I opened the door trepidatiously, painfully aware of how late I was and that I had forgone a bath, instead opting for a flash wash from the wells bucket. As soon as I entered I winced. I saw my mother sitting with her leg crossed over the other and arms held against her chest at the table, eyes towards me glowering, and my father standing and leaning against a wall.
“Alexilios. Explain.” My mother glared in my direction as Sky and Luka hopped into my bed, it had been a long day of naps and treats and attention for the little traitors. They could sense the tension in the room.
“Well... I have something to tell -,”
“Your mother told you to explain, not go off on a tangent.” My father tapped his foot against the floor, his voice stern. I may have had memories of adulthood, but I couldn't help but shudder at his tone, or my mothers.
“Okay okay, I went to the tavern after work to talk with the adventurers and then escorted a tipsy Calimax home.” I raised my hands defensively, blushing deeply. “I’m sorry I should have let you know that I would be late, I just didn't want to lose my chance to talk to them.”
My mother kept glaring at me. “And what did you want to talk to them about?”
I shuffled nervously, this was the important part. The terrifying part. Part of me didn’t want to leave the comfort of the life I had developed these nearly fifteen years. The other part yearned for something new, for adventure, to realize all that I had strived for. I took a deep breath. “I asked them to let me come with them when they leave.”
My father started at that, my mother frowned.
“I thought you were leaving after you turned fifteen...” My mother stated, disappointment lacing her voice.
“Why do you need to go so soon?” My father asked at the same time.
“I know it's sudden, but I'd rather be with experienced and strong allies than on my own,” I replied. I sat down at the table, where a plate of cold food had been laid out for me presumably at dinner time. It was nice that my parents were both a little upset at the prospect of me leaving, in my past life my parents had wanted me gone when I turned eighteen and were relieved that I had decided to go to college out of state for a few years. “Either way, there’s a chance they won't take me anyway... I think they'll decide tomorrow.”
“Even... even still are you sure? Don't you still have some weapons to make and some training to do?” My mothers ire was replaced with sadness. I could see it, she was on the verge of tears. I got up and wrapped her in a hug.
“Even if I go away I'll write, I'll keep a journal. Someday I'll send you books of all the stories from my old world. Don’t worry mom, I'll still be around a bit.” I smiled at her but I felt tears rise to my eyes and my cheeks warm as well. I turned to see my dad still leaning against the wall. “But enough of that until I actually leave, I'm sorry for not consulting you guys first but... I couldn't let this chance pass me by.”
My father stared at me for a moment before he came and wrapped me in his arms, squeezing me. “Just make sure if they're shifty you leave before they do anything... untoward. Adventurers are a rowdy bunch, they don't always have the best of intents.”
“I know dad, I know.”
“And don't stop training. Complacency kills more than preparedness, ya know?” I could feel him tremble.
“I know that too. Please, I'm not leaving just yet...”
“But you are leaving in a few days,” my father said with certainty.
“Likely so, yes.” I pulled away from his crushing hug. “I love you both, and again... I'm sorry for the suddenness, but I really think it's my best chance.”
“Okay.” My mothers voice was firm, I turned to look at her and saw her crying but smiling. “Lios, youre always welcome you know? Anytime. You will come visit,” It wasn't a question but an inevitability, a demand.
“Yeah. I know ma, I know. I’ll visit any time I have the chance.” I felt warm tears drip down my cheeks, down my chin. We weren't even saying goodbye yet.
“Your mother and I have something to announce too. We found out yesterday and were going to tell you over dinner...” My father took a seat, glancing at my untouched plate.
“We’re having another baby,” my mother announced, smiling wide.
“Wait, really? I’m gonna be a big brother?” I felt my heart skip and lips twist into a smile. “Im going to be a big brother...”
I started to think about it. Did this change things? Did I have to stay to take care of them? My heart raced, this was incredible. I was going to be a brother again, but what about my adventures? My traveling. When would I have the chance to teach my sibling and protect them?
“Lios, Lios. Ravos to Lios!” My father snapped in front of me to catch my attention. I started, shocked. “There ya are, you zoned out. Did ya hear what we said?”
I shook my head, pursing my lips.
“I didn't think so. Don't let it bug ya, we weren't planning to stop you from going off on your own even if we are having another kid. We’d, of course, love to have you around but... I mean, maybe it's for the best? Now we’ll be able to raise them with stories of their heroic older brother. They’ll grow up knowing you're famous and powerful.” My dad smiled at me. His eyes were a little swollen and cheeks flushed.
“I see... Plus they'll be able to take my bed when they grow up, this house hardly has enough room for the four of us and the kits too.” I reasoned, pulling myself out of my thoughts.
“Or you can stay and snuggle with your sibling in the same bed, it would be soooo caayuuute,” mother exclaimed, she still looked sad but the statement made me burst out laughing.
“All the more reason to go, but it would be cute,” I chortled. “I will visit though, but I am taking the foxes.”
“Of course, I will miss them though. Miss Sky constantly running about begging for attention and luka begging for treats.”
After that our conversation devolved. I pitched a few name ideas and ate my cold food. My mother told me she would have reheated it over the woodstove but decided I needed to be punished for worrying them. Not long after I ate I devoted myself to an hour or two of studying runes by candlelight. I wanted to make a temporary enchantment to silence or muffle sounds in case I needed to work on my sword overnight. I finished it near the end of the night, just before going to sleep.
The next day was much the same as every other until I left the forge, heading to the tavern. My companions followed me, at my heels. I had on my hip a sword that I borrowed from Derren, one that had sat on the rack for a number of years already unsold. It was a longsword, and plainlooking. There was no magic in it and there was nothing particularly special about it, but it was still a sword and a sword was what I had been told to bring. The crossguard and pommel were simple, the handle wrapped in thin leather and the blade was just a standard issue for the guards. The reason it hadn't been sold was because of a chip near the base of the blade. Derren was convinced some other would be adventurer would buy it on the cheap.
I saw all four of them standing at the entrance to the tavern, it was called The Drunkard's Hovel. We usually just called it the Hovel. Now that they were standing I could see how huge Elric was. He was built like a tank, a being reinforced with muscle and strength. His muscles bulged and his greatsword was slung over his back. Adrien didn't look any less imposing, his m monster tattoos seemed to squirm over his arms when he flexed. He wore his fancy sword at his hip. Liana was smiling, this time I noticed something I had missed before in my nervousness, she was an elf. A pair of pointed ears poked out beneath her hair. Amelia crouched upon seeing me, inviting Luka or Sky to approach her.
“Yer later than last time kid, we don't like waiting.” Elric frowned at me, pushing himself off the wall.
“I had to finish a forging step on my sword, apologies.” I bowed my head a little in greeting. Sky went up and sniffed the crouching Amelia while Luka stayed under me, threatening to trip me as we walked.
Adrien looked dubiously at the sword on my hip. “That one?”
“Ah, no, I'm borrowing this from my mentor until I can finish my own weapon.” I glanced down at my sword, it was plain but it would do for now. At the very least it was sharp and durable.
“Alrigh’ kiddo follow me.” Elric didn’t wait for me, he simply turned and started walking east towards the forest. Well I suppose, any direction but north was towards the forest but that was beside the point. The rest followed him as well.
“Where are we going?” I asked as I had to half jog to keep up, they weren't slowing down to my pace but I was okay with that.
“You ever killed anything, Alexilios?” Elric ignored my question and proffered his own.
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I grunted in frustration but bit back the feisty remark that played at the tip of my tongue. “I have.”
“Goblins?”
The rest of the group was silent except for Amelia who had scooped up Sky and was currently squeezing the fox and giving her scratches. She let out a few little squeaks of excitement as she pet the fox. Liana, I noticed, was glancing at her jealously. I smirked.
“No, not goblins. Only beasts so far, hunting for food primarily though I tried to ensure they felt like they were close to my level,” I answered the large gruff man.
“Okay. Let's see if you can keep pace.” He took off on a jog, which I had to sprint to keep up with. The power of levels was really frustrating at times.
I panted behind him and noticed the other three were leisurely chatting behind us as we left. “Luka, stay with them for now.” I called out to my fox, and he reluctantly backed off and stayed close to the three as Elric and I ran.
I followed Elric out of town, he was silent and pensive. We rushed past the houses and kept going into the woods. Trees and undergrowth sprang up around us. The run grew more challenging once we met the trees, he sped up and now I had to dodge branches and leaves and holes and roots. Even still, as my heart thumped in my chest from the exertion of attempting to keep up with someone much faster than me, I smirked. This was fun, racing through the forest. I reveled, not for the first time since coming to this world, at the freshness of the air, the scent of the trees and flowers around me. At the vibrancy of the greenery and the intense growth of the flora around me. Earth had pretty growth too but Ravos, Ravos was clean and pure still. Uncorrupted by humanity, at least in most places.
We ran for a while, I lost track of time. He kept speeding up, not saying a word. And then, finally we stopped. I looked up, the sun had been starting to set when we started and now the moon was high in the sky. Sweat drenched my shirt as I panted, keeled over and bracing myself on my knees for a moment. Then I looked around, and saw Elric staring at me. I straightened.
“Ready, kid?”
“Not sure, you haven't told me what we're doing,” I replied snarkily, a hint of friendly venom in my voice.
“Oh? I see I must have forgotten. You're going to take care of a small little goblin infestation. They're at the bottom of this hill we’re on, so don't talk too loud or they’ll hear you.” He grinned at me, as though he were doing me a favor by taking me here to kill goblins.
“I see. Do you know how many?” I stepped past him, looking down the hill where I saw a small clearing and a dozen or so tents with torches scattered throughout the camp. There were a couple of goblins up and keeping watch, but I saw that there was one on the western edge of the camp that was nodding off. The goblins I could see were wearing rags and animal furs. They had spears and knives on them, one even had a spiked club with nails poking out all around it. I frowned, a dozen or so tents meant at least a full twelve goblins.
“Not sure, we jus saw the place while fulfilling yer mayor's request today.”
“Gotcha, am I on my own?” I glanced at him, eyeing his greatsword. “If so, can I borrow your sword? Are the others gonna catch up to us?”
“Yes, no yes,” Elric answered in order. I scoffed at being denied.
“Alright. Do I have to wait for them?”
“No. I'm growing impatient, kid. They're only goblins.”
I ignored the impatience, focusing on my intuition skill and activating my mana sense. I didn't see anything that looked like wards around the camp, and started to sneakily approach the camp. I received a ding and a flash of blue light as the system offered me a stealth skill, but I ignored it and asked that the system only provide kill notifications until I asked for the rest.
Instead of going straight down I stalked down the hill, going at an angle so I could approach the napping Goblin first. As I neared, but before I was within earshot of the critter, I drew my sword, a soft shwiinnngg slipping into the silent air. Well, mostly silent. The crickets chirped and the rustling of trees emanated through the forest. I stopped just at the edge of the trees, observing the creature before me. Just like in my world's fantasies the goblin was green. It was short, scrawny. I could see its ribs a bit but contrasting that was its bulbous belly. It looked like it had a hunched back too, though it could just have been its sleeping position. I glanced up the hill where I had left Elric.
Nothin to it but to do it. I thought to myself and stalked towards the goblin. I stabbed it promptly through the throat, covering its mouth before it could scream out. To Elric, what I was about to do next would likely look foolish at first. One thing I had noticed was that most of the tents, if I was in the center of the camp near the camp fire, were within range of my sword dance of spreading flames, as I had named it. What I also observed was that most of the guards were keeping their eyes to the outside of the camp, not looking inward. After all, what threat would come from within. This also would give me a chance to test something I had been practicing. I quietly pulled my sword free from the goblin I had casually killed, a bit shocked at how easily I had taken its life. I had gone hunting with the foxes and my father, but that was mostly beasts and not humanoid creatures, and for the purpose of feeding my family. Even so I did not hesitate as I strolled into the center of the camp.
I noted that I wasn't wearing armor as I quietly stepped up. I kept my focus on [Intuition], while the skill, like most of my others, was passive, focusing on it pushed it to its limits. I wasn't fully in tune with the skill yet, outside of my spars and just generally evaluating people there weren't many opportunities for the skill to warn me of danger which was the skills primary use. Of course it also let me judge the veracity of people's words and actions, but as an introvert I often didn’t have those opportunities either.
As I reached the center of the camp, I quickly beheaded the two goblins that were warming their hands over the fire. I began a rune dance, acknowledging that the guards on the outer edges of the camp would likely hear the thud of the heads hitting the ground. Rather than start with my sword dance of spreading flames, I began with a dance I had recently created as a primarily defensive spell. It was similar to the spreading flames but fire was replaced by wind, so I called it the sword dance of the tornado. This was another that was created using Lexico runewrit, so it was constrained to five runes. I had discovered with the other runic language, Frith, that each language required a certain number of runes to be successful. Frith, unlike Lexico, given its added complexity and power required twentyfive total runes, though five could be substituted by a lower ranking language like Lexico. Given the number of required runes to add Frith to my dances, I was still working out an effective pattern and circle. I was close, but not confident enough to attempt it during this apparent test.
Each of my first circle, as I was calling my starter dances using Lexico, took between four and six seconds to complete during combat, outside of it, like now, they took three seconds each. I heard the sound of a goblin yelling as I finished the second dance, two runecircles now overlapping each other. I grinned, hearing the goblins stir as I activated first the flames then the wind and after they both gathered their requisite mana released them. Fire burst out from around me, setting the tents in flames. The quick burst would normally die out quickly but it was immediately powered by swirling wind and an inferno lit the camp. I heard the screams of the goblins as I stood in my small circle, safe from my fire as it quickly spread throughout the camp. The explosive flames only lasted a few moments, but after they died and under the crackling of the remaining flames, I heard no movement or whimpers from the goblins of this camp. The guards had stepped just within range, it seemed, once they had noticed me. It helped that with the power of wind my range was significantly enhanced. This was my first time using full powered dances against a foe, usually during spars I would restrict the amount of mana they could gather with my willpower.
I looked about, keeping my attention on my [Intuition] for a few moments before I whipped my sword to the side to splatter the blood from it. The camp was smoldering, what little grass had existed in the clearing was burning away. The flames did not spread far enough to set ablaze the forest, but they were close. I took a handkerchief from my back pocket. As I wiped the blood from my sword I glanced at my kill notifications and blinked in surprise, I had successfully killed fifteen goblins that were level thirty at the low end and the highest was level forty eight, seven levels above me. I felt a ping from my skill come from behind me and turned around, seeing not just Elric but the rest of the group as well.
“Kid, what was any of that?” Elric growled at me and strode forward until we were nearly touching. I looked up at him and tilted my head.
“You told me to kill the goblins, I did so. Besides, you mentioned you were growing impatient so I thought I’d take care of it quickly.”
“No, actually, what was that skill? And strategy?” Liana stepped forward too, her eyes less aggressive. She had Luka in her arms, and he was unsuccessfully struggling to get out. She simply blinked as he nibbled relentlessly at her hand and arm through the robes and white gloves she was wearing.
“I assessed that it would take less time to use my sworddance than it would for them to wake up and react even if the guards noticed me.” I looked up at Elric, and smiled.
“You said you're a swordsman. Was that a skill? It takes a while to activate.” Elric glowered down at me. I glanced behind him at the rest of his party. “That was reckless. If they had noticed you-”
“With all respect, that wasn't reckless. While I wasn't positive I could take them all out with that one spell I did know that I wasn't in any danger at least prior to casting it. The guards were looking away and I was quiet, at least enough so that the others wouldn't wake until it was too late.”
“You could have set the forest on fire.” Elric mentioned, scoffing at my cavalier attitude.
“But I didn't. I typically have a range of fifteen feet around me when I activate my spell, with the addition of a second one my range increased but I had no expectations of the range increasing enough to reach the trees.”
“Elric, enough. The rest of us saw it too. The kid is correct, he wasn't in danger. Still, I’d have preferred to see how you actually fight.” Adrien stroked the stubble on his chin.
“Do you have another test for me?” I asked the group broadly. “Otherwise, it may be best we go back to town so I can rest and have the energy to complete the forging of my sword.”
Elric stepped back. He looked down at me then burst out laughing. “Kid, you're brazen. I like ya. I agree with Adrien though, I’d like to witness your actual skills.”
“Come to my house before dawn and I'll spar with you... or after breakfast, tomorrow I spar with the guards.” I sheathed the blade, convinced I had wiped away all of the blood. I watched as Liana finally sighed and let go of Luka who ran right up to me, sniffing me frantically to make sure I wasn't hurt. Amelia let go of Sky as well who immediately ran to me chattering and jumped up onto my shoulder, making me hunch a little bit.
“Fine, at the training field then. Now, brace yerself Lios.” Elric did not give me any time to brace myself before pulling me over his shoulder and sprinting through the woods, he was much faster than when I had been chasing him. It took everything I had to grab Sky and hold Luka to make sure they didn't fall. After our run that felt like it had lasted hours, this one felt extraordinarily short. I realized with a start that he had just made me run for a while for the sake of it, and that the goblin camp hadn’t been too far from town. Elric set me down as soon as the town became visible.
“Not a fan of that...” I complained as I wobbled a bit, the ride was not overly stable, instead each time he dodged a branch or avoided a tree he would simply jerk and jump. It was like he was enjoying tormenting me. Not to mention the times where I felt he purposefully whacked me against low branches.
“Whatever kid, get over it. See ya tomorrow.” Elric just ran off after that, with me staring at him. I sighed before returning home. This time my parents knew I was going to be out for a while, but I was still nervous as I opened the door. From outside I could see that a light was still on and I knew I had been later than they had expected. My mother sat on my bed, her eyes on the door.
“Lios... what happened? Are you hurt?” she jumped up and eyed the goblin blood that was splattered on my clothes. I shook my head.
“I’m okay, they couldn’t touch me.” I tried to reassure her only to gasp as she swallowed me with a hug.
“I don't know how I’ll do this when you're a full fledged adventurer.” She muttered in my ear, and I felt something wet against my cheek. I was nearly as tall as she was now. I wrapped my arms around her quietly, deigning not to say anything for a while.
We stood like that for a few minutes, with me unsure what to say and her not letting me go. After she did she stepped back, avoiding my eyes. “Well, it is late so you should get some rest. I’m sure you have the usual early morning. Good night, my son.”
She backed up to her room, but before she could close the door behind her I said “I love you mom. Thanks for worrying about me... it makes me feel... It makes me feel so loved and wanted. Thank you.” I didn’t know how to reassure her, but I didn’t think she needed to be embarrassed for worrying about her child. She smiled and said “I love you too Alexilios. And don't you forget it.”
“I won't mom, I won't."