“So, what are your attributes?” Terry asked Cinder as they talked over another date, this one simple lunch and chatting. They were in a small diner that Cinder enjoyed, she liked meeting in lively places. It gave her the opportunity to show him something fun and to see the jovial gnomes that called Kimberglade home.

“I got Craft, Storm, Persistent and Sly. I have a lot of abilities for sneaking and climbing, as well as fast heavy burst damage. I also have a spell called Craft that allows me to make simple tools and other useful items quickly. I try to work as an assassin supporter in the levels, but I am not great at fighting.” Cinder always spoke like she was not used to people actually being interested in what she had to say. There was confidence, but she always seemed shocked when Terry listened and responded directly, like she was used to people not really listening to her and just sorta blowing off what she said.

Terry replied, “What sorta things do you make? Is it just tools or is it like weapons or something? I might be able to help you with the fighting, I am not really great myself, but I think it would be better to spar with a novice over someone like Morris or Hurk. They always kick my ass.”

Cinder’s smile was sweet as she explained, “I am sure you do just fine, but it would be great to have a partner. Edna is the only other person in the family that is interested in being a player, but she is not a close range person. It is all spells and range fighting with her. I mostly make tools, let me show you.” With that she took out a variety of objects from her pockets, with this date she was dressed in shorts and a loose shirt, very casual. The objects were a couple ball bearings, string, and dowels. She focused into a trance-like state and started moving her hands, grabbing and gesturing with items. After a quick moment, Terry recognized that she had made a Newton's cradle desk toy, where the balls on either end could transfer energy and the balls could swing for a while in the stand.

Terry’s eyes were wide as he looked at the creation, “that is incredible and you can just make that with motions? Does it work? Does it stay that way?”

“Slow down,” her laugh was like a stream over rocks to Terry, “It will stay together for a few hours, but it eventually falls apart. I basically picture what I want and as long as the pieces that fit the design it works, I have an inventory of seemingly strange pieces to make several toys and tools. I am glad you like it.”

“It sounds super useful. I am excited to see you in action. When do we meet Edna and Morris? We might need to get going soon” Terry had a display for the time in his HUD. The upgrade he had gotten added essentials and features that could help him in practical ways like the clock and even things like temperature and direction gauges to his HUD.

The two couples had decided to run the platforming level together as a sort of double date, for a while. Since they were all interested in becoming full time players, this seemed like an ideal way to practice, grind, and get together.

“We have a couple hours at least, let's just keep hanging out here and we can get together soon. It is a fast trip to the gateways anyway.” Cinder was very much enjoying getting to know someone who seemed to like her for more reasons than just the parts of a relationship that were more physical. This was a first for her and the more she just got to talk with Terry the more she respected this sort of courting.

-

Selina always caught attention, but Smash was still hard to get. She had figured out his humor, however it was hard to tell when he was listening. She liked his smile when she said something outrageous, but was not leading the conversation or interaction in one-on-one situations like she wanted. The chase was fun, but after a few days it started to lose the luster. She needed something to let him know how she felt, she was not sure direct confrontation was the right thing to do just yet.

She had talked to each of the other team members in private conversation. Nym being another woman was simplest, she could inspect the perimeter of a camp with her and usually discuss anything to find common ground. The same trick worked with Hunter and Trapper, but Smash did not seem to think he was good at eyeing the perimeter. Perhaps it was simply the fact that he just could not walk quietly at his size.

She did get an idea one morning however. They posted a watch each night, regardless of proximity to an archway or nearby town, Nym was very wary of other players. They had three watches on a rotating schedule for the five of them. There was a night that she could stay up a bit and get the big man alone, the issue was she would be up most of the night before they reached the capital.

She was last in the rotation then Trapper then Smash. She could wake at his watch and claim she could not sleep staying and chatting with him till the sunrise, the storybook’s most romantic time. This was perfect as well as it would take place directly before they made it to the capital.

Selina was actually a bit nervous about making it to the end of their levels, so she would have an honest reason to not be able to sleep or to rise with anticipation. They had three levels left till they could complete the final levels on the continent. She had gotten to Rank 5 during her challenges, with The Pirate level and each boss level being the best for her progression in both rank and skills. The others were still ahead of her in experience, but there was no doubt that she was a boon to the team. She was happy with her progress and often brought up her own Character sheet in her HUD:

Name

Selina Kane

Rank

5

Exp

514

HP

400

SP

450

MP

800

Associated attribute

Main Stats

Value

Value addition each level

Skills

Special Attacks

Flighty Wind

Acrobatic

40

+8

Wings of Healing

Perry, Perry, Thurst

Royal Breath

Athletic

40

+8

Healing Wind

Stunning Entrance

Wind

Dexterity

15

+3

Song of Healing

Seldom Royal Breath

Wisdom

65

+13

Rapier Fighting tech.

Flighty

Knowledge

35

+7

Gust

Seldom

Body

15

+3

Call the wind

Her progression had heavily weighted toward her magic, but the largest boost had come when she gained her 5th Rank and achieved the enhanced attribute Royal Breath. The enhancement had given each stat related to her Breath attribute a permanent boost. That pertained to her Wisdom and Athletic abilities. The higher the value associated with that stat the more she saw improvement in that field. Wisdom directly affected her amount of MP and allowed her to cast better spells and healing for her and her team. Her MP had nearly doubled after this boost.

While her and Smash were the same rank, Nym and the others were now into the range of seven or eight and seeing significant gains to special abilities and attacks. Nym had gotten an interface upgrade for communication in levels that allowed her to send direct and company orders to each HUD in a level. It did not work outside the challenges however. Hunter had gotten a marking tool to signal where enemies were patrolling on the battlefield. Selina wondered what level specific abilities she might see as she progressed.

On the night she wanted to complete her plan she found that it was actually hard to sleep, probably just the anticipation of talking to a crush, what if he doesn’t talk back? What if he does? Nerves were always interesting to Selina. She often had tickles in her stomach before a test or assessment, the nerves did not impede her but gave her an unmatched focus to be better. She almost welcomed the sensation as she rose an hour into Smash’s third watch.

He was sitting on a log he had brought over to the dying embers of the night’s fire. He looked even more hulking sitting there, not hunched like most sat, but tall and almost proud. She tried to move silently, but his head slowly turned as she came out of the tent and under the stars. Selina moved to sit next to him and even when they were sitting she barely came up to his chest.

“I’m having a rough night, it is hard to sleep when we are so close to the capital and my final tests.” She spoke softly.

Smash nodded.

She continued, “ I hope you do not mind that I came to sit with you, I thought the sunrise might be good for my nerves.” She smiled up at him. He returned the smile and shook his head indicating it was alright that she sat with him.

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Not daunted by the lack of communication, she once again continued, “you have never been to the capital right?” He shook his head, “Oh it will be very nice to see all of your reactions. I was there when Morris and I were younger, I was very young at the time and my parents were still alive. They took me out on a cliff side lookout, I will never forget it. The SilverSpires are almost fifty meters tall and just as wide, they glow in the setting or rising sun. There are about fifty of them, but each one is so different and fascinating it is hard to count or concentrate to see them all at once. We stood there for an hour, and the whole time felt like a story. Speaking of, I was wondering if you could tell another story for me, one about the Diamondlands.” The idea came suddenly as she tried to get him to respond.

He got a slightly confused look, so she pressed on slightly expecting this reluctance. “I like the way you told the other stories, the words seem to come alive with your voice.” She looked slightly pouting, pleading with him to speak and tell her a story.

Smash looked down reluctantly, then looked back at her and said, “I usually do not like to talk, but I do love stories.” She smiled happy her plan had worked and excited to finally talk with the big man. He began the story differently than he had the last ones.

“This is about the forming of the mountains here and the magic becoming obtainable, my uncle told me after he had visited here in his youth.” he began in a rumbling tone.

“The King was angry, he saw the killing of his creation. A mere mortal had risen to his challenge. The Mortal was a proud dwarf and he had completed many tasks for the purpose of achieving his goal, to rid the world of monsters. The Queen sat smugly as Jack watched the King's face growing red with heat and anger, it was not good for a mortal to question the gods.”

“The Deck was different then it was today. A vast land of challenge and prosper for the ones strong enough to meet the challenges. The land was not one for games and magic, but there was beauty and old magic.”

“Before Attributes there was a magic that could not be tamed and the ones that wielded it feared it and seldom used it. For the nature of magic was unpredictable. This was simply called Wild Magic.”

“Wild Magic could be wielded, but only one who moved with its random nature could truly say they ‘mastered’ it. The dwarf named Ren Fell Cobblethrust, was a so-called master. He fought in battle conquering lands and besting beast after beast, he stood barely at most’s waists, but he never flinched in battle. It was him, who had angered the King.”

“The King did not have that name then, but he was known as Beastmaster for he created all beasts. Ren had felled one of his favorites and best beasts, a dragon of Red with flame and spikes and a dreadful mind. The creature was one of vengeance and now the king sought vengeance on Ren for killing his magnificent creature and too many others to count.”

“In his rage he came to the land himself, landing in front of Ren, ‘You think you can slaughter my favorite beast, and have no consequence. I shall make you a demon that no man will conquer and for your pride I will have it be tied to you.’”

“To be tied to a beast was difficult, keeping the being alive was a duty not all were reared to, but a demon to be tied to a mortal was an awful and ugly punishment. Ren did not speak this out loud, he had already angered the god he did not want to see the god enraged. So he was tied to a demon, the child was strong and it grew slowly pausing the dwarfs' life of conquest and glory, but under the hand of Ren it became a proud and powerful foe.”

“The King was impressed by the growth of the demon, but a god cannot love a demon and so a battle with a god and demon started in the world. Ren attempted to assist, but his wild magics were too weak and unpredictable to aid properly. Ren’s life hung in the balance, but he was forced to watch another battle for it. The battle took many days and nights like a siege on a great fortress. In the end however the battle was won by the god, as is always the case.”

“Ren’s final words damned the gods, ‘you will meet your match’ and then he and his power died. The god did love a good opponent and had seen a new side to Ren as he sired a demon so strong, so he placed keystones and remade the land to the Deck we now know and the stones on the grave were large mountains and he made the magics more obtainable and the challenges would no longer harm the land. Ren unknowingly changed the world.”

Selina was in awe of the story and did not even notice a tear that rolled from her eye as the story ended. It was not the outcome that she had planned but it seemed to work for her as Smash looked down and saw her tear nodded and stated, “I loved that story when my uncle told it to me, he loved stories of battle and valor. It might seem wrong to look at a demon with wonder, but I think the intentions of Ren can not be overlooked. He loved and cared for it as a son and it is said that his words are a truer prophecy than any seer could put it.”

“Your uncle sounds like a strong and noble man.” Selina whipped her eyes, and then asked a question. “What is your real name, Smash?”

He gave a weak smile, but to Selina it was the light of the rising sun, “Reginald Elton Verin Tier Firestryker III.” He looked at her and said, “I do prefer Smash.” and his smile grew to match hers.

-

Tid was worried and nervous, today was the day his plans and preparations would come to a head. The lord of the land had sent a group of dignitaries to the Iron Bay and he, Tid, was the representative, or at least the assistant who had gotten all of the events and plans in place to welcome and serve the group during their time in the Iron Bay.

He had found a natural inclination to logistics and coordinating duty in the past week. Socializing had been a favorite hobby in the past, but this purpose driven organization had added a drive to his work he had heretofore never experienced. He saw himself as some sort of politician planning trips for not only the levels to allow the Player dignitaries to train and grow for themselves, but to make his city seem as dependable and profitable as can be.

Tid was very much looking forward to day three of their visit, the mining operation tour. The Iron Bay had always chiefly been a mining town and had grown to prosper well from the mining of the namesake iron veins that ran close to the channel that separated them from their neighbors, the Heartlands. A discovery was made recently however that was said to be a real divider for the independent mine owner, a dwarf named Mikhiel Ingotshaper. The clan had grown as their namesake suggested, from creating ingots of precious metals like gold and silver in the mines near the capital. Mikhiel’s grandfather had moved to the coast and started an independent mine as he was the fifth son of his father and did not stand to inherit much once his siblings got theirs.

Mikhiel’s grandfather had done well enough to mine the iron, and got the city started. Now two dwarven generations later the family had grown and had gotten much wealth from mines he had started. An interesting quirk in the iron found in the mines was a high content of particular minerals, this was found most recently by enchanters and blacksmiths to allow high levels and faster recharging runes into the objects made from the ore, giving the Bay many of its favorite amenities. The medal was highly susceptible to water, storm and earth enchantments. These were used for strong armor and weapons, but also appliances that allowed the peoples in the Bay to be very comfortable and have some of the most enjoyable vacation and pleasure spots on the continent. Tid had gained much pride in the past week hearing and learning of the tours and events the Player deligent would be a part of in the coming two week stay.

They arrived slightly early in a creature-less carriage, usually carriages were pulled by horse or large beasts, but this was a magic operated vehicle usually won as a final level prize. They definitely had the look of high ranked Players. Tid had only seen a few people who returned after going to the capital or who were even at a rank higher than that of Mother Martin. There is an aura of strength and danger that high ranked players exude and they often sport scares and/or tattoos. These players were very much in possession of that aura and attitude.

The first one that got out was sitting in the driving seat. She wore a long black gown, she had green skin but it was not natural, it was from an ability. Tid could tell this because she was clearly an elf with tapered ears and no breed of elf he knew had green skin. She was beautiful regardless of the odd skin color, just like an elf should be. Willowy and almost gaunt she did not walk but glided from the vehicle.

Out of the direct passenger side came a human, also gaunt, tall and lanky. He wore a long black coat that almost reached the ground, he had a simple looking leather shirt and pants under that. The disturbing thing was his face, it was narrow to a point that must have been a chin, but seemed more like a knife. This was the only part that was visible for the rest was shaded by a large brimmed hat. When he looked up, it scared Tid, he saw deep dangerous eyes, black and gray eyes, barely human eyes, more like a predator cat ready to pounce.

Two more men exited the back passenger area. It was a wonder that the one on the left did fit in the back because he was massive, a minotaur. Rare beings, part bull and part man, he stood at least eight feet tall and as wide as Tid was tall it seemed. He was naked to the waist up, it had to be hard to find shirts big enough, and he was very well muscled. On his hips were two revolvers in holsters, and a whip on his left as well. His pants were tight and looked like jeans, they only went down to his ankles where he sported hooves instead of feet.

The last was a black crow avian, he was the shortest and stocky. He had a wide hat as well and beady eyes that never seemed to stop moving. He had a simple black tunic on and some sort of kilt with pockets and pouches all over it. There was a strap of leather across his chest and shoulder but nothing obviously hanging from it.

The Green Witch, she legally called herself that and no one seemed to know what her name was before the change. The human was Hyone Jin Par Sin, he had been an OOT it was believed, came to the Diamondlands and thrived ever since. The Minotaur was Saren Carmen, the Cowboy, he based his whole identity on an earth legend he had heard from an OOT. It had amused him, Tid had read once, he apparently loved parity and puns. The last was the only one without a reputation, but it still made him obvious to point out as Tarrow Straw.

Tid did not want to seem starstruck, but the stories of international competing high level players had featured the Green Witch and the Cowboy for years. Hyone had a stage name under Quickdraw and was consistently mentioned, but always in a dazzling description of speed and prowess.

The team walked up to Tid, who was standing with his boss, the introductions were brief and the accommodations were shown right away. Each player had their own room at the tavern, one of the master suites with a common area for dining and level strategizing. Tid took The Cowboy and Tarrow to their side of the suite showing the impressive rooms and commanding views of the channel from the higher vantage at the top of the Tavern.

Tarrow was quiet and rarely spoke, but Saren was almost constant with a quip or joke in a heavily accendted drawl that must have been part of his act as a Cowboy.

“OOOOeee, I see these water spots can get this here cleaner than a dwarf’s mug after they raise it”

“HaHo there is a fine feather mattress, like i'm sleepin’ in mothers sheep pen.”

“Darn right, that is a fine table, we gonna have to get a game a’cards on this here. If we get some downtime aye Tarrow”

“Great Sasofrace, I ain’t ever touch a pilla’ that suft in my whole life.”

It was constant and hilarious.

The real touring and showing off would be done tomorrow, but Tid was sure the cowboy would be loud and boisterous the entire trip and he looked forward to that. This was going to be a great week.

-

Four days straight of platforming levels had done wonders for everyone's cardio and endurance. Terry had been the obvious top for endurance followed by Morris, however speed was not always the best way to beat these levels. Terry saw a whole new side to completion as both girls showed them how to finish rather than just complete a level.

Enda only did one level with them, she had made arrangements with a group to travel to the capital (much like Selina), but during that course they basically just followed her as she cleared each enemy and then she used the ability to teleport to a companion’s location to get by each obstacle that Cinder took care of with ease. Morris and Cinder had explained her as a ranged fighter, but she had no real moment abilities whatsoever. The only exception was a set of teleportation spells that allowed her to be far from a battle at all points and use her ranged abilities. She let Cinder, and the others, get through the tough bits before meeting them once they were on the other side.

Cinder did not have Terry’s speed, but she did not need it as it was in complicated environments is where she made Terry jealous. She did every level with him and Morris and it was a marvel to watch her get through a swing trap untouched or to jump from platform to platform or duck, weave and dodge around standing stones. She had agile and quick feet, cat-like grace and enviable endurance that stunted them both the first time they did a single player race. She was done and eating a sandwich while they returned exhausted from their own courses.

Her power set, however, included barely anything to deal with enemies in a straight up confrontation. She had stocking tactics, but the moment an enemy knew she was there she basically just dodged and weaved till she got back far enough to throw something. She kept a slingshot with special and standard ammo and smaller knives than Terry’s Flicker for throwing. She had explained that she only did distance work and avoided a fight at all possible.

They had run the levels two or three times a day till they got to just below Rank 5, then Hurk had finished with his solo and team competitions at the sports bar. During the days without him Cinder showed them how to get to the end of a level without fighting. Once they were a set of four once again, they changed up the order of how they completed levels, often running single or in sets of two to get more experience and test themselves.

Rosa was finally warming up to Cinder as well, they had chatted amiably often, but Terry knew that the pet was sensitive to new people. This seemed to go doubly for someone he was dating, he had asked her about it on the third night of the platform level training.

“I just don’t want to see another Claire,” Rosa always put things so bluntly. “You really took what she said to heart at the end even if it was not true. You often think too much about what others think of you, especially when it is negative.”

Terry realized that that was the first time he had really thought of his earth life in weeks. He had only been here for a bit over a month and he was already coping with the new home and the life he had created here. He did reply to her though, “I think that was just what I had there, no one to tell me otherwise, no family to confort away the negative thoughts after they were put out there by others. I think that is what I missed without having a real family close by and not making friends, but it is different here. Not just exciting and dangerous but fresh and new and I think I am really finding myself.”

Rosa gave a small turtle smile, “I think you are too, I am glad to see it.”

Terry smiled too.

-

Morris was sad that his new girlfriend had left for the capital, it seemed like many roads led there but Edna would be back and she was not planning on staying like other people in his life. He felt a need to go back to the Iron Bay after she left on the second day and he planned to bring it up to the others once Hurk was done with his league. Fortunately he did not need to, Hurk did it for him.

“I got a strange message from some of my goblin buddies, I think we need to go back to the bay.” He put in soon after he got back from the league. “I don’t often talk to the tribes, but I keep in contact so as to see what my kind is up to from time to time. I got a message that seemed almost cryptic telling me to get away or stay away from the bay next week.”

“How did they contact you” Terry asked, he did not know how mail worked on The Deck.

“It was an automated carrier, a bird contraption that some artificers can make to send secure messages.” Hurk replied. Hurk did not want to say what the message had said, “...goblins have an off sense of language and you might not see it like I do.” he explained to Terry.

Morris wore a concerned expression, “I agree we should head back, I have not been away this long. It has been fun, but something seems to pull me back home.”

Terry seemed reluctant, but put in, “I am with you guys, I will talk to Cinder, maybe she can return with us.”

Morris was happy to see his new friend thinking about Cinder in a similar way that he had thought about Edna. Traveling was easy for her and she had been interested in seeing the Bay when she returned. On the nights he had spent with her, he almost enjoyed the talking more than the activities. She was special and different from other women he had been with in that way, he often enjoyed the look of a person more than their personality, but she was pretty and interesting.

“How did you do in the leagues, Hurk? I don’t even think you mention what you competed in.” Terry put in.

Hurk’s smile was easy with a lead-in like that, “I did a single competition and a duo league with someone I met in that circuit. I got fourth in the single, still got some of the pot for that one, the first five to place got a piece. It was a regular strong man competition throwing boulders, pulling large carts, things like that. Each round was different and Donald came in third and invited me to a duo throw league. We got in second together. I got a good pay-out with that one too.”

“Well, we will have to get you back here so you can be a regular competitor then.” Morris put in, and the others continued on the conversation.