Jazmel stood stunned, in a weird place of surrealism. He stood there, staring down at the body of his friend. One of the first people he had met in the labyrinth. He hadn’t even see Patton be struck, and yet. Here he lay at his feet and his body lifeless.

Katie rushed past him, her chains falling from her wrists as she shuck them off. Crying; wailing with true sorrow. Her heart was in turmoil. Though she spent a great deal of time with Bannerman, Patton and Katie had joined the party together. She now hugged his face and head, crying on him. Jazmel stood frozen, watching her tears fall on the pale face of their friend.

Sadé stepped past him, squeezing his arm with comfort. As she went to check on their friend, Katie who was not alright, but she shook off Sadé’s arms. Twice before she relented and let her near. Jazmel and Bannerman stood beside them as they kneeled beside their friend. Jazmel didn’t know what to do, he had no words. He was not prepared for this; he had thought they would all survive. He had thrown himself into that fight with his all, he fought at the front of their party. Ensuring he was always in the position of true danger. Yet somehow, he had survived again. Against a primordial at that, and now they had lost one of their friends.

Jazmel shuddered and realised he had been holding his breath. He exhaled and it caught in his throat, he bit back a cry and squeezed his eyes shut. Forcing the tears back, he had a job to do, and he wasn’t going to fall apart now, not when everyone needed him right now.

He turned and saw Tera Nema watching this all unfold. She inclined her head in apology at Jazmel.

“Check your stats, do what you need to do. When that’s done, we are leaving.” He said and everyone quietly did their best to stay away from Jazmel and his friends.

Katie continued to wail, to cry over the dead body of Patton.

DING!

YOU HAVE DEFEATED THE SHADOW OF A PRIMORDIAL!

YOU HAVE SLAIN A FRAGMENT OF A PRIMORDIAL!

…

…

YOUR REWARDS WILL GREATLY IMPROVE!

…

YOUR COMPANION HAS LEVELED UP!

YOUR COMPANION HAS LEVELED UP!

YOUR COMPANION HAS REACHED LEVEL 10!!

CONGRATULATIONS IT IS READY FOR ITS SECOND EVOLUTION!

MITHRIL CHEST GAINED!

PARTY

ERROR

4/4

…

YOUR PARTY HAS SUFFERED A LOSS!

YOUR FACTION HAS SUFFERED A LOSS!!

…

…

YOU STOPPED THE EMERGENCE OF THE PRIMORDIAL!

PRIMORDIAL OF CHAOS AND CACOPHONY EMERGENCE STOPPED!

…

CONGRATULATIONS!

YOU STOPPED THE BLOOD ACOLYTES RITUAL!

YOU SAVED MANY OF THE HOSTAGES!

…

YOUR REWARDS WILL BE GREATLY IMPROVED!

…

…

…

PRIMORDIAL CORE SHARD GAINED!

15 STAT POINTS GAINED!

RANKER TIER HEART OF THE JIGWI GAINED

RANKER TIER SCOURGING SCARAB GAINED

RANKER TIER FRUIT OF THE MANA TREE GAINED

MASTER TIER GOURD OF SANCTITY GAINED!

LEVEL UP!

LEVEL UP

EXP HAS GREATLY BEEN ACCRUED!

+5 END

+5 VIT

+5 PER

+3 AGL

+3 DEX

Jazmel looked at each item, suddenly curious to see what he had gained.

PRIMORDIAL CORE SHARD! A shard of a core of a primordial being.

The system had barely any information to offer regarding the primordial shard, but Jazmel had found the final shard piece to complete the entire core.

He had gained 15 stat points now and he was going to share them out right away. He was more motivated in growing quickly than before. He had suffered, his heart had felt like it was shattering in his chest. But with the continued reoccurrence of primordial beings, he was sure he and his faction would be seeing more of them, especially in the future.

RANKER TIER HEART OF THE JIGWI! The heart of the Jigwi, a spiritual birdlike being wrought of flame and chaos.

That sounded interesting, after all he had not even encountered one. But that was fine, Paldane was curious about flame, and he seemed to be ready for his next evolution after all. He would share that with him when they were in more hospitable surroundings.

RANKER TIER SCOURGING SCARAB! Scourging scarab an item that is good for finding items, release it in a gate and it will show you something hidden. Two uses!

That intrigued Jazmel, an item hunting item. That would be a boon for him.

RANKER TIER FRUIT OF THE MANA TREE! The fruit of a mature Mana tree will increase the consumer’s Mana points!

MASTER TIER GOURD OF SANCTITY! The gourd of sanctity is a rare item, used for tier tribulations.

The loot was ample, but he still hadn't even opened the mithril chest. No he had been saving that, but he accepted it now and it appeared in wonder before him. He watched as a shower of mithril glitter showered down as the chest landed at his feet.

He popped open the lid and the mithril chest glistened with system energy.

DING!

CONGRATULATIONS ON GAINING THE MITHRIL CHEST!

MASTER TIER CELESTIAL CARP GAINED!

MASTER TIER ASHES OF THE FALLEN GAINED!

MONARCH TIER RUNE OF PERCEPTION GAINED!

WILL YOU ACCEPT THESE ITEMS?

Y/N?

He accepted them and Jazmel watched as they appeared within his ring, he focused on each of them.

MASTER TIER CELESTIAL CARP! A celestial carp that has begun its ascension to become a dragon.

Jazmel looked over the carp, it was a beautiful fish, as long as his arm and thicker. Its scales were opaque and similar to white jade. He watched as the carp laid motionless within his ring and he could feel the dense, yet pure Mana coiled within it and inside its core.

MASTER TIER ASHES OF THE FALLEN! Ashes sourced from the battlefield of many fallen, lay the ashes of the fallen atop your blade and sharpen its edge!

Something to raise the attack of his sword? He had almost forgotten that he was down to two swords. After all Nozarashi had broken, but he didn’t want to think about that at the moment.

MONARCH TIER RUNE OF PERCEPTION! An imprint item that raises the senses greatly!

Jazmel nodded at that final item, something that would enhance his eyes. He was intrigued by the monarch tier; he was curious to see how well it would do for him. after all his eyes were already ‘eyes of the divine’ based off of what the system called them.

When he just placed all the items within his ring. The chest burst into a stream of glitter and the system focused on it and popped up with another notification.

DING!

MITHRIL CHEST PRESENTS YOU WITH X150 PLATINUM COINS!

He took those into his ring and then placed them into his ring where he kept all his coins. Then he turned to face everyone and the thing he had been trying to keep back. The thing he had been willing behind the fourth wall of his mind.

He turned to Katie; who was laying atop of the body and whimpering. She lay on Patton’s lifeless body and cried, at first she had screamed. A blood curling wail that affected everyone, but then she simply cried. Melancholic mourning, she bawled and Jazmel felt his heart shatter with each wail.

“We need to go back home.” Sadé whispered to him, as she looked up from her place. She was kneeling beside Katie as Patton laid down.

“We are going home; you are all coming.” He said, talking to Tera Nema, but also talking to everyone.

“Tera Nema, gather all the survivors. Every single one of them, you can all come with us to the faction and then figure out what you want to do from there.” She nodded and turning to her own party, she spoke quickly, and they broke off. Heading off to gather up the survivors.

“Bannerman, we are bringing him back.” He said, he couldn’t look at Patton’s body right now. No. If he did, he would break, and he couldn’t afford to break right now.

As Bannerman moved over to pick up Patton’s body. Sadé pulled a cloak from one of her rings and draped it over Patton’s lifeless body. As they moved him, the fountain broke apart. Jazmel jumped up wary; and pulled his sword, Daishinkan. But the fountain was deteriorating as a gate opened in its place.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

DING!

WILL YOU RETURN TO YOUR FACTION?

Y/N?

He placed a hand on the gate as he accepted, and he felt the system energy. Change ever so slightly.

“Come on, everyone head into the gate, it will bring you to the faction. We will get you all situated as soon as possible.” He shouted over the hushed talking, and words of everyone as they rushed towards the gate.

“We will talk when you have time.” Tera Nema uttered as she passed him, heading into the gate.

Everyone walked in Bannerman carrying Patton and Katie walked beside him stroking the felt draped cloak. Jazmel lowered his gaze as they passed through.

Sadé came and stood beside him, he watched the wide back of Bannerman. staring after him even when he disappeared into the centre of the gate.

“Let’s go together.” Sadé said, offering her hand; clasping and locking fingers with him. she walked and he followed her, stepping in tandem with her steps. Pushing his body to follow her lead.

Three steps and he was out of the dank fountain gate. That cave of despair. No, he was home, the smell of sweet grass and lake water could be smelt on the air. But they weren’t alone. As soon as Jazmel and Sadé walked through the gate, he saw Mary, Tango and Baek standing with serious faces.

“What happened?” Mary quizzed them, Jazmel didn’t even get a chance to speak. Sadé answered.

“Are you alright?” Tango asked, coming over and hugging both Sadé and Jazmel.

“What actually happened?” Baek asked and Tera Nema stepped forward to explain. Baek listened but his eyes darted back and forth, between Tera Nema and Jazmel’s face.

“Gather all the captains.” Jazmel said, stepping past them all and walking up the short path towards the faction tower.

“Bannerman and Katie, please find a quiet place where he won’t be disturbed. We will bury him as soon as we can.” Jazmel uttered as he passed.

Sadé followed him quietly, while Tango and Baek immediately followed behind her. Tera Nema followed them. leading her girls and then the group of survivors followed at the end, with Mary bringing up the rear. There must have been around forty women there, young, and old. But Jazmel hadn't taken the time to stop and get to know anyone.

He walked through the gate and Elai and Wendy sprinted over.

“What happened?” Elai started, but she saw Bannerman carrying someone. Bit back her words and lowered her head.

“Wendy take these women to the healing quarters; they have suffered wounds and trauma.” Sadé said and Wendy immediately split off and hurried over.

“Elai, get the others. We need to talk with everyone.” Elai left and darted off. Jazmel turned to see who was still with him. Sadé, Baek, Tango, Tera Nema, Myn and Mary. Morwen and Grace had gone to the healing quarters and Jazmel saw they had been suffering from wounds also.

Gilmore came out from the tower, saw Jazmel and waved. But noticing the sombre mood, waited as they passed him and entered the tower.

Jazmel stepped up and sat in his seat. He felt suddenly incensed by system energy, revitalised even but it couldn’t fix his broken heart.

Gelth entered with Timone, they smelt of battle. Jazmel wondered if they had been within the astral domain. Elai entered and Jazmel realised he had been waiting for Patton. Patton, Bannerman, and Katie, but they had been away for obvious reasons.

“What happened?” Mary asked and Jazmel nodded.

He took the time to tell them all about their journey. From the mirror of Tildred and all the way to the fight with the primordial. Some simply listened while others gasped and expressed their concerns.

“What is a primordial?” Timone asked and just when Jazmel was about to answer. Sadé stepped in, explaining about the fountain gates, the trials that Jazmel had undergone. Elai jumped in and told them about the place of Mirete.

“I should probably explain the part we played in this.” Tera Nema stepped forward, her head high.

She took that moment to share how she and her party had caught the primordial acolytes kidnapping girls. They had fought, beaten many but were overwhelmed. Before they were caught, she had sent out three missives; three origami swans. But only Jazmel and his party had come to save them.

Jazmel listened to this, he felt a tiny bit better. In truth at least the cause had been worth it, but he was avidly aware of the lack of Patton’s presence.

“Baek have you ever seen a primordial before?” Jazmel asked, and the room fell silent.

“I have not, I have not witnessed such a being within the labyrinth.” He confessed and Jazmel nodded, the primordial beings seemed to resonate with him. something about his entry into the labyrinth had awoken them and they were doing their best to find him and wreak havoc.

“In truth, I don’t know why the system keeps putting me in the path of these primordial beings. Especially when I haven’t met a single soul who can tell me anything about them. all I know is that they are strong. Hopelessly strong and today I saw that we were unprepared!”

“It seems that we will keep being embroiled within the matters of the primordial. So now it is imperative that we all focus on getting stronger. I need you all to get stronger, we lost one of our own today. My heart is broken, but we cannot stagger and stall here. We cannot afford to play anymore; it seems the stakes are much higher than we are previously though. Than I thought.” He told them all, his face was serious, and his voice was gravelly.

“What do you want us to do?” Gelth asked, suddenly focused and his voice deep.

“I want you to form parties amongst yourselves. I want you to take those in the faction below and delve. We need to push our boundaries more and more. I want us to continuously be delving into the labyrinth and I want it to be under the tutelage of the captains.” Jazmel responded.

“Mary can you see to it that they begin to form groups and parties?” he asked, and she nodded, face solemn. She stepped out and most of the group followed her.

“Baek, and Elai. Can you find a place for us to bury Patton? It will be a quiet ceremony; we need to keep it for intimate.” He said, Baek stepped away and Elai followed him.

“Tango, can you check on the survivors. I need to make sure they are all alright, can you see about making sure that everyone has somewhere to lay their head tonight.” He asked and Tango nodded, leaving to do as he had been asked.

Then it was just Sadé, Tera Nema and Myn.

“I am so sorry for your loss. I know you will say it is, isn’t my fault. But I am terribly sorry, I don’t know what I can do to appease your pain. So I will do what I think is the right thing here.” Tera Nema said and while she was speaking.

DING!

TERA NEMA AND HER PARTY HAVE REQUEST TO JOIN THE FACTION!

…

WILL YOU ACCEPT

RANKER TIER II TERA NEMA

RANKER TIER II MYN

RANKER TIER III GRACE

RANKER TIER II MORWEN

Y/N?

He looked at the system notifications and then he looked at Tera Nema.

“Are you sure?” he said, and she nodded. He looked over to Sadé and she smiled, it was mirthless, but he could see she was trying to make him feel better. He accepted and he watched as Tera Nema’s eyes lit up from the different quests and tasks. The faction tasks were important for them all and he realised she was probably going to receive rewards.

“Accept the rewards and tasks. After you have rested you can explore the domain as well as the astral domain on the lower floor. we have a forge too, so you can replace the items you lost.” He offered and Tera Nema nodded, thanking him.

He stepped down from his seat, feeling the system energy ebb away. She hugged him, pulling him into a tight hug and squeezed affection into him.

“I am truly sorry for the loss of your friend; you came to our rescue, and we will not forget that.” She said and Jazmel simply nodded, his vision blurred with tears and suddenly in a daze.

“Come with me ladies, I will show you were the ladies all sleep here.” Sadé said, sensing the mood change, he slow blinked at her. Silently thanking her and she nodded knowingly.

“Sorry.” Myn said, her voice quiet and shy. He waved at her quietly.

He stepped back up into his seat and looked over his interface.

YOUR FACTION INTERFACE SCREEN

OUTPOST – BLACK WING FACTION

TIER II OUTPOST

* 26% OUTPOST STRENGTH

* 80% REGION MAP

FACTION LEADER SCREEN INTERFACE

FACTION LEADER – JAZMEL

WAR COMMANDER – MARY

FORGE MASTER – GORIN

SCHOLAR – BAEK

FACTION CAPTAINS

* BANNERMAN

* KATIE

* GILMORE

* GELTH

* ELAI

* WENDY

* LYSANDER

* TERA NEMA

* GRACE

* MYN

* MORWEN

FACTION RETAINERS (WELL KNOWN)

* TANGO

* SADE

* LENO

* SERAFINA

* SAIF

OUTPOST POPULATION

* 2 MASTER TIER

* 20 RANKER TIER

* 250 SEEKER TIER

GROUPS

* CLAW

* MOUNTAIN BREAKERS

* BRADDON HILL DEFENDERS

ALLIES

* KINGDOM OF OREVALOR

* BRADDON HILL

He nodded over the information. It looked right to him, and he wasn’t about to complain much, he was about to look over his rewards again. When Paldane crawled from his preferred spot. Where he would nestle inside his collar.

“I got some things for you.” He said, saddened but happy that Paldane wanted to be near him.

Show me! Paldane said and Jazmel could feel the hunger aching across their shared link.

Jazmel brought out the items he had been saving and Paldane’s snout grew wet with saliva.

DING!

YOUR COMPANION IS READY TO EVOLVE!

IT HAS REQUESTED ITEMS FROM YOUR PERSON!!

…

…

* UNCORRUPT TIER III LEVIATHAN BEAST CORE

* TIER III MANTICORE BEAST CORE

* RANKER TIER HEART OF THE JIGWI

Jazmel nodded, each item was a solid request. He did wonder what would happen to Paldane after he evolved. Sadé had told him a long time ago, that creatures could only evolve three times. So this being his second evolution would be the beginning of the end for him.

Paldane scooped up each item with intense pleasure and bounded through the tower doors in a gangly run. He was still not used to his body, Jazmel could tell he preferred to fly than actually be on all four of his legs.

DING!

YOUR COMPANION IS UNDERGOING AN EVOLUTION!

Jazmel had followed him out and he watched as Paldane flew into the sky. flying high above their heads. He was ascending as high as possible.

He watched as he swallowed down the leviathan core, he could tell because his eyes noticed the change. The Mana flourished the colour of seawater and blue corral. It was a beauty to see and as Paldane consumed the core, his own Mana burned a myriad of colours. It reminded Jazmel of images he had seen of the aurora borealis. Paldane burned in the sky like a star and Jazmel had to shield his eyes from the sight.

Next whirled in the air, sailing on the wind high above. He spun as his wings unfurled and caught wilder wind currents. But Jazmel was studying his Mana, Paldane’s core was expanding as his body was shuddering and burning like a star made of the aurora borealis. He consumed the manticore core next, his own core flooded with strength and what Jazmel could only assume was poison. Or the Mana that formed it. With keen interest, he watched it flood his pet and companions core and then flow around his body and begin to add muscle and mass to Paldane. Paldane was bigger now, much bigger, he was easily the size of a racehorse now. But he wasn’t finished growing. No, he had one more item to consume to finish evolution and this was the item that Jazmel was most curious about.

Finally he began to consume or incorporate the heart of the Jigwi. It was a spiritual beast made of pure Mana; its heart was nothing like anything that Jazmel had seen inside the labyrinth. It had a physical form; the heart was clearly a physical organ and yet. Before them both, Jazmel could see that it functioned like a Mana core, a crystal even. As soon as Paldane began to consume it within his core and his body. His entire body burst into flame, but not just any flame. His entire body was covered in aeonic flame and wreathed him with it. Jazmel watched in wonder as the flame continued to grow. Until his friend looked like a bonfire in the sky. Paldane’s evolution began to look like the birth of a supernova.

But it burned and burned, growing in size and intensity. It didn’t wink out nor did it stop, but the shadow within the flames did grow. Soon Jazmel could tell that Paldane had grown bigger. Even bigger than the racehorse size, he had just been.

DING!

YOUR COMPANION HAS COMPLETED ITS SECOND EVOLUTION

CONGRATULATIONS!

THE STRENGTH OF YOUR BOND HAS DEEPENED!!

…

Jazmel saw the notification, but he didn’t have time to consider it, because the dragon that descended from the skies was huge. Paldane was the size of a four-horse wagon now. His black scales looked like segments cut out of the night sky. the claws that ended from his legs, were long and curved. Wickedly thick, they reminded Jazmel of sickles, each and every one of them.

Paldane standing on all four legs; the tip of his snout was a few feet above Jazmel. Paldane was close to twelve feet in height now. The interesting thing was how aerodynamic he had become. His head was wider now, more like a spade. Paldane yawned and stretched like a cat, and Jazmel wondered why cats and dragons shared so many qualities. Paldane’s blue scales that ran along his spine were still there, still present, and much more refined now. They looked like blue gems that ran along his back, and Jazmel wondered if he could ride him now.

The final change, and the most notable difference. Was the blue and black flame that burned nonstop at the tip of Paldane’s tail. it was like a torch of aeonic flame, Paldane noticed it and began to wave it about.

“It doesn’t hurt.” Paldane said, his voice gravelly and deep, but quite clearly a younger voice.

“You can speak aloud now!” Jazmel exclaimed. Leaping up and hugging Paldane’s snout.

“I can!” Paldane exclaimed back and the two jumped about. But Paldane had to stop, he was so large that his jumps caused many of the faction seekers. To come out and see what the commotion was.

“I am hungry!” Paldane said and Jazmel nodded.

“You should hunt.” He said, but Paldane scooped him up with his front paws and his neck. He put Jazmel on his shoulders and bounded back into the sky.

“We are going hunting!” Jazmel held on for dear life, but after a few moments of adjusting. He was comfortable, Paldane seemed to not feel his weight at all, and he soared into the sky.

“I got skills too!” Paldane said and Jazmel asked to show him.

Aeonic flame!

The torrent of flame he had spewed before was minute compared to this barrage of fire. It flashed across the sky and the wind quelled before it. the blast of fire back fanned onto them and Jazmel shielded his face from the cinders.

“Show me the others too.” Jazmel shouted over the howling wind.

Winged sever!

With a jerking yet fluid movement Paldane swung his left wing, then his right. From them great scythes of wind cast through the air and Jazmel watched them. watched as the wind currents carried them for some distance.

“You could do some real damage with that.” Jazmel told Paldane and his chest swelled with pride. Jazmel felt his body swell with it too, it must be the deepening of their connection he thought.

“What else you got for me?” Jazmel asked, shouting over the din of the wind.

Langdrin’s Lark!

To Jazmel it sounded like a bark, but he watched the Mana pulse. It burst through the skill and enhanced the shout. A perfect ring of a soundwave burst from Paldane’s chest and smashed through the air. Colliding with the wind and bursting.

“Wow.” Jazmel said. Paldane chuffed with pride again and puffed smoke from his nostrils.

“Show me how well you can fly now, your wings are massive!” Jazmel urged and Paldane snaked forward, pushing his new body, and evaluating his limits. Though mourning pounded in his chest, Jazmel was happy to be flying and happy to see his friend complete his evolution.

But his heart was heavy with the loss of Patton. He would see him buried well and somewhere; he could always go back to.