Chapter 55. Slayer

Finding an empty alley just before the surface, Abe transformed into his walking mushroom form. There were no official restrictions for either dreamers heading below ground or the undead above it, but it was known to be far more dangerous.

The handful of living dead he spotted on his final ascent up to the surface eyed him suspiciously, but none attacked. Most of the weaker creatures around would no doubt rely on ambushes to attack prey like himself and, without warning of his coming, wouldn’t risk an attack on an unknown entity.

Above ground, Abe was again reminded that this world was primarily a dreamer world with an undead presence. Unlike the mostly bare streets and empty alleys below, the streets above were teeming with all kinds of dreamer creatures, and the sky filled with Astral ships navigating to and from the towers above the streets.

The chaos quickly became too much as creatures bumped into him and hurried along the crowded alleys. Abe had no idea how to find the guild among the swarming crowds, and pedestrian traffic filling the roads, paths, and packed buildings that lined every street hardly helped.

Following the direction of traffic, Abe walked until he came to a large avenue that appeared to split the city in two. Gardens and a giant stand with a circular screen playing advertisements like a magical billboard were between the avenue's roads.

The gardens featured an array of vibrant colors, lush plants, and even pockets of trees. Still, the crowds constantly passed through made the experience in the otherwise picturesque gardens hardly relaxing. But what caught his attention was the billboard and the figures moving across it, advertising all kinds of dreamer items and establishments. 

“Not so different from down there,” he grunted, looking at the bright screen.

As he watched, the screen changed to show a half dozen dreamers fighting through an epic battle. They dove and dodged, cutting down their enemies in a heroic display, and then moving, bright neon letters were cast over them, reading ‘SLAYER’S GUILD, THAT WAY —>. JOIN TODAY AND EXPERIENCE THE WORLD OF TOMORROW. BECOME A HERO.”

“Oh, okay, now that’s convenient,” he frowned and turned toward the arrow. Still, it was a massive city, and he only knew the direction in which to go, not where it was.

Passing through the streets, he kept moving in the guild’s general direction until he spotted neon letters spinning around the head of one of the towers, saying, “Slayer’s Guild.”

The tower must have been a hundred stories tall, with dozens of Astral ships anchored to its upper levels. On the ground floor, a line formed at the front doors, with security forces gradually letting them inside as others left.

Figuring he didn’t have much choice, Abe stepped into the queue. He spiked his dreamer energy as he did, wanting to make sure his acorns were as masked as possible.

When he made it inside, a pointy-eared woman with long blonde hair pointed across the tiled foyer toward one of the cubicles where slug-like creatures sat behind panes of glass.

“Right that way, contractor,” she said, using the term for unsigned Slayers.

“Thank you,” Abe nodded and approached the booth.

“Contractor Ab’el?” the slug said as Abe stepped within earshot, seeming to have pulled his profile up, thanks to the greeter who had already collected his details.

“Yes,” Abe said as he lowered into the opposing chair.

“How can we help?” the bulbous green slug said slurpingly. It looks like you have a current job,” the slug continued, turning the little dots sunken beneath the wiry hairs it used as eyes on Abe.

“Yeah. about that–”

“You can’t complete it, can you, Sporeking?”

“Yeah, well…”

“I can clear it, but it’ll come with a fine of 500 ducats.”

That cheeky little bastard didn’t mention anything about a fine.

“It’s fine, I can pay,” Abe sighed. Arguing over such a small sum, considering the wealth he had fallen into, seemed petty, and besides, being on good terms with the guild might come in handy later.

“One moment,” the slug slurped. “All done. Now, are you interested in a new contract, one more suited for your… level.”

“I was actually hoping to sell something.”

“Oh?” The slug shifted. “I’m sorry, but you don’t have access to our official internal sales system as a contractor. That would require increasing your status; the easiest way to do that is taking on missions.”

“Not right now. I’m kind of busy. Aren’t there any other options available to me?” I really just need coin now, if possible.”

“Well, I can give you the name of an associate business. But they won’t give you the treatment our internals will.”

“They’ll rip me off, in other words,” Abe sighed.

“You didn’t hear that from me, but,” the slug nodded.

“It’s fine,” Abe waved. “I need the coin.”

“Very well,” the slug said, pressing a button that shot out a card, which he slid between the screen divider. “They are a reasonable enough bunch, for the unaffiliated, at least,” the slug grimaced as if trying to smile.

“That’ll do, I suppose,” Abe said, taking the card and leaving.

********

Beams of energy shot through the darkness of the Vale, lighting it with flashes as they burst across the landscape of the small shardworld, and were returned by a volley of fiery red energy that lit up the sky as they slammed into the attacking vessels.

“Where do these bastard’s keep coming from?” Viara sneered as she shot beams of energy from her hands.

“Should we evacuate the tribe?” Another banshee beside her said as she sent one of her own blasts rocketing out toward their attackers.

“After all the work we’ve invested?”

Several blasts hammered across the metal hull of the enemy’s lead ship, but between the flickering shield that clung to it and its armor, the volley of attacks was held back.

“Elder Janis is right, Viara. I know we have invested a lot, but it is just another shardworld. Would you really have us throw away the Amandi fighting for this place? Our tribe has endured for centuries within the darkness of the Vale, led by our own. Is that not worth saving?”

Screaming, Viara funneled energy into her attacks, strengthening them severalfold as she fired them into the hordes of enemies streaming into their lands.

“Where will we go as refugees?” Viara sneered as she gathered energy back into her arms, ready to attack again. 

“For now, Lantern,” Elder Janis said, strengthening her shield as a blast slammed into it.

“Elders!” A banshee shouted, swerving through the sky to dodge energy beams as she flew toward them. “The front line is wavering. We’ve taken too many losses.”

“We can’t wait any longer. Elders,” another banshee said, with long gray hair and deep lines through her forehead. “Let us vote now before more lives are lost. All for retreating back to Lantern,” she added and raised her hand.

Four arms went up almost immediately, and Viara growled. “Fine,” she hissed,” raising her arm and shooting simultaneously.

“It’s unanimous, then,” Elder Kilik said, “Order the retreat.”

Through the darkness of the Vale, hundreds of banshees flew, held up by their ghastly wings, leaving behind the home they had known for generations—led by their elders.

********

“Master, you’re back,” one of the zombies groaned as Abe passed through the partially erected wall he had ordered.

“You zombies are more industrialist than I had imagined,” he said and threw a couple of sacks of ducats toward them. “Make sure it’s fairly distributed, okay?”

“Yes,” the zombies groaned.

He had been ripped off once again, selling the second acorn for 100,000 ducats, but still, it was better than what the Reavers offered, even though he was supposed to be a member of that treacherous guild.

Afterward, he had gone and ordered a ship. It was a half-now, half-later situation. He had paid 40,000 so far for an iron-hulled ship that would carry 50 crew through the Vale. It was probably more than he needed, but these zombies had proven useful, and if they wanted to follow him and complete simple tasks when asked, he was more than happy to allow them. Besides, he had plenty of coin to pay for the pure deathly energy to feed them. Unfortunately, it would take a month to complete. Still, even if he could sell the remaining acorns with the contacts he had made so far, there was no way he was accepting such low compensation. Patience would serve him well, and Abe reminded himself of this constantly, resisting the tug he felt to reunite with Miss Nia.

Ensuring that his stash was still safe, Abe turned to leave again. There wasn’t much to be done here in the hideout while he waited—besides meditating, and he had done enough of that in Old Silveroot’s domain to hold him over for a long time.

“Keep an eye on everything and make sure this is done by the time I get back, okay?” Abe said as he passed back out into the street.

The zombies groaned and nodded but seemed to get the message well enough.

It was time to head back to the taverns and gathering holes. He didn’t care much about what happened after the mission, but there was a lingering curiosity, and hopefully, he’d find at least one of his former comrades on Lantern.

“Time to fill in the blanks,” Abe grunted as he passed into the dark, gloomy streets. Maybe he could even leverage the situation. After all, they were supposed to share whatever loot they found, and although he knew it would be peanuts compared to the acorns, maybe he could use that debt for his own purpose. Contacts and information were what he really needed now, and if twisting a few arms was required, Abe was more than willing.

NEXT CHAPTER