Perfect World
()
About this ebook
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.
Read more from Charles Thomas
Jelly Roll: A Black Neighborhood in a Southern Mill Town Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Rays and Breeze Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Perfect World
Related ebooks
Prophecy and Tales Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Green Mage Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsNo Flame But Mine Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How a Realist Hero Rebuilt the Kingdom: Volume 6 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Story Elsadore Spook Wrote Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMystical Greenwood: One With Nature Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Unicorn Hunter Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsClaws of Midgard: Fenryr's Chosen, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMystical Greenwood Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKnight Blazer: Sword of Esoncia - Book 1: Knight Blazer, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLove in the Wild: A Tarzan Retelling Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5RuneWarriors: Sword of Doom Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMidlife Battle: Druid Heir, #7 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJezebel and the Star Monster Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Gems of Istarra Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMidlife Drift: Druid Heir, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Man in the Tree: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Death's Rejected Child Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Kingdom to Die For: The Swarming Death, #3 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWell of Fate: a When Ravens Fall Short Story: When Ravens Fall Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCaptured By The Dragons Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Hidden Folk: Stories of Fairies, Dwarves, Selkies, and Other Secret Beings Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Sorceress Kringle: The Woman Who Became Santa Claus: The Kris Kringle Saga, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDeathbringer: A Dark Fantasy Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Time's Arrow: A Time of Darkness, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDragon's Heir: Dragon Heir, #3 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Through Dragon Eyes Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsIrongate: Irongate, #1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Stone Of Destiny And Despair: The Levanthria Series, #4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsArcane Mythos Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Action & Adventure Fiction For You
Murder Your Employer: The McMasters Guide to Homicide Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Dust: Book Three of the Silo Series Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Swamp Story: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Poisonwood Bible: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shift: Book Two of the Silo Series Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Leave the World Behind: A Novel Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Wool: Book One of the Silo Series Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Billy Summers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shantaram: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Count of Monte Cristo Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5We, the Drowned Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Eight Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Scarlet Pimpernel Books Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Last Kingdom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Prodigal Summer: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros Summary: by Rebecca Yarros - A Comprehensive Summary Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Our Town: A Play in Three Acts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bean Trees: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Darkness That Comes Before Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Timeborne: BLADE OF SHADOWS Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Grace of Kings Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Outlawed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Most Dangerous Game Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Huckleberry Finn Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5James Patterson's Alex Cross Series Best Reading Order with Checklist and Summaries Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Postman Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Invasion Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Golden Notebook: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related categories
Reviews for Perfect World
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Perfect World - Charles Thomas
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