Kane paced back and forth along the cliff's edge, his mind racing. The Architects were after him, and he knew that with their power, it was only a matter of time before they tracked him down again. The cooldown on his Time Stop and Teleport spells wouldn't last forever, and he couldn't keep running. If he was going to survive — no, if he was going to thrive — he needed allies, resources, and information.
He pulled up his map, the sprawling world of Eternal Ascension unfolding before him in a web of terrain, cities, dungeons, and uncharted territories. His eyes darted across the familiar markers, seeking a place that could provide what he needed. Then he saw it: Ravenhold, a notorious hub for rogue players, hackers, and those who operated on the fringes of the game's code.
If anyone knew how to exploit a bug, it would be someone in Ravenhold. But going there was a risk. The city was filled with cutthroats and mercenaries, and trust was a rare commodity. Yet Kane knew he didn't have a choice. With the Architects on his tail, he needed every advantage he could get.
He activated his Teleport spell again, this time targeting Ravenhold. The world around him blurred and twisted, and in an instant, he found himself standing at the entrance of a sprawling city, its walls towering above him, draped in shadows. The air here was thick with tension, the smell of smoke and steel lingering in the air.
"Welcome to Ravenhold," Kane muttered to himself. "Let's see if I can find some friends."
As he walked through the narrow, winding streets, he kept his hand close to his sword. Every glance, every whispered conversation felt like a potential threat. This place wasn't safe — far from it. But Kane felt a strange thrill being here. He wasn't just a low-level nobody anymore. He was a wildcard, a glitch in the system. And Ravenhold was the perfect place to start turning that to his advantage.
He made his way to the central marketplace, a bustling hub of activity where players and NPCs haggled over items, traded information, and struck deals in dark corners. His eyes scanned the crowd, searching for someone who looked like they might be able to help. His gaze settled on a hooded figure standing alone near a vendor's stall, their face obscured by a mask.
"That one," he thought. Something about the way they stood, the way they seemed to be watching everything and nothing at the same time, gave him a sense they were more than they appeared.
Kane approached cautiously. "Hey," he called out. The figure turned slightly, but didn't respond. "I'm looking for information," Kane continued. "On... glitches. And bugs. And maybe some people who know how to deal with them."
The figure remained silent for a moment, then slowly turned to face him. A woman's voice, low and steady, came from behind the mask. "What makes you think I would know anything about that?"
Kane took a deep breath. This was a gamble. He could tell she was sizing him up, trying to decide if he was worth the trouble. "Because," he said, keeping his voice calm but firm, "I think I've found something. Something big. And I think you might want in."
There was a pause, then a quiet laugh. "Interesting. But you should know, kid, you're not the first player to come here claiming they've found a 'big' glitch. Most of them end up dead or worse." She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "What makes you different?"
Kane didn't flinch. He could feel the weight of her gaze, trying to pierce through his facade. He decided to take a risk. He opened his skills menu and showed her his list, filled with every skill in the game, all maxed out. Her eyes widened slightly behind the mask.
"That's... not possible," she whispered.
Kane grinned. "It is now. And I need someone who knows how to handle this kind of power. Someone who can help me navigate what's coming next. You interested?"
The woman was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. I'm in. But first, you need to know who you're dealing with. The name's Mara. And if we're going to do this, you need to follow my lead. Got it?"
"Got it," Kane replied. "I'm Kane."
Mara nodded again, her eyes scanning the marketplace. "We need to move. Now. If you've really broken the game like I think you have, it won't be long before the wrong people find out."
Kane followed her through the twisting alleys of Ravenhold, their footsteps echoing off the stone walls. As they moved, Mara explained the rules of this city, the unspoken agreements that kept it from descending into chaos. But her tone was tense, her eyes darting to every shadow.
"Who are these 'wrong people' you mentioned?" Kane asked, keeping pace beside her.
"Let's just say there are factions within this game who don't like disruptions to the status quo," Mara replied. "And you? You're the biggest disruption they've ever seen."
As they rounded a corner, they came face-to-face with a group of heavily armed players. At their center was a man clad in dark armor, his face partially obscured by a hood, his eyes burning with a cold, calculating fire.
"Well, well," the man sneered. "If it isn't Mara, the queen of glitches, and her new pet project."
Mara tensed. "Kane, meet Draco. He's one of those 'wrong people' I mentioned."
Draco's smile was predatory. "Word spreads fast in Ravenhold. Heard you've been poking around for info on bugs. That's not a safe hobby around here."
Kane stepped forward, his hand on his sword. "I'm not looking for trouble. Just trying to understand what's happening."
Draco laughed. "Oh, you're in trouble, whether you want it or not. You've caught the attention of some powerful players, Kane. And they don't like what you represent."
Kane's eyes narrowed. "And what's that?"
"Chaos," Draco replied. "Unpredictability. A glitch in the system. And there are some of us who profit from keeping things stable, predictable. Understand?"
Kane smirked. "Yeah, I get it. You're afraid."
Draco's smile faded, replaced by a dangerous glare. "Afraid? No, kid. I'm just here to clean up a mess. And you're that mess."
Before Kane could respond, Draco's group lunged forward, weapons drawn. Kane reacted instinctively, summoning a barrier of pure light to block the first strike. The force of the blow sent him staggering back, but he quickly recovered, countering with a blast of dark energy that sent Draco's men flying.
Mara was beside him in an instant, her daggers flashing as she engaged two more attackers. "Don't hold back, Kane!" she shouted. "They won't!"
Kane nodded, his eyes blazing. He switched to his Berserker's Rage skill, feeling a surge of raw power coursing through him. With a roar, he charged into the fray, his sword slicing through the air with a speed and precision he had never felt before. The world around him seemed to slow, his movements a blur as he cut down one enemy after another.
Draco watched, his face a mask of fury and fear. "This isn't over, Kane!" he shouted. "You think you can break the game and get away with it? You're a fool!"
Kane turned to face him, his sword dripping with the virtual blood of Draco's fallen allies. "Maybe. But I'm a fool with power. And I'm just getting started."
Draco glared at him, then vanished in a burst of shadows, teleporting away. The remaining attackers, realizing they were outmatched, quickly followed, leaving Kane and Mara alone in the alley, the echoes of battle still ringing in their ears.
Mara sheathed her daggers, breathing heavily. "Nice work," she said. "But that was just the beginning. Draco's not the only one who's going to come after you."
Kane nodded, his adrenaline still pumping. "I figured as much. But I'm ready. Whatever comes next, I'll face it head-on."
Mara smiled, a glint of respect in her eyes. "Good. Because things are about to get a whole lot more complicated. But first, we need to get you some real allies. People who can help you harness this power without losing control. And I think I know just the place to start."
Kane nodded, a sense of determination settling over him. He had come to Ravenhold looking for answers, and he had found more than he could have ever imagined. But now, he was ready for whatever came next. He had power, and he had a plan. And with Mara's help, he was going to turn this glitch into an opportunity to rewrite the rules of the game.
And maybe, just maybe, become something more than a player. Something more than a god.