by A F Kay
“That’s mean,” Sift said.
“It’s a quick trip,” Ruwen said. “I just need to grab a little oil. We’ll be in and out of the mine in no time.”
Sift narrowed his eyes. “A demon ripped me to pieces in the last mine you took me.”
Bliz’s eyes widened.
Ruwen nodded. “But you found Shelly there, remember? Shelly, the one whose secrets I know, and you don’t.”
You are such a bad friend, Rami said.
He deserves it.
“Is it safe?” Sift asked. “I’ve had enough of your near-death adventures.”
“This city used it,” Ruwen said.
Over ten thousand years ago, Rami added.
So it’ll probably be a little dusty, Ruwen replied as he waited for Sift’s answer.
“Fine, I’ll go,” Sift said. “Now, tell me the secrets.”
Ruwen shook his head. “I need a few minutes to get ready. I’ll meet you in the large clearing by the lake in twenty minutes. Everyone is invited. Hopefully, it’s memorable.”
Everyone stood, and Hamma grabbed Ruwen’s hand. They walked out of the dining room and into the large space they’d originally found when they’d entered the temple. Hamma took them through another door and into the hallway that led to everyone’s rooms.
Hamma stopped and faced Ruwen. “What’s wrong?”
Ruwen looked down, not sure where to start. How could he tell her his parents might be as bad as everyone said.
Hamma used a finger to lift Ruwen’s chin. “Talk to me.”
“I think Tremine believes my parents killed their party to take that terium,” Ruwen said in a rush.
Hamma frowned and thought for a few seconds before speaking. “First, you don’t know if it’s true. You can ask them tomorrow. Second, even if it is true, there might be a good reason.”
“A good reason?” Ruwen asked. “How can something like that be justified?”
Hamma shrugged. “The more I see, the more complicated everything gets. But you overthink everything, and you wear your misery like a cloak. Let it go for now. You’ll have real answers in a day. Worry about it then and stop borrowing trouble from the future.”
Ruwen locked eyes with Hamma. Her common sense always seemed so obvious after she spoke. He gave her a small smile. “Okay, thanks.”
Hamma stepped closer, and Ruwen kissed her. For a minute, the world and all his problems disappeared.
“Gross! Get a room,” Sift said.
Hamma stepped away from Ruwen with a smile.
Ruwen turned to find Lylan punching Sift in the arm.
“Ouch, what did I do?” Sift asked.
Lylan dragged Sift back through the hallway door, and they disappeared.
Hamma looked up at Ruwen. “Promise you’ll be safe.”
“I’ll make sure Sift does all the dangerous stuff,” Ruwen said.
“Good, he deserves it.”
“And if you think about it, if I die, I just end up back here, only faster.”
Hamma tilted her head. “That’s true.” She gave him a quick kiss. “That’s for a quick death.”
Ruwen laughed. “Are you coming down to the lake?”
“Of course. I love secrets.”
“Okay, I’ll see you there.”
Ruwen gave Hamma another kiss and then walked back into the main room. Bliz had just left the dining room and stood across from Ruwen.
Ruwen waved a hand and strode over to Bliz. “I have a favor to ask.”
“Anything,” Bliz said.
“I’m still carrying those Divine amulets.”
“Big D will be glad to have them back. The Priests have really made her suffer over their loss.”
It sounded like Big D’s life had been awful since Ruwen disappeared. “They consume six Energy per second, and I’d like to get that Energy back. Can you hold them for me?”
“Of course.”
Ruwen transferred the boxes to Bliz, thankful that the six Energy per second penalty had finally ended. Bliz asked who Shelly was and then said he’d head to the lake shortly to see what secrets the little turtle held.
Striding for the temple exit, Ruwen opened his Profile, and then the Root display. Only the Worker branch had any color, and the Architect Role glowed in the tree’s roots. As he entered the sunlight and started down the stairs, he found the Fighter branch in the tree.
Heading east, Ruwen marched toward the main gates. The Fighter branch turned a light blue as he focused on it.
Root Class: Access to any Branch
Warning: Choice is permanently bound to body!
Do you wish to assign Root to Fighter?
Yes or No
Ruwen had put a lot of thought into his choice. For the coming war, the Fighter Class gave him the most tools to succeed. He selected Yes, and the Fighter branch turned a dark blue.
Rami, can you show me the Class symbol for Commander, please.
Here you go, Rami said.
But instead of a symbol appearing in Ruwen’s mind, a notification appeared, and he opened it.
Ting!
You have received the quest…
Courage to Stand Alone
You are being offered the Sub Class symbol for Commander, which will unlock new abilities and spells. Commanders are Fighters who wish to do more than hone their bodies and weapons. Leveraging their ability to form larger and additional groups, Commanders win battles with superior planning, intelligence, and leadership. Eventually, Commanders can Specialize in their preferred method by becoming a Quartermaster, Emissary, or Warlord. Choosing your Sub Class will allow the Fighter’s Guild to focus your equipment, spells, and abilities.
Restriction: Fighter Class level 10
Reward: Symbol to open the Commander Sub Class
Reward: Mentorship in your chosen Sub Class
Reward: Abilities and spells specific to your Sub Class
Reward: 10,000 experience
Commander or Decline
Ruwen had decided on his path as a Fighter, and he selected Commander.
Ting!
You have completed the Quest – Courage to Stand Alone.
You have received the Commander Sub Class symbol.
See your local Fighter’s Guild for mentorship.
See your local Fighter’s Guild for ability and spell options.
You have received 10,000 experience.
A map appeared in Ruwen’s mind, geography and troop movements detailed across it. He could hear the distant sounds of battle, and he smelled smoke. The map slowly sank until it disappeared. The base of his neck grew ice cold, and like before, it quickly spread over his body. His teeth chattered as his skin prickled.
The sunlight warmed Ruwen as he walked through New Eiru’s main gate and toward the distant lakeshore.
You triggered a quest, Ruwen said to Rami.
Chip my scales, I didn’t know I could do that.
Let’s try again. Send me the Warlord symbol.
Another notification appeared.
Ting!
You have received the quest…
Doing the Right Thing
You are being offered the Specialization symbol for Warlord, which will unlock new abilities and spells. Warlords are Commanders that leverage their leadership abilities and inspire those under their command. Warlords can create Banners that offer benefits to groups and can sway the battle by rousing their troops and granting additional benefits with a Warcry. Choosing your Specialization will allow the Fighter’s Guild to focus your equipment, spells, and abilities.
Restriction: Fighter Class level 20
Restriction: Fighter Sub Class Commander
Reward: Symbol to open the Warlord Specialization
Reward: Mentorship in your chosen Specialization
Reward: Abilities and spells specific to your Specialization
Reward: 50,000 experience
Warlord or Decline
Again Ruwen already knew his choice, and he selecte
d Warlord.
Ting!
You have completed the Quest – Doing the Right Thing.
You have received the Warlord Specialization symbol.
See your local Fighter’s Guild for mentorship.
See your local Fighter’s Guild for ability and spell options.
You have received 50,000 experience.
In Ruwen’s mind, a figure appeared. It stood on a hilltop, gripping a flag that stretched taut in a strong wind. Ruwen could feel the wind against his face and hear the snapping of the cloth flag. Thousands of voices chanted, their voices gaining in volume until it was all Ruwen could hear. His heart thudded in his chest, and adrenalin filled his muscles. The figure with the flag slowly disappeared, and when it vanished, Ruwen’s entire body grew frigid. He stumbled and fell.
Rolling onto his back, Ruwen looked at the clear sky. The echo of the chanting army still filled his mind, and his heart raced, ready for battle.
Ruwen had become a Warlord.
Chapter 9
During the camping trip, before being forced into the Spirit Realm, Ruwen had tried on the Divine Amulet for each Class. For the Classes he’d already chosen, Worker and Observer at the time, it had opened up the first five levels of spells and abilities. For the other four, the spells and abilities appeared but were greyed out and not usable.
Now that Ruwen had picked Fighter as his new Root Class, he felt relief that the Fighter spells and abilities were no longer grey. As expected, now the Observer ones were grey, and he couldn’t use any of them.
Ruwen glanced through the Fighter abilities that the Divine Amulet had given him access to. Like before, they were all at ability level one.
Ability: Shell
Effect: Increase Armor Class by 10% per ability level.
Ability: Honed
Effect: Increase Damage by 10% per ability level.
Ability: Stonewall
Effect: Gain the ability to Parry. Increase Parry chance by 15% per ability level.
Ability: Dressed to Kill
Effect: Ability level 1: No penalty for Cloth, Padded, Leather, Studded Leather, Hide, or Scale.
Ability Level 2: No penalty for Chainmail
Ability Level 3: No penalty for Splint
Ability Level 4: No penalty for Banded
Ability Level 5: No penalty for Plate
Ability: Rush
Effect: Attack target, Stunning them for 1 second per ability level.
Ability: Insult
Effect: Draw the attention of target for 1 second per ability level.
Ability: Endure
Effect: Stamina, Strength, and Dexterity increased by 10% per ability level.
Ability: Tunnel Vision
Effect: Remove and grant immunity to all impairing effects, including fear, root, stun, etc. Duration is 1 second per ability level.
Ability: Iron Stomach
Effect: Increase Resistances by 20% per ability level.
Ability: Weak Link
Effect: Ignore 5% of opponents’ Armor Class per ability level.
Ability: Bash
Effect: Strike target with weapon or shield stunning them for a half-second per ability level.
Ability: Buff
Effect: 10% reservoir of Health and Energy per ability level.
Ability: Peripheral Vision
Effect: Detect hidden enemies increased by 15% per ability level.
The abilities focused on doing damage for as long as possible, which Ruwen welcomed. Fighters could free themselves of crowd control, detect weaknesses, and take a beating with their expanded Health pool.
Next, he glanced through the Energy-based spells the Divine Amulet had opened up for him.
Spell: Jumbo
Effect: Increase size by 10% and Strength by 5% for every spell level while channeled.
Spell: Petrified
Effect: Increase effectiveness of armor by 5% for every spell level while channeled.
Spell: Demon Stance
Effect: For every spell level while channeled, increase damage dealt and damage taken by 10%.
Spell: Turtle Stance
Effect: For every spell level while channeled, decrease damage dealt and damage taken by 10%.
Spell: Charge
Effect: Increase run speed by 5% for every spell level while channeled.
Spell: Rebuke
Effect: A Block or Parry has a 5% chance per spell level to stun the target for 2 seconds while channeled.
Spell: Masochist
Effect: For 10 minutes, increase damage by 10% by sacrificing 10% Health. Each spell level increases both percentages by 10%.
Spell: Wrath
Effect: Burst into magical fire dealing 10% weapon damage while ignoring 10% of Armor Class. Each spell level increase percentages by 10%.
Spell: Shield Wall
Effect: Block or Parry 20% of attacks while channeled. Can not attack while channeling. Each additional spell level increases percentage by 20%.
Spell: Whirlwind
Effect: Strike all targets within weapon range for 10% weapon damage per spell level every 5 seconds while channeled.
The Energy spells followed the same pattern as the abilities: massive damage, sometimes even at the cost of personal Health. Ruwen looked at the Mana spells he had access to and wondered if the pattern would hold.
Spell: Hustle
Effect: Increase Haste by 10% for 30 minutes. Each spell level increases the percentage by 10%.
Spell: Cheap Shot
Effect: 15% extra damage to opponents under 25% Health. Each spell level increases damage by 15%.
Spell: Short Fuse
Effect: 10% weapon damage per spell level to all enemies within 12 feet.
Spell: Untouchable
Effect: Increase Parry by 2% per spell level for 30 minutes.
Spell: Power Nap
Effect: For 30 minutes, increase Health Regeneration by 50% per spell level while out of combat.
Spell: Sucker Punch
Effect: On next strike, increase weapon damage by 50% per spell level.
Spell: Intervene
Effect: Absorb 20% of an attack aimed at target per spell level.
Spell: Air Shield
Effect: Reduce all missile damage by 5% per spell level.
Spell: Warm Welcome
Effect: Throw a magical flaming dagger that stuns the target for 1/2 a second per spell level.
Spell: Leeching Blow
Effect: For 30 minutes, heal for 5% of damage dealt per spell level.
During the camping trip, Ruwen remembered Fighters in the breakfast line arguing with the Order Class Ascendants that were planning on being Enforcers. He’d thought the Fighters were just jerks, but he could see now where some of that attitude came from. The Enforcers were valuable for their auras that helped everyone around them, but Fighters were pure mayhem. Not only that, but they were difficult to kill.
Ruwen still needed to look through the abilities and spells past level five, but it would have to wait, as everyone would be here soon. He closed his Profile and opened his eyes.
“Ah!” Ruwen shouted in surprise.
Whiskers stood next to Ruwen, and the cat’s face hovered an inch above his. The magical cat had resumed its large, guardian, form, and the cat’s huge face blocked out the sky.
Ruwen had the irrational fear Whiskers might chomp down and bite his head off. He rolled to the side and quickly stood. Whiskers lifted his head and stared at Ruwen with unblinking eyes.
“That’s disturbing, Whiskers,” Ruwen said.
Lylan appeared out of thin air next to the cat, and this time Ruwen didn’t jump in surprise, barely. That woman moved like a shadow.
“Who’s a good kitty?” Lylan asked as she reached up and scratched Whiskers under the chin. The cat purred and half-closed his eyes.
Ruwen heard the rest of the group not far behind, so he turned and strode toward the lake.
Lir? Ruwen asked.
Yes.
How many Temple Guardians do we have?
Eight functional. Four more can be repaired once adequate terium levels are reached.
That surprised Ruwen. Deepwell only had four, and there were a couple at the terium mine. He didn’t know how many were in Stone Harbor, but he doubted it was twelve. Eiru must have really been large.
Ruwen asked his next question. Are you aware of the imminent invasion?
Yes. My siblings have encountered some incursions as well.
I hope in the next few days we’ll have the resources needed to revive people. But I don’t want to wait that long to understand our situation. Can you give me some specifics about the Guardians?
Ruwen knew his mistake as soon as the question finished.
Lir began. Made from an alloy of terium and—
Stop. I’m sorry. Ruwen thought for a moment on how best to get the information he wanted while avoiding the sinkholes of Lir’s literal interpretation of everything. Let me ask a better question. How would you use the Guardians to scout this invading army?
I would reconfigure three Guardians from assault to stealth, place one underground, one above treeline, and the last, depending on cloud cover, approximately two thousand feet high. I would move them clockwise in a loose spiral outward using an equation with a radius of—