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Book 1 - Chapter 1 - Part 5
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Alexandros spends nearly an entire day attempting to reach Furnar. Even though he isn’t entirely sure what he will find when he gets there, he knows it is important for him to go. Everything else he has ever known is gone, so the best thing he can do is seek answers and try to make things right. The entire time he walks, he can’t stop thinking about his parents and the life that is now lost. The loss of his parents cut deep, and he finds himself wishing for answers that he knows he will likely never get.
His eyes catch the sun as it begins its descent. Orange and yellow hues light up the sky. Knowing there is no way he will be able to reach Furnar by morning, he begins wandering around to try and find a safe place to rest for the night. When darkness threatens to consume the light, Alexandros runs out of time. Being exposed during the night isn’t safe. He remembers his mother and father telling him so years ago.
His chest tightens as he searches before coming across what looks like an old cave. Walking up to it, he can see dozens of symbols carved into the stone. Even though he has no idea what the symbols are for, he knows this is likely the best shelter he can find for the night. Gathering his courage, Alexandros steps forward before slipping into the cave.
Once he is inside, he looks around quickly for anything that could try to hurt him. “Hello! Is anyone here? Show yourself!” His voice comes out a little louder and more aggressive than he meant. “I am not here to hurt anyone; I just could use some help.”
He has no idea if his words will mean anything, but the thought of leaving things the way they are doesn’t feel right. When he hears no response, he wonders if he made a mistake. Just as he is about to try and gather some wood to make a fire, he hears a low growl from behind him. Alexandros spins around and comes face to face with a massive wolf. His eyes widen, and he draws his sword.
While he is confident in his abilities, he isn’t sure he can kill the wolf. His heart beats like a drum against his chest as he stares into its intense murderous eyes. Before he can fully process what is happening, the wolf lunges for him, attempting to bite right into Alexandros’ throat.
Instinctively, he lifts his sword and tries to stab the wolf in the heart. Unfortunately, his aim is off, and he stumbles forward. Pain sears through his arm as he feels the wolf’s claws tear through the flesh on his arm.
-25 HP
-10 HP/Min while bleeding
-5 stamina
His eyes widen when he sees his health depleting, and he knows he has to find a way to end this fast. As the wolf prepares to launch itself back toward him, Alexandros tightens his grip on his sword and focuses on the wolf. When it takes off running, Alexandros remains completely still until the wolf is mere inches away. Just as its jaws are about to make contact with his face, he drops to the ground and rolls out of the way before slashing his sword toward the wolf. This time his attack lands, causing the wolf to leap back in pain.
+50 Damage to wolf
Watching the wolf move away from him, he knows it isn’t about to give up, and sure enough, within a minute, it is already launching itself back toward him. He tries again to slice open the wolf’s side, only this time, the wolf changes direction at the last moment and sinks its teeth into his calf. Alexandros cries out as pain erupts from the wound.
-15 HP
-10HP from bleeding
Realizing his health is getting low, he begins to panic, and before the wolf can get away from him, he thrusts his sword toward it, impaling it straight through the shoulder. The wolf yelps in pain and jumps back, lowering itself to seek out another route of attack.
+25 Damage to wolf
He watches as the wolf’s health bar dips below half and goes in to throw a downward slash toward it. The wolf leaps out of the way before instantly pouncing back toward Alexandros. He manages to spin out of the way, but the wolf doesn’t let up, and before he can react, it throws him to the ground, pinning him down by the shoulders. Sweat beads down his face as he struggles to escape the wolf. Pain takes over as the wolf’s teeth sink into his shoulder with agonizing force.
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-25 HP
-10HP from bleeding
Seeing his health drop to 30, Alexandros knows he needs to turn things around. Using all his strength, he tightens his grip on his sword and wiggles his arm free before thrusting the blade deep into the wolf’s side. The wolf yelps and jumps off him before stumbling and falling to the ground with a thump.
Critical attack! +90 damage to wolf
Wolf has been defeated!
Congratulations! You have reached level 3!
Health/Mana/Stamina have been replenished.
You have received +100 Xp.
You have received 12 stat points. (Each point can be assigned to any stat)
You have received a small bag of 150 gold
Alexandros reads through everything carefully and feels all his pain wash away as his health is restored. Before he can do anything else, another notification pops up in front of him.
Congratulations! {New skill gained!}
Eye of Truth (Unique) Tier 1 Level 1— Allows you to see details about monsters, people, levels, class, health, mana, and stamina. As you increase in level, more features will be unlocked.
He stares at the new skill, reading over what it can do several times before it finally disappears from his vision. He feels better than he did a few moments ago, though he is exhausted and unsure where to rest. Pulling a chunk of dried meat out of his bag, Alexandros took a bite and washed it with water.
Once he is finished eating, he looks back at the stat points that have been given to him. He now has 22 available to use and figures this is as good a time as ever. Deciding it would be best to figure out what each stat does, he opens the details of each one carefully.
Agility: Improves accuracy with long-ranged weapons and determines movement speed. Balance and the ability to dodge are also benefits. More information will be unlocked as you grow stronger.
Endurance: Determines stamina. Each point assigned will increase stamina by 5 points. Also affects the ability of physical movements and can make certain ailments less bothersome. More information will be unlocked as you grow stronger.
Strength: Determines the amount of damage you can deal with. Affects attacks with large weapons and throwing weapons. Every point assigned will improve carrying capacity by 0.5%. More information will be unlocked as you grow stronger.
Wisdom: Determines the rate at which mana regenerates. Helps with magical resistance and grants a small increase in mental fortitude. More information will be unlocked as you grow stronger.
Charisma: Determines how well you get along with others. Higher charisma means more friends and allies. More information will be unlocked as you grow stronger.
Luck: Everything requires a little luck. Who knows, maybe if you get enough of it, great things will happen. More information will be unlocked as you grow stronger.
Intelligence: Determines how much mana you receive. Each point added increases overall mana by 0.05%. Has an impact on certain skills but improves reasoning. More information will be unlocked as you grow stronger.
As he reads the stats, Alexandros realizes this will be much more difficult than he thought. All of his stats are useful, so not being able to use many of them causes his chest to tighten. After a few moments of debating, he decides he knows where he would like to assign his points.
Health:
143
Mana:
101
Stamina:
101
Agility:
25+5
Endurance:
50+5
Strength:
80
Wisdom:
45+5
Charisma:
25
Luck:
25+2
Intelligence:
75+5
Remaining Stat points:
0
Once satisfied with where he assigned his points, he closes his stats page. He is relieved to know he is getting stronger, and with his rations running low, he finds himself more determined than ever to make it to Furnar and learn the truth about why his family was killed. He turns to leave the cave when he hears a loud rumbling sound coming from behind him. When he turns around, his eyes widen as he realizes the wall has split open, revealing a pathway.