Guidry opened his eyes to a dream of clouds. His body felt sluggish and slow. He tried shaking himself awake, but the quagmire he was in extended to his mind as well. Still, he corralled his will until he began to stand. His arms and legs were shaky as he rose, sore as though he had just run a marathon across the Alabaster Fields in their entirety. He struggled to maintain his balance through the multiple forms of exhaustion. Looking around, Guidry noticed that he wasn’t just surrounded in clouds, he was standing on them.
“Did I…die?” He asked aloud.
No one was around to answer, but it gave movement to the world. Clouds swirled as winds gathered around him. Slowly they changed from snow white to a darker grey as blue lightning began crackling in the distance. Guidry tried to move his legs but found his body unwilling. He could only stand there as the approaching lightning grew closer. A shadow began to from in the distance, wreathed in the blue streaks. It grew larger and larger as it drew nearer to him. Before long, Guidry could make out what the figure was. It was familiar, as he had met the creature not that long ago. Clouds dispersed as the massive head of Shen emerged, and the quagmire of clouds around them parted from the force of their arrival.
“Shen?” Guidry asked.
“Storm-child.” Shen responded with a bowing nod of its head.
“I though you died?”
“I have.”
“So, that means I am dead too…” he said solemnly.
“No.” It said shaking its head. “You still live. As do I.”
“I don’t understand.”
“My body has died.” Shen explained. “But my soul now resides in the armor that was made. The armor you now wear.”
Guidry looked down at his body. The armor he remembered from the project was gone, but his clothes had changed. His chest, shoulders, and back was covered by leather armor that seemed to be dyed a metallic blue. It sported the motif of a sleeping dragon’s head that rested over his heart. Two arms of the imprinted dragon curled around him, one over his right shoulder, the other around his left ribcage almost as if the dragon was cuddling him in its sleep. His sleeves still bore the metallic scales, but they were shrunken to even smaller sizes, joined by two copper bands on each wrist.
“You soul is part of the armor? What does this mean?” Guidry asked as he marveled at his new gear.
“It means you kept your promise. I will go with you and experience freedom for the first time in many cycles.”
“Cycles?”
“Yes. I was captured by the scientists of that base many years ago. I died, and my soul and memories were carried on into the next life as I hatched from the eggs.”
“You experienced death and rebirth for years in that abandoned laboratory?” Guidry asked aghast. “Shen, I’m so sorry. That must have been so horrible.”
“It was.” Shen agreed. “But you have given me freedom. And as willing as I am to see the world again, my soul is tired. I must sleep.”
“Go ahead and sleep Shen. I’ll be here when you wake up.” He said with a smile.
Shen nodded once more before its entire body turned to lightning. It rushed forward, throwing itself into Guidry’s chest. The armor began to crackle with electricity. The metal scales on his arms began to grow and move around him. They crawled over his shoulders and chest, down his back and up his neck to the crown of his head before covering him nearly completely from head to toe. The crown of metallic antlers once more wreathed his head as scales crawled onto his cheeks. Looking down at his armor again, it looked like it had when it was done being assembled by the mechanical arms of the machine, except for two noticeable conditions. Both his hands and feet were covered in the armor now too and they looked like Shen’s claws, except the hands where more inline with his normal human physique than the splayed fist of a Loong. His feet did now only have four toes in the front, with a fifth poised at his heel. Of course, this was only the armor and not his actual feet, but he did feel like he could control the armored toe much like his own. The armor lasted like this for only a moment before reverting to the leathered chest and armored sleeves with copper bangles.
“Goodnight Shen. Sleep well.” Guidry said as he brought his hand to his heart where their companion bond rested in his soul.
Guidry felt the quagmire suffusing his mind and body slowly loosen as he closed his eyes. He began to feel a falling sensation as the clouds beneath him gave way. Guidry didn’t start flailing as he fell, and slowly the feeling of falling gave way to hard ground beneath him as his head lay on something softer.
“Guidry?” came his mother’s voice came in a panicked rush.
He slowly opened his eyes as a drop of water landed on his face. He had to blink several times as his mind wore away at the weariness that bogged him down. Opening them fully, he took in his mother’s tearful expression, her hair falling along the side of her face as she looked down at him.
“Hey mom.” He said weakly.
“I didn’t think you’d wake up again. I thought...” she said before cutting her sentence off with a sob.
“I’m fine mom. It worked.”
“I’m just glad you’re alive.” She said as a smile returned to her face.
“Gave us quite a scare there little man.” Lith said as his face came into view above his mother’s. “You weren’t breathing when we pulled you from that capsule. Mending Touch told me there wasn’t much to heal, and I could still feel the life in you, but still. You gave us all a good scare.”
“Sorry everyone.” Guidry said as he slowly rose into a sitting position.
Looking around, Guidry could tell they were back in the void between floors. Everyone was looking at him with relied expressions. A parchment was floating in the air just behind his grandmother.
“What’s the plan?” He asked,
“We’re going back to First City.” Fayde said. “Just wanted to make sure you pulled through before we returned and created a spectacle.”
“We don’t have to go back on account of me.” Guidry insisted. “I went unconscious from using all of my mental energy. I’m fine.”
“You don’t have to push yourself Giddy.” His aunt interjected. “We can take a break and…”
“I said I’m fine.” Guidry said, cutting her off. “Let’s just continue. I’ll recover my mental energy and hang in the back. I won’t hop into a fight until I feel confident I won’t get in the way.”
He felt his mother’s hand on his shoulder.
“Are you sure?” She asked reassuringly.
“Yeah.” He said with a smile. “The quicker we finish climbing this tower, the quicker this trial will be over, and we can return home.”
They all looked to Fayde who nodded before turning around to read the parchment for the first time after completing the second floor.
Quest Complete:
Complete Research Project 5H3N-100N6
1/1
Rewards: Omniglot x 6, Bronze Chest x 6
A small blue pearl appeared in each of their hands. As soon as they acknowledged the core in their hands, it cracked and shattered, becoming a faint motes of light that floated towards and merged into their heads. They could feel an infusion of information in their minds as yet another skill formed inside of them. Vague concepts related to their own language, both spoken words and written passed through their minds at a rapid pace. Lith was the first one to understand what the skill was.
“It’s a language based skill.” Lith stated. “Omniglot is in reference to someone who has mastered every language.”
“Why would the Tower give us this skill now?” Enki asked.
“Maybe so we can understand languages on the floors going forward? It was weird finding only a few things amongst a world full of alien languages.” Trevor offered.
“True. You think we’ll encounter more floors like that?” Enki inquired.
“Anything can happen in the next ninety-eight floors.” Trevor stated. “It’s best to be prepared for every situation.”
“Exactly right.” Fayde reaffirmed. “How is everyone feeling?”
“Well, I didn’t level.” Lith stated as he changed the reference that Sum used to what he and Marcell had discussed. “Anyone else fare any better?”
They all nodded in the negative before summoning their class cards. Each of them had a new line under their skills for Omniglot.
“Damn. Ten levels on the first floor and none of the second. No power leveling for us.” He said with a laugh before Fayde’s attention was drawn to the parchment once more.
Floor Complete
Would you like to continue or return home?
Floor 3 First City
Guidry and Trevor rose from the floor they had been laying down and began to stretch. They had only been on the second floor for about a day, and they were nowhere near tired enough to call it quits, save for Guidry who was only suffering from depleted mental energy. This was a race after all. Could they go back and get the tokens from the bronze chests and then head right back in? Sure, but Lith had traded his token. The only one who’s path would benefit from the second floor’s tokens was Guidry. Returning now would only slow them down in the long run.
If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
“Everyone ready for the next floor?” Fayde asked.
The entire family nodded yes before Fayde put her finger to the parchment to select Floor 3. A moment later, the wording changed.
Floor 3
Destination: Djinn’s Bazaar
Quest: Reclaim Sun and Shadow
The color drained from Fayde’s face before the void began to shift again. She had only a moment to think about how vague the quest was before they found themselves in the middle of a busy street full of people, although they were certainly not human. Everyone around them had taller and lankier bodies with a deep bronzed skin tone. Patches of thick fur covered their forearms, shoulders, upper backs, shins, and outer thighs. Two-antlered horns protruded from either side of their forehead, roughly where their temples should be, and a mote of fire sat between the horns as if it were being framed. Each of them had long, dark hair on their heads, which most wore in a variety of braids and locks. Their eyes were blazing balls of fire that only allowed faint whisps of smoke escape from the corner of their eyelids. Their canine teeth were enlarged slightly, giving them a more predatory air.
Fayde and Matia were about to draw their weapons before Trevor motioned for them to stop. Half of their family were already activating the identification abilities of their skills. These people were not bestial monstrosities as they had first though. Looking on, they noticed that they were talking, laughing, trading, holding hands, smiling longingly at each other, everything that separated humanity from other, more simplistic animals. Thin embroidered cloth covered their bodies, suspended by gold and silver interlinked chains.
“They all have names.” Enki said as she stopped using his identifying skill. “I don’t think they’re mindless beasts like the wolves or crabs, but they are all a race called Djinn.”
“What was the quest for this floor mom?” Matia asked as she stopped the formation of a frozen stone spear. “Does it have anything to do with them?”
“We have to recover Sun and Shadow.” Fayde said as she placed her hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “Might as well try talking with them before breaking first contact protocol.”
“First contact protocol?” Matia asked before a female of the demon like species approached with open arms and a smile on her face.
“Hello friends!” she said as her four fanged teeth flashed. She was tall, as were all of the strange people around them, and she put her hands on her knees, bending over to be eye level with them. “Welcome to the renowned Djinn’s Bazaar! My name is Ishi. Is this your first time here?”
“Yes.” Fayde answered.
“In that case, may I interest you in a tour? It’s only five credits per head.” The beautiful Djinn woman offered.
“I’m afraid we don’t have any…credits.” Fayde said.
What were credits? They hadn’t seen anything about credits, the Allum hadn’t mentioned them before, nor had they been rewarded any credits at any point so far. It sounded like they were a form of currency since Ishi was asking for it in exchange for giving them a tour of the Bazaar.
“Oh no!” She said putting up a pitying air. “You’re as poor as paupers? You poor things.” She stood back up and placed her hands on her hips. “Well, I can’t give you a tour without being paid, but it wouldn’t be good to leave without helping you find a way of paying me later.” She put one hand out to the side, pointing a finger to the air while keeping her elbow bent. “I’ll tell you how you can make some quick money, but I’ll add it to what you owe me for a tour later.” She extended her hand to Fayde like she was going to shake hands. “Let my touring services be your first purchase for six credits per head and I will tell you how to make some credits.”
Fayde waited a moment as she thought. Information was always better free, but she was a beautiful woman, even if she were a different species from them. Plus, she would give them a tour of the area later? Fayde was already being allured by the beautiful sounds of a busy market and the smells of delicious foods. Having reasoned enough, Fayde shook Ishi’s hand. What was an additional credit in exchange for a guiding hand in how to make some money after all? Ishi seemed nice enough, so getting a tour from her couldn’t be a bad thing. These were the last things to go through Fayde’s mind as she shook Ishi’s hand, which was followed by a warm feeling through her body before the back of her hand started to feel like it was burning. Fayde pulled her hand back and swatted at the burning area before looking at her hand. Now imprinted on the back of her hand was a brand of fire. She tried dousing the flame by swinging her hand and patting the flames out again, but they persisted but somehow refused to burn her clothes. The previously felt pain also quickly faded.
“What the fuck did you do?” Fayde asked as she drew her swords. Matia quickly manifested a spear as Trevor also drew her weapons. Guidry charged a water bullet which quickly fell apart. Enki pointed both of his crossbows at the woman as Lith struggled to decide if he should activate the spectral claws of Rake or Mending Touch before doing both.
“We’ve made a promise darling.” Ishi said as she raised her hands in a show of giving up. “This is how my skills work. We make a promise, and the brand makes sure it is kept.”
“Why would you use your skill to ensure I came back? I’m not the type of person to go back on their word.” Fayde retorted. She activated Dominion’s Eye as an invisible wave spread through her line of sight. There was no real physicality to the aura, but everyone she could easily see turned in shock, some stumbling as a foreign mental pressure assaulted their minds. “Take this brand off of me, now.”
Ishi’s cheerful persona changed to that of fear as she was fully enveloped in the aura.
“I…I can’t.” She stammered. “Once a promise is made and the brand is implanted it must be seen through to completion, or the person will be burned by the broken promise. I can’t cancel the skill.”
Djinn had started moving away from the group, feeling from Fayde’s aura skill. At the same time several more muscular Djinn ran over with weapons in hand, forming a circle around the entire group, Ishi included.
“What is going on here?” Asked one of the more muscular Djinn.
“She put a brand on me.”
“We made a promise.”
Both Ishi and Fayde said at the same time.
“Young madam.” Continued the Djinn. “You’ve made a promise.” He said as he looked from Fayde’s hand to Ishi’s hand. He grabbed Ishi’s hand and faced the palm to show them. Ishi’s hand had a matching brand. “What were the conditions of the promise?”
“They are to pay me six credits per head for a tour.” Ishi stated.
“That’s a credit more than you normally charge. What’s your end of the promise?”
“She’s supposed to tell us how we can make credits to pay her with.” Fayde answered.
“You charge them a credit extra for well-known information. Shame on you Ishi.” The Djinn said as his grip tightened on her wrist. “Young madam, there is no cause for bloodshed. We will hold Ishi and discipline her for acting in bad faith. When you return from procuring some credits, we will release her and ensure she upholds the promise immediately so you may enjoy your stay in the Bazaar.”
“That is not necessary.” Fayde said as she and her family put away their weapons. “The detaining and punishing part anyway. Just make yourself easy to find and we will see that our part of the deal is done.”
Fayde deactivated her skill as she closed her eyes to recompose her thoughts. She had used it periodically against the crabs, eels, and razor fish in the last floor, but it only caused a slight hesitation when they attacked her and made it easier for her family to dodge attacks as her skill distracted them. Seeing its effect on beings with higher intellect, like the Djinn, Fayde started second guessing herself about using it on people. Did she enjoy seeing the fear in someone’s eyes? Yes, but only from those who deserved or asked for her ire.
“I will be sure to make myself available.” Ishi said as she pointed to a large gate behind them. “Out there you can find Ember Back Boars. Their hide, tusks, and meat can be sold for a good number of credits, between the bounties and the crafters who find their parts desirable.”
“And how are we supposed to transport these boars back for the bounties? Just carry them on our backs?” Lith asked.
“The Bounty Master outside the gate can lease spacial bags for storage of any you manage to kill.” Ishi answered. “Although his fees for leasing a bag are high until you purchase your own.”
“A spacial bag?” Guidry asked.
“It is a common item that holds a large pocket of space inside. I’m unfamiliar with the crafting process or necessary magics behind it, but almost everyone has at least one.” Ishanti added. “This information I give freely as it is well known.” She bowed her head low while still standing, her arms spread like wings behind her. The Djinn standing beside her nodded in both confirmation and approval.
“Thank you, Ishi.” Fayde said. “We will return with credits for that promised tour.”
“Be well!” She said after them as Fayde and her family headed to the gate.
The large wood and metal door opened at their approach releasing a wave of billowing heat. The world outside the bazaar was a sea of orange sand and sky. They paused a moment as they looked at the dunes of sand that rushed away before them. Stepping out of the bazaar and onto the exterior platform they could see that the town sized building was sliding across the sands on skis that extended past the platform. Looking up and above the collection of buildings, they could see massive sails that were taught with the force of the winds behind them.
“Hello travelers!” said a surprisingly rotund Djinn nearby. “Setting out for the Ember Back Boar bounties?”
“We are. Are you the Bounty Master?” Asked Fayde.
“Indeed I am.” The Djinn confirmed. “You’re the only group for this drop point and we have roughly five minutes before the exchange. If you have any questions or needs, let’s get sorted now.”
The Bounty Master explained to them how the barge town and the bounty system worked. The Djinn’s Bazaar sailed across the sands in a circle and was the only trade hub in the desert. It would take the bazaar five days to circle back to their drop off point to pick them up. The drop itself would pick up an open air capsule from an exchange point, retrieving any persons, supplies, or bodies that lay inside and switch it with a capsule the bazaar had prepared with a round of new hunters and supplies for those who remained living in the desert. They also leased a spacial bag from the Bounty Master for ten credits a day, meaning they would owe the well fed Djinn fifty credits upon their return.
Thankfully the average going price of an Ember Back Boar was between fifty and twenty-five credits depending on what condition the body was in. Between Ishi and the Bounty Master, they were in the hole eighty two credits, meaning that catching between two and four of the boars would clear them of their debts and leave them with some change to work with. But where was the fun in that? It was time to go big or stay broke. Who knew if these credits would stay with them past the floor, but with an entire town barge of traders, why not try to take advantage of the floor they were on? What was that old adage? Shop till you drop. They would hunt for as many boars as they could over the next five days before returning and reaping as many rewards as possible.
“If you are interested,” The Bounty Master continued, “There is a challenge for competitive hunters. If you beat the current record of boar bodies returned within the five day period you’ll be gifted with a spacial bag each and one thousand credits for the team.”
“What’s the current record?” Lith asked.
“Ninety-five boars is the current record. So, you’ll need at least ninety-six to beat it.” The Bounty Master said as he closed the door to the wood and metal capsule the family was now standing in.
He leaned over the side of the platform, looking towards the front of the barge. They were all in position to see what the Djinn was looking at. Coming up in the distance was a tower at roughly the same height as their capsule with another, near identical capsule sitting atop it. They couldn’t make out any humanoid figures in the capsule, but with any luck there were fresh supplies from the Djinn that decided to live in the desert.
“Hold on tight until the capsule is done docking with the tower.” The Djinn said before he backed away from their capsule.
“Before we go, Have you heard of Sun and Shadow?” Fayde asked.
“Sun and Shadow eh?” The rotund Djinn echoed as he rubbed this beard. “I can see the sun above and shadows around the Bazaar, but I assume you mean of the legend beneath the sands.” His gaze turned analytical as he looked over the family. “I normally don’t like to spread the rumors of such things as it leads to too many people getting lost in the desert, but you have a certain look about you. Sun and Shadow are two swords of legend, said to be wielded by the founding Sultans, Jierti and Uma El Shai. One day they left their palace to wander into the sands, never to be seen or heard from again. Explorers that have retuned on death’s door have mentioned caverns below the sands, vast catacombs, lava strewn canyons, and, most interesting of all, a castle shrouded in darkness with a star shining brightly in its center.”
Fayde was about to ask more questions about how to access the caverns beneath the sands, but a moment later, their capsule shifted away from the barge. It was suspended above the sands as a pully system at the front of the barge caught the top ring of the capsule on the tower. A hook caught the ring atop their own, causing a loud clang and a shake as they dislodged from the barge. Their momentum carried them down the tower’s horizontal pulley system like a gondola until they came to a smooth rest at the top of the tower.
“Oh! Look out for temajin.” shouted the Djinn Bounty Master before the winds and distance drowned out his voice.
“Look out for what?” Shouted Lith in return.
“The Mad Djinn!” Aseem shouted again as they moved further from the barge. He doubted the people called humans could hear him anymore with how far away they were. He wished they had walked onto his balcony sooner. He could have warned them properly about how the desert heat can turn some people mad. It was part of the reason why they only made a five day circuit, and even that was cutting it close. Looking at the retrieved capsule, he let out a disappointing sigh. There were no returners at this tower either and now there were no supplies either. “What in the Fiery Rings is going on?” He wondered.