Glimmer, A Throne of Souls (Convergence Book 1)

by Stephen Landry

  In that moment I felt a pain slide across my body. I began tearing at the helmet. It felt cold. Like a hard shell. Everything began to turn to white noise. I felt my skin crawl. I scratched at my arms until I tore away at the mesh flesh that had covered my arms and hands and then I tore at the hemet finally ripping it off. In the mirror I saw MY FACE. Every detail of it. Black goo ran down from my eye like a tear. My dark brown hair hung just above my eye. There were several small scratches and cuts were it looked like the helmet had been grafted to my skin and there were still what looked like small wires under my skin like veins. I remembered then. My avatar wasn’t quite 100% human. I had designed him with cybernetic implants. It felt like the changes were just aesthetic for now. Maybe they would play a larger role later on once I figured my way out of here.

  The armory was filled with weapons. Some of them looked like they had been plucked from a Tolkein novel while others looked strange and unfamiliar even knowing I had played the game before. I found one. A hybrid between a great sword and a rifle. I could see two triggers on the hilt. I immediately went to grab it only to be greater by a warning “PALADIN ONLY, not accessible at this time, please change class.” Every time I tried to pick it up I could feel a burning sensation in my hand. At once I grabbed hold of it. Determined only to feel my HP drop to 80 and my hand feel like it was on fire. I fell to the ground. I had to wait ten minutes in pure agony just to stand up. My HP wouldn’t rise anymore. I guess it was stuck. I had no healing potions, no regenerative health since that was an ability, and no gems or items I could use. Least this was an easy level.

  I searched the armory again hoping to find a weapon that would suit my class. The room was filled with lockers full of weapons however they were all the same. The same rifles, pistols, swords. There were a few pieces of scrap here and there. Metal bushings, rusted pipes, gears. I guess worst case scenario I could craft something once I figured out how to get my abilities back but I had no idea how long that would be or if that was even possible now.I was a Cryomancer, so I was best at using ice weapons and casting magic that utilized the cold. Back when this was just a game I had a crystal lance I could use to cast shards of ice at my enemies from afar. As well as pure magic spells that I would cast from my hands. Ranged attacks and weapons were my specialty. Nothing like that here. Most of the weapons I saw were basic. A bow and quiver, a pistol, a small arms rifle. I looked at the Paladin weapon again and willed my interface up in front of me. From there I imagined I was scanning the item. It worked. I saw the lore of the weapon appear before me….

  Devil’s Sabre

  Petty lords of war battle over mystic villages and ruins long lost. Owing allegiance to neither flag nor homeland, the Paladin’s fight without fealty and on behalf of the highest bidder, winning land and titles for benefactors they may never know… there was a time when one was only half of a whole, each deadly on their own but together superior, dominant. Trick your enemies into melee combat, kill them before they come too close. The Devil’s Saber is a great sword fused with the energy of a long lost civilization born from dark arts it is said that in it’s possession the bearer can hear the whispers of souls lost.

  Damage: 90 (requires level 80)

  Class: Paladin

  Weight: 40

  I shit you not. One of the most dramatic and coolest fucking thing ever and I can’t touch it. Can’t even hold it. That’s totally how this shit works right. Pick one class stick with it and lose access to dozens of cool features. I guess it increases replay but that doesn’t help me… I was a Cryomancer and worst part.. IRL I hated the cold. Note to self if this ever happens again pick a cooler class (no pun).

  I scanned the other weapons nearby…

  Light Bow (Quiver: 20)

  Survivalist. Stealth weapon

  ‘This well designed self bow has been admirably constructed of long-lasting red oak wood. Its string is made from silver rat fur spun together. The limbs have been decorated with seemingly glowing runes and end in rounded curves ornamented with long spikes. The handle is wrapped in rare leather and decorated with rune-like symbols. The large quiver is made from hollowed out bamboo and is supposed to be worn around the archer's back.’

  Damage: 5

  Class: None

  Weight: 5

  Light Rifle

  ‘Made from rusted parts and refurbished from the M44 rifles used during the resource wars on Earth. This weapon was originally designed as a makeshift weapon, but it soon turned into a huge mass production project and is now in use by many hired protection forces. Brought to Eda via seed ships. Common.’

  Damage: 5

  Class: None

  Weight: 10

  Small Pistol

  ‘Old war relic. Common’

  Damage: 2

  Class: None

  Weight: 5

  Small Sword

  Made by the blacksmiths of Mist village. Viking. Common.

  ‘The blade itself is simple. No decorations. It has a narrow, twisted cross-guard, offering plenty of protection to the owner's hands and thus his or her life. The cross-guard has an elaborate miniature sword on each side, this is clearly a weapon not meant to be wielded by a commoner.’

  Damage: 10

  Stamina Cost: 10-20 (heavy)

  Class: None

  Weight: 5

  So if an enemy had 100 HP I would have to shoot them 20x to kill them with the light rifle, 50x with the pistol, or hit them 10x with the sword which would cost pretty much all of my stamina. Unlike my health the stamina would at least regenerate. Since I’v ‘woken’ up I’v already seen my stamina rise and fall depending on how fast I move. I guess I could take my chance with the sword however if my enemy has a ranged attack it would be useless. The bow would be a great stealth weapon. That was one of the ways I enjoyed playing the game however I wasn’t a bow and arrow type player. When not casting spells or using my lance I would typically pull a sniper or silenced rifle from my inventory. Inventory. That was another problem. I had no way to store multiple weapons, outfits, potions, even junk. Everything would have to be carried on me at all times. I wouldn’t just be summoning my weapons from mid-air like before I would be weighed down by them.

  From bad to worst. I could hear something down the hall outside the door. A buzzing sound and it wasn’t far away. I would have to choose and choose fast. I grabbed the quiver of arrows and slung it over my shoulder and the sword clipped onto my belt. In the corner of the room was a small backpack that could fit over my shoulder. It lined up perfectly with the quiver and felt quite comfortable. I put as much scrap and gears inside as I could. I felt the weight, at least 10 pounds of junk and picked up the bow. Slowly I made my way to the door. I should have closed it behind me. Play smarter not harder but I thought this was an easy level.

  I looked out into the lit hallway. The creature was a fleshling, a cross between a bat and a dragonfly… only not small. The fleshling’s body was about three feet long but with its tail the creature was eight feet long, The tail lit up the room around me raging like a torch. It was on fire. I could feel the heat from several yards away. It hadn’t noticed me yet but I could see it’s bat like ears, cyclops eye and dislocated jaw and teeth. It was hunting. It used its big bat like ears to listen intently for its prey. Along it’s body were several tendrils and limbs. Two short arms came out from the middle of its body and hung limp down by its side. I could see the small black fur and spikes that covered its entire body. Normally these creatures were found in swamps like the Valley of Decay, Fire Shrines, or the Depths. It was weird to see one here especially inside the ship.

  It wasn’t looking at me so I stood completely still. Slowly I moved an arrow from my quiver to my bow. I began to pull back the bowstring when it turned towards me and entered the armory. It moved faster than I imagined though I shouldn’t have been surprised. I saw it extend its jaw towards me, its mouth gaping wide with several rows of teeth several inches tall and wide extending outwards. It
was going in for a bite when I unleashed my arrow. I hit it straight in the eye and it jutted backwards. I was proud of myself. I had taken archery lessons in real life. Something Ellie and I had wanted to try and found ourselves enjoying on several occasions and it was paying off now. I could only imagine the pain I would be in if the fleshling had actually gotten a hold of me. It looked fierce and with a body filled with spikes it could have easily impaled me or ripped one of my limbs off. The pain I had already experienced here felt so real I didn’t want to think about it being any worst.

  I readied another arrow as the fleshling pulled itself forward and began another attack. It was slower this time. The second arrow finished it off. It’s fiery tail turned to small embers and than extinguished into ash as the life left it’s body. On the ground beside it appeared a new item. A crossbow. I walked over to it and brought up my interface. With my will alone I scanned it.

  Blunt Crossbow

  Kill the horde with style and stealth. One shot. One kill.

  Damage: 20

  Class: None

  Weight: 10

  I laid the bow on the ground and studied my new found toy for a moment. My arrows fit the crossbow perfect and so I armed one. I wasn’t going to let anything get the drop on me. It was heavier than the bow but did more damage than anything I had found so far with the exception of the flaming hot sabre I couldn’t use. It would do for now. Once I made my way outside I would be able to find more weapons. If I could gain my abilities and skills back and manage to grab some decent armor I knew a few low level dungeons. I could get my power back. I could survive.

  I was smiling when I heard the sound of buzzing again. This time it was louder. I was ready. I began to make my way towards the sound turning the corner of one of the corridors towards what I assumed if this was the same layout as the first time I played would lead me to an exit. There were three fleshlings. They were hovering over something strange in between them. It looked like an alien corpse. The strange creature looked like a cross between a human and a golem. I couldn’t make out any visible features but I could see it was wearing armor that had been grafted onto it’s skin and it had some kind of strange respirator covering its face. The fleshlings had killed it whatever it was. A new monster perhaps? Maybe it was a new race that players could play. I had read that they were adding new aliens and creatures to future updates and expansions but I hadn’t seen any concept art for them yet. I shouldn’t be surprised to see things are different.

  I aimed town the sights of my crossbow. The fleshlings were low level creatures. From what I could remember most had health around 10-20. They had a second mouth on their body. It was a weak point that led directly to their stomach. If I hit it with 100% accuracy in one shot I could kill it.

  I let my arrow fly. The first fleshling fell. The two others did nothing as if they hadn’t even noticed.

  Skill increase: Stealth +1

  I felt it. Like chills. Something inside me.

  I took another shot and another one hit kill.

  Skill increase: Stealth +1

  I felt like I was glowing. I readied another arrow and smirked taking great care to move as quiet as I could and stared at the fleshling down my weapon’s sight.

  I fired and heard tripped backward. I didn’t fall but I lost balance enough to miss. The fleshling came towards me. I drew my sword as quickly as I could and slashed at its wings. I felt its claws scratch my right arm and I was bleeding. My HP dropped to 60 than 40. I finally hit the fleshling hard enough it fell to the ground kicking its legs back and forth before finally stopping. My world fell silent and than I was screaming. I stood up and began running through the alien ship trying not to draw anymore attention to myself. Screaming was definitely a bad idea. I could hear something growling from far away. Another creature that wasn’t suppose to be here. I tripped over the alien body scanning it quickly hoping it might have something that could heal me. Then I saw my health drop again. HP 30. Poisoned.

  Medical. Every starship was suppose to have a med bay. Right? Why the hell wouldn’t they. I looked around hoping to find a map or a guide… something that would show me the way. The walls were a near solid black and with little light I felt like I was stuck in a corn maze in the middle of the night. I could see faded lines across the wall. They must have been different colors at one time. Red. Yellow. Blue. I took a guess and followed the Yellow line. Luck was on my side.

  The door to medical opened when my health dropped to 15. I was practically dragging myself into the room when I found a stim. I opened it and found a syringe with a giant needle. My health dropped to 5 before I finally felt brave enough to stick it in my arm. I could feel it tear its way through my skin as I pulled the small trigger on the syringe. A liquid spilled out into my body and I felt my health rise. When I pulled the needle out my health was back at 90. I sank back with relief. Finally something was going right.

  I packed my satchel with a few more stims and medical supplies. Pulling up my interface and scanning items was second nature now. It was a sixth sense. I could pull it up and put it down in a few seconds. A couple bandages and food. Small protein bars that tasted like tofu even though they said they were chocolate and peanut butter. I also found a few bottles of water. No taste. Hopefully that wouldn’t be the case for all the food and drink I found in this place. When I really thought about it I realized how dulled my sense of taste and smell were. Both were there but it nothing around me was really triggering any of my senses. The dead alien body I saw, the fleshlings, they all should have reeked but when I crossed them it was like my senses had been dulled to near zero. I guess that was one thing this world couldn’t replicate well. Everything around me looked, sounded, and felt real but taste and smell were limited. All in all I was ok with that. I didn’t really want to smell dead alien flesh or monsters anyway. I had the feeling they would smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. The inside of the starship probably reeked of stale air and dust and the world outside wouldn’t be much better. Everyone enjoys looking at post-ruined worlds but the smell would most likely be garbage.

  From medical I made my way back through the interior of the starship to one of the chambers I knew would lead me outside. From there I would have to make my way through Hunters Chase and Wildwood before reaching the Hub. I could make my way up the Sundread coast of course but there were Shektahs to worry about… alien fauna that looked like a cross between a Cheetah and a shark, fastest thing in the water and pretty damn fast on land. I wouldn’t stand a chance against a horde of those monsters even if I had all my old gear, skills, and abilities. I could probably make my way to Arcadia, one of the smaller villages but if there was any chance of contacting the outside world the Hub was key. It was the place in game where users could interact with one another in complete safety, protected by mage barriers and force shields. The Hub also had a forum that connected to other players through an app outside the game. A message center that if still active was my best chance at contacting Ellie and finding out what the hell I’m suppose to be doing and how I can get home.

  Chapter 3

  Home was a small house with one flat screen TV, a comfortable couch, pizza, beer, and of course Ellie and our cat. To be honest anywhere with her was home. I didn’t care if we were living in a box as long as we had one another we were set. We had both been avid gamers and shared nearly all of the same interests. Kindred spirits, soul mates, we didn’t really put a label on it. She had a tattoo with my name on her arm. I didn’t have any tattoos. It wasn’t that I was afraid of needles or anything I was just too damn indecisive about everything. She thought it made me special. She liked it. She didn’t care if I had ink or piercings. She cared about me for who I was and everything I wanted to be. She cared about us and who we were. She cared about our cat Colin, our familiar. I could see him now pawing at the cupboards waiting to be fed. That was her job but I would always sneak him food when I had the time or had stayed up late.

  He was probably eating bette
r than I am right now. I’m sure cat food would taste better than the bland protein bars I snagged from medical.

  I was still wandering the inside of the alien ship. I was trying to remember. I had only played through this part of the game once. In fact the game world was massive. Wildwood alone would probably take an entire day or more to traverse. If I made it to Arcadia by day 3 I could find transport to the Hub, maybe even pick up a hover cycle if I found something worth trading.

  At this point I realized how broke I was. My original profile had an unlimited run of script because of a mod I added. My inventory now read 0. I would have to take some side quests or labor if I was going to get anywhere or buy anything. I wasn’t against the idea of joining a guild but that would take even more time.

  I returned to the armory and opened a submenu. Scanning the Devil’s Sabre again I found it was valued at 1000 script. With that maybe I could afford some decent armor AND a hover cycle. I wrapped the Sabre in cloth being careful not to touch it. I couldn’t hold it like a normal weapon. I had to practically drag it behind me with a small rope I fashioned out of some of my medical supplies. Already I had wasted several hours doing this. By the time I dragged it near the exit of the alien ship I was already running low on stamina. I had no other choice if I wanted to make this work. I took the rope I had been using to drag the saber and the quiver and fashioned a sheath.