The Excisionists: Book 1 Page 10

  She shrugged. “Maybe that’s the case if you don’t have an objective like we do in here.”

  I tilted my head and crossed my arms. “Objective?”

  “Yeah. We have to get out. We have to fulfill our end of the bargain to get whatever we were promised.”

  I thought back to the last time I spoke with Dr. Sonnet. Her cold blue eyes were always fixed on mine when we talked. I never liked her demeanor, but then again, I didn’t ever really trust the doctors. She promised me that I’d be put in charge of the puzzles and objectives for version two if I won the game, but she expected me to study everything about the game and find glitches while I was in here. I’d never have to be seen by anyone while they were working on my eye and replacement skin which was great, but I still needed time to test out the game.

  I was suddenly curious about why she was in the game. “So, uh, what’d she promise to give you?”

  She tapped away at the controls again and kicked the ship into high gear as it targeted on to the coordinates for another planet. “It doesn’t matter. All you need to know is that time is against us.”

  I didn’t believe what she was saying. “Did the Commander tell you that?”

  She glared at me. “You’re a real jerk, you know that?”

  I threw my hands up in the air. “I’m sorry, you’re right. I shouldn’t have said that. I didn’t mean it. Look, I was told that I needed to study every aspect of this game and spend as much time in here as I could. Your plan is just so different from what I was told to do. And I didn’t even get time to explore your planet much. It just makes me wonder why you are in such a hurry.”

  She guided the ship through the atmosphere an into the blackness of space.

  I waited for a response but didn’t get one. “Are you going to answer me?”

  She sat back in her chair and stared straight ahead.

  I slid one of my arms around her shoulders. “I’m sorry. I promise I won’t ever say anything like that again.”

  She sat rigid and ignored me.

  I was determined not to lose the one friend I had just gained, so I moved closer and put a second arm around her. “Tell me what I need to do.”

  Amber finally relaxed and put her head on my shoulder. “Everyone has been mean to me my entire life. I don’t want to be with you if you’re going to be the same way.”

  “I won’t. I promise.” I understood exactly how difficult it was for her because I was an outcast too. I was angry at myself for treating her poorly by using her struggles against her. I vowed to myself right then to always be her protector and to never make her cry.

  We sat silently until the screen displayed the planet we approached. It was completely green, a variety of shades but green, nevertheless. Every bit of it was covered in some sort of foliage. Amber mapped out the ground below and found an ideal spot to land the ship. When we disembarked, I was unsure of how we would track where we were on the planet because all I could see was twisting trails through the leaves.

  Amber spun around and took in the sights. After a moment of consideration, she pointed in a seemingly random direction. “Let’s go there.”

  I turned toward that direction. “What’s over there?”

  “I don’t know. The Commander said we should go that way. He’s usually right, but the rest of what I hear is just distractions.” She smiled up at me. “I can tell the difference though.”

  I decided to trust her instincts to show that I cared for her and wouldn’t make her feel bad again. “Okay.”

  She squeezed my arm and then walked into the gently waving fronds. I followed behind closely to be sure she wasn’t in any danger. Because of her small size, she slipped past protruding buttress roots and under low hanging branches with ease. I had to bend down while pushing branches out of my face and tripped a few times while trying to clear the roots. She stopped and waited for me when she found a clearing. Up ahead was a rocky outcropping covered in lichens and moss. Sitting atop the small hill were two people chatting. One was a silver bodied Eva with a snowflake symbol on her forehead, and the other was a copper skinned Nomad with golden garb and bare feet with webbing between the toes.

  Amber waved at the two and called out to them. “Hey!”

  Her white locks swished as she bounded over to them. I followed behind at a much slower pace. The two looked up and waved back to us before they climbed back down the hill.

  Amber looked back and forth at the two of them as she talked. “I’m Amber and this is Crispin. We just got here on a ship and want to make good time here before we head to another planet. Do either of you know what’s got to be passed off here on Dobleest?”

  Iolite nodded. “Yeah. We’ve got a few more objectives including one where we have to free some animals from captivity. By the way, I’m Iolite and this is Mica. Are you guys with a party yet?”

  She nodded once and then looked back at me. “Nice to meet you. And no, we’re not with anyone else yet. We met not to long ago and just barely got a ship. We really haven’t had time to really meet anyone else. Right now, I’m trying to figure out what objectives are absolutely needed so we can get out of here as fast as we can.”

  Iolite eyed her. “Why are you worried about trying to get out of the game fast?”

  Amber crossed her arms. “I don’t think it matters why. We just need some direction. Can you point us where we should go first?”

  A whispery voice came from behind us and startled me. “You need a party to complete the game. Join us.”

  I turned around to see a floating apparition behind me. “Who are you?”

  “Jinx.”

  Amber wrapped her small hands around one of my arms. “Why do you want us to join you?”

  Indigo globes rested upon jade jewels. “You are driven. Something inside you compels you forward. You will be a great asset to us.” She turned her eyes upon me. “You, on the other hand must see the world around you for what it is and press on despite your intrigue.”

  “Press on? I’m here to do some research on the game, test it out and stuff like that.”

  Jinx floated closer. “Do not underestimate the motives of those who placed you here.”

  I crossed my arms. I didn’t like her attitude or assumption we’d all blindly follow whoever acted like they were the leader. “What motives? Why does what you say matter anyway?”

  She leaned in close. “If you do not join us, you will not survive this world or the one you plan to return to.”

  Iolite joined the conversation. “Look, there’s so many people out there who are trying to cause problems for all of us. We’re just trying to stick together so we can get to the end and then rejoin our families. Jinx is only trying to help us.”

  I laughed. “You all seriously believe whatever she says?”

  Amber stood between the two of us and Jinx moved backwards a distance. “We just want to get back to the real world. It would be helpful if you told us why you think we need to join a party and not just trying to play on our fears to get us to do whatever you ask.”

  Jinx paused and then drew a long breath. “This is your only chance to leave as you desire. My father is the one who designed this game. I can predict the movement of other players and objectives unlike any other member in here. You can join us or do as you please, but there must be one of each race to enter the Alchemist’s Crypt. We will only be lacking a Marxian if you join the Delphian Sect. This propels you further toward the end objective in a short time.”

  Amber nodded. “Yeah, I think so too.” She turned around and faced me. “Crispin, we think this is what we need to do. Are you with us?”

  I looked deep into her jewel toned eyes. I knew she was more than just a friend and she’d be the one I could count on when we finally left the game. I couldn’t bear to let her go away with anyone and abandon me. “Okay.” I looked back up at the shifting phantasm. “You better make sure we all get out together.”

  Amber smiled up at me. “You’re a good friend.”
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  Jinx’s lips gray lips twisted upward. “You won’t regret this.”

  Chapter 5 – Edan

  I pulled the onyx cloak hood up to cover my forked jaws and slightly bowed my head while maintaining clear vision of the market around me. The poison tip of my tail retracted within its sheath and hid itself underneath my cloak as if I’d always known how to have a tail. I became one with the bustling background as the blood dripped down the stone wall of the alley directly behind me. The enforcers wouldn’t be far behind since it was nearly dusk, so I slipped into the nearest shop and pretended to examine the wares. My pouch felt heavy with the weight of the amulet I’d taken from the minister. Although it had been easy to find him, the mess I left wasn’t ideal and could make it easier for the enforcers to find me. I had to be more careful in the future. I hadn’t expected such a struggle and had to resort to slitting his throat because the poison wasn’t taking effect quickly enough. I watched and waited until the shopkeeper turned his attention to another buyer and then slid a bloody strip of the minister’s coat into one of the earthen pots. Without hesitation, I strode behind the shopkeeper and inconspicuously wiped blood on the skirts of his robe before concealing the knife near the door as I walked out the back exit and into the darkening open-air bazaar.

  I scanned the crowd and watched the people move like swirling leaves against the colorful bits of fabric and muted shades of liquids in bubbling pots of food. The aroma was distinct in this area. It was spicy and inviting yet had an undertone of something rotting. The other cities I’d visited were all different in both the smells and wares. Many merchants sold fruits or textiles, but this city had animals, blown glass ornaments, jewelry, and the elite of Stroya which was what I’d come for. There were enforcers everywhere which made it difficult to move about unnoticed. They were clad in black with silver emblems indicating their rank and status. Many possessed chains of varying thickness and colors as a signal for which house they supported and protected. They disliked those who didn’t originate from their city, so I worked hard not to draw attention to myself as a newcomer.

  My kind was the dominant species here on this planet, but we had to be supported by the smaller desert dwellers that previously lived in the caverns in the rocks of the Bone Desert. They were so common that nearly everyone had three or more to do the daily chores around their homes. I found a tall building with a flat top and scaled the wall in mere seconds. When I reached the top, I found a corner blanketed in shadows and crouched down while I watched the enforcers begin their march around the city. I stared at the white sands that covered the entire planet as it glittered in the waning light. I had seen these gritty particles move as if they were alive while they shifted to form massive dunes when the storms came. I knew another one was on the way and was hoping it would come soon to help me escape before the manhunt began for the minister’s killer.

  I still had several tasks to complete before I contacted Jinx again and hoped she’d give me adequate time to complete them all instead of barging in again while I was trying to remain anonymous among the crowds. Her presence in Adara drew attention to me within seconds. I’d told her to remain in the pub and await my arrival, but instead, she found me when I was scoping out the Museum of Maps. The enforcers pursued us for nearly a mile outside of the city before our Lutrian acquaintance Phineas finally arrived to whisk us away. I was still uncertain whether or not I could return there to steal the map of Sudoria.

  Shouts erupted below as the minister was found and the troops jogged around the city. After several tense minutes, they located the shop owner where I’d placed the knife and blood-soaked strip of fabric. He protested loudly before being knocked unconscious and then hauled off to face the judges. As the wind picked up, I drew my cloak closer and sat in the darkness until the city calmed and the enforcers were gone to search other areas for crime or suspicious people. When I knew I was safe, I climbed back down the wall and scurried into the desert despite the impending storm. Although I’d hoped it would have hit sooner, I now wished it would not have come until I’d found a place to hunker down. I could barely see with the grains of sand obscuring my view but pushed on to reach a narrow range of white sandstone I’d recently used to conceal myself. There was a small opening at the base of the north side that was more protected from sandstorms in the prevailing wind, but occasionally it was completely hidden by sand.

  To my dismay, when I reached the cave entrance the sand was piled high. It took more time than I wanted before I was able to dig down far enough to uncover a hole that was big enough to wriggle through. When I finally reached the interior, I was glad to have time to relax after being frustrated by the events of the day. Now because of the storm, I’d have to put off stealing the map until after I’d met with Jinx. I pulled out a glowing orb that once belonged to a prominent member of society and felt inside my cloak for the heavy golden amulet. Both the shiny metal and faceted jewels reflected the light. I traced the engravings with my finger and admired the trinket I’d soon be trading for entry into an underground society to give us access to the Alchemist’s Crypt on Zerkola. I hoped it wouldn’t take long for the rest of the players in the Delphian Sect to complete their tasks. It was exciting to think we’d be the first party to reach Zerkola and have time to explore the planet before anyone else. I was still a little concerned that Jinx couldn’t follow through on this promise, so I began to form a secondary plan in case anything was to go wrong. I drew my plans in the sand to pass the time until the storm ended.

  After what seemed like eternity, the wind outside stopped howling and I began to dig my way back out of the cave. It was still dark outside, and I knew I likely didn’t have much time to head back to another city before dawn broke. I adjusted my belt to drop the back of my cloak to be just long enough to drag behind me as walked and cover up my tracks. Luckily, the storm would have erased all traces of my journey here, but it had passed to the other side and wouldn’t help me now. I got on all six legs to crawl through the sand quickly and leave more shallow impressions that my cloak could easily disguise. I listened for any changes in the sounds around me to keep myself safe as I focused on the journey ahead.

  All deserts on Stroya were pocked with sand traps, poisonous spiders, and mirages that were designed to take you off course. Thankfully, I’d traded some crystals for a holographic map of these deserts that marked the hazards allowing me to avoid them completely. The first few times I’d tried to navigate these deserts, I’d spent countless hours killing spiders, respawning after falling into sand traps, and chasing after mirages that I could never reach.

  During one of my trips into the Bone Desert I’d run into an NPC with a caravan of oversized wind scorpions that carried large boxes of wares. The only thing he sold that interested me at the time was the map. It took hours of searching to find him again when I’d finally earned enough crystals to purchase it. I still needed to find a Bismuth for trade because I wanted to get whatever was in the jewel encrusted golden chest he’d had the last time I’d been able to locate him. I thought about the potential of new items while I zig zagged past hazards on my way to Dumais to pass the time.

  Traveling always took time that could be better spent scouting or stealing, but it had to be done. I looked forward to reaching Dumais to study the ancient texts in the Osian Pyramid. That city was filled with idol worshipers and each pyramid had its own deity. Each of the deities represented some aspect of the natural world or event in the stars and had ever growing crowds of devotees who would meet inside the pyramid to bring flowers and food to share while they studied their respective ancient texts. One text in particular held my interest, not because of content, but because of its value to the highest bidder. Once I sold the text, I’d have enough to buy a transport on the underground market and purchase a cloak of invisibility so I could get the map if Sudoria without being caught. Thinking about all of this kept me busy enough that I reached the outskirts of Dumais in record time.

  The grand city was sur
rounded by a high stone wall. I had to wait for the enforcers to pass by before I scaled the wall and dropped down into the city where I could easily blend in. The air was heavy with incense, perfumed offerings, and seething pots of food. I moved in and out between stalls of merchandise and bath houses. Purification rituals were important here and often silvery coins were left in the bottoms of the pools. I neared the edge of a crowded pool and slid to the back of the group. When everyone seemed distracted, I pulled back my sleeve and reached to the bottom to scoop up a handful of coins. I turned away from the crowd and walked away as if I had just finished the ritual. I quickly dried the coins and dropped them into my offering pouch for entry into the Osian Pyramid. I moved quickly around slow-moving disciples and soon reached the towering white structure.

  I kept my head low as I admired the sparkling surface of the stones and ran my fingers across them to feel their gritty texture. A pudgy little desert dweller sat at the entryway striking finger cymbals and accepting pouches of coins. I dropped my sack into the collection receptacle and passed into the first room. It was filled with bouncing devotees who were all singing loudly. I scanned the room for another door that would take me further into the pyramid. Near the center at the back was a yawning black hole. I brushed past the throng to enter into the darkness. After I stepped inside, my eyes adjusted, and I could see the tee with brightly lit rooms on either side of each of the hallways. I turned to the right and walked up to the entryway. This room held fewer people but was foggy with incense. I choked and held my breath as I stepped backwards away from the smoke and turned back to go in the opposite direction. This hallway led to a set of stairs lit occasionally by a glowing orb. I spiraled downwards into the unknown, hoping to get closer to the ancient texts.