Chapter 21

 

When Allistor made his way to the Factory teleport pad just before noon, he found that one of his earth mages had kindly raised a platform with three steps so that everyone would be able to see and hear him.  They’d also been thoughtful enough to place several long stone benches in an arc in front of the stage for the elderly to be able to sit on. 

Allistor waited as the locals gathered, along with those of his people who had decided to attend.  To his surprise, he spotted a large contingent of the trainers present, gathered in several clusters.  Nearly a hundred of them if he had to guess.  Curious, he walked over and spotted Selby talking to her cousin.

“Hiya Selby.  What’s happening?” he asked casually, a smile on his face.

“Allistor!  Hi.  You mean the trainers?  Well, when Ruddy here got back to the trainer compound, he was telling the others about how you raised everyone here up to level ten so that they could get a class.” She paused as she looked at her feet, kicking the dirt slightly.  “He might have also mentioned how bad off they were, as far as knowing how things work, not learning any spells or anything.”

Ruddy stepped in.  “We all felt bad for them.  What you’re doing here on Earth is exceptional, Allistor, and by becoming citizens, we all bought into it.  We talked a bit, and decided to come and help these folks catch up a little bit.  All of us that didn’t already have training sessions scheduled for today are here to help.”

Allistor wanted to hug the little gnomes.  “That’s… amazing!  Thank you guys.”

Ruddy cleared his throat.  “There’s something else, if you have a moment?” Allistor nodded for him to continue.  “I don’t know if you were aware, but one of the skills I teach is Animal Husbandry .  I’ve been working with Daniel over at the silo, as well as the other folks who’ve bonded with drakelings.” 

“Oh, cool.  I know the kids were excited about bonding, but they haven’t had much time to visit the drakes the last week or so…”

“The kids and their drakes are doing fine.” Ruddy looked uncomfortable.  “But the little white who was bonded to Airman Goodrich…”

“Oh, shit.”  The color drained from Allistor’s face.  How could he have forgotten that Goodrich bonded with a drakeling on that first day?  It had happened right in front of him!  And after worrying so much about Fiona, it should have clicked.”

Ruddy held up his hands, patting the air.  “No, no.  It’s not that bad.  The drakeling is very young and still small.  The loss of the bond was traumatic, but not fatal.  I was going to suggest that we try and find a replacement companion as quickly as possible.”

“Yes.  Sure!  Of course.  There won’t be any shortage of people who want to bond with a drake.” He paused to think.  “I suppose we could ask for volunteers and then do some kind of lottery…”

Ruddy shook his head.  “It would be best if the companion was one who has ice magic.  Or at least compatible powers like water magic, or air magic.” He gave Allistor a lopsided grin.  “You and your people just sort of went willy-nilly in picking drakes when they hatched.  Normally we would screen candidates and bond them with drakes that are most compatible.”

“Ah, well yeah, that makes sense.” Allistor scratched his head, feeling a little foolish.  “Although, it was mostly the other way around.  The drakelings sort of picked their humans.  Just one more thing we leapt into without knowing what we were doing.”

“No harm done, really.” Selby elbowed her cousin, giving him a dirty look for worrying Allistor.  “The compatibility just makes the bonded team more effective.  Those who’ve already bonded aren’t in any danger or anything.  They’ll be fine.”  Ruddy nodded his agreement. 

“Good to hear.”  Allistor shook his head.  “Nigel or Longbeard can tell you who has classes that involve the proper magic.  I guess reach out to them and see who’s interested?  Then do a lottery if you have more than one?”  He turned to the growing crowd.  “That includes these folks.  If one of them chooses to be an ice mage or whatever, add them to the list.”

Allistor made a mental note to go check on Fuzzy and Fiona when the day’s events were concluded.  He was just getting back near the stage when there was a commotion on the outer edge of the crowd.  People were shouting, several were moving quickly to one side or another.  Stepping up on the stage for a better view, he saw the crowd parting as Daigath walked toward him at a leisurely pace.  But it wasn’t the old elf that had people so stirred up.

Walking next to Daigath was a tiger the size of a small SUV.  It padded along next to the elf, sniffing at the crowd and twitching its long tail.  Daigath spoke calmly to the crowd as he advanced, telling them not to worry, and warning them against attacking.  

Allistor hopped down off the front of the stage and moved to meet his mentor.  “Master Daigath!  New friend?”

“Allistor!  Yes indeed.  This is Sher’gal.  I found her near the forest’s edge just a few miles from here.  I’m afraid I wandered into her territory without permission.  She was quite grumpy about it, initially.” Daigath grinned. 

Behind the elf, one of the raiders whistled in amazement.  “That kitty is level forty.  What has she been eating?”

Daigath, hearing the question, turned to the raider.  “There are significant packs of hyenas wandering around this area.  Most are under level ten, but I came across an alpha that was level thirty five.  I also encountered a constrictor serpent in a nearby lake that had grown to some thirty feet long and reached level thirty two.  The wildlife in this area has been quite busy feeding and spawning, it seems.”   Looking around at the fearful faces of the locals, he raised both hands in the air for silence. 

“Sher’gal has agreed to bond with me.  She will not harm any of you, unless attacked.  You may approach her and say hello, just please do not make any sudden movements.  She is not accustomed to large crowds of people.  Or, any people, really.”  He smiled.  Several raiders stepped forward to greet and pet the tiger, much more used to the ways of the world and impressive pets like Fuzzy.  When they saw that the tiger remained calm, the locals began to step forward as well.  Only a few of them, but it was good to see them adjusting.

When the excitement over the tiger settled down, Allistor saw that there were no more locals trickling in.  “Nigel, is everyone from this Stronghold in attendance?”

“ Yes, sire.  All of the local residents, both sworn and unsworn, are here with you .”

Allistor grabbed Helen, who was still happily jibing Meg about maybe becoming Duchess of the toilet paper factory, and pulled her up onto the stage with him.  “Can I have everyone’s attention please?” He raised his hand, and the crowd quickly grew quiet.”

“I hope all of you have had the chance to satisfy your curiosity about Invictus and myself.  Enough time to get your questions asked and answered.  And I hope you’ve all decided to join us.  So I’ll jump right to the question.  Is there anyone here who does NOT wish to swear the oath and become a citizen of Invictus?  Just raise your hand.”

He and Helen waited for a quarter minute or so, and no hands went up.

“That’s great!  Helen here will administer the oath.  Just repeat after her.  If you have little ones who are too small to understand, your oath will apply to them as well.  When they grow older they can decide for themselves whether to keep it or be released.”

Helen stepped forward, and a minute later nearly two thousand more citizens joined Invictus.  She stepped back as Nigel confirmed that everyone present, with the exception of Daigath and the tiger, was a citizen.   Allistor’s map reflected a sea of new green dots, and no red ones. 

“Welcome to Invictus!  All of you have some decisions to make, now.  First, you can choose to remain here to live and work, or you may choose any of our other locations.  If you remain here, there are about six hundred new apartments in those high rises.  Nigel can assign you one based on your family size.” He waited for the muttering this caused to die down a bit.  Someone near the front raised a tentative hand, and he pointed to them.  “Yes?  You have a question?”

“What is the cost of the apartments?  Rajesh did not pay us a wage…”

“There is no cost.  As long as you contribute to the community’s well being and growth in whatever way you can, your housing and food cost nothing.  You’ll also be able to earn money.  Some of you may do so by joining raid teams and sharing in the loot, others by hunting, or crafting.  Hunters are expected to contribute meat to the community, but can sell the  hides and other useful parts they obtain.  Crafters will be given materials to help you raise your skills, as long as the items you create with those materials are given back to the community.  Or you may sell those items via the kiosk, reimburse us for the materials used, and keep the profit for yourselves.  Of course, any items crafted from materials you harvest or purchase for yourself are one hundred percent yours to keep, or sell for profit.  We only ask that items sold to fellow citizens are reasonably priced.  Feel free to fleece anyone else if you can!” He grinned as several in the crowd chuckled. “I strongly suggest each of you choose to learn a crafting skill of some kind, even if just as a hobby.  I myself am learning weaponsmithing and enchanting.”

“For those of you who wish to continue working in the factory, or harvesting, or any other of the professions that directly benefit the community, you will be paid a good wage in addition to your food and housing.  This includes teachers, cleaners, cooks, administration staff, anyone giving their service to support their neighbors.”

He nodded toward Selby, who in turned mobilized a group of crafters and other citizens.  They took up places at four long tables set in a row to one side of the stage.  “Speaking of support, your fellow citizens have gotten together and rounded up some gifts for you.  First, stop and see Selby the gnome at the first table.  She will give each of you a small storage device.  Most of them are in the form of a ring, though we couldn’t purchase two thousand rings all at once.  So some of them are bracelets, belts, or pouches.   Each of you will receive a storage device with at least fifty slots.  Those of you who will be serving as hunters, scavengers, or crafters will receive higher capacity to accommodate your work.  They are simple devices that can store great quantities of goods, like this.” He pulled his shield from his ring, set it down on the stage in front of him, then pulled several random bits of meat, fruit, and water bottles to set on top of the shield.  Then with a wave of his hand he returned them all to his inventory.

“Once you have your rings, we’re going to help you fill them.  Citizens from all over have donated weapons and armor pieces that they’ve grown out of, but are appropriate for your current levels.   Just speak to one of the folks at the tables, and they’ll provide you with whatever is available.  I’m sure you’ll continue to grow and quickly make these items obsolete, but for now they’ll help to keep you safe.”  There were cheers and cries of thanks from the crowd.

“Lastly, if you haven’t already spoken to them, there are about a hundred trainers here who can help you choose a class, or train you in your chosen class.  These folks have kindly volunteered their valuable time to be here today.  If the trainer you need is not here right now, don’t worry.  We have more that couldn’t be here today.  You can make appointments with any of them soon.  And please, I cannot emphasize this enough, if you aren’t yet sure what class you want, don’t rush it.  You are safe here now, and have time to make an informed decision.  You don’t need a class to contribute to the community, though if you’re going outside the walls to fight or harvest, a class will make you stronger and safer.”

Allistor looked at Helen and whispered, “Did I forget anything?”  When she shook her head, he finished up.  “Again, welcome to Invictus!  I’m so happy that all of you have chosen to join us.  In the coming days, I intend to reach out to as many other humans as we can find, and offer them the same.  We have the land and resources to expand across the globe.  I hope you’ll all join me in those efforts.”

With that he stepped down off the stage and watched as the newcomers lined up to receive their rings, then file down the line of tables.  Allistor smiled sadly as he watched the first few of them being taught how to equip their gear from inventory with a thought, rather than manually donning and lacing and fastening the items.  These people had been kept almost totally in the dark.  It was going to be an exciting several days for them.   

After watching them for a while, he accompanied Daigath, the tiger, and Helen back to Wilderness to check on the bears.   It was interesting to watch the meeting between Fuzzy and the oversized tiger.  Fuzzy was a higher level than Sher’gal, and though she stood taller at the shoulders, he had much greater mass.  And since Fuzzy was still only a yearling, even if he didn’t level up any more, he would still grow a great deal over the next year or two.

The two approached each other across the clearing near the blueberry bushes after Daigath made verbal introductions.  Sher’gal’s hackles were up slightly, the cat having been feral until very recently.  Fuzzy seemed relaxed and curious, chuffing at the large cat with his nose going a mile a minute.  Eventually the tiger relaxed, and Fuzzy grinned at her.  He reached out with one forepaw and batted her shoulder, then hopped back playfully.  She immediately dove forward and tackled him, and the two of them rolled around in a mock battle that Fiona avoided with wide eyes and snorts of distress.  After a few minutes of getting-to-know-you wrestling, Fuzzy brought Sher’gal over to where Fiona sat, and a much more sedate introduction was made.  Sher’gal seemed to understand that Fiona was hurt, and gave her ear a sympathetic lick. 

With that out of the way, Fiona lay on her belly and looked at Helen, who promptly plopped down to sit with her back against the bear.  Fiona rumbled quietly as Helen scratched her sides and belly, speaking softly to her. 

Sher’gal gave Daigath a look, and he chuckled.  “Of course you may go hunt.  But no two-legged creatures.  Those are friends.”  The tiger trotted away with a grunt, quickly and nearly silently disappearing into the brush.  Fuzzy, seeing that Fiona was safe with Helen for a while, tackled Allistor and demanded belly scratches.

“Ha!  Get off me you giant, smelly fuzzball!  You need a bath.  Maybe two.” Allistor shoved the bear off of him, then tackled him, offering rough scratches.  He had to press hard to have any effect on the tough bear hide.  Fuzzy went limp, laying on his back with his paws flopping limply in the air as Allistor scratched his chest and belly. 

Content to spend time with his buddy, Allistor stayed in the clearing with Helen and the bears for the remainder of the day.  They spoke with Daigath, asking a great number of questions, some of which the old elf wouldn’t answer.  “You must discover this on your own.” Was his common reply. 

Daigath was proud of Allistor when he relayed the tale of pooling some of his experience and leveling up the new citizens.  Which might have been the reason the mentor did not try to lecture Allistor about the upcoming visit from Baldur and Loki.   Instead, Daigath had Allistor practice making dimensional storage devices with increasing numbers of slots.  He used some ability to watch Allistor cast each spell, and gave a few pointers here and there.   By the end of the afternoon his Dimensional Manipulation had increased to level six.  An unexpected but welcome side benefit was that his Dimensional Step and Levitate spells each increased by a level as well.

*****

 

The day had come, and Allistor awoke before the first sunrise, as usual.  Baldur would be bringing Loki back to face his fate at noon.   Allistor was jittery with both excitement and stress.  He decided to head to the roof and do some crafting to calm his nerves. 

In the back of his mind, he’d been planning a very specific blade.  Taking out the best quality steel he’d been able to steal from Michael, he lit the forge and waited for it to heat up.  Moving to the lounge area, he closed his eyes and pictured the blade he wanted.  Breathing slowly and deeply, he calmed himself and focused on the dimensions of the blade, the weight, the sound it would make as it lopped off Loki’s head. 

When the forge was heated, he slid the steel into the flame and began to arrange his tools.  He was going to use all the limited knowledge and skill he had obtained to make this into a proper genocidal-asshole-fake-god-killing weapon.

Pulling the heated metal from the forge, he began to hammer it out into its initial rough shape.  His hands did the work, practice and muscle memory combined with the System’s odd crafting mechanics to do the work while his mind wandered.   He hammered until the metal began to cool, then placed it back into the forge to reheat time and again.  The blade took shape while Allistor imagined the finished product, his mind already mulling over enchantments as the twin suns rose higher above the horizon.

Two hours later the girls appeared on the roof with a tray of food.  He set down both sword and hammer and motioned for them to join him in the lounge.  As they sat, Sydney reached out and offered a handful of seed in her open palm to the swallow nested in the potted shrub next to the sofa.  The odd bird had landed there with its coconut companion some time ago, and never left.  Helen, upon first seeing the bird, had laughed long and loud, and instantly named it Monty.  Addy and Sydney had taken to feeding it every day, so the bird had no real reason to leave. 

And it guarded the coconut with ferocity.  William had tried to pick it up once, just to get a closer look.  The bird had pecked his hand hard enough to draw blood, scaring the boy into dropping the coconut.  Allistor had quickly retrieved it and set it back in place, leaving the angry bird and its ruffled feathers in peace.  William had since made several grumbling comments about how the bird might taste, fried with some honey mustard sauce.

The three of them shared a quiet breakfast, Addy asking what Allistor was making.  When he told them, both girls nodded their heads, as if it were only proper to create such a weapon for the occasion.  They asked if they could do anything to help, and when he declined, they quietly left him to his work.

The blade now properly shaped and nearly finished, Allistor heated it once more and pounded out the last few details.  He whistled to himself as he ground out some impurities and sharpened the blade, then took some time to work on the handle.  He decided on using some of the ancient shellback’s shell as the grip, wrapping it with a layer of drake hide.  He set a diamond the size of a grape in the pommel, one of the best quality stones he had in his inventory. 

A quick glance at his UI told him he had about an hour before he needed to go and prepare for the meeting.  He pulled out his enchanting tool case, a gift from Michael, and began to channel his mana into the engraver as he worked.  When he was done, he had drawn symbols up and down the full length of the fuller on both sides of the blade.  He carefully checked each symbol for a third time, running some steel cloth up and down to remove any remaining scraps of metal.  Then he closed his eyes and focused.

His mana pool was many times larger than the first time he’d tried to enchant a weapon.  And his skill had improved quite a bit as well.  He imbued the metal of the sword itself with its most important attribute, Sharpness .   Then he focused on the gem in the pommel, and tried a new enchantment he’d been considering all week.  As he pushed his energy into the gem, he pictured what he wanted the spell to do.  When he felt it lock into place more than a minute, and thirty percent of his mana pool later, he named the enchantment Retribution .

Allistor held the completed sword up in front of him.  He’d purposely based its design on old photos and movie holos he’d seen that featured the mythical Excalibur.  A European style sword with a wide blade and straight edges that tapered toward the point.  A wide fuller on both sides cut down on the weight of the blade, though Allistor could easily have wielded one ten times as heavy.  In addition to the runes within the fuller, Allistor had etched some decorative scrolls and vines into the metal near the base.  The guard was simple and clean, and the drake hide handle gleamed in the sunlight.  Though not as much as the diamond in the pommel. 

He’d used Excalibur as his model because he wanted this to be a sword of justice, a symbol to his people.  The sword that would take the life of Loki, who had taken so many human lives, and taken so much more from the survivors.  He wanted the sword to stand as a symbol as he gathered and reunited what was left of the human race, and propelled them out into the universe.

“You’re not perfect, and not very powerful in the grand scheme of things.” He spoke to the sword.  “Then again, neither am I.”  He tested the sword’s weight and balance, swinging it a few times at imaginary foes.  “But I think we suit each other well.  I’m going to call you… Unification .”

*****

 

Once again, Allistor and his people gathered at the Bastion.  Nearly all of his citizens were in attendance, all of them wanting to witness the end of Loki.  It was an event they could tell stories of in bars and family gatherings for the rest of their lives. 

Lilly had, as she always did, crafted and gifted Allistor what she considered proper attire for the occasion.  He stood atop the capitol steps wearing drake skin armor from head to toe.  Every inch of it had been dyed a creamy white, with white stitching.  When Allistor had asked why she’d chosen the light color rather than the previous crimson she’d given him, her answer was simple, straightforward, and surprising.

“It will show the blood splatter better.”

Joining him on the upper level were Harmon, Daigath, his inner circle and analysts, as well as the non-human guests who had attended before.  L’olwyn had informed him that literally thousands of others had requested permission to attend.  But Allistor had decided, with the help of his advisors, to invite just those guests who had been there for the first visit.  They were his closest allies, and though he did not want to offend others, he also didn’t want to turn the event into a circus. 

His people weren’t likely to get another defense quest out of this, but Allistor had already set his UI so that only five percent of the experience granted for killing Loki would go toward his personal level increases.  The rest would go into the emperor’s pool for distribution to his citizens at some later date.  Based on rough estimates from Harmon and Daigath, even five percent would grant him several levels. 

The crowd grew quiet when Baldur and Loki appeared out of thin air.  Baldur was once again in his human form, tall and muscular and glowing slightly with power.  Loki remained in his true form, bound in chains from neck to ankles.  This time when he glared at Allistor, there was less hatred and more resignation in his eyes.  Allistor guessed that whatever Odin and Baldur had done to Loki had taken much of the fight out of him.

Baldur wasted no time.  “Emperor Allistor, I have returned at the agreed upon time and place to deliver Loki to you.  His mortal life is yours to do with as you please.”  He nodded his head almost imperceptibly and stepped back, dropping the chain lead to the ground.

Allistor bowed his head briefly to the ancient being, gritting his teeth as he did so. It infuriated him to show any degree of respect to one of this race. “As agreed, I claim Loki’s life on behalf of the human race, all those who perished, and all of us who still live.  The suffering he has caused cannot be put into words.  I hope that knowledge of Loki’s death will ease some of the pain for Earth’s survivors as we move forward.”

Allistor stepped closer to Loki, who did not react at all.  He stared at the murderer’s face as he slowly drew his new weapon and held it up.  He noticed Baldur take in the weapon, though his face betrayed no opinion of it one way or another.  The ancient being simply said, “The restraints have blocked his access to the motes, and with it all of his magic.  His health pool has been drained to a fraction of normal, so that your execution may be swift.  That weapon will suffice.”

Allistor raised the sword into the air with one hand, facing his people gathered below.  “For Earth!  For all of you!  For the lost!”  His people roared back at him, their own weapons raised. 

“ FOR THE LOST!”

Without hesitation Allistor turned and thrust Unification through Loki’s chest where an octopoid’s heart would be.  The unnaturally sharp weapon slid into the flesh with ease, slamming hilt deep so that the point of the blade exited Loki’s back.  

The ancient screamed in agony as his eyes flashed with hatred and pain, and the sword’s enchantment did its work.  A burning sensation filled Loki’s existence as some of his life essence was absorbed through the blade into the diamond on the pommel. 

When the blow didn’t outright kill Loki, whose scream had dwindled into a growl, Allistor yanked the blade free and, spinning his body to increase the momentum of his swing, powered the edge of the blade easily through Loki’s neck, and spine, cleanly severing the head. 

He waved aside the expected flood of reputation notifications as he held his pose for a moment, sword out in front of him dripping blood, as he joined everyone else in watching the head tumble to the ground.  It bounced once on the stone surface and rolled a short distance, the hatred gone from the dead eyes.  The crowd was still as Loki’s body tipped to one side, then slumped to the ground next to the head. 

When Allistor took in a fresh breath and raised the bloody sword into the air again, his pristine white armor now bloodstained, the crowd erupted in a wordless roar that shook the buildings and trees around them.  Feet began to stomp in rhythm, and the roar became a chant. 

“ Invictus!  Invictus!  Invictus!  INVICTUS!”

Ignoring the crowd, Baldur stepped closer to Allistor, towering over him.  “This fulfills our accord, Emperor Allistor.  I hope that this display will quench your thirst for vengeance.”  Without waiting for a response, Baldur disappeared, as did the silvery chains from Loki’s corpse. 

A moment later, as Allistor watched the blood cease to pump from Loki’s neck, another series of notifications flooded Allistor’s vision.  This time, he didn’t have a chance to wave them away, as the euphoric feeling of leveling up overwhelmed his senses and he fell unconscious. 

*****

 

Baldur appeared in front of his father’s throne within seconds of leaving Earth.  His father, who had been observing the proceedings, was getting to his feet even as Baldur saw the holo image of Allistor dropping insensate to the ground next to Loki’s corpse. 

At the same time, several other holo displays flashed red, and Odin began to curse. 

“I knew it!  I knew I should have pushed harder, drained Loki of every last iota of knowledge.  I let him keep his last, darkest secrets, not wanting to burden my soul any further.  It seems I have made another mistake.”  Odin spoke quietly as he took in the information displayed.  Baldur shook his head as he too absorbed it all.

“We should have expected this.  They were always hated rivals.”

“So much loss of life for petty rivalry.  Such a waste.”  Odin’s eyes were moist with unshed tears.   He turned away from the holo displays and looked down upon Baldur.  “What was that enchantment?”

Baldur’s tentacles twitched.  “The boy named it Retribution .  It had three functions.  First and foremost, it drained a bit of Loki’s essence into the gem.  Not a large fraction, but enough to give the sword sentience, eventually.  It will grow as he uses it.  The other purposes of the enchantment were to impart pain, and the knowledge of what it was doing.  In effect, he designed the weapon to send a message to Loki, and to us.  I can hurt you .”

Odin nodded.  “Smartly done.  The boy realized after his threat to capture Loki’s essence in the orb, that this was the one thing he feared.  Letting Loki know that the sword was stealing some of his essence would indeed have caused anguish.” There was concern in his eyes, and a question, as he looked at his son.

“The boy is still a beginner.  He has no way to know it, but the power he took was the tiniest fraction of Loki’s essence.  Not nearly enough to prevent his ascension.  Had it been otherwise, I would not have allowed him to use the weapon.  As it is, he believes he has his revenge, Loki was deservedly chastened but not truly harmed, and Allistor has earned himself a powerful weapon.” He paused and glanced briefly at the displays before continuing.  “As for the… other consequences?  We will simply have to wait and see.”

“Let us hope that this measure of revenge will be enough to cool his temper and give him time to grow out of his hatred for us.”  Odin sat back in his throne, the tears in his eyes still unshed.