Allisium

Chapter 11

Two seconds later, Dagon arrived at the hotel room, our home in Initium.

“Wow! He let out giving loud applause. We wouldn't have bought this in a million years. It's fantastic, I tell you. Oysters, Greek, what happened to you?

Good old Dagon was happiness personified. She hadn't even noticed that Greek was still growling as Zen finished bandaging his leg.

“We have many things to tell you, ragazzone. How has the gig go?

“Well, things are loose, you know, but we're doing it.

He had brought in more legal money than anyone with the sweat of his brow, something to be admired. Also, whenever he could he spent the rest of the hours connected to Allsium with us. We couldn't ask for more, it was his way of life.

Zen told him everything, he was so Japanese that his mind had the perfect chronological order of what had happened. He remembered details that Greek and I had already forgotten and, of course, he was left as the brilliant mind that led us to end up buying the hotel, thus proving that Greek and I had almost lost our lives trying to mislead the clan so that he could get in.

I assumed the end justified the means.

"What a story guys! he said finally. I've missed a good one. So, those of that clan are going to leave us alone now?

Nobody knew what to say.

It didn't take long for us to sit down on the room's soft white leather sofas, which invited us to take a long nap. Greek, his leg already bandaged, dove into a long one and lay face down as Zen began to talk about which of us should become a wizard.

Two long hours ended as expected.

"...and that's why I think the ideal candidate to be the magician is you, fusilli head," Greek explained.

"Honestly," I said, "I think it's the best option of the four." Greek and I haven't decided yet, but we're sure wizarding isn't our thing.

Greek nodded. The Italian could choose a path more in line with his personality, such as one related to the handling of firearms and long distances. It took a good gun expert in illegality and Greek seemed to be pretty good at it.

"Well, it seems you leave me no choice." Zen sighed. It's okay, I'll be the magician.

“ Good. Greek smiled with a thumbs up. It is a good decision.

"There's only one problem," Zen replied.

With the Japanese, there was always a but.

“And which one is it? Dagon asked.

"I'll choose the path I want, no one is going to impose anything on me," he answered, looking at Greek. Captain? 

"Why are you looking at me?" Greek raised an eyebrow. You're the one to be a wizard, I don't give a shit what you choose as long as you can save our asses sometimes.

Greek is right. Dagon was the peacemaker of the group. Despite his bulk, he was a good guy. Whoever chooses to go through the Path of the Wizard will no longer be able to back out, so you can choose what you want.

"We're a team, maybe we should focus on getting stronger together," I advised. I'm not saying don't choose what you want, but you could do it depending on how useful you can be to the team.

The drone was a very useful tactical tool, but it had no weapons and could not engage in battle. However, a mage with powerful abilities was capable of healing and protection, but also attacking and destroying. Zen would do what he wanted, but much of our survival depended on his choice. At least until we reach the next planet, where some of us could choose another path.

"I know we're a team, Kid." It was my last name. The magician, whatever path he chooses, is always useful. I already knew that you would propose to me, so I have been documenting myself and I think I have it clear.

"And what are we waiting for?" Greek said more animatedly. It's time to go to the Wizard's Path Guild Fountain, Ragazzi.

"We'd better wait a few more hours," Zen replied as he placed his hand on the Italian's wound. He howled and decided not to insist anymore. The Guild Fountain is in the same hotel, so there is no rush or danger because you cannot enter combat mode.

"Those ninjas could be waiting for any mistake," I said.

"The mistake is that they still think they can get this room." Greek shrugged. The kamikaze has already explained it, the contract is in the safe, and if he doesn't leave the hotel it's not possible to get hold of him. It could be sold, but for that, the four owners would have to agree.

“Guys, as a result of this, I would like us to seal a pact. Zen's face darkened as he said it.

“What are you talking about? Dagon asked.

“I don't know if you are aware of how important it is to have property on this planet. I will tell you that many people have spent years saving to buy an apartment half the size of just one of the rooms we have here. "He was quite right." The strategic value of this property is vital to our aspirations at Allium.

"Get out what you have to say at once, cazzo. "

“I want us to promise, here and now, that nothing will make us sell the hotel room. Not even the virtual death of any of us.

All three of us were amazed. His words were cold as if he had been deciding how to propose for some time.

Before we could respond, he went on, “We are being pursued by a rather large clan, and some of us may fall into their hands. They might agree to a trade for hotel ownership, but I'm not willing to lose this room, no matter what. If I'm the one captured, I don't want anyone selling this property to save my ass, got it?

"But, Zen," Dagon said, "how can a hotel room be more important than life itself, even if it's virtual?"

I understood then that Dagon didn't know where he had gotten himself traveling with us into illegality. He wouldn't do too badly in real life, so he didn't feel the need to improve, but the rest of us were willing to give up everything for a bit of power.

For Dagon, we would be selfish, but the conditions for forming the group were clear. He was aware of what we craved and still decided to join us. Perhaps the problems with the bullies in his neighborhood were very sporadic and not very urgent, but the rest of us felt Allsium as our own real life, an escape route from the shit we were going through.

We had gone out into the illegality of Allsium to be able to change our reality, and if achieving it meant not losing the hotel room we had in Allsium, then so be it.

"I agree with Zen," I agreed. We're a team, but getting our hands on this hotel room was nothing short of a miracle. We have gone from having to mount guards every day to be able to rest here whenever we feel like it, and on top of that for free. I looked the room up and down and was still hallucinating. We can come back here whenever we want, wherever we are, and we'll heal faster too. If we exchange property to save one of us, in reality, we will be condemning all of us.

"I couldn't have explained it better myself." Zen agreed.

"I understand you, ragazzone," the Italian commented, looking at Dagon, "but you have to know that we are all up to our necks in real life." We have to take a chance on the bloody illegality to get something to start over with. In reality, I live in a shit hole, waiting to be found and shot in the back of the head. My only salvation is in Allsium and the power it can give me. “It was the first time that the Italian spoke so seriously about that subject. I'll gladly go to hell if you guys can stay here, so I don't want you trading me for the room. If I die in Allsium I will have no choice but to survive in the real world, but I have not come to walk around, for that I would have been well protected in the Land of Allsium. He paused, looking intensely at the three of us. I won't sell the room to save any of you, because I wouldn't sell it myself to save myself. So they'll know we're not here passing through and that we take Allsium seriously, capito?

I don't know what to say, guys. Dagon didn't have much confidence in himself. The rest of us were not successful, far from it, but he was very insecure. I accept what most say.

"It's not that, Dagon” san," Zen intervened. Most of us are the four of us, and each of us has an opinion. I think it's time to hear yours.

Greek and I nodded. I looked at Dagon and encouraged him to open up and tell us what was going on in his head.

“Well, we all go through a lot of trouble in real life, the world is going to hell and we're not safe anywhere anymore. Crime, robberies, and mafias are spreading throughout all countries. Allsium has led to this fall and the alarming drop in birth rates. Well, at least that's what the news says. Dagon was very current, we had long passed from real life. If you say that the property is vital for any of us to survive in Allsium, then I agree that it should not be sold. I have the least to lose, so if I am captured and killed I will continue working and living in reality, even if I get beaten and robbed from time to time. He shrugged and looked at the ground. His sincerity was overwhelming. I think that's it, guys.

"Thank you, Dagon," Zen replied, bowing his head. I think from now on we should have more meetings like this. Things have turned against us thanks to ownership, but we must not forget that this clan is still after us.

"That bunch of useless people isn't going to leave us alone that easily." And now they're well armed,' said Greek. Surely the stiff brat is buying them weapons from reality so they can kill us.

"And here I thought Initium wasn't dangerous," Dagon commented somewhat ruefully.

"Well, the situation is what it is," Zen said evenly. We cannot complain, anyone would sign for being in our situation. Now we will wait for Greek to recover and I will go through the Guild Fountain of the Path of the Mage. After all that, we go to Tveirland.