by Jackson Bale
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Janie---watches---as---the---undead---latches---onto---the---side---of---the---wall,---allowing---him---to---dismount---and---walk---up---to---her,---a---cocky---grin---on---his---face.
“Enjoy---the---fight?”---Thoric---asks.
A---frown---forms---on---Janie's---face---as---she---looks---towards---the---Gejan---unconscious---on---the---ground.
“Will---he---need---healing?”---She---asks,---ignoring---Thoric's---question.
Taking---a---pause,---he---leans---over---the---wall---and---looks---towards---the---prone---figure,”---Nah,---it---would---be---best---to---let---him---heal---naturally.---He---needs---to---learn---his---limits,---otherwise,---he---is---going---to---be---a---liability---for---himself---and---those---around---him.”
Janie---slowly---nods,---understanding---the---situation,---perfectly---content---to---let---the---[Hero]---handle---everything.
“What---happened?”---Aisha---asks---confused.
“Thoric---had---a---fight---and---won,”---Janie---answers,---tightening---her---hold---on---the---young---Gejan.
“Ohhhhh,---so---that---was---why---he---was---moving---so---fast,”---Aisha---exclaims,---having---only---seen---the---light---of---Thoric’s---movement.
Before---Aisha---can---say---anymore,---the---sound---of---screaming---children---can---be---heard---far---down---the---wall,---running---directly---towards---Thoric.
“Crap,”---Thoric---calls---out,---quickly---mounting---his---undead,”---I---will---see---you---later.”---He---says,---ordering---his---undead---to---fly.
“Janie,---make---sure---you---go---to---the---dungeon---stone,”---he---yells,---waving---away.
At---that---moment,---a---large---group---of---children---starts---to---whine,---watching---the---[Hero]---fly---away.
Smiling,---Janie---looks---down,---finding---Aisha---looking---back---at---her,---her---gray---eyes---seeing---nothing.
“Want---to---go---visit---the---dungeon---stone?”---Janie---asks.
“Ok,”---Aisha---answers---with---a---smile,---laying---her---scaly---head---back---down---on---Janie’s---chest.
Turning---away---from---the---training---soldiers,---Janie---heads---down---the---stairs,---towards---the---giant---glowing---stalagmite.
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“So,---you---are---admitting---he---is---capable,”---Anathema---says,---watching---as---Zorren---uses---a---crystal---to---smooth---out---a---massive---bone---club.
*Sigh*”---As---much---as---I---hate---to---admit---it,---that…---[Hero]---knows---what---he---is---doing,”---Zorren---answers---back,---continuing---to---scrape---the---bone---with---care.
“Ohhhhh…---how---so?”---Anathema---says,---amused,---especially---considering---that---Zorren---very---much---disliked---the---idea---of---Thoric---leading.
Zorren---stops,---placing---down---his---piece---of---crystal,”---He---is---showing---impressive---leadership,---leadership---equivalent---of---someone---with---a---high---level---in---a---[Chieftain]---class.---He---has---already---gained---the---respect---of---our---people.”
An---annoyed---frown---forms---on---Zorren’s---face,”---Especially---the---females.”
Anathema---snorts---loudly,---suppressing---a---laugh,---getting---an---annoyed---glare---from---Zorren---in---return.
“I’m---serious,---its---like---he---is---using---a---skill---on---them.---The---males---have---come---to---me.---Me---of---all---people,---complaining---that---the---females---are---ignoring---them.”
Zorren---shakes---his---head,”---The---heck---am---I---supposed---to---do---about---that.”
Anathema---laughs,---enjoyed---the---annoyed---and---confused---expression---on---Zorren’s---face.
“Oh,---it's---not---a---skill.---You---should---know---that---Gajan---females---are---attracted---to---strong---males.---Our---instincts---are---telling---us---that---he---has---massive---potential,---and---each---time---he---proves---it,---we---get---more---and---more---turned---on,---wanting---to---carry---his---egg.”
Zorren---shakes---his---head,---grabbing---another---piece---of---a---crystal---shard,---working---on---the---bone---once---more,---a---rather---slow---process---due---to---his---lack---of---a---usable---arm.
“---Tell---me---Anathema,---what---is---the---[soldier]---class?”
A---confused---look---forms---on---Anathemas---face,---her---scales---crunching---up---on---her---forehead,”---I---may---have---heard---of---the---class,---but---I---don't---remember---too---well---what---it---is---for.---Why---are---you---asking?
“I---am---asking---because---your---[Hero]---has---forced---more---than---half---the---Gajan---to---pick---up---that---class.”
“What?”---Anathema---says,---getting---angry---for---the---first---time.
“Yes,---after---the---training,---he---told---them---to---take---up---the---[soldier]---class.”---Zorren---reiterates.
Anathema’s---tail---swishes,---showing---her---teeth,”---Does---that---idiot---not---realize---that---more---classes---will---make---it---harder---to---level?---It---is---best---to---only---have---one---class,---otherwise,---you---are---weakening---yourself.”
*Clank*
Zorrens---crystal---shard---breaks,---a---piece---of---it---falling---on---the---floor.---Frowning,---he---grabs---another---shard,---continuing---his---work---on---the---bone,”---Maybe…---but---I---don't---think---he---would---weaken---the---Gejan---unless---there---are---benefits---to---be---made.”
Anathema’s---face---softens---slightly,---having---realized---that---the---damage---has---already---been---done---and---that---there---is---little---she---can---do---to---attempt---to---fix---the---problem.
*Sigh*”---Your---right,---might---as---well---let---him---have---his---way.---Not---like---I---can---get---angry---at---him,---especially---considering---how---he---was---in---bed.”
*Clank*
Zorrens---crystal---breaks,---his---hand---shakes,---and---then---relaxes---as---he---grabs---another---crystal,---a---frown---clearly---on---his---face.---But---he---stays---silent.
“How---will---he---handle---the---dungeon---boss?”---Anathema---asks,---changing---the---conversation.”---It---is---rather---difficult---to---kill---that---thing.---We---usually---lose---people---every---time---we---fight.”
“He---won't,”---Zorren---answers---quickly,”---he---asked---me---to---kill---it,---saying---that---he---would---rather---not---lose---any---Gajan---to---it---unless---it---is---absolutely---necessary.”
“Oh?---And---you---think---you---can---kill---it---on---your---own?”---Anathema---asks,---folding---her---arms---across---her---chest.
Zorren---stops---scraping,---putting---the---piece---of---sharp---crystal---with---the---used---pile---and---stand---up---from---his---seat.
His---good---hand---grabs---the---bone---handle---and---picks---it---up,---test---swinging---the---200---pounds---easily---with---one---hand,”---Fighting---monsters---is---much---easier---than---fighting---someone---who---can---bury---you---into---the---ground.”---he---says,---giving---Anathema---an---annoyed---look---before---setting---the---bone---back---on---the---table.
“Did---he---tell---you---when---he---said---he---will---leave?”---Anathema---asks,---watching---as---Zorren---walks---towards---his---bed,---sitting---down,---contemplating---the---battle---he---will---soon---need---to---fight.
“At---cycles---start..”
Noticing---that---the---conversation---has---ended,---Anathema---leaves,---allowing---him---to---mentally---prepare---while---she---heads---towards---her---home…---contemplating---on---sneaking---into---Thoric’s---room.
*************
Walking---closer---to---the---dungeon---stone,---the---first---thing---I---notice---is---the---lack---of---guards.
Normally,---two---[Gajen---Guards]---would---be---stationed---near---the---stone,---standing---strong---and---tall---to---protect---it---from---wandering---curious---children.
But---today,---no---guards---can---be---seen,---more---than---likely---be
ing---trained---by---Thoric---for---his---army.
An---army.---In---only---a---few---days---he---is---already---building---an---army.
Tightening---my---hold---on---Aisha,---who---elicits---a---soft---coo---in---response,---I---step---forward---and---extend---my---hand,---placing---it---upon---the---dungeon---stone,---a---sense---of---excitement---washing---over---me.
Congratulations!
[Priestess]---class---has---increased---to---level---46
Skill---[Minor---Heal]---has---been---upgraded---to---skill---[Heal]
New---skill---awarded.
You---have---gained---the---Skill---[Anesthetic---touch]
Requirements---Met.---Attempting---to---upgrade---class---[Priestess]---to---class---[Medic]
…….Upgrade---Failed.---Entity---Eir---has---restricted---class---change.
Class---upgrade---Cancelled.
The---words---flow---into---my---mind,---an---ethereal---thing---considering---all---I---am---doing---is---placing---my---hand---upon---a---stone.
Shaking---my---head,---I---remove---my---hand,---staring---at---the---stone---in---bewilderment.
For---some---people,---it---could---take---years---to---gain---six---levels,---especially---if---the---class---is---of---a---higher---level.
A---frown---forms---on---my---face.
I've---heard---of---class---restrictions,---of---classes---unable---to---be---obtained---due---to---the---devotion---of---a---god.---But---I---did---not---think---it---would---happen---to---me.
And---what---is---that---[medic]---class?---I’ve---never---heard---of---it---before.
“Janie,”
Getting---out---of---my---thoughts,---I---look---down,---being---met---with---Aisha’s---concerned---gaze.
I---smile---towards---the---child,---tightening---my---hold---on---her.
What---is---it---with---children---to---put---me---in---such---a---good---mood?
“Can---we---go---play---now,”---Aisha---asks,---her---tail---swishing---back---and---forth.
I---nod,---slowly---walking---away---from---the---stone.---My---worries---and---thoughts---fading---away---as---I---focus---on---what's---important---at---this---moment...
“Yea…---let's---go---play.”
Chapter---Sixteen:---A---[Hero]---trains
New---Asgard,---a---massive---city---located---on---the---North-Western---side---of---the---continent.---The---city,---built---upon---a---tier---7---dungeon,---is---controlled---by---the---church---of---Odin,---the---most---powerful---force---within---the---Aesir---lands.
At---the---center---of---the---city---is---a---massive---palace,---the---location---in---which---the---[Grand---Chancellor]---of---Odin---resides.---And---to---those---in---the---know,---it---is---also---the---location---where---the---heroes---were---summoned.
After---washing---and---cleaning---himself,---Franky---finds---himself---leaving---the---palace,---stopping---momentarily---to---admire---the---intricate---marble---statues---of---Odin,---the---leader---of---the---Aesir---gods.---His---form,---depicted---in---a---robe,---is---sitting---upon---a---throne---while---several---crows---perch---upon---his---shoulders.---His---left---eye---gazes---forward---while---his---right---is---replaced---by---a---clear---white---jewel,---signifying---his---ability---to---see---everything.
Frowning,---Franky---removes---his---gaze---from---the---statue,---heading---outside---the---palace,---giving---a---smile---and---a---nod---towards---the---two---[guards]---standing---ready---at---the---gates.
The---[guards],---noticing---the---[Hero],---immediately---salute,---their---hands---going---to---their---chest,---making---a---clunking---sound.
Franky---shakes---his---head.
“No---need---for---the---formalities---guys,---I---would---rather---you---treat---me---as---you---would---a---fellow---guard.”
The---[Guards]---do---not---answer,---merely---keeping---their---heads---low---and---fist---to---chest,---watching---silently---as---the---[Hero]---passes---them---by.
Rolling---his---eyes,---Franky---Increases---his---pace,---traveling---further---away---from---the---massive---palace,---entering---the---[Nobles]---quarters.
The---nobles---quarters,---a---place---with---clean---roads,---flowers---everywhere,---expensive---carriages,---and---of---course,---the---nobility,---who---merely---give---Franky---a---confused---look---as---they---watch---him---jog---down---the---street,---unknowing---who---the---young---man---actually---is.
The---chancellor---had---ordered---information---about---the---[Hero’s]---to---be---kept---hidden,---only---allowing---the---public---to---know---that---they---had---indeed---been---summoned.
Regardless,---Franky---ignores---the---looks---he---is---getting,---especially---considering---he---is---dressed---in---a---[inquisitor's]---robe…---that---has---been---turned---inside---out.
Several---minutes---pass---by---as---Franky---enters---the---trader's---bazaar,---an---area---bustling---with---people---of---various---kinds.---[Traders]---yelling---out---their---prices---from---stalls---twinkling---with---every---kind---of---goods---imaginable.---Weapons,---armors,---clothing,---magical---trinkets,---food.
The---last---one---had---almost---made---him---stop.---The---smell---of---roast---meat,---fresh---bread,---and---various---herbs---was---a---rather---enticing---smell.---The---aromas---seem---to---bend---and---weave,---doing---their---best---to---attract---his---attention.
But---Franky---is---not---one---for---distractions,---so---he---continues---his---jogging---pace,---weaving---around---people---with---ease---as---he---finally---finds---himself---in---front---of---a---massive---building---several---stories---high.
Franky---stops,---looking---at---the---massive---red-trimmed---sign---upon---the---building.
DIVERS---GUILD
Entering---through---the---sturdy---double---doors,---immediately---getting---a---whiff---of---alcohol---and---food,---all---accompanied---by---the---chatter---of---various---groups---of---divers,---sitting---and---chatting---while---drinking---and---eating,---planning---their---next---dive---or---celebrating---a---successful---one.
Divers…---they---are---groups---of---people---who---make---their---living---diving---into---dungeons,---gathering---rare---materials---and---returning---alive.
Dungeons---which---will---do---whatever---it---is---in---their---power---to---make---sure---the---‘returning---alive’---aspect---of---their---jobs---does---not---happen.
“Franky!”---a---big---man---sporting---a---huge---battle---ax---on---his---back---yells---out,---waving---a---mug---in---the---air.
Smiling---back---at---the---big---guy,---Franky---diverts---his---path,---traveling---to---the---table---seating---four.
“Brock,---last---I---saw---you,---you---were---heading---into---the---dungeon.---I---presume---everything---went---remarkably---well.”
Brock,---a---shit-eating---grin---on---his---face,---points---at---an---object---one---of---his---teammates---is---holding---fondly.
The---teammate,---a---young---elf---[Mage],---a---rarity---to---be---found---in---human---lands---as---he---was---told,---is---caressing---a---seemingly---boring---looking---staff---with---a---jewel---on---the---top---of---it.
Lacking---any---skill---to---identify---items,---Franky---looks---back---towards---Brock,”---so---what---does---it---do?”
Brock---opens---his---mouth,---only---to---frown---as---he---turns---towards---his---other---teammate,---a---rather---young---petite---looking---girl---who---seems---to---be---glaring---daggers---at---him.
“---Jessa,---can---you---please---stop---kicking---me.---It's---very---unladylike.”
Jessa---continues---to---glare.
“Stop---giving---out---secrets---you---oaf.---We---paid---good---money---for---a---[Enchanter]---to---look---into---the---staff.”
Brock---stops,---frowning,---his---hand---slightly---moves,---then---he---looks---back---towards---Franky.
“It---creates---ice---traps.”
*DING*
Immediately---Jessa---jumps---out---of---her---seat,---holding---
her---foot---with---one---hand---while---hopping---on---her---other---foot.
“Fucking...---stupid...---shield,”---she---exclaims.
Looking---down,---Franky---notices---Brocks---shield---having---been---placed---in---front---of---his---shins,---protecting---him.
“Oy,---Siberia,---heal---my---foot,---I---think---I---might---have---broken---my---toe,”---Jessa---says,---quickly---removing---her---boot---and---pointing---her---naked---injured---foot---towards---the---elf---while---balancing---on---one---leg,---a---rather---easy---feat---for---a---[Rogue].