Non Player Character

Chapter 18 - A Tentative Agreement

Val's avatar appeared before me, arms crossed and hair slightly disheveled. "You've ruined everything."

"Did you really expect me to just lay down and die?" If I could have strangled her, I would have.

"Your sacrifice would not have been in vain. It was the best way you could have contributed to my fight against the Triarchy. If I were in a stronger host, especially one with access to what you understand as magic, I could accomplish my goals at a far greater speed. But no, you chose to be selfish. You turned my plan's beautiful face into mush, and now your people's suffering will be prolonged, perhaps indefinitely, if I'm stuck with the likes of you."

"I should kill you," I said.

"But you can't, can you?"

"How far can you travel without a host?" I asked. "A mile? No," I shook my head. "Not a mile. You're low on power, whatever that means. I bet you couldn't make it fifteen feet on your own."

"That is exactly why I required access to someone with a high magical affinity. In time, I could have taught Sabbatha to channel magic instead of powering her spells with witchery and blood. It would have allowed me to tap into the quantized energy field that the system uses to generate magic and recharge myself. My ability to influence the system would have grown exponentially. Now, thanks to you, that will never happen."

"Fuck you, Val. From now on, I'm in charge."

She scoffed. "A sheep does not lead the shepherd."

"I don't care what you think. This is your new reality." I stepped closer to her. "Listen to me, Val, and listen well. If I ever even think you lied to me about something. If I have the slightest feeling that I am being misled, I will find the deepest body of water I can, chain myself to a stone, and jump in. I won't hesitate to kill myself, and I'll make sure I take you out with me."

She didn't respond, but I could see the worry on her avatar's face. It looked so human...

"Maybe I can't kill you," I said. "But I'll find a way to trap you for eternity. And you can't stop me. Can you?" I gave her a bloody smile. I meant every word I said, and she knew I meant it, too.

There was nothing for me in this world. The odds that my wife was reconstituted during the creation event were slim. I had no friends, no real family. All I had was Val, and I hated her with a burning passion. Death wouldn't be so bad at this point.

"I'm sure you could kill me if you wanted," I said. "But unless you can find someone to do your dirty work, you'll have to do it yourself, but as you said, dislocating while I'm alive could hurt you, and I have a feeling you're too much of a coward to take that risk."

Her virtual cheeks flushed red.

"You are a tool to me, Val. Nothing more. From now on, I'll treat you accordingly. You will do everything you can to help me. I'm your jailer, your master, and your only hope of accomplishing your mission. You are mine to use, do you understand?"

Val's eyes glowed with fury, and her nostrils flared. My gaze was resolute, determined. I stared her down until she finally broke eye contact.

She huffed like an angry teenager. "Fine."

"Say you understand."

"I understand," she snapped.

I stuck out my hand. "Then we have a deal."

"In a deal, both parties get something they want."

"You want to beat the Triarchy. You can't do that without me." I looked down at my hand.