GOD GAMES

Myers relaxes upon a rocking chair next to a roaring fireplace. Near the firelight, shadows dance, illuminating the living room and giving it a homely feel. A large living room to a large home he’d lived in for three years now. A home that now feels like a trap.

He sighs softly at the knowledge that the hunt continues. He’d hoped they would leave him alone and give up already. But it seems that the reward is too tempting for the [Bounty Hunter] guilds to cease the chase.

“You look like a troubled old man with a lot of baggage.”

Myers panics. He hops out of his chair, grabs his cane, and takes a stance towards the voice.

A cat smiles knowingly in his direction.

“If I’d wanted you dead, you would be. Now, sit back down and let's talk- unless you’d rather talk in the morning instead. But then you probably won't get any sleep since you’ll constantly be worried all night about how the talk would go.”

Myers stares at the cat for a long moment before allowing himself to relax. He leans back into his chair.

“I couldn't even hear you.”

Quasi walks near the fire and lays down.

“Yea, most people don't train their senses to hear the movements of kittens. Not that you can reliably do so. They’re naturally quite stealthy.”

Both the old man and cat stare at the roaring fire, listening to the crackle of flames and the snores of Boriss in another room.

“So, if my deduction is correct, you are being hunted by Raven [Bounty hunters] who carry swords with a raven handle. Me and my group just robbed the [Captain] of [Bounty hunters] and have set themselves as adversaries. So, you offered us a safe place to rest in the hopes of coming up with a deal that involves your safety.”

The cat yawns.

“Which comes to my next question. What is it you are offering and why?”

Myers takes a moment of thought. He brushes the beard on his chin while his eyes roam the flames. He sighs.

“I need to get off this island with my grandson as soon as possible. I need to be on the move.” He moves his gaze on the cat. “You were talking about buying a ship at the tavern. I can help pay for the ship in exchange for safe passage aboard.”

The cat tilts its head. “I’ve got a better idea. I want to try to get a hold of the ship from the clear corruption request. But first, I need to talk to the [Mayor] to make sure it’s available. Once I have the ship, you can come aboard for free so long as you answer any questions I have about anything.”

“I will not disclose my history,” He says firmly.

“That's fine. I already know you’re a very old and capable man. I merely need access to some of that wisdom until you choose to embark the ship.”

Myers slowly nods. “I can do that.”

The cat grins. “Perfect. In the morning, I’ll need you to introduce me to the [Mayor].”

“That can be done.”

The cat nods. “Good.” He turns to look at one of the three closed rooms.

“As you can see, Irmgard, this isn’t some kind of trap like you’d expected. So go get some sleep.”

Myers raises his eyebrows as the sound of wood creaks from a movement on the opposite side of the door.

“Now, You should get some rest,” Quasi says.

The cat twirls around in a circle and forms into a ball. It yawns and closes its eyes.

____________________________________________________________________

The moment I feel sleep take me, my eyes open to a white room. But, instead of a goddess to greet me, I am instead met with a floating eyeball.

“Fuck. Not again. Keep your dirty hands off my soul!”

“Welcome, entity Quasi Eludo. I am administrator #37. My job is to service any and all changes to your body and to facilitate skill and classes. You are currently a level 3 [Shifter]. You gained two levels recently and are awarded two attribute points. How would you like me to administer them?”

Traits.

Human Average

Individual Base Calculations.

Level modifications

Trait Actual Value

Strength

10

36

+0%

36

Endurance

9

43

+0%

43

Vitality

12

0.27%M/R/M

22

0.54% M/R/M

+0%

22

0.54% M/R/M

Perception

9

27

+0%

27

Intelligence

11

16

+0%

16

Mana

388.8

480

+0%

480

Control

12

8

+0%

8

Attributes Available:

2

Level

3

I look at my trait page again and find nothing has changed except for the new attribute row.

“What does choosing an attribute entail? What bonuses are applied?” I ask.

“That Information is restricted.” the ball answers back.

Shit.

“Can you explain to me what each attribute is used for?”

“That information is restricted.”

“What information is not restricted?”

“That information is restricted.”

Ok. Maybe I was a tad too hard on Yazula. Maybe she actually can't obtain any of this information I asked for.

“Do I have to choose attributes immediately? Can I save them up?”

“No. Yes. Please note, you will not be able to add points until your next level.”

“Then let's do that.”

The moment the words leave my lips, my eyes open up to light streaming through the window.

____________________________________________________________________

“Garrus, are you saying seventeen people were knocked unconscious and robbed?”

“Yes.” The [Head Guard] nods. “It happened early into the night and was only unveiled around midnight when the crew from the Avergence tracked down their captain and found him tied up in a shed alongside sixteen others.”

Centeran Adams scratches his silver haired beard he hasn't trimmed in awhile. He’s been meaning to do so… for a good decade now.

“Hmmm. That's disturbing. The [Captain] of that ship is a leveled [Bounty Hunter]. I’m guessing there was a struggle?”

Garrus shakes his head. “No. All seventeen mentioned chasing a cat and then going unconscious.”

Centeran frowns. “That's… odd. Sounds like the assailant is very skilled in subterfuge if he was able to surprise a [Bounty hunter]. Do we have a motive? Or a possible motive?”

“No conclusively. It seems the assailant was mostly after coin- except for two, who had their clothes stripped.”

“Odd, but who am I to know what a [Rogue] would want.”

“[Rogue], sir?”

Centeran shrugs. “It’s clearly an advanced class of [Rogue] or [Thief]. Probably uncommon or rare quality. You mentioned nobody was hurt?”

“None, sir.”

“Then it's not an [Assassin]. They would kill instead of knocking them out. Maybe [Ninja]? But what would that class be doing here? Hmmm.”

He leans back into his chair and grabs his pipe. He puts the pipe in his mouth and activates the runes. The bowl lights in a burst of flame. He takes several puffs.

“So, I have an individual or group who use a cat to distract, knockout, and tie up people before robbing them. Depending on the clothing stolen, we may be able to identify them.”

“It is common workwear, sir.”

“Right. Anything else of note that was stolen?”

“The [Bounty Hunter] [Captains] Cutlass was taken. He said it has a raven's head hilt.”

“Which is easily covered. I guess you could ask to see the cutlass of everyone who has their head covered?” He sighs. “It might work, but I doubt they would carry it around. Hopefully this [Rogue] will leave my town and my people alone. Otherwise I’m going to have to hire a specialist, and I really dont have the coin for that.”

“Sir?”

Centeran waves the man off, “Go back to your duties. I’ll figure something out.”

“And the victims, sir?”

“I’ll talk to the [Captain] later and then everyone else in regards to compensation. Who knows, maybe I can convince the [Bounty hunter] to catch our [Rogue] and return everything stolen. I’m sure he’d be eager after getting robbed.”

Centeran scratches his beard again.

“Was there anything else?”

“Ahh, yes.” the [Head guard] begins trepidly, “At the tavern, Arbors Butchers, people are mentioning a talking cat.”

“A talking what?”

Knock, Knock, Knock

“Hm? Seems I have more company. Garrus, we’ll talk later.”

The [Head Guard] salutes and exits the office. As he leaves, Myers walks in with his grandson alongside three individuals. One individual, who towers over everyone in the room, has a cat on his shoulder.

Centeran raises an eyebrow, which raises higher when he notices that the sole female has a cutlass with a covered pommel.

“Myers, I’m guessing your history caught up with you? Because if I didn’t know better, I’m looking at those responsible for robbing seventeen people.”

Myers grimaces. “It has caught up, but not in the way you think. I’m going to need to leave the island with my grandson as soon as possible.”

Centeran puffs his pipe. “If it was anybody else, I would call my [Guards] and have both you and them arrested. But, you’ve shown to be a good man since you arrived three years ago. So, I’m willing to listen to what you’re about to say.”

The old man releases a breath he was not sure he was holding. “Thank you.”

“Yes, yes. You’ve earned my ear. Now talk. What is this about?”

“As you’ve said, history has caught up and I need to leave. I’ve found someone who can help me, but they are determined to speak with you first.”

Centeran glances at the woman dressed in a long coat with a very foreign design.

“Her?”

The cat hops off the giant's shoulder and lands atop the table in front of Centeran. “No, me,” the cat says.

The [Woodwork Mayors] face seems to go cross eyed as he stares at the feline on his desk.

The cat grins. “What's wrong? Never met a talking cat before?”

“Y-you can talk?”

The cat rolls its eyes. “Of course I can talk. Can't you see my mouth working? It’s moving and making sounds!”

“Thats… not. Ughhh, who are you?”

The cat stretches on his desk.

“Me? I am Quasi Eludo, lord of cats, master of all felines. Cutest kitten in this side of town. And I, in my magnanimous cat-ness, am offering you a deal.”

It takes several moments for Centeran to regain his composure, which he spends puffing his pipe.

“What deal?” he asks, curious. It’s not every day- nay, lifetime, a talking cat winds up on your desk offering something.

“Your little problem in regards to the Clear Corruption request. I’m offering to see if I can fix this problem in exchange for that ship, if the request and ship are still available.”

Centeran feels his heart quicken. “That request is over eighty years old. Numerous people have tried and all either gave up or died.”

“Yes, but were these people cats?”

“Um, no?”

“And that's why they failed. If you want to solve a big, seemingly unsolvable problem, then you need to get a cat to do it. Which isn’t an easy feat, mind you. My kind are quite content with living life surrounded by unwitting slaves. But me, as the greatest among them, is willing to solve such a problem- or atleast to find out if said problem is solvable. I’m only a magnificently capable cat, though. So keep your expectations within reason.”

The old [Mayor] swallows softly. His expression, formerly gruff and old, gains a tint of color. His eyes scream of sparked hope.

“If you can remove what plagues this island, then the ship is yours and I will forgive any and all transgressions.” he says truthfully.

The cat raises an eyebrow. “Damn, huh. You really want that corruption gone.”

He nods. “Yes. If you are willing, I can explain why.” The cat lays down on his stack of papers.

“Go ahead. I’m actually curious.”

The old man clears his throat. “Eighty years ago, this town was known for building light frigates that functioned like an average cored frigate. This was possible thanks to the Arborean trees in the center of the island. The density of mana in the island's center made the trees grow thicker, taller, and wider. These trees would mature to an age where they would develop a Tier-one core. We used the entire tree to build a frigate without removing the core. Doing so allowed us to create a frigate for a fraction the price of our competitors.”

Centerens’s face scrunches up. “Then something massive crashed in the island center. Everyone there died in moments, followed by the trees. Shortly after, a ghastly, deadly swamp sprouted and spread around the crash sight.”

“And this massive thing is?”

He shakes his head. “Nobody knows. Not one person is capable of getting anywhere near where the crash happened.”

The cat nods slowly.

“Well, I should be able to.”

“How?”

The cat snorts. “I’m a cat. I go wherever I please.”

He gets up off the now furr covered papers and pounces back on the large man's shoulder.

“Thanks for the story. I’ll be heading out immediately. You should get the paperwork for that ship ready for my return.”

Centeran watches as the group of three exit the office, leaving only Myers and his grandson.

Centeran glances at Myers hopefully.

“Do you think he’ll do it?” he asks.

Myers glances at the closed door behind him. “We’ll find out soon enough.”