Fate Online

Continent- Arakon

I studied the figures in the valley below, it had taken me weeks to set them up and they were crucial to my initial plans. I turned and looked at the broken castle. It was an open Dungeon with a powerful creature within it. One that was said to lead to untold power.

My research told me that the monster had been around for over two thousand years and based on how fortified the ruins were and the fact no one had ever cleared it, I wouldn't be surprised if it would remain until the world around us shut down permanently.

I checked my gear and skills one last time as I turned away from the small camp and headed for the ruins. My Stealth Skill was up to level ten and between it, my Class Skill Skills, and gear, I had a sixty percent chance to remain hidden. Getting close and talking to the boss was essential to my plans.

I passed groups of [Skeletal Warrior] and [Ravenous Zombie] in groups of two to four. Trash mobs that could easily be destroyed by even the smallest of groups. Once past the outer wall, I spotted [Bone Hound] in groups of three and six roaming the grounds. They were more dangerous than the trash mobs and were capable of both tracking me and piercing my Stealth if they could pun me down.

Once I reached the inner fortress is where the most powerful and dangerous creatures were located. Groups of Spirit like dead beings, [Wraith], [Spirit Knight], and [Banshee] with Zombies that had limited Class Skills. Roaming [Rogue Zombies] with groups of massive [Warrior Zombies] that were tanks based on their size and armor, and robe-wearing [Zombie Mages] that were in limited numbers, but would provide magical support for the dead roaming the ruins of the castle.

Yet none of them mattered and fighting them would end any chance at talking to the Boss. The question was, where was the Boss. There was one intact tower and considering it was a castle, I was certain there were underground portions as well. "Ahh, the stench of the living how I have missed it." I froze in surprise as a voice came from multiple sources around me, every single one from one of the patrolling dead.

I moved as quietly and as stealthily as I could to a darkened corner as I pulled an arrow from my quiver and studied my surroundings. None of the dead were making their way towards me, but I could see three patrols roaming nearby. I took a deep breath and put the arrow back in the quiver and dropped out of Stealth. All three patrols froze and turned as one looking at me. "I wish to speak to your master, I am not here to fight and if you do not like what I have to say, you can easily kill me," I told them causing a laugh to sound from more then one of the dead, but it was one voice.

"What would a living thing, and an Immortal at that, have anything I would be interested in?" the voice replied all around me as the patrols began to close with me but I did nothing to escape or fight.

"For starters, there is a group of Immortals approaching, a Paladin, a Berserker, a Thief, a mage of some type, and a Priest," I told the Dungeon born causing more laughter to sound around me.

"They will fall like all the rest before them, I do not fear the living or those that are servants and slaves to the Light." the voice responded and I smiled.

"I seek the one who has knowledge, from my research you are the one I seek. If you are not the Lich Abraxxus, then I was wrong coming here and you should kill me." I replied causing the laughter to sound around me.

"Names are easy to come by." the Lich responded through its minions but I smiled.

"So you no longer hold to the Compact?" I asked softly causing all the dead to freeze.

With a flash of light and thunder, a robed figure appeared before me. [Abraxxus, Lord of Drock Dunlar] flashed above his head, the tag orange not read, signifying Neutral and not Hostile. "What do you know about the 'Compact' boy or what it entails?" the Lich asked me as he loomed over me.

I pulled the tattered old journal out of my inventory, it was ancient and according to the writings, it had belonged to the Lich long ago. "Only the knowledge that you revealed within these pages," I told him and the Lich snapped its fingers causing the book to be yanked out of my hand and fly into the Lich's outstretched hand.

"Where did you find this..." Abraxxus asked as he flipped through some of the pages as the Undead's tag changed from orange to green indicating my Reputation had increased as a Quest Notification popped up in front of me.

>>

Quest Alert: Forgotten Past

Notice: You managed to infiltrate the ancient fortress of Drok Dunlar and complete the secret quest and return the Arch Lich Abraxxus's journal to the powerful Undead. You have received 5,000 Experience, your Reputation with Abraxxus has increased to Friendly.

>>

I dismissed the information, "I have been wronged by the Lightsiders as well and seek power to recompense from them through battle, bloodshed, and any other means I can wring from them. Everything I have found indicates you can lead me to the power that I can use to challenge those in power currently." I told the Lich causing it to stare at me.

The Lich moved closer, looming over me. "You do not know what you seek boy, you covet death and destruction, if not by my hand then by others." the Lich replied enigmatically.

"Power is never easy and life is not for the weak.' I replied as I stepped closer to the Lich. 'What must I do? What is the power of the Compact?" I asked Abraxxus causing the Lich to look at the nearby dead and dismiss them then he laid a hand on me and the world around me twisted and turned as the Lich Teleported us a short distance.

When the world stabilized around us, I could see we were within a large chamber with dozens of the dead around us. I could see an Alchemist and Enchanting room off to the side, and a Portal Pad off to one side. "What you suggest will not be easy and will not be completed without sacrifice. What you seek is not mine to give or deny.' Abraxxus commented as he made his way over to the laboratory area and started writing out a scroll as he channeled magic into it. 'This is a Portal Scroll, it will take you to the location you seek, but as I warned you without a sacrifice you will not gain anything other than death." the Lich warned me as a Notification popped up in front of my eyes.

>>

Quest Alert: Eclipsing the Sun

Description: After much research, you discovered hints of ancient power and something called the 'Compact' related to it. After seeking out the Lich Abraxxus, the Undead warned you that what you seek will not be easy to attain and very well might kill you. Tread carefully for once a door is unlocked, it cannot be closed.

Quest Class: Ultra Rare, Quest Chain, Unique

Quest Difficulty: Unknown

Success: Break the seal on the Ancient Cavern and explore what lays beyond

Failure: Do not break the seal on the Ancient Cavern

Rewards: 1,000 Experience, Unknown

Accept? Yes or No

>>

I read the information carefully at hit yes without a second's thought, "I need a sacrifice and you need that raiding party to go away. Do you have any suggestions?" I asked the Lich causing it to laugh as it offered the bound scroll.

"The portal will open at the cavern's entrance, if you succeed I will find you. If you fail, do not come here again.' Abraxxus stated before calling his staff back to his hand and grabbing my shoulder again as the world twisted around me and suddenly I was back near the camp with the Immortals again. 'Stay here and do not interfere. Do you have a preference for the sacrifice?" Abraxxus asked before he started spewing words that caused Wraiths, Spirit Knights, and a few Banshee's appeared around us.

"The Priest if possible," I told him as I activated Stealth as the Lich and his minions moved forward as I dissapeared from sight and while I wouldn't interfere, I had to make certain Abraxxus succeeded.

Reality- Earth

North American Alliance- Greater New York City Area

Blackrock Entertainment HQ

I took another drink of my coffee, it had been a long day and I was long past the end of my shift but we were trying to roll out two content patches and upload them so that the two controlling A.I., Adam and Eve, could inspect them for problems and approval. If everything went well, the patches would be released within two months. One would unlock another NPC Faction and the second would unlock another continent of Mortihiemer.

"Hey boss man, one of the minor A.I. just set off a red flag, I can't open it." one of the other developers called from his station and forwarded the file to me. I touched it and my credentials were automatically used revealing the file information.

>>

Content Patch: Total Eclipse

Classified: Floor Managers or above

Description: The Total Eclipse patch unlocks the possibility of the Vampire Race being unlocked. This Patch can be triggered through a dozen different scenarios by players [Scenario 3 triggered, Classified-Director, or above]. The first player to finish the initial Quest will be the sole Vampire for (1) month real-world time. Once the (1) month exclusively for the player that completed the initial Quest, a City, NPC Faction, and Race will be unlocked for the public.

Note: The Total Eclipse Patch is linked to the [Classified-Director or above] which will release within (6) real world months of Total Eclipse's public release. To the current Floor Manager, notify your supervisor and current PR Manager on duty. This file has been flagged by senior Leadership, be aware of any leaks to a third party will result in censorship by Blackrock Entertainment.

>>

Crap...I brought up my internal email and forwarded the information to the appropriate people. The warning from the file was real, their 'censorship' to anyone who sold out Blackrock was an automatic punishment of being blackballed to never be hired again at best, at worst people have 'disappeared' after selling out information that could get a guild ahead. Something like this could be worth millions of real-world dollars not to mention the in-game rewards.

"Boss, what happened?" James asked and I shook my head.

"Don't ask and forget about it," I told him causing the other Developer to snort and turn back to his station. Everyone knew Blackrock kept its secrets and no one messed with them about it.