NOVEL NEXT Chapter 25: Gaslighting.
Chapter 25: Gaslighting.
The system lies. Of course, it does. Why wouldn’t it?
It was created by whomever had thrown a thousand people here to die. Like they were beneath even the dignity afforded to animals.
What else did I expect?
My knuckles were tightened to the point that my nails were digging into my palms. Pure, unfiltered rage pumping through my arteries with all the might of a waterfall.
I thought back to all those times I almost died. To all those times where an influence threatened to slither out of that deep dark lake within me and make itself know. To make itself feared.
“Don’t go there Solomon. It’s a lie. They’re all just filthy lies. Positive thoughts. Positive feelings. Push this all deep down inside and lock it away.”
‘Sully. You’re starting to scare me.’
“Nah. I’m good. I’ll be fine. I’ll get all of this out of my system after killing some more gnomes.”
‘Should be easy enough then. Given how much stronger you are.’
“What are you talking about?”
‘Hmn? You don’t feel it? Look at your status!’
I did as Buddy bade me, finally glancing over to let all the notifications flow. Most of it were levels and newly acquired abilities. There were…
An awful lot.
It took some time before all the new acquisitions melded together with a few already in my repertoire, the points being refunded as their unions started at 1. Then they were all used up as the new amalgamations sought to climb as high as they could go. The resulting amalgamations all got their own pretty name, complete with colourful descriptions.
To sum it all up.
[Solomon’s Inescapable Domination X] came about after [Puppet Animal], [Puppet Plant], [Puppet Fungus], [Puppet Sentient], [Puppet Machine], [Calm], [Enrage], [Friendship] 3 and [Resolve] all merged.
[Solomon’s Overwhelming Delusion V] sprung up after [Static Illusion] 4 combined with [Confusion] 2, as well as [Anxiety], [Hobble], [Phobia] and [Phantom Pain].
Finally, [Solomon’s Inexorable Suppression V] reared its head after [Block Mental Attack] 1 grew to 5 and swallowed [Review Memory], [Share Memory], [Fog Memory], [Block Mental Detection] and [Interrupt].
Helpfully, these unions came with some explanations.
[Solomon’s Inescapable Domination X]
Temporarily dominates any living or mechanical targets found within [Sense Thoughts] or derivatives at the cost of 500 Psy per second, per affected unit.
Manipulates the emotional state and disposition of targets at no extra cost. Affected targets may be forced to experience calmness, fury, stoicism, bliss and loyalty. These effects scale with current ability level.
Targets that fail to resist the manipulation effects may become fully subjugated.
Subjugated targets do not consume Psy when commanded.
Unconscious or willing targets may be subjugated at no extra cost.
Domination becomes semi-permanent when targets are fully subjugated at no extra cost.
There is no limit to the number of concurrently dominated targets.
[Solomon’s Overwhelming Delusion V]
Creates dynamic illusions that fool all mundane senses of both living and mechanical targets at the cost of 1000 Psy per illusion.
Illusions must be placed anywhere within and be no larger than the current range of [Sense Thoughts] or derivatives.
Illusions lose effectiveness the further away they are from you at a rate of 30% per 500 metres.
Illusions may cause psychic damage unto living targets if they simulate a hazard or imminent danger, scaling with current ability level.
Affected targets may be forced to perform random, counterproductive actions, lose control of their passive abilities, become paralyzed and suffer additional psychic damage when interacting with threatening or frightening illusions. These effects scale with current ability level.
Duration of illusions scale with current ability level at a rate of 1 minute per ability level.
There is no limit to the number of concurrently affected targets.
[Solomon’s Inexorable Suppression V]
Passively protects you and your allies from being detected or attacked via Telepath abilities below Tier V within a radius of 150 metres.
Actively disrupts non-Telepath abilities within a radius of 500 metres at the cost of 250 Psy per second. This effect scales with current ability level.
View memories of targets using [Sense Thoughts] or derivatives at the cost of 250 Psy per 1000 hours of stored memories. Share memories between friendly targets and yourself via [Team Tactics] or derivatives at a range of half the current maximum of [Sense Thoughts] or derivatives at the cost of 250 Psy per 500 hours of stored memories. Total hours per use scale at a rate of +20 % per ability level. Total cost per use scale at a rate of -15% per every 5 ability levels. There is no limit to the number of concurrently affected targets.
Experience and edit the memories of a target within your senses or targets whose memories have been previously viewed at the cost of 75 ,000 Psy per 5 hours of memory. Accuracy and efficiency scales with current ability level at a rate of + 20% per ability level. Subjugated or willing targets may have their memories edited at no cost. Your memories may be experienced and edited at no cost.
Yep. That was wonderful. The bastard running the show wanted to make me out to be a villain. A bad guy. The kind of cartoonish creep that went around growing cults all over the place.
Bastard.
Bastard.
Filthy freaking liar.
Filthy freaking kidnapper.
Honestly, how sick would you have to be to come up with this stuff?
How sick would you have to be to accuse me of these….
Vile, disgusting perversions.
Then, as if that wasn’t insulting enough, I also got titles to go with the new abilities.
Title: Crown Shard of the Lonely Despot.
A fragment of divinity, resulting from forging one’s own power.
This title makes it so only the wielder may dispel their own mind-controlling effects.
This title negates the Psy cost of mind-controlling effects used on those below the wielder’s current Tier.
This title degrades mind-controlling immunity of affected targets to mind-controlling resistance.
This title doubles Total Psy.
“Weary are they who bear the burden of leadership.”
Title: Crown Shard of the Chained Poet.
A fragment of divinity, resulting from forging one’s own power.
This title makes it so only forces above Tier V may dispel the wielder’s illusions.
This title makes it so that illusions lower target’s resistance to mind-controlling effects.
This title increases Total Psy by 50%.
“Woe to they who lose their grip on reality.”
Title: Crown Shard of the Cruel Judge.
A fragment of divinity, resulting from forging one’s own power.
This title makes the wielder immune to all mind-altering effects at or below Tier V; with the exception of the wielder’s own.
This title doubles the Psy cost of abilities used against the wielder.
This title increases Total Psy by 50%.
“There can be no innocence. Only degrees of guilt.”
Objective Completed:
Student has reached level 50.
Student has increased the Tier of an ability.
Student has gained a Title.
Alert:
A Student in this Tutorial instance has committed an act of aggression against a System-regulated vendor.
Disciplinary action will be taken against this Student and all current Students in this Tutorial instance.
All System-regulated vendors will depart this instance until Solomon Carter delivers a satisfying apology to the offended vendor.
Rewards for the aforementioned objectives will be withheld until the completion of the first Cycle.
Delivered rewards will only consist of a fraction of their original amount as a penalty to Solomon Carter, with the difference given to vendor Granny Golden as compensation.
Student, Solomon Carter, will be expected to apologize to the offended vendor before receiving any remaining rewards for these objectives.
“Bastard.” I said out loud. “I bet you think this is a hoot. I bet you’re up on the surface, twirling your handlebar moustache while chuckling. I bet you read my mind, my memories. I bet you know what happened to me and now you want to blame me for what happened.”
The notion made my blood boil. A resplendent sun of white-hot fury erupting from every pore on my skin.
Flashes of that day struck me again and again. Forcing me to face the bodies again. The crabs and the eyes. The tall man was gone and his place was a whimpering boy. Too wrapped up in the developments to know why he was being hated. Why he was being feared when all he’d wanted was to help.
“I’ll kill you.” I growled through gritted teeth. “I swear I’ll find you and kill you. Someway. Somehow. I’ll never let you get away with this. I’ll chase you to the ends of the earth.”
Looking back at the messages, they trailed off into a new status screen that added all the bonuses together.
Doing the math, that meant my total Psy would be multiplied by 2, then 1.5 and 1.5 in succession. At least, that’s how I arrived at my new total, given that after level 50, each new level gave me 50 Psy and 8 new ability points to spend. That was 300 from all the Psy up to level 50 in addition to 50 multiplied by 28. Factor in my titles and I reached this:
Name:
Solomon Carter
Psy:
5737/7650
Type:
Telepath II Level 78
Abilities:
[Solomon’s Inescapable Domination X] 16 / [Solomon’s Overwhelming Delusion V] 11 / [Solomon’s Inexorable Suppression V] 12 / [Sense Thoughts] 4 / [Message] 4 / [Mental Bolt] 4 / [Fever] 4 / [Fear] 3 / [Hide] 3 / [Faint Presence] 2 / [Mental Map] 3 / [Precognition] 5 / [Meditation] 3 / [Premonition] 3 / [Psychometry] 2 /
Ability Points:
3
In summary, I was being messed with. The freak that threw me in here wanted to gaslight me into thinking I was responsible for what happened that day at the emergency shelter.
Why though?
What could anyone hope to gain from such an act?
This farce was meaningless. It wouldn’t convince me of anything. No one in their right mind could believe I was capable of hurting those people.
I was a good person who cared about others. I’d never hurt anyone.
Never.
Under any circumstances.
And I’d strangle anyone who said otherwise with their own intestines.
‘Are you okay Sully?’
“Never better! My eyes have been opened to the organizer’s tricks! I now know not to trust anything that appears on the status!”
‘Are you sure that’s a good idea?’
“The best! I can’t be fooled if I don’t rely on it for guidance. My illusions didn’t change at all, so this screen must be wrong.”
I summoned a copy of me to illustrate my point and leaped a bit to the side when it started repeating my own words back at me. For the briefest of instants, even I was unsure as to whether or not I’d accidentally cloned myself. Every single detail stood out as irrefutably realistic, from the tone of my voice to the nervous glances beneath the copy of Buddy.
I waved the conjured image away in a panic.
“There! See! Totally the same as before! It just happens to talk now and it’s a little more stable. AHA! That’s because of the level increase! It went up from 4 to 11! That’s the cause!”
‘Sully? You’re sweating an awful lot. I think you might be sick.’
“What!? I’m not sick! I would never do anything so sick! Take that back! I’m not evil! I’m a good person! I’ve always tried to be a good person!”
I could hear my heartbeat, feeling its relentless thrumming within my chest.
‘I know Sully! You’re the best person I know! I wasn’t accusing you of anything! Please don’t be mad at me!’
“I’m not…!”
The words died in my throat as intrusive flashbacks brought me back to that night. To the bodies being devoured by the baby crabs. To the emotions radiating off the lot of them once their mother was forced to end their lives.
How did I know what they were feeling?
“I’m not crazy. Buddy. You have to believe me. I’m not crazy. I’m not evil. I would never force people to do anything. I would never hurt anyone that didn’t deserve it. I’ve been trying and trying to save people down here. Over and over. I’m not evil. I’m not evil!”
‘I wouldn’t care if you were Sully. None of that matters.’
“It does matter!”
‘Not to me. You’re my best friend in the universe and that’s how you’ll stay no matter what. I love all of you for who you are. I’ll never stop caring for you, no matter what you do.’
“But that’s not right! Whomever did that back then deserves to be punished! They’re a bad person!”
‘So, punish them. Do whatever you feel is right.’
Another blast from the past. Another glimpse into the bloodied halls. Another round of screaming and watching the tall man. Once more, those oily features moved like running water, carrying the colours and contours away so that he could be anyone depending on one’s perspective.
I could not see who he was. Who he’d been.
Disturbingly, as the new toughened strings rose from the lakebed, I could not even say that he’d been there at all.
“No. That’s not right. I can’t let myself go down that route. I need to focus. I need to keep moving.”
‘That’s the spirit!’
“Sorry Buddy but I really need some peace and quiet right now.”
‘You got it!’
I forced down my emotions. Pushing downwards with concerted effort. Trying desperately to drown out the noise and accusations.
The shadows of those looks. The despair. The disappointment.
Leaving the little cabin didn’t help. All around were beautifully maintained fields composed of glowing grasses, with the odd mushroom here and there. Basking in their soft light were lightning bunnies, their antlers crackling with stored power.
Whatever influence had demanded their lax attitude held. Their beady eyes not shining with the usual malice.
Shrugging, I kept moving. Determined to find other people.
“This won’t break me. That wasn’t me. I’ll rescue the people trapped here with me. I’m a good person.”
The statement became a mantra. The meaning wrapped around me like a warm shroud. Holding the other thoughts at bay.
Even now, they assaulted me relentlessly.
‘It’s all your fault. You did this. You hurt the crabs. You hurt those people.’
“This won’t break me. That wasn’t me. I’ll rescue the people trapped here with me. I’m a good person.”
Repetition helped to ingrain the meaning.
‘It’s all your fault. You did this. You broke their minds. Broke their memories.’
“This won’t break me. That wasn’t me. I’ll rescue the people trapped here with me. I’m a good person.”
Little by little, the tall man came back into focus. His smile more defined.
‘It’s all your fault. You did this. You’re a terrible person. You deserve to be here.’
“This won’t break me. That wasn’t me. I’ll rescue the people trapped here with me. I’m a good person.”
Two gnomes appeared within my fog, waiting at the spot where enormous chasm met narrow tunnels. The one on the left patted the other’s shoulder, pointing in my direction. I could taste their eagerness.
‘It’s all your fault. No one will ever forgive you.’
“This won’t break me. That wasn’t me. I’ll rescue the people trapped here with me. I’m a good person.”
They attacked at once.
Their torrents of flame withered and died before they reached me. Part of me almost glanced back at the screen before thinking better of it.
‘It’s all your fault. No one will ever love you.’
“This won’t break me. That wasn’t me. I’ll rescue the people trapped here with me. I’m a good person.”
Saying the gnomes were spooked would be like saying the Sahara could use a couple of humidifiers.
They turned to run. They didn’t get far.
‘You’re a bad person.’
“I’m a good person.”
A wall of psionic energy brought my assailants to their knees. The tendrils rushed forward, becoming impossibly real to them as they were to me. Neither of them found time to scream. Fishhooks found their way inside, just as before. Digging into sallow flesh with a vengeance. Forcing compliance.
‘You’re a disappointment.’
“I’m a good person.”
Their arms and legs betrayed them. Moving in ways they did not wish.
‘You’re a criminal.’
“I’m a good person.”
Whatever feeble resistance they put up was no match for the tall man’s influence.
‘You’re a villain.’
“I’m a good person.”
Ethereal tendrils manifested on their bodies as well as inside, caressing them from face to heel like oily paintbrushes.
‘You should be in prison.’
“I’m a good person.”
The alien sensations forced their way down their throats. Coiling around brain, heart and spine in one fluid motion.
‘You should be dead.’
“I’m a good person.”
Primordial repugnance and fright radiated from their faces. Their conical skulls shaking with futile effort.
‘The world would be better without you.’
“I’m a good person.”
My listless eyes met theirs. Behind me, a half-silver, half violet halo lit up the aperture. Whatever emotions they felt then perished as they were of no use.
“You will tell me where the other people are.”
Their mouths began to move.
“We have hunting parties looking all over for you.”
“Ever since you killed Mot.”
“Bruxa wants the dagger. She’ll do anything to get it.”
Huh? Why’s he talking about other gnomes? I clearly asked him about people.
Hold up.
People. As in, thinking, sentient beings.
This gnome was put here thinking that mobs like him qualified as people.
“Where did you all come from?”
“The city of Happy Shrub. Hanging under the Giga ant colony. Atop the beetle pit. Guarding one of the safe zones.”
Images flooded into me from his subconscious. Sturdy metal wires holding up houses and cages above a deep oval base. Ever hungry plant-like organisms roping strays into their vines and swallowing them whole. Leaders like Mot, Bruxa and Stuk herding the nearby creatures into raiding parties. Charming steeds so that they may cover more ground.
This gnome had memories of waking with all the knowledge he could want. Alongside a twisted desire to maim and capture the tall ones. To keep them in suspended cells above the hungry beetles. To laugh when the enclosures were heated by gouts of flame.
Before that; nothing.
He, they had been created for no other reason than to hunt humans. We weren’t people to them. We weren’t even cattle. Fickle playthings at best.
I had no words.
This vile behaviour had not been allowed to fester. It had been specifically designed to work in this manner.
In a way, the gnomes were victims too. Never getting the chance to know peace and harmony. Never experiencing justice.
The sheer cruelty of it all baffled me.
Why? Why would anyone do this?
Why encourage this senseless violence?
Suitably enraged, I dove deeper. Boiling his brain in an effort to get as much information as possible. Desperate to find if there were survivors. If there might be hope.
I nodded imperiously. Tacitly ignoring their roiling emotions.
“I meant humans. I will save all of them. After I kill you all. Because I’m a good person.”
A scant few twitches were all the resistance they could muster.
‘You know that’s not true.’
“I know this is all a lie. I know I can’t control minds. I know it’s the kidnapper’s fault. The tall man’s fault. It will not stop me. No more than you will.”
‘What do you hope to accomplish by lying to yourself?’
This was the truth, regardless what the voice thought.
Sure, my captives were completely certain I was both a Telepath and nuttier than squirrel poo. However, they also hunted my fellow humans. Their opinions meant little to me.
“If you do as I say, I promise to kill you quickly.” Which would be preferable to what I’d be doing if they disobeyed.
One of them moved his tiny hands into his flowing robes. From there he produced a rudimentary map.
On it was a three-dimensional cube with drawings of waves for borders. Within were straight lines dividing the edifice into quadrants, though the scale wasn’t as precise as I was accustomed to. Important landmarks appearing to be closer or farther than I recalled on my own [mental map].
Still, I made out different emblems, round heads for people and tringle-shaped heads for pests. If I was reading it correctly, their city was a good two weeks away on foot.
It was difficult to see with the low lighting and the rough nature of the leather in which it had been inscribed. The material in which it had been written was coarse. Like it had been tanned incorrectly or in a hurry.
I touched his hand when receiving the prize. One of the newer, unused strings activated for the first time. [Psychometry] wakes.
Moe the Gnome:
Moe is a level 29 Gnome hailing from the city of Happy Shrub.
This creature has access to Projector abilities.
Moe’s highest-level ability is [Fire Wall] 5.
Moe loves nothing more than to make maps and book covers from human skin.
Moe’s favourite prey are kittens, which he often ate in front of their parents.
Moe keeps at least 150 Store Tokens with him at all times.
I blinked a few times. Trying to wrap my mind around what I was seeing.
I took a deep, calming breath in order to steady myself.
“Was this made from human skin?”
“Yes.” They answered as one.
I breathed in and out. Rhythmically calming myself down before making any rash decisions. Losing my composure would only make things harder.
A hero wouldn’t be feeling so much bloodlust.
Heroes risked their lives to save others. That should be my goal. Because I was a good person.
I couldn’t rely only on their memories. I needed to hear them say it.
“Do you keep human prisoners in your city?”
“We do.”
“Are any still alive?”
“A hundred or so.”
The breathing exercises came easier that time. All was not yet lost.
‘Wait. Last time they almost killed you.’
“It doesn’t matter. I have to try. I’m a good person.”
‘I agree.’
Of all the statements that had erupted from my own intrusive thoughts, that was the most unexpected.
‘It doesn’t matter what you did before this. Only what you do from now on. Absolution is impossible. You are guilty and you know it. You could forgive yourself. If you actually manage to free the survivors.’
“I see. That’s how it’ll be. That’s how I’ll become a hero. I’ll save them all and it won’t matter what I am. What I’ve done. I’ll be a good person.”
Noises echo all around the clearing. It takes me a few minutes before I recognize it as laughter. Genuine expressions of elation. Bolstered by relief.
I was not lost.
I was not a monster.
I could be more.
The giggles resonate within and without. Lasting for what feels like hours.
Eventually, those expressions fall back under control. My attention falls back on the enthralled duo.
“I command you. Forsake your old allegiances. Love every second you spend atoning for your crimes.”
What few specks of defiance they clung to disappeared. Crushed like a serpent beneath my heel. My hands were no longer shaking. Instead, they moved with an enlightened clarity. A surety of purpose.
Towards their throats.
“You will be the first to follow me into penance. You will witness the fateful lightning of my terrible, swift sword.”
I squeezed tighter.
“We will be heroes. Or we will die trying.”
I squeezed tighter.
“Suffer me now.”