by Charles Dean
“To be . . . free . . . To be free . . . of this pain . . . and to . . . change the fate . . . of this game . . . they play . . . with our lives. But you . . . were too weak . . . my prince. I . . . loved you . . . who care . . . for your people. But . . . you still . . . are too weak . . . my prince.” She gasped out her last words, weaker and fainter than ever, her eyes closed, and her body went completely limp.
System, Lee asked tepidly. System, did she die? He normally would have been able to tell based on the death notifications, but he had disabled those at the onset of the fight so that they wouldn’t clutter his vision and distract him from the fight at hand.
Yes. She is dead. Would you like me to display the pending death notifications?
No, that’s okay. Lee took in a deep breath and turned around. He expected to see a battlefield enveloped in chaos, but that wasn’t exactly what he found. Bodies numbered well into the hundreds, and the ground was covered in pools of blood that refused to soak into the already-drenched ground. Arrows covered everything: they littered the ground, they were pincushion into Phouka corpses, and they were even buried in the walls. Several support beams had collapsed, bringing down large sections of the wall and ramparts along with them, and leaving that portion of the wall in shambles. The Satterfielders who hadn’t been able to get away in time had been crushed by the fallen structures, and a handful survivors looked to be futilely attempting to free them.
But the fighting had stopped. The Phouka survivors had all shifted back into Human form. A quick glance around through the breach told Lee that there were likely only a hundred-odd remaining members of Meadhbh’s forces, and they were all frail, deformed and weak looking. Each held a knife in hand, and they were all staring at Lee and their dead Herald with hollow, unblinking eyes. Before he could so much as speak, every single one of them stabbed themselves. Blades pierced into their hearts or sawed across their throats, but horrific as it was, Lee couldn’t stop himself from watching as their bodies gave in to death. A people had died, right there, before his eyes and somehow for his sake.
She came to Satterfield to remove the weakness, to remove the chains that bound me, but this . . . He regretted that he hadn’t read more into everything that she had said that pointed to this end. But regret was a companion for him these days; and, realistically, there was no way he could have stopped this. He simply hadn’t once considered this meaning to all her portentous words. Lee had fought so hard to stay alive, so people choosing such an end was unthinkable for him. His blindness combined with Meadhbh’s cryptic revelation before her death left his moment of victory feeling hollow, empty and void of all joy. He had saved Satterfield, but he didn’t understand why any of this had happened.
She left me the world stone fragment because she never intended to live. It has always been her goal to improve me. But why did she have to go this far? If she had won, she would have been a goddess. She wouldn’t have ever had to suffer again. Lee stared blankly, consumed with the thought, as he turned to the people of Satterfield. He then looked over at Brigid and Miller and found both covered in wounds but nevertheless holding up. Everyone seemed as at a loss for words as Lee.
Dave grunted. “Gotta tell you: I definitely did not see that coming. I mean, a little girl? I’ll never have my epic tiger rug now. I was even thinking of making it into a cloak after I killed the wench, but if I try that now, people will just think I’m twisted in the head and get the wrong idea.”
“Dave,” Lee said, shaking his head, “you really gotta learn to read the mood.”
“What? We won, right? Come on, guys. Stop looking glum just because the enemy killed themselves. Only means we got to save ourselves the effort. Let’s go toast our victory, drink a bunch of ale, and play ‘Not It’ when it comes time to decide who is responsible for repairing the wall,” Dave said with a laugh as he jumped down off the fifteen-foot high rampart as if he were merely hopping down a few steps at the bottom of a staircase. “Alright, I’m heading to the tavern. Who is buying my first round? I kept you bastards alive, so at least one of you needs to pay me back with a belly full of fried chicken and beer!” Ignoring the battlefield altogether, Dave simply strode off in the direction of the tavern.
“So many sober people when we serve the God of Alcohol?” Miller asked, watching Dave walk off. “It’s a tragedy. The ancient dust collector is right! We need to toast Augustus and praise this nearly-flawless victory! There will be time to mourn the dead tomorrow, but now, we must celebrate our victory and honor those who died in battle with tales of their deeds!” Miller hurried after Dave, but the rest of Satterfield simply stood rooted and looked to Lee.
“I think the two old veterans are right,” Lee began. “Even if the end of the fight wasn’t what we had expected, we still fought hard to get there. They came at us with overwhelming odds, odds that would have crumpled and destroyed us if we had flinched. But you didn’t even blink. Your courage is what won us the day. Instead of running, you had faith in each other, and that isn’t something you should overlook. Be proud and be happy with what you’ve accomplished. Know that those who died didn’t do so in vain. They fought to the death for your sake, for this town’s sake, and they will be remembered forever for their service. The only thing you can do now is do your best to be happy and make something of the lives they saved.”
The group of townsfolk nodded at Lee’s words but didn’t say anything or move.
“Also, you guys really do owe Dave some beer, so go get to celebrating this victory,” Lee instructed. “That’s an order from Augustus himself. I don’t want to see a single person with an empty belly at the end of the night.” That last part seemed to be enough to get them to shuffle off after Dave and Miller toward the main tavern that also doubled as the Church of Augustus.
The only people who didn’t leave were Lee’s closest female companions: Ling, Brigid and Jade. Jade had just plopped down where she was and was currently sprawled out on her back as if she were trying to make snow angels on top of the wooden rampart, but without snow. Ling had put away her bow and was sitting up on the rampart and letting her feet dangle off the edge facing the town. After the people had dispersed, Brigid walked over to Lee.
“Thank you,” she said as she put away her sword. “Those people who were willing to follow me into hell . . . They have their vengeance.” Her face twisted with discomfort as she said the words.
“I’m sorry,” Lee responded, resting a hand on her shoulder. “But I’m glad that you’re still alive, and I think that they would be grateful for that.”
“I don’t even know how I am. She wounded me so badly I thought I would bleed out before I recovered, but whatever you did to me, it closed the wounds and gave me strength. It invigorated me. I thank you for that, but I still haven’t and can’t forgive you for what you did to my people at Kirshtein, forcing them into a war that led to so many deaths. You have killed more of my people than she did. For the crimes you have committed, you should have died for your sins well before her.”
Lee gritted his teeth. He knew these were her thoughts from the beginning. He had put it out of his mind since they had been working together for a common cause, but that cause was finished. He had manipulated her earlier to get her to not tell the ruling council of Kirshtein what had really transpired before her people attacked the city, but that hadn’t fixed anything.
“It is only a shame that I cannot bring myself to hate you,” she added with a sigh after leaving Lee to stew in her previous words for a minute. “I will never forgive you for what you did, for their families would never forgive me if I did, but after fighting with you, following you, and seeing the type of man you are, I can neither hate you nor wish for your death. I will recommend to the king of Birnefeld that, following these events, you be given a chance to preach about Augustus and make a place within our city. If you are the man I think you are, I know you will go there in time, and through your efforts and your actions, I fully expect you to work day after day to atone f
or the lives that were lost in your nefarious scheme.”
Lee opened his mouth to reply, to agree with that sentiment and assure her he would do his best, but she stopped him.
“No, don’t say anything,” she insisted. “Your tongue now is as wicked as your deeds were then. I have seen through many of your lies, and I will have none of them here. Show me through actions that you are a better person than the Herald we just killed.”
With that, she turned and left, leaving Lee to watch her beautiful figure slowly walk away.
“Damn,” Jade’s voice came from the rampart where she had been lying down. “You two really need to just bang it out. That sexual tension . . . I could feel it all the way up here.”
Lee was annoyed at Jade for making light of a serious issue. “I think your feelings were wrong,” he replied.
“Nope, definitely sexual tension. What do you think, Ling-a-Bing?” Jade asked as she got up and then sat down by Ling. “Sexual tension?”
Ling didn’t dignify Jade with a response, only sparing her one glance before looking back over at Lee.
“I’ll take that as a ‘yes,’” Jade said. “Anyway, what do you want to do, M.C.? Want to play it like the British spy who saved the day and spend the night with one of his harem members? Maybe go get drunk in the tavern so the game can fade to black? You could even get all buddy-buddy with that Firbolg friend of yours so that the squeeing fangirls can write a bunch of theories about you two? No, wait, I’ve seen his face. We can’t have that. One of you two needs to be more effeminate for that to work . . . Hmm . . . maybe you could just ditch all of that, and the two of us can go talk about old times in our world over some hot cocoa and marshmallows after a pillow fight?”
As unempathetic and rude as Jade was, the idea of sitting back and talking with someone about the other world was actually tempting after what Lee had just gone through. A cup of hot cocoa and marshmallows did sound good, though he didn’t know where he’d get either of those two at the moment. He hadn’t bought chocolate or sugar, so even if he used the book, he would have a hard time producing them.
“Actually, no, I know what we need to do,” Jade declared, hopping down from the rampart.
“What’s that?” Lee asked hesitantly, almost scared to hear her answer.
“We should go level. I mean, the whole party is here, right? Other than your spear boy, that is, but he’s kinda a lowbie anyway, so we can let him do his thing. I think what we should do is you, me and Ling-a-Bing here should go take out all the frustrations and depressing thoughts by grinding away on some monsters like real gamers.
“You don’t want to celebrate the win?” Lee asked, cocking his head a little as he did.
“Nah. Why bother? Is that what you do in normal games? After a big boss fight, you go to the fictional pub and drink? Or do you, like any hardcore MMO player out there, grab a quick beer and go start farming some more EXP? I bet we can get at least another level--maybe two--before we have to sleep.”
Lee’s first instinct was to tell her off, that it was perfectly normal to celebrate, especially since the battle had probably yielded a ton of experience. Not to mention, he still hadn’t checked experience or loot, but he knew it was a lot. Before he could open his mouth to disagree, he remembered Meadhbh’s face and the warning she had given him: you’re still too weak.
“Fine. I’m sure there is a place we can go that is close to our level near the mountains, but we’ll probably have to take a Krunklerump to get there at a reasonable speed,” Lee said, looking over at Ling. “You coming too? You can stay here and spend time with your dad if you want. I don’t know when we’ll be back in Satterfield again.”
“No.” Ling shook her head. “I’m sticking with you.”
Lee couldn’t help but smile as he heard her say that. She really has been dependable. But the moment was ruined by Jade blurting out: “SOOO CUTE! Ugh! I am totally going to lose to the silent, support-role chick. This is not fair! I thought I had a chance with the tsundere gone!”
Lee and Ling both cringed at Jade’s outburst, and neither responded as they both walked toward the stables.
Chapter 11
Name: Lee
Race: Human
Class: Herald - Statesman
Level: 30
Health: 400/400
EXP: 15673/57000
Primary Stats:
Power 40 (46)
Toughness 40 (46)
Spirit 40 (46)
Secondary Stats:
Charisma 31
Courage 22
Deceit 31
Intelligence 226 (260)
Honor -2
Faith 32780
Personal Faith 325
Skills:
Unarmed Combat Initiate Level 7
Swordplay Journeyman Level 1
Sneak Journeyman Level 4
Cooking Initiate Level 8
Trap Detection Initiate Level 6
Knife Combat Initiate Level 9
Mental Fortitude Initiate Level 1
Sleight of Hand Initiate Level 3
Blood Shield Initiate Level 6
Sewing Initiate Level 4
Glass Smithing Novice Level 5
True Patriot
Carpentry Novice Level 1
Delegation
Masonry Initiate Level 4
The Statesman:
Territories:
Satterfield (+10: Savior)
Defensive Strength Rating: 9
Economic Strength rating: 3
Population Rating: 1
Territory Rating: 12
Tech / Utility Rating: 12
Influence / Tourism Rating: 4
Public Persona:
Kirshtein (-2: Unkind)
Birnefeld (0: Unknown)
Divine Skills:
Golem Sculpting Journeyman Level 7
Appreciative Drunk Novice Level 10
Nectar of the Gods Initiate Level 6
Spirit Smithing Initiate Level 10
Faith Healing
Ignis Veritas
Spirit Builder Initiate Level 1
Divinity Powers:
Life in Death
Titles:
Cheat Code Fighter
The Great Deceiver
The Aggressive Mile-High Chef
Alright, system, since I don’t have a life or death fight pending right now, let’s start those public works projects.
You are not allowed to select a defensive one yet.
Fine, but . . . Lee paused, thinking about the people back in Satterfield and what everyone had just gone through. Even if the death count had been incredibly low, they had still lost many of their brother paladins halfway up the mountain, and they had still gone through a very emotionally-taxing event. The bathhouse, that one doesn’t cost much, right? Lee asked.
Excellent choice. Such luxuries, while serving a specific immediate purpose toward improving public health, improve both morale and tourism as well. We can begin construction on five bathhouses around the city.
You’re telling me I made an excellent decision? Lee chuckled at how out of character that seemed for the system.
Well, you didn’t insist on a silly defensive structure and instead picked one that will encourage more players to stop in Satterfield on their travels.
Thanks. Now, could you show me what I’ve gained from the fight? Lee asked as he rode with Ling on a Krunklerump toward a leveling area.
You have killed Meadhbh, Herald of Fey, Goddess of Changing Fates. Your party has been awarded 6543 Experience. Your share of this is 1636 Experience.
You have defeated the Herald of the Goddess of Changing Fates. As the slayer of a Herald, all of her excess faith shall be awarded to the god you serve. You have also been granted the final boon of a now-dead goddess: The Eye of Changing Fates. This item will randomly activate within a short period before your demise and show you your death and a small number of actions leading up to it in vivid detail. This item will be consumed u
pon use.
Lee had no idea how to react to the Eye of Changing Fates. It was simply too powerful an item, and he had to wonder if Meadhbh, who had said she had known how the last fight would turn out, had seen her death using the item or a similar ability. If such a skill did exist, it was possible that she might have seen her death multiple times, and she had known with perfect clarity how she could stop it.
The more he thought of it, the more he became uncertain as to whether or not it was worth keeping--especially if he had no ability to actually change his own fate. It was that age-old question that people asked in the bar: If you could know the exact date of your death, would you want to? Most people Lee knew would answer ‘no’ for the obvious reason: the mere knowledge of when or how you might die could potentially ruin your life and cause endless anxiety; or, even more likely, knowing when you were meant to die might actually cause the person to die sooner rather than later due to arrogance if it turned out their destiny wasn’t fixed.
The only problem was that he didn’t have a choice as to whether he kept the item or not. However, after receiving it, it wasn’t in his inventory or on his person. Did I actually get the item? he asked the system as he kept searching.
Of course. If I listed it in the loot table, then you received it. The Eye of Changing Fates, however, unlike other items, does not manifest physically. It has already been added to your existence much like a temporary entry to your character sheet, though it does not appear there.
Is there a way to remove it if I wanted to? Lee asked
I just complimented you on your excellent decision. Must you force me to retract my approval so soon? Please consider: can you remove a property on your character sheet at will? Only your actions and circumstances can change your character sheet. In this case, only by using the Eye will it be consumed and disappear.