edge, but they shouldn’t… I don’t know. If they think they’d be able to get away with crap, those four would probably do some nasty shit to get ahead.”
“Names?”
“Three of them are brothers. Jason, Jace, and Jax. The fourth is their cousin, a man with the same name as your right-hand… officer? What do you call him anyway?”
“Who? Mark?”
The general nodded and picked up his glass, then poured all of it into his throat. “Yeah, him.”
“Blood brother. That’s what I call him.”
“Really, huh?” Kade chuckled. “Now that’s quite something. Wish we’d met earlier, as I could have used you during the first days when this place went to hell.”
“What do you think about the specialists?” I asked instead, trying to change the subject. The corners of his lips turned upwards so quickly that I thought he was waiting for the question all along.
“Do you even need to ask? They’re fantastic.”
“And hardworking. See, I’ll get them up to rank four, and that’s it. From there on out, they’ll take over with—whatever I’ve been doing to them and to you. I really won’t have the time to waste on such trivial matters.”
He opened his mouth to ask something, but then stopped and sat there with his mouth wide open. “What do you think about a constant supply of goods between the two of us? We’ll keep getting whatever you need from over here, including any kind of explosives you might need, and you’ll keep a steady flow of crystals coming our way. And weapons. And armor.”
“I was waiting for you to ask the question, General. And yes, I can do that, what’s more, I’d like to do so, but I’ll have to help my own people out first if that’s alright.”
“The new association?”
I nodded. “They’ll need some basic gear and rank two or three before they can start policing the tower. See, I don’t want a half-assed militia running amok. Give them the power, and they should stay loyal if they know there’s more where it came from.”
He let out a sigh and nodded as the girls walked out of the kitchen. Both carried two plates, each with a fist-sized piece of chocolate cake in the center and scoops of ice cream to the sides. My eyebrows rose, but once the smell struck my nostrils, all I could do was grin.
An hour later we stood in front of Edge and the group of fourteen men and women who were left when we got back. I pulled the names from my memory and called them out.
“Jason, Jace, Jax, and Mark. Step out.”
Four men, who looked more like punks and troublemakers, stepped out all proud as if they thought I was about to give them an award. I pulled out my halberd and struck the four down before they could even stand at attention. Several screams and cries followed but were quickly drowned out by the shouting soldiers, who kept the populace at bay. Edge, though, he stared at me knowingly. It was almost as if he’d known I was going to kill them from the start.
“Thank you for taking the burden on yourself, Viktor,” he said as we stood nose to nose.
“Are you willing to follow my lead? And orders?”
Edge nodded. “I am if you’re anything like they say you are.”
“Good, I’ve heard you’re a hard-ass, but one who can be quite loyal. What do you think?”
“Well, that’s mostly right. I wouldn’t say quite loyal, though, but more like totally loyal. You treat me well and let me figure out my own business, and I’ll follow you to the end of the world.”
“In that case, do you know the others?” I asked and nodded at the nine remaining men and women.
“I know five of them, which makes us six in total. The other four are random people who decided to tag along.”
I stepped to the side and stared at every one of them. They looked formidable, and if the flow of Enma was anything to go on, they were at a much higher level than the ordinary man or woman from after the change happened.
“You have two choices,” I said, my voice loud and strong. It carried far enough to be heard by the soldiers and civilians. “The first is to go back home and forget about this! The second is to join my Hunters’ Association! You would be in charge of the tower’s security, tax, and the hunters’ safety! All of you will be screened, and if deemed worthy, you will be given training, gear, and responsibility! But most of all, you’ll have security for your families! Isn’t that what you wanted from the start? Security in these insecure times?”
“That’s so unlike you,” Melina whispered from behind me. “What’s with the long speech?”
I turned around and winked playfully.
“If you decide to join me, you’ll first be taken downtown to be graded by the military! Once you’re graded, you will come back to this rift and join us on the other side! The spec team here will wait for you!”
Sebastian groaned along with Jason, but the girls chuckled at their discomfort. It looked like they weren’t interested or used to being in the limelight either. Well, tough luck. I hated it as well.
“Yes, sir!” Sebastian finally snapped and saluted.
I stepped back over to Edge and motioned for the specs to join me.
“Bastion, this man here is to me what you are to Kade. I don’t want any disrespect, but if they get out of line, any one of them, feel free to break all their bones. I don’t need troublemakers and people who can’t follow orders.”
He perked up at the mention of beating someone up and nodded. “As you wish, sir.”
“Good. As for you, Edge, if you want to bring your family, they’ll have to wait for a bit. I need to get some new living space set up, but the ten of you will have to help the contractors with it.”
“Sure thing, Viktor. Anything as long as they’re safe.”
“Well then, I guess I’ll see you guys soon enough,” I said and flashed them a broad grin. “Make sure not to waste time, alright? Oh, and have Kade arrange someone who’s good at building stuff from wood. Log house makers or whatever they’re called, alright?”
“On it, sir.”
I was itching to go home, so I did. My hand wrapped around Melina’s, and I pulled her in close. “Ready to go?”
“Never been so ready in my whole life,” she whispered. “Think you can spare me some time alone?”
“Always.”
The first thing that greeted us once we walked through the portal was the bright light and hustle of the soldiers. They were busy cutting down trees, which worried me somewhat. I looked out onto the forest to our left and growled inwardly. A good third of it was already cut down and nowhere to be seen. Nowhere until I looked over to their plot of land.
“Herrion!” I yelled and stormed over to the man who stood on the bridge and was dropping crumbs of bread for the fishes.
“Viktor! It’s good to… see you? What’s wrong? Why the sour face?”
“Sour face? What the hell is with my damn forest?” I snapped and then nodded at a new
building I hadn’t seen before. They must have started it when we left. It was like those log homes you’d see the rich people buy in the mountains or near lakes. Somewhere private so they could enjoy all the luxury life had to offer.
“That’s the building Kade and the officials will use when they visit,” he replied weakly.
“And who said you were free to take my trees? Even more so, I never agreed on anything like it, now did I?” Someone from the sidelines could call me petty, angry for no reason, or just a horrible host, but I knew what they were doing. There were always people around who wanted to abuse your hospitality and goodwill. Not today.
“I thought the general cleared it with you, sir. Didn’t he?”
I stared at him blankly and bared my teeth slightly. “You will take it apart and build it anew in the forest. My new group needs a place to stay, and what better way to show your appreciation than by doing just that?”
Herrion frowned and moved his hand to his side as if searching for a weapon. If he even made a single wrong move, I’d gut him where he stood, as I had no idea what was going through his mind. Whatever it was, I didn’t think it was something good.
“And what if we don’t? The general made it clear that we could build on our plot of land and do what we wanted. What’s more, it’s a place for the general.”
I grabbed him by the neck and pulled him off his feet. He dangled there as both his hands tried to clutch himself free from my grasp, but it wasn’t working out.
“Wh-what are you d-doing?” he wheezed as his face turned red.
The soldiers had noticed the commotion, and everyone quickly gathered around us, but no one dared do anything stupid, as they knew I’d kill them without a second’s thought.
“Sir? Please, what’s wrong?” one of the soldiers asked. It was a woman, one with a long blonde ponytail and blue eyes.
“Take him with you. Everyone will wait at the gate until the next group of people comes in, and then you’ll report to Kade. I want to see him here the moment Herrion makes his report. Understood?”
I let Herrion go and turned about. Melina still stood near the portal, and I knew I’d caught her off guard with what I did, but to think she’d freeze up for so long was strange.
“What the hell was that for? A damn building?”
“It’s not about a damn building!” I hissed through clenched teeth and pulled her along with me. Donald and Rita finally noticed us and ran up to us. He frowned and put up both hands as if to stop me.
“What’s wrong? Talk to me,” Donald whispered. “What happened out there?”
“Out there? Nothing. In here, a lot. Did you know about the log building?”
“Yeah, why? Trees fully regrow every forty-eight hours.”
“They do?”
He nodded slowly as his expression changed to one of horror. “Don’t tell me you attacked him over the damn trees!”
I let out a sigh and nodded in turn. “I did.”
“Damn it! Why are you so hotheaded all the time?”
“So what now? Should I go and apologize or something?” I muttered. “Or pretend it wasn’t about the trees.”
“Was it about the trees?” Melina asked as she pinched my arm.
“Partially. And partially about making themselves too much at home.”
Donald let out a deep sigh as he shook his head slowly. “Viktor, you spend too much time fighting and not enough time enjoying this place, exploring, and figuring out how it works.”
“Hush!” Rita almost hissed through her teeth. “Who do you think has been carrying most of the burden so far? You? Me? Of course it was Viktor!”
“Hey, I didn’t mean to say that—”
“Enough,” I said, now visibly calmer. “Thanks for reminding me. Please never stop doing so. I just might change in time.”
I held up a hand when Melina was about to speak, and moved back to stand with Herrion. Unwillingly, might I add. He scurried back against the bridge railing and stared at me as if I were death incarnate.
“Wh-what now?” he muttered.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have flipped over such a minor thing, though you need to understand that this is my home, not yours. Do you understand?”
He nodded hurriedly. “I’m sorry, Viktor, I really am. We should have waited for you to come back, and then started building.”
“No, I shouldn’t use power to get my point across. That said, you can go back to whatever you were doing.”
Herrion looked like he wanted to say something but didn’t as I turned around and strolled over after Melina. I had done some great damage for no other reason than my pride, but whatever. It would heal in time. Especially if I got him some nifty gear.
A sudden scream rang out from the dome wall. Two soldiers ran our way as something happened to the dome. It flashed, and then a deafening boom shook the clearing.
“What the fuck was that?” I cursed and grabbed the halberd from my pouch. “Herrion! Send one of the soldiers out to get the specs! They’re on standby at the gate! And have someone fetch Mark from the tower! I think we’re about to have unwanted guests!”
“Wait!” Melina yelled as I was about to run off. The familiar feeling of her buffs washing over me was pure bliss, one I needed to feel more often. I took in a deep breath and stood there as our eyes met. She wanted to say so much more, but we both knew that words weren’t our strongest points, and neither should we say something we’d regret or things that could weigh us down.
“I love you, Mel,” I said. The words just came out as if something broke inside me, and I couldn’t hold it back. Why pretend if I knew it was true? She knew it as well, and everyone around us knew it too.
“Why do I have a feeling that something shitty is about to happen?” she muttered. “And I love you too, Vik, with all my soul. Please don’t do anything stupid out there. No one can harm us inside this zone, right?”
“They shouldn’t be able to,” I whispered. “And where the hell is Veles when you need her? How the hell can she be absent for so long and during such a shitstorm?”
Melina grabbed me and put her arms around my back, holding me tight. “Do you want me to go out there? I can help you from a distance.”
A second explosion rocked the barrier even harder than the first time. My heart skipped a beat and then started racing even wilder. If someone or something had such power that they could shake the zone, what the hell was I supposed to do against them? Beg him to leave us alone?
I bit my lower lip as dozens of thoughts crossed my mind. What if I couldn’t handle whoever it was? And what if I died? The dome would probably collapse, and everyone would die as well. But then I got an idea.
“Herrion!” I yelled over my shoulder. “I want all of you people out there along with me once I start fighting! Understood? Make sure you use the best rifles and ammo you got, or we’re all going to die!”
He straightened himself and snapped a salute before barking orders to the soldiers who were milling around after the reprimand. Donald and Rita stood to the side and stared at the domed wall, unable to speak or do anything.
“Viktor,” Donald whispered, “it’s no shame if we abandon this place and go back to our world. Remember that, alright? Don’t die out there for no reason other than your pride.”
I wanted to yell at the man, but he was right. Pride had been the reason for many people’s downfall. There was no way in hell that I’d make the same mistake. If I couldn’t cut it in this shitty game between Gods, I’d cut my losses and run. Fuck it.
I took in a deep breath and kissed Melina’s forehead before I walked over to the entrance. My blood was both cold and hot at the same time. I wanted to fight, yet I was afraid to see what awaited me there. But then I remembered. I had already died once, so what was the worst thing that could happen? Death? Bring it!
I stepped into the next zone and took up a defensive posture while holding my halberd up in both hands. Some twenty yards from me stood a single creatur
e; no, not a creature, it was an alien. It looked eerily similar to us humans, but only if we added in a mix of monster traits.
The target easily stood seven feet tall and was much broader than me, at least by a third. The outer layer looked like my tyranitaur armor, but much smoother and as if it was a part of the creature, not just an armor like with me. Black and gray smooth surfaces glistened in the bright sunlight. Two bright red eyes stared right at me, defiantly. I felt the hairs on my back stand upright, and the only thing that kept him from seeing the fear on my face was the armor that covered me from head to toe.
It produced a large club out of nowhere, probably also possessing a pouch of sorts. Maybe something much different. It wasn’t like it mattered. All I knew was that the thing exuded power, a power so real that I couldn’t even try to understand it.
“What do you want?” I yelled, hoping it would understand me. The creature stood straight and lowered its weapon until it stopped next to its right foot and leaned against the grass.
“Your life and your zone. What else? What are you? What kind of creature are you?”
“You first,” I replied as calmly as possible.
Its helmet retracted, leaving an ugly green face looking back at me. The skin could best be compared to old worn leather without a single strand of hair, both on top of the head and where a beard could possibly grow.
“I’m the Zanoxian called Fetrasch. What about you?”
“My name is Viktor, and I’m a human,” I replied calmly. The shock effect had already subsided, so I regained my posture and breathed steadily. Sure, he was imposing, and the power radiating off him made my knees buckle, but I held my ground. I always would. “How many others did you take out already?”
What looked like a mouth finally appeared as his lips curled up and showed several rows of sharp, rending teeth. I guessed he found the situation amusing, or probably the question. Yes, it was the question. His expression had been neutral until the moment I mentioned the others.
“Nine are left including you and me,” he replied with that wolfish grin. It sent damn shivers down my spine, as I couldn’t help but imagine them digging into my neck.
Crafting Death: A LitRPG Cultivation Series (Towers & Rifts Book 2) Page 29