Valerie and Samantha stood outside a non-descript shack in the middle of Adventure Town the only notable feature being a steady stream of multicoloured smoke rising from a chimney. People milled about avoiding the pair thanks to Samantha’s aura and made no attempts to approach or enter the building. Valerie scowled at the shack, then the map Albert had drawn up on a napkin, then back to the shack.
“Smitty’s Smiths?”
She read the name from the dangerously dangling sign that hung out front and appeared to be one bad gust of wind away from falling off right into a lawsuit. This was the magical place they could re-forge themselves and gain a class? It was a dump, the huntress concluded. Albert told them as they made to set off, that classes were a highly personal preference and as such it wasn’t a lucrative service. Within the entire Gentile Kingdom the only place to receive a class was Smitty’s but from the look of the business the only class they would getting is a lesson on how to get mugged. Samantha, as always, boldly walked into the establishment not considering the down sides. When her friend failed to reappear, Valerie walked in after her only to be taken completely by surprise at the building’s interior.
The inside of Smitty’s was a large and cluttered mess of brass pipes with steam erupting from all sorts of valves and hastily welded additions that looked to be on the verge of snapping at any second. It gave the huntress the impression of a nervous system with all the pipes feeding into the back of the shop hidden behind a wall with a single chipped paint door. In front of this door was a receptionist with her feet kicked up onto a desk as she read a magazine. She looked about Valerie’s age with short hair dyed in a rainbow of colours that shined like polished metal. She was beset with piercings like she took a live grenade to the face while tattoos ran down her forehead and disappeared under her clothes. Her outfit comprised of a dirty white shirt under overalls that shared alot in common with Samantha’s rag cloak after being burned to cinders. The receptionist looked up over her magazine, rolled her eyes then stood up with a huff.
“Welcome to Smitty’s Smiths, my names Becky, how can I help you today?”
Becky introduced in a tone that could outmatch Margaretta for unenthusiastic and ‘kill me now’ energy. What was it about being a receptionist that attracted the least friendly people? Or what was it about being a receptionist that turned people into this? Valerie decided, if she could avoid it, she would never turn to receptionist work if they were strapped for cash.
“We’re uh here about getting a class?”
The huntress stated stepping towards the desk. Becky let out an annoyed groan that ran on for a solid ten seconds before she took a breath and then repeated the groan.
“Uuuuuuuuuugh Fine.”
The teenage receptionist stated, stalking off down a set of basement stairs neither adventurer could see from behind the desk. From the depths they heard a series of crashes, bangs, glass shattering, horns going off, and the bleat of a sheep. While they waited, Valerie looked around the room again only now noticing it appeared far bigger than the outside, she was about to leave and double check when Becky strode back up. The receptionist lugged a ginormous leather-bound book with dust caking the exterior, she set it down on the desk eliciting a loud thud and shaking the pipes around them.
“Aspect?”
Becky enquired of Valerie.
“The knife and the hunt.”
Was her quick reply. Becky flipped through the pages that all seemed blank from where Valerie stood. She stopped on one page halfway through, flipped back a few more then turned to the back of the book. Finally, she stopped on the same exact page she began and turned the book around to face the duo.
“Here are your options, take your time, not like I have anything better I could be doing.”
The receptionist sarcastically stated as she plopped back into her seat and picked up the magazine again. Valerie stared at the blank page confused until words and images began to appear, the ink rising up onto the page. It was a list of all sorts of classes, colourfully illustrated drawings and a brief description written in a folksy script. The blurbs didn’t do a very good job of advertising the class and more often than not confused the pair.
“Hey uh Becky? Why are the classes written like… this?”
The receptionist glanced over her magazine and waved a lazy hand.
“Don’t ask me, I just work here. The boss man says it’s something to do with feelings more than statistics. A fisherman knows the best spot to cast his line by his gut above all else or something like that.”
So, they were supposed to base their decision on a hunch, outstanding customer service. Valerie and Samantha looked over the options, flipping pages to an outrageous number of choices. The classes didn’t just focus on the aspect itself but how you could use them or based on a persons build. There were classes tailored for humans, dwarves, beast man, elves and so on with numerous variations or specialties. There was one called ‘The Most Dangerous Chef’ who could use the knife and hunt aspects to cut down monsters in order to prepare them into incredible meals. It looked like one Joanne would appreciate but Valerie wasn’t interested in becoming a cook. Another was described as ‘The Bounty Hunter’ a person who focused on facing bigger and grander threats, the level of danger helping to empower the class. She almost picked that when another caught her attention. She didn’t know it was even possible but reading further she found the idea tantalizing. Turning the book back to Becky, Valerie pointed at her choice.
“This one, I’ll take The Trophy Hunter.”
From the vague details, it was a class that did not provide Valerie with an immediate increase in power but granted her the ability to take strength from monsters or so she believed. It had a colourful and barely explanatory description that went as follows.
Where others seek rewards and recognition, you desire only the blood and beating hearts of your prey. Feel their power, feel their strength and use it to gut more of their kind. Monsters killing monsters.
It wasn’t exactly cut and dry on what it did, but she liked the idea none the less. Becoming a monster wasn’t her goal but using a monster’s own tactics or power against it sounded fun. She imagined the look on that elf’s face if the two ever met again, Valerie would take her by surprise and snap the Gentle Sword in two. Becky looked at the class then gave the huntress a once over before snidely scoffing.
“Okay.”
Turning to Samantha, the receptionist momentarily lost her apathetic attitude.
“And what about yooooo-ho-ho-Wow, freaky.”
She looked the shadow user up and down without a hint of fear or any negative feelings whatsoever. It would seem she was unaffected by Samantha’s aura and actually appreciated it which boosted the owners mood a smidge.
“Hi, I’m Samantha, I have the aspect of chain and shadows.”
She announced puffing out her chest and feeling on top of the world for once.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
“Chain and… Shadow?”
Becky responded, confusion written across her face. She lifted the book and turned page after page from start to end looking for something. Failing to find her target, the receptionist disappeared back down the stairs reappearing shortly after with three more hefty books and poured over their contents. Valerie felt a bit cheated as she only had one book to go through, she was happy with her choice but knowing there was more available would have been nice. After several minutes of searching, Becky finally stopped flipping through books and turned an especially old tome with crumbling leather pages toward the pair.
“Here’s your option I guess.”
Like before the page appeared blank and then a single block of text appeared, no pictures or other classes. The two looked at the entry then each other utterly befuddled at the lack of options.
“The Deep Jailer?”
Samantha confusedly said. She read the description under her breath but found her voice began to rise as the lights in the room dimmed and her shadow grew longer.
When evil lurks that has sinned beyond redemption, you are the judge, jury and executioner. For men and monster to whom death is a reprieve you are their eternal doom. You are no demon, you are no curse, no blight, no foul villain, no salvation, you are the Deep Jailer. Lock evil within your heart and be forever vigilant.
Samantha stared at the words failing to notice the room return to normal. Looking up at Becky casually lounging in her chair she voiced her concerns.
“I don’t get it.”
The receptionist shrugged.
“Me neither, let me call my manager.”
Still seated she turned to the door at the back of the room and respectfully called for her employer.
“HEY SMIIIIITTY! GET OUT HERE WE HAVE CUSTOMERS!”
Valerie and Samantha stared at the door as a red glow that hadn’t been there a second ago emanated from the gaps growing in brightness and intensity. The handle slowly creaked and the door was flung open, a torrent of steam rushing out to obscure the other side. The adventurer pair braced themselves while trying to catch sight of Smitty emerging from the inferno of a room. When the steam finally died down no one stood in the door frame or so they thought. A high-pitched voice drew the pairs gaze to rest on a short man with a pointed red had and soot coated apron. He had a well-groomed if slightly singed beard that he stroked while looking up at Becky annoyance plain on his rosy red face.
“Well, what is it? Some of us are busy you know!”
The pair looked on with their mouths open at the unimaginably small man while Becky was unperturbed.
“Couple of losers want a class.”
She said while pointing in the direction of their customers. Smitty huffed and turned back to re-enter his workshop.
“Can’t get a good worker these days.”
He whispered under his breath before addressing the waiting customers.
“Awfully sorry but we aren’t accepting walk ins at the moment, you’ll need to set up an appointment with my lovely receptionist here and we’ll get back to you in four to five months.”
Just as he was about to slam the door shut Becky came to the rescue.
“You’ll wanna hear this one boss man, one of them has the aspect of Shadow.”
Smitty froze and craned his neck, his head turned unnaturally to gawk at the waiting pair.
“S-shadow?”
Like a starting gun had gone off, the tiny man moved in a flurry of activity, grabbing a step ladder from behind the desk and clambering up it to be just below eye level to his customers.
“Oh my, how could I be so rude. Yes, come in, come in. Rebecca grab some refreshments for our dear guests will you. Be useful for once. Now which one of you has the aspect of shadow?”
Smitty asked rapidly while his receptionist made no attempt to move and simply sat back to watch the show. Valerie waited for Samantha to speak up only to turn and realize the girl was pointing at her. Smacking her hand away, Valerie clarified their situation.
“She does, she has the aspect of Shadow and Chain.”
Smitty assessed Samantha also completely unaffected by her aura to the pairs mounting surprise.
“I see, I see. And the chain you said? An interesting combination, have you picked out your class.”
Becky coughed drawing her boss’s attention and pointed to the book. Smitty elatedly walked over climbing atop the book itself to view the contents, but a frown appeared on his face.
“One option? I haven’t seen that in centuries. The ‘Deep Jailer’? Bit of a flowery description. Hmmmm.”
He paced back and forth along the length of the desk while muttering theories and ideas. The pair of adventurers watched him for some time their eyes darting from left to right like they were seated at the worlds slowest tennis match. Eventually Samantha raised her hand and enquired of the business owner.
“Um Mr Smitty sir, what are you?”
Valerie was about to admonish her friend for the rude question when Smitty laughed haughtily.
“A good question, I am Smitty the Gnome Blacksmith. Master of metalwork, woodwork, leatherwork, and most importantly Class work. You could travel the four corners of the world and never find a better craftsman than myself.”
The gnome blacksmith paused awaiting applause only to be met with Samantha’s completely unfazed follow up.
“What’s a gnome?”
Becky saw her chance and jumped in.
“It’s a worse kind of dwarf.”
Her employer snapped his fingers and pointed angrily without looking in her direction.
“Better, we are a better version of dwarves. We share a distant ancestor but where dwarves are brutish oafs, we gnomes are refined and elegant.”
Clearly it was a touchy subject. Valerie interrupted Samantha as she was about to ask another dumb question and brought everyone back to the issue at hand.
“So, are we going to get a class or what?”
Smitty cooled his expression and readjusted his cap.
“Yes, yes, ofcourse anything for the Shadow user! …And I suppose you can get one too whatever your name is. Follow me.”
Valerie decided she didn’t like gnomes and preferred their much more friendly cousins. As the pair were led to the back they introduced themselves, Valerie’s name going in one ear and out the other while Smitty was all over Samantha. The room they entered reminded the duo of granny’s hot springs but without the soothing waters. Instead, they were inundated with suffocating heat and a putrid stench they could not escape from. In the centre sat a humongous forge that seemed to take up more space than was possible from the tiny shacks exterior and looked that much bigger with Smitty standing next to it. All the brass pipes from the previous room fed into here, transporting water and ejecting steam, though not very well given the condensation on everything. Clambering atop an anvil, Smitty requested to see the pairs weapons. Valerie presented her knife first much to the gnome’s annoyance. He gripped the weapon that was like a broadsword to him and inspected every nook and cranny.
“Old, not very well taken care of, an edge that couldn’t cut through air and just look at the handle! What have you been using this wonderful piece of history for?!”
Valerie felt called out, okay so maybe she didn’t replace the leather straps on the handles that often and perhaps she forgot to work on the edge every now and then, but it still worked. Smitty set the blade down while pointing a baleful glare upon Valerie. Next Samantha summoned a black chain from her own shadow for Smitty to fawn over. He inspected the black links, the skin across his little arms prickling from the odd feeling it gave him. His interest quickly faded however as he realized the article was entirely made of magic and while he could work with it having a base model was far easier. The gnome grabbed the end of the chain and set it upon his workbench before driving a nail through the gap in the last link securing it in place.
“You, Victoria, come here and pull on this will you?”
Smitty demanded annoying the huntress further. She walked over to the workbench and gripped onto Samantha’s shadow chain pulling it taut while ignoring the shiver down her spine. The gnome walked down the length of the chain until reaching Samantha’s shadow where he investigated the origin. Straining his eyes to look closely he could just make out the slight ripples within the shadow like the chain was emerging from a still pond of water.
“Interesting, not exactly a solid or a liquid but something non-Newtonian.”
Smitty analysed the shadow for several minutes while throwing out terms like sheer rate, viscosity and oobleck which completely went over both monster hunter’s heads. After spending far more time inspecting Samantha’s weapon than Valerie’s, Smitty rose up and walked back.
“It’s intriguing but I can’t say much until I see the real deal. There IS a real chain in there, yes?”
Samantha thought about it and walked over to Valerie while retracting the chain to keep it straight. Gripping the links alongside her friend she pulled, Valerie joining in on the effort. At first nothing happened as they pulled, the chain didn’t move an inch nor did the shadow connecting it. Summoning all her strength and focusing on the image of her chain, Samantha began to sweat while her eery aura fluctuated growing in intensity and disappearing in quick succession. A trickle of blood flowed from the shadow user’s nose as she let out a series of unladylike curses due to the exertion. The chain refused to budge until a creak began to leak out of the shadow and a rusted chain slowly emerged connected to the black links. They pulled until about ten links were exposed, Samantha looking sick from the effort. Smitty walked over and inspected the revealed weapon, his assessing gaze curious at the terrible state of the chain. It was the same series of links Samantha picked in the temple, she knew it was somewhere in her shadow but couldn’t ever find where she put it. Pulling at one of her chains was a gambit she didn’t know would work but felt it was worth a try. After a minute Smitty was satisfied and allowed the pair to let go, the rusted chain sinking back into darkness and the shadow one disappearing from reality. Samantha almost immediately toppled over and was caught by Valerie who helped her friend back to her feet. Smitty sat upon his workbench after returning Valerie’s knife. He pondered and planned working out kinks for how best to serve his customers. Rising to his full height, which meant the pair only slightly lifted their eyes, he addressed the room.
“Miss Trapper, you have brought me a fantastic challenge today. I would be honoured to work on establishing your class for you.”
Samantha could only offer up a weak thumbs up as her mind still felt like chunky soup.
“Victor, you are adequate, and I suppose I will help you as well.”
Valerie on the other hand was about to lay into the disrespectful gnome, thankfully she still needed to prop up the disorientated shadow user. Without a second’s hesitation, Smitty began listing of a series of requirements before he could work on their classes.
“I will need time to reconfigure my workshop for the task ahead and you two will be busy getting me materials. Miss Trapper, you fortunately will not require anything but to return here within a weeks’ time. Veronica, you will need more help than I could possibly provide but as for your weapon we will need five, no ten jars of monster blood. Preferably they will all be different monsters, but I can’t force you to be clever about it.”
Clapping his hands Smitty dropped to the floor and began sorting through his belongings. Valerie was getting tired of small men and monkeys disrespecting her but that was something she could resolve later. Right now, they needed to iron out one last issue.
“How much is this going to cost us?”
Smitty paused, considered it then threw the concern away altogether.
“Cost? Oh right money. Uh no cost. This is a new and exciting challenge, I don’t want it bogged down due to your poor money management.”
Valerie decided to ignore the last jab and accept the gracious almost insane offer. She didn’t know how much this would have cost them but if their track record was any indication, it would have been a rough few months to foot this bill. As they walked out of the shack, Samantha was draped atop her friend’s shoulder giving her time to ponder her strange power. Not the mechanics, implications or creepiness. After the benefits gained from Albert and now Smitty, she wondered just how marketable the Aspect of Shadow truly was.
“We’re rich.”
She numbly announced giving a half-hearted whoop of celebration.