Jake drove us over to the maple, stopping in a parking lot at the edge of the crater. We walked the rest of the way there accompanied by Wiggles on a hefty leash. Last time I was at maple lane the crowd entering the dungeon had made it hard to see much of the dungeon through the open doors. Today the crowd was mostly gone and I could see into the dungeon as I approached the roots. I looked through the open doors to see... nothing, just a foggy white expanse. Was there something hiding what the dungeon looked like? Why would be hidden? I wouldn’t be finding out for a while anyways; We turned up the roots a good 30 feet from the dungeon entrance. We walked around the trunk, and again I looked at the ramps up the tree. I would not want to have to go up there for work.
The castle came into view as we finished going around the trunk. It was just as impressive as I remembered. There were less people than last time but I could still make out several groups of people getting instruction as they swung around swords, spears, and more. I paid close attention, and I was starting to feel a bit worried about this. Most of the people were using fake practice weapons, but fake or not they looked serious. I noticed someone swinging a pair of nunchucks rather enthusiastically until they collided with his head and he collapsed. I watched worried as the instructor rushed over and helped him up. I relaxed when it became clear the only damage was to his pride as they confiscated the weapon. I laughed to myself feeling a bit better about this. Jake turned to me a bit confused about what was so funny, and when I explained he laughed too. Pretty soon we reached the castle, crossing the solid bridge into the courtyard. Unlike last time the chairs were stored away somewhere. Without the stage and seats all that was left was an empty space and a set of double doors leading to the actual building. The doors looked like they weighed a ton but one was propped open allowing us to slip in without any problem. The interior structure was unexpectedly normal looking. It had smooth white walls with wood trim and fluorescent lights that looked like they belonged in a community center. One wall had a large bulletin board covered in colorful fliers. It wouldn’t be hard to forget I was inside a castle run by people who professionally fought monsters if it weren't for the pair of four foot mandibles crossed in an x over the reception desk we were approaching. The receptionist had short sandy hair and looked to be in his mid twenties, he was also a perfect example of the mix of vibes the room had. He was wearing a beige cardigan and had small glasses perched over his pleasant smile. Despite this he also looked like he could fight a bear and win.
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“Hello and welcome to the delver's guild, how can I help you- oh hi Jake!”.
“Hey Leo, I’m just taking my friend Ethan to get some practice before trying the dungeon. Do you know where that would be?”
“Oh course! Any preferences, or just a general class?”
“I think just a general overview, does that sound good Ethan?”
“Uh, yeah, that sounds good.” Leo said there was a class starting in just a few minutes in the north sparring area, Jake started leading me along. We passed the bulletin board and one flier caught my eye, a black armored figure holding a black spear facing down a large black shadow.
“Hey that's you right?” I asked and Jake turned to look at the flier, recognition flashing in his eyes and then a grin appearing.
“Yeah, I look pretty great in it don’t I. It took so long if I nearly ran out of avatar” Jake said, smiling at the memory
“Cool, so your kinda important in the guild?”
“A bit, but there are plenty of others as good as me, I’m just more photogenic I suppose” Jake, and I decided not to point out his avatar was the photogenic one, it was a joke. I was pretty sure.
Jake dropped Wiggle off at the courtyard, apparently she loved sparring and interrupted it to get pets from the combatants whenever she was there. I was worried, but Leo said it was fine (which may have been biased biased on the fact he was petting the pupper when we left). It took us three minutes of silence to reach the north sparring area. There was already a small group standing around waiting, and we joined them. The north sparring area was a large sandy circle, and there were a few racks of practice weapons made of wood set up. There was a boy and a girl who looked like siblings talking to each other, three bros messing around, a slight guy with medium black hair who looked around my age fidgeting off to the side. The instructor was nowhere in sight. The black haired person approached me and Jake.
“Hi I’m Will, I just returned this Thursday. It's crazy right, like one second I’m asleep and the next I wake up and I’ve slept through being abducted by a super space rainbow god- sorry, I’m working on not just dominating the conversation. What are your names?” The person, Will apparently, spewed a verbal tsunami, leaving me frozen trying to formulate an answer. Fortunately Jake saved me.
“I’m Jake and this is my friend Ethan. I’ve been here for a while but Ethan just got here last week too.”
“Ah, cool, so you already have an avatar and stuff, could I see it or is that prying, sorry if it is.”
“Oh no it’s fine, but it looks like the instructor’s here.” Jake deflected, and turning I confirmed the Instructor was in fact here now. He had shaggy brown hair and a short beard, and looked around like he was in his late twenties or so. He quickly gathered everyone's attention with a loud clap, and class began.