Otherlife Awakening: The Selfless Hero Trilogy

by William D. Arand

  “See if he’ll say anything. I’ll be back in a minute.”

  Hannah nodded, turning her head to the side.

  “Don’t be gone too long, shit for brains.” Her eyes flashed as she whispered at him from an inch away. Her smile made him focus on her rather than her words.

  Runner felt his breath catch at the way a smile brightened her face. Then he caught himself as he started to lean in to kiss her.

  Runner stood up quickly and exited the room via a side door that brought him into an antechamber adjoining his bedroom.

  As the door closed he let out a slow breath, pressing his back to the door.

  He could hear the muffled voices of Satomi and Hannah through the door. Satomi had the connection open to him if he wanted to listen in.

  He didn’t care. It’d only make him more anxious, and he could use a break.

  Runner wasn’t quite sure how to handle it, but sitting so close to Hannah made him dizzy.

  Feeling a slight press of concern from Satomi, he could only chuckle. Affirming he was fine, he mentally gave her the impressions of the feelings he was experiencing.

  Then he gave the room a ping to signal he was coming back in.

  A few seconds later and he was seating himself back down next to Hannah.

  Who lifted his arm and draped it around her shoulders, pressing herself firmly up into his side.

  Runner plastered a silly smile on his face and turned his head to Hannah.

  Only to find she had done the same and was leaning in towards him.

  Going with the motion and against reason, he kissed her. He lost a bit of himself as he let the kiss linger, his arm pulling at her shoulders.

  Hannah pressed a hand into his chest and gently eased him back.

  Blinking rapidly, Runner felt trapped. He wanted to apologize to her and kiss her again at the same time.

  Instead he stared at her stupidly.

  Hannah gave him a small smile and then turned her head back to Basile.

  “You were saying, Lord Basile?”

  “Ah, uh. I was just saying that I’m afraid I should be going. It looks as if you two are about to be retiring for the night. I hope to see you in the morning, Runner.”

  Lie.

  “May your guidance as our emperor prove to be successful.”

  Lie.

  Runner nodded his head to Basile as the weasel-faced man departed. He had hoped for something more incriminating. Something he could act on.

  Anything. Anything at all. Leaving things like this would drive him wild.

  As it was, although Basile didn’t seem to care for Runner, he hadn’t claimed or done anything treasonous.

  No sooner had the door closed behind him than Satomi huffed.

  “He does not care for your company, bonded. I think he believes you to be unfit, but I did not detect anything that would say he was the handler. Nor did he say anything worthwhile after you left.”

  Runner nodded his head at that. He’d pretty much felt the same.

  Hannah growled under her breath as her shoulder pressed back into Runner’s side again.

  “Slimy bastard. I know it’s him. I know it!”

  “Minxy would agree with you,” Runner said, dismissing the bubble he’d erected around the room. It wasn’t needed any further. “To be honest, I agree as well. The problem is I can’t prove it. Not without risking some serious problems and breach of etiquette.”

  Hannah folded her arms and shook her head, her hair tickling Runner’s nose.

  “I don’t like it. What if he had an accident? I bet I could end the bootlicker with none the wiser.”

  “You could, except that it would put serious doubt on the security of our newly found empire. Someone dying in the heart of Norwood? The heart of Bastion?”

  Hannah snorted and rested her head on Runner’s shoulder. “Fine. You’re right. I hate it. I hate this. I know he tried to kill you. I know he set this up. I want his head in a bag and his body in a hole.”

  Runner smiled and lifted his hand to lightly brush Hannah’s hair back from her brow, his arm still resting around her shoulders.

  “And yet again, you’re probably not wrong. Yet this is as it must be. At least for now. I hate leaving this open but we’ve no choice. They’ll be leaving tomorrow, and you can resume operations normally. Hopefully Sparky, Grace, and Belle get back sooner rather than later. We need to get the troops on the road to kick Rike’s scrawny ass out of Dover.”

  “About that, bonded, what are your plans?”

  “The usual. I believe I’ll leave Belle and yourself here to hold down the fort. Care for Sunshine. I’ll pack up and head out with the army along with Sparky and Grace.”

  “And me.”

  “And you, Hanners, if you’re willing. I wasn’t going to ask as I wasn’t sure how the intelligence situation is here.”

  “Foxy can handle it. Can’t you?” Hannah shifted her weight but didn’t move from Runner’s side.

  “That I can. I shall go arrange the prisoners for their banishment. I shall have them prepared and ready in half an hour.” Satomi bowed her head to Runner and Hannah and then slipped out.

  As she left, Runner got a mental image of himself and Hannah sitting together from Satomi’s point of view. Along with a good dose of humor.

  “Bitch. She did that on purpose so we’d be alone.”

  “That she did.”

  Runner felt the seconds limp by.

  “I don’t know what to fucking say.”

  “Nor do I.”

  What had started out as a fairly awkward situation was rapidly becoming comfortable. Or at least it seemed so to Runner once they had both admitted they were feeling nervous about it.

  “Let’s not say a damned thing, then.”

  “Let’s not. Why spoil the moment,” Runner agreed, settling in to simply sit with Hannah.

  Cuddling with her in his study.

  Will wonders never cease.

  9:01 am Sovereign Earth time

  5/17/44

  Helen and Vasilios had left with the break of dawn. He’d seen them off with his own personal preference for a departure.

  A private meal, discussion, and a brief “farewell for now.” They both seemed pleased, so he’d count it as a win.

  Unfortunately, he still had to deal with an unpleasant situation.

  Seeing the living weasel Basile off.

  Satomi cleared her throat beside him, drawing his attention.

  Looking around, Runner plastered a smile on his face as Basile approached him.

  They had decided to see him off at the exterior gate. It would keep the proceedings short and let everyone be on their way in good time.

  They were perhaps twenty or thirty yards beyond the walls. In front lay Basile’s entourage, complete with expensive horses and overly crafted coaches.

  “Emperor Runner, good to see you,” Basile said, reaching out to clasp his hand.

  Lie.

  The mental impression was strong with Satomi so close.

  “Ah, thank you, Lord Basile. We hope to be in your country soon with the forces. We’ll drive her back into the sea before anything further can go wrong.”

  “I look forward to it.”

  Lie.

  “Glad to hear it,” Runner said, holding onto Basile’s hand still. Then an idea popped into his head. “I was thinking, as your god-emperor, I think it would be wise to bless you. To make sure no harm befalls you.”

  “No, no. That’s not needed,” Basile said hurriedly, trying to peel his hand out from Runner’s grasp.

  “I insist.” Runner grinned and then focused on Basile.

  “May the blessing of Norwood and the Triumvirate be upon you. To cleanse any taint from you of the enemy, Rike, and protect you from harm.”

  Forcing his divine will behind the blessing, Runner waited.

  Nothing happened. He felt no power drain on his pool and nothing changed.

  Strange. That’s never happened before.
Why didn’t I bless him?

  “Ah, thank you, my emperor. I’ll be going now,” Basile said, finally freeing his hand.

  Runner watched the man get far enough away that he could ask a burning question.

  “Brighteyes, are there people I can’t bless as a god?” Runner mused aloud.

  “Yes, there are.” Her voice came back pitched at a volume that only he and Satomi would be able to hear.

  Runner watched as Basile prepared to leave. Apparently there had been an issue with a few of his people running late. They’d been up celebrating and overdone it.

  “Would those people happen to be pledged to another divine?”

  “Yes and no.”

  “Worshipers then? The average layperson?”

  “No, they can be blessed by anyone.”

  Runner frowned, chewing on that.

  “Paladins?”

  “Paladins would be exempt from your ability to bless unless they were yours. You’re the only one to have achieved a Paladin, my god-emperor.”

  “Stop that. Or do I need to threaten you like Angel?”

  Runner targeted Basile and contemplated his options. In a matter of minutes he would be riding away.

  Wait. Wait, wait, wait.

  “Would an opposing champion be unable to be blessed?”

  “That’s accurate.” Her voice had an edge to it. One he’d come to associate with when she couldn’t say anything more.

  “He must be a champion then. But for who? Who would he serve? Lambart is still tied up with Jacob until I tire of him. Last I heard Rannulf’s champion was running around in the mainland. That leaves Rike. But she attacked his port and put his people to the sword.”

  Runner shook his head as he considered the problem.

  I hate this nonsense. Kitten really does have the right frame of mind for this silly shit. I should leave all this to Hanners and wash my hands of it.

  “Bonded. You keep thinking of this man from your own point of view. Your own mind and references. What you value, he does not. Would he be troubled by burying his own people to get what he wants?” Satomi turned her head to watch him as she spoke.

  “But what would he want? He’s king of his lands and it’s becoming prosperous. Trade is booming and we’re turning the corner as a self-sufficient economy.” Runner’s brows drew down together.

  “Power.” Satomi said it in a whisper. “More power.”

  It felt right. Runner could easily peg Basile as a man who would constantly crave more power even at the cost of his own citizens.

  To the point he’d make a deal with the devil.

  Satomi was right, he’d been viewing this entire situation through his own personal lens.

  Basile mounted his horse and turned to regard Runner. Bowing at the waist, he gave him an oily smile.

  “Heavens preserve and protect me for a fool,” Runner muttered. “Fuck this.”

  “Idiot plan?” Satomi asked. Her mind quickly started to sort through Runner’s thoughts as if to get a read on the situation.

  Runner didn’t respond, and instead drew up Brainwash and cast it straight at Basile without another thought.

  “Idiot plan. Lieutenant!” Satomi shouted, turning to motion at his personal guards.

  Basile stiffened as the spell hit him in the chest. His eyes glazed over. Most of his retinue had missed the spell, but not all. His guards moved to fall in around him.

  “Basile, please come here immediately,” Runner shouted at the monarch.

  In response the man dismounted and sprinted to Runner. All around, Norwood’s Own began filling into a box formation around Runner and Satomi.

  Whistles began blowing as the call for reinforcements passed back to the barracks.

  “Answer me honestly, Basile,” Runner said, grabbing Basile’s shoulder. “Do you worship Rike, Rannulf, or Lambart?”

  “No.”

  Runner felt his stomach fall out from under him, and his breath caught in his teeth. Basile didn’t worship any of the divine who had kicked up this holy war.

  Shit.

  “Did I fuck up?” Runner whispered, looking to the stones beneath his feet.

  “Yes.”

  “Eh?” Runner looked back to Basile. Unsure of what to do, he pursued the only question he had. “How did I fuck up?”

  “You crossed Rike. She will end you.”

  “Rike? She’ll rue the day, I do so swear. Wait, if you do not worship Rike, what are you to her?”

  “Her champion.”

  Runner’s eyes widened at that. Moving his hand out quickly to grab Basile’s shoulder, he prepared to activate Taxi.

  Basile vanished from inside the protective square of his guards and appeared amongst his people. Without a target, Taxi fizzled.

  Brainwash was still in effect, which meant someone had intervened.

  “Brunhild, Ernsta, Amelia, I believe Rike just committed to a divine action. If I understand the rules right, I can call you in to act in equal measures?” Runner asked as the opposing side drew weapons and changed from livery to armor.

  It would seem Basile came with quite a few more soldiers than he’d admitted to.

  He’d have to look into how they hid their titles.

  In response to his request, their three champions appeared at the front of his group.

  He desperately wanted Sophia there as well. Stealing the idea from his divine partners, Runner fixed his mind on the connection to Sophia and pulled on it roughly. He’d get here there, that instant if possible. Fixing a destination in his mind, thirty feet above their heads, he called on her.

  He felt his power being drained as the attempt to pull Sophia there built up.

  In the distance he saw horses break from the far distant tree line. Rike had prepared extra forces in case something exactly like this situation occurred.

  His force was already outnumbered two to one without including the extra manpower Rike was sending.

  Slamming his hands together, Runner mentally focused on ripping open a portal to Eden, sacrificing his mana and stamina as the fuel for it.

  Dropping to his knees as both pools were emptied, he felt a portal open beside him. Reaching through it with his mind, he snatched at Milicent and Alexia.

  His need was straightforward and simple. Prayer and battle.

  As if they had been in communion in the temple, he felt an immediate response from both.

  Milicent stepped through the portal and was at his side. The eight-foot brick wall of a woman hefted her glowing war axe. Beyond his Paladin he saw Alexia raising her staff and calling to his worshipers.

  What had been a trickle of power before the portal turned into a raging torrent of support.

  “Milly, glad to have you,” Runner gasped, looking up the long distance to the Paladin’s helmetless head. Her slightly too wide stare fixed on him in reverence.

  “My god,” Milicent said, giving him a wild smile.

  “We’re about to engage Rike’s champion and his people. I must ask you to lead Norwood’s Own from the front. Alongside our champions.

  Those huge blue eyes took on an eager light. She hefted her axe once and then moved off to the front.

  Runner managed to get to his feet as his people’s prayers filled him with vitality.

  Slamming the butt of her axe down, Milicent knelt and bowed her head.

  “Divine Norwood, have mercy upon your humble Paladin—”

  The glow of Milicent’s axe increased along with the volume of her words.

  Basile shook himself free of the Brainwash and snarled at Runner. He raised his hand and shouted something at Runner that he couldn’t hear.

  “I pray for your blessing in these trials. To be the sword of your justice—”

  Above them, Sophia burst into being. Exactly where he had positioned her with his mind.

  Her wings blasted out from her back in a single beat and her lance hung loosely in her hand. She hovered there as her eyes took in her surroundings.

 
; “To be your shield of charity. That I might carry your truth into the den of battle—”

  Runner felt winded, spent. While his bars were rapidly refilling, he could feel a drain on him he couldn’t quantify.

  “I ask for your benevolence and grace, for not myself, but for those I fight with—”

  Across from him, Basile led his forces forward to engage with Runner’s. Apparently the man wanted to end this before either side’s reinforcements could arrive.

  “May you safeguard my soul should I fall, and forgive me for my failure.” Milicent slammed her large fist to her breastplate and stood.

  Runner felt the tug on his divine core when she finished. Going with the feeling, he opened himself to the pull of it and the request it made on his divine power.

  Milicent glowed like the sun for a moment as he answered her prayer.

  His power pool depleted by a quarter with the granting.

  Light rippled out from her like a golden halo, and the men and women around them stiffened their spines after it passed them. Their shoulders lifted.

  Blessed and sanctified.

  Glancing up at his divine pool, he watched as it refilled nearly instantly.

  Panting, he fell to one knee again. Runner turned his mind and his will on the feeling Milicent’s prayer had generated. Then he directed it at the four champions and tried to empty his power pool.

  All four exploded in dazzling light moments before the two sides clashed.

  When his divine power emptied, he found he couldn’t sustain the portal and it closed itself.

  Then Satomi was there as he started to fall to the ground. Her small hands gripped at his shoulders and wrangled him to a standing position. She managed to turn herself around and tried to drag him through the press of bodies.

  Sophia dove from on high like a meteor. Her lance spun out like a fiery whip as it crackled across the enemy lines.

  Petros, Stefan, and Justinian had spread out amongst the line. They were all engaged with the enemy, swinging blazing weapons.

  Milicent had waded into the enemy’s center and laid about with her war axe. With each impact a flash of blue light could be seen, at times followed by an inferno as the weapon’s effects activated.

  An arrow whizzed over the heads of Runner’s people to embed itself in his gut. Doubling over, Runner couldn’t help but notice as his health bar dropped by ten percent.