Leveling up the World

Chapter 988: Former Emperor

“Little Alien,” Kraisten shook his head. “Never liked how he clung to Jeremy. Then again, Jeremy had that effect on people. Half of his order were convinced that he was their friend. I was convinced.”

It had taken a couple of hours for Dallion to share everything he’d been through, starting from the day he left for Nerosal. This time there were no restrictions, no Moon vows, and no reason to keep secrets. In many ways, it was like talking about a game the two of them had played at some point. Now that they no longer were “characters,” they could see beyond the scope of the awakened world. One would almost call it liberating if it wasn’t for the remnants that had taken control of this world.

“How many of them do you think there are?” Dallion asked.

“Watchers? Probably thousands in the states alone. Definitely a lot less than a million world-wide. Numbers tend to get messed up when you can’t see everyone in one place. A thousand people might seem like the fucking army.”

The recent campus incident was a perfect example of that. In Dallion’s mind, he had been assaulted by the world and only managed to escape thanks to the underground movement that was the network. When looking at the numbers from a distance, though. He would be surprised if there were two hundred people involved in that raid. As for the network, he’d only seen a total of eight, most of which had only run interference.

“You know why they’re chasing you, right?” the man asked.

“Because I’m the Architect?”

“Because you’re running. Why aren’t they going after me? They know perfectly well where I am.”

Dallion could sense the answer, but said nothing.

“Because I made it clear that I can take out a hundred of them if they try, and am prepared to do it,” Kraisten added. “That’s not your thing, though. You messed up by telling them about Felygn. That tipped their hand and now they can’t back out, not anytime soon, at least. If they do, they’ll seem weak and they can’t afford that.”

“Why? Those that matter already see them as weak. Who are they trying to impress?”

“Themselves.”

Just like an alliance of ants. The individual weakness of their members created the urge for them to appear strong. That meant they’d keep hounding Dallion for a while, or until they caught him.

“I want to help you, Dal, but there isn’t much I could do. Even with two kids here, I never wanted to leave the other world, so I was never interested in the magic portal crap.”

That wasn’t what Dallion wanted to hear. He had doubts that Kraisten would be able to provide any substantial help, but still clung to the hope. Now, that too was gone.

“I’d tell you to find Simon, but that old geezer’s unfindable. Trust me, I’ve tried. Even went on vacation to Europe with my family and still nothing. I wouldn’t be surprised if he has forgotten about everything there and not because of anything the Moons did, but just because he wanted to.”

“Yeah. He did believe that the other world was just a game.”

“That only leaves you with Jeremy, though I’m not certain he’ll know, either.”

“Jeremy?” Dallion jumped up from the porch. “He’s here?”

“Of course he’s here.” Kraisten laughed. “We’ve been exchanging holiday cards every year. Just because he was an asshole there doesn’t mean he’s one here.”

Dallion clenched his fists. As far as he was concerned, that’s exactly what it meant.

“And even if he is, what does it matter? It’s unlikely we’ll ever see each other.”

“Never knew you were so forgiving.”

“Will I be better off if I don’t? The part of me that was in that world is gone, Dal. I still think about them. I’m still happy about the good things, but it’s not here. It’s not real anymore. I’ll admit it, there were days at first when I missed it. But seeing my children here grow and go to college has made a lot of my life there fade away. I’ve tried to hold a grudge, but it’s like staying mad at someone for tearing up my comic book in third grade. There was a time when it was important. Now, it isn’t.”

“You’re wrong.” Yet, even Dallion had to admit that he was the only one urging to go back. No one else seemed to have any inclination, not the Architect, not the network, not even the watchers, or they would have made a deal to use him to achieve it for them. “I want to go back. So does Alien.”

“Alien.” Kraisten shook his head. “You’re mistaking running from for running to. That kid’s got problems. I don’t know what he wants, but I’m sure as hell it isn’t to return to the other world. Give him a month and he’ll be just as miserable there as he is now. And he’ll still be terrified that the watchers, or something, will find a way to get him. I don’t know why, but you’re the only one who really wants to go back.”

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“If your wife was there, you would as well!” Dallion raised his voice.

Kraisten took one long look at him, without saying a word. A faint glint of anger sparkled in his eyes.

“My wife is there,” he said. “As is my daughter and one of my grandkids. You think I just decided to let them go?”

Dallion had no choice but to look away. As much as he felt right about what he had said, he had taken the wrong approach.

“Maybe it’s different for Architects, but there’s a part of you that’s still there, and I don’t mean your wife. That’s what’s pulling you to leave, just as the otherworlder part of us urged us to grow and explore when we were there.”

So, you’re saying I’m a freak, Dallion thought.

“When you first came to the construction site, I thought you were just in trouble with the watchers, so I invited you to tell you how to handle things. That’s not the problem, though. Looking at you, I can tell you’ll never lead a happy life while you’re here. That little something—” Kraisten tapped his left temple with his index finger “—is urging you to keep going in search of a way back. You can take over this world and you’ll still not be happy.”

There couldn’t be a stronger difference of opinions. And still, the underlying fact was undeniable. Kraisten really didn’t want to return, despite having just as many reasons to do so, maybe more. It was tempting to say that time had brought on that change, time and his responsibilities on Earth. Dallion had only one family, after all. One could consider his parents as a second family, but it was by no means the same.

“Jeremy, eh?” Dallion asked, unwilling to get into an argument that would change no one’s mind. “Alien will be thrilled.”

“Might be a better idea to leave him behind. Just let me know where he is and I’ll take care of him.”

“He’s a wreck,” Dallion said. “And he’s not alone.”

“I can handle it. I wouldn’t be allowed to lead a normal life if I didn’t think so. Besides, us mages have to stick together, right?”

Thinking of his grandfather as a mage stretched the limits of Dallion’s imagination. Technically, he was correct. Like Dallion and the emperor, Kraisten had mastered all twelve skills in the other world. That was before his subsequent de-leveling. Given the limitations of this world, he might even pull off a spell or two.

“Your life, your choice.” Dallion shrugged. “Where do I find Jeremy?”

Instead of answering, the large man stood up and went back into his house. Half a minute later, he came out again and tossed Dallion a fashion magazine. The choice of subject seemed weird, especially since it was male fashion. That was until Dallion got a better look at the cover.

“You gotta be kidding me.”

The all-powerful emperor of the Tamin Emperor was plastered on the front cover, wearing a loose-fitting shirt that no one in their right mind would be caught dead with. A brief description on the side presented him as one of the world’s top male supermodels, and illustrious bachelor, with a promise of more gossip on page nine.

“That’s him?” Dallion’s mind rejected the notion.

“Yep. He’s been doing pretty well for himself. The address is inside, though it won’t be easy to get to. As any celebrity, he has full security and a mansion that’s as safe as a bunker. Pictures are inside. The wife’s been asking for a similar kitchen. Hot sure how we can fit that in this place. The entire house can probably fit in his kitchen.”

“Jeremy the model,” Dallion said out loud, hoping it would sink in. It still didn’t. “Do you have a way to get me to L.A.?”

“My advice would be to take a private jet. It’s faster and less hassle.”

“Any advice on how to get that?”

“You’re a big boy,” the man snorted. “Figure it out on your own. You’re the Architect, aren’t you?”

That’s only a title, Dallion thought, but nodded.

“One more thing. Remember when I said that events in the other world don’t matter? Don’t entirely count on that when you get to Jeremy. He was pretty bitter the first few years.”

Figures. “I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks for the dinner, Kriasten.” He smiled. “It was… nice.”

“Least I could do for family.” Despite claims of the opposite, a faint claim of longing emanated from the man. “Now, get lost before you wake up the family. I’ll be answering questions about you for weeks.”

With a chuckle and a wave, Dallion left, walking into the night.

It would be a lie if he didn’t find his unique circumstances disturbing. Unlike his former grandfather, though, he viewed it from a completely different angle. Whether or not he had maintained his drive to return or everyone else had lost theirs, was semantics. The really troublesome aspect of it was that the reasons for mass unified behavior were usually linked to the Moons. Of the seven, one Moon still remained on Earth—Astreza. Dallion could see him in the sky even now, though he looked a lot less glamorous without his deep blue glow.

What do you think? Dallion asked the pavement tile he was standing on.

Huh? The tile guardian replied, clueless what was going on.

Yep, what I thought. Dallion nodded and went on. His entire life on Earth felt like a trial with no guaranteed option of success. And to make matters worse, he got to see heroes and villains of the awakened world’s past. All of them to the last one were nothing like he expected them to be. Powerhouses that could affect cities and destroy continents were leading normal ordinary lives as if nothing had changed. Even those who had retained a desire for control—and forgotten everything else, ironically—had chosen to remain stuck here, rather than try and establish a link to the other world.

“Taxi!” Dallion shouted, using his music skills to lure any cab in the neighborhood.

Soon enough two pulled over, rushing to take him as a customer.

“I’ll take him.” Dallion pointed at the better-looking car. “Thanks, though. Appreciate it.”

The competitor waved back, pleased that he’d done Dallion a favor, then drove off, while the one selected opened the front door for him.

“Thanks, man,” he said, genuinely grateful. “Where to?”

“That’s a good question,” Dallion said, more to himself than the driver. “Know where I can get a private jet to L.A.?”

“Wow. You’re not taking things light. I got you, though. I know just the place.”

“Great. Just before that stop by an auto shop. I need to get some car batteries.”