4.44 - Poker with the Gods

4.44 - Poker with the Gods

Theo didnt know what to think about his new life as a glorified postman. He stood with Belgar in Terogal, watching the dead Dronon read a letter from his sister. It was written in exquisite Drogramathi with more flourishes than the blocky language deserved. The spirits body had gained some substance over the past few days. While counting time wasnt a sure thing in the realm, the days would have felt more like years in here.

The same taunting screen that showed up for buildings in town claimed that Terogal was still Level 0. At least it had one soul. Even if that soul was a brother who wouldnt stop fawning over his sister. Even after he died, he joined a realm belonging to the person who usurped his body. Strange things that always led somewhere even stranger.

Well, Im glad youre adapting my techniques, Belgar said. He folded the note, placing it gingerly on the worktable. Youve hit the experience slowdown near Level 30, yes?

It was more of a grinding halt. The first ten levels were a breeze. Then it started getting a tad slower in the teens. Reaching Level 20 was like a punch to the gut. But people in this world often said things about Level 30. Thats where the training wheels were thrown off the bike entirely. Level 30 was where most people died.

Thats right. Except for my [Tarahek Core] and my [Governance Core]. Those are still leveling like I never hit a barrier.

Belgar nodded, wisps of purple energy trailing along his brow. Something of a strange smile spread across his face, distorted by his ghostly appearance. That soul-bond you have is strange. Its ignoring several rules that I wont even get into. You also hold two antithetical cores in your chest.

Theo shook his head. Belgars information was old. Toruaun and Drogramath werent enemies, let alone opposites. The short list of gods the alchemist had in his mindthose conspiring to change the worldhad both the Dronon on board. I think they get along now.

Belgar scoffed. Then cleared his throat. Perhaps. Youll understand that some of my memories from my mortal life are incomplete. More feelings than anything. Im Well, Im working on it.

The angry Dronon spirit needed a friendly hug. Too bad his form was still immaterial. Instead, Theo gave him a hearty thumbs-up and moved on. There was work to do.

The work that needed done in Terogal today wasnt about alchemy. Not directly, anyway. Zarali had a lot of theories on how she could help Salire gain a Drogramathi core, but they were all theories. Belgars time on Iaredin showed him as the brains of the brother-sister operation. Theo grilled him about everything, but gained almost nothing in return. When Benton finally arrivedapparently busy with some matters of death and winterthey broke for tea and scones.

Theo was mixing in honey to his tea when the ground below his feet trembled. He cast a confused look to his guests, who both shrugged. Is that normal?

Benton spread his hands across the table when the rumble came again, calming the chattering teaware. Absolutely not normal.

A twinge of recognition spread through the alchemists mind. It was almost like

Knocking, Belgar said, finishing Theos thought. Then it came again.

Intuition spread out like a web, snaking through the possibilities. Theos mind reeled as he discarded falsehoods and embraced the possible. The knocking came again as his mind raced, then settled on a conclusion. His mind reached out, affirming the entry of a far-off being. Running outside, he spotted a sandy archway springing from the ground. Roughly hewn yellow stones formed a doorway, and a Khahari stepped through.

Before he had even fully materialized, Theo had Khahar in a bear hug. The Arbiter smiled, hugging him back. Then he looked to Benton and Belgar. With a nod, both men disappeared with a faint popping sound. That almost didnt work, Theo.

What? Banishing my tea-enjoying friends?

Khahar simply smiled, then gestured toward the cottage. Both men assumed their spots at the table, picking up where Benton had left off in the ceremony. These scones are quite good. No, that was simple. My planned ascension almost fell apart. Fenian nearly bungled the Ah, well. All that is in the past, isnt it?

Sneaky as ever. So, how are you allowed to come into my realm? Theo asked.

Khahar tilted his head, smiling. Im the Arbiter. I can do whatever I want.

Really? Cause if that was the case, you would have shown up sooner.

When Khahar laughed, it was Yuris old laugh. That same laugh that would boom out during drinking games. Over the cards in some musty cellar in Moscow. Youre not wrong about that. The rules Ive put into place are specific. Meant to tie the gods hands until we can sort other matters out.

Is this the part where you say you cant tell me what youre planning?

Khahar thought about that one for a long time. He sipped his tea, busied himself with his scone, but there was something clearly different about him. His eyes didnt dart in his head, searching through realities. He didnt seem distant. The man was present. He was happy.

When this world was created and seeded, it was left as a blank slate. A simple class system to get things going and nothing more. The intention was for people to rise to godhood, where they could change the system to suit the mortals. Thats the funny part about gods, isnt it? Once they have power, they dont want to let it go.

I was gonna wait for a better time to tell you, Theo, Benton started, looking sheepish about his statement. But theres a few souls in the void that are looking for homes. I was worried about arbitration, but Khahar said nothing about Belgar being here.

Benton was worried that having souls in Terogal would be against the rules. But a realm grew in power for several reasons, one of them being the collection of souls. More souls meant a more powerful realm, which was something Theo desperately needed. Terogal was one the one thing between him and certain death. Well, perhaps something less dramatic, but thats how it felt.

Anyone you bring around needs to be interviewed first. I dont want my realm loading up with a bunch of jerks.

Of course, Benton said, nodding his head. The ones that have found their way into my realm are mostly Dronon. Some are too weak to ascend to the higher realms, so theyve remained in our lowly section of the heavens. Others are wayward. Unable to come to terms with the doctrine of their master.

Zagmon Dronon? Theo asked.

All flavors, but yes. Some of Zagmons lost children need a home.

That was a hard pill to swallow, but Theo would take it, anyway. He wasnt interested in judging someone by their origin. While he had only had unpleasant experiences with Zagmon Dronon, that didnt mean they were all evil. And now they were without a god. What happened to those people lost in the void? Would they just float around forever without finding a home?

Like I said. Interview first, then Ill talk about accepting them.

As with most trips to Terogal, Theo was forced to think about what he left back on the mortal plane. Salire was having a lot of fun doing potions today. After the departure of the small fleet, there was little else to do in town. Ziz and his guys were ready to work on the underwater tower, but that was a project that required many people. Sailors, stoneworkers, artificers, blacksmiths, and so on. The project might have been stupid, but it tied in well with the alchemists plans to fortify the coast.

He spent his remaining time in the realm with Belgar, working on items for the shop. The dead Dronon still held cores in his spirit, but they were mere echoes of their former selves. He didnt have the control of someone with a mortal body, and the effects of his cores were pathetic when compared to the real thing. But that was one thing that didnt seem to bother him. For a man so proud of his abilities in life, he didnt care that he wasnt as good in death.

For the spirit, pride came as knowledge. His memories of mortal life werent perfect, but they were damn good. For a man who spent thousands of years fighting for survival in the void, he was brilliant. Theo couldnt stop himself from wondering what this guy could have gotten up to if he wasnt slain prematurely. The details around his death were foggy. Like Zarali, he would only say that the Dronon was thrown from a cliff. A secret war they wouldnt elaborate on.

Alcohol was the key to the Level 30 barrier, Belgar said, helping Theo clean out a still. They had a few more batches to make before they were done for the day. That makes me wonder about the other barriers.

Impossible to say. Could be some combination of alcohol and mana infusion. Does the system know to create new tiers of things as you level? Does that go on forever?

Belgar attached the grinder to the top of the artifice still, struggling with his immaterial form. But he managed the task well enough. Impossible to say. Youre better off asking your friend. The Arbiter.

Fair enough. He claimed to be level 12,000 when he ascended.

Belgar shook his head. No one man should have so much power.

Theo had nothing to say about that. He just wanted to get the work done, then return to the mortal plane. But he was happy to chat with Belgar about other things. It was hard to get a man like him to talk about anything other than regrets, so that remained a slow process. They completed not only the orders they had received in the shop, but some extra things to stock. Random purchases didnt account for many of their sales, but it was good enough to line their pockets.

Well, its been a blast, Theo said, giving Belgar another thumbs-up. I can hug you when your form gets more solid. Right now its about like touching slightly thick air.

Im working on it, Belgar said, fumbling with something on the table. He gestured to it, rather than picking it up. For my sister.

Another note? Theo asked, scooping the letter up. I hope you guys are hashing things out.

Yes. Its difficult to be a hovering older brother when all you can do is send notes. Belgar let out a labored sigh. But better than nothing. Better than the void.

Alright. Enjoy your hundred-some-odd days in solitude.

One-hundred forty-four days, Belgar corrected. Benton keeps me company, mostly. I havent hopped realms since I got here, though. Working on that one.

Well, Theo said, approaching the islands edge. He looked down, spying on Tresk and Alex for a moment. Ill be back tomorrow. Stay sane.

As Theo plunged over the edge, he heard Belgar say, Ill try.