In the end, it turned out to be as simple as a contract. Well, my part was simple. Whoever designed the steel and silver wrought circle of massively complicated symbols interwoven into each other had the hard part.
First I had to empty my original bag and give everything to Cherish for safekeeping. Then I stepped into a smaller circle, one used to break the bindings of a soulbound object.
Apparently, enchanted items like clothes, bags and armor used a person's magic as a power source.
Magic users with a decent amount of magic regeneration can wear a lot of enchanted items but those with very little can not.
This world had no level restrictions for items. The lowest leveled person can use the highest quality weapons and armor they can find.
The only issue was if your stats were too low. Like if you tried wearing heavy armor but didn't have enough strength or endurance to move around in it effectively.
The magic bags were an ancient enchantment and as a result, one of the most refined. Which makes them one of the most energy efficient enchantments ever created. However, they are really only designed to be used one at a time.
A person can wear more than one but a second bag will more than triple the energy cost, so most didn’t bother.
All this was quickly explained to me before I stepped into the smaller circle.
Once inside, I followed the Dwarfs instructions, which consisted of me pushing as much magic as I could into the circle. Then investing some of my essence, via a little blood smoke.
As I did I felt something akin to a rubber band snapping back and hitting me in the eye. But in my soul.
“Ow! Suffering gods! Why didn't you say that would hurt?”
Delores looked embarrassed as she said, “I thought you knew.”
“Well, be gentle. It's my first time doing this.”
She blushed and told me to step into the larger circle. I did so and a similar process was repeated for an opposite effect.
The overly loose leathers constricted to a tighter, but still comfortable fit. Then I enjoyed the less pleasant sensation of having what felt like harpoons rammed into my brain. Except, again, in my soul.
“Ooow…” I moaned while on the ground and curled into a fetal position.
“Ah, yes. It can be a bit… well, it hurts really bad the first time,” Delores said apologetically.
“Uuuuhgh…” I replied.
“But it does get easier after a while.”
“Great,” I muttered. "Maybe I'll even start to enjoy it once I get used to it.”
“Well no. It will always hurt."
"Maybe you're doing it wrong."
"This is grafting inanimate, magical objects to your soul. Not sex. Unfortunately, the more powerful the item being soulbound, the more pain it causes.”
“Well that's just super,” I got to my feet and was pleasantly surprised by how fast the pain faded.
“Sorry One,” Cherish said, “I would have told you but…”
“It's like not wanting a person to tense up when their shoulder gets shoved back into its socket. Yeah. I get.”
"Actually I just kinda forgot to tell you."
I rolled my eyes. "I am rolling my eyes so hard at you right now,"
She was paying Delores and trying not to laugh at me as I put the spare clothes in my new bag.
Then I stretched, went through a few jabs, kicks and jumps. I was surprised at how light the armor was. Less like I was wearing leather and metal and more like I was wearing kevlar and composite ceramic.
Then another bell tolled.
“For who the bell tolls," I intoned.
Cherish scrunched her face up in thought. "I thought it was 'for whom' not 'for who'."
"No, no it's definitely… wait," I hummed a few bars from an ancient rock and roll song,
"Duh nuh nuh nuh, duh nuh nuh nuh!
Duh nuh nuh nuh, duh nuh nuh nuh!
For whom the bell tooooollls!"
“Oh, yep. You're right." I said. "It's 'whom'. I remember now. It was from a band called 'Ernest Hammerway'. Awesome band."
"It was, wasn't it," Cherish agreed.
We bid the Delores goodbye before stepping out of the shop and heading toward the temple.
Chapter Sixteen: Into The West.
The Temple of the Four Gods was a simple structure of white stone sitting atop a long set of stairs. The large double doors of pale wood were carved with images I couldn't make out from a distance.
Every bit of stone was decorated with pictures and designs, some of which were carved into the rock, while others were simply painted on.
At least that's what other people said. We were stuck in the crowd and going at a slug's pace.
“Ugh, it's like a renaissance fair mated with Disneyworld and spewed out a herd of people who need to get out of my way!” Cherish yelled, which did nothing to push back the crowd of people.
She groaned. "Suffering Gods, I hate crowds!”
The amount of people seemed to have doubled in the short time we were in the shop. The increasing noise of conversation making it difficult to speak without shouting.
“I could get them out of our way,” I offered.
“By making them run screaming in terror? No thanks, I've seen what big dumb panicky animals do when they stampeed.”
I ignored the insult and put a hand over my heart, “Aww, you wound me!” I sniffled a few times for effect.
“Not yet. But keep it up and we'll see.”
Her rising anxiety was accompanied by a feeling that was almost like claustrophobia. It started when we stepped out of the shop and into the crowd.
"I know comparing large groups of people to dumb animals is an insult," she said. "I acknowledge and apologise for it. It's just…"
I sent her my understanding and a, "Confirmed. I'll take care of it."
Her distress was getting worse and I quickly looked around for any pockets of space.
Then I saw the fountain in the middle of the city square, or city circle, whatever. It had a wavy rimmed bowl on the top of an ornate pillar where the statue of the larger than life horse stood, one hoof in the air.
The edge of the fountain was crowded with vendors selling food and people sitting around it. But the edge wasn't my goal.
“Two, can you climb that?” I pointed at the fountain.
“Not the time, One!”
I sent her an image of us sitting on the statues back and felt her understanding, mixed with relief, agreement and embarrassment.
We got to the edge of the fountain and looked around for a bare space around the rim. I saw someone stand up and I dashed to the spot. I almost made it when a Shadow Elf saw my sprint and rushed to get to it first.
I stopped short, Cherish right behind me and the Elf looked me up and down with a smarmy smile and said, "You want this spot? Sure! But it will cost ya.”
I smiled, bent down and snarled right in his face. He yelped and fell backward into fountain. I ignored his panicked splashing and quickly stepped up to the fountains edge.
Then I bounced up, caught the rim of the bowl between two falling streams of water and hung there as I gestured for Cherish to jump.
She ran, jumped, reached for my hand, and fell short.
Her arms flailed and she managed to grab onto my ankle with both hands, almost causing me to lose my grip.
People stared at us as we hung there, my claws digging into the stone as we swayed for a few seconds between the streams of water.
Cherish climbed up my leg until she caught my hand and half swung, half pulled herself up to grab the rim of the bowl.
After that it we used the horses tail to climb up onto the statues back. We sat there side by side, finally getting a good view of the Temple.
“This better?” I asked.
She let out a long breath and smiled. "So much. Platonic love you forever and ever!”
“Platonic?” I said in mock dismay. "Why did I put so much effort into being considerate if ther
e's no chance of a little bed wrestling with benefits?”
“Because,” her smile was sweet and affectionate, “you platonic love me forever and ever too.”
“Oh. Right.”
"Besides, you turned me down."
"Oh. Right."
"How could you forget?"
"I'm blocking the memory. I kind of have to. You know how it is."
"Aw," She patted my head. "You and your poor male anatomy."
"That's not what I - "
“Hey! You two!” We both looked down at a Half-elf guard glaring up at us. "That statue isn't meant to be sat on! Get down immediately!”
"Play dumb," Cherish said.
"Um… what statue?"
"Not that dumb!"
"Oh! You mean the fountain! Sorry, I was confused. Still am! We didn't see a sign that said 'Do not climb the statue. It is not for sitting.', is there a sign?”
He actually looked around, as if there really was one.
To be fair, on the Outside there would have been, because of this exact same situation.
“No… no sign but - “
“Is there any rule that says we can't sit on the statue?”
“Well… not to my knowledge but - “
“So there is no reason to harass us when we're not breaking the law. Or is that something that is acceptable to my new buddy, new pal Captain Orkus? Harassing others? If so I will gladly get off my high horse, come down there, and we can see who is the best harasser. You or me."
I grinned, already thinking up all the things I would say.
Then Cherish gave me a mental poke. I looked at her and she gestured towards the temple. The doors opened and the crowd began to cheer. The Priestess strode out along with a few others. Coming to a stop at the top of the stairs.
She stood there looking out over the crowd and as she did her eyes stopped on Cherish and myself.
We waved.
She paused, then hesitantly waved back.
I looked down at the guard and caught the expression on his face. It was that same look of mingled confusion and frustration all police officers get when talking to me.
"Sorry, I haven't introduced myself! I am 24601-01. My name is Ruin."
He looked at me for several long seconds before he turned around and, without saying another word, walked away.
My first instinct was to mess with him some more but Cherish poked me again, this time hard in the ribs.
“Don't,” she said. "We need to pay attention to this.”
“Can't you pay attention for me and just tell me the good bits later?”
“No. We both need to listen and you're distracting me.”
"I am very distracting. I could distract for the Olympics. Hey! We should invent the Olympics! Oh wait I'm doing it again. Sorry. Not doing it, you know, on purpose I just..."
"Shhh," Cherish shifted closer and whispered, "I know you're nervous. Focus love. We'll find Five, Four and Three, we'll find them all."
I took a deep breath and made myself pay attention. While I had been talking the Priestess raised her arms, palms out and everyone fell silent. She spoke in a warm, welcoming voice that somehow carried across the crowd.
I wondered if it was a Priestly spell that did that.
“We welcome you, the Fallen, to our world and to our city, Sunnydale - “
“Heh, Sunnydale. Like that one show.” I sent the theme song to Cherish and she stifled a snigger.
Then she glared at me.
"Sorry…"
I yanked my attention back to what Adel was saying and got the tail end of the Priestesses greeting.
“... long lives, filled with happiness and fulfillment.”
That done, her tone changed from happy and smiling to grave and serious. "But first, I must explain our ways and our laws. Most of which should be obvious while others are… apparently not.”
She looked around at the Fallen with a slightly pained expression. "First off. Stop with the stealing. Just because something is sitting out in the open does not mean it doesn't belong to someone. Second, please, please stop smashing barrels so you can see what's inside them! Those belong to people!”
There was some embarrassed muttering at that.
“And do not enter another person's house without their permission and look through their things! It doesn't matter if you don't steal anything. It's rude! And it's… weird. Please stop.
More muttering and a person in the crowd shouted, “Sorry!”
“Also, do not. I repeat, do not!” Exasperation clear in her tone. "Do not kick chickens to see how far they go! Or for any reason! That's cruel and… strange behaviour and its bad for the chickens!”
A few stifled chuckles.
“And for the love of the Gods! Stop with the random duels in the middle of the street! You're endangering people and property. Murder is illegal, even in duels! I repeat, I can't believe I have to say this but, no murdering each other in the streets!”
There was a general “Aww” of disappointment from the crowd.
She continued before the muttering about rules could gain momentum. "Those are the laws of the land. Break them and you will face imprisonment and compensation to the city, to individuals or to both.
"Now, I will tell you the laws given to us by the Gods of this world.”
The Fallen in the crowd did not like that, not at all, and I was in total agreement with them.
“I don't like this either,” Cherish said. "The Gods, A.I. controllers or whatever they are, shouldn't have any control over us.”
“Confirmed.” My disquiet echoed hers. "I already know I'm going to hate this.”
“First! There is Fate." One of the people standing behind her, a Dwarf, stepped forward. He wore black and white robes and held a large book along with a long feathered quill. "Fate is God and Goddess, both and neither. Whose purview is of promises, contracts, time and probability.
"There is Strife." A woman, a Half-elf, stepped up. She carried a bow, knives and wore form fitting leathers colored in greens and browns. "God of conflict, the hunt, of warriors and of the wilds."
"There is Empathy." Captain Orkus stepped forward, looking stern and foreboding.
I waved at him.
He did not wave back.
"She is the Goddess of hearts and minds, kindness and compassion, justice and law."
Priestess Adel spread her arms wide. "And, Death, Goddess of endings and beginnings. Of death, decay, renewal, resurrection and rebirth. These are the Four Gods and Goddesses of this world. They have told me they are also what the Fallen call A.I.s.”
She paused as the crowd erupted into whispers that quickly grew into loud conversation.
The Priestess allowed them to speak for a few seconds before raising her hands in a quieting gesture.
Which did absolutely nothing.
She tried to continue, tried to tell us that there was more we needed to know but everybody just kept talking.
I was about to stand up and do something but a loud gong rang out and I turned to see where it came from. So did everyone else.
What we saw was Captain Orkus standing behind the Priestess. A mallet in his hand and a gong, just like in the movies, standing beside him.
“Thank you Snuggums,” she said, the loving warmth obvious in her voice and the green of his face deepened.
He leaned forward and said something I was too far away to make out.
“Oh! It is? Oh yes.” Adel blushed. "I'm sorry, husband. It appears that the audience spell is still… uh, yes…”
The crowds many conversations had died down at that point and only a few people were laughing.
The Priestess regained her composure and continued, her voice ringing out like a proclamation, “The Four Gods have decreed that they will limit their interference unless the balance of the world is threatened or when the Three Unforgivable Laws are broken!”
With that the Priestess had the full and undivided attention of everyone present.
&n
bsp; “First is the Law Of Suffering. No being shall torture another. You may attack, you may fight, you may struggle but you may not torture. What does or does not constitute as torture is determined by the Goddess. Breaking this law will bring you to Empathy's direct attention, where she will then personally decide your punishment.
"The second is the Law Of Slavery. We are permitted to capture, to detain and to imprison. But to own another, through force or magic, through debt or for profit is not permitted. Break this law and you will face the wrath of Strife.
She paused here looking sternly at the crowd of Fallen before going on to say, “The last is the Law Of Death. When we die before our time we may be resurrected, respawned as others say. When we die our final death we are reborn. However, to violate the sanctity of death with magic that traps or subverts the soul, violates the cycle of life. Do this and you will draw the attention of Death herself.”
In the wake of those words, silence reigned. A quiet as deep and as resounding as the darkest moments in the Grey Hell.
A quiet that was shattered with the surprising suddenness of giant mutant cockroach ramming into a china shop as I jumped to my feet, threw my fists into the air and screamed, “YEEEEAAAAH!”
And… if I had thought the silence was deafening before? Now it was as quiet as the depths of a black hole.
So I tried again.
“WOOOO HOOOO!”
More silence.
I tried a third time.
"COME ON PEOPLE! THINK! NO MORE SLAVERY! NO MORE TORTURE! NO MORE CLICHE ZOMBIES! YEAH!”
When I pointed out the “no slavery” people started to murmur and by the time I got the last “Yeah” other people had taken up the cheer.
Soon, every Subadult was cheering, jumping up and down, and generally expressing their appreciation for the God level enforcement of these rules.
The Priestess looked slightly taken aback by this enthusiasm, probably due to the behaviour of some of the Fallen so far.
She let us cheer until we got most of it out of our systems and this time when she raised her arms she didn't need assistance from “Snuggums”.
We quieted and she continued, explaining how different races had fallen in different parts of the world to minimize disruption.
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