Evolution: A Warlock’s Rise To Power

Brax got out of his capsule and took care of his morning routine. Having dealt with the Plague Baron, he felt as if a weight had been lifted from his chest. There were still many more things to deal with, but he relaxed in his current victory.

'Those other problems can wait for a day.' He thought to himself.

Since it was the weekend, Brax went to the main house to have breakfast with his family.

"Brax take a seat, we are having waffles." Marie said, filling his plate with a large mound of food.

"Good work yesterday." Bo said. "I always knew you would win. Did you get any rewards from Raze?"

"I did, the size of my territory has doubled. It includes a developed city, I still have to check it out."

Bo nodded while wiping his mouth. "That's great, with all the havoc the drow are causing in the material realm, the alternate realms are becoming more and more popular. Heck, you might want to consider taking over another fortress."

"That's enough boys, don't spoil breakfast with all your work talk." Marie said. "Besides, this one is still hiding something from me." She said while locking her eyes on Brax and looking him over.

"I don't know what you are talking about Aunty." Brax said. He tried to calm his nerves while covering his waffles in butter and syrup.

"Don't play me punk. What is it? Did you get a tattoo?"

"No, of course not. I am not hiding anything from you."

Marie hopped from her seat and slid into the one next to him. She moved closer with her face only a few inches away from the side of his. Brax anxiously bit into his breakfast and smile towards his aunt.

"You're lying, not about the tattoo. I know you are hiding something, you can't deceive the woman who raised you."

"I-,"

"Think carefully about what you are about to say next. I am not going to leave your side until I find the answer." Marie warned. "Unless you want me to come on your little date this afternoon?"

Brax knew he wouldn't let this go. He built up his courage and said it.

"Jenna and I are married."

"So soon?" Bo asked.

"Married! And you did it without me!!!" Marie screamed.

"Jenna and I are getting married in the game soon. Calm down Aunty." Brax said. "We have been spending all our time together for a year or so and wanted to try it out. It will also make it so much easier to rule my territory if she doesn't have to get permission for every little thing."

"Hmpf, alright, but I want to go to the wedding. You need to get me one of those characters so I can come."

"Yes, that's no problem. Once we set a time and a place, I will let you know."

"You better punk, next time don't hide things from your aunty." She suddenly balled up her napkin and held back a squeal. "I am so excited, first you get married in the game, then you will be getting married in real life."

'Ha, ha, yeah, in that order.' Brax thought to himself.

A similar conversation was happening in the Beneil house as both Brax and Jenna were testing the waters and talking to their families about marriage.

"But daddy, is there really anything wrong with Brax?" Jenna asked.

"Come on, it is only a game, there is no need to be upset." Mrs. Beneil said to her husband.

"There are a thousand reasons. His company is new and may not last. He does almost no research when investing his money, you told me he bought that building on a whim. You have only known him for a few months. He has a stupid face, and he is trying to take my baby away. That is enough reasons."

Holly spoke up. "If you think about game time, he has known her for a year and a half. Didn't you and mom get married less than a year after you met? Besides its not like they are really getting married."

"That's different, when I saw your mother for the first time, I knew that I would either spend the rest of my life with her or chasing after her."

"I like Brax, I am going to marry him in Evolution. I just wanted to inform you." Jenna said.

"You have fun in your game dear, I think Brax is a good young man and we support you." Mrs. Beneil said while elbowing her husband.

"Ofph, yeah, *Grumble*… support… *Grumble*"

Jenna nodded and headed back to her room to change out of her pajamas. Holly quickly followed after her.

"Hey sis, need something?" Jenna asked heading to her wardrobe to pick something out.

"You are really going to marry that guy in the game? Have you thought this through?"

Jenna nodded but focused her attention on the clothes in her hands. She was too embarrassed to look at her sister.

"I guess he is not that bad, and he seems to make you happy." Holly said. "It has been a long time since I have seen you excited about something like this. If I am being honest, maybe it wouldn't be the worst for you two to be together in real life."

Jenna dropped the clothes in her hands and turned to her sister.

"Do you really mean that?"

Holly nodded. "You guys make an alright couple."

Jenna's eyes lit up with sparkles as she reached out for her sister's hands. "Brax and I are already married in real life."

"WHAT!!!!"

Jenna quickly covered her sister's mouth. "Shh! You can't tell anyone. I mean it."

Jenna slowly pulled back her hand to reveal Holly's mouth hanging wide open in shock.

"But-, when-, how-, did that bastard trick you into this?"

"No, I asked him, and I haven't regretted it for a moment."

"You asked Him?" Holly repeated in a daze.

"I love him, and he loves me. I want to spend the rest of my life with him."

"But, but, you at least need to tell mom and dad."

"I will, eventually. Right now, I need you to keep this a secret."

"I don't know…" Holly trailed off.

"Hey, I never said anything about dad's white XTB Hatchback that was "Stolen", or how mom's favorite dress when we were in high school was ruined by the "drycleaners"."

"Okay, okay, you must know that you can't hide this from them for the rest of your life. It is on a completely different level than the things I am hiding."

"I know." Jenna said as she sat on the edge of her bed. "I am hiding it because I am worried about grandpa."

Holly thought to herself and then nodded. "Alright, I get it. I won't rat you out. But if that scoundrel does anything wrong you have to tell me about it so I can go beat him up."

Jenna laughed. "If he does anything bad, I will try to leave him alive enough for you to get a couple of hits in."

***

Brax pulled into the suit shop he had originally visited with his aunt before his first meeting at Terracorp.

"Ah, Lord Quilldrake, you have returned." Said the employee that helped him last time. "Were the other suits to your satisfaction?"

"Yes, they were great. And my name in the real world is Brax Tomlin."

"What can I help you with Mr. Tomlin?"

"Well, I plan to get married in Evolution and wanted to see if I could commission something from you in game. And I also need a few pairs of pants for the real world. In the words of my aunt, "They need to be real pants, not something a sports team member wears to practice."."

"I should be able to help you with both issues. I will contact you next time I log into Evolution, as for the other issue, you can follow me this way. Aside from making suits, we have a large selection of slacks, shirts, shoes, and anything the modern man would ever need to look good." The salesman said while leading him deeper into the shop.

When Brax finished at the store he drove to meet Jenna for Lunch.

"How did your parent's take it?" Brax asked.

"My mom and sister were supportive, but my dad took some convincing. How did it go for you?"

"My aunt wants to be there. I told them we were married and then covered it up with the in-game wedding to see their reaction. My aunt was furious that she wasn't a part of it while my uncle only remarked that it was soon, but he seemed happy. It wasn't a bad reaction, but you may have to help me hold off Aunty when we tell her for real."

"He, he, I will help you. I also told someone… I told my sister, and she promised to keep it a secret, I just wanted to tell someone really badly. I know I asked you not to tell anyone and then I did exactly what I told you not to do, don't be mad."

Brax took her hand. "I am not mad at all. I am happy you have somebody you can talk to about it."

Brax and Jenna enjoyed the rest of their lunch before they split off to do different things. Jenna went to meet her mother to look for birthday gifts for her father while Brax headed to the training club to hone his skills.