Year 0 Month 5 Week 1
—La-da-da-daaa—
Inspirational piano music begins to play as the video starts showing video after video of rifts in trees, buildings, one even floating in the air. The video split into four instances, then eight, then double again and again. Until a smooth, authoritative male voice speaks, “Our world has changed.” The wall of rifts cut to an individual with quest crystals floating behind them, then cut to others, some still images, others videos of them completing tasks, the crystals glowing. Some walked next to other Giants, talking and laughing with the shorter people. Even one showing a kid, a teen, an adult, and then the awoken, all side by side, a stark contrast in what was a new norm.
The voice continued, “And no one knows what to do. Not least of all the government.” The screen showed protest after protest.
“We here at the Adventurer’s Guild believe quick action, actionable intel, and a well-trained staff are what the world needs.”
The video cuts to people in what appears to be a medieval tavern, where a man in a crisp, stylish uniform looks directly at the camera while a receptionist in a different, crisp uniform converses with someone in leather armor and wielding a sword.
“Here we adventurers are preparing for the future. We pride ourselves on providing detailed reports on new rifts, staying up to date on the latest changes, and, most importantly, helping people find a path forward or adjust to the change.”
The video shifted to a scene of senators in assembly. “Do we want that at the speed of bureaucracy?”
The screen cut back to the man. “We’ll be overrun in no time, of rifts and whatever may come.”
“This election season, vote yes on people. Vote yes on the Independent Adventurer. Let your congress know that Adventurers are for the people and are the people.”
The screen froze, showing a large group of people in armor smiling up at the camera.
“Paid for by the National Adventurers League”
#
—BrrRing-BrrRing-BrrRing—
—Click—
“Mythic Deliveries, this is Cara.”
“Cara, it’s Zeph. There is no way this is right,” Zephyr said, having received the latest delivery, and it was so odd that he had to call up their longest-term and only employee. She was hired when they first started and was responsible for setting up almost all their deliveries and routes, as well as finding new clients. They were barely making money and desperately needed a new runner to attract more clients, but with all the harassment, it was impossible to retain any. And when they did have other runners, they didn’t have the same reach. For Zephyr, the distances were only increasing.
“No. This Is what they want.” Cara replied tiredly.
“Are you sure it’s not some typo or—”
“Zephyr, I made sure; when I received the request, I called to confirm. Their receptionist was very insistent this was right.”
The delivery request was just so odd and had one glaring problem, “But isn’t this illegal?”
“That was the first thing I thought of, so I looked it up. Then double-checked local ordinances.”
“And?”
“Sorry, it’s a gray area.”
“SLOW DOWN! WATCH WHERE YOU’RE GOING!” Someone yelled at Zephyr as he passed. A person he was nowhere near, on the complete other side of the street. The asshole wasn’t the only one, and thanks to all the protesters, every time someone yelled at him now, his heart would start racing, and he would suddenly become hyper-aware of his surroundings.
Suddenly, he was searching for someone throwing things at him or grabbing him. Seeing none of that, he made sure he wasn’t running recklessly. Sometimes, he did go on autopilot and get closer to people than they’d like before swerving out of the way. Finding nothing but one guy yelling, he refocused on the call. “That’s not very reassuring, Cara. We can’t afford another massive fine.”
“I know, but I have verbal consent—you’ll get written confirmation from the receptionist—that they'll cover any fines this may create for them or us, and they are adding a sweet premium on top. I’m talking ten times the amount. Hazard pay and whatnot.”
“And they still agreed?”
“Yeah, the only question is, can you do it?” A playful tone from the other end.
“We’ll find out. I need to see the building first, and there it is.”
“Good luck.”
“Yeah. Alright, see you back at the office.”
—Beep-Beep-Beep—
The door beeped as he entered the eight-story, red-brick office building, complete with metal fire escapes. Maybe?
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Zephyr found himself repeating the conversation he just had with the receptionist, who thought the whole thing was hilarious. Zephyr had to comment, “He can't be serious.”
“Oh, he is serious.” She replied as she handed over a signed contract to Zephyr with the terms Cara mentioned, “He even said to check your quest.”
She handed him a small transparent crystal, and as his hand wrapped around it, he felt the request: Deliver the package from the receptionist's desk by climbing up the outside of the building and handing it through the window.
“This is so stupid. It’s not even an outside delivery. Did he hand it to you to deliver it back to him?”
“…No comment. But, there is a reason for this.”
“That is?”
“You’ll see.”
Zephyr stared at the woman for a long time, “Fine. Now, where is the package?” She pulls out a box just small enough to fit in his bag so at least his hands would be free. This is so dumb! “And what floor is he on?”
“Fifth and it will be the third window to the left of the fire escape.”
“Is that third on the fire escape, or do I have to climb across the ledge?”
“Ledge, but there are wrought iron balconies you can use as hand holds.”
“Ok, this is dangerously stupid. Almost as much as him if he thinks I’ll risk my life for this.”
“He said if you said that, he’d add a thousand dollars as a tip.”
“Well, shit.” The courier stepped outside to assess the severity of the situation. Why do they want this so bad? They were throwing money at him to do this. His curiosity and the money were calling to him. This better not be some kind of setup.
Before he knew it, Zephyr was looking up at the fire escape. The ladder was about twelve feet high, and there was a dumpster nearby that he might be able to use to climb it. Looking even higher to the front of the building he could see the so called balcony. It wasn't much of a balcony, maybe more of a balconet, where one might be able to open the window. Am I really going to do this?
#
—Clang-Slam-Clang—
“Got it!”
Zephyr hung from the fire escape; it had only taken him three tries before he was able to hold on. The first two attempts had not occurred to him to be ready for the sudden deceleration from a running jump. Each time, he failed to maintain his grip, slipping before he even had a chance to act. This time, he grabbed and was able to hold on instead of hitting the ground and laying there questioning his life while glaring daggers at the fire escape. Hanging there barely holding on, he really wished he had worked on his upper body.
Zephyr was having a bit of trouble holding his entire weight as his hands were sweatier, and he was forced to constantly adjust to maintain his grip. That's when the next step in his plan completely fell through. He was going to do a pull-up, something he knew he couldn't do, and with the position he was in, there was no way he’d be able to lift himself.
Plan B it is. He began to swing back and forth, gaining momentum, before swinging his legs up, going upside down, and shoving his leg into one of the rungs just as his hand slipped. His gamble paid off. Zephyr had realized while he might not be strong enough to climb, he had gained a remarkable level of control over his body. And this was the first time he learned how his manipulation of his body translated to climbing. From simply adjusting body weight to shifting his limbs and twisting them just right to do what he needed.
After that, he was shocked at how easily he was able to swing himself up and scuttle up onto the actual ladder, and before he knew it, he was already on the fifth floor. Staring at the ledge.
The fuck am I doing?
It was really hitting him just what he was doing. For only a thousand bucks and a ten times fee, for who knows why. They really needed the payout; it would help keep them afloat. Not to mention, Zephyr himself was barely keeping up with his bills; he was still dealing with his student loans. He’d quickly learned being an owner of a business did not mean you got a big payout. If the business was suffering—and you are the broke partner—so were you. All he seemed to get were the tips and barely minimum wage.
Checking out his possible route out on the ledge, he thought. It’s wide enough. The ledge was enough for a person to walk on easily; he would just have to avoid looking down or thinking about it too much. There was a lot of space between each window, and plenty of time he’d be forced to have no safety or handholds. It shouldn’t be too bad—am I really doing this?
Something else occurred to him; They do know I’m not really a goddamn squirrel. Why does he want me to do this? Disregarding safety, he stepped over the fire escape and scurried across the stone, finding it surprisingly easy to reach the small balcony. His heart was beating out of his chest; the run had been terrifying. There, he found himself grabbing onto the metal bars, climbing up and over, and holding himself on the balcony.
—Knock-Knock-Knock—
He hung there waiting at the window. Feeling less and less sure of this entire thing the longer he waited. This better not be a screwed-up prank.
—Knock-Knock-Knock—
—Knock-Knock-Knock—
On the third knock, the window opened, “Took you long enough.” A man in a sharp suit and a shit-eating grin stood at the open window.
“Special delivery for a special guy,” Zephyr said with sarcasm, slipping the package to the man.
“Hahah!” The man began laughing as he took the package, then pulled out another thick envelope laden with cash. Kept his word, at least. Taking the envelope, it was almost enough for Zephyr to forget he was five stories up with no safety net.
Seeing the man smiling, he wanted to get off the building and inside, “Mind stepping—”
-Slam-
“Mother fucker.” The man slammed the window shut. “Seriously!” Looking through the window, the man was laughing and shooing him away. Asshole. Did he really expect him to climb back down?
—Knock-Knock-Knock—
—Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock—
—Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock—
—Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock—
—Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock—
—Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock-Knock—
After some time and a lot of frustrated knocking. Zephyr found the guy did indeed expect him to climb back down. This guy Seriously sucks.
Cursing the man all the way down, scurried his way back to the ground, having to jump from the rungs. He found himself lying on the ground staring at the ladder again, falling on his ass, not sticking the landing.
“Ehm”
Zephyr turned his head to find an officer standing there with a citation in hand, looking both entertained and a little too smug.
“Oh, come on. How long have you been standing there watching?” The words just tumbled out of his mouth.
The corners of the officer’s mouth twitched, “Can’t be climbing the buildings.”
“There is nothing against it. We checked. “Zephyr replied as he forced himself up, taking the paper.”
He only raised an eyebrow. “It's called public nuisance, possibly trespassing, or possibly reckless endangerment; you're just lucky that no one else was endangered.”
-Sigh-
* * *
