15 Chapter 14: Peace Between Us

Kevin ran ahead of them, holding open the door for the two of them as he offered up what seemed a half-apology, but was too cowed by his own inaction to say anything. That was insane, this is just crazy. This is what my life is like now, and has been since the highway. With a grimace, Luca turned his thoughts away from what just happened. He would make it a point to avoid the trio as best as he could, and if nothing else, this disaster had given him an answer about which guild he would be joining.

First Luca then Dominic passed through the door as Kevin gently shut it behind them to go tend to his duties helping to tend to his cousin. As soon as the door shut, Dominic breathed a sigh of relief and turned to Luca admitting, "That could have gone south pretty quick. I was 100% positive I was going to be in for the fight of my life for a minute. They don't call themselves the Gemini twins for nothing you know?"

Luca nodded in appreciation, knowing the devil-man had put himself into danger for to keep him safe, and regardless if Keira was being controlled or not, the relationship between them all would likely never be the same. "Thank you. I'm guessing the four of you were close, I know this is going to make things hard between you."

"Heh. Don't worry about it, I'm sure in the morning things will be fine. I'm just as sorry. I had no idea that leach Oeviss had managed to brand one of the twins." Said Dominic, his voice bitter with regret. "I won't try to defend our failure, just try to give us an honest shot. We are usually so much better than what we just showed you. I promise you, we've tried to do a lot of good here. But it's hard, and the Elves tend to come down on us heavy-handed. That's part of my job. I keep the worst impulses in check. That's what my guild does. We keep everyone in check. to keep their worst impulses in check, that's what our guild does; we keep everyone in check. Do you want to join? I think you'd like being one of us and you'd be a great fit."

After having been almost murdered by Keira and having watched Layla and Kevin seize up uselessly, Luca knew he never wanted to be in their guild. Legends? Yeah not so much, Dominic is the real power here. Thought Luca to himself as he thought back to what had happened. The name Oeviss had triggered one of Luca's worst memories, and it seemed that they all shared a common enemy. Even with the changes in his body, Luca knew he couldn't go it alone, it was clear he needed protection, deep within his heart, he was still just a kid who wanted to live. "Without hesitating, Luca answered. "I've been through hell ever since this dungeon appeared, Yes, my answer is yes. I'd like to join Chaos. No tricks, no bells, and whistles, no pitches. Help me grow stronger, help me to survive and I'm in, just be honest with me, what do you want in return?

"That's more a discussion over drinks," Dominic said as he motioned for Luca to follow him down the stairs , heading straight threw the center of the guildhall, ignoring all of the questioning looks and low hushed voices of the assembled guild members who had no idea why they had heard sounds of a battle just a few minutes previously

Ignoring all questions, Dominic hung a left through a wooden door that led into what Luca thought was the bar Dominic had talked about. Though it looks more like a restaurant than anything else, though Luca as he glanced around at the stools that ringed the bar, and the scattered tables through the room.

Luca starting heading over to the bar to sit down, but was grabbed by Dominic who shook his head and pointed to a corner booth before heading over and sitting down, motioning for Luca to join him. Before Luca had even reached the table, Dominic was signaling the staff for food and drink to be delivered as he pulled a white cylinder-shaped crystal from his pocket and put it on the table, giving it a quick charge of mana.

"Just a little spell, this helps to keep our conversation private. No one can hear us unless they are here at the table. "Dominic nodded in understanding. "So, you asked me what exactly it is I want, and like most things, it's complicated. I want to get rid of the Elves. Oeviss is a problem, but he's just one of the many problems, you may not know this but the Elves don't gain levels like we do. They can't just kill monsters in the dungeons, what they can do though is kill players, kill us and when they do, they get the lion's share of whatever power we had."

The implications of what Dominic was saying hit Luca and his gut turned in disgust and anger towards the Elves. Reminded of a brief half-fevered memory of Oeviss talking about something like "Feed Lots" but Luca wasn't quite sure if he remembered correctly. "Their farming us for power, aren't they?" Asked Luca, horrified as his fist curled in rage.

Dominic nodded grimly. "I think so. Oeviss had an encampment at the front of the dungeon and was taking the best prospects and power leveling them. Word trickled in that he was killing them himself. The warning like due to the World Dungeon itself intervening, I'm not sure of the details, only that it seemed to violate the inner rules of this little game we've been conscripted into. I had thought me and the other Legendary Classes had managed to put an end to him, but Elves aren't players like you and me, they respawn. I learned that the hard way" Dominic looked away in a pensive reflection of his own desire for revenge.

"Is it just Oeviss, or is it more? If he can't be killed, how do you plan on getting rid of him? I've at least met one Elf that seemed kind enough." Questioned Luca as he thought of the woman, he encountered at the arrival portal.

"Of course, it's more than just Oeviss." Dominic hissed in anger, temporarily losing his temper before holding up the front of his hand in apology. "All of them are like that, at least most of them. They control everything here. Prices of weapons, armor, items, repairs. It's all set up so that humans can never get ahead, and why is that? Because their afraid if we ever outgrew them, we'd take Hometown for ourselves. And yes, I've figured out a way to get rid of him. It's called a Gehenna Pit, you can find them all throughout Hometown, though their more numerous in the underworld beneath Hometown. You don't need to know the details, but I've tested it. You toss one of these immortals in there and their dead for good."

Luca thought about it for a minute before answering, looking directly at Dominic, deciding that regardless of Garen's advice, Dominic was somebody he could trust, or rather trust well enough. "I've my own score to settle with Oeviss, it wasn't that long ago I ran into him. I was sick at the time and he ordered the men who had found me to toss me directly into the dungeon gate."

Dominic's look towards Luca changed as if relaxing. "I figured as much Luca. Gods, that's been awhile. That camp that Oeviss had up and running was destroyed within the first month after Emergence Day, and you look like you've had a rough go of things. Where have you been? What happened to you, I hope you understand why it is I need to know. I need to know if I can trust you. Do you have anyone looking out for you."

Luca looked away, uncomfortable with the scrutiny he was getting from Dominic. Honestly, I may as well come clean and tell him what I know, Luca reasoned, not wanting to alienate the devil-man who was currently his only ally, and a powerful ally at that. As if helping to make up his mind, the server finally arrived, carrying in hand a lavish feast of Cornish Hen, mashed potatoes with gravy, cornbread, hot hard cider and buttered biscuits. He motioned for Luca to sit down at the long table and pushed a chair out for him to sit in. Once Luca was sitting, Dominic waved a hand over the table, and a lavish feast appeared of Cornish Hen, mashed potatoes, cornbread, and hot cider. "I know what this is Dominic, a bribe for answers? Food for answers?"

Dominic shrugged with a smile. "Not so much, the food is for me, I'm just sharing it with you. Having your back and saving your life seems like a fair payment for answers."

That's actually a pretty good reason, admitted Luca as he thought about the past. "My concept of time isn't what it should be Dominic. A day ago, a week ago, a lifetime ago. I couldn't really tell you. I was on the road when this nightmare started. It was me and my dad at the time. He was killed by these black dogs that were roaming the street."

"Hellhounds." Interrupted Dominic, his face serious as he took in every detail. "All of these monsters have names. You'll need to learn them, their strengths, and their weakness. Sorry, please continue."

Luca was too engrossed by the memory to be bothered as he thought of the way his father's lifeless eyes had just stared at him. Just talking about the memory seemed to almost trigger the flood gates of the painful past. "He protected me with his body, we couldn't get away, that was my fault. I was scared and I fought with him. I didn't think my wheelchair would be fast enough."

"Wheelchair?" Asked Dominic, his eyebrows raised in question, wondering if Luca was being honest with him, asking between bites. "Did you just have surgery?"

Luca shook his head and took a sip of the cider. "No, I was a cripple. I'd been in an accident the year before for my twelfth birthday. My mom was killed on impact when our car swerved on the ice and hit a try. I lived, though I lost the use of my legs. It seems strange now to even talk about it."

Dominic placed his elbows on the table, leaning forward as he clasped his hands together. "What happened then.?"

"I almost died." Admitted Luca bluntly. "I wasn't strong enough to get free, and the way my dad's body fell, it trapped me. I was stuck for days before being rescued by two men, a Pat and Dale I think, but I'm not sure. I was mostly delirious and near death when they found me. I thought I was safe and was going to make it up until we arrived at that dungeon camp, and that bastard elf told them to throw me through the gate, and they complied."

Dominic perked up, taking the time to have some of his food and encouraging Luca to do the same before continuing. "I imagine this is the most important part of your story isn't it?" Asked Dominic with a look of sympathy. "What happened after that?"

"I fell through infinity and when I finally landed, it was in the middle of a dark cave. A goblin tried to attack me, and I think I killed it, I'm not sure. I discovered my legs could work, I started to get better, and eventually some spirit awarded me with the class, race-change and power I have now. I think for me since that day on the road, it's been less than I week."

Dominic shook his head in disbelief, though he had no reason to doubt what Luca was saying was true. " I won't call it quite a lie, but I know bits of omission when I hear it Luca, with what you've shared, I'll choose to believe you" chastised Dominic playfully. "But you don't need to share. I think I've heard just about enough. "So what are you, a Hawkman with the Skywarrior Class?"

Luca stared at Dominic, irritated by the perceived slight and the edge of mockery that he heard. "Nephilim, my class is Angel of Death."

"Perfect." Said Dominic with a groan as he drank down the rest of his drink and motioned for more to follow, pushing aside all of his food. "A teenager has the power of life and death. All he needs to do is learn how to use it. It could be worse."

"We could be enemies." Responded Luca, drawing a competitive laugh from Dominic.

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"Don't get ahead of yourself." Cautioned Dominic, even as a smile lit his face. 'This really is perfect. Since you shared yours, I'll share mine. I'm a devil-man, that you could already guess I'm sure, and my class is Harbinger. I think this is going to be the start of a very good partnership Luca."

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