1-Up

by Dean Smith

  ‘PATCH 6.7 NOTES’

  The dialogue box was in the shape of a long vertical rectangle but aside from what was written on the top, it was almost empty aside from a few words in the middle.

  ‘ERROR: Patch files missing. Update process aborted. Please locate required files and restart the process.’

  Valiant didn’t quite understand what he was reading, he could read the words just fine but their meaning was beyond him. He looked back at the stars and the code they held. This place stood out from the rest of Venturis like a sore thumb, like it wasn’t supposed to be here or maybe it just wasn’t meant to be seen. At its core, everything in Venturis was just a line of indecipherable code and without the facade of the world to hide it, everyone would see it for what it was. In this place, the code wasn’t hidden and when he looked into the void, he noticed a shimmering within it he didn’t notice before. He leaned forward to look at the void and saw what the shimmering was, code. Little bits of gibberish text that encased the void just like with the stars.

  This led Valiant to believe he was on the right track, this place was always here but it wasn’t meant to be seen by the world’s denizens, hence why Valiant and Mordoom couldn’t access it before but something had changed between now and then and Valiant was certain it was his own powers awakening that did the trick. Valiant was glad he had asked Nina and Mordoom to gather allies instead of accompanying him, chances are that only people who had touched the code like himself and Rita could access such a place as this. Valiant believed this place was meant for their would-be gods, their creators but for what purpose, he didn’t know.

  While he was glad to piece together tiny parts of the puzzle, many questions remained. What was a patch file and what was being updated? Ever since Rita’s failed attack, Valiant had felt a pull towards this place and knew that answers to his predicament laid within. Maybe they were to do with this patch business? Maybe the missing files, whatever they were, held the key to understanding why Venturis had awakened so suddenly and how to prevent Rita from ruining it all. Valiant hoped that was the case, if this cave was a dead end, he would have no further hands to play but either way, he would not find out anything more by standing outside of the impossible temple. He walked towards the closed door and placed a hand on its handle. Another dialogue box appeared.

  ‘Admin privileges required to proceed.

  Checking user privileges....... Access Granted!’

  The door opened, revealing a pitch black space. Valiant was used to this by now, he wouldn’t know what he was walking into until he did it. He watched as the dialogue box vanished and considered what it said. He did not know what admin privileges were and why he had them but he was glad, now he had a chance to proceed further and learn something as having more questions than answers had grown tiresome. Before entering, he spared a thought for Mordoom and Nina and hoped that they all still had time to do what they needed to do before Rita made her next move.

  ***

  After recruiting Sabine, the next stop on Mordoom and Nina’s recruitment tour was the Sisters of the Mountain Convent, located a few loading screens away from Sabine’s flowery home. The convent was located, as expected, on a large snow capped mountain with its surroundings forever in the grip of the harshest winter. It was this convent that the next ally character called home.

  The convent was found partway up the mountain and the hike towards it was treacherous as ice had claimed the ground underfoot and harsh winds did their best to test the balance of this new trio.

  Nina felt her teeth chatter as she cast a worried glance at Sabine who was hardly dressed for such a trek.

  ‘Are you okay? It’s freezing, take a cloak or something. You make me feel colder just looking at you.’ She said as she held out a spare cloak to the proud warrior.

  ‘I can’t wear cloaks, unfortunately.’ She demonstrated by equipping the cloak only for it to turn into a sarong. ‘Thanks anyway, fortunately I no longer feel the cold.’ She rued as she carried on ahead. Nina watched her and then focused on her own footwork on the hazardous ground. She occupied her mind with recalling what her gang had told her about the second party member. They had told her of a hero whose skills with a bow and with song were legendary. The hero could unleash torrents of arrows and all would hit their mark while his magical voice could heal the wounded and empower his allies. If Valiant was right and Rita would put up a fight the next time they went to Vilemire, this archer’s skills would be invaluable. Nina focused on maintaining her balance but also thought about how best to ensure this next hero’s co-operation.

  Unlike most people, Nina enjoyed facing a problem because all problems had a solution and she found it fun to figure out that solution. She lived for the feeling of bringing order to chaos whether it be through puzzle solving, figuring the right path to an objective or overcoming obstacles in front of her. Every little victory bolstered her resolve and proved that she was more than what the game had deemed her to be. She wasn’t a mild nuisance that existed to irk the hero characters by stealing their petty change. She was someone who could make a difference and had already done so. She had uncovered Ferdinand’s actions in Goldharbour and had formed a plan of attack and executed it with the help of Mordoom and Valiant and it was because of her puzzle solving and path making talents they had all made it through the Spirit Tower and Vilemire Castle.

  ‘I am more than what I was meant to be.’ It was a mantra she said to herself frequently, when she faced her limits she would push through them while repeating those words in her mind. If life told her no, she would find a way.

  If Rita had her way than everyone in this world would lose everything and Nina had come too far to allow that to happen, her gang, her family even, were awake and they had thrived in this free world they now lived in and Nina couldn’t allow some souped up nihilistic princess to threaten that. Rita was a huge problem but Nina was great at solving problems.

  Feeling resolve in considering what was at stake, Nina matched Sabine’s pace while motioning for Mordoom to catch up. The longer they dawdled, the more time they gave Rita to make her next move.

  Nina, Mordoom and Sabine were greeted upon reaching convent by the sisters on watch. They invited the trio to step into the warmth of their home and the trio obliged. The heat of the convent’s many fireplaces washed over them like a warm hug and Nina was thankful for a reprieve from both the cold and the annoying chattering of her own teeth. While they took the time to remember what warmth felt like, an older sister greeted them.

  ‘Good evening, weary travellers. I’m Sister Fiona and this is the Sisters of the Mountain Convent. Rest your bones and fill your stomachs. All are welcome here.’ Mordoom smiled goofily and made a break for the dinner hall to their left. Nina rolled her eyes at him. It was down to her, as it always was, to keep them on track.

  ‘Sister Fiona, we’re here to find an archer who we believe lives here, we need to petition his help for a task that may very well save our entire world.’

  The good sister’s expression darkened at the mention of the archer but worry and intrigue took hold as Nina spoke about the fate of Venturis.

  ‘Aye, we have an archer here although he prefers to be called a bard.’ It was Sister Fiona’s turn to roll her eyes. ‘And doesn’t he like to remind us! He sings at all hours of the day and night. At first it was charming but now it’s just aggravating. Honestly, after meeting him, he made me reconsider the whole charity thing because he is certainly abusing it! He seems to think this is a hotel where he can stay permanently! If it was up to me, I’d throw him out but I guess it’s our place to help those that cannot help themselves.’

  Sister Fiona’s impromptu rant did not fill Nina with confidence, was the hero they had travelled through this winter hell for nothing more than an arrogant moocher who wouldn’t shut up? Their group didn’t need a chatterbox, they already had Mordoom.

  ‘Would you know where I’d find this archer... I mean, Bard?’

  ‘Follow the sound
of girlish giggling, he has most of my sisters here wrapped around his finger. I’m tired of reminding them of their vows so if you can take him off my hands, I’ll be most grateful. Now if you excuse, the sisters have gone without me for a few minutes so a catastrophe is all but imminent. Please enjoy your stay.’ She nodded to them and took towards the back of the convent to areas unknown. Nina glanced to Sabine who seemed to have the same reservations as she did judging from her troubled expression.

  ‘Well, I guess we’ve got to follow the giggling...’ Shrugged Sabine.

  It didn’t take them long to hear the sounds of merriment and when they followed it to its source they found a gaggle of nuns sat around a large armchair by the fire, enraptured by its occupant’s music. They seemed bewitched by him. The bard had a good voice and had undeniable skill for playing his fiddle. Nina was impressed although she would never admit it, she could feel her spirits rise from just his melodic murmurings which gave credence to his alleged musical powers. When they approached the armchair, Nina witnessed his boot draped over the arm. It was a black leather boot adorned with showy red feathers that moved in time with the fiddle’s notes.

  Nina walked around the chair to get a good look at what they were dealing with and was nearly knocked off her feet by she was faced with. The bard’s attire was a rainbow of colour and the feathers from his boots were a recurring theme throughout his outfit as he wore a large feather cloak of various colours. He wore dark leather trousers with bright blue chaps over them and a frilly purple shirt with a blue vest that matched the chaps and his hat, which hung loosely and lopsided on his head, revealing dark hair and a bright red streak throughout his fringe, was adorned with large curled feathers much like his boots and cloak. The bard himself was handsome, handsome enough to be the hero in songs he no doubt sung. Nina knew she had found the right person and a colourful bow that leaned against this man’s chair only confirmed it.

  The bard’s gaze lazily travelled from his fiddle to the newest members of his audience and his eyes shot open when he regarded them both, his smile broke out into a winner’s grin as pearly white teeth almost blinded them.

  ‘Has my luck ran out?’ He spoke with a sing song-y voice. ‘Have I died? Are you the two angels sent to take me to the hereafter? I’m all yours, do with me what you will.’ Nina cringed.

  ‘Sadly after that line, you are still very much alive. My name is Nina Swifthands, and this is Sabine Jewelgaze. We need your help.’

  ‘I’ll do it.’ The bard said instantly. He lifted his hat to reveal his coiffed red streaked hair in full as he ran his fingers through it to maintain its buoyancy. Nina was taken aback.

  ‘But you don’t know what we need from you yet.’

  The bard laughed.

  ‘It doesn’t matter, I’ll do it, I can’t turn down a pretty face, especially if they need my help.’ He stood up and held out his hand, not noticing the dark expressions of the young nuns around him whose presence he had seemingly forgotten. ‘My name is Fabian Feverlust, Master archer, beautiful singer and legendary lover.’ Nina cringed again, she wished he had turned them down.

  ‘If I’m needed I shall answer the call, direct me to where the fight is and I will win the day.’

  ‘How about we explain what the fight is, first?’ Suggested Sabine only for Fabian to wave his hand.

  ‘You can explain along the way, are you two alone or are there more beautiful women warriors waiting for me at our destination?’ His eyes flashed with desire and Nina made a mental note of taking as much ice water from the mountain as she could, she decided she would give him an impromptu cold shower any time he became too much.

  ‘We’ve got one more with us, he’s in the dining hall.’ Nina had hoped that the mention of another man would cool Fabian’s jets but his wide grin became even wider. ‘Take me to him, I must introduce myself to my new ally!’

  Poor Mordoom didn’t know how to react when he came face to face with Fabian. Fabian pulled him into a hug without warning and wrapped his arm around him in an overly friendly manner.

  ‘Oh Nina, why didn’t you say he was so handsome!’ Mordoom’s blue face blushed as, for once, he was silent as he didn't know what to say or how to handle their newest party member. Nina had explained the situation to Fabian as they walked over to the dining hall.

  ‘I can’t wait to meet Valiant, if you guys are any indication then he must be beautiful.’ His eyes glazed over as his thoughts seemed to overrun his consciousness. Mordoom moved away from Fabian although he was smiling from Fabian’s compliments. He did not know how to take someone that was so forward with their desires.

  ‘If you’ve had enough of harassing your teammates, we need to get going, We’ve still got one more person to recruit.’

  Fabian awoke from his fantasies and nodded enthusiastically.

  ‘Ah, it’s probably a good idea to leave, I’ve led enough nuns astray and Sister Fiona has taken to preparing and cutting up sausages in my presence in the most sinister fashion. I best not stick around to see what comes next. To adventure, my friends!’

  ***

  Valiant’s jaw dropped as the darkness cleared and the interior of the temple came into view. It was like he was standing in the middle of the universe on a platform not dissimilar to the one outside of the temple and he could see several other similar platforms spread throughout the celestial room that were out of reach. To the far side of the universe, he saw another door much like the one he came through and it was obvious that was his next destination but the challenge was in how to get there. The disparate platforms were spread too far apart to jump to and Valiant couldn’t see any kind of mechanism to control the platforms nor anything that connected them together. Valiant was stuck.

  Not knowing what to do and growing anxious about it, Valiant crossed his arms and turned on the spot, hoping that an answer to his immediate problem that had previously eluded him would make its presence known but he had no such luck. Growing frustrated with his lack of progress, Valiant roared and threw his hands down to his side and gasped as a nearby platform plummeted downwards. Pure bewilderment broke Valiant's anger as he looked down at the lowered platform and wondered what had caused its change in position. Did he do something? He wondered, he looked at the platform he stood on to see if there was any pressure pads he could have tripped but the floor was smooth and free of contraptions.

  As Valiant found himself back at square one with a worrying thought his own platform could drop at any moment, he noticed something he had previously ignored. He felt his fingertips tingle, at first he thought it had something to do with his gauntlets and he considered taking them off for a while but the tingling only began when he entered the temple. He looked down at his fingers and felt the tingling sensation extend throughout his hands and arms and throughout his body. It felt like his entire body was humming with an unseen force and a giddiness from the bizarre feeling took hold. Confused more than usual, Valiant looked out once more to the universe surrounding him where the answer hit him like a ton of bricks. The stars outside of the temple were raw code, it wasn’t a stretch to think the same could be said for the universe surrounding him now.

  Valiant’s powers first awakened when Rita tried to rewrite his code and Valiant had been wondering why but now he believed he had stumbled onto the answer. Rita had access to the code and the powers it provided her at all times but maybe it was different for him, maybe he needed to be exposed to the code and absorb the energy it created in the world to access it like Rita did. Valiant recalled saving Mordoom and Nina in the skies above Goldharbour and how his powers seemed to fade away and his theory could explain why. Once he used the energy he had absorbed from Rita, his access to the code powers would be severed until the next time he absorbed more energy and this place was full of it. He felt a thrill of excitement and power as the problem facing him disappeared in the wake of his realisation.

  He was unsure of how to use his powers having only moments of use before but he was a fast lear
ner and he had no choice but to adapt to his newfound power or be stuck here forever. He closed his eyes, held out his hands and conjured an image in his mind’s eye of the platforms scattered throughout the universe room aligning together to create a path to the door. When he opened them, he saw that the image in his mind was realised in front of him. Feeling a rush of victory, Valiant pressed forward but as he took to the platforms, code emerged from the universe around him and he couldn’t help but gaze at the indecipherable text as images were once again conjured in his mind but this time, they weren’t of his own creation.

  He saw Wingcrest and he felt a rush of homesickness at the sight of it but something was different. He was looking down at Wingcrest at a weird angle like he was floating above it and it seemed so small but the people scattered around seemed large in comparison. A line of text appeared over the town.