Real World...
North American Alliance- Greater New York Conglomerate
Black Spire- BlackRock HQ
"Don''t quit your day job, Anthony. Your projections seem to be on course and social breakdown is actually worse than projected. The last of the Brazil Unions civilian government died with Buenos Aires. The body count is growing from both the bombing and from the aftermath. Their surviving military command has instituted a police state and is isolating the country as much as possible to contain any possible threat." The President informed him.
"So, how can I help? I have some teams on the ground and they will gladly assist with any humanitarian efforts or in the hunt of those responsible for all of this." Anthony told the man as he sat back into his chair.
The President gave him a sad smile. "What can be done is being done. I am calling to talk about your proposal to digitize the human race."
Anthony snorted, "Let me guess, you all have decided to disregard the projections, the current situation, and ignore my proposal." Anthony responded sardonically.
"There are just too many unknowns and to much risk. Even with the impending threat, we cannot accept digitizing the human race. We have to hold onto hope for humanity that we can survive." The President replied.
"How many people will die for those convictions Mr. President? How many more will die? Did your advisors also tell you that these people likely planned for the increased security around the world? These people will not stop just because a few thousand more soldiers and police are on the streets. They will change targets. They will more than likely succeed at destroying either their primary objectives or secondary. You are damning the Human race to a long and painful death or at least the North American Alliance citizens. You do not represent the world and so far the Middle East, Africa, and the Pacific have agreed. The Europeans and Russians are favorable towards accepting my long term proposal. When word comes out, your choice here will cause even more problems." Anthony replied giving the President a cold smile.
"For now, things change though. I would not depend on their support for too long." the President snarled back before cutting the comm line.
Anthony looked at Adam and Eve, "Leak both the information about multiple nuclear weapons being in the hands of an unknown group as well as digitization. Make sure that the leak includes that the only holdout of instituting the digitization of humanity is the North American Alliance President. Make sure the public knows when Patch Thirteen goes live, North America will be left in the ashes of what remains of Earth." Anthony told them. Eve smiled and they both disappeared.
Fate Online...
Surface- Bronze Rock Region
Nation of Duran''thia- City of Dera''kan
Fallen Estates of Loranan
Jedidiah shuddered for a moment before shaking himself, "I spent less than five minutes in the Archive before I was thrown out. That thing in there...almost killed me. The Guardian is extremely powerful and dangerous."
Ava snorted in amusement, "Yeah well from what Nathaniel told me, only those invited are allowed within the Archive. Since you snuck in, he kicked your ass out. On the other hand, he was perfectly pleasant with me while I was inside and assisted in finding the information Rebecca Loranan left within the Archive."
Quest Complete: Path of Redemption (Stage 3)
Description: After delving into the Loranan family Archive you acquired the information on the former Dragon King and his allies and can prove that they betrayed and destroyed the Loranan family based on lies. What you will do with this information is unknown. However, it''s only a matter of time until the Royal family becomes aware that you have this information and starts hunting you.
Quest Difficulty: Nightmare
Success: Find the Secrets located outside the City of Dera''Kan
Failure: Fail to go to the Loranan Estates outside the City of Dera''Kan or fail to find the information about the Dragon King
Reward(s): 500 Experience, 50 Gold, Gloves of Loranan''s Wisdom
Restriction: Must Completly Alone, Level 25 Minimum
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Name:Gloves of Loranan''s Wisdom
Level: Legendary-Scalable
Armor Rating: +30
Properties: Increase Intelligence and Wisdom by (Level X.25)
Properties: Increase Mana Regeneration by (Level X.25)
Properties: Increase Spell damage by (Level X.25)
Properties: Decrease Spell Cost by 10%
Properties: Perseverance of the Loranan Family (Require 3 Pieces)
Durability: 200/200
Description: The Loranan family was at one time known for their War Magi and Necromancers. They became so popular that as soon as the children of this family could control Mana, they were given armor to augment their abilities and start training immediately. The Gloves of Loranan''s Wisdom is part of one such set that was lost after the Fall. The belt and gloves finish up the set.
Ava dismissed the information and studied the Spirit in front of her. "What is the next step? Remember, we are destroying the Dragon Kings'' allies, we are not destroying him. I do not want Duran''thia to be destroyed because I want to redeem the Loranan family name."
Jedidiah studied her before nodding his head, "Go into the city and rest for a day or two. You have earned the time off. When you return, we can plan our next step." Jedidiah stated before fading away. Ava considered her options and all the things she needed to get before going on another long-term quest. She needed to upgrade her armor as well as buy potions and food. So many things to get before going on another long trip.
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This narrative has been purloined without the author''s approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.Private Message from...Brian Callins
From Brian...Hey, are you up for some lunch and a Dungeon Dive into the Cursed Falls?
From Ava...Who is this?
From Brian...Sorry, this is the Mage from the other day with the two idiot brothers. You were right. I became a Priest and joined a small guild. We need one more DPS and I thought of you. You are a little higher level for the Dungeon, but thought you might enjoy one run.
From Ava...Lunch yes, Dungeon...maybe. Bring your party and if they are good people, yeah.
From Brian...Cool, meet at Neralas Diner off the South Market, Willow District.
Ava closed out the window and saved the contact information for future reference. Knowing a healer was always good business and she really did need to eat lunch. The lunch would also let her get a feel for his companions and let her see if this was some setup for the other day. Ava hoped not, but it happened before.
Surface- Bronze Rock Region
Nation of Duran''thia- City of Dera''kan
South Market
DERA''KAN!!!" Ava tried to block out all the shouting, but it was overwhelming.
Patrols of militia and soldiers roamed the market and occasionally stopped to check a merchant or peddler to make sure they had to right paperwork to sell their wares within the market. Local merchants had to pay more taxes, but out of town merchants had to buy a permit to sell within the markets of the city. Ava thought it was ludicrous to make merchants pay for a permit when they were already taxed for their wares and any sells they made.
"Fancy meeting a Loranan here.'' a voice said behind her, but before Ava could turn a knife to her back stopped her. ''Don''t turn around traitor. We are going to keep walking and leave the market. Once we are alone, we are going to have a nice little chat and then you will be on your way."
Ava snorted, "I seriously doubt that. Who are you?"
"Let''s just say, I work for certain people who are very interested in what you found in the Loranan Archive. Now how can I find that out if you are dead and sent to respawn." the man responded.
"True, but that leaves a whole lot of ground between alive and dead," Ava responded as she tapped out a quick message to Brian and sent it. Hopefully, he would not be too mad that she was taking longer than expected due to the intimidation and kidnapping.
"Yes it does, but if you are honest and upfront with me, we don''t have to get nasty. So be a good girl and do what I say." the man stated jabbing a little deeper in her back. Based on where it was, if he stabbed forward, it would sever her spine and disable her for a time.
"It''s gutsy to grab someone in the open market like this. All the merchant guards, soldiers, and militia around. If even one little thing went wrong, you would be screwed." Ava thought out loud.
The man snorted in amusement, "Yes, but you are going to be a good girl and we are going to have a nice polite conversation. Their won''t be any yelling or blood, just a calm conversation between two beings." The man stated.
Ava smirked and winked at him before "tripping" and stumbling into two merchant guards that grabbed her. "Oh, my heroes. Thank you for saving me.'' Ava looked at her kidnapper for the first time and more than one person noticed him hastily slide his knife back into the sheath. He was Human, tall, scar over one eye, blonde with blue eyes. ''Since you saved me from stumbling and falling into any dirt, why don''t I buy you boys a round of drinks?" Ava asked them with a wink causing both men to chuckle and follow her. Ava''s attempted kidnapper gnashed his teeth before turning and walking away. His shot at grabbing her silently was blown.
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"What was that all about?" Brian asked confused as he led her over to a larger table where three others were already sitting and waiting for them.
"Oh...a kidnapping and intimidation attempt. I''m sure it probably has to do with my past as I said, I used to be a complete bitch. Now I am just a part-time bitch. You, on the other hand, seem to well on your way to redeeming your family name. Congrats." Ava said as she sat at one of the spare seats. There were two Warriors and a bow type Rogue.
"Thanks for saying that. I am trying to do better and I told my brothers I would not help them anymore. They were more than pissed, but I am self-sufficient and I live in Florida while they live near Chicago. So I don''t have to worry about them physically doing anything to me. Here, on Ithea, is another story." Brian stated as he sat next to her.
"Well, I am glad you are happy. That''s---" Ava stopped as she received a new message.
"What''s wrong?" Brian asked as the others stopped talking and started to listen to their conversation.
Ava took a deep breath and opened the message and at first, she was happy, but then she paled at what she read. "It''s my sister. She is fine, but she said there was another attack and she wants to see me just in case anything happens."
The others were all listening intently now, "Do you know where?" The Rogue asked.
"Buenos Aires. Listen, I am sorry but I got to go. I haven''t seen my sister in weeks and I want to see her with everything going on." Ava told them and all of them nodded in understanding.
"Don''t worry about it. Go. Next time you log in, drop me a line and tell me how it went." Brian told Ava. She nodded her head in acknowledgment before logging off.