by Aleron Kong
He held the stone up to the Focus Crystal. The internal light of the soul stone faded, and the crystal’s light grew from a flicker to a strong and bright pulse. A large amount of crystal grew over the Focus Crystal and then continued to flow over the surrounding wall. The pulses came faster, and each beat of the crystal’s luminous heart spread more crystal over the wall. Richter and Sion smiled at one another seeing how much of the precious substance was growing in just a few seconds… and it kept growing.
“Uhhhh, is this supposed to stop soon?” Richter asked. The crystal had grown to the edges of the wall and was now starting to cover the floor.
“Why are you asking me?” Sion responded. “What did you do with that soul stone?” They both took a step back as the crystal spread across the ground.
“The Focus Crystal was weak! I got a prompt that said it needed more juice!”
“What type of stone did you give it? What the fuck!” Sion and Richter ducked their heads in alarm.
A tiny piece of crystal had shot across the room. The clear spike had grown near the Focus Crystal like many others, but without warning had sped away from its perch and imbedded in a nearby wall. Richter and Sion whipped their heads over to look at the impact site. A small crater now adorned the wall behind them. As they watched, more crystal started growing from the impact site.
“Is that going to happen every time?” Richter said loudly. He hadn’t thought he’d be dodging clear bullets when he planted the Focus Crystal.
“Why do you keep asking me stupid questions, gyoti? I don’t know! But I think we should get out of here! I still want to know what level stone you used.” The crystal had reached another wall and was growing up it.
“Maybe we should leave, my lord,” Terrod said nervously.
Richter and Sion backed further from the wall. The white light from the crystal was almost constant now. He looked over at the hole that led outside. The growing crystals were only a few feet from the hole.
“You might be right, Terrod. I think it’s time for a strategic RETREAT! Gahhh!” Alma flew into the air with a squawk and flew down the hole. Another bullet-like crystal shard had shot through the air… and then through the meat of Richter’s shoulder before burying itself into the wall behind him. It happened so fast that he didn’t even feel the pain initially, just a bit of pressure. The Universe fixed that a second later. Sharp, horrible pain shot through his body and his initial “gah” transformed into “AHHHH, FUCK! Let’s go!”
First Richter, then Sion and last Terrod hopped into the tunnel. They scurried down the narrow space until they could stand up straight. More pings and crunches came from behind them. Richter looked behind him and saw some crystals starting to grow down the narrow passage. They jogged until they were halfway to the waterfall, then stopped and turned around. The crystal didn’t follow them down into the cave they were standing in, so they just listened as the pings grew in frequency for another few minutes. Richter cast Slow Heal I on himself and waited for the pain in his shoulder to abate. After about five minutes, they heard the noises slow in frequency. After another two or three minutes, the cave was quiet again.
The three men had remained silent while they listened to the explosive growth of the crystal garden in the caverns above them. When the noises stopped, Sion slowly turned and stood in front of Richter. “What… did… you… do…?”
Richter was still breathing slightly heavily and was examining the newly healed wound in his shoulder. “Like I said, the Focus Crystal was close to death, so I used a soul stone.”
“How strong of a soul stone, my lord?” Terrod asked. “I have seen a crystal garden before. My squad was tasked with protecting one at a duke’s estate once. I saw one of the enchanters use a soul stone to make the garden grow faster, but it only grew at about an inch a minute. It was nothing like what we just saw!”
“I used a special level soul,” he said.
“A special?” Sion asked incredulously.
“Yeah, what’s the problem?” Richter asked, irritated. His bicep was still throbbing with ghost pain.
“The problem, gyoti, is that special level stones hold the souls of low-level demons and angels! What did you think was going to happen when you used a spirit of that power? These aren’t toys!”
“I know that!” Richter snapped. He seethed for a moment, goaded by the fading pain in his shoulder, but then forced himself to be calm. His friend was right. He was just irritated because of his injury. If he was being honest, he was embarrassed too. He hadn’t really thought about something bad happening when he had used the soul stone. Richter took a long slow breath. After he audibly exhaled, he said, “You’re right, man. I’m sorry. I should have considered the possible consequences of using such a strong soul.”
Sion glared for a moment longer, but then a smile graced his face and he chuckled. “Well, it does seem like we won’t have any shortage of crystal. I just don’t want to be turned into a statue. Okay?”
“Deal,” Richter said sheepishly. He started thinking about their new windfall. “I’ll have to send some people up to start harvesting this tomorrow. Even more than we need the crystal, we need to be able to get to that rune. I want to know more about it.”
“Don’t forget about the cavern at the back with all of the items and weapons, my lord. Some of it could be quite valuable.”
Richter nodded. “That’s a good point.” He turned his head to get Futen to remind him of that later and only then realized that the remnant wasn’t with him. In fact, the last time that Richter had seen him was when he sent him out of the room with the rune. That meant Futen was still… Richter turned his gaze to the narrow tunnel. “There may be another reason for us to clear away some crystal, guys.”
As Richter related that Futen had been trapped, Sion slapped his hand onto his forehead and shook his head slightly. Terrod stood stoically, unwilling to criticize his lord, even if he had committed a totally bonehead move. As Richter spoke, the crystal garden continued to grow, slower each moment, but still fast enough to observe. The crystals grew new shards, ready for harvest, and one particular bloom was unlike the others. In a garden of iridescent shards, one particular outcropping was the dark red of blood.
CHAPTER 8
Richter jogged back over to the tunnel and saw that crystal was blocking the entrance to the caverns. It wasn’t a solid plug of crystal. Instead, iridescent shards crisscrossed the narrow shaft. No one was getting by until they were harvested. Richter stood back and cast a spell. Mist rose from the ground and leaked from cracks in the walls. It pooled at his feet and then it rose into a humanoid figure. Soon a faceless grey worker was standing before him, waiting for instructions.
“Clear the way up to the passage at the end of this tunnel. Try to break the pieces of crystal off in large chunks and then put them in a pile here on the floor. Once you have cleared a way to the tunnel, stop harvesting crystal.” He didn’t want to risk that the poor intelligence of the mist worker couldn’t differentiate the Focus Crystal from plain crystal.
That done, Richter and his Companions turned to leave. Richter ordered a guard to be stationed outside at all times. The lake was to be off-limits to everyone except Sion, the guards, Randolphus, and himself of course. Terrod told him it would be done, and they walked to the cave entrance. The guards had taken the pieces of the dark aberration out of the cave, but smears of black blood could still be seen on the ground. Richter led the way out of the cavern. They all got soaked to the skin again as they passed through the waterfall, but that wasn’t a problem for Richter and Sion, who were happy to wash off the aberration’s black blood. Soon they were walking through the meadow. Before they had gone too far, Terrod spoke up. There was a tone of wonder in his voice.
“I just gained a level, my lord! I received 15,000 experience for finishing a quest called…” Terrod’s eyes lost focus for a second. “Crystal Garden II and another 20,000 for finishing Who Will You Be I.” The man started to smile. “I don’t care w
hat Sion said, this was worth almost being encased in crystal.”
Richter laughed. It was good to see Terrod being excited about something. It was easy to forget that a month ago the captain had watched his friend die in front of him. Not to mention being racked with guilt over what had happened to Isabella. Richter was happy to see that the man’s overall mood was improving. As he looked at Terrod, he really examined the captain for the first time in a long time.
Terrod’s musculature had increased, of that there was no doubt. He also moved with greater ease though, and his features appeared a bit more defined. It wasn’t a marked difference, but it was still there. Richter wondered just how many points his Companion had invested in Charisma. The captain was also a man in his mid-forties. He had always seemed healthy and in shape, but now there was a vitality in his visage that Richter didn’t remember seeing when they first met.
Richter continued his assessment of his friend and another thought occurred to him. Terrod hadn’t exactly been present for either the fight with the aberration or the planting of the garden. Did his Companion’s get experience for every quest he completed?
A quick question to Terrod earned Richter a confused, “Yes, of course, my lord. Were you not aware? With this latest experience, I am now level fourteen, almost fifteen.”
Richter’s eyes bulged slightly. The last time he had checked Terrod’s status, the man had only been level 7! He quickly accessed his Companion’s page. While he watched, Terrod’s numbers shifted as the man distributed his new points.
Name: Terrod
Age: 46
Level: 14, 77% to next level
Health: 250 Mana: 120 Stamina: 190
Strength: 25
Agility: 16
Dexterity: 16
Constitution: 25
Endurance: 19
Intelligence: 12
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 21
Luck: 14
Abilities:
Comradery
Skills:
Swordsmanship Lvl 8; 12% to next level, 63% affinity
Medium Armor Lvl 7; 53% to next level, 92% affinity
Light Armor Lvl 8; 39% to next level, 68% affinity
Shields Lvl 4; 84% to next level, 72% affinity
Cooking Lvl 8; 13% to next level, 96% affinity
Horsemanship Lvl 10; 7% to next level; 83% affinity
Repair Lvl 4; 64% to next level; 54% affinity
Repair Armor Lvl 3; 13% to next level; 52% affinity
Repair Weapon Lvl 4; 18% to next level; 52% affinity
Gather information Lvl 18; 76% to next level; 92% affinity
War Leader Lvl 1; 14% to next level; 99% affinity
Marks:
None
Resistances:
None
Race: Human
Reputation: Lvl 1 “Who are you again?”
Alignment: 0
Language: Common Tongue
Terrod had doubled his level! According to the captain, it was mostly because of Richter’s quests. And his shield affinity…
“Did your Shield skill always have such a high affinity?” Richter asked.
Terrod smiled and nodded in understanding, “It happened when the Quickening was planted. When I hold a shield now, things just seem to come naturally now.”
Richter turned to Sion. “What about you? Did you get an XP bump? Have you gotten the experience whenever I finished a quest? And did any of your affinities increase.”
The sprite’s head bobbed back and forth noncommittally, “I haven’t had an increase in any of my affinities. As far as the experience though, I thought you knew. I have been benefiting from quests you finish since we became Companions.” Sion’s eyes unfocused and then a broad grin split the sprite’s face. “And I did again! I am level fifteen now.”
Shaking his head at his own lack of attention, Richter checked Sion’s page as well.
Name: Sion
Age: 44
Level: 15, 35% to next level
Health: 243 Mana: 290 Stamina: 160
Strength: 18
Agility: 18
Dexterity: 60
Constitution: 20
Endurance: 16
Intelligence: 29
Wisdom: 23
Charisma: 10
Luck: 12
Abilities:
Wood Craft
Concealment
Know Thyself
Skills:
Herb Lore Lvl 12, 6% to next level, 63% affinity
Alchemy Lvl 7, 82% to next level, 78% affinity
Archery Lvl 43; 59% to next level, 72% affinity
Imbue Arrow Lvl 31, 30% to next level, 87% affinity
Focus Lvl 26, 72% to next level, 81% affinity
Double Shot Lvl 8; 82% to next level, 87% affinity
Drill Shot Lvl 6; 61% to next level, 90% affinity
Stun Shot Lvl 5; 48% to next level, 95% affinity
Tracking Lvl 14; 13% to next level, 76% affinity
Small Blades Lvl 19, 82% to next level, 72% affinity
Light Armor Lvl 26; 48% to next level, 81% affinity
Air Magic Lvl 12; 83% to next level, 94% affinity
Marks:
None
Resistances:
Types of Magic
Life 10%
Earth 10%
Light 10%
Schools of Magic
Enchantment 50%
Race: Wood Sprite
Reputation: Lvl 1 “Who are you again?”
Alignment: +2
Language: Sprite, Common Tongue
So being his Companion let them power level through his quests, Richter reasoned. It was a bit of a letdown that his friend’s affinities hadn’t increased. It was entirely possible that an affinity had increased in a skill the sprite hadn’t discovered yet, though. Putting it out of his mind, Richter began to wonder if being a Companion might also be a loophole for the five-person party limit. A group larger than five had the consequence of decreasing any experience gained from fighting or questing. If Sion and Terrod weren’t counted, though, that could bring them up to seven. It had the potential to drastically increase the power of any strike group he was in without slowing down any of their growth. He could think of one rock giant that he wouldn’t mind making his bitch!
“This might mean that we can increase party size when we hunt together. I know we had a party of five people planned, but let’s add two more. If we don’t get an experience reduction when we make a kill, then we will have proved that this works. I just wish this whole Companion thing came with an instruction manual.”
Terrod nodded. “I will take care of it, my lord. Was there anyone in particular that you had in mind?”
Richter thought about it as they walked. Who did he need to level? The first person that came to mind was Krom. Who knew what useful skills the dwarf might gain if he became a Professed Smith. It would be great to have a powerful healer in the group, but Sumiko was too old and too valuable to risk on a hunt. It could be nice having another archer along though. “Have Krom come, and ask if Ulinde will come along.”
Terrod nodded.
“How long til the feast?” Richter asked. He silently cursed not having Futen around. How else was he supposed to tell time? He sent a mental call for the remnant. As soon as the mist worker finished getting through the crystal covering the entrance to the caverns, he wanted the remnant by his side.
“I don’t believe we have much time, my lord. The instruction was for everything to be ready an hour before sundown.” The captain looked at the sun. “I would gauge we have less than an hour.”
Richter nodded. That was what he had thought as well. There wasn’t time to hunt before sundown, and he didn’t really want to be out with all the monsters when night fell. “When we get back down to the village, send someone to tell Caulder and Beyan that we will leave to hunt at first light. I don’t care what everyone does tonight, but be ready at the gate when the sun rises.”
They were at the edge of the slope leading down to the village. Richter could see everyone bustling around. He heard laughter and happy shouts as everyone prepared for the feast. He saw at least ten casks of ale being set up behind a simple bar that had been cobbled together. It was going to be a wild night! Richter looked back at his Companions and smiled. “Ahhh fuck it. Let’s just start the hunt at noon.”
Sion threw a fist in the air and said, “Grendah!” Roughly translated from sprite speak, that meant “Huzaah!”
The three of them walked down the hill. Terrod peeled off and went to find Caulder and the others. Richter and Sion were walking towards all of the hustle and bustle when Richter got a surprise. Futen came floating towards them from the east. He was thoroughly confused seeing as how the waterfall cave was to the west.
“How are you here?” he asked once the remnant was close.
Futen’s monotone voice replied, “You summoned me, my lord.”
“I know that! I meant you were trapped in the caves. How did you get out?”
“I did find it difficult to follow you once you had entombed me, my lord.” Richter was sure he heard just a touch of attitude this time. “When you called for me, however, I used my ability to transport to the Great Seal.”
Richter hadn’t been aware that Futen’s transport ability was so specific, he had just thought the remnant could teleport to a random spot in the village. “Okay. Well, sorry about the whole buried alive thing, but now that you’re here, let me know when it’s an hour to noon tomorrow.”
“Yes, my lord.”
Richter looked at Sion and said, “Now come with me. It’s time to meet the new villagers… right after I put some new pants on. I’m tired of flying in the wind.”
After Richter had donned another set of clothes from this Bag, they walked towards the feast area. Richter took the opportunity to deal with his own prompts. The very first brought a wide smile to his face.
TRING!