Perfect World

By Charles Thomas

Set in the stunningly beautiful online game and told in prose and song, humans discover fey relations and arcane love within the family. Together, they race a being they can only identify by its quest for answers and assist the creator with its dying wish.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Charles Thomas
• Release date: May 3, 2017
• ISBN: 9781386199038

Book preview

Chapter 1

Meeting His Mind

Today, he was. Don't wonder if that sentence is a fragment or complete. It's the latter.

It simply cannot be stated more simply, or more matter of factly for that matter.

His image was in a reflecting pool. It met his stare.

He really did not know from where or how, but he was there.

Stark white hair cascaded to his wide shoulders and circled his full lips, coming to a point below.

His eyes were as blue as the sky his ears pointed to, pointed ears so he was an elf you would know.

A small scar adorned his cheek, nothing to stop the ladies from calling him cute.

But, with his tall, tan stature and sculpted physique, he really was quite a brute.

The elf was startled, in his reflection he saw something new.

On his right shoulder, it now appeared that a tiger head grew.

A sideways glance confirmed the white furred, black striped head was behind, not a part of, him.

The tiger's growl confirmed the instinct to turn and hurry was more than just a whim.

He ran from the pool. The beast pursuing close behind. Spying a fallen tree with a broken bough laying across it, a plan occurred to him.

He jumped the log, landing on the far side of the detached branch, sending the back side up so the tiger was struck under the jaw by the limb.

The tiger lisped Outh, you made me bite my tongue, you silly elf.

The elf said You know me? I just arrived and don't know myself.

I see. the tiger replied. Yes, you're an elf, child of a wizard and a blademaster from the humans' city of Etherblade.

The twinkle in their eyes, when they gazed upon each other, flew into the sky, bounced off a star, back to earth and, hence, you were made.

As you passed through the atmosphere, you absorbed elemental magic from which lightning is made.

How you can use it, depends on whether your father was the wizard or the master of the blade.

If he was a wizard, you will have the power to heal.

Here, try it on me. Touch my jaw and then I'll see how I feel.

Nope, it still hurts. Your father is a blademaster.

Your magic makes you more powerful and faster.

And, speaking of magic, I will show you how elves fly.

Jump into the air and summersault. Give it a try.

The elf tried the stunt and promptly smashed his face into the ground.

Now that we're even, the tiger laughed. I'll stop playing around.

Leap into the air, then leap again, that's really how elves fly.

Thinking it best not to think about it, the elf went to try.

He sprung into the air, then bent his legs and sprung again, and to his surprise,

he didn't fall, he hovered a moment, then he actually began to rise!

Looking back, he saw white feather plumes protruding from between his shoulders.

Thank you, you have taught me much! he exclaimed as he landed on some boulders.

You're welcome, but I haven't learned your name, mine's Theod. the tiger replied.

My name? Well, I do not know. I guess I don't have one yet. the elf sighed.

What a chance, Theod said. I've always wished to name something, but all I've encountered thus far has had a name.

Let me think. Since you are such a silly elf, the name 'self' would be right on target, unless I miss my aim.

I believe naming me 'self' would confuse others more than it would identify me. puzzled the elf.

How could that confuse? Theod said. They would be talking to you, obviously not talking to them self.

I'd rather not need explain that my name is short for silly elf. the elf replied. Maybe one with a more heroic background, try again.

There was a hero of another place and long ago who has not been known before in Perfect World. Theod remembered. His name was Den.

Then I shall carry that hero spirit forward into this world, into its mysteries and into its trials, for today I am Den.

And, Theod, while I am not sure what mysteries or trials this world will bring, I am sure of myself, for today, in you, I have a friend.

Savvyz set down her quill.

I'll write a refrain for that later. she said to herself as she wondered why that ode had invaded her mind with such ferocious urgency.

CHAPTER 2

The Venomancer

Theod was showing Den where to mine iron, sandstone and coal. They collected nectar, roots,

herbs and woods in the forest and on the grassy plains. They were going to take these materials back to

Plume City, home of the elves. There, they could trade with blacksmiths, tailors and apothecaries for

weapons, armor and potions.

They had to avoid the wraiths. There were many species of them. They were everywhere in

Perfect World. They roamed the land, swam the rivers and seas and flew in the skies. Some were

passive unless provoked, but others would attack anyone they detected.

Along the way, Theod explained that he was a barbarian from the City of the Lost. His mother

was a wizard like Den's. His father was an elf archer like Den. Those born in City of the Lost were

blessed with the magic of the forests that surrounded the city. Theod could transform into a lion, wolf

or panda, his forepaws becoming hands so he could wield a weapon.

They topped a knoll and before them lay Plume City, built in, under and around the largest tree

in the world. Its gigantic foliage concealed the city from above. The commercial district was around

the base of the massive tree.

They stopped first at a blacksmith. He showed Den his selection of bows, crossbows and

slingshots for archers. Den purchased a crossbow and its ammunition, smaller arrow-like projectiles

called bolts. He, also, purchased dual swords. Theod selected a set of dual bladed axes from the

smiths’ inventory of axes, hammers and pikes.

They went to a tailor next and traded for armor. Den spoke with the archer trainer in the city

square. He taught him how to use his magic to add fire and lightning to his ammunition. There was

another magic spell that greatly increased Den's speed.

The elven elder, priest and sage were also in the square. Den asked them if they knew of his

parents. They knew only that it could be his life’s quest to find them. Den and Theod decided to head

north to City of the Lost, then on to Etherblade to inquire about Den's parents there.

Den flew to the top of the Plume City tree and looked to the north. The land rose to a cliff. A

river ran along the western foot of that cliff. He flew back and gave Theod his scouting report. They

would follow the river.

It was warm and fair as they walked on a barely worn path through sparse trees between the

river and the cliff. The weather was always fair in Plume City. The weather in Perfect World was

determined by place, not time. It didn’t matter when you were there, only where you were. Some

places were always fair, some always wet, others cold and snowing always. Theod knew the trip to

City of the Lost would not be hindered by foul weather.

They hadn’t gone far when Den's ears and Theod’s nose detected wraiths. Den flew and Theod

crept further to investigate. It was a group of taurocs, minotaurs that carried crude clubs. They were

gathered around the base of a tree staring up into its branches.

The reddish orange rays of the evening sun were almost unabated as they filtered through the

loosely spaced branches of the tree. From above, Den's gaze easily discerned what held the tauroc’s

attention. It was a fox. Its fur matched the colors of the sun's beams, which framed the fox and gave

its coat sparkling highlights. Den dropped from the sky. Dodging the branches, he effortlessly

liberated the fox from the tree. With a reassuring smile, he flew it back to where Theod crouched.

Thank you. The fox sighed.

You speak? Den replied.

That’s not all she does. Theod interrupted. "She is a venomancer. They are the female births

in City of the Lost."

Does she also change form? Den inquired.

He turned back towards her and she had changed, but not into another beast as Theod would.

She had transformed into a beautiful girl. She appeared human except for her ears and tail. She was

dark skinned and slender, petite with pouty pink lips. Her hair and eyes were, also, pink.

I am Gaelic. She introduced herself. "I was on my way home with a gift I received from the

watcher of the earth in Plume City. The taurocs ambushed me. I barely had time to climb into a tree,

but I dropped my chest and they have it. I think I could recover it with your help, however."

We are yours. Den and Theod replied in unison and without hesitation.

Thank you again. Gaelic blushed and unfolded her plan.

They waited until all the taurocs were asleep except for one sentry. Theod crept near their camp

and emitted a low growl. The sentry heard it and came out of the camp to investigate. Den armed his

crossbow with a bolt. He had blunted the tip so it would not pierce the skin. He shot as soon as he

could see the tauroc, hitting it in the forehead. It fell to the ground, unconscious.

Gaelic approached the tauroc and moved her arm as if she threw an invisible lariat. The air

sparkled.

Awake, my pet. she whispered You are now mine to tame.

The tauroc awoke and awaited her command.

First, she ordered I will teach you a game called duck and cover.

It took only a few minutes of practice with the tauroc before she was ready for part two of her

plan.

Gaelic changed back into a fox and sprinted towards the tauroc camp with her pet tauroc in

playful pursuit. She ran through the camp, startling the taurocs from their slumber. They saw their

sentry chasing her and joined him. She led them up towards the cliff above the river. She ran to the

edge of the cliff and ducked, folding herself into a small ball of fur on the ground. She yelled Cover!

Her pet abruptly dropped on top of her folding himself onto the ground. The pursuing taurocs had no

time to react to the sudden drop of Gaelic's pet. They tripped over it, stumbling over the edge of the

cliff and falling into the river below.

Gaelic returned, with her pet, to the camp where Den and Theod had found her chest.

Chapter 3

Genies and Politics

Gaelic’s chest was small, about the size of Den's fist. It was constructed of red and bluish

woods held together with translucent glass bands. The chest jittered on Den's outstretched palm as he

handed it to Gaelic.

Your chest appears anxious. he remarked.

Then the chest popped open and, even more remarkably, out popped

A fairy! Den and Theod exclaimed.

No, corrected Gaelic, chuckling Fairies are much smaller. This is my genie.

She was right. The genie was about a cubit, the length of a forearm, in height. She was much

too tall for the chest that had been her home, a trait attributed to genies, not fairies. She fluttered aloft

with pink butterfly shaped wings. Her dress, shoes and her knee-length hair were all, also, pink. The

hue of her skin was newborn pink.

A perfect match for you, Gaelic. Den noted aloud.

I was fortunate to receive a genie pretty in pink, as I. laughed Gaelic. "Genies arrive in

Perfect World in one of four colors. Pink are the strongest of them all."

"All genies can learn a magic spell that restores the health of its master, but the pink genies’ can

be stronger than all the others. A genie's casts and acts instantly, faster than the healing spells of

wizards and the ones clerics usually use. Clerics know many, but they can take time to cast, as the

healing spell I use on my pets does, and may require time to achieve their full healing effect. A cleric’s

spell, however, is more powerful than any genie's could be."

"All types of genies can learn a spell that will attack all wraiths around and push them away.

Each type of genie, also has their unique set of spells that attack enemies in different ways or charm

their master, bestowing a variety of skills upon them during battle."

"Yellow genies, known as genies of zeal, are skilled at discreetly attacking one wraith amongst

a group without the others noticing. They lure it from the pack. They are prized in Perfect World

because of that ability."

"You thought genies look like fairies now. When you see the genies of warriors with advanced

spiritual learning, you will see they have evolved into smaller, glowing genies. Anyone would have

difficulty determining they are not fairies, even a pixie would. You could get your own genie from the

watcher in City of the Lost. They cost two mirage celestones. I was on my way there to vote."

I will cast my votes while giving Den a tour of our city. Theod added. "We don’t have any

celestones, maybe we can find a way to earn some there."

The travelers, now five, Den, Theod, Gaelic, her tauroc and genie, continued on their way to

City of the Lost.

The path turned west into a valley. The valley was occupied by wraiths. Some were large cats.

Others were monstrous snakes. The friends were able to slip around them without skirmish. They

passed an old battle camp. The tattered banners of an ancient army were still evident. The path turned

north again and around the corner, past a meadow of nectar, golden herb and salvia root, Den saw the

south wall of City of the Lost.

The city was nestled within a canyon at the end of the valley. High cliffs overlooked it on the

west and east. Two guards were posted at the south entrance. They offered no challenge as Theod and

Gaelic entered with their entourage. Den saw a stone gazebo in front of him with a teleport station. It

could be used to reach other points in Perfect World quickly for a reasonable fee. Beyond, and to the

right of, the gazebo laid the city’s commercial district. The city's spiritual and government officials

were in an impressive atrium on his left.

The city was voting to select one of their three elders. The triumvirate system had replaced the

pyramid of many elected officials at ascending levels. A treasurer, engineer and surgeon

general were elected by those certified as accountants, scientists and doctors respectively. The general

populace maintained greater control of their government with greater ease because they cast their votes

on laws, not candidates.

The politicians cannot pass laws. They can propose them. They can act in emergencies, by

majority, until their action can be voted on. The final say that the populace has eliminates the

motivation of those whom wish to obtain office to further an agenda which does not benefit the public.

The drastically reduced number of politicians drastically reduces the cost of government.

Issues affecting the justice