Chapter 18 - Saga 3, Anything’s Fate
Revelations
*
Archer paced around them, his arms behind his back, hand intertwined as his brow furrowed in a furious frustration. Each member of the New Fellowship had laid out each of their items on their person, holding nothing back. As far as Archer knew, anyway. He hoped he wouldn’t have to do full-body searches on everyone.
He unfolded his arms, rubbing his temples. “While I’m up here, maybe you can hear me and I can finally offer my thoughts on the subject?” It was slick, his right hand. Archer rolled his eyes. “No offense slick, but I don’t know if I can trust you ever since that crap you said about the Lakers and Pacers.” Slick was about to roar, ready to unleash another discussion, the sighing and deciding against it. Now was not the time, that was for sure.
Archer sighed, looking all the items over for seemingly the thousandth time, no quill in sight. He chuckled, though, able to find amusement and lightheartedness in the situation anyway. From this activity, he’d learned much about them, this ragtag team of would-be adventurers.
For instance, lying on the grass in front of CardinalFang were two golden PP7s. The Troglodyte noticed his reluctance to reveal them, as if he’d been saving them for a special occasion or something.
Then there was YOYOY, who had to endure many off-hand remarks when he revealed his personal journal. Nothing suspicious, that is, if it hadn’t been written in code. He insisted that it wasn’t really a ‘journal’ per se, but this statement only caused further questioning and harsh glances.
ShadowStar was almost personally interrogated by Archer when he unsheathed several previously-hidden blades, each massive and appearing enchanted. Our fearless hero then realized that Shadow was a Mod as well, only having not been able to wield his true power yet.
Advocate_of_Lycanthrope’s situation may’ve looked the worst, however, as he was the one holding all the equipment through which it’d be fairly easy to communicate with whoever’s behind the destruction of Anything. Acid_Flux was quick to point out that he could’ve been lying about the ‘missing’ quill the whole time, to brush suspicion off himself. Nobody could refute the point, AOL left only hoping it would be found in the next few minutes.
Drexlin drew some funny stares, being the last one to unpack, his holdings seeming to never end, as he kept setting out mug after mug after mug after keg after drink. He was the last one to finish the exercise, by a long margin.
First to finish was Ter-Soth, the being of light and reason owning nothing on his part besides the constantly-glowing robes he was wearing. It was to him that Archer now drew closer.
“Alright Sothy, I know you’re ‘enlightened’ and all, but, c’mon, where’s your gear?” The former boy scout, standing perfectly still until now, slowly turned to the big leader boy. “I have no reason to possess gear. It is futile. Formerly I would’ve carried around a tool for every occasion, but did that help me in the darkness? Did it draw me closer to hope? Did it shield me from the agony of Hades? Did it bring forth a joyous salvation? Did it bring warmth to a chilled heart, light to an enshrouded soul, sense to a crazed mind? No. It did not.”
Archer sighed, growing perturbed. He passed Ter-Soth, looking to question someone else, anyone else.
“Though…”
The new Mod of Other Games raised an eyebrow, turning back to the bright one.
“I do have a single object with me.”
At this, Ter-Soth extended his hand in a fist, dramatically turning it palm-upward then slowly extending his fingers. Sure enough, he held a quill, as gasps quickly turned to murmurs.
Archer gulped, now realizing he’d never really developed an action plan for this inevitable revelation. He wasn’t sure what to do, where to begin. He opened his mouth, daring to look Ter-Soth in the eyes, into his purely white eyes, as the words came slowly.
“Ter-Soth, there’s no other way to ask. Are you the traitor?”
At this, Archer boldly stepped forth to Ter-Soth, looking down at him in a thoroughly stern manner, his massive arms folding over his chest as he awaited the answer.
“I only did what was reasonable.”
Archer wasn’t sure whether to laugh or scream, merely offering a slow nod, coaxing the being in front of him to go further, as he wasn’t quite yet satisfied. Not one bit.
“The entirety of Lore concerns the Game, with the exception of Anything, its very purpose to exclude Game. There is no place for Anything in Lore, it is an inconsistency, a glitch, a mistake. There is no reason behind its existence, its presence in Lore a capricious wound on an otherwise unmarred body.”
The troglodyte leaned forward slightly, squinting, mouth slightly agape, as if Ter-Soth were speaking another language. He pondered the being’s eyes, and found no emotion. No remorse. He felt as if he might shed a tear. He didn’t expect anyone else to understand, but he very well knew what Anything meant, and to a lot of people. To turn a blind eye to its wonder and dismiss it aside is an act of pure cruelty. Ter-Soth continued.
“You’re so predictable. As soon as the plan was finalized and put into motion, they knew you’d figure it out eventually, and desire to go on some holy crusade to defend your precious land, to save it from certain doom. He knew he’d have to try and stop you, figuring it couldn’t be too hard. That is, once you left Anything. Fortunate of us that you did, indeed, choose to leave. After all, your power outside Anything isn’t nearly as impressive, is it?”
Archer’s fists tightened, his frame seeming to slowly turn a subtle shade of crimson. Behind him, the New Fellowship had finished their discussion, slowly drawing weapons, yet reluctant, remember Ter-soth’s singular nature.
“Even more fortunate that you’d end up recruiting the Fellowship to help you out. That was unforeseen, but to prove an invaluable chain of events. It was then that he came to me, realizing that I was the one person who’d be reasonable, who’d understand. And, conveniently, the one person you wouldn’t want to betray you. The one person you can’t frighten or hurt. Face it, trog. You can’t do a thing to me. Not a single wretched thing. Even had you discovered my doings from the very beginning, you couldn’t have punished me. You can’t exert any power over me, no might in arms, and it kills you inside.”
The trog grit his teeth, straining with every ounce of self-control to remain calm, not lash out. To listen, until the dirty little snitch was done.
“So I kept him posted, as he arranged things from there. The attacks and all.” At this, Ter-Soth leaned over, as to be able to look behind Archer to the Fellowship. “You have some really nice equipment, Advocate. Thank you. Took me a minute to figure out how to command those stupid penguins, though.” The bird growled, Ter-Soth returning to face straight up to Archer. “Unfortunately, even though you were weakened as Anything corrodes away, the Fellowship’s courage proved true. Much to my dismay, each attack so far has been met with utter failure. I admit to have underestimated your little bunch. My superior wasn’t pleased.”
Archer managed a grin.
“But, all is well. Even now, Anything’s about gone. You would’ve noticed, rushed back, maybe been able to do something about it. Heh, clever idea to install you as an Other Games Mod. Keep that ego of yours stroked, your muscles in check, buying us a bit more time. Funny though, I still would expect-”
Suddenly, Archer fell to one knee, gripping his gut, letting out a hoarse groan.
“Ah, yes, there it is. Since our little activity time is over, I’m sure you wouldn’t mind letting someone read the letter from AussieScum now. I have a fair idea of what it’ll say.”
General-Lund, being closest to the letter at the moment, neatly tore it open and skimmed the writing, his eyes widening as he couldn’t bare to read it aloud, passing it to the rest of the Fellowship, as they read it as a bunch, faces falling and lips quivering on some. DarkGuardian, Stormcrow, and DarkKnightZach remained resolute, each asking the others if they’d like to read it to Archer. DG sighed and took it, sufficing to walk over to their captain and let him read it for himself.
Archer weakly gripped the letter and read something akin to the following. ‘’ Archer,
There is trouble in Other Games. Since you recently became a Mod here, I tried to enlist your assistance, only to not find you in this area. So I strove to find you in Anything, only noting to my shock and horror that the realm was in utter chaos, mad violence reigning in the streets as your formerly proud structures blazed aflame. Kelanor, haggard, found me and informed me of your quest to save us all. Friend, Other Games is suffering the same fate. I’d leave to help you out, but must remain and give you time, I suppose. You’re our only hope, you and that blasted Fellowship. I fear L5R is not far behind.
Godspeed, good trog. I don’t know what else to say. I fear for my life, and the existence of thousands. I can only think you’ve found something, the source of this unfathomable act. Kel says to tell you it’s not him…
And thus, the letter ends.
Archer lightly tossed the letter aside, shaking his head, turning to his companions. “Advocate, how fast can your birds get us to General?” The penguin commander grinned. “Faster than you’d guess, sir.” Archer firmly nodded, no longer acknowledging Ter-Soth behind him as he spat out his next words like foul poison. “It’s GreenDestiny. Let’s fly.”
The being behind him glowed and began to laugh. A deep, awful laugh, the kind that grates at your mind and pierces your soul. “You’re too late, Archer. Barring direct intervention from Todd Almighty himself, there’s not a thing you can do now. And Todd’s on our side. You know that.”
Archer turned and abruptly slugged the being of reason, as Ter-Soth’s body was driven into the air and thrown back many yards, sprawling across the ground, rolling in a manner that’d break most other people apart. Though he was ultimately completely unaffected, Archer sure as hell wasn’t feeling any ill effects either. He turned back to the Fellowship.
“AOL, where are your telekinetic commandos? We’re waiting, here.” Advocate grinned. “You forget, that I am one as well…” ‘’ At this, the penguin rose into the air on his own power, soon lifting each member of the Fellowship as well, all with ease as he chuckled, yelling “Let’s ride!!” in a thoroughly epic manner. The group sped off, their airspeed threatening to rip them to shreds, head penguin using all his power to keep them safe, unharmed, Archer not knowing or even much caring what they were about to do next.
Ter-Soth remained on the field and just continued laughing as he rose to his feet, invulnerable. He hadn’t gotten to tell Archer the really good stuff. Especially about how the opposition to his quest was far from over. Oh, what a surprise he had waiting for him at the inevitable gate…
*
© Eric Bailey