“Chabrid! Please! Help me Know,” Bridcha said. Chabrid came to him and interlaced her paws in his, as their heads bowed together.
“I feel it. Cold no longer sanctuary. It done! Warm come. Mountain valley not safe. Together we Know,” Chabrid said.
“No! Can't be. I see. Lake, in valley. Heating. The valley, people come. More people. More danger. No! I find cause! Destroy it. I, not let kids, be easy hunted again! Tell tribe. I not fail,” Bridcha said as he made his way out of the deep cave. When he reached the outside, he felt the new place of power. His eyes were drawn to it, a new fortress on the mesa. That must be the problem. Running down the mountain, he passed monsters waking for the day. None challenged the running yeti. Nearing the bottom, his exhaustion began to catch up with him, causing him to almost fall off an 80-foot cliff. He decided to take the rest at a walk. And walk he did, until a little man got in his way.
The Wild Mountains.
The crest of the hill leading to the Champion’s castle.
The revelation of the yeti’s intent nearly knocked Joe off his feet. This yeti thought his castle caused a change in the Moon's magma hot springs. This was a bad situation. The yeti was getting low on health. This needed to be resolved soon. The yeti chief was a real leader, the kind of leader Joe had always wanted to be. But, this game had been made for him, so Joe felt he needed to act the leader, even if he was more comfortable with being a number two.
“OKAY, you don't want to talk, I get that, just listen then. I know you're getting low on health, but I don't want you to die. You do not know me. I don't want your kids. I did not change this valley to make the lake become warm. Though, the thing that caused it also summoned me and that castle you want so desperately to destroy. One thing I know for sure is that removing that castle will not change the fact that the lake is going to get warmer. I am sorry. People will be coming into this valley. I wish that did not affect you so negatively. But, I believe I can help you. Not in the way you want, but in a real way. I can help keep your children safe. I think safer than they have ever been. Do you want to hear my plan?” Joe said.
“I listen,” Bridcha said.
Joe went over his plan. It was an agreement, detailing both what he would do and what Bridcha’s people would do. It was not something Bridcha felt comfortable with, but he was close to death and, without him, his people would likely not make it anyway. So, he became King Joe's first vassal. In front of Spooky, the binder, he swore, “I, Bridcha, Yeti Chief of Clan Bounder, give oath. Joe, my king. I, Joe’s vassal. I serve. I obey, as long as Joe fights to keep children in tribe safe and prospering,” Bridcha said. Though it was many words, he felt the binding take hold as he glowed momentarily with a dark aura. It was uncomfortable and constricting, but he could live with it for his people.
***
The non-sentient semi-omnipotent UI took note of a magical power seeming to originate from another plane of reality, separate from the Moon. It was clear an item was going to be delivered to Joe out of this distinct and new reality, but it was not part of the loot system still being devised and implemented by the UI. The loot system still needed refinement and implementation, but this new information would help in this venture.
***
Ding
Immediately, Joe noticed lights at the edge of his vision, but he dismissed them. Now was not the time to deal with system notifications. Spooky confirmed the binding was in place, and Joe quickly removed the MIL Bar with a mind-click and pull of the rope. The yeti sat up and rubbed his painfully bruised back. Joe stepped forward. If he was going to act like a leader, then he would do what he had always wished a leader would do.
“I am sorry you had to go through that. Let me give you an oath. Spooky, bind me also,” Joe said.
“Are you sure, Joe? I can only bind. I can't unbind …I think,” Spooky said.
“Yes, I'm sure. I would honor the vassal oath regardless, but he deserves to know how serious I am. His people's lives are in his hands. I will not disrespect that responsibility. I, King Joe, make this oath. I am Bridcha’s king and he is my vassal. I will do everything in my power to protect, and help prosper, the children of Bridcha’s tribe,” Joe said, as a dark aura gathered around him. He felt the binding take hold. It was not tight. It felt more like a shield, not something constraining. Bridcha’s eyes went wide.
“Never king, promise protect yeti child. Never king bind, for kid. Why?” Bridchaasked.
“The truth is, I performed an interesting spell when you and I were fighting. As a consequence, I got to know who you really were, why you were fighting, and what you were fighting for. I saw your children up in the high mountains. I saw, and felt, what you felt when they were taken. For me, even the idea of children being hurt and abducted, brings a fury out of me. There aren't a lot of things that make me instantly angry, but that's one of them. My main objective is to be a Champion for the Way. What that means is this. In this kingdom, I will not allow anyone to oppress anyone else. In this kingdom, I will encourage harmony and diversity. I know you. I know that you fear that anyone not part of your tribe will attempt to steal your children. That fear has been reinforced by it happening over and over. I won't let it happen here. I will enforce the rule of law. I will hunt down those who break it. Lord willing, I will grow strong enough to accomplish these goals,” Joe pronounced, like he was giving a stump speech. It was weird, but Bridcha’s binding seemed to loosen, though just a little.
The yeti stood up and looked down at his king. “You talk lot,” Bridcha said with his voice that sounded like grinding boulders.
“Yes, he does. Get used to it. If he didn't change for his wife, he won’t change for you,” Spooky said.
“Where mate?” Bridcha asked.
“Unfortunately, she cut ahead of the line. She passed on,” Joe said.
Spooky seemed to understand where things might head, and started signaling the yeti to stop. The yeti he did not even notice her.
“King need mate. Get new mate,” Bridcha said. The temperature around them seemed to drop, even though the yeti did not notice it.
Joe said one word and the conversation was over, “Never.”
The yeti nodded his head, and started heading back to the high mountain.
“Hey, where you going?” Joe asked.
“Get tribe,” Bridcha said.
“Not yet. I know how low your health is. You're coming to the castle, eating some food, and getting your strength back. Then, you can go get them,” Joe said.
The yeti did not even respond. He just slowly circled around and headed toward the castle.
Joe, still with Spooky, watched him go. “Spooky, that should not have been my first combat experience. Did the game want me to lose from the start? I am really asking, why did that happen?” Joe asked.
“Are you having a good experience?” Spooky asked.
“Yes, but how did you know I would be able to pull that off?” Joe asked.
“I am glad you are having fun,” Spooky said.
“I see, still not breaking character. Fine, I know I talk a lot, but you don’t have to confirm that,” Joe said.
Spooky just shook her head, and flew to the castle. She had a lot to do if a yeti tribe was going to be moving in. Spooky flew to the top of the domed castle and a tiny door opened for her.
New Fact
62- If this is a game, it breaks standard RPG gaming practices.
63- In order to balance out gross anomalies, must become proficient at combat and assist patron to do same.
Joe held up his MIL Bar and moved it around, looking at it. This weapon was totally overpowered. It wasn't just bordering on a cheat, it was a cheat. Even for a high-level player, something like this should not exist. When using it at low levels, with a small amount of creativity, you could take on characters who should easily wipe you out. It felt wrong to start out with such powerful items. Not that he came fully equipped, considering how easily his helmet broke. He needed to get some real gear. On
the other hand, who knew how long he would have in this game. After all, he was marked for death, as we all are. Only, he knew that the price on his mark would come due soon. The technicians had said that the weeks of life he had left may, in the game, feel like six months to a year, depending on how well the pod interacted with his brain. Perhaps that was why they gave him a few overpowered items and named him king on the first day. Joe put his hands on his ribs. He could still feel the crack. Maybe Moes would be able to take care of that when he got back to the castle. In an awkward gait, due to his broken state, Joe hurried after his vassal.
Joe caught up with the yeti right before they got to the domed castle. Joe walked in front of the yeti and said, “Follow me.” Joe walked toward the giant-sized doors, hoping that there would be stairs that fit both their needs. The mammoth double doors opened before them. Two bunnies jumped out and hopped away. Ignoring the bunnies, Spooky was seen waiting just behind the doors.
She greeted them both formally.
“Welcome home, King Joe, all is well in your stronghold. Welcome to you, Vassal Bridcha, come rest and refresh yourself.” She led them to a large nondescript room on the ground floor. The only decoration was a large clean circle carpet in the center.
“Please, Bridcha, lay down and rest. We will wake you when the food is ready,” Spooky said. With no further prompting needed, Bridcha laid down on the carpet, and was instantly asleep. Spooky motioned for Joe to follow and he did. The next room was a kitchen the size that could feed an army.
“This is incredible, Spooky,” Joe said.
“Thanks, I also made a few store rooms. One is industrial sized. It was all I could do today. If not for the level jump we just had, I would not have even been able to do this. The fast processor comes in handy. But, this kitchen is useless without food, and you have all of it,” Spooky said.
For a moment, Joe looked at Spooky like he had no idea what she was talking about, but then he remembered the food in his Holdall.
“Sure, what do you want?” Joe asked. She began to list out the meats and cheeses he should give her, so he simply handed her the Holdall and asked her to take what she required.
“Mind if I fill the store rooms with food? Also, it would be handy if I could fill some of the empty space in this castle with ore and other materials. You know, so I don't have to ask you for everything,” Spooky said.
“That is a great idea, just don't take more than half of any one thing,” Joe said.
“If I took that much, it would overfill the castle,” Spooky laughed.
“Yeah, you guys went overboard on the free resources. Anyway, you got this Spooky. While you're cooking, I'm going to go through all the messages I've been ignoring since the fight ended. Sounds like I'll be happy. I know you want to be part of my decisions, so I'll just sit over there by the door and go through them. You have any suggestions, feel free to voice them,” Joe said, but for some unknown reason, Spooky looked uneasy.
“You don't want to sit in here. You should go somewhere more comfortable. I don't have to stay here to get the cooking done,” Spooky said.
“Yeah, I guess you haven't been in any of the other rooms you made changes to. Wait, why do you want me to leave? How have you been making changes? It feels like you might be hiding something from me. Am I just being paranoid?” Joe asked.
“Joe, you don't need to know everything. Let's let this be, just one of those things I hide from you,” Spooky said.
“No, I want to know. Wait, one of those things? How many things do you hide from me?” Joe asked.
Spooky did not answer, but instead, shrugged her shoulders and waved her hands in a specific sign. The doors opened, and for a moment, Joe could barely contain his instinct to run. He took three steps back and stopped when he realized Spooky was not afraid. Through the door three beautiful white ivory stone automaton angels walked through, gathering meat to cook. Their facial expressions remained static and immovable, as one would expect from a stone statue, but their bodies glided forward as they slowly flew through the air.
“This is why I didn't want to tell you. I know about your irrational fear of stone angels. You have watched too much silly television as a child. The result is that you fear things that you should find beautiful. This is not my fault. I needed workers to get things done and these are what the automatons, that I can make, look like,” Spooky said.
Joe visibly shuddered, “Stone angels? That's the kind of worker you can make? I have one thing that freaks me out! One thing!” Joe exclaimed.
“No, that's not true at all, you have way more than one thing. It could have been worse. They could have been sea lions,” Spooky chided.
“All sea lions should be hunted for sport until they're extinct. …Sorry! Gut reaction. How many of these angels are there? And, are they really the only type of worker you can make?” Joe asked.
“The stone angels are the only form of automaton I have available to me right now. That may not always be the case, as my abilities grow. As for how many, these three are the newest. They are also the strongest and most versatile. The level increase I just earned gave me the ability to obtain them. As you just saw, they are human size and can fly. I’ve found that the flying is quite helpful for having them move around a castle this size. They are also the castle's first defensive units, though they are not incredibly strong. The others, that I created earlier, were all much smaller, cannot step out of the castle, and have no defensive capabilities at all. I mean, they’re only about six inches tall, so no bigger than I am,” Spooky explained.
“It gives me the willies to think there's a bunch of little angels flying around folding my socks. Oh well, with meat cooking, I won’t be able to concentrate here anyway. Let's move a few rooms away so I can look at my messages,” Joe said, clearly unsettled by the addition of the statues. They both went out the far door and walked down the hallway to a sitting room.
GONG.
The loud gong rumbled through the castle, and then the surrounding countryside. Joe clicked on the system message that accompanied the gong.
The Abiogenesis Bunny Generator has made a bunny.
“What time is it, Spooky?” Joe asked after reading the message.
“Interestingly, it is noon and we have been here for six hours. From my measurements, it appears that we have a twenty-four hour day here,” Spooky said.
“That seems a bit too coincidental to me. A bunny will be born at noon, six, midnight, and six in the morning. That is too put together, even for you, Spooky,” Joe chided.
“Joe, it is a Divine Item, nothing concerning it will ever be coincidental. Anyway, focus on why you came here,” Spooky chided right back.
“You know what would be cool? If the bunnies were different depending on when they were generated, like the noon bunny being sun-colored,” Joe said.
Spooky just glared at Joe. He sat down and then, Spooky took them to his ignored messages.
Congratulations! You have defeated your first enemy, using both combat and diplomacy. XP received: 15,000.
You have moved up a Level.
Current Level- 3.
You have moved up a Level.
Current Level- 4.
…
You have moved up a Level.
Current Level- 16.
“Nice. 14 levels,” Joe said.
“Keep reading, Joe,” Spooky said.
The yeti who you defeated was well over 100 levels higher than you. At Level 2, it should have been impossible for you to survive such an encounter, let alone triumph. When informed of the dire situation, in your relative weakness as compared to the other champions summoned, you did not cower in fear. You accepted the challenge and took wise advice given. You hurried to increase your levels and defeated a foe many times greater than yourself! Such bold diligence and cunning are the hallmarks of the greatest champions. Showing such powerful attributes at the beginning of your journey deserves an equally powerful reward.
Along with the max 15,00
0 experience you can gain from defeating a single Level 147 character, your heroic deed has pulled an item from the Ether. Hero calls to hero. Like calls to like.
Unique Epic Item: Voice of Monty Ring
Congratulations! You have received a Unique Epic Item: the Voice of Monty Ring. With the Voice of Monty, reality can be ignored and something different can be enjoyed. When this ring is worn, the amount of XP you earn is doubled. Plus 6 to Charisma. Plus 6 to Constitution. This is a Unique Epic Item that is soulbound upon pickup.
Pick up Voice of Monty Ring? Yes/No
“Too bad I didn't have this item an hour ago,” Joe mused.
Joe mind-clicked yes. Instead of being able to pick up the ring, it just appeared on his finger out of the Ether. The ring was a thick band of black iron with what looked like a small imprint of a bunny. “What is it with this game and bunnies?” Joe couldn't help but ask himself. And then, maybe too appropriately a bunny hopped by him, ducking into a hole that looked like it was made for it.
“Spooky, have you been allocating building points to make holes for the bunnies to go through?” Joe asked.
“My goodness, Joe, we are in the middle of looking at your messages. You really do have trouble focusing,” Spooky said.
Joe remembered seeing his disadvantages listed on his level chart. He decided to take Spooky’s advice and focus on his level messages.
Achievement earned!
You Ain't So Big. Rank 1.
You're Not Allowed to Die (The Twenty-Sided Eye Series Book 1) Page 12