P3: Chapter three

BeAutyBrokEn  

“Beauty!” At the sound of her name, BeAutyBrokEn who had been lost in thought started. She barely looked up when her friend, all squeaks, and squeals, plowed into her. “Oh, Beauty I’m so happy I saw you, I was heading out on another mission, so if I had missed you I don’t when we would see each other again. How are you ?! What have you been up too, I heard you’re a hunter, what’s that all about?”

BeAutyBrokEn’s laugh stopped BuTTherKupp’s flow of questions. “It’s so good to see you. You said you’re leaving, do you have a few minutes to sit and catch up?”    

“For you of course,” she looked to the open door, “a few minutes anyway.” she sat at an open chair across from BeAutyBrokEn. “I hear you’re a coven of witches, and our greatest hunter, you have been busy. Tell me all about it.”

“I’ll keep it short, I stayed near the road where you left me and attacked anybody who came close enough.”

“The Coven. But if you were having so much luck why did you come to town?”

“Right, that ridiculous ‘coven’ rumor. I come back to town because it got boring waiting for principles to beat. After a bit, they stopped coming altogether, so I thought I would try to find you. My search for you lead me to the ThElder404 and the Thunder88, being a Hunter is perfect for me. But what about you?  When I made it back to town they told me, you were an explorer? How’d that happen?”

“It’s not interesting when I got to town the Thunder88 were in a recruiting push they offered being an Explorer. Being an Explorer, I couldn’t be happier, I wander around and try to find treasure chests, I have to share what I find with the ‘88, but only like twenty percent, so I do pretty well. The best part is I get to hear all the news, really just the rumors.”

“You mean gossip?!”

“Yeah, it’s awesome.”

“Tell me, what’s the best thing you’ve heard recently?”

“I don’t know if it’s the best thing, but it’s what everyone is talking about. The Tokening of Ragnar.”

“What!?”

“He was a Hunter, like you. I hear that he was Tokened by his clan. What’s wrong? you look like you’re going to be sick?”

“I feel awful.”

“Why do you, Oh, did you know him?”

“Yeah, he helped me on my first hunt. I convinced him to quit his clan, The Band of the Golden Hand. I’m the reason the Tokened him. It’s my fault he’s gone.”

“My mind is blown, you just blew my mind. He’s a celebrity! You met the biggest name in AnturA. How did you meet him?”

“He wasn’t like that, a celebrity and all, he was normal. He was nice.”

“Oh, honey I’m sorry, you liked him.”

“Yeah, he was kind. He treated me like an equal.”

“You got bit bad. I don’t know if this will help, but I don’t think it was your fault.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t think that the Golden Hand Tokened him because he quit. I believe they would have Tokened him anyways. They used his passing to restructure their whole organization. Now they call themselves The Band of the Black Hand, they offer a membership, pay to be protected from Tokening.”

“No wonder they Tokened him, Ragnar would never go along with something like that.”

“Well I never met the guy, but all the talk seems to agree with you.”

“ How’s everyone else reacting?”

“It’s a madhouse, opinions are as varied as the appearance of the principles who have them. Most think of him as a hero to be emulated, others think he was a vigilante who got his just desserts.”

“There is one thing most of us agree upon.” this new voice caused both BuTTherKup and BeAutyBrokEn to start. BeAutyBrokEn looked up to see ThElder404 standing next to BuTTherKupp. “We agree that what the Black Hand is doing is wrong. In fact!” suddenly he clapped his hands twice loudly. “Do I have everyone’s attention. Good. This is my official statement, please tell those who missed it. The Thunder88 is declaring war on the Band of the Black Hand. I find what they’re doing to abhorrent, I leave the methods of attack to each of you, to start I want to seal our borders to anyone wearing any Black Hand symbols. Let’s lock down our territory. Good luck out there.” he turned back to the table, “Did I make my feelings on this clear?”

“Yes, sir,” BuTTherKupp answered, BeAutyBrokEn nodded in support.

“Good,” ThElder404 said, his smile seeming to hold them like a warm blanket. “What I just told everyone, that doesn’t apply to you. I you both to stay on task, in fact, your missions are more important than ever, though BuTTherKupp I think it would be prudent to step up the finding allies if you can please make contact with each of the color’s leaders,, can you do that?”

“Yeah, of course.”

“Wonderful, thank you. Beauty?” When ThElder404 turned his attention to BeAutyBrokEn, she felt it like a weight.

“Uh, yes, Sir?” She answered hesitantly.

Again his smile embraced her. “I have to tell you I’m very impressed with your success. Two vile Tokeners removed from this world. Two, incredible. I have been hearing about a Tokener coming over the bridge from Surka, have you heard anything?”

“No Sir, this is the first,” BeAutyBrokEn answered.

ThElder404 turned to BuTTherKupp, “This might take a minute so you might want to get a head start on your mission.”

BuTTherKupp got up quickly, “Yes Sir.” She turned to BeAutyBrokEn, to find her already standing. There was mutual squealing as they hugged. “Beauty, I’m so happy I ran into you. I can’t tell you how pleased I am you joined the Thunder88. Maybe next time we’ll be able to work together on a mission.” They embraced once more then BuTTherKupp turned and flounced out the door.

“Do you mind if I sit?” ThElder404 gestured to the chai that BuTTherKupp had vacated.  

“Please.” BeAutyBrokEn returned to her seat. Once they were both seated she asked, “So tell me, what do you know about this new Tokener?”

ThElder404 filled two glasses from a pitcher on the table, he pushed one towards BeAutyBrokEn and raised the other, “L'chayim.”

BeAutyBrokEn raised the offered glass, she didn’t know what he had said so she replied with a simple, “cheers.”

ThElder404 took a large sip, BeAutyBrokEn followed with a much smaller sip. She immediately noticed a metallic taste in the back of her throat. Sounds seemed enhanced, as well. She looked at ThElder404 again noting the individual motes floating in the light around his head giving him a haloed look.

After a few minutes, ThElder404 spoke. “Unfortunately I know very little about this new Tbag and I already told you most of what I know. I have heard a name, HeyZues, not that it’ll help you much. I’ve also heard a location, that should help you more, at least it should give you a start point.”

BeAutyBrokEn laughed, “Are you going to make me guess?”

“No,” ThElder404 took his map from his belt and unrolled it on the table. “Here, touch your map.” Once this was done and she had her map unrolled before her, he said “It’s like I said, and have heard from five different sources that he has been seen on or around the bridge to Surka. I know it’s not much to go on, the only other thing that I’ve heard, and this is much less confirmed, I have heard that his weapon of choice is a lasso.”

“A lasso? Like a rope?”

I guess. I don’t know, I’m sorry I don’t know more.”

“I’m sure it will be enough. I’ve started with less.” BeAutyBrokEn took a big final drink from her glass in preparation to leave.

ThElder404 finished his drink and stood up, “I wish you all the luck and that your hunt is a success. Your successes are key to my aggression against the Black Hand succeeding.”

“No pressure or anything,” BeAutyBrokEn said from the doorway. She smiled to show she was joking. she waved and closed the door behind her.

A slight breeze caught her veils and played with them lightly. She stepped away from the Tee Dome and started to walk along the road out of town. She kept to the edge of the road letting the boisterous crowds pass her, instead of watching the varied masses, focusing instead on the buildings and ruminating on how the town was changing. Though the town still held its frontier style, the street was now recognizable as a street.  Some of the buildings now sported embellishments like window boxes and wind chimes. Though the Tee Dome was heavily used very few other buildings were, the embellishments soon petered out and not long after so did the town.

BeAutyBrokEn soon was walking in the open plain. The plain was not without features, with the Tonic moving in her system she felt like she noticed each one. The ever-present bush with the purple berries dotted the landscape. Many other varieties of bushy plant filled out the fauna of the plain, overall a rather drab landscape. BeAutyBrokEn tried to focus on the potential that surrounded her, but her mind keeps returning to one thing. Ragnar.

It was here, surrounded by the seemingly empty plain, that her feelings made themselves known. She had, without realizing what she was doing, clamped down on her feelings. But now, out of the hustle and bustle that was town, the emotions came in full force. She let herself wallow for only a few minutes when she attempted to reign in the tumultuous, confusing, feelings she quickly understood that all, or the best, she could do filter the feelings into questions, questions that as of yet had no answer. These questions and feelings were her companions till the bridge lay before her.

The bridge served to convey the road, over a rushing river. It looked to be made of wood, Tall, with a big arch that prevented her from seeing the middle or the other side of the bridge, it also looked solid and well made. She approached with caution not being able to see the far side, the sound of steps froze her. She stopped and listened, and heard the crunch on steps of one principle, under the stomps of feet she could hear another sound, a scrap of something sliding on the bridge. Unable to see she took a step onto the bridge before she could take a second step two figures appeared on the crest of the bridge. They appeared to be about to fight.

Looking at them she felt confident that she had found HeyZeus. It was the lasso that gave him away.He wore pants, a flannel shirt, and a big ten-gallon hat. The lasso he moved from hand to hand while keeping it moving, spinning, the loop of it down near his ankles.

BeAutyBrokEn didn’t recognize HeyZeus’ opponent, it only took a moment for her to realize that the opponent was the cause of that scraping sound she was hearing. Their postures told her they were about to fight. Trying to gather as much information before the fight started she stepped onto the bridge and focused on the stranger.

M3Dussa

Level 2

Wallet-2Au

While trying to remember if she had ever heard that name before, the fight suddenly started. With no warning that BeAutyBrokEn could see, HeyZeus swung the lasso up towards M3Dussa slid back pulling a knife, seemingly from nowhere, and used the blade to knock away the offending rope. Then quickly moving his arm in a throwing motion, HeyZeus spun around, there was an audible thunk and BeAutyBrokEn saw the knife had struck in the wooden planking behind HeyZeus. HeyZeus came out of his spin on the attack, aiming his lasso first at M3Dussa’s tail and then at his head again.

M3Dussa managed to evade these attacks, but just barely. BeAutyBrokEn could see that he was struggling, clearly outclassed by a stronger opponent. BeAutyBrokEn felt that she was watching a bully couldn’t sit back and watch as one poor principle get Tokened through her inaction. HeyZeus had his entire attention turned to M3Dussa, BeAutyBrokEn took advantage of this and threw two threads, one stuck to the back of HeyZeus’ right knee, the other stuck to his left thigh.

The fight continued, and M3Dussa swung his tail in an attempt to trip HeyZeus. HeyZeus jumped over the tail easily evading the attack, BeAutyBrokEn saw her opportunity and pulled hard on the two threads, HeyZeus pitched forward and met the bridge hard with his chin. While he lay on the bridge stunned, BeAutyBroken took the three steps to his prone body and thrust her sword into his back. 1 kill +1 xp. She looked to M3Dussa to gauge his reaction, he was staring at her. Ignoring him for the time being she went down to one knee next to the body and went into his wallet and pulled out 10Au and his Token. She held the Token out to M3Dussa in the flat of her palm, with her other hand she pointed first to the Token and then to herself.     

M3Dussa rocked back a little like he had figured something out.“Oh! I see you want to Token him. Beauty that’s fine, do it.”

BeAutyBrokEn didn’t hesitate, she pulled out her Token and brought her hands together. There was a flash of light and she felt the tickle of electricity on her arms. When it was finished she put her still warm Token away and remembered something. “You called me Beauty?”

M3Dussa look taken back, “yeah, you  told me it was your nickname, and I should use it.”

“You? I told you that? How could I, I don’t think I’ve ever met you before.”

“No, no, you’re right, we haven’t met when I’ve like this as M3Dussa. We have met though, then I went by Ragar.”     

P3: Chapter Three

KnightShade

Their morning sparing had become a daily event, one that KnightShade enjoyed. That’s why he was so annoyed to be interrupted. They had only been fighting for a short time, when the sound of wheels creaking caused them to turn.  DreamCatCher86 responded first breaking off her attack to bring an arrow to her bowstring then draw it aimed at the sound.of wheels. KnightShade turned, crouched, ready to leap in any direction. He wasn’t sure what he would see but it wasn’t a cart.

The cart was wooden, with four wheels, being pushed by a bored looking giant gorilla. A light green goblin sat in the bed of the cart, when the cart was fully in the clearing the goblin made a motion with his hand and the cart came to a stop.Without the sound of the creaking wheels silence that settled over the clearing only broken by the rushing of the waterfall.

“Wow,” it was the goblin who finally broke the silence, “this is a super cute nook you kids have found. I have seen a bunch of these little hideouts, this one might be my favorite.”

KnightShade was finding the gregarious nature of the goblin off-putting and a little annoying. Focusing on the goblin was even more off putting as it provided no information. This surprised him to the point of blurting out, “who are you?”

The goblin stood up and shrugged, “Me? I’m nothing. I guess you could say I’m a salesman.”

“What are you selling?” DreamCatCher86 gasped out from behind KnightShade.

“Oh. just this drink, you might have heard of it, I call it Tonic.” he looked at them expectantly, this turned to confusion. “Don’t tell you’ve never heard of it.”

KnightShade started to shake his head no, when DreamCatCher86 spoke from behind him, “I’ve tried it.”

“So you know how beautiful it makes everything, go ahead tell him.” the goblin pointed at KnightShade.

KnightShade held a hand up to stop her from speaking. “No I would like you to tell me.” He said to the goblin, “go on, sell me.”

The goblin started slowly, “okay, well it’s a drink that we manufacture and distribute. It’s an intoxicant, with similar effects of uppers and halucignicis. Most of the principles I have spoken with say what they really like is how it seems to give them access parts of their brain they normally can’t. Was that your experience?” The last question was directed at DreamCatCher86.

KnightShade watched as her shoulders rose and fell as she thought. After a moment she shrugged, “Yeah I guess, close enough.”

“Great!” the goblin responded with a big grin. “So now the important question. Did you enjoy it?”

DreamCatCher86 thought for a moment then nodded, “Yeah I guess.” she shrugged again

“Wonderful! Perfect!” the goblin responded with a grin so wide it was  a little off putting. “Look I’ve taken enough of your time, I’ll cut to the chase.” He continued, “I can see you’re still skeptical,” he pointed at KnightShade.

“Well, I’m sure it’s great fun and everything,”

“But?” the goblin interrupted.

“But,” KnightShade continued, “we haven’t talked price, or any details.”

“Ahhh, those are all very important. But how ‘bout, for time sake, this time I’ll hook you up with a barrel gratis, nice right.”

“Gratis, you mean free?” KnightShade asked.

“Yep that’s what I mean. Try it out, see how you like it, I’ll come back in a month and we can go over the details.”

“Does accepting this barrel obligate us in any way?” KnightShade saw DreamCatCher86 nodding at this.

“Not even a little bit. I believe in my product and I’m willing to bet that after you’ve had an opportunity to try it, you will be willing to pay for more. I can have my assistant unload the barrel if you want?”

KnightShade was still thinking about it when DreamCatCher86 spoke up, “We’ll take it, can you have him put it in the cave waterfall?”

The goblin gave her a grateful smile, he then walked to the giant ape sitting with his back to the cart and gave him a mighty kick in the side. “Tiftwo! You heard her, get your finger out of your nose and get that barrel in the cave!”

The ape ignored the kick and slowly got to his feet, took a barrel and walked it into the cave. He came out shortly after, without the barrel. He exited the cave through the waterfall so while he walked back to the cart he shook the water droplets from his fur . KnightShade noticed that DreamCatCher86 was not watching the ape, instead her aim and her focus were on the forest behind the cart. He tried to see what she was looking at, but he couldn’t see anything, maybe a shadow?

In the meantime the goblin had climbed into the bed of the cart, once he was seated he motioned for the ape to start pushing. As the rolled across the clearing call out to KnightShade and DreamCatCher86, “Thank you both, I’ll see you in a month.” The apes back faded into the dark of the forest, then they were gone. KnightShade shook his head then started to turn back to the cave. In doing so he saw that DreamCatCher86 had not relaxed. If anything she was more tense than she had been. Her bow was still drawn, the string drawn back to her check, she sighted along the shaft of an arrow.

KnightShade tried to follow her intent stair to see what it was she saw. At first all she saw was the forest. He remained still, as soon more and more details came into focus. Slowly that detail revealed a shadow, a human shaped shadow moving towards the clearing. In that heart beat after he noticed it, the shadow pushed into the clearing. KnightShade immediately focussed on the black clad women who was invading his sanctuary.

1¢op

Level 4

Wallet-5Au

1¢op carefully stepped into the clearing she kept a careful eye on DreamCatCher86 looking around, rolling her shoulders and stretching her neck. “Wow,” she said after a few moments, “You guys have found a beautiful little clearing. What a romantic hideaway.”

At the word ‘romantic’ KnightShade couldn’t help glance at DreamCatCher86, so the tips of her ear turning red was not missed.

“Who are you? And what are you doing here?” Snapped DreamCatCher86, her arrow unwaveringly aimed at the newcomer.

“Hey, Hey,” 1¢op held her hands up in a gesture of peace. “I promise I’m not a threat. I’m investigating the makers of this Tonic. I was tailing the ape pushing the cart. When they left the barrel I felt I needed to stop and warn you.”

“Warn us?!” DreamCatCher86 blurted sounding both sceptical and surprised.

“Look, I don’t yet know who is behind this Tonic, but I do know they’re bad. Be careful with that drink, it will kill you. I mean kill you dead, total mind death. I’ve seen it on both sides, here in AntruA, and with my other eyes.”

“Total mind death? Are you sure?” DreamCatCher86 asked.

1¢op nodded, “Unfortunately. Yeah, I am. You guys can do whatever you want, I just wanted to make sure you had all the information you need to make an informed choice. Look I gotta run so I don’t loss that ape. It was nice meeting you, and I’m serious, you kids go easy on that Tonic.” With that she turned and ran into the woods in the direction the cart had disappeared.

KnightShade started for the cave, shouting over his shoulder. “I’m going to get a drink, do you want one?”   

P3: Chapter Two

1¢op

Stepping through the doorway, 1¢op found herself in the now familiar respawn room in Bluetopia. The room was plain and spartan, a table and one chair were the only furnishings in the whole room.

On closer inspection, 1¢op saw that the table was covered with Tokens. This was not the first time she had seen Tokens here, principles often left them for safe keeping.  But that had alway been four or five, at the most. This was something else, the table was covered with maybe thirty of the small golden disks. There was something about the drastic increase that left 1¢op  feeling unsettled.        

“I didn’t expect to see you back, and so soon.” said a sarcastic voice from behind her. Startled 1¢op turned, she had thought that she was alone in the room. ThomKatze66 smiled at her from behind a desk, he gestured to a chair before the desk, she sat, “what is this?” she asked. “Are you security?”

ThomKatze66 thought for a moment, “No, I would say I’m more like a scribe.” He shrugged then chuckled to himself. “Which is really, just a euphemism for data entree. So I have to ask you a few questions, cool?”

“No, Why?”

“Mainly because I’ve been ordered to. But I think it’s a way for the higher ups to track conflicts. So can I ask those questions now?” It might have been just his cat face, but ThomKatze66 looked extremely pleased with himself   

“No.” 1¢op turned to exit the room.

“Hey! Common, you need to answer my questions. The door won't open till you do.”

1¢op tried the door and found that ThomKatze66 was telling the truth. The truth at least as far as the door not opening, as for the solution only time would tell. “Can I suggest a compromise? I’ll answer your questions, if you answer mine. What do you say?”

“Why would I do that? You’re stuck here till you answer my questions. Just answer the questions and you can leave.”

“Fine, ask your questions.” 1¢op was ready to leave this room, and she asked herself, what could he ask that I wouldn’t want to answer.

“Great, really I appreciate it. Okay first question, what is your name?”

“1¢op.”

“Good, do you have a nickname?”

“Yes, Penny.”

“Fantastic, do I have your permission to use your nickname to address you going forward?”

“Uh, yeah sure, I guess.”

“Great! Thank you, Penny. My next question, what is your city of origin?”

“Sha.”

“Okay, now Penny, are you currently affiliated with any army, band, or clan?”

“No.”

“What? Really?”

“Truly.”

“At the time of your death what was the closest city?”

“This one, Orup, I think.”

“Okay just a few more. Do you know the affiliation of the principle who killed you.”

“No.”

“Okay, what was their name?”

“I don’t know.”

“How can that be?”

“I don’t know, when I focus on him there is nothing. Truthfully I’m not sure he’s a principle like the rest of us.”

“Wait. were you killed by that massive gorilla who pushes the Tonic cart?”

“Yeah.”

“Oh man, that guy looks mean. If you learn anything about those Tonic principles, I know many  will pay for good information.”

“I’ll keep that in mind. Do you have any more questions?”

“Nope, you’re done.”

“So the door’s unlocked?”

“It should be, go try it.”

Finding the door unlocked, 1¢op turned back to ask a question. “One last question?”

“It doesn’t have to be.” ThomKatze66 said.

“What?” 1¢op was confused by the reply.

“Sorry, it doesn't have to be your last question, you can ask others, if you have them.”

“Oh, okay. Um my question, do you know if I could meet with LeBlu?”

ThomKatze66 sucked air through his teeth. “He’s here, but he would never meet with a principle who wasn’t in the Blue Army. Maybe if you join up I could get you an audience.”

“No, he will see me. Go tell him I’m here.”

“Really, I have never seen him meet with a princple below the rank of lieutenant, even if they are in the Army.”

“Just go.” 1¢op watched as a clearly sceptical ThomKatze66 walked to a wall, he did something and the wall opened revealing a stairway up. He looked at her for a moment then turn and disappeared up the stairs. 1¢op didn’t have to wait long for an answer. Appearing in the stairwell looking shocked ThomKatze66 said, “He’ll see you now. Please follow me.” he turned and started back up the stairs not looking back to see if 1¢op was following.

She was following and soon he was gesturing her through a door into another office. This office was almost a carbon copy of the room she had just ascended from. LeBlu, sitting behind the desk, stood up with a smile when she entered the room, “Penny! It’s so good to see you.” He came around the desk and gave her a big hug. “Please have a seat.” he said when they broke apart, gesturing to the chair before the desk. “You must tell me all about how your mission is going. I hear that you have come through the death’s door fairly frequently.”

1¢op sat with a sigh, “Yeah, the mission progresses slowly. Actually that might be overselling it. I’m nowhere, every time i think I’m getting a reaction, the damn apes eyes go opaque and then he kills me. It’s an incredibly frustrating pattern I have put myself in.” she sighed again.

“I could make a suggestion, if you don’t object?” LeBlu said.

“Please, I got nothing. I’m just spinning my wheels here.”

“Well, it sounds like you’re approaching the problem from the wrong angle.”

“Right, I have been wracking my brain for any idea on how to get through, but I’ve got nothing.”

“Well, what do you know?”

“I know that he pushes a cart, that is t say I know nothing.”

“Well then it seems to me that’s where you should start.”

“Start where?”

“You need to know more, full stop. It doesn't matter what you’re trying to do, you can’t do it if you don’t know anything about it.” He held a hand up when it seemed like she would speak, “No, really I don’t need to know, I don’t care. Look you said he pushes a cart, have you tried just following him and see what he does?” she nodded the negative. “Start there, you might learn something.”

“Yeah okay I’ll try that. Listen LeBlu, thanks for being so cool, after our last meeting I wasn’t sure you would even see me and here you are helping me. I really appreciate that.”

“Yeah, well that was a rough time for me. I wasn’t just losing my war, I felt like I was losing my army. When the Red Army imploded, my perspective changed I guess. I thought about it, your secret mission doesn’t interest me. So I forgive you.”

“What happened to the Red Army? What do you mean imploded?”

“The details are still  murky at this point. What I have been able to suss out is the Band of the Black Hand orchestrated a coup with high rank red soldiers and the Red Army in Norca is now the Band’s muscle.”

“Wow, I didn’t see that coming. LeBlu did you just win your color war?”

“Not really, I mean yes, the Red Army took a huge blow, but those fiends are still out there. I heard that their leadership has reformed and set up a new headquarters. worse I didn’t strike the blow. So for now the war to prove the dominance of the color blue continues.”

“Well good luck to you.”  1¢op turned when she reached the door, “Thanks again for everything.” She saw him wave as the door closed behind her. When she reached the bottom of the stairs she noticed the door to the death room open a crack. As she neared, she saw that it was ThomKatze66, as soon as he noticed that she had seen him, the door slammed close.

1¢op exited the building into the hustle and bustle of Orup. the principles moving on the streets a wild menagerie of wild characters. The color blue was an easy to notice unifier, as far a 1¢op could tell every principle had added blue to their appearance. 1¢op walked the street that would take her to the eastern gate. On the way she stopping at the three social rooms she passed. Through the hustle and bustle of the city she kept a vigilant eye out hoping to catch sight of the giant gorilla. She never did, and soon 1¢op was through the gate and turned to the south.

P3: Chapter One

Edwin P. Uts

The loss of Ragnar was like no pain Eddie had ever felt, it was a gaping wound, deep inside his psyche, a part of him that had been torn away. Around him, the walls, covered in tapestry, moved. Miniature principles moved, displaying their basic move set, on the walls that surrounded him. He looked without seeing, his eyes welled up and he was unable to see anything. Soon the surface tension broke and the tears fell.  

His sorrow consumed him, soon the distinction between him and his sorrow fell away. For an unknown time, he sat on the cold marble floor and sobbed.

This grew old, fast, and he began to pick himself up, Pushing himself to his feet he looked down and saw his reflection in the marble floor. It was the first time in he didn’t know how long that when he looked Ragnar wasn’t looking back. The face that looked up from the floor was full of sadness, it’s eye's red-rimmed, and runny.

The flame of rage burst to life inside him. The face he saw in the floor, his face, filled him with rage. True Ragnar was gone, and though the face crying in the floor was pathetic, it also represented the only face that would seek out revenge for Ragnar.

The thought was like a lightning rod, revenge for Ragnar. Revenge for Ragnar! So it was with this thought running through his core like pure energy, that Eddie looked to the tapestries, to the myriad of principles that ran around on them. He initially looked to the melee principles, but the pain from his recent loss kept him from focusing on any of the principles on that tapestry.

He looked at the other tapestries, then closed his eyes, he needed a plan. He knew what he wanted, revenge. Ninjas were legendary assassins, in almost every piece of media that he could think of they were always setting out of quests for revenge. With that he had a plan, build the meanest revenge ninja principle he could.

He opened his eyes and in a few moments, he had selected the ninja principle template. This choice made, Eddie was now confronted with the next; what race? His first thought was to just go with the default, which was human. But he stopped at thought of how boring a generic ninja was. He had no good idea of how long he would be this principle, he certainly didn’t want to be stuck in a generic principle.

A ninja was right he felt as he shifted through the tapestry with all the races. He started looking, limiting his choice to races which would work well with his choice of class. With this in mind, he looked at elves and fae. Fae held his interest, their extreme agility and the possibility of adding magic to his tool box. The Half-man caught his imagination.and when he found the snake man his mind was made up.

Snakemen-Born into the world with eighty brothers and sisters, fighting for everything becomes a way of life. Scales harden with maturity. Providing a basic suit of armor, as well as a passive armor bonus.  

When he saw that he knew he had made up his mind, he didn't need to look further. Once he had selected the principle, he was confronted with a few more decisions. Most of these choices were purely cosmetic, he chooses to use the ‘western diamondback rattler’ as his model, liking its diamond shaped head and spiked eyebrows. The next question; Legs, to have them or not, would have gameplay consequence. Having had legs his whole life he chooses the tail option, He clothed the torso in a black kimono. Almost done Eddie moved quickly through the next few steps of arming and clothing this new principle.

He armed his scaled ninja with throwing knives, pleased at their effectiveness at both close and ranged attacks. With theses choices made, he was once again faced with the task of coming up with a name. Again he needed to pause and take a deep breath. His first choice was Revenge, which he knew it was a little passe. Also, it turned out that name wasn’t available if he wanted he could use Revenge10424, he didn’t.

Feeling a little daunted by his task, Eddie gave the image of the principle a spin, then accessed the weapon menu and began moving through blades, settling on thin throwing knives. He also noted that dressed all in black and with a cowl, there was very little worth noting, in fact, it was a little boring. Initially, he didn’t think this was a problem, choosing to rely on his name to stand out. Though of course, this made picking the right name much more important.

As he had done so long ago, he did again, he took to the internet for some ideas. He started with a search for “human torso with snake body,” This turned up little, only that this race was called the naga. While searching, bouncing from one site to another he came across a list of famous hybrid creatures in mythology. He was almost ready to close the site when his eye was caught by the Medusa, there was something there and after playing a little, he had M3Dussa.  

Not quite ready to be done tweaking his new principle, Eddie returned to the outfit page and started by removing the excess cloth covering G01ph4uck’s head. Eddie also adjusted the color of G01ph4uck’s fur, highlighting the oranges and reds, Eddie liked the effect, thinking that it kind of looked like a flaming fox so he minimized the clothing, and enhanced the fur that created the flame illusion. Eddie, content, and ready to enter AntruA with this build, flipped through the menus quickly, finding the Go On button and pressing it.

The principle, using his knives, was quickly through the tapestry and M3Dussa was watching Eddie’s still body down on the floor, three blades in his chest.When Eddie twitched then began to rise, Coil, who based on past experience was expecting this, put the Zombie Eddie down with a blade thrust into Zombie Eddie’s forehead.

Again drawing on his past experience, M3Dussa turned and entered the tunnel behind the tapestry as soon as his knife was free. He paused a moment upon entering the open green space and read the sign.

Everyone for Themselves Battle

Level One Only

A part of him wanted to go in and try and kill everyone, another part just wanted to run. He took a deep breath then slowly let it out, now all that remained inside him was the rage, he held onto it and looked at the next sign.

AntruA

Nearest town

Upon reading that M3Dussa immediately started down that path and soon found himself in the familiar setting of the Bank. This branch looked the same as every other he had ever been in, the door, open to his left and a desk to his right. Behind the desk AsLionsMain stood, leading G01ph4uck to the assumption that he had spawned in Norca, a peak out the door confirmed.

“Hello? Hi, welcome.” AsLionsMain said, breaking the silence.

“Uh oh. Hi, thanks.” M3Dussa replied when he realized that he was being addressed.

“Welcome to AntruA!” AsLionsMain exclaimed, “Is this your first time here, or are you…uh, returning?”

“Um, I’m returning.”

“I’m truly sorry. But I have good some good news,” AsLionsMain shrugged, “you still have your accounts and It’s surprisingly easy to find them as well as connect them to your new principle. Would you like help in getting that set up?”

“I actually work for the Bank, too, so if you could just pass me one of the menus, I should be able to take care of it. Thank you.”

“Sure, there are some things you should know, I mean I don’t know when you got Tokened, er, but a lot has happened, I mean you may already know.”

“I think I know some, but I would really like to hear what is being said. So please, start at the beginning.”

“You knew of, or were probably a part, of Red Army and the Band of the Golden Hand?”

“Knew of,” M3Dussa mumbled under his breath.

“I don’t know any of the details, but something happened and the leadership of both clans imploded, what came out, like some diseased butterfly was a single clan, they’re calling it the Band of the Black Hand. they’re extorting new principles.”

“Wait a minute. What do you mean extorting principles?”

“Of course they’re not calling it that, no they’re calling it protection.”

“Protection from what?”

“Getting Tokened.”

“And principles are doing it?”

“Some not all.”

“Those who are not, what are they doing?”

“Some are joining together. Many are not leveling up so the threat is an insignificant one.”

“What!? Are they just not fighting?”

“If they do fight they leave their Token some place safe.”

“That’s so sad.”

“It really is. “

“Well, thanks for the heads up.” M3Dussa placed the brochure on the desk then turned to leave.

“Wait,” AsLionsMain called out. M3Dussa turned back with a questioning look. “Sorry, it seemed that you were thinking about not paying the Black Hand? If that’s true I can tell you of a few groups who could help you? I could tell you about them if you would like?”

M3Dussa walked back to the desk, “ sure that would be great.”    

“Do you remember the Blue Army?”

“They were in a war with the Red Army, right?”

“Yeah, and they were joined by the Green Army, both seem pretty dead set against the Black Hand. I think both would offer some form of protection, you would most likely need to join the army to get any protection I don’t know how you feel about that. Another place I heard principles are going to get away from the threat of the Black Hand, is the city of Sourka, in the south. Though I don’t know how much protection you’ll get there I here the place is like the wild west, anything goes. I have also heard tales of a city called Ral’ya or something like that. I have met a handful, maybe eight, principles who said they were heading there for protection. I’ve heard there is a clan or army there that controls everything in the city, they really despise Tokening so they should protect you, I have no idea of what that might cost thou.”

“That’s it? That represents the sum total of the resistance?”

“That’s what I ‘ve heard You have to remember this just happened, I’m still trying to understand what it all means. I’m sure there are other principles who are fighting back, I just haven’t heard of them yet.”

“Sure, that makes sense. I’m going to head out there, see what’s what. Thank you very much for all the information, this way I’m not walking out there blind.”

“One last thing before you head out.”

“Yeah?”

“Make sure you’re ready, they are going to come at you are soon walk out of here.”

“Who?”

“The Black Hand, they always have a principle or two watching that door, waiting for noobs like you.”

“Thanks for the heads up, maybe I’ll see you around.”

“Maybe,” AsLionsMain shrugged then looked up, “good luck out there.

M3Dussa smiled and waved, turned and exited the bank. A step out the door and he needed to stop and take in the moment, the blue sky and the bright sun, the fresh breeze playing upon his scales. It was beautiful. The city alive as always, under a sky that was placid unaffected by the goings on under it. M3Dussa took a deep breath, exhaling slowly and with a contented grin spreading, he slithered off the deck onto the road, then turned and faced the south.

   He had barely begun to ambulate when a voice stopped him. “Hey! Hello, hi there!” It wasn’t the words that stopped him, it was something deeper, some quality in the voice that seemed to wrest control from his mind stopping him in mid-slither. The principle approaching was a silver fox, dressed in black and gray. “Hello friend! Welcome!”

“Hi,” M3Dussa started south again.

“Oh come now. Please wait, I promise I won't take much of your time.”

Again M3Dussa felt compelled to stop and turn to face the fox. He used the opportunity to focus it.

$1lvert0ngdF0x

Level 3

Wallet-5Au

“Hey, thanks for stopping, I’ll be quick, is this your first time in AntruA or were you Tokened? Look I’m sorry to be blunt, but it really helps out to know what your experience is. I’m here to great new principles and offer any help I can.”

“Wow, that is so nice of you. But I think I’m good.” M3Dussa started moving again.

$1lvert0ngdF0x started walking, keeping pace. “I’m sorry but I don’t agree, I don’t think you are good. See you were heading out of the city. You have no idea what it’s like out there. I can help prepare you, I can offer you protection.”       

M3Dussa smiled, “Tell me about the protection.”

“Now we’re talking. See I belong to the Band of the Black Hand. We have hunters who have cleared most of the Tokeners, these hunters now actively monitor for any new Tokeners so if you sign up you can level up with no risk of Tokening. Basically, if they are within our area of control and over level two, they either are a member, or they pay for protection. There are no principles level two or higher not connected with the Black Hand, anywhere nearby. It’s 7 gold a month or 60 gold annually, a great deal in my opinion. Look you get this brooch to wear.” Here he pointed to his chest, or to a small pin on it. “See you wear it and any principle who sees it will know you’re under the protection of the Black Hand.”

“What happens if I say no?”

$1lvert0ngdF0x shrugged, “nothing. Till you level up, then it’s open season, and generally, everyone who is level two and above will come at you.”

“But you said all the level two or above principles around here are affiliated with the Black Hand, right?”

$1lvert0ngdF0x shrugged again, and said, “it’s dangerous world, anything can happen.”

M3Dussa thought about it, the fox’s word had a strong pull. In fact, while M3Dussa waited his left hand started to work its way into his wallet. He grabbed his left wrist with his right hand and said, “I don’t like extortion, I decline your offer.” While it had looked like he was holding his left wrist to control it, actually it was one of the places he had his knives stashed. So when M3Dussa's right hand came away from his left wrist it was holding a knife.

$1lvert0ngdF0x started back and began to call out, M3Dussa, who was anticipating this moved quickly, wrapping his left hand around $1lvert0ngd4F0x’s snout preventing him from raising the alarm. Then holding the Foxes head out an arm's length he activated his special skill, Stone Stare. Being such a low level it barely stunned $1lvert0ngd4Fox, merely holding him still, and stiff, for a moment. M3Dussa watched a rain of sand and gravel falling as the effects of the spell wore off. He was prepared for this, intently watching for the stone to fall away from the space under $1lvert0ngdF0x’s chin. Once it was clear, revealing silver fur, M3Dussa slid his blade in. 1 kill +1 xp. >Lvl +1 xp.

M3Dussa laid the body down behind the last building. Before leaving, he looked around, making sure he was unobserved, once he was fairly sure he was he slithered quickly down the path to the south with a grin on his face. By shedding blood his mission to get his revenge had started.