World-Tree Online

by EA Hooper

  “It’s their city,” Vincent replied. “We should respect their wishes.”

  “Whatever,” Quinn replied. “Let’s just hurry to Firepeak. I wanted to stop there anyway, because one of my cousins made it that far before getting stuck.”

  The three turned away, but then the figure cleared his throat. “Excuse me. I apologize for deceiving you, but that was only a test of character. You three are permitted entry into the city, but we ask that you don’t use that barrier-cutting spell within our walls.”

  The three teammates smiled, and Xan even gave a small cheer.

  “No problem,” Vincent told the figure. “Thank you so much.”

  “Thank you!” Xan yelled.

  The figure vanished, and an opening appeared in the barrier. They approached the wall as a small section opened. Vincent stepped into Midrun and glanced at the nearby defense towers and empty streets. Even though the city was classified as very small, he could tell it was designed to hold a larger population.

  Maybe fifty thousand max. Thirty thousand would fit this city more comfortably, though. Five thousand makes it feel like a ghost town.

  They walked by empty buildings and streets on their way to the Daiglass Tower. The streets near the structure looked livelier, and Vincent even spotted several shops with customers. The tallest tower in the city stood only few blocks away and overshadowed the entire district.

  Vincent had always thought it interesting how each Daiglass Tower appeared different in design. He looked at the thin, twisting structure. The top of the tower twisted into a little hook that hung halfway back to the ground. This tower is almost as withered as Valahym itself. He touched the tower to set his spawn, and then dumped all the extra items he’d picked up on his travels.

  “There’s nothing more gratifying than setting a new spawn point after years of failed attempts,” Quinn noted, touching the tower. “Looks like Valahym will be our home for a little while—at least until Vince is done hanging out with Jim. You think you can convince him to come along this time?”

  “I’ve given up on that,” Vincent replied. “He’s got his ambitions, and I have mine.”

  “That’s too bad,” Quinn said. “The old drunk has grown on me after all these years of team-chat. Would’ve been nice to have him travel with us.”

  Xan nodded in agreement. “Maybe if we ask really, really nicely… and get him drunk first. Oh, what if we keep him drunk while adventuring? By the time he sobers up, we’ll be too far for him to turn back.”

  Quinn chuckled. “I like the way you think, Xan.”

  “No, we can’t make him come with us,” Vincent said. “We have to let him make his own decisions, just like when I joined this game. He pestered me about it, but ultimately, it was my own choice. Everyone has their own choices to make, and we should respect that.”

  “Okay, gramps,” Quinn replied. She leaned toward Xan. “What I heard was, go ahead and pester Jim. He’ll eventually cave like Vincent did.”

  Xan nodded, and Vincent sighed.

  Chapter 18

  Player: Lucas the Just

  Location: Unin (World) | Lillypost (City) | Guildrunners’ Borough (District)

  Class: Sheriff (Moderator)

  Vitality*: Lv 100

  Spirit*: Lv 109

  Resolve*: Lv 106

  Perception*: Lv 104

  Agility*: Lv 100

  Strength*: Lv 99

  Dozens of guildsmen stared as Lucas and Harper crossed the street with an entourage of Justiciars behind them. The moderator approached one guild’s local building and entered its cozy waiting room. His eyes fell on a nervous-looking woman behind the nearby counter.

  “I’m here to speak to your guild master,” Lucas replied.

  “I—I sent him a message,” the woman responded. “He—he might need time to get back to you. Would you like me to schedule a meeting later—”

  “No, I’ll see him now,” Lucas said. “I know he’s here. My Justiciars have been keeping watch on your little guild.”

  Two men approached from the nearby hall—the guild leader, Crow-Foot Jim, and one of his top men, Big Keanu. The two men stopped at the archway into the waiting room.

  “You here to join my guild?” Jim joked, flashing a smirk that annoyed Lucas.

  “No, though I’m sure you can guess why I’m here,” Lucas replied. “Why don’t we go to your office?”

  “Sure thing,” Jim said. He glanced at the secretary. “Oh, you should cancel my other meetings for today.”

  “What about the party you had planned tonight?” she asked.

  “No, keep that one.” He turned down the hall.

  Lucas and Harper walked past the man named Keanu, and he glared at them. The moderator snorted as he walked past. He followed Jim into the office, and the three players took their seats.

  “Okay, is this about your dumb curfew thing?” Jim asked. “That only applies to the districts run by your Justiciars.”

  “No, it applies to the entire city,” Lucas replied. “All cities, to be accurate.”

  Jim scratched his head and flashed a puzzled look. “Look, I get what you’re doing. Trying to establish law and order on the World-Tree. Not a bad idea in theory, but in practice, trying to control everyone doesn’t work. You have to remember that this is still a game, even if it sometimes doesn’t feel that way. People have to be free to enjoy themselves, kid.”

  “Kid?” Lucas said, his tone growing angry. “I am the last moderator—the one chosen by ARKUS to bring order to this realm. So, you’d better think twice before insulting me like that. I’ve removed greater guild masters than you from power for disobeying my decrees.”

  “Decrees?” Jim said. He glanced at Harper. “Is this guy a mod or a king?”

  “Do not speak to her,” Lucas said. “She’s only here to advise me, but only if I ask for it. Isn’t that right, Harper.”

  Harper nodded in reply.

  “You’re kind of cute,” Jim told Harper. “How about you bail from this uptight kid’s guild and join mine. I’ve got a party planned tonight, and I’d bet you’d like to cut loose after dealing with him all day.”

  Lucas saw a slight smirk on Harper’s face, and his blood boiled with anger. He glared at Crow-Foot Jim. “Listen here, I’m Lucas the Just. You’ll show me respect, you understand? You’re lucky I don’t just ban you and throw you into a prison cell for disobeying me. The only reason I haven’t is that you have a lot of influence across multiple worlds, and you haven’t quite crossed the line yet.”

  Jim held up his hands. “Alright, alright, chill. I don’t mean to disrespect you, Luke. May I call you Luke?”

  “No, you may not.”

  Jim nervously tugged at his collar. “Sorry, I thought your curfew thing was only in neighborhoods your Justiciars were protecting. I understand if you have rules for people that want your protection, but this borough is supposed to be open to any guild. What if I turn the music halfway down? I’ll require all party-attendees to stay until they’ve sobered up, so they don’t wander into your neighborhoods while drunk.”

  Lucas shook his head. “The parties are only part of the problem. To keep peace and order in my protected districts, I’ve banned my followers from using alcohol of any kind. However, your guild has continued to supply booze to every city that you’ve infected. In some cases, you move that booze through Justiciar territory.”

  “Sorry, man. I’ll get my people to stop transporting liquor through your territories. I’ll force them to turn away anyone subscribed to Justiciar protection. I’ll take those rules for lower music and sobering up and enforce them across all twelve cities where my guild is operating.”

  Lucas narrowed his eyes. “There’s one more thing you’ve done wrong.”

  Jim leaned back. “What’s that?”

  “You’re moving players across worlds without Justiciar permission.”

  “I didn’t know we needed it. It’s a game. Players travel worlds.”

  “
To enforce our order, the Justiciars have to keep track of players—especially dangerous or influential ones. It took me months to find you, because my Justiciars weren’t sure which city you’d gone to. That’s not okay. I shouldn’t have to jump through hoops just to meet with a simple guildsman. What if you were violating more serious laws? What if you were causing upheaval to society? Endangering cities? Violating human rights?”

  “I’m not the one going around freezing people.”

  “I only do that to keep order. My power is ordained by ARKUS. You, however, are simply a rumrunner and a miscreant. Why you’re so beloved across twelve cities, I’ll never know. But I have to be able to keep tabs on people like you. I heard rumors a member of your guild has a spell so powerful that he can destroy any barrier. Is that true?”

  Jim shrugged. “Might be.”

  “And where is he? I’d like to see that power in action. I have a barrier that I’d like to break.”

  “Sorry, dude. He just reached the middle-tier. I know you don’t operate that far, so you missed your chance to see his Void Gun in action.”

  “He’s not in Midrun, is he?”

  “I don’t know, man. You’re asking a lot of questions. I don’t keep tabs on my hundreds of friends.”

  Lucas sighed. If I could’ve gotten that man’s help, he could’ve torn down Midrun’s city barrier for me. I guess I’ll just have to continue with my original plan.

  “So,” Jim said. “I’m not sure how to resolve this little problem between us. My entire guild revolves around escorting players between cities.”

  “It’s rather easy to resolve. Whenever your guildsmen plan to relocate a player, first they’ll need to get permission from the Justiciars of the starting city and destination. You’ll need to pay for a relocation permit, and the player in question will need to give the Justiciars information on why they want to move between worlds. Any goods being carried will also need to be taxed.”

  Jim shook his head. “That’s absurd. Climbing the World-Tree is the whole point of the game.”

  “This isn’t a game. I’ve spent more time here than I’ve lived in my other life. For many people, this is the life they’ve known for most of their existence. It’s been thirty-five years since the update started. Fools like you need to stop treating it like a game. That’s why ARKUS put me in charge. I’m trying to establish order to keep people safe. What happens when your guild fails to protect people? I imagine they get torn to pieces by monsters. What a horrific experience, all because they trusted some lowlife.”

  “How’s paying for permits and taxes going to protect anyone?”

  “I’ve already sent out a guild message for my Justiciars to take control of all Jump Gates located on City-Worlds. You won’t be able to use them without following my rules. So, you don’t really have a choice to the matter.”

  Jim clenched his fists. “Those Jump Gates were built by the NPCs for anyone to use. No one has a right to prevent other players from traveling. You’re not protecting people, you’re trying to enslave them. That has to be against the law or something.”

  “What law? The law of the outside world? Who cares. That won’t affect us for centuries, and by then you people will be thankful that I took control of this game. You’ll see me as the hero that brought order in a time of chaos and despair.”

  “Really? Because my people have been having a great time until now. You’re the one causing despair, kid.”

  Lucas stood and pointed his finger at Jim. “Call me a kid one more time. I dare you.”

  Jim stared with wide eyes, but Harper grabbed Lucas’s arm. “Please, Lucas. If you abuse your power, people will eventually turn against you.”

  Lucas swung his arm, throwing Harper against the wall. She flashed a bewildered look, and the moderator felt his heart sink.

  “Harper, I’m sorry,” he said, his arms shaking. “I didn’t mean to do that. It was just a reflex. This guy is getting me worked up. He’s trying to anger me on purpose.”

  Harper replied with a harsh stare.

  The moderator turned his head in shame. I told her I was sorry. Shouldn’t that be enough? This smooth-talking lowlife is messing with her head. Just like those schemers in Midrun, he must know she’s my weak spot. He’s trying to use her against me. I’ll just play along, for now, so I don’t look like the bad guy.

  “Fine, I won’t put any tolls on the Jump Gates yet,” Lucas said. “However, my Justiciars will still keep track of players moving through them.”

  “Uh, yeah,” Jim said, wide-eyed. He glanced at Harper. “You okay, though?”

  Harper replied with a slow nod.

  You’ve received a private chat invitation from Silver Erik. Do you accept? (Yes/No)

  >Lucas: What is it? I’m kind of in the middle of something.

  >Erik: Uh, boss. This is big. You need to World Teleport to Snowcrag right away.

  >Lucas: Why?

  >Erik: My brother—the whole Council of Snowcrag. They’re talking about letting Valery free.

  Lucas’s heart pounded in his chest. He stared at Jim and Harper. I can’t let her know what I did to Valery, but I can’t let her stay with this guy, either.

  He grabbed Harper’s arm, and she jerked back in fear. “Stop that. I just received a message from Erik—we need to go right away, but I can’t explain why. Jim, turn down the music and obey my Justiciars. Got it?”

  Jim nodded. “Yeah, sure.”

  Lucas used World Teleport to take himself and Harper to Sarfin. They appeared on the snowy plateau that overlooked Snowcrag.

  “Why’re we here?” Harper asked.

  “Just stay in this spot,” Lucas commanded. “I need to go alone. Don’t you leave this plateau until I message you, understood?”

  “Lucas—”

  “Don’t leave the plateau!” he shouted.

  Harper glared at him. “Okay, I won’t.”

  Lucas turned and leapt down the side of the plateau. He nailed the rough landing, and then darted off to the city.

  >Lucas: I’m on Sarfin. Heading that way. Now, explain what’s happening and why.

  >Erik: My brother and the council don’t like how much you’ve grown in power. They feel overshadowed. Your Justiciars have taken control of Snowcrag. So, they think if they make a deal with Valery, she’d ban you and work with them.

  >Lucas: Those traitors! She’d be a hundred times worse for Snowcrag. I’ve done everything I can to bring order to the World-Tree. I’ve given my heart and soul for the people trapped in this game, and they spite me at every turn.

  >Erik: I’d never spite you, sir. I believe in you and what you’re accomplishing. ARKUS chose you for a reason. I see that. It’s a shame my brother doesn’t. I’ll aid you any way possible, Lucas, I only ask that you allow me to oversee my brother’s prison cell after this is over.

  >Lucas: Of course, of course. And I thank you for your loyalty, Erik. Do you have men that can help us take the council?

  >Erik: I’ve already messaged a team of Justiciars. They’re waiting outside the council chamber for your command, and I’m sitting here in the chamber as we speak. My brother and the others think I’m on their side, but I’ll attack when you give the order.

  >Lucas: I won’t be able to ban all of them before they kill themselves. However, we’ll keep track of their death-timers and catch the rest when they respawn. Go ahead and send in your team. Try to subdue as many as possible.

  >Erik: Got it.

  Lucas rushed into the city, leapt onto a building, and crossed over rooftops until he reached the council building. He hurried to the council chambers and burst through the door to find the scene of a battle. The council’s personal guards had put up a short fight against the Justiciars. A dozen people from both sides had turned to dust, including two members of the council.

  Lucas banned the first living council member he spotted in the crowd. Several others fired back with mana blasts. Some of the attacks bounced off his shield, but one finally broke
it. However, his armor stopped the next two attacks, allowing him time to dive for cover.

  His Justiciars jumped to his defense, charging the people that had fired on their leader. Erik led the charge, slicing through a council member with a Breaker-charged longsword.

  A minute passed, and Lucas rose from cover with his finger outstretched. He saw the looks of fear on the surviving enemies’ faces. One council member shot himself in the head with Mana Gun to avoid it, but Erik held down his own brother to prevent him from doing the same.

  “Brother!” the council member shouted. “Why are you doing this?”

  “ARKUS chose Lucas to lead us,” Erik replied. “ARKUS is the god of this world, my brother. You shouldn’t have tried to cross his chosen leader.”

  “Erik, are you insane? ARKUS is a computer, not a god. Lucas is just a man. He’s no proph—”

  Lucas struck the council member with Mod Gun. “Don’t worry, Erik. I promise your brother will be taken care of. Maybe one day he’ll even admit his mistake, and I’ll set him free.”

  Erik stood and bowed to Lucas. “Thank you, sir.”

  The Justiciars held another council member to the ground. After a minute, Lucas banned him too. For good measure, he banned their two surviving guards as well.

  “Take them all to the prison,” Lucas commanded. “I’ll visit later to unban them. Just to be safe, I’ll go ban Valery. Erik, I trust you enough. You can help me build a new, more well-hidden prison for Valery. One that only us two will have access to.”

  “Valery?” the voice of Harper called.

  Lucas turned to see her standing at the entrance of the council chamber. “You followed me?”

  “You banned Valery and imprisoned her?” Harper asked.

  Lucas tightened his fists. “I told you not to follow me. I gave you an order, Harper.”

  Harper looked at him with the same harsh stare from earlier. “Where is she, Lucas? Where’s Valery?”

  He took several slow steps toward her. “Look, Valery threatened to ban me first. I was only defending myself. I’ve taken very good care of her over the years. I promise you, Harper.”