Chapter 3
I looked around and blinked at the winding path in front of me, through people and solid objects, the golden swirling tube went forward and to the right. Everyone else must have seen the same but from different perspectives seeing as others eyes were focused on nobody but intensely scrutinizing whatever lay before them, often with eyes darting forward and to either side. Looking up I saw an opalescent dome covering the top of the keep for a least a hundred yards in each direction. Shrugging, I put one foot in front of the other and began my way toward what lay before me.
It seemed as if my movement started a chain reaction and the crowd around me moved forward, some towards where I was going and others slightly to another side. I’m sure from above it looked as if a massive migration was happening. My walk started bringing me slightly around the tower on another road which quickly lost the look of shops and became different types of government seeming buildings. While it led me past many buildings looking like cathedrals and small shrines, the path before me continued into an area that I could almost make out as a series of courthouse style manors. My excitement peaked as I saw my path take a sharp right away from the main keep. Upon those trodden down cobblestones it led me to an unassuming academy-like structure, with those behind and to either side of me arriving at the same destination.
Quickly I sped up, going up the wide staircase to the double doors. Stepping inside, I saw stones providing light to see at intervals down the hallway. Marble flooring and pristine white walls gave a harsh, extravagant feel to the place. Down hallways and up a few flights of stairs I came to a door with a large window stating, Guidance Coach #32. Without hesitation I opened the door and stepped into a sitting room like you would find outside a therapist's office. Just a couple leather couches with a table in between, a desk to the side with a strange light emanating above it. I looked closer as I stepped toward it and realized it was a fairy. An honest to god green fairy with slightly transparent wings fluttered aloft there looking up at me from the multitude of tomes on his desk.
He squeaked, somehow masculine “You shouldn't be here yet! What in Artemis name!” He stilled once more as his eyes unfocused, just a second later, he snorted “damn storm kelpies.” Squinting up at me he mumbled something unintelligible following up with “well come on then, off we go, no dawdling.” With that, his wings picked up speed and darted to the door behind the desk, he didn’t open the door so much as phase through the crack between frames. Taking a deep breath with even more unanswered questions, I stepped forward and knocked.
“Enter” a feminine voice answered as the door swung open of its own apparent volition. Inside, there were no ornaments other than a plush gray rug, a water-color abstract painting that kept drawing my eye unnaturally, and behind an aged and weathered desk sat a solemn woman. Her age was hard to place but the look in her dark gaze spoke of experience and wisdom. Clothed in what could be mistaken for a pirate costume at the turn of the 1700’s, the dark skinned human woman glanced my way, “You have questions.” A statement of fact.
“I do.”
“Please hold those questions in abeyance for the time being, mister…?”
“Cildarian”
She nodded at that and addressed the fairy dismissively, “I am aware of what happened, be a darling and get ready for the others, it should have been hours yet until they arrived. Alas the System waits for none other than those it considers promising, even then it is fickle at best.” Said fairy simply darted back through the way it came, the door closing behind it. A chair appeared opposite her and I took the hint, sitting down and stretching my legs forward, the emotional toll of what had happened thus far started to show. A small teacup floated towards me, grasping the handle, I smiled in appreciation at this woman.
“Ms… what is your name?” I wasn’t sure what I was supposed to do, so my default settings kicked in.
A soft smile appeared on her lips, “You may call me guide, chaperone, or overseer. Let us not waste space for something that may not matter a cycle from now. However I will do my utmost to uphold this station the system has given me, while also giving you the tools you need to survive. My primary goal is to get each of my wayward recruits through this tutorial and perhaps even prosper more than the others who are participating, if possible.” The guide paused and continued searchingly. “What will happen now is entirely up to you. But for that decision to be reached you need at least a modicum of knowledge of what comes next. Please, before we continue, partake of the tea. It’s quite good.”
I wasn’t suspicious, in fact it was the opposite, a gut feeling told me to trust this woman. I looked down at the teacup and let the earthy aroma fill me with contentment. I tilted it back and drank. The tea flowed through my throat in a warm current that seemed to spread and touch every part of me. Nourishing and revitalizing my mind, a feeling of peace, similar to sitting in front of a fire with a loved one by your side would bring on a cold day. I sighed in relief and let myself relax in the chair, only realizing now how strung tight I was.
“Good, please pay attention. While I cannot tell you everything I can give you a general picture of future events. This small castle we are in and the walls surrounding it will be assaulted starting in only two days. At first it will be non-intelligent creatures which will steadily become more in number. There are facilities within the walls to facilitate whatever choice you make, be it to defend your fellows on the walls or to bolster their strengths with a tradeskill. Both options are equally important, and both are diverse in the way you choose to contribute. For example, the defenders are the first line of defense, while the tradeskills could help them survive any number of ways. Better armor to protect them, elixirs and potions to bolster their abilities. Ways to improve upon the cities defenses, making the jobs of those easier.
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“While on the other, we have those on the wall. The way they defend could be through strength of arm, raining arrows from afar, sending out their elements to deal with foes, even healing those wounded. Some go with preparation, setting up traps and curses laid beforehand to cripple and weaken their foes, even outright killing them in many cases. The possibilities are likewise endless and heavily swayed by your affinities. This is most of what I am allowed to say. But before going forward you need to choose. What is your path?”
I mulled over the options, as well as reflecting on myself. I wasn’t really a fighter was I? There's a difference between putting out drunkards that 95% of the time doesn't become physical and even the other 5% it's rare it actually threatens your life. Creating and helping from the backlines had a certain appeal, what if I could restructure parts of the city to operate more efficiently against attack? Even making equipment seemed like it would be treasured.. But something about that path wasn’t for me, almost like it didn’t fit my mindset. The fact of others on the wall suffering in my place left a sour feeling in me at even the thought, and I had my answer.
“The wall.”
“Very good, I got that feeling from you, but making your own decision to do so unprompted will benefit you in the days to come. Now, do you have any martial skills or hunting experience? You are not at the peak of humanity in anything - nor are you very close - but that lack can be mended in time. Any training at all will do, no matter if it was extensive or introductory.” She had a pad and pen out as she looked on with keen interest. It was a little unnerving.
“I - ah I took some as a child, and when I was older did a few months of Aikido with weapons training once a week in the sword.” I saw her unfocus and nod, no doubt gleaning more from the system than what I myself knew.
“That gives you a starting point. This is more than 90% of your particular planet can be accredited with. The decision lies with you, how would you like to proceed?”
“Proceed?”
“With how you will fight of course. From afar, or in the thick of it? Please be aware, eventually everyone will get up close and personal with the hordes.”
“Can’t I do both?”
A genuine smile full of encouragement graced her features. “What I was hoping you would come to! Now, considering how your skills will be stretched across two perhaps 3 disciplines, we will skew towards range casting - you did want to use your elements, yes?” At my nod she continued “the path of a spellblade is difficult, lacking specific power in any one regard but flexible and dangerous in any situation - an absolute terror to face as an enemy in many cases. With your decision made, I shall grant you your first level - which should have already been done. Just don’t spend all those free points yet, you wont get as many going forward.”
A rush of energy coursed through me and I felt better in every way imaginable. I was giddy with it, bathed in the feeling of progress, people who worked out daily as I did once upon a time never got this. This was substantial in a way I couldn't understand. But I knew right then, I was hooked.
A Prompt filled my vision.
Name: Cildarian
Level: 1
Race: Unrefined Human
Natural Affinity: Air
Lesser Affinities: Fire, (Error), (Error), (Error)
Bloodline: Unknown (Affinity Related)
STR - 7 (+1) (Strength)
STA - 6 (+1) (Stamina)
DEX - 8 (+1) (Dexterity)
WIS - 6 (+1) (Wisdom)
INT - 9 (+1) (Intelligence)
CHA - 5 (Charisma)
LCK - 2 (Luck)
Free Points: 6
Achievements: N/A
Resources: N/A
“Well now isn’t that nice? There are benefits to the system, and with a solid grip on a path beginning you can properly align yourself to your needs. I suggest not allocating those points until your first day of training is done so you can lean more towards what you need for how you develop your fighting style. No two people are the same.” She took a breath and looked at me curiously, “I have much to do and little time to do it, what are your affinities so I can set you up with the proper instructors.”
“ Ah well, it says my natural affinity is air and lesser is fire..” I hesitated but continued as she waved her hand to continue. “I also have these errors?”
“Errors - as in plural? How many?”
“Three it says?” At this she sucked in a breath, a look of surprise momentarily flashing across her face. “Is something wrong?”
“No, this is quite good. While not unheard of, it is common to have one error, two is considered great fortune and a prime candidate for grooming. Three is as rare as a prince or princess of a nation, I don't have a solid grasp of it, but you are immediately considered the top 1% of your race in terms of potential.. You should have no trouble finding sponsorship outside the tutorial but that is something for much, much later. The errors are indicative of concepts you cannot fully grasp as of yet but are innately capable of understanding, with time and resources.”
~Due to interference, the grace period for this tutorial will be extended by four days. Each day of the four will be used in between the first batches of beast waves.~
Urgency came upon the guide, “a very good sign, which you will only appreciate once the first wave is over. First you must head to the armory to get equipment. We are in a tight time crunch and the extra survivability this extension is providing is priceless to your world. You got here quickly so directly after the armory you are in the first batch to be instructed. Use this extra time well, you will have one more lesson then your peers at the end of the initial stabilization period if you are vigilant. It still only lasts two days, here are the details. Do your utmost, Cildarian, and good luck.” And thus I was dismissed and the real challenge ahead began.
Excitement warred within me, magic? spells? What is this world we’ve been thrust into? I've just been going along these past few hours but somehow I knew no matter how incredible it was, there had to be massive drawbacks.