by A F Kay
Ruwen focused back on Sift. “Tremine and another friend will be here in less than an hour. I’m headed out to meet them. You want to come?”
Sift narrowed his eyes. “The guy who traded our lives for a book?”
“It’s more complicated than that. Uru made him, and remember, he also gave us the portal chalk to get out.”
Sift shook his index finger at Ruwen. “That’s why your fake gods are bad.”
“So is that a yes?” Ruwen asked as he dressed.
Sift pulled a shirt and sandals out of his Dimensional Belt and put them on. “I’m telling you now, at the first sign of trouble, I’m,” Sift whistled, “out.”
“Are you going to whistle all the time now?”
Sift grinned. “It’s hard not to.”
They strode east toward New Eiru’s main gates.
“Why are you doing all this?” Sift asked.
“What do you mean?”
“Running around like a madman for Uru.”
The question surprised Ruwen. He hadn’t spent much time thinking about what he wanted. “I guess at first it was because my goddess asked me to. What if the True God asked you to do something?”
“Like what?”
“I don’t know. Swim the Sea of Tears.”
“That’s dumb.”
“You’re missing the point. Are you going to tell your God it’s dumb?”
Sift looked thoughtful. “Probably not.”
“Actually, it didn’t even start like that. It wasn’t until I acted stupid that she got involved.”
Sift widened his eyes and stared at Ruwen. “You did something stupid?”
Ruwen almost cast a level one hundred Critical Evacuation on Sift, but stopped since it would briefly reveal Ruwen’s Scarecrow Aspect as he tapped his Core. He would’ve enjoyed seeing Sift pee his pants, but it wasn’t worth bringing on the Apocalypse if someone saw him using Spirit.
They walked out the enormous gate, the opening thirty feet tall, and turned north toward the crystal forest and the Shattered Sun portal.
Ruwen continued. “Anyway, my mistakes set off this whole chain of events.”
“At least it got me out of the pyramid. Although you’ve been a terrible vacation guide.”
“As soon as the invasion is over, we’ll go somewhere nice. I promise.” Ruwen thought about his promise to Lylan and the quest to free her brother. “Maybe Malth.”
“Malth wouldn’t be so bad,” Sift said, and then got excited. “The Step Championship is there this year.”
Sift launched into a description of the top teams in each of the Step Tournament’s thirty-two regions. Ruwen had heard this many times already and let his thoughts drift as he nodded every few seconds at Sift.
The more Ruwen learned, the less he understood, and the greater the danger appeared to be. His choices had forced him into the Divine world, and the Deities there wanted him dead. Sift’s question echoed in Ruwen’s mind.
Why was he so quick to do whatever Uru asked? It would make more sense to leave and hide in another country. Especially now that he’d found his parents. They could all find someplace safe and start over.
But Ruwen knew he wouldn’t abandon Uru’s plans. Those plans had resulted in his bond with Rami, his friendship with Sift, and his…whatever he had with Hamma. He craved knowledge, and his circumstances, while dangerous, had given him a glimpse into many mysteries that otherwise would have stayed hidden. Even better, he’d gained access to an entire library. Three libraries actually: the Black Pyramid’s, Rami’s, and Lir’s. And his power and equipment had increased dramatically because of Uru’s plans.
And though Ruwen hated to admit it, there was another reason. One that made him feel ashamed. Shortly his parents would revive, and he would get the entire story. But he already knew he played a central role in plans that spanned over ten thousand years. It made him feel special, and the vain part of him rejoiced at the attention.
Ruwen promised himself that as he learned more of the past and how it affected the future, he would reevaluate his plans. He wanted to do the right thing, not just feed his pride.
“What is this place?” Sift asked.
Ruwen refocused on his surroundings to find they’d already made it to Fractal’s portal. The crystals acted like prisms, and the entire area sparkled with rainbows.
“Blapy is making a portal to Fractal,” Ruwen said.
Sift stopped. “What is Blapy doing with Fractal?”
“You were there. After Blapy made you a favorite, she wanted to know where to put the portal. This is what she meant.”
Sift looked around. “I was kind of distracted, but I thought she meant like a door in the Blood Gate or something. This seems…bigger.” Sift slowly turned and locked eyes with Ruwen. “Is she going to be around more?”
Ruwen winced. He realized a lot had happened, and he hadn’t told anyone most of it, including the part about his deal with Blapy. “Fractal’s dungeon is called the Shattered Sun. Isn’t that cool?”
Sift narrowed his eyes. “Are you avoiding my question?”
“Ruwen!” Bliz shouted.
Ruwen thankfully turned away from Sift. Bliz and Tremine were making their way through the crystals.
Bliz closed the last few feet in a rush and wrapped Ruwen in a hug. “It’s so good to see you!”
Ruwen laughed. “You, too.”
Bliz stepped back. “When you disappeared, it crushed me with worry, but no one knew where to look for you.”
That wasn’t completely true. Tremine had known, and the look on the librarian’s face showed it. Uru hadn’t been lying when she’d said Tremine had taken the events hard. The man looked miserable.
Complicated feelings swirled in Ruwen’s chest, a mixture of joy, anger, and relief. But the fact was, Tremine had done exactly what Ruwen had been doing, following the orders of their goddess.
Tremine stood still, his eyes glistening, and his mouth half-open as if he wanted to speak.
Ruwen strode forward and hugged Tremine, and after a moment, Tremine relaxed.
“Thank you,” Tremine whispered.
They hugged for another second, and then Ruwen stepped away. Some of the anxiety and pressure constricting his chest disappeared, and he smiled at Tremine. “You’d better have brought poppers.”
Tremine grinned and patted his Dimensional Bag. “Of course.”
“Are poppers food?” Sift asked.
Ruwen laughed. “Yes.” He looked up at Bliz. “Do you remember Sift? He was with me when we were loading up in Deepwell.”
“Well met, Sift,” Bliz said.
Ruwen continued. “And while you didn’t know where to find us, you’re the reason we made it back.”
Bliz frowned. “How can that be?”
Ruwen opened his Quests and selected the one Bliz had triggered.
A View to Die For
Crew Chief Bliz wishes to understand the symbols he paid for with his life. He has asked for your help in understanding this mystery.
Reward: A view worth dying for
Reward: Free drinks at the Dizzy Judge forever
Ruwen opened his Void Band and removed the sheet of paper Bliz had given him in Deepwell. Five runes were drawn vertically down the paper. “You asked me to help you understand these. They’re called gate runes, and they open portals to different places and even different realms.”
Bliz gently took the paper back and studied the five symbols.
“I don’t know how much detail to tell you yet,” Ruwen said. “Not because I don’t trust you, but because I want to minimize the danger to you.”
Bliz looked at Ruwen. “Who have you gotten involved with?”
“That’s just it,” Ruwen said, and then looked at Tremine. “The person responsible for all this is where those led.”
“I don’t understand,” Bliz said.
Ruwen focused back on Bliz. “Those gate runes led us to Uru’s Divine Realm. They allowed us to get back home.”
>
Bliz looked from Ruwen to the paper. “Uru’s address.” He looked back at Ruwen. “What was the view like?”
“One worth dying for,” Ruwen said.
Ruwen described the cliffs, the sea, and Uru as best he could. Bliz stared at him, eyes wide, soaking in all the details.
Decades of wondering finally over, Bliz’s eyes glistened with tears. He hugged Ruwen again. “Thank you.” Before letting go, he whispered into Ruwen’s ear. “Hummingbird.”
As Bliz backed away, he held a finger over his lips. “That’s the secret word for free drinks at the Dizzy Judge or Pour Judgement.”
“Pour Judgement?” Ruwen asked.
“Tremine says you’re in charge here. I’m expanding and want to talk about opening a bar here.”
“Yes!” Sift said. “I’m tired of eating Hamma’s blessed wafers.”
Ruwen smiled. “Of course. It might be a while before I make it back to Deepwell, so it’ll be good to have a place here.”
A minimized notification pulsed yellow in the lower right portion of Ruwen’s vision, and he opened it.
Ting!
You have completed the quest “A View to Die For.”
You have learned the passcode for free drinks at any of Bliz’s bars.
Ruwen closed the notification, pleased to have finished this one.
“You seem different,” Tremine said to Ruwen. “More mature and confident. Have you leveled?”
Ruwen nodded.
Bliz frowned. “I better give you the advanced Class quests before you reach level ten.”
Ruwen tried to speak, but a notification had already appeared.
Ting!
You have received the quest…
Prosperity smells like Sweat
Crew Chief Bliz is pleased with your progress and has offered you one of three Sub Class symbols, which will unlock new abilities and spells. Your choices are Laborer, Household, or Collector. Laborers are generalists and useful for any job. They can stack boxes, dig holes, or carry lumber. The Household Sub Class is most comfortable working for a family or business and generally works inside. Collectors tend to work outside and away from the city. They can plant and sow crops, harvest fruit, or collect resources not found in the city. Crew Chief Bliz believes you would be happiest as a Collector and provided you specialized equipment on your Ascension Day. Choosing your Sub Class will allow the Workers’ Lodge to focus your equipment, spells, and abilities.
Restriction: Worker Class level 10
Reward: Symbol to open your chosen Sub Class
Reward: Mentorship in your chosen Sub Class
Reward: Abilities and spells specific to your Sub Class
Reward: 10,000 experience
Laborer or Household or Collector or Decline
Ruwen already knew his path as a Worker, and he selected Collector.
Ting!
You have completed the Quest – Prosperity smells like Sweat.
You have received the Collector Sub Class symbol.
See your local Worker’s Lodge for mentorship.
See your local Worker’s Lodge for ability and spell options.
You have received 10,000 experience.
A bundle of wheat appeared in Ruwen’s mind. The Collector symbol was so vivid he could smell the vaguely sweet scent of the grain stalks. He concentrated on the symbol, and it slowly sank from view until it disappeared. Ruwen’s skin prickled, and the base of his neck grew ice-cold, which quickly spread over his body. Shivering, he rubbed his arms to warm them.
He dismissed the notification, and another one replaced it.
Ding!
Uru’s Blessings, Worker! You have reached level 20.
Specializations are now available to you.
You have gained +1 to Strength!
You have gained +1 to Stamina!
You have 2 unassigned points.
Uru’s Blessings, Root! You have reached level 20.
You have 2 unassigned points.
New Spells and Abilities are available to you. Choose wisely.
Yet another notification appeared.
Ting!
You have received the quest…
Making Your Own Luck
Crew Chief Bliz is pleased with your progress and has offered you one of two Specialization symbols, which will unlock new abilities and spells. Your choices are Producer or Gatherer. Producers are excellent farmers, fishermen, and ranchers, and their efforts will yield results even in the harshest environments. Producers usually settle by large cities and are critical to society’s success. Gatherers focus on the other resources required by society, and many Gatherers concentrate on careers in mining, herbalism, or treasure hunting. Crew Chief Bliz believes you would be happiest as a Gatherer and provided you specialized equipment on your Ascension Day. Choosing your Specialization will allow the Workers’ Lodge to focus your equipment, spells, and abilities.
Restriction: Worker Class level 20
Restriction: Worker Sub Class Collector
Reward: Symbol to open your chosen Specialization
Reward: Mentorship in your chosen Specialization
Reward: Abilities and spells specific to your Specialization
Reward: 50,000 experience
Producer or Gatherer or Decline
Again Ruwen already knew his choice, and he selected Gatherer.
Ting!
You have completed the Quest – Making Your Own Luck.
You have received the Gatherer Specialization symbol.
See your local Worker’s Lodge for mentorship.
See your local Worker’s Lodge for ability and spell options.
You have received 50,000 experience.
A bag, with gems spilling out of it, appeared in his mind. Like before, the symbol seemed real, and the jewels sparkled so brightly Ruwen tried to squint. The symbol slowly sank, and when it disappeared, his entire body grew frigid. He lost his balance and stumbled, but firm hands held him up.
Ruwen opened up his eyes and blinked at the bright light that the portal crystals surrounding him amplified. Sift held one arm and Bliz the other. Tremine leaned close and studied Ruwen’s face.
“Are you okay?” Tremine asked.
Ruwen nodded. “I just had a brief notification avalanche. I’m better now that Bliz’s quests are finished.”
“What do you mean, finished?” Bliz asked. “I just gave you the quests. It should take you at least a week of concentrated effort to absorb the Sub Class symbol.”
Ruwen sighed. “I know. But I just finished Specializing in Gatherer.”
Chapter 7
Bliz laughed. “You’d need to be level twenty for a Specialization.”
Ruwen rubbed his forehead. “I just dinged twenty.”
Bliz stared at Ruwen in disbelief. “You only Ascended two months ago.”
“True, but we ended up someplace we weren’t meant to go, and that power leveled us,” Ruwen said.
“Us?” Bliz asked.
Sift spoke up. “Ruwen’s girlfriend, two assassins, three—”
Ruwen interrupted Sift. “We can talk about the details later.”
Tremine and Bliz stared at Ruwen.
“A girlfriend?” Tremine asked.
“Assassins?” Bliz asked at the same time.
Ruwen glared at Sift, who seemed oblivious to the problems he’d caused.
Desperate to shift the attention some place else, Ruwen pointed at the crystals. “What do you think of the crystals?”
Tremine and Bliz both reluctantly looked away from Ruwen and glanced around.
“I was going to ask you about them,” Tremine said. “They seem out of place.”
Bliz touched the nearest crystal. “It looks like quartz to me, but I’ve never seen such large formations. And the smaller crystals on the ground are flawless.”
“What’s their purpose?” Tremine asked.
In his haste to avoid talking about the last two months, Ruwen had stepped right into anot
her topic he’d hoped to avoid.
“Yeah, Ruwen, what’s their purpose,” Sift asked.
Ruwen had never answered Sift’s earlier question about Blapy’s presence. The truth was, Ruwen didn’t know how much more Blapy would be around, but he had a bad feeling it might be a lot. And Blapy liked to harass Sift, which was likely why Sift was so concerned.
“It will soon be a portal to the dungeon north of Deepwell,” Ruwen said, leaving out a hundred details he didn’t want to explain.
Bliz frowned. “How can that be? Something destroyed the dungeon the day you all disappeared.” He shook his head. “Big D is still suffering from that camping disaster. The dungeon is empty, a Councilor’s daughter disappeared, one of the wealthiest families lost a son, but I think she took your disappearance the hardest.”
Tremine looked down, pain evident on his face. Ruwen could see the librarian still felt guilty for all the pain his actions had caused. And Ruwen felt guilty as well. The disappearance he had no control over, but the state of the dungeon was entirely his fault.
Bliz continued. “When Tremine talked me into coming here, I thought about telling Big D you were still alive, but,” Bliz glanced at Tremine, “I didn’t really believe it. Now I wish I had.”
Tremine and Bliz must have left Deepwell before Slib and Juva reappeared. Otherwise, they would have known everyone had returned.
Ruwen patted Bliz on the shoulder. “Big D will know we’re safe by now. The goddess returned some of our group to Deepwell. And the dungeon is going to recover soon, too.”
“That’s great news,” Bliz said. “Councilor Blakrock has been hysterical. Having her daughter back will ease the pressure on Big D.”
Ruwen winced.
“Is he talking about Hamma?” Sift asked.
Tremine looked miserable, and Ruwen didn’t feel much better.
“Hamma had a message delivered to her mom,” Ruwen said. “You two must have just missed everyone returning.”
Tremine pointed at the crystals and brought the subject back to the dungeon. “How can the Deepwell dungeon form a portal here?”