Cities in Chains

by Tao Wong

  “This is concerning,” Capstan says as we leave the New Westminster city center. Only two major centers left before we reach Vancouver itself. For the most part, we’re just moving, intent on finding the Sect first before we stop to deal with the rest of the administration, especially since no one is stopping us.

  “Thinking they’re concentrating their forces in Vancouver?” I say softly.

  “Yes.” Capstan looks around and sighs. “It is possible that they have, for the moment, decided that their losses have reached significant enough levels that it is no longer viable to hold position in this Dungeon World.”

  “You make that sound worse than a straight-out fight,” Mike chimes in. “I know you guys like fighting, but I’m ready for some peace.”

  “At what cost?” Capstan asks, shaking his head. “If they wished peace, they would have sent an envoy. Without one, and with the Redeemer confined to this world, it is unlikely that peace will be achieved.”

  “What he’s saying, for those who are a little slow”—Ali stares pointedly at me and Mike—“is that they’re pulling back to bring their people to another of their many, many fronts. Once they’ve won there, they’ll come back to finish this. And they won’t take you guys so lightly the next time.”

  With that morbid thought, the group travels through the remaining cities. Not once do we see a Sect member, and the only real resistance we find is automated weaponry. Realizing that it’s quite likely we would have to pay for repairs, we do our best to limit the damage we do. We stay on guard, previous traps clear in our mind.

  Things only change when we finally make it to downtown Vancouver.

  When I arrive at the outside of the stone-and-glass coliseum-inspired building that makes up the public library, I find an interesting crowd of individuals. There are three distinct groups, each forming a wedge of the small pie-shaped cluster, arguing with one another. Even without Ali’s prompting, I can tell they’re mostly made up of combat Classers. Or at least individuals like Damian who have risked their lives regularly. It’s the way their eyes keep moving, the relaxed stances with just a hint of tension, their weight distribution and spacing between them. Small things that add up to a bigger conclusion.

  “Evening, folks,” I say with a smile, hopping off Howard.

  More than a few tense at the sight of Capstan and the puppies, but no one becomes overtly hostile. Still, there’s definitely an unfriendly vibe to it all. Damian’s eyes are a little wide when he sees me and obviously pieces things together.

  “And you are?” The question comes from a tall East Indian lady in a simple cream blouse, blue vest, and jeans combo, obviously the leader of one pie wedge of people. Interestingly enough, the late-thirty-year-old has no visible weapons. Even if she is a Mage—and her Mana pool indicates as much—it’s still strange not to have even a single weapon on hand.

  “Evening,” greets an older Caucasian gentleman at the same time. He looks to be in his mid-40s, broad-shouldered, with a rifle and sword at his side and his smile is all kinds of welcoming. Except if you looked into his brown eyes, which are devoid of any real warmth.

  Seeing that they spoke to me at the same time, the pair glares at each other.

  I’m almost tempted to let them continue, but I decide against it and answer both. “Evening. I’m John Lee, and these are my friends.” I quickly introduce each of those behind me, not forgetting to include the puppies and Roland. Of course, I leave out their Classes and Levels, though I can see more than a few people whispering that information to others.

  “What are you doing here?” the East Indian lady snaps at me, hands on her hips.

  “I’m going to take control of the city, of course, Anika,” I say with a smile while pointedly using her name. Anika Kapoor, Level 39 Summoner.

  “Christian Hecker,” the older man announces softly as I turn to him. Level 38 Infantry Soldier. First one I’ve seen actually. “It seems that you have some knowledge about what is going on. Perhaps you’d care to inform us.”

  “Well, I’d be happy to chat. After I’ve removed the Sect’s control,” I say, stepping forward.

  The group actually contracts slightly, obviously intent on stopping me. My eyes sweep over the fifty or so combat Classers, none of them above Level 40. These must be the “elites” Damian spoke of. Or at least a portion of them. Interestingly enough, the third part of the wedge, which includes Damian, doesn’t move.

  “I’m sorry, but we can’t let you do that just yet,” Christian says, regret tingeing his voice. However, there’s none of it in his body. Politeness for politeness’ sake it seems.

  “What makes you think we’re going to let you take our city? If the Sect is gone, we sure ain’t going to just let you take it,” Anika says as she glares at me.

  “Well…” I try to figure a diplomatic way of saying this.

  “Look, kids, you couldn’t stop my boy-o if you wanted to. Not him alone, and certainly not with his pals,” Ali says as he makes himself visible to everyone. I see more than a few hands and weapons rise up before stopping.

  “Just a little confident for a Level 40, aren’t you?” Anika says with a smirk.

  “This is going to be a thing, isn’t it?” I say exasperatedly.

  The flat looks Anika and Christian provide me are more than answer enough. Beside me, I see Mike moving forward to say something while Capstan and Nelia stand next to the pets, watching the surroundings. While the library square is wide open and clear, there are buildings around us, some of which could easily contain snipers. In fact, they probably do contain snipers.

  If Lana was here, perhaps we would have sat down and talked to them. But the lady is back in Kamloops, taking care of our people. And I’ve just finished a very long day, one filled with blood and death. And these people just want to keep arguing, talking about who is the top dog. All these thoughts and the bubbling frustration over the day’s events filter through my mind in seconds. By the time Mike reaches me, I’ve made up my mind.

  Blink Step doesn’t require me to be moving to activate; it just requires sight. I’m next to Anika in a second, a foot sweeping out and dropping her, a sword pressed against her neck as I crouch over her. Another hand lights up, Lightning Strike forming in the palm I point toward Christian. I don’t let it loose, since right now, all I’m doing is posturing. Unfortunately, before I can open my mouth to speak, I’m cut off.

  “Blink Step. Enhanced Lightning Strike. Mana Imbue and a Soulbound sword.” Damian’s voice carries quietly, his eyes raking over my body. “His Soul Shield will also deflect most attacks. At least, long enough for him to finish this.” I raise an eyebrow at Damian, who shrugs. “What? You want them to fight you?”

  “Well, I was hoping to…” I frown as I’m interrupted by a punch to my body. It doesn’t actually penetrate the Soul Shield, but the flaring of the shield and the sense of pressure catch my attention.

  Still held down, with a trickle of blood from where she cut herself as she shifted, Anika snarls at me, her hand still glowing. “Get. Off. Me.”

  I pause, making sure she knows that I’m doing this on purpose before I slowly stand. As it is, I’m already surrounded by the wedges. “As my friend said, I can take you. All of you.” Okay, that’s probably a bit of an exaggeration, but I’m not going to tell them that. “But the point of this is if you can’t even stop me, what makes you think you can hold up against the Sect? Or anyone else?”

  “You would have us give control of our city to you? To rule at your whims?” Christian says, some of the politeness slipping from his tone.

  “I’m not very whimsical,” I reply, looking around the group. “But right now, arguing about who’s going to own the city forgets one thing. The Sect still does. So I’m going in and taking it away from them. Then we can talk about what happens afterward.”

  “And if we don’t like what you have to say? You going to beat us all up? Might makes right?” Anika says, her voice tinged with contempt.

  �
�Not right perhaps, but certainly effective. Until you can defend the city from me, or anyone else interested in it, you really don’t have the qualifications to argue,” I say, eyes sweeping over the group. “Or have you forgotten what happened the last time you had a little revolution?”

  The moment I say that, I realize I might have pushed things too far. The way many bristle, growl, and even hunch down means I’ve hit a sore spot.

  Thankfully, Damian breaks the silence and holds up his hands, stepping backward. His movements sparks movement in his group, who backs off too. “We’ll let you take it. For now. But we will have a longer discussion.”

  “If you swear to hold a meeting to discuss both the Sect’s actions and yours, I will, reluctantly and temporarily, agree to you taking control of the city,” Christian says. “Understand that we will be watching you.”

  “Of course,” I say, though I really just want to say “yeah, yeah, yeah.” But I’m no child, and while I hate playing these political games, it’s better than an all-out fight. Using my Skills was to show my strength. But too much and I’ll push them into a corner and we will end up swinging. And that’s the last thing I want.

  Anika growls at me, her eyes moving to my friends and the puppies then me before she touches the already closed wound at her neck. Rather than speaking, she steps back reluctantly, since the other two sides have given way.

  With the path clear, I give a command to the rest of my team to keep watch, then I walk onward. I’m not surprised, though somewhat annoyed, that once again, the group in play is mostly combat Classers. Well, outside of the scavenger group of Damian’s, which even then is made up mostly of combat Classers. It’s a pattern we’ve noticed again and again. For all their talk of equality, it’s always the combat Classers who take the lead, swinging around their oversized swords.

  Thoughts like that take me to the top floor of the library and the city center orb. Thoughts like that keep me busy until I take over the city, send a note to Lana and co., and another note to Ingrid before replacing the security measures I damaged on my way in. Luckily, repairing things is cheaper than buying them outright. For the most part.

  “So, boy-o, they did bring up a good point,” Ali says.

  “Hmmm?” I say to the Spirit as I turn around to head downstairs. I glance at the restored metal door, stationary gun turrets, and traps as I walk out. “What point?”

  “You really should consider creating your own group. Right now, if you die, everything reverts to the System. Without an organization of sorts, you’re just… well, you.”

  “They didn’t…” I sigh, shaking my head. Whatever. Ali can jump to whatever conclusion he wants. He still is right. But for this second, I’d rather not consider it. For all the blood and tears, for all those lost, we’ve managed to succeed. Vancouver is ours. The Sect, as best we can tell, has withdrawn from BC. It might be a short-term ceasefire, a moment’s respite, but it is real. We have won the fight, if not the war.

  And for that, I’m grateful. In this blasted world, small moments of peace and gratitude are all we can hope for. So I’ll take it and the Portal back to Kamloops and leave the worries about what to do next for another day.

  ###

  The End of Book 4

  John and company will be back in Book 5 with more problems!

  Glossary

  Erethran Honor Guard Skill Tree

  Mana Imbue

  Two are One

  Thousand Steps

  Blade Strike

  The Body’s

  Resolve

  Greater

  Detection

  Altered Space

  A Thousand

  Blades

  Shield Transference

  Soul Shield

  Blink Step

  Army of One

  Sanctum

  Body Swap

  Portal

  John’s Skills

  Mana Imbue (Level 2)

  Soulbound weapon now permanently imbued with mana to deal more damage on each hit. +15 Base Damage (Mana). Will ignore armor and resistances. Mana regeneration reduced by 5 Mana per minute permanently.

  Blade Strike (Level 2)

  By projecting additional mana and stamina into a strike, the Erethran Honor Guard’s Soulbound weapon may project a strike up to 20 feet away.

  Cost: 35 Stamina + 35 Mana

  Thousand Steps (Level 1)

  Movement speed for the Honor Guard and allies are increased by 5% while skill is active. This ability is stackable with other movement-related skills.

  Cost: 20 Stamina + 20 Mana per minute

  Altered Space (Level 2)

  The Honor Guard now has access to an extra-dimensional storage location of 30 cubic feet. Items stored must be touched to be willed in and may not include living creatures or items currently affected by auras that are not the Honor Guard’s. Mana regeneration reduced by 10 Mana per minute permanently.

  Two are One (Level 1)

  Effect: Transfer 10% of all damage from Target to Self

  Cost: 5 Mana per second

  The Body’s Resolve (Level 3)

  Effect: Increase natural health regeneration by 35%. On-going health status effects reduced by 33%. Honor Guard may now regenerate lost limbs. Mana regeneration reduced by 15 Mana per minute permanently.

  Greater Detection (Level 1)

  Effect: User may now detect System creatures up to 1 kilometer away. General information about strength level is provided on detection. Stealth skills, Class skills, and ambient mana density will influence the effectiveness of this skill. Mana regeneration reduced by 5 Mana per minute permanently.

  A Thousand Blades (Level 1)

  Creates two duplicate copies of the user’s designated weapon. Duplicate copies deal base damage of copied items. May be combined with Mana Imbue and Shield Transference. Mana Cost: 3 Mana per second

  Soul Shield (Level 2)

  Effect: Creates a manipulable shield to cover the caster’s or target’s body. Shield has 1,000 Hit Points.

  Cost: 250 Mana

  Blink Step (Level 2)

  Effect: Instantaneous teleportation via line-of-sight. May include Spirit’s line of sight. Maximum range—500 meters.

  Cost: 100 Mana

  Frenzy (Level 1)

  Effect: When activated, pain is reduced by 80%, damage increased by 30%, stamina regeneration rate increased by 20%. Mana regeneration rate decreased by 10%

  Frenzy will not deactivate until all enemies have been slain. User may not retreat while Frenzy is active.

  Cleave (Level 2)

  Effect: Physical attacks deal 60% more base damage. Effect may be combined with other Class Skills.

  Cost: 25 Mana

  Elemental Strike (Level 1 - Ice)

  Effect: Used to imbue a weapon with freezing damage. Adds +5 Base Damage to attacks and a 10% chance of reducing speed by 5% upon contact. Lasts for 30 seconds.

  Cost: 50 Mana

  Instantaneous Inventory (Maxed)

  Allows user to place or remove any System-recognized item from Inventory if space allows. Includes the automatic arrangement of space in the inventory. User must be touching item.

  Cost: 5 Mana per item

  Portal (Level 3)

  Effect: Creates a 2-meter by 2-meter portal which can connect to a previously traveled location by user. May be used by others. Maximum distance range of portals is 1,000 kilometers.

  Cost: 250 Mana + 100 Mana per minute (minimum cost 350 Mana)

  Shrunken Footprints (Level 1)

  Reduces System presence of user, increasing the chance of the user evading detection of System-assisted sensing Skills and equipment. Also increases cost of information purchased about user. Reduces Mana Regeneration by 5 permanently.

  Tech Link (Level 2)

  Effect: Tech Link allows user to increase their skill level in using a technological item, increasing input and versatility in usage of said items. Effects vary depending on item. General increase in efficiency of 10%. Mana reg
eneration rate decreased by 10%

  Designated Technological Items: Neural Link, Sabre

  Spells

  Improved Minor Healing (III)

  Effect: Heals 35 Health per casting. Target must be in contact during healing. Cooldown 60 seconds.

  Cost: 20 Mana

  Improved Mana Dart (IV)

  Effect: Creates four darts out of pure Mana, which can be directed to damage a target. Each dart does 15 damage. Cooldown 10 seconds

  Cost: 25 Mana

  Enhanced Lightning Strike

  Effect: Call forth the power of the gods, casting lightning. Lightning strike may affect additional targets depending on proximity, charge and other conductive materials on-hand. Does 100 points of electrical damage.

  Lightning Strike may be continuously channeled to increase damage for 10 additional damage per second.

  Cost: 75 Mana.

  Continuous cast cost: 5 Mana / second

  Lightning Strike may be enhanced by using the Elemental Affinity of Electromagnetic Force. Damage increased by20% per level of affinity

  Greater Regeneration

  Effect: Increases natural health regeneration of target by 5%. Only single use of spell effective on a target at a time.

  Duration: 10 minutes

  Cost: 100 Mana