Path to the Apocalypse

The military's assault on the teleportation station didn't exactly go as planned. Once they'd managed to gather all their forces together, they'd been able to march on the teleportation station with no resistance, only to find it already destroyed, leaving them stumped, and it was the same with the lifts. Ultimately, they hadn't quite understood the fact that there were two enemy forces in the City who were also fighting each other, and that their goal was Chris, not the City. Their plan seemed to be to get the City locked down so they could make it as hard as possible for Chris to spread his minions around, shutting down the teleportation station and the lifts, as well as collapsing many of the tunnels between floors and guarding any that remained, effectively trapping everyone on their respective floors. Thanks to the few minions he did have in the City, Chris could still get to the first, fourth, and fourteenth floors, but otherwise they were stuck. And then once they'd done that… They started fighting each other for control over the floors. In a way that left the City mostly untouched.

“This makes no sense!” Belinda growled, pacing around Chris's private space where the Generals were meeting, along with Salvador and Beth. “Why lock the City down and then do nothing with it?!?”

“They did the same thing in the game.” Beth muttered. “The moment the Conqueror disappeared, they started focusing more on fighting each other than anything else.”

Salvador sighed. “Okay, let me put it this way. If there was someone out there you wanted control over, and you couldn't find them, what would you do?”

“Find what he values and hold it hostage.” Belinda replied. “But they've done that! Where are the demands that Chris surrender! The threats against the people of the City if he doesn't do exactly what they want!”

Salvador shook his head. “Hold on, you're missing the point. Of course they want to control the City so they can threaten Chris with its safety. But you're forgetting that there are two sides here. Let's say that both the doppelgangers and the elves threaten to destroy a floor unless Chris surrenders to them. What does Chris do?”

Belinda frowned. “Surrender?”

“To which side? The elves or the doppelgangers?” Salvador pressed.

Belinda paused. “Ah. I see. If he surrenders to one side, then the other carries out their threat, and then… they no longer have a floor to hold over Chris's head, while the other side still does. Or they fail to follow through, proving their threat empty. It's too much of a gamble.”

Salvador nodded. “Right. The only way to win is to control the entire City. They'd rather see Chris escape than risk him falling into the hands of the other side. And until they have control, they're going to do their best to keep the City safe, because they don't want to risk Chris turning against them on his own.”

“So is the City in danger or not?” Beth asked, looking confused.

“Is a hostage safe just because their kidnappers are fighting over who gets to threaten them?” David sighed, shaking his head. “The fact that no one is currently cutting us doesn't mean we aren't still bound and gagged, and if we try to escape, they won't hesitate to stop us.”

“And without the ability to move through the City, escape is almost impossible.” Samuel grumbled. “We can evacuate maybe three floors… that isn't enough.”

“No it isn't.” Belinda scowled. “We need a way to get to the other floors.”

“In the game, they used the maintenance tunnels for the Department of Water and Power to get around.” Beth offered.

Samuel raised an eyebrow. “Those tunnels are great for hiding and sneaking around within a floor, but they specifically don't cross floors. Unless… Do you mean the pipes?” He paused, cocking his head. “There are a few larger water pipes you could squeeze through if you can get someone to redirect the water… it wouldn't be a pleasant trip, but it could be doable.”

“We'll look into it, but getting to the floors is just the first step.” David interjected. “We need a way to evacuate every floor of the City simultaneously, as quickly as possible. This isn't just a matter of getting portals there, we need them hidden and defended so we can protect people while they escape. And it needs to be something we can pull off without telling anyone, because the more people who know, the bigger the risk the elves and doppelgangers will find out and stop us.” He groaned, rubbing his temples.

“This isn't going to be simple.” Belinda agreed.

“We should keep all our plans between us, only telling people what they need to know to carry out their orders.” Samuel commented. “Maybe Javier as well?”

David shook his head. “He needs to focus on coordinating the City Police. People are panicking and they need to know that there are still people out there enforcing law and order. He'll keep the City stable, we'll figure out how to save it.”

*

“How was the meeting?” Chris asked as Beth returned.

Beth sighed “The good news is that for right now, the City is mostly safe. The bad news is that it's going to take a lot of planning and luck to get the City evacuated.”

Chris nodded. “I figured. Just getting access to all the floors is going to be a bitch and a half, let alone getting everyone out of them.”

“How's Dyrdek doing?” Beth asked, changing the subject, not even wanting to think about the position the City was in anymore. The Generals’ planning session had just left her feeling hopeless as she saw all the obstacles standing between them and saving the City.

“He has them all playing games, minions versus humans.” Chris chuckled. “The humans are losing. Badly.”

Beth snorted. “It's almost like you stuck them in your space for months with nothing to do but play games and watch TV. Is it working?”

Chris shrugged. “I haven't been paying too much attention, but every time I look, Daniel just looks pissed, Katerina actually seems to be enjoying herself, and the rest are just kinda meh, looking more confused than anything. I think they thought they'd be running drills more.”

“He is having them run some drills though, right?” Beth asked. She hoped the goblin wasn't just using this as an excuse to play games with new people.

“Yup. He's also going over the various dangers they need to watch out for, and providing… practical exercises to drive the lessons home.” Chris grinned. “Did you know my minions can play with my material too? Cause the imps are loving it.”

Beth frowned. “Why- oh.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, that's horrifying.”

“Isn't it?” Chris agreed. “And the only healing they're getting is the old method.”

Beth scowled. “Chris, we want them to be careful, not traumatized.”

Chris waved dismissively. “They'll be fine. He's only making them go through a single tunnel a day, and then they get to play games and watch TV.”

Beth didn't quite look convinced, but at this point, she couldn't exactly argue. She'd put Dyrdek in charge to prove he was capable, and if she questioned him, it'd undermine the lesson she was trying to get the others to learn. “How much longer until we reach the fifth level?”

“A day, maybe two.” Chris replied.

Beth nodded. “Good. Let's hope they're ready by then.”

“You know we don't actually have to use them anymore, right?” Chris pointed out. “We have access to the entire military now. We can take anyone.” When they'd originally come up with this plan, there was an assumption that the military would be busy defending the City, so they wouldn't be able to let anyone go to help Chris gather minions, but that wasn't exactly the case. They could at least afford to give them a Platoon or two.

“I know, and I talked it over with my dad, but there are two issues. First, the military is designed to fight the people in the Maze, not to talk to them. Their first instinct is always going to be to treat them as a threat. That's what they've been trained for. Second, there are definitely spies hidden in our ranks, and we can't afford to let them get to the people you care about.” Beth explained.

“Good point.” Chris muttered. “If either side gets their hands on you, this whole thing is over. I'll do whatever they ask. Honestly, as long as I can keep you safe, everyone else can go fuck themselves.”

“Chris, you can't damn everyone just for me!” Beth protested, though she couldn't keep the smile off her face.

“Oh, I absolutely could. Damn them right to hell, with a big bow on top.” Chris replied seriously. “I have an appreciation for other people, but you're the only one I actually care about. If it's a choice between your safety or literally anything else, I'm choosing your safety. So stay safe, alright? Or don't give me a choice. If you die, I'm back to just doing what's right. Not that I'd be happy about it, but I'd be doing it.”

Beth blinked. “What, no swearing eternal vengeance on whoever dares harm me?”

Chris wiggled his hand. “Eh? I'm not a vengeance kind of guy. What's the point in making someone suffer for something that's already happened? I'll do whatever I can to make sure you live, but once you die, it isn't like vengeance will bring you back. Though, if someone is out to hurt you, then the right thing to do would probably be to punish them brutally so they'd never think of doing something like that again… but it wouldn't be about vengeance.”

Beth glared at him for a moment, before letting out a huff. “Let's just get you to the point where you can form a connection with me. Then we won't have to worry about any of this.”

Chris nodded. “Good idea.”

*

It took them a total of four days to get from the first level to the fifth, or at least until they were sure they were on the fifth. The levels weren't exactly labeled, but once they found evidence of tribal activity, they were certain they were in the right area, since tribes didn't exist below the fifth level. “Guess we have our first target.” Chris commented, examining the organized claw marks on the tunnel wall. “Looks like a kobold tribe.”

“Yes!” Zack cheered. “No traps!”

The rest of the squad rolled their eyes, though secretly they agreed. Kobolds were one of the most straightforward races in the Maze, preferring to settle everything through combat, and they despised traps, seeing them as something only a coward would use. “That doesn't mean we should get complacent.” Chris commented. “Sometimes imps will disguise their territory with kobold markings to make people less alert.”

Zack froze, then let out a groan. “I hate the Maze.”

“Alright, scouting formation.” Nadia snapped, getting everyone back on track as they moved into position, Beth and her taking the front while Zack and Derek took the back, with Chris and Carmen in the middle, prepared for an attack from either side. She glanced at Jo, who was still sticking around. “You should probably head back to the space.” Jo hesitated for a moment before nodding, ducking into a freshly opened portal.

Chris sent out his rats to scout, looking for more tribal signs, trying to figure out which direction they needed to go to get to the tribe. “This way.” He announced as he found the next sign, pointing down the tunnel as Beth took the lead. They continued to make their way closer to the tribe, finally confirming it was indeed a kobold tribe when one of Chris's rats spotted a hunting party. “Just three. Returning with a kill. Looks like it wasn't easy.” Chris reported, making a map of the area in his space and opening a portal over it to show the squad.

“We should take them for intel.” Beth replied. “Nadia?”

Nadia considered it for a moment. “Do you think Jello can get close enough to gauge their power levels?”

“Sure, if I give her Sidulpek's ability. Give me a moment.” Chris nodded, sending a mental message to Jello and pushing Sidulpek's ability to her, along with Tibolt's for insurance, then opening a portal for her near the kobolds. She cloaked herself in shadow as she transformed into a long snake, creeping closer until she could sense their energy and reporting back. “They're all low mid-tier. She says one's energy looks wavy, the other looks sharp, and the last seems… thready? Similar to T'ka’s, but slightly off.”

Nadis blinked. That was more information than she'd been expecting. She hadn't realized Jello's energy sense was that precise. “Okay… I have no idea what wavey means, but sharp seems like damage and thready seems like control. Who's carrying the kill?”

“Sharp.” Chris answered.

“Okay then… Alright, here's the plan.” Nadia began. Chris took the squad to the next split, where they set up an ambush. Derek would charge sharp with his shield while Beth took out thready and Jello dropped on wavey from behind, while the rest of the squad waited to support.

“Do you think we're overly cautious?” Zack wondered as they stood over the three unconscious kobolds.

“Would you rather be dead?” Nadia asked, raising an eyebrow. “I can make that happen.”

Zack coughed. “Forget I said anything.”

“We always do.” Derek grinned, patting him on the shoulder.

“Let's get them inside.” Beth ordered, picking up stringy as Chris opened a portal.

Derek let out an ‘oof’ as he grabbed sharp. “These guys are dense.”

Zack pointed at the little girl carrying a kobold one handed. While skipping. “Maybe you're just weak?”

Derek scowled at him. “I dare you to arm wrestle Jello.”

They carried the kobolds into Chris's space, getting them restrained as Chris called T'ka over to talk to them. Even though he understood the kobold language, he still couldn't make the right clicking coughing sounds to actually speak it. T'ka froze the moment she caught sight of the captured kobolds. [Sister!] She hissed, taking a step towards thready in shock.

Chris blinked, rapidly processing that exclamation, before letting out a weary sigh. “This is starting to get old.”

Beth frowned. “Huh?”

“Guess who's tribe we found.” Chris replied.

Beth's eyes widened. “No way, seriously?!?”

Chris nodded. “My life officially has too many coincidences in it.”

“Pretty sure we reached that mark when we met Alex.” Beth grumbled, shaking her head. “At least this one seems benign.”

T'ka knelt next to her sister, placing a hand on her shoulder. [Ri’ka…] or something like that at least.

Chris waved his hand and Ri'ka woke up with a gasp, struggling against her restraints for a moment before freezing as she noticed T'ka. [T-T'ka?!?]

T'ka smiled. [It's me.]

[What- where have you been!?! Where are we?!? What's going on!?!] Ri'ka demanded.

[I was captured by humans and now- I serve this man.] T'ka explained, gesturing to Chris.

“Yo.” Chris waved.

Ri'ka's eyes widened. [You led them to us!?!]

[No!] T'ka immediately denied. [I swear, I had nothing to do with this! Though… I would have.] She admitted. [There are advantages to being Chris's minion, and very few downsides. If the tribe agreed, we'd never have to fear the humans again!]

“Also, the Maze is about to get razed by the armies of the elves and the doppelgangers, so we're their best chance at survival.” Chris added. T'ka nodded, repeating what Chris said for Ri'ka. “I need a translation ability.” Chris muttered. “Or telepa- huh.” He paused, shifting into his elfish form, sending his thoughts towards Ri'ka. *Hey, can you hear me?*

Ri'ka froze. [How-]

*Telepathy. Neat huh?* Chris grinned. *Anyway- hold on.* Chris frowned, trying to project his intentions and the nature of his space to her, trying to skip putting it all into words. And… she passed out. “Ah, shit. Guess that was a little much.”

[Ri’ka!] T'ka exclaimed, turning to Chris. [What did you do!?!]

“I tried to skip an annoying conversation.” Chris sighed. “I'm pretty sure she's fine. It should just be like when I sent you the human language. And if it worked, she should know everything we're trying to do here.” T'ka grimaced, remembering that less than pleasant experience. “I guess we should move on to the other-” He cut off as Ri'ka gasped awake. “Nevermind, I guess…” *So, what did you get?*

Ri'ka stared at him in shock, the only thing coming from her mind a mix of fear and… reverence? [You- You- what are you?!?]

*A living space?* Chris offered.

Ri'ka shivered. *More like a bound god.*

Chris cocked his head. *That's actually not a bad way to put it.*

Ri'ka froze, her eyes widening. *How-*

*Telepathy, remember? Talk, think, whatever you want, I hear it.* Chris shrugged. *Anyway, what do you think? Down with the connection? Getting the tribe on board? All that.*

Ri'ka hesitated, Chris watching her process everything, finding her thought process rather interesting. It wasn't happening in words, but instead more like a web of connections forming together and breaking apart over and over. From what he could tell, she seemed to have already accepted that Chris would be taking the tribe, and was working out how to make the process as painless as possible. *If he can defeat the chief…* A thought formed into words as she came towards the end of her consideration.

*Do you think that would be difficult?* Chris sent skeptically.

Ri'ka scowled at him. [Stop doing that!] She fell back into thought, going over her idea a few more times, conspicuously avoiding putting the thoughts into words, though one or two broke through every now and then. [Okay, yes, you need to defeat the chief. But you need to defeat her as a kobold. And she's a high-tier.]

Chris frowned. “Well… that does make things more difficult.”