“DEAL!”

The single yell is all it takes to shift the focus from Valentine’s insane maniacal laughter to the talking cat.

“What?” Valentine turns to the voice.

The cat hops off his perch.

“You heard me. I accept your terms. I enter the tower, find out what's inside, and you give me that map.”

The cat pauses for a moment.

“Also, the leave everyone alone part too.”

“You can enter the tower?” Valentine asks, disbelieving.

The cat rolls its eyes. “Of course I can. I wouldn't be shouting DEAL if I couldn’t.”

Valentine removes his leg from James. “So you're one of the chosen ones, eh? How about proving it?” He points at the barrier.

The cat walks to the tower. He sticks his head through the barrier, then retracts it. “Lots of sand there, That's going to be annoying on the fur.”

“Harr, har, har. So you’re one of those gods chosen. Fine, you’ve got a deal. Go inside, find out everything about the place, and tell me about it. Afterwards,” Valentine spreads his arms wide, “I’ll leave you and everyone here in peace.”

“And the map,” The cat points at a paw. “Just because you’re losing your mind a bit doesn’t mean you can go against your word… unless, your word doesn't mean shit?”

You could hear a pin drop at how silent everything had gone. Complete and utter silence.

Valentine's smile is gone, replaced completely with anger. Not the crazy anger from before, but the cold and calculating seething hate when personally insulted.

“My word is everything to me. Every promise, every deal, and every threat is something I will always act upon.” He rests his hand on the sheathed cutlass on his hip. “Anyone who says otherwise is making an enemy of me.” He tilts his head, “Is that understood, Quasi Eludo?”

The cat matches the intensity of the stare including the head tilt. “Perfectly, Valentine Vaevictus.”

“Good. Now,” Valentine points at the dead Gemma. “He died rather quickly. I hope the same isn't going to be true for you.”

“He wasn’t properly prepared, but I will be.” The cat glances back at his crew. “Boriss.”

“Yes comrade?” The large broad shouldered man asks.

“Go to my ship and get me my Gauntlets. I’m going to need them to deal with giant scorpions.”

Boriss salutes and runs off to port. None of Valentine's crew move to stop him.

“You use Gauntlets?” Valentine asks once Boriss is gone. “If memory serves, [Shifters] fight by transforming into monsters. What reason do you need gauntlets for?”

“Come now, Valentine. We may have a deal, but that deal doesn't mean I tell you all my secrets.”

Valentine leans forward. “Are you really in a position to say that?”

Quasi stretches all four limbs before yawning. “Um, yeah. You want to know what's in the tower and I’m currently the only person around that can tell you. I mean sure, maybe you’ll find someone else. But how long will that really take and are you willing to wait?”

“Harr, har, har. You’re right. I need you.” He grins. “but I need you so long as you give me what I want. So, in lieu of your little attitude, I’m going to say this.”

He looks at those present. All are in fear and listening to what is to happen. “If you fail, every single person here dies.”

Gasps and cries of alarm resound from all those present. Cries and alarms that are shushed quickly by those with better self control.

The cat shrugs. “Fine with me. I’m going to succeed.”

Valentine stares at Quasi for several long silent seconds. Then he looks to his female companion. “Gazania, do you know if sovereigns can have classes?”

The Phytonid tilts her head slightly. “No sovereign has ever been reported to have had a class, but then again, very little is known about the monsters. Why do you ask? Do you think this one is actually a sovereign with the [Shifter] class?”

“I’ve only met two [Shifters] and both of them couldn’t stay transformed indefinitely,” Valentine explains.

“That does make a bit of sense. I’m not familiar with [Shifters], but [Druids] can gain the ability to transform into beasts until their mana runs out. Never have I heard of them staying transformed indefinitely.”

The cat grimaces towards Valentine, which makes the man grin.

“I’m right, aren’t I? Why stay in such a weak form and drain your mana? Clearly because you’re not draining anything, are you?”

“I prefer to keep my secrets to myself.”

“Harr, har, har. Gazania, check his mana levels.”

“Yes, [Chaptain].” Gazania’s eyes glow vibrantly while staring at the Cat. “Odd. Mana levels aren't dropping, but his body is aglow with mana.”

“That’s normal. The Sovereign of Clouds and the Sovereign of Sands were smothered in mana.”

“Did they have a class?” Gazania asks.

Valentine shakes his head. “I didn’t have the skill to check at the time.”

“You know,” The cat interrupts, “Jumping to conclusions like that can be dangerous if you are wrong.”

“Maybe, maybe not. But my guts says I’m right, unless you want to tell me you’re not.”

“Believe what you want.” The cat replies.

“Harr, har, har.” Valentine laughs heartily. “You’re far too easy to read.”

“Riiiggghhhttt.” The cat rolls its eyes. “Let's change the subject, shall we. Mind telling me what treasures that map in your pocket will lead me to?”

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

Valentine reaches inside and produces the scroll.

“This is a map to a recently risen kingdom nearby. Mostly destroyed, but the castle is in good condition and the armory was protected by runes.”

The cat frowns. “An empty armory.”

“Not completely. “I took the legendary staff alongside all the epic and exceptional grade items only. Everything else I left behind.”

“So I get the sloppy seconds.”

“Harr, har, har. I gave the offer and you accepted. It’s too late to ask for something else.”

Before the cat can answer, Boriss returns with two gauntlets in his hands.

________________________________________

Boriss rushes up to me and lays the gauntlets at my feet. The metal clunks loudly when they touch the weird metal ground.

“Wolven Gauntlets!” Valentine exclaims in surprise.

I can see the doubt now radiating from him. He thought I am a Sovereign with a [Shifter] class instead of a guy who can transform into a Sovereign.

“You shouldn’t trust your gut.” I taunt.

Before he can reply, I put my two paws into the open gauntlet. Then I cancel my transformation.

One moment I’m staring at Valentine's boots, and the next we’re at eye level. I give him a toothy grin. Then he blurs. His hand grabs the handle of his cutlass. Reacting far slower than I would like, I raise my arms to block at the same time he unsheathes his weapon.

A blade of lightning extends out of the sheathe at the speed of a shockwave. Thunder booms loudly as Valentine's cutlass parries a blade inches away from severing my neck.

Ten meters away, Daichi Chikara, Valentines wolven [Stealth-operations Security Chief] is attacking me with an eleven meter long pitchblack Odachi.

“Daichi, stand down!” Valentine orders.

“[Captain], that’s a Fenrimorph!” Daichi warns. “It must be killed!”

Valentine growls. Muscles flex and the cutlass pushes away Daichi’s blade. At the same time, a wave of electricity releases in the direction where Valentine shifts his sword. Everything in the path of that wave is electrocuted as though it was struck by lightning. A dozen people die and several tents are set aflame. Even the bubble keeping the rain from pouring fails for a moment before reconstituting itself.

“I SAID STAND DOWN.” Valentine roars at Daichi. He raises his cutlass. The weapon churns and statick’s like a plasma ball.

The two powerhouses stare each other down for several long moments, which gives me a moment to take a good look at their weapons.

Name

Odachi Of Shadows.

Rarity

Legendary - 76 Runes.

* 1(48 - Shadowed Metal)

* 1(10 - Greater durability)

* 1(18 - Metal Regeneration)

Description

This weapon is made of shadows and can transform into whatever the wielder wishes. This weapon is 200% more durable. This weapon will passively regenerate all damage done to it.

Sustain

2.8% Mana Regeneration Per Minute

Name

Cutlass of Wreathing Storm

Rarity

Legendary - 117 Runes.

* 1(31 - (Greater Stormfield)

* 1(64 - (Lightning Sovereignty)

* 1(22 - (Unyielding)

Description

This sword constantly produces 100 million Joules of electricity. The wielder of this weapon has complete dominion of all lightning several meters around them. This sword cannot be damaged or changed.

Sustain

3.5% Mana Regeneration Per Minute

Eventually, Daichi’s blade shifts back to its original length and size. Then the man sheathes the weapon.

“All Fenrimorphs must be destroyed, [Captain]. My honor as a [Samurai[ demands it.”

Valentine glares at the wolven man, cutlass raised and wreathing with electricity as though ready to come down with the power of a thunderstorm.

But no storm descends. Valentine lowers his weapon and sheathes it into his scabbard.

“Daichi.” Valentine raises a hand and points at me. “That is merely a Fenrimorph transformation and not actually the real thing. Do not let your honor cloud your judgment again!”

Valentine turns away from the wolven and then on to me.

He grins. “For a second, I thought you were going to turn back into a wolven and prove my gut wrong. But no, you turn into a monster. Harr, har, har.”

Is this guy for real? You know what, that’s fine. Let's just get this over with. I turn and start walking towards the entrance.

“One more thing.” Valentine says right before I pass the barrier. “I see you have a [First Mate]. If her class changes, everyone dies.”

I growl in acknowledgement and then step through the barrier.

___________________________________________

Hot summer air hits me hard, followed by the smell of sand and the feeling of warmth. Not humid warmth, but the dry kind.

The bottom of the tower is empty except for the presence of sand and metal. Further in, I see a circular ascending staircase leading upwards to where I can see light. Glancing behind me, I’m met with just a metal wall. Curious, I place my arm on the wall and it immediately falls through.

The barrier can only be seen one-sidedly.

Retracting my arm, I do a quick stretch, and then silent walk deeper inside. My eyes look around in as many direction as I can while listening and sniffing to every gust of wind. As I get deeper, the amount of sand I see increases further and further. I finally reach the stairs to find nothing out of the ordinary.

Seems like that Scorpis monster went upstairs.

With bated breath, I start ascending the circular staircase. After a good thirty meters, I arrive on the next floor. The next floor is also the last floor for there is nothing but sand, metal, and a single opening. Through the opening, I’m met with endless sand.

Of course this test is going to have its own world.

Above the opening, the same message is etched as the ones downstairs.

Here lies the test of the Chariot:

Through Perception you will find what you seek.

Through Endurance you will strive long enough to find it.

Through Control you will overcome the limits of your body.

I can already guess that this test of Chariot is going to test those three stats. Perception, Endurance, and Control. Odd, but alright.

I stare at the open entrance to what I can infer to be a desert. In the distance I see dunes, some rock formations, and oddly enough, several spires.

Well, I’m going to take a wild guess that the test involves traversing a desert, which will require Endurance. Perception is probably inferring directly to sight. I’m going to have to see where I’m destined to go. And then there is Control, which I’m not sure about. Maybe pacing myself?

Whatever. Doesn’t matter. First things first, Gotta deal with that scorpion.

Warily, I walk forward and step outside the tower. I take a whiff and smell sand. Lots and lots of sand. I glance at the sand, looking for something hidden, and find nothing.

Finally, I listen to the wind. The sands twirling to a gust. The beating of my heart… right above my body!

I hop backwards just in time as the scorpion crashes where I’d been standing not a moment ago. The monster quickly rights itself and then turns in my direction with pincers ready. From it’s mouth, I hear a continuous clicking sound.

The monster is a horse sized scorpion with pincers large enough to crush my skull. It measures nearly four feet in height minus the tail, and triple that height with. Its width is an easy six feet with the pincers, and its length is a good ten.

Honestly, this should be pretty easy so long as I avoid the tail and pincers. The only difficulty is the carapace. Hopefully I can crack through it.

I crack my neck and then take an orthodox stance with my legs far more bent than usual. Not even a moment since I take the stance, the scorpion rushes me.