《Runt of the Litter - Tales from Alirast》


 Prologue - Cataclysm

    A thousand claws of light and plasma raced across the skies turning night to day. A young orc dropped his spear and simply gawked at the sky. A moment after the earth beneath his feet rumbled, sound itself shattered around him.


    The entire encampment was up in arms in an instant! Thinking some dragon, or rival tribe''s shaman had come to attack them. A few minutes later. Every single orc stood outside their tent, staring up at the sky.


    The sound didn''t abate, nor did the light of the claws wane. They only seemed to reach further and further into the horizon. As if some grand dragon god saw fit to gobble this plane up entirely. A deep - but feminine - voice rang out over the tribe, calling everyone towards the singular large bonfire that stayed lit anytime the tribe made camp.


    Amara Demonsbane stood by the fire, their glorious Chieftain who had fought beside deities and struck down demons -hence her surname- despite most others looking scared or panicked, she merely strode forward, stomach heavy with her third child.


    "An attack? Or angry gods battling above?"


    The guards all shook their heads or shrugged after-all no one knew what to say or do when the sky was reaching down to rip this plane of existence apart. Up walked an orc in fine dark red robes, his face wrinkled and wizened with many years, his eyes a milky white held the faint glow of mana.


    Amara waved one of the young orcs nearby over. To escort the Elder Shaman closer. Amara leaned in, attempting to discern the shaman''s words over the seeming destruction of the sky.


    "A cataclysm Chieftain! A Dragon''s doing, failed words of creation!" he hissed the words.


    Amara stared at him and saw blood pooling in his ears and mouth, his eyes glowing more brightly by the second. She and the others nearby knew that the shaman was already in a trance, allowing the spirits to speak through him.


    "Divinity lost, the universe quakes and mourns, deities shed their own and fall to their knees. Desperate for their own masters to save them!"


    The shaman slumped over, coughing up blood. His eyes brightly glowing as others dressed in similar garb rushed over to heal their elder with spells, and pouring a murky red liquid down his throat. Amara''s attention was ripped away as everything went dark. Every orc turned their eyes up. They watched as four orbs of blue -mana made manifest- streaked through the skies.


    The ground shuddered. The Shamans felt it first, then Amara. But soon, every living entity on the plane could feel some primal rage and anger wash over them. They watched as the spheres of light split, two-headed in one direction, the other two split in opposite directions then... the world went dark.


    Amara woke hours later, slowly getting her hands under her, followed by her feet. She rose and took in the scene around her. Every orc in her encampment lay on the ground bleeding from the ears. Not a soul was spared. Children and warriors of a thousand battles lay there as if they had been smashed into the ground by some unseen angry force.


    Amara was a pact-bonded mortal. It meant that a Deity took a liking to her, and offered her a pact of power. It was a simple affair. At least the deities thought as much. They would twist their own mana into a thread that could cross the universe and attach it to the soul of a mortal, allowing that mortal to live far, far beyond their years, and offering them incredible power.


    In exchange, whenever the Pact-Bonded gained experience in any way, the Deity in question would receive some of the experience - A pittance as far as most mortals were concerned - a few points here, a few there. Most scholars understood that to a Pact-Bonded it meant almost nothing, but to the Deity, who pact-bonded with a hundred thousand mortals in such a way, it was a wave of experience.


    And so, when the Chieftain of the Tribe of the Shattered Will panicked- being a pact-bonded, high level warrior-, it was significant.


    " [Greater Area Scan] "


    She spoke softly, fear creeping into her voice as she let her gaze sweep through her followers. She breathed a heavy sigh of relief. None of them had died. Their Hit Points were still full. Odd, she thought. Quickly she turned her gaze to the Elder Shaman, letting the scan stay hovering within her mind and eyes, peering more deeply into his status.


    Most of it she ignored, knowing his stats probably better than he did, a side effect of her being the Chieftain and an incredible leader. One thing did stand out, however.


    [Status: Alive; Mana Sickness; Unconscious; Scorned Divinity]


    Instantly she forced her scan to focus on that last status ailment. It wasn''t one she had ever seen the system use, even during her battle next to the gods.


    [Scorned Divinity: One of the three Triumvirates of the Universe has closed the channels of Divinity to this mortal plane, no new Deific Blessings can reach this creature, or the plane they are on.]


    She stumbled back, slowly lowering herself to the ground. Her eyes were wide as she looked to the skies above, and her hands subconsciously moved to her stomach as tears formed in her eyes. Had the gods abandoned them? Had the mortals truly done something so abhorrent that all of the gods had been cut off from them?


    It was a few hours before the others woke. Amara had ensured no one was wounded and had begun looking through her status. She was still fine and healthy Pact-Bond intact. Once the Elder Shaman awoke, Amara looked at him, speaking softly. Still in shock as well.


    "Check your status Elder Lurog."


    After a few seconds, the elder''s eyes went wide as well, his eyes snapping to his Chieftain, who could only offer a weak nod.


    "Get ready to travel, have your Shamans brew potions of Restoration and Stamina over the next few days. We must close the distance to Kincairne with all haste. Without the deities watching over our Shamans and Healers, we cannot stay in the Shattered Plains and fight alone."


    The elder nodded solemnly, not one to question his Chieftain, for despite his wizened look and age; her youthful appearance, she was many decades older than him thanks to her Deific Pact. So it went. Within a week, the tribe had pulled down their tents and prepared their wagons. Hooking up a Lovax to every wagon.


    - [The Lovax]: Large creatures that have the head of a goat. Their bodies are covered in plates made of hardened bone. These plates overlap by six to ten inches depending on the size and age of the Lovax. The average adult Lovax is between seven and eight feet long and weighed nearly three thousand pounds. Their feet have long claws that could dig into the hard rock of areas they often inhabit. Despite their terrifying appearance, they were generally docile creatures that survived by eating insect-class monsters. Or vegetation if they are desperate. -


    Amara normally strode alongside the procession of wagons, keeping a watchful eye. Orcs were tall creatures. Males were seven to eight feet, while females were six to seven feet. Amara stood taller than even the tallest male in her tribe.


    A lifetime of fighting and harsh living left her with a body that radiated power and the deadly skills of a predator and warrior. Be that as it may, she was six months along with her third child, and in a few short weeks, the child would be born.


    Despite her insistence that she was fine to keep walking, the warriors of the tribe, her husband, the Elder Shaman, and basically everyone else told her to rest so that she was ready for the mighty battle of childbirth ahead of her.


    She found it hard to argue with her entire tribe, and truth be told didn''t mind the rest. She stroked her belly slowly, wondering what type of world she''d have to raise this child in, a world devoid of the Deities. Her worries as both a mother and a Chieftan stormed within her mind. She found herself slowly drifting off to troubled sleep.


    A hand gently shook her shoulder, and her eyes went wide as she grabbed for a dagger. The dreams had not been kind. Looking at her husband''s face, she saw the worry in his eyes. With his help, she slowly climbed out of the back of the wagon and moved towards the front of the procession. Both her jaw and heart sank to the ground.


    Several months march before they reached Kincairn. There lay before them a ravine spanning nearly thirty feet. This may not have been a challenge for them under normal circumstances. Any Orc warrior worth their weight could clear that distance with a running leap while unburdened with equipment.


    Amara huffed. Then it was merely a matter of building a bridge to cross. While the Shattered lands weren''t friendly -there was plenty of wood and other materials which could be gathered- to accomplish such a feat, especially with the many skilled builders in the tribe.


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    However, this wasn''t simply some ravine worn through years of water or wind. It had been torn apart by the anger of the Deities. The walls glowed an angry blue and purple, and even standing close threatened mana sickness. The worst of it was every hour or so, a blast from the bottom of the ravine -some thousand feet down at the very least, her scouts told her- shot up into the sky and beyond the clouds, a blast of pure raw mana.


    As Amara and Varga tried to find a new solution to the ravines, they were interrupted as a scout rushed up to them, alerting them to the fact a few of their shamans had exploded in a violent tempest of magical energy upon touching the rift¡¯s explosive discharge.


    Panicked whispers spread throughout her tribe, threatening even her own mind. But being a leader came first. She could worry and panick later once she was alone with her husband -Varga. For now, she stood at the front of the procession, seeing the last of it a few hundred feet in the back, slowly spreading out, matching the ravine.


    " [Titan''s Voice] " once she felt the skill settle into her vocal cords, she spoke passionately. The skill carried her voice for thousands of feet around her.


    "The way to Kincairn is beyond us. Set up camp a thousand paces from the ravine itself. No one is to touch it. To touch is to invite death. We will get through this. We will find a way to survive. Lean on one another for support. We are the Tribe of the Shattered Will, generations we have conquered the Shattered Lands, bent it to our will! We have given safe passage to Kings and Queens, slain mighty warriors, and seen a thousand battles and more! This is nothing to us. We must stand strong and stand united!"


    Between the content of the speech, and the various leadership passive skills she had, morale bolstered immensely. She knew it wouldn''t last forever.


    They would have to find a way across this ravine or head back towards other distant lands. They had to find a way to unite with others. The Shattered lands were home to many deadly monsters, most of which were only defeated because of how coordinated her tribe was.


    If [Divinity Scorned] meant the system would no longer allow them to advance...they wouldn''t last long.


    It only took them a few hours to set up the tents surrounding the large bonfire. Amara sat in her tent. Varga and the Elder Shaman were with her. She spoke first.


    "The first order of business is to ensure we have sustainable food, scavenge what we can. Ration food for the first few weeks to ensure we do not run out. While we are blessed that the Shattered Lands are too warm to ever see snow, that doesn''t mean the plants grow as readily in the winter. Next.... "


    Her worry was evident. Fear threatened to consume her. She placed a hand on her stomach, fighting against the urge to break into tears. Varga and Lurog said nothing. They were in the same position. They all had to remain strong for those they commanded. Once the tribe was safe and secure -then and only then- could they afford to break down even in private.


    "Next we get a warband together, and slay an enemy."


    The other two sharing her tent now gave her quizzical looks. She continued.


    "If the status [Divinity Scorned] means we can no longer gain experience...or level. Receive new skills or new classes. "


    Her voice trailed off, and the others quickly realized just how severe such a thing would be. The world would be overrun by non-sentient monsters who could breed much more rapidly than sentient creatures could. With no advancements, no skills, or classes.


    It meant they could never replenish their ranks with leveled warriors and Shamans. They would slowly be whittled down by the Shattered lands until their tribe was snuffed out of existence.


    " Send out warbands along the ravine, see if the gap lessens at any point and how far it stretches. Ready a scouting party, tell them to avoid all conflict. Make haste opposite the ravine. If we cannot cross it, perhaps we can make way through the Shattered Lands and arrive safely on the other side. I know it will be a many months journey, better than being stuck here I think."


    -=- Three Weeks Later -=-


    Much to Amara''s relief, they could still gain experience, and they could still level and use skills. Her shamans and warriors reported that any skills or spells that called upon their gods were significantly weakened. The news was a double-edged sword; it gave some insight into what [Divinity Scorned] meant, but it mostly left them with more questions than answers. It couldn''t merely be their skills being weakened, could it?


    The ravine never grew more narrow. In fact, as the scouts got further from the apparent center, it grew wider. Eventually, two more deep ravines appeared next to the center ravine. Appearing as if some deity''s claw had reached down and tried to grab the land and rip it away. The worst news was the Scout party sent away from the ravine. They returned in just two short weeks, nearly dead.


    The non-sentient monsters of the Shattered Lands were in a frenzy and had grown dozens of levels in just a few short days. Amara was only now realizing how much the deities'' passive power tamed the monsters of this plane.


    Perhaps that was why the gods had abandoned them. Perhaps the gods had grown weary of protecting creatures that refused to be better and warred with one another endlessly.


    That didn''t matter now. Amara gripped her husband''s arm threatening to break it with how hard she squeezed and screamed while pushing with all her might, as her midwife and shamans told her to do. She was used to this, having given birth to twins before.


    Amara lay exhausted on a mountain of furs, and pillows, her pale purple skin drenched in sweat. Her poor husband show-casing several new bruises, wearing the biggest smile he could.


    In his arms was a bundle of soft furs, a very tiny, very loud bundle of furs. Gently sitting next to Amara and leaning in close. Amara looked up at him, a smile on her own face as she looked down at the tiny little orc girl swaddled in fur.


    The child''s skin was odd for an Orc, most of whom had purple or blue hues, given their nature as creatures born mostly of mana. The baby had crimson skin. Almost as if she was part demon. Two large deep blue eyes showed an abundance of mana already in them.


    Amara took the child in her arms, pulling her close to her chest. Once the baby latched, the crying stopped. Amara looked at her husband her smile hadn''t faded in the slightest, exhausted as she was.


    "Shall we look together?"


    Varga nodded, and both said in unison.


    " [Greater Scan] " Their eyes slowly peered over the status screen, that appeared above their daughter''s head.


    Name: {Unnamed}


    [Status: Alive; Hungry; Exhausted; Scorned Divinity]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 1


    Subspecies: [Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 1


    Class: {To unlock class options, raise Species or Subspecies to level 10}


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 10]


    \Strength: 5 Vitality: 5/


    [Dexterity: 10]


    \Agility: 5 Wisdom: 5/


    [Charisma: 10]


    \Intuition: 5 Presence: 5/


    Racial Skills:


    [Orc Savagery - Passive]: - Level <Disabled> [Runt]


    [Orc Constitution - Passive]: - Level 0 <Limited> [Runt]


    General Skills:


    Class Skills: {To Unlock Class Skills, please select a Class}


    Health: 100


    Stamina: 50


    Mana: 50


    Amara and her husband - Varga - looked at each other with concern. Focusing on [Runt] letting the status expand and explain it for them.


    [Subspecies Trait: Runt- This creature is stunted in some way, there is a small chance as it grows and levels, this trait will disappear. This trait applies a negative penalty on certain Stats and can hamper some, or all racial skills.]


    Next, their gaze moved to the racial skills which had been affected.


    [Orc Savagery - Passive]: -Level <Disabled> [Runt]. Orc Savagery awards a creature bonus experience when slaying an enemy in battle, the more difficult and gruesome the fight, the more bonus experience is awarded. Leveling this skill boosts the amount of experience further.


    [Orc Constitution - Passive]: - Level 0 <Limited> [Runt]. Orc Constitution counts Strength and Vitality twice for the purposes of calculating the Derived-Stat Brawn. As this skill levels, Creatures may become resistant to food poisoning, alcohol poisoning, and other such status ailments. WARNING: Limited- Due to a Subspecies Trait, this skill does not function as intended - the current limitation negates the bonus to Brawn.


    Amara and Varga both wore worried expressions now. The Shattered lands were an extremely harsh environment. The tribe leveled their children by capturing and tying down low-level weakened monsters and letting the children kill such monsters. While they knew every level in their daughter''s species and subspecies would bring stat points to spend - four stat points, whenever one leveled - it would still significantly hamper her growth and capabilities.


    All children of the Shattered Will were instructed to invest all of their Species stat points into Strength and Vitality evenly. They were instructed to save their subspecies stat points until they were at level nine, at which time they could speak with their parents or the elders for advice on how to invest the stat points to get a more favorable class. Or at least a better chance at a more favorable class.


    Their daughter, however, wasn''t going to get bonus experience. The children already earned next to no experience because they didn''t do enough damage to the creatures, it was only because of [Orc Savagery] that the children could be leveled this way, and it was only the boost to Strength and Vitality that children could survive the harsh environment and lifestyle required of these lands. Varga seeing the concern on his wife''s face, as tears welled in her eyes, quickly put a hand on her shoulder and smiled.


    "She needs a name Chieftain. Give her a mighty one, that she may grow into it."


    Amara blinked the tears away, worried for her daughter''s future. She smiled and tried not to think about that now. Wanting to merely enjoy the fact she finally had a daughter! After two sons, both strong warriors. Finally, she had a daughter.


    She thought carefully, taking her free hand, and gently stroked her daughter''s head. Names were important to her tribe; a good name would shape the destiny of who it was given to.


    Their Surnames were changed to whatever their greatest accomplishment had been, with the leader of any given family -whoever happened to be the strongest warrior of the family- determining everyone''s surname.


    Amara stood. Slowly with her husband''s help. Slowly walking out of the tent where most of the tribe waited. All of them wanted good news, wanting to celebrate another mighty orc joining their cause. Amara looked out over them, smiling down at the baby who had finally had enough to eat and had begun staring intently up at her mother.


    "Let us welcome to the Tribe of the Shattered Will, [Trillia Demonsbane]!"


    A faint blue glow overtook the baby for a moment before the status updated, and cheers erupted from the tribe. And for the first time since the Cataclysm, the tribe breathed a little easier. Amara would find a way to help her daughter grow into a strong Orc.


    Orcs weren''t like most other monstrous humanoids, caring deeply for family and tribesmen. It was the job of the entire tribe to ensure that every orc was raised with the same values and morals of the tribe. It was the job of the tribe to ensure that no Orc child was without purpose. Amara had faith in her people, in her Trillia.

 Chapter 1 Orc-ish

    What was an orc? Legs swinging to and fro, the child of only three stared at her mother. Who -as far as Trillia was concerned- was a giant. There wasn''t a single orc in the tribe who stood taller. Trillia hoped that one day she''d grow that tall!


    Most of the other orcs paid her little mind. Merely observing her to ensure she wasn''t getting into trouble. Trillia hopped off the seemingly gigantic log she sat on. On the best of days, she wouldn''t even reach most adults'' knees. Slowly she moved closer to her mother, focusing on every tiny detail of her Chieftain.


    As established, her mother was tall. You''d have to stack at least six Trillias to reach the height of her mother! Wearing armor made from the scales of a dragon -or so old man Luvog said- a burnt orange color that contrasted the pale purple skin.


    A greatsword nearly as tall as her mother hung at her back. The metal has an iridescent obsidian hue, serrated on one side. A brace halfway down the blade on its back side.


    Trillia had seen her mother use the weapon in defense of the camp. Often times she''d grab the brace and hold off creatures many times her size. Arms with corded muscle threatened to burst the armor she wore. Long green hair made into many braids hung from her head.


    Seeing it made Trillia ruffle her own hair. A short silvery mess, she didn''t fit in well, at least not with her tribe. Crimson red skin, silver hair, and bright blue eyes. A stark contrast to her mother and father''s red eyes. Even at this tender age, Trillia could tell she wasn''t a standard orc.


    Perhaps. Could it be that Trillia wasn''t an orc at all?! Her little eyes grew wide as she stared up at her mother. Absent-mindedly having moved next to the towering Chieftain. Tears threatened to stream down her face. Her tiny hands reached up to press against her mother''s legs.


    Her mother''s head turned down to see the teary-eyed child. A soft voice spoke as a smile came across the Chieftain''s face.


    "What is it, little one? Why do you cry?"


    Trillia took a deep breath, resolving herself for the terrible news. Balling up her little fists and gritting her tiny sharp teeth.


    "Am I an orc, momma?"


    Her mother -and the orc warrior she had been speaking to - let out a hearty laugh, quickly scooping Trillia up in her strong arms and balancing the small child on her hip.


    "Of course, you''re an orc! One day you will grow big and strong, as all of us have! Why do you ask such a thing?"


    Trillia, not wanting to embarrass herself, quickly rubbed the tears from her eyes. Now eye-to-eye with her mother, she sniffled.


    "I look weird. No one looks like me at all. Are you sure?"


    Amara -her mother''s name- now shook her head, offering the same warm smile.


    "Just because you do not look the same does not mean you are not an orc. Besides, you can see your own status, right? Remember how mommy taught you? Concentrate really hard on seeing who you are."


    Trillia knew -of course - what her status said. The tribe, after all, checked their status often to see if how they went about a task was the right way. To see if they were hungry, tired, or any number of things. But... Maybe the status was lying about her species? After all, she looked very different.


    But her mother wouldn''t lie to her. The other orcs always tried to help her learn and taught her many fun things. Like how to use [Basic Scan], which was her favorite skill. It told her many helpful things, but she didn''t understand many of the words it used though.


    Her mother, had since returned to her discussion with the warrior, but Trillia didn''t pay much attention. It was something about scouting parties and fighting monsters.


    Trillia didn''t have much interest in fighting monsters. The idea seemed very scary. But she was an orc! She''d have to fight monsters some days. It was what all orcs did. They were good at fighting monsters, and Trillia wanted to be a good orc like her mother was.


    The warrior was walking away now Trillia turned her eyes from wandering the camp to her mother. Offering her own little smile at her mom, she leaned onto her shoulder. Listening to her mother''s soft-spoken words.


    "Come on, let''s get you something tasty to eat, and we can practice something. You can even choose what we practice."


    They moved through the camp until they reached a large tent. The thick fabric was dyed dark green and had various runes painted on in bright yellow paint. One symbol showed up on all of the tents. It looked like a hammer striking some beast''s head. Trillia was told it was her tribe''s symbol.


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    Inside, they sat near a table - made of dark-stained wood- her mother went about grabbing some hard tack and meat, tossing it into a small cooking pot just outside.


    "So. What do you want to practice, Trillia?"


    The question pulled the girl from her daydreaming. She looked at her mother. Pondering the question as she brought up her status in her mind. She hadn''t gained any levels and was still extremely weak in almost all regards. She liked learning skills.


    "Can we practice learning?"


    Her mother waved her over to sit next to her so that she could keep an eye on the cooking pot. Her mother produced a small crystalline object from a pouch at her hip. Trillia knew this to be a mana crystal. By the soft red hue, she knew it to be a mana crystal attuned to fire.


    Taking it into both hands -being too large to fit into one- she began concentrating as her mother and Lurog had shown her many times. They described it to her as trying to use [Basic Scan] on the crystal without actually using the skill. Just pretending you were asking the crystal to use the skill instead.


    An eternity seemed to pass -it had only been ten minutes, at most- sweat beaded her forehead. She continued to stare intently at the crystal in her hands. Her eyes held a faint blue glow. There was mana there - lurking beneath the surface- it was how she could use a skill like [Basic Scan]. Even if the skill itself didn''t require an expenditure of mana.


    But try as she might, the crystal sat there dormant, no spark of flames inside it. Her mother reached out, gently taking the red crystal and handing her a blue one. Slowly cycling through several colors, some more specialized than others. She was failing again, and Trillia''s little heart sank.


    She could never make the crystals glow. She could never make her mom, dad, or even old man Lurog smile or pat her on the head. Saying she had done a good job. Tears began to form in her eyes, she gritted her teeth, and her eyes glowed more intensely.


    Finally, as her mother took the last crystal away, Trillia cried out.


    "No! I can do it! I promise I''m a good orc!"


    The tears streamed freely now. Suddenly, wrapped in her mother''s big strong arms, sobbing because she had failed again. She heard her mother softly shushing her and stroking her messy silver hair.


    "It''s ok little one, you are still so young. This is nothing to cry over. We will find what you''re good at. Everyone is good at something. You have to remember that!"


    She was too ashamed to pull away from her mother. There were other children in the tribe, children only a year or two older, who could make all the crystals shine so prettily. It was because she wasn''t an orc. The stupid status window was lying it had to be.


    Some time had passed, and Trillia had calmed down, sitting next to her mother. A bowl of meat and hard-tack broth sat before her. Face close to the steamy liquid before her, blowing on the spoon she held so as not to burn her tongue.


    If she wasn''t good at things orcs were good at, was she an orc? If not, what was like an orc but not actually an orc? If even her mother and the status window were fooled, it had to be something close.


    Her father had joined them, and her two brothers as well. Both rustled her hair as they walked by. Her brothers were very good orcs. Tall and strong. Both could make the red and the brown crystals light up. Both carried large axes, the same type of axe their father used.


    It was her father who broke the silence.


    "Trillia, I''m going to be tracking down a [Baby Megapede] later. Would you like to join me?"


    - Megapede- Non-Sentient monsters, growing upwards of a hundred feet in length. Much like the small insect variants of centipedes. Megapedes also had many feet they could use to crawl around on, even up vertical surfaces. Unlike their distant relatives, Megapede feet ended in sharp dagger-like claws. Mandibles large enough to crush iron plate armor. Also capable of projectile vomiting acid upwards of thirty feet as adults. -


    She was about to speak but quickly remembered the soup in her mouth. Once she had swallowed the bite. She smiled and nodded excitedly.


    "Do you think I can use [Basic Scan] on it?!"


    She received an affirmative nod, her father having his own bite of soup in his mouth. Her eyes lit up. Maybe she''d finally get enough experience from identifying the creature to level!


    A thought occurred to Trillia. Maybe she was an orc. Maybe she needed more levels to make the crystals glow. Her mother kept saying she was too young. What if that meant her level was too low to do it instead?


    Trillia nodded as she took another bite, a clear plan forming in her mind. She''d run around and use [Basic Scan] on everything she could, gain enough experience to help slay a monster. With more levels, she was sure she could make the crystals glow as her brothers could.


    With her fool-proof plan, she quickly devoured the rest of her soup. Wiping out her bowl before bowing in front of her mother.


    "May I play?"


    Her mother gave her a nod, and Trillia ran off. Her parents could hear her using her favorite skill repeatedly. Both only chuckled and smiled at one another before finishing their own bowls of soup.


    Trillia found that [Basic Scan] could be used on many things, objects, people, and monsters. When she was first taught to use the spell a month or two ago, it gave her a headache to use it often. But it was her favorite skill. She ran about the village, using it on everything she could find, some new things, some old. She could feel the experience for her Subspecies slowly ticking up. She would level soon.


    "To arms!"


    The words rang out clearly throughout the camp. Trillia spun towards the sound, running as fast as her little legs could. Maybe she''d get to scan a new monster or creature! Or at least watch the others fight so that when she was strong enough to fight, she knew how to.


    As she approached the wall -something that had only been erected since she was born- she skidded to a stop. Her mother was already standing on the wall. Staring out at an enemy Trillia couldn''t see. Scrambling up the side of the wall, she came to the edge, standing next to her mother.


    It was not a single creature that stood before the walls. But a thousand large bipedal ones. Hooved feet, and thick fur. Standing far taller than even her mother did. A bull-like face and large twisted horns sat atop their head. All of them wore glimmering metal armor that looked heavy.


    "[Basic Scan]"


    She whispered the word, and all of them merely showed up as [Minotaur - ?? - ??] it wasn''t surprising. That meant they were high-level, and she couldn''t see their class. Her eyes turned towards her mother, who wasn''t attacking them. Maybe they were friends?

 Chapter 2 A New Enemy?

    Trillian looked over the field before her. One large minotaur strode forward. In its right hand was a hammer -the head of the hammer easily taller than Trillia herself- in its left was a tiny stick.


    It raised the tiny stick, pointing to its own throat. A faint glow enveloped the creature. When it spoke, its voice carried over thousands of feet.


    "I represent the refugees of the Labyrinth city of God''s Watch! I come seeking your Chieftain. We are not aggressors!"


    Something in his voice made Trillia think the minotaur speaking was tired. So tired that Trillia was surprised he didn''t fall over asleep as she sometimes did.


    Her mother -Amara- walked forward. Whispering the skill [Titans Voice].


    "I am Chieftain Amara Demonsbane. You stand before the last bastion of the tribe of the Shattered Will. I know of God''s Watch. Where is King Cordaos?"


    The lead minotaur turned his head, his voice still carried due to the skill. However, the words he spoke made no sense to Trillia. Old man Lurog told her that many races spoke a different language.


    That never made much sense to Trillia. One would think that if everyone spoke the same language, there would be fewer mistakes and fighting. Even in her own tribe, the dialect of some orcs was different, it had led to fights and brawls. She couldn''t begin to imagine how bad it was with other species.


    Well, she could imagine. Many nights she had laid in her mother''s lap pretending to be asleep, she was listening to warriors talk about old fights, and conflicts they had been a part of. Sometimes being attacked just because they were orcs, or spoke the wrong words.


    A few minutes later, a large stone slab was rolled forward. Resting atop it was the largest minotaur of the entire group. If you propped him up, he would be nearly twice as tall as Amara.


    Suddenly Trillia felt smaller than before. She knew, without a doubt, she was not a Minotaur. Her little mind raced with other possibilities, not having given up on being too low of a level yet.


    When her mother''s voice rang out again, she listened intently.


    "Has the great king fallen?"


    As if summoned to action by her words, the mighty form resting atop the slab stirred. Drinking several potions that were handed to him. Sitting up seemed to take immense effort, and as the blanket covering him fell, all onlookers knew why.


    Even with the potions coursing through his veins, deep gashes glowing with poisonous mana lay evident on his chest, arms, back, and face. A few shorter, younger minotaurs rushed over to help their king stand.


    With no skills cast and seemingly no artifacts to boost it, his voice easily carried to the wall.


    "The city of God''s Watch has fallen Amara. My people need a place to rest, a place to recover. I would be in your deb-"


    His mighty frame shook as he was overtaken by a fit of coughing. Blood and mana poured from his mouth. The wounds pulsed almost angrily as poison seeped from them.


    Trillia watched her mother leap from the wall. Amara crossed the field in the span of a breath. Titans Voice still carried her voice across the field and encampment.


    "You foolish cow! What did you piss off to receive wounds such as this? Lay back down and rest, idiot!"


    Amara pushed his mighty frame back onto the slab. The other minotaurs seemed conflicted. Whether to help her make him rest or stop the assault. Amara''s voice rang out once more. This time directed at her people.


    "Throw open the gates, alert all of the shamans. We have an extremely advanced stage of megapede poisoning and what looks like some new version of mana sickness. Figure out who the de facto leader is while the King is out, and help these people in any way we can!"


    Without waiting for confirmation, she hurriedly waved the other minotaurs over, ordering them about as if she was some General on a battlefield.


    "Come here, boy. Help me get this great lug to the camp so we can treat him. Stop worrying. I''ve seen Cordaos survive worse. Far too stupid and stubborn to die."


    The form on the slab chuckled weakly.


    "It is good to see you as well, little Amara. Thank you for taking care of my people."


    Amara shook her head. Not wanting her worry to betray the outward strength she projected.


    "You saved my life more times than I care to count in the Great Beast wars. This is the least we can do for each other."


    The king said a few words to his advisors, who immediately fell into listening to Amara''s instructions. Varga came down from the walls and began discussing where the refugees could set up camp and what they knew of the area.


    The benefit to her tiny status surrounded by all these giants is that Trillia didn''t stand out, far too small to be noticed. She followed after her mother and the large minotaur who was hurt, figuring this was far more interesting than whatever her father was talking to the other minotaurs about.


    They rolled the slab next to the central bonfire, placing heavy stones under it. Knocking the wheels off with a terrifying amount of speed and precision.


    Amara stood over the body, hands working expertly, mixing together some poultice and jamming it into the lesser wounds, calling out a seemingly endless amount of information that Trillia didn''t fully grasp. Trillia watched as her mother switched from Orcish to the language of the Minotaurs with ease, sometimes mid-sentence.


    Trillia stood on a nearby rock, looking down at the scene. Within a half hour, most of the worst wounds had some poultice shoved into them. Shamans were mixing potions alongside Minotaur alchemists. Amara held up a large throng of leather and cloth, putting it into Cordaos'' mouth.


    "This is going to hurt like the fires of Infernus, Cord. We don''t have spells or straps large enough to hold you still. Do you understand me?"


    Trillia was starting to get scared. She could see the fear in her mother''s eyes, in the king''s eyes. The king bit down on the throng and clamped his meaty hands onto the sides of the stone slab. Amara pulled out a dagger, holding it over the fire behind her.


    "By all the gods Cord, if you punch me, I''ll stab you right in the face!"


    Both offered a weak chuckle. Amara brought the knife over the worst of the wounds, looking to the alchemists and shamans who all sat ready with a mixture of poultices and potions.


    Amara lowered the blade, with the practiced hands of an expert, began to cut away the dead and poisoned flesh, burning the residual poison away. Trillia winced, unable to rip her eyes from the scene.


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    The great minotaur king howled into the throng, his hands gripping the stone, threatening to crack it. His muscles tensed, but he otherwise lay still. As the poisoned meat was sliced away, the others moved quickly to bandage, poultice, or dump healing potions into the wounds.


    Trillia watched for what felt like days. It had only been four or five hours in reality. The little girl looked at the minotaur king''s face. Tears stained his cheeks from the pain and agony he had just endured. Trillia wondered how long it must have felt for him.


    Amara sat there breathing heavily, having used probably a dozen or more skills to maintain concentration and aid in healing, her mana dangerously low. Her arms draped over the minotaur''s chest.


    Trillia had, at this point, moved closer. Curious to see her mother''s work up close. She was next to her mother, who had tears running down her cheeks. She knew she wasn''t supposed to hear her mother''s whispers, Noone was, but she did.


    "If any of you still care. If any of you haven''t abandoned us, please don''t let my friend die. No one in this world knows me better. Please don''t take my friend."


    Trillia watched as her mother clenched her fists. The other shamans and alchemists were shuffled off by Lurog, who patted Cordaos and Amara on their shoulders. Lurog spoke softly to Amara.


    "He is the mightiest mortal warrior to walk this plane and is pact-bonded to the same deity you are. Have faith, Amara."


    He gently squeezed Amara''s shoulder once more before shooing the other onlookers off. Amara could no longer hold in her tears. She just sat there quietly sobbing. Cordaos lay unconscious next to her, his breathing finally calm.


    Too much had happened. The fall of God''s Watch was a shock to Amara. Seeing Cordaos in the state he was in, Lurog wasn''t far off the mark. The Minotaur King was widely regarded as one of the most fierce warriors on the continent. To see him in this state.


    Trillia climbed onto the slab staring at the dozens of cuts, bandages, and poultices that covered the mighty frame.


    [Rudimentary Alchemy] skill obtained.


    Experience is awarded for learning a rudimentary skill without a class.


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 0 -> Level 1


    Subspecies: [Orc-Adolescent:Runt] Level 0 -> Level 1


    Trillia blinked a few times. That had never happened before, and while she wanted to jump for joy at the levels, she heard her mother''s soft sobbing. Leaning over, Trillia placed her tiny hands onto one of her mother''s, who jerked her head up, thinking she was alone.


    "It''s ok, mommy. You said he was too stupid and stubborn to die. Plus, he''s really, really big, even bigger than you. I''m sure he will be ok."


    Trillia offered her biggest and bravest smile giving her mom a thumbs up now that their eyes met. Trillia had to admit she was a little scared she would get in trouble. Instead, Amara hoisted the girl in her mighty arms. Crushing Trillia to her chest in a hug.


    Over the next week, Trillia watched as they removed old medicine from the wounds replacing it with new medicine. Stitching wounds closed now that the rot had been cut away. Cordaos took it all with surprising stoicism. Trillia wondered what sort of life someone had to lead to be so sturdy.


    Amara never seemed to leave his side. Trillia had taken to wandering the camp. Not wanting to bother them as they spoke. Sometimes she merely grew bored when it came to listening to logistics.


    -=- One Week Later -=-


    A week had passed, and to say things were chaotic would be a gross understatement. Trillia sat on the edge of a large bench, legs swinging beneath her, a bowl of hard-tack broth and sliced meat in her hands.


    Next to her sat her new best friend, Cordaos, the Minotaur king and a warrior. He was also extremely good at making the stone look like little people, and it was this particular skill that Trillia watched in amazement.


    They sat near a small cooking fire, her mother and father sitting on their own bench, and a few other important-looking minotaurs joined them. Cordaos had been awake for a day now but was unable to speak.


    The damage to his body had been extensive. After some more healing and treatment, he could speak, but the pain it caused him was evident. That''s why Trillia had been instructed not to ask him questions and just watched.


    It was her mother who spoke. They had been talking about the state of the ravines and where they could start building an encampment for the refugees. Trillia mostly ignored it to watch skilled hands carve away bits of stone. The hands stopped now. Trillia looked up as Cordaos stared at her mother.


    "What happened, Cordaos? I''ve seen you first-hand pull dragons out of the sky. I watched you leap with wild abandon into a group of greater demons and come out the other side. I haven''t pushed you because I wanted you to heal. But I need to know how much danger my people are in."


    Cordaos ran his thumb over the little stone orc he had been carving, staring intently at it.


    "I saw a creature trait I haven''t seen in over a century Amara, followed by one I have never seen, both on the same Megapede. The first was [Primordial Spawn], and the second was [Mana-Warped]. "


    As soon as Cordaos mentioned primordial spawn, Trillia looked at her parent''s faces and saw sheer terror race across their faces. The look scared Trillia. She was scared a lot recently.


    At first, she thought it was because she was a weakling and not a true orc, but the last week or so had shown her even mighty orcs like her mother were afraid. They didn''t show it as often. She was upset her mother was scared. Trillia hated the feeling and didn''t want others feeling it, especially her mom.


    But she was also relieved that this stuff was just scary. It made her feel less ashamed when she slid a little closer to Cordaos as if trying to hide from the world behind his massive form.


    Amara could barely get the words out, whispering them as if trying to keep a secret from the gods themselves.


    "Are you certain Cord.... are you certain you saw a [Primordial Spawn] ?"


    Trillia knew her mother wasn''t calling her friend a liar. More like....it was like she wanted to wish his words away, but Cord only shook his head.


    "Amara, it was seventy levels below me and thirty below my royal guard. I watched it rip through them all in seconds. And it nearly killed me. The only reason I''m here is my eldest son used a skill to Teleport us out."


    The last glimmer of hope drained from everyone''s face as Cordaos continued.


    "God''s Watch amplifies my abilities, as well as the abilities of every minotaur in there. It took three days to go from a city of forty thousand mighty minotaurs to the three or four thousand setting up camp around you now. We only managed to kill a half dozen of those damn things."


    Trillia could hear the anger in his voice. His rage was palpable.


    "The Primordial we were all tasked with protecting is waking up, Amara. Without the [2nd Axle] or the Queen of Kadessa, I fear we won''t be able to fight it off. It''s not awake yet. If it were, we would probably all be dead."


    A long, heavy silence fell over everyone. It was all so much. Trillia felt like all this bad news was going to crush her. She could see and smell the fear that hung over the camp.


    She didn''t run away though her mother had instructed her before that Trillia was free to listen to any conversation they had. But had to keep it to herself. Her mother didn''t want to hide the severity of things from her but didn''t want to confuse others with Trillia''s inability to accurately explain it.


    Amara stood and tossed a stick into the bonfire, motioning to a nearby orc. Trillia recognized him as the Captain of the scouts. The orc hurried over and stared intently at Amara.


    "Zura, prepare thirty of your best and fastest scouts. Find scouts that have no families or children yet. The mission I have is one they may not return from."


    Zuras eyes darkened. Amara always ensured that every orc''s life mattered the same as any other. For her to give an order like this, the scout captain nodded and turned to do as instructed. Cordaos offered her a quizzical look.


    "We will send them over the Mana Rift, to Kincairne. Varga, write letters to the Captain of the Guard, the Mayor, Head Magic, and Bishop of the Paladins in Kincairne. Take some apprentice shamans with you, and write everything up with thirty copies. Use my seal and the seal of Cordaos."


    The minotaur king opened a pouch at his side and produced a small metal object. It had an intricate design on one end and a rounded handle on the other. A myriad of small crystalline gems were embedded in it. His eyes glowed faintly as he channeled mana into his seal. Between the exertion of Mana, and all the words he had spoken before, the old king looked truly exhausted.


    Varga took the seal from Cordaos, leaning in and kissing his wife on the cheek before taking her seal. The man ushered others to see the task set before them was done. Leaving Cordaos, Amara, and Trillia sitting around the fire, the minotaur king once more carved the stone in his hands.


    Despite the clamor of the camp around them, their little fire and troupe were silent. Trillia felt as though she could hear every flake of the stone as the knife passed seamlessly through it.


    Trillian''s eyes grew heavy. It had been a very stressful week for everyone, especially for a child of only three. As she slowly fell back, she felt her mother''s arms wrap around and lift her. Unable to focus or keep her eyes open, she could vaguely hear the words.


    "Let me go and put the little one to rest. We can discuss our part in the coming war."


    War. A word often unused by the adults around her, but no one said it happily. Trillia had a vague understanding of what it meant. Old man Lurog and her father said they hoped she would never truly know what it meant.


    Was war coming to her tribe? Her curiosity peaked. She was, however, unable to keep thinking and fighting any longer. She let darkness and sleep take her.

 Chapter 3 Breakfast

    War. It was the only word that filled her brain. Trillia woke up several hours later, smelling meat searing on metal outside the tent. Arms above her head, she let out a mighty yawn and stretched, hopping up with energy only a child could muster this early and running outside.


    Immediately she stopped running and began to tip-toe. She saw several minotaurs, which lay near a smoldering fire, snores to match their war cries rumbling the ground. Trillia grinned and slowly picked a path through them, taking the time to whisper one skill over and over again.


    "[Basic Scan]"


    She identified them all as minotaurs. That was obvious. She couldn''t see their levels. The weapons and armor could be identified, as well as many of the trinkets worn.


    It was over an hour that the little pad foot spent using scan on things now, she made her way to her mother and father. They were not far away. As she approached the fire. A smooth round stone was proffered to her.


    Trillian eyes went wide, and her mouth began to water. A large slab of meat, an egg, and something that looked like hard tack -just not as hard- sat on the stone plate she had been offered. She did a little dance as she took the plate, bright blue eyes following the giver of sustenance up to see her new best friend standing with a smile.


    She bowed her head and managed a thank you before running out of the way and sitting down to devour the food. Her mother, father, and the king seemed to be in a much better mood this morning.


    How could they not? Look how delicious this food appeared! Not one to stand on ceremony, she grabbed the meat and tore into it. Soft hues of pink ran through, with an almost charred outer layer, and the blood and juices ran down her chin.


    Why didn''t they cook their meat like this all the time?! When things weren''t so serious. Trillia would have to sit her mother down and ask if she could become a minotaur or at least learn to cook like one.


    As if hearing her thoughts. A metal-pronged utensil was stabbed into the meat. Her mother raised a brow and left it there.


    "Try to savor it and not completely devour it all in one gulp."


    Trillia grinned and nodded, two gulps then. The egg let out a golden liquid that paired well with the meat. She watched others take the not-hard tack and dip it into the liquid. She copied them. Perhaps they were all going off to die in war today, it wasn''t uncommon to see many orcs be brought back dead. At first, she would be sad to see them gone, but her mother told her. While orcs wanted to return alive, dying in defense of the tribe was one of the greatest deaths you could have.


    She heard the others talk about such things. How a feast would be thrown for warriors leaving home on dangerous missions. It helped to ensure their last memories of home were warm and inviting. This way they either came home to good memories or died on the battlefield with a good last memory of their tribe.


    Orcs -and apparently minotaurs- were very food driven.


    Trillia paused in her devouring of the meal before her. That thought made her think. Wasn''t everything food driven? She knew the Lavox would follow her around for an hour or so if she had some tasty bugs in her hand. She didn''t like eating bugs. They were very crunchy and didn''t have good juices.


    Megapede steak wasn''t bad wait, ....was this insect meat?


    "[Basic Scan]"


    [Megapede Sirloin]: A slab of megapede, seasoned and cooked to perfection.


    Trillia leaned in close to the meat in disbelief.


    "How did they make you taste so good little buggy?"


    The girl was speaking to herself. But both Varga and Cordaos laughed at her words. Amara rolled her eyes and crossed her arms in a huff. Though the grin on her own face betrayed the intent of the motion.


    "Yes, thank you. I am keenly aware you and Cordaos are the better cooks."


    Amara snatched a pair of metal pincers from the table and rapidly clicked them at her husband, who couldn''t hold in the laughter any longer.


    "I have said many times, my love, I married you for your sword arm after all!"


    Amara''s mouth dropped open. She began to chase her husband in earnest. Clicking the metal pincers behind him. The two laughed as if the world wasn''t all Topsy turvy. It made Trillia smile.


    Trillia walked over to a large stone basin, half climbing up the edge of it to let her dirty plate gently float into the tub of water. She bowed to the orc who was washing the dirty dishes.


    "Thank you for cleaning up after me."


    The two orcs who were cleaning offered a smile and nod. Trillia didn''t want to interrupt the conversation they were having further. Turning, she ran back up to her parents and Cordaos, her parents now leaning against a log laughing in each other''s arms. Trillia stood there waiting patiently until her mother noticed her.


    "What is it, little one?"


    Trillia smiled and ran up to her arms spread out wide.


    "Scan me!"


    Both her parents used Greater Scan, and their faces lit up.


    "You reached level 1! That''s a big step, good job!"


    Trillia ran up to her mom, giving her a hug, before being scooped up to sit on her father''s knee. The man spoke with pride in his voice as he looked at her.


    "Well done, you''ve leveled Basic scan up three times, and what''s this? Rudimentary Alchemy?"


    Varga offered Amara a half-worried look, both knowing when she had learned it. The traumatic event didn''t seem to bother the girl. After all, Cordaos had lived.


    "It''s cause I watched mommy heal Uncle Cord. Old ma- "


    Trillia snapped her mouth shut. As if she had just said something she wasn''t supposed to. Amara raised a brow and motioned for her to go on.


    "Elder Shaman Lurog told me to put points into Strength and."


    They could both tell the little girl was trying to sound out the word, as she often did.


    "Vitality. But the other points I can spend how I want, right? To try and get a special class?"


    Her parents both nodded at her. The ground rumbled a bit as Cordaos had his own plate of food and had plopped down near them to listen.


    "Well...the thing is..."


    She was nervous. Trillia didn''t know how to say things cleverly like her father and certainly lacked the confidence of both her parents.


    Amara reached over and ruffled her hair. She could see how nervous her daughter was.


    "It''s OK sweetie, we won''t be upset. Just tell us the truth."


    Trillia gulped and looked between the two, tiny fists clenched as she summoned all the courage she could muster.


    "I''m not a strong orc. Like Ralrouk, Tormash, or either of you, "


    Her parents exchanged worried looks. Trillia was often hard on herself. They knew she felt that she''d never reach their height or strength. Now she was even worried about catching up to her brothers?


    "So I can''t be a warrior, I''m not very brave and I''m tiny. But!"


    The little girl quickly -and excitedly- added.


    "I learn stuff fast. So I was wondering."


    Her tiny voice became quieter. This was the moment of truth. She closed her eyes, forcing the words out.


    "I want to be a class that can make the bugs taste good, like Uncle Cord!"


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    She blurted it out, biting her lip and peeking out of one squinted eye to see how angry her parents were. To her surprise, both just stared for a moment, perhaps dumbfounded.


    Cordaos'' deep belly laugh -as he held his plate steady- shook them out of it. She watched as the minotaur king wiped a tear away from the dark gray fur of his eyes. Before he looked at the three of them and just laughed again.


    Trillia listened to her mother when she had been instructing Trillia''s brothers. If you caught an opponent off-guard, you didn''t relent, you pushed on for victory, and the little girl could see her victory within reach.


    "It''s just, Uncle Cord makes food taste really good, and when I ate it, the system said I had a buff. And you and Dad have been smiling and laughing all morning, and so has everyone else, right? So, it''s a really strong buff. Plus, our food is normally really hard and doesn''t taste like this, it also doesn''t give us any buffs. So maybe if I become something that can cook, I can be useful to the camp, and the other orcs, and I won''t be useless!"


    Finally, the little girl stopped, forced to take a breath after dumping as many words as she could into her follow-up attack. Amara just wore a warm smile, and Varga let out a chuckle.


    Had her follow-up attack not worked? She locked her lips and steeled herself for the bad news rebuttal. It was her father that spoke.


    "Making bugs taste good is a skill you can learn without a class, like your Rudimentary Alchemy. If we have time, maybe Uncle Cord can teach you how to cook. It''s not a class honey."


    Trillia deflated a bit. She''d still have to be a warrior or a shaman. Everyone was a warrior or shaman it seemed like, for their first class. Cordaos spoke up. His voice held a serious tone, betraying the smile on his face and the barrage of laughter that had just ensued.


    "Well, Lady Trillia. If it is ok with Chieftain Amara, my daughter can help you learn to become a [Minstrel]. [Minstrel] is a class that can use their voice to inspire heroism in their allies and fear and terror in their enemies. Orcs of old used to become [War Chanters] from [Minstrels]."


    Trillia blinked, staring up at Cordaos. Is that what she wanted? She crossed her arms, raising one hand to her chin, a motion she had seen her parents do a thousand times whenever deep in thought. Even as a Minstrel, she''d still have to fight probably, but it didn''t seem like they had to be very strong to sing. Maybe that was how she could be useful to the tribe. Her eyes once more met with Cordaos''.


    "Will you also teach me how to cook? If Mom and Dad are ok with that?"


    Now turning her eyes from the minotaur who sat before her to her parents. Both of them turned to look at each other and seriously contemplated the offer. Amara looked away from Varga and peered at the minotaur king.


    "We haven''t used War Chanters in decades. The sound and vibrations whip the monsters underground into a frenzy. Is it young Amelia that is a Minstrel? I didn''t scan her when I met her previously."


    Trillia remembered that name, she had seen the young minotaur girl over the time Cordaos was recovering, but she didn''t want to interrupt or get in the way since the girl seemed so sad and wanted to spend time with her father.


    Cordaos merely nodded, turning his head away, letting out a low rumbling word in another language. The word was carried throughout the camp. Trillia wasn''t sure what sort of skill he was using. However, it seemed anytime Cordaos wanted people to hear him, they could. A few minutes passed, Cordaos having raised a hand to halt further questions. A young minotaur girl approached.


    Trillia knew she was young because she was only four or five feet tall. The young girl bowed to her father and the others. Her voice soothed Trillia instantly.


    "How may I be of assistance father? I was helping Elder Lurog and Grand Alchemist Mort replenish their stock of potions and poultices."


    Cordaos stood and dusted himself off, standing next to his daughter now to make proper introductions. Though, the girl had already met Amara and Varga previously, it had only been briefly.


    "This is my daughter Amelia Shatterhoof, [Princess of God''s Watch]. This is Chieftain Amara, her husband -and Commander of the Military- Varga and their young daughter Trillia. "


    Amelia turned to each of them in kind and bowed. She looked very similar to her father. Dark grey fur covered her form, and two twisting horns adorned her head. The horns appeared as though they were made of obsidian, with thin veins of silver and gold within them. Two large violet eyes peered down at Trillia. The two young women met eyes, and both spoke almost in unison.


    "[Scan]"


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}


    [Status: Alive; Scorned Divinity] [Buffs: Well Fed; Hopeful]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 1


    Available Stat Points: 4


    Subspecies: [Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 1


    Available Stat Points: 4


    Class: {To unlock class options, raise Species or Subspecies to level 10}


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 22]


    \Strength: 11 + Vitality: 11/


    [Dexterity: 22]


    \Agility: 11 + Wisdom: 11/


    [Charisma: 22]


    \Intuition: 11 + Presence: 11/


    Racial Skills:


    [Orc Savagery - Passive]: - Level <Disabled> [Runt]


    [Orc Constitution - Passive]: - Level 0 <Limited> [Runt]


    General Skills:


    [Basic Scan - Active]: Level 3


    [Rudimentary Alchemy - Passive]: Level 0


    Class Skills: {To Unlock Class Skills, please select a Class}


    Health: 220


    Stamina: 110


    Mana: 110


    "[Basic Scan]"


    Name: {Amelia Shatterhoof}


    [Status: Alive; Depressed; Scorned Divinity] [Buffs: Well Fed]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Minotaur] Level: 13


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Subspecies: [Minotaur-Adolescent] Level: 7


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Class: Minstrel Level: 14


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Available Skill Points: 0


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 72]


    \Strength: 36 + Vitality: 36/


    [Dexterity: 62]


    \Agility: 21 + Wisdom: 41/


    [Charisma: 167]


    \Intuition: 41 + Presence: 63(x2)/


    Racial Skills:


    [Minotaur Masonry - Passive]: - Level 3


    [Minotaur Stature- Passive]: - Level 7


    Obfuscated {Level your Scan to Overcome obfuscation}


    General Skills:


    [Scan - Active]: Level 8


    [Basic Alchemy - Passive]: Level 7


    [Basic Cooking - Passive]: Level 2


    [Basic Tailoring - Passive]: Level 1


    [Lesser Fire Resistance - Passive]: Level 3


    [Lesser Wind Resistance - Passive]: Level 1


    [Lesser Ice Resistance- Passive]: Level 2


    Obfuscated {Level your Scan to Overcome obfuscation}


    Class Skills: Minstrel -


    Obfuscated {Level your Scan to Overcome obfuscation}


    Health: 720


    Stamina: 360


    Mana: 410


    Trillia looked at the images that now seemed to float before her in an ethereal fashion. It was a change she noticed as her [Basic Scan] leveled, that the things she saw didn''t appear in her mind where it was harder to focus on. She looked at a few of the skills, and most made sense, focusing instead on the racial skills.


    [Minotaur Masonry - Passive]: - Level 3 - All work with Stone is increased, and experience gained working with stone is increased. All skills that otherwise pertain to working with stone, are instead rolled into this skill, which gains experience at a boosted rate if you qualify for the other skills. - Warning Other skills will still appear in your General Skill list, but be listed as level N/A - If you are standing on, in, or around stone that was worked by a minotaur, you gain a 20% boost to all your stats.


    [Minotaur Stature- Passive]: - Level 7 - Minotaur Stature counts Presence twice for the purposes of calculating the Derived-Stat Charisma. As this skill levels creatures gain bonuses to all skills based on Presence.


    Trillia stared at a word she hadn''t seen before, looking up at Amelia.


    "Ob...obfu. I don''t know that word. What is it?"


    Asking the system what a word meant, sometimes didn''t help Trillia understand any better, she was quite used to asking others.


    "Ob-fus-cate. It means to render obscure or unclear. It allows me to keep some skills hidden unless the person looking has a Scan skill greater than my own."


    Amelia said it in a pleasant, helpful way, a smile on her snout. She was happy Trillia would merely ask if she didn''t know something, not everyone was so willing to admit their shortcomings.


    Trillia smiled. Looking at the stats a while longer. They were so much higher than her own.


    "Is the reason I like all of you so much because your Charisma is so high? Because of your passive?"


    Amelia nodded but explained further.


    "It is. Charisma is helpful for Minstrels, as it lets us sway people more easily. My people make surprisingly good leaders and vocal support because of that. In addition, Charisma also has a subtle influence on passive behaviors. We are generally more likable and people are less likely to find us hostile or offensive. Sadly our large stature often acts against our Charisma when dealing with most races."


    As it seemed Trillia''s questions had been answered. Amelia turned to look at her father once more, who continued.


    "Amelia, I was suggesting to Lady Trillia and her parents. Given her Racial Skills are stunted, perhaps you would be willing to teach her how to be a Minstrel and help her with her basic skills.


    Amelia looked at Trillia, then back to her father before offering a nod.


    "Happily, she seems eager to learn and with her lowered Brawn values, I don''t think she would level as easily in a standard Orcish party."


    As she said it, she looked at Trillia.


    "No offense is meant Lady Trillia."


    Trillia merely smiled, knowing just how much danger she was in compared to the rest of her people, who had a massive boosted Brawn value. Amelia continued.


    "If it is ok with you Chieftain Amara and you General Varga, she and I can get started immediately."


    Amara stared at Trillia for a long while. She was a bit sad. Amara understood that purely based on stats, Trillia wouldn''t be able to keep up. If she became a Scout or Warrior. She could perhaps learn to be a Shaman, but with no evident elemental mana, even that wasn''t feasible.


    "If Varga is ok with it and this is what you really want Trillia. I am ok with you learning to become a Minstrel from Princess Amelia."


    Varga spoke as soon as his wife had finished.


    "Trillia isn''t level ten yet. Normally we weaken young megapedes and allow our own young to kill them. With our racial bonuses, it''s a short journey to ten and their first class. How will you help her to gain levels or the class?"


    Amelia stepped forward before her father could answer. After all, this was to be her student.


    "As I am sure you are aware, General Varga, general skills such as alchemy, stone working, cooking, and many others grant some experience. Learning new skills grants a much larger amount. In addition to these basic methods, I have a General skill called [Mentor], which allows me to accept someone who is of a lower level than me and grant them a bonus to their own experience gains. Any class skills I use, she will also get some experience. Which will retroactively be applied to her class when she earns it."


    Varga wore a grin, looking to Cordaos.


    "This one is going be a mighty Queen one day. Even I can feel her commanding presence. Very well, you''ve convinced me, Princess Amelia. If Trillia is willing, I happily accept you teaching our daughter. Please do all you can to help her. Our people have always been allies. In these troubling times, perhaps we should look to expand our class repertoires. For both of our people."

 Chapter 4 Cathartic

    Trillia had, of course, accepted Amelia''s offer. There was no reason for her not to. The two girls walked through the camp now, back towards the healer''s hut. Inside a myriad of smells assaulted Trillia''s nose, various herbs, and mixtures. Bubbling brews and the faint smell of iron in the air due to all the blood from people needing healing.


    Amelia led them to a work table she had evidently been working on before. Elder Lurog came over with a raised brow.


    "Welcome back. Amelia, is Trillia going to watch today?"


    Trillia smiled up at the old man. Trillia respected him a lot. She watched him save people constantly. But he was the only Orc in the entire camp that just looked really, really old. Truth is, he didn''t mind being called the old man. It was a sense of pride for him, to have lived for so long, especially in these harsh lands. But he always chastised her when she called him such in front of others. Trillia was the Chieftain''s daughter. She had to understand proper manners.


    "Princess Amelia is gonna teach me how to use her class and help me level."


    Her voice dropped considerably as she mumbled the rest.


    "Since I''m a [Runt] and can''t level like an orc."


    Lurog put a comforting hand on Trillia''s shoulder. Giving Amelia a nod.


    "I see that she has picked up Rudimentary Alchemy. Teach her well Amelia. And Trillia, I have told you before. Everyone has their place in this camp. You will find yours. You are still very young stop being so hard on yourself. Amelia is a fast learner. I am sure she will be able to teach you a great deal if you pay attention."


    Trillia''s smile returned, nodding as she leaned in closer and stared at Amelia, awaiting instruction.


    As Lurog wandered off to do his own -much more complicated- preparations or heal someone. Amelia began pulling out a couple of notebooks and a bunch of herbs.


    "Trillia, I want you to use [Basic Scan] on all these herbs. I''m also going to teach you how to read and write. I know you can copy from the system, but learning the orc language, as well as my own, will get you much further. It is very important for an Alchemist to have a field guide. That''s a guide you keep with you when traveling so that any herbs you come across you can reference. Sometimes you can restock your supplies in the field."


    Trillia nodded and began to use [Basic Scan] on everything set before her, studying each herb intently. She opened her notebook as Amelia began to teach her the basic languages. Not only did Amelia know how to read and write the Minotaur language, but she also knew the Orc language as well. She was teaching Trillia both.


    One hour turned into seven, and the two budding alchemists finally stopped. Both yawning and their tummies rumbling. Amelia smiled as she put up the herbs and put both their notebooks in her pack.


    "Come on. Another important part of being an Alchemist is making sure you stay well-fed. A hungry mind is a weak mind!"


    Trillia''s smile was ear to ear at this point, her head hurt a little as so much new knowledge was swimming around, but it was honestly the first time she felt like she was really getting somewhere. Amelia told her that she''d teach her the basics of the class later. For now, Trillia needed more base levels. They would learn alchemy and other General Skills.


    Trillia led this time. Instead of going to one of the many cooking fires, she led Amelia to a large tent. Trillia gently tugged the hand of the orc guarding the tent. The orc gazed down at her.


    "How can I be of service, Trillia?"


    The orc wore a smile. He was a warrior, standing around seven and a half feet, his skin a vibrant blue. Dark leather with megapede plates attached throughout. A large flanged mace hung at his side.


    "Amelia and I are hungry. But she is gonna teach me how to cook, so I can level. Is it ok if we get some simple food?"


    The orc stepped aside, opening the heavy furs. The tents of the orc tribe were a combination of megapede plates, reattached to one another and interlocked, making it so that the tent could essentially be rolled into a ball, with the leather and furs wrapping around it. Once it was rolled up it could easily be moved. Some of the tents were crafted so that large heavy poles were used to make them makeshift wheels. An efficient system that allowed the orc tribe to rapidly assemble and move camp.


    Trillia led Amelia inside before turning to her now mentor.


    "If you want, we can grab just enough for me. So that you can eat better food. I just thought....you know..."


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Realizing she had never asked Amelia if this was ok. She stared at the floor, feeling bad. Her frown was washed away as Amelia patted her head.


    "Good idea! Let''s get something simple. Enough for two people. We can cook it twice. Mix it together and serve it to both. This way, the taste is the same, and you can learn the same thing twice. Does that sound good?"


    Trillia nodded excitedly. The two girls didn''t grab much food, they were both quite small, and rationing was in effect. The only reason they had even been let in was that one was the Chieftain''s daughter, the other the Minotaur King''s daughter. The guard didn''t want to get in trouble for denying either food.


    As they walked out, Trillia stopped by the orc, showing him what they had grabbed and asking if that was ok. The orc offered her a nod and wished them luck in their cooking endeavors. They moved to a fire that wasn''t in use, a pot hanging over it. A small table and knife sat next to it. Amelia motioned for Trillia to come over.


    Trillia was adept at using a blade, at least for her age. Most orc children were taught how to handle sharp objects and weaponry as soon as they could grasp the things and sort of walk. Living in the Shattered Lands was brutal, and the orc way of life reflected that. Amelia would chop half of an ingredient, and Trillia would chop the other half. It took them nearly thirty minutes to get the chopping done. They tossed the ingredients into the pot. Amelia touched the rune on the side and pushed mana into it as water filled it.


    "Good, that''s one portion done. You are going to do all the chopping this time. If you can''t remember something that''s ok, I am right here to help ok?"


    Amelia then noticed that Trillia was staring at the rune, another sad look on her face.


    "Can you not use mana yet?"


    Trillia glanced down. Amelia quickly came to realize the motion was a sign the girl was feeling shame. Amelia had begun to grow a little angry with the orcs. Trillia was a very smart girl and learned quickly. She seemed so full of life and happiness. Right until anything orcish came into question, then the girl was filled with shame.


    Amelia understood her anger was misplaced. The orcs all tried to help her. They just.... didn''t know how to help someone who basically had none of the same skills, couldn''t use mana and didn''t want to fight. She was basically only an orc in name. Even her appearance was different.


    Amelia, more determined than ever. Picked up the knife and began to expertly cut the ingredients. Trillia''s face filled with fear.


    "I''m s...sorry! I didn''t mean to space out! Please don''t stop teaching me!"


    Trillia''s panicked voice was enough to bring Amelia nearly to tears. She set the knife down and walked over to the girl, crushing her in a big hug.


    "I promise, Trillia. I won''t stop teaching you until you want me to. But right now, we have something to learn that is more important than cooking, and I want us to have a nice meal going. What we are going to learn next is going to be difficult. Are you up for the challenge?"


    She pushed the young orc back to arm''s length. Trillia gritted her teeth and nodded, rubbing the tears out of her eyes.


    "I can take anything you will throw at me. I will learn to be useful!"


    Amelia nodded, staring directly into Trillia''s eyes and holding the gaze.


    "Let''s make a promise. I will teach you any skill I know, but you have to push away that feeling you get when you don''t think you are orc enough. I know it''s going to be hard."


    Trillia stared right back, her determination wavering. The poor child of three was just overwhelmed at this point.


    "I just...I just want to fit in. I''m never going to belong."


    The tears started again in earnest. With so much going on, Trillia hadn''t talked to her mother about all her feelings. Trillia was young but understood how much stress and pressure everyone was under. She was just some runt, why would she waste their time with her feelings after all.


    Amelia knew how she felt, her mother having been killed in the attack. The morning had been somewhat happy. But a lot of that was a facade. Everyone was exhausted. So the children with too much on their shoulders slipped through the cracks as the adults tried to hold their worlds together.


    The two just stood there, hugging each other and softly sobbing as the sun slowly set, casting long shadows in the camp. Neither knew, but Amara was watching them. She had been most of the day. Tears in her own eyes. She felt as though she was failing her daughter.


    It was the first time -in a very long time- Amara felt this way. She hated being the Chieftain, hated being responsible for so many. The breakfast had served as a nice break, but immediately after the girls had left, the three leaders were once more discussing their plans. They couldn''t feasibly cross the mana rifts. They could only send small scout parties over.


    There was no hope of retaking the minotaur city with their weakened numbers and stretched resources. Amara closed her eyes, clenching her fists. She was glad Trillia had a friend, and she was glad Amelia had a friend. She made a note to talk to Cordaos about what she had seen. They had to do something. The children were the future.


    The two girls sat by the fire in silence. Trillia huddled next to Amelia as both ate their soup. Both were exhausted. The tears had been cathartic. But now they just wanted to eat and sleep. It was an hour or two before either spoke. Amelia was the one to break the silence.


    "Let''s get some good sleep tonight Trillia. Tomorrow we will start training even harder. Before we do anything else. I will help you learn how to channel your mana first. Grand Alchemist Mort has books on how to open mana channels. As well as a bunch of rare mana crystals to test what sort of mana you have. Once we''ve activated your mana at least once, a skill should appear for it."


    Trillia nodded, the girl too tired to engage much beyond that. Amelia slid further down and let her back rest against the log, leaning her head on Trillia''s. She''d help Trillia feel whole. She would get stronger herself. Strong enough that she didn''t lose anyone else. She was a child herself, only eight. Amelia knew their determination would waver, that they would want to just curl up into a ball and cry, letting the adults handle it.


    But Amelia didn''t want to feel weak anymore and somewhere, in the back of her mind, she felt like the same useless little girl Trillia did. Her mother had been a strong mage and a strong Minstrel-based class.


    Amelia watched her save dozens of minotaurs but also watched her get torn nearly in half in a single attack from the primordial spawn. She sniffled as she closed her eyes, setting the rest of her soup down next to her, Trillia had already passed out. Amelia followed shortly after.

 Chapter 5 Permission Slip

    Trillia woke in a pile of blankets and furs, Amelia curled up next to her. The last thing she remembered was listening to Amelia''s calming voice and eating soup. Which had turned out pretty good, even with Trillia helping.


    Normally she was full of vim and vigor this early. But the heavy conversation from last night still sat with her. She lay there curled up next to her friend.


    Trillia trusted Amelia. She had pieced together that Amelia''s mother was dead. That''s what war meant, death. People she loved and cared about would die, Amelia might die.


    Tears threatened to well up again. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fist. NO! She screamed into her head. She was done being weak and crying.


    Trillia had to be strong. For Amelia, for her parents, and for Uncle Cordaos. She would be strong. Trillia may not be the standard orc, but dammit! She was going to learn how to be a useful orc regardless.


    She trusted that Amelia would help her. Trillia''s only fear was that she wouldn''t be able to repay her friend.


    Glancing over to the pile of gently snoring dark fur that was her friend. She made a vow. Trillia would get strong enough to help Amelia retake the minotaur''s city and destroy whatever had taken Amelia''s mother.


    Trillia would have to work hard to do so. Quietly she slipped away and out of the tent -which she now recognized as her parent''s tent- she didn''t see her parents outside. But did see some orcs preparing meals.


    Trillia sat in front of the two orcs slicing vegetables. Two young female orcs, both in their late teens. Their skins were both soft forest greens with faintly glowing white eyes. They stopped when she sat there. Most orcs in the camp knew of Trillia. They all knew of her status and her struggles. Orc culture made them all want to help her become better, become stronger.


    "I''m sorry to bother you both. Can you show me what you''re doing and how? I want to learn how to cook and be helpful."


    Trillia said it with a confidence that surprised even herself. The two girls smiled wide. One turned and grabbed an extra knife and some more vegetables. They both walked Trillia through the process very slowly.


    Two hours later, Amelia finally emerged from the tent, rubbing her eyes. The poor minotaur girl had been truly exhausted after all of the events that had transpired recently. Looking around, she found Trillia sitting near some other orcs, intently staring as they sliced meat and prepared the more delicate parts of food for the camp.


    Trillia had asked to help, but they informed her she was too low of a level to do this part. Even the teen girls who had chopped vegetables weren''t allowed to work on this yet, needing a much higher skill level. Apparently, preparing megapede meat required a certain amount of Cooking skill otherwise, you risked poisoning the dish.


    Trillia didn''t mind. She wouldn''t run off to play or get sad that she was told she was at a low level. Instead, she sat there, intently staring at their work and making sure to absorb as much as she could doing so might give her cooking experience maybe it didn''t.


    Either way, Trillia had awoken today with a fire in her belly to learn and be better. She would be three and a half soon. It was time to start acting like it! At least those were the thoughts bouncing around the child''s head as she watched.


    Amelia moved over and sat next to Trillia. As Trillia glanced her way, Amelia offered a smile. Both the girls sat in silence. The two cooks preparing the meat explained what they were doing, and why they were doing it. Giving various tips for how to clean this meat, as well as other types of meat.


    Orcs weren''t kind to outsiders, but the minotaurs had been long-standing allies, so most orcs merely viewed them as a neighboring tribe. While they weren''t kind to outsiders, they were fierce about helping their own.


    Minotaurs were much the same. They were strict with their young. But a lifetime of hard living and fighting everything that crawled up from the deep parts of the world forced them to be.


    After thirty minutes or so, the cooks were finally done, and food was served. Trillia and Amelia found the tent their respective parents were in. They sat down in the corner to eat, as the leadership of both factions were discussing scouting parties. Amara''s confident voice cut through as a bunch of people began to speak at once.


    "Enough! Primordial Spawns means that the Primordial sleeping under the Shattered Lands is waking up. We may have days, or we may have decades, without a deity, or a source of fresh divinity, we cannot seal it. We must seek out help. I know that some of you are worried about asking elves, dwarves, and the drakken for help. But we have no choice. If this Primordial is waking, so are the others."


    Cordaos slammed the table with his open palm, and everyone jumped a little -save for Amara- none of them were used to the mighty minotaur losing his cool.


    Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    "It won''t matter, Amara! We could rally every damn mortal on this plane, even the dragons! You know what a Primordial beast is capable of. It took all five of us, with the [2nd Axle]''s help and we could still only seal the damn things! Stas lost both of his damned arms!"


    His voice rumbled in the tent, everyone got quiet as Cordaos and Amara stared at one another. The latter could only shrug.


    "What choice do we have Cord? Let the thing rampage? Not fight it? We are still pact-bonded. We are still the best choice this plane has to offer in terms of defense. Unless we can wake up some sleeping immortal deep in the earth, we don''t even know if any are still here."


    Cordaos shook his head. Barely able to fit in the tent as it was, his horns tapped the supports.


    "You didn''t see these things in action, Amara. Primordial Spawn are dangerous as is, but this trait, this [Mana-Warped] was like magic didn''t affect them. Some of it even seemed to make the damn things stronger and more aggressive. Maven was a level three hundred and seven Minotaur. She was one of the greatest damn mages I''ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. She was in our home, our kingdom. In full armor, with a full retinue of buffs. She was killed in a single fucking attack."


    Amelia stiffened at the mention of her mother''s name. Trillia put a hand on her friend''s arm and squeezed gently to help calm her. Cordaos'' voice felt strained as if he hadn''t still processed or grieved his lost love.


    That made Amara pause, and fear crept into the faces of those around them. Amara sat in the chair behind her, running her hands over her face with a heavy sigh.


    "What do you suggest? We can sit here and shiver in terror of the fucking things all day, but that doesn''t solve the damn issue Cord. I''m sorry about Maven. She was a good woman and a damn fine mage. But if we don''t find a solution, either crossing these mana rifts and getting help or doing it ourselves. It won''t just be Maven. It will be all of us. Once we die the Primordial will have free reign to gather power on the surface and twist other creatures into its spawn."


    "I know, Amara. I know. But we can''t approach this without a plan. I swear you and Brutus will never change. I just don''t want us to think we''re prepared because we aren''t. I genuinely think even if all five of us Pact-Bonded stood together, we''d still only maybe take three or four of these damn things. Any more than that and we might lose the fight."


    Amara rubbed her eyes, mind spinning rapidly, trying to find a solution to a problem that didn''t seem solvable. Leaning her head back -eyes closed- she spoke softly.


    "Let''s just focus on getting scouts across the rift first. Get word to Kincairne, and see if Stas or Brutus are still there. If not, we can try to get word to Kadessa across the sea. Alliyah will probably know more than us about all this. That woman has a knack for being entirely too well informed."


    Cordaos nodded.


    "I don''t mean to sound hopeless, Amara, but with so many of our spells and magics weakened because of this severed divinity. We just aren''t fighting at full strength. Maybe that''s another avenue of attack to solve that debuff. If that debuff is gone, we stand a significantly better chance with all our magic working properly."


    Amara stood up and looked at her husband.


    "Let''s invest all of our resources into getting scouts across with the letters we prepared before. Add another letter asking for ideas on how to cleanse this debuff. Cord is right. I doubt the city would have fallen if spells weren''t so weak right now."


    Varga said a few quick things to the others as everyone left the tent, leaving just the girls quietly sitting in the corner, finishing their breakfast, with Amara and Cordaos. Amelia spoke up, seeing the conversation was mostly at an end, the two veteran warriors staring at a map and thinking.


    "Father, can you ask Grand Alchemist Mort if I might have use of his books on channeling mana and the mana training crystals? I want to help Trillia access her mana and see what type of mana she has."


    Cordaos grabbed a sheet of parchment and quickly wrote something out, rolling it and sealing it with his seal. Extending his hand and the order to his daughter.


    "I''m sorry I haven''t had more time, Amelia. I know you''re going through a lot. Thank you for helping Trillia."


    Amelia and Trillia smiled. Amelia hugged her father as Trillia moved to hug Amara. Trillia spoke up.


    "It''s ok. We understand that you guys are responsible for all of us. We''ll get stronger so that we can help as well!"


    The two girls left shortly after, moving to find Mort and get the things needed to start today''s lessons. Some of the conversation they didn''t understand, and many of the names said were certainly unfamiliar. But both also understood that whatever threatened them was giving even their mighty parents pause.


    Mort was in the outskirts where the minotaurs had begun forming homes made from stone. Amelia now led the duo through this part of the camp. Walking inside, she lightly bowed.


    "Forgive the intrusion Grand Alchemist. I have a letter from my father that explains my purpose here."


    Trillia watched as a minotaur standing around nine feet in height turned his head. His eyes didn''t hold just a faint glow of mana but seemed to be moving orbs of the stuff, bright greens and golds swirling together. A long dark blue robe hung around his frame, a dozen pouches strapped to various parts of his body, and several books that were easily larger than Trillia hung on chains at his waist. His fur was a crimson color. When he moved, it almost seemed as if he was floating, not walking.


    Moving over to take the letter from Amelia, the Grand Alchemist broke the seal and read the letter. After a moment, the letter was ash in his hands.


    "Very well, I will gather what you requested, but you must utilize them here in this building so that if others have need or use of them, they are readily available."


    The minotaur didn''t wait for a response before turning to gather what Amelia requested. Trillia looked around the room, whispering her scan over and over again. So many new things to learn about in just this building alone.


    The two girls moved over to the table the wizened old minotaur had set things on. Trillia sat on the bench next to Amelia but could barely see the table. A few bricks later and she was at just the right height. Amelia opened the first book and began reading it to Trillia, showing her how to sound out words and teaching her the minotaur''s language.


    Amelia let Trillia read a few paragraphs on her own. Telling the girl to read them out loud. She opened the case in front of her. Two dozen perfectly cut crystals were neatly tucked away. Similar crystals to what Trillia''s parents had used previously to see what sort of mana she had. The Minotaurs had a much more expansive collection.

 Chapter 6 Purpose Obtained!

    "[Basic Scan]"


    Trillia stared at the crystals, having set the book she was reading off to the side.


    [Wind Crystal] Quality: Average


    Crystals are created by condensed divinity, this particular crystal can be used to determine how much mana manipulation a creature can hold for the Wind element of magic. A creature must simply concentrate on their mana, and mentally push it into the crystal. The crystal will light up if their mana is compatible with Wind. This crystal holds enough mana to cast any Wind spell of normal grade at level 10 or lower.


    [Fire Crystal] Quality: Average


    [Earth Crystal] Quality: Average


    [Water Crystal] Quality: Average


    [Ice Crystal] Quality: Average


    [Light Crystal] Quality: Average


    [Dark Crystal] Quality: Average


    [Arcane Crystal] Quality: Average


    .....


    And on it went, Trillia was feeling a bit overwhelmed at all the options.


    [Basic Scan] has advanced to the 5th level of experience.


    Trillia wore a little smile now, looking at Amelia.


    "What crystal do I start with?"


    Amelia thought about it. Finally, she offered a shrug and they just started with the top left crystal and moved their way down. Amelia kept her scan up and watched Trillia. Trillia''s mana rapidly drained to 0, and the first crystal didn''t light up. Amelia just smiled.


    "It''s ok. I have almost four times the amount of mana you do. I can only light up two of these crystals. Earth and Sound. The crystals are carved and created in such a way that they are only compatible with the same element."


    Trillia nodded. She leaned forward and gently set the crystal back down exactly as it had been. She could tell these were rare and expensive items. Her own tribe only had four or five of the things, the standard elements that orcs were often born with.


    It took them two hours to get through every crystal. Trillia''s forehead was covered in sweat as exerting so much mana took it''s toll on the body.


    [Basic Mana Regeneration] Level 0 obtained!


    Trillia would have been happy about such a skill, but instead, she just sat there staring at the crystals. Once more overwhelmed, tears formed in her eyes. Not a single crystal had sprung to life at her mana. Amelia sat next to her. In silence, no longer sure what to say or do. The minotaurs had a crystal for nearly every single mana that Amelia knew of, but the young Minstrel had never heard of someone who couldn''t manipulate mana.


    Trillia clenched her fists together she didn''t want to cry. She had to be strong after all. She had to become useful. But she honestly had no idea how to progress. She turned her tear-rimmed eyes to Amelia, seeking guidance.


    As Amelia was about to speak a large shadow loomed over the two. Mort set down another crystal on the table. This one was significantly larger. Amelia and Trillia both scanned it.


    [Universal Mana Crystal] Quality: Perfect


    Crystals are created by condensed divinity, this particular crystal unlike standard crystals, is used to determine if a creature has Universal Mana Manipulation. A creature must simply concentrate on their mana, and mentally push it into the crystal. The crystal will light up if their mana is Universal. This crystal holds enough mana to cast any Universal spell of Greater grade at level 15 or lower.


    Amelia looked up at Mort, and a moment later, so did Trillia. The young orc was the one to break the silence that had befallen them.


    "What''s un..uni... U-ni-ver-sal. What does that mean?"


    Mort sat down on a bench next to them, tapping his finger on the crystal.


    "Universal Mana Manipulation is quite rare, but not unheard of. God''s Watch held a dozen or so. The reason we own this crystal. Is because the Queen of Kadessa gave it to Cordaos as a present. She cryptically said we would need it one day when darkness had fallen over our city. Seeing as the woman was betrothed to a deity, we were grateful for the gift and wary of the warning."


    Reaching over, he took Trillia''s hand and placed it on the crystal.


    "Again."


    Trillia closed her eyes and steadied herself. Once more concentrating with all her might. Once her mana was exhausted, she slumped next to Amelia. Quickly becoming more and more exhausted as she drained her mana. At least this time, it filled a little more rapidly. She forced herself to squeeze one eye open, to see the large -lifeless- crystal sitting before her.


    "By the look of your status window, you haven''t allocated your stats yet. Put all eight of them into Wisdom."


    Mort raised a hand before any arguments from either of the girls could spring forward.


    "Don''t argue with me. If Chieftain Amara or General Varga get upset at you, tell them I forced you to do it. I will handle the rest. "


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    Trillia glanced at Amelia before nodding. It took her a few moments to figure out how to allocate her stats -the primary reason she hadn''t- but with Mort and Amelia''s guidance, Trillia soon figured it out. Her mana now sat at one-ninety.


    This time she stood up on the bench, looking down at the Universal crystal with newfound determination. Placing both hands on it, she concentrated with all her might. Sweat fell from her forehead onto the crystal. She stared -unblinking- at the crystal and watched her mana dwindle down to zero yet again.


    This time.... her efforts were rewarded. An iridescent swirl of colors and a soft white glow formed inside the crystal. It was the tiniest glow the crystal had probably ever seen for the effort put into it. But there it sat, glowing. Trillia had made one of the crystals glow oh-so prettily. Tears streamed from her cheeks. But for the first time in what felt like an eternity to the young orc, it was out of happiness.


    Trillia turned excitedly to Amelia, and both of their faces broke out in smiles. Trillia turned to Mort and launched herself at the man in a hug.


    "Th-tha-thank you, Uncle Mort!"


    The girl wailed. For a moment, she had honestly thought that she''d never amount to anything if she couldn''t manipulate mana in any way. The old minotaur offered a very brief smile before slowly prying the little girl off, snapping his fingers in front of her face.


    "Check your status young lady."


    [Basic Universal Mana Manipulation] Level 0 obtained!


    You are one of the few creatures who have access to Universal Mana Manipulation. What this means is that not only are you able to craft runes and spells that only other Universal manipulators can access or utilize, but in addition! At a cost of three times the normal amount of mana, you can utilize any other element. Be that a rune, spell, or artifact. Be warned Universal Manipulation requires significantly larger mana pools to be useful. Keep this in mind when allocating your stats.


    Your mana channels have been unlocked! Mana now flows more easily into your efforts!


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 1 -> Level 3


    Subspecies: [Orc-Adolescent:Runt] Level 1 -> Level 2


    Trilla''s little eyes went wide. Basic Mana Regeneration must have put her right on the edge of a level because Universal Mana Manipulation made her shoot from level one all the way to level three. Her eyes now turned to Mort.


    "How do I spread my stats out?"


    Mort closed the box of mana crystals and set the universal one on top.


    "For now, let''s go speak with your parents and Lord Cordaos. Amelia do me a favor little one. Ask one of the guards to bring one of every weapon we have available to use. Ask an orc-guard to do the same. If anyone argues, tell them that Grand Alchemist Mort demands it."


    Standing now and flexing his hand, he looked down expectantly at Trillia.


    "Well, come on! Let''s go give your parents the wonderful news. After that, you, Amelia, and your parents can determine what weapon might best suit you. It''s a very, very important step in every young person''s life."


    Trillia quickly hugged Amelia around the neck, thanking her for the help, before she hopped off the bench with newfound energy. Grabbing Mort''s hand and easily keeping up with his long strides, with her own determined half-run.


    They made their way through the camp. Trillia had twelve whole stat points to allocate! She wondered how she''d do so. More wisdom seemed smart after all, the system had told her she would need lots and lots of mana.


    "Thank you for all your help, system."


    The little girl whispered to herself. She wasn''t sure if the system could speak or hear her. But it was always quite helpful. It was only right to be polite to something so helpful.


    Once they arrived at the tent where her parents and Cordaos were, they were met with a heavy silence. The three of them obviously not agreeing on something, and obviously angry. Trillia swallowed hard. She could maybe make them all smile- at least a little. Pulling her hand from her Uncle Mort''s, she ran over and jumped onto a stool before jumping onto the table. Her parents were about to chastise her until they saw Mort standing behind her with a smile.


    "Scan me! Scan me, scan me!"


    Amara raised an eyebrow, not wanting to get angry at the girl it wasn''t Trillia''s fault that the three of them were angry with each other. Varga, Cordaos, and Amara used scan on the Trillia. The first thing Amara saw, was Trillia had spent all eight points on Wisdom, which made anger bubble up inside at first. Then, she saw Universal Mana Manipulation and her eyes went wide.


    Cordaos was the first to react, holding up a hand to high-five her.


    "Great job little Trillia! Universal Manipulation is extremely rare. You are going to need a lot of mana. Where is Amelia? I thought for sure she''d be celebrating with you."


    Trillia -of course- returned the high-five, happy someone had seemingly lost all anger and was happy with, and for her.


    "Uncle Mort sent her to get a bunch of weapons. He says that it''s really important for someone to choose their weapon. Uncle Mort said you three would be the best to help me choose, which makes sense. After all, you, Mom, and Dad know more about weapons than like, anyone else in the whole wide world."


    Amara moved over and hugged her. The angry frown her mother had on her face washed away with a giant smile. Varga joined, looking just the same.


    "I take it, Uncle Mort had you allocate all your points into Wisdom for more mana? Your uncle Cordaos is right. Universal Manipulators use a lot more mana than normal. But you can use everything!"


    Trillia smiled, nodding to her mother''s initial question. Her smile vanished as she thought about something, looking up into her mother''s crimson eyes.


    "Mom, do you know any powerful people. Who have Universal Manipulation?"


    Amara sat on the stool with Trillia on one knee, her father and uncle taking the seats next to them, waiting for Amelia and the weapons to arrive. Amara nodded to her daughter''s question.


    "I do. Uncle Cordaos has met her as well. The Queen of Kadessa is a Universal Manipulator. We fought alongside her for many years. I''ve never met a more powerful caster in all my life. At least, not one that wasn''t immortal. I''d bet that Lady Alliyah could even take many immortals in a battle of casting. One day when we can cross the mana ravines, I''ll take you to Kadessa and introduce you to her."


    Trillia''s smile grew to fill her face. A queen! Maybe Trillia could become a queen someday and conquer some distant lands in the name of her tribe! They could have a whole castle to live in, and they wouldn''t have to worry about food or anything ever again. That thought made her eyes grow wide.


    "Are there spells that can make food?! Will I be able to cast spells that can make food?"


    The three adults could only laugh at the innocent question. Trillia was certainly orc-like in her love of food. Cordaos nodded, patting the girl on the head.


    "Indeed! You can help grow crops and fertilize the land. You''ll be invaluable to the tribe with some training little one."


    Trillia wanted to burst into tears. Her worries about being useless and discarded were just that. They were useless, and so she discarded them.


    Amelia walked in and ran over to Trillia, crushing her in a hug and stealing her from her mother''s lap. Having been unable to fully celebrate with her before. Four guards came in after carrying all manner of weapons and some armor as well. All of the guards seemed quite happy. Most of the orcs knew of Trillia''s....condition. All of them wanted to help the little bundle of joy who was always polite and grateful.


    Once Amelia had set Trillia down, they walked over to one end of the weapons, Trillia staring at each of them intently.


    "What should I do? How do I see if it''s a weapon for me?"


    Amara was the one to stand now, moving over to the two young girls.


    "Use your favorite ability. Scan each of them, focus intently on their name, and ask the system for more information. It will expand and tell you more about the weapon, from there we figure out something that will work with needing a high Wisdom, and a low Brawn."

 Chapter 7 Information Overload

    Trillia listened intently to her mother''s explanation of each and every weapon there. Even the ones from the minotaur camp''s armory were explained by her. Not Cordaos, Varga, or Mort interrupted her. From what Trillia could tell, she was simply the expert on weapons. Trillia scampered over to her mother''s side when Amara beckoned her to.


    "Ok, Trillia. A lot of these have enchantments and runes carved on them to make them very light. But I''m going to show you how to go over weapons. It''s going to be a long and difficult night, are you sure you are ready? I know you''ve already spent many hours learning about your mana."


    Trillia stared at her mother, thinking about all the stuff she had already learned. A bit of doubt crept into her mind. She was only three. Wasn''t this just too much information? Her eyes darted to Amelia''s, then back to her mother.


    "I... I don''t know if I''ll remember it all. There''s so much."


    Amara patted Trillia on the head, offering the young girl a smile.


    "That''s ok. Let''s start with some weapons I think might be beneficial to you, ok?"


    Trillia nodded. They cleared off the table, and Amara had moved six weapons to lie on it. Motioning once more for Trillia to stand at her side, even pointing at the chair for Trillia to stand on.


    "Use your scan. It is going to light up with just the name of the weapon as it does with anything that is not magical. You have to learn to ask the system for more information about mundane things. Ok?"


    Trillia listened intently, nodding. The first weapon was moved in front of her, it was a minotaur weapon, far too large for the girl to actually wield, but Trillia had seen other orcs, not much older than her, be given weapons made to fit their size. It had a long three-foot shaft, made of some sort of dark metal, and dozens of runes had been carefully etched into it. Leading up to a large circular ball of the same metal, dozens of sharp metal spikes protruded from the head.


    As Trillia started to speak the words to her scan, the information suddenly appeared in front of her. She was a bit startled.


    "I didn''t cast it yet? Wait... why didn''t using my scan before let me use mana? Why didn''t I have to say the words now?"


    "Most basic general skills don''t require mana, otherwise cooking would, so would sewing and many other things. It is primarily class skills that utilize mana, or skills called out as mana manipulating skills. Some general skills require Stamina, some later versions or high-level versions of general skills might require mana, or they allow you to use mana to enhance their effect."


    Seeing Trillia nod in understanding, Amara continued.


    "You don''t have to speak skills to use them. In fact, in many battles, you won''t have the time, or you may be unable to do so. The reason so many in the camp speak their skills, is because it allows the rest of the tribe to familiarize themselves with what otherwise might be an unknown effect. In addition, there are ways to enhance almost all skills and spells."


    Amara went on to explain the definition of the words verbal and somatic before she continued.


    "What that means Trillia, is that if I want to use a spell, I can simply use it by thinking about it. As long as I am familiar with the skill itself. I can vaguely gesture to get some extra power, and some people whistle to get extra power. Siege Mages will use overly grand gestures and extremely long incantations. Some will even use crystals that store mana to infuse extra mana into their spells so that they can tear down walls, with a spell that otherwise would be simple in nature."


    Trillia nodded, sitting down on the stool now.


    "Mom. Is it ok if we look at the weapons tomorrow? My head hurts."


    Amara chuckled at that. Standing up, she moved the other weapons to the table and kept the initial six separate. Gently rubbing Trillia''s back.


    "It''s a lot to take in little one. Come on. Let''s get you some food and celebrate your amazing talent for universal manipulation. Tomorrow we can find you a weapon ok?"


    Trillia smiled. Hopping off the stool and following her mother, the other adults didn''t seem to mind. They probably knew Trillia was just exhausted and tired. She was a child after all.


    Trillia watched as Cordaos prepared a stew for them. The minotaur had to have an absurdly high level of cooking. Trillia had asked him not to slow down at all. She wanted to see how it looked when people weren''t going slow for her. The results were frankly scary. Cordaos used stone knives for most of his cutting. What Trillia had not expected, was that the minotaur didn''t need to actually touch any of the blades to utilize them. Slicing into a half dozen vegetables all at once, making expert cuts.


    Cleaning several pounds of megapede flesh all at once. Preparing the ingredients only took him a few minutes. As he moved the large slab of stone he had been using towards the pot, Trillia shot up to her feet.


    "Wait! Will you teach me how to use the runes on the pot?"


    Cordaos froze in place, motioning to one of the others to help her as he held the large stone slab. Amara stood and walked over to the pot, kneeling next to it. Motioning for Trillia. Once the young orc girl was standing next to her mother, Amara wrapped her arms around her from behind, taking one of her hands, and moving it towards the pot.


    "So most magical equipment, is made to take any form of mana. You could say that the majority of runes accept universal mana as a default. It actually takes more effort to create runes of a specific element."


    Varga spoke up at that.


    "The current theory is that the intent of a rune is more important in many aspects than its creator. I''ve forged many blades before, that had a rune to light the blade on fire. Those runes required fire mana manipulation to utilize. Because my intent was so that I could use them and not an enemy that might wield my weapon against me."


    Trillia glanced at her father, nodding before her mother continued, using Trillia''s finger to trace along each rune so that the girl understood them better. Trillia was fascinated by it. As her finger trailed over the runes she could feel her mana leaping and twisting inside her, urging her to let it flow forth.


    "With what little I know of universal mana, you can choose to either use your base mana, in which case it will take less mana for you to use most general items, than it will take the rest of us. Or, you can choose to utilize a specific mana. Either way, the rune will work, but your intent matters. If I push my fire mana into this water rune, it will still produce water. Because that''s what the rune and enchantments do. However, the water won''t be the same as if Cord were to us earth magic."


    The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    Trillia was a bit confused now as she looked at her mother. Despite complaining of a headache earlier with the weapons, for some reason, the chatter about runes wasn''t hurting her head. She looked back to the rune, touching it.


    "What are the differences?"


    "I will explain that, but first let''s get some water in that pot, so we can start cooking."


    Trillia grinned at that. Reaching out to the rune that produced water, she ran a finger over it. This time, when the mana inside her urged her to let it pour out of her hand, she didn''t hold back. The rune lit up, water slowly filling from the bottom of the pot. Trillia''s grin was ear to ear at this point. Once Cordaos gave the word she stopped filling it.


    "Why don''t we just use mana to heat the water as well?"


    Trillia mentioned it after watching Varga puff a small flame from his finger into the wood below the pot.


    Amara sat down and pulled Trillia over onto her knee, the two staring at the fire for a moment before Amara spoke.


    "Your first question. If I use fire magic, the water will be warmer. Cordaos using earth magic might make the water have a mineral taste to it. A Water manipulator could make pure water, unburdened by any minerals in its most pure state. Someone with ill intent could push poisonous mana into it. Which could lead to the water and anything cooked in it being poison."


    Trillia listened intently, staring at the various runes on the pot, as well as the many runes she was now beginning to see on other things, her mother''s armor. Her father''s weapons. Even Amelia''s notebooks had runes on them.


    "To your second question is two-fold. It is an expenditure of mana. Your father could simply heat all of the water in the pot with his fire mana. But doing so takes mana, not enough to really matter to us. The other reason is a warning."


    Trillia wore a confused expression now. Watching as Cordaos slid all of the ingredients into the pot and began to season it with various spices. Spices that he seemed to pull out of thin air. The confusion however was directed at her mother, and she turned away to look at Amara, her own head tilting slightly to the side.


    "Many creatures don''t like fire. They don''t like the light it produces. Also, many of the deities that orcs worship enjoy fire. It is why we keep the central bonfire going at all times. Even if the gods have lost faith in us and scorned us. This does not mean we have lost faith in them. So we continue to offer prayer. We continue to fight in their name."


    Trillia sat there taking it all in. She said nothing more, lost in thought trying to wrap her head around all of it. Somewhere in her mind, she knew the only reason she could even begin to understand any of this, was because the system helped her to do so. She spoke happily in her own mind.


    ''Thank you, System. Sorry I ask so many questions all the time.''


    The young orc still wasn''t sure if the system understood, or cared. Trillia figured it was asked questions all the time. But she still wanted to be polite. She wondered if the system had made her a runt because it was angry at her, or angry at her parents. That made her a bit sad.


    ''Or maybe! Maybe it made me a runt because of universal mana. Maybe orcs aren''t supposed to have it.''


    The little girl thought to herself, rubbing her chin now as if she was some wizened sage. A wizened sage whose stomach rumbled loud enough to interrupt a conversation. A little grin crept onto her face.


    "Sorry...."


    As if in response, Amelia''s stomach also rumbled. Cordaos only laughed.


    "Good to see neither of you can wait for my cooking!"


    Trillia smirked and nodded excitedly, food was always good. She slid off her mother''s knee and sat next to the fire, staring intently at the runes. Amelia came over to sit next to her, and the two girls began discussing the runes. Amelia''s notebook had other runes written down and what they did.


    [Basic Runic] Level 0 obtained!


    You have a fascination for runes and mana. This skill will allow you a deeper understanding of runes if you continue to study them.


    Trillia blinked, explaining the skill she got to Amelia. The minstrel grinned.


    "I have that one as well. You''re going to love it. Oh! Wait, hang on!"


    Amelia stood up and quickly ran off. The adults raised a brow but said nothing, lost in their own conversation. They were talking about the scouts again. Trillia had nothing else to do while waiting for Amelia so she listened intently.


    Varga scratched his own chin - this being the culprit to teach Trillia the motion - a short well kept dark green beard. A rather stark contrast to the pale blue skin and bright red eyes.


    "Even when the thing isn''t rupturing, we lost two scouts who thought they could cross it safely. Halfway over they were overcome with mana sickness. Causing their buffs to fade and send them plummeting. I''m not sure how we''re going to get scouts across honestly. It''s something we will have to look into. Can you minotaurs make a bridge?"


    Cordaos stirred the pot, occasionally tossing in more spices or other vegetables that didn''t take as long to cook. Shaking his mighty horned head.


    "Nothing serious. We had initially tried to make a stone bridge across but at the halfway mark the cost to form mana into solid earth grew to thousands a second. A dozen of our best earth mage builders passed out when they tried to brute force it. I''m not sure what the hell it is, but it''s evident it''s not something we can easily deal with."


    Amara was spinning a dagger in her hand, absent-mindedly staring at the fire as she did.


    "What if we launch someone across?"


    The others stared at her like she was a loon. She raised a hand, shaking her head.


    "Think about it. We have someone with a dash, or short-range teleport ability to get ready. Give them a storage crystal and have them pump all of their mana into it. The minotaurs can raise them onto a stone platform. Once high enough, we have the earth mages launch them forward and tell them to time their blink to cross the center threshold."


    That seemed like it could be scary, but fun! Almost like flying. Trillia looked at her mom with admiration. Cordaos groaned loudly.


    "By all things holy and unholy Amara. That''s one of your more crazy ideas... Don''t some of your scouts have a blink ability that lets them just cross the distance?"


    Amara leaned her head back.


    "Yeah...there was some sort of barrier, preventing it from happening from the ground. We couldn''t fly over it either. The barrier seems to go up a few hundred at least. We didn''t go higher. Lest we anger a dragon or something. I just thought that if they were already traveling from being launched and they had no mana, maybe the mana sickness wouldn''t catch them in time? Or the launch itself would send them over? It''s only what, thirty or forty feet?"


    Trillia thought she seemed angry or frustrated. She didn''t really want to interrupt but curiosity got the better of her.


    "Is that not a lot?"


    It seemed like a lot to Trillia, but she was so very short and everything else was so very tall.


    Varga chuckled and stood up. He crouched before he pushed off the ground. Trillia tried to follow him with her eyes but had lost him after what she thought was a height equal to about seven minotaurs standing on each other''s shoulders. A second or two later, he landed with almost no disturbance to the ground. Trillia sat there with wide eyes.


    Amara grinned at that, scootching over to sit next to her daughter.


    "I suppose you''ve seen us battle, and travel with the tribe. But you''ve never seen us fight alone, have you? Your parents aren''t weak honey. I have a form of temporary flight. Cordaos can jump hundreds of feet."


    Trillia was even more confused now, turning to look at each of them in turn.


    "Why don''t you guys just jump or fly everyone across?"


    Cordaos was the one to speak up now.


    "Tried that. Mana sickness debilitates some people for days or longer. If we cross back over it kills them. One of my scouts was willing to test, even with healing. The man died three days after I brought him back across the ravine."


    Amara nodded.


    "There''s also another issue. If we leave the tribe, monsters won''t be as scared to attack. So we can''t just deliver the letters ourselves. We exude an extremely potent aura to those we are hostile to. It scares off a lot of weak monsters that might otherwise attack."


    Trillia felt her head hurting again. She pulled her knees to her chest and leaned her head on them. It was all just so complicated to her. She wondered where Amelia had gone, tuning out the adults as they continued their discussion. Her little brain just couldn''t take it anymore. She knew her parents were strong that''s why her mother was the Chieftain. She just didn''t realize how strong.

 Chapter 8 A Weapon of my Own

    Trillia lifted her head when she felt Amelia''s hand on her shoulder. Amelia held a small intricate-looking cube that had dozens of small runes on it. The young minstrel spoke softly.


    "Are you ok, Trillia?"


    Trillia smiled weakly and nodded, putting her head back on her knees.


    "My head just hurts. I''ve learned too much today."


    Amelia patted her head, putting the cube in a small felt bag and tying it to her belt. She leaned close and softly whispered in Trillia''s ear.


    " [Restorative Chant] "


    Amelia''s voice seemed to echo in Trillia''s ear. The headache lessened she felt better instantly. Trillia lifted her head once more, blinking as she looked at Amelia.


    "You can do that?"


    Amelia nodded once more.


    "I can, it''s one of the first chants or musical pieces most Minstrels take. Since it''s easy to use and requires minimal mana usage. It primarily lessens debuffs and restores a small amount of health and stamina."


    Trillia smiled and went back to staring at the fire, the smell of the stew drifting ever closer and making her stomach growl again.


    "I have so much to learn. Alchemy and runes and weapons. How do you learn all of this stuff?"


    "Well, the system helps a lot I think. I''ve heard legends of people who weren''t born with the system in their minds. They couldn''t speak for years, nor did they understand things like math or skills. It took them years just to understand the basics of life, that we don''t even consider skills."


    Trillia''s face scrunched up in confusion. She felt the headache threatening to come back if she didn''t stop learning right this instant.


    "No skills? How do you learn to read, if you can''t understand words?"


    Amelia just shrugged at that.


    "I''m not sure, really. As I said, it was some legend I heard. It may have just been a story made up to confuse people though. I know you like runes. I brought this to show you, but if your head hurts too much, we can wait until tomorrow."


    Once more, she produced the small cube from the felt bag. She seemed to handle it with great care. Trillia could tell that it was important to her, so she took it with an equal amount of care. Gently running her fingers over the many runes in the cube, feeling the call within to pour mana into each and every one.


    "It''s very pretty, what is it used for?"


    Amelia seemed proud.


    "My mother gave it to me as a gift. To help me learn how to control different forms of mana. This cube led me to follow in her footsteps as a Minstrel based class. Since I have a gift for sound mana. The crystals are good but, they don''t call to me the same way runes do."


    Trillia nodded, as she ran her fingers over the runes she gave in to the call, pouring small amounts of mana into each. Her smile widened as more and more colors came to life, and the cube slowly shifted and twirled to reveal more runes.


    "There are so many... tomorrow, will you help me learn what they all are? The system doesn''t tell me. It just uses my Universal manipulation to activate them."


    Amelia nodded as she took the cube that Trillia returned. The mana vanished instantly and the cube reformed. Amelia began pouring her own mana in, and just like with Trillia the runes lit up. One by one and the cube expanded. Trillia noticed that two of the runes didn''t just light up, but actively pulsed with mana.


    "Maybe we can use this, to teach you how to change your mana into different forms."


    Amelia stared at the cube for a long time, not saying anything. Tears on the edge of her vision as she remembered the many times her mother had sat with her and taught her so many things. Amelia blinked a few times, carefully putting the cube back in its bag and rubbing her eyes. Trillia moved next to her and patted her head, as so many people had done to her when she was feeling down. It seemed to have worked as a smile formed on Amelia''s face.


    The two sat there, staring at the fire and mostly ignoring the adults talking around them. Even the adults had given up on the scout problem for the night. They were chatting about some kingdom far away. Across a sea. The stew was finally done, and both girls ate. Cordaos used some sort of water spell to wash the bowls out next to the fire. Trillia wondered how many different forms of mana manipulation other people had. She felt her eyelids grow heavy.


    -=- The Next Day -=-


    Trillia woke up once more on a pile of furs and blankets. Alone this time, she sat up rubbing her eyes. She briefly wondered if her parents ever grew tired of carrying her to a more comfortable place to sleep since she evidently had a habit of just passing out wherever.


    Standing the young orc stretched, rubbing her eyes once more, and making her way out of the tent. It was already well past breakfast, she ran off to find some fruit or hard tack to eat instead of bothering someone. Now happily munching on a deep red fruit. Also, a substance called bread. It was the same substance that she had for breakfast before, which she thought was soft tack. It had a name, bread. It was quite good but evidently didn''t last long before it went bad.


    Her scan revealed it was a pomegranate. She remembered her mother''s words about the weapons yesterday and moved towards the tent they had been in before. Before she finished her fruit, she sat on a stool in the tent, swinging her legs, and stared intently at it. Trying to get more information about it.


    [Pomegranate]


    [Pomegranate]


    ''Yes, thank you system. I know it''s a pomegranate. I want to know more about it though.'' the words rang through her head as she focused harder.


    [Pomegranate]


    She was getting a bit frustrated but, it wasn''t the system''s fault. Trillia just didn''t know how to ask for more information. As vengeance, she finished off the rest of the fruit. No one else was in the tent this morning, so she walked over to the table and crawled up onto one of the benches.


    She had gotten used to not needing to speak to use her scan now, though she almost missed saying the word. Trillia remembered that her mother said that some skills got stronger if you said them, and motioned. So she pointed mightily at the weapon she had started with yesterday.


    "Reveal your secrets! [Basic Scan]"


    Giggling as she said it, not really expecting anything, but it was fun.


    [Morning Star] Quality: Good


    The morning star is a variation of the [Mace]. Its primary uses have been with Monstrous humanoids when combating hard-plated creatures, as the many spikes work to puncture such plates, leaving the victim bleeding with weakened defenses that small-bladed weapons can utilize to punch beyond the armor itself.


    Trillia read it all, nodding to herself. She grabbed the weapon and dragged it across the table so it was singled out. Placing her hands on either side of it. Maybe she could use a special chant.


    "Uhhh... Morning star, what. No, no that won''t work."


    She stood on the bench, staring down at the weapon and rubbing her chin. Snapping her fingers she thought about her own status. Once it was in her mind, she focused on her [Brawn] the attribute pushed itself further and explained what it did and how it was derived. Thinking about her derived stat, she stared at the weapon in front of her. Choosing not to dismiss the stat.


    "How do I use this weapon? [Basic Scan] "


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    [Morning Star] Quality: Good


    The morning star is a variation of the [Mace]. Its primary uses have been with Monstrous humanoids when combating hard-plated creatures, as the many spikes work to puncture such plates, leaving the victim bleeding with weakened defenses that small-bladed weapons can utilize to punch beyond the armor itself.


    The [Morning Star] benefits from a high [Strength] stat. Like most club type weapons, a high [Dexterity] doesn''t help as much for understanding how to utilize the weapon. Instead the weapon will use whatever is greater between your [Intuition] or your [Wisdom] damage is calculated based on your [Strength] stat only, not your [Brawn].


    Trillia''s grin grew as she read the new information.


    General Skill: [Basic Scan] Level 5 -> Level 6


    Trillia wondered why the level up message was different, she''d have to ask Amelia about that later.


    Trillia stood there, pouring over every tiny bit of information about the weapon. Trying to focus on different words and use her Scan in different ways. She realized she could focus on most words to read what they meant, she could also focus on things like dexterity to learn how it was derived. Most exciting, however, was that she could focus on the name itself to learn more about it.


    [Morning Star] a weapon that is categorized as a club class weapon. It''s primary power comes from momentum based strikes.


    Trillia focused on club and got more information. Her next several hours were spent learning about how the system classified and categorized various weapons. She had a very vague understanding of many of the weapons, but didn''t quite know how to choose one for herself. She also learned she could have the system not describe the use or purpose of a weapon, and instead focus on just the important bits.


    [Quarterstaff] Quality: Good


    The [Quarterstaff] benefits from a high [Dexterity]. Being able to use the weapon with ease is determined based on your [Dexterity] damage is calculated as [Dexterity] in addition to a small amount of your [Strength]


    [Leather Whip] Quality: Excellent


    The [Whip] derives its own ease of use stat, from a combination of your [Intuition] and [Agility]. The whip''s damage is calculated based on this same derived stat. A Leather whip will deal reduced damage to creatures that are considered heavily armored.


    [Rapier] Quality: Good


    The [Rapier] uses either your [Wisdom] or your [Intuition] whichever is higher, for the purposes of ease of use. Its damage is calculated based on your [Agility] and whichever stat is being used as your ease of use.


    Trillia liked the rapier it was light. It also meant she could focus entirely on [Dexterity] and the weapon would still be very effective. She hopped off her stool, grabbed the weapon, and carefully moved it to a side table. Moving back and crawling up onto her bench, ready to look over more weapons. She was interrupted as her mother walked into the tent.


    "There you are! I didn''t see you at any of the cooking fires, nor were you in our tent. Decided to get started on your own I take it?"


    Trillia could tell there was some pride in her mother''s tone. The young orc gave a wide smile and nodded before she began telling her mother all that she had learned so far.


    Amara offered a big smile and hugged her daughter. Easily lifting and moving many of the weapons around. Placing the ones Trillia had already scanned off to the side.


    "Let''s see, something that doesn''t focus on brawn or strength. I don''t think you''d benefit from most of the club class of weaponry. Likewise with most two-handers. You said you liked the rapier. Honestly, it''s a really good choice for a fighter who wants to specialize in being light and fast. "


    The chieftain rummaged through the weapons before placing a few more on the table before Trillia, motioning for her to go ahead.


    [Orcish Shortbow] Quality: Excellent


    The [Orcish Shortbow] uses your [Dexterity] for ease of use. It derives a stat based on your [Wisdom], [Intuition], and [Strength] to determine the maximum range it can be fired. -Note: Regardless of your stats, the weapon itself will still have a maximum range. - Damage is calculated based on the type of ammunition fired from it receiving a small bonus based on your [Dexterity].


    [Minstrel''s Mallet] Quality: Excellent


    The [Minstrel''s Mallet] is a specialized hammer, it was created by Maven, a minotaur bard. It only works when reinforced with runes of durability. It operates in all ways as either a two-handed [Maul] or a one-handed [Warhammer]. In addition, it has been crafted in such a way it can be utilized as a horn. The horn function allows all sound, sonic and music-based mana, and skills to operate through it.


    Trillia ran her fingers over the weapon. Maven was Amelia''s mother. She must have been an incredible crafter to create a whole new class of weapon. Trillia looked at her mother.


    "Are there any weapons with your name on them? Is this normal?"


    Amara smirked, shaking her head.


    "No. Even normal weapons like a mace or sword don''t say who originally created them. It''s a specialized class of weapon that Maven created... I want to say sixty or seventy years ago. As Cordaos describes it, she got sick of having to dual-wield a one-handed hammer and a horn. So she spent six months trying out various creations and carving runes in for usability. Before she finally created both the one and two-handed versions of the weapon."


    Trillia listened, soaking in all the knowledge and turning back to the weapon, running her fingers along it.


    "Didn''t you guys say she was a [Mage] ?"


    Amara nodded, sitting on the bench next to her daughter, running her own fingers along the weapon.


    "Maven was a mage that specialized in sonic damage. It''s based on sound mana manipulation. She also had mastery in many music and sound-based classes. But as a minotaur, she had a knack for crafting. Usually, once a child grows up, their subspecies evolves out of adolescent. They get more traits based on their evolution. For some that''s at sixteen or seventeen, for others it''s as late as twenty-one. I think Maven''s subspecies was a metal-focused minotaur, instead of a stone-focused one."


    "What do you mean, mastery of classes? I thought you could only have two classes?"


    "You can only have two classes actively leveling and gaining experience. Let''s say your first class was a warrior. You can either abandon it, in which case you keep any stat points gained. But otherwise lose all skills gained from it. If you pick the class up again later, you have to start at level 0. Or you can master the class. Which means you''ve gotten it to its maximum level. Doing so lets you keep all the stat points. If you choose to evolve the class, it starts over at Level 0, you keep all your skills and it is a better version of the base class."


    Amara paused for a second as Trillia soaked in the information, once she saw Trillia nod, she continued.


    "If you choose not to evolve the class, it instead becomes a mastered class and is something you are considered to have mastery in, hence the name. It lets you keep all stats, in addition, you can keep either one active or one passive skill from the class. You can then learn another class and begin leveling it."


    Trillia thought about it for a while. It made sense, she supposed. She didn''t know a lot about classes since she didn''t have them available to her yet.


    "Why don''t people just get mastery in every class?"


    "Well, experience is based on your Species and Subspecies levels primarily. So leveling [Warrior] might be easy at first. Since it will be your first class and thus, your species is still at a low level. But if you master it several times to keep skills. Suddenly your Species is level one-fifty, and your level 0 warrior class doesn''t have the same leveled skills to be easily fighting level one-fifty enemies."


    That made much more sense. Trillia offered a nod.


    "I think I want to learn how to use the [Rapier]. [Runt] means my [Brawn] is going to be a lot lower than other orcs. So I think focusing on [Dexterity] is a good idea. It also means I can increase my mana pool. Is that a good choice?"


    Amara nodded thoughtfully.


    "That''s smart thinking, you''re learning quite fast for your age Trillia. I certainly wasn''t able to learn so much so young. We can have the smiths make a few [Rapiers] fit for your size. You and I can spend an hour or two every day training with them ok?"


    Trillia grinned and nodded excitedly.


    "It seems like you can just use all the weapons, even the stuff papa walks around with, you seem to know more about."


    Amara thought a moment. Moving over to the entrance to the tent, she latched the bottom of the furs so that it couldn''t be opened. Moving back to sit next to Trillia.


    "Don''t tell anyone. As you get older and stronger. It will become more and more difficult to scan you. You will also learn skills that alter, not only how you scan people. But how much information they get when they scan you. For now, though, I want to show you something."


    Trillia nodded a secret. She liked secrets!


    "Reveal nature. Lessen [Divine Obfuscation]. Reveal classes [Greater Scan]."


    As her mother finished saying the words, a myriad of information appeared in front of Trillia, but most of the information was still hidden. Her mother''s classes were not.


    Class: Grand Chieftain: Level 274


    Class: Divine Weapon Master: Level 377


    Mastered Classes:


    Chieftain


    Weapon Master


    Berserker


    Blood Knight


    Obfuscating 73 other Mastered classes.


    Trillia''s eyes went wide, especially after the conversation they just had.


    "I thought...I thought you said it got harder with more classes?"


    Amara ruffled her hair, the information vanished as her mother altered her skills again.


    "Once you''re past three hundred in your Species, you mostly stop aging. Furthermore, I am a [Pact-Bonded] creature. It means my stats are significantly higher than what my level dictates. This lets me fight enemies that are much, much higher level. So I get way more experience. I lose some of it to the deity, but the trade-off is certainly worth it. I''m also quite old Trillia. I can''t say I remember exactly, but I''m probably close to four hundred years old. I''ve been fighting for a very, very long time."


    Trillia could only sit there in silence. Once again, she had known her mother was strong. She just hadn''t realized how strong.


    "Is... is uncle Cordaos strong like you?"


    Amara smiled, leaning forward and kissing Trillia on the forehead.


    "Ask him. He might show you. But he fought with me in the Great Beast Wars. And between you and I, other than Queen Alliyah. He''s the one I''d be most scared of fighting in a one-on-one fight. That counts for a lot, seeing as your Uncle Brutus has several classes meant for dueling in one-on-one fights. But enough, let''s get some lunch we''ve been at this for hours. After you can meet up with Amelia to go over runes and alchemy ok?"


    Trillia nodded, hugging her mother before she climbed off the bench and ran towards the exit, unlatching the furs.


    "Let''s goooo! Foooood!"


    The little girl ran out. She wasn''t sure which was more exciting, food, or asking her Uncle Cordaos about his classes. She''d have to ask her father as well. One of her mother''s classes was level three seventy-seven. Trillia couldn''t imagine just how high her species was.

 Chapter 9 Naptime

    The meat was rather tough, it took forever to chew a piece. Trillia held it in front of her and let scan do it''s thing.


    [Raptor Jerky] Flesh from a raptor that has been seasoned and dried as rations.


    That made sense. Food scouts took when they left on missions was really hard and didn''t taste very good. But it lasted a very long time. Trillia shrugged and followed close behind her mother, the two had gotten some fruit and this jerky as their lunch. Her mother had said something about talking to Uncle Mort and old man Lurog.


    Once they got to the stone building the grand alchemist was using. Amara spoke loudly and tapped her fingers on the door leading inside.


    "Mort. It''s Chieftain Amara. May Trillia and I come in?"


    Trillia had once asked her mother. Why she asked permission to go into places. She was the Chieftain and could sort of do whatever she wanted. That was when Amara explained that being polite often got you further than being rude and that you should never, ever abuse a position of power.


    Most of the orcs in the tribe loved Amara dearly, both as an orc and as a Chieftain. So Trillia felt that any advice on leadership her mother gave her, was good advice. The door swung open, and the large crimson-furred minotaur poked his head out.


    "Ah! Lady Amara. Yes, please come in. I''ve been trying to find a solution to our mana rift problems."


    Amara followed him in, motioning for Trillia to follow. The inside of the building smelled like fire and a myriad of herbs. Amelia sat off to the side, reading one of her books and writing in it. Several herbs on the table near her. Her mother spoke as they both followed Mort to a large desk, covered in various glass bottles, with small flames and thousands of runes everywhere. It looked very complicated and difficult to set up. But Trillia couldn''t help but be fascinated by all the runes.


    "That''s good. Even our best scouts have said it''s unlikely they could make the four-month journey to Kincairne without significant backup. The monsters have just grown too strong and territorial since the cataclysm. We need to be able to send a full retinue of scouts across. But most can''t make the jump, even when we try to launch them across."


    Mort nodded as he pulled out a large book. It made a loud thump when he dropped it on the table and flipped through pages, tapping one and motioning to Amara, who stepped next to him and began reading. Trillia wandered over to Amelia to see what she was doing but tried to keep an ear on the adult''s conversation. Her mother''s voice rang clear through the tiny building, so it wasn''t difficult.


    "A potion to cure mana sickness? I didn''t think that possible, since most of our potions utilize mana to be created, which just makes the problem worse."


    Mort sat on a chair, reaching over to a water skin and taking a long drink.


    "True, I''m trying to brew a potion with no mana in it. I know such things exist in the human lands, but trying to do so from scratch is problematic. Right now I''m trying to create a potion that takes mana, more like a poison than a potion really. But I need it to clear the mana sickness debuff as it does so."


    Amara gave an affirmative grunt as she continued to read. Trillia climbed up on the bench Amelia sat on. Moving to stand next to her seated friend. Trying to make out what she was writing.


    Amelia must have been lost in thought, as once Trillia got next to her, she jumped a bit.


    "Goodness, Trillia! You can''t sneak up on me like that."


    Chuckling as she looked at her friend. Trillia motioned to Mort and her mother, who had begun discussing scouts, the mana rifts, and the kingdom of Kadessa, for what felt like the hundredth time to Trillia.


    "Oh, I hadn''t even noticed the two of you enter. Are you ready to start learning about alchemy and runes?"


    Trillia grinned and nodded. That was why she had come after all. Amelia closed the book she was working on and pulled open a new one.


    "I borrowed this from Elder Shaman Lurog. It''s a book on enchanting, it''s a bit complicated for us to learn, especially without an experienced enchanter to teach us. But it has thousands of runes in it, and what they mean. I think it will be a good source to learn runes for both of us."


    Amelia set a few more large books down on the bench, which Trillia sat on. The two were now almost level. Amelia placed the book on enchanting between them. Trillia pulled out her own little notepad that Amelia had given her, and the two began to read.


    Trillia was fascinated not only by the runes but also enchanting. The order in which you placed enchantments was important. And could alter the entire item. For instance, she learned that by using the runes for [Pierce] and [Arcane]. An item could be enchanted in many ways. Pierce, then arcane meant a weapon could pierce arcane defenses. Arcane, then pierce meant that the weapon did arcane damage, and some of it would pierce physical armor.


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    Arcane on your armor meant the physical item had resistance to arcane damage. So on and so forth. In many cases, some creations had to be enchanted over several days or even weeks. So that the runes had time to take root, so you could enchant runes separately.


    The girls sat there for hours before Mort''s deep voice interrupted their lesson. Both girls jumped a bit, startled at the sudden intrusion.


    "The sun has set. I''m very sorry girls, but I need to rest for tomorrow. I''ve exhausted my mana several times today. You can return tomorrow. The book you have on enchanting isn''t a minotaur book, so I''m ok if you wish to take it with you. It''s still valuable knowledge, however, and I ask that you treat it with the respect all knowledge deserves."


    Trillia stretched her arms and carefully slid off the stack of books she was sitting on, taking each in turn and gently placing them back on the large table.


    "Sorry, Uncle Mort. That book is really fun though. I think we both just lost track of time."


    Amelia closed the book. Grabbing it as well as the notebooks each girl had. Standing herself and bowing.


    "She''s right, sorry Grand Alchemist. If we ever intrude like this again, please let us know. So that we do not disturb your important work."


    Mort offered a deep chuckle and waved them off.


    "Don''t apologize for learning. It is a pursuit I wish all of our people took more seriously. If your parents are ok with it and you both wish to learn. I can show you some basic enchanting once you have a firm grasp on the runes. It certainly won''t be anytime soon, maybe in a couple of years I can begin teaching you."


    Both Trilla and Amelia''s faces lit up at that. They both nodded, bowing once more before scampering off, probably to some fire to eat and read even more. Mort wore a content smile on his face, happy that Amelia was coming to terms with her grief and had found a friend.


    The girls had run off to a small stone building near the outskirts of the now village. Amelia had identified it as the house her father and she were staying in. The inside of the house had a small pile of furs, a table, and a bench for Amelia. It seemed as if either her father didn''t sleep, or had no belongings. Trillia gave the place a confused look, even her parents had a place to sleep. Even if they had seemingly no belongings of their own.


    Amelia saw the confused look, speaking up to perhaps help the issue.


    "From the conversations, I had with both father and mother. Beings of their level don''t really need to sleep or eat. They do so for the enjoyment, and because it can still give buffs or speed up recovery. But it''s not required like it is for us. Father also mastered a class that gave him what he calls a pocket dimension. I guess it''s sort of like....a bag that''s always with him, that can hold a bunch of stuff."


    Trillia listened to her friend, sitting down on the bench next to her, nodding the whole time.


    "Maybe mom and dad have something like that. Cause they don''t seem to own much either. But mom has lots and lots of weapons. I''ve seen dad''s tools before, the ones he uses to enchant stuff."


    Amelia placed their notebooks back down. Grabbing some furs for Trillia to sit on for height before she opened the enchanting book back up.


    "I''ve heard there are items you can create or find. Items that give you storage are like that as well. Our city had a dungeon below that young minotaurs would train in. Usually, we didn''t get to start training there until our species was level forty though, it was very dangerous. Like most dungeons, this one could sense who was in it, and would target weak creatures."


    "I''ve never seen a dungeon. I''ve never left our camp actually. I''m supposed to have my first fight soon. They force most young orcs to fight a creature that''s a much higher level. Father says we do it because it gives us better class options. It also helps us reach level ten much, much sooner. But, it''s going to be difficult for me. Since I won''t get boosted experience, and my brawn is low."


    Her voice sank a little as she spoke. Her [Runt] status reminded her yet again of her shortcomings, but it wasn''t as bad as it had been before she unlocked her mana. Trillia knew she could be useful now, just in a different way than other orcs.


    Amelia wrapped an arm around her friend, giving her a little squeeze and a half hug.


    "I''m sure you will do fine. Maybe we can ask father if he will let me join you. A lot of my levels came from running away from home. Having to buff and heal people as we fled, and the subsequent battles after. It would be nice to learn how to fight for real though. I''d love to learn with you."


    Trillia''s frown vanished, replaced with a smile.


    "I''d like that a lot. Maybe it won''t be so scary if I have a friend with me. Wait."


    Trillia now thinking about what Amelia had just said.


    "Dungeons can think?"


    "I think so? From what I''ve been taught, dungeons are centered around a core. That core seems to have some understanding of what is happening. My people believe that dungeons are the souls of the fallen. Which is why some dungeons actively try to help raise strong warriors, and others try to kill everyone who enters."


    Trillia sat in silence for a few minutes, thinking about that. She wondered if there were any orc dungeons, of great warriors of chieftains in the past. She silently reminded herself to ask her parents about it.


    "Oh! Amelia, why did the level-up message change? The system leveled me one way, and than later I got another general skill level, but the way it told me was different. Did I mess something up?"


    "No. The system is a little different for everyone. For instance, when a general skill levels for me it''s something like. Cooking has advanced from the third level of experience to the fourth level of experience. Grand Alchemist Mort''s system goes into even further details, and father''s doesn''t even tell him when general skills level up anymore unless it''s for an evolution or it has reached its maximum level."


    Amelia looked to Trillia, letting her soak up some information before she continued.


    "You can sort of direct how it changes. If you don''t like the message you get, you can sort of impress upon the system the changes you want. I think, in father''s case he has so many general skills he just doesn''t want to be bothered with them all the time. In the Grand Alchemist''s case, he wants to be exact in every little thing he does. Scans work in a similar way. Most people use Greater Scan when speaking out loud, but almost everyone has another skill they use to get the information they specifically want."


    Trillia nodded once more.


    "Thank you for helping me understand all of this. I don''t wanna bother mom and dad, ''cause they seem to be really worried about the things they call mana rifts."


    Amelia smiled and gave her another little hug before the two turned their attention back to the book in front of them. Another few hours passed before both girls had their heads on the table, snoring away and leaning on each other.

 Chapter 10 Warband

    Over the course of the next few weeks, Trillia trained with her mother for a few hours in the morning before moving to alchemy and runic script with Amelia in the afternoon.


    She was never forced to work. Amara didn''t want the girl''s entire childhood to be training. Turns out, in Trillia''s case at least. Getting stronger and seeing progress by way of the system, was just fun for the young girl.


    Her arms felt tired, trembling in front of her. Sweat dripped from her forehead, the rapier bending slightly as the terrifying creature in front of her put more weight against the weapon. She caught the movement out of the corner of her eye. A heavy boot flying towards the right side of her head. Trillia threw herself backward and onto the ground, the boot flew harmlessly over her face. However, she wasn''t fast enough.


    She tried to bring her rapier up to parry the mighty swing of her opponent, only to feel it ripped from her hand by the force. Trillia flopped back on the ground breathing heavily.


    "I surrender!"


    The evil monster who made her sore every day. The monster who never seemed to go easy on her, despite knowing for a fact she did, came over and sat next to her. Very un monster like really.


    "Did I at least do a little better today Mom?"


    Trillia could feel the sinister chuckle from her opponent, who leaned over and gave her a very un monster like kiss on the forehead.


    "You''re doing much better, sweetie. You''re still a child, and I''m not saying that to be mean or belittle you. As we figure out how to allocate your stats and as your general skills increase. All of this will get much, much easier, I promise. Once you get a class, things will also get easier."


    Trillia nodded weakly. At least the monster was helpful. Closing her eyes, she just lay there, too tired to move. After ten minutes or so, her mother ruffled her hair, standing and retrieving the slapped-aside rapier, setting it next to Trillia.


    "I''m going to go get lunch, you can join me if you''d like, or lay there and nurse your injuries some more."


    The monster grinned wickedly at her, using her ultimate weakness of good food to make her move. With a groan entirely too tired for a child of her age, Trillia rolled over and slowly stood, carefully taking her rapier and cleaning the blade, before she slid it into its sheath. Trillia trudged after her mother, looking forward to sitting down and reading for the rest of the day.


    She sat next to her mother, eating some hearty Lovax and potato stew.


    "Mom. I think I know how I want to allocate my stats. Can we talk about that, before I study with Amelia?"


    Amara looked at her and gave a nod.


    "I was thinking. At every level in my Species, I can put two points into Wisdom and Agility. For my subspecies, I was going to put one point into everything. Once I have a class, depending on the stats I get from it. I can change things up. But for now, that gives me more mana, health, and stamina and lets me use the rapier more easily."


    Amara seemed to think on that a moment, as she looked intently at Trillia. An odd feeling came over the young orc.


    [Obfuscation] Level 0 obtained!


    Trillia blinked a few times. Amara raised a brow.


    "Interesting that the system gave you such a skill so young. You''re gaining quite a lot of basic skills very early. It''s odd. That said, I think your plan for stats is fine. We can discuss it further once you''ve taken a class, and after you''ve slain your first enemy. Once those two things happen we will better know how to distribute stats to make sure you''re as effective as you want to be."


    Trillia nodded. She quickly allocated her stats and gave everything a once over.


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}


    [Status: Alive; Scorned Divinity] [Buffs: Well Fed]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 4


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Subspecies: [Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 3


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Class: {To unlock class options, raise Species or Subspecies to level 10}


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 26]


    \Strength: 13 + Vitality: 13/


    [Dexterity: 42]


    \Agility: 17 + Wisdom: 25/


    [Charisma: 26]


    \Intuition: 13 + Presence: 13/


    Racial Skills:


    [Orc Savagery - Passive]: - Level <Disabled> [Runt]


    [Orc Constitution - Passive]: - Level 0 <Limited> [Runt]


    General Skills:


    [Obfuscastion - Hybrid]: Level 0


    [Rapier Mastery - Passive]: Level 2


    [Basic Scan - Active]: Level 6


    [Basic Mana Regeneration - Passive] Level 1


    [Basic Runic - Passive] Level 3


    [Basic Universal Mana Manipulation - Hybrid] Level 1


    [Basic Alchemy - Hybrid]: Level 1


    [Basic Cooking - Hybrid]: Level 3


    Class Skills: {To Unlock Class Skills, please select a Class}


    Health: 260


    Stamina: 130


    Mana: 250


    Trillia''s smile spread from ear to ear now. The [Runt] trait still limited her some. But she was turning into someone useful. At least, she felt as such. Her rudimentary alchemy had become something usable now. While most of her skills were still basic. She was actively able to help and contribute to many simple tasks around the camp now, including patching up wounded Lovaxs or minorly injured tribe members.


    Amelia told her that once her [Basic Scan] reached level ten, it should give Trillia the option to evolve it. Her mother explained to her that sometime in the next month or so, she wanted to find a monster that was level ten or fifteen and have Trillia face it, if Trillia wanted Amelia to join, they''d have to face a level twenty monster.


    The thought frankly terrified Trillia. Pretending her mother was a big scary monster while they fought was one thing. Trillia knew her mother would never actually hurt her in a fight. But fighting an actual monster? One that wanted to eat her? Trillia shivered while thinking about it, pulling her knees up to her chest and taking another big bite of stew.


    The night came and went without issue. Trillia asked for the next two days off, she spent it mostly wandering the camp and patching up cuts and scrapes. Truthfully she just wanted time to relax and not train so heavily. One of the days she spent with the Lovax. They really liked it when you scratched their head between the horns.


    -=- Two Weeks Later -=-


    Trillia''s heart was racing a mile a minute. A few days ago, she had turned three and a half. She knew this because all of her stats went up by one. The child wore armor that was little more than many layered cloth. It would absorb most impacts somewhat well. Amara had informed Trillia that depending on the enemy she would face, it may offer more or less protection. Bludgeoning damage would be soaked well. Slashing less so, and it would be mostly useless against any piercing attacks.


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    Uncle Cordaos was talking to Amelia, giving her some pointers and tricks. The minotaur king was going to stay behind with Varga. Between the two, their auras and capabilities were plenty to handle most threats. Amara, Mort, and Lurog would be joining the expedition. They weren''t just leaving so that the girls could face their first monster in battle after all. Well, Trillia''s first. Amelia had faced plenty of monsters fleeing from her homeland.


    A contingent of alchemists and herbalists were to join them. The goal was to get plants and other usable alchemical materials near the rifts. This was to help with the potion Grand Alchemist Mort was working on. So that they could get scouts across the mana rifts. Without the scouts being dead or near dead.


    Both Trillia and Amelia were given small backpacks. Both were young, and so there wasn''t much in either, but Amara and Cordaos thought it proper to get them used to traveling with belongings. Since you either had to be very wealthy, or a fairly high level to afford a storage item, or have a pocket dimension. Trillia thought for sure their parents could just hand them one. But Amelia and Trillia were both proud, perhaps foolishly so. They wanted to earn their place.


    It was another reason for the two girls to come along. They''d acquire the herbalist skill and maybe even gain some levels in alchemy while they were out and about. Both would operate in a supporting role in all combats they came across, utilizing Amelia''s [Minstrel] class. Trillia could borrow the skills because of Amelia''s mentorship. As they left the well-defended gates. The warriors cheered, both minotaur and orc. A rhythmic thumping carried over the ground.


    Amara turned to the two young girls with a grin. Speaking softly.


    "Raise your fists, roar and cheer with them. Trust me."


    The two girls looked at each other a bit embarrassed but did so. The roar behind them grew a dozen fold. Neither could hide a little grin. Both got a bit shocked when the system message popped up.


    You''re now under the effects of a [Warband Chant] for the next 2 weeks.


    Trillia focused on the name of the effect itself.


    [Warband Chant]


    A warband chant is an effect bestowed when a warband is cheered on by their people as they depart. For the duration of the buff, your Stamina will not drain or deplete when you are marching. Furthermore, you have a morale boost to your mood.


    Trillia cheered again. Another cheer followed them. Both her and Amelia''s moods had in fact almost immediately improved. It caught Trillia a bit off guard. That the system could just change how they felt about something. She wasn''t about to complain though. Once the encampment was out of sight and the cheering could no longer be heard, the mood shifted slightly.


    Trillia could tell all of the adults - except her mother - were on edge. She had often heard the term ''head on a swivel'' when eavesdropping on warriors and hunters. Now she understood it.


    The first two days were perhaps the hardest for the two young girls. There was just so, so much marching and walking. They ate while they moved, and only stopped late into the night. Each day they easily marched for twelve to fourteen hours. A day on Alirast was twenty-four. On the third night, they sat around a small fire, eating the dried, hard trail rations. Trillia rubbed her feet, she couldn''t imagine doing this without the buff. Her stamina would probably constantly be low or out.


    Amara came back to the light of the fire, having been out scouting around them.


    "So far, there are no enemies about. That''s good. I was worried that enemies would be nesting too close to the village. It seems, however, that Cordaos and I''s combined auras are enough to ward them from making a nest. There are also no active dungeons reported in this area. So we should be good to continue."


    Her mother looked around, watching for nods before she continued.


    "Remember, I am here as a deterrent only. Do not expect my aid in the majority of battles. When we find something suitable for the wards to fight, I will eliminate all other threats on the field, so that they may fight on equal footing."


    Once more, a series of nods. Now Amara turned and looked directly at the two girls.


    "I will not jump in to save you unless you are going to die. I''m a much, much better judge of that than anyone else here. I need you both to understand this you are loved dearly. But we will watch you get stabbed, beaten, and knocked out before we jump in. You may lose a limb. We can heal all of those wounds, but the pain is going to be there. It''s important that you both learn to fight and struggle through the pain."


    The two girls could feel their hands go cold, an audible gulp from both. Trillia stared at her moth- no. Trillia stared at her Chieftain and nodded. Her father had warned her of this. That when Amara was leading a war band, she couldn''t treat Trillia differently than she would any other orc. A very, very large part of Trillia was happy it was said that way. She''d be treated just like any other orc would be treated.


    If Amelia seemed to have a problem with it, she didn''t mention it to Trillia. Probably because Uncle Cordaos had given her the same talk. Trillia nodded once more before speaking.


    "I won''t disappoint you, Chieftain."


    Trillia turned her attention back to food, trying to steel herself against doubt. She was doubly glad for that buff now. She didn''t notice, but all of the more experienced orcs and minotaurs around were grinning at her words, especially when Amelia echoed almost identical ones.


    Another three days passed, there had been some fighting, and a swarm of [Megapedes] had caused them to camp early. Two of the alchemists had gotten nasty wounds, festering with poison. Amara hadn''t joined in any of the fights. She only stood there watching and waiting for something to go completely wrong.


    Trillia and Amelia were grinding herbs and mixing them with blood and alcohol to form the base of a healing poultice. Two other alchemists were cutting out the poisoned flesh. Mort and Lurog were casting low-level healing spells to numb the pain and stop the wounds and poison from spreading. Lurog is the one who spoke.


    "It''s a small setback, girls. This is to be expected when venturing through the shattered plains. We''re lucky to have a talented [Minstrel] at our disposal, even as low a level as you are. The constant healing from the skills you both use goes a long way to avoiding worse injuries."


    Trillia passed one base to an alchemist as she began working on a second.


    "I think I understand why mother doesn''t help. But can I ask anyway to make sure I fully understand?"


    "You may, but first. I want you to tell me why you think she doesn''t help. Amelia don''t help her with this, since you already know."


    Amelia nodded. Trillia concentrated first on her work but spoke as she could. No one rushed her.


    "It''s because if mom fought, we wouldn''t learn anything. So she just waits just in case we need saving?"


    "That''s mostly correct. If Chieftain Amara joins us in fighting, we will get no experience. Her level is far too high, even if she immobilizes all of the enemies and lets us kill them. We would still get very minimal experience. I know we often do such tactics to help young orcs level, but it''s only to ensure they get a warrior class early. And it is never someone as high leveled as Amara doing the immobilizing."


    Trillia thought about that for a moment. She handed the last poultice base off. Sitting down and wiping her hands off. She turned her attention back to Lurog.


    "So. Which normally comes first, the fight alone or the held-down kill?"


    Lurog didn''t answer for a few minutes, concentrating on his own spells and alchemy. Once the worst of the poison was out, and the wounds were closing, he responded.


    "It depends on the parents and the orc children in question. The safe tactic is often to hold down a kill, but it doesn''t lend itself to specialized classes. What Amara is doing now, for you and Amelia isn''t often done. Because most orcs can''t walk the edge of life and death as easily as Amara can. As Chieftain, she doesn''t often have the time to help every single young orc. Nor are most orcs even willing to risk it."


    Trillia listened to his words, pulling out some of her rations and taking a bite.


    "I thought all orcs loved battle? I thought I was weird for not being drawn to it."


    Lurog chuckled at that, shaking his head.


    "Trillia. I''m an old man. I''ve been a shaman for decades. I have fought very little. As have most of the alchemists and minotaurs around us. You are weird for not being drawn to battle, but so am I. So are all the others. Most orcs thrive in conflict. Most orcs grow from it. I have the same passives available to me. But I rarely use them. Because fear grips me when I''m alone and faced off against a dozen enemies. Fear is healthy, but as your parents will tell you. Fear is a weakness, one that is not tolerated on a battlefield."


    Lurog patted her shoulder, motioning for her to follow him.


    "I think your mother wants a different life for you, especially because of the [Runt] trait. She wants to ensure you get a strong specialized class or at least have that option available. While you are another orc of the tribe out here. She still wants what''s best for you, not only as your Chieftain but also - perhaps especially - as your mother."


    Trillia nodded once more. Amelia and Trillia were summoned by another alchemist, the two girls ran off to the summons. They found the young minotaur woman kneeling next to a [Megapede] carcass, knife in hand.


    "Come here, little ones. I shall teach you how to harvest the corpses of our enemies. Lady Amara has been gracious enough to offer her pocket dimension as storage. So that we can bring back everything of use."


    The two girls nodded and moved over to begin learning another useful skill.

 Chapter 11 Battle!

    Seven days had come and gone since they left the village. More of a city really, with so many minotaurs and other tribes slowly coming to the safe haven. Still, Trillia had learned a lot in those seven days. Watching non-combatants fight - or at least what her tribe considered non-combatants - was...astonishing really. She had nothing to base it on, but the alchemists and herbalists were just efficient.


    There were almost no wasted movements. Popping a wax seal, dropping in some fire herb spice. A little swirl and toss. BOOM! Shards of glass and flame in a thirty-foot area. If something did close in, daggers coated in all manner of poison rained down on whatever creature happened to close. Trillia better understood why her mother trained her so brutally. If this is what a non-combatant looked like, Trillia was eager to see what an actual warrior did.


    The sun was starting to set. Trillia knew that meant another three or four hours of walking before a full stop for the evening. A trill whistle caused everyone to halt. In the distance was a swarm of fifteen or so [Megapedes]. Trillia took a deep breath, steeling herself for the battle to come. Her mother, Amara, turned to look at them all.


    "Girls, get ready. There is a baby amongst the swarm. It''s level twenty-seven. Close to evolving into an adult, but it should serve as the perfect fight for the two of you. No one else is to interfere in their fight. I will be the sole judge of the danger they are in. If anyone tries to interfere I will stop you by force. I''ll give you both two minutes to get ready. The swarm will be upon us by that time."


    Trillia felt Amelia take her hand, giving it a little squeeze of encouragement. The two quickly checked each other''s armor to ensure no straps were loose. Quite familiar with the process, as the two were often inseparable. Next was to ensure their weapons could easily be slid from sheaths or the metal rings that held Amelia''s hammer at her side. Their resources topped off, the two young warriors in the making walked to the front of the pack. The Swarm was only a hundred feet away by now.


    Amara looked them over and nodded.


    "Remember...fight like your life depends on it. I will stop you from dying. I won''t stop you from losing an arm, or an eye. Cover for one another, this is going to be a brutal fight, and it''s going to hurt. You can cry after. Don''t be ashamed of wanting to throw up and cry after the battle. Every damn warrior I''ve ever met, myself included. Lost our lunches and bawled like children after our first real combat. It''s that terrifying, but during the fight, you need to push that down into your gut. You need to watch out for your party members, you need to survive to enjoy a good cry."


    The girls nodded once more, gripping the hilts of their weapons tightly. Amara turned to the swarm, now only fifty or so feet from them. The system notified everyone of what happened.


    Warning! You''re in the Presence of the Grand Chieftain, you are immobilized by fear!


    You are too weak to break this effect, it will last until the source is stopped, or chooses to stop.


    [Adamant Resolve] Level 0 obtained!


    You have come face to face with an overwhelming threat and lived to tell the tale! Lucky you! This skill will in time, help you overcome and fight off the effects of hostile auras of overwhelming power.


    Trillia wanted to smile at the skill, but couldn''t move. The other alchemists shuffled uncomfortably, probably having a much higher level of that skill. Or maybe a better version of it? Trillia and Amelia, however, were held in place, looking out at the approaching swarm.


    Trillia watched as her mother moved calmly and gracefully forward, various weapons appearing in her hands. Amara tossed each into the air, where the hung in the air for a few seconds before taking on a faint red glow. The swarm hadn''t moved. Frozen in place like Trillia and Amelia were. Amara raised her hands to the sides. The weapons then seemed to take on a life of their own.


    It took seven seconds. Trillia counted. Seven seconds from when she was immobilized, to when every single [Megapede] was dead. Except for one small level twenty-seven child. Amara''s weapons flew, two-by-two, back into Amara''s waiting hands, where they simply vanished again. Most of them had been spears or swords. Amara turned back to the two young girls. Trillia noticed that her mother''s eyes held a bright red glow, full of mana.


    As the glow faded, Amara motioned for them to step forward. They felt the pressure of her aura vanish. They both heard a screech as the baby megapede saw the carnage around it and knew it was going to die. A primal fear had gripped it.


    "Kill it quickly, lest its rage forces an early evolution."


    The two girls hesitated for a second, a mistake they''d suffer for. Despite looking like a centipede, they did not fight like them. The [Megapede] rolled up into a ball and flew at them, at speeds the girls didn''t think possible. They dived out of the way at the last second, off balance and not on their feet. The megapede unrolled rapidly, using that momentum to swing its head at Amelia.


    Another difference, Trillia noticed, was that it didn''t have just normal feet. Even this ''baby'' was nearly thirty feet long, dozens of feet that ended in that could only be described as daggers. Amara''s voice cut through the panic.


    "It''s closer to being an adult than I thought! Watch out for acid!"


    As if on cue, the head that was aimed at Amelia spewed a greenish-yellow viscous liquid out. Amelia scrambled away best she could, and some of the liquid landed on her leg. Trillia nearly froze again at the scream of agony coming from her friend. She wanted nothing more than to curl up in a ball and let her mother handle it. But Trillia knew that wasn''t going to happen.


    This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "[Mentor''s Skill: Restorative Chant]!"


    As the flesh burned away, it was slowly mended by the spell. Trillia watched as Amelia got her feet under her, pulling her Minstrel''s Mallet out. Trillia quickly got to her feet, brandishing her rapier. Now that it was close to them, it didn''t roll up in a ball to speed at them. Instead, whenever it moved, a wave-like motion went through it''s body. Anytime it''s legs weren''t touching the ground, it was using the momentum of it''s movement to swing it''s dagger-like legs at the girls, even now a half dozen blades had been whipped out towards Amelia.


    Amelia brought her weapon above her head, swinging down at an angle toward the legs, slapping most of them aside. The attacks not completely parried were turned to glancing strikes by the force of the blow. As the megapede spun to attack Trillia, Amelia bellowed and with surprising speed, spun and slammed the hammer down on one of the legs, smashing the dagger deep into the ground with a sickening crunch.


    Trillia fared a little better. As the creature''s legs swung toward her, her small stature let her duck under most of them. The movement brought her toward the creature''s underbelly in a crouch. Pulling her right hand in, with her feet stable under her, she sprang up with her legs. Her right hand shot forward with the rapier. Her strike landed true, poking a small hole into the underside of the megapede''s carapace. A green liquid slowly oozed out.


    Trillia''s elation was immediately swept aside. The creature rose up before her, moving as if it was going to give her Alirast''s most deadly hug. She couldn''t help but let out a little squeak, trying to quickly hop backward. The creature used its lanky body to slam forward, three legs leaving slices in Trillia''s back. Now it was her turn to cry out in pain. The force of the blows was enough to knock her to the ground, and she quickly scrambled further away.


    Tears burned in her eyes, the feeling of warmth was deceptive with how much pain was on her back. She tried to use a restorative chant on herself, but couldn''t get the words out, couldn''t focus. Her vision blurred further, she could only run. She did, toward her best friend. Somewhere in all of it, she heard words, she couldn''t make out from where, or from who. But she felt another type of warmth flow through her, and the pain in her shoulder lessened.


    The two girls now stood side by side, both shaken and trembling. Amelia put her lips to the opening of her mallet and pushed out mana and air.


    You''re now under the effects of [Berserker''s Bane] for the next 5 minutes!


    Trillia didn''t take the time to look at what the skill did, Amelia had used it before when they were training for just this fight. Trillia''s nerves calmed almost immediately, and her vision cleared. The fear welling up inside her was quashed by the [Minstrel]''s skill. Their enemy peered down at them, mouth opening once more.


    This time the girls were ready. Both sprung to action, going opposite directions and quickly getting up close and to the sides of the creature. It couldn''t point its mouth directly down and to the side so quickly, so the acid sprayed the ground trailing towards Trillia. Trillia responded by stabbing her rapier forward in what looked like a gap in the chitin. Once more her efforts were rewarded with another small hole leaking precious lifeblood.


    Another sickening crunch from the other side, followed by another, then another, told Trillia that Amelia was breaking the thing''s legs quickly and easily. Once more, however, the two were taken by surprise. The creature lunged forward and away, most of its body lifting off the ground, causing its legs to shoot out to the sides. Both girls suffered a half dozen cuts as the creature landed in a roll, ending a solid ten feet away.


    The girls regrouped, using restorative chants on one another. Their hands were now slick with blood, making holding their weapons more difficult. Both had used about half of their stamina and thirty or so percent of their mana. Their health was nearly topped off. But their opponent barely seemed to register the damage it had taken.


    Trillia was the one to speak, breaking from Amelia and once more trying to pincer the creature.


    "No more healing, not unless we are below half."


    Amelia nodded before shouting back.


    "Less reactive dodging, more preemptive movements. If our stamina bottoms out we''re dead."


    The two girls closed in from each side. This time the creature tried to maneuver itself out of the pincer, but the girls kept the pressure on. Trillia came in with a series of rapid stabs. The megapede''s head was finally low enough to the ground for Trillia to strike it, her many thrusts aimed at the creature''s mouth, wanting to disable its acidic breath attack.


    Amelia had gotten behind the creature - as behind such a thing as you could get. Drawing a dagger she took a risk. jumping onto the creature''s body. She held the dagger in place between some of the chitinous plates, before taking her mallet and slamming it down. The creature''s movements made it difficult to do, however, and the strike wasn''t entirely true. The dagger slammed up to the hilt into the creature, but Amelia felt the bone in her thumb crack.


    Amelia''s body went slightly limp as the pain washed over her and she tumbled off the side of the creature. Trillia saw Amelia fall, and worry shot across her face. Four daggers slashed across her chest, one across her face, as she hesitated seeing her friend in such a sorry state. The force of the attack threw Trillia backward. Her health had gone from nearly full, to about ten percent in that one attack. Pain threatened to swallow her whole.


    Her vision blurred, her mind raced with a million thoughts, and she could feel her life draining away by the second. Her chest visibly heaved with every breath as her heart pumped in fear, causing the blood to flow even more freely than before. Trillia tried to draw in a breath to steady herself, but the action only caused more pain, more agony. Little orc hands dug into the dirt, slowly pushing herself to her knees, choking out a restorative chant. It only prolonged the inevitable. Trillia''s eyes came into focus to see a river of her own blood flowing toward the creature.


    She wanted to scream for help. She wanted to ask the others to jump in. Why wasn''t her mother helping them? They had obviously lost. Trillia watched as three of the dagger-like legs slashed across Amelia''s back, drawing another agonized cry from her best friend and mentor. The pain was too much for the minotaur to bare, and her weapon fell to the ground.


    Trillia tried to summon courage, she tried to push herself forward, and slowly one wobbly leg found footing. Pushing a frame far too small for such a heavy fight to bear, further up. Her right hand groped at the dirt around her before it found her rapier''s hilt. She wouldn''t let Amelia die. Trillia didn''t understand why her mother wasn''t helping, or why the others weren''t helping. A glance at the side showed her mother standing there, arms crossed, a stoic expression on her face. Mort was doubled over as if something had struck him in the stomach. Fear crept into the back of Trillia''s little mind. No one was coming to help them.

 Chapter 12 Victory?

    There was so much pain. [Berserker''s Bane] and [Warband Chant] were the only reason Trillia could even think. Standing on wobbly legs after monumental effort, she took her first step. That was a mistake apparently. The jolt of pain threatened to knock her out. Her mana had bottomed out, slowly trickling back up, not enough for another restorative chant. Her health slowly dwindled, probably the wounds that were still bleeding.


    Still. She took another step, trying to steady herself as her mother had taught her, trying to fight through it. For the first time in all her short life, she didn''t want to be an orc. Not if this pain is what it meant. Not if it meant being left to be torn to shreds. Trillia''s breath caught in her throat as she watched the [Megapede] swing it''s body to the side two of its dagger-like legs aimed at Amelia. Amelia was on the ground, barely breathing herself, tears streamed down her cheeks.


    Amelia''s snout opened in a scream, as the daggers found purchase in a raised arm. Trillia felt the mana dump from the six or so feet away she was. Amelia''s scream grew louder and louder. It took on form and grew more focused. Amelia aimed the now cone-like scream at the creature. It wasn''t just a scream, it was infused with Amelia''s sonic mana. The creature was visibly pushed back, fighting to slowly push its weapons toward the now howling minotaur.


    Trillia gripped her rapier in both hands, closing her eyes a moment to steel herself. Her mother had said she''d save them if they were going to die. Amelia hadn''t given up yet, neither would Trillia. With a roar of her own, she charged forward. The first step was agony, the next...not so much. As she opened her eyes they had stopped shimmering with that beautiful blue. Instead, both glowed with a crimson hue that matched her skin. They looked much alike Amara''s had when she was using her abilities.


    Trillia ran forward. The pain was somehow gone. Notifications flashed in her mind, quickly dismissed. They weren''t important right now. Right now, saving Amelia and killing her enemy were important.


    As Trillia neared the creature, she felt an endless well of mana within her body. It called to her, begged her to unleash it on her enemy. Trillia''s first thought was to borrow Amelia''s [Restorative Chant] to try and heal the two. But the mana inside her refused to listen, refused to be used for such defensive means. Trillia surrendered to the call of the mana within.


    Her vision blurred, her arms and legs moved as if possessed. Trillia knew not what she was doing, but she felt the rapier stab into something, felt her arm moving chaotically. But it was a controlled chaos. Her vision became sharp and clear, clearer than it ever had before. Looking towards the tip of her rapier she saw the rune for [Focus] carved into the creature''s chitinous plating. The rune glowed the same red hue as her eyes.


    Instincts took over - or the system. Trillia didn''t know where one ended and the other began. She had no idea how she knew what to do, but she did. The system said she did, her brain said she did. Several more runes were carved into chitin.


    [Weaken]


    [Burn]


    [Poison]


    Trillia didn''t understand this placement of runes. It was similar to what she had read on enchanting. But why had the rune for focus sharpened her senses, not the monster''s? Why were these other runes very obviously hurting the creature? Still, Trillia felt the endless mana. She risked looking at the resources available to her on her status screen. Her resolve wavered.


    Health: -337/280


    Stamina: -110/140


    Mana: -2771/260


    Trillia knew she was on a timer. One of the skill notifications must have been more important than she thought. Trillia pushed the fear and doubt out of her mind. Instead, she leaned further into the flow of mana. Amelia managed to get out from under the [Megapede]. She was now using her mallet in concert with her howling.


    In the next ten seconds, the creature was covered in another half dozen runes. It had stopped moving three seconds ago. Another notification had dinged in the minds of both girls, but neither seemed to notice. They continued to cut and hammer. Once the creature''s head was a pile of mush separated from its body, did they both finally stop. Trillia fell to the ground, her body began to convulse. All of the pain caught up to her. In the midst of the skill she hadn''t noticed the new wounds.


    But her body hadn''t healed, it hadn''t forgotten.


    Health: -781/280


    Stamina: -309/140


    Mana: -4301/260


    Everything felt so heavy. Trillia lay there, unable to control her limbs. Her short - but mostly happy - life flashed through her mind. Vaguely, she was aware that someone was calling her name. But she no longer had vision. Her body felt warm and heavy, she knew not whether it was blood or some pitiful attempt to heal all the damage done.


    The last thing Trillia felt, was a cold liquid falling onto her body. As if the clouds had split open and blessed her with a reprieve before death. Trillia didn''t know why she was so aware of the seconds passing, but it had been twenty-four seconds since she had first felt that endless surge of mana within. Instinctively she knew she only had a few seconds left, before this awareness would fade. Before the world would crash into her. Trillia closed eyes which no longer gave vision. She reveled in the feel of the cool liquid, surrendering to the darkness that beckoned.


    -=- Some Time Later -=-


    Everything still felt so heavy. It hurt to move, it hurt to breathe. Pain was good. Was the thought that flowed unbeckoned through her mind. Pain reminded her that she could feel it and that she was alive. But how? Trillia remembered laying in a puddle of her own blood, remembered the feeling of her insides being torn and ripped out. How could she possibly be alive?


    With great effort, Trillia forced her eyelids open. No vision came to her. She managed a light groan. A familiar hand squeezed her own. Trillia became aware of the death grip the [Minstrel] had on her hand. Trillia didn''t mind. The pain reminded her that she was alive. She wanted to ask what was happening. Wanted to look at her status to see how she was possibly alive. But Trillia couldn''t muster the fortitude to even do such a basic mental task.


    Once more darkness beckoned.


    Once more Trillia answered.


    -=- Some More Time Later -=-


    Trillia was aware she was no longer being moved. The first time she had woken up, she felt Amelia''s hand swaying as if walking next to her. Now she felt the comfortable furs under her. A warm fire next to her. The smell of cooking lovax meat called to her. Tried to convince her to wake from her deep slumber and eat. It all felt so....needless. Trillia just wanted to go back to sleep, to embrace the darkness and the warmth of dreamless rest. So she did.


    -=- And Finally -=-


    This time she woke with a groan. Eyes fluttering open to darkness. The physical pain was mostly gone. But the exhaustion certainly wasn''t. Trillia sat in a bed of furs. She was aware she didn''t know what creatures the furs came from. Since the Lovax had no pelts to speak of. A question to ask someone later. Sniffing the air, she could tell someone was cooking something outside.


    She rolled to her side to stand. Pain shot through every single centimeter of her being. She let out a little squeak and collapsed back the several inches she had managed to move.


    Ok. The physical pain was still there as well apparently. As long as she didn''t move, or breathe too heavily. Blinking was also sometimes a bad idea. Trillia surrendered and went back to laying very, very still. She tried to speak, to call out, but her body made no sound. Deciding to try and be productive, she brought the notifications in her mind forward. It was a notification she hadn''t seen before. It hummed a deep green. Most notifications had been a soft warm blue.


    [Infant Megapede] Level 27 defeated!


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.Experienced greatly increased for defeating an impossible enemy!


    This was the first encounter that you were not carried through. Would you like an explanation of how experience is awarded?


    Trillia froze. Right. The fight. The blood. Amelia''s shredded form, defiantly screaming as she swung her weapon. The pain all made sense again, her appetite vanished as she remembered the pain and all the blood. A few tears threatened to escape her eyes and as she let them, the waterworks began. Everything hit her all at once.


    She had felt entirely hopeless and thought she was going to die. That Amelia was going to die. That somehow, her mother had decided she didn''t want some useless [Runt]. Trillia could only sob. She wanted to curl up in a ball. But even attempting that was agony. She never wanted to experience that sort of helpless, hopeless feeling ever again.


    Despite being only three and a half. Trillia swore that if she ever had children of her own, she wouldn''t torture them like that. Wouldn''t force them to fight and be torn apart. She still didn''t understand why her mother had. If this was what orcs were, maybe Trillia wouldn''t have children ever.


    -=- A Few Hours Later -=-


    The tears finally stopped. Trillia lay there in silence, stomach grumbling at her to eat something. Trillia argued with it that the pain of hunger was slightly less annoying than the sheer agony of moving anything more than a hair. Her vision had returned, at least something close to vision. It was a blurry mess but she could make out shapes.


    Unspoken prayers were answered apparently as someone walked into the tent. Something smelled simply divine. Trillia heard someone move next to her. It was Amelia. Trillia imagined the [Minstrel] had a big, bright smile on her face. Trillia immediately felt more at ease. Her lips parted and she tried to speak, but words still refused to find their way out.


    Amelia placed a hand on her shoulder. Raising her other to shake her hand. Both hands moved to hold a cup with liquid in it, and one moved to slowly help Trillia''s head move up. It was a deep, dark red liquid. It felt ice cold, uncomfortably so. Still, Trillia took a long deep drink of it. The pain from moving seemed to lessen immediately. Her vision improved a little more. Amelia placed the cup back on the tray, pulling out a notepad, it had some writing on it.


    ''You cannot speak. You cannot hear. The wounds are healing slowly.''


    Amelia then turned to a fresh page, setting it next to Trillia''s right hand. Gently putting a stick of charcoal in the same hand. Closing the fingers slowly and softly. Trillia began to respond. The motion didn''t hurt all that much. But it almost felt as if she couldn''t remember how to use her hand. It took her a few minutes to scribble out three simple words.


    ''Are you ok?''


    Amelia looked at the response, tears forming in both of their eyes. Amelia squeezed Trillia''s hand gently. Letting go she wrote a response, trying in vain to blink the tears away. Once more it was held in front of Trillia''s face.


    ''That wasn''t my first time facing death. I didn''t lose anyone this time. I will be ok. Now that you''re awake. I will try to stay by your side.''


    Trillia nodded weakly, slowly moving her hand up to grab onto Amelia''s. The two sat there like that for a long time, before a loud growl from Trillia''s stomach interrupted them. Trillia couldn''t hear it, but the look on Amelia''s face said the girl had laughed. Trillia managed a little smile.


    Eating was proving a difficult task. It hurt to swallow, and chewing seemed beyond her capabilities. Thankfully the food Amelia brought, was some sort of thick broth. It smelled like slowly seared meat and tasted somewhat smoky. But could be drunk as if it were just thick water. Once Trillia had eaten her fill and drank the rest of whatever potion had been brought to her, Amelia wrote she''d drop off the dishes and return shortly. As she left, Trillia''s smile faded.


    Trillia wanted to put on a strong and brave face for her friend. The words she read rang through her little mind. Trillia reminded herself that Amelia had lost her home to those creatures. Or creatures like them. Had watched her mother be killed by them. Trillia admired her friend''s bravery and wondered how she didn''t just curl up into a ball and cry. Trillia wanted to be strong like that. Wanted to be strong for Amelia. She''d confront her mother at some point. But right now? Trillia didn''t think she could see her mother without getting angry and sad.


    Trillia knew, deep down, that her mother was the only reason both girls weren''t dead. She had seen the alchemists and herbalists heal people before. The wounds Trillia had were well beyond what simple skills could do. Maybe a skill Mort had? No. No, from everything she remembered hearing about her mother, her mother had done something.


    She wanted a distraction. She didn''t want to think about the fight, the blood, or the pain. So she went through some of her many notifications. She had made the mistake before of ignoring some of her notifications. And hadn''t realized she had gained levels when she had been training with her mother. She didn''t want to repeat that mistake.


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 4 -> Level 8


    Subspecies: [Orc-Adolescent:Runt] Level 3 -> Level 7


    Trillia''s eyes went a little wide at that. She was pretty sure she had been on the cusp of leveling with all of the assistance she had given during the fighting with the warband. As well as all the general skills she had leveled and acquired. Even so. That had been a lot of levels for a single creature. She kept reading.


    Racial Skill: [Orc Tenacity] Level 0 obtained!


    [Orc Tenacity] Level 0 -> Level 2


    [Orc Tenacity]:


    This skill can only be acquired by facing an impossible enemy. This skill activates when the creature is on the cusp of dying. Orc Tenacity allows an orc to continue fighting long past the ability of their flesh. Orc Tenacity activates when your Health reaches 0. You may continue fighting for a number of seconds equal to your [Brawn]. You continue to take damage normally. Instead of stopping at 0, your resources go into the negatives. At the end of Orc Tenacity, you are exhausted for a number of days equal to the number of seconds you fought using this skill -5% per level. You may end this skill early if you wish. If your Health is still below 0 when this skill ends, you immediately die. Healing is reduced by 75% (-3% per level.) while this skill is active. All skills take double the mana while this skill is active. All actions requiring Stamina, take double Stamina while this skill is active. Skills that do not normally require Stamina, require Stamina while this skill is active.


    Trillia read through the rather lengthy skill description several times to make sure she understood it. Then she read through it a couple more times, trying to figure out how it was limited by [Runt]. A grin spread on her lips. An orc skill! One that wasn''t limited or disabled by [Runt]! Well. She supposed it sort of was, since her [Brawn] would only be half that of another orc, one with equivalent stats. Still, she was happy.


    That skill must have been the endless mana she felt available to her. The system knew defense was useless while the skill was active. Any healing would take so much mana it wouldn''t be entirely worth it. Better to overwhelm your opponent with a terrifying offense and try to heal up with potions after the fact.


    It still didn''t explain why she wasn''t dead. Trillia thought to herself to ask Amelia when she returned.


    ''Let''s see, what else is there?'' She thought to herself.


    Conditions for a Specialized Class have been met!


    {To unlock class options, raise Species or Subspecies to level 10}


    Conditions for a Specialized Class have been met!


    {To unlock class options, raise Species or Subspecies to level 10}


    Conditions for a Specialized Class have been met!


    {To unlock class options, raise Species or Subspecies to level 10}


    Well, that was annoying. Not even a little peak? Just a tiny hint of what was available?


    Trillia remembered the system asking her if she wanted an explanation of experience. She had some time before Amelia returned.


    ''A short explanation, please.'' Trillia was still going to be polite to the system, it had done a lot of heavy lifting in that fight and basically saved her life and Amelia''s life.


    Experience and You! (The short and simple version.)


    Experience is awarded to your Species and Subspecies whenever a class gains experience, whenever you defeat an enemy, whenever you learn a new skill, and whenever you level a skill.


    For a formulaic outline, please ask for such. Experience is calculated based on a number of things. For defeating enemies, add your Species, Subspecies, and any Combat classes you have together. If you have two combat classes. Divide the result by 4, if you have one combat class, divide by 3, and if you have no combat classes, divide by 2. The result is the minimum level an enemy can be, and still grant you normal experience, this is known as your Derived Level.


    For every factor above your level an enemy is, experience is muliplied by 1.5x. For every factor below your level an enemy is, experience is multiplied by 0.75x. A factor is equal to your level. For instance, if your Derived Level is 3 and an enemy is level 9, it is considered 2 factors ahead of you. So the experience for defeating it would be multiplied by 1.5x, then multiplied by 1.5x again.


    You gain less or more experience based on your party composition and your place within it. More people means less experience. Fewer people means more experience. You will not gain experience if a member of your party is 5 or more factors above your Derived Level. In the previous example, this would mean if a member of your party was level 18, you would gain no experience for combat encounters, in which they participated.


    There are some exceptions to this rule, would you like a more in-depth explanation?


    ''No...no thank you.''


    That was the short and simple version?! Trillia could feel a headache swelling. She wondered just how much information the system would have dumped on her, had she asked for the normal version, or worse yet, a detailed version. Trillia wondered why her mother watching over them hadn''t counted as a party member. Maybe because she didn''t interfere in the fight at all? Maybe because during the fight Trillia thought she had abandoned her?


    Trillia swept all of the thoughts jumbling in her little brain aside when Amelia finally walked back into the tent. She would try to remember to read the rest of the notifications later.

 Chapter 13 Trauma

    -=- Three Weeks Later -=-


    In those three weeks, Trillia remembered to check through the rest of her notifications and skill level ups.


    General Skill: [Basic Mana Regeneration] Level 1 -> Level 3


    General Skill: [Rapier Mastery] Level 2 -> Level 3


    General Skill: [Basic Universal Mana Manipulation] Level 1 -> Level 3


    General Skill: [Basic Scan] Level 6 -> Level 8


    General Skill: [Basic Herbalism] Level 0 Obtained!


    General Skill: [Basic Herbalism] Level 0 -> Level 1


    It took a week for Trillia to be able to speak and hear again. It took another two weeks - even with healing and potions - to be able to stand and move around somewhat normally. Lurog had come in to heal her one day and explained that it was safer to heal over time, as using magic or potions to rapidly mend severe internal injuries could lead to a status effect called [Healing Sickness] basically something that came about from drinking too many alchemical healing potions.


    Depending on the source of mana, healing magic was an option. But it could still lead to sickness. More so if the mana used to power the healing spells was not the same as the recipient''s mana manipulation capabilities. All of this led to Trillia thinking she really wanted to pick up some powerful internal healing magics of her own. Apparently, while [Restorative Chant] would fill your health and stop you from dying or bleeding out. It did almost nothing for the pain from the wounds and didn''t always mend the flesh back together properly.


    Amara had asked - through Amelia - if Trillia wanted to see or speak to her or Varga. Trillia had declined every time during her recovery. Amelia also informed Trillia, that she had been unconscious for nearly a month after the battle. Now, nearing the two-month mark since her first real encounter, Trillia stepped outside.


    The sun seemed blinding after so long in the tent. Trillia moved slowly, not wanting to tear anything or bring back any pain. Truth be told, she also just wasn''t in a rush to get anywhere. Today''s epic quest was to get from her bed to the cooking fire outside. Then, maybe if she was feeling extra adventurous, she''d go to the wash basin inside, instead of using just a wet cloth to clean herself.


    She stepped fully out and slowly made her way to the campfire, a massive ten feet away. Cheers erupted from the adults who were in the area. The sudden sound startled Trillia. Part of her mind was thrown back into the fight by the shock. Her brain worked overtime to calm itself down. To remind her she was in camp and that she was safe. Trillia put on a little smile for the cheers. Wanting to be polite. To seem strong and brave.


    Amelia followed close behind, making sure she didn''t fall. The two sat in front of the cooking fire. The sun was a couple hours from setting. Dinner was being prepared. The smell of the herbs and fresh meat made Trillia''s stomach rumble. A comfortable familiar feeling settled over her. A few of the older veteran warriors of their tribe approached her. Putting a gentle hand on her shoulder, offering words of encouragement. Letting her know that the panic and the nightmares didn''t last long.


    Many people congratulated her as they walked by. Trillia had passed the first real test of being an orc. Part of her was full of pride. It seemed like everyone saw her in a different light. No longer was she the [Runt] that needed to be protected or pampered. Now she was a young warrior in training. Now she was a real orc. Trillia and Amelia ate slowly. As the food hit her stomach, Trillia felt a lot more alive. A lot more energetic.


    "Will you help me find mother and father?"


    Amelia nodded. Both of them knew that was going to be a hard first encounter. Amelia spoke softly.


    "She''s been crying a lot, you know. I''ve been eavesdropping when I''m near. Father says it''s common in orc tribes. For the mothers to be so terrified after the first encounter. On the cusp of losing their child to a misstep."


    The two ate in silence. A few minutes later Amelia spoke once more.


    "I''m just saying Trillia. Don''t be to angry with her....don''t say anything you might regret, if you aren''t given the time to take it back."


    Trillia paused eating now. Looking at her friend. Trillia felt as if there was more to that statement, but she couldn''t piece it together. Once they had finished, Trillia washed their plates. Mostly wanting to push some mana through her body after the recovery. Filling the basin with water and heating it with another rune.


    The two slowly made their way through the camp. Most orcs who passed gave Trillia a big smile and a nod, others patted her head gently, telling her she had done a good job. Finally, they arrived at the tent her parents called their own. Trillia hadn''t recognized the part of camp she had woken in. Amelia knocked on one of the poles bracing the tent.


    Within seconds Varga''s head popped out, his voice preceding it.


    "Is something wrong with Tril-"


    His voice caught as he saw his daughter standing there. Slowly he stepped fully out, kneeling in front of Trillia. There was no crushing hug, no tears. But an understanding. An understanding that only orcs could truly appreciate. Varga spoke calmly.


    "I''m glad you''re doing better, Trillia. You are free to talk to us when you''re ready to have that conversation. If you don''t think you can manage it today I.... no, we will underst-"


    Once more, he was cut off as Trillia''s arms wrapped around his neck. Trillia found herself crying yet again. This time there wasn''t any shame in it though. Her mother had told her most warriors had a good cry after the fact, and while this might be Trillia''s third or fourth after the battle. It was also the first time she had felt truly safe. She knew her father wouldn''t let anything happen to her.


    Amelia gave her shoulder a little squeeze before giving them time alone. After a few long, warm minutes. Trillia pulled away. Varga smiled at her.


    "Do you want to see her? She''s been worried sick about you."


    Trillia looked past him, towards the flap of the tent. She was scared. Scared she''d never trust her mother again. Scared she wouldn''t feel safe in her mother''s arms. She was scared that anytime she saw her mother, she''d see the same stoic uncaring face she had during the battle. Trillia''s little hands trembled on her father''s shoulders. More tears welled up in her eyes.


    She wanted to be brave. Wanted to be strong. She managed a weak little nod. Varga stood and took her hand, leading her to the tent and pulling aside the tent flap. Amara was there, in the center of the tent, kneeling. Trillia could easily see that her mother had been crying, and could see the anxiety in her form. Her mother was always so strong. So sure of every move that she made. To see Amara so shaken, scared Trillia. As she looked at her mother, the battle flashed in her mind. The stoic uncaring Chieftain was before her, the giant creature loomed behind her, threatening to tear her and Amelia apart again.


    Trillia closed her eyes and felt warm liquid running down her leg. She did the only thing that made sense to her in that moment. She fled. She ran as fast as her feet could take her. Her heart threatened to burst from her chest with its heaving. She ignored the people calling out to her, ignored the choked-off sob from her mother as she began her flight. Trillia didn''t stop until she was in the tent that she had been healing in. Grabbing some furs and curling up in the corner.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    It took her hours to calm down. Trillia kept her eyes open, focusing on the fire. Whenever she closed them, all she could see was the [Megapede] and Amelia''s torn and battered form.


    Slowly she rocked herself back and forth. As the tent flap opened, she froze. Her mind and body telling her to flee, to run and find safety and shelter. Amelia''s smooth voice cut through the tension and anxiety.


    "Be at peace, find rest. [Peaceful Slumber]"


    Trillia''s eyelids suddenly felt very heavy. All of the tension and panic escaped her body. Her old friend darkness came calling, this time she had no choice but to answer.


    -=- Several Hours Later -=-


    Trillia shot up in her bed. The imagery of her being eaten and torn apart while still alive and screaming because of her new skill rapidly fled her mind. The nightmare had broken through the remnants of Amelia''s spell. Trillia was covered in sweat, looking around to find the tent empty. It was dark outside now. Trillia didn''t feel safe.


    She wrapped one of the furs around her shoulders, slipping out of the tent. The camp was much quieter at night. A few hushed conversations here and there. Trillia knew where she wanted to go, her feet silently padding along toward a tent she used to play in quite a lot before the minotaurs had come.


    Trillia slipped inside, making her way to the body covered in furs. That was odd, there were two bodies now. Still, Trillia put a small hand on a shoulder gently pushing.


    "Tormash."


    "Tormash. Please wake up."


    Speaking softly so as not to wake the other person. Slowly her brother rolled over to look at her. Deep green eyes peered at her. Tormash was her favorite brother, he didn''t pick on her for being a runt as Ralrouk did. Trillia could see the other person stir next to him. A soft feminine voice cut the silence in the air.


    "Is that you, little Trillia?"


    Trillia recognized the voice. It was from a female Shaman. A rather powerful one, from what the warriors had said. Tormash blinked a few times before sitting up and staring down at Trillia. Her brothers had gotten the height from both parents. Tormash was only nineteen. He''d grow for a few more years, and already he was nearing eight feet. Trillia thought that he might get taller than many of the minotaurs that had come to camp with them.


    "Having a hard time, after your first fight?"


    Tormash''s deep, gravelly voice soothed her. He was very popular in the tribe. Not only was he an incredible warrior, but his edge was only apparent on the battlefield. When he was at home, at rest. He went out of his way to help others, to teach more inexperienced warriors. Before she had grown so close to Amelia, Trillia had often spent her days trying to track down Tormash. Which was rather difficult. Since he wasn''t in the camp often.


    Trillia nodded at his words, speaking softly.


    "Sorry to bother you. I just...I didn''t feel safe."


    Large, dark blue arms wrapped around her. Easily lifting her and placing her on a knee. A mighty yawn escaped Tormash.


    "That''s ok. I had nightmares for a week after my first kill. Ba''Shoon, will you help her clean up? I''ll get some food started."


    The female next to him nodded. Offering Trillia a warm smile. The woman stood, furs fell to reveal a very curvaceous teal-skinned orc. But she didn''t seem small like many Shamans did. No, Ba''Shoon was easily seven feet. Her body was composed of the same chiseled muscle that Amara had. Hands came down and scooped under Trillia''s arms.


    "Ready little one? Let''s get you washed up. Then we can talk about it, ok?"


    Trillia then remembered she had wet herself, cheeks flushed with embarrassment, offering a nod. The woman lifted her easily, carrying her to the side of a rather spacious tent. Setting her down into a large wash basin that was rapidly filling with water. Twenty minutes or so later, Trillia was nice and clean. Ba''Shoon helped her dry off and wrapped a fur around her. Letting her out of the basin, the woman used the remaining water to begin washing Trillia''s soiled clothes.


    The smell of stew filled the tent. Ba''Shoon''s voice pulled Trillia''s attention away from the food.


    "So, I''d heard you returned. What did you fight, for your first battle?"


    Trillia was quickly warming up to the woman. There was no judgment, only a genuine curiosity. Trillia also saw the way Tormash looked at the woman. It was the same way her father looked at her mother.


    "It was a megapede. The system said it was an infant and that it was level twenty-seven."


    This had been the first time she was really talking about the fight, somehow though. Somehow she felt safe here.


    "Twenty-seven? That''s nearly an adult. Did it have its acid attack yet?"


    Trillia nodded, kneeling next to the basin and helping clean her clothes.


    "It didn''t use it a lot. It mostly..."


    Her voice quaked, and a shiver ran through her as she remembered the fight. Ba''Shoon wrapped an arm around her, squeezing her gently.


    "Go ahead. I won''t let anything happen to you."


    Trillia nodded, taking a moment to steady herself.


    "It mostly attacked us with its legs. It was so fast. I could barely hurt it at first. A lot of my strikes seemed to just slip off."


    The shaman continued washing out the clothes. Once satisfied, she used another rune to drain the water. Motioning for Trillia to stay at her side, hanging the now wet and wrung-out clothes near the fire.


    "I struggled a lot with mine. I also fought a megapede. Mine wasn''t nearly as high a level as yours was though. Shamans aren''t very good at solo combat."


    Trillia listened to her words, sitting between Ba''Shoon and Tormash. As the latter passed her a bowl of warm soup.


    "You had to fight yours all alone?"


    The shaman nodded. Tormash spoke up as she did.


    "Most orcs are forced to fight their first encounter alone. But most of us are also at a higher level, so it''s not quite as dangerous. That said, you should be proud. I don''t think I''ve heard of anyone in our tribe fighting such a high-level creature, as their first real encounter. Even if you weren''t alone, the level difference is enough to warrant multiple people. The acid from megapedes is no joke."


    Trillia sipped some of her soup. Feeling warm and safe. Listening to her brother talk, helped. Helped remind her she was in camp, she was safe. She didn''t understand why she couldn''t just tell her brain to forget the fight. To forget all the bad stuff. She didn''t really want to remember. After a few seconds of silence, Trillia looked at Tormash.


    "Why are we forced to do this?"


    Tormash looked down at her, a smile on his face. Leaning over he kissed her forehead, putting an arm around her shoulders.


    "Well. You got [Orc Tenacity] right?"


    Trillia nodded. Tormash continued.


    "Before all the tribes started to gather here, with the minotaurs. We used to roam the Shattered Plains. Mom is pretty good about keeping the peace. But tribes would sometimes still fight and attack each other. Also, when you travel through the green sea of the eastern forest. The one that separates the shattered plains from the human lands beyond. The tribe is put in danger. In both instances children are targetted first."


    Trillia listened intently. She wanted to know why orc life was this way. Why children had to endure such things.


    "Most of our enemies target our young. Because if all of the children are dead, the tribe will die a slow death. Seems a bit odd that we put our young in such danger. But the reason is the skill itself. For most orc children, tenacity means you have a minute or two where you cannot die. In battle, even a few seconds are precious. The practice of forcing children into impossible battles early on was to ensure they had tenacity early. Usually, you fight alone at level six or seven. After older warriors hold down bigger enemies for you to finish off to get to that level."


    "The system withholds most of the experience. Due to the level difference. But because of our passives, some of the boosted experience gets through, letting children level somewhat safely up to six or seven. After that, we are forced to fight alone to get tenacity. It also usually gets us to level ten, for our class. This way if the tribe comes under attack, the children can survive any attack, as long as the entire tribe isn''t wiped out. I don''t think it will work as well, with the scorned debuff we have that limits our healing."


    Trillia thought on what she was told for a few seconds, trying to process it all. Sipping the last of her soup. Ba''Shoon filled the silence.


    "[Divinity Scorned] is a unique debuff. Even healing through tenacity with its debuff, I''ve never felt my healing be so weak and ineffective as it has been with this new debuff. That''s also why it took you so long to heal. Normally one or two potions of regeneration would be enough. But with the debuff, the amount of potion we''d have to give you would surely poison you."


    "Small wounds and cuts have been fairly easy to heal. But serious wounds have needed time to heal naturally, in addition to healing magics. Couple that with the fact no one else in the tribe has Universal manipulation. To put it simply, the only reason we weren''t more worried, is because of Chieftain Amara''s skill."


    Trillia perked up at that, tilting her head in confusion.


    "What skill does mom have?"


    Tormash gave a heavy sigh.


    "Tell you what, little one, why don''t you sleep here tonight. In the morning, you can help me with breakfast, and I can answer all those questions and more, ok?"


    Trillia nodded, realizing she had woken them up from a peaceful slumber. It didn''t take long to clean up from their midnight snack. Soon she found herself sleeping in a little pile of her own furs near the fire, her brother and the shaman woman back in bed snoring away. Trillia settled into sleep, feeling a little less apprehensive.

 Chapter 14 A Nice Dress

    -=- The Next Day -=-


    Trillia had only woken in a panic twice, and only once did she wake with a scream. There had to be something in the constant healing magic that had kept the nightmares away because she wasn''t suffering from them during her healing process. Trillia stretched slowly, making sure not to do anything too sudden. Her brain told her to beware of pain, even if the shamans had told her she was fine now.


    Blinking the sleep from her eyes for a few minutes after her stretch, she took in her surroundings. Tormash''s tent wasn''t the standard layout for warriors or scouts. There were books stacked on neatly made shelves. The ground inside wasn''t packed dirt. It felt like some sort of worked stone. Trillia didn''t know what kind.


    A thought occurred. Staring intently at the stone, she spoke the words in her mind.


    ''[Basic Scan]''


    [Granite] [Modified]


    So it was granite. It was a word the minotaurs used often. Evidently it was a hard stone, something good for buildings and roads. Trillia didn''t quite understand that. All stone was hard, at least to her. She figured it had to be a scale of some kind. Maybe some stone was harder than others. With granite being really strong. She briefly wondered what the soft stone would be, what it might feel like. Realization hit that she was getting distracted again. A problem she often had. Her eyes went back to scanning the room.


    There were several large chests, some made of wood, some made of stone. A few were made of intricately carved and pieced-together Lovax shells. Trillia stood. The tent was easily twenty-five feet from any two ends. A few curtains were hung at various places, perhaps to give some privacy or keep areas separate. One of the closed curtains opened, and Ba''Shoon stood there, a smile on her face.


    The woman wasn''t without clothes, as she had been last night. The dress she wore was covered in delicately sewn runes. The fabric itself was a deep, rich red. She had heard the color described before as mahogany. The runes were a teal color, the same as her skin. Various line work that seemed to hug the woman''s curves were a rich golden color, the same color as Ba''Shoon''s eyes. Trillia found herself staring at the woman for a long time. The woman''s voice shook her from her rude behavior.


    "Is everything ok, Trilia?"


    The little girl nodded. A dozen questions flew into her mind all at once, as they always did.


    "Where is brother?"


    Ba''Shoon kneeled next to her, and the dress moved....weirdly. As if it wasn''t all there or it didn''t need to stretch. Trillia found herself staring at the dress once more, unable to meet the woman''s eyes.


    "He is out doing scout business for a few hours and will return before long. I can make you something to eat if you''re hungry. There is also leftover soup from this morning. Do you like my dress?"


    Ba''Shoon grinned as she saw Trillia''s fingers absent-mindedly moving to touch the runes. The woman stood once more and pointed out a series of runes on the left side of the dress.


    "These let me control the dress to some extent. I can make a slit in the side if I need to be faster, more active, or fight in it. I can also make it loose or shorten the skirt."


    Pointing to a few other runes now.


    "These slowly mend the dress over time, taking either the ambient mana in the air, or I can fuel it with my own mana. These ones let me change the color."


    There were so many utility runes. The complexity of the dress blew Trillia''s mind. It was probably the most elaborate piece of enchanted gear she had seen up close. Maybe her mother''s armor was more enchanted, but if so, all the runes were hidden. There were also dozens of runes to make the dress more resilient. Trillia felt that the dress was more durable than most non-magical armor she had seen.


    "Where did you get this? It''s so pretty. All the runes are so useful."


    Ba''Shoon''s grin grew a little wider, motioning for Trillia to follow. She quickly got the girl a small bowl of soup. Before going back into the curtained area, she had stepped out of. Trillia froze when she stepped inside. This area was easily as big as the rest of the tent. She ever so slowly stepped back out. From the outside of this little ''room,'' it should have only been a half dozen feet. But stepping inside, it was like another tent entirely.


    Ba''Shoon''s voice cured her confusion.


    "The answer to my workshop, as well as my dress, is the same. I''m a rather gifted enchantress and seamstress. It''s one of the reasons Tormash hasn''t introduced me to your mother yet, as his mate. Your mother...."


    The woman hesitated. Trillia knew the look and tone though. Very, very few orcs ever spoke against Amara. Amara had taken the orcs from wandering bands of savages and pillagers and united them as skilled hunters and guides for the Shattered Plains. From what Trillia had heard, they were still considered ''savage'' by most other races because of their own practices. But nothing like they had been. So it was difficult for orcs to speak against Amara because she had done so much for them.


    Trillia grabbed Ba''Shoon''s hand with both of her own, squeezing it gently.


    "I can tell you like Tormash. I can tell you respect Mom. You don''t have to hide stuff from me. There are a lot of orcs who aren''t happy we are staying in one place right now. They don''t tell Mom because they know she knows best. But it is still a worry. If you are worried, you should be honest about it. Dad has something he likes to say. Maybe it will help you as well."


    Trillia let go of Ba''Shoon''s hand, getting into her best papa stance, trying to make her voice as deep as possible - mostly failing miserably, much to Ba''Shoon''s amusement.


    "Trillia. A wise man once told me. Instead of worrying about what you cannot control, shift your energy to what you can create."


    Trillia relaxed the stance, a large smile on her face.


    "Then he''d ruffle my hair and we would eat."


    Almost as if on cue, she took a bite out of her soup, which she had switched to holding precariously in one hand while she was doing her impression. Ba''Shoon smiled warmly at the girl, moving to sit on a bench in her workshop, patting the seat next to her. Trillia tentatively joined her, still leery of the room itself.


    "Your father is a wise man himself. That''s very good advice."


    Trillia gently set her bowl next to her. Eyes now fixed on the workbench, she had to stand to see all of the table. There were dozens of gleaming tools. A bunch of oddly shaped glass circles held in place by metal bands. Tormash''s axe lay on the workbench. Ba''Shoon saw Trillia''s little eyes wandering all over everything.


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    "A lot of this stuff, is my own creations. I. "


    The woman paused again, trying to dance around her words or memories.


    "I had the opportunity in life to work under many different masters. I learned a lot from those experiences. I''m six years older than Tormash. I know that as the Chieftain''s son, and a very powerful warrior, he could choose any number of mates. But he chose me. I feel...I feel like I owe him something? Like I need to do and be better."


    Trillia thought that was silly. So silly in fact she couldn''t stop her mouth from spitting out words.


    "That''s dumb. You''re way prettier than most other women in the camp. You''re also really tall, and you look strong. Like Mama. Tormash pities weak people because life is harder for them. It''s why he always teaches me how to be strong so that I can take care of myself. I think he likes you because you''re strong and pretty. Besides, if you''re right. And he could choose anyone. He chose you. You should trust him."


    Ba''Shoon sat there, seeming a bit shocked. After a few minutes of Trillia looking at various equipment, Ba''Shoon spoke once more, breaking the silence.


    "You should keep listening to Tormash and your parents. You''re rather smart for your age. Maybe you are right. Maybe I don''t need to do or be better. I still want to be better for him though. So I''ll keep improving."


    Trillia offered her a smile, now standing next to the seated woman. The were finally eye to eye.


    "So, how did you get so good at enchanting? Grand Alchemist Mort and Elder Lurog told me I could learn, but it would take many, many years."


    "Well. It''s because of how your tribe views classes. Somewhat rightfully so. I''ve noticed that no one here utilizes non-combat classes. Everyone who cooks just has a really high general skill. Your herbalists aren''t actually utilizing herbalist or druidic classes. Everyone is some variation of warrior or shaman."


    That confused Trillia a bit. From her previous conversations, she was under the impression cooking wasn''t a class. In fact, it had been a rather big discussion with her parents and King Cordaos.


    "So there is a class called [Cook]?"


    Ba''Shoon tapped her fingers on the table.


    "Sort of? Sorry. I mean, there is. They make the cooking skill, a class skill. Their cooking gives various buffs, and they can make otherwise inedible food edible. The problem is most classes like that are extremely weak in combat. Many of them are completely incapable. In the Shattered Plains and orc society, someone who is only a cook would probably die very easily."


    Trillia stood there for a long time. Thinking back on the conversation with her parents. In their defense, they had said that Cordaos'' cooking wasn''t a class. They never strictly lied to her or told her there were no such classes. Trillia understood why they didn''t want her to take such a class as well. She was already weaker than most orcs. If she took a weak class, she''d just be a burden and die.


    "Is that the problem you have with mother?"


    Ba''Shoon nodded.


    "It is. Your mother is a great Chieftain. She has changed the world''s views on all orcs. The roving bands of pillagers and murderers are now seen as wild, uncivilized, and not the norm. While the more peaceful and reasonable tribes found here, in the Shattered Plains, are seen as the norm. But your mother has very strict views on classes. Perhaps because she''s had to spend so much of her life fighting, she doesn''t want her people to be seen as weak or taken advantage of."


    Trillia sat down as she listened to the woman. Finishing her soup. Once she was done, she turned her quizzical face towards the Shaman.


    "Why don''t people just take one non-combat class, early on? This way they get something useful, then they can do just combat."


    "That''s what I did. That''s what Tormash is doing now. The problem is that it still makes you susceptible to being attacked and killed while you are leveling a non-combat weak class. Most classes derived from general skills, such as cook or tailor, don''t give you stats when you level. So your species level rises, but you don''t have extra stats to offset the increased difficulty in leveling."


    Trillia was now wondering what the classes of the Alchemists were in the minotaur camp or the herbalists and shamans in her own camp. Was that just a title and not their class? If so, what were their actual classes? More and more questions filled her little brain. The upside is the trauma of the fight wasn''t resting on her shoulders at the moment. The downside is a headache was fast approaching.


    "Can you teach me how to enchant like you do?"


    Ba''Shoon immediately shook her head.


    "I''m afraid not. Getting your enchanting to the point mine is at, utilizing only a general skill and not an enchanting class, would take years. Mort and Lurog are correct in that assumption you''d have to take a non-combat class to do the same sort of enchanting that I do. I can help you learn how to enchant. From what I''ve heard of your fight. I also think I can help you improve your combat skills. Tormash and I spoke about it this morning, and we have some ideas we''d like to help you with. If you''re willing to learn from us."


    Trillia nodded excitedly, she liked learning, sometimes it gave her a headache, but the more she knew, the harder it was to be useless.


    The two sat there, chatting about runes. What they did, why Ba''Shoon chose to arrange them in the manner she did etc. A few hours later, the two heard movement in the main part of the tent, and both exited the workshop area to greet Tormash. Ba''Shoon offered him a smile as she moved up and gave him a kiss. Which he returned happily. Tormash now turned to Trillia.


    "I let Mom and Dad know you were staying with us for a little while. I also let your friend Princess Amelia know. I think her father has her busy for the next few days. I also took some time to set up a little area to do some rune training with you. Once you''re feeling up to it, of course."


    Trillia smiled and nodded.


    "I''m ready to learn whenever! I want to be a good enchanter like Ba''Shoon. This way I can have a small tent in the camp, but the inside is huge! Plus, maybe I can convince Mom to let me have a cooking class as well. Gosh, I also need to learn music. I have so many things I want to take as a class. How do you decide?"


    Tormash laughed at that, giving Ba''Shoon another kiss on the cheek before he moved over and patted Trillia on the head, grabbing a few things from chests as he prepared them to move out to do some training with her.


    "Well, my first class was a [Blood Berserker]. It''s uhhh. Hmmm. It''s a berserker that can also manipulate the blood around me. It was very useful for fighting. My second class was [Scout]. A class focused on speed, maneuverability, and surviving in the wilds. Hence why I''m one of the Scout Masters now. After that though, I''ll be honest. I just took stuff that seemed to synergize well with my primary class. My secondary class, I started going down a route I found called the [Naturalist]."


    "The [Naturalist] line of classes specialize in studying creatures, nature that sort of thing. Here. "


    Digging around in a pouch at his side for a moment before pulling out a leather tome. The thing should not have been able to fit into that bag. Trillia had seen storage items before, but the ones Tormash and Ba''Shoon used were quite fancy. Trillia tried to think about what her mother used to store all her weapons but had never seen any sort of bag or seen her mother reach into one. Trillia took the book carefully in her hands. The leather had been dyed the same dark green as Tormash''s eyes. Golden thread sewn into the binding.


    She opened the cover. Her eyes opened wide as the pictures inside actually moved. The first page was a [Lovax]. It was grazing with several of its kind, and after a few seconds, it showed the thing roll into a ball, both for a defensive maneuver as well as rapid movement over large flat open areas. The page next to it had a large list of stats, known skills, habits, and every other tidbit of information you might want to know. Trillia gently closed the book, her inner curiosity waging a mighty war within. Did she look ahead at all the cool things her brother had no doubt discovered or save those surprises for herself.


    "This is a very cool book. Is that all from the nature classes you''ve taken? The moving pictures and all?"


    Tormash nodded. When Trillia finally won the war of curiosity, he took the book back, placing it in its pouch on his side.


    "That''s correct. If I am recording anything about nature or the creatures that live in it, I can get extremely detailed information. Any drawing I write utilizes my mana to become something more. If you are ever tasked with fighting a dangerous creature, and you don''t mind the surprise being ruined. Let me know. I may have an entry on it."


    Trillia was happy that Tormash seemed to know exactly why she hadn''t looked at more creatures. Though, it was a bit odd that the lovax was first.


    "Why is the lovax the first entry? Cause you saw it first?"


    Tormash shook his head at that.


    "No, when I took the class, I was out scouting. This was back when I was eleven or twelve. I didn''t fully understand the skills. It let me get a lot of extra information on our enemies, which was nice. Once I got back to camp, I took a few days to study the lovax. The class filled me with an urge to write and record what I was seeing. That''s when I started the book."


    Trillia smiled and nodded at that. Another class and skill she was interested in learning. So much to do, so little time in the day. Tormash, seemingly ready, motioned for her to follow him and Ba''Shoon.


    "If you get overwhelmed or scared. Let us know ok? We''re going to push you, both as training and to help you overcome the trauma of your first hunt."


    Trillia took a deep breath and nodded. Running to catch up to him, she took his hand as he led them to the training area he had prepared.

 Chapter 15 Reprieve

    Trillia had been led to the outskirts of the camp. A few simple training dummies made of wood and rope had been set up. In addition, several large bricks were present. They seemed as though they were nothing more than increasingly large-sized cut bricks. Tormash probably had a minotaur pull them up from the ground and shape them. Minotaurs were quite adept with earth and stone manipulation once they were adults.


    Ba''Shoon moved to one of the medium-sized stones and began carving large runes in it Trillia recognized a few as runes that reinforced something. Tormash led her to one of the training dummies.


    "So. From what I''m told, you were able to carve runes onto your enemy. The runes were then activated and took effect. Did you get any sort of skills for that?"


    "No. I don''t really remember a lot of it. I just... I sort of just blanked out and panicked."


    Trillia seemed a bit ashamed of that. Warriors weren''t really supposed to panic in the middle of battle, after all. Tormash ruffled her hair.


    "Don''t worry. We are all prone to panic when we are young and inexperienced. How much do you know about mana, runes, and the synergy the two have?"


    Trillia took an hour or so to recount mostly everything she knew. At least everything she could remember off the top of her head. Tormash nodded along.


    "Good. That matches up with what I know as well. So let''s start with something basic. I want you to take your rapier and practice against this dummy. The rapier isn''t a tool of brute strength like my axe is. That means you need to be accurate. Once you gain a class, you''ll improve significantly, but it never hurts to have more general skills."


    Trillia stood in front of the dummy. It was only four or so feet tall. That was nearly twice Trillia''s own tiny stature. Pulling her rapier startled her. She hadn''t drawn or used the weapon since the fight, but she had allocated the stats for all her most recent levels. It was a bit surprising just how much of a difference the stats and skill levels had really made.


    She took a few moments to familiarize herself with her weapon again, going through the drills Amara had shown her. Starting slow and picking up speed as she went. Once she felt ready, she took her place in front of the training dummy. Tormash continued.


    "So for most humanoids, like orcs and minotaurs, our weak points are the neck, the eyes, and most joints. A lot of armor you will face won''t be heavily enchanted. Something like Ba''Shoon''s dress isn''t common. It''s also very expensive. Her dress because of its enchantments, leaving only her face and neck open to attack. The otherwise weak joints are covered by the cloth."


    Trillia listened intently. Tormash kneeled next to her, removing his armor and showing her how his arms moved, twisted, and flexed. Pointing out, with his armor equipped, where the weak points were. The thought came to Trillia that it would be incredibly difficult to hit such small targets in the middle of a fight, especially against someone as tall and fast as Tormash. Tormash moved back to the dummy, showing her that the rope that bound it together was roughly in the same place as she would need to strike to disable a humanoid.


    After a few more minutes of instruction, he pushed mana into the training dummy. The thing came to life, shambling towards Trillia with its arms raised to bludgeon her. Thankfully the thing was pitifully slow. Trillia''s agility easily let her outmaneuver it. The rapier lashed out, poking at the strands of rope. After a few exchanges, Tormash called for her to stop, using some skill to stop the dummy as well.


    "You''re just using thrusts. Why?"


    Trillia took a moment to catch her breath before responding.


    "Mom said that rapiers were most potent when thrusting and that against most monsters I fight their skin and chitin will be too powerful for me to slash."


    Tormash thought on that a moment before nodding.


    "She''s correct. This isn''t a monster, though. Rather, what this training dummy is simulating is a humanoid. The ropes will eventually break with repeated thrusting attacks. A rapier isn''t well suited to cutting. At least not compared to a sword or scimitar. May I?"


    Trillia nodded, extending her rapier carefully to him. Tormash took it, twirling it in his hand, letting his skills grow accustomed to the feel of the weapon.


    "So, a lot of your damage can be done at the very tip of your blade with a thrust attack. In battle, this is going to let you keep your distance and maneuver around your opponent''s blade and other defenses to strike weak and critical points. However, sometimes, like with this rope dummy, you want to slice through instead of thrust. You want about a third of your blade on point to do so. Like this."


    Tormash moved to the dummy and walked through a slicing motion a few times. Using a feint or side step to get in close. At first, it was only a simple slicing move from the start. Then he showed her how to thrust and slice on retreat. It was a more dangerous move because you put weight into the blade as you also tried to move back. Trillia was quickly seeing why the blade relied on intuition or wisdom for use. While thrusting was certainly effective against monsters, utilizing some of the things Tormash was showing her would require a keen sense of timing.


    The next four hours were like that, back and forths with the dummy and Tormash offering instruction. It wasn''t as physically exhausting as the training with Amara, but it was far more mentally exhausting. Trillia finally raised her hands and shook her head.


    "Sorry. I just. I can''t think anymore. This is too much, too fast."


    The little girl plopped on the ground. Her rapier once more in its sheath. Headaches were coming far more frequently. Trillia wished they wouldn''t.


    "I think you''re trying to learn too much at once, Trillia. Like it or not, you''re still a kid. I''ll happily teach you. For now, pick two or three things and focus on them. Make sure you make some time for a hobby. No training or trying to acquire skills or learning. Just something you find fun. If that thing happens to level your skills, that''s fine, but I don''t want that to be your focus, ok?"


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    Trillia dug in the dirt with a finger. Disappointed at the words she was hearing.


    "But, I wanna learn it all. I wish my head worked better and wasn''t always hurting. Do you think Mom is gonna be disappointed?"


    Tormash raised a brow.


    "Why don''t we go and ask her?"


    Trillia froze. Her eyes dilated as memories flooded through her mind. Her breathing became short and rapid. The thought of seeing her mother and the monster that loomed behind her was taking over. A soothing voice cut through the chaos that immediately began to take over.


    " [Bestow Serenity] "


    Ba''Shoon''s spell took hold. Immediately calming her down. Trillia was growing more and more frustrated with her head by the day.


    "It''s not fair! I just want it to work like it used to! I hate this feeling. I hate being scared of Mom! It''s not fair!"


    Screaming at no one in particular. Tears formed in her eyes, her emotions waging against the spell, rapidly fluctuating between extreme emotional duress and a calm mind. Tormash and Ba''Shoon each sat to one side of her, wrapping an arm around her. Tormash spoke softly.


    "It''s ok, Trillia. It''s ok to be scared. It''s ok to be angry."


    Trillia curled up next to Tormash. Closing her eyes. She just wanted to feel normal. She had promised Amelia she wouldn''t get disheartened anymore because of her [Runt] trait, but there were so many other things. She didn''t understand why her head saw the monster behind her mother. She didn''t understand why she couldn''t train and learn many things at once. She just wanted to forget all of the bad things and hide.


    Tormash squeezed her gently. They sat like that for a solid twenty minutes before Trillia finally calmed down. Speaking so softly, the two around her could barely hear.


    "I''m sorry. That I''m messing up again."


    Tormash gave a soft sigh. Trillia wanted to run away and cry again. Her brother stood and lifted her up in his arms.


    "Enough. No more training or learning for a few days. For the next few days, we''re going to eat and just explore the camp and the city growing around the minotaurs. You, Bashoon, and I can go to the Mana Rift so you can see it. You''re working too hard, Trillia. I don''t give a damn what the other orcs say. This stress isn''t good."


    Trillia was confused, not sure if he was angry or not. She liked training, but she didn''t like the headaches or the fear. Still, she trusted Tormash. She was beginning to trust Ba''Shoon. Tormash looked to Ba''Shoon now.


    "Go ask Princess Amelia to meet us at the central campfire. We''re going to get some food and go on a little picnic, I think. I know a good spot that shouldn''t have any threats."


    Ba''Shoon nodded, giving Trillia''s hand a little squeeze before she made her way to find Amelia. Tormash let Trillia ride on his shoulders as they walked through the camp. Her arms wrapped around his neck. Her head sat on top of his. After five or ten minutes of walking, she was already feeling much better. Most of her anxiety and worry about combat and failing, as replaced with envy. This is what it was like to be tall.


    "Why is everyone so darn tall? Do you think being a runt is gonna make me short forever?"


    Tormash kept walking towards the central bonfire, one hand holding her feet, the other idly swinging at his side.


    "I don''t think you''ll ever be as tall as Mom is. She''s the tallest female orc I''ve ever seen. From what she and King Cordaos have told me, you grow quite a bit when you''re turned into a [Pact-Bound] creature. Mom used to only be six feet. King Cordaos was only around nine or ten feet."


    "How do you become one of those?"


    "A deity has to accept you as a devout follower and offer you a pact. Once you accept you are changed. They get some of the experience you earn, you get a big boost to your stats and simply grow larger."


    Trillia had a new plan. Find a deity, become [Pact-Bound]. That would solve her height issue for sure! Plus, she wouldn''t be weak then, right?


    "Think Mom will introduce us to the deity she made a pact with? So we can become tall and strong?"


    Tormash chuckled, the motion rumbling Trillia atop his head.


    "I''m not sure. I''ve met King Cordaos, Lord Stas, and Sir Brutus. I''ve never had the chance to meet Queen Alliyah, though. Nor have I met the god she formed a pact with. From what the others have said it''s not a meeting you''d ever really want."


    That confused Trillia. Why wouldn''t you want to be tall and strong? That made no sense.


    "Why? Doesn''t everyone want to be stronger?"


    Tormash shook his head, causing Trillia to grip tighter to not be thrown off.


    "It''s not about the strength. One of the other side-effects is that you don''t really age. Most creatures stop aging when they reach the three or four-hundred mark. Or at least slow down a lot. But forming a pact means you don''t age. Mom has had to watch as dozens of her friends have grown old and died around her. Us orcs often die pretty early from fighting. But even then, old age for us is seventy or eighty, I think. Mom is hundreds of years old think of how many orcs she''s had to watch grow old and die."


    Trillia was silent for a long time. That seemed... really sad and lonely to her. Thinking about Amelia dying of old age while Trillia was still young. Having to watch Tormash, Ralrouk, her father, and old man Lurog grow old and die scared her.


    "I don''t want to be scared of Mom anymore... I don''t want to get old and die and leave her alone, Tormash."


    Tormash gave her feet a little encouraging squeeze.


    "That''s why she and King Cordaos are such good friends. They''ve both had to deal with that type of loss. It''s why Mom pushes Dad and us to level and get strong. Part of it is to help us, of course. But I think part of it is because she doesn''t want to watch her husband and kids grow old and die."


    Trillia felt a knot in her stomach.


    "Do you think that''s why Mom doesn''t interact with most of the warriors? Except to offer advice? I see Dad eat and drink with them a lot, but... Mom just sort of keeps to herself unless she needs to be the Chieftain."


    The two arrived at the central bonfire. There were a few groups here and there chatting. Mostly it was a good meeting spot. Tormash spoke softly so as not to disturb the others.


    "I think so. After all, watching a friend die is a lot harder than watching a stranger you sort of know die."


    Trillia sat on his shoulders in silence, deep in thought. She wanted to get over the fear stopping her from seeing her mother even more now. Not only for her sake but also because she didn''t want to waste the time they had together. If Trillia couldn''t level fast enough or find a nice deity, then she''d die, and her mother would have to bury her. Tormash broke her out of the downward spiral.


    "Thankfully, seventy or eighty years is a long time. I''m only nineteen. I''m already level one-o-four. To be fair, Ralrouk and I fight a lot more than most orcs. The point remains, if you fight a lot or find another good way to level, I think you''ll be just fine. Who knows, maybe you''ll get to meet some deity who wants to form a pact with you."


    Twenty years to hit level one hundred, basically. That seemed reasonable to Trillia. Maybe there was some sort of skill or spell she could learn as well. That would make it so she wouldn''t age. Tormash shifted from side to side.


    "Stop thinking about skills and leveling. I told you we are not training today, ok?"


    Trillia nodded, doing her absolute best not to think of all the things she wanted to know. Another distraction thankfully appeared as Amelia and Ba''Shoon came into view of the central campfire. Amelia waved at them as she approached.


    "Lady Ba''Shoon told me that you wish to take us somewhere?"


    Tormash nodded.


    "Indeed, I think you and Trillia could use a little break. With everything you''ve both been through recently. I know a good spot to have a nice meal. I also want to show the mana rift to Trillia since she has never seen it."


    Amelia nodded, a smile forming on her face. Tormash continued.


    "Come on, let''s go get some vegetables and herbs for the trip. I can hunt something on the way there for meat."


    Tormash began leading them to the provisions tent.

 Chapter 16 Picnic

    After an hour or so of preparation, their party set off. Towards a relaxing day, at least, that was the plan. Trillia rode on Tormash''s shoulders, her brother''s large frame easily able to carry her. A heavy double-bladed axe hung at his hip. Ba''Shoon had no apparent weapons. Amelia was walking next to them, a mallet of her own hanging at her hip.


    The guards gave respectful bows as the troupe passed but otherwise said nothing. Trillia wore a little smile. Feeling happy to be out and exploring. Because of how dangerous times were, she wasn''t allowed to leave the small town''s perimeter alone. She peeked around the side of Tormash''s head to speak with him.


    "Think we''ll see any cool creatures?"


    Tormash offered a little grin in response.


    "Maybe. We are closing in on winter soon. While snows don''t fall on this side of the Shattered Plains, the cold weather still causes most animals to find long-term shelter."


    Trillia absorbed all of the information happily. Amelia had pulled out a notebook and something to write with. She also wasn''t allowed outside the perimeter alone. So it was a good experience for them both. It seemed as though Amelia wanted to take notes on herbs and plants. Trillia silently cursed herself for not bringing her own notebook to do the same. What a waste of experience.


    They walked for a few hours. Stopping only once so that Ba''Shoon could cast a spell on Amelia to help with her Stamina regeneration. Tormash finally came to a halt, a grin once more finding it''s way to his face. Setting Trillia down next to him and taking her hand, he motioned ahead.


    "This is the place we''ll have our picnic."


    Trillia looked around. There were some tall trees, thin little green needles hung by the tens of thousands from heavy branches. The sun, now setting, broke through the trees and cast the area in a soft warm light. The ground seemed to slope upward and had been doing so for some time. Trillia held on tightly to Tormash''s hand, following him up the steep incline. Amelia followed more slowly, careful with her footing. Ba''Shoon seemed to have the easiest time of it. She was following Amelia. A hand gently on the princess'' back to ensure she didn''t fall.


    The trees began to thin out as they trudged along. When Trillia crested the ridge, she froze in place, her eyes wide, staring at the landscape that rolled out before them. Tormash had led them around to a cliff that sat a few miles away from the town. Trillia could see it in the distance. It looked tiny to her. Trillia strode to the edge of the cliff fearlessly. With every step, her smile widened. Tormash chuckled as he came to stand next to her.


    "Feel a little taller now?"


    The man looked down at her with a grin, she responded with one of her own and a silent nod. The trees rolled out around them, the cliff they were on seemed more like a large rock outcrop that jutted up and out of the forest around them. The rock was mostly flat where they stood, and Ba''Shoon was taking advantage of that. She dug through her bags of holding to pull out various food items and a large fur blanket for them to sit on.


    Trillia and Amelia stood on the rock for some time, happy to enjoy the silence together. Amelia was the one to break it.


    "It reminds me of the walls of the great labyrinth. Seeing the realm roll out before you. It reminds me of just how tiny we all really are."


    Trillia took her hand, giving it a squeeze. She knew of the great labyrinth, it was what many minotaur''s called their home city before it fell.


    "I promise. One day you''ll be able to stand on the walls again."


    The words seemed right. Trillia knew making a promise was a big thing, so she didn''t like to do it often. Not unless she was really sure she could keep it. But it seemed like the right thing to say in the moment. Looking at her friend, she expected the princess to have tears in her eyes. Instead, the opposite was true. There was a cold, hard determination in them.


    "Yes. Yes, I will. When we do take back what is ours, I hope you will come and visit someday, Trillia. So you can see the view."


    Trillia smirked, shaking her head.


    "Don''t be silly. We''ll take it back together after all."


    Amelia returned the little squeeze from earlier, a happy smile coming to her face. The two were pulled from their conversation by Tormash.


    "Realm domination plans later. For now, come and eat."


    The two certainly didn''t have to be told to come and eat twice. They munched on some sliced smoked meat that was shoved between bread with some sort of sweet jam spread on the bread as well. It was very tasty. Trillia couldn''t help but scoot a little closer to the edge, taking in the view once again. The sweet reverie was broken suddenly. Trillia dropped her sandwich and shot to her feet.


    Her eyes darted to and fro. She had felt an immense wave of mana wash over them. But she couldn''t see from where. Trillia felt Tormash''s hands, one gently grasping her hand that somehow had her rapier in it, the other on her shoulder.


    "It''s the mana rift. This rock is a few miles from the camp in the direction of the mana rift. The rift itself is still a few hours away before we can actually see it. In the early days of discovery, we had to move camp several times. The mana discharge was just too extreme for some people. The camp is safe, and so are we."


    Trillia tried to calm down. Shakily putting the rapier back in its sheath. She still felt on edge though something wasn''t right about the mana. Trillia thought it felt the same as when she was angry and sad. When she wanted to scream and smash her fists into the ground. But it felt as if it was the realm itself crying out in futile anger.


    Tormash squeezed her shoulder.


    "The downside to having traces of divinity in us, from Mom."


    Trillia looked at him in confusion.


    "Mom has divinity in her because she is bound to a deity. Some of that carries over to us. Most mortals don''t have divinity in them. Deities harvest divinity from our desires and wants. It''s like mana to them, but much stronger. They can leave traces of divinity in mortals with pacts. That divinity will be passed down for generations. That divinity lets us feel and see things others may not."


    Trillia looked back toward where Tormash said the mana rift was.


    "It feels...so angry, Tormash. Like it''s crying out for help."


    Her voice was a whisper, fear and trepidation still evident on her face. Her brother offered an encouraging smile.


    "I know. Mom and King Cordaos are trying to find a way to help it. But they need to be able to cross the mana rifts to see their old friends first. The waters aren''t safe, and neither is flying high enough to get over the effects. The trip you made out with the others to collect herbs. They are trying to make a way to cross it safely."


    Trillia took a deep, steadying breath, looking down at her mostly-eaten sandwich. She shrugged and picked it up, wiping the dust off and taking another bite. She and Tormash joined the others back at the blanket.


    "I''d like to see the rift. Are we still going to it?"


    Tormash nodded, looking at Amelia.


    "Will you be ok? Seeing it again?"


    Amelia nodded meekly.


    "I should be ok. The rift here is quite small, and there is only one. Near God''s Watch, it was... it was terrifying. The city only barely survived the claws that came down and ripped through the land. The first few weeks after were awful. Swarms of creatures tried to overrun the city and failed."


    Trillia said nothing. No one did. Amelia hadn''t talked a whole lot about the events at God''s Watch. Now that she was, no one wanted to stop her from getting it all off her chest.


    "Father manned the harbor with his royal guards. Mother manned the city walls facing the plains. I mostly watched from the windows high up in the central citadel. The mana density was..."


    Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.


    She trailed off, shuddering at the memory.


    "When the blast came every hour, it felt like we were drowning in the mana itself. Father and I could feel the emotion coming from it. But it wasn''t sad and angry like it is now. It was murderous, vengeful. Filled with hate and spite. We''re all taught that the intent of a spell or skill has a serious impact on the mana used to form it."


    Amelia looked at each of them now as she continued.


    "The intent in the rifts was out of anger. Something wanted to destroy us all. Dad is bound to the same deity that Chieftain Amara is. Mom also met him. They both said he is a very clever deity and immensely powerful. But mostly, he was kind. The fact that he''s sealed divinity from us all. I..."


    She hesitated now, looking unsure of herself. Ba''Shoon put a hand on her knee.


    "We won''t judge your thoughts or ideals, Princess Amelia. Speak freely."


    Amelia smiled at the woman. After a moment to collect herself, she continued.


    "From everything I''ve been told by both my parents and Trillia''s, I think it was for our protection. The debuff that is."


    Confusion appeared on everyone''s faces at that. Amelia continued.


    "He had to know that limiting our ability to heal and use what we call holy mana would impact us severely, right? He had to know that the rifts were dangerous, yet still, the debuff remains. I think it''s because something was trying to kill him. Or kill the realm itself."


    Tormash''s eyes darkened at that. The thought seemed to deeply trouble Trillia''s brother. She was out of her depth and knew that. Trillia was happy to sit in silence and listen. Tormash spoke, his voice not betraying the emotions inside.


    "Something tried to kill the realm? I guess, I guess that makes sense. I remember the cataclysm. It felt as if great claws reached from the skies to tear the place apart. Some spell took effect. There were four orbs of light in the sky. It was the last thing I remember. I awoke hours later with the debuff. Mother told me that most of the camp had no mana when they woke up. Some even reported scanning others with more advanced versions of the skill and finding that the people they scanned had negative mana values."


    They all listened intently. Ba''Shoon spoke next.


    "I was...in the human cities on the other side of the great verdant forest. Many people died outright when the cataclysm happened. Humans are often at a much lower level and do not take great fluctuations in mana well. I crossed a mana rift to get to the Shattered Plains. It took days for me to recover enough to utilize mana again after the jump."


    The conversation hung heavy in the air, silencing the little picnic. They ate a while longer before Tormash began packing things up.


    "Let''s go visit the rift, I guess. This way, Trillia can see it up close."


    They were on the way shortly after. Tormash had been accurate. The trip had been a few more hours. Nighttime had fully settled on them. Trillia was grateful for the moon as she hadn''t gotten the racial skill for seeing in the dark yet. Once they came clear of the trees, however, it hardly mattered.


    The ground sloped down and away. With the high vantage point, Trillia could see the giant split in the world a thousand or more feet away. The sides of the rift wall glowed bright purples and blues. Tormash held up a hand to stop anyone from going further. Motioning to the ground. Trillia could see a clear line in the ground that perfectly mirrored the edges of the ravine ahead. As if the ground and plants were being changed by the constant outbursts of mana. Tormash took a seat before he began speaking.


    "If we get any closer, we will start gaining mana. Much like when you consume too many mana recovery items, you will be afflicted with [Mana Sickness]. The closer we get, the faster your mana overfills. Right now, it takes a capacity of a few thousand mana to get close enough to the Rift to see down into it. It''s mostly been mages, wizards, shamans, and other classes that have skills granting them a higher than average mana capacity that have explored near it."


    Trillia was curious, of course, to go and see down into the ravine. But she had learned a lot about the mana sickness her brother spoke of during her training with Amelia. The debuff was not to be underestimated. It was a well-documented debuff that had several stages to it. The last was terminal mana sickness. At that stage, it took immense amounts of healing and willpower to keep the person alive for even a few hours. That had been the cause of death for most scouts and others who tried to make the jump across and back. One jump, you''d probably survive. Only her mother and Cordaos had survived a return jump.


    Movement caught her eye. Reaching out her hand, she tapped Tormash on the shoulder lightly. The large warrior sitting next to her - but still quite a bit taller - looked to where she was pointing. Immediately his tome was in his hands, flipping to a new page as he began to write.


    The movement was from a creature neither had ever seen before. It must have been huge. It was walking along the edge of the mana rift, seemingly unaffected by the debuff Trillia had just been worrying over. But even from this distance, it still looked like it would stand taller than Tormash.


    Its skin was pulled tight over the corded muscle of a predator. Six legs, ending in what seemed - from this distance, to be large claws. The interesting part about the claws wasn''t their size but the fact they glowed with the same colors and tones as the mana rift itself did. A white mane ran from the creature''s canine-like head straight to the tip of its tail. The tail itself looked more like a large club. The creature had no problems lifting the heavy bone club that its tail ended in. It almost looked like it used it to balance itself as it moved.


    Four eyes rested on the face. Two closer together near the front, two further back on the sides. Trillia couldn''t tell from so far away, but it also appeared a fifth eye rested directly on top of its head turned long ways. The creature stopped in its tracks, nose turned to the air. Trillia, Ba''Shoon, and Amelia froze in place. Tormash continued writing in his tome, and the creature lazily turned its head towards them.


    Trillia''s brain screamed at her to run. A quick glance at Amelia and Ba''Shoon told her the others thought the same. Not Tormash. Tormash sat there writing and recording everything he saw. The creature slowly plodded towards them. The way it moved gave Trillia a headache now that it was closer as if it wasn''t quite where she thought it should be. As it came closer and closer, it began looming further and further above them. Her guess had been on point. The thing was monstrous.


    It sat on its four hind legs, sliding its two front paws out before plopping its head down on them. Now only forty feet away, it stared at the tiny insignificant little orcs with curiosity. Trillia couldn''t help herself. The thought came, and her skill activated.


    [Psionic Behemoth - ?? - ???]


    The creature''s ears twitched a bit, lifting its head and turning it slightly to the side.


    A Psionic Behemoth has scanned your mind. You are stunned for 15 seconds.


    General Skill: [Adamant Resolve] Level 0 -> Level 2


    Tormash set his book down ever so slowly. Reaching into his bag and pulling out a large hunk of smoked meat. Her brother was obviously unaffected by the creature''s stunning ability. Or it hadn''t scanned him. Tormash stood and slowly moved towards the creature, the hunk of meat in an outstretched hand.


    Trillia still had seven seconds left. She wanted to cry out in terror when the creature seemed to simply teleport forward. It had done so the instant both of Tormash''s feet were within the line he had pointed out earlier. On all six legs, with its head slightly down to sniff the meat, it was still three times Tormash''s height. Trillia didn''t know why her brother wasn''t afraid. The obvious answer was that he was a complete lunatic. That had to be it.


    After a few seconds of sniffing, the creature opened its mouth, enveloping the meat and Tormash''s hand. The eye atop its head glowed more brightly for a moment. Tormash slowly pulled his hand, absent the meat, out of the creature''s mouth. Once his hand was clear, the creature chewed and swallowed the tiny morsel of food.


    Then, Tormash did something Trillia hadn''t seen him do to anyone or anything except their mother. He knelt in front of the creature, eyes cast down to the ground. The creature moved its snout forward, touching the tip of its nose on Tormash''s forehead before it turned just as lazily as it had approached initially, and walked back toward the mana rift. Tormash knelt for a few more seconds after it turned before moving back to the safety of the outer line.


    The status stun had ended. But the sheer insanity of the events left Trillia unable to move or speak. She and the others found themselves holding their breath when the creature was so close to Tormash. Tormash being the lunatic that he was, picked his book back up and began writing once more. Trillia had never seen him smile so widely. Ba''Shoon spoke, a soft harsh whisper as if she didn''t want to alert the creature and make it spin back on them.


    "What were you thinking?! I know you have a connection with monsters, but that was reckless, Tormash, even for you."


    Tormash looked at her oddly before he looked back toward the creature. By now, the thing had resumed it''s plodding next to the mana rift.


    "Ba''Shoon. That behemoth was over level one thousand. If it wanted us to be dead. We would be dead. It was curious about us, so I obliged."


    The woman seemed to look at him as if he was even more daft. Trillia''s eyes were fixed on the creature. Over level one thousand? How on Alirast did Tormash even know that.


    "Could you see its level?"


    The curious girl had to ask, though she didn''t look at her brother. Instead, she continued watching the creature.


    "It told me. Plus, I''ve never seen three question marks before. Everything else has always only had two. Even Mom and Cordaos only have two, and both of them are above level seven-fifty."


    All three girls looked at him now.


    "It could speak?"


    Trillia whispered, agreeing with Ba''Shoon now in not wanting to anger it. Tormash looked around at all of them and just laughed, shaking his head.


    "Yes, it could speak. At least it could telepathically communicate. But when dealing with such creatures, it doesn''t use words as we do. I''ve met other creatures like that one, not nearly as powerful, but creatures that communicate with their minds. They communicate in concepts, emotions, and intent. Since those things are much harder to misinterpret or lie about. It thanked us for the food and gave me a warning that some sort of serpent was seen in these parts. We shouldn''t dally long since the serpent hunts near the edges of the mana rift''s influence when the moon is highest."


    As if on cue, he gathered his belongings and motioned for them to follow. All but Trillia did. She stole another few seconds of staring at the creature. Who had now turned its head to them. It almost looked as if the creature nodded. Trillia bowed slightly before running to catch up to Tormash.


    "Its skill was very scary, but it didn''t stun me for as long as Mom''s aura did."


    Before anyone could answer the question hidden within that statement, Tormash spoke up.


    "We can talk about it over dinner. Let''s set up camp an hour or so away from the border. The serpent shouldn''t be a problem that far away. No other life is anywhere near this area right now. I think that Behemoth spooked everything off. I don''t know for sure, but I think it''s trying to starve that serpent so it can catch it."

 Chapter 17 Return

    Their plans changed a little. Trillia asked if they could stay a little closer since she wanted to see the actual eruption of mana happen. Tormash obliged, finding them a nice little hill not too far from where they had been. It was about ten or so minutes outside the mana border near the ravine. Tormash was staying extra alert to ensure he could have them all flee should the serpent show up.


    By the time they got to the hill, Trillia''s wish came true. Everyone felt the mana in the air grow incredibly dense. For Tormash, Trillia, and Amelia, their sliver of divinity made it near impossible to breathe. Their heads all turned towards the ravine to watch the mana rush upward and form a wall. Trillia thought it was beautiful, incredibly destructive and dangerous, but also absolutely beautiful. It looked like a rainbow of mana that was coalescing to form the wall itself. The light being shed by the wall lit up the area for hundreds of feet along the ravine, turning night to day.


    Trillia was fascinated. The wall only lasted a minute or so. Her eyes ran along the length of it, stretching as far as the eye could see. She noticed something slightly off. Not wanting to lose her place, she grabbed Tormash''s hand. Pointing to where she was looking, glancing briefly at him, she saw that he was already looking in the same spot. Her brother narrowed his eyes, mumbling a skill. She couldn''t hear it, though. That was the other effect of the wall. While it was "firing" sound was heavily dampened. It made no noise itself, but everything else acted screwy around it.


    However, the thing Trillia pointed towards stood out to the two because it was a small break in the wall, only near the base. Tormash wanted to run and leap towards it to try and discern its source. But he didn''t dare get that close to the ravine while the wall of mana was present. He may have been a mighty warrior, but even he''d die in a few seconds if exposed to that much raw mana. Plus, there was the ever-present danger of the serpent.


    Once the light show ended, Tormash quickly escorted them all further back. They didn''t just camp out an hour away. They marched until Amelia and Trillia were exhausted before camping. The only words spoken were when Tormash urged everyone forward and called for camp. Something about his demeanor had changed. Trillia was taken aback. Her warm, caring brother vanished into a cold hard, orc scout. She didn''t really blame him. Something made a break in the wall. Something could traverse the ravine somewhat safely.


    Trillia and everyone else''s guess was on that behemoth they had met. It was walking next to the ravine after all and didn''t seem to mind in the slightest. Anyone else would have been dead from mana sickness if they spent so much time leisurely walking along the ravine. That was, after all, the leading issue with sending scouts over the ravine and to the distant city of Kincairne. The run-up, over and past the opposite mana border, meant you had to have a capacity of several thousand mana and have that capacity start at zero. Even if you had all of that. Could somehow cross the ravine with no skills. Most people still landed with severe mana sickness that was extremely debilitating.


    They made camp, Tormash pulled out rations for all of them.


    "I can stave off sleep for a week if need be. I''ll keep watch. Everyone else, rest. I will wake you all in five or six hours, and we will march back to the camp with no more detours. Sorry for cutting this short, but this information needs to be delivered immediately."


    The girls all nodded. They ate in silence, each with a head full of questions. Trillia was curious about the mana wall, of course. She also really wanted to get closer to the ravine to see it. But most of all, she was interested in the behemoth. She''d never seen something so large and powerful, yet so...docile. Trillia remembered being stunned. Her eyes turned toward her brother, and she broke the silence.


    "Why was it''s stunning effect so weak?"


    Tormash eyed her carefully. He had pulled out another book. Not the one he wrote monsters and animals in, but something to take scout notes with.


    "It wasn''t. It didn''t try to stun you Trillia. You are referring to when it scanned us correct?"


    Trillia nodded. As did Tormash.


    "That wasn''t a skill meant to stun us like Mom''s aura. That was just its version of [Scan] or the variants of that skill. Its ability and mind are so powerful that using even passive, non-hostile skills on us leaves us stunned. When it spoke to me telepathically, I was stunned for five seconds. I have an evolved version of [Iron Will] that is at level seven. Even Mom and Uncle Cordaos, with skills that intentionally stun people. Can only stun me for two or three seconds."


    Somewhere along that explanation, Trillia had stopped breathing. The thought of something using a basic scan and stunning its target was terrifying. It looked so cute, though. Maybe a little giant sure, but certainly cute. If it wasn''t more than twenty feet tall, with movement that made your head hurt. Really cute. Maybe a smaller version could be found. Tormash had gone back to writing. Trillia thought about maybe taming a baby behemoth. She reminded herself to ask the monster tamers of her tribe to teach her that skill as well.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    As fantasies of riding her pet behemoth into battle, and scaring all the tiny little orcs and minotaurs below her, played through her mind. She drifted off to sleep.


    Her dreams, however, were not of such things. Instead, as she dreamed. She sat at the mana border. The behemoth sat a dozen feet inside. The fifth eye on top of its head glowed as it spoke to her mind.


    Words weren''t formed. It was just as Tormash had explained. Instead, it imparted a feeling of curiosity. Towards her in particular. She got the feeling it thought her mana was something it hadn''t seen yet? Or maybe it was interested in learning about? Trillia didn''t understand telepathy with a beast beyond her comprehension. Nor did she understand how it was in her dreams. She imparted those emotions and feelings toward it. A bit of fear slipped into those feelings as well.


    The reply nearly felt like an attack. An overwhelming amount of images, emotions, and intent flashed through her mind. Her physical body, which lay there sleeping, had little drops of blood in her nose. The mental version of herself took a deep breath. The reply was an apology. The beast was simply curious, and so when they slept, it reached its mind out to hers. It had initially wanted to talk to Tormash, but he was still awake. Apparently, using telepathy at such a range was easier if the recipient was sleeping.


    More images and intent flowed into her mind. The more she did this, the more she got used to it, and the less her brain hurt. Her understanding of its meaning was also increasing. The beast wanted to study her mana. It felt it was familiar in some way it didn''t understand. Trillia imparted emotions of fear. Fear about the ravine, fear about the mana. She tried to ''explain'' mana sickness to the creature.


    It took a few minutes for the creature to reply. This time it asked her if she could safely sit on the outskirts of the mana border. She sent images of a large serpent, as well as her memories of Tormash''s verbal warning. The response came, and in her mind, she saw the sun rise and set seven times. So its hunt would be finished in a week. She was about to nod and confirm she was interested when a thought crossed her mind. Now she sent images of the wall to the creature and the opening they had seen.


    The response was immediate. A memory of the creature forming a bridge of light and simply walking across the ravine. Another image appeared in her mind that caused her head to pound in agony. Her physical body now had little streams of blood from her nose and ears. She could feel the telepathic bond weakening as her brain couldn''t take much more. She forced herself to press on. Rapidly imparting a myriad of memories and emotions.


    Trillia''s goal was to ask the creature for help crossing the ravine. In exchange, she''d let it study her mind. It responded with hundreds of images. Plants, liquids, and creatures. Things Trillia could barely perceive. A book flashed through her mind, and she sat up with a scream. Tormash was at her side in an instant to calm her down. Trillia''s only response was to yank the book from him. She began scribbling the images in her head. Tormash saw the blood on her ears. Despite it being his scout book, something told him to let her work.


    They had been asleep for four hours, and Trillia didn''t feel very rested with her mental conversation having happened. Still, she managed to get everything written into the book that the beast imparted to her. At least as best, she could. Her orcish wasn''t very good after all. But the things she couldn''t write in orcish, she wrote in the language the system showed her. The gentle hum of blue in her peripheral vision told her she had gained a skill.


    General Skill: [Lesser Mind Magic Resistance] Level 0 Obtained!


    General Skill: [Lesser Mind Magic Resistance] Level 0 -> Level 1


    General Skill: [Rudimentary Telepathy] Level 0 Obtained!


    General Skill: [Rudimentary Telepathy] Level 0 -> Level 3


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 8 -> Level 9


    Trillia sat there, breathing heavily after she finished writing. The creature''s telepathy had done a serious number on her. Her health had nearly dropped to zero, and her mana and stamina were at zero.


    When the four of them stood to march, Tormash carried Trillia. She didn''t object and quickly fell back asleep. When she next woke up, it was to the sound of voices. The city guards were opening the gate and waving them through. Tormash and Ba''Shoon were both very easily identifiable. One of the guards asked if a healer was needed, seeing Trillia''s bloodied nose and her being carried. Tormash shook his head.


    The four of them made their way to the large tent that served as a sort of command tent. Tormash had sent Amelia to get her father and Ba''Shoon to get Mort and Lurog. Tormash barged into the tent without announcing himself, and Amara immediately stopped speaking. Both she and Varga looked at him, their eyes drifting toward Trillia. Amara''s eyes opened in panick as she rushed over.


    "What happened to her?! You said you''d keep her safe Tormash!"


    Amara scooped Trillia up and set her on the table. Trillia''s resources had mostly recovered by this point, but something still felt off. Normally she''d be petrified of her mother. But her mind just couldn''t muster the fear and terror. Looking at her status, she was a new debuff.


    [Mentally Exhausted]


    You have strained yourself beyond your abilities mentally. You will regenerate health, mana and stamina much more slowly. All skills and spells will take twice as many resources to utilize, in addition to taking twice as long to activate. While under this affect you are immune to fear based effects, and as well as any other condition that requires mental faculty to work fully.


    That explained it. Evidently, the behemoth''s little chat had nearly killed her. She wasn''t angry at it, however. It didn''t know it was damaging her that badly. It just wanted to talk. Trillia grabbed her mother''s hand, causing Amara to freeze. She was getting tired again. She could feel her old friend darkness coming to claim her.


    "Listen to Tormash. Wrote it all down. I love you mom, sorry you scare me."


    It looked as if she wanted to say more. To get those feelings out while she could, while she was too exhausted to be afraid. But darkness and the need for rest won. She passed out into a deep slumber.


    This time, her dreams were, in fact, of her riding around on her very own behemoth. Scaring everyone with how tall and mighty she was.

 Chapter 18 The Next Mission

    Her tiny head throbbed and threatened to split open. It had been two full days since the picnic trip. She was no longer mentally exhausted. Now it was just a good old-fashioned migraine. The tiny little orc sat huddled in a tent with her eyes closed. Light made the splitting headache worsen rapidly.


    The things she wrote in the book were along the same lines as the potion that the alchemists were trying to make. The one to eliminate or alleviate the effects of mana sickness. The creature that had spoken to her had filled in some gaps the alchemists were missing. Trillia still had five more days before she would have to return to speak with the creature at length. She wasn''t looking forward to it.


    Amara hadn''t come to visit her. Probably not wanting to scare her. Trillia wanted to see her mother. She missed her mother. But her brain still refused to cooperate. Just the memory of being in the same room as her Chieftain sent shivers down her spine. She wondered when that feeling of dread would go away. Amelia visited her often and brought her food. Mort and Lurog had assured Trillia''s parents that the headache was normal. Someone had basically forcefully invaded her dreams and had taken her mind hostage to have a conversation with someone who had never spoken via telepathy before.


    If anything, they were glad Trillia wasn''t dead or brain dead. They had seen such things happen previously. They attributed it to the behemoth''s control of its own mind. Otherwise, she would most certainly be dead. Trillia didn''t train or read. She just sat there listening to a small fire crackle and pop, trying to concentrate super, super hard on her head, not feeling like one of her brothers was stepping on it.


    Over the course of the next two days, more rest and potions later, she finally stepped out of the tent. Bright light still hurt, but at least her head wasn''t throbbing. Throughout her four-day stay, she had some tent mates. A few wounded scouts. Everyone was all too happy to sit in shared misery and silence. With her newfound freedom from an achy head, Trillia made her way through the camp toward the command tent.


    Standing outside of it, she took a deep breath. Steadying herself, readying her nerves. As she reached a small hand out to the furs that hung as a door, she froze. Closing her eyes, she continued to try and steel her nerves, her hand still trembling as it blindly gripped at the furs. Her teeth began to grind together as she willed her hand to pull back the furs and face her mother. Why was her brain being so stupid?!


    A hand on her shoulder startled her. She let out a little yelp and spun, her hand immediately going to the rapier at her side. Turning to face her attacker, she saw Ba''Shoon''s beautiful golden eyes staring down at her. A warm smile on the woman''s face.


    "Will it make it easier, if I hold your hand when you enter?"


    Trillia relaxed immediately, her hand slipping from the rapier''s hilt. Looking at the command tent, then back to Ba''Shoon, she gave a weak little nod. The woman took her hand with a little squeeze before opening the flap to the tent. The two entered together. Amara stood at the head of the table, eyes on the entrance. Cordaos, Varga, and Tormash stood around the table, a map between them. Several hides lay sprawled out on top of the map.


    Trillia recognized them as the item that scouts or war bands used to send messages back and forth. Many scout parties and war bands had large, somewhat scaled birds called Raptors. The things were only three or four feet tall and perhaps five feet long. They had weak wings but could fly using wind magic. They were mostly used because the things had massive talons that could shred most other low-flying creatures in the Shattered Plains. So they were effective messengers since nothing really wanted to fight them. The raptors were not known to be delicate, so the orcs used tough hides that were enchanted with messages to ensure whatever the raptors carried wasn''t shredded.


    Trillia''s mental distraction helped her. She hadn''t run in fear from her mother''s visage. The silence in the tent was only interrupted by the muffled sounds of the camp outside. Trillia was squeezing Ba''Shoon''s hand as if her life depended on it. Somehow Ba''Shoon was her anchor to reality. Their interlocked hands were the only thing keeping Trillia from falling into the void of fear. She closed her eyes once more, whispering softly to herself.


    "You''re a Demonsbane. You are a fully-fledged warrior. You can face any challenge or threat to the tribe."


    She repeated it twice more. Her eyes remained closed so she didn''t see the smirk on Tormash and Varga''s faces at her words. Slowly, she let go of her anchor, taking a few steps forward before her eyes opened. She bowed her head slightly.


    "Hello, Chieftain. I was told you wished to speak with me when I was feeling well again and before my return trip to the ravine."


    Amara offered her a warm smile. The visage of the megapede didn''t appear behind her this time. Amara returned the bow.


    "I did thank you for taking the time, Trillia. As you may have heard, the things that creature had you write down have helped us make giant strides toward making a potion to alleviate or eliminate the mana sickness that comes from the ravine. Tormash has traveled back out to the ravine itself to speak with the creature further. It is willing to try and teach us how to form the same bridge it does. In exchange, it wants to evaluate your mana manipulation, as well as study how mana flows through you. I believe it may also wish for a small sample of your blood."


    Trillia took that information in, mulling it over in her head. One of the big problems facing the tribe, and the minotaurs, was their inability to safely cross the ravine. The orcs didn''t have mines, and now that God''s Watch had fallen, neither did the minotaurs. So they would need to purchase their metal from Kincairne. Without a reliable way to cross the ravine, they were unable to keep up repairs on much of their equipment.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    That was to say, nothing of the need to see how the rest of Alirast was handling the cataclysm. Trillia knew their blind, dumb luck of a picnic had perhaps saved them a lot of trial, error, and death. Her mother continued.


    "I cannot force you to put your own life at risk for something that has no payoff. The united tribes of the Shattered Plains try not to take the choice or freedom from its proven tribe members. Still, I''d ask that you work with this creature. If it can help us cross the ravine. We may be able to move the tribe closer to Kincairne and rally with allies."


    Trillia didn''t like so much weight being put on her shoulders. But! The thought came to her she was certainly useful to the tribe now. Trillia gritted her teeth and gave a nod. Taking a deep breath before she spoke.


    "It is the honor of any orc to give its life to the betterment of the tribe, Chieftain. I am no different."


    It was something Trillia had heard many scouts say before they were sent off on extremely dangerous solo missions. Tormash swelled with pride, offering her a solemn nod. Trillia looked to him, then to Ba''Shoon.


    "May I request that Scout Master Tormash and Ba''Shoon join me? I fear I am not capable of making the journey on my own."


    Amara chuckled. Offering a nod.


    "Of course. You are still young and classless. I would not put you in harm''s way without protection nearby. Tormash, Ba''Shoon, and Princess Amelia will be your entourage during your travels to the behemoth. It sent word back with Tormash, who returned early this morning. It has caught the serpent and killed it. You can leave whenever you are ready. The behemoth expects you in three days but won''t be angry at you for showing up early."


    Trillia smiled and nodded. Now that formality was out of the way. Trillia ran up and hugged her mother, squeezing one of the woman''s legs. Amara ran a hand through her hair before reaching down to scoop the girl up, nearly crushing her into a hug. The mighty Chieftain had tears in her eyes, and Trillia was bawling. The others offered the scene their own smiles before giving the two their privacy.


    Amara sat on a stump that doubled as a chair. Trillia, sitting on her knee. With no one else in the room, Trillia still felt on edge. But it wasn''t the same fear and dread. Trillia was the first to break the silence.


    "I''m sorry. I got so scared after everything. I asked Tormash before what sort of skill you had that made you so sure. But he never got a chance to explain it to me."


    Amara held up a hand. Trillia could feel the flow of mana swirl around them. Skill information popped into her head.


    Divine Skill: [Spare The Dying] Level 10 [Max]


    Spare the Dying allows the user to target a living entity. It reserves 80% (-4% Per Level of this skill) of the user''s resources (Health, Stamina, and Mana) In exchange, the target of this skill, cannot die under any circumstances except a stronger divine presence. Even dismemberment will not lower the target''s resources to below 1. If the target is already at 0 or lower resources, its resources are immediately raised to 1. This may cause the target to be afflicted with the Healing Sickness, Mana Sickness, and Stamina Sickness debuffs.


    Trillia read through the skill. No wonder her mother hadn''t been worried. This was an extremely potent skill.


    "Does this mean that when you saved Amelia and I, your resources were eighty percent less than normal?"


    Amara nodded.


    "Using the skill on two separate targets is very risky in the field. Since I''m only fighting at twenty percent capability. It''s also why we don''t engage most things on the return trip."


    The two sat in silence for a moment, Trillia deep in thought. Amara''s voice was soft, barely a whisper.


    "I''m sorry, Trillia. I don''t want to put you through it. I hated putting Mash and Rook through it. I just..."


    The woman had tears in her eyes again, trying to find the right words. Trying to find the words to express her own fear and terror. Trillia hugged her.


    "It''s ok. You don''t want to be alone. You don''t want to lose us, and that means making sure we can fight and survive."


    Her mother returned the hug and broke down in sobs of her own. Trillia wished she had been braver in the past couple of months. Wish she hadn''t tormented her mother for so long with silence. Wished her little brain didn''t refuse to listen. At least she had only wasted a few months of their time together.


    After an hour of sitting together in silence and coming to terms with their grief and fears, Trillia spoke up once more.


    "Tormash said he doesn''t want me to train more than a couple of skills at once. He thinks I''m trying to do too much at once."


    Amara smiled at that.


    "Listen to your brother. I sometimes forget just how old and experienced I am. Tormash is growing very rapidly. I''m glad he has found someone like Ba''Shoon to walk through life with. The two will make glorious leaders one day if that is the path they wish to walk."


    Trillia pulled away, looking at her mother now.


    "You know about them?"


    Amara just laughed at that, a deep, hearty laugh. It took a few minutes for the woman to calm down.


    "Not only am I that boy''s mother, but I am also his Chieftain. I know Ba''Shoon worries that I won''t like her because she favors non-combat classes. But she is a damn good woman, the most skilled enchanter our tribe and the minotaurs has. Maybe I could stand to learn a little from the two of them. That book Tormash has, his [Naturalist] bestiary he calls it."


    Trillia nodded excitedly. She really liked that book.


    "It''s an invaluable tool. Even the other Scout Masters have said as much. Knowing so much about so many different creatures instead of relying on memory is life-saving. I''m not so old and stuck in my ways to deny that. I just... as you said, Trillia. I''m afraid of losing people. Especially my kids."


    Trillia leaned in and gave her another hug.


    "You should tell Ba''Shoon that. She''s very nervous. She thinks she isn''t good enough, for Tormash, for you. I think she even feels out of place in the tribe. Which is silly since she''s so tall and strong."


    Amara squeezed her in another hug before sliding Trillia off her knee and standing.


    "I think you''re right that I should. For now, it will have to wait. I want our tribe to be across that damn ravine and safe near Kincairne. Do you think you''re ready to speak to the behemoth again?"


    Trillia nodded once more, standing at attention.


    "I am ready, Chieftain. I shall speak with Tormash and the others so that we may get ready for the trip."


    Amara smiled and nodded to her.


    "Very well, Trillia. I look forward to your successful return."


    The two hugged once more. Trillia lingered in her mother''s arms, embracing the warmth and safety she now felt. Finally, she pulled away, turning and running off out of the tent to find her brother. She didn''t see it, but her mother collapsed back onto the stump in tears, relief flooding her body.

 Chapter 19 The End

    The small troupe appeared at the edge of the safe zone, near the mana rift. Trillia did her best to remain calm. A wall of mana erupting from the ravine pushed her back with the sheer force of it. Despite the blinding brightness of the mana, she could make out the muscled form of the Psionic Behemoth. It lept from the ravine itself, unphased by even the direct blast. Trillia wondered why it made the bridge in the first place.


    The thing meandered toward them. Sniffing the air and stopping a few times as if making sure there was nothing else lurking in the area. Whether for its own safety or theirs, Trillia didn''t dare to guess.


    It was about fifteen feet away when it sat on its haunches. Its eyes turned lazily to Tormash, who spoke.


    "I''ll be acting as a telepathic bridge. I informed it of the effects its last conversation had on you. The behemoth has assured me it can easily do such a feat and that doing so will be far easier on all of us."


    Trillia nodded. Sitting right on the edge of the line, the wall of mana that had been serving as a rather dramatic backdrop vanished in an instant as the surge of mana stopped. Trillia closed her eyes, it took a few minutes, but she eventually felt the tendril of mental energy touch the edge of her psyche.


    The creature apologized for invading her dreams. It didn''t realize she would nearly die from the contact. It was used to dealing with significantly hardier beings. It also seemed to show some gratitude that she had shown up and was willing to uphold her end of the bargain.


    Trillia wore a smile on her face. This was far more pleasant than the dream had been. The first thing she did was greet it. The second thing was mentally motion towards each person in the troupe and put emphasis on their name and her connection to each. She then motioned towards it. A round-a-bout way of asking for its name. Trillia hoped the creature had one. So she could stop referring to it as creature.


    The response was a long time in coming. They sat there in silence for at least five minutes. Finally, the creature responded. Not in the way, Trillia was expecting, however. It was a single, simple, spoken word in her mind.


    Persona


    Trillia''s eyes opened, and she stared at the creatu- no. She stared into Persona''s eyes. Her confusion was evident. Persona turned its head towards the rift, then back to her. Images, intent, and feelings flooded through her. Suddenly, she was overcome with understanding. Persona was the mana rift. At least, it was what the mana rift chose as its avatar.


    Silence once more filled the air and their minds. Trillia spoke verbally now to Tormash.


    "I don''t know what to ask, brother."


    Tormash rubbed his chin, staring at Persona as well.


    "If we speak to each other, can you understand it? If so, can you respond to our minds as we communicate verbally to each other?"


    Persona nodded. A feeling of inefficiency and wasted energy flooded them. It didn''t seem to hold a high regard for verbal communication. But it could at least understand them. Tormash looked to Trillia, then back to Persona.


    "If you are the mana rift itself. Can you stop the massive amount of bleed-off that''s happening? You are poisoning the area around it. We are unable to cross to get to safety."


    An anger so fierce and primal washed over them that the entire troupe scrambled away from the edge. Even Tormash was breathing heavily with a hand on his weapon. Images of a huge beast flooded their minds. The thing was several hundred feet tall and across. Its movements were not that of a lumbering giant, however, but fast and precise. It swung a tentacle-like appendage and ripped a city to shreds. A mere second passed before tens of thousands lay dead.


    Tens of thousands of [Megapedes] fell from the creature''s back. Wounds on it''s tentacle like appendages bled more of the monsters. Four other such creatures flashed through their minds, each with it''s own terrifying look, each with it''s own type of creature that it bled. Everyone present was trembling in fear. Persona stared hard at them.


    The intent that followed chilled their blood. Persona was protecting the realm itself. The attack on Alirast during the cataclysm had been quite accurate. The troupe now knew the creatures they had been shown were [Primordials]. The attacks had injured and weakened the seal on two of the [Primordials]. An outside force stopped further attacks from being that accurate. The mana rifts were expelling the excess mana the stirring titanic creatures were shedding as they woke. It was slowing the process of them waking up, but Alirast was on a clock.


    Trillia managed to squeak out another question.


    "Will we all die?"


    Persona took its time with a reply. Measuring the information it gave. Finally, a concept appeared before them. It made it obvious. Mortals would die, and the realm would be at peace again. No warring, no fighting. At peace and ready to rest. Trillia didn''t understand. Why would the gods make creatures like this? Why would there be five of the damn things?! Tormash spoke softly.


    "The great beast wars... Mother and King Cordaos fought against those things. With the help of the others."


    A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Understanding flooded them. Recognition. Trillia realized, at this point, that Ba''Shoon was acting as a bridge to Amelia. The creature was speaking with all of them. Trillia questioned the recognition.


    A long period of ''silence'' hung there while Persona thought. It refused to answer. It instead motioned to Trillia. Images flooded through the mind of her casting magic of various forms. So that was it. It was done explaining things to the children before it. It wanted the information it had been promised. Trillia stood, taking a deep breath.


    Her hands outstretched as she concentrated.


    "[Restorative Chant]!"


    Her target was Persona. The creature stared intently at her as if it could see the mana flowing from her fingertips. Could see the raw mana circulating in her body. Trillia thought that was exactly what it was doing. She used the skill a few more times. An intense pressure in her mind dropped her to her knees. Tormash struggled to move as well. Blood began to trickle from his nose.


    You''ve been bestowed the skill [Ignite] temporarily.


    You''ve been bestowed the skill [Freeze] temporarily.


    You''ve been bestowed the skill [Grow] temporarily.


    You''ve been bestowed the skill [Shear] temporarily.


    Information flooded her mind. She remained kneeling, trying desperately to catch her breath. The intent slammed into her mind again for her to cast. Trillia was reminded of the very real chasm between Persona and the four of them. They wouldn''t even be able to get close enough to attempt to hurt it. It could simply crush them all with its mind. Trillia pushed an intent of her own back at it, gritting her teeth as she stood. Why did it want to see her mana? Why did it care?


    "Divinity"


    It spoke. It verbally said the word, and Trillia wished dearly that it hadn''t. The sound it made seemed like madness, given form. A thousand images flowed through her mind, threatening to overwhelm her. Glancing at the others Ba''Shoon and Amelia were unconscious nearby. Tormash sat with a troubled look on his face, his fists clenched as he tried to maintain the bridge.


    Trillia aimed at Persona. Letting the system take over as she used each of the skills. She cycled through each of them twice, despite that her mana stayed at a hundred percent. It didn''t dip even once. More intent and concepts washed over her. Showing her how to bend her mana better, how to convert the mana, and the intent of her mana to warp a skill. She was trying to ignite Persona to hurt it. Ignite the air instead to suffocate it. She was trying to freeze its hide, freeze its tongue and eyes, something small and easier to drop the temperature of.


    It lasted for another three hours. Finally, Trillia fell over with a heavy thud as her body and mind gave out.


    -=- A Few Hours Later -=-


    Trillia''s eyes fluttered open. She lay on a rolled-out fur blanket. Amelia and Ba''Shoon lay next to her. Tormash sat nearby, and Persona stared at them intently. Waiting and watching.


    Trillia struggled to get her arms under her. Not wanting to disappoint the tribe or the monster before her that could easily wipe them out.


    "Sorry. I don''t know what happened."


    The mental bridge was immediately connected once more. Tormash looked positively exhausted.


    "Why did you form a bridge to cross the ravine? We saw you leap out of it. We know it doesn''t harm you."


    Images flashed through her mind of a small pack of wolves fleeing a serpent. The bridge allowed them safe passage.


    "Why doesn''t mana sickness kill them like it does us?"


    Silence followed.


    It dragged on for an uncomfortably long time.


    Finally, confusion passed through the mental bridge. Images began flashing through her mind. She recognized them. These were the same images it had shown her when she was asleep. Confusion appeared on her face. They all thought it was trying to help create a potion for them to ward off mana sickness. That was evidently not its intention.


    "We are trying to make something for the mana sickness with what you showed us. I don''t understand."


    The feeling of annoyance flooded her. It showed each image again, this time more slowly. Trillia''s anger and confusion were evident.


    "I DON''T UNDERSTAND!"


    She screamed aloud at it. Tormash coughed up blood as anger flooded through the connection. Trillia ran to his side.


    "You''re killing him! Stop!"


    Persona let out a low growl.


    You''re in the presence of an Avatar of Alirast. You are stunned.


    You are to weak to break this effect.


    Your Health will drain at a rate of 5% per second until you are dead.


    Your Mana will drain at a rate of 5% per second until you are depleted.


    Your Stamina will drain at a rate of 5% per second until you are exhausted.


    Your Mind is being shattered.


    Trillia couldn''t even scream. She curled up in a ball. Every fiber of her being was in agony. She prayed for death, an end to all of it. She didn''t want to keep suffering. She just wanted to run and play. Images of her parents began flashing through her mind, of her father chasing her mother around a table as they laughed. Images of her brothers playing tag and giving her piggyback rides.


    Images of learning from Amelia, Lurog, and Cordaos. Finally, the terror of her first real battle flooded through her. Why, oh why, did that have to be her last memory? Finally, she stopped fighting it. Too weak to continue to do so. Dozens of gentle hums at the edge of her vision told her that the system was trying to tell her things. She just didn''t care. Her entire life this past year had been nothing but constant struggles and fears. She was a child. She wanted to be a child. At least she would die one.


    Her eyes fluttered open as her resources rapidly fell toward zero. She saw Persona sniffing each of the others. It turned its face to her. Its maw opened rows of razor-sharp, glowing teeth greeted her. As if its teeth were sharpened mana. It grabbed her leg, fangs slicing into flesh. She couldn''t even muster a scream. It began to drag her tiny body toward the rift, and her mana began to refill rapidly. That didn''t matter, though. Soon her health would be zero, and she''d finally get to rest.


    Trillia''s life flashed through her mind once more. Her tribe knew that there was something after death. After all, their Chieftain had met gods before. They knew this life wasn''t the last step on their journey. Trillia only hoped that in her few short years of life, she had somehow earned a spot in that next step. Maybe there she wouldn''t feel so cursed. She was vaguely aware of the ravine closing in. She was shocked she wasn''t dead yet, that her health hadn''t hit zero. Then she realized why. [Orc Tenacity] had kicked in. Apparently, it was a strong enough racial skill that she didn''t just die at zero. Like Persona wanted.


    Trillia glanced back toward her friends and her brother. No tears came. A small smile formed on her lips. Hopefully, they would be spared. Hopefully, her death would buy them enough time to escape. Trillia hoped that her mother took it well. Suddenly her arms and legs weren''t on solid ground anymore. Turning her head, she saw the ravine. With another nudge from Persona and her body felt weightless as she fell into the dark depths below.

 Chapter 20 Pissed Off Mother

    Zok sighed heavily. Trudging along toward the mana rift. The Chieftain had directly asked him to make the trip out towards the ravine. It had been a week since Scout Master Tormash''s group had left. The trip itself was only half a day, maybe more with the younglings. Chieftain Amara was worried for their safety. Zok didn''t question the order. The Chieftain had led the orcs for more than a century. They experienced very few losses in battle, and until the cataclysm, they had a good life.


    Zok didn''t care for this stationary lifestyle the tribe had taken up. But even that, he understood. Zok was a scout and had seen the shit show the plains had become. Monster levels had nearly doubled, to say nothing of the new traits that were springing up everywhere. If the tribes weren''t united with the minotaurs, Zok had no doubt in his mind they''d be wiped out in five years at best.


    Rumors had spread quickly around the camp. Little Trillia Demonsbane had brought back valuable information, with a promise of more from some eldritch mana monster. Zok had asked Scout Master Tormash to see the entry for the thing. Honestly? Zok would have turned around and ran the fuck away the second the thing seemed to notice him.


    But the Demonsbane family wasn''t right in the head. By Infernus, Tormash was the sanest one amongst them, and even the noble Scout Master had already mastered seven classes. It was frankly disturbing how quickly that family grew in power. Ralrouk was a downright terrifying thing to behold. Zok had made the mistake of challenging Ralrouk to a duel exactly one time. Ralrouk didn''t even use any weapons, just marched up to Zok, ignoring all the wounds he was receiving. Then proceeded to rip Zok''s arms off with his bare-fucking-hands. Once the duel was called in his favor, the crazy Demonsbane used some sort of skill, holding Zok''s arms up to the stumps. The damn things fused back together good as new.


    Nobody really bothered Ralrouk with duels after that. Damn, a few carrots short of a stew. That one didn''t have carrots, meat, potatoes, or water. Fuck he didn''t even have the pot. Zok shivered as his mind ran off on its tangent. It was an easy enough mission. Go out, inform Scout Master Tormash that his mother was worried, get some sort of confirmation everything was fine, then report back to Chieftain Amara.


    Nice.


    Simple.


    Clean.


    Fuck.


    Zok froze. Tormash lay on the ground in a pool of his own blood. As did that minotaur Princess and the enchantress that always hung around Tormash.


    Fuck.


    Zok quickly scanned the surrounding area. As he hurried over, digging in a pouch to grab a potion before dumping it into Tormash''s mouth. His [Scan] didn''t register any of them as corpses. So they were still alive. There was no sign of the youngest Demonsbane, though.


    Fuck.


    Zok was going to get beaten to death if this was his report. He could feel the intense glare from Chieftain Amara and General Varga now. Another potion was dumped down Tormash''s throat, now aided by a few solid smacks to his Scout Master''s face.


    "Wake up, Scout Master! Wake Up!"


    Two more potions later, finally, Tormash stirred. Another swift smack across the face and his Scout Master''s eyes shot open in a panic. Zok was easily swatted aside as Tormash scrambled to his feet for a weapon. His eyes darting all around them.


    "Where is Trillia?!"


    Zok looked on helplessly as he watched his normally stoic, ever-calm Scout Master panic.


    "She wasn''t here when I arrived, Scout Master. It''s been seven days since you left on this mission."


    That froze Tormash in place. Deep green eyes turned with a sort of rage and hatred that made Zok''s blood run cold.


    "How many days did you just say?!"


    Zok was scared. These fucking Demonsbanes all had some sort of wonky shit going on. It just made everyone around them fucking terrified. Except for that princess and enchantress. Maybe they were extra screwy as well.


    "Seven days, Scout Master. Chieftain Amara sent me here to get a status report and an upd-"


    Tormash crossed the seven-foot distance entirely too fast. Yanking Zok up to his feet.


    "Report to the Chieftain immediately. Tell her the creature betrayed us and has kidnapped Trillia."


    Tormash pulled the orc scout closer.


    "Do. Not. Stop. Running. It already has a seven-day lead on us. Use every skill you have. Use every potion you have. Make the trip there as fast as possible. I don''t give a damn who tries to stop you. You report to my mother, regardless of where she is. Or what she is doing. Do you understand?"


    Zok gave a weak little nod. Tormash moved over to the enchantress and began shaking her awake. Zok turned and ran off toward the camp. Pulling out a potion of [Overland Movement] as well as a potion of [Bottomless Stamina]. Chugging both immediately. Zok didn''t question orders. He was a good, solid orc scout. Zok prayed to whatever gods might still be listening that his head wasn''t caved in by a really, really pissed-off mother.


    -=- Four Hours Later -=-


    Zok didn''t even check in with the guards, using a few movement skills to simply jump over the wall. As his feet hit the ground, he was off again. Expertly ducking, dodging, and jumping over any obstacles. Coming to the command tent, he didn''t announce himself or knock. He simply burst through the furs. Running right up to the table.


    "Scout Master Tormash said the creature betrayed us and kidnapped Trillia. That was seven days ago. I found the Scout Master and the others unconscious and not responding. It took four healing potions to wake him from the state he was in."


    Amara didn''t even acknowledge Zok. Instead, she seemed to disappear. Zok knew she couldn''t teleport, but when her agility was several hundred if not several thousand, above his, it may as well have been teleportation.


    If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    -=-


    The second Amara was out of the command tent, two large-scaled wings erupted from her armor. The wings shared the same orange shade that her armor did. Flames wreathed her body as she took to the air. Flying towards the rift. Agility had an affect on her movement speed with her wings. It only took her an hour to get to the rift itself.


    A dozen skills activated on a whim, she began scanning the area below. The trees present offered no protection to her hyper-enhanced senses and eyes. A few seconds later and she was landing next to Tormash. Who was on the edge of the ravine looking down.


    "What the fuck happened?!"


    Tormash spun on her, axe in hand. Amara didn''t make sound when she moved or flew. Or when she fought. In fact, the only time Amara made sound was when she damn well wanted to make sound. So her son''s terrified face and battle-ready stance didn''t surprise her all that much.


    "I have no idea! We were talking to that damn thing one second. Trillia was questioning it about the potion, but it was just getting more and more angry and frustrated with us for some reason. Trillia finally screamed at it that she didn''t understand what it meant or what it wanted. Screamed at it again because the emotions it was sending had started to seriously damage my health and mind. After that, it activated some fucked up aura. Way, way worse than even yours, Chieftain."


    Amara took all that information in without a word. Nodding as she looked over the side of the ravine.


    "Did you see where it took her?"


    "No. Tenacity activated. The only reason I''m alive is because of a berserker skill I picked up. I''m not sure how Ba''Shoon and Amelia survived. I sent them back toward camp. Neither are in the position to really assis-"


    Amara yanked him back away from the ravine. A second later, the wall of mana burst forth. Instead of his mana rapidly rising as he expected, it sat at zero. Amara''s other hand was held out towards the wall of mana as huge gouts of dark blue flames were pouring out of her hand. Tormash could feel the heat from the skill. It had to take thousands of mana a second to keep up a skill like that.


    "Damn. I can''t safeguard us both like this. Rally the rest of your squad Tormash. Get Ralrouk and Varga over here as well. Ask Cord if he can watch over the camp while we search. Varga and I can handle the ravine. You, your brother, and your scout squad are going to scour the area around this place."


    Tormash nodded. Without another word, he turned and made his way to camp. Activating a few of his own skills for increased movement.


    Amara waited for the blast to end. Set a forty-minute timer in her mind. Then stepped off the ledge. Her mana began to rapidly climb. Extending both arms and letting the same blue flames pour out as she fell at least seemed to keep her below a hundred percent. She was also resistant to mana sickness. But it had taken her nearly two centuries to get that particular passive. Still, it allowed her to get to four hundred percent of her maximum value before the sickness took her. Most were dead at four hundred percent.


    The ravine seemed to drop forever. She fell so far that even the light of the sky couldn''t reach her. She hadn''t seen any movement on the way down except the glow and pulse of mana.


    " [Divine Skill - Poach The Living ] "


    Her mind expanded beyond mortal limitations for thousands of feet in every direction. She could sense every single little thing that was alive. The dirt, the fungus, bugs. All of it flooded her mind with its location. Amara began running in one direction as fast as she could. Trying to find either the beast or Trillia.


    Amara knew her daughter couldn''t survive in this rift. Amara could barely do it herself, and she had centuries and hundreds of levels on the poor thing. She maintained focus. Amara wanted nothing more than to get angry and scream at herself for even having asked Trillia to do this stupid fucking mission. She knew the girl was desperate to be more useful to the tribe. She shouldn''t have put her in danger. Amara should have just told this beast that it couldn''t inspect her daughter.


    Focus!


    Dammit! She swore at herself as she kept running along the base of the ravine. After twenty or so minutes of this, she skidded to a stop. How the hell had this thing not registered to her divine skill?!


    Two large golden eyes opened. Staring intently at the little morsel of food that was Amara. Soft blue fur covered the creature''s form. On all four, it stood as tall as Amara did. Large fangs dripped with a glowing iridescent liquid. This thing looked like the tigers Amara had seen before. She silently activated [Greater Scan].


    [Greater Shattered Tiger - Primordial Spawned Beast - 672]


    Notable Traits:


    Mana-Warped


    Primordial Spawn


    Limitless Mana


    Mana Font


    Child of Mana


    Envenomed Mana


    Amara took a step back.


    " [Divine Armaments] [Blood Infusion] [Will of the Tribe] [Axle''s Axes]"


    She said all the skill names rapidly, and the air around the two hummed to life. The upkeep on this particular set of skills would have normally dropped her mana to zero instantly. Instead, it hovered right around a hundred percent. The tiger leapt forward, crossing the distance of thirty or so feet in a second. Its claws swiped at Amara''s chest.


    Several glowing weapons slashed at the outstretched claw. The scales of Amara''s dragon armor seemed alive, the colors ever-shifting as if lava flowed through them. Amara snapped her left hand up and out to try and parry the claw. Stepping into the beast and swinging down with her right hand. The two axes of her final skill sliced cleanly through flesh. Amara briefly wondered how on Alirast Cordaos had lost to these things.


    The answer and her humility followed quickly. As her axe passed cleanly through the tiger''s right paw, it didn''t stop the motion or slow. The severed paw didn''t make it to the ground before it had turned once more into mana. The stump continued swinging, and in the fraction of a second it took to cross the distance from the edge of Amara''s blade to her chest, another claw had already formed and dug deep into the scales. The force of the blow robbed Amara of all momentum she had and threw her back forty feet. The wind knocked out of her, and her right-handed swing missed the creature entirely.


    The tiger didn''t give her time to pause or recover. As Amara skidded and rolled from the weight of the attack, she saw another claw swing down at her head. She twisted her body as she came out of the roll, throwing an arm up to block the strike. She could feel her bones shatter under the weight of the attack, but it didn''t reach her head. Quickly getting her feet under her, she turned and ran. Letting her wings carry her up and into the air.


    The tiger leapt from wall to wall, swiping at her whenever it was near. It was a much less agile aerial combatant. Amara hefted one of the axes and threw it at the creature''s head while at the same time calling the rest of her blood-infused divine armament weapons to bare. Suddenly the creature was being slashed by a dozen different weapons. Every time an axe sliced into flesh, Amara called it back to her hand and threw the other.


    After several minutes the creature finally stood on the ravine floor, looking up at her. Without warning or wind-up time, a beam of raw mana shot from its now open maw. It clipped one of Amara''s wings, and much to her horror. The skill was instantly dispelled, and she plummeted to the ground. Her agility and experience stopped her from slamming into the fast-approaching stone floor. Instead, she smacked her hands against the walls and used her remaining wing to get herself lodged on a ledge.


    As her attention turned back to the tiger, it was already leaping toward her. Amara threw herself back and off the ledge, as another beam sliced through the stone. She tumbled back and landed the remaining distance on her feet. The entire time her armaments continued to harry her opponent.


    "[Blood Knight''s Regeneration] [Raptor''s Speed]"


    She verbalized two more skills to get a little more oomph out of them. She and the tiger began a new dance on the ravine floor, darting around one another and making swiping attacks. As it tore flesh from bone, her skill reformed it quickly. As she sliced off body part after body part, the mana even more rapidly reformed its body. This was a war of attrition she would lose. She was also on the clock for the next outburst from the ravine itself.


    Her eyes began to dart around for a solution.

 Chapter 21 Proof of Life

    The proverbial game of cat and mouse continued far longer than Amara wanted it to. She couldn''t seem to do any real damage to the mana-warped creature, and her own regeneration kept her resources mostly topped off. But that internal timer slowly ticked down toward the next burst of mana the ravine would gift her.


    While she may have confidence surviving down here normally. She knew if she came into direct contact with that wall of mana, she''d become overloaded just as her shamans had when the cataclysm first happened. Tenacity only seemed to safe guard from the negative values, not the positive ones.


    Her flight skill, having been disabled by the tiger, she began to jump and climb up the walls, all but abandoning the fight. It wasn''t getting her anywhere. Her opponent, however, had other plans. It began using that skill-cancelling beam of mana as a swiping attack. Causing Amara to lose ground and constantly leap from wall to wall. The tiger was able to climb up much faster than she was as well.


    The floating weapons of her skills left her opponent alone. Instead, she focused on a ledge not far from her current location, using the mana and blood-infused things to bludgeon, slice, and cut stone from the wall. Silently she chastised herself for not having a skill or weapon better suited to slicing through solid stone. In her adventuring days, she had relied on her allies for those tools.


    Still, she was hundreds of years old, and she should have an answer for this problem. The beam passed inches in front of her face. Reminding her that her opponent was a very dangerous creature and that perhaps she shouldn''t be daydreaming so casually.


    Scrambling up to the ledge where she was building her vacation home, she turned to peer at the creature on the other side of the ravine. A thought occurred to her, why were her skills working down here? On the surface, crossing over the ravine canceled most skills and prevent many others from working. The tiger crouched on its own ledge opposite of her, muscle rippled, ears and tail twitched.


    As the tiger leapt toward her, Amara decided on a different tactic. Instead of rolling to dodge or using her axes to attack, she dropped her weapons and leapt at the flying missile of fur. The two crashed in the middle of the air Amara''s jaw cracked and deformed, four huge tusks jutting from her mouth as she sank her own fangs into the creature''s face.


    Her absurd [Brawn] was entirely too much for the tiger to handle. Her tusks sank through its skull and into its brain. The tiger thrashed, its front and back claws raking at Amara''s chest and legs. Her armor held up decently, but the claws were still finding purchase and digging into her flesh. A new debuff appeared.


    You''ve been afflicted with [Mana Venom]!


    [Mana Venom]


    Poisons the mana flows of the afflicted creature, causing them to burn health and stamina, in addition to mana anytime skills or spells are used.


    Well, wasn''t that just fucking lovely. The two were now on the ravine floor. As more and more of Amara''s blood flowed from the wounds, her fighting only grew more intense. Skills from a half dozen classes flared to life at the scent of the blood, and her own tusks began to glow. Despite being mana-warped, the tiger knew fear. It began jerking its head back and away from her, causing its skill to rip and crack open. Some kind of viscous blue goop started to ooze out of its skull.


    Amara didn''t relent. Pushing her head forward and pinning the tiger''s head to the ground, she released her bite. Immediately she bit back into the creature''s head, finding new purchase. The claws became slower in their attacks. Amara activated another skill, one to siphon mana with her bite from her opponent. Being under the effects of [Mana Venom] meant her resources weren''t topped off. She would remedy that.


    Another few minutes passed before the creature finally lay still under her. As its life fled the corpse, so to did the discoloration of fur. Amara flopped down beside it, tusks receding into her mouth once more. She had figured if the creature couldn''t open its mouth, it couldn''t use that beam attack. She had been right. The [Mana Venom] debuff still had another three minutes and thirty-seven seconds left. Her resources had dropped dangerously low.


    You''ve defeated [Greater Shattered Tiger]!


    Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy more than one hundred levels lower than your Derived Level.


    Trait found on enemy: [Primordial Spawn] Experience awarded is doubled.


    Trait found on enemy: [Mana-Warped] Experienced awarded is tripled.


    The tired Chieftain slowly crawled back up to the ledge cave where her weapons had stayed at work during her struggle on the ravine floor. The cave was a solid thirty feet deep at this point. Amara slowly worked at clearing out all the rubble, letting all of her skills fade. Her mana began to slowly rise again, and the rest of her resources soon followed. At the back of the cave, the rise in mana was barely noticeable. Good, she thought.


    Her back to the wall, she summoned weapons until the rise of mana stopped, and her total levels of mana plateaued. She''d keep these summoned as a way to ensure she didn''t overfill on mana. Hands outstretched, blue flames once more poured from her fingertips, she had tried the attack against the tiger, but it shrugged it off just like everything else. She still wasn''t entirely sure why her last plan worked. Maybe diminishing returns? The attack was strong enough and damage constant enough that it overwhelmed whatever sort of regeneration it had on its body.


    Once her mana was at only three percent, she stopped using the flame attack. Her mana stayed steady at the lower percentage. Now she sat back and enjoyed the show, counting the seconds until the wall of mana rushed past the entrance of her cave. Her mana went from three percent to forty percent in a single second. Amara resumed the flames once more. It was merely her most expensive channeled attack and thus used the most mana in the shortest possible time.


    Still, her mana rose. It wasn''t as fast as before, but it was still twelve or thirteen percent a second. Amara knew the wall could last upward of five minutes. She summoned more weapons and used every maintained buff she had. Both hands were outstretched, trying desperately to expend mana faster than she was gaining it. Her mana crept above three hundred percent.


    Fuck.


    She knew she''d get hit with at least the first stages of mana sickness. It was inevitable at this point.


    But like any good plan, the universe decided to smash it into a million tiny little pieces, giggle in her face and throw it into the void. The intensity of the wall seemed to grow.


    Four hundred percent.


    You''ve been afflicted with [Mana Sickness](Minor)!


    ...


    ...


    Five hundred percent.


    You''re affliction has worsened. [Mana Sickness](Minor) has become [Mana Sickness](Major)


    ...


    ...


    Six hundred percent, fear crept into Amara. Turns out counting the seconds of some giant wall of death, made the time pass much more slowly than one would have thought.


    You''re affliction has worsened. [Mana Sickness](Major) has become [Mana Sickness](Severe)


    It is advised you stop consuming mana potions, you will die soon.


    Cheeky fucking message. As if she was sitting here getting drunk off of cheap mana potions.


    ...


    ...


    The wall vanished, and Amara sat at a cozy six hundred eighty percent. Sweat dripped from her forehead. A few seconds more, and she likely would have died of mana sickness in this fucking ravine. As she crawled closer to the exit, her blood ran cold. Looking down at the floor of the ravine where dozens of those tigers were prowling. Amara scampered back to the back of her cave, setting another timer.


    Ten minutes later, she checked again. and most of the tigers had moved on. She took this time to quickly start scaling the ravine wall. Her [Poach The Living] skill hadn''t worked on these creatures. She didn''t understand why. As she crawled her way out and onto the surface, she rolled onto her back, breathing heavily.


    She hated mana sickness. It made a person nauseous, but worse was that any expenditure of mana caused vertigo and worsened the feelings of nausea. Rolling to her hands and knees, she dragged herself up and out of the zone that was feeding her mana. She knew what she had to do and hated the idea of it. Once she was a safe distance away, she found a good rock to lay on, her head hanging over one side, the rest of her body safely held up by the rock itself. Hands outstretched, she used her favorite mana-burning skill.


    As her mana rapidly fell, so to did the contents of her stomach. When her stomach had no new contents to expel, she dry heaved. Sweat formed on her arms and forehead as she approached zero mana. Once that resource bottomed out and the flames stopped, so too did the vomiting. She rolled over and off the rock, wanting to get as far away from the puddle as possible. She felt incredibly weak.


    This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    You''re affliction has lessened. [Mana Sickness](Severe) has become [Mana Sickness](Major)


    Sometimes she really hated the system. It''s how she knew that the system itself was a thinking entity. It''s timing was entirely too perfect, far too often to be coincidental. Only some sick twisted asshole would sit there with a giggle and hand out messages with such impeccable timing.


    Amara groaned again, looking toward the ravine. She had no idea how she was going to search for Trillia. Or if Trillia was even still alive. Tears threatened to surface, and she promptly buried them and the emotions they represented. Crying wasn''t going to help her daughter. Taking another deep breath, Amara stood. She began walking along the ravine at a safe distance. Keeping her mana at zero.


    You''re affliction has lessened. [Mana Sickness](Major) has become [Mana Sickness](Minor)


    ...


    ...


    ...


    You''re affliction [Mana Sickness](Minor) has ended.


    "Fucking finally. Now to wait for the next burst of this fucking wall and another trip to the endless sea of fucking primordial spawn we go."


    Her mood was rapidly souring. She stood next to the ravine waiting for the timer to tick down. Voices calling out to her made her spin around. Varga approached.


    "What have you learned so far, Amara?"


    Amara moved up, giving the man a hug, reveling in the comfort of his arms and scent for a moment before answering.


    "It''s bad, Varga. There are mana-warped primordial spawns down there. Insanely difficult to kill."


    Taking a step away, she motioned to her rather torn armor. It was slowly repairing itself, but to see it in such a state was a testament to the power of the tigers.


    Varga gave her a worried look, motioning to the scouts that had come.


    "Amelia says that Trillia is alive. The girl could barely move. So I didn''t drag her out here. But she was screaming up a storm demanding someone bring her to you or me. Cordaos finally carried her to the command tent, where I was preparing things. Her [Mentor] skill tells her that Trillia is alive and that she''s at full resources, which is odd. She''s sorry to say that she can''t pinpoint Trillia. The skill isn''t that advanced yet."


    Relief washed over Amara''s face at the news. It meant Trillia wasn''t dead, which was significantly better news than she had less than a minute ago.


    "I''m so grateful for that little banshee. I''m happy Trillia has found such a steadfast friend."


    Varga nodded his agreement. The two made their way over to their sons and the scouts. Amara addressed them.


    "None of you are to go into the ravine itself. The creatures down there are over level six hundred. In addition, they have a half dozen traits that would make them completely unkillable to any of you at your current levels."


    None of the orcs present took offense. There was one thing no one in the camp questioned, regardless of their thoughts and opinions on matters such as staying still. And that was Amara''s battle instinct. The only one who could even come close was Cordaos, and the two almost universally agreed on such things.


    Tormash stepped forward to speak.


    "I have the beast''s scent. I can try to track it down. It seems to only come out at night."


    Amara shook her head immediately.


    "No. Do not approach that thing. If its aura was enough to put you and Ba''Shoon out of commission, the last thing I want is for you to come across it. I have a different plan. I will try to lure it out tonight. I want all of you to find where it makes its home."


    Tormash gave her an odd look.


    "Mo-... Sorry, Chieftain. It''s an Avatar of Alirast. Does it even have a home?"


    Amara thought on that for a moment, mulling it over and biting her lip.


    "Lord Darktone would form avatars as well. But he said that it took an immense amount of energy and concentration to create an entirely new form. Most host divinities like Alirast would instead inhabit a creature to utilize as an Avatar. These things were likely just behemoths that were resilient to the properties of the mana rift. Alirast took hold of one and created the Psionic variant to utilize as an Avatar."


    Those gathered nodded. None of them really had any experience dealing with divine entities. So her word was as good as they were going to get.


    "I''m almost positive that I am correct in this. My hope is that it has young of its own to leverage against it. If not...well. We''ll figure that out when we get there."


    Her sons and husband shared a look. Varga spoke up.


    "Amara, do you mean to threaten its child if it has one?"


    Amara nodded.


    "Of course. Parent to parent. It tells me where Trillia is, or I torture its kid until it decides to play nice."


    The ease with which she said it reminded them that Amara was an ancient, demon-killing machine of war. The orc veneer betrayed the fact she wasn''t entirely one of them anymore. Amara looked at them all, shaking her head.


    "I don''t want to hurt an innocent child, even an innocent monster child. But if it comes to its kid or mine. I''m going to choose Trillia every single time. Rest of the realm be damned."


    She gave orders and areas to search. Moving over to the ravine to look down into it once more. Now it was just a matter of waiting for nighttime.


    -=- A Few Hours Later -=-


    The sun had set, and the moon was rising. Amara sat on a large rock she had moved near the ravine. Waiting for the beast to approach. She didn''t know why, but she knew it would come out. Once the moon was high in the night sky, the thing crawled out of the ravine when the next wall of mana ended. Amara stared at it, watching it slowly approach her. She could feel the tendril of mental energy touch her mind. It found only a wall of anger, rage, and resentment.


    Persona flinched at the feel of it, stopping its approach entirely. The two sat there, staring at one another. Amara''s rage grew by the second. The tension in the air was palpable. The standoff didn''t last long, however. Amara dropped her suppression and activated all of her auras and targeted stuns. Persona did the same.


    You''re in the presence of an Avatar of Alirast. You resist the effects.


    You resist the effects of the Health drain.


    You resist the effects of the Mana drain.


    You resist the effects of the Stamina drain.


    Your Mind is shielded by [Divine Providence]


    Persona now looked actively shocked. As Amara slowly walked towards it, it couldn''t move. Couldn''t run or overwhelm her mind. The level difference would still give it a solid chance in a fight against her. But in a battle of auras and presence, the [Pact-Bonded] Chieftain won. Recognition flashed in its many eyes. The mental probes came again. Amara closed the rest of the distance in the blink of its many eyes. Her hands gripped its face and dug into its eyes.


    Her rage was visible, thin strands of some dark and ominous mana rolling off of her. Persona recognized it. It was the same mana that creatures from Infernus had. It tried to pull away but found it couldn''t break the grip of the orc. It lashed out with mental attacks and found the cage of divine and demonic energy impenetrable. Her clawed hands dug deeper into its flesh. It whimpered and tried to pull away. The orc in front of it could smell its fear. The fear of the creature that Alirast was inhabiting.


    A little yelp from the side caused it to freeze in place. Its nose sniffed the air in a panic. A low growl rumbled through its body. Amara''s eyes flashed a dangerous red. The scent of its pup''s blood caused it to go into a frenzy. Jerking and thrashing about, it sent out mental attacks at everyone in the area, but no one except the demon in front of it was close enough. It tried snapping its jaws at the demon''s face but found no purchase, unable to budge the thing''s mighty arms.


    A chilling voice shook it from it''s thrashing.


    "Where is my daughter? My people value life, I teach them to value life. I do not. I will butcher your children in front of you, cook, and eat their corpses. I will slaughter every behemoth this realm has to offer if you do not tell me where my daughter is. I do not care what Alirast is telling you. I do not care about anything but my child. I know you can verbally speak. Do so."


    Persona trembled. This thing''s level wasn''t right. It couldn''t be. Persona had more levels than this demon in front of it. Yet nothing worked. It was like one of those [Primordial Spawns]. On a whim, it scanned the demon before it.


    [Orc - Grand Chieftain - 773]


    Notable Traits:


    Pact-Bonded [2nd Axle]


    Demon Blood [Lord of Rage]


    Divine Spark [2nd Axle]


    Rage of Mortality


    Vengeance of Mortality


    It stopped fighting. The first two traits alone would even be the playing field. Persona knew, from its own divine connection, that utilizing those traits was dangerous. It took little pieces of your soul as payment each time they were used to their fullest, like the demon before it was doing now. It glanced towards the yelps, a hundred feet away, it saw more orcs holding two small behemoths. Glowing red weapons hung over their heads, and thin lines of blood dripped from their faces.


    -=-


    Amara hated drawing on this feeling. Hated becoming this weapon that had been created to fight the [Primordials] centuries ago. She could feel the demon from Infernus staring into her soul. Could feel her very soul being pulled out of her, like some sort of puppet string. But the creature in front of her had to understand. It had to realize it couldn''t fight. Its hope had to be crushed and ground into dust.


    "Where is my daughter?"


    The creature''s eyes shifted from it''s young to Amara. It''s mouth opened.


    "Child lives! Child Lives!"


    The sound wasn''t natural. Amara could smell more blood bubbling from its throat. It seemed verbally speaking caused the creature pain. Its anatomy wasn''t meant for verbal communication. Amara still didn''t quite trust it near her mind.


    "Your children live for now. Where is my child?"


    The creature tried to shake it''s head in vain.


    "Child lives! Child Lives! Child lives! Child Lives! Child lives! Child Lives!"


    Blood streamed from it''s mouth. Amara could smell the terror wafting off of it.


    "My child lives?"


    It nodded, despite the movement causing her claws to dig deeper into its flesh. Its eyes darted over to its own young once more. Finally, Amara let the mental probe in. She was overcome with thousands of images and emotions. Intent and concepts flooded her mind. Unlike her children, Amara was all too used to dealing with such types of communication. She wasn''t overwhelmed. Instead, she silenced it all with a single clear image of Trillia. Forcing the creature to move at her pace.


    The response was an image of Trillia in what looked like a large flower pod floating in some sort of blue liquid. As her anger rose, it tried to flood her with emotions of safety and happiness. Tried to make its intent clear it didn''t want to harm Trillia. Amara sent her own intent through the link. If Trillia was hurt, its children would be hurt. Once more, a flood of emotions came through. A pang of guilt hit Amara. The thing was absolutely terrified. It didn''t want to even approach the orcs, to begin with. It wanted nothing to do with Trillia or Amara. The realm forced it to do its bidding, so it did.


    Realization seemed to dawn on it, as Amara got a new status pop-up.


    Persona [Avatar of Alirast] is offering to enter a [Divine Geas] with you. Terms below.


    Persona agreed that Trillia Demonsbane is safe, and will remain safe in it''s care, so long as it''s own children are not hunted or attacked for it''s actions against the Demonsbane clan. Furthermore Persona agrees to lead Amara Demonsbane to where her daughter is kept, to show proof that Trillia Demonsbane is alive and well. It cannot undo the actions the Realm of Alirast forced it to do, but wishes to make amends. Do you accept this [Divine Geas]


    Amara was a bit startled. She had only been offered one geas of this magnitude before. It was how she got her demon blood trait. She looked deeply into the creature''s fifth eye. The rest of its face was covered in blood and cuts. Amara was even more startled that she had done so much damage to it in her rage. Shame crossed her eyes for a moment before she reminded herself that her daughter''s life was on the line. She accepted the geas. Turning to Varga and Ralrouk.


    "Keep the pups safe. I''ve entered a divine geas with Persona. I will go and check on Trillia''s condition. If I am not back in one hour, kill them."


    More emotions flooded through her. The creature emphasized time over and over. Amara looked at it, then back to her family.


    "Make that four hours."


    Once Amara fully released the creature, it turned and quickly began running off, urging Amara to follow. She did.

 Chapter 22 Results

    Persona waited for the next wall of force to come and go before leading the demoness behind it further into the ravine. The realm of Alirast was sending calming thoughts to it, trying to assure the creature that no harm would come to its young. Persona didn''t believe that at all. If the demon behind it grew angry at the state the tiny orc was in, Persona was almost certain the demon wouldn''t hesitate to butcher it.


    The Geas may have kept it alive for now. But the thing wasn''t stupid. It had sapience before Alirast chose it. It just wasn''t nearly as powerful as it was now.


    Nearly an hour of walking, jumping, and climbing later, the demon finally broke the silence.


    "The wall will return soon. I was the one to accept that Geas. If I die and do not return, my tribe will kill your children."


    Fucking brutes. All humanoids were like this.


    No.


    No, that wasn''t entirely fair, was it? Persona had been instructed to knock them all out and kidnap the child. If some strange humanoid had taken one of Persona''s litter, it would have razed their entire village to the ground. This demon was just doing the same. It probed her mind tentatively. It had never encountered a barrier quite like this one.


    To be fair, it only had its psionic telepathy for a few years, but still. It was a shimmering wall of radiant energy. It felt warm and inviting, drawing the mind in close. But once you touched that wall? It tore at your very soul, tried to shred your very existence into the void. What Persona was doing was the equivalent of getting up really, really close to something, then letting out a loud road to startle it.


    The demon thankfully accepted the probe. It was terribly painful to force words out of its mouth. Alirast had taught it to do so, but it cost precious health every time it needed to activate the skill. With the mental link established, Persona began communicating.


    -=-


    Amara felt the probe. She wasn''t really worried about the beast betraying her at this point. It cared as much about its young as she did about Trillia. Once more, divine powers above them both forced mortals to be at odds, nothing more.


    As the mental bridge was formed, she began receiving images and emotions. The creature seemed to have a few locations that were deep enough to be safe from the wall for creatures like Amara, who were too weak to stand in the raw mana. Thinking about it, Amara was curious and spoke verbally to the creature.


    "How do you and your children not die to the wall? Is that Alirast''s doing?"


    Confusion flooded her mind. It showed her images of Trillia casting spells and using skills. Amara returned the confusion.


    The two went back and forth for some time. Amara was forced to hide in one of the warded caves. Persona sat outside on the ledge as the blast came and went. Amara finally understood the concept it was trying to explain to her.


    It had mana like Trillia''s. Apparently, the mana that was blasting from the bottom of the ravine, or whatever the source was, was Universal Mana. So while Trillia would still be at serious risk of mana sickness, it wouldn''t explode her quite as rapidly as it did her Shamans. Amara thought to have a few more questions answered.


    "What is causing the explosion of mana? What''s your purpose in all of this?"


    The creature jerked it''s head to the side, trying in vain to resist Alirast''s demands and calls.


    "Sleep Primordial. Kill Spawn."


    It whimpered after it spoke the words to her. Amara realized that the entity that was the realm didn''t feel like them taking so long to reach a conclusion. Amara had learned centuries ago that everything had some sort of sentience to it. The universe itself was a ''living'' entity, as it were. That''s what the system was. The system, rarely if ever, spoke to anything, though. It did its job and ignored the insects. The only reason Amara knew all of this was that the deity she was pact-bonded to would regularly speak to the system and get replies.


    Evidently, at a certain level of deific power, even the universe itself would chat with you. Amara wasn''t so lucky. The few times she had gleaned Lord Darktone''s true ''form'', it had nearly killed her. There were some things mortals were not meant to see. Hence, Avatars.


    Another twenty minutes passed. Finally, they arrived at another cave entrance. Persona stopped and spun on her. Mentally it warned her of fear and anger and reminded her of happiness and calm. Amara knew she wasn''t going to like what she saw. The creature didn''t want to be on the receiving end of her ire. Amara assured it that if she had any issues, she''d save her anger for when she was powerful enough to fight a greater deity.


    Satisfied, the two ventured further in. The stone and rock, which had veins of mana pulsing through it, gave way to something Amara hoped to never see again. The stone changed slowly to a crystalline substance. Amara had seen it twice before, once when she had been brought to the realm of the [2nd Axle] and once when they had sealed the primordials. It was divinity given solid form.


    The stuff was impervious to all damage unless you had a divine spark. A mortal could wail on the stuff for millennia, and it wouldn''t even scratch. Amara had seen a great palace made entirely of crystalized divinity. A testament to her deity''s power. It also served as a home for tens of thousands of young immortals and lesser deities. Lord Darktone wanted to nurture those under him. Seeing the crystal now, Amara was terrified by what it meant.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    Persona sat next to a large door, the wall it was set into was crystal, and the door itself was crystal. All of it hummed with a gentle golden mana. As Amara reached for the handle of the door, she felt fear and terror creep into her mind. If Trillia was lost, it would be on her. She had offered the mission to the child. She had pressured Trillia to be better and do better. Closing her eyes, she grabbed the handle and pulled.


    ...


    ...


    ...


    Nothing happened. Her eyes shot to Persona, a confused look on her face.


    She didn''t think it was possible for the canine-like features to have a revelation, but evidently, it did. It sent apologetic emotions toward her. Using its mana to unlock the door and allow someone without Universal Mana to open it. Once more, she grabbed the handle and pulled.


    This time, the door slid open with ease. In the room before her was a large pod it looked as if it was a giant pitcher plant made from crystal. Swirls of a golden and bright blue liquid inside kept her eyes locked on it. As she slowly approached, she saw the small form floating within. Trillia''s eyes were closed. Amara placed her hands on the ''lid'' of the pod, staring intently at her daughter. Taking in every inch to check her for wounds.


    Her heart sank when she came to the girl''s left arm. It looked as if it had been ripped off. Splintered bone and muscle twitched and spasmed. Blood didn''t flow, unable to push past the mana that covered the child''s form. Tears swelled in her eyes. She began to look around for a way to open the pod. Perhaps if Trillia got a strong enough [Potion of Regeneration], they could regrow the arm.


    She felt the mental prod again, spinning around the panic was evident in her eyes. Persona sat there on its hind haunches. An almost sympathetic look on its face. Amara was bombarded with images.


    She watched through Persona''s eyes as it dragged Trillia to the ravine edge. Her brave little fencer was without a tear in her eyes. A small smile defiantly stretched across her lips. She watched as her daughter''s body fell into the abyss. Persona jumping in after and keeping it from taking too much damage on the way down. The first time Trillia clipped an edge, her eyes closed, and both of her tiny little fists clenched.


    Amara found herself on her knees, a hand holding onto the pod, as her daughter''s fate played through her mind.


    Trillia landed on the ledge of this cave. By Amara''s estimate, only another five or ten seconds of [Orc Tenacity] remained. Persona dragged the child by her feet into this room. It froze in place as if fighting with all its might against a command given to its mind. Its head jerked to and fro. Dragging its face along the ground, whimpering, and covering its head with its paws.


    Amara watched as drops of blood formed in its ears. When Persona uncovered its head, it had tears of its own in its many eyes.


    Slowly it plodded up to Trillia.


    Opening its mouth, its fangs sank into the girl''s left arm. Trillia screamed in pain, trying to position her good arm to pound at the creature''s face and maw. One of its massive paws was set on the girl''s shoulder, the other on her stomach. With a mighty yank, the arm snapped, and flesh and muscle tore. Blood sprayed the area. Trillia screamed and screamed. Her racial skill refused to let her pass out. Refused to let her hide and back down from the fight. Persona dragged the screaming, one-armed girl into the pod.


    As it filled with the liquid mana, seemingly of its own accord, Trillia''s screams stopped.


    Amara couldn''t hold it in. The contents of her stomach emptied before her. The mighty Chieftain had fought in a thousand battles and had slain tens of thousands of foes. But to see her daughter have her arm ripped off in such a fashion. It was too much. Especially because Amara knew it was her fault. She turned tearful eyes to Persona. Barely able to get out the whisper.


    "Why?"


    Persona couldn''t help it. Moving up next to Amara, trying to comfort the distraught mother. Its mind reached out to help calm her down. It spoke verbally, and for the first time, it did so willingly.


    "Alirast demand it. She lose arm, or life. I chose arm."


    Amara pulled her knees up to her chest, something she hadn''t done since she was a much younger, much weaker orc. As she sat there, she babbled out apologies to Trillia. She didn''t know if her daughter could hear. Amara felt as though her daughter deserved so much more and so much better. Maybe she had been wrong to try and raise Trillia like any other orc.


    "Will she live?"


    Persona nodded solemnly. And despite the blood beginning to form in its throat. It kept speaking.


    "Mana channels expanded. Creating a weapon."


    Amara''s blood ran cold. There it was again. First, she had been turned into a weapon, just like Cordaos had. Now her daughter was going to be turned into a weapon so that the deities could use them to fight the primordials. Rage bubbled inside of her. At least Lord Darktone had asked them. Had pulled all of them from their own personalized trips to Infernus. She and the other ''great generals'' of the beast wars had all been slaves of one form or another.


    They had been set free by an agent of Lord Darktone. There, he offered each a choice, live out the remainder of their lives as free creatures, with his blessing, or accept a pact and maybe help save the realm.


    Amara stood, fists clenched. Turning to stare down at her daughter''s floating form. She couldn''t see the girl from the side, only from the top. Amara stood there for a long time, a thousand ideas raging in her mind. She''d find a way to get vengeance for her daughter. But for now, her daughter''s well-being came first. Turning to look at Persona now.


    "I am sorry. That I threatened to harm your children. I promise they won''t come to any harm from my tribe and I. When can I visit her? How long will she be here?"


    Persona''s head dropped. As did the last of Amara''s hope. The creature spat out blood, taking a deep, shaky breath before it spoke again.


    "Visit always. Years."


    Amara wanted nothing more than to smash the pod. She had a spark of divinity. She could damage the crystal. But she knew damn well that deities weren''t stupid. If Alirast wanted Trillia to become a weapon. It was either she does so or dies when she leaves the pod. Persona''s mental nudge pulled her from the hatred boiling in her mind.


    Its request was simple. Time was of the essence, and it didn''t want its children to be killed because of her orders. Amara nodded.


    "We move quickly back to the surface. I''ll try to find a way to free you as well. I grow weary of the deities."


    Persona had no answer to that. Alirast was there. It was everywhere. After all, it was the very cave they stood in, the wind in the skies, and the water of the ocean. Deities rarely took threats seriously. This time was no different. As far as Persona could gauge. Alirast merely viewed both itself and Amara as insects to utilize for its own means. Still, the two turned and made haste back to the surface.

 Chapter 23 Metamorphosis 1/2

    The last thing she remembered was having her arm ripped off of her body. Persona had suddenly snapped on them. It acted as if it didn''t want to do what it was doing. Trillia didn''t understand that.


    Her body refused to move. Her eyes refused to open. She felt weightless. A warm, comforting feeling enveloped her body. Her status still worked, and she was vaguely aware of the passage of time as she watched her stats rise every six months.


    Trillia''s mana levels worried her. She had rapidly hit max. She had never gotten [Mana Sickness], at least, not that she could remember. But knew enough from the adults on how you got it. As her current mana doubled her max, she mentally gritted her teeth and prepared for the affliction. It never came.


    After the first two stat increases, her mana was tens of thousands of mana higher than her max. She still had no mana sickness.


    She turned five, and a third set of stat increases came and went. Her mana had risen above a hundred thousand now. She couldn''t allocate the stat points from her previous level. All she could do was float and mentally watch her mana and stats rise.


    Three weeks after her fifth birthday, something finally changed. A voice spoke to her that wasn''t Persona. She knew because it spoke in full sentences to her.


    "You''re taking this well, child. That is good. Your mind is calm enough that we can speak to one another. What questions do you have?"


    Trillia floated there a long time in silence. She didn''t know what to ask or how to ask. Maybe just think really hard about the question. She couldn''t speak after all. Finally pushed the intent through her mind to ask the question.


    "Why me?"


    "Because you''re capable of manipulating all forms of mana except divine mana."


    That didn''t make much sense to Trillia. Sure, her parents informed her it was quite rare to have the [Universal Mana Manipulation] skill that she did. But there had to be others.


    "Why not someone stronger?"


    The responses came immediately after her words. As if whatever she was speaking to knew what she was going to ask before she did.


    "There are currently seven thousand three hundred and twenty-one other individuals undergoing this process. The majority of individuals who have the capacity of manipulation that you do on this continent have been killed by spawn. You are one of the four remaining."


    Trillia floated there in silence once more. She dearly wished she could scratch her chin and give this all a good think. But she couldn''t feel her body, let alone move it. She was vaguely aware she had a body, but it all felt so weightless and surreal that she wasn''t sure.


    By her approximation, a few hours passed.


    "Are you a deity? How long are you going to keep me trapped here?"


    "I am not a deity. I am the entity that runs the realm of Alirast. I was created by the [2nd Axle] when he created the realm. All realms must have a host entity to watch over them. It''s very akin to the dungeons that many of your mortal brethren delve into for levels and wealth. Just on a much grander scale. You should think of the entire universe in that way. You will be here for another two years. After that, the process should be complete."


    "Does that mean that the axle shapes the universe? Does my mother know what happened to me?"


    "For the sake of efficiency, let us settle one line of questions at a time. Your mother is aware of the state you are in. The beast you call Persona, my avatar, brings her to the location of your body once a month. Your people are surviving. They are working with Persona to create an alchemical substance to avoid mana overflow. They should be finished in the next few months with something that will do the job."


    It gave her a moment to process that information before it continued.


    "The current plan is to send messengers to the mortal city of Kincairne. There, your mother hopes to rally her old friends to ensure the [Primordials] cannot fully awake. Afterward, I believe her intent is to end my existence."


    That startled Trillia. If her eyes worked, they''d be wide as tents right about now.


    "What? She wants to kill you?"


    "It seems that is the case. It doesn''t matter. She is many millennia from having the strength to do so. Furthermore, because my creator and the regular and greater deities cannot currently access this realm, they will not be able to seal the primordial."


    "That''s the debuff that everyone has?"


    "It is. But the wording on it is a puzzle. Such things are standard when dealing with my creator. It states he has closed the channels of divinity to this mortal plane. Meaning that divinity cannot enter the plane, but it says nothing about any divinity already here. Hence why your mother still has her spark. It further goes on to specifically say that no new deific blessings can reach us or the plane we are on. But that leaves it open that a godling can be created here, or perhaps even a lesser deity. Since that isn''t a deific blessing."


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Trillia didn''t quite grasp any of that. She didn''t understand the wordplay or why deities would care so much about such specific instances of wordplay.


    "What are you doing to me that you think I can help with something my mother cannot?"


    "There is a trait. You, mortals, see it in your status screens as Limitless Mana. For most mortals, they assume it means endless. Which is technically true. In reality, it gives you a maximum mana cap of several billion. It makes you functionally immune to [Mana Sickness]. In addition to that, it lets you hold on to absurd amounts of mana. At least, absurd for a mortal."


    Trillia still didn''t quite understand how that helped. Though she was glad she would be immune to [Mana Sickness], maybe she could help her tribe with duties around the ravine. The voice continued.


    "Deities and immortals cannot get that trait. If a mortal with the trait ascends, the trait is removed. The way deities and immortals fight, and kill one another, is by draining the other''s maximum mana to zero. Forcing their existence to end. They do this by burning their own maximum mana at a one-to-one ratio. It is similar to what they do, to seal [Primordials]."


    That made significantly more sense now. If Trillia had billions of maximum mana, she could probably help seal the [Primordial].


    "Why can''t we kill them? Why do they exist in the first place?"


    "They are created when the realm is. They are what is known as a kill switch. All realms have them. If ever I grow too corrupted or unable to think and defend myself, the [Primordials] will wipe out all life. After, they will turn towards my core and kill me. This is done to ensure that realms don''t start devouring other realms. Apparently, it happened once before. They can be killed, technically. A powerful enough deity could drain their maximum mana to zero."


    "I understand why we wouldn''t do that since we''d probably die or something. Why don''t deities, though?"


    "There are rules. Even Deities have rules they must follow, laws that are created to ensure that an angry deity doesn''t just wipe out all life on a realm because they are in a bad mood. That''s also happened before. It is my job to ensure that the primordials I have are not killed but do not wake up. A precarious balancing act that ensures my ability to think, rationalize, and plan are all functioning properly."


    That seemed...cruel. The realm was basically forced to keep its own killers alive and well, or it would be killed itself. The more she heard about them, the less Trillia liked deities. They all seemed cruel.


    "So. You are giving me the trait to have lots of mana. I guess you expect me to train, then fight the primordials with other mortals that have the trait to seal the [Primordials]?"


    "Yes. The spark of divinity in you is fascinating. It''s allowing you to stretch and utilize the system''s knowledge much faster and further than those without it. That coupled with your manipulation, I think you will become a wonderful tool against the primordials."


    Trillia wanted to nod but couldn''t. Instead, she mentally nodded. A tool. She supposed there were worse things to become. The strong ruled the weak that''s just how the realm worked. She didn''t like it, but her few years had hammered that home many, many times already. It''s why she hadn''t cried when Persona betrayed them. What was the purpose of it? Persona was strong. They were weak. It could do whatever it wanted. This voice was telling her to become a tool and a weapon.


    It was strong.


    She was weak.


    "You shouldn''t always think like that. There are many mortals who have killed creatures far, far beyond them in strength. It was never my desire you enslave you as I have. Ultimately, once I release you, I cannot force you to do my bidding. I have rules I must follow as well. I can kidnap and modify you, but I cannot brainwash you or mind control you."


    Trillia''s awareness began to expand slightly. Her body twitched, and for a moment, she could feel it again. As if whatever was keeping her in place had become distracted. She was immediately aware her arm hadn''t been healed.


    "Why did you take my arm?"


    "Agony helps the growth of traits. You are right-handed. You almost always only fight with one arm. I thought it was better to take an arm than any other limb that would be more valuable. I told the beast that if it didn''t take your arm, I''d kill you."


    Sure. The strong totally didn''t rule the weak. But if you don''t do what I say, I''ll kill you or just rip off your arms. Trillia didn''t much care for this voice either. She floated there in silence. Briefly, she thought about bringing up the previous questions of how the universe functioned. But she didn''t really want to listen to the voice any more or deal with it.


    Her stats went up by two more points. She was six now. She briefly wondered how tall she''d be once all of this was over. A silver lining in all of it.


    "Can you remove [Runt]? That would certainly make me a better fighter."


    This time the voice didn''t instantly reply to her. As if it was thinking.


    "I think..."


    It hesitated. Were there rules it was trying not to break? Is this why wordplay was important to these strong beings?


    "My estimations say that the trait will not significantly hamper your combat capabilities in the long term."


    Trillia was surprised by that answer. How couldn''t it? Her [Brawn] was literally half of what it normally was supposed to be. Maybe the new trait would make it so she didn''t rely on that stat?


    "You spoke before about realms being larger dungeons. Is that what the axle is?"


    "The universe is broken into five parts. Its primary body is made up of three revolving sections. They are called axles because their divinity and life force keep their section of the universe revolving properly. There are three axles. The second killed the previous [2nd Axle] and took his position. As such, he is the youngest of the current axles. The bottom of the universe is the sea of creation. All other space is the edge of oblivion. I could explain it in more detail or show you. But such knowledge would most likely rip your mind apart. I need your mind to be whole, to fight."


    Trillia still tried to visualize it, but it just didn''t make sense to her how there could be a bottom of the universe. Maybe it was a big circle that just spun forever. For that matter, who created the universe? Trying to think more about it caused her head to ache. Why were so many big questions flooding her mind? She went back to floating in silence.


    At her next stat increase another message popped up as well.


    Trait Acquired: Limitless Mana


    Limitless Mana: This creature has a maximum mana of 231. This creature cannot be afflicted with Mana Sickness. When this creature hits this maximum value of mana, any excess mana fills the mana of all creatures around it instead. This creature can set a personal limit to how much mana it wishes to hold until the overflow takes place.


    Well. That was useful. Trillia didn''t understand what the number meant. But when she looked at her status, it simply had a dash in place of the maximum value. So it was probably a lot. At least it wasn''t two-hundred thirty-one. Which is what the number sort of looked like. Six more months, and she was free.


    She was vaguely aware of her body again. Strange limbs had grabbed her feet and arms, slowly moving them. She seemed extremely thin. That made sense. She hadn''t eaten in years, after all. Trillia certainly hoped that she still enjoyed food. Maybe after her mom got done crushing her in hugs and kisses, they could find something good to eat.

 Chapter 24 Metamorphosis 2/2

    The stat increase for her seventh birthday came and went. Her body had some muscle tone back with the pseudo exercise the pod had for her. If the voice could be trusted, Trillia would be out of this pod soon. It startled her a bit when the notifications began flooding in. As if the System could sense she was about to be released or something.


    Metamorphosis complete.


    Metamorphosis Progenitor: Alirast


    New Trait Metamorphosized.


    Trait: Thirst for Knowledge


    Thirst for Knowledge


    You have an unending thirst for knowledge, you are no longer overwhelmed by new information. You cannot be overwhelmed by your own senses when it pertains to acquiring or gaining knowledge.


    Spark of Divinity Detected!


    Divine Trait Metamorphosized.


    Trait: Unwavering Determination


    Unwavering Determination


    You have faced tragedy far beyond your years. You have repeatedly been beaten down. Most mortals would have given up and lost their lives. You have not. You are significantly more resilient to negative mood debuffs. You always see a way forward. You are willing to attempt any odds if it means survival.


    Skill Metamorphosis Complete.


    Skills Changed-


    General Skill- [Obfuscation] - Level 0 becomes [Mana Obfuscation] - Level 0


    Mana Obfuscation-


    The strength of you Obfuscation is tied to your current mana. If the creature targetting you has more current mana than you have, they will successfully be able to scan you, otherwise you determine what others see. Any [Basic Scan] divine variant bypasses this completely. Would you like to customize this now?


    General Skill- [Basic Scan] - Level 8 -> Level 10


    Three Skill Evolutions available. Would you like to see them now?


    General Skill- [Basic Mana Regeneration] - Level 3 -> Level 10


    Special Evolutions available. Would you like to see them now?


    General Skill- [Rudimentary Telepathy] - Level 3 becomes [Minor Telepathy] - Level 0


    Minor Telepathy-


    You are able to make a mental connection with creatures that have a mind. You are able to share rudimentary thoughts. You are no longer fatigued by prolonged telepathic communications.


    General Skill- [Adamant Resolve] - Level 2 becomes [Stalwart Mana] - Level 0


    Stalwart Mana-


    You may burn mana to ward of the effects of powerful creatures. The more powerful the creature, or skill, the more mana this skill will burn. If you have no mana available, this skill operates as the base skill [Adamant Resolve] at an equal level.


    General Skill- [Basic Universal Mana Manipulation] - Level 3 -> Level 10


    One evolution available. Evolving skill.


    General Skill- [Basic Universal Mana Manipulation] - Level 10 becomes [Universal Mana Manipulation] - Level 0


    Trait Found: [Limitless Mana] augmenting [Universal Mana Manipulation]


    Universal Mana Manipulation-


    You are one of the few creatures who have access to Universal Mana Manipulation. What this means is that not only are you able to craft runes and spells that only other Universal manipulators can access or utilize, but in addition! At a cost of two times the normal amount of mana, you can utilize any other element. Be that a rune, spell, or artifact. Any runes tattooed, scared, etched or otherwise on your physical being, can be made permanent enchantments. Each such rune will slow your mana regeneration. These runes are impervious to tampering unless you will them to be manipulated.


    General Skill- [Basic runic] - Level 3 becomes [Runic Scripture] - Level 0


    Skill Found: [Mana Obfuscation] augmenting [Runic Scripture]


    Runic Scripture-


    Your fascination for runes and mana has evolved with your mind. You have a passing understanding of any rune you encounter. The more familiar you are with the species that created the rune, the more familiar you are with the rune itself. As this skill levels your initial understanding will deepen. At no additional cost, any runes you create, or inscribe can be under the purview of your [Mana Obfuscation]. You are aware of anyone inspecting your runes or attempting to understand them.


    General Skills- [Basic Alchemy] and [Basic Herbalism] detected. Generating trait [Alchemical Blood]


    Alchemical Blood-


    Your blood is mana. You can utilize your blood in place of certain reagents. Doing so causes a health malus that can only be recovered with natural rest and recovery.


    Physical body has been fundamentally changed.


    Subspecies [Orc] becomes [Mana-Infused Orc].


    Species - [Orc] Level 9 -> Level 10


    Congratulations you''ve reached level 10! You may now choose a class. Would you like an explanation on classes and to view your options?


    Species - [Orc] Level 10 -> Level 11


    Congratulations you''ve reached level 10! You may now choose a class. Would you like an explanation on classes and to view your options?


    ...


    ...


    Species - [Orc] Level 20 -> Level 21


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.Congratulations you''ve reached level 10! You may now choose a class. Would you like an explanation on classes and to view your options?


    Subspecies - [Mana-Infused Orc] - Level 0 - > Level 10


    Congratulations you''ve reached level 10! You may now choose a class. Would you like an explanation on classes and to view your options?


    ...


    ...


    Subspecies - [Mana-Infused Orc] - Level 13 - > Level 14


    Congratulations you''ve reached level 10! You may now choose a class. Would you like an explanation on classes and to view your options?


    Were it not for the fact she was already floating, she almost certainly would have stumbled and fallen over from the sheer rush of information. Surprisingly, no headache came. That had certainly been a problem in the past. As she read through the dozens of notifications, she realized why. That trait was going to be very handy when it came to learning lots of stuff.


    She was confused about why the message repeated over and over again about classes. Normally it just gave her a lump sum of levels, as the first subspecies dump had. Maybe it was trying to remind her to actually choose a class? Either way, she was glad a lot of the descriptions felt more personal instead of just referring to her as a creature all the time. She hoped the system would keep it that way instead of changing again.


    While she was excited to jump into classes, she wanted to evolve her skills first. Maybe one of the skills would lead to more class options being unlocked.


    General Skill- [Basic Scan] - Level 8 -> Level 10


    Three Skill Evolutions available. Would you like to see them now?


    Scan-


    An upgraded version of [Basic Scan] that allows a greater range of levels and greater control of the information you see.


    Mana Sight-


    This turns [Basic Scan] into a passive skill that can be toggled on and off. You will only ever get an extremely condensed version of a target''s stats. However you can see the types of mana manipulation they have available to them. Higher levels in this skill will also allow you to see the mana flows of the realm.


    Discern Weakness-


    This skill only shows you a condensed version of the target''s stats. However in combat, it will subtly guide your attacks, skills, and spells to weak points.


    Trillia thought about that for a while. Scan would eventually lead to Greater Scan, she was pretty sure. That was the skill her parents used, as it had a very wide range of uses. Could be extremely customized and gave you a lot of information about a person. It also had the best chance of overcoming Obfuscation skills.


    Discern Weakness would help a lot with the rapier. It was such a small light weapon she had to be very accurate. But looking at her new subspecies, which unfortunately still had the [Runt] trait next to it, she seemed to be very mana themed. Something in her gut told her to take Mana Sight. So she did.


    General Skill- [Basic Scan] - Level 10 becomes [Mana Sight] Level 0


    Trait Found: [Alchemical Blood] augmenting [Mana Sight]


    Mana Sight-


    This skill can be toggled on or off. When toggled on you are always scanning everything around you. You will get extremely condensed versions of a creature''s stats. You will also inherently know what type of mana manipulation they use most. In addition, you will also know if a creature''s body can be used in an alchemical way. All alchemical reagents glow faintly while this skill is toggled on. The information you get from alchemical reagents is greatly extended.


    Trillia wished the system would warn her of augmentations like that. This one was obviously good. But she wondered if others would change skills enough to be worse. It seemed like she had no choice in the matter when it happened, either.


    General Skill- [Basic Mana Regeneration] - Level 3 -> Level 10


    Special Evolutions available. Would you like to see them now?


    Mana Regeneration-


    Your mana regenerates at a rate equal to one half of your Wisdom, multiplied by the level of this skill. Every minute. (Minimum 1)


    That was pretty lackluster. Basic Mana regeneration was a quarter of her Wisdom.


    Limitless Regeneration-


    Your mana regenerates at a rate equal to your Species + your Wisdom, multiplied by the level of this skill. Every minute. (Minimum 1)


    Ok, that was just vastly superior with no downsides. It was like it got augmented by the trait. This skill showed up instead of augmenting Mana Regeneration. Trillia really wished she could talk to someone about why it did things like this. Whatever. It was an easy choice, at least.


    General Skill- [Basic Mana Regeneration] - Level 10 becomes [Limitless Regeneration]- Level 0


    General Skill- [Limitless Regeneration] merges with and augments trait [Limitless Mana]


    Limitless Mana-


    You have a maximum mana of 231. You cannot be afflicted with Mana Sickness. When you reach your maximum value of mana, any excess mana fills the mana of all creatures around you instead. You can set a personal limit to how much mana you wishes to hold until the overflow takes place. You regenerate mana equal to your Species level + your Wisdom every minute.


    Well, that sucked. Whatever. This one was a downgrade. Since it would never be faster than species plus wisdom, by the sounds of it. She really wished she had a choice in the matter.


    Instead of jumping straight into classes, she looked at her stats. She had asked a lot about classes, especially when studying with Amelia. Classes took everything about you into consideration when they became available. Including stats. Something she noticed right away. Instead of offering her four stat points like her previous subspecies had, [Mana-Infused Orc] just raised her Wisdom by five. She had no choice in the matter. they automatically allocated as soon as she got the stats. She''d have to seriously reconsider how to allocate her other stats from her species now.


    Contemplating it for a while, she decided to abandon Presence. She didn''t really like dealing with people. It would hurt her abilities as a [Minstrel], but she wasn''t sure if she was still going to take that class. There weren''t a lot of combat instruments that worked well with one hand, after all. Maybe she could sing or whistle or something, but that didn''t really appeal to her. She wondered briefly if dancing would count or if that would be its own class entirely.


    Another thought occurred to her. Why hadn''t any of her racial skills changed or upgraded at all? It seemed like a lot of stuff should have. She was a bit disappointed at that as well. Especially because [Runt] was still hampering two of her racial skills. Disabling one, while the other hadn''t leveled once since birth. Oh well, she wouldn''t complain.


    She allocated the stats from her primary species before diving into the rather extensive list of classes. First, giving only her stats a glance.


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 74]


    \Strength: 37 + Vitality: 37/


    [Dexterity: 152]


    \Agility: 41 + Wisdom: 111/


    [Charisma: 62]


    \Intuition: 37 Presence: 25/


    Well, it wasn''t like she could train anymore. Plus, if she hadn''t been kidnapped and trapped inside this weird liquid, she would have chosen a class immediately at ten anyway.


    Focusing on the question once more, she accepted the explanation of classes.


    Classes and You! (The Not Simple or Short Version, really, don''t complain. You aren''t going anywhere anytime soon.)


    What? That was as close as the system got to speaking directly to her and not just explaining at her. Trillia grinned.


    ''You''re right. Thank you, System. I''ll have to come up with a name for you.''


    Trillia waited a rather long time. Expecting it to continue with the explanation. Finally, something did pop up. It was like when her mother had shown Trillia part of her status.


    Purpose: Forge of Creation Origin Star.


    Age: 27,130,145,763


    Name: Dawn


    Trillia floated there, completely and utterly stunned. Her new traits worked overtime to correct her mind.


    ''A pleasure to meet you, Dawn. I''ll happily sit and listen to your explanation now.''


    Trillia offered a very warm, happy mental smile. She had a name for the system and universe now.

 Chapter 25 Classes in session!

    Classes and You!


    Classes are malleable to a certain extent. For the purpose of this explanation we are going to use the Fighter class.


    Fighter


    Duration: Very Short, Short, Medium


    Requirements


    A Brawn of at least 20


    Has been in a fight.


    Has bled, or otherwise lost essence vital to it''s existence.


    The fighter is the standard for many undetermined individuals. With extremely low and easy to meet requirements, almost anyone can become a fighter. It makes you slightly better in combat.


    Fighter has minimal skills.


    Fighter provides one Strength every five levels.


    As you can see, it gives you the name of the class and its requirements. What might not be obvious, however, is the duration. A very short class levels from 15-25. A Short class levels from 25-50. A Medium Class is 50-75. A Long class is 75 to 100. An Extendable class is also 75-100, but there is an option to extend the class at level 100.


    To further explain.


    If you take Fighter as a very short class, it will reach its maximum level somewhere between 15 and 25. At which point, you can either apply Mastery to it or evolve it.


    Why would you ever take a class at a longer duration, you ask? Simple! Some evolutions require a class to be at a certain level. For instance, the Brawler class has a requirement of a level 25 Warrior or a level 50 Fighter. In addition, certain classes provide benefits based on their level. Let me give you another example you are familiar with.


    [Scanning Memories...]


    Extendable Class seen...


    Divine Weapon Master


    Duration: Long, Extendable


    Requirements


    Requirements for this class are hidden.


    Description of this class is hidden.


    Divine Weapon Master evolves Weapon Master class skills.


    After level 200, all damage dealt is considered divine.


    After level 300, all damage dealt lowers cooldowns for Weapon Master skills.


    After level 400, damage can affect mana flow and ethereal creatures.


    After level 500, damage bypass divine protections.


    Divine Weapon Master provides 1 Strength every level.


    Divine Weapon Master provides 1 stat point every 3 levels.


    Trillia stared at the information. The difference between [Fighter] and [Divine Weapon Master] was frankly terrifying. She remember her mother had the class in the high three-hundreds. It was also interesting to see the stat difference. It meant her mother had gotten several hundred Strength from just this one class, not counting the extra stats she had been allowed to allocate along the way.


    There are benefits to long classes. There are also benefits to rapidly finishing a bunch of Very Short classes. For instance, someone might want to take Fighter three times. The first two times, they take Fighter as a very short class. Once it has reached maximum level, they can apply Mastery to the class and take Fighter again.


    Mastery allows you to preserve either a Passive Skill or an Active skill.


    Most classes only allow you to utilize 3 Active skills and 3 Passive skills at a time. Thus having a wide array of classes that are Mastered allows you to vastly expand your ability to respond to any scenario.


    In our above example, taking Fighter twice at very short allows you to keep a passive and an active skill you find useful in the class. Taking it a third time at Medium will allow you to Evolve the class with significantly more options.


    Remember that despite taking your Derived Level into account for experience rewards, classes still advance much more rapidly than your species or subspecies will. This is because to advance your species and subspecies levels, you must take actions that reflect them. Or otherwise, advance them. This is one of the primary reasons there are not more ''rogues'' of a given species. Because to do so means your Species-level will be significantly lower, thus making it harder to evolve many classes, in addition to getting fewer stats.


    That all made sense to Trillia. This was surprisingly, not that complicated. Well. Actually.


    ...


    She thought on it a bit more Dawn was kind enough to not continue. Even if it leveled slowly, your Species would still eventually go up. That meant if you chose to spread yourself thin and get a bunch of really weak skills from weak classes. It would be harder to level an actually good class. It also meant if you tried to jump directly into a good class, there was a chance you''d be so high level at the other side that leveling a weak class would be a detriment.


    Though, that might be different based on how potent skills and passives were. Given how her people went out of their way to avoid non-combat classes, she figured they had to be powerful.


    ''Sorry, Dawn. Please continue.''


    There is a little difference between Combat and Non-Combat classes.


    Non-Combat classes usually only have a handful of active skills to learn. But have an incredible amount of passive skills. They can also permanently augment general skills. Someone with a general skill for Cooking might find that if they take the non-combatant class Cook, the class absorbs the skill and turns it into experience for the class. It''s also possible for the opposite to happen, however. Certain non-combat classes may instead bolster your general skills as they level.


    Combat classes usually have a large array of active skills but a small sampling of passive skills. This may change for more unique classes.


    A further difference is the majority of non-combat classes offer either no stats or no stats until you are at a much higher evolution. Meaning you are much weaker early in your career than a combat-oriented creature.


    There is no experience difference between primary and secondary classes. The primary class is the first thing that shows up under most scans. Certain classes may alter your mental state. In which case, the primary class overrides the secondary class. An example of this might be if your secondary class is something that allows you to berserk in battle. Trading mental thought processes for raw power. If your primary class is such a class that clears your mind and cleanses all debuffs when you hit a certain threshold of health, it will override berserking to save your life. Since it is the primary class in this example.


    Do you have any questions?


    Trillia thought about that long and hard. She knew she could pick and pull at the system to get information. But, for whatever reason, Dawn was actively teaching her and explaining right now. She didn''t want to waste this chance.


    ''If I don''t like a class, can I just get rid of it? Or change it to another class?''


    It''s possible to void a class. Let''s say, for example, you have taken Fighter as a very short class twice before. If you take Fighter a third time as a medium class but have reached level 10 in it and realize you can just take Warrior or a better class. You can void your current levels in the class and choose a new class. There are a few downsides to this.


    The class will start back at level 0 if it is retaken. The system saves the information. This means if you take Fighter again, your first ten levels will give you no stat points. Any skills and skill levels you had will have to be re-earned as well. Furthermore, you cannot take a class that you have previously voided for an amount of time equal to one week per voided level. In our example, this means you wouldn''t be able to take Fighter for at least ten weeks.


    ''Are there any exceptions to those rules?''


    Yes! Extendable classes are the exception. If you have reached the maximum level in an Extendable class - which is almost always 100 - and have chosen to extend the levels. You can, at any time, evolve it or apply mastery to it at no penalty. You''ve already done the work.


    Trillia tried to think of any other questions she might have. Nothing jumped out at her readily. She was just about to say she was good, when something flashed in her mind.


    ''What about classes that I have a mentor in?''


    If someone with the [Mentor] skill has granted you the ability to take that class. When you first take the class, all accumulated experience is applied immediately. The system will warn you before you take the class what approximate level it will be. Experience normally flows both ways. Anytime you use a borrowed skill, not only do you get experience, but so does your mentor. It also works in reverse, when your mentor uses a skill you can borrow, you get a tiny percentage of the experience they gain.


    This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Trillia had no other questions, even after long minutes of thinking.


    ''Thank you for the help, Dawn. Do you have any advice for me? I don''t know if that is cheating. I don''t want to get you in trouble, either. If you can even get in trouble.''


    There is something you should know. Everything has rules and a structure. I am part of that everything. Remember going forward, especially when you deal with entities such as World and Dungeon cores or Deities. My honest advice is simple in concept but difficult in practice. Forge your own path. Forge your own happiness. The things you do during this mortal cycle can have far-reaching effects. Good luck. The automated system will take over now.


    Trilla smiled. She could immediately feel a presence that was no longer quite there. She tried to sigh but remembered she was still contained in the liquid and mostly couldn''t move on her own. Notifications flooded her.


    Non-Combat classes available: 4


    Would you like to expand?


    Combat classes available: 12


    Would you like to expand?


    Trillia concentrated and tried to expand both, wanting just the names first.


    Non-Combat classes available: 4


    Basic:


    Cook


    Explorer


    Herbalist


    Scholar


    Combat classes available:


    Basic:


    Alchemist


    Fencer


    Fighter


    Mage


    Psionic


    Mentor:


    Minstrel


    Specialty:


    Berserker


    Blood Alchemist


    Mana Sage


    Monster Slayer


    Rune Fencer


    Runic Scholar


    Trillia really, really wished she could whistle and scratch her chin right about now. It was just the perfect time for it. The non-combat options sort of made sense. Other than Scholar, those were basically just skills she had. Scholar was maybe because she enjoyed learning so much? Or the [Thirst For Knowledge] trait was handing it to her. Either way, none of those options really appealed to her.


    Well. Cook did, obviously. But she needed to be strong. Mentally taking a deep breath and readying herself, she started tugging for more information on the combat classes.


    Alchemist


    Duration: Short, Medium, Long


    Requirements


    Wisdom of at least 30


    Intuition of at least 30


    Must have Basic Alchemy or better as a General Skill.


    An Alchemists role in battle is support, or ranged fire power. In addition to absorbing and significantly bolstering the Alchemy General Skill. This class also has battle alchemy available to it. Able to create extremely volatile concotions on a whim.


    Alchemist has an extremely large array of skills.


    Alchemist provides 1 Wisdom every odd level.


    Alchemist provides 1 Intution every even level.


    Fencer


    Duration: Very Short, Short, Medium


    Requirements


    Dexterity of at least 50


    Must have Rapier Mastery or equivalent as a General Skill


    Must have fought in at least three duels.


    The Fencer is a skirmishing melee combatant. Your high Dexterity, and precise strikes allow you to deal lethal blows while dancing away from any harm yourself. Absorbs and significantly bolsters the Rapier Mastery general skill.


    Fencer has a minor array of active skills.


    Fencer has a large array of passive skills.


    Fencer provides 1 agility every 2 levels.


    Fighter


    Duration: Very Short, Short, Medium


    Requirements


    A Brawn of at least 20


    Has been in a fight.


    Has bled, or otherwise lost essence vital to it''s existence.


    The fighter is the standard for many undetermined individuals. With extremely low and easy to meet requirements, almost anyone can become a fighter. It makes you slightly better in combat.


    Fighter has minimal skills.


    Fighter provides one Strength every five levels.


    Mage


    Duration: Very Short, Short, Medium


    Requirements


    Wisdom of at least 20


    Must have Mana Manipulation


    The Mage is the weakest of the casting focused combat classes. It provides ranged fire support, but has minimal ways to defend itself. It takes a regeneration malus if it is wearing armor heavier than cloth.


    Mage has a large array of active skills.


    Mage has a minor array of passive skills.


    Mage provides one Wisdom every four levels.


    Psion


    Duration: Medium, Long


    Requirements


    Wisdom of at least 30


    Intution of at least 30


    Presence of at least 25


    Must have a Telepathy general skill of any rank.


    Psions utilize the power of the mind to alter the physical world. They can convert their mana into mind mana. Psions primarily support and crowd control the enemy. They are weak solo combatants.


    Psions have a large array of skills.


    Psions provide one stat every two levels.


    Minstrel


    Duration: Very Short, Short, Medium


    Requirements


    Requirements have been bypassed by the Mentor skill. Calculating experience...


    Mentor skill will advance level of Minstrel to 23 upon first taking the class.


    Minstrels are a support class. Though they have some answers to solo combat, they shine when placed as a secondary support. They are also extremely helpful in non-combat scenarios.


    Minstels have a very large array of skills.


    Minstrels provide 1 Presence every level.


    Berserker


    Duration: Short, Medium, Long


    Requirements


    Brawn of at least 50 - Or be of the Orc species or orc subspecies.


    Must have taken at least 50% of your health as damage in a single combat.


    Berserkers are a risk. Every adventuring party knows that. They thrive on battle, they thrive of blood and most dangerously, they thrive on their own wounds. Extremely dangerous close-quarters combat specialists, but wildly unpredictable.


    Berserkers have a minor array of active skills.


    Berserkers have a minor array of passive skills.


    Berserkers provide the [Berserk] passive with no slot cost.


    Berserkers provide 1 Vitality every odd level.


    Berserkers provide 1 Strength every even level.


    Blood Alchemist


    Duration: Long, Extendable


    Requirements


    Requirements have been bypassed by the Alchemical Blood trait.


    Blood Alchemists utilize blood in all of their alchemical creations. Operating as both potent support classes, as well as long range damage dealers. Blood Alchemist will absorb and significantly improve the Alchemy general skill. Blood Alchemist will significantly improve Alchemist skills.


    Further bonuses hidden until the class has reached it''s maximum level.


    Blood Alchemists have a large array of skills.


    Blood Alchemists provide 1 Vitality every level.


    Blood Alchemists provide 1 stat point every fourth level.


    Mana Sage


    Duration: Long, Extendable


    Requirements


    Requirements have been bypassed by the Limitless Mana trait.


    Mana Sages are a Universal Specialist. They allow the caster to super charge their spells and skills with more mana than normal. Sometimes warping the skill in unpredictable ways.


    Further bonuses hidden until the class has reached it''s maximum level.


    Mana Sages convert active skills.


    Mana Sages have a minor array of passive skills.


    Mana Sages provide 1 Wisdom every level.


    Mana Sages provide 1 stat point every fourth level.


    Monster Slayer


    Duration: Medium, Long, Extendable


    Requirements


    Must have taken part in killing a monster at least double your level.


    Monster Slayers specialize in punching up. Their skills revolve around their enemies being a higher level. They are immune to Aura/Fear/Stunning skills.


    Further bonuses hidden until the class has reached it''s maximum level.


    Monster Slayer has 5 active skill slots.


    Monster Slayer has 5 passive skill slots.


    Monster Slayer has a large array of skills.


    Monster Slayer provides 1 stat point every level.


    Rune Fencer


    Duration: Medium, Long


    Requirements


    Have Access to the Fencer Class


    Have Acess to Basic Runic or greater


    Dexterity of at least 75


    Have carved runes into an enemy''s body.


    Rune Fencers utilize their weapon to carve runes into reality itself. Whether that is the air, or an enemy. They can activate such runes with any Fencer or Rune Fencer ability, empowering the strike.


    Rune Fencers have 7 active skill slots.


    Rune Fencers have 2 passive skill slots.


    Rune Fencers have a large array of active skills.


    Rune Fencers have a minor array of passive skills.


    Rune Fencers provide 1 Agility every odd level.


    Rune Fencers provide 1 Wisdom every even level.


    Runic Scholar


    Duration: Long, Extendable


    Requirements


    Must have slain an enemy at least double your level.


    Must have Basic Runic or greater.


    Must have a Wisdom of at least 50.


    Runic Scholars are an upgraded combat variant of the Scholar class. Able to rapidly study monsters, discern weaknesses, and where none are found, create weaknesses. A Runic Scholar is able to utilize all runes, even if the purpose of those runes is not known.


    Runic Scholars provide 1 stat every second level.


    That was a lot of information to take in. Trillia read through them all several times. She didn''t really understand how she got some of the classes. Well, she understood. It told her the requirements. It was more that some of them didn''t make a lot of sense. Like, Runic Scholar. What did killing a strong enemy have to do with reading runes.


    She''d have to choose both classes, in addition to their durations. Trillia was also rather sad to see that being at such a high species level without a class hadn''t really counted for anything.


    After mulling it over for a few hours, she decided. Finally, selecting her classes. She couldn''t wait to get out of this liquid and test things.

 Chapter 26 Reunion

    Trillia didn''t quite understand why she didn''t have to evolve into [Runic Scholar] or [Rune Fencer]. That would have made more sense. Nevertheless, she chose [Runic Scholar] as her primary class and [Fencer] as her secondary. Setting the durations to Extendable and Very Short, respectively.


    Her reasoning was she could master [Fencer]. Then immediately choose [Rune Fencer]. Since she didn''t apparently need to evolve to it. There was some internal struggle to take [Minstrel]. Especially if she took it at Very Short. At worst, she''d have to get the class two levels. At best, it would just automatically maximize, and she could start a class up. The only reason she didn''t is because Dawn said taking the class would break the [Mentor] bond.


    She could feel Amelia reaching out through the bond sometimes. Checking to make sure she was alive. Even though it was only a few more weeks. She didn''t want to suddenly not show up anymore and give everyone a scare.


    Trillia honestly just wished she could take four or five classes. A lot of them seemed really good. She mostly wanted to see what [Runic Scholar] was actually like. If it wound up being really good, she was locked in to get it to at least one hundred. If it was bad, she could just void it and move to a better class. Using her Secondary to either burn some Very Short classes down or take [Fencer] into [Rune Fencer].


    Nothing happened when she chose the classes, which was odd. But perhaps it''s because she was still in this mana soup. The following weeks passed quickly. It was finally time.


    The cave was barely lit. A single glowing fleck of crystal caused every other wall to pick up the light and cast it about in a weird sort of rainbow prism of light and color. Immediately she fell over when she tried to stand. As she tried to take a deep breath, she was overcome with a racking cough more akin to a barking sound. She continued to cough as she threw up the remnants of the liquid mana in her system. Her skills kicked into overdrive now that she was exposed.


    Trillia was immediately aware that she was not alone in the chamber. Her eyes looked to the other occupants, and she froze. Fear tried to creep its way into her mind. But [Unwavering Determination] promptly ejected the useless emotion. Persona sat there, some thirty feet away. Two other smaller behemoths lounged at her feet.


    [Psionic Behemoth - ?? - ???]


    [Behemoth - Young Howler - 31]


    [Behemoth - Sonic Claw - 38]


    Probably Persona''s children. Trillia tried to stand once more but found it an impossible task. Even if she had some sort of muscle tone with the exercise. She hadn''t actually walked in years. Persona slowly paced towards her. This time when the mental probe came, [Minor Telepathy] latched on. Persona broke the silence with words in her mind instead of images and concepts.


    "I can help you walk if you are willing to let me get close."


    "I don''t think you can do much worse than ripping off my arm and kidnapping me away from my people for years. Alirast seems to have use of us both. "


    Trillia waved the great behemoth closer. Using its fur and hide to drag herself to standing. Leaning heavily on the beast''s mighty form as they slowly walked around the cave.


    "I am glad to see you survived the metamorphosis. I was lucky that mine only lasted six months. I still lost two of my pups during the time I was trapped in the pod."


    Trillia winced at that. She hadn''t really connected that they weren''t Psionic like Persona.


    "I''m sorry you had to go through that. I can''t say I much like our world core."


    Amusement flashed through her mind, along with a grim agreeance and determination. Alirast was making a lot of enemies for itself. Though Trillia had to wonder how effective any of them could possibly be against an entire realm.


    "What classes have you chosen? Your Obfuscation is terrifying to pierce now."


    Trillia offered a weak nod. Tripping and falling forward. Persona was quick with a paw to save her from smashing her face into the ground. Trillia took a moment to steady herself. Finally, she chose to sit down and take a break. Persona did the same.


    "Runic Scholar as my primary and Fencer as my secondary. I have a class available called Rune Fencer that I can take without the need to evolve Fencer. I just want some skills first and a mastery available for the purposes of knowing how to use the advanced class."


    Persona seemed to think on it for a few moments. As if going through some mental book.


    "Runic Scholar is a rather potent class. It may not seem like it on the surface. But from the minds, I''ve read throughout my several years of being Alirast''s Avatar. It evolves into some terrifying rune-based casters. I think your choices were quite smart. Perhaps take Fencer a second time to evolve it into Rune Fencer. Even if you don''t have to, there are benefits to evolving a class. With evolution, you keep or upgrade your existing skills. Mastering a class, then choosing to take the evolution separately, can leave you wanting for offensive skills."


    Trillia took all that in and nodded. That made a lot of sense, actually. Maybe she should just evolve Fencer the first time.


    "I haven''t been able to choose any skills. Is there a reason for that?"


    "To my limited understanding of humanoid classes. You get nothing at Level Zero in any class. You must gain at least one level to access the skills of any given class. Level Zero seems to just be a stop-gap to show you''ve broken through to be capable of utilizing the class. A rather inefficient system, I think."


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Trillia could only shrug at that. She could barely manage her own mind. Dawn was managing every single mind in their entire Universe. Trillia felt the system was doing an excellent job, given its scale.


    "Does Mom know I''m awake yet?"


    Persona only nodded.


    "She will be here in an hour or two. They finished the mana sickness potion months back. Sent runners out to Kincairne. The potion has apparently helped their scouts rapidly develop and level Mana Sickness resistance. Some of them may be immune all together in a few years."


    Trillia was happy to hear that. Maybe she''d get to see Kincairne. They probably have amazing food. She was a bit shocked that she wasn''t just curled up in a ball of tears. In the past, it wasn''t all that difficult to overwhelm her, probably a side effect of traits and skills. With a thought, Persona stood, and they went back to helping her learn how to walk again.


    Trillia finally realized she had grown quite a bit in the pod. She stood at nearly four feet now. More than double what she had been. The hair on her head wasn''t dirty, but it was certainly unkempt and tangled. It ran down to the middle of her block, an almost glowing silver color. The red hue of her skin had darkened even further to an almost black coloring. She looked a bit like the edges of her mother''s scale armor. Faintly glowing and molten.


    The hardest part of learning to walk again wasn''t even her legs. It was that she kept trying to catch herself on Persona without realizing that her left arm was a stump. Persona constantly caught her and helped her stand up again. She closed the two glowing blue orbs that were her eyes, leaning heavily against the behemoth.


    "Do you think it''s possible to heal my hand?"


    The wound had healed some. It basically looked like her hand, and most of her forearm was gone. A stub almost immediately after her elbow. She had remembered most of the elbow being gone as well. Maybe she could attach a blade or something to the arm. She had seen some orc warriors that hadn''t gotten regeneration potions in time do that.


    Persona had no answer for her, though. Its metamorphosis hadn''t been nearly as long, nor had it involved such a grievous wound.


    An hour passed. Slow and agonizing as it was. Trillia was finally able to keep herself mostly up and walking around. Persona stayed close to catch her just in case. Trillia was aware of her mother''s presence long before her mother actually showed up. It was a bit terrifying, honestly, to feel her mother''s auras so much more deeply.


    Her mother swept into the cave, immediately ran up to Trillia, and crushed her in a hug. Trillia smiled, hugging her mother back the best she could. Amara fell to her knees, still hugging her. She could feel her mother''s body shake and shudder as she sobbed. Afraid that if she let Trillia go, she''d somehow vanish.


    Trillia had tears in her eyes as well. Apparently, her skills registered the reunion as something happy. So they didn''t immediately destroy the rising emotions.


    "I''m sorry, Trillia. I should have never asked you to come back out here. I didn''t want to deny you the mission when you seemed so happy and energetic. I''m so sorry that I put you in such a precarious position right after what you had gone through."


    Trillia smiled as Amara finally let her pull away some. Reaching her right hand up to touch her mother''s cheek.


    "That''s ok, Mom. I got some pretty cool stuff. I think I''ll be way more useful now."


    Trillia was trying to make her mother feel better about it. Sure, years had passed, but that somehow didn''t seem to bother Trillia all that much. Though somewhere in her mind, the girl knew that it should. Her words, however, had the opposite effect. Amara seemed crushed by them. She had never seen her mother so downtrodden.


    "You were always useful, Trillia. You don''t have to throw yourself at danger to try and be more than you are."


    Trillia''s gaze turned cold at that. She didn''t know which, but one of her traits was flaring up in her mind.


    "I will, and I must. The pursuit of knowledge is never in vain. I''ve learned a lot from this. I am sure you have as well. Time lost can never be regained, so let us make the most of the time we have."


    Amara gave her an odd look. Even Trillia recoiled a bit. That wasn''t what she wanted to say. Panic tried to spread through her mind, but another skill or trait crushed it immediately. Even as things like fear and apprehension tried to consume her mind with what was happening, her skills simply crushed all of it. Leaving her at best content and at worst neutral. It was an extremely surreal and disturbing experience for her.


    "I can''t scan you, Trillia. With any of the skills that should allow me to do so. What happened to you in there?"


    Part of her brain told her to keep quiet about it, but none of her skills interfered as she told her mother everything she knew. Well, at least everything about Alirast and herself. She didn''t mention that the universe''s name was Dawn. That felt private. Dawn obviously didn''t tell everyone, and Trillia certainly wasn''t going to betray her friend''s trust like that.


    Alirast, on the other hand, could frankly go fuck itself. As Uncle Cordaos was fond of saying. It had kidnapped her and Persona. Forcing them to change against their will for some great battle it thought they might have to fight.


    Amara sat there in silence. Her mind reeling from the information. Trillia could fear the anger and rage stewing in her mother''s mind. She vaguely understood that Amara was a [Pact-Bond] because she had been chosen to fight against the [Primordials]. Trillia''s mother probably didn''t want her to face the same sort of things.


    Amara turned her head to look at Persona.


    "Are we allowed to take her home?"


    The behemoth nodded solemnly. Amara pulled out some furs and clothes for Trillia, who only now realized she was stark naked. That made sense, she supposed. She quickly dressed. As they walked towards the cave entrance, Amara looked down at her.


    "You''re certain you won''t get [Mana Sickness] ?"


    Trillia offered her a warm smile.


    "I''m sitting at... I don''t know this number."


    She read the numbers out, one by one, in order from left to right."


    "One, three, nine, zero, four, four, six."


    Amara''s grasp on her hand tightened. The Chieftain seemed stunned.


    "What? I know you explained your skills, but...that''s more mana than I have by an order of magnitudes, Trillia."


    Trillia could only shrug. She didn''t realize how potent that was. But, if her mother was impressed, it had to be pretty darn good. Amara said nothing more and led her out of the ravine. Persona didn''t follow them, probably happy to be left alone to try and raise her own children for a while.


    Amara was on high alert. The area was incredibly dangerous, apparently. Once they stepped back onto the shattered plains, her mother visibly relaxed. Off in the distance, Trillia could see a small delegation of people had gathered. One, in particular, caught her eye.


    There was a six-foot-tall minotaur with dark grey fur and two brilliant violet eyes. Trillia pulled away from her mother''s grasp and ran over. Amelia caught her halfway and hefted the little orc. One more, she was crushed in a hug. Amelia was already sobbing away.


    "I''m sorry we couldn''t do more to save you, Trillia. I''m sorry we weren''t able to fight Persona. We didn''t think it would betray us."


    Trillia hugged her friend in return, closing her eyes and smiling wide. She really had missed them all. Maybe it was the cave or the skills settling in. But she hadn''t realized just how much she had missed them all. Trillia finally freed herself from Amelia''s grasp, moving to grab Amara''s hand. Wanting to feel safe and close. Everyone else came by and hugged her. Her brothers, Ba''Shoon, as well as old man Lurog, were there. Uncle Cordaos and her father were apparently watching the camp. A lot had changed in over three years, apparently.


    As the group started to make its way back to camp. Trillia sighed, smiling contently.


    "I want something to eat."


    Amelia burst out laughing before pulling what looked like a smoked chunk of Lovax meat out of her pack, and passing it off. Trillia was happy to be out of that pod. Something in the back of her mind was calling her. Telling her to go to Kincairne. For now, she''d ignore it.

 Chapter 27 The First One Is A Doozy

    Evidently, a little over three years was a long time. There was no longer a camp with some stone walls from the minotaurs. Oh sure, there were some tents on the outskirts from some wandering orc tribes. But the city itself was made of massive granite slabs, dozens of feet tall and wide. No evident cuts or slices in them. Minotaurs and orcs alike walked along the tops of the new walls.


    Shortly after the safe line away from the mana rift, smooth walkways were evident. Some twenty or thirty feet wide. Towers were dotting the landscape as well, orc scouts or minotaur scouts keeping watch. Trillia was walking extra slow, not only to take in all the sights but also because walking was still slightly foggy.


    She was vaguely aware someone was speaking. She just ignored it. Trillia didn''t even register that she had walked away from the others as they called after her or tried to follow.


    Slowly meandering through the forest.


    Something in the back of her mind was itching, calling her. [Mana Sight] was toggled on. The names of all the plants around her showed up, all their various alchemical uses. Most plants apparently had plant mana manipulation. That sort of made sense? Trillia wondered just how many types of mana there were.


    She wandered and wandered. Everything was just a distant buzz in the back of her mind. Briefly, she had been stopped, by some other force holding her arms or shoulders, but she ignored those as well. Gently pulling away until they let her go.


    Time passed, and she stood in front of a cave, well off the beaten path. Cave was a generous term, really. Anyone but her wouldn''t be able to stand in the thing. Her mother would have to crawl, given how tall she was. Finally, she stopped at the mouth of the cave.


    Divine Trait Awakened!


    [Spawn Seeker]


    Spawn Seeker calls you towards the spawn of great and terrifying creatures so that they might be purged from Alirast.


    Trillia blinked a few times. Suddenly, her senses came back to her. The others stood around her with weapons drawn. They could feel something. Trillia called out.


    "There''s a spawn here! Becareful!"


    As if on cue, a low growl rumbled from the cave. What looked like a bear slowly plodded out. The dimensions were impossible, however, as the thing looked like a small cub or dog inside the cave. But as it stepped outside, it grew and grew.


    And grew.


    Trait [Spawn Seeker] activated!


    Skills buffed!


    [Morphling Cub - Primordial Spawned Beast - 533]


    Notable Traits:


    Primordial Spawn


    Adamant Hide


    On all four, it stood as tall as Amelia. On its hind legs, it was taller than Amara. Once more, fear jumped into Trillia''s mind. She barely registered it as her traits and skills continued to try and stamp out the useless emotion. Her right-hand shot to her side for a weapon, only to realize there wasn''t one there.


    The others wasted no time. Ralrouk had been a very large and imposing Orc before she went into the pod. Now? Now she was pretty sure their family had giant somewhere in their lineage. With a growl of his own, Ralrouk just ran up at the thing. Amara screamed for him to get back. This was a [Primordial Spawn], not something he should be fighting. Or at least, that was the thought.


    Her traits and skills stopped things like fear or panic, but not dumbstruck awe.


    Everyone sort of froze for a moment, with the exception of Amara, who moved in behind her son to follow up the attack as Ralrouk rammed into the bear. An orc racial skill Trillia hadn''t gotten yet showed itself. Large tusks and fangs extended from Ralrouk''s mouth. The two giant creatures bit into one another, blood flowing freely. Despite being a [Primordial Spawn], it seemed to come out worse in that exchange.


    Ralrouk had a blood-based class, as the flow of blood around the two of them turned into thin needles and sliced into flesh. Amara grabbed her son''s shoulder and vaulted him. A dozen weapons that had formed around her raked across the bear''s back, easily parting flesh and hide. Tormash threw out a javelin, impaling the creature. Lurog was throwing weird bright orange alchemical mixtures at Ralrouk. Trillia watched as her brother''s wounds began to mend in front of her.


    Ba''Shoon had her hands on Amelia''s shoulders, casting some form of buff. Finally, her best friend opened her maw, and Trillia was nearly flattened by the sound. Ralrouk''s flesh tore off in chunks, as did the bear''s. Amara seemed almost completely immune to it. Trillia''s senses finally overcame the awe. She had no skills to help except a single one.


    So she began using [Restorative Chant] on Ralrouk as much as she could. Turns out, when you have millions of mana. It''s quite easy to cast a spell repeatedly. The walk out of the mana rift had nearly tripled the amount of mana she had. It was now being put to good use.


    Less than a minute after the fight started, the bear lay dead. Trillia didn''t stop, though. She continued to use the skill on everyone. Mentally she set her [Limitless Mana] so that thirty or so thousand mana immediately drained and overflowed into allies nearby. Trillia set it back to maximum once they seemed to be restored.


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Amara stared at her a moment before reaching over to smack Ralrouk on the back of the head.


    "I told you not to engage, boy! I don''t give a damn how big you are. I am still your Chieftain!"


    Ralrouk began to shrink back down to his tiny size of seven feet. He had the same dark blue skin Tormash had, but his eyes were a bright red. Unlike the lean muscled shape, Tormash kept his body in. Ralrouk was just a large orc. Huge belly and very broad shoulders. Despite looking like he could crush most creatures with his bare hands - also his preferred fighting style - he looked down at the ground meekly.


    "Forgive me, Chieftain. I am accustomed to being the first in to ensure no one is harmed."


    Amara sighed and rubbed the bridge of her nose. Old man Lurog had walked over to Trillia. She turned to look as he began poking her with a stick. Trillia giggled and swatted it away as it started to tickle. The old man croaked.


    "What was that skill, child? My mana was instantly replenished!"


    Trillia was about to speak. A wave of notifications hit her, and she stumbled and fell forward. A half dozen hands moved to catch her.


    For aiding in the defeat of a [Primordial Spawn] you are granted one floating level to assign where you want it.


    Your group has defeated [Morphling Cub]!


    More experience is awarded for defeating a creature more than 20 times your level!


    Less experience is awarded for defeating an enemy with the help of others!


    Less experience is awarded for contributing very little to the fight!


    Trait found on enemy: [Primordial Spawn] Experience awarded is doubled!


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 21 -> Level 27


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level 14 -> Level 19


    No Damage Dealt, No Class Skills used. Class Experience severely reduced!


    Class: [Runic Scholar] Level 0 - > Level 2


    Class: [Fencer] Level 0 -> Level 1


    Trillia''s head finally stopped being swimmy. The others looked at her with amused expressions. Tormash and Ralrouk had begun harvesting the bear-like enemy. Amara spoke with a grin.


    "Yeah. The first levels in your first classes are extremely potent. It shouldn''t hit you that hard after this. We still can''t scan you, so you''ll have to fill us in."


    Trillia was happy to do so.


    "How do I see what my classes are offering?"


    After a brief explanation, Trillia brought that information up in front of her.


    [Runic Scholar]


    Active Skills:


    Rune Disruption


    Rapid Rune Spell


    Passive Skills:


    Rune Sight


    [Fencer]


    Active Skills: Riposte


    Well. It made sense there weren''t a lot of options as they were pretty low-level.


    With more fiddling, she read aloud the explanation of each skill.


    "Runic Disruption. This skill allows you to pour your mana into a rune in an offensive capacity. To attack the rune itself. It is recommended practicing this skill on artifacts and runes you do not need. As the intent to attack an enemy, and the intent to attack the rune itself can sometimes be difficult for new Manipulators to do."


    "Rapid Rune Spell. This skill allows you to craft custom runes for any rune-based spells you know. At level 0, you understand how to do so. Every level there after gives you another slot for a custom rune. The ratio is five to one. One of your custom-crafted runes counts as up to five other runes in a sequence."


    "Rune Sight. This skill can be toggled on or off. You can see any rune work and have a keen understanding of the original intent behind the runes. At this skill level, it allows you to see the runes of enemy spells, as well as wild runes that spawn near mana wells."


    "Riposte. This skill allows you to use your Dexterity to parry an attack with one of your own. Higher levels will allow you to attack more than once every time you use Riposte."


    Obviously, she just took them all. She had the space anyway. Amara sat on the ground in front of her, thinking. Ba''Shoon was the first to speak.


    "I may borrow you. Rune Sight seems incredibly useful. One of the problems with enchanting, already enchanted gear is that you often have to work around mana runes that can''t be seen. It''s doable, but I don''t have a lot of good skills to do it with. Especially not something that seems so simple as that."


    Trillia''s grin was ear to ear. She''d get to learn enchanting that way! From Ba''Shoon, no less. She knew that the offer stood before she went into the pod, but Trillia was happy to know she was already going to be useful. Amara''s voice pulled her from her reverie.


    "You need to learn to control Spawn Seeker. You seemed lost in a daze Trillia. We couldn''t get through to you. It worked out well this time because we were all here. But on your own? I doubt you could have taken that thing."


    Trillia nodded solemnly at that. It was completely true. Which scared Trillia. Mentally she chastised the world core.


    ''If I''m supposed to fight for you eventually, maybe try not to kill me immediately. Dawn, I think my realm is dumb.''


    Once Ralrouk and Tormash were finished harvesting their kill, nothing was left. Not even blood. Ralrouk looked inside the cave.


    "Should we investigate now?"


    Amara immediately shook her head.


    "No. Let''s get Trillia home. Let''s rest, get some food in our systems, and let everything soak in finally. We can send a scout back out here. I don''t want to risk any more of these damn things."


    Everyone nodded. They began making their way back to the main road that led to the city. As they got close to the gates, Trillia was a little stunned. Sure, it had seemed huge when they were on the hill looking at it. But up close? Her eyes just kept going up and up the walls. A shiver ran down her spine. Turning her head to Amelia.


    "Is this what your home was like?"


    Amelia took her hand and smiled.


    "Much, much smaller. The walls of God''s Watch were a hundred feet tall. Nearly three times the height of these. Minotaur stone and earth magic is extremely potent. We also get significant bonuses for fighting in our cities."


    Trillia nodded. They followed after Amara. Trillia knew immediately she was going to get so, so very lost in the city now. It was so much larger. As soon as they were inside the walls, all the smells hit her nose. So, so many delicious smelling foods. There were also people here besides orcs and minotaurs. Trillia turned an inquisitive glance at her mother and Amelia. Amara is the one who answered.


    "Kincairne has people in it that don''t care about mana sickness at all. They are trying to find a way to permanently bridge the rift. So that we can trade freely once more. Instead of just sending messages."


    Trillia nodded. Her mind once more pulling, telling her to go to Kincairne. She followed her mother to their new home. Ready to see her father again. Honestly, she also just wanted to sleep in not soup.

 Chapter 28 Home, Sweet Home?

    There were far, far too many people now. The minotaur refugees from God''s Watch had swelled their numbers to nearly ten thousand, which was a staggering amount. It was far worse now.


    The high walls and giant buildings made Trillia feel uneasy. Her skills working overtime to keep panic out. It was an odd feeling to be immune to fear and panic due to a skill. Her brain told her to panic, but her skills told her otherwise. As they stepped inside the large tent that Amara and Varga still used as their home, Trillia breathed a sigh of relief.


    "I don''t like this place."


    She said it quietly. The others gave her a look and nodded. Ba''Shoon spoke up.


    "No offense to your people, Princess Amelia, but I have to agree with Trillia. The walls feel as if I''m trapped. It''s uneasy."


    Trillia could tell from their body language this was a conversation they had many times. This time was more for Trillia''s sake.


    "I understand. It''s why orcs and minotaurs didn''t settle together previously, from what my father has told me. Orcs like the open skies and freedom to move. Minotaurs prefer the great walls of a labyrinth we can never get lost in."


    Ba''Shoon nodded. Trillia tried to imagine walls three times higher, and it sent a shiver down her spine. Amara seemed entirely unaffected by it.


    "Does it not bother you, Mom?"


    Amara scooped her up in a hug, sending out Tormash and Ralrouk with a few words to find Cordaos and Varga. The two left immediately. Lurog had excused himself once they were back in the town proper.


    "No. I''ve been trapped underground or in dungeons for years before. I know my people enjoy the open skies above them. It''s why I asked to settle in the Shattered Plains. No one else is willing to brave the creatures and enemies here, so we are free to be a tribal people without others forcing another way of life on us."


    Trillia seemed sad about that, hugging her mother''s neck.


    "Until the cataclysm. Now we don''t move anymore."


    Amara offered a little nod at that. Ba''Shoon spoke up, trying to list the mood.


    "From what I understand. Lord Stas is hard at work on some sort of a bridge. So that we can get all of our people across. Once we''re on the other side of the rift, we can once more go back to a tribal society if that''s what we want."


    Amara sat at a table, sitting Trillia next to her. There were various smoked meats and bread on the table. Trillia happily started to munch on them. Ba''Shoon and Amelia sat around the table as well, as they waited for the others to return. Amara rubbed the bridge of her nose.


    "The hardest part of this is trying to wrangle thousands upon thousands of orcs from different tribes. Sure, they will all answer to me as is proper. But it''s impossible to make them enjoy this city itself. It just isn''t orc-like."


    Amelia finished chewing and swallowed some bread. Looking thoughtfully at the statement.


    "I wonder what an orc city would be? How would it work?"


    The four of them sat in silence, each of them thinking about the logistics of such a city.


    It wasn''t long before the tent opened up once more. Cordaos and Varga stepped in, followed by the twins. Varga was across the room in an instant, crushing Trillia in yet another hug.


    "I''ve missed you so much, little one. I''m sorry we couldn''t save you."


    Trillia hugged her father, a smile on her face. Part of her wanted to cry, wanted to just feel safe and secure, but there were far too many things pulling and poking at her mind now.


    "That''s ok, Dad. I got lots of skills! I even got some traits and classes as well! I don''t mind."


    Cordaos chuckled, shaking his head.


    "Yep, she''s a Demonsbane. What''s that I was captured by the enemy? Oh, but look at how many levels I gained. Also, look at this amazing sword I got from it all."


    Amara punched the minotaur king in the arm, giving him a stern look.


    "I grew out of it!"


    Trillia giggled at that. It made her feel a little better that she wasn''t freaking out more. Maybe it just ran in their blood. Varga refused to let her go but sat at the table with her as the two of them munched on smoked meat. The others mostly just chatted about the city and how things were progressing. No one wanted to force Trillia to do anything. She was happy to just sit in peace with her friends and family and be safe.


    During a prolonged period of silence, Amelia spoke up.


    "Since the important people are here. King Cordaos, I have a request."


    Amara and Cordaos both raised eyebrows at that. If she was using her father''s official title, it wasn''t something small. Cordaos motioned with a hand for her to continue.


    "There is a new dungeon. It''s a three-week march north and east from the city. I wish to go there and test myself. I wanted to ask the permission of my King, as well as our allied Chieftain. I know the dungeon is currently off-limits since there are too many people who would destroy the core before we can see what the dungeon is like. That doesn''t mean I can''t go in to test myself and clear it without harming the core."


    Trillia perked up at that. She had never been in a dungeon before. But she had heard many, many good things about them. Cordaos leaned back. A hand moving up to his snout, deep in thought. Trillia wanted to seize the moment.


    "I''d like to go with her! It will mean she''s not alone. I have classes now. I can be of a greater help. Plus! With Limitless Mana, I can make sure she never runs out of mana."


    Amara and Varga looked as if they had just been smacked in the face. Amara looked at Trillia, speaking softly.


    "You just got back, honey... I... I don''t really want to send you out somewhere dangerous again."


    Trillia sighed heavily, pulling away from her father. She stood on a stool so that everyone could see her. Waving her stub as if to emphasize it.


    "I got taken because I was weak. Because I couldn''t defend myself. I know you are all worried about me. But I don''t want to be smothered. My brain is screaming at me to leave this city. Since the day I left the pod, I''ve been feeling the urge to visit Kincairne. I need to get stronger. I need to be useful."


    If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Trillia raised her hand as most of them tried to say something.


    "I need to feel useful. To myself. No matter what any of you say. I''m a [Runt], and I have one working hand. But I''m still a proud orc. I don''t want to feel like I''m being taken care of for the rest of my life. I need to learn to live and fight as I am now. If Amelia would have me and the dungeon isn''t so dangerous as we''d both just die on entry. I want to learn and fight."


    Amelia stood and walked over to her, giving her a hug before standing at her side.


    "I''d be happy to have Trillia along. Both of us can heal, and Trillia can replenish mana. My Banshee class, mixed with her skirmishing style, would do well, I think. I promise, at the first sign of danger, we will flee."


    Cordaos reached into a pouch, pulling out a small white stone with a bright orange symbol on it. Tossing it across the table, Amelia caught it. She rolled it over in her hands, looking at it oddly. Trillia spoke before Cordaos could.


    "The runes are for alarms and light?"


    Ba''Shoon smirked. Cordaos was a bit stunned that the girl knew.


    "Correct..."


    Cordaos stared at Trillia for a long moment. Trillia watched her mana drop rapidly as he tried to scan her or something else. Her mana was trying to fend off.


    "It''s a rune that minotaurs use often, when we invade an enemy minotaur''s labyrinth. Or when we are in a dungeon meant to befuddle our senses. It will alarm all allies within a mile in addition it shines a bright light that confuses enemies. The two of you can use it to call for help from the people guarding the dungeon entrance."


    Amelia closed her fist around it, holding it to her chest with her eyes closed. Giving a solemn nod.


    "Thank you, Father. For letting me go."


    Amara looked like her heart was breaking. Staring at Trillia. Torn once more between being a mother and being a Chieftain. Trillia hopped off her stool, walked up to her mother, and gave her a hug.


    "I''ll come back, Mom. I promise. You can''t be over my shoulder my entire life. Besides, I''m sure Amelia and I have lots of stuff to prepare before we go on our dungeon delve. It will take some time, right?"


    Trillia looked over her shoulder to Amelia, who nodded.


    "At least a few weeks. I want to make sure my armor and weapons are in order. We also need to get new weapons and armor for Trillia. Provisions, that sort of thing."


    Amara hugged Trillia again. It seemed like her mom was fighting back tears of her own. After a few minutes, Amara spoke.


    "If your father is ok with it. So am I."


    Trillia beamed. Varga spoke up immediately after.


    "Let''s get you armor and weapons. We''ll see how I feel after a week or two. It''s no offense to either of you girls, but we don''t have a lot of information on that dungeon except that it has low-level denizens. I don''t want to risk losing either of you to bravado."


    Trillia and Amelia both nodded. Ralrouk stood, clapping his hands together once. Everyone except Cordaos and Amara jumped a little. The large orc grinned.


    "All I''m hearing is that we need to have a feast! For Trillia''s return, as well as their dungeon sojourn!"


    Tormash grinned, standing next to his brother.


    "I think that''s a great idea. The city could use something festive. I''ll help organize it. We can have it be on the northern gate so that the minotaurs can feel safe inside, and the orcs can party outside the walls."


    Amara and Varga both rolled their eyes. Cordaos laughed heartily. Trillia had missed his mighty belly laugh. The minotaur king smacked a hand on the table as he stood.


    "A great feast then! The return of the Orc Princess and the conquering of a new dungeon by the princesses of both our peoples!"


    Ba''Shoon clapped excitedly. It didn''t take long for Varga and Amara to give in to the overly excited group.


    Over the next two or three days, Trillia got measured for armor. Asking for something light to move in and getting another rapier made for her. Times like these, Trillia was very happy to be the Chieftain''s daughter. No one asked for payment, knowing that Amara would square any debts. All of her armor was of top quality. She almost felt a little bad.


    Sure, they were going to a dungeon, just the two of them. But how many young adventurers like her didn''t have a ruler''s backing. How many tried to conquer a dungeon with a chipped old sword and no armor. Trillia shook her head. She was lucky. She wouldn''t waste that luck.


    She and Amelia also sparred with Ralrouk, Tormash, and a young minotaur named Alf. They knew he was young because he was only a little taller than Amelia. Raven black fur, with bright green eyes. His horns looked as though they had been snapped off. It took years for minotaur horns to re-grow. His hadn''t started yet.


    Alf was a stone guard. It was a specialized class that used heavy plates of earth and stone as armor. Despite his age, he could take an immense amount of hits before faltering.


    Their three opponents pushed and pressured them, using Taunt skills to disrupt the two girl''s flow in combat. Tormash could also stop their use of skills. That terrified Trillia more than a little. Apparently, some monsters could do that as well.


    When they weren''t training. Ba''Shoon was going over something perhaps even more important than armor, weapons, and training. Dungeon etiquette. Apparently, dungeons were very much so aware thinking things. At least most of them were.


    "Remember. Have something of tribute ready. Dungeons absorb non-dungeon materials once they have no invaders. They can utilize things in unique and interesting ways. A dungeon that knows you''ve paid it tribute is less likely to go lethal on you. That''s not always the case. Some dungeons will just kill to kill."


    Trillia nodded at that. Once Ba''Shoon was done with her current thought, Trillia spoke.


    "What do you think a good tribute is for our first dungeon delve."


    Ba''Shoon rubbed her chin in thought. Standing as she walked around her workshop. Trillia and Amelia both respected the woman a great deal. She wasn''t as powerful as Amara, but the way she carried herself was something both of the girls wanted. Ba''Shoon seemed so confident and sure of her every step despite not being some otherwordly powerhouse. Plus, Trillia had to admit she was beautiful. Trillia wanted to be tall and beautiful someday. She hoped she would be.


    Ba''Shoon finally returned, setting two items in front of them.


    "This is... this is a theory I have. It''s not proven. I believe the minotaurs share a similar theory. I think that the dungeons are people of importance who pass on. At least some of them. It''s difficult to prove since there are dozens of dungeons that all operate in completely different fashions from one another. But we know this dungeon uses goblins and wolves. So we will assume it is a fallen goblin hero. Or villain. Either way, things that Goblins or wolves like would be good tribute."


    Trillia looked down at the items, one looked like a whistle, and the other was a set of small metallic claws. Ba''Shoon explained.


    "The whistle is a minor enchanted item. Once bonded to a rider and their mount, it lets the rider empower their mount for a period of time. Like most enchanted items, it has a cooldown. The claws can adjust to fit many different beasts, it mostly serves as a way to let wolves and dogs get through armor. These items are probably the pinnacle of what most dungeons would ask for. In addition to being made of many different types of materials, they are especially suited to the dungeon."


    The girls each took an item, gently running their fingers along them. Ba''Shoon didn''t do shoddy work, that was certain.


    "I know it''s a young dungeon. I''d imagine it is a bit terrified, honestly. One of the first people to walk inside it that we know about was Ralrouk. The denizens couldn''t even harm him. He said he could feel their terror and fear as he walked through the dungeon toward the core. One of them even grabbed onto his leg and started begging him not to kill their father."


    The last sentence was said softly. Trillia felt a little bad now.


    "I... I don''t want to kill stuff that has a family and is innocent. Maybe if it attacks me first, or it''s wild like the spawns are."


    Ba''Shoon patted her knee.


    "Dungeon monsters respawn. It actually helps the dungeon grow. I would never encourage torturing dungeon monsters or anything so cruel. But give them a good fight. And assure them you don''t mean their core any harm. The core doesn''t respawn. If it dies, all of the denizens do as well."


    Trillia nodded at that. Looking at the whistle in her hand. She was going to bring something else. It couldn''t hurt to have a dungeon on their good side.


    "Maybe we can talk to it about letting people train in it. If we promise not to hurt its core."


    Amelia spoke up at that.


    "That''s what Father wants to do, Chieftain Amara as well. It''s difficult, though, because many of our warriors are so powerful that the dungeon is scared when they walk in. It''s another reason I wanted to go. My level isn''t very high yet, and I''m also quite young. "


    Amelia looked down, then towards Trillia.


    "I also want to find a way to feel more useful to the city. Establishing a connection with the dungeon is a good idea. We can also have sentinels go in with dungeon groups. They won''t interfere in fights in any way. But they can be there to ensure the dungeon core isn''t harmed."


    Ba''Shoon nodded. Trillia thought that was a great idea. The two thanked Ba''Shoon for the lesson, promising they''d be back tomorrow as they left to go and eat. Trillia was getting excited about this.

 Chapter 29 Departure

    A few more days had passed, and the feast was upon them. Most people were happy for a reason to drink and celebrate. There hadn''t been a lot of happy times since the cataclysm had happened. So despite it being for the return of Trillia, most people celebrated for their own reasons. Leadership was all too happy to let them.


    Trillia sat around the fire with her family, as well as, Cordaos, Amelia, and a few of their closest friends. The conversations were mostly about old adventures or dungeons they had conquered. That shifted into the moral grey area of destroying a dungeon core or not. It went on for hours. There was dancing and singing. As the moon began to sink once more in the sky, everyone began to shuffle off to sleep.


    Trillia walked next to her mother, holding her hand. Varga had left them at the fire, making sure that there were still guards stationed at the gates. Or making sure the change of guard had already slept off their portion of the revelry. Amara wasn''t even buzzed, even though many of the others Trillia had seen were stumbling about or slurring their words. Trillia had to wonder if her mother had a trait or skill that made it so she couldn''t get drunk anymore.


    As they walked inside, Amara began to strip off her armor, equipping it on a wooden dummy she had made to hold and work on it. Walking into their tiny little kitchen, she pulled a tankard out, filling it with water using the runes on its sides. Grabbing another, she offered it to Trillia.


    "Thank you."


    Filling it with water herself and taking a drink. Amara sat at the table. Suddenly, it was just the two of them. Her mother was staring at Trillia, wanting to say so much but unsure how to say anything at all. Trillia sat across from her, breaking the heavy silence.


    "I''ll be ok, Mom. You don''t have to worry about me so much. I... I think I understand why you hate the situation so much."


    Amara continued to stare, not saying a word.


    "From some of the stuff I have overheard. It''s like what happened with you and Uncle Cord. Being pushed and bullied into risking our lives. I know they can''t just fix it themselves because, supposedly, there are rules. But. Well, why are there this many mistakes in the first place if everyone is following the rules?"


    Trillia spoke grimly, angry at the deities, angry at Alirast. Just... angry at all of it. Her skills not sure if they should remove these emotions or not, since they were good to have in some battles. Amara grabbed her hand, offering it a little squeeze.


    "I am the Grand Chieftain. I oversee the laws of the Shattered Plains. I make these laws as simple as I can so that they can be followed without sacrificing individuality. Even so, there have been tribes in the past that have used that simple phrasing to skirt the laws. To get around or under them so that they can get more power. When that happens, and tribal warfare breaks out. I do not blame everyone involved. I only blame the ones who broke the rules, causing it to all go to shit."


    Amara huffed a bit, thinking on something intently.


    "I don''t think Lord Darktone would ever knowingly put this realm in danger. His wife lives here. If ever they have children, they will live here. He created this realm itself. Alirast is his child in a sense. Which leads me to believe that someone else broke the rules, that someone else messed everything up. He is left to try and fix it, along with, Alirast and his pacts."


    Trillia lay her head on her other arm, staring into her mother''s eyes.


    "I don''t like what Alirast did. I never will. But I think... I think it''s just trying to protect itself and everyone else. The way it sees things is the sacrifice of a few thousand is better than billions."


    Trillia didn''t really understand that word. They had a brief discussion on the way back to town when she learned she had millions of mana. Billions must be higher than even that. Trillia ran her fingers along the cloth her mother wore around her wrists. The same place she latched her bracers.


    "Something in my head. Is telling me to go to Kincairne. Every time the word comes up, something pulls me to it. Even now, sitting inside the city, my skin crawls. Demanding that I leave and pursue knowledge. I can feel the tug of spawns in so many directions, urging me to seek them out and destroy them. Will any of that ever go away?"


    Amara took another drink of her water. Silence filled the air between them. Trillia figured that couldn''t be good news. Amara finally blew a heavy sigh before answering.


    "No. It doesn''t. Even now, my brain tells me to seek out the other pacts. To go to Kadessa to visit the Queen. It tells me where the primordials roughly are. It tells me that we have a few years before things get really, really bad. Maybe more before they wake up themselves."


    Her words were solemn, almost a whisper. Grabbing Trillia''s hand, she forced the two to stare at one another.


    "Promise me that you will never betray your people for the sake of your duty."


    That caught Trillia completely off-guard. She felt her mother''s grip tighten, her eyes darken. Fear could find no foothold, so she spoke calmly.


    "I will do my best to protect our tribe and the rest of the realm. If...if it''s a choice between just our tribe and all the rest of the realm. I don''t think I could make that choice. I would never want to make that choice."


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    Amara let go of her hand, and Trillia quickly pulled it back to her side of the table. Amara seemed even more sad and depressed now. She stood and walked over, placing a kiss on the top of Trillia''s head.


    "Do your best, sweetie. That''s enough. The two of you will leave in two days. I look forward to seeing you off and of hearing tales of your victory."


    Amara gave her a weak smile before she moved to lie in bed, her back to Trillia. Trillia didn''t understand it all. It was as if... as if her Mother was two people now. As if she saw Trillia as two people as well. One is her daughter and a member of the tribe, and the other some foreign invader that must be kept under watch.


    Trillia said nothing else. Sitting there at a table for a few moments more before she pulled herself up and moved off to sleep as well. Was the question asked because Amara had been forced to fight her own tribe? Was she worried that Trillia would be forced to attack them or that Amara would be forced to kill as her enemy?


    Once more, her skills worked overtime to calm her down.


    -=- Two Days Later -=-


    Amelia and Trillia stood at the northern gate. Both carried packs with provisions, some healing potions, and things of that nature. Trillia wore leather armor, lovax plates strapped to her shoulders and forearms. All of it dyed a dark red that matched her skin. A simple iron rapier at her side. Amara was going over her armor, making sure it was strapped properly, double-checking her provisions. Trillia smiled.


    "It''s ok, Mom! We''ll be back before you know it!"


    The trip would be about two months. A short time compared to how much time she had just spent trapped in that pod. Honestly, Trillia was happy to be out of the city. Something about the tall walls made her feel even smaller, trapped. Like some tiny critter waiting for the world to gobble her up. Everyone gave them hugs and went over a checklist, making sure they had tribute. Things they had gone over a hundred times in the past couple of weeks.


    But, Trillia knew it was because they cared. She and Amara hadn''t spoken since that night. There was an air between them that felt heavy. She could sense the same wariness from Uncle Cordaos as well. She knew it had to be something to do with them being [Pact-Bound], but she couldn''t get any information out of them regarding it. Tormash and Ba''Shoon approached her. Tormash extending a small book in a metal contraption. Ba''Shoon was hugging his other arm with a smile on her face.


    Trillia took the book, running her stump over the cover, looking at them curiously. Ba''Shoon spoke.


    "It will hold the book open for you. It has. It has a few entries in it regarding some of the enemies in the area. Tormash used some [Naturalist] skills to give you a heads-up if you wanted it. The quill is enchanted to never run out of ink. The book itself is almost entirely liquid-proof. This way, you can journal your thoughts, as well as take notes on the dungeon."


    Trillia smiled at the book, holding it to her chest with her left arm as she unlatched a pouch on her right side. Finally transferring the book over. She walked up and hugged them both. Tormash spoke ever so softly into her ear.


    "She who fights and runs away may turn and fight another day. Be cautious. It is not just your life in the balance anymore."


    Trillia nodded solemnly as she pulled away. Taking a deep breath, the two of them set off. Amara was the first to start it, startling everyone a bit. A large hammer slamming into the ground rhythmically. Others joined in. Amelia and Trillia both wore massive grins, turning to cheer and pump their fists.


    You''re now under the effects of a [Warband Chant] for the next 2 weeks.


    Trillia smiled as they got further away from the city, and the thumping slowed. Looking up to Amelia.


    "Thanks for having me along. I hope I won''t slow you down too much."


    Amelia only grinned, pulling out an instrument that Trillia hadn''t seen before, strumming a few notes.


    "Are you kidding? With you around, we don''t have to worry about mana, pretty much at all. It means we can stay topped off with skills and spells. In addition, we can go all out during combat. We''ll want to be careful, as I''d wager I can still get mana sickness from too much mana healing. But it will make our lives a lot easier, that''s for certain."


    Trillia was happy to hear it. She looked down at her outstretched arms, flexing her hand and looking at the stump. It was a very serious handicap in a fight. There wasn''t a good way to fix it. They had tried to give her slings with blades on the end, but even other veteran orcs that used such things. Told her that they were mostly useless. It was better to just have heavy armor on the stump and use it as a makeshift club or shield. The lovax shells used to give her bracers were enchanted on that side. She''d have to learn to fight using it as a shield.


    The sparring in the previous weeks had gone a long way toward doing just that. But there was a big difference in sparring compared to fighting something trying to kill you. As Amelia sang and buffed them for the walk, Trillia set her maximum mana to what it was now. So that Amelia''s was always topped off. Better to see if she got mana sickness now, right outside of the city where it was safe. Instead of in the middle of a dungeon surrounded by enemies.


    While they walked, Trillia pulled out the book her brother and Ba''Shoon had given her. Trillia opened the first page and saw a small latch on the bottom, she pressed it, and the metal contraption gently clamped the edges of the pages. Another button flipped one page forward, and another still flipped one page back. She smiled deeply at the thing. The first page was not a creature but a message written in her brother''s handwriting.


    ~Dear Trillia,


    I hope this book is filled with amazing adventures for many, many years to come. I haven''t told anyone but Ba''Shoon. I trust you as well. There will come a time, very soon. That I split off from mother and the united tribes. I wish to create an orc city, not something with high looming walls, but something that allows us to live and be free. That lets us choose our own destinies instead of being forced into combat classes again and again with no room for hobbies or happiness. I tell you this because I want you to know. That no matter how bad things get or how divided our people may become. Ba''Shoon and I will always love and care for you. You will always have a place in my tribe. Good luck in the dungeon. I have faith in you, Trillia.


    Love, Tormash.


    P.S. This is Ba''Shoon. I have some ideas for your arm. I''ll work on them while you are in the dungeon. Kick ass and take names! See you soon!


    Love, Ba''Shoon.


    Trillia smiled, tears forming in her eyes. She pulled the book up and kissed the message softly, unlatching the pages and allowing the book to close. She took a deep, steadying breath, looking up to Amelia, who was fiddling with her instrument. Maybe striking off on her own wouldn''t be so opposed. Maybe she could convince everyone she''d be ok.


    It was no surprise to anyone she hadn''t felt like she belonged. Now it was even more bizarre. Shaking the thoughts out of her head, she began to hum along with Amelia. She''d enjoy this trip, enjoy this last little sliver of her homeland before she found a way to leave.

 Chapter 30 Casual Culling

    Trillia swiftly swung her left arm up and out away from her, rather effectively parrying the sword-like legs of a [Megapede]. It wasn''t a very large one. Some stray that had escaped the many scouting groups from the city to keep the surrounding area clear. Still, it wasn''t a pushover for the two women either. Trillia briefly activated [Mana Sight] again to make sure nothing had changed.


    [Megapede - Vile Spitter - 37] - Acid Mana Manipulation


    The sight was toggled off. Amara and Cordaos had warned Trillia to keep up constant scans when fighting enemies whenever possible. Even monsters could develop traits in the middle of a fight that could drastically change the outcome. While it may not be possible to see what any given trait does. Something like the acid to burn through stone would probably be pretty self-explanatory.


    The momentum of the strike spun her hard to the left. Letting her left arm go wide, she slid a foot behind her, heel digging into the ground as she let the momentum flow through her body and into her right arm. Following with a mighty yell and a thrust of her rapier.


    "[Riposte]!"


    Her blade seemed to curve toward the creature, slicing cleanly between chitinous plates and drawing blood. Trillia quickly hopped back as the body seemed to whip back around towards her. Amelia, on the other side, was shattering legs with a banshee-like howl. Trillia was glad for her traits and skills. When the creature first came upon them, Trillia nearly froze in terror and fear at the memories. It didn''t even last a full second before her skills pushed her towards action and stamped out the evil emotions trying to cow the proud little orc.


    "[Restorative Chant]!"


    Both girls said it in unison, aiming at the other. Trillia raised her left arm as a rain of blades slammed into her. Most slid off of the polished and lightly enchanted lovax shells, some cut deeply into her arm. Suppressing a cry of anguish, the healing from Amelia''s chant pulsed through her body.


    Amelia turned and ran from the creature as it seemed to focus entirely on Trillia. Amelia let her mallet fall into the hook on her side, used to hold the thing, reaching behind her and pulling out the lute she had been playing on before. The young minstrel''s fingers moved rapidly as her sonic-based mana created more than just sound on the instrument.


    You''re now under the effects of [Hilde''s Hastily Hewn Heroics] for the next 5 minutes.


    Trillia grinned. She knew that buff. The past few days on the road, Amelia had gone into more of what she was capable of doing. As did Trillia. This particular poorly-named song massively boosted agility, strength, and intuition. Trillia expertly darted between the legs of the best, slamming her rapier up between the seams of its underbelly and slicing side to side. The rapier wasn''t that well suited for the use, but it did its job.


    The creature twitched and convulsed, unable to get under itself to attack her. It instead opted to stop trying altogether, the massive weight of its body attempting to crush the little pest. Trillia kicked off the thing''s body and tore herself loose, catching two deep cuts on her arm as she passed by the bladed legs. She had left her rapier behind, pointing straight up. As planned, the thing shrieked in agony, and Amelia took her cue in stride.


    Leaping over Trillia and onto the [Megapede]''s back, she once more had mallet in hand. She pulled back with both arms and, with a mighty swing, slammed sideways into the exposed tip of the rapier. The blade sliced around, nearly cutting the creature in two. It fell instantly with no further struggle. Both girls collapsed. Even with [Restorative Chant], their health and stamina pools had started to dip.


    Trillia, despite her injuries, leapt into the air with a whooping holler.


    "We did it! We beat an adult! We aren''t even dead this time!"


    Amelia smirked. They''d have to do some emergency repairs to their equipment and armor, certainly. Most of Amelia''s stone plate had been melted away by a stray acid attack. Trillia''s rapier wasn''t entirely straight anymore. Still, the two had just defeated a creature that had tormented their sleep for some time.


    "[Restorative Chant]"


    They went back and forth as the skill seemed to work better on others. It was good they could use it on each other. Back and forth they went until their health and stamina were topped off. Mana was never an issue with Trillia around. They also found that if the mana wasn''t immediate, then Amelia wouldn''t get mana sickness. But if she went from empty to suddenly full, she did. So Trillia just fed Amelia a little trickle of mana to ensure both of them were in fighting shape.


    Trillia grinned and looked at the notifications.


    Your group has defeated [Megapede]!


    More experience is awarded for defeating an enemy at least 20 levels above your Derived Level!


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 27 -> Level 28


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level 19 -> Level 20


    General Skill: [Mana Sight] Level 0 -> Level 1


    Class: [Runic Scholar] Level 2 - > Level 4


    Class: [Fencer] Level 1 -> Level 7


    Riposte- Level 0 -> Level 1


    [Runic Scholar]


    Active Skills:


    Rune Disruption (In Use)


    Rapid Rune Spell (In Use)


    Passive Skills:


    Rune Sight (In Use)


    Unfortunately, the two levels didn''t bring new skills. That was sort of to be expected of an extendable class, though.


    [Fencer]


    Active Skills:


    Riposte (In Use)


    Passive Skills:


    Fencer''s Grace


    Rapier Mastery


    Fleet Foot


    Unerring Tip


    That... that was a lot of passives. Trillia briefly remembered that the class description did tell her it had a lot of passive skills to choose from.


    "Do you need help with that, Amelia? I have four new passives I need to look over, and I''d like your opinion."


    Amelia smiled as she pulled out a carving knife. [Megapede] parts were valuable, after all. The girls had a bag of holding on loan from Ralrouk. Both wanted to make extremely good use of it so that they could afford their own.


    "Let''s both start carving, we will take it slow, and you can read while we work."


    Trillia bounced over with a smile, pulling out her own carving knife. The work was a little more difficult for Trillia without a supporting hand, but she could slice off the chitinous plates easily enough.


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    "Ok, I''ll read them off to you in order."


    Seeing Amelia nod, she began.


    "Fencer''s Grace. This skill doubl-"


    She nearly choked as she read the skill, needing to read it several times to see if it was real. Stuttering a bit, she continued aloud.


    "Fencer''s Grace. This skill doubles the effect Agility has on the damage of your weapon. In addition, every level of this skill increases ease of handling rapiers, or weapons similar to rapiers."


    Amelia spoke up immediately.


    "That seems really strong. Rapiers are a light weapon, so you can''t put much force behind them. I''ve always wondered how such thin weapons can do such insane damage. It makes sense if that''s a basic skill for a [Fencer]."


    Trillia had to agree. She didn''t take the skill yet, though.


    "Rapier Mastery. This skill absorbs the General Skill of the same name. Taking its level and changing the maximum level of the skill from ten to thirty."


    Both went silent on that. Trillia chewed her lip.


    "Rapier Mastery only helps me handle the weapon. This just seems like a worse version of Fencer''s Grace? Plus, if Rapier Mastery stays a General Skill, I don''t need to waste a passive slot on this."


    Both girls nodded. That made sense.


    "Fleet Foot. This skill allows you to use your Dexterity instead of your Agility for purposes of movement or acrobatics. Each level in this skill will allow your body to move faster than it otherwise should."


    "That one seems better than Rapier Mastery. You have three slots for the fencer class, right?"


    Trillia nodded at the question.


    "Seems so far we have clear standouts. Let''s see what the last one is. I can just drop the skill and swap them out if need be. I may lose the level of progress, but I can do some testing."


    She tugged on the last passive of [Fencer] finally.


    "Unerring Tip. Requirements: Rapier Mastery as a Class Skill. This skill allows your attacks with any weapon that benefits from Rapier Mastery to deal bonus damage. The damage is equal to the level of Rapier Mastery (Minimum: 1) multiplied by the level of this skill (Minimum: 1)."


    "Well, that sucks."


    Amelia harrumphed for Trillia. Both stopped working on the creature dead under them. Thinking about the skills. Amelia offered her thoughts.


    "You said yourself Rapier Mastery was just a lesser Fencer''s Grace. Maybe drop Fencer''s Grace for now and take the other three? Double agility to damage is really good, though."


    Trillia rubbed her chin with her one good hand. Her knife sticking out of the corpse.


    "I''m almost tempted to not take Fleet Foot. I know it will help me stay out of harm''s way, but if I stack damage, that seems like it will just end the fights faster for both of us, right?"


    Amelia nodded absent-mindedly at her words.


    "Maybe. Well, like you said, you can always change stuff around, right? Maybe you''ll get even more passives, then you can drop Rapier Mastery and Unerring Tip."


    Trillia was about to go with that, then she paused.


    "Wait, it absorbs the skill. If I take it, then abandon it later. I won''t get the general skill back, will I?"


    Both girls went silent, thinking about it. Amelia finally spoke up.


    "I think we did really good here. Maybe take Fencer''s Grace and Fleet Foot, and leave your third slot empty. I agree. I don''t think it''s worth losing Rapier Mastery entirely. Though I am surprised. You haven''t leveled it."


    "Maybe it can''t level because I have the [Fencer] class? All the experience for rapiers is being taken by the class instead?"


    After a while, both girls shrugged. Trillia took [Fencer''s Grace] and [Fleet Foot], leaving her third passive slot empty. The effects were immediate. Trillia had to stabilize herself whenever she walked. It felt as if she were running instead of just walking.


    "That''s so bizarre. How do Mom and Dad handle such high-level skills and not just break everything all the time?"


    Amelia chuckled as she pulled off another sword-like leg.


    "From what Dad has told me, it takes an immense amount of concentration at first. After a while and enough skills, he got a trait called [Body Regulators], which makes it so that he doesn''t accidentally break stuff by grabbing it. It''s a trait he can toggle on and off. Really handy, apparently."


    Trillia nodded. She could believe it. She paused, bringing back up the description for [Fencer]. It clearly stated that it would just absorb Rapier Mastery. Why hadn''t it? Why give it to her as an option? She voiced her concerns to Amelia.


    "Some stuff changes based on the desires of the user. It''s why even if you know someone''s classes, you can never be all too sure about it. Maybe your system realized you didn''t want changes forced on you. It''s hard to tell, really. But that does make me wonder. Maybe hold off for now, but I get the feeling that Fencer is going to significantly benefit from having [Rapier Mastery] as a class skill. Might be worth taking it as your first Mastery skill even."


    Trillia thought about that. Looking at her rapier.


    "What if I wanna change weapons down the line? Then I have a mastery skill that is mostly useless."


    Amelia shook her head, standing to wipe sweat from her brow.


    "Not really. You might find a skill later on that absorbs it again. I''ve heard the [Weapon Master] class your Mom has is like that. You need at least ten weapon mastery passives to have the class unlocked and available. Maybe something like that will help?"


    Trillia dragged off some of the chitinous plates that were in good condition. The face had been mostly mangled during the early part of the battle as the two girls tried to disable its acidic attack to brutal effect. The meat was beyond their cooking skills, so it was left behind for scavengers. The girls took a few minutes to use a water rune-etched mana bowl to clean up. Amelia spoke up.


    "Let''s get a few hours away from the corpse. We can do equipment maintenance and discuss where you should put the stat points you''ve been saving up."


    With that, the two once more began marching toward the dungeon. A few hours later, once they were getting ready to settle down for the night, they made camp. Trillia watched with interest as Amelia made minor repairs to their armor and weapons. It was a skill she''d need to learn herself. As Amelia worked, she also spoke.


    "I think your movement is more than fine at this point. [Fencer''s Grace] also functionally doubled your damage. So I think you''re good there. It''s kind of tough to think of what to spend your points on. I know you''ve been going round-robin at this point. Maybe that is the best course forward?"


    Trillia thought about it for a while. Her new sub-species was going to keep her Wisdom far ahead of everything else for the foreseeable future. [Fencer] was feeding her agility every other level.


    "What if I did two vitality, one intuition, and one agility? Put scholar points into strength?"


    Amelia nodded.


    "Your stats, your life. But that certainly seems like a good idea to me. You mostly dodge everything, but the added vitality is great for Stamina and health. That seems smart. You don''t need a lot of presence for your skills, at least not until you take [Minstrel], but at the rate, we''re going. You can bank enough mentor experience off of me to just auto-master the class at short or medium at this rate."


    Trillia gave one final nod before allocating her stats. Bringing up her full status page after to take a look at it.


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}


    [Status: Alive; Scorned Divinity]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 28


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 20


    +5 Wisdom Per Level


    Class: [Runic Scholar] Level: 4 {Stat Points: 0}


    Class: [Fencer] Level: 7


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 90]


    \Strength: 39 + Vitality: 51/


    [Dexterity: 192]


    \Agility: 51 + Wisdom: 141/


    [Charisma: 69]


    \Intuition: 44 Presence: 25/


    Traits:


    Runt


    Limitless Mana


    Thirst For Knowledge


    Divine: Unwavering Determination


    Alchemical Blood


    Spawn Seeker


    Racial Skills:


    [Orc Savagery - Passive]: - Level <Disabled> [Runt]


    [Orc Constitution - Passive]: - Level 0 <Limited> [Runt]


    [Orc Tenacity - Passive]: - Level 2


    General Skills:


    [Stalwart Mana- Reactive]: Level 0


    [Mana Obfuscastion - Hybrid]: Level 0


    [Rapier Mastery - Passive]: Level 3


    [Mana Sight- Passive]: Level 0 [Currently: Off]


    [Runic Scripture - Hybrid] Level 0


    [Universal Mana Manipulation - Hybrid] Level 0


    [Basic Alchemy - Hybrid]: Level 1


    [Basic Cooking - Hybrid]: Level 3


    [Basic Herbalism - Passive]: Level 1


    [Lesser Mind Magic Resistance - Passive]: Level 1


    [Minor Telepathy - Hybrid]: Level 0


    Class Skills:


    [Runic Scholar]


    Active: Rune Disruption - Level 0


    Active: Rapid Rune Spell - Level 0


    Passive: Rune Sight - Level 0


    [Fencer]


    Active: Riposte - Level 1


    Passive: Fencer''s Grace - Level 0


    Passive: Fleet Foot - Level 0


    Health: 900


    Stamina: 510


    Mana: 3,250,000/-

 Change of Schedule

    So, first of all. We have new cover art by ConceptartistJR! It''s awesome, you should click the youtube link and watch the process (It also links to the rest of their stuff.) Here''s another link for good measure. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6CMKwSv_Ty4</a>


    If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    So, the announcement/schedule change. My job and living situation have changed slightly. I currently work back to back doubles on Wednesday and Thursday. This makes getting chapters out on Thursday and Friday difficult, since I leave the house around 10AM and don''t get back until sometime after 9PM, it leaves me very little time to write. As such I am going to be changing the days I update.


    Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday.


    I will still post my chapters at 1AM (UTC-5) I live in the USA, so we still adhere to Daylight Savings, so that will change by an hour every six months or so.  But never the less, I will be updating 5 chapters a week, with the same frequency. The days just have to change a little bit so I can ensure my own well being. I hope this doesn''t discourage new readers, or scare off old readers. Thanks for understanding.

 Chapter 31 First Contact

    The trip had been uneventful, other than that lone [Megapede].


    Once more, they settled into camp. Their equipment was in working order. Amelia pulled out some smoked raptor jerky, extending some to Trillia. The girl smiled and ripped a chunk off before the long chew began. Speaking around the food.


    "Do you know exactly how old the dungeon is?"


    "Well, the scouts discovered it a couple months ago. It only has one floor, not a very expansive one either. Your brother Ralrouk seems to know an awful lot about dungeons. He said, judging by the size of the core and the lack of any real threats. It''s probably only been alive for six months at best. Especially in the Shattered Plains, most dungeons just don''t survive."


    Trillia tilted her head in curiosity as she tore off another chunk of smoked meat.


    "[Megapedes] come from a nest. Which, I guess, is like a tiny dungeon? Or a forming dungeon core? I''m not entirely sure you''d have to ask someone who knows more. Anyway, they aren''t tied to a location like dungeon monsters are. At least not that I can tell. That or there are thousands of nests in the Shattered Plains. They are just always super aggressive and hungry. They tend to wander into newly formed dungeons and wipe them out."


    Trillia''s chewing slowed down. Thinking back on them mentioning one of the goblins begging Ralrouk not to murder their father.


    "That...seems cruel almost. Why would the deities put the dungeon cores here, only for them to get wiped out?"


    Amelia could only offer a little shrug. That struck a chord with Trillia. Something small and weak, thrown into a land of tall and strong. Waiting to be crushed mercilessly. The dungeons didn''t have a tribe to support them as Trillia did.


    "Do all dungeons kill?"


    Amelia took a long drink of water, one arm moving up to wipe her snout as she thought about the question. As the sun hit the horizon and cast a warm red glow on everything, Trillia noticed Amelia''s horns looked almost like fire. Bright violet eyes catching the red hues. Her friend was a little terrifying.


    "No. Some dungeons genuinely want to help people. That''s why my people think they are heroes of old. My father spoke of a dungeon that he was placed into as a calf. The dungeon core was, supposedly, some great gladiator. It knew what a person''s classes were. It could also tell a lot about people somehow. Father said that it would mercilessly kill slavers. But would treat slaves kindly and help them grow and learn. That''s where Father learned to read and write."


    Trillia knew those two words. The Shattered Plains outlawed slavery in all forms. It was considered one of the worst forms of punishment. Trillia figured that was because all the leaders had been slaves at one point in their lives. A shiver ran down her spine.


    Amelia must have seen the look.


    "Kadessa is a vast empire. The Queen of which is one of the strongest mortals on Alirast. She personally outlawed slavery, and the punishment for breaking that law is public torture and death. I think, I honestly think, that your situation is as close as it gets. But she can''t very well punish the realm for what it''s done to you. We''re still mortal, after all."


    Trillia thought about that for a long while. Staring at the little campfire they had built. Finally, she shook her head.


    "I don''t think it''s comparable. I don''t know much about how slaves lived. No one really wants to discuss it, not that I blame them. But I am free to do what I want. I have food, and I have family. I am mostly safe. I can take any classes I want. This is... more like a duty than slavery. I was given a job that has benefits to it. It''s also something I am happy to do. Because it means my tribe is safe if I succeed."


    The girls sat in silence until they got bed rolls out and laid down to sleep. Amelia spread some stones out. The runes etched into them were to dampen sound escaping, as well as make it difficult to see into their camp. Another set would alert them that someone had broken their perimeter. Trillia attached her mana to both sets. The girls had learned early on during their expedition that Trillia''s mana regen was significantly better. Given her huge pool to draw from, she could keep the wards up all night without any issues.


    -=- A Few Days Later -=-


    It was nearing nightfall. They would have set up camp about an hour ago, but they had seen the dungeon entrance and the small camp around it when they crested a hill. As they approached, crossbows were leveled their way. An orc stepped forward.


    "Who goes there?"


    Amelia raised a rolled-up parchment, two seals pressed into it.


    "Princess Amelia Shatterhoof. Formerly of God''s Watch, currently of Last Bastion, I am joined by Trillia Demonsbane, daughter of the Grand Chieftain."


    The orc strode forward, taking the parchment and inspecting the seals. Once satisfied, he opened the parchment and began to read. A motion of his hand and all of the weapons were lowered. Most of them bowed deeply.


    "Forgive our rough greeting. We are happy to support you however we can."


    Trillia was the one to speak up this time, which caught Amelia off guard.


    "Never apologize for doing your job, Sir. Mother is grateful that her people take their duty so seriously and perform them so well. Has the dungeon caused any issues?"


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    The orc smiled at her words, bowing slightly once more.


    "It has not, Lady Trillia. We did spot a few goblins fleeing from some raptors, flee into the dungeon. They come out periodically to trade with us. The dungeon seems able to make copper and leather in addition to the wolves and goblins. It trades us metal for food. I''m not sure why it''s unable to make food. Especially seeing how much we''ve given it. But we don''t mind the trade. It''s certainly fair. "


    Amelia pulled out a notebook, reading through some questions that had been prepared by her father and Amara.


    "Has it shown any desire to form an alliance or negotiate outside of those simple trades?"


    The orc motioned for them to follow him back to camp. A fire and cooking pot was set up, he spoke as they walked.


    "It has asked us several times to send someone to negotiate. It has also asked us if we would delve into it. Our presence is, in a way, choking it to death. Nothing really wanders in, given our proximity. But our orders from Ralrouk were very strict not to enter. So we have not."


    Trillia sat on a log, offering a little wave to the others seated. All of whom waved back with a smile. Soon after, a bowl of meaty soup was passed to her. Amelia sat next to her, going to the next question.


    "So, it has creatures it can send out to negotiate. Presumably, the goblins are too weak to fight most things in this area. The question of what it can offer will be better answered once Trillia and I descend. Do you know if it has made a second floor yet?"


    The lead orc rubbed his chin.


    "I don''t think so. If so, the dungeon''s mana is weaker than we expected. I''ve been around a couple dungeons before when they formed a second floor. The mana they give off is like a beacon. It may be that this dungeon is more intelligent than we had originally thought. Or it''s not making a second floor, out of thought for us."


    Both girls gave him a confused look. The orc continued.


    "Wild monsters, or monsters from nests, or wild dungeons, are drawn to the mana of proper dungeons. Consuming dungeon cores can mutate a nest to be significantly stronger. Sometimes a nest can even become a dungeon itself. With all of its former inhabitants becoming raiding-type monsters. The goblins do a lot of scouting in the area. This dungeon is probably more aware of nests than we are. It may be worried that if it expands to a second floor, it will draw in enough creatures that our camp gets overrun." The orc held up a hand as he took a drink of water before continuing.


    "While we are technically starving it by not letting things approach. It also understands we are, to some extent protecting it. It must know the average level of monsters in this area, given how much the goblins it has in its employ scout. We do not know if its defenders have gained any strength since Ralrouk''s descent. He said the defenders were between levels fifteen and twenty-five. Even a young [Megapede] could do significant damage to it. Let alone a swarm."


    The girls offered a nod, both eating their soup at this point. A few conversations settled into the camp around them. Most of which were discussing the surrounding area and missing home. That sort of thing. When Trillia finished her soup. She asked for another bowl. Standing, she glanced to Amelia.


    "I''m going to go and say hello. As well as offer it some soup. I want to inform the dungeon we''ll be doing a proper delve tomorrow so that it can prepare. Maybe ask it why it hasn''t grown food for its inhabitants yet."


    Amelia nodded.


    "I''ll see about getting any more information for the surrounding area. Maybe we can find a decent hunting ground for its raiders or make one."


    The girls nodded. The lead orc, whose name they still hadn''t asked for yet, stood and offered to escort Trillia to the dungeon entrance. It was only a few hundred feet away, but Trillia accepted with a smile. As they took off towards the entrance, she finally asked the question.


    "Forgive me for being rude. What is your name?"


    "Mon''tag Stonebearer, at your service. Would you like me to step into the dungeon with you? Just in case?"


    Trillia thought about that for a moment before shaking her head.


    "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Lord Stonebearer. But no, I think I want to step in alone. If the dungeon kills me before we have a chance to speak. You have my permission to destroy it completely. Otherwise, I think having someone near the level of its defenders will put its mind at ease."


    Her eyes lit up with [Mana Sight]


    [Savage Orc - Swiftwind Scout - ??] - Wind Mana Manipulation


    She was happy to see that she could see the class at least, even if his level was too high. Trillia was aware of her mana dropping by a few hundred points. Mon''tag''s face twisted in confusion. She offered a smile.


    "I am somewhat specialized in remaining unknown. I do apologize. I don''t mean any offense by not dropping my abilities."


    The orc immediately began shaking his head and raised his hands.


    "Not at all. In fact, it was rude of me to scan without permission. Though I suppose turnabout is fair play. I trust that you will be safe. I shall wait outside."


    They offered each other nods. The entrance to the dungeon was a simple affair. The grey rocky ground of the Shattered Plains, mixed with moss and rough weeds, seemed to blend seamlessly into the more worked stone of a simple archway. The colors were identical, and the archway itself had moss growing on it. A simple wooden door was the only thing that didn''t blend in well. A large hill behind the door suggested that the core was probably somewhere in the hill, assuming it was still only a single floor.


    Much to Mon''tag''s surprise. Trillia stepped forward and knocked heavily on the door. Mostly banging on it with her stumped left arm while her right held the soup. A few seconds passed before she banged again. Montag looked as though he was about to speak but was silenced and even more shocked when one of the raiding goblins opened the door.


    Trillia was absolutely ecstatic. She could have jumped for joy and crushed the goblin in a hug then and there. It was about three and a half feet tall.


    TRILLIA WAS FINALLY TALLER. FINALLY.


    The smile on her face was ear to ear. She offered the goblin the soup before speaking. First in Orcish, then in Minotaur. Repeating the same thing in both.


    "I am Trillia Demonsbane. I represent the tribe of Shattered Will. I wish to enter the dungeon to speak with it and offer tribute. May I come in?"


    The goblin tilted its head back a moment. Its skin was a dark grey-green color. Two bright orange eyes and a large curved nose. Floppy, almost pointed ears framed its head. It had a little gut and a loincloth, and while its arms were small. Trillia could easily see the thing wasn''t weak. Finally, it looked back to her, having accepted the soup. When it spoke, it did so in orcish.


    "Father says that you may enter. Do not be alarmed. Father has many defenders coming up to the entrance to speak with you. So that we can all evo..eval..evu..." Frustration creased its brows.


    Trillia offered to help.


    "Evaluate each other?"


    The goblin smiled and beamed, relief flowing across its face.


    "Yes. Yes. That. Come in, come in."


    It stepped to the side and let the young orc in. Closing the door behind her. Trillia was immediately hit with a much, much stronger sense of mana. Not nearly as bad as the ravine. But it was potent. It felt more alive than any mana she''d ever been in before. Taking a deep breath, she stepped forward, ready to negotiate. To her, this was her first step in being independent and useful not just to her tribe but to everyone.

 Chapter 32 Diplomacy

    Trilla took in the room she had first entered. It was drastically different than the outside stonework. This stone was almost expertly worked. Every brick had some depiction of some great battle on it. The stone itself was a deep, dark grey. Flecks of some mineral caused it all to shimmer in the torchlight. A small. simple stone stand stood to one side of the hallway, a stone bowl that was a bright white, extremely polished stone stood out amongst everything else.


    The goblin that had met her at the door motioned to the bowl.


    "Father''s gift bowl. Says good manners to give gift. You good, you already give gift." the goblin held up the bowl of soup, taking a bite, before dumping the rest into the bowl. "It leave once you leave."


    Trillia nodded to the goblin. Ba''Shoon said that the dungeon couldn''t absorb anything or make changes while people were inside it. Before she could move much more forward, she saw a large canine head appear from around a corner. Dark red fur and piercing blue eyes greeted her. There was an intelligence in those eyes that Trillia didn''t miss. As it slowly plodded further into the entrance hall, she saw the rider atop the wolf.


    It was a goblin, much like the one that had greeted her, but it was a fair bit taller. At least, she thought so it was hard to tell on the wolf''s back. Its skin was dark green with the same glowing blue eyes of its mount. It wore what looked like simple furs and leathers piled on top of each other to offer some form of protection. A jagged blade hung at its side. It looked more like a giant chef''s knife than a sword. But given the goblin''s stature, Trillia felt it struck a very imposing image.


    The rider spoke. His voice was startlingly soft, given his image. Trillia''s [Mana Sight] immediately kicked in.


    [Dungeon Goblin - Red River Warrior - 37] Null Mana Manipulation


    [Dungeon Wolf - Crimson Fang - 33] Fire Mana Manipulation


    Trillia looked down at the one that had greeted her.


    [Goblin - Scout - 18] Wind Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Pact-Bound [Dungeon]


    Trillia let her sight fade. Focusing on the speaking voice.


    "Father says you scary. Lots of mana. Enough mana, kill us all. Is worried you want absorb him."


    Trillia shook her head, offering a smile.


    "Not at all. I am Trillia Demonsbane."


    Before she continued, the rider held up a hand, nodding.


    "Father heard, so we all heard. I am Stibs. This is Paws." the goblin patted the wolf''s side as he spoke.


    Trillia couldn''t help but giggle at the names.


    "I have no intention of absorbing your father. In truth, my best friend and I wish to delve tomorrow. So that we may train and get better, in addition to trying to establish negotiations between your father and our people. I had a few questions, and I will leave you alone for the evening and return tomorrow if your father is ok with that?"


    The goblin looked up as if some otherworldly voice spoke to it.


    "Father says that ok, but has questions as well."


    Trillia nodded, motioning with her hand. She could see a half dozen other sets of paws waiting around corners.


    "Please ask your father to ask his questions first. I shall go after."


    The goblin nodded once more, speaking almost immediately.


    "Father wants to know why they send young orc? His...noledge? Knowledge? His knowledge say orc society not care about children. Especially children with [Runt]. That true?"


    Trillia winced at that. The statement hurt, but she was here to be professional. She couldn''t wander off and cry about it while she had work to do.


    "My tribe is different. We help our weakest grow so that we may one day be strong. I was sent because I am weakest amongst my tribe. I believe you met my brother before?" she described Ralrouk. The look on Stibs'' face told her he certainly remembered.


    "Brother, scary. I beg and beg him not to smash Father. All my warriors and wolves, biting and clawing, slashing and stabbing. Brother not care. Mighty laugh as he walked through us to the core."


    She could see the shame on his face. Trillia smiled and nodded.


    "Imagine how I feel. He is weaker than my parents by a great deal. I have much to live up to. Perhaps we can help each other. You teach me to be strong and a good fighter. I help you get stronger to protect your father."


    The goblin nodded immediately.


    "If father says ok, ok. Stibs and tribe need to become great warriors so that we do not beg for mercy. So that Father does not worry for us. Father says you smart for child. Why?"


    Trillia chewed her lip at that. Thinking about her words carefully before speaking.


    "I must be smart. I am weak. My tribe is strong. To help my tribe, I must be smart. I must learn quickly. I was changed so that I hunger for knowledge and know-how. I believe those changes also changed my intelligence and knowledge."


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    The goblin nodded, a smile crossing his face.


    "Like Stibs. Goblins not smart. We only know goblin tongue. Father teaches us more. Tells us that goblins can be smart. Said he met goblin, that was most smart thing ever. Stibs hungers for knowledge as well. Wants to learn more to share with father and tribe."


    Trillia smiled and nodded. She''d be the last person to underestimate anyone.


    "Father says he ask more questions tomorrow. You ask now."


    Trillia bowed her head, taking out her little metal book and opening it.


    "Is your father still only a single floor? If so, why hasn''t he expanded to another floor?"


    Once more, the goblin looked up into the sky. Responding after a moment.


    "Father says he can go down twice. But there is large nest of long creatures nearby. Nest will kill all orcs outside. Then come and kill all of us. Father wants to trade for help with that."


    Trillia thought about that a moment, scribbling some notes down before she continued.


    "If your father will let us train and delve without killing our people. We will ensure that no one harms his core. I will also have people sent to come and wipe out that nest. Assuming one of the goblins who can leave will lead us there."


    "Father says that is great trade. You very fair. More questions?"


    Trillia nodded.


    "A few more, yes. One is for you, not your father. You have [Null Mana Manipulation]. I''ve never seen or heard of that before. May I ask what it is?"


    The look of surprise on all their faces reminded Trillia that immediately knowing someone''s mana typing probably wasn''t common. Stibs didn''t back down, though.


    "I no use runes. I break runes. I break magic. Father says null is nullify. I nullify mana."


    Trillia sat there stunned for a moment. That wasn''t something she had heard of at all. She wrote down a few more things.


    "I look forward to training with you and fighting you, Lord Stibs. We are worried. Why doesn''t your Father grow food? You trade for it, which we are grateful for. But we don''t understand why."


    The goblin looked skyward for a long time. Finally, turning his eyes back to Trillia.


    "No dirt. All rock and stone. Little raiders cannot find good dirt in scouting. Only bring back small handfuls of bad dirt. Not enough for dungeon to absorb. No food grow in rock that Father has." the raider looked down, sad and ashamed now, before Stibs spoke up. "Father, not angry with raider goblins. Knows they are doing best they can. We try to eat long creature. But many goblins die."


    Trillia winced at that last part. Scribbling more notes.


    "Do you come back when you die? I''ve heard that some dungeon monsters do."


    "We return yes. Take long time. Raiders goblins not return. You no kill raider goblins."


    Trillia nodded immediately at that.


    "We should put a band on their arms so that our people know which goblins are not to be fought. But we won''t harm them."


    Trillia thought more about what questions should be asked tonight.


    "Is there anything your father needs? Other than good dirt for food? Or anything your father would like as tribute?"


    A few moments of listening passed before Stibs spoke. " Father says you clearing nest of long creatures is enough. Little raider goblins not strong enough to do it alone. Our tribe not strong enough. We not greedy. " The goblin hesitated and stopped, nodding to the air.


    Trillia saw that and spoke up.


    "Stibs. What do your people need? I won''t think you or your father are greedy. We want to be on good terms. If we can delve into the dungeon so that our weakest can become strong. It is beneficial for us. Especially if there is an agreement not to kill."


    Stibs sat on his mount, staring at her for a long time. Half listening to the voice that was speaking.


    "Father says it is my choice. I must learn to lead my people. I must make equal trade for things I ask for." leaning down and petting Paws'' snout. The goblin looked at her once more. "We need good dirt. We need ways to make healthy little raider goblins. Some are very hurt. We cannot heal. We are not smart or strong. I offer you trade. Help my tribe. I teach you to tame wolf. So you can have your own wolf."


    Trillia gave that a long pause. Closing the book, she stood slowly, having taken a seat right there on the ground. Rummaging around in her pack, she pulled out the whistle Ba''Shoon had given her. Walking up to Stibs and offering it to him.


    "This is a gift from my tribe to yours. It was made by one of our best enchanters. It can be used by a rider that is bonded to a mount. It makes your mount much stronger. Let your father absorb it. Maybe he can make more for all of your tribe. Take me to your wounded. I can heal them now. In exchange, teach me how to tame wolves while we train."


    Stibs took the whistle carefully. Rolling it over his fingers a few times. Slowly he slid it into a pouch at his side. Motioning with his hands, the other wolves and riders parted. Trillia saw that there were no less than twenty other riders all in all. Most of them had a similar level to Stibs and Paws. If any fear was creeping into her, her skills were doing a damn good job of crushing it before she felt it. She followed after him to a side room. Dismounting, Stibs was only a few inches taller than she was. He opened the door to let her in.


    The room was lit by a soft glowing orange crystal. Furs and leather piled up to make rough beds. The same smooth worked stone in the entire room. Some moss growing on one wall was being used to make a rather poor-looking soup. Five goblins lay in the beds, various cuts and slices deep into their flesh. All of them were shivering as other dungeon goblins were doing their best to tend to the wounds. Stibs'' soft voice pulled her from staring.


    "Little raiders try hard to help tribe. Long creatures dangerous. They escape, but we cannot heal them. Father is trying but cannot grow because of long creatures. We come back, they do not. We not want to see little brothers die."


    Trillia nodded solemnly. Stepping forward, she took a deep breath. Reaching into her near-endless pool of mana.


    "[Restorative Chant]"


    She repeated it over and over again. Until each of the five goblins had no more wounds on their bodies. All of them fell into a deep sleep. Seeing that they were ok, the dungeon goblins all wore smiles, looking as if they wanted to leap and cheer. Many of them turned and kneeled in front of Trillia. Stibs once more spoke for them.


    "We only offer wolf taming. Not even give yet. Why you heal?"


    The goblin seemed shocked but grateful. Tears forming in his eyes, as he now knew his ''little brothers'' weren''t going to die. Trillia smiled and spoke softly.


    "Our tribe believes in honor. We believe in unity and strength. I trust that you will keep your word Lord Stibs. I will see about getting good dirt here so that your people can grow their own food. All I ask is that you, your tribe, and your father deal with our people with the same fairness that I have."


    Stibs bowed deeply to her.


    "Father says it rare thing. To find honor. Our tribe and Father look forward to dealing with your tribe. If all of them are as good as you. We make very strong tribe."


    Trillia nodded, looking to the sleeping goblins once more before she turned and was escorted out of the dungeon. Bowing to them all before she left. As the door closed behind her, she took a deep breath, relief flowing through her. Mon''tag sat there with a smirk.


    "You look as if you just came out of a war, Lady Trillia. That''s exactly why I leave the diplomacy to the folks who are born for it. I''m good at stabbing and running, not much else."


    Trillia looked to him and smiled.


    "I have a few requests Lord Stonebearer. I hope you have someone fast amongst your people."


    That drew a grin from the orc. Trillia had a lot of prep to do. But she''d make this work. She also needed to have a chat with Amelia.

 Chapter 33 The Promise

    Once back in the little dungeon outpost. Trillia sought out Amelia, who was standing with a few other scouts around a map. Amelia looked up at her with a smile.


    "How did it go?"


    Trillia opened up her book and went over everything of importance. Leaving out the wolf-taming offer for Trillia.


    "I was going ask one of the scouts here. To head back to the city and get someone capable of clearing that nest. I admit, I don''t know anything about farming either. How does the city manage it?"


    Mon''tag is the one who spoke up at that.


    "Water mana, mostly. The dirt in the plains is shite. Always has been. But enough water and nature mana fixes that issue. I can send a few scouts who can make the trip there in three days. Write up your messages and wants in triplicate. So that I can send three scouts, just in case anything delays them. One will make it through."


    Trillia nodded.


    "It seems like the dungeon is very aware and very intelligent. I didn''t ask a lot of questions about the core itself. Ba''Shoon warned us not to broach that until we knew the dungeon better. The goblins were relieved when I healed their raiders. After Amelia and I do a minor delve tomorrow, I can scout the surrounding area to find some healing herbs."


    Another scout raised and hand and spoke up.


    "I have [Herbalism] at level three. I can go with you. I''ve found a few light patches of things that the dungeon might be able to replicate."


    "I''ve also found a few small caves and holes that grow vines with some hard berries on them in the stone. It grows a bit like the moss. It won''t be anything excellent, but it might help the dungeon for now?" another scout added.


    Trillia smiled and nodded once more. Amelia spoke up.


    "Maybe we can offer to trade class information? If they had a [Minstrel] amongst them, it would help them out immensely. I''ve never heard of a [Red River Warrior]. Have any of you?"


    Everyone went silent for a few minutes, trying to remember. Mon''tag pulled out a leather-bound book that looked worn and well-used. Flipping through a bunch of notes before he finally spoke.


    "Maybe. I have a reference here to a Red River Tribe. It was a goblin tribe that I found on the central continent, a few months outside of the capital city of Kadessa. That was...damn, that was probably a hundred years ago?"


    Both girls'' faces twisted up in confusion. Mon''tag did not look over a hundred. The orc chuckled and shook his head.


    "I got lucky with some traits. I no longer age, but my experience rate is cut down to ten percent. I''ve been employed with Lady Amara for...let''s just say a really long time and leave it at that."


    The subject was dropped. Trillia spoke up.


    "What do you remember about that tribe, if anything?"


    The orc scratched the stubble on his chin. "Miserable to fight. They mostly kept to themselves. Though they were constantly attacked and raided by a dwarven citadel. The Red River Tribe specialized in techniques that gave the bleeding debuff. Last I heard the dwarves were sending an army to completely crush the poor bastards. Dwarves don''t have a high opinion of goblins."


    "Do your notes have anything about names? Or things they would trade for, if they traded?" Trillia asked as she wrote down more notes in her book.


    Mon''tag shook his head. "Afraid not. Add that to your list. If I remember, there''s more than a few folks in the tribe who age slowly or don''t age like me. Hell, maybe even your ''ma" his mouth snapped shut. "Sorry. Maybe Chieftain Amara remembers them. She spent a lot of time in the badlands around Kadessa. Working as a sort of unifier for the Queen."


    Trillia did her best to hide her smirk. Sometimes forgetting just how much people feared and respected her mother.


    "I''ll do that. Thank you."


    Amelia spoke up. "If no one else has anything to add, I''d like Trillia and I to get some sleep so that we can be fresh and ready for the delve tomorrow."


    Everyone nodded, happy to go to sleep themselves. The girls were led to a tent that had been constructed for them while Trillia was in the dungeon. Trillia only now noticed that there were a few minotaurs mixed in with the orcs. Apparently, inner-city politics had mostly merged their people at this point. She felt that wouldn''t last long. The orcs didn''t care for the high walls and type of safety the minotaurs did.


    The girls stayed up another hour, going over everything they needed to add to the letter home. Writing up three copies of it before each took out the seal that had been given to them. Stamping it over the rolled-up scrolls and infusing the seals with mana. Amelia stepped out for a few minutes to hand them off to a scout that had been told to wait for the letters. Trillia settled in to get some much-needed sleep. Rather proud of all the day''s work.


    -=- The Next Day -=-


    The girls rose early. Eating breakfast with some of the scouts. Mon''tag joined them near the end of their meal.


    "The scouts will be there in two days. I told them to use every skill at their disposal to get the messages there. They''ll be tired as anything, but they will get there. I have no doubt that Chieftain Amara would ensure the response is also very rapid. Do you two need anything for your delve today?"


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    "I''d like to bring food as a tribute. If you have some to spare." Trillia said, around a mouthful of soup.


    A scout she recognized popped up from his seat and raised a finger. Returning after a few minutes with a bag full of plants, vines, and berries.


    "I don''t sleep much. Went out last night and grabbed some of those berries. Ask the dungeon if it would let some scouts talk to the raiders. Maybe we can exchange maps."


    Trillia smiled and nodded at that. Setting down her soup before extending her hand to grab the bag of berries and tie it around her waist. Knots were a tricky affair with one hand. She''d have to learn a spell or skill to help with that at some point. Mon''tag pulled out some hard tack and a bunch of smoked meat. Trillia added that to the pouch that held her own rations.


    Once breakfast was over. Both girls moved to get their armor on, check their weapons, and take care of nature. That sort of thing. Moving up to the door of the dungeon. Trillia leaned forward and, once more, banged on the door. This time it was opened almost immediately. One of the goblins that she had healed stood there. It immediately bowed deeply to her.


    "Thank you. Great Trillia, for saving me."


    Trillia smiled, shaking her head.


    "That''s what allies do. Save each other and help each other grow. Is your father ok with Amelia and I delving today? Are there any rules?"


    The goblin motioned them inside. Closing the door behind them. Standing in front of them again, he cleared his throat standing as straight as a goblin could. His skin was identical to the other raider goblin. They looked as though they could be twins.


    "Father welcomes you to the Halls of the Red River Tribe. Non-combatants have been marked at your suggestion."


    Motioning now to a piece of orange string tied around his upper arm.


    "Otherwise. We ask that you both go all out. Father can see your health totals. We will ensure we do not kill you. You do not have to give us the same mercy. All of the goblins fighting you can respawn. Many of them want to see how far they can push themselves. The great-brother showed us how weak we truly were. That is something our tribe cannot accept."


    Trillia was a bit surprised at how well-spoken this goblin was. Probably why he was sent to speak with them. It also all but confirmed that they were part of that tribe back on the central continent. Amelia spoke up.


    "Before we begin. I''d like to offer to teach some of you how to use the same healing magic that Trillia used. So that you can heal each other. Perhaps one of the raiders is willing to learn the class?"


    The goblin''s eyes went wide at that. His head snapped back, listening to the dungeon.


    "Father would be most grateful. After your delve, perhaps we can sit down and discuss that."


    Trillia immediately spoke up.


    "We have tribute. We''d like to leave it in the bowls, step out so that your father can absorb it, then delve. Would that be ok? Would you still consider it tribute for that delve?"


    The goblin clasped his hands together, tears rimming his eyes.


    "Father says you have no need to tribute. You have already done so much for our people. We cannot repay such kindness."


    Trillia stepped forward, untying the bag of berries and other plants and dumping them into the bowl before pulling out the smoked meat and hard tack. Amelia stepped up and pulled out the claws that Ba''Shoon had given them. As well as a bow made of horns that minotaurs often used and some arrows. Amelia was the one to speak up.


    "My name is Amelia Shatterhoof. Princess of God''s Watch and the Last Bastion. We offer this tribute so that our people can have a good alliance going forward. All we ask is that we not be killed. Though, I understand that accidents can happen. We also ask for one more thing." the goblin was struck dumb by everything on the tribute table. It turned tear-rimmed eyes to the minotaur that towered above it.


    "Well. Two things. One, we want your defenders to go all out. Spare nothing. Don''t kill us, but show us the truth of battle. We cannot learn if we are never taught. Secondly. A personal request. Perhaps your great Father would be so kind as to make the ceilings higher?" the last request came out almost bashfully.


    The goblin looked up to see her horns scrapped on the ceiling in a couple of places. Once more, its head snapped further up. As it nodded more and more, a wide smile on its face. It looked to them both. Bowing at his waist.


    "Most honored guests. Father asks if you can return in an hour instead of immediately. So that he can make some changes."


    Both girls looked at each other, shrugged, and nodded. As they left and the door closed behind them. Trillia smiled wide.


    "I think the goblins are happy. I doubt the dungeon wanted to worry them, but I think they could all tell that it wasn''t doing well."


    "I agree. I think the dungeon itself was worried that its people were going to die." Amelia was quiet as she spoke, as if deep in thought. "I think... I think this dungeon core is a member of the Red River Tribe. I think it was wiped out. Maybe it was worried history was going to repeat itself. I don''t know. I just... I feel like it needs to be protected. I can appreciate that there will always be war and conflict. But completely eliminating something? That feels wrong."


    Trillia nodded solemnly at that. "I agree. Plus, they are super kind. I didn''t say anything in front of the scouts because I didn''t want to scare anyone. But one of the goblin riders has [Null Mana Manipulation]. They also said they''d teach me how to tame a wolf mount of my own! I don''t want them to die."


    The two sat in silence outside the dungeon entrance. They could feel the heavy shifts in mana happening around them. They could tell the dungeon was hard at work.


    "Amelia. Would you be angry if I left the city?"


    Amelia stared at her in shock. The look slowly faded to one of thought, finally resignation.


    "You hate the walls, don''t you?"


    Trillia smiled, scooting over next to her friend and giving her hand a squeeze.


    "Ever since I came out of that pod. I''ve been left with a feeling deep within that tells me to leave the city and seek things out. Dealing with this dungeon is the best I''ve felt. Maybe in my entire life. I... I''ve never felt like I belonged anywhere. Even more so now that the city is so..." Trillia didn''t want to hurt her friend''s feelings. She wasn''t sure how to phrase it.


    Amelia offered a weak smile, patting Trillia on the head.


    "Now that the city is so tall and intimidating? I get it, Trillia. I really do. Minotaurs feel safe with high walls all around them. Because we can feel everything within those walls. Orcs are meant to see the open sky and roam. Right now, we''re all forced to work together because of how bad the monsters have gotten. I wouldn''t be angry if you left. I''d be sad to see my friend go. I''d be worried sick about you every second that you''re away."


    Trillia leaned against her large friend.


    "Let''s make a promise. I won''t take [Minstrel] until I''m next to you. So that we can enter another mentor agreement. This way, we can always know that the other is alive and well. I want to explore the world. I want to get strong. One day, I want to be able to march to God''s Watch with you, Mom, Dad, and Uncle Cordaos and smash all the enemies out of the city. So that you can have your real home back. I promise I won''t let you down."


    Amelia had tears in her eyes, she hugged Trillia tight against her chest. Sniffling. After a few moments, the minotaur let her go.


    "I''ll hold you to that, Trillia Demonsbane. While you explore the world. I''ll do everything I can to make the Shattered Plains safe again so that when you do decide to return, you can roam the plains to your heart''s content without worry for your people."


    Trillia smiled at that. Holding up her good hand. "Thank you. Don''t let our parents know yet. I know Mom will freak out, and I need a plan to leave before that."


    Amelia shook her hand. Not long after, the door opened. The goblin''s voice called out to them.


    "Our Father is ready!"


    Both girls gave each other a grin before standing to move down into their first dungeon delve. Excitement flooding them.

 Chapter 34 The First Dungeon!

    Trillia stepped once more into the dungeon. The change was immediately evident. Not only were the ceilings nearly twenty feet up, but all along the edges and corners, small berries had begun to sprout on vines. The goblin bowed deeply to them.


    "On behalf of Father. I, Gobbinz the Fourth, welcome you to the Red River Dungeon. I look forward to your delve. Your tributes have already been paid a lifetime over. Enjoy."


    Trillia grinned, bowing back to Sir Gobbinz. Checking her armor and equipment once more, she pulled the rapier from its sheath. It almost hummed in the mana-filled air. Amelia had her mallet out. Both girls ready to go.


    They moved slowly ahead. While they didn''t fear being killed, traps would still hurt. A lot. The number of lit torches had been lowered extensively. Plenty were still on the walls, but only every third one was actually giving off any light. It made the hallways barely navigatable. They had taken the first right after the entrance hall. The change had been immediate, instead of smooth-worked stone, with no flaws. All of this seemed rougher. Stones stuck up and out at odd angles, and the imagery wasn''t nearly as well done.


    Trillia knew it was on purpose, she had seen the entrance hall, and she knew what the dungeon was capable of. It made Amelia and Trillia both move much more slowly, carefully checking where they stepped and calling out raised stones to one another. As they came to another bend, Trillia was about to breathe a sigh of relief. When Amelia yelped. Both girls spun.


    The hall they had just traversed now had an occupant. A goblin sitting atop another [Crimson Fang]. [Mana Sight] came up immediately.


    [Dungeon Goblin - Red River Archer - 30] Impact Mana Manipulation


    [Dungeon Wolf - Crimson Fang - 32] Fire Mana Manipulation


    Another mana type that Trillia hadn''t seen. She called it out to Amelia, who had yanked the arrow from her back. Trillia healed the wound immediately. The bow looked almost identical to the one that Amelia had just given them. Both girls grinned. The dungeon was going to give them exactly what they asked for. The goblin''s skin was almost entirely black. Its eyes were small orbs of orange, faintly glowing in the light. It sucked in a deep breath when it exhaled. All the lights went out.


    Chaos exploded around them. Trillia''s senses seemed to ramp up instantly. She wasn''t sure what skill it was or what was doing it, but she was immediately aware that more goblins had joined the fight.


    "[Riposte]!"


    The rapier pushed a jagged dagger to the side before her arm shot forward and poked a hole clean through the goblin''s throat. A notification rang into her mind. She ignored it as claws slammed into her back, tearing at flesh, followed immediately by the deafening keen of Amelia. Trillia was excluded from the damage, but nothing else was. The wolf that had struck her was instantly torn to shreds by the sonic mana. Trillia healed Amelia twice more when she heard the impact of arrows.


    Her skills all ramped up, dumping mana into the ones she could. Despite not being able to ''see'' [Mana Sight] and [Rune Sight] gave her a rough idea of where things were. Two goblins in front of her, both with blades, began to strike in succession. Trying not to let her get any hits in. [Riposte] would leave her slightly open against two opponents. They didn''t have wolves, which didn''t make sense at first. Until she heard the growling behind her. Amelia spun her banshee''s howl to the two wolves. Her voice cut off and gurgled, followed by a choking sound.


    Trillia waved her stump out toward her friend, using another [Restorative Chant]. The loud wet crunch of bones being smashed sent a shiver down Trillia''s spine. Amelia decided against sound and was using raw brute force now.


    "Heal, three!"


    Trillia shouted.


    "[Riposte]!"


    Slapping aside one dagger, she plunged her rapier into another goblin''s face. The thing fell immediately. As expected, the second goblin''s dagger flashed across, slamming into her shoulder. As she let out a cry of pain, Amelia''s restorative chant came just in time. The wound didn''t fully close. Blood still trickled from it. Another riposte ended this goblin. Trillia was shocked when the lights came back on. The goblins and wolves around them slowly fading into speckles of mana. The mounted goblin at the end of the hall no longer had a head. Amelia was walking over to retrieve her mallet.


    Both girls were breathing heavily. Taking a moment to get their health and stamina back up with chants. Trillia smirked slightly.


    "Well. If the dungeon wanted us dead. It certainly could have had us in that first hallway."


    Amelia nodded at that. A grin spread across her snout.


    "I''m glad it took our request to heart. We''re going to learn a lot."


    The two were about to press on when a voice called out to them. It was Gobbinz.


    "Father says, don''t forget to pick up the loot!"


    Neither was quite sure where the goblin''s voice was coming from. But both looked down to see some wolf hides, as well as small copper trinkets on the ground. Trillia briefly wondered why no traps had been set off during the fight. Scooping up their loot, they set off to the next room.


    They were learning. Both ducked low. Amelia twisted the handle of the door as Trillia kicked at it, the door flew open, and four arrows sailed over their heads. Both girls rushed in. The room was fifteen feet wide by twenty feet long. There was a multitude of furs and hides around a table. The table had odd little cubes with a bunch of dots on them. Trillia had seen the scouts with them a few times. She was pretty sure that they were dice. A fire crackled on the other end of the room. This was some sort of dining hall, perhaps.


    It only took Trillia a second to take all of that in before turning her eyes to their enemies. Four goblins stood atop large pillars across the room. Bows leveled at them and took shots as rapidly as they could. The girls ducked and dodged. Amelia flipped up their table with the dice on it. Using it as cover. Trillia dove behind the fireplace. Amelia shouted, a smirk on her face.


    "You guys are awfully good at archery for only just having gotten a bow!"


    "We have bow. It bad bow. You give good bow. Father says you want hard fight. We give you hard fight."


    Trillia was in a tough spot. She only now realized she didn''t have a ranged option at all. She''d have to see if Amelia could let her borrow a ranged option from [Minstrel]. Trillia shouted, this time in Minotaur.


    "I need to get close to scale the walls. Can you shout them down as cover?"


    "No fair! We no hear words right!" One of the goblins shouted as more arrows rained down on them.


    Amelia laughed as she lifted the table and ran at them. A few arrows clipped her horns but did no real damage. As she got close, she dropped the table slightly, and once more, sonic mana filled the area. Trillia could feel [Fleet Foot] surge as she crossed the room in a second flat. Her [Dexterity] easily let her scale Amelia''s mighty form. As she neared Amelia''s head. The minotaur under her grabbed Trillia''s feet and threw the orc forward. One of the goblins shrieked and jumped off the pillar. Another was already fading into mana, the sonic attack having killed it outright. Trillia''s weapon was out as she landed on the pillar next to a very shocked goblin archer.


    It tried to bash her off, but Trillia dodged under the attack, her left arm swinging up to smack the shove high as her right hand sprang forward and buried her rapier into the goblin''s stomach. She wrenched it to the side, spilling the goblin''s guts. It fell from its pillar. The last goblin dropped his bow, going to his knees with his hands up.


    "I give up! I give up!"


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    The goblin that had broken its ankle when it fell. Had also surrendered. The dungeon almost seemed to hold its breath. Trillia hopped off her pillar. A large smile on her face. Moving over to the goblin with a broken ankle, she used a chant on it. Most of the damage was healed.


    "I can''t mend bones. I''m not good enough, sorry. I can mostly cure wounds and depleted health. I can help you set the bone if you want."


    The other goblin climbed down. Amelia was bringing the table back to where she had lifted it from. The goblin on the ground spoke.


    "You no kill?"


    Trillia tilted her head curiously.


    "You guys aren''t trying to kill us. The only reason we are killing you is cause your Father said it was ok. That you''d respawn. If you don''t want to fight, we''re not gonna kill you."


    The goblin seemed relieved at that. The door opened, and Amelia and Trillia both spun around to see two raider goblins walking in, bands on their arms.


    "We take them to heal hall."


    Trillia nodded. As they began to leave, she called out.


    "Good fight!"


    So far, so good. Trillia looked to Amelia.


    "I''m gonna need a ranged skill. These guys were being nice, aiming at our bodies and feet before we got close. They even left a table here for cover."


    Amelia nodded, motioning to the fireplace.


    "I''m sure the dungeon is capable of sinking that into the wall as well. If you notice, it''s only just enough room for you to hide behind it. It seems like it''s trying to show us our weaknesses."


    Trillia agreed with that. She was happy about it as well. It made her feel a lot better about an alliance. If the dungeon was willing to go through that much to help them. Moving over, she looked down at the ''loot'' that had dropped. A few more copper trinkets. She''d have to ask Amelia, or someone who knew dungeons better, more about that.


    "Next area?"


    Amelia nodded. The next area was a hallway which went the same as the first except with more goblins and archers. The dungeon had nearly called it off. When Trillia caught an arrow to the throat. Much to the obvious surprise of the goblins, the resilient little orc just yanked it out as Amelia healed her. Three of them surrendered in that room. Stating that they were very proud of how strong the girls were. More wolf hide and copper trinkets found their way into bags.


    The two of them now stood before a large door. A wolf''s head on it with what looked like a river of blood rolling down its face. Trillia''s fingertips ran gently over the door. There was more to it than the simple imagery. As soon as she touched it, they creaked open. They were in a large circular room. Light filtered down into the room from what looked like two lances made of glowing orange crystal. They saw three other doors nearby, identical to the one they had just entered. Across from those stood another large door with a goblin''s face on it. Orange crystals for eyes.


    In front of that door stood Stibs. Standing next to Paws and scratching behind the wolf''s ears. Trillia offered a smile as the two strode into the room. There was no cover here. There was nowhere to hide. The door slammed behind them, both girls jumped a bit at the sound. Stibs returned the smile.


    "You not real intruders. Father says you can buff. Before fight happens. I no go easy."


    Both girls nodded. Spreading out to either side of the boss before them. Trillia spoke up.


    "The wolf on the door leading in, and the goblin on the door leading out. Is that your father?"


    Stibs looked at her thoughtfully. Looking up and offering a nod to the voice.


    "Father says it is what he thinks he was. He not sure. Woke up here after much sleep. You want me to ride. Or not?"


    Amelia answered, causing the goblin to look her way.


    "Whatever you are most comfortable with. "


    The goblin nodded, climbing into the saddle. A helmet formed around his head, looking like a wolf''s skull. A dark red crackling began to form around the wolf. When it took a step forward, it didn''t seem to step down. It instead appeared in a blast of red lightning in front of Trillia. As the force of the blast lifted her into the air and began to send her flying back, a jagged dagger poked into her stomach, the force of the blast ripping the dagger out and leaving a giant gash in her side.


    Amelia immediately began to howl at the wolf and rider. Stibs raised his dagger, and a shimmering field appeared before them. The two slowly plodded forward, Amelia''s sonic mana utterly destroyed when it touched the null barrier. Amelia immediately turned and ran, shouting chants at Trillia.


    Trillia slowly tried to stand. Her health had dropped to three percent in that one attack. Stibs wasn''t a pushover. Were it not for the skills keeping it locked down, Trillia would have been utterly terrified that his attacks were so potent for his level. As Amelia''s chants began to heal the wound, she stood a little easier.


    Amelia skidded to a halt next to her. The boss didn''t advance on them. Instead, Stibs watched them carefully, letting them catch their breath and regroup. Trillia didn''t wear a grin this time.


    "The bleeding isn''t stopping this time, Amelia." Trillia whispered it to her friend. Every five seconds, her health dropped three percent. If Amelia hadn''t immediately healed her, that single attack would have triggered tenacity.


    Amelia looked at Stibs and Paws. They had each only attacked once.


    "How do we stop the bleeding?" Trillia spoke up. The dungeon was teaching them, may as well ask.


    Stibs was happy to answer the question, leaning slightly forward in his saddle.


    "I die. Or I stop skill. My skill use null mana. You no heal null mana."


    Trillia sucked at her teeth, making a ''tch'' sound. That was a problem. Amelia rummaged around in the satchel at her side, pulling out some rolled-up cloth. Trillia chuckled faintly, shaking her head.


    "You know, if this were a real dungeon. We''d be dead."


    Amelia smirked. Nodding as she worked. The bandage was tight and slowed the bleeding. Now it was only three percent every ten seconds. Trillia looked back at Stibs, who had taken to petting Paws'' behind his ears again.


    "Ready, Lord Stibs?"


    As the goblin nodded. Trillia sprinted forward. Ready to use [Riposte] as soon as the goblin moved at all. Amelia blew a single note on the mallet.


    You''re now under the effects of [Astra''s Amazing Agility] for the next 5 minutes.


    Trillia''s agility doubled, which compounded with [Fencer''s Grace]. The wolf flash stepped next to her. This time she was ready and didn''t get launched up. As Stibs swung down with his dagger, she shouted.


    "[Riposte]!"


    The tip of her rapier found the edge of the blade, pushing it wide as her right arm surged forward in the same motion. Stibs eyes went a little wide, and his left hand shot forward. Much to Trillia''s shock, he slammed his palm into her rapier, jerking his arm out wide.


    Sure, the attack had certainly done some damage, but not nearly as much as if she had struck true to his chest. Furthermore, her rapier was now pinned inside his hand. The goblin had more [Brawn] than her, and she couldn''t retrieve her weapon. She saw the dagger cutting through the air to slice at her face.


    Amelia had finally closed the gap. Instead of trying to block for Trillia, she slammed into the tip of Trillia''s rapier with all her might. Loud cracks were heard as the weight of the blow broke bones, the rapier slicing much further into the goblin''s arm. His strike lost a significant amount of power as he howled in pain. Trillia swung her heavily armored left arm up, smacking into the dagger. Even with the pain Stibs was feeling, it was still a hard enough strike to outright shatter one of the Lovax bracers.


    The girls had forgotten one very important detail, however. It wasn''t just Stibs they were facing. Paws'' finally finished the spell it had been channeling. Crimson fire pulsed out from its feet in an all-consuming nova. Both girls screamed as the flames clung to their bodies. In their defense, they tried to heal one another with chants, but to no avail.


    Amelia, between screams, finally gasped it out.


    "We surrender."


    The flames and bleeding immediately stopped. Stibs hopped off Paws, running to Trillia, who had curled up in a ball. Her screaming had stopped, but he was still checking her for wounds. The four entrance doors burst open as raider goblins came in. They had cloth in their hands and some of the very weak herbs they had to aid recovery.


    After ten or so minutes, Trillia''s body finally stopped telling her she was on fire. The girl sat there shivering. Stibs sat cross-legged next to a now-napping Paws. Trillia and Amelia had gotten each other''s health back to full with chants. It did little to help with the feeling of fire slowly consuming their flesh that was still in their minds.


    Trillia looked to Stibs and Paws.


    "You two are terrifying."


    Stibs smiled, one of his hands lazily scratching the wolf''s ears. It was Paw''s favorite scratching spot. The goblin held up his left hand, now healed by the two of them.


    "You make good team. You new to fight. You get better fast." smiling as he looked to the two of them.


    Amelia laid on her back. Despite her resources being full, she still seemed exhausted.


    "Any tips on how to get better, faster?"


    Stibs thought about that for a moment. The goblin looked down at Paws, who, after a moment, got up. Stibs motioned to some tufts of fur that were a few shades lighter red than the rest of the wolf. Even in good lighting, it was still extremely difficult to see since it was only around the wolf''s paws.


    With a nod from Stibs, both watched those tufts of fur light up and crackle with energy. After five seconds, the wolf bounded off as another flame nova erupted. Stibs looked at them both.


    "All mana is color. You see bright color, you run. Paws very strong wolf. Make fighting difficult."


    As the wolf returned to them. Trillia stared at it for a long moment. "Can you ask him to do it again but not run away?"


    Stibs raised a brow but nodded to her. As the wolf began to channel once more. [Rune Sight] lit up her eyes. Peering close at the wolf''s glowing fur. She reached out with [Rune Disruption]. It wasn''t the intent of the spell, but maybe...


    She flooded five thousand mana into it. The wolf yelped and recoiled from her. Trillia''s eyes went wide.


    "I''m so sorry! I didn''t know it would hurt you! Are you ok?"


    Everyone was staring at her with wide eyes. The channeled spell had been broken, violently so. Paws was now hiding behind Stibs, as best as the large wolf could hide. Trillia began using chants on it. Stibs was still staring.


    "You have null mana? You break spells. I break spells too." Stibs'' head turned up as the dungeon spoke to him.


    After a moment, Stibs looked back at Trillia.


    "We go to healing hall. Gobbinz better talker. Father too smart for me."


    The girls both nodded. Trillia flexed the fingers on her good hand. When she had used the spell that way, a half dozen notifications sprang up into her mind. Once they were out of the dungeon, she''d go through the backlog.

 Chapter 35 Discovery!

    They sat in the healing hall. Which was the infirmary they had seen previously. The raider goblins were all in good health, and the dungeon goblins were recovering rapidly. Still, Trillia and Amelia both hurried their healing along.


    Gobbinz sat on a little stool shaped like a very large mushroom.


    "Father says you did well. For your levels, that is. Stibs is a very strong goblin. Paws is the alpha of the fangs. Everyone is curious about what you did at the end, though." the statement leveled at Trillia.


    The young orc girl wasn''t entirely sure what she had done either. Choosing to be open about these things, she explained what the skill said it did and how she had used it. "I really am sorry, Paws. I didn''t know you would be hurt by it."


    A short yip is all the response she got. It no longer seemed scared of her, at least.


    "I think we should call it here for the day and let the dungeon and goblins recuperate. We can also discuss that skill at length. Maybe test a few things between the two of us as well." Amelia cut in. Looking at Stibs and Gobbinz. "Are you sure we shouldn''t bring tribute? I thought dungeons only got mana by absorbing things."


    Both goblins looked at the ceiling as the dungeon spoke to them. Gobbinz was the one to relay information since he was the better speaker.


    "Father gets some mana just from you being inside dungeon. More when you use skills or bleed. Killing is a large sum of mana, but Father not want to kill you and your people. We make strong alliance and strong tribe." Gobbinz wore a toothy grin as he nodded, apparently agreeing with what the dungeon said.


    "Father wants you to return tomorrow if that''s ok with you two. You''ll take the same path. Us goblins have a few ideas on how to get better with tactics as well. None of us really expected either of you to be quite so strong or fast."


    The goblins seemed ashamed of the fact, as once Gobbinz had finished that sentence, all of them looked down and away from the two ''intruders''.


    "You take arm. You break spells. You both very strong. If you weakest of tribe, we not able to defend father." Stibs spoke off-handedly. Looking around at the other goblins. They all seemed to keenly remember Ralrouk.


    Trillia wore a wide smile as she stood.


    "Don''t worry! As Amelia and I become stronger, you''ll also all get stronger. I know, for my part, I need some sort of ranged attack." Trillia lifted her stump and waved it a bit. "I don''t suppose I''ll be much good with a bow."


    That drew snickers from most of them. The goblins who died and respawned seemed to enjoy dark humor. Gobbinz stared at her stump intently, though.


    "Father says yours..." Gobbinz began to mouth a word over and over as if trying to know what they meant. "Mana-Veins? Are open on that arm. I don''t know what veins are. Father says veins are how body circulates mana to where it needs to be. But the veins in that arm are tied to the mana in the air. Instead of inside of you."


    Trillia looked down at the arm herself. Even with [Mana-Sight] visible, she couldn''t see what the dungeon was seeing. Were the open mana veins the source of her nearly limitless mana? Was she just pulling mana from Alirast itself?


    "I''ll have to ask others more about it. Perhaps at some point, sit down so that your Father can explain more to me."


    Gobbinz offered her a nod. The girls said their goodbyes and left the dungeon, promising to return tomorrow. Once outside. Amelia collapsed on the ground. Laying against it.


    "That was terrifying. I can still feel the flames eating away at my skin. I can see my health is full. I know I don''t have any debuffs...but." Amelia trailed off as she raised her hands, a shiver going down her spine.


    Trillia sat next to her.


    "I know what you mean. Cuts and slashes were bad enough. Fire feels....sticky. Like it never quite goes away. Despite knowing we wouldn''t die, I did gain a bunch of stuff during that dungeon run, though."


    Amelia closed her eyes with a nod. "It''s a matter of danger and risk, I guess. Stibs'' first attack nearly killed you. I know people have tried to swim in acid while someone healed them nearby. It''s a good way to get the first level or two of a resistance. But the system quickly stops experience gains from such things. As we run the dungeon more and more, we''ll get less and less experience. It''s why adventurers travel so much."


    "Even though I have some resistance to fire magic. It still hurt a lot. I even gained a level in [Lesser Fire Resistance] from that attack. Maybe it has something to do with fear?" Amelia mused as she lay there, enjoying the cool stone below her.


    Trillia thought about that for a while. She was surprised that she hadn''t gotten acid resistance against the pedes they were fighting. Yet a brief glance at her notifications showed her that she had gotten fire resistance of some kind from that one attack. Maybe because of how much of them it covered. Trillia shivered, thinking back to the fight. She did not like fire magic at all.


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    Trillia stood and dusted herself off best she could. Looking at Amelia, she extended her right hand to help the girl up.


    "Let''s get back to camp. Tell Mon''tag what we know about the dungeon now and go through any notifications we have."


    Amelia took her hand and pulled herself up off the ground. The two made their way back to the camp. Mon''tag was sitting on the ground, back leaned up against a pole that held up a tent.


    "Did you clear the boss?"


    As the girls shook their heads, several of the scouts passed coins back and forth. Evidently, there had been some betting down.


    "Well. Let''s go over what drops the dungeon monsters have. I reckon that once the scout arrives. Whoever they send to clear the camp will get here in three or four days from now. Maybe by then, the two of you can have a boss clear under your belts. For now, we''ll refrain from anyone else entering. Wouldn''t want any accidents to happen."


    Trillia offered a nod at that. Motioning to a nearby table. With a mighty grunt, Mon''tag got himself standing and wandered over to the table as well. Both girls pulled out the wolf hide and copper trinkets.


    "Any idea on a ranged option I could use? I don''t have any ranged skills yet. A bow is a bit beyond me." Trillia added the question atop the pile of pelts and doodads.


    "Afraid that''s a question beyond me. Maybe a sling? But loading it with one hand would be a right pain in the ass. You''ll have to ask someone who is more accustomed to fighting a hand down."


    Trillia nodded at that, looking to Amelia now.


    "Can you handle the rest? I''d like to go and have a look at my notifications."


    Seeing Amelia give her a nod. Trillia moved off to lie in the tent that had been prepared for the two. Finally, letting the notifications take up her full attention.


    Your group has defeated [Dungeon Goblin]!


    ...


    Your group has defeated [Dungeon Wolf]!


    Trillia mostly ignored the actual experience notifications. They''d probably be useful in a real fight. Since she''d know if her enemy was dead or not. But after the fact didn''t seem to much matter.


    General Skill: [Lesser Fire Magic Resistance] Level 0 Obtained!


    General Skill: [Lesser Fire Resistance] Level 0 -> Level 1


    Class: [Runic Scholar] Level 4 - > Level 5


    Rune Disruption- Level 0 -> Level 1


    Speciality Skill Discovered!


    Custom Rune Spell Obtained!


    Rune Sight- Level 0 -> Level 1


    Class: [Fencer] Level 7 -> Level 10


    Riposte- Level 1 -> Level 4


    Fencer''s Grace- Level 0 -> Level 2


    Fleet Foot- Level 0 -> Level 1


    No levels for species or subspecies. ''I''ll have to pester Dawn at some point to get more information about how leveling works.'' she mused to herself. Seeing the new options under scholar got her excited! Quickly tugging at those options with her mind.


    [Runic Scholar] Specialty skill discovered [Conversion]!


    Conversion:


    This skill allows the user to observe a skill or spell and convert it into a rune version of the same. Doing so costs fifty times the mana cost of the spell or skill converted. Once a skill or spell is converted, it can be treated as any other rune spell for the purposes of this class.


    [Runic Scholar] Custom Rune Spell Obtained [Red River Nova]!


    Red River Nova:


    This is a 7 rune spell. Once the final rune is completed a Nova of fire that afflicts bleeding will spread from the caster. The distance is three feet per level of your spell-casting skill. (Rapid Rune Spell) Minimum: 3 feet.


    Trillia blinked a few times. Reading through all of the information several times. She couldn''t seem to add the new spell to her active skill list. It didn''t even show up in her skills. She did add Conversion.


    Trillia stood and left the tent to go and find Amelia. Wanting to discuss the matter with her. It was a short walk to find the girl laying in the shade of a tent with her eyes closed. For someone who liked walls and security, she certainly did enjoy napping under the open sky. Trillia smirked as she walked over and sat next to her friend.


    "Have some questions about...well, about a lot of class-related stuff."


    Amelia opened one violet eye, staring lazily at Trillia before she closed it again.


    "I''ll do my best to answer. I thought you''d take a nap after handling your notifications."


    Trillia laid down next to her. A nap did sound appealing right about now. "After this, maybe."


    Trillia explained her new skills and their descriptions to Amelia, who lay there in silence, taking it all in. Once Trillia was done with her explanation, Amelia finally spoke up.


    "Some classes don''t need to utilize active slots for their spells and skills. So, like. Take [Minstrel], for example. I have an active skill called [Bardic Music] that encompasses all of my skills and spells. Well, at least a lot of them. Some skills are powerful enough to warrant taking up their own active slot. But a lot of them just fall under the purview of your casting style. Otherwise, casters would be hard-pressed to keep up with non-casters." Amelia sat up as she explained.


    Trillia remained laying there. Turning her head slightly to peer up at her friend. "That almost seems unfair to non-casters? I don''t have a [Fencing] skill that lets me use all of its active slots."


    Amelia shrugged. "I don''t have any high-level classes, period. That''s a question for your mother or my father. Both of them specialize in non-caster classes. Honestly, maybe even Mon''tag knows. Maybe some classes do get a catch-all. After all, from what I remember, [Runic Scholar] isn''t a base class, right?"


    Trillia nodded to the question. Making a mental note to ask someone older and more experienced these questions. Trillia had to remind herself that both of them were still kids. While Amelia knew far more than Trillia, neither of them were very good sources of information.


    "I wonder if I can convert more of your [Minstrel] spells and skills into rune versions for me to use?"


    "Maybe. It might be beneficial to figure out how to use the one you have first. I don''t know a lot about rune-based magic. But drawing seven runes during combat seems like it''s gonna take some time. I''m sure it will be faster once rapid rune works but until then? It''s a trap skill or spell at best."


    Trillia couldn''t really argue with that. Even remembering when she had carved the runes into that first [Megapede] she fought. It had taken so much mana and stamina to do so that it left her exhausted. Seven runes was probably out of her capabilities right now. If not, it would be close.


    "I''ll ask Mon''tag and the dungeon. If neither knows any more information on it, I can ask someone when we get back. Or maybe whoever leads the extermination team."


    Amelia offered a nod before laying back down. Both girls decided to take a well-earned nap.

 Chapter 36 First Void

    The following day went the same as the first dungeon dive. They cleared the rooms leading up to Stibs and were promptly forced to surrender by Stibs himself. The goblin had gained five levels between both encounters. Their little runs through the dungeon were pretty damn effective in leveling the defenders.


    Trillia hadn''t been able to make much use of the nova rune spell she had picked up. Amelia''s musing rang true. Each rune took a staggering thirty seconds to carve. She tried to pre-carve them into stones, tried to carve each to be mostly done, then finish them quickly. The universe itself seemed to take its sweet time in activating the spell. The first level of rapid rune would bring the carving time down to a minute and thirty seconds. Which was significantly better than three and a half minutes.


    Problem is, most of those fights were over in under a minute. It was something Trillia learned the hard way. Fights were fast, brutal, and efficient beasts that wasted no time.


    She now sat at a table with Mon''tag, Amelia, and Gobbinz, who had left the dungeon to chat with the scouts and see if any of them wanted to test the dungeon''s full defenses instead of the easier path.


    "I think I''m going to void [Runic Scholar]." Trillia said to the gathered council. The class had only gained a single level in this run. It was only level six, and it wasn''t providing any worthwhile skills that she could use in the here and now.


    Mon''tag nodded at her statement. "That makes sense. It''s an advanced class. Most advanced classes or classes with a longer duration are meant for when you''re a higher level and can supplement them. Even this class. I reckon if you had a bunch of rune spells, it''d be an amazing class to have. But right now? You just lack the experience and arsenal needed."


    Gobbinz offered her a pat on the shoulder. "It may also be stat based. With a much higher agility, it could be way faster to carve the runes. That disrupting ability of yours seems really good as an offensive weapon, and [Rune Sight] also seems valuable. I just don''t know if it''s enough to struggle through the class at this point."


    Trillia offered the goblin a smile as he patted her shoulder. Listening to them as she nodded along. "This last run pushed [Fencer] to level thirteen. I could max it out in the next run or two, depending on when my duration ends. I wanted to work on an advanced class, but with the speed at which this one is leveling. I may just work on basic classes and try to get a bunch maxed out."


    "You should check [Minstrel]. See if it''s level twenty-four or twenty-five. Especially if you''re thinking of voiding [Runic Scholar] to start over. Instantly maxing out [Minstrel] seems like a good idea if you take it at very short." Amelia spoke off-handedly as she looked at a few pieces of parchment that had Trillia''s available classes written on them.


    Trillia chewed her bottom lip, her head resting on her right hand as her fingers tapped against her lip. "Is there another class you can use [Mentor] with? Also, what happens if you evolve or max out [Minstrel]? Does the connection just end?"


    Amelia looked up from the papers at the question.


    "I''ve already evolved [Minstrel]. It''s [Virtuoso] now. It evolves a lot of the [Minstrel] skills. I''m honestly not sure if I can use [Mentor] again with [Minstrel] or not. Or if I can use it with an advanced class. The requirements for [Virtuoso] are pretty steep. Mastery [Minstrel] at least two times. Class must evolve from a max level [Minstrel] and a [Charisma] of at least two hundred."


    "Dang. Yeah, I doubt [Mentor] is gonna let you just give me [Virtuoso]. That''s a lot of requirements of which I possess zero. You know what? Screw it! I''m gonna void scholar and take [Minstrel] at a very short. Hopefully, you can [Mentor] me in it again or something else." Trillia stood up, closing her eyes. Tugging at her classes, trying to figure out how to void [Runic Scholar].


    Runic Scholar is currently level 6. If you choose to void this class, you will be forced to start over at level 0. You will gain no stat points until you pass level 6. Furthermore, all of your skills will grant no Species or Subspecies experience until they are past their current values. Are you certain you wish to void Runic Scholar?


    Trillia opened her eyes, looking to the others for any last objections. When none came. She said yes.


    Interestingly, her stats didn''t drop. She knew that the skills were gone immediately. Looking at Amelia one more time, she nodded.


    "Moment of truth, I guess." once Amelia returned the nod. Trillia took [Minstrel] as a Very Short.


    Mentor has provided 25 levels worth of experience to the [Minstrel] class.


    Class: [Minstrel] Level 0 -> Level 22 (MAX)


    Before Trillia could get overwhelmed by choices, she looked at Amelia. "What should I take as my first mastery?"


    "There is a passive that boosts mana regeneration. I don''t think you need that. What level did it drop you at?"


    Trillia told her it maxed her out at level twenty-two. Amelia nodded, looking through her own skills. "There''s an active skill called [Marching Cadence]; it doesn''t require an instrument, you just need to sort of have a whistle or wordy tune going as you walk. It stops stamina from draining as quickly during marching or traveling. It''s quite useful. You could also take [Restorative Chant] so that it can actually level up."


    Trillia nodded once more, trusting in Amelia''s judgment. She fiddled some more and had her first class under Mastered Classes. It asked her which skill she wanted to lock in, and she chose [Restorative Chant]


    Class Skill: [Restorative Chant] has been added as a Mastery Skill under [Minstrel Level 22 MAX]. Calculating Mentor experience from use of skill.


    Class Skill: [Restorative Chant] Level 0 -> Level 15 (MAX)


    Skill Evolution is available next time you take the [Minstrel] class, or any of it''s evolutionary paths.


    Trillia blinked at the news. "Wait, it was saving up and storing all the experience I gained from using [Restorative Chant]. It''s maxed out at level fifteen!"


    Amelia smiled wide at that. "That''s amazing! You should read the skill description. I think it''s going to be significantly more powerful in your hands than in mine."


    Restorative Chant:


    Chant is a loose term here. Really any audible sound is enough to utilize this most basic of Minstrel abilities. The cost of this skill is your Presence value multiplied by the level of this skill. It restores an amount of Health and Stamina equal to the cost of the skill to yourself. If used on another creature. It restores Health, Mana, and Stamina equal to the cost + 10%. At Max Level, you can designate whether the skill uses Presence or Wisdom.


    Evolution available: Battle Hymn [Restorative]


    This skill requires you to keep up a chant, song, or musical instrument for its duration. The cost of this skill is your Presence value multiplied by the level of this skill, +1% of your current mana per second. It restores an amount of Health, Stamina, and Mana equal to its cost to all allies that can hear the Hymn. You cannot restore yourself with this skill.


    Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Trillia read the information back to Amelia. "I''m almost tempted to take [Minstrel] again. If I could have the hymn and chant as separate skills. It would let me heal huge groups of people and also keep myself topped off."


    Mon''tag let out a whistle when she read the skill description. "You''ve got what? Three million mana just sitting there? That''s thirty thousand health mana and stamina a second. From my limited understanding of most sound-based skills. It''s literally any ally that can hear you. That''s the type of combination that the rulers of kingdoms would pay you a fortune to march with their army."


    Amelia nodded to that as well. Trillia sat there, a bit stunned. She had figured her mana pool would be pretty insane. But that was something else entirely. "Wouldn''t that give people healing sickness and mana sickness really quickly, though? In addition, I don''t regenerate nearly that much mana. It''d be something I could do every few days."


    Mon''tag shook his head. "So what if people get mana and healing sickness? In the middle of a war or great battle, they either have to be killed in a single attack or they are invincible for a hundred seconds. An army can do a terrifying amount of damage in a hundred seconds if they never run out of stamina, health, or mana. Trillia, you need to be very, very careful about who you tell about that ability. Or any of your abilities, really."


    Trillia felt her skills working overtime to keep the fear out of her mind. Mon''tag continued.


    "The Queen and Grand Chieftain dissuade a lot of folks from practicing slavery, but it still happens. Even if it''s something you can only do every few days. It could still turn the tide of any war that you''re a part of. Talk to the Chieftain and the minotaur king about it. Who knows, maybe if you do get the hymn. It''d be an option of retaking God''s Watch. Or, for that matter, you can stand next to one of those mana rifts and keep the thing going pretty much forever."


    Gobbinz raised a tiny hand. Amelia smiled faintly at the goblin. "There''s no need to raise your hand Sir Gobbinz. Speak freely. You''re amongst allies."


    The goblin nodded before clearing his throat. "I fear you''re all wrong. The skill says 1% of her current mana. That means she''ll never run out of mana. As her current mana depletes, the amount she is restoring will just change to her new current mana, right?"


    Trillia and the others sat in stunned silence. Trillia had assumed it was something you just toggle, and it takes your current mana into account, and that was that. The four of them sat there in mostly silence. The sounds of the camp around them, as well as Gobbinz slurping soup down slowly. Trillia finally spoke up again.


    "See if you can [Mentor] me in [Minstrel] again." she looked at her best friend with a smile. The hymn would let her fulfill her promise of retaking God''s Watch far easier.


    Amelia nodded, putting a hand on Trillia''s shoulder and closing her eyes.


    Amelia Shatterhoof would like to Mentor you in the Minstrel class.


    Minstrel class has already been Mastered. Mentor experience contributions will be cut to 50% of normal values.


    Would you like to accept Amelia Shatterhoof as a Minstrel Mentor? (0 of 3 Mentor slots are in use.)


    Trillia read the information back to everyone before she accepted. Both girls could once more feel the other''s life force through the bound. Trillia nodded.


    "Good! Now we can max it out a second time. We''ll re-take God''s Watch before you know it. Now, onto what class I should tak-"


    Pulling up her notifications, she quickly realized that she had gained a rather substantial amount of experience for having mastered a class. And the fifteen levels of chant.


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 28 -> Level 33


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level 20 -> Level 27


    "I gained a bunch of levels because of that. Hmmm..."


    Mon''tag spoke up quickly before she picked something. "You should get all your derived stats to a hundred. A lot of intermediate classes have those at a hundred. I have no idea if you''ll have the rest of the requirements, never hurts to have options."


    Trillia grabbed a piece of parchment and something to write with. She wanted to make sure she got this exact. She brought up just her current stats to see where everything was.


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 90]


    \Strength: 39 + Vitality: 51/


    [Dexterity: 231]


    \Agility: 54 + Wisdom: 177/


    [Charisma: 91]


    \Intuition: 44 Presence: 47/


    Nodding, she scribbled down some things. Bringing [Presence] and [Intution] up to fifty each. She put the other eleven points into [Strength]. She knew it wasn''t exactly optimal. But maybe having the individual stats at a decent level would benefit her in some way down the line. With that out of the way. Trillia looked at her available classes. A new one had, in fact, shown up.


    Swashbuckler


    Duration: Short, Medium


    Requirements


    Dexterity of at least 200


    Charisma of at least 100


    Must have Rapier Mastery or Saber Mastery as a Skill, or their equivalents.


    Must have fought in at least three duels


    Must have access to the Fencer Class or the Pirate class or their evolutionary paths.


    Must have fought in a battle while laughing or joking about the entire time


    The Swashbuckler loves adventure! Highly skilled with Rapiers and Sabers, these daring adventurers specialize combat in awkward areas. Hallways, the railing of a ship, a balcony''s ledge! The more precarious your fighting environment the more powerful your skills become!


    Swashbucklers have a single active skill slot called [Swashbuckling] it can house all active skills derived from fighting with a one-handed sword-like weapon. All Active skills the Swashbuckler can learn are automatically learned and placed in this category. It will copy the abilities from other classes that fit into this category, but not absorb them.


    Swashbuckler provides 1 agility every odd level.


    Swashbuckler provides 1 presence every even level.


    Trillia read the class out to the other three. A little smirk on her face. She liked the sound of the class. Plus, it had a short duration available just in case she didn''t like it.


    Amelia saw the smirk and rolled her eyes. Mon''tag burst out into laughter.


    "Great, that''s just wonderful. All you need to do now is go sailing on a ship for three months, and you''ll have earned a multitude of sea-based classes. Hahaha, I can see it now. Our little Trillia Demonsbane, scourge of the twelve seas! Master of wave and wind!" Mon''tag was standing on his chair, one foot on the table, with his sword held high into the air. Gobbinz couldn''t help but laugh at the image. Amelia groaned and hid her face, but a smirk had crept onto her snout as well.


    Trillia''s smirk grew wider still. Life was an adventure, after all. She now had both of her classes once again. She took a glance at her stats before hopping up and taking the same stance as Mon''tag. Gobbinz quickly joined them.


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}


    [Status: Alive; Scorned Divinity] [Buffs: Well Fed]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 33


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 27


    +5 Wisdom Per Level


    Class: [Swashbuckler] Level 0


    Class: [Fencer] Level: 13


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 101]


    \Strength: 50 + Vitality: 51/


    [Dexterity: 231]


    \Agility: 54 + Wisdom: 177/


    [Charisma: 100]


    \Intuition: 50 Presence: 50/


    Traits:


    Runt


    Limitless Mana


    Thirst For Knowledge


    Divine: Unwavering Determination


    Alchemical Blood


    Spawn Seeker


    Racial Skills:


    [Orc Savagery - Passive]: - Level <Disabled> [Runt]


    [Orc Constitution - Passive]: - Level 0 <Limited> [Runt]


    [Orc Tenacity - Passive]: - Level 2


    General Skills:


    [Stalwart Mana- Reactive]: Level 0


    [Mana Obfuscastion - Hybrid]: Level 3


    [Rapier Mastery - Passive]: Level 4


    [Mana Sight- Passive]: Level 2 [Currently: Off]


    [Runic Scripture - Hybrid] Level 1


    [Universal Mana Manipulation - Hybrid] Level 0


    [Basic Alchemy - Hybrid]: Level 1


    [Basic Cooking - Hybrid]: Level 3


    [Basic Herbalism - Passive]: Level 1


    [Lesser Mind Magic Resistance - Passive]: Level 1


    [Lesser Fire Magic Resistance - Passive]: Level 3


    [Minor Telepathy - Hybrid]: Level 0


    Class Skills:


    [Swashbuckler]


    [Fencer]


    Active: Riposte - Level 7


    Passive: Fencer''s Grace - Level 4


    Passive: Fleet Foot - Level 3


    Health: 1010


    Stamina: 510


    Mana: 3,000,000/-

 Chapter 37 Solo Run

    It was quite late in the evening. The sun had already set, and the moon began to slowly creep into the sky. Trillia was ever so quietly leaving the camp. Mostly, she was trying to avoid waking Amelia or running into Mon''tag. The guards at the exit of the camp offered her a smile and a wave as she ran off toward the dungeon.


    The dungeon was utilizing the mana from the girls and tribute rather well. The entrance was now smoothed and polished red sandstone. The same berry-laden vines curved around pillars holding up a small polished sandstone roof. The door itself was half engraved Trillia did her best to ignore it until the whole thing was done. As she approached the door and gave it a little push, it swung open.


    Stepping inside, she put a smattering of herbs and plants in the offering bowl. Running her fingers along the engravings that told the story of the Red River Tribe. At least, that''s what the dungeon assumed was the story. Its memory was still a little foggy.


    Within the hall, the tone of the rock and stones was once more the grey of the surrounding plains. Trillia wondered how the dungeon had gotten ahold of the red sandstone. It certainly stood out.


    A bit of grumbling and shuffling feet caused her head to turn toward the end of the hallway. Gobbinz shuffled out, rubbing sleep out of his eyes. Upon seeing her, he immediately straightened and bowed.


    "We did not expect you until tomorrow." the little goblin spoke hurriedly as if he had somehow made a mistake.


    Trillia offered him a warm smile as she shook her head. Taking one last glance at the engraving before turning her attention fully to the goblin. She was impressed at how rapidly he was developing his ability to speak the orcish language.


    "I came alone. I was hoping your Father might indulge me. I want to fight and learn alone. I have some healing potions with me, should the worst happen. You can just dump one on the worst wounds. I also have a racial skill that makes it difficult to kill me in a single hit."


    Gobbinz''s ears twitched slightly as he glanced up. Trillia wondered why the dungeon didn''t send its voice to them from the side. She didn''t really understand Dungeons all that well, honestly. After a moment, the goblin nodded to her, motioning to a door that the two of them hadn''t been allowed in yet.


    "Father says you have a new class. That you voided one of your old classes. He thinks this passage will better suit a solo adventure. Good luck, Lady Trillia."


    Trillia smiled and bowed to him. Checking her armor, pouches, and rapier. She walked to the now open door and stepped inside.


    It was another hallway. This one was a little different, though. Trillia stood on a platform that was maybe two feet by two feet. The door behind her. A large pit of spikes and water in front of her. All along the wall were small stepping stones. Maybe six inches long and four inches wide. The ceiling held a long crystalline lance glowing orange to light the room. There were no enemies present. At least not yet.


    Gobbinz stuck his head in, peering about and nodding. " Spikes hurt. So does the water. There is a ladder on this side, not the exit. You got about five minutes before the traps activate. Good luck!"


    Before Trillia could ask any questions, the door closed. Gobbinz was nowhere to be seen. A gentle scraping sound could be heard; her timer had started. Taking a deep breath, she looked at the various stepping stones in the walls. No traps were currently active, letting her have an easy run of it. So she just took off.


    For once, Trillia was glad she was so small. Fleet Foot and her small stature let her sail across the stepping stones with relative ease. Where other, larger creatures might not have enough room on each platform to get a good hold, such was not the case for Trillia. It took her a little over two minutes to cross the room. Smirking as she looked down into the water one last time, she turned and pushed open the door.


    Inside was another obstacle room. This one had platforms that were dangling off of large chains, swinging haphazardly in what seemed like a perpetual wind. Every stone was slick with water. Instead of spikes in the water below, there was some sort of glowing orb with long strands of soft cloth behind them. The things seemed to pulse with mana as they swam. Trillia couldn''t help herself.


    [Jellyfish - Red Bell - 17] Electric Mana Manipulation


    Huh...Trillia couldn''t help but stare at the jellyfish for a while longer. Someone clearing their throat startled her, nearly causing her to topple forward and into the water. She sprang to her feet with rapier in hand.


    A goblin stood on one of the platforms swaying in the wind. Dark red leather armor covered his form, bright orange eyes peered at her. A blade that looked almost identical to hers at his side.


    "Father says we fight. You win. You go forward. You lose. You leave dungeon tonight."


    Trillia nodded at that. Taking one last look at the jellyfish before she began hopping across stone platforms towards her adversary.


    [Dungeon Goblin - Red River Fencer - 45] Enhancement Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Aquatic Adaptation


    Trillia smirked as she finally landed on his platform. Another new mana type. There seemed to be no end to them, or perhaps dungeons could just create the exact mana manipulation they wanted.


    Now that she stood in front of him, she saw that they were about the same height and build. His rapier appeared in his right hand. Trillia raised the tip of her blade towards him.


    "I look forward to this. May I have your name?" The grin on Trillia''s face just refused to go away. She knew dungeons were normally dangerous, but right now, she was just having fun.


    The goblin extended the tip of his blade out toward her. A little grin on his own face. "If you win, I''ll tell you when I respawn." With that, he lunged forward.


    "[Bleeding Thrust]!"


    The tip of his blade turned red. Trillia took a half-step back and swung her blade to the right, pushing the tip of his rapier aside.


    "[Riposte]!"


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    "[Parry],[Counter Riposte]!"


    Half a second was all it took for the opponent before her to roll his blade around hers and force it down and away, as once more, the gleaming red tip of his blade came forward, aimed at her chest. Her mind raced before she let [Fleet Foot] and instinct take over. With a mighty grunt, she jumped backward, landing precariously on one of the swinging platforms. Her weight and momentum caused it to swing even more wildly.


    The goblin ran forward and jumped after her. Words sprang to her mouth for a skill she hadn''t used before.


    "[Daring Lunge]!"


    A short run forward before she dove down and slid along the slick rock. The tip of her blade aimed at the goblin''s stomach. Her feet already working themselves back under her. The call for riposte came. She knew the skills. She knew how they worked. She had, after all, seen him use them. Hundreds of mana were dumped into her shouts.


    "[Parry],[Counter Riposte]"


    The skills almost felt slow in comparison. Trillia could use them. Had the class. Had the weapon and had seen them used. But they weren''t skills she had learned properly. They weren''t equipped. As such, it was more like she was doing the moves herself, and the skills just gave her the know-how to do them instead of being boosted by the system.


    The sound of metal ringing off of metal reverberated on the walls. The two went back and forth. Anytime she was overwhelmed - which was almost every exchange - she''d leap to another shifting platform. By now, all the platforms were heaving to and fro with the constant momentum shifts. Sweat beading on her head, her stamina was dipping dangerously low. She knew she could just use [Restorative Chant], it wouldn''t give her mana, but it''d heal her stamina.


    She refused.


    She wouldn''t use [Restorative Chant] and her endless mana to cheat her way to a victory here. As her opponent leapt towards her platform, she ran forward and leapt off at him. The goblin''s eyes went wide as he tried to maneuver his rapier into position, but her blade found him first and sliced cleanly into his shoulder, causing him to drop his weapon as their bodies crashed together mid-air. Both were sent into the water below.


    The jellyfish swarmed them. Trillia had never wanted to scream so much in all her life, but the very thing making her want to scream in agony was preventing her body from doing so. A burning sensation ran along her body anywhere their tentacles touched. Electric mana pulsed through the connection, causing both of them to spasm.


    You''ve been paralyzed! The effect will last for 60 seconds.


    You''ve been paralyzed! The effect will last for 60 seconds.


    You''ve been paralyzed! The effect will last for 60 seconds.


    ...


    You''ve been paralyzed! The effect will last for 60 seconds.


    Trillia''s mind was going numb. The jellyfish weren''t doing any health damage, but she was slowly slipping deep into the water, unable to swim or breathe.


    You''re drowning! Health is decreasing by 1% per second! Swim to the surface!


    What a helpful system message, Trillia thought as water took the place of air in her lungs. She tried to will her body to move, but it simply refused to do so. As her vision began to blur and turn wavey, strong hands grabbed her and yanked her out of the water. She couldn''t breathe, though. Water had filled her lungs, and she felt herself choking.


    She was vaguely aware of two hands rising above her chest before slamming down. It hurt. Another set of hands pressed deeply on her chest, and yet another pushed her to the side. A final open palm slapped her back enough to actually deal a couple points of health. With a racking cough, water was spit up. More and more before she could eventually gasp for air.


    She lay there face down, gasping for air and shaking. Someone else was evidently doing the exact same thing by the sounds of it. Metal clattering onto stone caused her to finally look up. Stibs stood there drenched in water, what looked like long burn marks up and down his arms as he dropped two rapiers to the ground.


    The familiar face of Gobbinz popped up in front of her.


    "Father says you real brave and real stupid. I think his exact words were, ''What a fucking psychopath'' I''m not sure what a psychopath is. But I know he only says the f-word when he''s real angry or real surprised." Gobbinz offered her a smile as he patted her on the back.


    Trillia, once more, wore her grin. Now that she wasn''t drowning. Looking up at the other goblin, who not only had been stung by the jellyfish but also had a giant gash on his chest.


    "Call it a draw?" Trillia smirked as she half-choked, asking the question.


    Her opponent shook his head at her insanity. "You crazy. I not able to drown, yet you make me drown! Draw now. We fight again soon."


    Trillia nodded before flopping onto the ground on her back. Clenching and unclenching her good fist to get the feeling back in it. A bunch of notifications rang in her mind. She''d check them eventually.


    Stibs stood over her, looking down. "Father says you no win. You no lose either. No more dungeon tonight."


    Trillia extended her hand and gave him a thumbs-up. Content to just lay there and breathe. She found she rather enjoyed breathing. She wouldn''t so easily take it for granted in the future. Eventually, she rolled over and, with some help from Stibs, made her way out of the dungeon for the night. Flopping down outside next to the door with a smile.


    She dove into her notifications.


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 33 -> 35


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level 27 -> 28


    Class: [Swashbuckler] Level 0 -> Level 3


    Active Skills:


    Swashbuckling


    Daring Lunge added!


    Passive Skills:


    Bravado


    Class: [Fencer] Level 13 -> Level 15


    [Fencer] Breakthrough Skills Obtained!


    Active Skills:


    Riposte (In Use)


    Parry


    Counter Riposte


    Passive Skills:


    Fencer''s Grace (In Use)


    Rapier Mastery


    Fleet Foot (In Use)


    Weapon''s Path


    Unerring Tip


    Trillia first looked at what a Breakthrough skill even was.


    Breakthrough skills are obtained by utilizing a skill that is often learned at a later level in your class. Such skills can only be obtained when used against you in combat.


    She''d make a note to seek out people who used classes like hers in the future. She also wondered why no one had ever told her about this. Surely with all the warriors and berserkers of her people, someone had to have gotten a breakthrough before.


    With a shrug, she looked at the skills from [Swashbuckler] first.


    Daring Lunge:


    This skill is a mirror of the Fencer skill Lunge. With the exception that the power of the attack goes up and the cost of the attack goes down, the more precarious your position in a fight is. As with all Swashbuckling skills, it is a gambit.


    Bravado:


    This skill boosts your stats based on how recklessly you fight. This is not the same reckless charge of some Berserker. No, this is the recklessness that comes with experience. You know you can get out of any position you put yourself into with enough courage and intuition. This skill allows you to make an otherwise impossible situation possible. Once per day, equal to the level of this skill plus 1. You may use this skill an additional time equal to your Intuition divided by 20.


    That was amazing! She was sure it had some limitations. She didn''t assume it would let her jump off of a mountain and land in a puddle without breaking most of her bones. But maybe she wouldn''t die for the stupidity of such a choice.


    [Parry] and [Counter Riposte] seemed to be used in unison. Rather, [Counter Riposte] could only be used after successfully parrying an enemy attack. She added both of those to the active skill list. Adding [Bravado] to the passive list of [Swashbuckler].


    Weapon''s Path


    This skill allows you to sense where an opponent''s weapon is going to be. You can see the ''future'' of a weapon up to 3 seconds ahead of time. You may do this for one weapon per level of this skill. (Minimum 1)


    Well, she had a passive slot open. That seemed very useful. She added it. With all that done, she saved her points and made her way back to camp to get a little bit of sleep.

 Chapter 38 Another Old Man

    Three more days came and went. Amelia and Trillia would duo the dungeon during the day, while Trillia would sneak off to attempt a solo run at night. They hadn''t beaten Stibs together yet. Nor had Trillia been able to overcome her fencing counterpart. The first time they fought, he hadn''t used his enhancement mana at all. On the third attempt, he did, and it completely outclassed Trillia.


    They were sitting at a table eating breakfast when a whistle sounded. Within seconds the camp was alert and arming itself. Trillia and Amelia stood, leaving their breakfast, and ran towards the edge of the scout camp.


    They found Mon''tag standing at the edge of camp on a small tower. Eyes glowing brightly with the use of a skill. Amelia called up.


    "What''s happening, Lord Stonebearer?"


    The man continued to peer out ahead before turning to look down at her. "People approach. We''re trying to determine if it''s friend or foe."


    Trillia climbed halfway up the tower. But as she looked in the same direction that Mon''tag was, she could only see a bit of dust and tiny specks on the horizon. Mostly obscured by trees.


    "I think that''s our Exterminator!" came the cry from another scout in another tower.


    Mon''tag leaned in, cursing under his breath. "How sure are you?"


    "Looks like Ralrouk came. Look further into the sky. He''s leaping."


    After a few moments, Mon''tag let out another whistle. On his command, everyone began to filter back to their own duties. Mon''tag climbed down the tower, shaking his head.


    "The bastard isn''t even a scout, yet he can out move us almost every damn time. What I wouldn''t give to see his stats and skills." he continued to grumble as he arrived on the ground. Casting a look toward Amelia and Trillia. "A couple of others are with him. Looks like one is carrying someone else. They should be here in an hour, with how quickly they are moving."


    Trillia nodded excitedly. Almost skipping back to eat her breakfast. It wasn''t even an hour before a resounding boom came from the center of camp. Ralrouk had landed. If the sound of his landing wasn''t enough to alert people, the hearty belly laugh that had to be heard for miles certainly was. A few minutes later, another figure approached the camp. Ralrouk''s voice was easy for Trillia to follow.


    "Bwahaha, you''re a bit slow there, boy. I know, I know, you''re gonna say, ''Oh no bigger better brother, I was carrying someone. It wasn''t fair.'' As if that would have slowed me down a bit. You owe me dinner."


    Trillia came into view of seeing them. Ralrouk looked no worse for wear, despite his massive size. Tormash set Ba''Shoon down and was catching his breath, his body covered in sweat.


    Tormash nearly fell over as Ralrouk gave him a hearty slap on the back, the orc chuckling as he looked up. "Carrying Ba''Shoon was no problem. But. You are a damn cheater. You killed a raptor on the way to replenish your resources. I thought we said no fighting on the way?"


    Ralrouk did his absolute best ''I''m totally innocent'' face. He absolutely looked guilty. "Brother, you wound me. Do you truly think I''d ever stoop so low as to cheat, to get a free meal out of my favorite brother?"


    "Your only brother."


    "Thus my favorite."


    "Bastard."


    "Slowpoke."


    They both stared at each other for a moment before laughing. Mon''tag approached as Trillia ran up to give them hugs. Happy to see her family. Ba''Shoon was very much so included.


    Ralrouk gave her a big bear hug, lifting her off the ground in his arms. "How''s my favorite sister doing? Beaten the dungeon into submission yet?"


    Smirking as he set her down. Trillia shook her head as Mon''tag spoke up.


    "Forgive me for interrupting. There are a few things I need to report to both of you, though. As Head Exterminator and Head Scout Master. Would you like me to let you rest and socialize first?"


    Both Ralrouk and Tormash shook their heads, with Tormash being the one to speak up. "No. Our duty to the tribe comes before personal desires. Besides, we''re both free for the next couple of months, we will have plenty of time to spend with Trillia. Give us your report, Lord Stonebearer."


    Mon''tag bowed to them as he led them all away. Trillia held onto Ba''Shoon''s hand. Amelia fell in next to Ba''Shoon, apparently quite friendly with her as well. Both of them enjoyed enchanting and bonded well over it during Trillia''s metamorphosis.


    Once inside a tent, Mon''tag spread out a map of the surrounding area. Tormash and Ralrouk stood at his sides. It was only now that Trillia realized how tall her siblings were. Mon''tag was closing in on seven feet. Ralrouk stood a head taller, and Tormash nearly towered over all of them like their mother did. Trillia enjoyed spending time with the goblins. They were folks she could see eye to eye with.


    Mon''tag tapped on the map as he spoke. "This is the camp. This is the dungeon. Somewhere in this direction is the nest. One of the raiding monsters that the dungeon has; has been coming out to discuss things with the scout camp. We''ve even sent a few of our younger, more inexperienced scouts in to run the dungeon. So far, no one has cleared the boss and seen the core."


    Mon''tag now motioned to Ralrouk. "Except you, of course. From reports, the dungeon desperately needs rich, loamy soil to grow food in. We''ve held off starvation of its creatures with trade and some berry plants. But that''s it so far. The wolf hides that drop are a solid second-tier leather. On par with the armor, we make for our warriors. The copper trinkets are pure copper. We can''t do anything with them here. But perhaps the minotaurs can melt it down and make something out of it?"


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    Tormash looked at the map, running his fingers along its surface. "We can trade it to Kincairne. Lord Stas uses copper. Hundreds of pounds of the stuff at a time in his experiments. He''s sent a message to Chieftain Amara. He hopes, by the year''s end, he''ll have some form of travel across the rifts that will repel mana sickness."


    Mon''tag stiffened at the name. Licking his lips with a nod. "If anyone can sort it. Lord Stas is certainly the goblin to do so."


    Ralrouk raised a brow, placing a heavy hand on Mon''tag''s shoulder before leaning in to peer at the man''s eyes.


    "I''ll be damned. A [Savage Orc]. I apologize if I came across as rude, Lord Stonebearer. Any information you could give us would be dearly appreciated." Everyone, except Mon''tag, stared at Ralrouk as if he had grown a second head. Ralrouk wasn''t known to be formal or polite to anyone except his parents and King Cordaos.


    Seeing their looks, Ralrouk let go of Mon''tag and explained. "[Savage Orcs] don''t evolve in the Shattered Plains. They are from Chieftain Amara''s original tribe. Before she became bonded. That means Lord Stonebearer is centuries old, just like our Chieftain is. He''s also seen the rise and fall of tribes, of the [Primordials]. Why on Alirast are you acting as a Scout? Mother would give you any position you request."


    Mon''tag shook his head, waving a hand in the air. "Chieftain Amara saved my life. More times than I care to count. My skills are vast and varied. Right now? Lady Amara needs scouts. If the time comes for war, I''ll be a general or warband leader. If the exterminators fall, I''ll do that. I owe Lady Amara my life and soul. I''m whatever the tribe needs, end of story."


    Ralrouk bowed his head. No one else really wanted to question that. Mon''tag seeing they were satisfied, continued his line of thought. "Lord Stas is called the Tinkering Abomination. There''s not a soul on all of Alirast who doesn''t get nervous around him. Last I saw him, over a hundred years ago, he was approaching level twelve hundred. His arms were crushed and cursed, fighting the last [Primordial]. To fix the issue of not having arms, he developed a unique type of mana manipulation and grafted another set of arms onto his body. But he didn''t stop there. When the Generals Four defeated a lava dragon, Stas claimed the wings. A month later, he was flying around with lava dragon wings ten times the size of his body. He had grafted those onto his form as well."


    Everyone sat in silence, listening to the story. Trillia, most of all, was leaning in. No one really talked about the time of the ''Beast Generals'', least of all Amara or Cordaos.


    "Point is. Lord Stas is one of the best inventors I''ve seen. If he says, he''ll have a way to cross the rift. He will. It''s not a question of if. It''s just a question of when. I''ll warn all of you; be wary around him. He''s an ally, sure. But he''s also more than a little...crazy. His experiments are so dangerous that he lives three miles outside of Kincairne. As last time something went wrong, half the city went up in smoke."


    They all nodded. Looking back at the map, not really sure what to say. Mon''tag tapped the dungeon once more. "We need to get soil. Or find some mushrooms or something that grows underground. I don''t know of any on the surface. Maybe you can find something when you clear that nest out, Lord Ralrouk. This next part...This next part stays between those of us in this tent."


    Mon''tag looked to each of them to see a nod before he continued. "There''s another tribe, a day''s march past the dungeon. They''ve tried to skirmish into it a few times, and I''ve repelled them. But I''m an old man, and I''m just one person. They refuse to negotiate, and they don''t recognize the United Tribes Accords."


    Ralrouk slammed a hand onto the table, eyes glowing red. "Show me where their tribe is on the map."


    Mon''tag looked at him for a moment before nodding. Pointing out to a blank spot on the map. "I don''t know what your levels are or your skills. Would you like help in...negotiations?"


    Ralrouk shook his head. "No, but thank you for the offer Lord Stonebearer. There''s a reason I don''t bring a team with me. I''ll return in three days to handle the nest. Apologize for the dungeon on my behalf for the wait. This tribe will either bend the knee to the accords or be wiped off the plains."


    Trillia, rather curious, spoke up. "What are the accords? Why is it important that they are part of it?"


    Tormash smiled and ruffled her hair. "The accords are something Mother put into place when she brought tens of thousands of orcs here. It''s quite simple. In times of catastrophe, war, or invasion, all tribes are to operate under the Grand Chieftain''s banner. The awakening of the [Primordial] that slumbers under the Shattered Plains counts as all three. Furthermore, and more importantly, if you ask Mother, the accords dictate that no tribe is allowed to have slaves of any kind. Prisoners of another tribe are released, ransomed, or executed. But are not to be branded or made to do slave labor."


    Trillia nodded. "So, if they aren''t part of the accords. There''s a good chance they have slaves?"


    Ralrouk nodded to her. Rummaging through a tiny pouch at his side, for an awkwardly long time, before pulling out a long ingot of metal, far too big for the pouch. He set it on the table with a heavy thud. "This is five pounds of steel. Found it in a dungeon a year ago, give or take. Tribute it to this dungeon in my name, both as an apology for the first time I came through, as well as an apology for not immediately doing my duty as an Exterminator."


    Trillia shuffled around to his side, poking at the pouch. She stood on the bench he stood next to and reached her hand in. Ralrouk glared at her with a raised eye.


    "It''s quite rude to go through someone else''s things."


    Trillia shook her head defensively. "I don''t want anything. Is this a storage item? I''ve heard people talk about them before!"


    Ralrouk nodded, grabbing her arm and pulling it out of the bag. "Use your scan or whatever variant you have."


    [Bottomless Hoard]


    Quality: Above Average


    Storage: 17/93


    Trillia''s smile grew wider. "Where did you find it? Did you make this yourself?"


    Ralrouk shook his head once more. "I found it in a dungeon. Some dungeons are huge, sprawling things. There aren''t many in the Shattered Plains, but I''ve traveled beyond them. Kincairne has sent for Exterminators before. So I''ve gotten the chance to see other places. Maybe this dungeon will get large enough and stay on good terms, and you can get one from here."


    Trillia nodded excitedly at that. Ralrouk chuckled before looking at the others. "I''ll be going. If I''m not back in three days. Assume they have someone capable of killing me. Alert Chieftain Amara. May the Axles watch over us." bowing his head before he turned and left without another word.


    Mon''tag left the map out for the others to look at. "If it''s alright with you, Lord Tormash. I''d like to be relieved from my post for a few days since you are here and capable. So that I may take care of some personal errands and rest."


    Tormash nodded immediately. "Of course, Lord Stonebearer. I''ll keep things running; take your time." Mon''tag nodded before leaving himself. Tormash sat at the table, rubbing his eyes.


    Trillia sat next to him, patting his arm. "Everything will be fine. Ralrouk is strong; he''ll be ok. The dungeon is very kind and very helpful. I''ve gotten a bunch of levels, and so has Amelia."


    Amelia, having stayed silent so far, not really wanting to get wrapped up in orc politics, finally spoke. "It''s been a learning experience, that''s for sure. I''ve also begun mentoring one of the raiding goblins as a [Minstrel] so that they have some form of healing. They don''t seem savage at all."


    Ba''Shoon rubbed her chin as she looked at the map. Glancing at Tormash. "Do you mind if I go introduce myself, darling?"


    Tormash looked into her eyes. Trillia could see some of the tension and stress flow away from him. "Not at all, dear. Why don''t you take the girls? They can introduce you, and you can bring Ralrouk''s steel with you. I have some things to do around the camp anyway so that Mon''tag can take an actual rest."


    Everyone gave nods. Ba''Shoon leaned forward and gave Tormash a long kiss and a hug. The orc relaxed even more. Ba''Shoon scooped up the steel and motioned. "Let''s go, ladies! To the dungeon!"

 Chapter 39 Expansion

    Ba''Shoon was the first to step into the dungeon this time. Gobbinz was sitting by the entrance, chatting with another of the raiding goblins. Both perked up when the enchantress stepped in. Walking up to a tribute bowl, she pulled out the steel ingot first.


    "This is from Ralrouk Demonsbane. He was the orc who originally checked on your core. Consider this his apology for the rude handling of the situation, as well as his tribute for any further visits. In addition. That same Ralrouk will be exterminating the nest nearby within the week." Ba''Shoon spoke calmly and matter-of-factly.


    Trillia glanced at the raiding goblins, who were nodding along. Ba''Shoon must have been familiar with dungeons. The enchantress pulled out a thin metal rod with a bunch of runes engraved on it; Trillia recognized it as a wand of some sort. Ba''Shoon placed that in the tribute bowl as well.


    "That''s my tribute. It''s a wand of chain lightning. I''m not sure if any of your defenders have the mana required to activate it, at least not at their current levels. But it may give you some insight never the less." she bowed slightly to the raiding goblins and offered them a warm smile. So far, they had been rather speechless.


    As if being pushed forward, Gobbinz finally bowed himself and spoke. "Father appreciates your tribute very much. We fear our dungeon is not capable of offering you any sort of challenge, so we''re unsure how to pay you back."


    Ba''Shoon shook her head, motioning to Trillia and Amelia. "I''m just here to watch them proceed through their usual course. I''d also like to chat with the first-floor boss. Presuming the girls can''t beat him. I won''t interfere."


    More nods all around, and off they went.


    Trillia and Amelia were becoming very efficient as a team. Less than five minutes in, and they were already at Stibs and Paws.


    Stibs hesitated when he saw Ba''Shoon, his hand clenched around his dagger''s hilt.


    Ba''Shoon raised a hand before he could speak. "I''m not here to fight or harm the core. I just want to watch you fight these two, if that''s ok with you."


    Stibs nodded slightly. Ba''Shoon walked off to the side of the room and sat down.


    The girls took a deep breath before drawing their weapons. Once more, they spread out.


    Stibs offered a little grin, and right as Paws was about to flash step, Stibs jumped off and towards Amelia. The two split up for the first time since the girls began challenging the boss.


    Paws appeared near Trillia in a burst of red lightning, followed immediately by a red river nova. It wasn''t an attack Trillia could use [Riposte] on.


    Stibs was significantly faster than Amelia. Before the [Minstrel] could mount a defense, Stibs had carved four deep gashes into her arms; as blood poured from the wounds, she howled. As Stibs closed in for another attack, both he and Paws suddenly backed off. Stibs motioned to Trillia.


    Trillia lay on the ground, tenacity having activated. Between the burning debuff and the bleeding debuff, it was too much damage too quickly. Ba''Shoon was quick to heal her with Amelia''s help.


    After a few minutes of recovering, Trillia stared up at the ceiling.


    "Our levels are going up, but we''re not getting any better."


    "You''re both just inexperienced. The boss is changing his attack patterns to account for your weaknesses, but neither of you are doing the same."


    Trillia grumbled as she sat up. "We don''t have answers to half the stuff they do! How are we supposed to find a weakness?"


    Ba''Shoon stared at Trillia for a moment before motioning to Stibs.


    "Might I ask your help in instructing them?" seeing the goblin give her an odd look but nod. Ba''Shoon dragged Trillia to her feet.


    "Have your lovely mount charge his nova."


    Ba''Shoon dragged Amelia to stand next to Trillia. "Look at his Paws. See how they get brighter the closer the nova is to being cast? You will never outrun a dungeon wolf. Especially not one that has a lightning movement ability. But what you can do." as she said it, she grabbed both girls and put herself between them and Paws, the nova tore through the arena, but neither was harmed. Ba''Shoon, having taken the brunt of it.


    Ba''Shoon turned and bowed her head slightly to the wolf. "Thank you. The nova is conjuration. It means that the wolf conjures actual flames to radiate from its body in a nova. The bleed effect is just a meta effect that it''s capable of adding. There are hints as to how these two are going to fight, based on the arena."


    Trillia looked around said arena, only to see bare stone and some sand. No cover of any kind. "What?"


    Ba''Shoon looked to Amelia, who seemed just as lost. Rolling her eyes slightly as she motioned to the emptiness. "There is no cover. Stibs isn''t the boss. Paws is the boss. Stibs is a distraction, albeit a dangerous one."


    The girl''s eyes went wide as they looked accusingly at the boss of the first floor. Stibs shrugged and grinned a little. "Father says we both boss. Door opens if Paws dies."


    Trillia snapped her eyes back to Ba''Shoon. "How did you figure that out?! You''ve been in the room less than ten minutes?!"


    Ba''Shoon put a finger up to her chin, tilting her head as she thought about it. "Goblins like having cover. If you were both ranged combatants, he''d be at a significant disadvantage as he has no ranged weaponry. Paws, on the other hand, needs line of sight to utilize his movement ability. Even as majestic as he is, he still sits low to the ground, which means anything that the Goblin could use as cover, also blocks the wolf''s line of sight."


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    She stared at each of them a moment before she continued. "Whatever creature the arena is made for is the one that unlocks the door. That''s how most dungeons function, at least. The reason I''m explaining this to you here, instead of outside, is because we''re allied with this dungeon. So I want it to learn as well. Experienced adventurers are going to target the wolf and tank the goblin."


    Ba''Shoon now turned to the wolf and goblin. "Speaking of. I feel rather rude, not calling you by your names. I''m Ba''Shoon, soon to be Demonsbane. Mate of Tormash Demonsbane."


    Stibs bowed, and Paws even dipped his head a little as well. Stibs obviously was the one to speak. "I am Stibs. This is Paws. First Floor boss of the Dungeon."


    Ba''Shoon curtsied slightly to the two of them. Turning back to the girls. "Stibs targets Amelia because Amelia is a larger target and can body block the nova. Paws targets Trillia because Trillia cannot use fencing skills against area-of-effect attacks. My guess is they started blitzing you because you have, or had an ability that could disrupt casting."


    Trillia nodded at that.


    "Right, so eliminate the threat to the ''boss'' first. Now, I have a very serious question for you, Trillia. Did the dungeon know you have tenacity?"


    Trillia could sense an edge to Ba''Shoon''s voice that she had never heard before. She didn''t hesitate a second to answer.


    "Yes. I told them about it on several occasions. So that they could go all out. They have healers on standby for whenever I''m in the dungeon, just in case."


    Ba''Shoon relaxed a little and nodded. "Very well. In any case, you both lost. If it''s alright with the two of them and the dungeon itself. I''d like to face the boss, and see the core, run along for now."


    The girls looked at each other before nodding. Trillia waved to Stibs. "We''ll beat you eventually! Just you wait."


    Stibs grinned at the two of them. "I look forward to it. See you tomorrow when I respawn."


    The girls gave one last look to Ba''Shoon before backtracking their steps. Trillia decided to stop in the healing hall on the way out, healing the goblins that had taken hits but surrendered today.


    By the time Trillia made it back through the dungeon and into the healing hall. Gobbinz was there shaking his head. "She beat him in twenty seconds. How on Alirast are we supposed to defend Father like this?"


    Trillia offered a weak little smile at that. Moving over to pat the goblin on his shoulder. "It''s ok. Amelia and I are getting beaten in less time than that. Look on the bright side! We''re allies, at least! I''m sure Ba''Shoon would love to help your Father become a stronger dungeon."


    Gobbinz looked up at her with a frown but nodded all the same. "You are right. But I can''t help but feel we have so very far to go. Father says that she knows much about magic and dungeons. I think she will be spending a lot of time in the dungeon in the coming days. Father likes her."


    Trillia sat on a stool and helped to bandage some wounds. It was good practice for the skill, both for her and the other goblins. They had asked previously that unless the wound was so severe as to cause a respawn, they''d rather learn how to treat the wounds than have the girls magically heal them.


    -=- Four Days Later -=-


    Trillia had a rather hefty backlog of notifications to catch up on. She had mostly just been skimming over things and throwing points in as she went. But, during this last dungeon run. [Fencer] had finally hit level twenty-four. Which was apparently her Very Short max. So she''d have to sit down and figure some things out.


    The girls had managed to heavily wound Stibs this time, but the fight still had to be called when Amelia dropped to two percent health. They had barely gotten heals off in time. Both girls agreed to take a break for a few days. The main order of business today was Ralrouk''s return, after all.


    The orc walked back into the Scout''s camp. Not a single wound was evident on his body, despite being covered head to toe in blood and gore. Reaching into the pouch on his side, he began to dump materials out. Tormash was standing next to him, as was Mon''tag when Trillia approached.


    "The other tribe refused to join the accords. Had a clutch of seven slaves. I used one of our emergency portal stones to get them back. I know the Chieftain and General don''t like us using them; since they are so difficult to create. But I didn''t want to risk escorting seven broken and battered souls back to this camp or the city itself. The camp has a lot of usable goods and materials left. I suggest we send some of the scouts here out to bring it all back."


    Tormash and Mon''tag nodded. Mon''tag turned to leave immediately as Ralrouk continued. "Nest is cleared. It wasn''t bad, only fifty or so. Had a single matriarch that was a pain to take down, but otherwise, it was standard fare. I''d suggest going there as well. Plenty of chitin that''s still in very good condition. I mostly destroy the face when I kill the bugs. I didn''t see any loot or chests, but most nests do have something. I''d suggest sending some people who can sense hidden passages. Be careful, I don''t think I missed any since I got a clear notification, but you can never be too safe."


    Tormash nodded and walked off to arrange his own things. Ralrouk plopped onto the ground right where he stood. Letting out a deep breath. Trillia smirked as she approached.


    "Looks like you got a bit of gunk on you. I''m glad you''re safe."


    Ralrouk glared at her with predatory eyes, an evil grin spread across his face. "My dear, beloved sister. Why don''t you come and give your weary brother a big hug?"


    The orc stood up, still quite covered in blood and gore. Trillia squeaked and turned, running as fast as she could. She didn''t really care about the direction. Ralrouk slowly ran after her, his deep belly laugh filling the camp.


    As Trillia ran past Mon''tag, she heard him shout. "Head north! There''s a lake you can lead the great brute to! Save our noses, Lady Trillia!"


    Trillia laughed as she put her head down, pumping her little legs harder. She toppled and came to a halt when the ground rumbled and shook. Waves of mana coursed over her. Turning back with wide eyes, she saw Ralrouk and Tormash glance at the dungeon.


    Her hesitation cost her as Ralrouk wrapped her in a big bear hug. She screeched as she was covered in blood as well. Glaring at her brother. "That''s not fair! I was worried!"


    Ralrouk put her down with a grin. "It''s just the dungeon expanding, finally. From the feel of it, the dungeon had a floor or two planned out, and dumped a few thousand mana into carving out the land in an instant. It''s far more dangerous, as it tends to call in any nearby monsters this way."


    Ralrouk took her hand and had begun walking towards the lake Mon''tag had mentioned. "Don''t worry, runt. Your dungeon is safe."


    Trillia stuck her tongue out at him. She used to be more hurt when he called her a runt. Maybe if it was someone else, she still would be. Somewhere, deep down, she knew Ralrouk would fight the gods themselves to keep her safe. So she didn''t mind him teasing her that much anymore.


    "I wonder what sort of new creatures it''s gonna have. Do you think they will be stronger than the first floor? Do you think the dungeon will ever be strong enough that you, or Tormash, can train in it?"


    Ralrouk gave a little shrug. "I''m not sure. I''d like to train in a friendly dungeon. Most of the dungeons I go into want to kill everything. They''ve gone mad for one reason or another and have to be killed. It''d be a nice change of pace to just have fun, though. As for the creatures, I''m not sure. From what you''ve reported, the dungeon core has memories of the central continent. I''ve never been there myself. Not sure what sort of beasties we can expect."


    Trillia nodded at that. As they made their way to the lake to get cleaned up, she began going through her notifications. Looking up at Ralrouk.


    "I maxed out [Fencer]. Can I ask you some questions?"


    Ralrouk scooped her up and put her on his shoulder, one arm wrapped around her legs to hold her there as his long strides moved them ever faster toward being clean. "You can always ask me questions, runt. I''m here to help you get to the point where you can kick my ass."

 Chapter 40 Artifact

    Class: [Fencer] Level 15 -> Level 16


    ...


    Class: [Fencer] Level 23 -> Level 24 (MAX)


    Class Skill: [Fleet Foot] has been added as a Mastery Skill under [Fencer Level 24 MAX].


    Carrying over existing experience and level.


    Class Skill: [Fleet Foot] Level 0 -> Level 13


    This skill will continue to gain experience as it is used, even as a Mastery Skill.


    Class: [Swashbuckler] Level 3 - > Level 9


    Active Skills:


    Swashbuckling


    Daring Lunge


    Kip-Up


    Opportune Parry


    Passive Skills:


    Bravado (In Use)


    Dazzling Defense (In Use)


    Kip-Up:


    As the name of the skill implies, this allows a creature to do a kip-up at the cost of extra stamina, when they otherwise would not be able to perform such a feat. This skill uses less Stamina the higher its level.


    Opportune Parry:


    (This Skill has been borrowed from [Fencer]) operates in all ways as the skill Parry does from the [Fencer] class.


    Dazzling Defense:


    This skill shifts an opponent''s perspective of your weapon, allowing you to be grandiose in your movements, but somehow still manage to get your blade on target in time. Higher levels work as automatic feints in combat.  This skill is overcome in the same way any Obfuscation skill is overcome.


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 35 -> Level 38


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent:Runt] Level 28 -> Level 31


    Trillia was happy with her progress. She sat on a rocky ledge over the lake. Having already scrubbed off.


    "Ralrouk, would you be disappointed in me if I left the tribe?"


    Amelia was her best friend, and she had known Amelia would support her when she asked. Her family was a different beast altogether.


    Ralrouk stopped swimming upon hearing the question, splashing some water on his face and rubbing off more blood and grime.


    "Depends. Why do you want to leave?" he answered. But refused to look in her direction, it seemed.


    Trillia bit her lip, kicking her feet back and forth. "I hate the walls. I feel trapped. Ever since I got released, I''ve wanted nothing more than to explore, study and see the world. I don''t want to grow up, grow old, and die without ever seeing the rest of the world. Something in the pit of my stomach is telling me I need to do that now. Not later."


    Ralrouk closed his eyes, leaning back in the water. Silence grew between the two of them as he chewed on the question.


    Trillia shuffled nervously on the ledge. Finally, Ralrouk stood up in the lake, moving towards the shore.


    "Before the Cataclysm. I would have told you to pray for guidance. But the deities have been silent. I''ve heard that even the deities that still exist on this plane itself can no longer speak or bestow blessings. Dungeon mana is weakening. All because of [Scorned Divinity]. I don''t have a good answer for what you want out of life, Trillia."


    He began to rummage around in his pouch, pulling out a few hunks of smoked meat and extending a smaller piece to her.


    "For my part. I won''t be disappointed in you. Not unless you fail. I do think you''re too young to strike out on your own. I don''t mean to be cruel, but you being a [Runt] makes you an easy target for other races who want to enslave an orc."


    Trillia deflated. She knew that he wasn''t lying, but it still hurt to hear it, never the less. Ralrouk leaned on the ledge next to her, his head sticking up over it.


    "I''ll make you a deal runt. Tormash has it in his head to start his own tribe. He believes that the risk of not being unified in a single place is worth it. Now, I don''t think Tormash would ever turn his back on the Shattered Will Tribe or his family. So here''s my deal. You go with Tormash and Ba''Shoon. Explore the world with them nearby to save your ass when it needs saving. Mother might get angry at first, but she''ll let it go if you''re with him."


    Ralrouk looked at her to make sure she was listening before he continued.


    "By the time you''re sixteen. Which is just about eight years from now. I want to see you. If you''re level one hundred or higher, I''ll defend your claim to leave the tribe and strike out on your own. To our parents and the tribe itself, if it comes to that. Traveling with the two of them as they try to establish their own tribe. Will also let you explore the Shattered Plains and help that wanderlust."


    Trillia was staring at him now. Ralrouk squared up to look at her, extending his hand.


    "I won''t feed you to the wolves, Trillia. Prove to me you have what it takes to thrive. Prove to me you have the drive to push yourself to greater heights. Like Tormash and I have. Do that, and I''ll defend your desire for independence, and have faith you won''t fail on your own."


    Trillia took a deep breath, climbing down from the ledge to stand in front of him. Taking his outstretched hand in her own.


    "I, Trillia Demonsbane, hereby promise and pledge that I will be an orc of at least level one hundred by my sixteenth birthday."


    Ralrouk shook her hand firmly.


    "I, Ralrouk Demonsbane, hereby promise and pledge to defend your independence with my life should you reach that goal."


    As he said the last word, a burst of mana formed between them, marking their arms.


    You''ve accepted a Major Geas from Ralrouk Demonsbane.


    Failure to complete this Geas will come at a severe cost.


    Geas Terms: Achieve a Species, or Subspecies level of 100 by the age of 16.


    Trillia blew out a long sigh when the notification popped up. She held on to Ralrouk''s hand, squeezing it for support as tears rimmed her eyes. "I don''t want to fail. I won''t fail."


    Ralrouk kneeled before her, wrapping her up in a large hug. "I have faith in you, runt. If you need advice. Ask. No one succeeds and achieves greatness by walking blindly into the fray. Even the deities themselves seek out support and counsel. Do you understand?"


    Trillia nodded through a sniffle. She could feel [Unwavering Determination] burning through her body. "I understand. I won''t fail."


    She stayed in the hug for a few more moments before pulling away, rubbing her eyes the best she could. Ralrouk offered his left hand to her as they turned to walk back to camp. She grabbed onto one of his fingers as they walked.


    If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "I''m going to give you some big brother advice. It''s gonna suck, and you''re not gonna wanna do it. Stop challenging the dungeon with Amelia."


    Trillia stopped dead in her tracks. Looking up at him. Ralrouk continued.


    "She won''t follow you. Not on your solo adventures. She has her own dreams to work towards. I''d suggest learning how to survive on your own. Tormash and I stopped fighting together near your age. I''ll loan you some healing potions; rely on being an orc. Rely on tenacity. Kill whatever it is in front of you before your tenacity runs out and you die yourself."


    He held up his other hand before she could speak. "I don''t care that you have less time because of a lower [Brawn]. Your body and the system will adapt to what you''re doing, Trillia. You need to push yourself. You need to be uncomfortable. The reality of being an orc is simple. Suffering is our success. As children, we''re thrown to the monsters so that our body adapts. As adults, it''s the same. Our culture is not shared amongst others."


    Trillia kept walking next to him, albeit slowly, as she listened to his words.


    "Other races hate our kind. Even centuries later, adults will still teach their children that we are savages. If you are going to see the world, you need to understand that simple truth. The northern continent is a harbor for the monstrous races of the world. Other places will shun and hate you because of who you are and what you look like. If you don''t believe me, listen to some of the orcs who have traveled the world. There are places and cities out there that will arrest you for having the wrong type of mana manipulation."


    Ralrouk ruffled her hair as they continued the walk in silence.


    Once they were back in camp. Trillia hugged his legs and moved off to find Amelia. She found Ba''Shoon and Amelia sitting together, going over runes and enchanting. Ba''Shoon perked up.


    "Perfect timing! I have a gift for you. I told you I was working on something for your left arm..." Ba''Shoon saw the tears rimming her eyes; worry crossed her face. Trillia took a deep, shaky breath.


    "Amelia. Can we talk?" Trillia spoke softly. Ba''Shoon gave the girls each a look before she excused herself, giving them their privacy.


    "What''s wrong, Trillia?" Amelia scooched over on the bench so that Trillia could sit next to her.


    "I think. I think I need to start fighting the dungeon alone from now on."


    Amelia sat there in silence for a few seconds. Staring at her best friend.


    "Do you think I''m slowing down your progress?" Trillia''s heart sank as her best friend whispered the question. Trillia hugged her tightly.


    "No. Not at all. But I rely on you. In every single fight, you have to heal me. In every combat, I use you as cover. If I''m ever going to be strong enough to venture out on my own. I can''t rely on you in every fight. Because you won''t be there."


    Amelia hugged her back. Trillia could tell that she was fighting back her own tears. Amelia pulled away. "Tell you what. We''ll go through the dungeon together." she raised a hand before Trillia could get the words out. That was happening a lot lately.


    "I won''t fight. I won''t buff you or heal during the fights. I''ll tag along just in case you need healing after the fact. We should also talk to Gobbinz about that wolf training. I won''t be with you, but that doesn''t mean you have to be entirely alone either."


    Trillia managed a weak little smile at that. Amelia was always strong, always stalwart, and ready to make a plan and take on the world. "I''m sorry. I''m being selfish. I know."


    Amelia shook her head. Putting a hand on Trillia''s shoulder. "No, you aren''t. I have no intentions of leaving the Shattered Plains until my homeland is back under Minotaur control. It''d be selfish of me to demand you stand at my side for that journey. Father has let me run about and not learn how to lead since we lost the city. I think he wanted to let me grieve and move on in my own time. But if I''m going to help him lead our people back to our city, I''ll need to know how to command."


    Amelia sniffled a little, running an arm across her eyes. "Ba''Shoon said that they will be staying here for another month. By the end of the month, I want to make sure that you can beat Stibs and Paws on your own. It doesn''t have to be goodbye after that. But when we return. I won''t have a lot of free time anymore."


    Trillia nodded, smiling a little wider now. "I won''t forget my promise to you. We''ll find a way to communicate. When you are ready to march on God''s Watch, I will be at your side, and I will be strong enough to make a difference."


    Amelia shrugged. "I have no doubt about that. I''m more worried I won''t be a good General by that time. I guess we''ll both have to work hard. In any case! Ba''Shoon has been working hard on this, and I think you''re going to like it."


    The girls nodded. Amelia went off to get Ba''Shoon, and the two returned in a few minutes. Ba''Shoon offered Trillia a little smile of her own. "Everything ok? Anything I can help with?"


    Trillia shook her head. "I''ll manage. I''m excited about my present, though!" Forcing a wide smile now as she stood up on the bench. Ba''Shoon rummaged around in a large pouch before pulling out a wooden box.


    The box itself was rather plain, with no markings, nothing to really set it apart. Ba''Shoon lifted the top off.


    Inside were two cylinders. Both of them were covered in runes. They were a dark red stone; the runes etched into them had been painted with some sort of iridescent blue substance. The leather straps had been dyed black, and numerous runes had been etched into those as well. Small metallic clasps were hooked on at various points for the leather straps to slide and hook into.


    Ba''Shoon sat next to her. "Hold out your left arm." Trillia did so, still staring at the cylinders.


    Ba''Shoon put a set of heavy gloves on before pulling out the first cylinder, then the second. Setting them both in front of Trillia. "Touch them."


    Trillia looked at her before gingerly extending her right hand to touch the cylinders. As soon as she did, a notification flashed before her face.


    Would you like to bind this artifact to you?


    Artifact Details:


    [Unnamed]


    This artifact operates in all forms and functions as a repeating orcish crossbow. Crossbow bolts are formed by the user''s mana.


    This artifact cannot be lost or stolen from the creature it has been bound to. Regardless of distance or dimension, the creature this artifact is bound to can always summon it to their side with an hour of preparation and a single point of mana.


    This artifact will change its shape and dimensions to fit the creature it is bound to.


    This artifact is indestructible.


    This artifact can sense the intent of the creature it is bound to.


    Trillia blinked a few times. Staring between the artifact and Ba''Shoon. "Why me?"


    Ba''Shoon tilted her head oddly. "That''s a stupid question. You''re basically my little sister. Why on all of Alirast wouldn''t I help you? I know it''s not a hand, but I''m incapable of creating something that has so many moving parts. This is basically just a standard enchanted crossbow. It just works and operates like a standard crossbow, with a few subtle changes."


    Trillia hadn''t removed her hand yet. She felt guilty now. Amelia nudged her. "It''s rude to get such an amazing gift and not say thank you. Look at it this way, Trillia. With this, you''ll have a much easier time reaching your goals."


    Trillia''s heart sank even further. Ba''Shoon put a hand on her shoulder. "Don''t feel guilty for receiving help. Tormash has done more for me than I can ever repay. We had that talk before you were kidnapped. I''ll be damned if a member of my family gets taken from me again. I know now, with this, you''ll always have a weapon available. I trust that you''ll fight until your dying breath with it as well."


    Trillia blinked away a few tears before nodding in determination. "What should we name it?"


    Amelia spoke up without a wink of hesitation. "The Shattered Bolt."


    Trillia looked at her, a little smirk on her face. Nodding.


    You''ve bound the artifact [The Shattered Bolt] to you.


    Ba''Shoon blinked a few times. "Holy shit. I just...I gained seven levels from that. What?"


    It was Trillia''s turn to blink now as she turned to look at her. Ba''Shoon went through some more notifications before shaking her head. "Apparently, once someone binds the artifact, I get credit for its creation. That''s interesting. Anyway! Let''s get this thing attached and show you what all of the runes do! I can''t wait to see you try it out. I wasn''t able to touch it without gloves because I didn''t want it to accidentally bind to me or something silly."


    Trillia nodded once more. Before Ba''Shoon could reach for either cylinder to help her attach it. A few hundred mana drained in an instant, and in the next, the cylinders were attached to her arm in the proper place. A half dozen of the runes glowing brightly. The leather straps tightened themselves just right, and the metal clasps snapped shut. The entire thing hummed a little. With a thought from Trillia, the tip of a glowing crossbow bolt formed where her hand was.


    With another thought, it flew from the artifact and embedded itself six inches into the ground. The bolt stayed there until Trillia thought about it disappearing, which it did so immediately.


    All of them stopped and stared at the artifact. None of them had any real experience dealing with such things. Trillia was surprised that Ba''Shoon was so surprised.


    "You know. This is the first artifact I''ve ever made. I didn''t think it would be so..."


    "Smart?" Trillia offered, to which Ba''Shoon nodded. Trillia moved her arm, trying to get used to the feeling of it being on her arm. She was a bit scared of accidentally shooting someone if she got angry. But it seemed that the artifact knew enough about her intent, to not make that mistake. She''d have to keep her temper in check.


    Trillia turned and hugged Ba''Shoon. "Thank you for the gift. It''s more than I could have ever asked for."


    Ba''Shoon grinned. "Wanna go test it out on the dungeon? I wanna see how that puppy handles in a fight!"


    Trillia nodded, looking to Amelia briefly, who gave her a cheery thumbs-up. "Let''s go kick that dungeon''s butt. We''ve lost to Stibs and Paws enough. I want to see the second floor already! You also need to start leveling [Fencer] again!"


    Trillia took up the charge as the three moved towards the dungeon.

 Chapter 41 Training Montage [1/2]

    -=- 30 Days Until Departure -=-


    Trillia lay on the cool stone floor, breathing heavily. Her fencing counterpart had knocked her into the water with the jellyfish again. Ba''Shoon fished her out and healed her up. Trillia sat up, looking at the goblin.


    "Is it ok if I try the other path today as well?"


    The goblin looked into the air as the dungeon spoke to it. "Father wants to know what your plan is. You fight different today."


    Trillia looked at Amelia and Ba''Shoon, who were peering into the water at the jellyfish. Glancing back at the goblin.


    "I''ll be challenging the dungeon alone from now on. I need to get stronger. I have plans to venture out on my own, and I need to be able to fight alone. I was also hoping we could begin training for taming a wolf."


    A few minutes of silence went past as the goblin stared at the ceiling. Trillia looked up as well; maybe the dungeon should add a mural on the ceiling so that the goblins have something to look at when they talk to it. Maybe they''d get distracted by that.


    Gobbinz''s voice pulled her out of her own distraction. "Come. Let us discuss things at healing hall."


    Trillia stood and offered a little bow to the fencing goblin that she still hadn''t bested. The dungeon was gaining levels far more rapidly than she was, which evidently translated into the dungeon monsters also getting stronger.


    Trillia explained that she was heading to the healing hall to Ba''Shoon and Amelia, and the two decided to follow along.


    Once they were all sat in the healing hall, Gobbinz asked them to wait. A few moments later, Stibs and Paws came into the room as well.


    Gobbinz nodded to everyone before sitting down on a stool. "Father says he wants to help you. Since your tribe has done so much for us. We will begin teaching you about monster taming immediately. What is it that you''re trying to learn exactly? Father may be able to set up a more personal approach to the boss."


    Stibs spoke up next. "We can also duel, just you and I. Or just you and Paws for a while as well. It won''t count as a victory for the purposes of clearing the floor. But it may help you learn how to fight."


    Ba''Shoon had an odd look on her face. Once Stibs was finished, she spoke up. "It''s rather unheard of for a dungeon to be this willing to help a would-be conquerer. Why is your core so willing to help, Trillia?"


    Gobbinz looked up for a few minutes before turning his head back to Ba''Shoon. "Father says it''s better to leave a good impression. He has no interest in dying. He has no interest in those of us who cannot respawn dying. Father says that goodwill goes a long way in dealing with orcs. Goblins respect power, and that is how our hierarchy is based. Orcs respect power and honor. That is Father''s view of how your society works."


    Ba''Shoon stared at the goblin for a moment before turning to Trillia. "It''s up to you, Trillia. The goblin seems sincere. It''s impossible to tell if the dungeon is."


    Trillia sat there, staring at her stump. "Your father said previously that he could see my mana veins were tied into something else. Does he know what that something else is?"


    This time it took a solid five minutes of awkward silence. Gobbinz wasn''t even looking up, just waiting for the dungeon to answer. When it finally did, Gobbinz jumped a little before repeating the words.


    "Father says that Alirast wants you to be strong. He does not know why, but he knows that your veins are connected to the output of Alirast itself. He is..." the goblin paused, squinting his eyes. A little trickle of blood came from his nose.


    "I..I don''t understand. The things Father is trying to show me hurt. I am sorry."


    Trillia nodded. Amelia used [Restorative Chant] on the goblin, just in case he needed healing. Trillia, once more, looked at Ba''Shoon. "I trust the dungeon. It hasn''t killed me. It''s had plenty of chances. " looking back to Gobbinz once more. "I accept. Thank your Father on my behalf. Should we leave for the day?"


    Gobbinz nodded. Motioning to another of the raider goblins. "This is Tim The Tamer. Father giggles whenever he says his name, but he knows how to tame monsters. He can start teaching you outside while we get the dungeon ready."


    Tim bowed slightly. The goblin had dark green skin and bright orange eyes. He was covered in various wolf pelts and furs. Seemingly, he had no weapon at all.


    [Plains Goblin - Monster Tamer - 31] Mental Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Pact-Bound [Dungeon]


    Pack Leader


    Trillia returned the bow. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Tim."


    Tim gave a little nod before standing there in silence. Waiting for them. After a short awkward pause, Trillia motioned for the others. "I guess we''ll head out for now?"


    Gobbinz nodded as he stood as well. "One of us will head out to let you know when Father feels ready. Please ask the others to let us work on the dungeon for the next couple of days."


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Trillia nodded, and the three of them, plus one Tim, left.


    -=- 28 Days Until Departure -=-


    Trillia''s mana dropped another three thousand points as she loosed a volley of arrows into a [Megapede''s] side. Amelia twisted her body at the last second to take the full brunt of an acid spray to her back. She must have had several levels of Acid resistance at this point because it did little more than burn the first few layers of fur and skin.


    Ba''Shoon stood off to the side, watching and waiting, just in case. The dungeon still wasn''t open for business yet. The three of them would do large circles around the scout''s camp, looking to pick off stray monsters. That was whenever Tim wasn''t teaching Trillia how to communicate with monsters.


    Evidently, it was a process. Not an easy one either. Tim was overjoyed when Trillia revealed she had telepathy. It made the training go a little easier. But it was still a tedious process of studying a monster''s body language and training herself to notice shifts in the mana in the air when they got spooked.


    The [Megapede] darted towards them, stopping short and whipping the rest of its body past them in a rolling motion. The girls were getting used to the attack patterns for the monsters and didn''t take more than a few scratches. Trillia slid under one such attack and slammed her rapier into its underbelly.


    Jamming her left arm up. She placed Shattered Bolt''s tip against the creature''s soft underbelly and released another three thousand mana volley - ten arrows worth of mana - into its soft flesh. A heavy thud from further up near the head let Trillia know that Amelia was hard at work. The thing shuddered and fell. Trillia retrieved her rapier. All this time and she still hadn''t gotten any sort of skill for skinning or gathering from her kills. She also hadn''t gotten a skill for her crossbow yet. Hopefully soon.


    -=- 23 Days Until Departure -=-


    Trillia dropped her rapier, quickly grabbing onto the wall and trying to stop herself as spikes shot up from the floor. One of them clipped her shoulder as they went back and threw her slightly up and back. Her right hand shot to her chest and yanked free a roll of cloth. She was getting extremely fast and patching up random wounds that she received.


    Ba''Shoon and Amelia were further back, observing her, ready to offer criticism and tips when she failed.


    So far, in this new iteration of the dungeon, she hadn''t even seen the boss door. Let alone the goblin and wolf behind it. It was a gauntlet of trapped-filled hallways and goblins set up in such ways as to divide her attention and pelt her with ranged weaponry from different angles.


    Trillia slammed her back into the wall and slid down it.


    Every breath hurt. Her eyes felt heavy, and her bones threatened to rattle out of her body with every step she took. Ba''Shoon and Amelia kept cautioning her to take breaks, to stop pushing herself so hard.


    But, Trillia knew. She knew she could do this. She knew she''d succeed. [Fencer] had gotten back up to level thirteen. She was making good progress. Something in her brain told her to push herself harder. Maybe it had been something Ralrouk said about surviving in battle. Gritting her teeth as she stuffed cloth into the wound and dumped the tiniest little bit of healing potion on the wound.


    She pushed herself up the wall, giving herself a brief moment to catch her breath before she reached down to pick up her rapier and continue.


    -=- 19 Days Until Departure -=-


    The mini-boss before the proper boss. The goblins informed her that this was the halfway point.


    Trillia leapt from platform to platform, avoiding the fencing goblin entirely. Charging volley after volley in her crossbow and leveling it at him. Anytime the goblin ducked behind cover to catch his breath, she instead aimed the volleys at the jellyfish in the water below.


    Only now, after her third day running this room. There were no jellyfish left alive. Trillia spun and began jumping towards the goblin''s cover. Charging another ten-volley blast.


    The goblin stood and spun on her.


    "[Daring Lunge]!"


    "[Riposte]"


    "[Opportune Parry][Counter Riposte]"


    All skills had been used in the span of a breath, the two giving a frankly dazzling display of swordsmanship. It was brought to an end after Trillia''s last parry. She brought her left arm up to his chest and released the arrows. The goblin''s body flew back from the weight of the arrows, but Trillia didn''t let up.


    Two long strides brought her in close to skewer him as she charged another volley.


    The goblin dropped his weapon as he fell over, raising his hands.


    "I surrender."


    Trillia skidded to a stop, shooting the volley into the wall.


    Her vision was blurry, her eyes bloodshot, she wavered as she stood there. The only thing she really processed was the sound of her heart thumping ever quicker in her ears and the ground ascending to meet her face.


    Trillia was vaguely aware of her mana dropping by almost twenty thousand points, though she knew not why. Her eyes refused to work and open.


    She felt the cool stone of the dungeon floor beneath her, half wet from the water in the pit.


    Voices swam around her head before she felt the cool warmth of healing magic flow through her body. Notifications rang through her mind.


    She tried to focus on the voices, tried to focus on the warmth of healing magic. But all she could hear was the thumping of her heart.


    Thump.


    Thump.


    ...


    Thump...


    An old friend she hadn''t seen in many years showed up to take her to her slumber.


    Darkness washed over her, and Trillia knew nothing but sleep.


    -=- The Next Morning -=-


    Her eyes still refused to work.


    But a notification was demanding her attention, constantly flashing and popping up in her mind. She had been trying to hide most of her notifications at this point. Half of them were just her class skills leveling. She had set it up so that every point from Orc was being put into Vitality, so other than when a class hit max level - which she checked for at the end of every day - she had only really been looking for new skills.


    Evidently, that''s why Dawn was so insistent about this particular notification.


    [Minor Health Regeneration] Level 0 Obtained!


    Minor Health Regeneration:


    A creature possessing this skill regenerates health at a rate equal to one-quarter of their Vitality stat every hour. This skill reduces the debuff time on all Bleed debuffs by 5% per level.


    Trillia wore a little smile as she read the skill. That''d certainly make her life easier. As she tried to sit up and open her eyes, her mind spun, and she flopped back into bed.


    Suddenly she was aware of her overly dry lips. It felt as though she hadn''t drunk anything in a week.


    She tried to weekly croak out for water. No words came, just some terribly grating raspy sound.


    Amelia''s familiar, soothing voice reached her ears. "I got you, Trillia." delicious, cold water touched her lips, and she was aware of Amelia lifting her head slightly so she could drink.


    After greedily partaking in the offered water, she lay there breathing heavily once more. Her head still swam, she tried to reach her hand up to force her eyelids open, but her body just refused to move. After a few more deep breaths, she once more passed out.

 Chapter 42 Training Montage [2/2]

    -=- 17 Days Until Departure -=-


    Trillia, once more, drank greedily from a cup. Dumping more and more mana into the water-creating rune on its bottom. Once she had her fill, she set the cup on the ground next to the furs she was laying in.


    Finally, looking at Ba''Shoon and Amelia.


    "What happened? I sort of remember the fight against Mini. Then I remember passing out and losing a ton of mana."


    Amelia sighed as she rubbed her eyes. "Tenacity kicked in. You took a few hits during that fight. You didn''t even seem to register them. Something with your traits is speeding up tenacity''s recovery time. You also passed out because you haven''t been eating or drinking enough. Look at your debuffs."


    Trillia quickly did so.


    [Runt]


    [Famished]


    [Dehydrated]


    [Exhausted]


    Ah. "Why didn''t I know before it got so bad?"


    Ba''Shoon shook her head, shaking her finger at Trillia. "You said yourself, you''re ignoring all of your notifications! There were probably plenty of warnings; we kept telling you to take it easier. You''re just being stubborn. Working yourself to death isn''t going to help you reach your goals. You''re going to burn out and be incapable of doing a damn thing!"


    Trillia looked away and at the ground. "Alright, alright. I just, I want to make the most of the time we have left here. [Fencer] is almost maxed out again, plus I also got a regeneration skill. It''s working, but I''ll try to be more careful going forward."


    Offering them a nod. Trillia stood and began reaching for her rapier. Ba''Shoon smacked her hand. "No! You just woke back up. Take the rest of the day, no dungeon or taming today."


    With a heavy sigh, Trillia walked out of the tent that had been initially set up for her and Amelia. "Well, what can I do? Sit around all day? I need to be able to do something."


    Ba''Shoon gave her a little eye roll. "Why don''t you go pick herbs or alchemical ingredients. Don''t you have a trait now that helps you with that?"


    Trillia frowned a little before heading off to see if the scout camp''s alchemists or shamans needed help.


    -=- 15 Days Until Departure -=-


    [Monster Taming] Level 0 Obtained!


    Monster Taming:


    A creature possessing this skill can form Pacts with monsters. Monsters are considered any creature that is not a sapient humanoid on Alirast. The creature must be equal to, or lower than, your Species, Subspecies, or Derived Level, whichever is highest. Every level of this skill allows you to form Pacts with monsters 10 levels higher than your own levels.


    "Yes!" Trillia pumped her fist into the air. Tim clapped his hands together for her. The Lovax gave them both a grumpy look before slowly rolling up and rolling off towards less annoying company. It refused the pact from both of them, but all the training had paid off.


    Tim smiled a large toothy smile. "You make pack now. You weak tamer, maybe one or two monster. But you learn fast."


    Trillia gave the goblin a hug and a smile of her own. "I''ll be the best darn pack leader you ever saw, Tim! I won''t disappoint you! Gosh, what do you think I should try to make my first monster?"


    Tim scratched the weak stubble of a beard his goblin face grew. His voice was hoarse and raspy. "Push dungeon now. Maybe when win. You get dungeon wolf."


    Trillia spun around, her smile wider than ever. "To the dungeon! So that I can get my own fluffy fanged friend!"


    Tim shook his head with a chuckle but followed all the same.


    -=- 12 Days Until Departure -=-


    "I think I am going to take [Weapon''s Path] this time. I was debating [Fencer''s Grace] or finally taking [Rapier Mastery]. But [Weapon''s Path] has been invaluable against Roderick The Fencer. I know I''m close to getting to Stibs and Paws again; I can feel it. What class should I go with? [Fencer] again and evolve it into [Rune Fencer]?" Trillia sat there eating some soup as she looked briefly through her notifications. She''d really have to sit down soon and read through everything in detail. But it always took her the better part of a day or two to do that.


    She''d rather spend the time training before they all needed to return. Tormash and Ralrouk had been talking at length with Mon''tag. Trillia got the impression that the two of them were making plans for when Tormash left to start his own tribe. Making scout paths and roads that were somewhat safe between the two locations.


    Ba''Shoon tapped her hand, pulling her out of her own thoughts. "I said I think you should take Fencer into Rune. Getting an advanced class started is a good idea. Unlike [Runic Scholar], you will have plenty of chances to use fencing skills. [Swashbuckler] is nearing forty, right? It will max out soon. Any thoughts on what skill you are going to take and what you want to replace the class with?"


    Trillia rubbed her chin. [Swashbuckler] hadn''t been super disappointing, but it seemed like the type of class that worked better as a secondary class than something that had a bunch of active skills. Which she simply didn''t.


    "I am still holding out hope for a Monster Taming class or a class related to the crossbow. I think [Rune Fencer], coupled with one of those two, would suit me well. We''ll have to wait and see." Trillia took another bite of soup.


    The ground began to shake under them. Trillia and Ba''Shoon immediately stood up with weapons drawn. Slowly moving towards the tent where Amelia was sleeping. Tormash blew on a horn to wake anyone who was still sleeping and alert the camp.


    The sky turned completely white as thunder and lightning crackled through the sky. The sound was deafening. A white notification popped up in front of Trillia''s face; at a glance, everyone else was seeing something similar.


    A Godling has ascended to become a Lesser Deity of Knowledge on Alirast!


    The effects of Scorned Divinity have been lessened. Divine Blessings and communications from Deities still inhabiting Alirast may resume as normal. Divine Blessings and communications from Deities that must send an avatar to Alirast or commune remotely are still prohibited.


    Trillia looked over at her brothers with a concerned look on her face. Ba''Shoon also wore an odd look. Amelia was the one to speak, having finally left her tent with a weapon in hand. "I can feel my connection to earthen mana strengthening."


    Tormash seemed troubled. "This is like the cataclysm. I need to return to the city as soon as possible."


    Tormash turned his eyes to his brother, all business at this point. "Stay here. Guard the camp, the dungeon, and the girls. That''s an order. I will report to Grand Chieftain Amara and King Cordaos. I will return with orders when I have them. If no orders come, follow the original plan and leave in twelve days."


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Tormash turned his head to Ba''Shoon. "Help the scouts get this camp warded. If divinity is returning in any form, the Shattered Will Tribe will be weak. Our god uses an avatar. Not all tribes do. Make sure the area around the dungeon and this camp is as fortified as your enchanting can make it. Understood?"


    Ba''Shoon nodded before turning to grab Mon''tag and set about her job. Tormash looked at Trillia and Amelia. "Until I know it''s safe to travel unguarded, you will not roam outside of the camp or dungeon. In an emergency, you listen to Ralrouk. He is second in command to me in this outpost. You do what he says, regardless of how it sounds. Do you understand me?"


    Both girls nodded. Trillia''s skills didn''t let fear take hold anymore. But Amelia''s eyes were full of terror; last time something like this happened, her home and people had been slaughtered within a few years. Trillia took her hand and squeezed it.


    Tormash continued. "Explain what''s happening to the dungeon. Ask it if it knows any information that might help us. Also, tell it that it needs to get stronger, faster. We may need to rely on it for protection depending on what comes of this, not the other way around."


    The girls nodded again. Tormash closed his eyes. Trillia could feel the mana pouring off of him as he used various skills and enhancements. Without another word, he darted off towards the city.


    Trillia turned to look at Amelia. "It''s gonna be ok, Amelia. You have us. The orcs and minotaurs are in this together. We won''t lose anyone else."


    Amelia looked up at her friend and offered an unconvincing nod.


    -=- 9 Days Until Departure -=-


    Attacks on the outpost had come almost daily. Ralrouk and the scouts made short work of it. But something was whipping the [Megapedes] into a frenzy. Everyone was on edge. Trillia still challenged the dungeon daily, but now that it was just Amelia watching her back with healing, she took it a little slower than normal.


    After the day''s attempts in the dungeon, Trillia sat in the healing hall with Gobbinz.


    Gobbinz wore a typical smile, the system message seemingly not bothering the goblin at all. "You''re doing much better. You actually saw the boss door today! I think you''ll at least be able to challenge them by the end of your time here. I don''t know if you''ll win, but that''s ok."


    Trillia nodded slightly. Staring at the goblin, after a few minutes, he shook his head. "Sorry, his answer hasn''t changed. Father isn''t allowed to talk about some things that are happening. The best he can do is continue to help you train and work on securing lower floors and becoming stronger himself."


    Trillia''s shoulders slumped. The dungeon refused to speak with anyone about it. At first, Trillia thought Ralrouk and Ba''Shoon would be furious, but they had explained to her that dungeons were attached to divinity. Cores had to follow rules like anything else did. It was then that Trillia remembered Dawn''s words to her. That everyone had to follow rules.


    -=- 5 Days Until Departure -=-


    "[Riposte]!"


    As Trillia slapped the jagged dagger of Stib''s away, she swung her left arm up and let loose a volley of ten arrows. Half of them missed as the goblin threw himself back from her. The other half grazed his side, leaving only smaller cuts. The lunging attack from [Riposte] flew towards his chest as he backpedaled, his own blade moving to intercept it.


    Trillia began launching singular mana bolts from her arm crossbow, one after another, as fast as she could form them. Her [Universal Mana Manipulation] had been gaining experience rapidly using the bow, infusing every bolt with the intent to cripple her targets. Some had even begun to swerve towards her enemy.


    Stibs was entirely on the defensive, which wasn''t normal for the goblin to experience against Trillia. All of his attacks required him to actually get in close with his dagger, but the addition of rapid ranged attacks from Trillia made that impossible alone.


    The fight had gone on for nearly seven minutes at this point. Stibs finally raised a hand. "Enough!"


    Trillia skidded to a halt, loosing the charged mana bolts into the ground next to her. Stibs shook his head.


    "Damn. My stamina almost empty. No recovery like you. Good fight." Stibs plopped down on the ground, chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. Trillia flopped down next to him on her back, also worn out from the fight.


    "I still need to be able to beat you and Paws together, though. That''s the boss encounter, not just one of you. I can barely manage to drain your stamina enough to make you surrender. I still don''t stand a damn chance against you both."


    Stibs smirked, pulling a waterskin from his side and taking long pulls of refreshment from it. "You advance fast. Gain many, many levels in short time. Father says you will be fine, just be safe and train."


    Trillia nodded absent-mindedly. She had heard that many times over this past month. But to her, it still felt like it wasn''t enough.


    -=- 2 Days Until Departure -=-


    This was the third day in a row that she got to the boss room. The third day in a row that Paws and Stibs had bested her together. This time, she at least managed to take Stibs out of the fight. Paws was another beast entirely, though. Trillia lay there as Amelia helped patch her up. Amelia had taken to running the dungeon in her spare time as well. Trillia was no longer in any real danger until the boss room, which freed Amelia up to get some levels of her own.


    The camp now had palisades circling it. Every stake of wood had runes etched into it. The camp had moved much closer to the dungeon proper to help defend it and, should the worst happen, flee into it.


    No word had come from the city yet. The attacks from the [Megapedes] had slowed drastically; after Ralrouk had ventured out for two days to deal with nests in the area. Everyone was still on edge. It was difficult to discern what changes were going to sweep across the Shattered Plains next.


    -=- 1 Day Until Departure -=-


    Trillia ran as fast as her legs would carry her. Her rapier no longer in hand. It was sitting in Stib''s chest where she left it. Paws was running her down, using that lightning flash step of his skill to constantly harass and damage her.


    Minor Regeneration kept the bleeding to an entirely manageable level, the small trickle of health did little during combat, but the potions she chugged did a lot more.


    Trillia swung her arm behind her, loosing another volley of arrows. Expectedly, Paws flash-stepped away from them, Trillia had immediately reversed her direction when she fired her weapon, and so she dodged the worst of the attack.


    Paws was breathing heavily, even though she hadn''t done any real damage to the wolf. Of the hundred or so arrows she had fired, a single one had found its mark. The wolf was just damn fast. But the wolf didn''t have a way to recover stamina and health as she did. So it was a very long battle of attrition that Trillia was winning.


    Entirely because of her mana pool.


    At first, Trillia hadn''t wanted to lean on it to win or get ahead. Then Ralrouk had pointed out something very important to her. If she didn''t have [Runt], she''d have double the health and double the amount of time in tenacity. If the system saw fit to give her such a damning debuff on the Shattered Plains, she had damn well better take advantage of the buffs she had. That was just the way the world worked, whether she liked it or not.


    Trillia took a misstep as Paws snapped at her. She panicked and jammed her left arm into his mouth. He couldn''t break the artifact, but it was aimed away from him. Trillia grabbed her skinning knife from her belt and began to jab it at his face, pushing her left arm forward with all her might to keep him from biting her.


    He had stopped using his nova attack about ten minutes ago. Trying to conserve stamina and mana for flash steps. It seemed like the wolf was entirely tapped out. As Paws tried to yank its head free from the arm and artifact, the knife finally found purchase. Gashing one of his eyes open.


    Another strike, another bloody wound.


    And another.


    And another.


    Trillia slumped over when a notification rang in her head, signaling the wolf''s demise. She was only a hundred health in the negatives. She began using [Restorative Chant] to make sure she was alive by the end of tenacity.


    More notifications began ringing out in her mind chief amongst them, however, was that she only had seven seconds left. Trillia drank a healing potion for good measure before passing out. Of the seven hundred thousand mana she had left, a hundred thousand vanished as payment for a rapid recovery time from tenacity.


    Darkness took her.


    -=- Day Of Departure -=-


    Trillia awoke with a groan, her head pounding. Her mana let her bypass the recovery time, but it left her exhausted, malnourished, and dehydrated every single time it did. She had long since taken the limit off her mana pool, seeing as she was using it by the tens of thousands a day now.


    Amelia, Ba''Shoon, and Ralrouk were in the tent, grinning as she woke up. Amelia did a little cheer. "You did it! The dungeon said that you actually won! We''re packing up our things since we have to leave. But Ralrouk said we could delay for a couple of hours while you said your goodbyes to the dungeon. Apparently, Paws has an item for you. It was a dropped item for defeating him. The dungeon also says, when we aren''t so busy. You''re free to return and see the second floor."


    Trillia perked up immediately. Jumping off the furs and grabbing her rapier, stumbling and falling over immediately during the attempt. Amelia steadied her with a laugh. "Easy there. Take things slow. You have time. You can recover on the road to home. Once you''re ready, we''ll all go say our goodbyes to the dungeon and head out."


    Trillia gave Amelia a hug and a smile. Ba''Shoon and Ralrouk left, and Amelia decided to stay behind to help Trillia pack and get things ready. She''d recover and finally go through the mountain of notifications she had and read each in detail.


    But after getting her well-deserved prize.

 Chapter 43 Goodbye

    Trillia sniffled a little as Gobbinz gave her a goodbye hug. They sat in the healing hall as the other goblins congratulated her on a job well done.


    Trillia rubbed her eyes as she took a deep breath. "It''s not goodbye forever. I''ll be back before you know it. I expect you all to be a lot stronger so that you can still challenge me when I return."


    Stibs chuckled and nodded to her. Gobbinz patted her shoulder. "I don''t know how much more we can improve. Father says dungeon has rules. But next floor will be more difficult. Maybe when you return, Father has many floors to challenge."


    Trillia looked at him with a little grin. "I can''t wait to see the rest of the floors. I still want to see the core one day, to meet your Father in person. I also wanted to thank all of you for agreeing to help the scout camp if it gets overrun."


    Stibs made a motion to Paws before speaking. "You save Father, we save tribe. Fair trade. Paws has gift. It was the item you get for beating us. Little brothers grabbed it. When they bring you to healing hall."


    Trillia couldn''t hide her excitement. Her first real boss drop, one that she had earned all on her own. Some of the other scouts had already beaten Stibs and Paws. They claimed they only got a silver trinket and high-grade wolf pelts as their reward. That''d be enough for Trillia, though. After all, for her, it was about her growth.


    Paws nuzzled Stibs, who dug around in a pouch and pulled a very familiar-looking whistle out. Walking over and placing it in her hands. Trillia gave it an odd look.


    It looked almost identical to the whistle Ba''Shoon had initially given them as a tribute to the dungeon. It was a small silver cylinder, the mouthpiece was orange crystal, and that same orange crystal seemed to coat the inside of the cylinder. When she lifted it to inspect it, a notification popped up.


    Would you like to bind this artifact to you?


    Artifact Details:


    Red River Resonance


    This artifact binds a monster of the Canine classification that is also under the effects of a Monster Tamer''s Pact.


    The Pact affects this artifact as well as the monster.


    Blowing this whistle will summon the monster to the user''s side regardless of distance or dimension.


    If the monster bound to this artifact would be killed. It is instead trapped inside this artifact. It can be called again after 24 hours. Or for an expenditure of mana equal to 100 multiplied by the level of the monster.


    This artifact cannot be lost or stolen from the creature it has been bound to. Regardless of distance or dimension, the creature this artifact is bound to can always summon it to their side with an hour of preparation and a single point of mana.


    This artifact is indestructible.


    Trillia blinked, looking at the whistle. Looking back up to Stibs and Paws.


    "This is amazing. This is really what dropped for me? It seems..."


    Stibs grinned a little. "Father, give drop a little nudge. Make sure it good item. Says some rules can bend a little for the right person."


    Trillia smiled at that. Accepting the bind.


    You''ve bound the artifact [Red River Resonance] to you.


    Trillia gave Stibs another hug before she walked over and gave Paws an even bigger hug. Holding the hug for a while as she whispered. "Thank you for teaching me. I won''t disappoint you or your Father. I promise to one day return and show you how far I''ve come."


    Paws gave her face a lick and wagged his tail in response. Ralrouk cleared his throat.


    Trillia sighed softly and nodded. Part of her wanted to just stay here, near the dungeon. She liked the goblins. Over the past two months or so, they had been good friends to her and Amelia, and both of the girls had learned so much about fighting and tactics from them. They had even begun to teach the girls how to speak in the Goblin language. Though, neither was particularly good at it yet.


    Amelia was hugging one of the smaller raiding goblins that was in tears. It had been the goblin she was using another [Mentor] slot on. The little goblin had already mastered [Minstrel] once and was going through the class a second time to evolve it.


    The girls both stood and moved away from the goblins. Most of them had tears in their eyes. Ralrouk placed a hand on Trillia and Amelia''s shoulders.


    "Sorry; that we have to leave. Once things are stable, I''ll guide you back here if either of you want to come for a visit. But your parents need to know you''re ok as future leaders."


    Trillia shook her head a little, rubbing her eyes again. "It''s ok. I understand why we have to go. Besides! Like I said, we''ll see you all again soon. Keep practicing and getting stronger. I will do the same! When I come back, I''ll have to introduce you to the wolf I tame. Maybe Paws can have another friend. Teach my wolf how to be a proper mount."


    Trillia forced a smile as she bowed, and they all turned to leave. Once they were outside of the dungeon, Ralrouk placed a hand on her shoulder. "It''s ok to be sad that you are leaving friends behind. Most of them respawn if they are hurt. So focus on keeping yourself alive and improving so that you can visit them again."


    Trillia nodded.


    The next hour or so was hectic as they packed more things. Trillia so dearly wanted to stay here under the open sky instead of going back to the towering walls of the city again. Although, she did miss her parents.


    This time on the way back, quite a few of the scouts were returning as well. They were bringing a Lovax hooked up to a rudimentary wagon with them.


    Trillia was happy to ride on the Lovax''s back. After asking the lovax if that was ok first, of course. Ralrouk walked up next to Trillia and Amelia. "I believe it''s time for me to retrieve that bag of holding I loaned you for the dungeon delve."


    Amelia looked over at him and offered a nod. The girls had already emptied the thing of its loot before packing to leave. They both knew it was coming. "We will have to get ourselves something like it. It helps a lot with carrying loot and monster parts." Ralrouk offered a knowing grin and nodded before retrieving his storage item. Trillia smiled and leaned forward, ready for the trip home.


    With that, she began to dig through the notifications. Especially the ones after the boss fight.


    You''ve defeated [Dungeon Goblin]!


    You''ve defeated [Dungeon Goblin]!


    ...


    You''ve defeated [Sir Stibs]!


    You''ve defeated [Paws]!


    Experienced increased for defeating an enemy at least 10 levels above you!


    Experienced increased for defeating a Dungeon''s Floor Boss!


    Congratulations! You''ve successfully cleared the 1st floor of the Red River Dungeon alone!


    Trait Awarded for running the same dungeon over 30 times in less than 30 days!


    Dungeon Addict:


    You may have a problem. You threw yourself at the same dungeon repeatedly. If the dungeon you found hadn''t been a kind soul, the system estimates you would have died at least 60 times. You even befriended the same monsters you were cutting down. Whenever you are in a dungeon, you will gain bonus experience from now on. In addition, intelligent dungeon creatures will regard you more favorably.


    Trillia frowned at that. Whispering softly to herself. "That''s not the whole story, Dawn. You''re being very rude."


    You have bound yourself to more than 1 artifact! New Class unlocked.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Trillia followed the notification through to see what the class was.


    Seeker


    Duration: Extendable


    Requirements:


    Must be bound to more than a single artifact.


    Seekers seek. This class offers no benefits on its own. Instead, it bolsters any artifact bound to the Seeker. Every artifact bound to you also gives you a 1% increase in all stats.


    Further bonuses hidden until the class has reached its maximum level.


    Seeker offers no skills of any kind.


    Seekers do not provide any stats at level up.


    Trillia snorted at that. Another class that might be extremely useful much, much later in her adventuring career. But for now it could be shuffled off to the side like so many other classes were.


    Class: [Fencer] Level 0 -> Level 24 (Max)


    Class Skill: [Weapon''s Path] has been added as a Mastery Skill under [Fencer Level 24 MAX].


    Carrying over existing experience and level.


    Class Skill: [Weapon''s Path] Level 0 -> Level 15 (MAX)


    Class: [Swashbuckler] Level 9 -> Level 43 (MAX)


    Class Skill: [Swashbuckling] cannot be added as a Mastery Skill. It is a category. Please choose an active skill from that category. Or a passive skill.


    Trillia frowned once more. She thought that might happen. She looked into the passives once more.


    Active Skills:


    Swashbuckling


    Daring Lunge


    Kip-Up


    Opportune Parry


    Harried Riposte


    Passive Skills:


    Bravado (In Use)


    Dazzling Defense (In Use)


    Swagger


    Disarming Charisma (In Use)


    Effortless Feint


    Sure-Of-Foot


    She didn''t care for [Swagger]. The skill just gave her bonuses if she came across as some arrogant fool. At least, that''s how she viewed the skill and its description. She didn''t feint enough to make use of [Effortless Feint], which refunded some stamina any time a feint was successful.


    [Sure-Of-Foot] was self-explanatory, but [Fleet Foot] - especially at its max level of twenty - did that and more.


    Disarming Charisma:


    This skill is based entirely on intent. Creatures you see as enemies will underestimate you. Creatures you see as allies will hold a higher opinion of you. Anytime you engage with a creature in conversation for more than 30 minutes, their opinion of you will rise if your Charisma is higher than their Wisdom or Intuition (Whichever is higher). This skill has a max level of 1. It also starts at that level.


    Trillia felt as though this skill would serve her best going forward. Especially if she did start venturing alone. Thinking it over more. She finally nodded and confirmed her thoughts.


    Class Skill: [Disarming Charisma] has been added as a Mastery Skill under [Swashbuckler Level 43 MAX].


    Carrying over existing experience and level.


    Class Skill: [Disarming Charisma] Level 1 (MAX)


    Racial Skill: [Orc Tenacity] Level 2 -> Level 4


    General Skill: [Mana Obfuscastion] Level 6 -> Level 7


    General Skill: [Rapier Mastery] Level 8 -> Level 12


    General Skill: [Mana Sight] Level 4 -> Level 6


    General Skill: [Universe Mana Manipulation] Level 0 -> Level 5


    General Skill: [Basic Alchemy] Level 3 -> Level 8


    General Skill: [Basic Cooking] Level 4 -> Level 6


    General Skill: [Basic Herbalism] Level 7 -> Level 10 (MAX)


    Two evolutions available. Please choose an evolution.


    Herbalism:


    Your skill at identifying ingredients for alchemy increases. In addition, you are more capable of mixing herbs and ingredients efficiently. This skill synergizes well with Alchemy. Your ability to extract more use out of every plant increases with the level of this skill.


    Herbal Healing:


    You forego any knowledge of herblore that does not include healing or restorative herbs. This greatly increases your ability to extract useful materials from such plants. But it almost ensures failure at extracting alchemical ingredients if are you using Herbal Healing as the basis of that extraction.


    Trillia thought about that for a moment. She wasn''t really using any of her general skills to their full extent. The past weeks had been almost entirely dedicated to combat. Most of these levels came in her downtime as she helped heal the scouts and learned from them. Refusing to use [Restorative Chant] any time she could so that she could gain more experience.


    Looking over as she lay on the back of the Lovax towards Ralrouk, who was walking next to the beast. She explained the options. Ralrouk offered a little shrug and motioned to Ba''Shoon.


    "That one knows more about healing and plants than I could ever hope to know. You should ask her instead."


    Trillia nodded, carefully walking down the Lovax''s back. She jumped from its back to the wagon, where Ba''Shoon was steering the creature and wagon combo. Once more, she explained her choices.


    "Alchemical Blood might alleviate some of the downsides of the healing path. Though to be honest, I think you should take the standard [Herbalism] instead. It will be more valuable to a tribe to have a general knowledge of such skills. If you venture alone, being able to sell your services as an [Herbalist] will also be easier than a non-casting healer."


    Trillia sat next to her, contemplating the choices. It made sense; what Ba''Shoon was saying. She went with normal [Herbalism].


    General Skill- [Basic Herbalism] - Level 10 becomes [Herbalism] - Level 0


    General Skill: [Minor Telepathy] Level -> Level 4


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 38 -> Level 51


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent:Runt] Level 31 -> Level 45


    Now, the question was what classes to take. In combat, she found that she was relying more on the crossbow than on her rapier. She had been unable to replicate carving the runes on an enemy like she had the day she unlocked tenacity. Presumably, because the Rune Fencer class was there and available to her.


    [Fleet Foot], [Weapon''s Path], and [Disarming Charisma] were not weapon-specific skills either. Since nothing else important was happening or being discussed. Trillia turned her head back to Ba''Shoon to ask for advice.


    "I don''t use the rapier as often anymore. Shattered Bolt is just immensely more powerful and doesn''t require me to get in close. My agility is high, and [Fleet Foot] helps with that a lot. But I still lack the health more orcs do. I think I''d be better suited to avoid melee combat until I am stronger and have better weapons. What do you think?"


    Ba''Shoon lazily held the reins as she pondered the question. Leaning back and yawning heavily, she shook her head to wake herself up a bit.


    "Well. Given your mana pool and the fact that your Subspecies is giving you an extremely large amount of Wisdom every level. I think you should at least take [Mage] as a very short. You''re still early enough in levels to max it out in a few months time. Assuming you aren''t pushing yourself in a dungeon again. That will also let you see if you like being a backline combatant and fighting with magic."


    Ba''Shoon tilted her head slightly. "The problem, I guess. Is that you can''t wield your rapier. Normally you can fight with one hand and cast with the other as a young mage. At least until you can just verbalize all of your skills. In your case, you''d need to keep your right hand free at the start of the class. So that you can use the somatic components of the beginner spells."


    Trillia nodded and sunk back into her own mind. Looking over her options. She was very tempted to try [Blood Alchemist] or [Mana Sage], but both of them were long at a minimum. She remembered the wasted time of her scholar class before shaking her head. Both would also benefit from taking the [Alchemist] class and [Mage] class first, respectively.


    Taking a deep breath, she threw caution to the wind. She took [Monster Slayer] at medium and took [Mage] at very short. With the notifications done and out of her mind finally. She took one last look at her status before she let herself drift off to sleep while they traveled back to the city.


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}


    [Status: Alive; Scorned Divinity] [Buffs: Well Fed]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 51


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 45


    +5 Wisdom Per Level


    Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 0


    Class: [Mage] Level: 0


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 173]


    \Strength: 50 + Vitality: 123/


    [Dexterity: 361]


    \Agility: 94 + Wisdom: 267/


    [Charisma: 121]


    \Intuition: 50 Presence: 71/


    Traits:


    Runt


    Limitless Mana


    Thirst For Knowledge


    Divine: Unwavering Determination


    Alchemical Blood


    Spawn Seeker


    Dungeon Addict


    Racial Skills:


    [Orc Savagery - Passive]: - Level <Disabled> [Runt]


    [Orc Constitution - Passive]: - Level 0 <Limited> [Runt]


    [Orc Tenacity - Passive]: - Level 4


    General Skills:


    [Stalwart Mana- Reactive]: Level 1


    [Mana Obfuscastion - Hybrid]: Level 7


    [Rapier Mastery - Passive]: Level 12


    [Mana Sight- Passive]: Level 6 [Currently: Off]


    [Runic Scripture - Hybrid] Level 3


    [Universal Mana Manipulation - Hybrid] Level 5


    [Basic Alchemy - Hybrid]: Level 8


    [Basic Cooking - Hybrid]: Level 6


    [Herbalism - Passive]: Level 0


    [Lesser Mind Magic Resistance - Passive]: Level 1


    [Lesser Fire Magic Resistance - Passive]: Level 4


    [Minor Telepathy - Hybrid]: Level 4


    [Monster Taming - Active]: Level 0


    Class Skills:


    [Monster Slayer]


    [Mage]


    Mastery:


    Minstrel- Restorative Chant - MAX


    Fencer- Fleet Foot - MAX


    Fencer - Weapon''s Path - MAX


    Swashbuckler - Disarming Charisma - MAX


    Bound Artifacts: 2


    [The Shattered Bolt]


    [Red River Resonance]


    Health: 1730


    Stamina: 1230


    Mana: 631,007/-

 Chapter 44 War?

    The trek back to the city took nearly a month. Moving slower due to the wagon and the Lovax.


    Unfortunately, at least if you asked Trillia, the small caravan faced no enemies. Ralrouk made sure to sweep the area around the wagon frequently. Trillia had a lot of time to catch up on her sleep and write many things down in the journal that Tormash and Ba''Shoon had given her.


    Trillia looked over to Amelia during one of the days the two were walking behind the wagon.


    "What do you think it''s going to be like? For us staying in the city now?" Trillia asked nervously, the looming city walls still present in her mind.


    Amelia gave her friend a comforting squeeze of the hand. "Well. Probably a lot of busy work. Making sure everyone has enough food and keeping troublemakers under control. Ensuring that no attacks breach the outermost wall. Things of that nature. At least, that''s what it was like in God''s Watch. The little bit that I can remember. The city fell to chaos when I was still a toddler. So I remember very little."


    Trillia wasn''t looking forward to the city. She had never known the nomadic lifestyle of the orcs; since they had made a make-shift city when she was born to defend. But something about the walls and closed-in stone houses. It didn''t feel natural. It felt like she was suffocating.


    "I wonder if I can convince Mom and Dad to let me be a scout. This way, I don''t have to spend any time in the city." it was a conversation that she and Amelia had already had. They both looked forward to very different things.


    For Amelia, the walls meant safety from roving monsters. It meant a constant buff to all of her stats, and her people were stronger and safer. Especially with the weakened debuff. Many minotaurs worshipped the deities that were present on Alirast. So they were no longer cut off from divine power.


    For Trillia and her tribe, however, the weakened [Scorned Divinity] meant only that her tribe was at a significant disadvantage. Not that Trillia thought that any of the Chieftains of other tribes could challenge Amara for leadership. Still, Tormash, Ralrouk, and Ba''Shoon seemed worried. Which made Trillia worry.


    The days and weeks passed by with nothing really going on. Trillia talked to the Lovax daily with telepathy. It was happy to pull the wagon. It also enjoyed eating and sleeping. When they stopped for the day, Trillia would remove all of its barding and let the thing roll up and roll around the camp. It quite enjoyed rolling around.


    Finally, sometime during the fourth week on the road, the city came into view. Everyone''s heart sank. Ralrouk snapped at Ba''Shoon that she was in charge as he took off towards the city. The previous giant walls of granite - at least those facing this road - were cracked and crumbling.


    As the wagon rolled ever closer, the grey and green stone and mossy ground of the Shattered Plains turned crimson red.


    Trillia''s heart began to beat faster. Ralrouk had already run and jumped his way to the city gates. Even from a few hundred feet out, she could hear his bellows for a guard.


    Trillia squeezed Amelia''s hand. Cordaos and Amara were supposed to be in the city. Nothing could hurt them.


    Trillia vaguely remembered overhearing the minotaur refugees speak of the things that attacked Amelia''s home city. Of [Megapedes] that had grown ten times as long and seemed impervious to nearly all damage.


    Fear tried to spiral out of control as [Unwavering Determination] crushed the useless emotion into dust. Trillia blew out a long heavy sigh and took in a deep breath. Looking over at Ba''Shoon. "Tormash would have sent word. If things were really bad, right?"


    Ba''Shoon licked her lips, her eyes never leaving the walls of the city as she urged the Lovax to move just a little faster. She managed a weak nod for Trillia''s sake.


    As they approached the gate, it had already been swung open on Ralrouk''s orders. Guards ushered the caravan inside and closed the gates. The area just inside the gates was no better. Even the walls were painted in gruesome crimson red and brown. Tormash was just inside, speaking to Ralrouk.


    Ba''Shoon cried out and ran to him, and Trillia froze in place. Even her divine trait couldn''t stop the fear that leapt into her. Tormash stood with one arm heavily bandaged and in a sling, a pronounced limp in his left foot, and his right eye torn from his head. Ralrouk was visibly shaking. Barely able to contain his rage.


    Tormash hugged Ba''Shoon with his good arm, offering everyone who entered a smile and a little nod. Trillia''s feet refused to move. Why hadn''t they sent someone for them? What happened that even Tormash was so wounded?


    "Back to your damn posts! It''s a caravan like any other. This is no time to slack!" the bellowing voice yanked Trillia back to reality as her mind tried to race away. Uncl- No. King Cordaos strode through the streets. Trillia had almost forgotten just how tall he truly was.


    But in his armor? With the mighty two-handed hammer on his back? Cordaos was a walking catastrophe. Cordaos strode forward, lifting Amelia into a hug. Trillia could only stare up at him. "Is...Is Mom?"


    Cordaos looked down at her, a smile crossed his snout. A hand came down to tousle her hair. "It would take a deity to strike down Amara Demonsbane, and I''d still call it a fool''s wager to bet against your mother. She isn''t here right now. She went to get reinforcements."


    Ralrouk spun at that. "Mother left the city unguarded?! How many people died while she fle-" Cordaos had crossed the ten-foot gap and struck Ralrouk so hard that Trillia heard his jaw snap. The mighty orc flew and landed on his back. Cordaos'' eyes glowed red.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    You''re in the presence of the Champion of the Pit!


    Trillia watched as her mana immediately hit zero as [Stalwart Mana] tried to stop the effect.


    You are too weak to resist the effects!


    You will lose 5% of your resources every second until you are dead!


    Trillia squeaked. "Stop! Stop!"


    Cordaos'' eyes calmed. The terror and panic in everyone around them lessened.


    General Skill: [Stalwart Mana] Level 1 -> Level 3


    Cordaos had set Amelia down, walking slowly over to Ralrouk. Reaching down one of his mighty three-fingered hands, he grabbed Ralrouk by the rapidly healing jaw and stood to his full towering height of fifteen feet. Ralrouk dangled at the end of his arm like a child.


    "I don''t care who you are, boy. You''re an Exterminator. You''re a leader. You don''t ever second guess your Chieftain during a time of war again. Especially not Amara Demonsbane. People look to us to be strong. Not to panic like children and run about screaming. Am I understood?"


    Trillia wanted to say something. She wanted to say that Ralrouk was just scared like she was. Like everyone was. But something about the aura she felt had simply shut down most of her skills. Like some colossal weight had been laid against her chest.


    Ralrouk had his hands wrapped around Cordaos'' wrist. Tormash had his good hand on his weapon, as did Ba''Shoon. But neither of them was willing to draw on the King of Minotaurs. Ralrouk let go with one hand, giving a thumbs up. Trillia felt mana surge through Cordaos and watched Ralrouk''s wounds heal as he was dropped.


    Ralrouk coughed up some of the blood he had swallowed, spitting it out. As he looked up, Trillia didn''t see the rage she was expecting. Just a grim determination. "Forgive my weakness, King Cordaos. I''m angry at myself for not being here. Nothing more."


    Cordaos extended a hand and helped the orc stand. "Don''t be a fool. You were protecting a dungeon. One that will be sorely needed to raise a new generation of warriors for the hard times to come. You were protecting your family and my own. There will be plenty of killing going forward. But I need you to be a rock right now. I need you and your brother to be beacons of stoicism. Of courage and bravery."


    Ralrouk nodded once more. Cordaos clapped him on the shoulder as he motioned with his head. "Come. I will fill all of you in on what has been happening."


    Everyone fell in behind him. No one dared to be in his path when he turned to lead them off deeper into the city. Cordaos spoke calmly as they walked. "If you wish vengeance for the public display. Ask. Any time you want, I will grant you the duel if you believe I''ve infringed on your honor."


    Ralrouk shook his head. "No. The guards and warriors needed to see that even a leader can be punished for cowardice and panic in a time of war. Had I let such a tantrum overtake me on an actual battlefield, it could have cost many of those under me to lose their lives. It won''t happen again."


    Cordaos nodded once more. "Your parents raised damn fine children. I see that my lovely Amelia and Trillia have not been idle in the past month either. I hope you have both learned a great deal and grown in strength."


    Amelia nodded, both she and Trillia still a tiny bit weary of Cordaos. The mighty king spoke softly. "Amara and I will look to the two of you in the near future. The city has many, many children in it now. We need leaders for all groups of people. Even the youngest among us. I know that both of you may have had other plans, returning to the city. But right now, the United Tribes of the Shattered Plains need you to act as leaders, not as children."


    As Cordaos came to a stop, so to did everyone else. Turning, he looked down at Amelia and Trillia, who somehow always found themselves standing side by side. "I am truly sorry. That I have failed as a King and as a Father. That neither of you will get the childhood of peace that Amara and I fought so hard for, for so many years. I know it''s not right to thrust such responsibility on such small shoulders...yet..."


    Trillia squeezed Amelia''s hand for courage before she stepped forward, interrupting him before he could finish. "It is our duty. We will not let our people down. Focus on saving us all. Amelia and I will make sure that the children are taken care of."


    As if pulling on her courage, Amelia stepped forward next to her. "Trillia and I have learned a great deal from the dungeon about tactics and fighting dirty. While some may look down on such things from a point of honor. I believe we can teach the children how to heal from afar. In addition to teaching them techniques to inflict debuffs on the enemy. Regardless of what they are. I believe Mother once said that in times of war, there is no such thing as a non-combatant."


    Cordaos stared down at the two girls for a long moment. Nodding solemnly. "I am grateful. That those who will replace us as leaders are so level-headed." looking to Ralrouk now. "And so willing to learn. Come. I''ve wasted enough time being sentimental."


    With that, they once more turned as a group and headed off toward whatever command building they were using.


    The further into the city they walked, the more Trillia got a scale for how bad things had gotten in only a month''s time. Great pits had devoured entire sections of the city underground. Perimeters had been set up around them, with various groups making skirmishes inside. Warehouses that once held food stores had been converted into giant makeshift healing halls. Alchemists and Shamans, both orc and minotaur alike, could be seen tending to the wounded. Or passed out, leaning on one another in a corner from exhaustion.


    Trillia gritted her teeth. She hated the city. Hated living in it. But it was still her home. It was still where her family was. As everyone often pointed out, she was still a child. She had plenty of time left for adventure. For now, her people needed her. Even if it was to babysit the children. She and Amelia would show them all that even children could be trained to be deadly. Trillia had run the dungeon dozens of times, and she had studied the traps and the tactics of the goblins.


    Funny thing that. Orc children were about the size of goblins. But twice as durable thanks to tenacity.


    Suddenly. The hair on her neck stood up, and everyone except Cordaos froze in place. Unable to move, unable to breathe. A long thin blade slowly lowered next to her, easily twice her height. Segmented like a giant spider''s leg but sharp on every side.


    She mentally activated [Mana Sight]


    [Divine Abomination(Ascension Available!) - Divine Grafter - 1537] Explosive Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Pact-Bound (2nd Axle)


    Forced Revelation


    Functionally Immortal


    Butcher of the Beast War


    Dragon Killer


    Primordial Abomination


    Realm Walker


    ...13 Others


    There was no system warning. Why wasn''t there a system warning? Why weren''t her traits activating or protecting her? Cordaos turned his head.


    "Stas... my old friend."


    The voice that came from behind her felt...familiar. Comforting. As if it were luring her closer to her own demise. It had the familiar twang of a goblin speaking in the orc language. "Cordaos. Amara told me to get here will all speed. I don''t care to have my experiments interrupted. But she invoked the [Primordial]."


    "Why did everyone stop?"


    Cordaos offered a little smile. "You have to suppress your divine aura further. No one else is pact-bound, due to [Scorned Divinity]."


    As quickly as the pressure had come on. It vanished. Trillia still didn''t dare turn around to look at whatever the creature was. Its level alone was enough to scare most people. But for her, it was its ability to override her protections so much that even Dawn couldn''t get a warning to her.

 Chapter 45 Hes Not So Bad

    Trillia still didn''t dare turn her head to Stas. Their procession through the city hadn''t yet continued.


    Cordaos approached the abomination. It was apparently some four feet to the side of Trillia, despite one of these ''legs'' being next to her.


    "Any word from Lord Darktone? Or Lady Alliyah?" Cordaos was looking slightly down at whoever he spoke to. That put Trillia''s mind at ease a little.


    She silently cursed [Unwavering Determination] for not being a stronger trait. Though she knew it wasn''t entirely its fault.


    "Lord Darktone fought the Primordial God of Dragons. During that fight, some rules were broken. As punishment, the deities were barred from intervening in mortal affairs in this realm. Lady Alliyah and Lord Darktone had three children. To my extremely limited and flawed understanding of Divine Law. Once all three children have ascended to become deities themselves. [Scorned Divinity] will fade."


    "A young immortal by the name of Arlyss Darktone was the first to ascend recently. I think he became a deity of knowledge? But, seeing as he''s the son of the axle. He should still be plenty powerful enough to fuel divine skills in the pursuit of ending the [Primordial] threat." Stas continued. The leg near her moved, and she couldn''t help but flinch. She felt a little better about doing so when she noticed Amelia do the same.


    The abomination walked further forward, finally into view.


    It looked...


    It looked... normal? Well. Not nearly as terrifying as her mind was constructing. The red body of a goblin hung in the air, two arms hung limply at its sides, both seemed to have no bones, and their only movement was the sway when the rest of the creature moved. Instead of the normal eyes of a goblin, both eyes looked reptilian, and they also held a faint glow of mana in them. Dragging behind the body was what looked like a scaled cape, dark obsidian scales with veins of bright orange flowing through.


    It reminded Trillia of her mother''s armor. As they shifted when Stas moved, Trillia realized the cape was actually a set of wings. Two more sets of arms had been attached to the goblin''s body. One set just below the armpit of the dead set and another set on the back shoulder of the dead set. Most terrifying of all, perhaps, were the eight long segmented bladed legs that came from the center of his back. They moved...wrongly. Seeing them each wave and move hesitantly made her skin crawl. His teeth were black and sharpened into points. His legs dangled under him as the segmented legs held him nearly ten feet off the ground.


    Stas turned his head to look at her. "[Limitless Mana] what an interesting trait." In the span of a second, all of the legs shifted, and the ''goblin'' was face to face with her. Trillia''s heart froze in her chest.


    Stas wore a smile. That only made him even more terrifying. "You''ve taken an interesting set of classes, young lady. I suppose you get those bad habits from your Mother. I''m sure you''ll be a great warrior someday." his eyes turned slightly, and his body seemed to levitate up so that he was face-to-face with Amelia. The segmented legs moving his actual torso entirely too smoothly.


    "A musician mage? I believe Maeve held the same classes. I''m sure your Mother would be very proud of the woman you are becoming. Truly, Alirast is a little darker without her light to shine upon us." The smile on his face softened. Despite his terrifying appearance, Trillia felt a little more comfortable around him. He extended a hand to Amelia, who gingerly took it.


    "A pleasure to meet you both. I am Stas the Abomination." After shaking both of their hands, his body spun in place as the spider legs twisted and turned around his back. Cordaos was looking at them both with an amused expression. Stas had turned his attention to Ralrouk and Tormash next.


    "The twins! Amara told me one was a scoutmaster and the other an exterminator." Stas poked at each of them with a segmented leg. Trillia was in awe of their bravery in not flinching or pulling away. "Huh...healing based on your mass. That''s unique. If you ever feel the need for more healing, I can rip out your heart, and we can find a Troll heart to replace it with. A Troll''s regeneration comes from its heart. Quite valuable. After the loss of my arms, I decided not to lose any more body parts due to lack of healing."


    Stas reached up with his hands and motioned to two parts of his body, one where a person would think a heart should be. The other was lower down in his abdomen. "I have two of the things. People have a tendency to try and stab me in the heart to kill me. The poor fools. I''m glad to see you both growing so well. Come. Enough pleasantries. Cordaos, let us discuss a plan of attack. I''ve met our newest deity. I believe if we are smart about it, we can utilize his divine power to seal the [Primordials]."


    Cordaos nodded, and the two turned to continue walking toward the command tent. No one moved to follow. Each of them had been holding their breath as the abomination moved through them. Trillia heard him continue speaking as they moved further out of sight.


    "Unlike you and Amara, who have grown lazy with your families. Alliyah and I have continued leveling and gaining strength and power. I think Amara is trying to pull Brutus out of the bottle to pick up a sword. I don''t think it will be required. I''ve gained well over a thousand levels since we last fought the beasts."


    Once they were fully out of sight. Tormash took a deep breath. "What the fuck was that? I didn''t sense him. None of my skills worked against his aura. "


    Ralrouk nodded weakly. "And that level. I wonder if he could take Cordaos and Amara."


    Ba''Shoon spoke softly as if not wanting to invite his wrath. "I''ve heard stories of him. He used to help run the city of Kincairne, but a failed experiment when he created [Explosive Mana Manipulation] caused the city to force him to leave. Since then, almost no one speaks to him. Because he can move between realms freely, he never lacks enemies to fight. I heard the stories...everyone said how dangerous and powerful he was. But seeing it? In-person?"


    She shook her head. Tormash knew where the command tent was and began leading them there. Trillia spoke up. "Why didn''t his aura trigger a message from the system? Uncle Cordaos and Mom''s auras all do."


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Ralrouk spoke softly now. "Because. His aura is divine. A deity''s aura. Most of what a deity can do ignores a lot of rules in place of the system."


    Trillia frowned at that. "But everyone keeps telling me that everyone has rules to follow. How can he be a deity yet still walk around with us and use his abilities?"


    Amelia shook her head next. "I think it''s because he isn''t a deity. My scan showed he had an ascension available. I think... I think that means he has the option to become a deity. But is choosing not to."


    Trillia thought about that for a second. "I guess. I guess that means he''s really powerful but doesn''t have to follow the same rules. So he can maneuver around Alirast like a mortal but is strong enough to also deal with deities?"


    Everyone shrugged. No one really had a strong grasp on the situation. Nor had any of them met a creature quite at that level.


    About an hour later, they finally arrived at the command building. It was a large multi-floored granite building. The guards posted outside let them in without question. They recognized Tormash if nothing else.


    The inside had no decorations or frivolities. Everything was smooth-cut stone. A dozen maps had been hung on the walls on the first floor. Depicting various supply lines. What parts of the Shattered Plains were known to have monster nests. As well as a much, much older map. This one had a single mark on it, a little skull, near the coast where God''s Watch would be. In the orcish runes, it was labeled ''Primordial''.


    Things made more sense to Trillia now. That was why God''s Watch had fallen so quickly after the cataclysm. Because it woke up the [Primordial] sleeping under the city. But why would they build a city there in the first place?


    Tormash led them upstairs. Trillia could hear Cordaos'' voice before she saw him looming over a table. Stas standing on the table itself, looking down at another map.


    "I don''t know if I''m capable of fighting the thing and all of its spawn alone. My power is not limitless. I believe Lady Alliyah is fighting the central prime on her own. But she''s also searching for her children."


    Cordaos gave him an odd look, nodding to those who were finally joining them. "They have been kidnapped?"


    Stas shook his head. "No. When the cataclysm happened. The four blue orbs that streaked through the sky? Those were souls. Alliyah and her three children. Evidently, her physical body had been destroyed in the fight between Lord Darktone and that dragon god. He sent their souls off, creating a new body for her in the process. But from what she''s said, she gave birth to one live child and two stillbirths. "


    Stas shrugged as he said it. "I''m not really sure how it works for immortal children, but Lord Darktone sent their souls to inhabit the bodies of two children that were going to be born dead. I''m not sure why we would split his own children up. He refused to elaborate, citing rules. I know enough about such things to know when I''m out of my depth. He hasn''t been allowed to say much of anything. The only reason I know of any of this is because I can realm walk into the palace. When I''m there, Lord Darktone will ''explain'' things to another immortal nearby. Which I can conveniently eavesdrop on."


    Cordaos snorted and shook his head. "Fucking divine loopholes. Lord Darktone is nothing if not clever. Do you know if all of the [Primordials] are waking up again?"


    Stas shook his head, and his feet came off the table as the spider legs took over, moving his body to touch each of the continents where one might be sleeping. "Only the central and northern ones have shown any signs of waking up. I believe it''s because of the dragon god''s direct attack on the realm. His claws dug deep into the ocean near Kadessa and dragged themselves out over the Shattered Plains. Causing enough divine energy to reach the [Primordials] sleeping and cause them to begin waking up early."


    The others, at this point, had joined them around the table. Trillia standing on a chair to get a good look at the map. It was the most detailed map she had ever seen before. Twelve giant swathes of land filled in the map surrounded by water. She realized just how large Alirast really was. The ''northern'' continent that housed the Shattered Plains was the smallest of the land masses. Even the plains themselves only made up a tiny portion of the continent as a whole.


    Stas tapped the spot near the plains where the mana rift was. "These things are a damn nightmare. The bottom of them is swarming with mana-warped creatures." Stas turned to look at the others. ''Amara said that she and Cordaos have fought them. If any of you run into a mana-warped creature during this war. Turn and flee. Do not attempt the fight. I don''t care about your honor or other such nonsense. You will lose."


    The others nodded, not daring to argue with the creature that was over level fifteen hundred. Stas looked to Cordaos. "My mana type still works against them. So do some abilities tagged with [Divine]. Otherwise, you must use raw brute force to kill them. If you use skills that have a hint of mana in them, the skills will just fail. I think Amara made that connection when she fought hers."


    Cordaos gave an affirmative grunt as he looked at the map. "I think. I think our best course of action is to get you, Amara, and I together. We march on God''s Watch to reach the [Primordial] itself. Let Brutus stay behind to safeguard the city. Once we start the assault, the city is going to come under heavy attack. Will Kincairne be ok without either of you there as guardians?"


    Stas laughed at that. Reaching a hand into what seemed like thin air, he pulled out a large contraption that looked like a crossbow. But the thing was massive. It stood as tall as Cordaos did. "I brought twelve of these with me. They can be operated by anyone with mana. They create bolts out of the mana dumped into them; the more mana, the bigger the boom. Kincairne has a hundred of them lining its walls. Even if I''m no longer welcome in my city. I''ll be damned if someone will ever take it from our control."


    Cordaos walked over to the ballista. Ba''Shoon had lost any signs of fear, now totally enamored with the thousands upon thousands of runes etched into the thing. Even Trillia herself walked over and began inspecting it. Stas wore a little grin, obviously quite proud of his creation. "Trillia. It will be best if someone carries you to the wall under the heaviest attack. Should the city come under attack."


    Trillia turned her head to give him an odd look. He continued explaining. "Your nearly endless mana pool. Start stockpiling mana now. If a horde of enemies comes. Use the ballista and dump a hundred thousand mana into a bolt. You''ll wipe out thousands of the damn things. Remember, the more mana, the bigger the boom. Most of the experience will go to me, but it should still net whoever is manning the ballista a good chunk."


    Stas turned his head to Tormash. "Tormash. You should be the one to carry her from ballista to ballista. You''re the faster one between you and your brother. You can keep any flying enemies off of her while she charges. Ralrouk can put himself at the second-worst attack point. His regeneration and healing will ensure he shouldn''t die. Besides, with the [Brawn] most of you fucking orcs have, coupled with tenacity. I''m pretty sure he has an hour or so of tenacity before he falls."


    Ralrouk smirked a little and nodded. "More than that. Some of my classes and passive skills have boosted my [Brawn] even higher."


    Stas shook his head with a smirk. "And people tell me I''m breaking the rules by replacing body parts. I wish I knew what body part gave tenacity. I''d steal it in a heartbeat."


    That gave Trillia pause as another shiver ran down her spine. The conversations continued, talking more and more about what each of the leader''s roles would be. It seemed to be accepted that the three of them would attack the [Primordial] themselves. Stas knew where Arlyss was but couldn''t realm walk other people around. Approaching a deity and demanding they come with you was folly. Even for a mortal as powerful as Stas was.


    Trillia couldn''t wait until her mother returned. With every day that passed, she grew more and more worried.

 Chapter 46 Unhinged

    For the most part, the meeting was Cordaos and Stas speaking to one another, the others chimed in to fill in information, but for the most part, no one felt comfortable speaking around Stas.


    Despite his calm and reassuring demeanor, something about the way he moved and spoke set everyone on edge. Stas tapped his fingers on the map. "Well. Nothing can be done until Amara returns. I am going to clear the nests that have erupted in the city. Any argument against me collapsing the tunnels?"


    Cordaos shook his head. "No. Feel free to clear them all. I can send someone to lead you to each nest."


    Stas chuckled as he shook his head. The tic-tacing of his spider legs moving him over the table and towards a window once more sent a shiver down Trillia''s spine. "No need. I can sense where the next entrances are."


    With that, three of the spider legs went out the window and dragged the rest of his body after it. The tic-tacing of his legs moving down the side of the building got quieter and quieter.


    "I respect that he''s an ally. I respect he has done great things for our realm. He unnerves me." Ralrouk spoke softly as he watched the window where the goblin had dragged his body through the window.


    Cordaos chuckled, looking at the orc. "Be grateful that he''s a calmer person now. Stas has advanced telepathy. He can read the surface thoughts of those around him. So he''s keenly aware of how all of you feel about him."


    A feather hitting the ground could have been heard when Cordaos finished that sentence. Everyone had gone silent and froze. Trillia slowly turned her head from Cordaos to the window. Half expecting an angry goblin face to be there waiting. "I should apologize. " She whispered the words, feeling bad about how off-putting he made her feel.


    Cordaos shook his head. "Don''t bother. Stas is well aware of how he appears. He''s used to it. For now, all of you rest. I know you''ve had a busy month. Once Amara has returned, we''ll do more planning. Until then, you''re free to do as you please."


    Cordaos motioned for everyone to leave. Tormash gave Ba''Shoon a look. Everyone else filtered out except Tormash, Ba''Shoon, and Trillia. Cordaos looked up from the map at them. "What is it, Scout Master?"


    Tormash closed his eyes. Trillia saw him squeeze Ba''Shoon''s hand before he let it go and stepped forward. "I appreciate the United Tribes. I have no intention of doing so at this moment. But sometime very soon, I wish to start my own tribe. I would ask for your support as one of the founding members of the United Tribes of the Shattered Plains."


    Cordaos stared at Tormash. Neither said anything for what felt like - at least, to Trillia - hours.


    In reality, after six or seven minutes, Cordaos walked over to stand in front of Tormash. "I suggest you speak at length to your Grand Chieftain and General. It''s not my place to say. I''d also suggest you wait until after this [Primordial] issue is resolved."


    Tormash wore a puzzled expression. Looking up at Cordaos. "What do you know, King Cordaos? I feel as though I should be entitled to important events concerning my tribe."


    Cordaos sighed heavily, walking over to the door and making sure it was closed. Reaching into a pouch that hung at his side, he withdrew a heavy rune and placed it on the door. As he filled it with mana, a thin box of mana covered the room.


    Cordaos turned to look at the three of them. "[Primordials] can only be sealed by divinity. It takes a deity channeling an incredible amount of divine energy through a pact-bonded mortal to seal one of them. The mortal is usually killed in the process. That''s why Lord Darktone made five of us and had us work together. As long as four of us were together, it wouldn''t kill any of us when he channeled divinity through us into the seal."


    No one said a word. Each stared at him and listened. He hadn''t said it, but Trillia knew this information wasn''t supposed to leave the room. If she understood it, she was sure that Tormash and Ba''Shoon did.


    "He cannot create an avatar on Alirast currently due to [Scorned Divinity]. That means the options going forward are limited. Either a mortal is sacrificed to another deity that is present on Alirast to seal the [Primordial]. Or..." Cordaos seemed unsure of his words. Trillia held her breath, that little voice in the back of her mind filling her mind with every worst possible scenario.


    "Or what?" Ba''Shoon is the one who spoke up, taking a step toward Cordaos.


    "Each chosen of Lord Darktone has a divine skill. It is called [Soul Crucible]. It tears apart our soul so that it can release the divine power that was stored within us. Last time we sealed the [Primordials], Lord Darktone informed us of the use of this skill. Saying he doubted we''d ever need to use it. Since [Primordials] are usually sealed for a thousand years. By that time, all of us would have ascended. Or gone mad with the grief of eternity and taken our own lives."


    Cordaos walked to the window to stare out it as he spoke. "Mortal minds aren''t meant to watch their entire family and friends die repeatedly of old age. We break. That''s why Stas is the way he is. Goblins only live thirty or forty years at best. He got to watch the love of his life all the way to his great, great, great, great-grandchildren die of old age. Unable to do anything to help them. Unable to get them to a high enough level in such a short life span for them to live on with him."


    Cordaos closed his eyes, tears forming at their edge. "Amara and I waited until we found spouses that were above level two-fifty for that reason. We didn''t want to watch the people we love die in front of us. We didn''t want to watch them grow old and wrinkled while we were still full of life."


    The minotaur king took a deep breath before turning to look at them. "[Soul Crucible] can be used by each of us. If three or four of us get together and use the skill at the same time, we can seal the [Primordial], even without the help of a deity. Such is the strength of the [2nd Axle]''s divine blessing. We won''t survive the event, though."


    Trillia blinked away tears. Had her mother known that''s what it would come to? Is that why she had asked Trillia to make such a promise? Because Amara knew that she would have to choose her duty as a pact-bound over the tribe? "What about the new deity? The son of Lord Darktone."


    Trillia spoke softly, staring up at Cordaos. She got a shrug in response. "He''s still a child, even by our standards. He''s the same age as you are but already powerful enough, with enough worshippers to warrant being a lesser deity. It''s difficult to commune with deities on the best of days, let alone one who is so young."


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    Trillia went silent as she became lost in thought. "We''ll talk about this more. Once Mother has returned. Thank you for your time, King Cordaos."


    Cordaos nodded. Tormash and Ba''Shoon left. Trillia sat there at the table. Cordaos closed the door and reactivated the rune. Trillia assumed it was a rune meant to keep sound from leaving the room. Cordaos set a cup next to her and filled it with water. "What are your thoughts, little one?"


    Trillia took a sip of the water, staring into it. After a few moments to ponder, she looked up at Cordaos. "Can you ask Uncle Stas to come back? I... I want to talk to the two of you. It''s very important, and I would like to do it now."


    Cordaos gave her an odd look but nodded. Leaning his head out the window, he spoke in an odd language - it was harsh, even by orc standards. Pulling his head back in, he moved over and sat across from her. Trillia offered a little smile as she set her mind in place to negotiate.


    "What language was that?"


    Cordaos returned her smile. "It''s one of the languages of the Infernus bands. The humans call it hell, I think. Some call it the abyss. It is a place of terrifying chaos. Where pride and progress came before all else, even life. Immortals are born there. The other band is called Celestia, a place of law and study. That is the other source of immortals. Stas and I spent some time in an Infernus band. It was a...unique experience."


    Trillia nodded as she listened. She wondered how many fantastic adventures they all shared. Four hundred years or so. That''s how long they had been alive and had known one another. Trillia already had a bunch of adventures of her own, and she was only eight.


    A few minutes later, Stas stuck his head into the window. The legs came in after and pulled his body through. The tips of the spider legs were all covered in blood and gore. "Why would you use an Infernal tongue? That''s supposed to be for emergencies only."


    Cordaos motioned next to him. "Trillia has a plan. I think it''s important enough to warrant you being here."


    Stas looked down at Trillia. Her determination wavered for just a second before she gritted her teeth. Stas climbed over the table and lowered himself into a seat. The spider legs wavered behind him as if waiting to strike.


    Trillia looked at each of them, taking a deep breath.


    "I first want to apologize. I judged you based on my own fear and terror. I hate when people see me as a [Runt] and nothing else. I shouldn''t have judged you as I did. Secondly... I have a favor to ask of you."


    Stas'' face changed to a grin. "What a positively idiotic idea...feel free to give it weight and words so that Cordaos isn''t kept in the dark."


    Trillia remembered only now what she had just been told. He could read her surface thoughts. Trillia looked to Cordaos. "I am not pact-bound. Whatever Alirast did, I don''t have the trait. I want Uncle Stas to take me to this new deity. You said he''s my age. I want to offer to become his pact-bound. So that he can channel through me, to seal the [Primordials]."


    Cordaos'' jaw dropped as he stared at her.


    Stas threw his head back and laughed.


    Trillia gritted her teeth more as she stared between the two of them.


    Stas put a claw on Cordaos'' shoulder before he could speak. "You don''t know what you''re asking for child. Or what you''re offering."


    Trillia looked directly at Stas, her traits working in unison to wash away her fear as her determination grew. "I am offering an eternity at a deity''s side. So that they never have to experience suffering or loss. In exchange, my friends and family are saved from having to sacrifice themselves again."


    Stas'' visage grew dark at that. She knew she had struck a chord with her words. Trillia pressed on. "You''re all fine with sacrificing yourselves. Mother is fine with sacrificing herself. I''m a child, a [Runt], and a cripple. If being tied to a deity can let me save my people, my tribe, and my Mother. I''d consider that a very fair trade for an eternity of servitude."


    Cordaos closed his eyes, shaking his head. Stas never averted his gaze. As if he could stare directly into her soul.


    For all Trillia knew, he could.


    Stas nodded. "So be it. Pack food and nothing else. I can''t realm walk with you, but I can carry you there by way of flight. It will be a two-month trip. Tell no one."


    Cordaos'' eyes shot open, and he stood so fast that his chair flew out behind him and clattered against the stone. He nearly roared against Stas. "That''s not your choice to make! We should speak with Ama-" his voice was cut off and went silent.


    Stas now hovered face to face with the minotaur. The spider-like limbs grabbed Cordaos and yanked him down to his level. "I love you, Cordaos. You are one of my oldest and dearest friends. Never speak to me like one of your underlings again. Your size and intimidation mean nothing to me. It''s a good plan. It will save many, many lives."


    Cordaos pulled away, shaking his head the whole time. "Amara will never forgive either of you."


    Trillia spoke up before Stas could. "At least we will have an eternity to sort our problems out. Besides, if anything, I think you and Mother are being selfish. Or cowardly."


    Cordaos snapped his head to her, anger evident. Trillia continued. "Amelia would be an orphan. A Princess with no kingdom and no parents to help teach her how to re-take her home. How to lead her people. Father, my brothers, and I would be without the strongest rock we''ve ever known. In one of the most chaotic times of our tribe. For what? A child that, by all accounts, should have been cast to the wolves at birth?"


    Cordaos seemed most hurt by that last statement. "Amara would never let a child die because it''s a [Runt]. We aren''t monsters."


    Trillia offered him a smile, standing up and walking around the table. She hugged his leg. "It''s ok, Uncle Cordaos. I know you just want to protect everyone. Think of Amelia. I don''t want my best friend to grow up without parents. Let me do this. Besides, you and Mother were able to start your own lives. What''s to say that I won''t be able to do the same? Once the sealing is done?"


    Cordaos kneeled next to her, still towering over her, but not nearly as bad. "It shouldn''t be a child''s duty to sacrifice themselves."


    Trillia forced a smile. "I''m not sacrificing myself. Just...just some of the time I have. I''ll be honest, I haven''t felt like I belong. Ever. Maybe this is the fate that Lord Darktone had in store for me. I''ll get my adventure and save the people I care about all at once. I''m sorry, Uncle Cordaos. I want to go. You''ll have to imprison me to stop me."


    Cordaos'' shoulders slumped. Stas placed an actual hand on his shoulder now. "You can''t protect all of us, old friend. Despite how often you try to shoulder the entire burden. I''m sorry, but this is going to hurt."


    Cordaos looked up with surprise at Stas, who snapped several of the limbs across and nearly caved in Cordaos'' skull. Trillia recoiled and pulled her rapier, staring up at the abomination. Stas gently laid the minotaur on his side. Taking out a cloth and rubbing the blood from his eyes with love and care.


    Stas turned to look at her. "Amara would have blamed him for all of this. Now? Now it looks like the unhinged psycho abomination attacked his friend and kidnapped you."


    Trillia''s heart sank. She knew Cordaos wasn''t dead. She could see his chest moving. She looked up at Stas, tears forming again. She was getting sick of tears and goodbyes. "Why would you do that to yourself?"


    Stas offered her a smile, rummaging through Cordaos'' storage item and pulling out various food and rations, storing them in whatever dimension he kept the ballista in. "Because. Everyone already hates me or doesn''t trust me. I think your plan is an idiotic one. You''re banking on a child immortal accepting your proposal and being strong enough to help."


    Trillia sheathed her rapier before moving close to Stas. "So why help?"


    "I think it''s an idiotic plan. But I also think it''s the only way forward that doesn''t result in the only friends I have left dying or sacrificing themselves. No offense. But if I can sacrifice you, so that they don''t have to die." he shrugged. Trillia grinned.


    "It seems we''re on the same page. Thank you for this, Uncle Stas. I''m sorry to make you bear so much of the burden."


    Stas touched her on the shoulder with one of his spider limbs, and she found herself attached to it and weightless.


    A creature has overwhelmed your mental defenses!


    A creature is using [Greater Telekinesis] on you!


    Trillia got ready as Stas dragged them out of the window. As he went, he pulled out the various ballista and left them on the ground. The city began to fly by under her.


    The mighty wings on his back spread and began to glow with mana. Lifting himself off and into the air, they took off in flight. The spider limb pulled her close enough that they could speak.


    "Thank you, Trillia Demonsbane. For being brave enough to share the burden with immortals like ourselves. If ever you need help. Let me know. It''s the least I can do to return the favor, should this work."


    Trillia nodded, closing her eyes and waiting for the flight to be over.

 Chapter 47 Fast Travel

    Trillia couldn''t deny that she was a bit disappointed. She was excited to fly and see the world from a bird''s eye view. Sadly, that wasn''t the case. They flew very low to the ground and were moving fast enough that Trillia didn''t really get to see much except blurs.


    Stas would fly for eighteen hours every day. They''d rest for six. Entirely for the sake of Trillia, as Stas was evidently long beyond needing to eat or sleep. The goblin sat next to a small fire with his wings wrapped around his spider-like limbs and body. Making a cocoon of obsidian wings.


    Trillia chewed on some dry rations as she stared into the flames. "Will he be able to speak to me? I may not know the language he speaks."


    Stas opened one eye and looked at her. "He''s a deity of knowledge. He''s going to know every language on Alirast. The problem is going to be if he is a deity of law or of chaos. Deities who pull mana from Celestia tend to be sticklers for the rules. If he doesn''t see the [Primordials] as an immediate threat. He may turn you away."


    Trillia glanced over at Stas as she swallowed a piece of jerky. "I don''t really understand how deities work."


    Stas sighed and opened both eyes.


    "The basics are this. Everything has a core, even you. The core in most creatures is shattered when they die. A core''s purpose is to trap a soul, either to a body or to a location." Stas stared at her to make sure she was following.


    "The Universe itself has a core. From what Lord Darktone has told me, as have other deities. There is a being that created the universe and those in it. Including all of the deities. The Universe Core pulls some sort of power from that being and turns it into divinity. Immortals and Deities pull in that divinity and output world and dungeon mana. This is mana like yours and mine, but raw and unrefined. Wielding it for mortals is incredibly dangerous and often chips away at your soul, slowly killing you."


    "World cores and dungeon cores take this raw unrefined mana and slivers of divinity and refine it into the mana that we utilize. Our worship and use of mana in the name of divinity, in turn, creates more divinity and raw mana to be pulled up and reused. Think of it like a large circle. I''m not sure of any exact numbers, but to become a deity, you must first be an immortal. Whether that is a born immortal - such as Arlyss - or an ascended immortal - such as Lord Darktone - once you''re an immortal, it is simply a matter of power and worshippers relevant to the position you wish to hold."


    Trillia blinked a few times at that. "Lord Darktone wasn''t born an immortal? Everyone speaks of him like he''s an incredibly powerful deity."


    Stas offered her a nod. "He is a powerful deity. Most immortals are old, we call them immortals, but that''s not entirely accurate. Mortals just lack a word for them. Timeless? Eternals? Ancients? The basics of it are that they cannot die of old age, nor can they be struck down by mortal means. To kill an immortal, another immortal must sacrifice an amount of mana equal to their target''s maximum mana." Seeing the confused look on her face, Stas continued.


    "I use the term mana to relate to the general resource they use like we use mana. As an example, if you and I were both immortals, and your maximum mana was a thousand. I''d have to sacrifice a thousand of my own maximum mana permanently to kill you. It means that while immortals will often fight and tear apart each other''s physical beings or avatars. They seldom permanently kill one another. Because doing so makes you weak to attack from another immortal. It''s a rather vicious cycle."


    Trillia rubbed her temples, trying to take all of that information in. "So mortals can''t do the same procedure?"


    Stas shook his head. "No. Otherwise, someone like you could wipe out dozens of deities. Don''t get me wrong, some deities, like Lord Darktone, have enough maximum mana that you''d be unable to permanently destroy him. He''s an old and powerful enough entity that his resources aren''t measured in numbers. But a young deity like Arlyss? He''s probably only got a hundred thousand or so maximum mana. More than most mortals have. But still plenty low enough that if rules didn''t exist, you''d be able to kill him."


    Trillia frowned at that. "So why pact-bound people? If they are so powerful?"


    Stas began to wear an annoyed look on his face. "Rules. Everyone has to follow rules. You''ve already been told something similar before. I don''t ascend to become a true immortal because then I''d be forced to follow the rules of engagement that immortals have when in a mortal''s realm. Arlyss has those same rules applied to him. He can''t engage in direct confrontations. Well, I think he can, but there has to be some sort of counterbalance point for him to engage. A dragon might be strong enough to warrant him being allowed to fight. I doubt I''d be strong enough to warrant such a thing."


    "In other words. We do the dirty work they are unable to do directly in exchange for power?"


    Stas nodded at her words. "Yes. Everything is a push to get more power. To have more resources at your disposal. Arlyss probably has a city or two worth of worshippers. Lord Darktone is an axle. There are three axles in which the universe sets everything to spin around. As such, his domain is all creatures that fall within his axle. Even if a rival god, such as the dragon god that attacked Alirast, has worshippers. Lord Darktone will get a portion of their faith and power."


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    Trillia nodded once more. That made a little more sense. As she opened her mouth to speak, Stas snapped at her. "Enough questions. Sleep so that we can stop wasting time."


    Trillia finished her meal in silence before laying down to sleep.


    -=- Two Weeks Later -=-


    It was the most beautiful thing that Trillia had ever seen. They stood on a cliff with a heavy wind blowing towards them. The smell of salt water was heavy in the air. The sun had nearly set and cast a beautiful golden glow across the sea. Trillia had never seen it before, but the sight was enough to bring her to silence.


    Even Stas seemed to appreciate the sea, as he had set them down on the cliff so that she could gawk for a few minutes. He stood on the edge of the cliff, eyes closed with his head tilted back. Trillia''s smile grew wider as she saw creatures jumping out of the water ahead of her. Their shapes were too small to make out from this distance, but she wondered how much life was there, hidden beneath the waves.


    "There are rules to traversing the sea. Do not use your mana for any reason. We do not have the luxury of a ship or other dampening device. You will have to sleep in transit. We cannot stop once we begin unless we luck out and find an island. Do not. Under any circumstance. Use your mana. Am I clear?"


    Trillia looked from the endless waves over to him. She nodded. "May I ask why?"


    "Leviathans. Basically, the dragons of the sea. Massive creatures that sense mana use. If they don''t want you in their territory, they will crush and kill you. Most leviathans can''t stand land creatures. If you use mana and one senses us, we''ll be forced to fly higher into the sky. Then we risk running into a dragon. Both are very, very bad ideas. Am I understood?"


    Trillia nodded. She''d never seen a dragon, but she wondered how powerful they could be if her mother and uncles had managed to kill one when they were all much weaker and younger. Still, she didn''t argue. She got ready over the next couple of hours. When the night was finally upon them, Stas woke her up.


    "Come. It''s time."


    Trillia stood and brushed herself off. Stas took all of their belongings and put them in the storage space he had. He even took her rapier so that it didn''t fall. The artifacts were safe, but everything else went into hiding. Stas stood at the edge, two of his spider limbs grabbing Trillia. "This has the potential to be very, very terrifying. Flying over the ocean is the most dangerous thing a mortal can do. Dragons won''t descend too far to the ground unless you really anger them. But if you''re trapped between a leviathan and a dragon, you''re just dead."


    Trillia closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. Just like that, they were flying low across the ocean. Her eyes shot open as she looked at him. "Doesn''t your flight use mana?!"


    Stas shook his head. "No. I can fly without the use of mana; it''s just much slower. No talking. I have to concentrate on keeping my auras suppressed so that I don''t accidentally piss something off."


    Trillia didn''t even nod; she just went silent. Glancing behind her, she watched as the landscape turned into a speck and then vanished.


    -=- Six Weeks Later -=-


    Trillia collapsed on the ground. Everything hurt. Everything was sore. She had been trapped in almost the same position the entire time. They''d come across two tiny islands during the whole six-week travel time.


    Stas started a small fire for her, pulling out her other belongings and putting a bedroll on the ground. "We''ll camp here for a couple of days so that you can recover. Good job on making it across. It''s not an easy trip."


    Trillia barely heard those words as she dragged herself onto the bedroll and promptly passed out.


    -=- Three Days Later -=-


    For whatever reason, they were on foot. Trillia didn''t quite understand it, but Stas'' mood was rather sour, and she had no intentions of bothering him. The beach had large trees with what looked like giant fans of leaves on them. A hard circular brown fruit with liquid inside hung at the top of the branches. If you could break them open, they were quite tasty.


    "May I use my [Mana Sight]?"


    When Stas nodded, she activated it.


    Palm Tree:


    The name tree is a bit of a misnomer. Palm Trees do not produce soft or hardwood but are instead closer to grass or other firm plants. It grows a fruit called a coconut.


    Alchemical Uses: The ''sap'' from a palm tree can be utilized to boost health potions as well as being a core ingredient in stamina regeneration potions.


    [Crab - Blue Crab - 7] Water Mana Manipulation


    Crab:


    Crabs are a crustacean. Like most crustaceans, they do not grow linearly. Instead, having to molt a hard exterior shell, leaving them vulnerable until their new shell hardens. Most crabs can regenerate lost limbs, albeit very slowly.


    [Bird - Seagull - 13] Wind Mana Manipulation


    It went on and on, Trillia taking in all of the new information. The beach gave way to a rocky hill. Stas grabbed her with his spider limbs and scaled the thing was the same unnatural speed at which he approached everything else. As they stood atop the hill, Trillia was once more left speechless. There before her was a place that rolled on seemingly forever.


    Great hills of sand like the beach, no plants or creatures seemed to roam this land. Trillia turned her head to Stas.


    "The Desert of the Forsaken Sage. That''s what we monstrous races call it. From what I remember, an ogre got lost here. They were visited by a deity who made them an offer. The deity would save their life in exchange for eternal servitude. The ogre, being too desperate to ask for more information or details, readily accepted. The deity twisted and broke their soul, turning them into a lich. Not living, not dead. Trapping them on these sands for all eternity."


    Trillia shivered a bit, looking out at the desert. "That seems cruel. Are all deities so cruel?"


    Stas nodded without a moment of hesitation. "Yes. They will twist and turn their words for their own benefit. Deities view us mortals the same way we view ants or caterpillars. Necessary for the cycle of life to continue, but you aren''t going to notice crushing them under your boot as you walk through life."


    Doubt tried to creep into her mind. With the help of her traits, she quickly crushed it. She had made up her mind, and it was far too late to turn back now.


    Stas pulled out a thin white cloth. "Wrap this around your head. It will obscure your vision slightly, but will prevent you from getting sand in your eyes and mouth. You have fire resistance, at least, so the heat won''t bother you."


    Trillia nodded and did as she was told. Once more, Stas used telekinesis to lift her, and they began the long trek across the desert. She briefly debated asking why they weren''t flying, but she figured he knew best.

 Chapter 48 A Good Girl Appears!

    They walked through the desert day and night. Stopping for a couple of hours every night so that Trillia could take a nap. So far, they hadn''t run into any other creatures.


    General Skill: [Sustained Travel] Level 0 obtained!


    Sustained Travel:


    You''re used to marching and traveling for long periods of time with minimal rest. This skill lowers the amount of sustenance you need by 5% per level (Minimum 5%). At level 20, this skill automatically evolves and becomes a trait that completely negates your need for sustenance. You can still benefit from eating, sleeping, drinking, etc. But it is no longer required.


    Trillia relayed the skill gain to Stas.


    "Good. That''s one of the better skills for its purpose. Especially with how your life is going to progress in the coming years. I think you''ll find it quite handy."


    Trillia was happy to have it. Even though she wasn''t the one doing the marching, she was still exhausted constantly from having nearly no sleep. Maybe that had been his purpose? Force a skill to surface?


    She shrugged to herself as they continued making their way across the desert.


    -=- Three Days Later -=-


    Her eyes slowly opened to Stas shaking her shoulder gently. Looking up at him, then around to see how long she had been sleeping.


    "There is a monster nearby. I think it''d be a good first candidate for your monster taming."


    Trillia nodded as she stood and dusted herself off. Yawning and stretching before reaching down and rolling up the bedroll.


    "I''ve never used the skill before. It may not work well."


    Stas motioned for her to follow him. Walking through the desert was difficult for her. There were places where she sunk halfway up her shins in the sand and had to crawl her way out.


    It was this exact reason that when they were actually marching across the desert, Stas would just carry her with telekinesis. She finally managed to crawl up next to him. Stas was peeking over a sand dune, so she did the same.


    Stas motioned to his own eyes, and Trillia activated [Mana Sight]


    [Wolf - Desert Skoll - 33] Illusion Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Mirage Body


    Trillia nodded to Stas, slowly crawling further forward, reaching out tentatively with her mind. It was a massive wolf, standing a half foot taller than Trillia. For the most part, it looked like the dungeon wolves, four legs, a tail, two eyes, and a typical snout. Where it differed were two tendrils that started at the joints of each of its legs and swept down into the desert. Fanning out slightly and gently dragging along the surface of the sand.


    Trillia paused as she looked at the spot the wolf appeared. Looking at the sand around it and realizing that there were no paw prints. She began to twist and turn her head around the area, trying to find the source of this mirage.


    As she began to crawl further forward toward the mirage, a sharp pain shot through her left side. The desert Skoll had slammed into her at a full run and bit into her abdomen. She screamed as she flopped and rolled across the ground, spraying blood onto the sand as she went. Shakily, she pushed herself up, throwing the full weight of her mind at the creature.


    She also fumbled at the [Monster Taming] skill, trying to figure out exactly how to utilize it. She had tried to learn about it during the trip, but it was a skill that required a target. She didn''t really want to use it on a crab or something of that nature and accidentally bind something to her.


    Having a target in sight, the skill flowed through her. It took a surprisingly small amount of mana to activate. The desert skoll froze in place and stared at her.


    Remembering what she had been taught, she lifted the crossbow on her arm and charged a full volley.


    Aiming it next to the wolf, she let the arrows fly. It immediately crouched and barred its fangs at her. She lowered her arm, reaching into a pouch at her side and producing a small chunk of smoked meat. Ripping off a piece while holding the rest awkwardly between her left arm and her body, she tossed it to the wolf. All the while channeling [Monster Taming] and sending suggestions of peace to the creature.


    It slowly plodded forward, keeping its eyes locked on her left arm. Trillia felt a bit woozy, but the bleeding had been slowed and stopped by her regenerative powers.


    The creature nibbled at the edge of the smoked meat. Its ears immediately came up, and it seemed to relax immensely. Trillia pushed the [Monster Taming] skill again. This time when the creature froze, it looked directly up and at her. The two stared for a moment before a notification rang in her head.


    Desert Skoll Level 33 has accepted your pact!


    Monster Pact Bonds available (2/3)


    This is the first time you have formed a pact with a monster. Would you like an explanation?


    Trillia nodded as she sat down and began to bandage her side. The wolf before her had already chowed down on the meat thrown to it and came plodding over to her.


    You have formed a Pact-Bond with a monster. As long as your highest level is not double that of the monster''s highest level, you will receive 50% of the experience it earns. The monster will receive 50% of the experience you earn. (This does not lower the amount of experience you gain, it is a bonus to each of you.) Furthermore, you always have an innate knowledge of the health and overall status of any bound creatures. You know their exact location in the same realm. If you are ever in different realms, you know which realm your bound creatures are in.


    As with all pact-bonds, the weaker creature gives the stronger creature a stat boost from its highest stat. In the case of the [Desert Skoll], its highest stat is agility. As such, it will give you a boost to your agility, equal to half of its own maximum agility. In turn, any stat you have that is higher than its base stat will result in it getting a flat 50% boost to its stats.


    ''Show me an example, please.'' Trillia spoke to Dawn in her mind. The wording left her a little confused.


    If the Desert Skoll has a 100 in Wisdom and a 100 in Vitality. Because your Wisdom and Vitality are higher, it will get a 50% boost in the form of a stacking buff. Resulting in its Wisdom and Vitality becoming 150.


    Trillia nodded. That''s what she thought it meant but was happy to have it confirmed. The Skoll sat next to her, laying its head in her lap. She idly ran her right hand over its head after letting it gobble down the rest of the smoked meat.


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    [Red River Resonance] has detected a tamed canine nearby!


    Would you like to bind [Desert Skoll] to [Red River Resonance]?


    "Yes!" Trillia shouted excitedly. The Skoll looked up at her quizzically as a light began to shine upon it and the whistle around her neck. After a few minutes, more notifications rang through her mind.


    [Desert Skoll] has been bound to the artifact [Red River Resonance].


    You must break the pact-bond with [Desert Skoll] and slay the monster yourself to bind a new monster to this artifact.


    Trillia grimaced a bit at that. The bond gave her some sort of protective instincts with the wolf, and the thought of killing it didn''t sit well with her at all. She looked down at the creature and smiled. Reaching out with her mind, the wolf immediately latched on and accepted this time.


    Unfortunately, her [Minor Telepathy] didn''t let her share complex thoughts. She sent her name while physically motioning to herself. Before extending a hand to the creature.


    After a moment, it responded.


    ''Ialu''


    Trillia smiled and gave the creature a hug. "It''s a pleasure to meet you, Ialu."


    [Desert Skoll] has changed to [Ialu] in records of the [Monster Taming] skill as well as the artifact [Red River Resonance].


    As Stas approached, Ialu positioned itself between Trillia and the goblin. Barring its teeth. The tendrils on its legs began to swiftly brush across the sand, and Trillia could see both her and the wolf take on a semi-translucent appearance. Though it did nothing to fool Stas.


    Trillia quickly reached out with her telepathy and gave it messages of friend and family. Stas must have contacted it himself as Ialu quickly calmed down. Sitting once more next to Trillia.


    "Huh. I don''t think I''ve seen or fought one of these before. That''s a rather powerful illusory ability for a low-level creature." Stas lowered himself to be eye to eye with the wolf, extending a hand first to its snout, letting it sniff his hand. After a moment and seeing the wolf lower its head slightly, Stas rubbed the top of its head.


    "Ialu... I think the civilization that we are going to shares a similar language. E-Ah-Lu." Stas tilted his head, idly scratching Ialu''s head while thinking. "I think it means field of dreams. Or something similar to that. The civilization in question is one of the older ones on Alirast. They take great pride in knowledge and history. They are also deeply religious people. I think Ialu will earn you a great deal of favor with them."


    Trillia smiled, and as she began to push herself up to a standing position, Ialu came over and nuzzled its head under her arms and lifted her onto her feet. Lying on its stomach next to her and looking over at its back, then at her. Trillia''s grin grew wider, slowly and carefully crawling onto its back.


    Ialu stood on all four and looked at Stas. The goblin shrugged, and once more, they set off in the same direction they had been traveling. Stas glanced back to see Ialu easily keeping pace with him. As the goblin chuckled, Trillia gave him an odd look.


    "Ialu is making it appear as if I''m alone. The two of you are appearing a few dozen feet away. What a clever creature. I''ll have to ask around in the city if anyone has a better explanation for why the tendrils on its legs let it cast such powerful illusion magic."


    Trillia looked down at Ialu before she lay against her back and wrapped her arms around the wolf as best she could. "Good girl, thank you for keeping me safe."


    Even though Trillia knew that Stas wouldn''t let her die. Stas needed something from her, and she had faith that the goblin would ensure her safety until she could deliver. Stas spoke up as they continued.


    "From now on, any conversations we have will be entirely through telepathy. It''s a good skill you have. Growing it to a stronger level will be a huge boon going forward. It will also let Ialu practice, perhaps even pick up telepathy itself. You should also think about only taming creatures from the canine classification."


    Trillia looked up at him. "Why is that? The artifact can only bind to one. Are there bonuses for specializing?"


    Stas nodded. "Exactly that. Not only just for you. If Ialu stays by your side long enough and you tame more and more canines. Specialty classes may open up that Ialu can take. You can also get other traits for specializing so hard."


    Trillia thought back to Tim and his Pack Leader trait. It must be something akin to that.


    -=- Two Days Later -=-


    It didn''t take long. Trillia had gained a single level in her [Minor Telepathy] skill. Taming Ialu had given her four levels in [Monster Taming] but most impressive was Ialu gaining [Minor Telepathy] as well. It seemed to struggle with concepts, but Trillia had faith she''d learn in time. Ialu had also proven to be an invaluable companion in the desert.


    Stas had tested her knowledge a few times, and she had hidden them from several bad sand storms. She had also tried to hide them from a small band of undead humans. Stas had made brutally short work of them, informing Trillia that the combination of rapier and crossbow bolts was a bad choice against creatures that were little more than a skeletal structure.


    -=- One Week Later -=-


    Trillia''s lips felt like the sand under them. Stas had some minor spells for creating water, but it wasn''t enough to fill her and Ialu. So the two were both looking worse for wear. Ialu had tried to lead them away, probably towards water, several times. Stas forced them to keep going.


    Now, Trillia knew why.


    A half day''s march before them stood a city, unlike anything Trillia had seen before. Massive buildings made of sandstone littered the landscape. Large walls separated the stone buildings from a city of tents and lean-tos. Dozens of strange creatures dotted the sea of people. Humans, orcs, elves. Other creatures that Trillia had never even heard of before.


    There past the walls, a huge tower stood. Trillia could see into the tower, even from here. The entire thing was made of glass. Trillia and Ialu had stopped to stare at the place. Ialu sent them both warnings of danger through telepathy. It didn''t seem to have a great opinion of humanoids. Plus, with Ialu''s golden fur and brilliant blue eyes, she''d stand out quite a bit.


    Stas sighed and looked up into the air before nodding. "We''ve finally made it. Let''s start our approach. I doubt we''ll make it far."


    They began to walk forward, perhaps a thousand feet into their approach, a bolt of lightning struck the ground before them. Turning most of the sand to glass. When the flash died down, a young orc boy stood there. Red robes with golden embroidery flowed off of wide and strong shoulders. The boy stood at about five feet. Quite small for an orc.


    Beautiful emerald eyes stared at them. His skin was a soft blue, and golden locks of hair fell and framed his face. Trillia had to admit he was quite handsome. She immediately activated [Mana Sight].


    WARNING! You have attempted to scan a Deity!


    You must have a deific ranking equal to or greater than a Deity to scan it!


    [Deity]


    Trillia froze in place. Stas was already kneeling. Trillia and Ialu didn''t kneel and could only stare. The orc boy walked forward with a confidence that reminded Trillia of her mother. Reaching up and petting Ialu''s snout. When he spoke, the language seemed to be a thousand languages all at once. But the orcish tongue seemed to stand out just a little more and made him perfectly understandable.


    "Who''s a good girl? I''ll bet it''s you, isn''t it? Are you hungry?" the young orc boy reached into a space between spaces like Stas did and produced a raw hunk of meat. With the tap of his foot, the sand beneath their feet turned into smooth sandstone. He placed the meat next to Ialu''s head and pulled out a large bowl of water that never seemed to empty, regardless of how greedily Ialu drank from it.


    As the boy looked up from Ialu to Trillia, she felt a wave of calmness wash over her. As if everything was going to be alright. As if every question would be answered.


    "Hello, Lady Demonsbane. My name is Arlyss Ocrey Darktone. Thank you for making the trek to come and meet me. My people are worried due to Lord Banamaer. They are not accustomed to having a mortal so powerful near their city."


    The boy looked away from her and at Stas. "I do hope you''ll understand their hesitance to let you in the city, Lord Banamaer."


    Stas didn''t look up but spoke softly in the tongue of goblins. "I understand that I am not welcome in polite society, Lord Darktone. I have come to deliver young Trillia. I can leave if that is what it takes to grant her an audience."


    The boy smiled, and more warmth and calmness washed over them. As he walked over to Stas, Trillia noted that he left no footprints in the sand either. The boy kneeled in front of Stas and lowered his head so that their eyes met. "I never said you were not welcome. I said my people are hesitant to throw open their gates. Now that I have seen into your mind and know that you do not wish them harm. I am sure they will be happy to welcome a mind so curious into their midst. Though I will ask you not to be bothered by the poking and prodding of some of the more scientific minds."


    Trillia had never seen Stas so tense in the time she''d seen him. Stas still spoke softly but didn''t dare avert his gaze. "I am of a similar mind to their own. I would be honored to be welcomed into your home. May I ask a small favor of you?"


    Arlyss still wore his smile. Having his face resting against the sand to look into Stas'' eyes, seemingly unbothered by the current setup. "I will stop using your official title. I didn''t know it sat so poorly with you. Come, let us get you all inside and out of the sun. "


    As Arlyss stood, so too did Stas. With the wave of a hand, a rift opened in the air before them. He motioned for them to go first. Stas gave Trillia one final look before walking in. Ialu and Trillia followed.

 Chapter 49 Deific Dealings

    Trillia and Ialu stepped through the portal into a massive room. Polished sandstone shelves held tens of thousands of books. Various tables and chairs were littered throughout the room, a mixture of various stones polished to a shine.


    Most impressive were the walls. Made of clear glass overlooking the entire city. They were in the tower, and judging by how tiny the city looked beneath them, they were pretty high up.


    Trillia hopped off Ialu and walked up to the glass wall, staring down and out at the desert. Ialu stayed glued to her side, absolutely terrified of heights and all of the people below them. Ialu jumped and let out a low growl when a strange voice called out to them.


    Trillia turned her head. The person calling out was a human. The first human she had ever seen. He was only as tall as the shortest orc woman in the tribe. Dark skin that glistened in the sunlight and short dark brown hair. His eyes were odd, dark brown circles surrounded by white circles. Like he wasn''t born with innate mana, like so many of the orcs. His shoulders were wide and strong, at least for a human.


    She deduced that because another human about a foot shorter than him was walking toward them as well. This human had the same skin, hair, and eyes. But had long hair and a softer voice. She was also quite shapely and not nearly as covered and dressed as her male counterpart. While the male wore plain red robes that covered him from his shoulders to his feet. The woman wore a more form-fitting dress that had a slit up to her hip.


    The language they spoke felt...soft. It flowed over itself. The orc and minotaur languages were all she really knew. She had only recently begun learning goblin.


    Almost as an idle thought, her hand had wandered to the hilt of her rapier, and she had moved closer to Stas. Stas was speaking in their language and motioning to himself and to her.


    Arlyss said nothing. He stared intently at Trillia and didn''t seem to care for the other conversation going on at all.


    Trillia offered him a smile, trying to figure out exactly how she was supposed to broach the subject of what she wanted to ask and what she was willing to give.


    <Human:> "Lord Arlyss. We are most grateful that you are so kind. As your benevolence has saved us many times. But this creature before us is an affront to the gods! He is a butcher renowned across the lands! He may not wish us to harm now, but he will stab you in the back as soon as it benefits him to do so!"


    Whatever the human said caught Arlyss'' attention. The young orc''s eyes began to glow. Trillia''s breath caught in her throat as waves of power washed over them. Slowly he turned his eyes from her to the man speaking. When he spoke, it was once more that odd feeling of a thousand languages.


    "Odd. I don''t remember being affronted by one of my father''s greatest Generals on Alirast." Arlyss turned his piercing gaze to Stas, who immediately lowered himself to a knee. "Did I perhaps mention I was affronted by your existence, Lord Stas? Perhaps I forgot that I said such a thing. To such a valuable ally."


    Stas responded in the goblin tongue; Trillia understood most of it. "No, my Lord. I do not remember you saying such a thing. I am here only to deliver young Trillia. If it will make her mission easier and calm the minds of your...advisors. I can wait on the outskirts of the city."


    Arlyss shook his head. Walking over to the three of them and motioning for Stas to stand. "Nonsense. I have things I would request of you during your stay. You will be afforded all of the comforts the spire can offer. " Arlyss turned his head to look at the two humans. "My father has wiped out entire realms. My mother has slain well over a hundred thousand mortals with her own hands. Both of them have killed demons, celestials, and deities. Tell me, would you call either of them a butcher?"


    The humans fell to their knees, heads touching their hands. <Human:>"Of course not! We only meant to inform you that this goblin is a known danger."


    Arlyss nodded. Trillia could see he was getting annoyed. "Thank you for making sure to keep me informed of such things. Please show Lord Stas to a guest room. Make sure it''s a good one, and don''t be disrespectful. I appreciate that the three of you won''t get along. Please respect my authority and decision in this matter."


    The humans mumbled something else before standing, giving Stas and Trillia rather dirty looks. Stas nodded slightly in Trillia''s direction before he followed them out of the room. Once it was just Trillia, Ialu, and Arlyss left in the room. Arlyss sat at a table and motioned for her to sit opposite him.


    Trillia looked around the room as she walked over to the table and took a seat. "I didn''t think you''d be an orc. How does an orc become the god of a bunch of humans?"


    Arlyss seemed amused by the question. "I''m not an orc. Or a human. Deities are... large connected bodies of raw divine energy. We create physical forms to interact with mortals and weaker immortals. It''s why you could stab this body a thousand times, and it would do little other than inconvenience me. One of the benefits, or downsides depending on your views, of this setup. Is that I always appear as the most active solution to a person''s problem."


    Trillia gave him a curious look.


    "You see me as an orc. My best guess as to why is that despite not showing it, you''re rather nervous. If I look like an orc to you, that takes away some of the edge of my being a deity. Stas sees me as a child-like version of my father''s mortal form. Because that brings him the most comfort. The humans that follow me see me as a human with dark skin and dark hair."


    Trillia stared for a while. "I''m sorry. That must get lonely, always having to pretend to be something you are not."


    Arlyss blinked as he stared back. Apparently, that had caught the young deity off guard. His stunned expression changed once more to a smile. "That''s very kind of you to say. While I can read surface thoughts and understand intent while in my domain. I would still like to discuss why you are here. I have no ill will towards Stas. I know he served my father and all of Alirast well, but I also know that he would not come to this place or seek me out unless he wanted my help in something."


    Trillia nodded at that. She''d have to be careful how she spoke around Arlyss. He may be a child like her, but something was amiss. He seemed to have knowledge far beyond what his age should allow.


    "I..." Trillia paused, closing her eyes. She put a hand on Ialu''s head and pulled comfort from her new friend. "I want to save my friends and my family. I am willing to offer you an eternity of servitude. If you will help me see those ends met."


    Arlyss'' gaze never wavered as she spoke. Once she finished, he raised a hand. Several books from nearby bookshelves flew through the air and landed gently in front of her. "This is all of the information I have on the [Primordial] threat that you fear. It won''t cost you an eternity of servitude."


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    Trillia squeezed her fist and took in a deep breath. "You''re a deity. If I am pact-bound to you, you can channel your power through me and seal the [Primordials] without my mother and uncles having to sacrifice their own lives."


    Arlyss stood and walked over to her. Staring into her eyes. Being this close, she realized his eyes didn''t look like normal orc eyes up close. They were more like Stas'' eyes. They looked closer to a raptor''s eyes. Staring into them brought whispers of knowledge forbidden and lost to mortals millennia ago.


    "What would I get. If you were my pact-bonded? What do you bring to my domain and arsenal that a thousand other warriors cannot?"


    Trillia brought her hand up to her chin. "Honestly? Nothing. I''m sure you are aware of my traits. Of my near limitless mana pool. That is the only unique thing about me. As a warrior, I''d be quite sub-par, especially because I am so young and inexperienced. But I would be loyal and despite calling it servitude. I would see you as a friend. My eternal soul is all that I have to offer. That is why it is what I offered."


    Arlyss kept staring at her. He didn''t even blink. Trillia began to grow nervous. "What about Ialu? You could offer me Ialu, yes?"


    Trillia''s eyes turned to look at the wolf-like creature next to her. Reaching over with her right hand to stroke her fur. "If Ialu wishes to go with you instead of with me. That is her choice. I am not her master. My mother raised me to believe it is best not to take the freedom of another creature. We live in symbiosis with the lovax that serve us. We feed them and give them shelter and protection. Ensure that their young are well taken care of. In exchange, they pull our wagons and help us grow crops. When they die, we give them the same honor in death we would an orc warrior. We lay their soul to rest and use their bones and bodies to further the glory of the tribe."


    Arlyss nodded. For the first time, he turned away from her and moved back toward his seat. "You sell yourself short. You carry a unique perspective. You are a [Runt] in a land where being weak means death. Despite that, you have survived. Alirast itself has chosen you as a vessel for its power as a last-ditch effort to save itself against the [Primordial] threat."


    Trillia looked down at Ialu, smiling as she pet the wolf who had set its head in her lap. "My goal is simple, Lord Arlyss. Right now, my uncles and my mother are planning to fight the [Primordial] in our homeland. They plan to use a divine skill from your father to sacrifice their souls in order to save Alirast. I personally think that after a lifetime of serving your father. As well as a lifetime of loneliness and sorrow at watching everyone they know and love grow old and die. That they deserve a better fate."


    Arlyss'' smile had returned by the time he spoke. "I couldn''t agree more. What if I told you that there is another way? A way for us to seal the [Primordials] without them having to be sacrificed. And without you having to become bound to me."


    Trillia turned her gaze from Ialu back to Arlyss. "I''d ask how I could possibly help see that through, and I would ask what it would cost my tribe and I."


    Arlyss waved his hand. "It''s simple, really. I know how to remove the debuff from Alirast. I know how we can allow my father''s presence to once more descend upon the realm."


    Trillia sat up straighter at that. It seemed too good to be true. Arlyss continued.


    "When I ascended, the debuff weakened. I have two siblings. One lives in Kadessa with my mother. The other was trapped in a mortal''s body like I was. We must coax an ascension out of them. If the three of us are deities. I believe the debuff will vanish entirely."


    Trillia was lost. She didn''t know the first thing about deities and ascension. Well, she knew those were things that existed and had some tidbits of information from Stas and the others. But nothing to actually help anyone ascend. "How exactly do I help with that?"


    Arlyss pulled another book from a shelf. This one looked much older and more worn than the others. "I channel divinity through you directly. There are mentions of such a thing happening. Normally it would overload a mortal''s body and cause a spontaneous implosion of your mana veins. Destroying your physical form in addition to your soul."


    Trillia stared at him dumbfounded. The ease with which we spoke about such things was a touch unnerving.


    "But! Because you have an upper limit of mana in the billions. You should be fine. We would basically cause a feedback loop. I overcharge your mana, and you shed the excess into myself and whatever sibling we are near. The feedback loop will cause their mortal forms to die, leaving behind only an immortal form with which they can ascend."


    Trillia shook her head now. "I thought deities needed followers? Wouldn''t they need to have a certain amount of followers for that to work?"


    Arlyss laughed at that as he looked through the book. "We''re immortals. Even if we are born into mortal forms. Furthermore, we are Darktones. There are very few mortals on this plane that don''t know of our parents. It means wherever we go, we will have people who wish to follow us. It''s quite literally an innate trait."


    Arlyss raised a hand that displayed part of his status.


    Trait: Born To Rule


    You are the child of the 2nd Axle and the Empress of Mortals. All mortals within a range of a hundred feet multiplied by your highest Derived stat will feel an innate sense of loyalty to you. Interacting with them in a positive way will cause them to quickly wish to serve you.


    Trillia read through it twice. She had thought some of her traits were potent. Arlyss could just create fanatics at random with this, apparently. She wondered if this trait was affecting her right now.


    Arlyss flipped through the book. After a few minutes, the status vanished. "I can get word to your mother and uncles to not engage the [Primordials] yet. I''ve already sent word to my mother. To put your mind at ease. The central [Primordial] is closest to waking up. At the current rate, it will take another five years. The northern [Primordial] of your homeland is nearly a decade out. Yes, things will get worse and worse until they awaken. But we aren''t in a rush."


    "How do you know that? How do you know so much? I understand you are a deity of knowledge, but how did you become that?"


    Arlyss slowly closed the book. His face was a mixture of sorrow and pride. "My parents were ambushed. One of those that ambushed them was a Primordial Deity of Dragons. They wanted to attack my father when he was forced to defend my pregnant mother. The short version of all of that. Is that they weren''t expecting my parents to be so damn durable. My father broke the rules to send my mother and the three of our souls away. With the dragon god''s last bit of power, it broke some of the rules as well. Cursing my siblings and I with aspects of itself."


    Again he raised his hand to show another trait.


    Divine Trait: Cursed (Jiraki - Primordial Deity of Dragons) (Sight and Wisdom)


    You have been cursed by a powerful divine being. This curse cannot be broken until you are stronger than the creature that cursed you. You will be given [Divine Dragon Sight] in addition to the trait [Ancient Wisdom] in exchange; any dragon that sees you will be enraged and attack without cause. Any descendents of dragons will be hostile toward you but will not attack unless they are sure they can win.


    Trillia read the status and felt sorry for him. On the one hand, such wisdom and knowledge would be a great boon. But to be hated by the most feared creatures in the realm was another thing entirely.


    Arlyss cleared the status and looked down at the cover of the book. "I have no intentions of leaving Alirast to suffer at the hands of the [Primordials]. Whether you join me or not, I will do everything I can to ensure that the mortals of this realm can lead long and happy lives."


    Trillia thought about things for a while longer, the two sitting in silence. Finally, she stood and walked over and kneeled before Arlyss. "I wish to pledge my servitude to you. All I ask is that you let me keep the freedom to make my own choices. And you never ask me to harm my tribe. I want to see my tribe thrive. I want them to live without worry. If your goal is to stay here on Alirast and see that vision through. I''d be honored to do so at your side."


    Arlyss stared down at her for what felt like an eternity unto itself. "Are you certain? You will watch your tribe grow and die a thousand times and more. As a child, you will grow to become an adult, but never past that. You''ve seen firsthand what it does to people, what it has done to Stas."


    Trillia nodded. "Then I can protect my tribe and the plains for all eternity."


    After a few more minutes. A notification popped up before Trillia.

 Chapter 50 Pact Bonded

    A Lesser Deity of Knowledge [Arlyss Ocrey Darktone] is offering to enter a pact bond with you!


    A brief explanation will be given.


    When you are the subject of a pact bond with a deific being. You lose 1% of your experience.


    You gain no experience from the deity''s achievements or battles.


    The deity gets your highest stat as a bonus to their own matching stat. (Or nearest equivalent)


    If a deity''s derived stat is higher than your matching derived stat, you get a bonus equal to the difference. (Up to a 50% bonus. This bonus is always shown as a %)


    You no longer suffer any penalties for aging that your species and subspecies would normally afflict. (This includes but is not limited to dying of old age. If you already have penalties of aging due to your natural age before entering a pact; Those penalties stay, but you will not accrue any new penalties.)


    Every deity grants a divine skill based on their domains. This skill may change and evolve over time based on how a deity''s domains change and evolve.


    A deity will always know your exact location in the Universe.


    Unless Universal rules and restrictions are in place, a deity can always summon a pact-bonded creature to their side instantaneously, at any time. (This ability has a cooldown equal to ???????)


    A pact-bound creature can never intentionally betray a deity''s intent. Attempting to do so causes Soul Burn. A debuff that will slowly consume your soul and send all of your experience and levels to the betrayed deity. (Due to the obscure nature of some deities, the intent is always the deciding factor for whether or not a pact is considered broken or betrayed.)


    A deity can only end a pact by sacrificing an amount of permanent divinity equal to the creature''s highest level. When the pact ends, a deity cannot form another pact with a creature from that realm for one year in local realm time.


    A verbal agreement and contract are created in the form of a Universal Geas. Knowingly and intentionally breaking such a Geas results in severe punishments for either party, up to and including Soul Burn or Divine Obliteration.


    If the pact is accepted, both parties will bare a mark that shows they are bound by a divine pact. The nature of this mark is based on the deity''s domains and the species of the creature being bound to the deity.


    This mark allows you to instantly see and recognize other creatures who are pact-bound to a deity as well as see their pact-bound marks.


    If you understand all of this. You may now form your verbal contract with the deity [Arlyss Ocrey Darktone].


    Trillia stared at the notification for a long time. She read through the long list of warnings and stipulations several times.


    The weight of this decision wasn''t lost on her, and she was glad to see that the system itself made it very clear how important such a decision was. For both of them.


    Trillia looked past the notification at Arlyss. "This is far more in-depth than the pact I formed with Ialu."


    Arlyss nodded solemnly. "Deals with divinity are not taken lightly. Nor should they be. I won''t take offense if you refuse. I understand it is a one-way street for you. It makes me vulnerable to obliteration if I break a pact. But for you to break the pact is certain death."


    Trillia nodded slightly before looking over all of the warnings once more. "For the verbal contract portion of this. How shall we word it?"


    Arlyss didn''t hesitate before speaking. "I, Arlyss Ocrey Darktone, Lesser Deity of Knowledge of the Western Continent in the Realm of Alirast. Do hereby agree to never ask you to operate in malice against your tribe or your family. I hereby agree to let you have your own life and loves and will only demand service where it concerns the safety of Alirast, the safety of my own being, or the safety of other pact-bound creatures. I will otherwise ask for help, knowing that you may freely decline to do so without a violation of the pact. Unless it is brought to your attention for one of the aforementioned emergency situations. As your pact-bound deity. I will do my best to ensure the safety of your being and the well-being of the realm you inhabit."


    Trillia was a bit stunned. It seemed like he had given this an incredible amount of thought. That made sense. There was no explanation for what [Divine Obliteration] was. But it certainly didn''t sound like a good time.


    Thinking for just a few seconds more, Trillia nodded and extended a hand. Arlyss pulled a small dagger and cut the center of his palm, the liquid that came out wasn''t blood. It looked more like raw mana.


    He extended the blade to her, and she sliced her right hand on it.


    Trillia tentatively reached out her hand and grasped his. As she did, the world spun around them. Her vision shifted, and she no longer saw the world as she once had. Instead, she saw Arlyss standing before her, the form of a colossal dragon over his left shoulder and what looked like a giant winged human over his right shoulder. Both had thin threads of golden energy connecting them to the young boy.


    All around her, stars speckled in the distance. From each of the great beings, hundreds of thousands of thin threads originated from their backs and spread to all of the stars around them.


    As she stared at Arlyss, a single thin thread formed at the base of his neck and flowed to the base of her neck. As soon as the strand of divinity touched her, her mind was filled with a million ideals. Different languages and the history of a million realms. It was all so overwhelming it felt like her head would split open.


    Just as fast as the knowledge came, it vanished. Once more, the two of them were standing in the library. The sun had nearly set at this point, casting long shadows in the room. Ialu lay at Trillia''s feet, asleep.


    Trillia blinked a few times and looked down at their hands. Carved into the dark red of her skin were faintly golden glowing lines. Runes that spoke of her tribe''s history and of the warriors of old. The runes started at her hand and ran up to her elbow.


    Trillia looked at the notification that was flashing violently, trying to be seen.


    You are now a pact-bound creature to Arlyss Ocrey Darktone!


    You are the first pact this deity has formed!


    You are considered this deity''s avatar! When interacting with other pact-bound entities, the weight of this title causes them to regard you with considerably more respect.


    Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.You have been granted the Divine Skill: [Fountain of Lethe]


    Fountain of Lethe:


    This skill allows a creature to drink from oblivion. Once a day, you may partake of the fountain, and you will be able to find the answer to any question you have, but the answer given will be based on your ability to act on the information. After drinking from the fountain, you are unable to gain experience for the next 24 hours. Any experience you would have gained is instead gained by your patron deity.


    Trait Acquired: Pact-Bound (Lesser Deity of Knowledge)


    Trait Acquired: Tongues


    Tongues:


    Due to your patron deity''s vast ocean of knowledge. You have a passing understanding of any spoken language. You must still learn a language to communicate with a creature. But you will know the general meaning of their words.


    Trillia stared at the notifications for a moment, still squeezing Arlyss'' hand. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath. There was no going back now. When she opened her eyes again, she saw Arlyss differently as well.


    No longer was there a small orc child standing before her. Instead, it was a young boy with long crystalline hair held from his face by tipped ears. The same fierce green eyes stared back at her. He seemed...less comforting now. Far more dangerous. She could feel the presence of other deities watching him from afar. Could feel a small portion of the weight of their stares.


    Looking down at their interlocked hands, his skin held dark obsidian-colored runes etched into his arm. A mirror of the same marks she carried.


    Arlyss motioned for her to follow, not saying a word. She was happy to let the silence fill the air, deep in thought at some of the things she had seen.


    Trillia wondered if that was what his mind was at all times.


    Filled with the knowledge of a million realms and their people. Filled with ideas and theories that seemed impossible to her comprehension. She couldn''t remember or grasp any of the exacts, as that knowledge had been taken from her for her own safety. But she remembered the overwhelming feeling of discovery.


    Arlyss led her to a mirror. She looked into it and was surprised to see the change had been more than just the runes on her arms.


    Trillia had to admit a tiny, immature part of her wanted to have gained some height from it as her mother had, but such wasn''t the case. At least not yet. Instead, her white hair had taken a semi-iridescent coloring, somewhat matching Arlyss'' own crystalline hair, and fell to the middle of her back. One of her eyes was no longer filled with the swirling of blue mana but instead had mixed with the greens of her deity to form a teal color. Her skin was still the dark red - nearly obsidian - coloring of before, save for the golden glow of the runes on her arm. She was glad that only other pact-bound creatures could see it.


    Trillia nodded once at her reflection. A faint smile tugged at her lips. "I''ll have to get something then this makeshift leather armor that''s half patched with wolf fur."


    Trying to lighten the mood at the gravity they both faced. Arlyss offered a smile. "Indeed. I can''t very well have my avatar walking about looking like a common warrior."


    Both shared a strained chuckle. Despite the shared power between them, both jumped a little, startled by the banging on the door. Arlyss called out. "Come in. I trust Lord Stas found his way to a comfortable room?"


    Trillia no longer heard all of the languages at once. Instead, to her, he spoke in crystal clear orc. The woman from before entered the room, and upon seeing Arlyss, she bowed at the waist. <Human:> "I made sure that he was comfortable, Lord Darktone. Forgive our earlier outburst. We do not mean to second-guess you. We only worry for our people, as you do."


    Arlyss waved a hand dismissively. "I understand. I truly do. Truth be told if he wished our city harm. Even I would be hard-pressed to stop him. He is a goblin of astounding power and talent. My father truly creates terrifying generals for times of war. Speaking of."


    Arlyss motioned to Trillia. "Lady Kismet, please say hello to my first pact-bound and my acting avatar. This is Lady Trillia Demonsbane."


    The woman, who Trillia now knew to be named Kismet, froze in place at hearing that. Trillia was worried at first that she''d respond in anger or jealousy. Instead, the woman strode up to her and wrapped her in a hug. Letting go almost immediately and kneeling before her. She spoke in orc, though it was rather rough.


    "This one thanks you. My god worries for our safety. But will not take the help. If I can assist, tell me."


    Trillia felt incredibly embarrassed. She practically chased the woman to her knees and gently pulled her up. "Bow to him. I am barely your equal, for you are surely more experienced in life than I am. I look forward to learning from you in the coming days."


    Trillia tried to remain as diplomatic as possible, still unsure exactly what her place was. The nagging feeling of going to Kincairne had been completely eliminated. Instead, a feeling of purpose stuck in her stomach. The woman stood with a smile and gave her another hug.


    Kismet turned to Arlyss and once more spoke in the human tongue. <Human:> "My lord. I humbly request permission to borrow her for a few days. So that we can find a fitting outfit for a woman of her station."


    Arlyss chuckled faintly but nodded. "Of course. Thank you for all of your help, Lady Kismet. With Trillia here and Stas, I will be able to more readily solve the food crisis facing our people. Make sure whatever clothes you find for her are to her liking and are practical for a warrior who must move rapidly."


    Kismet bowed low to him before turning to Trillia and extending her arm. "Come. We dress well. Practice your words? Our words?"


    Trillia smiled and put her hand on Kismet''s arm. "I would love to teach you the orc language. I hope you will teach me how to speak your language as well. If I am needed, Lord Darktone, please do not hesitate to ask."


    Arlyss gave them both another nod. "I will soon. Your near-limitless mana is going to be put to very good use very soon. But first, I have a promise to fulfill. I must go and give word to your tribe not to attack the [Primordial] yet. Is there anything I can say or do to avoid your mother trying to attack me?"


    Trillia offered a weak smile at that. She knew that her mother would be extremely angry and worried. Trillia thought for a moment before removing her rapier. "Let me write her a note. Hand her the note and the rapier before you explain the situation, ok?"


    Arlyss waited for her to finish before giving each of them a small bow of the head. Right before her eyes, with no flash or movement, he simply disappeared. Trillia blinked a few times. Kismet gently patted her hand. "Realm walking. He is fast. But no brain movement. Braining? Thoughts?"


    Trillia smirked a little. "He doesn''t think things through?" Kismet nodded with a smile as the two left the library. The gnawing nervousness that Trillia had felt the entire trip over was gone. The longing for purpose was gone. Trillia wore a bright smile as Ialu followed after the two of them. The people they passed in the halls bowed to Kismet and stared in awe at Ialu.


    The attention was going to take a lot for Trillia to get used to. She hoped that her tribe would understand. She hoped that Amelia would understand. She felt a bit ashamed at having circumvented her discussion with Ralrouk. She knew they''d understand one day. She''d make sure of it.


    As they traveled further down the tower, Trillia looked over her stats to see what sort of bonuses she had from both Arlyss and Ialu.


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}


    [Status: Alive; Scorned Divinity]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 51


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 45


    +5 Wisdom Per Level


    Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 0


    Class: [Mage] Level: 0


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 173] + 37%


    \Strength: 50 + Vitality: 123/


    [Dexterity: 447] + 3%


    \Agility: 94(+180) + Wisdom: 267/


    [Charisma: 121] + 50%


    \Intuition: 50 Presence: 71/

 Chapter 51 Gearing Up

    Trillia had a little voice of guilt in the back of her mind, mostly for not discussing this crazed plan with her parents or Amelia. All three of them deserved a heads-up.


    Truth be told, Trillia wasn''t sure if she would have been able to follow through with it if all of them tried to talk her out of this plan.


    Kismet had led her to a room much closer to the base of the tower. A dozen people were watching over large pots that were boiling what looked like small balls.


    Trillia tried to wander away to look at something several times. Kismet was rather skilled at wrangling the curious and kept pulling her along.


    "What is it that they are cooking?" Trillia couldn''t help but ask. She did enjoy food and so far hadn''t been allowed to sample anything from this new region.


    <Human:>"They aren''t cooking anything per se. Those are cocoons. It''s how we make a fabric called silk. It''s what most of our clothes are made out of. One of the first things that Lord Arlyss did was create an underground cavern that mimics their native habitat. There are trees that grow great and wide canopies. The worms feast on the leaves, and we harvest their cocoons. Once boiled, the larvae die, and the fabric is left behind to be worked into silk."


    The two stopped and stared at each other for a moment. Trillia looked down bashfully. "Right. I don''t know your language, and it''s something complicated. I''ll learn later." Kismet offered her a smile, and the two kept going. Trillia had a vague idea and understanding of what was said. But it wasn''t exact, and Trillia had the feeling it wasn''t quite conveyed well by the trait.


    Trillia was led to a back room. The large glass walls of the tower had heavy curtains covering them to offer some privacy. Kismet walked over to a humanoid that was covered in fur. The creature stood somewhere over five feet, a long tail twitching occasionally near the ground. The face wasn''t quite so pronounced as the canine face of Ialu.


    Speaking of Ialu, she was drawing a lot of stares. Apparently, the desert skoll were not creatures to be taken lightly. Trillia really wished she had better hearing and an actual grasp of the language being spoken instead of just a vague intent and understanding of it. Kismet had ushered or ordered everyone to leave the room except the individual covered in fur.


    Both now approached Trillia, who offered a smile. To her surprise, she was spoken to in the orc language. "Kismet tells me that you are our Lord''s avatar and that I am to assure you have good clothes as well as anything else you might need. My name is Rakana. I am a Raksasa. A few things to clear before we work together. I do not like to be pet or touched. Please keep your hands to yourself unless you ask first. I will need to take your measurements, which requires me to break the very rules I set for my own body. If you do not wish to work with me, I understand."


    Trillia now knew Rakana to be a female, at least if her voice was anything to go on. "I understand. I won''t touch you unless I ask first or if your life is in danger. I don''t really know what you mean by measurements. My tribe passes down clothes and makes make-shift armor for our young. Most of our children grow very, very rapidly. So making custom garments for them at every stage in life would be foolish."


    Rakana grabbed a few pieces of string that had little knots tied in them at regular intervals. "Kismet, please stand guard outside. I want to ensure that our avatar is not seen by some of the ruffians that Lord Arlyss is too kind to throw out." Kismet bowed and left the room. Ialu sat in front of the door on this side of it.


    Rakana motioned to a platform that had three mirrors facing it. "Stand here and strip down, please. The measurements are just to ensure that the clothes I make fit you well enough to not fall off and allow you a free range of motion. We don''t use a lot of straps in our clothing here compared to what you are wearing now."


    Trillia began taking off her pouches, the belt that normally held her rapier and its sheath. The only thing she still had on by the time she got to the platform were her artifacts. As she stepped onto the platform and stared into the perfectly clear reflection, she saw the many scars that already marked her as an orc warrior. The stump of an arm hiding in the artifact that created her crossbow.


    Trillia felt a little self-conscious.


    As an orc, she knew she''d have scars from battle. Her mother and Ba''Shoon both had plenty of battle scars. But somehow, when she saw their forms and scars, she didn''t think less of them. It was different with her own.


    Rakana grabbed the string and began taking measurements and writing various numbers down. "Don''t judge yourself. I''ve seen that look a thousand times. Whether it is men or women, you''re after. When you reach an age that you''re ready to find a mate. You will find someone who loves you despite all of your flaws. It''s my experience you will find someone because of your flaws if anything."


    Trillia looked down at the woman. "I just. I''m a child. I have my entire life ahead of me. I wonder how much will be left by the time I settle down to start my own family and tribe. Especially being a pact-bound creature to Lord Arlyss. There will be no shortage of battles."


    The woman nodded as she worked. "Healing magic helps some. As do any skills or traits that boost your natural regeneration. But scars are going to happen, especially for those proud and confident enough to risk their lives to defend those of us who are not warriors.


    The woman stood, and because Trillia was standing on the little raised platform, they stood eye to eye. "My husband has more scars than either of us care to count. Every year it seems he gains a new one. I still love him dearly. I know his willingness to throw himself between our people and danger is the reason I can work in this glass tower and not have to learn a combat class and be required to fight and kill. There will be plenty of people who see your scars and look away, thinking you grotesque."


    Before Trillia could look at her scars in the mirrors, and again Rakana continued. "There will be far more, who see your scars and respect the hard life you''ve led, knowing that it was you, or people like you, that allow them to live in peace and harmony. You are an orc. Your people have a reputation for being powerful warriors. I promise little one. You will find love when the time comes. For now, focus on enjoying life."


    Trillia offered a little nod. Rakana didn''t relent. "By your own words, you''re still a child. So be one. Have fun, explore the world. Lord Arlyss, the [Primordials], and all other deities be damned. We only get one shot at life. Make sure it''s a good one that leaves you with no regrets."


    The woman leaned in and gave Trillia a little hug. "You can get dressed. I have your measurements. What weapons do you normally fight with?"


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    As Trillia stepped down and began grabbing her things, she answered. "Normally a rapier and this artifact. The artifact simulates an orcish crossbow. I am trying to become a mage as well. I guess I''m not sure what my end goal is. Right now, I''m just seeing what I like."


    Rakana offered a nod. "Well. My husband specializes in one-handed weapons. I can have him talk to you about some of the classes and skills that are available to us on this continent. Lady Kismet is a potent gravity mage. I believe her secondary class is something like a rejuvenator? Regenerator? I''m not sure exactly; she''s a healer. She can probably give you some tips on that front. Lord Maldoun - Lady Kismet''s brother and Lord Arlyss'' other advisor - specializes in two-handed weaponry in addition to chants and warcries."


    Trillia took it all in and nodded. She was a bit wary. Everyone seemed so helpful and readily willing to give her information about classes and other things. "You''re very kind, thank you."


    Rakana put a hand on her arm, drawing their eyes together again. "You need to understand something. You are an avatar. There will be people who are kind to you because they want to get close to Lord Arlyss. There will be people who are kind to you because Lord Arlyss demands it."


    Trillia looked at the hand, then at her. "And you?"


    "I''m the third type. I am kind to you because the world is not kind. My husband and I grew up on these streets. Both of us have known the pains of starvation and sleeping in filth. If I can choose to be anything, I will choose to be kind. Warriors like you and my husband allow me that luxury. Besides, I feel a little bad. You''re so young and already taking on so much. The least I can do is help you along."


    Trillia offered her a smile at that as she gathered up the last of her things.


    "Lady Kismet will show you around. It will take me a couple of days to make you something. I see your companion over there. If you are interested in monster taming. There are a couple of circus ringleaders on the city outskirts. Some don''t have the favor of Lord Arlyss and aren''t fully legal; others do and are. Both will have people skilled in monster-taming."


    Trillia stopped and turned to Rakana, walking up to her and hugging the woman again. "Thank you for everything. Between you and I, I''m terrified. I''m in a place where I don''t know who I can trust or what I''m even doing here. I don''t have a plan except for a panicked state of saving my people."


    Rakana returned the hug. "Listen to, and trust Lady Kismet. She''s a good woman. Lord Arlyss is too kind for his own good, in our opinion. If you ever need to see your family, I am sure he will take you to them himself. I''m not going to pretend like the city is perfect. Crime is especially high right now due to food shortages, and there are plenty of evil people still lingering in the city. But many here want to lead happy lives and work hard to get ahead. Stick to those types of people, and you''ll do fine."


    Trillia smiled as she pulled away. Taking a deep breath and joining Ialu, the two of them opening the door. Lady Kismet offered her a smile and looked over her at Rakana. <Human:>"She''s all set for now. It will take me a few days to make something I''m happy with. Maybe take her to the barracks so that she can see the city guard and army. I think the lifestyle of the guards will be closer to what she is used to."


    Kismet offered her arm, which Trillia took, and the two made their way further down the tower. The tower base was surrounded by a wall that was ten feet high. The ''courtyard'' of the tower was perhaps a hundred feet from its base to the wall in every direction around the tower proper. It was a rather huge area, all things considered.


    The guards wore metal helmets that came to a point. All of them had the same crest painted upon them. On their chests, they wore shirts that were made of thousands of tiny links of metal, all interwoven to form the shirt itself. A light white cloth under it. Heavy metal boots and what looked to Trillia like leather leggings made up the rest of the standard guard outfit. All guards had a polearm they carried and a personal weapon or three in addition to that.


    Trillia took it all in as Kismet led her around the base of the tower, pointing out where various guard houses and barracks connected to the rest of the city. Anyone visiting the tower would be forced to scale the wall or go through one of the guard houses.


    Kismet stopped at the edge of a squared-off area. Two dozen people with no armor and just the white cloth stood and drilled with their weapons. Or sat around small tables and rolled dice. Kismet scanned the crowd and motioned once more for Trillia to follow her.


    "[Riposte]!"


    "[Hail of Blades]"


    "[Thousand Step Advance]!"


    The names of at least a dozen other skills rang out as people paired off to spar with each other with the full use of skills. Despite the language being different, Trillia inherently knew what each skill name was as it was used. A sort of universal translation due to the system.


    Kismet led her to a man who stood well over six feet in height. Probably the second tallest person here, Trillia had seen a minotaur training in the group earlier. <Human:> "Lord Quintus. Your wife asked me to show our lord''s avatar to the training grounds. She does not yet know our language but has a passing understanding of it due to traits, if I am correct, in the words we have shared."


    The man looked away from the guards training in front of him. Looked down at Trillia and offered the slightest of nods. The man said a very simple statement in eight languages before Trillia recognized the language of the minotaurs and nodded in recognition. <Minotaur:> "I will have to learn the language of the orcs as well if you are to join us. I do not see a weapon. How do you fight?"


    Trillia felt a little more comfortable surrounded by warriors who thought of battle first. It did remind her of home. "Normally a rapier and this artifact. Which works like a crossbow for my mana. Lord Arlyss currently has my rapier as a sign so that my mother doesn''t attack him."


    The man chuckled at that and nodded.<Minotaur:> "Your mother must be quite the warrior if Lord Arlyss doesn''t wish to engage her in battle. The difference in power between Lord Arlyss and the rest of us really defines the difference in strength between a mortal and an immortal. We can loan you a one-handed sword if you''d like to spar for a bit. One of the guards may use a rapier as a personal weapon. "


    Trillia smiled and nodded. "I''m happy to use a one-handed weapon of any kind. Am I allowed to also use the crossbow?"


    Quintus nodded. Calling out in another language that Trillia didn''t understand. A young man ran over and put a hand to his head, some sort of salute. <Elven:> "This is Lord Arlyss'' avatar. She wishes to spar so as to not let her skills wane. Please find her a one-handed blade, as close to a rapier as you can."


    The man nodded and ran off towards the barracks. Trillia activated [Mana-Sight]


    [Human - Fencer - 61] Fire-Mana Manipulation


    [Minotaur - Pit Slave - 93] Fear-Mana Manipulation


    [Human - Warrior - 43] Fire-Mana Manipulation


    [Half-Ogre - Brute - 37] Earth-Mana Manipulation


    Trillia went through all of the others. The only one that really stood out was the minotaur. Not only was he the highest level by a wide margin, but his class also made her worry. She turned to look at Quintus and Kismet, who were watching the training. "Is slavery allowed here?" Followed by motioning to the minotaur.


    Quintus looked at the ground with shame in his eyes. Kismet grits her teeth a bit. <Human:> "Alexander! Fall out and come here for a moment, please." The minotaur raised a hand to pause his sparring match, looking first at Kismet, followed by Quintus. Seeing Quintus nod, he bowed his head and trotted over. Bowing to each of them in turn before looking at Kismet. <Human:> "This young lady wishes to know our history of slavery. I think it is important that it comes from someone so recently touched by it. She knows your mother tongue."


    The minotaur - Alexander - turned to regard Trillia. She felt a small hit to her mana as he tried to pierce her obfuscation. <Minotaur:> "How much do you know of our past?"


    Trillia shook her head. "Nothing. Assume I know nothing of this continent and city. I am from the Shattered Plains of the northern continent. I am familiar with some of the customs of the minotaurs that call that place home."


    When she said the Shattered Plains, the minotaur froze. Trillia was worried she had said something she wasn''t supposed to. The minotaur gripped his weapon all the tighter and narrowed his eyes at her. She instinctively fell into a defensive posture.

 Chapter 52 Everyone Has A Darkside

    Quintus put himself between the minotaur and Trillia. <Minotaur:> "Alex, don''t make the resistance right about us. Take a breath; you''re free. There are no shackles. What''s going on?"


    The minotaur''s knuckles were white on the handle of the large, two-handed hammer he wielded. Slowly he turned his death gaze from Trillia to Quintus. <Minotaur:> "Forgive me, Lord Quintus. Permission to return to training, I have nothing to say to the Shattered Plains."


    Quintus gave him an odd look before nodding. The Minotaur glared at Trillia once more before turning and going to a dummy. Far too angry to control himself against a living thing. Quintus turned his head to Trillia. <Minotaur:> "Any idea why he hates your people?"


    Trillia shook her head and relaxed once he had walked away. "I have no idea. I''m turning nine soon. It may be that something happened between our people before I was born? Do you know how old Alexander is?"


    Quintus looked from her to the minotaur, who had taken to growling and slamming his hands into the gravel and dirt floor of the training area. <Minotaur:> "Thirty or forty winters? He was only recently released from the fighting pits. I think it best if you ask your slavery question to Lord Arlyss. He is perhaps the only person in this city who will give you an unbiased answer. The rest of us are still keenly feeling the effects."


    Trillia gave the slightest of nods. As she looked at Alexander, she wondered how much he had suffered. She had seen some of the scars Uncle Cordaos had.


    She was suddenly very grateful for being a part of the Shattered Plains. "I think it best if I''m not near the training grounds for now. I appreciate the offer, but I''d rather not create any ill will."


    Quintus nodded, and Kismet led the two of them away. They walked in silence for a while as they slowly made their way to the parapet atop the wall. Kismet led them around and spoke to various members of the guard. The vast majority of them were human. In fact, the vast majority of everyone she had met was human. There were only a handful of non-humans around.


    Kismet stopped above one of the guard houses leading out of the enclosed area. Motioning to this part of the city. The houses were in rather poor condition compared to the rest of the city, and the amount of guards stationed here was three times that of any other part of the wall. <Human:> "This is where the slavers have taken to hiding. Those who oppose Lord Arlyss'' new laws concerning the abolishment of slavery. He doesn''t want to simply march in and slaughter everyone as he feels it could start a civil war. Something the city could not survive."


    Trillia took a few minutes to parse through the information and get the gist of what was being conveyed. "You mentioned a food crisis. Do you know how Lord Arlyss intends for me to help?"


    Kismet asked her to repeat the question a couple of times before understanding enough of it to answer. <Human:> "Mana machines. Come, I''ll show you. Stas should be there."


    Once more, the two set off. This time back into the tower and lower into the underground levels. Trillia was startled to see that the underground sections of the city were probably just as vast as the above-ground. There was obviously powerful mana manipulation at work to keep this place from collapsing.


    Kismet led her to large fields, odd tubes filled with glowing mana hung on the ceiling, and acres of sprouts rolled out before her. All along the wall, thirty or forty people took turns channeling mana into runes. Sure enough, Stas was standing next to one of the machines and had taken it apart piece by piece. There were a few other shorter creatures that looked like goblins but with the skin of a human standing near him.


    As they approached, one of the pale goblins walked up to Kismet and began jabbering in yet one more language Trillia didn''t know. <Gnome:> "This one is fucking crazy! You want to blow up the city? Lord Arlyss want to blow up the city? Cause that''s what this one is gonna do. He''s gonna blow the entire city into the clouds! Get him the hell out of here!"


    Kismet''s face appeared completely calm and at peace. Trillia needed the trait that let her deal with all this and never seem particularly emotional. Trillia walked past the angry pale goblin and up to Stas. "Making more friends, Uncle Stas?"


    The goblin chuckled at that. Stas seemed different. As if he was actually happy and enjoying himself. "Little shits wouldn''t know good engineering if it bit them in the ass."


    The two spoke in the goblin tongue. Trillia saw now that Stas'' hands and arms were covered in some dark oily substance. Curious, she activated [Mana-Sight].


    Crude Oil:


    Crude oil is a mixture of carbons in liquid form. You lack the skills, traits, and know-how for a more in-depth explanation.


    Alchemical Use: Oil is an effective way to start and spread fire. Some very high-quality fire flasks use small bits of crude oil to make the flaming substance more sticky.


    Rain Machine:


    Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.This machine is the product of gnomish engineering. It is a series of runes that are connected to pipes to help with the irrigation of farmland. For every cubic foot of water, you wish to create and push. You must channel 10 mana into the runes.


    Stas pulled out another pipe and tossed it in a pile. The other pale goblins - gnomes, Trillia supposed was their name. - began shouting at him in their own language. Stas began shouting back, and they motioned towards the machines. All of them stormed five feet to the side to a table that held a bunch of papers on it.


    She respected the gnomes. They didn''t seem to care what level Stas was. Or how dangerous he supposedly was. They only cared that he apparently disagreed with their engineering practices. Trillia could respect that.


    [Gnome - Steam Tinkerer - 71] Steam-Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Eidetic Memory (Racial)


    [Gnome - Greaser - 52] Water-Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Eidetic Memory (Racial)


    [Gnome - ?? - ??] Obfuscated


    Obfuscated


    The gnome she couldn''t fully identify was the same one that had approached Kismet. Trillia turned her head to see that Kismet was discussing something with one of the humans. Both looked over at the scene with a smirk on their faces. Trillia wandered off near one of the machines that was still in place.


    One of the humans near it seemed exhausted. Trillia tried to speak in their tongue. "Help, can you? Uhhh...I, Lord Arlyss, help, can you?" The human turned to look at her. Glancing her up and down as he sat on a stool, breathing heavily.


    <Human:> "If you''re asking how you can help. Dump mana into the runes." he forced himself to stand and motioned for the other human, who was taking his turn to move. "Rune. Mana. Help. Good." The man spoke each word slowly while looking at her. Trillia nodded and walked up to the machine.


    As she placed her hand on it. She could feel that the machine could hold about ten thousand mana and was draining ten a second. That was about twice what she could regenerate in a second. Taking a moment to inspect each of the runes and the machine, she dumped enough mana into it to fill it completely. The thing hummed to life, and rain began to fall over large sections of the ground in a mist-like form. Taking the relatively small amount of water and spreading it over a large area.


    The two men who were exhausted next to the machine could only stare at her dumbfounded. Trillia moved over and filled four more machines. She stopped there, not wanting to empty her reserves too much.


    Now there was a lot more shouting. Gnomes and humans alike jabbing their fingers towards her and screaming. Before anyone could approach her, a low thin whistle emanated from Kismet. Everyone who had been shouting went silent and fell to a knee. <Human:> "She is the avatar of Lord Arlyss. She is here out of the kindness of her own heart. Lord Arlyss explicitly told her to look around and rest today. But because she wants to help, she was kind enough to descend to the farms and deplete her own valuable resources to do your jobs. I will personally punish anyone else who demands she is put in chains to alleviate your laziness and shortcomings."


    No one said a word. They didn''t even dare look at Trillia. She got the meaning of what was being said and felt rather angry. But she waited for Kismet to leave the group behind. Once they were ascending the stairs, Trillia stopped. "Don''t threaten people on my behalf."


    Kismet turned to look at her. A thin smile on her face. <Human:> "I didn''t. I threatened them on Lord Arlyss'' behalf. Lord Arlyss does not need a weak-willed avatar. Until this last year, most of the city still believed in slavery. We still practiced it. We still considered normal humanoids superior to monstrous humanoids. The gnomes in there wanted to attach you to a rune battery system and force you to dump mana into them until you died."


    Trillia wanted to argue but found most of her arguments dying in her throat. Kismet must have gotten the same advice Trillia did because the woman didn''t relent when she knew she was winning. <Human:> "You''re a kind girl. But you''re soft. Oh sure, you are no doubt a terrifying warrior and combatant. But when it comes to people, you''re soft. I don''t know what sort of people you grew up around. But here? In this city? Many people are ruthless and won''t hesitate to pull someone else into the mud if it means they can crawl out of it."


    Trillia gritted her teeth and nodded. She''d speak with Arlyss about it. Figure out how she could help that situation as well. Kismet shook her head. <Human:> "It''s the nature of mortals. Especially mortals who haven''t had to struggle to survive. It was only recently that many of the humanoids in this city had to work and share their food. We didn''t care if slaves died; why would we?"


    "Is that why you wouldn''t answer my questions about it? Because you were one of the people who enslaved?" Trillia stared up at the woman with a simmering rage in her eyes.


    Kismet nodded. <Human:> "Yes. I was one of those who enslaved people. I''m not an avatar or a pact-bound creature. I don''t have a trait that gives me thousands of times the mana that other people have. I am no immortal who can bend and break the laws of our world on a whim with sheer power. I looked out for my own. I made sure that my family didn''t starve to death."


    Kismet now leaned in to stare Trillia in the eyes. <Human:> "Don''t pretend you are so much better than I. Your friends and family have a long history of horrific practices. They may have retired and chosen peace now. But the reputation of the four generals is not a pleasant one. There''s a reason they were all exiled to the northern continent."


    Trillia''s rage was growing by the second. "I can''t speak for the past. But my people do not enslave others! We do not care so little for life that we would be blind to so much suffering!" She was furious she didn''t understand all of the words. She only knew the general intent and a word or two here and there. But that intent was clear enough.


    Kismet shook her head. <Human:> "This is pointless. We''ll discuss this more when Lord Arlyss returns. Neither of us can truly understand the other. Let''s not waste time. Come. I will show you to a place you can rest."


    Trillia followed after. The two walked to a room in the tower. Kismet showed her inside and left without another word. Trillia sat next to one of the large panels of glass and stared at the city below. She felt cramped here as well. Had this been a mistake? How many of the people here hated Arlyss because he had taken their power over others away? Kismet seemed kind, but...she had been just as vile, hadn''t she? Trillia would just have to wait for Arlyss to return and question him.

 Chapter 53

    Trillia kept to herself for the next day. They had food brought up to her room. The bread was cooked differently than in her tribe and served as a base with a small pile of onions on top. A few oblong spheres had sweet red flesh inside on the side of the plate.


    Trillia was certainly happy with the food; it tasted good and was just different enough to be a new experience for her. It was also significantly better than the rations she had been eating since setting out with Stas.


    A gentle rumble of the tower alerted her that Arlyss had returned. The bond she shared also flared more fully to life when he was closer. Standing, she made her way up the tower to the room she could sense him from.


    When she arrived, Kismet and her brother were already there, informing him of things that had happened in his absence. Arlyss wore the same small smile he always wore, nodded along, and ushered them away. Asking to be left alone to handle tasks he needed to handle.


    Neither of them said a word as they walked past Trillia. No one had really spoken to her since her conversation with Kismet yesterday.


    Her clothes also hadn''t been completed, so she stood in her patchwork leather armor, trying to find a way to bring up the topic and the many questions and worries she had. Wondering if she should bring them up. Surely her job as an avatar wasn''t to make his life more difficult or to pester him constantly with questions.


    Closing her eyes and shaking her head, she thought better of it. He had just asked to be left alone. She could figure this out on her own. Maybe go and speak with Stas.


    Quintus was an easier conversation to have since they both spoke the minotaur language. As she turned and continued to sort out a plan, Arlyss called after her.


    "I sent them away so that you didn''t have to hide your true questions or your true intentions. I know you have many questions, but I will warn you." turning now to face her. Trillia saw that he looked weary. "The knowledge I share, oftentimes, will not be my own view on things...rather. It''s muddled with the knowledge of the ancients that forever swirls in my mind."


    Trillia walked up to him and gave him a hug. "Rest. You look weary. We cannot help our people if you are exhausted. My curiosity can wait until you''ve rested from your trip. What can I do to help in the meantime? We''ll have this discussion tomorrow."


    Arlyss stared with no small amount of surprise in his eyes. They held the stare for a long moment before relief seemed to take over, and his shoulders sagged. "We have runes hidden a thousand feet from the outermost wall. Quintus and Maldoun are both familiar with the process. It is a simple shield spell that must be refilled with mana every few days. If you could refill it in my place, I would be most grateful."


    Trillia pulled back and offered him a smile as she nodded. "I''ll see it done. I am a bit curious. Would you like me to wake you after a certain amount of time?"


    Arlyss returned the smile. "Immortals don''t sleep. It''s a sort of meditative state we enter. It will only take me a few hours to recharge fully. I just expended a little too much divinity, not only in traversing between locations. But also securing the city that your people are in to make sure nothing happens to them while you are here helping me."


    Trillia bowed slightly and turned to leave. As she pulled the door open, he called out once more. "Thank you. For being patient." Turning back to him, she gave a wink and closed the door behind her.


    Her father had spoken to her about the duty of a partner. Especially when your partner was a leader. Varga had always told her that a partner''s first duty was to ease the burden of the other. If both people did so, it became much easier to rise to any challenge life would bring about. He often would whisper that he never really wanted to be a general or leader but knew he would have an easier time helping Amara deal with things if he took that position. She understood the dynamic was different between her and Arlyss, but it was the best advice she had to go on for now.


    It took Trillia a few minutes to find someone who knew where Maldoun was. She chose Maldoun because she hadn''t spent any time with him yet. It would let her learn more of the human tongue and force her to interact with people she might have a problem with down the line.


    She knocked on the door and immediately heard the call to enter. Stepping into the room - located in yet another library - she saw Maldoun sitting at a desk with stacks of paper around him. He looked just as exhausted as Arlyss and shared the weary look in his eyes that Kismet and Quintus held.


    She strode up to his desk and offered a slight bow. <Human:> "Lord Arlyss asks me refill runes." Motioning in a circle and spreading her arms out wide.


    Maldoun stared for a moment before snapping his fingers. <Human:> "The shield barrier that surrounds the city?" Seeing Trillia nod excitedly, he stood from his desk. <Human:> "Of course, M''Lady. I shall lead you to each of them. I''m grateful that you have the mana required to refill them. I know it takes a toll on Lord Arlyss. Dear Kismet informed me you also saved a lot of time and energy and got some of the rain machines producing water. At least for a few hours."


    Trillia held her tongue as she followed him. She was curious about what else Kismet may have said. Maldoun continued. <Human:>"Kismet is quite taken with you. I think it''s because you and Lord Arlyss seem so close in age. It''s a cruelty of fate that children must carry the mantles of leadership. I hope that the two of you can find some happiness here in this city."


    That...didn''t really track. Trillia thought for sure that Kismet would be angry with her. She reminded herself that she wasn''t dealing with Orcs. Who were rather quick to battle and argue. Orcs didn''t care to hold a grudge, they''d rather get into a brawl, and everyone was happy after the fact.


    Trillia picked her words as carefully as she could. <Human:> "Lady Kismet...protective. I worry. More...problem? I more problem than not?" Trillia would have to find someone to help speed up the process of learning this damn soft language.


    Maldoun chuckled and shook his head. <Human:> "Kismet is used to leading with a strong hand and a sharp tongue. Many of the people we protect used to be enemies. It''s a humbling thing for clashing ideologies to be forced into an alliance by a deity. We''ll make it work, don''t you worry. If you want. I have an hour or two free every evening. Normally I use that time to practice my swordsmanship. If you''d like, I can help you with your swordsmanship while we also work on sharing languages."


    Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    Trillia nodded at that and briefly wondered if Maldoun could also read surface thoughts. She set a mental reminder to ask Uncle Stas if there was a way to prevent such a thing from happening.


    Raising the whistle to her lips, she blew a soft, short note. Ialu - who had wandered off sometime in the night - appeared shortly after they left the tower. Trillia crawled up onto Ialu''s back and kept following Maldoun, who now walked with much longer strides and a faster pace.


    As they walked through the city, Trillia began to realize how bad the food problem was. Most people seemed thin and weaker. Well, weaker than normal for humans. Trillia was still adjusting to just how small humans were compared to her tribe. They all looked like runts to her. They had to stop on three different occasions as Maldoun created food seemingly out of thin air.


    Just a few small berries and handed them out to people on the brink. He promised things would get better soon and to keep the faith. Many of the people he stopped to help had scars on their wrists and neck. A darker and darker image was painted in Trillia''s mind of what the city might have been like before Arlyss rose to power.


    Once they were outside the city, Maldoun stopped walking and instead pulled a large two-handed blade out of a sheath that was no larger than a dagger.


    "[Desert Winds]"


    Sand and wind kicked up around the blade, and he carefully spun it around and kneeled on the flat of the blade, still holding onto its handles. As the blade lifted into the air, he turned to her with a grin. <Human:> "Keep up."


    With that, he shot off toward their destination. Trillia grinned herself and urged Ialu on. The Desert Skoll had a surprisingly difficult time keeping up with Maldoun. She could see that he slowed down whenever they came to a particularly high dune.


    Finally, he came to a stop. Trillia couldn''t see anything different about this area. Truth be told, the desert just looked like sand in every direction. It was a bit confusing. Thankfully if ever she felt lost, the glass tower rose so high into the sky that it was an easy target.


    Maldoun stepped off his blade and held the edge against the ground. Something changed about the way the sand moved around the blade, and it began to pull more and more sand toward it. Revealing a polished sandstone pedestal decorated in runes. A top the pedestal sitting on small hands made of condensed mana, sat a sky blue crystal with more runes on it.


    Trillia could see that the crystal held mana in it and that it was quite low.


    Artifact: Sky Bastion Crystal (3 of 6)


    The Sky Bastion Crystal is an artifact created by a lesser deity. Each crystal can hold a hundred thousand mana. Depending on their configuration, any attack aimed at something inside their radius must overcome the mana in every crystal at once or be repelled. The owner of this artifact is instantly aware of any creature that steps inside the inner radius.


    Current Mana: 11,342/100,000


    Trillia nodded as she stepped up to the crystal. Placing her hands on it and dumping mana into the artifact until it was full. If all of the crystals were this low, Trillia would be close to being out of mana for a day or two while it regenerated.


    Maldoun let out a low whistle and shook his head. <Human:> "It''s a bit absurd to watch a mortal do what a deity does. I''ve seen some high-level folks before. But nothing capable of the things you and Stas are capable of. I wonder what level you are. Or what level Lord Arlyss is..."


    Maldoun shook his head with another chuckle. <Human:>"I suppose I really do need to stop worrying so much. Stop trying to control everything and accept more capable people are here."


    Trillia climbed back onto Ialu and followed him to the next pedestal. She gave his words serious thought, was that why he and Kismet seemed so abrasive when she and Stas arrived? Because they weren''t people easy to control and thus capable of destroying any hard work they had achieved?


    Trillia truly wanted to give them both the benefit of the doubt in her initial musings.


    -=- Three Hours Later -=-


    They were approaching the last crystal. So far, Trillia had dumped just under five hundred thousand mana into them. She still had a little over that same amount, but that would be a day or two of no mana use to regenerate it all. It dawned on her just how much mana or divinity Arlyss had at his disposal to do this every few days and still be capable of doing so much else.


    As they approached the sixth crystal, Maldoun held up a hand and slowed. <Human:> "Looks like undead. Maybe seven? The Sage must have wandered through recently. We''ll have to report this to Lord Arlyss as well. Stay here. I''ll go and deal with them."


    <Human:> "Wait!" Trillia called out before he could fly off. As he turned to glance at her, she waved the arm with the artifact attached to it. <Human:> "Want experience. Let me help."


    Maldoun nodded and motioned for her to go one way. She set off at the same time he did. As they came closer, Trillia saw that the undead were in the same rags that many of the citizens were. Pale yellow bones with dark beads of red energy floating in their skulls, most were armed with weapons that seemed purposefully rusty.


    Ialu ran her very close to the first skeleton, and Trillia let loose a full volley of mana bolts. The thing withered under the attack.


    Maldoun leapt from his blade with a spin and brought the edge of it down onto a skeleton''s skull. The thing fell to pieces.


    As Trillia urged Ialu to the next, the skoll refused to budge. Trillia pushed on the mental link more, and Ialu growled at the bones on the ground and began biting them.


    Much to Trillia''s surprise and horror, the bones slowly began to form back together, cracks were mended, and dusted parts began to form new bones.


    Trillia immediately urged Ialu to back off as a spear-wielding skeleton charged at them. She shouted at Maldoun. <Human:> "How kill? How Kill?"


    Maldoun raised a hand at the skeleton he had crushed the skull of.


    "[Radiance]!"


    A bright white light burst from his hand, and the bones went completely white. The skeleton stopped rumbling. Trillia and Ialu ran closer to him, she''d blow off a leg or parts of their chest, and Maldoun would use [Radiance] to make sure they stayed dead.


    The only problem came when one of the skeletons nicked her arm with the rusty blade. She replied with a blast from her crossbow - cursing herself for not retrieving her rapier from Arlyss - and urging Ialu to put distance between them. Maldoun finished off the last of the skeletons with [Radiance] and immediately ran over to her. Roughly grabbing her right arm where the skeleton had nicked her and yanking it closer to himself.


    <Human:> "Don''t move! Rot bad!" Before she could protest, he pulled a knife from his belt and cut deeply into her arm. She let out a howl of her own, Ialu snapped at his hands, but he put a knee into the skoll''s snout, turning the attack away. Dropping the knife, he grabbed the mostly carved-out flesh and yanked it out. The pain burned through Trillia''s mind, and the world began to spin.


    Ialu turned and tried to flee, but Maldoun held strong. <Human:> "Don''t run! Stupid wolf! Corruption bad. She will die! Tell your wolf to calm down!"


    Trillia did her best to relay the intent through the mental bond. Ialu stopped fighting him but stayed cautious. A notification popped up into her face.


    You''ve been afflicted with [Eternal Rot]!


    Eternal Rot:


    A curse inflicted on creatures struck by undead weaponry. This curse will slowly rot your flesh and blood until your soul is corrupted and trapped in your body.


    Trillia dismissed the notification and looked at Maldoun, who had begun dumping some sort of creamy green liquid onto her arm. <Human:> "Bite down on something. This next part is going to hurt. A lot."


    After a moment, Trillia bit down on a leather strap hanging off her armor.


    "[Radiant Purge]!"


    Another blinding white light coursed from Maldoun''s hands into her arm. The last thing Trillia saw before the pain took over was a notification.


    You''ve been purged of [Eternal Rot]!


    Your soul must recover. You will not regenerate any resources for the next 72 hours.

 Chapter 54 Progress!

    She could feel her heartbeat in her head. As the rhythmic thumping continued, her nausea got worse. Notifications hummed loudly in the periphery of her mind.


    Your group has defeated [Lesser Rot Undead]!


    Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 0 -> Level 1


    You''ve slain a new enemy type! [Undead] Bonus experience is awarded!


    ...


    Your group has defeated [Lesser Rot Undead]!


    Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 1 -> Level 7


    Class: [Mage] Level 0 -> Level 3


    Trait Acquired: Remain Standing!


    Remain Standing:


    You''ve made it a habit to fall unconscious at inopportune times! This trait will burn excess Mana to keep you conscious during these times in the future so that you don''t miss so much!


    Finally! It was starting to wear on her nerves how easily her body gave up on staying conscious. She made a note to always keep a few thousand mana in reserve to make sure she didn''t keep passing out.


    [Monster Slayer]


    Active Skills:


    Bane Weaponry (Special)


    Tool For The Job (Special)


    Passive Skills:


    Mental Bestiary


    Undead


    [Mage]


    Active Skills:


    Cantrip-[Arrow] (Universal Manipulation detected. Please choose an element!)


    Trillia was happy to have made some progress, at least. Before Trillia dove into class level-ups and reading skills, she dared to open her eyes. Blessedly, she was laying in a dark room. Her right arm was sore and hurt to move. Glancing down, she saw it had been wrapped in bandages. She could feel some sort of poultice under the wrappings.


    That surprised her a bit. Between her regeneration and the healing Kismet was said to have, Trillia didn''t understand why they''d also double down with a poultice. She slowly sat up, having learned from previous blackouts about sitting up to quickly after passing out.


    She had been laid to rest in her room back at the tower. Maybe curtains hung on the wall to block out the ever-present sun. Near her bed, a small rune was glowing faintly with magic and giving off a cool air to keep the room from sweltering. Knowing she was safe in the tower, Trillia dove back into her classes.


    Bane Weaponry: (Special)


    Bane Weaponry can be taken multiple times. Each time it is taken, you must choose what creature type Bane Weaponry is applied to. This is a list of creature types you have personally slain in battle. After taking this class. Bane Weaponry levels regardless of the bane type chosen, and all Bane Weaponry actives share a singular level. There is a 24-hour period between changing Bane Weaponry loadouts. -1 Hour Per Level of this skill. (Minimum 4 Hours)


    Bane Weaponry is an infusion effect that ignores 5% of any resistance a creature has against your attacks per level of the skill (Minimum 5%). Attacking a creature that you have a bane against with a high level of Bane Weaponry against a low resistance causes your attacks to deal extra damage. Bane Weaponry uses 0.1% (Per Level of Bane Weaponry) of your current mana per attack infused with its effects and can be applied to any attack, skill, spell, or ability that originates from the user that is used to deal damage (Directly or Indirectly) to a target.


    Example: If you are fighting a [Dragon] with Dragon Bane Weaponry Level 20, you will ignore 100% of the resistance that creature has. If the creature only has 50% resistance to the type of attack you are using, you deal a bonus 50% damage.


    Tool For The Job: (Special)


    Tool For The Job can be taken multiple times. Each time it is taken, you must choose what creature type Tool For The Job is applied to. This is a list of creature types you have personally slain in battle after taking this class. Tool For The Job levels, regardless of the creature type chosen, and all Tool For The Job actives share a singular level. There is a 24-hour period between changing Tool For The Job loadouts. -1 Hour Per Level of this skill. (Minimum 4 Hours)


    Tool For The Job is an infusion effect that transforms any attack, skill, spell, or ability that originates from the user into a more effective duplicate of the same; at a rate of 5% per level (Minimum 5%). Tool For The Job uses 0.1% (Per level of Tool For The Job) of your current mana per attack infused with its effects.


    Example: If you are fighting an [Undead] with Tool For The Undead Level 20, regardless of the origin of the skill - (Fire, for example) - 100% of its damage will become Radiant (Or whatever the undead is most vulnerable to.)


    Mental Bestiary:


    Mental Bestiary is a passive skill that allows you to keep a perfectly accurate and detailed report of every enemy you slay in battle. Any discoveries you knowingly or unknowingly learn will automatically be added to the Bestiary. It further provides a 1% (Per Level) damage bonus against any creature listed in your Bestiary to all allies that can see, hear, or otherwise sense you. Or you, them.


    WARNING!!: Mental Bestiary loses all progress and must be started from scratch if you ever lose the skill or this class. (Unless added as a Mastery option. When added as a Mastery Option, it will be permanently kept for all classes.)


    Undead:


    You''ve slain a creature of the [Undead] typing! This Passive allows you to utilize activate skills.


    That was a lot to take in, but Trillia was already excited by the prospects. She immediately added [Mental Bestiary] to a passive slot. She tried to add [Bane Weaponry] but realized she had to first add [Undead] as a passive. Which let her add [Bane Weaponry] and [Tool For The Job] as [Undead Bane Weaponry] and [Tool For The Undead], respectively, to her active skill lists.


    For now, they wouldn''t add a very large amount of damage to her output, but she could absolutely see the benefit of their scaling. She wondered why more people didn''t utilize the class.


    Cantrip-[Arrow]:


    A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.Cantrip-[Arrow] can be taken multiple times. Each time it is taken, you must choose what element you wish it to be cast as. You may expand the available lists with passive skills later or substitute from other classes (Or General Skills). Cantrip-[Arrow], regardless of currently active iterations, all share a singular level.


    Cantrip-[Arrow] launches an arrow of the chosen element towards a target. It cannot miss and will veer around cover to strike an opponent. It has a range of 10 ft Per Level (Minimum 10). The damage and accuracy are based on Wisdom.


    Cantrip-Arrow Available Elements:


    Fire, Water, Wind, Earth, Pure.


    Most of that was self-explanatory. She wasn''t entirely sure what Pure was.


    Pure Element:


    Also known as Universal Mana. Pure Mana has very few skills or creatures that resist it. It deals 50% of the damage of other elements because of its versatile capabilities.


    Trillia only had three active slots. She felt as though her artifact was considered Pure or close to it. So she added Fire, Water, and Earth. She had no real reason for those choices. She''d change them out as she needed to.


    No Species or Subspecies levels. She was a bit sad to see that.


    Trillia decided to bank the seven stat points from [Monster Slayer] for now and finally mustered the courage to stand. Slowly making her way to the door. Her headache had mostly subsided at this point, and she wanted to make sure Ialu and Maldoun were ok. She didn''t see Ialu anywhere in the room.


    She stopped with her hand on the door. Turning and moving back to her things, she pulled out the journal she had been given and jotted a bunch of information down concerning her classes. As well as some of her trials and tribulations so far in the city. The city named...


    Trillia groaned and let her head drop into the soft pillow on her bed. She''d been here for at least two days and had never once asked what the city was called. So far, she felt as though she wasn''t doing a very good job as an Avatar. She made a physical and mental note to ask what the city was called.


    Tucking the journal back into her pouch and strapping all of her armor and things back on - instead of just wandering about in the robe she had been provided - she once more headed towards the door and finally left her room.


    As soon as the door opened, Ialu was at her side, nuzzling her and overall feeling quite worried. Trillia hugged the giant wolf-like creature. "I''m ok. Just need to be more careful when fighting undead, apparently."


    Ialu let out a low growl and nudged Trillia a little more, refusing to let her walk out of the room and demanding that she rest and ride around on her back. Trillia gave in and crawled up onto the canine''s back. Ialu plodded up the stairs towards the library that Arlyss had first brought them to.


    As they approached, the doors opened. It was nighttime out. In place of the burning sun to light everything, small multi-colored floating lights hovered around the room. As Ialu led them into the room, Trillia smiled at all of the pretty lights.


    Arlyss'' face didn''t betray any emotions he might have held. He was the only one gathered, for which that was true. Stas seemed furious. Kismet was on her knees with her face to the ground. Maldoun was in the same position, but Trillia saw thin lines of blood on his back all over. Trillia''s face darkened.


    Once Ialu was standing next to the small group, Trillia crawled off her back. Looking at Maldoun once more. "Forgive me, Lord Maldoun. I was eager to earn experience and prove myself. I put us both in danger because of it. May I ask what happened to your back?"


    Arlyss spoke in his stead. "Punishment." Immediately he raised a hand as she began to speak, but that didn''t stop her this time.


    "I hope it was not a punishment on my behalf! I don''t need people to be punished because of my actions or their actions to me." First Kismet, now Arlyss had whipped him? That didn''t seem right.


    Arlyss rolled his upheld hand in the air and shrugged. "I didn''t punish him. He demanded that he be punished for not keeping you safe outside of the city. I tried to inform him that your position as Avatar means you will be put in harm''s way quite often. I proceeded to tell him if he really wanted to be punished, he could choose a fitting punishment for himself or ask you how to settle the issue."


    Arlyss looked from her to the kneeling man, who remained silent. "He chose self-flagellation."


    Trillia''s face screwed up in confusion. Her eyes went from Arlyss to Maldoun to Stas. Back to Maldoun. "Why on Alirast would you do this to yourself? I''m alive. I''m fine!"


    Maldoun spoke so softly that Trillia couldn''t hear what he said. Arlyss nodded in his stead.


    "[Mass Bestow Trait: Lexicon Of Alirast]"


    You''ve been temporarily granted a trait! This trait will be available to you for the next three hours!


    Lexicon Of Alirast:


    You have an intimate knowledge of every written, spoken, or otherwise communicated language that originates from the realm of Alirast!


    Maldoun somehow managed to bow his head lower before raising it and turning to Trillia, bowing once more. This time, when he spoke the human language, Trillia could understand him. "It is my duty to protect Lord Arlyss and those in his care when he is unable to do so. It was my failure to warn you of the dangers when facing such creatures to not get struck in any capacity. I made a further error when I treated you roughly in the field with weak healing magics. Instead of bringing you to Lord Arlyss and Lady Kismet. Both of whom could have healed you more easily with fewer drawbacks. I panicked."


    Trillia walked over and sat on the ground in front of him. Still tired enough to not want to stand. "You people need to stop being so crazy. You''re terrifying the people of this city! " Reaching out and gently grabbing his shoulder and trying to lift him. Maldoun glanced to Arlyss, who offered a slight nod. Maldoun rose to a kneeling position, and Trillia continued.


    "I''m an orc. I may not be a very good orc, but I''m still an orc. Threats and violence aren''t nearly as serious to me as they evidently are to all of you. Our people thrive on battle and rough-housing. We''re thrown into battle as children so that we can learn to survive the harsh realities of life. I chose to help Lord Arlyss. I chose to stop you from doing your job and handling the undead alone. I chose to fight recklessly because I''m used to being able to heal readily. These are all things I chose to do, and despite my age, I am free to make these choices."


    Trillia turned her gaze from Maldoun to Arlyss. "The freedom of choice. I don''t want people punished because of my choices. Especially when they don''t deserve it." Once more, she turned to look at Maldoun. "As far as I''m concerned, you made sure I wasn''t in grave danger in the field after my mistake cost me a life-threatening injury. I''m alive, a little tired, and will be for a few days. But I''m alive. If I have a scar, I can add it to the list and will happily use it to tell a story around a campfire when I am home on the plains."


    Maldoun and Kismet looked at the ground, unsure of what to say. Stas seemed to have calmed down considerably. Arlyss looked at each in turn and nodded. "Now that she''s said what I have, maybe you''ll actually listen. Please understand as my avatar, I am keenly aware of the type of person she is. I know her limits as well as she does. I accepted her as my avatar precisely because she is young, reckless, and isn''t associated with D''Jamu''s past."


    Arlyss walked over and gently lifted Maldoun and Kismet to stand before offering Trillia a hand to help her stand up again. "The people respect me, but I am an immortal and a deity. In their eyes, I can never know their struggles or plights, and as such, they only see me as a ruler. Not as a friend." Next, he motioned to Stas. "You''re class is literally abomination. Your level and the Butcher of Mortals trait are going to cause every human in this city to be absolutely terrified of you regardless of your actions."


    Glancing at Trillia before looking to the others. "Ask your questions, Lady Trillia. Here and now, while we can all clearly understand each other. I will fill you in on as much as I can." Now staring at Maldoun and Kismet, he added. "I order you both to be completely honest during this meeting. With her, myself, and most importantly, yourselves. Lord Stas, you''re free to stay or go." With that, he turned from all of them and walked over and took a seat at a table, motioning to the empty chairs.


    Trillia was honestly relieved. Arlyss understood the point she was trying to make. He seemed to actually understand her intent as well as she did. She was also relieved that he wasn''t some tyrant but truly seemed intent on helping people heal. She walked over and sat in the chair next to him. Pulling out her journal and getting ready to ask questions and write answers down. She looked up at Stas. "I''d request that you join us, Uncle. I have some questions for you as well."


    The other three glanced at each other before joining them at the table. Ialu crawled under the table and lay at the feet of Trillia and Arlyss.


    "Ok. First question!"

 Chapter 55 History Lesson

    Trillia glanced at each person sitting at the table with her. She wanted to be careful with her words. She was learning very quickly that orc culture was a stark contrast to human culture.


    "I think. I think my first question is to Lady Kismet and Lord Maldoun. How long did D''Jamu practice slavery? I was born into a people that do not practice it at all. I guess. I guess I''m curious why it wasn''t stopped long ago?" Trillia prepared to write things down. To her surprise, it wasn''t Kismet or Maldoun that spoke, but Stas.


    "It was only in the last two or three centuries that the Shattered Plains stopped the practice. Most orc and monstrous tribespeople still happily practice slavery. Especially concerning defeated enemies. Grand Chieftain Amara and King Cordaos were both slaves when they were young. So when we were all exiled to the northern continent, we agreed to abolish slavery on the continent. Anyone who was found practicing it had to face the Four Great Beast Generals."


    Stas nodded slightly to Kismet and Maldoun. "Don''t judge humans so harshly. It is the law of nature that the weak are ruled by the strong. The only reason slavery isn''t practiced amongst our own people. Is because someone stronger is there to ensure that it doesn''t take hold. Forgive me for stepping in to speak, but I feel it important that you know the history of our people before you inquire as to the history of another culture."


    Kismet offered a smile and nodded back at Stas. "Thank you, Lord Stas. Truth be told, slavery is a touchy subject for our people. It originally started when our kingdom had neighbors. D''Jamu used to be one of the largest cities in the desert and its outskirts. Trade is no longer tenable due to the Sage. Because of that, our ability to feed our people rapidly declined. The ruling class at the time chose to capture and enslave merchant caravans that came through the area, using the Sage as an excuse."


    As Kismet thought about what to say next, Maldoun filled in. "Understand that all of this was long before Kismet and I were born. The city and culture we were born into was one where birthright was everything. She and I clawed our way out of poverty and slavery, losing two brothers and a sister to starvation along the way. I think... I think when we finally made it, we had lost enough of our humanity that we didn''t remember our own suffering and struggles. So we were quick to play the game of nobles and enslave others to secure our own comfort."


    Trillia wrote a few things down. As silence filled the room, she realized how wrong she was to judge. Her life had difficulties, but starving to death and watching those around her starve to death wasn''t one of them. That line of thinking also led her to ponder Tormash and his desire to strike out on his own.


    It led her to wonder why her mother was so against non-combat classes. Was it because of a past like Kismet and Maldoun? Uncle Stas said that she had been a slave. Did she pressure all orcs to take combat classes so that they couldn''t be taken advantage of as easily?


    She jumped a bit when Arlyss placed a hand on her shoulder. Looking around, she realized everyone was staring at her and waiting. "Sorry. I also want to apologize for judging you all. My tribe values a person''s individual freedom. At least...I thought we did."


    Kismet tilted her head slightly in curiosity. "We don''t enslave others. Even from a rival tribe. We kill them or release them. But at the same time... our Chieftain puts heavy pressure on those who take non-combat classes or are thinking about it. Even the people who cook in our village have combat classes. Our herbalists are often alchemists, shamen, or scouts. I wouldn''t compare that to slavery... Especially not after seeing so many people in this city with blank stares in their eyes."


    She sighed heavily, setting down the enchanted writing tool and rubbing her eyes. "I guess. I think I''m just too young to understand the impact of all of this. I''ll be more mindful of judging others in the future. I want to help the city of D''Jamu mostly for selfish reasons. The choice is to either help Lord Arlyss and his siblings become powerful enough that we can seal the [Primordials] or watch as my Mother and my uncles sacrifice themselves to do the same job."


    Maldoun scratched his chin as she finished. "That''s all life really is. Using others to further your own ends. People are a resource like any other, meant to be tapped into. Sometimes that resource is friendship, and sometimes that resource is labor. Don''t feel bad that you want to save your family. You''re choosing to place yourself into the servitude of a deity for all eternity. Kismet and I fought, murdered, stole, and killed to save ours. While we are desperately trying to repent and do better, when the choice came to us, we chose to be dishonorable."


    He looked over at Kismet, taking her hand and giving it a little squeeze when he saw her eyes tear up. "We''re happy to help you learn about our culture. Not only are you the Avatar of our deity, but your willingness to sit here and discuss this. Instead of just writing us off speaks volumes for the type of woman you''re growing up to become. For what little my opinion is worth, I think your tribe would be damn proud to have you represent them to the world as a whole."


    Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    Stas lightly pounded the table with his fist. "I''ll agree to that. As the oldest creature here, let me give you a warning, Trillia. You are going to see things in your time alive, especially as a pact-bound creature that would break most people. You will watch humans tear each other apart limb from limb. You will watch demons and celestials feast on mortals around you. There is a reason that the life expectancy of pact-bound creatures, despite being functionally immortal, is only a few centuries."


    Stas looked to Arlyss and motioned. "His mind works differently than ours. He is incapable of forming the same bonds with mortals that we do. Because to him, a thousand years is the blink of an eye. His father isn''t just a deity. His father is millions of years old and has probably sired tens of thousands of children. It''s the same for most of the ancient deities. The life of mortals is short and fleeting. Even dragons only live for a few thousand years."


    Trillia slumped back in her chair a little. It was a rather depressing thought that she was serving a creature that seemingly looked down on them. Or would be, in the future. Stas saw her stature and pushed on.


    "For what it''s worth. Lord Darktone at least cares about his mortals. He fights for us. He''s willing to bend and break the rules for us. I think he genuinely wants to see us happy. I have no doubt his son will be of the same moral fiber."


    Arlyss offered a faint smile, and Trillia thought he looked sadder now than when they had begun this discussion. "For my part in all of this. It''s selfish, just as it is with all of you. I want to create an environment that I can use to help my siblings ascend. I want to remove the debuff that blocks my father''s insight from reaching all of us. It just so happens that my desires align with actions that will help all of the mortals on this plane as well. I have no intentions of harming any of you or betraying your trust."


    Trillia gave the slightest of nods. This hadn''t been the discussion she had mentally planned for at all.


    Kismet stood and bowed slightly. "I think we can all agree to work together for the betterment of D''Jamu. Whether that is for selfish reasons or not. For now, our interests all align. With any luck, as we get closer to saving the city, we can also get closer as friends and form bonds of trust. Lord Arlyss, if it''s ok with you, I''d like to either call this meeting to an end or a pause. I fear I am far too exhausted to continue this discussion." Trillia didn''t miss Kismet glancing at her, and she was grateful for the woman taking the blame for wanting the conversation to end.


    Arlyss stood and offered a nod. She realized to him it was all platitudes. He had heard the excuse before, and he knew its reasoning. He could quite literally read their minds. He knew that none of them wanted to continue the conversation, but it wasn''t his place to call for an end. Trillia spoke up. "I''d appreciate more rest as well. I won''t be of much use for the next couple of days while I wait for the curse to fully wear off and the regeneration of my resources to resume."


    Arlyss had already started to walk away when he paused and looked back. "It''s fine. Why don''t all of you take a couple of days to let things sink in and recover from a tumultuous few days. Besides, Stas and Trillia haven''t had a chance to properly explore the city. Despite its many problems, D''Jamu has a great deal of things to offer and many new foods that both might enjoy. Take time to explore and enjoy the city together."


    Arlyss motioned to Trillia. "If anything goes wrong, reach out to my mind. I''ll be here as fast as possible. I''ll run some errands out of the city so that you all have time to discuss things without my ever-watchful eyes and ears." Without another word, he vanished from the room.


    Everyone either stood or sat there in silence for a few minutes. Trillia slowly closed her journal. "How did he force most of you to abolish slavery?" She whispered the words quietly as she looked at Kismet and Maldoun.


    "The rules that deities must abide by are rather strict. The rules that immortals must abide by are less so. For a child immortal, there are very, very few rules. He entered the minds of most of the ruling class and dug through them. If he felt they could be turned to his side, he approached them. Otherwise, he tore apart their mental faculties and watched them devolve into gibbering messes that couldn''t even take care of themselves." Maldoun spoke coldly as if remembering that very thing happening.


    "It wasn''t a choice at first. He started as a child tyrant. No one in the city was able to stand against his mental assaults, and so there was virtually no resistance to his rise to power. But as things began to get better for most people in the city, public opinion of him rose rapidly. Now it''s just a small band of nobles acting as a resistance. Saying that the monstrous humanoid races shouldn''t be allowed to have freedom. Because he ascended to a local deity, Lord Arlyss is no longer able to simply enter their minds and shatter them."


    Kismet spoke after Maldoun seemed done. "Right now, it''s solving the food shortage. After, I believe his plan is to finally lay the Sage to rest and get trade flowing in the city again. I believe his current plan is to bring his brother to this area for that purpose. His brother is a prodigy holy warrior on another continent."


    Trillia opened her journal back up and wrote a few more notes down. "Why doesn''t his mother just bring an army. Wait... no, never mind. If she solves all of the problems, people won''t follow him. If he has no followers, he can''t grow as a deity."


    Kismet confirmed her theory with a nod.


    Trillia closed the journal again. "Forgive me. I''m still tired. I think I''m going to borrow a couple of books and return to my room to rest. I''d like to explore the city as Lord Arlyss suggested tomorrow. If either of you are available."


    "I''d be happy to. I think Maldoun and I could use the rest as well. Have a good evening." Kismet bowed and turned to leave. Maldoun followed shortly after.


    Trillia rose and began looking through the books on the shelves. She still had a couple of hours of the bestowed trait available and was trying to find a book on the human tongue to practice while she was able.


    Stas sat in his chair while she searched. He appeared to be deep in thought. As she left for the evening with her books and Ialu, she offered him a little wave. Upon getting no response, she made her way to her room to do some reading and rest for the evening.

 Chapter 56 New Outfit Unlocked!

    Trillia spent the next few days reading and learning the human language. After a brief talk with Kismet and Maldoun, they thought it best if she didn''t explore the city during a time when she was unable to regenerate resources.


    The fact that her armor was very obviously foreign also led weight in garnering unwanted attention.


    It was late into her fourth day of learning about local customs, the history of the city itself, and learning the human language. Trillia was a bit surprised to hear that there were dozens of human dialects. Orcs, by and large, spoke a singular language. Even across different continents, the language was almost identical.


    Dwarves spoke three different dialects, one when dealing with other mortal races, one when dealing with each other, and a final one when dealing with what Kismet called ''true dwarves''. Trillia would have to find books to read about all of those later.


    She was very interested in the other languages of Alirast. Part of it had to be the thirst for knowledge perk. At least, that was her reasoning.


    The more time she spent inside, the less she minded the walls and cramped city space. She still felt better outside, but it wasn''t nearly as oppressive as it had been previously, and she had only been here a week.


    Maldoun closed the book sitting between them with a nod. "I''m glad that we can communicate clearly now. It should make working together much easier going forward."


    Trillia rubbed her eyes and grumbled out an agreement. "It''s been a lot to learn in such a short time. I''ll want to practice keeping more." She paused a moment, shaking her head. "I''ll want to keep practicing more with you. Do you know if there are any skills or traits to learn languages faster?"


    Maldoun was walking the book back to a shelf. "I''m not entirely sure. Kismet knows considerably more languages than I do, and I believe Lord Stas knows a few dozen. No surprise, given his age. Plus, there is that trait that Lord Arlyss granted us briefly, the one that let us understand all languages of the realm?"


    Trillia laid her head on crossed arms. "I thought that trait might be only divinity natural."


    "Only divine in nature." Maldoun corrected. Trillia closed her eyes and mumbled a thank you. Maldoun chuckled softly. "Let''s get dinner, and you can take a nap. I believe Rakana will be done with your clothes by this evening."


    Trillia perked up at the prospect of food. She was quite interested in trying what Kismet referred to as street food, and the myriad of smells that came from the kitchen always made her smile.


    As they began to descend the tower, Trillia reached out through the bond to Ialu, calling the skoll back to her. Ialu didn''t care to be cooped up, so Trillia was happy to let her run about in the desert. Most of the citizens of the city didn''t bother her.


    A few floors later and they arrived in the kitchen. It was a rather simple affair. It had three large brick ovens and a large fireplace with several hanging pots. They didn''t use fire due to fears of smoke but used thin metal plates with runes carved into them instead. Once supplied with mana, the plates would heat up and slowly drain the supplied mana.


    One of the things that Trillia had come to understand about D''Jamu was that the city was predominantly human and that the majority of humans feared non-humans. They downright avoided Stas and barely tolerated her.


    She wondered if that''s just how it was for mortals. After all, her tribe was only orcs, and the minotaur city was only minotaurs. Kincairne was a smattering of everything, but the more she learned about its history, it was basically a city of exiles. People seen as too dangerous for polite society but not powerful or dangerous enough to stand against being exiled in the first place.


    She waved to the cooks, most of whom didn''t wave back or acknowledge her. A couple offered her warm smiles. She''d win them over as allies in time. It was always a good idea to be friendly with the cooks.


    Dinner tonight was a bowl of rice with an aromatic orange sauce poured over it. Chunks of vegetables slow-cooked into the sauce made it all melt in the mouth. She had eaten it before, and it was probably one of her favorite dishes despite the kitchen calling it ration food since the vegetables were easily and quickly grown under the tower, and the sauce was mostly water and spices.


    Maldoun took a seat next to her and dug in as well, talking between mouthfuls. "I need to handle some affairs in the city tomorrow. I won''t be available. But I believe with your new clothes, Kismet wants to take you out into the city."


    Trillia nodded as she chewed. When her mouth was empty, and she spoke, she did so in the orc language. "That''s fine with me. I am getting more accustomed to being inside, but I''d be lying if I said I didn''t want to go outside and explore. Not just the city but the area surrounding it as well."


    The two continued to eat in silence, mostly because both were scarfing down their food. Once finished, Trillia brought her bowl to the sink, thanked the kitchen staff, and turned to leave. Instead of heading up to the library, she headed to the ground floor and waited for Ialu, who arrived about thirty minutes later. Trillia gave the creature a hug and smile.


    "I get clothes tonight. Do you mind waiting? We can go outside the city for a little." The skoll nuzzled her face and licked her. Trillia giggled, and the two climbed the many stairs and waited outside Rakana''s workshop. It only took another couple of hours for the feline-like humanoid to exit. She jumped back a bit with her hand on her chest as she did. Seeing Trillia and Ialu standing there, watching the door.


    This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version.


    "Are you trying to kill me?!" The woman bent over for a second, breathing heavily. A bundle of cloth had flown from her arms when she had turned to face the two of them. "Just come inside next time! Don''t stand outside and creepily stare at the door!"


    Trillia gave a sheepish little smile as she bent down to help collect the cloth. "Sorry. We didn''t want to distract you, but I was told you''d be done by this evening. I''m itching to go outside."


    Rakana grumbled a little as she helped collect the cloth. "No offense, but you''re going to stand out anyway. You don''t exactly look human, and Ialu is going to draw a lot of attention."


    Trillia hugged the cloth to her body and followed Rakana as they ascended the stairs. "I know. But at least I won''t be walking around in beaten-up make-shift armor and semi-tattered clothes."


    The two made small talk as they climbed until they arrived at Trillia''s room. Upon entering, Rakana turned and latched the door closed. "Alright, let''s see how well I did."


    Trillia quickly swapped outfits before standing in front of a mirror. Rakana stood next to her and fussed over a few small details before motioning to some very thin bands of metal. "These are enchanted to store excess cloth. I''ll teach you all the command phrases shortly. It''s created with the intent you can use this outfit for a few years before you outgrow it entirely. The cloth itself was enchanted as it was spun and created. Its durability is rather lacking, but if you infuse it with mana, it will mend itself."


    Trillia smiled as she listened. There were thin silver bands on her upper arms, near her ankles, around her neck, and one last one around her waist. The metal hugged her skin tightly but not uncomfortably so. The cloth itself was a light teal color, layered a dozen times and woven together. It was rather roomy and left Trillia with a full range of motion in every limb.


    Trillia ran her right hand over the cloth and realized it was rather deceptive. The wave it moved and flowed made it seem as if it hugged her body much more closely than it actually did. "It looks great. It''s much cooler than what I was wearing as well."


    Rakana fussed a bit more here and there, mumbling skills that minimally altered the cloth. Once the seamstress was happy, she stood back and nodded. "This will suffice for now. I realize it''s slightly counterproductive for your personal goals. But teal was the color of nobility and royalty in this city before everything was toppled. So it will make most people treat you with a degree of respect. Since you are very obviously not part of the resistance."


    Trillia stopped when she heard that and glanced at Rakana. "Won''t that make me a target for thieves? Kismet constantly goes on about cutthroats and rogues in the city."


    Rakana gave a hissing little laugh and smirked. "It will, yes. But you do so love adventure and experience. The people of the city need to know you aren''t some defenseless maiden incapable of doing anything without her deity near her. If that means a few lowlifes get sent to a healer or into the ground. I''m quite fine with that. Humans respect strength, and you must show these people that you are strong and are not to be trifled with, especially given your tender age."


    Trillia thought about that reasoning for a while before nodding. "Fair points. Thank you so much for making it. I feel much lighter and much better. "  Trillia walked over and gave the woman a hug. Rakana returned it and patted her on the head.


    "I am quite happy to help little one. Here I also made you something for your feet. They have a minor enchantment on them for speed in addition to the usual list of durability enchantments and enchantments to ensure they stay on your feet." The items produced didn''t look like the usual heavy boots that the orcs used.


    Orc attire was made for long trips of marching and constant fighting. These shoes were anything but; the soles were a half inch of thick hardened leather, and more leather was molded into a crescent covering for the toes and lower part of her foot. Two long, thin pieces of tightly spun silk were wrapped several times around her ankle and held in place by the silver rings on from her outfit. Rakana showed her several times how to tie and untie them. It would mostly keep her feet safe from stepping on something.


    Well, from stepping directly on top of something. It''d do nothing for a [Megapede''s] acidic spray that left puddles on the ground. Nor would it feel very good to step in a puddle or mud in them. But she supposed in the desert, those things weren''t concerns. "Thank you!"


    Rakana had a wide smile on her face. Standing back and looking Trillia up and down. "Wonderful! One last addition!" She pulled out a crimson-red sash and tied it around Trillia''s waist. As she tightened it, Trillia felt yet another enchantment take hold. Rakana explained before Trillia could even ask. "It''s enchanted the same as your clothes are. With the exception that you can spend a day and some mana to bind items to it. Such as the sheath for a blade, your pouches, and other things of that nature. Once bound, they cannot be taken off without the sash coming off. Which is enchanted to stay on until you run out of mana."


    Trillia ran her fingers over the sash, which had the added benefit of covering the silver ring at her waist. "A lot of this is heavily enchanted to work with my mana. My tribe doesn''t use enchanted equipment in such volume. Is this typical for human settlements?"


    Rakana tilted her head curiously at that. "Yes. Enchanting is complicated to learn but invaluable. We enchant artisan tools for durability. Most kitchens use enchanted metal plates. I''ve traveled all over this continent, and the central continent and enchantments are everywhere."


    Trillia thought once more about her mother''s refusal to allow non-combat classes. She wondered how much harder the lives of the orcs were because they didn''t have more dedicated enchanters. Closing her eyes and letting out a sigh, she did her best to get those thoughts out of her head. She''d return when she could and have a long conversation with her family. With the tribe. Maybe by then, Tormash will have started his own tribe as well.


    Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she looked over at Rakana. "Thank you again. It''s all wonderful. Ialu and I were going to go explore the surrounding desert for a while. Would you like to come with us?"


    Rakana gave her an odd look before shaking her head. "No thanks. I hate being outside, the sun is forever beating down on my fur, and there''s not enough water. It''s rather miserable. But if that''s what makes you happy, run wild. Just be careful. Thank you for the invite."


    Trillia chuckled faintly at that before attaching her various pouches to her sash. Checking to make sure everything was in order, she nodded. She had finally retrieved her rapier from Arlyss and bound its sheath to her sash. "Thanks again! Come on, Ialu. Let''s go for a run!" The skoll hopped up excitedly, and the two darted out of her room. Trillia grabbed onto Ialu''s fur and, with some help, was riding atop her in no time.


    The guards had already been given orders to let her come and go as she pleased. None of them wanted to cause trouble for the local deity''s avatar. They opened the city gates and watched as Trillia and Ialu ran out into the desert night, Trillia laughing and shouting once they were outside the city. The gates closed behind them.

 Chapter 57 A Sage Approaches

    Trillia and Ialu avoided the undead where possible. She didn''t know how to tell the really dangerous ones apart from the not-really-dangerous ones. [Mana Sight] showed them all as ''Undead'' with a class. Apparently, being a rot undead wasn''t a notable trait.


    She made a mental note to ask Maldoun about those radiant abilities he used and if she could learn them. She also needed to speak with Kismet about proper healing magic. With a sigh, she leaned over and rubbed Ialu''s side. "My to-do list is growing ever longer."


    She had a pretty good idea of where all the shield pedestals were located. The two of them wandered late into the night, taking their time exploring the desert sands, admiring the starry sky above, and refilling the pedestals once more.


    With a mighty yawn, Trillia patted Ialu''s side. "Let''s go back to the tower, girl. I''m tired, and I don''t want to be caught out here like this."


    With a little yip, the skoll darted off toward the glass needle in the distance. The trip back was uneventful. The guards let the two of them in. Trillia made sure to enter through the gate that held the merchant quarter. She had been told it was the safest place at night since so many of the merchants hired guards for their belongings.


    After another hour or so, Trillia was once more in her room, and she plopped down on the bed and immediately dozed off to sleep.


    -=- The Next Day -=-


    A knock on her door startled her from her slumber. Trillia sat up, rubbing her eyes. "Hang on!" She shouted at the incessant knocking in the human tongue. Slipping out of bed, still fully clothed from last night, she sent a mental message to Ialu that she was awake as she made her way to the door.


    She opened the door to a scowling Kismet. "Good morning, Lady Kismet. What did you need me for?"


    Kismet rolled her eyes slightly. "Morning? It''s well past midday. I was under the impression we were going to explore the city today? Unless you''re otherwise indisposed?"


    Trillia yawned and shook her head. "No, sorry. Let me get something to eat and take care of some morning necessities. I refilled the shield pedestals late last night."


    Kismet''s facial expression immediately changed. "Oh. S-sorry. I''ll go down to the kitchen and ask them to heat you some leftovers."


    Trillia offered a smile and a nod. " I''ll join you."


    "Is there a dungeon or a place nearby where I can safely gain experience? I don''t want to engage the undead for fear they may be of the rot variant." Trillia spoke as they slowly made their way down the stairs.


    "I know of a few dungeons. Most of them are only half a day away. The problem is all of them are undead-based. Let''s ask Lord Arlyss after lunch and see if he would mind terribly if Maldoun, You, and I went to a dungeon to clear it. It would ensure your safety, and I am sure Maldoun would be grateful to leave the city and actually adventure a bit."


    "The undead are a real problem, aren''t they? They''ve basically turned the city into what you humans call a prison." Trillia responded and yawned again, shaking her head vigorously to wake herself up.


    Kismet offered a rather solemn nod. "An apt way to describe our situation, yes. Maldoun is training more warriors in the holy arts so that the undead can be actively fought and sought out instead of just defending against them. I believe that is one of Lord Arlyss'' goals as well."


    Trillia remembered hearing something about one of his siblings being a holy warrior. "I''d really like to learn the abilities he has, as well as some real healing skills from you."


    Kismet glanced over at her as they made their way into the kitchen. "Would you all be willing to heat some leftovers for Lady Trillia and I?" Whenever she spoke to workers, her voice changed to a soft silky smooth tone. All of the kitchen staff beamed with a smile and ran about to do as she asked. After they both took a seat, Trillia looked at her and then at the workers. Another skill she''d have to acquire.


    "I''d be happy to teach you some healing skills. You''re a Mage, right? I think, now that you have a deity, once you''ve maxed Mage out once, you can become a cleric. Clerics usually have potent healing abilities. Just understand that my brother and I have Radiant Mana Manipulation. So our holy skills are significantly more powerful. Is that something you''ve been taught?"


    Trillia shook her head at that. "No. I know the basics of mana manipulation, but as someone with Universal Mana Manipulation, I didn''t know there was a difference in power. I heard it described as intent and a slight alteration of results."


    Kismet leaned back, bringing a hand to her lips and tapping them gently. "That''s correct. There is slightly more to it. At least when it comes to high-level magic. If mages with Fire mana and Water mana both cast a fire-based spell. The spell will go off correctly. Both will produce fire, heat, and burning. However, the actual damage of the ability will be higher for the Fire mage. Because their affinity with fire mana produces stronger fire."


    Kismet glanced at her before continuing. Trillia had pulled out her journal and was making notes. "That''s also why most magical items and trinkets don''t have as powerful of an effect. Since they are made with universal runes so that anyone can use them. I suppose in the same scenario with, say, a wand of fireball, the fire mana mage would still edge out a bit more damage. It''d be minimal, though."


    Two bowls were placed in front of them, and Kismet dipped her head to the cooks slightly. "Thank you so much. You''re so kind." She smiled and stared for a moment before they finished bowing and left the two to eat. Trillia stared at her once more.


    You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    "What skill is that? Everyone is always happy to help you."


    Kismet smirked as she looked at Trillia. "It''s called being an attractive woman. Sure, skills exist for seduction and things of that nature. But my [Charisma] is quite high, and I''m rather easy on the eyes. As you get older, you''ll have a better understanding of it."


    Trillia nodded. At least part of it made sense to her. "Do people with a high wisdom learn faster?"


    "It''s a largely debated topic. We know without a doubt that someone with high strength can lift heavier things. Presence is a little less pronounced, but the difference between a hundred presence and a thousand is staggering when dealing with low-level creatures. Wisdom is a difficult stat to pin down in that regard. Wisdom in life is about knowledge and know-how. One theory that I believe is that the higher your wisdom, the higher your capacity to learn and take in new information."


    As Kismet took another bite, she tilted her head in thought. "I suppose. Think of wisdom like a cup. The water in your cup is all the things you know how to do. Your skills, traits, and so on. You can have a single drink of water in a large cup. But you can''t put a barrel of water in that cup because it can''t fit."


    Trillia slowly chewed her food as she thought about that. "So, because I have a high wisdom, right now my cup is empty but has room for more water?"


    Kismet nodded with a smile. "I personally think that''s how it works, yes. It also explains how and why you can learn things so rapidly. I''m going to go and speak with Lord Arlyss and Maldoun. I''ll come and fetch you from the bathing area once I have an answer. Sound good?"


    Trillia nodded. Kismet stood and took her empty bowl, walking over to the kitchen staff with a big smile. She once more bowed rather low to them. Their eyes stayed fixated on her. She motioned to Trillia, and they nodded absent-mindedly while staring. Kismet turned to her with a smile and a wink as she left. A few moments later, they brought Trillia another bowl of hot food. She smiled and thanked them herself.


    -=- A Few Hours Later -=-


    Arlyss was happy to have them all go to a dungeon together. It''d be good experience for the three of them. They also had the mission of clearing out any wandering packs of undead on the way to a dungeon.


    By this point, Ialu was with them. Trillia rode on Ialu''s back, Maldoun rode on the sandstorm blade, and Kismet hovered along beside them.


    Trillia groaned softly to herself and did something she hadn''t done yet.


    [Human - Paladin of Knowledge - 71] Radiant Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Tenacious Survivor


    First Holy Warrior of D''Jamu


    Sage Survivor


    [Human - Earth Mother of D''Jamu - ??] Radiant Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Tenacious Survivor


    High Priestess of D''Jamu


    Sage Survivor


    Trillia blinked a few times as Ialu kept pace with the two. Despite their pace, they made very little sound. She only had to fight with the speed of the wind passing by itself to be heard when she spoke. "What is the trait [Sage Survivor]?"


    The two of them slowed slightly as they looked at her. Kismet shook a finger in her direction. "It''s very rude to scan people. You''re going to do it to the wrong person and be attacked for it one day. We usually have obfuscation up, but keeping our obfuscation up requires a mana upkeep cost. In the future, ask before you scan. It''s a habit I think you should learn."


    Trillia nodded but didn''t look away. Maldoun rolled his eyes as he spoke. "We have both seen the Sage in battle. Surviving the battle and fleeing with our lives was enough to earn a trait. The trait itself warns us of any undead tied to the Sage in a radius around us. We can focus and divert mana to the trait to expand its radius."


    Kismet began speaking after he stopped. "It''s a terrifying creature. The bones aren''t human, and it''s as tall as a building. Bones bleached from decades of wandering in the desert. Hollow eye sockets filled with floating red orbs that scream of a malice that we can''t comprehend. Wherever it walks, undead rise around it from bodies decades old, half-rotten, and broken."


    Kismet wrapped her arms around herself, rubbing her arms as they continued. "I have faith that Lord Arlyss can fight such a creature. But I am terrified of him failing and what that would mean for all of us. An undead deity''s corpse?"


    Maldoun shook his head. "At worst, the Sage destroys Arlyss'' body. Remember that deities can''t be killed except by other deities and, in rare cases, pact-bound creatures, and only if the deity is present to allow such a creature to do so."


    Kismet nodded. "Sorry, I let my imagination get away from me."


    The rest of the trip was spent in silence.


    -=- A Few More Hours Later -=-


    The sun had begun its descent at this point. But they arrived at their location. Maldoun wore a worried look on his face. "What''s wrong, Lord Maldoun?"


    Maldoun looked at the mausoleum in front of them, then scanned the surrounding desert. "Not a single undead? Nearly six hours of overland travel, and we didn''t see a single undead? Something is amiss in the desert."


    "The desert is a large place, brother. Come, let''s get some levels, and we can report back to Lord Arlyss after the fact." Kismet continued to gently hover above the sand and closed in on the mausoleum. Maldoun followed the two at the rear, walking along with his blade in hand. Pausing quite often to look around.


    As Kismet reached out to the mausoleum doors, she also paused. Trillia could see the tiny, thin hair on her arm stand up. As Trillia turned to look at Maldoun, his eyes were fixed to the east. "Get inside! Bar the door with any barrier magic we have!"


    Kismet hissed back. "No, you idiot! If we go inside, we''re trapped between the Sage and whatever the dungeon has in store for us! We need to flee!"


    Maldoun looked between Kismet and Trillia. "How? She''s not fast enough to keep up?"


    Kismet glided over to Trillia. "You need to close your eyes. Focus your energy entirely on Lord Arlyss and call out to him."


    Trillia was calm. Sure, she felt the surge of panic and fear because her companions were, but her traits kept that packed down. "What''s going on?"


    Maldoun joined them. "The Sage. It''s like it''s gathered an army. I don''t understand why. It''s never attacked with a large force like this."


    Trillia nodded. She closed her eyes and opened her mind to Arlyss. Another voice boomed in her head. In her mind, she saw a terrifying visage before her. It looked like an orc if the orc had a slightly more squished-up nose and was three times as tall. Bleached bones and red glowing eyes. The robes it wore were not tattered or worn as she had imagined. They were black silk with small white runes embroidered into them.


    Most terrifying to Trillia. Was the fact that the skull was marked with the glowing runes of a pact-bound creature. Trillia tried to shout at the others to run, tried to open her eyes, and run herself. But her mind was locked in that in-between state by something far more powerful than herself.


    She was forced to stare at the Sage. There behind it was a ghostly figure with a large scythe. The voices continued to jumble further into her mind. She didn''t know what they were saying. She desperately called out for Arlyss, for her mother, or for anyone that could hear her.

 Chapter 58 Respite and Reunion

    Trillia''s eyes fluttered open, and she watched the desert landscape flit by at a breakneck speed. She felt something binding her down to soft fur. Craning her neck slightly, she saw Ialu panting heavily as she ran through the desert. The sounds of shouting and magic rupturing space pulled her further from mental exhaustion.


    They must have pulled her far enough away from the Sage''s influence. As she wiggled and squirmed, she managed to get halfway sitting up. Behind them were hundreds of large quadrupedal skeletal creatures. All of them had saddles and were mounted with humanoid skeletal creatures. Most of them were firing at the group with magic or bows.


    Kismet had a line tied around her waist that led to Ialu. Whenever Ialu changed direction, the line would tug at Kismet''s waist, and she knew to change what direction she was flying backward in. Sweat poured down her face as she kept a barrier up. Maldoun was nowhere to be seen.


    Another of Trillia''s traits was pinging her rapidly, drawing her to it. She took the chance to open her mind with telepathy again and reached out to Ialu, urging her to change directions. Ialu happily listened to her master''s commands and swerved off to the right. Kismet followed without even glancing back.


    "[Restorative Chant]" She hadn''t used it in a while. It felt good to get some use out of the skill again, a small part of her remembered Amelia every time she said the words, and that brought a smile to her face.


    She cast the skill a few more times to restore Kismet''s stamina and health. Then shed a hundred thousand mana from her pool into Kismet and Ialu''s mana pools before casting the chant on Ialu as well.


    That made Kismet glance back with a relieved smile. The woman turned her head up. "She''s up! Get closer. She can resto you!"


    Trillia glanced up to see Maldoun flying above them, two wings made out of radiant energy on his back. He was the source of the explosions she had been hearing. As he flew closer to the ground, Trillia chanted him back to full resources as well. Kismet noted the change in direction. "Where are we going, Mistress?"


    Trillia looked in the direction they were headed. "Toward a [Primordial Spawn]. If there is an army on our heels, it will attack the army first. Unless the Sage is allied with the [Primordials], in which case that''s valuable information to have!"


    Kismet and Maldoun didn''t respond. Trillia wondered if they even knew what a spawn could do. No matter, off they raced.


    Even with Trillia there to restore their resources, the frantic run and battle was taking its toll. She didn''t yet have a skill that could clear mental exhaustion, dehydration, or hunger for those who still needed such things.


    Suddenly, Trillia''s trait shifted perspective. Instead of being forward, it was all around her. "Keep moving! It''s right on top of us!"


    A few moments later, as the skeletal army crossed some threshold, the ground beneath their feet began to rumble. Trillia leaned in closer to Ialu and capped her mana at its current spot. The excess shedding to the three of her companions.


    Sand began to flow backward, and Trillia urged Ialu to run just a little faster and push herself just a little harder. Trillia was rummaging through her pouches, trying to find something. Finally, she looked at her two companions. "I need an instrument of some kind! Something that''s not an artifact. A whistle, a flute! It doesn''t matter, as long as it''s something!"


    Neither of them questioned her or asked why. Trillia was happy to get such a strong vote of confidence. Kismet got closer and held out a thin piece of metal. "It''s a jaw harp!" The woman used it herself quickly to show Trillia how it was used before passing it off to her. Trillia stuck it in her mouth and began strumming on it.


    The first few seconds, nothing happened. Trillia silently cursed herself for not getting a better explanation of how the damn skill worked from Amelia. After a few more tries, she and her companions all got a notification.


    You''re now under the effects of [Astra''s Amazing Agility] for the next 5 minutes.


    You''re agility is doubled for the duration of this skill!


    All of them began moving just a little faster.


    A few more minutes into the run, Kismet and Maldoun slammed into the ground. Ialu staggered but could still move. Trillia watched as her mana fell by the thousands a second. She urged Ialu to turn around and did her best with the wolf''s help to scoop up her companions. The added weight would tire Ialu out rapidly, but she could still run.


    The cause of the kerfluffle was the [Primordial Spawn] had finally surfaced. It looked like a giant worm hundreds of thousands of small razor-sharp plates lined its body. A maw at one end held a similar number of teeth. It had no apparent eyes, but its mouth was pointed at the skeletons. Arrows and spells rained down on the creature. All of the attacks only seemed to annoy it.


    It began slamming its body into the skeletal army and slithering along with its mouth open, pulling in hundreds of skeletons and thousands of pounds of sand as it went. All along its body, the sand shot out, and even from their distance, Trillia could see it rip through some of the bones.


    [Great Beast - Primordial Dune Worm - ??] Space Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Eternal Slumber


    Primordial Spawn


    Limitless Mana


    Mana Font


    Pact-Breaker


    Trillia turned her eyes away from the scene.


    The group kept running.


    The sound of battle vanished behind them.


    The group kept running.


    Day turned into night.


    The group kept running.


    Night turned into day...


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    As they approached D''Jamu, they ran toward the gate. Ialu''s paws were covered in blood, and you could see the muscles spasming under her fur. Kismet and Maldoun were unconscious. The aura from the great beast had done a number on them. Monster Slayer and Stalwart Mana had saved Trillia. She wasn''t entirely sure how Ialu hadn''t succumbed to the thing''s aura. As guards began to shout and scream to open the gates, a flash of light silenced everyone.


    Arlyss stood there with a rift portal open. Ialu didn''t question or hesitate and ran directly into it. They were in the library once again, seeing the safe place. Ialu collapsed to the ground. Trillia hopped off and pulled Maldoun and Kismet off as well. Arlyss walked through the portal and reached down to the four of them.


    "[Slumber]"


    Trillia saw the ground rushing up to meet her as she tried to pull Kismet further away to check on her.


    -=- Some Time Later -=-


    Her mouth felt like the desert sands outside. Trillia groaned and rolled from her back onto her stomach. Pushing herself up and off of the...bed? She blinked a few times and saw that she laid in her bed. Ialu lay on the bed next to her. The events of the escape came flooding back to her.


    Reaching over, she checked on Ialu to see that her wounds were all healed and the wolf was resting peacefully. Trillia stood and quickly exited the room, running up the stairs to the library. As she burst through the doors, she saw Arlyss and Stas speaking at the table. "Are the others ok?!"


    Arlyss smiled and nodded. "Exhausted, yes. Both of them have mana sickness and healing sickness. As does Ialu. They''ll need plenty of rest. What happened? I didn''t think there was a dungeon nearby that could challenge the four of you together."


    Relief flooded through Trillia. Her shoulders sagged, and as she leaned against the wall and sank to the ground, she wanted to cry. Her traits wouldn''t give her the relief of it, though. Instead, she relayed everything that happened as best as she could.


    The three of them sat in silence. Arlyss standing at a window and looking out into the desert. Stas had come to sit next to Trillia, putting a comforting hand on her shoulder. "You did good, Trillia. You used the terrain and your traits to get your group out alive. More experienced leaders have done less."


    Trillia hugged her knees to her chest and gave a weak little nod. After a few more minutes of silence, Arlyss turned to them. "Why don''t you take Maldoun, Kismet, and Ialu back to your home for a few days. Counting the time it took you to get here and the time spent here, it''s been a few months since your parents have seen you. It''d do Kismet and Maldoun a bit of good to see life from another perspective."


    Trillia looked up at him, doubt nagging at the back of her mind. "Did I not do well? I tried calling out to you..."


    Arlyss shook his head as he approached. "You did better than I could have expected. I think the Sage is targeting you because he knows that you have the capability of destroying him. Pact-Bound creatures are extremely durable. If he is truly pact-bound to a deity of death, it means he''s going to be difficult to put down. We''re going to have a lot of fighting ahead of us. I''d rather you visit your family now and remember why you''re doing this. Stas and I will handle things while you''re away and make preparations."


    Trillia nodded and stood up, a bit wobbly and very obviously still exhausted, even if her resources were topped off. "And the others?"


    "I''m sure Ialu would love to see your home. Kismet and Maldoun need to be away from the city for a few days. See what freedom truly looks like, even if it''s in times of war. Go and gather everyone, they will move a bit slow, but I''ll open a portal once you''re ready."


    Trillia bowed slightly and turned to do as she was told. She was more than a little apprehensive about seeing her mother again. She had just left without a word. She hadn''t said goodbye to Amelia either. As she gathered her things and explained the plan to Ialu and the others, she began to feel more and more guilty about how she had left things.


    The four of them were gathered in the library. Maldoun and Kismet looked...pretty rough, to put it kindly. Dark circles under bloodshot eyes. They looked dead on their feet. There was only so much magic could do to fend off weariness. Arlyss smiled and hugged Trillia and Ialu and shook the hands of Kismet and Maldoun. "First, I wanted to say well done to all of you. If the Sage is a pact-bound creature, you did extremely well to escape. I''ll find a solution. In the meantime, I want Trillia to visit friends and family and relax. It''s a good time for the two of you to recover from the sickness you have and see her homeland as well."


    Seeing them give a gesture that was vaguely a nod, he continued. "Remember, you are representing not only me but also D''Jamu. Make as good of an impression as you can."


    With that, he opened a portal. "This will lead to Amelia Shatterhoof. While you were getting things ready, I reached out telepathically to her. She''s near a dungeon that you are apparently familiar with."


    Trillia tilted her head slightly. "That dungeon is weeks away from the city. I don''t think I''ll have time to visit my parents as well."


    Arlyss offered a smile and motioned to the portal but said nothing. Trillia gave Arlyss and Stas one last look before she walked through with Ialu.


    On the other side, she saw Amelia sitting there at a large stone table. Next to her was Amara, Varga and Gobbinz. Trillia ran a hand along Ialu''s back as she walked up to the table and sat down. The first thing that caught her attention was the runic markings on her mother''s torso and arms.


    No one ran to embrace her. No one shouted that they were glad to see her. First, they needed to see if she was here in an official capacity as an Avatar or if it was personal. Arlyss probably hadn''t informed them. "It''s good to see you all again. Forgive me for leaving without warning. I just... I wanted to save everyone. The more I heard you all speak about sacrifice to seal the [Primordials], the more I wanted to find another way."


    Amelia offered a smile. "I''m glad you''re back. I''m a little hurt you didn''t tell me, but I understand it was a decision made in the heat of the moment. I think all of us are more angry at Stas for being your transportation."


    Amara stared at her. Rather, Amara stared at her pact markings. After a few minutes, the others walked through the portal. Kismet and Maldoun''s eyes opened wide when they saw Amara, and both of them kneeled. Arlyss must have told them something. Amara glanced at them briefly. When she spoke, it was the tone the Grand Chieftain used, not her mother.


    "Everyone leave us. I wish to speak with Lord Arlyss'' avatar. From one pact-bound to another."


    Amelia stood and walked over to help Maldoun and Kismet stand. Both of them seemed even more terrified as they had to look up to see her face. When Varga stood, it was just as bad. Both of them glanced at Trillia''s tiny form and realized that the [Runt] trait painted an extremely misleading visage of her people.


    Once they had been led away and it was just Trillia, Ialu, and Amara at the table, Amara finally spoke. "It''s good to see you. I''m happy that you at least chose a deity who will be honorable and competent as the one to bind yourself to for an eternity. His father has always been a fair and just god. I have no doubt his children will be the same type of deities. Arlyss filled us in on your plans. I..."


    She paused. Trillia had tears in her eyes. Try as they might, her traits couldn''t suppress the relief that Trillia felt upon seeing her mother again. Amara stopped speaking and walked around the table, and hugged her. "Official business can be handled later. You''re safe now, little one. I''m not angry at you, just disappointed you felt the need to save us."


    The waterworks started, and Trillia hugged her mother as tightly as she could. She thought she''d be strong enough to stand on her own, and despite everyone telling her what a good job she had done, she felt as if she was failing. It was a terrifying feeling. It reminded her of when Persona had taken her hostage. She felt powerless, despite being the reason the four of them had lived this time. She silently cursed her traits, they helped her stay calm in the heat of the moment, but after the fact, she''d always have this burst of emotional release. Like the traits didn''t want it bottled up in her forever.


    Instead, she just hugged her mother tightly. Ialu laid her snout on Trillia''s back and shoulder. Official business could be handled later. Trillia was happy for that.

 Chapter 59 Home Sweet Home

    A few hours after Trillia had settled down, she once more sat at a table. On her side were Kismet and Maldoun, and on the other were Amara, Amelia, Varga, and Gobbinz.


    "Lord Arlyss sent us here as a way to rest and a way for Kismet and Maldoun to experience orc culture. I believe we''re preparing for a war on our continent as well. We recently ran into a huge [Primordial Spawn]. In addition to that, a pact-bound undead lich called the Sage is hunting me."


    "Do you need our help with the Sage?"


    Amara''s question surprised Trillia. The last time she had been home, they were in a sort of all hands at the ready for the primordial threat. "I think we''ll be ok. I wouldn''t want to pull any warriors away from home and leave it vulnerable."


    Varga chuckled at that. "Come. There''s something I want to show you. Courtesy of your new patron." Standing and motioning for her to follow. Trillia glanced at the others before she stood, Ialu at her side. The two followed her father. As she was led further from the table and initial meeting spot, Trillia realized it wasn''t just the small little camp outside of the dungeon. It was a huge orc tent city.


    Varga led them to a large stone archway covered in runes. Guards stood to either side of it. The stone archway itself sat on a large circle of granite that was always heavily etched. "This leads to the rift city. The minotaur people inhabit it. After you left, the boys had a long talk with your Mother and I. We realized that we were pushing orcs into something they aren''t meant to be. Shackling them to a city and high walls and stifling their freedom."


    Varga looked at the gate for a moment before turning to look at Trillia. "Tormash wants to start his own tribe at some point. I don''t blame him. For now, he''s sticking with us. Under the circumstance that we allow groups to come and go like they used to and pursue any classes they want. The range we''re letting individual tribes wander is limited for safety. But things are closer to how they were back before the cataclysm."


    Amara moved up next to Varga with a smile on her face. "In my zeal to safeguard our people, I was doing more harm than good. Young Arlyss was kind enough to remind me of his father and what orcs stand for."


    Amara stared at Trillia for a moment. Thinking carefully about her next words. "I won''t ask you to come home or break your word. I would ask that you visit us often. " She glanced at the others present before closing her eyes and continuing. "I''m stepping down as Elder Chieftain. I had begun making plans for it anyway. Expecting to sacrifice myself to clear the [Primordial] threat. I think Tormash is ready to lead. Ralrouk will be an amazing general, and Ba''Shoon will make a popular head shaman."


    Varga took her hand and gave it a little squeeze. "Our hope is that you''ll come by once a month. Your mother and I are going to do some adventuring and traveling. It''s been decades since either of us has left the Shattered Plains."


    Trillia''s smile grew by the second. She ran over and hugged them both. "I think that''s a great idea! You could come to D''Jamu and see the glass spire! Plus, the food is amazing!"


    Kismet stepped forward and bowed. "I''m sure Lord Arlyss would be happy to have the two of you visit. I know it''s a drain on his resources to use divinity to maneuver us. But I think he''d find it acceptable."


    Varga gave the woman a slight nod. "This portal is an interesting piece of technology. Apparently, the dragon god that caused the cataclysm has an incredible wealth of knowledge available. Young Arlyss is trying to find a way to incorporate it into mortal living."


    Trillia walked over to the portal and leaned in, inspecting the runes.


    [Mana Rift Gate]


    This link creates a tunnel of mana and divinity to another Mana Rift Gate. These objects can only exist in close proximity to a Mana Rift, as the ambient mana required to work is too large for most creatures to feed it. The closer to a Mana Rift it is, the faster it charges. Once fully charged, the tunnel can be opened for an hour, and any number of creatures can pass through.


    Current Charge Rate: 1 Hour out of every 12.


    Trillia looked over at Amara, who had joined her. The others had begun discussing travel plans. Gobbinz seemed excited to ask his ''Father'' if it was ok if he went with them. Maybe he could bargain with the desert humans to bring back new and unique things for the dungeon. Amelia was also interested in going, if for no other reason than to be close to Trillia.


    "I''m proud of you, Mom. I know you care about our tribe. I know it can''t be easy to step down as our leader." Trillia scooted a little closer and spoke softly.


    Amara put her arm around Trillia''s shoulder and pulled her close. Leaning over to place a kiss on the top of her head. "The fact that you still say our tribe and our people brings me great joy. I think... I think you suddenly leaving, combined with Tormash, Ralrouk, and Ba''Shoon bringing up starting an independent tribe, really shocked me. No one really wanted to challenge me for leadership, they knew it was a losing battle, and it would just breed distrust. I think it being my children who left made it very clear I wasn''t being the leader our people need right now."


    Amara sighed softly, her free hand gently running across the runes. "I will always love the Shattered Plains, and I will always be here for our people. But I think Varga and I need to get away for a bit, just for us. I know I''ve said it before, but I want you to understand you can always come to me for help. I don''t want you to think I don''t care or that I don''t love you."


    This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    Trillia leaned into her more. "I don''t. I promise I''ll ask Lord Arlyss about visiting every month. Maybe he and I can find a way to utilize my mana pool to do it. So that it''s not so much of a drain on him. Once you and Dad are ready to visit, I''ll show you around. Maybe by then, we''ll have dealt with the Sage."


    Amara wrapped her up in both arms and hugged her tight. "So. Official business. There is no new movement on the [Primordial] front. Brutus is in Kincairne, and they are handling the defense well. We''ve also finally gotten word from Kadessa. Evidently, Queen Alliyah is researching other ways to seal the [Primordials] as well. So that future mortals of Alirast don''t have to rely on deity intervention. Though, I''m sure Arlyss already knows about all of that. I guess just tell him that his orc and minotaur allies stand strong and thank him for his support."


    Trillia nodded into the hug. Pulling away and motioning to Kismet and Maldoun. "I''d like to show them around the orc camp if that''s ok with you. D''Jamu only recently made it so slavery was a bad thing. I think it would do them some good to see a free people."


    Amara stood and took Trillia''s hand. "Well, let''s go and show them around. I think Gobbinz wants to speak with you as well. Varga and I have done a few runs through his dungeon. It''s coming along nicely. I think the dungeon''s plan is to help us against the [Primordial] though I''m not sure how it intends to do that. Oh! I wanted to ask, what is your divine skill?"


    "Fountain of Lethe. I haven''t used it yet. It stops me from gaining experience for a whole day, but it says it will answer any question I have for it, within my ability to deal with the answer." Trillia brought the skill up in her mind and gave her mother a brief rundown on it. The two joined the others.


    Kismet and Maldoun still seemed on edge. Trillia offered them a big smile. "Come on. We''re going to go explore the orc encampment a bit and grab some food. Afterward, if Gobbinz and his father are ok with it, I''d like to introduce you to Father Red River."


    The two exchanged a glance and bowed respectfully. Ialu kneeled in front of Trillia and let her crawl up. Gobbinz kept glancing over at the wolf but said nothing.


    With that, their little group moved from near the portal out into the city of tents. The orcs were in much higher spirits. Despite having human guests, they waved or bowed. It was nearing dinner time, and Trillia was happy with all of the familiar smells. Orcs mostly ate stew or smoked meat, but it was prepared differently enough amongst groups that it never felt bland to her.


    Kismet stopped next to one of the lovax. Running her fingers along its shell. "These are the shells your people use on the tents? Do you breed them?"


    Trillia looked up to Amara, who was happy to fill their guests in. "We do, yes. But they are also plentiful on the Shattered Plains. The lovax are rarely hunted by the megapede population. I''m not entirely sure why, honestly. The lovax are docile creatures that usually just roll into a ball and roll away when danger is present. Their shells make excellent canopies of tents since they can be rolled into a ball. We use a combination of lovax plates, leather, and megapede chitin for our armor. Have either of you ever faced a megapede?"


    Both shook their heads. Trillia was happy to explain what she knew about the creature to them. Maldoun raised a brow. "And your children are forced to fight these creatures?"


    Trillia interjected before anyone could take offense. "We''re put in a position to get a racial passive and better class options as children. But there are always adults nearby to ensure death rarely happens." Trillia glanced up at Amara. "It''s a difficult time for parent and child alike. But I think it''s worth it."


    Kismet nodded. "Orcs are notoriously resilient creatures. I''m surprised that the orcs and minotaur are allied. It was to my understanding that neither was..." Kismet stopped and looked at Trillia, switching to the human language. "Amicable?" Once Trillia gave her the same general word in orcish, she returned to speaking in the orc language. "Neither was amicable to one another."


    Varga chuckled and motioned for them to all take up seats near an empty campfire. "When their leaders are above level seven hundred and are both generals of the great beast wars, they tend to be amicable to anything they are told. Our species believes that our rulers should be some of our strongest members. Orcs won''t follow a weakling, neither will Minotaur."


    Amelia spoke up at that. "In God''s Watch, we had a council, but Father was still King and had final say. Even now, in the Rift City, it''s the same way. We establish a council so that every section of the city can be represented and have a voice, but father can still choose to do as he pleases. It''s my experience living in both cultures. Orcs respond to strength and courage, while Minotaurs respond to strength and reasoning. But as General Varga said. Neither of our people will tolerate a weak leader for long. Our laws ensure that you can always invoke trial by combat to usurp leadership."


    Kismet and Maldoun sat next to each other. Trillia pumped mana into the pot and fire runes. Varga and Amara began grabbing vegetables and meat. Kismet looked at them oddly. "You don''t have cooks do this? You''re rulers."


    Amara smirked at the question. "We''re orcs. Before I am Chieftain I am an orc." Looking at Trillia now with a hint of sadness. "Before I am a mother, I must be an orc. It''s how our people survived centuries of warfare and slavery. Whether it is a child or an elder, all of us must know how to fight. And all of us must know the basics of survival."


    Varga continued her line of reasoning as he stepped over Ialu to dump vegetables into the pot. Ialu had chosen to lie directly next to the fire. This climate was a bit chilly for her. "Almost every orc on the Shattered Plains knows basic cooking, herbalism, and alchemy. Many of us also know basic smithing and tailoring as well. We live in small pockets, only a few hundred orc strong."


    Maldoun sat in front of a stone bench and leaned his back on it. "I guess that''s smart. With fewer people, you need to ensure every role in an encampment can be filled."


    Gobbinz pulled some odd-looking plant out of a pouch at his side and extended it to Amara. Again the little goblin kept glancing at Ialu. Amara took the plant and crumpled it up in her hands. Then rubbed her hands together, turning the plant essentially into dust. Trillia walked over to the goblin and peered at him.


    [Proud Goblin - Dungeon Ambassador - 61] Mind Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Pact-Bound (Dungeon)


    Linguistic Specialist


    Charming


    Trillia grinned as she saw the traits, leaning in close and speaking softly so as not to interrupt the ongoing conversation. "What''s a Linguistic Specialist? How do I get it?"


    Gobbinz turned to her with a grin of his own. "I''m not sure. Maybe if you visit us, you''ll find out."


    Trillia''s grin turned into a mischievous giggle. "Fine. A reward for clearing floor two."


    The conversation continued as the stew began to cook. Ialu had become part of the landscape. Happy to snore quietly next to the heat source as everyone else held conversations. About classes or skills. Adventures they had been on, things they had seen. Amelia and Trillia sat next to Ialu, using the large wolf as a backrest and catching up on the past few months. Trillia felt at ease.

 Chapter 60 The Plan!

    -=- The Next Morning -=-


    Trillia yawned and stretched. As she stood, Ialu woke up and had a nice yawn and stretch herself. Trillia saw that her parents had never gone to sleep or had already started their day. As she left the tent, she saw most of the camp was still sleeping. Only a few morning cooking pots had started.


    Trillia motioned for Ialu to follow and made her way toward the dungeon. The guards outside knew who she was - after all, the one-armed orc walking around with a giant desert wolf was hard to miss - and let her in without much fuss. The entrance hall of the dungeon hadn''t changed. Smooth stone with stories carved into it with tribute bowls on one wall.


    Trillia rummaged about in her pouches and pulled out some sand and sea shells she had picked up from the beach when she had been wandering about with Stas. She made a mental note to clean out her pouches at some point. She had picked up a rather bad habit of stuffing things into them at random that she found interesting.


    After a few moments, Tim walked out with a toothy grin on his face. "You tame pure wolf! Impressive!"


    Ialu immediately turned to the goblin and gave him an odd look. As she approached Tim, her head dipped slightly, and she began to wag her tail. She barked excitedly around him. "She good tamer? Feed well?"


    More excited barking. Trillia gave the two an odd look. "You can speak to her? And understand what she''s saying? I only get a general feeling. It seems most of my communication skills work like that."


    Tim scratched Ialu behind the ears. Despite her apparently liking Tim, her body was still between the goblin and Trillia. "I no speak good words. I speak good animal. Help with wolves. She just bigger and stronger wolf."


    Trillia nodded slightly as she moved over to join the two of them. "She''s already saved me a couple of times. I wish I could speak to her properly."


    Tim smiled at that. "She understand you. You just no understand her. Take time. I have many year learning animal before Father take me in. You here to challenge dungeon?"


    Trillia shook her head. "Not yet, maybe later. I just came by for a visit. I''m only here for a few days this time, and while I want to do a run, I have other things I need to do first."


    Tim turned and motioned for the two of them to follow. Leading her off toward the healing hall. "It early. Some goblin still asleep. They lazy and sleep much of day away."


    Trillia laughed at that. "Not you, huh? You''re up earlier than I am!"


    Tim shrugged a bit. "Must train wolves early. Even dungeon wolf need training. Also need to feed them lately. I think Father being so low in ground forces them to eat more. Less mana in air."


    Trillia gave that some thought before a realization hit her. "Wait, what do you feed them?"


    Tim stopped in his tracks and turned down another hallway. As she got closer, she heard strange clucking sounds. When the door opened, she saw tiny two-legged winged creatures. They were very loud and came in a large array of colors.


    [Dungeon Chicken - Fowl Warrior - 8] Impact Mana Manipulation


    [Dungeon Chicken - Feathered Fencer - 4] Piercing Mana Manipulation


    Trillia got close to one of the birds and poked at it with a finger. The bird turned to her with a great deal of righteous indignation before pecking her finger. Trillia giggled at the clucking and strutting the bird did after. "Wait, they are dungeon creatures. They respawn? How does that work? Does the food vanish from the wolf''s bellies when they respawn?"


    Tim laughed. A wheezing grating sound. "No, food not disappear. Chickens respawn much, much slower. Sometimes they fight back. That why some chickens have more levels. Gub Gub lose an eye to chicken. Stibs had to kill him, so he respawn with both eyes. Father, make these with pretty feathers the Great Enchantress bring."


    Great Enchantress; That sounded an awful lot like Ba''Shoon. Trillia hoped she''d be able to see Ba''Shoon, Tormosh, and Ralrouk before she had to head back. "I can''t wait until I have more time and I can finally see the other floors. Plus, I want a rematch with Stibs and Paws. I think Ialu and I can do some damage."


    Tim nodded and jumped into the fenced-in area, chasing after a chicken and tossing it to Ialu, who happily snapped it out of the air. The other chickens sent a barrage of skills her way. Mostly weak, elementally-themed arrow or bolt spells. The majority of them bounced harmlessly off of the skoll.


    Trillia shook her head and wagged a finger at Tim and Ialu. "You shouldn''t eat their friends in front of them! That''s just rude!"


    Ialu stopped chewing with feathers sticking out of her mouth, staring at Trillia for a long moment before she slowly turned so her back was to the chickens before she continued chewing.


    Trillia rolled her eyes. "Come on, let''s leave before the two of you traumatize them even more."


    Tim looked at the chickens and then at her. "They remember being food. They train to not be food one day." Nodding happily as he looked at them and then at Trillia once more. Trillia just turned and walked out of the room, mentally urging Ialu to follow her to the healing hall.


    The healing hall had changed quite drastically. The sleeping spots were closer to the actual beds the glass spire had. Pillows stuffed with feathers and heavy blankets lay on top of straw mattresses. There were also more raiding goblins than Trillia remembered. Many of them were using actual healing spells now and not just [Restorative Chant].


    [Dungeon Goblin - Cleric of Knowledge - 47] Restorative Mana Manipulation


    Trillia walked over to one of the goblins, using the only healing she knew to help speed the process along. She also claimed all the goblins in the healing hall as ''allies'' and shed a hundred thousand mana. All of them perked up a bit as their mana pools were refilled. The goblin she had gazed at with mana sight turned to her.


    "Gracious Lady Trillia!" the goblin did his best to straighten his robes, which were plain white cloth with no markings on them at all, before bowing to her. "Father says that you are my patron''s avatar. I am most honored to serve."


    Trillia smiled and gave the goblin a hug. "Don''t be so formal. I''m Trillia. I take it from your class that you are a cleric of Lord Arlyss?"


    The goblin nodded excitedly to her. "Yes, yes. We offer prayers to him after we pray to Father every night. In return, he gifts us with mighty healing magics and moments of clarity. When he visit us, he told us that we had you to thank for his appearance."


    Trillia offered a little smile at that. Arlyss had been true to his word for everything so far. "I just wanted to make sure my friends and family were safe. Keep offering prayers to Lord Arlyss and your Father. They are the ones deserving of them. Is it ok if I come by and watch you work? I''d like to learn more healing abilities myself."


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    The goblin once more nodded excitedly and motioned for her to follow. They went further into the healing hall and through another door. Trillia was startled to see a few dozen orcs laying in beds, various goblins in robes running about and applying poultices and healing magic to the wounded. "What happened? Is this all from the dungeon?" Trillia turned to look at the cleric who now stood at her side.


    "Some of them, yes. Others are from the long bugs on surface. Our healers are quite strong. Not many of your tribe wanted to follow Lord Arlyss. Many of us did, so they bring us the wounded to heal, and in exchange, they bring us many tributes and gifts. Good trade."


    Trillia bobbed her head slightly as she looked around at the orcs. Most of them were smiling and joking with the goblins. Trillia was happy to see everyone was getting along. One of the many side doors opened, and two goblins dragged two badly wounded orcs in. A dozen healing spells descended on them in an instant to stabilize them before they were placed in beds. The Cleric chuckled at the sight of it. "Stibs is in a mood today."


    Trillia was itching for a go at the dungeon. But for now, she would behave. "May I ask your name?"


    "Father calls me Lead Bandage. Everyone else call me Band." The goblin looked at her with his default toothy grin.


    She smiled and extended her hand. "A pleasure to meet you, Lord Bandage. I''m going to get the rest of my official business done. I''ll be back to observe your healing techniques and challenge Stibs again."


    The cleric offered a nod. She found Tim on her way out and said a brief goodbye. All in all, she and Ialu had been in the dungeon for a couple hours before she finally left. By this time, the camp had come alive with morning activities. The portal was lit up, and people were coming and going. Maldoun and Kismet were no were to be seen. Amara was at the portal and motioned to Trillia.


    "Your friends went through to see the Minotaur city. Amelia is with them. I was hoping I could convince you to join me on a short trip. It''s to see your brothers and Ba''Shoon." Amara looked down at her with a smile. Trillia nodded happily and took her mother''s hand. Happy to walk alongside her.


    "I''m happy to see things are going well with the dungeon. I was worried." Trillia spoke somewhat idly as they walked out of camp.


    "They''ve been rather invaluable allies. Not only do they offer healing, but they also offer spices and different types of meat. I believe the dungeon core is trying to get gemstones to grow and respawn in his dungeon as well. The other orcs and I are thinking about using the dungeon to train children. Instead of our old way."


    Trillia''s eyes widened a bit. "That''s such a good idea! Especially with all the healing they have on hand. It''d be safer than the old way, and children could get pushed harder to gain levels faster."


    Amara nodded. "I''m trying to do and be better. I need to remember that our people weren''t raised like I was. That they deserve better. I don''t want us to lose our culture or become weak, but I also don''t want to be seen as barbaric to the rest of the world."


    "I don''t think our people will accept becoming weak. I think it is why all of us feared living in a walled city because it would take our edge from us."


    After a few minutes, Amara picked Trillia up, and they made the rest of the trip utilizing Amara''s wings. The landscape flew by under Trillia. Ialu, surprisingly, kept up fairly well with the rapid flight. Trillia wondered if she could work with the wolf to increase their speed while mounted.


    A few hours later and significantly closer to the rift, Amara landed. Her brothers, Ba''Shoon, Cordaos, and a few other minotaur, were working on another of the gates that Arlyss had created. The archway itself seemed like a perfect replica. Ba''Shoon was in charge of the half dozen or so minotaurs that were all carefully carving runes into the stone.


    Trillia waved to them all. Ralrouk was keeping watch in the direction of the rift. Tormash was helping with the etching process. Cordaos was in charge of smoothing out stone anytime someone made a mistake on the carved runes. Ba''Shoon called for a brief stop so that they could chat.


    Cordaos was the first to approach. "Let Stas know that I''ll pay him back for that one day. It''s good to see you''re alive and well." Cordaos rubbed the spot on his head where Stas had knocked him out.


    Trillia bowed to him. "I''m sorry, Uncle. I didn''t expect him to do that. I stand by my personal decision to leave."


    Ba''Shoon moved up and gave her a hug before holding her at arm''s length. "This outfit is interesting." She ran her fingers along the sleeves of Trillia''s clothing. "It won''t do much if someone swings a weapon at you, but it''s so light. It also flows enough you can use it to feint. Who made this?"


    Trillia returned the hug and smiled at the barrage of questions. "A woman named Rakana. She''s a very kind and very skilled tailor. I think you''d get along with her. My old armor was a bit beat up after all the dungeon running I did. This stuff will mend itself if I feed it mana. So it''s a good fit."


    Tormash offered her a little wave and gave her a hug when Ba''Shoon let her go. Ralrouk joined them shortly after. "The runt finally ran off on her own. I hope you remember our promise?"


    Trillia nodded. "I plan to be at a higher level than we promised. D''Jamu has its own problems surrounding it. I''m glad everyone is here, well, except Amelia and Father. I''d like to talk to all of you about a plan I have."


    Cordaos and Amara shared a glance and raised their brows. Ralrouk hoisted Trillia up on his shoulder, and the troupe moved towards a small tent to get something to eat. Ialu ran around Ralrouk''s legs and barked somewhat angrily at him. "What an excitable wolf you have. Seems like the jealous type." Ralrouk smiled and extended a large hand toward the wolf. Trillia reached out with telepathy to calm her down.


    General Skill: [Minor Telepathy] Level 5 - > Level 6


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 51 -> Level 52


    Trillia couldn''t help but laugh a little at the timing of the levels. Once they were all seated and had food in front of them, Trillia brought up her plan. "I am going to discuss returning once a month with Lord Arlyss. I also wanted to ask all of you if it would be ok to bring a few citizens of D''Jamu with me each time. Not only to level in the dungeon but also to bridge the gap between our people. The city evidently has a history of slavery. Lord Arlyss is still working to remove the last remnants of it."


    Just the word slavery caused everyone to wear a disgusted face. "Much like Kismet and Maldoun - the two representatives I came with this time - I think it would do the people of the city good to see an entire species of people who escaped that life and live freely. I also think having some form of trade will do them wonders. At least until we can deal with our undead problem."


    Tormash''s grin grew ever wider as he stared at Trillia. "You certainly aren''t a normal orc, are you?" At first, everyone gave him a bit of a dirty look. Even Trillia looked shocked. He didn''t waver and continued. "I was all in on smashing megapedes when I was eight. You''re thinking of bridging a diplomatic gap between two continents, two cities, and two entirely different species. As well as opening up trade."


    Trillia flushed slightly with embarrassment at that. "Well. I''m not as capable of smashing megapedes. I said it before, I want to be useful."


    Amara was the one to ruffle her hair. "You need to stop saying that. You are useful. There is no becoming useful. You''ve brought a gateway into our lives that let us live free and still be within range of the city if an emergency arises. You''ve very successfully negotiated an alliance with a dungeon that''s proving far more intelligent than any of us thought, and now you''re actively working towards expanding our trade routes and maybe introducing new skills to our people."


    Trillia didn''t really know what to say to that. Cordaos didn''t relent. "You also gave up mortality and were willing to leave your family and friends behind to save the adults that are supposed to save you. Don''t ever assume you are anything but heroic in the eyes of the Shattered Plains."


    Tears formed in her eyes, and she quickly rubbed them out with her arms and cleared her throat. "I''ll keep doing my best. For all of us."


    Ialu sat behind her and nuzzled her, laying her head on Trillia''s shoulder. Amara ripped off a piece of smoked meat and tossed it to the wolf. "As for your idea. I am ok with it. Under the agreement that anyone you bring over is made very, very aware that an attack on our people will result in death and that any attack on the raiding goblins that don''t respawn will also result in death."


    Trillia nodded immediately. "Of course. I won''t let them betray any of you."


    Trillia felt more at ease. That was the big thing she wanted to clear up and get done. She wanted more people to see her and Arlyss as a way out. Less support for the resistance meant they could focus more of their efforts on dealing with the Sage.


    Ralrouk scratched his chin and looked at all of them. "I''d like to return with Trillia. If everyone is ok with that."


    That brought quite a few quizzical stares. "I don''t trust anyone in that city. I just barely trust the deity she is sworn to."


    Trillia smiled at just how blunt he was. "I''d be happy to have family close."


    The conversation drifted towards other topics, but the plan was in motion. Tomorrow Trillia would try at least one run at the dungeon before contacting Arlyss. It had been a good couple of days so far.

 Chapter 61 All Settled

    Your group has defeated [Dungeon Goblin]!


    ...


    Your group has defeated [Dungeon Goblin]!


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 52 -> Level 55


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent:Runt] Level 45 -> Level 49


    Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 7 - > Level 13


    [Monster Slayer]


    Active Skills:


    Bane Weaponry (Special)


    Tool For The Job (Special)


    Titan Hunter(Special)


    Passive Skills:


    Mental Bestiary


    Obfuscation Override (Health)


    Undead


    Goblin


    Beast, Lesser


    Class: [Mage] Level 3 -> Level 12


    [Mage]


    Active Skills:


    Cantrip-[Arrow] (Universal Manipulation detected. Please choose an element!)


    Cantrip-[Ray] (Universal Manipulation detected. Please choose an element!)


    Augment: Blast Radius


    Augment: Extended Range


    Passive Skills:


    Magic Dynamo


    Trillia had done two runs on the first floor. The first time she and Ialu hadn''t been able to beat Stibs and Paws. The second time she surrendered early when Ialu was mortally wounded. She didn''t want Ialu to be trapped in the whistle for twenty-four hours and accepted the loss. She still made some progress on levels, and she was happy about it. That night she went over her new skills while sitting around a campfire. They''d be returning tomorrow morning.


    Titan Hunter: (Special)


    Titan Hunter can be taken multiple times. Each time it is taken, you must choose what creature type Titan Hunter is applied to. This is a list of creature types you have personally slain in battle after taking this class. Titan Hunter levels regardless of the titan type chosen, and all Titan Hunter actives share a singular level. There is a 24-hour period between changing Titan Hunter loadouts. -1 Hour Per Level of this skill. (Minimum 4 Hours)


    Titan Hunter is an infusion effect that deals bonus damage based on the difference in derived level between yourself and your opponent. For every level of difference between yourself and your opponent You deal 0.1% (Per Level of Titan Hunter) bonus damage. Titan Hunter uses 0.1% (Per Level of Titan Hunter) of your current mana per attack infused with its effects and can be applied to any attack, skill, spell, or ability that originates from the user that is used to deal damage (Directly or Indirectly) to a target.


    Example: You are fighting a [Beast] with Beast Titan Hunter Level 20. The opponent has a derived level of 100, and your derived level is 50. You will deal a bonus 100% damage.


    It didn''t list a maximum. That''d be an invaluable skill when dealing with the Sage. In fact, most of the [Monster Slayer] class seemed to be extremely potent if you had enough time to prepare and had fought something like your target before. She had picked up Goblin and Beast as creature types as well, thanks to the dungeon wolves and goblins. Knowing she was going back to D''Jamu soon. She switched over to having Undead for each of her actives.


    Obfuscation Override (Health):


    Augments your [Scan] ability so that it gives you the exact amount of Health a target has if any of your active abilities have a matching creature type to it. Every level of this skill adds 10 levels to your Derived Level for the purpose of overcoming enemy obfuscation abilities, but only when scanning their Health.


    Trillia happily slotted that in as well. Currently, her passives for Monster Slayer were full, but they could be changed every day if need be. She''d have to start doing more research on the enemies she was facing if she was going to keep this class. It made sense now why it had an Extendable duration available to it.


    Trillia could easily see [Monster Slayer] being a class someone stayed in for most of their life.


    Mage was a different bag of tricks. She didn''t look too deeply into the active skills. The ray cantrip was identical in every way to the arrow, except it had no travel time and was shorter range. The augment skills were self-explanatory.


    For a chunk of extra mana per cast, she could augment either of her cantrip skills to have a small explosion at the end or have a longer range.


    Magic Dynamo:


    This passive has a single level. This passive slowly ramps up your magical damage during combat. Every time you cast an ability from the Mage class, your magic damage increases by 1%. If you go more than 15 seconds without casting a spell, the damage bonus resets.


    Trillia equipped it since she had no [Mage] passives anyway. She was a bit sad to see it was only mage abilities. She wondered if it would evolve with the class for future mage classes or if the description would change. Still, it meant her Mage abilities would become extremely potent in an extended fight. Especially given her deep mana pool.


    She was beginning to worry that [Mage] skills weren''t useful as Mastery options. Unless she took the class several times.


    She''d give it more thought once she maxed it out for the first time. For now, she dumped all of her floating stat points into [Vitality] and looked over her stats.


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}


    [Status: Alive; Scorned Divinity]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 55


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 49


    +5 Wisdom Per Level


    Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 13 (0 Stats Available)


    Class: [Mage] Level: 12


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 204] + 50%


    \Strength: 51 + Vitality: 153/


    [Dexterity: 579] + 13%


    \Agility: 95(+193) + Wisdom: 291/


    [Charisma: 123] + 50%


    \Intuition: 51 Presence: 72/


    Traits:


    Pact-Bound (Deity)


    Runt


    Limitless Mana


    Thirst For Knowledge


    Divine: Unwavering Determination


    Alchemical Blood


    Spawn Seeker


    Dungeon Addict


    Tongues


    Remain Standing


    Racial Skills:


    [Orc Savagery - Passive]: - Level <Disabled> [Runt]


    [Orc Constitution - Passive]: - Level 0 <Limited> [Runt]


    [Orc Tenacity - Passive]: - Level 5


    General Skills:


    Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.  [Stalwart Mana- Reactive]: Level 4


    [Mana Obfuscastion - Hybrid]: Level 8


    [Rapier Mastery - Passive]: Level 13


    [Mana Sight- Passive]: Level 8 [Currently: Off]


    [Runic Scripture - Hybrid] Level 3


    [Universal Mana Manipulation - Hybrid] Level 7


    [Basic Alchemy - Hybrid]: Level 8


    [Basic Cooking - Hybrid]: Level 7


    [Herbalism - Passive]: Level 2


    [Lesser Mind Magic Resistance - Passive]: Level 1


    [Lesser Fire Magic Resistance - Passive]: Level 4


    [Minor Telepathy - Hybrid]: Level 7


    [Monster Taming - Active]: Level 4


    [Sustained Travel - Passive]: Level 1


    Class Skills:


    [Monster Slayer]


    Active: Undead Bane Weaponry - Level 3


    Active: Tool For The Undead - Level 3


    Active: Undead Titan Hunter - Level 0


    Active: Lesser Beast Bane Weaponry - Level 3


    Active: Tool For The Lesser Beasts - Level 3


    Passive: Mental Bestiary - Level 3


    Passive: Obfuscation Override (Health) - Level 0


    Passive: Undead - Level MAX


    Passive: Goblin


    Passive: Beast, Lesser


    [Mage]


    Active: Fire Arrow - Level 4


    Active: Augment: Extended Range - Level 0


    Active: Augment: Blast Radius - Level 0


    Passive: Magic Dynamo - Level 0


    Mastery:


    Minstrel- Restorative Chant - MAX


    Fencer- Fleet Foot - MAX


    Fencer - Weapon''s Path - MAX


    Swashbuckler - Disarming Charisma - MAX


    Bound Artifacts: 2


    [The Shattered Bolt]


    [Red River Resonance]


    Mentor: Amelia Shatterhoof (Minstrel/Alive) Skill: [Astra''s Amazing Agility]


    Health: 3060


    Stamina: 1530


    Mana: 7,102,347/-


    The sheer amount of information was a bit staggering. Trillia wondered what Stas'' screen looked like. During a lull in the conversation, she spoke up.


    "I''m curious. Do you guys hide information from yourselves on your status screen?" Trillia glanced at everyone but mostly settled on her mother.


    Amara nodded. "I do. I''ve also disabled all level notifications. I am only alerted when a new skill is acquired or when something has reached its maximum value. When I look at my status window, I see my resources at the top, my current classes, and my stats. Everything else is collapsed or hidden. The status screen can get a bit jumbled even when it''s organized well."


    Trillia bobbed her head slightly as she looked over her status screen. That made sense. The thought of dozens of mastered classes and a giant list of traits would become a lot to sort through. She started tweaking it. She made a promise to herself to tweak it a little bit every day so that it wasn''t such a daunting task.


    -=- The Next Day -=-


    Trillia pulled back from hugging her family one by one with a smile on her face. "It was good to see you all again. Lord Arlyss should be here shortly to bring us all back."


    She moved over to hug Amelia as well. "See you soon." The minotaur hugged her tightly and teared up.


    "Don''t vanish on us again, ok?" Amelia finally let her go and stepped back. Trillia nodded with a smile. Ralrouk stood next to Kismet and Maldoun, towering over the two humans.


    Amara gave him a look. "Remember that you represent our tribe. Don''t make a fool of yourself." Ralrouk laughed at that and nodded, wrapping a giant arm around each of the humans.


    "Me? Never. I''ll make sure to do all I can to help our new friends and watch out for the runt." The big orc smiled down at the humans, who were a little more comfortable with his jovial, joking nature.


    Soon after, a portal appeared next to Trillia and Ialu. Everyone stepped through. Trillia looked back at her family one last time before stepping through last. They stood in the grand library of the glass spire. Ralrouk was looking all around them with an approving look on his face.


    Arlyss looked at the large orc with a curious look. "Welcome to D''Jamu. May I ask your purpose?"


    Ralrouk looked down at Arlyss and bowed deeply. "I am here to make sure that Trillia is safe. In addition, I thought it might be beneficial to have another warrior in your ranks."


    Arlyss peered at him for a few heavy seconds before dipping his head ever so slightly. "Very well. You can stay with Stas. I won''t promise the people of this city or this tower will get along with you. Most of them are unable to speak the orc tongue."


    Trillia smiled and patted Ralrouk''s arm with an approving nod. "He''ll learn quickly. I have some things I''d like to run by you if you have the time, Lord Arlyss."


    Arlyss glanced at each of them before turning and motioning for them to follow. They walked down into the spiral and came out in one of the underground rooms. Ralrouk had to hunch over to get through the door but didn''t complain.


    The room was entirely barren save for a stone pedestal in the center. It looked very similar to the ones that she had been refilling around the city for the barrier spell. As she approached, she turned her head to look at Arlyss. "Are we expanding the barrier?"


    Arlyss stepped up to the pedestal, Trillia could feel him empty divinity into it, and a thin veil expanded rapidly outward to fill the room.


    You''re under the effects of [Weight Of Knowledge]!


    All experience gains are doubled.


    All Undead suffer 1% of their health as divine damage per second.


    All Primordial Spawn suffer 1% of their health as divine damage per second.


    Trillia stared blankly at the notification for a few seconds, reading it. "This is new."


    Arlyss nodded once more. "It is. My plan was to have you, Kismet, and Maldoun spread these around the desert and slowly spiral out from the city. Exterminating any undead or spawn you run into. Stas and I will be linking all of them once they are in place to a church here in the city. People''s prayers will be converted into fuel for the barrier."


    Trillia ran her fingers over the pedestal. She could tell there was more to it than simple eyesight could see. "We will see it done. It''s a good thing Ralrouk is here. He can join us on our mission to expand the barrier and protections."


    Ralrouk had stepped closer to the thing himself. "Good work. Wish we had some of these things for the Shattered Plains."


    Arlyss smirked a little at that. "I will be making plenty of them. If we can find a central location for people to give prayer and fuel them. I''d be happy to help set up a network there as well."


    Trillia smiled wider. "That would be excellent. I wanted to speak with you about forming some sort of trade with the orcs and minotaur there as well. I know that currently, it takes an immense amount of power for you to bring us back and forth. But I''d like to return there once a month for a few days at least. Not only to keep in touch with my family but also to bridge the gap between our people."


    Arlyss peered up at the ceiling, deep in thought. "I think I can manage that. Especially if it lets me bring in more worshippers. The more people that offer me prayer, the stronger my divinity is. We''d have to teach a few orcs the human tongue and teach a few humans the orc tongue. But I think it could be a boon to both cities to share culture and trade."


    Ralrouk looked over at the little deity. "I''ll warn you, Lord Arlyss. That orcs are not accepting of slavery in any form. You would have a great many warriors who would seek to destroy anyone who still follows that archaic practice."


    Arlyss laughed at that, motioning for them to follow once more and dropping the veil from the pedestal. "Good! All the more reason to see it done. I grow weary of the resistance. I don''t wish to force those that follow me to fight, but it seems more and more likely they will need to. If orcs are willing to fight and clear out a dangerous relic of the past, that would certainly earn them favor amongst the citizens."


    They followed him back up into the kitchens. The entire staff wasn''t staring at Kismet for once. Instead, they stared up at Ralrouk, whose head was just barely under the tall ceiling. The head cook stepped forward, rather obviously nervous. <Human:>"Lord Arlyss...our food supplies..."


    Trillia translated for Ralrouk, who threw his head back in laughter, managing to knock his head against the ceiling in the process. That didn''t stop his laughter. Trillia gave him a little smile before stepping forward to the cooks. "He brought his own food. He will also consume his enemies."


    The color drained from their faces. They bowed slightly and scurried off to prepare meals for everyone else. Kismet and Maldoun left to go and ''help'' them prepare the meals, but most importantly, to calm the humans down. Arlyss sat at a table and rubbed Ialu''s head behind her ears. The wolf nuzzled up next to him.


    Trillia sat across from him, and Ralrouk moved a bench and sat on the floor, still towering over the others.


    Trillia looked between the two of them. "So let''s come up with a plan going forward. To clear the undead, the spawn, and the resistance."


    The two men nodded, and the conversation started in full. Arlyss pulled out parchment, and Trillia pulled out her journal to make notes and get into tactics and planning.

 Chapter 62 Age 9

    Their little group was five strong. Trillia rode atop Ialu. Kismet and Maldoun flew near her. Ralrouk just jumped wherever he needed to go. The orc was taking extremely well to the desert sun and heat. It was another scouting run that they were returning from. That was how it had been lately. Scout an area for a pedestal, get the pedestal, and install it on a sandstone dias. Ralrouk came in handy with that as well, easily able to lift the several hundred-pound stones. It saved Arlyss a lot of portals.


    The guards loved him because no one ever wanted to bother them when Ralrouk was around. Most humans just thought him a giant and avoided any guard station that the orc was near.


    Rumours began to circulate that their new resident deity was trading with the savage humanoids. These rumours were proven true a month later when a squad of four shamen and three berserkers were seen trading with some of the local merchants.


    The resistance had grown quieter and quieter the more regularly orcs were sighted in the city.


    That was also Ralrouk''s ''fault''. Ralrouk had been wandering about D''Jamu and stumbled upon one of the old slavers who had chained a child up and was abusing the poor thing.


    They scrapped what was left of the slaver off of the streets. The child said they had no recollection of what had transpired. It was like they woke up from a bad nightmare, and the memories quickly vanished.


    It did reinforce the idea that slavery was no longer acceptable. The fact these ''savages'' were so violently tempered against it added an incredible amount of weight to most people''s decisions. Trade for new trinkets and heavy furs for spices and trinkets of their own. Or side with the people who were vanishing in droves by the day.


    -=- Some Months Later -=-


    There was a large crowd of people gathered. A glass branch had appeared from the spire. Overlooking a massive and empty part of the city. Arlyss stood there waiting for more people to show up. Trillia stood on one side, Kismet on the other. Slightly behind them stood Maldoun, Ralrouk, and most terrifying for the humans stood Amara and Cordaos. People had just started to warm up to how large and intimidating orcs were.


    Minotaur might not have the [Brawn], but their frankly absurd [Charisma] meant that most people were terrified of being in the same room as them if that''s what the minotaur decided to project. The fact that Cordaos was more than twice as tall as most humans only added to that.


    Maldoun walked up behind Arlyss and spoke softly in the human tongue. "All is as you''ve asked, Lord Arlyss. The people are ready."


    Arlyss nodded and stepped forward and up onto the air. Walking off the balcony and raising his voice. The sound boomed out and shook the very foundation of the city. "Hear me! I am Arlyss Ocrey Darktone, Lesser Deity of Knowledge and Liberator of D''Jamu. I know we have struggled. I know we have suffered loss. I know that for a long time, the resistance told you that enslaving those you deem lesser was the only way forward! That it was the only way we could grow our own food!"


    The crowd fell silent and stared up at the deity speaking to them. Trillia could feel him radiating divinity. Not only for effect but also to calm the minds of those most worried. "With the help of the people of the Shattered Plains and the incredible effort and work of our very own Engineering Guild. We have proven those slavers wrong!" Arlyss turned to Ralrouk and Cordaos. "Please bring them out."


    The people looked around in fear. Some were terrified they had angered the new - and young - deity and were going to be culled. Cordaos and Ralrouk hopped off of the balcony. A few moments later and a low rumbling was heard. From underground the tower emerged a half dozen of the lovax, pulling carts laden with barrels that were filled with grain and other food.


    Voices began to whisper and murmur in the crowd, slowly spreading out in an all-consuming blaze of passion. Arlyss spoke over it and once more brought the crowd to silence. "Let me be clear. Consider this my last and final offer of peace. Throw away your idealogy of slavery, and you may partake in the wonderful bounty that alliances and freedom bring! This is your alternative." Arlyss snapped his fingers, and Trillia winced at the amount of divinity and magic put into the spell. All the mortals here would feel it.


    It was a simple spell that completely removed a person''s ability to resist auras. Even her own traits were temporarily nullified.


    On cue, Stas slowly clambered down the side of the glass spire. Trillia remembered the faint divine aura that Stas gave off on their first meeting. Now? Now it felt like it was crushing her.


    You''re in the presence of the Divine Abomination!


    You are too weak to resist the effect!


    Your skills are disabled!


    Your traits are disabled!


    Your class skills are disabled!


    You will lose 10% of your resources a second until you are dead!


    Half the crowd fell to their knees. Others gritted their teeth but remained standing. Trillia struggled to remain standing. As she began to waver, she felt her mother''s arm wrap around her and hold her up.


    Another snap from Arlyss brought relief. A third healed everyone to full. Despite the size of the city, Trillia was sure you could hear a blade of grass hit the ground.


    Arlyss let the reality sink in for a moment before speaking. "I tried to be peaceful. I tried to be diplomatic. I''m done. In the next seventy-two hours, anyone who still owns slaves will release them safely and unharmed. If you kill them, Lord Stas will pay you and your entire family a visit. If you try to flee D''Jamu, Lord Stas will hunt you down and kill you and your entire family. Choose peace or choose death. We prepare for a war against the Sage and the [Primordials] of old. I cannot have enemies at my back any longer."


    After a few more minutes of hushed whispers, Arlyss raised a hand. "Please...please choose peace. Please walk into the future with me. Do not make me unleash the monster on any of you. This city raised me as one of its own. I know you are good people. I hear your prayers nightly. My companions and I work tirelessly to answer them all. We bring you food, safety, and new trade. Do not turn us into the monsters the resistance claims we are."


    Arlyss bowed his head slightly and turned back toward the balcony. Trillia recognized the voice immediately, but not all the humans did. Ralrouk, in all his boisterous nature, was the first to make noise. "THREE CHEERS FOR THE ENGINEERS GUILD! THREE CHEERS FOR THE SHATTERED PLAINS! THREE CHEERS FOR LORD ARLYSS!"


    Around the crowd, a few others joined in. It took a moment for people to realize the resistance really was going to be a thing of the past. It took them time to realize they weren''t going to starve anymore, that they were safe, and that their new deity and their new allies would push them out of the prison that D''Jamu had become.


    Slowly the few cheers turned into a roar of approval. Amara had a little smirk on her face, as did Stas. As Arlyss walked up to them, he shook his head. "I think that was a dirty trick you pulled."


    Stas chuckled faintly and tapped the young lad on his shoulder. "Listen to your elders, Lord Arlyss. We''ve stirred up a crowd more times than you can imagine. We''ve seen the best of the best do it. These people will never forget this day. Their children and grandchildren will remember this day. The day that D''Jamu was truly liberated. Take it from someone who wore chains entirely too long, Lord Arlyss. They needed this."


    Amara glanced at Trillia to make sure she was steady before bowing her head. "Your parents would be proud of you, Lord Arlyss. Both were more righteous than they cared to admit. Both had a soft spot for the broken and downtrodden. It''s why myself and the other great generals were saved. I''m glad my daughter found a good patron."


    Arlyss bowed his head slightly. "Thank you for the kind words. As far as I''m concerned, our work is just beginning. We have an undead Pact-Bound to eliminate. Then we prepare for war with the [Primordials]."


    The faces of everyone gathered turn serious, and each, in turn, bowed to him. Trillia smiled and gave him a thumbs up.


    -=- More Months Later -=-


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Trillia only realized she was turning nine thanks to her stats randomly going up one day. She had missed her last birthday in the commotion that was her life. She''d probably miss this one as well. She tried to remind herself to celebrate in six months.


    She pulled her rapier out of a skull. The skeleton fell over dead. "Set up the dais here Ralrouk. Kismet begin the ritual. Maldoun, Ialu, and I will ensure you are both safe."


    Everyone nodded and got to work. Trillia tugged ever so slightly at the mental connection with Ialu and began to circle the area. Everyone had gotten used to her being the leader. Her telepathy was growing more powerful by the day. Between training with Stas and constant communication with Ialu and Arlyss, she had gotten a lot of use out of it.


    "[Radiant Lance]!"


    The artifact on her arm hummed to life, and a brilliant light shone a second before a rain of bolts was let loose towards an oncoming group of skeletons. "Maldoun! More on the east flank!"


    As the two charged at more of the Sage''s undead, Trillia leapt from Ialu''s back, diving into the group of skeletons. Her rapier was glowing the same brilliant light of her radiant abilities. Maldoun joined shortly after. Ialu seemed impervious to the attacks of the skeletons. Maldoun charged in, swinging the mighty two-handed blade he used. Trillia danced under and around his strikes. The two had become very familiar with this dance over the past few months.


    Ialu darted out of the group. As she spun around and opened her mouth, a wave of light radiated from her mouth. Burning the skeletons and burning away any curse magic that was clinging to Trillia and Maldoun.


    "Dais down!" Ralrouk roared loud enough that he could wake the dead himself. Trillia heard the mighty roar before she saw his form slam into more undead and scatter them. She withdrew from the group and ran back towards Kismet, letting the others handle the undead. She''d need to feed the ritual once Kismet prepared it.


    Kismet finished the last of the etched runes as Trillia arrived. Bowing her head slightly before joining in the defense as more undead began to form and charge at them. The Sage knew what each dais meant. Knew what the ritual and the pedestal would do to its ability to control the undead hordes. Trillia half-sheathed her rapier, grabbing it in her right hand and slicing her hand open, letting her blood hit the pedestal as she dumped a million points of mana into the pedestal and surrounding runes.


    "The wisdom of Lethe


    By the grace of Lord Arlyss


    Sanctify this land"


    As the ritual was completed and her mana filled the runes, a veil exploded from the dais. Most of the undead were banished entirely. Others seemed to lose their focus and grew considerably weaker.


    Trillia grabbed onto the pedestal. She always felt incredibly weak after fulfilling a ritual. Ralrouk was at her side in seconds and lifted her up. "Rest, little one. We''ll get you home safe."


    Trillia nodded slightly.


    You''re under the effects of [Soul Fatigue]!


    Resources will not regenerate for 24 hours!


    She was happy to take the rest. Every three days, they''d activate another dais like this. They were probably thirty in, and she had been getting this debuff after the fourth. "I wonder how many more. Until we can draw the Sage out to kill him?" Her voice was hoarse as she spoke. Looking up at her brother.


    "Just a few more, I''m sure. Don''t you worry. I''ll make sure you''re safe. Go through your notifications for the week and rest. We''ll be back at it soon. You know the routine." Trillia nodded when he finished, the others joined them shortly after, and they headed back toward D''Jamu.


    -=- 9th Birthday -=-


    Trillia lay in bed and refused to leave the comfortable blankets as Ialu whined, whimpered, and tugged at her arm. Trillia just rolled up tighter. "My day off. I''ll join you later. Let me sleep."


    After a few minutes, Ialu gave up and just lay down next to Trillia, the two happily snoozing away. Trillia spent half the day with the people of D''Jamu, who had come to label her a prophet when she started using her divine skill to help the common folk. The other half of the day she spent in the Shattered Plains. Everyone agreed to take a half day off to get together for a feast and some much-needed rest. According to Arlyss'' prediction, they''d force the Sage''s hand in the next year or two. Trillia would have never dreamed it would take them so long, but apparently, the desert was a large place.


    She waved a hand in front of her face, wanting to forget about the plan and the problems and just enjoy the wonderful music that Amelia was playing for her. Arlyss had been swarmed by young orcs asking to become his holy warriors in the Shattered Plains. Surprisingly, he handled them well. Mock inspecting each and testing their mettle with feats of strength and balance. Saying they''d be there soon and to keep training.


    As Trillia let loose a happy sigh, her mother sat next to her. "This is why we do it." Trillia glanced at her quizzically. Amara motioned to the people around her, laughing, smiling, and partying. "Immortality. A lifetime of servitude and work. It is because of nights like this that we see the happiness in our people and are reminded of all the joy and happiness we can bring. The lives we save. I know it is a human tradition to give gifts. But I got you something."


    Trillia sat up slightly and turned more seriously to her mother. Amara had never been a particularly sentimental person. Amara pulled a polished ebony box from a pocket space. It was nearly four feet in length. She set it on the table next to them.


    Trillia stood, and walked over to the box, running her fingers along it. "Why?"


    Amara smiled faintly and sat across from Trillia and the box. "Queen Alliyah got me a gift after I had been a pact-bound for a year. Said it was good to have a permanent reminder of your people. The storage item I have was given to me by her. I fear I''m no queen. This isn''t quite so extravagant."


    Trillia smirked at that and slowly opened the lid. A long and slender rapier blade rested on a black velvet cloth. The blade itself looked familiar to her. Searching through her mind, she remembered where she had seen the glass-like colorful substance before. "This is divine crystal..." Her eyes widened slightly, and she looked up at Amara, who smiled and nodded.


    "I can''t accept this...it''s...it''s too much." Amara leaned over the table and grabbed Trillia''s hand.


    "You''re going to fight for an eternity. Same as I am. I want you to have a blade you can trust. I asked Stas and Lord Arlyss to help me make it for you. Accept it, and put it to good use."


    Trillia squeezed her mother''s hand and nodded. Pulling her hand away and tracing her fingers carefully along the blade. The crystal came to life as she touched it. The hilt was made of some hard substance that didn''t seem to fully exist in this realm. As she touched the handle, the notification popped up.


    Would you like to bind this artifact to you?


    Artifact Details:


    Sliver of Fate


    This artifact counts as any one-handed blade for the purposes of skills.


    While using this artifact, any weapon mastery skills that apply to any one-handed blade will work in unison for this artifact.


    This artifact cannot be lost or stolen from the creature it has been bound to. Regardless of distance or dimension, the creature this artifact is bound to can always summon it to their side with an hour of preparation and a single point of mana.


    This artifact is indestructible.


    This artifact can sense the intent of the creature it is bound to.


    50% of the damage dealt while using this artifact is divine damage.


    The user of this artifact may imbue it with mana at a rate of 100,000 mana a second. While so imbued, the blade bypasses all mortal defenses and will deal its full intended damage to the target.


    The creature bound to this artifact is treated as having all class skills from the class [Fencer] at max level. If the user already has such skills, their effective level is doubled. (Up to and including over the usual max values.) This allows the creature bound to this artifact to be treated as having the [Fencer] class maxed out for the purposes of new classes or class evolutions.


    For a cost of 1,000 mana. This artifact can be hidden in its own private pocket dimension. It can be summoned back to the bound creature''s hand at any time for free if it was hidden in such a way.


    Trillia stared at the notification for a long time. Slowly she lifted her eyes to her mother, overwhelmed by the gift. "I...it''s too much."


    Stas saw the exchange and made his way over. Sitting down next to Trillia. "It''s exactly what you deserve. Accept the gift. You aren''t human, but it''s extremely rude to turn away such a gift from one so loved."


    Amara glared a bit at Stas. Trillia chuckled softly and looked back to the artifact. "I promise. I''ll never turn it to an unjust cause."


    With that, she accepted.


    You''ve bound the artifact [Sliver Of Fate] to you.


    She moved around the table and hugged her mother for a good few minutes before hugging Stas as well. "Thank you, both of you."


    Amara smiled softly and ruffled her hair. "Just keep your promise. Help save us old relics. I have a lot to live for and don''t really want to sacrifice myself if I don''t have to."


    Trillia smiled as tears filled her eyes. "I will make sure that''s not needed. After all, I''ll need you around for advice as I stumble my way through all of this."


    Amara chuckled and kissed the top of her head. "You''re going pretty good so far, kiddo. Come on, let''s go sing with Amelia. I''m sure we can embarrass ourselves together."


    Trillia laughed a little and nodded. Amara stored the box for the rapier, and the three of them moved over to rejoin the party.


    Age 9-


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 66


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 61


    Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 37


    Class: [Mana Sage] Level: 9


    Mastery:


    Minstrel- Restorative Chant - MAX


    Minstrel- Astra''s Amazing Agility - MAX


    Fencer- Fleet Foot - MAX


    Fencer - Weapon''s Path - MAX


    Swashbuckler - Disarming Charisma - MAX


    Mage - Magic Dynamo - MAX


    Mage - Augment: Extended Range - MAX


    Mage - Augment: Blast Radius - MAX


    Monster Slayer - Mental Bestiary - MAX


    Bound Artifacts: 3


    [The Shattered Bolt]


    [Red River Resonance]


    [Sliver of Fate]


    Mentor: Amelia Shatterhoof (Minstrel/Alive) Skill: [Marching Cadence]


    Mentor: Maldoun Mostafa (Radiant Blade/Alive) Skill: [Radiant Lance]

 Chapter 63 Age 10

    Sliver of Fate was a devastating weapon against the undead. More so when she imbued it with her mana. It was a one-off thing, so it was far too expensive to use against every undead she came across. But she knew it''d be invaluable when they inevitably faced the Sage in battle.


    Currently, their group was on the second floor of a dungeon. It was nothing special, just a mausoleum that seemed to keep going further and further down. Ralrouk stayed on the surface. Unable to easily fit into the cramped dungeon. If they ran into anything that required mobility, he''d be a hindrance.


    The rapier was large for Trillia''s current size. She knew she''d grow into it fully by the time she was an adult, but for now, it was a bit difficult to use. Still, watching it light up with divine energy whenever she held it and burn through skeletons in a single attack was worth the slight loss in speed.


    Maldoun had learned a new ability that they were currently testing. He and Ialu were holding off a small horde of twenty or thirty undead, funneling them into a tunnel. Glancing back at Trillia, he shouted. "Try it now!"


    Trillia took a deep breath, draining a thousand mana to vanish the Sliver. She brought up the crossbow and stabilized it with her other arm. Dumping more and more mana into it.


    "[Augmented Radiant Lance, Mana Cannon]!"


    A cool sixty thousand mana drained as the tunnel in front of her became awash in radiant light.


    As the light died down, Maldoun and Ialu stood there unharmed with no skeletons bearing down on them. Maldoun wore a smirk, and Ialu yipped and jumped around, wagging her tail.


    Kismet pumped her fist next to Trillia. "It worked! It worked!"


    Trillia grinned and wiped the sweat off of her forehead with her arm. "That''s going to make a potent combination going forward."


    Maldoun nodded, and the group moved forward with more confidence.


    Mana Sage had become an evolutionary path to Mage the last time she had gotten Mage to max level. So she evolved it instead. Mana Sage also let her utilize known skills as a prerequisite to its skills. A bit of a mix-and-match-your-own attack. The ability that Maldoun had learned was an aura that made himself and all allies near him immune to radiant damage. This resulting combination would make horde work significantly easier.


    "I wonder what other ways I can use Mana Sage to augment skills. I really wish we could utilize three classes. I want to keep Mana Sage and Monster Slayer. But also use Rune Fencer." Trillia didn''t bother lowering her voice. The group often cleared these dungeons, and stealth was never on the table. The loot from them wasn''t worth it at all. Mostly just rusted scrap gear and armor. If there was anything rare that could drop, they hadn''t gotten it yet.


    Kismet glanced at Trillia. "Why not use your divine skill for yourself for once? When we get back home, ask Lethe if you can obtain a third class?"


    Trillia stopped in her tracks and looked at Kismet. "That''s a really good idea. Why didn''t I think of that?"


    Kismet chuckled faintly as she shook her head, motioning for Trillia to keep up.


    -=- Months Pass -=-


    "This is frustrating!" Trillia groaned and lay her head on the table where half a dozen books lay open. "Lethe said that the way opens for the enlightened few. Why does it have to be so darn cryptic!"


    Arlyss chuckled as he flipped another page in the book he was reading. Trillia shot him a glare. "I know you know how! Your cursed dragon half knows everything!"


    Arlyss nodded absent-mindedly. "I know what Lethe is trying to tell you. But rules are rules, Trillia. I won''t break the rules for that question."


    "Rules are dumb." Trillia said simply before burying her face back in her book.


    -=- Months Pass -=-


    Kismet and Maldoun lay in a pool of their blood near a door. Ialu stood guard over them, covered in wounds herself. Trillia had already begun eating into her tenacity time. Turns out that when humans get extremely low on health, they pass out to avoid dying. Because of tenacity, orcs just keep fighting.


    The undead serpent in front of them whipped its tail forward again. Trillia threw herself onto her back and watched the tail pass over her head. Ralrouk stood there unflinching as it slammed into him and flayed off more skin, spraying blood into the air. He roared in response and continued to rip bones off the creature.


    Trillia stayed laying on the ground charging her crossbow again. She couldn''t just coat Ralrouk in it since Maldoun and his aura were out of commission. Instead, the next time the tail swung by, she activated everything she could. All her Monster Slayer skills, radiant lance, and augments. All of it. Nearly a quarter of a million mana vanished as she sprayed the creature''s tail with radiant energy.


    The thing shuddered and screeched. Trillia winced, knowing that the attack did a small portion of health damage. Praying to Arlyss that her friends wouldn''t die from the attack.


    As the thing thrashed in pain, Ralrouk managed to catch its skull. The fight was over shortly after that.


    Trillia collapsed on the ground, breathing heavily. She could feel the seconds ticking down to her demise as she dropped her rapier and began rummaging in her pouch for any healing items. Ralrouk was at her side in a second, dumping a huge potion of regeneration down her gullet. Pinching her nose halfway, causing her to choke most of it down. She rolled to her side and began coughing roughly as she watched her health spike up.


    Ralrouk moved across the room to the others and forced a drink down their throats as well. All in all, he went through three of the potions for the four of them before going through another two on his own. "I''ll need to return home. The Elder Alchemist is the only one with skills high enough to transmute my regenerative blood with a healing potion to make these."


    Trillia nodded weakly, still feeling exhausted and wiped out despite her health hitting max. As the others groaned and came to Ralrouk moved over to the corpse, inspecting the bones. "We could make some seriously strong armor with this stuff. Any objections to me taking it?"


    Everyone managed to shake their heads with Trillia speaking up. "You''re the only reason we aren''t dead, brother. If you want the bones, take them. Just make sure to speak with Arlyss in case they are cursed."


    Ralrouk nodded and began shoving bones into his storage space. It was an ability he had been expanding over recent months. The one good thing about all of this is that all of them were gaining incredible amounts of experience. Ralrouk held up a small necklace and peered at it. "This is an artifact. Definitely, something we''ll need Lord Arlyss to inspect first. NO!"


    The force of that no startled Trillia. She thought something had happened and tried to spring to her feet. She watched Ralrouk stuff the necklace into his pocket space as well. Fear-filled eyes looked toward him.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Ralrouk glanced at her. "I uhhh... I just want to make sure the system knows. Father told me a story once of a man who said yes to something else, and a cursed artifact choked him to death."


    Trillia groaned and flopped back on the ground. The doors on the far side of the room slowly opened and bathed the room in a sickly blue hue. All of them turned their eyes to the dungeon core. It was only seven or eight inches long. A relatively young core for such a potent guardian. The problem was that it had a small sickle carved into its surface. Another Sage corrupted core.


    Ralrouk glanced at everyone before speaking. "Anyone have the strength to do the honors? Trillia, you haven''t taken one yet. I think you should. The trait is potent, and the bonus experience for delivering the final blow is worth it."


    They had been trying to convince her to smash one of the corrupted cores for the last seven dungeons. Something about it felt wrong, though. She was happy to kill the undead or attack an enemy she knew could respawn. Ralrouk snapped his fingers to shake her from her thoughts. "Think of it like a megapede, little sister. It''s a beast that means to do harm to those you care about. Whether it can think or not is irrelevant. It''s an enemy."


    Trillia wanted to protest. After a moment, Ralrouk came over and hauled her to her feet. "There will come a day when you must turn your blade against humans and orcs. There will come a day when the people you strike down are just following orders like you are. It is better to work through this dilemma now when you are surrounded by people instead of freezing in front of an enemy."


    Trillia nodded ever so slightly, and Ralrouk led her to the core. The swirling energy in it whipped around in a panic. Trillia raised the Sliver of Fate and imbued it. "May your next life be blessed in all the glory of the gods." She whispered the words and thrust forward with the rapier. The core didn''t explode, nor did the dungeon shake and crumble. Instead, a small wisp of blue escaped through the newly formed crack, and the crystal-like structure of the core faded to darkness.


    Trillia slowly removed the rapier''s tip from the core. "Can we go home for a while? I just..."


    Ralrouk hugged her and nodded. "Of course. We''ve done plenty."


    -=- At Home -=-


    Trillia still hadn''t looked at the notifications. She sought out wisdom and reasoning for it. She knew deep down that it was the right choice. That the core would have kept spewing out creatures that wanted all living things dead. It still didn''t feel right to her.


    She found Stas in the farms tinkering with a machine. He was alone. It was, after all, quite late at night. "Hey, Uncle Stas. Do you have a moment?" Trillia would have never dreamed she''d go to the creature that terrified her when she first met him for advice like this.


    Stas glanced at her, slowly lowering his tools. Trillia knew that he could read surface thoughts. Stas already knew why she was here. "Of course. What''s bothering you, Trillia?"


    His tone was different. She had always known him to have a cold, angry edge to his voice. But this was warm and welcoming. "Why do I feel so guilty? I shouldn''t feel guilty."


    Stas offered a smile and patted the ground next to him as he sat down. She walked over to join him, staring ahead at the machine he had been tinkering with. "You''re a mortal and a good person. You go out of your way to help others. You should embrace that guilt. It''s healthy. It''s warning you that what you did, while necessary for you and your people. Was wrong."


    Trillia had tears in her eyes. She hugged her knees to her chest as she stared hard at the machine. He continued. "It''s when you can kill and not feel anything; That''s when you need to worry. That''s when you''ve lost sight of what you are. We mortals need to stand together. The universe is a big place filled with all manner of creature that sees us as less than insects. You did what you needed to do, Trillia. But always look for a better way."


    She nodded through tears and buried her head into her knees as he wrapped an arm around her. "Go and speak with the Red River core. Ask if you can speak to his core without clearing the dungeon. I''m sure he can give you a perspective that I cannot."


    Trillia nodded again and leaned against him. "I just want to run and play and not worry about any of this."


    She didn''t see the tears in Stas'' eyes or the pained smile he forced on his face as he squeezed her a little tighter. "As all children do. But fate has served you a terrible path that you are now forced to walk."


    The two sat in silence for a long time as Trillia just worked through her worries. She didn''t see the megapedes as thinking living creatures. The dungeon goblins and wolves respawned and were friends she could laugh with. All of the undead she had come across so far had been unthinking brutes that followed the simple order of kill on sight.


    The core. The core could think, could fear. Trillia felt it frantically reaching out to the floors of its dungeons, begging for help. She saw the strand leading to the sage be severed before she killed the thing. She knew that its last thoughts were that it had been a failure and had been abandoned. Trillia cried harder.


    -=- 10th Birthday -=-


    Trillia decided to spend her tenth birthday in a different way. She sat in the core room of the Red River dungeon. She had been blindfolded and led through the now twelve-floor dungeon. Everyone had left her and the core to their privacy. They all trusted Trillia not to harm the core. She had done so much for them. Trillia looked up at the four-foot crystal structure. A thousand small engravings spread through it of goblins and great cliffs and valleys.


    Trillia smiled at the warm glow as divine energy and mana coalesced throughout the core, bathing the room in a soft red hue. "Thank you for seeing me. I was hoping I could talk to you about something I did recently."


    For the first time, she heard the core''s voice. It started as a small whisper of a connection before she could see an image in her mind. Closing her eyes to focus on it, she saw a goblin standing before her. He didn''t look like most goblins. Standing well over a foot taller than the tallest goblin she had ever seen. Scars ran the length of his arms and torso. A loin cloth hung at his waist with no other clothes or decorations. His wrists had leather straps wrapped around them, holding long claws in place.


    His eyes were a brilliant bright red, and he wore a warm, welcoming smile on his face. Despite his terrifying warrior appearance. Trillia felt right at home. His voice was smooth and held no hint of an accent. "Let''s talk."


    Trillia nodded mentally to him. After a moment spent sorting her thoughts, she relayed the situation with the hostile dungeon core. If he had any emotions toward the action, he certainly didn''t show them mentally to her. She sighed and sort of motioned around them. "I don''t know. I know I shouldn''t feel bad. I guess I came here to ask...what''s life like for you?"


    The goblin seemed to be lost deep in thought. After what felt like an hour of his pondering, he shrugged. "It''s like life? There are times I am happy. There are times I am sad. There are times when I desperately claw for anything I can to save those dear to me. The goblins that all call me Father. It''s a lot of responsibility. I am lucky in that the people who enter my dungeon rarely try to harm those who cannot respawn. With all the humans, orcs, and minotaur that pass through. I''ve only lost a single raiding goblin. "


    Trillia''s eyes widened a little at that. She hadn''t heard of any incidents. Red River raised a hand to calm her. "It was an orc who was berserking. The Raider goblin went in to try and stabilize another orc that was bleeding out and nearing the end of its tenacity. There is a memorial to him in the healing hall. The orc who did the killing has come every single day for the past six months since that incident. Learning to help in the healing hall, paying his respects, and helping us out. It''s to my understanding he voided his Berserker class as well."


    Mentally, Red River gave her a pat on the back. "You aren''t a malicious person. I sincerely pray that you never become a malicious person. But if it helps. You and I can try to develop a better way for cores to communicate with people. Perhaps we can sway some of the other dungeons to our side instead of having to slay them as an enemy."


    Trillia smiled at that and nodded. "Thank you. I''d like that. In the meantime, I''ll continue protecting everyone the best I can."


    Red River nodded once more. "Good! Remember, you still need to actually delve through my dungeon. I''ve made quite a few areas I think you''d enjoy. It''d be a shame if you never got to."


    Trillia smiled wider. "I''ll be back to delve. as soon as everything settles down a little."


    By the time she had been led back out of the dungeon, it was late into the night. She decided that instead of going anywhere, she would head to the healing hall and pay her respects to the fallen healer as well.


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 74


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 68


    Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 71


    Class: [Mana Sage] Level: 54


    Mastery:


    Minstrel- Restorative Chant - MAX


    Minstrel- Astra''s Amazing Agility - MAX


    Fencer- Fleet Foot - MAX


    Fencer - Weapon''s Path - MAX


    Swashbuckler - Disarming Charisma - MAX


    Mage - Magic Dynamo - MAX


    Mage - Augment: Extended Range - MAX


    Mage - Augment: Blast Radius - MAX


    Monster Slayer - Mental Bestiary - MAX


    Bound Artifacts: 3


    [The Shattered Bolt]


    [Red River Resonance]


    [Sliver of Fate]


    Mentor: Amelia Shatterhoof (Minstrel/Alive) Skill: [Marching Cadence] -MAX


    Mentor: Maldoun Mostafa (Radiant Blade/Alive) Skill: [Radiant Lance] -MAX

 Chapter 64 Age 11

    Trillia and Red River were still hard at work trying to find a better solution to killing enemy cores. In that time, however, Trillia did stumble upon the fact that she could move enemy cores.


    So started the collection in Arlyss'' library of a dozen dungeon cores sitting in locked-up pedestals. It bothered Trillia quite a lot that she was imprisoning them. Orcs were all for freedom, after all. But she felt it was a better choice than killing them outright. The plan was to bring one of them close to Red River at some point to see if he could do anything to help clear the sage''s corruption on them.


    She had also officially outgrown the outfit Rakana had made for her. She was currently in the woman''s workshop getting measured for another outfit. Today, however, was a special day for another reason. Ba''Shoon and Tormash were officially becoming mates! In Orc culture, the two orcs who wish to become lifelong mates would go on a hunt together and bring back the largest, most dangerous creature they could alone. This would signify to the rest of the tribe that they were worthy of one another and that they would make the tribe stronger.


    To no one''s surprise, they brought back a mighty creature indeed. They had managed not one, but three [Primordial Spawn] megapedes. There was going to be a huge feast, and they would exchange some vows. Ba''Shoon wanted to wear something special for the occasion, and Trillia decided it was the perfect time to introduce her to Rakana.


    The two women hit it off wonderfully, and Ba''Shoon was doing everything in her diplomatic power to convince Rakana to live near the orcs. She had a lot of ideas for enchanting the cloth to be extremely durable. Trillia was happy to see it. It wasn''t officially announced yet, but the family and Ba''Shoon also knew that Amara and Varga would be announcing that they were stepping down. It was going to be a huge moment for the orcs of the Shattered Plains, who always had Amara as the Grand Chieftain.


    Tormash would fill that role for the first year, but soon after, others would challenge him for that position. Trillia wondered what other stipulations Amara might add since she would always be a part of the tribe. She just didn''t want leadership anymore. It meant that anyone who took over had the looming threat of Amara over their shoulder as an eligible challenger if they messed up too badly.


    Trillia ran her fingers along some dark teal cloth that matches Ba''Shoons eyes. A smile crept along her lips. "What do you think Tormash is going to wear?" She turned her head to her soon-to-be sister.


    Ba''Shoon shrugged with a smile. "Nothing after the ceremony. Probably his scout gear during. I don''t hold a position in the tribe yet. Though, I think Lurog and your mother want me to take over as Elder Alchemist. I believe Elder Lurog is going to ask Chieftain Amara to sacrifice him soon in battle. He didn''t quite get the levels early enough, so he won''t age anymore. He still feels the sting of old age."


    Trillia nodded to that. Missing the not-so-subtle joke that Rakana and Ba''Shoon were giggling over about Tormash''s outfit. Trillia had heard of ritual battles before. You would ask a trusted friend or colleague that you knew was stronger to battle you to the death. The thought behind it was that no orc wanted to die old and crippled in a pile of furs. They''d rather go out in a blaze of glory so that the deities knew they were still worthy of a proper place in the afterlife.


    Trillia teared up a little, thinking of losing Elder Lurog. She quickly wiped her eyes and forced a smile. He had lived a good long life and would leave behind a legacy and children of his own. He should be given a proud orc''s death.


    "What do you think, Trillia? A bright color? Or a darker one?" Trillia walked over to the cloth they were deciding between.


    "Tormash''s scout outfit is dark greys, right? Maybe bright to stand out? Most of the orc stuff is pretty dark." Trillia nodded as she spoke.


    "I agree. I think the bride-to-be should stand out of the crowd and make a scene." Rakana excitedly held up the bright-colored cloth. Bride was a term she used often. The two orcs had figured they gave names to the joined mates. Bride was what they called the woman in the coupling.


    Ba''Shoon chewed her lip as she looked down at the cloth. "It could be fun. But I think I''d rather match his colors. Or at least his tone. I want the tribe to know that we are united and stand as one. I think if I clash too much, it could send a hostile message. I''m not part of the tribe by birth, after all."


    Trillia shrugged a bit at that. "I don''t think Tormash would ever see it that way. But you know a lot more about social stuff than I do. I think you should wear whatever is going to make you and Tormash the happiest."


    Rakana and Ba''Shoon exchanged a smirk and shook their heads. Trillia didn''t quite understand why. She shrugged and went back to looking at cloth herself. "Oh! Ask Ralrouk about that serpent bone he found. Maybe you could trim the outfit in that? It''d certainly make you look a bit more terrifying."


    Ba''Shoon looked at Trillia and seemed to seriously contemplate it. "If Ralrouk is willing. That might be a good idea. Incorporate it for both Tormash and I. It''d certainly add a dangerous flair to both of us, which is always a good thing when dealing with orcs. Do you think you can work bone into the outfit, Rakana?"


    The feline-like woman scoffed. "Who do you girls think you''re talking to? That gives me so many good ideas for a headdress for both of you. You''ll be the most terrifying orcs in attendance!" Trillia liked the woman''s ability to adapt. She was looking forward to a feast.


    The current plan was to make sure D''Jamu was safe and had all the pedestals recharged. Then Arlyss, Kismet, Maldoun, and the others could join them in the Shattered Plains for the feast. IT''d also serve as a good opportunity for the humans to see a diplomatic side of the savage orcs and could open up conversations about the future.


    All of that had been Tormash''s idea. He always seemed to be thinking for the betterment of the tribe. Trillia knew, deep down, that he and Ba''Shoon would lead the tribe to greatness.


    -=- The Big Day -=-


    Trillia sat next to Ba''Shoon in her tent. The enchantress was visibly nervous as she kept fidgeting with her clothes or the serpent headdress that they had made from the bones Ralrouk grabbed. It doubled as rather heavily enchanted armor as well. Trillia had gotten two outfits out of the deal. One that matched Ba''Shoon''s slightly and another that was a muted gold that went well with her red obsidian complexion.


    Trillia ran a comb through Ba''Shoon''s hair and smiled. "Stop being nervous. You''ll be my sister soon. The most beautiful orc I''ve ever seen." The entire atmosphere made Trillia hope that one day she''d find a strong mate of her own. Ba''Shoon smiled back at her.


    "The best little sister a girl could ask for." Trillia''s smile grew wider.


    Rakana stuck her head into the tent. "I think we''re ready."


    Ba''Shoon stood and ran her hands along the dress with a nod. Checking one last time to make sure the headdress was on and that her hair was pinned up. She reached down and lifted her staff before running her fingers along its surface. Closing her eyes and giving herself a little mental pep talk. Trillia followed her out.


    A large stone platform had been raised on the outskirts of camp. There were hundreds, if not thousands, of orcs and minotaur in attendance. Quite a few humans as well. Red River had even gone through the effort of making a large covered slab so that some of the dungeon goblins could stand outside and watch. Dozens of tables were set up with all manner of food on them. The smells in the air made Trillia''s stomach grumble.


    There on the stone platform stood Amara and, much to everyone''s surprise, Arlyss. Ba''Shoon and Tormash stepped onto the platform at the same time from opposite ends. Tormash wore dark grey that matched most of the Shattered Plains rocks. Bone had been interlaced throughout the outfit. He also wore a similar headdress to Ba''Shoon. Despite the smile on his face, the dark black paint around his eyes gave him a fearsome look. Ba''Shoons smile widened as soon as she saw him.


    The crowd hushed immediately as they came together in front of Amara. Ralrouk was at Tormash''s side and Trillia was at Ba''Shoons. Amara looked at Arlyss and nodded. As she began to speak, the magically preserved corpses of three giant megapedes appeared on the platform behind Amara.


    Trillia stared up at the creatures. She had seen plenty of megapedes, but never one this large, this up close. Each of them had to be a hundred feet long. Despite how much she had grown, the fact that her brother and new sister had taken out three of these creatures with just the two of them. Pushed Trillia to want to get stronger.


    Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.


    Her mother''s voice carried over the crowd. Trillia now knew that it was the skill [Titan''s Voice].


    "My dear friends, old and new. It is my greatest pleasure and honor to welcome into the Demonsbane Clan our newest daughter. Ba''Shoon!" The crowd erupted into cheers. Trillia could see tears in Ba''Shoons eyes as she squeezed Tormash''s hand tighter. Amara continued over the cheers. "As the Grand Chieftain of the Shattered Plains, welcome to our tribe."


    Amara smiled and stepped forward in front of Ba''Shoon. "Personally. As a mother. I could not have asked for a better mate for my son. You are a woman of incredible skill and talent, of virtue, and most importantly, an incredibly skilled warrior. I know you will protect him and our tribe as your own. I''m proud of you, daughter." Ba''Shoon''s eyes were running at this point. Amara pulled her close in a hug. The skill was dispelled, so the crowd didn''t hear the next words, but Trillia did.


    "I know you''ve been in the cold for so long. Welcome to our warmth. Thank you for being a strong hand to help guide us into the future. I will always be an ally to you." Ba''Shoon tried her best to stop the tears but couldn''t. Trillia''s own tears were welling up. As she glanced around, she saw Ralrouk roughly rubbing his eyes dry of his own tears, pretending like he wasn''t. Tormash giving him a comforting pat on the shoulder with the hand that wasn''t being squeezed off by his new mate.


    Amara pulled back and took a few steps back. Activating [Titan''s Voice] once more. "The orcs of the Shattered Plains know our traditions! The new pairing must prove their strength together so that the tribe does not become weak. Behind me, you see the three greatest beasts they defeated together! This does not include the countless other beasts they deemed too weak and unworthy to display! Let it be known through all of Alirast that this union is blessed by the tribe and by the gods themselves!"


    As if on cue, Arlyss softly snapped his fingers. A streak of lightning peeled through the sky, and heavy rain began to fall. Ralrouk was grateful for a way to hide his tears of pride. Ba''Shoon and Tormashed raised their arms wide, bowing to the heavens, before turning and bowing to one another. Arlyss stepped forward. His voice needed no skill to carry as far as he wanted it.


    "As a deity of Alirast. I bless this union for all generations to come. I bless your children and your grandchildren. May your union stand eternal!" Trillia smiled at the words and was surprised when a notification popped into her mind.


    Your patron has grown in power. Your patron is now [Deity of Knowledge and Unity].


    Trillia''s smile grew yet again. Arlyss bowed low before the two orcs in front of him. More cheering erupted. Small tents had quickly been erected above the feasting tables, almost as if the rain had been planned for.


    After Tormash and Ba''Shoon embraced and sealed the deal. Amara spoke once more. This time, Arlyss left the stage, and Varga joined her. "There is one more order of business. I asked my son and daughter if they were ok with me announcing this on the day of their union. They so gracefully agreed. General Varga Demonsbane and I, Grand Chieftain Amara Demonsbane. Will be stepping down from our posts."


    The orcs in the crowd stopped cheering immediately. Others in the crowd quickly caught on that this was not some minor thing announcement and quieted.


    Amara continued. "I have been the Grand Chieftain for three centuries. There has not been a single orc capable of challenging me for that title. It led to me thinking my ideals were the best for the tribe. My tribe and my children have recently shown me the error of that thinking. I will always be a part of this tribe. I will always be here to ensure freedom reigns supreme on the Shattered Plains. But I hope that going forward, you will show the same loyalty and support you have shown me; To Grand Chieftain Tormash and Elder Alchemist Ba''Shoon. Tormash can name his own general in the coming days."


    Murmurs began to spread throughout the crowd. Amara added an edge to her voice that silenced them once more. "There will be a two-month period of grace to allow everything to settle. After such a time, trial by combat to rule will open once more. I will be kind and warn those that seek to challenge for selfish gains. Tormash is well past level four hundred. Ba''Shoon is well past three hundred. Do not think that they are given the title because they are my children. They are given the title because they are ruthless in pursuit of our enemies and relentless in pursuit of our future. It is these qualities that make a Grand Chieftain. It is these qualities I have been lacking in recent years."


    For a long time, silence sat in the crowd as people processed. For once, it wasn''t Ralrouk who was the first to speak up. But Mon''tag. The old scoutmaster who had been alive for centuries himself. "Never had a better Scout Master." He shouted out above the crowd and walked up to the platform. Kneeling in front of Tormash and Ba''Shoon. "These old bones look forward to serving you both." Tormash gave him a smile, a nod, and a silent thank you.


    Mon''Tag stood and turned to the crowd. "I trained young Tormash and Ralrouk when they were sprouts. I''ve watched them grow into some of the toughest damned orcs I''ve ever seen. Believe me when I say that there are no stronger orcs worthy of leadership. I look forward to the first trials by combat so the rest of the tribe can see what I already know."


    A few others also announced their fealty and loyalty to the new Grand Chieftain. Trillia knew there would be plenty of challengers. Despite the high levels of both Tormash and Ba''Shoon, there would be those that thought them an easy target. In a way, those orcs would be correct. They were a much easier target than Amara, who had stood as a monolith of power for centuries.


    For now? For now, everyone was happy to get back to the feast. Even orcs that wanted to challenge Tormash wouldn''t do so the day of his union, nor the day of the announcement. Not only was it against tribal law, it was just rude.


    Another announcement that hadn''t been made, on his request, was that Elder Lurog was stepping down. The family had managed to sneak away in the middle of the night. Lurog and his children were there as well, of course. The old alchemist wore only pants, showing off a torso that held decades of fights and war and a muscle tone that was found in the most stalwart of warriors. He had his old and grey hair tied into a top knot. His daughters were painting symbols on his body, and his sons were readying his funeral pyre.


    Trillia walked up to him and kneeled. "Thank you for your service, your guidance, and your lessons Elder Lurog. The tribe will miss you." Lurog reached down and ruffled her hair.


    "You''ve made the tribe proud young Trillia. Know that I will be looking down as I watch over my children to see what you do next." Trillia smiled and wiped away some tears, bowing her head once more before standing at the edge of a small circle. Amara stood on the other end in full gear. Black dragon scale armor with thin lines of flowing mana that made it look like a lava flow. A long slender blade with a white sheen was held in one hand. Trillia could see the tears in her mother''s eyes behind the helmet.


    She was saying goodbye to an old friend for the last time today.


    Lurog finally stood and grabbed a jagged two-handed blade of his own. Hefting it in both hands and looking at it fondly. As he stepped into the ring, his smile only grew. "I still remember you taking me to the forge of Kincairne as a child. Helping me find the right metal and working with Lord Brutus on the weight. Thank you, truly, Amara. Thank you for a lifetime of friendship, a lifetime of love and happiness." Lurog looked over his shoulder to his children. "Thank you for giving me a safe place to raise a family. I hope you were not disappointed in my service."


    Amara smiled and cleared her throat, probably worried they would hear her voice crack with emotion. "I could not have asked for a better advisor Elder Lurog. The tribe truly loses one of its greatest assets today. We are proud to have had you. Today all of the gods will know that you stand strong as a warrior of this tribe. One to be welcomed into the great halls and plains of the hereafter."


    Lurog nodded solemnly. Looking around for a moment. "I had hoped the young Lord Arlyss could be here. Something about the lad makes me feel a connection. Like Lord Darktone used to make us all feel."


    Trillia spoke up. "I''ll ask him to come immediately. He didn''t want to intrude." She pressed her hands together and asked him to come.


    Lurog nodded, and it was only a few seconds before Arlyss stepped out of a portal. Trillia hadn''t realized just how tall he was getting. Already over six foot with broad shoulders. He''d be a terrifying adult.


    Arlyss looked first at Amara, who nodded. Then at Lurog and approached. "I am honored you would have me at your final moments, Lord Lurog. How can I assist?"


    Lurog smiled and moved a hand off the hilt of his blade to put it on Arlyss'' shoulder. "Just be here to witness and promise that you''ll take care of my tribe and my children once I am gone."


    Arlyss gave the man a warm smile, divine energy flooded through those around them, and somehow, they all felt a little calmer. "You have my word. All the gods, old and new, will know of this battle."


    Arlyss stepped off to the side. Lurog nodded to everyone once more before taking his blade in both of his hands again. A faint little smirk on his face. "Try not to embarrass this old man too much." With that, he gave a roar of defiance and charged.


    Amara intercepted his first strike easily enough, slapping her blade into the side of his with enough force that it should have thrown his blade out wide. Instead, he caught her blade and pushed back. Trillia could feel mana and divinity flooding into the old orc from Arlyss. She smiled and looked at her god with a little more respect. Knowing that Arlyss was giving him a little boost so that his last battle was a good one.


    Neither of them used any skills. Whether that was a rule or just respect, Trillia didn''t know. Their blades crossed several more times. Lurog managed to slice into a part of Amara''s arm that hadn''t been covered by armor. Lurog himself sported a dozen deep gashes on his body. The smile on his face never faded.


    Gripping the blade a little tighter, he nodded at Amara. Giving one last heroic roar. He swung the blade over his head and slammed it down into hers. A loud crack left the upper part of her blade shattered. She spun low, letting his blade slide off hers, and followed through impossibly quick, slicing through his neck with the shard of her blade. Before his head and body hit the ground, she had dropped the blade and spun to catch his body before slowly lowering it to the ground. Trillia heard her sniffling behind the helmet.


    "May your rest be eternal in the plains, my friend. I look forward to the day we can see each other once more." His sons came over and gently lifted his body, his head, and his blade. Taking them over to the funeral pyre. Varga waited for the final words to be said before he extended a hand, and despite the rain, a fire roared into life. Trillia walked up next to her mother and squeezed her hand tightly.


    Tormash, Ralrouk, and Ba''Shoon stood there by the pyre in silence, saying their own final words to the alchemist who had helped all of them through so many hard times.


    Arlyss stood off on his own, staring into the flames. To Trillia''s surprise, he also had tears in his eyes.


    After such a heavy day, Trillia decided that she wanted to take it slow for a while. Wanted to connect with her friends and family. She had spent almost no time with Amelia lately. She didn''t want to waste the time they had.

 Chapter 65 The First Awakening

    Amara and Varga had hung around for the first few months after Tormash took over as Grand Chieftain. Tormash was happy to keep things as they were, with the only real change being he''d like to see more young orcs taking non-combat classes as a secondary class. With a push towards enchanters and smiths.


    He also said that he''d like to see the Red River dungeon be used as a place for young orcs to get tenacity. It''d be safer, they''d lose fewer children in the process, and it would get children used to respawning enemies and having to watch their backs for traps. The trek to and from the dungeon could also be used to teach them the skills needed to survive on the Shattered Plains.


    The first challenger had been the Chieftain of another tribe. To prove a point, Tormash fought him without using his skills or weapons. The level difference was just far too prevalent. Tormash handily won the fight by breaking the other Chieftain''s arms. Word quickly spread that one monolith of power had been exchanged for another, much younger, monolith of power. The Demonsbane clan name was even more terrifying to orcs.


    Ralrouk stood in the grand library of the glass spire. "After we have dealt with the Sage. I''ll be taking my leave. My brother has asked me to be his War General. I plan to accept it."


    Arlyss nodded as he spoke the words. "I had thought he might. We''ll be sad to see you go, Lord Ralrouk. You''ve been an invaluable ally. But I''m grateful that you will stay to see the Sage put to dust."


    Kismet fidgeted a bit before stepping forward. "I will be leaving with him. When that time comes."


    That caught Trillia completely off-guard. Arlyss only nodded once more. "I look forward to the feast of your union as well. I am grateful that you have both found someone to make you happy." Kismet seemed relieved. Maldoun was utterly confused, and Ralrouk refused to look at anyone in the room, instead choosing to stare up at the ceiling.


    Trillia was quickly realizing that she was not an observant orc when it came to social situations.


    Shaking her head, she changed the subject. "How close are we?"


    Arlyss motioned to a map that had been splayed out on a table. Really it was several maps layered on top of each other to make a single whole map. "Another month or two at best. I think we''ve found the dungeon he is using as a base of operations. That worries me. It means he has either found a way to enslave a core. Or is allied with the core in such a way it''s willing to do his bidding and let him stay there."


    Maldoun glanced once more at his sister and Ralrouk. Not entirely sure what to say or how to approach the supposed union. Shaking his head and looking down at the map himself. "Which do you think is worse for us?"


    Arlyss ran his fingers over some stubble that was growing in. "I genuinely don''t know. Which worries me. Cores aren''t known to be hospitable for that long to something that''s not contracted or bound to them. Which means that the core itself is indebted to the same deity as the sage. I had hoped their strength would be weakened, considering that [Scorned Divinity] is still in effect."


    Trillia spoke up at that. "That reminds me, what happened to your brother? I thought he was supposed to come and help us?"


    Arlyss nodded and tapped the map. "He attacked a [Primordial] that had shown signs of waking on his continent."


    The room went silent. It was seen as suicide to attack a [Primordial] with some rather strong divinity to seal it.


    "And?" Kismet asked softly.


    Arlyss smiled a little. "Turns out that immortals are incredibly durable creatures. Riten ordered his men to retreat and held a mountain pass for three weeks alone. I personally believe he should have already become a deity by now. Which leads me to believe he is refusing to become one until he gets a domain he wants."


    Everyone looked at him with confused expressions. Arlyss nodded as if remembering he was speaking to mortals. "We choose when to ascend. Sort of like mortals who hit certain milestones. I ascended immediately because I knew I would need divinity on my side. Not only to deal with the Sage but also to make the people of D''Jamu listen. Knowledge is one of the weakest domains to have as a deity, despite mortals believing it otherwise."


    Arlyss pulled a chair over and sat. Looking over the map with a heavy sigh. "My guess is that Riten wants a domain that allows him more flexibility in power. Our domains give us power and governance over the forces of nature that fall within them. Knowledge can be helpful when you have an army of followers. However, in a direct confrontation. A deity of death, for instance, would decimate me."


    "Didn''t you pick up the Unity domain?" Trillia spoke up, remembering the notification from before.


    Arlyss bobbed his head slightly. "I did. Again, it''s a domain that shines when I have more followers. I am trying to avoid pulling the city of D''Jamu into a full-on war with the undead. They just got their freedom and their lives back. I''ve sent word to Riten but haven''t received anything back. I don''t know if he is still trying to fight or keep a [Primordial] contained alone or not."


    Ralrouk was the next to raise a question. "You have another sibling, correct? I recall there being four orbs of light in the sky that night. Your mother and her three children?"


    Arlyss nodded. "Yes. I have kept very loose contact with my mother. Not only is she trying to hold the entire central continent together without the guidance of deities, but she also has to contend with her own [Primordial] stirring. My sister Mariah is learning to lead from my mother. I don''t want to interrupt that process. The end goal for the three of us is to ascend at all costs. Doing so should remove the debuff and allow the other deities - notably our father - to interact with Alirast directly."


    Slow rhythmic vibrations began to shake the tower. Arlyss groaned and began rubbing his eyes. "Fuck" Was all the young deity said. The others looked at him quizzically for a moment before a notification appeared in front of their faces.


    WARNING! [Primordial Centralis] has awoken!


    All non-sapient monsters have had their stats boosted.


    All [Primordial Spawn] now level twice as quickly.


    All spawn rates of non-sapient monsters have tripled.


    All other [Primordials] will awaken more rapidly.


    The first of seven locks has been broken!


    If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Trillia trembled as she looked from the notification to Arlyss. Panicked shouting and cries of terror began to drift up to them from the city below. Arlyss shook his head. "I knew we had a few years...I had hoped for just a little more time."


    Trillia spoke softly, barely able to manage a whisper. "Which one is that?"


    "The Central Continent. It is the strongest of them, which is why Kadessa is situated on the cliff-side overlooking its dungeon. The worrying part is that it will send out tendrils to awaken the others." As Arlyss stood, Trillia could feel the energy radiate from him. Could feel the telepathic bond he had with so many of his followers, reaching out to soothe some and order others.


    Ralrouk looked at Trillia, who nodded. "Lord Arlyss. We need to attack the Sage now. We can''t spare a few more months of battle planning. We need to deal with one threat and focus entirely on the [Primordials]. Or ascending your sibl-"


    She paused as another notification popped up in her mind.


    A Godling has ascended to become a Lesser Deity of Courage on Alirast!


    Arlyss nodded and closed his eyes. A moment later, another figure stepped out of the light shining through the windows. Trillia felt the pressure of divinity once more. This figure stood as tall as Ralrouk, covered head to toe in the same crystalline material from which her rapier was made. Brilliant white orbs of flame sat in the helmet. Trillia saw an orcish figure, but she knew that was the deity''s veil.


    Arlyss looked over and nodded. "Brother. I see you chose to ascend."


    The voice that came from the figure made Trillia flinch. Deep, baritone, and laced with enough power to cripple warriors. "No choice. If Centralis has awoken, we need another deity that wants us to survive. I''ve been in contact with the deity of the forge. It still remains neutral and refuses to push the true dwarves to action."


    The figure strode up to Arlyss, all but ignoring the others in the room. "Mother says that with the two of us, she can manage a sealing spell for at least one of the [Primordials]. But it will drain both of us greatly and leave us vulnerable to attack. It may even cost us our titles as a deity and push us back to godlings."


    Arlyss rubbed his eyes and slumped back into the chair. "Mariah?"


    Riten shook his head. "Still nothing. It''s difficult for her to garner followers and worshippers while being near Mother. Mother refuses to ascend."


    "The smarter choice. If she becomes immortal, she is not weak like us. The number of rules and stipulations that will be laid at her feet will make it so she is unable to help us." As Arlyss finished the statement, Riten nodded.


    "I agree with her reasoning. I just worry for our future." Finally, the deity of courage looked over at the others and gave the faintest of nods. "I need not introduce myself to any of you. You know who I am. I know who all of you are. I am here to help you solve the undead crisis on your hands. I have bad news on that front."


    Arlyss motioned for him to continue. "The Sage is a keystone lich. Do I need to explain more?"


    As everyone began to nod, he continued. "A keystone creature is required by the realm to continue existing. All of the [Primordials], for instance, are Keystone Great Beasts."


    Arlyss interjected at this point. "Realm cores are quite different from dungeon cores. A realm core is created with a purpose. Alirast is a prison. The keystone creatures on Alirast must continue to exist to ensure that the seals of the prison stay strong enough to keep what is locked away imprisoned."


    Riten nodded his thanks. "The easiest way for me to explain this. Is that the Sage, as you know it, killed the former Keystone Lich. The darkness that invaded its soul slowly killed it and drove it mad. The ogre made its way to this desert, hoping that it would be somewhat contained. It made a deal with the deity of death to seal it in the desert. If we are to kill this creature. The keystone lich needs another host."


    At this point, everyone was sitting except for Riten. "Arlyss and I could theoretically harbor it. But it would still slowly corrupt us and turn us into the lich in its place."


    As Trillia was about to speak up, Maldoun did instead. "Let it be me. I would ask to become your Pact-Bound warrior, Lord Riten. I would also ask you to guide me through the process."


    Tears began to well up in Kismet''s eyes. She began shaking her head. Maldoun stood with a smile. "We should also find a way to seal me away. So that when I am fully corrupted, I cannot bring ruin into yet another city."


    Kismet stepped forward. "No! There has to be another way. Can''t we just seal this lich away? Why must we pass on the curse again?"


    Arlyss spoke up. "That was the plan. That''s why I''ve gone through such great lengths to pattern the desert the way I have. That plan is still a few months from fruition."


    Trillia stood up now. "I propose a new plan. Why don''t we bring your sister here and attack the [Primordial] sleeping under the Western continent?"


    Everyone turned to her with confused looks on their faces. She continued. "If she is the leader of the charge, I am sure we can get her enough followers and worshippers to make her ascend. That''s the goal, right? If she ascends, your father can return? Will that be enough?"


    Riten seemed to ponder that. Arlyss looked at Trillia for a moment. "I have an idea. I want everyone to leave the room. I''ll be sealing it with divinity. Trillia, ask the Fountain for a way to ascend Mariah with the help of Riten and I. If it gives you an answer, we will go with your plan. If it remains silent, we attack the Sage now and let Maldoun harbor the keystone."


    Everyone nodded except for Kismet. Who stared pleadingly at Arlyss and Trillia. Ralrouk ushered her out. Riten remained in the room when the doors closed. "Is it alright if I am here?"


    Arlyss looked at him and nodded. "So long as you understand that anything you hear, see, or read from her mind is never to leave the three of us."


    Riten''s eyes darkened. "I swear it on my divinity. Until such a time as you deem worthy, I shan''t speak of what I hear."


    Once both nodded. Trillia sat on the floor and closed her eyes. Reaching out to the small shrine in her mind where the divine skill sat and waited.


    ''Fountain of Lethe. Guide my hands to action. Show me the path that leads Mariah Darktone to ascension with those in this room. Show me the path that leads to salvation.''


    Trillia chanted the saying over and over again. She felt her experience tighten, and her mana slowly begins to drain. Suddenly she wasn''t in the grand library anymore. Instead, she sat on the edge of the universe, surrounded by stars, staring into the inky darkness of oblivion. The first time she had used this skill had been humbling and terrifying. Honestly? Those feelings hadn''t changed.


    A single eye opened that was larger than Alirast itself. Trillia could look in any direction in front of her, and all she could see was the eye. After a moment, her brain began to burn with flashing images. She saw them leading a charge and getting wiped out. She saw them all go to the central continent and watched as the other [Primordials], now unchecked, ran amuck.


    She watched Maldoun harbor the keystone and kill Kismet as his mind immediately broke under the weight of the curse. Finally, she saw Ralrouk kneeling in front of a woman with silver hair and silver eyes. Stretched out behind him was the mana rift of the Shattered Plains. She took a dagger and plunged it into her chest, carving out part of her still-beating heart. Trillia ran the Sliver of Fate through Ralrouk''s heart. As his body fell lifeless to the side, the ravine shuddered closed behind them.


    The entire series repeated several times, each time ending with her killing a member of her family or a dear friend.


    Trillia saw the notifications that appeared each time.


    Trait Acquired: The Grand Betrayer


    A Godling has ascended to become a Lesser Deity of Sacrifice on Alirast!


    Her vision went black. Her eyes fluttered open to find herself laying on the floor in the grand library. Riten and Arlyss sat on the floor near her, their eyes darkened by what they saw in her mind. Trillia curled up in a ball and closed her eyes tightly.


    Arlyss shook his head. "I think we should find another way. The fountain does not always show us every path forward."


    Riten grabbed Arlyss by the shoulder and tugged gently. "Let''s give her a moment to process what we have all seen. We stand united with you, Trillia. We will discuss with the others some more options that might be available."


    She heard them stand and leave, she whispered softly to herself.


    "Please. Don''t make me kill my family. Please save me, Dawn."


    She repeated it several times as she tried to curl tighter and tighter into a ball. There had to be another way.

 Oh Boy More Schedule Mishaps!

    I''m posting this on an off day. Sorry about the previously late chapter. I think, going forward, what I plan to do is push back my release time from 1AM my time to 5 AM my time. I don''t get out of work these days until 1-2 AM my time. Pushing release time back by 4 hours lets me get home and review a chapter before it goes live and ensures that I have a few extra hours just in case.


    The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    I''m terribly sorry about the second schedule change in as many months. This job seems stable, so barring any life catastrophes, this should be the schedule going forward! Thanks for all your support, the comments, and the follows! I hope you''re all enjoying the story so far. :)

 Chapter 66 So, Dont Panic?

    Trillia kept to herself for the rest of the day.


    Eventually, they got together with the original beast generals and sat at a large table in D''Jamu. It was Trillia''s first time meeting Brutus. The only person absent, except the deity himself, of course, was Queen Alliyah. They were currently waiting on Stas to arrive.


    Arlyss and his brother, Riten, sat on opposite ends. A map was sprawled out showing what Trillia presumed was the location of the [Primordials]. It was a bit difficult to tell since there was a bunch of writing all over the map and no real detail. Just vague outlines of where most of the landmasses were.


    Kismet, Maldoun, Ralrouk, Tormash, Ba''Shoon, and Amelia were also in attendance. The last of that list was there to learn from her father. Trillia was happy to see her friend. The two of them rarely got to spend time together anymore. Amelia was also nearing adulthood. She stood nearly twice Trillia''s height, and that would probably only get worse in the coming few years.


    Brutus was not what she was expecting. Not only was he a human, but he seemed...so normal? With the exception of the quality of his clothes, he could have been walking around in D''Jamu, and Trillia would have never guessed him to be one of the beast generals. He wasn''t even six feet tall!


    His head and face were completely shaven. He had a strong jawline and rich brown eyes. He wore a silky red shirt and black leather pants.


    He had no apparent weapons or belongings save for a collection of rings on either hand. Trillia had tried to scan him but found that everything was obfuscated. Traits, mana type, even his species! That hadn''t happened except when she was a child or when she tried to scan the deities.


    Trillia sat and waited. No one spoke or made plans. No one wanted to repeat any information. Trillia could feel the tension in the air. Despite Riten and Arlyss being deities, the beast generals were probably capable of fighting them toe-to-toe. Not that they could be killed that way.


    Stas finally walked into the room, a very annoyed look on his face. "Why is my time being wasted on this meeting?"


    The abomination spoke as soon as he neared the table. Hovering slightly above eye level to Trillia. The other beast generals exchanged glances but nodded toward the two young deities.


    "We just want to discuss a plan going forward. None of you are pact-bound to us. So we''re trying to figure out how to seal the [Primordials] or get our sister to ascend. We are looking to the four of you since all of you have the most experience with this sort of thing." Arlyss spoke calmly as he looked over at the goblin.


    Cordaos was the one to shake his head. "Not even close. We aren''t even in the top ten. Your mother isn''t even in the top ten." Everyone except the generals looked at him oddly. Cordaos sighed, groaned, then rubbed his eyes. "There are dragons that are literally thousands of years old. There are other mortal creatures that are older than everyone at this table. There are also other deities that still reside on the mortal planes. They cannot interact fully with mortals. But the two of you could visit them and they wouldn''t be limited by such rules."


    Brutus chuckled and scratched his chin. A second or two in, he realized he had nothing to scratch and placed his hands back on the table. "What my friend is trying to say. Is we mortals are instruments for your divine direction. We aren''t who you should be going to for direction. Both of you are deities. Both of you are capable of realm walking. You could both pop out of Alirast and go visit dear old Dad and ask him for advice. You know, the guy who made Alirast and the [Primordials] in the first place?"


    Arlyss seemed dumbstruck at that. Riten shook his head. "Almost, but not quite. There are some....unique rules concerning our father and us. It''s the reason he''s not already here to help, and we haven''t gone to him. We can sort of communicate with him. But even the other deities here on Alirast snub their proverbial noses at us for some reason."


    That brought silence to the table. Amara looked at Trillia and smiled. "I think you''re all misunderstanding. I know, young Arlyss, that you are cursed with knowledge. How much of the great beast war are you familiar with?"


    Arlyss shook his head immediately. "Assume none. It''s all mortal accounting of the situation. The dragon deity that cursed my siblings and I knew a great deal about my father and a lot about being a deity. But virtually nothing of the mortal realms. Even those under his direct control. Or such knowledge is lost to me. Even that which I can recall comes in fragments and gibberish. My knowledge is not without limit. Forgive me."


    Amara kept her smile. "There is nothing to forgive. You''re young and already a deity. I think something that needs to be said. Is that the [Primordials] aren''t going to be sealed anytime soon. They weren''t called the great beast wars because the [Primordials] are great beasts. They were called that because beasts overran the land. Because it was waged over generations."


    Trillia couldn''t pull her eyes off of her mother. "What do you mean? Generations?"


    Amara nodded. "None of us were worth the sludge that Lord Darktone pulled us out of. I think Brutus or Cord were the highest level amongst us at the start?" She looked at the two for confirmation to find both of them shaking their heads. She corrected herself. "Not counting the Queen." Both of them nodded. "Cord was in the low two hundreds, Brutus was in the high one hundreds."


    Amara stood and grabbed a few wooden figurines from the side of the table, plopping them down on the map. "Centrallis is awake. It means we have a year or two before it decides to wake up another. When we fought them, we had to seal five [Primordials], counting Centrallis."


    Riten spoke up as she paused. "The notification said seven locks? Are there, not seven [Primordials]?"


    Amara shook her head and grabbed two more figurines. Placing each of them in the central continent almost directly next to Centrallis. "One is slaying Queen Alliyah. The other is shattering a core of some kind under Kadessa itself. Queen Alliyah is above level two thousand. The only creatures that pose a threat to her are leviathans, primordials, and some really old dragons. She has some ability that lets her actually attack and harm immortals and deities."


    This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it


    Everyone, except for the other generals, were hanging on Amara''s every word. "Evidently, that is how she and Lord Darktone met. He often likes to walk amongst the mortals of his realms to get to know them and see life from their point of view. Personally, I think it''s because he misses being a mortal sometimes. In any case, Queen Alliyah tried to rob him. One thing led to another, and he found that she could actually make him bleed." She shrugged and let it rest at that as if the rest of that story didn''t matter.


    "The point I''m trying to make is you''re all panicking because Centrallis is awake. It just means the fighting starts for real now. Exploring the wilderness will be borderline suicide unless you''re in a large group or high level. The skies will often rain blood as flying spawn run into dragons. The seas become untamed once more as the Leviathans stop handling the currents and weather and begin defending themselves. Most dungeon cores will quadruple the number of enemies they create to avoid being overrun by spawn. In turn, this means most dungeons will become extremely difficult and more rewarding."


    She paused and looked at the others. "Hundreds of thousands will die long before we can even get close enough to see a [Primordial], let alone seal it. These things aren''t some megapede you can just stab to death. They are the size of islands or larger. With every step, they shed thousands of enemies. The reason Stas is so annoyed is that it''s still early. There is no reason to panic. It is normally every thousand or so years that the [Primordials] stir to life. The result is that about half of mortal life is wiped out."


    The cold tone in her voice when she said that line gave everyone pause. Trillia spoke softly. "Shouldn''t we try to stop that? I thought you were all going to sacrifice yourselves..."


    Stas put a comforting hand on her shoulder. "That was the original plan. Honestly? It still is the plan."


    "Stas! We talked about this!" Amara snapped at him. The mortals at the table jerked at the venom in her voice. Stas seemed unbothered and continued.


    "To put it bluntly. We don''t have faith that Riten, Arlyss, or their sister Mariah will be strong enough to supply the amount of divinity needed to seal them. If we get the chance to see one of the great beasts, we have to seal it immediately. They swim thousands of miles below the surface. They surface once every few decades. Most of their spawn come from rifts, ravines, caverns, and that sort of thing." Stas looked at the two young deities, who seemed a bit crestfallen.


    "It''s not that either of you are doing poorly. There''s a lot to Alirast that we aren''t allowed to talk about. It was part of our pact with your father. We will do everything we can to ensure that the [Primordials] are sealed when possible. If the two of you are there and none of us have to die, excellent. But if either of you aren''t up to the task?" He shrugged.


    Cordaos could see everyone''s mood slipping and falling further into despair. "I know we''ve spoken of this to some of you before. But all five of the great beast generals were slaves. Lord Darktone doesn''t offer pacts to creatures who are free. He offers pacts to those who are trapped and on the verge of death. He offered all of us a second chance at life. All of us have had children and loved ones. We''ve gotten to see our children grow and thrive. The deal was very straightforward."


    As Cordaos began to speak, all the generals spoke in eerie unison. "Die for me. Die for Alirast. Die for the duty to which you are bound. Do these things, and you shall have glory eternal. Do these things, and I shall welcome you freely into the great halls of the hereafter. Where you can wait for your descendants and watch over your world for all eternity."


    A chill ran down Trillia''s spine. She glanced at Arlyss and was suddenly very grateful that her deity still had some mortal feelings.


    Riten spoke softly. "So that''s all it is? You''re all just willing to march off and die without asking why?"


    Stas threw his head back and cackled. The many legs on his back wavered and skittered him closer to the young deity. "The why is because we were told. That''s enough for us. Don''t worry. We won''t fail." Stas lifted himself up and over Riten and headed towards the door he used to enter. "If any of you need me, you know how to reach out. I''ll be off and getting stronger and searching for new toys."


    The other generals gave him a nod, and he left. Arlyss seemed confused, mostly. "So... should we stick to the original plan of trapping the Sage? We don''t need an all-hands-on-deck plan?"


    Cordaos stood as well. "Just prepare for war. Prepare for a war that will last until the last human in your city has died of old age, and their grandchildren are your new worshippers. Prepare them for hardship and torment. Ready your city guard for a swarm of enemies. Because unless the two of you can swim into the core of Alirast and yank the [Primordials] to the surface. We can only react." With that, he looked down at Amelia. "Why not take some time. You and Trillia should take a few days to process all of this and catch up."


    Amelia smiled up at him and nodded. "Thank you, Father. I''d like that very much."


    With that, everyone filtered out slowly until it was just Amara, Amelia, the two deities, and Trillia left at the table. Arlyss rubbed his eyes. "I feel like I''m lost."


    Amara moved over and patted him on the back. "Your father used to sit at the bar with that exact expression on his face. The weight of the realm crushing his shoulders. It is a heavy burden to be a leader. You have good people around you, young Arlyss. Accept that eternity is a long-time and plan accordingly. Neither of you needs to try and save every mortal on Alirast. Just save the ones you can and put one foot in front of the other."


    "For eternity." Riten said a little too bitterly.


    Amara smiled and nodded. "For all eternity. That is what is asked of all deities. That is what is asked of all pact-bound creatures." Amara turned to look Trillia in the eyes as she said it. "I need to go and say my goodbyes to my tribe now. The generals will start the hunt soon."


    Arlyss stood and grabbed her arm. Much to Trillia''s surprise, his grip was enough to stop the orc warrior in her tracks. "Don''t wander too far. In the next couple of days, I will create artifacts that will allow you and the other generals to call on my brother and I. My father may ask you to die in his name and in the name of Alirast. We are not our father."


    Amara looked at his hand for a moment before her smile returned. "Give the artifacts to my daughter, she can find me, and I will distribute them to the others." He nodded and let her go. She took a step forward and paused. "You should be so lucky. To live long enough to become your father. On that day, I hope that you will visit me. Wherever I find my rest. So that you can look back on this moment with the perspective of eternity."


    She gave Trillia and Amelia a little wave before she left the room as well. Trillia knew that there was a portal that had been carved in the town square. She powered it up with hundreds of thousands of mana a day. The sister of it was set up next to the mana rift. Every hour the explosion from the rift itself fully powered the other side.


    Trillia stood and motioned to Amelia to follow. As she walked past Arlyss, she grabbed his arm and gave it a little squeeze. "If you need us, we''ll be in the kitchen. Don''t stress so much. You''re both doing your best."


    Arlyss offered her a warm smile. Both brothers sat there staring at the map, rethinking what they thought they knew.


    Once they were outside of that room, Trillia gave Amelia a big hug. "You''re getting entirely too tall. I feel like a child next to you."


    Amelia returned the hug with a big smile. "My favorite little orc in all of Alirast. So, you''ve been going on about how good the food is here. Is there a tavern where we can get some food and play some music?"


    Trillia grinned at that. "That sounds like fun! Let''s invite Kismet and Maldoun. I think they could use the distraction. If you''re ok with that."


    Amelia nodded as they descended more stairs. "The more, the merrier! You should invite Lady Rakana and her husband as well!"


    Trillia nodded. They had a lot of stops to make. There was really never a bad time for a meal and a get-together as far as she was concerned.

 Chapter 67 Also Known As, A Panic Attack

    The girls had been joined at some point by Trillia''s siblings.


    The five of them currently sat in a tavern located near the spire with promises from the others to join them. Amelia sat behind a large barrel with a hide stretched across it. The locals referred to it as a drum. Trillia was learning how to play the harp from a young girl who frequented the tavern often as a musician with her family.


    Her brothers and Ba''Shoon were cheering them on, drinking heavily of some fermented drink that smelled quite foul. Ba''Shoon was also in the process of arm-wrestling some of the more drunk humans who thought they could take her. Overall, everyone was laughing and having a good time.


    Trillia was doing her best to put on a strong face, but deep down, she was worried about the future. As the girl sitting next to her, showing her the harp played a few chords, Trillia wondered if she''d be one of the lucky ones to survive.


    ...


    ...


    Suddenly the room felt far smaller than it had before. Trillia could vaguely hear the cheering and the girl explaining things to her, but it all felt so far away. She reached out and grabbed hold of the harp as the room began to spin around her.


    She was vaguely aware of feeling weightless for a few moments, followed by more muffled shouts. Trillia could feel her mana draining rapidly.


    She knew the source was [Remain Standing].


    She didn''t understand.


    Why was she passing out?


    She fought with all her strength to put her arms under her chest. Suddenly it felt like she weighed as much as Uncle Cordaos but had the strength of when she was born. Try as she might, she couldn''t will herself up.


    "Back off!" The voice cut through the haze around her head. She recognized it as Arlyss'' voice.


    Her heartbeat continued to thrum rapidly, screaming that there was danger all around her. She wondered if this was some sort of attack.


    Perhaps the Sage had found a way to break through the barriers.


    Perhaps the resistance hadn''t been fully stomped out.


    ...


    ...


    She reached out to try and grab hold of Arlyss. She could smell him nearby. The scent of books and fresh flowers. She felt strong arms wrap around her, and all of the background noise stopped.


    She closed her eyes as the room began to spin faster.


    She could feel the mental connection with Arlyss form, and a wave of relief flowed through her. Her mana stopped draining, and she heard him speak a single word.


    "[Slumber]"


    ...


    ..


    .


    -=- Some Time Later -=-


    She heard the faint scratching sounds of a quill on parchment. She had grown used to the sound over the past couple of years. She often read at night while Arlyss wrote. He always seemed to be writing something down.


    Truth be told, it always made her feel at ease. Hearing that scratching sound. It meant that there wasn''t something bad happening.


    She opened her eyes and found herself laying on her bed. Arlyss had taken over her little desk and was writing next to her. Ialu was curled up next to the bed. Glancing around, she could see the faint shimmer of a barrier around her room. Her heart began to race again.


    "Shhh...it''s just to keep your family from battering down the door." Arlyss spoke softly to her. Having turned from his writing.


    He grabbed a goblet and began pouring water into it. "We need to have a talk. First, the two of us, followed by the two of us and your family."


    Trillia tentatively reached out to take hold of the goblet. She did her best not to panic. All of the old doubts from her childhood came racing back. She was trying to level quickly. Is that why she had felt that way in the tavern? Was she falling too far behind?


    Was Arlyss disappointed in her progress?


    She felt tears welling up.


    Perhaps it was beca-


    Her mind went blank. She blinked a few times and found that Arlyss'' hand was touching her temple. "Trillia. You are my avatar. I will not abandon you. Not even if Alirast itself is burning into oblivion. Your progress is fine. In fact, I think you are progressing too quickly and taking on too many duties. The fault lies with me. I haven''t taken on any more pact-bound creatures. I didn''t want to burden them. But in doing so, it seems I''ve burdened you far too much."


    This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    She shook her head, trying to swallow her drink. "No! It''s fine. I can handle it!"


    Arlyss smiled. It was the same smile he gave to his followers and worshippers. To the people of D''Jamu, who told him they''d work hard to make their city safe. It was the smile an immortal gave to a mortal. It nearly broke her heart to see it aimed at her.


    Arlyss thought about his words for a moment while smiling. "I know, and you have been. For years you have been not only fighting the undead, clearing dungeons, and setting up deals. Don''t think I''m unaware of how often the merchants come to you and Kismet with their worries. On top of that, you''ve been training Ialu and trying your best to keep up with your tribe and your family. You were finally trying to make time for Amelia."


    It was a lot to do. That much was true, but Trillia knew she could handl-


    Once more, her mind blanked. She scowled at Arlyss, who scowled back. "Slow down, Trillia. Your mother and uncles said it. We have time. This isn''t something that is going to be handled overnight. I want to ask you to do me a favor."


    She nodded. "Anything, you know that."


    Arlyss sighed softly and nodded. "Promise? I have your word?"


    She nodded once more.


    "Go home, Trillia. Do not engage the enemy. Spend some time with Red River if you begin to feel restless. Work on your general skills. Do not use your divine skill."


    Each word rang in her ears. As her mind worked itself into a huff, Arlyss leaned in and kissed the top of her head. "Rest, my dear Avatar. Rest, because I am going to need you at your absolute best in the coming years. I am going to be speaking with your siblings. I will not force you to do anything. But it is my earnest request that you take some time to rest and think about yourself and what you want out of life."


    He immediately raised a hand. "Besides saving Alirast, your tribe, the people of D''Jamu, your family, and all the deities you''ve met."


    She snapped her mouth shut. Looking somewhat dejected into the goblet of cool water. She mumbled in her defense. "I don''t think I need to save Lethe. Pretty sure that it''s ok."


    Arlyss rolled his eyes and then rubbed them. The barrier fell, and a rather eager - but gentle - knock came on the door. "Come in. Keep your voices down.


    As he said it, the door opened slowly. The first in was Ba''Shoon, who hurried over to sit next to her and placed the back of her hand on Trillia''s forehead. Her brothers ducked and squeezed in as well. Amelia elbowed past them and sat next to Ba''Shoon with a bowl of soup. Kismet and Maldoun stuck their head in through the doorway of the cramped room.


    Arlyss was standing away from all of them near the window. "I''ve asked Trillia to take a leave of absence. At least three or four months. It is my genuine worry as her deity that she is working far too much."


    Amelia snapped at him with a half-scowl. "Ya think?!" She nearly bit her tongue off and sunk a little back as she realized she was yelling at a deity.


    Arlyss seemed more amused than anything. "I do. I also think I need more people as capable as she is. There is a monumental amount of work that needs doing. At the end of the day, Trillia and I are just two creatures. As much as Kismet and Maldoun are trying to help." Ialu yipped and looked up at him. Arlyss smiled and nodded. "And Ialu. I still need more people I am connected to."


    A few people tried to speak, but he raised a hand to silence them. "I would ask all of you to find one or two people you trust. That you think I can trust. The offer is, of course, extended to each of you to become pact-bound as well. But most importantly." Glaring at each of them in turn before looking at Trillia. "Keep this one from trying to save the world."


    Tormash chuckled at that. "Sure, sure. Reigning in a hurricane with our bare hands is super easy. We''ll get right on that, boss."


    The others shared a chuckle at Trillia''s expense. She would have retorted, but currently had a mouthful of some delicious soup that Amelia had found or made.


    Ralrouk scratched his chin and stared at the ground. Kismet walked up to him, giving his arm a little squeeze, and gave him a knowing nod.


    Ralrouk looked to Arlyss. "As long as you don''t ask us to fight each other. Kismet and I will accept a pact. I''d ask that I still be allowed to serve as a General in the tribe as well."


    Trillia paused in her eating at that. Looking up at her brother and Kismet, who both looked to her with smiles. Arlyss nodded. "It would be an honor to have you both. I know that many of your people still follow my father. I would never try to take the faithful from him. But know that I see Trillia''s tribe as an extension of my people."


    Maldoun cleared his throat. "I already serve you, Lord Arlyss. I would be honored to accept a pact."


    Arlyss nodded and seemed a little more relieved. Trillia was happy that they were all people she knew and trusted. She''d figure out how to get out of this prison of friends and family that Arlyss was putting her in. Maybe she could talk to Red River about some of the problems and bounce ideas off of the raiding gobl-


    Her mind blanked.


    She blinked a few times and realized Arlyss was standing next to her with his fingers on her temple. "By all that is radiant. Can you not go ten minutes without plotting to save the world? There has to be a class for someone so dead-set on saving people."


    He looked almost accusingly at the others in the room. No one really cared to meet his eyes for fear of spontaneously being in the wrong.


    Amelia grinned and leaned next to Trillia, opening her mouth for Trillia to give her a bite. With a quick chew and swallow, she spoke. "Pretty sure if anyone here is going to get a heroic class. It''s Tormash or Trillia. Pretty sure saving everyone just sort of runs in their family. Ralrouk won''t admit it in public, but I''ve seen him run into a group of enemies to pull out orcs and minotaurs alike."


    Ralrouk immediately scoffed. "That just makes sense. My tenacity lets me stay standing for an hour or so. I may as well run the risk of saving others."


    Tormash covered his devious grin by scratching the beard he was trying to grow. Arlyss nodded to each in turn. "Tomorrow, I''ll form pacts with all of those willing. I will leave her in your tender care."


    Ba''Shoon and Amelia gave him nods. Trillia stared at him as he left. She knew they wouldn''t let her leave. So instead, she reached out with her mind.


    ''Thank you. For understanding.''


    She felt warmth wash over her and knew that she had been heard.


    Ba''Shoon turned an angry glare at everyone else. "The boys can leave. Us girls are going to chit-chat, and you''re not needed."


    Tormash and Ralrouk immediately bowed and left. Both of them had been on her bad side. Neither particularly cared to be there again. Maldoun hesitated for half a second before getting dragged away by the boys.


    As Kismet closed the door, Ba''Shoon took the bowl from Trillia and gave her a hug. "Stop trying to do it all yourself, dummy. You have a family. Let us help."


    Trillia began to tear up as Amelia and Kismet joined in on the hug. Ialu yipped a few times and jumped up onto the bed.

 Chapter 68 Perspective

    The more Trillia thought about it. The longer a three to four-month hiatus from all things fun and adventuring seemed.


    Sure, she had "permission" to go into Red River. But that was one dungeon!


    Although...


    It did have a bunch of new floors.


    She reached over and scratched Ialu''s head. The wolf was curled up next to her in bed. "I suppose the dungeon will have to do."


    After another hour or so of watching the sunrise, she stood and moved over to the rune-etched basin in the room.


    A nice soak, and a few hours later, she was dressed and ready to go.


    Eat breakfast.


    At this point, the kitchen staff knew her well. She''d help them sometimes, and she had used her divine skill in several instances to help them along in their own life''s journeys. So they were always happy to see and feed her.


    Ialu gave her welcoming borks as the cooks said hello to the two of them.


    "I''m afraid Lord Arlyss has asked me to take a short leave of absence. So I won''t be around as much. Is there anything I can do before I depart to help any of you?" Trillia smiled as she sat at the cook''s table and watched them prep and clean meat and vegetables.


    One of the cooks had skills that allowed them to use water mana to freeze the vegetables and beef to keep them fresh longer. It was a rather ingenious use of his skills. The head chef turned to her and shook his head. "No. I think it''s a good idea. A girl your age should be out and having fun, getting into trouble. Yet you are out fighting the undead for us and fighting against those primal creatures."


    "[Primordials], Chef!" One of the other cooks piped up to help.


    The old chef threw his hands up. "Whatever. The bad guys. My point is she''s a kid. Act like a kid." Trillia rolled her eyes a little as he walked over to her table with a plate, a bowl of soup that was heating up as he walked it, and a large slab of some sort of meat.


    "Look. Most of us only get one shot at this life thing. Make sure you enjoy every part of it you can. Before you know it, you''ll be an old bitter man like me who screams at people all day." The man waggled a finger at her little smirk as she dug in.


    She didn''t know how he did it. But he made cheese into a liquid and slow-boiled meat into it with some sort of green vegetable. It was absolutely her favorite soup. She had never wanted to spoil herself to the surprise, so she had never scanned the kitchen crew. But she was convinced the head chef was in the high three or four hundreds.


    She picked up a piece of the sliced meat and tossed it to Ialu before digging back into the soup.


    The head chef chuckled. "At least I know how to keep you from arguing. I''ll have to show our young lord that trick."


    Trillia would have said something. But the soup. She''d just have to give him that little victory.


    One of the ladies who baked bread came around and gave her a loaf of bread before hugging her tightly and kissing her forehead. "It won''t be near as fun without you running amuck. You as well, you little troublemakers." The woman rubbed Ialu''s head as she finished the sentence. "But ol'' Rodge is right. Take some time and get into a little trouble." She brandished a wooden spoon that she had seemingly pulled from thin air, waving it menacingly in front of Trillia. "That don''t mean run off to fight more, you hear me?"


    Trillia gulped down the soup and managed a meek little nod. Her entire family had always told her that you never messed with cooks. They were in charge of your food. If you made cooks angry... Well, it was just a bad time for everyone.


    The woman''s warm smile returned, and she hugged Trillia again. She liked the cooks because they all smelled like food. They joked around and always seemed happy and playful. They said it was to help the time go by.


    Honestly. When everything was said and done. And she wasn''t worried about the world, she''d like to be a cook somewhere. Surrounded by food, good smells, and laughter.


    She caught herself smiling in her daydream.


    Nodding the reverie away, she finished her food and thanked the cooks many times. Hugging them all many times and assuring them she was only leaving for a few months.


    At last, she made her way up to the library that Arlyss was often found in. It was more like his little sanctuary.


    The first thing she noticed was Ralrouk, Kismet, and Maldoun all sported glowing runic symbols on their arms. They had all accepted the pact. That made her smile a little wider.


    Ralrouk saw her and nodded slightly. "Tormash and Ba''Shoon headed back already. They are the new leaders of our people, so they couldn''t dally long. Our first order of business as new pact-mates is to get you through the portal without any distractions. Then make sure to inform some others that you aren''t to do any heroing."


    Trillia huffed as she approached but didn''t bother arguing at this point. "I actually wanted to ask Lord Arlyss something."


    Seeing the young deity nod to her, she continued. "I want to borrow some of your books on enchanting and runes. I don''t imagine I am going to want to run the dungeon every single day."


    Arlyss was already giving her a look. She was starting to not like that particular look. "Is this about the portals?"


    Trillia nodded. There was no purpose in attempting to lie to the entity that could read her surface thoughts on a whim. "It is. I figure I will be close to Ba''Shoon. Maybe she and I can work on some things. That''s something I can feel like I''m helping and contributing. Something I enjoy, mind you. But it isn''t dangerous."


    Arlyss sighed and flicked his hand behind him. Book after book leapt from the shelves and into his waiting hand, where he set each down in a stack. "These are all the relevant ones I can think of. If it keeps you out of harm''s way and distracts you, I won''t complain."


    Trillia nodded and walked over to the stack, putting each in a shoulder bag she was packing with her things. It took her a bit of time to fiddle and fight with the pack.


    "I need to make you a storage item." Arlyss said it off-handedly as if it was something well within his ability to do. The stunned looks of those around him made him feel the need to explain himself. "Storage items are very easy to make if you have spatial mana manipulation. The problem is making them viable for mortals. Most deific items just require access to divinity. If a mortal were to try and use it, it''d take millions of mana for every use. I''m pretty sure I can lower the cost of that to some magnitude."


    "But it''s still a no-go for everyone else." Ralrouk finished and motioned to Trillia. Arlyss nodded. "Well, she is your avatar. It would also help her pack and unpack stuff."


    Trillia wasn''t about to argue that. They had tried to make ''enchanted'' hands several times to no avail. Stas had, of course, offered to graft her an extra arm or three, but that would change her species and subspecies to abomination. Which carried a lot of penalties.


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    Healing was also out of the question. The way her mana veins spliced into...well, the realm''s made it so that it just refused to heal right. The running theory was that the mana veins were also why nothing else had worked.


    "Well. I''m ready whenever all of you are. I will do my best to not get into that much trouble. I''d like to see you all at least once a month to say hi and check-in. If that''s ok." Arlyss gave her a nod and dismissed them with a slight wave. A dozen quills floated around him and began marking various things down in books and on maps.


    A new skill he was developing, perhaps. As they all left, they were joined by someone they hadn''t seen in a couple days.


    Riten began following them down to the portal.


    They said nothing, not wanting to assume. But when he joined them at the portal that was being prepped, Ralrouk spoke up. "Will you be joining us, Lord Riten?"


    Riten smiled and bobbed his head. "Yes. My brother tells me there is an active mana rift near Lady Trillia''s home tribe. I wish to explore it and see if there is anything within its depths that can be used to aid us."


    Trillia spoke up at that. "My mother went into it to save me. Maybe you can reach out and ask her if she can give you any tips? Are there no mana rifts where you are from?"


    The portal glowed and gave a gentle thrum as the mana took hold. There on the other side, was the mana rift in question. They quickly filtered through as people on the other side were prepping for the return trip.


    Riten looked over at the ravine. They were only a few hundred feet from it on a hill nearby. People were instructed to move quickly as mana sickness was a real worry with this portal.


    The others gave Trillia a short goodbye and told her they''d see her in camp. She was immune to mana sickness, after all. Riten seemed unaffected as well.


    In fact, he had begun approaching it. Trillia was curious, so she followed.


    As he glanced over his shoulder at her, he finally answered. "A fleet of dragons stand guard at the mana rift on my home continent. Getting within a few thousand feet, even as a deity, is a very dangerous affair. They have a few immortals amongst them. Which means when I wasn''t yet a deity and just a mere immortal, they could have theoretically killed me. It doesn''t help that dragons have a predisposition to hate my siblings and I."


    Trillia halted as if a memory screamed into her mind. "Wait! Your brother said that you attacked a [Primordial]! That you held a pass for weeks!"


    Riten nodded calmly at her outburst. "I heard rumours of a cave that led all the way to one of the sleeping beasts. We traveled downward for five days. After constant attacks from spawn, we were forced to turn back. But my little excursion angered something because the cavern began to spew out these strange-looking six-legged beasts."


    Riten now stood on the very edge of the ravine and looked down. "The mana feels so...primal here."


    "In any case, the beasts all had the spawn trait. So I stood and fought. I ordered my mortal followers to flee and warn nearby kingdoms and patrols that there might be trouble. After some time, the beasts stopped flooding out." The tone in his voice seemed...odd to Trillia. He wasn''t boasting. He wasn''t proud. It was like he barely cared that he had managed to accomplish such a feat.


    Trillia walked up to stand near him, glancing down into the ravine below. "You are very different from your brother."


    Riten nodded sagely at her words. "And you are very different from yours."


    Trillia stopped and stared at him.


    "Fair point. I guess. I meant that I don''t see Arlyss doing such a thing?" That drew a laugh from Riten. A deep belly laugh.


    It took him several seconds to recover. Shaking his head and wiping away a tear. "By all that is radiant. Mortals truly are clueless."


    Trillia scowled at him. "What''s that supposed to mean?!"


    Riten smiled and extended a hand. "I could show you. Just a little peak shouldn''t hurt."


    Trillia glanced over her shoulder. Half-expecting Arlyss or someone else to be standing there, ready to swat her hand away. Seeing no such guard, she nodded and took his hand.


    "Take a deep breath. Whatever you do. If you want to live. DO. NOT. SCAN. ANYTHING. Am I clear?" His tone left no mystery that she''d be dead if she tried. With a gulp, she nodded.


    She felt divinity wash over her. As she blinked, she saw Alirast fade away. Suddenly she was looking down. She saw their bodies standing there, but it all looked...different. She saw Riten as a brilliant blue ball of energy with a half dozen small glowing threads hanging from it.


    Her own body was a much smaller but much brighter ball of energy. A thousand tiny hairs glowed and ran into Alirast itself. A few other glowing threads ran off in other directions.


    The ravine...


    The ravine stood a terrifying void of all things. It was like all the light and threads that connected everything had just died on the spot. Even after a decade, she could see threads severed cleanly on either end where the ravine stood.


    Suddenly her point of view shifted. The ground ran away from her. It moved faster than anything she had seen. Suddenly, within seconds, they hovered over D''Jamu. She saw Arlyss sitting in his sanctuary, the same brilliant blue energy that Riten radiated. But the number of glowing threads extending from him was a thousandfold. Every single entity in the city had its own little thread attached to him.


    All of their balls of energy were nearly non-existent. Faint little pinpoints in a sea of darkness. Slowly being pumped energy and kept alive by the ball of blue light in the library. As Riten pulled her further into the sky, she saw Arlyss'' threads weave out into every single dais they had put up over the years. Slowly pumping a weave of protection into the very sands.


    Then she realized what else she saw deep below the sands. It wasn''t that the desert was a void. It was the entity under the desert was so large that its energy seemed to encompass the entire desert. Dark and hungering, slowly eating away at the edge of life and turning it into more desert.


    Trillia began to tremble as she stared at it.


    Fresh air hit her lungs, she gasped for the sweet breath of life. She blinked a dozen times as she found herself standing at the ravine.


    Riten let go of her hand. "My brother has been holding his mountain pass since he was born. Slowly keeping a city alive at the cost of his own divinity."


    Trillia shook her head with tears in her eyes. "I didn''t know. I''m sor-"


    Riten raised his hands and shook his head. "Don''t apologize. You couldn''t know. Only deities can see those lines so clearly. Arlyss and I are young, stupid, and naive. We want to save all of Alirast from the beasts that are consuming it."


    He turned from her and back to the ravine, stepping to its edge once more. Spreading his arms and looking up into the sky. Looking past the sky, she realized. "We want to question why our father made this place. We want to question ??? ????????? as to why he was punished for defending his wife and children. I think...most of all. We want to see our mother."


    Trillia froze at his words. She barely managed a whisper. "I thought... I thought you could speak to her? Could see her anytime?"


    Riten glanced from the sky to Trillia. "Ahh..."


    Nodding, he once more turned to her. "We can visit her kingdom. We can speak through messengers. But we cannot see her. It is forbidden. It''s a story I shall tell you another time. All you need to know is that the same rules blocking our father from descending to alleviate the mortals. Split up my siblings and I at birth and now forbid my brother and I from physically seeing our mother."


    Trillia clenched her fists. As she was about to speak, Riten was standing there, a finger to her temple. "Don''t. This is our burden. I only tell you what I do so that you do not think less of my brother. I know it pains you to think of it like this. But remember, you are a mortal. We are deities. It is our job to help you. The help you provide is more than can be asked of our followers."


    Trillia blinked a few times and pulled away. "I just. He''s my friend. I don''t want him to suffer. I know he''s lonely...all the time. I just didn''t realize how lonely."


    Riten smiled and bowed deeply. "He''s much less lonely now. He has you and the other pact-bound. The people of D''Jamu accept him."


    Trillia shook her head. "It''s not the same. We''re..."


    Riten gave her a knowing smile. "It''s all we can ask for. At least for now. Once this curse is lifted, we will be allowed to speak with our peers. We will be allowed to see our mother and our father. Now. I''ve given you a lot to think about. I''m sure I will catch a lashing for stressing you more. Go delve into your dungeon. Work on the secrets of the portals. But most importantly, do what my brother has asked."


    "Rest?" She quipped back. She immediately felt guilty for doing so.


    "Get better. He won''t tell you. Neither will the others. I will. You have a trait that helps prevent you from having panic attacks and passing out. You need to take time and really come to grips with everything going on. Understand, no one blames you. You''ve gone through more shit than Arlyss and I. We are literally cursed by several gods, and you still have us beat on the bullshit-happening-to-us-meter."


    She managed to chuckle and rub her eyes. Silently grumbling that her traits didn''t keep these emotions down as well. "If you aren''t willing to rest for your own benefit. Look at it this way. If you panic at the wrong time, you could lose someone close to you. Someone who really matters. Be better for when that time comes. Because trust me, it''s coming."


    She took a deep breath and nodded. Walking up to him and giving him a hug. "Thank you. I hope that one day, you and Arlyss aren''t lonely. I hope I''m around to see it happen. I''d love to meet your sister and your parents."


    Riten returned the hug and smiled down at her. "Maybe when this all blows over, we can have a big fire and a party. My family and yours."


    Trillia heard the tone. It was the deity and follower tone. Still, she nodded regardless. She left him to stare into the ravine and began to wander back toward her brother. Her family would be around once it was all over, right?


    She shook her head, shaking the thoughts around before they grew to become a problem. For now, the focus was fixing her panic and doing a little dungeon delving.

 Chapter 69 Icy Surprise

    As the doors swung open, Trillia''s crossbow released a bolt of radiant energy large enough to wipe out the four dungeon goblins on the other side of the room. She immediately began to charge it again.


    "So you haven''t gone past the first floor either?" Trillia glanced at Amelia as she spoke. Walking over to pick up the items the goblins dropped. She had asked if she could skip the first floor since she was well past their level at this point. But the goblins wanted the experience.


    "No. I told you I was gonna wait for you to actually go dungeon delving. But you''ve been so busy lately." Amelia was mostly just tagging along as a just in case and to help Trillia carry stuff.


    "That''s fair. Sorry, I''ve been so busy. Has there been any word on God''s Watch?"


    "Not yet. But with Centrallis being awake, Dad thinks it''s best if we don''t try to take the city back. It was already going to be a difficult fight. I think he wants to wait until his deity can interact with the world again."


    Trillia nodded at that and pushed the doors open to the next hallway. The boss door sat on the far end. "That makes sense. It''s still odd to think that creatures that large are just swimming in the rock and stone that deep."


    "I don''t think it''s rock. We had some books from when Dad was a kid in the library. At that depth, I think it''s like lava. Or magma? Whatever it is when rock and stone melt and become liquid."


    Trillia paused and looked at her. "They are just down there. Swimming in that, forever?"


    Amelia paused as well and shrugged. "It''s just what I read. Dad and the others seldom talk about the beast wars. They all sort of hate that time for some reason."


    Trillia chewed her lip but finally gave up on that line of thought. "Doesn''t matter, I guess. We''re all in it now."


    She pushed the boss door open and was pleasantly surprised to see the arena had changed. The exit was now high up on the wall. Long walkways were scattered throughout the room. Paws stood on the ground, and Stibs was standing on one of the walkways.


    "Welcome back, Trillia! Who is challenging us today?" Stibs spoke loudly enough that they could hear. The room was nearly a hundred feet in diameter.


    Trillia glanced at the others before looking up at Stibs. "I''d like to challenge alone today. But I''d like to fight you both at full strength."


    Stibs stared at her for a while. A sad little smile crossed his face, and he nodded. "I suppose we haven''t been able to keep up, have we? We''ll do our best to give you a good fight."


    Trillia nodded and walked away from the others. As soon as Paws began to close, Trillia acted first.


    "[Mana Rift]!"


    She appeared in front of a surprised Stibs, leveled the crossbow at his gut, and let loose. The goblin was torn in two. She spun with a rapier in hand toward Paws.


    "[Radiant Riposte]!"


    Her body shimmered for a moment. The nova that Paws had let loose passed through her, and instead of her body breaking out in cuts and scraps and bleeding, Paws had light leaking from numerous wounds. She brought the crossbow up, and a different set of runes lit up.


    "[Radiant Lance]!"


    Paws tried to leap to the side, only to be met by the much faster Trillia, who sunk her rapier into the creature''s side. Bringing the crossbow down like a club as the creature was pinned.


    As their bodies faded away, Trillia offered a little smile. "I would have never gotten this strong without the two of you. I hope you both know that."


    She bowed to them both and began ascending the stairs towards the boss door. Ialu and Amelia caught up. They didn''t drop any items this time, but Trillia had already gotten an artifact from them. She was here to see more of the dungeon.


    As she arrived at the door, Gobbinz stepped out.


    "Poor things. They were excited to finally fight you again."


    Trillia offered a pained little smile. "Should I have held back?"


    The goblin began shaking his head. "No! We must know our limits. This will push them to train harder. Father warned all of us ahead of time that you''ve gained a bunch of levels since you last gave the dungeon a real run-through. Don''t hold back."


    As she nodded and began to walk forward, Gobbinz blocked her path. "I mean it, Trillia. With everything going on...the dungeon monsters need a wake-up. Everyone is so nice and pleasant when they go through. I''m not saying you have to be mean. But don''t hold back. Don''t let them live with the injuries. Tear through them without mercy."


    Trillia stared at Gobbinz for a minute. It dawned on her that a few years ago, she was learning and training from these goblins. It gave her some much-needed perspective on just how far she had come. "No mercy. Understood. I hope you''ll let me apologize to them later."


    Gobbinz nodded and moved out of her way. Disappearing into a little hidden door.


    As Trillia slowly descended a long ramp, she paused when she stepped into a frigid room. The little cliff she stood on was slick with ice.


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    A tunnel had been dug through ice and snow. After ten or so feet, it branched off a half dozen times. Each of them also seemed to branch off.


    "This is a really smart idea. Megapedes hate the cold." Trillia sniffed the air as she went and slowly navigated the winding tunnels. Ialu paused first. Trillia had come to trust the wolf, so she also paused.


    Amelia glanced at the two of them oddly.


    Trillia shrugged and kneeled next to Ialu, who was sniffing all around. "What do you smell, girl?"


    Ialu let loose a low growl, frantically turning this way and that.


    Finally, she stopped on a spot on the wall. Trillia and Amelia trusted the wolf''s instincts and backed up some.


    A low rumbling began shortly before a dark blue megapede broke through the wall.


    "What?!" Trillia raised the crossbow and let loose. Turning on her scan as she did.


    [Dungeon Abomination - Icepede - 61] Ice Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Abomination


    "What?!" She screamed again as the thing plowed through her attack. Where a normal megapede would have dagger-like claws at the end of every leg, this thing seemed to have tiny little picks.


    Much smaller but much sharper. The ice cracked all over as it dug its legs into the wall and ceiling, twisting its body and head back at the group and spewing out frigid air.


    Amelia jumped in front.


    "[Ice Bulwark]!"


    The ice slammed into her arms but moved no further back. Trillia heard a haunting melody spew from her friend''s throat. Everything else in the room paused.


    You''re under the effects of [Banshee''s Eerie]!


    Allies have their Agility doubled.


    Allies cannot be confused or charmed.


    Enemies must resist the effects of the user''s Presence or be stunned until the skill ends!


    Trillia blinked once more, shaking her head from the sound of it before she began stabbing the icypede repeatedly. The thing didn''t even thrash as it fell lifeless from the wall. Trillia looked at its corpse to ensure it was dead before looking up at Amelia.


    [Royal Minotaur - Banshee of Sorrow - ??] Emotion Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Rightful Heir


    Last Bastion of Faith


    Daughter of Sorrow


    Trillia''s heart caught in her throat. "Aren''t...aren''t banshees undead?"


    Amelia stared at her for a moment before smiling. "Spirits...actually. I''m not a spirit or undead. I just... I made a deal with something."


    Trillia felt her hand grip [Sliver of Fate] a little tighter. Amelia looked at her with tears in her eyes. "Trillia...I''d never hurt you. I promise."


    Trillia was conflicted. She had been fighting undead for years. Something in her brain told her to lash out, but the rest of it was screaming that this was her best friend in front of her. "I just... why didn''t you tell me?"


    Amelia raised her hands and stepped away. "You didn''t tell me that you were running off to sign up for eternity with a god, did you?"


    Trillia had no argument for that. "I''m sorry, Amelia. I want to trust you. You''re my best friend. It''s just..."


    Amelia nodded. "The Sage. I''m aware. Maybe we can come back to the dungeon another day? Leave for now and have this discussion?"


    Trillia thought about it for a while longer. She spent a thousand mana, and the rapier vanished from her hand. "No. Let''s keep going. I need to fix my brain. I can''t be coddled anytime something confuses me. I trust you, Amelia. Regardless of what your class is. But you owe me a meal and a conversation later, okay?"


    Amelia nodded. "Deal. I promise. It''s better than you''re probably thinking."


    Trillia nodded, and with one last weary look, she shook the thoughts from her head that Amelia was anything but her best friend.


    -=- A Few Hours Later -=-


    "I hate this place! It''s stupid! It''s stupid and cold!" Trillia was shivering up a storm, and so were Amelia and Ialu. They had been wandering through the tunnels for what felt like hours and made, apparently, no headway. They had tried dropping little bits of cloth or some of the copper trinkets to make a trail and nothing.


    Trillia finally kicked the wall. "Fine! You win, Red River! Let us out!"


    A hole in the ceiling opened up, and a rope fell down. Followed by three blindfolds, one specially made for Ialu. Gobbinz''s head stuck out after. "Hehe... second floor? That''s it? What happened to no mercy, Monster Slayer?"


    The girls gave the little goblin their vilest looks. They put on the blindfolds and grabbed hold of a rope that was handed to them. They were led out of the second floor in less than ten minutes. Once they had the all-clear, they took the blindfolds off to find themselves in the healing hall. Gobbinz was standing there with a smug expression on his face.


    Trillia grumbled and went to sit by a small fire built into the wall. "Why couldn''t we find our way out?"


    Amelia and Ialu joined them. One of the healing goblins brought them mugs of some warm broth and some heavy covers.


    Gobbinz sat on a stool near them with a grin. "Father was really surprised, actually. It''s a simple mana trap. Any sort of scan will reveal it almost immediately."


    Trillia said nothing and stared at the fire. Amelia sighed and rubbed her eyes. "It''s my fault. Can we have some time, Sir Gobbinz? Tell your father it''s a well-made trap if it kept us both in it for that long."


    Gobbinz nodded and left them to their privacy. They said nothing for a long while.


    "We''ll talk about it another time, Amelia. I trust you. I know it''s not fair to say this to you, of all people. But I just can''t handle anything else right now." Trillia was a little surprised when Amelia gave her a hug.


    When the minotaur finally released her, Amelia whispered. "I''m the first one you should say it to. We''re best friends. Nothing will change that. If life is giving you too much. I want you to tell me. Tomorrow we''ll come back with some warmer clothes, and we''ll kick Red River''s ass for that nasty trick of his."


    Trillia managed a smile and looked at her friend. "Darn right, we will! I can''t believe he has abominations! I guess Uncle Stas must have come to visit at some point. Makes me wonder what he has further down if a level sixty abomination is his level two."


    One of the healing goblins wandered off with some actual mushroom stew and set it before them. Pulling out a hunk of what looked like lovax meat and passing it off to Ialu, who happily dug in. Trillia reached out to him before he left. "Can I ask, has anyone else been lost?"


    The goblin stared at her for a solid five minutes. <Goblin:>"Speak right words."


    Trillia blinked a few times herself. "Oh! Of course, sorry. I thought all of you had learned Orc." She switched over to Goblin to explain herself and asked again.


    "Lost? Dead? Yes. Five dead."


    Trillia paused mid-bite and stared at him. "How?"


    The little goblin shrugged at her. "They go off to find supplies with big brothers. All dead. Even have horned brother with them. Still all dead." The goblin motioned to Amelia when he mentioned the horned brother.


    Trillia nodded thanks before turning to look at Amelia. "Five goblins dead, and they were escorted by orcs and minotaurs? What happened?"


    Amelia sipped her brother. "I''m not sure. It''s difficult to keep up with so many people all coming and going at the same time. I know that Red River wanted to send some goblins through the portal. Maybe something happened there?"


    Trillia wrapped the blanket around her shoulders as her mind began to spin rapidly with all the problems again. Amelia tapped her shoulder. "Remember. We''re here to rest. There are plenty of adults in charge who will figure out the why and handle it."


    Trillia sighed softly and nodded. Then proceeded to worry more and tried to hide that better.

 Chapter 70 Blitz

    Trillia pulled her arms through the heavy fur cloak that she had brought. Amelia had just worn much heavier furs for the entire dungeon.


    Once more, they stood at the entrance to the ice maze. This time, Trillia kept her mana sight up.


    "Do you have a toggle scan yet?" Trillia glanced at Amelia as she began to trek forward.


    "No. I don''t think I''ll get one, either. I have Greater Scan as a mastery skill and an emotion-based scan from my current class. I haven''t seen anything for a toggle yet. I''d also be a bit worried about information overload." She looked around as she spoke, her eyes periodically lighting up with mana. "How do you manage?"


    Trillia shrugged. "I don''t keep it active most of the time. It is really overwhelming. I also spend enough time around Lord Arlyss that I don''t want the warning messages popping up in my face every few seconds. I''ll have to make a habit of turning it on during dungeons for safety reasons."


    Amelia nodded, and the two continued in silence. Ialu sniffed here and there. They used the wolf as a cue for when a tweaked megapede was in the area. They ran into a half dozen of the things.


    Despite [Dungeon Addict], Trillia was barely gaining any experience for them. She was starting to understand why most people hit a wall with leveling. The danger grew exponentially, but the rewards did not.


    Couple her own high levels with the fact that the system saw her as being in a party now. Well, the experience gains were pitiful so far.


    Ialu, thankfully, didn''t seem to count. It tempted her even more into finding a monster-taming class.


    "There it is." Trillia called out and stopped at seemingly a blank wall. With mana sight on, it had a slight shimmer to it. "Even with my scan toggled, I can barely make out the difference. Red River is really good at hiding stuff."


    Amelia scowled a bit before extending both hands.


    "Grant me visage eternal. Show me the secrets of the world. [Greater Scan]!"


    She snapped at the end of her chant, and her eyes glowed more fiercely. Amelia leaned in, almost touching the wall, and could only gawk. "One of us is going to have to get a scan for traps of some kind. Or find another friend who can fill the role. The only reason I know there''s a difference is because you''ve pointed it out."


    "Know anyone who has something like that? Maybe someone could mentor one of us in it?" Trillia commented as she walked through the illusory wall in front of them. The tunnels changed to be far more smooth at this point. Less fighting meant less damage to the walls.


    After another hour or so and three more illusory walls, the girls now stood at the edge of a visible barrier. Dark blue and painful to the touch.


    "Boss Arena would be my guess." Amelia ran a finger along it and watched as her flesh became nearly solid. She pulled it back as the two of them resto chanted her back to full. "Hmmm. I can probably use Bulwark to get us through. But it''s going to be a one-way trip. Or, we could run through and try to heal during the fight."


    Trillia nodded off-handedly. "Stand back." Amelia pulled back a few steps, and Ialu followed. Trillia aimed her crossbow at the barrier, fully charged her abilities, and blasted it. The barrier groaned under the strain.


    Two more blasts and cracks began to form on it. Trillia glanced back at Amelia, who shrugged and motioned to continue. "Let me Bulwark in front of you."


    Amelia stepped in front of Trillia and held up the elemental bulwark. Three more blasts and the barrier shattered.


    The bulwark took the brunt of the icy explosion that resounded. The girls heard clapping coming from in front of them. As the cloud of shattered ice settled, they were met with the floor two boss.


    The room was a giant bowl shape. Jagged ice lined the entire thing, threatening to shred anyone who fell and slipped into it. There in the center, curled up and staring at them, was another abomination.


    The long body of an icy pede but instead of the usual head sat the torso of what looked like an ogre. Twice as wide as an orc, and the torso itself was taller than most orcs. Its skin was an arctic blue with glowing green eyes.


    In one hand, it held an indigo gem. In the other was a whip that was covered in ice and shards. Another set of hands was clapping as it stared at them. As the two girls stepped into the room, it reached to its back and pulled out a bow, and knocked an arrow. "Father, no skewer."


    The voice was a mixture of chittering and the goblin tongue. Barely understandable.


    [Dungeon Abomination - Hybrid Beast - ??] Obfuscated


    Notable Traits:


    Obfuscated


    "Careful. I can''t see its level." Trillia spoke softly as she slowly walked the edge of the bowl.


    Amelia whispered back. "One forty. Quite the step up. I can''t break its obfuscation to see anything else."


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    Trillia nodded before calling out. "Ready?"


    In response, the thing hefted the gem, and a heavy mist filled the room. An arrow thunked into the cliff face under Trillia and shattered her footholds.


    Ialu snapped down on her crossbow arm and yanked her back as she began to fall. Amelia slammed her mallet into the ground with a roar.


    "[Shattering Sweep]!"


    The ground in front of her and all the way down the bowl cracked and fell inward, taking Amelia with it but removing the shrapnel on the way.


    Trillia steadied herself and began charging her crossbow. Drawing her rapier and linking herself with Ialu.


    "Run interference. Try to draw its attention from us."


    The wolf barked a few times before bounding off the cliff and into the mist below.


    Trillia leveled her crossbow at the mist and waited for the first sign of the creature.


    Her next surprise came when she heard a scraping sound. She looked to her side in time to see half of the creature''s body raking through the ice and sending out shrapnel in every direction. Trillia had one choice, jump into the bowl.


    She grit her teeth and leapt, doing her best to avoid being torn to shreds on the way down. After the first bound, she saw a glimpse of Amelia.


    "[Mana Rift]!"


    Trillia appeared next to her friend and let loose with her crossbow in the direction the scraping was coming from.


    You''re under the effects of [Banshee''s Eerie]!


    Allies have their Agility doubled.


    Allies cannot be confused or charmed.


    Enemies must resist the effects of the user''s Presence or be stunned until the skill ends!


    You''re under the effects of [Brianna''s Brilliant Barrier]!


    The effects of all incoming elemental damage is halved.


    Trillia made her rapier vanish, pulling open her cloak and plucking some chords into a tiny harp attached to her belt.


    You''re now under the effects of [Astra''s Amazing Agility]!


    You''re agility is doubled for the duration of this skill!


    Trillia kept one hand plucking away on the strings.


    The room became a cacophony of [Minstrel] abilities and scraping, shattering ice.


    Ialu howled. Trillia twisted her body and crossbow and let loose in that area. Amelia smashed the ground in that direction as well.


    The screech of the creature proved they had gotten lucky. Ialu came bounding in from the mist, followed by a hail of arrows. The creature''s torso appeared shortly after.


    Trillia had forgotten the whip as it snapped out. She tried to dodge it, but even with her improved agility, it caught her in the side of the face, tearing off chunks of flesh. Her agility saved her from losing an eye, at least.


    Amelia reached out to try and grab the whip, which proved a terrible idea. The creature''s [Brawn] was significantly higher, and it merely yanked the whip out of her hand, leaving one of her hands shredded nearly to the bone. Both girls immediately stopped their buffing music and began to use [Restorative Chant] on one another.


    The creature didn''t relent. The bow had been placed on its back, and it had drawn a long trident in its place. The combination of thrusting attacks with the whip as follow-up was pushing both of them back rapidly.


    Just as the two of them began to feel steady, the creature''s tail swept in from behind them and sent them both flying through the air. The trident struck true and skewered Trillia, who immediately fell into tenacity, the whip lashed out, and Ialu vanished into the artifact.


    Just like that, the mist vanished. The creature dropped its weapons as a small horde of healing goblins poured out of entrances far too small for them to appear from. Swarming over the two girls and pumping healing magic into them. This run had ended.


    It took Trillia a few minutes to realize they had lost. The barrage of attacks had come in the span of thirty seconds and completely overwhelmed them. Gobbinz put a hand on her shoulder. "We were told that your wolf could be resummoned. Please tell me that we were not mistaken."


    Trillia blinked a few times and looked down at her chest. The three holes that had been punched directly through her were slowly closing and healing.


    She nodded blankly. "Yeah...yeah, I can summon Ialu again."


    Amelia was glaring at the abomination. Who had taken to reforming the bowl into its perfectly untouched cliff face with a razor-sharp descent. "What in the name of Infernus was that?!"


    Trillia sat there and continued to be healed up. "Did we even do damage?"


    The abomination looked at the two of them, then towards the ceiling, then towards Gobbinz, who nodded. "He says you got him down to about eighty percent of his health."


    Amelia walked over and sat next to Trillia. The goblins gave them a once-over before vanishing back into the secret tunnels they used. Gobbinz pulled out two blindfolds.


    The girls sighed before snatching them and covering their eyes.


    -=- Some Time Later -=-


    Once more, they sat in the healing hall. Both of them in front of the fire. "Red River really isn''t joking around, is it?"


    Gobbinz shook his head. "Father has a half dozen rooms set up after the tenth floor. Each of them could fit about half of the orc tribes in them. They are truly massive. His current plan is that if things get really bad, he can have all of you hide in his depths, and those of us who can respawn will do our best to defend you."


    The girls gave him a bit of an odd look. Gobbinz just shrugged. "Ralrouk could have crushed Father almost as soon as he was born. Your tribe could have easily killed us at any time in the first year. You didn''t. You protected us and helped us grow. Father just wants to pay that kindness back. That''s all."


    Trillia reached over and gave the goblin a hug. "Tell him I said thank you. It means a lot to all of us that he cares. It means a lot that we have a plan if all other plans fail."


    Gobbinz smiled and nodded. "He says you''re welcome. He also said that the two of you should speak with old Mon''tag. He''s made it down to the sixth level alone. He can maybe give you some pointers."


    Amelia stared hard at the little goblin. "You''re telling me that Mon''Tag has defeated that creature alone?"


    Gobbinz chuckled softly and bowed. "Lord Mon''Tag has gone through extremely great efforts to see Father grow. He has helped Father design several of our levels and our contingency plans. Evidently, Lady Amara ordered him to do everything in his power to see this dungeon thrive. Grand Alchemist Mort has also been helping a great deal. We have a bunch of raiding goblins who are leveling alchemist as we speak."


    Trillia beamed at that. "Being allies is gonna be great for all of us! This just means we have to come up with a plan of attack."


    Gobbinz waved once more before he left through a secret passage. Over the course of the next hour, as the girls ate food and recovered their wits, a dozen orcs, and minotaur were hauled into the healing hall in all manner of battered and beaten. One of them had lost an entire arm to something hot.


    Amelia couldn''t help but grin. "At least we''re not the only ones getting our butts kicked."


    Trillia nodded. With another glance, the two stood up and began to help with the healing magic process.

 Chapter 71 Detour

    Trillia and Amelia decided to take a break for a couple of days.


    Amelia spent that time teaching Trillia more about how to play the harp. It was a good rest.


    That break had mostly come because Mon''Tag was out on an actual scouting mission and wasn''t due to return for a few days. The girls didn''t really want to keep getting chewed up and spit out on the second-floor boss, so they decided to wait and ask for advice.


    The camp had a lot more orcs in it as of late. Mostly coming and going and using this large encampment as a base of operations. The actual orcs inside changed almost constantly. It made Tormash''s job a little more difficult, but the young orc was handling being Chieftain well.


    Trillia wanted to make some time to see if he needed help with anything at some point.


    She shook her head. ''Stay focused, Trillia! We''ve been over this. No more tangents.''


    She mentally scolded herself as she walked through the camp towards the scout''s area.


    Quite a few of the scouts recognized her and gave her a smile and a nod. She was happy to return it. She went looking for the new scoutmaster.


    It wasn''t difficult to find him. He was a young orc, probably in his early twenties. Broad shoulders, teal skin and striking red eyes. A large mallet was sitting on the table next to him.


    There were probably a dozen orcs in line to speak to him, so Trillia just added herself at the end and waited.


    "What''s the fuck is this?" The scout master growled the words as he hefted what looked like a badly mangled paw.


    "All that we could salvage from the fucking thing. More and more of those thrice-forsaken tigers are crawling out of the ravine. Without the Grand Chieftain here, they are just running amuck!" The scout scowled back at him, sporting quite a few rather severe injuries.


    "Former Chieftain!" The young orc bellowed and slammed a fist on the table. More than a few orcs in line flinched. "I don''t give a damn what your opinions on the matter are. Tormash is the new Chieftain. Lady Amara has gone to take her rest. It is up to us to keep this camp safe. If you have any grievance over who the fucking Chieftain is - like that matters to us - take it up with the actual fucking Chieftain."


    "Sorry, Kor''Stag. Still getting used to it. Didn''t mean no offense." The scout bowed his head slightly.


    Kor''Stag, who was apparently the new Scout Master, sighed heavily. "I''ll tell the Chieftain that we''re struggling to keep our borders clear. Maybe Ralrouk would be willing to help us patrol for a while."


    "Ha! That fat oaf is too busy shackin up with the humans!" One of the scouts jeered. The other orcs in line went completely silent. The one that spoke slowly stopped laughing and looked around.


    "I''ll be kind today ''cause you''re new. Don''t shit-talk the Demonsbane Clan. Even the youngest of them is pushing level one hundred, and she isn''t even a fucking teenager yet. If you wanna shit talk them, at least make sure they are here to defend themselves."


    The orc looked down and didn''t meet anyone''s gaze. The next few orcs filtered through, reporting anything odd that was happening in their respective areas or that nothing odd at all was happening.


    Kor''Stag finally caught a glance of her. "You! You''re not a scout. How can I help you?"


    Trillia''s body was mostly hidden by other orcs, so he only really caught a glimpse of her due to the bright clothing she wore. "I can wait, Lord Kor''Stag. I understand you have duties to tend to."


    "That''s very kind. But I don''t need someone who isn''t a scout eavesdropping on scouts and causing panic. State your name and what you need." His tone was much deeper and much sharper.


    That made sense. She was so used to being the ''Chieftain''s Daughter'' that no one cared what she heard. She hadn''t exactly been a familiar face in the past couple of years. She bowed to the others and pushed ahead to the front of the line. "Trillia Demonsbane. Avatar of Lord Arlyss and Ambassador between D''Jamu and the Shattered Plains." Trillia extended her one hand up to the orc. The other orcs, especially the one that had just been insulting Ralrouk, only stared.


    "In the future. Just cut the line Lady Demonsbane. Pardon my men''s stupidity. We''re all young orcs and have far more ba-...brawn than brains." Kor''Stag shook her hand. "How can this Scout Master help you?"


    Trillia smiled wide. "I wouldn''t dream of interrupting important business with something so casual. I am here to inquire as to Lord Mon''Tag''s return trip. I have business with him. It''s not urgent, so no need to interrupt his scouting mission. "


    Kor''Stag nodded and shuffled some scrolls and parchment around before grunting. "Should be back yesterday..." His tone left Trillia a bit worried. "He''s scouting near the ravine. Let me show you where it is on the map." Kor''Stag walked around the table and put a crate on the ground before walking back to his side and motioning for her to lean over the table.


    This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.


    Trillia happily stood on the crate and looked over the map. Mon''Tag was scouting the usual cross-over point for Kin''Cairne caravans. "The old dog is skilled. But the ravine is treacherous. I''ll get another scouting party out that way as soon as I''m able."


    Trillia peered at the map for a while before shaking her head. "I''ll go and check on him. My wolf and I can make that trip in a day or less. I''ll search for signs of battle, and if I meet him on the road, I''ll return with them. Otherwise, I''ll return in two days."


    Kor''Stag nodded. "I''ll take the help. I''ll have a scout party ready and head that way. Should the worst happen, you''ll have backup. If not, they can detour and head to another location."


    Trillia nodded and shook his hand. "Thank you for your time, Lord Kor''Stag. And thank you for defending my family. Loyalty means a lot to us."


    Kor''Stag chuckled and nodded. "Tormash and I were in the scouts together for years. Ralrouk pulled us out of more terrifying situations than I care to count. I won''t let someone bad mouth him while he''s not around."


    "But it''s ok if he is?" Trillia grinned, already knowing the response.


    "That''s what we call a free show around here. Take care of yourself, Lady Trillia. As I mentioned before, the ravine is dangerous." Kor''Stag offered her a smile and motioned for the next person to step forward. Trillia bowed, hopped down from her crate, and set off to find Amelia.


    It took her a few hours to find her friend snoring rather loudly on a rock near the edge of camp. Trillia couldn''t deny that it was the perfect day to laze about and nap. She had summoned Ialu on her way to find Amelia.


    As the two approached, the sleeping minotaur stirred and woke. "The old man back?" Amelia grumbled a bit and rolled over to shade her eyes from the sun.


    "No. He was due back yesterday. I said Ialu and I would go and check on him. The Scout Master is worried something may have happened. My guess is that a member of his scouting party got hurt, and Mon''Tag won''t leave anyone behind." Trillia fibbed a little. Mostly just omitted where she was going.


    Amelia stared at her for a moment before nodding. "Well, Mon''Tag is far stronger than the two of us. Maybe they ran out of poultices or something and can''t move the injured orc. Want me to tag along?"


    Trillia shook her head. "No, that''s ok. Ialu and I can make really good time. Plus, if anything does jump out that''s dangerous, we can just turn and run away. Ialu''s really fast. Especially if I give her an agility song." Trillia scratched Ialu''s head, much to the wolf''s delight.


    Amelia closed her eyes and rolled back over. "Have fun, stay safe. See you in a few days." After a few seconds more, the snoring resumed.


    Trillia grinned and climbed onto Ialu''s back. Once the two were out of camp, she began playing music on her mini harp.


    Ialu''s speed shot up, and the two were off. Trillia mixed in resto chants while she kept the agility song up.


    -=- A Day-ish Later -=-


    The sound of lightning striking the ground drew Trillia closer. There was no rain and no flash of light. But the sound repeated itself constantly. She urged Ialu on. They had stopped briefly to get a few hours but otherwise had been running through the night.


    Ialu''s stamina and health were fine, but fatigue could still creep up on someone despite their resources being full. As the sound got louder, the thick stench of blood and rot began to hit Trillia''s nose.


    She didn''t even need to urge Ialu to go faster. The wolf picked up on the scent long before Trillia.


    A few minutes later, she came out of the forest and into a clearing. A dozen orcs lay beaten and battered - but alive - behind a figure clad in crystal and glowing. Every swing of his sword brought the sound of lightning crackling across the opening. Countless splattered corpses lay all around the figure.


    Trillia''s [Spawn Seeker] was going crazy. It had been tugging her for the past few hours, but now it was screaming at her, telling her to charge forward and slay them.


    She saw more tigers prowling in the trees around the wounded orcs. As one began to charge, she and Ialu charged in as well. She raised the artifact on her left arm and let loose. A barrage of bolts slammed into the creature''s side.


    If it felt it, it didn''t show.


    It turned to Trillia with a snarl.


    [Greater Shattered Tiger - Primordial Spawned Beast - ??] Corrupt-Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Mana-Warped


    Primordial Spawn


    Limitless Mana


    Mana Font


    Child of Mana


    Envenomed Mana


    Trillia''s eyes went wide. She urged Ialu to run. The wolf quickly changed directions at her master''s request. The tiger seemed to take two great leaps and was already in range.


    It swiped at them with claws that dripped a bright blue substance. Right before the claws connected with Ialu, Trillia blocked it with the artifact on her left arm. The claws slammed into the enchanted material and scrapped down. Trillia''s arm was yanked out of its socket, leaving the artifact unharmed.


    The force of the strike had also ripped her off of Ialu''s back. Trillia let out a howl of pain, quickly drawing her rapier and thrusting it forward. Trying to stay clear-headed, she managed to activate all of its abilities.


    That did hurt the creature, and it showed. Blood began to spill out of its chest. It hopped backward a few times and growled low at her, slinking its body close to the ground and trying to get a better angle on her.


    Trillia readied herself, the pain causing her head to spin. Ialu was creeping up behind the tiger. Just as it was about to leap at her, it exploded into blood, bone, and gore.


    The crystal-clad figure stood there with its blade in hand. With her mana-sight already active, she couldn''t help it.


    WARNING! You have attempted to scan a Deity!


    You must have a deific ranking equal to or greater than a Deity to scan it!


    [Deity]


    Trillia blinked a few times. Through all of the blood, she finally recognized the armor.


    Riten turned from her and went to smite another of the tigers. Yelling over the sound. "Heal your people. Call out if one gets too close, don''t try to fight the mana-warped ones."


    Trillia nodded and immediately began to do what she could. She started with the most injured-looking, pouring health potions in their mouths and using what little healing abilities she had available to her. Ialu was dragging all of the orcs closer together, so they were easier to defend and so that Trillia could better heal them.


    As some of them began to wake up, Trillia filled them in on healing the others and letting Riten handle the tigers.


    As she finished her last sentence, she heard Riten call out. "This one isn''t a spawn or warped. I can''t attack it!"


    As he said it, another tiger charged past him and towards the orcs. Trillia blasted the thing apart with her crossbow. "Just heal! Lord Riten and I have the defense. My healing isn''t good. Tell me if you run out of mana or stamina. I can restore both."


    The orcs didn''t argue. They either knew who she was or weren''t about to argue with the person allied with walking death.


    So much for staying out of trouble. Trillia grinned as her heart beat in her head and the pain of her arm throbbed.

 Chapter 72 Immortal

    As Trillia wrenched her left arm up to take care of another regular monster, she scowled at the debuff blinking in her mind.


    [Dislocated Shoulder]


    It takes longer to utilize this limb for any skills or attacks. In addition, utilizing this limb will result in taking 1% of your health every time it is used.


    This condition will not heal naturally.


    This condition cannot be healed with normal restorative magic.


    "How do I fix this shoulder?!" She whipped around to one of the orcs who was patching up another scout. This orc was an older one, his hair starting to gray. The ferocity in his eyes spoke volumes for how much vigor an old orc had.


    Letting go of the bandage for a moment, he stood and walked over to her. "Gunna ''urt." Seeing her nod, he grabbed her arm, pulled it all the way out, and pushed in with his other hand. She felt the joint slide back in and staggered as another wave of pain washed over her.


    "Another!"


    Came the call of Riten. The old scout whipped out a throwing axe, catching the thing in the skull. "Heal it. Debuff should fade."


    Without another word, the orc turned back to bandaging one of the younger orcs. Trillia didn''t have any potions left. She just gritted her teeth and waited for regeneration to take over.


    She darted forward towards another tiger. It didn''t look quite right. It had six eyes, and its jaw seemed to be hinged oddly, slowly opening wider and wider.


    [Abomination - Primordial Abomination - 73] Corrupt Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Primordial Spawn


    Unnatural


    Trillia dumped mana into her rapier and lunged toward the creature. It looked lazily toward her and didn''t move as it was skewered and killed. She blinked a few times, looking around.


    "What''s going on?! Is there no end to this?" The orcs were mostly on their feet again. Only the worst of them were still being bandaged. Mon''Tag wasn''t among them.


    The old scout approached. "Some corrupted nest. Mon''Tag and some others are still in there. Tried convincing the god, but he refuses."


    Trillia nodded and looked at Ialu. Calling the wolf over to her, the two of them took off in the direction of the nest.


    Riten called after them as he saw them go.


    Trillia saw the horde of monsters. It was unlike anything she had seen before. Hundreds of the things were crawling up and out of the ravine. All of them seemed dead set on ripping Riten apart. Whatever skill the deity was using, she was grateful for it. A few stragglers were coming from a place further to the east.


    That was her destination.


    She felt the mental tugging from Ialu and the worry the wolf was trying to convey. Trillia leaned down closer to her head to whisper. "It''s ok, girl. We can''t leave a member of the tribe to die if we can help it."


    Ialu whimpered once more but pushed on.


    As they got further away from Riten, his skill''s effect faded. Most of the enemies they ran across were abominations or normal tigers in the fifty to sixty range. Ialu managed to avoid most of them.


    A half-hour later, she saw the nest. A half dozen much larger tigers were prowling around a dense copse of trees that was slowly pushing more and more tigers out of it. Ialu slowed her pace and seemed to be staying just at the range that the tigers could sense or smell them. "Maybe they tried to go inside to wipe it out?"


    Trillia dismounted and checked her gear before nodding to Ialu. If the nest was anything like a dungeon, they''d have to go in on foot.


    She took three steps forward and felt [Spawn Seeker] rising up again. She glanced around and saw nothing new.


    She began charging her crossbow again and dumped more mana into her rapier. "I''ll go in, get the other orcs and lead them out. Make a hole for me, girl."


    Ialu snarled and took off running; Toward the tigers. As she neared, she let loose a loud howl. It seemed to have a similar effect as Riten''s skill. Most of the tigers began chasing Ialu, who spun and bite and clawed at some of them before taking off running.


    Trillia didn''t let it go to waste. She plucked a few soft notes on her little miniature harp and took off with Astra''s Agility.


    The nest wasn''t what she was expecting. As she neared the border of the copse of trees, she heard another howl. Stepping into the trees took effort as if she was pushing past a barrier of some kind.


    Once the resistance gave way, she realized that the trees themselves were the nest, or dungeon in this case. It had the same air as Red River did. The trees seemed to go on forever inside the copse. Trillia did her best to track the orcs. Although, she wasn''t trained in such. So it was mostly following the typical clearing formula that she had heard other scouts talk about. Or her brothers talk about over the years.


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    Occasionally she''d heard a low howl from outside. That would spark a bunch of tigers to come out of hiding and run toward the exit.


    After the first hour, the howls grew further and further apart. Trillia had slain a dozen tigers on her own. Overwhelming them with sheer firepower whenever one caught wind of her.


    ...


    The second hour brought a notification that Ialu could be resummoned in twenty-four hours or for a hefty amount of mana. "Thanks for buying me time." Trillia whispered to herself.


    Trillia was beginning to think Fate itself watched over her. The number of happy coincidences in her life wasn''t something to take for granted. Now was no different. As she turned another corner, she saw a half dozen dead tigers with all manner of wounds on them.


    She crossed the distance quickly and began looking around. She even risked speaking.


    "Mon''tag. Mon''tag, it''s Trillia." She looked all around and slowly began to follow the largest trail of blood. It led her through a few more twists and turns and eventually through an area covered by a thick thorny bush. Trillia winced but pushed through, covering her eyes and swinging a few times with the rapier to try and clear herself a path.


    As she made her way into the clearing, she froze. Her heart began to beat in her ears again. Every thump of blood being pumped faster and faster was as loud as could be.


    She had found Mon''tag.


    The orc hung by his arms. They were pulled out wide to either side. More hooks had been dug into the flesh of his back and pulled to stretch out, his ribs floating in the air. His face was twisted in an ever-lasting agonizing scream.


    Trillia looked around and saw another dozen orcs that were strung up in the same way. Her stomach churned and gurgled.


    Try as she might, she couldn''t keep it in. She turned and retched.


    "My, my. Another little prize?" The voice made her skin crawl. She whipped her head toward the voice and raised both of her weapons, activating [Mana-Sight]. She caught a glimpse of a feathered wing before it vanished into the trees.


    [Immortal - Xeno Alchemist- ???] Flesh Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Pact-Bound (???)


    Forced Revelation


    The Mad Doctor


    Celestial-Born


    The Grand Corruptor


    ... 23 Others


    Trillia''s heart began to pound faster and faster. "What are you?" She managed to whisper.


    "Bored...mostly." This time the voice came from another direction, and she whipped around yet again.


    "Why? Why did you do this?!" She began to reach out to her connection with Arlyss. Asking for help.


    She felt warm putrid breath on her neck, and her body froze completely. First, one hand was on a shoulder, then another, then two more. "You smell like my old student." Its voice had the same effect that Arlyss and Riten''s did. Where it was every language and none. She felt the creature inhale deeply, and as it began to clamber around in front of her, she snapped her eyes shut.


    Her body still wasn''t moving, but her mana wasn''t dropping. This wasn''t some debuff or aura. This was her mentally failing. She knew it and still couldn''t do anything to stop it.


    "You aren''t a goblin. A tiny orc, it looks like. What unique coloring. Perhaps I should make a doll out of you." Trillia tried to take a deep breath and found that her body didn''t want to do that either. The goblin comment gave her some ideas about who this creature''s old student was.


    She felt yet another set of hands grab her face. Its skin was cold and oily. She couldn''t help but shudder as its fingers slowly moved toward her eyelids.


    "Come now. I''m sure you have the most beautiful little orc eyes." As the creature finished the sentence, it forced her eyelids open.


    Trillia felt her mana draining rapidly as her skills, traits, and class tried to fight off the aura. The creature in front of her had multiple faces on the same head, each facing a different direction, a half dozen wings bent at odd angles formed on its back. Its skin was impossibly white as if it had been cut from the purest marble. Two beautiful golden eyes rested on each face.


    Its mouths twisted into smiles revealing dozens of rows of razor-sharp teeth. It was only then Trillia realized the thing was kneeling in front of her and forcing her to look up into its eyes. A dozen arms were on either side of its torso. "I''m known as Caelum Mittur. What is your name, little orc?"


    Trillia was using most of her willpower not to wet herself and to breathe. Staring up into the creature''s golden eyes, her right arm slowly trembled upward.


    Caelum looked at her, and its many mouths smiled even wider. One of its hands moved down and grabbed ahold of the hand holding the rapier. "I''m just asking you a question, little orc. There''s no need to attack me."


    "Y..o...you...you killed them." She could barely whisper the words. The creature didn''t turn away from her; Why would it? It could see from another set of eyes.


    "No. I made them beautiful, little orc. They were so angry and sad. Now they scream in joy, forever staring at the beautiful trees and sky above." It leaned in closer and smiled wider yet. Trillia was keenly aware that this creature could gobble her up without much effort.


    "Do you want to be beautiful, little orc?" Its fingers gently tapped the side of her face as it spoke. "You must have so many unique skills. Most creatures are screaming in joy at the sight of me by now."


    Its neck twisted, snapped, and popped, and another face began to peer at her. The drain in her mana stopped as soon as a new set of eyes were on her. "Ahhh. A little pet for the realm. A little slave for a deity."


    That combination got to Trillia. She managed a little more than a whisper. "I''m no slave!"


    The creature began chuckling. Short, raspy laughs that caused its body to jerk and convulse. "Another mortal. Thinking that they matter. That they are worthy." The creature raised another hand and mockingly shook a finger in front of her. "At least the goblin knew his place. Was grateful to learn from me. Do you truly think that your deity cares about you?"


    Trillia was fighting back tears, revulsion, and her own panic. She clenched her rapier tighter, but try as she might, she couldn''t even budge the creature''s hand. "I''m no slave..." This time her words were softer.


    The creature nodded sympathetically. "I used to think that. Here, look." It turned its body weirdly so that she could see its back, which was covered in the same glowing runes she had as a pact-bound. She already knew that from her scan, though. "It''s dead now. Funny how much the wording matters for those things. Bound to a dead god."


    It twisted back around to stare into her eyes which were watering even more after being forcefully held open for so long. "Until my duty is fulfilled. That was the wording that tricked me. The wording that trapped me to never set foot in my homeland again. Tell me, little orc. Where is your home?"


    Trillia took a deep breath and managed to raise her left arm enough to loose a full salvo into the creature''s chest. Her attack didn''t even leave marks. "Why am I so weak." She whispered the words to herself. Readying herself to be gobbled up or ripped apart like the other orcs.

 Chapter 73 Limits

    Caelum stared down at her arm and the artifact on it.


    Its neck twisted once more, and a sickening pop left a new face staring at her. This one''s eyes were aglow with magic. "What wonderful veins, little orc. Where do they lead?"


    As its hands reached down to grasp at thin air, Trillia felt as if her blood was on fire.


    She screamed, and her legs buckled, but the creature''s hands held her aloft. Her status window distorted and twisted, refusing to be summoned.


    The ground began to tremble.


    Caelum paused and looked around, then back at his seemingly empty hands. "Ahh...Alirast has claimed this one." With that, he let her go.


    She slumped into the ground and focused her efforts on catching her breath. "Bending the rules to play with a few mortals is one thing. Angering the axle''s pet is another."


    The creature walked over to her and leaned down so that one of its faces was inches from hers. "It was nice meeting you, little orc. Tell your owners I said hello. I can feel their divinity getting closer."


    It grinned wide once more before vanishing. Trillia lay there and stared at the other orcs strung up in front of her. "How are we supposed to fight?"


    She whispered the words. She wasn''t entirely sure who was being asked or if they would answer. Closing her eyes, she pushed her arm and hand into the ground, shakily trying to stand.


    Arlyss arrived the same way she had, only a few minutes later, as she was cutting down the orcs. The deity froze when he entered the clearing. Trillia looked at him and forced a little smile before she continued to cut down the orcs.


    Arlyss slowly took steps toward her. "Trillia...is that you?"


    That caused her to stare at him dumbfounded. What kind of a question was that? "Of course. You can just scan me. I''m not in the mood for games."


    Arlyss stopped moving closer to her, slowly turning his head this way and that. Trillia was beginning to lose her patience. As she took a step forward to snap at him, she also paused. "What do you see, Lord Arlyss?"


    The question caused him to look at her oddly. "Nothing. I see nothing. No mana, no souls. It''s as if this clearing doesn''t exist." He spoke softly as he continued to peer at everything. "What happened? I caught the first few words of your messages to me before...something snapped. As if all of my divinity in this area was cut off."


    Trillia made Sliver appear in her right hand again, charging it fully. "Recently, you were asked to oversee a ritual for the orc-ish people. In regards to our Elder Shaman. What was that ritual about?"


    Arlyss peered at her for a moment, slowly tilting his head. "Elder Lurog? It was to my understanding that he wished to leave this mortal coil. The orc ways say that he can have one last glorious battle with a dear friend and ally. I made sure that his last fight was a good one."


    Trillia seemed to relax at that. Worried that it was a trick. "It''s me. Help me get them down, please. I...they deserve better."


    Arlyss seemed happy with the test as well. As that wasn''t something everyone knew about. Walking over, he began to help her lower the bodies. "The cursed side of my mind has seen this before..."


    Trillia closed another set of dead eyes and looked at him. "What do you mean?"


    "It was in another realm. The dragon god and my father waged a war there that lasted centuries. One of my father''s generals in that world found a colony of half-dragons, wingless ones. This was done to all of them. Warriors, young, old, women, children. It didn''t matter. The general was ruthless in his dedication. They were strung up in the sky with a sign under them that they had finally found their wings." His voice was soft as he spoke of the event, remembering it from another perspective.


    Slowly he closed another orc''s eyes. This time he closed his own eyes and paused as if trying to remember more.


    The more Trillia heard of Lord Darktone, the less she liked him. The less she trusted him. "That seems excessive and cruel."


    "It was! They deserved better!" Arlyss snapped at her, his eyes open and glowing with divinity remarkably lizard-like. Blinking a few times and the power subsided and left him shaking his head. "Sorry. I.. I''ll bring someone else here to help you. This area...these orcs. It all feels..."


    "Familiar?" Both of their heads snapped to the source of the voice. Caelum stood there at the entrance, each of its hands wielding a different type of weapon, each of the same crystalline make as Trillia''s rapier.


    "Hello, little godling. A fresh Darktone should fetch a high price. Do you know how treasured your blood is? Amongst the other deities, I mean?" The things'' faces twisted up into wicked grins.


    Arlyss had backed away to stand next to Trillia, reaching out and speaking into her mind. "Rules forbid me from realm walking into hostile dungeons. This space isn''t neutral and doesn''t belong to me. If it comes to a fight, just run and get out. Do not try to stay and help me."


    She nodded but gripped her Rapier all the tighter and began charging her crossbow.


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.


    Arlyss looked out at Caelum. "A wayward Celestial? And one who is killing mortals? I''m sure someone as old as you know the rules."


    The thing cackled wildly at that, its entire body shaking from the action. "Your father''s rules. Not the rules of the universe. It''s sickening how much he loves and cares for mortals. It''s sickening how often he attacks immortals and our kind to defend them."


    Arlyss nodded slightly and wore his own smile. "You forget that he was born a mortal. That''s why he cares for them."


    "Millions of years ago? Maybe more? He''s created a dozen realms and watched countless mortals die with his name on their lips since he was last mortal. That''s a long time to be sentimental. Surely you aren''t naive enough to believe that?" The creature was slowly stalking closer to them, its voice and tone becoming more and more clear with every passing second.


    "Tell me, wayward Celestial. What duty did you fail to do, that you''re trapped here between the rules?" That gave the creature pause. It eyed the two of them far more cautiously.


    "You aren''t some godling born and raised here. Darktones are crafty, but there''s more to this." The creature hunkered down, its knees bending oddly and multiple times as it crouched to stare at them. "Are you offering to help?"


    Arlyss nodded. "Perhaps...though, you did kill some of my followers. So I''m currently torn between trying to help you or devour your soul. No one would miss one..." As he began this sentence, his power surged up in him. Each word brought him another step closer to Caelum. "little" another step, "soul." As he spoke the last word, he was only a few feet from the immortal. Who was entirely unsure of Arlyss'' actual power or scale.


    The creature hissed and slammed the ground with all of its weapons. Two dozen shockwaves spread in rapid succession. It was enough to knock Trillia from her feet. Arlyss seemed unperturbed, but his expression grew dark. "I offer to help you. This is how you repay me?" Trillia felt him pulling on her energy and saw him collecting it within his hand. That same hand slowly extended toward Caelum.


    The creature threw itself to the ground and away from the hand. "Forgive me! I didn''t know. I didn''t know ??? ???? ??? ????? ?????? ??????.  ??????, ?????? ???''? ???? ??. ? ?? ?????? ????."


    The thing began babbling in a language her brain couldn''t comprehend. She felt immense pressure on her mind even hearing it at such lengths.


    Arlyss released the pent-up energy within him and offered a stern nod. "Don''t forget your place again, Celestial. I shall ask you once more, what is your duty?"


    The creature didn''t make a move to attack or even stand. Instead, it spoke softly so as not to anger the deity. "I was tasked with shattering a dungeon core. But this one cannot find it! I have searched and searched. You must believe me ????? ???. My deity refuses to answer my call. I have been searching for years."


    Arlyss took on an almost sympathetic look. His voice dripped with pity. "You poor little creature. It is the bastard axle that has caused so many of us to forsake our followers. Even I have had to take on this much weaker form so that I still had contact. Explain the dungeon to me."


    The creature nodded but still did its best not to look directly at Arlyss. Trillia was growing more and more worried by the second. The way Arlyss was moving and acting, it was as if he was a completely different person. "It is found in the deepest part of the wounds. It shall call all that wish to serve to it. For it lies in a place that only chained mortals may venture."


    Arlyss thought about that for a long while. "Who did you serve?"


    The creature blinked and finally looked up to meet Arlyss'' gaze. "?????????."


    Arlyss nodded. "Deity of forbidden magic and riddles." The creature''s eyes lit up, and it bowed deeply. "The ravine that is nearby. There are others like it in this realm. Search them all. Look in places that require a creature to have a massive mana pool to enter or places that require immunity to the mortal disease known as mana sickness."


    The creature nodded, its face brushing the dirt as it did. "How can this one ever repay your kindness?"


    Arlyss sighed as if getting annoyed. "Stop breaking the rules. Don''t kill any more mortals. If the wrong eyes start looking here, it will cause me problems. Am I clear?"


    The creature nodded and vanished once more. The air in the clearing freshened instantly, and the sound of birds resumed. Arlyss trembled and fell to his knees, gasping for breath. Trillia ran over to his side. "What''s going on?"


    Arlyss could barely breathe. Taking deep gasps of air and pulling more energy in around him. Trillia began to use any healing abilities she had on him. She even dumped a half million mana from her pool into allies nearby, hoping that would help.


    It took a few minutes for him to catch his breath and regain some composure. "He was acting as a living dungeon core. I''ve heard of it, but it''s not something any sane creature would do. The perspective of dungeon and world cores is so foreign that even Primordial-level deities like my father don''t risk it often. He could somehow see my cursed side. So I put up a divine facade to interact with him. It worked, but...it was draining."


    Trillia nodded and pulled off her pack, and pushed it under his head. "You rest. I''ll finish up here. Is it gone for real this time?"


    Arlyss gave a weak nod. "Yes. I can feel its presence descending into the ravine. I don''t know how it hid from me in the first place. Immortals are like beacons when on a mortal world."


    Trillia nodded and got back to work. Mon''tag was the last body she pulled down. Gently laying him down, she smiled and closed his eyes. Everything in her wanted to bust out into tears and hug the man''s corpse. He was kind to everyone and had lived a long life. She was sure that he went down fighting. For now, she had to remain strong. Her traits knew that. Her traits suppressed all of the horrible things she was feeling.


    It would be a rough night of it; Once she was safe again. "I don''t know how to get their bodies back." She spoke aloud and looked at Arlyss. "Forgive me...I just."


    The deity waved his hand. "No. You called me because you needed help. I may need to draw on more of your energy. I''ll also ask Ralrouk and Kismet to help."


    Trillia stayed kneeling next to Mon''tag. "How did he know who your father was? Why does everyone seem to know your father?"


    Arlyss paused his motions to open a rift and stared at her. "He''s renowned to all deities. Even the young ones. He''s the only deity to ever take the position of axle from another. The details are murky this many years later, but he tricked the old axle into a duel and killed him. Ascending to his position. Since then, he''s made a lot of enemies because most of the rules he imposes on his little piece of the universe favor mortals."


    Trillia nodded slightly. "So, that immortal knew about that? And wanted to kill you?"


    Arlyss shook his head. "That immortal was told about it. My siblings and I will share a lot of similarities in our divine power and abilities. Much like a deity who has seen your parents fight at length, will know who you are because of it. There are certain traces of magic that are passed down from generation to generation. It''s the same for deities. I was lucky that the curse worked in my favor this time."


    Trillia said nothing more. Arlyss opened a rift, and Ralrouk and Kismet stepped through. Kismet came over and gave her a hug. Ralrouk began to haul bodies through. Trillia spoke softly as he returned Kismet''s hug. "We''ll never be able to defend ourselves from them. We''re just toys." She trembled and did her best to suppress the emotions welling up inside of her.

 Chapter 74 The Tavern

    With the immortal leaving, the rest of the spawn stopped charging out of the ravine. Riten met up with the others back in the orc camp. The wounded were taken to be treated further, and the dead were lined up. Large pyres were being built to burn their corpses on.


    Trillia sat alone and stared at the bodies, her knees to her chest. A few people had tried to speak to her, and she just ignored them.


    In her mind, there wasn''t a victory in sight. She could help Arlyss, sure. Maybe they could even save some people from the [Primordials]. But was that the sum of it all? Was that the mortal destiny?


    Maybe help some people and get old and powerful enough to turn bitter to all of the death and destruction around you?


    Trillia didn''t want that.


    As the bodies were carried off to be burned, Tormash gave a speech. It was all just background noise to her as she watched the procession. It wasn''t until Stas sat next to her that anything stirred inside.


    "How could you ally with that thing?" She whispered the words as tears formed in her eyes. Turning her head slightly to stare hard at the goblin.


    Stas sat there and stared at the burning pyres for a while before answering. "I watched my great, great, great-grandchildren get butchered by orcs. I watched their parents get butchered by humans. I stopped getting married and having children because goblin lives are so, so very short."


    The goblin didn''t look at her, only stared ahead at the flames. "I wanted to change that. I wanted to make sure that goblins weren''t just there to be butchered by stronger races that had more longevity."


    Trillia opened her mouth to speak and then stopped. As she thought about his words, she realized their outlooks weren''t so different. "Is it possible? To stop mortals from being toys?" She turned from Stas to the flames.


    The goblin stayed motionless as he stared ahead. "I don''t know. I think...I think by the time we aren''t toys. We are like Queen Alliyah. Mortal in name only. For as warm and kind as she is to her own people...she is still as ruthless as they come."


    Stas turned his gaze from the pyres to his hands, his voice a whisper on the winds. "I think to protect those you care about. You have to turn into the monsters you hate."


    Trillia blinked some tears away and sniffled, rubbing her eyes roughly with her one good hand. "It''s not fair. It''s not fair that we all work so hard and suffer so much. Just to be so casually slaughtered for the amusement of a creature like that."


    Stas nodded slightly before closing his eyes. "I wish I had a better answer for you, young Trillia. I wish I could tell you that things would be alright. That it gets better. But if it does...I haven''t gotten there yet."


    "No. I am grateful that at least one person is honest with me. That at least one person isn''t telling me it all goes away as I get older. If I can help you in finding a way to make mortals...more than we currently are. I will." Trillia looked over at the goblin once more.


    Stas opened his eyes and extended a hand to shake hers. "I''ll keep up with my research. Find a way to augment mortals without turning them into abominations. We''ll make enemies doing this. I just want to warn you of that. You''re young. You still have time to blend in and accept fate."


    Trillia squeezed his hand harder and fought back more tears. Turning from him to the pyre. "Mon''tag didn''t deserve to be butchered for fun. Your descendants didn''t deserve to be killed. We''ll find a way, Uncle."


    As she let go of his hand, he nodded once more. Standing and placing a hand on her shoulder. "You''re a noble orc, young Trillia. The tribe should be happy to have you representing it to the realm. I''m sorry I wasn''t there to help you against my old teacher."


    Trillia sniffled again and shook her head. "It''s not your place to save us all the time. I don''t want to constantly rely on others for saving. I have gifts that others don''t. I''ve been lazy and lax in my desire for power, and it cost me a dear friend. I can''t let it cost me any more people close to me. I''ll keep pushing Red River until Lord Arlyss is ready for me to resume my work."


    Stas nodded and began to walk away. He paused and looked back at her. "Instead of seeking another mortal for advice. Remember your ability. As a warning, whenever you''re dealing with a creature beyond mortal understanding. Be specific in your requests. It is a favorite pastime of the immortals to toy with us."


    Trillia nodded again but remained silent. She sat there and watched the pyres burn down into ash. She saw her friends and family watching her from afar. The thought of it being Tormash or Ralrouk on one of those pyres turned her stomach.


    She stood and walked to her tent, closing the flaps and sitting in the center of it.


    "Fountain of Lethe. Guide my mind, show me a path for the mortals that saves us from this fate. Show me a way to grow stronger without the sacrifice of my mortality or my tribe."


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    Trillia began chanting it to herself, as she had many times before. She felt her experience tighten. Felt her mana slowly drain. She, once more, sat on the edge of the universe, surrounded by stars and staring into oblivion. The eye opened once more and stared at her. The fear she had felt before wasn''t there. Instead, it had been replaced by a simmering anger.


    It was as if she was challenging the eye of Lethe.


    Her mind was peeled away, and visions began to swarm into her mind. Whispers and promises of power followed. She saw war after war transpire in seconds. Saw realms where there were no mortals and realms where there were no immortals. All of her visions ended in war.


    Immortal against immortal.


    Mortal against mortal.


    Never-ending wars.


    In every vision, the weak were ruled by the strong, whether that was immortals or stronger mortals. It didn''t matter. The weak were forever underfoot.


    Her vision twisted and turned, and she saw the universe in all its glory. Saw it from the perspective of Lethe, who sat at its edge. A giant whirlpool of stars slowly ascended further and further away from a brilliant ball of energy at its base. Three massive cosmic entities were evenly spaced in the center going up. Each, in turn, looked over at Lethe briefly.


    The bodies of energy twitched and pulsed. Realms were born, and others shattered.


    Suddenly it all vanished. There was only oblivion left. Trillia stared into the eye, and the realization hit her that there was no end. That fate couldn''t be subverted. She spoke into the empty abyss. "I don''t want to be a toy anymore. I don''t want to let people run rampant over the weak. There has to be a way!" She argued with oblivion itself.


    As usual, oblivion answered.


    Her mind was flooded with more vision, more rapidly than before. Information on enemies and classes. On skills and their evolutions. Through it all, a single word stood out to her. Ascension.


    It was then that something most unexpected happened. A hand grabbed Trillia''s shoulder and pulled her from Lethe''s gaze. She sat in what the humans called a tavern. Quaint wooden stools and a well-polished oak countertop. She was vaguely aware of other people around her, talking in all manner of speech about all manner of things.


    In front of her stood a wizened old orc with bright orange wings. Wisdom that rivaled even Lethe shimmered in his eyes. "It''s a dangerous game that you court. Young Demonsbane."


    Trillia blinked a few times and looked around. She found that she couldn''t move off of the barstool. Suddenly the smell of honey and freshly baked bread filled her nostrils. As she looked in front of her, she found freshly made food and a cold glass of liquid, a pale yellow color with a slightly sour smell. "What is this?"


    The man leaned against the bar counter after tossing a rag onto his shoulder. "Call it... A way station. A place for souls that aren''t sure where they belong. Or where they want to belong. A place where you meet friends of old and friends anew. The creature that you question is a dangerous one. I was asked to pull you away from it by the All-Father." That last name sounded familiar. She had heard it before but had never understood the language.


    "Who is that? Why is it so dangerous to question my fate?" Trilla pressed on. Despite the smell of the food for once, she wasn''t distracted.


    The man thought about it before answering. "The All-Father is to the Universe what young Darktone is to Alirast. It''s called the All-Father because that is easy for mortals to understand. In reality, it is nothing more than a giant entity made of pure energy and power. It creates things to amuse itself."


    "If it is so strong, why does it care what one orc does?"


    That got a chuckle out of the bartender. The more he spoke, the more she trusted him. It felt like the most natural thing in all creation to trust him and be comfortable around him. "It has seen what a single creature, driven by primal needs, can do. The last time such a creature was underestimated, the second axle was replaced."


    Trillia paused and stared at him. Once more, she glanced around at the others. It seemed no matter how many times she looked at a location, there were different people there having a different conversation. "Is it truly possible? For a mortal to do so much?"


    The bartender chuckled and set another plate of food in the chair next to her. After a few seconds, another orc materialized next to her. This one with bright blue eyes and silver hair. Six wings on its back, no two alike. She felt an overwhelming familiarity with it. The bartender nodded and motioned to Trillia. "Mind if I tell her of your childhood?"


    The other orc looked at her with a warm smile before taking a long drink of the pale yellow liquid. When it spoke, Trillia was battered by a hundred different buffs and notifications. All of which failed to answer her summons be read and slowly slinked away. "By all means, Lord Blade. I''ll have more lemonade as well."


    The bartender nodded, and the glass slowly refilled. Turning back to Trillia. "I''ll give you two options, young lady. Have your meal, enjoy it. I''ll place you back in front of Lethe so that you may listen to its siren calls for power. Or listen to a tale of a mortal that clawed its way to being more than a plaything. Either way, you can feel free to eat. You''re safe here, and we have all the time in the world to talk."


    Trillia looked at both orcs and realized that neither were actually orcs. That this was the same effect that the other deities had on her. "If I can see what you actually look like. I''ll listen to your story. Thank you for the food."


    The bartender nodded. The orcish visage faded, and she saw what looked like an old human standing there. The same bright orange wings. Eyes that had no color in them. Just blank white orbs. He wore a simple cloth tunic and the same bar rag on his shoulder. His skin somewhere between grey and white.


    The creature to her side had changed drastically. A giant sat next to her, space warped oddly to make him ''fit'' in the space. Pale blue skin with glowing green veins pulsing through the muscle. Two heads sat on his shoulders, one a fair elven male with long flowing ears, brilliant blue eyes, and silver hair. The other was a twisted lion''s maw with razor-sharp teeth, a golden mane, and blood-red eyes.


    Most startling was that his entire body was covered in the runes of pact-bound creatures. Thousands of scars etched deep into his flesh from old pacts that no longer glowed. On his back, the same six wings sat present, four feathered wings of white, black, blue, and red, one bat-like wing, and one wing that seemed made of crystal.


    Trillia nodded to each of them. "Trillia Demonsbane, a pleasure to meet you both. I''ll listen to that story now, Lord Blade." As she said it, she took a bite of the bread and found it to be perfectly warm, with warm honey drizzled on top of it. The bartender smiled once more.


    "It started with his birth."

 Chapter 75 A Path Forward

    The bartender leaned on a shelf behind him that was covered in a myriad of colorful bottles and seemed to be made of mirrors. "I''ll give you the short version. Do you know what a gladiatorial pit is?"


    Trillia nodded. She had heard about them from some of the minotaurs and from many of the humans of D''Jamu. "The mortal in question was bred to be a warrior in the pits. A race of long-lived psionic creatures would capture enemies. Using a combination of magic and science, they''d take the best traits from two creatures and ensure that a child with those traits was born."


    "This mortal fought in those pits from the time it could walk until it had seen nearly twenty-five years pass. To escape, it had to kill its parents, its owners, and a number of other psionic creatures. As it fled and its heart threatened to beat out of its chest. As its feet bruised and tore from running. As its mind spun with all it had been forced to do over the years, it also asked the question. How do I stop the cycle? How do I break a fundamental truth?"


    "How do I make it so that the weak are not ruled and toyed with by the strong. This mortal was lucky to be born from a creature that had a long natural life span. It had hundreds of years to seek out a solution. Time and time again, it would run into things that it simply had no answer for. Time and time again, it would create an answer. One day this little mortal happened upon an old deity. This deity was sitting on the shore of a lake, fishing and passing the time."


    At this point, the bartender pulled out a pipe, stuffing the end with some dark red dried paste. The thing began to glow with heat as he put it to his mouth and pulled a long drag. "You see, the deity was tired. Tired of war, tired of worshippers, tired of the constant struggle of eternity. So the deity made a deal with this young upstart. The deity would teach the young mortal all it knew. About diplomacy and economics. About science and magic. About life and death."


    The bartender took another drag and puffed little circles of smoke out, bringing a smile to his own face. "The young mortal was hesitant. This wasn''t how things transpired. The weak were ruled by the strong. Even an old and tired deity was capable of terrifying feats of power. So, of course, the young mortal asked what the cost of this training was."


    After a long pause, Trillia leaned forward a little more. Eager to hear more. "The old deity replied with a single word."


    The bartender smiled a little more and stared at Trillia. "Eternity. In exchange for knowledge, this young mortal would be turned into something more. Something greater. Your kind knows this as ascension. The young mortal''s realm had another word for it, death. That is the truth of ascension, you see. It is a death of who and what you were. You will watch as time marches forever forward. You will grasp at all that you know and love and try to drag it forward with you. Only to watch it slowly decay in your hands."


    The bartender took another drag as he paused the story yet again. Trillia sat there, entranced. Whether by the story or by the bartender himself, she didn''t know.


    "That is the truth of ascension. You cannot bring those you love with you. It''s a rare thing for someone to ascend. It is rarer still for the ascended to aspire to greater heights. But the old deity didn''t know the fortitude of this young mortal. Didn''t know that the mortal''s plans involved becoming something far greater than anyone could have imagined. So the mortal gratefully accepted. The following thousand years were nightmarish for the young mortal. A breaking of its mind and soul. It''s very being twisted into something more."


    "Many times, the mortal didn''t think itself capable of continuing. Didn''t think it possible to break the mold. But after that thousand years of mentorship and trials, it had become an immortal. It vowed to climb higher still. The old deity passed its mantle onto a different prodigy. The young mortal didn''t mind. It bided its time and waited. It observed and studied and learned."


    "It learned that even immortals could be consumed. It learned that deities could be consumed. Its hunger for power was insatiable, and it began to consume. Oh, many immortals and deities tried to fight and stop it. But by the time anyone paid any real attention, it was far too late. The young mortal''s drive for progress made it unstoppable. You see, it didn''t see immortals and deities as its kin. It saw mortal kind as needing protection. It saw itself in every mortal that lost its life to the games of immortals."


    "Eventually, this young mortal played a little game itself. It challenged a deity that had been in power and existed for billions of years to a duel. Very clever wording and very precise tactics allowed the young mortal to trick this deity and kill it. Taking yet another mantle. Obtaining yet more power. It used its new position to enforce its will onto the universe itself. It made rules that the immortals were not allowed to break within its little section of the universe. For to break its rules was to invite the all-consuming entity down on the offending party."


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    "That''s when mortals had a fighting chance. But, you know what really shocked the young mortal?"


    Trillia shook her head as she leaned in a little closer. "The mortals enslaved each other. Even faster and in greater numbers than before. They fought, and they killed. They prayed to their deities and killed in their names. They burned innocent people alive for having the wrong mana or believing the wrong things. Hundreds of thousands of years spent obtaining the power to make change. Only to watch those it was trying to protect throw it all away."


    Trillia frowned at that. "That''s basically what I was shown by Lethe. What was the purpose of this story?"


    The bartender took one last drag before emptying his pipe. "That the only way to change something; Is to make it want to change. No amount of power can ever change the fundamentals of life. Strong immortals prey upon weak ones. Strong mortals prey upon weak mortals. A tiger will eat a lovax. The Lovax eat plants. Plants pull moisture and nutrients from Alirast itself." The bartender drew a little circle in the air with a finger.


    "Make it so that the tiger doesn''t want to eat the lovax anymore. Make it so that the strong do not want to prey upon the weak."


    Trillia leaned back, shaking her head. "Why didn''t the young mortal do that?"


    "How often do you actually listen to those stronger than you? How often do you heed the advice of those above you in power?" The bartender pulled out another glass and filled it with a dark brown liquid with small cubes of frozen water in it. Taking a drink as he awaited her answer.


    Trillia opened her mouth to speak, then stopped. Remembering that she was supposed to be taking it easy. Remembering that she was constantly trying to prove herself stronger, despite being told she was enough. "That''s...that''s different."


    "It is? Because you want to change. Just like the young mortal did. But no one is willing to listen or take advice. Every living thing seems to think it knows better until it is proven later in its life that it knows so very little."


    The creature sitting next to her spoke, which caused her to jump a little, having forgotten it was there or that it existed. "I heard a rumour the other day, Lord Blade. Concerning the realm of Alirast."


    The bartender smiled at her and gave a little wink before turning his head. "Oh? Do tell. A bartender loves good gossip."


    "I heard that there is a way for mortals to consume the cores of dungeons and take a great deal of their power. It''s a process similar to how we deities fight, by consuming the cores mana and burning it away with our own."


    The bartender rather poorly feigned surprise. "Really? It was to my limited understanding that mortals couldn''t obliterate mana!"


    The creature nodded enthusiastically. "As did I! It turns out that with a certain combination of classes and a large enough mana pool, even mortals can obliterate mana."


    Trillia was a bit dumbfounded. She knew keenly what was going on. She was aware that the creature next to her was the second axle. The deity that her parents worshipped. The father of the deity she was bound to. She remembered hearing Stas talk about ''overhearing'' conversations since the axle wasn''t allowed to directly communicate with mortals on Alirast. She never expected it to be so blatant.


    "I believe it was [Mana Sage] in the high two hundreds, coupled with [Runic Scholar], also in the high two hundreds. I''m quite interested in seeing it happen." The axle looked over at her with a smile.


    The bartender nodded sagely. "It would certainly be an interesting turn of events."


    The one sitting next to her stood and stretched. "I fear I must be going, Lord Blade. I have so much to do." Just as quickly as he appeared, he vanished again.


    Trillia sat there staring at the bartender, who only smiled back. "How does that not count as breaking the rules?"


    With a shrug, he cleaned off the second set of dishes. "Immortals are terribly bored creatures. I imagine the entity that created our universe is no different. Perhaps it amuses the all-father to watch us dance and skirt around the rules. It''s not often he steps in himself to dole out punishments."


    The bartender brushed a hand across her plate and glass, both being refilled by the gesture. "I hope this trip was enlightening. Would you like to be sent back to Lethe''s gaze or to your tent?"


    Trillia sat there for a second, staring at the food. "My tent, once I''ve finished. If that''s ok." Seeing the bartender nod, she continued. "Who are you?"


    The man smiled and bowed his head slightly. "Just a tired old tavern keep. It''s been a pleasure, Lady Trillia. I look forward to meeting you again."


    As he said it, he seemed to sort of fade into the background. Becoming like so many of the other blurred patrons and conversations around her. She was left alone with her meal, her drink, and her thoughts.


    The moment she had finished her last sip of lemonade, she found herself staring at the inside of her tent. Warm, full, and strangely content.


    The first thing she did was check her notifications, only to find the barrage of them had vanished from her system. She pulled out her journal and wrote down the two classes and approximate levels. [Mana Sage] would be easy. She was already leveling it. She could clear [Monster Slayer] soon and take [Runic Scholar]. If there was a chance, she''d take it.


    She thought back to the story she had been told. She didn''t have the patience for thousands of years of plotting. But a few years wouldn''t seem so bad. Now that she knew what to actually aim for.


    Taking a deep breath, she stood and set off to find Amelia. Both to apologize for not speaking to her at the funeral and to prepare for their next delve into the dungeon. A couple of classes at level two hundred. That wasn''t so difficult of a thing to do.

 Hiatus

    Sorry to disappoint, everybody.


    I need to take two weeks. Between writing 5 chapters a week and working as much and as late as I am, it''s way to much on my plate. The quality of the last few chapters has been slipping and I''m stressed like crazy trying to work and write.


    The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.


    Gonna take two weeks off of writing and see where things go.


    I certainly hope you will all join me when I return, but if not, I completely understand. Thanks for reading everything thus far, see you in two weeks.


    For those wondering, that means July the 22nd (A Saturday) will have a post.


    Cheers ~ Regal

 Chapter 76 Looking For Group (Also News)

    (Please read the author note today, thanks! )


    The two girls sat atop a crude stone wall that ringed the orc camp.


    Tormash''s influence was already becoming apparent. More permanent housing was set up within the walls, and the nomadic tents that most orcs preferred dotted the landscape outside the walls. There were more minotaur and human houses and markets within the city proper as well.


    Trillia looked out over the city with a smile on her face. "Sorry that I didn''t really want to talk with anyone. Seeing Mon''tag and the other orcs like that... I just felt so small. It''s the first time I''ve felt like that in a long time."


    Amelia leaned against her slightly with a smile. "It''s ok, Trillia. We''re friends. I didn''t much like to speak with anyone after Mom died. It hurts to lose people. It hurts even more to feel helpless. Our goal can be a simple one. Get strong enough that the two of us can kick that Immortal''s ass and show him why you don''t mess with mortals!"


    Amelia''s jovial tone and attitude was always somewhat infectious. Trillia was more than a little sure that it had something to do with her friend''s classes and Presence. "Would you like to talk about the other issue that arose?"


    The smile ran from Amelia''s face, and she stared at Trillia for a few long moments before nodding. When she spoke, it was the softest of whispers. Trillia had to lean a little closer to hear. "Father and I made a trip to God''s Watch. Sometime last year. It''s not there anymore."


    Trillia''s eyes went wide, and she turned to face her friend fully. "What do you mean? How does an entire city vanish?!"


    Amelia could only stare out into the tent city. Trillia didn''t push her for more information. The two sat in silence for a while as Amelia tried to process the information she had. "It''s like it was never there. The giant walls and labyrinth that I grew up in have been scrapped from the land. Thousands of nests instead rest in its place. The entire area was swarming with [Megapedes]. Other creatures that I didn''t dare get close enough to scan. Father says that there was something else there, something sinister that he could feel poisoning the land."


    Trillia sat in silence as she listened to her friend, closing her eyes and trying to imagine it. Trying to imagine going home, only to find your home isn''t there anymore.


    "We camped a few miles from the city. That night I was visited by a spirit. Something about the spirit felt so familiar, so safe. It beckoned me to follow it. Father told me that it was my choice to make. I''ll be sixteen soon. In minotaur culture, that''s when we are supposed to strike out on our own and feel the full weight of Alirast on our shoulders. So that we appreciate community and civilization more."


    Amelia slowly swung her legs back and forth. Amelia''s eyes glanced up and away from Trillia quite often. Trillia wondered if she was looking at the banshee when that happened.


    "When I followed her, she brought me to a small shrine. Some pitiful little makeshift stack of stones. There was a minotaur skeleton there next to it. Most of its bones were broken. It had this clutched in one of its hands." Amelia pulled a silver pendant from under her shirt, two curled horns with a small little maze holding them both up. Trillia had seen the mark as one of the many that God''s Watch had as its symbol.


    "It''s the symbol for the clergy of..." her voice trailed off a moment as a lump formed in her throat. "It was the symbol of the God''s Watch clerics. The banshee that now follows and inhabits me used the last of her borrowed divinity to lay the other restless souls to rest. So that they could move on from Alirast to better places. But her fury, anguish, and sorrow refused to let her move on. I agreed to let her possess me. I vowed that I''d walk Alirast until the creatures responsible for the death of our home were struck down. It had some rather drastic changes to my species, subspecies, and available classes."


    Trillia wrapped her arms around Amelia''s neck and hugged her. "I''m sorry. That I wasn''t around to help you through that. I''m sorry for questioning you. I shouldn''t have."


    Amelia returned the hug with a smile and a sniffle. "Don''t be silly. You spent years fighting the undead. I didn''t fault you for your worry and doubt. I''m just grateful that our friendship came first, and you didn''t assume the worst and attack. Truth be told, I don''t know if I can ever keep that promise. To myself or the cleric that inhabits me. But I''m going to try."


    Trillia squeezed a little tighter before sitting back down next to Amelia. "I guess that just means that our promise changes from getting God''s Watch back; To avenging it. I want to tell you something. But I need you to promise you won''t tell anyone else."


    As she turned to look at Amelia, the girl nodded. "I won''t tell if you don''t."


    Trillia smiled and returned the nod. She proceeded to tell Amelia of her many encounters with Lethe and the visions she had been shown over the years, in addition to her most recent kidnapping to some deific realm. Amelia sat there with a stoic demeanor. Taking in the new information. As Trillia finished the tale, she let loose a heavy sigh as if some weight had been lifted from her shoulders. "We can''t do this alone, Amelia. Our families are well beyond our power, so if we ask them for help, I know they would. But we wouldn''t grow."


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    Amelia nodded, putting a hand on Trillia''s shoulder and giving it a comforting little squeeze. "Let''s find a few more people then. People who have a good reputation in both cities that are near our level. I''m sure there are many people who would be willing to join the two of us in getting stronger and leveling. We should also ask your brothers about party compositions. Father sort of just does everything himself, given his level. I know that your brothers have more experience in a group. Though, maybe not Ralrouk."


    Trillia nodded as well. Standing up and dusting herself off before offering a hand to help Amelia stand. "I think that''s a good idea. I worked with Ralrouk, Kismet, and Maldoun quite often. But Ralrouk''s level, traits, and classes made him significantly stronger than the rest of us. I think we need someone sturdy who can take a lot of hits and probably someone who can heal. You''re good at buffing and damage. All I''m really good for is damage."


    Amelia grabbed her hand and smirked as Trillia leaned backward to help tug her friend up. Amelia stood, and the two began walking towards the ladders leading off the wall. "I think that''s a start. We''ll see what Tormash has to say. Assuming that he''s not too busy with Chieftain duties."


    The two set off towards the Chieftain''s hall. As the guards saw them coming, they cleared a path and waved the two in. A few people complained, but one of the orc guards informed them that it was the Princess of the Minotaurs and the Chieftain''s sister. The complaints were significantly more quiet after.


    The hall was a long rectangular room. Large pillars with spiraling stairs held dozens of seats for people to sit in attendance. A large table took up a huge portion of the inner hall, covered in neat stacks of papers and books. A thin piece of what looked like glass sat atop the table while an ever-changing map shimmered within. Trillia could see thousands of runes etched into the table and the edges of the glass itself. Mana was being pumped in from Tormash and Ba''Shoon to keep the thing aglow.


    Currently, the hall was empty, save for the two of them and Ralrouk. Upon their approach, Tormash gave a weary smile. "I hope the two of you are well." Ba''Shoon took a much more forward approach of walking over and giving the two of them hugs. Trillia happily returned the hug before climbing onto a chair to better see the map and table.


    "I was hoping I could ask your advice on something. I guess, sort of all of you." The three looked at each other and nodded. Trillia shared a look with Amelia, who nodded as well before Trillia continued. "Amelia and I need to find people near our level. Our progress is too slow, with just the two of us. When any of you, or Kismet and Maldoun, are in our party, the level difference really shines through and makes it difficult to progress. Even just the level difference between Amelia and I can be a strain at times. We wanted to know what all of you thought of the type of people we should seek out to make us a better group."


    Ba''Shoon tilted her head slightly, looking at the two boys first. She spoke, seeing them giving it more thought. "Someone who has a blacksmithing or armourer class and a cleric or priest of some kind. Probably a cleric, given your fighting styles."


    That surprised everyone. Trillia was happy to voice their shared thoughts. "Why a blacksmith or armourer?"


    "A running problem with orcs, and minotaur to a lesser extent, is that our armor is makeshift leather or stone. It''s weak, easy to breach for most creatures, and often gets run down during extended dungeon runs. That''s because, for the longest time, you''ve all only used the general skills associated with those professions. A high-level armourer can use their mana and skills to fully repair the worst damaged armor in seconds. If they have a few hours during camp, they can buff the armor to be on par with most magical gear, and if the gear is already magical or enchanted, it just compounds the protection."


    Ba''Shoon waved her hand somewhat lazily in the air. "If you''re willing to go up to five people. I''d say find an Enchanter as well. Most enchanters will jump at the chance to be included in a full group because they can use monster corpses to fuel enchantments instead of their own mana and power. It lets them level significantly faster, and whatever group they are with gets enchanted gear. Albeit, most of the enchantments are haphazard at best. Still, a leather tunic that has a protection enchantment and ice resistance is better than a plain leather tunic. If you have an armourer and an enchanter, your entire party becomes significantly more durable. A Cleric is just a more sturdy and battle-focused priest. Most healers are going to be followers of a god. Divine healing is just significantly more potent than nature-based healing."


    Ralrouk chuckled and shook his head. "I love Mother dearly, but I sometimes wonder what our people could have accomplished had we been allowed the full freedom of classes."


    Tormash shrugged. "Remember where she comes from and what she''s accomplished. She only sought to help our people. Sometimes the worst things imaginable happen with the best of intentions, brother."


    Ralrouk nodded. "I think Ba''Shoon has the best of it. Before she joined our clan and tribe, she often delved into dungeons with humans. From what Kismet tells me, the humans have a place called an Adventurer''s Guild. Adventurers are a bit like our Scouts, except they aren''t put into groups by the leaders. They sort of choose who to group with themselves, and the guild hands out missions based on the collective level of the group. Maybe D''Jamu will be your best bet."


    Tormash scratched his chin a moment before speaking up. "Forgive me for being greedy. I''d ask that you not find your people in D''Jamu. There are many young orcs, minotaurs, and humans here who are seeking those types of professions. As a Chieftain, I, of course, want to help the desert city and keep good relations..."


    Trillia grinned and finished the sentence for him. "As an orc, you''d rather see our people rise to the challenge so that other orcs see the value in those classes." Tormash nodded with his own grin. "We''ll do our best to find people from this city to help us."


    Ba''Shoon spoke up again. "Ask Sir Gobbinz. That little goblin is rapidly becoming entirely too familiar with matters of state and diplomacy. I think he has a trait that gives him a perfect memory because I''ve seen him interacting with dozens of people over the years, and he remembers every detail about them. You already have a good rapport with the dungeon, be honest with it, and I''m sure it will help you."


    Trillia and Amelia bowed. Amelia spoke up. "Is there anything the council needs from us? For taking up your time?"


    Tormash chuckled and shook his head. "No, just make an effort to recruit from our people. That''s all I ask."


    The two girls nodded and took their leave, heading off toward the dungeon.

 Chapter 77 Recruitment Drive Part 1

    Trillia sat in what used to be the healing hall. The name wasn''t quite descriptive for it anymore. In addition to the back part of the room still being used for healing and restoration, the front part of the room had been converted into a small tavern and place to barter with the dungeon denizens themselves. Almost always via one of the goblins that could venture from the bounds of the place.


    Trillia and Amelia sat at a small table close to the healing hall. Normally they''d lend their efforts toward healing. Today they were just trying to get information. It didn''t take long for Gobbinz to arrive, and Trillia began to wonder just how many skills and traits the little goblin had since he appeared pretty much anywhere he was required.


    "Hello, Sir Gobbinz. We have a few questions. Ba''Shoon says you can probably help." Trillia smiled at him as he approached.


    Gobbinz returned the smile and joined them at their table. "I will do my best. I hope the two of you are well. I didn''t get the chance at the funeral proper. We''re all sorry to see that Lord Mon''tag is no longer with us."


    Trillia''s smile vanished at the mention of his name. Amelia saw her frown and took over. "That''s part of why we are here. The two of us have decided that if we want to progress to a point we can make a difference, we need a more rounded-out group. Just the two of us aren''t enough. Between the three of us, we want to recruit people from the orc and minotaur cities. To promote the use of non-combat classes amongst our kind."


    Gobbinz nodded along the whole time. As she said that, he pulled a small leather-bound ledger from a pouch at his side. Trillia stared at the little goblin for a while and realized that he had slowly changed over the years. When they first met, Sir Gobbinz had this washed-out grey-green skin and a loincloth. Now his skin was a rich forest green. He sported the same orange eyes and floppy ears. But his attire had changed drastically. Rags were now a wolf skin tunic and leather pants, with well-stitched pouches hanging at his sides.


    "What sort of classes are the two of you looking for?"


    "In a perfect world, an armourer, an enchanter, and a cleric. Or people close to that." Amelia answered for the duo.


    Gobbinz flipped through his ledger and nodded. "No armourers yet. From what the humans tell me, it''s a very difficult non-combat class to acquire. There is a cleric. Worships a deity called Ora''sys, Goddess of Retribution. Only level sixty, but she''s a good lass. Comes in to help out in the healing hall every few days. She''s an orc named Layla; odd name for an orc."


    "There are three enchanters that I know of, one human, one orc, one minotaur. The human is certainly the highest level and most skilled. But if you''re set on orcs and minotaurs, I''d recommend the minotaur."


    Trillia tilted her head. "Why is that?"


    "Well. The orc is uhhh... trying to specialize in curses. To curse his opponents. I don''t think that''s what either of you are after."


    "Ah... no. No, that''s not what we are after. Tell us of the minotaur." Amelia prompted as he flipped through his ledger.


    "He''s a hard lad. A refugee from God''s Watch. He''s nineteen now and lost both his parents in the initial attack. His classes are a bit scattered. You can tell the poor kid was lost for most of his childhood. He''s a primary enchanter, though. Does decent work and specializes in defensive enchantments. Might do him some good to see another minotaur near his age from God''s Watch trying to find their place in the world."


    Amelia and Trillia shared a glance, and Amelia nodded. "I agree. What''s his name?"


    "Malor. You''ll have to travel back to the rift city to find him. Spends most of his time there, enchanting the walls. For a long time, people made fun of him for doing it. Right until a megapede pack hit the walls and did exactly no damage to the wall proper. Now he''s earned begrudging respect and has even started teaching a few others how to do the job. Might be a difficult sell on leaving the city, though."


    Trillia squinted her eyes and glared at Gobbinz. "How do you know all of this?"


    Gobbinz smiled and tapped the ledger to his head. "Father tells me that every good organization has a master of secrets. I''m suited to the role. It also helps me to alert King Cordaos and Chieftain Tormash to troublemakers. The dungeon hears all."


    For some reason, that unsettled Trillia. She trusted Red River and Sir Gobbinz, but something in her gut told her that this wasn''t normally how a dungeon operated.


    "What do you think for an armourer?"


    Gobbinz closed the ledger and stared at the two. "Permission to speak freely?"


    The girls glanced at each other, shrugged, and bobbed their heads.


    "Take a human. You are both royalty amongst your people. If your entire group is composed entirely of orcs and minotaurs, it will breed mistrust with the humans. I don''t blame either of you for that. Humans seem to be a dodgy lot on the best of days. But having a human in your group will ease some of that worry. It will also show everyone involved that even the royalty of their respective tribes and clans are willing to work with anyone if they have the right skill set."


    Amelia scoffed and shook her head. "Ba''Shoon is right. You''re becoming entirely too familiar with matters of state and diplomacy. I agree with his point. I think we should listen, Trillia."


    Gobbinz only offered a devious little smirk at her words. Trillia nodded. "I''m fine with that. I just hope the orcs give non-combat classes a chance. I''m pretty sure Cleric is a combat class."


    "I wouldn''t worry about that. Lady Ba''Shoon has a rather extensive following. She''s kind when the situation warrants it but turns to steel when confrontation arises. I think you''d be surprised how many orcs consider her and your brother to be perfect leaders for orcs. Especially after the initial worry of your mother stepping down."


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    Once more, the ledger was flipped open. "There''s a human named Frederick. Goes by Fred. He''s an armourer and a young one. Should be seventeen. Apparently, both of his parents are also armourers, so he got the class rather early and easily. Don''t let that cloud your thinking that he''s weak, though. His family moved into the orc city and set up their forge and shop there. I believe his father''s exact words to Chieftain Tormash were. ''Your people have shite armor. It''s a crime against the forge to call it such.'' I think it amused Tormash more than anything. In any case, Frederick''s family agreed to provide a hundred suits of armor to the orc military in exchange for the materials to build their forge and home. Tormash agreed, and that''s that."


    Trillia nodded and stood. "Thank you for all the help, Gobbinz. We''ll be back to conquer the dungeon as soon as we have the rest of our group together."


    Amelia stood and gave the goblin a hug. "Thank you for everything you do. Thank your father for us as well. I appreciate that you look out for our best interests."


    Gobbinz returned the hug with a smile. "That''s what allies do, Princess Amelia. We look out for each other. I look forward to your next encounter with the second-floor boss." The goblin gave them a little wave before heading off to another table to discuss things with another group of people.


    Once they had left the dungeon, Amelia sighed. "Let''s get the armourer first? I think convincing the humans will be the most difficult one. I know the humans are warming up to our kind. Still, I worry."


    Trillia had no arguments with that, so they began asking around and eventually found themselves near the wall of the city. A large wood and stone building with an attachment that had three forges and a slew of hammers, tongs, and other equipment for metalworking. Two humans were currently working the forges, a gruff-looking man with stubble on his chin, wide shoulders, and roughly chopped hair. In addition to a stout woman who barely broke the five-foot mark. Long brown hair tied up in a bun, with a brown dress and a leather apron.


    The two stood next to an anvil chatting in the human tongue. They paused when Trillia and Amelia approached. Trillia saw the man''s hand slide over to the handle of a hammer. <Human:> "What can we do for ya'' dear misses." The man''s voice was gruff but not unpleasant. The woman rested her hand on top of his, reminding him they didn''t want to cause trouble.


    The girls bowed slightly to them. Trillia looked at Amelia. "Do you speak the human tongue yet?" Amelia shook her head. Trillia nodded and translated as they went.


    "Sir Gobbinz of Red River sent us here. He said that your son is an accomplished armourer. We''re looking to put together a team to venture into the dungeon." Trillia wasn''t about to lie to these people. Especially not at the same time as asking them to entrust their son to an orc.


    The man''s eyes darkened. "Be honest. Is it cause he''s good with armor? Or because he''s a human?"


    Trillia translated but smiled at the man. "Both. If I''m being honest. Orcs and minotaurs haven''t unlocked the armourer class yet. I also think, from a diplomatic angle, that having a human venture with us would be good for all of our people."


    The woman sighed. Her voice was far softer. It took Trillia by surprise, given the woman''s gruff demeanor. "Frederick is eager to strike out on his own. Humans normally leave the nest after their sixteenth year...but Alirast has gone all topsy-turvy, and I refused to let him leave with my blessing. Why should we trust you to keep him safe? Sorry miss, the orcs have been respectful to us so far. But letting us live here in peace and trusting our son to you are two very different things."


    Trillia translated first before stepping forward. "I''ve lowered my skill that blocks scanning. Please scan me first." The two glanced at each other before scanning her. The woman''s eyes went wide, and the man bowed deeply to her.


    "Forgive me, lass. I had no idea you served Lord Arlyss. I meant no disrespect." The man''s tone had also softened.


    "Is it ok, with the two of you, if I scan you?" They both nodded, and Trillia turned on her [Mana-Sight]


    [Human - Master Armorsmith - 109] Tempering Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Jack-Of-All-Trades


    [Human - Master Armorsmith - 107] Water Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Jack-Of-All-Trades


    "Sir Gobbinz was certainly right about the two of you being good at what you do. I''ve never seen that trait before. May I ask what it does?" Trillia smiled at the two of them. They seemed far more comfortable now that they knew she was pact-bound to Arlyss. Amelia also motioned to herself.


    To Trillia''s surprise, neither tensed at her class. The woman actually walked over and pulled Amelia into a hug. "I''m so sorry, dearie. I heard about your city. It''s a tragedy that so many lives were lost to the beasts of this realm. The only reason we didn''t suffer a similar fate is because Lord Arlyss saved us."


    Amelia was shocked. Not only at being pulled into a hug but also because try as she might, she couldn''t actually pull away from the woman. Trillia translated yet again. After hearing the words, Amelia offered a smile and returned the hug. <Minotaur>"Thank you for the kind words. The loss of my home is why Trillia and I are seeking out a party. I''m done being weak. I''m done letting the beasts have their way. I don''t want to lose anyone else. I give you my word. I won''t abandon your son. If he dies, know that we will die at his side."


    Trillia translated for Amelia. The woman teared up a little and sniffled. The man was gently running his fingers along the handle of his hammer. After a moment, he nodded. "Aye. Now I know where I''ve seen that name. Trillia Demonsbane. Your ma'' is a legend in D''Jamu. Your brother is the current Chieftain." He motioned to Amelia with his free hand. "Yer the Princess, right? Your da'' is also a legend in our city. A lot of folks say he''s one of the toughest mortals out there."


    The girls smiled and gave small little nods at what was said. Trillia walked up to him and extended a hand. "It''s a pleasure to meet you. As my friend said... we want to get stronger. I was recently reminded of just how weak some of the creatures in this realm view us. If you don''t trust us with your son, I don''t blame you. I also want you to understand. Regardless of your decision today, it will not reflect how the tribe views you or your position in this city. I didn''t reveal myself for either of you to feel pressured into accepting. I revealed myself because I wanted you to see, at least partially, what I''m capable of."


    The man took his hand from the hammer and shook hers. "Tell you what. We have a shipment of metal coming in from the city on the rift. My boy and me were headed that way. Are the two of you okay to join us?"


    Trillia nodded immediately. "We have business there as well. We''re recruiting a minotaur that''s good at defensive enchantments. Amelia and I are good at dealing damage. We just aren''t very good at taking it."


    The man let go of her hand. "The trait you asked about. Our crafting skills all share a level. Well, at least any crafting skill related to forge and hammer. Our boy has it as well." The man put a hand on his wife''s shoulder. "It''s ok, Anna. I told you that Tormash is a good leader. Makes sense the whole family is."


    The woman smiled and wiped her eyes. "Silly me, getting all weepy. We''re used to D''Jamu. The people there have turned cold in the last decade. Life was too hard for too long. I know that Lord Arlyss will change it. You girls take good care of my boy for me."


    Nods all around before the man spoke. "We''ll be ready by sunrise tomorrow. We''ll meet you at the eastern gate as the sun crests the realm. That good for you?"


    The girls nodded, bowed, and turned to leave. Trillia breathed a heavy sigh. "I''m surprised that went so well." As she looked over, she saw Amelia with tears in her eyes. "What''s wrong?"


    "The mother...the banshee that inhabits me saw so much pain in her soul. Sometimes it''s a little difficult to separate myself from it. Sorry." Trillia leaned over and gave her another hug. "Let''s not add any more. We''ll keep our promise to keep their son safe. Let''s go and see about Layla. Tomorrow we can all go to the rift city."


    Amelia returned the hug, and the two went off to look for Layla.

 Chapter 78 Recruitment Drive Part 2

    It took Amelia and Trillia a few hours to track Layla down. The orc cleric kept a busy schedule, it seemed.


    They finally found her on the outskirts of town, kneeling with her hands pressed together. A fresh set of funeral pyres had recently burned out.


    The two approached and waited in silence.


    Layla was still a child. She couldn''t have been much older than Trillia. Light leather armor and an iron plate strapped to her chest was her armor. A crudely drawn symbol on the chest piece seemed vaguely familiar to them both, most probably the symbol of her goddess. The most orcish thing about the young woman was the heavy crude lump of metal at her hip that was masquerading as a mace.


    Dark blue skin and a completely shaved head. Hands that were scarred over as if burnt. Her head finally rose, and her eyes opened, revealing two bright purple eyes. Layla stood and dusted her knees off before approaching the two and extending a hand.


    "Thank you. For not interrupting my prayers. Do you have need of healing?" The smile she wore on her face seemed strained at best. Her eyes lingered on Amelia.


    Trillia was the first to take her hand, offering it a firm squeeze. Layla was only a few inches taller. Which meant if she wasn''t a [Runt] herself, she was younger. "We do. Just not immediately. Amelia and I are putting together a group to challenge the dungeon with. So that we may progress and become stronger. Sir Gobbinz said that you were the one to look for. I''ve been trying to curb the bad habits I have. So I''ll ask first, may I scan you?"


    Layla shook each hand in succession as it was offered. Nodding at Trillia''s words. "Of course, I have nothing to hide. Sir Gobbinz is an honorable man. The goblins of Red River show a reverence for their dead that I wish more of our kind showed."


    [Orc - Acolyte of Retribution - 66] Universal Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Divine Affinity


    Whispers of Divinity


    Trillia froze. It was the first time she had seen another Universe manipulator. It was as if she could feel tingles running through the left hand that she no longer had. "Were you...also?" She could barely whisper the words.


    Layla stared at her for a long moment before looking down at Trillia''s left stump. "I was not spirited away. If that is your question, Lady Trillia. I was still a baby at the time and was spared." Trillia wasn''t surprised that the cleric knew of her. The two of them were rather well known amongst their own people. Layla turned her eyes to Amelia. "Please, inform your banshee friend that my goddess and I have no fight with her. Our retribution is directed at the [Primordials]."


    It was Amelia''s turn to freeze. The two girls stared at the young cleric before them. The three shared a long, awkward silence. Layla cleared her throat. "Forgive me for being rude. I am willing to travel with you. All I ask is that you let me bury and honor the dead we come across. If our travels take us past the dungeon."


    Trillia barely managed a nod. "Sorry. It''s just. It brought up some bad memories, that''s all. I didn''t mean to be rude myself. I would very much like to hear more of your Goddess and her beliefs."


    Layla smiled at that, clasping her hands together. "You are a pact-bound. It is my dream to one day become an avatar of my Goddess in such a way. Though she can only whisper to me. For the debuff prevents her manifestation. I should warn you; That the same debuff prevents many of my more potent spells from taking full effect. Are you sure that you wish to have me along?"


    Amelia placed a heavy hand on the girl''s shoulder, smiling down at her. "If Sir Gobbinz vouches for you, we trust that you''re up to the task. I am most interested in your Goddess, as well as your ability to see and hear spirits. On the morrow, we''ll be heading to the new minotaur city that sits closer to the rift. We''re escorting a couple of armourers there. One of which will be joining us."


    Layla nodded once more. "Let me gather my things. Where should I meet you?"


    "The Eastern Gate at sunrise. Do we need to talk to anyone? About you traveling with us?" Trillia didn''t want to ask a question that seemed to have an obvious answer at this point.


    "No, I have nothing to tie me to a location anymore. I''ll see you tomorrow. I need to get some supplies and say goodbye to a few friends for now." Layla waited for some sort of confirmation. As Trillia nodded, she turned and left.


    Amelia watched her go, turning to look at Trillia. "I''m starting to wonder if Gobbinz set us up to take in a bunch of misfits."


    Trillia began chuckling at that. "Suppose we''ll fit in well with them. If that is the case."


    Amelia snorted, shaking her head. "I''ll get us some supplies. Why don''t you go and speak with Tormash, let him know the choices we''ve made, and see if there is anything we need to do in rift city for him while we''re there."


    "I''m sure. If nothing else, there will be some letters we could deliver. Who is leading the minotaurs right now? If you''re not there, and King Cordaos is out with the other generals hunting?"


    Amelia shrugged. "I don''t know. Probably the Grand Alchemist. The minotaur are restless, especially after God''s Watch. There''s a lot of talk about fortifying the city more to fend against underground attackers."


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    "For now, let''s just focus on the dungeon and getting stronger. We''ll hope that Malor is an easy sell." With that, the two girls headed off to tend to their given errands.


    Trillia found herself at the Chieftain''s hall an hour later. The sun had set at this point. A single guard was standing outside the door. "Excuse me. Is Chieftain Tormash still inside?"


    The guard looked down. "The Chieftain and Elder Shaman live here. He''s given me orders to allow you and Princess Amelia inside whenever you like." The guard turned his back to her and ran his mana through a series of different runes. The large stone doors slowly creaked open.


    "Ba''Shoon''s enchantments?" Trillia ran her fingers over the stone door as he motioned her inside.


    "Yes, Lady Trillia. The Elder Shaman is quite adept at runes. This one keeps the door locked and reinforced." Once Trillia had stepped fully inside, he touched another rune. The doors slowly closed.


    The hall was completely silent. No fires or people. A single floating orb bathed the room in a gentle blue glow as Trillia stepped forward. After a second, it zipped off, leaving her in utter darkness.


    "Well. This isn''t scary or anything." Trillia turned her head this way and that to no avail. A moment later, she channeled mana into [Searing Rend]. Her hand began to glow with fire, illuminating the room. Keeping the spell charged wasn''t even enough to break even on her mana regeneration. She began to slowly meander through the hall. Peeking into side rooms and trying to find her brother.


    "Is everything okay?" The deep voice startled her. As she spun around at the ready, she saw Tormash standing there in just leather pants. "Sorry. Ba''Shoon and I were going to call it an early day. It seems trouble rises earlier and earlier with each passing day."


    Trillia smirked and nodded. "I don''t envy your position, brother. Amelia and I are going to rift city tomorrow. One of the people we''re recruiting is there, and the deal to recruit our armourer is to help guard supplies there and back. We went with an orc cleric, a minotaur enchanter, and a human armourer. We thought we''d let you know and see if you needed us to do anything while there."


    Tormash rubbed his eyes and nodded, motioning for her to follow. They wound their way through a few hallways. A simple wooden door was their destination. Sticking his head in, he let Ba''Shoon know that Trillia was with him. Pushing the door open and letting Trillia inside. Ba''Shoon pulled some furs up around her, and the little glowing light buzzed gently near her head. "Trillia and Amelia are going to the rift tomorrow. I am going to have her take those copies of our supplies and building materials to Mort. Is there anything else we needed to get over to them?"


    Ba''Shoon smiled and gave Trillia a little wave, pulling her knees up to her chest. "I think that''s enough. I take it you found your party?"


    Trillia nodded and relayed the same information to Ba''Shoon that she just had to Tormash, who was digging through a drawer on a desk full of papers.


    "A human armourer? That''s smart, actually. If the family of leadership appears to shun the humans, then it will reflect badly on orcs and minotaur. Even if that''s not your intention."


    "Sir Gobbinz said the same. It was his idea. We just agreed with it. We''re going to rift city to pick up the enchanter. I don''t know how long we''ll be gone."


    Tormash mumbled something and wrapped a bunch of papers in a hide before stuffing it all in a pouch. "Only a week or so. Over the years, we''ve made the journey much easier. Some of the humans showed us how they make roads. It''s labor intensive, even with minotaur earth mages. But it makes pulling wagons significantly faster with no rough terrain. We also have a lot of joint patrols with the minotaur to ensure it''s all a lot safer."


    Trillia took the pouch as it was handed to her. "Sorry to bother the two of you. I didn''t realize it was so late."


    Tormash pulled her into a hug and tousled her hair. "You''re family. It''s never a bother. Plus, you''re doing me a big favor. I''ve heard that the generals have already started moving to other continents. Mom and Dad are exploring some of the more dangerous areas on this continent. Stas is on the same continent as D''Jamu. I haven''t heard anything about Brutus and Cordaos, just that they plan to take a ship soon."


    Trillia blinked, a bit startled at that. "Uncle Stas already left? I felt like I just saw him..."


    Tormash nodded. "I don''t think any of them want to waste time. The longer it takes to seal the primordials, the more people die. I know they''ve explained that it''s not going to be some short venture...but something feels off."


    Ba''Shoon spoke up at that. "Mana isn''t moving quite right. It''s rather subtle right now. But a lot of our higher leveled warriors are reporting odd occurrences with how mana is flowing. The aggression from non-sapient monsters is also spiraling. I knew it''d be bad. I just didn''t think it''d happen so fast."


    Trillia nodded softly. "It''s one more reason for Amelia and I to get stronger, faster. Maybe we''ll get lucky, and Mariah will ascend. From what Arlyss tells me, that will break whatever seal is on the other deities."


    Tormash grunted and shrugged. "Let''s hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Do the two of you need any supplies or funds?"


    "Funds?"


    Ba''Shoon chuckled. "Most places don''t barter and trade for everything like orcs do. They use metal coins to purchase things. With an economy growing, you''ll start running into people who only use coins to barter for everything. We''re making more portals near the rift. From my understanding, one recently went up that is linked with Kincairne."


    Trillia shook her head. "I don''t think so. Amelia is gathering some traveling supplies. Otherwise, we''re just going there and coming right back."


    She gave them both hugs. Stopping and staring at the buzzing little light. "What is this?"


    "It''s a small light elemental. I summoned it a few days ago. Right now, it patrols the building and comes to alert me if anyone is inside at night."


    Trillia nodded and extended a hand. The little ball of light hovered near it for a few seconds before a spark of light arced from its body to Trillia. "Pleasure to meet you. Good job on being such a good guard." With that, she turned to leave. "I hope the two of you get some rest."


    As she got to the door, Ba''Shoon called out to her. "Where''s Ialu?"


    Trillia looked down. "She died to that damn immortal. I haven''t summoned her back yet. I keep letting her down... I know she can come back, but it''s not fair that she has to suffer because I''m weak."


    Tormash sighed. "Trillia. She''s bound to you. It''s also not fair that she''s trapped in some artifact. I doubt she blames you for what happened. I''m also sure she is just as ready to progress as you are, maybe more. Look at it from her perspective. She''s failed you twice. She could be thinking that being trapped in the artifact is a punishment for being weak."


    Trillia''s eyes went wide, and she spun around. "I would never!"


    Tormash nodded. "I know that. In life, you have to view things from the perspective of others. Especially as a leader. Summon her and have a chat. You have a mental connection, right?"


    Trillia nodded, her right hand moved up to grab the whistle around her neck. "I... I didn''t think about that at all. I hope she''s not angry. Thank you both, and good night."


    The little light elemental darted after her and led her to the doors. The guard wished her a good night. As she wandered back towards the tent that she and Amelia shared, she summoned Ialu.

 Chapter 79 Recruitment Drive Part 3

    After a couple of hours of discussing how the two of them should proceed together. Trillia and Ialu finally made their way back to the tent. Amelia had a few backpacks and was stuffing them full of various wrapped-up packages.


    "Our supplies?" Trillia moved over to help pack the supplies into the packs.


    "Just some basic dried food for rations and water. I doubt we''ll be gone long. It''s good to see you again, Ialu." Amelia smiled as the wolf walked up and nuzzled her. "Do we have any other objectives in rift city?"


    Trillia pulled out the bundle from the pouch on her side. "Just this. We''re supposed to hand it to Mort. Seems like you were right, and he''s acting as a stand-in leader."


    Amelia nodded at that. "The Elder Shaman or General rule in place of the Chieftain for the orcs. The Grand Alchemist or Archmage rule in place of the Monarch. We haven''t appointed a new Archmage since my mother passed, so it all falls to Mort."


    "What do you think your people will do? Will they build a new permanent home where they are now? Is there some benefit to retaking the old location?"


    "I''m not entirely sure. I know being on the coast was a boon. But from what I''ve been told, the sea is going to be dangerous in the coming years. Merchant ships will only survive the journey with a fleet of warships. It was a big point of discussion amongst the leadership of the various guilds and leadership of both cities." Amelia checked over each pack again. Pulling the flap closed and twisting the small piece of string around a little nib that stuck out on the pack itself.


    Trillia put hers next to where she slept and, with some effort, secured the pouch she had been given to it. "Let''s just focus on what we can do for now. We aren''t capable of making real change to entire cities."


    Amelia laid back in bed. A small gem set into a metal fixture shed the room in a soft white light. "Aren''t we? You''re a pact-bound to a deity. I''m the princess of my people. I know we need to get stronger. But I look at my father and your mother. Stas is twice their level. Queen Alliyah, if our parents are to be believed, is nearly four times their level. They chose to lead instead of seeking personal power. I worry that we''re being greedy."


    Trillia glanced over at her friend. Taking a few moments to ponder her words before speaking. "They didn''t start to be leaders until after the end of the Great Beast Wars. They were already in the hundreds. Orcs will routinely challenge a weak leader to ensure the safety of the tribe. Even Tormash gets challenged, and he''s well above our level."


    Amelia let out a heavy sigh, raising an arm and placing it over her eyes. "I know that you''re right. I just feel like there''s a better way forward that I can''t see."


    Trillia nodded the best she could after laying down to rest herself. "Maybe. But that''s also a fault of us being inexperienced. Look at that boss we fought. Or the immortal. We just don''t know how to navigate problems until we''ve already faced them. Red River won''t kill us, so we can learn through our mistakes. I just got lucky with that Immortal. Someone far more experienced than both of us combined wasn''t so lucky."


    "Mon''tag." Amelia let the name fill the room with silence. Mon''tag had been alive for centuries, was a high-level orc, and was a class that benefited from being clever and quick thinking. "Is raw power really all it takes?"


    "I think it''s both. Our parents have raw power, but none of them could beat Stas in a fight. Stas has power, and he''s clever. He also keeps pushing himself further and further. I think... I think it''s because my mother and your father didn''t want to have another fight. I think they were preparing to walk away from leadership and leave the realm behind."


    "Perhaps you''re right. Father has seemed far more distant in recent years. Especially after we discovered the fate of God''s Watch. It''s like he''s lost all hope for the future. It''s disheartening to see him like this."


    "That''s my fear. That you and I will get to a point where we''ve given up on the fight. Where we have been alive for so long that we just can''t stand to fight any longer. Despite them helping to save Alirast itself, they are still called the beast generals."


    Amelia sat up a little and looked at Trillia. "I don''t think that it''s a matter of the fight. I think it''s a matter of change. They sealed the [Primordials] before, and nothing has really changed. Now they are being called to do it again...but why bother if nothing is going to change."


    Trillia sat up as well, pulling her knees to her chest and staring at Amelia. "The hope that things will be different this time? I''ve felt hopeless so many times throughout my life. Everyone has encouraged me to keep trying, telling me that things will get better. I think they are just losing that feeling."


    Amelia frowned and laid back down. "I want to get stronger. I also want to start traveling to other continents. I want to see Alirast and interact with the people we''re all willing to sacrifice for. Maybe along the way, we can find a way to reinvigorate the Generals."


    Trillia rested her chin on her knees. "I hope so. I don''t want to believe that our cause is hopeless. I don''t want to believe eternal struggle is the truth that we must all face."


    Amelia closed her eyes. "Let''s get some sleep. We wouldn''t want to be late tomorrow."


    Trillia offered a little nod before laying back down herself. As Amelia stopped supplying mana to the gem, it lost its light, and the two were left in mostly darkness. The flickering of fires outside their only light source.


    -=- The Next Day -=-


    The girls had a hearty breakfast, washed up in a basin as best they could, and were waiting at the Eastern Gate. As the sun began to peek above the horizon, a familiar voice called out to them.


    <Human:> " Hail and well met!" They saw the armourer from before sitting atop a heavily laden wagon. A young man in full plate sat next to him. The metal was a dark grey that seemed to hold no shimmer in the peaking morning light. A large two-handed sword hung on his back. A helmet sat in the seat next to the man. Rich brown eyes, olive skin, and dirty blonde hair made him the perfect cross between his parents. "This is my boy, Frederick."


    With surprising ease, the man hopped down from the wagon and walked excitedly up to them, a wide smile on his face. <Orc:> "Good to meet. Uhhh... life-giver? Speaks well for you! Looking toward success!" Trillia smiled at his orcish, remembering she was rather rubbish at speaking the human tongue when she first began to learn. The fact that he was already doing this well with the language spoke well. The boy shook her hand and turned to Amelia. <Minotaur:> "Not many words. Still small horn. Sorry."


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    Amelia tilted her head back and gave a hearty laugh at that. Shaking his hand all the same. <Orc:> "I speak the orc language as well. We can help you learn orc if you are willing to help me learn your tongue."


    The man''s smile somehow widened even more, and he shook her hand again. His father offered a pained little smile, torn between seeing his son happy and sad to know his son wouldn''t be living with them much longer. "The two of you can ride in the back of the wagon if you''d like."


    Trillia smiled and gently blew the whistle around her neck. Ialu bounded through the city and appeared at her side a few minutes later. Frederick could only stare at her. <Human:> "That''s ok. Ialu and I can ride ahead to scout as we travel. Amelia can stay with the wagon itself just in case something slips past me."


    The old man nodded. "Can''t really communicate with the lass as of yet. Might pose some problems."


    Trillia shrugged. "A good time for your son to practice his orc and for her to start learning your language." Trillia translated the short conversation for Amelia, who smiled and nodded. A few minutes later, Layla arrived. The father blanched at the sight of her armor.


    <Orc:> "Forgive me for being late. I went to say my goodbyes to Red River and let them know I wouldn''t be here for a few weeks. Only to arrive to a young orc missing an eye. The third floor was far more dangerous than he had anticipated, so I stayed to do what I could to heal and regenerate him." She walked up to Frederick and shook his hand first before moving to the father and shaking his hand.


    <Human:> "By all things radiant... You won''t strike out on your own until I''ve outfitted every one of your group with some real thrice-damned armor." The father shook her hand before reaching out and tapping a finger on the iron plate and tugging at the armor a bit. "If your people made good weapons and armor, you''d be unstoppable on the battlefield. I''m adding a new stipulation to my son joining you lot. Once a week, as you run that dungeon of yours. You''ll bring your materials to our forge, and we will work on armor together with all of you."


    As Trillia translated, Amelia got excited and nodded. <Minotaur:> "Tell him that we accept! Learning a new skill from a Master is something you normally have to barter for. We have almost no use for the materials anyway. It lets us learn a skill, trains our own armorer, and we get new armor out of it."


    Trillia was also happy to accept. Layla looked down at her armor, a bit crestfallen. Trillia put an arm around her shoulders. Speaking first in orc for her sake, then translating to human. "Our people make do with what we have. We look forward to having better tools to work with."


    The old man bowed his head. <Human:> "Sorry. I speak before I think. I meant no insult to her or her holy order. I know I''ve had a lucky and blessed life. I shouldn''t be judging others based on their armor."


    Trillia grinned and looked up at him. <Human:> "It''s hard to do when it''s your life''s work to perfect armor. We look forward to learning from you. I apologize. We never really got your name or your wife''s name."


    The man rubbed the back of his head, even more embarrassed. <Human:> "Alfred and Margaritte. Apologize to the little missy for me, if you would. I think I''ll take this opportunity to learn a new language myself. Maybe not make such an ass of myself in the future."


    Trillia translated, and Layla curtsied to him. Amelia helped her onto the wagon and informed them she''d simply march next to it. With Amelia''s tall stature, she could rather easily keep pace with the Lovax that pulled the wagon. With that, they set off toward the rift city.


    Trillia and Ialu walked along the wagon next to Alfred. "We have to deliver some messages to the city''s leadership and search out our last potential companion. I hope that won''t be a problem."


    The old man leaned back in the wagon, rather lazily holding the reins. Frederick, Amelia, and Layla were near the back of the wagon, having a very patchy talk in Orcish. "No problem at all, lass. This load is a sample of our wares. I''ve heard the minotaur folk are good at earth magic and mining. I''m looking forward to acquiring some good metal to work with."


    Trillia nodded at that. "If you''ve never been to the rift city, it''s certainly an impressive sight. Though, I felt the same way about the glass spire of D''Jamu. Have you traveled much, Lord Alfred?"


    The man chuckled and nodded. "Stop calling me a Lord. I''m about as far from that title and position as a human can get while still being free. Aye, I''ve been a few places. Wife and I came up in a port town on the central continent. A little out-of-the-way place that was still being ruled by some shitheads. At least before Queen Alliyah and General Brutus swept through the city. By Infernus! That was sixty years ago. Maybe more."


    Trillia looked over at him, extremely interested. "You''ve met Brutus and Queen Alliyah?" She didn''t mind calling her uncles by their first names. But the reverence everyone put on the Queen''s name told her to only address her with a title.


    "Aye. It''s humbling. Being a human, I can look at an orc and accept they are just stronger than me. I see a minotaur and know that their presence is going to put me in my place. That''s just racial skills doing what they do best. But standing in front of two humans after watching them wipe out a hundred mercenaries and slavers?" Alfred shook his head as he sat up. "It pushed Marg and I to be better. We were humans, but we were bottom of the barrel of what our species offered. Don''t mistake my words, lass. I won''t ever be on the same level as the Great Generals. But I am damn proud of how far we''ve come. If it lets me make armor that keeps the real fighters safe...I think I can die happy."


    Trillia rode along in silence before turning her head back to him. "Is it enough? To just get by and be content?"


    Alfred glanced over at her with a raised brow. "Deep question, that is. Plenty of humans do it. But plenty of humans complain about being weak as well. Marg and I aren''t very good fighters, but we aren''t pushovers either. We are also very useful. Chieftain Tormash saw that, saw our armor in action, and knew that we had use far beyond swinging a blade around. That lad is going to be a damn fine leader. Marg and I are content because of where we come from. Born into poverty and obscurity, to being armorsmiths talented enough to be recognized by a leader as prominent as Chieftain Tormash? That''s a long way for us."


    Trillia nodded idly as she listened.


    "There''s also Freddie. We want to instill good morals in him. We want him to understand that he doesn''t have to fight on the front lines to help save people. Not that it will do much good. You kids are all so damn ready to take on all of Alirast to do the right thing."


    Trillia smirked and glanced over at him before letting her eyes trail along the plains around them. "You and your wife weren''t?"


    That got a deep belly laugh out of him. "By Infernus, no! We were worse in every way. We became sailors for a time and helped to liberate slaver ships. Learned how to tear a ship apart piece by piece and build one back the same way. Settled in another no-name town near a port. At the time, humans were at war with some goblin dungeon that was spewing out the little bastards in a berserker state. We started learning how to repair armor because that''s what was required of us. Led to be a passion, I suppose."


    The man wore a smile remembering it all. "When Marg got pregnant with Freddie, we decided it was time to put down the blade and pick up hammers full time. I don''t blame you youngsters for being who you are. I don''t want to see your spirits crushed. Times are tough."


    Trillia nodded once more. "Don''t worry. None of us want to die. I''ve had too many close calls to count. I won''t push my luck if I can help it. It''s why I want to get stronger in a safer environment. It''s why I want to align myself with people who can help keep Amelia and I safe."


    Alfred flicked the reins as the road began to curve. Leading the Lovax into the bend. "Hence the armourer, the enchanter, and the cleric. I''ve heard some rumors about you, lass. All of it''s been good. I''ll do my part to make sure you kids live long, happy lives."


    Trillia smiled at that. They had been on the road for quite a few hours at this point. Frederick and Layla had fallen asleep in the back of the wagon. Amelia was walking along in silence with a little smile on her face. "I''m going to go scout, Alfred. The roads should be safe, but it''s a habit I want to build."


    The old man nodded and waved her off before leaning back to relax once more.

 Chapter 80 Recruitment Drive Part 4

    Four days had passed with absolutely nothing of note happening. They chatted during the day and rested at night. Trillia was surprised to learn that Frederick''s secondary class was a [Mage]. She thought someone who wore heavy armor and wielded such a large weapon would be a warrior.


    Frederick claims it''s to ensure he has coverage, he''s never been very good with a bow, and if an enemy is far away, his sword doesn''t do him much good. That made sense.


    Layla''s primary class was a pre-evolution to [Cleric]. Her secondary class was [Scholar]. That was one that interested Trillia since Runic Scholar was the combat variant. Scholar itself apparently dealt a lot in magic theory, runes, and other casting styles for magic. Frederick and Layla summed it up for her that a Mage was a warhammer to the Scholar''s rapier.


    Alfred was rather forthcoming with his class information. Trillia expected him to be more secretive about it. His secondary class was a variant of [Duelist]. A class he suggested everyone pick up at some point in their life. Since it excelled in one-on-one combat and gave you a lot of tools for facing a single enemy. In his opinion, it was a smart way to handle dungeon bosses or enemy leaders.


    On the fifth morning, a patrol leaving Rift City ran into them. Six heavily armed minotaur with four orc scouts. Amelia took point since the leader of the group seemed like a minotaur.


    <Minotaur:> "May the labyrinth shelter you, brother!" Amelia raised a hand in a salute that Trillia had seen used a few times over the years.


    <Minotaur:> "And you, sister!" The minotaur responded with the same salute. Trillia felt her mana dip a little as she was scanned multiple times. She supposed that manners went out the window for a patrol party that was keeping the city safe. <Minotaur:> "Has there been any trouble on the road?"


    Amelia shook her head and motioned to the cart. <Minotaur:> "We''ve just left Red River City with Sir Alfred. He is a renowned armourer in the human lands and is acting as the orc military''s armourer under advisement to Chieftain Tormash. This is a shipment of armor and goods to the rift city so that they know what''s available in Red River if they wish to put in an order or upgrade."


    The minotaurs looked around and nodded a bit. <Minotaur:> "Would Sir Alfred allow us to see his wares?"


    Amelia looked to Trillia, who was translating everything into human. Alfred nodded, standing up and pulling back some of the heavy tarps covering the armor. Trillia was rather excited to see some of it as well since she hadn''t seen the goods yet.


    <Human:> "Come here, boy. Let''s get a set of Minotaur full-plate out for our friends here. The lad asking looks to be a little taller than the Princess." Fred and Alfred rummaged about, and between the two of them, with some heavy grunting, began pulling out a large plate of polished metal. Alfred looked over at Trillia. <Human:> "Any chance you could ask your extra brawny friends to help? I''m an old man, after all."


    Trillia grinned and turned to a couple of the orc scouts. <Orc:> "The armor is quite heavy. Can a couple of you help pull it from the back of the cart?"


    Two orcs strode forward and, with some back-and-forth translating with Trillia, pulled the armor out. Even the orcs seemed impressed by the heft of it. The leader of the group lifted it in his hands and glanced over at Amelia. <Minotaur:> "How does a human even create something this size? This is as heavy as Guardian Stone Plate!"


    The armor itself was a well-polished silver color. No frills or engravings. Dark leather straps that Trillia recognized as the wolf fur from the dungeon dangled here and there. A dozen other ways to strap various bits and bobs in place.


    Amelia spread her hands with a smile. <Minotaur:> "As I said, brother. Sir Alfred is a renowned armourer who is well respected by the orc leaders. Would you like to try it on and take a hit?"


    <Minotaur:> "I wouldn''t wish to damage such fine craftsmanship over my disbelief. I trust your judgment."


    Alfred began waving his hands as Trillia translated. <Human:> "Nonsense! You have two perfectly capable armourers right here. Tell the big lug to put it on. Frederick! Grab my warhammer!" Frederick''s grin grew ear to ear, and he ran to the back of the wagon, pulling out a hammer that was as tall as he was, with a head that was the size of Trillia''s own head. Despite their struggles with the armor, Frederick and Alfred seemed to have no issues hefting the giant hammer.


    As Trillia translated, the minotaur looked at Amelia with more hesitance in his eyes. Amelia offered her sweetest smile. <Minotaur:> "Don''t worry, brother. If you are scared of an injury while in the field. We also have a healer with us. Trillia and I can also heal to some extent."


    The other minotaurs started poking and prodding their leader about being scared of a little human. The minotaur huffed and, with some help, began to don the armor. It took a solid fifteen minutes to strap him in fully. Alfred, with Trillia''s help, went over everything in exact detail. Once the armor was fully donned, the minotaur twisted and turned. <Minotaur:> "Doesn''t feel as constricting as Guardian Stone Plate. Despite how heavy it feels in my hands, it''s not so bad once I''m wearing it. Is this some sort of enchantment?"


    Amelia waited for the translations back and forth before answering. <Minotaur:> "Sir Alfred says that it is not enchanted and that this is only high quality. According to him, it''s not even what he calls ''Masterwork'', which is lighter and more durable."


    The minotaur''s face screwed up in confusion at that. Trillia smirked and motioned to Alfred. <Minotaur:> "Ready to take the hit? Sir Alfred would like to know if he should hold back."


    The minotaur was more and more skeptical. <Minotaur:> "A level hundred-something human is asking if he needs to hold back? You keep interesting company, Princess Amelia. Let me use some bracing skills." After a few seconds, the minotaur''s body sunk a little further into the dirt, and his eyes held the faint glow of mana. With a nod, he was ready.


    Alfred lifted the hammer in one hand, and Trillia felt a thrum of mana wash over the area. Alfred''s hands began to glow a warm orange that slowly seeped into the hammer. With a quick spin, the hammerhead landed squarely on the minotaur''s chest. A painfully long ringing sound was produced from metal on metal, and the minotaur was thrown backwards off his feet. Everyone except Frederick stopped to stare at the human. Frederick was chuckling. <Human:> "Good thing you held back, Pa. I don''t think they were expecting that."


    Trillia translated as the other minotaurs helped their friend up. The armor itself held a few scuff marks and was dented slightly. The minotaur was grinning. <Minotaur:> "Please tell Master Alfred that I will certainly be visiting his shop to get a suit of armor made. I barely felt a thing from the blow itself! I think my heavy ass did more damage to me!"


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    As Trillia translated, Alfred let out a chuckle and nodded. <Human:> "Please tell our friend that I would be happy to make him a suit of armor. I can also help guide him to the right set of enchantments for his fighting style. Fred, come over here, lad. Fix that suit of armor up. It will show people what you''re capable of."


    Fred''s grin was replaced by a serious face. The lad stood and walked over to the minotaur, still wearing the plate armor.


    "By temperance of might and metal. Reshape what was broken. [Mend Armor]!"


    Trillia felt a surge of mana flow out of Frederick and watched in awe with the others as the dent and scuffs in the armor slowly mended themselves. Frederick looked rather drained from the ability.


    The minotaur looked down and ran his fingers over it. <Minotaur:> "Damn...the boy was right. We really do need to expand how we view the class system." Trillia had a pretty good idea who that ''boy'' was. A lot of older warriors were still calling Tormash a boy because of the age gap.


    <Minotaur:> "I''m honored to have been able to test the armor. Sorry to have kept you all from your journey for so long. This has certainly been an eye-opening experience for me." The minotaur removed the armor with some help, bowed deeply to Alfred, and thanked them again for the demonstration. As the patrol left them, Alfred blew out a heavy sigh.


    <Human:> "That was a damn scary experience." Trillia gave him a puzzled look. <Human:> "You have to understand, lass. Your friend is literally royalty. You are basically royalty. I''m just some shmuck who swings a hammer. If that had gone wrong, I wouldn''t have been able to stop that group from crushing me."


    As Trillia translated, Amelia let out a loud laugh. Putting a hand on Alfred''s shoulder. <Minotaur:> "I know that our people are still seen as wild savages by many humans. But we are not. If that had gone wrong, or if you had actually hurt him. It would have only earned you more respect from our people. Our people are not savages, Sir Alfred. We just respect strength and understand that a weak leader can only lead their people to weakness. Because that is all weak people know."


    Alfred stared at Amelia for a few seconds as Trillia translated. A moment later, he shook his head. <Human:> "You found yourself a good group, Fred. This one is going to be a damn fine leader one day. I hope I''m alive to see it. Sorry that I still have some of my old prejudices. I hope you don''t think less of Marg or my boy."


    Trillia translated with a smile. "We don''t think less of them or of you. All of us have a worldview that is limited to the world we see. Amelia and I want to travel the world so that we can better interact with it. So that we can better lead our people into the future. You may not think highly of yourself, but the same royalty that you mention trusts you with our lives, our well-being and trusts you with the lives of the military that keeps us safe. You should hold a higher opinion of yourself, Sir Alfred. We do."


    Amelia and Frederick worked together to get the armor back in the wagon. Trillia helped them cover it up with Layla''s help. Fred took his father''s hammer and stowed it away. Alfred stared down at his hands the whole time, mumbling to himself.


    Layla walked up behind him and patted his arm. <Orc:> "It''s ok. To feel better about yourself. I underestimated myself my whole life until Lady Ora''sys came to me. The only way to make Alirast safer is together." She didn''t wait for Trillia to finish the translation before offering a wide smile and climbing back up into the wagon.


    Alfred glanced at Trillia with teary eyes. <Human:> "You''ve got good people, lass. A damn rare thing, that." Trillia didn''t translate, only offered him a smile. He rubbed his eyes and took a deep breath before climbing back onto the wagon. <Human:> "To the city!"


    -=- A Couple Days Later -=-


    <Human:> "By all that is radiant." Alfred stared up at the wall as Amelia spoke to the gate guards. The stone wall was, of course, a single solid piece of stone that had tens of thousands of runes etched into it, acting as a lattice of enchantments. The wall itself seemed like granite to Trillia''s rather untrained eyes. It ran from the ground up a solid hundred feet into the air.


    Ballista were trained on the wagon from on high, and dozens of minotaur in stone armor walked the ramparts. Frederick sat in the wagon next to his father, also staring up at the wall. <Human:> "Not even with a hundred catapults..."


    Alfred gave a vague nod. <Human:> "To think...a city like this already fell. What horrors exist in this world."


    Trillia nudged him slightly. <Human:>  "In their defense. The attack came from within during a cataclysm. Wasn''t a fair fight. Besides, you''ve traveled the world. You''ve had to have seen some of those horrors."


    Alfred glanced at her with a smirk before turning back to the wall. <Human:> "I''ve seen horrors of the sea. But they are in the ocean...everyone knows that the ocean houses horrors. I guess, I guess it''s just humbling to see this."


    Trillia sniffed the air as the smell of freshly baked bread and honey filled her nose, and a familiar voice rang in her ears.


    <Human:> "If you think this is impressive. Visit Kadessa someday. The walls are so heavily enchanted they hold a faint golden glow. Beautiful sight to behold, especially during the sunset. That''s how it got the name, the Golden City, you know." Trillia turned to see Brutus walking up the road behind them.


    The man still seemed so painfully normal. Trillia was starting to question if it was a skill taking effect on her mind. Making him blend in with the crowd and not stand out so much. <Orc:> "Uncle Brutus! I didn''t know you were here."


    The man smiled and walked up to her, giving her and Ialu a hug and also giving the wolf some much-needed head scritches. The guards at the gate snapped to attention, seeing him there. <Human:> "Is this the armourer that Tormash let move in?" Trillia nodded and glanced at Alfred, who had gone significantly paler.


    <Human:> "You''re...you''re the duelist of the sun...." Alfred whispered the words with trembling hands. Brutus glanced at the man.


    <Human:> "Oh! You''re also a Duelist! You''ve even evolved it into [Champion]! Well done!" Brutus walked up to the man, grabbing and shaking his hand. "It''s a hard path to follow. So many battles are sprawling, chaotic shitshows. Not many people appreciate the beauty or efficiency of one-on-one combat skills."


    Alfred shook the man''s hand, still in a daze. <Human:> "Forgive me, my lord. I didn''t think I''d ever get the chance to meet you again. My wife and I spent time in Runaan. I made my living as a gladiator, and she as a dancer. You''re still talked about. By Infernus, you were my inspiration for going into the [Duelist] class line!"


    Brutus threw his head back with a laugh. <Human:> "I haven''t been to Runaan in decades! Maybe more! Tell me. The Colosseum hasn''t resorted to using slaves again, have they?" Despite the smile on his face, there was an edge to the question that set Trillia''s nerves on end.


    <Human:> "No, my lord. You and Queen Alliyah liberated us. To the best of my knowledge, the Colosseum still stands, but slavery is outlawed."


    Brutus'' murderous aura vanished in an instant. <Human:> "Good, that''s good. I''m sorry that it took us so long to liberate you. I hope you''ve led a good life since then."


    Alfred immediately nodded. <Human:> "I have, my lord. This is my son, Frederick. Marg is back at home in Red River City. She and I work as armourers now under Chieftain Tormash."


    Brutus motioned to the wagon. Once Alfred nodded, he walked back and rummaged about. Pulling a smaller-sized full plate out. <Human:> "Huh...this is steel. I didn''t think anyone had perfected it to the point of armor except the dwarves. Still light and flexible, though."


    Frederick blurted out the question in shock. <Human:> "You''ve met the dwarves?!"


    Brutus nodded absent-mindedly as he looked over the metal, his fingers flexed, and he bent it out of shape, pulling out a dagger and poking and carving at it. <Human:> "With a few hours of enchanting, this would be a suit of armor I''d wear into battle. It''s good to see you''ve done so well for yourself, lad. Tormash is in good hands if this is the low-quality stuff you''re handing out for free to drum up business."


    Trillia was pretty sure that Alfred was ready to swoon. She offered a smile as Brutus yammered on about different heating and smithing techniques. It was at this point that Alfred was significantly less shy and star-struck and in his element. Frederick had pulled out a notepad and began to take notes. The guards had already waved them in, but seeing that there was no one else waiting behind them, no one was really brave enough to demand Brutus move it along.


    Trillia breathed out a sigh of relief. More and more things were going right, which scared her a little.

 Chapter 81 Recruitment Drive Final

    Brutus and Alfred followed the cart along, chatting as Frederick led it inside to clear the road. A few minutes into the city proper, Trillia interrupted.


    <Orc:>"Uncle Brutus, we are looking for the minotaur responsible for the wall enchantments. Do you know where he is?" Brutus turned from Alfred to look at her instead.


    <Orc:>"Sorry! I get lost in chatter sometimes. He is stationed at the guard house in the center of the city. I''ll have a guard escort your group. Amelia is the only one of you who won''t get lost here due to her racial skills." With that, he turned back to Alfred. <Human:> "It was a pleasure to meet you, lad. You''re a good armourer. I''m glad the orcs found someone competent. Say hello to the missus for me. I have some things to tend to myself while I''m here."


    Alfred bowed, and Brutus gave Amelia and Trillia hugs wishing them well on their dungeon excursion before disappearing into the crowd. Trillia tried to follow him, but the moment there were more than a handful of people around, he seemed to just vanish. Now she was sure he had some sort of skill for it.


    A guard approached them minutes after. A tall minotaur in stone plate armor, with a heavy mace slung across his shoulders. <Minotaur:> "General Brutus told me to lead your troupe into the city center."


    Amelia nodded, and they were off. Most of the time spent traversing the city was spent with everyone but the minotaurs gawking at the walls of the city itself. Dozens of homes were carved into the stone, with barely visible walkways and stairs leading to them.


    Alfred looked at Trillia. <Human:> "Are the walls getting higher?"


    Trillia asked Amelia, who turned to them both with a smile. <Minotaur:> "Of course. This way, if someone does breach the city, we can always retreat towards its center. This allows us to fire down onto lower walls and gives our ranged combatants a height advantage. Couple that with the minotaur''s ability to walk through the walls of their home labyrinth, and it''s quite difficult to conquer our city." As if remembering, the smile ran from her face. "At least...if we''re attacked from outside."


    The minotaur next to her put a hand on her shoulder and gave her a little nod. <Minotaur:> "We will find a solution so that the tragedy of God''s Watch is never repeated for as long as minotaurs roam Alirast. Their deaths will not be in vain, Princess."


    It took them a couple of hours to get through the city. In no small part because they had to take longer routes due to the size of the wagon. The city itself was almost entirely comprised of minotaurs. Orcs and humans kept to the outskirts where the labyrinth wasn''t quite so winding.


    Trillia tapped the guard leading them on the shoulder as he brought them to a wall pillar that served as the central barracks. <Minotaur:> "Is that another racial skill? Never getting lost in your home labyrinth?"


    The guard answered with a nod before motioning to the building.


    Their little troupe was welcomed inside while a few guards stood outside near the wagon. Trillia smiled as they were greeted by the nine-foot stature of Mort. The same dark blue robes hung around his frame. His crimson fur had lightened a little with the passing of a few more ears, but it appeared as though his levels were at such a stage that aging would no longer be an issue. <Minotaur:> "Princess Amelia! We are honored to have you with us. Lady Trillia, it is good to see you again."


    Trillia walked up and gave him a hug, which he somewhat reluctantly returned. <Minotaur:> "It''s good to see you as well, Uncle Mort! This is our friend, Alfred. He is an armourer that Tormash let live in Red River City. He would like to show you some armor if you have the time. More importantly, brother wanted me to give you this directly." She fiddled with the pouch on her bag for a moment before removing it and handing it over to Mort. <Minotaur:> "I do not know the contents. Only that Chieftain Tormash and Elder Shaman Ba''Shoon asked me to personally deliver there to your hands."


    Mort took the pouch and immediately opened it, sifting through the various pages within. <Minotaur:> "Hmm, nothing urgent. Mostly scouting reports about new nests that could be a danger to the city. Some other matters that are not for outside ears." With that, he glanced at Layla, Frederick, and Alfred. <Minotaur:> "No offense to your friends. Brutus told me that you were also here to steal away my enchanter?"


    Trillia offered her best smile. <Minotaur:> "If he wishes to go with us, yes. Amelia and I have put together a team so that we can progress faster and further. We want to be the types of leaders our people and our parents would be proud to follow into battle. Right now, we''re weak."


    Mort gave her a solemn nod. <Minotaur:> "I''ll send for him and let him know that it is my wish that he goes. The boy shows incredible promise and talent with enchanting. If he gains levels to go with it, he could be a great boon in making sure that Rift City doesn''t fall. Come! Let me see this armor!"


    Mort stopped to tell a guard to fetch Malor before following them out to the wagon. Frederick and Alfred grabbed the same suit of armor as before. Mort strode up to it and pulled out a set of glasses. <Minotaur:> "I assume I am allowed to test it as I wish?"


    Alfred waited for the translation before nodding. Mort waved over another guard and watched with interest as the guard swapped from the heavy stone armor to the metallic full plate. <Minotaur:> "Metal is far more flexible. That''s always been true. The problem is that we cannot repair it in battle as easily. We move earth, not metal."


    Amelia spoke up and motioned to Frederick. <Minotaur:> "This is one of our team members, Frederick. He''s a young human from D''Jamu and is Sir Alfred''s son. He can show you the utility and power of an armourer. I know our people have been strict with non-combat classes, and for good reason, but I think he will make a good case for diversifying."


    Mort glanced over at the young human as Trillia translated. The pressure seemed to visibly weigh the poor lad down. Alfred gave him a reassuring pat on the shoulder.


    Once the guard was changed into the new armor, he stood away from the others. Mort pulled out a small green vial and calmly tossed it at the guard. A small explosion of acid and fire shook the ground. The minotaur had been thrown to the ground with serious burns all over his arms and face. The armor was rather badly damaged but held.


    Layla ran over immediately to begin healing him, only to find that his wounds were rapidly closing on their own. The minotaur offered her a polite thank you as he stood and looked down at himself. <Minotaur:> "Minimal damage to regions covered by the armor itself. Unlike stone, it doesn''t seem to shrapnel nearly as badly during explosive attacks. The acid does significantly more damage to the metal than it does to our stone plate. But this particular set also isn''t enchanted in any way. Metal holds enchantments better."


    Mort walked over and leaned in, inspecting the armor itself. <Minotaur:> "The damage is significant enough that you''d only be able to take three or four of those before you''d be unarmored."


    Alfred strode up to the armor and began poking and prodding it. The minotaur had started to push him away before a look from Mort stilled him. <Human:> "Steel is a shit material if that''s the type of attacks these folks deal with on a regular basis. Frederick, repair this and get the minotaur out of it. Trillia, ask the leader if he can use that attack again after we change the minotaur into a different set of armor." Without waiting for responses, he turned and went back to the cart, motioning for a few guards to help him.


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    Mort gave the go-ahead with a smirk. <Minotaur:> "The human is used to people listening to his orders, it seems."


    Amelia grinned and nodded. <Minotaur:> "He''s well known in his town and good at what he does. He''d like you to use the same attack on the guard in a different set of armor. According to him, the material this armor is made from doesn''t resist acid or explosive attacks well."


    Mort nodded. Half an hour later and the minotaur was ready. The full plate he wore this time was a much darker metal that held almost no shine at all. Mort didn''t attack the minotaur just yet. Instead, he watched Frederick intensely. Listening to the chant carefully and staring at the armor as it rapidly repaired itself from a single spell. Mort rubbed his chin with his free hand. <Minotaur:> "That''s much faster than melding the earth together into a new stone plate. All armourers can do this?" Looking at Amelia as he asked the question.


    As Trillia translated, Alfred answered. <Human:> "That''s a skill you get at the fifth level of armourer. There are significantly more potent skills that take less resources to cast. But [Mend Armor] gives us a huge boost to experience since it is so resource intensive. That''s why we use it when we''re not in combat."


    Trillia translated back to Mort, who nodded. Motioning to the new set of armor, once everyone was ready, he threw another vial. This time the minotaur wasn''t thrown to the ground. His arms and face were still badly burned, but the armor itself was significantly less damaged. Alfred was the first to inspect the armor this time. <Human:> "You trust these people?" Alfred turned his head to Trillia, who translated before she realized the question.


    All eyes stared hard at Alfred, who didn''t back down from his question. <Human:> "I do, Sir Alfred. You have my word. So long as you don''t attack them, they won''t attack you."


    The man seemed to contemplate it for a moment before sighing heavily. <Human:> "I''d like to try one more set of armor. This particular set isn''t for sale, and I''ll be the one wearing it. But I can make more just takes time."


    Trillia translated. Mort looked at the human and then at Amelia. <Minotaur:> "I can''t promise he will survive the attack. I don''t wish to kill such a valuable crafter. I appreciate your trust in me and that he trusts the two of you enough to share that trust. But I don''t want to kill him for the sake of a test."


    Alfred waved the words away as they were translated. <Human:> "Just wait for my signal. I''ll be fine. Besides, the young Cleric is here to save my ass if my confidence has become arrogance."


    No one argued. Alfred pulled a necklace from under his tunic. Trillia recognized it as a storage item. A second later, he was covered head to toe, arms, and face as well in a bright silvery metal that had an iridescent quality to it. Trillia got close enough to look at it and inspect it.


    [Wyrm Slayer Armor]


    Quality: Artifact


    This armor was crafted by true dwarves for Alfred ''Stonehammer'' Mercury as a reward for saving thirty of their kind from the shackles of slavery. It''s crafted from a titanium alloy compound.


    Abilities:


    You are not the owner of this artifact. <OBFUSCATED>


    Trillia let out a whistle, as did Mort. <Minotaur:> "I see now why he asked that question. Less honorable people would kill for a set of armor like this. It''s got an absurdly high obfuscation on its abilities even I can''t pierce it." Mort stared at Alfred for a moment. The tension was obvious. Mort took a few steps back and removed a couple of vials. <Minotaur:> "When Master Alfred is ready."


    Trillia backed up as well. When Alfred gave the nod, Mort threw the first flask, a copy of the others he had been throwing. Alfred didn''t budge, nor did the armor show any signs of damage. It was at this point that another minotaur had joined the demonstration.


    He wore long robes that looked much like Mort''s. One of his horns was snapped and was half melted off. The other twisted up and around his skull. If he still had both horns, they''d form a little crown. Dark grey fur and golden eyes stared at the human encased in shining metal. A belt full of chisels and small hammers hung at his hip. Trillia guessed this to be Malor.


    Alfred nodded, and Mort threw another flask. The sound of metal hitting the ground rang out before the smoke cleared. Alfred was rolling onto his stomach to stand in the now small crater surrounding him. The armor was left untouched. Mort walked down into the crater and leaned in. <Minotaur:> "You can make this armor, Master Alfred? I don''t doubt your abilities...but this is an artifact of True Dwarves."


    As Trillia translated, Alfred nodded. <Human:> "It won''t be artifact quality. I doubt I''m that skilled. But I know how to process and make the same alloy this is created from. It takes some rare minerals to do. I''d also need some very skilled alchemists around when I start the process. But yes, I can make armor similar."


    Mort let mana flow out from him, the ground slowly righted itself, and they were left standing on smooth ground that looked as though it had never seen an attack. <Minotaur:> "I''m very interested. However, you are one man. No matter how talented you are, making enough armor for a military is improbable. I''d like to enter talks with you and Tormash. I want to send you thirty young, malleable minotaurs to learn how to be armourers. Teach them the alloying process as well. I''m willing to offer you a lifetime of materials and access to alchemists whenever they are needed. If you are willing to continue teaching our people how to make armor like this. I will inform any younglings that wish to train under you that they must accept a geas from both you and whatever leader they follow. That they are never to teach another creature your techniques and that your techniques can only be used in the service of Rift City and Red River City."


    As Trillia translated, Frederick''s eyes kept growing wider. Alfred stared hard at Mort. <Human:> "Change it so that the techniques can only be used in service of the Shatterhoof Lineage and the Demonsbane Lineage. We can go over other details with Chieftain Tormash."


    Mort''s face twisted into a grin. <Minotaur:> "Clever. I''m sure we can come to an agreement. I look forward to doing business with you, Master Alfred. So long as you are allied with the Demonsbane clan or the Shatterhoof clan, you are always welcome in our labyrinth."


    Mort gave the human one last look before turning to look at Malor. <Minotaur:> "These younglings are going to be tackling Red River dungeon and growing in power. I would ask that you follow them so that you can train your abilities as an enchanter as well as gain combat experience and levels. Your life is your own."


    Malor looked around, then back at Alfred. <Minotaur:> "The young human, is this one''s offspring?" Trillia offered a nod. <Minotaur:> "If they are willing. I would like to learn the class they use. I''ll share the secrets of my enchanting class with him. Otherwise, I will still join to gain general knowledge."


    As Trillia translated, Frederick looked at Alfred, who smiled and shrugged. <Human:> "It''s your life, lad. These are your family secrets as well."


    Frederick nodded and looked at Malor. <Human:> "I''d like to think on your request. Perhaps once we''ve adventured together for a time, I will come to trust you enough. I hope that doesn''t offend you."


    Malor extended a hand which Frederick shook. <Minotaur:> "I look forward to earning your trust. I''ll be ready to leave in an hour."


    Mort spoke up at that. <Minotaur:> "Give Master Alfred and I a couple of days. I wish to take the rest of the demonstration models he brought to us, in addition to supplying him with materials and going over what sort of materials he might need going forward. Loading it all up may take some time. Malor is extremely well-versed with the labyrinth and its layout. He can serve as your guide while you are here. If there is nothing else, I need to take a few hours to read over the reports from Red River and write any replies. Assuming you are willing to take them back to Chieftain Tormash." His eyes fell on Trillia, who translated and nodded.


    As Mort turned to leave, Trillia let out a heavy sigh and pulled a water skin from her side. <Orc:> "You guys really need to learn another language. It''s exhausting translating so much."


    Layla let out a giggle at that. <Orc:> "We can all learn together!"


    Amelia stepped up next to Alfred. <Minotaur:> "I''m surprised that you trusted us enough to bring out such a valuable artifact."


    Trillia grumbled a bit before translating. Alfred looked at the princess with a sigh. <Human:> "The two of you have given me no reason not to trust you. Besides, if we''re going to make a difference in this forsaken realm. We have to do it together, right?"


    Amelia slapped a hand on his shoulder and was startled as electricity surged up her arm. The armor vibrated around Alfred. A second later, the armor vanished. Alfred bowed his head. <Human:> "Sorry. Didn''t think to warn you that it''s reactive in melee."


    Trillia grinned even more. <Human:> "I can''t wait until we all have our own custom-made super armor! Plus, we''re gonna be able to repair it on the go and enchant it further on the go! We''re gonna be unstoppable!"


    Alfred chuckled while shaking his head. <Human:> "It takes time to get to that point...but sure, that''s the goal. Is it ok if we go somewhere and get a warm meal and a soft bed?"


    Malor nodded once Trillia translated for him, and they headed off toward a place to rest for the day.

 Chapter 82 The Return Trip Part 1

    A few days came and went. Trillia was forced to attend most of the meetings to act as a translator. Something Alfred and Mort had both overlooked initially.


    She didn''t mind. Near the end of the second day, she had been rewarded with a general skill for her troubles that she was just now getting around to looking at.


    [Translator] Level MAX Obtained!


    Translator allows the user to more easily hear multiple conversations at once in different languages and fully understand them. It also allows a perfect recollection of the spoken word for five minutes so long as the user understands the language that was spoken.


    ''Surprised that one isn''t a trait.'' Trillia thought as she sat on the back of the wagon, kicking her feet back and forth. A group of orcs were loading crates full of rocks onto the wagon. Alfred told her that it was all ore chunks. Mort mentioned that most of the ore came from the city walls. Minotaurs would spend days going through each section and pulling out impurities in the stone, like ore, that could cause any weak points.


    It was all a bit beyond Trillia''s understanding or even her desire to learn.


    She saw more orcs coming to load the wagon she had taken as her seat. Alfred said they''d be on the road in a couple of hours. She glanced at the three wagons, then at him. <Human:> "I don''t have a lot of experience with Lovax. At least not trying to make them do anything. Who is going to handle the other wagon?" She assumed that Frederick would handle one.


    Alfred motioned to one of the orcs that were helping them load. "This lad is joining us. Trillia, you literally translated that conversation two days ago."


    Trillia stared blankly at him for a moment before offering a sheepish smile and a shrug. Alfred shook his head with a chuckle. "I know, I know. All that merchant business was a lot of numbers and quite a bore. It''s not for everyone."


    "I should learn it all, though. I know, at some point, I''ll need to have it all figured out. Truth be told, I''m just itchin to get back in the dungeon with a full group. I haven''t gained a level in a while." Trillia peaked over his shoulder at the parchment he was scribbling things on. "Can you teach me to read and write the human language?"


    Alfred glanced at her and then at Frederick. "The lad can teach you. He''s a better penman than I. Or Marg. She hates my scribbling something fierce. She''s picked up how to read your language, can''t speak it. Not really sure how that works, but it does in her brain. Which is a godsend."


    Trillia paused at that. "How did you three come to meet Tormash anyway?"


    Alfred checked another box, most of his attention being on his checklist. "The huge orc that was hanging around D''Jamu for a while. Large fellow, really loud. He''s a kind chap but fucking scary. I think him and the High Priestess are a thing."


    "They are twins, you know. That''s Ralrouk."


    The quill in his hand paused, and he turned to give her a confused look. "He''s also your brother? How the fuck do orcs work? None of you look all that much like your parents."


    Trillia shrugged. "I had a really hard time when I first went to D''Jamu. Human families look really similar. Minotaurs usually match one parent or the other. But humans share so many features. It''s quite jarring."


    Alfred offered a grunt in response and finished going over his checklist. Within the hour, they were all packed up. Alfred took the lead wagon, Frederick took the rear, and their orc friend took the center.


    Amelia stood outside the gates and had everyone halted. <Minotaur>: "Trillia will act as our scout. She will take point and warn us of incoming danger. Keep the wagons a few seconds sprint away, just in case. Malor and Layla can act as rear guards. I''ll stay with the center wagon. I doubt we''ll have any trouble. The roads seemed completely empty of hostile creatures when we came through."


    Trillia acted as a translator once more.


    Alfred raised a brow. <Human:> "How bad are bandits? Especially once word gets around that we have three wagons heavily laden with minerals and ore."


    Everyone except Frederick turned to give the man an odd look. Trillia spoke up. <Human:> "What are bandits?"


    Alfred waited for the punchline or the joke to follow. When none came, he couldn''t help but groan. <Human:> "They are people who steal from others. They wait for merchants to travel between towns and attack, usually at night. Kill everyone with the wagons and sell off all the goods. How have none of you heard of bandits?"


    Trillia nodded a bit too sagely. <Human:> "We call those raiders. I guess it''s kind of similar? It was only recently that we really did any trading at all. No one really ever bothered with orcs or minotaur. It''s why we don''t have those coins that you all use. We just barter for everything, and most folks carry what they can. Wagons and the like are only used when you''re moving a whole tribe."


    <Human:> "Huh...damn. I really need to learn more about your culture. It''d help a lot. Well, what do we do if we are attacked by raiders?"


    Trillia shrugged, translated, and looked at Amelia. <Minotaur:> "Defend ourselves? It seems unlikely that anyone would be stupid enough to attack Trillia and I. We''re fairly well known."


    Alfred glanced at Frederick before speaking. <Human:> "That''s sort of more of a reason to attack. You''re both valuable. Why not try to kidnap you and ransom you?"


    Trillia burst out laughing at his words. It took her a solid five minutes to stop laughing long enough to translate it. When she did, Amelia burst out laughing next. No one else seemed to get it. Amelia motioned for the wagons to start going. Trillia climbed onto Ialu and rode next to Alfred to start the journey. <Human:> "Our parents are Generals from the beast war. We consider the other generals aunts and uncles. No one from our people would ever be stupid enough to attack us like that. At least, I certainly hope they wouldn''t. Mom wouldn''t ransom for me. She''d just slaughter whoever took me and probably their families."


    Alfred pondered it for a moment before giving her a begrudging nod. <Human:> "I s''pose that''s fair. Well. If anyone is stupid enough to attack, I will defend the carts. I wasn''t sure if you folks had a no-killing policy or something."


    Trillia shook her head at that. <Human:> "It''s actually seen as a pretty serious crime to take prisoners in the Shattered Plains. From what I''m told, when tribes feud, they try to wipe each other out. The tribe that is most damaged is often just absorbed into the victorious clan. Some blood feuds need settling, but otherwise, you band together to survive the wilds."


    Alfred stared at her for a long while before shaking his head. <Human:> "It''ll be a learning process. Let us know if you see anything ahead, lass."


    Trillia gave him an odd look but ultimately shrugged and rode out to scout the road a little ways ahead.


    Their pace was considerably slower on the return trip. Three wagons meant more time getting the lovax down for the night and ready in the morning. Three days into the trip and it had become a rather slow and tedious thing. Everyone, except for Alfred, had mostly just begun to zone out. Trillia was in eye shot of the three wagons. She and Ialu had done large semi-circles the first couple of days. But absolutely nothing had happened.


    Which is why it was such a shock when a rain of arrows flew from each side of the road and into the forests. Alfred called for defense. Layla put a protective barrier up on the lovax nearest her. Frederick and Alfred both used a similar skill on the remaining Lovax.


    Trillia was struck by two arrows, Ialu by one. Amelia had been their primary target. Thankfully the heavy leather armor she wore made sure she wasn''t a pin cushion, but she had still taken several arrows.


    The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    A second volley flew through the air, and Trillia began to return fire. Hopping off of Ialu and telling the wolf to kill as many of the attackers as she could. That had been part of their talk before. Ialu could come back, Trillia could not.


    "[Cacophany Of The Forge]!" Alfred threw his hands out towards one side. The skill was aptly named. The air filled with the harshest metal sounds that Trillia had heard. Every time a hammer strike went off in the air, it pulsed with sonic mana. The hail of arrows was mostly stopped.


    Malor had thrown a line of etched runes along the other side. "[Wind Wall]!" The second set of arrows was stopped.


    Layla ran toward Amelia first. "[Healing Surge]! [Nectar Drip]!" Again and again. Finally, she arrived at Trillia''s side. <Orc:> "I need two thousand mana. The others will self-heal for a while. I think you, Amelia, and I should break one side."


    Trillia nodded and immediately shed the mana into her ally, glancing at the notifications of the spells hitting her.


    You''re now under the effects of [Healing Surge] for the next 5 minutes.


    Healing Surge increases all healing received by an amount equal to 10% of the caster''s Wisdom.


    You''re now under the effects of [Nectar Drip] for the next 3 minutes.


    Nectar Drip heals you once every 6 seconds for an amount equal to the caster''s Wisdom.


    Trillia stood and charged toward the side opposite Ialu. <Human:> "We are breaking the eastern line! Stand your ground!" <Minotaur:> "To me, Amelia!"


    The princess pulled out a horn and blew hard. The air vibrated around them all.


    You''re now under the effects of [Sorrow''s Edge] for the next 10 minutes.


    Sorrow''s Edge causes all damage taken to be increased by 30%. All damage taken while under the effects of Sorrow''s Edge will be dealt in equal amounts to your attackers as well as you.


    Trillia grinned, as did Layla. Both charged quite happily and quite recklessly into enemy lines. Between the two of them, with tenacity, their enemies wouldn''t be in a good spot. Amelia didn''t follow them. Instead, she kept halfway between the tree line and the wagons so that her buffs reached both sets of party members. Frederick had run to her side and slammed a large metal square into the ground. It was one of the largest shields that Trillia had ever seen.


    As Trillia ran into the trees, she was shocked to see a cluster of six minotaurs and humans, all dressed in makeshift leather, all with their faces covered.


    A fury burned within her that she hadn''t expected.


    [Racial Skill Unlocked]!


    [Orcish Fury] Level 0 Obtained!


    Orcish Fury is a passive skill that is triggered based on your emotional state. When it is active, it will drain 100 Stamina per minute (-8 Per Level) and doubles your highest base stat during that time!


    Trillia watched as her Wisdom spiked to nearly a thousand. She sheathed her rapier and flung her hand out in front of her. The mana leapt hungrily from her fingertips, and before she could even utter the chant; She watched as a [Storm of Bolts] tore through trees and enemies alike. She stared at her hand, dumbfounded.


    As an arrow came streaking toward her face, she tried to throw herself back and out of the way.


    "[Intercept]!" Layla disappeared from her location and appeared directly in front of Trillia. The arrow slammed into the shield the little cleric carried. "Focus, sister! Kill first, question later!"


    Trillia nodded and was happy to let her temporary power flow through her. [The Shattered Bolt] seemed to charge almost instantly. Trillia hosed the enemies in little shocks of electricity and mana bolts. She was also surprised to see Layla dodging and weaving between enemies as they tried to take cover, using her mace to smash ankles and knees, never sticking around for a follow-up attack or to be engaged. It was a brutal but effective tactic.


    Less than a minute after the two had charged into the forest, the six enemies lay dead with a myriad of broken bones and holes leaking blood. Trillia wanted to stare. Wanted to be in shock at the fact she had just murdered humans and minotaur alike. A scream from the wagons ripped her mind from its spiral. She turned and charged back toward the wagon. As she ran, her right hand quickly strummed on the tiny harp at her hip, and more mana flowed out of her.


    Layla and Trillia moved a little faster as Astra''s took hold.


    One of the wagons had been toppled. There was an adult megapede being ridden by an orc. Frederick lay crumpled up in a pile behind the overturned wagon. Alfred was in his shining armor, going toe-to-toe with the megapede. Malor was holding off two of the other enemies - both looked like humans - and Amelia was being pushed back by four minotaur with heavy hammers.


    "To Amelia! I will help Alfred and Malor!" Layla didn''t respond; Merely changed direction slightly and kept running. Trillia lifted her left arm and let loose volley after volley of mana bolts toward the humans that Malor was fighting. Raising her other hand and loosing another [Storm of Bolts] towards the rider himself.


    The megapede opened its mouth and clamped down on Alfred''s torso, spewing acid as it did. The man dropped his hammer and pulled two small daggers from his gauntlets, pounding them repeatedly into the thing''s head. The orc hefted a large axe in both hands, aiming towards Alfred''s head. As Trillia neared, she leapt towards the strike. The massive boost to her agility brought her up and to the axe. It clipped her right shoulder, tearing into flesh. She let out a scream but kept her wits enough to raise her left arm and loosed a volley of mana bolts into the orc''s face.


    The recoil damage from [Sorrow''s Edge] coupled with the mana bolts was enough to cause him to drop his weapon. But he was an orc. Just like Trillia, he had tenacity.


    The troupe quickly settled into a tempo of hammering the orc with attacks and keeping out of reach. Trillia felt the whistle grow warm and knew that Ialu had fought to her last.


    It took them nearly thirty minutes to wear out the orc''s tenacity and finally bash his skull in.


    The orc that had been driving their second wagon staggered out of the forest, missing several fingers and carrying a deep gash on his forehead.


    Trillia had collapsed on the ground as her Stamina had been depleted entirely by [Orcish Fury]. She kept letting her mana overflow from its current point to keep Layla topped up as the cleric did her best to heal the worst of the injuries first. Amelia helped, as best she could, with songs and chants.


    Alfred was dumping two vials of a murky red substance into Alfred''s throat. <Human:> "Fucking cunts. Can''t do an actual job. Gotta try to rob good, hard-working honest folks. Guess that''s something all cultures share. Lazy fuckers, I hope you all burn in Infernus!"


    As the other orc reached them, he collapsed to his knees. Layla moved over and began using healing on him as well. <Orc:> "Sorry. I tried to save the wolf. She managed to take out another two on that side. I took out the one that took her out. Do we know what tribe they were from?"


    Trillia tried to speak but could only gasp for air. She lay there and closed her eyes as tears formed. Amelia plopped on the ground near them now that they had gathered together. <Orc:> "No. We''ll rip off flesh to find their tribal markings once Layla makes us whole again. Whatever tribe they were. I''ll see them fucking crushed for this. Our people shouldn''t be acting like fucking savages."


    Trillia wanted to nod in agreeance but couldn''t manage that. She felt her skills straining to keep her standing upright. [Remain Standing] seemed to be having a rather vicious battle with tenacity. Tenacity demanded she rest after its activation and her subsequent healing, but [Remain Standing] demanded that she, well, remain upright and ready to fight. It was a nauseating experience.


    Just as she felt ready to pass out, a bright green light shone from Layla.


    "Divine Mother, grant me strength. Accept our battle as retribution for the wrongs committed today, and restore your warriors! [Divine Prayer: Restoration]!"


    Trillia watched as every debuff she had, except for [Scorned Divinity], of course, vanished. She immediately felt the war within subside and no longer felt quite as exhausted.


    Layla stood on shakey legs mumbling to herself. "Thank you, Divine Mother." She tried to put her hands together in prayer, but she had lost that battle. Malor caught her as she fell forward. Amelia assured everyone that she was still alive.


    Alfred shook his head, having removed the armor. <Human:> "Fuck''s sake. That''s one tough fucking acolyte. Saved our asses a dozen times."


    Trillia offered a little thumbs up at that.


    -=- A Few Hours Later -=-


    With some serious effort, they fixed the wagon that had been toppled. Frederick was back on his feet, having intercepted an attack meant for one of the lovax. The boy just narrowly avoided dying for it. They had laid Layla in the back of a wagon after cleaning some of the blood off of her. Amelia, Trillia, and the other Orc had gone around and collected the valuables of the fallen, as well as anything that would give the troupe a clue as to who had attacked them.


    Trillia, who was now riding next to Alfred, spoke softly. <Human:> "I fucked up. I''m sorry. I didn''t think anyone would attack us. I got lazy and didn''t do my job. I nearly got us all kille-"


    She stopped when he put a hand up to her face. <Human:> "You''re a fucking child. I''m not going to flip out and get angry because you haven''t been turned to shit by this deity-forsaken fucking realm and wanted to believe in the good of people. We all make mistakes, lass. I was a cheap bastard and didn''t pressure Mort to give me guards for the return trip. I didn''t armor up the wagons or the lovax, and it nearly cost me my son. We all fucked up today. But we all lived."


    Alfred turned to look at her and lowered his hand. <Human:> "Don''t you fucking apologize for keeping your head during the fight and making sure we all got out alive. That''s your job. You wiped out the enemy before we ran out of resources. You did damn good. We all got complacent. Let this be a very real first valuable lesson for your group. Never get complacent."


    Trillia wiped the tears from her eyes with a nod.


    <Human:> "It''ll be ok, lass. You get used to the blood and the chaos." Alfred turned his eyes back to the road ahead as the group carried on, much more exhausted and wary than before.


    Trillia took a deep breath, resummoned Ialu, and started doing full loops around the wagons. She wouldn''t get complacent again. She promised herself that once they were in the city, she''d have herself a good cry. But right now, it wasn''t the time for it.

 Chapter 83 Return Trip Part 2 (Final)

    The last few days of the return trip were more stressful. Even though nothing happened, the new - and young- adventuring party had just survived their first real encounter with other humanoid creatures. For most of them, it was their first time killing something that looked like they did.


    As they approached the gate of Red River, the guards saw them still half covered in blood with patchwork wagons and the random assortment of equipment and gear of other adventuring types. Amelia took point.


    <Orc:> "Hail. I am Amelia Shatterhoof. We are returning with goods and wares from Rift City. We need to immediately speak with the General. We were attacked by brigands on the return trip and need help identifying their origin.> One of the guards immediately turned and ran off. The other ushered them inside. Trillia watched as everyone''s shoulders visibly sagged once they were within the safety of the modest walls of the city.


    They didn''t have to wait long before Ralrouk, Tormash, and Ba''Shoon came storming over to the guard station. Trillia was squeezing her fists to the point they hurt, trying to hold it together and give a report.


    Tormash looked them all over, probably saw how shaken everyone was, and walked up to Alfred. <Human:> "I don''t speak your words well. The others seem shaken. Explain yourselves. Slowly, for my sake."


    Alfred looked at him and sighed, rubbing his eyes. It was the first time the armourer looked old and weary. <Human:> "A group of ten or so ambushed. One of them was an orc that had somehow tamed one of those fucking big bugs you lot are always fighting. A few humans and minotaur were there as well. Forgive me, Chieftain. They didn''t give us time to talk. They ambushed us with several volleys of arrows and were aiming to kill. We killed them down to the last. The only reason we made it through was because of the young Acolyte. Layla is her name. She gave herself a debuff I haven''t seen before, keeping the healing up. A young orc named Grommich was heavily wounded."


    Alfred motioned to the orc, who was laying in the back of the wagon he had been driving. Layla hadn''t been able to restore his eye or his fingers. She had been too drained from the other spells. <Human:> "The Princess told us to trim any markings that might discern where these fucks came from. So we did that and took their belongings. I don''t know how the orcs handle it. If we did anything that is against your laws. I will take full responsibility as the caravan master. Please don''t punish the young folks. They fought more bravely than some seasoned adventurers. They need rest, M''Lord. If possible, before you question them." With that, he looked pointedly at Ralrouk and Ba''Shoon.


    Ralrouk growled and leaned in. <Human:> "Thank you. For helping to save my sister and little Amelia. I assure you, Lord Alfred. This won''t go unanswered. As for the gear, if the Chieftain and Elder Shaman have no need of it. You keep what you kill. It''s the least that can be offered for what you have had to go through."


    Ba''Shoon spoke up next. <Human:> "We can let you all rest for the night. We can question them more tomorrow. I apologize on behalf of Red River for not taking better care of its craftsman. It seems that opening our city up to outsiders has corrupted some of our more idiotic tribesmen into being dishonorable savages like our ancestors."


    Alfred nodded and looked over at Trillia. <Human:> "Why don''t you take your group and head off to rest? Fred, Grommich, and I can handle getting the wagons to the workshop." Trillia and the others nodded slightly.


    Trillia took in a shaky breath and looked at the others before she tried to speak. Ba''Shoon spoke up. <Orc:> "Why don''t you all rest at the Chieftain''s building tonight? It''s safe, secure, and comfortable. I''ll make sure your group is fed." Trillia gave her another nod before the others followed her toward the building in question. Ralrouk and Tormash stayed behind to inspect the gear and markings. Ba''Shoon followed them back.


    Within the next hour, everyone had been given a guest room, normally reserved for merchant guild leaders or other prominent people from D''Jamu or Rift City. Ba''Shoon led Trillia to her room last, and once the heavy furs were closed, Trillia sunk to her knees, and the tears began.


    Ba''Shoon knelt next to her and pulled her into a hug. <Orc:> "There there, little one. It gets better, I promise."


    -=- The Next Day -=-


    Trillia woke feeling even more exhausted than she had in the past few days. She remembered crying for quite some time. The last thing she remembered was Ba''Shoon reassuring her. She woke up rubbing her eyes. Ialu lay curled up at her feet with her head resting on Trillia''s legs.


    Trillia took a deep breath and sat up, rubbing Ialu''s ears and putting her thoughts in order. After contemplating for a few minutes, she saw the wash basin in the room and decided scrubbing the blood out of her clothes was a solid first step.


    -=- A Few Hours Later -=-


    Trillia walked toward the main hall. There was a commotion and a rather serious one going on. Tormash stood on the raised dais meant for the Elder Chieftain. Several other orcs were there, as well as a bunch of humans and even a couple minotaur.


    Ralrouk stood next to Tormash. His face wore a familiar look. It had been the same look he wore when he had to go and deal with a tribe of orcs that had been practicing slavery again. As the crowd grew louder, Ralrouk reached into a pocket space and pulled out the severed head of the orc they had slain. <Orc:> "This was the leader of those brigands. Not only did they attack the Princess of Rift City, they also attacked the daughter of Amara Demonsbane. Who, need I remind you, is also the pact-bound to Arlyss Darktone. In addition, that group was acting as a carrier for missives between Grand Alchemist Mort and Grand Chieftain Tormash. One of our most trusted armourers was bringing minerals and metals back to forge new armor for many of the very leaders in this room. Make no mistake. This is not a request from Chieftain Tormash for your aid. This is a demand from the General of the Shattered Plains. We will not abide by brigands and raiders any longer."


    One of the orcs stepped forward. <Orc:> "We are not humans! Stop trying to push human culture onto us! The strong take from the weak. That is the way of the orcs!" Before anyone could shout, Tormash drew and hurled a battleaxe into the orc''s chest. In the next breath, Tormash was standing in front of the orc holding him up off the ground. Tormash knew all too well that the orc had tenacity, so this wouldn''t kill him.


    <Orc:> "The strong take from the weak?! Is that what you''ve gotten from our teachings, Kronak!? How about I take your tribe from you? Your life from you? You are weaker than me, are you not?!" Tormash let go and yanked the axe from the orc''s chest, who crumpled to the ground. Ba''Shoon motioned, and Trillia felt the mana drain from her to heal the orc. Tormash looked down at him. <Orc:> "We are meant to be better. Amara Demonsbane has pushed for us to be better. I have pushed for us to be better. You say you hate the culture of the humans, yet their weakest can still live and have a chance to thrive into something better. What happens to our weakest, brother?"


    Tormash leaned down and extended an arm. <Orc:> "How many children has your tribe lost to these fucking bugs? How many children must the orcs continue to lose in the name of our culture?"


    The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The orc growled but was smart enough not to reach for a weapon. With some reluctance, he grabbed Tormash''s hand and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. <Orc:> "I just meant that our people are resistant to change. First, we''re expected to sit in one place like the humans and minotaur, and now you expect us to just allow free trade. Why?"


    Trillia gritted her teeth and strode forward. As she was nearing the raised dais, Alfred''s familiar hand grabbed her shoulder and stopped her. Tormash closed his eyes and shook his head. <Orc:> "I don''t ever want to hold a dying child in my arms again. Ba''Shoon and I are trying for children of our own. I know you Chieftain Kronak. You have four strong sons of your own, do you not?" The other orc nodded slightly. <Orc:> "Imagine holding them when they were a baby. Watching their lifeblood flow freely. Imagine for a moment. " As he said it, he grabbed Kronak''s face. <Orc:> "Imagine them grabbing you, begging you to save them. Asking if they were a good and strong orc."


    The other orc was clearly getting uncomfortable but couldn''t pull from Tormash''s grip. <Orc:> "Imagine holding your beautiful wife in your arms...watching her fade away. I grow weary of being the playthings of the gods. I grow weary of letting death take us in the name of culture. I founded this city so that orcs who didn''t want to struggle just to feed themselves could find a place. If you and your tribe wish to be nomads, I happily support you. I look forward to your yearly visits to us. But I won''t hold back our entire species for the sake of us being stubborn to ancestry. I won''t allow our people to turn back into savages, enslaving our own people and butchering others. I will kill anyone who stands in the way of that progress." With that, he let the orc go. Turning and walking back up to stand next to Ralrouk.


    Trillia watched her brother take a deep breath and mumble something to himself before turning to face the now-silent crowd. <Orc:> "By order of the Grand Chieftain of the Shattered Plains. Anyone caught taking part in banditry or raiding is hereby banished from the United Tribes. They are no longer considered sapient creatures. They may be treated with the same hostility and disregard for freedom as the [Megapedes] are."


    The humans didn''t understand the weight of that, but the orcs certainly did. As did the minotaur. But after the display, none of them were brave enough to challenge him openly. Tormash continued. <Orc:> "If you do not like how I run this city. Leave. If you do not like how I run the Shattered Plains. Challenge me, or leave. I nearly lost my little sister. Tell me. How many of you are brave enough to stand against Amara? Or Celestia forbid, the fucking deity that Trillia is bound to? How many of you are willing to incur his wraith in the name of being a dishonorable fucking thief?! Let''s not forget that Princess Amelia was also in that group. Tell me, how many of you have seen King Cordaos when he''s truly angry? I have. I have no desire to watch him flatten our entire fucking city because we allowed bandits to kill his only child!"


    Invoking the names of the Generals was enough to make everyone gathered look down and away. Both had an infamous temper when they were in battle. Trillia also knew, without a doubt, that despite their sometimes aloof demeanor, Brutus and Stas would happily wipe out a bunch of orcs and minotaurs if asked by Amara or Cordaos.


    An older orc stepped forward. <Orc:> "I hear you, Grand Chieftain. But surely, taking away their rights to freedom is too far. Even for such risks. I mean no disregard to our human brethren, but we must only look so far as D''Jamu''s recent history to see what a lack of freedom can do to an otherwise strong city."


    Ba''Shoon put a hand on Tormash''s shoulder and stepped forward. <Orc:> "As a former slave to humans myself. I am all too familiar with the weight of shackles. I wouldn''t wish it on anyone. What would you suggest, as an alternative, to make it clear that the United Tribes will not tolerate such a thing? I see many of you questioning my husband''s decisions, but I''ve heard no alternatives as of yet. How do we make them repay their debt to society without prison or slavery?"


    The room went silent. Trillia stepped forward, pulling away from Alfred as she did. As she neared the dais, she raised a hand. <Orc:> "May I say something, Elder Shaman?"


    She was given more than a few odd looks, and some of the humans began whispering, knowing more of her and her exploits in the desert than many of the orcs did at this point. Tormash nodded and motioned for her to take another step.


    Trillia took a couple of steps up onto the dais and turned to look at the gathered crowd before looking at Tormash. "Our people value freedom above everything. I have been kidnapped and trapped in a pod myself. It was a truly miserable feeling. Shaman Ba''Shoon asks for alternatives... Perhaps an alternative fit for an orc. Anyone who is caught partaking in being a thief is sent with a scouting party strong enough to handle them. They can be the front line when clearing the undead dungeons of D''Jamu''s desert. Or clearing the nests of [Megapedes] in the Shattered Plains. For every life that was taken during their banditry. They must clear another dungeon or nest. It is still a form of slavery, I admit." She sighed and shook her head. "Forgive me. Perhaps it''s not a better solution."


    Surprisingly, Kronak spoke up. <Orc:> "I prefer that. For every life ruined, they must save a greater amount. They must prove to the Shattered Plains that they can be seen as an equal. My tribe has a long-standing of being aggressive raiders. But I cannot deny what the Grand Chieftain says either..."


    After looking down for a moment, he turned his eyes to Tormash. <Orc:> "In addition to the four strong sons I had. We lost our daughter at three years of age. Our tribe had been unable to raid for months. We had no crops, no food. We couldn''t keep enough nourishment in the child for her to survive." Everyone felt silent once more.


    Trillia took a few steps down and touched his forearm. <Orc:> "I don''t think any of us want to lose what makes us orcs. I just think that many of us want our families to be able to experience all this realm has to offer. Even if it hasn''t been easy as of late."


    Alfred stepped forward next. With a look to Tormash, who nodded and motioned, he spoke. <Human:> "If you''d translate for me, little lady." Trillia nodded.


    Despite not fully understanding the language, he had picked up on enough context clues from what Trillia had been translating for him. <Human:> "As another alternative. Which, again, is close to slavery in the eyes of your culture. Maybe force them to apprentice under some craftsmen? Give them a skill that lets them earn an honest living that doesn''t involve stabbin'' or killin''. You fucks are tough as steel and twice as strong. Teach ''em how to break rocks, teach ''em how to hammer steel."


    Tormash nodded and raised a hand as chatter began to form. <Orc:> "My statement stands. If they are caught, for now, I am willing to allow them to live as usual and either be forced to join the military or be forced to apprentice for no pay. If they refuse, they are stripped of their rights as a member of the United Tribes and are labeled a monster. We''ve been arguing and at this for several hours. Let the weight of this conversation settle on your shoulders. Go grab food. Discuss it. Return here in two hours if you still wish to discuss anything with me."


    The chatter returned immediately as people began to filter out. Kronak rubbed the spot on his chest where the axe had hit. <Orc:> "Are we going soft, Tormash? Will our people become weak?"


    Tormash looked down at him, but it was Ralrouk who spoke up. <Orc:> "I spent a lot of time in D''Jamu. Lady Kismet is expecting our first child together soon. I''ve seen some humans that would wipe the floor with most of our tribe. By Infernus, look at General Brutus. Listen to the legends of Queen Alliyah. Tormash and I will never allow the orcs to become weak. We want the chance to have long lives and protect our children as all the other races do."


    Kronak looked over at the towering orc and sighed. <Orc:> "Forgive my outburst, Chieftain Tormash. I think I''ll take the time you''ve given and think things over." Once everyone else filtered out, it was just Tormash, Ralrouk, Ba''Shoon, Alfred, and Trillia left. Ialu had run off on her own, awaiting Trillia''s call. Trillia ran over to Ralrouk, wearing a smile ear to ear. "That means that Kismet and Ba''Shoon will both have children soon, right?! I''m going to be the best aunt!"


    Tormash let out a laugh at that, tussling her hair. <Orc:> "You had better teach them how to survive like a real orc. We''ll be too damn busy buried in complaints and bullshit. Are you feeling ok?"


    Trillia turned to him and smiled. <Orc:> "I am. I am going to gather the others and see if they wish to wait another day or if they are ready to delve immediately."


    Alfred waited patiently for a break in conversation before speaking up. <Human:> "I actually came to discuss some matters that Grand Alchemist Mort brought up. Should I wait until later, Chieftain?"


    Tormash shook his head. <Human:> "No. We grab food and discuss it over lunch. It''s the least I can do, given the danger you recently faced. We can work on our language skills as well."


    Trillia ran off to gather the others as Ba''Shoon grabbed the cooks and began to make a large lunch for everyone.

 Chapter 84 Choice Paralysis

    The conversations with Alfred went smoothly. Most of it had already been worked out with Mort, and Alfred was just clearing it with Tormash to make sure nothing was promised that would hurt his position in the orc city.


    Trillia finally took the time to look over the notifications from the ambush. She had put it off for the remainder of the trip, mostly because she didn''t want to face what she had done.


    Now that she was done with all of the things she felt obligated to be around for and had delivered the letters to Tormash, she felt she could relax.


    She was sitting back in her tent. Ialu was munching on some small animal that hadn''t been quick enough to escape. Amelia had stopped by briefly, saying she needed to speak with Tormash as well concerning some issue or another that Mort had discussed with her at Rift City. Trillia took that as a sign to give everyone another day to rest after the ordeal they had gone through.


    Your group has defeated [Minotaur]


    ...


    Your group has defeated [Orc]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 74 -> 75


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent:Runt] Level 68 -> Level 70


    Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 71 -> Level 73 (MAX)


    Class: [Mana Sage] Level 54 -> Level 58


    With [Monster Slayer] reaching its maximum level for medium duration again. She was at a crossroads. The other deities had told her to take [Runic Scholar] and [Mana-Sage] to their mid-two hundreds. But that was a long journey.


    She closed her eyes and reached out through the connection to Arlyss. She hadn''t spoken to him in a couple of weeks. It was a good chance to check in and also get some advice.


    A few seconds passed before a portal opened, and Arlyss stepped into the tent. Heavy crimson robes with golden embroidery seemed to fit his frame better by the day. The staff he clutched in one hand was a dark green gnarled wood with a glowing blue orb on top. Trillia smiled and felt a little relieved and a little safer. "Sorry to bother you, Lord Arlyss. I just wanted to see how things were in D''Jamu and ask you for your advice."


    Arlyss happily returned the smile and sat in the air next to her. Trillia didn''t even feel his power anymore like it had been hidden in a place far from her. "You''re never a bother, Trillia. I was happy to see your group emerge victorious from the ambush. I worried that I may have to get involved or get someone else involved."


    That caught Trillia by surprise. Apparently, the look on her face said as much since he continued. "I try to check in on all of my pact-bound from time to time. I also wanted to give you room to grow. If I get involved, you learn much less, and you get no experience for it. I know your personal growth is important to you, and I wouldn''t want to stifle that because I''m overly worried."


    Trillia gave that some thought. Would she rather he have just swooped in to save them?


    She contemplated it for a few minutes before shaking her head. "It''s better for us to learn and suffer the consequences. There will come a time when you aren''t available to save us. If we rely on you too heavily, we''ll never stand on our own. Is the city doing well? Has there been any word on the Sage?"


    Arlyss shook his head. "D''Jamu is fine. Thriving actually. The crops are growing well, and with the portal open, food isn''t as severe of an issue. There''s been some civil unrest with the arrival of orcs and minotaur. But I think that''s just people fearing for the culture of the city and holding in old prejudices. From what I saw of that town hall meeting while looking through Ralrouk''s eyes, you all are suffering from the same. That''s to be expected. The sage hasn''t been able to push back as of yet. Maldoun has begun training many soldiers in the radiant arts to fight off the undead. You focus on your own progress. I will call you if a crisis arises, don''t worry. What is it you needed advice on?"


    Trillia was relieved to her things were going mostly smoothly in the city. It was odd, feeling like she had so many homes that she cared about. Once more, she shook her head and tried to focus on the task at hand. "It''s about something the other deities told me." She briefly retold the story again so that it was fresh in his mind. "[Monster Slayer] is maxed out again. Should I take their advice and immediately jump into [Runic Scholar]? It was a rather difficult class to utilize properly years ago when I first tried to take it."


    Arlyss thought for a moment. Suddenly his power rushed back into the room, Trillia''s breath caught in her throat, and she stared wide-eyed at him. "Forgive me. I''m still getting used to having multiple focal points and bodies. It supposedly gets easier the more I use it. But for now, I can''t evenly distribute my power. So whenever I am tasked to do anything except the most basic of functions, all of my power floods into the avatar I focus on."


    That only caused her more confusion, and she shook her head. Telling herself to ask him about it another time. "Why did you need your power here?"


    Arlyss blinked a few times as he stared at her. "Oh, I''m going through your status window and looking over your skills and stats. It seems I''m still not capable of seeing what options you have for classes or class evolutions. For now, let me just ask what [Monster Slayer] can evolve into. If it can evolve."


    Trillia nodded and pulled up the relevant information.


    Class: [Monster Slayer] 2 Evolutions Available 1 Mastery Available (Medium Rank)


    Orc Champion


    Duration: Long, Extendable


    Requirements: Species or Subspecies must be Orc. Raise an advanced class to Mastery no less than 2 times. Have at least one base stat be at or above 500.


    Orc Champions differ greatly based on which stat was the first to reach the requirement. Brawn stats focus on physical melee combat and survivability. Dexterity stats focus on ranged combat and stealth. Charisma stats focus on negotiations, leadership, and tactics. Orc Champions will get advanced skills based on which stat reached the requirement first. But will gain access to all skills of any basic combat classes you have access to. Up to the maximum level you''ve reached in any given basic class.


    Further bonuses hidden until the class has reached its maximum level.


    Orc Champion has 5 active skill slots.


    Orc Champion has 5 passive skill slots.


    Orc Champion has a very large array of skills. (Conditional)


    Orc Champion provides 1 stat every level to the first stat to have reached the requirement. (Wisdom)


    Orc Champion provides 1 stat point every third level.


    Trillia rattled the first option off before re-reading it to ensure she understood it fully. "Stealth would be a good option. Amelia and Layla are both capable front-line combatants. Being able to sneak up behind an enemy and unload [Shattered Bolt] or a magic spell would be invaluable. It would also give your group a much-needed scout. The wording is a bit odd. I don''t think I''ve seen anyone reference advanced classes. Only basic and specialty. Though I''ve also had minimal experience with the class system mortals use. The system I have is...a mess at times. Mostly because of my inexperience and the sheer wealth of information at my disposal. What is the other option?"


    Dungeon Scourge


    Duration: Long, Extendable


    Requirements: Must have the Dungeon Addict Trait.


    Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.Must have the Core Destroyer Trait.


    Must have at least one stat that is at or above 500.


    Must have delved at least five different hostile dungeons to their core.


    A Dungeon Scourge specializes in fighting in dungeons. Whether that is as someone delving into the dungeon or as a defender. It offers unique skills meant for dealing with how a dungeon operates and allows the user to tamper with some of those systems. A built-in passive skill that requires no slot for all Dungeon Scourge is a 50% increase in all damage dealt while in dungeons. This includes friendly fire, be careful!


    Further bonuses hidden until the class has reached its maximum level.


    Dungeon Scourge has 4 active skill slots.


    Dungeon Scourge has 1 passive skill slot.


    Dungeon Scourge has a very small array of passive skills.


    Dungeon Scourge provides 1 stat point every even level.


    As she finished repeating that one. She paused and looked at Arlyss. "They say further bonuses hidden until the class has reached its maximum level. [Monster Slayer] didn''t show me anything extra?"


    Arlyss nodded as he pondered that option. "It''s there exclusively for the extendable duration. Many classes get exponentially stronger the longer you are in the class. I believe Mother has been in the Queen of Kadessa class until level twelve hundred or so. The buffs she provides to her subjects extend nearly three hundred miles in every direction and linger for up to two years after she leaves the realm. It''s how she keeps gaining so many levels. She used to adventure with my Father in other realms for a year or two and return to the kingdom. It''s also why she''s so beloved by the people and difficult to usurp."


    Trillia squinted her eyes at him. She couldn''t imagine being in the same class for that many levels. How on Alirast did Queen Alliyah not get bored. "Thoughts on my classes? I was also debating whether or not I should take [Rune Fencer]. I''m interested in the class itself, and I know it''s potent. I stumbled on it during my tenacity ritual."


    "You''ve probably got quite a few rather potent and interesting classes available to you at this point. Not only have you done a rather significant amount of travel, but you''re also a pact-bound creature. You''re going to be doing a lot of dungeon delving, right? With your group into Red River?" Trillia gave him a nod as she poked and prodded at the system. "I''d say evolve into Dungeon Scourge. It will make sure your group makes serious progress. I know it''s a long class which could be progress you make towards [Runic Scholar] being in the two-hundreds. But I think having the front-loaded power now, while your entire group is learning and progressing, would be a greater boon."


    "Thank you for your time, Lord Arlyss. I''ll give it some more thought and seek a few other people''s opinions before making my choice. If you need me, please don''t hesitate to call upon me." Arlyss smiled and gave her a hug before leaving through another portal. As this ''body'' stepped through the portal and the power left, it left Trillia trembling. He was out scaling her rapidly in power and capability. She felt a little angry at that. Shaking such nonsense from her head, she stood and gave Ialu some scratches before exiting to seek out her other party members for their opinions.


    The next one she came upon was Layla. Layla asked her about her stats, skills, etc, and asked her about her evolution choices as well. But came to a very different conclusion. "You''re magic is really powerful. You also have near-endless mana to use. I''d suggest Orc Champion if you''re set on evolving this class. Or looking at other magic-based classes you have available to you. I know you''ve invested a lot of time with the rapier, and you''re very skilled with it. But if we can keep you in the middle of the group or the back line. You''ll be far more valuable. I feel this is especially true if you can access a class that gives you more potent healing or a wider array of buffs or debuffs."


    Trillia sat on a stool near the orc girl. Both were in the healing hall of the dungeon at present since Layla often spent time there healing. Apparently, healing wounds as a cleric actually got her a fair amount of experience. Gobbinz was eavesdropping and came to sit next to them. "[Dungeon Scourge] is a class Father is very interested in. I don''t think it''s the right choice for you personally. But, Father feels as though it would be valuable if your intent is to stay and clear his many layers."


    Trillia sighed and rubbed her eyes. At times like these, she wished she could speak to her mother. Or one of her uncles. Someone who has been alive for centuries and has a large selection of classes to choose from. "I''ll give it some more thought. We aren''t delving until tomorrow, anyway. Thanks for all the help, you two." Layla and Gobbinz offered nods and began chatting about various classes themselves. By the time Trillia made it to the door, almost everyone was in on the discussion.


    As she wandered the city, meandering toward the tent that she and Amelia shared, Layla''s words sat heavily with her. It was the first time she could remember that an orc had suggested she be a mage and sit in the back of a group. It held more weight than usual since Layla was the one that was patching them up. Maybe if Trillia could find a suitable healing class, the group wouldn''t be at such risk. [Restorative Chant] only got her so far.


    With a heavy sigh and the grumbling of her stomach, she set off to instead find food. Trillia brought up her full status page for the first time in a long time. Hoping something would give her inspiration as to what to take.


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}


    [Status: Alive; Scorned Divinity]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 75


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 70


    +5 Wisdom Per Level


    Class: [Monster Slayer] Level 73 (MAX) (0 Stats Available)


    Class: [Mana Sage] Level: 58


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 295] + 50%


    \Strength: 95 + Vitality: 200/


    [Dexterity: 919] + 50%


    \Agility: 139(+263) + Wisdom: 517/


    [Charisma: 211] + 50%


    \Intuition: 95 Presence: 116/


    Traits:


    Pact-Bound (Deity)


    Runt


    Limitless Mana


    Thirst For Knowledge


    Divine: Unwavering Determination


    Alchemical Blood


    Spawn Seeker


    Dungeon Addict


    Tongues


    Remain Standing


    Core Destroyer


    Racial Skills:


    [Orc Savagery - Passive]: - Level <Disabled> [Runt]


    [Orc Constitution - Passive]: - Level 1 <Limited> [Runt]


    [Orc Tenacity - Passive]: - Level 10 (MAX)


    General Skills:


    [Alchemy - Hybrid]: Level 2


    [Cooking - Hybrid]: Level 4


    [Herbalism - Passive]: Level 4


    [Lesser Corrupt Mana Resistance - Passive]: Level 7


    [Lesser Fire Mana Resistance - Passive]: Level 5


    [Lesser Ice Mana Resistance - Passive]: Level 3


    [Lesser Mind Mana Resistance - Passive]: Level 3


    [Lesser Wind Mana Resistance - Passive]: Level 2


    [Mana Obfuscastion - Hybrid]: Level 10 (Max)


    [Mana Sight- Passive]: Level 10 (Max) [Currently: Off]


    [Minor Health Regeneration]: Level 15 (Max)


    [Minor Telepathy - Hybrid]: Level 10 (Max)


    [Monster Taming - Active]: Level 7


    [Rapier Mastery - Passive]: Level 15 (Max)


    [Runic Scripture - Hybrid] Level 4


    [Stalwart Mana- Reactive]: Level 8


    [Sustained Travel - Passive]: Level 3


    [Universal Mana Manipulation - Hybrid] Level 9


    Class Skills:


    [Monster Slayer]


    Active: Abomination Bane Weaponry - Level 10 (Max)


    Active: Tools For Abominations- Level 10 (Max)


    Active: Abomination Titan Hunter - Level 10 (Max)


    Active: Brutality (Hybrid) - Level 3


    Active: Slayer''s Aura - Level 1


    Passive: Obfuscation Override (Status) - Level 10 (Max)


    Passive: Obfuscation Override (Health) - Level 10 (Max)


    Passive: Undead - Level Max


    Passive: Goblin - Level Max


    Passive: Abomination - Level Max


    [Mana Sage]


    Active: Searing Rend - Converted


    Active: Storm of Bolts - Converted


    Active: Mana Rift - Level 9


    Passive: Overcharge - Level 8


    Passive: Mana Warped - Level 4


    Mastery:


    Minstrel- Restorative Chant - MAX


    Minstrel- Astra''s Amazing Agility - MAX


    Fencer- Fleet Foot - MAX


    Fencer - Weapon''s Path - MAX


    Swashbuckler - Disarming Charisma - MAX


    Mage - Magic Dynamo - MAX


    Mage - Augment: Extended Range - MAX


    Mage- Augment: Blast Radius - MAX


    Monster Slayer - Mental Bestiary - MAX


    Bound Artifacts: 2


    [The Shattered Bolt]


    [Red River Resonance]


    [Sliver of Fate]


    Mentor: Amelia Shatterhoof (Minstrel/Alive) Skill: [Marching Cadence] -MAX


    Mentor: Maldoun Mostafa (Radiant Blade/Alive) Skill: [Radiant Lance] -MAX


    Health: 4425


    Stamina: 2000


    Mana: 51,082,112/-

 Chapter 85 A New Mentor

    Trillia sat happily with her second bowl of stew. One of the guards was kind enough to invite her over to their cooking pot upon seeing her wander. The group of guards was chatting about the new-found bandit problem, as well as how they felt about training in a dungeon.


    It was positive all around. Less risk, more reward, and they could afford to try things because they knew they wouldn''t die. If it was something that worked, they could incorporate it; if not, there was no harm done.


    The bandit issue was entirely different. The orcs felt as though banishment was too harsh a punishment for what was essentially raiding. Something that most orcs knew of and took part in at some point in their lives. The Minotaurs, on the other hand, felt it was something that held them back as a species and made them come across as savages. There was some arguing over the point but nothing more.


    One of the orcs finished drinking the broth in his bowl, and as he reached forward to grab another scoop, he looked over at Trillia. "So, what are the problems facing you, lass? You normally eat in your tent with Amelia. What has you out and wandering?"


    Trillia finished swallowing a spoon full before looking over at him. "Amelia has some errands to take care of. I was sort of just using food as an excuse to think."


    The guard leaned back with her fresh bowl. A couple of the other guards motioned for her to continue. She paused and shrugged before briefly explaining her classes to them. She left out Lethe and the other deities but mentioned that the deity she was pact-bound to mentioned a possible combination class.


    The guards all went silent as they thought about it. The orc who had started the conversation took a couple bites of stew before speaking. "I guess it depends. Your cleric friend has a point. If you aren''t ready to be a front-line combatant. Something that keeps you at a range is ideal. Mo'' over there uses a heavy crossbow since he''s shite with every melee weapon we''ve handed him." The orc motioned to a minotaur, who only rolled his eyes in response. "Helps a lot. To know you have someone who is picking off enemy archers or shooting at vulnerable spots. If a megapede is rearing about and thrashing, a melee combatant might struggle to hit the eyes. Mo'' won''t struggle to do so. A blind enemy is a weak enemy."


    One of the other orcs snorted at that. "Unless the fucker was born blind and has traits to go with it. In that case, run the other way. I''ve heard some tales about you, lass. Tons and tons of mana, right?" Seeing Trillia nod, he continued. "I''d go for stuff that burns up a mana bar. There are a few warrior-type classes that burn hundreds of mana a second with active buffs. Mages and healers obviously burn a lot. Alchemists can get very mana-heavy as well. I went on a scouting mission with the Grand Alchemist once. Bastard blew through fifteen mana potions in a single battle and gave himself mana sickness. Saved our asses, though."


    Trillia tilted her head at that. "How does an alchemist burn through mana? I thought they spent a lot of time preparing their potions and flasks?"


    A minotaur spoke up. "It''s my secondary class. What you''re talking about is its interaction with the General Skill. The class itself can turn water into acid if they front load enough mana into the water and flask. Now, obviously, Grand Alchemist Mort is a special case, but I''ve seen him take a handful of sand and transmute it into a glass bottle. The class is an excellent boon, but from what I''ve experienced so far. It doesn''t mesh well without a large investment into Wisdom. I just don''t have the mana to keep up with some of the more active skills."


    Trillia nodded. After a moment of the others chatting, she spoke up. "I have a trait called Alchemical Blood. Does anyone know anything about how it interacts with the class?"


    The alchemist pulled a book out of his pack and began flipping through it. Turning to a page, he handed it over. Trillia took it and read aloud for the others sitting at the fire. "The description for the trait itself is. Your blood is mana. You can utilize your blood in place of certain reagents. Doing so causes a health malus that can only be recovered with natural rest and recovery. The entry here goes on to say - Creatures with Alchemical blood can use their mana as normal to shortcut the typical brewing process. In addition, if they add drops of their blood using this trait into those creations, the creation in question has all of its effects boosted by one-hundred percent." Trillia read it a few more times. Taking a moment, she pulled her own journal out and copied the information over before returning the book.


    "Another option. Thank you for the information, at least. It seems Alchemist is a more tempting prospect than I had originally given it credit for." Trillia put her book away before cradling the soup in her lap and resuming her dinner. The other guards chatted for a few more minutes about the book and its contents before the orc turned to her. "Why not just find a flat rock, mark one side, and flip it? Choose that way."


    Trillia glanced over at him before offering a little shrug and nod. Maybe that''s what she would wind up doing.


    An hour or so later, she bid them all a good night before heading toward her tent. Amelia still hadn''t returned, but at least Ialu was curled up and taking a nap. Trillia walked over and lay next to the wolf.


    ''You know. Alchemist has a short duration. I could take it, try it out, and see if I like it. Darn. I wish I had asked Uncle Mort if he could mentor me in alchemy.'' Having yet another conversation with herself, Trillia finally gave a heavy sigh. She took [Slayer''s Aura] as her mastery skill and locked in [Alchemist] at a short duration. Worst case scenario, she could void it. Best cast alchemy was something she liked and could take the class to its end.


    The General Skill: [Alchemy - Hybrid]: Level 2 has been subsumed by your new class! [Alchemist]


    Alchemist is treated as always having Alchemy as a passive skill. It will not show up in your skill list but is available as a Mastery Skill should you reach the maximum level of your class. In addition to this, all of your class skills will grant experience to the Alchemy passive skill.


    Trillia read through it and nodded. Checking her status to see that the alchemy skill was no longer there but listed under her class instead. She turned on her mana-sight to look around at everything. The random alchemical blurbs of items were more defined and made more sense to her. Given a few levels, she''d be sure it''d be even easier to understand.


    ''I sure hope I get something good out of all this. I still have [Blood Alchemist] as well that I can evolve this into if I like it.'' Grumbling to herself some more, she rolled over and closed her eyes. A good nap was always a good idea.


    -=- The Next Day -=-


    She met Layla by the dungeon, but no one else had shown up yet. The two wandered off to find Frederick at his father''s forge. To their surprise, Amelia and Malor were there as well. Alfred waved at them as they approached. Quite a few others were gathered around, trying desperately to haggle with Margaritte.


    The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    None of them were having any luck.


    As Trillia approached, Frederick gave a little wave and went back to hammering away at a piece of hot metal. <Human:> "Sorry, dear. But our prices are final. We make good quality armor that''s worth what we''re asking. I''ve already told you how you can get a reduction in cost. Just bring us the materials. Alternatively, our scrap pile is reasonably priced."


    The orc in question gave a low growl as he stared down at the woman. Marg only offered him a bright smile and stared directly at him. <Human:> "If there''s nothing else. I''ll have to ask you to put in an order or leave. You''re holding up the line, dear."


    As the orc went to open his mouth and speak, another orc nudged him aside. <Orc:> "Complain later, ya cheap fuck. I watched their armor take a hammer hit from Ralrouk, and it didn''t crumple. Price be damned." The orc looked down at Marg. <Human:> "Uhhh...hard metal, full body. Have rocks." With that, he produced a bunch of metal blocks from a storage item.


    Alfred paused and walked over, inspecting the metal. <Orc:> "Uhhh..metal good." Alfred looked at Trillia to rescue him. She let out a little giggle and walked over with a nod. <Human:> "The metal is fine, lad. You say you want full plate. Does that include protection for the arms, legs, and a helmet?"


    As Trillia translated, the orc nodded. <Orc:> "I use this as a weapon." As he spoke, the orc pulled out a large, crude great sword. Trillia recognized the rough hammering and jagged edge as a rather fine weapon. The look on Alfred''s face said she had a lot to learn about weapons. <Orc:> "Do you need more metal for a new blade? My class specializes in bleeding attacks, if that matters."


    Alfred looked down at the metal, but it was Marg that spoke up. <Human:> "Maybe a grand falchion? Same general shape. Give it a better edge on the top with some jags near the bottom to rip flesh. Could also pay to have it enchanted with bloodletting. Most creatures bleed like a stuck pig if bloodletting is on the blade." Alfred grunted in the affirmative as the two poked and prodded at the metal. Trillia kept translating their musing to the orc.


    <Orc:> "I don''t think I can afford to also get it enchanted. If the general design of the blade is the same shape, I trust you to get it done. I know weapons aren''t your specialty, and armor is. If I have to go elsewhere for a weapon, I''ll understand."


    Alfred scoffed and shook his head, looking over at Malor. <Human:> "Come ''ere lad." As he motioned and Trillia spun to translate that as well. The minotaur wandered over rather curiously. <Human:> "Do you know the blood-letting enchantment? If not, can you learn it from a human book about enchantments?" Malor nodded after the translation. Alfred grinned and turned to the orc. <Orc:> "You''ll get your armor and your weapon. Marg will go over the cost in other bits and bobs from the dungeon. The enchantment will be covered by our good friend Malor here in exchange for any leftover metal that Marg and I don''t use. Sound fair, lad?"


    The orc nodded happily and grabbed Alfred''s hand, shaking it. <Orc:> "This is how humans agree, correct? That is wonderful news for me." Trillia stayed and helped with the negotiations about the rest of the payment. Which was mostly the orc just handing over a bunch of wolf pelts and thirty or so pounds of copper. Alfred handed him a small metal plate with an enchantment on it and told him to return in a week.


    A few hours of this went by before Marg finally waved everyone off, telling them to return tomorrow and that the family had to get to work. Marg looked over at Trillia and gave her a hug. <Human:> "We were already planning on making sure Freddie''s party had good armor. You''re rather helpful with how many languages you know. I''ll make your armor personally." Trillia smiled and returned the hug before looking over at Frederick.


    <Human:> "I was wondering if everyone was ready for our first delve together. If anyone still needs a few more days, I completely understand." Alfred immediately set his hammer down.


    <Human:> "None of you are going into that dungeon for the next four days. We''re already working on armor for all of you. Maybe the first or second level, but nothing deeper. I know Red River plays nice, but I want you all armored up before you head off to fight some twelve-headed cyclops that can breathe fire." Trillia froze and wondered not only what a cyclops was but if Red River had such a creature in its depth. After the abomination they faced on just the second level, she wasn''t sure if it was a joke.


    Amelia walked over and put an arm around Trillia''s shoulders. <Minotaur:> "I came over to ask the same question this morning only to get the same answer. I figured I''d round everyone else up eventually, and we could at least watch and help where we could. Unless you''re absolutely set on going into the dungeon today, that is."


    Trillia offered a little grin. <Minotaur:> "I sort of have a new class I wanted to test out..." She translated the statement for the others to hear. Alfred paused at that and gave her a look. <Human:> "I decided to try out Alchemist. I have a trait that helps it, and I have access to a specialized Alchemy class if the base class goes well."


    Alfred and Marg both nodded. Marg''s eyes lit up with what Trillia could only describe as a predatory glint. <Human:> "You''re learning to be an alchemist, you say? I can get you some easy levels, and you don''t even have to delve into that dungeon."


    Alfred grinned and shook his head. <Human:> "Ya fucked up, lass. Good luck." The man''s grin only spread, and he walked over to his forge and anvil, whistling. Trillia looked between him and Marg a few times.


    <Human:> "So, the process of breaking down certain types of metal is alchemical in nature. I''ve mastered the alchemist class five or six times to make sure that I always have the skills I need. I can show you that process." Marg smiled and leaned on the counter she had been bartering on.


    Trillia jumped forward and extended her hand. <Human:> "Great! Free training, and I get to learn more about armor. Is it ok if I ask you questions about alchemy as we work?"


    Marg nodded and shook her hand. <Human:> "That''s what being a teacher is all about, lass. Actually!"


    [Human - Master Armorsmith - 117] Water Mana Manipulation: Margartitte ''Ironjaw'' has extended an offer to become her apprentice in the class [Alchemist]. She is offering the skill [Refine Purity]. Do you accept?


    Trillia immediately accepted and saw the skill pop up for her. <Human:> "I wish I could mentor you in something as payment!"


    Marg paused and looked at her. <Human:> "You can, dear. Having a trait or skill just allows you to mentor significantly more people. Normally you can only mentor one person at a time and be mentored by three people at a time. Some traits increase this exponentially."


    Trillia looked over at Amelia as she translated. <Minotaur:> "Why didn''t anyone tell me?"


    Amelia shrugged. <Minotaur:> "I didn''t know. Our people don''t really do that sort of thing. Maybe that''s something unique to humans?"


    After an hour or so of trying to figure out each other''s systems. They came to the realization that it was indeed an ability unique to humans. Rather,  it was part of a racial passive about learning non-combat classes that allowed them to mentor another creature in any class that they themselves had mastered. Marg looked crestfallen at that. <Human:> "I''m sorry. I didn''t know."


    Trillia shrugged and followed the woman. <Human:> "None of us did! I just feel bad that I can''t pay you back."


    Marg cackled at that and looked over at Trillia with the same predatory glint. <Human:> "Oh, trust me, dearie. By the end of today, you''ll deeply regret accepting that apprentice position. Let''s get to making steel."


    Trillia was ready for the challenge. Amelia found a couple of songs that bolstered stamina regeneration and played those. Malor began enchanting the ''scrap'' gear that the family made that they considered low-quality and would sell for cheap. Most of it was finely made iron armor, as best as Trillia could tell. Layla was happy to just hang out and chit-chat. Trillia knew how she felt. It was good to be around people who made you happy and treated you like family. Ialu was all too happy to lay near a hot forge and soak in the heat.

 Chapter 86 Shop Talk

    By the end of the first day, Amelia, Malor, and Trillia were exhausted. A lot of smithing work required a large stamina pool. Amelia''s songs and the frequent use of [Restorative Chant] helped some. But it was far more than the three were expecting.


    Trillia sat on the smooth cold stone floor and just rested. She had gained seven alchemist levels in the span of ten hours. Marg said she''d go over the class at length tomorrow, so not to worry about choosing skills now. Trillia was just fine with that. Amelia groaned and flexed her hands while glaring at Frederick. "How are you not worn out?"


    Fred chuckled and glanced at his parents, who were still full of energy and working on another project. "You get used to it when it''s your entire life. I have a lot of passive skills and a couple of traits to help with stamina drain. So do mom and dad. I''ve heard some combat classes use a lot of stamina, but it''s mostly mana or health that''s used for skills. It just means none of you are used to having your stamina constantly drained and refilled. Whenever we had a big order come in during our time in D''Jamu, we''d actually brew or buy stamina potions specifically so we could work longer hours."


    Trillia rolled her head to the other side to stare at him as he spoke. Most of the group was comfortable enough in the human tongue that they were all speaking it. It was still rough at points. But it was better than Trillia constantly translating. "If we keep up this way, we''ll also get a trait or passive for it. That''d be a huge boon in prolonged fights. I just don''t know how many days of this in a row I can take."


    As she finished that sentence, Marg walked over and placed cool bottles of liquid in front of each of them. "It''s a potion of minor restoration. It will help with some of the fatigue. You, kids, did good today. I''ll warn you, it won''t get easier before it gets worse. That''s true in fighting and in crafting. Tomorrow every inch of you is going to be sore, and I''ll still expect you here after breakfast and ready to work. I promise, though, that the hard work will pay off."


    Trillia groaned and pushed herself to a sitting position. Happily taking the potion and sipping at it. It had a bitter but fruity taste. Mostly it was just cold, which was relief enough. "I''ll be here. That was a lot of alchemy levels, and you obviously have a lot more experience with the class than me."


    Marg smiled and tousled her hair as she walked back to her husband. The others sipped their potions as well. Malor rubbed his eyes and looked at the group. "I gained three enchanting levels today. I didn''t think I could still level that fast. But I guess working on armor instead of the wall makes the enchanting lattices work differently. I think by the time I need to enchant our armor sets before we delve, I''ll have some potent enchantments to use."


    Layla, who also wasn''t exhausted since she mostly just chatted and acted as a beacon of joy to everyone, piped up. "I have some ideas for that! I''ve heard you can make enchantments that last until a command word is spoken. The humans use things like that in little sticks to cast spells."


    Frederick nodded at her words. "We call them wands. Do your people not use wands?"


    Trillia shook her head. "Ba''Shoon had some wands. But we use staves to channel our own magic. I don''t think most warriors ever used wands."


    Layla nodded excitedly. "If Malor can do something similar for some of our gear, I can help him with restoration spells. This way, you can all heal yourselves if we''re ever in a pinch." She looked down a bit. "Though, I guess that''s a lot more work for Malor."


    The minotaur offered her a smile. "If it makes it so that you aren''t having to overwork yourself, keeping us healed, I can look into that type of enchantment. Plus, it will be another challenge I can overcome for the purposes of my leveling. "


    Trillia finished off her potion and flopped back onto the cool stone. "Just kick me when it''s tomorrow."


    That got a laugh out of Fred, who finished off his own potion and bid them good night before going to help his parents with more work.


    The next few days were more of the same. Marg eventually convinced Layla to join Malor with enchanting work, using their scrap armor to perfect the command word enchantments for healing. Amelia got more involved with the armor smithing and even managed to make some of her song skills work to the beat of a hammer. By the end of their ''probation'' period. Trillia had maxed out [Alchemist] the first time.


    Trillia and Marg sat inside the armorsmith''s house at a table. Marg had several journals filled with various classes and skills. Trillia copied a lot of it over to her own journal as the two discussed skills.


    "So. [Refine Purity] is a class skill that most smithing classes will get. But the process is more involved for alchemists. Other skills that have some overlap are [Temper], [Transmutation], and [Alloying]. Though, that last one isn''t used in the context of the word or skill itself. An alloy is a metal made up by combining other metals. Alchemists use it when they mix in liquid metals into unstable concoctions to create potions such as iron skin or shrapnel clouds." Marg paused as Trillia scribbled furiously while nodding.


    Marg pulled out a few flasks from a nearby cabinet. One that caught Trillia''s eye was a swirling golden color that had the same iridescent quality that people like Mort''s eyes held. [Mana-Sight] turned on in an instant.


    [Gold-Infused Mana Essence]


    Known Alchemical Compounds:


    Known Alchemical Applications: This liquid can be used to coat a blade in a mana-rich metal plating which allows it a significantly increased enchantability. It can also be used to form pure mana blades.


    Known List of Alchemical Ingredients:


    Creation Process: The creation process for this item is unknown to you at this time. You must either learn it from another alchemist or from an alchemist''s working notes. You must create this item at least once on your own to garner more information about the process.


    Trillia blinked her [Mana-Sight] away and glanced back at Marg. "There''s so much more information now that I''m an alchemist."


    Marg offered a smile and unstoppered the bottle. Laying out a few thin strips of different metals on the table, as well as a few pieces of wood and bark. "The beauty of alchemy is in the variety of applications something has. You''re still an amateur Alchemist. Of all the classes I''ve seen, it has the most variation in evolutions. Now what application did the system give you for this item?"


    Trillia used [Mana-Sight] again and read it off verbatim. Marg nodded and slowly drizzled the concoction over the various metals. Trillia''s eyes went wide as the liquid seemed to be drawn to some metals and coat them. For other metals, it simply burned through. Most interesting was that a couple of pieces of wood seemed to adapt to the metal to the point that the wood itself looked metallic. Trillia stared at everything for a few more seconds before looking back at Marg.


    "Read these notes and scan the remainder of the bottle." Trillia took the notes offered.


    It took her fifteen minutes to read through the notes once, and half of the language was lost to her. There were so many technical terms she didn''t understand that Marg had to explain. Once she was done, she looked at the half-empty flask once more.


    [Gold-Infused Mana Essence of Corruption]


    Known Alchemical Compounds:


    Known Alchemical Applications: This liquid is used to corrupt the natural mana of an item. The most common use of this item is to plate iron, bronze, or steel pieces of equipment which will raise their enchantability. If used on weaker metals, it will instead consume and entirely burn away the old metal blade leaving a pure mana blade in its place.


    This liquid can also be used as a way to dirty enchant biological components. Opening up many wooden pieces of equipment to enchantments that would normally be reserved for metal equipment instead.


    The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    Known List of Alchemical Ingredients:


    Creation Process: The creation process for this item is unknown to you at this time. You must either learn it from another alchemist or from an alchemist''s working notes. You must create this item at least once on your own to garner more information about the process. <You''ve read an alchemist''s working notes. You must now create this item at least once.


    Trillia sat back and once more let her [Mana-Sight] fall. "This is....complicated."


    Marg nodded and put forward a second flask. This process repeated a couple of times, and by the end of two hours, Trillia''s head was spinning. Marg put a plate of warm bread and cold water next to her. "Everything I''ve shown you is from the basic [Alchemist] class. Albeit, some of those skills are only gained when you''re on a long duration."


    Trillia took a long drink of water before swapping over to eat some of the bread. Looking between Marg and her own notes. "It''s difficult to imagine how much knowledge Grand Alchemist Mort has."


    Marg grinned. "I''ve heard a lot about this man. My husband says that some of his traits are extremely interesting. If he''s even half as talented as his class and traits appear, he''s an incredibly dangerous individual. There are alchemical compounds that take months to come to fruition but can level stone walls in an instant. In the crafting world, everyone has a great deal of respect for alchemists. Especially lifelong alchemists. It''s more frequent for an alchemist to die to their own creations than to be killed by an enemy or old age."


    Trillia sat back and stared at Marg. "Are...are you trying to talk me out of the class?"


    Marg threw her head back and laughed at that. Taking a moment to compose herself and shake her head. "Not at all! I think you''d make an incredible Alchemist. But I''m not going to pretend it''s going to be easy or a walk in the park, either. I want you to be well aware of all the dangers you''re going to face. My journals are yours to read anytime you need them, Trillia. I''m always open for a discussion on the matter as well. One day I''d like to go back into Alchemy, but for now, my family needs me to be an armorsmith, so I am."


    Trillia nodded. She could understand that need. She felt it was a bit like her mother enforcing the combat class-only rule onto the tribe. "I hope you can follow your dreams again. I''m sure you will be able to, here in this city. What skill should I take as my first mastery?"


    Marg didn''t hesitate to respond. "Alchemical Encyclopedia is a required skill. Not only will it open up a lot of other options, but it''s a skill that teaches you a very important lesson about the class system."


    Trillia tilted her head curiously at that. Marg continued. "What level did you max out at?"


    "Thirty-Six. I was really hoping it would be closer to fifty."


    Marg nodded and leaned back, tapping her fingers to her lips for a moment. "You have...thirteen or so skills available?"


    Trillia went through the list and nodded. "Fifteen if we count [Refine Purity]."


    Marg stood and grabbed another journal from her shelf before extending it to Trillia. "The first few pages."


    Trillia opened the book and, once more, could only stare. "This is a list of every skill at every level."


    Marg nodded. "Notice how many you''re missing? I''ve written down what stats I had as well as all of the relevant skills I had. I''m sure Mort has dozens of journals like this one. I know of three different skills. Two from [Alchemist] and one from [Master Armorsmith] that will change what skills you get from your class. Even just taking [Alchemist] a second time at a short duration will change the number of skills you get and their potency because you will have Alchemical Encyclopedia mastered. The system doesn''t tell us even a fraction of what''s available to every class. Probably because there are an endless amount of possible synergies that would give you more skills to lean on."


    Trillia shook her head. "Surely someone has figured all of this out."


    Marg shrugged and motioned to her journal. "How many [Berserkers] does your tribe have?"


    Trillia sat back and thought on it. She knew it was one of, if not the most popular evolution to warrior and fighter there was. "A lot, I guess."


    "Do they all share the exact same skill set and list?"


    Trillia opened her mouth to respond but stopped. Taking a few minutes to go over all the conversations she had overheard in her life. "I guess not. I just thought it was a matter of stats."


    Marg smiled and took the journal from Trillia, flipping through a few pages and handing it back. The page that had been flipped to was a list of all the other alchemists that Marg had met in her life and their skill list, passives, and traits. There were dozens of names through the next few pages. "I compiled that journal over more than a decade of dedicated research. Most folks aren''t willing to share a lot of information about themselves. So worried about it being used against them. Alchemists are a different breed. Most of us are so taken with a lust for knowledge that we''re willing to risk more to gain more. I would be willing to bet our forge that every class is the same. People just aren''t willing to share information as they should be."


    Trillia sat there for a long time in silence. Marg tidied the table up and put up various alchemical ingredients. Fred and Alfred walked into the house, and as they did, Marg served all four of them big bowls of steaming soup with warm bread and cold mead. Alfred looked at Trillia and then at Marg. "Are you ok, lass?"


    Trillia wore a frown as she looked at him. "People are stupid. I know everyone tells me not to share my traits or other things because I''d be taken advantage of. But how much more would we all know about ourselves, and how much happier and safer would we be if people knew what classes to take together for the purpose of getting certain skills? It''s dumb that we hide so much information."


    Fred nodded his agreement as he dug into his food. Alfred gave Marg a rather knowing look before nodding himself. "You should visit the Library of Scales one day."


    Marg''s face instantly dropped, and she shot a glare at the man. Trillia and Fred both perked up at that. Alfred continued, unperturbed by the daggers in his wife''s eyes. "It''s a library that is run by a dragon. You have to barter to get in or offer the dragon a piece of knowledge it didn''t have. The dragon himself is under a permanent geas so that it can''t lie or take advantage."


    Marg snipped a bit. "It''s still a dragon, Alfred! It doesn''t have to take advantage to snap you in two and gobble you up!"


    Alfred chuckled a bit and shrugged. "Seemed a reasonable enough fellow to me. I only saw him eat a single petitioner who was being an asshole." Alfred looked at the two kids. "It''s a library that has tens of thousands of books in it. That''s how I learned to unlock [Master Armorsmith] for Marg and I. See, that dwarven metal technique I learned? They taught it to me because only a [Master Armorsmith] can use it. Mind you, it''s not a skill that can be mastered either. You have to actually be a [Master Armorsmith] to use the technique. I traded that dragon two years of servitude for two hours in its library."


    Trillia''s eyes went wide at that, and so did Frederick''s. "Two years?! For two hours?"


    Marg sighed, sitting back and staring at Alfred. "It was a hard two years for us. But in the end, it was worth it. The Library of Scales isn''t something to be taken lightly. Dozens of deities have set up extremely hefty protections around it. I believe the [2nd Axle] set up a rune that disables the use of temporal mana while inside the library. So that you can''t cheat time while you''re there. If either of you gets it in your head to seek it out, just be careful. There are creatures there far more dangerous than a dragon. Which should be warning enough."


    Trillia nodded and jotted down the library of scales in her journal, wanting to get more information. Seeing a bit of tension in the room, she changed the subject. "Our armor is done tomorrow, right?"


    Alfred nodded with a wide smile on his face. "It is! We''ll spend tomorrow putting the finishing touches on it and let Malor enchant it. After that, I''m happy to stop being an overprotective papa bear, and you kids can run off into a dungeon."


    The excitement coming off of Frederick was palpable at this point. "I can''t wait! Plus! I''ve been learning a bunch of skills to make accessories and temporary equipment from dungeon items. Dad knows so much about dungeons and has so many skills for it! I know our group is gonna do well! Have you decided on whether you''re going to stay an [Alchemist] or not, Trillia?" Frederick looked over at her with his big dumb dopey smile. Trillia had to admit between him and Layla, the two were infectious when it came to joy.


    "I think I''m going to take [Alchemist] again at Medium. Between helping Miss Marg in the shop and doing dungeon delves, I think I can level it quickly. I also think..." She paused and chewed her lip. No one pushed her to continue or for an answer. She liked this family. They let her work things out on her own and only helped when she asked. "I don''t think I''m going to listen to other voices. I think I want to try this on my own and make my own skill set work. Lord Arlyss has helped all of us so much, but I don''t think mortals should be beholden to the words of deities."


    Marg grinned a little but hid it with a drink from her mug. Alfred chuckled and shook his head. "You really need to meet the Queen. Marg and I heard her give speeches before. Even seeing her from afar...it''s just."


    Marg''s grin grew wider as she finished for him. "Majestic is the only word that comes close. Given that your Mother is Amara Demonsbane, I''m quite certain that the queen would offer to see you in person. You share a lot of her beliefs. That mortals shouldn''t bend the knee to deities that don''t earn it. That mortals should share amongst one another so that we can all rise. I, for one, am excited to see what Trillia Demonsbane becomes of her own free will. I think Alchemy is a good step in that direction."


    Trillia smiled at the encouraging words. She thought more about the queen. She had never met a single person who hadn''t at least heard of her before. Trillia wondered what sort of human she had to be that the whole realm knew of her. A small part of her wanted to be that sort of legendary figure. To prove that orcs could be more than the savages they were often thought to be.


    She grinned more as she dug into her food, followed shortly by Amelia and the others peeking their heads in. Marg rolled her eyes and ushered her apparently ever-growing adopted family into the kitchen and fed them.

 Chapter 87 Walk In The Park

    Trillia stood in the shop. There was a large wooden sign out front that just had a big red X painted on it. It got the message across. Layla was first up for her completed armor set. The past week or so had been an incredible amount of measuring and testing of armor in various steps of its creation process.


    Trillia stared at the table that held a dozen items of polished metal. Marg stood in front of Layla with a smile on her face. "Are you ready, dear?" Layla looked at the items and nodded. Marg pulled out what looked to Trillia like a padded jacket. Marg held it up in front of the group and motioned to a few different points on the arms and chest. "This is called a gambeson. You will wear it under your plate. It has mail sewn into the elbows and armpits. In addition, it allows us to hook certain parts of your plate armor onto it. To ensure that your armor is secure. Now, all of your armor has been custom fitted to make sure it works for you. As you grow, we will make the adjustments needed. There are also plenty of skills that will allow you to make your own adjustments."


    Marg and Alfred instructed each of them how to properly wear the gambeson and fasten it. Frederick listened intently despite knowing every single piece of armor as well as he knew his parent''s shop. "Orcs are quite strong creatures, so we''ve also decided to give Layla bottoms that have mail sewn in. The others won''t have this since the weight may slow some of you down. I''ll also show you the arm and leg harnesses. These attach to the innermost layer and help keep your plate armor straight." Another twenty or so minutes of showing everyone this next piece.


    This went on for some time. Sabatons were boots, and greaves were for your legs. Well, your lower legs. Cuirass and cuisses confused every non-human in the group. Marg told them all to just use the human words for the armor since the orcs didn''t often or ever seem to use plate armor. Gauntlets were gloves, that much Trillia knew, at least. Pauldrons were for the shoulders. Trillia wrote down everything so she could remember it more easily later. Fred promised everyone that he would help them get better at donning their armor quickly and efficiently.


    It ended with a helmet that the humans called a barbute. Alfred had taken the time to engrave each person''s barbute with something that fit the individual. For Layla, it was the symbol of her goddess. The young orc ran her fingers over the design with tears in her eyes, looking down at the gleaming metal armor she now wore. "I''ll find a way to repay you. I promise I will."


    Marg pinched one of her cheeks, shaking her head as she did. "Just keep yourself and the others alive, honey. That''s all that Alfred and I want. Now, all of your armor has been enchanted with mobility enchantments, knockback resistance, durability, and a sort of light resistance to mana in general. After some extensive talks with Malor as well as Lady Ba''Shoon, we decided those were the best permanent enchantments to utilize. The rest will be temporary based on what you''re fighting."


    Trillia perked up at that. "Ba''Shoon helped? "


    Malor nodded. "I didn''t realize until after the fact. She came in after everyone had left to speak with Marg and Alfred. Originally, she was going to offer to enchant all of our armor for us. When she was told that I was helping with that, she instead instructed me. It was...enlightening."


    Trillia smiled a little more as she looked at Layla, who was now pulling the helmet on. Alfred stepped in front of her next and put a big wooden box down in front of the cleric-to-be. Trillia knew what was in it instantly. Alfred smiled. "Whipped this up myself. Not our specialty...but after my smart-ass remarks, it was the least I could do. Besides, as I see it, I owe you for saving our lives during that ambush."


    Layla blinked a few times as she stared at him. Slowly opening the box, to see a morning star resting in the box. A smooth, polished red wooden handle with leather grips ending in a ball of metal with small protrusions. The leather had been engraved with the same symbol of Ora''sys. Layla reached out and grabbed the handle. It was difficult to see her smile under the helmet, but Trillia knew it was there. Marg piped up as Layla admired the weapon. "Should count as a weapon of your divine deity. If not, I believe there are a few rituals you can partake in to ensure that it does. It will let you channel certain skills and abilities through it. At least, that''s what a lot of the clerics Al and I have teamed up with over the years told me. The enchantments are pretty simple on it. Just a lot of stacked durability enchantments and weight enchantments in the head of the weapon."


    Layla gave it a few test swings. "This armor is easy to move in. I thought it would feel clunky. to be so covered with so much metal."


    Alfred chuckled as he closed the box and set it on the table. "Lots of folks get the idea that plate armor is clunky and you can''t move in it. I suppose if you''re wearing someone else''s armor, that might be true. But something custom fit, by Master Armorsmiths, that has mobility enchantments on it? You''re basically just wearing extra durable clothes. We didn''t make weapons for the rest of you. Most of you have better weapons. In Trillia''s case, she has two artifacts for her weapons. Marg and I aren''t that talented, I''m afraid. But I promise, the armor is just as good and will hold up."


    A few more hours went by as everyone slowly adorned their armor. Trillia, much like Layla, was shocked at just how easy it was to move in the armor. It felt a bit stuffy, being so covered, but she didn''t feel that much slower. "Is there an enchantment I can get that lets me have better vision? I can see the metal if I shift my eyes." Alfred motioned for her to hand over the helmet.


    As she did, he took it and peered closer. "Hmmm. I will tweak it some. Should only take me a couple of hours. Small modifications like that don''t require us to rework the entire piece. We just let the skills and system do the heavy lifting. You should be ok to delve without it for now. Especially if you plan to return the same day. Sorry about that."


    Trillia began shaking her head immediately. "It''s ok even if you can''t. It''s an incredible gift, and it fits well. I''ll get used to the obstruction. I wouldn''t want to cause any issues."


    Alfred waved a hand her way somewhat dismissively. "Nonsense. Can''t have your peripheral vision being chopped up in a fight. I can make something work that should solve the issue and offer you mostly the same protection." Alfred set the helmet on the table next to the box and glanced at the group. His smile grew wide. "Couldn''t be happier. Now. Remember what we told you about removing it. Only when you are in a safe camp. Remember that when you aren''t wearing armor, you''re a much easier ambush target. Red River is smart enough to punish that sort of complacency as well."


    No one else had complaints about the armor. Each of them was covered head to toe in gleaming metal - except Trillia, who was without a helmet, for now - and ready to fight. Marg clapped her hands together. "Well, good luck! We''ve done all we can to help you. Kick some ass."


    The group waved their goodbyes before leaving the forge area. Needless to say, they got a lot of stares and a lot of chatter as they made their way toward the dungeon. Trillia was happy to call out to anyone who was close enough that it was the human armorsmiths who made such wonderful work. If Alfred and Marg wouldn''t accept payment for such fine work, Trillia would damn sure drum them up a bunch of extra business.


    As they stepped into the dungeon, Trillia took a deep breath. She pulled various herbs and plants from around Rift City out of a pouch for the tribute bowl. She saw the others all putting various items in as well. Layla put a flask of radiant water in, and Frederick placed various bits and bobs of metal. Amelia had some sort of bone. Malor was perhaps the most extravagant. Placing a heavily enchanted stone that was perfectly spherical in one of the bowls. Trillia glanced at it, then at him. The minotaur shrugged. "From what all of you have told me. Red River is going out of its way to teach and be peaceful. Going so far as to offer shelter should a [Primordial] attack. Over the past week, I''ve been working on that item as a tribute. It holds just about every strengthening enchantment I know for fortifications. I hope it''s a worthy tribute."


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    A very familiar voice speaking the human tongue rang out. "I assure you, Lord Malor. Father is most intrigued. Not only by many of the enchantments present but also in the glorious knights standing before us."


    Trillia turned to see Sir Gobbinz in his well-dressed wolf pelts. Every time she saw the goblin, he looked a little more refined and more and more like the nobles and royalty she had seen in D''Jamu. Trillia walked up to the goblin and gave him a hug. "It''s good to see you, Sir Gobbinz."


    Sir Gobbinz chuckled and returned the hug. "You act like we haven''t seen each other in years! It''s only been a few weeks, give or take. I should warn you. You''re all very well-armored and well-armed, and now there are five of you. Father isn''t going to go easy on you."


    Amelia stepped forward with a grin. "Tell him to put us through Infernus. We need to know what the realm will do at its worst. We need to learn and adapt as a group. Don''t go easy on us, Sir Gobbinz. Ask your Father to do everything in his power to stop us at every turn."


    The goblin got a devious little grin on his face and bowed deeply. "He assures me that he will. The path is open. The inhabitants of the dungeon have been informed of the caliber of adventurers coming against them. Good luck."


    They glanced at each other before nodding and stepping forward. A path that Trillia hadn''t seen before opened up. Layla took the lead, with Frederick taking up the rearguard. Trillia was in the dead center of the group. The hallways were wide enough that they could march two by two. Despite that, they kept their formation.


    The first surprise came as Frederick stepped through a stone doorway. A massive granite slab slammed down behind them, and the sound of rushing water filled their ears. A second later, water began filling the room. Layla began to charge ahead, not wanting to test their ability to hold their breath. A very familiar figure dropped from a hole in the ceiling. Wearing well-fitted wolf leather armor and wielding a rapier, the goblin lunged at Layla.


    "[Piercing Strike]!"


    "Mini!" Trillia grinned as Layla swung an arm out to parry his blade. The morning star followed through, and the goblin threw himself back to avoid the strike.


    "[Lightning Bolt]!"


    Malor held up a hand as a streak of lightning crossed the room and slammed into the goblin''s chest. Then down into the water. Trillia grunted as the shock hit all of them. They staggered before Layla used an area healing spell. The goblin fell over quite dead. Frederick scooped up the items as they ran by and began to climb up the ledge out the exiting door.


    Once the last of them was up and they turned to step through the door, they were met by a squad of seven goblins up in perches. Each of them extended a very familiar-looking wand. Seven chain lightning spells hit the group. Layla immediately began to heal, as did Amelia. Trillia raised her left arm and loosed mana bolts at them while discharging spells from her right hand.


    Malor loosed a volley of small round beads of fire that exploded on impact, and Frederick whipped out a crossbow that put a bolt clean through a goblin and several inches into the stone behind it. Once the room was secure, Trillia looked over at Layla. "Mana levels?"


    Layla was looking down at the armor with some surprise on her face. "Uhhh.. I''ve only used three percent or so. I barely even feel the damage in this stuff. Why don''t all orcs use it?"


    Frederick chuckled at the statement. "My father''s hope is that one day all of you will. Forging armor requires being stationary for long periods of time. From what I''m told, your people haven''t had that chance in quite some time."


    Trillia nodded in response to his statement. "Mana levels, everyone else?"


    Everyone was fine. Malor had used the most at twelve percent, but apparently, the minotaur had a passive that improved his mana regeneration, so he''d be fine. The group wasted no time in pushing forward.


    Resistance was significantly heavier than it had ever been when Trillia and Amelia had tried to clear it before, but it still wasn''t enough to even slow the group down. Trillia knew that was going to be the case. Stibs and Paws had told her as much. The dungeon had rules for how strong any individual floor could be, and it scaled as the dungeon grew larger.


    Soon they were at the boss''s door. The group double-checked resources and stepped through. This time, Trillia was surprised. Not only had the arena been revamped again. But it had been done with some interesting materials. The most notable was glass. The cover was heavy panes of glass, and the walkways were glass suspended with translucent crystals. A dozen goblins stood on perches far, far higher than before. Armed with wands and bows. Four other wolf and goblin riding combos were spread throughout the room, with Stibs and Paws standing in the center on a raised dais.


    Trillia grinned at them. "I see you''ve made some improvements."


    Stibs smiled wide and chuckled. "Father says he learns. My level is capped. But tactics are not levels. I look forward to fight." Stibs grinned wider. As the two nodded at each other, Paws vanished beneath him. As the wolf appeared next to Trillia, it was startled to see a different orc standing there.


    "[Intercept]! [Sunder]!"


    Layla appeared in front of the wolf''s attack with her Morningstar already swinging down. The wolf barely managed to dodge out of the way as the acolyte took the brunt of the nova attack, leaving Trillia mostly unharmed. Trillia produced two flasks from her belt and threw them at the spot the wolf was dodging toward. As the glass shattered, a white mist enveloped the wolf, causing its eyes and nose to bleed.


    The sound of Malor''s explosive spells tagging the perched goblins rang out. Frederick had produced a lance from seemingly thin air and was toppling the wolf-riding goblins. Amelia stayed in the back, producing a song that was raising everyone''s agility and strength.


    Stibs vanished next, appearing in the air above Amelia.


    "[Intercept]!"


    Layla appeared in the air as Stibs swung the dagger. Being in the air and unable to maneuver, she took the dagger strike to the neck. The steel gorget caused the strike to be a glancing blow. Stibs vanished again, appearing next to Malor. Layla intercepted him again.


    The fight didn''t take long. Trillia quickly wore down Paws with ranged attacks and various flasks. Malor proved he was more than a match for the ranged goblins, and Amelia and Frederick made quick work of the other mounted combatants. Paws and Stibs were the last ones standing. Both were heavily wounded and breathing heavily. Trillia''s group barely seemed to have taken a hit. Stibs just threw his head back and laughed. "We no match, still. We surrender if you accept."


    As Malor stepped forward with a raised hand and a charged spell, Trillia stepped in front of him and spoke up. "We accept. Thank you for the fight." Malor gave her an odd look. "This dungeon isn''t an enemy. There''s no reason to kill them and force them to respawn if they surrender. We can collect the drops we''re owed in the healing hall after the fact. Save the mana."


    Malor seemed to ponder that for a moment before accepting her explanation. Layla walked over and had begun healing the injured goblins she could, as well as Stibs and Paws. Stibs looked at her with a wide grin. "You annoying. No wait for skill?"


    Layla removed her helmet with a smile, sweat beading on her forehead. "It just takes extra stamina the more rapidly I use the skill. It''s my job to keep people alive. Amelia and Trillia might not be able to tank those dagger hits so easily, even in our new armor. Seemed worth the extra stamina."


    Stibs nodded at that and looked at Paws. "We must strike faster and in unison next time. Wear mighty healer out so that we can harm the others." The wolf gave a little affirmative yelp. Malor and Frederick both seemed rather stunned. Amelia put a hand on Fred''s arm.


    "Remember, we are allies with this dungeon. We help it learn and grow, just as it helps us learn and grow. If next time we come through and this is a harder fight, it just means more experience if we can overcome it. If we can''t overcome the first floor as five unified adventurers, what will happen to us in a hostile dungeon?"


    Fred chuckled and nodded. Walking up to Stibs and kneeling next to Paws looking the wolf over. "Does your dungeon have metal nodes? Like, ore and stuff?"


    Stibs looked at him oddly. The goblin looked up as the dungeon spoke to him. "Father says he not sure if orcs need it. So not put them in yet."


    Fred nodded at that. "Ask your Father to put in some nodes. I''ll convince my parents to delve you a few times. Both of them are excellent armorsmiths and good at all other forging classes. If they can delve into the dungeon as a way to relieve stress and also get ore out of it. I''m sure they''d be willing to teach the dungeon how to forge armor for all of you. Including the wolves."


    Trillia blinked as if remembering something and pulled out the whistle. Ialu had run off after growing bored at the forge with the mental note of calling for her when they were ready. She was sure the wolf would be furious for missing the first fight in the dungeon. Trillia wondered if Ialu wanted some nice wolf armor, something to ask Alfred about. The group chatted a bit longer before preparing to go to the second floor.

 Chapter 88 A Less Fun Park

    As the party descended to the second level, Malor used the dropped wolf fur from the first floor to enchant their armor against the cold for the next twenty-four hours. Amelia studied and watched intently. Trillia and Amelia watched with interest as he drew the runes on the ground for the temporary enchantment. Trillia was interested in the runes themselves, and Amelia was as interested in enchanting as she had always been.


    Once the process was over, Amelia spoke up. "Is that a skill for your class only? Can a general enchanter do that?"


    Malor glanced over at her. "If you mean someone with just the general skill. No. To my knowledge, any enchanting class can do temporary enchantments. It''s rather resource intensive, though, as you can tell." It had taken two pelts per set of armor. Frederick chose not to have his armor enchanted. According to him, he had a skill that regulated his body temperature except in extreme conditions. Another perk to working near a forge all day.


    Trillia looked over the icy tunnels and frowned. "I guess I''m not surprised, but the layout has changed. If your scan skill can be toggled on or off, toggle it on. The information is annoying to see around, but there are false walls all over the place. One of them will eventually lead us to the boss. At least, that''s how it used to work."


    The others gave her nods. Frederick and Malor had toggle scans, but Layla did not. Frederick took the lead from her for this floor. Ialu had met up with them by the time they left the first floor, which had been another reason that Trillia dilly-dallied after the boss. The desert skoll didn''t particularly like the cold or this floor. But it was another set of eyes and ears.


    The tunnels had somehow become more confusing than the last time. The group spent an hour wandering before Malor started to mark the walls. They were going in the same fifteen-minute loop over and over again. Frederick growled in frustration, and Ialu was happy to do the same and agree with him. So far, they hadn''t been attacked, at least.


    "I don''t understand. I''ve seen nothing! Nothing at all stands out or is even labeled except for us!" Amelia put her forehead against the wall with a clank as her helmet hit the ice. "I hate this floor so damn much."


    Frederick peered up. He attempted to rub his chin but remembered as his gauntlet hit the helmet that he couldn''t exactly do that. "It''s clever. We''ve been down here for an hour at least. It''s meant to starve people out."


    Layla spoke up as she ran a hand over the wall. "I think it''s a test. If we can''t pass this maze without running out of resources, the rest of the dungeon is going to be beyond us. That''s how I view it."


    Malor and Frederick nodded in agreement to that. Amelia glanced over at Trillia, who was being rather quiet. "Thoughts?"


    Trillia turned to the group with a smile. "Well. If it is a test. Let''s be clever." Trillia pulled out [Sliver of Fate]. The tip of the rapier easily slid into the ice. She motioned for the others to do something similar if they could. "Let''s carve the walls as we go. This obviously isn''t a circle, so something else has to be happening. Layla is using a morning star. Let her stand in the middle and look at everyone as they mark the walls."


    Everyone seemed to agree with that idea, and off they went. Four minutes later, Layla spoke up. "Stop!" Everyone immediately froze. The acolyte walked over to the wall where Trillia was carving a line and motioned to it. "It just disappeared." The others turned to see what Trillia''s line had, in fact simply disappeared and had begun anew right behind her rapier.


    Layla turned to the wall and gave herself a little shrug.


    "[Divine Strength]!"


    The orc grabbed her morning star in both hands and swung at the wall with all her might. Between orc [Brawn] being so high, her buffing spell, and the weight enchantments, a solid foot of ice was shattered and spilled onto the floor.


    There, behind the ice, was a glowing rune. Malor scoffed and snorted as he approached it. "The entire fucking floor is enchanted? Dungeons are terrifying."


    Amelia began laughing at that, walking up to the minotaur and slapping him on the back. "And you just gave it a dozen new enchantments to torture us with! Aren''t you excited for the future?"


    The enchanter groaned heavily and smacked his head gently against the wall a few times, producing a nice metallic ring each time. "I hope he doesn''t add any of those enchantments to this ice. That''ll make it way too difficult to break. Give me like an hour or two. I should be able to sort this enchantment. Everyone, start expanding this hole so that I can see more of the lattice."


    The next hour went by with everyone smashing ice and revealing more and more runes. Malor sat on the ground a bit away with parchment and quill in hand. "That''s odd. The enchantment just keeps it cold. Nothing about this should be confusing us, and nothing suggests teleportation or illusions."


    Amelia ran her hand over the runes and looked back at Malor. "Could the enchantment itself be under an illusion?" The minotaurs stared at each other for a moment as Malor pondered it before pursing his lips and nodding.


    "It could, I guess. That''d be such an intricate design. It would take years of meticulous carving to achieve..." The minotaur stopped as he looked around. "Right. A dungeon that''s been here for years. It''s had literal years to carve out an intricate enchantment. Well...let me try something else. Can everyone sacrifice a few hundred mana?"


    Before anyone could nod, Trillia stepped up. "Let me sacrifice the mana. I have millions banked. If we can brute force it with more mana, let''s do that."


    Malor looked over at her and nodded. "I sometimes forget you''re a walking mana bank." The next hour was spent with Malor drawing out another set of runes on the ground. Using a combination of powder and carving to get it all right. Trillia stood in the middle, and Malor double-checked the runes once again before nodding. "The more mana you put in, the stronger the dispel is going to be. I set it up specifically to target structure enchantments. So it won''t harm any of our gear."


    Trillia nodded, shrugged, and dumped a hundred thousand mana into the runes below. The dungeon shook and trembled under the weight of the dispel as the others looked at her with wide eyes. The temperature in the room immediately rose, and where smooth walls had once been, dozens of tunnels revealed themselves.


    A moment later, a familiar goblin face popped out of the ceiling. "DON''T DO THAT!" Gobbinz seemed panicked and angry. Trillia hadn''t seen him like this in some time.


    Trillia looked around and then at the goblin. "We didn''t know what else to do. You didn''t give us any rules."


    The goblin shook his head furiously and, for the first time in months, looked up as the dungeon spoke to him. "That hurt our Father. He says you didn''t know, and the damage to his core will recover. But you actually hurt him with that."


    Trillia froze and could only stare at the goblin. Rather glad that she hadn''t dumped a million mana into it as she had originally intended. "I''m sorry! I didn''t know it would! We''ve just been down here for hours and didn''t know what to do!"


    Gobbinz glanced at the ceiling again as his composure returned. Slowly floating down to the ground. "None of you have dispel illusion skills or spells?!"


    They all looked at each other. Layla and Malor looked down at the ground. The acolyte spoke. "I...I, uhhh, have a buff that lasts for five minutes that can help us see through them. I guess I didn''t think about it. I''m sorry!"


    The group looked at each other, and Frederick started laughing. Gobbinz shot him an angry glare, but the human just walked up to him and patted his shoulder. "The dungeon is going to want to learn to stop that sort of backlash. If it can be damaged on the second floor by area dispels, what''s going to happen if it''s attacked by a foreign nation of casters?"


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    Gobbinz looked up at him in anger. The anger quickly melted as the dungeon spoke to him, and the realization hit. "Father says that it was a stupid oversight on his part. He''ll fix it as soon as he can on all of his floors. A dungeon has veins that pump mana between floors. He hasn''t put any protections in place since no one has dumped that much foreign and hostile mana into his veins before."


    Trillia looked down once more. "I really am sorry. At least I didn''t use a million like I wanted to!"


    Gobbinz''s eyes went a little twitchy at that as he stared at her. After a moment, the goblin huffed and sighed heavily. "Father says that until floor nine, all of the enchantments present will go down with three or four thousand mana. That won''t be enough to hurt him. If you decide to use this tactic again for some reason. Sorry to interrupt." The goblin walked over to one of the dozen identical holes and motioned. "This way gets you past the illusory maze and into enemies and closer to the boss. Please don''t explode, my Father."


    The group promised they wouldn''t go scorched earth on any more enchantments before Gobbinz floated back up into the ceiling, and the group began walking down the tunnel that had been presented. Layla apologized at least a dozen times, as did Malor. Amelia finally spoke up. "We did nothing wrong. That''s why the dungeon didn''t kick us out. Gobbinz panicked when his Father took damage, but both Gobbinz and Red River understand that they are learning just as much as we are. Don''t apologize for us finding a solution that wasn''t typical. Sure, if we had thought to dispel illusions much earlier, maybe we wouldn''t have. But, look at it this way. The two of you forgetting your spells in the moment led to us making sure that Red River is a stronger and more secure dungeon in the future."


    Trillia nodded her agreement with that, and the two casters felt significantly less awful about the entire incident. Frederick couldn''t stop snickering the whole time. "I''m traveling with a group that accidentally almost killed a dungeon core." The others gave him odd looks, and he couldn''t help but laugh more. "I''ve never been in a dungeon before. But I''ve heard horror stories from D''Jamu about the undead-filled crypts that spring up constantly in the desert. I guess... I guess I was just expecting something different?"


    Trillia gave a rather grim nod. "Red River is extremely kind and generous. With his resources, he could easily kill us on almost any floor. Even the first floor is tailored to be easy. He didn''t drown us in sheer numbers, which I''m sure he''s capable of. I''ve cleared a lot of those crypts. It''s terrifying what a level twenty or thirty creature is capable of when there are hundreds of them. They don''t even provide experience because of how weak they are supposed to be."


    Malor nodded grimly as well. "General Brutus often said that quantity was a quality all of its own. The nests that spring up near and within Rift City spew out hordes of creatures. So far, this dungeon has been extremely tame in comparison. But we shouldn''t get complacent or let our guard down. From what I''ve heard, this dungeon has at least ten floors. This is the second, and the difficulty spike from the first is already significant. I don''t expect us to clear more than three or four at our current levels."


    The group nodded with a little more conviction and caution, and proceeded further into the maze. Knowing the right path helped a lot. It only took them ten minutes of walking before the shape of the tunnels began to change, and it only took another ten for the first icy megapede to break through the ice and spray the group in some clinging freezing acid that immediately began to bite into their armor.


    "[Area Mend Object]!"


    Frederick shouted the spell, and his magic began to fight back on all of their armor, slowly repairing itself. The wall also began to mend itself around the abomination. It didn''t take long for the group to get their wits about them and form ranks.


    "Come at me, bug! I''ll squash you dead! [Taunt]!"


    Layla''s body gave off a harsh red glow, and the creature whipped its head toward her and tried to charge. Its momentum was thrown off by the ice clawing at its body. As it slammed into her crossed arms, she raised her right arm and slammed the morning star down. A sickening thud as the carapace was smashed and blue goo oozed out resounded in the tunnels.


    Trillia used her rapier to carve an opening into the armored exterior and shoved her left arm into the now-exposed flesh before letting loose a volley of mana bolts. Frederick had produced a long sword and wedged the tip just about in the center of the creature''s body, shouting at Malor and Amelia, who both ran over and used the blade like a nail.


    The creature fell shortly after. Layla, surprisingly, was breathing heavily. After the fight, she went to the wall and leaned against it. "I can''t fight those things like that."


    Amelia and Trillia rushed over to make sure she was alright. The acolyte removed her helmet and offered them both a smile. "Taunting uses a lot of stamina. It uses more the longer I keep it up and the more damage I take. With the armor we have, I think it best if I just try to out hea-" She was cut off as another abomination broke through the ice next to her, spraying her exposed face with ice. She let out a scream that sent chills down Trillia''s spine. Trillia pulled out a potion as panic set in, trying to remember the skill.


    "Uhhh..." She shook her head. She knew it was something stupid and silly. Trillia ran around the abomination that was blocking her from Layla, and it clicked. "Need a blessing? Make a messing! [Splash Potion]!" She threw the healing potion at Layla and struck true. A red mist enveloped the girl and began healing Layla''s melting, freezing flesh of her face.


    The group scrambled to end this one, much like they had ended the first. This time, no one sat down, and everyone kept looking around. Ialu stayed near the walls sniffing and keeping her ears perked up. Layla stood in the center of the hall shaking, having roughly yanked her helmet on.


    Trillia took a deep breath as long minutes passed, and nothing else came. "Damnit! Alfred warned us not to be complacent."


    Layla took in a shaky breath as she looked at Trillia. "Sorry. T..t..that was my fault. I shouldn''t have taken off my helmet."


    Trillia walked over to the girl and put a hand on her shoulder. "It''s fine. We''re learning. We did ask Red River to be brutal...I guess he''s taking that very seriously."


    Amelia nodded as she and Malor began carving the bodies. "A hostile dungeon would have sent three or four just now. Probably would have cost us a member. We really don''t know what the fuck we''re doing, do we?"


    Frederick had taken to walking around and mending everyone''s armor. "Not yet. But we will. I''ll have to convince Ma and Pa to come down here. They haven''t been pushed or challenged in years, might do them and Red River some good to have a worthy rival."


    Trillia gave Layla a gentle hug as she grinned. "I guess we don''t fit into that category yet." Layla whispered a thank you as she calmed down. Trillia looked up as the goblins often did. "Yet!" With a little giggle, she went over to help Malor and Amelia. "I wonder why these guys don''t just drop items like the other dungeon monsters do."


    Layla spoke up immediately. "According to the people I tend to in the healing hall. A lot of these floors are designed to help level skills. I guess there are a bunch of survival and carving skills that can be learned and gained from chopping these things up. They are also close enough to actual [Megapedes] that the skills transfer surprisingly accurately to the real thing outside. There''s an entire floor dedicated to plants and herbalism stuff. I guess after your talk earlier, Fred, there will be more stuff to do with mining as well."


    Trillia nodded at that. "I guess that makes sense. Is everyone ok to keep going? Or should we back out for the day and go over what we''ve learned? I want to smash the second-floor boss...but if the floor has advanced this much, I would rather go into the boss fresh and not frazzled or exhausted."


    The others agreed to call it here for the day. As Trillia expected, a few minutes later, Gobbinz popped down from the ceiling. As he floated to the ground, he immediately walked over to Layla and offered her a hug, which she gladly accepted. "Father says he''s sorry about that. But just as all of you showed him a weakness in his defense, he wasn''t going to break his promise and go easy."


    Layla shook her head immediately. "Don''t apologize. It was a stupid, stupid mistake to take off my helmet in a hostile environment immediately after we got out of a fight. I assure you, I won''t make that mistake again."


    Gobbinz gave her a final look before nodding. "I can lead you all out."


    The path out only took a few minutes. Apparently, Red River had begun to use teleportation magic for the shortcuts. They stood in the healing hall, and the group decided to stay and chat for a few minutes before departing. They also got their drops from the first-floor boss, which consisted of high-quality wolf pelts and some odd barbs that Malor said could be used as a material in bleeding enchantments.


    Trillia sat on a stool and took a deep breath. An orc in a bed nearby chuckled. "Hard day in the dungeon, I take it?"


    Trillia offered the orc a smirk. "We made a stupid mistake. Decided to call it a day and come back tomorrow refreshed. We''re still only on the second floor."


    The orc offered a tiny nod at that. "My group makes it to the fourth floor somewhat reliably. But the switch-up is so drastic that we''ve hit a wall. Haven''t cleared the fourth floor in two months. Want advice on the second and third floors?"


    Trillia thought about that for a moment. She looked over at her companions before shaking her head. "I appreciate the offer. But no, thank you. I know we did a lot of scouting and information gathering for the dungeons in D''Jamu. But we won''t always have information available to us. I''d rather us be mostly surprised."


    The orc nodded and motioned to Layla. "That one says the same thing. She doesn''t mind learning what each floor offers as training, but she wants to learn the specifics on her own."


    Gobbinz overheard the conversation and walked over, tapping the orc on the forehead. "You''re supposed to be sleeping, you big oaf! You lost an arm down there today! Besides, if you have advanced warning of a floor, you get less experience for it!"


    Trillia blinked a few times when she heard that. It made sense, she guessed. Then the realization dawned on her that she had notifications dinging in her mind. She''d get to those later before they descended again. For now, the group was just relaxing and reflecting.

 Chapter 89 Road Block

    The group retrieved Trillia''s helmet from the shop and chatted about their most recent delve at length. It had honestly gone quite well, all things considered.


    Alfred spoke up during a lull in the conversation. "I think instead of retreating this time. You all should set up camp inside the dungeon. Regardless of how deep you make it. Some dungeons are massive entities that will force you to delve into them for days on end. You should get used to how mana flows and taking shifts for watch. Especially if the end goal of your group is to go out into the world and explore. You never know when you''ll run into brigands."


    The group nodded at his advice which prompted Amelia to speak up next. "We should talk about rations in that case and things we can do to lighten our load. Trillia and I once borrowed a bag of holding from General Ralrouk, and it made our lives significantly easier. Maybe that should be a short-term goal for now. Delve deep enough to get a storage item of some kind."


    Malor tilted his head at that and grumbled. After a few moments of the others staring at him, he spoke. "I could try to enchant us one. Storage items are really hard to make, from what I''ve heard. It might be a total failure and be prohibitive on mana costs, though."


    Trillia nodded. "Lord Arlyss said something similar to me once. I have the mana to burn, as long as it''s not too crazy. Maybe I could put only the heaviest stuff in there? Like the chitin we got yesterday."


    The others nodded, and the chatter continued. Alfred and Marg seemed content to host the little group of misfits in their home for now. Trillia felt as if it was almost comforting for the two of them to have so many younglings around them.


    Frederick smacked the table as a realization dawned on him, startling Ialu, who jumped up, ready for a fight. "That reminds me! Red River is going to be putting in some mining nodes on one of its floors! I said that maybe the two of you would like to delve some time."


    Marg scoffed and shook her head. "We''re far too old for delving into a dungeon. Even one as kind as Red River."


    The group of five leveled looks at Marg and Alfred as the motherly figure sipped a hot cup of tea. Alfred chuckled softly. "We could dust off our equipment, I guess. Blow off a little steam and maybe get some ore in the process."


    Marg shot him a glance but seemed to be seriously pondering the idea. "Maybe. We''ll think about it."


    Frederick seemed happy with that. The group agreed to get a solid night''s rest and meet up at the dungeon''s entrance tomorrow.


    -=- Tomorrow -=-


    Trillia yawned and stretched. Trying to get the sleep out of her bones. She and Amelia had been the first to arrive. Both of them had packed some basic food and water and were in the process of helping each other don their respective armor. Layla was the next to show up, and the girls helped her get into her armor as well.


    The boys showed up together, chatting about the shop and enchanting. The two were becoming fast friends. Their armor was already on. Trillia bounced up off of the rock she had taken as a seat. "Are we ready to go?!"


    Everyone looked at the far-to-high-energy person and nodded. Trillia spun excitedly and marched them off toward the dungeon.


    The first floor was a breeze. The group had ironed out some of their early issues and was considerably more coordinated today. The second floor also went much smoother. Layla cast her spell that allowed the group to see through the basic illusions in place, and the group quickly found itself on their fourth abomination kill. They decided not to rest between kills. Realistically the only thing any of them needed to recover was Stamina.


    Layla kept their health topped off, and Trillia was quick to refill mana in a pinch. The girls would also regularly use [Restorative Chant] on the others to help keep Stamina up. They mostly didn''t keep using it to top everyone off because doing so tended to call more enemies to them. Red River was quick to make sure he didn''t just let them top off for free.


    Soon, the group made it to a familiar blue barrier. Amelia and Trillia exchanged glances and looked back at their companions. "It''s been a little while since we''ve been here. We will fill you in on what we know." The girls proceeded to do just that before taking their initial approach to the barrier. Trillia broke it with ranged attacks, and Amelia protected the group with elemental bulwark.


    As the barrier fell, the familiar bowl-shaped arena was present before them. The hybrid was lounging in the center, the massive ice-plated body of a dungeon megapede with the ogre''s torso. As Trillia took her first step into the room, it gave them no time to plan. Bow in hand, it loosed three arrows at the ground under their feet.


    The hand with the indigo gem in it hefted the now-glowing gem into the air, and a heavy mist filled the room. Trillia immediately jumped off of the ledge with Ialu at her side. Malor and Frederick stayed on the rim of the bowl. Amelia and Layla joined Trillia. The plan was simple, sever the tail that swept the ledges.


    "[Intercept]!"


    Trillia heard the clank of Layla intercepting an attack. Trillia didn''t even know the attack was coming, but she was grateful to her friend all the same. Trillia raised her arm and began a constant barrage of mana bolts. Amelia had begun singing. She sang a soft, haunting melody that drifted through the mist-filled room.


    You''re under the effects of [Banshee''s Eerie]!


    A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.Allies have their Agility doubled.


    Allies cannot be confused or charmed.


    Enemies must resist the effects of the user''s Presence or be stunned until the skill ends!


    Trillia grinned and raised her right hand, letting mana tear through her veins, and spells flowed freely. Trillia was long past the need to chant for most of her skills.


    "[Titan Swing]!" Trillia recognized Frederick''s bellow, and the chittering screech coming from in front of her let her know that they had struck true on the tail.


    Layla intercepted two more attacks before a third and fourth slammed into the acolyte''s torso and sent her flying. A fifth and sixth attack appeared from the mist, and Trillia threw herself to the side, cursing under her breath. The hybrid hadn''t been nearly this fast before!


    The temperature in the room dropped rapidly, and the sound of bubbling acid filled their ears. Trillia snatched her hand from the ground as a thin coating of the freezing acid began to fill the bowl. "Everyone up! Get on the ridge, quickly!"


    Trillia whistled for Ialu, who had gone forward to bite their enemy. The wolf ran out of the mist towards her, covered in acid burns. Trillia grabbed onto her back, and the two tried to scale the slippery slope of the bowl. Thanks to [Banshee''s Eerie] and Ialu''s already ridiculous agility, they managed.


    Just as they got to the rim of the bowl, a familiar scraping sound filled her ears as the tail began ripping the ice apart along with everything in its path. Ialu turned and began running the other way. Trillia hadn''t heard her companions at all in the last few seconds of battle, and worry settled in.


    Just as she was about to call out, the scrapping stopped. The mist vanished. Trillia cursed once more, knowing that the dungeon had stopped the fight. A dozen goblins swarmed out of holes toward Malor, who had been impaled with a trident and pinned to the wall. Half his face was gone from a spray of acid breath.


    Trillia''s heart dropped at the sight. She glanced over and saw that Layla was trying to heal Amelia, who was missing an entire leg that had been lost to the rising acid. Frederick seemed mostly unharmed but still shaken.


    There, in the center of the room, Trillia saw the problem. It wasn''t a single hybrid. There were two of them. One crawled down from a hole in the ceiling that must have been covered with an illusion. The mist covered the hole. Red River had stepped up this boss encounter as well. The hybrids said nothing, one crawled back into the ceiling, and the other coiled up in the center of the bowl again. Entirely unbothered by the freezing acid around it.


    An hour later, the group was in the healing hall. The goblins had gained a significant array of healing skills and classes. The damage to their group had been mostly healed. Though, whatever mental damage might have been done by the pain was still very real.


    Malor shook his head in anger. "Four fucking skill levels in acid and ice protection. How are we supposed to defeat those things?!"


    Amelia growled low, sharing in his anger. "The step up is absurd! We can''t get the levels we need from the first floor to fight the boss of the second floor!"


    Layla sat with her back against the wall, and her eyes closed. Frederick looked disheartened as well. Trillia looked around at the goblins, who said nothing, and simply went about healing the group in silence. "Maybe we should scout the area surrounding the city? Find a small nest to clear and gain some levels. We could also just spend some time on the second floor killing the abominations. They still give decent experience."


    Frederick looked over at her as she said that, as an idea was brewing in his mind. "How much of that chitin do we have? The stuff from the abominations?"


    Amelia and Malor''s anger settled a bit as the armourer began speaking. Amelia pulled out a journal and quickly glanced through it. "Counting what we got this time? Maybe thirty pounds of usable material."


    Frederick nodded and looked around at the goblins. "Let''s meet up at the shop. I need to check on a few things around the city. Don''t worry, guys. We''ll progress. This is just a minor setback. Remember, we''re doing this to get better as a team and learn our strengths and weaknesses."


    The group nodded at him and slowly filtered out as they were fully healed. Each thanked the goblins and left small trinkets on their way out as thanks.


    A few hours passed, and the group was in the shop. Fred was talking to his parents, his armor the subject of the discussion based on them standing around the table.


    The group had waited outside the dungeon to show up at the shop as one. Not wanting Fred to have to repeat any information. Alfred gave them a nod and motioned for them to come closer.


    The armor sat on the table, and Fred had a piece of the chitin sitting next to his chest plate. "We''re trying to figure out how to incorporate the chitin into our armor. Or make the armor itself more modular. The abominations aren''t harmed by that acid stuff that they all spray about. Layla said that Red River sets up entire floors to help advance skill levels, right?"


    Layla nodded, and the others listened with interest. "I think the orcs and minotaur are overlooking a component of the second floor. What if Red River fully expects you to make armor out of the other creatures on the floor? What if you''re expected to know how to make those modifications, and it''s just waiting for the delvers to figure that out? No offense, but orcs tend to brute force every single problem they run into."


    Amelia snorted, and a grin spread across her face. "Us minotaur aren''t much better."


    The others didn''t argue. It was true, after all. Frederick continued. "The wolf leather is highly resilient to fire mana. Which is what Paws uses in that nova of his. This chitin is highly resistant to ice and acid. I think the expectation is that by the time you''re in the lower levels, you are protected against a wide array of elements. That''s why I think some people get so far. They have skills that bypass the need for armor."


    The group pulled out the rest of the chitin plates they had and watched as Alfred and Marg continued to write and re-write armor designs a dozen times. Malor leaned in and tapped a piece of the chitin. "Could we meld it? I''ve never tried, but I''ve heard that you can meld certain materials. Not entirely unlike the alloying process you once described to us."


    Trillia perked up at that. She hadn''t heard that word before. Marg grabbed a piece of the chitin and pondered the question. "I''ve seen a few folks who can meld. But it''s usually one person who has alchemy, armorsmithing, and enchanting. We could attempt it as a group, though. It''d be rather dangerous work."


    Layla chimed in, in an unusually chipper tone. "I can cover healing, Amelia can cover stamina, and Trillia can cover mana! There''s no time like the present for all of you to attempt something dangerous and learn new skills!"


    The group looked at the happy little acolyte, and Alfred nodded. "Can''t argue with the girl. We''re in a rather unique set of circumstances." The man looked at Malor, Fred, and Marg. "Feel up for some experimentation?"


    The group nodded, and new plans began getting drawn up. Over the next few hours, a dozen books had been brought out from personal collections to try and find a process for melding that would work for a group. They agreed to use some of the scrap armor first, with the wolf leather to make fire-resistant gear.


    Trillia felt as though this was going to be a long process. If it worked, they''d be able to progress much more easily.

 Chapter 90 Progress! Sort Of.

    It took the group nearly a week to find a solution. Melding ruined a dozen suits of armor and three times that many wolf pelts. Whatever mixture of skills they needed. Or the order in which those skills must be applied was beyond all of them.


    For now.


    Instead, Trillia enlisted Ba''Shoon''s help. Ba''Shoon, Marg, Amelia, and Malor found some hefty temporary enchantments that were resistant to dispelling using the icy chitin. It gave hefty bonuses against ice and acid but also a speed malus that the group would have to contend with.


    Malor was most worried about the speed malus, seeing as their last challenge of the second-floor boss had nothing to do with acid when it concerned his injuries.


    The group stood outside the dungeon, donning their armor. Trillia reached into a pouch and produced three small vials. "I worked with Marg to create these. Traded most of my copper trinkets away for the materials. They should increase your agility by thirty percent. Coupled with either Amelia or I using Astra''s Agility, you should be well past your old agility, even with the ice enchantments on our armor."


    Malor took one of the potions and nodded his thanks. The other potions went to Amelia and Layla. Frederick didn''t seem to have a speed malus. Trillia really needed to pick his brain to see what he was actually capable of. Because for just an "armourer," he certainly had a wide array of skills.


    Amelia rubbed her snout as she sighed heavily. "If we fail the boss this time. My vote is to level up outside on other creatures. Maybe even travel closer to the rift where the monsters have stronger traits."


    Everyone voiced their agreement with that statement in one way or another. Trillia didn''t blame them. They wanted progress just as badly as she did. "We could also go to D''Jamu and see how many more undead dungeons have risen. They''d be significantly more dangerous, but if there are hostile cores there, it could go a long way towards us leveling."


    The group was far less ready to agree to that. Frederick had grown up hearing horror stories of undead dungeons. He seemed to have no real interest in visiting one.


    The first floor went smoothly. Even Stibs and Paws barely gave the group pause. They quickly found themselves on the second floor with two icy abominations dead.


    "Damn! That''s what we should have done!" Fred''s outburst caused the group to swivel and look towards him. The man was holding a piece of chitin, shaking his head. "We could have just made massive shields out of the chitin. Malor and Amelia use two-handed weapons, but both of you have one-handed variants. Trillia can still attack with her artifact bow. It would have given us something we could have used to block the acid."


    Amelia carved off another piece of the chitin and inspected it. Malor motioned to the group. "So why don''t we? Rules don''t say we need to challenge the boss. Let''s just spend a few hours clearing abominations. In fact, we could go so far as to level our resistance skills a few times. I know we''ll get reduced skill experience since we aren''t in any serious danger. But some is better than none."


    Trillia looked around at the group. "Any objections?" The group seemed fine with the idea. Even Amelia, who had grown increasingly impatient with their lack of progress, was happy with an actual plan.


    -=- Three MORE Days Later -=-


    The group had what Alfred called a scutum. Another new word for Trillia to memorize. It referred to a large semi-cylindrical shield. Marg and Alfred instructed the group on how to make a shield wall with them and fight defensively. The acid would be an issue for their feet, but as long as their armor was enchanted with protection, the group should be fine.


    As the group descended into the second floor again. Trillia couldn''t help but admire the craftsmanship of the shield. The dark blue chitin overlapped and gave the shields an almost draconic-scale look. If they all held their shields at a slight angle, it looked like the group itself was a serpent.


    They tested a shield wall against the regular abominations. Red River seemed interested in their new tactics as well and was happy to throw three of the things against them all at once.


    To Trillia''s surprise, the group didn''t even take damage. The shields blocked all of their breath weapon effects, and to Trillia''s surprise, she found fighting with a shield worked extremely well for her combat style. Sure, she couldn''t cast spells or use her rapier. But she was still able to throw out a constant barrage of mana bolts over the top of the little shield wall they sometimes managed. She''d have to work with the family on other shield designs.


    Amelia was giving her an odd look, and Trillia realized she had been staring at the shield, giggling. Trillia cleared her throat and looked at her friend. "I was just thinking, despite how good orcs are at combat and war. The humans seem to know an awful lot about it."


    Fred laughed at that, slapping Trillia''s back as he walked past to help carve up the three kills. "It''s because humans don''t get any boost to their stats. We just get increased experience and the ability to mentor people. We had to do something, or we''d get crushed by superior numbers."


    That made sense.


    The group stood before the barrier and did one last gear check to ensure everything was in proper order. Trillia raised her crossbow to the barrier. "Everyone ready?"


    Malor raised a hand to stop her. As everyone turned to look at him, he called out. "Red River! Could you send Gobbinz to speak with us for a moment?" The others gave questioning glances, and he continued. "I don''t want him to stop the fight. I instead want him to call out if a member of our party is downed. I know it''s cheating, in a way. But I think it will help. I want us to learn to fight to the last. After all, in a normal dungeon, the enemies aren''t going to stop."


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    Gobbinz popped out of a hole in the ceiling a few seconds later. "Father says he''s okay with your plan. We''ll have some healing brothers on hand. The rules will be that if you fall below five percent of your max health. You are considered dead for the purpose of this fight. Once we heal you, you are not allowed to assist your team in any way. That includes no shouting or information relay. Acceptable?"


    The group nodded. Gobbinz wished them luck and vanished.


    Trillia cleared the barrier. The second the barrier was down, two arrows came flying through the still-falling pieces. Layla''s intercept with her new shield made the attack ineffective.


    This time, the group didn''t split up. Instead, they charged down together.


    The indigo gem was raised. As Trillia prepared for the mist to roll in, a bellow from her side startled her.


    "[Shatter Enchantment]!" Malor hurled a throwing hammer at the gem, and as the mist began to gather, a loud crack resounded in the arena. The mist vanished just as quickly as it appeared. The abomination glared at the minotaur, who whispered to the group. "I won''t be able to use any of my skills for ten minutes. I''m just swinging a weapon and acting as a shield. I figure it''s worth it if we have vision."


    The group said nothing and pressed on.


    As they drew closer to the creature''s body, they saw the second hybrid slithering down from the hole in the ceiling. Most peculiar, however, was the abominations that began appearing from the walls and raking the rim. For some reason, Trillia had assumed it was the hybrid. Perhaps because of their first fight.


    Most of the danger of the fight came from the ceiling hybrid. It would coil its body up and spring down at them. Each arm held a trident that the creature slammed forward in rapid succession. Malor and Layla focused on defending the group from the trident wielder''s attacks. The hybrid in front of them spewed acid and arrows in their direction.


    A few arrows got through and bit into flesh. But well-timed shields kept everything else at bay. Soon, the group was within striking range of the creature. The ceiling hybrid was having some difficulty, striking at the much smaller targets around its partner''s bulk. Trillia had been unloading volleys the entire time, and as they got close, she dropped her shield.


    Her right hand came up as more mana began flowing into her hand.


    "[Armor Break]!" The sound of chitin smashing caused the group to glance at Layla, who had smashed through several layers of chitin.


    "[Armor Break]!" Another weak spot was exposed. The hybrid began uncoiling to pull away when Malor charged forward, swinging an axe.


    Frederick pulled some sort of large hooked weapon from his seemingly endless supply of weapons and slammed it into one of the weak spots created by Layla.


    "[Metallicize Body]!" Trillia was caught off guard when Fred - including his armor and weapons - turned into a solid, steely color. As the creature tried to drag itself away, Fred''s body held fast with the hook. Trillia glanced at the ground to see small tendrils of metal rooting him to the floor.


    Trillia dug deep into the group''s recent failures and her own troubled past. She felt [Orcish Fury] bubbling inside of her and happily released it. She watched as her stamina plummeted and her Wisdom skyrocketed. A thought came to her. She remembered being told that even if you didn''t need to chant, doing so increased the power of your abilities.


    "May the fury of the Infernal Bands scar body and soul, [Searing Rend]!"


    As she swiped with her right hand in a claw-like fashion, she startled even herself. The temperature around her shot up forty degrees as black flames clung to the shattered and sliced hybrid''s body. Trillia watched her stamina and mana plummet. Not that she''d notice the missing few thousand points of mana. She chanted again and again. Trillia was aware of Amelia and Malor using their own skills, having turned their focus toward the ceiling hybrid. Layla had managed to get to the ground hybrid''s face. Despite her being the smallest member, she suddenly looked massive.


    The one-handed mace looked like a child''s toy in her hand as she smashed it into and completely through the chitinous armor of their enemy.


    Trillia''s vision blurred as her focus was lost. At some point, she had stopped shooting volleys, and the infernal call of searing rend consumed her mind.


    She felt a heavy thud against her side and paid it no mind.


    She watched as her health fell below zero.


    And she paid it no mind.


    She was vaguely aware of people calling out to her but paid them no mind.


    Finally, she was yanked backward and smacked across the face with something hard and heavy. She felt her lip split open.


    Blinking away the daze, she saw her right arm covered in a blue ichor. Most terrifying was the ephemeral outline of a demon''s claw attached to her left arm, which was also covered in blue ichor. Ialu, who had taken to biting at the back of the ground hybrid during the fight, was now sitting on Trillia''s chest, whimpering.


    She saw Layla standing next to her with mace in hand, ready to apparently hit her again. Trillia blinked more of the dizziness away. The others had surrounded her, as had Gobbinz and several other healing goblins. As she tried to open her mouth to speak, she found herself unable. A glance at her resources showed her health just barely above zero and her stamina in the negatives. Her health rapidly depleting to refill her empty stamina.


    In the next few breaths, she watched her mana reserves tank by a few hundred thousand and knew her many traits and skills were working overtime to keep her vaguely coherent and conscious. Amelia kneeled next to her. "That''s something we''ll have to discuss with someone more notable about. For now, we need to get her out of the dungeon and to Ba''Shoon. Ba''Shoon will hopefully know how to fix this. If not, Kismet will. Is it ok if we grab our rewards for clearing the second floor at another time?"


    As Trillia''s vision blurred again, she heard Gobbinz''s voice with more than a little worry in it. "Yes, yes, that''s fine. Just make sure she is ok. I''ll have someone take your drops to that armor shop you''re all working out of. Tell her I said you all did well when she comes around."


    Trillia tried to speak and say she could hear them, but her body suddenly felt weightless, and she realized she was being carried. Layla''s voice barely reached her through the darkness. "This happens when mortals channel too much power. Our bodies aren''t made to channel so much mana all at once. It''s believed that''s why dragons grow so large. So that their bodies are accustomed to the amount of mana they produce and use. Trillia is no dragon. We need to stop pushing her to be our primary source of damage. It''s not fair that we rely on her bottomless mana to win our fights."


    Again, Trillia tried to speak and argue that she was happy to be of use, but no words came forth. She heard some more mumbling from the others and knew that tenacity was going to take its toll. She wouldn''t be out for days, thanks to all of her traits propping her up, but she wasn''t immune to its effects either.

 Chapter 91 Side Effects

    Trillia glanced at her debuffs when she woke up. Unsurprisingly, she was parched and malnourished again, with exhaustion as a nice topping to it all. She''d have to be more careful about falling into tenacity. Even with her traits, it still felt miserable.


    Sitting up, she saw a mug with a rune for creating water on its side and a lukewarm bowl of stew. Trillia happily drank deeply and gobbled up the stew. They had placed her in the tent that she and Amelia shared.


    After satisfying her thirst and hunger, she held her arms up in front of her, remembering the blue ichor and the outline of a demon''s claw on her left arm. Flexing her hand a few times, she shook her head. She had used [Searing Rend] dozens of times over the years, but nothing like that had ever happened.


    But! She remembered hearing that they had defeated the second-floor boss! They''d have to do it again to get to the third floor and see it, but that was progress! She quickly looked through the hundreds of notifications that she made a habit of ignoring. Most of them didn''t matter anyway.


    Your group has defeated [Dungeon Goblin]! No experience has been awarded due to the ease of this fight!


    ...


    Your group has defeated [Stibs]! No experience has been awarded due to the ease of this fight!


    Damn, even Paws and Stibs weren''t enough to gain experience anymore. Trillia even had [Dungeon Addict], which would specifically give more experience in dungeons!


    Your group has defeated [Icy Megapede]! No experience has been awarded due to the ease of this fight!


    ...


    Your group has defeated [Megapede Hybrid]! Experience greatly reduced due to the level difference in this fight!


    What?! Trillia scowled at the notifications when she saw that. The hybrid had been giving her group serious issues. It should have been worth a fair bit of experience!


    Class: [Alchemist] Level 4 -> Level 7


    [Alchemist]


    Active Skills:


    Splash Potion (In Use)


    Split Potion


    Hybrid Potion


    Passive Skills:


    Alchemical Encylopedia (Mastery)


    Eye For Ingredients


    Marg wasn''t kidding. Alchemist got a lot more skills once you had some of its other skills mastered. She took a look through the things she didn''t have already active.


    Split Potion:


    This skill allows you to expend an amount of mana equal to (50* Potion Level + Number of Targets -Level of This Skill). By doing so in unison with Splash Potion, your potion will have a range that covers all available targets and substitutes your mana for additional liquid. All available targets must be within 1 meter of each other. Every level in this skill also increases the range that targets can be from each other by 1 meter.


    Trillia smiled and immediately added it to her active skills. That was a very good skill to have. She brought its description up and tugged at the word meter until it explained that it was just another unit of measurement. Trillia nodded once more before moving on to the next skill.


    Hybrid Potion - Hybrid Skill (Hybrid Skills can be placed as an active or passive skill.)


    This skill allows you to mix the essence of your mana into a potion during the brewing process. (This still works when utilizing instant brew skills.) When doing so, you may choose a skill or spell you know to impart its effects into the potion itself. Doing so costs an amount of mana equal to (100* Potion Level * Skill Level (Min: 1) - Level of This Skill).


    That gave her some pause. Maybe it would let her make [Restorative Chant] potions. That''d be extremely useful, especially with Splash and Split potions.


    Eye For Ingredients:


    This skill allows you to consume mana when gathering alchemical ingredients to double the total usable amount collected. OBFUSCATED The remainder of this skill''s uses are not available until you''ve gained the skills: OBFUSCATED, OBFUSCATED.


    Trillia would have to ask Marg about this one. Maybe it was another skill that just got better if she mastered it.


    So far, she was having a lot of fun with [Alchemist]. Sure, it wasn''t a direct combat class. But it was pretty darn close! It also gave her something to do in her downtime. Brewing potions was a fun experiment and a game of patience, and she enjoyed it thoroughly. Especially because Marg was such a good and patient teacher.


    Trillia rubbed her eyes and gave herself a big stretch and a mighty yawn before climbing off the pile of furs that made up her bed. Reaching down, she grabbed Resonance and blew a soft note to call Ialu. The wolf immediately stuck her head into the tent, having been lying outside evidently. The wolf bounded over to her and nuzzled her, trying to form a mental bridge.


    Trillia spent a few minutes calming her friend down and saying that she was okay before she climbed onto Ialu and asked the wolf to bring her to Ba''Shoon.


    The wolf didn''t take long to dart through the city, expertly twisting and turning through the streets and many stalls. Trillia was surprised no one yelled at them, only to realize that Ialu was constantly running about on her own, so the citizens were probably quite used to the wolf.


    She soon found herself standing in front of the command hall. The guard waved her in with a smile, but not before petting Ialu and pulling out a small piece of jerky as a treat for the wolf. Trillia said nothing as they walked inside.


    Not wanting to interrupt, she sat off to the side and just listened.


    It was four hours of people complaining. They wanted better roads. They didn''t want roads at all. Trade was hurting their culture, and the city needed more trade to grow. Trillia didn''t understand how her mother or Tormash had ever dealt with it. She''d go crazy sitting inside all day listening to people contradict one another.


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    Finally, after those long four hours, the hall cleared out. Tormash sat on the raised dais, holding his head. Ba''Shoon brought him a mug of mead and leaned down to kiss his head. "There, there, my love. We are done for the next couple of days."


    Tormash''s mood brightened immediately. He pulled Ba''Shoon into his lap and kissed her deeply. "As long as you''re by my side, I have no doubt that I''ll make it through." The two gave each other warm smiles before Tormash placed a hand on her ever-growing belly.


    Trillia and Ialu slowly made their way up to the raised dais. Trillia really didn''t want to interrupt them, knowing that they were both under a lot of pressure. But she felt it important to let them know she was ok.


    Tormash noticed her first, and his eyes narrowed. "Aren''t you supposed to be resting?"


    Ba''Shoon turned her head from Tormash to Trillia and also scowled. "She is! I left instructions with Layla and Amelia to watch over you and make sure you didn''t run off and stayed in bed for a few more days."


    Well, shit. No one told her that! "Sorry. When I woke up, no one was around. So I called Ialu and had her bring me over here. It''s still sort of like resting! Ialu is doing all the work, right girl?" Trillia leaned over and kissed the wolf on the head and scratched behind her ears. The wolf yipped happily a few times as her tail began to wag. The duo looked over at the scowling leaders, whose expressions had softened slightly.


    Ba''Shoon rolled her eyes and, with Tormash''s help, stood up. "I want you to tell me exactly what happened. Write down the incantation you used and anything else you can remember."


    Tormash left the two girls at the table and said he''d return shortly.


    Trillia sat at the table with Ba''Shoon and did as she was asked. By the time she was done retelling the story and writing down the incantation, Tormash had returned with three plates of steaming vegetables and slabs of meat. Two glasses of cold water were placed before Ba''Shoon and Trillia, and he had grabbed his mug of mead from before.


    Ba''Shoon looked at the notes she had taken, and the incantation, the dark look on her face, didn''t bode well for Trillia. "I''ve never heard you use this incantation for [Searing Rend]. Did it used to be different?"


    Trillia thought about that for a moment before she shrugged. "It''s just what came to me when I went to use it this time. The other incantation didn''t feel right with my improved wisdom score from [Orcish Fury]."


    Ba''Shoon nodded absent-mindedly as she kept looking down at the paper. Tormash looked over at Trillia with a raised brow. "What is your Wisdom when fury is active?"


    Trillia brought up her status and looked it over before doing some quick mental math. "One thousand and forty-two. Though, that might be a little lower. I did gain a couple levels in [Alchemist],"


    Tormash shifted his gaze to Ba''Shoon. "That''s why. At least, that''s why the incantation changed. The difference between nine ninety-nine and one-thousand is huge when it concerns the system and skills."


    Ba''Shoon nodded her agreement. "That is true. But the other effects of the skill seem...wrong somehow."


    Tormash leaned over and peered at the notes. After a few minutes of silence, with the exception of Trillia chomping on food and sharing some of her meat with Ialu, Tormash finally tapped a spot on the page. "Warlock pact? That''s what it sounds like to me, at least."


    Ba''Shoon''s visage grew even more distressed and dark at that. "Gods, I hope not. I don''t think she''d even be allowed because she is pact-bound to a deity! Maybe that''s what it is?"


    Trillia couldn''t help her curiosity. "Sorry, but what do you mean exactly?"


    Ba''Shoon looked up at her with a sigh. "Sorry, Trillia. I didn''t mean to exclude you. The class Warlock requires that you be pact-bound to a creature from the Infernal Bands. The things you describe feeling and the mana claw you produced are all effects that Tormash and I have witnessed from Warlocks. This may be a question you need to put forth to your deity."


    Trillia nodded and, without a thought, reached out to his mind. As soon as she made the connection, a portal opened beside her, and the god stepped through.


    Once more, she felt the weight of power come crashing down on the room. Even Tormash and Ba''Shoon seemed uneasy. Arlyss walked over to pet Ialu and offered the others a little wave. "Is it acceptable if I read surface thoughts? To get myself caught up?"


    Trillia nodded. Arlyss placed a finger to her temple for the briefest of moments before removing it. "That''s odd. You''re right, Chieftain. It is a warlock pact."


    Everyone at the table stopped and stared at him. Trillia felt panic creep into her mind. "I swear to you, Lord Arlyss! I have not formed pacts with any such creatures!"


    Arlyss raised a hand, and with it, a wave of calming mana flowed through the room. "Even if you had, I wouldn''t be angry. You are your own person, Trillia. You just work under me. Same as Ralrouk works under Tormash. Besides, this is from a pact that formed before we ever met."


    Trillia thought about that for a moment before realization hit. "Alirast?"


    Arlyss nodded and took a seat next to Trillia. Ba''Shoon gave them both an odd look. "But she has no trait saying she was bound. I don''t understand."


    Arlyss reached over and plucked a tiny potato from Trillia''s plate. "Alirast is bound to a deity. A Primordial Deity, that as far as the system is concerned, counts as anything and everything the system and universe need it to count as. She utilizes Alirast''s mana. My guess is that because her Wisdom reached a benchmark, the skill evolved and changed to be Infernal in nature. Because that''s what Alirast and my father see the origin of the skill as."


    Ba''Shoon wasn''t struck silent as Trillia had been, thankfully. "Are you saying that she has to contend with Alirast''s traits and oaths when dealing with her own skills?"


    Arlyss nodded. "Yes. I''m not entirely sure, but Alirast''s core doesn''t feel like the core of other realms. I''ve visited a few to see how their local deities run things and learn from them. Something is different with Alirast. But I can''t access the core. There is a barrier there that requires some sort of trait to enter. It even blocks my divine attempts at bypassing it or seeing past it."


    Tormash glowered at the god. "Alirast is a prison, is it not? That was the message we all received about locks when Centrallis woke?"


    Arlyss paused at those words. "That''s a good point. Perhaps Alirast is holding a powerful Infernal prisoner. Thus causing those connected to its mana streams to be influenced by that creature. The reason deities and lesser deities aren''t allowed near the core is so that we don''t get corrupted by a powerful creature."


    Trillia looked between all of them with more than a little worry. "Does that mean I shouldn''t use mana if my Wisdom is over a thousand? Is it possible for something that''s not a deity to corrupt a deity?"


    Arlyss looked over at her while shaking his head. "Use your mana. You will get used to the feelings and learn to control them. Perhaps do so in a controlled environment to start, not during a boss fight. It''s possible for an immortal to outright kill a deity. We are just immortals with a title, after all. That title may bring power and extra benefits, but, at the end of the day, if an immortal ten times my level confronts me, I stand very little chance of surviving."


    Ba''Shoon sighed and rubbed her eyes. "We can help you train, Trillia. For now, why don''t you go and see your friends? From my understanding, you all got some interesting drops from the second floor. We can discuss this more later. Lord Arlyss, could I trouble you to stay for a moment?"


    Arlyss nodded at the question before turning to Trillia. "Good job, by the way. You all did well during the fight. I may have some ideas on how to make melding work. I was watching your process of failures and successes with it and would like to experiment with it myself. Assuming none of you mind."


    Trillia stood and crawled back onto Ialu. "We''d be happy to have you, Lord Arlyss. Thank you for all your help." Ialu plodded over to get her ear scratches from everyone and to let Trillia give Tormash and Ba''Shoon goodbye hugs before she departed the building.


    She had to admit, she was very curious about what they were going to discuss. But it wasn''t her place to snoop and eavesdrop, so the two headed toward the armor shop.

 Chapter 92 Melding Take Two

    Trillia was greeted by the others, who had taken to the shop in their free time to learn and chat with one another. Business was doing well for Marg and Alfred, which Trillia was happy about. She wanted to see the humans succeed, not just because they were kind but also because it''d incentivize orcs to get into these classes as well.


    At least, that was her hope.


    Amelia gave her a hug and did a poor job hiding her concern. "How are you feeling?"


    Trillia shrugged and looked down at her hand. "Ok, I guess? Lord Arlyss and Ba''Shoon think it might be related to having my mana tied to Alirast. I guess because my Wisdom breaks one-thousand when fury is active, it changes the flow of mana."


    Marg spoke up between hammer strikes. "The benchmarks I know of are one-thousand, three-thousand, and I was once told that ten-thousand is another. It''s one of the many reasons deities aren''t allowed to use most of their skills and abilities on mortals."


    Trillia and Amelia wandered over and sat on stumps next to the woman, happy to listen. "A little-known fact. Dragons are quite chatty creatures. While Alfred served his two years in the Library of Scales, I was permitted to visit him. Despite my wariness of dragons, the one who runs the library is quite honorable. We would often chat for hours between petitioners, and I''d listen to stories."


    Alfred spoke up with a grin. "I had to serve two years for two hours. This minx got the information for a smile."


    Marg shot him a glare that rapidly turned into a grin. "Some people are just smart enough to listen. For a creature that''s thousands of years old, they don''t often get to simply talk. The master of the library is the one who informed me that there was another benchmark at ten thousand."


    Trillia went from staring at Marg to staring at her hand. Holding her left arm up next to her right and remembering the claw. "Is it possible to use magic to mimic a hand?"


    The room went silent, save for the rhythmic clang of hammers. Marg paused in her strikes and stared at Trillia. "Magic can do many things. From what you''ve told us. I don''t know that such a thing would work for you. Many times, sacrifice is permanent for abilities such as yours."


    Trillia closed her eyes and spoke softly to herself. "I never wanted to sacrifice for this. I just wanted to be useful."


    Amelia gave her shoulder a little squeeze. "How do you think we should train? So that you can get a feeling for your benchmark?"


    Trillia shrugged. Opening her eyes and looking at Amelia. "I''m not sure. Lord Arlyss said he might stop by to help learn about melding. I can ask him then."


    As if on cue, a portal opened, and out stepped Arlyss. "Sorry. I completely forgot about that. I have a lot going on right now. This body won''t be able to channel any of my power, but it can still be used to communicate."


    Trillia blinked as he appeared. Everyone else froze. Quite unused to a deity being so casual. Though, perhaps they didn''t know many deities. "Finished with your other talk?" She didn''t feel the massive weight of power, which was refreshing.


    Arlyss shook his head as he wandered over to a table with some of the armor on it, lifting each piece with each and closely inspecting the metal. "I''m still having that conversation. I currently have seven bodies out. Each has its own discussions. I''m still learning to spread my power equally as well. Assume this body is a level one child, nothing more."


    Alfred and Marg finally found their wits and bowed. "Pleasure to see you, Lord Arlyss." Marg was the one to speak. Arlyss turned to them with a smile.


    "A pleasure to be here. Thank you. For helping educate and take care of my avatar. I saw your attempts at melding and thought they had promise. It''s something I''d like to better understand as well. I also know that you must make armor to earn your keep. For now, I''m happy to sit here and have a pleasant conversation. When you are done for the day, if everyone is willing, I''d like to give melding a solid look."


    Both immediately nodded their agreeance. Trillia offered a weak smile, her mind wondering what it must be like to have instant respect and admiration. In the back of her mind, Arlyss'' voice spoke softly to her. "It''s quite tedious. I will never develop friendships. I will never develop camaraderie. I will only ever know servants and worship." Trillia snapped her eyes to him and offered a weak little nod. She watched his mouth move independently of the words he spoke to her mentally.


    "Lord Arlyss, how should I go about training? So that I don''t lose myself again?"


    Arlyss looked over at her and stopped speaking. "Your best bet is to continue delving into Red River. Push yourself as hard as you can every time. Even if you meet the same fate for the next month, you will eventually tame the mana currents that come with that benchmark. Red River is as safe a place as any. I really do need to spend some time talking to him."


    Trillia nodded and looked at her companions. "Sorry that you have to deal with so much instability."


    Amelia laughed at that and shook her head. "You''re still the primary damage dealer in our group. You''re the only reason we won that fight on the second floor. Your instability is just being untrained. Which we can work towards training."


    Fred snapped his fingers at that. "That reminds me! Sir Gobbinz sent over our drops!"


    Frederick turned and hurried off towards his room, getting a heavy sigh from Marg, who walked over to his workstation and grabbed the armor he was working on.


    It only took him a few minutes to return. He brought out a trident and a small glass orb. "I figure Malor could use the trident. Amelia uses instrument weapons, and Layla prefers blunt weapons. " He looked at Trillia and gave a little shrug as if to say sorry. "I don''t think it would suit you well. I have my own weapons. I''m not sure what the orb is. Father says that part of dungeoneering is learning how to identify items. So he''s leaving that up to us."


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    Trillia gave a little grin at his words. Then jumped up and spun to look at Marg. "Can you make me a shield I can strap to my right arm?!"


    Marg blinked a few times at the girl''s explosive energy but nodded all the same. "They are often referred to as targes, dear. Yes, we can fashion you something like that. We might be able to work out one for your left arm if you''d prefer. I think I can manage something around your artifact."


    Trillia nodded excitedly at that. Then remembered she had interrupted poor Fred and looked over at him. "Sorry, Fred. Go on."


    The man smirked and shrugged. Lifting the trident and offering it to Malor, who stepped forward. "I have a skill that lets me scan items for enchantments. Give me some time with both items, and I will see if I can work out what they do."


    The group nodded as Malor sat down at a little makeshift workstation that had been created for him. The minotaur enchanter had started to enchant armor for customers as a way to repay Marg and Alfred and earn himself a little extra as well.


    Trillia sat on the stump near Marg and watched with interest as a combination of skills and know-how turned metal into a flexible, wearable thing. "I wish the realm wasn''t so topsy-turvy. I think I want what you have."


    Marg glanced at the girl as she spoke. "What''s that, dear?"


    Trillia looked around the shop and saw everyone off doing their own thing in their pockets. Lord Arlyss was having a conversation with a random customer who had no idea they were speaking to a deity. Scans of Arlyss just showed obfuscated now, not some warning about a deity. Trillia scooted closer and lowered her voice. "I want a family. I want a calm life where I can craft, surrounded by the people I love. I hope that one day I don''t have to fight anymore."


    Marg''s visage softened considerably as she looked at the child in front of her. "I think you''d be a great mother. I hope one day your dream can come true. Until then, you''re part of my family, Trillia. And as long as I draw breath, you will always be welcome under my roof."


    Trillia smiled up at the woman and gave a little nod. The two chatted about silly things, what people Trillia was interested in. What she was looking for in a person, what she might name her children. The more they spoke, the more Trillia realized she just wanted stability and peace. She wondered if that''s why Amara and Cordaos had stopped adventuring and leveling. She stopped mid-sentence as the realization hit. "I''m a pact-bound. I''ll always be at war...or on the edge of one."


    Arlyss, who had ended his conversation by now, walked over to put a hand on her shoulder. "You''ll get your calm centuries. I promise. That''s a big part of my research. I believe we are nearing the end of day. Is it alright if I bring some of my tools here?"


    Marg shrugged and nodded. Not really sure how to say no to a deity, perhaps. Arlyss nodded, and his power fully settled on this body. Everyone in the area paused at the sudden weight of it. With a few surges of mana, a dozen tools, and two tables appeared out of thin air. All of it was made from the same crystalline-like structure as the spire was. Trillia had come to realize that it was crystallized mana like the cave she was kept in.


    As Alfred and Marg finished their work for the day, they walked over and began peering over things. Arlyss motioned. "Feel free to pick up and inspect things. All of my equipment is quite durable, and I''m happy to learn from Masters of their craft on how to improve."


    Alfred chuckled softly and shook his head. "Worked for a dragon, saw true dwarves, having a casual conversation with a god, and I''m married to an amazing woman." Shaking his head some more as he glanced at Marg. "I would have never believed it. Had someone told me I''d be standing here now, back in our slave days."


    Marg walked up to him and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Arlyss chuckled softly as he joined them at the table. "Good people find good things, Sir Alfred. It''s as easy as that."


    Alfred looked over at the deity and gave a little nod. Turning his attention back to the table.


    Trillia had walked over with mana-sight active. Everything came up with the prefix [Crystal]. Crystal hammers, crystal tongs, crystal magnifying lenses. "Why don''t other items have prefixes like this? Like, why isn''t it an iron hammer? But just a hammer with a description that it''s made of iron?"


    Marg grabbed the crystal hammer and handed it to Trillia, who took it. Looking down at it and not quite understanding the answer. Arlyss spoke up. "She''s my avatar. Anything that is bound to me is usable by her. She doesn''t get the warning."


    Trillia blinked in even more confusion as everyone stared at her. Marg gently took the hammer back. "It''s all minor artifacts. The tables, the tools. All of it. We get a warning that it will only operate as a masterwork variant of the same tool in our hands. I suppose, as Lord Arlyss said. It will work at full power for you."


    Trillia nodded slightly and ran her fingers along the surface of the table. "I see."


    Arlyss pulled over a set of their failed melding armor. A fresh set that Fred had pointed out was good to use. Fred pulled out some wolf pelts. "Ok, let''s see why the mana is fraying. It looked like you all did everything spot on, from what I''ve read. I don''t understand why your attempts failed."


    As the conversation drifted to shop talk, Marg and Alfred once more grew significantly more comfortable. Alfred stood next to Arlyss and motioned at a few seams in the armor. "It looks like the make isn''t good enough. Marg and I have been discussing it with Freddie. We think the armor we''ve been using just isn''t of good enough quality. How much do you know about enchanting, Lord Arlyss?"


    Arlyss glanced at him and shrugged. "I''d say I''m probably at Malor''s level. I can only create more powerful items because I can brute force them with divinity and raw mana. So I don''t have to be as skilled. Why do you ask?"


    Malor had also joined them and was curious as well. Alfred flipped the armor and motioned to the enchanting lattice they had started. "Good armor holds enchantments well. The way we weave mana into runes and how well that mana holds takes a great deal of emphasis on the quality of the item. Something of shite quality can only hold one or two weak enchantments." Alfred looked at Malor now. "Stop me if I''m wrong on any of this, lad." Malor motioned for him to continue. "Melding is a combination of alchemy and enchanting. As everyone here knows just from conversations with Marg, if nothing else, alchemy isn''t art. It''s a science. Things need to be exact, or they can go explosively wrong."


    Marg nodded her agreeance with that. Trillia found herself also nodding, having caused several small explosions of acid in her learning. Alfred walked away and grabbed a set of their masterwork armor. "My guess. Is that because of how exact enchanting and alchemy have to be, the vessel which we''re melding with also has to be exact. I just worry about testing it."


    Arlyss nodded at the words and grabbed the masterwork chest plate. "Trillia, may I borrow from your mana reserves? If I use you as an intermediate, I am allowed to use certain skills."


    Trillia nodded immediately and waited. She watched as a quarter of a million mana vanished, and a second masterwork chest plate appeared on the table under Arlyss. The deity picked up the piece he had created and extended it to Alfred. "That''s probably one of the most expensive things I''ve ever copied. But it should work to test on without wasting your hard work."


    Marg looked over at Trillia. "Is it ok, dear? You paid for that with your mana."


    Trillia shrugged but wore an eager expression. "I have plenty of mana. I want to see melding work after you all have worked so hard on it. If we need to make more test subjects, I''m okay with that as well!"


    The group now all stood around the crystal table as they discussed the next steps. They had even gained a small audience of orcs and minotaur that were watching the group. Trillia didn''t realize it, but Tormash and Ba''Shoon were in that audience as well. It had been a few hours since she left them at this point. It wasn''t every day you got to see two master smiths and a god work on a project together.

 Chapter 93 Floor 3 Part 1

    The sun had long since set. The group was working by the faint glow of light spells spread throughout the workspace. Layla and Amelia lay snoozing on the floor nearby.


    Trillia had blown through a solid three million mana fueling the experiments. The end result, however, was promising. They had melded the high-grade fur from Paws into a set of masterwork armor. Providing the armor with a bonus against cold and temperature changes as well.


    The biggest issue was the timing of things. Evidently, melding only worked when the alchemizing and enchanting were done at the exact same time. A step that was extremely easy for a single person who could just set all of their skills to go off and expire at once. Significantly more difficult when trying to use multiple skills from multiple people.


    The only reason they found success was due to Arlyss borrowing the use of their skills and basically operating as a single entity.


    Alfred and Marg said they''d get an hourglass and utilize that in their next attempts. For the purpose of timing things. Trillia was excited to learn and had even gained a level in [Alchemist] from all the experimenting. She was quickly realizing that classes like smithing and alchemists benefitted more from their out-of-combat purposes as far as experience went. She reminded herself to ask about that at some point.


    Marg slid pillows under Layla and Amelia''s heads and covered them up. Ialu had also decided to snuggle up to the two sleeping friends. Fred went to his room to sleep, and Malor returned to the little home he had found for himself. Trillia sat at the kitchen table with Arlyss, Alfred, and Marg. The deity''s power was no longer focused on the area, which made having a conversation easier.


    Alfred took a long drag of ale before looking at the deity. "How''s your Ma'' doin''?"


    Arlyss glanced up from the book he was reading to look at the man. "Stressed. Sad. She blames herself for the fall of God''s Watch. She blames herself for the cataclysm and the rifts as well. Apparently, my father wanted them to stay in his realm for our birth. My mother wanted to be in her home realm so that we were native to this realm. That matters a lot for immortals and deities. What realm we''re actually born in, that is."


    Alfred looked as though he regretted asking the question. Marg put a glass of warm cider in front of Trillia and Arlyss. Before grabbing herself some tea and taking a seat next to her husband. "Poor dear. She shouldn''t blame herself. She just wanted to be home and comfortable for the birth of her children, any mother would."


    Arlyss chuckled softly at that, drawing looks from everyone. "Sorry. It''s just...she''s ten times your age. You''re a very kind woman, Marg. I think my mother would love speaking with you. Did you know that she owns a home out in the country, much like this one? It''s difficult to communicate with some of the restrictions in place, but she finds her loopholes. She told me once that her dream was always to stay in this realm and raise us in a quiet little place. Teach us right from wrong and how to be mortal and love before our duty as immortals took over."


    Arlyss looked from the group to the book in hand as his voice softened. "Instead, two of her children were ripped from her when she was forced back into this realm, and she missed out on our early childhoods. While her husband is unable to speak with her or his children. I fear that''s the fate of all of us."


    The group said nothing and merely let the young deity vent. "Darktone...it used to shock me how much sway that name alone held. Most immortals immediately bend the knee. Those that don''t are still leery of a fight. Even mortals far and wide know Queen Alliyah Darktone. That sort of infamy comes with a lot of downsides. It comes with a lot of enemies that we never earned ourselves..."


    Silence sat heavily on the group for a moment before Arlyss looked up at Trillia. "It is perhaps my greatest fear of forming pacts. The danger you are put in due to my family''s reputation. I wonder if I''m doing the right thing, and while I dearly love and appreciate you all for opening up your home to me and listening..."


    Marg spoke up to finish for him. "We aren''t exactly your peers. I wish I could give you advice, dear. I''m afraid the problems that you face are far beyond me."


    Alfred bobbed his head slightly as he stared into his ale. Trillia put on a smile and spoke happily. "At least you are surrounded by good and loyal people. People far smarter than I have often told me that having such a thing is important. How are Mariah and Riten doing?"


    Arlyss took a deep breath and set the dark brooding thoughts to the back of his mind. "Riten is doing well. The order of justiciars that took him in as a toddler has been reformed in his name. It''s led by several immortals and a host of mortals as well. Many of whom have chosen to form a pact with him. They are currently near D''Jamu, trying to find a solution to the Sage. As well as prepare the surrounding cities for greater monster attacks."


    Arlyss took a sip from the cider and smiled down at the mug. "This is quite good, thank you." Marg offered a smile in return. "Mariah has an offer to ascend. We''re currently debating if she should immediately take it. Because that should theoretically lift the seal against our father. I was surprised to hear that my mother, of all people, warned her against it."


    That drew surprised looks from everyone. Arlyss continued. "Deities draw their powers and abilities through the titles they hold. I am a deity of knowledge and unity. I cannot, for instance, cure a plague with divine power. I could grant a cleric the knowledge on how to cure that plague, but the clerics themselves would still need to do the work. Riten is a deity of courage. Useful in battle and giving people the courage to keep going during dark times, but not useful in keeping a city running."


    Trillia leaned forward as she spoke. "What did Mariah get offered?"


    "Battle. Which is even less useful than courage. Evidently, she is the Captain of the Golden Gryphons."


    As Trillia got ready to ask what that meant, Alfred spoke up. "Kadessa''s infamous flying legion. Gryphons are huge creatures that are part lion and part eagle. Adults are usually fifteen feet long and ten feet tall. They can easily carry ogres in flight and not be slowed. The golden part comes from the armor they wear, much like Kadessa''s fortress walls the stuff is so heavily enchanted that it glows gold."


    Trillia was on the edge of her seat. Everything outside of the Shattered Plains seemed so fascinating to her. "Doesn''t that make them a target in battles? Being all glowy and stuff?"


    Arlyss laughed at that with a nod. "That''s the point, apparently. Gryphons are fascinating creatures. Hundreds of pounds of enchanted armor, a rider wearing armor with weapons, and they can still outmaneuver everything but some dragons in the air. If they are without riders, they can even outmaneuver dragons. In any case, my sister rides into battle as their Captain. The curse of the dragon, for her, has made her skin nearly indestructible, and the keen mind of an immortal, even ones so young as ours, is still far superior for tactics compared to a mortal mind. She''s been attacking nests and rogue dungeons for months, which has earned her the trust and worship of the warriors riding under her."


    Marg wore a little smirk as she shook her head. "Your family does nothing by half-measures."


    Alfred nodded in agreement and held up his mug as if to cheer it before taking a drink. Arlyss shrugged and offered a little nod himself. "The realm relies on us being competent. I have half a million people that look to me for answers. Riten has the same, and Mariah has three times that. I don''t even want to think of the amount of people that my mother has relying on her at any given moment. The hope is that now that she has one title available, others will start coming more rapidly. Maybe in a couple of years, she will find a title that offers a wider array of abilities."


    Trillia spoke as soon as he stopped speaking. "I''m surprised that your mother told her to wait. I figured she''d want to see her husband again after so many years."


    "It''s different for them. She''s hundreds of years old already. No one really knows how old Father is. A few decades isn''t a long time for them." Arlyss sighed and downed the rest of his cider before standing. "I''m going to let all of you rest. The hour grows late, and while I may not need sleep or rest. I am keenly aware that all of you do. If you need me for anything, call on me. Thank you for having me today."


    Marg and Alfred said their goodbyes, as did Trillia before he left. Trillia stood, stretched, and yawned herself. "I should head back so I can get some sleep as well."


    Marg stood and motioned to a rather comfortable-looking couch. "You could just sleep here. It''s no imposition to us. Tomorrow, your group can have a hearty meal here before heading to the dungeon."


    Trillia looked over at the couch. Amelia, Layla, and Ialu were already here. She shrugged and nodded, giving Marg and Alfred hugs good night before she went to sleep on their couch.


    -=- The Next Day -=-


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    Malor came by early in the day, and they all shared a big breakfast. They said their goodbyes to the group before heading out to the dungeon. Malor spoke up as they began the long walk. "I think we should go as hard as we can during the second-floor boss fight. Not only so that Trillia can learn to control her abilities but also because we need to clear it quickly. We need to push deeper if we''re going to get any meaningful experience out of this."


    Layla nodded. "I also think you shouldn''t restore my mana, Trillia. Nor should I heal anyone unless someone falls below fifty percent."


    That drew curious looks from everyone, Layla continued. "I''ve been reading some of Auntie Marg''s books. If you fill my mana for me, I have a worse chance of getting skills related to mana regeneration. Likewise, if I keep all of you healed, your regeneration skills won''t level or get better evolution choices."


    Everyone glanced around and nodded. Trillia spoke up. "That seems like a good idea. I can fill mana in an emergency from empty to full. If someone is taking too much damage, Laya can also heal them from near empty to full."


    Malor rubbed his chin. Amelia spoke up, tapping the shields. "Perhaps we should only use these against the boss. The others aren''t much risk, but their breath weapon gives experience in resistances that will be needed the deeper we go."


    "Maybe we should focus significantly less on defense and more on offense. It will push our resources lower to trigger better skill gains. It will also open us up to receiving more defense skills. In addition to us clearing stuff faster." Frederick added to Amelia''s thoughts.


    Trillia nodded in agreement with all of it. "I''m down! It will also let us see just how far we can push things before they get really bad. Which is gonna be important during other dungeons that we can''t just walk out of."


    The group spent the following two weeks doing just that. One day in the dungeon, one day out. Half the time, they cleared the boss fight, and the other half ended with the boss winning. Trillia was no longer being almost completely taken over by her skill, at least. It was still just as draining on her mental state as going into tenacity was.


    It was the start of week three. The group sat, breathing heavily as the two hybrids were slain. For the first time, they cleared the fight with all of them standing and ready to proceed down to floor three.


    Trillia stood and took a deep breath. Layla had been forced to heal the party several times and needed her mana refilled twice. The group still just wasn''t working well enough together. Amelia made sure everyone was in good shape. The drops on repeat attempts were significantly worse, but it was still high-grade chitin and some crystals that were apparently used to store mana. Something the group could barter off since Trillia was a walking mana battery.


    Fred led the way to floor three. A long winding staircase down. Small rivers of water ran along the sides from the ice floor above.


    The stairs stopped ahead of them. Malor held his hand out, commanding the small orbs of light to move forward. The group stared as there were no walls in sight. Dark murky water sat before them in a seemingly endless ocean with only a small platform to stand on for the entrance of the floor.


    The group''s mood immediately plummeted. Nothing was ever easy with Red River.


    Layla looked at the group with obvious fear in her eyes. "I don''t do well with water."


    The group nodded, knowing full well that was a story for another time. "I do know a few spells that let us see underwater better. And a spell for breathing underwater." Her voice grew quieter with each passing spell. "And one that makes it so it''s easier to swim." Definitely a story for another time. Frederick began stripping off his armor as he stepped to the edge of the water. "Use them on me. I can scout ahead. I think I have the highest passive defenses out of everyone here, even outside of armor. Is that trident or orb of any use here, Malor?"


    Malor nodded and held out the orb. "This thing produces a mist, but it has some sort of enchantment concerning water as well. I couldn''t figure out what. The trident isn''t slowed down in water. So you can use it while you''re scouting. It will give you an effective weapon. If you run into any issues, retreat immediately, brother. We need to see what we''re up against so we can prepare."


    Frederick nodded as he stepped up to the minotaur and grabbed the trident, clapping the large man on the shoulder. "I''m no hero. Especially alone." Layla cast her spells on him, and he offered a little wave before jumping into the water. As soon as he was below the surface, he vanished completely. No light escaped, no sight of him at all.


    It was two long hours that the group paced back and forth and waited. Trillia grumbled a bit. "Why don''t we ever see other people down here?"


    Layla shrugged at that. "Most dungeons have weird space magic going on. It lets them have multiple dungeons in the same space, but not, I guess? Kind of like a bag of holding but dungeon-sized. It''s weird, I don''t understand it."


    Amelia and Malor both nodded at that. Trillia thought she remembered someone telling her something similar. "I know I said we didn''t want to be spoiled to anything...but man, I wish we had prepared for this ahead of time."


    The group sat down and waited for another hour before Fred finally emerged from the water and dragged himself onto the shelf. A dozen cuts and gashes on his arms said that it was no walk in the part. The trident was covered in rust-red blood. "Fuck''s sake. There are currents everywhere down there. At least five hundred brawn is required to swim against any of it. There are some strange creatures that are half-fish, half-man that use tridents like this one that aren''t enchanted. Net traps all over. The good thing is we won''t need light down there. As soon as you''re fully submerged, there are lights all over underneath."


    Reaching into a pouch at his side, he produced some odd-looking scales and a bunch of different types of plants. "Figured our resident alchemist and enchanters could maybe figure something out with all of this. I didn''t grab any of the tridents that dropped. Didn''t want to risk being slowed down that much, if I''m being honest. We need to get a storage item for our loot. It weighs us down a lot. Maybe we can all chip in and barter for a small item or something."


    Layla had walked over and began healing the worst of the wounds as Fred sat down and caught his breath. "That said, there''s a shit load to explore down there. Lots of weird-looking gems. There are some rock nodes in the wall that I''m pretty sure are copper and tin. I think Red River took me seriously about the mining. Not sure why the fuck it decided to put them underwater, but well, they are there."


    Trillia chuckled and looked over at him. "It''s difficult, that''s why. There''s probably some insane skill for mining underwater that people can get. Who knows. My scan shows me that these long-looking plants can be used to make underwater breathing potions. Which means we can probably make something more permanent if we need to do so. I think Layla can cover us with a lot of it."


    Layla nodded at that. "My spells only last for four hours. I suppose I should have warned you about that, but I didn''t think you''d be gone so long."


    Fred shook his head, holding up a hand. "They have timers on them in my status screen. I started returning at the two-hour mark. I just ran into a lot less enemies on the return trip. I think Red River was testing me, honestly. There''s a lot to explore, though. I think this floor hides some real interesting stuff."


    Malor was looking through the plants and grabbed one of the scales, holding it up to Fred''s chest plate.


    "Weave essence into essence, blend magic and metal! [Partial Enchant]!" The scale vanished, and Fred''s chest plate took on a light blue hue. "Says it no longer provides a penalty in water. I guess that''s one worry down. Fred gathered fifteen or so of these scales. It will take ten to enchant all of our armor with this if I do it right. That leaves five to experiment with and lets us prepare for the next trip."


    Trillia nodded and lifted one of the scales herself. "I think I can brew everyone an emergency potion of water breathing. Use this scale to prolong its duration. Just in case we are separated and can''t get back to Layla in time for a re-cast."


    Amelia nodded. "Good idea. I''m going to be mostly useless on this level. My weapons are all large, slow, blunt weapons, and sound doesn''t do so well underwater. Sorry, everyone."


    The group shook their heads immediately. Trillia spoke up. "Red River is going to teach us that we all have our place. Sometimes, one of us will be more useful than the others. That''s the nature of exploring a dungeon. We''ll carry your slack this level, and I''m sure there will be plenty of times when you have to carry someone else''s slack. That''s our job as a party."


    Malor smirked as he looked down at Trillia. "Well said. I agree. For now, let''s backtrack out of here and prepare to conquer this damn floor as well."


    As the group all agreed, a hole opened in the ceiling, and seven tridents and a bag of scales fell out of it. Gobbinz stuck his head out. "Father says these were the rest of your drops, young Frederick. I can lead you out if you''d like. Also! The underwater nodes are there specifically for your parents."


    Fred gave the little goblin an odd look at that. Trillia was more and more surprised at how quickly everyone had learned the human tongue to communicate. "Father says that if they are masters of their trade, he is curious to see how they approach the problem. He''d like to teach others how to do that as well. He''s in communication with another dungeon that''s much, much deeper underground, and it touches the ocean floor. Apparently, there are literally tens of thousands of pounds of precious metal deep under the water."


    Malor laughed at that and shook his head. "Yeah, guarded by fucking leviathans."


    Gobbinz shrugged. "Leviathans never push back against dungeons. It''s a standing truce that has been around longer than the Kadessian Empire has. Dungeons offer tribute, and Levithans accept that some dungeons will utilize the sea bed for stuff. People exploring the dungeon itself aren''t attacked and sometimes even get to see leviathans up close. Well, as up close as one would ever want to see a leviathan."


    That news seemed new to everyone. Once more, Trillia was fascinated with how much she didn''t know about the world. Something struck her. "Wait! There''s another dungeon down here?! Can we meet it? Is it friendly?"


    Gobbinz laughed at her outburst of questions. "Father says that it''s shy. I''ve been talking to a very friendly Merman about doing a meeting with Tormash and the others. The biggest drawback would be anyone getting to the dungeon. Well. That and it''s way too high of a level for most people. Apparently, there are a lot of races that live deep, deep underground."


    Trillia''s eyes glimmered with excitement. "Like true dwarves?"


    Gobbinz nodded. "That is apparently a large source of its mana. The True Dwarves delve to mine and slay the respawning creatures. Much like Red River, they don''t kill the things that can''t respawn. Accidents have obviously happened on both sides, but it''s a strong alliance. The starting creatures in that dungeon are level two-fifty. I don''t think your group would manage very well."


    Trillia tried to think about a horde of level two-fifty creatures and shuddered. "Why are they so high-level?"


    Gobbinz answered without hesitation. "It''s closer to the [Primordials]. I''ve met a few true dwarves. I haven''t seen a single one below level four hundred. I guess the deeper you go, the higher level everything is. Even sleeping [Primordials] raise the levels of everything significantly. So, as they wake up and get closer to the surface, stuff just goes bonkers. Enough chatting, let''s head out."


    The group nodded and followed the goblin out of the dungeon. After waving their goodbyes and arriving at the armor shop, they filled Alfred and Marg in on everything. Trillia excused herself early to go and talk to Tormash and Ba''Shoon about it as well. The group agreed to take a couple days to prepare for floor three.

 Chapter 94 Floor 3 Part 2

    A couple days came and went. Spent much the same way the group had been spending their time together.


    Amelia had picked up enough knowledge to actually use temporary enchanting. It was much weaker and didn''t last as long as Malor''s, but it''d do in a pinch. Trillia was passing out potions to everyone. Each person had an eight-hour water-breathing potion as well as a potion to assist with movement underwater.


    The group was once more at the shop. Surprisingly, the place was completely swamped with people. Word had gotten out that Alfred and Marg were going to be doing a dungeon dive themselves and might not return for a week or more. So people were coming to pick up their gear now.


    Not that she thought they needed it, but Trillia prepared water breathing and movement potions for them as well. Trillia was standing next to Marg in their house. Alfred was handling the customers out front while Marg prepared for their trip. "What''s that for?" Trillia questioned as the woman held up a spiraling piece of metal. It looked a bit like someone had taken a polearm and just twisted one end over and over again, but it was sharp all over.


    Marg held it up and showed Trillia one end that was tipped in some sort of gem. The other end held a T-shaped handle made of a different type of metal. "It''s used to break into hard metals. Alfred or I will heat it with skills and slam it into the rock. It''s enchanted so that this part spins while we hold on to the handle. It''s a gnomish invention called a drill. This one is rather rudimentary, but it works well enough for our purposes."


    Trillia took it when it was offered to her and was surprised at just how heavy the thing was. "You use this to get ore?"


    Marg nodded as she packed up various pouches into a larger bag. "We use that to get ore underwater. Well. Specifically, we used that one to get ore in a lava flow. Fun fact! If ever you run into lava, it is not fully resisted by fire resistance. I think because it''s a mixture of earth and fire. Most of our tools had been treated for heat and didn''t stand up to just how hot, flowing lava could be. We ran across a badly injured gnome prospector who had been trying to strike it rich. A lava serpent had taken one of his legs and left him for dead."


    Marg smiled as she thought about the adventure. "Alfred and I weren''t about to leave the poor soul to die. So we stabilized him and left the area. We tried to tell him that he didn''t need to pay us. It''s just what good people should do, look after one another. He still insisted we take the drill as payment. Said it was a small price to pay to get to see his kids again. We''ve hung on to it and kept it in good condition ever since. That was before Freddie came along."


    Trillia smiled as she listened to the story. Passing the drill back to Marg. "I can''t wait until I have my own stories to tell."


    Marg shot her a grin. "You already have quite a few, young lady. By the time you are my age, you''ll have tall tales that no one will believe." Marg walked over to a cabinet and pulled a smooth, polished box from the shelf. The wood was a rich ebony with runic engravings on it that Trillia had never seen. As Marg opened the box, Trillia activated her sight.


    [The Ring of Dedication]


    Quality: Lesser Artifact


    Storage: 10/109


    Mana: 100,000/100,000


    Other Abilities: OBFUSCATED


    [The Ring of Courage]


    Quality: Lesser Artifact


    Storage: 71/210


    Other Abilities: OBFUSCATED


    Trillia''s eyes went wide. She looked over at Marg and narrowed them slightly. "Why do I get the feeling that the levels I see when I scan the two of you aren''t accurate."


    Marg did a superb job of pretending she didn''t hear Trillia as she slipped [The Ring of Courage] onto her finger and tucked the other into a pocket. Probably to hand to Alfred later. She closed the box and put it back on the shelf before removing another box. This one held a long, thin rod made of a blue material that looked like a mix of wood and metal.


    [Rod of Greater Chain Lightning]


    Quality: Superb


    Charges: 10 Per Hour


    Marg extended the hand that now wore the ring, and the rod vanished. Trillia sat there as precious item after precious item was removed. Items that used mana to create food and water. Items that used blood to create alchemical reagents. Wands of various calibers. "The two of you are very prepared, aren''t you?"


    Marg chose to hear that statement and turned to look at Trillia. "Being prepared is the difference between life and death. May the gods grant him a happy life, but that gnome I spoke of wouldn''t have needed saving had he been more prepared. Just as Alfred and I would have never saved him had we not been leaving the area to get better tools. It''s an odd thing how fate works. But every time we survive a situation, we learn from it and make less mistakes. Red River seems like a good dungeon, but Alfred and I aren''t going to take chances. Accidents can happen, and we will do everything we can to mitigate such things. Besides, Alfred and I haven''t adventured in more than a decade. Unless you count dealing with brigands."


    Trillia nodded along as the woman spoke. Marg checked, double-checked, then triple-checked every single piece of equipment. Each backpack and all of the pouches. Trillia realized just how inexperienced and reckless her group was. A few hours passed before Alfred finally came in from outside. Despite dealing with rowdy customers all day, the man wore a smile from ear to ear. "What prep do I need to start handling, honey?"


    Marg grabbed his arm and pulled him in for a quick peck on the cheek. "I have most everything done. Let''s go over the checklist for gear. Here''s your ring." She pulled out [The Ring of Dedication] and handed it to him. When he slipped it onto a finger, his eyes gave off a visible glow of mana.


    "Let''s bring three sets of armor? Lightwear, heavy battle, and environmental?"


    Marg seemed to think about his words for a minute before nodding. "That seems smart. We can probably get away with light wear for the first three or four floors. You have the true dwarf stuff for heavy battle."


    Trillia was happy to sit and watch how they went about checking over things. As the hours passed, the others filtered into the house and also watched and learned how experienced adventurers went about it. It was very late in the day when they all left the house. Alfred and Marg closed and locked up the building behind them. Trillia wanted to introduce them before their group went in for another shot at Floor Three. Though, she was curious how quickly the two of them would delve.


    Soon enough, they were at the dungeon. Trillia stepped in first, followed by Marg and Alfred. After a few minutes of the two admiring the pattern on the walls, Gobbinz popped out and bowed deeply to them. "Father is honored to have craftsmen of your skills within our walls. We are eager to know how we can do better."


    Alfred walked up to the goblin and extended a hand, shaking the poor goblin''s arm nearly off. "My boy and his group speak very highly of Red River. Thank you for pulling our little misfits out of trouble. We haven''t had a chance to properly meet yet, and I doubt Marg and I can manage to get to your Pa''s core to meet in person, as it were. Trillia says it''s good manners to bring tribute. Can''t say I''ve been in many dungeons that haven''t tried to kill me. Should I leave it in the bowls here? The stuff we want to give you might tempt some to steal."


    Gobbinz gently shook his hand after Alfred was done, only to be half crushed in a big hug from Marg. The poor little diplomat was not used to humans like this. Somewhat shell-shocked, he looked over at the bowls and frowned. "We have had a few items go missing. Father tells me we shouldn''t worry about such things, but I consider it rude. If you''re comfortable with it, you can hand the items directly to me, and I will store them elsewhere so that Father can consume them."


    Alfred nodded and produced two books and a suit of chain mail.


    Marg produced a book, four potions, and a half dozen types of plants and herbs.


    Gobbinz glanced to Trillia for help. Trillia walked up next to them with a smile. "They said they want more dungeons like your Father. Plus, you do a lot to help all of us get stronger. So, I guess consider this a tribute and a thank you?"


    Alfred and Marg nodded their agreeance as they held out the items. Alfred''s books were both on armorsmithing, and Marg''s book was one of her own hand-written books on classes, evolutions, and how alchemy could alter such things. Gobbinz took each item with reverence, still rather uncomfortable with the value of such things. "This armor. It''s so light." The goblin commented as he held the chain mail in his hands. "It''s made of metal, but it moves like cloth."


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    Alfred''s smile grew wide as he leaned in. "Aye, it''s tiny little metal rings linked together. Think of it like tailoring or weaving but with metal. You gotta be careful of folks like the little lass here." As he said it, he motioned to Amelia. "Slashing weapons don''t do well against it. Daggers are also pretty effective if the wielder has a high brawn. But bludgeoning weapons, especially war hammers or spiked hammers, will do a nasty, nasty number to you.  The books I gave you will teach you how to make chain mail and padded armor. I''d recommend wearing padded armor with chain mail on top. Still gives you decent mobility, and it stops most damage types from doing real harm."


    The goblin nodded as he soaked in the information. After a moment of realizing that they were blocking the entire entryway, Gobbinz straightened out and bowed again. "Thank you for your tribute. The two of you wish to delve together and not with Trillia''s party?"


    Marg and Alfred nodded. Another moment passed, and Gobbinz eyed them wearily. "Father says if you''d like. You can bypass the first two floors. We fear it won''t offer much for people of your....caliber."


    Alfred shook his head with a smile. "No, no. We''ll go through each floor. Send everything you got at us. Marg and I haven''t delved into a dungeon in years. We''d rather get our feet back under us and learn more about your dungeon and its inhabitants. If that''s okay."


    Gobbinz smiled and nodded. Marg and Alfred said their goodbyes to Trillia''s group before heading off to their own path. Gobbinz returned shortly after shaking his head. "You have some very kind parents, Lord Frederick."


    Fred chuckled softly at that. "They always tell me to start with kindness and end with steel. We''ll be attempting to get to Floor Three again. Hopefully, it doesn''t take us days on end this time."


    Gobbinz smiled, wished them luck, and off they went as well. The first floor, as usual, was cleared quickly. Trillia felt bad for Paws and Stibs, but the two were happy that Trillia had come so far. They got their fair share of victories, given the number of people that delved into Red River. As the group was traversing the second floor, Trillia turned to look at Frederick. "Just how high of a level are your parents?"


    Fred looked at her for a moment and paused. "Uhhh.... well. Their species is level one-fifteen or so?"


    That felt accurate to what she had scanned before. But something felt off about that. Like it was a true answer, but wasn''t the whole truth. Amelia chuckled. "Sort of like your subspecies used to be Orc."


    It then dawned on her. Their species had changed at some point and reset to level zero. "That''s...how are you supposed to get an accurate estimate of what you''re fighting?!"


    The others shrugged at the question. Malor spoke up as he ran a hand through Ialu''s fur. "It''s why many people work towards getting several different scanning abilities. So that they can better judge an opponent. A creature that''s only level twenty but has fifty traits. Is absolutely going to be something that recently underwent an evolution or metamorphosis. Meanwhile, a creature that''s level one hundred with only one or two traits probably hasn''t faced many life or death situations and can be seen as inexperienced."


    Trillia frowned and shook her head. "But my scan said they were human. Wouldn''t it show as something else? No, no, I guess not. Not if they had the right sort of skills to change what the scan sees."


    Layla spoke up as they walked. "It''s why we are taught to treat every adversary as a greater warrior than ourselves. Underestimating your enemy is the first step on the road to defeat. Even you are like that, Trillia."


    Trillia turned her head to Layla curiously. Layla continued. "You show up as an Orc Alchemist. That''s level eighty or so. Your traits are all obfuscated. People facing you, if they are ignorant or arrogant, won''t realize you have millions of mana that you can dump into extremely offensive spells. No mortal mage in the world is going to be able to match your endurance in a magical brawl. Anyone who thinks you''re just some level eighty orc who brews potions will die in a fight against you."


    Amelia nodded in agreement with that and continued the thought. "Father said that in the arena, he would choose a more scary-sounding class as his primary class. As well as one that he was going to stay in longer. Because it would unnerve opponents who would scan him. They''d hear horror stories of what the [Champion of the Pit] would do to them. When they stepped onto the sand with him. Scanned him and saw that as his class. It made them fight more poorly."


    Frederick quipped in with his own experience with that. "I''ve heard it''s the same for most rulers. They choose to have their ruler-based class as their primary so that people immediately know they are dealing with royalty or someone important. It''s apparently very difficult to trick people into thinking you have such a class."


    Trillia sat in silence. She rode on Ialu''s back, thinking deeply about the conversation and how she''d approach people.


    The fight with the second-floor boss had become routine for the group. The boss itself had also grown and learned, but, much like with Paws and Stibs, there was only so much they could grow. Due to the limitations of being a dungeon monster.


    This time, the group managed to survive with a lot less damage done. Trillia, Layla, and Ialu teamed up on the hybrid on the ground while the others attacked the one on the ceiling. It worked well and stopped the hybrids from supporting each other as easily. This time, they didn''t even kill the hybrids. The two creatures surrendered near death to save themselves the respawn. Trillia sat on the ground next to one of the hybrids, breathing heavily. She took a long drink from a water skin before offering it to the creature.


    "I think you guys should switch weapons sometimes. Or maybe have spare sets of weapons. It gets a lot easier to fight you when we know your attack patterns." Trillia took the water skin back once the creature had taken a drink as healing goblins jumped in to heal the creature''s wounds. The party politely declined, still hoping for more skills to show themselves.


    The hybrid on the ground looked at her as if in deep thought before nodding. "Father says that is wise. But I not know sister''s weapons. I would grow weak with new weapons."


    Trillia thought about that a moment before motioning to the rest of her party. "Why not practice against us? I doubt we''ll clear the third-floor boss on the first go around, and we''ve gotten pretty good at fighting the two of you. Use us to practice so that you can be stronger against others."


    The hybrid regarded her once more in deep thought before nodding. It offered no goodbye or pleasantry. It simply curled back up and dozed off, waiting for more challengers.


    Soon, the party was once more standing at the edge of the murky waters. Layla cast her buffs on herself first. Then on every else. This way, she was the first person to lose them and could ensure she got to others first.


    Trillia stood at the edge of the water, looking down. "We forgot something."


    The others gave her an odd look. Trillia rubbed her eyes. "How are we going to communicate?"


    The others looked down at the edge of the water. Each mumbled a little curse of their own. Amelia shrugged. "You have telepathy. Can you handle that many links at once? Be a sort of bridge for all of us?"


    Trillia looked into the water and nodded. "I''ll try my best. If I get overwhelmed, I will cut Frederick and Layla first. The two of you are our most defensive fighters."


    The group nodded. Ialu sniffed the water and growled. The desert skoll was not at all happy to be submerging itself in water. Trillia took a deep breath, established the mental connections, and stepped into the water. As soon as her body was fully submerged, the illusion spell was blatantly obvious above her. The underwater itself was brightly lit. Strange objects that looked partially like plants and partially like rocks dotted the floor. Dozens of different types of fish happily swam in large groups.


    Vine-like plants that had glowing pods were the source of light. Either twisting around rocks or free-floating in the water. Trillia was shocked to see just how much color and vibrance was held by the gloomy-looking water. She was grateful for the temporary enchantment on their armor as well as the movement spell. Even with both running, she still felt extremely sluggish and awkward underwater.


    Everyone did, except Frederick and, surprisingly, Layla. Layla swam with the grace of the fish around them. Trillia really needed to have that conversation and ask why she hated water if she was so adept at being in it.


    Malor and Frederick both pulled out tridents as a figure that looked half humanoid and half fish swam up to them. Gills on the side of its throat let it breathe the water as easily as it could breathe air. To Trillia''s surprise, when it spoke, the sound traveled to them without issue. "Greetings! Father says that I am to be the new diplomat for the underwater levels. Brother Gobbinz has issues speaking well. Don''t worry about drowning. There are other merpeople standing by to ensure you will not die in the waves. But if we must save you, we will expel you from the dungeon as a failed run."


    The group glanced at each other as Trillia motioned to her mouth and made an X shape with her hands. The creature pondered for a moment before nodding. "Of course, of course. Like Brother Gobbinz, you are also incapable of speaking well underwater. Perhaps you can learn in time." The creature held up its hand and stuck its thump up. "This means good." Turning it over so his thumb faced down."This means bad. I recommend you stick to the leftmost walls for the first time. This floor is seven times larger than the first and second floors combined. It''s easy to get lost. There are more air pockets on the left side that your group can find rest at."


    The group gave him a thumbs-up. The creature offered them a smile before vanishing. Trillia would have loved to ask his name but couldn''t. Despite the water-breathing potion giving them a set of gills, her brain still told her that opening her mouth would end in drowning. This was going to take a lot of adjusting. The group swam around rather leisurely in the opening room. A half dozen tunnels extended out beyond them. Frederick motioned to the two right-most tunnels. ''Those were the tunnels I went down. That fellow wasn''t here last time. Perhaps Red River realized that having a guide would lead to fewer people washing out here.''


    The group gave stern looks at his unintentional pun. Frederick only smirked and shrugged. Trillia spent the first hour just swimming back and forth. Aiming at various spots on the wall and realizing that most of her spells didn''t do well in deep water. She''d be mostly relegated to using [Shattered Bolt]. Malor, who primarily specialized in lightning and fire magic, also wasn''t feeling great about their chances. Frederick seemed to be the one they''d have to rely on down here.


    After another hour of the group growing accustomed to the weight of water. Layla refreshed their buffs, and the group began swimming down the left tunnel. Trillia was struggling not to swim off and inspect every pretty rock and pretty fish. She had never really been swimming. At least not with this much wildlife. The dread of being underwater slowly gave way to wonder.

 Chapter 95 Floor 3 Part 3

    Trillia found that even activating skills underwater was a significant challenge. The group had run into a single solitary level one hundred shark.


    Both Trillia and Frederick dropped below ten percent health. The group was just slow and cumbersome under the water. Their skills didn''t fire off quite right, and half their magic was useless.


    However, when they did finally defeat the shark, all of them gained at least one level. There was a massive experience bonus for fighting in difficult terrain.


    The group now sat on a small rock ledge with an air pocket. There were runes on the wall that filtered the air to make it breathable for the group. Frederick had removed his armor and was currently lying on his back. The worst of the wounds had been healed, but it had still been a terrifying experience.


    Trillia groaned as she sat up from her own lying position. "The worst part of that was the blood in the water. We can''t see through it. It''s like being in a room filled with smoke."


    Fred scoffed next to her. "Sure. If the room filled with smoke had a giant monster created of teeth and nightmares hiding in it. Did we even get anything worth it? As far as drops go?"


    Amelia perked up at that and dug through her pouch. "I''m personally just happy that we got some experience. That was a hefty amount. We got some shark skin. Our Alchemist or Armorer will need to look at it and tell us it''s uses. As well as uhh....crap. Fifty shark teeth...."


    Trillia and Frederick both shuddered at the thought of it. Layla stared into the water. "It''s skin was rough. It felt like running my hand across a knife. But the experience was really, really good."


    Malor was still in the water, treading and staying afloat. All of them were trying desperately to get better at this whole swimming thing. Fred sat up and grabbed the shark leather.


    After a few minutes of inspecting, he nodded. "My appraisal skills aren''t nearly as good as Mom or Dad''s. But this stuff is really tough. I''m not sure if it''s even possible to work it into leather. Even if we couldn''t, this stuff would still be comparable to most other forms of leather we can get our hands on. There''s obviously better stuff, but I''ve never seen Dragon Leather to know its baseline stats."


    The others gave him approving nods. More resources and materials for armor were always a good thing. Malor finally spoke up. "Might be worth hunting those things for a while. Get better at fighting them, get enough leather to make ourselves sets of shark armor? There''s probably some sort of bonuses from wearing that stuff in the water."


    That drew a bunch of ''ooooohs'' from everyone. Amelia took the leather back and nodded. "I''ll bet this stuff takes water mana enchantments really, really well. We might even get permanent water breathing or something from it."


    The group exchanged glances. Trillia and Frederick shared a look and a heavy groan as Trillia stood up to speak. "Fine! We''ll go back into the water with the nightmares made of teeth." She slowly inched her way closer to the water and stared down into it with a shiver. " Everyone else was so pretty and friendly. Then that thing showed up."


    Layla offered her most encouraging smile. "That was a pretty small shark. So we should be careful hunting them."


    The entire party snapped their eyes to the Cleric, who shrank back slightly from their gazes. Amelia motioned for her to continue. "Well. My tribe used to live on the north side of the continent near the sea. I went fishing with my parents frequently. Another tribe raided our village. Instead of letting me get killed with the rest of my tribe, my father cast a spell of water breathing on me, tied a stone to my waist, and threw me in the ocean."


    The group stayed frozen, staring at the young orc who had never really spoken of her past before. "The water was really red shortly after I was thrown in. Lots of big sharks came by. I''m not sure why. I was never attacked by the creatures. Everything else was, though." Layla looked down at the stone she sat on. "I guess. I didn''t want to experience that darkness ever again. So, I learned a lot about underwater spells. I was lying on the beach, starving and thirsty, when Lady Ora''sys first spoke to me. Urged me to keep going."


    Trillia''s mood soured quite a bit, and she scooted closer to Layla. "What was the name of the enemy tribe? We can go give them a thrashing if you want."


    Layla shook her head and glanced over at Trillia. "Why? They just did what most orcs do. Raid and pillage to get by. Our village was a simple fishing village. We stayed on the coast, and because of that, our weapons were weak."


    The answer obviously didn''t sit well with the rest of the group either, but no one said anything. A few more long minutes of silence passed before Trillia stood up. "Let''s go hunt a shark. Hopefully, another small one."


    -=- A While Later -=-


    The group swam further into the dungeon. Up to this point, most of it had been lit up. They now came to a cavern that was almost pitch black. Amelia was their saving grace with a minor light spell she knew.


    The light refracted oddly but mostly did its job.


    As the group continued to swim deeper, the water grew colder. Trillia paused and tugged at everyone''s mental connection to do the same. Ialu sensed something was off, and fear ran through the wolf.


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    As the group paused, the water slowly gave way to a huge, dull grey shape. The glowing white of teeth warned her that it was another shark...


    Then another.


    And another...


    Trillia''s heartbeat quickened as she gave the warning to the others.


    [Dungeon Beast - Great White Shark - ??] Water Mana Manipulation


    [Dungeon Beast - Great White Shark - 117] Water Mana Manipulation


    [Dungeon Beast - Great White Shark - 101] Water Mana Manipulation


    The group immediately swam toward one another. The first shark zipped past, rubbing rough skin along the metal armor. It produced an odd scraping sound in the helmets that sent the spine-shivering. Trillia thrust out with her rapier and unloaded a barrage of mana bolts as it swam past. The mana bolts pounded harmlessly into the side of the creature, and the tip of the rapier just barely poked the surface.


    Frederick and Malor both tagged the next shark to make a pass. Malor struck true and struck the thing in its gills.


    Blood began to fill the water, and the eyes of the sharks began to glow faintly. It made them easier targets, but the group knew they''d begin using water-based spells soon.


    As the third emerged from the growing cloud of blood with its mouth open, Ialu yelped under the water. The jaws snapped shut, and Trillia''s heart sank as the highest-leveled shark tore the poor wolf in two. Panic began to take over.


    It was impossible to see through all of the blood. The sharks took turns ripping and tearing at the armor they all wore. The group flailed and got in loose stabs here and there, but nothing of serious note.


    Trillia could feel the panic through the connection, her own rising as each connection was severed.


    First Layla.


    Second was Malor.


    Trillia tried to rally them. Tried to call out instructions the best she could through the mental connection.


    Amelia lasted an extra four minutes.


    Trillia felt agony run through her right arm. She raised her left arm and unloaded barrage after barrage into the thing''s snout. It thrashed, yanking her arm back and forth. She felt tendons and muscles tear as the water became a bloody, cloudy mess.


    Frederick''s connection faded.


    The last thing Trillia remembered seeing was a merman swimming toward her. The pain from the wounds clouded her vision.


    -=- A While Later -=-


    Trillia sat in a bed in the healing hall. The other delvers gave the group a wide birth. Their shiny metal armor had been half torn to shreds. Most of the wounds had been healed, but as with all magic. Such healing could only do so much on its own. Natural healing was needed.


    Trillia knew that the group would have to talk about this. Would have to strategize. But right now, none of them wanted to speak. Trillia kept glancing around, expecting her vision to go cloudy with her own blood. Expecting her right arm to be torn off.


    How could creatures so large be so silent and fast in the water? How could they possibly do so much damage?


    She remembered all the warnings she had gotten in her life about how dangerous the ocean could be. Another shiver ran down her spine.


    -=- A Few Hours Later -=-


    The group sat in Amelia and Trillia''s tent. She had resummoned Ialu. Even the wolf was rather shaken by the experience. The group sat huddled around a little fire as Amelia cooked stew. Frederick was the first with the bravery to speak on the incident. "I... I don''t know how to handle that. We can''t communicate well. We can''t see. Half of our attacks are ineffective against their hide. Sorry... after the first one bit into me, I just panicked."


    Everyone gave weak, little confirming nods. It had been the first time that the group truly felt as if they had been utterly dominated by the dungeon. They didn''t kill any of the creatures and had been torn apart. Layla poked at the base of the fire with a stick, hugging her knees to her chest with her other arm. "Do you think Red River was angry at our plan to farm the sharks?"


    Trillia shook her head as she watched Amelia chop up vegetables and meat. "No. I think Red River was showing us how dangerous they are and testing how well we do under pressure. The answer was not good, evidently."


    Amelia nodded her agreement but otherwise stayed silent.


    A few moments of heavy silence later, Frederick spoke again. "We need to figure out a plan. I just. I don''t know what that plan could possibly be."


    Layla looked over at the human. He was in a simple white tunic with brown cloth pants on, his hair was disheveled, and he looked as if he needed a solid day of sleep. "I think we should ask others for advice. I know I''ve often said I don''t want to be spoiled for future floors. And I still don''t...it''s just..."


    Amelia finally broke her silence as she added the last of the ingredients and sat next to the fire with them, watching it stew. "It''s just that we know some of the floor now. Knowing how to face such creatures will be important. I don''t want to waste weeks of our time, like we did on the second floor, to crawl forward an inch. We need to stop being so prideful. Red River isn''t killing us."


    Trillia sighed heavily. "Red River won''t. But any other dungeon will. We''ve had this talk a dozen times. I agree. I think we should seek the experience of the other delvers and see how other people handle it. It''s obvious, despite being a group of five, that we''re missing something."


    The group avoided talk of the dungeon for the rest of the night. They agreed to go late tomorrow and ask around about the third floor. The conversation shifted to classes, skills, and things of that nature. Apparently, Malor had gotten a skill called [Underwater Adaptation]. It was a weak skill for now that mostly just improved his ability to hold his breath and swim underwater. He didn''t immediately feel the difference. But that did mean there were such skills to be had and learned.


    Trillia pulled a pretty red plant from her bag and looked it over with mana-sight.


    [Ludwigia Repens]


    Known Alchemical Compounds: You do not currently know any compounds utilizing this reagent.


    Known Alchemical Applications: This plant can be crushed and chewed to grant a working set of gills for roughly two hours. This potion is often used to create [Potion of Greater Underwater Breathing].


    A pretty underwater plant with a red hue. This plant helps the surrounding water by absorbing waste byproducts such as blood and biological waste. Small fish also use it as cover and as a form of play.


    Trillia rolled the plant over in her fingertips for a few moments before storing it back in her pouch. "I think we should do more exploring. Sure, we can fight. But we should also look into harvesting plants, maybe catching some of the fish. I think we''re trying to rush a floor that''s not meant to strictly be a combat zone."


    The others glanced over at her. She had broken the unspoken agreement to not talk about the dungeon more. But everyone was still thinking about it anyway. Amelia nodded as she began to ladle out soup. "I agree. I wanted to make progress and see results. But if we''re going to get crushed like that, maybe we should take it a little slower. Sorry, Trillia. I know you want to strategize and discuss this, but can we wait until tomorrow?"


    Trillia looked around at the others and saw the exhaustion in their faces. She nodded. "Sorry, everyone. My mind just went back to the dungeon, and I didn''t think. We can have a proper meeting tomorrow while we gather information.

 Its your boy. Bad fuckin news.

    I''ll make this quick. I''m gonna be homeless in 4 weeks thanks to some wonderful dealings with my current landlord. Due to that and probably needing to pick up extra hours at work to afford things. (Or a second job.) Updates may be sporadic for the next few weeks. There will not be an update for sure Thursday the 7th as usual. I am sorry for that. I''ll try to get something whipped up for Friday and maintain the current schedule otherwise.


    This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    I''m very sorry that life has decided to dump more crap on my plate. I am very sorry that the crap on my plate, is forcing me to slow down on writing.


    I''m trying folks, I really am. Thanks for reading, thanks for sticking around. I hope you all understand.

 Chapter 96 Floor 3 Part 4 - Experimentation!

    The group decided to head into the healing hall after breakfast. They figured it''d be a chance to help out and to ask the others how they handled Floor Three.


    There weren''t any adventurers there in the early morning. Most folks didn''t stay overnight in the dungeon. Those that do know what they are doing enough that they aren''t being hauled out.


    Most of the goblins sat and read. A few of the older ones that Trillia recognized were teaching the newly spawned goblins how to read. Evidently, it wasn''t something Red River could pop them out with the knowledge of.


    Gobbinz sat at a table across from Tim. The two were looking down at a square piece of wood with a pattern of squares on top. Trillia wandered over and sat next to the table, looking down at it. "What''s this?"


    Gobbinz glanced over at her briefly before turning his attention back to the game. "Father says it''s a game called Chess. Apparently, he used to watch Queen Alliyah and her husband play it. Its purpose is to help us think about things beyond what''s immediately in front of us."


    Trillia nodded as she watched the two move pieces back and forth. Gobbinz took the time to explain the game to her, and as she watched them play, she could see the use. You had to focus on every piece as an individual but also as a collective.


    The goblins weren''t permitted to give a lot of tips or hints anymore concerning the dungeon. Red River wanted the adventurers to discuss things with one another instead.


    An hour or so passed, and still no adventurers, the group began to get restless. Trillia kept staring at the game. Gobbinz grinned at Tim, moved a piece, and said checkmate. Tim threw his hands up with a grumble, and the two began to reset the board.


    Trillia glanced over at her companions. "I think...I have an idea."


    The group looked at her oddly. Trillia stood and walked over to where they had been chatting with a couple of the healing goblins. "We''re trying to think of a solution to fight the sharks or make ourselves better in the water, right?"


    Nods all around.


    "Why don''t I make a different type of potion? One that, instead of giving us gills or the ability to breathe underwater, takes it away." The group looked at her as if she had grown a second head. The goblins stared at her in a different light, though. No doubt Red River was saying something to them about her idea or perhaps musing out loud. The dungeon did that a lot, apparently, according to Gobbinz.


    Speaking of. The Dungeon''s Chief Diplomat walked over with a chuckle. "Father says that''s an absolutely absurd idea, and he''d love to see it in action. He has no idea if it will work, and if it does, how it will affect the sharks."


    Trillia nodded and stood. "You guys stay here to gather more information! I''m going to go try to brew that potion!" With that, she darted off out of the dungeon. With a word to Arlyss, she was standing in his lab. The portal closed behind her.


    "I thought it was a clever idea, personally. Not something I would have thought to do." Arlyss motioned to a crystalline alchemy lab. Most of the ingredients she needed were in her bags. She walked over to the table and got started.


    "I''ll need something to test it on. That''s going to be difficult."


    Arlyss chuckled and stood next to her, looking down at her journal with all her notes. "I can just open a portal to the ocean, and you can grab a fish or three. It''s not a problem. Is there anything I can do to help?"


    Trillia shook her head as she began crushing an herb. Her left arm had wrapped around the mortar while her right pushed the pestle into the herbs with a little twist to grind them. "Just letting me use this lab and getting me some fish to test it on will be plenty of help."


    Arlyss gave her a nod and continued to watch.


    One hour gave way to six. Trillia flopped down on a nearby chair and let out a long sigh. Three dozen failed attempts, one of which caused the water to be sucked into the flask when the contents of the flask were exposed to water, then explode outward in red ice. She kept that recipe in her journal as well.


    She finally had one that took a fish''s ability to breathe underwater. When it was pulled up into the air, it was fine, but when it was pushed underwater, it slowly began to suffocate. The effects were easily dispelled and only lasted an hour. But an hour without the ability to breathe should be plenty.


    Alryss had been going through some of her failed experiments, testing each in various ways. She wrote down every step of their creation process just in case any one of them had been correct. Arlyss was running them through a series of tests to see if they had any other uses.


    One such test produced results he approved of. Setting the flask and its recipe on the table in front of her. "This changes the internal structure of a biological creature into iron."


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    She looked up at him in confusion. "In other words. It will turn your insides into iron. It''s very brief, maybe fifteen seconds. Most creatures will die in that time or be in extremely bad condition when the effects end. It might be worth noting down, just in case you ever need to kill something in a gruesome fashion."


    Trillia grabbed the flask and recipe and stared at it. "How did I produce this? It has almost identical ingredients to everything else. Just when I think I have a handle on alchemy, I produce this absolute failure of a potion."


    Arlyss sat next to her and put a hand on her shoulder. "Don''t feel bad. You''re trying to create an entirely new potion. Or a potion that you''ve never seen before, at least, from scratch without any notes. Besides, this wasn''t a failure. It''s a brutally effective potion you can use to harm an enemy. That ice one also has some very dangerous applications. Just toss that into a shark''s mouth, and when it bites down, it''s dead."


    Trillia gave him a little nod before she stretched and yawned. "Thank you for letting me use the lab. I should get back. It''s been hours, and they are probably worried." She wrote down the iron stomach recipe, stood, and gave him a hug. He was happy to open a portal for her to return and promised if he found any other interesting results from her failed experiments, that he would let her know.


    As she stepped out, she was surprised to see that it led to the tent that she and Amelia shared. The group was there having lunch. Perfect timing, as far as she was concerned.


    The group all turned to her with expectant looks on their faces. "So?" Amelia prompted.


    "I made a potion that removes gills. It should work on the sharks. I made a set of six. I also accidentally created a potion that pulls in water and explodes in ice. That should also be effective against them. I made six of those as well. But I''m completely out of alchemy ingredients. I''ll need to move slowly next time we delve so that I can gather supplies. I may also need to make a run out of town. If you all want to help, that would be most excellent."


    The group nodded. Trillia then motioned to them as she hugged a bowl to herself and began shoveling soup into her mouth. Amelia wore a little grin. "Well. No ideas that were quite as absurd as taking away their ability to breathe. But we did get some information. Apparently, the sharks we are facing are different than their not-dungeon counterparts. These ones have pretty bad eyesight and rely heavily on scent. I guess the real thing has good eyesight. Anyway, what most people do is catch a bunch of smaller prey fish and grind them up. Whenever they see a shark, they dump a bag of what they call chum into the water."


    Trillia tilted her head in confusion. Layla spoke up. "Basically, the more blood that''s in the water that isn''t ours, the better. The Dungeon won''t confirm it, but a lot of delvers think that in addition to water mana, the sharks can also manipulate blood in some way. So they use our open wounds to track us in the clouds of blood that we can''t see through."


    Trillia nodded at that. "In other words, if we bring in other types of blood, it will set up decoys. This way, we can focus on killing the sharks instead of defense."


    "We were going to have lunch, and if you were back, go ahead and delve again today. If you weren''t, we figured we''d still delve anyway and see how we did without our primary source of damage. It''s something else we wanted to discuss with you." As Malor stopped speaking, he lifted his bowl to his lips and took a big drink of broth.


    Frederick continued for him. "We want to test everyone in different roles. We discussed it with Gobbinz, and he discussed it with Red River and the Hybrids. It will let them test different weapon loadouts against us when we are also testing things. We just sort of went in assuming that Layla and I would be the front line and everyone else would fall into line. We want to test other party formations and see how things feel."


    Trillia nodded at that. Swallowing her soup before responding. "That sounds like a good idea. Maybe we can find something that works better. If not, we know the current formation can at least get us to Floor Three. Let''s see how our newfound plans do against the sharks first. If we don''t do significantly better, we can always try new formations."


    The group all agreed and prepared to go down for another delve.


    Trillia pulled up her notifications over the past couple of weeks. Mostly curious to see how her [Alchemist] levels were doing.


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 75 -> Level 83


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent:Runt] Level 70 -> Level 74


    Class: [Alchemist] Level 7 -> Level 14


    [Alchemist]


    Active Skills:


    Splash Potion (In Use)


    Split Potion (In Use)


    Hybrid Potion (In Use)


    Repurpose Ingredients


    Passive Skills:


    Alchemical Encyclopedia (Mastery)


    Eye For Ingredients (In Use)


    Rapid Brew


    Stabilize Concoction


    She frowned a bit that [Mana Sage] hadn''t leveled at all. The only things that gave it any experience were the hybrids and the sharks. Neither of which gave the class much push towards a new level. She wondered why it was so hampered all of a sudden.


    Taking a deep breath, she dove into the other skills that she had been mostly ignoring during her testing.


    Repurpose Ingredients:


    This skill allows an Alchemist to shift most ingredients in a number of steps equal to the level of this skill. In easy-to-understand terms, most ingredients have a polar opposite. An herb that grants fire resistance can be converted into an herb that grants cold resistance if its structure is altered by 27 steps. This skill has a maximum level of 20.


    Trillia read that skill a couple of times. She didn''t bother activating it right now. It was a skill she''d have to ask Marg about.


    Rapid Brew:


    This skill makes the alchemical process happen faster (5% per level of this skill). If your mana has touched or been incorporated into the alchemical process in any way.


    Straight forward. Trillia liked it and activated it immediately. Trillia also silently berated herself for not looking through these skills before. Some of them may have helped her experiments.


    Stabilize Concoction:


    Any alchemical process that is using your mana has a (5% per level) lower chance of failing. In addition. At levels 5, 10, 15, and 20 of this skill, alchemical processes that are using your mana can handle one more ingredient before destabilizing and risking an explosion.


    Another skill she activated immediately. She finished her soup, stood, and began getting ready with the others. The group headed off toward the dungeon to deal with a shark problem.

 Quick Life Update

    I want to start by apologizing for no chapters in a week. The good news, is that we found a place. It''s more expensive compared to our current rent. But we won''t be homeless. We should be moved in by the 28th or 29th. So the following Tuesday, which is the 3rd. Will 100% have a chapter. I will try to get something out between now and that Tuesday. Since that''s two weeks away. I just don''t want to promise you all anything and not be able to deliver due to moving and getting things packed and ready.


    The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Again, I''m terribly sorry about the delay in writing. I have all intentions of returning and continuing the story. I just need my life to settle down a bit. Thank you for your continued patience.

 Chapter 97 Floor 3 Part 5 - Intermission.

    These next few delves were making sure that the entire party was in a role they most excelled at. In addition to being ingredient runs. They''d have to do a run outside of the city in the next couple of days as well. Trillia wanted to have three of each potion, the removal of gills and the ice explosion, for each party member before they did a serious dive into Floor Three.


    She wanted their next serious attempt to be the last attempt at Floor Three. Everyone felt the same way.


    For the first floor, they split into two groups. Trillia had a mental link to Layla. The groups were Trillia, Amelia, and Ialu in one group. Malor, Frederick, and Layla in the other.


    Despite their much higher levels. Splitting up into two groups actually earned them a small bit of experience since their party sizes were smaller. They used the mental link to establish both were at the boss''s door at the same time.


    Paws and Stibs gave it their best, but the limitations of dungeon floors simply prevented them from being a real challenge. The two surrendered two minutes into the fight. Paws slumped on the ground with a whine as Stibs sat next to him and scratched his ears.


    Trillia felt bad. "Is there something we can do to help?"


    Stibs looked over at her and wore a big smile. "You do plenty. Metal Man and Exploding Woman help Father make better gear. We proud of you. When we first meet, you can''t even beat one of us. Now you and friends beat us quickly. Paws and I happy that Father has such strong allies."


    Trillia smiled at that. Unable to suppress a little giggle at the nicknames Frederick''s parents were earning for themselves in the dungeon. She desperately wanted more information and to see how they were doing, but she resisted the urge to pry.


    Walking over, she gave Stibs a hug and sat down next to Paws, feeding him some smoked meat and giving him ear scritches as well. "Maybe we can help make you some nice metal wolf armor! I bet you''d look even cooler!"


    The wolf glanced over at her as it munched on the meat. Stibs chuckled softly and looked over at her party that was getting ready. "You have strong friends. You go far. You will visit often?" The goblin looked at her. His words gave the wolf pause, and the two stared at her.


    Trillia''s smile grew a little wider. "Of course, I''ll visit my friends often. Without all of you, we''d have to risk our lives training outside. Here, we can train and enjoy ourselves before we have to face reality. It looks like they are ready. Thanks for all the help, guys."


    Trillia stood and gave them a little wave before her group moved down to the second floor. Amelia looked over. "Should we go easy on them in the future?"


    Trillia shook her head. "No. I think they understand that their part in our story as an obstacle is over. I think they''d be sad if we held back. Sometimes... Sometimes, I wish the dungeon didn''t have to hold them back. That we could see just how strong they''d be if they could go all out, you know?"


    Amelia gave her a smirk. "Maybe one day we will get to see that. For now, we have a second floor to conquer. Same split as the first floor?"


    Everyone nodded, and they split up at the first turn of the maze.


    It took the group two hours to meet up at the boss barrier. Layla''s group looked a little worse for wear, and she was down to ten percent of her mana. Trillia quickly topped her off as Frederick spoke up.


    "Seems Red River is helping us test this theory. He hit us with three waves of those ice bugs. We got through, but it did a number on our armor and Layla''s mana. Damn good experience, though."


    Malor nodded a confirmation as he leaned against the wall to catch his breath. Layla seemed the most unperturbed by it all. Trillia stood next to her and grabbed her hand gently. "Are you holding up OK? We don''t have to split up if you don''t want to."


    Layla smiled and looked over at her. "I''m doing ok. It''s eye-opening for us, you know? Realizing how much we''ve leaned on you and Amelia. I don''t think the two of you realize just how strong you are compared to us. You guys were here waiting for us to catch up, and I can''t imagine Red River went easy on you. I guess it''s not just levels that matter."


    Trillia nodded slightly. "We had about the same encounters, from what you''ve described. Amelia and I have been together since I was only three or four. That''s a lot of years of friendship that comes out in a battle. We know how the other works well. Don''t worry our whole group will get there one day."


    Layla gave her hand a little squeeze and nodded. "Thanks for being such a good leader. I''ll go get everyone''s buffs ready."


    As she walked away, Trillia just stared at them all. She didn''t really remember them ever mentioning her as leader. She figured it''d be Amelia or Frederick. Ialu rubbed up against her. The group was laughing and joking about something. Malor seemed to be the topic of the joke. He gave a very half-hearted, angry look before joining in the fun.


    Trillia closed her eyes and took a deep breath, silently speaking to herself and whatever deities might be listening. ''This is happiness. This is what I want. Just laughter.''


    Wearing her own smile, she joined her friends. Frederick looked over and was the first to bring the group to topic. "How are we doing this? Remember, we''re also here to help the second-floor boss learn."


    The group nodded as Trillia put forth the first plan. "Let''s do what we''ve been doing. Split up. Amelia and I are better suited to go over the ceiling hybrid. The other group can focus on the ground hybrid. Amelia''s buffs will hit all of us anyway. Ialu can run interference for the tails for both groups. If the hybrids start to get comfortable with our attack patterns, we switch groups."


    The group thought about that plan for a bit before they all nodded. Malor looked over his shoulder at the boss barrier. "I think that should work. I''m curious to know the type of weapons they will use. That could screw up our plan pretty badly."


    "If it does. Our plan is working. We''ll get a valuable lesson, and so will they."


    The group double-checked their buffs and stepped through the portal. The second all of them were through, a hail of arrows was raining down on them.


    Malor stepped forward with a raised hand and voice.


    "[Barrier of Deflection]!"


    As the arrows hit, they skipped off to the sides. The ground hybrid wasn''t in the center of the room anymore. Instead, it sat at the far end and was dual-wielding bows. Its massive [Brawn] allowed it to fire rapidly enough to cover an area in arrows instead of needing pinpoint accuracy.


    Malor glanced over at the others. "This is brutal on my mana pool. I''m already down to fifty percent after only a few seconds. Close the gap!"


    Trillia topped him off on mana, and the group split up. Unfortunately, their opponent did, in fact, have two bows. The large rain of arrows became two small pockets, slowly pelting the groups.


    They turned to dart toward their opponent and were caught by the next surprise. The hail of arrows had a fairly low flight path. So they hadn''t looked up to see the roof was covered in the heavy fog that normally settled on the entire arena. About halfway toward the archer, Amelia was nearly impaled by a trident slamming into the ground from the heavy fog.


    Before the group could look up to see their newest attacker, it had already vanished bag into the fog and obscured itself.


    "Change of plans! Everyone focus on the ceiling hybrid! Malor, see what you can do about that fog!" Trillia barked out orders as she grabbed Ialu''s neck, and the wolf took off toward the archer. Malor looked up and began chanting. Layla stood ready to intercept and protect him.


    An agility boost came from Amelia, followed by a boost to intuition. At first, Trillia thought that an odd thing to boost. But as her intuition climbed, she could almost see the paths of the arrows and where they would land. Apparently, it had an even greater effect on Ialu, who was dodging between arrow fire.


    As they neared the archer, Trillia raised her mana bow and let loose a volley of her own. Instead of aiming at the creature itself, she aimed at it''s weapons. If she could disarm it, the rest of her group would be secure.


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    As Trillia fired volley after volley at the archer hybrid, she began charging her mana for [Storm of Bolts].


    "[Intercept]!" Layla, appearing on top of Ialu behind her, caught Trillia off guard. A moment later, the thud of a trident hitting her shield caused Trillia to twist her head to see that the other hybrid had given up defending itself and instead had turned its attention to creating space for the archer. The archer hybrid was scurrying up the wall and had continued to rain arrows down on her team.


    With a mental command, Ialu whipped the two orcs around and charged at the trident wielder instead. As they got close, Trillia raised her arm, and a thrum of mana hit the air.


    "[Full Augment Storm of Bolts]!"


    The air around her arm crackled with electricity as lightning arced toward the hybrid. As it wound up and threw another trident, a bolt of lightning flew from Trillia and slammed into the hybrid''s chest. The thing collapsed dead on the spot.


    The room went still and ever so silent. Save for everyone''s heavy breathing. The archer hybrid stared at her before surrendering. The trident hybrid had a hole blown through it''s chest. The group continued to stare at her. She looked around at them oddly, seeing that all of them gripped their weapons a little tighter.


    "What''s wrong?"


    Amelia slowly approached. "Are you ok? Trillia?"


    Trillia quickly glanced at her left arm to see if the same thing had happened with Storm of Bolts that happened with Searing Rend. Sending no magical hand there, she blew out a sigh of relief. Though, she was a bit confused by the question.


    "What is this, Amelia? I feel fine. Great, actually."


    Amelia motioned, and Frederick walked over, keeping a weary eye on her. They held up a small pane of glass that Trillia knew as a mirror. Now, it was Trillia''s turn to go silent. Her eyes had taken on a golden glow, and two faintly glowing crystal horns had sprouted from her head.


    She was suddenly aware of the tension in her mana. Of the hunger that called for her to strike down the other hybrid despite it having surrendered.


    They all stayed silent, the group weary of her. The only one who seemed unbothered was Ialu.


    Gobbinz cut through the silence. "Great work! I think this is a good setup for the hybrids. Had it not been for that attack, I think they could have put some serious pressure on you guys today."


    Trillia''s head snapped over to him. "What''s going on with me?"


    Gobbinz looked at her, then the rest of the group. "She''s a [Mana-Sage]. Trillia, one of your passives of that class, is mana-warped. Haven''t you looked into it?"


    Trillia brought the passive up almost out of instinct.


    Mana-Warped


    This passive will make subtle changes to your body to better help the flow of mana.


    Trillia slid off of Ialu and walked over to Gobbinz, repeating what the skill said. Gobbinz nodded as if what was happening made sense. The group and Trillia weren''t sold. Gobbinz sighed and pulled out a book from one of his many pouches. "You''ve encountered creatures like this before. We all have. Mana-Warped is a trait. It happens when creatures without that passive undergo radical changes due to mana infusions. It makes them significantly more dangerous and nearly immune to attacks generated with mana."


    Trillia thought back and remembered hearing others argue and discuss the trait before. "Is that happening to me?"


    Gobbinz shrugged. "I don''t think so. You have a passive skill that is manifesting as you are getting more comfortable with your power. You aren''t going crazy."


    The group again shared worried looks. "First, the claws when I used Searing Rend. Now, horns when I use Storm of Bolts. This time, I didn''t even have a wisdom boost ." Trillia spoke with obvious worry in her voice.


    Amelia came up and put a hand on her shoulder. "Want to call it here for today?"


    Trillia immediately shook her head. "No. I can still be of use as an alchemist. If something goes wrong with my mana, just run and leave me. I''ll get Arlyss to pull me out. I''d rather all of you are safe. We need to make progress and gather herbs."


    The group seemed hesitant but ultimately nodded. Gobbinz seemed confused at their reactions.


    The group descended into Floor Three in silence. Buffs were cast for underwater action, and the group moved slowly. Mostly focused on gathering herbs for more alchemy.


    They ran into three sharks. The ice potion worked extremely well. As Arlyss had suggested, as the creature was about to snap down and bite Trillia, she threw the potion forward and got yanked back by Frederick.


    The creature''s jaws snapped shut, and ice erupted from inside its mouth, killing it instantly.


    The gill removal potion also worked well to finish one off, but it was slow enough that the creature could still do serious damage as it was dying.


    The group agreed to focus on the ingredients for the ice potion instead.


    After another five hours in the water, the group finally decided to call it a day. All of the potions had been used, and everyone was getting tired. Magical healing could only do so much for true exhaustion.


    As the group made its way out of the dungeon, Trillia broke the long, awkward silence first. "I''ll go and speak with Arlyss about that passive. I want to make sure I''m not a danger to any of you. Tomorrow, I''d like to go out of the city and gather the rest of the ingredients I need. I...I can do that alone."


    Amelia reached over and pulled her into a hug. "We''ll go with you, dummy. We aren''t scared of you, Trillia. We''re scared for you. We saw what searing rend did to you and how badly it messed with you. We just don''t want you to go through that again. The whole point of today was that we didn''t want you to push yourself so hard."


    Trillia''s eyes misted over at the hug. She sunk into Amelia''s arms and hugged her back. "I just got worried we''d fail. I don''t want you guys to make no progress cause of me."


    Layla walked over and joined the hug. "We are making progress, though. And even if it''s a little slow, we aren''t at risk of dying. Our goal as a group is to travel the world together. This is training to that end. Which also means training to make sure you aren''t putting yourself at risk to keep us safe when we get to the real thing. We won''t abandon you, Trillia."


    Trillia sniffled a bit, took a deep breath, and nodded. "Sorry. Sometimes I worry. Let me go drop off these ingredients. I''ll meet up with you guys at the tent in a few hours."


    The group nodded, and at her request, a portal opened. She stepped through it, and her breath caught in her throat. The portal closed behind her.


    She found herself standing on a cliff. Thousands and thousands of feet below her, she could see the clouds. Arlyss stood at the edge of the cliff, watching the sun slowly set. "Is everything ok, Lord Arlyss?"


    She saw the faintest of nods. Trillia took a few steps forward to stand beside him. She glanced down at the clouds far below them. "What is this place?"


    The deity she stood next to took a deep breath, slowly letting it out. "Apparently, it''s the tallest peak on Alirast. My mother came here once. To meet a god of dragons and forge an alliance between Kadessa and dragonkind. An alliance that is at risk because of the curse my siblings and I carry. But, really. I just like the view. It''s so...so far away from everything. From my problems, from the other deities that rest within Alirast. I feel unburdened when I stand here."


    Trillia offered him a little smile as she stared at the sunset. She wanted to ask about the passive. But she didn''t want to ruin his peace. Closing her eyes, she let out a sigh. She could figure this out alone.


    A heavy hand on her shoulder caused her to jerk a bit and open her eyes. Arlyss stood there with a smile. "I figure it''s also a good place to have a conversation with one of my dearest friends and most loyal followers. Speak your mind, Trillia. I am here to help."


    She smiled, and the two sat on the edge of the world and watched the sunset. Trillia spoke to him of her worries with her passive and re-iterated her worry about her mana issues.


    Arlyss sat and listened. Once she had spoken her piece, he spoke himself. "I think you are destined for mana and magic. You have all the mana of Alirast flowing through your veins. If you keep hiding from your purpose and keep dancing around it. It will consume you twice as fast. You''ll be so afraid to use your power for fear of the unknown that when you need to use it without hesitation to save someone, you won''t. Growing horns or claws isn''t going to change who you are, Trillia."


    She thought his response might be something along those lines. No one seemed particularly worried about it except her and her friends. He continued. "Do you get a sense of dread when you use your mana?"


    She shook her head no.


    "Do you feel sick or uneasy when these changes happen?"


    Again, no.


    "Do you feel safer knowing that you can wipe out a floor boss in a dungeon in a single attack, knowing that you can save your friends on a whim?"


    She sighed softly but nodded yes.


    "Stop fighting it. Lean into it."


    "I just don''t want to risk their lives."


    Arlyss stood and pulled her up by the shoulders. Reaching out, he cut his palm open and extended it.


    "I, Arlyss Ocrey Darktone, Deity of Knowledge and Unity, hereby swear that if Trillia Demonsbane should ever lose herself to her mana, I will intervene and pull her and her friends from harm''s way."


    Trillia stared at his hand for a moment, a look of horror spread across her face. This was a blood oath from a deity. She couldn''t put him in that sort of spot. She would never dream of letting someone risk their so-


    Before she could continue the thought, she felt a sharp pain in her hand and saw him squeezing it in his own. All she had to do was say the words. To seal the blood oath.


    "Trillia. Accept the geas. Fight at your fullest. Go all out every chance you get. Don''t let life pass you by for the sake of duty and safety. We don''t know how long we have in this realm."


    "I don''t want you to die for me."


    "But you''d die for me. You''d die for your friends. Friendship is mutual, Trillia. Let us help carry the load."


    Tears rimmed her eyes again as she looked down at their hands. Taking a deep breath, she nodded. "I accept, Lord Arlyss."


    A notification was immediately slammed up in front of her eyes. No ignoring this one.


    A deity has formed a blood oath with you! Should the deity fail to deliver on the terms, it will face obliteration.


    Trillia gripped his hand tighter. "I won''t ever let it come to that. Never."


    Arlyss smiled and leaned forward, giving her on the forehead. "I have faith in you. Now. I believe you have some things to drop off in my lab before you join your friends for a meal?"


    She blinked away some tears and nodded. With a thought, the two were standing in the lab. "How can I repay you? For...everything?"


    Arlyss shrugged with the same smile on his face. "You''re a good avatar. You represent me well. You help me with my challenges when they arise. There''s nothing to repay, Trillia. Drop off your things and go relax. Once your group has cleared Floor Three, I may have a task for you all."


    She gave him a hug before dropping off her ingredients and stepping through another portal into her tent. The group was there with some stew. She took a seat, and the group kept chattering away about tactics.


    Somehow, they knew to let her just sit there and enjoy the ambiance before asking any questions. She stared down at the cut on her right hand.


    Go all out, huh? She''d learn to control it in the dungeon. Something to discuss with the group on their outing tomorrow.

 Chapter 98 Floor 3 Part 6 - Motivation!

    The group''s trip into the local wilderness was completely uneventful. Most of the ingredients that Trillia required were easy enough to find and with the increase in patrols as well as the existence of two cities fairly close together. The wilderness was a lot less wild these days.


    The group decided to do a delve without Trillia while she went to the lab and worked. It gave her some more time to think about how she wanted to approach the group about any potential issues that may arise.


    She was pleasantly surprised to see Kismet and Ralrouk in the lab when Arlyss opened his portal. Kismet, at this point, was certainly showing signs of carrying a child. Trillia was all too happy to run over and give the woman a hug. Followed shortly by giving Ralrouk a hug.


    "I haven''t seen either of you since we returned from Rift City! Is everything going okay?"


    Kismet was happy to pull her into another hug. "It''s going very well. The Sage has been surrounded. For now, he is silent. There may come a time when he plots, and we must face him. But for now, D''Jamu is safe. The first sets of crops are also coming in. Between the gnomes and Stas, their machinery is working wonders."


    Trillia smiled but shook her head. "I mean you, silly. Are you doing okay?" She looked down at Kismet''s stomach.


    The woman let loose a little laugh and nodded. "Other than being ornery and hungry, yes. How goes the dungeon delving?"


    Trillia''s smile faded a little. As she pulled out the herbs and prepared to start brewing, she filled Ralrouk and Kismet in on their recent delves into the third floor. As well as her worries about her power.


    Kismet seemed happy to sit in a chair near the lab and listen. Ralrouk had been pulled away by Arlyss for something. Once Trillia stopped speaking and had fully started to focus on her brewing, Kismet spoke up.


    "I think Lord Arlyss is correct. I can''t speak for the power you wield. It''s well beyond me. But you''re a good person, Trillia. I don''t think any changes to your physical appearance are going to change how people view you."


    Trillia nodded slightly, glancing around the room to see that the two of them were alone. "I''ve overheard people call me a demon because of my dark red skin. I''m worried if I sprout claws or horns, I''ll be attacked as a demon in some cities. I want to eventually explore the world. Stas and  Mom have already warned me that there are some places that just hate orcs. What''s worse than an orc? An orc that looks like a demon."


    Kismet hauled herself up from her chair and walked over to hug Trillia again. "So make sure you''re strong enough that they have no choice but to give you the opportunity to prove you''re better than them. Look at Stas. As much as Maldoun and I had our issues with him at first. We had no choice but to give him time to prove our prejudice wrong. I''m glad he did, for our sake, as well as his."


    That gave Trillia pause. She hadn''t really ever thought about Stas'' strength like that. But a goblin that was nearly indestructible for most people would give everyone pause when dealing with all goblins. Taking a deep breath, she nodded, returning the hug before getting back to brewing. "Be strong enough that I can speak my mind. I think that''s what my mother and all of my uncles did. It seems like a good idea. How is Maldoun? I haven''t spoken to him in some time."


    Kismet smiled before returning to her seat and leaned back with a heavy sigh. "Stubborn. Something has been off with him lately. He''s on edge but won''t tell anyone why. I''m worried about him. But Lord Arlyss assures me that it''s fine. Maybe I''m just being paranoid."


    Trillia nodded a bit off-handedly. "Maybe he''s just worried about the future of D''Jamu? Not only do we have to deal with potential issues with the sage, but now that a [Primordial] has woken up, things will get more dangerous for the city. I think he''s just worried. About the city, himself, and you."


    Kismet grumbled a little but didn''t argue the point.


    They chatted about mostly nothing for a few hours as Trillia worked. She had enough to make everyone four of the ice potions and two of the gill removal potions. She also had enough ingredients left over to make everyone one good healing potion for emergencies.


    Trillia stretched and sat down at the bench. "I''m hungry. Wanna head to the kitchen to get something to eat?"


    Kismet almost leapt out of the chair with a raised fist. "Yes! Food, here we come!"


    Trillia couldn''t help but smirk as she followed the woman downstairs and towards the kitchen.


    -=- A Few Hours Later -=-


    Trillia sat in the tent and took a nice long nap after eating. Ialu lay curled up at her feet.


    She awoke when Amelia gently shook her shoulder. "Fred''s parents have resurfaced. We thought you might like to come visit them."


    Trillia smiled and rolled over to stand up. "Absolutely! They were down there a little longer than we all thought!"


    Amelia nodded and helped her stand up. "Come on, hurry up. They won''t talk about anything until you are there. I''m pretty sure everyone else''s whining is getting annoying." The minotaur princess grinned as the two left the tent and headed toward the armorer''s home.


    Once they arrived, Frederick threw up his hands. "Finally! Come on! Show us the loot!"


    Trillia was happy to run over.


    The two looked a bit more weary than usual but certainly in high spirits. "What floor did you guys get to?!"


    Alfred chuckled before taking a long drink of ale. Marg was fanning herself with a little cloth fan. She was the one to tell the tale. "Well. You see. We were going to give up on the fifth floor. It''s a single room. No hallways, no tunnels. No mazes. There is a single enemy there to beat. We fought that enemy for six hours!"


    Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    The group huddled around as the woman spun her tale and made grand gestures. "Unlike the rest of the dungeon, you don''t get kicked out of the fifth floor on a loss. You have to surrender!"


    That caught everyone''s attention. Alfred grinned wider and spoke softly. "One of the more challenging floors, honestly. But Marg refused to back down! Refused to surrender, even when I had thrown up my hands in defeat!"


    Marg stood with her hands on her hips, nodding proudly. "I learned long ago that you can''t surrender and give in at the first sign of defeat! Once that great foe had been vanquished, we made our way to the sixth floor! It''s a huge cavern filled with rivers of magma. Great-scaled creatures swim in the molten rock, only to jump out and spew the stuff at you when you least expect it!"


    She motioned for them to follow her over to the anvils. The kids were all too happy to do so. Extending her hand, which had her storage item on it, she produced a scale. Burnt orange with streaks of brilliant yellows and reds running through it. First, one scale, then a dozen more. "Put your hands close, but be careful not to touch them!"


    Trillia was the first to move her hand close and found that even within six inches of the scales, it was hot enough to be uncomfortable. As she tried to get her hand closer, her fingertips blistered. The group stared at her hand with wide eyes. Trillia looked up at Alfred and Marg with a newfound respect.


    Marg grinned as she continued. "Oh, but these are just the whelps. The grunts of that floor! The boss..." As she said the word, she paused and glanced at Alfred. Who shivered almost on command. "Well...let''s just say it has plenty of legs for running. I''d be burnt to a crisp were it not for my knight in shining armor intercepting so many attacks!"


    As she said it, she moved back over to Alfred and kissed him on the top of his head. "Another hard-fought battle, but one that Alfred and I were far more prepared to deal with! Go on, dear! Show them the drop!"


    Alfred chuckled and stood, looking them over to make sure they were all properly enthralled.


    They were.


    With one motion, his armor was on. The next, a cape draped over the armor. It glowed faintly in the dimming light of twilight. It looked like silk that was made from fire itself.


    Fred was the brave one this time, slowly moving his hand close. "It''s....cold?"


    Alfred grinned, and they all watched as the glowing red silk cape turned dark blue. Frederick yanked his hand away with a yelp and a small burn. "It was a well-earned cape. Provides total protection from heat and cold due to temperature. Also grants Greater Fire Resistance or Greater Ice Resistance at level five."


    Marg nodded, and the two shared a look before each painted a solemn face. "Floor Seven is where we failed. Where Sir Gobbinz had to pull us out."


    The silence, despite being so brief, felt like an eternity to Trillia. Who slowly inched closer, waiting for the why. Marg gave a heavy, dramatic sigh. "We ran into two enemies there. At first, we were doing well. A bit drained from having been in the dungeon for so long. But nothing that Al and I can''t handle. Even in our old age. But these enemies pursued us and hunted us. We spent two days on the seventh floor and didn''t get a single moment of rest. It was a constant pursuit."


    Alfred nodded. "True hunters. They''d wait until just after we set up camp. Just after thinking we were safe. As one of us would lay down, eyes heavy and head weary from the delve. BAM! They''d attack in groups of six. Three of each enemy type!"


    Trillia couldn''t help but jump at the tone shift. A giant smile on her face.


    "It was simply too much for us. But we refused to walk away empty-handed!"  With that, he extended his hand, and a half dozen massive fur pelts appeared on the table. The fur was dark green and smelled of ground mint herbs. "Go ahead. Inspect them."


    Trillia surrounded the table with the others and gently ran her fingers through the pelt. Her eyes went wide as they reacted to the mana flowing through her. The dark green turned a vibrant lime and shimmered.


    [Greater Druidic Ursa Mauler Pelt]


    [Quality: Superb]


    This pelt will triple all regenerative abilities.


    All spells that use Earth Mana, or any Plant-Based Mana, will have their effectiveness doubled.


    [OBFUSCATED] You are not at a high enough level to determine anything more about this item.


    It was certainly a mouthful for a name! She looked at the bonuses again. "This seems really powerful."


    Alfred nodded. "It is. This is the stuff artifacts are made of. We didn''t manage to defeat any of the second enemy types. We''ll leave that for you young folks to discover in your own time. But these creatures here?" As he said it, he patted the pelts, which shimmered with each touch. "Incredibly intelligent, incredibly dangerous. The only reason we had half a chance is because both Marg and I have high levels of earth resistance."


    Malor seemed especially taken by them. Leaning in as if getting closer would let his scanning skills work better. "These things have an absurd capacity for magic."


    Amelia nodded. "Druidic. That''s a class I''ve heard about. Some Orc Shamans have told me about it. It''s a class that integrates itself with nature. Giving themselves powerful shapeshifting abilities and a keen understanding of nature itself. I wonder how Red River discovered the class or these creatures."


    Marg sat back down and sipped her ale. Wearing a little grin at all the inquisitive minds. "That''s a good question. I''d also love to know where and how it found a volcano. There''s a lot about that dungeon that''s odd to me. I don''t quite understand it. The fourth and fifth floors aren''t, well, they aren''t standard for a dungeon. Plus, the way it''s set up. It''s like someone else is helping it along. All of the floors are good for training something. All of the floors have incredibly good materials for the level of the enemy you face."


    No one really had much to add. The kids were happy to hear about some herbs and hidden areas on the third floor. They didn''t want specifics, but knowing that such places existed told them to be more thorough. Trillia had asked to borrow one of the druid pelts. As she wrapped it around her shoulders, she informed them that it also tripled her mana regeneration. Marg seemed especially excited about that.


    "Oh! Ms. Marg! That reminds me." Trillia carefully unwrapped the pelt and laid it back on the table before trotting over to Marg and pulling out her alchemical notes. "I did a bunch of experimenting!"


    The next few hours went by in a flash, with either Al or Marg telling a tale that the kids had no idea how tall it might be and Marg going over Trillia''s notes in detail. The woman had an incredible mind for alchemy. Seeing formulas she had no part in, she could almost precisely pinpoint what their purpose was. Or at least what Trillia wanted their purpose to be.


    Fred spoke up during a lull in conversation. "Tomorrow, we''re beating Floor Three!"


    Trillia grinned at his words, as did the others. With that in mind, she took a deep breath. "I made another potion today. Its effects are...unstable. But it should seal a person''s abilities to utilize their mana for a few seconds."


    That drew a few curious stares. "Arlyss and I had a talk. I''m not going to hold back at all. I''m going to go all out every chance I get. I know we''ve already discussed this once. I just wanted to make sure you guys were safe. I''ll let Layla hold on to the potion, but if I ever become a danger to you guys, even just breaking the potion on me should sap my abilities long enough to knock me out or get me close."


    The truth was, she hadn''t brewed the potion. It had been a gift that Arlyss gave her for her own peace of mind. But she didn''t want them to worry too much about using it on her. "I want to get stronger and learn to control it."


    The others nodded or shrugged. Amelia wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "We said it before. We all want to progress. We want you to progress with us. We''ll watch your back, don''t worry. Tomorrow, let''s show Floor Three and its boss just how tough we all are!"


    The group all yipped and cheered. Trillia took another deep breath and smiled.


    Tomorrow was the end of their dungeon delving. At least for a while.

 Chapter 99 Floor 3 - Boss Fight Finale!

    The group had checked and double-checked their gear. The sun was just starting to crest over the horizon as they stepped inside the dungeon.


    Gobbinz stood there waiting for them with a face-wide smile.


    "This will be your last delve for some time, right? Assuming you clear Floor Three."


    Malor spoke up with a grin. "Yes. It will be our last delve for some time. We''ll miss you all."


    The goblin smirked, bowed, and motioned for them to enter. "We look forward to your return."


    The others smiled and waved as they moved past him. The group had originally intended to spend more time down here. More time training themselves, more time training underwater skills, and more time helping the second-floor boss learn new tactics.


    But seeing Marg and Fred return had lit a fire in them. Trillia had told them that Lord Arlyss had a mission for her after floor three. The group knew it was time.


    The first floor was easy. Trillia didn''t go all out, but the others did. Stibs and Paws surrendered and wished the group luck. Stibs sat atop Paws with a proud look on his face as the group marched onto the second floor.


    The second-floor maze didn''t take them long to sort out. Trillia was pretty sure the illusions changed a little each time so that it couldn''t be mapped out. But the group knew the tricks of the floor by this point.


    They stood in front of the barrier to the boss''s chamber. Trillia took a deep breath. "I won''t use fury until the floor three boss. But I am going to throw everything else I have at whichever one is ranged. Give me any wisdom buffs you have. Otherwise, focus on defense and breaking down any defensive abilities the one that I am not targetting has."


    Everyone nodded and began buffing.


    You''re now under the effects of [Winston''s Wiley Wits]!


    Your Wisdom is doubled for the duration of this skill!


    You''re now under the effects of [Enchanter''s Lens]!


    All skills, abilities, or spells that utilize mana will use 100% more mana and increase their effectiveness by 50%.


    You''re under the effects of [Brianna''s Brilliant Barrier]!


    The effects of all incoming elemental damage is halved.


    Trillia began charging her mana.


    She stepped through the barrier, and the moment she had visibility, she used [Mana Rift]. Leaving Ialu behind and closing most of the distance. The second-floor boss was using the same configuration as their last delve for herbs. As it raised its two bows, Trillia threw up her hand and allowed her mana to flow unburdened.


    "By the grace of Celestia, rend all before me unto ash! [Full Augment Storm of Bolts]!"


    She was surprised to see over thirty-thousand mana vanish from her reserves. Instead of the usual splattering of smaller bolts with a single large bolt of electricity, the spell sent a single thin bolt from her fingertips.


    The room went dark as the blinding light of her spell made all other light pale in comparison. Peals of thunder shook the chamber. Trillia watched her spell slam into the chest of the first hybrid and arc up the wall into the second. A notification popped into her mind.


    Mana Sage Active Skill: Storm of Bolts has used over 10,000 mana in a single cast! It has evolved into General Skill: Lightning Bolt!


    General Skill: Lightning Bolt has used over 25,000 mana in a single cast! It has evolved into General Skill: Chain Lightning!


    You''ve defeated [Hybrid Abomination]!


    Experience greatly increased for defeating an enemy above your level!


    Experience greatly increased for defeating an enemy above your level with a single skill!


    Experience slightly increased for defeating a dungeon enemy with the trait Dungeon Addict.


    You''ve defeated [Hybrid Abomination]!


    Experience greatly increased for defeating an enemy above your level!


    Experience greatly increased for defeating an enemy above your level with a single skill!


    Experience slightly increased for defeating a dungeon enemy with the trait Dungeon Addict.


    Trait Acquired: Mana Attunement (Lightning)


    Mana Attunement (Lightning): This skill is only available to creatures who utilize Universal Mana. You have successfully evolved a class spell into a general skill and further evolved that general skill into a superior version of itself. All skills that share that spell''s mana type (Lightning) can now be taken as a general skill. Doing so causes all experience gained from using that skill to go to your Species and Subspecies instead of the class it originally belonged to!


    Trait Acquired: Lightning Conduit


    Lightning Conduit: This skill is only available to creatures who utilize Universal Mana. You have cast an evolved general spell using more than 25,000 mana. Any spell that uses lightning mana no longer has an increased cost due to being used with Universal Mana.


    Trait Acquired: Dungeon Predator


    Dungeon Predator: Creatures with this trait give even the most stalwart dungeons reason to fear you. You''ve successfully killed a dungeon boss above your level in a single skill, ability, or spell. All damage you deal in dungeons is increased by 25%


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level 77 -> Level 91


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent:Runt] Level 72 -> Level 83


    Class: [Mana Sage] Level: 60 -> 94(MAX)


    New Evolutions for [Mana Sage] are available!


    Due to this class having reached its maximum level, new skill options have been hidden. Would you like to view those new skill options now?


    Trilla realized that she hadn''t taken the class as extendable. Suddenly, she was even more glad that she hadn''t jumped into the combination of classes that had been suggested to her. Since she would have had to re-take Mana Sage. The evolution interested her, though.


    The group had just stepped into the chamber when both bosses fell. Trillia stood in the center of the bowl, electricity crackling in the air around her. Two slightly curved crystal horns sat atop her head.


    Everyone else stayed back except for Layla. Tenacity would keep her alive regardless. The acolyte slowly approached Trillia, who stood there with her eyes closed, letting the overwhelming feeling of mana escape her. "Trillia?"


    Trillia''s eyes opened to reveal the same golden glow as before. "I''m still me. It''s odd. Using [Storm of Bolts] didn''t make me lose control like [Searing Rend]. I just feel....calm. I wonder why."


    Layla looked over at where the hybrid bodies had been after dissolving into their drops. "That''s... I almost feel useless."


    Layla''s eyes widened a bit as Trillia pulled her into a hug and squeezed the little orc acolyte. "You have literally saved dozens of lives. You are far from useless. You keep us standing while I knock our enemies down. That''s the deal, remember?"


    Layla smiled at that and returned the hug. The others walked in, shaking their heads in disbelief. Amelia put a hand on Trillia''s shoulder. "You''re making it awfully difficult to not accept being a pact-bound creature. This is absurd, Trillia."


    Trillia released Layla before looking over and up at Amelia. "I''m still a little worried about losing control again. I need to know why this spell doesn''t make me spiral like the other did."


    Gobbinz stuck his head into the room. "What in all of Infernus was that?! Have you been sandbagging this whole time?!" The little goblin ran in and down to Trillia, an annoyed look on his face. "You blasted them to pieces!"


    Trillia could only offer a little shrug. "Sorry. I was told to go all out by my patron. I did. The others buffed me if that helps."


    Gobbinz stared at the drops and shook his head. "No, not really. I suppose we''re just reminded how grateful we are to have some insane mana cannon girl on our side. Father says your mana veins look different."


    Trillia tilted her head slightly at that. "What do you mean?"


    Gobbinz closed his eyes, no doubt dealing with a barrage of information from the dungeon core itself. "He says it''s just more clear. Like, your body isn''t fighting against your own mana anymore. Or, well. We guess from the mana that Alirast gives you."


    Trillia nodded and ran her fingers over one of the horns on her head. "Someone told me that Alirast might have infernal mana. But the words I spoke this time spoke of Celestia, not Infernus."


    Gobbinz shrugged. Layla spoke up. "My goddess tells me of a place that was created when the axles forced immortals to stop preying on mortals. It was comprised of immortals from both Celestia and Infernus. A sort of guardian force to hold the rebels at bay and stop them from taking over the mortal realms. Perhaps Alirast is a child of that? Both Infernal and Celestial?"


    Trillia hadn''t heard any of that information before. "I''ll have to find some books on the topic. Or ask Lord Arlyss. That doesn''t matter right now. Let''s carry on. We have a third-floor boss to beat."


    The others nodded and gathered the drops. Gobbinz wished them luck. Standing in the boss room and looking around, half-mumbling to himself -or perhaps to his Father - as the group descended to the third floor.


    They stood at the edge of the water, preparing buffs. While they did that, Trillia checked the evolution to {Mana Sage]. Especially since [Chain Lightning] was a general skill now.


    Mana Sage (Meta Specialist)


    Duration: Very Short


    Requirements


    Use a Mana Sage spell that has been augmented by at least two different augments that cost more than 5,000 mana.


    The Meta Specialist variant of Mana Sage offers a wide variety of augments for skills. Its firepower is considerably weaker than its parent class. Once this class has been taken once as an evolution, it is available to be taken as a base class. Its primary purpose is rapid mastery to grow a collection of augments or metamagic abilities.


    Meta Specialists have a major array of passive skills.


    Meta Specialists provide no stat bonuses on level-up.


    Huh, a class dedicated to being mastered for passives. It was almost tempting to take it immediately. She could surely level it to the max on floor three, and then it would be an option in the future she could pick up if she felt she needed more augments for her abilities.


    Mana Sage (Mana Battery)


    Duration: Very Short


    Requirements


    Use a Mana Sage spell that costs 20,000 or more mana while having a Wisdom under 1,000.


    The Mana Battery variant of Mana Sage offers a single passive skill and nothing else. It can be taken multiple times, and its effects stack. The passive skill increases the maximum amount of mana a creature can hold by 10% and increases their mana regeneration by an amount equal to their Wisdom every time the skill is taken as a mastery. Once this class has been taken once as an evolution, it is available to be taken as a base class.


    Mana Batteries have a single passive skill.


    Mana Batteries provide no stat bonuses on level-up.


    This class would be extremely useful for anyone but her. She still debated taking it just for the increase in mana regeneration, but Meta specialist seemed the better choice. She had one more option to go.


    Mana Conduit


    Duration: Extendable


    Requirements


    Have a mana pool of at least 100,000. Use a Mana Sage Spell that costs 30,000 or more mana. Have at least two augments as masteries.


    Further bonuses hidden until the class has reached its maximum level.


    Mana Conduits have a single, always active, passive skill that does not take a slot. That skill is called [Conduit]. It removes all limitations on the amount of mana a caster can put into General Skills.


    Mana Conduits do not learn set passive or active skills. Instead, a Mana Conduit learns to weave raw mana from their own body and the flow of mana around them to create their own custom skills and spells.


    Mana Conduits increase whatever stat governs your mana pool by 3 every level. If you have skills that alter which stats you gain mana from, it will increase all stats that govern your mana pool by 3 every level.


    Trait Detected: Limitless Mana


    You have no stat that governs your mana pool. It is a fixed amount. Mana Conduit will instead increase all of your stats by 1 at every level.


    Evolving a class into Mana Conduit counts as Mastering the previous class. Instead of carrying over skills, you instead choose a skill to master and begin this class. This class cannot be taken as a base class and must always be taken as an evolution to another class.


    WARNING!: Mana Conduit is a class that can learn dozens of skills in its first few levels or not learn a skill for a hundred levels depending on the environment of the creature who has taken this class! Unlike most classes, Mana Conduit cannot be voided until it has reached level 100.


    Trillia zoned out quite a bit as she re-read all of that information. It got so bad that Amelia grabbed her shoulder. "Trillia? Are you ready?"


    Trillia blinked a few times and willed the many notifications and status screens away. "I think so. Sorry, one of my classes hit the max level. I was debating changing classes before we continued."


    Frederick nodded. "Might be smart. Get a huge chunk of experience with Floor Three. Do you want to go over your options?"


    Trillia thought about it for a moment before she pulled her newest General ''Spell'' up.


    [Chain Lightning] Level 0


    Chain Lightning is a potent lightning-based spell that will chain to a number of targets the caster deems enemies equal to 1+1 Per Level (Minimum 2). Damage is calculated as  Mana Used x (Wisdom x 0.05) / Number of Targets. Warning! In highly conductive environments, this skill can chain to allies and the caster.


    "I think for now, it''s best if I don''t. I don''t have any good offensive abilities without [Mana Sage]. I want to make sure we clear this boss. I''ll have plenty of time to level another class. Sorry about the wait, everyone. I''m ready when all of you are."


    The group nodded and jumped into the water. They didn''t spend much time exploring. They all agreed they''d return to the dungeon someday and do a thorough dive for secret passages and treasure.


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    For now, the goal was simple. Clear this floor.


    The sharks were no longer the biggest issue. As they got deeper into the watery maze, they ran into a new enemy. A pack of small flesh-eating fish that were agile and ruthless. Their armor kept them mostly safe, but the water was filling with more and more of their blood.


    At this point, Trillia was the only one without a skill to help with underwater dealings. She didn''t mind so much. She knew she''d get her own set of skills in time. It did mean that for most of the smaller enemies, she let the group do the heavy lifting. She used her rapier and mana bow to help, but her damage fell off considerably with her more mundane attack options.


    Trillia didn''t want to risk using [Searing Rend] when she wasn''t fighting a boss, nor did she dare risk using [Chain Lightning] underwater.


    The first two floors took the group maybe an hour to fully clear.


    They had spent five hours in the water before finally reaching a small island that held a boss barrier.


    The group decided to take an hour or so to get a short rest in and re-apply buffs. Trillia looked down into the water and couldn''t help but smile. "How strong do you think we''ll be when we return?"


    The others paused at her question. Layla shrugged. "I''d like to get as far as Sir Al and Dame Marg got. We''re a lot less experienced, but there''s also more of us."


    Amelia chuckled. "I think that''s a good goal for our group. Get as far as them. We know that we have high damage at our disposal now. We just need to keep up."


    Frederick remained silent and stared at the boss barrier. "What do you think it is? Mom and Dad didn''t mention it at all."


    Trillia glanced over her shoulder at him and the barrier. "Probably so it was a surprise. Whatever it is, this barrier starts on land."


    The others continued to get ready. After another thirty minutes or so, they stood at the barrier, ready and waiting. Buff spells were cast, and Trillia was the first one through.


    As the group pushed through the barrier, they came face to face with the boss of this floor and were met with a few notifications.


    You''re in the presence of a baby leviathan! Skill effectiveness is reduced by 25%!


    You''re in the presence of a leviathan! Healing reduced by 25%!


    You''re in the presence of a leviathan capable of manipulating water mana! You cannot use water mana skills or abilities.


    The group froze as they saw the notifications. In a pool of water, maybe fifty feet across, sat a massive creature with a shell on its back. Trillia had read about turtles before. It looked a bit like a turtle, except it had crystals growing on its shell.


    A humanoid creature lounged on its back, a spear in hand. It looked similar to a goblin that had blue skin. Its eyes were swirling blue orbs of mana that matched those of the turtle it sat on.


    Trillia immediately activated her scan.


    [Augmented Dungeon Goblin - Aquatic Beastmaster - 173] Water Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Aquatic Immunity


    [Primordial Beast - Baby Leviathan - 201] Water Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Pact-Bound (Dungeon)


    Water Mana Mastery


    Minor Leviathan Aura


    Crystal-Back Leviathan


    Gentle Giant


    Tamed Leviathan


    Eternal


    The goblin on its back perked up as the group came into view. A smile stretched across its face. "You must be the party that has been struggling to clear out my sharks! ????????, look! We have new guests!"


    The turtle seemed to crane its head up slightly before returning its gaze lazily to the group. Frederick was the first to regain his composure. "The creature you are riding on. It''s not a dungeon creature. Won''t it die fighting us?"


    The goblin slid down off the turtle''s back and landed on the ground in front of them. "Nah, don''t worry. ???????? has the eternal trait, like all leviathans. It can''t actually die without a lot of effort. It just takes a nap. Because it''s so young and such a low level, it usually sleeps for a few hours, and it''s good to go. I do respawn! So feel free to go all out! Do you have any questions before we begin?"


    Trillia almost entirely ignored the goblin, walking past it and toward the leviathan. Everyone gave her a few odd looks. Her [Mana Sight] was still running. "It''s so beautiful. I''ve never seen mana like this."


    The turtle peered at her oddly. If it could speak, it was choosing not to.


    The goblin turned to look at her. "How can you see it''s mana?"


    Trillia explained her version of the ''scan'' ability. "Oh. That''s awesome! I can see the mana of any creature that I''ve tamed. But I can''t see this little guy''s mana. Father is technically the one who tamed it. I''m just here to give it Beastmaster buffs. What does its mana look like?!"


    Malor stepped forward, scratching his head. "Uhhh, aren''t we supposed to fight?"


    The goblin stopped halfway toward its approach to Trillia. "I mean. Yeah, eventually. No reason we can''t be civil first. Hasn''t Gobbinz taught you guys anything about diplomacy?" As if that statement settled it, the goblin turned back and joined Trillia on the edge of the pond. Still awaiting an answer.


    Trillia reached out a hand and gently rubbed the leviathan''s head. "It just feels. Like home, I guess. It''s such a beautiful blue stream. It looks like when Uncle Stas flew me over the ocean. Sparkling blue that caught the eye and made you feel small and insignificant. It''s name, I can''t understand it, why is that?"


    The goblin reached out and also rubbed the turtle''s head. "Leviathans and dragons share a language. Being a leviathan, it can understand all mortal languages, but being a baby, it can only speak its own language. That''s why it''s not chatting with you. It knows none of you can understand it."


    Trillia glanced over at the goblin with a huge grin. "You can speak dragon?! Have you met a dragon? Wait, have you met an adult leviathan?!"


    The goblin chuckled a little at her questions. The rest of the group stood there awkwardly. Sort of waiting for the actual fighting to start and significantly more weary of the duo. "I can speak dragon, yes. All of the dungeon goblins can. The draconic runes and language are how Father speaks to us. The other languages we know from bits and pieces of his memory. I cannot meet a Leviathan in person. I''ll die. I''m too weak. Gobbinz has apparently met one. He''s the one who brokered the agreement between the leviathans and Father."


    The goblin hopped over to the Leviathan shell and sat back down. "See, Father has reached pretty deep and wide. There was originally a small kraken here as the floor boss. But once Father reached the ocean, some leviathans took notice of him. The deal was they wouldn''t destroy his core if he agreed to train a child in the arts of the surface dwellers. Personally, I think that was just a win-win for Father. He agreed, of course! So now, ???????? is the third-floor boss."


    Amelia seemed hesitant but stepped forward. "Wouldn''t everyone who leaves the dungeon talk about him? Leviathans are rare and dangerous creatures that rule the oceans."


    The goblin shrugged. "I guess Gobbinz asks people not to mention him for everyone''s safety. I mean, really, do any of YOU want to anger an adult leviathan by putting its child in danger?"


    The group certainly didn''t protest that. However, Trillia wondered how much more dangerous it could be, being part of a dungeon and getting attacked constantly compared to it being public knowledge.


    Trillia stood and returned to her party''s side. "I guess we''re ready? I''ll admit, my confidence has taken a hit."


    The goblin chuckled again and nodded. "Don''t worry. ???????? is a big softy. His attacks can''t actually kill anyone. It''s one of his traits. It will just knock you out. The rules of this fight are simple. Survive for three minutes, and you win! If you manage to actually slay him, you win and get a bonus prize! If you manage to slay him and not kill me, you win and get something extra special! Don''t you worry. I know that last one is really difficult."


    Frederick shook his head. "We win by just surviving?"


    The goblin nodded and returned to his original seat. Trillia raised a hand. "What''s your name? Also, what should we call him?"


    "I''m Trench! Call him Levi, I guess. Until you learn the dragon language. Ready?"


    The group looked at each other and gave a final nod. Trench''s grin grew wider, and he tapped a finger on the turtle''s shell.


    "[????????? ?????]"


    The word came from the leviathan''s mouth. Layla screamed an intercept and flew in front of Trillia. A beam of rainbow-colored light slammed into her shield and turned it to slag instantly. Trillia watched as her own health still dropped ten percent.


    "Scatter! Don''t bunch up! Aim for Trench first! Just knock him out! Stay on land!"


    "[Full Augment Chain Lightning]!"


    The thin arc reached out and slammed into the leviathan. Much to Trillia''s horror, she watched the spell stop dead in its tracks and not bounce. The leviathan itself barely seemed phased by the attack. One of the crystals on its back began to spark with electricity.


    "[Elemental Buffer]!" Malor shouted it out just before the crystal shot out its own version of Trillia''s spell. It slammed into the barrier, destroying it in an instant. The remnant of the spell slammed into Frederick and threw him into the wall.


    Trillia silently cursed herself and activated fury. She began charging [Searing Rend].


    Ialu had managed to get on top of the leviathan''s back and had tackled Trench. The two rolled off and into the water. Amelia dove in after to help Ialu and handle the goblin.


    "[???? ?? ????]"


    The entire chamber immediately erupted in a downpour of water. Trillia noticed that every drop took a single point of mana away from her. Such a small amount meant nothing to her, but the look of horror on the faces of her party said that it was a serious issue for them.


    She began to shed mana in increments of a thousand every few seconds to keep them topped off. The whole party would probably get [Mana Sickness] from it, but they''d survive.


    "May the fury of the Infernal Bands scar body and soul, [Searing Rend]!" Trillia screamed it as she darted up next to the leviathan, aiming for its exposed eyes.


    "[?????? ?? ?????????]" The leviathan spoke in a booming voice as her claws tore into its face. A spout of water erupted from its mouth and smashed into her left arm. A notification rang into her mind.


    You''ve been attacked by a creature with the trait [Gentle Giant].


    Its attacks cannot deal health damage. However, until such a time as it no longer sees you as an enemy, your left arm is considered removed from your torso and will not function!


    Trillia rolled back from the force of the blast, eyes wide as she glanced down at her arm. The claw had formed there, but the arm and artifact on the arm were unresponsive. The leviathan didn''t seem angry or bothered at all that she had managed to scratch out one of its eyes.


    Before she could think of what to do next, its voice boomed out again.


    "[????????? ?????]" Layla got caught in the chest by another beam and immediately crumpled to the ground. She was still alive and breathing, but she had no doubt gotten a similar notification.


    Amelia flopped up onto the shore.


    As Trillia darted toward her, she realized that Amelia wasn''t moving. The goblin pulled himself out of the water after, dropping Ialu''s body next to him. Trillia skidded to a stop.


    Trillia''s chest tightened. She reversed her direction and instead ran directly toward the creature''s mouth.


    Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Frederick slam a spear into the goblin''s stomach. Malor had swept up from behind and slammed a staff into the back of its skull. Trench began giggling and lifted a finger, motioning to Frederick.


    As Levi opened his mouth to use another skill, Trillia wrenched her potion pouch from her side and chucked it into its mouth. The potions shattered in an explosion of ice.


    Levi''s head slammed into the ground. It howled in pain and kept slamming its face into the ground, trying to shatter the ice that had pierced through its skull. Trillia was shocked it was even still alive. She ran over to Layla''s pouch and heard another explosion.


    When she turned her head, she saw an amalgamation of bodies and blood frozen in place. Malor and Frederick seemed barely alive, as was Trench. But the three were immobilized in their own icy explosion.


    Trillia grabbed Layla''s ice potions and slammed them into the top of Levi''s head. More icy shards tore flesh and bone. She watched as the beautiful streams of blue mana filled with an inky darkness. The beauty of nature was ruined by her concoctions.


    "Please. Surrender! I don''t want to hurt you anymore!"


    Trillia called out to the creature, but even as she did so, she was moving towards Amelia''s pack. As she reached out to grab it, her left arm had feeling again. She paused and glanced back at the leviathan. She also saw a swarm of healing goblins pile out of the room and rush towards Frederick and Malor.


    Trillia was exhausted but didn''t dare stop. Instead, she grabbed Amelia''s healing potion as well as Layla''s. Running over to the leviathan and dumping them in its mouth. She looked over at Layla with pleading eyes. The Acolyte needed no further instruction. Now that the fight was over, Layla had rushed over to tend to the leviathan as well. Amelia and Ialu stood up, no longer knocked out from the gentle giant trait.


    Trench sat on the ground, staring at the minotaur and human who had ambushed him.


    "I''m sorry! I didn''t know what else to do!" Trillia pleaded with the leviathan as tears formed in its eyes. The group worked rapidly to shatter the ice and heal its wounds. "I''m so sorry. I didn''t think you''d live. I thought you''d go to sleep, and it''d be ok."


    Trench regained his composure and joined the two, gently stroking Levi''s head. "He''s not angry. Just surprised and in a lot of pain. Those potions are a real nasty number on anything that won''t take enough damage to die outright."


    Trillia didn''t know why, but tears formed in her eyes. She didn''t want to torture anyone. Certainly, not a creature that was helping them grow stronger.


    She felt a hand grab her shoulder and yanked away to continue working on the leviathan. Another pair of hands grabbed her, and she blinked away tears and kept working. Finally, a third set of hands yanked her away from the leviathan. Gobbinz stood over her. "Trillia! Stop. It''s ok. He''s ok."


    Trillia rubbed her eyes as best she could and looked up at the leviathan. The ice was gone, and its wounds were rapidly healing. Thanks to its own abilities, as well as Layla''s healing. "I''m sorry. Gobbinz, I didn''t want to torture it. Please believe me."


    Gobbinz grabbed her shoulders and gave her a hard shake. "Trillia! He was your enemy. You cannot hesitate to attack your enemies. Even if it means agonizing pain for them. We are trying to help you learn how to survive in an environment where your enemies don''t care about you. You did nothing wrong."


    Trillia nodded but kept staring at the leviathan. Something about its screams and tears shook her. Most of the enemies they fought just sort of vanished when they died. [Megapedes] were insects with barely any perceivable intelligence. This fight felt like when the bandits had ambushed them. When she had been forced to take another life.


    Trench put a hand on her shoulder. "He says you fought well. That lightning spell would have wiped me out in an instant had he not been able to absorb it. Why don''t you all rest up and let the excitement of the fight wear off? We can discuss your rewards after."


    Trillia again nodded but stared at the leviathan. She hadn''t yet turned her [Mana-Sight] off. Seeing the beautiful streams of blue slowly lose the darkness in them began to calm her down. Blinking away her tears, she turned her [Mana-Sight] off.


    Trillia felt like she was a sorry excuse for an orc. She had won a battle and felt horrible for it. For some reason, she couldn''t revel in the suffering of such a creature. Dozens of notifications were trying to make themselves known, and she just shut them out. Staring at the creature who had returned to its docile and calm state. Happily lazing in the pond.


    Amelia and Malor helped her out of the dungeon. They figured she''d be a few days recovering. As more doubts began to creep into her mind, Amelia spoke up. "I know that look. Don''t you dare spiral, Trillia. You did excellent today. Levi is fine, and so are all of us. So is Trench."


    Trillia walked by her side and glanced up at her friend. "What if we run into something like me that doesn''t care?"


    That gave the group pause. Amelia looked down at her. "What do you mean?"


    Trillia sighed and took a few steps away from the group, looking back at them. "There are other creatures that have the same mana capacity I do. A few thousand in Alirast. What happens if we run into one of those creatures and they are an enemy? What happens if something with my abilities is truly evil? I shouldn''t exist. It''s not fair."


    Frederick seemed angry at her words and marched up to her, poking her in the chest. "Don''t you dare say that! You shouldn''t exist? But the fucking [Primordials] should? The immortals? You ran into one of those damn things, didn''t you? What hope do mortals have without beacons like you? You just forced a Leviathan to surrender. Creatures like you are the only reason we''re not all enslaved under the feet of evil beings!"


    Trillia blinked in surprise at the force of his words and the forceful poke. Frederick didn''t relent. "Mom and Dad watched dozens of their friends get whipped to death before Lord Arlyss came along. They wanted to help free the city and couldn''t because they were too damn weak! How many thousands died because some deities that we''ve never met or seen got into a fight and caused all of us to have this debuff? Caused all those rifts to appear!"


    Frederick pointed angrily at Amelia. "She lost her home and her mother. I would never blame you for that. But what if someone like you was around? Could you have bought them enough time to get more of their people out?"


    Amelia grabbed his shoulder and pulled him back. Frederick was fighting back tears. Trillia stood there stunned. "I think. What he''s trying to say, Trillia. Is that all of us look up to you. For whatever reason, you were chosen to have amazing gifts. Evil is always going to exist. Uncaring immortals and deities will always exist. We need people like you, with a good heart and a good soul, to be on equal footing. To help make sure that we aren''t all defenseless."


    Layla grabbed her hand and squeezed it. "It''s a lot of responsibility. But you can''t lose faith, especially not in yourself."


    Trillia stood there in silence, mulling over their words. After a moment, she reached out and grabbed Frederick''s hand. "I''m sorry. I know I get filled with self-doubt easily. I just. I worry about everyone. I worry about what happens on the other side of things. Thank you all for staying by my side."


    Frederick sighed and used his free hand to rub his eyes. "Don''t doubt yourself so damn much. Trust us to keep you on the right path. Trust Lord Arlyss to keep you on the right path. You''re trying to carry all the guilt of Alirast on your shoulders, and you don''t have to. We''re all still basically kids. We shouldn''t have to deal with any of this shit. But we do. The only way we survive is by sticking together."


    Amelia smiled and wrapped the two of them up in a big hug. Malor was happy to pincer attack and hug the group from the other side. His big booming voice rang out. "The best family a minotaur could hope for! Completely dysfunctional, emotionally unstable, and extremely powerful!"


    Layla, who had been nearly crushed by the group, couldn''t help but laugh. "Sounds like a great orc family as well!"


    Frederick''s frown melted away to a grin. "I think it''s just a good family to have, period."


    Trillia smiled a little and joined in on the hug. Taking a deep breath and nodding. "Thanks for the wake-up call. I''ll work on that panic of mine. I wish my traits worked when I wasn''t in combat to stop them."


    Amelia paused at that. "Oh, wait! That''s right, you have a trait that suppresses a lot of negative emotions when you fight, right?"


    Trillia nodded. The princess continued. "I will learn a song or two that improves a person''s mood. I think what''s happening is that instead of fear and doubt gripping you during the fight, it all stacks up and slams into your after. We can work on fixing that."


    Trillia knew that they''d help her as best they could. The group made their way to Marg and Al''s shop to rest up and describe their victory.

 Chapter 100 One Challenge Down, Another Arises!

    Upon seeing the group return in high spirits, Marg and Al raised mugs in cheers. Some folks standing about waiting to discuss business were caught a little off guard by it.


    A few were regulars who, upon seeing the kids, understood. Others stayed confused.


    While Trillia felt at home here, she had to admit that she dearly wanted to speak with her parents. Maybe she''d stop by the Chieftain''s Hall and visit Ba''Shoon and Tormash.


    "I take it from mostly cheery faces that you all conquered floor three?"


    Frederick grinned wide and bobbed his head enthusiastically. "We did! It was mostly Trillia''s potions that did the heavy lifting! Can you give us a hint as to what we''re going to get?"


    Marg mimicked Al''s usual stance and scratched at an imaginary beard. "Depends on how you cleared the floor, I reckon." This earned her a playful swat in the air in her direction.


    "She has the right of it. How did you clear the floor?"


    Layla spoke up, glancing back at Trillia. "Trillia made the leviathan surrender. Trench wasn''t killed in the fight."


    The two seasoned adventurers paused, glancing at Trillia. "I suppose that counts as a victory of being Baby Levi. We aren''t sure. We took both of them out when we went through. Trench went down easily enough, but Levi is an incredibly durable little fellow. I feel like it was a death by a thousand cuts with that one."


    Marg nodded, a frown replacing her smile. "I genuinely felt miserable. I demanded to talk to Levi and Gobbinz before we left because of that fight. I wanted to make sure that the poor thing wasn''t enslaved or trapped. Not that I have a bad opinion of Red River...it''s just."


    Trillia finally broke her silence. "It seems odd for it to just take a beating over and over again. The dungeon monsters feel a lot less pain and respawn. I know Trench says we can''t kill it. But it has to feel all that pain." A shiver ran down her spine when she thought about it, screaming in pain.


    One of the regulars chuckled a bit, walking over. "You folks haven''t encountered a lot of mythical mortals, have you?"


    That drew everyone''s stare. It was an old human that spoke. Trillia always found him a bit off-putting. Something about his presence made everyone feel a little on-guard.


    His eyes spoke of a weariness that was reminiscent of Amara or Cordaos. The many scars on his arms and face spoke of far too many battles and not nearly enough healing magic. Most surprising of all was his missing eye. At least, Trillia assumed the eye was missing since he had a patch to cover his left eye. It wasn''t all that difficult to regrow limbs, to her knowledge.


    Well. Unless some world core was preventing it. Fair trade, she thought.


    Al voiced their thoughts. "We''ve met more than our fair share, M''Lord. Two of the young folk standing before you are children to the generals of the Great Beast Wars."


    The man held up both hands, gently shaking his head. "I certainly meant no offense. Nor did I mean humanoids. I meant dragons, leviathans, primordials, and grand elementals. That sort of thing."


    Everyone looked around with a shrug. Al motioned for him to continue. "I''ve gone into Red River. Fascinating place. Rayclast, that''s the translated name of the leviathan, is at least a century old, at least I think so."


    Trillia''s eye twitched a little at that. "How is that possible? It''s such a low level and so small!"


    "Leviathans and dragons don''t grow as quickly as humans. Most dragons that mortals will ever see are adults and younger. Most dragons that mortals fight and survive to tell the tale are whelps or juveniles. If an ancient dragon ever came down to the surface, it''d be able to wipe out most of the mortal races with relative ease."


    That drew a lot of doubtful looks. Once again, Al was the one to speak up. "Forgive me, M''Lord. I don''t mean to cast doubt on your words. It''s just... you seem to know an awful lot about these creatures. I wonder why a man of your abilities would frequent such a humble shop."


    The old man laughed it off and motioned behind him. A young human woman in her early twenties bounded up next to him. She already had her fair assortment of scars. Beautiful red hair framed an olive face. Two golden glowing orbs of mana sat where eyes normally would. "I may have all the gear I''ll ever need. But my apprentice does not. Whenever you see me in here, it''s usually to commission gear for her while she learns what her tools of the trade will be."


    Al and Marg both nodded at that. "She doesn''t need armor? You are here all the time for weapons, and we aren''t even weapon specialists. It had us curious."


    The girl looked up at him, and he gave a nod. In the next instant, she stood in front of them wearing a set of dark red scale armor. Trillia and Amelia recognized it immediately as dragon scale.


    Apparently, so did Al and Marg.


    The old man spoke again. "Whelps and Babies are easy enough to convince to bugger off. Once they know that you''re capable of keeping them in eternal slumber or actually killing them. Juveniles, on the other hand, are arrogant bastards who believe they are the pinnacle of mortal kind. They will almost always fight to the death. Rayclast has been an invaluable ally in training."


    The man jerked a little. "I''m sorry! I don''t think we''ve ever actually introduced ourselves. We tend to put people on edge, so we keep to ourselves. I''m Alexander Gaius. This is my apprentice, Andromeda Raxis!"


    The girl bowed slightly. As she spoke, Trillia watched her mana rapidly drain and watched the others wince. "A pleasure to meet you."


    Al reached up to find his nose trickling blood. The other customers had thankfully wandered off. This shop had a reputation for ignoring customers. Sometimes for hours on end. Trillia figured if their armor wasn''t so damn durable, they''d probably lose a lot of business.


    Alex looked over at her with a disappointed look. Andromeda seemed a bit crestfallen and bowed again. "She''s still learning to control her power. She didn''t mean the attack. I can compensate for any damages or heal anyone if need be."


    Trillia looked over at him, any doubt replaced with curiosity. "Why does her voice deal damage? Also, why did you ask if we had fought mythical mortals?"


    Alex raised a hand. "I asked if you encountered them, M''Lady. I''d recommend most folk run as far and fast as they can from any such creatures and not fight them. We are augmented humans on the fringe of being abominations. Our voice carries a heavy psionic pulse. We are immune to this pulse, but others are not. She''s still learning to control hers. I asked because anything you think you''re doing to Rayclast is a far cry from what nature would do."


    Trillia grabbed a stool and sat in front of him. The others stopped to listen as well. Andromeda couldn''t help but giggle as she looked up at her mentor, who scratched the back of his head and realized story time was upon him. "There is a trait that is available to non-humanoids. It''s called Titan Eater. Or Titan Devourer. Dragons and Leviathans, even children, are considered titans. I''ve never actually met an enemy called Titan, so if they exist, I hope I don''t ever get to see them."


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    "In any case, all creatures have their own system. I''ve learned this from my extensive talks with dragons and whatnot. The system is pretty different for all non-humanoids. Humanoids get a blanket system for all of us. One more customizable. For creatures in the wild, they are keenly aware of what traits they can hunt. Rayclast would be in constant battle regardless of where he is. At least in Red River, he''s safe from hunters like myself, who have gone corrupt."


    Malor spoke up the instant there was a pause in conversation. "You hunt these creatures? For what purpose?"


    "Well. I hunt anything that causes a problem for humanoids, really. I mostly just scare shit off. No reason to murder a creature for following its biological needs, after all. But some creatures don''t take well to that, and we do what needs doing. Here, let me lower obfuscation. You folks can scan me."


    Trillia wasn''t going to pass up that chance. While scan was no longer her favorite ability, it was certainly high on the list. "Why do you trust us?"


    Alex shrugged. "I don''t. I merely know that none of you could possibly win in a fight. You seem like a decent enough lot. If you''re concerned about being cruel to a leviathan. I don''t have to worry about you randomly deciding to kill a couple of humans."


    No one really had a good argument for that. Trillia activated [Mana-Sight]


    [Augmented Human - Mythic Monster Slayer - 692] Radiant Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Psionic Bloodline


    Dragon Killer


    Leviathan Killer


    Mortal Butcher


    Butcher of Legend


    A Thousand Cuts


    ...


    The room went silent.


    After a few minutes, his obfuscation came back up. Andromeda was still obfuscated. Trillia motioned to him. "Your uh...your traits don''t really make things much better. I''m not really sure how butcher traits work. But it seems problematic. The only one I''ve seen with a similar trait is my uncle Stas."


    The man shrugged and moved back to inspecting the weapon he had been handed before he interrupted them. "Mortal butcher just means the number of mortals I''ve killed has exceeded a hundred thousand. Butcher of Legend means I''ve killed over a hundred creatures that were over a hundred levels above me. Give anyone who''s in the business of death and war enough years, and they will earn those traits as well."


    Al seemed to accept that reasoning and walked closer to the man. "It''s frightening to think what obfuscation skills can hide. I''ve dealt with you a dozen times since we''ve set up shop here. Never once did I think you had traits like that. I''ve been meaning to ask if I could inspect your armor, but it seemed a bit rude, and I didn''t want to scare off a good-paying customer. If the lass has dragon-scale armor. I''d love to see what you wade into battle with."


    Trillia couldn''t deny she was also curious. The man scratched the stubble on his chin and glanced at his apprentice. The woman looked around and nodded. "Can we go inside? I''d rather not wear it in public. Also, how resistant are all of you to fear effects?"


    Al and Marg looked around and saw once again their propensity for rambling had shooed off the customers for the day. They nodded, two armoursmiths more curious than cautious. The others were eager to see as well.


    After all, they had to wait for their rewards and for Arlyss to give Trillia orders.


    Once they were inside, the man motioned for people to sit down. Once everyone had, his armor appeared around him. Another storage item.


    Trillia''s mana began to plummet as [Stalwart Mana] began to resist the effects of his armor. It was also scale armor, but the scales looked like the crystals on the leviathan''s back. His pauldrons were two small dragon heads. Their eyes had been replaced by glowing orbs of silvery mana. His hands were wrapped in black leather and had claws nearly a foot and a half long resting against his forearm.


    With a thought, the claws punched forward and rested comfortably over his hand. A cape made from the same leather flickered fickly on his back, coursing with mana.


    Malor was the first to drop. As Alexander''s armor vanished, the aura took its time winding down. Amelia dropped next. Both slumped over without a sound or a word. Andromeda moved to their side and began pouring a small vial down each of their throats. The only one that seemed capable of stopping her was Trillia.


    But seeing the display that just his armor brought about, if these two wanted them dead, they''d be dead. A few seconds later, the two minotaur regained consciousness. Alexander bowed his head slightly.


    It felt wrong to Trillia. Why hadn''t she stepped in to stop the vial or at least question it?


    Her head pounded.


    General Skill: [Stalwart Mana] Level 8 -> Level 14


    "Every time I feel as though we are making progress, I am reminded of just how far down the food chain we really are." Trillia frowned as she looked at her two friends, who were still recovering.


    Alexander had begun staring at her oddly. That set everyone else on edge. Andromeda slid a hand to the hilt of a sword at her hip.


    The seasoned warrior took a step towards Trillia. Ialu jumped between them and barred her teeth. "I mean no harm. You have a glaring flaw in your defenses, young... Pope? You are his first pact-bound, are you not?"


    Trillia felt as if time slowed to a crawl. She immediately began to charge her mana. She had no doubt she''d die in the attempt, but she might be able to buy the others time. The moment she thought to raise her hand, she found the tip of a sword pressed into her elbow joint. Her right arm went limp.


    Andromeda stood there with a dagger that was more like a needle. Alexander raised his hands. "I do not wish to attack any of you. Please stop charging your mana. We will defend ourselves. I have been naught but honest. Do not take my words as a threat. I can only control the auras so much. Andromeda, lower your weapon. If she looses her attack, counter-attack."


    The girl glanced at him but did as she was told. Trillia wanted to loose [Chain Lightning] but paused. Mentally, she reached out to Arlyss.


    "When [Stalwart Mana] is using mana to defend from auras, your obfuscation skill doesn''t work. I''m not sure if that is a conscious decision or not. I saw your traits. Some of them have me curious."


    Trillia wasn''t entirely sold yet. "How did you know about being the first pact-bound?"


    Alfred had slowly circled to their side, his hand inching towards the handle of an axe. Perhaps the group had been too quick to trust people.


    Still, Trillia knew they couldn''t fight them. Something about his traits just set them all on edge.


    Alexander slowly backed up toward the door. Andromeda followed him. "Let''s step back onto the street. This way, we are in public view. Will that put your minds at ease?"


    They all stepped out of the house. Part of Trillia''s mind screamed at her to stop listening to the man.


    A brief flash of light appeared. In an instant, the girl had vanished. Arlyss stood behind the man with the tip of his staff touching the back of his head. "I''d recommend dropping the divine obfuscation. I appreciate that you didn''t kill anyone. I still would rather they see your true stats."


    The man sighed softly. Trillia''s mind suddenly felt as though a weight had been lifted off of it. She activated [Mana-Sight] again.


    [Ascended Human{Immortal} - Divine Butcher - 1,300] WARNING! Hostile Divinity Detected!


    Notable Traits:


    Pact-Bound (Zymeth Darktone)


    God Killer


    Butcher of Immortals


    Edge of Oblivion


    Heir to the Throne


    General of the First Son


    ...


    A clanging sound was heard as Alfred dropped the axe he had managed to grab. Trillia''s face screwed up in confusion. "Darktone?"


    Arlyss sighed softly. "One of my uncle''s followers. I didn''t think anyone that powerful could send out orders."


    Alexander smiled faintly and slowly raised his hands. "His Majesty gives standing orders. I assure you, young Arlyss. My master has nothing but love for you and your siblings."


    Al and Marg exchanged glances before staring at Trillia.


    Trillia felt as if she had stepped into something far above her abilities. "Where did the other one go?"


    The air suddenly felt oh-so heavy. Arlyss'' full presence was there with them. "This one used some sort of realm-walking ability on her. If you are innocent, why did you spirit your prodigy away?"


    "You''re a child. As are most of the others here. Your Pope was ready to blow both of us apart with a modified [Chain Lightning] spell. How much mana had you dumped into that spell? Thirty or forty thousand? That''s enough to kill my prodigy several times over. In other words, I won''t risk her life on the benevolence of children."


    Arlyss glanced at Trillia, who nodded.


    "She is not my Pope. She is my avatar. Why were you here in the first place?"


    Alexander didn''t answer. Merely remained silent. Trillia wondered how he was so capable of knowing her abilities and actions.


    The tip of Arlyss'' staff held an angry orb that began swirling in on itself over and over again.


    She suddenly felt nauseous. The others doubled over and threw up, unable to control themselves.


    Alexander waggled a finger. "I assure you. Lord Arlyss. You do NOT want to meet the creature that is cleared for action should one of us face oblivion. I am not here on the orders of His Majesty Zymeth. But on behalf of Alirast."


    Suddenly, everyone else was very, very confused.

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    "Explain yourself." While Arlyss was no longer powering up his attack further, it sat comfortably at nauseating levels. Alexander barely breathed for fear of escalation.


    "Alirast is a prison. It was created for the sole purpose of housing the soul of a very powerful immortal. Its physical manifestation was split into two, each half having about half its power bound to it and imprisoned in the first and third axles of the universe. It is a powerful enough entity that, despite its current predicament, it''s still treated as a Primordial-ranked Deity. Like your father and uncle."


    Arlyss seemed annoyed at his explanation. "I''m aware that Alirast is a prison. I didn''t realize the creature imprisoned was that powerful, but it makes sense. Alirast doesn''t ascend the universe as most of the other realms do. It is in a fixed position."


    Alexander closed his eyes, his lips moved as if he were mumbling. "Alirast is the First Son. To be clearer. He is your father''s first son."


    In the next instant, the two of them vanished. Trillia blinked and reached her mind out to Arlyss. "It''s fine, Trillia. I took him somewhere that we could have a private conversation, and I can ensure he is not lying and manipulating people. I will get back to you and your friends soon. Congratulations on clearing the third floor. I''m proud of all of you."


    The group stood outside the armoursmith''s home. Amelia spoke softly, almost as if fearing her words would bring them back. "Why would Lord Darktone imprison his own child? And in such a cruel way."


    The others slowly recovered from being doubled over. Trillia plopped down on the ground, a million thoughts swirling through her head. Normally, she''d act on these intrusive thoughts alone. But she was growing, learning, and wanted to be better. "I don''t think I should travel with you guys anymore."


    Heads snapped to look down at her. Trillia continued. "That was another immortal. This one was specifically targeting me. I don''t want to put all of you in danger constantly because I''m being hunted or whatever. It''s not fair to all of you."


    For once, she wasn''t met with immediate denial and notes of friendship and loyalty. The others also sat down and seriously contemplated her words. They hadn''t met or seen the first immortal. But this one had snuck in and didn''t seem all that out of the ordinary. This one could have wiped them all out with relative ease.


    Trillia had gambled twice with immortals and won both times. Luck wasn''t endless.


    Alfred also sat down near the kids, rubbing his eyes. "First time I''ve been that spooked in a long time. I''ve met immortals before, but it was always when they were dealing with other immortals. I think there''s some layers of protection that happen without our knowing."


    Layla nodded. "There are rules that immortals and above must follow when operating in a mortal realm. It''s why Alexander warned Arlyss about not killing him. That would have meant a deity had escalated an otherwise passive encounter with an immortal. This means that other deities or more powerful immortals could get involved to resolve the issue. It''s why Lady Ora''sys warns me to be careful when invoking divine power."


    The group remained silent. After a few minutes of it, Trillia stood. "I''ll go and have a chat with Tormash and Ba''Shoon. We''ll meet up here tomorrow if that''s ok with all of you."


    They all nodded and continued to sit and ponder. Trillia made her way toward the Chieftain''s Hall.


    She was glad they were at least thinking about her words instead of just jumping to her defense. She appreciated their loyalty and friendship.


    Red River was one thing, but the wide world was another.


    The guard let her in with a smile and a wave. She sat in the back of the meeting hall. It was late in the day, so there were only a few people bringing their problems to the building today.


    Once they had left, Tormash waved her forward. "Official business? Or personal?"


    "A bit of both. Mostly personal. Are you done for the day? If not, I can wait. I''m in no rush."


    Tormash shook his head. "I''m fine with being done for the day." The next few minutes were him informing the guards that the building was no longer taking complaints.


    He led Trillia to their private quarters. Ba''Shoon lay in bed with a book resting on her ever-growing stomach.


    The elder shaman smiled and gave her a little wave before she returned to the book in hand. Tormash walked over and gave her a kiss before refilling her water and getting three plates of food. He sat down at the table with his and Trillia''s and motioned for her to sit across from him.


    "So. What brings you here?"


    Trillia filled him in on the victories of the day, as well as the most recent events. Tormash crossed his arms and leaned back in his chair. "Immortals are a serious worry. Mother had Stas around to deal with them. She had some way of communicating with the other generals, I think. Seemed limited. Otherwise, she would have gotten word of what was happening in God''s Watch and mobilized the orcs to help."


    Trillia nodded as she listened.


    She chased her food around the plate with a fork, not feeling all that hungry for once. "I''d be terribly lonely if everyone stayed behind. But I don''t wanna risk their lives. They aren''t beholden to the same pact as me. I''d feel terrible if I cost them their life."


    Tormash offered her a thin smile. "I think it goes without saying you care deeply about your friends and want what''s best for them. Allow me to be a little cold and pragmatic. Their lives are already in great danger due to the early awakening of the [Primordials]. Furthermore, if you are not with them, what''s to stop an immortal hunting you from starting here and finding them anyway? In that instance, they''d be here without you around to help them fight."


    Ba''Shoon spoke up from the bed. "Think of Mon''tag. Putting them in a little danger is far better than being alone. For any of you."


    Trillia sat back herself and closed her eyes. It felt like any choice she made would be the wrong one. A twisted little smile crossed her face. "I hate having other people''s lives in my hands."


    Tormash gave her an all-to-knowing nod. "I understand now why Mother ruled the way she did. It was difficult to bump into another tribe on the Shattered Plains. Now, there is a place they can always find me and complain about something. I am forced to make decisions that alter the course for everyone in the Shattered Plains."


    Tormash took a sip of ale and rubbed his eyes. "Has Arlyss given you any new orders?"


    Trillia shook her head. "He''s dealing with the immortal first."


    Tormash frowned and leaned forward, grabbing his fork again. "I wish I had better advice, little sister. Truth be told, a lot of what you are going to be dealing with going forward is well beyond me. I''m a simple Orc Chieftain and happy to stay that way as long as I can."


    Trillia chuckled. "Sure, sure. Simple Orc Chieftain, son of the greatest Orc of the past few centuries."


    Tormash leveled a look at her and spoke in a serious tone. "We are not our parents, Trillia. We do not have to strive to reach for the stars. Mother fought a great war to ensure we didn''t."


    "And I must fight a war to ensure it stays that way for the orcs. I won''t hide from my duty as a pact-bound. Nor will I ask others to share that burden. Thank you for the food and the conversation. I think I''ll go for a walk and clear my head."


    Trillia stood without ever having taken a bite. She gave Tormash a hug before walking over to the bed to give Ba''Shoon a hug goodbye as well. A simple blow on the whistle had Ialu at her side. She hopped on, and the two were off.


    Trillia rode around in the city, doing her own small patrol for the rest of the night. She and Ialu made camp near the rift itself. Ialu was immune by way of being pact-bound to Trillia. Trillia was immune, thanks to her traits.


    The next day, she waited at Alfred and Marg''s store. She had gotten there early, unable to sleep.


    It took a few hours for everyone else to arrive or wake up. An awkward silence hung in the air between them. A few hours went by, small talk was had with customers, and the day''s business went on. Finally, Arlyss showed up with the immortal next to him.


    Trillia looked at Alexander with a weary gaze.


    "Everything he has told me has checked out. It was...enlightening. At some point, I think you should have a conversation with him as well, Trillia. Sorry to make all of you wait. Trillia, would you like to discuss my plans for you here? Or in private?"


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    Before he even finished his statement, Marg and Al had begun shooing customers off, claiming they were closed due to an important family function. Trillia smiled at that. "I think here is fine. They deserve to know what they are walking into if they should join me."


    Arlyss glanced at everyone gathered. "The central continent, where Kadessa and the awakened [Primordial] are, cannot be reached. Rather, I cannot bring myself there. I cannot scry on it. I cannot contact the four great generals who are there. I can bring myself within a few hundred miles of its shores but no closer."


    Everyone sat down and let even more weight fall onto their shoulders. Arlyss continued. "Kismet is in no condition to fight or travel, despite her many protests otherwise. Ralrouk has begun engaging the Sage fully. The Sage himself has finally begun sending waves of undead at the protections we set up to break himself out. Most of the pact-bounds that Riten and I have are tied up in defending them. I want you to travel to the central continent."


    Trillia nodded. "Meet up with my uncles or my mother? Or head to Kadessa?"


    "Neither." Arlyss shook his head. "There is a dwarven settlement on the northern side of the central continent. We are going to make a portal there. I have the plans. The deity of the forge walks amongst that clan. His people will be able to build the portal, and you can power it. I want to see if we can circumvent whatever is preventing me from stepping foot onto the central continent. Short of that, I can at least reinforce them should it come to that."


    Trillia nodded again.


    "You won''t be able to reach me, Trillia. You''ll be on your own. It''s a lot to ask, and normally I wouldn''t. But given your damage capabilities, you stand the best chance. I have a pact-bound in Kincairne who is a Captain that can take you across the seas. It will be a few months on the ship. But it''s the best we can do. The portal will at least let you establish communication with me, and we can determine the next best course of action."


    Trillia stood. "Once the rewards from Red River have come in, I will head to Kincairne. What''s the name of the Captain?"


    "Robert Highwind. He''s a good man. He has a trade agreement with the leviathans in the sea, separating the northern and central continents. You may need to fight some pirates on behalf of that agreement, but otherwise, you should have smooth sailing."


    Trillia motioned to Alexander. "Is it okay for him to be hearing all of this?"


    The two shared a look, and Arlyss nodded. Alexander stepped forward. "I came to warn you and offer Andromeda''s services if required. There is a pact-bound that is specifically hunting other pact-bounds in the service of Darktones. That now includes you. I don''t think he''s significantly stronger than you. After all, he''s still weak enough that I can''t engage due to the laws I am bound by. Killing him would be good practice and good experience for Andromeda."


    Trillia nodded again. "If Lord Arlyss trusts you, so do I. I am happy to have any help going forward. There is a lake southwest of the city. I will meet the two of you there once I am done with my preparations."


    Alexander nodded. After receiving a nod from Arlyss, he departed. Arlyss glanced at Trillia before looking at the others gathered. "Let me know if you need anything from me before you leave Trillia."


    Once Arlyss left, she looked at her friends. "I won''t ask any of you to come with me. Not only would we be leaving this continent, but we''d be getting hunted. I look forward to delving into Red River with all of you when I return. I expect you to keep up." She offered them a pained smile.


    Layla scoffed. "Why are you suddenly acting so cold? What happened overnight?"


    Trillia looked at the little acolyte with pain in her eyes. "I remembered Mon''tag. I remembered God''s Watch. What''s happening on Alirast is bullshit. None of us should be forced to deal with it. Enjoy your lives, and live in peace. I''ll be fine."


    Layla laughed as she walked over to hug Trillia. "Of course you will be. I''ll keep you patched up. I have no family, dummy. I have nothing to lose except you and the others. If they stay here, they''ll be safe with Red River."


    Trillia returned the hug happily. She looked up at the others. Amelia had tears in her eyes and shook her head. "I can''t join you. Not right now. I''m sorry, Trillia. But I know that I''d slow you down too much. We all discussed it a lot last night. Layla is joining you because she has nothing to lose, and, most importantly, she''s an orc. Tenacity will let her survive anything." Her voice cracked at the end, and the tears started. "I''m sorry for betraying you like this."


    Trillia pulled away from Layla and hugged Amelia around the waist. "You aren''t betraying me. I want all of you to keep getting stronger. Keep the city safe. Layla, Andromeda, and I will be fine." Amelia broke down further and nearly crushed Trillia in a hug.


    Frederick and Malor remained silent, doing their best not to break down. Trillia gave each of them a hug as well and assured them that she thought this was best. Marg crushed her in a hug. Alfred had already taken their armor and had started to fix the damages from the Leviathan fight and augment them. The old man said nothing, but Trillia could see the tears in his eyes.


    The atmosphere was heavy when Gobbinz approached the store. Gobbinz was well-liked everywhere he went. Not only was he extremely helpful to delvers, but he had grown into a very diplomatic little goblin. "Father thought about what to give you all for a long time. Lord Arlyss helped him decide."


    With that, he placed five rings on the table. Each was made of dark red material with a bright iridescent pearl fitted into the top. Trillia was the first to pick one up.


    Would you like to bind this artifact to you?


    Artifact Details:


    Red River Reservoir (Minor)


    This artifact is considered a storage item. (0/15)


    This artifact can hold and purify up to one gallon of water, this water does not take up storage space.


    This artifact cannot be lost or stolen from the creature it has been bound to.


    This artifact is indestructible.


    Trillia blinked in surprise. "Really? One for each of us?!"


    The others each grabbed one. Their frowns were quickly replaced with grins.


    Gobbinz nodded. "Lord Arlyss can make storage items, but they are expensive to use mana-wise. So, instead, he gave Father a hundred or so of them. Father was able to create these and learn how to better make storage items. We knew some or all of you would be going on a journey soon. We thought this was the best reward we could give you."


    Trillia wrapped the little goblin in a hug. The others quickly followed. Trillia looked up at her friends with a smile on her face.


    Marg walked over and patted her on the back. "The Red River Ruffians. Since Red River likes alliteration so much. That''s what you five should be known as."


    Gobbinz chuckled and nodded. "I think Father would approve. Well, Ruffians. Good luck on whatever journey you all take. We''ll await your return and further delves." The little goblin bowed before scurrying off to deliver other rewards or head back to the dungeon itself.


    "Let''s bind them at the same time!" The others nodded. Marg lifted a small coin and told them to accept the instant the coin hit the table.


    As the coin hit and they all accepted, the rings glowed faintly as thin threads of mana weaved between them.


    Artifact has been upgraded!


    Artifact Details:


    Reservoir Ring of the Red River Ruffians (Minor)


    This artifact is considered a storage item. (0/15)


    This artifact can hold and purify up to one gallon of water, this water does not take up storage space.


    This artifact has been paired with four other identical artifacts. Once a week this ring can send a message no more than twenty words long to the creatures bound to the other four rings. Each ring can send one such message a week.


    This artifact cannot be lost or stolen from the creature it has been bound to.


    This artifact is indestructible.


    Trillia wanted to roll her eyes at the change. Instead, she was just grateful. She gave a little mental thank you to Dawn and whatever other deities were watching and nudging fate for all of them. "To the reunion of the Red River Ruffians. May we all have stories to tell." Trillia held the ring out over the table. The others held back their tears and put their hands in as well.


    "I am going to go say my goodbyes to Ba''Shoon and Tormash and get ready. I look forward to the next time we see each other."


    She departed without any more fanfare. She didn''t want to lose focus. Layla said she''d meet her at the lake and bring their armor with her.


    The goodbyes from Tormash and Ba''Shoon were short and sweet. Both orcs had total faith that their little sister would return alive.


    Both were grateful that Layla had joined her on her adventures and promised to keep the city running smoothly.


    -=- A Few Hours Later -=-


    Trillia sat on a rock at the edge of the lake. Alexander and Andromeda were some distance away, having a private conversation and saying their goodbyes. It took Layla a few hours more to get to them. Her eyes were puffy with tears.


    She climbed onto the rock with Trillia and extended her hand. Rations for a few weeks of travel appeared from her storage item. Trillia stored them in her ring, having already filled the reservoir with lake water. Next was her armor. Which had a new addition.


    The chestplate had a green leather cape attached to it that shimmered at their touch. Layla sniffled and did her best to remain strong. "Sir Alfred upgraded our armor with those bear pelts. So, while we''re in the armor, we regenerate faster. Dame Marg also made us these." Two silver chains with burnt orange scales hanging from them appeared on the rock.


    Trilla activated [Mana-Sight]


    [Amulet of Greater Fire Resistance]


    This amulet will negate fifty percent of the fire damage the user takes after calculating their own resistances.


    Trillia smiled and clasped the amulet. She glanced over at Layla. "You don''t have to come with me, Layla. I won''t be angry. I''ll understand."


    The acolyte took a deep breath and closed her eyes, shaking her head. "I won''t let you go alone. You don''t deserve to be alone and without any friends to watch your back. We''ll return. I know we will."


    Trillia gave the girl a big hug.


    Trillia stored her armor. Between the rations and her armor, her storage item sat at seven of fifteen. It''d make walking around a lot easier, not being in the armor. The two slid down from the rock, and Ialu bounded up to them, having been playing in the lake.


    Alexander and Andromeda approached.


    Alexander spoke. "You''ll have to communicate with her telepathically until she can better control her psionic abilities. Her purpose is to engage the pact-bound hunter. For other fights, you''re on your own. I won''t risk my prodigy for folks who can''t deal with regular problems. Are we clear?"


    The two nodded. Alexander grumbled something under his breath. "Good luck." With that, he vanished.


    Trillia reached out to Arlyss. A few short portal jumps later, and they stood on the docks of Kincairne. It was Trillia''s first time seeing the city. While the walls weren''t anything like Rift City''s walls, they were still tall and covered in metal. Great ballistas pointed out into the fields surrounding the city.


    Huge towers with ballistas of their own pointed out toward the ocean. A few dozen ships were anchored out in the water, with small ships resting next to the docks.


    Trillia was ready to head off to find Captain Highwind when Arlyss put a hand on her shoulder. "There''s no need for you to run about and search. He''s on his way. During the first few months, you can contact me, and I can respond. You''ll feel our connection weaken when you are out of range."


    Trillia nodded. The group stood there and waited for the Captain to come to them. Trillia turned to look out over the ocean, taking another deep breath to steady herself.

 Chapter 102 The Voyage Begins

    Captain Highwind didn''t keep them waiting long.


    For a human, he struck an imposing figure. Standing a few inches over six feet, the man wore an oddly shaped wand at his side paired with a rapier. A sky blue vest with silver buttons and matching pants caused him to stand out. Though his face was weathered with the many years at sea, there was an intensity in his grey eyes that spoke of a hard life.


    Once he stood before them, he bowed to Trillia, then kneeled in front of Arlyss. "The ship is ready, m''lord. She can sail at your command."


    Arlyss grabbed his shoulder and hauled the man to his feet. "You don''t have to kneel, Robert. This is Trillia Demonsbane, my avatar. This is an Acolyte of Retribution, Layla. Lastly, this is a Dragon Hunter by the name of Andromeda. She cannot communicate verbally. Trillia can relay with telepathy, or she will have to write things down for you. As I mentioned before, I can stay in contact for the first few months if anything should happen. But once you start to near the Central Continent, that changes."


    Robert gave a nod to each person as they were introduced. "They won''t have to lift a finger unless we run into pirates. Then, I''d ask that they contribute to the battle."


    Trillia grinned. "I will happily contribute the entire time. Uncle Cordaos told me that you can never have too many helping hands on the high seas."


    Robert chuckled a little. "Your Uncle Cordaos isn''t wrong. Normally, VIPs and Nobles don''t contribute due to their nature, but I won''t turn down help. We have a small row boat at the far end of the docks that we are waiting in. At your leisure. Is there anything else, m''lord?"


    Arlyss nodded and pulled out a fairly hefty crate from thin air, setting it next to the captain. "These are plans and a small model of the portal system. It must reach the dwarves. Shall I bring it to your ship? Or can I leave you all here?"


    Layla walked over to the crate and hefted it, placing it on a shoulder. Robert stared at the little acolyte for a moment before shaking his head. "I think we can manage, m''lord. I''ll see your will done."


    Arlyss nodded. Once Trillia confirmed she was ready, the deity departed. Trillia and the girls followed Robert to the row boat. Trillia saw two other orcs sitting in the boat waiting. As they neared, a huge hand reached up from the water and plucked the crate from Layla''s shoulder, setting it in the boat.


    Trillia got to see her first ogre. Not a half-ogre or some dungeon abomination. But a full-fledged ogre in the flesh. It looked a bit like an orc in the face. This particular ogre had dark blue skin and blended in with the water. Bright green eyes seemed full of mirth. Its hand was half as long as Trillia was tall.


    Robert motioned to the others. "This is Biggs and Wedge. They are the quartermaster and master at arms, respectively." Said as he motioned to the two orcs. "This is Lak''Lorn. One of our best fighters and also a huge help when it comes to loading things. He tends to also be our propulsion system for the rowboat."


    Trillia shook the hand of each orc and also did her best to shake Lak''Lorn''s hand. "I look forward to sailing with all of you."


    Wedge - the master at arms - gave her a look before glancing at Robert. "This lot ''as blockers on. Ya keen to ask ''em to let me get a good look, Cap''n?"


    Everyone climbed into the boat. Lak''Lorn held onto the sides and began kicking his massive legs under the water. The boat drifted towards the many ships anchored further out. Robert shook his head. "They are guests of Lord Arlyss. It is their choice to reveal their classes and nature. It is not mandatory, as is usual."


    Wedge gave a grunt and a nod. The two orcs looked almost identical. Dark green skin, bright red eyes, and the same physique as every warrior in the Shattered Plains. Trillia glanced between all of them.


    After a moment, she motioned to Wedge, grateful that they were speaking the human dialect and not another language she''d have to learn. "My obfuscation is down. You may scan me, Sir Wedge."


    The orc seemed a little surprised at that. After a moment, Wedge snickered. "A damn swashbuckler. Minstrel as well? Ha! If''n the avatar thing dinnae pan out, ye should join us, lass. Ship could always use more good fighters."


    Trillia grinned and stared at the orc. After a few minutes, he seemed concerned. "I''m waiting for you to lower your obfuscation, Sir Wedge. Fair trade and all."


    Robert started laughing, as did Biggs. The other orc punched Wedge''s shoulder. "Ha! Oy, I like this one cap''n. Clever lass, she is."


    Wedge grinned and begrudgingly lowered his ''blocker''.


    [Sea Orc - Master-At-Arms - 199] Morale Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Thousand Voyage Veteran


    Aquatic Adaptation


    Keen Eyes


    Trillia looked it over for a moment before scratching her chin. "I''ve never seen Morale Mana Manipulation before."


    The orc gave her a little nod. "Tis a long branch off support stuff. Me tribe kicked me to the wastes when I was nae born with offensive mana. Cap''n Highwind found me as a wee orc when I tried to nick his coin purse in a port."


    Trillia glanced at the Captain, who was leaning against the side of the boat and writing in a leather-bound book. "I''m sorry that your tribe treated you that way. I suppose for many, that is the orc way. I was born a runt. I was lucky enough to have an influential and caring family who didn''t dash me across the rocks."


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    Biggs gave a knowing nod. "Aye. We ''ad a little sister who met that fate. When they threw me brother to the wastes, I lost all love for our tribe. Good to see other orcs. Don''t see many of our kind on the water."


    Layla leaned over the boat and stuck her fingers in the fast-moving water. "The water scares me. Less now. But it still scares me."


    Trillia laid a comforting hand on her shoulder.


    The rowboat began to slow, and Trillia glanced up from her journal to see the ship before her.


    The thing seemed positively massive. Admiral blue wood banded in glowing silver bands gave the ship an almost ethereal appearance on the water. Massive sails that held a slight grey hue began to unfurl.


    Ropes were dropped from the sides. Robert and Wedge quickly tied knots into large circles of metal on either side of the row boat. Lak''Lorn crawled up the side of the ship with ease, and a heave-ho was heard from the deck of the ship. The rowboat began to ascend from the water. Biggs and Wedge also crawled up the side of the ship, and the row boat''s ascent began to speed up.


    Lak grabbed the crate out of the boat and handed it to Biggs, who immediately turned and left to secure it. Once the girls were out, he lifted the rowboat with one hand. It vanished in the same hand.


    The Captain assembled the crew, waiting for Biggs to return. Robert stood at the helm. The deck quickly filled with over a hundred bodies. Trillia was surprised to see a myriad of different species. Orcs, humans, goblins, an ogre. Others that she didn''t recognize or hadn''t seen. All of them looked toward Robert and the girls. The Captain pounded the railing, and the murmuring settled.


    "We set sail toward the central continent. The Port Town of Sinclaire. We have special guests with us on this voyage. I expect you to show them the same level of respect that you would show me, and I expect you to treat them like the VIPs that they are. Am I clear?" The ''aye cap''n'' that followed his words was in unison and deafening. Robert nodded. "Begin powering up the ship. We want to make haste. Lady Trillia, would you like to say anything?"


    Trillia had seen the enchantment matrix in the bands on their way up the side of the ship. She looked at Robert. "Can the ship be damaged from too much mana, and what sort of intent should I put into my mana? I have a thought."


    Robert gave her an odd look but shrugged and told her anyway. "No damage. We have crystals stored in the hold. They are linked to the matrix and can store just shy of a million points of spare mana. We''ll slowly fill them over the course of the journey. As for intent...well, my good lady. Speed is our intent."


    Trillia nodded and took a step forward, looking out over the crew. She placed her right hand on the helm and thought of speed.


    Of her own agility. Of Ialu running into battle. Of flying over the ocean with Stas. A million mana flowed from her into the ship, and the enchantment matrix sprung to life. The crew went silent.


    "My name is Trillia Demonsbane, First Avatar of Arlyss Ocrey Darktone, Deity of Knowledge and Unity. I ask for your patience in dealing with my companions and I. We are unfamiliar with the sea. Treat us fairly and with respect, and we will do the same. If there are ever concerns with mana, come to me. I will see them fulfilled. I look forward to our voyage together." Murmurs broke out amongst the crew.


    Robert chuckled softly and nodded. "I think that will ensure that no one bothers you or yours for the voyage. It normally takes us an hour to get the ship fully charged. You come and do it in a split second."


    A young boy with eerily pale skin and bright gold eyes bound up from the hold of the ship, shouting. "Cap''n Robert! What happened?! The crystals are all full! Are we bein attacked?!"


    The crew went silent again and stared at Trillia, who turned to Robert. "I look forward to working with you, Captain. Where will the three of us be staying?"


    Robert stared hard at the orc in front of him. Trillia wanted to prove that they were useful and not some pampered petty nobles like those she had met in D''jamu. Before Robert could regain his senses, Layla had descended toward the crew and had begun healing cuts, bruises, and sickness. Robert turned an even harder eye to Trillia. "Going to be difficult to pay the two of you back for all of this."


    Trillia smiled at him and shook her head. "Consider it our way of helping out and paying our way. Layla and I come from the Shattered Plains. We believe in fair trade."


    Robert nodded and motioned to Biggs. "Show them to their rooms, Quartermaster."


    "Aye, sir." Biggs bowed a little more deeply to Trillia. "This way, Lady Demonsbane."


    Trillia followed Biggs, picking up Layla on the way. Andromeda followed in silence but had also been staring hard at Trillia. The crew quickly raced about to their stations.


    Trillia and the girls were led to a very nice room one floor below deck. Windows gave them a view of the ever-reaching horizon. Four comfortable-looking beds were secured to the floor. Each bed had a small foot locker at the foot of the bed. A table, chairs, and some cards were also in the room. A comfortable place to sleep, considering it was a ship.


    Andromeda tapped her head, and Trillia established the mental connection. "I will remain in the room until such a time as combat is upon us. Do not worry about my sustenance. I will be fine. If you need me, call for me. Otherwise, I will stay from underfoot. I have no desire to learn the ways of a ship. I am only on this one because the two of you cannot fly."


    Trillia nodded. "That''s fine with me, Lady Andromeda. Rest well, and thank you for accompanying us."


    Layla and Trillia didn''t have a pack to unload. Both had brought a few changes of clothes. But the clothes, their rations, and all of their armor sat comfortably in storage items.


    Trillia sat and meditated to summon Ialu to her side. Layla took her place back on the deck of the ship.


    An hour later, Trillia and Ialu emerged back onto the deck as well. She was a bit surprised to see that Kincairne was no longer in sight at all. Robert sat at a table near the helm of the ship. A tall, slender woman with pointed ears had a hand on the helm.


    Trillia approached them with Ialu in tow. The captain glanced at the wolf but didn''t give it a second thought. "How can I be of use, Captain?"


    Robert chuckled slightly and motioned to a seat opposite of him. "That''s the fun part of sailing, Lady Trillia. It''s usually a lot of hurry up and wait. You are free to learn from the others on the ship about the various dos and don''ts of sailing. You can rest in your room, and we will call upon you should the need for combat arise, or you can sit here and chat. Generally, while there are a lot of small things to do on the ship, that is why I have a crew. These things get done as we sail."


    Trillia nodded and took the seat. The table held the hum of mana, and dozens of maps seemed to be sunken into the top of the table. "I am willing to learn anything I can."


    The woman glanced at the two and spoke in a language that Trillia didn''t understand. <Elf:> "Captain Highwind. Perhaps we should discuss the artifact with her? She is obviously powerful. She seems loyal to Lord Arlyss as well. We have the time, and it could prove invaluable."


    Trillia picked up on a few words. Namely Highwind and Arlyss. She glanced between the two of them. The tongues trait gave her a vague idea what they were on about. But she was still curious as to the exact details. Robert nodded and pulled out a pipe and tobacco. "Sorry, how rude of me. This is my First Mate, Illana Perishsong. I have a proposition for you, Lady Demonsbane. If you''ll hear me out."


    Trillia raised a brow and waited for him to continue.

 Chapter 103 The Plan

    Trillia motioned for him to carry on.


    Captain Highwind took a small pebble out of a pocket and set it on the table in front of him. Trillia saw a thin veil cover the two of them.


    Illana made a few motions with her hands. Highwind responded, then turned to Trillia. "How much do you trust your companions?"


    "I trust Layla with my life. She has saved me many times and is fiercely loyal. I do not trust the dragon hunter at all."


    Highwind nodded and leaned back in his seat. "In addition to bringing you to the central continent to meet with the dwarves, Lord Arlyss tasked us with another job. He told us to use any asset at our disposal."


    Trillia thought about that for a moment and held up her hand. "Understand, Captain. If I can help a fellow pact-bound, I will. But my duty and mission to Lord Arlyss is of the utmost importance. It must come before any other objectives."


    Highwind offered a smile. "I''m well aware, Lady Demonsbane. You are our Lord''s avatar, and the things he entrusts you with will always come first. If you feel that this side objective would distract you, I am happy to stay silent on the matter."


    Trillia shook her head. "No. We''re all in this together. I just don''t want it to be a question of loyalty. I will choose my primary mission if the choice is to be made."


    "I''d expect nothing less. The Argo, that''s the galleon you''re on, is carrying an artifact. We have been for a year now. Lord Arlyss has asked us to charge it with mana in a very specific spot in the ocean. We have another lesser artifact to get us to that location. The problem is, if we spend more than a few hours there, wyverns start to scout the area. Where there are wyverns, there are dragons. The last time they came much earlier."


    "You expect that if you keep it up, at this rate, it will be a dragon that comes to investigate, and the ship and artifact will be lost?"


    Trillia got a nod to her question. "You want me to supercharge it with mana when we''re in the area. I don''t see an issue with that."


    The Captain nodded and started drumming his fingers on the table. "The problem is that the artifact gives off a weird sort of energy. We aren''t even sure what it does, but we trust Lord Arlyss. It''s close enough to the central continent that he is no longer capable of looking out for us. So yes, I''d like you to supercharge it like you did the Argo. But I also have to warn you that it may draw some very unwanted attention."


    Trillia sat back in her chair and pondered. On the one hand, Arlyss wouldn''t give them a meaningless task. On the other, it very well may risk the ship and the portal. "Is it possible we could do it after we set up the portal in the dwarven lands?"


    The Captain shrugged. "It''d take us significantly further away from any other objectives, but I don''t see why not. Either way, it''s a detour. Perhaps if the portal works, Lord Arlyss can send a copy of himself with us to ensure everyone''s safety."


    "Why didn''t he just get on the boat with all of you before? To sail to the central continent or charge the artifact?"


    The Captain opened his mouth to speak, then shut it and got a confused look on his face. "I never thought to ask. I just...I just assumed he had a good reason not to do so? Hang on."


    With a huff, the man pushed himself out of his chair and stepped out of the little bubble.


    Trillia assumed it was a barrier of sound dampening since most of the sounds of the ship, crew, and ocean had been dulled when it first appeared.


    Robert spoke briefly with Illana before joining Trillia at the table again. "Illana says it is because of the leviathans. Evidently, they count as dragons. Though, I''m not sure what that has to do with it. Perhaps he doesn''t want to anger the leviathans by being in their territory?"


    Trillia immediately knew why. She remembered the trait that caused all dragons to attack him due to some curse of some god. But if Arlyss didn''t reveal that to others, she wasn''t about it. "I guess that makes sense. My uncle says that dragons are extremely territorial creatures. It''s why whenever people fly, they stay below certain heights so as not to anger the dragons. Maybe it''s the same for a deity being on the water?"


    The Captain nodded, seemingly satisfied with that answer. "In any case. Once we set up the portal, we can ask Lord Arlyss if it''s okay for you to charge the artifact. I don''t want to fail his mission, and while he never gave us a strict time limit, the artifact itself has a slow drain on the mana it is charged with. Realistically, about half of what we charge it with every few months drains back out."


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    Trillia shrugged and waited to see if there was anything else to be said.


    "I am willing to try once we have finished our duty at the dwarven city. Assuming that Lord Arlyss does not have something more pressing for me to do. I''m unfamiliar with the central continent. Are we sailing directly to the dwarves?"


    Robert shook his head and pulled a chart from the table. "No. We''ll stop for provisions at this set of islands here. I''ll warn you it''s not an official port, and we do not have jurisdiction. So don''t expect it to...be a pleasant experience. We can''t afford to take on a whole port of people. After that, we''ll keep sailing toward the central continent. We''ll land, and you will have a two or three-week journey to the dwarven lands. It is to my understanding that Lord Arlyss has people on the central continent that are aware of this journey, but I don''t know."


    After giving her a moment to respond, he continued. "If we cannot make contact with someone else, Illana and Wedge will lead you there. We''ll stay in port for a couple of months and wait."


    Trillia nodded once more.


    "I think that''s everything to discuss. You are free to stay and chat or do as you like. As I said before we left, our crew is going to treat you like a VIP, so you have no mandatory duties."


    Trillia stood and bowed to him. "Thank you for your time, Captain Highwind. I need to deal with my class change, and I''ll fill Layla in on loose goals for when we are back on land."


    The two parted ways. Trillia found Layla sitting on a stool near what looked like a full stove and oven.


    The surrounding area was heavily enchanted. Trillia could only assume it was to keep the ship from catching fire.


    Layla waved but didn''t interrupt the old human who was stirring a pot. "I tell ya, lass. Biggest damn serpent we ever saw. The thing could near enough wrap around the Argo twice over! Thought we were dun fer! Then ol Lak jumped on its head! Wrapped his big meaty arms around the thing and squeezed so hard the whole fukkin head popped off!" The old man stuck a finger in his cheek to make an odd popping sound.


    "We feasted on that thing for two days! I reckon that''s when folks stopped grumbling about how much the big lad eats. Strong bugger, heart of gold as well!"


    Layla smiled and swung her legs as she watched him. Trillia joined them at the table. "I hope I''m not intruding."


    The old man shook his head with a toothy grin, more than a few teeth missing. "Not at all, lass! I was tellin'' yer friend ''bout how Lak joined up with us. Ogres are a rare sight on the coast. Rarer still on ships."


    Trillia nodded and motioned to the rather low-hanging ceilings. "I do wonder how he gets around."


    "Got ''imself a fancy trinket. Lady Perishsong gave it to him. Makes it so he only ''as to duck instead of crawl. Lad has earned that and far more."


    "What''s the Argo made out of? I''ve never seen wood this color. To be fair, I''ve never ventured far from the Shattered Plains." Layla asked and passed over some vegetables that the old man pointed to.


    The old man bobbed his head as he expertly worked a knife and carved the vegetables. "Us humans call it night wood. It''s a tree from Lady Perishsongs homeland. ''As a fancy name in the elf tongue. I reckon everything sounds fancy in the elf tongue. Not sure everything about what it does, but I know the Captain paid a hefty amount to refit the entire ship out of the stuff. Takes a good beatin."


    Trillia spoke up next. "I''ve never met an elf before. She''s a bit intimidating. She''s so slender but has this sort of air about her."


    The old man nodded solemnly. "Elves are a scary bunch. Not countin beasties like dragons and levis, Elves are the longest-lived mortals. Well. All natural without skills and whatnot. Lady Perishsong is a damn scary marksman and a scary mage to boot." He opened his mouth as if to say something else, then glanced at each of them before shaking his head.


    Trillia motioned to Layla. "I need to borrow my companion for a bit. I hope that''s ok, Sir...?"


    "Just call me Coot. The others do. Coot or Codger." He flashed another toothy grin and got back to cooking.


    Trillia led Layla to their quarters. Andromeda sat at a small table, scribbling in a book. She sat and explained what the captain had told her of their journey by sea and land. She left out all mention of the artifacts.


    The others mostly shrugged and told her she was the leader. Trillia figured she was okay with that but still wanted to keep them informed. Layla left to wander the ship, and Trillia lay in bed and brought up her status windows.


    She knew she''d have a whole lot of downtime. Better time than any. She evolved [Mana Sage] into [Mana Conduit].


    Somehow, she had gained almost no experience with Alchemist. It was still sitting at level eighteen. It should have also skyrocketed from all the work her potions did in the dungeon. She''d have to seek someone out for advice on that at a later date. After a few minutes more of staring, she closed her status and tried to see if her mana had changed. Conduit had basically no skills to go off of, and she certainly didn''t know anyone else with the class.


    With the special condition of [Mana Conduit] came an important question. What skill would she choose as a mastery option for [Mana Sage]?


    She mulled it over for a few minutes before choosing [Mana-Warped]. Something about the skill stuck out to her as important.


    Suddenly, a thought came to her. She sat upright in bed and looked over at Andromeda. "Can you teach me the dragon language?! You speak it, right?"


    Andromeda glanced at Trillia and tapped her head. Trillia established the link immediately. "My job isn''t to educ-"


    Trillia cut off her statement. "We have literal months on a ship together. Please don''t be so cold the entire time. If that''s how you are going to act, I won''t ever trust you to actually protect me, and you may go back to your Master. Why do you hate us so?"


    Andromeda gave the mental equivalent of a heavy sigh. "You are weak. Your master is strong. That is the only reason I am here. That is the only reason my training has come to a standstill. You may have all the time in the world, I do not. I am a human. I must become strong enough, fast enough, to become an immortal."


    The two sat there in silence for a while. Andromeda turned away, back to her scribblings, but didn''t cut the connection.


    "Sorry. I''m just not used to traveling with people who are only doing it because they are ordered. I won''t bother you about it again." Trillia bowed her head slightly and laid back down, looking over her status screen again and tugging at her mana reserves.

 Chapter 104 The First Night

    Trillia spent most of the first day pondering stats and classes. She didn''t have an alchemy lab on board the ship. The others said that their resident alchemist rented a lab whenever they made port and stocked up there.


    With that in mind, she was seriously contemplating the idea of voiding Alchemist for the duration of her voyage.


    Later in the evening, she went up on deck. It was far quieter now. Only a handful of crew were awake. Captain Highwind stood at the helm with a peaceful look on his face and a little smile tugging at the corners of his lips.


    Every few seconds, a low hum could be heard. Trillia looked around and saw Illana standing on the bow of the ship. She held a bow in her hands but no apparent arrow. Trillia activated [Mana-Sight]


    [Obfuscated]


    Yes. Yes. Trillia didn''t care about the woman''s stats. She watched with fascination as mana began to lazily drift towards the elf''s fingertips. Curling around them and taking the shape of an arrow. A thin spool of mana began to coil behind her left hand, the one pulling the string back on the bow.


    As the arrow released, another low hum was heard, and the spool of thin mana chased the arrow out.


    To Trillia''s shock, Illana grabbed the thin mana with her now free left hand, and mana began to slowly pull back into her body. After a minute or so, the arrow appeared along with a fish on the end of it.


    Trillia didn''t want to disturb the serenity of the night. Instead, she walked up next to Illana and spoke softly. "That''s fascinating to see how the mana reacts to everything. What skill is that?"


    Illana glanced down at her, then tapped her own head. Trillia felt the familiar feeling of someone trying to initiate a telepathic link. She readily accepted.


    "It''s a general skill that I''ve augmented over the years. It is a hybrid of the general skills [Mana Ammunition], [Fishing], and [Mana Control]."


    "Wait. Anyone can make custom skills like that? I just took a really long class for that sort of freedom." Trillia began to get annoyed. She had no doubt that [Mana Conduit] was going to be a very potent class, but the main draw of it had been total freedom over her own abilities.


    Illana laughed faintly and shook her head. Creating another arrow and thread. Reeling in another fish, which she dropped in a basket next to her. "Anyone can make any skill they want with their mana. But let me ask you something. If no one had ever shown you what alchemy was, how much progress would you have made in the class itself?"


    Trillia thought about that for a while. Most of her knowledge and rapid leveling the first time was due to Marg''s help. "I guess that''s true."


    Illana nodded and continued their little mental conversation. "If I had tried to create this skill, totally independently without support from other skills and other classes, as well as a great deal of experimenting over the years, I''d probably still be trying to create the arrow itself. My guess is that whatever class you are taking will greatly alleviate a lot of that trial and error and give you the type of guidance that only Dawn can."


    Trillia froze at that. No one ever really mentioned Dawn by name. Illana offered her a little smirk.


    Another arrow, another hum, another fish.


    "She came to me when I was a child. Spoke to me as an equal and a friend. Prevented me from taking my own life in my darkest hour."


    Trillia sat on the railing next to her and just listened.


    "I talk to her constantly. She rarely responds. Not that I mind. I''m keenly aware of just how busy she must be. But it''s nice, you know? To know she listens and hears us. One of my traits is [Aware of Fate]. It lets me see many things, but among them is the ability to see others who have spoken directly with Dawn."


    "I''m sorry you have had a life that you thought about ending things. I hope things are better now."


    Another arrow, another hum, another fish.


    "That was centuries ago. I''m very happy now. I love the crew. I have an honorable and fiercely loyal Captain. I get to spend my days in total freedom."


    Trillia tilted her head at that. She knew elves were long-lived. She didn''t know how long that was.


    Illana looked around for a moment and saw that it was only the two of them at the bow. The Captain was at the helm, and a few lookouts were in crow''s nests. The woman lifted the cloth tunic she wore, and Trillia saw the golden pattern of a pact-bound creature. It covered most of her stomach and traveled further down, hidden by the rest of her clothes.


    Illana let the tunic fall back down to cover her body. "Only the Captain and a few others know. I''d appreciate you keeping it that way."


    Trillia nodded. "May I ask who your pact-bound is?"


    "You know him well. Well, you know of him. It''s the same deity that your mother is pact-bound to."


    Trillia paused yet again as she stared at Illana. "You''re pact-bound to Lord Darktone?"


    The elf nodded and shot another arrow. This was her twelfth fish, and at first, she seemed content with that number. She stared at Trillia for a moment before repeating the process for another fish.


    "I fought in the Great Beast Wars. I served under Queen Alliyah. She found Lady Amara and I in the same town. In the same profession. Lord Darktone offered us a chance to be better. I stopped fighting after the first two [Primordials]. It is why I''m not also one of the great generals. There were a lot of us like that."


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    "May I ask why you didn''t keep fighting?"


    "It requires a certain level of cold ruthlessness to fight those creatures. The sealing process eats away at your levels and leaves you feeling hollow. Centuries later, I can still feel the scars on my soul. After the first two and witnessing the deaths of hundreds of thousands of mortals. I simply couldn''t stomach it anymore."


    Illana paused, and so did the mana around her hands. "When we all met up to plan for the next [Primordial]. I told Lord Darktone that I would accept obliteration for failing my duties. But I couldn''t keep fighting. Not at the scale that we had to."


    "Amara tried to stand up for me. Say that I was a brave warrior and asked Lord Darktone not to end me. To our surprise, he just smiled. Gave me a hug and told me to live my life in a way that would make him proud. That the others had it from here." Tears formed in her eyes.


    Another arrow, another hum, another fish.


    "So. I went from port to port, killing slavers. Lord Darktone only pact bonds with creatures that are enslaved. I think it''s because he was enslaved as a mortal, and no one ever came to help him. So, I did what I thought he would want me to do. I spread freedom to everyone I could."


    Trillia sat, fascinated at the story.


    "I''ve been doing that for a few centuries now. I''ve been sailing with Captain Highwind for thirty years. I met the scoundrel when he tried hitting on me in a pub. Oh, he was all charm and manners, but I''m an elf and had seen it all before. I had every intention of ignoring him and breaking his little heart as I have so many others. Then, a slaver walked in. I''m a high-level and skilled combatant. Even I was taken by surprise at how rapidly Captain Highwind responded."


    Trillia glanced over at the weathered old Captain, trying to imagine him in his youth.


    "He uses a gnomish invention that uses an explosive substance to launch metal balls. It''s loud, fairly inaccurate, and has the risk of exploding in your hand. But it seems to punch through most defenses. Without a word to anyone, he shot this slaver fellow dead, walked over to the two orcs that were being dragged behind him, and ripped the shackles apart with his bare hands. I had to admit, I was a little interested at that point." A small crept along her face as she turned to look at the Captain.


    "I was surprised that no one tried to kill him or interfere. He bid the bar a good day, paid a few gold coins extra for the disturbance, and took the two orc boys. You''ve met them as well. They were scoundrels themselves and tried to rob the Captain."


    She knew the two orcs to be Biggs and Wedge. "So you joined up with him because he also fought slavers?"


    Illana shook her head. "No. I asked around the port about him and found out that he was originally employed by Kadessian royalty as a pirate hunter. That''s why no one interfered. The man had a reputation for being the most fair and honorable person on the high seas. Unless you were a slaver. Then, as far as he was concerned, you weren''t a humanoid. He treated you worse than sea monsters. That intrigued me. The only Kadessian Royalty I knew of was Queen Alliyah."


    Illana shrugged and lifted the basket of thirteen fish. "I approached him and informed him of who I was. Told him I had no interest in romance, but a keen interest in freedom. He told me to sail with him for a year. If I didn''t find the life suitable, he''d drop me at any port in the world. Needless to say, I found this life to be a happy one. I love the ocean. I love the constant breeze. I love the quiet at night and how rowdy everyone is during the day. I love hunting slave ships and freeing people. I hope that Lord Darktone is proud of the life I chose."


    Trillia walked alongside her with a smile on her face. "I am sure he is. Thank you for sharing your story with me. I feel like I owe you something."


    Illana nodded. "Fair trade, right? You said that to Wedge. I have to prepare these fish, why don''t you tell me about your life? We are both pact-bound to Darktones, and I dearly miss the Generals and the Queen. Tell me how they have been all these years."


    Trillia found that Illana was also extremely skilled with a dagger as she gutted and fileted seven of the fish. The other six she scaled and roasted whole. Trillia happily chatted with her about her life, her mother, and the generals. About the sad, distant look they''d sometimes get. It made more sense to Trillia now that she knew how much pain they must always be in.


    The two delivered fish and vegetables to the crew that was awake and working the night shift. Seven in all, not counting Trillia herself. Six of the fish were for Lak''Lorn, who was scrubbing the bottom of the ship itself with a brush. Apparently, it helped to keep the ship clean, Trillia didn''t understand why, but that was a question for another day.


    A couple of hours later, the two of them sat on the bow of the ship once more. Trillia had a mug that could produce water if you pumped mana into it. Illana had a jug of an amber liquid. Honey mead, she called it.


    "The thought of having to fight such a creature at only four is rather terrifying. Elves are usually sheltered for the first three or four decades of their life and trained in magic and combat. I''ll admit, I always held a low opinion of orcs, with the exception of your Mother. Most of the orcs I''ve met over the years have been little more than savage brutes, happy to raid and enslave anyone and everyone. Perhaps I just haven''t met the right orcs."


    Trillia smiled and nodded. "I''d like for you to meet my brothers someday. They are good men. Plus, you''ve met Layla now as well."


    Illana smiled and nodded. "That little acolyte is quickly becoming everyone''s favorite person. She''s always friendly and willing to help. She doesn''t mind healing even the smallest and simplest of wounds. You can tell that she wants to belong."


    Trillia bobbed her head slightly. "Her parents died because of the rifts. I know Lord Darktone is a fair deity. My Mother and uncles have said as much. But I can''t help being a little angry at everything that''s happened."


    Illana reached over and put a hand on Trillia''s shoulder. "Be very angry. Be furious. We mortals must do all we can to hold the gods accountable. While I know it''s his fault, I can''t be too angry. They aren''t even my children, but I would do everything in my power to protect this crew or the other pact-bound. Imagine what he must have felt when he was ambushed with his pregnant wife?"


    Trillia sat back and thought about that for a while. She had to admit that if someone was threatening Ba''Shoon or Kismet, Trillia would absolutely end them. "I guess you''re right. I''m sure he probably already feels awful. Not only for the rifts and stuff, but he hasn''t really had a chance to interact with his kids. Or his wife."


    Illana nodded. "When he has returned, and I am sure he will, you should talk with him. It''s interesting to converse with an entity so old and powerful. He always had this sort of curiosity and fascination about him."


    Trillia looked over at Illana. "May I ask, what is he the god of? It seems...odd that I''d run into you during this mission."


    Illana grinned and winked at her. "He is the Primordial Deity of Fate and Destiny. A lot of lucky happenstance happens with those close to him."


    Trillia now sat and wondered how many of the coincidences in her life had been because he nudged things around for her and her friends. She wondered how many people he was doing that for, a subtle way of saying sorry and trying to make everyone''s lives a little easier where he could without getting into more trouble.


    Illana gently slapped her own forehead. "I''m so sorry. We were talking about classes and skills, and I started rambling. I''m terribly sorry."


    Trillia shook her head. "We have plenty of time to talk. I really enjoyed this conversation. I''d love to learn more about skills and stuff. If you have the time."


    Illana nodded. "Happily."

 Chapter 105 Her Greatest Foe

    "So. To the matter at hand. Skills can either become general skills from class skills, usually something extreme has to happen with the skill. Alternatively, you can create your own sort of skills as general skills. The biggest issue with the latter is that it''s improbable they can be passed on to others and it takes an extremely long time."


    "Think of it like this. An Alchemist doesn''t get the skill healing potion, right?"


    Trillia nodded. "Their skills just help an alchemist to learn how to make healing potions instead. It goes even faster if you already know a working recipe. With that in mind, someone who has never brewed a potion before and doesn''t have alchemy could theoretically brew a healing potion on their first attempt. It''s best to think of crafting your own skills like that."


    Another nod. The mental conversation faded as Trillia processed.


    "What would you recommend as a starting point?"


    Illana shrugged at the question. "That depends entirely on what you''re after for a skill, Trillia. Start with something you know and are familiar with. Go from there. Even if you don''t need that particular skill, learning how to bend and weave your mana in a different fashion should be a good start towards learning how to do things better."


    Trillia thanked her and the two sat at the bow of the ship in silence for a while longer before Trillia excused herself.


    -=- The Next Day -=-


    Trillia woke to the sound of boots on the planks above her. The ship was somewhat quiet at night, but it was never fully silent. Andromeda sat at the same table scribbling in the same book. Layla was nowhere to be seen, probably already out and on the deck.


    The next few days were more of the same. The Captain never seemed to sleep, and neither did Illana. Lak''Lorn mostly cleaned things. The rest of the crew each had their own little piece to do.


    Three days in, and Trillia still hadn''t made any headway. Nor had she decided what to do about the [Alchemist] class.


    She raised her hand and looked at her ring, with a mental tug it activated.


    "Boring so far. Water is pretty. Met an elf and an ogre. Hope everyone is well. We will rotate messages. Bye."


    A few minutes passed and a message appeared in her mind.


    "Things are well here. We miss you. Everyone wishes the two of you luck. Try to stay busy. Bye."


    Trillia let her hand fall and continued to lay in bed. She was finding it rather difficult to motivate herself to do much other than test her mana.


    With one quick glance at Andromeda, she grumbled and headed to the deck. It was more of the same.


    Trillia walked over to the table the Captain was at. "May I join you?"


    An affirmative grunt was her answer as the man read a book. "How do you all not go crazy with boredom?"


    That drew a chuckle from the Captain as well as Illana, who was at the helm. Robert looked up from his book and stared at her. "Read, mostly. A slow boring journey is what most sailors desire. The alternative is almost always something that can end in everyone''s death. "


    Trillia''s shoulders slumped and she sat there, staring up at the sky, and merely waited.


    A couple of hours went by before someone came to relieve Illana. Illana turned her head to Trillia. "Would you like to learn how we navigate?"


    Trillia perked up a bit at that. "It isn''t by magic?"


    The elf shook her head and reached into the table that Robert sat at, pulling out a chart. "It is not. A lot of effort goes into navigating at sea. There are no landmarks to base things off of. Let me show you."


    Well. It was something to do.


    The next few days passed and Trillia started to learn how to read charts, navigate by the stars, and plot a course. As well as a rather large amount of sailing jargon.


    A full week had come and gone. Truth be told, Trillia was bored out of her mind. She had to endure and deal with this for six months? Maybe more?


    She had taken over the duty of charging the ship every day. It gave her something to do and freed up everyone else for an hour or two that they normally spent dumping their excess mana into crystals before going to sleep.


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    The crew tried to show her some of the dice and card games they played but it all felt so wrong. It felt wrong to sit and do nothing. She couldn''t swim since the ship was far faster than she was in the water.


    She finally resigned herself to sitting on the bow most of the day and practicing creating things with mana. She''d spend an hour or two with Illana learning the basics but otherwise did nothing.


    One week dragged into two.


    Two into three.


    ...


    ...


    Midway through the fourth week, Trillia sat with the Captain. He had read the first book and was on to book two. Illana had started to teach her the elven tongue, which she was grateful for. But so far she hadn''t been able to create a single skill. She began to wonder if it was just having no levels in the class, or if she didn''t understand the explanations well. Her frustration grew by the day, as did her boredom.


    Nearing the end of the fourth week, the Captain raised a brow as she plopped back down into the seat. "You can see the flow of mana, right?"


    Trillia nodded but didn''t open her eyes, having just slouched back to wait for time to pass.


    Robert nodded and slammed his book on the table, causing Trillia to jump a bit in her chair. "Turn your [Mana-Sight] on. For the next four weeks, I want you to watch the crew in the Crow''s Nest. From this table. Watch how the mana forms around them, watch how and when their mana surges. Consider it a bit of homework."


    Trillia had no idea what homework was, but she gathered that it was a mission to do.


    A pointless mission, but a mission all the same.


    The first day she only half-heartedly listened to his instructions.


    On the second, she began to notice that anyone who was in the crow''s nest had different mana that swirled around them. They were all supposedly using the same skill, or a variation of it, called [Eagle Eyes].


    But every single one used it in a different way. There were even two people who shared a class, species, and mana type, and still, the mana swirled around them differently.


    The third day had Trillia observing a bunch of people on deck. Watching the mana swirl about and be processed in different ways.


    On the fourth day, the Captain extended a spyglass to her. "Look through this end. Stare at their mana through it.


    To her surprise, the spyglass magnified what she was seeing. Despite it being through a tool, her [Mana-Sight] still worked.


    By the seventh day, she had begun to grow weary of holding up the spyglass and had started to swirl mana around her eyes in various fashions. Testing out each person''s method and trying to imbue the spell with a different intent each time.


    She was now nearing the end of her second month. As Trillia sat there with Robert, she finally jumped into the air with a pumped fist.


    General Skill: [Basic Sight Enhancement] Level 0 Obtained!


    Basic Sight Enhancement


    Your eyes have been constantly reinforced with mana. You have a very small bonus that scales with your Perception and the level of this skill, to your eyesight. It is harder to disorient you based on vision.


    Robert glanced at her and hid his grin with his book. Trillia activated the skill. Her eyes widened in surprise when she simply ''saw" further than the spyglass had allowed to do so.


    Suddenly, she had a new goal. She began to all but stalk some members of the crew, namely those who had abnormal strength or didn''t sleep as much.


    Trillia was just about to disappear below deck when a shout from the crow''s nest made her pause.


    "Land, off the starboard bow!"


    Trillia kept her sight enhanced and began to study the horizon.


    Illana had taught her a child''s word game to remember. "You always bow to the future, look sternly at the past, keep the port on your left, and chase the stars, as that''s only right."


    Trillia moved towards the front of the ship and looked out toward the right.


    After a few minutes, more calls cried out in excitement regarding land.


    It wasn''t for another full twenty minutes that Trillia did anything. "Where is this?" She asked of a human standing at her side.


    "Port Korinthien. Pirate den, low-life scum. Good place for provisions and rumors. Keep yer head about you if you go ashore, lass."


    Trillia offered a nod before staring out at the port. The closer they got, the more sails she saw dotting the horizon. Some of the ships that were anchored at sea were two or three times the size of the Argo. She wondered just how such creations could float, or how fast they''d be. Before they made landfall she brought up her status and gave it a look over. The only real offensive abilities she had right now were her fencing skills, her mana crossbow artifact, and chain lightning.


    She told herself to start developing more offensive options.


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane}


    [Status: Alive; Scorned Divinity]


    Species: [Mortal]; [Orc] Level: 91


    Available Stat Points: 0


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Adolescent;Runt] Level: 83


    +5 Wisdom Per Level


    Class: [Alchemist] Level: 18


    Class: [Mana Conduit] Level: 0


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 300] + 50%


    \Strength: 100 + Vitality: 200/


    [Dexterity: 973] + 50%


    \Agility: 139(+263) + Wisdom: 750/


    [Charisma: 218] + 50%


    \Intuition: 108 Presence: 116/


    Traits:


    Pact-Bound (Deity)


    Runt


    Limitless Mana


    Thirst For Knowledge


    Divine: Unwavering Determination


    Alchemical Blood


    Spawn Seeker


    Dungeon Addict


    Tongues


    Remain Standing


    Core Destroyer


    Mana Attunement (Lightning)


    Lightning Conduit


    Dungeon Predator


    Racial Skills:


    [Orc Savagery - Passive]: - Level <Disabled> [Runt]


    [Orc Constitution - Passive]: - Level 1 <Limited> [Runt]


    [Orc Tenacity - Passive]: - Level 10 (MAX)


    [Orcish Fury- Passive]: - Level 4


    General Skills:


    [Alchemy - Hybrid]: Level 2


    [Cooking - Hybrid]: Level 4


    [Chain Lightning - Active]: Level 4


    [Herbalism - Passive]: Level 4


    [Lesser Corrupt Mana Resistance - Passive]: Level 7


    [Lesser Fire Mana Resistance - Passive]: Level 5


    [Lesser Ice Mana Resistance - Passive]: Level 3


    [Lesser Mind Mana Resistance - Passive]: Level 3


    [Lesser Wind Mana Resistance - Passive]: Level 2


    [Mana Obfuscastion - Hybrid]: Level 10 (Max)


    [Mana Sight- Passive]: Level 10 (Max) [Currently: Off]


    [Minor Health Regeneration]: Level 15 (Max)


    [Minor Telepathy - Hybrid]: Level 10 (Max)


    [Monster Taming - Active]: Level 7


    [Rapier Mastery - Passive]: Level 15 (Max)


    [Runic Scripture - Hybrid] Level 4


    [Stalwart Mana- Reactive]: Level 8


    [Sustained Travel - Passive]: Level 3


    [Translator - Passive]: Level MAX


    [Universal Mana Manipulation - Hybrid] Level 9


    [Basic Sight Enhancement - Hybrid]: Level 3

 Chapter 106 A quiet day trip.

    They anchored a few hundred feet from the port proper. Sheer cliff faces carved from stone greeted them. Dozens of shanty homes lined the cliff faces from thirty feet above the sea level all the way up the side of the little cliff.


    Atop it sat a veritable fortress. Where the cliff face ended and the fortress began was difficult to discern. It was only evident there was a fortress due to the parapets atop it. A black flag flapped chaotically in the wind with a white dragon skull on it.


    Robert stood at the port side of the ship as Lak''Lorn jumped into the water. He grew from eight or nine feet in height to at least twice that as he hit the water. Raising a massive hand, the row boat they used before popped out of thin air and into the water. Robert turned to the ship. "First Mate Perishsong is in charge when I am on shore. I know you''ve all been at sea for two months and want a night or two of revelry yourselves. Let''s not forget what happened last time we graced Port K with our presence." The Captain turned a heavy gaze to a group of sheepish-looking men.


    The gaze of most of the crew settled hard on them as well.


    Wedge grinned and shouted. "You know ''ow this works. Bugger off to yer posts! Plenty of shore leave comin'' when we drop the young avatar off!"


    The men nodded and turned to go about their posts. Wedge stood next to Illana.


    Biggs stepped over to the Captain. "Just the two of us?"


    Robert looked over to Trillia. "Care to see the port? You may see things that bother you deeply and stand against all of your morals and principles. You will have to give me your word that you will not act unless you are attacked."


    Trillia nodded. "I will go ashore. I doubt I will see anything worse than what I saw in the streets of D''Jamu or the crypts surrounding the place."


    Lak''Lorn climbed half up back onto the ship and scooped up the away party before placing them in the boat. The mighty ogre held on to the sides of the rowboat, and away they went.


    The Captain and the Quartermaster chatted about supplies and provisions that they needed to get. That being the purpose of the stop, according to Robert. As they neared the docks, Trillia noticed that many ships were tied up directly on the docks themselves. She glanced back at the Argo and then toward the docks.


    She figured they anchored so far at sea to be safe and to quickly leave. Dozens of ballista and harpoon turrets lined the cliff. Now that they were closer. She realized the cliff was more akin to a mountain. Hundreds of feet into the air with a giant cavern carved out under it.


    The docks were loud and filled with raucous sailors and swindlers. Dozens of shouts for prices and goods filtered in. Trillia saw no less than two dozen people lift spy glasses and look at their group. Her mana dwindled as it kept her safe from people looking at who they were.


    The area around them went silent as Lak''Lorn pulled himself onto the docks. The ogre stood over twenty feet in height and had a club on his back that was as long as he was tall. The same skull that the flag above the port had emblazoned on it was carved into his chest.


    The Captain pulled himself onto the docks behind the imposing ogre, and even more of the port went silent. This time, far more of the looks were those of anger. Despite the hilarious size difference, somehow, the Captain seemed the more intimidating presence. She hadn''t paid much attention to it when they were in Kincairne, but the Captain cut an imposing figure.


    A long white coat with a red gryphon embroidered on its back nearly swept the dock. The odd gnomish invention at his side and a sabre that caught the eye of anyone looking his way. A rich red tunic with a golden gryphon on his chest. Now that he was in a place that seemed hostile, Trillia could practically feel the hum of mana coming off of him.


    Wedge crawled up onto the dock and extended a hand to help Trillia. She gladly took it and watched the orc grab onto a pylon and lean over, hefting the rowboat out of the water with one hand. Half turning to hand it to Lak''Lorn, who made it vanish.


    Whispers began to filter into the area near them. Robert said nothing and motioned for them to follow him. Everyone fell in line. Lak''Lorn walked just in front. Evidently, knowing the path they''d take.


    Then, it was Robert. Who scanned the crowd carefully, his hands resting casually on the hilts of his weapons. Wedge motioned for Trillia to fall in behind him, so she did. Wedge took up the rear guard and seemed the calmest one on the docks.


    The whispers grew louder, and as their entourage passed, dozens of people tipped their heads or touched their foreheads with a curled-up hand.


    "Ahh, fuck''s sake! You filthy fuckin'' liberator." The voice boomed out over the crowd. Trillia saw Robert''s lips tug into a smile and quickly vanish. A woman shoved her way through the crowd. She didn''t appear to be an orc, but she certainly had the same physique as Amara. Tanned skin covered in scars hid muscles that would make most orcs envious. The woman had a club hanging at her side, but it almost seemed decorative. She wore a simple pair of leather pants and had cloth wrapped around her breasts.


    "Lakky! My boy, look at how tall you''ve grown!" The woman''s voice continued to boom over the crowd and the water. "Has the filthy goody two-shoes kept yer belly full?"


    Lak''Lorn offered her a brief glance before looking toward the Captain. Who stepped up to the woman. Despite his own intimidating stature, she was still slightly taller. "Governor Maple. You didn''t have to travel all the way down here to greet us, lowly merchants." The way the Captain said it dripped with sarcasm. The woman offered a little smile.


    "Don''t be silly, Captain Highwind. All of Port Korinthien is keen to know what trouble the mighty liberator brings to our shores today! I see you''ve picked up another pact-bound. Collecting them now that you''ve chained yourself to someone, eh?" Trillia realized immediately she was the topic of conversation. She looked the woman over again and saw no markings. But they were fairly easy to hide if they weren''t on your face.


    Not that the woman tried to hide much of anything. Long red hair framed a face that held an odd beauty to it. Bright orange eyes glowed as the Governor locked eyes with Trillia. Trillia put a smile on her face and stepped forward, raising a hand to the woman. "A pleasure to meet you, Governor Maple. My name is Trillia Demonsbane, Avatar to Lord Arlyss."


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    More than a few people had gathered around to stare at the spectacle. The woman looked down at Trillia''s hand. As she reached out to grab it, Robert grabbed Trillia''s arm and stepped in front of her. "Careful of this one, Lady Trillia. She has a tendency to break people''s hands on their first meetings. See, she''s just so strong and powerful that she can''t seem to help it."


    Maple''s innocent smile twisted into something sinister. She shrugged. "I''m sorry. Not all of us are gifted at controlling our abilities. Why are you here, Highwind. The last time you came through, you sunk four ships, and your crew killed forty people. I told you then, you aren''t welcome here anymore. The only reason we didn''t turn your precious Argo into a reef is because we don''t want to trouble the good Queen."


    Robert nodded, and his voice raised in volume to ensure everyone around him heard. "I am here to restock provisions and supplies. I am here on behalf of the Deity of Knowledge and Unity, Arlyss Ocrey Darktone. I have no intentions of interfering with Port business." People seemed content to hear that. "Unless." Tension immediately filled the massive port. "You interfere with my business. In which case. Well...We will see how many ships we take with us."


    Maple''s smirk dropped into a glower. "Handle your affairs and leave, dog. Port Korinthien has no patience left for your ever-growing list of important benefactors. Keep your little guest here on a short leash. She reeks of naivety and ignorance. I''d hate for something to happen to her."


    "I''m sure our patron, Lord Arlyss, would also hate for something to happen to her. He is watching us right now, waiting to ensure his most precious follower survives this trip."


    That not-so-subtle threat made most of the crowd disperse. No one wanted to anger a deity, especially not when so many of them couldn''t communicate with their own deities. Maple motioned behind her. "I''ll make sure a few port soldiers follow you around. To ensure that you don''t run into any trouble." The woman looked down at Trillia with venom in her eyes and words. "Absolute pleasure to meet you, Lady Trillia."


    The governor turned and left, and two humans began to shadow the group. Robert sighed and seemed far more relaxed. "That went extremely well. Let''s get our business done quickly, Wedge. I don''t want to risk anyone getting antsy or seeking vengeance."


    The orc nodded, and Trillia hurried behind them to keep pace. "May I ask what happened?"


    "Later. For now, keep your scan abilities off. I don''t want to have to fight out of the port again. We lost seven crew members last time. I want this to go as smoothly as possible."


    Trillia nodded. It took them about three hours to get everything they needed. Most of it was stored in an item that Robert had.


    A few crates were piled onto an odd-looking harness that Lak''Lorn had equipped at some point. It looked like a backpack that just held massive crates of goods. At some point during their outing, Wedge had vanished to take care of some other matters. She didn''t understand what exactly, but she figured the orc would be safe in the port. He stood out the least of all of them.


    Trillia was a bit sad to not be able to explore the place, but she didn''t trust she would be safe without the others. Plus, she had seen more than a few people being dragged along in chains. It didn''t seem as bad as D''jamu, but something about the air in the port was rancid as they got further away from the sea.


    Lak''Lorn dropped the rowboat into the sea, and once more, they were off. It didn''t take them long to get back to the Argo.


    Once they were on deck, the crew seemed especially impatient. Robert immediately started to bark orders. Trillia felt an odd shift in the mana in the air. "What''s wrong?"


    Wedge grabbed her arm and motioned for her to follow. She was brought up to the helm of the ship where Robert now stood.


    His voice rang out over the decks of the ship, followed shortly by Biggs'' own booming voice. "Battle stations! Prepare the barriers. Load all cannons with magic and ready to intercept harpoons!"


    Trillia''s heart quickened. Battle? Why? She hadn''t noticed anything go wrong in the port. Well, after the initial meeting with the Governor.


    A few minutes later, the Argo''s sails lowered, and a dozen loud thumps were heard. She watched as giant balls of metal flew out from odd-looking holes in the cliff face. A dozen crew members shouted spells, and explosions rang out in the air as the cannonballs were dealt with. A half dozen other ships had already started to turn toward the Argo. Angling themselves so that they were half approaching and with half of their broadside ready.


    Another volley of thumps came from the ships around them. Trillia watched Illana raise her hands and felt the mana reserves of the ship fall rapidly. A shimmering barrier fended off the attacks that the crew couldn''t intercept.


    The deck rumbled, and Trillia watched metal balls fly from either side of the Argo. Wrapped in mana and covered in a black liquid substance. The other ships quickly raised their own barriers.


    "Set it off now, Wedge." The Captain called out to the orc. Wedge nodded and looked out toward the Port, raising a wand in his hand. Trillia felt a ripple in mana all the way out on the Argo. The deck rumbled again as a loud bang was heard at the Port. Fires broke out, and with her enhanced sight, Trillia could see hundreds of people being dragged onto ships as the port guard tried to quell a hundred different fires.


    "Fire at will. Aim at anything that isn''t flying colors! Trillia! Keep the ship full of mana if you can. Ten thousand every three seconds for as long as you feel comfortable."


    Trillia was sitting on millions of mana. She grabbed the railing of the ship and began to pump in the requested amount of mana.


    Illana''s voice rang out. "Do not conserve mana! Fire everything we have! We are blessed this day by Lord Arlyss and his Avatar! Let the sound of freedom ring out across the seas!"


    The rate of fire from the Argo tripled. Trillia watched as ship after ship was hammered with so much firepower that their barriers broke down. Watched as ships were turned to flotsam.


    The metal balls ignited as they neared enemy ships, turning into heavy flaming orbs that splattered the barriers with sticky flames.


    The fire continued to burn in the water, and the sound of people screaming traveled all to well across the sea to the Argo.


    A dozen other ships had also raised anchor and were sailing out with the Argo. The crew wasn''t firing at these ships. A notification popped up into her face.


    A pact-bound of your patron, Captain Robert "The Liberator" Highwind, is requesting to tap into your mana and skills. Do you wish to allow him to utilize your abilities?


    "How much do you need, Captain?"


    "Give me a limit, Trillia."


    "Five million mana."


    She accepted the notification, another status window popped up near hers, and she saw everything the Captain had to offer. Trillia watched as her mana dipped by a few hundred thousand. "Hold on lads! This is going to hurt!"


    As the Captain finished his statement, the ship lurched forward. As did the other dozen ships behind them. Their speed tripled.


    Trillia got the feeling that their trip here had been planned for months in advance. Deep down, she knew Arlyss wouldn''t let so many people stay enslaved if he could fix it.


    The port and other ships quickly vanished over the horizon. The crew stayed alert and ready at their battle stations. The other dozen ships quickly overtook the Argo and began sailing in front of it.


    Robert kept up the boost until all five million mana she had offered had been used up. Wedge and Biggs walked up to the Captain once he had turned the helm over to Illana. "Seven thousand freed Captain. That''s all that could be found in the entire city."


    Trillia finally released her hold on the railing, making sure the Argo''s reserves were topped off. She looked out at the other ships and then to the Captain. "Explain yourself, Captain Highwind. What did I just take part in?"


    To everyone''s surprise, the Captain kneeled in front of her with his saber extended. "I deceived you, Lady Trillia. I offer my life in exchange for the lives of everyone else to make up for it, should that be your wish."


    Fear tried to creep into her mind, only to be crushed by her traits, which very much felt this situation was still hostile. Layla ran up on deck. "I''m ready to depart whenever we are ready, Captai-" The acolyte''s words froze in her throat as she saw the Captain kneeling. "Trillia. Don''t be angry."


    Trillia looked over at Layla, a bit puzzled.

 Chapter 107

    Trillia''s confusion was evident on her face. Looking from Layla back to Robert, she shook her head.


    "What on Alirast are you talking about? What deception?"


    Robert didn''t look up but answered the question all the same. "The intent was to free the slaves in that port. Utilizing your mana pool to ensure the fleet could escape any would-be pursuers. The Argo has a reputation in pirate ports and is often shot on sight. The only reason we weren''t in Port Korinthien is because of our new status as a pact-bound vessel."


    Trillia nodded. "Sure. So, what deception was there? You told us before we joined that we might have to handle and deal with pirates sometimes because that''s your deal with the leviathans, right?"


    The crew seemed confused at how calm she was. Robert looked up at her and tilted his head. "You aren''t angry?"


    "I have no reason to be angry. You serve Lord Arlyss. Lord Arlyss and I share a vision of freedom from the shackles of slavery. You saw that vision through, and because of it, several thousand people can live free lives and try to find happiness of their own. You are a pact-bound, like me. Our mission is to see our god''s vision completed. I have no reason to be angry. If I have to spend my entire mana pool to ensure people are free, that''s my job, Captain."


    The Captain stood and sheathed his saber, now looking down at Trillia. "I guess I expected you to be angry at the deception and using your resources without filling you in. I didn''t want to risk you saying no."


    Trillia shrugged and motioned to the crew. "If they had asked, maybe I would have said no? I don''t know all of them particularly well. But Lord Arlyss chose you, Captain Highwind. That means a great deal to me. I trust his judgment, even if I do not trust yours. I know he wouldn''t offer a pact to a dishonorable, cruel individual. If he did, he''d certainly warn me about that individual''s tendencies before assigning us a mission together. In the future, tell me, and I will be prepared to help more."


    The Captain nodded and bowed deeply to her. "Forgive my ignorance. Thank you for understanding. I will be sure to keep you up to date on any plans I have, regardless of how secret I feel I need to keep them. There is another port two weeks east. It will delay our journey to the central continent, but I would like to escort the refugees there if that''s acceptable."


    Trillia nodded. "You are the Captain. I am sure that Lord Arlyss would agree that saving this many lives is worth a short delay."


    Trillia turned to Layla. "I take it that you are going to the other ships to ensure everyone is healthy?"


    The acolyte nodded and glanced at Lak''Lorn. Trillia offered a smile. "I''ll come with you. I want to watch you do healing magic to see if I can create a custom healing skill of some kind. Is that ok, Captain?"


    Robert nodded.


    The crew remained mostly silent as they watched the two young orcs hop into the rowboat that Lak''Lorn provided.


    Trillia was surprised to see that Lak''Lorn could not only keep up with the ships but also move faster. She chalked it up to him having skills that helped with this sort of thing. "Thanks for taking us everywhere, Lak''Lorn. I appreciate your efforts."


    The ogre gave her a thumbs up and kept pushing their row boat around. Layla fidgeted for a while before speaking up. "Are you really not angry? I felt bad for deceiving you and not explaining the plan. I just..."


    As Layla looked down at her hands, Trillia only smiled. "It stings a little that you didn''t trust that I''d want to help those people as well. But no, I''m not angry. I have faith, Layla. Faith in you, faith in Lord Arlyss, faith in Captain Highwind. I''m gaining more faith in the rest of the crew as the days pass. You guys hammered it into me for months. That I had to stop doing everything myself. I guess, I guess I just realized that I could be miserable and do it all alone or accept that I''m a real small part in a big plan."


    Layla grabbed Trillia''s hand and squeezed it. "I won''t ever hide things from you again. Thank you for helping save all of those people."


    Trillia leaned over to hug the girl. "Maybe once this portal mission is done, we can talk to the Captain and crew about sailing around and liberating other places that have a lot of slaves. I think it would be a good use of our time, plus we''d get to see a lot of the world. Maybe by then, the others will feel comfortable joining us."


    Layla nodded.


    A few seconds later, Trillia heard Layla''s voice in her head.


    "We are doing well. We liberated a few thousand slaves from a port town. Hope the delving is going well."


    Trillia smirked a little as she heard Fred''s reply.


    "That''s awesome! We stopped delving. Ralrouk is dragging us out on patrols. We will catch up, Trillia. Love you both."


    The next week was spent healing the many, many wounded among the slaves. The two of them were thanked thousands of times. It made Trillia feel odd. In D''Jamu, everyone sang the praise to Lord Arlyss. But on the ships, rumors had spread that it was because of the young orc girl that their escape was a success. Couple that with Layla spending most of her day healing them all. The two were well-liked.


    They sat next to a young elf woman. Illana was slowly stroking the girl''s hair. She had been unconscious since the escape.


    The amount of scars on her body made Trillia want to throw up. Anger burned in her head. Layla was doing her best to heal the girl, but it was taking time. Most of the damage was so deep that Layla lacked the ability to heal it. A lot of damage was also mental, and neither of them was well-suited to healing that sort of trauma.


    "I wish the world wasn''t so cruel." Trillia held the girl''s hand as Layla slowly worked on healing another set of scars.


    Illana smiled and continued to stroke the girl''s hair. "The world isn''t cruel, Trillia. The people inhabiting it are. It''s gotten worse since so many of the gods are silent."


    "I wish we could help Arlyss'' sister ascend. Or convince her to do so."


    Illana nodded. "That''s just how rules and immortals are. Alirast suffers because of a primordial fight. The easiest way to punish Lord Darktone was to stop him from interacting with his family and children. Alirast is just collateral damage in his punishment. Such is the way of immortals and deities. Mortals are always collateral."


    "I wonder if she just doesn''t care. Or if there are other reasons."


    Illana paused and looked at Trillia. "Think of it this way. Their father may not be able to interact with them. But other angry deities that want them to die also can''t interact with them or Alirast. From what I''ve heard from you and others. Mariah is being tutored by her mother. Queen Alliyah is keenly aware of strategy and tactics. Young Mariah is probably being told not to ascend so that all of them can grow more powerful and grow further into their own abilities."


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    "Once that debuff is gone, Lord Darktone may be able to return and interact, but it will start a lot of wars as other deities want the three new deities dead. They will push and urge their followers to wage these wars for promises of power and glory. I''ve seen it happen many times over the centuries."


    It all made sense to Trillia. But her frustration remained. "If he does return. Do you think sealing the primordials will take a long time, like it did before?"


    Illana shook her head. "No. Because his generals are already high-level and extremely capable. When the great beast war originally broke out, Queen Alliyah was at the highest level. If I recall correctly, she was only in the low hundreds."


    Layla took a deep breath and sat back, sweat beading her forehead. "I need to stop. Healing scar tissue is difficult, and I''ve already been refilled too many times today. Sorry."


    Illana shook her head. "Don''t apologize, Layla. You''re doing what no one else in the fleet currently can. With such limited access to divine healing magic, we''re grateful you are here."


    Layla nodded and sat back, happy to stay and chat all the same. "I wonder what they called the other great beast wars."


    That drew looks from Trillia and Illana. Layla shrugged. "You guys have said before that this happens every thousand or so years, right? I imagine Alirast is an old realm. So I wonder how many times this has happened."


    That made Trillia sit back and think as well. After a few minutes, she shook her head. "I have an idea for my skill. I''d like to try it on you, Layla, since we both have tenacity. Just in case something goes wrong, neither of us should die."


    Layla nodded. The two girls left Illana to look after the young elven girl and went back up on deck. Captain Highwind was standing at the helm. He seemed in farr greater spirits. Only a handful of the freed slaves had perished. Wounds too deep and too infected to be healed in time. All in all, everyone considered it an incredible success.


    The two girls sat behind him on the upper decks, Layla would cut her hand open, and Trillia would try and stitch it back together with mana. It was proving an impossible skill to acquire. Layla''s Divine healing worked far differently than other skills did. The amount of mana used was incredibly low compared to the result.


    The first time Trillia had tried to brute force her way into a healing skill, she flayed most of the skin from Layla''s hand with the sheer amount of mana she pushed into the skill. Apparently, just giving your mana the intent to heal wasn''t enough.


    A few hours passed with no luck. Trillia was annoyed and fed up with it, so the two joined the crew for food.


    -=- A Week Later -=-


    The elven girl had finally woken up. She seemed skittish and only trusted Illana. The two only ever spoke in the Elvish language. Layla had done her best to fully heal her. They pulled into another port. Well, it had a dock. It wasn''t really a port, more like a church in the middle of the ocean.


    Trillia didn''t quite understand why until she realized they worshipped leviathans.


    After a few hours of getting the other vessels docked and settled in. Captain Highwind stood on the bow of his ship. He had asked for Trillia and Layla to join him. Illana was already standing next to him.


    They waited for an hour.


    A notification popped into Trillia''s mind.


    You''re in the presence of the Leviathan Charybdis! Skill effectiveness is reduced by 95%!


    You''re in the presence of the Leviathan Charybdis! Healing reduced by 95%!


    You''re in the presence of the Leviathan Charybdis! You must have a derived stat that equals or exceeds 15,000 to use any offensive abilities!


    You''re in the presence of an ancient Leviathan capable of manipulating water mana! You cannot use water mana skills or abilities.


    You''re in the presence of an ancient Leviathan capable of manipulating wind mana! You cannot use wind mana skills or abilities.


    You''re in the presence of an ancient Leviathan capable of manipulating fire mana! You cannot use fire mana skills or abilities.


    You''re in the presence of an ancient Leviathan capable of manipulating pressure mana! You cannot use pressure mana skills or abilities.


    Trillia felt an immense pressure on her body. She looked around and saw nothing. Looking into the ocean didn''t help. A few seconds later, a mermaid popped her head out of the ocean.


    "Grand Charybdis is impressed with your abilities, Liberator. You have done well to uphold your contract. The Argo is clear to sail the central seas for another decade under the protection of Grand Charybdis. You must still negotiate other oceans with their rulers. You have freed more than five thousand souls on this day. Name a reward you would like."


    Robert kneeled and bowed his head to the mermaid. "I do it for the glory of Lord Arlyss and for the glory of Grand Leviathan Charybdis. I am but a humble tool used to free the innocent from the wicked."


    The mermaid paused. Water began to coil around her tail and lifted her to the bow of the ship. She was much larger up close. Pale white skin, dark blue lips, and tangled green hair. Coral armor wrapped around her body, and a trident, easily twice Trillia''s height, was held comfortably in one hand. "Lord Arlyss? Grand Charybdis is familiar with that family. A Darktone, is he not?"


    Robert gave the slightest of nods.


    The mermaid continued. "Cursed by the dragon father."


    Trillia tensed up. Leviathans were like dragons, right?


    The mermaid moved closer to Robert. "Grand Charybdis would be most interested in meeting your Lord Arlyss."


    The pressure on Trillia vanished. Arlyss stood next to Robert with a smile on his face. "It would be my honor to meet Grand Leviathan Charybdis. I must ask, in my infinite ignorance, are leviathans beholden to the same curses and laws?"


    The mermaid bowed as low as she could to Arlyss. "No, Great Arlyss. Leviathans are not beholden to the curse of the dragon father. We seek to break them of the curse of their blood. So as not to anger your mighty lineage. Forgive me, but this one cannot speak to a deity on behalf of the leviathans any further."


    Arlyss motioned for the mermaid to stop bowing. She did so reluctantly. "Once the ceremony of safe passage is complete for the Argo and my followers, lead me to Grand Leviathan Charybdis. We can discuss anything she desires."


    The mermaid nodded. As her fingertips touched the Argo, the entire ship seemed to hum with power. The mermaid circled the ship twice before returning to the bow. "It is done, Grand Arlyss. Please follow this lowly servant when you are ready."


    Arlyss nodded, and the mermaid retreated back to the water, visibly nervous. Arlyss turned to look at Trillia. "Excellent work in Port Korinthien. Both of you. I''m proud of you. Once you start traveling towards the central continent again. We will have maybe another month or two before I am unable to communicate with you. I have faith in you both. Is there anything you need for your journey before I go and speak with the Leviathans?"


    Robert and Trillia both shook their heads. As Arlyss turned to leave, Illana stepped forward. "Forgive me, Lord Arlyss. I ask a request of you, knowing that I am not your pact-bound."


    Arlyss turned to glance at her. She continued. "There is a young elf girl here. She....has faced horrors no mortal should face. I know that the priests and clerics here will do their best to heal her mind."


    Arlyss raised a hand. "I will see to her once I am done with the leviathans. I do not wish to keep them waiting."


    Illana kneeled. "Tell me how I can repay your favor."


    Arlyss shrugged. "Take care of my people, Lady Illana. Continue to pursue freedom for all on Alirast, as my father desires. That is favor enough. The girl doesn''t deserve the fate she has been dealt. Darktones have a duty to help those we can."


    With that, he turned and floated down into the water. After a few minutes, they all breathed a sigh of relief. Trillia glanced over at Illana but said nothing. "Captain Highwind. How many years is the Argo allowed to sail the central sea? Does it stack?"


    The Captain chuckled and glanced over at her. "A little over four hundred years remaining. I probably have a dozen rewards that the Grand Leviathans want to give me, but honestly, I do it because I hate the idea of slavery. I figure if I''m ever in a real bind, I''ll ask them for help. I get the feeling they would do so, even if I wasn''t owed anything."


    Layla stood and glanced over the railing. "Why do the leviathans care so much about the freedom of mortals?"


    Illana walked over to stand next to the acolyte and look into the water as well. "Because Lord Darktone demands it. Dragons are the same way. They are not allowed to interfere directly without the chance of immortals stepping in to interfere. But they are incredibly powerful creatures capable of doling out great rewards. So they task lesser mortals with ending slavery. Not that I think it''s a mission that can ever be succeeded. There are plenty of deities who revel in suffering and task their own mortals to make people suffer. But the great beasts of Alirast know not to anger its creator."


    "Almost true." Andromeda spoke. To everyone''s surprise, the pain wasn''t quite as bad as usual. "The great beasts loyal to the Darktones pursue freedom and peace. The great beasts loyal to other deities have no such reservations. The problem is none of the other great beasts care to get into a direct conflict over lesser mortals. So, instead, they play off of each other. One side frees, one side enslaves."


    The Captain and Illana excused themselves. Trillia looked at Andromeda with a nod. "I see you''ve learned better control over your psionic abilities."


    The woman nodded and stopped a solid ten feet before the railing of the bow. "Not much else to do."


    The three sat in silence for a while before Layla also excused herself. Trillia sat on the railing and waited for them to depart. Andromeda said nothing else, merely watching the crew go about their tasks while waiting to depart the church.

 Chapter 108 Eureka!

    The Argo was back on the high seas by the end of the day. The crew''s spirits were high.


    Trillia sat on the deck, listening to the crew sing a sea shanty. Even the Captain was joining in.


    There was still about four months of travel left. So far, she hadn''t managed to get herself any combat spells or abilities except enhanced sight.


    Layla stood next to a goblin who had a wooden cup in his hand and a spoon, tapping the cup down in tune with the sea shanty. She watched the goblin intently as he expertly set the pace.


    You''re now under the effects of [Admiral''s Admiration]!


    Stamina cannot be depleted for the duration of the song.


    You are immune to exhaustion for the duration of the song.


    Your mana expenditure is doubled.


    Perhaps she was imagining it, but it felt as if the Argo picked up considerable speed once the buff had taken effect. Illana tapped on Trillia''s shoulder and motioned to the goblin. The elf leaned in and spoke softly, not wanting to interrupt the song. "Pump two hundred mana every five minutes into him, please."


    Trillia nodded, pumped the two hundred mana, and moved over to sit next to the goblin. He nodded his thanks and continued to tap.


    The song and buff lasted two hours before the little goblin finally got mana sickness. The crew paused to give him a roaring round of applause before they went back to their tasks.


    Trillia kept mana sight on at all times now. The crew didn''t mind it anymore. It was fascinating to watch mana spiral around the ship.


    Sitting on the rail, she watched as a human grabbed the ropes leading up to a sail. Light grey wisps spiraled from his chest, down his arms, and into the rope. The wisps raced up the rope and hit the sails, pushing the Argo a little faster.


    Bright golden wisps spiraled around Captain Robert at the helm. Spinning around the wheel gripped within his hands. A dark green glow hummed to life in the belly of the ship and slowly spread into the wood. Anytime a member of the crew brushed a hand or touched the wood in any way, Trillia watched as the ship gave them a little boost to stamina and helped alleviate exhaustion.


    She watched sky-blue wisps appear in a sailor''s eyes as they scaled the mast into a crow''s nest. Her own mana felt dull in comparison.


    It was a dull, nearly lifeless flicker compared to the energetic flow of the others.


    That evening, Layla and Trillia sat at the table in their room. Trillia had a small cut on her hand.


    Layla began to slowly recite her spell and invoke mana to do her bidding. Bright orange wisps sprung from her fingertips and dove toward Trillia''s wound. Grabbing the edges of the cut and reaching out to one another. Whenever two sides touched, the wisps of mana became one, and a warm feeling replaced the pain.


    They did this several times. Trilla would cut her hand, and Layla would heal it.


    Two days later, Trillia tried again to heal Layla''s cut. Layla told her to stop sending an intent to heal and instead send an intent to save. A subtle difference, but perhaps an important one.


    Layla laid a hand palm up on a blood rag. Using a knife in her other hand to draw a wound across the palm. Trillia took Layla''s hand into her own. She stared intently at the severed flesh, leaning in and watching as the blood flowed from the wound. Her mana slowly and begrudgingly dragged itself toward the wound. Faint, barely visible wisps of universal mana attached to each side.


    Trillia urged the mana to join up with itself. Hundreds of mana drained every second, and her mana still refused to obey her commands for such subtle application.


    After twenty minutes, Trillia sat back in her chair. Sweat beading on her forehead. Layla healed her hand and offered an encouraging smile. "Again tomorrow?"


    Trillia frowned and stared at the healed hand. "Give me an hour or two. I want to try something else. If you are ok with that."


    Layla nodded, and the two grabbed food. Fish stew.


    Trillia was surprised to learn that the crew had created a new game since Layla was around to heal them. They''d stand twenty feet apart and throw a dagger back and forth. Aiming for their opponent''s stomach. The wounds were rarely life-threatening. Especially with Layla around. The system still saw the wounds as pretty bad, though. The goal was to snatch the dagger out of the air by the blade itself before it cut you. At first, the Captain was against it. Illana and Trillia urged him to let them try it for a week.


    At this point, half of the crew had acquired a skill called [Blade Catcher]. For the purpose of catching thrown weapons, their agility was multiplied by ten at level one. Trillia thought it was a rather extreme skill and wondered how someone might stumble upon it naturally.


    This, of course, led other crew members to try and find new ways to get odd skills. Layla didn''t mind. She had gotten fifteen levels in her Acolyte class and was rapidly approaching level one hundred. It was Layla''s hope she''d be able to evolve from acolyte into cleric when she did.


    A few hours later, Trillia was ready. The cook asked if she could practice in the common areas so that other folks could watch. The girls didn''t mind, and so they sat at the public table.


    "Ok. I want you to heal yourself again. I want to try activating [Mana-Sight] and [Basic Sight Enhancement] at the same time." Layla nodded and went about cutting herself and began to slowly chant her healing ability.


    As Trillia activated both sights, she leaned in and watched the wisps. There was something just outside her vision. "Again, please."


    Trillia pushed more mana toward her eyes and basic enhancement. Her efforts were mildly rewarded.


    General Skill: [Basic Sight Enhancement] Level 4 -> Level 5


    She grumbled to herself but stayed focused.


    She pushed more mana into the skill and her eyes.


    Her vision blurred as she watched the wisps start to flicker in and out of existence.


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    Her vision went dark. Trillia no longer saw Layla''s flesh and blood in front of her. Instead, she saw a vague outline of the hand. It looked like a muted green river of mana. Bright orange flickered to the surface from time to time. When the hand was freshly cut, the muted green river began to shine bright green. Trillia glanced from the hand toward Layla herself.


    Layla herself was glowing the same bright green as the rest of her mana. Trillia saw a thin stream of orange wisps flowing into Layla.


    As her eyes followed the thin stream, it became harder and harder to focus. Trillia pushed more mana into her eyes. Just as she caught a glimpse of an ocean of bright orange mana.


    Pop.


    Trillia fell from her chair, screaming. Her hand covered the now empty-eye socket. She was vaguely aware of other voices and of a stream of notifications. There was simply too much pain to focus.


    She screamed and screamed.


    The eye itself didn''t hurt all that much. But it felt like her blood was on fire. It started from her toes and raced towards the empty eye socket.


    She felt a heavy hand on her shoulder, and all the noise went quiet.


    Save for her own screaming.


    A soothing feeling ran the length of her body. The mana from whoever cast it fighting against her own mana boiling in her veins.


    A notification pinged, and the pain vanished.


    You have forcibly evolved your body with mana. Mastery Skill: Mana-Warped has evolved into Racial Trait: Mana-Warped.


    Species: Orc has been forcibly evolved into Species: Mana-Warped Orc


    Mana-Warped Orcs gain 6 Wisdom at every level.


    Mana-Warped Orcs gain 1 stat point every level.


    For the purposes of skills. You are now considered a Humanoid.


    For the purposes of skills. You are now considered a Magical Beast.


    For the purposes of skills. You are now considered a Mana-Warped Creature.


    You have evolved Species: Orc into a new Species. Your Geas from Ralrouk is considered satisfied.


    Racial Skill: Orc Tenacity has been forcibly evolved into Racial Skill: Mana-Rage.


    Trillia heard a familiar voice ring out in her head. It was a voice she hadn''t heard in years.


    "You''ll be ok, Trillia. I''ll explain some of the new things you are experiencing. You''re doing well. I am proud of you." as Dawn''s voice faded, more notifications popped up.


    Mana-Rage:


    When your health reaches 0, instead of dying, you may continue to act and fight as you normally would. All further damage targets your mana directly. Damage taken this way is multiplied by 10 and is not subject to your resistances.


    General Skill: Minor Health Regeneration has been forcibly evolved with mana. It has evolved into Racial Skill: Mana-Warped Regeneration.


    Mana-Warped Regeneration:


    As long as you have mana and are not dead. Your body can suffer no permanent injuries.


    WARNING: Trait: Limitless Mana prevents Body Part: Left Hand from regenerating. Source: Divine Rank - Primordial.


    You have managed to forcibly peer into the streams of mana known as Aether streams.


    Trait Acquired: Aether Sight


    Aether Sight:


    With a thought, you may peer into the Aether. This allows you to see mana in a more in-depth way. It also allows you to see mana veins and mana channels. Be wary. Other creatures patrol the Aether and may attack your mana directly for trespassing when you activate this trait.


    General Skill: Basic Enhanced Sight has been forcibly evolved with mana.


    Trait Detectied: Aether Sight.


    Trait Detected: Mana-Warped.


    Basic Enhanced Sight has evolved into Racial Skill: Mana-Warped Vision.


    Mana-Warped Vision:


    Mana cannot be used in your presence without your knowledge unless it comes from a creature with a divine rank higher than your own. You may toggle this skill. When it is toggled on, you will not regenerate mana, but your vision will be improved by a % equal to your mana regeneration.


    For example, if your mana regeneration per second is 200. Your sight is enhanced by 200%.


    Divine Trait Detected: Spawn Seeker.


    Spawn Seeker has been forcibly evolved into Divine Trait: Primordial Hunter.


    Primordial Hunter:


    Primordial Hunter calls to you when you are in the presence of any creature tied to the [Primordials] of Alirast. Such creatures, regardless of power, up to but not including [Primordials], must have a Wisdom score greater than your own or suffer a penalty to skills and resource regeneration equal to the difference.


    For example, if your Wisdom is 1,000 and such a creature only has a Wisdom of 500. They suffer a 50% penalty for skills and resource regeneration.


    General Skill: Mana-Sight has been forcibly evolved with mana.


    Trait Detected: Aether Sight.


    Trait Detected: Mana-Warped.


    Racial Skill Detected: Mana-Warped Vision.


    Trait Detected: Pact-Bound.


    Divine Trait Detected: Primordial Hunter.


    Mana-Sight has evolved into Minor Divine Skill: Divine Mana-Sight.


    Divine Mana-Sight:


    If your base Wisdom score is higher than your target''s, you are considered to have a Divine Rank equal to that of your pact-bound deity for the purposes of overcoming obfuscation. You may spend mana to learn more about any creature you scan. The greater their obfuscation, the more mana this skill uses.


    This skill does not level.


    This skill is considered a deific skill, and its use does not grant mortal experience.


    Your continued study of mana and its inner workings has granted you a new skill via your class, Mana Conduit.


    [Stitch] Level 0 Obtained!


    Stitch:


    This allows you to use mana to stitch together open wounds.


    Class: [Mana Conduit] Level 0 -> Level 5


    Trillia kept her eyes shut as the notifications seemed to keep scrolling. She briefly wondered why sight enhancement hadn''t given her any levels.


    After a moment, Trillia heard Arlyss speak. "Feeling better?"


    She managed a faint nod but didn''t dare open her eyes. "What did I do?"


    "Well. Best I can tell from looking at you. Dumped a few million mana into your body without realizing it. In addition to glimpsing the edge of a deity with your untrained, unshielded, mortal eyes. Looking through your traits, you are thankfully not blind."


    Trillia pushed herself to a sitting position, squeezing her right hand as tight as she could. Slowly, she opened one eye.


    When no pain flooded through her, she opened the other. Surprised that her eye had already re-grown. "Why can''t I ever seem to do stuff the normal way?"


    Arlyss sat next to her and gently rubbed her back. "Cause you''re too awesome to do things the boring way."


    Trillia shot him a half-hearted glare but couldn''t help a smirk. "Why am I even allowed to do any of this? How isn''t everyone just randomly exploding all the time?"


    "Because you have an absurd amount of mana and no survival instinct. Probably due to being an orc and having tenacity. Most creatures aren''t willing to risk dying. But the system says you can''t die as an orc in an instant."


    She opened her mouth to protest but found she had no real counter to what he was saying. "I guess I should be grateful that you were still able to get to me. Is the Argo OK? Everyone on board?"


    Arlyss shook his head. "The leviathans are guiding it back to the church. Your...experiments caused a rather fierce mana-storm. The Captain understandably doesn''t want to risk sailing through it. He called in a favor with the leviathans to shield the Argo for the next few days while the storm subsides."


    Trillia pulled her knees to her chest and buried her face in them. "Fuck."


    Arlyss set a plate of food next to her. "Look at it this way, I''m even less worried about you being okay on your own now. Some of the traits and skills you got seem great."


    "Do you mind if I stay here for a couple of days? I just. I don''t have it in me to deal with anyone or answer questions. Can you let everyone know I''m ok?"


    Arlyss nodded, patted her back, and stood to give her some space. She glanced around to see she was in her room at the glass spire. "Thank you, Dawn. For looking out for me. Can you apologize on my behalf to whatever deity I saw and offended? I didn''t know what I was doing."


    A Greater Deity of Retribution - Ora''Sys would like to establish a telepathic link with you.


    Your deity has approved this link.


    Do you wish to accept?


    Trillia''s whole body froze.

 Chapter 109 Prayer

    Trillia saw the notification hovering on the edge of her vision. She didn''t want to potentially anger the deity even more by delaying.


    She also had a lot of questions. Trillia sat in her bed and took a deep breath. She accepted.


    To her surprise, she wasn''t pulled from her room, nor did she feel any pressure or pain.


    Instead, an odd tug for action pulled at her mind. A soft whisper popped into her head.


    "Greetings, child."


    "Umm, hello, Lady Ora''sys. I don''t mean to be rude. But I thought that deities couldn''t contact people?"


    "In the grand scheme of the universe, I''m a lesser creature. In addition to that, I ascended and am native to Alirast. As such, I can still keep in contact with the realm. Many such lesser deities can do it now that the debuff affecting the realm was lessened when the brothers ascended."


    "I see. I want to apologize if I offended you. It wasn''t my intention."


    "Don''t be silly. It would take a truly weak-willed deity to become angry at a mortal for peering into the divine realms."


    A few minutes of silence filled the space. Trillia squirmed at the table. "Forgive me, Lady Ora''sys. Why did you wish to speak to me?"


    "I wanted to know if you''d be willing to convince Arlyss to form a pact with Layla."


    Trillia''s face twisted in confusion. "You don''t want to offer her one? She''s an incredible person and has immense faith in you."


    Trillia felt the deity''s amusement at her anger through the link. "My pact-bound creatures are put through things that make the Infernal realms seem calm in comparison. I do not wish to see her hope and happiness ripped from her like that. She has done incredibly well, and I am so proud of her. I offered her salvation because I was sympathetic to her plight. But she has found you and the other young mortals. Her prayers have been filled with joy and happiness for months. I want something better for her than eternal anger and fighting."


    Trillia sat and listened. She supposed serving a deity of retribution wasn''t a calm life. "I don''t think Lord Arlyss can have clerics...she''ll be devastated."


    "Oh, don''t misunderstand. I will still loan Layla my divine power. She will still have all of her abilities. But becoming a pact-bound to Arlyss will keep her safe and allow Arlyss to intervene and save her. I cannot do that. Arlyss is okay with it, but he told me to ask you. You are her friend, and while she may pray to me. You know her better than I do."


    "Would it be okay if I spoke to her and Lord Arlyss about this first? I don''t want to make you wait or be rude. But it''s a very big decision."


    "You really must understand, Trillia. Deities are old creatures who live for millennia. Waiting a few days, weeks, or even years isn''t a long time. I merely want her safe."


    Trillia nodded. The deity ended the mental link. Trillia immediately called out for Arlyss.


    Arlyss had a keen idea of what was going on and retrieved Layla. The three now sat at the table in her room.


    "So?" Arlyss looked at Trillia.


    Layla gave her a hug, tears in her eyes. "I know he said you were safe. But I was so worried. I tried to get to you to heal you, but there was a sinister mana flowing out of you that was hurting everyone in the room."


    Trillia looked over at Arlyss, who remained silent. "I''m okay, Layla. Sorry to put everyone in danger. I didn''t really expect what happened. I asked Lord Arlyss to bring you here for a different reason."


    Layla sat in a chair next to Trillia and waited. Trillia explained what Ora''Sys had told her. "I don''t understand forming pacts well. If I am your Pact-Bound, can I still serve Lady Ora''sys?" The young acolyte turned her head to look at Arlyss.


    "Of course. We will form a mutually beneficial contract. We will also go over the details of it extensively with Ora''sys to ensure she is happy with it."


    Layla nodded. "I don''t understand why. I know what she said, but I don''t understand why she would want me to form a pact with another deity."


    Arlyss motioned to Trillia. "You are one of her best friends. You are traveling the world with her for missions I am giving her. Your life will be in constant danger. While Ora''sys seems to be able to contact this realm sometimes, she still can''t intervene as directly as I can. I truly think she wants you to be safe, Layla."


    Layla nodded and looked at Trillia. "Would you be okay with that?"


    Trillia smiled wide. "Of course! It''s like Lord Arlyss said, you''re one of my best friends. I love you dearly. He has been a good leader to me. If you don''t lose your abilities or class, I don''t see the downside. Unless there comes a time when you don''t want to pursue his missions anymore."


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    "I think I need some time to think about it. I''d also like to pray to Lady Ora''sys for guidance."


    "If you''d like, I can allow a mind link with her directly. She seems to have an easy time of telepathy if she can channel it through a deity that is already in the realm."


    "I''d like that."


    Trillia sat in contemplation. The conversation between Layla and her deity was a private one. Arlyss did his best to stay out of it, but as the bridge, he heard the conversation. It took a few hours for them to come to an agreement.


    Layla sat there and took a deep breath. "I think I''m okay with all of that. I''m ready to form the pact when you are." There was a great deal of apprehension in her voice. Trillia gave her a hug.


    The pact was formed. Layla''s left shoulder held the golden runes, signifying she was a pact-bound creature. Trillia had no doubt that she was going over her status window.


    Trillia looked at Arlyss. "Could I ask Lady Ora''sys something? I guess the two of you as well."


    Arlyss raised a brow but motioned for her to continue. "I''d like to see if she''d be willing to let me become an acolyte."


    That pulled Layla''s attention out of her status window and back to the conversation. "It''s just. I caused so much damage before, trying to come up with a healing skill. It will soon be just Layla and I alone. Andromeda will be there, but I don''t trust her. You won''t be able to come to help us once we are on the central continent. I''d like to have some form of healing so that I can make sure I can take care of Layla."


    Trillia was worried that Layla might get angry at the suggestion. Instead, she saw a huge smile crossing the young orc''s face. Both looked at Arlyss.


    The deity raised a finger and seemed distracted for a few minutes. "Ora''sys is intrigued. She says to ask Layla how to properly pray to her and when. Show her that dedication for a month, and she will unlock the acolyte class for you."


    Trillia stared at the deity for a few minutes, trying to find any trace of emotion. "You are sure you''re not angry?"


    Arlyss chuckled softly. "Not in the least. I''ve been trying to figure out a way to get you access to healing magic for over a year. The best I could come up with was knowledge about how the human body works so that alchemy and herbalism were more effective. This solves that issue. It also serves another purpose, in that Ora''sys doesn''t feel as though she owes me a debt for accepting one of her devoted followers as a pact-bound creature. I wouldn''t personally see it that way since Layla is such an accomplished adventurer and healer, in addition to being a good person. It''s a huge boon to me to have such a person pact-bound to me."


    Trillia smiled and looked over at Layla. As she was about to speak, Arlyss waved his hand and stopped her. "I don''t want you to stay here. I want you to go back to the ship, Trillia."


    "Before you say anything. You must learn to face such problems head-on and alone. I cannot help you on the central continent. If another such incident happens, you have to be the one to fix it. I know you wanted to rest, and I am sorry to push you."


    Trillia shook her head immediately. "No. You''re right to push me. It''s a habit I''m trying to break. One of many bad habits I have. I''ll go back. If it''s okay with you, I would like to leave Ialu here with you, though. She can''t do much on the ship...and... and if I don''t make it back from the central continent. I''d like you to give the artifact and Ialu to Ba''Shoon. In the hopes that she will pass it on to one of her children. I tried bringing it up to Ialu, but she seemed angry at the idea..."


    Arlyss gave her a solemn nod. "I''ll make sure she is well taken care of, Trillia. I have no doubt that you''ll return in good time to reunite with her."


    Tears started to form in her eyes. She wiped them away and pulled the amulet from around her neck. "It''s an artifact. Is there a way I can give it to you?"


    Arlyss nodded and walked her through the steps. The basics of it were as long as she was doing so willingly and knowingly, it was simply a matter of bestowing the artifact to someone else. An hour later, Ialu sat at Arlyss'' side whimpering.


    Trillia kneeled in front of the wolf and hugged her tightly. "Keep the city safe while I''m gone. I promise I''ll do everything I can to come back. I don''t want you to be stuck in some cave for all eternity if I don''t survive."


    Layla walked up and hugged the wolf as well to the sound of more whimpers. "Don''t worry, I''ll watch her back."


    Arlyss couldn''t help but smile at them. Once they had said their goodbyes, the two stood and gave determined nods. "I''ll send you back now. Good luck. I have total faith in the two of you."


    A portal opened, and the two stepped through onto the deck of the Argo. Trillia was immediately buffeted by wind and hail. The waters were choppy. Huge waves crashed against a barrier surrounding the church. Trillia immediately set out to find the Captain.


    As she arrived, she saw two bodies wrapped in white cloth. "Did I?" Guilt gripped her.


    Robert turned to her with a sad smile. "Such is life on the sea. They went overboard in the bad weather. Lak''Lorn didn''t make it to them before they drowned."


    Tears once more filled Trillia''s eyes. Layla grabbed her arm. "Come. I''ll show you the prayers I use to send souls to their rightful resting place. I''m sure the other healers here already have...but it never hurts to have another prayer."


    Trillia nodded, and the two walked over. Trillia mimicked all of Layla''s movements and mannerisms. Layla prayed out loud.


    "O'' Radiant Lady Ora''sys. This humble servant comes to you in a dark hour and asks that you grant those who have been lost reprieve. This humble servant asks that you grant those who have been left behind the strength to carry on. This humble servant asks that if retribution must be dealt, that you grant me the strength to see your will through so that the wicked perish and the innocent prosper. May your light shield me from the darkness of the realm."


    Trillia said the same, word for word. As the last word left her mouth, she felt a calming presence settle on her mind, followed by a grim determination. Trillia felt a hand on her shoulder and glanced over to see Illana standing between the two orcs, a hand on each of their shoulders. "Thank you for praying for our loss. Before you take this to heart. We are at war, Trillia. We will always be at war. Such is the life of mortals in this realm. They are casualties of the [Primordials]. Direct your anger and rage at them. Not at yourself. Hating yourself will not bring justice to those killed. Learn from our mistakes and move ever forward."


    Trillia nodded and stayed kneeling. She stared at her hand. Held up with no mirror. Trillia had learned a lot by way of mistakes. As Illana left the two to pray, Trillia spoke softly to Layla. "I can''t keep causing problems. I''m supposed to be the one to solve problems."


    Layla didn''t budge from her kneeling position or open her eyes. "So we will double our efforts and make sure we are both fully prepared for what may come our way."


    Trillia''s eyes closed, and she repeated the prayer over the other body.

 Chapter 110 Acolyte!

    One month passed quickly and uneventfully. Every day, twice a day, Layla and Trillia prayed to Ora''sys. Layla also offered prayers to Arlyss and explained to Trillia that many deities gained tiny specks of power for every prayer they received. She said it might not seem like much, but with tens of thousands of followers, it added up.


    Any time that Trillia practiced creating new magic, she kept a strict eye on her mana. Never using more than a thousand mana on a given experiment. The meticulous watch on her mana had given her greater control over how much she could pump into something.


    Before, it had been haphazard and a few hundred at a time. Now, she could pump individual points of mana into an experiment and slowly watch as the mana changed.


    The biggest and most jarring change for Trillia was [Mana-Warped Vision]. The first day on the ship was overwhelming. So many little pings and notifications that people were using mana. People on this ship used mana for everything. Help getting to sleep, help waking up, some needed mana to walk properly. They used mana in their everyday tasks.


    [Mana-Sight] had shown her a rough overview of things. [Mana-Warped Vision], once it was toggled on, was a detailed layout of mana. Trillia could see mana fonts and flows sprouting out of thin air. She didn''t dare use Aether Sight, not wanting to risk whatever watched the Aether. At least not so soon after her first accidental foray into that realm.


    Another change that was more startling to others. Was her new trait. Now that [Mana-Warped] was a trait and not a skill. It pinged to a lot of folks. Everyone on the ship, even the Captain, regarded her with significantly more caution. Anytime she used her mana, horns would sprout from her head and vanish once she stopped mana usage.


    By the end of the month, [Stitch] had grown to level five, and [Mana Conduit] had gone up to level seven. In addition, a new notification that she had been waiting for finally popped up.


    Due to your tireless devotion, The Goddess of Retribution, Ora''Sys, has deemed you worthy to become an acolyte in her service.


    New Class Available!


    Acolyte of Retribution


    Acolyte of Retribution


    Duration: Long, Extendable


    Requirements


    Gain the favor of a deity of Retribution that can have worshippers become Clerics.


    An acolyte of Retribution believes in swift, unyielding justice for those who commit evil acts. As Acolytes, they gain some healing abilities, but many of their skills focus on intercepting attacks and countering such attacks. When using a weapon favored by their deity, an Acolyte of Retribution adds their base [Charisma] to all damage done with such weapons.


    In addition, when interrogating creatures who have committed evil acts, your [Charisma] is tripled for the purposes of influencing the minds of the creatures you interrogate.


    Acolytes of Retribution have a wide array of skills.


    Acolytes of Retribution provide 1 Intuition and 1 Presence at every level.


    Trillia walked over and gently shook Layla awake. The orc blinked and rubbed her eyes, glancing over at Trillia. "Is everything okay?"


    Trillia nodded. "I can become an acolyte. I wanted to ask if I should take it as a long or extendable class."


    Layla shot up in bed and dove into Trillia with a hug. "That''s wonderful news! I''m glad that Lady Ora''sys has accepted you! If you only want the class for healing, take it at long. If you ever wish to become a Cleric or another class in dedication to Lady Ora''sys, take it as extendable. The class can only evolve if it''s extendable."


    Trillia nodded and returned the hug. She voided [Alchemist] and chose [Acolyte of Retribution] as her new class at the extendable duration. She immediately felt a stronger connection to Ora''sys. It almost felt the same as being pact-bound in a way. A little lifeline that she could tug on to receive divine aid.


    "What are the favored weapons of Lady Ora''sys? The class description mentioned something about that."


    "Umm. I know all bludgeoning weapons. I think that''s it. But don''t worry. All artifact weapons are considered favored weapons by all deities. So your rapier and that crossbow thing you have should both count."


    Trillia was a bit surprised by that. "Oh! Wonderful. I feel guilty, though. Mother gave me such a wonderful weapon, and I am moving further and further away from its use."


    Layla looked down at [Sliver of Fate]. "Maybe try to channel your mana through it? Next time we''re in an actual fight, see if you can channel offensive spells and abilities into it. That might work. I''ve heard of classes that let you do it."


    Trillia recalled [Rune Fencer] was almost exactly that type of class. But with [Mana-Conduit] being so open-ended, perhaps she''d be able to make the same thing happen. "I''ll give it a try when we''re on land. I don''t want to risk anything like that on the ocean. Not after that mana storm."


    Layla offered her a nod.


    The remaining month was smooth sailing. There wasn''t much progress to be made on classes. The system had mostly caught on that the two were fine and in no danger. Trillia got some more practice in manipulating her mana, but nothing that made a noticeable difference.


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    Sinclaire was nothing like Trillia expected. She had stopped her mana regeneration and allowed her sight to be enhanced. The city was absolutely massive. There were thousands of docks dotting the coast. All under the banner of Port Sinclaire. Massive towers had been erected in the ocean with huge glowing gems resting on each. Charged with absurd amounts of mana.


    Illana put a hand on Trillia''s shoulder. "Be wary. The Central continent is a different beast. Obfuscation is a primary skill for everyone in that port. Keep your belongings close to you and trust no one. Understood?"


    Trillia nodded but didn''t take her eyes off the coastline. As they got closer, she saw that the city ran for miles up the hills in the surrounding areas. It was easily two or three times the size of Rift City.


    The girls had found a way to communicate with Arlyss, albeit in an extremely round-a-bout way. They could send a message once a week to the other rings. Arlyss said he''d keep an eye on the others just in case he needed to send a short message back or send in reinforcements, as it were.


    The docks were varied and massive enough that as the Argo pulled close to the port, a spell latched onto the bow of the ship and pulled it to rest comfortably in the docks.


    A gnome stood a top a pillar, shouting various commands to those around him. Every so often, his attention would turn to the ocean, and he''d pull another ship into port or do the reverse and push some of the larger ships back out to sea.


    Heavy planks were dropped to form a bridge between the Argo and the docks. The crew began to offload various cargo. Robert made sure everyone knew not to cause trouble. They''d be here for a while. Illana was in charge of meeting up with the other followers of Arlyss and ensuring that Trillia had a group that knew how to get her to the dwarves.


    Andromeda followed behind the two acolytes in silence with a hand on a dagger. She was more accustomed to the city. The docks were packed with cargo, goods, jewelry, and food. Everything one could think to sell and more.


    Illana paused before a set of stairs that led further into the city. A massive human stood in front of the stairs. Covered head to toe in gleaming silver armor, with a massive two-handed hammer resting comfortably in his hands. There was a crest similar to the one the Captain wore on his tabard. "Illana Perishsong. Pact-bound to the [2nd Axle], First Mate to Captain Robert Highwind. Requesting permission to take the merchant quarters for a personal meeting."


    The man looked down at her and then at the three following behind her. "Names?" The cobblestone under their feet trembled at his words.


    Trillia stepped forward. "Trillia Demonsbane. Pact-bound to Lord Arlyss Darktone. These are my friends and escorts. Layla and Andromeda."


    The man scanned her for a moment. She knew immediately that whatever he used to scan her had bypassed her protections. "Darktones." With a grunt, he stepped aside and motioned for them to pass. As soon as they were up the stairs, the noise vanished. Trillia looked around and saw that every home was nice and well-maintained. The loud ruckus of the port gave way to the sound of a stream slowly drifting its way through this part of the city.


    Illana led them toward a large building made of white stone. What looked like a giant golden statue stood atop its entrance. As they neared, Trillia saw that it had a massive head and beak with a great mane of fur. A catlike body as its lower half. Each paw was easily the size of Trillia. The statue was massive indeed.


    Trillia couldn''t take her eyes off of the thing.


    As they stepped up to the entrance, the statue''s head suddenly snapped to Trillia, and it let out a screech.


    You''ve heard the cry of a Golden Gryphon!


    All debuffs from riders of the Golden Gryphons are 500% more effective!


    All damage taken from riders of the Golden Gryphons is increased by 200%!


    The creature stepped off of the ten-foot roof with ease, blocking the entrance. It''s eagle eyes peering at Trillia.


    Illana reached over and yanked Trillia into a kneeling position. Andromeda was already kneeling, as was Layla. "Forgive us, my lord! She has never seen one of your kind before!"


    Trillia knelt on the ground but couldn''t break the creature''s gaze. "You''re simply magnificent." She uttered the words before she realized what she said. The sound of laughter rang in the courtyard. An older human stepped out of the building.


    "Come now, Monte. You''re terrifying the poor thing. She is a servant to our Queen''s son. We should respect her and teach her our ways." The creature turned its head to the man.


    The two were having a mental conversation. Trillia could see the mana link between them. She also saw the golden markings of pact-bound creatures. The gryphon turned back to Trillia and screeched again before gracefully stepping back onto the roof and becoming still.


    The man smiled and bowed deeply to the gryphon before turning to Trillia. "I got word from young Arlyss that you would be coming. A couple of my recruits are pact-bound to him. He''s a good lad and looks a lot like his father. I''m told that my recruits are taking you to the dwarves. Is that correct?"


    Trillia nodded but was unsure of what to say. The old man offered a smile and turned his attention to Illana. "You need to educate this one on proper manners. She will get eaten alive in a court setting like this. How have you been, Lady Perishsong?"


    Illana stood with a smile and motioned for the girls to stop kneeling. They did so slowly. "As free as the wind on the ocean, Lord Michaels. I fear no one on the Argo is well-suited or versed in court politics. Would it be possible to ask one of your recruits to help her?"


    The man nodded and motioned for them to follow. He wore the same armor as the large man from earlier. Except, this man''s armor was so heavily enchanted it held a faint golden glow. Trillia''s curiosity got the better of her, and she activated [Mana-Sight].


    [Augmented Human - Golden Gryphon Captain - 971] Swift Mana Manipulation


    Pact-Bound [That Which Sees]


    Ten-Thousand Battle Veteran


    Centennial Service


    Butcher of Humankind


    Butcher of Elvenkind


    ...


    The list went on and on. The procession paused, and the man turned to look at her. "How interesting. A divine scanning skill. I''d recommend using that very, very sparingly and cautiously. I am a generous and forgiving sort. Others will kill you for bypassing their obfuscation so easily."


    Trillia bowed her head. "Sorry, M''lord. I didn''t mean offense. May I ask who your deity is?"


    The man chuckled and turned back around to keep leading them. "Mathias Darktone. He rules over the Celestial bands in this ring of the universe."


    Trillia nodded and followed in silence. She had a worrying inclination that she''d be meeting significantly stronger people. It made her wonder how and why her mother and Cordaos were not at significantly higher levels.

 Chapter 111 A Goblin!

    As they stepped into the building, Trillia felt an intense pressure on her chest. Pausing at the door way. Her eyes rapidly scanned her surroundings.


    The old man glanced back at her. "Ahhh.. That''s interesting. I wondered why Monte would leave his post. He''s normally far more stoic. At first, I thought it a matter of respect."


    Illana reached a hand towards her weapon. The old man raised his hand. "The defenses of the headquarters are reacting to her. It sees her as an enemy."


    Trillia felt another scan pierce her defenses. "[Mana-Warped]? That''s a trait we find on monsters that are close to rifts. What game is Lord Arlyss playing?"


    Trillia tried to speak but found it difficult. It felt as though she was swimming. Layla stepped in front of her. "You are currently harassing an Acolyte of Ora''sys, the Avatar of Arlyss Darktone and the daughter of Amara Demonsbane. One of the four great generals of the Beast Wars. I''d strongly recommend you leave your musings until after you have fixed your faulty defense measures."


    The old man looked down at Layla and offered a slight nod. After a moment, the pressure in Trillia''s chest let up, and she breathed a sigh of relief. The old man stared at Layla. "You''re a brave little orc. I''m afraid that trait complicates things. We''ve trained our gryphons to attack mana-warped creatures. They are intelligent but still follow their training. Monte probably chose not to attack you because it sensed something else. Younger, more inexperienced gryphons will not hesitate."


    Illana scoffed at his words. "You''re telling me the supposed greatest fighting force on the Central continent can''t help themselves from attacking an ally? What''s the real reason. Stop with the bullshit."


    The man turned his glare to Illana next. "Be careful with your words, Perishsong. Our deities aren''t here to save you from your own stupidity."


    "Why would they need to? Captain Freeman?"


    You''ve heard the voice of the Godling of Mercy!


    All healing effects are tripled!


    You are immune to status effects as long as the Godling sees you as an ally!


    A woman in crystalline armor stepped into the main room. Her hair shined silver even in the dull light inside. Bright blue eyes contrasted with a sandy complexion. "General! I only meant that insulting the Golden Gryphons is a foolish thing for anyone to do."


    The woman approached the group, and Trillia realized that despite the woman certainly looking human, she was obviously not. Besides the notification, the woman also stood much taller than everyone else. "I don''t think her words were an insult but an observation of our shortcomings. This young woman is my brother''s avatar and has been sent here to reestablish connection with my brothers."


    Trillia''s eyes widened, and she immediately dropped to one knee. Layla and the others followed suit. "Forgive me, Princess. I did not realize who you were!"


    The woman stepped over to Trillia and crouched in front of her. "I am a General before I am a princess. Save the kneeling for the day you meet my mother. I came here today to ensure things went smoothly. I cannot stay for long." She turned her head slightly to look at the Captain. "I can see, however, that it was a smart decision to come. I can send one of our men with you. He''s young but incredibly talented with the raising and training of gryphons. His combat capabilities lack slightly due to his specialized nature."


    The Captain scoffed and seemed angry at her candidate. Mariah seemed unperturbed. "I hope that doesn''t bother you, Lady Demonsbane."


    Trillia shook her head. "Of course not, Lady Mariah. I will see Lord Arlyss'' mission done. Once it is, I would very much like to meet Queen Alliyah and speak with you in earnest. If you can both make the time."


    Mariah stood and pulled Trillia up with her. "Mother loves to meet good people. It seems to be a hobby. I''m certain she would grant you an audience. Let me go and fetch Simon for you."


    Trillia bowed her head again. As Mariah left, she turned to look at Illana. "That was Princ- I mean. General Mariah Darktone. Lord Arlyss'' sister."


    Illana''s face grew to one of confusion. "She...looks intimidating, certainly. But such a soft-spoken voice and gentle features. I guess I was expecting something more terrifying."


    The Captain of the Golden Gryphons shook his head. "Feel free to make yourselves at home." His voice dripped with disdain. With that, he turned and stomped away.


    Trillia stared after him for a few moments before stepping further into the building. They found benches to sit on and mostly enjoyed the look of the building. Smooth marble columns and floors. Dozens of statues lined the hallways. It felt more like a history lesson than a headquarters. Perhaps that was its purpose.


    It didn''t take long for Mariah to return. To Trillia''s surprise, the man Mariah spoke of was a goblin. His suit of armor was the same silver, heavily enchanted stuff that the others wore, just a much smaller version. He strode proudly up to Trillia and extended his hand. "An honor to meet you, Lady Trillia! When I was lucky enough to meet him, Lord Arlyss spoke very highly of your capabilities. Even mentioned that you dabbled in monster taming as well!"


    You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.


    Trillia''s face broke into a grin, and she shook his hand. <Goblin:> "Dabbled is a good way to put that. I have but one companion. I left her with Lord Arlyss. Should the worst happen and I die here, I do not wish her to be trapped in an artifact for all eternity. I''d rather her be free or be a companion to my soon-to-be nieces or nephews."


    The goblin''s eyes went wide with surprise. <Goblin:> "I suppose I shouldn''t be that surprised that an orc would speak my mother tongue. It is a relief to speak it again after so long. General Mariah tells me that I will be escorting you to the dwarven lands and that my mount must be able to carry  certain building supplies?"


    Illana nodded and stepped up to shake his hand. <Goblin:> "That is correct, Lord Simon. Lady Mariah says that you are exceptionally talented in handling the gryphons. Leave combat to young Trillia and young Layla. Both of them are superb combatants, and both are capable healers as well."


    The goblin bowed deeply at the compliment. <Goblin:> "If they are skilled healers, I know just the gryphon to bring. He''s a bit hot-headed, but he''s exceptionally talented at hit-and-run tactics, even while carrying cargo. The other riders are trying to convince the General to get rid of him. Since he doesn''t like most riders. I think it''s because most riders are far too heavy. It slows him down, and he sees going slow as a death sentence."


    Mariah offered a faint smile at them before speaking. "As much as I would love to stay and chat. It seems you''re in good hands. Use whatever gryphon you feel is the best choice. If you feel there are two gryphons that would heed your words, bring both. While some members of our order do not see the importance of re-establishing contact with our allied deities. I most certainly do. It was a pleasure to meet you all, and I look forward to hearing about your successful mission."


    They all bowed to her. Mariah stepped away and into a small glimmer of light that filtered in through a window and simply vanished. Simon motioned for them to follow. As they traversed the complex, the goblin got a lot of angry stares. Simon seemed entirely unbothered by it. <Goblin:> "The old timer used to be one of the Generals. Specifically the general for the coastal cities up north. He lost his position when General Mariah found that slavery was on the rise. Nothing could be directly linked to him, and reading his mind also brought no punishable results. So, instead, Queen Alliyah demoted him and appointed General Mariah to the coast instead of the inner continent."


    They stepped into a large field with dozens of gryphons lounging in the sun and lying on rocks. The moment Trillia stepped into view, all of them ruffled their feathers and began staring at her, ready to pounce. "See, General Mariah, doesn''t discriminate. Says that if the Queen and King were enlightened enough to ally with goblins, orcs, and monsters to get the job done. There is no reason the Gryphons shouldn''t utilize every talented individual they can."


    "[Mass Calm Emotions]" The goblin''s words carried a massive surge of dull brown mana. The gryphons shook their heads slightly but stopped staring at Trillia like she was dinner. "The actual qualifications haven''t changed. But fifty years ago, the Golden Gryphons wouldn''t have ever let a goblin stay in their ranks."


    Trillia tilted her head at that. They were all still speaking in the goblin tongue. Best she could tell, everyone understood it who needed to. "Didn''t Queen Alliyah allow them before?"


    The goblin shook his head. "Queen Alliyah left recruiting up to her Generals and told them to treat everyone equally. Many of the generals did not do so. The few times the more monstrous of us humanoids were let in, other Generals would quickly wash them out. Queen Alliyah has an entire continent and empire to run. I don''t blame her. However, now that General Mariah is around. It''s much harder for the assholes of the world to be assholes. General Mariah seems to have a knack for being in the right place at the right time. It''s a bit odd, really."


    Trillia grinned. Mariah''s father was a deity of fate and destiny. Perhaps she had inherited some of that power. "I am glad that she is around. There is a dungeon called Red River near my home. It is run by goblins, and they have been invaluable allies. I feel as though with the rise of the [Primordials], we have enough enemies without having to hate fellow humanoids as well."


    Simon shrugged but nodded. Motioning to a gryphon that had a dark red mane and silver fur. Its eyes were bright red. "This is Taz. Since I have been given permission to bring two gryphons. Taz will remain unburdened. He can assist in the fighting. Taz, this is Lady Trillia, Lady Illana, Lady Layla, and Lady Andromeda. They are allies to the Queen. Do you understand?"


    Trillia wondered how he knew all their names but didn''t question it. The gryphon stood and took a step forward. It wasn''t nearly as large as Monte but was still twice Trillia''s meager height. It leaned its beak in close and sniffed her. To her surprise, a notification popped into her head.


    The Gryphon "Taz" wishes to establish a mental connection. Do you accept?


    Trillia accepted and stared into the creature''s eyes.


    <Goblin:> "Word of little one. You are daughter of great sky wizard?"


    Trillia squinted her eyes a bit at the horribly broken goblin language put before her mind. <Goblin:> "I am the avatar of Arlyss Darktone. Daughter of Amara Demonsbane."


    The thing squawked, both mentally and verbally. <Goblin:> "Great sky wizard gives much food. Acceptable."


    Without a moment more, the connection ended. The creature plopped back onto the ground, bored of the exchange already. Simon smiled. "Wonderful! It seems Taz likes you. Now for a good candidate to carry cargo."


    Trillia looked at the goblin. That was a gryphon liking her? He seemed, at best, annoyed she didn''t have food on her immediately. Though it was a mythical creature. They had a certain level of pride and ego to them. Trillia wondered how they felt about a goblin leading them. Glancing back at Taz, she tried to make a mental connection.


    To her surprise, the gryphon readily accepted. "Goblin, good?"


    Taz looked lazily at Simon. "Goblin strong. Goblin smart. Goblin better than human."


    Trillia bowed her head and ended the connection. Again, curiosity got the better of her.


    [Goblin of Legend - Master Tamer - 388] Explosive Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Tri-Mind


    Master Linguist


    Explosive Mana Mastery


    Professor of Taming


    ...


    Son of Stas


    Trillia''s eyes widened yet again.

 Chapter 112 Family

    Trillia stared at the goblin''s back as he wandered away to fetch another gryphon.


    Son of Stas. She was under the impression that all of Stas'' family was dead. Now, she wondered how to best broach the subject.


    Trillia stood with a smile. Looking out over the field of gryphons. She was surprised to see just how varied their appearances were. Somehow, in her head, she assumed they would all look like Monte. Giant golden creatures that struck fear in the hearts of the wicked.


    As Simon returned with a large, grey gryphon, she motioned to the two gryphons that were coming along. "I don''t understand why their fur is so different in appearance."


    Simon ran a hand over the head of the beast standing next to it. "It''s based on their mana usage. A lot of the Gryphons in the capital of Kadessa are golden. That''s because they are all raised to specialize in support mana manipulation. Most of their abilities are passive buffs that the gryphon doesn''t have to use or activate. This is so that they can focus entirely on aerial maneuvers and combat."


    The goblin walked over to Taz and rubbed his beak as well. "Taz here has weather mana manipulation. He''s the only gryphon anyone has seen that has such an ability. And despite how invaluable such a creature could be on the battlefield. A lot of the golden gryphons think he''s useless. I mentioned it before, but there are a lot of issues with the Golden Gryphons right now. They''ve...lost a lot of faith in the past decade or so."


    Trillia certainly knew the why. She offered the goblin a slight nod and joined him in petting Taz''s head. Illana motioned to all of them. "I think we should get going. If you want, I can go, fetch the crate, and bring it here."


    Trillia paused. She stared at the goblin and scanned him again. Trillia scanned each of the gryphons, which caused them to give little squawks. A knot formed in her stomach.


    She mentally reached out to tug at the mana in her ring.


    "Urgent. No fellow pact-bounds on sight. Golden Gryphon aggression. Should I trust Gryphons and Perishsong? Please advise immediately, Arlyss."


    Layla blinked and looked over at Trillia, who still wore a smile and had resumed petting the gryphon. Layla spoke up. "Why don''t we just all head to the ship together? That saves you from having to travel through the city to retrieve the package."


    Trillia spoke up before Illana could object. "Oh! Oh! Can we ride the gryphons to the shore?! Pretty please?"


    Simon chuckled and nodded. "Lily can easily carry all four of you. Taz here will let me ride him to the port. Don''t worry. Lily is a calm girl. Just don''t kick her sides. She might spin and dump you into the city."


    Illana and Andromeda both shared worrying looks. The dragon hunter spoke up. "No. I will walk." She didn''t wait for an answer or argument and simply turned around and walked away.


    Illana rubbed her eyes, agitation setting in. "I''ll walk as well. Don''t dally." The elf stared at Trillia for a moment before turning to leave as well.


    Simon asked Lily to lie down so that the girls had an easier time climbing on top of her. Trillia leaned down and hugged her neck. "Thank you for letting us ride on you. We will try not to fidget."


    Simon grabbed Taz''s mane, and the gryphon jerked its head, yanking Simon off the ground and onto its back. Trillia had flown with a few other people. Every single time had been an amazing experience. She felt Layla''s arms wrap around her waist, and the acolyte pressed her head to her back. "I''ve never flown." Layla could barely whisper the words. Trillia grinned as Simon and Taz took off.


    The younger and smaller gryphon had to get a running start to do so.


    Lily spread her massive wings, and with a single, great burst of power from her legs, the older gryphon was dozens of feet in the air.


    They climbed and climbed into the sky. Leveling out well below the clouds. It was far, far higher than Stas had been willing to go. Trillia looked ahead to see Taz spinning and doing loops, Simon on his back with a giant smile, whooping and hollering and laughing as they made their way to the port.


    Layla was trying to crush Trillia at this point. The acolyte''s eyes were shut tightly, and she seemed to be holding her breath. Trillia looked down and saw the city hundreds of feet below. She spoke softly as she hugged Lily''s neck. "I''d never land."


    The Gryphon "Lily" wishes to establish a mental connection. Do you accept?


    Trillia readily did so. To her surprise, the creature was far more sophisticated than Taz. "Why do you not trust Master Simon?"


    Trillia''s breath caught in her throat. She realized that Taz and Simon were quite far ahead of them and that Lily had started to climb further into the air. It was no time for games. The two orcs would obviously survive the fall. But there was no telling how bad it would put Layla into the negatives or what sort of debuffs either would get from it. Trillia didn''t care to find out.


    "My Master told me I''d be meeting other pact-bound creatures, creatures that accepted a pact from Lord Arlyss. We have very valuable cargo that will save thousands of lives. I cannot afford to trust anyone. I''m sorry."


    Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.


    Lily stopped climbing. They were now over the port, and she slowly circled at the same height. "Elf is hiding something. So is Captain Freeman."


    The displaced Captain''s name worried her. Her anxiety started to creep up. "Thank you. If a fight breaks out, protect Simon and Taz. Let us handle the elf and Captain. I wouldn''t want you all to get mixed up in our scuffle."


    The gryphon severed the mental connection and slowly started to spiral down in a corkscrew maneuver.


    A message came back.


    "Trust Robert. Inquire as to our people. Do not let anyone but Robert or Lak''Lorn be in control of cargo."


    It sounded like Amelia''s voice, but she knew the words to be from Arlyss. As they landed on the docks, Trillia glanced up to see other gryphons had also taken flight.


    Simon was happily chatting with Lak''Lorn. Well, chatting at Lak''Lorn would perhaps be a better way to describe it.


    Taz was doing his absolute best to convince a fishing boat that he was a good gryphon deserving of large amounts of fish. Robert stood at the helm and looked down at her. Immediately, she reached out to establish a mental connection.


    It took Illana another five minutes to reach the port. Andromeda was nowhere to be seen. In that time, Trillia had filled Robert in. Lak''Lorn had gone to watch over the cargo. Robert stood on the gangplank. As Illana approached the ship with a smile, he took a few steps down and blocked her way. The crew had powered the many shields of the Argo. "Illana. Trillia was supposed to meet other pact-bound creatures of Lord Arlyss. Why did you take her immediately to the Gryphons?"


    Illana tilted her head in confusion. "The Golden Gryphons are the port authority. They''d know where to look for whoever we are supposed to meet. In addition, I thought it best to have a few gryphons along to ferry the cargo. A gryphon is far faster than most other pack animals."


    Robert continued to stare at her. His eyes slowly drifted up to see a half dozen gryphons in the sky. His eyes slowly drifted to the horizon, where three large, heavily armed ships had moved into position to form a blockade at a moment''s notice. "What a wise decision. Forgive my questioning. We''ll entertain our guests here on the ship until you return with Lord Arlyss'' pact-bound creatures. You know this city better than the rest of us. I am sure the folks at the Golden Gryphons will help you locate them."


    Illana''s face darkened, and she took a step forward. "It seems silly to dally. We can load the box up and meet up with the others. Otherwise, we have to come back to the ship again, then set out."


    Trillia spoke up as she stared at the elf. "A few hours won''t make a big difference. It''s better to keep the cargo here and safe. Until we are sure that our people are in the city. We were delayed. It''s possible they are not here currently."


    Illana let loose a heavy sigh. She ran a hand through her hair and looked over at Trillia. "You or Layla should come with me. So that the pact-bound creatures know that I am not lying to them."


    Robert shook his head. "That''s not required. You are a pact-bound to Lord Darktone himself. They will trust you enough to come to the port to verify what you''re saying. After all, why on Alirast would a pact-bound of Lord Darktone ever betray the pact-bound creatures of his son."


    Illana looked between Trillia and Robert. "What''s going on here? I''ve sailed with you for decades, Robert. Why are you doubting me?"


    She seemed hurt. Trillia felt a pang of guilt. She wondered if she had been wrong to doubt.


    "Because. Lives are at stake, Illana. You, of all people, should know that we must be careful when dealing with [Primordials] and deific issues." The Captain''s words struck a nerve.


    Illana''s face twisted into anger, and she spat on the dock. "To Infernus with the [Primordials] and the deities. Enough of this squabbling. I wanted to do this without harming you or the crew. I love all of you dearly, Robert. Surrender the cargo." She let out a loud whistle. A second later, Monte slammed into the top of the ship.


    At least, the Gryphon tried to do so. It hit the barrier, and the ship dropped several feet further into the water from the sheer force of the pressure. As it bobbed back to the surface, Captain Freeman looked down at the crew below. Robert''s eyes closed, and he shook his head. "Why? Decades of sailing together. Why would you betray us?"


    Trillia began to worry. The other gryphons were slowly beginning to descend. Simon looked on in confusion. Taz gently set the fisherman down that he had been terrorizing for fish.


    Illana rubbed her eyes, and Trillia felt a surge of mana forming in her. "Lord Darktone....no. No, he doesn''t deserve that respect. Kain chose to save his wife and children over the safety of the entire realm. My village was torn apart by one of the rifts that appeared on the day of the cataclysm. Tens of thousands have died. Millions more will before the [Primordials] are sealed yet again. For what? One woman and a few brats? That''s a fair trade to you, Robert?"


    Robert''s shoulders slumped. He turned his head and nodded. Biggs and Wedge ran off and began getting people to their stations. "Lord Darktone loves the mortals of this realm with all his heart. I won''t fault a man for defending his wife and children above everyone else. I''d burn this realm to the ground to keep my crew safe. We always watch out for family, Illana. Until now, I assumed you were part of my family."


    The Captain walked back to the ship and kicked the gangplank into the water. His voice raised. "By Arlyss Ocrey Darktone and the Grand Leviathans. Any attempt at taking cargo from the Argo will result in a declaration of war!"


    Trillia watched as an ominous red mana flowed from him. The water seemed to tremble at his words.


    "From this point on, Illana Perishsong is no longer part of the crew. She is no longer afforded the rights of the Argo and her safety."


    The Captain turned his head to look at the gnome who had been pulling ships in and out. "Push us out to sail, Harbor Master. Lest you break the contract of the Leviathans."


    As the gnome nodded and began to push the Argo out, a blur of brown appeared behind him. A spear stabbed through his back, into his heart, and out his chest. The gryphon rider slowly began to gain height. The gnome''s body flopped back down onto the decks. Panic broke out in the harbor.


    Monte took off and slammed into the top of the Argo again. The shield crackled with energy. Captain Freeman looked over at Simon. "Use that damn mana of yours, boy. This ship is in violation of the Queen! Its cargo is to be seized immediately."


    Trillia looked up at Monte and the Captain. Rage built up inside of her. She unleashed fury, charged two million mana, and raised her hand.


    "[Chain Lightning]"


    As mana surged from her body, the sky went black. The world seemed to slow around the ship as a thin streak of brilliant light shot out toward the Captain.


    Trillia felt the mana in the area groan under the weight of the spell she had cast. She felt the mana of those around her shrivel and refuse to answer their call.


    A notification popped into her head.


    You''ve projected a [Mana-Warped] Aura. Any creature with less maximum mana than you is incapable of using skills or abilities that utilize mana. Any attempt to do so will cause your own mana to counterspell their abilities at a cost equal to 10 times the amount they used. This will stay in effect until you are out of mana or spend one hour suppressing it.

 Chapter 113 An Innocent Mistake

    Captain Freeman and Monte tried to gain enough altitude to outrun the spell. In the half second or so they had, they failed in that task.


    Sound cracked and popped as a loud boom shook the docks. The brilliant flash of light blinded the local combatants. The skies stayed dark as the sounds of thunder rolled in. Summoned by the massive expenditure of mana.


    Monte''s body went limp and began to fall into the water. Captain Freeman, to Trillia''s surprise and horror, jumped off the back of the dying gryphon and landed on the ship. The barrier had failed in the presence of Trillia''s aura.


    The man''s gleaming armor had a scorch mark on it. There were burn marks running along his face. But he was still standing.


    As Trillia watched him and began charging another spell, she felt a heavy hand grab her back and yank her down. Three arrows narrowly missed her head.


    Captain Highwind shook her. "Turn off the aura! Damnit, Trillia. The crew is going to get slaughtered!"


    Robert rolled over into a standing position. He raised the odd wand at his sound, and a loud bang was heard. The projectile fired slammed into Freeman''s chest, staggering him back. "Leave this asshole to me! Capture Illana and kill the other riders!"


    As the crew began to follow directions, Trillia watched her mana plummet by the thousands as everyone instinctually used mana. Her own mana lashed out to disrupt their spells. Trillia knew for a fact that the battle would be long over in an hour. She jumped to her feet and ran to cover. Illana''s arrows never came. Trillia peaked over to look at the dock and saw Simon standing behind the elf. A dagger in his hand plunged into the woman''s side.


    A twisted snarl came from her lips, and she whipped around with her own dagger in hand. The speed at which she moved with no mana shocked Trillia. The weight behind the blow tore out an eye and sent the goblin flying. Illana yanked the dagger out and hurled it at Taz, who unceremoniously dove into the water to avoid the strike.


    As three members of the crew descended on her, she used her own dagger to parry their attacks. She watched the skills she knew so well happen. Parry, Lunge, Riposte, Counter.


    All without a single point of mana being spent.


    In the span of thirty seconds, three crew members lay dead.


    The deck of the ship rumbled and yanked Trillia''s attention from the deadly elf to the two Captains. Captain Freeman only had a small war hammer at his disposal. But the crushed skulls of two more crew members and Robert''s broken saber were enough to know he was dangerous.


    Trillia realized that without skills, their raw stats alone were enough to defeat most of the people around them. Robert was locked in a dance of avoiding blows and striking with a dagger when possible.


    Trillia''s traits gripped her mind and focused her. Her aura needed to vanish.


    She labeled herself an enemy, as well as Captain Freeman. She ran over to the man and dumped seventy percent of her remaining mana into a [Chain Lightning].


    It was an honest, innocent mistake.


    It was a mistake born of naivety and a lack of fundamental knowledge of mana.


    As millions upon millions of mana with the intent to kill left her body, the skies split open with rain and lightning strikes of their own.


    Trillia''s bolt hit Freeman and blew a hole through the man''s chest. As the lightning coiled around his body and sought its next target, Trillia felt the wind get knocked out of her.


    She watched the remaining millions of mana vanish in an instant as her health plummeted to zero and her mana absorbed the remaining damage. She was left with a few hundred thousand mana. A feeling of exhaustion hit her, and she slumped to her knees.


    You''ve defeated a [Golden Gryphon Captain]!


    Experience greatly increased for defeating an enemy many times your level!


    Experience greatly increased for dealing most of the damage!


    Captain Freeman''s body hit the ground. Trillia''s health ticked up a few points into the positives as her mana fell. More and more people continued to use their skills. Partially on instinct and partially because Captain Highwind had called out for them to do so.


    But Trillia''s honest, innocent mistake had come to fruition.


    Another notification popped into her head.


    A flashing red notification that seemed to tremble at the words it had to convey.


    You''re in the presence of the Dragon Quetzalcoatl! Skill effectiveness is reduced by 99%!


    You''re in the presence of the Dragon Quetzalcoatl! Healing reduced by 99%!


    You''re in the presence of the Dragon Quetzalcoatl! You must have a derived stat that equals or exceeds 150,000 to use any offensive abilities!


    If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.You''re in the presence of an adult Dragon capable of manipulating lightning mana! You cannot use lightning mana skills or abilities.


    You''re in the presence of an adult Dragon capable of manipulating wind mana! You cannot use wind mana skills or abilities.


    You''re in the presence of an adult Dragon capable of manipulating water mana! You cannot use water mana skills or abilities.


    You''re in the presence of an adult Dragon capable of manipulating storm mana! You cannot use storm mana skills or abilities.


    You''re in the presence of an adult Dragon capable of manipulating healing mana! You cannot use healing mana skills or abilities.


    You''re in the presence of an adult Dragon capable of manipulating radiant mana! You cannot use radiant mana skills or abilities.


    Everyone froze. Everyone got the notification. Trillia watched as a body that filled the harbor slowly descended from the skies. Lightning cracked and streaked off of the creature''s body.


    It landed in the water that was easily twenty to thirty feet deep. She could still see its legs. Its wings spread wide, covering most of the port from the wind and rain.


    The mana in the air groaned as its wings lit up. Trillia could see the crackling electric energy flowing from its body to its wings.


    The port was covered in a flickering blue light. The creature''s head leaned down to look directly at her. Beautiful blue and grey scales covered the dragon''s entire body. Eyes that seemed entirely composed of lightning mana danced in it''s eye sockets.


    The creature''s head was so large that if it opened its mouth, the Argo could sail right in.


    Every combatant around her dropped their weapons. Every person in the harbor fell to their knees.


    Trillia felt their mana return as hers hit zero, and her aura stopped. Her regeneration quickly began to refill her mana.


    Trillia watched as every person in the harbor began to pray. The only ones naive enough or stupid enough to not fall to their knees were Layla and Trillia. Both incapable of doing anything but staring.


    Trillia''s mind groaned under the pressure but simply couldn''t keep the dragon''s mind out of her own. It spoke in the orc language. Its eyes stared at her unblinking.


    "Who are you? To expend so much mana in such a vile and destructive way?"


    Trillia''s eyes began to water from the pressure on her mind. "An orc. Trying to save my friends."


    Trillia wasn''t sure if she should mention Arlyss. The last thing she wanted to do was anger a dragon with the wrong words.


    "Oh? Someone so eloquent in avoiding the honest answer. Typical of pirates. Scan me. Whelp. So that you know not to lie in my presence again. Lest this port be wiped from Alirast for your foolish words."


    Trillia activated [Divine Mana-Sight]


    [Adult Dragon - Storm - 7912] Radiant Storm Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits


    Dragon


    Forced Revelation


    A Thousand Years of Truth


    Walking Catastrophe


    Devourer of Leviathans


    Devourer of Dragons


    Edge of Oblivion


    A Thousand Years of Freedom


    ...


    Some of them were obvious, but most of them were not. "It has been over a thousand years since I last told a lie. It bothers me greatly when lesser creatures lie in my presence. Now. While you have not lied to me yet. I won''t tolerate your dishonest nature. The truth. Now."


    Trillia glanced around at the others, none of whom dared to even look at the creature. Layla had also begun kneeling and praying to Ora''sys.


    "I will tell you. If you take me from this place and leave these people alone."


    The dragon snorted. Peels of lightning streaked across the Argo and the surrounding docks, blasting apart board and stone alike. "You''d make demands of me?"


    "No! I would not make demands of you. I am only offering you a trade. I will answer any and all questions you have for me. But only if I know that this harbor and these people will not suffer because of my words."


    The dragon tilted its head and looked around. After a moment, it turned its head back to Trillia. "Fine. What is it that is gnawing at the edges of your mind? You don''t seem to fear death. So why are you worried about leaving?"


    "My deity has tasked me with delivering something to the dwarves. We were in the midst of a battle to defend that cargo. I am trying to stop whatever is blocking other deities from seeing the central continent. I''m also worried that my friends will lose this battle if I leave."


    The dragon''s eyes crackled, and she was immediately aware she was being scanned.


    "I see. Then let us make a deal, young orc. You, your acolyte friend, and your cargo will come with me. You will answer all of my questions. If you do not lie to me. I will bring the other orc and your cargo to the dwarven lands myself. If you lie to me, I will destroy both of you and the cargo. I will ensure that no more fighting takes place in this harbor for a period of one month. In addition, if you tell the truth and I deliver the other orc and the cargo. You must enter one year of servitude to me. A price for my patience and gentle nature in this matter."


    Trillia bowed her head. "I accept."


    You''ve accepted a Divine Geas from the Dragon Quetzalcoatl!


    Breaking this geas will result in your death!


    The dragon looked into the skies, and she felt waves of mana flowing from it. The dragon''s mana was a beautiful bright blue, nearly white. It flowed into the rain and up into the clouds.


    Within a few seconds, two much, much smaller dragons descended from the clouds and landed on the docks.


    For the first time, she heard the dragon''s words verbally. She watched as her mana plummeted back to zero. When it spoke, it had the same eerie effect that deities did. Where it was speaking every language all at once.


    "Guard this harbor. If anyone attacks another, destroy them.


    For the next month. There are to be no battles and no instigation of battles. Doing so will result in your death."


    It spoke to the younger two dragons as much as it spoke to the harbor. Lak''Lorn appeared from below decks with the crate in hand. The dragon gently lowered a claw to poke it. As soon as contact was made, the crate vanished. The dragon brought a wing over and laid it on the dock. Everyone on the dock dove into the water to avoid being crushed. Trillia and Layla were both given the command to climb on.


    Neither cared to ignore it. Trillia glanced at the city, hoping that Andromeda was at least ok. She knew that Illana wouldn''t attack anymore. Not only would the dragons ensure a swift and brutal death, but the cargo was no longer there.


    The second that Layla and Trillia were on the dragon''s wing, a bolt of lightning struck its head, and they all vanished. Trillia was suddenly thousands of feet in the air. She briefly looked down to see most of the ships in the port being sucked into the giant hole that had appeared where the dragon''s body was.


    Closing her eyes, she grabbed Layla''s hand and squeezed. She prayed to Arlyss and Ora''sys that she wouldn''t get her friend killed and fail her mission.

 Chapter 114 Interrogation?

    Within the span of a few minutes, the ground below vanished from sight. They were now flying above the clouds.


    Trillia found it more difficult to get a full breath of air. Layla seemed to be struggling with a similar issue. The two held on to the dragon''s wing as it slowly glided over the clouds. Trillia had no point of reference to see how far they had traveled. But the clouds under them were dark and heavy with rain.


    The dragon descended and landed on something solid. With a word, a large crystalline structure appeared atop the cloud. The dragon dipped its wing down, and the two girls tentatively stepped off. The clouds under their feet felt solid. Trillia could feel the surge of mana under her, twisted and bottled, ready to explode at a moment''s notice.


    "Trexes! The twins are in a mortal port. Go and watch over them. Do not interfere unless they are about to lose their lives."


    What looked like an orc-sized lizard stood on two legs before the dragon. Small silvery wings folded tightly on its back. It kneeled in front of Quetzalcoatl. "Yes, Master. Is there anything in particular I should be wary of or interfere with?"


    Quetzalcoatl continued to walk past the creature as it spoke. "There is an amateur dragon hunter somewhere in the city. I do not believe she is there to attack the twins. I believe she is there on behalf of a deity. Do not attack her unless she attacks us. We don''t need some immortal hunter poking its nose around our business."


    The creature nodded and sunk through the floor and the clouds. The peel of thunder was near constant, and the crack of lightning caused both of them to jerk in response more than a few times.


    "Uzixu, Tirva. Prepare a mana crystal and get ready to transform into your true dragon forms. Depending on this conversation, we may need to ferry the little acolyte and a crate to the dwarven lands. This is a good time to do some trading as well. Bring any fully mature storm crystals we''ve harvested and have been saving. Buy mithril and adamantine. See if any of the true dwarves are willing to travel to our land to forge for us and see what the cost of such a thing might be. We have a fairly large stock of dragon scales that we could entice them with."


    Two more creatures appeared out of the clouds and disappeared just as quickly.


    Quetzalcoatl finally turned and laid down. Its head rested on the ground, and it spread its wings high and wide. It seemed as though lightning was drawn to striking its wings.


    The ground rumbled, and more of the crystalline structure revealed itself. Quetzalcoatl''s eyes closed, and Trillia watched as thin strings of mana formed a physical body. One that looked like the other lizard people. This one was far taller and held the same color as Quetzalcoatl.


    "Come! It is quieter inside. It will suit your delicate sensibilities better. I do not wish to scare you."


    Layla and Trillia both shared a look at those words but followed all the same.


    As they stepped inside, the sound was almost entirely removed. It was more the background of a low rumbling that was rather calming, considering what had just been outside.


    The inside of the room was primarily formed out of crystal. Lightning crackled inside most of the pieces. Quetzalcoatl sat at a table and motioned to two other chairs. "I will start asking questions. Be as honest as you can be. If I am not satisfied, I kill you both and move on as if nothing had happened. Are we clear?"


    Both nodded.


    "Whom do you serve?" Quetzalcoatl motioned to Trillia first.


    "I am Trillia Demonsbane, Avatar of Arlyss Ocrey Darktone. I am from the Demonsbane clan that is currently being run by my brother Tormash but was formed by my mother, Amara Demonsbane. I am also a fledgling acolyte in the service of Lady Ora''sys."


    "I am Layla. Soon to be Cleric of Lady Ora''sys and pact-bound to Lord Arlyss. I am otherwise unimportant."


    Trillia winced a bit at that. She felt Layla was far more important than she gave herself credit for.


    The dragon twisted its head slightly, looking at the two of them. "Do you know why I descended from my palace and my rest?"


    Both shook their heads.


    "You dumped nearly a hundred million mana into a lightning affinity spell. Dragons are a conduit of mana that they are familiar with. Usually, if a spell of that caliber has been used, it is because an immortal has descended and is causing problems. Dragons understand that all other mortals are weak and fragile creatures, with few exceptions. So we intervene when an immortal descends."


    "In other words. You thought my spell was an immortal and came down to kill me?"


    The dragon nodded. "Instead, I found an orc. A child at that. It intrigues me that you''re capable of putting out so much power at such a tender age. What is your purpose on the Central continent?"


    "My patron, Lord Arlyss, cannot reach the central continent. Nor can his brother or many of the other deities. We are not sure why this is happening. I was sent here to set up a portal to try and circumvent whatever is stopping them. That''s what is in the crate. A very small working model and blueprints to make the real thing. It was my mission to deliver the crate as well as power the portal itself."


    "Arlyss... he is one of the cursed children, is he not? One of the three seals currently stopping greater deities and higher from interacting with Alirast?"


    Trillia thought for a moment and nodded. "I believe that is all correct. I''m not sure what you mean by seals. But, to my very limited understanding, all of his children must ascend to deity status before the debuff is removed."


    "A seal is just something that prevents an immortal or a deity from manifesting all or some of their power. Alirast itself is a seal on the core. Most realms are prisons of some kind. Alirast is no exception. Are your traits a product of your deity?"


    If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    Trillia so desperately wanted to ask questions of her own, but now wasn''t the time. "Not all of them. When I was a child, I was kidnapped by a psionic behemoth. It ripped off my hand and put me in some crystal-like pod. I spent a great deal of time in there being warped into something else. I believe it was on behalf of Alirast."


    "Would you ever raise your power against dragons?"


    Trillia paused and stared at the creature. It didn''t rush her or push her to answer immediately. She thought carefully about what to say. "If dragons were to ever threaten my family, my clan, or my patron. Yes. I would do everything in my power to turn them away or kill them."


    The dragon''s mouth curled up into a terrifying tooth-filled smile. "Good answer. What was your intent with the spell you cast?"


    "I was projecting an aura that was preventing everyone from using mana. I knew that the crew and my friends couldn''t win the fight. The only way to stop the aura was to drain my mana. So I targeted myself and the highest-level enemy I knew of and used the spell, hoping that I had left myself enough mana to not die. I didn''t realize how dangerous people could be without mana."


    "The system guides and helps. If you rely on it entirely, you will be far weaker than those that do not. A soldier can use skills such as heavy slash and parry to do something. Or they can learn to do those things on their own. With their own mind and muscle memory. Doing so will let them more fluidly use skills. If you survive, I''d strongly recommend you incorporate several hours of training into your daily regimen."


    Trillia nodded. Again, she wanted to ask more questions but waited. After a few minutes, the dragon nodded. "You''ve been honest with me so far. I won''t kill you. As for your servitude...we will negotiate that. For now. Rest, recover, and say goodbye to your friend. I will send extra mana crystals to ensure whatever portal is built can be filled with enough mana to fulfill your mission. I will also send a diplomat with the caravan to discuss things with your deity. A diplomat that is not a dragon."


    Trillia opened her mouth to speak, but Quetzalcoatl was already walking away from the two of them. Trillia looked at Layla and slumped back in her chair. "I''m so sorry. I didn''t know."


    Layla shook her head. "It''s ok. We are alive. I will make sure that Lord Arlyss'' mission is completed. Just stay safe. I will let everyone know that you''re ok. Plus, you have to admit, it''s kind of cool to meet a dragon!"


    Trillia forced a little smile. An hour later, someone came to pick Layla up, and Trillia was alone in the room. She realized that the room had one bed that was nearly perfect for her size. A bath, a table, and a bright orange crystal that gave off warmth. This was going to be where she served her sentence.


    Quetzalcoatl let her sleep for six hours before knocking loudly on her door and waking her. The two once more sat at the table. "You have the ability to see into the aether, correct?"


    Trillia nodded.


    "I''m not sure if you are aware of this. But direct contact with the Aetherian realms is the cause of the mana-warped trait. However, if you bring unattuned mana crystals into the aether, it''s possible to capture a unique kind of mana. That being raw mana, pure mana, or force mana. Depending on the language you are using. Dragons do not dare enter the Aetherian realms. If a dragon were to ever become mana-warped, it would be disastrous to the realm. Especially if it happened to an adult dragon such as myself."


    "I don''t know how to enter the aether. I can only see into it."


    "I can teach you to use rift-based magic. It will let you realm walk into any realm that you can see. I will also educate you on the use of magic to return to a fixed point in this realm. So that you are never lost to another realm."


    "That seems fair. May I ask why you want this unique mana?" She did her best to hide her excitement at rift-based mana and the ability to travel so freely.


    The dragon nodded. "When dragons are born, they begin absorbing mana in the area. The more mana we have absorbed, the larger we grow. There is no limit to this, but once you have grown old enough to go past the age of adulthood, you ascend to become immortal and are no longer realm-bound. As a whelp, you learn to fight physically to defend yourself, but whelps are easily killed, so they are often protected. You do not grow into a juvenile until you have absorbed enough mana to obtain mana manipulation. You then shift into a dragon of that type. For instance, a whelp born in the belly of a volcano would quickly become a fire dragon or magma dragon, or something like that."


    Trillia pulled out her journal and began writing things down. Quetzalcoatl paused to let her finish and get caught up. "Every time your age increases. Whelp to juvenile, to young adult, to adult, to ancient. Your body evolves with the mana you have absorbed. It is why I am considered a Storm dragon, not just a lightning dragon. A dragon''s mana manipulation is akin to a deity''s portfolio. Any mana that falls under a category I have mastery over, I can sense. To put the range into orcish terms. The range is several thousand miles."


    Trillia paused at that. It wasn''t far off from her own abilities. "You know whenever anyone is using those types of mana? Doesn''t that get...annoying?"


    "No. You get used to it. It''s also good practice for becoming an immortal and later a deity. I''ve also set my system to ignore anything that is cast under five hundred thousand mana. Unless it is cast more than a hundred times in the span of a single second. This lets me ignore the fledgling wizards, mages, and dragons who are learning about their newfound power. It almost entirely alerts me to dungeons and immortals."


    "I see. My assumption is you want the mana from the aether to evolve into a more powerful dragon when you become immortal?"


    The dragon tilted its head and leaned back. "Sort of. That is a benefit, yes. But I want to research and develop a way for dragons to travel the aether. It will be a huge leap forward for Dragonkind. It may also help me study ways to reverse the mana-warped trait or combat it."


    "May I ask you an unrelated question?"


    As Quetzalcoatl nodded, she continued. "Why don''t the dragons help fight the [Primordials]?"


    "Why would we? They can''t kill us. Our young sometimes rush down to get some battle experience. But more often, they just die to armies of mortals. We have no stake in the survival of the lesser mortals."


    Trillia opened her mouth to speak but found no words escaped. After a moment, she closed her eyes and softly said. "Is every creature that is powerful so uncaring and cruel as dragons and deities?"


    "Bold words when sitting across from such a creature. Tell me, why don''t you exterminate all of the birds?"


    Trillia''s face twisted up in confusion.


    "How about exterminating all spiders?"


    "Why would I?"


    "Do you know how many millions of insects die to birds and spiders every cycle? Why are lesser mortals so cruel and uncaring to the plight of the insects."


    Trillia scoffed and couldn''t help but laugh at the absurdity of it. "I guess that''s a fair point. Dragons will never see orcs as equals. You don''t care if we die by the millions. How terribly enlightening."


    The dragon leaned forward and squeezed her shoulder gently. "It''s not that we hate your kind. It''s that the problems we face and deal with are so many more times important. The [Primordials] are here to keep the population low. We are not the kind of creatures to interfere with the balance of reality. Mortals must learn how to fend for themselves. It''s all a plan. It all leads to creating powerful immortals. The weak are culled, and the strong survive. That is the ultimate truth of existence."


    Trillia sighed and raised her hand to rub her eyes. Quetzalcoatl grabbed her hand and her other wrist. "This will be the first mistake we correct."


    Trillia blinked as she looked down at her arms. "What?"


    "I''ll be moving Alirast''s mana channel from your hand to your spine. It won''t require you to be missing a limb that way, and if the mana feeds into your spine, it will spread more quickly to the rest of your body. I suppose this is what happens when you enlist a dog to do this sort of work."


    Trillia blinked in even more confusion.

 Chapter 115 The Procedure

    Worry and anxiety knotted in Trillia''s stomach. She spent the next few hours staring at her arms. Quetzalcoatl told her to simply call him Storm. It was far easier, and it seemed to annoy him less that she wasn''t constantly stumbling over his name.


    As the hours ticked by, a knock on her door caused her to close her eyes and brace herself. "Coming!"


    She stood and walked over to open the door. Another dragon stood there, a heavy robe wrapped around her lizard-like frame. She had come to realize these smaller forms they walked around in were called their drakken forms. A way for them to navigate the tiny mortal cities without crushing them.


    "May I ask how this works?"


    The drakken tilted its head and motioned for her to follow. She did so without further question.


    She was led to a large room. In the center were chains coming from the ceiling and dropping to just above Trillia''s head. On the left side of this dais was an odd contraption with belts and more chains that would fit her left arm. Her heart started thumping faster.


    Storm''s voice rang out, and Trillia glanced up to see him staring down at the scene. "All of the dragons present are females. I know that lesser mortals have varied beliefs about their naked form. I must oversee it to ensure you are not killed, but I will be the only male here. This process is going to be painful."


    Trillia took another deep breath and stepped up onto the dais. The other drakken helped her undress, and Storm told her to put her artifacts down. She stood there devoid of any items, her left arm latched into the contraption on her left, and her right arm held above her.


    "You will want to scream. You will plead for us to stop. It will feel as if every inch of your body is on fire and in agony. You will soil yourself from the pain. Do all of these things without shame, for even dragons falter when they are forced to undergo this procedure. The one thing you cannot do is pass out. We will use spells if we must to keep you awake. The way mana channels in a body flow is different when they are sleeping and at rest. Are you ready?"


    Trillia closed her eyes and managed to nod. She felt something press against her lips, and as she opened her eyes, it was the same drakken that got her from her room. It was a small leather strap, and the drakken mimicked biting down on it. Trillia did so.


    "Stay strong, Trillia Demonsbane. You are in good hands."


    Trillia looked up at the dragon and nodded once more.


    She closed her eyes, not wanting to see what was going on. The first bit of pain came from her left arm. Something heavy sliced the last couple of inches of the stump off. She bit down on the leather strap and felt her knees wobble. Tears streamed down her face.


    She felt clawed hands grab her arm, then felt a tug at her insides. She could feel the mana channels inside her shift and move as they were slowly dragged away from Alirast''s connections.


    Her first instinct was to lash out with mana, but she resisted. Trillia screamed against the leather in her mouth as she bit down harder on it. She didn''t dare open her eyes.


    She heard the sound of her blood flowing out and plopping onto the ground from her left stump. Her regeneration worked overtime to heal the wound, but every few seconds, another sharp slice prevented it from closing entirely.


    Trillia felt a loud pop and watched as notifications streamed in her mind. Informing her of the many traits that were disabled because she no longer had access to Alirast''s mana.


    She silently prayed to Arlyss and Ora''sys that she hadn''t fallen for some trap. She prayed to them to watch over her family and her friends.


    The drakken grabbed her left arm and tied it up in chains. Blood continued to flow from the open wound down to cover the rest of her.


    "Brace yourself."


    Trillia did her best to do just that. She felt the tip of a blade slice into the base of her neck. It was a slow and methodical cut. As the blade pulled away, Trillia''s legs gave out under her.


    Her eyes still closed, she felt two drakken come-over and lift her up to a standing position and hold her there. She wanted this to be over.


    She felt long tendrils of magic lash onto her spine and slowly wrap around it before pushing their way out to her arms and legs. A burning sensation came over her neck. She had no idea what it was.


    Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    Her traits began to come back, and as the last one did, she screamed.


    Her mana felt like it was on fire. The leather in her mouth fell to the ground as her body convulsed. She felt herself losing consciousness. She was vaguely aware of Storm''s voice.


    "[Draconic Adrenaline]"


    You''ve had Draconic Adrenaline cast on you! You cannot be killed or fall unconscious for the next 6 hours!


    Your Vitality has been permanently lowered by 5!


    Fire raced through her veins yet again. Her eyes shot open, and she screamed even louder. The tendrils of mana slowly latched onto her mana channels. This was the process that had happened before. Just much, much faster.


    The procedure only took two hours, but it felt like she had been in that room for an eternity. They unchained her arms, and she slumped to the ground in a puddle.


    "Take her to her room, clean her, feed her, and let her rest. You did good, Trillia."


    The other drakken gathered her things, carrying her over so that she could lift her artifacts before taking her back to her room. The same drakken that had gathered her a few hours ago stayed behind to wash all the blood off.


    She watched as the draconic adrenaline buff vanished. She could only assume it was removed by Storm. The hot water caused her to doze off. The drakken finally seemed to speak. "Rest, little orc. You will be better in a few days and feel more alive than you ever have. You''ve earned your rest."


    Trillia groggily tried to turn her head to the drakken but found even that was too difficult in her exhausted state.


    -=- Some Time Later -=-


    Trillia woke in the bed. She raised her right hand to her head, where a headache was pounding away. The smell of meat hit her nose, and she glanced around the room. On a small table next to the bed sat a large bowl of stew.


    Trillia was never bashful when it came to eating. She reached out with her right hand to cradle it against her knees and chest and wrapped her left arm around it for stability. Only to see a hand sticking out of her left arm.


    She gently set the soup back down and stared at the regrown appendage. She wiggled her fingers and squeezed them into a fist. It felt weak, untrained, and foreign to her. But her hand was there.


    Trillia brought up her status to see her traits were all in order, and her maximum mana was where it had been before. She didn''t dare use her mana yet. The feeling of fire in her veins was still too close.


    She slipped out of bed and grabbed the stew in her right hand, bringing it over to the table. She sat before it and tentatively grabbed the spoon with her left. It wobbled and shook. Half the starting spoons she pulled from the bowl only made it to her mouth with a single vegetable or a small bit of broth left on it.


    But her hand had returned!


    It took her nearly an hour to get the stew down like that. After, she took another hot bath before getting dressed.


    As she equipped her artifacts, [Shattered Bolt] formed a gauntlet around her left hand, with her fingertips exposed. She dearly wanted to try it out but didn''t want to access her mana until someone gave her the all-clear.


    Once she was ready, she opened the door to see the Drakken from yesterday sitting outside her door, reading a book. Trillia bowed deeply to her. "Thank you. For cleaning me and laying me to rest."


    The drakken smiled and nodded, motioning for Trillia to follow her again.


    They walked to the giant dais that Storm had originally landed on. The great dragon looked as though it was slumbering. A drakken formed in front of it. "How do you feel?"


    "I''m not sure. Happy to have my hand back, but I haven''t dared to use my mana yet."


    "Good. Don''t for the next few days. Let your mana channels calm down and heal themselves fully before you put any stress on them. For now, the only training you will undergo is a few hours of tactics and strategy. Once I am comfortable with your healing, I will throw you into learning physical combat and various forms of mana-based combat. Am I clear?"


    Trillia nodded. "Thank you. For this." She raised her left hand and flexed her fingers a few times."


    "I assure you, little orc. You will earn all that we do for you here, in the Aetherian Realms."


    Trillia chuckled softly and nodded. "A fair trade then."


    Storm gave her an odd look but motioned to the drakken next to her. "This is Maya. She is my youngest daughter. She will be in charge of watching over you and helping you to learn strategy and tactics for the time being. Maya can only speak to you mentally. So you must form a telepathic bond with her. Otherwise, she must place herself in your mind. In a weakened state that is easy, as you are now, it could be dangerous for you both."


    Trillia nodded and reached out with her mind to the drakken, who looked a little surprised. "I was taught telepathy by another creature! I''d be happy to practice!"


    Storm motioned away. "Get rest. I know you feel ready to take on all of Alirast, but I assure you. There is still a lot of healing that must happen where eyes cannot see.


    Trillia nodded and once more followed Maya away. "I have notifications about classes and stuff. Should I wait to allocate all of that?"


    "Yes. Anything that could change your stats should be avoided. If something shifts how much mana you regenerate or you pick up another skill that alters your mana flows. It could impact your healing."


    Once they were back in Trillia''s room, the drakken pulled out a smooth board of crystal and set it on the table. "We''ll begin with basic strategy. You may know some of this already, as you are an adventurer and an orc. But bear with us while we go back over the basics and fundamentals."


    Trillia sat across from her and nodded.


    The next couple of days went by quickly. For a few hours every morning, she''d be tutored on the basics of strategy and tactics. Most of it she sort of knew already, having spent so long listening to other orcs talk about such things. She was surprised to see a notification pop up after their training one day. She didn''t dare bring it up or apply it, not wanting anything to shift. She still hadn''t been given the all-clear, after all.


    She spent the rest of the day reading her journal and flexing her left hand. Trying to write with it and eat with it to re-learn how to use the damn thing. When a familiar voice rang out in her head.


    "Dwarven Portal is up. Patron speaking to diplomat. Hope you are safe. Stay strong. Love, Layla. Hopefully, I can visit."

 Legal Advisement

    I mentioned this in a pre-chapter note a little while ago.


    The tl;dr is that I''m going through bankruptcy. This basically means that anything that I own of value I lose but all of my debt is wiped out in return. It''s been suggested to me that I stop writing and updating this until after the process so that it doesn''t show any inherent value.


    This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    In the interest of wanting to keep writing this regardless of the turmoil of my life. Consider this another hiatus. I will do my best to keep all of you updated, and the second I know one way or the other, I''ll let you all know. If they do take my writing, thanks so much for all the joy and fun of writing this for you. I am hoping that another pause and break now, means I don''t lose it and can continue to tell my stories.


    Sincerely, Regal.

 Chapter 116 Proposal

    Trillia''s smile widened as she heard Layla''s voice play out in her head with the last message. That also meant their mission to the main continent was a success.


    When the knock came the next morning, Trillia put her book away and pulled out the board and it''s many pieces to learn more about tactics. "Come in!" She shouted. If it was Maya they''d resume their daily telepathic conversations otherwise the answer was still given.


    The door swung open, and Trillia was surprised to see Storm standing there in his drakken form. "Lord Storm! I was expecting Maya, sorry." She motioned to the board.


    Storm walked over to the board and lifted one of the pieces, twirling it slowly in his hand. "I''ve given some thought to your training. Any perceived debts owed, both for transgressions against the balance of mana and nature. As well as what you may feel you owe due to the procedure to fix your mana channels and hand."


    Trillia paused, first staring at the game piece in his hand, then at the thoughtful look in his eyes.


    Storm gave the piece a sad little smile before setting it down with great care. "You aren''t a physical fighter. You play at it, but everything I can find in my research says you''re a potent mage. You think like a brawling mage. You even fight like one. Perhaps one day, you will get proficient enough with your rapier to channel magic through it. When that day comes, I certainly hope my clan is on good terms, as you''ll be a force to be reckoned with, at least against my children."


    Storm motioned for her to sit. He pulled out the other chair and sat across. "There is a particular immortal who owes me a favor. I''m debating calling that favor in to have you trained as a mage. She''s an expert in the Aetherian Realms. She is also the strongest caster I''ve personally met."


    Trillia tilted her head in confusion. "I...don''t understand. Wouldn''t that increase my debt to you? I don''t imagine garnering a favor from such a person was easy. Or if it was, you''ve been holding on to that favor for centuries."


    Storm gave her an affirming nod as he set the board up, motioning for her to take the first move. "Are you aware of how [Primordials] are sealed? Or perhaps, what their purpose is?"


    Trillia gave a little shrug as she moved her first piece. "I sort of know they act as a form of population control, and it takes divine energy channeled through a pact-bound to seal them. I was also informed that the realm sees them as - what it called - a kill-switch. A way to end the realm if it grew corrupted. I''m not sure how that works exactly. How an entire realm can be corrupted. I fear such things are best left to my betters."


    Storm paused, a piece in his fingers. "So you''ve spoken to Alirast."


    Trillia copied the pause, and the two stared at each other. Wasn''t that obvious? The trait would seem to suggest it. It did make her wonder why Alirast had taken her hand if it could have implanted the same vein in her neck as the dragons had. More questions began springing to her mind. "Why was that your response?"


    Storm finished his move and leaned back in the chair. "Did you know - that most realms only have a single [Primordial]?"


    Her face screwed up in confusion at that. "Alirast has five! This is all so confusing. Riten said he was fighting one, but the generals said they are thousands of miles below the ground. Alirast tells me one thing. Everyone else says something else."


    Storm nodded at her words. "Some of that is because of rules. The [2nd Axle] enjoys wordplay. Many of the rules that he helped create revolve around that. Do you know Alirast''s purpose?"


    Trillia nodded, remembering a conversation about keystone creatures, keys, locks, and other such things during a meeting. "A prison, basically?"


    "Yes. Particularly - a prison for the [2nd Axle''s] first-born son. One-third of his soul is in Alirast. One-third in the first axle and the last third in the third axle."


    Trillia had all but forgotten the board in front of her. She didn''t think Storm was lying to her. He still had the traits about truth, after all.


    "Most [Primordials] don''t actually try to kill their core. It''s the opposite. They do everything in their power to maintain mana balance and keep their core happy and healthy. It''s symbiotic, as for what the young deity said. It''s entirely possible both statements are true. If a deity is alone, things work differently around them. Even your patron, as young and new as he is. Can step across realms as easily as you walk across this room. Best not to dwell on the perspective of such things."


    Trillia slouched in her chair, rubbing her eyes. Storm continued. "[Primordials] are normally sealed by a hero of the realm, such as your mother. Alirast is unique in how many it has. The balance of mana has to be much stricter here. It''s why there are so many dragons about. In other realms, the population of dragons is much lower because the mana density isn''t as worrisome."


    "So. Then why does it matter here? If this is only one part of its soul or whatever?"


    Storm offered her a shrug. "Alirast is millions of years old, by my best accounts, if not older. Do you know how dangerous something is to be imprisoned by three different axles across the universe? One of which is your own father? For millions of years? I don''t. But I imagine it''s pretty dangerous. The reason I bring all this up - the [Primordials] here on Alirast can be sealed with an overwhelming amount of mana. Mortals think it has to be divine in nature, but that''s because of how the system tracks mana. The amount of mana you have at your disposal is the system max for a mortal. Any more, and you''d be forced to become an immortal. But that is the starting point for immortals."


    "To my limited understanding, it just keeps scaling. If your maximum mana is a single point of immortal mana. I''d imagine greater deities have many thousands of times that amount. After all, even a deity such as your patron has to supply hundreds of thousands of followers with a sliver of their mana. That adds up over time."


    Trillia offered a frown. "While I am always happy to learn, may I ask what the purpose of this discussion is?"


    "An offer. I call in that favor. You are trained by a mage who has extensive experience in the Aetherian realms, one who has already declined my asking her to do the busy work I need you to do. Apparently, the favor doesn''t extend that far. In exchange, you help me in the Aetherian realms as originally intended. You are in a better position to help your deity - as well as the lesser mortals of Alirast, survive the primordial purge."This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "In exchange? I was already going to the Aetherian realms. There has to be something else, right?"


    "I want you to convince Arlyss to enter into an alliance with the Storm clan. I also want him to sponsor my ascent into either an immortal or a lesser deity."


    Trillia stared at the dragon seated before her. That made sense. Storm couldn''t approach Arlyss due to her patron''s curse. Storm also wanted to ascend and become something greater and lead his clan to greater heights. He cared little for mortals as a whole. "Do you truly believe that this mage can help me become strong enough?"


    Storm thought about that question for a few minutes. Slowly moving a piece in his next move. "There are things I don''t want to tell you. Things that may terrify you beyond reason. I have seen this mage wipe out a fleet of adult dragons on her own. I''ve seen her pull mana directly from the Aetherian realm. I think the only other person I know who could help you, who might be willing, is the queen of the humans. Alliyah doesn''t owe me a favor. I''m getting the better end of this deal. My clan will be elevated immensely, and I will have secured an alliance with a deity who will rise to absurd levels of power, given his heritage."


    Trillia held up a hand, causing the dragon to pause. "Under the condition that you owe me a favor. To be determined at a later time. Agree to that, and I''ll see it as a fair trade."


    Storm grinned at her words. Lifting his left hand and making a small cut before extending it to her. Trillia lifted her newly regenerated left hand and made a small cut herself.


    A geas notification popped up. She looked at Storm one last time before taking a deep breath and accepting.


    Titles unlocked!


    New titles available: 1


    Fairtrade:


    You have made numerous deals with creatures far, far beyond your power and ability. You have always strived to treat them fairly and have sealed your deals with a fair trade. Powerful creatures, immortals, and deities will now see you as ''Trillia Demonsbane Fairtrade''. If you become a matriarch of your own clan or tribe. It will be known as the Fairtrade clan. Furthermore, while this title is your active title, all creatures will be more amiable to you and any suggestions you make concerning trades or bartering.


    Trillia blinked a few times as the geas sunk in fully. Storm''s grin grew even more. "I knew I sensed a faint power when I first heard you say fair trade. I suppose it''s official now, Lady Fairtrade. I look forward to working with you for centuries to come. If you''ll excuse me, I''ll go and contact that immortal now. You should be good to look through the rest of your notifications now as well. Your mana channels have healed fully."


    The dragon stood and left the room without another word. Trillia stared at the blood on her hand. Closing her eyes and hoping she was making the right choices in life. She mentally touched the ring.


    "Still alive. Have left hand back. Working with dragons and immortals. Hope you all are well. Love, Trillia."


    "Guess we will have to double our efforts to keep up. Happy to hear you are well. Sincerely, Malor"


    Trillia remained in her chair, glancing at the board, her eyes slowly drifting to where her rapier sat by her nightstand. "Just playing at it." Whispering to herself and feeling a little hurt at the accusation. She stood and shook her head. "No matter. I said I wanted to get stronger. I said I wanted to make sure no one had to sacrifice themselves to the [Primordials]. I''ll see it done."


    Part of her wanted to curl up and cry - she fought the urge to be overwhelmed. Trillia walked over to the orange warming crystal and kneeled in front of it. Taking a deep breath, she began praying to both Ora''sys as well as Arlyss. She didn''t pray about anything in particular. It was more like silent rambling, asking them to watch over her friends and family. As well as, assuring them that she was ok.


    An hour had passed, and she found that praying helped calm her down immensely. It was as if both deities reached down to calm her nerves. With a little smile, she opened her status window. "This is becoming a mess, isn''t it?"


    Sitting back down at the table, she began twisting and warping her status window. Setting more and more limitations on what she saw. She hid all of her mastered classes, her bound artifacts. She shortened her mentor list to a series of first names. All the skills from them were maxed anyway. She just kept them there to make sure they were ok.


    Her general skill list was a nightmare. It took her nearly thirty minutes to figure out how to break it up into sections. All of her resistance passive skills were hidden in a ''Defense" category. She threw her regeneration and various buff skills in that as well and created a trigger that would only tell her if a skill had reached its maximum level AND that it had an evolution available.


    Next, she made another category called secondary skills. She put things like [Alchemy], [Cooking], [Herbalism], then gave it the same trigger she had with the ''Defense'' category. She repeated this for offensive skills and utility skills. She completely hid her racial skills, even if she had gained some new ones with the changeover. She only cared once they hit max level or could evolve. The various skills shrunk into their categories with little plus signs she could focus on to expand them.


    She hid her name, which she was mildly surprised to see even the system recognized her as {Trillia Demonsbane "Fairtrade"}. As well as her status and most of the excess information on her species. She hid all her traits from her status unless something changed or she got a new one.


    Finally, she brought up the many notifications she had gotten.


    Trait Acquired: Titan-Felling


    Titan-Felling: This creature has done the majority of damage and killed a creature that is at least level 500 and is 10x this creature''s level! Any damage it deals to any creature above its level ignores 10% of all resistances and armor. This creature also ignores divine resistances of creatures equal to or less than its divine rank or the divine rank of its patron!


    Trait Acquired: Elemental Savage


    Elemental Savage: This creature disrupted the natural flow of mana in a mortal realm by more than 300%, resulting in a call of retribution from a local equalizer! Elemental creatures will see this creature as an equal and have a more favorable attitude towards it. Elemental mages will become more irrational and angry at this creature without realizing why.


    Species: [Mortal]; [Mana-Warped Orc] Level 0 -> Level 62


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc-Teen;Runt] Level 83 - > 97


    The first thing she did was sink all of her extra points from her primary species into Wisdom as well. More and more of her abilities relied on her mana regeneration being high. Even if her maximum was absurd, it didn''t mean her regeneration was.


    Class: [Acolyte of Retribution] Level 0 -> 61


    Class: [Mana Conduit-Extendable] Level 7 -> 77


    She scrolled through the notifications in both directions but found no new skills for either class. With Conduit, it was expected. The class itself called out not giving her anything by the level. But she had been expecting something at least from being an Acolyte. She''d have to ask someone about that later, she didn''t think she''d be in combat anytime soon, so it wasn''t a pressing concern.


    The majority of the notifications were concerning various auras, debuffs, and buffs that she had gone through. As well as dozens about losing various traits and class features during the procedure to restore her hand.


    Her hand...


    Trillia couldn''t help but look down at her hand, clenching and unclenching it a few times. It was still rather odd to her to see it there. Closing her eyes and shaking her head, she instead moved to sit by the heating crystal in her room and wait. Bringing up her condensed status as she did.


    After a moment of staring at the various sub-sections of her status with a little plus symbol, she hid all of that as well under another category.


    Species: Mana-Warped Orc


    Subspecies: Mana-Infused Orc


    Class: Acolyte of Retribution


    Class: Mana-Conduit


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 444] + 50%


    \Strength: 177 + Vitality: 267/


    [Dexterity: 1567] + 50%


    \Agility: 216 + Wisdom: 1351/


    [Charisma: 500] + 50%


    \Intuition: 246 Presence: 254/


    Status:+

 Chapter 117 The Professor

    Trillia sat at her table, fiddling with pieces of the game board when a knock came at her door. "Come in."


    Taking a deep breath, she stood and waited for the door to open. The woman that walked in immediately set off alarm bells in her mind. The first thing that Trillia noticed was the woman''s appearance, she seemed like an orc, but not. Just like Arlyss and Riten had.


    "A deity?" At Trillia''s question, the woman spared her a glance and a nod, turning on Storm, who had stepped into the room.


    "Go get us some tea, and you had better not eavesdrop, lest I drop this entire citadel from the sky! You''ve been hounding me about the Aetherian plane for years! If you wish to damn your entire clan, so be it, I give up. Go! Shoo!" The woman barely touched five feet in height yet was happily shooing the monarch of the storm clan away like an unruly cat. Storm, for his part, merely bowed and left. Presumably, to get some tea.


    As the door closed, Trillia felt a wave of mana roll out of the woman, sealing the room. "You''re indebted to Quetzalcoatl. He has informed me of such. He also says you have very, very foolishly agreed to step foot in the Aetherian realm."


    Trillia managed to nod. The woman certainly had a force of presence about her. "Sit, sit. No purpose in standing. This is going to be a fairly long conversation. " The woman made the same shooing motion at Trillia before taking the seat opposite of Trillia.


    "Do I have permission to view your status?" At the question, Trillia tilted her head. Slowly lowering herself into her seat and nodding her permission.


    None of her skills went off. Her mana didn''t budge. This woman was a higher-ranking deity than Arlyss. Which confused Trillia even more, but for now, she stayed silent.


    "Oh, good. You''re immune to mana sickness. That at least makes it possible to be exposed to the Aetherian realms. You''ve also looked into them before. Interesting. Before we get int-" She paused suddenly and glanced at the door. Two seconds later, it swung open just as Storm was about to knock. The dragon entered and set down the tea, cups, and a metal pitcher that had steam exiting from one end. The dragon turned and left without a word, closing the door behind him.


    "Before we get into my questions, I know you have some of your own. The first that''s probably rattling about in your mortal mind is how can a deity step foot onto Alirast when outside gods aren''t meant to?"


    Trillia wondered briefly if the woman was just observant or was reading her mind. "That was the first thing I wondered, yes. Especially since you''re stronger than Lord Arlyss."


    "Observant. Good, good. I''m not beholden to the same rules as other deities. I presume you know how the universe operates?"


    Trillia started to nod but chose to shake her head instead. "I''d be lying if I said I had a deep understanding. I know there are three axles. But truthfully - I know very little otherwise."


    The old woman put some tea leaves in a tiny metal mesh ball and dropped one in each cup before pouring the near-boiling water into each carefully. "Even better. You''re willing to admit your ignorance. You might be surprised how often people will lie about what they know. Such people are impossible to teach. You aren''t to blame, dear. Very few know how the universe truly works. Even I only have a loose grasp on the fundamental basics."


    The woman pushed the tea over to Trillia. Trillia couldn''t help herself and let her [Divine Mana Sight] activate.


    [No]


    She blinked a few times before trying again.


    [I appreciate curiosity, but stop.]


    The woman gave her a little grin as she brought the tea to her lips and sipped. "Have you ever seen a tornado or giant whirlpool?"


    Trillia again shook her head. "I''ve read about them and seen pictures, but not in person."


    The woman set her tea down and raised a hand, a large whirlpool-like structure appeared faintly translucent in her hand. Instead of pulling everything in, it started at the bottom and slowly spiraled up and out. With the top of the whirlpool falling into nothingness. "At the base of this whirlpool-like structure, is a [Forge of Creation]. It is powered by a [Universe Core]. Just like dungeons, realms, and capital cities have cores that will influence change within their respective domains, so to does this core. It is responsible for the system we all use. It can update and change the core framework of the system. Then, each realm will add its own modifications as it sees fit. Classes may work differently in your realm, than they do in another. The axles can also force change on the system."


    The fact that some cities could have a core was news to Trillia. She had never heard of anything like that. "I think I am following you so far."


    "Most people, even some deities, wrongly believe that the universe is only the three axles. This isn''t true. There is a place between the forge and the first axle. It is a place where the refuse of the universe collects, to be brought back into the forge. It''s then turned into new realms and raw mana. Amongst this area, are a few realms and deities such as myself. We largely operate outside of traditional rules and laws of the universe, because we have no stake in anything. I can come here, talk with you, perhaps even bring you back to my realm to train. But I could not advise a realm leader during times of war. I could not empower someone in this realm to do great things. I can teach, that''s all."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Trillia sat there in silence, slowly bringing the tea to her lips and taking a small sip as she let the information settle in her mind. "I have many more questions. But I would rather not waste any more of your time. If you choose to deny Lord Storm''s request to train me, I may ask some of my other questions. Otherwise, I think I''ll have plenty of time during training. Also, I''m sorry for trying to scan you, I should have asked. Especially after you were polite enough to ask me."


    The woman''s tea cup paused halfway to her lips at that last sentence. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Setting the tea cup down she reached a hand across the table. "Greater Deity of Knowledge, Wisdom, and Art. Saraswati ''The Professor''. You may call me Professor. It''s a pleasure to meet you, young lady."


    Trillia could feel the small pulse in power. ''The Professor'' was the deity''s title. Trillia extended her hand and gently shook the deity''s. "Trillia Demonsbane ''Fairtrade''. Ask your questions, Professor."


    Saraswati pulled her hand back and sat in silence for a few minutes, contemplating the questions she might ask. "Do you understand, that entering the Aetherian plane brings with it the risk of soul obliteration? Things that exist there are not meant for mortals. I caution most immortals from entering. There are no rules within the Aetherian plane."


    "I was not aware of that. But I owe a debt. I will attempt to fulfill my debt whether I have training or not. That said, I''d much rather survive."


    The Professor gave her a little frown. "Honor, chivalry, nobility. Mortals do tend to grasp at morality. It makes me wonder how much of that drive is influenced by the cores, or deities."


    "Says the Greater Deity that is fulfilling a favor owed to a mortal dragon."


    The woman gave her a sharp look before cackling. "Well said, Fairtrade. Time works differently in my realm. Because it will not affect the other realms or the universe as a whole. Training with me will be grueling, at times monotonous and boring. Storm wants me to train you for nine months of your local time. That is going to become years with me. You won''t be able to come back to this realm during that time. You will not age, at least not physically. But your mind will undergo incredible duress, your soul even more so. There is a very, very high chance that even with all of my training, the moment you attempt to do what Storm asks of you, you''ll be obliterated before you can think to escape. Are you still certain?"


    "I am. Am I correct in assuming you brought Lord Storm to your realm to discuss all of this already? That''s how you arrived so quickly?"


    "Correct. Here, take this." The professor reached into the open air and pulled out a quill, ink, and a stack of papers. "Write any letters you need to write. Last words, instructions, things of that nature. I''ll go and fetch Storm and inform him to have them all delivered. Then we''ll be off. Just so you''re aware. You won''t be the only student I have. Others may come and go. Some won''t speak to you, some won''t be able to interact with you at all."


    Trillia nodded once more, she lifted the quill, dipped it in ink, and began scratching out letters to her friends and family. Even writing one to Arlyss, and one to Ora''sys. Just in case. She''d ask Layla to read those to the respective gods. Part of her was terrified of failing, terrified of dying. But she had already sacrificed so much of her life towards power and the ability to make a difference. She wouldn''t back down at this stage.


    Trillia hadn''t even finished writing her letters by the time The Professor and Storm were in the room and waiting. Storm took the finished letters and offered a wide smile to Trillia. "I look forward to seeing you again soon, Lady Fairtrade. The Storm clan is grateful for the risks you take."


    Trillia bowed to him. As she straighted out she looked around the room to make sure she had all of her things. "I suppose I am ready, Professor."


    Trillia''s eyes blinked rapidly, and she stumbled back falling to her backside. The room had simply changed. There was no flashing light, no portal. No transition, nothing. One minute she was in the storm citadel on Alirast, the next she was sitting in a well-lit room that smelled faintly of pine and flowers. It took her a moment to look around and realize the room had a small comfortable-looking bed. One wall was entirely covered in books, and there was a small desk with a dozen little drawers and a variety of tools on it. Some she recognized as writing instruments, others she had no knowledge of.


    There was a small table near her bed that had a small globe, shedding a soft blue light. There were three doors in the room, all of them open for her convenience of getting her bearings. One led into a smaller room that had bars running along the walls at height level. Another held what looked like a bathtub and a chamber pot, but the enchantments and mana flow around all of it were incredibly complex. The last led into a hallway.


    The Professor was nowhere to be seen. Trillia felt a faint tug at her mind, pulling her into the hallway. Slowly, she stood and let it guide her. The walk took longer than she expected. She passed no less than two dozen other doors identical to hers. But they were impossibly close together. There was some sort of spatial effect on them.


    After a few more minutes of walking, she finally stepped into a much larger room. This one, like the hallway and her own room, was coated in a soft blue light. A rich wooden look coated the many logs that the building seemed to be constructed from. None of it made a great deal of sense to Trillia, the size of the room seemed impossible with no structural supports in the center. She was certainly no builder, but she had seen enough buildings get constructed in her time to know mana was at play. The sheer level of mana density and enchantments lent weight to an unspoken power.


    Her eyes looked up and around and it took her a moment to realize she wasn''t alone. Three other individuals were sitting at small desks, books open in front of them. She activated her [Mana-Sight]. It didn''t give her the usual benefits of what a scan might. Something was blocking that ability off completely. But the weaves of mana become more crisp and clear to her. Walking over to a bookshelf, she ran her fingers along the wood and marveled at the thousands of enchantments placed on it. Malor would have been ecstatic.


    One of the first things she noticed about the other individuals, was that all of them seemed to be the exact same height and width. Her brain told her that the proportions should look wrong, but the divine magic twisting space was too powerful for her to discern. Having no idea what to do, she grabbed a book whose title she could read off the shelf and took a seat.


    Trillia had faith that the Professor would come and speak to her soon. One didn''t simply demand all of a Greater Deity''s attention after all.

 Chapter 118 Class?

    The book Trillia had taken from the shelf was interesting. It spoke in-depth on weaving enchantments, though some of the language didn''t make sense to her. It spoke of molecules and atoms, things she had no grasp or understanding of. It spoke of interactions with something called electricity and how mana could and would interfere with things.


    From the context of the book, Trillia could tell it was written by a gnome or a dwarf. She''d read books from both races before, in Arlyss'' library, and while she''d never say it to either race''s face, the two were strikingly similar in how they went about writing.


    "New blood, eh? So what''s your story, beast?" Trillia wanted to berate whoever was speaking. Calling someone a beast was no way to have a conversation. But it wasn''t her problem. For now, she didn''t want to interfere. She''d need to see how the Professor handled such matters. So she kept reading and ignored the voice.


    A few seconds of silence went by, before a loud tap on her desk, caused her to jerk her head out of the book. "I''m speaking to you. Pay attention." The voice belonged to a woman with alabaster skin and purple eyes. She wore an odd looking garment that was tied at one shoulder and acted like a dress the rest of the way, with a thin chain belt hugging her waist.


    Trillia tilted her head slightly, staring at her. Had she been calling Trillia a beast? A little frown tugged at her lips before she turned her attention back to her book. Trillia had met people like this woman before. There had been plenty in her early days at D''Jamu.


    That seemed to have been the wrong answer as the same growled in frustration and slammed a hand closer to Trillia. "Are you incapable of speech? I was informed that only the truly gifted could be brought here to learn."


    Another voice sprang from the resulting silence. This one sounded a bit like boulders scrapping together. It rumbled Trillia to her core. "Bold of you to assume you know the worth of a creature better than a deity of knowledge. I would advise caution, M''Lady. Just because the Professor tempers our appearance does not mean we are without our individual strengths."


    The woman snorted and walked away to bother someone else, who also promptly ignored her.


    The woman in question was loud, and after an hour or so of bothering the now seven other inhabitants of the room, she finally flopped down in a chair herself while everyone else read.


    The Professor finally stepped into the room - what felt like hours later - her appearance had changed. She stood at the height of everyone else but had a light brown complexion that reminded Trillia a bit of Kismet. Brilliant green eyes and flowing black hair. A long, flowing white dress brushed the ground with red and gold highlights. The only reason Trillia recognized the woman at all was her presence. What had been a faint whisper of divinity before now filled the room. Everyone sat a little straighter, and everyone put their books down.


    "Your patience is appreciated. A few things of note while you are here. Friendly duels are not only allowed but encouraged. However, both parties must agree first. There are effective measures to ensure that none of you can die while you''re here. Attacking someone, physically or mentally without consent will result in punishment. If someone taxes you verbally or emotionally, I''d recommend learning how to deal with that. You will face far, far worse in the Aetherian plane."


    "Food is provided at six intervals throughout the day with a wide variety of types. By the time I''m done with this speech, I will be implanting a complete and total map of the student area into your minds that you will not be able to forget as long as you are here. You eight are new students. That does not mean your time here will be equal. Some will be here a short time, others a long time. A mistake many students make. "


    The Professor now pointedly looked towards the troublemaker from before. "Is assuming that the people brought here are not capable. Amongst you eight - there are two lesser deities, four immortals, and two mortals. With all that said, failure to follow the loose guidelines I give and repeated offenses will be met with being thrown into the Aetherian plane. Make no mistake, I have agreed to teach you. I have not agreed to coddle you. If you are deemed unteachable and a malcontent, I will simply dispose of you."


    Everyone sat a little straighter as worry crossed the faces of all present. The Professor continued. "I do not care who you are, who you represent. I do not care if your parents are beggars in the street or the axles themselves. Here. In this space, I have total and utter control and the ability to punish as I see fit. The things you will be learning to face in the Aetherian plane do not care for status, birthright, titles, class, or any other superfluous things that you all think are important. I have witnessed Greater Deities torn to shreds because they underestimated the Aetherian plane.


    DO.


    NOT.


    Underestimate the Aetherian plane. It will cost you not only your life but your soul as well."


    "While you are here, you will be incapable of learning new languages, but you will be able to understand one another''s words with perfect clarity, even if the intent behind them may escape some of you.


    There are a near-limitless number of books on these shelves. Over the coming weeks, the realm will grow accustomed to you and only show you books that are suitable for the realms from which you hail. Are there any questions?"


    Trillia raised her hand, as did the boulder-voiced creature from before. "Fairtrade." Trillia lowered her hand before speaking. "Is there a way to ask the realm for specific books? This one is about enchanting, and it''s really interesting, but there are a lot of words I don''t understand."


    The troublemaker rolled her eyes and rested her chin in her palm. The Professor nodded with a smile. "Yes, That will be something else you all have an understanding of once we are done here. Learning under me will mostly be about your own drive and ambition. Knowledge is not something to be forced into your mind. It must be offered, and you must be ready to make the effort."


    Trillia nodded.


    The Professor turned to the other raised hand. "Titan." Trillia turned to glance at the creature as its hand went down. The spatial magic had to be throwing her off. The creature looked a bit like a handsome human with deep red skin like hers. Except his eyes were glowing embers of orange. Two horns twisted up his forehead. "I understand that I am primarily here to learn about the Aetherian plane and the associated magic that accompanies it. However, I have heard that you are also an expert in many forms of martial fighting. Is that something we will be able to learn from you?"


    The Professor contemplated the question for a few seconds before speaking. "There''s some misinformation there, Titan. While it is true that your purpose here is to learn about the Aetherian plane, you are not here to learn just about the magic. You are here to learn about its very nature and everything you must do to survive there. Your status pages will vary from individual to individual. However, something you must all be aware of is that the Aetherian plane doesn''t care about your status. It cares about your willpower, and I do not mean the thing that appears on your status pages. I mean it cares about the strength and content of your soul itself. You will absolutely be learning how to fight from me, Titan. Because there may be times when you are forced to fight in the Aether. Just know that you must be the sum of all the parts I offer. If you fail in any one area, you will not succeed or survive this training."Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    After a few moments, another hand went up. This one belonged to what looked like a female elf, but her skin was made of blue leaves and a dark green bark. "Does this mean there is no way to save us if we falter?"


    "I will do my best. I am skilled in the Aetherian plane and it''s magic. But you must understand that there are entities there whose power I couldn''t contest, even if I had a thousand times the power I have. Most of your early months will be learning how to avoid drawing the attention and ire of the more serious threats."


    A few more minutes passed, and the Professor nodded. A stack of books three tall appeared on the desk of every student there. "Read these books and do your best to memorize their content. I will give you a week to do so before I test you. If you fail the test, I will suggest that you drop out and leave for your own safety. If ever you need to ask me a question, simply place your hand on the orb on this desk." Both the desk and the orb appeared at the ''front'' of the classroom.


    "Most of your status will be blocked this is for your own safety. We are outside of the reach of the axles and very close in relative terms to the [Universe Core]. This means system changes can happen at any time and often happen frequently. The area around us is often used to test how system changes will impact the lives of mortals and the realms they inhabit. It''s for this reason your statuses are locked. In the hopes of sparing you the most drastic of changes."


    "With that in mind, your health will be fixed at a hundred thousand, as will your stamina and mana. This is not going to be relative to what any of you have had before. For some of you, that is going to be an incredible increase. For others, it will feel as if you have no room to utilize your skills to their fullest."


    "As I mentioned before, friendly duels are acceptable. A healthy goal for your first six months is to create powerful magical attacks and spells while using less than twenty mana. Try to aim for this during your duels here. A key component in the Aetherian realm is that you will all have access to truly infinite mana. You will each be capable of casting spells there that could level the realms you each hail from, but the creatures that inhabit the Aetherian realm feed off of mana, they seek large pulses of mana and wish to greedily devour it."


    That caused everyone to give her very confused looks. Everyone in the class raised a hand. The Professor waved her own. "You will understand by the end of this week. Read, study, and most importantly learn how to control your power. All of you have some form of seeing mana as it forms. So I want you to watch and learn."


    The students leaned forward slightly in their desks. The Professor raised her hand, palm facing them. She closed her hand into a fist and raised her pointer finger directly up. Trillia watched as the tiniest trickle of mana gathered at her fingertip. The flow of mana swirled in on itself and seemed to implode, causing sparks of bright red mana. Over and over, a hundred times a second before exploding out toward the students in a wave of heat that singed hair and caused blisters. The books were entirely unharmed. "That was seven points of the mana pool each of you has available. Something that none of you were informed of before you came here is that many of the traits needed to safely step foot into the Aetherian plane are also traits required for deities to break through the barrier from a normal deity to a greater deity."


    The hands all went down, and Trillia could feel the healing mana coursing around the others in the room. Her hand remained up. "Fairtrade."


    "I haven''t gotten any notifications. Is there a reason for that?"


    "As I previously mentioned, you''re outside the axles. Changes will happen to your status naturally here. You will not receive notifications because the Universe core doesn''t deem it worthwhile. There are only a handful of places in this part of the universe that have fully functioning, stable systems, and this is not one of them. The lock I put on your status windows is extensive, but ultimately, I am just a Greater deity. The [Universe Core] can sweep aside all that I do by accident. When you return to your realms, there is a very high chance that your classes will be different, and your stats will have changed drastically. This is normal, don''t panic. In fact, Fairtrade, one of your classes is perfectly suited to this endeavor. Free-form casting is something that most classes do not condone. That is entirely what you''ll all be doing here. While your classes will guide you, most of the heavy lifting will be done on your own time. If anyone has any questions about how to form spells without a skill or system behind it, I''d recommend making it worth Fairtrade''s time to teach you."


    The trouble-maker finally raised her hand. "Tempest."


    "Isn''t that why we are here? To learn from you? Why would I have to learn from....her." Trillia could feel the disgust roll off the woman''s tongue.


    The Professor sighed softly and shook her head. "The first magic I ever learned was from a beggar. That was before the realm you hail from had even been created. Knowledge cannot be forced. It must be sought after. Fairtrade is an incredibly capable caster for her age. Her understanding of free-form casting is perfect for novices to learn. Learning from each other is just as important as learning from me. Perhaps more so because I can no longer lower my thought process to the level all of you are currently at. While I am a good teacher, nothing in this universe is perfect. That''s all for today. Get reading."


    With that, the Professor vanished. No fanfare, no lights, no mana. She was simply gone. Without missing a beat, Trillia stood and walked over to Titan. "I''m Trillia Demonsbane ''Fairtrade''. You were asking the Professor about martial combat, right?"


    The creature gave her an odd look but nodded. Trillia kept going. "Are you skilled at martial combat yourself?"


    "That would depend on who you ask, Lady Fairtrade. I am considered gifted amongst my kind for my prowess with weapons, but many others would see me as a novice."


    Trillia smiled wide at that. "I was just told by a powerful creature of my own realm that I was just playing at swords and that I should abandon it. What can I offer to learn about physical fighting from you? I don''t have much knowl-"


    The creature raised his hand and offered it to her. "Teach me free-form casting. My father is one of the greatest mages in the second axle, and I fear I have inherited none of his prowess for magic. If you teach me casting, I''ll teach you everything I know about any weapon you are curious about."


    Trillia grinned and grabbed his hand. "It''s a fair trade in that case." A pulse of divine magic flowed out from the two of them, Titan looked down at his hand with a grin.


    "I wondered how you got such a title... Let me know when you wish to practice. I''ll be reading until such a time - I do not wish to disappoint the Professor in my first week."


    Trillia thought about that for a moment and nodded. "That''s smart. I''m not sure how to tell time here."


    The plant woman from before approached them. "There is an hourglass that we can all summon. It''s part of the magic that was imprinted on our minds. I believe they follow the same time scale."


    Trillia searched her mind and found not only the map but a host of other temporarily bestowed skills. With the direction of the plant girl, the class summoned their hour classes, finding each of them in perfect sync with a number at the top. The plant woman twisted it and turned it. "It seems to operate on a thirty-hour-a-day scale. I fear I offer little in terms of skills, but if it''s ok with the two of you, I''d like to at least be able to observe any training you do."


    Titan was the one who spoke up first. Other groups in the class had started to form as well. "Let''s agree to meet in the training grounds at the twenty-eighth hour of every day, for two hours?"


    The two girls nodded. The plant girl extended her hand to each. "Meridia Everflow ''Blossom''."


    Titan took her hand first with a smile. "Levant ''Titan'' Darktone. A pleasure to meet you both."


    Trillia''s eyes widened a little as her gaze turned fully to Titan.

 Chapter 119 First Duel

    Trillia did her best to keep the shock from showing. Instead, she gave a pleasant smile and retrieved her books before returning to her room.


    She didn''t believe it was a mere coincidence that a Darktone was here. Fate and Destiny continued to be nudged in the direction of the [2nd Axle]''s choosing it seemed. Titan couldn''t have been a sibling to Lord Arlyss. Surely Arlyss would have mentioned it. So it was another Darktone.


    Perhaps it was an attempt on her life? Was that even something she had to worry about here? She buried her face in her hands, rubbing her eyes as she plopped into the chair at her desk.


    "Focus. You are here to learn. You cannot be distracted." Taking a deep breath and steadying the spiral of conspiracy in her mind, she looked at the books in front of her.


    It took a few hours to figure it out, but two of the three books were just references to the actual learning material. She found herself with all three books sitting open on her desk and constantly bouncing between each of them.


    Six more hours in, and it felt like her mind might melt out of her skull. As she stood with a stretch, a knock came at her door. "Coming!"


    Trillia walked over, and as she swung the door open, Blossom stood there waiting. "Hey, sorry to bother you, Fairtrade. I sort of needed a break, and this is one of the scheduled times for food. I thought maybe you''d like to get something to eat and maybe compare some notes?"


    Trillia smiled wide and stepped into the hall, closing her door behind her. "Absolutely! I am just barely beginning to understand how to actually read the stuff we''re supposed to be learning."


    Blossom offered a nod as the two walked the hall. A few more people popped out with varying degrees of frustration and confusion evident on their faces. "Tell me about it! It took me a whole hour just to realize there''s only really one book we have to know. What sort of crazy person writes two extra books just so a third can be understood?!"


    "The Professor."


    Trillia glanced over her shoulder as Tempest walked past them. "She''s the author of all three books. The reason the reference books exist is because she teaches so many entities like us that simply do not understand the concepts she speaks of in the primary material. But other deities already know those simple concepts. Well, simple for them, I guess. So she can just hand them a copy of the primary book, and they will understand it."


    Trillia and Blossom were surprised at how cordial Tempest was being and by her general knowledge of the subject. Blossom is the one who spoke up. "That''s...incredibly insightful. I feel so far behind in what I should know."


    Tempest paused and waited for the two of them to catch up. Unsurprisingly, the woman called Tempest had a rapid gait. "You two are the mortals, aren''t you?"


    That set both of the young women on edge. Tempest laughed faintly as she shook her head. "That makes so much more sense. It will be interesting to see how mortals handle all of this, but yes. You''re right. You are behind. You''re a few thousand years behind on the basic knowledge that most creatures need to become even lesser deities. Good luck, you''ll both need it." With that, the woman faintly waved her hand at the two and once more started her power walk, presumably towards food.


    The two came into the same hall and found Tempest was sitting on her own with a book in one hand and a fork in the other. The actual dish she was eating couldn''t be discerned. It had some sort of enchantment on it that made it impossible to focus on. Looking around, Trillia realized it was the same for the meals of all the others.


    Blossom motioned for Trillia to follow. Next to the wall was a small stack of plates and bowls. Blossom picked up a plate and set it on a heavily enchanted countertop. After a few seconds, the same blurred images appeared, and she picked it up with a smile. "Just think about a meal you''ve had. The reason you can''t see mine is probably because our realms are so different. The system is trying to protect us from picking up knowledge that is forbidden in our home realms for whatever reason."


    A few short seconds later, and Trillia had a large plate of bacon and eggs, the two girls moved their desks together as they ate.


    "Enough, Tempest!" The voice came from a creature that Trillia couldn''t quite make out, it was a quadraped with four arms and eight eyes. Looking at him caused her brain to hurt in a way that she wasn''t used to, like he wasn''t quite right and the enchantments on the place were doing their best. "If you are going to continue being such a petty child than you leave me no choice. I challenge you to a duel."Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    The rest of the voices in the hall went silent. Tempest slowly stood with a little grin on her face. "I was hoping one of you lesser beings would be so bold as to challenge me. It will be a good lesson for everyone else about the pecking order!"


    A voice that came across as a harsh whisper struck the minds of everyone in the class. "I''ll officiate." Trillia''s eyes fell on the figure that spoke. He looked...completely and utterly average. Nondescript face, brown eyes, short brown hair, human-esque. Her mana-sight said that there he had no mana of any kind.


    Tempest and the would-be challenger glanced at him, and both seemed more nervous now. The challenger spoke as he bowed. "Thank you. May we know your name?"


    The man shook his head as he began walking away, motioning for them to follow. His subtle beckoning had the entire new class up and following him, except Titan, who hadn''t been present in the hall in the first place. Only as they followed what Trillia could only assume was an upper-classmen, did she realize that there were dozens, if not hundreds, of other people around. All of them were just outside of her sight until she walked. It was like the hall existed many, many times over, and she was getting a glimpse of people who were only partially there.


    They were led to a wooden door that led into a large sandy arena. The man glanced at both duelists, and Trillia noticed a faint trickle of mana. The arena warped and twisted into a rocky terrain with pools of water and spears of dark rusted metal. "Go all out, remember, you can''t die in this arena. Of course...you can feel pain. DuMont, overseeing a duel between Tempest and Lancaster."


    Tempest and Lancaster stepped inside the arena, and a barrier arose around it. More people filtered in and chatted while making bets. She didn''t recognize most of them. She stepped up next to DuMont. "Are these all other students here?"


    DuMont glanced at her with a bit of surprise. "Yes, at any given time there are a few thousand students that The Professor teaches on various subjects. I take it you''re part of a new class?" As Trillia nodded, DuMont continued. "What are you here to learn?"


    The question surprised Trillia. She had assumed that everyone just come here to learn about the Aetherian plane. She had no idea why that had been her assumption and now felt a bit foolish for it. Tempest and Lancaster took their places on either side of the arena. "The Aetherian Plane, and you?"


    "Begin."


    DuMont spoke as he raised a finger to his lips. "Why don''t we let them concentrate." Trillia nodded and turned her eyes to the arena, where a very big problem was made evident. Neither fighter was actually doing anything.


    Both wore a dumbfounded look on their face as they stared down at their hands as if the appendages had offended them in some way. This got a rather large amount of other students laughing hysterically at the two new students.


    It went on for a few minutes. Both students had beads of sweat running down their foreheads but hadn''t moved an inch or attacked each other at all. DuMont spoke up. "First real lesson to the new students. There is an anti-magic zone on the entire school. Any skill you try to activate that uses more than a hundred mana is suppressed by that zone. The only magic above that threshold that works is The Professor''s. This duel is a draw. Before any of you decide you''re particularly skilled or tough, I''d take some time to read through all of the effects this place has. It''s a book you can summon called The Classroom."


    Tempest snorted in frustration. "Tough talk! Just because you know a little more about this place!"


    The other student''s laughter stopped. DuMont bowed deeply and offered a smile. "Once you''ve learned how to use skills again, I will happily accept a duel from you, Lady Tempest. Or from your entire class all at once to even the odds. The Professor warned all of you, the people here are uniquely skilled, do not underestimate anyone for any reason. You''d think a lesser deity of conflict would understand the dangers of such a thing. Though....I guess you''re still learning to control your portfolio?"


    That left Tempest a bit dumbstruck the other students bemoaned and argued who won any bets, since DuMont ''ruined'' the fun for everyone. Trillia remained standing at his side, and as he turned to leave, she spoke up. "It''s a bit rude to not answer a question when I answered yours, Lord DuMont."


    The man froze and turned to her, offering a shrug and nod. "I''m studying the creation of realm cores and how to stabilize mana fields so that I can better understand creating life and the process of evolution on fledgling realms. Forgive me for being rude. If you''ll excuse me, I want to finish my lunch."


    Trillia couldn''t even muster a bow. That had to be a deity of some kind. Creating realm cores? That''d be creating entire realms. Blossom tapped her on the shoulder, pulling her out of her reverie. "Making more friends, I see."


    Trillia gave a tiny little nod as the two returned to their own meal. "You know, suddenly, I feel like I don''t belong even more than before. Like I shouldn''t have been given this chance."


    Blossom gave her a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. "I get it. My realm sent me here to learn about the Aetherian plane. There''s a tear to it on our world that''s causing a lot of damage. I have a unique trait that makes me immune to mind-altering conditions, and I am immune to mana sickness. So my elders told me I was uniquely suited to learn what was required to close the tear."


    Focused fully on her words, Trillia thought about her own reason for being here. It was certainly not nearly that grand. "I''m just here to settle a debt to a dragon. If I can help you with any learning, let me know. I hope you can save your world."


    Blossom offered her the best fake smile she could manage as the two finished their meal, mostly in silence.

 Chapter 120 Fate Revealed

    The week flew by.


    No one else in the new class had been confident enough to challenge anyone to any more duels. There was also some sort of spatial enchantment on their class. Trillia had taken to calling them Upper-Classmen, and unless one of them spoke up and made themselves known, no one from the new class could reliably see them.


    Titan had only briefly run into Blossom and Trillia. The first week wasn''t much training for magic and combat. It was almost entirely breaking their brains on those damn books.


    The books. Trillia groaned as she mindlessly shoveled food into her face. Two of the immortals had been dropped. Lancaster, the quadruped from the duel, and another one that she hadn''t met. Trillia and Blossom had just barely passed. The two sat at a desk eating with the book open between them.


    "I wish we could just take a few days off like the Professor suggests." Blossom lamented as she stared at the torture device.


    "Yeah, but we didn''t do well. She didn''t seem angry, but I don''t want to risk dying because we were lazy. We''re the catch-up kids right now."


    Blossom gave a little mumble but kept reading. The two looked up when another plate was set on the table across from them. Tempest rubbed her eyes, obviously upset. "Ok, I was a royal bitch to the two of you at first. I honestly figured I was well above two mortals. I''m a goddess of Conflict, so it''s in my nature to be combative, but I won''t use my portfolio as an excuse. I can''t figure out how to cast here. I am a decent caster from my own realm. I''ve done free-form casting before. A lot of a deity''s duties utilize a type of free-form casting. Yet I cannot make anything happen."


    The two girls paused and simply stared at her, waiting for the point they were sure was coming. Tempest continued. "I''ll help you learn all this technical stuff that you are struggling with. If you help me with actually utilizing any of my twice damned skills!"


    Trillia smiled and extended her hand. "Sounds like a fair trade to me."


    Tempest''s lips curled a bit in disgust before she shook Trillia''s hand. "That divine magic of yours is utterly revolting to feel. No offense."


    "Sorry. I''m not used to having a title. Fairtrade is the only one I have, and I got it right before coming here." That seemed to surprise both of her dinner guests.


    Blossom spoke up. "Really? I''ve had my title for nearly a hundred years. It seems strange to have not gotten a title in such a long time."


    Tempest shrugged. "Maybe her realm is just low on the power scale? I''ve heard of realms with low mana capacity having a lot of difficulties forming titles or magic-based classes. That could be why she''s so good at free-form casting as well?"


    Trillia paused, not only because she felt it a bit rude to talk about her as if she wasn''t sitting next to them. But also because Trillia realized that she hadn''t really gotten to know Blossom that much. "I''m... I''m only like thirteen or fourteen...."


    "WHAT?!" Both of the other girls yelled out in unison.


    Tempest''s visage changed from the usual resting -talk to me and I''ll kill you- face, to one of surprising softness. "Is...is that old? For your realm?"


    "No. I''m still a child. My mother is several centuries old. My brothers are only...well, I guess now they''d be in their twenties or so. But they are still very, very young as well."


    Tempest seemed almost hurt by that. "I''m...sorry. I didn''t realize." Blossom put a comforting hand on her shoulder, which left Trillia quite confused.


    "Umm...it''s fine? Orc children are thrown into battle by the time they are five or six. For many years it''s the only way we could survive our nomadic lifestyle. We have a racial trait that surfaces when we face near-death as a child, that makes us nearly unkillable for a short time."


    Tempest''s face dropped even more. "Trillia that''s... No. That is normal. I must remember we come from different realms, with different cultures. I really need to learn to stop assuming things."


    A deep voice pulled them all from their discussion as Titan walked past, book in hand. "I do believe that''s why the both of us were sent here. Let''s be honest, Tempest. Both of us have had relatively easy lives compared to people who were born mortal. I think our fathers wanted us to understand mortality and diversity of culture better."


    Trillia offered him a smile and motioned for him to join the table. Titan sat down and returned the smile. "Tempest is technically my cousin. Her father rules over the Celestial bands from the [2nd Axle], my father rules over the Infernal bands."


    Tempest smacked his shoulder and gave him an exasperated look. "We aren''t supposed to just shout that from the roof you numbskull!"


    Titan slowly rolled his eyes. "Yes, because we''re in such a dangerous place."


    Blossom glanced over at Trillia, watching her tense up. "Trillia...is everything ok?"Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Trillia''s mind raced and tumbled as she looked over at the two deities. "So. You''re both Darktones?"


    Tempest and Titan looked over at her with a bit of surprise. "Yes? Is that an issue?" Tempest seemed almost insulted.


    Titan reached across the table and gently put his hand over hers. "We aren''t as scary as the rumours make us out to be. Judging by that reaction, you hail from the [2nd Axle] as well, don''t you?"


    Trillia had to fight the urge to jerk her hand away. While Tempest had been a bit combative at first, she hadn''t really threatened Trillia. "I am pact-bound, to a deity named Arlyss Ocrey Darktone. I...I feel as though your family meddles in fate, without much thought for others."


    The two gave each other a knowing look, a brief exchange of glances later, and Tempest spoke up. "Trillia. Without knowing exactly what world you come from, I don''t know how accurate this time will be. But Titan is only ten thousand or so. I have only just broken into my seven-thousands. I realize that seems ancient to you. But our fathers have existed for millions of years. The [2nd Axle], who is technically our uncle. Has existed for maybe billions. We are keenly aware of how cruel things can be."


    Trillia sat back and chewed on her lip, thinking about their words. Titan continued. "It is a matter of portfolio. The way a deity''s power works is related to what they have dominion over. Think of it like this, Tempest is a goddess of Conflict. There are many gods of war. Which do you think is stronger?"


    Trillia was happy to latch on to the distraction, especially if it meant answers. "I guess Conflict? It covers a broader range of things, right?"


    Blossom, surprisingly, was the one to speak up. "Well...yes. If you are talking about a trade negotiation, sure. War wouldn''t really cover that."


    Tempest grinned and shook her finger. "Not quite. Conflict covers a wider range of things, which is why I ascended for Conflict and not War. However, if trade negotiations were to break down. It could result in a trade war. There is a reason all deities are so finicky with the words they use. Many people believe that War is only fought with blade and spell. But that is simply not true."


    "So what''s the difference? If they have so much overlap?"


    Titan took over. "A portfolio gives a deity the ability to nudge certain things in a direction they want. To give boons and blessings to their allies and afflictions to their enemies. War is an escalation of Conflict, yes. In that regard, if something devolves into a War, Tempest would be at a disadvantage. Portfolios that cover a more narrow range of things are considerably more powerful."


    "However!" Tempest exclaimed, seemingly much more animated and excited now. "If I can solve an issue while it is still a conflict and not a war. I win the exchange. I can give my boons and blessings significantly sooner than a portfolio of war! The biggest difference in portfolios is how strong or weak they are early on. Many minor deities pick extremely narrow subjects for their ascension. This lets them give huge boons that have a serious impact, thus generating more followers."


    "But taking a broad and general portfolio is a slow build-up." Blossom reasoned. "It means at an early age you''re weaker. But later in your lifetime, you will be able to wield your power over a massive area of things."


    Trillia glanced at the two deities. "Can I ask...maybe a rude question?"


    Both nodded. "Lord Arlyss is my age. He is alre-"


    Tempest raised a hand. "You cannot judge anyone based on the progress of the Triplets. Their father is a freak of circumstance and coincidence. Arlyss has two extremely broad Portfolios and is already considerably stronge-" Tempest paused as realization dawned on her. "You''re from Alirast. The cradle-world."


    Titan and Tempest''s faces both dropped. Trillia and Blossom sat there confused. After a heavy pause, Trillia nodded. "I am from Alirast...yes. Is that a problem?"


    Titan just started laughing. Tempest rubbed her eyes. "By all the gods, I hate teaching mortals anything."


    As Titan began to speak, he wiped a tear from his eye. "You aren''t supposed to be able to speak to us. I''d wager half the reason any of us are here is because Uncle Kain fucked around with the strands of fate to make sure we met." He tried to say more but just started laughing again.


    "Sorry, but I don''t understand any of what you all are saying." Blossom looked between the three of them in confusion.


    Tempest nodded. "Uncle Kain broke the rules even if he had a very good reason to do so. One of the Primordial class dragon deities tried to assassinate his pregnant wife. But rules are rules. So the...." She paused, looking at the two mortals. "The boss of the deities has to be impartial. Alirast was locked from seeking outside help. No one, except maybe Uncle Kain and the boss, knows the conditions to lift that lock, but it has lessened recently."


    Trillia nodded. "Right. So why would he want us to meet?"


    Titan scratched his chin, a grin still on his face. "Well. Uncle Kain doesn''t really lose. Anything. Ever. I guess to get to the point we were making at the onset of this conversation. Uncle Kain is a Primordial Class deity as well. His Portfolios are Fate, Destiny, and Providence."


    Blossom gave them a confused look. "Don''t those all have...like, a lot of overlap?"


    Both of their faces grew more serious as Titan responded. "Yes. They are also some of the most vague and broad portfolios you can have. Especially if you''re clever in your wording. EVERYTHING is tied to Fate, Destiny, and Providence if you are clever. To use our earlier analogy, the fate or destiny of a company can hinge on any given argument, conversation, or trade deal. That is why Darktones are seen as cursed. It''s because his very existence nudges fate to hilarious degrees. Stuff that should be statistically impossible are common occurrences."


    Tempest sat back as she picked up some sort of finger food and chomped a bite, waving it about like a blurry wand. "My guess is he knew or had a feeling that Titan and I would need a nudge to overcome our inability to operate well here. Which would lead us to seek out help since Darktones are punished severely for any form of failure on the grand stage of Deific politics. Putting you here means we seek you out. We exchange the only thing we can, which is knowledge and know-how. You pass on some or all of it to your patron god. Who happens to be our cousin."


    Blossom put her head on the table, half mumbling to the others. "That seems so convoluted. There has to be a better way."


    "Sure. But if there is, he could be accused of breaking the rules. I mean, he still is...sort of. But there are so many degrees of separation that the other deities have to just silently applaud maneuvering so many pieces."


    Trillia''s worry and doubt had vanished. For some reason, she had never seen it that way. She thought the gods were trying to meddle with her specifically. But the reasoning was more simple. A Father wanted to protect his children in a safe way that wouldn''t result in them suffering even more. "Well. I won''t squander the chance! I''ll do everything I can to help you where I can. Help me survive this class, and teach me everything a fledgling god ought to know and find out over the course of centuries instead of just a decade."


    Tempest gave her a devilish smirk and extended her hand. "Sounds like a fair trade."

 Chapter 121 The Real Threat

    Three more weeks had come and gone. The group met up once a week. The plan was that when they had more free time, they''d meet up more often and work on various training.


    The Professor had not given them a lot of free time. The first book had been confusing, but with Tempest and Titan''s help, Trillia realized that it dealt mostly with how energy flows in the Aetherian realms.


    Limitations on their mana had to deal with that very principle. The Aether would actively pull mana from your body and soul. Even if you were immune to mana-sickness and various forms of mana-drain.


    It didn''t matter.


    The Aether was the source of all mana, and all mana returns to it. Those defenses may offer some resistance, but nothing was immune. Not even deities. Trillia found that odd since most of a deity''s presence and existence resided in the Aetherian realms. The limitations were to educate people on how to let out just enough mana to utilize skills and spells but not enough that the Aether - or the things that lurked within - sought the expenditure of mana as a problem that needed fixing.


    There was much talk about the primary enemy as well. The book referred to them by several names. Eldritch, Nightmares, Shards, Terrors. None of the names were particularly welcoming.


    Trillia let her head fall into the open book at the table. Tempest offered her a snicker. "You''re hopeless. I hope I can get enough training from you before you shuffle off to the hereafter."


    Trillia didn''t raise her head. Instead, she raised a hand and offered the woman a rude gesture.


    Titan''s voice rumbled out from his seat. "I''ve looked into the Aether before, but it was near my father, who tends to safeguard against a lot of this, I guess. I never realized how terrifying the eldritch truly are."


    "You two have actually heard of them before?" Blossom perked up a bit as she spoke, glancing between the two deities.


    "Any deity that is no longer native to a realm has. Once a deity has grown powerful enough that they are not tied directly to a realm core, they must brave the Aether, at least to some extent. Oftentimes, we have a mentor that guides us to a safe place, and we sort of orbit them." Tempest set her own book down as she took to explaining. "Titan and I have our very powerful parents. From what we''ve been told, Eldritch feed off of mana that isn''t pure. But they especially love divine mana."


    Trillia raised her head with a curious expression. "The paragraph I just read said that they are terrified of living deities. Wouldn''t a deity seem like a meal to them?"


    As Titan scratched at his chin, trying to find an answer. Tempest pulled out a small pouch that had what looked like sand in it. She poured a tiny amount out and painstakingly separated a single grain from it. "Imagine this grain of dust is your entire realm of Alirast." The deity glanced between the two mortals, waiting for a nod.


    "Good. My father is considered the most passive and least powerful of the three Darktone brothers. The space his...energy?" Looking over at Titan for help.


    "To clarify, deities do not have a solid form, as you know it. We project energy and bend mana to create matter. This lets us have bodies in realms we visit. Our actual cores and the energy that surrounds them are varied and come in billions of shapes and sizes. This is what Tempest means when she says energy. There isn''t a word for it that mortals can understand. It''s more of a concept."


    Tempest thought on that a moment. Determining the answer was sufficient, she pushed on. "Anyway, this grain is all of Alirast. If you were to put this grain on a beach in your home realm, would you be able to find it reliably?" As both girls shook their heads, she continued. "If we pretend that this grain is Alirast. Putting it next to Alirast would be the size difference between my father''s core and energy. Now, if we imagine, this grain is my father''s core and energy. Put it next to an Alirast a thousand times larger, and that is the space an [Axle] takes up."


    Trillia squinted at the grain. She tried to imagine the size but was incapable of doing so. "That''s...how is that possible?"


    Titan chuckled as both of the mortals looked perplexed. "This may come as a surprise to you, but the universe is a rather large place. So large that all magic that lets you traverse realms uses a network of...veins? There''s not a word for that either. Just imagine a bunch of tunnels powered by deities. The way realm travel works is that you enter a vein and travel through it...damn, I can''t really explain the concept of speed to either of you."


    Blossom raised a hand, her other pressed against her temple. "We get it. Something fast."


    Titan smiled and gave her a thumbs-up. "Right. Eldritch are mostly mindless. They are little more than clever beasts. Do you think a dog would try and steal food from a dragon? Of course not. The dragon''s passive existence would terrify a small, lesser creature. Stealing from it or attacking it would be suicide. That''s what the Eldritch see when they look at many of the guardian deities. A great and terrifying beast that will tear them apart. Deities will hunt eldritch in their spare time, but the universe is so large it''s difficult to pinpoint the creatures."This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.


    Trillia flipped back through her book. "So. It says that Eldritch feed off energy from the Aether. But it also says they feed off of energy from the mortal realms. Do they exist in both spaces?"


    Tempest grabbed the book from her and flipped to nearly the end, holding a slender finger at a starting point to read. "Out loud, for Blossom''s sake."


    Trillia didn''t complain about Tempest being rude. It was sort of just who the woman was.


    "It is to our understanding that an Eldritch is a self-replicating entity, most closely related to a semi-sentient virus or plague. They eat and grow without regard to anything but predators. The only predators that exist for Eldritch are larger variants. Or Deities. It is thanks to the efforts of the Third Axle that we now know the first Eldritch were formed by deities that were abandoned by their people. The lack of faith and divinity flowing into them caused the Aether to devour too much of them and turn them insane." Trillia''s voice trailed off at the end.


    Tempest tapped the page. "Keep it together, Fairtrade."


    Trillia took a deep breath and nodded. "At a certain point, without a guiding force or an influx of divinity to keep them whole, deities fall to a warping effect. They retain most of their power and abilities related to their portfolio but are seen as a hostile entity. As such, they cannot use the traversal networks, and the realm guardians also alert to their presence. The result of this is that whenever an Eldritch wanders too closely to a living realm, a deity will often scare it away. However, if for any reason a deity cannot touch down on the realm, or if it is simply too far away or abandoned, the eldritch will launch what are essentially corrupting tendrils through the Aether and into the realm."


    Both of the mortals looked even more terrified now. Tempest''s voice held none of the usual sarcasm. "It''s why deities are so powerful. Our every moment is often a fight. We describe them as a single entity, but from what I''ve read in the book. It is safer to assume they are a swarm. The largest and most powerful Eldritch is a core, and it devours anything that is not of its own creation."


    Blossom pulled her knees up to her chest as she listened to Tempest. "Most deities are trained for millennia so that they can help defend against small eldritch or tendrils from a larger one. Titan is nearing the point where he will be deployed to intercept some of these creatures. I have some time before I am."


    Titan nodded. "There''s a multitude of reasons we''re here, but having a better understanding of how the Aether works is something every deity will learn eventually. It''s just a question of when. Oftentimes, it is our mentors who train us in such things. However, because of their station and the respect they''ve earned. Our parents asked the Professor to teach us. Evidently, her methods are unmatched."


    Trillia''s stomach was in knots, and her eyes slowly scanned the pages of the newest book they were told to learn from. "I''m a mortal. What hope do I possibly have?"


    Tempest spoke up in a voice entirely too chipper for the mood. "Probably none. But you''re immune to mana-sickness. Which gives you a significant boost in defense. Most creatures who come in contact with the Aether die within minutes. They explode rather violently, from what I''ve been told."


    Blossom nodded somberly. "That''s what is happening on my realm. There''s a tear to the Aether that is slowly growing. Our deity is not allowed to interfere for some reason, so it has fallen to us to fix it."


    "It is a sad truth. There are a thousand realms to every deity. If not more. The rules in place are..."


    "Shit. To be plain about it." Tempest finished for her cousin. "But they are significantly better than before. Immortals and mortals were not separated in times past. It meant that there were a lot less talented individuals coming into power. Uncle Kain helped usher in the change of those rules, using his own catastrophic rise to power as an example."


    Another voice startled all of them. "Lord Darktone''s rise to power saw a hundredfold increase in the amount of deities that ascended. It was Lady Gaia''s know-how that brought us the network. It is the purpose of the Axles to safeguard the universe so that it does not collapse on itself or get devoured from within." The Professor''s voice calmed them just as easily as it had startled them.


    "I am happy to see the four of you getting along. To answer your question, Lady Fairtrade. It is the express purpose of this class to educate you in dealing with the Eldritch. While I am not nearly as terrifying to them as an axle, only smaller ones ever drift closely enough to be a danger to you. The same should be true of your home realm." The Professor walked over to her desk, leaning against it as she turned to the class. "In two weeks time. You will be exposed to your first Eldritch. It is the smallest shard possible from an eldritch that Lady Gaia has in captivity to study. Anything smaller wouldn''t be able to travel on its own in the Aether. Prepare yourselves mentally. I hope you all make it, but some of you may die from the strain it puts on your minds. Consider this your last warning. If you are not sure of it. If your resolve is not such that you are willing to die for this knowledge. Leave."


    One of the remaining students spoke up. "Is there anything specifically we can do to help our chances?"


    The Professor shook her head. "No. The entire time you''ve been here, in my realm. I have been weaving enchantments into your souls. But they can only do so much. Everyone reacts differently. I will do my best to safeguard you, but there is risk involved. That risk will only increase as we continue."


    Blossom was the next one to speak up. "I don''t understand..." She motioned to the two deities at her table. "They say your methods are the best, but our chances of dying are so high?"


    "By all means, Lady Blossom. Take the eight millennia needed to learn the slow and safe way. Does your realm have eight thousand years?"


    Blossom''s eyes teared up, and she went silent. "You are either here because someone wants you to have the best chances on the front line. Or because it is a last desperation attempt at some plan." The Professor looked directly at Trillia. "No one would send a person here to be trained unless there was significant danger threatening their realm. Or unless you are a deity who is soon to be sent to fight the Eldritch."

 Chapter 122 More Lies.

    Trillia wasn''t a fool. She understood the Professor''s not-so-subtle jab at her position. It meant that Storm was lying to her for some reason. But that shouldn''t have been possible, given his traits.


    She fiddled with a knife as she sat on her bed. Twirling it about and mostly staring up at the ceiling. What was actually going on, in Alirast? Why would they send her, of all people?


    The knife''s twirling stopped. As realization dawned on her, she shot from the bed and darted to the Professor''s desk, slapping a hand on the orb.


    A few painful minutes passed before the Professor appeared in the chair behind the desk. "Shall I cut to the chase of your question? Or would you like to verbalize it?"


    Taking a deep breath, Trillia began. "I''ll verbalize it so that I can make better sense of things. Are there other entities like me here? From Alirast?"


    The Professor nodded.


    "Were they kids born like me? With [Universal Manipulation]? Did they undergo the same procedures?"


    "Of the seven-thousand three-hundred and twenty-one applicants. Only a dozen or two of you are still alive. Most of them are either here or have already come through."


    Trillia''s stomach churned as knots formed. "Are our chances really that bad?"


    "Yes. Worse than you are thinking."


    Tears welled up in her eyes. She leaned on the edge of the desk as she stared at the deity. "What''s really happening?"


    "Your guardian deities are not allowed to be on the realm or even that close to it. Alirast is a cradle-realm. That basically means the core itself has a massive divine signature. It has been without guardians for over a decade."


    "Why hasn''t anyone told us?!" Tears streamed down her face, her voice rising in anger.


    "Rul- " Trillia screamed as she shut her eyes, slamming her hands down. "Stop fucking telling us about the rules! Millions of us could die, and it''s just because of rules?!"


    The Professor moved from behind the desk and pulled Trillia into a hug. "I know it''s not fair, little one. I know it seems barbaric. But I promise, how it is now is far better than how it once was."


    Trillia let herself cry for a few minutes before pulling away. "Sorry for yelling...I just..." She didn''t know what to say. Did Arlyss know? The Queen? What about her parents or uncles?


    The Professor grabbed her shoulders and gave her a little shake. "They don''t know. Worse yet, when you return, you won''t be able to simply tell them about what''s going on. You will have to convince them of it somehow."


    The knots in her stomach doubled. "How am I supposed to convince gods that the realm is in danger? How could they possibly not know, but the dragons do?"


    "I fear that''s a conversation too long to have. Remember, as your friend so brutishly put it. Space is quite large."


    Trillia pulled away and sat down near the desk, leaning her back against it. "Why can''t things ever be simple? Why can''t we just be happy and live in peace?"


    As the Professor sat next to Trillia, the woman offered her a faint smile. "Your realm had a few hundred years of peace just recently. Also, because of the triplets that were born. Most of the deities want them to die. They are profoundly powerful beings. Last time Lord Darktone had a child, the other deities came together to imprison him on the basis of how dangerous he was. These children are not that powerful but they are not far off."


    "Why? Why do they hate Lord Darktone so much?"


    The Professor looked away as she leaned back, pondering the question. "The rule changes were very, very beneficial to mortals. More and more mortals are becoming powerful enough to ascend. While a deity''s average power has gone down due to there being more competition for prayers. Many deities hold the belief that if they can break Lord Darktone''s will, the rules he helped draft and enforce can be overturned."If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "Power? It''s always about power."


    The Professor offered her a sad smile. "It often is, Trillia. Especially where ancient creatures are concerned. Their lives and existence were simple and easy before Lord Darktone came along. Some of them are old enough to remember that, so they whip new deities into a frenzy about how much power they are missing out on. They radicalize other deities against him. While mortals are the source of their power, they don''t want those mortals to understand that they can rise up against the deities."


    Trillia thought about D''Jamu. About what a stranglehold the Sage had on that place before Lord Arlyss rose to power. "Thank you for your time, Professor. I''ll do everything I can to pass and make sure Alirast is safe."


    The Professor stood and helped Trillia do the same. "I truly hope you and the others like you are capable of saving Alirast. Not only because I want to see my students succeed but also because I fear how dark of a place the universe will become if the [2nd Axle] loses his wife and children to betrayal. I don''t think the deities aligned against him understand how truly powerful and cunning Lord Darktone truly is."


    Trillia took another deep breath before saying goodbye and heading to her room. Taking a seat at her desk, she started to write down different ways to explain to Arlyss and the others the true danger of what lurked beyond, without directly telling them.


    -=- Two Weeks Later -=-


    Trillia and the others sat in the classroom. The Professor stood near her desk and had once again gone over the warnings.


    "Who wants to go first?"


    Trillia immediately stood. Her friends gave her a worried look. They had seen her singular focus in the past two weeks and had grown worried. The Professor motioned for Trillia to take her hand.


    As Trillia did, she was pulled into the Professor''s mana, and the two vanished from the classroom. Trillia found herself standing in an open, empty space. It felt as though something was solid under her feet, but when she looked down, nothing was there. Goosebumps rose on her arms, and a chill ran down her spine. It was like something was watching her.


    The Professor had a hand on her shoulder. "Are you prepared?"


    Trillia took a deep breath and nodded. The Professor raised a hand, pointing to what looked like a small warped part of space. As Trillia followed her gaze, an enchantment was released.


    The....thing, staring back at Trillia, was wrong. It was small enough, maybe the size of a small wolf, at least from her perspective. But it had the opposite effect of the Professor''s enchantments. Instead of your eyes slipping off of things, making it hard to focus. All Trillia could do was stare. Its shape had the same shimmering effect as when she looked at deities. It looked like everything and nothing, but all of it was wrong. A thousand eyes with teeth in them. Swirling vortexes of arms, legs, wings, and other things that Trillia couldn''t possibly guess at.


    It seemed to be growing larger and larger, but Trillia couldn''t pull her eyes away. She couldn''t will herself to move. As she stared deeper into the creature, she began to recognize shapes. It looked like Amelia. It swirled and twisted as it grew larger, and it looked like Uncle Cordaos. They reached out to her, asking for help. Trillia tried to reach out to them, to go to them. But something was gripping her shoulder so badly it felt like her bones would break. But Uncle Stas could save her. Uncle Stas would make the pain go away.


    He cried out to her, and she watched cuts and wounds appear on them. Her mother now loomed over her. Once more, Trillia reached her hand out. They were so close to touching. Faintly, in the back of her mind she could hear her name being shouted. As her finger tips neared Lord Arlyss'', her vision went black.


    -=- The Others -=-


    The other students sat in their desks. They had heard the screams of anguish. The grating sound of raw emotion. Trillia was pulled out of the Professor''s mana and laid on the ground, curled up in a ball and screaming as loud as she could. Her voice raw as every scream brought more pain and damage.


    The Professor knelt next to Trillia, putting a hand on the young woman''s head. The screams went silent, Trillia''s eyes squeezed shut with her hands clawing at the side of her head as blood trickled from her eyes and ears. It was like she was trying to claw her brain out of her skull.


    Trillia vanished, and the Professor stood. "She did better than I expected. She will be in her room, resting. Who wishes to go next?"


    Blossom was squeezing her fists so tightly together that blood trickled from them. She shot up in her seat. "I will."


    All but the Professor looked at her in surprise. The Professor extended a hand and wore a comforting smile.


    One by one, the others went. Most came out a gibbering mess. They couldn''t describe what they saw. Titan was the least affected. He and the Professor sat at her desk. "And I am meant to fight these things? Ones even larger and more powerful?"


    The Professor offered him a plate of sweets as she stirred liquid in a cup. "All deities are a little mad. Now you know why. That was the smallest one."


    Titan nodded and gratefully took a cookie. "It seemed to be growing by the second. Is that a trick of the mind?"


    "No. It was still thousands of meters from you. It warps your perception of space and time. It feels like you are right on the edge of touching it because you will strive harder to fall into its depths. As we get further into training, you will be brought closer and closer to it. The ultimate test is coming into contact with it for the briefest of moments."


    A chill ran down Titan''s spine. "Thank you for the lesson." The Professor offered him a nod as he stood and walked towards his room.

 Chapter 123 Studying

    It took most of them nearly a week to recover. But as soon as they did, they were brought back to stand before the eldritch. Time and time again. It felt like years.


    It was the single most taxing thing that Trillia had ever done. It felt like her mind was being ripped apart from the inside. Sometimes, she saw loved ones other times, she saw people she had battled.


    The latest time, it felt as if someone had stuck their hands under her skin and were pulling at her muscles and tendons.


    The group of friends hadn''t met up in nearly two months. Only the four of them were left. The Professor told them to take this week off. Don''t study, don''t train. Just rest and talk to one another.


    Blossom seemed the most haggard. Followed by Trillia and then Tempest. Titan, for his part, seemed to have come to an understanding of it. "Is there some skill you have? That makes you so...resistant?" Blossom whispered the words as if she were terrified of making too much sound.


    Titan kept his voice low for the sake of the table. "Probably. I have thousands of years of battle experience. I''ve fought hundreds of thousands of enemies. That''s not to say it isn''t unnerving. But I understand that this is my future. I must steel myself for what is to come."


    Trillia pushed some vegetables around on a plate, chasing them with a fork. Her appetite had been at an all-time low. "I''m worried about how I will react when the Professor isn''t around. How am I supposed to save my realm? How is anyone ever supposed to fight these things?"


    Tempest also spoke quietly. "I''ve read that it is easier to fight them in groups. That the mind-altering effects are significantly lower. I guess that''s how it is done? Either you are individually strong enough to withstand it. Or you are in a large enough group you can manage. It makes far more sense now why they are such a terrifying enemy."


    The group sat in silence for a few hours, just happy to be in good company. As they slowly picked away at their food, the Professor stopped at their table and set a small book down in the middle of it. Offering them a faint smile before she walked away without a word.


    Titan looked to the others before lifting it. "Huh...this is written in a very old Infernal dialect." As he lifted the book, he ran his fingertips along the cover as if remembering how to read and speak it. As realization dawned on him, his eyes grew, and he hurriedly flipped the cover open. "The Mad Planner. Zymeth Ocrey Darktone." It was his father''s book. A journal? How did the Professor have it? The title and author caught the table''s attention.


    Taking a deep breath, he flipped to the first page. "It is with a heavy mind that I lay my beloved to rest. My previous journal was lost in the Aether. I fear Kain''s plans are too heavy for us to burden." Titan read and re-read that passage. "I fear that Kain''s plans are too heavy a burden for us to carry. He seeks to change the very laws of the universe. The very nature of how things have been done for millennia. But I find myself hopeful, even now, as I sit next to her grave. All of the training in the universe could have never prepared us to fight a hive of Eldritch. It was only supposed to be a few dozen. I had seen them from afar. I thought I had gotten used to it."


    Titan felt chills running down his spine. The others stared at him, waiting for him to continue. "There were thousands. Some were larger than any dragon I had ever seen. Morigane and I were overrun. Nearly a hundred of the damned creatures. We fought the best we could...but it is an impossible task for creatures so weak as we. As I made peace with my death, I felt a strong hand grasp my shoulder and yank me from the eternal sea of ink that is the hereafter. Kain was kind enough to pull Morigane''s body from it as well."


    "He so casually tossed us to lay next to Mathias, who had also nearly died. I watched his brilliance shine as he slowly fought back the swarm. He shattered his own soul whenever the corruption and warping grew too severe to keep fighting. It was second nature to him. To slice away parts of himself and throw them into the Aether. He calls those shards of himself echoes. Little pieces of himself that wander eternally in the Aether, ready to come to his aid when needed."If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "I fear Mathias and I are too weak to see the campaign through to the end. More so now that I have lost you, my beloved Morigane. The rumours about him were true. You tried to warn me. You tried to tell me to listen to the whispers that he was mad. But his ideals are appealing. No longer will mortals have to be under the heel of immortals and deities? No longer would we lose our families and loved ones to the whims of some ancient creature. I know not what the catalyst for his mad planning is, but I understand why the gods themselves shudder at the sight of him."


    "Our last fight gave me a deep understanding of the terrors that we fight. When Kain is near them, it is as if they are lesser. As if his divinity draws them into his light. Mathias is close to ascending. I must train to ensure I can ascend. We are heading to the first axle. Lady Gaia has granted Kain permission to return. It is his hope that we can create an area he refers to as the Infernal Bands. A place that locks the chaotic energies of the universe into a fixed pattern. I must ascend before we approach that theatre. There is a type of mana that I know can be utilized to eat away at the power of the terrors. I must learn it before we go there."


    The next few lines were smudged. "I cannot lose anyone else, dear Morigane. I am not strong enough. I only pray that joining the Darktone clan will not be my undoing. May you find your eternal rest."


    Titan closed the journal and stared at the cover. "How did she get this?"


    Blossom spoke softly. "Is there more? Written down?"


    Titan took a deep breath and opened the book back up to a new page. As he tried to read it, his eyes kept slipping off the page. "There is...but she has enchanted the pages so that it can''t be read."


    Tempest leaned back and pulled her knees up to her chest. "A lesson. This power that Uncle Zymeth speaks of. That must be what she wants us to find. Didn''t she tell us to take a week off? To not study?"


    Trillia smirked. "Sure. That doesn''t mean we have to listen. She told us that we would need to want this. That we might die. We can take it easy and suffer through more exposure. Or we can start looking through books to figure out what it is that she wants us to learn."


    The days rolled by, then a week. Then another. The Professor hadn''t interrupted them, which Trillia took as a sign that they were on the right track. The four of them had poured through a dozen books each.


    Trillia sat the first answer she had found down. "So, Universal mana manipulation is the closest related to divine energy. I guess that''s why people like me are here."


    Tempest nodded and shuffled through her notes. "The power they are scared of has something to do with creation. I just don''t know what we''re meant to be creating. The raw creation of something is an incredible tax on our mana reserves and would far exceed the limitations the Professor has saddled us with."


    Blossom chewed her bottom lip as she looked over all their research. Titan sat off in the corner of the room, slowly cycling his power up and trying to expand it outward. Trillia had given them all a crash course in free-form spell casting. To her surprise, Titan had grasped it almost immediately. The others were still struggling. "Maybe it''s not actual creation?" Blossom spoke softly, unsure of herself. The others turned their gazes to her.


    "How familiar are all of you with auras?" Seeing them all nod, she continued. "Maybe it''s a matter of projection? Think about Lord Zymeth''s words. -His Shining Brilliance- I don''t think he was being fanciful with his words. I think Lord Darktone literally had an aura up that made him shine."


    Titan snapped his fingers. "That''s it!" The gazes shifted from Blossom to Titan as the infernal stood up and walked over to the table. "They are mostly mindless beasts, right?" The man didn''t wait for an answer before continuing. "Lord Darktone was using a sort of camouflage! Think of insects whose body makes up a pattern. Something that looks like giant eyes or the pattern of a dangerous predator."


    The thought process was dawning on the others now. "In other words, he was appearing larger and more terrifying to the Eldritch. It made them hesitate when attacking him. You''re telling me the secret to beating these things is to bluff them?"


    Trillia rubbed her chin as she spoke. "That makes sense though, right? Lord Darktone is notorious for being super careful with wording. The Professor says that he is a terrifyingly clever person. It would make sense that he is tricking the eldritch to more easily fight them."


    Blossom nodded. "Now we just have to figure out how to do the same thing. I have a few auras I utilize to help speed up the growth of plants near me in my own realm. We can try to use that as a basis?"


    Tempest spoke up with a nod. "I have a bunch of auras that are used to buff the physical status of nearby worshippers. Maybe something combining the two?"


    The four of them settled in and began planning how to create and utilize an aura that made them appear divine. Or at least more scary.

 Chapter 124 Weapons Training

    Trillia yanked her right arm towards her chest, a desperate attempt at parrying the relentless assault that Titan seemed to excel at. The deity was using a rapier that had the exact same dimensions as her own, but the difference in skill was night and day.


    Especially without utilizing skills, it felt impossible to see his strikes coming. Every thrust, every lunge, every swing felt like a feint. At first, she thought that would make it easier to figure out where the damn blade was coming from. The one time she nearly succeeded in a parry, she took a left hook to the head and collapsed immediately.


    Their blades clashed and sang out in the arena for another two minutes before Trillia felt the rapier pierce her throat. Magic flooded her body, stopped the bleeding, and began to heal the wound as she flopped back onto the sand. "It''s not possible. Mom was an easier opponent! I could at least understand how she fought!"


    Blossom yelped. Trillia turned to look at the other fight. She saw Tempest had cleaved the poor girl''s arm completely off with a falchion. "By the grace of the Axles, how are you so slow? The mortals in the realms I look after aren''t this incompetent!"


    Tears welled up in Blossom''s eyes, and she looked crestfallen. Over the past two months, the group had been training every second of their spare time. Trying to learn how to project a divine aura, trying to maintain composure, and project anything in the face of the eldritch. Training their bodies to move better under pressure.


    Titan walked over and put a hand on Blossom''s shoulder. "You''re doing better. For a caster, you move well. But you need to stop chanting your spells. They may lose efficacy, but the speed will make up for it. Tempest charges recklessly because she is used to being nearly immune to damage. You will not win a fight against her, going for offensive spells."


    "As if you know anything!" Tempest snorted, and as she began to turn away, Titan chuckled. "Care to show them what happens when we don''t hold back?"


    Tempest paused.


    "Or are you scared, cousin? I understand. You''re just a celestial, after all. Good at breaking people down who are trying."


    Tempest whirled on him, and the two mortals got to see how she gained her title. As her falchion sliced through the air, they could see visible wind wrapped around it, and deep gashes appeared on the ground around Titan. The woman charged at him, producing another falchion in her other hand.


    Trillia gained her wits about her and ran over to grab Blossom and pull her away. Both were happy to watch, even if the speed of the other combatants left it difficult to discern the subtle differences.


    "Why isn''t he moving?" Blossom whispered to Trillia without taking her eyes off the fight.


    Titan''s rapier had been replaced with a club made of some metal that Trillia had never seen and what looked like a giant door made of the same metal. Tempest''s weapons were intercepted at nearly every strike, and only tiny cuts appeared on Titan''s club arm but sealed almost immediately. "Good! You''ve learned how to utilize your most basic of attack magic! You''re not as incompetent as I thought!" His laughter only seemed to infuriate Tempest even more.


    The shift was subtle, but Trillia noticed as Titan twisted his foot slightly.


    "[Reverb]"


    Trillia heard a loud pop, then nothing. She watched as Tempest and the surrounding area of the arena were crushed flat, bones poked out of Tempest''s arms and legs, her mouth open. Perhaps in a scream that Trillia didn''t hear. The massive slab of metal that Titan used as a shield continued to vibrate and pulse out shockwaves. Eventually, he placed a hand on top of it to still it.


    The healing had Tempest back in good health almost instantly. The woman didn''t rise to taunt him, though. Titan looked over at the two mortals. "Make no mistake. Tempest is a glorious warrior, but the difference in power, time, and skill cannot be overcome with determination. Let this be a good lesson for today. You will face enemies that are insurmountable to the two of you. You must find another avenue of attack, or you will die."


    The two sat there, staring at Tempest, who still hadn''t moved. Despite how fast he had been in their sparring sessions, he had never once tried to attack her until his final move. "Some days, I hate being your cousin." Tempest''s words were the quietest they had ever heard the woman be.


    Titan painted a smile on his face as he walked over and extended her a hand. "I always love you. I am an ill-suited opponent for you, Tempest. That will never change. I''m sorry for insulting your people and goading you into a fight."


    Tempest sniffled and grabbed his hand, pulling herself up. She dusted herself off as her weapons vanished into the sand. "Two thousand years and not a single win. What a miserable fucking Deity of Conflict am I?"


    A heavy red hand patted her on the head. There was no malice or condescension there. "Your father taught me well, so it''s not really fair."


    Tempest gave him a little sneer. "I hate the fighting style. I won''t deny how effective it is, but it''s just so..."


    "Slow. You don''t like being slow and methodical in fighting. Well aware, cousin." The two shared a grin as Tempest took a deep breath, turning to look at Blossom. "Sorry for being a bit of a bitch. I''ll try to be more constructive in our lessons."


    Before Blossom could muster a response, Tempest leaned in and whispered something to Titan before patting his shoulder and walking off. Titan''s smile dropped as he nodded.


    "Shall we practice our auras for a while? I imagine the two of you need to rest a bit."


    A familiar voice cut through their replies as the Professor stepped into the arena. "Actually, I did tell you that I would teach you how to fight with weapons as well. Tempest, come back here."


    The four of them lined up as their teacher stood in front of them. "I won''t be using weapons today, but you all can. Instead, I''ll be focusing on something else. Testing your mental defenses while we spar. We will do this in teams of two. Titan and Blossom. Tempest and Trillia. Let''s start with the first two."This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Titan and Blossom glanced at one another, and their mood turned serious. The two stepped forward, and Trillia moved off to the side with Tempest. The Professor''s garb changed into loose-fitting clothes, she slid into a relaxed stance and raised her hands, and two more arms joined the first set. "Your goal is to survive for thirty seconds. Don''t be scared. I won''t kill you. Do you understand?"


    The two standing across from her nodded. A small chime sounded. The look on their faces had been as if someone was ripping out their insides. Faces contorted in pain, Blossom seemed to be entirely locked in place.


    Titan gritted his teeth and clenched his hands. A slow and heavy foot made its way towards her. "I''ll lessen the intensity, but what you just felt is going to be what it''s like to fight the shard you''ve been seeing. Blossom, focus on your homeland. Focus on your patron. Focus on the scent of flowers in the woods and the smells of fresh fruit. The sounds of young sproutlings running about and laughing as they splash in the rivers of your hometown."


    "Titan. You''re a god. Your domain is endurance. Endure. Lean into what energy permeates your body. Think of your followers carrying stones to make temples for their masters. Think of the mother raising her children in the harshness of the Avati desert. Think of the endless war on the front lines of the infernal bands against the eldritch. ENDURE!" Titan''s eyes glowed faintly as he sunk his mind deep into his past. His footsteps came easier as he marched towards the Professor.


    Blossom let loose a guttural cry and raised her hands. "[Entangle]!" Roots manifested in the ground around the Professor and began snapping at her face and hands. The Goddess smoothly side-stepped them but was happy to lessen the mental load a little more, giving them a bit of a win. Titan''s speed increased dramatically. Trillia realized space was being distorted more heavily as his feet sank deep into the sand and yanked out explosions of the stuff as he charged forward, mace at the ready.


    The Professor moved quickly and methodically as if Titan was standing still. Grabbing the wrist of his mace arm with one hand, and quickly spun her body weight into his shield, her other three hands pushing out and snapping his arm in half. Titan howled in pain and staggered back. Blossom popped up from behind him, grabbing onto his shoulders with one hand. Her other shot forward. "[Bloom]"


    It felt like the world had thrown up a brightly colored bouquet of flowers from her hand. Trillia was too entranced to laugh, but Tempest leaned forward, watching intently. The flowers spewed out a mist. The Professor seemed to vanish from her engagement with Titan and landed a dozen feet back, her hands up and around her face. Trillia could feel the pull of mana from the goddess.


    Blossom slapped her free hand onto Titan''s other shoulder. "Oh great, Mother Gaia, grant this foolish daughter your mercy and heal our wounds [Rejuvanation]!"


    Titan''s arm snapped and twisted back into place, and the god wasted no time lifting his mace and charging full-speed at the Professor with Blossom on his back.


    "Well done." The Professor smiled and raised a hand. The two stopped in place as their faces twisted up in agony again. "Stand down." Her words carried power, and as the agony faded, so did the rage. As the rage subsided, exhaustion visibly took over. Titan slammed his shield into the ground and leaned heavily on it.


    "By all that is. What sort of torment is this?" Titan could barely muster the words. Blossom clutched tightly to his back, once more locked in place.


    The Professor walked up to them, placing a hand on each of their foreheads. "It''s an aura. The closest translation for the spoken word is Oblivion. It attacks the soul directly, and the only way to defend against it is to do so in the Aetherian plane while you fight in the physical one. Make no mistake, all of you. You must learn to fight in both if you are to succeed."


    Relief washed over their faces as they walked to the sidelines and plopped down. Tempest and Trillia stood next. As they started to take their places, Tempest turned her head to Blossom. "That was a solid attack. Use that against me next time, and you might pull out a win. Good job."


    Blossom offered the woman a warm smile and seemed to pep up a bit.


    Trillia unsheathed her rapier and stood at the ready. Tempest stood next to her with both falchions drawn. "I''ll do my best, Fairtrade. But don''t expect us to get far." Trillia offered a grim nod as the Professor took up the same stance across from them.


    The same chime sounded, and Trillia''s vision went black. All around her, she saw death. The deaths of her parents and of her uncles. Their bodies were torn gruesomely apart. She tried to take a step forward, but as her foot landed on something, she looked down to see Amelia''s twisted form beneath her. Her heart raced, and her mind spun. She heard distant voices. A stiff slap from the flat of Tempest''s blade dulled the horrors around her. Briefly, she saw the Professor standing across from them.


    Trillia thought of sitting around a fire with her parents and Cordaos, eating stew and listening to them tell tales of battle and glory. She thought of Ba''Shoon teaching her magic. Thought of the people of D''Jamu that she had saved. The battlefield slowly came into clarity.


    Tempest stood between her and the Goddess. Surprisingly, Tempest was doing far better than the others had. Her falchions were a whirlwind of strikes and wind blades. While the Professor easily side-stepped them or casually slapped the blades aside, she didn''t seem able to mount an offensive.


    With her mind firmly back in place, Trillia darted to the Professor''s back and lunged with her rapier. The battlefield vanished again as her mind went to war, trying to hold off the horrors that the Professor was trying to force her to live. Rage began building inside of Trillia, and her mind slowly faded from higher thought to instinct. Something about the visions had changed. Instead of just being an illusion, it felt like a prophecy. It felt like divine providence if Trillia didn''t succeed.


    She screamed and tried to pump her mana through her arm and into her blade. The tip of her rapier glowed faintly. Both the Professor and Tempest vanished from before her. Trillia stood, fixed in place with her rapier thrust to where the Professor''s heart should have been. Trillia looked over to see Tempest looking utterly confused and a proud smile on the Professor''s face. "Is it over?" Trillia felt the full weight of the Professor''s power hit her mind and body, washing away all her emotions and leaving her with a peace and stillness she had never experienced before.


    "There is a woman in your realm known as the Ambassador of Mortality. Seek her out."


    Trillia was confused. She sheathed her rapier and glanced over at Titan and Blossom. Blossom wore a huge smile and gave her a thumbs up, but Titan''s face looked dark. "I''m....I''m confused."


    Tempest walked over to her. "Fairtrade. That was divine energy. The woman she is talking about is a mortal that has crippled gods before. Using a technique very similar to that. It''s a strange phenomenon that can seemingly only be manifested by mortals who have been deeply touched by gods."


    The Professor clapped her hands happily, once more in the gown that she normally wore. "Oh, well done! Many people capable of universal mana manipulation have the ability to manifest divine energy, but few ever achieve it. That sort of power and attack can deal an incredible blow to the eldritch since it is divine in nature." Her face turned serious, and she gently poked Trillia in the nose. "That does not mean you should try to kill one. Don''t be a fool. Only resort to it if you absolutely must. At least until you''ve had significantly more training in the matter."


    Trillia blinked a few times, her gaze slowly lowered to the hilt of her rapier. "Divine energy? But...I''m just...."


    Titan''s heavy hand landed on her shoulder. "A prodigy who is the avatar of a Darktone, the daughter of two heroes. Cherished by her friends and families and well-respected by everyone else. Don''t you dare for a second sell yourself short Trillia."


    The Professor clapped her hands together. "Good lesson! I''ll stop by again sometime. I won''t be showing you the eldritch for a few weeks. Practice those auras and these skills." With that, the woman vanished.


    The four of them sat down in the sand and shared silence together. None of them said it, but Trillia had no doubt that they had all been shown something similarly horrifying.

 Chapter 125 Echo

    The group of friends kept up with their training. The Professor''s life-threatening aura and push were enough that their instincts had taken over and let them use their skills. It almost felt like a dam had broken within them. Skills were coming easier to them now. Day after day, they refined their abilities.


    Finally, nearly two weeks after the bout with the Professor, Blossom was the first to project an aura.


    "This feels so surreal." Looking down at her hands, the entire group could feel waves of energy coming off of her. The Professor appeared and put a hand on her shoulder.


    "Careful. You''ve successfully tapped into the Aether. You are safe here, in my realm. But when you utilize this technique elsewhere, you will be vulnerable to attack. There is something all of you need to know since you will soon all have managed this much."


    The group turned to the Professor and listened.


    "Your realms protect you from most of the dangers of the eldritch. However, when you expose yourself in the Aetherian realms, there are more dangers than just the eldritch. Gazing too long and closely, even after all my mental training, at a deity can crush you. Staring into the souls of other mortals can be harrowing as well. You are all here for a good reason. You will return to your homelands at some point, able to see into the Aether. Do so with caution. It is very easy to inflict great harm on yourself if you aren''t careful."


    They nodded collectively.


    "I will be teaching you how to temper your own minds and souls against incursion over the coming weeks. One last thing - not everything you meet in the Aether is going to be hostile. You''ve read parts of a journal kept by Zymeth. The Echos he speaks of in what you''ve read are what I now refer to. Echos happen whenever something catastrophic happens to the soul. It shatters a piece of  your soul and leaves it in the Aether, where it wanders eternally, waiting to be called back."


    Titan raised a hand, after receiving a nod from the Professor, he spoke. "Wouldn''t there just be an endless sea of echos? There''s been countless lives lost in war."


    "No. When the tether to someone''s origin is severed, for whatever reason. The echos are collected by the deity in charge of that entity''s soul. However, some things have been around for eons. Their souls have had hundreds of thousands of shards dropped into the Aether."


    Blossom tilted her head curiously. "Why bring this up specifically?"


    "Because. The auras you are all working on will feel familiar to them. A glimpse of mortality found in eternity. Just as the Aether and the eldritch will notice you, so too will these shards. You must be wary just because they are not hostile does not mean they are not dangerous." She motioned to the two deities. "If you were to run into the echos of any of your parents, they could quite easily snuff the life out of you. Your respective realms will not safeguard you against an angry echo. Because the echo isn''t seen as a hostile force and cannot directly impact the realm itself."


    Trillia pondered for a moment, as did the others. Slowly, she raised a hand. "When an echo happens, what happens to the host?"


    The Professor motioned for the group to follow her. As she left the arena, they fell in line behind her. A short walk later, they were in the common room again, and a half dozen books floated into the Professor''s waiting hands. She set one in front of each student and left the other two off to the side. "These are just some of the people in your lives who have echos in the Aether. Deities of Knowledge do our best to categorize them when we can. To answer your question, it depends on your system."


    The group paused flipping through pages, and looked at her. "Three of you hail from the second axle. Your system is radically different than the one Blossom is used to. In your system, a huge chunk of your levels are put into a stasis of sorts and lost. You don''t lose stats or mastered skills. But the penalty for gaining more experience is gone. It''s a soft reset. To the point that some mortals who have learned of this have tried to forcibly create an echo to gain more power."The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    "And me?" Blossom seemed nervous, perhaps because she was going to be sent off to face the eldritch herself.


    "For you, it creates a replica of your energy. Your status won''t change, but during life and death situations, echos will often be pulled back into a person. This is why, so often, there are tales of people having heroic levels of strength in their final moments. A Hero''s stand, as it were. For the others, their levels and status would drastically improve for a few minutes, leaving them exhausted, crippled, or dead when the echoes were sent back to the Aether. For you, Blossom, it would feel as if there were an equal number of you casting spells in sync."


    They each nodded, Tempest motioned to the two books off to the side. "Those?"


    The Professor smiled and lifted the first one. "This entire book, is the [1st Axle]''s echos."


    The group stared at the book, mouths slightly agape.


    "In the first quarter of her life."


    Trillia''s face twisted up in confusion. "So many? How?"


    The Professor ignored her and lifted the second book. "This is a list of all of the deities the [2nd Axle] killed before he ascended to that position. Each represents an echo created of him."


    Chills ran down their spines. They all had a loose and vague understanding of the power imbalance an axle held. But to see the difference in a physical form was unnerving. The book Trillia held was seemingly every single mortal echo from Alirast for the life of the realm. It was certainly a thick book but only half the size of either of the axles. It seemed the others were in a similar way.


    Titan paused as he flipped through the pages. "Why don''t the eldritch go after the echos? Or vice versa?"


    "A very good question, Titan. The eldritch can''t see echoes. We still aren''t entirely sure why. We think it''s because they show up as part of a whole, at least as far as the universe is concerned. So the eldritch only sees the origin of an echo, not the echo itself. Likewise, echos see the universe as it was the moment they were created. They perceive things differently. All of you will show up as foreign to them because your origin is there. But the origins of an eldritch could be scattered far and wide."


    Tempest nodded as she reasoned it out. "In other words, they are mostly blind to one another. But neither is blind to our presence because we are weak and will have to project most of our actual being into the Aether."


    The Professor offered her another nod. "Correct. I am telling you all of this because you need to be very wary of how you approach an echo. They are not mindless beasts. They are every bit as cunning as their origin at the time they were created. I will familiarize you with them as we proceed. For now, keep working on your aura and studying."


    The group gave her various nods and sat down to flip through the long list of echoes of their own realm. "Oh, and Blossom."


    The woman perked up at the sound of her name. "You will be moving onto a harder stage of training starting next week. I have faith in you." With that, the Professor left them to discuss things amongst themselves.


    Trillia ran a finger along the cover of her book. "My mom is in here."


    The others paused in their conversations to look over at her. "She''s a hero you said, right? You''ve told us before she is a mighty warrior from your realm."


    Trillia nodded as she bit her bottom lip. She had found all of the beast generals. In fact, most of the names in the book seemed to be from people who fought the [Primordials].


    "She''s in here six times. Six times that her soul has been shattered. Uncle Cordaos has eight entries. I just..." Tears began to well up in her eyes as she opened the book back to the page of their names. "I guess I didn''t ever really get how bad things were. How much they sacrificed for the realm."


    Tempest placed a hand on her shoulder and spoke somberly. "You will be in that book as well, Trillia. Make no mistake, you are destined to be a hero and save your realm. The very same as Blossom. Take heart in knowing that you will never be forgotten and will forever be etched in the history of your realm."


    Trillia squeezed her eyes shut. The weight of her choices rested heavily on her shoulders.


    Blossom''s whisper barely reached them. "What if I fail? All these heroes and villains. All of these people who sacrificed so much for their beliefs. What if I''m not strong enough to face the eldritch threat? What if they devour my realm?"


    Trillia sniffled as she walked over to Blossom and pulled the woman into a tight hug.


    The two deities sat to the side, watching them. Titan mumbled something and shook his head. Tempest was happy to voice his complaint louder. "A failing of our duties as deities. That two young mortals are faced with this. I wish we could do more to help the two of you. I really do."


    Trillia offered them a bitter chuckle. "Yes. I''m aware there are rules you must follow."


    Both winced at her words. Tempest stood and gave them a little bow of the head before she took the book and left.


    Blossom was happy to stay in the hug and ponder the fate of her realm. Titan finally stood and patted both of them on the head. "I''m sorry. That we aren''t able to bend the rules. I will pray that both of you succeed."


    As the two left, Trillia felt a little guilty. She knew they didn''t make the rules. She knew they were young compared to their parents and the ones who did make them. It still felt shitty to know that she might lose Blossom because gods weren''t allowed to interfere for whatever stupid reason the universe had decided.

 Chapter 126 A New Teacher?

    Trillia stood in a vast ocean of darkness. A firm hand on her shoulder was her only evidence that she wasn''t alone with the entity across from her. She was closer to the shard now. For being labeled as a shard, it was massive. Easily the size of the Argo that she had sailed on.


    Trillia''s divine aura was working overtime to stop the creature from reaching out and devouring her. With the aura active, the brunt of the mental attacks washed over her.


    The creature was fascinating to look at. It was simply impossible. Mouths within mouths, eyes on teeth. All ever-shifting. Like it couldn''t make up its mind what it was supposed to be. With her aura active, it didn''t have the hold on her to take the form of something familiar.


    Suddenly, she was yanked back, and the ocean of darkness was replaced with warm wood and the smell of pine. She gasped for breath in her physical form and felt woozy.


    "What happened?"


    "You ran out of mana. Not something you''re used to doing given your traits." The Professor held her upright with a steady hand. Trillia''s head started to pound. A pulse of mana from the goddess next to her cleared her ailments, and she found her mana restored.


    "It would seem you can maintain that aura for about seventeen seconds. That''s quite good for how new you are to using it. It''s not the approach I would have taken, but if this is something all of you can master, it''s acceptable."


    Blossom raised a hand. Once the Professor offered her a nod, she asked her question. "What approach would you have used? I don''t mean to sound ungrateful. But this is not the style of training and teaching I am used to."


    Once Trillia was seated, the Professor moved over and leaned against her desk. "The primary method I used - when I was young - that is, against the eldritch was attacking their mental state." The four gathered students seemed shocked.


    "With how often they try to attack mentally? How in the name of Infernus did you manage that?" Titan''s rocky voice sounded truly perplexed. "My father warns to never mentally engage with the eldritch, that it is suicide."


    Before the Professor could respond, Tempest spoke up. "Because you''re a moron. I''m truly shocked it doesn''t crush your weak, tiny little infernal brain on sight."


    Titan shot her a glance as the Professor chuckled. "While your own mental fortitude is the primary reason behind the warning. It''s also a matter of specialty. Deities who have Knowledge as a portfolio are adept at mental warfare. There is little else so fully in the realm of Knowledge as the sentient mind. Everything in a mental battle is knowledge-based. Fighting, living, breathing, you name it - it''s under our portfolio. It is one of the reasons that deities are no longer allowed to interfere with mortals."


    Trillia perked up as she said that. "The Axles have told me of a time when deities could do as they wanted. The [2nd Axle] is a product of unrestrained meddling. Some petty deities who were angry that he offered no prayers found where he and his first wife lived. They basically crushed her mind with divine weight and rewrote her personality. I''m not sure of the exacts because the [2nd Axle] doesn''t speak about it, but the current theory is that in a brief moment of clarity, as he tried to piece her mind back together, she asked for him to kill her."


    Trillia felt like she had been punched in the gut. "Why? Why would they do that?"


    Tempest spoke up again, anger evident in her voice. "Because not all deities are kind and benevolent. Some are cruel shit stains that need to be wiped out. But war between gods is a messy, messy business."


    The Professor''s smile dropped. "Tempest has it right. I''ve seen god-wars before. I watched from the sidelines to protect my own people as billions of mortal souls were wiped out."


    Trillia raised a hand. "Why would the mortals be attacked? Isn''t that the whole purpose of rules?"


    The Professor ran a hand along her chin as she pondered a good way to answer. "You have a deep connection with young Arlyss, do you not?"


    Trillia nodded. "Imagine if you were in a weakened state and the only reason you were alive was because of all the bonuses being pact-bound to a deity grants you. Now imagine if that god is snuffed out of existence. While Arlyss is growing rapidly due to heritage, his follower base is miniscule. He has, at best, what? A few million followers?"


    That didn''t seem like a small number to Trillia. The Professor motioned to Titan and Tempest. Titan spoke first. "Roughly thirty billion across all the realms I am present in."The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    Tempest nodded. "About the same for me. It fluctuates a lot due to having conflicts in my portfolio. Lots of fighting and death."


    Blossom and Trillia both looked at the two deities. It was getting more and more difficult to surprise Trillia. "How do neither of you have your second portfolio?"


    Titan chuckled at that. "We aren''t on the brink of war trying to save our realms. Our parents are sending us to people like the Professor to study and broaden our options so that we can get the most synergistic portfolios possible. Our cousins, however, are trying to save their realm and all the mortals on it from a variety of threats. They do not have the luxury of training for thousands of years."


    Tempest nodded. "I would imagine it was all by design."


    Trillia leaned in closer. The Professor continued the thought. "The [2nd Axle] is considered a potent wild card. His brothers are immensely powerful themselves. Children born from any of them are going to be terrifying. But factor in that the mother of their cousins has the god-killer trait. Well." The Professor shrugged and left it at that.


    Blossom was also curious. "So? I don''t understand."


    Tempest stood and motioned to a chalkboard that was sitting behind the desk. The Professor nodded. Tempest walked over and began writing things out that slowly got translated into a language each of the girls understood. "Few things can be inherited. Children born of gods and mortals are called godlings. Children born of Gods and immortals are called demi-gods. You''d think the names would be switched, don''t ask me for a language lesson because I don''t understand it either."


    She stopped writing and motioned to a few lines. "The type of mana someone can control is based on a combination of the parents. Alliyah has both universal manipulation as well as latent divine manipulation. There was never a possibility she wasn''t capable of being a terrifying entity. Uncle Kain just stepped in to stop her from losing her life at a young age as a slave and to mentor her. It''s... really difficult to know what type of manipulation he has. But the running theory amongst our peers is that he has something similar to Dawn''s manipulation."


    Trillia was wrong. She was surprised. "Like...the [Universe Core]? That Dawn?"


    The Professor nodded. "Yes. There isn''t a name for it, for mortals. To be truthful, even most deities can scarcely comprehend concepts of it. But it''s a theory because of how influential the [2nd Axle] is compared to the other axles."


    Blossom nodded in understanding. "So. His kids have a chance at universal, divine, and this other source of manipulation as options."


    Tempest nodded and started to wipe the board down. "Yes. I have no doubt that Uncle Kain already knows who helped to orchestrate the attack on him and Alliyah. But it was a coordinated attack to make sure that his kids didn''t get the type of love and support that Titan and I do."


    Tempest stared at the blank board as worry creased her face. A new voice startled the deities. They whirled around to it and dropped to a single-knee.


    Trillia and Blossom looked over to the source of the voice as it spoke. "My brother is keenly aware of who is at fault. He is finding replacement deities for those that he feels he must purge from the universe. He doesn''t want the followers to suffer for the foolish actions of their patrons."


    Trillia could feel the mana in the air. It felt like it was coiling around her like a giant serpent, squeezing her soul as if it were going to devour her. The man motioned to the three deities. "No need to kneel. I am here as a guest. If anything, I should be kneeling to you, Sara."


    The Professor didn''t rise yet, though the other two did. "May I ask why you are here, Lord Zymeth?"


    The aforementioned deity looked at her a moment longer before walking over and gently lifting her up. "You really need to act your position, Saraswati. You are a greater deity who is loved by many. The few enemies you have would never dare to move against you, not when the Darktone clan is backing you. My brothers and I may feud from time to time, but we would never yank the support out from under you."


    The deity struck an imposing figure. The enchantments of the area were obviously trying to size him down to everyone else, but it just wasn''t working. So the effect was that he towered over all of them by at least a foot. His eyes had the iridescent glow of mana, with a thousand shades of blue and purple swirling about. His skin had the same dark red hue as the wines of D''Jamu. Dark green hair was spiked atop his head. Oddly, there were no horns. His stature and figure reminded Trillia a lot of her brother, Tormash. A confident and imposing warrior. "I came to check in on Titan."


    Titan sighed heavily and shook his head. "Bullshit, Dad. There is no way you just happened to check in on us exactly during this conversation."


    Zymeth recoiled in mock hurt, a hand coming to his chest. "I''m terribly wounded you would think me a liar, my dear boy. Have I ever given you a reason to doubt me?"


    "Literally dozens of times. You once left me to fight three greater celestials on my own because you thought it would build character."


    "It did."


    Tempest groaned for Titan. "In any case, happy happenstance or not. I also bring word on behest of the axles."


    The mood went from amusing to serious instantly. Zymeth looked over to Blossom. "Your world doesn''t have much longer, sweetie."


    Trillia''s heart dropped to her stomach. She could only imagine how badly Blossom must have felt.


    "The Great Mother Gaia asked me to stop in and offer my services to expedite this one''s training."


    The Professor seemed shocked. "You''re allowed?"


    Zymeth nodded. "For whatever reason. The Fates have decided her realm is worth saving, while deities that are not local to her realm can''t step in to help. We can offer blessings and training. Mathias is working closely with the priests of her realm to teach them new barrier magic. The Axles aren''t allowed to interfere with this one, so they are mobilizing their minions."


    Zymeth proudly spread his arms with another grin. "This humble minion is yours to command, Professor. How can we get young Blossom into fighting shape?"

 Chapter 127 Training Expectations

    Trillia could understand some level of distrust from them, she was rapidly learning to not trust anything when it came to deities. They always seemed to have their own angle at play.


    "Yes. That''s correct, young Lady Fairtrade. I do have my own angle. As does the Professor and everyone else you meet. Are you saying you''re innocent of such things yourself? Did you not offer your services to young Arlyss with the hope that you could use his power and influence to change fate and save your family?"


    Trillia winced and took an involuntary step back as he so easily invaded her mind and thoughts. The Professor stepped forward.


    "You aren''t supposed to read the minds of mortals, Lord Zymeth. There are rul-"


    A cold look from the deity before them silenced the Professor. "Keenly aware of the rules of this place, Professor. I helped you establish it. I helped write the rules with my brothers to safeguard this location from would-be enemies. Isn''t there also a rule that states that mortals must never share a classroom with Immortals or Deities?"


    As the Professor opened her mouth to speak, he continued. "Also, a rule that states no student from the first or second axles shall ever lay eyes on books of science from the third axle? Yet this one knows the words for atom and molecule now."


    The imposing figure took a step toward Trillia. As she started to look up at his face, Titan stepped between them. "Enough! I won''t let you torment and scare them with your games and tests, Father."


    The deity''s demeanor changed completely, once more wearing a silly grin. "Forgive me, lad. I was just seeing how much resolve the group had. I will say - it''s fascinating to see that out of everyone here, the young lady we are set to help is the only one weaving offensive magic."


    Trillia turned a surprised glance to Blossom. Blossom also seemed shocked as she looked up at Zymeth. "You knew?" The young mortal whispered.


    Zymeth bowed deeply to her. "Of course. A spell that uses mana-infused spores to inflict disease deep in the lungs and prevent healing and manifestation of mana in that region. Am I correct?"


    Blossom was even more stunned at that. Titan still stood between his father and the others. "My father is widely considered the most knowledgeable mage in the second axle. Some even say he is superior to the [2nd Axle] himself."


    Zymeth stepped forward and gently smacked Titan on the top of the head. "You are to be a general. One day, you may even take over the Infernal bands from me. You must not give in to petty gossip, especially when it seeks to pit the Darktone clan against one another. There is enough of that already. No axle, no matter how young, would ever have anything to fear from a deity."


    Trillia found some modicum of courage as she spoke up. "So, how did Lord Darktone get his position?"


    Zymeth leaned slightly to look around Titan and offer her a grin. "What a good question. However! That''s a rather long history lesson. For now, what areas is the student in question lacking, Professor?"


    "Her ability to shunt the attacks of the eldritch is still suffering, and she has no staying power. Her understanding of combat is....reasonable, given her young age. But I fear for how effective she will be in that regard as well."


    Zymeth slowly pulled his eyes off of Trillia and turned them to Blossom. "I''ll take over teaching the class magic and casting if that''s acceptable?" The Professor offered a meek nod. "Wonderful. Rest for today... tomorrow meet me in the arena when your internal clocks hit three in the morning. Eat before showing up. I will be teaching you for the full day."


    In a rather dramatic puff of green smoke, the man vanished as quickly as he had shown up. The Professor and the other two deities let out sighs of relief and visibly unclenched their bodies. Blossom stared at the spot he was just standing. "Am I really to learn from him? He scares me."


    Titan grumbled something very unkind under his breath. "He scares everyone. Even Uncle Mathias is weary when dealing with him. By the Infernal, I think the only two things in the entire second axle that don''t fear him are Uncle Kain and Auntie Alliyah. The latter mostly because she knows there would be no fury in the history of the universe if she met her end at the hands of a deity, as the fury that Uncle Kain would unleash, rules be damned."


    Blossom forced a little smile, trying to distract herself from the fact that her world''s time was running out. "That sounds sort of romantic...in a rather brutal way."The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    The Professor moved behind her desk and sat down, hands still shaking. "I hate dealing with them. So damn much."


    Trillia looked over at the woman. "May I ask why?"


    "No. Do as you were told. Go and get some rest. His training will be effective, but it will not be easy or kind. You will utterly hate existing by the end of tomorrow. I learned magic from him as a young deity. Good luck."


    "Oh, and Blossom? If you need to talk, reach out. I will try to help where I can."


    The group decided to retire to Titan''s room to chat about tomorrow. The man didn''t decorate at all. There was a sizable stack of books on the desk, and nothing else had been touched in the room. Even the bed looked as if it hadn''t been touched since their arrival. "Do you not sleep?"


    Trillia made the comment as she looked around. Tempest was quick with an answer. "Neither of us do. We don''t need rest or sustenance. Perks of being a giant globe of energy. If Uncle Zymeth is going to teach us magic, there are a few things we should warn you about. Do you want to take it, or shall I?"


    Titan sat in the chair at the desk with a heavy sigh. Rubbing his temples. "I will."


    Tempest walked over and flopped down in the bed. The two mortals sat on the floor against the wall, looking at Titan. "First thing to note is that there will be no rest. Eat something filling. Expect to get hungry by ten or eleven in the morning. By the twentieth hour, you''ll be famished. By the thirtieth, you''ll be dead on your feet. If this is anything like when he taught me, he will give us two to four hours out of every thirty to rest and eat. The rest of the time will be training."


    The two mortals paled a bit. "Is....is it even possible to learn like that?"


    Titan gave them a grim chuckle. "It''s easier. The system, even in a place like this, where it''s hidden from you. Works based on your stress levels. This is why soldiers go through incredible feats of growth during war. Why people who leave as bright-eyed young souls return as completely different people. It''s not dissimilar to how the orcs of your home realm get their ability at a young age, Trillia."


    The god paused a moment to collect his thoughts before continuing. "I went under his training for the first time at the age of thirty. That''s rather young for immortal-born creatures, but I am his son, and he sets a higher standard. I trained for thirty hours, rested for two, and repeated that for a year. By the time that year was over, I no longer needed sleep or sustenance. That was before I had even ascended. My mana regeneration rates had gone up ten times, and I had similar levels of stamina regeneration as most War Trolls do."


    Again, he paused. "Do either of you even have War Trolls on your home realms?"


    Both girls shrugged. Titan nodded.


    "War trolls are basically giantkin. They are notorious for being impossible to put down. When I was a child, my father actually took me to a mortal realm. Though I can''t remember the name. Anyway, he took me there to learn about enchantments. There was a War Troll general who had gone rogue and tried to save his people. The punishment the other mortals on the realm bestowed upon him was using his life force as an eternal battery."


    Trillia already didn''t like where this was headed. "They basically strapped him to a giant machine and slowly and perpetually ground his lower half off. Using his heavily mana-infused blood as fuel. The poor thing didn''t make a sound as his body kept regrowing into the grinder. The troops he led were imprisoned in stasis magic. So if he tried to escape, the enchantment would get broken, and his people would die."


    Blossom seemed sick. "Are there really people that cruel? Why didn''t you or your father stop them?"


    "We are Infernals. I realize your cultures probably abhor slavery... ours does not. Killing an immortal is a difficult task. The best punishment for most crimes in our society is slavery until such a time as your debt is considered paid. Sometimes, that''s only a few decades... other times, it''s a few millennia. The reason I bring this story up is because similar enchantments are used in the Infernal realms for immortal prisoners. That is the mindset infernal beings have. In any case, after the training was done, I was a considerably more powerful mage. Even if I lean more heavily on martial combat now, it was still invaluable training. We''ll do our best to help the two of you get through it."


    The room went silent. After a few minutes, Titan picked up a book to start reading. Tempest seemed able to amuse herself by making wind magic flow back and forth between her hands, still trying to master squeezing out as little mana as possible.


    Trillia finally broke the silence. "Why is the Professor so afraid of your father?"


    Titan paused his reading. After a moment of thought, he put the book down. "Because at one point, my father and Tempest''s father tried to kill her. She stole something from them."


    Blossom and Trillia''s confusion was evident.


    As Titan tried to think of a good way to proceed, Tempest took over. "She stole a soul from each of them. Their respective followers had sacrificed people to them in some bloodthirsty ritual. The Professor snuck into their realms to steal their souls and set them free in her own realm. Where they rightfully belonged. The only reason she''s alive is because the [2nd Axle] found it interesting as to how she snuck into their realms. Since she had used the Aetherian Realm to do it. It was one of the first recorded civil wars within the Darktone clan."


    "Your families have fought before?" Blossom asked rather innocently.


    Titan and Tempest both shared a snicker. "That''s an understatement. Uncle Kain pushes for competition within the clan. Says it brings out the strongest and best. It also keeps him on his feet or something stupid like that. There are rules, I guess, that they gotta follow. But yeah, we fight all the time. There''s basically an eternal war between the Celestial bands and the Infernal bands. It''s good to teach people how to fight and defend ourselves from the threat of the Eldritch."


    Titan nodded at his cousin''s statement. "It''s getting late, and the two of you should get something light to eat and rest. Remember, tomorrow eat something heavy and be prepared for a long and grueling day."


    The two mortals stood, nodded, and left to do just that.

 Chapter 128 Goodbye

    The warning had not been nearly enough. It was eight hours in. Trillia felt like she hadn''t eaten in a month.


    She and the others had their arms extended with their palms facing away from them. Blood ran down their fingertips.


    Their goal was simple. Push out exactly ninety-nine of the one-hundred mana they each had at their disposal. Anytime they failed, Zymeth would crack them in the hands with what looked like a long thing tube of wood and immediately refill their mana.


    If they moved their feet, they got smacked on the back of the knee.


    After another hour, Blossom fell over in a heap. Zymeth walked over, whispered a few words, and lifted her back to her feet. Her eyes seemed confused. "I''ve hit you with a restoration. Keep going."


    Tears welled up in her eyes, but she extended her arms. Tempest was brave enough to speak. "This is torture, Uncle. They are not immort-"


    "SILENCE!" Zymeth roared the word at her. "Her realm is in the balance. Billions of lives will be snuffed out. You think I am pushing the mortals too hard? What the fuck do you think an eldritch is going to do?" The angry deity stepped in front of his junior. "They don''t have the luxury of a legion of pissed-off celestials at their back to save them from death. They stand on the precipice of oblivion!"


    Tempest seemed to shrink at his words. "Hate me. Pray to all the gods for my death. Pray that my pillow is always warm and my food always cold. I don''t rightly care. I will do what I can to give Blossom the absolute best chance at surviving and saving her realm from the idiotic fucking rules that are in place. If you don''t like it. Leave. If you are too weak to handle my training. Leave. Go ahead, little celestial. Abandon her."


    "Enough!" Blossom said through clenched teeth. "I''m not quitting. She''s worried because we''re friends. I won''t quit, though. Not until my realm is free."


    Zymeth stared at Tempest a moment longer the minor deity stayed silent before turning his eyes to Blossom. "Good. It''s ok to hate me. Do whatever you must in your mind to get through this. I cannot assure victory, Blossom. You are against truly terrible odds. But I promise that I will do everything in my power to help you succeed."


    Trillia had to wonder what his goal was. It couldn''t just be to help her. Before she could silence her thoughts, Zymeth turned to look at her. "My world was devoured by an Eldritch." The deity walked over to stand in front of Trillia as her mana plummeted and refilled. Accompanied by a sharp crack in her hands. "I got to watch everything I know and love get torn to shreds and devoured. I was nearly devoured, Mathias was nearly devoured. I may have a low opinion of most mortals. But I''ll spend an eternity in limbo before I turn a blind eye and let one of those fucking creatures get away with eating a realm unharmed."


    Trillia''s face hardened with a nod. Turning her focus fully onto her hands.


    Days came and went. Time blurred together. Trillia thought that the first day would be the worst of it. But the second and third days had proven her wrong. Nearly a week later Blossom let out a cry of celebration. Zymeth stood in front of her with a hand on her shoulder. "Well done, Blossom. Now do ninety-eight, but time it for when your mana regeneration fills. So that the spell is expended but your mana is full."


    Blossom didn''t grimace. She had thrown herself into the training more than any of the three of them. It was her realm on the chopping block, after all. With a deep breath and a nod, she continued.


    Trillia realized that Titan and Tempest hadn''t been cracked on the hands nearly as many times. Truth be told, she was surprised they didn''t already have a mastery of this.


    "That''s because I have them working in fractions and scaling up. First half a mana, and they must blend that into a full point. So on and so forth. The Professor is happy to slowly teach you to channel your abilities. To help you find your own way, I am not."


    Trillia grumbled silently in her mind. She wasn''t keen on how readily and easily he could read her thoughts.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    Everyone''s eyes snapped over to Blossom as a bright green light was emitted from her body. Zymeth smiled at her once more. "Congratulations on your evolution. Shall I tell you what it is now, or let you see it as a surprise when you return to your realm?"


    Blossom stared up at him with hard eyes. "Will it help in my training to know?" As the deity shook his head, so did she. "Then it''s not important. I think I got your next step. What am I to do now?"


    A full month had passed. Trillia lay on the floor in Titan''s room, Blossom had passed out after flopping on his bed. Despite their words about never needing to sleep, both of the deities seemed exhausted. Blossom had broken through at an absurd rate. She was on the same training as the deities. Trillia had only just graduated to expending exactly ninety-eight on a refill. The mental timing of it seemed impossible for her to grasp. "A single day off. I''m going to eat my weight in meat and sleep all day."


    Tempest chuckled softly. "A good way to spend it. I think I''ll soak in a hot tub until our next training. What about you, cousin?"


    The group was keeping their voices low to let Blossom get whatever rest she could. "I''ll watch over Blossom to make sure she doesn''t have nightmares and has a restful sleep. She is the only important one in our group right now. We must make sure she has all the tools to succeed."


    They all shared a glance and nodded at one another.


    One month turned into two, two into four.


    The day was upon them. Trillia rarely felt exhausted or tired in the last few days. Blossom seemed to perpetually be full of energy and alert. The Professor and Zymeth were both fiddling with equipment and armor that had been crafted by anyone allowed to help. It seemed to Trillia that the one thing that unified all of the deities was their hatred for the eldritch.


    Trillia couldn''t help but have knots in her stomach. Worried weighed heavily on her, but she didn''t speak it aloud. Too terrified to tempt the fates against her friend.


    Zymeth reached into nothingness and pulled out a pendant. "This is the only trinket I can offer you."


    The Professor looked at it, and for the first time since meeting her, tears welled up in her eyes as Zymeth spoke. "It... It will devour your soul. If the corruption from the eldritch gets past the point of fighting off."


    Blossom looked at the pendant for a long moment before shaking her head. "Those last few moments of clarity before I am entirely consumed may turn the tide for my realm. If that means my soul is lost to the swarm, so be it."


    Zymeth clenched the pendant in one clawed hand and offered her a nod. "I pray to all that is that I get to see you again someday. Hopefully, by then, you''ll have grown strong enough to kick me a few times as payment for these past few months."


    Blossom offered a brave, if empty, smile. "Does that mean I have permission to kick you when we next meet Lord Zymeth?"


    "Aye. If you succeed, I''ll give you at least two free kicks. I might even pretend like they hurt."


    No one laughed. No one except Blossom even cracked a smile. She went down the line, giving everyone hugs, doing her best to keep a straight face and not let her fear show through. As she got to Trillia, she whispered into her ear. "If we never meet again. I hope your realm is safe and that all of your dreams come true. Thank you for being my friend."


    Trillia couldn''t stop the tears as she clung tightly to Blossom. Eventually, Tempest''s firm grip pulled her away. Blossom turned without another word and stepped up to Zymeth. "I am ready."


    The deity nodded, and the young woman vanished. Zymeth turned his swirling orbs of mana to the others. "Would you all like to watch what may be her final moments?"


    All of them nodded. Zymeth lifted his hand, and an image of a beautiful globe covered in rich blue water with endless forests appeared before them. Trillia''s chest tightened as she saw what looked like hundreds of thousands of shards swarming all over the place. To her surprise, there were thousands of warriors that looked similar to Blossom. "She has help?" Trillia crushed the faint glimmer of hope that started to rise.


    Zymeth nodded. "The local deities that are not strong enough to leave the realm. If the realm core is destroyed, so are they. There are a few thousand others who have been trained similarly to Blossom." His voice didn''t hold any hopeful tone.


    "The deities will handle the largest chunks of the swarm outside of the realm''s direct influence. Other deities that have clearance will do their best to attack the swarm''s flanks and scare it off. The most dangerous fight, however, is on the surface of the realm."


    As their view changed to seeing Blossom, something tugged at Trillia''s mind. At first, it was gentle, then it became stronger and stronger. Until finally, a large creature jumped out from the shadows of a tree and bounded past Blossom. The creature was a quadruped that was covered in green leaves and bark. Trillia remembered the feeling. It was [Spawn Seeker] triggering. The creature that had run past Blossom must have been a primordial warped creature.


    Blossom didn''t seem afraid. In fact, she fell into step behind it. It led her through the winding paths of a great forest before a battlefield opened up to her. Trillia''s mind slammed defensive walls up, and her divine aura leaked out on instinct. But it wasn''t just one shard. There were a dozen in the clearing, with thousands of much smaller ones swarming a village.


    Blossom didn''t hesitate. She raised a staff in the air and closed her eyes.


    Zymeth switched them from seeing the physical realm to seeing the Aetherian one. All hope fled from Trillia.

 Chapter 129 Blossoms Fight

    Blossom''s heart raced. The warped panther that had led her into the fight had already lept into the fray and started attacking the Eldritch. Blossom had one job. She wasn''t here to fight the small creatures. That''s what all the warriors and primordial spawned beasts were for. She took a deep breath, remembering her lessons. Remembering the new friends she had made. She threw herself into the Aether.


    As her eyes opened, terror gripped her heart. She had seen one shard from far away. Now, twelve of them stood before her. Their focus seemed fully fixed on the physical realm. They hadn''t noticed yet that she had slipped into the Aether.


    As she slowly drifted toward them, Blossom realized what a truly beautiful place the Aether was. Everything seemed so much more vibrant. The flows of mana swirled in and out of the physical world, bursts of mana appearing in the Aether and getting sucked back into the world where they belonged.


    As Blossom looked down, she saw a woman sitting near a tree, her hands clasped together as if in prayer. She realized that was her realm core. Doing its best to help its occupants fight off this invader. She saw the thousands of golden strands of divinity running to and from the core of the various local deities.


    Blossom floated slowly along. She knew every second of delay was more deaths that their people had to recover from. But rushing it meant total failure and loss. As she neared the first shard, she raised a hand. Zymeth had told her to start with a tiny trickle of divine power. A single point at most. Once the creature nibbled on it, she''d need to dump a few thousand mana into it before immediately throwing herself back into the physical world. The Professor had warned it was an extremely reckless approach that offered the highest chance of getting killed.


    But both the Profesor and Zymeth had agreed it was also her best shot at killing the creatures.


    Blossom set the bait, a single tiny point of mana that would appear divine to them in the Aetherian realm. The attention of all twelve shards snapped to the mana. They clammored and shoved one another to get at it.


    The one closest snapped a thousand angry mouths down on it at once. It felt as if something had just taken a bite out of her soul. As soon as the pain began to flare up, Blossom dumped it all back into the intent of her mana. One clear defining goal.


    Destruction. Ten thousand mana flowed out of her in a brilliant flash of what seemed like divine fury.


    [Warning! Hostile matter detected in the Aether, purge incoming!]


    Before Blossom could see the result of her handiwork, she ripped herself back into the physical world and slammed into the ground. Suddenly, she was grateful for the torture that Zymeth had made them endure. Despite the dozens of notifications upon her return about endurance and immunities, the poor girl still felt like she had been hit with a mountain of exhaustion.


    However, that exhaustion faded as she saw that not one but two of the shards had folded in on themselves. Thousands of the swarmlings attached to them lay dead. The other ten shards seemed distracted as if fighting a battle on two fronts.


    Zymeth had told her to wait a full two minutes before attempting to dive into the Aether again. Told her to use her mana to just under her maximum so that the Aether found it more difficult to track. She didn''t understand how using her mana would confuse it, but she wasn''t going to argue with the creature who so vehemently hated the Eldritch.


    Things weren''t looking good on the battlefield. The wounds from the swarmlings seemed like they could be healed, but anytime a shard actually connected, the soldier exploded in a wave of mana, like its body had been stuffed with a hundred times the amount of mana it should have held.


    "Oh great, Mother Gaia, grant this foolish daughter your mercy and heal our wounds [Rejuvanation]!" As the incantation finished, Blossom was startled to see not just a half dozen or so people''s wounds heal. But nearly the entire battlefield.


    Title Unlocked!


    New titles available: 1


    Gaia''s Hero:


    You are one of the chosen heros of the realm ''Gaia''. Any skill you cast in defense of the realm, is multiplied by a hundred fold.


    All damage taken while standing on your home realm is reduced by 50%.


    The duration of efficacy of all debuffs against you is reduced by 50%.


    The realm itself supports you, all regeneration values are doubled.


    Blossom blinked in surprise but immediately switched over from her old title of [Blossom]. That title had mostly just buffed her plant-based magic. She chuckled faintly, musing to herself that the next time she saw Trillia, she''d have to tell her friend to either call her Meridia or Hero.


    Her mirth turned into determination as the two minutes had passed. Once more, she flung herself into the Aether. This time, the terror was a hundredfold. Something far larger loomed some distance from the realm, staring directly at her. She saw the brilliant silver and golden hue of the deities fighting it. That must have been the core of the hive.


    She took a deep breath to steady herself and repeated her attack. This time, instead of taking out just one of the shards, the other ten were ripped apart in the Aether. To her surprise, she didn''t get a warning. Nor did she feel the need to rip herself out of the Aetherian realm. Instead, as she looked back at the realm, she saw a thin golden cord extending from her own back and leading to it. Hope swelled in her chest.


    -=====-


    Trillia''s breath caught in her chest as she saw Blossom bathed in golden light. Zymeth let out a breath he had been holding in, and he seemed to relax a little. A dozen other golden lights emerged, and relief flooded both him and the Professor. "What does it mean?"


    The Professor rubbed her eyes. "It''s a title. We can''t talk about it. But the chances of the realm surviving, and of Meridia surviving, have gone up astronomically."


    Trillia had no idea what the word astronomically meant, but she assumed it was a good thing, seeing the relief on the faces of all the deities. She dared to hope.


    -=====-


    The fighting went on for hours. Blossom was starting to feel the effects of constantly fighting in the Aether before pulling herself back to the realm to maneuver to the next battle field. The tide seemed to be turning for them.


    As she slipped into the Aether again, a sharp pain hit her chest.


    Blinking in surprise, she looked down to see an inky black claw poking through her chest. A creature slowly formed in front of her, looming above her. A thousand mouths screaming out in silent glee.


    She grit her teeth, shoved her hands forward, and blasted the thing with half of her mana. Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.


    It vanished. Blossom floated in the endless expanse of mana, staring down at her chest as a faint blue shimmer leaked out of her.


    Taking a deep breath, she tried to pull herself back to her body but couldn''t, tried to heal herself but couldn''t.


    Every attempt to reach out to her patron failed. Despite the battle happening around her, both in the Aetherian realm and the physical realm. She drifted in total silence. After a few minutes, her mind started to feel foggy. Like she was drifting off to sleep.


    Sleep sounded good. A bright flash of light caused her to look over at the massive entity she had seen before. Another brilliant flash of light as another local deity was snuffed from existence. She wanted to curl up in a ball and let the others handle it. She was so tired now.


    "I wouldn''t take a nap right now." The voice snapped her fully awake and alert. As she twisted and turned herself in the Aether, she saw a young elven man standing before her. His form wavered and shifted as it positively burst with mana.


    "Looks like something snapped the connection between your soul and your body. Not a bad way to go, all things considered. You still have an hour or two before you fully die." The man had floated close to her and was inspecting the wound in her chest.


    "Umm....who are you?" Blossom looked down at her chest and back to where her body should have been. It was a heap on the ground.


    "I don''t remember my name. I''ve been wandering the Aether for some time now. I used to live here if you can believe it. So when I saw the void approaching, I knew I should come and lend my skills."


    An echo.


    That was the only possibility that Blossom could think of, but how could it see the Eldritch? Whose echo was it? "Is there anything I can do? In this form?"


    A hand reached out and touched her head, a million ideas for spells flooded through her soul, and eons of research and spell casting threatened to burst her very soul open. As the echo pulled his hand back, he looked down at the realm core. "Sorry, M''Lady, but I don''t think this one can be saved. She wants to keep helping, and I have every intention of letting her."


    Blossom blinked a few more times as she looked around the Aether with a newfound respect. No notifications hit her. She was dying, she was certain. Part of her wanted to study her body, study the severed connection. Perhaps with this newfound knowledge, she could fix herself, but a deeper part of her pulled her towards the entity that was shooting the shards into her realm.


    "Thank you...whoever you are." Orienting herself towards the looming threat, she willed herself towards it.


    That did work. In fact, it worked a little too well as she found herself hurtling toward the creature. A familiar voice spoke to her mind. It was her patron goddess. "Don''t! We can still heal you." Blossom paused briefly, looking back at her realm. Something in her chest pulled at her. Whispered to go to the core of the invader.


    Something in her had clicked. Something in her told her that she had a purpose before death took her. Her eyes shimmered with golden light as she shot past the deities fighting toward the core of the swarm. Words sprung from her lips on instinct. "For during eternal night, shall I become a light to guide you. In the dark eternal void shall I become a beacon of hope. In the eternal fields of the hereafter, shall my warmth comfort you. [Providence]."


    Meridia felt a pulse come from her.


    Everything went still.


    She couldn''t move.


    The fighting had stopped.


    It was just that same eerie silence.


    A gentle hand took hers. "What a silly thing to do."


    The voice was unfamiliar to her. But it was comforting. It promised eternal warmth and peace. It promised an end to suffering. "I... It just felt right."


    The entity squeezed her hand gently. "A hefty cost to deal a grievous wound to an enemy. You shouldn''t have been able to access Providence. I suppose your love for your realm outweighed the safety of the system. Or it was his meddling again, perhaps. Either way, I''m afraid you have to come with me now, little one."


    So she was dead. Somehow, that didn''t bother her. "Did we win?"


    The entity slowly turned the two of them to see the battlefield frozen what seemed like far below them. The core of the creature she had been fighting had been blown in half. Two other figures clad in gold like she had been were paused halfway in their journey to it. Grim determination on their face, their mouths opened in an incantation. "Why is everything so still? Are they also going to die?"


    "Because I''ve stopped time to have a little chat with you. You can call me Dawn. Yes, the others have also tapped into [Providence]."


    Dawn. It was a pretty name. The voice calmed all the panic that she might have been feeling. Seeing the other heroes of Gaia rushing out, somehow, deep down, Meridia knew that the fight was over. She might be gone, but the realm would live on. "Can I ask a favor, Dawn?"


    A feeling of positive energy flowed through some unseen link. "Will you tell everyone I''m leaving behind that I love them? That I''m glad they get to live? Maybe let my friends at the Professor''s know that we won."


    Another gentle hand squeezed her shoulder, and she felt as if she was being pulled into a hug. "Do you have any other last requests?"


    Meridia wasn''t one to be greedy. She had saved her realm. Nothing else really mattered. "No. Maybe... maybe just let me look in on my friends from time to time."


    She felt so very tired.


    As the other heroes resumed their rush to the enemy, her eyes slowed closed, and she knew peace.


    -=====-


    Trillia''s heart broke. "No!" She screamed at the image of Blossom''s body simply vanishing in an explosion of brilliant light. Two others slammed into the core instantly, and the primary hive was destroyed. The eldritch screeched in pain and began turning on each other.


    "No!" Tears streamed down her face. "All that training?! Just for her to die like that?!"  She turned her angry yelling at Zymeth. "You''re a god! Do something, damn you! Why are you all so fucking useless?! Why do we have to suffer for your failings?! The eldritch are dead gods, right?! Why did Blossom have to die because you can''t keep us safe!"


    Her throat hurt from screaming, her vision blurry as she swung her fists at the deity before her. "Why do we always have to die?! Why can''t all of you die for once?! Wh...why... " Tears started to come more freely. Her words choked her. "Why did it have to be my friend?" The last words came out as a whimper as she sunk to the ground and wrapped her arms around herself in tears.


    Three of the deities around her said nothing. Only looked at her with a mixture of pity and sorrow.


    Zymeth kneeled in front of her and grabbed her chin. "Open your eyes."


    As she resisted, she felt pressure building on his hand. The pain wasn''t worth it.


    Her eyes shot open with all the hate and anger she could muster. Only to see a sympathetic look on the god''s face. Slowly, he lifted his free hand to show her the scene again. "Look very, very carefully. What do you see?"


    Trillia didn''t want to look. She didn''t want to see her friend''s death, but at this point, she knew better than to argue with the stubborn god. "I don''t see anything."


    "Look more closely. At the stars."


    Trillia tried to focus, blinking away the tears still left in her eyes. There were no stars. It was just the inky darkness of the void and space. But Zymeth wouldn''t tell her for no reason. Her eyes kept scanning the image before realization struck. It wasn''t that there were no stars... it was that something many times the size of the realm was blocking them all. "What is that?"


    "The eldritch host that the swarm core came from. It''s currently fighting guardian deities on all fronts. [Providence] is an ability that sacrifices a mortal soul to purify....everything. Self-sacrifice has few equals in terms of divine power. The eldritch is going to reach out to feel for its swarm and realize it''s dead soon. It will flee after that, thinking that something is strong enough to kill it on the realm it thought was a treat. Once it has fled, the rift that pulled it towards Gaia can be closed."


    Trillia sniffled and turned her eyes back to him. "Why are you telling me? Why should I care?"


    His eyes turned hard, and he let go of her chin finally. "Because Meridia Everflow just sacrificed her mortal life and soul so that billions of other mortals have a chance to live long and happy lives. Because you need to know that the things you do have purpose. You need to understand that we can only give you the tools to save yourself. Lady Everflow chose her realm over herself. Grieve, I know it hurts. But at least understand what her sacrifice meant and honor it."


    Trillia''s eyes drifted to the floor as he laid into her. After a moment of silence, she managed to squeak out. "It still hurts. I still don''t want her to be dead."


    "It sucks. A lot. It never gets easier. Millions of years later, and every time I lose a good friend to those fucking things, it feels like someone punched a hole in my chest. For me, knowing that some of those bastards died and that my friend bought the rest of us peace and happiness..."


    The god shrugged and patted her gently on the head. "It helps me cope. You got a rough go of it, kid. You''re as young as Mathias and I were when fate started to screw us over. Pretty sure Kain was born into a bad situation. You''ll make it through. Just...try to remember the good times."


    Trillia didn''t have much else to say. She just sat there on the floor and tried not to cry.

 Chapter 130 Cope

    The others kept training. They checked in on Trillia every day and brought her food that she didn''t eat. Trillia sat in her room on her bed... her eyes were red and her cheeks were puffy.


    She knew that Blossom''s chances had been low. Everyone said as much. But why did she have to die? It seemed stupid. There were so many people there to fight. Was it the injury? Did Blossom think she was going to die anyway and wanted to do as much damage as possible? Tears welled up in her eyes as she clenched her fists.


    She knew that her sacrifice hadn''t been in vain, but that didn''t soften the blow.


    "Will there ever be a time this doesn''t hurt so bad?" She whispered to herself as she buried her face in her knees.


    "No. Not really." A voice responded to her. Trillia''s head snapped up, and she saw a young woman dressed in an all-white gown sitting at her table. The woman''s presence put Trillia at ease. The voice even more so because it was a voice she recognized.


    "Dawn?"


    The woman offered her a warm smile. "It''s been a while. At least, as far as your time goes."


    Trillia wanted to lash out. Wanted to scream at Dawn as well for Blossom''s loss. But she didn''t have it in her anymore. Most of her life had been fighting, and losing people along the way was a byproduct of that. It was exhausting, and she was only in her teens. Her heart ached as she thought about how often her mother and uncles had to have gone through this. "Is there something you need?"


    Dawn nodded. "If there was a single place on your realm that you could have shown Blossom. Where would it be?"


    The words bit into Trillia. Her eyes narrowed in anger.


    But after a few minutes, she thought about Blossom. About the fields and lakes of the Shattered Plains. Blossom''s world had been nothing but trees and oceans. She wondered how the woman would have liked the wide-open fields. Or perhaps the harsh desert around D''Jamu.


    Wondered if her friend would go about planting trees.


    The hurt came back.


    Dawn stood and walked over to the young orc. Leaning over and kissing her forehead softly. "In a decade or two. I want you to go to the lake where you and your brother made a promise. Do you remember it?"


    Trillia was leery but nodded. "Good. Survive."


    "Why? What''s the point?"


    "Do you want Amelia to feel how you''re feeling now? What about Tormash or Ralrouk?"


    That felt like a punch to the gut. "No....of course not."


    "So survive and train."


    Just as quickly as she came, she was gone. But why? Did her words mean that Blossom was going to come back? Maybe she''d get a chance to see her. She knew that some spirits lingered in an afterlife, waiting for friends and family to come.


    Maybe in a decade or two Trillia would be allowed to at least tell Blossom how proud she was. Trillia stood and made her way to the orb on the Professor''s desk. Only to find the woman sitting there waiting.


    The two exchanged a long look of silence before Trillia spoke. "Is there a way. That I could travel to Blossom''s realm and see her world some time? Visit whatever monument they put up for her?"


    "Something like that might be arranged."


    Trillia took a deep breath. "I suppose I should get back to training. So that I can survive my own ordeals and visit her homeworld."


    "We''ll start tomorrow."


    -=====-


    The relationship between the three of them was strained. Trillia understood, deep down, that they had nothing to do with it. If anything, Titan and Tempest had been instrumental in making sure that Blossom had made a real impact.


    But Trillia couldn''t separate them from their deity status. She so desperately wanted to hug her mom. To have a bowl of stew with Amelia and listen to her best friend go on about music and watch her eyes light up as she taught Trillia.


    The sound of a loud clang pulled her from distractions as Titan slapped her rapier out of her hands. There was no admonishment; he just gave Trillia a worried look.


    "I can''t do this. I just. I can''t." Her fingertips trembled as she reached down for the rapier.


    Titan and Tempest were silenced before they could speak as the Professor spoke up. "Why don''t you take a few more weeks? You have plenty of time, with how slowly you perceive it here."Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Trillia gingerly lifted her rapier, twirling it in her hands for a moment before sheathing it. "Can you just use a spell or something? Make me forg-"


    "No!" Tempest snapping startled Trillia.


    "It won''t fix it. You will just wake up in tears with heartache and have no idea why. I''m speaking from experience here. You need to come to terms with this. I know you''re young... this isn''t fair. But this is the life you signed up for when you became an avatar of a god. This is the life you signed up for when you wanted to be something. This is the price of legacy."


    It was too high of a price. Trillia thought to herself bitterly. After a moment of trying to find a retort, she finally threw up her hands and just walked back to her room.


    -=====-


    The next day, Trillia woke up to find a small green book sitting on the edge of her desk. The door to her room was closed and locked. So it had to be the Professor.


    Walking over, she sat down and looked at the book to see that it had been Blossom''s journal. All of the pain came back in a rush, but she managed to hold it together.


    Lifting the book and opening it, she read the first entry.


    "Day One! Woo! It''s scary, but I can''t wait to learn. I won''t let you guys down, I promise. I''ll learn everything I can and close that damn rift so the forest stops getting corrupted. So far, my classmates all seem super scary. There''s this really loud girl who is called Tempest. It''s fitting since you always know when she''s in the room because of her yapping. The Professor gave us some books to read; they are super complicated, but I think I can manage."


    "Day Two! I''ve made a friend! But I''m not sure what she is. To be fair, I''m not sure what anyone really is. I think a lot of the folks in my class are from another axle. So, I sort of see them as slightly blurry creatures. The Professor said that I will slowly come to see them as they really are over the next few days. Her title is Fairtrade. Titan said she must be some incredible diplomat from her world since it even works on him. He''s a deity, by the way!"


    Trillia held a bitter little smile as she read through her friend''s thoughts.


    "I''m not sure what day it is. It''s so hard to tell in here. There are no suns or moons. Trillia is really good at explaining stuff. Her system must be way different, though. Cause a lot of the terms she uses to describe things are words I''ve never heard of. But I get most of it! Tempest isn''t so bad, I think she''s just lost a lot of people, so she tries to be standoffish to scare others away. But that''s ok! I''ve never met an acorn I couldn''t grow. The seeds of friendship have been planted, I won''t give up on you, my little whirlwind of yapping."


    "I''m. I''m not sure how to write this. I''m scared, Mother Gaia. I saw a shard of the thing I''m supposed to be fighting. The fires from the great war got pulled up from my memories. I had to relive my entire clan being butchered and burned. I don''t know if I have the strength to do this. But if I don''t...what then? More people will die. It''s nice to have friends. I hope I get to see them again after I leave this place."


    Trillia paused and took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down.


    "Another deity showed up with some really bad news. But he is helping me to train, so I guess that''s good. I''m currently sitting in Titan''s room, trying not to panic. Trillia passed out on the floor. She snores. Titan and Tempest usually leave for a few hours to do more training and reading. It must be nice to ignore all the eating and sleeping stuff that we have to do.


    ....


    I''m really scared, Mother Gaia. Something inside me feels wrong. Like, I can tell something terrible is gonna happen. I hope we can at least save some of our people."


    "Final Entry. I''m writing this the day before I head out. I''m going to leave this journal here with the Professor. She can send it to me if I succeed. But if I don''t, I am going to ask her to give it to Trillia, once Trillia''s training is done. I''ve been doing a lot of research on where everyone is from. I think Fate is at play. Trillia is from something called a cradle world, and so am I. I think... I think our realms might be connected somehow. Like maybe our cores know each other? That''s probably stupid. Anyway! If I am going to leave this behind, I may as well write in some last words.


    To The Professor. Thank you so much for teaching me so much stuff. Thank you for staying up with me late so many nights and just talking to me when I felt lost and worried. I didn''t wanna lean too heavily on the others since I know they all have a lot of stuff on their shoulders as well. I know you hate the rules that make it so you can''t just swoop in and save us all. But you''re doing the next best thing, letting us save ourselves. I hope I make you proud out there. If I do fail... don''t take it too hard. Mother Gaia said the chances of everyone surviving were basically zero. It will cost us a lot of lives to survive, I hope we do, and I think you and Lord Zymeth have given us the best chance of that.


    To Tempest. I don''t know what to say. I never got a chance to know you better. If I survive, I''ll pray to you. If nothing else, just to annoy you and ask how you''re doing. One day, I''ll get a genuine hug from you. You seem like someone who actually cares about us, even if you pretend otherwise. You sat up for six hours reading to me one night because I was scared. You wouldn''t do that if we weren''t friends.


    To Titan. I hope things work out for you, big guy. You didn''t say much about it, but I can tell the idea of leaving this place and entering a never-ending war against these things has you worried. I guess worry never really goes away, does it? Even as a deity. Thank you for all the lessons on fighting, I''ll be honest. I doubt I''ll ever be good at it. But hopefully, it lets me survive a little longer. You said that if I survive this, you''ll check in on me from time to time... I think I''d like that.


    To Trillia. I honestly hope you never read any of this. Cause if ya do, it means I didn''t make it. I sure hope my realm survived, at least. I don''t really care if I am alive if it means everyone else got to live. From what I could gather by pestering Lord Zymeth and the Professor. I think your world is going to be attacked soon as well. It sucks, you''re so young, and you are having to deal with this. I''ve at least had a lot of time to live a full life. You seem like the most determined out of all of us, so I know you''ll be ok. Plus, your realm seems to have a lot more powerful people in it. I''m sure you''ve got this. If you are reading this... sorry we never got a proper goodbye or got to really talk about each other''s realms. I''ll miss you, and I hope you find peace in your life. I think everyone deserves peace. But you''re gonna have to fight for your peace, just like I am. Do me a favor, find a nice place in your world that you think I''d like, and bury this journal there. Somewhere with a nice view and a breeze. If my world isn''t around anymore...who knows, maybe I can come to haunt this journal and chat with you."


    Trillia closed the little book and hugged it to herself. The hurt was still there, but it hurt a little less.

 Chapter 131 Small Talk

    When Trillia woke the next day, she pulled out Meridia''s journal and read the last passage again. A faint little smile appeared on her face as she pulled the journal back into her storage ring. "I sure hope you can haunt me. Even knowing your realm is ok."


    Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the hallway to join the others for class and training.


    Days turned into weeks, weeks into months. The two deities seemed to grow increasingly more distracted as time went on and grew distant from Trillia. Nearly six months after Meridia''s fall, Trillia now sat at a desk eating some stew and reading a book. It was on the subject of enchanting, she had been reading all sorts of books that her friends would like to know information about. Jotting down the things she figured were most important.


    Even if she didn''t fully understand it, hopefully they did.


    "Wait. I wonder if I''m even allowed to take this knowledge back. I know the Professor said something about not being able to tell people certain things."


    As she finished her statement, the edge of her book lifted slightly. DuMont appeared as it did and took a peak at the spine. To Trillia''s own surprise, she didn''t jump or get startled. All of the training with the Eldritch had greatly hardened her resolve and will.


    "You''re a second axle occupant, yes?"


    "That''s correct. I hope you are doing well, Mister DuMont."


    "I am. Thank you for asking Lady Fairtrade. I know I''m very late in this, but I am sorry to hear about your friend Meridia. When I lose someone close, I tend not to want people to remind me immediately after it happens. I spoke to her on a couple of occassions, she was a truly talented young mind."


    Trillia paused and pondered his words. "You know, I think I agree with you, Lord DuMont. A couple of months ago, I probably would have had to hold back tears. Now? Now I just want to burn every eldritch to ash for the sake of all the realms at risk."


    That made the mysterious entity in front of her pause, a grin twisted at his lips. "You know, I think that''s the best outlook to have. Dirty bastards deserve the eternal fires of the forge, as far as I am concerned. Do you have a vested interest in enchanting?"


    Trillia looked back to the book she had been reading. "Sort of? I like learning. When I was a kid, I liked hearing the system talk to me and give me new stuff. But mostly, this is for my friend Malor. I guess on my realm he''s a prodigy of enchantments. I don''t know how much of this will be useful to him, but I want my friends to have the best chance of surviving our upcoming trials."


    DuMont stepped away from her desk and moved to a bookshelf nearby. Trillia''s gaze followed him.


    Something about the man was deeply unsettling at times. "I realize the answer is probably no. But may I ask what exactly you are? At this point, I''ve met quite a few gods, and none of them make my brain itch quite as badly as you do. I don''t mean to be rude." Tacking that last bit on after realizing just how rude that might have sounded.


    "It''s quite alright. The reason I...make your brain itch, as you so eloquently put it, is because one of my portfolios is deception. Please don''t consider this me being rude, but frankly, you are a mortal staring at a Greater Deity of Deception. Your brain can''t even come up with a disguise. I''m not sure what exactly you see, but it''s probably very non-descript."


    "Thank you for explaining it to me. I didn''t think someone as powerful as you would be here."


    DuMont paused and glanced back at her response, after a brief moment he shook his head and went back to scanning the bookshelf. "Everyone can learn indefinitely. That''s one of the important things you learn as a young immortal or deity. I am trying to create my very own cradle world so that I might learn from the mortals that evolve and spring up upon its surface."If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    "You can even learn from mortals? But if you create them, how does that work?"


    DuMont finally found the book he was after and pulled it from the shelves, stepping over to her desk and sitting it in front of her. "Well, because you think differently. You are a pact-bound on your realm, yes?"


    As Trillia nodded, he continued. "Your deity probably thinks of things in a way that is so foreign to you that your brain would turn to sludge if you tried to understand it. Likewise, for most deities, slowing down our own thought process to that of a mortal feels as if we are drowning in an ocean of honey. That''s not an insult, mind you, it is why we can learn so much from each other. Immortals and deities fear almost nothing in our day-to-day lives. We can go for centuries and never see a conflict that threatens our personal well-being."


    DuMont walked back to the shelves again. "You mortals, on the other hand, face life and death situations every waking moment. Starvation, dehydration, sickness, disease, even some mindless beast getting hungry and seeing you as food. A deity only really ever has to worry about the Eldritch and other deities. The Eldritch are often kept at bay by the warrior caste, like your friend Titan and his mighty parents. Other deities rarely kill one another. Doing so leaves us vulnerable to counterattacks, and you never quite know who someone''s allies are."


    That all made sense at least. Trillia looked down at the book in front of her, it had an old well-worn leather cover. What sort of hide it was made from was anyone''s guess. It was a deep crimson red with a faintly glowing green gem on the front. Though curiousity tugged at her mind, she didn''t reach out to it.


    "Our systems are also fundamentally different. What attributes and statuses we see, how we level and gain power. All of that will vary, not only from realm to realm, axle to axle, but also from mortal to immortal to deity. That book is one that I wrote when I was still a very young immortal. It deals with a technique I learned from a dragon about hardening enchantments. Now, to clarify, I do not mean an enchantment that hardens whatever it is cast upon. I mean making your actual enchantment significantly more durable against counter spelling, disenchanting, and breaking pieces off. It is absolutely the most vital knowledge about enchantments I could ever hope to get someone to learn."


    Trillia turned her eyes from him back to the book. "And I''m allowed to read it?"


    DuMont, for the first time since they met, laughed. It didn''t sound non-descript, it sounded...melodic? Like someone was singing to her. "You can keep that copy in its entirety. I can just create another for the library, assuming the Professor doesn''t already have a thousand copies hidden away. I also hail from the second axle. So, nothing I teach you in that book will be against the rules. Tell your friend Malor not to squander such an opportunity and if he really feels the need to pay you back. When he becomes some legendary enchanter. Ask him to send a little prayer my way with some of the knowledge he''s learned."


    Trillia smiled wide at that and reached out to the book. "Thank you very much, Lord Dumont. If I find any interesting discoveries, I''ll also send you a prayer or two...and Lord DuMont?"


    The deity paused his scanning to look at her. "Thanks for the chat. I appreciate you spending the time on me."


    DuMont offered her a little nod. "I need to get back to my own studies, you take care of yourself, Lady Fairtrade. I look forward to hearing of your exploits." As he finished his statement he vanished from sight as he let the magic of this place conceal him from her.


    Picking DuMont''s book up, she ran her fingers along the cover. It was times like this that she wished she could scan things in this place. It felt like an artifact.


    "I suppose I can just scan it when I get home." With that, she leaned back and opened the cover.


    ~A Theory on Aetherian Enchantment, By Monfrey Alec DuMont~


    "Greetings, dear reader. I have no doubt you are reading this masterpiece of information because you are deeply invested in learning about my genius."


    Trillia had to immediately pause and laugh. "Oh, you weren''t full of yourself at all, were you, Lord DuMont?" As she grinned, she wondered what path his life took so that he didn''t seem quite so arrogant anymore.


    "I had the great fortune of surviving a battle with a Plasma dragon recently. Upon agreeing to a draw, we were quite curious about the other''s magic. As any reader of my book must know, I am no lazy slob when the topic of enchanting rises, and yet... this dragon''s enchantments were most resilient to all the normal forms of breaking that I am accustomed to. It was as if they were self-repairing from some stable memory of what they were supposed to be."


    "To my credit, despite her immensely powerful enchantments, she couldn''t break my enchantments faster than I could summon them back in place. So we exchanged notes, and the beneficiary of that glorious battle and exchange of wisdom. Is you, dear reader. For I have replicated her mighty efforts and married them to my own rapid enchantments. Take a deep breath, for you are going to have your mind positively blown by this discovery!"


    Trillia''s smile deepened a little more, she closed the book and decided to go to her room, where it was more comfortable to read.

 Chapter 132 Final Days

    Tempest snarled in anger. Slamming her two scimitars down onto what seemed like a perfect globe of defensive magic that Trillia had mustered. The pesky mortal had turned all her grief and anguish over the loss of Meridia into determination, and it was paying off.


    "What sort of infernal fucking magic is that?" Tempest had hopped back a few feet, lowering her scimitars. Trillia had asked her and Titan to attack her defensive barriers until they broke.


    Again and again and again.


    The first week, they shattered in one or two hits. It was now the third month in, and Tempest could no longer damage them without some rather extreme magic and effort of her own. Titan still shattered them easily enough, but Trillia seemed capable of throwing up another in an instant.


    Despite her apparent victory, Trillia didn''t have her old customary smirk. Instead, a book appeared in her hand, no doubt from a storage item she wore. Tempest had seen the little orc reading the book constantly as of late. "What sort of magic lets you fend off a deity?"


    Trillia didn''t respond, only kept reading.


    A new barrier appeared. "Careful hitting this one, I am trying something, but it might be dangerous. Maybe hit it lightly to start?"


    Tempest was a bit annoyed at being ignored. Slowly, she walked up to the barrier and smacked it with a scimitar. She let out a startled yelp as a deep gash appeared on her hand. "What the fuck?"


    Trillia fell to her knees, the book falling next to her. "Oh... oh, by the gods, that was all of my mana." The healing magic of the realm took over and restored them both to proper fighting form in short order.


    Trillia sat on the ground and still seemed woozy.


    "It''s a type of enchantment. I can create...uhhh... what does he call it?" She lifted the book and flipped through the pages again. "I can create a blueprint of the enchantment I want. It stops me from having to weave it from scratch every time. I just have to feed it mana. There''s a bunch of stuff in here about efficiency as well. I am trying to get it all to work together, but... well, honestly enchanting isn''t really my strongest trait. It''s really complicated."


    "Seems you are doing just fine at enchanting if it can stop my blades."


    Trillia shook her head. "No. I am starting to get a feel for how much mana the Professor gave us. It is a hundred times the amount of mana I have access to back in my realm. These enchantments wouldn''t be possible by a regular mortal. I need to get them low enough before our training is over that I can utilize it as an emergency defensive barrier."


    Tempest thought about Trillia''s words for a moment. "You''re at the mortal limit for mana? How at such a young age?"


    "I feed off my realm. It took a bunch of us and basically tortured and experimented on us to create soldiers that can tap into its mana reserves." The way Trillia said it so nonchalantly bothered Tempest. Just what has this little orc had to endure?


    "I see." Tempest stared down at the mortal. Pity formed in her stomach. "Is it possible to keep the barrier up by feeding it a trickle of mana? Instead of just rapidly reforming it over and over again?"


    Trillia paused and looked up at Tempest. "Huh... the book doesn''t mention it. But maybe that could work? Treat it like a persistent buff that needs upkeep."


    A small chime went off. "Oh. Well I can practice that tomorrow. Thank you for all your time today, Tempest." Trillia stood and dusted herself off from the arena sand, the book vanished back into her storage item. "I''m going to go get dinner, have a good night."


    Tempest nodded her head slightly. "You as well, Fairtrade." As Tempest watched Trillia leave, she wore a little frown. "She needs to talk to someone about all of this."


    "What makes you think she hasn''t?" DuMont''s voice cause Tempest to spin around and lift her weapons, she hadn''t felt the other deity''s presence at all.


    "Don''t sneak up on people like that! Creepy bastard."


    DuMont raised one of his perfectly nondescript eyebrows. "Maybe get better senses? For a combat-focused deity, you are lacking. I admit the little orc has a shocking grasp on magic theory for her age. I wish her realm wasn''t in danger."


    So he was the source of her little book, that made a lot more sense. "You gave her a copy of your magic? What the fuck were you thinking? The rules are there to-"


    DuMont snapped his fingers at her, and a sharp pain hit her head first, silencing her. "I hail from the [2nd Axle]. I grew up on the same cradle world. A copy of that very book exists on her realm, she would just have to dig it up. Quit your whinging."


    Tempest hated the man. DuMont had a deep love and respect for mortals but cared little for the finer points of diplomacy amongst gods. "Whatever. She already has a pact-bound. He''s a Darktone and a god of knowledge. I''d be wary about poking your nose where it doesn''t belong."


    DuMont chuckled faintly. "Yes, yes. Young Arlyss. Another gloriously capable mage who has learned much from me."


    That shocked Tempest. She wanted to admonish him about the rules yet again. But there was no point - DuMont was a clever bastard and seemed to know how to circumvent the rules nearly as well as her Father and Uncles did. "Why are you trying so damn hard to help her? You barely know her?"


    DuMont stared hard at the deity of conflict for a solid sixty seconds. Then, he simply vanished as he let the enchantments of the Professor''s realm warp him out of her view. Tempest cursed and spit at the spot he had been standing on. "Pompous asshole!"


    -=====-


    Trillia was no longer sure how much time she had been here. She knew the effects of the place greatly warped her perception of time, but it still felt odd to so easily lose track of it all.


    She pulled herself out of the Aether, sweat dripping from her forehead. She was close enough to touch the shard now.


    Despite it being safely locked away behind enchantments, its mental attacks were still crippling.


    "By all that is good in the realm. How did Blossom survive touching and attacking those things?"


    The Professor smiled, her magic flooded through Trillia, bringing her back up to fighting form. "She was truly a gifted young student. I can see why she was chosen to learn my ways." The Professor wouldn''t outwardly admit it, but she was happy that Trillia was at least talking about Blossom again. In the days immediately following Blossom''s death, the Professor worried that Trillia wouldn''t be able to snap herself out of the funk she had been in.


    "Your time here is coming to a close. I''ve taught you all that I am allowed to teach you about the eldritch. Is there anything else you wish to know or learn before I send you back?"


    In addition to fighting the Eldritch, Trillia had also learned how to control small strands of the Aether. It was, perhaps, the most simple thing she had learned. It didn''t take a great deal of effort. That made Trillia believe all the more that Storm had lied about the reasons to get her to come here. It also solidified the idea that her realm was on the verge of an Eldritch attack as well.


    "Unless you can teach me how to teleport around places like Uncle Stas, I think I am good." Trillia turned to look at the Professor with a smile on her face. "Thank you for your patience and for giving me all the tools I need to help my realm survive."


    The Professor stepped in and pulled her into a hug. "Despite being forced to take you as a student by that silly lizard. I am truly grateful to have met you. I hope you will pray to me sometimes so that I can keep up with how you''re doing."Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.


    Trillia returned the hug with a chuckle. "Seems like I will be doing lots of praying when I get back. There are so many of you to keep up with now. How long do I have left here? There are a few books I''d still like to read if that''s ok."


    The Professor pulled back and nodded. "You still have a few months of time from the perspective of the realm. I''d suggest we still touch up on getting close to the shard. Extra practice won''t hurt. You should head to the arena. I think Titan and Tempest have something for you."


    Trillia hugged the Professor again before heading towards the Arena. She knew there would be more goodbyes on the day she actually left. But it felt good to know that she had completed her goal of coming here.


    As she stepped into the arena, the place was positively abuzz with cheers and clapping. Titan and Tempest stood in the arena, but not against each other. Instead, DuMont stood across from them.


    For the first time, she saw something other than the non-descript human she always did. Two dark grey feathered wings sprouted from skin that looked like obsidian. A brilliant golden toga that was glowing with heavy enchantments covered his frame. In one hand was a small wand - the other held a large axe that seemed nearly as big as Trillia.


    She walked up closer to the arena to watch the fight.


    Tempest already seemed exhausted. Titan was holding up a little better. The two dashed apart and started to close in on their obsidian opponent.


    As DuMont spoke, Trillia''s head pounded. It felt as if he had said a dozen words a second, like a loud buzz. Only one word was clear to her.


    "[Shatter]" Loud snaps resounded in the arena as one of Tempests''s arms twisted and bent at odd angles. DuMont''s wand whipped around toward Titan, and the barrier around the arena snapped and crackled under the pressure of the attack. Titan''s legs gave out under him, but the deity of endurance rolled back to his feet, his healing working faster than the spell.


    Trillia held her breath as Titan closed in, only to watch DuMont effortlessly swing the axe and swat Titan to the side. Tempest had closed the distance behind him, poised to strike. DuMont''s wings flourished, and a thousand sharp needle-like crystals flew out of them, hitting her hundreds of times and robbing her of her momentum.


    A quick twist found his axe slammed into her side and sent her flying as well. DuMont slammed the head of the axe into the arena floor as the Professor''s healing took over and healed DuMont''s opponents. "Neither of you are doing bad. You need to incorporate more attacks in the Aether to really push an opponent of a higher caliber. It will also help to confuse and confound the Eldritch. Get up, we go again."


    Three more matches and neither Tempest nor Titan had landed a single good hit on DuMont. The deity''s weapons vanished at the end of the third match. As his enchantments fell, he once more looked like a non-descript human. "We''ll go again in three days time. I expect both of you to have learned to channel magic in the Aether as well as the physical realm by then. The end goal here is to let your soul operate independently of your physical manifestations. It''s one of the barriers of entry to ascend to Greater deities that you will need to know."


    The two didn''t stand despite being healed... they still wanted a rest. "That said, your progress these past few months has been excellent. I have no doubt you''ll ascend from Minor deities very soon. Do either of you have good portfolios available?"


    Both shook their heads. DuMont clicked his tongue and shook his head. "You bring shame on the Darktone clan. You should be more prepared. It''s not like you haven''t been given every opportunity possible."


    The Arena had mostly cleared out, at least to Trillia''s eyes, by the time DuMont was done scolding his peers. As he left the enclosed fighting area, he offered her a rare smile. "The Professor said you''d be done with your studies soon. I hope you will continue your journey into enchantment and magic after you''ve saved your realm."


    Trillia was happy to hear that he had no doubt in his voice she would succeed. Someone having that much faith in her did her a lot of good. "I absolutely will. I know it''s not much, but I wrote this out for you. As I studied your book, I remembered some of the enchantments from my realm. I don''t know if any of them are new to you, but I figured it''s a start." She pulled a notebook from her ring and extended it to him.


    The deity lifted the book and flipped through the pages. "Huh. The realm heavily leans on intent-based mana nowadays. When you return, remember to think very, very carefully before you commit to a blueprint. The intent will matter a lot more there than here." As he flipped through more pages, he raised an eyebrow. "This enchantment, where did you see it?"


    As he turned the book to Trillia, her smile widened. "That''s from my friend, Malor! He is the enchanter I told you about."


    DuMont nodded as he looked at the enchantment again. "Do you know if he is pact-bound?"


    That caught Trillia off guard. Blinking a few times to regain her composure, she shrugged. "I haven''t talked to them in nearly a year. I don''t think he does. Should I tell him to pray to you?"


    DuMont nodded. "If the two of you are ok with that, yes. I''d love to offer him a pact. If his enchantments are this in depth at such a young age he can become something truly unique with a little help. Thank you for this, it''s good to know that people haven''t stopped studying good enchantments. I''ll see you later, Lady Fairtrade. I look forward to tales of your success." With that the deity vanished.


    Trillia turned to look at Titan and Tempest, who were stepping out of the arena. "There really is just a crazy amount of difference between deities, huh?"


    Tempest nodded. "I didn''t realize he was a Greater Deity. He doesn''t carry himself like any of the ones I''ve met."


    Titan spoke up as he took a seat outside the arena. "The only one close to him I''ve seen is Uncle Kain. It''s the same disdain for immortals and deities. My guess is that Lord DuMont used to be a mortal and ascended the hard way."


    Trillia wondered at what sort of past would make someone like that. She still didn''t know all that much about the [2nd Axle] other than deities had basically killed someone he loved. "The Professor told me to come see the two of you. I''ll be leaving soon, but there are a few more books I want to read. I think my training is officially done."


    Tempest wore a big grin. A flash of mana from her hand produced a huge kite shield. It was made of a dark blue metal, bands of glowing pearl were deeply embedded into it''s edge. The thing shimmered with a dozen different enchantments that Trillia could only guess at. "What is this?" In response, Tempest shoved it into her hands and let go. The thing slammed into the ground and nearly yanked Trillia with it.


    Tempest and Titan both laughed at her. "It''s enchanted so that once you bind it to yourself. It will float around you and have basically no weight. We worked together with the Professor and Lord DuMont on a parting gift." Titan''s voice faltered at the end. As she looked down at the shield, she saw faint etchings of the group and of leaves and trees. "It was meant to be a pair."


    Trillia realized that they had intended to give one to Blossom as well. Trillia let the thing sit on the ground and walked over to hug both of them. "I''m sorry for all the mean things I''ve said about deities. I know you both cared. I just... I just get so angry at the rules sometimes, I don''t think about hurting you guys."


    Titan returned the hug with a smile. "It''s ok, Trillia. We''re deities. It is our purpose to shoulder the burdens of mortals. We only wish we could have done more. I hope you''ll accept our gift. I hope you survive your own fight."


    Trillia smiled wide as she pulled back from the two of them. She didn''t mention it, but she noticed Tempest turning slightly and wiping an eye. "I will do everything I can to survive the fight. I''ll pray to you both sometimes to keep in touch. Thank you both so much for everything.


    -=====-


    The last month came and went without any fanfare. The final goodbyes were teary, mostly from Trillia being a bit of a sobbing mess, but she was confident in her abilities and skills. "Anything I should expect on return?"


    The Professor nodded. "Yes. You''re going to be bed ridden for a couple of days as the system functionally cripples you while rewriting what is basically your entire status. I''ve already spoken to Storm about it."


    Trillia paused at that. "Why didn''t Blossom suffer the same?"


    The Professor looked away. "Uhh... well... well, you see."


    Zymeth''s voice cut through the stuttering. Once more, the deities were startled and kneeled. "Wouldn''t you know it? The system forgot to perform the safety checks. Strangest thing, really. It''s normally so consistent. Darnedest things can happen like that, you know? We''re just glad the system was able to fully fix her stats in short order since she had to fight on her return."


    Trillia couldn''t help but smile. As much as she hated the rules, she was happy to see so many of the deities would bend them to their limits to help mortals. "Is something wrong?" Trillia asked of Zymeth''s sudden appearance.


    "No. I knew you were heading off. I figured everyone would give you a gift. It''s customary for mortals to give deities gifts, but we like to return the favor. Here. I spoke to her people at length." A sheath appeared in his hand, and he tossed it at her.


    The sheath was a rich brown with what looked like golden veins twisting and twirling around it. Bright green emeralds that seemed to be holding mana were embedded to look like leaves. It felt familiar to Trillia.


    "It was Lady Everflow''s sword. Once spatial distortion ends, it will be a two-handed great sword in your hands. Since she was considerably larger than you. But I think she would have wanted you to have it. By her own words, she wasn''t much of a physical fighter either."


    Trillia grabbed the sheath and pulled it close to her. "Thank you, Lord Zymeth. Won''t her people want it to remain on her world, though?"


    Zymeth shook his head. "No. The thing is a sentient artifact. As a deity, I can grab it and use it. Not that the artifact will be happy with me doing so. But the artifact is refusing to let anyone on Gaia wield it. I think it blames the realm and its inhabitants for her death. Unlike us, it can''t grieve or talk to anyone since she has passed on. I think it will be willing to bond with you, though."


    Trillia looked down at the blade, she wasn''t sure if it would work, but she tried to push her emotions about Blossom into it. So that it could feel her own remorse and loss over her friend. "I understand. I hope I get to meet you all again some day."


    With that, the Professor cast a spell, and Trillia found herself standing in front of the warming crystal in Storm''s citadel. The shield and sword clanged against the ground as Trillia promptly seized up and fell over.

 Bonus Chapter 132 - Status Update

    To say that there were notifications ringing in her ear, would be perhaps the mother of all understatments.


    Trillia had never felt so wrong before in her short few years alive. With a deep breath and steady conviction, she dove in.


    [WARNING!]


    Realm of Refuse debuff has expired!


    [WARNING!]


    Extended time in the Aetherian Realm detected!


    [WARNING!]


    Prolonged exposure to the entity with local designation ''Eldritch'' detected!


    (WARNING!]


    Prolonged exposure to a deity with one one or more of the following portfolios detected.


    ''Decay''


    ''Death''


    ''Harvest''


    Please hold...


    "Not much choice there." Trillia whispered as she lay on the ground mostly incapable of movement.


    Collecting data...


    Configuring Species...


    Species: Mana-Warped Orc has been forcibly evolved into [ERROR!] Mortals cannot evolve into this Species!


    A wave of pain hit Trillia. A gentle hand placed atop her head calmed her. As she looked up she saw Dawn.


    "In your perception of time, this is going to be a long and painful process. But for everyone else it will happen in a blink. The level of healing your body is going to need is beyond the healers of your world, and without rather extreme circumstances, I fear I can''t warrant stepping in to help. But I''ll be here at your side, at least until the system has done most of the heavy lifting."


    Trillia smiled and closed her eyes, waiting for the notifications to flood in.


    Searching 2nd Axle species Index....


    ....


    ....


    Species: Mana-Warped Orc has been forcibly evolved into Primordial Orc


    Primordial Orcs gain 2 to every stat at every level.


    For the purposes of skills. You are now considered a Humanoid.


    For the purposes of skills. You are now considered a Magical Beast.


    For the purposes of skills. You are now considered a Mana-Warped Creature.


    For the purposes of skills. You are now considered a Primordial Creature.


    For the purposes of skills. You are considered a [Least] Divine Entity.


    Racial Skill: Orc Savagery has been forcibly evolved into Primordial Savagery.


    [Primordial Savagery - Passive]: - Level 1 [Runt]. Primordial Savagery awards a creature bonus experience when slaying an enemy in battle, the more difficult and gruesome the fight, the more bonus experience is awarded. Leveling this skill boosts the amount of experience further. If this creature slays a number of enemies equal to their species level or higher within a 24 hour period. Their experience gains will be doubled for the following 24 hours. This effect can stack twice.


    Trait: [Runt] Detected. The stacking ability of Primordial Savagery is disabled.


    Racial Skill: Orc Constitution has been forcibly evolved into Primordial Constitution.


    [Primordial Constitution - Passive]: - Level 0. In addition to using Strength and Vitality to calculate the Derived Stat Brawn, a creature with this trait can choose any two stats at the time of acquiring this trait to also count towards the Derived Stat Brawn. As this skill levels, creatures may become resistant to poisons, diseases and other status ailments.


    Trillia thought about that for a moment. Happy to see it had no issues with her being a Runt. It didn''t take her long to settle on Wisdom and Vitality as the two stats to add into her Brawn. She was happy to see that Vitality just counted itself twice.


    Racial Skill: Mana-Rage has been turned into the trait Mana-Rage.


    Trillia blinked a few times at that. It seemed to have no other change or benefit excepting changing where it sat on her status menu.


    Racial Skill: Mana-Warped Regeneration has consumed traits Limitless Mana.


    Divine Trait Metamorphosized.


    Of The Aether


    This creature exists partially within the Aether. So long as it''s body has not been reduced to ash or atomized, it will slowly regenerate over time. If the soul is severed from the body within the Aether, this creature will continue to live in the Aether until such a time as it can rebuild it''s body.


    This creature''s mana is equal to it''s Wisdom plus it''s Vitality multipled by 100.  This creature regenerates an amount of mana per minute equal to it''s Wisdom plus it''s Vitality multiplied by 10.


    This creature''s health is equal to it''s Vitality plus it''s Presence multiplied by 10. This creature regenerates an amount of health per minute equal to it''s Vitality plus it''s Presence.


    This creature''s stamina is equal to it''s Vitality plus it''s Agility multiplied by 10. This creature regenerates an amount of stamina per minute equal to it''s Vitality plus it''s Agility.


    This creature can create Aetherian veins between itself and a number of creatures equal to it''s Wisdom divided by 100. If this creature''s mana is full any excess mana regenerated will instead regenerate the mana of those creatures. Mana regenerated in this way cannot cause any ailments related to [Mana Sickness]. These veins persist across all realms so long as both creatures souls are intact.


    That one caused a bit of a shock. It meant she lost her vast mana pool from Alirast. Before worry could creep into her mind, Dawn spoke up. "Perhaps. But it also changes it so that you mana regeneration is going to be truly staggering compared to your old value. You may have less initial damage on the start of a fight. But your sustain will grow drastically."


    That was true. Plus with the last part, it meant she''d be able to help a select few people regardless of where she was. She saw the word atomized, she vaguely remembered seeing it in the Professor''s realm. Despite how much she poked and prodded her status menu, it refused to elaborate on the word.


    Primary Class forcibly changed into Aetherian Mage.


    Aetherian Mage


    Duration: Can only be changed by a Primordial Deity or higher.


    Requirements: ???


    Trait Detected: Aether Sight


    You have been tutored and learned the basics of the Aether. A Deity has forced the class [Acolyte of Retribution] into becoming Aetherian Mage. It will take a deity of equal or greater rank to change this class.


    Aetherian Mages are free form casters that tap into the Aether to manipulate their spells, skills and abilities. Due to the extreme dangers of manipulating the Aether, all skills are automatically augmented in the following ways:


    Offensive: Any skill, spell or ability that is offensive in nature with intent to harm on another creature will have it''s base numerical value increased by 20%. In addition it will try to apply a random negative status ailment to the target.


    Defensive: Any skill, spell or ability that is defensive in nature with intent to defense or heal another creature will have it''s base numerical value increased b 20%. In addition it will apply a random positive status to the target.


    Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.Aetherian Mages double the stat gains from other sources. These include leveling up species, other classes, completing grand quests, deific rewards etc. The Class itself will never grant any stats on it''s own.


    Trait: Tongues has been forcibly evolved into Perceptual Communication.


    Perceptual Communication-


    This creature can speak to any other existing entity by way of perception and concept. While it can still communicate verbally with any language it knows, it can get it''s point across regardless of any language barrier that might exist. If this creature targets another creature with telepathy, it can understand the concepts that creature is trying to convey as well.


    Trait Acquired: Relentless Training


    Bonus: This trait was acquired due to training with a Primordial Deity! As such it''s effects have been increased.


    Relentless Training-


    This creature has undergone training that is meant to shatter and break the spirit in order to rebuild it into something glorious. This creature''s Health, Stamina, and Mana Regeneration levels are all doubled. Regardless of any other trait, class skill, racial skill, etc. this trait applies this double last.


    General Skill: Sustained Travel has been forcibly evolved into trait Battle Hardened.


    Battle Hardened-


    This creature does not know hunger or exhaustion while it is in battle. The only way to stop it''s relentless pursuit is to kill it, or be out of it''s sight for a minimum for four hours, otherwise it is considered in battle and can march indefinitely.


    General Skills: Lesser <Various> Resistances trait evolution available. View now?


    Trillia mentally nodded at the notification and waited.


    Trait Proposal: Omni-Mana Resistance.


    Omni Resistance-


    This creature has resistance to all mortal mana effects equal to the level of it''s primary class divived by 10. Resistances created in this way can never surpass a damage reduction greater than 90%.


    Would you like to consume all Resistance skills to create this trait?


    Trillia thought about that for a moment. Especially seeing as it seemed Zymeth or the Professor had locked her into Aetherian Mage. It meant initially she''d have almost no resistances, at least if she hadn''t gained experience from her endeavors in the Professor''s realm. In the long run though, it meant she''d be significantly more difficult to harm. "Yes. I''d like that, thank you."


    Trait Acquired: Omni-Mana Resistance.


    Skipping Recap.


    General Skill: [Alchemy] Level 4 -> Level 9


    General Skill: [Herbalism] Level 6 -> Level 10


    General Skill: [Minor Telepathy] has evolved into [Telepathy]


    General Skill: [Runic Scripture] has evolved into [Runic Knowledge]


    Skill Found: [Mana Obfuscation] augmenting [Runic Knowledge]


    Runic Knowledge-


    You are a creature that has a thirst for knowledge rarely seen amongst mortals. You have a fundamental understanding of the structure and creation of all Runes. If you are familiar with the species that created the rune, you can replicate it. Given the level of the Rune is equal to or less than your levels in Runic Knowledge. At no additional cost, any runes you create or inscribe can be under purvuew of your [Mana Obfuscation]. You are aware of anyone inspecting your runes or attempting to understand them. You are alerted if any of your runes are triggered or shattered. You may set the threshold for these alerts individually for each rune you create.


    General Skill: [Rapier Mastery] evolutions available with incoming experience. View now?


    Another mental nod.


    Weapon Mastery-


    Instead of the path of specialization you have instead started to branch out to a variety of weapons or fighting styles. You have a fundamental understanding of how to properly wield any weapon you are utilizing.


    Dual-Wielding Mastery-


    You have begun using a Rapier in conjunction with a Hand Crossbow, your mastery of both has increased allowing your strikes to come more rapidly.


    Monkey Grip-


    Weapons that are normally unwieldy to utilize in one-hand are no longer a thing to you. Any weapon that you can physically hold, can be wielded with one-hand at no penalties. Your understanding of combat while using weapons in such a way is greatly expanded.


    This one came down to Weapon Mastery or Monkey Grip. The Rapier mastery skill wasn''t a particularly useful skill anyway. It only vaguely helped her understanding of how to use her weapon. She had learned over her training just how much the skill was basically a support system for new warriors. Given the sword that Blossom had given her, Monkey Grip seemed like a solid choice. All of her weapons were artifacts, so she wasn''t worried about ever losing them. She also didn''t see herself getting many more weapons to make Weapon Mastery useful.


    With a thought, she chose Monkey Grip.


    General Skill: [Rapier Mastery] has evolved into [Monkey Grip]


    Class Detected: Aetherian Mage


    When you are using a two-handed weapon in one hand, any strike you connect with has a chance to afflict your target with a random negative status ailment.


    Trillia cursed in her mind. Now wondering if Weapon Mastery would have been augmented for all of her weapons to work in such a way. No matter the choice was made.


    Acolyte of Retribution has reached it''s maximum level. What Skill would you like to Master?


    Available Skills:


    Mend


    Trillia waited for the list to pop up with more skills but nothing came. That was odd. Perhaps it was some issue with being in the Professor''s realm and cut off from outside forces for so long? She''d have to pray later to all of the many gods she now wanted to speak with, no matter. For now she took Mend.


    Mend-


    This skill will halt your Mana Regeneration for ten seconds. Instead the amount of mana you would normally regenerate instead regenerates the health of the target of this skill. Every level of this skill lowers the amount of time your mana cannot regenerate by 1 second. At a maximum level of 10 this skill instead consumes mana equal to your Mana Regeneration and heals your target for that amount every second for 20 seconds.


    "Oh! That''s going to be useful with my new regeneration!"


    General Skill Obtained: Enchanting (Minor)


    General Skill: [Enchanting (Minor)] has evolved into [Enchanting]


    That must have been all her reading and work with Titan, Tempest and DuMont.


    It seemed as though that was the end of the notifications. Dawn patted her gently on the head before vanishing, as soon as she did Storm stepped through the door. "You''re back!"


    Trillia offered a faint smile as she looked at her status, before promptly passing out.


    Species: [Least Divinity]; [Primordial Orc] Level 0


    Subspecies: [Mana-Infused Orc] Level 97


    Class: [Aetherian Mage] Level 0


    Class: [Mana-Conduit] Level 97


    Stats:


    [Brawn: 2062] + 50%


    \Strength: 177 + Vitality: 267/


    [Dexterity: 1567] + 50%


    \Agility: 216 + Wisdom: 1351/


    [Charisma: 500] + 50%


    \Intuition: 246 Presence: 254/


    Status:


    Name: {Trillia Demonsbane "Fairtrade"}


    Health: 5,210


    Stamina: 4,830


    Mana: 161,800


    Health Per Minute: 1,042


    Stamina Per Minute: 966


    Mana Per Minute: 32,360


    Life Cycle- Teen; Runt


    Alive; Scorned Divinity (Least)


    Warp Exhaustion (Major)


    Traits:


    Aether Sight


    Alchemical Blood


    Battle Hardened


    Core Destroyer


    Dungeon Addict


    Dungeon Predator


    Lightning Conduit


    Mana Attunment (Lightning)


    Mana-Rage


    Mana-Warped


    Omni-Mana Resistance


    Pact Bound (Arlyss)


    Perceptual Communication


    Relentless Training


    Remain Standing


    Runt


    Thirst For Knowledge


    Racial Skills:


    [Primordial Constitution - Passive]: - Level 1 (Vit & Wis)


    [Primordial Savagery - Passive]: - Level 0 [Limited Runt]


    [Mana-Warped Vision - Hybrid]: Level - 0


    Divine Skills:


    [Minor Divine Skill: Divine Mana-Sight - Hybrid]: Level - Null


    Divine Trait: Of The Aether


    Divine Trait: Primordial Hunter


    Divine Trait: Unwavering Determination


    General Skills:


    - Defensive:


    [Mana Obfuscastion - Hybrid]: Level 10 (Max)


    [Stitch - Active]: Level 5


    [Stalwart Mana - Reactive]: Level MAX


    - Secondary:


    [Alchemy - Hybrid]: Level 9


    [Cooking - Hybrid]: Level 4


    [Enchanting - Active]: Level 0


    [Herbalism - Passive]: Level 10


    [Monster Taming - Active]: Level 7


    [Runic Knowledge - Hybrid]: Level 0


    [Telepathy - Hybrid]: Level 0


    [Translator - Passive]: Level MAX


    -Offensive:


    [Chain Lightning - Active]: Level 8


    [Monkey Grip- Passive]: Level 0


    [Universal Mana Manipulation - Hybrid]: Level MAX


    Mastery:


    Minstrel- Restorative Chant - MAX


    Minstrel- Astra''s Amazing Agility - MAX


    Fencer- Fleet Foot - MAX


    Fencer - Weapon''s Path - MAX


    Swashbuckler - Disarming Charisma - MAX


    Mage - Magic Dynamo - MAX


    Mage - Augment: Extended Range - MAX


    Mage- Augment: Blast Radius - MAX


    Monster Slayer - Mental Bestiary - MAX


    Monster Slayer - Slayer''s Aura - Level 2


    Alchemist - Alchemical Encyclopedia - Level 3


    Acolyte of Retribution - Mend - Level 0


    Bound Artifacts:


    [The Shattered Bolt[


    [Sliver of Fate]


    [Reservoir Ring of the Red River Ruffians (Minor)]


    [Red River Resonance(Suspended)]


    Mentor: Null


    Mentor: Null


    Mentor: Null

 Chapter 133 Return

    It felt as if Uncle Cordaos had stepped on her head.


    Five days in. Five whole days, and it still hurt to open her eyes! A few more notifications had popped up and been promptly dealt with and dismissed. After initially passing out, she contacted her friends via her ring. Promising that soon she''d be able to see them all again.


    She prayed to Lady Ora''sys and Lord Arlyss, as well as her newfound friends. She even prayed to have a little relief from the pounding headache. Sadly, that prayer went unanswered.


    -=====-


    Another two weeks had passed. Trillia finally felt as though she wasn''t suffering some mental attack. Both she and Storm had also learned that the sword and shield she had brought back were very defensive of her. Even against a creature as powerful as Storm, they still tried to lash out when he grabbed her to move her to her bed.


    They didn''t do any damage, unsurprising given what he was, but they certainly tried. Trillia now ran her fingertips over the shield, taking a deep breath and reaching out for the connection she knew would be there.


    Would you like to bind this artifact to you?


    Artifact Details:


    Shield of Faith


    This object is considered a (Least) Divine Entity for purposes of dispelling.


    This object can absorb up to 100,000 mana from attacks. Once it has been bound to a creature it will only intercept attacks that creature deems dangerous, or that the bound creature is unaware of. Once it has absorbed 100,000 mana it will unleash a spell that causes rapid healing and regeneration on all creatures it''s wielder considers allies.


    This artifact cannot be lost or stolen from the creature it has been bound to. Regardless of distance or dimension, the creature this artifact is bound to can always summon it to their side with an hour of preparation and a single point of mana.


    This artifact is indestructible.


    Trillia said yes, of course. A big grin on her face. "Welcome to the team!"


    She gently laid it down to rest on the ground before picking up the sword. Another deep breath, and she reached out.


    "The late Mistress was correct in her assumptions. You care far too much about things you shouldn''t."


    Trillia blinked a few times as she stared down at the blade. "What do you mean?" Trillia was happy to speak over the mental link that had formed between her and the blade.


    "The shield is not sentient. I was controlling it to defend you before I realized you were in the clutches of a dragon. Yet, despite it being an inanimate object, you treat it as though it were an equal friend. Why?"


    "Because even though it is a tool. It will still be used to save my life and the lives of those I care about. Orc culture cares deeply for our tools and our livestock. It doesn''t matter if the object can understand the honor and importance we show them. It matters that we show that honor and importance because those are the things that keep us alive. We must remain grateful to them. Even if they cannot return the favor. For in our honor, we will take care of them and ensure they are well-kept. In the case of our livestock, we give them the best life we can and a quick, clean death."


    Silence bloomed between them for many minutes before the sword responded. "The late Mistress would often say that I should give thanks to the trees for their great boughs and many leaves that keep rain from my blade. You are sentimental, like she was. This is going to be a bothersome pact, isn''t it?"


    Trillia had her own moment of silence before speaking. "I''m sorry. That I couldn''t do more to help Blossom. I''m sorry that we lost her. I am sorry that you lost her. I know that couldn''t have been easy."


    "She fought an enemy that I could not see. An opponent that had no form to me. You are also going to fight such creatures, are you not?"


    Despite it being a sword, Trillia sensed a certain level of dread coming from it. "I am. I must. I will not let my home be devoured, just as Blossom refused. If you wish, I can find you an owner who will not fight the Eldritch but will still honor and value you."


    There was a flash of anger from the blade before it settled. "I will grow and get stronger. I will find a way to fight those creatures at your side. I will not let the late Mistress'' find fall to the same fate. I will not fail again. Promise me that we will grow stronger, and I am yours."


    Trillia thought about it for a moment. Her anger at the eldritch bubbled and burned in her mind. "I promise that we will get stronger. I will help you find a way to fight against those creatures with me."


    Would you like to bind this creature to you?


    Creature Details:


    Leaf of Yggdrasil


    This creature is considered a (Least) Divine Entity for purposes of dispelling.


    The Leaf of Yggdrasil is a sentient artifact.


    It has all the properties of a High-Sylph Longsword. It is immune to all forms of magic damage. Once it has chosen a creature to form a pact with, it will not leave that creature''s side until one of them is destroyed.


    Destroying the Leaf of Yggdrasil is considered heresy and blasphemy against the [1st Axle] and is punished as such.


    The Leaf of Yggdrasil can meditate for one hour to repair any physical damage it has taken.


    Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.The Leaf of Yggdrasil can meditate for one hour to return to it''s pact-master from anywhere in the known universe.


    There is a deep hunger within the blade, it seeks vengeance. Binding with such a creature make have dire consequences.


    Trillia read through it all twice. She was surprised to see that the system viewed it as a creature, not just an artifact. That made sense. It didn''t take her long to say yes.


    You have formed a Pact with the Leaf of Yggdrasil!


    While this creature is bound to you, all non-sentient animals view you as a friendly creature until proven otherwise. They will not flee from nor attack you unless provoked.


    All spells that use Plant or Life based mana manipulation have their effects doubled.


    The Leaf of Yggdrasil can cast it''s own spells and abilities based on it''s Pact-Master''s mana and stats.


    "I look forward to working with you, Leaf. I''ll keep this connection open so we can chat whenever you want."


    "As you wish, Mistress Trillia. I should warn you, I have little to say."


    "That''s fine, I''m here if you want to talk. I do have a question, how did you control the Shield of Faith? I didn''t see anything about that in your details."


    "I utilized a small internal buffer of mana that I have. Now that I am linked to you, I can utilize your mana when you allow it."


    "As long as I''m above ten percent of my total mana, you can use mana at your will. You do not need to ask. I trust that you won''t betray me. We''re in this together, after all."


    She felt disappointment leak through the connection. "The two of you are so infuriatingly trusting. As you wish, Mistress Trillia. I shall do my best to defend you."


    There was a small tug at her mana, but she didn''t notice it going down. She did notice that Leaf pulled itself from her hands and hovered behind her back. The Shield of Faith also lifted itself from the ground and hovered behind Leaf, both ready for battle. "Good. Let''s go and charge this crystal so that I can leave this place and finally see my friends."


    She made her bed and left the room, hopefully for the last time. It didn''t take her long of wandering to be found by someone and ushered to Storm. The mighty dragon lay on top of his floating citadel, watching the storms blow past. "So she finally rises. Good."


    "Lord Storm. Thank you for taking care of me while I recovered. I''d like to charge those crystals now if you are ready."


    "Of course. I hope that in the coming days of darkness, that we can fight together. For the safety of Alirast."


    Trillia paused and looked up at him. "How do I convince the others? I''ve already tried saying things outloud and find myself unable to do so."


    "Now you understand the plight of all creatures that are bound by the rules and laws of the universe. Clever wording will go a long way. Otherwise, it is our duty to grow strong enough that we can buy enough time for them to realize the danger when it is upon us."


    Trillia took a deep breath and nodded. "Very well."


    To Trillia''s surprise, there was a single small crystal waiting for her in what looked like an altar room. It stood half her height and was a thin, tiny thing. "This is the only crystal?"


    Storm stood next to her in his drakken form. "Do you really think all of this is about charging an Aetherian Crystal?"


    Trillia couldn''t help but chuckle. Of course not. It was just one more way that everyone was dancing around the reality of things. Nudging pieces and desparately to shove fate in the direction they needed it to go.


    The moment was upon her. She stepped up to the crystal and extended a hand. Despite having no named skill for it, it wasn''t difficult for her to step into the Aether. She didn''t dare use any mana.


    Once she stood in the vast oceans of swirling colors and mana she took notice of the things around her. Most terrifying was Storm himself. Perhaps it was simply his proximity. But the mighty dragon seemed like a glowing beacon of turbulent white mana.


    Slowly, she shifted her gaze to look around at the many other sources of mana. Golden streaks raced from place to place. Some paused when she looked at them as if they knew she was gazing in their direction. Taking a deep breath, she turned her eyes up and out. She was happy to see a distant lack of some ever-hungry void hovering around her realm, as it had been with Blossom''s realm.


    Trillia felt as though she were safe. Placing her hands on the crystal she pulled part of it into the Aether with her, it''s mana filled instantly. She pulled herself and the crystal out.


    It sat there with a brilliant glow on its altar.


    You are in the Presence of Aetherian Mana!


    All Mana Regeneration has been quadrupled!


    All Spells have their effects doubled!


    Trillia turned to look at Storm. "Why doesn''t everyone use one of these? Surely, there are other Aetherian Mages. If the benefits are so extensive, wouldn''t armies have them?"


    Storm tilted his head quizzically at her. "Benefits?"


    That gave her pause.


    "The notification? The buff?"


    Storm shook his head. "I received no notification or buff. It must be some trait or ability you have."


    "I see." Trillia stared at the crystal for a few more minutes before turning and bowing to Storm. "If that is all, Lord Storm. I''d like to see my friends and family now. Thank you for everything."


    Storm smiled at her as he stepped up to the crystal. "Of course. Thank you, Lady Fairtrade. May our battles be legendary and our victories certain. Where shall I take you?"


    "The city of Red River, where my brother rules."


    Storm grabbed her shoulder, and the two turned into lightning once again. A loud crackle and boom in the city center of Red River startled and stunned nearby citizens. Trillia was left standing there, a bit dazed.


    The moment she took a deep breath, she found herself pulled into a hug. Alarm initially sounded from Leaf, but was quickly dashed.


    "It is good to see you as well, Lord Arlyss." Trillia was happy to return the hug. As Arlyss pulled away, Ialu pounced on her and let loose a series of licks on her face. "And you as well, Ialu! I''ve missed you so much." Trillia pulled the creature into a hug before realizing that her arms didn''t fit around her anymore.


    Slowly, she pulled away and looked at Ialu. "Uhhh, you''ve certainly grown."


    Arlyss smirked and reached out a hand to help her to her feet. "We have not been idle while you''ve been gone. Ialu has been hard at work training with your friends or with me. She refused to get left behind again."


    Trillia wrapped an arm around Ialu and smiled. Even sitting down, the desert skoll was now taller than Trillia was. "Sorry about that girl. It won''t happen again."


    "Lord Arlyss... I. There are many things we need to discuss."


    Arlyss raised a hand. "Of that, I have no doubt. For now, let''s get you something to eat and let your friends know you are in this city. It may take a couple of days but they will return to visit you. Much has happened, and I have no doubt many of us will have tales to tell. Come."


    She wanted to stop him, wanted to tell him of the eldritch threat. But she couldn''t. The words wouldn''t form. Trillia was quickly realizing how frustrating it must have been for the many deities she had met to dance around their words. She''d find a way. But for now, she was happy to relax a little.

 Chapter 134 Luncheon

    Trillia had a newfound problem, which had been endlessly amusing to Malor, who had tears streaking his stupid cow face.


    Trillia reached out to the newest cup and gently closed her hand around it, slowly lifting it to take a drink. When she set it down without it shattering, Malor began clapping.


    ¡°Shut up!¡± Trillia snapped, only half angry at him. ¡°Why isn¡¯t the system helping compensate for this? Isn¡¯t that a thing it can do?¡±


    Arlyss leaned back in his chair, glancing around the busy tavern that they had decided on for their reunion. "Your Brawn went from a few hundred to over two thousand. It is compensating a lot. Otherwise, you''d have smashed through the table. It can''t compensate that much more, part of it is your own thoughts. You''re used to using a certain amount of Brawn to do things like grip and grasp. That amount in your head is quadruple what it needs to be because that is the difference between your old and new Brawn values."


    A rather squat man came over to the table and set down a bunch of large platters. One had meat with a deep purple flesh, seared along the ridges and juicy on the inside. A crimson gravy poured over the top of it, making the dish look like it was covered in blood. It smelled divine. The man looked at the cup, which had now been reformed several times. "Finally get the hang of it, lass?"


    Trillia meekly nodded as she buried her face in her hands. "I''m so sorry."


    The man just let out a deep belly laugh. As he went to slap her on the back, the [Shield of Faith] interjected, and he slapped it instead. "Oh, right. Forget yer shield doesn''t take kindly to others. Apologies. There''s no need to be sorry. It gave us all a good laugh. Haven''t seen someone undergo such a drastic stat change in a century at least!"


    His free hand stroked a long, beautifully kept blonde beard. "Lord Arlyss, I just want to make sure to ask again. You wanted us to season like proper dwarven food, aye?"


    Arlyss grinned at the dwarf. "Indeed. It will do them some good to see proper seasoning. Besides, a little mineral poison won''t kill the guests that will be joining us."


    The dwarf glanced around at the table, which now consisted of Malor, Arlyss, Trillia, and Ialu. "As you say, Lord Arlyss." The dwarf slowly inched closer to Ialu and reached out a gnarled hand. "Haven''t seen a desert variant of the skoll. You''re a right pretty girl, aren''t you?"


    Ialu tilted her head and perked her ears up at the dwarf. The dwarf''s eyes widened a bit. "Oh, you know telepathy? Is it ok if I link up with your companion?" The dwarf looked over to Trillia.


    "Of course, she is her own entity. You don''t need to ask my permission. It''s up to her." Gently, she reached out for the cup again. Malor''s breath caught in his throat, no doubt waiting to start laughing again should she fail.


    The dwarf let out a little giggle as he stroked Ialu''s head. His eyebrows raised once more, and he bounded away without a word.


    It took another three hours, but finally the others arrived. Amelia, Fred and Layla walked in together. Trillia paused as she looked at them. Amelia had grown another full foot. Frederick had filled out to look increasingly like a muscle-bound warrior. The most shocking was Layla, the little traitor had also grown considerably. She was now taller than Trillia. "Great. Back to being the shortest person in the group."


    Her fake melancholy didn''t last long as Amelia scooped her up out of the chair and into a hug. "It''s good to see you, Trillia. We''ve missed you dearly!"


    Trillia''s eyes watered slightly, but she refused to cry, even if they were happy tears. Instead, she returned the hug. "I''ve missed all of you as well." A few more hugs were exchanged before everyone took their seats. Trillia was happy to see Amelia give Malor a kiss as she took her seat next to him.


    Arlyss took another bite of his food before motioning. "Go ahead, Trillia. You have something to tell us. Don''t worry, I am relaying things to Riten, Miah, my mother, as well as a few others who can relay things to the Generals."


    Trillia nodded solemnly. The dwarf had returned at some point with a brush and was happily brushing Ialu, who certainly wasn''t complaining. Trillia glanced down at the skoll, trying to find a way to say what the system refused to let her. "It''s... about the [Primordial] threat."


    The group''s mood turned serious. In the short conversation she had been having with Malor and Arlyss while waiting for the others, she had found out that all of the [Primordials] were now awake. Dungeons were incredibly dangerous, and many towns were in a constant state of fighting to survive. Even Red River had been forced to limit people entering the dungeon, as so many of the friendly goblins had turned bloodthirsty with the increased pressure from the [Primordials].


    Trillia tried to say a dozen different things but couldn''t. "I think they might be allies in another fight." She finally blurted out in frustration. That drew rather dark looks from everyone except Arlyss, who had been peering at her intently the entire time.


    "Surely, this is some sort of jest? You, of all people, know what they are capable of, Trillia." Amelia seemed the most hurt by her statement. That didn''t surprise Trillia all that much, given Amelia''s home had been destroyed by the things.


    "It''s..." It''s because there is another threat. Greater than them. She screamed it in her mind, but the system refused to let her speak the words aloud.


    Arlyss finally spoke up. "She''s under a [System] geas." His emphasis on the word system caught everyone''s attention. It felt like the word held more power for some reason.This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Whatever she saw, or whatever happened to her during her training, placed a geas on her from the [Universe Core] itself. It''s not dissimilar to what deities have placed on us, when we ascend. Certain information is locked away. Normally, I can read her deepest thoughts and memories. But whatever she is struggling to say is being blocked off. Take a deep breath, Trillia. We are friends and loved ones." Arlyss paused and looked at each of her party members. "Whatever she says, trust that she wants to say more but cannot."


    Amelia seemed to grow even more furious at that. "These rules are bullshit, Lord Arlyss. Now you''re telling me that Trillia is being subjected to them even more than before?"


    Arlyss offered a sympathetic nod. Trillia was just relieved that her deity was a smart one and caught on so quickly. Taking a moment to think, now that they knew she was being limited, she continued. "There are threats in the Universe more dangerous than [Primordials]." Her next few attempts stumbled and stalled.


    After a moment realization dawned on her. "I witnessed a fight a friend of mine had. She died in that fight, but during the fight a [Primordial] warped creature was helping her."


    Shock etched into Trillia''s face as the system let her get that much out. "Remember the purpose of the [Primordials] on most realms."


    Realization raced across Malor''s face. Slowly, he set down DuMont''s journal. "There is another threat facing Alirast that the [Primordials] are being woken up for? That''s what she is trying to say. A threat so dangerous we would see the [Primordials] as allies. A threat that she cannot speak on, because we shouldn''t have the information perhaps?"


    Trillia nodded, but said nothing. It took less than twenty seconds for the table to get significantly more crowded as Riten pulled the four beast generals into the room before taking a seat himself. As much as Trillia wanted to run over and give them each a hug, the looks on their faces gave her pause.


    The smell of blood hit her nostrils. Slowly, her eyes drifted to Stas'' many spider-like appendages to see that they were dripping with fresh blood. "What happened?"


    Brutus shook his head. "We were doing our jobs. Not important. What threat could there be that is possibly more deadly than the [Primordials]? Is there such a thing?"


    Riten nodded without hesitation. "Trillia wouldn''t lie about something like this. She''s not even my pact-bound, and I know that much. You should all sojourn to the capital of Kadessa. Meet with Queen Alliyah and talk to her."


    Arlyss nodded in agreement. "The portals can lead you to the dwarven realms. From there, you will have to fly or go on foot. Some force is still supressing transporation magic in and out of Kadessa itself, but I agree with Riten. Miah is already talking with our mother to ensure the trip is a fast one."


    Trillia was a bit surprised at that decision. The confusion must have been evident in her face as her own mother spoke up to dispel it. "Alliyah is married to an axle. If anyone has the faintest clue about the type of threats that would align us with the [Primordials], she would know. It''s going to be a problematic journey."


    Now, it was Arlyss and Riten''s turn to be confused. "Problematic how? You''re four of the strongest fighters on our realm."


    Cordaos let out a deep laugh at that, a heavy slap to Arlyss'' back that didn''t even budge the deity. No one else was laughing. Cordaos stopped and looked at Arlyss. "Oh, you were being serious."


    Stas snorted, and Amara ran a hand along her face. Brutus looked vaguely annoyed. Cordaos spoke again. "We probably aren''t even in the top thousand. Maybe not even the top ten thousand. Stas is absolutely the strongest amongst the four of us."


    Stas took over. "I don''t rank in the top ten thousand at all. You all vastly underestimate how dangerous and terrifying dragons are. Queen Alliyah ranks high because she has so many damn traits that just terrify the shit out of stronger creatures. But in an actual fight or brawl, anything that is at the top. Is a dragon, a leviathan, or some other entity I don''t want to know about."


    Amara lifted her hand and waved it at the two of them. "While that''s true. We are still skilled fighters when not faced with such odds. The problematic part is that all of us except for Brutus are banned from Kadessa for life."


    The cup that Trillia was gingerly trying to drink from shattered in her hand. "What? How is that possible?"


    Their eyes all turned to Stas. "There was a noble problem. Queen Alliyah was very tempted to burn them all alive in the town square to settle the matter. We convinced her to let us handle it. The public''s opinion of it was...less than favorable. They didn''t understand the corruption. It took us a lot of convincing to get Alliyah to simply banish us."


    Cordaos nodded solemnly. "She banished us all to the northern continent. But said she would refuse to abandon the heroes of the war. So, we are technically Kadessian citizens. But we aren''t supposed to go to the capital."


    Amara stepped in again. "Not that we ever listen. We have all gone there plenty of times...however."


    Arlyss finally caught on. "Going incognito where you can slip in unannounced is one thing. Showing up as a group, with others, is going to cause whispers."


    Brutus clicked his tongue and winked as he pointed at Arlyss. "You got it in one, Lord Arlyss. That said, it has been a few decades. With how much has gone on in the world, maybe the humans have forgotten? Most of us don''t live that long."


    Riten produced a paper and quill out of thin air and began to write. After a few minutes of silence from the table, he finally stopped writing and read it.


    "Tell those buffoons I could care less about the banishment. It was their idiotic weakness that led to it in the first place. Had they let me simply slaughter the opposition, to begin with, it would have never been an issue. Stop trying to interrupt me, Miah! I am your mother, deity status be damned, you three will listen to me! Tell them to make the trip... what? Yes, I know your brothers can''t come. Just relay all of this. Oh. Riten already is? Wonderful! Tell them to show up. The [Primordials] are all awake. I made sure to enact laws that gave me unilateral control over the entire empire during times like this. The banishment is considered null, as far as I am concerned. Oh, and tell Arlyss that Captain Highwind and the Argo are finally in running order again. I''ve made amends to the dragons and leviathans over the harbor fight. Tell Riten that he needs to check in on the Continent of Wastes. Some new undead abomination has risen.


    What? Thrice-damned nobles, I swear dealing with their petulance will be the death of me, long before the [Primordials]. No, Riten doesn''t need to tell them that. Just...ugh, just stop. Tell them to come."


    They all looked at him as if he had grown a dozen heads. Riten shrugged. "Look, Miah told me to write something down to get the exact wording. Many of you have met our mother. Are any of you not going to follow her orders to the letter?"


    The four mighty beast generals unanimously shook their heads. Riten shrugged. "That''s what I thought. I guess it''s settled. You all are taking another trip."


    Amelia looked at Trillia with a frown. Before her friend could speak, Trillia jumped up onto her chair. "To adventure! It''ll be so good to travel with all of you again. Stretch our legs, get some fresh air!"


    Apparently, the tavern saw her cheer, dwarves were never ones to shy away from a solid cheer. So as her words began to fade a dozen other cheers rose up. "To adventure! To glory! To good food!"


    The table looked at her with even more worry. Trillia hopped off the chair, despite being rather full. The idea of getting outside and travelling instead of being stuffed in a class room or tiny room for months or years, or however long it felt to her, seemed like a dream come true.

 Chapter 135 A familiar face

    As much as Trillia wanted to visit her brothers and sisters-in-law. They set out a few hours later. The generals didn''t stick around, saying they''d find their own ways there. Trillia preferred it that way. She wanted to see how her friends had grown over the time that she was gone.


    As they stepped through the portal and into the dwarven realm, Trillia felt a massive pressure press down on her, causing her to stagger and reach out to grab onto Amelia.


    "Ho, there!" A deep voice rumbled to the side. A short, muscled dwarf stood there. Dressed in some of the finest armor that Trillia had ever seen. A massive weapon sat comfortably on one shoulder, one side was a square hammer, the other a curved spike. "The pressure you''re feeling is because you are projecting a divine aura. You''ll have to dampen it or turn it off. We have far too many paladins roaming around, so when divinity steps in, our deity suppresses them."


    She was projecting a divine aura? None of her skills were a divine aura. "I don''t know how?"


    The dwarf looked at her, confused. "Uhhh... Just give me a minute. Let me go get someone who knows this better. Stay here."


    The dwarf turned and stepped out of the semi-busy room. There weren''t many people that were coming and going through this area, which surprised Trillia. Amelia went down to one knee and wrapped an arm around Trillia to help her stand. "You ok?"


    Trillia nodded. "Yeah. It''s odd that I didn''t get a notification. It feels like when Uncle Cord or Mom lets loose with an aura. Just an immense pressure that makes it difficult to do anything. Sorry, I''m holding us up."


    The group shrugged, except Fred, who had approached another dwarven guard. The two seemed acquainted.


    A few minutes passed before two more figures stepped into the room. One of them she recognized as Miah. The other prickled at all her senses in a terrifying way. As tempted as she was to scan them, she didn''t dare.


    "This the one?"


    "Indeed. Sorry to bother you, Lord Hammerstone. Queen Alliyah needs her in the capital immediately. Otherwise, we would have done proper introductions."


    The other figure raised a hand. "No need to explain it. Queen Alliyah will forever be an ally and friend to the dwarves." As he stepped forward, he extended a hand to Trillia. "Rubious Hammerstone. Deity of Honor and Tradition, are you an ally to Queen Alliyah and the dwarves?"


    Trillia looked down at the hand. The others seemed surprised she didn''t immediately reach out to grab it. "I don''t know that yet, Lord Hammerstone."


    Even Miah seemed a bit taken aback. Lord Hammerstone, however, didn''t falter. "Fair. At present, are you here as an enemy of the dwarves, or are you here to leave immediately and go to the Kadessian Capital?"


    At that, Trillia reached out to his hand. "I am Trillia Demonsbane Fairtrade, avatar of Lord Arlyss Darktone. I am not here at present as an enemy of the dwarves. I am happy to leave immediately. It is my hope to go to the Kadessian Capital."


    The two shook hands, and the pressure on her vanished. Finally standing on her own, she took a deep breath. "May I ask, Lord Hammerstone, why didn''t that pressure show me a notification?"


    The deity looked her up and down. "It did. But you''re a mortal, so you can''t get it. Basically, it sends a notification to divine entities that they are trespassing on the territory of another deity. Normally, you''d get a notification, we''d establish a connection, and it would be resolved in seconds."


    That worried Trillia.


    A lot. Did that mean that any deity could just cripple her during a fight? As if on cue, the dwarven god across from her shook his head. "No. It just means that if you enter a holy site, you will be considered within our personal domain. The city you are in is a holy site for all dwarf kind. As such, my presence gives me considerably more power than I otherwise have. For what it''s worth if you write ahead, I will meet you at the gates next time."


    Trillia bowed deeply to the dwarf. "Thank you for your understanding and time, Lord Hammerstone. I am sorry to bother you."


    The dwarf returned the bow. "A good day and safe trip to you, Lady Fairtrade." With that, he turned and started speaking with some of the other dwarves and visitors. The dwarves all gave the same deep bow. The visitors were mostly confused that they were seeing not one but two divine entities in the flesh.


    Miah stepped forward. "Due to the rules, it''s more dangerous for me to guide you to Kadessa. Do you need me to hire someone to do so? Or can you make your own way?"


    Malor shook his head. "We don''t know the way. A guide would make it easier."


    Trillia felt a sliver of power that she had never noticed before emitting from Miah. "Simon is on his way. He''ll be here shortly. Sadly, we do not have the gryphons to spare for an easy flight. But he and Taz can lead you to Kadessa. I''ll leave it up to your group as to whether or not he should join you in fights. His level will impact the amount of experience you''ll gain."This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    Trillia''s eyes lit up. "Simon is ok?! I haven''t heard anything after the harbor...I...I was worried."


    Miah offered her a smile. "It''s fine. Only the traitors lost their lives that day after the dragon took you. I''m sorry that you were put through that, and I am sorry that the good name of the Golden Gryphons was tarnished by a traitor."


    Trillia immediately shook her head. "I don''t blame anyone but the people who attacked. To do otherwise is foolish. I would never want to be judged based on the actions of someone else."


    It looked as if Miah was ready to turn and leave, but instead, she paused. "Why didn''t you shake Lord Hammerstone''s hand immediately?"


    Her friends all looked over at her, curious about the very same. "I won''t lie to a deity. Especially not one who might be an ally. I''ve never met Lord Hammerstone. I have never met Queen Alliyah. While I have heard nothing but good things, I am, first and foremost, an Avatar to Lord Arlyss. Should catastrophe strike, and I am forced to stand against either, I will."


    That seemed to surprise all of them even more. Hammerstone walked back over, half-dragging Fred. "And don''t you ever. And I mean EVER. Change that mindset, young Fairtrade."


    Miah turned to look at the dwarven god oddly. "Her sense of duty would make some Paladins blush. It is an honorable thing to hold loyalty to your liege, lord, and patron. A true dwarf would never question such devotion. Allies like her are a rare commodity in this realm or any other. I know where I stand with the young lady. I know that as long as her deity and I are not at war, I can count on her. That''s the type of duty I can get behind. Now, not to be rude. But you all are blocking the room. "The dwarven god offered them a smile and motioned to the door.


    A few quick bows, and they took their leave to wait outside.


    The group was rather silent as they waited. After a few minutes of that silence. Malor spoke up. "Would you ever attack us?"


    Trillia didn''t need for him to be specific. "No. My pact with Lord Arlyss is clear that he will never pit me against my family and friends. I won''t abuse the wording for loopholes and make friends with everyone."


    Layla nodded solemnly. "It is similar to the pact he formed with me. I... I don''t think I ever took it as seriously as you. Perhaps I should."


    Trillia shrugged. "I am his Avatar. I don''t know if that means anything as far as the system is concerned. But it means a lot to me. I represent Lord Arlyss whenever I am dealing with foreign empires or other deities. I cannot let my own thoughts and ideals stand in strife with Lord Arlyss. It would make him look weak."


    The group went quiet again. A few minutes later, a loud, shrill cry caused their eyes to snap up to the sky. A dozen other gryphons jumped from the huge walls of the dwarven citadel or from the various peaks of the mountain it was built into. A loud ''woo-hoo'' was heard as a figure began hurtling towards the ground as another Gryphon approaching the citadel spun, dipped, and dived.


    Just before Simon made impact, two huge gryphon-like wings erupted from his back. Gently landing him on the ground in front of the group. "Trillia! It''s good to see you. I was worried what was going to happen when that damn lizard took off with you! Taz and the other gryphons were in a state!"


    Trillia smiled wide and approached Simon, happy to give the well-armored goblin a hug. "You have wings now! That''s so cool! Can I scan you?"


    Simon hopped away and spread his arms and the two gryphon wings.


    [Goblin of Legend - Gryphon Beastmaster- 471] Explosive Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Pact-Bound (Miah Darktone)


    Tri-Mind


    Gryphon Form


    Master Linguist


    Explosive Mana Mastery


    Professor of Taming


    ...


    Trillia wasn''t surprised to see new traits. She stopped reading after Professor of Taming, but a dozen or more new ones seemed evident. "Gryphon Beastmaster, huh? I bet Taz is proud of you as well!"


    Simon nodded. "I''m gonna let him play with his friends for an hour or so if that''s ok. I know we''re in a hurry, but it''s good to let him play with his own kind. We have done so much fighting lately. We''ve lost a lot of good gryphons. He needs his mental breaks."


    Trillia didn''t mind at all. The dwarven guards and her group were all looking up, watching the gryphons play what looked like an extremely fast game of tag. Simon looked at her group, but his eyes mostly fell on Ialu. "Huh, I knew you were a good person."


    That caused Trillia to look over the goblin. "What do you mean?"


    Simon motioned to Ialu. "She''d fight a dragon if it meant staying at your side and protecting you. Skills can only do so much to inspire loyalty. Seems she''s a bit angry that you had to leave her, though."


    Ialu walked over to the goblin. After glancing up for a moment, she happily licked the side of his face. Simon smiled and rubbed her head behind her ears. "Yeah, I hate it when my duties take me away from my friends as well."


    Trillia''s smile only widened more. "I wish I didn''t have to leave her, but I was worried about dying and her being trapped."


    A faint rattle on her back let her know that Leaf wanted to speak. She was happy to open the mental line. "As someone who lost it''s Mistress. I''d rather be trapped in my sheath for an eternity, but know that I did everything I could to save her. Then to ever be left behind again."


    Trillia thought about that for a moment before turning to look at Ialu, who was thoroughly pleased to be getting so many pets and so much attention. Trillia responded back in her mind. "Thank you, Leaf. If I ever seem to be forgetting that, I hope you''ll remind me." The blade rattled softly in its sheath before going silent again.


    "Simon. While we wait for Taz to blow off some steam. Would you care to spar?"


    That snapped her group''s attention back to her. Most of them had no doubt scanned the Goblin when she had. Simon removed the sky steel blue helmet he wore, a deep grin plastered on his face. Trillia was happy to see that the lost eye he had gotten from Illana had been healed. "Oh, I would love to, Lady Fairtrade. I am curious to see how you handle yourself in battle. For the sake of fairness, ground combat only, no summons, no tamed creatures. Sound good?"


    Trillia was happy to nod as she stepped away from her friends. "Leaf is a sentient artifact. I''d like to practice with it so that I can better use it in combat. Is that ok with you?"


    Simon glanced at the blade but nodded. "Sure. Artifacts are fine. Maybe once things settle down, you and I can have a full-on battle, including Ialu and Taz."


    Trillia laughed at that. "Ialu and I would have to grow wings to make that a fair fight!"


    Simon shrugged as he tugged his helmet back on. "Anything can happen. I won''t be going easy on you. Taz is a pretty good healer."


    As he spoke, a tower shield appeared in one hand, a long spear in the other. Trillia drew her rapier. The [Shield of Faith] swiveled in front of her. Leaf lept from its sheath and held a faint green glow. "Ready?"

 Chapter 136 Friendly Spar

    The most shocking thing about Simon was how utterly insane he was. The goblin didn''t run at her. Instead, he just caused an explosion at his back and launched himself towards her. The Shield of Faith managed to barely interject itself between his spear and her torso. As it shoved the spear wide, the goblin didn''t relent. Instead, another blast came at his back, and his shield slammed into her.


    She went flying back as Leaf slammed into Simon''s shield arm. The goblin glanced at the blade, and his eyes began to shine.


    "Wind in my wings, heed my call. Stifle the freedom of that which opposes! [Wind Shackle]!"


    A loud thwump sound filled the little impromptu fighting area. It felt as if all the air had been sucked out of Trillia. Leaf was wrapped in a dozen layers of bright grey energy. It seemed to be struggling against it. Before Trillia could register what was going on, another loud clang was heard as the [Shield of Faith] intercepted his spear. This time Trillia raised [The Shattered Bolt] and shot towards the slit in SImon''s helmet.


    A small explosion popped at the side of his head. The force snapped his head to the side, causing the crossbow bolt to harmlessly slip past. The goblin dropped his spear, using his now free hand to grab onto [Shield of Faith] and use its own force to vault over it, a heavy kick aimed at Trillia''s head.


    Trillia imbued twenty thousand mana into [Sliver of Fate]. Using the arm [Shattered Bolt] was connected to, she parried the kick, immediately thrusting forward with her rapier. "[Riposte]!"


    Simon raised his shield to intercept. Both of them were shocked when a small explosion blew them both back and into the ground. Simon recovered far more quickly, slowly pulling himself to his feet with a groan. "Damn. An artifact that deals divine damage? You''re a well-equipped fighter, aren''t you?"


    Trillia''s arm felt like jelly. Even if the rapier was immune to damage, she was not. Slowly, she managed to stand.


    As she looked down at her arm, despite her hand still firmly grasping the rapier, she could feel multiple broken bones. "I think you win this one." She grimaced and gritted her teeth.


    "[Mend]." The new skill stalled her mana regeneration, but her health regeneration shot up. "Damn. I was hoping this would heal the bones easily as well."


    Simon dispelled his [Wind Shackle] and walked over to her. "Yeah, healing is an odd thing. I''ve seen some pretty minor spells that heal everything, but slowly. I''ve seen lots of regeneration skills. It feels like our intent for using healing magic is somehow fundamentally flawed. Like we don''t know what we''re trying to heal. Taz has something that can help. Sorry about your arm."


    Trillia shook her head. "I wasn''t expecting that. Is your shield an artifact as well? I didn''t see it on you last time we spoke."


    Simon nodded. "Yeah. It''s named the [Wall of Mercy]. It normally heals me for the damage blocked, but divine damage bypasses that. Lady Miah has sparred with me a few times, and we''ve had the same result happen. Had I known, I would have warned you."


    Taz swooped down to land next to Trillia. The gryphon''s silver fur gleamed in the sunlight. The thing had grown huge, easily standing a full three feet taller than Trillia. Despite its size, it still seemed as fast as ever. It cawed and cooed at her arm for a moment before a bright glow formed in its beak.


    As its beak opened, a beam of dark green energy washed over her arm. The pain shook her to her core, causing her to yelp and step away on instinct. Taz followed her easily with the beam as bones snapped back into place, and her health topped itself off. "Thanks, Taz." Trillia managed to get out weakly. "Ok. No more sparring today for me. Healing magic needs to take away the pain."


    Taz looked over at Ialu for a moment. The desert skoll looked up at Trillia. "Yeah, if you want to go play, you can."


    Ialu woofed at her before taking off and chasing Taz. The other gryphons were happy to land on the ground and run around together. Much to the terror of the line of merchants and other beasts of burden coming to and from the dwarven citadel.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Amelia approached them with a shake of her head. "You''ve outpaced us pretty badly. We have our work cut out for us, catching up."


    Trillia offered her an encouraging smile and a thumbs up with the arm that hadn''t just been broken and fixed. "I have faith in all of you. I can help you catch up as well. We should probably head out soon, otherwise we won''t have much daylight left."


    Simon nodded. "I agree. Taz can catch up to us easily enough. Is it ok if Ialu stays with him and catches up as well?"


    Trillia nodded. She had total faith that Taz was more than strong enough to handle anything in the immediate vicinity. Both Ialu and Taz were probably also considerably faster than anyone in the group.


    With that, the group left the citadel behind and began marching down the road. Fred had slid up next to Simon and was looking over his armor. "Man. Who forged this stuff? What''s it made out of?"


    Simon''s helmet hung on his back, and the goblin''s big ears bobbed as he walked alongside them. "It was a gift! Taz and I saved a few hundred dwarven miners from a few [Primordial] warped creatures. I told them I was simply doing my duty as a soldier of Kadessa, but Lord Hammerstone wouldn''t have it. He said that if I was going to be a pact-bound to Lady Miah, he wouldn''t have me walking around in, and I quote, "some shitty human scraps". No offense."


    Fred laughed at that. "None taken. When a dwarven god is talking about crafting, pretty much everything listens. So, who crafted it?"


    Simon shrugged. "A true dwarf. The dwarves you see in the citadel are considered surface dwarves. True dwarves are all considered divine entities. So they rarely leave the depths of dwarven settlements. I guess it was also a failed experiment. Mind you, I am in no way complaining when I say that."


    Something struck Trillia. Had Miah ascended? In the portal room, it certainly felt like she had. But Trillia didn''t get the same feeling from her as the others. She thought it was just the fact that Miah was a godling. Which was basically just a deity without a portfolio best that Trillia could tell. "I take it that Lady Miah has fully ascended?"


    Simon proudly smiled and nodded. "Yeah. She''s a Minor Deity of Mercy. It took the Divinity Scorned debuff down to least. A lot more deities can interact with us now, but it''s still nowhere close to what it used to be. But it''s getting better."


    Trillia fell back into her thoughts as she trodded alongside them. Fred and Simon went back to talking about armor of all sorts. Layla, Malor, and Amelia were in the middle of a discussion about magic and enchantments. Apparently, Malor was fascinated by DuMont''s journal and had every intention of praying to the god and working out a pact. That made Trillia happy.


    A gentle rattle caused her to open the mental link to Leaf. "Forgive me, Mistress. I have never seen magic that could so easily bind me."


    For being a blade, it seemed rather disappointed in itself. "It''s ok, Leaf. I had never seen magic like that either. Part of getting stronger is losing. That''s why I wanted to spar with someone like Simon, who is so much stronger than us. He''s nearly level five hundred. It''s not a fight we could ever hope to win. But we can learn in a safe environment."


    "I understand. Mistress Meridia used to often train with the children of our village. She always said that it was her duty to help the new sprouts grow into mighty warriors and druids themselves. I am happy to know that this realm also has many people who wish to teach."


    "Hey, Leaf?" Trillia waited for the blade''s mind to center back on hers. "Would you show me? Some of her world? I have the ability to speak with concepts now. Maybe we could try that? I know that I didn''t know her nearly as long as any of you did. But I sure do miss her."


    The blade positively brimmed with energy, and a deeper connection formed between them. Trillia somewhat mindlessly followed her friends. Images of Blossom''s world sprung into her mind. Some things were blurred and out of focus. She guessed it was the system stopping information from one axle to another. But she still saw trees that would make even the tallest mountain on Alirast seem small.


    Huge tree-like creatures, slowly lumbering along the world with massive cities within their many branches. Blossom seemed to be a Sylph. At least, that''s what the system showed her. It was some combination of nature and air spirit. The sprouts were children that literally grew from nature itself.


    Despite her smile, tears formed in Trillia''s eyes. She whispered into her mind to Leaf. "I sure hope that wherever she is, she''s happy. Blossom told me to bury her journal somewhere she would like. Will you help me make that decision, Leaf?"


    The images in her mind faded. "I would be honored, Mistress Trillia. I am sure that wherever Mistress Meridia is, if there is not a peaceful forest, she will most certainly make one. I''ve met few others who have the same determination and resolve she does."


    Trillia giggled. "Perhaps we should find a nice river in an area that doesn''t have a lot of trees. Give her a challenge to work towards so that she has to haunt us a little longer?"


    The blade seemed to approve.


    It didn''t take long for Taz and Ialu to catch up, the two creatures panting as they did. Simon walked over and easily scooped Ialu up, plopping her on Taz''s back. The gryphon was surprisingly a smooth ride on the ground. Happy to let its newest friend ride around on it and rest. Trillia took a deep breath and stepped closer to Malor and the others, joining in on their conversation about enchanting.

 Chapter 137 On The Road

    Trillia was quickly coming to realize how little she knew about geography. The capital of the Kadessian Empire sat on the southern shores of the Central Continent. They had been in the dwarven citadel on the northern shores.


    According to Simon, it''d be a nearly three-month trek if they marched for twelve hours a day. Trillia didn''t really mind.


    She had realized just how much she missed the open skies and fresh air while training in the Professor''s realm.


    The group decided they would meander a bit. The strongest people that Trillia knew had all of the information she could manage to get out. So she didn''t feel rushed to get to the capital. They decided to spar every day, swapping out partners often.


    After that initial fight, she hadn''t managed to slow Simon down at all. The goblin was a very capable warrior. Two weeks in and they had started to try and beat him two against one to no avail.


    That surprised them all, especially as according to Simon, half his skills required him to be mounted to work properly.


    Simon stood behind Trillia, grabbing her arm and twisting it this way and that. "Rapiers need to aim for weak points. I realize that with your artifact, you can punch through most armor. That will work great if you''re ever on a battlefield against normal soldiers. But as an elite warrior who is decked out in artifacts. You are going to be up against enemies with a similar level of equipment."


    Trillia nodded and was happy to learn from him, though she was surprised to see how much he knew about so many weapons. His style of teaching was also very different from Titan and Tempest.


    He had been giving everyone lessons regardless of what weapon they used.


    As he stepped away, he looked at the group. "Most important rule of battle?"


    The group was happy to repeat the mantra he had been drilling into their heads. "Always treat your enemy as if they are your equal or your better."


    Simon nodded. "I realize most of you are gonna blow right past how strong I am when you get to the same level. Goblins don''t have great racial traits. But we survive by going into every battle expecting our enemies to be our equals. If it''s easy, great. But otherwise, we are prepared."


    Trillia smirked at that. "Or by bringing five times the number." She remembered Red River Dungeon and the host of goblins that were constantly sent after them.


    Simon laughed at that. "You''re damn right! Ten to one if we can manage it! It''s also how the Golden Gryphons operate. We may all be competent and capable warriors. But we fly in fleets of five to twenty depending on the mission."


    Taz crowed a bit at that, causing Simon to nod again. "As Taz said, especially against larger enemies, being able to split up and divide attack power is a huge boon to any group."


    A small explosion rocked the area around them. It left Malor crumpled up on the ground, coughing his lungs out. "Son of a bitch. What sort of fucking enchantments does this maniac have me learning?"


    The group waited a few seconds for any other explosions before Amelia walked over to heal him.


    Malor had accepted DuMont''s pact.


    The results had been absurd and immediately noticeable. His enchantments had nearly doubled in power. Trillia wasn''t sure what skill could do that, but part of Malor''s pact had been not to reveal any of his divine abilities to others. The group was happy to not press him on it.


    Fred sat off to the side, polishing various weapons and armor for the group, making sure everything was in good repair. "Can I ask why the generals didn''t just... I dunno. Pick us up and run us down or something?"


    Everyone shrugged. "My best guess is that they wanted you to have time to catch up and gain some levels, maybe? That''s why I was sent to escort all of you. I''m nowhere close to their power."


    Trillia looked over at Simon and wondered about that. "I''m not sure what level they are. I know Uncle Stas is over a thousand."


    "Was." Layla said as she looked up from a book she had been writing. "I''ve spent a lot of time around the Generals since I spend so much time with Amelia. They have not been idle in this past year. I can''t scan them, but I overheard them saying that General Amara was getting close to level one-thousand. Though... they did say she was getting close to level one-thousand again. How do you lose levels?"


    Amelia poked about a pot that was boiling water and vegetables. "Maybe like a racial evolution? Pretty sure that resets your species level back to zero for the purposes of scans."


    Trillia thought back to the book about echos. With a shrug, she tried to launch into an explanation of it. She was only slightly surprised to find the system didn''t stop her at all. It only stopped her if she veered too closely to topics of the eldritch.


    That had the group sitting around the small fire in silence, in heavy thought.This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.


    "Have any of you ever met Queen Alliyah?" Simon finally broke the silence.


    As the rest of the group shook their heads, he continued. "She doesn''t use obfuscation skills. I think, partially so that people don''t make the stupid mistake of trying to attack her. The last time I scanned her, it showed her as being a Divine Human with a level over three thousand. If what Trillia says about the [Primordials] maybe creating echos. It makes me wonder what level she actually is."


    Three-thousand? Sure, Storm had been considerably higher, but Storm was a dragon. An old dragon at that. "How do you get to such a level? What sort of difference is there between her and the rest of us if it came to a fight?"


    "There are... there are a lot of rumours about Queen Alliyah. You hear all of them in the Gryphons. Some of them make me want to idolize her, others make me terrified every time I see her. I guess the reality is somewhere between."


    "No. I think being terrified is the right call." Layla said with a chuckle. "I don''t think we''d ever be on her radar to warrant standing against her on a battlefield. But I have no doubt all of us have heard rumours about her. I''m pretty terrified to actually meet her. Plus, you all heard what she had Lord Riten write down. The way she so casually talked about wiping out an entire caste of people..."


    Once again, silence settled over the group. The group had settled into camp and eat for the night. Trillia was happy to lean back against Ialu, running a hand over the skoll''s head. "I''m excited to meet her, personally." That caused the rest of the group to glance in her direction. "She''s a [Universal Mana Manipulator]. She is the mother of my patron god. Think of how much I could learn from her, of how much she could teach us all just by being near her."


    Amelia had a faint little smile on her face. "Mom used to say that every leader should strive to be like Queen Alliyah. I never got a chance to meet the Queen, but apparently, she and my mother were good friends. I guess Queen Alliyah is the one who introduced my parents."


    Trillia perked up at that. Partially, she was happy Amelia was talking about her past, the rest of her was curious to know more. "From what Dad has told me, after the war, he and Uncle Brutus were in a pretty bad state. A lot of drinking and a lot of fighting. The...the loss of so many friends and loved ones over the decades had really eaten away at all of them. Queen Alliyah had to pull them out of a lot of bad situations."


    Malor had put up his book and sat next to Amelia, an arm wrapped around her shoulder for support. Amelia continued. "One day, she called Dad into the throne room. I guess this was before the banishing took place. Anyway, she pulled him in and introduced him to a young Minstrel. Told him that he had to escort her to the northern continent on foot. That she was carrying a package for Lord Darktone that needed to be brought there on foot."


    Trillia couldn''t help but smirk at that. Simon chuckled. "I guess he didn''t see through the rouse?"


    Amelia shook her head with a smile. "Nope. Or maybe he did. Maybe he knew deep down it was just a way to help him... either way, he took his mission very seriously. Bought an entire crate of potions meant to help with detoxification and curing hangovers. Five months on foot later, they arrived in Kincairne, where Uncle Stas was. Mom handed him the package. At that point, Dad knew what had taken place since the package was just a book about some old nation that specialized in golemancy."


    "Anyway. Dad sent a letter back to Kadessa, requesting to be put on leave for a bit to help Uncle Stas and spend time with Mom. It was a century later that I was born. At least that''s my best guess on the time."


    Trillia smiled as she took the bowl of soup that Amelia was now serving. "What about Uncle Brutus?"


    Amelia shrugged. "I guess he''s had a very rough go of it. Both he and Uncle Stas have lost families before."


    Simon nodded at that. "Yeah. Dad told the world that he lost all of us and dropped me off at the Church of Mercy in Kadessa. Asked Queen Alliyah to watch over me."


    The group was happy to let him share. "He has a really bad reputation, pretty much everywhere. He was not a gentle soul in the wars. He figured my life would be easier without him. My mom and siblings had been hunted down by some dwarf extremists and wiped out most of us. That was the first time I saw the exact type of monster he really was. Not that I blame him."


    Taz moved over to sit next to Simon and rested its huge head on his shoulder. A smile crept onto his face as he raised a hand to pet the gryphon''s beak. "Since we''re eating, I''ll leave out the details, but when I finally became an adult, I requested an audience with Queen Alliyah. I threw myself at her feet and begged her to let me train to be a soldier. To become strong enough that no one could threaten me ever again. This way Dad didn''t have to be alone."


    "Five years later, I was the first goblin who was knighted in Kadessa. There were a whole lot of people against that. Said that Goblins couldn''t be trusted. To be fair... they are mostly right. Most goblins can''t overcome their nature. I''ve sadly had to put down a lot of my own kind because they loot, pillage, and burn. But no one was willing to go against the Queen. Six years as a Knight and a dozen recommendations, I was the first Goblin to be promoted to the Gryphon Knights."


    Simon looked up at the sky with a smile. "It''s been just about thirty years since Dad dropped me off. I am looking forward to seeing him at this meeting."


    That caused everyone to pause, and Trillia spoke softly. "You haven''t seen him in thirty years?"


    Simon shook his head. "Nope. Most of my time has been spent training and getting better. Last time you and I spoke, I mentioned how bad things had gotten in the Golden Gryphons as well as many other parts of the Kadessian army. Now that the other [Primordials] have woken up, something snapped in the Queen. She''s been on a rampage of clearing out corruption and fixing things. I..." The area went silent again except for the crackle of fire.


    "I''m worried he won''t be proud of me. Worried that he''ll say I need to stay away."


    "Maybe he will. He is at a very high level. But I know he''ll be proud of you, Simon. It''s something I''ve come to realize with Mom." Trillia glanced at Simon, then back to the fire. "They don''t talk much about the beast wars. I don''t think they ever want to think about it. I know that they try to push all of us away from this."


    Fred spoke up. "Of course they do. They are your parents. They want you to know peace. They fought for centuries to make sure you had peace, and now that peace is threatened. They don''t want any of you to suffer the same trauma they have."


    Layla nodded in agreement. "I think Fred is right. I don''t think it''s because they aren''t proud of you or don''t think you are strong enough. I think they just want you to focus on having a happy life instead of all this crap."


    Simon shook his head. "I don''t think you''re wrong. But I refuse to abandon this realm and live a peaceful life. I don''t care what my enemy is. I''ll fight to keep everyone safe."


    Malor smiled and raised his water skin. "Hear, hear, Sir Simon. I think all of us agree with you. To doing our best to make sure all of us survive and find the peace others want us to have."


    The group smiled and raised their own water skins before settling into swapping stories about their adventures.

 Chapter 138 Taming

    "[Intercept]!" Layla''s body appeared behind Trillia with her shield raised as a large paw slammed into what should have been Trillia''s exposed back.


    Fred lay on the ground a few feet away. Malor was concentrating on keeping a barrier up while Amelia healed their downed front-line fighter.


    Simon and Taz had drawn more than half of the damn creatures away, and Trillia was starting to worry about them.


    Ialu''s body slammed one of the wolf-like creatures away from Layla. The desert skoll stumbled as she tried to maintain her position. Her beautiful golden fur was matted with blood and cuts, and the two illusion-inducing tendrils dragged along the ground, having been targetted by the [Primordial Wolves] that they were now facing.


    The damn things were durable and nearly immune to magic. As one charged at her, Trillia channeled five thousand mana into her rapier and waited for the thing to be a half second out. "[Thrust]!" The rapier''s tip came up in a flash. The wolf tried to side-step, but Trillia hadn''t left it enough time to react.


    It managed to avoid a dead-center hit, but her rapier bit into its eye, and the divine damage went off, removing its head entirely.


    "[War Keeper''s Call]!" The words echoed across the battlefield as Taz and Simon came back into view. Both of them were soaked in blood but had no evident wounds on them.


    You are affected by War Keeper''s Call!


    For the next 10 minutes you will not use Health, Stamina or Mana on skills, after that 10 minute period is up you will not regenerate any resources for thirty minutes.


    "Go all out! One final push, everyone!" The group flipped from maintaining resources to throwing everything they had at the enemies. Slowly, they whittled their enemies down.


    "Leave it alive!" Trillia called out as Taz pinned the last creature to the ground and was ready to snap the wolf''s head off with his powerful beak.


    The group looked at her oddly, but Taz listened after a confirmation nod from Simon. Trillia reached into her pouch and pulled out a couple of potions. "Use these on Fred. They aren''t very good healing potions, but they are something. Once Taz is up for it, he can heal us the rest of the way."


    Simon nodded as Malor ran over to grab the potions and take them to Fred. Trillia walked up to the snarling, snapping maw of the [Primordial Wolf] and used a skill she hadn''t in years. With a deep breath, she let the skill flow from her.


    "Hear me, O'' winds of fate. Listen to the call of the Aether and breathe new life into the warped visage of this creature. Bind it to my will and soul. [Monster Taming]." Trillia dumped twenty thousand mana into the skill and slapped her hand on top of the thing''s head as she reached out with telepathy.


    The creature''s body jerked and went rigid, and the wild bloodthirst in its eyes faded.


    Simon and Taz watched the skill with interest.


    Trillia remained calm and tried to establish the connection again.


    Dire Howl the Primordial Skoll; Level 117 has accepted your Pact!


    Monster Pact Bonds available (1/3)


    Dire Howl is considered a Canine!


    Ialu the Desert Whisper Skoll has become a Pack Leader!


    Dire Howl has submitted to Ialu''s lead.


    "Well damn. You can tame [Primordial] warped creatures? Damn. I never thought to try."


    Trillia motioned for Taz to let the creature up. Taz turned its head to look up to Simon, who nodded. "Trust our fellow Beastmaster. She''s no novice to combat."


    Taz slowly stepped away but crouched down, ready to pounce and tear the thing apart. Dire Howl rolled over onto its belly and dug its nose into the ground, sneezing at Ialu''s feet. Trillia let [Mana-Sight] activate and saw a strong mental link between the two, as well as thin blue lines connecting them to each other as well as to her.


    Dire Howl would like to establish a mental connection.


    "My mind is clear again. Tell me. Has my old pack truly all fallen?"


    Trillia felt a small pang of guilt as she nodded. "I''m afraid so, Dire. You all were warped by the [Primordial] and attacked us. It was your pack or our lives. I''m sorry."


    Dire''s eyes closed, and she felt a shudder run down its soul. "So be it. I am at your disposal." It didn''t seem resentful...more just... as if it had given up.


    Ialu''s voice broke into the mental conversation. "You have a new pack. These people are the pups you must defend. We will get vengeance on the creatures that warped your minds and took honor from your pack."


    A small flame of anger simmered in the back of Dire''s mind. "As you say, Pack Leader. It still hurts to lose so many."


    Trillia reached out and ran her hand along the back of his head. "We''ve all lost a lot. You''re in good company, Dire. Did your pack do anything special for your dead?"


    The wolf shook its rather massive head. "No. We let nature take us. Such is the circle of life."


    Trillia was surprised to see it was so intelligent. Ialu hadn''t been when she had first been tamed. Either the level difference or after-effects of the [Primordial]. "We will bury them."Stolen novel; please report.


    Dire Howl looked around at its kin, hesitation evident in his mind. "Leader Ialu."


    The desert skoll looked over at it. "Bury their hearts, but use the rest of them."


    That caught Trillia off guard. "You''d let us defile their bodies?"


    "I''d see the warp carved from the part that is important. Use that warped flesh to strengthen our pack."


    Trillia thought about that for a while before looking at Ialu. "If Dire is ok with it, there is no reason to waste resources. Our kind are scavengers by nature."


    "Dire has asked that we honor the dead by carving out their hearts and burying them. The meat, bones, and pelts we can use for gear."


    Taz had moved on to heal Fred, but desperately needed to spend time regenerating his own resources before he could hit the rest of the party. "Good. We will spend some time resting and healing. I can fly the bodies of the others back. I think we got thirty of them in all."


    Fred groaned as Layla helped him sit up. "What the fuck are his claws made out of?" The armor smith looked down at his chest plate, which had been carved through with minimal effort. "This armor is going to take me a few days to repair. I won''t be able to front line until I can get it fixed. Thanks for fixing me up, Taz. I owe you some fresh fish, buddy."


    Taz was all too happy with that deal.


    Layla started wrapping Taz with bandages and using what little mana she had left, making sure that no one was going to bleed out while they let regeneration take over. Malor and Trillia had taken to carefully skinning their kills, setting the hearts to the side.


    Once all was said and done, Dire stared mournfully at the pile of wolf hearts. As he reached out for a mental connection, Trillia connected him with both her and Ialu. "Can I ask yet another favor of you?"


    Trillia looked over at the beast. "Cut one of them in half. I... I sense something wrong in them."


    Trillia relayed the information to the others. Malor gently lifted one of the hearts and used his butchering knife to slice through the thing. They all heard a light clank sound. Trillia took the heart from him and reached a hand in. She found a small marble-sized gem and pulled it out, letting her scan activate on it.


    Monster Core: Level 10 - Earth Mana Manipulation.


    "A monster core? Aren''t creature cores supposed to shatter when we die?"


    The entire group looked around, confused. Dire bit into another heart and let another core roll out.


    Monster Core: Level 7 - Earth Mana Manipulation.


    "Rip them all out." His ruthless demeanor worried Trillia a bit. But this wasn''t something any of them had even read about. All of the materials went into the saddle on Taz. It was apparently a rather powerful storage item. The group said prayers over the remains of the buried hearts. Dire sat on the edge of the camp, lost in its own thoughts. Ialu lay next to him, trying to give their newest member some comfort.


    Trillia twirled the core in her fingers. "I know dungeons, cities, and realms have cores. Uncle Stas once told me that everything has a core, but it usually shatters beyond recovery when they die. I''ve never seen one intact before."


    Malor had a book out and was scribbling in it as he studied one of the cores. "It''s odd. I can feel mana in it, but can''t access it. I''ve never even seen shards of a creature''s core before."


    Simon looked over at Taz with a nod. "Taz says that a lot of predators will leave their prey alive and eat them alive so that they can consume the core while it''s still whole. Doing so can let you learn skills from your prey."


    The whole group looked over at the gryphon. Simon continued to speak on its behalf. "Monsters have a very, very different system window than us. They don''t really have classes like we do, either. It''s sort of a species and evolution thing."


    Trillia certainly wanted to dig deeper into that. "I''d like to write down some notes on that if you don''t mind. Is it ok if I check my notifications first?"


    Simon nodded. "Good idea for all of you to do so, honestly."


    Your group has defeated [Primordial Skoll]!


    Your group has defeated [Primordial Skoll]!


    Your group has defeated [Primordial Skoll]!


    ...


    The list went on for each and every one of them. She was happy to see that [Primordial Savagery] had given her bonus experience as well. Most of the notifications she just ignored as they repeated themselves over and over again. She did take a special look at a few notable ones.


    General Skill Obtained: Scavenging


    Scavenging-


    You are more adept at scavenging parts and pieces from the creatures that you kill. In addition to making cleaner cuts for the meat and pelts. There is a greater chance to extract perfect monster cores.


    That seemed eerily well-timed.


    "Did anyone else get a skill called Scavenging?"


    Malor spoke up. "Sort of. I got it, but it consumed my Butchering and Gathering skills and was augmented by Enchanting. It''s uhhh... it''s called Magic Carver."


    "I get Scavenging as well. It was augmented by Beastmaster and Grand Beastmaster. Lets me feed cores to creatures I share a pact with to increase their stats." Simon said it offhandedly as he looked through his own notifications. No one else in the group had picked the skill up. Trillia went back to her notifications.


    Monster Taming had hit max level, and Scavenging was already at level five. A few other skills had leveled, but to be honest, she wasn''t sure if that was in the fight or just over the past few weeks of travel. Most of her skills didn''t bother alerting her if they leveled anymore, as she had set the system up to do exactly that.


    Species: [Least Divinity]; [Primordial Orc] Level 0 -> Level 7


    Sub Species: [Mana-Infused Orc] Level 97 -> 100


    Class: [Mana-Conduit] Level 97 -> 98


    Trillia paused and looked through her notifications again. Then checked her status. All of that battling, and Aetherian Mage hadn''t gained a single level? Just what sort of class was it?


    She checked her status again and paused. Dire Howl was adding over a thousand points to her strength. She immediately reached out to Simon''s mind with telepathy.


    The goblin glanced up at her before accepting. "Sorry, I didn''t really want to speak this aloud and dishearten my friends. Dire Howl is giving me over a thousand Strength. Is that normal? Ialu is only giving me seven hundred or so Agility."


    Simon paused looking over his own notifications. "Ok. So you only have normal [Monster Taming]? Did Ialu pick up Pack Leader, Pack Master, or any skills like that?"


    Trillia sent him the mental equivalent of a head nod. "Yeah. Monster skills get a bit odd. She''s no longer giving you the full amount of agility she''s supposed to. Instead, she is doubling the amount that other members of her pack are giving you. The amount she gives is gonna be lessened with each new member of her pack. Hopefully, it doesn''t hinder you too badly."


    Trillia shook her head, both mentally and physically. "It''s fine. I was just surprised by the difference. I hadn''t really checked to see how much she was giving when I got the artifact back from Lord Arlyss. Do you know of a good canine-type monster that has a high vitality stat? One of my traits makes my health, mana, and stamina all use my vitality in some way."


    Simon perked up at that. "Really? That''d be a handy skill to have. I could use my seven thousand vitality for even more. Hmmm. Canines with a high vitality. Let me think on it and reference some of my books. Maybe Taz would know as well. Or your current pact-bounds. Don''t be afraid to ask them questions. You are their Master even if they are your dear friends and loved ones, they still will want to see their Master get stronger. Utilize the knowledge they might have."


    Trillia nodded and began gathering the resources to make food now that she was done with her notifications. The others chimed in here and there with their own questions about skill evolutions and things. The group was happy to discuss it all. Once the post-battle notifications had been cleaned up. Simon was ready to talk more about monsters.

 Chapter 139 Campfire

    Simon had spent three hours talking to them about the monster system. At least, the one that Taz used. He said other monsters might use different systems.


    The group agreed to give Simon twenty of the twenty-nine cores they had found. They''d all be dead if he hadn''t been there, and he was the only one who could immediately use them anyway.


    They all sat in wonder as he fed them to Taz one at a time. The two sharing a mental conversation as Simon wrote in a thick leather-bound journal. "Huh. Each core increases his Earth Mana Resistance by one percent. It''s odd. It''s like it''s augmenting an existing skill. Not leveling it up or evolving it. There''s just a plus symbol and a twenty next to it. Every five I fed him, he gained a point of vitality up to the fifteenth. We didn''t get any vitality at the twentieth."


    "Diminishing returns? His own resistances, maybe? Level difference?" The goblin kept rattling off information and words as he wrote everything down. "Any changes to other skills? New options?"


    A few seconds later, Simon nodded. "Nothing yet, but you have a better understanding of Earth Mana. Ok. Maybe when we have the time, we can try to hunt down some primordial creatures that use wind or lightning mana."


    Trillia turned to the rest of the group as Simon came to a close on his own information. Ialu and Dire had joined them at the fire and had been watching Simon intently. Trillia felt a sense of relief from Dire, though she wasn''t willing to poke and prod him on it just yet. "Does anyone know of a canine-like monster with a high vitality stat?"


    The group paused and gave it some serious thought. Dire was the one to reach out mentally. "Behemoths."


    Trillia felt a shiver run down her spine at the mention of the beast. She hadn''t forgotten Persona. "Behemoths are canines?"


    Dire mentally affirmed it. "Yes. They are considered a bunch of different things. My pack once found a wounded Behemoth, and I devoured its core."


    Trillia nodded. "Anyone know where Behemoths are found?"


    Simon immediately shook his head. "I would very, very much so recommend against trying to hunt a behemoth. There are a bunch of variants. The smallest and weakest of them use psychic powers. Our group would not fare well against them unless we could find one that was on its own."


    "Persona would be considered small? What?!" Trillia shouted at the well-armored goblin, who was startled by her sudden outburst.


    "Who''s Persona?"


    "A Psionic Behemoth that kidnapped her on behalf of Alirast." Amelia filled in for Trillia. "It was... terrifying large."


    Simon nodded. "Yeah... There''s a set of mountains about two weeks to the west of us. It''s called the Beast Scar. I guess it was where Dad and the others fought Centrallis. Behemoths make their homes there. They hunt about twenty miles around it. Most folk just never get anywhere near it."


    Trillia took a deep breath as she thought about that. "How much bigger do they get?"


    Simon thought about that for a moment. "It''s hard to tell. I flew over the area because Taz and I were curious. We were about two hundred feet up."


    Simon reached over to the fire and pulled out a stick. Drawing a small circle and one that was about three times larger. "This is the trees as we saw them from above." He made the second circle more of an oval shape. "This was the behemoth we saw. No idea what kind it was. I wasn''t willing to risk our lives getting that close. There''s a small mana rift in that area now as well, since the cataclysm."


    Everyone looked at the circle and shuddered. "That''s huge. How are those creatures not more known?" Trillia wondered just how large Alirast really was.


    Simon laughed at that, tossing his stick back into the fire. "The world is a big place. There are apparently a couple of land masses that just aren''t inhabited by any civilizations we know of. Despite the [Primordials] seemingly avoiding them, we can''t create a foothold there. I''ve heard the Queen arguing with some Merchant Lords about it. I guess there is stuff on those places that give even young dragons pause."


    "There''s still so much I want to explore." Trillia''s face held a grin that was sure to cause her to do something stupid in the future.


    "We can look up other canines in the capital. I''m sure Queen Alliyah would be ok with you using the library." Simon offered as a middle-ground between sure suicide and something that wasn''t a suicide mission for a big dog.


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    Trillia nodded. "That will have to do. I wouldn''t wanna risk our lives, plus I highly doubt I would be able to tame something that dangerous."


    -=====-


    They were a little over a month into the trip. They hadn''t run into any other monsters.


    Malor had made a breakthrough with one of the cores after destroying six of the others. It now sat embedded in Frederick''s chest plate and was giving him resistance to earth mana. "Imagine what we could do with larger, stronger cores. The enchantments needed to maintain the core are so minimal that I could probably stack a half dozen cores on top of regular enchantments."


    Fred rubbed a thumb over the core. "The armor still seems solid. I was worried initially that it would cause a weak point in the metal, but something about the core is strengthening the area around it. I''ll bet we could do something similar with weapons as well."


    Trillia frowned a bit at that. "Is this really ok? Don''t the cores hold the soul of a creature? Isn''t this basically like imprisoning something for all eternity?"


    Layla seemed visibly upset at that revelation as well. Leaf rattled in its sheath.


    "It may be different here. But in my world, cores were often used in equipment. But they didn''t hold any souls."


    "How can you be certain?"


    "Mistress Meridia was a Sylph."


    A long moment of silence hung between the two of them. "I don''t know what that''s supposed to mean, Leaf."


    "Apologies. She was a spirit. Spirits can see souls like you can see mana. I''d imagine, with some training, you could put yourself in the Aether to see souls as well. Before Mistress went off to battle, she mentioned the two looked similar."


    Trillia relayed the information to the group. They all fell into silence once more.


    Simon shrugged. "So we add it to the ever-growing list of things you all can ask Queen Alliyah."


    Amelia chuckled. "You think she''s gonna get sick of our questions?"


    "I hope not. I have a bunch." Trillia laughed right along with Amelia. Of all the people she had met, Queen Alliyah was the one she was most excited for. At this point, Trillia wasn''t sure if it was possible for the Queen to live up to the legend that Trillia had built of the woman in her mind.


    -=====-


    Another month had passed, and the roads were becoming more populated. They had run into a small group of bandits that had been utterly terrified and surrendered on the spot when they saw that Simon was a member of the Golden Gryphons. Simon had Taz fly ahead and get other members to come and pick the prisoners up. The whole ordeal had only delayed them a couple of days.


    As they settled into camp one night, Trillia spoke softly. "Why don''t we see any orcs or minotaurs? Or goblins? It''s almost entirely humans and elves."


    "Culture, mostly. How many arguments in an orc village are settled with violence or a duel?"


    "A lot."


    Simon nodded. "You all have a racial trait that makes it so that you can''t easily die, right? Imagine how that culture would clash with humans or elves. They are considerably more fragile and don''t have such a trait. Any duel with them would be an almost sure victory for the orc."


    Simon motioned to Amelia next. "Minotaurs hold councils and banish would-be troublemakers. The leader of a minotaur city can even seal the skills related to their home. But that punishment wouldn''t work on humans or elves either. There are dozens of human settlements all over, it''s the same with elves. Their skills can''t be sealed."


    Fred spoke up. "Humans have trials, and we imprison people. Usually, we force criminals into a geas to work off whatever debt they have to society. It''s why I was so shocked when I came to Red River, and there were no prisons. We can be allies and form small parties like this. But as a whole, I don''t think a city that is a mixing pot of so many cultures will do well. As much as I hope your brother succeeds, I fear he has a difficult road ahead of him."


    Trillia remembered how her tribe used to be. Constantly moving, constantly fighting. The more she learned about the world, she realized that her mother wanted a simple life for their tribe. Free of politics and clashing cultures. "Is there really no way forward?"


    The group thought about it for a while before a round of shrugs answered her. "Maybe one grand city with different districts based on the culture of the inhabitants?" Malor offered.


    "That might work? I guess there''d still be a lot of friction, though." Layla said in turn.


    Taz cawed at them, and Simon translated. "Taz says the way Lord Arlyss is doing things makes sense. Set up a powerful teleportation network. This way, each city can handle crime based on their own culture. People can still visit and see friends, family, and allies. But the culture doesn''t have to suffer or account for outsiders."


    Trillia nodded along. "Oh! I''m curious about that. I noticed that the portals are way more efficient now."


    "That was Lord Arlyss and I. I spent three months studying the enchantments he was using, and we found a far more efficient way to create them." Malor''s chest puffed up with pride. "We also managed to create a sort of containment core for the Sage. It is still a problem that D''Jamu will have to deal with, but Lord Arlyss was grateful that we were able to find a solution."


    Trillia smiled at that. She really needed some free time to visit everyone. As the group started to eat, Trillia broke the silence. "How come other people haven''t figured out the same enchantments?"


    "They have." Malor summoned DuMont''s journal from his storage ring. "Thousands of years ago. A lot of the information is buried in rubble and ruins around the world. The [Primordials] cause a lot of loss in advancing magical theory. Sometimes, entire cities of casters and all of their knowledge are wiped out. Other times, places that held an expertise in something area buried hundreds of miles below the surface."


    "A lot of magic research and theory is looking for remnants of enchantments and researching how they were created. Lord Arlyss found the rubble of an old portal network, and that''s where he started. From there, it''s just getting as many eyes as you can. Different perspectives are incredibly important when it comes to research."


    Trillia''s smile grew as Malor launched into a deeper conversation on magic research and theory. She could tell it was something he was truly passionate about. Amelia seemed happy to hug his arm and listen to him rant about the subject.

 Chapter 140 The Capital

    The group stood a few hundred feet from Kadessa.


    With the exception of Simon who had been raised here, the group couldn''t take another step closer. Trillia had thought the walls to the minotaur city were huge, but even Amelia and Malor stood with their necks craned backward, tracing the walls as they raced into the sky. Barracks were built halfway up the wall. Thousands of soldiers milled about on various levels.


    Trillia activated her mana-sight and had begun tapping Malor on the arm. "Look at the mana. Look at the enchantments."


    Malor was speechless. Every stone held a dozen enchantments individually. The enchantments made up a greater whole once they were in place.


    Massive statues of gryphons were spaced out every hundred feet or so, and the group got to witness that they were not simple statues, but golems that could take flight.


    Simon looked around at them and chuckled. "Yeah. That''s about the average response. For all their faults, humans are amongst the most industrious races on Alirast."


    Trillia kept staring as she stepped up next to Simon. "How many years did it take to build something like this?"


    "Like...forty or so? At least, that''s my best guess. We''re gonna wait here for another hour. Not only will it let us skip the normal lines of entry, but I also want all of you to see Kadessa in the setting sun."


    The group had no complaints. They sat there and marveled at the pinnacle of human cities in the realm. The wall had to be at least two hundred feet tall. Trillia wondered at the size of the buildings houses within.


    As the hour ticked by, the magic happened.


    The sun slowly but surely moved to rest directly behind the city. As its light was reflected off of the ocean below, the city seemed to glow a faint golden color.


    The group was speechless again. Layla shook her head. "I don''t know that I''d ever stop staring."


    "Well. I''m afraid you will have to." Miah''s voice didn''t break them from their gaze. She stepped in front of the group with a smile. "Come on. There is a guest residency that you''ll be staying in. Until you''ve all met the Queen, Simon will be staying with you." She paused. "The view from your room is better." With a grin, she waved her hand, and a small portal shimmered open.


    It took some prodding, but they all slowly filtered through. The group stepped out onto a balcony and once more paused. They sat at least a hundred feet up on a cliff side, overlooking the ocean, watching the sun slowly dip below the horizon. The structure they were in was carved from the stone of the cliff face. A smooth white stone with various flecks of darker colors running through it. Even the room they stood in was heavily enchanted against temperature and the elements.


    "Is...is it really ok to be in here?" Layla looked around and inched closer to Trillia, afraid she''d break something that was expensive or difficult to replace.


    Miah smiled as she stared out at the sun. "Yes. It''s quite alright. This is the room for lesser nobles and dignitaries. I''m afraid it''s going to be a little cramped. There are a lot of bodies in the palace right now. So you''ll be forced to share this room. I''ve asked some of the maids to bring you extra blankets and pillows."


    Trillia, with some great determination and effort, wrenched her eyes away from the sea and looked at the room. It was easily three times the size of her parent''s hut. "How can there be this much space?"


    Malor is the one who spoke up. He had lost interest in the beautiful sea view. Instead, he was on his hands and knees inspecting the tiles on the ground. "Some sort of minor spatial enchantments? Looks like it is doubling the size of the room. Which is still a rather huge space. Why are there enchantments against explosions tied into the room? There are defensive enchantments here that we use on our outer walls."


    Miah had, at some point vanished, so Simon took over. "You have to remember. One of the strongest humans in the realm lives here. That human''s husband is an axle, and her children are all gods. Her closest and dearest friends rank amongst the greatest warriors of our time, including but not limited to adult dragons and leviathans. There are regularly dragons and leviathans here in humanoid forms as diplomats and ambassadors."


    All of the pact-bound animals were quite content to let their masters ooo and aah over the room. The balcony was perfectly situated to catch a lot of the setting sun, and they were all too happy to bask in its warmth and doze off after a hard march.


    A gentle knock on the door had Simon walk over to it and crack it open. "Oh! Hello, Thea!" Simon stepped to the side and opened the door. A young elven woman stepped in with her hands crossed in front of her.


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    "Lord Simon." Trillia paused again. There was mana in the woman''s voice, causing a soothing feeling to wash over all of them. "I am pleased to see you back in the Capital. I hope that you and Taz can stay for more than a couple of days this time?"


    Simon offered a shrug as he closed the door behind her. "I fear that is not up to us. As much as we would love to lounge on the roof of the palace. We go where we are required to. I hope you''ve been well."


    The woman curtsied to the others, walking over first to the table and extending her hand. She began pulling out trays of steaming hot foods and setting them on the table. "You know that the Queen treats us well. I couldn''t ask for a better position, considering my birth."


    Trillia didn''t miss a little frown cross Simon''s face before he quickly forced a smile. "Food as well? Then we are expected to wait a bit?"


    The woman blushed faintly. "I''m afraid so. There are a dozen merchant lords trying to argue with her Majesty about tariffs and standing militia. I must say. I have served at her Majesty''s pleasure for two decades. I''ve never seen her so full of energy and so combative."


    Trillia stepped up to the food as her stomach growled. "May I ask what sort of magic you are using, Lady Thea?"


    The elven woman''s face turned a deeper shade of red, and she began to bow. "I''m so sorry! It''s just a habit to try and soothe the emotions of weary travelers. I meant no disrespect, Avatar Fairtrade."


    Trillia blinked a few times and held up her hands. "No, no. I''m not offended or anything. I was just curious since I have a lot of protections against stuff like that, but the protections don''t seem to be doing anything. Also, you can just call me Trillia."


    The woman seemed a mix of shock, disgust, and offense. "I would never dare be so familiar with you, Lady Fairtrade. You are the avatar of Prince Arlyss and the daughter of the Great General Amara. I am far below your station."


    Amelia couldn''t help but burst out laughing. Trillia shot her best friend a glare. "Trillia. I realize you are used to being treated differently. But we are in human lands, and you are quite literally the equivalent of a Princess here. Even the mightiest of noble houses are going to tread carefully if the teaching I have had throughout my life is anything to go on."


    Trillia frowned at that but motioned to Simon. "She treats him as an equal."


    Simon answered immediately. "I''m an orphan who has become a knight in service to her Majesty. We both serve under Queen Alliyah and as such, we are in a similar position. We''ve also spent a lot of years together in Kadessa, so there is some difference."


    Thea hastily nodded in agreeance. "If we are in a public setting, I would show great deference to Sir Simon as well. He is an avatar to Princess Mariah and is a high-ranking member of the Golden Gryphons. It is expected of me for my station."


    Trillia found something she didn''t like about the human city. Too much emphasis on titles. "I see. I hope one day you will come to view me as enough of an equal that you do not refer to me as some noble. Thank you for the food."


    Thea curtsied and walked over to the bed, once more summoning magic from her storage item and pulling out a bunch of blankets and covers. "If there is anything else, you can push mana into the small grey stone plate at the door. Let your intent be to summon help." As she stepped up to the door, she curtsied one more time before taking her leave.


    Trillia held a frown as she grabbed a plate and started to get food for Ialu and Dire. "Are all the people here going to be like that?"


    Simon nodded. "You''re in a human city. It is human culture. While the Queen is certainly more lax about it than most, it still makes people feel comfortable."


    "How can this be comfortable? Bowing and apologizing for the slightest words? Wouldn''t peasants be furious about having to pretend to be less than others?"


    As Simon started to respond, Amelia held up a hand. "What level do you think the average peasant is, Trillia?"


    Trillia looked over to Amelia with a puzzled expression. "Uhh... I don''t know? I''d imagine most people are a pretty similar level?"


    Amelia motioned to Simon, who had some realization dawn on him. "The average level of an adult in the city is maybe a hundred. Guards sit closer to two hundred."


    Trillia seemed shocked at that. "What? How is that possible? Especially with all the monsters being at a much higher level?"


    Malor spoke up next. "It wasn''t much different in minotaur cities. Non-combatants don''t gain experience nearly as quickly as combat-focused ones do. Furthermore, a lot of people are content to slowly work on their passions and avoid combat altogether. Orcs are a very war-like species. They thrive in combat, even from a young age."


    Trillia sat at the table, slowly chomping away on some sort of seared meat that was smothered in a sweet sauce. It practically melted in her mouth. The food made it hard to be annoyed or to concentrate. But she did her best. "Are our cultures really that different?"


    "Yes." Layla said flatly. "Even how we respond to stuff is just different. Orcs are used to shouldering more and from a younger age. In human society, they would never dream of pushing a kid in front of a monster before their early teen years. Maybe out near the outskirts of civilization where they need to hunt and defend farmland. When I was raised in the church, there was a lot of shock around my traits and skills. As well as how much combat I had seen."


    Trillia continued to munch on her food. The skolls had both eaten and were happily passed out on the balcony. Taz had also passed out in a giant heap of fur and snoring. "I guess I just never thought about how different we all were."


    Fred smiled as he took a bite of a bright yellow apple. "Did you think D''Jamu was really just backward because of leadership? Don''t misunderstand the slavery was abhorrent, yes, but nobility was always a thing."


    Trillia hadn''t really thought about it. She figured there was such a difference in class because of slavery and corruption. "And the peasants are really ok with that? With being so...bottled up?"


    "You see it as bottled up. They see it as safe behind one of the greatest feats of enchanting known to date." Simon said as he took a big bite of meat.


    Trillia still held some doubts, but she''d reserve judgment. She wouldn''t want a bunch of humans to judge her tribe on how they did things. Though, they probably did exactly that. Even having moved to the city for new prospects. She wondered how much of a headache leading Red River was for Tormash.

 Chapter 141 The Queen Part 1

    The group had taken turns getting cleaned off in the bathing area that was attached to the room. A few hours had passed, and they had all dozed off.


    Full bellies, safety, and the end of a long march would do that to a person.


    A gentle shake woke Trillia up. As she lazily blinked the sleep out of her eyes, she saw her mother standing before her with a finger to her lips. Trillia smiled wide and stood, giving her mom a hug. She felt the slight tug and accepted the mental connection.


    "Let the others rest for now. You''ve had a long trip. It''s quite late, and the Queen wants to meet with the generals and has asked if you''d feel comfortable showing up without your group."


    Trillia pulled away with a nod. "I assume they will be safe here?"


    Amara offered a nod.


    Trillia stood and moved to leave the room with her mother. Ialu and Dire silently plodded over and left the room with them.


    Once they were out of earshot, Amara spoke. "I see you''ve added another companion to your pack. A few of my skills are issuing rather worrisome alarms."


    Trillia glanced at Dire, who was walking between Ialu and Amara. Ialu, in turn, was between Dire and Trillia. "Dire had been hit by the primordial warping effects. Some of it has vanished, and he is now firmly a member of my pack."


    Amara glanced down at the great beast walking next to her. "I didn''t know there was a way to reverse the effects. During the war, whenever we tried to mentally connect to a creature who had come under the primordial''s control, it would do rather severe damage to our own minds and bodies. So long as he is loyal to you, I care not for his origins."


    Trillia smiled and felt a little relief. She didn''t think her mother would just outright kill the creature, but she was under no delusion that if it came to a fight. Trillia and her pack would be made quick work of.


    "May I ask why the Queen doesn''t want to have my entire group with us?"


    "Alliyah has been dealing with nobility and merchants for fourteen hours straight. Were it not for the fact that you have so much vital information, I doubt she would have invited you. I think she wants to see old friends without the weight of reputation on her shoulders."


    Fourteen hours of talking. Trillia shuddered at the thought. "I could never lead a city. Especially not one this size."


    Amara laughed softly at that. "I agree. The society that Tormash is trying to create on the Shattered Plains would drive me to murder half of our people. I had enough of a headache just dealing with a few inter-tribal issues. I suppose the vigor and idealism of youth is a boon to Tormash in that regard. I think it also helps that he has chosen a suitable mate who is socially adept. Varga and I are terrible at that sort of thing."


    "You didn''t want to lead?"


    Amara scoffed and laughed harder at that. "By all the gods, no. Varga and I wanted to retire somewhere in the mountains and let the entire realm burn if it came to it. But my people had been through enough. The remnants of the tribes that fled the orc homelands were a broken and shattered people. They needed someone strong to lead them. The sneaky little witch convinced Varga and I to take over the Shattered Plains."


    Trillia couldn''t help but grin at that. The more she heard about Queen Alliyah, the more she realized the woman had to be a master of manipulation.


    Amara shook her head and waggled a finger at Trillia. "No. I already know what you''re thinking. Oh, the great Queen must be so good with her words. I''m sure that''s true to some extent. But not when she is dealing with friends and other warriors. She all but called me an old coward and said if I wanted to die on a mountaintop somewhere with my boy toy, I was free to do so. But what would my people think."


    Amara snorted and shook her head. Despite her apparent annoyance, she still wore a big smile. "Turns out living with a tribe wasn''t all that bad. I didn''t like leadership, but I did love the peace of mind that having a tribe of good people brought to me when Tormash and Ralrouk were born. I''m not sure if I would have had the patience for dealing with the little shits without some help."


    "Were they troublemakers as kids?" Trillia asked, despite knowing the answer.


    "As kids? They are troublemakers now!" Amara laughed again as they turned down another hall. "Ralrouk is thinking about starting an order of holy warriors that have berserking classes. Tormash has thrown caution to the wind and is using his own legendary stubbornness to bull rush through cultural issues and war."


    Stolen novel; please report.


    Amara reached over and tussled her hair a bit. "The divine Aetherian Mage is the most normal of my children. I couldn''t be more proud of all of you."


    Trillia had never really doubted that her parents would be proud of their children. But hearing it still made her heart soar. "I''m a bit nervous."


    "As you should be. Alliyah is my oldest and dearest friend. We have pulled each other out of the deepest darknesses that mortals can face. But she is still a terrifying opponent. You are my daughter, so she is going to be gentle. But you are still an outsider who serves a god that is different from hers. She will treat you as a foreign dignitary and with a great deal of caution. Don''t take it to heart."


    Trillia took a deep breath and steeled herself. "I won''t."


    Amara glanced over with a grin. "Good luck, kiddo. You''re going to quickly realize why the rest of us fell in line behind her."


    -=====-


    The palace was way, way too large. It took twenty minutes of walking to get from their room to their destination. Trillia stood on the smooth, heavily enchanted marble floors. Looking up nearly fifty feet at the doors that stood before her.


    Amara stood next to her, happy to admire the doors as well. Heavy stone with metal inlays painted a dozen different scenes and pictures. "Why aren''t any of the Beast Generals depicted?"


    "None of the living heroes are. Alliyah thought it was distasteful to build a monument to us. But to all the lives we lost? There are probably dozens of those dotting the kingdom."


    Trillia closed her eyes with a smile. Somehow, that tidbit of knowledge took a lot of her nerves away. "I''m ready."


    Amara put a hand on Trillia''s shoulder. Trillia''s two pact-bound creatures had come to trust Amara enough to let the mighty orc walk next to Trillia. The doors opened without a sound.


    Trillia saw the throne room of Kadessa, and it took all of her might not to stop and stare. The ceiling was twice as high as the door.


    Huge arches held the roof above them. Instead of a solid ceiling, most of it seemed made of colored glass. Hundreds of scenes and heroes were depicted. Trillia''s mana-sight saw the thin lines of enchantment throughout each and every piece. Huge columns ran down into the ground. Instead of the stone that Trillia expected them to be made of, they were instead the same nearly translucent crystalline structure that she had seen in the ravine before. They positively glowed, both literally and in her mana-sight.


    As she stepped forward, a wave of calming mana rolled over her. The room was easily three hundred feet long and half as wide. There were hundreds of benches, tables, and chairs that had all been tucked onto the edges of the room. Trillia glanced at the ground and saw another slab of crystal laid into the marble floor. She was also shocked to see that she couldn''t understand the language that had been etched into the crystal. It ran the length of the room up to the steps of the throne.


    Trillia slowly walked forward as her eyes darted all around the room. She saw her uncles milling about near the throne but didn''t see the Queen herself.


    "Trillia! Sorry that I couldn''t say it during lunch. But I''m happy to see that you''ve returned and you are well." Cordaos stepped up to her and gave her a gentle hug. It was the first time she could remember seeing him in actual armor. The same crystal-like structure made up what looked like a full plate that should have been made out of stone. She had seen the heavy stone plate of minotaurs before. This was something on an entirely different level.


    As she glanced around, each of her uncles was wearing their best armor. Even her mother had donned not only the dragon scale armor but also wore bracers of the same crystal. "It''s good to see you all again. So it''s really only going to be just us and the Queen?"


    Brutus shook his head. "No. A dozen spies and assassins are hiding in the ceiling. At least until they trust that you aren''t going to try to kill her."


    Trillia seemed taken aback by that. Hurt was etched across her face. Amara gave her shoulder a little squeeze. "Remember what I said. You are a foreign avatar speaking to the leader of a nation. Four million people live in Kadessa alone. Probably a dozen times that number reside in the greater Kadessian empire."


    Trillia nodded in understanding, even if it didn''t help the hurt anymore.


    Then it happened.


    A soft hum of energy hit her senses in the Aetherian first.


    Then, her physical senses.


    Trillia and her pact-bound creatures were driven down to a knee. She found herself unable to lift her head. Her mother''s hand on her shoulder kept her somewhat calm.


    You are in the presence of the Ambassador of Mortality!


    You are in the presence of the Empress of Humanity!


    You are in the presence of the Mother of Divinity!


    ...


    A dozen other notifications pinged into her mind. Trillia had to wonder what use the spies and assassins could possibly have. The system had all but told Trillia she could do nothing but kneel with her head down, and the Queen had just stepped into the throne room. Trillia hadn''t caught a glance or a whisper of sound from the woman.


    "By all that is good in this realm. If you do not leave my throne room, and let me see my friends and niece in peace. I will tear your souls out and enchant a bucket with them."


    The voice felt as though it had reached out and grabbed Trillia''s very soul and was embracing it. She could hear Uncle Brutus chuckling off to the side. "Guess she''s already decided you''re safe."


    The voice spoke softly. "I appreciate they think they are helping. But always having eyes on me is so unnerving. I shouldn''t complain. They''ve caught a dozen attempts on the lives of my staff in the past week alone."


    Stas spoke up next. "Hey, Queenie. You mind subduing your auras?"


    "Oh! Goodness, I''m so sorry. I thought Avatar Fairtrade would be immune since she is my son''s avatar."


    The notifications vanished, and Trillia breathed a little easier. Amara offered her a hand up. As Trillia stood, she got to see the Queen for the first time.

 Chapter 142 The Queen Part 2

    The Queen had that same ephemeral feeling that a deity would. But she was very clearly human.


    A crystalline staff with a small cut gem floated silently at her side. She currently wore a long sapphire blue dress. Trillia hadn''t turned her mana-sight off.


    The Queen was literally aglow with mana. Faint pulses every second or so sent shivers through the room.


    Alliyah extended a hand to Trillia, who reached up to shake it. A soft warmth spread through her, and she felt light-headed. The Queen''s bright emerald eyes held a spark of amusement. "Goodness, you''re a mess. One would think that a mage of the Aether would have considerably more mental defenses."


    Trillia gently shook the Queen''s hand before moving her hands to her head. "What are you doing to me?"


    "I''m not suppressing my stats. You''ve met Quetzalcoatl. If he didn''t suppress his stats, you''d be forced to kneel to him. It is a matter of Presence. Once you''ve gained enough Presence, with enough amplifying traits, you can warp the perception of people who are not hostile to you. I thought this would be a good test to see how viable you''d be as a diplomat."


    Trillia nodded slightly and closed her eyes. Despite that, an image of the Queen was still firmly implanted in her mind. She had the same angular features as most orcs, but they were far softer and more gentle than Amara''s or her own. Long night black hair fell from her head and wrapped around her shoulders. Pale pink lips twisted up in a little grin that threatened the world.


    "Can you stop, please?"


    Trillia felt the woman''s hand on her cheek, and the swimmy feeling in her mind vanished. Trillia breathed a little easier.


    "Sorry, darling. I need to know where my allies stand and how much protection they require."


    Trillia opened her eyes and stared into the Queen''s. There was something within them that unnerved Trillia in the same way that the Eldritch did.


    "That will pass as well. Your mind is telling you that I don''t belong. That I am an aberration to nature. It is correct. I should have ascended fifty years ago. You''ve trained with the Professor, is that correct?"


    Trillia nodded but didn''t speak. The Queen motioned for them to follow as she walked towards the side of a room and a large table that had been prepared for them with food and drink. "Are you familiar with the term Echo?"


    "I am, yes."


    "Most of us who survived the Beast War have a few dozen echos running around. Stas is nearing a hundred due to his inability to not fight and conquer. Both in this realm as well as others. I share the same weakness in that I love fighting far more than I love ruling a country. I''m probably leading the pack a bit in echos. It''s also the only way I''ve found to game the system into not forcing me to ascend."


    As they all took their seats, the Queen''s garb changed as she sat down. A loose-fitting forest green blouse and long white skirt seemed to take the place of the regal dress she had on before. The staff changed its shape and coloring to become a rather non-descript brown quarterstaff. Trillia couldn''t help but be fascinated.


    "So. I have been told there is a threat that faces our world that is outside the norm for our realm. That even the [Primordials] would fight against. I assume we are talking about the creatures that The Professor uses to train students?"


    Trillia''s mind focused on those words. "Yes. You''ve been there or seen them?"


    "I have, unfortunately, had to fight one. I haven''t changed my classes in nearly a century. You are free to scan me. Amara tells me that you are an intensely curious young woman."


    [Divine Human(Ascension Available!) - Queen of Kadessa - 3327] Universal Mana Manipulation, Divine Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Ambassador of Mortality


    Empress of Humanity


    Mother of Divinity


    Pact-Bound (2nd Axle)


    Wed to Divinity


    Flesh-Bound Deity


    ...


    Trillia felt a shiver run down her spine as she read more and more traits. "You really aren''t supposed to be here."


    A soft giggle escaped the Queen as she began piling food on a plate in front of her. "No. Truth be told, my dearly beloved wanted me to give birth in the private realm of his mind. There is a great crystal palace there that he uses to host other deities as a sort of neutral ground. In my infinite foolishness, I decided I wanted my children to grow up in a mortal world. So that they had the perspective of mortals before they ruled over them."


    "It is, in no small part, my own fault that the realm is in such chaos right now. Had I listened, we wouldn''t have been attacked in transit."


    Trillia''s face twisted up in annoyance. "I thought you were both attacked by a traitor?"


    "We were. I''m not saying those people aren''t at fault. I am saying that no matter how much my husband and I were the victims that day. I am still a seasoned warrior and should have been more wary about traveling in such a state. My stubborn resolve has cost a lot of people their lives."


    Stas spoke up between bites. "That''s horse shit, and you know it, Alliyah. If even Lord Darktone was caught unaware, then there is nothing mortals could have done. No matter how strong you might be. You always do this."


    Cordaos stepped in for a good one-two punch. "Take the weight of the world on your shoulders and blame yourself for not doing more. It was the same thing every time we lost someone to the [Primordials]. You aren''t at fault for people being shitty and wanting you dead."


    "But I am at fault for not heeding the advice of my advisor. Or for thinking that my power was sufficient that no one would threaten my well-being." The woman gave a gentle shrug. The food in front of her lifted off the plate and was cleanly sliced by her mana as she slowly hovered it in for a bite.


    Trillia watched with great interest. It was difficult to see exactly how her mana was being used with how much mana she radiated. "So. What do we do about the new enemy?"


    The Queen frowned as she chewed the bite of food in her mouth. After swallowing, she leaned back with a full goblet in hand. "It''s difficult. I''m not allowed to inform everyone about the reality of what we face. Much in the same way you are limited. I do have a couple of ideas...but they aren''t safe for anyone but the two of us." Alliyah motioned from herself to Trillia.


    "Sorry, I don''t understand. I realize that the laws of the universe limit you, and I mean no offense to my daughter. But what can she handle that we cannot?" Amara spoke up with a puzzled expression.


    Trillia wasn''t offended. If anything, she was surprised that the generals would have issues. The Queen took her free hand and rolled it around lazily in the air. "Imagine some of my most powerful auras and mental debuffs." She paused as she looked at each of the generals in turn. "Now imagine if Kain was around and actively spending mana to buff them."


    Trillia didn''t know that was an option, but seeing the serious look on the faces of those around her, she had some idea of how bad it could get. "Now double that while taking immense amounts of mental damage."


    Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.


    "Bullshit." Brutus wasted no time in refuting it. "I refuse to believe there is something that can touch down on the realm that is more dangerous than the [Primordials] or that is more capable of damage. Shouldn''t the same fucking laws that make our lives a living Infernus stop that from happening?"


    Stas had a hand up to his lips, tapping away at them deep in thought. Alliyah took a drink from her goblet and offered another shrug.


    "I''ve seen it. I''ve seen what they are capable of. I watched a friend of mine from the Professor''s realm die. She wasn''t weak. Thousands of her people were fighting. Even some of the deities on her realm fought and died."


    "The Eldritch." It felt like a lightning bolt had struck Trillia''s brain when she heard it aloud. Both her and Alliyah''s eyes snapped to Stas, who had said the name. "I''ve seen them. One of the immortals I learned from worshipped one of the creatures. I think it used to be its patron god, but..something happened that destroyed it, maybe?"


    Brutus'' eyes darkened as he looked at Stas." You''re telling me Alliyah isn''t just yanking our chains? There''s something out there like that?"


    "Worse. Way, way worse. None of you bothered to learn how to travel to other realms. I did. Brutus, when I tell you that there are mortal creatures in other realms that could single-handedly wipe out most dragons, I am not yanking your chain or making things up. I have gone to realms where the scale of power is so absurd that even children knew stronger magic than I did. It boggled my mind that they hadn''t shattered reality."


    Alliyah nodded. "I''ve seen similar things. I once saw a realm where almost every single person was a monster tamer of some sort, and the creatures they tamed were incredibly durable. I hadn''t realized that you had seen an Eldritch." Alliyah paused as she said the word. Raising a finger, she opened her mouth, but nothing came out. "Of course. I can say the name now, but nothing else. Sometimes, I feel like Dawn gets a sort of sick satisfaction in watching us struggle. If I hadn''t spent so much time talking to her, I''d be sure of it."


    "So what''s our next step?" Brutus no longer had any doubt. "If these creatures can kill gods, what possible chance do we have?"


    "A pretty good one." Trillia cut off any speculation. "There are going to be others like me who know how to fight in the Aether. From the conversation we''ve had, I assume that Queen Alliyah can also fight in the Aether. The struggle comes from what happens when they attack physically."


    "Sickness to mana-immunity helps. It doesn''t fully negate it, but it does help." Stas helpfully offered. "If the [Primordials] are truly going to fight on our side. Perhaps we should try to speak to the creatures?"


    "Is that possible? The damn things annihilate anything around them that they haven''t warped." A thump came from Amara as she plopped an elbow down and rubbed her eyes.


    "I may have a solution." Miah''s voice startled everyone but the Queen, who smiled as she looked over at her.


    "Sorry, I didn''t invite you, sweetie. I knew you were also weary from dealing with those insufferable lords all day. I thought you might enjoy some rest."


    Miah walked over and kissed her mom on the top of the head before sitting next to her. "Thankfully, since Ascending, I don''t need rest. It is a very, very odd feeling."


    "A pleasure to see you, General Mariah. You said you had a solution?" Cordaos spoke up after giving the two a moment.


    "I do. Arlyss and I have been doing a lot of research. We''ve been asking Riten to look into things for us. There is..." The goddess paused as she contemplated her words. Or perhaps it was the universe stopping her? Trillia found herself second-guessing things a lot lately.


    "We found the remnants of a civilization that may have fought against these creatures."


    That caused everyone to pay a little more attention. "We aren''t sure how old the ruins are. But the few words we''ve managed to find are in a language that even Arlyss can''t understand. He''s in the process of deciphering it. I don''t imagine it will take him long, given his portfolio."


    "Great! Where is it? We can go give it a look!"


    Miah went silent again and seemed conflicted. Alliyah reached over and gave her shoulder a squeeze. "We are warriors. Warriors who should be dead. Stop trying to break it to us gently."


    Miah looked over with a nod. "The ruins can only be entered by a mortal in the Aetherian plane." Miah''s eyes drifted over to Trillia.


    "So you want me to go. Because the Queen is more valuable and important, and if the worst happens, the realm doesn''t lose as much?"


    Miah winced as Trillia spoke. The other Generals looked upset, but Queen Alliyah was nodding. "I suppose that makes sense. But I won''t allow her to go alone. That''d be reckless. Where is this ruin at?"


    "It''s in the Beast Scar. I found it while exploring those lands a few months ago. The rift that opened up there leads into the ruins of a city. It also sheds some light on the size of creatures there."


    Trillia narrowed her eyes as she looked at Miah. Immediately after learning about it, she''s expected to go there? It felt blatant.


    "The trick is that behemoths are far beyond Trillia and her party''s capabilities. Which is where the second part of my plan comes in."


    As the silence stretched on for a few seconds, Miah took a deep breath. "Right. Warriors, don''t waste time. I want all of you to be bait. You''re powerful enough that the creatures there would be drawn to you. It would let Trillia, Simon, and their considerably weaker party the ability to slip in, going unnoticed. Trillia would have to enter the ruins alone, but her party could get her there."


    "Would it be possible to give her a keystone of some kind and let me teleport to her?" Alliyah spoke as she took another drink. The Queen seemed entirely unphased by any of it. Maybe she was just used to stuff like this.


    "Maybe? But even when you are doing your best, you still give off way too much mana. The creatures in the area would be drawn to you like moths to a flame. While I doubt you or the generals would be at any serious risk of death..."


    "My friends would be turned to paste. So why have them come at all?"


    Miah produced two small rings and set them in front of Trillia. "It will at least be you and Simon. These rings will react when you fall below zero health and yank you to the location of the other ring. It''s... normally meant as a way to recover the bodies of nobles."


    Amara looked at the two rings with a grin. "But for orcs who technically don''t die at zero. It pulls us out."


    Miah nodded. "They have a range of about a mile or two."


    "They were originally for assassins. They were damn handy as well." The Queen reached over to lift one. "The enchantments on these are way more stable. I saw more than a few girls appear in front of me, torn into shreds because the teleportation wasn''t stable. We used to cast a twenty-four-hour enchantment to delay death. Send a girl in to kill someone, and she''d take her own life to escape. I''d say there was a ten percent chance that we wouldn''t survive the teleportation."


    Trillia felt a chill run down her spine as the Queen continued. "Delay death doesn''t really work when you''re dismembered and turned inside out."


    "Fucks sake, Alliyah, I''m trying to eat." Amara grumbled as she chased food around on her plate with a fork.


    Alliyah rolled her eyes and set the ring down. "Quit your whining. You''re an orc. You know the world I grew up in. You really have gotten lazy and weak if this is turning your stomach."


    Trillia cleared her throat. "So the plan is to have me use this, and if I get knocked out in the ruins, it yanks me back to Simon?"


    As Miah nodded, Trillia continued. "What happens if I don''t die and am imprisoned? Or there is something there that blocks the ring''s ability?"


    Miah looked away.


    Stas spoke up. "Dead as dead can be! Glorious adventure, am I right?" The insane goblin cackled a bit.


    "Very well. I''ll ask my other friends if they want to join me or if it will just be Simon and I."


    That caught Miah off guard. Alliyah stared hard at the little orc. Trillia shrugged. "If my life can give us a weapon against the Eldritch? It''s worth it. How many of you are willing to throw yourselves in front of a [Primordial] and maybe die to save people? I don''t wanna hear it."


    Stas got out of his chair and walked over, patting Trillia on the back. "You would have fit right in with us in the old days. Absolutely fucking insane with no survival instinct. Perfect soldier of fate."


    Amara groaned and buried her face in her hands. Trillia had no doubt that her mother wanted to protest but knew better.


    "Well. That sucks." Alliyah said bluntly. "I never get to have any fun. But if we''re going to be sending a bunch of fucking kids off to save the world, we are going to make sure they are well equipped and well trained. I will hold a public court tomorrow. Trillia, I am going to ask you to come with your friends so that I can make it official. Don''t worry about the nobles. I can deal with them. How long do you think we have? Until we are beset by the eldritch?"


    Trillia shrugged. "It''s difficult to say. I don''t see or sense them in the Aether. But I don''t know how quickly they move."


    "Let''s train you all for at least a few months. It will let me teach you some tricks about the Aether and your unique mana manipulation." With that, the Queen stood. "All of you get some rest. We will have to deal with the nobility and commoners tomorrow for a bit concerning your banishment and ending it. After we can announce a trip out to save our people. We''ll leave out the Eldritch for now. That is something you can tell your friends in person. The public doesn''t need to know."


    Trillia frowned, but the Queen didn''t let her voice the concerns. "Most people can do nothing against the [Primordials]. Let alone an Eldritch. Telling them will only cause panic and unrest. Have a good night." She offered the table a smile before grabbing a bottle of wine and leaving the throne room.

 Chapter 143 Council Part 1

    Trillia sat in their room, staring at the fire in the fireplace.


    It was entirely decorative, as best Trillia could tell. The room stayed at the exact same temperature regardless of the fire. Still, it gave her something to stare at as she contemplated whether or not she was even going to tell her friends.


    Her two canine companions were back to lying on the balcony. Simon and Taz had already been awake and gone by the time she returned to the room. Now, it was just a waiting game for the others.


    A few more hours passed, and a soft knock came at the door. Trillia quietly shuffled over and opened it to find Thea.


    "Good morning, Avatar Fairtrade. I''ve brought breakfast. Is it ok if I enter?"


    Trillia nodded and stepped to the side while holding the door open. Thea saw everyone in various disheveled heaps around the room, snoring away. She giggled softly as she moved over to the table and began pulling out platters of food from whatever storage item she had. The smell of freshly baked bread and crispy meat hit everyone''s noses.


    It didn''t take long for the group to start waking up and looking for the source of the smell. "Good morning, everyone. I hope the food is to your liking." Thea offered them a smile as she curtsied. A low caw from outside the balcony was heard, and a thump shortly after.


    Taz''s head peaked over the roof of the balcony and peered inside. "Yes, yes, you can have some food. Let me make you a plate. I swear you''re as bad as a slime monster some days." An angry caw and wobbling head was the response that Simon got before he unhooked himself from the saddle and climbed down onto the balcony.


    "So. What are our orders?"


    Trillia glanced over at Simon with a puzzled look. "Well, I assume you were given orders last night. You were gone before even Taz and I woke up, and we rise before the morning sun."


    Trillia frowned at that as she grabbed a plate. Thea quietly closed the door behind herself as she left. "Fate is...being fate again."


    Simon was the one who now wore a puzzled look as he piled up food for Taz and absent-mindedly brought it to the Gryphon. Dire and Ialu were fed shortly after, and the rest of the group was mindlessly munching and trying to wake up.


    "There''s a set of ruins in the Beast Scar that require someone who can slip into the Aether to enter them."


    Amelia paused with a mug of some hot brown liquid halfway to her lips. "Don''t you fucking dare think about running off alone."


    Trillia just looked away from her friend. "You all heard how dangerous that place is. Simon is going to be ordered to join me. Mom and the other Generals are going to be acting as bait to attract the most dangerous creatures. There''s no reason to risk all of our lives."


    Her friends all wore frowns. Simon had a pretty good feeling of understanding. "Trillia. You do realize that even if we somehow fight whatever entities you are warning us about and win. With no injuries." Simon paused every few words, really wanting to hammer home his point. "All of the [Primordials] are awake and are pumping out creatures. Even if they are meant to help us with this new threat, they are still attacking us in the here and now."


    Simon stood and shuffled off to his saddle bags, rummaging around in them for a moment before he returned with an old leather-bound book. "Here. I want you to read a short passage."


    Flipping through the pages, he set it in front of Trillia, who hadn''t been able to get a good look at the cover. She wasn''t surprised to see that it was written in the goblin tongue. But the writing was old enough that she had a hard time believing it was Simon''s journal.


    "Twenty years post-primordial. I have done my rounds of the still-standing civilizations of Alirast so that I may report to General... I mean Queen Alliyah. It seems our estimates were correct. One in every three people died during the fighting, and a further one in every four has been listed as dead after the wars. Largely due to famine and the still rampant spread of monsters and new dungeons." As Trillia finished reading the last word of that sentence out loud, Simon pulled the book away.


    "It is my father''s journal. He was in charge of many of the projects of helping to rebuild so many of the cities and towns that had been destroyed. I want all of you to take a look around this table, especially you, Trillia. Trillia, Amelia, Malor, Frederick, Layla, and myself. If it goes as well as the previous Beast Wars did. Three of us will be dead."


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    Layla leaned back and let her fork hit the plate. So much for a tasty breakfast. Simon didn''t relent. "Now, Trillia, I want you to choose. Do you want them to die hiding away and starving? Do you want them to die fighting?"


    Trillia seemed on the verge of tears as she looked around at each of her friends. Simon grabbed her shoulder gently and forced her to look back at him. "Or do you want them to grow strong enough that you might not lose them?"


    She sniffled and rubbed her eyes. "I don''t want to lose anyone."


    Simon nodded. "Then let them come with us. If half of us are slated to die anyway, I''d much rather spend what time I have with friends trying to grow stronger. Who knows, maybe in a century, we will all look back on this moment with a laugh."


    "And if we die?" Layla spoke softly. She had pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin on them.


    Simon pulled back from Trillia with a wide smile on his face. "I dunno about any of you. But after everything the gods have put my family and I through, those bastards are going to have to work double-time to take me down."


    Fred snorted and shook his head. "Crazy little bastard. I''m of the same mind. I have no interest in hiding at home with my parents and praying that the heroes come and save the day. I''d rather become a hero, so there are that many more of us to try and save something. I''d like to come along."


    The others shared similar sentiments. Trillia fought back tears as she buried her head in her arms, remembering Blossom. Remembering all the echos she saw for her Mother and uncles in the ledger. Thinking of all the other people who were lost. "You''re all so stupid." Not that she thought any differently from them. It still didn''t make her feel any better about their situation.


    -=====-


    A couple more hours came and went before a guard stopped at the door and asked them to head to the throne room. The group checked their gear and with a few nods to one another. They stepped out of the room and marched to the throne room.


    It wasn''t as quiet as it had been in the early hours of the morning. Dozens of people were coming and going. Simon had warned everyone to turn off any scanning abilities they had.


    Thankfully, the group listened.


    Trillia saw a few drakken-forms milling about. Dwarves, Elves, Gnomes, Humans, and a few dozen other races that didn''t quite fit into any of those narrow categories were also walking around. The doors to the throne room were left open.


    A guard on either side stood at the ready with long crystalline spears held close to their chests. Their faces were covered, but Trillia could feel an intense mana radiate from them.


    As their group walked through the doors, her friends shuffled off to the side of the main walkway to take in the splendor of the place. When the sun was out, it had an entirely different feel as multi-colored light filtered from the stained glass and into the room. There was a sense of grandeur that had been absent the light. It felt fitting to Trillia.


    They were finally escorted to their place by a maid. A few merchant lords were grumbling and complaining about that. Right before the throne, the Generals stood off to one side, and Trillia''s party had been placed directly opposite of them.


    A small chime sounded. Trillia watched as the generals all took a knee. Amara motioned for them to do the same.


    Trillia did so, as did the others in her group. Most of the occupants of the throne room took a knee. It was only a few young nobles and merchant lords who didn''t see the point in doing so.


    At least, until Queen Alliyah stepped into the room and her presence forced them to one knee. Those who were already kneeling felt no additional pressure. Trillia had spent time with the Queen last night. She knew the woman was capable of being as quiet as a mouse. Instead, each footfall sounded with a soft tapping sound. As the Queen walked up towards her throne, she paused in front of Trillia''s group.


    No one said a word as the seconds dragged on.


    The Queen turned and stepped in front of Amelia, reaching her hands up to take either side of the young minotaur''s face. "Maeve was one of the kindest, most humble people I have ever had the great honor and privilege of knowing. I am truly sorry that I failed to be there in her time of need. Not only to save her but to help save more people of the mighty labyrinth that you called home. I hope that you can forgive me. Maeve was truly a dear friend, and Alirast feels so much more empty without her presence to bolster us all."


    Amelia''s breath caught in her throat as she stared at the Queen. Tears began to form in her eyes.


    "If you ever want to talk about her, about the woman that I knew as a young calf and the promising brilliance I saw in her eyes during her first performance in front of me. I will always make the time for you. I also want you to know that wherever she is in the hereafter. Her chest is puffed out, and a wide smile is on her face, looking down at the beautiful woman you have grown into. I know she''s proud of you." The Queen leaned forward and placed a kiss on the top of Amelia''s head.


    The Minstrel could barely stop herself from bawling. Despite how many years it had been, sometimes it still felt like she could wake up and reach out to hold her mother''s hand. In a way, the Queen''s soft hands and gentle kiss reminded Amelia of her mother.


    The Queen let go and took a step back, turning and finishing the walk up to her throne. As she turned to face those gathered, she took a deep breath. "You may all rise. I have much to speak about today."


    The pressure in everyone lessened, and they stood. Malor helped Amelia to her feet and squeezed her hand. Trillia noticed that Cordaos had a bit of wetness in his eyes as well.


    "As you all know, the [Primordials] are an ever-growing threat. Without many of the more powerful deities backing us, there has been a lot of struggle to push them back. We still aren''t sure how to seal them. Today''s talk is going to focus on that."


    She took her seat, and as she did, a swarm of maids and butlers poured out of side doors and brought chairs over to the rest of the people gathered. Trillia took a deep breath and readied herself for the conversations to come.

 Chapter 144 The Council Part 2

    Alliyah peered out at the many bodies gathered. None of them had even the faintest defenses against her ability to scan and peer into each of them. Half of her existed in the Aether at all times to stop the ever-looming threat of Ascension from being forced on her.


    Every day, a little more of her soul had to slip into the Aether. It posed its own unique risks, but it was better than leaving Alirast with one less powerful mortal force. She also refused to let the jackals of nobility ruin everything she had spent centuries building. None of her children could rule. They were all deities.


    Who then? As much as she loved her Generals, they were about as useful as a boulder when you were drowning when it came to ruling an empire this size. Maeve would often write to Alliyah in amusement at how stressed Cordaos got during council meetings. That was only a few hundred thousand minotaurs and orcs.


    The Queen''s Aetherian self looked over at the glowing beacon that was Trillia. She didn''t think the little orc girl had any idea just how brightly she was shining. Every deity on Alirast was keeping an eye on her.


    "You really went overboard with how much fate you''ve pushed into this world, haven''t you, darling?" Alliyah mused in her own mind, and a playful little smirk played across her lips. Perhaps she could convince Trillia or Amelia to train to take over and sit as an acting Queen.


    Both of them were going to be immensely powerful. Trillia was already a pact-bound to her son. Miah had been toying with the idea of asking Amelia to form a pact with her instead of any other deity.


    Ha! A Minotaur or an Orc were her best candidates to rule the human empire? Some days, she really hated how greedy her kind was. The many eyes in the room sat on her, waiting for her to speak.


    Good.


    Let them wonder and squirm. Her eyes drifted to Simon. No. Simon couldn''t rule.


    The goblin was far too kind and far too forgiving of others. He couldn''t have been more different than the brutal realist that his father was. If only he had a little more of the blood thirst that plagued the goblins, he''d be a perfect king. But a kind ruler was taken advantage of. Alliyah had learned that the hard way.


    "As much as I love watching you daydream. Perhaps you should get on with it?"


    The nobles were all struck silent and stupid. None of them would dare to speak to the Queen in such a way. Amara, on the other hand, could give a shit less. Alliyah''s smile grew as memories raced through her mind. "Forgive me, General Demonsbane. With you and General Cordaos here, I have to make sure I use really small words."


    Cordaos snorted and shot Amara a side-long glare. Stas bit his bottom lip, trying not to cackle at the two of them. Amara held her own grin and dipped her head low. "This humble orc appreciates your kindness and thoughtfulness."


    Alliyah''s smile didn''t falter as her eyes turned out to the still mostly terrified nobility. She would have torn into them with a fury that could make dragons falter. "As my dear friend said, I should get on with it. I know that many of you are angry that I have lifted the banishment placed on the Four Great Generals. It is not without serious thought that I did so."


    She glanced back to the generals in question. All of them were smart enough not to call her out on her bullshit. "I have brought them here because they are a few of the only living warriors who have not only fought at my side to seal the [Primordials] but have also helped to seal them. We all share a pact with the same deity. As such, we understand the threat we are against better than anyone else possibly could."


    "At least that was what I thought."


    That caught everyone''s attention. Even Trillia, who thought she knew the plan, was staring at the Queen now. "Deity Mariah has been kind enough to help us even after ascending. As she and my other deific children are set on saving as many of us as they can. In their pursuit of our salvation, they have stumbled on a set of ruins that requires someone who is capable of traveling in the Aether to enter."


    A drakken stood and raised a hand. After an agonizing second or two, Alliyah nodded. "Forgive the interruption, Queen Alliyah. It is this one''s rudimentary understanding that your physical body cannot go into the Aether. How is it possible there are ruins that let you get around that?"


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    The drakken took its seat, and Alliyah stood. "You would be mistaken. It is very possible to travel through the Aether. It''s just not recommended to do so. The toll it takes on body and soul is not easily paid. Moving too quickly and for too long in the Aether can do permanent soul damage. There are also reports of Aetherian mages simply having their souls ripped out of their bodies because they spent too long there."


    "The ruins in question predate the Kadessian Empire. It is our hope that the things we find there could lead us to technological advancements that can help us thwart the ever-growing threats to mortals."


    There were some murmurs among the nobles. Alliyah motioned to Trillia. "Step forward, Avatar Fairtrade."


    Trillia took a step forward, unsure if she was meant to go to the Queen or not.


    Alliyah smiled at how nervous the girl was. The Queen saved her the embarrassment of not knowing and descended the throne. "This young woman is the daughter of General Amara Demonsbane and Lord Varga Demonsbane. In addition, she is also the Avatar of Lord Arlyss Ocrey Darktone."


    The nobles all looked at Trillia with a newfound level of respect, but Alliyah wasn''t done selling them yet. "In addition. She has also had the great privilege of training under the same deity who tutored me in the ways of the Aether. She is a fully capable Aetherian Mage who has nobly volunteered herself to travel to these ruins."


    The murmuring grew louder. It only took Alliyah releasing a small amount of her aura to silence that. "I would go myself, but as my advisors have pointed out if this place is trapped or otherwise deadly. It may put the mortal defense against the [Primordials] in a precarious position should I fall. As such, Avatar Fairtrade has agreed to go in my stead. She will be accompanied not only by the Four Great Generals but also by one of the Golden Gryphon''s most competent and capable warriors."


    No more murmurs came forward. Alliyah smiled down at Trillia and winked with the eye that was on the side of the throne before motioning for her to step back into place. "It is by order of the Empress of Humanity and the Queen of Kadessa that Avatar Fairtrade is to be given all support she asks for in her endeavors. Anyone who is caught denying any reasonable or semi-unreasonable request that Avatar Fairtrade makes of them will be considered treasonous and punishment will be swift and brutal. Am I clear?"


    Alliyah''s aura leaked out, silencing the one or two people she felt ready to speak. "It gladdens me to know that Kadessa stands strong against the horrors of the world. We stand as a bastion ready to come together to see such an important task through. Avatar Fairtrade and her entourage will be spending some time in Kadessa to train. They will be heading to the Beast Scar."


    She pulled the aura back in as she said it. The murmuring once more broke out. No mortal in their right mind would step foot into that place. The rift had caused all manner of corruption and warping to take place, and the behemoths there were already terrifying fights. "I am sure you can all understand now why I have had to take such drastic measures."


    The queen turned and took a few steps towards her throne. She felt the courage well up in one of the merchant lords. Alliyah spun around to look at him as he stepped forward to speak, causing the man to falter.


    Somehow, the little worm had found his courage again. "Will we be compensated for our help?"


    Alliyah slowly turned her gaze to Stas and nodded to him. She turned around and kept walking back to the throne. She heard Stas step forward on the many limbs sprouting from his back.


    "Yes. Your compensation will be the end of the [Primordial] threat. Unless, Merchant Lord Sozo, you are asking the Kadessian Empire to compensate a Merchant Lord under the Kadessian banner for its aid in the fight against the [Primordials?]"


    Alliyah was glad that all eyes were focused on the abomination in front of them. It made it much easier to hide her smirk. People saw Stas as some near mindless abomination and didn''t know that the clever little goblin was the one who wrote the majority of the laws that were currently in place. He had a knack for taking her clear and precise words and turning them into an air-tight defense against shit-headed nobles and merchant lords alike. Now, to see if Sozo took the bait.


    As Sozo went to speak, another Merchant Lord stepped up and grabbed his junior by the shoulder. "Of course not, General Stas. We are well aware that it is a long-standing law that all people capable of fighting must fight, and their betters in intellect and business must support them in ways that warriors cannot."


    Stas took another long stride forward, hovering slightly above the new Merchant Lord.


    Alliyah tensed.


    For all Stas was clever, such a blatant insult could still get someone''s head removed. Instead, much to her surprise, Stas lowered himself to be eye level with the Merchant Lord and bowed. "This meager warrior is eternally grateful that Queen Alliyah''s infinite patience and grace has resulted in the first caste of nobles and Merchant Lords who are not greedy parasites. It truly humbles me to know that there are magnanimous titans of industry such as you to help keep us in this golden age that my fellow warriors and I, and, of course, our noble Queen, bled for. Thank you, Merchant Lord Kaiser."


    Stas popped back to his full terrifying height and skittered back to his place amongst the Generals. Alliyah smiled as she gazed at the little goblin. "This council meeting is over. I will be speaking with the Generals, Avatar Fairtrade, and my personal advisors as to the rest of what needs to be done. If any of you are required, I will send for you."


    As Sozo looked ready to speak, the queen let her full aura flood the room. Once more, driving everyone but the Generals to their knees. "The council meeting is at an end. Leave."


    As she reigned her aura in, it didn''t take long for everyone to scurry out. Once the doors to the throne room were closed, Stas started cackling like the mad little jackal that he was.

 Chapter 145 Reminiscing

    Trillia''s heart skipped a beat as she found herself kneeling. A dozen notifications rang out in her mind before the Queen reigned in her aura. Trillia had to wonder just how terrifying the woman truly was.


    As Uncle Stas started cackling, Trillia found her footing. "That was scary. I don''t think I much like dealing with nobles. It was different in D''Jamu because everyone was so terrified of angering Lord Arlyss."


    "Ehhh... not all of them, but a lot of nobles are spineless fucking cowards who hide behind loopholes and mercenaries to stay alive." Brutus didn''t seem particularly thrilled at the idea of them as he spoke.


    "While I agree that they are mostly useless parasites. They are still well-loved by the people under them. They also stand as pillars of the community and an easy way to deal with famines, trade wars, and things of that nature. For what they lack in a spine on the field of combat, they absolutely make up for with their ability to navigate trade deals and a market." Alliyah stretched after her statement.


    "So. Have you all made your decision?"


    Trillia glanced at her friends, still hesitant. Amelia stepped forward. "Much to her dismay. We won''t lose her again."


    The minotaur faltered in her words before looking at not only the Queen but the generals across from them. "We have no idea what the war was like. We can only guess at the losses suffered. But if there is a chance we''re all going to die to some stupid beast. We''d much rather be strong enough to save as many lives as we can. We''d much rather spend as much time as we can with our friends making memories."


    Brutus raised a small metal flask. "Glory to the fallen. May they live eternal in our memories."


    The other generals repeated the mantra, and each produced their own flask in hand and poured a small bit of alcohol out onto the ground. The Queen did the same. Alliyah stepped down fully from the throne and stood in front of the group. "I''m proud of you all. I know it can be scary, but I promise you have good people backing you up. You don''t have to go into this as blindly as we did. You won''t fight alone."


    Amelia nodded. She opened her mouth to speak but shook her head and stepped back.


    "Speak. Say what''s on your mind. There are no nobles or merchants here. I may as well be your Aunt, as well as I knew your parents."


    Amelia looked back at Alliyah and nodded. "I... I was just wondering if you could spare a few minutes to talk about Mom? A lot of the minotaurs didn''t want to talk about her. I think the hurt was too much. I understand if now isn''t the time, it''s just that you off-"


    Amelia went quiet as Alliyah raised a hand. "I''d love to. I have some of her old songs that she wrote when she was still young if you''d like to see them?" Amelia''s eyes lit up.


    Alliyah motioned to the others. "I won''t be holding any more council meetings for the next few weeks. I like to let the bastards squirm and really think about what they need to say to me. Trillia. I wasn''t joking about that proclamation. I expect you not to abuse it, but if you and your party need something, ask. You will be going on a life-threatening journey for the good of the empire. As much as you may have your own motives, that doesn''t change the fact that Kadessa will back you with all the might it can."


    Alliyah took Amelia''s hand and led the young woman away. Trillia nodded and started giving some serious thought about anything her group and she might need. Trillia heard Uncle Stas'' limbs tapping against the ground.


    "Look at how much you''ve grown, lad." Trillia realized that he was speaking to Simon and couldn''t help but look over at the reunion.


    "I''ve been well fed and well taken care of by the church."


    Stas reached out and grabbed the young Gryphon knight by the shoulders. "No small amount of your own blood, sweat, and tears went into becoming the man that stands before me. Look, Simon. I..."


    Simon shook his head. "No need to apologize, Dad. The Church had to deal with more than a few people who wanted me dead. It was only by Queen Alliyah''s reputation, temper, and stalwart defense of the Church of Mercy that nothing happened. I know why you put me in their care. I... I hope I''ve grown strong enough that you don''t think of me as a burde-"


    The little goblin couldn''t finish his sentence at Stas pulled him into a hug that probably could have crushed stones. "Don''t you for a second think it was because I saw you as the burden. I thought I would be the burden in your life. I thought my very existence near you would cause you no end of suffering and strife. Your mother wanted me to retire and enjoy a life raising our kids and tinkering. After I lost her and the rest of your siblings..."


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    Simon smiled and slowly pulled away. "I understand. I''d like to do some training with you. Taz and I don''t meet any other people who can use the same type of mana. I''ve heard rumours that you''re quite a fast flier. If you have the time."


    Stas looked down at Simon and behind him to the gryphon that was waiting intently on the answer. "I just want you to know. If you''re seen with me. If people know. Some people may still come after you. I don''t want to deny you after all these years but...you need to know the risks."


    The gryphon cawed loudly and tapped Simon''s helmet. The little goblin wore the same big smile. "Let them try. I''m not a weak little goblin who can be bullied anymore."


    Stas nodded, and it seemed like a weight was lifted off his shoulders. Amara came over and slapped her fellow General on the back. "Great! You two catch up and do a bit of aerial fighting. Cause once you''re done playing around, I haven''t had a good aerial fight in decades, and that Gryphon of yours looks damn speedy, I wanna see if I can beat him in a race."


    Taz cawed again and clacked its talons against the floor. Simon grinned and motioned. "Shall we go and see about that now?"


    "I gotta see this." Fred, Malor, and Layla followed the group out. Trillia found herself staring up at the stained glass ceiling.


    "Heavy is the burden of those that lead." Cordaos spoke somberly as he stood next to Trillia. Brutus had flopped down on the steps of the throne and was taking a long drink from his flask.


    "Is it always going to be so nerve-wracking? Everyone is putting on smiles, but I can feel a tenseness in the air."


    "War does that, kiddo." Brutus spoke as he took to lying down on the steps and staring up at the ceiling himself. "I can''t speak for the cow, but before every single fight with the [Primordials]. I was scared shitless."


    Cordaos glanced over at the legendary duelist. "Brutus has the right of it. Part of me wants to tell you it gets easy to encourage you. But I don''t want you to be caught off guard. The first time you see a [Primordial] up close. The first time you see tens of thousands of creatures, the weakest of which is in the low hundreds. You''re going to be absolutely frozen in terror."


    Trillia looked up at her Uncle. He had also taken to looking up at the many scenes and depictions in the glass. "How do I keep fighting? How do I lead my friends through battle and out the other side?"


    Cordaos smiled. "I think it was easier for us. All I had to do was remember the chains around my neck and the whips at my back in the arena. My life was already over."


    Brutus spoke up again from his prone position. "Best we can all tell, it''s why Lord Darktone will only form a pact with a slave. He knows how heavy the yoke of slavery is. He knows firsthand the toll it takes on the mind. We''d all fight like rabid dogs to avoid going back to it. We''d kill thousands to prevent our friends from suffering that fate."


    Trillia didn''t really have that lifetime to lean on. Her eyes went from Cordaos to Brutus to the ceiling. Cordaos put a hand on her shoulder. "Think of Tormash and Ralrouk''s kids."


    Trillia turned her gaze to meet his. "Think of your friends in Red River dungeon. Imagine them dead, dying, or enslaved. Sear those images into your heart, mind, and soul. When you step up to an enemy that seems insurmountable. You remember those memories. You remember what the cost of failure is. I have faith that you''ll pull through."


    "If the two of you will excuse me, I am going to join my daughter and Alliyah. I''d like to have some fond memories of Maeve restored."


    Brutus raised his flask as the minotaur king left the throne room. "All the flowery words don''t mean shit."


    Once more, Trillia found her eyes drawn to the man instead of the ceiling. With a huff, he sat up and turned his eyes to her. "It''s gonna hurt, kid. You will lose someone. It''s only a matter of time. There are gonna be days that you wake up decades later, and they don''t even cross your mind. Other days, you''ll wake up and reach for some trinket or artifact, thinking you can just send them a message cause you haven''t heard from them in a while. Then their death is gonna hit you like a fucking giant. The worst part? I couldn''t tell you which hurts worse."


    "Do you ever pray? To talk to them or see them again?"


    Brutus stared at the little orc for a while before looking back up at the ceiling. "Every fucking day. Don''t get me wrong. I will always be grateful that Lord Darktone gave me a second chance. But I didn''t know I could feel pain like the pain of losing a wife and kids. Every time I pass a monument to the people we lost. I question whether they''d still be alive had I been around to fight the beast that took them from me." The man took the last drink of his flask and stared at the opening angrily.


    He tucked it into a pouch on his belt and put his hands on his knees, pushing himself to a standing position. Slowly, he walked over to Trillia. "You''re a tough kid. Way fucking stronger than I was at your age. You want my advice?"


    Trillia nodded.


    "If it''s a question of this world or your friends? Choose your friends. Burn your soul up in a glorious blaze if you have to. But don''t ever regret choosing people who could give a shit less about you, over the people who are willing to walk into Behemoth Valley so that they can spend a little more time with you. Love and friendship is more valuable than a thousand legends. If I could do it all again, I''d die a hundred deaths and live a thousand lives in slavery if it meant my wife and kids were running around."


    Brutus sighed and headed towards the doors.


    "Uncle Brutus."


    The duelist paused and glanced back at her.


    "I love you. I''m glad you''re still alive to help us all one more time. I''ll pray to all the gods I know that your family can visit you in your dreams. Thank you for saving us before."


    Brutus turned his face away from her. Trillia thought she heard him sniffle. "Silly orc. Just as sentimental as your mother. I''ll be back later today. I''ll do what I can to make sure you have the strength to save everyone."


    Trillia smiled at his back as he also left, closing the doors behind him. Trillia slowly wandered out to stand in the middle of the room. "I will get strong enough that no one else has to die. I don''t care what I have to sacrifice for it."


    Trillia felt tears welling up, but she pushed them down and stared happily at the beautiful glass above her.

 Chapter 146 Loss

    Trillia eventually found herself wandering the halls. Most people gave her a very wide path, not wanting to get in the way of someone who had just been deemed so important by the Queen.


    As she got to halls that were more and more empty, she heard a familiar voice singing.


    Trillia''s face lit up with a smile as she followed the voice. She came to a set of doors with four guards standing in front of it. Two were dressed the same as the throne room guards had been. The other two were dressed in black robes that concealed everything about themselves.


    Each, in turn, bowed to her and stepped aside enough to let her through. Trillia snuck into the room to see Cordaos sitting on the floor by the balcony, with his eyes closed, listening to the song.


    Queen Alliyah was plucking away at the strings of a harp as Amelia looked down at a piece of parchment in her hands, singing a song that Trillia had never heard before.


    As the song came to a close, Trillia''s smile only deepened. She suddenly wished she had been able to meet Queen Maeve. Alliyah had a sad little smile on her face. "Your voice reminds me of her. Goodness, the two of you would have sold out any show you put on."


    Amelia smiled as she carefully placed the parchment on the table where dozens of other sheets were. "There''s so much music here."


    "She used to write to me every few months. The only things in this world that Maeve loved more than music were you and Cordaos. The Church of Mercy took her in when she was young. I guess she learned to play an old piano they had. The first class she ever took was [Minstrel]. I first heard about her from one of my guards. He was asking what to do with some dock workers who had beaten a man nearly to death for trying to rob the Angel of Mercy. That''s what everyone had nicknamed her."


    Amelia sat down in a seat and stared at the Queen, hanging on every word. Trillia looked past them to see Cordaos squeezing his eyes shut with tears in them. Alliyah continued. "Angels are what some humans call the Celestial-born immortals that will oftentimes visit our realm. They are usually orderly and kind creatures. What Maeve had taken to doing, now that her voice had power, was go around to all the churches and orphanages and sing songs of courage and hope."


    "When she was done with her morning rounds, she''d go down to the docks and sing various songs that helped with stamina regeneration for the dock workers. Some drunken asshole pulled a knife and threatened her. According to her, she never saw what happened to the man, only that a few dozen pissed-off and angry sailors had pulled her away from the man. They apologized, fed her, and walked her back to the Church. Telling her it wasn''t safe at the docks and she shouldn''t visit."


    "Being the rebellious little thing that she was. She did her morning rounds and asked a few of the older kids who had taken warrior classes to follow her to the docks the very next day, where she sang until the sun went down."


    Amelia''s eyes were lit up like the sun itself. "Really? I always thought I got my stubbornness from Dad."


    Alliyah chuckled at that. "Truth be told, with your heritage? If you didn''t come out as stubborn as stone, it would have been the meddling of a deity." Trillia sat next to the door, not wanting to interrupt.


    "In any case, more and more reports were coming in that the Angel of Mercy was going around and just singing for people. This wasn''t that long after the wars had ended. So loss was heavy on everyone''s minds. They tried to pay her, and she always politely declined and told them to use it to help fix up a church or orphanage. That she was a proud Kadessian citizen who was just doing her part to help."


    "Needless to say, when I heard about that, I sent for her. She stepped into the throne room. There were a dozen other nobles there. The Generals were all out trying to tame the rampant wild lands that were still spawning creatures. I was stuck in Kadessa trying to rebuild a dying empire. This little minotaur, who was only in her early teens, stood before me. Oh, she put on a brave face, but I could see that she was nervous."


    Alliyah closed her eyes with a happy sigh as she leaned back. "I asked her if she''d be willing to write and sing me a song for all the people I had lost. She agreed. She didn''t ask for a reward or a position. It was foolish, really. But she knew how heavy the price had been for the peace she enjoyed. I asked her what she wanted, and her response was the same to the Queen of Kadessa as it was to the simple sailor."


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    The Queen wiped a tear from her own eye. "Your Majesty. All I''d ask is that you help the Church of Mercy with food. You see, we don''t have much. So some of the young boys have been sneaking out into the wilderness to try and hunt beast parts to sell. I''m worried they are going to get hurt."


    The Queen sniffled and shook her head. "Silly little thing didn''t have a care in the world for her own position or self. Well, she finally returned with her song. I asked her to perform it privately for me. I hadn''t cried so hard in all my life. I ordered the Captain of the guard at the time to offer every single person in every single orphanage and church the chance to learn how to fight. To learn how to earn some more money for their little rag-tag families. I went down to the docks and spoke with the Captain of the ships myself and asked if they could manage more food, told them that the Church of Mercy was struggling to feed all the war orphans."


    Alliyah opened her eyes finally with a smile. "They all asked if that was the same church that the little angel was from. When I said yes, every sailor in the port offered to pull a few extra shifts fishing in fishing boats for free."


    Amelia and Trillia both had tears in their own eyes at this point. "Sometimes, I think the gods saw fit to give us all a beacon of hope in the form of a minotaur girl who had lost everything. I made sure the orphanages and churches of Kadessa were well taken care of. It became an unspoken law of the land that anyone who hurt them wound up on my bad side."


    "I asked Maeve to take on a position as a court musician. The deal she struck was that she''d be in the throne room for important meetings or big parties. But otherwise, she''d be allowed to continue going around the city and playing music."


    "It was a few decades after this that she had seen that idiot one day." Alliyah smiled as she motioned to Cordaos, who couldn''t bring himself to look at the two or even open his eyes.


    "She was instantly smitten. It was the first time in our relationship I remembered questioning her intelligence." Alliyah grinned as she poked fun at Cordaos.


    "But I didn''t think he was in any state to fall in love. Truth be told...none of us were. We all drank and fought like infernals for years after the war. We were slaves who had no idea how to cope. Kain did his best. Traded in favors and used as much of his power as he was allowed to give us peaceful dreams and let us see our friends. But reality crushed us every morning when we woke up."


    "Anyway, at one point, she asked me to introduce her. I told her the reality of us. Despite being hailed as heroes, most of us were broken wrecks, barely hanging on. She smiled and kissed the top of my head. Told me that hope could never die as long as one person had it."


    Alliyah leaned back, staring up at the ceiling. "Some days, her bright and positive outlook infuriated me. Not that I''d ever tell her or show her. Most days...most days I was just happy to bask in her delight. She came up with an utterly idiotic idea. Maeve knew how much we all cared about Kain and how seriously we took his missions. So, being the fearless little thing that she was, she approached Kain himself one day when he was in the throne room. It was unheard of for anyone to approach him unless he beckoned them."


    Cordaos sniffled but finally spoke up. "She used to do it all the time at God''s Watch. He''d visit often, and she would always smile and treat him like any other person. I think it was why he favored her so much." He hadn''t turned to look at them. The hurt was all too real for him right now.


    Alliyah nodded and continued. "She approached the second axle of our universe. Someone who could cripple dragons if he let out any of his true power and aura. Tapped him on the shoulder to get his attention, not that it was needed. Kain already knew she was there, and knew what she was going to ask ahead of time. Still, he humored her and turned around."


    "Forgive me, Lord Darktone. I was wondering if you''d help me with something. It''s to help one of your generals."


    "Kain came up with some manuscript or something about golems. Wrapped it up in a box that could only be opened on the completion of a geas so that it seemed legit."


    Amelia grinned. "That''s when you gave Dad the mission to escort her up to Kincairne?"


    Alliyah nodded. "Yup. I was sad to see her go, but when I got word that the two of them had grown close...my heart soared. That''s shortly before the nobles started making a fuss about the Generals being loud, angry, and somewhat destructive. But that''s a shitty unhappy story I can share another time."


    Alliyah stood and grabbed a bottle of wine, walking over to the balcony and kissing Cord on the side of his head. Even sitting down, he was the same height as her. "You know she''d hate to see you like this, big guy. Be proud of the amazing daughter you''ve raised, and take heart in knowing that you''ll see her again soon."


    Cordaos did his best to smile, glancing at Amelia and Trillia. "Were it not for trying to help them. I''d have already gone to her side. Some days, I just don''t have the strength to fight."


    Alliyah glanced at the two of them and gave a small hand motion.


    Amelia stood and took some of the music. "I''m gonna go sing this one to everyone else. I love you both. I''ll talk to you later."


    As she went to leave, she grabbed Trillia''s hand, and the two left the room. Alliyah had sat on the opposite end of the balcony, and the two had started talking about old times.


    Once they were outside the throne room, Amelia bowed to the guards and was smiling ear to ear. "Dad finds it really hard to talk about Mom. I can see why."


    Trillia nodded as she followed her friend to find the rest of their group. "I wish I could have met her."


    Amelia squeezed her hand, and her smile didn''t falter. "One day you will. When the gods can interact with us freely, I have no doubt that Lord Darktone will let us go and visit them in the hereafter. Until then. I''m going to be the hope everyone needs, just like she was."


    Trillia smiled.

 Chapter 147 Shop-Talk Part 1

    The two girls found their friends sitting in a courtyard overlooking the ocean. It was further down than their rooms had been, so the sound of waves lapping against the cliff face was soothing.


    Though, over the sounds of battle, it was difficult to hear them.


    The dragon-like wings from Amara''s armor spread behind her. Trillia could see the mana pulsing from them she wondered how much mana the wings used while active.


    Taz had flopped over on the smooth white stone.


    The creature''s chest heaved and fell with heavy breaths. While the Gryphon had been faster than Amara, it didn''t have nearly the amount of stamina she did.


    Simon sat next to his loyal companion with a waterskin tipped up to his mouth.


    Stas and Amara were playing tag in the air, and it was absolutely the most deadly game that Trillia had ever seen. Neither of them shied away from using magic and weapons to keep the other at bay.


    There was more than a little blood staining the stones beneath them. But both seemed to be laughing and having a blast.


    Trillia hoped that she and her friends never got to that level of insanity.


    Amelia and Layla were going over Maeve''s sheet music, turned out that Layla had a lovely voice and knew how to sing. Apparently, the Church that she was raised in taught all of the children how to sing.


    Trillia was genuinely happy to lean against a pillar and watch it all. There was a soft nagging in the back of her mind that she should be training, but the serenity of the scene was what Trillia wanted out of life. No realm-ending threat looming, just her, her friends, and her family training and enjoying themselves.


    -=====-


    The days flew by, a week later, and the group was doing far less relaxing and far more training. Trillia knelt on the edge of the courtyard and was currently dry heaving over the edge, sweat poured from her head. She had thought Zymeth and his training was brutal. She had not realized how much the Professor''s passive healing realm did to alleviate it.


    Cordaos kept snickering as he looked at the five young fighters. All of them were beyond exhausted. "Goodness, you asked us to not go easy on you, and we''ve already had to lower the difficulty several times. All bark, no bite, I guess."


    The group had no energy left to argue, which Trillia guessed proved his point. Amara walked by and set jugs of water near them. "Make sure you fill up on water, even if you don''t want to. You can get some nasty debuffs if you pass out because you didn''t drink enough."


    Brutus sat on the railing near them, cleaning his weapons. He had been the primary person that Trillia had been training with. The man was terrifying with a rapier in his hand.


    Trillia would almost rather stand before the Eldritch. They at least seemed mostly mindless.


    Brutus knew how terrifying he was.


    "By all the gods. How are none of you tired?" Layla whimpered as she slid down and lay on the semi-cool stones.


    Amara chuckled and softly pat Layla''s back, gently running her hand on the girl''s back. "I used about a tenth of my Stamina. We''re old, little one."


    "Ha! Speak for yourself, hag." Alliyah''s voice brought a deep sense of comfort and relief to the exhausted group.


    Stas snickered. "Aren''t you the oldest he-" A loud explosion silenced the goblin. Trillia didn''t see where the attack had originated from, but she could guess.


    Alliyah walked over, and Trillia felt a pulse of mana. Her exhaustion vanished, and her Stamina was full.


    "No...oh gods, please, no more." Layla whimpered and knew what was coming.


    Alliyah giggled. "It is easier for me to do area healing. It takes a lot more focus to do single-target healing. The only one who is getting more training right now is Trillia."


    Damnit.


    Trillia dragged herself to a standing position. Her Health, Mana, and Stamina were all full. But her muscles were still sore. "Why doesn''t healing magic take away all the pain and soreness? It feels like it should."


    Alliyah raised a finger and waggled it at Trillia. Trillia had to pause as she saw the woman standing there dressed in a short leather skirt and a form-fitting blouse. The Staff hovered behind her, and a saber sat on her hip. "It''s intentional. Muscle is built by being broken down over and over again as it grows back stronger each time. If Healing magic took all of it away, you''d see very, very little progress."


    Trillia took a deep breath that somehow hurt and trudged forward with her rapier in hand. Leaf and the Shield rattled and dragged themselves after her. Apparently, despite being an item, Leaf was also exhausted. Its own mana reserves had been emptied a dozen times over the course of the day.


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    "No need for weapons. I brought mine just in case anyone wanted a non-magical sparring session. While you will eventually be a terrifying martial combatant, your primary place on the battlefield is going to be a caster."


    Trillia wanted to grumble as she was reminded of Storm''s barb about playing at being a warrior. Alliyah appeared in front of her. A finger pushed against Trillia''s nose. "Don''t think of it as you are a weak warrior. I know how much pride you orcs have. Ask this group who the best martial fighter is in our group."


    Alliyah waited but pulled her finger away. Trillia looked over at Amara and Brutus. Both laughed and pointed to Alliyah. Brutus was the one to speak. "She has us beat by over a thousand levels, and that''s just as a Divine Human. It''s probably several times worse than that in reality."


    Trillia seemed puzzled at that and looked back at Alliyah. "Do levels really make that big of a difference?"


    Alliyah paused, one hand on her hip, the other cradling her chin. "What do you think my Presence is?"


    All of the younglings were leaning against the railing and looking at the Queen now. None of them answered.


    "Will all of my buffs active, it''s about ninety-five thousand. If Kain''s power can reach the realm, it gets boosted by a further seventy-five percent. With all of my traits, passives, and mastered abilities. It counts as nearly half a million against Dragons and Leviathans."


    Trillia squinted her eyes at the petite woman standing before her. She hadn''t wanted to say anything, but the Queen was the same height as Trillia. "Is Presence your highest stat?"


    Alliyah nodded. "Not by much. It''s probably twenty thousand higher than my other stats. Keeping balanced stats is how I prefer to do things. Cordaos doesn''t actively raise his Agility. Amara doesn''t actively raise her Presence or her Intuition. Stas doesn''t actively raise his Strength or Vitality."


    Trillia looked at each of them in turn, realizing she was done. It meant that Brutus probably kept an even stat spread. "Can I ask a question?"


    Alliyah nodded.


    "A lot of people have said humans don''t really have a lot of racial abilities. Is that true for you?"


    "That is a very, very good question." Alliyah smiled. "Go ahead and sit down. We''ll do some magic training soon. But perhaps explaining how evolution works might be beneficial. You''ve already undergone a few of them."


    Trillia was happy to sit back down. Stas motioned to the door leading further in. "I''ll go and whip up some food while you educate. I think of everyone here, I least need this discussion."


    Alliyah smiled and nodded. "You probably know more about evolution and how species work than I do, Stas. But I''d love some food bring some wine as well."


    The goblin nodded and skittered away.


    "So the most troublesome part of evolution, from a combat standpoint, is that you register as a fresh Level Zero to anyone scanning you. Also, if you have any traits or skills that utilize your Species level, they will be significantly weaker. As some of you may have figured out by now, a new evolution can also lead to new racial skills."


    Amelia and Trillia both nodded. The others did not. Alliyah took note and continued. "I am a Divine Human, in addition to the normal human racial abilities that give me more experience, a lower experience penalty for mastered classes, and having more slots to Mentor from. I also receive a seventy-five percent boost from my divine pact instead of the usual fifty. Any creature that is pact-bound to me also receives that boost. I am immune to any deific debuff that does not come from a creature with a higher divine rank than my patron."


    Layla raised a hand, Alliyah motioned to her. "Wouldn''t that mean you''re immune to everyone? Isn''t your patron an axle?"


    "Yes and no. It''s true that Kain is an axle. But I still suffer from the same debuff the rest of the realm does. There are several entities that exist that are stronger than he is or that outrank him. It does mean that I don''t have to worry about most issues, though." Alliyah looked to her own group. "Anyone else care to share?"


    Amara stood and walked over to stand in front of the group. "First. Scan me with my defensive magic in place."


    Trillia happily did so.


    [Orc - Grand Chieftain - 773] Fire Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Pact-Bonded [2nd Axle]


    Demon Blood [Lord of Rage]


    Divine Spark [2nd Axle]


    Rage of Mortality


    Vengeance of Mortality


    ...


    The group seemed puzzled. "You''re just a normal orc?" Trillia spoke the question. Amara smirked.


    "Now, let me lower my defensive magic. Try again."


    [Infernal Orc - Grand Chieftain - 1227] Infernal Mana Manipulation


    Notable Traits:


    Pact-Bonded [2nd Axle]


    Demon Blood [Lord of Rage]


    Divine Spark [2nd Axle]


    Rage of Mortality


    Vengeance of Mortality


    Dragon Eater


    Primordial Mind


    ...


    "How can you block our scanning abilities so easily? I understand the level difference, but you changed so much."


    Brutus was the one to speak up about that. "It''s part of our pact. We can make our status say anything we want when anything other than a deity scans us. It''s good for fitting in and not terrifying people more than we already do."


    "Right. As an Infernal Orc, my racial abilities have evolved. Instead of the usual double boost to Brawn, I get that as well as my Agility and Wisdom added to it. My Health and Stamina are multiplied by a hundred instead of ten. I am immune to both Fire and Dark mana, and I deal triple damage to any creature that hails from the bands of Celestia."


    Trillia tried to do some mental math and was quickly realizing just how durable her Mother was. Cordaos spoke but didn''t stand. "My Charisma is derived from all of my stats. I have another derived stat on my status page called Endurance. It is a combination of all of my stats minus my Agility. It''s why I avoid raising my Agility if I can at all help it. My Health and Stamina are equal to my Endurance multiplied by fifty."


    Amelia seemed most surprised by that. Trillia raised a hand, Alliyah motioned. "I didn''t know there were things that could actively use a stat against you. Is that common?"


    Alliyah nodded. "It is, yes. At least as you get to higher levels. One of the traits I have makes it so that my mana regen takes into account the lowest of all of my base stats. It''s why I try to keep them so close to one another. Usually, these traits have really good upsides to help offset the downside. You can also Master your Species."


    That got the group''s attention once again. "If you hit level one-thousand, you can forcefully evolve one of your racial traits. It''s not easy to do with the base traits. I''ve never chosen one of my species evolutions. They have all been forced on me."


    The others nodded. Stas returned with Thea, who put a bunch of food out on a table. The poor elven girl seemed utterly terrified. Alliyah walked over with a smile. "Thank you, Thea. We''re talking about evolution and may do some magic training. You''re free to stay and learn if you''d like."


    That seemed to terrify her even more. The girl''s eyes scanned the group and lingered on Simon. Determination was etched into her face. "I would be honored, Your Majesty."

 Chapter 148 Shop-Talk Part 2

    An hour later the younger generation all stared at the ground rather ashamed.


    Alliyah stood at the edge of the courtyard, looking out over the ocean and the steep drop. "Don''t look so gloomy. It''s my failing as a teacher. I''m not used to trying to teach people who are at such low levels."


    "Forgive my insolence, Your Majesty." Alliyah turned to glare at Amara, whose voice was positively dripping with sarcasm. "Perhaps teach them the basics of something with structure?"


    "Amara, I am sure they all know the basics. They are into their low hundreds."


    The group looked between the two war heroes. Alliyah paused as she looked over at them. "How many of you have crafted Runes?"


    Malor and Amelia raised their hands.


    Trillia sort of had, kind of? She also raised her hand slowly. "Of course. The Minotaurs and the orc." Alliyah lamented.


    "Stas. Do you have some high-quality explosive runes?"


    Stas wordlessly walked over to the table and pulled a bag out of thin air. "There''s about a hundred in there. Hey Cow, want to fish me up some good stone for making more?"


    "Sure, sprout. We can listen to another glorious lecture." Cordaos chuckled as he walked over and sat near a wall. Trillia could feel a large pulse of mana spread out under him. Stas sat next to the minotaur king.


    Cordaos would pulse mana and hand over a small ball of white stone. Stas would take it and slowly carve into it with his mana. Alliyah clapped her hands and motioned to the group. "Ok. Everyone take a seat." The trainees sat in front of her and waited. Even the pact-bound beasts were happy to sit and listen to the Queen speak.


    Alliyah produced a familiar-looking mug from a pouch at her hip. "Have you all seen something like this before? If so, what is it?"


    Amelia raised a hand before speaking. "Dad has one as well. He calls it a travel mug. It''s a rune work item that uses runesmithing and crafted runes to create water when mana is poured into the item."


    "Correct. Do you need a specific type of mana to use it?"


    This time, Trillia raised her hand. She remembered a conversation she had years ago. "No. But the type of mana you have might change the contents of the mug."


    "Also correct. There is more to it, though. Let''s say you''re a child and only have a hundred mana. Someone born with water mana manipulation could fill this mug several times with a single point of mana. In part, it''s because their mana synergizes with the runes. The other part is this particular mug is a lesser artifact and is extraordinarily well made. What information can you glean from those two statements?"


    The answer seemed obvious, but that also felt like they were missing the point. After a moment, Simon raised a hand. "Uhhh... That the better the crafting is on the item, the more mana efficient it is?"


    Alliyah thought about that for a moment. "Half correct."


    Trillia watched as mana flowed from the Queen, and the mug slowly floated toward Simon. "Why is it more mana efficient? What about the quality of this item makes it mana-efficient? Runes are runes, are they not?"


    That stumped the group again. Simon took the mug and turned it over in his hands, looking at each rune in turn. After he was done, he passed it down the line. The Queen was happy to wait and watch the cogs turn in their heads.


    "It''s like an enchantment." Malor finally spoke up after taking the mug for a second time. The group turned to look at him. "All of us could carve the exact same enchantment onto identical pieces of stone. But mine would probably be several times more durable because I inherently understand enchanting better, and so the intent I carve into the enchantment with my mana is more stable. It''s the same for runes."


    "Correct. Now, for this reason, I asked Stas for some of his explosive runes. We get to do something fun."


    Alliyah snapped her fingers, and the mug vanished. Reaching over into the bag, she pulled out a bunch of perfectly round white balls with a tiny rune etched into each. They seemed identical.


    Alliyah approached them and set a rune in front of each in turn. "Don''t touch them yet."


    Trillia stared at the little ball before her.


    It was odd. There was no mana coming off of it at all. Trillia felt her mana dip slightly as Alliyah no doubt scanned them all. "Oh, good. Frederick, come here, bring your rune."


    Fred seemed nervous but stood and carefully picked up the rune before walking over to stand next to Alliyah. "Your Temper manipulation is based on heat and pressure mana, correct?"


    That caught the boy off guard. "Y...yeah. How did you know what it takes to make it?"


    Amara spoke up from her position laying near the edge of the courtyard and twirling her dagger. "The Queen has probably a hundred different types of mana manipulation. She is humble and won''t tell you, but you should trust her word when it comes to magic as much as you would a deity."


    "That is foolish. A deity of magic, even a young one, knows more than I could ever hope to know in this mortal form. Perhaps when I ascend, that will change. Regardless, I am well-studied and well-researched. Now, I want you to do me a favor, Frederick."


    She walked over and poked Amara with her foot. "Give me some spare weapons."


    Amara rolled her eyes, and a half dozen small daggers appeared. The Queen snatched them up with her mana and floated them over next to Fred.


    Taking each dagger, she ran her fingers along their edges and blunted the sharpness.


    "You do crafting, right?" Fred nodded.


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    "Good. I want you to envision sharpening these weapons. I want you to think carefully about the steps and intent that goes into sharpening a dagger. I want you to channel that exact intent into that explosive rune in your hand. What is your maximum mana?"


    "Around four thousand."


    "Use two hundred mana on this rune with the intent I''ve given you."


    She stood in front of him, the two surrounded by daggers.


    Gently, she took one of his hands and placed it over the other that held the rune. "Sharpness. Tempering. An edged weapon. Carefully think of your intent, take your time, and do not rush. When you''re ready."


    Fred seemed even more nervous with her holding his hands, but the poor lad did his best not to show it. Instead, he closed his eyes and thought. A few minutes went by, and Trillia watched a tiny fleck of mana flow into his hands.


    A low thwump was heard, but no one saw anything actually happen.


    "Good job. Now look down at the daggers."


    Fred opened his eyes and looked down. As the rest of the group did, the blunted and dull edges were sharp again. Fred pulled his hands away as the dust of the rune hit the ground. He kneeled and lifted one of the blades. "What? I didn''t target the blades."


    "Good job, go sit down. Layla, come here and bring your rune."


    Layla stood with her rune and walked over, staring down at the blades in wonder. "You have Light mana manipulation, in addition to being a Universal manipulator like me. How much experience do you have with your Light based mana?"


    Layla turned her gaze from the daggers to the queen. "Not much, forgive me. I have only recently picked it up when I was running undead dungeons. Because I am a divine class, my light-based mana hurts the undead."


    Alliyah probably knew all of that but patiently listened with a smile and a nod. "That''s good. Perfect for this, actually." Once more, she took the student''s hand in front of her.


    "I want you to imagine the sun in the sky. I want you to imagine a lantern on a dark night, fighting against a storm. I want you to imagine washing all of the purities of this realm away in that light."


    You''ve been afflicted with [Majesty''s Might]!


    You will lose 1% of your health, mana, and stamina per second!


    Trillia and the others blinked at the notification but said nothing. Layla had already closed her eyes and was concentrating on the intent. "Maximum mana?"


    "Twelve thousand."


    "Use fifty."


    Layla took a deep breath and fell into concentration. Trillia watched as orange and gold motes of mana floated around the woman and slowly drifted into the rune in her hands. An explosion of light washed over the courtyard, and the debuff that Trillia had been afflicted with vanished.


    Layla opened her eyes and stared at her hands, which were wrapped in the Queen''s. "That was an area-cleansing ability?"


    Stas spoke up from the side. "Also a rather potent debuff to undead and abominations. Were I not so high above you in levels, it would have hit even me."


    Layla blinked in even more surprise the dust of the rune filtered between their hands.


    "Go sit down, good job. Malor, Amelia. Come."


    The two glanced at each other but stood and walked over to stand in front of her. "You two are an item." She waved her hand as the two began to get bashful. "Please don''t hide it, I''m happy for you both. The reason I bring it up, is that the connection you share can be used in battle. Malor, you have a rather interesting manipulation type called Meld. Explain it to your friends."


    Malor also seemed a bit surprised but spoke regardless. "It is something I created while working with Lord Arlyss. It is based on Earth and Shaper mana. I...I don''t actually know how to use it well yet. It doesn''t take to anything well."


    "Good...good. That''s even better, actually. Amelia, you have sound and vibration mana. The two of you are going to use a combination on this rune. I will walk you through it." She grabbed their hands and placed them near one another. Each held their own rune.


    Trillia blinked at the non-explanation that Malor had given, confused about the mana type.


    "Malor. I want you to envision a tornado in your mind. Just the shape. Imagine that it is made out of your mana. Imagine that it can support all of your dreams and desires. Imagine it expanding into eternity and solidifying as reality."


    Malor took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Maximum mana?"


    "Eight thousand."


    "Hmmm... Let''s go for something grand. Use a thousand mana."


    Malor nodded. "Wait for my signal. Amelia, I want you to imagine the feeling of drums in your chest. I want you to imagine the melody of a harp and the vibration of your own voice when you sing. I want you to imagine your voice stretching out with Malor''s hopes and dreams. His aspirations. The future the two of you want to build together. Mana?"


    "Six thousand."


    "Use half."


    The two minotaurs looked at each other before closing their hands together as instructed.


    A few seconds ticked by.


    Alliyah gently tapped Malor''s shoulder. A second later, she tapped Amelia. As mana surged from the two, it exploded up and out.


    Trillia sat staring up in wonder. The mana had crystalized in a tornado of colors, each pulsing gently in the air, waiting to be disturbed. A thousand colors sparkled around the courtyard as the crystallized mana bounced light off the sun.


    "It''s beautiful." Malor whispered as he stared up at what he and Amelia had created.


    "Now imagine every single obstacle the two of you have faced. Imagine every hardship. Imagine everything that has been taken from you. Focus all of that rage at Brutus. Pretend that he is all that will stop you from achieving this beauty."


    The two blinked in surprise but closed their eyes, taking a deep breath. Trillia watched as the air and mana built tension. A low, angry hum sounded from the beautiful shards of crystallized mana.


    Brutus stood and lifted a cloak in front of him. A second later, a cacophany of shattering sounds split around the tornado of crystals and launched them at Brutus. Most of the crystals were dashed against his cloak. A few managed to cut into the fabric.


    A moment of silence hung in the courtyard before Cordaos clapped. "Well done! That''s a very good combination attack for a first attempt."


    The two stared at the cuts in Brutus'' cloak as the dust of the rune filtered between fingers and hit the ground.


    "Go sit down. You both did a good job. Simon, Thea, you are next."


    Trillia was last, and that was fine with her. She stared at the rune in front of her that was identical to all the others and wondered what the trick was.


    "Thea, you have wind mana manipulation. Simon, you have explosive mana, just like your father."


    The two nodded. "Simon, your job is going to be the hardest demonstration to pull off. Your Father''s mana can be turbulent and demanding. Your will must temper the mana. You must show it that you are in command. If you give it even the tiniest room for error, it will pounce and devour. You have felt Thea''s wind magic before, on some of your many late-night trips flying with her and Taz, have you not?"


    Thea went red in the face, and Simon looked as if he was going to drop dead on the spot. "Yes...Your Majesty." The goblin managed to get out with a whisper.


    Alliyah seemed entirely unbothered. "I want you to imagine your mana expanding throughout this entire courtyard. I want you to imagine the freedom of the sky. What it feels like when you enter a free fall just under the clouds. The feeling of pulling up centimeters from the ocean and feeling the spray of cool water on your skin. I want you to imagine the wind on your face as you fly with her."


    Simon did his best to regain his composure before closing his eyes. "Use a hundred mana."


    "Thea. I want you to imagine the feeling of flight. I want you to imagine what it is like to be free in the skies and see the world laid before your feet. I want you to wrap you and Simon in wind to protect yourselves from the storms of this world. Use a thousand mana."


    Thea nodded, and she and Simon joined hands. After another few seconds of getting the feeling for their intent, Alliyah tapped each on the shoulder. A whirlwind whipped around the two of them and launched them up into the air.


    Taz was startled and moved to jump up to save his master. Alliyah motioned, and the Gryphon found itself unable to move.


    Thea''s shriek hit their ears, and Trillia felt a small pang of fear creep in. None of the adults seemed worried at all.


    Simon quickly wrapped his arms around Thea as his wings came out, and the two slowly drifted to the ground. Trillia could see their hearts thumping in their chests.


    "Sit. Well done. Trillia."


    Trillia reached out to grab her rune. She stood and walked to stand in front of the Queen, who wore a warm smile.