An Armistice

(Mallory)

World peace.

An objective so crazy and unbelievable had finally come true. Yes, it seemed that for the first time in the creation of BiPrism all the world's superpowers had opted to accept peace, over the alternative, not doing enough to train for these stupid ratings games.

Yes, there were still monsters to worry about. People could still search and explore, and deaths were apparently not uncommon, but by and large the vast majority of the daily combat between players was gone.

A major concern was the idea that with the world being peaceful, viewership and marketing revenues would go down. This was apparently the case for many servers. With a vast majority of viewership switching to the promised seven.

Still, there were the outliers, the ones that weren't willing to follow mainstream media. This was where devotees became invaluable, the feed splicers who found fun or inventive things to watch, despite the sudden lack of extreme violence and widespread chaos that even the Legrand Empire always seemed to thirst for. Yes, it seems their bloodlust had been temporarily quenched by these planetary positioning games.

Yet, for all intents and purposes Mallory was blind. Her family, the cornerstone that she had placed her whole life into was gone. They had already moved their funding to the primary seven servers, despite her and her children being here. That was the problem, her children abandoned her. Even here, most had left.

Redding Spiritlight, her granddaughter and last true supporter had come, and with her the last true supporter of BiPrism was gone. Leaving behind a chance for the company to effectively vote her out as owner and shareholder by simply taking away any source of power she might have. Which is why for the first time, she felt blind. No longer able to get real time updates from her daughters, or granddaughter about ongoing conflicts around BiPrism, now she relied on Gwen to be her external eyes.

How could anyone go about their lives not having insight into the actions of others? Not knowing what type of evil deeds their enemies were performing on the other side of the world? Such a fate was unimaginable, and one she was particularly thankful to Gwen for providing.

There were other factors at work. While Gwen's daughter did have to pay money to make communications with Gwen. The server also gained revenue from sponsors who paid highly for product placements in different scenes. So far this has resulted in major sponsorship adds and endorsements being placed around the various offices and buildings.

Even posters around campus have been carefully printed in ways to accentuate highly visible logos. Even on their beloved Dr. Spiritlight there are one or two logos that Penelope herself managed to seamlessly work in, but only because the design helped make her look super cute.

Also, the time that she made the highly testosterone running shoe image in hot pink with a black border to protest the company, rather than causing backlash, had their highest margins in years. Sales were so good, that the company had to start up a new female brand using Dr. Spiritlight's likeness as the foundation for the display.

After that, people tried to get ahold of Cass, only to realize that she was still affected by her Dark Horse flaw. Which was when endorsements began pouring in through to first Mallory, and finally directly to Penelope.

Why Penelope? Well because she would be the one who needed to be convinced to seamlessly add the logos into the magical clothing. A process that needed to be done in such a way that it appeared as one continuous piece of cloth, while ultimately showing off a clearly visible logo. Even going so far as to make similar uniforms for the various Simulacrums. Similar, but different, as each Simulacrum had their own contract and endorsements.

Thus Fae-Ulacrum supporting night time drowsiness medications. Heal-Ulacrum supported the international plus organization, along with supporting every type of colored ribbon imaginable. Meanwhile, Ship-Ulacrum supported a particular the number one space exploration company.

Penelope, realizing that this was for the greater good, got paid for each endorsement, and then had that money go to an internal counter that helped "keep the lights on" even after the planetary placement games would be over. That's right, she never took a dime for herself or for Cass, and instead invested it all into the planet's long term survival. This was the unseen eleventh test, the money generating and revenue test that while not publicized was just as important as the first ten tests combined.

While, Penelope was the most known recipient of marketing revenues. The most recent recipient had to be Raygunnr. At first his endorsements started off with the equivalent of getting branded tattoos on his exosuit. Or in his specific case, getting spray on tattoos representing different organizations. No big deal right? Well that was the start.

"Has he always looked like that?" Mallory found herself asking Gwen, as she stood next to her partner and took in the recent changes to Raygunnr.

In a matter of weeks, Raygunnr had gone from a run of the mill murder robot that would easily be lost in a sea of similar monster robots while you were running for your life. To a more recognizable robot, one with clearly defined purple claw marks down his arms, sides, torso and other body parts. Basically, anywhere that a joint or movement was close to, or a joint could give or receive pressure had one of these glowing purple scars.

"No, it is what we are calling metallic scar tissue," Gwen responded, peering out at the monster that clearly housed her mother.

"Oh, not the scar tissue, I mean has he always had the Delicious Licks licking tongue as a light up accessory for his face?" Mallory asked, noting that right now Raygunnr who was being stretched and bent into awkward and gravity defying positions had an image of a bright glowing tongue licking upwards. Then pausing, Mallory stared and she saw the same exact gesture being made on Cass's face.

Seeing the gesture, Mallory first felt flustered wondering what the pixie was about to do. But then her more pragmatic side kicked in.

"He is getting paid for that right?" Mallory asked as well.

"To answer your questions, yes the decal is new, and yes he is getting paid for it." Gwen replied.

Phew.

With that Mallory let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. This relief was caused by a memory of Raygunnr's one piece of clothing. A piece that caused an instant argument from Cass. Mainly because to her it seemed to serve no practical purpose. The article of clothing in question: a giant fuzzy sweatband showing the unmistakable shoe company's logo.

Before, when it had just been stencils and paint, Cass had remained quiet. Yet, this time Cass seemed to be unable to keep her comments to herself about the odd action item.

"You don't even sweat," Dr. Spritilight protests from her position inside Raygunnr.

This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

A valid point, but you could almost see the moment true comedy struck, when she started tapping her index finger to her lips, an act that occurred just before she said, "though you know, it would be interesting to see how far I had to push you to see if you could leak pure Qi . . ."

Hearing those three words, Raygunnr instantly stiffened up, pulling his reflexive control away from Dr. Spiritlight as he looked down at his stomach area.

"No, it's fine I can remove it."

"Oh no, keep it, we are going to need it after all." Dr. Spiritlight stated as she took over Raygunnr's actions. The moment she took over was clear, as a giant malicious smile crossed Raygunnr's face. That was the moment when Delicious Licks first reached out to Mallory to help make contact with Raygunnr. That look was so overly cheerful that Raygunnr truly looked possessed, which in a way he was possessed. Possessed by the body and overzealous spirit of a pixie with boundless energy and a need to improve. Then almost as if he had multiple personality disorder there was a faint moment of fear that flashed on his face, before going back to its malicious smile.

Thunderclap.

After that, there was the sound and explosion of force beneath Raygunnr's feet, which Mallory followed to see the ground actually cracking under the tremendous force being exerted by Raygunnr's massive form. Then the next she looked up and almost missed the giant speeding monster who was running, rolling, flipping, and exploding forward with force through unseen obstacles.

That was the first time that Mallory ever felt truly sorry for a machine.

"She is worse than my son, when he got his first sports car." Mallory found herself saying to Gwen who had been quiet all that whole time. "Then again, knowing Cass any time an issue comes she will only heal the damage, while my son's car was fortunately able to die a quick but glorious death of shed parts, and speeding tickets."

Looking back, that was how Raygunnr went from a mostly steel gray color to a more colorful blend of deep black scars with purple accents that helped give him a deeply menacing look. Even with the ridiculous tongue and headband Raygunnr looked more and more like an evolved killing bot than a generic steam punk machine given sentience each day.

Mallory found herself watching the warm up routine, it looked like a combination of a graceful ballet dancer achieving full movement, while wearing a bulky metal suit. Yet, this right here drew in more viewings per capita than any other channel on BiPrism. Finally, the duo got to a point where they were done and seemed to be about to engage in a spar, or something. That was when Mallory strode forward, Gwen quickly on her heels as they drew close.

"Good morning!" Mallory called out, making sure to add in Focused Death Shout to ensure her voice could be heard over the long distance. While this was a Valkyrie power that was often designed to cause fear in the hearts of people fighting long enough for her to swoop in and remove a dying body from the battlefield, Mallory found it had other effects.

"Hey!" Cass cried out, a note of nervous tension filling her voice. Seeing that, Mallory inwardly winced, as Cass always seemed to be the one most receptive to the shout of the dead part of her ability. While it always cause everyone to cringe, and paralyzed the weak willed. For Cass, it seemed to just set her in a skittish mood the rest of the morning. Realizing her mistake, Mallory inwardly winced at the use.

"Sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to know if you needed anything from me, well us?" Mallory asked, then gestured to Gwen by her side. This was done to show that guild resources would be available if she wanted anything.

With that Cass paused and then after a second shook her head, an action that was mirrored by Raygunnr, "no, I'm good."

Hearing that Mallory nodded, then tilting her head upward to lock gazes with Raygunnr she asked, "what about you, do you need anything?"

Mallory asked, trying to use Mana Language with her speech, but it probably came out close to a screeching cat than anything intelligible.

Hearing the question, Raygunnr paused and his face that had been Cass's changed for a second as a brief look of fear seemed to cross his normally scarry robotic features.

Erratic burst of mana.

"I'm sorry what was that?" Mallory asked. As she spoke, Mallory saw a concerned look cross Gwen's face as she took an involuntary step forward. Partially concerned by Gwen's concern and partially due to her still being below average at best with understanding Mana Language, Mallory felt she missed something.

"Nothing, it was nothing, don't worry. Everything is fine." Cass cut in, seeming to talk over the still erratic bursts of mana coming from Raygunnr.

Then for a second, Mallory could almost swear that she felt what was equivalent to an S.O.S. signal coming through. Three short beeps, followed by three long bursts, and finally three short beeps of mana came from Raygunnr quickly. But before Mallory could fully evaluate that message in mana, Cass awkwardly cut in.

"All right, we have a lot of training to do, so toodles," Cass replied, waving Raygunnr's mechanical fingers. Then as if a switch had been flipped, the sad and scared face that had been on the Teleiotís shifted into a focused look, that soon turned into a giant malicious smile.

FWOOSH!

Before anyone could say or do anything else, the giant killing robot did a complete pivot away, before charging off into the sunset.

Thump, bump, thump.

Mallory watched as mechanical legs bent and twisted violently under hundreds of pounds of torque and force. Streaks of bowing and splitting metals could be seen racing down leg joints, only to be chased by an odd greenish-gray-purple mix of complex magic. There was at most a tenth of a second delay, as the competing reactions seemed to chase each other. The lead was always the splitting metal, followed by the much faster waves of healing energy that not only resealed the metal together, but seemed to contour it into a better shape that was more conducive the violent movements that the machine was now making.

Mallory and Gwen watched on in horror as they witnessed the giant murder bot violently explode forward, only to be ripped apart by forces and forged together over and over.

"That has to hurt?" Mallory found herself stating more than asking.

"Yes, he cries out in pain with each step, but still continues onward, not that he could stop himself," Gwen responded.

The two watched as the machine continued to run and do increasingly complex movements, attacks, strikes, and dodges. All which charging forward at insane speeds.

"He was asking for help, wasn't he?" Mallory finally asked the question that had been plaguing her.

"I believe so, though I think mom cut him off before he could fully ask." Gwen replied.

"Wait, didn't she say it was nothing?"

"It was, I believe he was saying something to the effect of 'nothing I do is enough. . .' it almost sounded like a joke. But one of those uncomfortable jokes that are more truthful than you'd like them to be."

Mallory nodded at that. For the first time ever she wondered if she had witnessed what was the equivalent of a kidnapping. Then an absurd question filled her mind as she wondered, could it be a kidnapping if the kidnapper was housed inside of the person being kidnapped? It sort of put a damper on the whole definition and characteristics of ways to describe a kidnapping.

Finally, Mallory found her mind going to ways that might be able to help prevent these types of events in the future. "She wouldn't force him?"

"What? No, well…" Gwen paused for a moment to truly contemplate that comment, then shook her head. "Of course she wouldn't, though she would push him right to the breaking point. Or in this case push his body well past the breaking point until he took on a stronger and more durable form."

"He does look nice, I mean those scar tissues almost look like bulging muscles at this point."

With that Gwen just nodded, watching the giant murder bot get further and further away. Despite being well over a mile away, bursts of energy could be seen slashing out at imaginary objects, before ninja rolling forward.

"I almost feel sorry for him. Is there any way he can just turn off his mind while she runs his body?" Mallory asked.

Gwen shook her head, "I don't think the Teleiotís have an off switch. At least not from my understanding."

"Wow, so we have a machine that can learn skills, abilities, and powers that never needs to sleep. Being driven by an unstoppable mythical monster that also never needs to sleep teaming up to practice unique skills and abilities that will be used against people who have been doing this for decades." Mallory stated the obvious, but still found herself speaking her thoughts at this point.

"Yeah, almost makes you wonder if those other servers are ready to see what happens next."

***

(Raygunnr)

Raygunnr took off with a burst of excitement, knowing that he had just pulled off yet another funny joke.

"Did you see that?" Ray asked his pilot and altogether spiritual leader for his entire species. While Ray had originally had his hang ups about his entire species worshiping this Pixie, he had to admit he now saw and even felt the allure.

She made him feel alive with power. Not just normal mana, or even qi, but there was more to her. A weight and presence that normally was allowed to roam around unchecked. But there were times when you could feel her mind focus, as a weight seemed to be directed towards one point, towards one direction and when that focus was fully engaged there was no stopping her.

Even now, he knew that he couldn't resist, she was the unstoppable force that the world noted. Getting her to focus long enough to become that force, now that was an entirely different issue. But here and now, he got her.

No, not just her, but he got the Guild Leader and the messiah's daughter as well.

"What, where you all but claimed I was torturing you?" Dr. Spiritlight replied, her words laced with a cold venom. Which likely explained why there was a fraction of a delay between his joints being ripped apart and her healing. Not much, in fact it didn't even register to his sensors, but he felt it, a slight reminder that she could make this more painful than it needed to be.

"Oh, come on. They knew I was joking. Everyone knows I'm a huge joker. . ."

"No one thinks you are funny."

"Oh come on, that's a bit harsh."

"Literally, they see you as a giant killing machine. One that is being trained and reforged into an ultimate killing weapon by me."

"Well, then we need to change their perception of us, if that is truly the case." Ray declared.

"How are we going to do that exactly? Our main task going forward is to find ways to kill enemies as quickly and efficiently as possible." Dr. Spiritlight chided.

At that, Ray felt some of his resolve break as he realized it might be a bit harder to be seen as a joking and happy go lucky person who happens to be stuck in arguably the most violent of sentient species ever.

"I mean, maybe I could read from my poetry?"

Eye roll.

Despite being held clearly inside his torso, Ray could feel her eye roll at that comment.

"Oh come on, what would you have me do then?"

"Give it time, and furthermore give me time because I want to try something." Dr. Spiritlight stated.

Ray was about to go on with his original train of thought, but suddenly felt his newly acquired Danger Sense skill spark to life. His mind paused and quickly evaluated that there were no active threats around, only for him to stop and realize with horror what had sparked this concern. The Doctor wanted to try something new. Not only that, but the world was seemingly giving him a moment to prepare by letting him know it was going to be painful.

"Um, what exactly?"

"You'll see. . ."

And it was at this moment, that Ray realized that some pixies might not be able to take a joke.

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