Surviving The Myriad Worlds (A Multiplanar LitRPG)

Dante was woken up by not-so-gentle shaking. He groaned as a throbbing head made itself known. His tongue felt thick in his mouth and a desperate need for water seized him. He sat up and bumped his head with a meaty thunk against the underside of a desk. That did not improve his quickly developing headache. Opening bleary eyes, Dante could see the amused face of Pauwna above him and a window behind her. It was still dark outside.

Why did she wake me up in the middle of the night? His muddled brain grappled with the question, stumbling through several possibilities — one of which made him blush. Before he could voice that possibility out loud, the likely conclusion presented itself to him.

Oh right, I am in the undercity. It's always dark here. Oh, God, I hope I'm not late.

More carefully this time, he found his feet without colliding with anything else and leaned heavily against the room's desk. Dante was almost afraid to look at Pauwna, given the events of last night, but social customs dictated he must. He flicked his eyes up and saw that she looked … normal. None of last night's hurt remained in them. If anything, she seemed more relaxed.

"Here, drink this," Pauwna pressed a warm mug into his hands. It was full of a mysterious dark liquid. Cautiously, he brought it up to his nose and his stomach grumbled as he smelled something that strongly reminded him of apple cider. He tasted it experimentally, then quickly drained the entire mug. Rather than apple, the concoction tasted more like tart pear and was thicker than he expected. It was heavy with spices that left a lingering heat in his mouth as if chile peppers had been mixed in. There had to have been some form of caffeine in there, as he felt much more alive when he set down the mug.

"What is that?" Dante asked, fascinated. If he had his way, he would be drinking that with every meal.

"A sweet cider made from the Asama fruit, a local hangover cure. I don't like many Sūnsian customs, but that drink has always been a favorite of mine. Finish this one too, we have a busy morning ahead of us."

Pauwna passed him a second mug and he was disappointed to see that this one was filled with water. After also draining that one, he felt much better. Better than he should have been. Dante was well familiar with hangovers, having experienced many in his youth. The kind of discomfort he was experiencing now was more in line with being tipsy rather than the stupor he had been in last night.

Likely yet another benefit of attributes, he thought while examining Pauwna. The amount of ale she had consumed last night had been almost disturbing to watch. She seemed no worse for wear now.

"I thought you would be … less put together. At least considering how you were last night."

Pauwna half shrugged. "When you have a life like mine, you need to let loose every once in a while. Besides, it's not as if it will affect me for long and I don't even specialize in constitution. It's far worse for martial classes. A few hours at best. Shorter if I use any of my healing abilities."

"Does that mean if we continue leveling, we can never be drunk again?"

"Not at all. Imbued alcohol exists for just such a purpose. However, it is expensive in the empire and hard for one such as I to get a hold of."

With the conclusion of that topic, an awkward silence fell between them. Dante could keenly feel the events of last night hanging over him. Pauwna, for her part, waited with a small smile on her lips — seemingly content to wait for him to speak up first. Eventually, he built up enough nerve to go for it.

Dante cleared his throat, "Ahem, so. About last night."

"Mhmm?" Intoned Pauwna, her smile growing a shade.

That caused him to stumble over his words, but he recollected himself. "It's like — Look, in my culture we have certain rules about drinking and consent. Last night, you were very drunk so I wasn't sure if you would regret … everything in the morning."

When Pauwna didn't immediately say anything, he rushed onwards. "Not that I didn't want to! You are beautiful! So much so that it steals my breath away sometimes. It's just that I didn't want to ruin whatever is between us. Whether it's friendship, love, or lust. Uh, I didn't mean to say that quite so bluntly. That is, uh —"

Dante trailed off at a small "Pfft" from Pauwna. The expression on his face must have been something, as she began to laugh uproariously, holding her gut and rocking back and forth on the small bed. Dante flushed bright red and looked away, not caring about the rudeness. The laughing soon stopped, but still couldn't bear to look. He jumped as he felt Pauwna settle next to him on the desk, so close that her thigh touched his. One clawed hand gently rested against his forearm.

"Sorry, sorry. It's just that, like always, you think too much. Often not in the right ways. I suppose you haven't noticed, but I have been almost throwing myself at you all last night. One would think matters of my consent would be behind us."

"Oh," he said simply. Thinking over yesterday, Pauwna had been more clingy than usual. "I wasn't sure if that was normal here or not."

"Clearly," she said dryly. "Don't worry yourself about it. It is obvious to me now that courting you is going to require a more delicate touch."

"You make me sound like some blushing maiden!" Dante objected.

"Ha! That's not a bad way of looking at it."

"Hey!"

They laughed together for a good while and Dante let himself enjoy the moment. He wished that he could stay here in this room with her forever. However, his doubts quickly crept back in, fronted by one question.

"What are we to each other?"

Lightening fast, Pauwna flicked him between the eyes.

"Ow!" Dante said, more from surprise than anything else.

"Once again, too much thinking. We enjoy each other's company, what more is there to consider? But," she said, forstalling his objection. "I can see that you are not going to be satisfied with that. Suffice it to say, that I do not have room in my life for a formal relationship at the moment. I suspect it's much the same for you."

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Memories of the godlike being from the void flashed through his head. Given who he had met, the strange numbers on his interface, and the appearance of this otherworldly enemy, Dante was sure that he had been sent here for a purpose. He couldn't say what his place in these were, but it was safe to say that it was nothing ordinary.

She waited for his nod before continuing, "I cannot say this will be true forever. Death may come for me before the accomplishment of my life's goal. Until then, I am content to enjoy what we have — whatever that may be."

Rather unexpectedly, it seemed like Pauwna had thought about this as much as or even perhaps more than him. It was strange to hear their relationship laid out so clearly. To communicate their needs without any drama. It was rather different from his other attempts at love, which had been few and turbulent.

"You know what, Pauwna? You are right. Let's save tomorrow's problems for tomorrow."

"Took you long enough to realize that."

Pauwna rested her head on his shoulder and they stayed like that for a time. However, they had things they needed to do. Pauwna was the first to break away. With a weary sigh, she stood up, collected the mugs, and opened the door.

"The morning is wasting. We do not want to be late to the palace, nobles do not like to be kept waiting. Oh by the dead gods, I am not looking forward to this. You know, I really could have used a good tumble before facing all of that."

"It's not too late now, is it?" He asked, appreciating the view from behind.

She looked over her shoulder, raising an eyebrow. "Tempting, I am afraid you missed your opportunity for that last night. Who knows when our next chance will be? Gather up your things, we need to rush."

With only a brief stop at the inn's empty common room to drop off the tankards and receive a cold breakfast of bread with cheese from Slanni — who greeted them with a knowing smile and wink. There was little time as it is, so they took their meal and ate as they hurried through the streets of the undercity. Already the piercing sounds of pickaxe striking stone echoed from below and the undercity streets were full with workman. About half the denizens shied away from them whereas the other half greeted Pauwna. Recalling what she had told him last night, he couldn't say he was surprised.

Given her past, it's not surprising some of them never forgave her.

It didn't take them long to retrace their steps towards the surface. In an inverse of the previous night, he found the exit of the passage blinding. Dante covered his eyes until they passed the threshold and realized that the first rays of the morning had shined directly into the tunnel.

If it's like that after only spending one day down there, I wonder how it is for those who live down here, only able to sometimes see a reflection of the suns light. No wonder so many seemed to suffer from malnutrition.

He looked at the alley and individuals furtively scurrying around in it with new eyes. Dante could now easily pick out the denizens of the undercity, being far more pale than the rest of the Sūnsians and having a certain distinctive metallic smell. When sun rays happened to strike one, the light glittered off numerous reflective particles.

It can not be healthy to be exposed to that many metallic particles. Yet another injustice perpetrated in this Empire.

It was hard to enjoy the trip over to the Royal Palace given that Pauwna set a quick pace that near approached running. Given their haste, it was almost fortunate that the streets were deserted save for the occasional bored looking vendor. Paired with the towering, decrepit buildings, the atmosphere was haunting. A feeling which only deepened when the gates surrounding the Royal Palace's golden spire drew into view and the sparse crowd entirely disappeared. The only other occupants of the vast square between the city and the tower were two guards on either side of the gate. Much like everything else here, their armor gleamed with gold and was carved with intricate designs. When it became clear that they were headed towards the gate, both guards stared them down, then crossed bannered spears to bar the way when they drew close.

As Dante drew into speaking distance, he felt a slight brush against his aura senses which nearly caused him to stumble. Then another. It was similar to the feeling that Ahzi's presence invoked in him, though far lesser. It was still not a pleasant sensation, feeling nearly like a cold finger unexpectedly trailed down his spine.

There was something else that was different. Each of the women standing guard had a distinctive … flavor to their mana. One was like iron, firm and utterly unyielding but a tinge of decay — much like the city around them. The other was languid, evoking thoughts of a dreamy rainy day. It made him yawn and wish that he was still in bed.

You have acquired the [Aura Sense] skill

That ends my biggest dry spell of skill advancement yet. Perhaps it's been a few days since my last system message? I probably shouldn't mention that to Pauwna again unless I want to get laughed at. My rate of advancement is probably insanely fast.

"To confirm, you are Dante Embry and the Naula called Pauwna?" Said one of the guards, jolting him out of his thoughts.

"Aye, that's right." He said and Pauwna followed with her affirmative a moment later.

"Good. You are expected. Dante Embry, proceed to floor one hundred and seventy three and report for training. The Naula will report to their Corporal on the one hundred and fifty-fifth floor for further orders. Continue."

The two guards stepped aside, uncrossing their spears. Hesitantly, they passed through the gate and towards the grand doors of the golden spire. Dante waited until they were a good distance from the guards before speaking.

"I am surprised that they let us in so easily. Should they have more security?"

"They do, though most aren't apparent to non-experts. For one, the Royal Palace guards all are highly adept in lie detection skills. At our level, we could not hope to fool them. Again, I would advise not speaking unnecessarily while here. Many are listening."

Dante nodded, slightly embarrassed. He remembered Pauwna rebuking him for it last time, so he had held back from saying something when the guard had treated Pauwna with such blatant disregard. Apparently, he needed to be even more careful. They continued on in silence as they passed through the empty great hall to the elevator platform. Above them, were the only other signs of life they had seen yet in the form of various platforms crossing from floor to floor.

One such platform and its attending mage descended to pick them up. Pauwna spoke shortly to mage about their floors and they began their ascent. This time, Dante managed not to flinch at the sudden acceleration. Though he did make sure to stay near the middle. The platform slowed to stop at a floor filled with soldiers, both in uniform and casual dress. Some kind of barracks, Dante thought. Pauwna made to leave but Dante caught her hand.

"I'll come see you as soon as I can. Stay safe, out there."

Dante wished that he could say more. Pauwna had to be tense right now. These halls held bad memories for her and she was venturing into the heart of an Empire that she was actively resisting with only her loyalist persona as a shield. He wished he could stay with her.

Though I would probably be of little help.

She turned back to him and clasped his arm in what he recognized as a traditional Sūnsian farewell. It seemed that Pauwna was taking her disguise seriously.

"Thanks, though I would worry about yourself. Royal training methods are known for their brutal effectiveness"

The platform conductor coughed politely and Pauwna released him, wading into the press of soldiers, leaving him to dwell on her words. The platform resumed its assent and he found his nerves growing along side it.

You can do this Dante. This training is supposed to help you. How bad could it be really?

Shortly after the bottom of the elevator shaft was obscured by the ambient mist in the building, the platform began slowing again. By his measure, they were nearly at the entrance to the palace proper. They ascended one final level and Dante came face to face with a familiar face.

A man, richly dressed with a face so stern it could have been carved from a statue, stood in a stiff military stance. His gaze locked onto Dante and his countenance grew even more severe, if such a thing was possible. Which was not surprising to him, considering his past encounters with Moeris.

Why did I have to ask that question?