Universe One; The Game of Lives
By Thomas Baskerville
Chapter 11; The Creator
The Dwarven tower guard quickly readied his hammer. James himself hesitated for a second, caught off guard by the majesty before him, but he too readied his spear. The Creator patiently eyed them both as he gently removed his hand from the single-handed black blade. With his presence, the blade had returned to its slumber.
“You are forbidden to be within this tower.” James bravely reminded the divine being before him. The Creator’s golden eyes narrowed with distaste.
“You do not dictate what I can and cannot do, impurity.” The Creator viciously spat back. He straightened himself out as his eyes caught movement higher in the room. James followed his gaze to find the Elven guard quickly escorting Staff down the spiral staircase. The second Staff noticed His presence, the admin stiffened up.
“Gary?” Staff muttered, clearly surprised to find him of all people within the tower.
“Care to explain why despite one of my admins being present, the Black Knight was almost unleashed onto this world!” The Creator boomed as his intense glare returned to James.
“Our agreement is clear.” James firmly responded, holding his ground, “Administrative interference is forbidden concerning the fate of this tower.”
“You think I care about that ancient agreement you hide behind like a scared little child?” The Creator snapped, “Such peace between Blackspear and my admins is tolerated only because destroying you all comes at too great a cost.” He continued, “But if you dare to cause more problems than you solve, such reasoning becomes redundant.”
“What Gary is trying to say.” Staff quickly added before James’ blood had a chance to boil, “Is that saving the world is more important to the admins than the finer details of our treaty. Surely you can understand the reason he thought it necessary to enter the tower uninvited to put an end to this chaos.” He reasoned as he focused his gaze on James specifically. James quietly examined Staff’s rather uncharacteristically nervous expression. They were all on the verge of igniting the very war he’d done everything to avoid. One wrong step would be the world’s last.
“Perhaps this one time I shall forgive the infractions.” James muttered through gritted teeth. Staff was desperately trying to keep the peace. He’d have to somewhat play ball to do the same.
“The forgiveness of the impure is hardly necessary. This is my world. I require no forgiveness from you.” The Creator spat. Staff quickly pushed himself between him and James and faced The Creator with a nervous smile.
“Perhaps we should go elsewhere. We have more pressing matters to address than the scars of the past.” He cunningly spoke as he nodded his head towards the doorless doorway of the tower. The Creator’s golden gaze fell upon the Dwarven army beyond and quickly focused on Edward Clawson himself.
“Indeed, we do.” The Creator boomed as his eyes narrowed towards Clawson. At the snap of two fingers, suddenly both he and Staff had vanished in a blinding flash.
***
Staff found himself once more on the rooftop of the tower. Gary stood before him, with a now raised eyebrow.
“And why exactly is Clawson still breathing?” He pressed Staff. Staff’s eyes quickly glanced at the surrounding rooftop. He was hit with a slight relief that he’d failed to spot any sign of Cathie. She’d had the sense to retreat inside. He couldn’t afford to have Gary become aware of her.
“A question I’d like answered myself.” He responded as his eyes returned to address Gary directly, “He ambushed me during one of my investigations within the Elven town of Freedom, and after I killed that one, a new copy of him appears to be leading this army.”
“So, he’s not cheating death with an invulnerability exploit?” Gary asked.
“If I were to guess, I’d say it’s more likely a duplication exploit.” Staff answered, “His blade seems to retain any abilities gained even after death, meaning it’s the same blade copied over and over again.”
“A concerning breach of the code to be sure.” Gary muttered as he turned to look down upon the Dwarven army beneath them, “And what of this army of mortals? They appear to be with Clawson.”
“It seems King Egill has made an ally out of Clawson.” Staff once again guessed, “War is one thing Gary, but this army was amassed to oppose us.”
“Which is beyond unacceptable.” Gary spat, “I see your still in war state.” He then added as he turned to Staff.
“The war between the Dwarves and Elves has been on pause for a few days now. Axe is in the same boat as me.”
“Yes well… Clawson is too big a problem to be pulling our punches any longer.” He muttered. Another snap of his fingers, and Staff’s shield vanished. He felt the mild restrictions of his power and capabilities lift from his shoulders.
“What do you suggest boss?” Staff obediently asked his superior.
“As I stated.” Gary answered as he turned back to glaring down at the army beneath, “You’re attempts at the light-handed approach have ended in near disaster.” He pointed out, “Time for the heavy-handed approach.” Staff remained stiff and straight, but quietly swallowed at Gary’s words, “Bring me this Egill.” He then ordered, “And I’ll deal with both him and Clawson personally.”
***
Edward took a long, quiet breath as he felt the air in his own lungs become lightweight once more. For a few seconds, it had felt as if he were trying to breathe underwater instead of fresh air. The sound of the wind subtly returned as the darkness drained from the tower walls, as if someone had turned the volume of the world back up from the silence before. His eyes fixed themselves once more on the black blade within the centre of the tower lobby. It now seemed inactive and calm. Asleep once more. Despite his goals, Edward found himself for some reason relieved about such a sight, as if deep down there had been a horrific feeling about witnessing such power despite his hunger. Some beasts were too great to strive for. He wanted such power so desperately, but every other sensation within his body was telling him to run; to fear the power he’d tasted only a small hint off.
His vision went hazy for a brief second. Edward steadied himself as he realised how heavily he was now breathing. Sweat rolled down his face as he struggled to properly catch his breath. The surrounding Dwarven warriors were the exact same. That little taste of its power had shaken and winded the whole army.
“Some beasts aren’t meant to be woken.” He quietly muttered to himself, “Sound the retreat.” He then ordered to his surrounding men.
“Aye sir.” One of them responded. That had been the first time a Dwarf hadn’t given him grief about running from a fight. They were famously stubborn and detested cowardness on the battlefield… yet not one single Dwarf argued with his command. They’d felt it too. There was no glory to be had in this fight. Death had brushed them all and turned away only at the final second. Somehow, they all instinctively knew such a fact. The ranks of Dwarves one by one began to turn in an organised retreat. It took a few moments for Edward to push through to the front of the retreating ranks as his eyes turned back to the mountainous Virki terrain now ahead of them. Egill wouldn’t be pleased with their defeat, but perhaps he’d caused enough of a mess for the admins to covertly make a second attempt at Cathie Smith. As his mind began scheming the finer details of how he’d tackle someone as capable as Ms Smith, he suddenly found himself blinded by a bright flash.
Edward blinked twice. A flash of light had clearly blinded their entire front ranks, but nothing had appeared before them. Some kind of magical attack perhaps? The Dwarven warriors instinctively readied their weapons as Edward continued to scan the terrain before them for any difference. He found nothing out of place.
“Edward Clawson.” A divine voice boomed as the wind harshly slapped against their faces, “You have much to answer for.” The voice added as Edward struggled to track its source. A point in space dead ahead of them, but nothing was there. Yet suddenly the hairs on Edward’s back stood on end. No… something was there. Someone was there. His eyes slowly widened as he witnessed firsthand, an administrative veil subtly vanish, revealing the God before them in all his glory.
Golden glowing skin. Gold plate armour. The man before them was no man. Twice the height of a human, the size of a golem or giant, and surrounded by a divine light that shook the knees of even the bravest warrior. There was no question to his identity. The God of Gods. Master of All. The Creator of the world their ant sized feet were planted upon, was now before them, “KNEEL!” The very air around them commanded in his voice. Before the final letter of the word was even uttered, the Dwarven army in its entirety, was on one knee. The only one still on two feet within the Dwarven lines, was Edward himself. Clawson quietly swallowed as he felt his own legs begging to obey the command given, but he summoned his courage and stood tall in defiance.
“I refuse, False God.” He spoke with conviction. The Creator seemed rather indifferent to his response. He patiently waited for a few seconds, until a second flash announced the arrival of one of his admins. Staff the Wise now stood to his side, with a struggling Egill within the grip of his left hand. A slight flick, and Egill, king of Virki, king of the Dwarves, was thrown to Edward’s feet amongst the forever blood-soaked dirt that bordered the kingdom of Virki. Egill quickly picked himself up and brushed himself down in an attempt to still appear somewhat respectable.
“King of the Dwarves.” The Creator boomed, “Explain the sight before me.” He commanded.
“Is it not obvious.” Egill seethed as he glanced at Edward, “Virki stands with Edward Clawson.” He announced. Unlike with Edward’s defiance, Egill’s words seemed to cause The Creator’s eye to twitch with a growing rage, “One man may be powerless against the gods, but you’d not dare oppose us all.” Egill added, “Doing so would prove Clawson and myself to be right. It will prove to everyone in this world that you are MONSTERS!” He defiantly screeched. The Creator’s eyes shifted to Edward.
“You seek to lead the people of this world against MY rule?” He asked. Edward stood firm and nodded.
“It is time this world was free from the tyrannical rule of the admins.” Edward added as he drew his Dragon Sword and held it at his side.
“For your defiance, punishment must be delivered.” The Creator calmly spoke, “As you’ve clearly found a way to circumvent the usual punishment of death and erasure, I’ll have to think of something more suitable.”
“As Egill said, opposing our movement isn’t something you can afford to do.” Edward reminded him, “Surrender control of this world, or turn every mortal in existence against you forever.” He added as he aimed his Dragon Sword directly at The Creator. Gary’s eyes turned back to Egill.
“You speak boldly, king of the Dwarves.” The Creator seemed to compliment, “But not even a king dictates what I can and cannot do in this world.” His eyes then turned back to Edward, “Since killing you will be pointless, I’ll instead pass the cost of your actions onto your allies.” He boomed, “Beginning with Virki itself.” Such words were then followed by an immediate flash of bright light. The Creator was gone.
***
“Object Summon.” The Creator began to chant as he now stood atop the Tower of Peace. His gaze aimed up towards the sky above the kingdom of Virki, “Giant Meteor.” He added. A surge of power, a flow of raw code rippled through the Gameworld, “Scale Two Hundred and…” He paused as he eyed the kingdom down below. His eyes quickly scanned the kingdom boarder, “Sixty-Three.” He finished, “Co-ordinates Negative Fifty Thousand, Fifty Thousand, Two Hundred Thousand.” He continued to chant, “Set Physics Gamerule to True. Set Physics Gamerules; Terminal Velocity, Air Resistance, and Heat Physics to False. Apply Resistance Level God.” He listed, “Raise Object Damage to Maximum.” He further added, “End… Of… Line…” With his final words spoken, the code of the world itself obediently complied.
“Command Understood.” An artificial, emotionless voice echoed in response.
A dark shadow enveloped the kingdom of Virki. The vast mountain ranges topped with freezing ice, home to the terrifying Ice Golems that ruled supreme over the highest mountain peaks within the Gameworld. The vast valley’s calved by ancient rivers through the harsh rock and desert, surrounded by villages that bravely crept from riverside to high above on the sides of the sharp mountains that surrounded them on all sides. The great metal walls that bridged the gap between mountain tops like giant metal dams, the outer defences for the historically war orientated cultured kingdom. Even Mount Forgeheart, a towering mountain even amongst the kingdom’s greatest, dwarfed only by the Edge Mountains themselves, its icy cold peak boasting the famous Ice Palace of Virki, the seat of power for the kingdom. All of it, every last metre of land from mountain top to river bottom, fell under the shadow, that soon became so much more.
The sky turned from eclipse black to a roaring inferno red. The clouds parted as sonic boom after sonic boom sounded. The world itself collectively glanced upwards at the new object now in the sky, visible from all four edges of the map. A giant meteor the size of the kingdom itself, loomed death and destruction over Virki. The air a raging inferno as it failed to part for the massive, dense ball of rock that gave no care to the medium surrounding it.
***
Upon the tallest branch of the Great Tree, king Ailbhe calmly sat on his wooden throne. He patiently watched as a guard escorted an old man adorned with rich red, silk mages robes, towards him. When they finally stood before him, both the old man and the guard bowed with respect. The guard then stood to one side to allow the old man to address the king directly.
“Grandmaster Morgan.” Ailbhe began.
“You summoned me, your majesty.” Morgan spoke with a second polite bow of his head. Ailbhe closely examined the man before him. His red robes were drenched in fire resistance magic and adorned with many golden patterns and details woven in to represent his clear wealth and power. Few climbed high in the world of magic without both. His grey, thinning hair was the only inelegant thing about him, but it was rather expected to have someone of his age at the top of the magical world.
“Detailed reports have come in from the front concerning the magic Staff unleashed during the early hours of the war.” Ailbhe revealed. He watched as Morgan’s power-hungry nose rose from its bowed position. The old fart’s eyes had sharpened as well as his gaze now fell upon the king himself.
“Rumour has it more magic has been revealed.” Morgan spoke with a slithery tongue.
“I wish to task you with experimenting with this new magic.” Ailbhe revealed, “It seemed rather effective against Axe. Perhaps such magic is capable of ending this paused war between us and the Dwarves.” Morgan subtly licked his lips.
“May I ask what details were in fact uncovered about this new magic?” He asked, struggling to hold back the saliva building up in his greedy mouth. Ailbhe waved a hand, and a guard appeared from behind his throne holding a thick scroll. The guard walked over and handed the parchment to Morgan, before returning to his post behind the throne. Morgan eagerly unravelled the scroll, and his old eyes began to read. Ailbhe watched as the mage became lost within the words before him.
“Eyewitness accounts from loyal soldiers.” Ailbhe added, yet he doubted Morgan had heard his words.
“Expert and Master Level Light Magic spells…” Morgan muttered, “It has to be…”
“Do you believe you can recreate such magic within your schools?” Ailbhe pressed. Morgan slowly rolled the scroll back up.
“We’d need to find a mage with Light Magic as their core affinity.” Morgan answered, “A hard task considering basically any mage can use regular Light Magic… We’ll have to thoroughly test students throughout the kingdom.”
“Can it be done.” Ailbhe firmly pressed the old man.
“With time.” Morgan answered, “But sire, these more extensive tests will have to be… more invasive than normal.”
“Get it done.” Ailbhe ordered, “I don’t care how. We cannot let Egill’s madness consume this world.”
“Yes si-” Yet Morgan’s words were cut short as the two of them both sensed a drastic shift in the air. The giant leaves of The Great Tree rustled and swayed. Both of their eyes turned to the skies of Virki.
“Good Gods!” Ailbhe exclaimed as his Elven guards instinctively rushed to guard their king. Morgan’s eyes widened with surprise. A look not often seen on the face of a mage, certainly not one of his level, “What magic is that?”
“That your majesty…” Morgan stuttered, “Is no magic.”
***
Dracona flashed on top of the Tower of Peace. A fraction of a second later, Axe flashed in right beside her. Grey, an armoured human sized knight void of any detail beyond the metallic grey of his armour, had clearly flashed in just a few seconds before her.
“What is this, Gary?” Axe muttered in disbelief as he took in the sight before him. Finally, Staff joined them with another flash of bright light.
“A bit over the top for a bluff Gary.” Staff sighed with a smug smirk upon his face. Yet when his comment failed to get a response, the Elven mage turned to look at The Creator directly. He was stood on the very edge of the roof top. The meteor silently falling faster and faster towards the kingdom before him. The chilling wind struggled to fill the continued silence as the tension between them slowly thickened.
“Gary?” Dracona added. Perhaps he’d not heard Staff’s remark. She hoped he’d not heard, simply because the alternative was genuinely a terrifying thought.
“This…” Gary quietly muttered. His tone soft and weak. Defeated and tired. Not the tone any of them expected from the man, “Is no bluff.” He then finished in a different tone. One of resolve, drive, and stubbornness, “I am sick of this world.” He spat, “The eternity of being stuck between completely pointless, and potentially being the key to my wife’s dreams.” He continued. He turned around to address his admins. His eyes filled with a fury unbecoming of such a divine form, “This world will either achieve perfection, or I’ll burn it to the ground myself.”
The four admins, the Gods of this world, stood completely silent. Every one of them lost for words.
“Gary… this is too far.” Dracona spoke up.
“We have babysat this world for twenty thousand years with barely any progress. I find that no longer acceptable.” The Creator snapped back at her.
“The goal was to achieve perfection without interference!” Staff angrily chimed in, “You can’t just drag this world forwards kicking and screaming.”
“That’s exactly what I intend to do.” The Creator muttered, “The goal was perfection. To create a better world than our own!” He boomed, “That is what Evelin dreamed of when she and I built this world. I’m tired of these pathetic rodents stamping her dreams in the mud and filth time and time again.”
“Our role in this world is to protect it, not be its destruction!” Staff snapped back, “I think I can say with certainty that we all agree this is the wrong move Gary, so call it off.” The Creator eyed each of his admins one by one. First at Staff’s fiercely determined face. He’d expected resistance from Sam of all people. His eyes shifted to Dracona. Zoie and Sam were the two compassionates amongst his admins, and long-standing friends. It was no surprise to him that her eyes were filled with the same resolve as Staff’s. His eyes shifted to Axe. The first surprise that genuinely caught him off guard. Charlie had always been far more thick-skinned than the others. His past as a bounty hunter had been responsible for that. Thus, Gary was surprised to find Charlie’s eyes were also filled with Staff’s same resolve.
Finally, his eyes shifted to Grey. Patrick was a cold and logical person forged in the brutality of slavery. If anyone would agree with him, it would be him. Grey’s helmet remained still for a second as the admin considered his position on the matter. Finally, the helmet turned to glance at Staff.
“Sam is right, sir.” Grey finally spoke up, “End this… now.”
“I think not.” The Creator sighed as he turned away from them all in disgust, “My decision is final, but by all means, if you feel so strongly about my actions, I won’t prevent you from attempting to save them.” He offered, “Perhaps then you’ll see the pointlessness of it all.” He muttered. Staff opened his mouth to snap back once again but was cut off by a flash of bright light. The Creator… was gone.
Staff sighed and turned to his fellow admins. Axe and Zoie both looked up at the meteor far above with defeat in their eyes. Grey remained completely still, staring at the place Gary had been stood. The black slits in his helmet giving off no indication to his emotions or thoughts.
“Care to explain what I just witnessed?” James’ voice butted in. Staff turned to find the man standing behind them all with his helmet off. Sheepishly in tow, Cathie stood a few steps behind him. It took a second for Axe to recognise the bloodred hair. The girl who’d stepped in during his earlier battle with Staff. Yet for now he shrugged such a fact aside, they had bigger things to be dealing with right now. Dracona’s eyes on the other hand, widened with fury as they fell upon Cathie’s face. Her lips parted, her breath filled with bottled up rage, but Staff’s firm hand landed on her shoulder before anything could be said.
“Not now.” He whispered into her ear as Staff walked past Zoie and let go of her shoulder. He knew exactly who that girl was. She tempered her rage as she realised why Staff had stopped her outburst. Now wasn’t the time, “Like I said before James, five Admins to one Creator.” Staff reminded him, “Despite the four of us disagreeing with him, we do not hold the power to challenge him. We haven’t done so for one hundred years.”
“It has never been an issue until this very moment.” Grey spoke up, “The first time we’ve collectively disagreed with him within that time.”
“Doesn’t make it much better now, does it?” Staff pressed as he narrowed his eyes at Grey. The two were often compared in terms of their cunning and intellect. If anyone was going to challenge Staff in a game of wit, Grey would be the one he’d be most concerned about. Grey gave a quiet sigh that echoed through his hollow armour.
“Point taken.” He quietly muttered. James clicked his teeth as he eyed the meteor behind the four admins now standing in front of him.
“So, what now, Admin Staff?” He pressed, “Watch an entire kingdom be flattened, or risk that all so dangerous rage of your superior?”
“I have an idea what you’d pick in his shoes, master of the tower.” Axe added with a slight chuckle. An attempt to cut through the thick tension now building up between Staff and James as an ever-growing teethy grin painted itself upon James’ face.
“That’s assuming we’d survive the attempt.” Staff shot back, skirting around the question.
“Aren’t…” Cathie stuttered, “Aren’t you immortal?” James’ grin turned to a thunderous laughter. He quickly got a hold of himself and turned to address Cathie as the heads of all four admins lowered in silence.
“The admins boast unmatched resistance and almost bottomless heath pools.” James revealed to her, “Almost being the key word of course. Practically unkillable to anything and anyone obeying the order of this world, but The Creator IS the order of this world.” He continued, “Against an all-out attack like that, the four Gods before us would be as fragile as you or I.” He finished, “So I’ll ask again, Staff the Wise.” James continued to press as he turned back to Staff, “Will the Gods of this world have the courage to risk their own lives, risk permanent destruction, to save a kingdom that has forsaken them?” A tense silence followed James’ words.
“Without question.” Dracona spoke up. Her words cut through the silence, allowing the wind to once again flow between them all.
“Aye.” Axe added in agreement, “We swore an oath after all.”
“Indeed, we did.” Staff muttered as he turned again to Grey. The metallic gargoyle of an admin silently watched Staff’s glare fall upon him.
“Charlie is correct.” Grey spoke up, “We pledged to protect this world no matter the cost. That promise holds true, even if Gary has forgotten it.”
“And how exactly are you going to stop the unstoppable?” James pressed, “Perh-”
“We’ll find a way.” Staff quickly interrupted, “We always do.” He added to nail his point home. A single, synchronised flash, and the four of them vanished from the rooftop. James’ grin turned to a distasteful smirk.
“Stubborn fool.” He cursed to himself.
“Do you think they’ll succeed?” Cathie’s concerned voice asked from behind him. James’ eyes focused upon the giant meteor once more.
“No.” He bluntly answered, “But like me, Staff’s too prideful to admit that.” He sighed, “They might stop it, but not without sacrifice.” He added as he turned to face her. He watched as icy tears began to trickle down her face.
“Is their nothing we can do?” James furrowed his brow. Seeing tears on Cathie’s face clearly hit him deep in the heart. The girl had certainly wormed his way into his heart during her years under his care. He’d watched her grow from the scared little girl to the woman now before him. He gave another sigh. He knew a solution, but… He took a second to push his overprotective feelings aside. The world was at stake after all.