Earth Time (IRT): Day 3

Ethos: Day 6

News Outlets: Scrolling banner flashes the interview time for Angela Maher’s update on virtual life in Ethos.

The queen continued with small talk for several minutes prior to clapping her hands. At this signal, several women run forward and drop to their knees, laying coffers to ground.

“Asura, you are our hope of reaching Logos once again. You and the others like you hold our future. I'm naming you nobility with lands as yet awarded. But, with this title comes certain rights and funds.” She smiles and continues, “First, you owe no monies to the crown for your training, room, board or clothing. Second, the personal affects of the last succubus are now your property. Third, you are a ward of my line. Finally, you will attend a conclave of nobles ceremoniously cementing these decrees. But, as of today and forever more you are added to this royal house’s bloodlines and recieve the authority and duties therefor.”

Holy Fuck. Did she just put a leash on me?

Bowing low, “You honor me. Are there immediate duties or expectations?”

“If you are asking if I plan to control your actions, the answer is no. I understand that you answer to Varuna. This is a formality to protect you in your endeavors.”

Can I believe she isn’t trying to control me? Why in the hell make me part of her house?

Changing the subject Queen Lillith asks, “Tell me about the communication with others like yourself. The others arriving to live here in Ethos.”

I explain the differences from those living Full-Immersion or FI vs. players. We discuss guilds, quests and expectations of the gamers, including PvP.

Queen Lillith comments, “I think I want to recruit the... FIs, as you call them.” And then asks, “Do you think they will live among the elder races?”

“Yes, I believe many will do that. How will you recruit?”

The queen grows a large smile, “Why, you of course. I believe that you will make a great liaison for the elder races. During your communications tomorrow invite the FIs to join us.”

I try clearing my throat, “This will shock people.”

Taping my chin I ask, “I have duties to Varuna and will not take responsibilities of those that accept the elder race’s invitation.”

I have a caveat, “Queen Lillith, I am direct in my communications and my first comment is; I am not their babysitter, nor their keeper. I will not take responsibility for their actions.”

I look at Ishtar and then the other mentors. My usual routine, on Earth, was agreement. I never turned down the extra duties and responsibilities.

Isn’t that what I always did in the military. They say never volunteer, but I always did. Can I have the old me mixed with a new me? Powers to go with my sense of adventure? Can I fix the mistakes of my past? The reason’s I continuously beat myself up about. Will I look back and wish I grabbed this chance? Look back like I do with past mistakes in my leadership? I can use the past and make my future better. I learned to lead; I made mistakes. Now I can make things better. Prove that I am not that angry person.

Queen Lillith’s look goes hard, “Do you except this charge?”

Bowing, “Yes, Queen Lillith. I will act as your liaison.”

Then I ask, “What message shall I deliver?”

Her answer is simple, “My counselor here will go over the details.”

Finishing this statement, the queen rises and attendants walk her out, leaving us with a senior adviser. Anu rises into the air and flows onto my back. In a low voice the adviser commands the attendants to open the coffers. As the lids opened all I see gold.. a lot of gold.

Holy fuck load of gold.

I noticed the queen and others wearing layers of gold but, my mentors did not display this penchant for ornamentation. In my former life this qualifies as a Mr. T starter set.

The Mr. T starter set shall never be forgotten... total legend in his own right...

Callisto whispers, “I may contemplate thieving your jewelry. Outside of the highest nobility and the queen herself, I have had few opportunities to see such wealth easily displayed.”

Effrion cuffs Callisto upside the head as Ishtar pulls out several items to place around my throat, wrists, upper arms and around my forehead. “There is no better way to show affluence. Nobles here use gold as a sign of wealth and power.”

As Ishtar finishes placing the jewelry on me the aid speaks, “I am here to offer the queen’s guidance on your communication with... Earth?” She ends her statement with a question.

I nod my head ‘yes’ and ask, “And you are?”

With a bow of her head she introduces herself, “I am Lady Dang Ozkan.”

“Thank you, Lady Ozkan.” I reply and return her bow.

“The queen wishes to establish communications with people that will visit this realm. We also understand that the God Varuna and yourself desire discretion, correct?”

“Yes, we worry about those that wish harm within the realms. I want my location, skills and abilities on the down low for as long as possible.” I answer.

I see quizzical looks at my phrasing. “Down low means to keep information to ourselves.”

Continuing I explain, “Most of the people coming consider themselves players and will visit for the fun. That fun equates to total mayhem and chaos. Others will visit to perform heroic actions and make themselves feel better about their lives back on Earth. This place is not real to them and they visit for themselves only. With people coming to Ethos as players, communications with the peoples of Ethos may appear comical. What kind of person reasons with a game?”

“Then there are those like me. We will become full residents of Ethos. For them, Ethos is real and worth reasoning with.”

That's my guess, anyway. At least in the beginning... I wonder how many people will treat Ethos as a place to vacation? What the hell am I thinking, there are monsters here. Vacation? Really?

I see the thoughts running through Lady Ozkan’s mind as she asks, “Tomorrow’s ‘news press’ is with players?”

I nod ‘yes’.

Then Lady Ozkan, “Tomorrow ask for immigrants. We will provide initial training and basic housing arrangements. Thier transition to this realm is a benefit for our peoples, we will ease the process.”

Wow, wasn’t expecting that...

Lady Ozkan bows deeply and our conversation breaks down into tactics between talks with the players vs. FIs. The lady is crafty and between her, my mentors and I we have a basic plan for the upcoming new release.

No engagement survives initial contact. We may have plans, but I doubt it till go the way we hope.

After we wrap up the strategy session Ishtar leads us through the maze of floating rooms, across islands and to his private complex. It is truly a masterful complex. A floating palace on a lake.

My stomach is growling. I missed lunch because the of the wardrobe fitting and meeting with the queen. Heck, it’s been a very long day.

I see Boonsri upon our arrival and give her a smile and hug.

She steps back with a bow and says, “Let me help you out of the overdress. Then sit and have refreshments.”

I do as she says, while other servants take the men’s tunics and leave us to eat. It is a lovely area. We sit in a floating room surrounded with fans and swaying silks. It is an intimate environment with the setting sun, croaking frogs, crickets and the lonely call of birds. We sit on pads on the floor at low tables eating from bowls of different fresh and fermented foods. Sides of rice lay about the table with sides of cooked meats each in a different sauce.

The table is quiet while we catch up on food. Then Callisto expresses an idea at the end of our meal. “Let's go to the warehouse.”

“Absolutely not.” Ishtar replies.

Effrion shrugs his shoulders, “Why not? We trained there.”

“Yes, we did, in our reckless youth. I believe that the training salle is better.”

Callisto barks a laugh, “That's bullshit and you know it.”

Curious I ask, “The Warehouse and your earlier years?”

Callisto jumps in, “Oh yeah. Ishtar was fun in the past. We partook of many activities he now deems ‘bad’.” He finishes with air quotes around bad.

Effrion laughs, “Drinking, fighting, and womanizing. Great times.”

Ishtar finally breaks into a grin, “It has been a while from my last visit. Let's change and head out. Asura have Boonsri grab a dark outfit that can get dirty.” I leave smiling because dressing to get dirty leads to fun.

Boonsri picks out black trousers that stop mid-calf and gather up on the inseams and the outside. The top is a wrap around affair in midnight blue. She wraps it tight and takes the end over one shoulder to attach it to the back... somehow. Soft black sandals finish the outfit. It feels freeing. No leathers, no formal dress... its like jeans and t-shirt freeing.

Instead of walking out the front door, we exit the home out of a servant’s entrance. It is dark and I am trying not to giggle at the four of us sneaking out. Callisto leads us from alley to alley until we reach an area far from the palace. From there we take to the rooftops.

The rooftops are enlightening. Hidden walkways and alcoves let me know these paths are well traveled. It is on the rooftops we run, jumping from rooftop to rooftop. I am circling my area sense, pushing it out as far as I can reach. I feel people below us, in their homes, unknowing to the travel happening above their owns heads.

It must be the dark that helps my fear of heights, or the speed we are traveling. I want to keep up with the three demon lords and this pushes me into faster travel. I can’t help the huge shit-eating grin plastered to my face as we come to a stop in a large warehouse area near the docks.

Callisto leads us down the side of a building using a drain pipe. Heading one block over we stop in front of a warehouse with guards standing out front of a dark doorway. The guards nod their heads at Callisto and allow us entrance to the dim interior. I am still surprised at the change in Ishtar. I can see smiles and hear mischief in their voices. I like this side of him.

The interior of the building is a huge tavern. The air was smoky; it smells of unwashed bodies and beer. We press our way through the mass of people and to a set of stairs leading upwards, to an area blocked off with tables overlooking the crowd below.

We find a table by the railing to watch the activity below. A very shapely barmaid comes over for our order and comes back with beers. Effrion raises his mug, “To a night of drinking and training... at least for Asura.” Laughing, we tap our mugs together and drink our beers.

I see why they wanted to come here. One half of the warehouse includes an indoor, three-story area that puts the agility space at the training salle to shame. Ishtar’s is simple. All one level, yes up in the rafters, but still only one level. This is three levels of craziness. Ropes, chains, rafters, bars, swinging obstacles, and men and women jumping and chasing each other. It seems there are teams trying to steal streamers from each other.

People yell out to their favorites and I hear bets made on the outcome. I catch my breath seeing a figure tumble from the second level. Right before the body hits the floor, an invisible barrier cushions their fall. I assume this saves broken bones.

Callisto explains the purpose of the Warehouse. The thieves, rogues, pirates, and assassins come here to enjoy themselves, take new contracts, share information and play games of chance. Younger demons in training use the three-story area to improve skills and increase their ranking among the other trainees. Many use this to raise their reputations, take contracts or join the various guilds.

Thieves have a special system set up in the tavern for training. Those willing to take part, pick up a colored pouch and attach it to their belts. The thieves ‘in-training’ can spend the evening trying to lift the pouches without being caught. It makes for a very rambunctious crowd.

Effrion orders a round of shots, we make another toast and throw back the drinks. It is smooth, warm and kicks at the end. Oh my, I have a new favorite. It’s an elvish drink, expensive but worth indulging in. They grin and warn me to watch out, it has a hell of a kick. Ishtar orders one more round of the elvish drink.

I can’t believe how my life is turning out. From missing a leg, screwed up arm and blind in one eye in my mid-forties to a twenty-ish demon, sexy as hell, who met the queen and is now in an infamous tavern throwing back drinks. And to top it off, my mentors are three attractive demon lords.

I can feel the succubus power needing release. I am not ready for it to come out and push the energy back down within myself. I will get to that later. Realizing that I can act as I wish about sex and having fun. Yes, I have responsibilities I wasn’t expecting, but I will take it for this kind of life.

The exuberance of life burns within me. I realize the prospect of training with others in the three-story contraption energizing. I don’t feel the fear, only the challenge. I can’t wait.

Hearing a cough behind us, we turn seeing a guard ask us to meet with the Old Man. It doesn’t sound like a request. The men nod their heads and stand, leading me down a short corridor. The guys act unconcerned so I stay relaxed. We stop in a huge office with a window overlooking the entire tavern.

Huh, I didn’t see this window from our table, magic maybe?

A man stands looking out the window with his back to us as we walk in. We wait a few breaths before the man turns around. He looks to be in his forties, so he was around Argus’s age I guess. My three look to be in their 30s and I in my 20s. This makes it difficult to judge age in the elder races. I guess the Old Man is around 500 years-old. He is an elder by his features.

The Old Man walks in front of his desk and sits down on it, looking at us and then stares at me. “So, Callisto, rumors have arrived on swifter feet than you arrived with. It seems you have found something valuable.” He was still staring at me.

Crooking a finger at me, “Come forward.”

I step forward until I am a few steps away. Standing, the Old Man walks around me. This is a little nerve-racking, but I have gone through hundreds of inspections and know how to keep my face neutral. Stopping close in front of me the Old Man looks into my eyes.

Looking into his eyes without blinking I ask, “Do I get a kiss after the inspection?”

He chuckles, “Ballsy.”

Sitting back down on his desk he says, “Let me feel your power.”

I don’t wait for approval from Ishtar; I go slow and gradually push my aura at him. I know he is testing me, but I don’t know why. I feel resistance as he slowly pushes his power outwards. We both continue slowly adding power. To up the ante I add succubus’s call into my aura. I push arousal towards him and watch for a reaction.

He continues pressuring me, but I am almost out of energy to push further. I continue down the succubus route and add desire and longing to my call.

The Old Man stops, “You win. I don’t want to tackle a succubus.” Then he gives me a sly look, “Not right now that is.” And swiftly continues, “But I digress, why are you three here? And if I am correct, the champion from the prophesies? That is rumor anyway. Oh, and a Duchess?”

Callisto answers, “Why… what we always want. Fun, mayhem, drinking, games of chance, and let Asura train with the others here in your home.”

“So, you plan to train her the same as you three miscreants trained?”

Ishtar gives a firm, “Yes.”

And let the fun begin.