Load Custom Character

by Tyler R Lee

  "I believe it still is," NoScope added. "It does seem like this is what everything has been leading to."

  "Well, let's not waste anymore time, then," Lysander announced. Let's get these designs to the captain and see what he has to say. Then, tonight, we celebrate!"

  The roar of cheers from the party echoed once again off the chamber walls as the party readied to put this leg of their journey behind them. After the cheering calmed, Lysander stepped onto the platform, activating an elevator beneath the entire floor of the chamber. Within moments, the whole floor begin to rise up towards the ceiling dozens of feet up. Before it was halfway there, the ceiling opened up, revealing a blue, midday sky above. When the elevator came to a complete stop, the party realized they now stood in the center of New Beginnings.

  "The fountain opened up," NoScope said, matter-of-factly.

  "It was under the village the entire time?" Streak asked, incredulously.

  The shock soon faded when the group remembered how close to their objective they were. Lysander took this time to address the party. "Alright. Anyone who wants to join in delivering the blueprints to the captain is welcome. If you would rather, you can head into the tavern and rest up and wait for the rest of us. We won't be ending the party until the objective is complete, so no one will be left out of their share of the XP."

  Peter, Ariel, and NoScope, joined Lysander on delivering the blueprints, while the rest of the party headed to the tavern for some much needed rest and relaxation before the celebration later that night. Like days before, the four made their way east of the village and down towards the shore to the house of the old captain. Not much was said during their short trip. The previous battle, the losses, and the exertion weighed heavy on them.

  "Ho ho," the old sea captain chuckled in his gruff voice. "It looks like you young folks did it after all. Ye grabbed the designs from the Hidden Tomb."

  "Indeed, we did," Lysander said. "Can you build this for us?"

  "Aye, me and me crew can have her built for ya in no time. Oh, I haven't been this excited in years." The old man continued talking to himself as he left his house and walked down to the shore. The others just watched, assuming he was gathering his crew to build the ship.

  "Well, I guess we just have to wait a day or two?" Peter asked.

  "We should check back every morning just to make sure," NoScope suggested, which the other three agreed.

  "Good idea," Lysander added. "However, tonight, we celebrate. Let's get back to the tavern and hope the rest of the party hasn't burned it down yet."

  The four of them shared a laugh, one they had been needing for a while, as they made their way back to the tavern in the village square. By the time they arrived, the party had already begun. Drinks were already being served all around, the ruckus of cheers and loud conversation was a dull roar, and the levity needed after the recent battle had already taken hold.

  As they walked in and pushed their way past several players, Peter grabbed a drink and found a table in the back where he took a seat, leaned back in his chair, and took a deep breath. They had made it past the first major obstacle in their way. The cost had been high, but they had defeated the boss of the Hidden Tomb and secured a way to the mainland. Most prominent in his mind was the fact that he had succeeded in helping his friends. ShieldBro had said he saw something in Peter, and Peter had not believed it. He still wasn't sure if he did. He did believe he could help keep his loved ones safe on this adventure, though. The martial artist was so caught up in his thoughts that he didn't notice Ariel approaching his table with a drink of her own.

  "Copper for your thoughts," she asked, startling Peter, which made her laugh. "Or another drink?" She held out her tankard of ale.

  Peter responded by holding out his own. "Have you come to join this introvert?"

  "You're talking to an introvert yourself," she responded, taking a seat next to him. They both took a long drink from their tankards. "I've always thought one of the more impressive things about this game is the fact that the food and drink actually have a taste to them. And you can actually feel full if you eat enough. Or drunk," she raised her tankard, "if you drink enough."

  "Yeah. You wouldn't think it was designed to be a death trap." Peter took another long drink. When the silence became too awkward, he added, "You were great out there, today, Ariel."

  The dark elf blushed a bit and smiled at Peter, which he noticed. In that moment, Peter realized that all the times he was sure he was blushing had been visible on his face. Fittingly, he was sure he blushed at that moment.

  "I had a good partner,” Ariel responded. “Or did you forget about our team up in that boss fight?"

  "No," Peter chuckled. "I didn't forget that your sword was there to protect me. But more than that, you are such a strong person. I...I'm so envious. I wish I was stronger."

  "You are strong, you big idiot," Ariel said as she shoved Peter over, playfully. "My sword may have been protecting you, but your fists and feet were laying waste to that asshole. And you saved us all when you broke your paralysis before anyone else."

  Peter could feel the redness on him. "I just couldn't let anything happen to you...er, anyone," he stammered. "I couldn't watch another close friend die."

  After a few moments of silence, Ariel expressed something Peter related to all too well. "I don't know what hurts worse, the fact that this game is trying to kill us, or the fact that this game used to bring me more joy than anything else in my life."

  "I'll bet a lot of players can relate," Peter said as he sent a comforting look Ariel's way, who's green eyes met his, causing him to blush again.

  "Yeah. It's a betrayal, more than anything." She took a long drink. "I've used this game for the past couple of years to escape my shitty home life, my deadbeat dad, the jerks at school. When I came here, I was Ariel, dark elf swordswoman. I could take on most anyone. I had friends. I had a life here, sad as that might sound."

  "If it's sad, then I'm sad right along with you," Peter said before he took another drink. "When I got my headset and game in the mail, I don't think I'd ever been happier. Finally, I could get away from my parents, the kids at school, all the crap happening in the world for just a little bit. I made this character, this martial artist so I could be the strong person I always wanted to be. And I got it. I had it...for a day. A whole fucking day before that son of a bitch Yoshitsune took it away from me."

  Peter felt a bit of moisture forming in his eye and he stopped, not wanting to start crying in front of a tavern full of players toasting a recent victory. It was then he noticed Ariel's hand on his own. He turned to her and she now gave him a comforting look. She squeezed his hand and said, "He took it from all of us. Not just the game, but our lives."

  "And we're going to take them back," Lysander said as he sat down at the table with them, give them both something of a start. He too had a tankard of ale. "We'll take our lives back at the cost of his."

  "Exactly," they heard from behind them. NoScope approached their table and joined them. "When we entered that forest, we said we were coming for him. And that's just what we're going to do."

  At that, the dark elf wizard lifted his tankard to the others, who accepted and touched his cup with theirs. Then, all four took a long drink.

  They spent the rest of the night watching the other players enjoy the celebration. They occasionally entertained others at their table, laughed at stories and jokes, and drank more. As the night wore on, they noticed Tony, Glitch, and ValCary roaring with laughter over at their own table. Streak and Gunner were drunk and singing some song that no one could understand, and the rest of the party enjoyed variations of the same. What tomorrow had in store for them, they did not know. This night, however, they would celebrate their victory.

  ***

  The armored man stood at the base of the cliff looking straight up. His fully encased body shimmered black and gold in the moonlight as it peaked from behind the virtual clouds for seconds at a time. After several hear
tbeats of silence, Sonic Man activated the propulsion systems in the bottoms of his feet and the palms of his hands, rocketing himself up the cliffside. In just a few seconds, he reached the top and moved to hover just above the ground as he waited patiently.

  "Punctual as ever, Simon," came a soft spoken voice from behind him. Sonic Man nearly jumped out of his suite at this--there was nothing but open air past the cliff behind him.

  The metal warrior quickly spun and hovered backwards. When he saw who it was, he relaxed, understanding now. "Yoshitsune. You scared the hell out of me."

  Walking casually upon the air toward the player, dressed in a long, white dress coat and what appeared to be an expensive suite to match underneath, the creator of Our World gave a polite smile. "I apologize. But, you know I enjoy the occasional show of flair."

  "Clearly." The nervousness in Sonic Man's voice was still there, evident even under his mask. "Anyways. Can I finally ask why you wanted to meet tonight? I'd rather not have people find out I work for you. You haven't been players' favorite person, in case you hadn't guessed."

  Yoshitsune smiled again, and Sonic Man could not decide if the polite smile unnerved him so because he could tell it was genuine, or if it was something else about the seemingly unassuming man standing before him. "I have faith that my players will come around and see what a fantastic world I have created for them. Many already have."

  "Well, until then, I'd like to keep this relationship on the down low."

  "Having second thoughts, Simon?"

  "Not at all. I do what you ask, you let me out, and throw a fair share of cash on top of that. I'm a simple man and that simple plan pleases me. I'd just like to survive until that point, which won't happen if people find out I'm in league with you."

  "Our deal is still in effect, no need to worry," Yoshitsune assured as he lifted his hands, gesturing for his associate to calm down. "As long as you continue to do what I ask, I will happily fulfill my end of the bargain."

  "And has what you ask changed? Is that why we are here?"

  "Not exactly." Yoshitsune looked to the shoreline to the west, then gazed out at the Vast Sea. "Your assignment is still the same. However, new players may be entering the fray that may prove problematic to you. Another associate has information and I thought it prudent for you to hear what they have to say so you can know what you may be up against if they make it this far."

  "Players that need to be eliminated?"

  Yoshitsune shook his head with a look of slight disgust on his face at the proposition. "Nothing so uncivilized. No, I want all players offered a chance to live happily in this world. However, there must be a struggle in order to earn your happiness here. These players are proving to be quite skilled. I simply want to make sure they have a proper challenge."

  Sonic Man rolled his eyes inside his helmet. He had never fully understood Yoshitsune's mindset with the whole plan to trap the players in this kill or be killed world. All he knew was that when the creator had contacted him before the plan was carried out and offered him quite a bit of money for his services, he could not pass that up. "Well, where is this 'other associate?'"

  As if on cue, a light ringing sound echoed from Yoshitsune's still hovering form. "Ah, that must be them now. Hello."

  The creator made no move to answer anything. However, when he greeted them, a response came from his form all the same. It was a voice clearly modulated to mask the identity of the speaker. "Hello, yourself, boss. How's the outside world?"

  "You will know soon enough if all goes well," Yoshitsune smiled. "Though, you have expressed a yearning to stay in the game?"

  "Why not?" the modulated voice asked. "I like it here. It's beautiful. I'm good at what I do. And, I can kill whoever I want and no one can do anything about it. What's not to love?" The voice's apparent pleasure at their last statement cause Sonic Man to grimace. Yoshitsune showed no reaction whatsoever.

  "Well, the final decision will be up to you. In the meantime, have you been keeping a close eye on the group of players on the island?"

  "Oh, you bet. And, I gotta say, it's been a blast."

  "I'm glad you are enjoying yourself. That is the whole point."

  "Yeah. I'm actually surprised by the lot of them. I thought most would be bodies piled by the roadside at this point. They even completed the Hidden Tomb. But, it's still early."

  "Remember your mission," Yoshitsune reminded as his eyes narrowed ever so slightly.

  "Don't worry, boss. I won't kill any of them...unless you give the go ahead."

  "Well, I'm not directly saying you should do that, but I am going to leave much going forward up to you."

  "Oh," the voice answered, clearly intrigued. "Go on, please."

  "As you said, they completed the Hidden Tomb. They will have the means to cross the Vast Sea in no time at all. I'm going to leave it up to you to provide them with a proper challenge when crossing the sea. I have an idea of what they will probably run into, but further complications would really provide something to overcome."

  "So, I can decide how to play this?"

  Sonic Man could practically feel the yearning in the modulated voice. Who is this freak?

  "Yes, as I said. It is your call."

  "As you wish. I should go before anyone hears or spots me out here all alone, talking to myself."

  "Oh, one more thing," Yoshitsune said quite suddenly. Then, another genuine smile came to his lips. "How fairs Peter?"

  "Ah, Peter," the voice took on a contemplative tone, which made Sonic Man listen a little closer. "Peter is quite interesting. In the beginning, I was sure he'd be dead before I could blink. He was such a mopey sad-sack. But, lately, from what I've heard and what I've seen, he has become quite the reliable fighter. Still a little dull and moody for my taste, but whatever."

  Yoshitsune's smile grew. "Good. I'm glad to hear he is well." With that, a small sound of static was heard, and the voice was no more.

  "Now, Simon," Sonic Man was pulled from his thinking and looked to his employer. "Keep doing what you are doing. Keep tensions high. If this group shows up, you will need to be at your best."

  Sonic Man gave a chuckle. "Thanks for your concern, but, remember, I am in the top three best in this game."

  "Then you should have no trouble." And just like that, Yoshitsune faded out of sight.

  "Creepy old man." Sonic Man whispered as he made his way back down the cliffside.

  Chapter 15

  After the physically and emotionally taxing battle the group had weathered and mostly survived, the few days of respite while they awaited the completion of the mysterious vessel was welcome, indeed. Before any of them decided to relax, they held a small funeral to pay respect to the many that were lost in the battle with the Guardian of the Vessel. They honored them all, even Tucker and Travis. "We'll get no comfort from their exclusion," Peter had said when the subject was brought up. "Nor will it bring anyone back."

  After honoring the fallen, the party took this opportunity to rest, recover, and enjoy a bit of downtime where they attempted to forget about the danger that was undoubtedly in store for them. However, every morning at sunrise and every evening at sundown, Lysander would head down to the shore and check on the progress of the sea captain and his crew. Each day the NPC fed him the same dialogue of, "should be any day now, lad."

  Despite the much needed downtime, the waiting and anticipation was frustrating for not only Lysander, but all of them. Luckily, on the evening of the fifth day, Lysander came upon a sight so surprising and grand he was sure his eyes would pop out of their sockets.

  The dark elf avatar of the young man rushed back to the village of New Beginnings, quickly sending messages to all the party members; messages that turned into garbled messes due to his preoccupation with not tripping as he ran for the village square. He burst through the door of the inn and yelled, "It's done! Everyone, it's done!" Several NPCs gave him quizzical and annoyed looks, as they were programmed to do when a player makes a ruckus in a
public place. The few players that were at the inn looked to each other, then back to the wizard, also looking a bit puzzled.

  Before Lysander's excitement was allowed to ebb, he heard a stampede coming from upstairs, which made his grin even wider. While he waited, he took this opportunity to send out one last message to the party. "The Vessel for our voyage across the Vast Sea is complete. Meet outside the inn in New Beginnings Square in one hour if you wish to continue this journey. If not, there is no shame, and we thank you for all of your help."

  "It's ready?" came Ariel's voice from the staircase. Lysander looked and saw the wide eyed grin that matched his own.

  "Yep," he responded without losing his excited expression.

  "Back to the front lines," Peter's voice sounded as he slowly made his way down the stairs. Lysander noticed the somewhat somber tone and thoughtful expression of his friend.

  "Had to happen, sooner or later," he responded, coupling his empathetic tone with a matching look.

  "Sooner is better," Peter said with a small grin. He noticed Ariel had taken his friend’s hand and given it a squeeze as she gave him a reassuring look.