Chapter 67

Etson Square, Etson - 6:21 PM

I didn’t expect any of Father Alexander’s goons to follow me out of the theater, and I had been right. Arnold and Russel had been sufficiently cowed by my willpower, and Phillip wouldn’t dare come after me without his precious spear. Anna, as an Empathic Healer, had no combat power until after the first scenario limits were lifted and she could get the ability to pass her wounds to an enemy, so of course she didn’t chase after us.

We left Etson Historic Theater to find that many of the people in the Square were already looking in our direction. Of course a meeting between their leader and the man who took down the biggest monster they’ve seen yet would be a big deal. The crowd went silent as we emerged from the building, but I paid them no mind. Instead, I started heading towards the gazebo near the center of the Square. The crowd gave us a wide berth, so making it to our destination was easy.

“Keep an eye out, but don’t take action,” I said to Jeff as we made it to the center unmolested. “And get out if there’s any heat.”

“I’ll keep an eye out,” Jeff responded.

With a tilt of my hat to Officer Miller, the old policeman who was working registration at the Square today, I jumped and began pulling myself onto the rickety gray gazebo. It was an old but recently reinforced structure, and I wasn’t afraid of it collapsing or anything despite the way it swayed. Clearing my throat, I looked over the crowd. Men and women, elders and children, combatants and workers all watched me in strained silence.

I lifted the bowling ball and began spinning it on my finger as if it were a basketball. My reflection could clearly be seen in the golden sheen, and I took a breath. As the momentum died down, I put my fingers back into the holes and let the regulation breaking thirty pound ball rest at my side. I took another breath.

“Good evening, Etson Square!” I boomed. “My name is Anthony Franklin. Some of you were here for my outburst yesterday. As you can probably guess, going two on one against a giant flying tentacle monster powerful enough to break a safe zone can be stressful.”

I began walking around the gazebo, catching as many eyes as I could. The Square seemed packed, as though there were far more people than usual. I picked out a few pockets of people who were a part of Thomas’ group and guessed they got the word out. When I met eyes with Thomas himself, he repeatedly pointed at the ground as if to tell me to get down from the gazebo.

“Good to see you, Tommy Brown,” I said, pointing at the man. “Thomas wants me to get down from the gazebo because it’s dangerous for me up here. Like the stand up guy he is, he’s worried for my safety. Not from the gazebo, of course. They’re dangerous creatures, but this one is tame.” I got a few chuckles for that one.

“I’m sorry, Tommy, but what I have to say cannot be silenced. I’m sorry that I’m about to upset some people, I’m sorry for ruining your fine evening, I’m even sorry if I taught your children a couple new swear words yesterday. But I’m not here to shill apologies; I am here to appeal to each and every one of you.”

My path was short, and I continued circling. “There is no way to sugarcoat what I’m here for, people of Etson. I want to take the fight straight to the Vespae while they’re not expecting us.”

A pulse of whispers and curses fell through the crowd, though when I held up my bowling ball most of the people had gone quiet again. “The last thing I want is to disturb the peace,” I yelled while standing atop the most central structure on the Square. “But the rules we have been forced to play by are not meant to be fair for us. War is not won by waiting for the enemy’s turn. War is won by striking decisively while your enemy has not had time to become adequately prepared. This wait the system has placed on us should not be a dreaded countdown towards a suggested annihilation, but a timer that tells us that the time to strike is upon us!”

A few voices I recognized gave me some yells of acceptance throughout the crowd. I took a deep breath and lowered my voice. The silence was deafening, and I allowed my words to be carried upon it. “I have seen you, people of Etson, as you lift each other up. Fight for each other. Save each other. All around us, miraculous acts of healing take place in this very Square.”

My eyes caught Emily’s, who was standing deep in the back of the crowd. I gave her a small nod and she responded with a middle finger and a scowl. Understandable. My gaze was about to leave her when I saw a masked figure in dark robes not too far behind her. The mask they wore was shaped and colored like a cow’s skull complete with horns. I didn’t recognize it, but they tilted their head downward as my eyes met the dark holes where theirs were supposed to be. Now wasn’t the time to worry about who this was.

I let the passion I felt for the city infuse my voice again. “People of Etson, I have seen you! I have seen your battles a thousand times. I have joined them a hundred more. As I walk these streets, I have seen how you help your community defeat the monsters life has placed on their path both metaphorical and real. I have seen your pride, your relief, and your grief. It is this Etson that I call upon for aid.”

The crowd was beginning to puff up as I praised them, and I could see determination begin to creep over the people I made eye contact with. My eyes met with Father Alexander and his inner circle on the steps of the theater. They hadn’t interrupted yet, and I wondered what they were waiting for.

“I have seen you,” I repeated, quieting myself. “That's why I know that this city is ready. Others would have us wait for a fancy floating screen to tell us that we need to defend ourselves, that we need to be subservient to the disembodied words of the one who spoke to us once and has been silent since.”

That got a few mixed cries from the crowd. “I am not here to challenge your beliefs, Etson Faithful,” I said as I raised my hands. “I am only here for volunteers. Those of you who have gone out to fight, whether it’s for the people, or gear, or just points, I am here for you. You have seen how grizzly the world has become. You have witnessed firsthand how messed up the world is. Tell me, what do you think will happen if we wait for the Vespae to be ready to conquer us?”

“We’re going to get rolled over!” I heard Kayla yell from somewhere in the crowd.

“We gotta strike first!” I heard another yell.

Then, a deep, distorted voice rang out over the crowd. “Anthony is right! If Etson waits, then Etson will fall!” The crowd all turned to look at the cow skulled man who had moved to stand atop a bench, his arms in the air. Those around him moved back, as if frightened by his existence.

“It’s foolishness!” Father Alexander finally spoke. “The Etson Faithful will do as they have always done and live by the tenets of the system.”

“As they have always done, he says!” I repeated, jumping on the opportunity. “Father Alexander says he has faith in the system, but he has filled your head with fire and brimstone. That is his way, but not mine. I'm not telling you that it's wrong to be afraid, I'm telling you that I've seen how brave you already are. How could he say otherwise when he doesn’t leave his theater? How can he understand how powerful you all are when he does nothing to help but send his friends to watch over you like petty landlords?”

“I paid ten points for healing not twenty minutes ago!” A man called out, and I glanced over to see that the one who yelled was Benjamin. He should have been back in Stanley since their scenario was still in full swing. I schooled the confused look on my face as more people started yelling.

“Under his rules, I had to pay five points to fix a broken thumb!” Kayla yelled, now in a different part of the crowd from where she yelled before.

“It sucks!” Gabrielle yelled heatedly. “I’m forced to charge for healing that I gained with my own power, and then I have to give up the points anyway!”

“There must be order!” Father Alexander yelled over the crowd. “Without order there is only chaos and death! That is why we must stay on the path! We must have faith in the system to gain strength and grow!”

His inner circle began to repeat the mantra, but the people in the crowd yelled over them. “LISTEN!” I yelled, cutting through the voice of the people. I knew it wouldn’t work completely, so I sent out a short wave of my Tyrant’s Will. Dread passed through the people so well that I could tell where the pulse was when they shivered and quieted. Affecting this many people had incurred quite the toll from my Mental Points, but it was worth it.

“To wait is to increase the amount of death this campaign will create,” I said while pointing at Father Alexander. “Striking first is the only way to minimize casualties. Your path will keep Etson peaceful for another day, and then create nothing but even more widows and orphans.”

“The Etson Faithful will NOT go to war until it is time, Anthony Franklin!” Father Alexander screamed. “You have been sent here to test us and it will not work!”

“The Father is afraid of me because I am exactly what the system is designed to create!” I countered. “I have done nothing but hunt down boss monsters, find rare items, and save lives for the last four days! He fears me because I am the product of his faith. That is why he charges for healing, why he hides away in his theater taking audiences only with those who believe in him most.”

I scoffed, then looked down at the people closest to me. “How come only the people closest to him get the powerful items, while the rest of you scramble for armor from the bottom of the barrel?” I asked softly, though I knew the people heard me.

“You are full of dangerous lies, Anthony!” Father Alexander screeched. “If we skip scenarios, we lose out on points. If we lose out on points, we lose out on strength. Following this man will deny you what is rightfully yours and do nothing but cause pain and suffering!”

“Denied points, my ass! This priestly man is a con!” The distorted voice came again, catching everyone’s attention. “Defeating scenarios early still nets you the same amount of points, if not more! The system gives them out separately!”

“Who do you think you are?” Father Alexander demanded, becoming red in the face. I, too, was curious about who this man was, though I knew what his presence meant.

“I am the Amalgamancer, Savior of Stanley!” The crowd fell into a murmur at the man’s proclamation. “The people of Stanley were tasked to find a necromancer who would go to war with the city within six days. Thanks to the help of Anthony Franklin, who visited our city for only a few hours, we were able to defeat the necromancer far ahead of schedule. Not only did we get full points for it, but the system even distributed a little thank you screen for the accomplishment!”

“This is ridiculous! Do not fall for their lies!” Father Alexander screeched.

"Alex, it's time to stop," I said without raising my voice. Despite the distance, he heard me loud and clear and turned towards me. I locked my eyes with his and saw his fury. Father Alexander prepared to scream more drivel out of his angry red face.

I narrowed my eyes before he could get another word out and slammed him with the full force of my Tyrant’s Will. He staggered back as if I had physically struck him. The rage in his eyes changed to confusion and finally fear. I'll admit it: it was cathartic shutting him up.

I turned to the one calling himself the Savior of Stanley. “It was an honor helping you,” I called even though I still had no idea who was under the mask. I offered him a salute, and he returned a perfect one right back.

“The honor was ours, Anthony. And now we’re here to fulfill our oath and help the city of Etson.” The masked man threw his arm in the air. “Stanley stands with Anthony Franklin!”

As soon as he said it, a repeated cry of the words came from various pockets of people. Looking around, I counted at least fifty men and women doing the same, with Jeff joining in. I did a double take to see that Kayla and Corwin had sneakily joined him without my notice, and she was also chanting. I raised the golden bowling ball above my head and the chants died down.

Father Alexander seethed. It looked like he was too angry to speak on the events unfolding, so I did it for him. “I am heading back to the Safari Resort,” I called, though I looked to Thomas for confirmation. He hesitated, but nodded. “All volunteers are welcome whether you’re affiliated with the Etson Faithful or not. We strike out for the forest at dawn. But before I leave, I have one last thing to ask you all…”

The crowd settled, and I spun slowly as if to look at everyone. I smirked. “Are you going to let yourselves get upstaged by some people from Stanley?” The crowd went wild, and I couldn’t make out anything concrete from anyone. I squatted to address the Mills. “I’m Air Stepping out, you guys good?”

Kayla and Jeff said something, but I couldn’t hear it. When they realized that, they gave me a thumbs up and I returned it. Standing back up, I looked towards the nearest building to Thomas and leapt off of the Gazebo. It took all eight of my heelies’ feathers, but I managed to make it to the roof. On the way, I motioned for Thomas to meet me on the next road over. There was bound to be people, but the vast majority of the population was still stuck in the Square.

I wheeled to the other side of the roof and jumped down, sticking the landing without issues despite the twenty foot drop. Thomas and Gabrielle came around the corner moments later followed by an assortment of Tommy’s Tumbler members. “You're a damn fool,” Thomas stated as they got closer. I just grinned and held up the ball, and he stared at it. “What’s with the bowling ball?”

“It’s a shield,” I said. “You know, in case our friend showed up.” Opening up my menu, I sent him the description to look over.

[[Item]]

Boss Steener’s Golden Bowling Ball

When used as a shield, this bowling ball allows the bearer to block blows as if their strength were three times higher than it actually is. Once per day, the spirit of Boss Steener will inhabit the bowling ball in order to block a fatal blow against the wielder. Every time this ability is used, there is a small, stacking chance that Boss Steener’s Golden Bowling Ball may shatter completely.

More abilities may unlock as certain conditions are met.

Authorized wielder: Anthony “Perfect Game” Franklin (Adopted Filbin)

“Bit unwieldy for a shield. What’s an Adopted Filbin?” Thomas asked.

“I’ve been taken in by a completely different monster type, and they’re called Filbins. Think if Bigfoot was a Troll doll and you’ve pretty much figured out what Boss Steener looks like. There are medium and small sized ones, too,” I replied. Then I turned to Gabrielle and smiled. She gave me a puzzled look. “Howdy. Glad to see you’re still well.”

“Wait a minute, you’re Big Tipper!” Gabrielle said as she finally recognized me. “I was wondering what happened to you!”

“Big Tipper?” Thomas asked, looking between us.

I shrugged. “I tipped her fifty bucks for a water and an energy drink and told her that there was something going on at the Square.”

“Yeah, I was pissed at first because it seemed like such a wild goose chase but it turned out to be safe,” she stated. Then she shook her head and pushed her curly black hair out of her face. “But that isn’t what I’m here for. I want to be the first to volunteer to go to war. I’ve been locked up in this damn Square for four days now, I want to help people who need healing in battle, not just when they can make it back alive.”

Reaching out, I shook her hand. “Welcome to the team, Gabrielle. It’s an honor to have you with us,” I told her truthfully before turning to Thomas. “Do you know who that stranger was?”

“Mask guy?” he asked. I nodded, which caused him to chuckle. “It’s nice to see you don’t know everything.”

“Har har, mask guy?”

“You’ll have to wait to find out,” Thomas claimed with a grin. “He wanted it to be a surprise.”

“Ugh, alright,” I replied with a good natured roll of the eyes. “Then I’ll meet you there. I assume your people aren’t ready to start taking in a mass influx of people.”

“They… aren’t.” Thomas frowned. “Was sending them to the resort really the best option?”

“I’d say it’s fine. It’s away from the Square, isn’t it?”

“That’s good enough for me, so vamos, vamos,” Gabrielle said, shooing me away. “I’m bringing friends, so you better be prepared for a lot of bodies.”

“Sure thing,” I said with a chuckle. “Then, I’ll be off. I’ll see you both there as well as waiting for the mysterious Savior of Stanley.”

With a nod and a wave I was off, wheeling away on my Heelies of Hermes with my oversized bowling ball as I headed towards the Safari Resort.