Relief
Endless white. An expanse that might have gone on forever, if there had been any structures or points of reference to denote space. The team stood just inside the doorway trying to decipher where they were.
"What fresh hell is this?" James asked as he looked around, moving to behind the door that stood open to see what was behind it.
"It...doesn't even make sense," Derek said as he looked at his feet and saw no shadow.
"Is this nothing? There isn't even any sound when we walk, but we can hear each other talk. This is spooky." Jay commented, a contemplative look on his face.
There didn't seem to be any end to the room, or if there was, it was seamless in its connection points. Writing in the air began in the same orange color it always had, though it appeared more washed out than it normally did.
"Trial of companions, complete," the text read as it flashed in the air once.
"That was a trial? I thought this was a dungeon?" James asked staring up at the text.
"In the shadow of towering trials,
We find strength not in miles,
But in the warmth of a smile, a hand,
Together, side by side, we stand.
When the road bends, rugged and steep,
Companionship is the light we keep.
It whispers courage, stirs the heart,
Binds the pieces when things fall apart.
In the echo of laughter, shared pain,
Friendship blooms, a steadfast chain.
Through storms and calm, it holds us tight,
Guiding through darkness, towards the light.
So here's to the friends, the brave, the true,
The ones who say, “I’ll walk with you.”
For in each step, and every mile,
The journey’s sweetened by their smile."
"So...this has been really sweet and not at all traumatizing, but now what?" Kiera asked.
Behind them, the door slammed shut. White began to fade to black and the darkness that wasn't darkness began to surround them again. They were soon faced with the Vending Slot Machine again and tokens appeared set on a small table next to the machine. These tokens glowed with a turquoise light this time instead of the usual gold. Text also began writing in the air again as they stared.
"Though many fail this daunting quest,
The rewards they reap reflect their zest.
For those who braved the darkest night,
And stood their ground to fight the fight.
When swords did break and courage waned,
True hearts prevailed and victory claimed.
They found their friends, broke the curse,
Of dark forces aiming to coerce.
Their spirits once crushed, minds laid bare,
Discovered strength beyond compare.
Remember friends, those dear and true,
Will always stand to see you through.
They guard your back when strength is gone,
For darkest nights precede the dawn.
These rewards, then, shall bring a smile,
Surpassing others by more than a mile.
For all who dare this test to take,
Rich rewards await, make no mistake.
A prize well-earned, for those who've tried,
In their triumph, they take pride."
"Soooo...better loot?" James asked rubbing his hands together greedily.
"There better be. That dungeon was bullshit." Kiera replied.
"Kiera, I think you should go first. You earned it." Tom said looking at her with a smile.
Stepping up to the machine, Kiera grabbed one of the glowing tokens and stared at it in her hand as she turned it over. The image on one side was that of clasping hands while the other side was that of a banner with the words "United We Stand" engraved on it. Placing the coin in the machine, she pulled the lever and watched as the reels spun in the machine. A light on the top of the machine lit up before the reels stopped spinning and a chime rang as the reels stopped. A can dropped out of the bottom of the machine and Kiera grabbed it.
Looking at the can, it didn't have an image on it as the others did, but she opened it anyway. After the smoke cleared from the activation spell, she was left holding a necklace with a pendant attached. The pendant had a beautiful fiery red gemstone about the size of her thumb inlaid. Swirls of red moved slowly inside the gem, and she was mesmerized by the ebb and flow of the inside of the gemstone which was positioned directly in the middle of a silver heart with diamonds studding the outer rim.
It appeared as if the gem floated in the middle of the outline of the heart and she could feel magic coming off of the pendant.
"What'd ya get?" Derek asked as he moved closer.
Turning to show him, she held the necklace out for him to inspect.
Flawless Garnet Necklace of Family
Description
Garnet is the stone that represents the bonds of family and friends. This necklace was designed for those who endured the trials of a life fraught with pain but managed to find the family they deserved. Whenever you wear this jewelry, think of those who care for you and chose you rather than those you call family by birth.
Item Type
Accessory, Necklace
Durability
10,000/10,000
Gem Clarity
Flawless
Gem Cut
Excellent
Item Quality
Master Craft
Item Rarity
Legendary
Enchantment: While wearing this pendant, you and your party will receive a 5% boost to all attributes.
Tears formed in Kiera's eyes as she read the description as well.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
"Thank you, all. I never had a place to belong before now. You didn't ask me to conform to any standards and let me be myself. I can't thank you enough for that." Kiera said as she held the pendant to her chest.
"We're all in this together. Never think that we wouldn't do anything to ensure you were safe." Tom replied. "Now, who's next?"
James stepped up next, eager to see what his reward would be. When it dispensed a can, he opened it as well.
Potion of Dexterity
Description
Drinking this potion will grant the consumer 5 points of Dexterity permanently.
Item Type
Potion
Durability
10/10
Potion Quality
Perfected
Item Rarity
Epic
Derek moved forward after James at the insistence of the others.
Shield of the Stalwart
Description
This shield was given to the most devout of defenders and enchanted with the ability to cast a barrier spell once per hour.
Item Type
Shield
Durability
15,000/15,000
Item Quality
Master Craft
Item Rarity
Epic
Ability: Cast a barrier spell once per hour that covers a 10 ft x 10 ft area and has 5000 HP
Slots
1
Kevin received a pair of boots that boosted his speed when in combat. Kirsten, despite her trepidation from the last dungeon rewards, was given a short spear that could be thrown and was enchanted with the ability to return to her hand when she called it. Michael was gifted a set of nearly indestructible bracers. Jay obtained a scroll for the spell Smoke Screen that would allow him to create an area clouded in a non-toxic fog to allow him to hide or escape.
Finally, Tom stepped up to the machine. Holding the glowing coin in his hand, he sent out a silent thanks to whoever monitored these rewards that his friends received such amazing gifts. He placed the coin in the machine and pulled the lever. He felt no anxiety or fear as he watched the reels spin, perfectly content with whatever the System would grant him after seeing his friends so happy.
When the reels stopped and the can dispensed, there were no lights, no fanfare, and nothing to indicate what he received. Opening the can, the typical smoke appeared and dissipated he was left holding a large golden ring with a sapphire set in the metal.
Ring of Charismatic Leadership
Description
Sapphire is the stone for leadership. As the leader of Vanguard, you have shown your propensity for compassion and strength. Whenever you wear this ring, remember that you have earned the trust of those who follow you, and can rely on them to aid you in your time of need.
Item Type
Accessory, Ring
Durability
2000/2000
Gem Clarity
Flawless
Gem Cut
Excellent
Item Quality
Master Craft
Item Rarity
Legendary
Enchantment: While wearing this ring, you will be granted +20 to Charisma and can cast the spell Bolster once per day. The Spell Bolster, when cast, will vitalize all those under your command and give them a +5% to attack and defense for 30 minutes.
Tom stared in shock at the ring. He wasn't sure what to think. As he reread the details, the others began to ask what he had received. When he explained, they smiled at him fondly.
"You deserve it, Tom," Derek said to him. "You're a big part of why we are where we are."
"That's not true. You would have been a better leader." Tom replied to him.
"I don't think that's true. I would have been a different leader, but not necessarily better. There are a lot of times I would have made different decisions and left people where they were or worked hard to only help those in our party. But you kept insisting on helping as many as you could. You're a good person, Tom. And Vanguard is the way it is because of you." Derek said to him, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Tom slipped the ring on his finger, and it resized to fit him perfectly. Looking at his stat sheet, it did give him the twenty extra Charisma points, and he saw the spell Bolster in his available spells with a cooldown of twenty-four hours.
Turning to look at his friends, Tom's heart was full in that moment. He felt more content than he had for as long as he could remember.
"Thank you, all. But know that while I might be the leader in name, I know that it's not me who makes us great. It's all of us. The bonds we have formed will see us through this." Tom said.
"We just have to hope the bonds of friendship can kill aliens," James interjected, completely ruining the mood. "Now let's get out my little pony friendship is magic asses back to the guild. I'm beat."
As James said this, Jerky and Squirrel reappeared in the room with them. James scratched Squirrel behind the ears until he saw Kiera and walked over to her. He whined up at her as though he could sense what she had been through. Leaning up against her, he forced her hand onto his head where she stroked him gently, smiling at him.
"Traitor," James mumbled under his breath.
"Thanks, Squirrel. I'll be alright, I promise. You're such a good boy." Kiera said to him as she petted him.
Appearing behind them, the door opened by itself, and they could see the hall outside.
"I think James is right, for once," Tom said as he moved toward the door. "Let's head back for now and get some rest. We can do some more dungeon runs later."
The ride back to the guild building was uneventful and after parking the GS2, the team exited and entered the building. Kiera stared around for a moment as she took in a deep breath and then let it out slowly.
"I'm going to rest. I'll catch up with you all later. Thank you again." She said to them as she began to walk toward the elevator.
"Come on, Squirrel, we need to do the same," James said as he followed behind her.
"There you are!" Someone called from the stairs to the basement.
Harold was standing there and looking at the team.
"Harold, what's up?" Tom asked.
"I've got something to show you. Can you come now?" Harold replied to him.
"I've got some time. Is everything okay?" Tom said concerned.
"I'm not sure but come with me and I'll explain."