Thane and Bradley walked out of the Ivory Tower. The sun already tilted and waned in the cloudy blue sky.
As they officially became Climbers today, the two were exempted from attending classes at the academy, which Bradley happily welcomed.
“Hey, Thane! Come with me, I will show you the great secret spot I told you about last time!”
Thane hesitated. He did not want to go and wanted to be alone. Yet, he also did not want to be alone. No one was waiting at home for him. It was a strange and conflicting feeling.
“Stop thinking too deeply. You told me tomorrow before, and now it is today.” Bradley then lowered his voice and strained the muscles of his face to imitate Thane’s when he gave a stern lecture. “A person’s words only have value if they are lived up to.”
It was actually a saying Thane’s deceased father regularly told Thane, and he repeated it many times to Bradley. Hearing Bradley say the phrase tore up his heart, and the pain rippled out. However, Thane held them back, he would live by his father’s teaching, this time at least.
“Fine. Let’s see it. It better be as secret as you say or else we will get into deep shit with the guards at the walls.”
“Of course! Who do you take me for? When have I steered you wrong?”
“Two days ago. Running laps. Ms. Maribell’s angry yelling at us for your note passing in class, remember, Mr. Future Guild Leader?”
“Huh. Did something like that happen? That feels so long ago, Vice Guild Leader. I must have forgotten. Anyway! It will be fun! You will see! We can also go over the Tower System’s interface too! Let’s go!”
Bradley patted Thane’s shoulder and forcibly pushed him along. Thane did not resist. He did not yet want to return to the empty house that would only remind him of losing his father. Subconsciously, he avoided it and the pain that came along with it as much as possible. Bradley knew and tried to keep Thane’s mind off of the tragic memories as much as possible. They quibbled and joked, making Thane show a small but tired smile along their trek on the stone streets to the kingdom walls.
Pressed up against the sidewall of a wood building, Bradley stood slightly hunched over as he cautiously looked left and right for guard patrols in an empty alleyway next to the walls.
“This is your secret spot? Looks pretty shady to me.” Thane said with a skeptical tone.
“Shhhhh!” Bradley hissed, pressing his index finger against his lips while glaring at Thane.
Clanking of heavy metal echoed from the distance.
“Dude! Oh sh-!” Thane tried to curse, But Bradly hurried over and covered his mouth and nose shut.
Thuds of heavy footsteps approached the duo. The two pressed their backs against the wall and squatted down. A trio of guards in heavy silver armor walked down the alleyway on the stone streets as they talked amongst themselves.
“What was that?” One of the guards said, hearing a noise from around the corner.
“Probably a mouse or something. The Dungeon wouldn’t be so dumb as to attack when we’re on high alert.”
“I still think we should check it out.” The guard retorted and walked over with clanking steps to where Thane and Bradley squatted behind the corner of a building.
Their hearts almost beat out of their chest as the guard approached. The metal thud skidding across the earth came closer and closer.
“Anything?”
The man was rather tall and looked around the corner of the building and off into the distance.
“No. Maybe it was rats.”
“Ha! Told ya! Let’s keep going.”
“Yeah.”
As the clanking steps echoed away, Bradley fell onto his bottom and laughed at the anxious moment.
“Haha! How could he have missed us!? Man, I was looking straight up at him!”
Thane shoved Bradley’s hand that still unconsciously covered his mouth and nose and gasped for air. He rolled his eyes at Bradley.
“Dude. He probably knew we were here but just overlooked us.”
“Nah. Cannot be. They know us too well. We would have been caught upon sight. Maybe all the Climbers are not like Ms. Maribell with eyes behind their heads.”
“Dude. We are Climbers too now. We don’t have eyes behind our heads.”
“So his stats are lower than Ms. Maribell’s? That hulking dude versus the thin fragile-looking woman that is our teacher?”
“Looks can be deceiving. Could be skills too, you know?”
“True. But whatever it is, we are free! Come on! The coast is clear!”
Bradley grabbed Thane’s wrist and dashed off. Thane sighed but followed afterwards. Running along the side of the walls, an old barred-off stairway appeared. Seeing the signs that warned of danger abruptly stopped Thane in his tracks. Bradley stopped running and turned around.
“What? We are almost there, Thane. Come on. Let’s go.”
“Don’t tell me we’re going up that partially collapsed stairway.”
“Then I will not say ‘collapsed.’ It works just fine. I go back and forth all the time. The sign is misleading. Watch.”
Bradley dashed off and climbed over the rails of a fence blocking off the stone stairs.
“Brad! Hey! Ah, man. Dang it. Here we go again. Hold up!”
Thane rushed after Bradley, and Bradly grinned. The two carefully kept to the edge as they climbed the stairs to the top of the wall.
Coming up the long and tall stairway, Thane huffed as he emerged to the top.
“Bro, we better not get in trouble for this or-“
Thane's eyes widened, and he went silent. Beyond the clearing of earth next to the walls, a rush of an expansive sight of an endless forest of green extended far into the horizon. The sun began to set, and its light softly caressed and reflected off the verdant leaves like a shimmering ocean. The soft rays caressed their faces, making them glow with a warm light. Seeing something so grand filled their minds with awe and temporarily washed away all other thoughts.
“Worth it, right?”
Thane looked over and saw Bradley’s smirking face. “Yeah, you miscreant.”
“That makes you one as well, partner.”
“I guess so, huh? Haha!”
The two enjoyed a moment between friends. However, as the sun waned below the horizon and the sky started to turn shades of deeper orange, Thane looked in a certain direction and his face warped into a scowl. Bradley noticed the dark aura that weighed down the air. He looked over and knew exactly what warped his friend’s mind.
Slightly changing the subject, he asked Thane, “So what class did you choose during the contract with the Tower?”
“Mage. So I can better destroy those damn Dungeons and their Heathens.”
The answer was what Bradley predicted.
“So summoner it is then?”
“Yeah, I thought about it the other night. That’s the direction I plan on building my class.”
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Trying to bring back the good vibes, Bradley exclaimed, “Me too! Let’s check out our status page, yeah? I bet I have better stats than you!”
“Oh, you wanna bet do ya? Ok! Loser has to do push-ups! Fifty of them!”
“You’re on! On the count of three, we both call out the System interface. Ready? One. Two. Three!”
They both shouted, “Status screen!”
Tower System Interface
.....................................................................
(Status screen)
(Quests) | (Inventory) | (Tower Marketplace) | (Class Paths and Branches)
.....................................................................
Name: Thane Burberry
Age: 21
Sex: Male
Tower Faction: Ivory Tower
Guild affiliation: none
Main Class: Mage
Specialization: None
Level: Zero
Secondary Cclass: None
Stats:
Strength: 1.05
Dexterity: 1.08
Agility: 1.06
Intellect: 1.08
Charisma: 1.29
Stamina: 1.09
Mana: 10
Skills:
Mana Manipulation - LVL 1
Meditation - LVL 1
.....................................................................
Tower System Interface
.....................................................................
(Status screen)
(Quests) | (Inventory) | (Tower Marketplace) | (Class Paths and Branches)
.....................................................................
Name: Bradley Hurston
Age: 21
Sex: Male
Tower Faction: Ivory Tower
Guild affiliation: none
Main Cclass: Mage
Specialization: None
Level: Zero
Secondary Cclass: None
Stats:
Strength: 1.11
Dexterity: 1.08
Agility: 1.16
Intellect: 1.03
Charisma: 1.02
Stamina: 1.02
Mana: 10
Skills:
Mana Manipulation - LVL 1
Meditation - LVL 1
.....................................................................
The two paired their status windows side by side and compared their stats. Brad saw the first figures and immediately laughed at Thane and said, “Drop and give me fifty!”
Thane frowned and rebuttaled back after seeing the other stats, “You drop and give me fifty too! You may be stronger and faster because of Ms., Maribell’s punishments, but I’m smarter and better looking!”
“Hey! You were punished along with me too! You have no excuses for your strength and agility stats! And the stat for charisma is just plain wrong! I’m just as good-looking as you!” Bradley looked at Thane’s rugged face and added with a meek voice, “Okay, maybe a little less. You just got a little lucky. Why does your dad have to be so good-looking?”
Thane weakly smiled, and Bradley realized he screwed up.
“…I am sorry, Thane.”
“No worries. You meant no harm. You’re right. My old man was quite the looker, huh? I’m glad he was my dad. He treated me well and was a handy resourceful guy. I finally realized it, but I can’t show my gratitude to him anymore.”
Bradley did not know what to say, but even if he did, he would not have the chance.
“Hey! What are you two over there doing!” A guard on the wall rushed over. Recognizing the duo, he shouted, “It’s you two rascals again! Don’t you know we were just attacked by the Dungeons?!”
Thane and Bradley jumped up in alarm. They hurriedly dashed down the partially collapsed stairs they came from and scurried off into the cramped buildings.
“Hey! You two aren’t going to get away with this! We know where your parents are!” The guard remained on the wall and shouted at Thane’s and Bradley’s disappearing figures.
Thane and Bradley hurriedly ran away. Although Bradley was faster, he unconsciously followed Thane and they ran to Thane’s home. Out of habit when getting into trouble, they ran and entered the house of Thane’s father. Thane’s father was more lenient than Bradley’s.
“Dude, we’re screwed.”
“No! Do not say that!”
“You know it’s true. The guard immediately recognized us.”
Chills crept up Bradley’s spine from imagining what his father would do to him, and he shuddered.
“I do not want to go back home. Can I stay here tonight, Thane?”
“Of course not! I know your parents are going to throw you a party to congratulate you on becoming a Climber. Even if they shout at you it won’t be bad because they’re celebrating.”
“Then come with me! My parents said you can stay with us! It’ll be a party for the both of us!”
“And get yelled at and lectured by your parents? No thanks.”
“At least you will not be beaten! If you are there too, they will not beat me either!”
“Sorry, buddy. Nope.”
“Then I’ll stay here too. Hmph.”
“Bro. Go. Cherish the time with your parents. I wish my dad was still here.”
“But-“ Bradley froze on the touchy subject. “Come with me and join us! It’ll be a celebration after my whooping!”
Thane shook his head and looked at Bradly seriously.
“Thanks, Bradley. I know you and your parents are trying extra hard for me. Thank you. Even if we got in trouble earlier it was worth it. But now I need some alone time. Tell your mom and dad I said thanks, and that you got into trouble trying to cheer me up. I know your folks won't punish you as badly if you say so.”
Bradley wanted to drag Thane with him home, but he knew he could not; and not just so that he could escape punishment. He didn’t want to leave his friend to wallow in the cold empty house, which was dimly lit from the faint light from dusk outside. Unable to do anything he wanted in the situation, he took his hands to his head and ruffled his hair madly.
“Dang it. Ok. But I will come to grab you tomorrow before we go to the academy okay!?”
“Sure, Bradley. Thanks.”
“Of course!”
“Ok, now go on. Tell your parents what happened before that guard does. Maybe they’ll show you some mercy.”
“Oh, crap! I hope so, or my butt will be black and blue! Right! Tomorrow, okay?! I will see you bright and early!”
Thane nodded his head, and Bradley hurriedly ran out the door and headed home. The door closed, leaving Thane alone in the cold and empty house.
“I’m home, Dad.” Thane turned around and said with a weak voice while imagining his father’s words echoing from the dark kitchen, saying, “You home, boy?”
However, he would never again hear his father’s habitual greeting that he would always hear every evening coming home from the academy.
Thane walked over to the couch in their living room and collapsed onto the cozy piece of furniture. He turned around and stared off into the dark ceiling.
“I became a Climber, Dad. Just how you wanted. Are you proud? Are you happy? I miss you, Dad.”
Tears rolled down his cheeks as a muffled cry echoed in the dark room as he fell asleep for the rest of the night.
The next morning, bright and early like Bradley said, he hurriedly rushed to Thane’s home. Nearly tripping, he abruptly came to a full stop upon seeing Thane up and already outside the door waiting for him.
“Who are you?!” Bradley said with a flabbergasted look. It was oddly the second time he saw his childhood friend waking up early and ready to go in the morning.
“Stop playing dumb. Let’s get going to the academy.” Thane snorted back.
“Do we have to? Can we skip the last month of the academy?”
A smirk peeled up from the corner of Thane’s mouth. “What? Not looking forward to training? Weren’t you the one wanting to get into the Adonis Guild? Recruitment day is on the day we graduate, remember? All the guilds will be sending scouts to rope in newbie Climbers with potential. Gotta work hard if you want to be noticed by then.”
“I do! And you will too! We are both going to Adonis!”
“You mean you want to, but I suppose it would be the better of the main three guilds. Unless we build our own guild that is.”
“Yeah, but it will be a while before that happens.”
“So I guess Adonis it is. Get ready for some Maribell training then, Brad.”
“Haaaaa... I guess we’re used to it anyway, being punished every day.”
“And whose fault is that?”
“Ms. Maribell. Duh. If she did not punish us then none of it would have happened.”
“Shut up. Hahaha.”
Bradley followed suit and laughed. The two quickly walked and reached the entrance of the Ivory Tower.
They entered with the typical morning crowd but were startled by the inside. Tower Climbers still guarded the area, but the place looked vastly different from the chaos and destruction from yesterday. Thane and Bradley nearly thought they entered a different Tower.
However, an immaculate undamaged marble stone statue of Lady Gwenievre in the center of the massive lobby area told them that they were indeed in the Ivory Tower. Pristine unmarred porcelain floors reflected the light from ornate cascading multi-level chandeliers. Fine wood counters lined around the lobby, replacing the smashed and damaged ones from yesterday.
“Is this a dream?” Bradley asked, but Thane scoffed.
“Of course, this place is miraculously fixed first. Everyone living in the Tower gets first pick like always. They could care less about those of us dying outside.”
The disparity was true. The kingdom outside has changed little since the attack of the Dungeon. However, everything inside the Tower looked as if no attack ever happened. Although Thane was a Climber now, it could not erase the past when he was his father were not. Maybe his father would have survived had they lived in the Tower. Maybe even his mother. Thane would have a family of the three of them. However, living on the border of the kingdom, where Death lurked close by, his parents were killed, leaving Thane alone.
Thane stormed off towards one of the many dark blue portals lining the opposite side of the entry to the Tower. Bradley hurried and followed suit, and the two entered the portal for the Tower’s Academy.
Thane exited, storming past the other students in small groups inside another large massive lobby area that was a hub with many portals to other areas of the Tower. He stomped past the large smooth pillars of white granite that rose up from the floor like arms that supported the expansive and high ceilings. His face warped from the angry thoughts of his father still being alive had they been allowed to live in the Ivory Tower. The young new Climber was in no mood for more problems, but trouble found him anyway.
“Poor and Broke, shouldn’t you two be scurrying to the fields and farms like the pathetic non-Climbers you are?” Duncan chided. He stood tall like a peacock, donned in lavish and embellished black leather.
“Piss off, Duncan.” Thane sharply replied, not even bothering to turn around and look at their ridiculing hulking peer.
“Idiot. We are Climbers now too. Go find someone else to bother,” Bradley added with a scoff.
“And miss out on all of the fun from messing with you two? No.”
Bradley looked at their bully with an annoyed face. He snorted and ran after Thane as they headed to the lecture hall. Stepping down the cascading steps of the lecture hall, Bradley complained to Thane.
“Hey, can we sit further back? It is because we sit so close to the front that Ms. Maribell notices everything we do.”
“You mean, everything you do. Just pay attention, and we won’t get into trouble. Easy, right?”
Bradley pouted, and the two made their way to the third row closest to the bottom of the hall. The room became noisy as it began to half fill up as a bell chimed throughout the academy. A thin middle-aged woman walked out from a door near the bottom of the hall. Her dark brown hair wrapped tightly in a bun on the top of her head stood unmoving as she confidently strode to the podium nearby. Her large and stiff leather armor slightly curved around her figure, but not much could be seen. Only the pale skin of her frowning face was visibly seen.
“Order! Silence all of you! Class begins now! Shut your mouths!”