World Of Karik: A Game Of Villains

Dasha approached our group acting unusually flashy.

"What? Did you think that you'll make do without Darkness because Abyss and Chaos are present?" She c.a.r.e.s.sed Petrovich's cheek. He maintained a poker face. "I'm not aspiring to become the leader, but I have taken care of my vote, of course."

"Sit down," the coldness of Petrovich's voice took her by surprise. Abandoning antics, she sat in front of me. "We're starting!"

Having said that, he summoned the Scroll of Laws from his inventory and placed it on the table between us. As soon as this empty sheet of parchment took its place, the letters began to appear on it, as if by magic. So that's how it worked...

Dasha: 1 vote

Murdered a follower of Steelemete.

"I told you," Dasha smiled triumphantly.

I wonder why she was the first on the list. If it was chronological, then the very first murder had been committed by her. This can't be an accident. She's dangerous. Looking around, I saw that I wasn't the only one who thought so; each of the five thought her a worthy opponent.

"Didn't expect this, ex-master dearest, did you?"

Is she trying to hint at her herb picking? How foolish. Maybe she's trying to divert our attention?

"You thought you'd get the first kill? Far from it. When you beheaded Igor and Vlada, all it did was initiate the competition. But their beheading didn't count. As soon as I saw them rising from their graves, I immediately understood what happened. And then the blacksmith showed up."

I shrugged. If someone wanted to play the fool, it was their right to do so. But I still thought that paying attention to her tricks made no sense. At that moment, another line of text appeared on the Scroll.

Valentin: 4 votes

Murdered one follower of Steelemete, one follower of Darkness, and two followers of Chaos.

Innokenty: 2 votes

Murdered a follower of Steelemete and Darkness.

As I thought, it was Innokenty who was in charge in the Chaos faction. The rest of my assumptions were confirmed as well. The list was in chronological order, and votes counted only the first murders.

Vasily: 2 votes

Murder two followers of Abyss.

I didn't get any votes for Cadavers or the leaders, but I didn't expect them anyway. So, everyone's cards were on the table, and it was time to get ready for the next round.

"As you know, we still have some unresolved issues," Dasha broke the silence that filled the airs. Where from did this girl, arrogant but not outstanding before, get such a zeal? How could one hide so much about oneself? Was it some special talent, or were we just so used to not paying attention to other people?

"Yes," Innokenty nodded gloomily. "Not all factions have faced each other in battle."

"Battles are forbidden after the announcement of the results," Petrovich smiled.

"They are forbidden between us, but not between our followers. You're going to get followers, aren't you?" I allowed myself a predatory smile. If all goes according to plan, my "little paladins" would beat anyone, and no Mark would stop them.

"I think that we need to agree on how we'll coexist in the settlement first." Petrovich tried to pursue his agenda, but was interrupted.

"Let's decide what to do with the votes," Innokenty and Dasha spoke in unison, and then simultaneously turned away from each other. What was that? What's going on between them? I'm missing something.

"I agree," I nodded. "Five votes for gathering the followers and organizing a tournament. Will three days be enough for you to get ready?"

Dasha and Innokenty nodded simultaneously again.

This was the first decision of our Council, one that was against the will of the one with the biggest number of votes. He must be furious.

However, he kept himself in check. Waving his hand at Vlada, he ordered her to summon the rest of the squad. He was a clever one, all right; had no power any more, but he still managed the camp. It was probably a force of habit, and Petrovich used it to its fullest. On the one hand, I could intervene and grab the biggest piece of the pie for myself, but did I need that? No, I had a different plan for myself. If I could delegate some tasks, I would gladly do it.

"Do you know that you will be automatically defeated if no one wants to be your follower?" Dasha's voice was like a snake's hiss.

"Huh?" I pretended not to hear her, and she frowned in frustration.

I wondered why Petrovich grimaced at hearing these words. It lasted just for a moment, but I noticed it. Innokenty was silent as well. He clearly suspected something. And he had the right to do so, to be honest. By this point, everyone had gathered around us. I almost forgot that the leader of the third squad wasn't with us any more.

"We called you here to announce the latest news," Petrovich took the spotlight again. But unlike me, the faction leaders were not going to hand the power over to him so easily.

"The settlement is currently being governed by a board of representatives of the most powerful Gods of this world," I didn't know that Innokenty could speak so loudly and clearly. "Mikhail and I represent Chaos."

"I represent Darkness," Dasha took a step forward.

"Chaos has two votes in the Council, while Darkness has one," Petrovich couldn't help but hiss, tarnishing their reputation. "I, as a representative of Abyss, have four."

I realized that it was my turn to speak. "And I have two. I represent Light. They say that there's not much left of it in this world but, as you can see, that didn't prevent me from taking my place."

I could have told them how I got my two votes, it definitely would have made me seem more important in the eyes of others, but I saw no reason to use my trump card just yet. With my current Deception level, I could support only two followers. And I was sure that I could get them, regardless of what Major and Dasha said.

Petrovich looked at me gratefully, thankful for my silence, but the archer gave me a nasty look. She clearly hoped to increase her influence at the expense of others, but that wouldn't work with me.

All of my competitors then revealed what bonuses would be granted to those who joined them. No one, of course, revealed any of their secrets, but gave a hell lot of uncertain promises of strength and power. Those who chose Abyss, Chaos, or Darkness would receive a corresponding Mark. Considering what those with Marks could do, I wasn't sure if I would refuse such an offer myself. However, as the representative of Light I had something what would surprise everyone.

"First of all, I want to remind you that each and every one of you has a piece of Light within you." Experience had proven that the action itself was less important than how you apply it. I was to play my part up to the end. "As a paladin of Light I will help you to find that piece. In this world, filled with so much evil and cruelty, Light can become one of the most powerful weapons. We can find the usual power ourselves, but my gift to you is a unique one. I will give the ability to heal to those who are ready to follow me."

Petrovich choked on his spit as soon as I finished my speech. He was coughing so bad that if it wasn't for Vlada, he could have died the dumbest death of all time.

"Heal? Is that even possible?" I wondered if Dmitri had focused on my gift on purpose.

"Let's find out," I smiled from ear to ear. "Just imagine a squad where everyone can heal each other. We'd be invincible!"

Damn, I shouldn't have said that. I should have focused on personal benefit. Sometimes I forgot what kind of people I was dealing with. On the other hand, if those who really believed in justice gather around me, who would benefit the most from it?

"Nice speech, but I prefer more reliable options." Semyon stepped forth. "Petrovich was the one who took care of us this entire time. He had to kill us, but he did so for our own good. I choose Abyss. It has both force and reliability."

I underestimated the old lancer; he had prepared himself well for this. Semyon's words about them dying "for their own good" didn't sound so crazy any more.

"I choose Abyss, too." Ravshana? She was always so quiet. Now she decided to speak. What is it? Do you wish to become strong and make up for past wrongdoings?

"I choose Chaos." The last member of Igor's squad, one killed by Petrovich, moved closer to Innokenty and Major. "Others are obviously not strong enough to stand up to those who kill their allies. I'll get my revenge someday."

"I don't choose Light, but I would like to be your ally." Dmitri decided to support me. Interesting. The fact that he didn't abandon his God invoked respect. Well, we'll need someone to do make armor for future paladins. I nodded in agreement.

"We choose Darkness." Marina and Lina, two girls from Vlada's former squad joined Dasha.

Am really I the only one who's still without a follower? Maybe it's time for my trump card...

"I choose Light!" said Lena. She was quite useful in Dorea's dungeon, though her specialization wasn't exactly what I needed. However, one shouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.

As soon as the girl approached me, I followed everyone else's example and asked her to give me her right hand. I activated the skill transfer menu. I must say, preparing myself for this moment hadn't been easy. After a talk with my God and finding out what was waiting for me, I realized that I had a lot on my plate. First I had to lose levels so that I could reset my skill points; then I had to level-up again and reach level ten so that I could get two more of them. As a result, I was finally able to get one of my spells to level five, and unlock the option to transfer skills to my followers.

Choose a skill to transfer.

I halted at healing. Now I could use it to restore 200 health at a time and even had ten percent chance to cure fractures, internal injuries, poisoning or any other negative effects. The skill's effectiveness would, of course, be significantly reduced when transferred.

Choose a name under which your followers will know this skill.

Lay on Hands. I remembered reading a book in which paladins referred to healing with that name.

Turns 1 HP into 2 HP. Impossible to use on yourself.

Duration: 1 second

Cooldown: none

Distance: 5 inches

Not perfect, of course, but it wasn't bad either.

"They're glowing!" Everyone froze and stared at the white radiance that had enveloped Lena's hands.