Chapter 60: Poor Seb

Name Chase Guild

SevenBanes

Level

Hunter Level 4

Marks 1 SD 984

The Fighter Class is one of the starting 8 jobs which a player may consider when signing their first contract. This class is the most physically intensive of the starting jobs, and requires the player have both bodily and mental toughness in order to complete it in a timely manner. Just like the other starting jobs, the Fighter Class has eight levels, two of which unlock the most useful of skills: Stone Skin and Energy Burst. Players who decide to continue with the fighting style of classes after completing their Fighter contract come to depend on these starting skills. Both the Warrior and the Knight Class are all but useless without these foundational abilities, not to mention the incredible buffs to strength and defense they provide. Interestingly, in my research I have discovered that perhaps at the very beginning of Esem the Fighter contract did not have these skills, and it was only after a period of some decades later that AION decided to include them. Why they were not present in the initial design of the world is beyond the scope of this guide, but is worth remembering as players advance through their levels if they so choose to become a fighter. The fighter has a pass rate of some 50%, which is over double that of either of the Mage classes. The average length of time most players spend in this class is 38 months or 3.2 years. Upon completion of the Fighter class, the player may choose between the powerful Rank 2 Warrior class, or the lucrative yet slightly less powerful Mercenary class. These classes will lead to the Rank 3 Knight and the Sellsword jobs respectively, yet are overshadowed by the rare Paladin Class which is unlocked for a special few who excel in either the Mercenary or Warrior Class. The Paladin Class (just like its Sellsword and Knight counterparts) is a Rank 3 unlock reserved for the most talented of players who began with the Fighter class.

-On the Fighter Class, Esem Survival Guide, Nosterly Quarter

Chase looked at Seb, bruised and bloody on the ground. Meredith was cradling his head in her arms and fighting back tears.

“Thomas,” Chase grabbed the boy by the arm and hissed in his ear. “You said you didn’t touch him!”

The young boy was wide eyed with shock.

“I didn’t do all this!” He said, pointing at the scene. “I only tied up Seb, but I didn’t hit him at all! And I especially didn’t paint all those words everywhere!”

Across the entire temple were words painted black. WHERE IS HE was dashed across the top of the entryway. RISE OF THE NOBODIES was painted several times and occasionally just NOBODY streaked across the walls. The paint dripped from the letters so it was still fresh, but the most concerning message of all seemed to be within the temple. A few NPCs were peeking inside and then shaking their heads in disgust.

“Whoever did this desecrated the shrines of the gods of Avalon,” a farmer NPC was saying.

“Why would a player do this?” Said another. It was a female NPC, and she looked like she might be a shopkeeper.

“Who knows,” said a man. It was the innkeeper from the inn Chase and his guild were staying at. “Some players just making a joke, maybe.”

“A joke?” Meredith fumed. She looked around at the people gathered and then found Chase. “Is this a joke to you?”

“Thomas didn’t do all this, Meredith,” said Chase, holding his hands up.

“Really, I didn’t,” said Thomas. “I mean, I didn’t like Seb but all I did was tie him up. I didn’t hit him and I didn’t trash this place either.”

The innkeeper turned around and frowned at Thomas.

“You mean you were here?”

“Yeah, I tied up this guy—As a prank!” He added, seeing Meredith’s face. “I didn’t do anything else. When I left he was just yelling stuff at me. I think he was going to steal some coins over here so I stopped him if that counts for anything.”

Always with the angle, thought Chase. He wanted to chuckle, but decided doing so may only infuriate Meredith even more. Seb was gently breathing and his face looked sure to swell up. Whoever attacked him did so brutally.

“What’s going on!” Came a shrill woman’s voice. Chase turned around and saw a short woman with a robe pushing her way through the crowd.

“Priestess,” said the innkeeper. “Some players defaced the shrine.”

The priestess stood there motionless, her mouth partly open as she beheld the wreck. She started to quiver and many of the NPCs took a step back. Just as she looked about to lash out and scream the energy left her body and she sighed and hung her head instead.

“First the light of Asdromina leaves her statue, and now this. The end of times are truly upon us.”

“Come now,” scoffed another NPC. It was a man who looked like a laborer. “You’ve been saying that for months, Sari. This is just some human shenanigans.”

“I am afraid not,” said Sari heavily. “AION told us centuries ago that this would happen. Asdromina has left Avalon, and soon her brother will, too.”

“Chase,” whispered Alex, leaning close. “What the heck are they talking about?”

“You humans and the advisors think that AION is the end all be all, eh?” Said Sari, rounding on Alex. “But to us NPCs he is second to his children. I wouldn’t expect you to understand why this troubles us so.”

“His children?” Said Thomas, perplexed. “AION is a dad?”

I always forget to tell them these things, thought Chase.

“Fools” muttered Sari, but seeing Thomas was a child her expression softened. “Yes, human, AION is indeed a father. And it is his children who designed the six worlds of Esem, not himself. The two who created Avalon are his daughter Asdromina and his son, Cartorious. They gave us NPCs life and land to walk on.”

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Sari walked past Meredith and Seb and stepped within the small temple. The NPCs who had been looking inside with shock stepped aside to give her room. Chase saw her moving around for a time and when she emerged her face was downcast.

“It’s still gone,” she said. “I thought perhaps…but no, Asdromina’s light has been gone for months and I fear it shall not return.”

“And Cartorious?” Said the innkeeper softly.

“He remains,” she said. “But for how long?”

“Where did she go?” Asked Alex.

Sari looked at him and then spit on the ground.

“You humans need to leave, not just here, but Birchtown. Trouble is afoot. I fear if you stay then only death will be here for you. Forget this silly tournament and go.”

Silly schlubs, thought Chase. Of course, perhaps this has something to do with Xemnara again.

“You really think we should go?” Said Chase instead. “Why is that?”

“Sari,” muttered the innkeeper darkly. “You’ve said enough. Nothing will happen to any humans here except for what they do to one another.”

“Fine,” said Sari. “Then leave. ALL of you,” she added, glaring at the NPCs.

“But what about Seb?” Said Meredith. “Someone attacked him.”

“Amelie can heal him,” said Alex, “or Clark, I guess. When he wakes up you can ask him who did this.”

“I will make them pay,” said Meredith. “Thomas! Get this thread off of him. Now.”

Thomas sighed but without question knelt down. He licked his finger and then pinched a couple places of the thread. The thin rope tore apart and fell off the young boy.

“I really didn’t hit him, you know,” he said.

“We shall see,” said Meredith darkly. She hefted the unconscious boy into her arms and stood up. “You had better hope that he confirms your story.”

“I am sure he will,” said Chase, placing his hand on Thomas’ shoulder. He took a final glance around the temple. The priestess was now praying before the entrance of the temple while the others began to disperse. “Come on, let’s find one of our mages.”

They left the NPCs and the stewing priestess, Sari behind them as they walked back to town. Meredith stayed stone faced and silent the entire way and refused to acknowledge Chase when he offered to carry Seb. Chase exchanged looks with his guild members. Thomas appeared nervous and kept glancing at the still unconscious Seb, Alex appeared thoughtful and brimming with questions. Brent was the only one who appeared apathetic to what they had just witnessed. Chase could see he was still totally absorbed with the tournament and only wanted to get back to the arena.

Christie, thought Chase. He had tried to down play his reaction when Alex had told him she was in Birchtown fighting with Markon, but truth be told he was slightly shaken. He had always known that eventually their paths would cross but he had hoped it was going to be later. She would not recognize him and he would do his best to avoid her, but he wondered why she was in Birchtown in the first place. She had always loved watching contract tournaments, but going all the way to Avalon for such a lowly tourney was bizarre. Most of the Old Guard never came to Avalon except on some kind of business.

“Chase,” whispered Thomas, breaking him from his thoughts.

“What is it?”

“I really didn’t attack Seb, okay?”

“Sure,” said Chase.

“I mean it!” The little boy said fervently. He glanced at Meredith’s back again. “But I am worried he may try to get revenge for me tying him up. If I were him I would immediately blame me.”

“That would be the clever thing to do,” acknowledged Chase. “I would do the same, actually.”

“See?! So if that happens we got to be ready.”

“Don’t worry,” said Chase, patting Thomas on the shoulder. “We all have your back.”

Thomas nodded his head and seemed to relax. Suddenly Chase heard a familiar voice up ahead.

“What happened!” Said Amelie.

Amelie was walking alongside an old man down the busy street, but when she had seen Meredith holding Seb she broke out into a run, the old man swiftly following her. He was a large and strong looking man despite his age.

“Bellis?” Muttered Alex beside Chase. But he didn’t get a change to ask why he was there as Amelie was before Meredith and full of worry.

“What happened to the lad?” Said Bellis curiously. “Looks like he ran afoul of someone.”

“Is he okay?” Said Amelie, her face etched with concern.

“Someone attacked him,” said Meredith with disgust. “Just a little child, too.”

“He’s unconscious?”

“Yes,” said Meredith. “Once he wakes up he can tell us who did this to him.”

“Amelie,” said Chase suddenly. “Can you heal him?”

“No need,” Said Meredith. “I was going to find Clark and—.”

“I can do it,” said Amelie seriously. “Please, I can’t stand to see a child hurt so.”

Meredith stared at her for a moment, and then sighed.

“Very well. To be honest I don’t think Clark could even help him that much. His spells take over an hour to work sometimes.”

Meredith gently placed the boy on the ground. His face was now fully swollen and he looked as though a dozen bees had stung his face. Purple bruises were beginning to stretch across his face and Chase could see a trickle of blood that had dried from his nose.

“Just do what you can,” began Meredith. “It’s not like you can fully—.”

Amelie placed her hands over Seb and a glow appeared. NPCs and players alike had begun to gather around as soon as they saw that some magic was about to be performed and watched in awe as Seb’s features began to return to normal. No sooner than the light touched his face than the bruises disappeared and the swelling vanished. Even the tickle of blood was seemingly wiped away from his face.

“That should do it,” said Amelie with satisfaction. “I afraid I don’t know how to wake him up but once he does he should feel no pain.”

“How did you…” Meredith looked at Seb in shock. “You healed him completely! There isn’t a trace of a single injury!”

“Well,” said Amelie bashfully. “I get a lot of practice with my guild.”

Bellis laughed gleefully.

“She fixed my back the same way!” He said. “I’ve gotten mages to look at it before but young Amelie here was the first to make me feel 30 years younger. Usually I have to convalesce for hours before the old thing acts right.”

“Fixed his back…” muttered Alex behind Chase. He sounded upset.

Meredith hugged Amelie tightly as soon as she stood up.

“Thank you, Amelie,” said Meredith. “Really. When I saw Seb like this my heart broke for the little guy. His guild leader wasn’t around to protect him and I felt so guilty.”

“Well,” said Amelie once Meredith had let her go and begun to pick up Seb. “You are very welcome. But it’s my job, after all. I am happy to help anyone who is injured.”

People in the crowd were staring in shock at how fast the spell had been performed. Despite feeling pride for Amelie Chase was also not liking the attention they were receiving. He made a mental note to remind her not to reveal her abilities so freely in front of others. She seemed to know what he was thinking because when she looked at him she seemed chagrined and mouthed “sorry” to him.

“I’m going to take Seb back to the inn for some rest,” Meredith was saying to Amelie. “Again, thank you for the help, dear. I think you guys have the tournament to go to, right?”

“I almost forgot,” said Brent. He looked around at the street. The crowd was beginning to disperse. “Is Christie still fighting with Markon?”

“They were when we left, lad,” said Bellis. “We barely got out of there in time. I think the tournament won’t be resuming for some time, yet.”

“All for the better,” said Chase. He forced himself not to look over his own shoulder just to make sure his former guild mates weren’t around. “We can get some rest back at the inn. I need to lay my head down after all this.”

“Lay your head down?” Said Meredith, eyebrow arched. She had been about to leave but when she heard him spoke turned around. “Chase, if you think there is any way you are allowed to rest after that shameful performance last night.”

“Shameful?” Said Chase dryly. “I out drank you two to one.”

“That’s because we aren’t done yet, are we?”

“I thought we were,” muttered Chase.

“Besides,” said Meredith. “Once Seb wakes up he can tell us who assaulted him,” she glanced at Thomas menacingly. “And who needs some payback. Whoever did this is going to be digging their grave with a spade.”

Strange choice of words, thought Chase. The others seemed to be lost in their own thoughts however and had not caught her final word. He decided he was just being paranoid.

“Amelie, you alright? That spell didn’t bother you too much?” Asked Brent.

“I’m fine, really!” She said, her eyes were bright and there was no trace of weariness. “I think I can finally cast these healing spells with ease. It took long enough.”

“You must have been practicing for at least a year to get that good,” said Bellis, smiling proudly at her. “My back feels amazing.”

“Oh, uh..well I,” stammered Amelie.

Chase was about to save her when the third distraction of the day made itself known. Somewhere closing in behind him was a loud noise and the panicked sound of voices and feet making way.

“Not again,” moaned Chase. He turned around to yell at what ever was about to happen to leave them alone, all while silently drawing his dagger from his belt, when the crowd burst aside to revel a women.

“You,” said Christie, pointing at Chase. “I’ve been looking for you all over.”