Mythran's Master Of All

Lara was shocked as she watched the confrontation that Ren had been in. She had covered her mouth and stifled her scream when they threw the potion of fire on him and he started to yell. She got mad when the guy with the sword started laughing, then gasped when Ren stood up unhurt and the fire was sucked away. Lara stared as the group led Ren up the street. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them.

“You are such an idiot, Tristan!” Lara said, and opened the message system. “Come on, Ren. Answer!”

*

Ren concentrated on his Camaraderie Aura when he got a message popup. “Hey, guys? Can we stop for minute? I got a message.”

Emanon shrugged. “As long as you're not calling for help or anything.”

Ren chuckled. “No, it's personal.”

“Go ahead.”

Ren read Lara's message that it was Tristan, and he responded that he knew, and it was why he was going. She was surprised for a moment, then smiled as she asked to form a party with him. He sent her a party invite, and she accepted. She wished him good luck, and Ren closed the message system.

*

“Virtual Survivors, huh?” Lara said, and laughed as she walked back to the Library. “Nice one.”

*

“Who was it?”

Ren shrugged. “It was just a join party request.”

Emanon chuckled. “I get those all the freaking time!”

“Me, too.” Beltach said. “Newbs are always trying to grab on to us.”

According to my level, I'm still technically a newb. Ren thought as he smiled. The group led Ren out of the West Gate and to a waiting cart.

“That's a relief.” Ren said and climbed in the back without being asked. “We'll get wherever it is a lot faster this way.”

Emanon looked at Beltach, then at Ren. “You almost sound eager to go.”

“I am!” Ren said and grinned. “He's been after me for a while, so I figure it's about time I dealt with him.”

The sword guy chuckled as he climbed in the back with Ren. “Do you even know him? He's crazy powerful, man.”

“I heard him once say he was level 150.” The whip guy said and got on the driver's seat.

“Whoa.” Sword guy said. “How much grinding did he do in Shargon Caverns?”

“Quiet!” Beltach said as he and Emanon got in the back as well. “You know he hates it when you talk about him behind his back.”

“It's better than talking about him in front of his face.” The whip guy said. “Look at what happened to Mitchell.”

Emanon shook for a second. “Geez, don't remind me of that.” He stuck his tongue out and gagged. “I'm glad the body dissolved afterwards.”

“The squelching noise was the worst.” Beltach said. “The programmers are sick, man. Totally sick.”

Ren chuckled. “I think they're doing a fantastic job, myself.”

The sword guy grinned. “Yeah, the Jiggly Puff is awesome.”

“The what?” Ren asked.

“The Jiggly Puff!” Sword guy said. “It's a strip club in the Adult's Only section of Aurora.”

Ren shook his head.

“Aw, man! You don't know what you're missing!” Sword guy said. “It's by players, for players. For a few copper you can see the show. A few silver, and you see the whole show.”

“And for a gold, you can have the show.” Beltach said. “They only have a few outfits, though. Barmaid. Debutante. Peasant girl.”

“Yeah, but the girls!” Emanon said. “Candace is my favorite.” He said and held his hands out in front of his chest to show how big her boobs were. The other guys laughed, but Ren stayed quiet. Emanon turned to him. “You don't like them that big?”

“Hm? Oh, I like all of them. Big or small.” Ren said.

Beltach smiled. “Me, too.”

“I'm just wondering what they do with the money they make.”

“Who cares?” Sword guy said. “They make tons of gold a night. They could buy anything they want!”

The rest of the trip passed by quickly with guy banter. They talked about the last few missions Tristan had sent them on, and Ren listened intently. He knew there was another layer to everything, but this was an inside look at the underbelly of game society. Weapon running, gambling, prostitution, you name it; it was in the game.

Ren mentally shook his head. The programmers have done an even more thorough job than I thought.

A few hours later, the cart pulled up to the small shack that Elerlyth had visited, and everyone got out. The whip guy tied the horse to the stand there, but didn't unhook the cart.

“You can't leave it like that.” Ren said and undid the cart. The horse neyed at him, and he pat it. Ren looked around, and there wasn't a trough. He sighed and made a small one, nailed it tight, and poured water from his water flask into it. He added part of a Health potion, just in case the horse hadn't been fed, and turned to look at the guys he came with. They stood there and stared at him.

“What?”

Emanon shook his head. “Nothing. Let's go inside.”

Beltach knocked on the door and it opened. A sword was thrust at him, and he knocked it aside with his own sword, and punched the hooded figure in the chest.

“Aw, damn! That hurt!” The hooded figure said.

“I told you to stop doing that, you idiot.” Beltach said. “Do we look like intruders to you?”

The hooded figure didn't say anything, as the rest of them passed by. They led Ren down the stairs and into Tristan's office.

“Ha! I finally got you!” Tristan said and stood up from behind his desk. He wore full plate armor and a pleased expression. “I've been waiting a long time for this.”

“I don't know why.” Ren said. “It was all your own fault.”

“No it wasn't!” Tristan yelled. “If you'd given me my book!”

Ren rolled his eyes. “It was my book. I earned it. I used it.”

“Then I lost all my fame because of you!” Tristan said.

“Ha!” Ren barked a laugh. “You tripped me, let me fall into a nearly bottomless pit, and almost ended the mission prematurely.”

“What do you mean, 'almost'?” Tristan frowned. “We had to turn back because of you.”

Ren grinned. “Nope. I finished that mission, and we all went home to a hero's welcome. There was a parade and everything.”

Tristan stood there and stared at Ren in shock.

“The Lord Of Aurora even threw a party in my honor.” Ren said.

“You... you...” Tristan's face turned beet red; and he started to shake. “I went through hell because of you, and they threw you a PARTY!?!”

“He's gonna blow his top!” Whip guy said and waved his arms in the air. “Everybody run!”

Sword guy and Beltach started to laugh, and Tristan turned to them. Whip guy's outburst did the trick, though. Tristan calmed down, and he smiled as he turned back to Ren.

“You're antagonizing me on purpose.” Tristan said.

Ren smiled. “Angry people make stupid mistakes when they fight.”

“Ha ha!” Tristan said. “You almost got me.” He said and flexed his fingers, then smiled.

Ren glanced down at the gauntlet Elerlyth had described. That is the gauntlet I helped Issac enchant.

“I'm going to enjoy this.” Tristan said and grinned as Ren got a popup.