Otherlife Dreams: The Selfless Hero Trilogy (13 page)

“I will admit, I only understand some of what you’ve said, but I can tell you now, I am a woman. A Sunless Sorceress to be exact. I think. I feel. I have memories. I…I feel some of them are strange, they don’t seem to match up…and…and things are missing. Everything from the moment you appeared is different. A subtle difference in flavor you could say. Yet here I stand, discussing a “am I me” philosophical debate with you,” Thana said. Flashing that predatory smile at him.

Chuckling he shook his head and grinned in return. “I think you enjoy frustrating me. Your questions grow more provocative every minute, more wolfish. More hungry than that clever smile of yours. You seem to enjoy pulling me into arguments, just to argue with me. Soon you’ll have me debating the finer points of cheese making.”

“Of course,” she agreed. “You’re clearly intelligent and have a fine mind for debate. You’re also without any doubt suffering. Inside you there is a piece that isn’t healthy, whole, complete. I can’t fix it if I can’t find it. Besides, you like my smile. You always smile back.”

Sighing he started to respond, fighting the smile that threatened to break free when he was interrupted by Katarina.

“Incoming.”

“Ah, to be continued Lady Death.”

With a deep mocking bow he gestured for her to proceed him.

Thana inclined her head slightly and moved to her assigned position. Runner came to stand beside her and they stood shoulder to shoulder. Placed here they were angled in such a way that they could see the door and target enemies easily. They’d left the ice as it was since it would operate as a bottleneck if need be. Thick as a fog, silence hung over them all as they waited for Hannah.

Hannah came sprinting in through through the gap in the ice. “Two warriors!” Hannah gasped out.

Two Orcs pounded into the stable a dozen paces behind her. Katarina stepped out and swung her shield at the second one as it neared her. A sound like a frying pan hitting the floor filled the air. The Orc’s face was crushed behind the weight of the Shield bash. Landing flat on it’s back the Orc was stunned and lay their motionless. Mercilessly Katarina moved in to skewer it with her sword.

Locking his eyes to the first Orc Runner held up his left hand and threw a Fireblast into the it. Screaming in pain and fury it focused on Runner and continued its charge. It didn’t charge far since an Ice spear tore through it’s face. It’s feet shot out from under it with the force of the impact. Propelled backward the Orc crashed into the wall of the cells and fell dead. Thana must have scored a Critical to kill it on the first shot. That or it was weaker than what they’d experienced up to this point.

Flicking his eyes back to Katarina he saw her standing over the corpse of the other Orc. Smoke billowed from the wound, a silent testament to the showmanship of a Fireblast enchantment.

Giving the body a swift kick to confirm it’s level of deadness. Satisfied, Katarina next grabbed it by a boot and dragged it to a nearby cell. Unceremoniously and without a care it was left next to a pile of corpses. They’d fade over time, but they didn’t feel like tripping over dead bodies until then.

Runner walked over to the corpse Thana had made and hauled it over into the same cell. Pushing it up against the other corpse an arm flopped out. Nudging it back inside he looted the creature of it’s worldly possessions.

“That pull came in a bit faster Hanners, and weaker to boot. Did we miss a patrol?” Runner inquired, coming over to the map where Hannah was standing.

“No, they came in on the path out of the thrice damned woods. For whatever fucking reason I don’t know. Maybe they had a group out there hunting? I’ll keep an eye out for them. Not much we can do about the goat fuckers. They just decided to show up,” Hannah groused.

“Got it. Come’re for a moment. I think your enchantments will run out before you find the next group. Call me a paranoid fool and I’ll be forced to agree.”

Runner waited for her to face him so he could begin. She ignored him until she finished with her inspection of the map. Facing him she held up her hands with a raised eyebrow.

“I think you just like putting your shitty paws on me,” Hannah teased, smirking at him.

“Can’t deny that, though this is hardly the time or place. Not to mention you feel, gasp, alot like Leather Armor. Realistically though, I think pushing your Armor and Constitution up would be ideal. No real need for you to do more damage right now, it would increase your survival rate too, in case the unexpected happens.”

Rolling his fingers over her gear a piece at a time he bolstered her Constitution and Armor as he’d said. Now that he’d admitted his fear aloud he knew it was the truth, he wasn’t willing to risk her life. Not surviving a fight for the sake of an easier kill wasn’t a trade off he was willing to make.

Finishing up Runner patted her on the shoulder. “Alright, you’re good. Go on. Skulls don’t just collect themselves ya know. You can’t expect me to make a Skull stool do you? Need a throne.”

Rolling her eyes Hannah trotted out the door without a word. Katarina had been nearby and took Hannah’s place after she’d gone.

“With her being more sturdy, I should be shifted towards damage.” Katarina asserted.

Grinning smugly behind Katarina, Thana looked like she wanted nothing more than to laugh. Runner had no real argument to refuse Katarina with and it wasn’t a terrible idea either. It’s not as if they were pressed by time. Resetting the enchantments would give him a break from Thana as an added benefit. It’d only be for a few minutes, but it wouldn’t cost him anything.

“Fair enough. Let’s see…” Runner muttered and laid his hands on Katarina’s shoulders. Concentrating for a moment he set on recycling the empowerments. Giving her Constitution and Strength in equal amounts he worked his hands over her equipment the same way he had Hannah. Finishing with her boots, he looked up to find Katarina watching him quietly.

“All set Kitten. Wouldn’t want you to scar up that pretty skin of yours.”

Not acknowledging that statement Katarina walked back to her post at the entry.

“You’re spoiling her. She’s like, awkwardly enough, a kitten. Taking any and all attention your willing to give her since you’re treating her as an equal, rather than an inferior or a superior,” Thana chided, laughing at him.

“Oh shut up. Don’t be jealous. I’d be happy to do the same for you if you like.”

“You could, but I’m not wearing armor, remember? Thin clothes better suited, and smells like, working a field. You’d get a lot more than a handful of stiff leather if you tried.”

Challenging tone matching her wolfish grin, Thana took a step and put herself in the same spot Katarina had been standing in. She held her hands up and turned her wrists outward as if inviting him and surrendering simultaneously. Runner found the idea tempting but controlled himself. His body made him painfully aware of the fact that Thana was beautiful despite being an NPC.

“Foul temptress. You realize how weird that is? An NPC shouldn’t be like that. Why am I even considering this? This is insane. I’m in sane. I need a drink. A lot of drinks. And a beetle.”

He’d turned his head to start rifling through his inventory when her cool fingers caught his chin and forced him to look into her upturned face. Though the view was impressive considering the height differential between them, her eyes held a dangerous glint that demanded his attention.

“Again, and for the last time, I am a woman. A Sunless woman but a woman. You will not address me as that ever again. The NPC part, not the temptress part. I am certainly finding the role of temptress to be amusing. I don’t know what an NPC is but you say it in an insulting way. Runner Norwood, you are a man in dire need of manners and a person who will argue with you, rather than do as you ask. I will take this position and I expect you to fully cooperate.”

Runner could only nod his head at this and let his inventory screen close. Seeing his agreement she released his chin, smiling at him once again.

“I’m not normally so forward, but it seems the other roles are already filled in your building harem. Besides, it’s a lot more fun to not hide my actions in politics or diplomacy. Just to do as I would. As Katarina has always done, up to now at least. You yourself said it, no? I believe it was along the lines of, not caring for societal niceties?”

“I suppose that answers one question I had about you,” Runner started. Thana tilted her head, inviting him to continue. “You give off the impression you’re from nobility, Lady Death. Your manners, etiquette, vocabulary, and honestly your very looks, all scream fine breeding and a grand education,” he finished.

Blushing from hairline to neck Thana didn’t break eye contact with him. Brown eyes flashing alarmingly she gave no response. While she might try her hand at playing the seductress, pester him, spar with him, be forward, and dare him, it was transparent that she had only recently left court life. She was quiet, well spoken, kind, and a polite young lady at heart.

“Forgive me, I did not intend to make you upset or offend you. I’m impressed with you. I cannot for the life of me fathom why Mr. Personality would declare such a creature as yourself as filth,” Runner confessed apologetically.

Coughing delicately into her hand, Thana then gestured at the map. “Once you’ve depopulated the area, or zone as you called it, then what is your plan? While I am in your employ, I would know my future.”

Permitting the change of subject with unspoken thanks Runner looked to the map again.

“Elementary, really. I need to level up as fast as possible. This is just a quick means to an end that will provide a good experience reward. That and loot. Really need an upgrade to our equipment and funds to that end as well. This’ll be a wealth of both I hope.”

“So you’ve said. And beyond that? Why work so hard? You’ve not spoken to that goal.”

“I don’t think you actually want to know. Perhaps another time. Let’s just say that I have nearly half a million people waiting on me. I’m hard pressed for time. Very hard pressed,” Runner answered. Taking a moment he pressed his thumb and forefinger to the bridge of his nose, sighing, closing his eyes. “I’m not even sure if they’re alive to be honest. It’s very possible they’re all already no longer among the living. Maybe they all existed a long time ago. Maybe I’m the last. Maybe I’m alone.”

Thana said nothing at first but placed her small hand against his upper arm. Runner felt her hand rubbing up and down in a soothing manner. Such a plain gesture of comfort, yet it offered so much to him. Underneath it all he’d felt like he was struggling to uphold this burden.

“You’re not alone, of that I am certain. Even if your worst fears were true in the way you stated them. Hannah may not be what a person would normally trust as a companion, given her heritage and job, but I truly believe she’d lay her life down for you first. It goes without saying that Katarina would probably cut off her legs if you asked her to.”

“And you, Lady Death? You suspiciously left yourself out of that,” Runner asked. Opening his eyes he angled his head to watch her, waiting for her response.

“I did, didn’t I,” Thana tauntingly confirmed. Looking pleased with herself Thana let loose that smile of hers once more.

Chuckling to himself he couldn’t help but return the smile. Leaving it at that Runner returned to his quiet study of the map and his abilities. Making plans for both the worst case and best case scenarios here and abroad.

As time is wont to do, it moved on without a care for anyone else. Late afternoon came and went. Early evening found the group hunched over the map, each confirming the same thing. Only the fort remained unshaded, all other buildings, patrols, houses and sheds, had been cleared of all enemies and loot. All guards, soldiers, and menial labor had also been cleared from the fort. Only the town leader, the dungeon boss, remained. Residing on the central floor of the fort. Hannah had scouted the room but made no attempt to try and pull him from the keep. Unlikely, to say the least, was the chance he’d leave his little throne room.

“I suppose it’s time to just go in there and end this,” Runner said. “We’ve cleared everything, there’s nothing left but him. What do you think Lady?”

“I trust in Hannah’s reconnaissance, I’ve no doubt there’s nothing left for us to do. Time to end this sordid affair.”

“Thanks for the confidence. Still the same damned problem though. Bastard will sit on his throne and shit himself to death rather than leave. Katarina, what do you think?” Hannah asked.

“We go in, I keep him busy, you kill him,” Katarina outlined.

Catching himself before he could start laughing Runner coughed roughly. Clearing his throat he tapped the fort. “I suppose that’s it then, let’s go finish up. Kitten, take these and put the thought of, ‘Quick Slot 1’ in your head while holding it. If you suddenly find yourself cursed, bleeding out, on fire, afraid, or honestly anything out of normal, think ‘Use Quick Slot 1’,” Runner explained. In his hands he held out several small vials.

Katarina scooped them out of his hand with her own, her long fingers enveloping them as if they were children’s toys. He briefly considered how life like NPCs could be. They were so real at times that Runner found himself having to rethink them with each interaction. Before his brain ran from him he pivoted on his heel, collected the map, and exited the stables.

Fingers of sunlight slanted in from the west, the sun hanging beyond the tree line. Soon it would set and plunge the land into night. Taking a full day to complete the town was now a desolate place, for only the sound of wind could be heard. Distantly a shutter tapping against the wall could be heard; a melancholic harmony to the tomb like stillness. It was unnerving in it’s own way, like a corpse freshly picked clean.