The Spires

The glass spires of the central building ascended above the cloud line, disappearing into the heavens. The expanse of property amassed an entire city block, and was decorated with flowing fountains, rose gardens, monumental archways and garden paths. Players milled about in this central area, as it was a local meeting place for guilds, clans, friends and lovers. I saw couples having picnics on the artificial riverbanks, whispering sweet nothings and enjoying the sun that beamed down over the flower fields.

I adjusted my sword on my back as I strolled down the central lane, toward the massive glass doors that lead into the Scythes Spire. In the official registry, this building was meant to house guild headquarters. Various guilds and clans filled out an application if their status was high enough to earn a place in the Spire. As Mikado was one of the furthest levels that had been cleared, many of the up and coming guilds established their base here. Vane wandered a few paces behind me, his expression pensive as he stared over the gardens. I looked above his head to his cursor icon, which blared a bright orange compared to its pale green before.

"How did you do it?" I asked. My face forward, I kept my voice even. All sorts of scenarios were running through my mind, I flashed back to the video of the little girl, being pushed into the dirt. My fists clenched at my sides. Vane raised his head slightly.

"What do you think I did?" His tone lifted in a sarcastic melody. I narrowed my gaze at him and turned on my heel, continuing the journey forward.

"You're sick." I spat. I picked up my pace and a hand grabbed my arm and spun me around. I was turned so I was facing Vane.

"Fayre, I used a system access code to change my cursor. What kind of person do you think I am?" His eyes were narrowed, his face stern. His grip on my arm was tight. My shoulders relaxed, I shook my head to clear it. I pulled my arm out of his grasp, and crossed my arms over my chest.

"I just don't know what to believe anymore." I admitted. I thought I had a sense of who he was: valiant, kind, patient, a savior. I had been idolizing him in my head, and all of those preconceptions had come crashing down. Did I really believe he would hurt someone?

"Believe in what you've seen." He said, shaking his head. He left me standing there and continued walking. I paused for a moment in thought, staring at his confident stroll as he headed towards the large glass doors. I scurried to catch up to him.

He held open the door for me, and I slide past him to get inside, I felt the warmth and heat radiating from his body, a shiver passed down my spine. I schooled my features to look expressionless and disinterested as we faced the crowds of players swarmed within the Spires.

The interior of the building was deceptively large, the central lobby was a large anteroom with a ceiling that could view up to the top of the spire, wrought-iron winding staircases spiralled to the top floor, filled with players running up and down the steps. I followed Vane's lead, assuming he knew where he was going as he headed for the sprawling staircase. We began our ascent, I could hear my heart pounding in my ears. My palms began to sweat. Walking into the den of criminals.

I stared down at the outfit Vane had picked out for me and had to struggle not to roll my eyes once again. I was wearing a sleek breastplate, that hugged my curves and had intricate iron work on the front. The piece had pieces cut out in large triangles on each hip, exposing skin. The breeches I wore were of a dragon scale mail, intricate metal work that wound its way around my legs, with sections of the thighs exposed. I struggled not to cross my arms over myself, but I held my head high and put my shoulders back, I tried to walk with a confident step.

As we reached the thirteenth floor, Vane entered through an open doorway to the right, exiting the spiral staircase. A long maze of corridors lay before us, dimly lit with what looked like glowing orbs that hovered near the ceiling. Various locked doors lined the walls. We walked forward down the corridor, Vane took a left, then a right, then a left again, winding us into the labyrinth of this building.

We finally we reached what looked like the end of the corridor, at the very end of the hall were a large wooden set of double doors. A silver plaque rested on the door, which held no words, but merely a symbol: two scythes crossed. A shiver ran down my spine. Vane stopped in front of the doors and looked to me.

"Are you ready?" He asked, raising a brow. I took a deep breath and blew it out through my mouth. I met Vane's gaze and nodded my head in agreement.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be." I whispered. I kept the cruel images going through my mind to the forefront, I tried not to focus on what I was about to do. These people hurt, they killed. They robbed and took advantage. I didn't know what was going to greet me beyond those doors. I had to prepare for anything. I felt a hand on my arm.

"Fayre, I'll be right out here. I'll have to join them another day, or we'll look too suspicious. When you come out wander down the hall and follow the path we took, I'll find you outside." I nodded my understanding.

Vane nodded and knocked on the massive wooden doors. The knock echoed throughout the corridor, bouncing off of the walls. The door shook, then slowly cracked open, it creaked and moaned as the heavy door swung inward. Vane stepped back and disappeared down one of the side hallways out of sight. I swallowed, and stepped through the wooden doors.

On the other side was a vast anteroom, decorated with marble statuary and tapestries. Rows of tables and benches lined the far side of the room, with groups of people sitting and drinking steins full of mead. They laughed and tossed back their heads, their faces twisted in sneers. Closer to me there were various couches and armchairs, filled with people lounging around. In the centre of the front of the hall, there was a raised dais with what appeared to be a throne. The throne was carved from mahogany, and was twice the size of the man seated on it.

The man seated on the throne was tall, probably around six feet in height. He was well built and muscular, I could see his biceps bulging beneath thick plate armour that covered his entire body. His head was exposed without a helmet. His dirty blonde hair fell in waves around his tanned face. His chiseled shaw was taught in a stern expression. His sea green eyes surveyed the crowd of people. He had a long scar that descended from the corner of his eye to his mouth. He held a stein of mead in his hand and he took a long sip.

As I walked into the room the conversation quieted, eyes turned to me. I took slow steps toward the centre of the room. My footsteps echoed through the chamber. The players around put down their mugs, I saw a few of them place their hands on their weapons. The man sitting on the throne, who I assumed was Axel, smirked and threw his head back in a laugh.

"Look who's here – Fayre! Come to save us the trouble of finding you?" His voice rang out through the hall. I swallowed, taking a deep breath. I let a smirk play about my blood red lips, I swayed my hips as I walked forward.

"Not quite, Axel. I heard you could use some help clearing the dungeon." I let my cursor show, blaring a bright orange. "I think I've got what you're looking for." I winked.