Play Testers Wanted Pt. 01

I continued and the predator followed. I sensed its curiosity. As night fell and its hunger returned, I repeated the trick and flushed two animals into its killing ground. I repeated this process over the next two days. I never saw the thing stalking me, but I felt it, felt its raw physical power, I felt its keen senses, and even its hunger became infectious. Sometimes it stalked the forest floor and other times it leapt from tree to tree along the highway of intertwined limbs. By the dawn of my third day I was closing in on my goal.

The ground had been rising for the last thirty-six hours. It was nearly noon when I reached a cliff edge and looked out over the valley below.

"Holy shit!" I cursed when I first laid eyes on the floating tower.

At least I think it was a tower. It was the shape and consistency of titanic black quartz crystal. Its raw mystical abilities allowed it to defy gravity. I could feel its power and it made my skin crawl. It was like being too close to a power plant. I bid the predator goodbye and leapt off the cliff slowing my fall and sliding down the tapered slope of the cliff wall. I wouldn't reach the tower before nightfall. I sought out a defensible location to settle in for the night. Only a fool attacks this kind of structure at night. I found an elevated outcropping that was only accessible from one direction. I took up my position and slipped into meditation to maintain my strength and hopefully sense any incoming attacks. The valley was bitter cold once the sun set. I could have lit a fire but that would have revealed my position. The predator had found its own way down into the valley. It kept itself hidden but it also didn't attack me. Maybe it was waiting for me to feed it. I couldn't help but chuckle. I performed a passive sweep and picked up several critters. I located them and instead of sending them to the predator I placed the location of the prey into the predator's mind. It never hesitated and went to work.

Sated the predator took up an elevated post near me. I looked in its general direction but couldn't see anything. It must be quite skilled at camouflaging and I returned my attention to the valley below. An unnatural silence had settled beneath while I was distracted. Something else was skulking around down there. I sent out another passive scan and came up with nothing. I was about to relax when I realized there were no living things below me. That didn't make any damn sense. I could pick up on insects if they were close enough. Why wasn't I detecting anything? Someone was cloaking their presence and they were between me and the valley.

"Fuck me!" I cursed as the predator roared.

A scream tore through the night as the beast slammed into the cloaked figure. I almost screamed myself as the assassin and predator rolled down the path intertwined. A loud crunch could be heard as the fangs of the beast bit through the man's throat nearly decapitating him. I turned away as it worked on its unexpected meal. I waited to inspect the corpse once the predator departed. I stripped the body of its armor and equipment. I carried my haul up to my perch and looked things over carefully. Once I officially claimed them, they disappeared physically and appeared in my inventory. Thankfully the blood and gore had been removed.

"Dark side armor," I read aloud. "Armor rating of 30... beats the hell out of what I am wearing. Ooh! It has a hidden hood and built in glide wings. Shit! I'll wear this all day long!"

It screamed assassin and had hidden pockets to increase the size of my inventory. I donned the armor and pulled up the hood. I held up my hands and frowned when I expected to be invisible. Oh well, can't have everything. I looked over his sole weapon a vibro-dagger. Damage was okay but I guessed that if he were to backstab me it would be multiplied. Talk about luck, thanks buddy. I thought as I watched the beast lie down near me. Now I knew why I never saw it before now, it had the ability to camouflage itself just like octopi do. Its smooth muscular body was covered with specialized cells that it could change at will just like octopus chromatophores. Its ability to blend into its environment was astonishing.

"Glad you are on my side." I muttered and the damned thing let out a loud rumbling purr.

The size of the beast was about the same as a large male tiger except for the six powerful legs it possessed. It's head was a blend of feline and reptile. It had two large peripheral eyes on the side if its head and four smaller one on the front giving it a huge field of view to stalk its prey. The jaws were powerful and its mouth was a blend of four large fangs and between them jagged teeth that reminded me of a piranha. It could piece the flesh of its foe with the fangs to kill it and then use the razor sharp teeth to cut and chew the flesh very efficiently. The retractable claws made it easy for it to climb and latch onto its food for a swift and merciful kill. In a word this thing was a predator, an apex hunter designed to survive.

I meditated until dawn and when I opened my eyes found the corpse of the assassin gone. The predator was gone too. Had it left or simply drug the body off to feast on it again? Either way I had to get moving. I had a tower to get into. If the assassin was from the tower was its master on the same level as Ventress? If so, I wasn't confident on my odds of successfully finishing this fetch quest. All I could do was my best. I performed a quick scan and found the forest back to normal. There was still no sign of the predator. I'll be honest, I felt naked without him or her. It could be a her. I laughed as I made my way down the path to the valley's floor. The alien scents of trees and flowers made the passage interesting. They had a distinct flowery scent, but they weren't smells I was familiar with.

There it was! The clearing stood out and dominating it were six obelisks. The stones were made of the same translucent crystal as the tower above me. Yeah, I looked up and examined the bottom of the floating tower. Wait... hold the fuck on! There were marks at the six corners of the ass end of the tower. Each of the obelisks had one of those runes dominating its surface. Sweet! This would easy.

"Okay, here we go. I'll be up there in no time." I said and man was I wrong. "Let's see how you fuckers move."

I squatted down and examined the base of each pillar. There was no obvious mechanism to move them. I searched the surrounding area for concealed levers or a control panel.

"Nope... nope... and nope! Fuck! So much for easy. I can't physically lift you assholes. Oh hell, I guess I'm going to have to use telekinesis. Alright, let's see how heavy you are."

I often talked to myself when I worked out problems and today was no different. I lifted one of the obelisks with difficulty. Most of the objects Ventress had me lift were the size of a basketball or smaller. She hadn't prepared me for this. I memorized the pattern I had to replicate on the ground and went to work. I'd swap two of them at a time and then in a mere three moves I'd have the solution. It wouldn't be easy, but it was doable.

"Here we go!" I sat in the center of the stones with my legs crossed and reached out.

I made the first swap. The stones rose up about a foot off the ground and moved to take the others position. I was covered in sweat and panting by the time I had mentally lugged them over and settled them into place. I grinned triumphantly when a bright flash of light filled the area. The stones were back to their original positions.

"NO! Fuck No! God damn it all to hell!" I cursed and then it hit me. "Aw fuck me sideways! I need to lift all six and move them in one move. Damn!" I closed my eyes and recuperated my energy before making my first attempt. "I can do this." I reached out and touched all six stones. "Upsy-Daisy."

It was like walking face first into a wall at full tilt. This was going to take time. I let go of my frustration and went to work. How many of them could I pick up? It didn't have to be over my head just off the damn ground. My first attempt was three. I could barely lift three of the damned things. I accepted it and worked on it. I stuck with those three and tried to raise them a foot off the ground. It was slow going. By nightfall I could raise them a mere three inches. I lay prone gasping as the sun set and I shivered when the temperature dropped, and my sweat froze. Instead of lighting a fire I went through all seven forms of combat Ventress had taught me. I called them out as I began them.

"Shii-Cho... ancient and forever. Makashi... two clash as one. Soresu... cut the arrow and endure. Ataru... attack and never relent. Shien... deflect and reflect like a mirror. Niman... the two headed serpent that strikes and parries. Juyo... whirlwind of anger and power." I muttered as I cleared my head through action. "That's not going to work."

While moving through the sequences empty handed cleared my mind a bit, I needed a focus for the forms. Just like I had as a kid I found a fallen tree limb the right length and thickness. It had those annoying random projections of smaller limbs. I found a second stick that would work and retreated to the circle of obelisks. I sat, took out the vibro-blade, and began cleaning the sticks. This too helped me clear my thoughts. I shaved off the annoying protuberances and then used my telekinesis as if it were sandpaper to clear the bark and any irregularities. It took all night but by dawn I had two amateur practice swords. I was quite pleased with my ability to use telekinesis to smooth the wood to perfection.

"Not bad, not bad at all." I said as I set the sticks aside and focused on lifting one of the obelisks as high as I could and then slowly lower it. "It is like mental weightlifting." I laughed as I spent hours strengthening my mental muscles.

When I began getting a headache, I would switch to sword practice. I began with sticking to one form but after a few days of this I alternated mid practice to switching from one style to another. If I did end up in a sword fight or combat in general, it would throw off my attacker. I found certain sequences of one form quite conducive to moves of another. Since I preferred Niman, the two-handed sword style, it improved on the general strength of the form and would hopefully keep me alive.

Two months later I was strong enough to lift the six stones a few inches off the ground and swiftly shift them to their prescribed positions. With a rumble like thunder the stones settled onto the ground. The air filled with the sound of crackling energy. I grabbed my practice swords and just before the teleportation initiated the predator reappeared and leapt into the circle. I blinked a few times and fought the urge to hurl. The nausea faded and the beast wagged its tail as if to say, do it again! I petted it on the top of its head and then froze remembering this was still a deadly alien apex predator. It didn't seem to mind; in fact, it rubbed its massive heavily muscled body against me.

"Okay boy... girl? Let's look around." I said and my voice echoed to the top of the huge vaulted chamber. "Whoa. Christian cathedral meets... hold on!" I said clasping the predator's shoulder. "Stop!" I said pointing at the black and white tiled floor. "See those?" I asked pointing to the golden masks arrayed on opposite walls of the entryway. "Their mouths are open... it reminds me of that scene in Raiders and the tomb of the golden idol. Watch and see." I said and used telekinesis to push on one of the black tiles four rows in. "Huh... nothing. Let's check the white ones." I said and barely had I applied pressure to the one next it that a dart flew from the one of the masks on the right-hand wall. "Stay here. This could be dangerous for you."

I tried each row alternating to make sure that each step I took was safe. It was a long and tedious process, but I reached the far side of the room and opened the great double doors. This shut down the trap behind me allowing the beast to follow. The space beyond looked like a museum. There were dozens of pedestals with glass cases on top of them. The glass was dark and frosted hiding their individual contents. I tested the floor around them, but this area appeared to be trap free, for now. I approached the nearest pedestal and the glass lightened and cleared. There was a human head inside. What the hell? Was this the home of a serial killer?

"That is Prince Geralt of Glantri City, he was my first." A deep cultured male voice said from behind me. "My very first assassination." He continued pride swelling in his voice.

"He looks... surprised." I noted and the speaker laughed.

"Damn right he was surprised. I took his head in one blow. My dai-ninjato sliced through flesh and bone like butter." He explained his voice losing its icy edge. "You son are one stubborn motherfucker."

"Why do you say that?" I asked and turned to face him. "Not what I was expecting."

He was a little shorter than I was. If I were to guess his ethnicity it would be American Indian, Navajo or perhaps Sioux. His hair was jet black and his eyes were a deep navy blue that somehow managed to catch the light no matter how he moved his head. Physically he was compact, hard as steel, and every gesture was precise, elegant, and potentially lethal.

"I get that a lot." He replied. "I like your solution to the puzzle below. It was slow but it got the job done."

"There was another way of getting up here." I said exasperated.

"Yeah. If you were to search around the perimeter of the stone circle there is a chessboard like device with the six stones represented on it. All you had to do was place them in the right location and the correct sequence." He laughed seeing my expression. "But uh hey, you get extra marks for tenacity."

"Well... fuck!" I cursed.

"I see you took out one of my two students. Good. He was a pompous ass. He was talented as hell but gods what an ego."

"I didn't kill him." I said as the master assassin rolled to the side just before the predator pounced.

"Holy shit! You tamed an Exomorph! I underestimated you!" He said laughing. "I am getting rusty in my old age. Look at you!" He continued looking at the 'decloaked' beast. "Gorgeous. Tell you what, you duel my remaining student. If you can best her, I'll give you the crystal you are looking for."

"Deal." I said. "Pardon me but you don't come off as an A.I." I told him and he laughed again. "Of course not, not all the people you'll meet are a machine intelligence. There are a few live minds in here. Morelen! You have a challenger!"

"Master." She said appearing out a cloud of inky darkness.

"Great entrance!" I commented and she stared daggers at me.

"You want that super soldier injection so bad... kick this guy's ass. Let's go to the dojo and see who's the better combatant."

"Yes, Master Anatari." She replied still glaring.

"Anatari?" I asked as we walked side by side.

"Anatari Baharr, it is old high elven for Nightwind or sometimes translated as Ravenstorm." He said proudly.

"Cool!" I whispered. "And Morelen?"

"Black Star or Ebony Sun." He replied.

There were other pillars with other heads. Most of them were human trophies, but many weren't. Many were beasts or rare or even unique monsters such as a Phoenix head or something called a Terrasque. There was a single room dedicated to the Terrasque's head. Partly for the fact that it was singular and unique, but mainly because it was of colossal size.

The dojo was a traditional Japanese structure and decorated appropriately. I could arm myself with whatever weapon or weapons I wanted for this encounter. Nightwind stood in a corner and when we were both prepared dropped a black handkerchief. Once it hit the floor, we went at each other. I played defensive until I got measure of her speed and skill. The masked woman was fast and deadly. If not for my telepathic skills she would have cut me in half a heartbeat into the conflict. I fell back into Makashi's defensive form and held her at bay. If I thought that her dynamic onslaught would tire her out, I was mistaken. She was a killing machine. I saw a momentary falter as her blade took an unusual bounce off the side of my weapon and I engaged her. I switched to form seven and went on the attack. It took her a moment to compensate and that nearly cost her the match. She was forced to somersault out of reach to keep from taking a serious arm wound.

I let her have her breather as I mentally assessed her fighting style. She had displayed an aggressive side but was that her only one? There was only one way to find out. She was moving towards the center of the dojo as I drew the second sword I had chosen to use. She never faltered yet her eyes narrowed noticeably. I took the offensive this time. Once she was in range, I launched myself into the air and attacked from above using the Falling Leaf technique. Surprised she awkwardly slashed at my legs but once I was in her face she was on the defensive and remained there. I didn't rely solely on my swords I also threw in the occasional foot sweep and spinning heel kick. She adapted marvelously and I pushed her harder.

I felt her frustration. It was hot and growing hotter by the second. I pressed my advantage as I released conscious control of my body to pure instinct. I knew her next more before she did. I pushed harder. Her will began to buckle and surrender was just in reach. Foolishly I disregarded her rage. It reached a flashpoint and even I couldn't foresee what happened next. She screamed. The compression wave released hurled me backward and my back connected with one of those thick sturdy wooden pillars. It broke and so did my lower back. I slid down my legs numb, and my weapons lodged firmly into the wall behind me.

"Fuck! The hurt!" I growled.

"Morelen, you know it is forbidden to use Kiai-jutsu during a duel." Nightwind said frowning.

"I am sorry Master. I will correct my mistake." She said closing the distance between us. "You will die an honorable death."

While I sat there helpless, I drew on my own rage. I had one tool left in my arsenal. I looked at the ornamental candles flickering as they illuminated the dojo. I wasn't forbidden from using my skills. Fire and rage blended until they were indistinguishable. I waited until she raised her sword before I struck. I lashed out and hit mid mass with a fist sized bolt of blazing energy. Morelen dropped her weapon as her knees gave out and she fell incapacitated to floor.

"I die spitting in your eye." I snarled. "Go ahead... do it."

"Do what?" Nightwind chuckled. "She broke my rules, why should you be punished?" He mused as he stroked his chin. "I have two choices. I kill you and erase your memory of your time here. I would of course place the crystal of your choice in your inventory. Or." He said drawing out the word. "I take you on as my second student. I can only have two at a time. I leave it to you. You can spend six in game months studying with me or I mind wipe you. The Kiai-jutsu technique is far too precious to have people flocking here only to be turned away."

"Six more months?" I said as the pain in my back faded. I checked my HUD and I was slowly healing. "What else can it do?"

"I knew it." He said smiling. "Let's speed things along shall we."

He gestured and he activated the uniform I had gotten from his previous student. I could now regenerate HP much faster. Once I could wiggle my toes I got to my feet. As I leaned against the broken pillar, he gave me a rundown of what I was about to endure. I couldn't contain my smile. Once I was fully healed, he fixed the pillar and restored poor Morelen to consciousness.

"He's still here... aw hell no... welcome to the House of Jana Sin... brother." She said as I gave her a hand up. "Nice shot. What did you hit me with?"