POV: Kyle Payne

  The gate guard in Sterlingstead was a quite post. One that required discipline and devotion to the law. I am one such guard. I am the Sargent in charge of the northern gate farthest gate from the Forge of Creation the volcanic fortress who's shadow the city was built. Ten other guards and one wizard that are posted here today.

  Today was an unexpectedly dull day for us. Only ten travelers came through without incident and it being dinner time the gate would close for the night in an hour. I sat a distance from the rest of the garrison and silently listened to their gossip. I had already heard all of it but he listened anyway as I didn't disrespect this city by playing cards while on duty. This city gave me a chance and I wanted to give it back in any way possible.

  I jumped slightly as a crisp voice addressed me, “Sergeant Payne.” Turning my head to the direction of the voice. It was a cat-woman dressed in mage robes.

  “Natsumi, how may I help you?” I was respectful to her even though she was a subordinate of mine. We had worked together for many years. She is a 9th tier magic user, meaning her level in a magic class was in the 90s. But she still was respectful to me.

  “The detection device is getting a strong reaction approaching the city,” the young cat stated dryly.

  I went pail, “How strong.”

  “I don’t know. The device can only rate up to a 8th tier magic caster, even so it is powerful,” her cold voice informed.

  “Otten,” I called out to the group of guards.

  A halfling jogged over promptly, “Sir.”

  I scribbling out a message on a piece of parchment and handing it to the halfling, “Take this to Central Command.”

  The Otten's jolly face harden, “Yes sir. Problem coming?”

  “Maybe,” I said shortly.

  POV: Victor Sterling

  As we approached the gate, I saw the guards coming out to meet us but they were tense. Spears brandished with white knuckles. This was fear in their hearts, but their resolve was steel. What did they know?

  “Are they normally this tense?” I asked Sophie.

  “No,” she responded in a confused voice, “and its about double what they normal post at a gate.”

  We approached under the hard concerned gaze of the thirty two guardsmen. One was dressed in a robe and the face of a cat. The rest in leather armor holding spears numbered sixteen were humans, a halfling, two dwarfs, a dragon-kin, an elf, three naga, five hobgoblins, a gnome, and an arachnie. This is a mixed city, that was unexpected.

  The guard that seemed to be in charge, a human, spoke up, “Our mage detected a strong magic user approaching, are they among you?” He eyed both me and Arthur.

  Arthur responded promptly, “I am Arthur Voidthorn. I am a user of the 7th tier. Is that the power you detected?”

  “No. The power detected was greater then the 8th tier,” the guards mage told him directly

  I guess the jig was up. “My name is Victor. I am a magic user but I don't know how you would rate me. I know not of the wider world.”

  The mage whispered something to the commander. He leveled his gaze on to me, “Come with me we have questions.”

  “Okay,” the anxiety in my voice was easy to hear.

  I was escorted by the mage, the commander, the dragon-kin, and one of the dwarfs. We entered the guard house and entered the first door to the right. It was an interrogation room. The commander indicated one of the seats next to the table in the center. He sat in the chair opposite of me.

  Stolen story; please report.

  He began, “I am Sergeant Kyle Payne, this is Natsumi a high level magic caster. Why do you hide your face?”

  After a moment of his gaze boring down on me, I caved, “I am a half breed. The other race I have read that is hated and feared.”

  “What is your other half? Oni? Orc? Harpy? Lamia? Sphinx? Kobold?” I shook my head at everyone of his guesses.

  I sighed and spoke, “Please don't react harshly.” He nodded in agreement, I continued, “I'm a dampire. Half elf, half vampire.”

  His eyes narrowed, “Do you have 'the thirst'?”

  “No, I can sustain my self on normal food.” In the game I had spent one of my early perk points to eliminate the racial negative of 'the thirst'. While I can still satiate myself with blood, I don't need to.

  “That should be fine then,” Payne conceded. He looked at the cat mage and nodded to her.

  The mage spoke next, “I must inform you that I need to perform an Analysis on you. This is in accordance with the laws of the city.”

  I just looked at her blankly. In the game Analysis skill and spell was countered by Status Concealment of a greater level and rank. I have both at Perfected of level 100, the highest that could be attained. If both were at the same level the one with the most experience. In my head I quickly selected what I will let her see.

  Natsumi cast her spell, “[Lesser True Analysis].” She closed her eyes as the information entered her mind. She recited it off as she came to know it, “Victor Drake, Half-vampire Half-elf, level 55 Smith, level 10 Scribe, level 25 Enchanter, level 30 Wizard, level 10 Spellsword level 45 Psion, level 35 Alchemist.”

  “So he was telling the truth!?” he stated in amazement, then under his breath, “Wow a caster of at least the 10th tier caster so rare,”

  “Yes.” Turning back to me, Natsumi asked, “May I examine your staff? I've never seen one like that.”

  “Sure,” I replied uneasily.

  Upon receiving my staff she began looking at it. Then I remembered a single part of the enchantment on all my high level equipment, including the staff. I mentally kicked myself for forgetting that enchantment, but I managed to keep my face normal as she examined it.

  “[Lesser True Identify],” once her spell cast her eyes widened and looked straight at me. She spoke to the commander without breaking eye contact, “Can Mr. Drake and I have a moment alone Sergeant Payne?”

  “Are you sure? I still don't trust him,” he was, rightfully, still suspicious of me.

  “Trust me, it will be for the best,” she told him flatly.

  Payne and the other guards left the room. I heard the door creek open and slam shut, but Natsumi and my eyes remained locked on each other.

  After a moment she cast a spell, “[Room of Confidence].” I knew this spell it was a spell the prevented you from being overheard or eves dropped on. Once the spell took effect she dropped to one knee and bowed her head. Her hands were out stretched to hand back Extinction of Insanity. She then spoke, “Please forgive my insolence, Lord Sterling.”

  I stood up from the chair, and took my staff from her hand. One of the enchantments that only I can channel magic through it or use any of it's abilities, the offender would then have the effect turned against them. It was an enchantment that I had nearly forgotten.

  “Please stand up,” I sighed, “and can you tell no one. I'm not ready for the spotlight.”

  “I understand, but you must know that in five days your friend the goddess Empyrea will come to the city in her yearly attempt to make contact with you. We call this event the Festival of the Sleeping God, thousands come for the event,” Natsumi explained coolly, “Could you make your self known then?”

  Things are going to get complicated, but how complicated. “Is she the only god to come?” I asked quietly.

  “In the past many gods came, but only Lady Empyrea is the only one who always comes.” That was the last question I had at the moment, so I turned to leave, “Wait. May I ask what you intend to do about the God War?”

  I stopped, “God War?”

  “Empyrea and six other gods have been fighting the remaining twelve gods to determine how the gods are to rule the world. Empyrea and her allies are known a the Protector Gods. The other twelve are the Plundering Gods.”

  “I see. I don't know what I'll do, but I think I will reveal myself at the festival,” With that I put my hand on the door, the mage stood, and the spell ended.

  As I exited the door Natsumi pleaded one last time, “Please think about it.”

  “I will.”

  Payne looked at her with confusion. The members of the caravan had worried looks mixed with the confusion. We left in silence as the adventurers' stairs bore into me.

  POV: Kyle Payne

  I watched as the strange half vampire walk away. Turning to Natsumi, I asked, “What was that about?”

  The feline mage turned and looked at Payne for a noticeable amount of time before speaking, “I made a promise, so I can not tell you. But it was about the change coming in the near future.”

  Payne studied Natsumi and could tell there was no changing her mind. After working with her for years he knew that her word was everything, but it was something she just didn't give out to anyone. Payne contemplated her words and actions.

  “What did she see? The staff is the key,” he mumbled to himself, “and he appears to be one of the highest level man in the world.”

  Natsumi frowned at that, “210 levels is all he showed us.”

  My head whipped around just in time to see her walk away.