No sooner had he cleared the room than he heard the quiet tread of footsteps as the guard searched his last known area.
Taking a chance since it would break his current invisibility, he visualized the stairwell he had been attempting to close on, then used Blink.
Casting the next Blink as soon as he caught sight of the bottom of the stairs, he felt reality shift crazily. Not waiting for more problems, Runner spun on his heel and opened the door to the room that he bet the next stairwell would be in. Looking inside towards the spot he expected it to be based on the previous floors’ layout, he smiled.
There it was. Getting a good look at it, he blinked once more and then used the last Blink he had to reach the third floor proper.
Slugging down a potion of Stealth, Runner scurried out of the way and into a corner to wait.
Footsteps went back and forth above him, and he was sure they searched for the intruder they were sure had been there a minute ago.
Minutes ticked by before Runner felt safe enough to move again. He crept down the hallway, popped open a large set of wooden double doors, and stepped into a dreary imitation of a throne room.
Standing before the throne was an adult man Runner would place in his twenties. Runner’s eyes scanned the corners as he approached the man.
“I know someone’s there. Guards wouldn’t be bumping into walls for no reason.”
Standing twenty feet from the man named “Justinian Wallis,” Runner let his Stealth drop.
“Fair deduction. Name’s Runner. I’m here to murder Jacob and desecrate his corpse. Skull fucking him is a very valid option. Totally open to ideas if you’ve got ’em.”
The fair haired man raised his eyebrows at that, his brown eyes studying Runner.
“Or you know, make a soup bowl out of his skull. The trick is you have to cut the lip of the bowl at the point where the eyebrow is. Otherwise it’ll just spill everywhere,” Runner said, tapping the indicated spot on his own head.
“Are you insane?”
“Only on the third Tuesday of every month and it’s three am in the morning. That or when Scott or Linda takes over. They argue about food more often than not when they’re around. Why?”
Justinian looked perplexed at that, his face screwing up in confusion.
“Long story short. I want to bury Jacob. I need help. I figure you can get me it. Willing to cut a deal.”
“Alright. What are you offering?”
“I’ll not waste your time. I am owed a favor by a certain goddess of thieves and assassins. I believe I could get you a champion title in her service.”
“Truly? That’s quite a favor you must be owed.”
“Pretty significant.”
“Why me?”
“Who else? First in line for the throne, lord of the underground, able to keep things running despite a psycho as the king. Place seems free of rats, though you seriously need an interior designer. Bad.”
“Hm. I could never be king after…” He paused, looking around, and then gestured at his surroundings. “This.”
“Agreed. Hence, champion and king of the underworld. And the interior designer of course.”
“And what is the deal exactly then? Say it aloud one more time for me.”
“Fine. I support you in becoming Amelia’s champion in exchange for your assistance in getting rid of Jacob. Do we have an accord?” Runner asked, holding out his hand to the young guild master.
Justinian looked to the ground as he considered the offer and its ramifications. Without raising his eyes from the stone floor, he raised a single finger.
“I would be champion before I agree to this,” he countered.
“That’s acceptable. Though I would have you make your allegiance to your goddess and swear the oath immediately afterwards by her own witnessing. Agreed?”
Nodding his head, the guild master folded his arms atop each other and shifted his weight to the other foot.
Dropping his hand, Runner placed his hands together as if earnestly praying.
“Lady Amelia, I seek your assistance in freeing this land. I beg you for your time,” Runner intoned seriously.
Amelia stepped free from the shadows in the corner. The mask that normally hung to one side of her tunic was pulled up to cover the lower portion of her face. She’d shifted her entire personality to suit his request earlier. Her clothes were fully buttoned up and not a scrap of color could be seen on her.
That or this happened to be who she actually was.
“I will listen, though I will have a price for my time,” she hissed. She stayed near the edges of the room, part of her form dissolving into the shadows around her and reforming as they crawled over her.
“Lady Amelia, this is Justinian Wallis. I would barter a deal for him to become your champion. I seek for him to aid me in reclaiming his city,” Runner said carefully, lowering his head so that he didn’t meet her eyes.
“I see. I will accept on the condition that you will assist me in claiming this country as my own. Not the city alone. There are events in the world that trouble me and I would prefer a place to call home.”
“I…I agree, Lady Amelia,” Runner said bitterly.
Lifting his head a fraction, he watched as Amelia turned her eyes on Justinian.
“I would have you swear your soul in service to me as my champion. I am the mistress of thieves and assassins. I will end you faster than you could shit yourself in fear for my coming if you disobey me. Would you subject yourself so?”
Falling to his knees, Justinian nodded his head fervently. “The guild is yours in name, we would be the thieves’ guild of Amelia in truth. Your priesthood. I will serve in all that you order of me.”
“The deal is struck.” Amelia lifted her left hand and gestured at Justinian. A cloud of shadows enveloped him and disappeared in a fraction of a second.
“Ah, good,” Runner said, lifting his head up completely. He made a subtle gesture for Amelia to come stand beside him.
“Justinian, I look forward to your assistance in this matter. Hopefully we can remove Jacob quickly and efficiently. I’d like to be home.”
“As long as my goddess wills it,” Justinian replied, getting to his feet. “Would you have me do this? I could easily claim the throne for myself without his assistance. With your blessing as your champion alone.”
Runner laughed then., He had expected betrayal of some sort. At least it was straightforward. A simple demonstration would be all it took.
“About that, Justinian. You are, for lack of a better phrase, Lady Amelia’s employee. Yes?”
A frown creased the man’s face. Runner’s response had clearly not been his expectation.
“Yes. Her champion. Her will guides me. If she asked it of me to end you, I would.”
“I see. There’s a problem with that,” Runner said, flashing his teeth in a mock grimace.
“Amelia is my creature.” Runner reached up and unhooked the mask from Amelia’s face.
He brushed a finger across her cheek, then grabbed her by the chin and kissed her roughly. Winding his left hand into her hair, he held her head firmly. Pulling her head an inch to the side, he bent her body into him. His right hand circled around behind her and grabbed a handful of her ass.
Moaning, Amelia melted into him and stuck her tongue into his mouth eagerly, her fingers sinking into his armor. There was no resistance in her at all.
After a few seconds he pulled himself back from the goddess and turned her around to face Justinian. He pressed his left hand into her lower abdomen, pushing her back and rear into his chest. He leaned over her shoulder to address the guild master.
“So you see, Minxy is mine. If you’re her employee, and she’s my creature…” Runner continued to explain. As if to emphasize his point, his left hand curled to grip the top of her pants as his right hand slipped up under her tunic.
“That makes you my employee. Please tell him to listen to me, Minxy,” Runner said, pressing his lips into A
melia’s ear.
“Listen to Runner or I’ll pull out your guts and use them to jump rope through your chest cavity,” she huskily commanded.
“Good girl.” Runner kissed Amelia’s ear as his right hand stopped below her breasts. “Run along now, Minxy. We’ll catch up later.”
“Yes, lovey,” she whispered, and then was gone.
Runner smiled at Justinian.
Damn me if I didn’t enjoy that.
“You tricked me.”
“That I did. She’s also the goddess of cunning, ya know.”
Justinian started laughing, putting his hands on his hips.
“You didn’t merely trick me, you swindled me. I’m impressed. I didn’t peg you for a thief.”
Runner bowed at the waist with a flourish.
“Have no fear. My requirements are simple. Help me end Jacob, put this city to rights, install a reasonable monarchy, and bring peace back. I don’t expect you to end thief guild operations, but I would ask you to help to restore order and balance for now.”
Justinian shook his head in disbelief, grinning.
“So it’ll be.”
“Oh. Be sure to drop all bounties and anything related to Hannah Anelie. She works for me directly.”
Runner grinned and then triggered Blink. Chaining it with the equipment usages, he was able to get himself on the roof of the guild house in under a minute.
Getting out had been considerably easier than getting in since he knew the way.
Blowing out an explosive breath, Runner leaned his head back.
Amelia appeared several steps in front of him, quickly closing in on him.
“Please tell me that wasn’t part of the drama. I’m so very excited right now. Call me broken, and I probably am I admit it, but there was nothing in this world like that. It made me dizzy and breathless in the way you claimed me,” Amelia breathed heavily, pressing herself into his chest. Her fingers gripped at his armor, pulling him in close to her.
“You’re broken. That’s not a normal response. At least that’s what society tells me,” Runner said, looking at the top of the goddess’ head. He set his arms lightly around her shoulders. “Though that was some terrific acting on your part.”
“Not acting. Goddess of assassins. Essentially goddess of murder. Maybe that’s why I’m broken. Is that why you push me away? I’m too dark for you?” she asked, her head jerking up to look at him.
Runner laughed that off easily and then kissed her tenderly. A light thing, lasting nothing more than a second. He hoped it conveyed what he wanted it to.
“Actually, no. Your darkness doesn’t bother me. Even if you weren’t acting, it doesn’t concern me. Honestly, it’s because I’m already far too entangled in a love affair of my own. It isn’t that you’re unattractive, or that you’re not tempting, or not my type. None of that, in fact. I really am way too deep in my own relationship mess.”
“So you’re telling me I have a chance.”
“I’d be lying if I told you that I wasn’t attracted to you. Again though, too deep in my own affairs. Not going to happen.”
“I’m immortal. You’re immortal. You’ll be mine,” she said suddenly, her eyes widening.
“I suppose I am at that. Wait, that’s an interesting question. Will everyone else become elderly?” Runner asked, suddenly feeling like an idiot.
“Of course. Some faster, some slower. Lady Death and your Kitten will live for a few hundred years. Belle a hundred or so beyond that. Hanners might go as long as Lady Death but it’s a toss up. Mixed heritage and all. Grace, Rabbit, and Sparky will be rather quick in comparison. Though there are ways to prolong it or extend it. Even a few ways to remain young though your real age is getting on in years. Like that race thingie you did.”
Amelia gave him a warm smile, peering up at him from under her eyelashes.
“I’ll even help you with what I know of it. Because in the end, you’ll be mine. All mine. I might even let my sisters in on this. Such good news,” she said, giggling to herself.
Runner felt his heart ache at the idea of outliving everyone. The world felt like an inevitable doomsday scenario with a clock attached now.
He had foolishly assumed no one would age in a video game.
Chapter 21 - Sacrifice -
7:51 pm Sovereign Earth time
12/12/43
Evening had settled over the city and what had been a ghost town during the day exploded at night. The streets were packed and people went about their business as if it were daylight instead of night.
Apparently this had become the norm while there was a more significant presence of the priesthood of Lambart.
Runner had to wonder how long it would take for this place to return to a normal routine. If ever. The priesthood had not been kind in their role as caretaker.
“Run-ner. Isabelle’s coming in now,” Nadine called, watching from the window.
“Good. We can start getting this shit show on the road.”
“What about Hannah?”
“I’m sure she’s fine. Her marker is moving around the city and her health bar is full. She’ll come when she’s ready,” Runner said dismissively.
Worrying over Hannah right now wouldn’t do much other than waste time and energy. She was a big girl who could take care of herself.
The door swung inwards as Isabelle the Human slipped into the room.
“Any luck?” Runner asked her.
“Some. Mostly about the older one, Armand Atwood. Owns a house near the castle. I did get the name of the younger one, Basile Aubin, but nothing else,” Isabelle said with a sigh. She flopped down into a chair at the table and slouched low in it.
“Such bad habits. You’ve lost your elven grace, Belle,” Runner said with a teasing voice. Runner slid a pair of beetles and a drink across the table to her.
She snatched up one of the beetles and devoured it while pushing the second into her inventory.
“Definitely. I feel considerably slower, too. Though I did get these out of the deal,” Isabelle said, pointing at her very noticeably increased bust.
“Certainly different than what I’m used to. And they do wonders for getting information. Men are stupid.” She looked happy about that, taking a sip of the water.
“I can’t help but agree. Right, then. We’ll see if we can’t sneak over to Armand tonight since we have a location,” Runner said, stretching his arms back behind his head.
“Take a couple minutes to recharge, Belle, and we’ll get a leg on. Rabbit, you’re on home base duty in case there’s a need. Be on the lookout for anyone who stands out to you. The army proper should arrive tomorrow morning, which means this whole place is going to go bat shit crazy.”
“Mind if I do som-me trading? Prices are going to skyrocket,” Nadine said, the possibility of gold glittering in her green eyes already.
“Of cour—”
“That sounds like fun! Are we thinking food and water? Or were you going towards arms and armor?” Isabelle chattered at Nadine excitedly. She’d left her chair and crossed the room to Nadine.
“Both! I figure if we—”
Runner tuned them out. The conversation would keep them busy and relaxed. Taking the opportunity for what it was, Runner called up Alexia’s Hub and activated the sequence.
“Be right back,” Runner said aloud as he thumbed the right icon.
/GMHub 2
Teleporting…
Active settings only:
Death=Off
Food/Water=On
Damage=Off
Gravity=100%
Biome=Plane
Day/Night Cycle=On
Foliage=On(N)
Resource Nodes=On€
Wildlife=On(H)
Weather=On(N)
Everything came into focus and his vision was flooded with torchlight. His body felt like it had been soaking in sunlight and a pleasant warmth suffused his skin.
Runner stood in an open chamber made out of cut stone. The wall
s were bare but there were areas that were clearly being prepped for artwork.
Directly ahead of him stood a large arched doorway. Emplacements had been set for doors, yet no doors had been put in as of yet.
Distantly Runner heard someone leaving the area. Apparently he’d missed them by only a few seconds.
They’re focusing on shelter first. Good.
Taking in a deep breath, he smelled the open grasslands and rain outside. Runner moved forward eagerly. It was almost as if this simple plane of existence felt more like a home away from home each time he came.
Standing at the top of the steps he looked out upon what was quickly becoming a city. There were quite a few homes and buildings already visible despite the rain and the dark. The population had exploded from the number of people he’d been sending here.
Rain pelted the stone-built homes and partially finished paved roads. Torches had long since been extinguished. Here and there he spotted businesses.
He briefly wondered how they conducted that since the economy was twisted. Too much gold ore everywhere for there to be any worth attached to it.
Above all, though, it was a beautiful place. Here there was no war. No crewmates wanting him dead. No problems with who was sharing his bed and who wasn’t. No doomsday AI.
Unfortunately he’d never find Alexia like this. How would he find her?
Or actually, how can I let her know I’m here?
Smirking to himself, Runner called up the console and typed in a command. He executed it with a flourish, holding his hand up above his head.
/GMHub Settings
Day/Night Cycle Off
Weather Off
Standing there with his hand above his head, he realized how childish he was being. Then the sun came out, the rain disappeared, and the entire plane became still.
Standing at the foot of the steps, Alexia dropped to her knees in the wet grass, staring up at him.
“Lord Runner! You’ve returned. Does the war go well?”
“It does! And of course I returned. I promised you, didn’t I?”
Runner let his hand fall and he descended the steps to Alexia. He held out a hand to her, shaking his head.
Otherlife Nightmares: The Selfless Hero Trilogy Page 38