We both waited in the antechamber as people of all ages flowed passed us. Some were so young that some of the adults carried them. Though, I did notice that none were so old that they needed help walking. I asked Ytri about it and all he had to say was “They were taken away.” I pushed, asking what he meant but he refused to talk more about it.
Finally, the last of the group flowed passed us. None of them looked in the same direction as they walked. A couple were even looking backward. It took me a few seconds to figure out what they were doing. They were acting as a rear guard. Making sure that no one was able to sneak up on the group undetected.
We followed them outside. Other than the group of prisoners, no one seemed to be out. Had this been a movie set in a desert I felt that a tumbleweed or two might have rolled across the street. Everyone seemed to be waiting for some signal or direction. Lucas’s eyes met mine just before he raised a hand up. Signaling to the group to follow him. As one, the group moved. Starting with a slow walk before starting to jog. Moving down the street and toward the Noble district’s one large road juncture.
The group turned to the south while I turned to the north. Looking up the street and toward the gate there. A massive plume of smoke and dust filled the air in the distance. Flashes of light lit up the cloud every once in a while. The sounds of explosion after explosion rolled over us. Between each, I managed to make out the faint sound of metal crashing against metal as people fought.
As I turned to rejoin the group, I found Ytri and Lance waiting for me. Lance was covered in blood but looked otherwise happy. Given the way his tail was wagging, it was the happiest I had ever seen him. If we were not in such a tense situation, I might have asked him about it.
Lucas led the group down roads and through turns while we stayed in the back. While this meant I had no say in which roads and alleys we took, they were fairly empty, giving me a clear line of sight in all directions. Even the alleys were clear enough for me to see the streets that ran parallel to ours.
While Lucas and the other focused on leading and herding everyone else, I had assumed the job of watching the streets around us. So it was no wonder that I was the first to notice the group of people following us. They hung in the alleys, watching us pass before using the parallel streets to skip ahead to the next one. Keeping an eye on us as they waited for something.
Tapping Ytri on the shoulder, I nodded at the sides. He muttered “damn” under his breath before speeding up. Checking up on the people along the edges as he made his way to the front. When he got there, he whispered something to Lucas. I could imagine the curses spewing out from the beastman as his hands balled up.
Ytri returned to the back, helping me to keep an eye on our guests as the group closed in on our target. Oddly enough, I didn’t see a single guard throughout the entire walk. Even if they were all called to help one section or another, someone should have been left to sound an alarm. The lack had my mind racing over the possibilities.
As I tried to come up with solutions and plans for each, the gate came into view. The door was closed. A large wooden bar held it closed. Lucas and a number of the adults ran over to it. Each trying to lift the bar. Even going so far as to try and just shift one side. The thing didn’t seem to even budge.
*Clap* *Clap* *Clap*
I spun around just in time to see the guard captain materialize. As he did so, people streamed out from the side streets. Surrounding our group. Each of them had their weapons out and ready. The few spell casters with them stayed back. Holding up their wands as they prepared to rain spells down on us as soon as someone gave the command to do so.
“I have got to say, I did not expect you to go as far as you did.” He looked me in the eyes. As he did so, I felt as though something was pushing against my mind. “Oh, don’t get me wrong. I did expect you to try something.”
“Then why did you let me go down there?” It took quite a bit of mental force to speak while holding my own against whatever was trying to invade my mind. “Why not stop me from going into the pits?”
“What fun would that be?” He laughed, “Plus, I knew my daughter was down there. Speaking of which, where is she?”
“Dead,” Lance growled out.
The demon’s grin dropped a bit as he looked at the beastman. The pressure on my mind dropped away. Lance fell to his knees as the demon spoke. “Shut up mutt. This is between me and him.”
“What are you doing to him?” I asked, hoping to stop whatever it was and get his attention back to me.
It worked. The demon returned to looking at me. “Well, it seems you have a knack for getting people to trust you. So,” the thing looked like it was thinking over something, but I was pretty sure it had planned this conversation out before even letting me into the pit. “How about making a deal with me?”
“What kind of deal?” I asked, curious about what it would offer but not willing to take anything. Not that I would accept anything it offered. You know what they say about making deals with fae and demons. No matter what you get, it is never worth it. But I needed to do something to keep the demon focused on me and give the group time to get the gate open.
“I will let the entire group of prisoners go free. I will even let you keep a few in the city, with slave collars of course.” A shiver ran down my spine at the thought of such a thing existing. Thankfully the thing didn’t seem to notice, or if it did, it didn’t care. “I will even let the other groups fighting across the town go without punishment. Well, most of them. Someone has to pay for breaking down a decent section of the wall. That alone killed a fair number of guards and civilians by the way.” It didn’t sound like it honestly cared about the deaths, but that didn’t stop it from trying to use them to get to me.
Surprisingly, my tone was flat as I asked the question it wanted to hear. “And what are you asking for in return?”
“I just want you.” It flipped a hand in the air. “Well, you, your elven teacher, and the guildmaster.”
“I get the other two, but why me?”
“Because, with a little training, I think you might be of some use to me and my family. Plus, my daughter wants you.” This guy sounded like a doting father. If not for the fact that he was doing so at the expense of others, especially me, I might have helped the guy, demon, whatever.
“And if I say no?”
“Then we will kill everyone here.” While it wasn’t the best solution, Ytri and I would respawn. Or it would be if Linda and Michael didn’t know where I would be respawning. He smiled, revealing fangs not dissimilar to his daughters. “Not that you would do such a thing. Not with the amount of power, money, and influence you stand to gain.”
Nope, I was not going to fall for what he was offering. But, how long could I keep this conversation going? I was pretty sure that the demon was as powerful as Barti, if not more so. The moment this turned into a fight, I was probably dead. Speaking of death, something about what he said and how he reacted was odd. “Wait, why are you not pissed that your daughter is dead?”
His laugh was low as he wiped his eyes. “You don’t think that you travelers are so special, do you? The Demon Lord conquered death long ago. She will rejoin the land of the living in the next day or so. Though, it will be annoying to go pick her up. Maybe I will make that your first quest for me.”
I had nothing to say to that. Looking around for some sort of inspiration, I found that the group behind me had managed to move the bar a good foot before getting stuck a second time. People were rushing to and fro as they tried to free the bar.
“I will give you five minutes to decide.”
Turning to Ytri, I saw the fear on his face. He was looking at the demon as his body shook. I tried to get his attention away from the demon by placing a hand on his shoulder. He vanished. Appearing in a crouch a dozen feet away. His head in his hands. Looking around, he wasn’t the only one in such a state. Everyone but those working on the doors were similarly scared.
I had to make a decision. Take the demon’s deal. Effectively selling my soul to him and his daughter in return for everyone’s life. Given the realism of the game, I doubted that I could get out of this deal once I agreed to it. Something told me that the deal would somehow find me in the real world.
Then again, I could fight the demon and his lackeys. Suicide, but I might be able to buy enough time for Lucas and the rest of them to get that gate open. Hell, if I got really lucky, someone might come to save my ass.
Speaking of which, I turned to check on their progress. The group had stepped back, letting a few that had recovered their mana to cast spell after spell at a single spot. Based on how little progress they were making, I would likely be dead before they made it even halfway through. Even Lucas’s laser seemed to be doing little to no damage to what looked like a simple beam of wood.
That brought me to my last option. I could use my SoulStone. Not that I expected it to bring me close to even with the demon, but the boost might be enough to at least buy me some time. Then again, what did I have to lose? Not much really.
“Incoming message from user VeiledInsight: ‘I am almost to your location. Have you been paying attention to the in-game forums? – Xander’” my AI said. Its voice caused me to jump. The demon raised his brow at the motion but said nothing. It seemed like the damned thing was really going to give me the time to think over its offer. Then again, if it didn’t keep its word here, why would I trust any bargain I made with the thing?
The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.
“Reply, ‘Not really, been a bit busy. Can we talk later? I am in a bit of a situation right now.’”
“Sent,” my AI responded. It took only a couple of seconds before it spoke once again. “Incoming message from user VeiledInsight: ‘Anything I can help with? I should be there in ten, maybe twenty minutes.’” How was he here? Wasn’t there something blocking powerful people from entering this town? Or did he find a way around it?
Not that it mattered. I would likely be dead by the time he got here. “Your time is nearly up,” the demon called out. “You have one more minute to make up your mind.” For a second, I debated just logging out of the game and letting what happens, happen.
But that would do me no good. Neither side would be willing to work with me and I would fucked. Letting out a resigned sigh, I realized I had no choice. I had to fight him. “AI, send a reply. ‘Thank you for trying but by then it will be too late.’”
“Reply sent.”
Reaching into my inventory, I pulled out the Soulstone as I started to talk. Buying a bit more time with a useless monologue of my own. “While your deal sounds enticing, there are many stories from my world. Stories of demons of all kinds. Stories of wishes and deals. But do you know what the commonality between all those stories is?”
A wide grin stretched his lips, showing off his fangs as he proudly proclaimed, “That both parties get exactly what they ask for.”
“Sure, you could say that.” My eyes looked at the SoulStone sitting in my hand. “The stories have the demon getting the upper hand on their victim. Using the wording of the contract or loopholes in it to get everything they want while giving nothing in return. Most such deals result in the human being bound into servitude or even claiming their very souls. You can imagine how well this goes over for the human.”
“Ah, that is true.” He rolled his eyes. “But it isn’t like I am hiding what I want.”
“No,” I pursed my lips as I nodded. “You are right. You’re being very clear in what you want and why. The issue is, I don’t want to serve a demon. Especially as I don’t know what I would have to do or the limitations of what you could order me to do.” The thought of him or his daughter ordering me to never leave the world again sent a bolt of fear shooting down my spine.
“And if I agree to limit the contract?” It posited. “Say, add a time limit. Or does this have to do with the beastman? Maybe I could give you time off to go and save more lives. Or is it money you are looking for?”
I pretended to think about the problem as I rotated the sphere before finally answering. “No. I think that the issue is that the contract is a little too vague. Too open-ended. At least for me.”
“So, you are rejecting the deal?” It asked.
My eyes lifted off the orb to meet his now scarlet red eyes as I spoke, “Unfortunately for both of us, yes.” Pulling up the SoulStone’s item description, I focused on the section related to how to use it.
<table width="624">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td width="144">
Item:
</td>
<td width="480">
SoulStone
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="144">
Special:
</td>
<td width="480">
Soulbound to Kyren Vulpier
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="144">
Use:
</td>
<td width="480">
Pour a bit of mana into the stone, then accept the prompt.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="144">
Permanent:
</td>
<td width="480">
Increase all stats by 10.
Other increases will be determined by the system.
Physical changes.
Soulbound item.
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="144">
Temporary Buffs:
</td>
<td width="480">
Mana High* (5 minutes)
Pain Immunity* (5 minutes)
Demigod Regeneration* (5 minutes)
Demigod Strength* (5 minutes)
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="144">
Description
</td>
<td width="480">
This object will merge both your soul and your physical body. This has a chance to change your species and increase your capabilities. What you are changed into is based on your previous actions, skills, soul, body characteristics, and mind. Once this has been done, it cannot be undone. After the transformation is completed, this item will change into an item to suit your new body.
</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
As mana poured from me and into the object, another prompt forced itself directly into my line of sight.
Would you like to use your SoulStone? WARNING! This is permanent and cannot be reversed.
Without pausing, I accepted. The prompt and every other window vanished, leaving me looking directly at the demon. Even though we both knew the time was up and that I was stalling, he simply watched me. Seeing what I would do. What I would try against him.
Golden light flared as the SoulStone activated. Intensifying as the symbols started to peel themselves off the surface. Floating out to circle me as they formed into a complex ring. The air around me seemed to become heavy with mana. Pressing against my skin as more flooded into the spell. As the circle flared, a new window popped up. It reminded me of the command prompt. This one looked unstable. The edges waved as the static crackled across the middle.
[00:00:01] [System Alert]: Demonic taint detected
[00:00:02] [System]: Attempting Correction
-> Correction attempt #1… FAILED
-> Correction attempt #2… FAILED
-> Correction attempt #3… FAILED
Demonic taint? My heart pounded in my ears as I read those words. While I knew that Linda had tricked me into ingesting her blood, I didn’t think it would have any real long-term effect given that the bond she wanted didn’t form.
[00:00:17] [System]: Escalating to Local Host
[00:00:17] [System]: Local Host… CONNECTED
[00:00:19] [Local Host]: Issues exceed local parameters
[00:00:19] [Local Host]: Escalating to System Administrator
[00:00:19] [System]: Contacting local Admin
-> Admin 7F3A9C1E6B2D … CONNECTED
[00:00:27] [Admin]: Escalating to Deities
[00:00:27] [System]: Contacting Deities
-> Deity Nanook… CONNECTED
-> Deity Rati… CONNECTED
-> Deity Kuebiko… CONNECTED
-> Deity Anuket… CONNECTED
-> Deity Hephaestus… CONNECTED
[00:00:32] [Deities]: Reviewing system logs
[00:00:39] [Deities]: Scanning user history
[00:01:01] [Deities]: Initiating deep scan
-> Deep scan… COMPLETE
[00:01:36] [Deities]: Discussing resolution
[00:02:05] [Deity]: Deity Hephaestus
-> Initiating alternative scan
[00:03:09] [System]: Scanning for alternatives
-> Viable alternatives found
[00:03:10] [Deities]: Deity Rati
-> Requesting Deity Inari’s assistance
[00:03:10] [System]: Contacting Deity
-> Deity Inari… CONNECTED
[00:03:24] [Deity]: Deity Inari
-> Reviewing logs and scans
[00:03:26] [Deities]: Deity Hephaestus
-> Proposing status change
-> Approval required
[00:04:18] [Deities]: Deity Inari
-> Status change… APPROVED
[00:04:23] [System Override]: Deity Inari has overridden standard protocols
[00:04:23] [System Warning]: Transformation-induced pain reduction limited to 10%
[00:04:27] [Deities]: Deity Inari
-> Acknowledged system warning
[00:04:27] [System]: Applying correction
[00:04:28] [System]: Recalibrating parameters
[00:04:29] [System]: Reloading updated configurations
[00:04:32] [System Update]:
-> System correction… COMPLETE
-> System recalibration… COMPLETE
-> System configuration reload… COMPLETE
[00:04:41] [System]: REBOOTING…
-> Reboot… COMPLETE
[00:04:44] [System]: Reinitiating transformation sequence
-> Reinitiating… COMPLETE
[00:04:45] [System]: Species changed
-> Human to Kitsune – Demonic
[00:04:45] [System]: Class changed
-> Elementalist to Arcane Elementalist
[00:04:45] [System]: Transformation successfully initiated
The text flickered, starting and stopping as the system worked through something. As I finished reading the last line, the window fizzled out of existence. Without warning, a loud cracking pop sound filled the air. My world went white as mana forced its way into my body. Flowing up my arms and legs before coursing through my torso and into my head.
As soon as it stopped forcing its way into my body, the mana started to pulse. Feeling almost like a heartbeat. With each pulse, I can feel something move. A muscle here, some fat there. While it felt odd, it didn’t hurt.
Almost as if the mana was waiting for me to have that thought, bones start to snap and reform. The worst of which is my hip bone. Almost feeling as if the shape and size of the thing had completely changed. It was quickly followed by a sharp pain in my hips followed by a tugging sensation centered on my balls.
They felt like they were being yanked upward. Followed quickly by everything else down there. As they moved, it was almost as if they squished my organs upward to make room for something.
Before I could think about what was going on, another sharp pain radiated from the base of my spine. It felt as though someone was using a dull knife to dig into the base of my spine. While the pain there moved outward, something stabbed into the top of my head. Whatever it was caused me to blackout.
The world snapped back into focus as the mana around me was absorbed into my body. Everything felt more alive than ever before. My body felt lighter and more powerful than ever. Almost as though I could lift a mountain. Yes, I know that I could not lift a mountain. While I wasn’t stupid enough to try, the amount of power flowing through me begged to be used.
Around me, the world blossomed with color and exploded with noise. All of which was distracting, but not as much as the smells. Of which, one in particular caught my attention. It was the smell of fur and wet earth, the wild and of a campfire. It reminded me of what I imagined it would be like to live in a cabin in the woods. What it would smell like if I were locked inside with a dog as it rained outside? Both of us curled up near a fire.
Whatever trance I had fallen into thanks to that smell was broken when something whipped around behind me. I reached back and found a very fluffy tail. When I tugged on a tuft of the fur I found that, unlike the previous times, this one was not made of mana but of flesh and fur. My hand lifted from my ass toward my head where something else twitched, only to snag on something on my chest. Something soft. Something that felt not too different from a water balloon.
My fear wanted me to ignore the feeling. To run away. Unfortunately, I had to know because I couldn’t be distracted, not if I wanted to survive this fight. So, I hesitantly looked down until I was staring at two round orbs. The dress was tight enough to hold them in place, but not tight enough to squish them. Closing my eyes, I prayed to the gods the SoulStone only changed my race. My hand lowered slowly, probing through my dress where my little partner sat.
Nothing was there. Well, not truly nothing. I felt something down there. A single, soft rub down there sent a bolt of electricity to my core. I had to yank my hand away before I repeated the motion.
So, the game did it. It found a way to change my gender. Even without me choosing a class that did so, it managed to force the change on me. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. The hand that held the SoulStone squeezed down on something round and solid. Shaking my head, I tried to put it into my inventory. It refused to go in, reminding me of the Shackle Key. I had to keep it in my hand, which would limit my options in the upcoming fight.
Curious as to why the demon was being so quiet, I looked up at him for the first time since using the SoulStone. His face was a mix of shock, awe, and pleasure. Meeting my eyes, he eyed me with lust, licking his lips before saying “Oh, you and I are going to do great things together.”