by Jackson Bale
Good,---she’s---listening.
“So---when---she---panicked,---you---sent---Tella,”---I---point---at---the---entrance---towards---her---home---where---Tella---stands---still,”---to---get---me.”
Anathema---nods,---flashing---her---teeth---at---Janie,---who---in---turn---quickly---repoints---her---bone---shiv---at---her.
“And---then---you've---been---antagonizing---her.”
“I---can't---help---it,---her---fear---is---so…---intoxicating.”---Anathema---exclaims---with---an---intoxicated---glint---in---her---eye.
Yea.---Figured---as---much.---Gajeda---seem---to---be---hunters---while---Janie---is---clearly---acting---like---prey,---enforcing---their---instincts.
“Janie!”---I---yell.
Janie---twitches,---her---eyes---moving---to---me.
“Can---you---please---put---that---weapon---away---and---come---take---a---seat---next---to---me,---they're---not---going---to---hurt---us,”---I---say.
Janie---frowns,”---How---would---you---know?”---she---asks,---fear---ever---present---in---her---voice,---wanting---to---move---closer---to---me---but---still---fearing---the---lizard---women...
Rolling---my---eyes,---I---point---at---the---doorway---where---Tella---stands---unmoving,---watching---the---situation---unfold,---”because---I---slept---with---her---daughter.”
Tella---immediately---turns---a---lighter---shade---while---her---tail---wraps---around---her---leg,---memories---of---the---night---resurfacing---within---her---thoughts.
Janie’s---mouth---opens---and---closes---as---her---mind---attempts---to---make---sense---of---what---I---had---said.
“What?”---she---asks.
*Sigh*
“I---banged---her.---Fucked---her.---Destroyed---her---lizard---pussy.---I---made---her---scream---most---of---the---night.---I’m---not---sure---how---much---better---of---an---exclamation---you---need.”
Janie---just---blinks,---turning---towards---the---entrance,---looking---at---Tella,---who---refuses---to---make---any---form---of---eye---contact---with---anyone---while---her---tail---threatens---to---strangle---her---toned---scaly---leg.
“You---slept---with---a---monster…”---she---exclaims---softly,---her---mind---attempting---to---make---sense---of---things.---A---moment---passes---and---she---slowly---lowers---the---shiv.
I---can---only---imagine---what's---going---through---her---thoughts---right---now.
As---she---gets---up,---she---looks---warily---around---and---walks---towards---me,---grabbing---a---stone---stool---and---pushing---it---closer---to---me.---She---sits---down,---her---hand---grabbing---hold---of---my---robe,---staring---warily---at---Anathema---who---is---enjoying---the---entire---conversation.
Anathema---moves---her---gaze---towards---her---daughter,”---Tella,---do---please---go---and---get---Zorren.---I---require---his---presence.”
Tella---immediately---nods---and---runs---out,---still---flushing---with---embarrassment.
“Now---then,---Thoric,---you---were---gone---for---several---hours.---Did---you---get---done---with---what---you---needed---to---do?”
I---nod,”---Yes,---I---gained---two---more---classes---which---will---hopefully---level---quickly.”---I---turn---to---Janie---who---is---staring---at---the---drink---in---my---hands.
I---move---my---drink---towards---her,---which---she---takes---hesitantly.”---Janie,---I---wanted---to---ask---you,---the---[Noble]---class,---how---good---is---it?”
She---takes---a---moment,---gazing---at---the---crystalline---lines---of---the---cup---now---in---her---hands,”---It’s---a---class---you---can---be---born---in---if---both---of---your---parents---have---the---[Noble]---class---or---if---either---a---[King]---or---[Queen]---gives---the---class---to---you.”
You---still---haven't---answered---my---question.
“Yes,---I---figured---that---out---already,---but---what---I---want---to---know---is---how---useful---it---is,---like---what---skills---can---you---obtain---from---it?”
She---looks---up---to---me,”---you---have---the---class?”.
I---nod.
She---takes---a---moment,---her---thoughts---collecting,”---Well,---from---what---I---know,---the---[Noble]---class---is---very---diverse.---The---class---can---range---from---obtaining---skills---which---help---you---in---trade,---negotiation,---war,---combat…---that---class---in---general---just---helps---you---become---better---at---what---you---already---do.---On---top---of---that,---the---class---can---evolve---into---either---the---[Lord]---or---[Lady]---class,---which---is---significantly---more---powerful---than---just---being---a---[Noble].
Interesting,---so---being---born---a---noble---gives---you---quite---a---few---perks---in---life---to---be---successful,---I---can---see---why---those---in---power---stay---in---power.---An---uprising---couldn't---happen---due---to---some---people---getting---great---classes---at---birth,---especially---if---those---classes---can---control---people---or---outright---fight---armies---of---weaker---classes.
Nodding---along,---a---question---pops---up---into---my---head---as---I---think---about---classes.”---How---do---classes---upgrade?---I---was---checking---my---lists---of---class---options---and---was---surprised---to---see---rather…---boring---classes---available---to---me.---Do---more---classes---become---available---later?”
At---my---question,---both---women---look---at---me,---confused.
“Lists?”---Janie---asks,---her---hand---still---holding---the---crystalline---glass.
“Well,---it---was---more---around---several---lists,---but---I------what?”
At---my---words,---both---women---just---stare---at---me.
“Most---people---only---have---a---couple---classes---to---choose---from…---I---was---only---offered---two---when---I---became---16---years---old.”---Janie---explains.
“Years?,---That---is---a---term---used---for---several---cycles,---correct?”
Janie,---confused,---looks---towards---me,---her---eyes---questioning
Oh---right,---I---haven't---explained---anything---to---her.
“Right,---soooo,---this---whole---place---is---a---dungeon.---To---enter---or---exit---the---dungeon,---you---need---to---pass---through---the---fog,---which---only---I---am---able---to---do---at---the---moment.---Also,---this---dungeon---has---several---species---like,”---I---point---at---Anathema,---”the---Gejada,---who---are---trapped---inside---and---are---willing---to---swear---fealty---to---me---if---I---free---them---from---imprisonment.”
She---blinks,---”you---can't---live---in---a---dungeon.---The---dungeon---is---a---living,---breathing---thing.---It---will---do---everything---in---its---power---to---kill---what---isn't---its---own---creation.”
I---raise---an---eyebrow,---”well,---this---dungeon---is---seemingly---not---attempting---to---kill---us,---so---I---guess---this---is---an---exception.”
She---frowns---at---me,---unable---to---refute---my---logic…---though---I---can't---necessarily---refute---her---logic---either---considering---my---ignorance---in…---well,---everything.
“Now---Thoric,---you---said---that---the---stone---offered---you,---several---classes?---Over---ten?”---Anathema---interrupts,---her---slitted---eyes---blinking---in---curiosity.
My---hand---flies---to---my---neck,---flicking---my---long---hair---back---as---I---decide---to---answer.
“Several---thousand---classes---were---actually---offered.”
The---sound---of---a---glass---cup---striking---the---stone---floor---reverberated---through---the---room.
Janie's---cup---rolls---along---the---floor,---it's---contents---spilled---under---the---table
“It's---because---of---your---[Hero]---class.”---She---whispers---aloud,---her---eyes---gazing---into---mine---with---intensity.
Seconds---go---by---until---Anathema---interrupts---with---a---question.
“Was---this---[Noble]---class---the---only---one---you---choose---or---are---their---others?”---She---asks.
I---turn---away---from---her,---my---thoughts---turning---towards---my---other---class.---A---
class---I---have---no---idea---how---to---use---now---that---I---think---about---it.
“I---also---chose---[Enchanter].”
Anathema---moves---her---hand,---tapping---the---stone---table---with---her---claws---as---she---attempts---to---remember---anyone---with---the---class.
“I---have---heard---about---that---class,---those---who---are---able---to---give---power---to---items,”---her---gaze---moves---towards---the---staff---in---the---corner---of---her---room,---”a---couple---of---centaurs---have---the---class---and---I---believe---only---one---Kitsune---does---as---well.”
Janie---moves---from---her---seat---and---grabs---the---spilled---crystal---cup---which---had---not---even---dented---and---places---it---on---the---table.
“Well---that's---unfortunate,---would---have---loved---having---some---training---in---the---class.---Hopefully---killing---monsters---will---level---it---up---enough---so---I---can---get---some---usable---skills.”
“You---can't---level---up---your---class---that---way.---Enchanter---isn't---a---combat---class,---it's---a---crafting---one.”---Janie---interrupts,---her---hand---back---to---holding---my---cloak.”
“Your---mate---is---correct,---such---a---class---would---require---teaching---and---practice---to---increase---in---level.”
“I'm---not---his---mate,”---Janie---retorts---with---an---angry---glare.
Anathema---gives---her---one---look,---flashes---her---sharp---predatory---teeth---and---turns---her---attention---back---to---me,”---Which---is---why---I---would---suggest---you---talk---to---the---centaurs---and---learn---what---you---can---from---them---on---the---process---of---enchanting.”
That---doesn't---make---sense---though.---The---first---ever---[Enchanter]---had---nobody---to---teach---them,---so---they---must---have---learned---how---to---in---some---way.---I---just---need---to---figure…---out…---the...
Without---breaking---my---train---of---thought,---I---quickly---search---my---robe,---taking---out---my---enchanted---steel---dagger.
I---quickly---attempt---to---sense---Mana,---my---[Advanced---Mana---Sense]---skill---activating---automatically.
Bingo.
“What---is---that?”---Anathema---asks,---her---clawed---finger---pointing---at---the---dagger---in---my---hand,---her---eyes---following---the---shiny---exterior---with---rapt---attention.
I---raise---an---eyebrow,”---It's---an---enchanted---steel---dagger,”---I---explain,---holding---out---for---her---to---see.
She---grabs---it---carefully,---her---hand---moving---down---the---thick---handle,---delicately---touching---the---wood---until---it---moves---to---the---metal,---where---her---finger---moves---delicately---up---and---down---its---shiny---length.
Must…---suppress…---aura…
Finally,---her---eyes---move---away---from---the---knife---and---she---asks---the---question,---”what---is---this---material.---I---have---never---seen---or---felt---anything---like---it---before.”
An---epiphany,---a---state---of---understanding---forms---upon---my---face---as---I---finally---figure---out---what---has---been---bothering---me---for---the---longest---time.
“This---dungeon---has---no---metal,”---I---exclaim.
Now---it---makes---sense.---The---rock---structures---in---these---homes---seem---to---be---thousands---of---years---old.---Several---generations---of---Gajedan---have---lived---here,---probably---significantly---longer---than---that.---Even---still,---the---only---materials---they---seem---to---have---are---those---from---animals,---rocks,---crystals,---and---seemingly---plants---from---the---other---floors.---In---conclusion,---this---dungeon---has---no---metal,---unfortunately,---I---have---no---idea---why.
“Metal…---interesting,---I---have---never---seen---or---felt---such---material---before.”
She---slowly---hands---the---dagger---back---to---me,---Janie---moving---her---body---slightly---away---from---the---outstretched---hand,---fearing---the---blade---which---she---saw---so---many---slaughtered.
Before---I---can---ask---another---question,---a---sound---from---the---home---entrance---takes---my---attention.
Zorren---walks---in,---his---large---girth---and---height---forcing---him---to---slump---lower---to---enter---through---the---entrance.---His---face---moves---to---me,---giving---me---a---quick---glare---before---he---turns---to---Anathema.
“What---is---it---you---need---Ana?”---he---asks,---somewhat---forcefully.
Anathema---takes---a---long---look---at---him.---She---frowns,---”where---is---my---daughter?”---she---asks.
Zorren,---taken---aback,---turns---around,---only---finding---an---empty---doorway.
“She---was---right---behind---me---a---moment---ago.”
Shaking---her---head,---Anathema---turns---to---me,---”Zorren---here---will---help---you---get---acquainted---with---the---citys---inhabitants---as---well---as---the---beasts---which---roam---the---floor.---He---will---be---your---guide---to---the---other---floors,”---she---turns---to---Zorren,”---and---will---assist---you---in---anything---you---desire.
Zorren,---bares---his---sharp---teeth,---his---eyes---glinting---angrily.---But---only---for---a---moment.---He---then---relaxes---and---nods---slowly---towards---her,---subduing---his---anger---for---the---sake---of---his---people---and---the---understanding---that---he---will---be---able---to---find---his---daughter.
“Good,”---she---looks---to---me,---”though---I---can---help---answer---questions,---know---that---Zorren---here---has---far---more---knowledge---on---classes,---skills,---and---the---monsters---which---inhabit---the---floors.---It---would---be---in---your---best---interest---to---speak---with---him---over---such---details.”
She---stands---up,---her---gaze---looking---towards---a---window---allowing---a---clear---sight---towards---the---stone---and---her---city,---”I---will,---in---turn,---prepare---my---people---and---the---resources---needed---for---the---trip---before---the---cycle---ends.”
Her---head---swivels,---staring---at---me---for---a---long---moment,---”Before---I---leave,---is---there---anything---that---you---may---require---from---me?”---she---asks.
“Tonight…---err---at---cycle’s---end,”---I---say,---getting---the---hint.
She---smiles---and---nods,---walking---towards---the---exit.---Her---tail---swivels---erotically---as---she---passes---Zorren---who---is---currently---glaring---daggers---at---me---like---never---before.
I---get---up---off---my---seat,---Janie---follows---along,---her---body---moving---behind---me,---away---from---Zorren---whose---eyes---are---dangerously---focused---on---me.
*Sigh*---”Right,---not---sure---why---you're---angry---with---me,---but---I---can---seriously---use---your---help.”
I---walk---up---to---him,---my---gaze---unwavering,---unflinching,---looking---straight---into---the---eye---of---a---predator.
_____
Zorren---stares---at---him,---this---human,---watching---for---a---reaction,---testing---him.---But---the---human---meets---his---gaze,---his---eyes---speaking---of---someone---who---has---seen---pain,---felt---fear,---felt---loss,---someone---that---as---much---as---Zorren---hates---to---admit,---is---very---similar---to---himself…---which---is---why---he---hates---this---human---so---much---more…---as---it---is---a---reminder---of---his---failure.
But---Zorren---understands---the---importance---of---working---with---him,---the---importance---of---making---sure---his---species---survives.
Relaxing---slightly,---Zorren---opens---his---mouth,---”I---will---be---leading---our---people.---You---will---follow---my---directions---or---I---will---leave---you---behind.”---he---explains.
“I---refuse,”---Thoric---answers---immediately,---gazing---into---Zorren’s---eyes---with---confidence,---not---even---blinking.
Zorren,---taken---aback,---allows---his---own---aura---to---flow---out,---immediately---causing---the---human---female---to---tremble.
But---the---human---continues---to---hold---his---gaze,---his---hands---moving---towards---his---chest,---folding.
Showing---his---teeth,---Zorrens-
--remaining---working---arm---creates---a---fist,---the---claws---scraping---against---his---scales.
“Fine,---but---if---you---make---a---mistake---and---kill---my---people,---I---will---rip---out---your---throat,”---Zorren---threatens,---watching---a---smile---glaze---upon---the---humans---lips.
“I---don't---make---mistakes,”---Thoric---answers---cooly.
Anger---is---something---Zorren---understands---extremely---well,---and---at---this---time,---it---is---taking---an---extraordinary---amount---of---self-control---to---keep---himself---back.
Taking---a---few---deep---breaths,---Zorren---lowers---his---head,---suppressing---his---own---pride,---activating---his---skill.