Ten minutes went by with everyone engrossed in their screens. The rain continued to pelt the car, the windows were fogged over, and it was getting warmer. Shane heard murmurs as the others pondered their options. Finally, he asked, “Hey guys? What’s everyone choosing?”
Malcolm was the first to answer, “I got some pretty cool options, but I think I’m going to do a magic user Class. I don’t know what the world is going to look like when there are monsters, but the chance to throw lightning bolts and stuff is pretty awesome!”
Kenzie added, “I think we’ve all played enough games to know that we should all choose something different. Or at least different enough so that there is minimal overlap in skills and stuff. The more diverse we are, I think the better off we’ll be as a group.”
“I’ve already decided.” Brom said firmly.
“Me too.” Beamed Brynn.
“I think I have too.” Shane closed his screens. “Before we choose though, do we want to go around and just let each other know what we’re choosing?”
“Too late!” Smiled Brynn. It was obvious that she had made her choice as a glow briefly emanated from her body. As it faded it left her skin slightly sparkly as if she had a powdering of glitter.
“Brynn!” Brom yelled angrily. “You should have consulted me first!”
Shocked into huddling in her seat, Brynn’s eyes welled up with tears, “I… I’m sorry.” Her voice was as meek as usual, but then she shook her head as if clearing her thoughts and she sat up straighter and addressed Brom directly, “Actually, you know what? I’m not sorry! It’s my life and my choice. You may be my legal guardian, but you’re not the boss of me. I’m plenty old enough to make this choice on my own.”
Everyone in the car was stunned into silence, especially Brom. Brynn had never spoken like that to him before. Her usual air of childishness was gone and instead a young, confident woman looked at him with his sister’s eyes. “Brynn?” He tentatively raised an eyebrow, “I, uh, I’m sorry. I apologize for yelling.”
“Apology accepted.” Brynn said haughtily.
Malcolm shifted in his seat, trying to break the tension, he asked, “So, what did you choose?”
Brynn’s attitude shifted as a huge smile brightened her face. With a lift in her shoulders, she happily replied, “I chose Fairy Princess.”
Silence filled the car as everyone sat and processed her statement. It was Malcolm that broke the silence. “I’m going to guess that you didn’t get any combat skills, did you?”
Brynn looked appalled, “Ew, no! Can you even see me getting sweaty and swinging a sword around? Gross.”
Brom bowed his head and rested it in his hand. He shook slightly until he erupted into a deep laugh. At his friend’s quizzical looks, he caught his breath and said, “It’s perfect. It suits her. I’m always calling her Princess anyway. Fuck it. Why not?”
“See?” Brynn smiled, “Besides, Brom said he’d protect me. He’s the football player and likes to get all nasty and sweaty. Let him fight monsters.”
Malcolm held up his hands indicating he was giving up on the subject, “We may want to compare abilities and stuff when we’re done. Just so we all know what the group is capable of. I’m going to choose Eldritch War Mage. It’s pretty awesome and I get an attack spell right off the bat!”
Kenzie sighed and shook her head at her brother then turned her attention to Brom, “You said you’d already decided?”
“Yeah.” Brom shifted in his seat a bit. “I’m going to choose Champion. It’s a fighter kind of class with some special perks. But I have to choose what or who I’m the champion of, so that’ll take a minute to decide.”
“Shane?” Kenzie snaked a hand around the headrest of the driver’s seat and took Shane’s hand.
“I’m going to take Battle Medic.”
Kenzie smiled, “That is exactly the kind of Class I would expect you to take.”
“Dude. I agree. It totally suits you.” Brom added.
Kenzie squeezed Shane’s hand, “You know ever since I watched Black Panther, I’ve wanted to be a Dora Milaje. I mean, it’s why I took up Sojutsu.”
“I thought it was cause you’re a weirdo nerd.” Malcolm snickered.
“Really little man? You’re the pot calling the kettle.”
“Hey, at least I admit that I’m a nerd. You’re the one that got all into fitness and nutrition because you thought your butt was too big or something.” Malcolm cringed and held up an arm to block Kenzie’s half-hearted attempt to smack him in the head.
With a sigh, she continued, “Anyway, I wanted something like that, and I got it. I’m going to take the Valkyrie class.”
Malcolm smirked and whispered, “Nerd.”
Shane smiled and kissed Kenzie’s hand, “I’d say we’re pretty well-rounded. We don’t have a true ranger or thief type, but hopefully we won’t need either.” He locked eyes with his friends, “You guys ready?” at everyone’s affirmative response he finished, “Then let’s all make our choices and see what happens.”
Everyone settled back into their seats and called up their screens. Shane took a last look at the Battle Medic Class.
Battle Medic (R)
War and combat are a constant threat in all the Realms. Many choose to step into the role of combatant, but fewer choose to do so as a healer. Warriors will always need someone to help the wounded and who better than a brother in arms right next to them on the battlefield? The Battle Medic is a hybrid class that allows one to hold their own in combat while helping their fellows heal so that they can continue the fight. While less effective than a true healer class, a Battle Medic is a step above Cleric in healing abilities. It takes a truly dedicated person to willingly enter the fray to help their comrades.
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
The Battle Medic’s Primary Stat is Willpower, and the secondary is Vitality. Every level you will gain a plus two (2) in your Willpower and a plus one (1) in your Vitality stat as well as +5 to HP, SP and MP. Additionally, you will gain four stat points to assign to any stat or stats you like.
At Level One, you will receive the Skill [Field Medicine]. You will also gain two Skill points to assign as you’d like from the list of Skills available to you. You will gain one free Skill every time you level up.
At Level One, you learn the spell, [Mending Touch]. At every subsequent level, you will be allowed to choose a new spell from the list of spells available to you.
Class Talent: The Battle Medic gains the Class Talent, [Diagnose]. Upon touching a being, you can understand their physiology and see where any damage may be to better target your healing. After using Diagnose on a being, you may add a +1 to the healing effects of any spells or treatment you supply.
Satisfied with his choice, Shane focused on the Class page. At the bottom it asked.
Would you like to choose the [Battle Medic] Class? Y/N
Shane chose Yes and a wash of energy suffused him. He felt his mind and spirit shift and he reeled for just a moment as the knowledge of his new skill and spell were implanted in his mind. Whoa. That was a rush. Apparently, it was the same for everyone else in the car as he heard various similar exclamations.
Congratulations! You have chosen an Advanced Class! As a bonus for achieving an Advanced Class, you gain the Special Ability, [Selfless Gift].
Selfless Gift: When out of Mana, you may cast any known healing spell by expending your own Health Points.
“Guys?” Shane called out with a smile on his lips. “I just got an extra ability for choosing a rare class.” He was excited to have gotten something extra, however his excitement dimmed just a bit as everyone else answered that they too had gotten a rare class and a special ability.
All except Brynn. “Mine says it’s a legendary class.” She timidly spoke out.
Malcolm pulled himself out of his screen, wiping his eyes. “What did you say?” His question was interrupted by more wiping and blinking of his eyes.
Kenzie, concerned asked, “Mal, what’s wrong?”
“It’s my eyes! Everything’s blurry.”
The others in the car reacted by looking around the car to see if there was something causing Malcolm’s problem when he stopped fussing with his eyes and started laughing. He took a moment to remove his contact lenses and blinked a few more times to clear his vision. “Heh. It was my contacts.” He scanned around the car, focusing on things near and far. “Ha! That is awesome!” He practically bounced in his seat as he turned to his sister. “I think the System fixed my eyes!”
Everyone was amazed and the conversation momentarily turned to questions about what other things the System may have fixed in people in general. Finally, though, Malcolm brought the conversation back to Brynn. “You said earlier that your Class was Legendary?” His eyebrows shot up and he had a slight look of wonder on his face.
Unsure if this was an issue or not, Brynn hesitantly said, “Yes…? Is that a bad thing?”
“Oh, Hell no!”
“Language!” Kenzie admonished Malcolm.
Sheepishly, “Sorry. What I mean is, typically in games, Legendary is a step up from Rare or Exotic. I don’t know what the scales are in this System yet, but in most games that I’ve played it goes something like, Common, Uncommon, Rare, Exotic and Legendary.” He looked around the car, “I think we must have hit the lottery or something because we all got rare classes.” He motioned to Brynn, “Well, almost all.” He smiled at Brynn, his deep brown eyes full of excitement.
“So, we’re in a game?” She asked, confused.
Malcolm shifted in his seat, “I don’t think so. I think that whatever this Great System is has sort of rewritten the laws of the universe or physics or something. I mean, either that or we died in a car wreck, and this is the afterlife.”
Brynn’s eyes went wide, “I don’t want to be dead! Brom are we dead?!” Tears filled her eyes as she began to panic.
Brom’s voice was soothing and calm while his eyes bored holes into Malcolm’s forehead, causing Malcolm to cringe. “No Princess. We’re not dead. I think the world has just changed and I am sure there is an explanation for it that we simply have not been told.”
As Brom’s words calmed her down, another screen appeared in front of Shane.
Congratulations! The Great System has chosen you to become the new [Fatebringer]! You have been granted a hidden Class, [Fatebringer]. This role grants you great power but also great risk. The Great System sees that you have a group of friendly beings in your immediate vicinity. To maximize your survival, you may choose these individuals as your Boon Companions, and you may allow each Companion to choose a Greater Boon.
Would you like to gift a Greater Boon to [Kenzie Reed]? Y / N
Would you like to gift a Greater Boon to [Malcolm Reed]? Y / N
Would you like to gift a Greater Boon to [Brom DeBray]? Y / N
Would you like to gift a Greater Boon to [Brynn DeBray]? Y / N
“Hey guys?” Shane caught the attention of the group. I just got a notice that I’ve been chosen to be a Fatebringer, and it wants me to gift you all with a Greater Boon.”
Kenzie spoke with concern in her voice, “Wait, did you get to choose to become this Fatebringer or was it chosen for you?”
“Uh, I had no choice in the matter. It’s telling me that you are all my boon companions and that I should gift you a Greater Boon.”
“Um, yeah dude!” Brom said sarcastically. “That seems like a no-brainer.”
“Any extra abilities are cool with me.” Malcolm added.
“This is weird and kind of scary to be honest, babe.” Kenzie obviously had reservations about their situation. “But in for a penny, right?”
“Totally YOLO!” Malcom agreed.
Brynn frowned, “No one says YOLO anymore.”
Shane let out a breath, “Okay, here goes.” He chose yes to all the gift offers.
There was a collective pause and Malcolm said, “Did you all get the notice about accepting the Boon?” A chorus of affirmative answers followed. “And are you all okay with that?” He looked at Shane, “No offense.”
Shane, confused asked, “What are you talking about?”
Kenzie placed her hand on Malcolm’s arm and answered Shane, “There is a stipulation to accepting the Boon. By becoming your Boon Companions, it says our Fates are tied to yours.”
Shane immediately tried to apologize, “Whoa, guys, I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was going to do that. Please don’t feel pressured to accept.”
Malcolm frowned, “It really seems like a bond, or something is supposed to happen if we accept. Like a marriage or something, but more…” He paused in thought, “Metaphysical.” He studied his sister’s face for a moment then turned to Shane. “Look, I know that you and Kenzie will probably get married at some point…”
Kenzie sputtered, “Oh hold on there don’t be dropping the M word…”
Malcolm raised a hand to cut her off, “Hey, you guys have been together for what, five years? And in that time, I haven’t seen you two less in love. It’s kind of a no-brainer to see that’s where you guys are headed. Anyway, Shane, you’re practically family at this point and this whole system thing is wack, so I’m gonna say yes to the dress.” He smiled a goofy grin.
Kenzie shook her head, “Remind me to smack you later.” She placed a hand on Malcolm’s cheek with care, “And when did you get so freaking wise?” The love for her brother was evident in her tone and gaze.
“I guess I learn from the best.” He raised an eyebrow, “You know, Yoda.”
Kenzie, feigning shock, lightly tapped his cheek as she and everyone else giggled.
Brom, smiling, said, “It’s all good man. We’ve got your back. That’s what chosen family is for right?”
Brom and Shane bumped fists, and Shane received notifications that everyone had accepted the Boon. Immediately the others were delving into their options. While his friends were busy, he went into his own information to see what the hidden class was about.