~Thorben~
“Do your best to not do what I am going to tell you to do,” Aldwin said after he had finished his breakfast. “I am going to tell you to think a word, but I want you to avoid it as long as possible so I can explain the finer points.”
Thorben’s impatience was on full display after a restless night plagued with fear fueled nightmares. “Seriously? You’re starting off with an impossible task? How am I not going to think of a specific word you tell me? There is no way not to!” Thorben said.
“Stop being absurd! Do you think I am an idiot? Now stop interrupting so I can finish. One day of discussing a single genre of games and you think you know everything?” Aldwin quipped crabbily. “I’ll be back.” He stormed towards the outhouse.
Thorben’s nerves were fraying, his confidence of the previous night eroding from restless anticipation. This only seemed to irritate Aldwin more, and Alfred had already filled his caife three times during breakfast.
Alfred sat in the recently vacated chair. “Try to calm yourself, Thorben,” he said. A gentle edge crept into his booming voice could.
“Calm myself! How?!” Thorben could feel his rage rising, and did his best to choke it down. “Aldwin is asking me to do the impossible, and is more interested in his next cup of caife than actually helping me today!”
Alfred’s gaze hardened. “Young man, Aldwin has been tied to the bottle for longer than you have been alive. I have done my best to help him over the years, but he has demons that would make you scream in terror. I’ve heard snippets when he is in a stupor, and I don’t know how he functions.” Alfred held his gaze, staring into Thorben’s eyes as if to examine his soul.
After a moment, Thorben swallowed ashamedly. His rage disappearing as his cheeks reddened in embarrassment. “He put the bottle down the past few days for you,” Alfred continued, easing his glare a bit. “Sure, I encouraged it, but the decision was always his to make. The havoc coming off of the ale wreaks on a body and mind is immense. His body relies on it as much as you or I rely on water. I have eased the process with herbal infused caife that contains traces of alcohol, but it is still rough. He is probably vomiting up all traces of his meal right now. That often selfish, and always cantankerous, son of a bitch will walk back in here doing his best to hide his condition, and I expect you will keep this conversation in mind. Do your best to hold your tongue, and possibly even show a bit of empathy.”
“You’re right. My apologies Alfred. I let me frustrations cloud my judgement again.” Thorben said, sufficiently chastised. While he’d always been quick-tempered, he also knew not to let stubbornness cloud your judgement for too long.
“More than one thing at a time can be true, and valid. Your situation, and frustration, would be a burden to any man. Possibly more than some could stand. While this is true, I can say the same for Aldwin.” Alfred stood up and returned to hand polishing his bar.
Shortly after Aldwin returned, a slight tremor in his hand as he took a drink from his caife. He continued talking as if his earlier outburst hadn’t happened. “I am going to tell you to think a word, but I want you to avoid it as long as possible so I can explain the finer points. Thinking the word itself is not enough to trigger the response I want you to avoid. In order to do that, you must think it intentionally with a clear purpose. Watch my eyes.”
Thorben noticed his eyes got a distant look and seemed to glaze over. It wasn’t the same glazing over he had seen when watching the life fade from someone’s eyes, but more as if Aldwin had pierced some invisible veil and was seeing through what was in front of him. In half a dozen heartbeats, the distant look faded away.
“What did you notice?” Aldwin asked him.
“You appeared distracted. Your eyes glazed over. I couldn’t tell if you could see me.” Thorben responded.
“I could see you, but my focus was on the words superimposed over you. In order to bring my HUD up, I had to think of a trigger phrase with intentionality and purpose. I can think the word on repeat, but if I don’t mean it, the HUD won’t appear.” Aldwin clarified. “You will customize your HUD display after selecting your class and assigning attribute points.”
“What is the trigger phrase of accessing my HUD?” Thorben asked.
“The default phrase is HUD.” Aldwin said.
“That is the big secret?” Thorben asked. He wanted to roll his eyes but refrained.
“As I already said, you can customize it. To answer your question, yes, that’s it. To navigate the HUD, you simply think the phrase that corresponds with the option that appears in your vision, or the word ‘back’ to navigate back to the previous screen.” Aldwin responded matter of factory. “How do you think you exit the HUD?”
“Yeah, yeah I get it. I think exit.” Thorben responded with a roll of his eyes that would make any teenager proud.
“See, that is why you need training. That is incorrect.” Aldwin smirked, if that is what one could call it. His face muscles must have forgotten how to make that specific expression.
“Sorry, I would think exit with intentionality and purpose.” Thorben corrected, his eyes rolling even more if it was possible.
“Again incorrect. If you did this, you would stand with a glazed over look until your body passed out from exhaustion, and you woke up. It’s a terrible wast of time. Depending on your constitution, you could be there for a quarter to half a moon. Which leads me to my next point. Always make sure you are in a safe place when accessing your HUD.” Aldwin instructed. “Accessing your HUD in battle is unwise at the best of times, and downright dangerous in the worst.”
“So what is the phrase to exit my HUD?” I inquired abashedly. Absent the eye rolling.
“Adieu, apparently the developer was a Frenchman with a sense of humor.” Aldwin admitted.
“What’s a Frenchman? Is it like a groupie?” Thorben asked.
Aldwin walked away, shaking his head, as he made his way to the bar, without answering. Alfred rebuffed him, sending him back with a caife. They spent the next hour reviewing class categories, attributes, and skills. He wanted this fresh in his mind as entered his class selection process. Despite it being shortly before the midday meal, Aldwin declared him as ready as he would ever be. Aldwin had him settle comfortably into the chair and told him to begin when he was ready.
With more than a bit of apprehension, he sank into the chair, closed his eyes, and leaned his head back. Here goes nothing. HUD.
~Tanrin~
The girl’s tracks weren’t hard to find. He could tell that she was not an experienced rider, and an even less skilled navigator. She was a human city girl through and through. In all fairness, not everyone could have a dwarf’s sense of direction. Admittedly, it was stronger when navigating caves, but it was a boon above ground as well. He’d been wracking his brain trying to figure out why Mia had betrayed them. It made little sense.
He had sensed no malicious intent from her, and thought that they had grown close during their time together after the bandits. Her husband wouldn’t be able to find her, and they had offered to help her to the best of their ability. Was it as simple as mistrust of all men? It wouldn’t be unheard of from someone who had been through what she had. Yet it didn’t feel like that was it. It felt like there was more to this story.
Evening was quickly turning into night. Having gotten rest back at Alfred’s inn, he had ridden through last night. He was planning on resting tonight for an hour or two before continuing on. He should be able to catch up with her if he did this. As he was looking for a somewhat secluded place to make camp, he saw a light in the distance. He snuck closer to investigate. Riding forward with renewed energy, it might be possible to end the chase now and head back to his brother. He dismounted and tied his horse to a tree branch as he neared the edge in order to avoid detection. No sense in risking it running, as he snuck into this camp.
Tanrin slowly crept forward. He could see a single figure sleeping under a blanket. During their travels, he had seen just how light of a sleeper she was, and crept forward slowly. So far, so good. Just a few more steps and he would be upon her. He couldn’t help but feel guilty. Would this further traumatize her? It didn’t matter. He couldn’t think of a better option, so he might as well get on with it. As he leapt onto the sleeping girl, he heard a terrified whinny off in the distance. As he landed on the blanket, three things became abundantly clear: the blanket was warming a human sized pile of dirt and leaves. Mia’s horse was nowhere in sight, and the sound of hoof prints was echoing off in the distance.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
Well shit.
~Thorben~
Thorben once again floated in a vast emptiness. Unlike the last time, it did not flood him with the chill of fear as he struggled to survive. Instead, it felt like every tiny part of his body was alive. He felt completely connected to everything around him. He could simultaneously sense everything and nothing. Thorben could sense the unending potential in every fiber of his being and wanted nothing more than to help it come to fruition.
Words appeared in his vision.
Welcome to Baherune!
This world has been designed to provide for all your needs and wants as you await your return to a healthy body.
We here at Liberty Gaming and Salvation Pharmaceuticals would like to thank you for participating in our clinical trial. It is due to heroes like you that medical discoveries are able to be developed and refined to treat future generations. As a token of our appreciation, please enjoy the hospitality of the tavern that you find yourself in. There will never be a charge at your beginning spawn location. We have also put numerous items in your inventory to help with acclimation. While two-way communication technology is unavailable at this moment, we will do our best to provide timely communication on the project’s status.
This is unreal! Thorben thought. A part of him had thought that Aldwin had been bat shit crazy. Tanrin is going to be so jealous that I get free ales!
Please stand by as your background experiences and user profiles are evaluated to provide synergistic character class selection options. Enjoy your stay in Baherune.
Oh, I will!
[user analysis initiated]
…
…
[anomaly detected]
Wait what?!
…
…
[previous user detected]
Previous user? What are you talking about?
…
…
[initializing emergency override protocol]
Shit!
…
…
[user reanalysis protocol initiated]
Why do I feel like I just barely avoided a catastrophe?
…
…
Due to an unforeseen program malfunction, the user will be reanalyzed for class selection and base attributes. Previously earned experience is forfeited. Please remain calm, as processing time may exceed the standard parameters.
…
…
What is going on here?! What are normal processing times? Fear overrode his desire for a class and he began thinking the exit phrase in repeat, wanting nothing more than to take part in that free ale. Adieu. Adieu. Adieu.
~Tanrin~
The morning sun crept over the horizon, and just as Tanrin had thought, his horse was gone. He cursed himself for his stupidity. He had to admit the girl was clever. She had used his assumptions against him, and bought herself more time. She might even make it to Eleytol before he could catch her. While she had hampered his travel speed, she had left his saddlebags and supplies at the base of the tree he had tied the reigns. While he was extremely grateful for this, why? Why did she want to both sabotage and help him? This only strengthened his feeling that there was more to this story than he knew.
He knelt down and found the horse’s tracks. His mount was driven back in the direction he had come, and a second set of prints continued on towards Eleytol. He shook his head and sighed. With no other way to solve the problem, he began tracking down his mount. Morning merged into afternoon, and eventually evening was upon him. He couldn’t tell for sure, but the tracks seemed fresher. Despite his uncertainty, he clung to this conjecture to manage his emotions. He wouldn’t make the same mistake again. Mia was more than she appeared to be.
Tanrin had found his horse grazing near a water hole he had passed the day before. He quickly reattached the saddlebags, inspected her hooves, and mounted her. Mia had gained a two-day lead. It was time to track her down.
~Thorben~
[Character reanalysis failed… additional information required]
Well, this can’t be good.
…
Cerebral Compatibility Rating: 99.9%
Cognitive Adaptability Rating: 98%
Physiological Attunement Rating: 100%
Affective Disposition: Open-minded/Justice Preference
[Please rank your top 3 choices for each category]
Class:
Berserker
Sorcerer
Samurai
Wraith
Druid
Cleric
Job:
Alchemist
Blacksmith
Leatherworker
Enchanter
Chef
I wish I knew what this all meant! Thorben took a moment to collect himself. Based on all his discussions with Aldwin, this was drastically different from the other man’s experience. Breathe Thorben! Okay, I should be able to navigate this by thinking of a corresponding option. Berserker.
Berserkers Class: Highly feared warriors who abandon any thought of personal wellbeing in exchange for the ability to fight in a trance-like state utilizing unparalleled strength and endurance.
Would you like to rank this class choice?
No. Back. Okay, so my HUD works. I just can’t exit until I complete this irregular class selection process. I took the time to analyze each class and job option. Not all of them appealed to him, but he was driven towards sorcerer as the legends of magic use had always fascinated him, samurai because of his training with a Katana, and the wraith class. He pulled up each class to review it.
Sorcerer Class: Born for the arcane, they bend raw magic to their will. Their draconic origins drastically improve their ability for powerful spell casting.
Samurai Class: Highly trained and feared warriors who serve their master with absolute loyalty. The code of the samurai powers their actions: rectitude, courage, benevolence, respect, honesty, honor, loyalty, wisdom and care for the elderly.
Wraith Class: A mystical class of arcane warriors able to weave through a battlefield with unparalleled speed. Nothing stands between them and the death of their foe, and feasting on the spirits of their conquest.
Druid Class: At one with the natural world, these practitioners of the magical arts wield the magic of nature. They are able to wield the elements of the natural world and take the form of various animals.
Cleric Class: Servants of the gods themselves. As beings of two vastly different worlds, they straddle the mortal and immortal realms. Wielding divine magic and combat skills that inspire all on the battlefield, they strive to abolish evil wherever it is found.
After reviewing the classes, he pulled up the jobs. Immediately, he ruled out chef and alchemist. He had no desire to live his days in a kitchen or at a table full of glassware. Thorben returned to analyzing each of the remaining jobs.
Blacksmith: a craftsman who bends the metals of the planet to their whim, creating armor, weapons and more from ore.
Leatherworker: a craftsman who transforms the hide of animals into both armor, that combines both speed and strength, and ranged weapons of enhanced accuracy and power.
Enchanter: an arcane crafter who can both imbue objects with temporary and permanent magical aspects, and remove said enhancements.
The pressure of this decision was weighing heavily on him. How did I get six class choices? Aldwin said I would get three. I only get one chance at this. Luckily, he had gotten a basic introduction to most of these classes. He knew he wasn’t interested in the Druid class, but beyond that he wasn’t sure which one to select, but the directions hadn’t said to select. He was supposed to rank them. Each class sounded like something he could see himself doing, but which of them resonated with his desires the most? What exactly did being a wraith entail? He examined it again.
Wraith Class: A mystical class of arcane warriors able to weave through a battlefield with unparalleled speed. Nothing stands between them and the death of their foe, and feasting on the spirits of their conquest.
All he could gather was that he would be fast and dangerous in combat. After several moments passed, Thorben navigated to the selection prompt. Might as well get on with it.
[Please rank your top 3 choices for each category]
Class:
Berserker
Sorcerer (3)
Samurai (1)
Wraith (2)
Druid
Cleric
Job:
Alchemist
Blacksmith (1)
Leatherworker (3)
Enchanter (2)
Chef
He was nervous, but felt an odd sense of peace with his choices. Unwilling to stay here and second guess himself, he completed his selection.
[Selections are permanent. Would you like to proceed with the existing selections?]
Yes.
[Processing.]
…
…
[Congratulations. You have unlocked a legendary class. Welcome to the life of an Arcane Sword Wraith.]