Abe added, “I’ve put out calls to the surrounding kingdoms. Letters by raven. I have yet to hear back, but I am hopeful. Hammersworth has a formidable reputation. There would be many who would deem it an honor to fight by our side.”
“If I may offer another suggestion?” KieraFreya commented.
“Sure.”
“We go for my horse.”
Chloe took a deep breath. “You know it’s not that simple. The city isn’t ready yet. If we leave, they’re a goddess down. You’ve been invaluable in helping keep the darkness at bay. With us gone into the Nether Realm, what’ll happen if the city is suddenly overrun?”
Chloe pictured it in her mind: her and KieraFreya gallivanting around the Nether Realm while Fukmos and his hordes attacked the city. The goddess trapped inside her armor had been instrumental in keeping out the darkness and giving her strength. Without KieraFreya, she worried that the city wouldn’t last if a larger attack were to come.
She stared out at the giant rift, the wobbling tear in the fabric of reality that pulsed with strange power. It was the prison in which Shikora, KieraFreya’s steed, and the last piece required to complete the mission, was said to be contained. If she wasn’t mistaken, the rift was shrinking.
What if Chloe were to head through and the rift closed behind her? How would she open it again? What if she went through and couldn’t find Shikora? What if the whole thing was a trick? A trap?
The last thing Chloe wanted to do was leave her friends and not be around should things go from bad to worse. What would she do if she came back to find the city destroyed and her friends gone after she had spent so much time pulling them all together?
Therese moved closer to Chloe. “We’ll be okay. The city will be able to hold off an attack. You need to finish what you started. It’s the only way all this will end. Imagine what it’d be like to have a goddess on the field, complete with her powers and her steed. The advantage we’d have!”
And what if the goddess became complete and then abandoned us and headed off to the heavens? Chloe thought.
I guess that’s a risk you’ll have to take, KieraFreya said, not unkindly.
Chloe exhaled, watching several more fighters gaining levels down below. She turned and left without another word.
She paced through the hallways and found her way to her room.
It was huge, easily big enough to fit in five more beds. Her bed was untouched, sheets and pillows without a dent. Chloe hadn’t slept for the last few days.
How could she possibly sleep with the sounds of battle outside? Even inside the palace, there was the constant gossiping, the guards running around urgently, and messages and deliveries carried by people with heavy footfalls and loud breathing.
Chloe sat in a plush chair in the corner of her room and checked her messages. She had come to the realization the day before that if she was going on this suicide mission, she’d need all the help she could get. Fighters who were able to go for long stints without rest. As it stood, there was only her and Gideon (that she was aware of) who were able to undertake such a feat.
She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw a message from the doc.
Chloe!
Seems like you’re burning the candle at both ends. Don’t forget that rest is beneficial in-game. Think of those buffs you’ll get for being fully rested!
I’ve made the calls and put in the requests, and I’ve just had confirmation that all is underway. The guys will receive their messages shortly and will be able to proceed with your plan.
I must also add, your generosity seems to know no bounds. I’m sure they’ll both be ecstatic with your gift—even if it does have a selfish motive ;)
Anyhow, I know you’re busy, so I won’t burden you with too many updates. Suffice it to say, Mia is still tackling the AI issues, and it looks promising. We’ll know more in the next few days.
Keep on doing what you’re doing.
Your #1 fan—don’t forget that! :P
Doc
Chloe rested her head on the wall behind her and felt relief wash over her.
So the doc had succeeded. Pretty soon the guys would be getting the message, and maybe, just maybe, they’d be able to get to work and reach the end of their quest.
It seemed impossible, looking back at where she had started, to believe how far she had come. She remembered her first encounter with the goblins and struggling to find somewhere to hide from them when she embarked upon the legendary mission. The incredible serendipity of the beta phase of the game that had set her on the path to where she was now with KieraFreya.
She wondered again what it would be like after it all ended. Where would KieraFreya go, and what would that mean for her? Would she remain as she was, or did her power lie entirely with the goddess?
Chloe didn’t believe she’d be okay with starting from scratch.
She doubled-checked her stats, wondering if they would change. Just how many were tied to the goddess’ power?
Thankfully, they hadn’t. As the thoughts began to blur in her mind, she closed her eyes. The memories turned to dreams, and before she knew it, she was fast asleep. Several hours later, when Gideon found her and called her to the throne room, her head would be a little bit clearer.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chloe was awakened by pounding on her door.
At first, she thought she was under attack. Her dream had been filled with the faces of dark things and the cries of the enemy. It wasn’t until she heard voices that she realized what was happening.
“Chloe! Open up.”
“Yeah, come on. We need to talk to you.”
Chloe opened the door and was bowled over by a stout dwarf and a tall elf.
“Ow! You guys, you’re squashing me!”
Ben laughed. “Oh, behave. How can we squash you when you’re completely covered in metal armor? Come on, Chloe. You’ll have to do better than that.”
They hugged her and squeezed her, repeatedly saying “thank you” until Chloe was laughing. Using her Strength, she managed to raise herself off the ground and push them gently to the side.
She stood over the pair, staring down.
“What’s gotten into you two?” She knew, really, but she wanted to hear it from their mouths.
“We’ve both been given full-immersion pods and a sponsorship contract. The pods were waiting for us both when we logged out last night.” Tag beamed. “Have you seen the latest tech? It’s beautiful.”
Ben pushed himself to his feet. “Honestly, we can’t thank you enough, Chloe.”
Chloe’s blood froze. Thank her? Why were they thanking her? They weren’t supposed to know the pods were a gift from her. Her identity had to be kept secret if this was all to work! Had the doc slipped up? Did someone reveal her true identity? How was she going to keep Ben and Tag from leaking that information to the entire livestream viewer community?
“What did I do?” Chloe asked hesitantly.
Tag scoffed. “You’re number one, which makes you the most viewed player online. We’re in your party, so it’s not difficult to deduce that people are now trying to scoop up your closest friends. Gideon got his a while ago, and now it’s us!”
“How do you know about Gideon?”
“Please.” Ben waved a hand. “You two have been up and talking at all hours. You think we haven’t noticed how irregularly that guy now logs off? It’s ridiculous! I’ve been dying of jealousy.”
A creak from the door. A small laugh. “Well, I’m glad I managed to catch that nugget of information.”
Chloe burst into laughter when they all turned to see Gideon in the doorway. He looked tired, his hair unkempt and his robes creased and lined from days of combat. They had all been doing their rounds, dipping in and out of the battle to give others rest, and it had been taking its toll.
Ben straightened his shirt and adjusted the bow slung around his shoulder. “It doesn’t matter anymore, anyway. We’re all on the same level. Can you believe it? The fo
ur of us, full-immersion.”
“Imagine if I hadn’t come back,” Tag said. “I might have missed the chance to hit this full-time!”
“I never miss a chance to hit it.” Ben smirked.
They all laughed again. They stayed a short while longer, the four of them discussing the tech integrated into their pods. According to Gideon, the tech had improved even more since his dive into full immersion. Ben and Tag described their pods as jet-black and sleek, with an electric green Obsidian logo and details.
“Damn, bet that looks pretty in your bedrooms,” Gideon said.
Tag and Ben nodded.
“Oh, yes,” Ben said. “Takes up a lot of space, but it’s well worth it, considering the circumstances.”
Chloe thought about her pod, a simplistic black oval with a small transparent area through which you could see inside. What would it be like when she eventually came out of the pod? She knew Doc and Mia had moved her pod, so exiting would be slightly different, but what would the world be like?
Now’s not the time to dwell on the future, Chloe.
Chloe returned her focus to the conversation, catching the guys in the middle of a pissing contest. Each one was coming up with a reason as to why they would be the second-most-viewed player in Obsidian in the end.
“Gid?” Chloe cut across the three of them with a grin. “Was there a reason you were stalking my room when you came in? Or were you just after some friends to natter with?”
Gideon’s face lit up, suddenly remembering something. “Oh, that’s right! Therese has asked that we all head to the throne room. She’s got some news for us.”
“I hope it’s that the enemy has stopped attacking,” Ben stated. “At some point, we might actually be able to explore the Nether Realm before the damn thing closes.”
They exited the room and headed out into the corridor, Chloe’s mind once more lost in the intrigue of what the Nether Realm might contain and what mysteries would lie within.
They were lined up and waiting when Therese and Abe entered the room. The KieraSlayers had been talking among themselves in a room that had never contained so few people.
The last few times they had been in this room, it had been for kingdom-wide announcements and discussions, as well as celebrations. Now, though, it was them, and them alone.
Therese looked regal, arm laced with Abe’s as they strode down the center aisle and made their way to their thrones. When they took their seats, her hand found his and they smiled fondly down at the others.
Leonie bowed.
The others looked hesitantly from her to the pair, some of them half-kneeling, some of them remaining standing, the whole thing an awkward mess.
Therese and Abe exploded in laughter.
“Forget the formalities. We are all friends here,” Abe managed. “Arise and listen to your queen, for it is for her we are gathered here in this hall.”
“What? The woman already talking on behalf of the man now?” Tag grumbled.
Abe shot him a dirty look.
Therese just laughed. “Friends. KeiraSlayers. It is with a burning purpose that I gather you here today, for, in case you’ve somehow been on another planet and are completely unaware, the kingdom is under attack.”
“You don’t say.” Talbot chuckled sarcastically. “I must have missed that news flash.”
“We find ourselves in a position where urgency is now the best path forward. The final stages of the quest for KieraFreya’s armor must be undertaken if we are to defeat the enemy and purge the darkness from our lands.”
Chloe sighed. “I’ve told you already, we need to stabilize the city first—”
Therese cut across her. “Therefore, the quest stands as follows. The KieraSlayers will be divided into two teams for now so we can both complete the quest and protect the kingdom.”
Before Chloe could argue, Therese continued, “Chloe, Gideon, Ben, and Tag, you are to enter the Nether Realm at first opportunity. I have gathered a vanguard who will lead you there and assist you past the enemy forces in the field. They will drop you at the rift, and you may continue your quest.”
“But the people…”
Therese kept talking as if she hadn’t heard. “Leonie, Huk, Talbot, and Blueballs, you will remain with me. I am amassing our strongest forces in preparation for what is to come, and they will need your guidance.”
Leonie gave a resolute nod. Huk and Talbot looked at each other uncertainly. Blueballs gave a sad growl, glancing at Chloe with an affection his rumbles couldn’t communicate.
“What about me?” Veronica asked, eyebrow arched. “I didn’t hear my name, and I’ve been the leader of us four for as long as we’ve been in the game. What, you’ve forgotten I exist now just because you’re the queen and can get away with anything you want?”
Therese smiled warmly. “You finished?”
“I think so.”
“Good. I haven’t forgotten about you. You will be the Chief Guardian of the Queen in Chloe’s stead, designated stand-in for my leaders, and an assistant to help rally our forces.”
Veronica’s jaw dropped.
“Me? You want…me to be Chief Guardian? I’m just a cleric.”
Footsteps came from the back of the room. “You’re not, though, are you?”
They turned to see Heather walking toward them, looking graceful in her white robes, the material swirling around her feet. Gideon’s eyes locked onto hers, his cheeks flushing. She glanced his way, grinned, and turned back to the others.
“Veronica, I was with you out there in the field. I saw your courage and bravery first-hand. You’ve been in the same room as the enemy like I have, and you aided us in the breakout. You are more than suited for this role, which was why I personally recommended you.”
“And something you might not know is that Heather’s word carries a lot of weight,” Abe added. “The Solomons have been in our city for years, as our chief healers. We give her opinions high regard.”
Veronica’s mouth flapped. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Just say yes,” Therese said.
A pause. “Yes.”
Chloe looked around at the group, flummoxed. This was all happening too fast. She felt something in her stomach she hadn’t felt since starting the game—a droplet of fear.
Fear of what was to come. Fear of the end. Soon it would all be over, and then what?
She opened her mouth to argue, but it was too late. Before she knew it, she was ushered out the door with an excited Gideon, Ben, and Tag. They stocked their potions, replenished their ammunition and miscellaneous items, and were soon standing behind the large gate, a vanguard of a hundred dwarves surrounding them.
“I don’t think this is the safest way,” Gideon stated, standing directly behind Ben and leaning out to look past him.
“What do you mean? This is fine by me,” Tag replied.
Ben chuckled. The situation was a little ridiculous.
The dwarves stood no more than four feet tall. That left two feet of Chloe, Ben, and Gideon exposed above the guards. They forced themselves to crouch as the gates opened, and they heard the initial screeches of excitement as some of the opposing army broke their way through.
Archers fired from the parapets. The dwarves at the front of the vanguard attacked with spears and swords. They began to make progress, their grunts and shouts audible to those behind them
And now they were outside the city. Chloe could practically feel the power coming from the rift, although the great tear was fractionally smaller than the day before. She wondered how long it would hold. How long would it be before they’d be trapped that mystical realm? Would it stay open long enough for them to finish the quest and return?
That remained to be seen.
Orcs and goblins were among the infected. Some rode wargs, others ran on legs that pistoned against the ground. The Queen’s vanguard was solid, but that didn’t stop all casualties. They began to pick up their pace, Chloe wishing she had Jessie’s cloak o
f no-see to aid them, her heart racing as they got closer to the rift.
“Chloe, go now!” a voice cried. It was the head of the vanguard, a dwarf with a thick blond plait beneath his helmet. “We’ll open the gangway. Dwarves! Formation!”
The dwarves shouted in response, their cries louder even than the calls of the enemy. They parted like the Red Sea until there a lane between Chloe and the rift.
Chloe looked longingly at the city, then turned to see another hundred or so enemies coming from the forest. Yet another wave to deal with.
“Hurry, Chloe, before we’re overrun.”
Chloe took a breath, lowered her head, and sprinted ahead toward the rift. Arrows and spears flew over her, and still, she ran. Ran until that strange feeling washed over her and she emerged on the other side of the rift.
The world was quiet. Not a single sound of battle followed her. Ben, Gideon, and Tag made their way through, stumbling slightly, then marveling at the world around them, which was colorscape of purple and orange.
“Well, gents, looks like it’s just us four and the quest ahead.”
Gideon nodded, fascination on his face.
“Just like old times,” Tag muttered. “Just the four of us.”
“No longer the nine,” Ben added.
The nine…
Chloe looked back at the rift, watching the dwarves speedily retreating. The nine…
A knot formed in her stomach. Had splitting up really been the right idea?
Chapter Forty
The Praxis office was in an excited frenzy. Never before had so many people opted to work at the office instead of remotely on their laptops at home.
There was a feeling of camaraderie in the air. Desks were littered with caffeinated energy drinks, and fans blew on the faces of the sweaty developers. Mia wandered between the desks, checking on how people were getting on with the latest patches and keeping tabs on issues that were cropping up.
This was something that had never happened under Devlin’s watch. The former manager had always been much more interested in cracking the whip from his glass-walled office and making others feel small. That was one of the reasons Mia chose to work remotely—well, that and because she was one of the operatives in charge of ensuring that a Lagarde was safe and cared for.
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