Hell's Glitch (initial draft)

I_K 1.15 Battle

Ji stopped a few feet in front of me and rested her naginata against her shoulder. The blade hung high overhead like a guillotine, catching the moon's light and refracting it nearby. I wondered how far into the night I was. The moon's position didn't seem to change even though I'd been in this forest for a long while now. My status clock told me well past six hours, meaning it was past 10:00 p.m. outside of the game.

"You did well against that crimson walker," she said. "Those evil spirits are not always so easy to vanquish. You've done good work."

"Compliments are the last thing I expected from you," I said, twirling my Basilard.

"I have followed you for some time now. You don't appear to be as malevolent as you led me to believe."

As she talked, I scrolled though my various menus, reequipping my dagger and Ceremonial Blade.

"Nothing's changed," I said, not liking where this was going. "I still want you dead."

"What I can see is that you are seeking a path of power, but that is not a sustainable path. Self-mastery and discipline would make you shine, if only you'd cut your ties to such men of darkness."

"What are you talking about?"

"That merchant you mentioned before is likely the affiliated with the evil men that we've been chasing, and I saw you go into the caverns below for a long while, likely conspiring with that misguided man in black. Both have ill intentions. To serve them is to cast a cloud of darkness over yourself and your future. They have nothing of substance to offer you, but much to gain from your allegiance."

"That's not how I see it and unless you have something to offer in their place, we have no reason to discuss this any further."

"So that is your way. You're a person who only sees this world in terms of profit and loss."

"Risk and reward assessment is very important. So, anything?"

"I do not pay my allies."

I sensed a good opportunity in this. She was interested in recruiting me to her side. I just needed to figure out what she was willing to give up to do so.

"But I'm sure you have something to offer for someone willing to help you, even if it's for a single objective."

"Tell me where that merchant you spoke of earlier resides."

"What will you offer me for that? I'm seeking skills, weapons, powerful items."

"I will instruct you myself once I've apprehended this merchant. And if you prove to be a true ally, perhaps I'll teach you more advanced combat techniques."

"I am interested in your techniques, but I won't tell you where the merchant is."

"Then there is no—"

I held my hand up.

"I won't tell you, because I'm going to take you to him."

She looked at me suspiciously and said, "If this is some trap you're planning, it will not work."

"It's not a trap. The three of us are just going to have a little chat."

"There will not be anything to talk about. Now, lead me to this merchant."

"Alright."

I led her back over to the cliff Sarem had fallen down a few minutes ago and hopped across the man-sized chasm to the other lower elevated side. As I stood on the cliff looking back at her, she looked at me skeptically. I gave her a grin before stepping back from the edge of the cliff. She kept her eyes on me as she took a leap of her own and landed in front of me. I gave her a nod and continued northwest through Barrington's camp. The smith and his apprentice silently gawked at us as Ji and I passed through their shop.