Homeland: Ingame 2

by Kieron Uchee

  Closing the window, I made my way to the corner of the house that was closest to the park and transformed, then with a jump I glided down to the park. Once I had landed I approached the three glowing energy clouds. After coming within a couple of feet of them I stopped and began to observe them, the only thing I could tell was that whatever powered them was fading.

  Stepping a little closer I bent down to take a closer look, when suddenly all three of the energy clouds converged on me and before I could back away they somehow merged with me. My body froze and then toppled over, but my interface remained open and a new window suddenly appeared. Lines of computer code began to scroll down and then stop and slowly reverse itself but as the code went backwards it began to disappear.

  Suddenly new code appeared and began to fill in the blank sections. This went on for a long time and then suddenly a new message opened up on the interface. It read,

  Due to the changes wrought into your core by the Ascended matrix’s you have incorporated, you have begun the journey of Ascension. Written into your very being are now three aspects that have become one power. This power has become you however, be warned that while on this plane, a Greek Demigod will have very little power. Once you have arrived as a fully Ascended being your powers will be revealed. To achieve true Ascendency, you must collect four more lesser aspects of higher beings and three greater aspects of higher beings.

  My thoughts tried to understand what had just happened, but between what I had just read and the changes that were still happening to me it was too much. My last coherent thought was that I noticed the clock was running again, and then it all faded into blackness.

  Chapter 18 Eyes and Ears

  I awoke wet and chilled; it was dark and night had arrived. I must have been out for hours just lying on the grass of the small fenced park. I was not sure what had happened ingame but it was clear that changes had been made to my character. I put my back to the fence and opened up the character and stats notes I had made.

  Race

  Elf

  Level six stats

  Strength = 2410

  Agility = 2410

  Mana = 2445

  Health = 2460

  Speed = 2410

  + Racial ability limited time double speed

  Companions

  Battle Crab

  Angelic Messenger

  Minor Demon

  New ability learned Persuasion

  New ability learned Metamorphic change

  New ability learned Pickpocketing

  Skillset

  Lock picking, the basics 100 percent completed

  Lock picking advanced 80 percent remaining

  Lock picking master level unknown

  Current Class

  Thief

  Nanobot integration into game avatar

  Defensive capability, self-healing

  Offensive capability, electrical discharge from hands

  Strength increase four times normal human

  PIM integration into Gaming Interface

  Stealth detection enabled

  Upgraded map functions

  Ability to make calls to the Real World

  Ability to access GNet from within the game

  Ability to leave and enter the game

  Avatar integration into gaming matrix

  You are not recognized as a player and the gaming AI has no control over you

  It all seemed to be normal until I noticed a new submenu, as I read the description I groaned out loud.

  An Ascendant, a mortal who has become one with the Gods and has joined the pantheon of Gods as a demigod. New powers are becoming available to you and through hard work and dedication to your training your abilities as a demigod will be activated. Be aware that not all Higher Powers will look with favor upon your Ascendency. Other demigods may challenge you in the hopes of taking your power.

  For your safety, it is recommended that you align yourself with one of the major powers, Odin, Zeus and Shiva are the current leaders in the pantheon. As a demigod, you will have access to your own place of refuge which is a safe zone. It is recommended that you use your place of refuge to identify your place in the Pantheon and to continue to train.

  This was unbelievable, it would seem that another VR realm, one that I had never heard of was somehow able to do a cross realm transfer of characters. Maybe this was what the mad boy scientist had written about in his journal. At any rate, something had happened, time had frozen and beings from an alternative realm had somehow arrived on this world.

  They must have been enemies, and when they had destroyed each other, I had somehow gathered up enough of the core code from all three and it had overwritten portions of my own code. This was a little confusing as the game was so real. Trying to remember that all of it was simply computer code including my avatar required a mental shift in the thinking.

  Once I had wrapped it all around my head as best I could I left for home, scaling the fence was a breeze and with the heavy fog still rolling through the city I had no problem making my way down through the tiers until I finally arrived at my Inn.

  Strolling in I was surprised to see both Mecha and Kamasut, I nodded at them and asked, “What are you two doing here, I did not know that you knew each other?”

  They both looked at each other and at me and then Kamasut spoke, “I had promised to introduce to the leader of the Thieves Guild. Here he is.”

  I sat back stunned, this had caught me by surprise. Looking at Mecha I asked, “Would you have told me at some point?”

  Mecha smiled and nodding he said, “I would have told you in a bit but I was enjoying you training yourself. It is not often I see that.”

  I nodded, if I was in his shoes I would not have said anything, so no harm was taken. “If you have been observing me Mecha, then you know that I have chosen the Thief class, and I need some formal training to raise my level and skills.”

  Nodding his head Mecha spoke, “We will get you that training but first, we have a meeting to go to, the King has summoned the all the Great Houses and all the Class masters up the hill for a meeting. We must attend, and I have chosen you to join me.”

  I looked at Mecha and wondered if he was a little touched, my face must have revealed some of what I was thinking as Mecha looked at me and laughed. After a few seconds with Mecha still laughing he said, “Come along, we are going to meet the King. I will explain as we work our way up the tiers to the top of the hill.”

  As we walked Mecha began to speak, “We are going to meet the King as representatives of the Thieves guild. We have always had a relationship with the King. He does not really try to hard to come after us and we don’t make a big haul upcity to often. It is a system that works but we have to pay the price.”

  “What is this price?” I asked. “And should I as a new member of the guild be hearing this?”

  Mecha glided from shadow to shadow for a moment before answering, “You are here because I want you here tonight and the price that we pay is to supply the King with two members in good standing, one is to be the Kings Eyes and Ears wherever the king decides, the other is to be the Bloody Hand of the King, again where he decides.”

  I was silent as we approached the last gate to get to the top of the city. It was a lot to take in and I had to think about what I just heard. I had no doubt that it was true, it was how things worked. I was still not sure how it would all come together and I wondered why Mecha wanted me to come, all I could do was wait, watch and listen.

  As we approached the guards at the palace Mecha pulled out a small silver badge and showed it to the men. They both looked startled then saluted and opened the door. Mecha turned to me and spoke, “Follow me but do not address anyone who tries to talk to you.” Then handing me a long scarf he said, “Wrap this around your face so that none may see who you are.” I followed him as we both wrapped scarfs around our faces.

  After making our way through two kitchens and several other rooms including a spa with several
very attractive ladies relaxing in pools, we arrived at a small door. Mecha rapped on it and it immediately opened, we both entered and made our way to a couple of chairs that were empty. Sitting down I began to listen to the people as they spoke. Overall I received an impression that many were afraid.

  Another door finally opened and several guardsmen came out followed by the King. We all stood to our feet until the King waved us down. He then walked over and talked to several people before making his way to a small podium.

  “My friends and other citizens,” he began. “I am glad that you could attend this meeting, I fear that we do not have much time and what we have should be used to prepare.”

  The crowd had become still at his words until someone asked, “Prepare for what?”

  Looking around the room slowly the King finally answered, “The drums of war are beating, the damned Dwarves under BanHammer have been producing and shipping out weapons of magic and power. They are being sent to his own clan and those of his allies, my Eyes and Ears informed me of this before his tragic death, an uprising against the Dwarven King will occur soon, using weapons made here in my Kingdom.”

  The King continued and I listened intently, “We know that the treaty we have with the Dwarves will be rendered null and void once knowledge gets out about where the weapons were made. We must prepare for war, and that is why I have called you together. As you leave you will be given a list of your duties and obligations to the Crown. Now I have much to do so until we meet again next week, goodnight.”

  It was clearly a dismissal and all they all knew it, I watched as they began to leave the room each person receiving a scroll. Finally, the room was empty and still we sat. I looked at Mecha and lit up a smoke. After ten minutes the King came back and walking over to the table he grasped Mecha’s arm.

  “It is good to see you, my old friend, especially in these troubled times. I once again have need of your services. I must have Eyes and Ears in the land of the Dwarves.” Turning to look at me the King asked, “Is he the one?”

  Mecha nodded and said, “Yes your majesty, he is the finest I have seen in many years, and while his level is low for what we do a high level is not needed.”

  I kept my face like stone but I was surprised, apparently, Mecha and the King wanted me to go be a spy. Shit, if I did not already have enough problems, and this one did not have a way out. I would have to do it.

  Dropping my voice, I asked, “How long before I must depart my King. I have things to wrap up here if there is time?”

  The King looked at me and said, “You will leave in four days, thief, use this time wisely to prepare yourself, you will be traveling in a caravan. It will take you three to four months to arrive. I will give Mecha all the details.”

  It was clear I was dismissed, so I listened as Mecha and the King planned out the operation until it was finally time to leave. Mecha looked at me and smiled. “I will send Kamasut to get you once I am ready. Tomorrow you are free but be prepared for three hard days, I have much to teach you.”

  Chapter 19 Who are You

  As Mecha and I walked down through the city I glanced at him, he seemed to move with a confidence that spoke of authority and position. The old fellow who ran an orphanage was there but looking at him now I realized that person was a mask for Mecha and that I was now seeing the real man behind the mask.

  This made me uncomfortable as the last person I had trusted and thought of as a friend was Archon and he had betrayed me. As I thought of that I realized that I would not have time to deal with him if I were to leave the city in three days. Also, it was of interest to me that he had not attended the meeting.

  “Mecha,” I said. “You have assumed that I would be free to leave the city for you and the King. What makes you think that this will work out for me?”

  Without stopping Mecha replied in a confident voice, “You will leave the city and travel to the Dwarves Kingdom for several reasons. First, it is the next step in your training, second, the King has commanded it, and third, the lives of thousands of people depend on you doing this.”

  As we continued to walk I thought of what he had said. I did need to continue my training as a thief, and while I could care less what the King wanted I could understand what the impact of a war would mean for both me and all the NPC and players that would be affected. The players would respawn, the NPC would not. To me, the NPC were as important as the players.

  I decided I could live with waiting for my revenge on Archon and Reona, and the Eldest was currently being held captive in the real world by the government. This journey would help me deal with the BanHammer problem.

  It did tie in with what I wanted to accomplish. Also, I had to admit I was eager to see more of this world, I had never really left the area of the city if you did not count my journeys to the other realms.

  I nodded at Mecha and spoke, “All right, I will go, I will meet you at the orphanage in a day’s time. Meanwhile, I have to attend to my business.” With that I turned and began to walk towards the overlook, I needed to get back to my cabin and speak with Komhether and Sebastian. As I walked into the mist I noted the closer I got to the overlook the fresher the breeze was, coming off the ocean.

  It seemed strange that the wind was not blowing the mist away, it was almost magical. As soon as I thought that I stopped. Activating Shadows, I began to look at my map, checking for an enemy. I may be overcautious but I was playing with the big boys here and knew that they would do whatever they could to trap me.

  The Government wanted me, and both Archon and Reona would go crazy if they knew I was back ingame. If the King realized I was Tor I would never leave his dungeons, plus the little Shit would kill whoever he had to if he could get his hands on me.

  Another thing was being an Ascendant, I was on the firing line if another God or demigod were to attack me and they had made it into this realm once, so I had to believe they could do so again.

  The question was, could they somehow track me; I knew nothing of the powers that other Gods or demigods had. I would have to be careful and leaving the city was starting to look like a smart idea.

  No red dots appeared on my map but I was not reassured by that, it was programmed to identify players and NPC, not Gods or demigods. Still, I felt I was safe or at least as safe as I could be.

  Making my way in the Shadows and drifting through the mist I finally came to the overlook, having passed Alaric’s Pub and the amphitheater, I continued on towards the derelict cable car building.

  Once there I decided to wait, hunkering down on the platform I looked out over the city, it had an ethereal beauty with the lights shining dimly through the mists. I would miss it I thought as I glanced up at the higher tiers. A voice suddenly spoke to me and said, “It is a pretty little city, not Mount Olympus but nice.”

  Turning slowly, I saw standing beside me a woman of unearthly beauty and power. My eyes must have widened and perhaps I gasped. She just looked at me and gave me a wink. Then she said, “Let's get to know one another, you are Torn, but you are also Tor. Recently you have Ascended to become a demigod. Interestingly, you are also a Demon Prince and a Dragon.”

  My voice finally managed to work and I asked, “Who are you and how did you find me?”

  “My name is Nyx and as for who I am, I am the Goddess of Night. As for how I found you, it is not hard for a Goddess to locate a demigod. Now if you would, please tell me how you became a demigod, all of Olympus is talking about it but no one knows who or what you are.”

  As I listened to her I realized that she was looking at me strangely and had moved even closer to me till we were face to face mere centimeters apart. Staring into her eyes I smiled as I realized what was happening, she was feeling the attraction of the Succubae.

  Having a Goddess wanting to have sex might be a problem. Still, I had read I should ally myself with a powerful God and this Goddess had to have power, if I remembered my ancient history, even Zeus was cautious around her.

  Looking at h
er I began to speak, “You are correct in your knowledge, I was Tor and now I am Torn. I am a Demon Prince through combat and I am a half-Dragon. As to how I Ascended, this is the tale.” Once I finished speaking Nyx was silent for a moment and then nodded.

  “Your tale has the truth in it, of that there is no doubt. A fortunate occurrence for you, to have become a demigod like that. Most are born from mortal women and deceiving Gods. Still, it matters not how you have become Ascendent but what you will do now.”

  Looking at Nyx I spoke slowly, “What can I do, Goddess of Night, I have no idea what my powers are nor do I know how to level up as a demigod. In this realm, I am on a mission of importance for the King of this city in an attempt to ward off a war, and I am on a personal vendetta against several people.”

  Smiling at me Nyx said, “You will be summoned to Olympus as Zeus, Odin and Shiva will want to meet the newest demigod and take your measure. Once you have entered the realm of the Gods your powers will slowly be fully awakened, what they will be I don’t know. At the court of the Gods, you will be subject to much interest and many might seek to manipulate you to joining their causes. You would do will to not bother, it never ends and could trap you on Olympus during the time you should be out leveling.”

  Suddenly Nyx grabbed me and kissed me then with a sigh said, “I have not felt such desire for the flesh in eons, Torn, you have awakened my interest, if you accept my blessing I will shelter you from the Pantheon of Gods, in return, I ask that you allow for temples for me to be built in the lands that you will claim as yours, what do you say?”

  Looking deep into her eyes I returned her kiss, then gently pulling away from her I said, “I give you my word that I will allow your temples to flourish on what I can claim.”

  With that, Nyx raised her hands to my face and gently cupping my cheeks she spoke. “I bless thee and ask that you call upon myself in your times of need. That you may receive my patronage, for you will always be welcome in the house of Nyx.” With that, she kissed me again and then disappeared.