Chapter 50

A Deal Too Good To Refuse

“Welcome Mr. Goldman-X, or do you just prefer the name Goldman?” The monster before me said, in words that sounded surprisingly smooth coming from a monstrous mouth. A gulped audibly. With just one glance I realized I was in far, far too deep to get out.

I looked up to see a twisted monster of a creature before me. Black wiry twisted cords of muscle converged in a hunched over rendition of a truly deformed Quasi Modo. That is if Quasi Modo was burnt black and looked like he was made up of rotting cables that were seared into flesh. The creature before me was vile to look at.

One look at the hideous creature before me showed that this was a PI, or Prolaxian Infiltrator. One of the creatures sent ahead to gain a foothold in our universes. Well in this universe, one that I didn’t quite particularly care for to be honest. Why didn’t I care? Well, that is a good question. I think ultimately it all comes down to the fact that everything here doesn’t seem real to me.

It is like looking at a painting of the perfect life you would want. Then realizing someone else is playing the role of you. Such things are hard to accept. Also, I can’t help but feel that I have been forced into a relationship with Rayquel, one that I can’t help but feel is slightly off in some way.

Now, here I am. Caught up in the den of another PI. The last one was so powerful that even with a surprise attack, I nearly died. The monster was far more physically gifted than I was, was stronger than I was, and had far better defensive capabilities than an entire platoon of armed soldiers. Now that I was in one’s lair, I estimated my chances of survival at close to zero. Well, my chances of survival if I fought to the death.

My eyes were already darting about, trying to find escape plans and ways to retreat. The apartment that we were in could be called no less than opulent. Long marble floors lined with intricately carved stone statues laid out around the apartment. All with a scenic overview of the city down below.

This was clearly one of the premier towers of the city, but which city I could not tell. Also given the stone statues, and height of this PI, I assumed this was to be a Dwenvarian. Though which Dwenvarian I didn’t know. In fact, if I was to leave here right now, I would have the same problem I had back during the match. The one where I saw a PI in the stands. Then something clicked in my mind. Going out on a hunch, I went with it.

“You were in the stands at the matches?” I posed in Dwenvarian.

Clap. Clap.

The little hunched over monster with green glowing sacks of puss for eyes clapped.

“Very astute of you. Yes, I am surprised that you could notice me from all the thousands of spectators who were present.” The monster hissed out.

Suddenly I realized I had outed myself as being able to spot these types of creatures. My Precognition screamed at me, letting me know that this was an important moment. Knowing that I was likely one of the few people in all of creation who had the ability to see these creatures, and that if I was found out I would be summarily killed. I decided to go with a different route.

Taking one last look at the opulent room around me. Then at the guards and thugs who had brought me here, I noticed that even the staff was dressed in fine regalia. Realizing this piece of information, I went with my gut.

“Well with such fine aesthetic tastes, it is only natural for you to stand out above those around you.” I manage.

Clap. Clap.

“Well said.” The monster hissed. With that I let out a slight sigh, as a lot of the tension in my gut slowly dissipated.

“Now, perhaps I should tell you why you are here.” The monster then paused as it cocked its head to the side and let both glowing sacks it had for eyes focus on me. “Perhaps you would like to hazard a guess as to why you are here?”

“I won the publisher’s sweepstakes and am here to collect my surprise?” I asked.

“Close. Actually your guess is far closer than you might expect.” The voice paused as they let those words sink in. I still had a hard time determining if the voice I was hearing was supposed to be a male or female of the species. Dwenvarians by and large were tough to identify by voices. Then you extrapolate that further, with the fact that this voice is a cheesy monster voice; one posing as a regal Dwenvarian and you have yourself a real conundrum.

“I’ve brought you here today to offer you a way out. A Severance if you will.” Hearing the word Severance caused a chill to run down my spine. I could tell there was power in that one word alone. “Now there are terms and conditions that must be stated for this Severance to take effect. The first is that you must realize that all items you have obtained here will remain here. All connections to people, places, and objects will be lost. But you will be home, early.”

Badump.

My heart raced and pulsed at the thought of going home. Again, everything in this universe felt so fake, that I couldn’t help but want to leap at the opportunity. This almost sounded too good to be true.

“So, my bond with Rayquel?”

“Severed.”

“What about the powers that I obtained while here?” I asked suddenly curious if I would be taken back down to a Tier one psychic. While that might not have been the best course, I still had a lot of power that I gained while here.

“Any changes to you, that happened while here will stay with you. You are merely severing the material bonds that have grown since you came to this universe.”

I am about to agree when I feel there is more to this. “Why do you wish to get rid of me?”

“Simple. You are a bound resource for the Endarians. At the end of your stay, they will have benefitted from your actions here, while my kind will have lost out. It is no secret that you are powerful. Also, no secret at this point that you are not from this universe. The fact that you have a less talented doppelganger in this universe only proves that you do not belong here. Therefore I wish to right a wrong. Settle the balance of this universe as it were. You are here against your will, so I will return you to your rightful spot. It will only cost you everything you currently have gained…”

“Deal.”

He is about to say more, but my one word reply cuts him off. It takes a second for him to understand what I said. Then as if still confused by my word, he parrots back, “deal?”

“Yes. You have sold me. Deal. I keep the powers I have gained here, and then I go home and that is that.”

As if relieved the hunched over monster of black cord leans back slightly. Its odd position not letting it fully rest, but I get the impression that the creature would look like it was relaxing slightly.

“Though there is one thing.”

The creature twists its glowing head slightly. I take this as a disgusting cue to go on. “Can you remove these restraints?” I ask, holding up my bound hands.

“Oh, right. Again, sorry about that.”

Snap.

The creature made two wet slime covered cords to rub together to produce a thick snapping sound. With that the goons that had taken me up here began pulling off my various restraints. During this time the female, I still need to learn her name, also took my violin case.

“Hey.” I snap.

“Don’t worry, you won’t be able to take this with you, anyways.” Bobert said from my other side. At this I realize the case, my violin, and even the Endarian world tree seed are all in the case. And that they are correct, none of those items will be able to come with me. Without my case I suddenly feel naked, as if a key part of me is now missing.

Shove.

I am pushed forward to where the monster that is orchestrating this whole thing is going.

Badump. Badump.

My violin, my music. Everything I have gained here is about to be removed. On the one hand I know that losing the connection to Rayquel will be tough, but that is minor in all things. The world tree seed, a symbol of hope for the Endarians of my universe will be lost.

Seemingly lost to my sudden internal strife at losing my violin case and its contents. The monster continues, as it begins creating a different portal. Though it is not using magic, at least not magic in a way that I am used to. It takes me a minute to realize the creature is using some type of artifact, one that seems so powerful that it is beyond comprehension.

“I should warn you, that there will be a slight burning sensation as all active magical effects on you are also removed. This will be good, as the neurotoxin that is currently burning away your power will be fully neutralized by this. Consider this a special bonus gift from me to you.” The monster says, suddenly revealing more hidden rules.

My mind realized that these rules were somehow part of the spell of the object. The object in question was old magic, bound to archaic rules and traditions. With that I realized, something. A plan began to form in my mind as I thought about what would happen next.

“Answer me truthfully if you were me. Would you go through this rift?” I asked. Looking at the tear that had been seemingly created in the fabric of reality. From this planet we were on, we could see clearly to another world that looked far more advanced than this one. With a glance I knew it was my universe. Just looking at it, brought a sense of nostalgia and loss that nearly broke me then and there. Still, I held strong, as I realized I wasn’t ready to go yet. Not without the material possessions I had gained while here.

“But of course.” The monster said, its lie rolling easily off its tongue.

But that was all I needed, its consent to travel. Moving quickly, before the monster had a chance to respond, I picked it up with my enhanced Telekinesis-X and threw him through the spatial rift.

Crackle, hiss, pop.

The outer layer of skin burnt away from the fiend, revealing the monster for what it truly was. Then the monster was through the rift.

Clink, clatter.

Tiny bobbles and trinkets fell to the ground. One being the cursed object that had been used to generate the one-way rift in the first place. With the artifact no longer being held, the rift closed and there was a sudden tension.

A lot had just happened. I had just sent over an extremely powerful monster to my universe. One who could easily best me in a straight battle of wills. The next was I turned to my former captors, ready to fight my way free. The captors were all staring dumbfounded at what they had just seen.

I couldn’t quite tell, but I was certain the crackling sound was made from the monster having its illusionary shell being burnt away. I still didn’t know what type of magic went into creating such a shell, but it was clearly powerful.

Looking at the still dumbstruck guards, I pulled my violin case to me. Once again liberally using Telekinesis-X to do so. The case in question quickly flew to my outstretched hand.

For a second it looked like I would have to fight my way out, but suddenly the tense postures that all the guards had dropped. This was right around the time that I mentally prepared myself to strike them down if needed. Perhaps they felt my killing intent, or perhaps some form of ancient self-preservation kicked in as they all assumed subdued postures.

“So, I’m free to go?” I asked.

Bobert just nodded his head, but then a wide-eyed look of horror flashed on his face.

I was about to ask what happened, but I saw first Bobert, then the female agent, then everyone else who had come into the room suddenly panic and begin to duck. I turned around, to see a flying angel of death heading my way.

Crash!

On instinct I ducked my head and covered my face. Shattering glass is no joke.

From my bond I could feel Rayquel’s connection to me finally up in full force. Apparently, the glass had been created in such a way to mitigate the bond between a bonded pair.

“AHHH!” Rayquel screamed as she then began laying down suppressive fire at the already fleeing guards.

I looked up to see Rayquel covered in shards of glass, blood pouring from multiple wounds on her body. She looked like an angel of vengeance, and at once I smiled.

Then feeling her pain, even over her adrenaline induced high. I began casting Heal on her. She would still be covered in blood and glass, at least until she had a chance to wash off. But her wounds were healed.

“Get down on your stomach!” Rayquel cried out in Endarian.

I mirrored the command in Dwenvarian, to alleviate any confusion.

Stomp. Shuffle, stomp.

More footsteps could be heard storming the building. Apparently, the military had gone all out for this little rescue mission.

Elite Endarian troopers barged into the room, the first group held perimeter, while the second group came in and began tackling the different spies and Dwenvarian personnel in the room.

Everything was happening so fast that I failed to notice when General Tigran stepped in. “Oh, good you are still here.” The general said.

I raised an eyebrow at the question. “How did you know I could have gone through a rift in space?” I asked.

There was a moment of panic on the General’s face before she smoothly covered. “Rift? What rift? I was referring to them taking you to another facility.”

Her words seemed slightly forced. Even my Precognition-X was telling me something was odd what she was saying. Still, I was willing to dismiss this whole thing, as it looked like my little foray as a spy might be overlooked.

***

A few hours later, I realized that despite my good deed, I would still be punished.

“Look. Just because you managed to find the PI you identified from the stands. Then managed to both out and simultaneously neutralize them by sending them to another universe does not mean we are done here.” The General said.

Rayquel too looked hurt from everything.

“You were going to leave, until you realized you couldn’t take your stupid violin with you?” Rayquel said.

“What? Of course not. It was all a ruse. I had to buy for time.” I said. Then realizing something, I pulled up the item that was used to create the rift to my dimension. “Speaking of which, what do you think this thing is?”

The object was an odd sphere at the end of a long wire. I had no clue how such an item was to be used or held. All I knew was that it no longer seemed to be giving off the glow of energy it had before.

“Gg, give me that!” General Tigran said, worry etched in her voice.

Phew. Saved. I thought to myself, by the General’s sudden outburst and over blown reaction to my holding up the odd contraption.

Rayquel looked at me, as if to say she could still sense my pheromones. But then turned to the General who was acting odd from the start of this whole operation.

“What is that?” I asked.

“This?” She said, holding the item up, then carefully moving it around. “I don’t know what it is. But it does look dangerous.” She mused.

“Uh huh.” I said, realizing that she had a terrible poker face. Rayquel on the other hand looked confused at her.

Looking at Rayquel and feeling our connection through our bond I wondered. “What?”

Rayquel just shook her head. I could tell she would want to talk about this, but not now. That distraction was enough however as when I turned back, the General was already walking away. She gave orders to different people, and I realized our meeting was apparently over. Now that the General acted super shady about taking the one item of interest, something that was possibly an arcane artifact, before leaving a crime scene.

Finally, realizing I was still with Rayquel I asked. “So, what was that?”

“What was what?”

“Why didn’t you call her out on her obvious lie.” I quipped.

“I couldn’t tell that she was lying.”

“I breathe wrong, and you know I have bad thoughts or intentions. But the General looks clearly sketchy, and you can’t pick up a hint of deception?” I ask.

Rayquel just fidgets. “It’s just that you are so easy to read. Again, your pheromones are really distracting.” With that Rayquel blushes slightly.

I can tell that once again she has deep feelings for me. Feelings that are not likely to go away anytime soon.

“Yeah, well it is annoying. I can’t even think without worrying if you will harp on my thoughts.” I say frustratedly.

Silence.

After a long pause Rayquel finally asks. “Is that why you wanted to leave?” She asked, a pained tone to her voice.

“Is that what this was about?” I ask.

Then seeing the expression on her face, I breathe out. “No.” Then I pause, then decide to answer truthfully. “Yes. I don’t know…”

More silence.

“I don’t really know. I just know I don’t belong here. That this universe is not my own. I was offered a chance to leave, but then I realized all that I had worked for while here would be gone. I was willing to sacrifice most of it, but there were a few things I couldn’t let go of.” I say then patted the violin case, the one with the world tree seed.

“The seed?”

I nod.

“So, you stayed because you couldn’t take the world tree seed with you?”

“Look I didn’t want to leave. It was a shitty situation. Then when I looked at my universe. I realized I still had a lot here. Things that are worth holding onto.”

“But not me?”

“Oh my god. I nearly died. That monster, the PI. The same one that it took an army to take down previously. That one. I knew I didn’t stand a chance against it. That was why I decided to play along. Was the chance to go home tempting? Of course, it was. I can feel with every fiber of my being that I don’t belong here. That looking at Wizard me and his stupid way of life just makes me sick. The fact that we train day in and out to go on a Temple run that I feel will be yanked out from under us at the last second. The fact that all these monsters that we are finding here will likely need to be found in my home universe. The fact that I have a girlfriend there who is likely mourning me, while being mined raped by my asshole brother. So yeah, I have a lot of concerns. I don’t quite know what to do about any of it.” I state. By the end I am speaking so loudly that most of the crews who had been securing the area were clearly paying attention.

Rayquel opened her mouth once, then shut it. Then when she opened her mouth again to muted silence, she was saved.

“Perhaps I could offer an idea?” General Tigran said, coming from in between the gathered troops. The arcane artifacts clearly missing from her hands.

“What?” I ask, feeling suddenly very tired of the whole situation.

“What if we let…”