by Kieron Uchee
It showed me getting in a fight with one of the other kids there. Then another scene and then another all showing me winning fights or in some way dominating the other kids at the orphanage.
The oily green scaled bastard showed up again, “You sir are the alpha male, both with the ladies and with your peers. It is no wonder that we are seeing your exploits, such self-centered thinking, and such narcissistic thoughts. Such hubris, sir I salute you. You are one self-centered egotistically orientated individual. I could go on but I am sure you get the picture, you are a piece of art and I would love to add you to my collection.”
I sat there thinking about what he had said. Being honest with myself I felt that there was an element of truth in what he had shown, but it was not the whole picture and to dwell on each individual incident was to take it out of context. Sure I had played with the girls, but they had played with me. We were young healthy and hormonal and sex was a natural occurrence that had been mutually desired.
As for the rest, the views had stored up some long forgotten memories, the fear I had felt when I first arrived at the orphanage. There was a pecking order among the boys and they were all eager to remain secure in the position that they were in. Maybe that is how society worked; I had known that I did not want to be at the bottom of the shit barrel. I had stood up for myself, and by doing that had removed myself from that picking order.
I looked at the smarmy smile of the demon in the mirror and said, “I am not proud at all of any of what you have shown me, nothing happened that was not normal or just a foolish thought out action. I believe if you think that is what I am proud of you are sadly mistaken, we are done here.” Looking at the others in my party I stood and gestured to the far wall where the doorway was visible. “Let’s go.”
“Wait” called the demon from the mirror, “there is more I can show you, the pride that you have on your Google glasses, the hubris you felt when you entered the world as a half dragon with abilities and potentials for above that of others. Pride is there in your ability to find treasure, and in your discovery of the shrine to the unknown God. The Runic spells that are now emblazoned in your body the potential that they hold now you can read them; it is all brings forth a deep sense of satisfaction to you. That is just pride.”
The demon was screaming at me as I walked towards the door, I turned around and looking at all the mirrors each showing his visage snarling in anger at his inability to entrap me with the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. “I would say sorry but I am not, you are pretty despicable and really remind me of a greasy used car salesman.”
The demon upon hearing my words stopped talking and looking at me with a grin said, “Hey that is the nicest thing anyone has ever told me. Wow, a greasy used car salesman that is great. What a compliment, sir you really know how to say the words to make a demon happy.”
With that, he faded from the mirrors and suddenly beside the exit was a small pedestal that had a chest on it. We all gathered around the chest with Ama beside me. She whispered into my ear, “Tonight we will work on some techniques babe. What we saw has given me some great ideas, I can’t wait.”
I did not know if I should be embarrassed by the openness with which she shared her thoughts on my performance or by the fact that she and all the others had seen everything that the demon had put on the mirrors. Different cultural standards I thought to myself, so it probably does not matter yet I was aware that my face was still turning red.
Turning to look at the chest I gently opened the lid and observed what was inside. I heard the ladies gasp and then I myself was dumbfounded. Even Raik and Gluzzie were silent observing what was in the chest. I looked around at the others and silently closed the lid. Lifting the chest off the pedestal I put the whole thing in my bag. “Please do not talk about what you have seen with anyone, this is something only we six have seen and it must remain that way till I decide what to do. Looking at all the others I saw them all nod and smile at me. Friends come in many forms I thought as I headed to the exit.
Chapter thirty three: Art
“Do you have the makings?” Raik asked looking at me as we stood in the entrance way of the next area to be challenged. We had gone through the exit and down a short passageway and arrived at the next set of doors. “Sure do Raik, here roll us each one,” and with that, I passed him the pouch of tobacco and the parchment paper.
We waited as he rolled the smokes, and once done Gluzzie and I both lit up and took a deep drag. “Any tobacco left Raik? It must be getting pretty low by now. Not sure where I can get some more till we get to Topland. I hope that will be soon.” I was concerned with everything that had happened up top, the fact that the donators had formed their own guild. The fact that the old bastards were scheming and planning on how to run this world gave me a lot to think about.
Reona casting some sort of sex magic spell on me and I had fallen for it. Why had she and who was she allied with and that my daughter Twink was under her care at the moment. All of these things and more were always at the back of my mind along with my quest to save Gaiatoci from the Gods. I also wondered at the spells that were now a part of me. I really wished that I had time to check those runic symbols out, along with the flowers and swords entwined around each arm. What did they mean and why did the flowers move around. Last among my concerns was what was in the chest in my bag.
Turning around to face the others I looked at my party and smiled. Then I began to speak, “guys we are going to the temptation of Avarice next, and I want to let you know that I think it will be more of a challenge beyond some of the previous things I have faced. As I said this Ama gave me a wicked smile and then licking her lips whispered: “I was easy for the right guy.”
I licked my lips; this relationship thing was going to take some working out. Refocusing my thoughts off the curve of her shoulders and gentle swell of her breasts, I looked at Ama and smiled. “I have dragon blood and as we know dragons are by nature collectors of treasure and wealth, at least, all I have read has agreed with that. I grew up with nothing being an orphan; I was raised by the state. My one ambition has been to be independent, and that means rich.” The others all were nodding as I spoke, being poor was probably universal and affected even demons.
“I do not think I am greedy, but this series of challenges have been all about finding out who I am and what my strengths are, how I deal with anger, gluttony, lust and pride. I hope that this one will be something that I can overcome. I just do not know how I will react because of my dragon blood. It might be like a drug addict coming off a high or an alcoholic desperate for that next drink. I just do not know.”
“If I do not succeed here, know that I will still be taking you with me to Topland.” Also, I appreciate the fact that you have decided to follow me and put your trust in me, I appreciate that and I won’t forget it. As we looked at each other Gluzzie came over and clamped my shoulder. “Tor, you are a hell of a guy, I say this to you, all of us here have not known you long but your willingness to take demons trapped for thousands of years with you shows us more about who you are then these foolish temptations ever will.”
I nodded and turned away, feeling that this is probably the closest I would ever have for real friends, and then thinking it did not matter if it was just a game. These people all mattered to me just as Twink did. Walking over I opened the doors and entered the room.
Looking around I could see the room was in shaped like a wavy line, with artwork on the walls and statues placed strategically highlighting the beauty of the room. I could not believe some of what I saw; there were several works that had been displayed by the Nazis in the Degenerate Art Exhibition, who knew that those art history classes would come in so handy. There was a Van Gogh painting, Painter on his way to work; the Germans had burnt that in 1945.
I also recognized the Danse Macabre painting and a few others that I could not recall the names of. There were several pieces by German sculptor Arno Breker; the Nazis had loved his work as I recalled i
t was all stylized he-man shit. Big muscles with small dicks were what the art history instructor had called his work and then he would always compare him to former president Trump whom he still hated.
As I walked farther into the room more and more art was revealed, and while I liked the art it did not move me. Suddenly there was a voice in my ear and looking down to the left I saw what looked like a young man. He was conservatively dressed and looked like what used to be called a yuppie metrosexual male.
“Do you have any questions? I would be glad to explain anything here, anything at all.” With a smile, he began to point out the different pictures, and sculptures. Explaining everything as he led the way I was quickly given a crash course in the artist the art itself and the value of the art. Without a doubt this art was priceless, and I could feel a strange sensation rising up in me. Was it greed or was it a slightly uncomfortable feeling that the metrosexual guide was staring at my ass.
At this point in the tour, he grabbed my arm and with a smile began to gently massage the biceps. “Is there anything else you want to see, anything here,” he said. I would be glad to show you anything, John & Yoko’s Protest Bed for example, and let me tell you they did a lot more than just protest on that bed. Or how about the bed that Carrie Bradshaw used in the series Sex and the city.
Removing his arm I told him, “Sorry, I don’t roll that way. No judgements here but I am all for the girls.” Looking up at me the little metrosexual smiled sadly and then said to me, “to misquote some named Steve Martin, “You know that look that men get when they want to have sex? Me neither.” I looked at him and began to laugh, and as I laughed so did he.
“My name is Sebastian, and I am here to work on your greed, to bring that avarice to the surface and to allow your inner dragon nature out. Yes, I can smell the dragon in you; it is both exciting and scary. What I do not understand is why you are not reacting to any of these treasures, when I say they are priceless I mean they are so valuable that no price can be named for them. Yet you do not seem to be coveting them?”
I looked at Sebastian and I thought about what he had said. “You are right, they are priceless but value is in the eyes of the beholder. I would be lying to you if I said I did not entertain the thought to own this art. It is amazing yet to tell you the truth I believe that it should be available for all to see and enjoy. Why should the rich and powerful be the only ones to have this?”
“Oh my god you are a Trotskyist, a fucking Trotskyist. No wonder I can’t overcome your greed, everything you do is for the social good of others, right. Why can’t I just get normal beings, greedy, selfish and willing to make a deal. No that would be too easy, so I get you and what do I have to offer you, nothing absolutely nothing. I can give you precious ores, stones worth a kingdom's ransom. What can I do to tempt you?”
As Sebastian spoke I could see the angst on his face. He was truly troubled at not be able to bring forth my inner greedy self. “Look, man, I can see that you have put a lot of effort into this, and I think you have done a great of a job. I am wondering how long have you been here waiting for someone to arrive to be tempted by all this beauty?”
Sebastian looked sadly around at all the artwork and then said, “it has been thousands of years, you know as demons time flows differently for us, but this has been so long that I have begun to fade. If I can’t do something I will cease soon.”
Listening to the sad little dapper fellow, I nodded and then made my offer. “Sebastian, why don’t you come with us?” I quickly explained what I was doing and why, and where we were going, once I mentioned Topland I knew he would be joining us. Giving him a minute to decide we made our way back to the group, and then looking at him I waited.
“Tor, I would love to go with you guys, I have always wanted to go to Topland. If no one minds, then yes please I would love to join up with you.” At this point I nodded and welcomed him to our party; the girls, in particular, seemed to hit it off with Sebastian. As we wandered over to the exit I could hear them talking fashion.
Once we rounded the last of the curving wall we all stopped and stared, it was an amazing sight. The Amber room, missing since world war two was set up as the exit. Sebastian laughed and nodded as he proudly spoke, “yes it is the actual room, it was quite a task to get it but well worth the effort, don’t you think?”
I spoke for all of us when I said that the pictures of it do not come close to doing it justice. It was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. As we entered it we all stopped and marveled and the raw beauty of the room. Near the middle of the room was a pedestal with a small chest sitting on a cushion. I opened the chest and looked within quickly being crowded by the others all eager to see what inside.
I lifted the first object and examined it. It looked like a semi-precious stone. As I held it a message flashed across my interface.
Rewards
Having overcome avarice and conquered greed you may now choose three of the treasures that could not sway you, each item will be stored in one of the stones you now have. Choose wisely. Kingdoms have fallen and men have perished for what you are about to receive.
I stared, stunned at what I had just read the largess if this reward was mindboggling. I held the first stone and spoke. “The Amber room is my first choice.” The effect was instant, the room vanished and the stone changed to a golden colour. The other were startled but quickly settled down. “Sebastian” I called out, “I need some advice what would be two more good choices to take?”
“I would recommend Auvers-Sur-Oise, by Cezanne, and for the last Van Gogh's Congregation Leaving the Reformed Church in Nuene.” As soon as Sebastian finished speaking I repeated what he said and immediately had two more glowing stones. I reached into my bag and pulled out the chest I had stored in there. As I opened it Ama once again looked at the contents and asked me, “Tor, what is more valuable that Tome in the chest or the treasures you have just put in the chest?”
I noticed that all the others were listening closely and decided to share a bit of what I thought. I asked them “Can you make out what is written on the Tome?” Seeing them all shake their heads I sighed, and then asked them, “How does the world operate?” They all looked at one another and then Ama spoke, “It operates on magic, in all the realms magic is the constant.”
“Yes, it is,” I sighed and then pointing at the Tome I spoke up, “You can all feel the aura coming off the Tome, correct?” Seeing them all nod, I continued, have you ever felt anything like it before?” Once again they nodded, but negatively this time. “I see, well I am not surprised, you see this Tome is something I do not think is supposed to be in this world.” Looking at the rapt faces around me I shook my head and stated, “This probably won’t make sense to you, but the Tome is called The Book of Science.”
Looking at them it was apparent it did not make sense to my friends, but it did to me. This world, based on magic, with the greatest practical achievements being blacksmithing, the wheel and ladders, was about to be potentially exposed to something so radical that it would fundamentally change the fabric of society. Or maybe I was being over the top.
Chapter thirty four: Reflections
Closing the chest and putting it back into my bag I looked at the others. I felt tired and a little saddened; this was not the gaming experience that I had expected. “I think we will stop here and have a little rest if it is alright Sebastian?” Looking over at the dapper little demon I saw him nod. Turning to look at Gluzzie, I said “I thought I saw you stocking up on sandwiches and other goodies for the trip. Do you have something yummy in there?”
With a large smile, Gluzzie opened his bag and spread out a cloth, then began to unload an incredible assortment of bread with meats and condiments, along with cheeses and pickles and two bottles of wine. He began to assemble the food into sandwiches and then placing them on plates he passed them around.
“These are Branston pickles with sharp cheddar; add some meat if you like to top it off. I will pour some wine i
n a moment. There are also pickled eggs and some to finish I have some freshly made white pot pudding, so please enjoy and eat there is lots to go around.” Gluzzie was clearly in his environment prepping the meal and serving us, he had a contented smile on his face as he encouraged Sebastian to try some wine “it is an older Rojas but it works with the sharp cheddar.” I heard him explain.
It was all delicious, with Ama leaning against me and the others all sprawled out on little blankets they had produced from their bags the setting had a picnic feel. For the first time, I watched on in amazement as the others all ate almost as much as I. Their metabolism must be very high I thought and indeed I could feel a heat radiating from Ama to me. I whispered into her ear, “Ama, you are one hot girl.”
Turning to look at me she smiled and said: “wait for bedtime, and then you will really see some fire.” I nodded at her and gave her arm a squeeze. This meal was just what I needed to pick me up, some good food and friends. Looking at the party I said, “I think I will have a nap here, before the last challenge, so if you want to nap then join me, if not just stay at this level so we can leave without backtracking.” I had noticed that Ama’s sisters had once again paired up with Raik and Gluzzie and that they were all finishing off their wine and settling down. Turning I looked at Sebastian sitting off by himself looking sad.
Calling out to him I said, “Sebastian, wait till we get to Topland, there are many people there and I am sure you will find a friend.” Looking at me he smiled and asked: “Really, there are those of my orientation there?” I replied with a laugh, “Yes, more than you would think, some people are experimenting, others just feel that is who they are now and are free to live out their lifestyle. You won’t be lonely long.
I laid my head down onto Ama’s lap and closed my eyes, which of course were no longer there. Still once the eyelids closed I drifted off to sleep with Ama gently humming a melody. Once I awoke, I slowly stood up and moved off from the group. They were all asleep, at least, they looked like they were, I did not know enough about demonic physiology to know if they rested, slept or hibernated for that matter.