by Terry Schott
Mercy used the momentum to swing up and stand on the neck. Her footing nimble, she took advantage of the beast’s position and sprinted upward. She stabbed one eye, then rolled over the head and pierced the other. The head turned and snapped, teeth trying to close on her but finding only air, as she slid to the ground and took off running.
Ezref moved to Shale’s side, arms wide and lips moving to craft a spell. Black powder dribbled between the fingers of his left hand, his right crumpling a dried component into a powder. He spoke the last word of the spell and flung his hands first straight out, and then down against his legs. Sebastian recognized the spell and looked at the hydra as a glowing orange cloud appeared over one of its heads. Tiny blades of fire sprang out of the cloud and rained down onto its eye. The head jerked back, screaming in pain as the fiery missiles pierced the soft tissue; popping and hissing as the vulnerable moist membranes were kissed by fire. The head reared up, one eye now blind. The second remaining head turned and leaned closer to inspect the damaged eye of the other.
Sebastian opened his mouth to congratulate the crafter, but before he could speak, the hydra righted itself and sprang forward, swinging its body and sweeping its tail at them with powerful force. Too fast to dodge, the tail struck Shale and Ezref and sent them sprawling through the air and out of sight into the forest.
Sebastian stood rooted in place as the two heads swivelled to face him. The third head scanned the ground, searching for Mercy.
It spotted her sprinting for the cover of the nearby trees, blades sheathed, arms pumping. Despite a slight limp in her gait, she was fast. The hydra swung its tail. The tip clipped the back of her legs and sent her flying out of sight as well.
All three heads were now trained on Sebastian. The corners of its mouths were turned up, revealing massive teeth as they smiled down at him. Deep, rich laughter rose from the dragon’s belly as it lumbered forward, stopping a few feet away.
The middle head—the only one undamaged—leaned close to him and spoke.
“And then,” its voice was a deep rumble, “there was one.”
66
Sebastian’s body was frozen in place, his mind racing as he tried to think of what to do next.
Nothing came to him.
He looked in the direction that Ezref and Shale had been thrown. He could see their bodies lying on the ground, unmoving, either dead or unconscious. He turned to scan another part of the woods and saw Mercy, her legs splayed and still. He forced himself to look at the spot where Fen had fallen. He was definitely dead, crushed under the enormous weight of the hydra’s frame.
“Let me guess.” Kieran was clearly amused as he repeated Sebastian’s own words from earlier. “That was a bit of a surprise for you?”
“Don’t gloat.” Sebastian met the monster’s gaze and sighed. “Finish me and be done with it.”
“Is that what you want, Sebastian?” The middle head inched closer, now less than three feet from his own. “Death?”
“Of course not, but I am powerless to stop you.”
“You are?” Laughter rippled up from the hydra’s throat. “Well, that is a shame. I had hoped for a bit of a challenge, from you at least.” The head pulled back a measure. “Very well. I will gather the others and finish you last.” The massive body turned towards Ezref and Shale. “It looks as if a couple will experience permanent death today. Only the players get another turn at life. Not the NPCs.”
“How do you know that?” Sebastian asked.
The hydra did not stop walking toward the still bodies of Sebastian’s friends. “I’ve already told you. We are from Earth as well.”
Sebastian shook his head. “That never made sense. How can you be from Earth, yet have lived in this reality for almost two hundred years? We only now created this place. It should not be possible for others to have come here before us. Your story makes zero sense.”
“And yet it is true. You’re a clever man.” Kieran began walking away. “You tell me.”
“There’s only one way I can think of.”
“Which is?”
“Time travel.”
Kieran stopped, and one head swivelled to stare at Sebastian. “That’s ridiculous.”
“But correct?”
Laughter. “Oh, yes. Absolutely on the button.”
Sebastian laughed, too. “Which means that I created the game, it continued to stay online for years, and somehow players from after my time found a way to come back and enter this virtual world before the original beta players? Hundreds of years before?”
“Quite the story, isn’t it?” Again the huge, toothed grin appeared. “Isn’t quantum mechanics wonderful?”
“Quantum mechanics,” Sebastian mumbled.
“That’s right. Now, hush for a few minutes. Once I’ve gathered your friends in a neat pile, we can talk more while I have lunch. Normally, the thought of eating humanoids is disgusting, but after being in this form for a while and taking a bit of damage, the cravings become overwhelming.”
Kieran felt the hunger threatening to overwhelm him. He knew he should change form and simply slit the throats of the adventurers who still lived, yet the idea of chomping down on their bodies while Sebastian watched brought him a perverse sense of pleasure. Kieran hadn’t intended to be so macabre, but Sebastian and his group deserved this. Especially after they’d killed five original Scouts. There should be a price to pay, and this felt appropriate to him.
He stopped in front of Shale; one head leaned forward, and the mouth opened to grip Shale by the foot. He had to be careful. If he bit too hard, he would begin to dismember them here, which would make the process of gathering them too slow and messy.
A sudden blast of pain blossomed in a spot on his back, both hot and cold at once. His head whipped around to inspect the area. Something had burned through his scales, leaving a wound of raw, smoking flesh, the skin around the edges still bubbling. All three heads began to search for the source of the attack, scanning frantically to find the threat before another attack was launched. One pair of eyes found the source, and he turned his other heads to bear on the threat.
Sebastian glared up at him, with his right fist clenched. Dark gray smoke drifted upward from his knuckles.
“Well, well,” Kieran said. “It appears that a bit of your power has returned.”
“Looks like.”
“It will fade.”
“Probably,” he raised both arms and pointed his fists at Kieran. “But I’m betting it will last long enough for me to blast you into a whole lot of little pieces.” He raised one eyebrow. “I doubt you’ll be able to regenerate from that, but if you want to find out, I’m game.”
Kieran came to stand before Sebastian. Then he closed his eyes and willed his shape to change, feeling his claws become hands, three heads combine into one, and his four feet back to two. He pitched forward, falling to his knees and gasping for breath as the pain in his right side became unbearable. It took him a few seconds to regain enough control to speak. “Ouch.” He ran a hand over the wound covering a large portion of his side, willing the flesh to heal. Then he frowned.
“Can’t fix it?” Sebastian sniffed. “Interesting.”
“The battle is over,” Kieran gasped, suddenly worried for his own safety. He pushed himself to a standing position, one hand pressed to his side. “When I leave, the doorway will open.”
“Works for me.” Sebastian grinned. “No hard feelings?”
Kieran tilted his head, a smile forming on his lips. He bowed his head. “Agreed. The contest was a good one. Scouts will not seek revenge for the death you have caused.”
Kieran waved one hand and a swirling mist appeared. Without another word, he stepped through the portal and disappeared.
Seconds later, the mist faded, leaving a stone door in its place.
67
Sebastian leaned over Mercy and gently slapped her face. He waited a few seconds and slapped her cheek again. Her eyes opened and she looked up at him. When he
saw her eyes finally focus on him he smiled.
“Welcome back. Can you stand?”
“Give me a minute.”
“Okay.” He moved to where Xander lay and woke him the same way. Xander opened his eyes and rolled onto his side, and got to his feet.
Sebastian walked with Xander to the fire he had made, nodding at Ezref and Shale as he sat.
Mercy finally sat up and joined them a few minutes later. “How did it end?” she asked.
Sebastian shrugged. “We won.”
Xander frowned. “Where’s Fen?”
Sebastian jutted his chin to the left. The warrior’s body lay on the ground near the edge of the woods, a cloak covering his still form.
“Oh.” Xander bowed his head.
“Is he in any condition to attempt a resurrection?” Mercy asked.
“No.”
“That is a shame. He was an excellent warrior.”
“Aye. And a good friend.”
Mercy nodded. “He died well.”
Ezref pointed at the door standing in the middle of the field. “Is that our way out?”
Sebastian nodded. “It is.”
Xander stood, wincing as he put weight on one leg. “Then let’s get out of here before the damned thing disappears.”
Sebastian stood. “Someone help me with Fen.”
“No need.” Mercy rose to her feet in one smooth motion, ignoring the pain that had to be shooting through her from the cuts she had received along her right thigh and left side. “I will carry him.”
***
They emerged through the doorway in the side of the mountain, exactly where they had entered. Mercy and Xander took turns carrying Fen as they made their way down the path to the valley. It was there that they found a quiet spot to bury him.
Sebastian said a few words over the unmarked patch of freshly turned earth, and then they picked up their packs to move on. Mercy approached Sebastian and held out her hand. “You should have this.” In her palm rested a sturdy gold chain with a multicoloured gemstone pendant attached.
“That was Fen’s.”
“Yes. You were his friend. I am certain that he would want you to have it.”
“I don’t know.”
“It is very valuable.”
“Really?”
She nodded and fastened it around his neck. “Wear it, always.”
“I will.”
She gripped his shoulder, squeezing tightly. “I mean it. Never take it off, no matter the circumstances.”
He frowned. “Okay. I promise.”
Her eyes scanned his for a moment, and then she nodded.
***
The party made their way back to the grassy hilltop outside the town where they had first met as a group. Mercy shook everyone’s hand, Sebastian’s last. Xander followed suit.
“We must return to our Keep.” Mercy nodded at Xander. “My apprentice has levelled enough to face his next trial.”
Sebastian nodded. “Thank you for being part of our campaign. I hope that we see each other again.”
“I’m pleased to hear you say that.” She bowed her head. “When—” she paused and then nodded. “Yes. When Xander passes his rite, we would find your group and rejoin you.”
Shale clapped her hands together, and Ezref smiled. “You are welcome to adventure with us whenever you are ready,” Sebastian said.
“Good.” Xander smiled. “Then we will return soon.” He raised one eyebrow. “Unless our journey ends and they pull all new Travellers home before we get a chance to rejoin you.”
“That won’t happen,” Sebastian said.
The young Death Stryker frowned. “Are you sure?”
The older man nodded. “Absolutely. A slight change was implemented some time ago. From now on, all new Travellers are here for as long as they are able to survive. Only death will send you home.”
“Cool.” Shale laughed and clapped Ezref on the shoulder. “I wasn’t ready to go home yet, anyway.”
The Death Strykers turned and made their way down the hill, while the others watched them go.
“What about us?” Shale asked. “Are we staying together?”
“That is fine by me,” Ezref said.
“Me as well,” Sebastian smiled. “Any suggestions on what to do next?”
“I’d like to find a nice bed and sleep for a week,” Ezref said.
“And a bath,” Shale said.
Sebastian gestured toward the town. “Sounds like a plan. Shale, lead the way.”
68
Kara entered Isaac’s office, came around the side of his desk, and looked over his shoulder. His eyes remained focused on the monitor as he typed.
“Any luck?” she asked.
He shook his head. “No, and I think it’s too late now.”
“How is that possible? You started searching as soon as the 1,200 exited the instances and popped back up on our screens.”
“I know.” He leaned back and crossed his arms, tilting his head back to look at her. “And I tagged Xander first to see who he was with, but...” He shook his head.
“No sign of Sebastian.”
“Nope. Xander was already on the road, and the only other individual with him was a female NPC Death Stalker named Mercy. No one else.”
“Then we’ve lost him again.”
Isaac looked back at the monitor and stared. “We still haven’t found him.”
***
Sebastian, Shale, and Ezref stood outside the front gates of the town and stared. Three bodies hung from the cross brace of the gate, their heads severed and lying on the ground beneath them. A crude sign hung from each corpse. The message was identical.
Death to all New Travellers.
“What’s going on?” Ezref asked.
“Perhaps we had best find out before walking into town,” Sebastian said.
“I agree.” Shale scowled. “Suddenly, I think I can wait for a bath.”
They turned away from town and made their way down the road.
***
Kieran felt something cool touch his forehead and opened his eyes.
Aleron smiled down at him, holding a cool cloth against the Scout leader’s brow. “How you feeling?”
“Better, I think.”
Aleron nodded. “Your wound is finally healing. Tansa said you should be up and walking around in a few days.”
“Finally. How long have I been out?”
“Thirty-two days.”
“Wow, I can’t believe it has taken that long to heal.”
“Neither can anyone else. Tansa said that nothing should cause damage to a Scout this bad.” He shook his head. “Sebastian has some strange and scary sort of power blast.”
“Thankfully he has no idea of the true power he can command, or I would be dead and gone.” Kieran tried to move a bit and winced. “It still hurts.”
“That will fade soon.”
“Any news?”
Aleron smiled. “No one tells me very much, but that won’t surprise you, will it? They say that was your order to the group, right?”
Kieran nodded. “For now. I am sure you will prove your loyalty to us soon enough.”
“I owe you my life. That counts for something.”
“Plus, you are one of us. You will see what that means as time goes on.”
Aleron grinned. “I did hear a bit of news concerning the new Travellers.”
“Oh?”
“It has become more difficult for NPCs to kill them. Apparently those who remain have banded together and formed their own community in order to protect each other.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. And they found someone to lead them.”
“Will I recognize the name?”
“Definitely.”
“Wait a minute.” Kieran narrowed his eyes. “Don’t tell me it’s Sebastian?”
Aleron raised one eyebrow and nodded.
Kieran laid his head back and groaned. “Great. The one thing we absolut
ely wanted to avoid.
“Bad news, huh?”
“Kid, if worse news were possible to hear, I can’t imagine what it would be.”
***
Isaac opened the door to his office and smiled. “There he is. Get in here.” The man entered and Isaac shook his hand. “If it isn’t the hero of the gaming community himself, Jeremy Granger.” Isaac raised one eyebrow. “Or should I call you Fen?”
Jeremy laughed and followed Isaac to his meeting area, sitting on the couch and crossing one leg over the other. “Normally I would say Jeremy, but perhaps Fen is the best thing to call me, considering the purpose for my visit.”
“Can’t wait to hear about it. May I offer you a drink?” Isaac held up a bottle of scotch.
“That would be great, thanks.”
Isaac poured two glasses and handed one to Fen before sitting in the chair across from him. “I read the review detailing your beta-testing adventures. I can’t thank you enough for the praise. Pre-orders and interest went through the roof after your positive press hit the airwaves.”
“It was well earned.” Fen sipped from his glass and sighed. “This is good stuff. Two-hundred-year-old?”
Isaac laughed. “Yes, indeed. It appears that you have discerning tastebuds for more than games, it seems. What can I do for you, Fen?”
“I know that beta testing is officially closed, and that no one is being allowed to go back in until the next batch of invites go out for phase two.”
“That’s right.”
“I want you to make an exception for me. I need to go back in as soon as possible.”
Isaac’s eyebrows raised as he took a drink. “This is definitely a surprise. I know you loved your experience, but didn’t think you would be so eager to go back in.”
“There are quite a few players still inside.”
“Because they haven’t died in the game.”
“That’s not the reason they remain inside.”
“What do you mean?”
“I know the truth.”
“And what would that be?”