“Shit…so your mom?” One said.

“Yeah, she is going to die.”

“Sorry.” Two said.

“Anyways, that is why when we are on the sea trip I need you to keep an eye on my auto pilot. Stupid things are like a dodo bird and a brain damaged rabbit combined.”

“How long will you be gone?” Tor asked.

“One day to fly back home, four days there, one day to fly back. Also my family really dislikes VR so, no jumping in during my sleep time.”

“Shit, six days, a month!” Three shouted. We all looked at him and he put his hands over his mouth. While we were on the barge I didn’t want anyone knowing I would be gone.

“So all of you need to be on your A game. Tor is in charge while I am gone, oh and if anyone touches my auto pilot we are going to have fun when I get back. I figure about four days from Romana to Ramula and then three days to Sother. After that it will take about fifteen days to Goratat. If I leave now I should be coming back just as we start the trek towards the desert.”

“You do know that Goratat is a basically a trade town where the barbarians sell slaves and is one massive shit hole? Wouldn’t it be better to hole up for a while?” Tor asked.

“Well that is why you don’t get off at Goratat. You hire a boat to drop us off further down the coast where the sea curves in almost to the edge of the desert. While not the shortest trip possible it should keep people off of us. If you think there is a better way?” I looked at Tor.

“No, shit, you are our strongest fighter and the whole front line. Your auto-pilot will be shit with you gone.”

“Yeah. Alright any questions? Oh and three, no drinking out of the poison barrel.” Everyone chuckled at that.

“How are we going to cross the desert? The tower is right in the middle. Even if we hike our asses off it still will take a month.” One asked.

“There are plants and animals in the desert. Also if there are sand worms maybe we can ride one.”

“Not it.” Two side. “I am not being bait for a sandworm.”

“Fine Two isn’t bait, One is.”

“What no fair.”

“You asked and now you have your answer. Alright anything else?”

“Good luck.” Tor said which was echoed by the group.

“Logout!”

*** TOR’S POV ***

“Look at him. Hey Kenji, are you related to a horse?” One asked.

“I do not believe so.”

“Hah!” One shouted.

“Ok, new rule no pushing the auto-pilot. If people realize Rain of Blood is AFK do you realize the shit storm?” Tor said.

“Oh shit….” One mumbled.

“Yeah, no shit Sherlock. So keep the stupid questions to yourself.” This was going to be a long month. “Kenji, you were instructed to obey me?”

“Of course I will listen to you, we are good friends and teammates. Just watch my back okay?” In AP speak, this meant yes I will listen as long you don’t put me in danger.

“Good, then don’t speak to anyone outside of this team unless I ask you a question. If I am touching my face or use the word like, then agree with me. If not then disagree with me. Understand?”

“Of course, you are very eloquent and I will listen to you.”

“Next always stick with me. Don’t go running off, understand?”

“I am counting on you to keep me safe.” AP Kenji said. The slight grin was creepy.

“No grinning unless you are killing someone.” The grin went away. This was going to be a really long month.

“Alright slackers, get to work meditating while I read this book. Stupid deserts will be murder on the skin.”

*** ONE’S POV ***

I was thinking about ditching this loser carnival when we got to Romana. I would find some wenches and have a good time. I opened my eyes form my meditation and saw Tor looking at me. “Don’t even think about it.”

“I wasn’t thinking anything.” I replied. Could she read minds? I thought she already told us all her skills. She was probably hiding one.

“You want to screw women until your mind is blown right?”

“Umm…yeah.”

“Keep in line and keep the others in line and you shall we rewarded. Once we reach Romana, we can get a room and see how long you will last.” My mind went into a bliss as I thought about my last go with Tor.

“Alright, alright. Watch the others, keep out of trouble. Got it.”

“Oh and what were you going to ask Kenji, I am curious.”

“Ahhh….Well I was going to ask him…” I really didn’t want to say it in front of her.

“What?”

“A harem.”

“A harem.” Tor repeated.

“Yeah a harem. I always wanted one. With a different kind of girl for each day of the year. Small tight ones for when I am feisty. Big busty ones for one really want some pulse pounding action.”

“I should have known. Where would I fit?”

“You would be first wife of course and dominate all the others.” Tor squatted down in front of me. My eyes couldn’t help but drift to her cleavage.

“You think I am not woman enough? Maybe you should be in my harem.” She reached out and grabbed me. I tried to remain calm as her grip became tighter and tighter.

“Of course but variety is the spice of life.”

“Hmm, I think I will make you the middle in my harem so you can have it both ways.” She let out and I let out a gasp. The only thing I could think of while she walked away was one in a million.

*** TWO’S POV ***

“I have a lead.”

“On what?’

“Albus.” He was going to die. Betraying me like that was unforgivable. We had managed to link up despite all the odds against it and then he betrays me.

“So where is he?”

“The Union.”

“Not happening.”

“What? Why?”

“Do you know where the Union is?”

“Um no.” I had always let others do the planning in that regard.

“It is literally on the other side of the world. It would take months to get there and by the time we did he could already be gone. Better to stay on the boat, go to the desert, get stronger, and then find and kill him.” She made a good point, but he really needed to die.

“Alright. So think we can find a boat?”

“Who knows, just have to sort things out once we get there. Don’t have a clue how we are going to pay.”

“Maybe we could hijack one?”

“You know anything about sailing?”

“I could learn, I am sure there are programs we can review while we sleep.”

“Good idea, let’s tell the others.” I smiled a bit. It was nice to be part of a group that wanted me.

*** THREE’S POV ***

So many people, much that needed cutting open. I looked over at the AP of the glorious man I followed. Oh, how I wished he would return. Then we would paint the streets red with blood and create beautiful designs of entrails. I would restrain myself for when we found a ship.

Two for being such an agreeable fellow had been quite devious. We were going to rent a ship to take us to wherever it was that we were going and kill everyone on board so we didn’t have to pay. The thought made me shiver in anticipation, it would be glorious.

“Three pay attention, we need to learn how to sail this stupid thing.” Tor shouted. I got back to my knotting. We each were taking turns keeping watch and sleeping at a rundown inn. While we slept we practiced.

“Any luck finding a ship?” I asked.

“There is a Sloop. I am meeting with the Captain tomorrow.”

“Like this ship?”

“Yes, like this. We wouldn’t be able to handle anything bigger. Even with five people it is going to be a pain.”

“I always wanted to be a pirate.” I imagined myself with a parrot that shouted, ‘Curv em up, curv em up.’

“Watch your knots. Those need to hold.” Tor said. I looked down and used the visual interface to confirm them. It indicated which step I had missed.

“Ah, okay doing it again.”

*** TOR’S POV ***

“So Captain, how much to transport us all the way to the mouth of the Ruton River?”

“Well with a wagon, two horses, and four people. We are talking fifty gold.”

“That is too much, maybe we can have a more private discussion to talk about a reduced fare?”

“Hmmm, my crew won’t go along with that.”

“I am sure you can be convincing since you are so strong and powerful. And my men can help with the ship to give yours a rest.”

“Hmmm, well I won’t object. How about a little sample?”

*** ONE’S POV ***

“I hate swabbing the deck while certain people are having fun.” A scream went up from the Captain’s cabin. It had been a regular occurrence for the last two days on the ship.

“Just stick with the plan, we won’t be doing this much longer.” Two whispered.

“Fuck it, there are only ten sailors and three of us plus Kenji. Even if he is an AP we can kill them all.” Three whispered. He passed me a dagger and I accepted. “Let’s go.”

I stood up and walked up behind one of the sailors. I slit his throat and pushed him overboard. AP Kenji was already leaping up the rigging to the crow’s nest. He lifted the sailor up and tossed him off to the side. His screams alerted the rest but by then it was too late.

Two had killed one and Three had killed another two. It was four on five. Kenji was soon back on the deck and finished them off. I took the opportunity to head down to the captain’s cabin. I opened up the door and was greeted with a shock.

Tor was sitting at the desk and then let out a scream. “AHHHHHHH! OH MY, AHHHHH!”

“I didn’t know my presence was that over powering.” She quickly stood up and looked at me.

“Was wondering how long it would take you all. I killed that tub of lard the first night. Right out the window.”

“And you let us suffer?” I groaned.

“Well, I just wanted to see how long you would all put up with it. So was it Three who gave in first?”

“Yeah.”

“Thought so.”

*** TWO’S POV ***

Sailing a ship was hard and now we were coming up on the Roaring Strait. Water rushed back and forth between two sheer cliffs that separated the Sea of Storms from the wider ocean. “Double check everything. We need all the sail we can get. Double check your knots Three!” Tor shouted above the wind.

We had bypassed Ramula and were now entering the Roaring Strait. It didn’t help that we had mis-judged the distance and it was becoming night and it was overcast. “Put out the lantern. I swear people and lights at night.”

The ship shot into the strait as the large cliffs off to either side loomed over us. I knew in my head they were about a kilometer away each, but their sheer size did not help things. The wind continued to push us. “Ship up ahead, we are gaining fast.” I shouted.

“Doesn’t matter, everyone keep a look out for rocks.” We were quickly closing in on the other ship. As we zipped by the ship, it became clear that something had trashed it heavily and it was a wreck. A man came out on deck and began waving at us and shouting.

“Can’t slow down, we would never get the sails back up at night and I don’t dare turn us.” Tor shouted to my unspoken question. We continued on by the poor soul.

*** THREE’S POV ***

“Sother, this is going to be fun.” My mind raced with all the wonderful possibilities.

“Three, two rules. First rule don’t get caught. I know you can get carried away, so pay attention, understand.” Hmm, I did want to stay with this group.

“Yeah, got it.”

“Second rule. Be back on time or we will think you are captured or dead from your own stupidity. We are leaving first thing tomorrow morning at sun rise.” I really didn’t want to be left behind. They honestly weren’t stupid rules. She didn’t even try to keep me on the ship, least I could do was respect her requests.

“Got it.”

*** TOR’S POV ***

I was bored. After Three had returned completely covered in blood the following morning it had been boring. We sailed along the coast spotting small villages but overall there wasn’t anything going on. The weather had been great, more than enough food, but all this traveling was dull. I wanted some excitement and not the personal kind.

“Shit red sky.” Two said as he came out from below decks.

“What?” I asked.

“Saying, red sky at night sailor’s delight, red sky in the morning sailors take warning. Its morning and there is a red sky.”

“What do we do?”

“Maybe bring in the sails. If a storm rolls in we would be in big trouble.”

“Thanks Two, alright then, kick the others awake and let’s get to work.”

*** KENJI’S POV ***

The exit process was long and frustrating. Tubes had to be removed one at a time, my brain disconnected, and everything else that had allowed me to make a permanent home in VR. At least neural control of my muscles and the robotic pushback had kept me in okay shape. Not enough to do any sprints, but enough that I could walk easily enough.

I had booked all my travel arrangements in VR. An automated car would pick me up and take me to the airport in thirty seven minutes. I found my clothes where they had been hung up. A fine layer of dust coated them and everything else.

I put them on and made my way out of my VR apartment. There was no kitchen, only capsule room and a small bathroom, nothing else. It was cheap, but that is why I had chosen it. I tossed all my clothes in my bag and took the elevator took me down from the ninth floor to the street.

The streets were almost empty. The only people who were walking about appeared to be service techs. A car pulled up in front of me and the door opened. I hopped inside and it took off. It was a boring ride by just myself. Phone service had been consumed by Omnitrek since everything was done in VR now there was almost no need for it.

So I spent my entire ride alone and in silence all the way to the airport. I looked out my window as techs worked to replace out broken components. They were like an army of robots, especially with those matching uniforms. I picked up my small bag and went into the lobby. VR had once again removed the need for most flights. The airlines had been automated like the rest of the transportation industry.

I sat down and the plane shot off, catapulted into the air by a magnetic rail. With fusion power being the norm, high cost launches were far more preferable than all the fuel needed to take off. “First time?” A suit in the seat across the aisle asked me.

“Second time. I am going home to visit my mom.”

“Can’t see her through VR?”

“Brain tumor, can’t connect.”

“Oh, I am sorry.”

“So what are you flying for?”

“I manage the various technician groups out in more remote regions.”

“Capsules?”

“Actually transportation services.”

“I hope this plane is safe.”

“Of course it is. So what do you do?”

“Entertainer, I put up a cast of my time in FEAR.”

“Oh maybe I heard of you?” There was no way I was going to reveal I was Rain of Blood. If that information leaked it would be a disaster. I couldn't let anyone know I was logged out.

“Nah, just a minor caster, but I get by.”

“Hmmm.” Was all he said.

*** ONE’S POV ***

“Shit this ship can’t take much more of this. I can’t….take much more of this.” Another massive wave lifted the ship and then it slammed back down into the ocean.

“Don’t you dare puke in my face again!” Tor shouted through the storm. After we had taken down the sails we ended up tying ourselves to the steering wheel, so we would be stuck together no matter what.

“THIS IS FUN!” Three shouted. I puked again and it went flying into the water that crashed down on our small vessel.

“We never gave the ship a name.” Two shouted.

“Well how about Never Sinks.” I shouted back.

“That sounds very interesting.” AP Kenji said.

“The Rushing Blood.” Three shouted.

“Shut-AHHHHH!” A wave splashed over the vessel interrupting Tor.

“Shut-AHHHHH, I agree with that.” I said.

“I second it.” Said Two.

“Third.” Said Three. Every burst into laughter at that.

“I don’t understand.” AP Kenji said.

*** TWO’S POV ***

“Well the ship is breached. We landed smack dab on top of a pointy rock. Looks like we are stuck here.”

“Where is here? Is the big question.” One said.

“Look at those mountains. If we climb up, we can get the lay of the land and figure out where we are.” I said.

“Good idea, but who knows what is in that forest.” Tor said.

“You don’t need to go. It is fairly obvious.” Three said. We all turned to look at him. “I mean really, we got hit with the storm a couple days passed the Ruton River. There are no mountains in the Wild Lands to the South. Look at the sun, it is rising to the right which means the mountains are north of us.”

“That big island.” I whispered.

“Yep, nothing but us, trees, and that chain of mountains. The few players that popped out here, died fairly quick and there are no settlements.” Three didn’t have his normal sadistic grin which was worrisome.

“So, we are stuck here. How far is it to the mainland?” Tor asked.

“Hundred kilometers at least.” Three said. That wasn’t good.

“Okay then, first we are going to set up camp some place secure, preferably near the ship. Next we are going to take what we can and start work on a raft. With luck we should be out of here in a week or so.” It wasn’t going to be that simple and I knew it. We were so screwed, Kenji needed to hurry his ass back.

*** KENJI’S POV ***

“Hey mom, good to see you.”

“Oh, my son. I couldn’t believe it when you called. It is so good to see you.” I set my bag down and was engulfed in a massive hug.

“Thanks, so how are things?”

“Tough, but we are getting by. I know your sister is coming by, it will be nice to have dinner as a family.”

“Where’s dad?” I asked.

“Ah, he is just in the living room. Why don’t you go in and say hi?”

I walked inside. The house was just as I remembered it. The painting of flowers in the hallway that my mom loved. The antique table that had been passed down from her grandmother. I walked into the living room. My dad was sitting on a chair staring out the window. Despite being mid-day he already had a drink in his hand.

“Hey.” I said.

“…..”

“Glad to see you are doing well.” He let out a snort at that. I left the room and went to the kitchen where mom was fussing over dinner.

“Need help?” I asked.

“Sure, why don’t you peel those potatoes. I got a great deal from the local co-op.” I got to work on the potatoes.

“So… I’m sorry.” I said.

“Whatever for?”

“I…I wanted to pay for your treatment. But if I do, then I will likely lose everything.” There was a long silence. “I would have to put up more videos, and then the other players would know where I was and get me. I am going to try and find something to sell, I swear, but-“ She wrapped me in a big hug.

“Hush, don’t worry about it. I made peace with this already.” My heart cracked.

*** THREE’S POV ***

“These giant bugs and lizards are a nightmare.” One groaned.

“At least we are getting good experience.” Two said.

“And killing things, but they don’t scream.” I replied. Everyone looked at me and I went back to meditating.

“This whole island is swarming, like a hive.” Tor said. We were on a small rocky outcropping. The wreck of the Shut-AHHHHH had been overwhelmed days ago while we were salvaging what we could. Now we were on a rocky out cropping watching the forest in front of us.

“I really hated that one that used hypnotism. I mean, what the hell.” One said.

“Well as long as they don’t kill us the experience is invaluable.” Two said.

“Maybe for you guys, but they are all around level fifty. Quality not quantity is what we need.” Tor said.

“Don’t curse us. It is hard enough.” One complained.

“Look at Kenji he isn’t saying anything.” Tor said. AP Kenji gave us a nod.

“Stupid AP.” One said. This island was tough, but it would only make me stronger. We just needed to stay alive.

*** TOR’S POV ***

“You are all over level forty now, so we should be able to take turns sleeping and to build a raft.” It was hopeless and we all knew it. Every time we tried to build something the bugs would come and swarm it. Then the lizards would come and smash it.

“Yeah….” One said. He was becoming more and more of a problem.

“I know we don’t like lizard meat, but at least it isn’t poisoned.”

“I wish it were.” Three said. He was a problem in another way.

“How long until Kenji gets back?” Two asked.

“One less day from yesterday, which is twelve days.”

“I have an idea.” Three said. That was never good. “We should burn it all down.” There was a long period of silence at that.

“That might work, if we clear out a large portion of the forest, we should have a chance.” One said.

“Not a bad idea.” Two added.

“Fine, tomorrow morning we begin Operation Burn the Hell out of Hell.” I said.

*** KENJI’S POV ***

“Make sure you eat your vegetables.”

“I will mom, and…and I love you.”

“I love you too sweety. Good luck with your adventures.”

“Goodbye dad.”

“Hmpf.” He grunted out and took another swig of beer.

“Take care little bro, thanks for making the time. It was nice to really see you. You should get some more sun.” She patted me on the head and I pushed her hand away. I was glad that part of the maintenance contract was to have a professional groomer come and deal with hair and nails once a month for the brief disconnect period.

I waved goodbye and hopped into the car that was waiting for me. Time to return.

***

Author’s Note: I let the mom die but he will try and raise enough money in the three weeks he will have left. Bet you didn’t see that coming with all the buildup. I also wanted to speed through the boring sea trip/training, hence all the different points of view while they travel. Readers thinking they know what direction this story is going to go…honestly do you know nothing?

In the end it was a logical decision. If he takes a loan he needs to increase his revenue which would likely lead to his death and loss of revenue. In the MC’s mind, there was a 1% chance of success and failure would mean his mom would still die and his life would be ruined. If the cost was only a million dollars then yes he would have paid. He might still pay if he thinks he can raise the rest of the money and just needs some more time. And people say there is so suspense in VR stories.

I saved you from a long boring sea voyage. Also now we see how well they do without the MC running the show. The trick to making people invest in side characters is to show a bit more of their personality and though processes. Also it is nice to not have him coming up with all the good ideas.

Please thumbs up the reviews you like J

Thanks for all your support an encouragement. I know these chapters were a bit heavier than usual but it adds the depth of character needed for the challenges yet to come.