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A Fate Set in Stone (On Hold)
Chapter 7 - Making Friends

Chapter 7 - Making Friends

Battle ReportYou have slain the following:1x Toxic Cave Lizard Lvl 7

1x Toxic Lizard Queen Lvl 12 (Elite)

Feat accomplished.For defeating the Toxic Lizard Queen, you've received a new skill.Acid Resistance (Passive)Take 50% less damage from acids.

*Bloop!*

Congratulations!Your level in Earth Magic has increased to level 8!Intelligence +2

Wisdom +1

Congratulations!Your level in Assimilation has increased to level 7!Vitality +4

 Strength +2

Congratulations!Your level in Masonry has increased to level 3!Dexterity +4

 Wisdom +2

*Bloop!*

Congratulations!You have reached level 6!+10 Unused stat points.

'Hmm... a few points here... a couple there... aaaand all good to go!'

Status InformationNameJedAge23RaceLesser Earth ElementalGenderN/ALevel6

ClassN/AHealth340/340Mana400/400Strength40Agility15Vitality34Dexterity19Intelligence30Wisdom40

'Skills'

*Bloop!*

Skill InformationSkill NameSkill EffectHeart of Mana (Passive)Stamina replaced with mana.Soul of Mana (Passive)Grants exponentially increased mana regen.Enchanted Eyes (Passive)Grants the sense of sight through magic.Enchanted Ears (Passive)Grants the sense of hearing through magic.Acid Resistance (Passive)Take 50% less damage from acids.Earth Magic (Active) Lvl 8Allows use of earth infused mana.Assimilation (Active) Lvl 7Consume nearby earth to restore health.Masonry (Active) Lvl 3The art of shaping or building with stone.

'I've made some pretty good progress inside of this cave, I think it's finally time to get the hell out of here before I forget what the sky looks like.'

Jed sets off down the tunnel, all the while retracing the path he'd previously taken inside his head. It only takes a little over an hour before the expansive cavern, where he'd had his first run in with bats, comes into view. This time he quietly makes his way across the room, avoiding any action he thinks would startle the bat swarm and cause a repeat of what had gotten him stuck in this mess in the first place.

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At the far end of the tunnel he can see strands of light breaking up the darkness. He knows it must be the mouth of the cave and quickly picks up his pace, sprinting as fast as his tiny legs will carry him, over toward the long-lost rays of the sun. Stepping through the exit, he's surprised at how quickly his eyes adjust after being underground for so much time. Truly, magical vision is the way of the future.

Jed wishes he could shed muddy tears of happiness at this wonderful sight. The bright blue sky, filled with the occasional fluffy cloud, rests high above a lush forest of actual trees. No more of the stupid asparagus plants, he couldn't be in a better mood. Past the forest, he can make out a dirt road connecting it to a town which sits nestled again a couple rolling hills.

Further investigation reveals that the mouth of the cave sits atop a small section of cliffs, from which a rocky trail descends all the way down to the closest edge of the forest. With a skip in his step, he makes his way down the path, whistling a tune which sounds more like a malfunctioning trash compactor.

At that moment, something unexpected causes him to stop in his tracks and go silent. Jed hears voices coming from around the corner, further down the trail. They sound too far away for him to be able to make out complete words and he has no way to tell if they are a potential ally or enemy.

'I want to talk to people so badly but I have no idea what reaction they'd have to my current state.'

His eyes tilt downward to scan over his stone exterior, making him hesitant to approach them. Seeing nowhere to hide other than back inside the cave, Jed makes his choice.

'Fuck it, I decided to leave the damn cave and that's what I'm going to do.'

He drags a chunk of rock over to the middle of the pathway and plops down on top of it as if it were a chair. Making himself comfy, Jed leans back and awaits whoever they are. The voices starts to become clearer as they approach and finally he can make out what they're saying.

"Relax man, I come here all the time for easy leveling. Nothing but weak monsters like rats and things live around these parts, there are also a few venomous lizards but that's why we brought George over there." (Male Voice 1)

"You guys only want me for my heals, my feelings are hurt!" (Probably George) says in an obviously sarcastic manner.

"Heh. Well you better hurry up and level so you learn a spell that cures feelings. Just kidding, we couldn't make it without you, especially since a certain somebody won't stop standing in the fucking fire." (Female Voice)

"...Come on that was one time! You know it was an accident, plus it's been weeks. When are you going to stop bringing it up?" (Male Voice 1)

"Probably once you stop getting tunnel vision and actually keep things off of me long enough to cast a spell." (Male Voice 2)

"It's not my fault that you're a shitty mage and can't pronounce your chants correctly. Why the hell did you even choose that class when you have dyslexia?" (Male Voice1)

"You're just jealous that you have no magic talent and can't blow shit up with fire like I can." (Male Voice 2)

"You take that back before I-... the fuck?" (Male Voice 1)

The four nooby adventurers come to a halt just after they round the corner, all of them staring wide-eyed at the short elemental that is currently waving in their direction. The group consists of a tall, bulky looking man wearing rusted armor and holding what looks like a crude two-handed axe made of iron, a lanky youth in gray robes with a poorly cut wooden staff, a woman in plain clothes with a bow and quiver strapped to her back, and finally a dark-haired guy with a club and cross-shaped necklace bringing up the rear.

"..Hull...oh..." grumbles Jed as he stops waving and attempts to greet the newcomers.

Several jaws drop and they all look back and forth at each other. After they take a moment to get over the shock, the four of them begin whispers things under their breath.

"That thing just spoke! You all heard it, since when has anyone known of talking rock people?" (Probably George)

"Yeah, it's weird... maybe it's an elite monster of some kind. Should we kill it?" (Female Voice)

"I don't know, I've been here before but never seen anything like it." (Male Voice 1)

"No no, don't kill it. It looks like a mini version of an earth elemental, I've read a few things about them in one of my spell books. It said nothing about them talking, only things about summoning them or making familiar contracts. I bet it is some kind of rare version, we should catch it and try to sell it to some rich person at the magic academy." (Male Voice 2)

Jed stares at them in confusion until the group suddenly all nod to each other and ready their weapons. They stare at him with determination and the big guy steps out in front of them, while the archer and mage fan out to either side. Jed hops off of his rock as they slowly approach and readies himself for combat, sighing internally.