by Paul Bellow
Eric looked over at me then back to Drekmao.
"Tell us more," I said.
"I only worked on part of the neural-interface. None of us knew anything about the whole project. When a request went out for alpha-testers, I signed up. They paid my family a million dollars if I gave up my body and moved into the game full time."
"Hold on," I said. "Slow down."
Drekmao frowned.
"Your friend Monde makes me think they went ahead with their plans to upload other people into the game, people who had no other choice."
"Wait," Eric said. "You're telling us no one is ever supposed to come out of the game?"
"There's ways, at least for you if you entered one of the cryo-cabinets."
"We did," I said. "Three of us."
"You should be fine if you can get to the end of the game."
"How big is the game?" Eric asked.
"Monde hungry."
"Yeah, Sarah. Are we going to eat, or what?"
Drekmao clapped his hands. Servants appeared with tropical fruit sliced and presented exquisitely on silver platters. The others dug into the food while Eric and I concentrated on our new friend.
"What's your real name?" Eric asked.
"They erased it from my memory. I know I had another life, but I also know I'm stuck here."
"Why would you do that to yourself?" I asked.
"I had no other choice. My family needed the money."
"Don't you miss them?" I continued.
"Of course," he said. "But there's nothing I can do except make this game the best possible. And that means helping players like you."
Drekmao smiled. Eric sighed then shook his head. I looked at the others as they ate with relish. Would I be like them after ten or more years in the game?
"Can you tell us anything else about the game?"
"Only if you tell me about your OOC magic item. Did the Four Wizards make it for you?"
"Yeah," I said. "It's been useful. Losing experience all the time was annoying."
"Don't worry," Drekmao said with a chuckle. "The game is different once you get past the third level of the first floor."
"How many floors are in the tower?" Eric asked.
"The original design called for seven, but they had plans to expand it as more people were uploaded into the game."
"It's all so crazy," I said.
Drekmao nodded.
"You'll come to enjoy the finer things in the game. The guilds are available on level-four. At that point, you'll meet some of the other players."
"How many people are playing Tower of Gates right now?" I asked.
"Monde want last fruit."
I glanced over and saw her and Evan fighting over a round, red fruit.
"Can you two share, please?"
"Sorry, Sarah," Evan said.
"I'm not sure of an accurate count," Drekmao said. "But I reckon over a million by now."
"How could they have that many people in the game with no one knowing about it?"
"There's a lot of forgotten people in the world," Drekmao said. "The real one and this one."
"You said you could help us?" Eric asked.
"I did, and I can. Magi Inyontoo is a punk, and we need to teach him a lesson."
"The Four Wizards gave me a sword that would take his NPC-lives away, but I lost it."
"Uh oh," Dremkao said. "That's not good."
"We've made a lot of mistakes in the game," I said.
"You've not done too bad if you've made it this far without a party of your own. Why didn't you two flesh out your party earlier?"
I shook my head.
"A friend of ours said the game was working against us."
"That's rare, but it's possible."
"Can you tell us anything else about the game?"
"No, but I can help you with Magi Inyontoo. We'll stay here for the night. In the morning, I'll take you to see my uncle, Emperor Harubi."
"Is Magi Inyontoo nearby, or what?" Eric asked.
"He's in our lands, but he's broken an agreement he had with my uncle. The problem is that he's become too powerful for me alone to get rid of him."
"We're here to destroy the pendant, but I have no problem with taking him out," Eric said.
"Yeah," I added. "He's been after us since the beginning."
"It's a miracle you've made it this far in the game with him running around, but working together, I'm sure we can defeat him. Let's eat and rest. The journey will take a day or two on horseback."
"Monde no like horse."
The rest of us laughed.
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After dinner, I found myself on a balcony overlooking the city. Eric stood beside me, leaning on metal rails. We hadn't had time alone to talk in a while.
"You doing okay?" I asked.
He nodded.
"Yeah. Why?"
"I'm just worried about you."
"All of a sudden, you care, huh?"
"Eric, don't be that way. We had fun gaming, but our lives went in different directions."
"You didn't want to be seen with a boy like me. I get it."
"No, you don't," I said. "Look at me."
He stood and turned. Our eyes met.
"You mean a lot to me, Eric. I've realized since we've been in here that I've missed you so much."
"I'm always in the same place."
"And that's the problem," I said. "You had no goals in life."
He opened his mouth, but I continued.
"And don't tell me it was because you were paralyzed. You've got a brilliant mind."
He looked away. I put my hand on his arm.
"We’ll get out of this game, and it'll be different," I said.
"Are you sure?" He turned to face me. "You heard Drekmao. He doesn't even remember his real name anymore he's been in here so long."
"Yeah, but he's not been looking for a way out. If anyone can hack their way out of an immersive virtual reality game, it's you, Eric."
"Meh," he muttered.
"I believe in you," I said, squeezing his arm.
He stared into my eyes again. I had trouble remembering what he looked like in the real world.
"And I believe in you."
He tilted his head and moved in for a kiss. I backed away.
"Eric..."
"Forget it."
He turned and stepped away.
"Wait," I said. "You can't keep running."
"I'm not running," he said as I stepped around him.
"You're not?" I raised my left eyebrow.
He sighed.
"Okay, I am, but I get it now. You're not interested."
"It's not that," I said. "We're stuck in this game and have everything else going on. I can't think about something like love right now. We've got to escape the Tower of Gates."
"You're right," he said softly.
"Don't be that way, Eric."
"What way?"
"Sulking. No one likes a whiner."
"We never asked Evan and Ewen their real names," he said, changing the subject.
I saw what he was doing, but I played along.
"They told me. It's Evan and Ewen. Creative, huh?"
He snickered. The flash of a smile on his face gave me hope.
"We need to stick together and figure this out," I said. "There's no way I'm staying in here for decades or longer."
"I miss the real world too," he said. "Even without my legs..."
His voice trailed off. I saw the internal conflict in his mind play out on his face like a summer storm, quickly changing from one moment to the next.
"We should get back inside and sleep," I said. "We've got a big few days coming up."
"Sounds like we’ll get help with this quest. Maybe the game doesn't like griefers either."
"No one likes griefers," I said then smiled.
We didn't mention the aborted kiss as we walked back inside. The others had gathered
around a roaring fire in the great room. Monde snored as she slept in a recliner.
Evan and Ewen were close to the fire, arguing over something. Drekmao had gone to bed in another room. I hoped we could trust him. The game was messing with our heads.
I fell asleep curled in a blanket with Charlotte perched on my chest. She had been suspiciously quiet all day. The OOC talk must've confused her. Dreams came at me.
()xxxx[:::: Chapter 45 ::::>
Preparing for the Chong Monastery
ERIC
The next morning, we left early for Castle Harubi to talk to Drekmao's uncle, the ruler of the land. We rode in two carriages entirely propelled with magic. Humans had nothing like it, not even their war wagons.
Our journey lasted two days. I saw the Tang Province up close as we rode through like royalty. Day and night, we passed over a million hobgoblins all living together in peace and harmony.
What had caused them to hate the humans so much? They had it made in the Forbidden Kingdom. None of it made sense, but I kept my mouth shut as we all prepared for our final encounter.
Drekmao sat with me atop one of our two carriages on the last day of our journey. I saw Castle Harubi in all its majesty on the horizon. He'd been silent the last few miles.
"Why do the hobgoblins in the game hate the humans so much?" I asked. "Part of the back story for the game or something?"
He turned his head and smiled.
"You've got so much to learn."
"That's why I'm asking. I need to keep Sarah safe."
"It's all about working together in this game. Trust me."
"We should've increased our party size a lot earlier. I guess I was hoping to spend time alone with Sarah."
"She's special," he said. "Lots of relationships have started up in this game."
I nodded, wishing he would tell me more.
"You asked about the goblins and humans," he said. "One of the interesting things about this game is the different levels reached by the portals in the tower. When you get to the second one, you'll be able to shape this first level for future players."
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"The next level is the Grabisco Isles in 842 C.E."
"C.E.?"
"The common era."
"We have to do the whole level again?"
"No, it will be different because it's in the past. You'll see when you get there yourselves. I changed the first level many times before, but since Magi Inyontoo began hanging out here, things have been different."
"This is all too much," I said as the carriage continued rolling down the brick-paved road leading to the castle.
"It can be," Drekmao said. "I can't even remember my real name, but I keep playing."
"Don't you want to escape?"
"The higher levels can get crazy. With few new players coming into the game, the first three levels are usually places to get it away from it all."
"But Magi Inyontoo is ruining it all."
"Yeah," he said, nodding his head.
"What's the deal with that guy, anyway?"
"I think he's certifiably insane."
"That's obvious, but...I don't know. He seems to evil to be in the game. Or did the game make him evil?"
Drekmao put his hand on my shoulder.
"This game can turn you to the dark side. Be careful."
"I've noticed," I said.
Both of us fell silent as the carriages reached the castle gates.
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Inside the throne room, I stood with Sarah and the others as Drekmao chatted with his uncle.
"Do you trust this guy?" Sarah asked.
I nodded.
"No reason not to at this point. He's helped us. All we have to do now is find Magi Inyontoo and destroy the pendant."
"Don't you dare say it’ll be easy."
I grinned as Drekmao walked over.
"Everything is set," he said. "You can spend the night here and travel to the Chong Monastery in the morning."
"Where?" I asked.
"The Chong Monastery. It's at the base of the mountains to the west. Magi Inyontoo has been holed up there for a while now. I've not been powerful enough to defeat him."
"You're coming with us?" Sarah asked.
Drekmao shook his head.
"I've got somewhere else to be. The Four Wizards need my help."
"We got this," I said.
"I'm sure you do, but I'd like to offer help."
He turned to the entrance. I saw a human in leather armor and a half-orc wearing nothing but a loin-cloth.
"Josh?" Sarah asked. "Is that you?"
The dumb half-orc nodded his head. Sarah shot across the room and threw her arms around the bulking beast. I considered the other figure.
"Bernard? Is that you?"
He smiled and nodded.
"Please don't hug me, though."
I smiled, but it faded as I saw Sarah still hugging Josh.
"Where have you been?" she asked.
"Here and there," Josh said then turned to face me. "This is the stupidest game ever."
"It's not my fault you can't play," I said.
He growled and broke away from Sarah. I drew my sword.
"Cut it out, you two," she yelled.
I stared at the half-orc barbarian. Sarah walked in between us, holding her arms up.
"No fighting here," Drekmao said. "I thought you would be pleased."
"How did you find us?" Sarah asked Josh.
"I found them," Drekmao said.
Josh nodded his stupid half-orc head.
"After talking with you on the journey here, I dispatched men to find them."
"But how?" I asked. "This world is so big."
Drekmao laughed.
"The Grabisco Isles are small compared to the rest of the planet. But I had help."
He pulled a thick silver chain out of a pouch and held it aloft. A sapphire the size of a grape hung from the chain, glowing with a blue, electric energy.
"This is the Amulet of the Party. It's rare, but you’ll need it. Normal parties can only include up to six people, but this magic item will allow you to have a party of up to twelve people. And you can talk OOC to anyone in the party."
I nodded, letting the information sink in. Just when I thought I had the game figured out, something new popped up. Drekmao handed the amulet to Sarah.
"You should wear it," he said.
She took it.
"No offense, but I'm doing to cast identify on it," she said.
Drekmao nodded.
"I understand."
"This is legit," she said a moment later.
"I'm so glad to see you," Josh said.
He put an arm around her slender waist.
"Don't hurt her," I snapped.
"Hoverchair boy thinks he's a hero now, huh?" Josh asked.
I stepped forward, ready to clobber him.
"Stop," Sarah said. "We've got to finish this quest and get out of here."
"Get out of the game?" Josh asked.
"That's not possible," Bernard said. "I don't think so, anyway."
"Anything is possible in the Tower of Gates," Drekmao said, his voice full of ominous dread.
"Let's get this done," Josh said. "As the biggest, baddest guy, I'm taking charge."
"That won’t happen," I said.
"I've got the Amulet of the Party," Sarah said. "Maybe I should be in charge for a while."
"Fine," I said. "But this stupid half-orc better keep his mouth shut."
A hobgoblin in long, red robed strode into the throne room.
"Emperor, the gifts from Magi Inyontoo have arrived."
I glanced from red-robes to the emperor.
"That's great," he said, clapping his hands together. "This means we're at peace with Magi Inyontoo."
"What are you talking about?" Drekmao asked.
"I made a deal on my own. You know I make the best deals," Emperor Haru
bi said. "Let's go see the tribute they've paid."
Drekmao shook his head.
"You're an idiot."
"Oh, yeah? Well, I'm the emperor, and you're a silly guardian. Doesn't that make you the dummy?"
Drekmao sighed and waved his hand.
"Follow me," he said. "This won’t be good."
I glared at Josh then followed Drekmao as he left the massive room.
Outside in the courtyard, a band of goblins stood around two carts. Each of them had something covered by a tarp. One of the armored goblins stepped forward.
"Where is the emperor?" he asked.
"Go away," Drekmao said. "We've got no interest in bargaining with your master."
"Doesn't matter," the goblin said. "You're in violation of our previous agreement by harboring known criminals Magi Inyontoo wants dead."
"We got this," I said. "A bunch of goblins won't be any problem."
"Hold on," Drekmao said.
I walked forward. Josh followed, holding his massive wooden club.
"Bet I kill more of them than you," I said.
"You're on," he replied.
The goblin who'd been talking walked back to a cart.
"Now," he shouted as he pulled a string.
The tarps fell away, exposing two deadly looking golems. One, made from scraps of wood, leaped off the wagon as the goblins all rushed forward.
Uh, oh.
The second golem, composed entirely of metal masks melded together, stepped off the wagon.
"Get the metal one," I shouted, running forward.
Drekmao had provided me with a new long sword, and I was dying to try it out.
As I rushed the mask golem with Josh at my side, I saw two flaming discs of lava strike the wood golem. Evan, Ewen and Bernard waded into the goblins along with Monde.
We got this.
I reached the metal mask golem and slashed with all my might.
Your slash INJURES the mask golem for 14 damage.
The mask golem HITS you for 9 damage.
You have 80/89 health remaining.
After it slammed me with a fist, one of the metal masks flew from the beast. I watched in horror as it covered Josh's entire face. He dropped his club and screamed as he clawed at it.
What the...
I swung again.
Your slash MISSES the mask golem.
The mask golem HITS you for 9 damage.