NOVEL NEXT Chapter 6: Hand of Raze
Lucan ran through the forest trying to leave the elves far behind him. Suddenly before him shadows twisted together to reveal the pale figure of goddess of a woman dressed in shadows.
"Did Nolan send you too?" Lucan said with eyes of hostility.
"Rest now, you have returned." She waved her arm and Lucan was wrapped in blankets of shadows. Without resistance he stopped struggling and fell asleep. The shadows gently laid him on the ground.
The three dark skinned elves ran up and took a knee behind the Queen. As the shadows released Lucan all four took a look. The treasure he had been holding and keeping safe was a dingy old skull.
When Lucan was forced to sleep, he suddenly started receiving several notifications.
[Congratulations, you have completed the hidden quest, Escape from the Depths of Despair. The only way to escape was to descend into madness.]
[Since you are under level 100 you have received 15 levels for completing this hidden quest.]
[Currently you are safe and in the care of Raze's subordinates, but you will not be able to log back in to 'Evolution' until you have been evaluated by our medical professionals. They will be arriving at the address registered to your account within 5 minutes.]
"Crazy." Brax said. Trying to shake off his headache. He got up got changed and prepared to receive guests in his home for the first time. Suddenly this felt more stressful than the last 10 hours inside the game. His place was a mess. He hurried and tried to clean up everything as fast as he could.
*Ding Dong*
"Coming! Hello come in."
Brax led a man and a woman in, the woman was dressed in a suit and carrying a brief case while the man was wearing scrubs and carried a leather bag filled with medical equipment and a laptop.
'Mr. Brax Tomlin?" The woman asked.
"That's me."
"Great, I am Miss Smith with the Source Creations response program, nurse Cho will check your vitals and I would like to ask you a few questions. Is everything alright? You seem red in the face. Our reports said you did fantastically and managed your stress levels with no issues. Were we wrong? Are you having issues breathing? Cho quick give him a full scan."
"Ah! Hold on, I'm fine." Brax said jumping and standing on his sofa. Miss smith had jumped up and started shouting with an authority that made Cho look like he was going to tackle Brax to the floor then fix him up. "Let me explain. I had a mild headache from the game but its already gone. The issue is I have never had people over and it said I only had 5 minutes to clean up my place and then you showed up in 3. Just give me a break."
Miss Smith sat down. "Then let's continue at a relaxed pace."
Brax took a deep breath and sat down while nurse Cho began to scan him.
Smith and Cho stayed for an hour before they gave him the all clear. Only after he signed one more waiver though. They were happy and satisfied that he was healthy. However, they were no real help to Brax. He really wanted to know if he made it out with his treasure or not. After a shower to refresh himself Lucan was awake and laying in a bed.
Before he could pull up his inventory and check his notifications, a man appeared at his bed side.
The man had a powerful presence, Lucan felt that if the man wanted to do him harm there was nothing he could do.
"Do you know who I am?" The old man with white hair and soft smile said.
"Raze?" Lucan answered questioningly, while looking at the floating name above the NPC.
"Ha, that doesn't count, you only guessed."
Lucan's eyes shot wide open. He quickly tried to get out of bed and kneel down only to be stopped. "How can I serve you my patron?" That was the best he could do.
"Relax, rest now. The insanity has been cleansed from your body, most of it at least." He said with a chuckling snort. "I have a few questions if you don't mind."
"Of course, yes, however I can help the mighty Raze I will."
"Ha, ha, yes and you will rend your enemies flesh from their bones, or so I hear. When I looked into your past you seem to use your abilities and spells very well."
"Ahh, thank you. But it was the insanity I don't think I could do those things again."
"Those are nice, but I enjoyed your illusion that cut off the mage's head. Ha, ha, it is a skill like that which will make those five travelers afraid of illusion for many years. I gathered you fell into the Depths of Despair, what did you find down there? I was not able to see like I normally can. This is surprising because I can freely speak to my dead warlocks, and warlocks in other realms."
Lucan decide to be completely honest and not hold anything back from the person that was the source of all his magic. He detailed everything he could remember.
"Ah, quiet the adventure. So sneak thief Nolan was actual Nalin the Great. And I agree, the dragon sounded awfully smug. But I am sorry to say you were only found with a skull."
Lucan blushed and smiled. "Can I see the skull?"
"Of course." Raze said turning over his hand. The skull appeared there.
Lucan took it and pinched at the edge. He twisted the shadows and pulled. The skull transformed into a small metal locked chest. "Ha, ha, ha." Lucan let out a crazy laugh only to be overshadowed by Raze who joined him in cackling.
There was a rustle outside before a young woman poked her head in. "What's wrong?"
Both Raze and Lucan stopped while Lucan quickly hid the chest under his blanket.
"Were fine, stand guard and don't let anyone enter." Raze said waving her away.
She scowled and started murmuring to herself. "I am the damn Queen of shadows but now I guard a door for a couple of lunatics."
"The illusions of an insane warlock, are quite convincing. Let's see it." Raze said becoming him to take it out.
Lucan did as he was told.
"Regardless of what is in here I think you have shown great strength as a warlock. You are now over level 100 and have the option to advance your class. I would like you to become one of my direct warlocks. As it is now, you receive power through Lesil, who gets power from the Queen of Shadows, who gets power from me."
"And you want me to skip the line and serve you directly?"
"How about it? Currently I have five warlocks who directly serve me, but I think with a bit of polish and strengthening, your illusion skills can stand beside their unique powers. Before we seal the deal lets take a look and see what's inside, I can add a few perks if you would split something valuable to me."
"If you can open it, be my guest."
Raze stuck out his hand. Shadows stretched out like smoke before diving into the locks. The gears shifted while levers cranked.
*Ping*
The lid cracked open. They both leaned in closer as Raze tilted back the lid.
[This is a worldwide announcement. A player has discovered a unique essence for the first time.]
[You have discovered a unique magical essence. It is ethereal essence. Currently there is no known magic to contain ethereal essence.]
[You have received a new title 'Magical Sage']
[Magical Sage, increases intellect by 200 points and increases magic recovery rate by 100%, reduces time of magical research into new fields by 25%. Increases affinity with magic users easier.]
"You did it. Even without your illusion mastery you will have a unique power." Raze said slapping Lucan on the back. The old man was incredibly firm. Lucan was feeling dizzy from the whiplash. "Yes, yes, down to business. If you want to continue being one of my warlocks, you will become one of my 'Hands'. I believe it may be difficult for you to handle this much raw essence, so if you agree to let me keep half until your reach level two hundred I will make sure you are rewarded and I will help you implant the other half in your body right now."
Lucan was released from his insanity, he had no issue parting with half his treasure, for the right price.
"Speak specifics and we deal right now. I also want to hear about the obligations of becoming a 'Hand of Raze'."