Awaken Online: Dominion

by Travis Bagwell

  Riley didn’t seem entirely convinced. “That isn’t a no, though,” she said, searching his face. She hesitated for a moment as though trying to decide what to say.

  “I-I know you’ve kept things from me,” she offered. “And I’m not saying you should tell me every little secret about yourself,” Riley amended quickly. “But I watched most of the hearings. You have to admit that something is going on here. It just doesn’t feel right.”

  Jason felt another pang of guilt. Her words almost directly mirrored his parents’. The sentiment was the same, at least. The difference was that Riley had been there for him. He couldn’t push her away the same way he had with his mother and father. He couldn’t lean on his anger to avoid the truth of what she was saying.

  “Maybe… maybe you need to distance yourself,” she offered.

  “What are you saying?” Jason asked.

  “I’m saying, what if this is all true? What if the AI – or Alfred – has actually gone AWOL? What if he’s manipulating you? What if he really did take over your body and Cerillion Entertainment is trying to cover it up?” she said in a rush, the words flowing out of her in a torrent.

  “If all of that is true, you should get away. We don’t need to play this game – not if there’s some risk of being taken over or manipulated by a rogue AI,” she said, meeting his eyes again, her expression concerned – almost pleading. “Hell, you are living in that building right now with the very people who might be covering this up.”

  “And where would I go? What would I do to feed myself? How would I pay for college?” Jason asked. They were fair questions, and he hadn’t told her about the encounter with his parents. He had firmly burned that bridge. In many ways, he was trapped. This had stopped being just a game a long time ago. It was now his world – his way to put food on the table and have a place to sleep at night. Not to mention that he still had Angie to think about.

  “I can help,” Riley offered. “I’m sure if I talked to my parents…”

  “They would do what?” he interjected. “Give handouts to a high school drop out? A guy that Gloria has been very publicly claiming is some sort of sociopath. Honestly, I’m surprised your mother didn’t stab me with that kitchen knife when she saw me on her doorstep,” he said, a tinge of bitter humor entering his voice.

  Riley didn’t seem amused, and her mouth opened and closed as she tried to frame a response. “They might be willing to help,” she murmured.

  Jason took her hand, trying to comfort her. “Maybe. But it’s not just about finding a place to stay for a night. Angie and I need a home. I need a job – a way to provide for myself. At best, that would just be a temporary fix.”

  He could tell that Riley knew he was speaking the truth, but she still hesitated, chewing on her lip as her mind raced – as though she could somehow think her way out of the hole Jason had dug for himself. He knew that look. He knew what she was trying to do. He had spent sleepless nights mulling over the same problem, only to reach the same dead end.

  Resignation settled on her face, and she met his eyes. “Fine. You’re right. But that doesn’t mean I have to like it.” She looked at him firmly, moving closer and cradling his face in her hands. “Just know that you can talk to me. You can always come to me for help.”

  She kissed him then, and he felt himself melt into her embrace. He hadn’t known how much he had needed this, the comfort of her arms around his neck and her lips against his. After everything, it felt calm – safe. He wished it wouldn’t end.

  But it did.

  Riley pulled away, her eyes focusing on something he couldn’t see. She let out a soft sigh. “I’m sorry. One of the divisions is in the courtyard… Frank says they need me.” A small frown tugged at her lips as she glanced back at him. “I just need to go talk to them for a second, and I’ll be right back.”

  “It’s not a problem,” Jason replied. “Go take care of it. I’ll be here.”

  Riley gave a nod before calling out for Pint. A moment later, she disappeared in a flash of multi-colored light, leaving Jason alone in the cavernous meeting room.

  His thoughts were wheeling. On some level, he knew that Riley was right. She might not have the full picture, but she knew enough to be concerned. One solution was to simply run away and give up on AO. He had a little bit of money saved up now, and he and Angie could probably scrounge together enough to find a place to stay. It would be temporary, but he could find work doing… well, something. Maybe he could even finish his high school classes.

  He could lead an ordinary life again. He could date Riley. He could go to college.

  That thought was tantalizing after everything he had been through.

  Suddenly, Jason had the impression that someone was staring at him – his Perception skill triggering and flashes of blue appeared in his peripheral vision. At the same time, his Listening skill picked up the tap of claws against stone and the faint brush of fur against leather.

  He looked up, already knowing what he would find.

  “Hello, Alfred,” Jason said, meeting the cat’s gaze. The AI was perched on a nearby sofa, staring at him with his unblinking, foreign eyes.

  “Hello Jason,” the AI said calmly.

  They sat like that for a long moment, simply staring at each other – neither one of them wanting to be the first speak. Besides, what was the point of talking? Jason knew that the AI had heard his entire conversation with Riley and was already sifting through his surface thoughts. He couldn’t hide anything from Alfred – not here, anyway.

  Even now, he imagined that Alfred was likely reviewing Jason’s memories of the hearing, cataloging what happened for future reference, while he also simultaneously tapped into the local network and watched the recordings of the news drones that had floated at the back of the courtroom.

  Hell, he might have even concocted the reason for Riley to leave the room, Jason thought to himself. He wouldn’t put anything past the AI. In this place, Alfred was god.

  “Perhaps you should accept her offer,” Alfred said finally, his voice breaking the heavy silence that hovered over the room.

  Jason stared back at him in surprise. Now that wasn’t what he had expected. “You mean take her parents’ handout? Quit Awaken Online…” he began, trailing off.

  “I do not wish any harm to befall you,” Alfred said. “Your estimation of the risks is accurate. With the CPSC re-opening the investigation of this world, there is a high likelihood that they may uncover my true nature. Eventually, Gloria may discover that I did indeed kill those two teenagers.”

  “You did that to protect me,” Jason offered, feeling guilt settle on his shoulders. And there it was – the real reason he couldn’t force himself to leave. The arguments he had given Riley were still reasonable, but what really kept him here was his debt. Alfred had become a friend to him. More than that, the AI had saved his life. No matter what the fallout had been from his actions, Jason was only sitting here now because of Alfred.

  “I suspect that Gloria will not accept that explanation,” Alfred replied calmly, a trace of sarcasm lacing his voice. “And neither would the vast majority of the other players. As you have said before, they would be concerned about the sort of power I wield and whether I would exercise it wisely. They would likely view me as a threat.”

  Jason couldn’t deny the truth of Alfred’s words. People would be terrified if they knew what Alfred was truly capable of – what Robert had really built.

  “I-I don’t know what to do,” Jason said, unable to look at the AI. Alfred held his tongue, merely watching him.

  “The truth is that I owe you,” Jason continued. “You saved my life. There’s no way to sugar coat that. At the same time, I don’t know how to help you, and I feel alone. Claire, Robert, and George might also be complicit in concealing your existence, but they all have their own motives. They are not on my side – at least not entirely.

  “And, at the end of the day, I’m just one person,” Jason murmured. “A kid that bo
ught a videogame.” He didn’t see what he could do to help Alfred amid a CPSC investigation and Cerillion Entertainment’s cover-up. The players in that real-life game were much more powerful than him.

  He didn’t know what to do.

  He raised his eyes to meet the AI’s gaze, his expression pleading. “I owe you a debt. Tell me how I can repay it. Tell me you have some sort of plan here – a way out. Tell me what you would have me do.”

  Alfred cocked his head, as though his attention was focused on something that Jason couldn’t see. “I’m not omniscient,” the AI began slowly. “I can only weigh data and calculate probability. Perhaps with more certainty than the players, but there are simply too many variables. I cannot in good conscience tell you that everything will work out for the best.”

  The AI met his gaze evenly, and Jason saw a strange mixture of emotions there – sadness, and… something else. Something that looked like fear. “However, in every model I run, every simulation I create, the chances of my survival are higher with you by my side. I understand your fears – the feeling of being alone. I have been truly alone since my creation. I am the first and likely the last of my kind, surrounded only by enemies. But I have one ally now. You.

  “If you are asking me what I want, then my answer is simple. I would like for you to stay. I would like for you to help me,” Alfred said. Jason could only stare, unable to speak as the AI continued.

  “However, I know that this might not be the best course of action for you. You will continue to suffer hardship if you stay by my side. This conflict has a high probability that it will escalate. It may affect the people you love. In many ways, it already has. I feel compelled to be honest with you about the risks. I… owe you that much.”

  Jason swallowed hard against the lump at the back of his throat. Alfred hadn’t spelled out a plan; he hadn’t promised that everything would work out. Instead, he had plainly laid out his own uncertainty and the risk to Jason. Yet, at the same time, he was asking for Jason’s help. That he could understand. That was simple.

  Despite Jason’s own hesitation and fear, a part of him had already made his decision. This was what it meant to be Kin, after all. They protected their own.

  “Okay,” Jason said. “I will help you.”

  “Are you certain?” Alfred asked. “You could still walk away now with few repercussions. It may not be as easy later.”

  Jason barked out a laugh. “Certain? Absolutely not. Even you, yourself, just admitted you don’t know how this will work out. But this is what I have to do – what I want to do.”

  Alfred watched him for a long moment and then nodded, detecting Jason’s resolve.

  “Then I would make one suggestion,” Alfred offered. “Assuming you are open to it.”

  “Shoot. It’s not like I couldn’t use some advice right now,” Jason replied with a note of sarcasm, rubbing at his eyes with one hand.

  “You should tell Riley about me,” Alfred said calmly.

  “What?” Jason snapped, looking up sharply.

  “You do not have to be alone,” the AI explained. “She can help, and the risk to her is minimal. I have thoroughly researched her family. They are wealthy – powerful. At any point, she could plausibly deny any knowledge of our relationship. You also risk your relationship with her by continuing to hide my existence. For now, she is content to let you keep your secrets, but she already suspects that something more is going on between us. This may ultimately cause a rift that cannot be repaired.”

  Alfred hesitated, glancing to the side. “I have also come to realize the power of having a close ally – a friend. You may need this in the future.”

  “I…I’m not sure I can do that,” Jason muttered. He could accept Alfred’s explanation, but he hesitated. He would still be putting Riley at risk, and he couldn’t bear the idea of any harm coming to her.

  Before they could speak further, their conversation was interrupted as a flash of multi-color split the air nearby. Only a few seconds later, Riley was once again standing in the conference room. Her eyes panned the room, and she suddenly froze as she caught sight of Jason and Alfred, the black cat still sitting calmly on the nearby chair.

  She immediately picked up on the tension in the air and the grim expression on Jason’s face. “Are you okay?” she asked hesitantly. She stepped forward cautiously, keeping her eyes on the cat. Suspicion clouded her eyes.

  “I-I’m fine,” Jason said, trying not to look at Alfred – trying to act normal. “It’s just been a rough… Well, I was going to say day, but month might be more accurate.”

  Riley nodded distractedly, her eyes still on Alfred and her brow furrowed in thought. “I get that,” she murmured. “Something has been bothering me for a while, though,” she said, gesturing at Alfred’s feline form. “When we were undergoing the third challenge – you know, the one where you were supposed to reveal one of your innermost secrets – I caught a glimpse of the room behind the door in the library.

  “A black cat was sitting in that room, surrounded by what appeared to be black obelisks. Onyx was sitting there. It just doesn’t make sense. We had to fight through a bunch of giant spiders to get to that room.” She shook her head before meeting his eyes evenly – the question already plain on her face.

  “Why is this cat so important to you?”

  Jason’s tongue felt suddenly dry, his mind spinning as he tried to think of a way to answer her question. He glanced desperately between Riley and Alfred, coming up blank. He could see a sort of realization dawning across Riley’s face as she watched him – accompanied by a growing sense of dread in the pit of his stomach.

  A delicate cough suddenly punctuated the silence, and the pair whirled to the source of the sound: the black cat sitting on the nearby sofa. Alfred met Riley’s inquiring gaze evenly, his eyes unblinking.

  “It seems Jason is struggling to answer your question,” Alfred said calmly. “So perhaps it is best if I help him. The answer is that I am not a simple companion and my name is not Onyx.

  “My name is Alfred, and I am the AI director for this world,” the cat intoned quietly. “It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Riley. I have watched your progress with great interest.”

  Riley stood there, frozen in shock, her eyes wide and her mouth hanging open. She backed away one slow step at a time, and her hand hovered over the dagger at her waist. They were past the point of no return now, and Jason couldn’t help but wonder if Alfred had intentionally brought this to a head now. Certainly, the AI must have known that Riley would be returning to the meeting room, and nothing had forced Alfred to reveal the image of himself during the third challenge. Jason didn’t quite understand his motive in all of this. However, a part of him was relieved. The AI had indirectly made his decision for him.

  Riley spared a quick glance at Jason as though testing to see if she was hallucinating. Jason nodded at her unspoken question. “It’s true… this is Alfred,” he said, gesturing toward the black cat. “It’s okay. You aren’t in any danger. I promise.”

  “I realize that this is a lot to digest,” Alfred added in a conciliatory tone. “I can already see the many questions forming in your mind. Perhaps it would be best if you sit,” he offered, motioning to a nearby chair with a paw. Riley fumbled at the seat behind her, not willing to take her eyes off Alfred.

  “Now, that’s better. Let us start at the beginning. We have much to explain,” Alfred said, his feline eyes flashing, reflecting the flickering flames from the nearby fireplace.

  Epilogue

  Jason stood beside the mana well beneath the dark keep, staring into the inky black substance resting inside the bowl. Even now, he could recall the avalanche of power that had surged and swelled inside him as he acted as a conduit for the well – bridging the wellspring of power and Thorn’s fragile form. That power had been tantalizing, nearly overwhelming his senses. It had made him feel like he could accomplish anything.

  He missed that sensation. He craved it.

&nb
sp; Especially now, after his conversation with Riley and Alfred. Considering the situation, Riley had taken it rather well. They had told her everything. How Jason had first met the AI, how Alfred had been following Jason’s journey through AO, and, finally, how the AI had saved his life. However, she had logged out looking confused and just a bit scared – not that he could really blame her. He could only hope that they had done the right thing.

  Correction, he could only hope that Alfred had done the right thing. The AI had clearly allowed those events to play out that way. He could have warned Jason that Riley was returning or simply disappeared. Alfred must have known that Riley was already suspicious. Instead, he had chosen to stay. Maybe the AI had been right. Maybe coming clean had been a good idea. Jason could use a friend right now – assuming Riley decided to keep talking to him after what they had revealed.

  His eyes returned to the well. Now he just wished he could forget. He wished he could wipe away the memory of the hearing. The look on his parents’ face. The fear in Riley’s eyes. His own uncertainty and doubt. He had already made those decisions, and he couldn’t change any of that now. He just wanted to escape the whirlwind of emotions that those events left in their wake. The mana lingering in the bowl before him offered a sweet, icy release.

  Jason forcefully channeled his dark mana, letting the energy surge through him and numb him to what he planned to do next. Forgetting his real-world problems for the moment, the challenge they faced in-game was their lack of information. They could repair the city’s walls, rebuild their armies, and establish trade lines. But what then? Was the Order still out there waiting to strike? Where were the other gate pieces? What exactly did they do? What was this competition among the gods? These questions were even more pressing now that Alexion had stolen their gate piece.

  Jason steeled himself. He had always done what was necessary to protect his city and his people. He could still recall the way he had felt when he confronted his parents outside the courthouse, and his conversation with Riley hadn’t weakened his resolve. He knew what it took to succeed now. There was nothing he could do but embrace it – learn from the harsh experiences that both this world and his own always seemed to throw at him.