Absalom’s Trials

by J. D. L. Rosell

  Unless my heightened charisma could work some magic.

  I put on a smile and set my charm to work. The shopkeeper wasn't as much of a pushover as I'd hoped, yet in the end, she gave me a deal for what I'd done to save Farelle and the Mired Copses, letting me take all three of the items for just 2000 coins. I grinned and thanked her profusely as I put them on, hiding them as best as I could under my clothes, though the ring, due to my fingerless gloves, was out on open display. Still, it felt good to have some new items boosting my effectiveness, and to know my investments in charisma hadn't been a total waste. I hoped it would be as much use at other vendors.

  I was to meet Farelle at her father's house for dinner soon — a meeting I much dreaded, but she'd insisted I come. It was the least I could do if we were bunking down together at night. Not to mention all the trouble I’d gotten her into. But after hunting around for other places to go, I hit up the druid store first. I had thought it was too much to hope for such a thing, but apparently, even druids needed to go somewhere to buy the things they couldn’t find in the woods.

  It was only after I entered that I recognized the house as the place where I'd stayed. I saw a familiar face manning the counter a moment later. "Hanil! They're still putting you to work?"

  The old druid smiled . "I'm afraid I'll be driven right into my grave. Hello, young Marrow.”

  I grinned back. Considering he had been the one to tend to Farelle after the barrow prince cursed her, I was happy to see him.

  “So you've returned the daughter of our village whole this time?" Hanil inquired with a twinkle in his eye.

  My smile slipped a bit. Even if I'd convinced Absalom to resurrect her, I had gotten Farelle killed for a short time. While I could respawn in the Everlands, she only had one chance at life, unless a powerful priest — or god-child, as it so happened — was around to resurrect her. I briefly wondered if it was fair to take her through all my dangerous exploits.

  I pushed the thought aside for the moment and looked around the shop. There were some potions, herbs, and a few other implements like a mortar and pestle. I, however, had my sights set on one thing. "Do you sell channels or anything here, Hanil?"

  His expression went carefully neutral. "Sell? No. The channels of our order are, for the most part, carefully guarded secrets."

  My spirits fell. "Oh."

  "However…" The old Satyr's face crinkled into a smile. "For a friend of the village, I'm sure I could let you in on the secret to one channel."

  I stared in astonishment. "Really? You'd do that?"

  He nodded. "Just don't tell the Conclave," he said conspiratorially.

  I grinned. "No problems there. So, what will you teach me?"

  He took me through the options, and as he described them, notifications appeared:

  Barkskin (Lvl 1)

  Affinity: Druidic

  Faith: Yalua

  Cost: 45 spirit

  Effect: +20 armor for 30 minutes. Reduces wear on armor while active.

  Leprechaun's Wish (Lvl 2)

  Affinity: Druidic

  Faith: Yalua

  Cost: 75 spirit

  Effect: +5% luck when it comes to loot, battle, and bargaining for 5 minutes.

  Aspect of the Wolf (Lvl 2)

  Affinity: Druidic

  Faith: Yalua

  Cost: 100 spirit

  Effect: Change into a dire wolf adapted to the local terrain for 1 hour. As a dire wolf, you gain +15 base damage, +10 base defense, +10 base movement speed, +5 Strength, +5 Vitality, +5 Agility, and +5 Perception, but lose bonuses from any equipped items. This transformation can be canceled at any time.

  I stared at the overlays, thinking hard. Barkskin was an easy one to eliminate, for while it was a useful mainstay in games like this, it wasn't as powerful as the level 2 channels.

  Deciding between those options was harder. Leprechaun's Wish was a strange one to anticipate how it would practically work. Would I get more loot, or better loot, or something else entirely? It could be useful in many different situations.

  The usefulness of Aspect of the Wolf, however, was easier to anticipate. Though in most games I didn't go for shapeshifting, as I didn't think the bonuses usually outweighed losing access to spells and item bonuses, in the Everlands, I could see there were additional benefits. For example, I'd be able to move faster across country, so long as Farelle had a way of moving fast as well. I'd also be able to able to blend in or sneak around places that might otherwise be inaccessible to me as a Human.

  I realized I'd already made up my mind. "Teach me Aspect of the Wolf. Please.”

  Hanil nodded. "A wise decision. Though I do enjoy seeing what Leprechaun's Wish brings me each day, sometimes Yalua's version of "luck" doesn't match my own. For example, while some may disagree, I'm not fond of getting licked clean by squirrels…"

  The old druid laid his hands on me, and after a moment, a rush of warmth flooded through me. An overlay popped up a moment later:

  You have learned a new channel: Aspect of the Wolf!

  I grinned. "Thanks, Hanil. I can't wait to make use of it."

  "Just make good use of it," he warned as he wagged a finger. "And keep Farelle out of trouble!"

  I shrugged uncomfortably and left.

  I was even more uncomfortable at Sulfel's dinner table.

  Or I should say dinner stump. The nudist Satyrs’ houses were formed from trees, the furniture also tending to be of natural origin. We all stood around it, plates of wood carrying an assortment of strange roots and fruits. There was no meat to speak of, as Maluwae Satyrs were also vegetarians. I tried to hide my grimaces as I ate. Though the flavors were excellent, the textures were abysmal, particularly the tough “mushroom tongue,” a pink fungus that was shaped eerily like its namesake.

  Sulfel stared at me unflinchingly, despite his daughter telling him to knock it off several times now. "So. You come back here after whisking away my daughter Yalua knows where.”

  I glanced at Farelle. "Actually, she left on her own."

  "As I've already told you," she said with weary fondness.

  He ignored both of us. "And you wish to lure her away again, despite your tampering with dark powers."

  "Again, it's her—"

  The Satyr slammed his fist on the stump. "Don't mock me!" he bellowed.

  "Father!" Farelle said reproachfully. "Marrow, maybe you should step outside. I want a word with my father.“

  I was glad for the excuse to leave. Stepping outside onto the porch of Sulfel's tree house and into the crisp night air, I looked out over the village. Orbs cast a steady warm light over it all, showing the Satyrs who still moved about on their errands, hopping up the large stump stairs with their powerful goat-like legs. They were all so peaceful here. It was a good life.

  But I wasn't in the Everlands for peace. As I stared out, I grew more and more restless. Tomorrow, we'd leave. I'd leave tonight if I thought Farelle would go along with it, but I'd give her at least one day to say her goodbyes.

  It wasn't just that I wanted adventure. The longer I stayed around, the more I thought of Earth. Of my own home, and my body wasting away in the sim rig. Since I couldn't go back right now, the less I thought about it, the better.

  But it was some time still before Farelle joined me, plenty of time for me to lapse into melancholy.

  "Sorry about that,” she said when she came up next to me. “He's stubborn and protective, but it's only because he cares."

  "It's what fathers do," I said absently. I was thinking of my own parents. Sure, they drove me crazy sometimes, but their absence was a deep, dull ache in my chest that I doubted would go away.

  "Also, he might have a point. About going off again."

  I stiffened and looked slowly over at her. "Wait. You're not coming with me?"

  Farelle hesitated. "I'm not saying that. I just think we should take some time here first. Relax. Rest. Enjoy some family time."

  "I'm sure I'll enjoy that.”

  He
r eyes hardened. "I've followed you all over, Marrow. Even up into the sky and among the gods.” She paused. “Don't you think you owe me this?"

  She had a point. Though she didn't say it, she'd died on my behalf as well. We both knew that was a big debt I owed her.

  But the longer we stayed still, the more I knew I'd start living in my memories. And the greater chance my real body would die.

  “Maybe.”

  "Maybe?" she repeated stiffly. "You're unbelievable."

  She turned and walked back inside her home.

  I looked after her, but only for a moment. I didn’t hold it against her. She couldn’t fully understand what was at stake for me.

  I descended the stump-stairs and headed back to the inn we’d stayed at the night before. I'd give her the evening to cool off and think things over. I didn't see how I could wait around as long as she wanted, though. Maybe I could find some local quests here or explore a new barrow, so long as the druids didn't find out about it. Now that I had the Ghost Ring, I didn't doubt I could manage any other unruly Specter princes.

  But as I walked the length of Maluwae, I glanced into the forest and saw a strange blue light coming from afar. I stopped and stared at it. All the lights here were yellow and green and orange. I didn't know what would cause a blue light.

  Looking around me to make sure I wouldn’t be noticed, I stepped out of the village lights and after the blue one. It took me down the hill and closer to the surrounding marshes, and soon my boots were sinking into the soft ground. But no matter how far I went, the blue light seemed no nearer. Was it just some sort of mirage? I couldn't remember exactly how will-o’-wisps worked, but I remembered they occurred in swamps. It couldn't be a monster at least; the wards would have kept it away.

  I trekked for another half an hour before I finally started to see progress. The forest was dark around me now, but by its bright blue light, I could see the clearing where it waited ahead. As far afield as I was, I didn't know if the wards still applied, and I drew my Jeweled Longsword of the Stars just in case it actually was a monster ahead. The blade burned brightly in the darkness.

  I came to the edge of the clearing and peered from behind a tree. The blue orb hovered in the middle, as big around as a beach ball. But other than it, I didn't see anything. I cautiously stepped forward. Nothing immediately sprang out at me, so I took another step forward, then another.

  The blue orb burst open. I cried out and threw up an arm to shelter myself from the coming blow. But the light just blew past me, breaking into small, hovering particles, like phosphorous plankton in ocean water. I slowly lowered my arm and stared around in wonder.

  Then I noticed I wasn't alone. A figure wrapped in a robe of the blue light stared down at me. Her ears were pointed, and as she had no wings, I assumed she must be Devalyn. But was she a witch or a deity of the autumn elves with that otherworldly glow surrounding her?

  "Hello," I said hesitantly. "And you are?"

  "Hello, Marrow. I am Isvalla," she replied, her voice sonorous and echoing throughout the woods. "One of the forgotten deities of my people."

  That answered that question. I believed her when she said she was a deity too. The only other beings I'd heard with that kind of resonance to their voices had been the Pantheon of gods and goddesses dwelling among the Valyn in the floating lands above, the sky elves their guardians. "It's nice to meet you, Isvalla." I looked around. "I'm guessing you wanted me away from everyone else.”

  A smile quirked her lips, but it was quickly gone. "You have a curious mind, Everfolk. Too curious, perhaps."

  "No such thing," I replied flippantly. But I was well aware of the danger I was in. I'd royally pissed off many of the most powerful beings in the Everlands when I approached Absalom, the god-child who would one day rule all the Everlands, and whom I suspected was the first real AI consciousness, not to mention when I had him free us Everfolk, or players from Earth, from being barred from logging off. His protective deific parents considered it an endangerment to him, and I had only further exacerbated that by continuing to let players come and go. Their thought was that eventually, someone might figure out how unique Absalom truly was, just as I had, though they didn't have the consciousness to know what it truly meant.

  But at this point, I had no intentions of trying to destroy the god-child. Abe, as he'd introduced himself to me, had taken to me as a friend. Though I didn't feel the same — having been manipulated into staying here in the Everlands with him — I knew I couldn't do anything to harm him if only because he was too powerful. For now, I'd contained the situation by encouraging him to stay and be educated by his divine parents, hoping they'd instill in him a desire to preserve the balance that ensured no AI here, limited or fully conscious, would infringe on the happenings of Earth.

  The question now was if Isvalla was in the group that wished me dead or the group that wanted me alive.

  "You are not worthy.” Isvalla spoke as if reading my thoughts. "Absalom does you a great service naming you friend. Too great, some might say."

  Her words leaned dangerously close to the side I'd hoped she wasn't on. "Absolutely too great," I agreed, hoping a genial attitude would buy me time.

  Now the goddess frowned. "But since he has named you so, you must become worthy. And if you are to be worthy, you must first prove yourself."

  "Prove myself?"

  She nodded. “Absalom presents to you a series of three trials that will take place throughout the Everlands. If you are to be our child's Champion, you must undergo these and succeed. But be warned: if you fail any one of them and are considered unworthy, there will be dire consequences."

  "Will there be?"

  Her eyes bore holes in me. "Yes. You will be sent to Faze-Aught."

  I rolled my eyes. “You guys really need to understand how to pronounce that. It's Phase Out, not Faze-Aught."

  "Do not taunt me or play me as a fool. All know that place beyond is called Faze-Aught."

  "Whatever you say…”

  Isvalla’s frown deepened, but she continued as if I hadn’t interrupted. "Pass these trials, and you will receive a power only other immortals possess.“ She paused. “The power to commit injury to divine beings.”

  I stared at her, the gears of my mind turning. At this point, I couldn’t even see the level of those of the Pantheon. To be able to hurt them — and kill them, if that were possible of immortals — would be essential if I was going to overthrow Absalom.

  Still, it paid to be cautious. “How do I know this isn’t just a trick? A false promise?”

  “You don’t. But I assure you, this is very real. I have seen it in the possession of Absalom’s current guardian.”

  Absalom had a Champion? “If he already has a Champion, what do you want me for?”

  Isvalla shook her head. “I am not privy to the workings of our child’s plans, nor would I be obliged to tell you.”

  “And if I refuse these trials?”

  The goddess shrugged. “Then Absalom will leave you to your devices, and you will end your days in utter insignificance.”

  I considered the options. It was a huge gamble to attempt Absalom’s trials since I had no inkling what they what would entail and they bore such a severe price of failure. However… if this Devalyn goddess was telling the truth, I could gain the power to attack gods. And maybe, eventually, the chance to fight my way free of the Everlands.

  I laughed. This was an absurd choice to make. Not one I expected to face when I went hunting after will-o’-wisps.

  "This is no laughing matter, Marrow," Isvalla rebuked me. "War brews all along the Everlands, not just between Ebretin and the Cerulean Empire. The Drakons have long felt the sting of their oppression, and my own people seethe at being trampled underfoot." Her eyes flashed dangerously. Literally flashed.

  "Yeah, yeah, I got it.”

  "No, I do not believe you have ‘got it.’ For as Absalom's Champion, you will be the one to bring peace."

  Another laugh bu
rst from me. "Me, one player, solving all the problems of the infinite worlds? Yeah, right. Why doesn't Absalom do it himself? I've seen what he's capable of."

  The Devalyn deity sniffed. "You betray your ignorance with this question. Gods do not interfere in the matters of mortals directly. We influence from behind the scenes to better preserve the balance. Direct intervention would reap terrible consequences."

  I assumed this was some kind of failsafe the developers had put in to prevent the Pantheon from messing up things too much for players. At least they'd tried to put one in, even if they’d messed it up.

  "So I pass the trials, become this Champion, and save the never-ending worlds. Is that about right? Well, sign me up!"

  As usual, The Everlands came through with the joke:

  New quest: Absalom's Trials (Level ???) [Absalom] - You must pass the trials and become the Champion so you can save the never-ending worlds of the Everlands. Ready to sign up?

  Reward: You become Absalom's Champion

  The goddess didn't deign to answer.

  "But seriously, what are these trials? And where are they? When do I start, and how long do I have to complete them?"

  Isvalla answered only one of my questions. “There are three trials, each testing a different quality that you must possess to become Absalom’s Champion. First, we will test your devotion. Then your strategy. And finally, your courage.”

  “Okay. But what will I actually be doing?”

  The goddess’ lips quirked into a smile. “That is for me to know and you to find out.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Fine. I’ll play along for now. When do we start?”

  “I will teleport you to the beginning of the trials as soon as you are ready.”

  I considered that. What else did I need to do? It’d be nice to sell all the gear I was hauling around and trade up on armor and weapons, but that wasn’t my highest priority. No, getting out of here as soon as I can was far more important. And that meant starting these trials as soon as I could. Besides, I was far from any place that I could trade the things I wanted to. Best to start the first trial and go from there.