... Not gonna lie here, but this place looked like s**t! The place I was in was located at the bottom of a sandy crevice, or was it between two steep mountains? No it was too steep, that couldn't be right? The most obvious thing about this world was the shortage of colors. Beyond some scraggly trees or potted plants, everything was some sort of variation of red, even the sky was a deep maroon. To add to the cheery view, instead of clouds and birds some sort of heavy mist swirled across the skies occasionally interrupted by a strong breeze. I didn’t feel like letting my imagination run too rampant, so I focused on the city clustered about in front of me. The city was full of commotion, and as Brent had promised there were a few other races here and there. The main populace was comprised of humans or elves, though a dwarf bobbed out of the crowd every now and again.
The city spanned far into the crevice, extending the entire length until it hit the end, then a road zigzagged its way up the cliffs face until it reached the top. I noticed a tower located near his end of the crevice and couldn't help but stare in awe. Shooting up into the sky's it seemed taller than the ravine he was in. Flags blew on poles at the top in a series of shapes and colors along the outside edge. This wasn't necessarily what caught me off guard though. The base spanned a few hundred feet in diameter adjacent some shops and houses. A slew of people were coming and going from the front entrance, but I couldn't take my eyes from the stone-work. The entire thing was covered in glowing runes, shifting, moving, and sometimes combining. It seemed to radiate an aura saying "don't f*** with me".
Needless to say, I was gaping at the thing when Brent called my name. I closed my mouth with an audible clop and rushed over to him, as he'd gotten a dozen paces away.
When I pulled up next to him I noticed more buildings like the stone one I'd just exited from situated around mine in an x design. That must have been the other races starting locations. We were just making our way onto a cobbled street when a gaggle of people exited the same buildings I started in. They seemed to be getting along for the most part, which of course made me wonder why I hadn't noticed them before.
"Umm... Why didn't I meet anyone else inside like them?"
"Well if you hadn't spent all your time in a dirty attic space nit-picking gear you would've noticed multiple groups of kids coming or going. I hope you’re not that inobservant all the time, otherwise you’re not gonna last long. Anyway, that’s where you usually group up so you'll just have to meet them after the orientation. Which reminds me, we need to get moving if you want to make it there before today’s starts."
"What's this orientation about anyhow, and whys everyone who arrives here around my age?" This whole situation seemed kind of odd the more he looked around.
"Well the orientations ensures new people know what’s in this world, how they got here, some common knowledge about the culture, and some basic knowledge about survival. It’s kind of like a short variation of classes over a short time. After you go through some of the testing they'll offer a starting job if they have some or you can enroll for more semesters of course training. I did a work exchange, though if I told you the truth it's kind of a crappy program. I hardly get any pay, plus I haven't explored nearly as much as I'd like. Also, as you can tell, I got stuck transporting dead people. It wouldn't be that bad don't get me wrong but the contracts start in the decades, not years. As for the whole age thing, most people appear in their younger prime years. It's sort of how the system works. The oldest I seen come across was a 40 year old body builder guy. It's not bad, after all you age like ten times slower in here, and you can find potions or magic ways to reverse aging. I myself am 92 years old. Though you will be relieved, the kids here are actually around your age when they died. This keeps the program a little more consistent, especially in the classes. So don't worry your flirting with an old lady or something, though be a little more wary of the other species. They may be young to their culture and mindset, but elves for instance age until they’re about a hundred before they reach ‘adulthood’."
As Brent spoke, we made our way across the quieter side of town making our way across in the general direction of the tower. The streets grew busier as we neared the other end of town though, and a lot more groups of kids were making their way over with us. I noticed some other humans dressed like himself scattered among the others as well, so maybe he wasn't the only patient or smart one here. At least he wouldn't be singled out as much.
"So all these kids died within the last day? At least I don't feel as foolish about my death now haha. Still sucks losing everything you had before though... I guess my life was kind of falling apart anyway. Not like my family life would've been much fun at least. That sucks your stuck herding dead people all day, I wouldn't do it at least."
“Well, I only have like ten years left on the contract anyway. I was too young to do much at the time I died so I couldn't have gotten by otherwise, so I kind of had no other option. A lot of younger people are raised here, you know adoption and such. If a babies young enough during death it might be reborn here too. That's how you can get a kid, gives 'em another chance you know? Most of those are abortion babies. Well that's enough about me, let’s sign you in. After orientation just come find me if you need something, you know where I work."
He says this as we trudge up to a fast growing line to enter the building. I noticed a lot of other kids were being left by some guardian or another as we entered the line. I even noticed some extremely gorgeous blonde elves near the front of the line at the doors. Some older gentleman and a tall brunette stood at a table filling out forms as kids stopped to give their information then we could enter the building.
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"Alright, I may just do that. Thanks for the guidance and all, but the lines getting pretty long."
"Yep, no problem. I better go get another soul before my shifts up today. See ya around Jake"
With that said Brent turned and left back the way they came, just as fast as they arrived he was absorbed in the growing crowd milling in the streets.
I turned around and stepped in line before the crowd could catch up and made my way to the door shuffling as the line moved. It went surprisingly fast which he actually should have guessed, considering these people did this pretty much every day. As I stepped up to the counter the lady introduced herself as Isabell. Then she handed me a sheet asking for name, date of birth, age, height, weight, and what my intelligence level was (this being my grade at school or any diplomas).
~It looked kind of like this~
Name: Jake Denner
DOB: 12 December 1996
AGE: 19
Height: 5 ft. 11 in.
Weight: 152
INT: Year 12 High school
After filling it out I received some sort of bronze pin with a long number on it, which she deftly pinned to my cloak near my left shoulder. Then I proceeded into the towers first floor, which was actually pretty cool. I entered some sort of auditorium capable of seating something like 500 people. Not wanting a bad seat I made my way down the mini coliseum for a fifth row seat. Unfortunately the front was full of elves and more than a few dwarves. I was pretty surprised to see a few orcs with pale green skin seated in a big group opposite himself across the room, in what seemed like a pretty heated discussion. I couldn't hear what they were up to, though from the spittle collecting on each other’s faces it just didn't seem right to intervene. (That and they had weird tusks jutting out of their bottom jaw. Like seriously what human wouldn't be afraid?)
After a while of observing the other students I finally just sat back trying to absorb what I'd just seen. Of course I was thankful for the whole second chance thing, but maybe he could avoid the orcs a little?
I wasn't really surprised to see the dwarves wearing better armor than even the elves, though I was a little jealous. The orcs and the humans had armor about just the same quality, with the exception of about 15% of the humans wearing armor much like mine.
I was still thinking about the orcs when the deafening sound of a gavel resonated through the room silencing everyone. I looked to the arena but it was empty. On further inspection I found a little raised platform on the right side of the room set up in the bleachers. This made sense since everyone could now face directly at the speaker and hear everything. Then a dwarf with a red beard and cloak stood up to talk, calling attention to himself.
"Welcome everyone to the village of Ralthru. My name is Taernue Spen, and I am the Chief of this Village. These are my main council members, Miss Daria Lirs and Mr. Tandar Light. (At this a couple others stood up behind him) You will treat them both with the same utmost respect you will treat me. They are both teachers here as well, so I will know of any disrespect or trouble caused by any one of you. If you cause too much trouble do not doubt my power to cast you from the program or even the village, I find trouble intolerable and will not stand for it." He says this while looking over towards the Orcs especially. "Now, onto more exciting news. You will all be granted the beginners classes for survival and general knowledge of the abyss free of charge. Housing will be provided during the week long classes, any longer time will be reserved for the students attending the schooling program. If you would like to settle here there are lots for sale in-town if you save enough for the deed. On that note, jobs will be offered to those we find with the best scores and or achievements, so work hard and you may get a job immediately here.
You can also talk with us about working for schooling, though that takes a long time to pay off. Other than that, you may either take odd-jobs around town until another opening comes up, or you have two options. One, you may venture out to the unknown lands north of this settlement and try your luck. Or two, you may head to other villages or another settlement, city, or capital to try your luck at a job there.
So, with that all told I would finally like you to head to your designated quarters after this seminar to get settled in, meet other classmates, or look around town. If you head to the other door beside the one you came in, you will find a reception office. At the counter say your name and you will receive your parcel with a schedule and all your enclosed informational packets required for the lessons. Breakfast at 8:00, classes at 9:00 tomorrow. Meeting adjourned!"
With that he slammed the gavel down twice more and the whole class stood to leave. I was actually quite dazed from the speed at which the whole thing took place. It seemed they were busy people to be so brief, then again he did have to make the same speech every day so maybe it was a matter of boredom?
Since everyone was already standing I had to go with the flow and headed towards the door. I had a lot of questions, but I guess that would have to wait until tomorrow.