Grand Game170: A Change in Strategy (Patreon)

Day Two in Nexus.

The cell where the blackguards had been holding me was on the tower’s ground floor, and I raced past the silently watching mass of dark-clad soldiers without pause.

The building opened directly onto the streets, and I made straight for the exit, but as I burst through, I nearly rammed into a colorfully dressed figure coming the other way.

Contorting my body wildly, I managed to avoid the collision. Still, I was not able to prevent myself from ending up in a sprawl on the street.

“Are you alright?” a woman asked, looking down at me in concern.

Glancing up, I saw it was the same figure I’d tried avoiding. She was garishly dressed and had a pair of tinted black glasses perched on her nose.

The diviner?

Gods, I hoped not.

Rising to my feet, I dusted myself off. “I am,” I mumbled, making no attempt to analyze her. If the woman was the diviner, the last thing I wanted to do was pique her interest—although I suspected it was too late for that.

“Thank you for your concern,” I added, my head still bowed. Before she could respond, I turned about and hurried away. As I sped away, I waited for the telltale tingle of a failed analyze.

None came, but that did not reassure me. If anything, it only increased my concern.

Would Wilsh soon know who I was? Was my identity compromised? There was no way to tell. And truly, there was nothing I could do about it if it turned out to be the case.

Biting my lip, I ducked around the corner of a building and out of sight of the tower’s exit. Putting the encounter out of my mind, I took a moment to settle my nerves while I studied my surroundings.

Bright sunlight was streaming down from a clear blue sky.

Morning had arrived.

The nearby streets weren’t busy. Only a few players wandered about. Hurrying my steps and unhappily aware that I made for a distinctive figure in my newbie clothes, I attempted to lose myself in the sparse crowds.

It did not work.

Mocking laughter, derisive snorts, and unflattering comments about newbies followed in my wake. This is useless, I thought and, ducking into the shadow of a building, concealed myself in darkness.

Multiple neutral entities have failed to detect you! You are hidden.

Better.

Temporarily safe, I considered my options. My backpack and other belongings were still in the hotel, and my first instinct was to head straight there and retrieve them.

But I had no secondary armor to re-equip, and so after a moment’s thought, I headed in an entirely different direction.

~~~

Even slinking through the shadows, it did not take me long to reach my destination.

Reaching the walled compound, I emerged from the darkness. Surprised by my sudden appearance, the giants guarding the entrance swung my way and drew their weapons.

To my relief, the guards hadn’t changed shifts. The same two giants I’d encountered earlier were on duty. Recognition flickered across the face of the larger of the pair. “Look who’s back,” Ent said.

“And freshly risen from the dead, I see,” Lake replied.

Both laughed. Ignoring their amusement, I drew to a halt before the pair.

“That’s a nice sword,” Ent remarked slyly. For a newbie. The words went unspoken, but I heard them, nevertheless.

“Thanks,” I muttered. “I need to see Kesh.”

“Again already?” Lake grumbled.

“It's urgent,” I growled and gestured at my attire. “My circumstances speak for themselves.”

Ent chuckled. “That they do.” Turning about, he shoved open the door. “Head on in, sir.”

Ignoring the trace of mockery in his tone, I inclined my head in thanks and slipped into the confines of the emporium.

~~~

Kesh, predictably, was not happy to see me so soon again.

The merchant’s gaze flickered over my lackluster appearance. “I'm beginning to regret taking you on as a client,” she said with a heartfelt groan. “What happened?”

“I died obviously,”  I retorted irritably.

“I can see that,” Kesh snapped. “How?”

“I tried going over the wall.”

The merchant rolled her eyes. “What possessed you to attempt a daft thing like that? Not even a Power can manage the feat.” She paused. “Or didn’t you know that?”

I winced. “I do now,” I murmured.

Kesh mumbled something under her breath that even my sharp hearing failed to catch. “So, what can I do for you?”

“You mentioned earlier that you will offer the original owners first right of purchase of any looted gear I brought you. Will you do the reverse?”

The merchant frowned. “Meaning?”

“Meaning, I want you to buy back my gear.”

Kesh nodded. “I can do that.” She paused. “Who has it?”

“A blackguard captain by the name of Wilsh.”

“Blackguards,” Kesh muttered. “That isn’t good. It would’ve been easier if the knights got you. The guards can be greedy.” She eyed me. “It will cost you,” she warned.

“I will pay,” I said firmly. But after a moment’s thought, added prudently, “Only whatever’s reasonable, though.”

“Of course,” Kesh said. “It may take a while. Where can I contact you?”

“I’ll be in the Wanderer’s Delight.”

She grunted in acknowledgment. “Anything else I can do for you.”

I hesitated, then, deciding I had already trusted Kesh with enough of my secrets that one more wouldn't matter, asked, “What do you know about the Powers?”

She snorted. “They’re damnably powerful and not to be trifled with. ”

I agreed with her wholeheartedly on that score. “Any idea how to remove the spell cast by one?”

Kesh sat back in her chair and eyed me shrewdly. “Does this have something to do with why you tried going over the wall?”

I sighed. “It does. One of the Powers set a tracking spell on me. Suffice to say, the only easy way of getting rid of it is to enter the Dark quarter.”

“Who cast the spell?”

“Loken.”

Kesh winced. “Finding someone to get rid of that will be nearly impossible. He is a supreme Power.”

“A supreme Power?” I asked cautiously. “What does that mean?”

The merchant considered me for a moment but didn't beg off answering. “Just like players, not all Powers are equal. They have their own tiers, differentiating demigods, young gods, and elder gods from one another. Loken, of course, is one of the Game’s most significant Powers. He is an elder god, otherwise referred to as a supreme Power.” She held my gaze. “And in case you were wondering, that means he is over level five hundred. I'd advise against antagonizing him.”

I could see Kesh was curious about the circumstances which had earned me Loken’s attention, but I didn't enlighten her. I leaned forward in my chair. “But you said nearly impossible, not impossible. Does that mean you can help me?”

“Perhaps,” Kesh said with her lips pursed. “I can't promise anything. And if I do manage to secure you aid, it will be expensive.”

With a bitter laugh, I rose to my feet. “Isn't it always?”

“That’s true enough,” the merchant said with a smile.

I turned towards the door, then paused as something else occurred to me. “One more question, if you don't mind.”

Kesh moaned in fake distress. “You never stop, do you? I should start charging you for this.”

I ignored her quip. “What can you tell me about the blackguards?”

She sighed. “They perform a similar function to the Triumvirate knights, only their jurisdiction is restricted to the Dark quarter. If you ever venture into the Light and Shadow quarters, you will find comparable policing forces. Shadow calls them the Gray Watch. And Light calls them the Dawn Brigade.”

“Fascinating,” I murmured. “Who maintains order in the plague quarter?”

Kesh chuckled. “No one does. The stygian brotherhood, the Triumvirate knights, and the bounty hunters’ guild are all present there, but none of them have succeeded in bringing the rule of law to the quarter.” She cast me another meaningful glance. “If you venture into that hellhole, best you depend on no one but yourself for your protection.”

I inclined my head in thanks and, with a thoughtful frown on my face, I left the compound.

~~~

Exiting the emporium, I wrapped myself in shadow. Despite the sun shining high overhead, splotches of shadow cast by the looming buildings were still evident everywhere.

Lost deep in thought, and with the disaster at the wall nearly forgotten already, I slunk towards the hotel.

An unknown entity has detected you! You are no longer hidden.

I jerked to a halt, head whipping upwards to find a figure blocking my part. It was the last person I expected to see.

“Loken!” I exclaimed.

“We must talk, Michael,” the Power said, his face unwontedly serious.

I glared at the self-proclaimed trickster. “Me and you are done. I'll have no more dealings with you.”

“I never marked you for a fool,” Loken snapped. “So stop behaving like one now.”

My jaw worked soundlessly for a moment, but sense prevailed, and I bit back the retort that fought to get out. “Talk then. I'm listening.”

The Power eyed me for a moment and, seeming to realize he would gain no further concessions from me, went on. “Going over the wall was foolish,” he said in an unconscious echo of Kesh.

I snorted. I knew that. Now, anyway.

“You are not yet ready to take on the task I set for you. Get a few more levels under your belt, and I'll help you get into the Dark quarter myself.” He paused, waiting to see if I had anything to say. When I only stared back at him in stony silence, he continued, “Morin and the others are on their way back here. They will help you level—”

“No!” I ground out harshly, unable to remain silent any longer.

Loken stared at me with bird-like intensity. “No?”

“I want no more help from you. Either to level or to get into the Dark quarter. I’ll get it done myself.” Somehow.

“You are being childish,” the Power chided. “I know you are still annoyed—”

“Annoyed?” I barked in laughter. “I'm a bit more than that at your betrayal.”

“Whatever you may think, I did not betray you,” Loken said mildly. “If not for me, you’d be dead many times over. Thanks to me, Ishita rescinded her bounty.”

My eyes narrowed. “Why should I believe you?”

“You have my word as a Power,” he said quietly. “The year I placed you in stasis was as much for your own good as anything else.”

“Ha! If you cared that much for my well-being, you wouldn't be setting me on a collision course with the Awakened Dead again. ”

Loken opened his mouth to protest, but before he could, I went on. “No, I suspect the truth is much simpler than you’re letting on. You needed the bounty removed so that I could do this damnable task for you. There's just one thing I don't understand: surely you have minions enough. Why do you need me for this mission?”

“So cynical,” Loken murmured, shaking his head. He didn’t, however, refute any of my accusations. “Let’s just say... you are uniquely suited to this task.”

“More cryptic statements,” I muttered, making no attempt to disguise my disdain.

“Think what you will,” the Shadow Power said, his voice hardening. “But without my aid, you will not get my tracking spell removed.” He paused. “Despite what Vivane told you, she does not possess the ability to dispel my casting.”

I glared at the Power. I didn't bother asking him how he had known what Vivane had told me. Either Loken had a spy in the bank, or the other Power had told him herself.

“Now, back to business,” Loken said. “Will you still attempt my task?”

I let the silence draw out before answering. “Tell me one thing first. How are matters in the valley?”

“Is that what's been bothering you?” Loken asked, all smiles again. “Matters in sector 12,560 are still unresolved. The valley remains unclaimed, although it has since been flooded with players from all three Forces.” Loken paused. “Your alchemist and the tavern are doing well. More than well if you ask me.”

I said nothing, letting no sign of my relief at the news show. I was more concerned about the wolves than Saya, though, but of course, I couldn’t ask Loken about the pack. “I will attempt the task,” I said finally. “But my own way, in my own time, and without your help.”

“Ah, if you must,” Loken said. “I’d almost forgotten about that stubborn streak of yours.” He shook his head ruefully. “Very well, I will withhold my aid for now, but if you will be so gracious to accept one word of advice? Don't attempt entering the Dark quarter until you've evolved further.”

I ignored Loken’s not-so-subtle emphasis. The Power was up to something, obviously. And I would be damned if I blindly did as he asked. Until I learned more about what game he was playing, there was no way I was entering the Dark quarter. Still, it cost me nothing to agree with Loken in the interim, and I nodded curtly.

“Excellent,” Loken said, beaming in his usual carefree manner.

I was not deceived, though. I had seen beneath the Power’s mask and knew that a serious—and dangerous—player hid beneath Loken’s clownish air.

“I guess this is goodbye then,” the Power said when I remained silent.

“Bye,” I said shortly.

Loken spun away, only to twirl around a moment later. “Oh, and Michael?”

I glanced at him.

“Try not to look so grumpy next time. Pretty please?”

I didn't dignify that with a response, and the Power laughed gaily.

He was still chuckling when he vanished into thin air.