A minute later, our preparations were completed. While Alon had put the finishing touches on our intended sabotage, Adalinda and I had seen to our progression.

Your Faith has increased to rank 7.

Adalinda’s Strength has increased to rank 2.

Celestial trait triggered! Core attributes mirrored.

“We’re all set,” Alon said, hurrying to my side by the door.

I glanced back into the room. Adalinda waited by the oil spill which Alon had spread to soak the surroundings crates. Once the fire was started, the conflagration would quickly swallow the entire storeroom.

I smiled. “Let’s go then,” I said, placing my hand on the door latch.

Alon’s hand on my arm stopped me. “Elana, wait.”

I glanced over my shoulder to see him shifting uncomfortably.

“I should go first,” he said, hefting his weapons.

I opened my mouth to protest that as a player, I was just as capable as him, if not more so, then closed it. Alon needs this, I realized, and truthfully, he was the better fighter.

I nodded, and the youth slipped wordlessly around me and into the corridor.

“Don’t be long,” I called to Adalinda as I followed on his heels. Once Alon and I put some distance between us and the storeroom, the celestial would start the fire and rejoin us. She could not venture more than fifty yards from me, but for what we planned, that limit would more than suffice.

Out in the corridor, Alon marched out front, his watchman baton and shield at the ready. At the moment, the passage was empty, but I didn’t expect it would stay that way for long.

We were nearly forty yards from the storeroom when I sensed Adalinda moving rapidly in our direction. “The fire is set,” she said.

“Well done,” I replied and reported the success to Alon.

Nodding in acknowledgment, the youth hurried his own steps. Very soon, the fire would attract attention, and we wanted as much distance between us and it before that happened.

There was nothing elegant about our escape plan. The three of us intended on charging straight for the exit, killing or otherwise bulldozing through anything in our way. With surprise on our side, pools of flames to guard our flanks, and most of the Devils drawn the wrong way—to the burning storeroom—it should be easy enough.

Of course, this was all assuming we didn’t run into Cantos or any of his lieutenants, especially the telepath player. If that happened, I didn’t think we’d make it out alive.

We were well down the corridor before the first cry of alarm rang out. I glanced over my shoulder but spotted no sign of pursuit yet.

“We turn right here,” Adalinda said.

I conveyed the message to Alon, and the youth swung into the indicated corridor, but we managed only another twenty yards before we spied a squad of six thugs approaching from a side passage.

They spotted us at nearly the same time we did them. Screaming wildly, they charged.

We’d planned for such an eventuality, though. Not pausing in my steps, I flung an oil flask into the side tunnel, and without needing to be told, Adalinda set the spilled liquid aflame.

The approaching Devils skidded to a halt and yelled impotent threats to us from across the fire. Ignoring them, we hurried on.

Thirty yards later, we encountered our next obstacle—two gang members bearing down upon us from ahead. “We fight,” Alon said grimly.

I nodded in curt agreement and slipped my throwing knife into my hand. Alon surged forward. Adalinda and I kept pace with him easily, staying a step behind. When the distance closed to four yards, I flung my blade.

You have injured a level 6 human.

The knife struck low and lodged in my target’s abdomen. Shrieking with both surprise and pain, he hunched over. A fatal mistake that left him exposed to Alon.

The youth showed no mercy. With an audible crack, his baton whipped downward to connect with the back of the thug’s head.

A level 6 human has been killed.

The second Devil lunged at Alon, hoping to catch him flatfooted, but a flare of flames from Adalinda beat him off.

The thug staggered back, and Alon followed, crowding him as he counterattacked. The Devil was a more able fighter than his dead companion and parried away the strike.

“Circle left,” I ordered Adalinda while sprinting right myself.

While Alon and the Devil traded blows, the fire lizard and I charged in from the flanks. The hapless thug saw us but didn’t know which way to turn and, in the end, kept his attention fixed on Alon.

Killing the Devil was almost too easy. Adalinda went low, her jaws clamping around his foot. And while he was thus distracted, I danced forward and slipped my stiletto under his armor and deep into his chest.

A level 8 human has been killed.

Stepping back, I let the corpse crumble.

“You two work well together,” Alon said, sounding impressed.

I chuckled. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you witnessed some of our earlier fights.” Turning about, I strode back to the first thug and retrieved my dagger.

When I rose back up, I saw that Alon had swapped out his baton for the dead Devil’s sword.

“Onwards,” he said.

✵ ✵ ✵

The next fifteen minutes passed by in a blur.

It was one running battle after another. Most were easy, but some we were forced to flee from, using burning patches of oil to dissuade pursuit.

Eventually, we reached the guardroom at the bottom of the black sewers’ exit tunnel. With the looted health potions, we were tired but none the worse for wear.

Not pausing, we stormed straight in.

There were four guards. Alon rushed the two on the right while Adalinda and I took on the pair on the left. The thugs attempted to charge us, but a single spurt of flame from Adalinda was enough to cause them to turn tail. I ran down the closest and, with light’s fury active, plunged both my daggers into his defenseless back.

You have killed a level 7 human.

My companion was as just as quick in reaching her own foe. One yard away from him, she leaped and clamped onto the back of his leg. With a shriek of pain, the Devil went down.

Racing to the fire lizard’s assistance, I plunged my stiletto through her foe’s neck.

You and Adalinda have killed a level 7 human. You and your companion have reached level 9!

Spinning around, I turned to see how Alon fared, then relaxed as I saw both his opponents writhing on the ground.

Meeting my gaze across the room, Alon nodded. In response, I unclipped my last oil flask and tossed it into the corridor behind us. A moment later, flames roared to life, temporarily sealing the way through.

Without further ado, we raced up the corridor and into the city above. We’d done it. We were free of the sewers and with a cure in hand.

Now only to find Soren.

✵ ✵ ✵

The sky was just beginning to lighten as Alon and I, racing through the slums, passed from the Devils’ territory into the Raccoons’. Adalinda was once more safely nestled in my chest, shielded from curious eyes.

No one stopped us, and most barely paid us any heed, and we reached our own small corner of the city without further misadventure.

Panting from the exertion, Alon and I skidded to a halt outside the shack Soren, and I shared. The big youth placed his hand on my arm before I could plunge through the entrance, and my gaze darted sideways to meet his.

“You go ahead, Elana,” he said. “The Devils know where we live, and some of those who saw us surely recognized our faces. They will know that we escaped. And once he learns of it, Cantos will certainly not let our intrusion go unanswered. I’ll keep watch from out here.”

I snorted. “The Devils are finished. The Watch’s raid will begin soon. Then Cantos and his cronies will be too busy fleeing for their lives to trouble us.”

Alon shook his head. “I’m not so sure. There wasn’t time to tell you this earlier, but from what I overheard while in captivity,  matters aren’t as simple as they seem. There is more than one player supporting Cantos. I think… I think the Butcher is meddling in faction politics, and I won’t be surprised if he and his allies have a plan for dealing with the Watch.”

I swung around to face him fully. “What? You can’t seriously believe a player faction has allied itself with Cantos? What could a ganglord—even one as powerful as the Butcher—ever have that they need? You better explain.”

The youth shook his head again. “No time. You see to Soren first, and I’ll keep watch out here. After that, there will be time to decide what we do next.”

I nodded. He was right. Squeezing his hand for comfort, I headed towards the darkened door, more reluctant than I wanted to admit to enter the shack alone.

What if Soren was already…?

Don’t think that.

Shoring up my courage, I quickened my steps and ducked into the darkened building.

My brother was exactly where I left him, and I hurried to his side. Soren was still and unmoving. His forehead was beaded with sweat, and his face was pale—too pale. Scared suddenly, I placed a trembling finger against his throat and searched for a pulse.

A heartbeat passed.

Then another.

Still, I felt nothing.

My fear threatened to swallow me whole. This couldn’t be happening. Not after all we’ve gone through. Soren couldn’t be—

A faint throb beneath my fingers broke through my spiraling thoughts. Was that a pulse? Leaning over Soren, I placed the side of my head under his nose.

The vein beneath my finger jumped again, and a tickle of air brushed my ear. I squeezed my eyes shut in prayerful thanks.

Soren was still alive.

“You did well, brother,” I whispered fervently. “Only a little longer now.”

Removing a stone vial from my vest pocket, I dribbled its contents into Soren’s mouth. Even half-dead, he swallowed reflexively. Straightening, I waited anxiously for the potion to take effect.

Long seconds passed, and further doubts began to assail me, but before they could take root, color rushed back into my brother’s face.

You have cured Soren of Murkyl’s Blight.

You have completed your first task: Save Soren! Tasks are special missions that can be allocated to you by either a Power or the Game itself. Be wary of which tasks you fulfill. All tasks will have consequences and a bearing on your standing with the Game’s factions.

You have accomplished the feat: Play the Game! Requirement: complete your first task or reach rank 2. You have been awarded the trait: Marked. This is a generic trait that all players eventually receive.

Congratulations, Elana Shanis! You have joined the ranks of the Marked! As a Marked, you can now see the spirit signatures of other Marked and determine their allegiance to Shadow, Light, and Dark. Beware, other Marked can similarly read your own Mark, and it may affect their interactions with you.

Your actions during the execution of your first task have influenced the Marks you’ve been allocated. Marks are not fixed and will grow or diminish based on your future actions. Your spirit signature has been etched with 1 new Mark!

You have put the wellbeing of your brother ahead of your own, and to save him, you became the very thing you hate. Light approves of your self-sacrifice! You have acquired the Mark: Lesser Light and have begun to tread the ways of Light.

You and your companion have reached level 10! You are now a rank 1 player. Your experience gains have decreased. Experience gains are inversely proportionally to your rank and will decrease at each new rank you attain.

For achieving rank 1, you have been awarded one additional attribute point. You have 3 attribute points available.

My eyes fixed on my brother, I banished the avalanche of Game messages without a second’s thought. Right now, I had no attention to spare them.

“Congratulations, Elana, you did it.”

“Thank you, Ada,” I replied warmly. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”

“Somehow, I think you would have. The blood of Shanasyn flows strongly in you.”

Before I could respond, Soren’s eyes opened, and I felt Adalinda withdraw.

“El…?” he croaked.

Palpable relief surged through me. “How do you feel?” I asked, making no attempt to halt the flow of tears down my face.

Soren’s face crinkled in confusion then, a moment later, his eyes widened. “Hungry,” he chuckled. “And hale. You cured me!” He stared searchingly at me. “How?”

“I’ll tell you all about it later.” I handed him four vials. “But for now, drink these.”

Soren’s eyes dropped to the potions in my hand. “What are they?”

“Three are healing potions, and the other is one of stamina,” I replied simply.

His eyes narrowed. “Elana,” he began slowly, “how did you—”

I laid a restraining hand on his arm. “No questions, brother,” I said firmly. “Now, open up.”

His eyes not leaving mine, Soren opened his mouth, and I tipped the potions in.

You have restored 90% of Soren’s lost health with 3 moderate healing potions. His health is now at 100%.

You have restored 30% of Soren’s stamina with 1 moderate stamina potion. His stamina is now at 40%.

Soren’s eyes widened. “Holy hell, that was a rush!” Not waiting for my say so, he untangled himself from the blanket and rose to his feet. “I feel great!”

The frail invalid was gone. In his place was the brother I knew, fairly thrumming with energy.

I grinned at him. “Good. Now, let’s get—”

Alon burst through the door. “Quick, we must go! There are Devils are on their way!”

Soren’s eyes darted from Alon to me, and he groaned theatrically. “Why do I get the feeling that you two have gone ahead and done something stupid?”

I opened my mouth to protest, but before I could do so, Soren darted forward and pulled me in a hug. “I’m not mad, sis,” he whispered in my ear. “I know whatever it was, you did it for me. Thank you.”

He stepped back, holding me at arm’s length. “Now, how about we get out of here?”

I nodded, grinning foolishly through my tears, and the three of us fled the shack.

Not a moment too soon, either. Behind us, I heard the catcalls and cries of the thugs as they spotted our fleeing forms. Running hard, the three of us weaved through the slums. It was a moment so reminiscent of our younger days that, despite the danger, my lips widened into a happy smile.

Whatever the future held, with Soren, Alon, and Adalinda by my side, I would face it happily.

Devils. Players. And even Powers. I would take them all on for my family—and gladly.

I glanced upwards. Bring it on, Game. Do your worst. I will not bend.

✵ ✵ ✵

The End.

Here ends Empyren’s Rise, a novella set in the world of the Grand Game.

I hope you enjoyed the story! If you did, please leave a review and let other readers know what you think.

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Please drop me a note and let me know if you would like to learn more about Elana’s story.

Elana & Adalinda at the End of Book 1

Companion Profile: Adalinda

Level: 10. Rank: 1. Current Health: 100%.

Stamina: 60%. Mana: 30%. Psi: 40%.

Species: Celestial. Lives Remaining*: 3.

Attributes

Available: 3 points.

Strength: 2. Constitution: 5. Dexterity: 0. Perception: 0. Mind: 0. Magic**: 2. Faith**: 7.

Classes

Available*: 0 points.

Class: celestial companion.

Companions only have a single pre-defined Class.

Traits

companion: shares lives and Class points with the player.

celestial: mirrors core skills and attributes with the player.

Skills

Available skill slots: 1.

Air Magic** (current: 1. max: 20. Magic, basic).

Fire Magic** (current: 9. max: 20. Magic, basic).

Light Magic** (current: 8. max: 70. Faith, basic).

Tooth and Claw (current: 7. max: 20. Strength, basic).

Natural Armor (current: 8. max: 50. Constitution, basic).

Abilities

Magic ability slots used: 1 / 2.

Fire-breathing (Magic, basic, fire magic).

Other abilities:

Manifest (Class, basic).

* denotes shared characteristics. ** denotes mirrored characteristics.

Player Profile: Elana Shanis

Level: 10. Rank: 1. Current Health: 100%.

Stamina: 80%. Mana: 55%. Psi: 100%.

Species: Human. Lives Remaining*: 3.

Marks: Lesser Light.

Attributes

Available: 3 points.

Strength: 0. Constitution: 0. Dexterity: 0. Perception: 0. Mind: 0. Magic**: 2. Faith**: 7.

Classes

Available*: 0 points.

Primary Class: empyrean. Secondary Class: none. Tertiary Class: none.

Traits

elysian: +1 Magic, +1 Faith.

Skills

Available skill slots: 3.

Air Magic** (current: 1. max: 20. Magic, basic).

Fire Magic** (current: 9. max: 20. Magic, basic).

Light Magic** (current: 8. max: 70. Faith, basic).

Abilities

Faith ability slots used: 1 / 7.

light’s fury (Faith, basic, light magic).

Magic ability slots used: 0 / 2.

Other abilities:

none.

Known Key Points

none.

Equipped

Dark clothes, common stiletto, common dagger, backpack.

Backpack Contents

Money: 0 gold, 5 silvers, and 5 coppers.

1 x moderate cure disease potions.

2 x moderate darkvision potions.

6 x moderate stamina potions.

3 x skillbooks.

3 x ability tomes.

a pouch of Class stones.

Miscellaneous Loot

none.

Bank Contents

Money: 0 gold, 0 silvers, and 0 coppers.

None.

Open Tasks

none.

* denotes shared characteristics. ** denotes mirrored characteristics.

Key Locations, Terms, and Characters

Adalinda: lizard familiar

Alon: big, blonde, Elana’s close friend.

Arinna: Light Power.

black sewers: Devils’ hideout.

Cantos: Devil boss, ganglord. Known as the Butcher.

Devils: gang in slums. They control the eastern half of the city’s slums. Insignia is a dancing red imp.

Dorin: healer.

enforcer: gang soldier.

Elana Shanis: protagonist.

Mesina: City where Elana was born, a border city in the territory controlled by Arinna.

prole: derisive term applied to non-players.

Raccoons: gang in slums to the south of the Devil’s territory.

slums: poor city quarters of Mesina.

Soren: dark-haired, Elana’s brother.

The Watch: watchmen in Mesina, city watch. Their uniform is white with red stripes.