by Domino Finn
I tensed. "Why, so I can paint a giant target on my back and get permanently deleted?"
"So you can fight the true enemy," he corrected.
I backed away. He didn't mean to be intimidating, but everything about him was intense. I turned my back on him and refused to face him when I let him down.
"Just because we might think alike when it comes to min/maxing doesn't mean we have the same philosophy. I can't say I asked for all this, but I was in a car accident and I'm here now. I have to be thankful for everything I have left. You want me to help fight the saints, the very people who saved me? Why would I do that, when without them I'd be dead?"
Lucifer clicked his tongue bitterly. My responses both amused and pained him. His voice followed like a caress on the breeze. "The things we take on faith, Talon. If I were you, I would ponder the real question: Whoever said you were really dead?"
0250 Resident Evil
Blood flushed my face. Anger. Pain. I whirled on him. "I—"
I didn't know what to say. Lucifer was clearly manipulating me, right? But was he lying or telling the truth? And what of the saints?
"I'm alive?" I asked desperately. "You're saying I'm still alive, hooked up to machines in a hospital bed somewhere? Stuck in a VR simulation?"
He raised his hands to halt me. He took a quiet, steady breath. "All I point out is that you're blindly taking their word for it."
"But that's not possible. Saint Peter said he'd let me talk to my brother eventually, when the functionality's ready."
"Everchat," said Lucifer.
"You know about it?"
"My friend, that feature has already been rolled out. It's well tested."
My face darkened. "Then why—"
"Family members don't pay for beta tests. The feature exists but hasn't been rolled out to the public. Haven hasn't even been announced. Services like Everchat require a full marketing blitz."
I ground my teeth. I was dead or dying and he was talking about marketing. Someone was lying to me. The ironic part was I wanted to believe Lucifer. I wanted Everchat to be readily available.
"You must consider," he added, "that what you know and what they know are different subsets. There is some overlap, but not nearly as much as you'd like. Profitability is not always transparent."
"But this is a beta test. It's in their interests to let me test the feature. My brother and I are perfect candidates."
"So you know they're keeping a working feature from you. Your next question must be: Why?"
Why, indeed. If what the fallen angel claimed was true, that I was still alive, that would explain why I wasn't allowed to talk to Derek. What kind of hospital would permit Kablammy to do this to me? If I was in a coma or otherwise still recovering, why would they leave me in this simulation? It boggled the mind. More than that, it made me furious. I felt taken advantage of. Violated. Had those terms of service signed away my human rights?
Suddenly my epic quest didn't seem like a big deal. The MMO became meaningless. Playing by the rules loses its appeal as soon as somebody breaks them.
"Can you help me?" I grumbled.
"We can help each other. Look out for one another. Make sure it's our interests we keep at heart."
I nodded uncertainly.
"The saints are part of a capitalistic empire," he said. "They don't want what's best for us. They want what's best for their master's wallet."
Their master. "You're not talking about God."
"Oh, but I am. Their false idols are shareholders. Their god, the dollar. The great almighty—they bow to none other."
My mouth went sour. Whether or not his words were accurate, they had the ring of truth. I'd hated Kablammy even before they bought out my studio. They were soulless. Global, corporate, everything that was wrong with American business today. I didn't put it past them to take advantage of unsuspecting people.
I didn't put it past Lucifer, either.
"Your lies might just be another flavor," I said weakly.
"I think you know the truth when you hear it."
"If it's the truth then I don't care about the pagan war. I don't care about Stronghold. I need to get out of Haven completely."
"Don't be so rash."
"Rash?"
He sighed to diffuse the dialog. "You might enjoy staying more."
I snorted. I doubted it. Derek needed me. That was clearer than ever. And maybe I needed him too. If I could just get word to him he could blow the whistle on it all.
"You know," I said, finding the humor even in this, "you might be more convincing if your name wasn't Lucifer."
He shrugged. "If this were a space opera and I was playing interplanetary spy, I would've picked a more suitable name. Domino, perhaps. Alas, when in Rome." He nodded to the Arena in the distance.
I rolled my eyes. "Great, you like wordplay."
"I am Satan, after all."
He had a sense of humor too. I almost liked the guy. "That's my problem. I don't know if I can trust you. I don't know who I can trust anymore."
"Now you're thinking like one of the Fallen." He regarded me proudly. "I, of all people, would never ask you to take something on faith alone. You don't need to believe me, Talon. I can give you the tools to see the truth for yourself."
I couldn't mask my glimmer of hope. "You can give me Everchat?"
His lips twisted. "I can't give you that directly."
"Maybe the saints will."
"They can't know about this. About me. Two angels are still on the hunt. They'll kill me on sight."
"Then what?"
"The Pantheon," he said. "I can get you access to the database. Personnel records. You can look up the truth for yourself."
My momentary hope lodged firmly in my throat. "That's where your Fallen were permanently deleted. What were they doing in the Pantheon?"
"Truth seeking," he said sadly. "Truth comes at the highest of prices."
I swallowed nervously, unsure if I was willing to pay that much. It would mean no more second life. Then again, if my first life could be recovered, Haven held no further purpose for me.
I sighed in futile resignation. "How do we get in?"
"Not we. I can do many things, but I can't stroll through those gates. I'm somewhat anonymous, but the centurions in Stronghold will recognize me on sight. The angels will be unleashed. Your quest will be dead in the water before it begins."
"Quest," I repeated, wondering if I was about to receive a notification.
Lucifer smiled snidely. "Not that kind of quest. And don't worry, you won't be truly alone. I come bearing gifts."
He waved his hand and black static ate away at the ground. A wooden treasure chest popped into place. It was an overwrought Dungeons & Dragons caricature. Large and worn, buttressed with metal clamps. It hummed with a soft glow.
I knew accepting gifts from strangers was dangerous, especially when that stranger styled himself the devil, but I wasn't making any Faustian deals here.
"I'm not promising you anything," I warned.
He waved to the chest. "These are the tools you need to open your eyes. Reserve your judgment until you have the facts."
I bit my lip. I'd hit my limit of protestation. This was an MMO after all, and that freaking chest was glowing. I ravenously flung it open.
[Blacksteel Studded Leather]
High-quality leather armor affording maximum maneuverability and construction.
[Assassin Vambraces]
Reinforced leather arm guards built for precise combat.
+2 Agility
+1 Strength
[Stranger's Cowl]
Unassuming hood that masks your identity and location to distant eyes.
[Gu1d3 Rune]
A gemstone that lights the way through the Pantheon and highlights its defense systems.
[Bit Key]
This anachronistic cartridge gives admin access to the Oculus, the game console.
I couldn't believe my eyes. Each item made me drool
more than the last.
I hurried to fit the cowl over my head. My double in the menu was starting to look badass now. The studded leather was finely styled under my blue coat. The cowl draped over my shoulders and ominously hid my face.
"That will keep the pagans off your back," explained Lucifer. "They'll still attack you on sight as long as you have negative reputation with them, but their spies will no longer be able to track you down like they did."
No more assassin ambushes. That alone was worth the price of admission.
"It should help keep others from getting their sights on you."
"Is that what you use to hide from the angels?" I asked.
He chuckled. "The angels require additional subterfuge."
The guide rune was a square yellow gemstone with a metal cross inlaid in the flat face. It vibrated unnaturally.
"A creation of mine," said Lucifer. "It's a map and more. It will activate when you enter the Pantheon and attempt to guide you safely around threats in real time."
"Any chance your dead Fallen Angels had similar protections?"
"It's not foolproof," he conceded, "but you don't stand a chance without it."
I shook my head in frustration. "That's not very reassuring. You get to sit safely on your obelisk throne while I do all the legwork. I'm expected to sneak into the best-guarded place in Stronghold with nothing but a gemstone. Alone."
"That's not true, my friend. We're in this fight together. I'll work up a distraction on the outside. Wait for a message in your inbox. When I contact you, you must move immediately."
I grumbled. For someone who hadn't made a single promise I was starting to feel awfully committed. I changed the subject and produced the last item from the chest.
"And this?" I quizzically studied the bit key in my hand. It resembled a gold Nintendo game cartridge without the label.
"Careful with that one. The saints will delete you if they find it on your person. When you sneak into the Pantheon, you'll find the Oculus. The bit key plugs into the game console. That's what you can use to access the system. To look up your records."
I clenched my jaw. "Can I use it to unlock Everchat?"
"Yes. It might take some hacking, though. Are you comfortable with that?"
I pocketed the bit key and stared at the gated city in the distance. I'd never thought of myself as a hacker before. I never needed to work outside the system. Now it might be my only option.
I strode to Bandit at the edge of the summit. "No promises," I said, and jumped on her back.
0260 The Dark Project
The mountain bongo was a great mount. Even with my added weight, her hooves found sure footing on the steep cliffside. My personal ski lift with horns... that went both directions... that didn't require a ticket. Okay, the analogy breaks down real fast.
My descent was a distracted one. I had the presence of mind to loot the goblin corpses at the bottom but didn't pay attention to the stash. Lucifer's quest was weighing me down. My state of affairs. Once we hit the foothills and made our way across the open plain, every hoofbeat was a reminder that I was getting closer to a destiny I didn't want. Every step away from the mountain made me realize how fucking crazy Lucifer's plan was. How crazy I was to agree to it.
Sure, if everything he'd said was true, there was just cause for the kind of action he wanted. I didn't think the dude was evil necessarily. I wondered what his grudge with the saints was and made a mental note to ask next time I saw him.
Maybe this was all a mistake. Maybe I could clear things up without some crazy Mission Impossible heist. I pulled Bandit to a stop, brought up my menu, and stared long and hard at the green help button.
I couldn't sell the fallen angel out, but that didn't mean I was out of options.
I hit the button and waited. Several moments later, Saint Peter popped into place. His bushy eyebrows arched at the sight of the mountain bongo. I smiled.
"I wasn't sure if you'd appear outside town."
He cleared his throat. "Yes, well, we make exceptions sometimes." He looked me up and down. "You seem to be adjusting nicely. The deer is new."
I hopped off Bandit.
"No bugs filed yet," noted Saint Peter pointedly. "You need to submit bugs as you encounter them. Surely you've seen things... out of the ordinary?"
I shrugged. "You've built a pretty solid game here, Pete. Me too, I guess. I've been recognizing some of the routines I wrote for a different game."
He straightened up. "Yes, well, I won't pretend to understand all the programmer gobbledygook, but Kablammy uses whatever assets it has at its disposal. You should be proud of your part in that. Is there a reason for this visit, Tod?"
"T—uh, seriously?"
"What?" He studied me blankly.
"Whatever. Yes, there's a reason. A very important reason. As you can see, I'm holding up my end of the bargain. Playing the game—quite successfully I might add. I was wondering when you could unlock my access to Everchat."
"Everchat is only rolled out to select residents—"
"So other people do have it?"
Saint Peter clenched his jaw. "You've only been in Haven one day, young man. You're pretty demanding considering."
"I'm trying to do the right thing," I said. "I really am."
"Then log some bugs and wait your turn. It's my assessment that you're adjusting well to your transition. You no longer need me. Goodbye."
Saint Peter flickered out in a huff. I went back to my menu but the damned green button was disabled again. Beside it, the red bug button taunted me. I shut the menu in frustration.
The lockout wouldn't last forever. That button would enable again and I'd press it, again and again, until Saint Peter gave me what I wanted. And if he didn't...
I stared at Lucifer's summit. Well, my other option seemed extreme.
"Come on, Bandit," I said. I started for Stronghold on foot, mostly because walking would give me more time to think.
If I'd been expecting a eureka moment, I didn't get one. The gates of Stronghold welcomed me just as before. The bored guards of the city watch eyed me like I was a trivial part of their day. Just another traveler passing through. Little did they know I was a traitor in their midst. Guards in chain mail and leather, some with swords and some with slings. Was I really planning on going against a whole force of them?
Bandit followed me all the way to the outer wall this time. She was a good girl but still had reservations about entering town. I scrubbed her chin and told her I'd be back later. Then I entered Stronghold.
The main thoroughfare was more active than before. More players were starting to see success. Lots of level 2s out there. A few more level 3s with class titles, but it was still rare. Getting there with swamp toads alone was a grind. Of course, I was level 4 now. Since I had some time to kill, I opened my character sheet.
I sunk my free attribute point into agility. With my 2 skill points, I upgraded spear handling and deadshot. I had a feeling I might be needing them real soon. Between the upgrades and the bonus of the assassin's vambraces, my stats were starting to look respectable.
Talon
Level
4
Class
Explorer
XP
6378
Kit
Scout
Next
8125
Strength
13
Strike
116
Agility
19
Dodge
140
Craft
6
Health
90 / 90
Essence
8
Spirit
80 / 80
I absentmindedly walked ahead, fiddling in my menu, keeping an eye on that grayed-out help button, waiting for the moment it reactivated. I was just trudging through Front Street when I accidentally walked into someone.
"Oh, sorry, I—"
A set of full plate towered over me by at least a
foot. That collision hadn't been an accident.
"Oh, great," I said halfheartedly. "Lash."
She pulled off her helmet and shook her bleached highlights free. "No shit, dipshit. I see you're not lugging that loser around anymore."
Lash's painted eyes were hard slits even without the helmet. She was level 4 now, but then so was I. In her favor she had a couple of followers backing her up. A stocky barbarian who was going for the Conan look and a slight old lady in a plain dress. A white witch. Both were level 3.
I was outnumbered but felt safe in the confines of Stronghold. "Actually, I was just going to meet Kyle now."
She turned to her friends and laughed. "Wait, I get it. He's skulking in his room after dying. Again." They giggled like cruel middle school kids, which was weird considering the old lady's age. I got the impression everyone followed Lash's lead.
I glanced across the street to the parks of the Foot. The open yards were rife with activity, mostly players training and testing items and skills. A few stragglers were already eyeing the action over here. From a safe distance, of course, lest they draw Lash's ire as well. As I scanned the crowd I spotted Izzy the pixie. She was juggling several colorful balls before a crowded audience. Interesting hobby. Even more interesting was that she was masterfully handling the juggling act while intently watching me.
Nice. This place really was like middle school.
Even without the helmet, Lash was a good foot taller than me. I didn't care. I stepped right into her personal space, my chin almost touching her breastplate, and said, "In case you haven't noticed, Lash, I'm not gonna play the passive pushover for you. I hit level 4 much faster than you did. I have no doubt I'll outpace you in the next day or two. So I'd watch how you act around me."
I thought it was a good speech. The healer couldn't believe I'd made it. Lash, for her part, twisted her pink lips in amusement.