Wren opened his gummy eyes. The feeling of full body soreness and twinging pain made him move extremely slow and with measured pace.

Discovered: Last Delver stronghold +10 achievement points

Discovered: Qualifying Delver Descendant +10 achievement points

Mission Completed: Find civilization

* map updated

* unusual completion bonus: +10 achievement points

Optional Mission Activated: Inheritance

Objectives: Lead qualifying descendant to any active rewards container and assist them in successfully acquiring participant inheritance

Rewards:

* 500 achievement points (shared)

* personalized Tier IV equipment piece (up to six participants, contingent upon completion of assurance contract[non-aggression, non-theft])

* +1 reputation with Guardian and Balance Keeper Alliances

Optional Mission Activated: Faction Diverse Objectives

Balance Keeper - Ignore Kyter PULSE

* +1 reputation with Balance Keeper Alliance (contingent upon completion of compliance and non-disclosure contract

Heritage - Destroy Kyter PULSE

* +5 rep. w/ Heritage faction, +1 rep. w/ Bloodline Alliance, -5 rep. w/ Progressive Alliance

Progressive - Use Dimensional Mathematics to create a blueprint of Kyter PULSE and disseminate to native human leaders

* Progressive Alliance membership invitation, Heritage faction enmity

* Upgrade of title Beloved of Man to Guardian of Man

For ten seconds there was an additional option, glowing gold, before it was erased and removed from the logs.

Leap of Faith- Accept Balance Keeper option and call Void Denizen near Kyter PULSE before leaving. Try to save up some EE.

“You took quite a spill yesterday, fell into a truffle boar trap. You and your 'friends' inhaled some spores from the mushrooms we were using as bait which can cause some nasty hallucinations. I'm going to release your straps as long as you don't act violent, alright? Likely you can't understand what I'm saying but I'll keep talking to you calmly. My teacher has told me this helps,” said the blue skinned stranger as he bent down to undo the padded cuffs around Wrens feet.

Aside from the somewhat bat-like ears and blue tinted skin this guy could pass as a freshman on a college swim team. I wonder if I should pretend not to understand till I know the situation better. No. Whether it's the trust destroying aspect or the delay in answers, there's too many negatives.

“No, I can understand you,” Wren said as he patiently waited to be fully unstrapped. “Could you tell me how my companions are doing?”

“Oh, that's great news! Yes. Of course. Your older brother is still under the effect of the spores but he has otherwise recovered. Your, um...If it's not too much to ask, what is the familial status of the female in your group?”

“You could consider her as a younger sister of ours,” Wren adroitly rolled with the hopeful assertion.

With a subtle yet clear display of relief the young man continued, “She is fully recovered, though she shows no signs of understanding. For peace of mind I have told my teacher she may still be suffering lingering side-affects of the spores and hoped one of the two of you would awake soon. If it would please you, I am called Jaden. If I could have the pleasure of your name, I will relay it to her as I bring her here.”

“Sure. I'm Wren. The older brother is Troy and her name's Lilly.”

With a little more enthusiasm than a simple name should warrant, Jaden said, “Lilly, like the flower? Thank you!”

As Jaden turned and strode out of the room, mumbling about red lilies, Wren nearly choked on a drink of water as he realized that the somewhat tribal looking swim shorts were actually closer to an elaborate fundoshi, getting a great deal more knowledgeable on the whirling marks that decorated Jaden's body than he had any desire to.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Well, I'm not one to ignore the elephant in the room. And by elephant, I mean huge archaic device.

Aside from the lines of beds on either wall there wasn't much to this reception like room that surrounded the giant gourd of a device, multicolored sigils decorating it's frame.

“Quite the wonder is it not?” rasped a voice from the inner archway.

“ I have to admit to a bit of curiosity. To act otherwise would be dishonest,” Wren admitted wryly.

An old, hunchbacked man with gray skin and far more prominent, though smoother, ears hobbled his way over to Wren's side and stared up at the device. Fortunately, the gentleman in question was wearing a conservative pair of baggy pants, snug around the waste and ankles, if little else.

“We no longer know the finer details but as long as it is fed magical creature cores with water or earth affinity it keeps running.”the old man said. Ramping up the old man continued, “ What we do know is that it keeps our runners free of parasites and harmful diseases. When we used to know how to maintenance it, however, it was a device capable of disrupting the biological functions of invaders and was solely responsible for our continued existence against an enemy that likely no longer exists. If you may be curious as to why I don't mind sharing this with you, it is simple. If anyone without sufficient purity of delver blood tries to touch this device or even assault it with offensive magic, it kills them. I couldn't tell you how and we've even been given the opportunity to study such a phenomenon from time to time.”

“Well, venerable elder, that more than quenches my curiosity on the matter.”

“As it was meant to. You seem to possess quite a bit of stiffness. Allow me to alleviate that. It's not true magical healing mind you but it does wonders for swollen joints and overused muscles,” the old man offered before his glowing mist covered hand gently rested on Wren's back.

Feels like alternating heat and cold. Is this magical Icy Hot?

After a minute or so, Wren replied, “Much appreciated, that helps a great more than I thought it wou- Lilly! What's shakin?”

“Not a great deal, dear brooother~. I'm soo glad you're alright!” Lilly nearly sang with false cheer. She quickly approached Wren and wrapped him in an unpleasantly awkward and, likely intentional, painful bear hug. As she leaned in she whispered, “Why didn't you send me a message as soon as you were awake, Wren. I was pretending not to understand them so I wouldn't catch us up in anything.”

Catching on to what might be Troy's predicament as well, Wren opened up himself to the shared connection he possessed with Troy, “If you're recovered you can stop pretending. They are allowing us to meet up so the sooner you regain clarity the quicker we can get this show on the road.” Though he couldn't hear their thoughts, he did catch a hint of deep worry partially dissolving into weak relief.

As Jaden trotted up to the two, looking eager to join the conversation, the old man excused himself with, “I leave you in my student's capable hands. His matron has graciously extended her hospitality. Since the two of you are fully mended I doubt it will be long before the third will experience a miraculous recovery as well. Do not hesitate to seek me out should you find yourself in need of advice or some conventional wisdom youngsters these days tend to overlook.”

“As much as I would like to lay claim to your discovery, my brother has that privilege. Matron Suncave eagerly awaits meeting you as well,” Jaden said with little more than side glances for Wren as Lilly bore the brunt of his cheery but slightly overwhelming attention.

After a brief convening to the room where Troy was convalescing they were on their way. As Jaden took the opportunity to point out areas of interest on the way to Lilly, Wren was trying to get a gauge on the culture while Troy seemed to be uncharacteristically taciturn. When Wren mental messaged Troy about what was wrong he only tersely shook his head and whispered, “Later.”

This place is huge and it's entirely underground. The map only shows me the mountain range above us and some of the surrounding land. Aside from the slightly stale and faintly unpleasant air it doesn't actually seem a bad place to live. The buildings are a little worse for wear but still impressive. No one shows any obvious signs of abuse but there is a definite division of social standing and if I didn't know better it almost seems to be based on looks. Bloodline purity maybe? It seemed important for the mission.

As groups scurried or sauntered to and fro across their path, Wren noticed three distinct, caste-like divisions: The more goblinoid looking members of society wore earth-tone garments that were more conservative in nature and seemed to be basic laborers, The more humanish looking members didn't seem to have any kind of dress code aside from red waist or shoulder sashes and seemed to focus on skilled trades or artistry, The last group either wore armor or next to nothing at all as if showing off their long and flared bat-like ears and pale to dark gray skin that was sometimes just a tinge blue.

“Jaden, I notice that your people either show brown, red or purple as a part of their outfits but you are wearing blue. Is there significance to this?” Wren asked with calculated bluntness.

Jaden's sunny disposition took a sudden, momentary plunge before being hidden behind a fragile smile as he said, “It used to mean quite a bit but it's likely to become a lost tradition after me. The benefit is that, in a couple of generations, the color casts will lose much of their reason for existing as well.”

If it's associated with power and position I highly doubt it. The meaning may change but it will not disappear until those oppressed rip it from the dead or broken hands of their oppressors. History has proven that time and again.

“ I've asked something I shouldn't have,” Wren offered apologetically.

“It's of no consequence. Your curiosity on this matter is not without reason,” Jaden gave a saddened glance at Lilly, who was admiring a time-worn but still exquisitely carved statue.

“Allay whatever apprehensions you may possess. I'd dare to say that neither I nor my siblings care nearly as much about social standing as we do strength of character and sincerity in our dealings and, er, relationships. Wren said reassuringly, causing Troys eyebrows to shoot up and Lilly to look at him in confusion and apprehension.

Wren sent at his two companions, “Whatever and however you feel towards everyone else I'll leave to you guys but as far as things stand right now he's important to us. The fact that you guys don't seem to understand why means we need to have a serious talk soon. Treating him fairly and honestly is all I'm asking for.”

“That's a boon to hear. Then I'll treasure this opportunity to prove worthy of your regard and friendship. We have tarried perhaps overly long and should make haste to Suncave manor,” said Jaden, unable to repress the return of his 1000 watt cheer or, apparently incessant, need to sneak glances at Lilly when she's not paying attention.

Sorry Lilly. Even if this guy wasn't a juicy chunk of achievement points, I have no desire to play cock-block for your potential suitors as long as they're not acting like douche bags.

The rest of the walk passed in a comfortable silence, at least for Wren who entertained himself by humming 'U got it bad' under his breath. Lilly wouldn't even have noticed if Troy hadn't caught on and joined in for whatever mysterious reason, earning them both a scathing look as she turned a lovely shade of cherry tomato.