by Tao Wong
The trio nod grimly, being reminded of the problems of standing around in the wild. I gesture over the children and one of the mum’s to get on the bike, remotely starting it and setting it to move along at a slow pace next to us.
Now that I’ve got them moving in the right direction I put my helmet back on and speak into it, obscuring my voice, “Ali, keep an eye out. Let me know if there’s any danger will you?”
“Not introducing me? Ashamed of me are you?” Ali grumbles, floating next to me.
“Just cautious. They seem nice enough people, but those dogs are huge,” I eye the hounds who trot beside us, even the one that got smashed around by the Troll. Seems like those things heal faster than we do which is saying something. I guess I wasted a bunch of my mana for nothing.
“Beast companions. Bet you a hundred Credits those two have a Beast Tamer Class,” Ali points to the Pearsons. I open my mouth to ask more when Richard drops back to speak to me and I pop my visor open to stay polite.
“Thanks again. I’m Richard, that’s my sister Lana and the lady over there’s Mikito,” Richard gestures in turn to the combatants before proceeding to point at the other non-combatants who stay in the center of our little group and naming them. Truth be told, I forget their names as fast as he says it, I’ve always been horrible with names and with Ali around, I don’t even have to try.
“John,” I offer my hand for a quick shake before I begin probing for their story. It seems he needs to talk since it doesn’t take long to get the details of what happened to them. When the System turned on, both Richard and Lana had been offered classes as Beast Tamers as their recommended small perk. They’d ignored the option at first, but after dealing with their first monster (a giant Squirrel it seems), they’d accepted. That had caused their mushing team to transform into the current pack that ranges around us and gave them a linked connection to their pets.
Mikito had been with her husband at the Takhini Hot Springs, hoping to get pregnant under the Northern Lights but things ended in tragedy. Neither of the Pearsons have been able to get the story of her Naginata out of her as yet, but whatever it was, it wasn’t pretty as the woman seemed to throw herself at the monsters they’d encountered at the drop of a hat. The rest of the non-combatants they’d picked up, neighbours and others independently moving to Whitehorse in hopes of safety.
“How come they don’t have classes?” I point to the group in the center, letting my head swivel around for new threats.
“They do. Karl’s a Farmer, Jorge is an Industrialist and so on, they’re just not fighters,” Richard shrugs and then mutters. “Neither am I really but you know…”
“Yeah, I do.” We both fall silent then, finishing the walk in our own thoughts. Being drawn into a fight or die situation has not been easy, not for any of us. I stare forwards as we walk, my mind turning to Whitehorse. We can rest when we get in, the safe zone a place where we can find some peace. Maybe put down our weapons, stop killing. Find some sanity in this crazy new world.
When we finally catch sight of Two Mile Hill in Whitehorse, the entire group lets out a little cheer. Walking through the industrial park and suburbs had been depressing, even if we hadn’t ventured from the highway to check out the abandoned buildings. Closer to the town, the zone level had dropped all the way to the mid-20s, so it was pretty safe as far as an apocalypse goes. No more flying drakes at least. However, the signs of struggle and death were all around us as we traveled and once again I was reminded that not everyone received or took a combat class - or had a chance to take one.
The cheers die off as we note another party coming down Two Mile Hill from the community center on bicycles. To our right, the massive white and blue building that made up the community centre sat, seeming to cast an oppressive gloom around it. The Canada Games Centre is something we are going to have to keep an eye on as from what Ali could tell, the mana flows were pooling quite deeply which would result in more monsters being drawn in. In time, if it isn’t cleared out, it’ll turn into a proper monster lair and after that, a full Dungeon. Thankfully, that’s a problem for another time and another person.
I drop the visor in the helmet to pull up basic magnification to start collecting information of the other group. The group consists of a pair of what look like extras from the Lord of the Rings Elves, a dragonman wannabe, a mini-Giant in full plate and what have to be a pair of casters by their long flowing robes. That’s right, the entire group looks like a LARP party on steroids, though with Level’s from low to mid 30’s which makes them a serious threat.
“Ali, what’s up with their levels?” I mutter into my helmet.
“Mmm… Whitehorse probably saw a lot more spawning in the initial period. You’re all getting bonus experience at the start, so if they’ve been working together and killing the monsters around here, leveling is pretty easy. Though, I’ll admit - it’s still pretty high,” Ali intones, eyeing the group as well.
I groan after a moment as I get a better look at the casters, the pair of them having the least amount of changes from their pre-Apocalypse visages. No acne makes the pair of teenagers look significantly better but it’s definitely them. I pull my helmet off completely to run a hand through my hair, shoulders hunching slightly. Lana, buxom Lana whose company is definitely more interesting than her brother Richard’s shoots me a worried look from my side.
“I kind of know them,” I start throwing a prayer to whatever gods there are who might be listening.
There probably is, and his name is Murphy because the bicycle-riding group swerves our way and I get a chance to read all their System names including the female Elf.
Luthien Celbrindal (Level 32)
HP: 420/420
“Fuck me sideways. I swear, I should have put more points into Luck,” I roll my neck, attempting to get rid of the tension that’s suddenly built up. Mikito hefts her naginata, getting ready for battle and I realise even the dogs are rumbling. “Not that kind of trouble people. I think. It’s personal.”
Lana gestures and Richard and the rest of the group come to a stop, obviously waiting for me to explain, “That’s my ex incoming. Bad breakup and all. I left the city to get away from her…”
“You’re scared of a girl?” Ali chortles at the same time Lana speaks. “You ran from relationship issues into the apocalypse?”
“No, I just don’t want to deal with the she-bitch,” I protest, waving them to be silent. Lana looks puzzled for a moment before gesturing for Richard to keep moving. That annoying redhead is trying to hide a grin, something that Ali doesn’t even bother with as he’s rolling in the air laughing his ass off.
“Halt! Who goes there,” the Giant calls out as we near.
“A bad role-player,” I say beneath my breath, letting Richard take the lead in the discussion as I attempt to fade into the background. Introductions are quickly made with Richard relaying a short version of their trip.
While Richard does the speaking, I eyeball the group and their weaponry. The swords, bows and maces are well used and while the group might seem friendly, they’re all keeping hands near their weapons. They seem to have stuck to the fantasy motif, which doesn’t surprise me at all – her role-playing group were all about D&D.
“How’d you get the bike working?” his Status bar says Tim and it takes me a moment to place him. Right! He was a mechanic before all this shit happened. Now he’s a half-dragon, half-man mixture seven feet tall carrying a battleaxe clad in chainmail. I guess some interests don’t go away.
“Well?” He pushes and I realise everyone is waiting for me to answer, even the Pearsons and Mikito.
“I bought it from the Shop.,” I say, leaning against the vehicle and oh so casually having my hand near the stock of my rifle. Not that I expect to have to shoot anybody but Tim’s just a little too happy to see a working bike.
“There’s a Shop out there?” Luthien the she-bitch butts in. I have to admit, the Elf look works for her - tall, thin and blonde is what she was be
fore, but the additional pointy ears and tight leather pants and armor certainly accentuates everything. Looking good was never her problem though, lying, cheating, manipulating, that was another matter.
“No. I got access due to some… special circumstances,” I pause, trying to figure out the best way to get around this. “It was in Haines Junction…”
“You were there? Did you see a man named Perry?” The other elf speaks up, pushing forwards in the group surrounding me now.
“No. The town, it’s gone,” I look down, not really wanting to be the one to pass on this news. “Ogres took it over, killed them all. The Ogres were killed by a Salamander and when I looted them, I got a chance to use the Shop. That’s where I got the bike and my weapons,” that should do it. Just enough truth without going into detail about my part of it.
I watch the Elf, Jeff, crumple at the news and turn away. The others give him some space but Luthien and the last mage, Kevin just stare at me. In the end, it’s Kevin who speaks, “Is that you John?”
“Yes,” I answer him and as he opens his mouth to speak, I wave him away. “Glad to see you all alive,” I mouth, my brain turning on automatic as the roiling pit of anger and disgust thrums through me. I shake my head and swing my feet over the bike and get ready to leave.
“John…” Luthien says.
I ignore her, kicking the bike into gear and pulling away from the group, forcing one of the teenagers to jump aside or get run over. Yeah, I'm running away. I still can’t be in the same place with her, not right now. I grit my teeth, pushing aside the emotions again as I head down Two Mile Hill into downtown Whitehorse. I guess my peaceful return to normalcy just got shot out the window.
“So, John… figure I should let you know this now,” Ali speaks to me. Wait, into me! “Yeah, we’ve got a mental connection so you can stop talking into the air like a crazy person.”
How do I do this…?
“If that constipated look on your face is anything to go by, you’re trying it right? You got to think at me first, then I’ll hear it. It’s not mind reading,” Ali says.
“Like this asshole?”
“Perfect! Of course, no one can hear me so I won’t do the ‘duh I’m stupid stare’ like you,” Ali adds.
“Asshole,” I mutter into my helmet.
Once I’m down the hill, I take 4th Street, passing the burnt-out shell of the McDonald’s and more abandoned commercial buildings on both sides of me. In a minute, I have to slowdown to a crawl as the number of people increases significantly and none of them are obeying traffic laws anymore. Not too surprising, since the number of working vehicles can be counted on one finger. Though, it looks like bicycles have made a giant comeback, with riders swerving in and around pedestrians with little care. I guess when your health regenerates within minutes, even bruises and broken bones become less important. The humans all move jerkily, flickers of anger or fear crossing faces when a movement is too fast or something catches them unaware. Shoulders are hunched, others have eyes wide and staring and these are the good ones - the ones willing to come out from hiding.
It takes me a moment to realise what is nagging me about everyone – there’s not a single pair of spectacles to be seen. Like my own on-going ailments, it looks like the increased regeneration rate from the System removes minor issues like that. More interestingly, I spot two pairs of high-level individuals with rifles patrolling the streets, each a pair black-skinned, silver-haired Elves in a tunic uniform ensemble of more black and silver. Shacking up with Luthien, I know immediately these guys aren’t your typical Elves - they’re Dark Elves, the evil version of the Elves. At least in bad fantasy lore. Surprisingly, their presence doesn’t seem to generate much interest from the humans around, most who seem to be scurrying back and forth on their own errands.
At École Elementary School, it’s my turn to be shocked as I spot a working truck amongst on the street, engine running as people hurry around it and into the sea of tents on the school grounds. The sound of the diesel engine cranking over is loud as a group of First Nation hunters unload a Moose from the back. Like most of our native flora, this one seems to have tripled in size at least from the sheer quantity of meat that they are pulling off and handing down into the school.
I pull my bike over near them and one of the First Nations elder who is directing the unloading looks to me with caution, a hand unconsciously tightening on the rifle butt. He’s old school with a permanent squint from being outdoors all the time and lines across his tanned face. Dressed in a rawhide vest, plaid shirt and jeans, he could be out for a Sunday afternoon stroll in Whitehorse if not for the blood that covers his clothing. I’m sure I’ve seen him around town before at one of the many public functions but for the life of me, where and when eludes me. I raise my hand in greeting and I can see him look towards my bike in consideration.
“You hunt that yourself?” I let the surprise and admiration creep into my voice. Even a glance at their Status Bars shows me their average level is in the single digits.
“Yup. Took half our bullets too but we still have some,” The warning is clear, though I just chuckle and raise both my hands clear of my own rifle.
“Don’t want no trouble. Just a little information as I just got in. People gathering in the school?” I gesture to École and get a nod in confirmation.
“So, what’s that?” I point towards the biggest change in the city, the towering 8 storey, shining metal building that dominates the town and is probably smack centre in Main St. Whitehorse was a picturesque town, one made of short rectangular buildings, wide roads and occasional gestures to its pioneer past. There was even an ordinance that kept buildings beneath 30 feet, so the Blade Runner escapee of a building was not normal.
A spit is my initial answer before the elder continues, “Building appeared 3 days after the monsters. Some asshole who says he owns the town now lives there.”
“That’s where the Shop is boy-o. Someone purchased the rights to town, give me a second and I’ll see what I can dig up,” Ali says, going back to staring into space.
Realising I’ve still got my helmet on, I pull it off and set it on the handlebars. “Mind if I ask a few more questions?”
The elder sighs and after getting me to add myself to the chain, proceeds to answer. Lifting and tossing the meat is cheap for the information that I want. Surprisingly, the moment my foot crosses the line into the school, I get a new window, one that I’ve never seen before.
You Have Entered a Safe Zone (École School)
Mana flows in this area are stabilised. No monster spawning will happen.
This Safe Space includes:
A School (+10% Skill Progression)
I soon learn that the guards are the town owner’s and they have been dealing with most of the spawning monsters, patrolling the main thoroughfares. Both École and FH Collins were safe zones and where nearly everyone was crashing these days since it was the only way to guarantee a monster didn’t just spawn in the middle of the night under your bed. Space was a premium though and hygiene levels had dropped since both electricity and water wasn’t working anymore which explained the rather rank smell of unwashed bodies. Then again, I was not complaining - I hadn’t washed in days either.
The meat was for the general stew pot as the regular truck delivery had never made it and a ton of food had spoiled when the electricity died. It was only some quick thinking that had the stores barricaded, with food being served in the cafeteria. The hunters were doing their best to supplement, but with nearly five thousand mouths to feed, they weren’t keeping up and everyone was on short rations now.
While I'm speaking the others catch up and the non-combatants and kids are quickly ushered in by a welcoming committee of delighted looking residents. In the background, I can hear questions being asked about where they came from and of any confirmed deaths. I guess knowing one way or the other is better than not. Richard and the other fighters are dragged away by my ex and her group, a quick glare by me kee
ping them away for now at least.
Unloaded, the men hop up onto the truck looking grim. The only other working truck they’d found had never come back from a recent trip so they need to get hunting immediately. However, hunting monsters bigger and tougher than you are with our basic hunting rifles could not be easy.
“Jim,” I call to the elder and he turns back to me from speaking with his group about their next hunting grounds, obviously irritated by my interruptions. Hopefully, this will help, “Ran into a bear along the ride-in. I had to kill it and leave the meat. It’s about 45 minutes drive from here on the way to Haines Junction. Might be a bit rotten, it’s been a few hours but…”
“Where?” His eyes narrow, already considering it. Free meat that doesn’t require them to fight is too good to pass up.
“I’ll show you,” I head back to the bike and then stop as a pair of guards appear in front of me, their faces impassive. “Hi there.”
“Lord Roxley would like to have a word,” the taller of the two Dark Elves speaks, hand casually resting on his sword hilt.
“Really now,” I can feel my lips widen and my balance shift before Ali practically shouts into my ear. “Don’t be an idiot! If he wants to, he can ban you from the Shop!”
That would be bad. “I guess I’m coming with you.”
Jim glares at the guards but says nothing, nodding to me to show he understands my predicament. On a whim, I grab the rifle from the holster and hand it to the man. “Shoots just like the real thing, except no recoil. You’ve got 21 shots in there. Try not to break it will you? I expect it back.”
Jim grunts, checking the rifle out as his friends look on in surprise.
“So Ali, you got the locator beacon on that turned on right?”
“Definitely. Still stupid, but these hicks won’t be able to figure out how to turn it off,” Ali smirks.
“Let’s go see your boss then,” I flash the pair a wide grin that doesn’t reach my eyes as I get onto the bike and wave them to lead me. This should prove interesting at the very least.