Digitas Chapter 4

Another massacre. Could this have been his handiwork again?

 

He is going to have to track this blood hunter down. He didn’t want to believe it but the evidence was getting stronger each passing day. Everything matches his suspicion. The killing style, the area, the blatant level difference in between players involved, all of it pointed to only one man.

 

“Split up. Bring him in. The pixels are fresh, he cannot have gotten far.” He remarked to his followers as he squatted down to feel the sand below him. The Grand Plains, home to every player fresh out of the newbie zone. How cowardly.

 

“Yes Commander!” his men saluted as they marched out in formation.

 

Too many problems, too little time. Just little over an hour ago, he had received the most disturbing news indeed. He had to warn the council, if what he heard was true, many lives were at stake. The council was meeting soon and there was no time to waste.

 

“You are late Commander.” A rough voice with heavy African accent was heard.

 

“My apologies. There was much to settle in the Grand Plains, and-“

 

“The rampant killings of one miserable scrub of a blood hunter is hardly a concern to us at times of war. I hope you set your priorities right.” The accented voice interrupted. “New Era is mustering its forces at our western border, taking advantage of the logout fiasco to break through our border guard with little resistance. They have a far superior force and would likely make a direct beeline towards our capital here.” The voice continued.

 

“And thus the fair warning, Ambassador-General. I have received word from an utmost reliable source that…that the deaths are real.” The man called ‘Commander’ choked as he reached the end of his sentence. “We have to call off the war, it’s too risky.” he continued, drawing from the silence from the council of two; a few participants were missing.

 

“What prove do you have of this? It is a serious allegation you bring dear.” a different voice sounded, a cool female one this time. The Guardian’s decorated heroine, Claire; took out an entire battalion of the enemy clan two months ago with a move deemed regionally as a refined form of art. She leaned to the side of her chin, raising her eyebrow as though challenging for the perfect answer.

 

“Do you have any idea how much this war means to us? Production, highest tier crafting, guild housing, taxes, access to at least 30% of end game content. New Era will ravage us weather this be true or not and you know it.” The Ambassador replied sternly.

 

“Do not pretend you don’t feel it as well, Xami.” The Commander replied eyeing the two main figures of the guild. “Logout disabled for a week, our scouts dropped and not re-spawning in the capital? At best, if this gets prolonged, this world will need proper governance, to avoid the chaos of the unknown. A war right now isn’t going to help.”

 

“Really? Say I believe you there, Commander. What does it matter? New Era is on the verge of victory. Do you think for one second that they will stop for an un-validated reason such as this? If we lose, what governance do we have? Our responsibility is to our clan, Commander. Never forget that.” Xami, the Ambassador replied, his voice vindicated, beads of sweat showing over his forehead as he massaged his bald head; a tell-tale sign of distress. The Commander has known him long enough to know that. “Your thoughts Claire?” Xami added, his throat now slightly dry.

 

Claire paused for a moment biting her lip. “The commander may be on to something here. This logout issue isn’t normal and people are starting to get nervous. Take it from someone who frequents the clan tavern, the atmosphere there has definitely changed.” Claire remarked slowly, as she stood up over the war table her long hair trailing down onto the map of Thousand Suns City, their guild-city and stronghold of the Guardians. “Doesn’t help that we don’t have Kirin with us as well. Even if we were to go to war, 3 of our units are insufficient to make much impact, if war were to happen it will be an uphill battle in defense. And there is this issue with Elle.” Claire paused, and looked apologetically at man called ‘Commander’

 

“How about diplomatic immunity? Divinity still owes us from the last war.” The Commander suggested, ignoring Claire after a brief frown.

 

“Negative. They are already caving in internally on their own and are too scared of New Era at their borders. They won’t be helping, I checked.” Xami replied grimly.

 

“How about Espada?”

 

“Half of them fuckers prefer us dead.”

 

“Well. Damn.”

 

“A decision dawns upon us gentlemen. I suggest we choose as quickly as we can. Time, is of utmost importance.” Claire replied her hands still planted firmly on the war table. “Well, what is it going to be?”