19692 The 2nd Spring

My burning desire to be strong had to wait as I couldn't really walk for the last three months even as the healer constantly checked in and guided my recovery. The gang came to visit every other day to see how I was doing but soon Nia’s and Jappo’s visitations thinned. They’re both already just months away from their ninth birthday and their families want them to prepare and learn about their future professions.

Jappo is most likely going to be a merchant, his other option was to work in an administrative role however he hates politics. It's inefficient in his opinion.

Nia’s future path is still unclear. She likes alchemy, herbs, gardening and weaving, she’s also a fan of running around aimlessly, a bit too conflicting interests. The chances of her choosing anything fighting-related are diminishingly low with that timid personality of hers.

Now that I’m fully healed and ready to roll it's time to learn the ropes of fighting like a pro from mom and dad. Will I do some cool backflips, or a graceful dance-like footwork, or maybe some quick and devastating punches?

“Ok, run twenty laps around the backyard.” My enthusiasm instantly vanishes at moms first task. “Why do you look so stupid? Did you expect to get a sword right away?” I nod. ”Get to running!”

“C’mon mom, why do I have to run around like some happy-go-lucky dog?”

“Because your stamina is basically nonexistent.” Short, harsh, and truthful explanation, running it is then.

“Stamina training is important whether you try to become a mage or a fighter. If you can’t run away you’re dead, if you can’t catch your prey you worked for nothing, if you collapse before the end of the fight, guess what, you die." Mom doesn’t mess around. I get it stamina is important but damn.

“Dear, she’s only eight, you know that right?” Nice save papa, at least I have someone on my side. “So let her run as much as she can and be more selective with your words.”

What the hell is with them and running?? You were my last hope, dad and you betrayed me.

“Why should I? She’ll need to realize sooner or later that just because you’re strong doesn’t mean you can’t die. Quite the opposite, the stronger you are the more danger finds you whether you like it or not and the more you have to do to reach higher levels." Mom drill instructor mode activated, sheesh.

I get it, she was an active adventurer for many years, has she’s seen many things, knows better On the other hand, I’m only eight, almost nine, I've got time, no? No?

After they make me run till I can no longer walk, dad comes up to me. “Good, now that you’re finished with the warm-up, we can start with coordination.” I can't believe my ears. Warm-up?

“I can see the question in your eyes, yes, warm up. You need the stamina anyway, however, the main point is to make you border on exhaustion and learn how to operate on that level.” He smiles widely. “You won't always be in top condition when it's a question of life and death so if you learn how to run, climb and jump when you are at the end of your rope then you’ll be able to perform in any situation.”

I’m not too sure about the reasoning. I mean, if you’re exhausted and have to flee you probably already messed up pretty badly, but whatever.

***

And that’s what I did for weeks on end, don't get me wrong my parents aren’t that cruel and we only did physical training three times a week. I’m still their precious and beautiful little daughter so working me like a racehorse would be insane. Right?

I also needed time to meet with my friends and read books. Sometimes me and the gang snuck out of the city and went into the Walderk Forest nearby, only to the edges though. We aren't that stupid, there are still beasts living there and just wanted to take a peek. The trees there are ridiculously tall in some places, like twice the tallest church tower of Meliorport stacked on top of each other. The wildlife is pretty sparse so far out and that's probably because of the hunters. Things killed here get into our bellies and prevent us from ending up in their bellies.

It was a nice change from life in the city. Oh, don't get me wrong I love civilization, I’d never trade a warm bed for stepping into deer poop. Warm food, no constant fear of death and bathing, being able to wash all that itchy, sweaty, dirty smudge away… Yeah, city one, nature zero. Weeks went on without seeing my friends, months without a holiday to other towns for mom’s job, almost a year theorizing and preparing for my initiation.

***

In a few days, my System will be unlocked marking my first step towards adulthood, the first of many, many steps. My dilemma now is that I still don't know what exactly to choose and what to do after I get my class. However, that's not too important at the beginning as the very first starter class isn't really focused on anything of your choice. It’s more generalized, like Unruly, Citizen of Valeria, or Guided by the Wind, things like that, things we have no influence over. They are determined at the moment of our birth.

Nia, Jappo, Frans and Connie are rarely coming over to play nowadays as it turns out, I really am the youngest among us five. Jappo is already an apprentice at the merchant guild, Nia tries herself at weaving for now, still not certain about her future while Connie and Frans only got their System unlocked six days ago, so they’re still just dabbling.

“Listen here Eli, when you get your Class the first thing we’ll do is get you some General Skills and do some basic training like usual. Besides that you can just go play with your friends and get accustomed to the System, okay?” I give a nod to mom “Then when you leveled some of your basic stuff, reached level nine and classed up we’ll go into the forest to search for some easy prey. You don't need to rush things, take your time so you don't mess up. Your father and I will accompany you of course and guide you on the way.”

“Sounds good, can’t wait, good good.” I’m just hopping in place. “Three days seem like forever at this point. But what will I do later when I’m around level eighty?”

“Don’t get ahead of yourself young lady, especially not that much. We’ll see, it depends on what class you choose.” Mom ruffles my hair. I hate that. “Do you still want to be like mom and dad and fight close quarters or did you change your mind?”

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I’m still a little hesitant here, however, if I don't like melee I can always reset, it's less punishing early on.

“Still melee” I say with a nod.

***

A day passes, then another, and at last, it's the evening before my birthday. Tomorrow I’ll be nine years old. As the night comes I go to bed early to be fresh and ready when I start my new life but falling asleep has never been more difficult. I just roll around in my bed for what feels like an eternity when suddenly… darkness, utter and total darkness

Then in a blink of an eye, I'm standing on the beach near Meliorport, when I turn around the city is nowhere to be found. It’s just me, the endless beach and the sound of the gentle waves washing over the sand.

Out of nowhere, I see movement and Dolorez walks up to me. The cat looks just like on any other day, there’s nothing special about it, except one feature.

“Welcome to your soulscape, child.” Says the cat in a soothing and feminine voice.

The cat?? I must be dreaming, right? Yeah, that would explain this weird place.

“You are not dreaming, well not like normal dreams.” The damn cat talks again.

I blink in confusion “So the cat can speak, and read my mind as well? Just wonderful, and right when I was about to get my cla-. Wait a minute this is the class selection ground, isn’t it? The place everyone enters upon classing up? The problem is I’m not supposed to come here, this is my first class, it just gets assigned.” My distracted mumbling would go on for a few minutes if not for the cat. Is that thing even a cat?

“I may have taken shape as a cat and might stay like a cat for this meeting. It’s for your own comfort I assure you. I could be a goblin if you like.” The cat lays down on a nearby rock, its tail flicking in amusement. “And you’re right, we are not here because of your class, we’re here because of the circumstances of your birth.”

“My birth?” I raise an eyebrow. “My mom gave birth to me nine years ago, I grew up and nothing more. What about it?”

“Did they not tell you what happened at the time of your birth, why that timeframe was special?” Now it's the cat’s turn to be confused as I just shake my head.

“Hmmm, peculiar, I would’ve expected them to share something so… rare. I think we need to take a little detour.”

Just as the last word leaves the cat’s mouth the scenery changes around us. We’re above a town that should be similarly on the Azure Shore. Wait, we're in the air?? Shit, no no no! I flail my arms around.

Nothing happens.

I won’t die?

“Do not worry, these are just pictures of the past.” As the cat explains the skies turn red. “That,” she indicates with her head “is the Crimson Comet. It crests over Aelion when the time for its purpose is ripe.”

I look up seeing a blazing red light above our heads. It's somehow beautiful and ominous at the same time.

“The Comet is the herald of change, it appears to break the status quo. You, Elyssia, were born under that very Comet, in a time of great suffering and countless deaths you were given life.”

Then we change locations once more. This time the sight that welcomes me is a city with great walls and tall buildings. However it's not the city that’s special in this scene, it's the carnage, the fighting and the rivers of blood that draw my attention. The sight is grotesque and makes my stomach churn, which in turn makes my dinner force its way up.

How can I even vomit in my dream what I ate before going to sleep?

As I relieve myself the cat continues. “ As you can see, the Comet takes innumerable lives but it also gives something in return. Natural marvels, magical resources and a Blessing to those who were born under its light and survived its passing.” We reappear back on the beach again.

As the implications seep in I look up at the cat. I really should stop calling it a cat, whatever it is. A guide? Ghost? A God?

It looks at me amused. “You may call me whatever you wish, my task is just to assign the Blessings.”

“So you came to bless… me? I’m just a simple girl… Like, maybe I was born on a day when the sky was red, and that’s it?”

The cat, whatever it stays cat, nods. “Indeed, it gives as much as it takes, to maintain balance. Now child, let's see who you really are.” As the cat says that its eyes begin to glow yellow. “Hmm, a great fighting spirit you have there, the consequence of a trauma. You don’t strive for conflict but are ready for when it finds you. This might suit you, however…I feel like your curiosity and your passion for learning is equally as great. You always question the reason behind things, the small details, the unseen cogs in the greater machine. So the question is… Which direction do you see your future self walking towards?”

My mind is in overdrive, trying to understand the implications. “Wha- huh? Do you mean what I want to be? I-I want to be strong enough to not be looked down upon.”

“Is that really what you want from your life?” Curiosity in its eyes as it watches my dilemma.”Knowledge or strength? Take your time.”

I ponder on it for a minute, then two, then five, then a lot. In the end, I remember something mom and dad used to say to get me to read books and learn.

“Knowledge is strength. Well of course not all knowledge, but still. I think I’d rather have answers to my questions. I can’t live all my life just for the sake of getting strong.” I mutter as an answer settles in me.

“An interesting decision. So be it. Ask a question, any question that intrigues you. However, be careful what you wish to know, knowledge can be dangerous and you only have one question to ask.”

Another dilemma, this time maybe even a greater one. My wandering mind makes me remember the problem that’s been gnawing at me for some years now, a weird secret of the world that we should know by now. What exactly is fire? Not just fire, what about the other elements? What is lighting? What is the earth made out of? Beside dirt. If there’s nothing in the air then what are the winds?

And so without thinking, without intent behind it, my mouth opens. “The world… how does it work? What are the elements we see?” Before I can realize what I just said, the cat stands up and stretches its limbs.

I catch genuine mirth flicker across the cat’s face. “Yes, finally some true curiosity. That was more than one question but the intention behind it should count as one. Most are just interested in immortality, the way to unparalleled strength, hah, those greedy creatures. Your question however is truly driven by curiosity and the desire for answers.” The cat smiles, although I have no idea how I can tell feline facial expressions apart. “There are places and beings who have found a solution to your dilemma after millennia of searching.”

And with that, a long list appears with words. Countless rows of names. “These are the names of those who have found the answer to your question in their own unique way. You may choose one or receive one randomly.”

I look at the long list, Malakar, Elleven, Avantheim, and so many more I can’t even remember the first few. Then… a weird one catches my attention. Earth? What a stupid name that is!

The cat sees my gaze linger on the word. “Ah, a world with a truly weird name. Who would name their planet after the soil? However, it's not my place to judge. They have a… different approach to the matter as the others.”Then it remains silent.

Does it even matter which one I choose? They are all answers to my question anyway, or so the cat said. There is no wrong answer among only good answers, so… whatever.

“Just give me the weirdly named one. The Earth.” I can't be bothered with this, I’m too damn curious about the actual stuff.