Sebas awoke to the soft, golden light of dawn seeping through the window of his small room at the inn. His body ached from the previous day’s battles, but it was a satisfying ache—a reminder of progress. As he stretched and adjusted the loose, practical clothes he preferred, he mulled over Aldric Vael’s words. The guild leader had made it clear: power wasn’t enough. He needed a party. Allies. People he could trust.
The idea made Sebas uneasy. Trust didn’t come easily to him, not after everything he’d endured. Still, he couldn’t deny the truth in Aldric’s advice. Adventuring was a perilous life, and lone wolves rarely survived long.
---
The Adventurers’ Guild was bustling with activity by the time Sebas arrived. Groups of adventurers gathered around tables, discussing strategies and boasting about their exploits. The quest board was crowded with hopeful rookies scanning for jobs that wouldn’t get them killed. Sebas took a deep breath and stepped inside.
Near the bar, Marek lounged against a pillar, tossing a coin into the air. His sharp eyes caught Sebas the moment he walked in.
“Morning, fledgling,” Marek called out, his smirk as cocky as ever. “Looking for more trouble already?”
Sebas joined him, glancing around the room. “Not trouble. A party. Aldric said I need to find companions if I’m serious about this.”
Marek’s smirk widened. “Aldric’s not wrong. A good party can make all the difference. Question is, what kind of people are you looking for?”
Sebas hesitated. “People who can balance my weaknesses. Fighters, spellcasters, anyone with experience. I’m not picky as long as they’re competent.”
Marek nodded, his expression turning thoughtful. “Competent is good. Trustworthy is better. You don’t want someone who’ll stab you in the back for a few extra coins.”
Sebas sighed. “Where do I even start?”
Marek’s grin returned. “Lucky for you, I know a few folks who might be willing to give you a shot. Follow me.”
---
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Marek led Sebas to a group gathered near the quest board. Three adventurers stood in a loose circle, discussing their next job. They looked up as Marek approached.
“Keira, Lorn, Finn,” Marek said, gesturing to each of them in turn. “Meet Sebas. He’s looking to join a party.”
Keira, a lithe woman with sharp eyes and a bow slung across her back, raised an eyebrow. “A rookie warlock? Interesting choice.”
Lorn, a stocky dwarf with a massive axe resting against his shoulder, grunted. “As long as he doesn’t blow us up, I’m fine with it.”
Finn, a young mage with nervous energy, adjusted his glasses. “We… we could use another spellcaster,” he mumbled.
Sebas straightened his shoulders. “I won’t slow you down. Just give me a chance.”
Keira exchanged a glance with Lorn, then nodded. “Fine. We’re heading out to clear a goblin den. It’s straightforward enough. If you can pull your weight, we’ll talk about making it permanent.”
Sebas nodded. “Understood.”
---
The journey to the goblin den was uneventful, giving Sebas time to observe his potential companions. Keira moved with the grace of a seasoned hunter, her eyes constantly scanning their surroundings. Lorn’s heavy footsteps contrasted sharply with her light tread, but the dwarf carried himself with a calm confidence. Finn, meanwhile, seemed perpetually on edge, his hands never straying far from his spellbook.
When they reached the den, Keira held up a hand to signal silence. The cave’s entrance loomed before them, dark and foreboding. “Goblins are small, fast, and love to ambush,” she said quietly. “Stay alert.”
Sebas tightened his grip on his staff, his pulse quickening. This was his first real test since gaining his powers. He could feel the magic of his pact simmering beneath his skin, ready to be unleashed.
The group entered the cave, Finn conjuring a small orb of light to guide their way. The air was damp and heavy, carrying the faint stench of rot. They moved cautiously, their footsteps echoing softly against the stone walls.
The first attack came suddenly. A guttural cry rang out, and goblins swarmed from the shadows. Keira loosed an arrow, her shot striking true. Lorn charged with a roar, his axe cleaving through their attackers. Finn muttered an incantation, sending a bolt of fire hurtling into the fray.
Sebas focused on the power within him, the ancient words of fire slipping from his tongue. Flames erupted from his staff, engulfing a group of goblins. The heat was intense, the magic exhilarating. He felt a strange satisfaction as the creatures fell before him.
“Not bad, rookie!” Lorn shouted, hacking through another goblin.
The battle was chaotic but brief. When the last goblin fell, the group regrouped near the cave’s entrance, their breathing heavy. Keira wiped her blade clean on a scrap of cloth.
“You’re rough around the edges, but you’ve got potential,” she said, giving Sebas a nod.
Lorn clapped him on the back, nearly knocking him over. “You’ve got fire in you—literally! I like it.”
Finn offered a shy smile. “Your spell was… impressive.”
Sebas felt a flicker of pride. He had survived, and more importantly, he had contributed. Perhaps he was finally finding his place.
---
The group returned to the guild victorious, their spirits high. Keira and Lorn headed to the bar to celebrate, while Finn lingered near the quest board, lost in thought. Sebas approached Marek, who was waiting near the entrance.
“Well?” Marek asked, his smirk firmly in place.
Sebas smiled. “I think I found my party.”
Marek clapped him on the shoulder. “Told you it’d work out. Just don’t let it go to your head, fledgling. You’ve still got a long way to go.”
Sebas nodded. He knew Marek was right. His journey was just beginning, but for the first time, he felt like he wasn’t walking it alone. With allies by his side and the power of the Dragon Queen within him, he was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.