The whiteness around Alex slowly began to fade, like fog lifting. At first, his vision remained blurry, but gradually, colors bled into the void and shapes began to emerge—grand marble columns, each one intricately detailed with carvings that seemed to shimmer in the soft light, their intricate Corinthian designs curling around the tops like something from a forgotten age. The floor beneath him was polished marble, reflecting the ethereal light that filled the space, and the vast, domed ceiling above seemed impossibly high.
It was as though Alex had been transported into a room that could have come straight from an ancient museum dedicated to Greece, or perhaps a temple frozen in time. A warm breeze, though he couldn’t pinpoint the source, brushed against his skin, carrying the scent of olive oil and herbs, a smell that invoked memories of long-forgotten history lessons on ancient Greece. He tried to take a step forward, eager to explore this strange space. But something stopped him. His feet refused to move and he found his legs locked in place.
Confused, he looked down and realized he was standing on a short, raised pedestal, only a foot off the ground. But no matter how hard he tried to step off, his feet wouldn’t move, as though they were glued to the marble surface. Panic flickered in his chest, but before it could fully settle, a familiar message appeared before his eyes.
Class and Stats Selection Initializing ...
A loud beep echoed in his ears, and suddenly, the invisible force holding his legs released. Alex stumbled as he regained control of his body, his legs wobbling slightly from the sudden freedom. He stepped down from the pedestal onto the cold, marble floor, his mind whirling. He had no idea where he was, what had just happened, or why he felt so ... different. A gnawing anxiety began to creep into his chest, but there was no time to dwell on it.
The moment his feet touched the ground, a sharp sensation shot through him. He instinctively looked up, and his breath caught in his throat. Standing right in front of him was a man—the same man who he had run into on the subway station, the last thing he saw before everything went white and he ended up here.
The man stood tall and still, dressed in a flowing tunic that seemed both modern and ancient at once. His eyes, deep and knowing, met Alex’s with a strange familiarity, as though he knew Alex. His face was sharp, his hair dark, and he carried an aura of power that made Alex’s skin prickle.
Surprised, Alex stumbled backward in shock, his legs tripping over the pedestal he had just stepped down from. The suddenness of it caused him to lose his balance, and he fell hard onto the marble floor. Pain shot up his spine, but it was the man’s presence that truly rattled him.
The man chuckled softly, the sound warm and strangely comforting despite the circumstances.
“Fear not, Alex,” he said, his voice rich and calm. “I mean you no harm.”
Alex scrambled to his feet, keeping his eyes locked on the man in front of him. His heart was pounding, his mind racing with questions. "How do you know my name? Who are you? Where am I? What did you do to me?"
The man’s lips curled into a knowing smile, and he shook his head as if amused by Alex’s barrage of questions. "Mortals," he said softly, as though the word itself brought him joy. "So curious. So full of life. It’s one of the reasons I enjoy meeting your kind."
Alex narrowed his eyes. Something about this man—his tone, his presence—felt otherworldly. He was trying to wrap his head around it when the man turned and walked to the other end of the room, where an elaborate stone chair sat, almost like a throne. A long, thin staff leaned against the armrest, and the man took it in his hand as he sat down. The staff was simple yet ornate, with two serpents coiling around its length, their heads pointed upward.
The staff sent a jolt of recognition through Alex’s brain, like a spark igniting a half-buried memory. It was familiar—too familiar.
"Who are you, really?" Alex asked, taking a cautious step forward. "Are you some Greek artifact collector? Someone who likes dressing up as Hermes?"
The man’s expression darkened instantly, and Alex felt an invisible weight press down on him. His chest tightened, and for a moment, it felt like the air had thickened, like the room itself was pushing down on him.
"I am no pretender," the man said, his voice low and dangerous. He slammed the staff into the ground with a thunderous crack that echoed through the marble hall. "I am Hermes."
Alex stared at him, his disbelief clashing with the strange, almost magnetic power the man exuded. "You can’t be serious ..."
The serpents on the staff—once motionless—seemed to slither, their scales glinting in the soft light as they shifted and writhed. The sight made Alex’s skin crawl, but he couldn’t tear his eyes away.
Hermes, if that was who he really was, smiled again, though this time there was a glint of mischief in his eyes. "I see you hold onto your doubt," he said, leaning forward slightly. "I suppose doubt is natural and I should not be surprised. Soon, however, that will change."
Alex tried to shake off the strange, heavy feeling that had come over him, trying to ground himself in some version of reality. This was crazy. It had to be. None of this made any sense. "What ... What is this place? Where am I?"
"You are in my domain," Hermes said, gesturing to the room around them. " Though this particular room, you might think of as a ... lobby of sorts—a place where I can greet those chosen for ... more."
"Chosen?" Alex echoed. "For what?"
Hermes rose from the chair and paced slowly, his staff tapping lightly against the marble floor. "You are about to embark on a journey, Alex. A journey that will take you to Greece—not the Greece you know from your textbooks, but the true Greece. The Greece that lives beneath the layers of history you mortals have built upon it. The Greece of gods, monsters, and heroes."
Alex felt a chill crawl up his spine. "What do you mean 'the true Greece'? This ... this is crazy. You have to know how crazy this sounds. What is going on?"
"You have been chosen," Hermes repeated, his voice soft but commanding, "to enter a new reality. Your perception of the world will change, and with it, your role. You will no longer walk through life as you once did. You will be part of the world of gods. And your task, Alexios, will be to prove yourself worthy of that world."
Alex opened his mouth to protest, to say this was absurd, but Hermes cut him off with a sharp wave of his hand. "Perhaps this will help you understand."
With a snap of his fingers, lines of text appeared in front of Alex, floating in the air like a hologram. He blinked in surprise and tried to wave them away, but they remained, stubborn and real. Focusing, he began to read.
Name: Alex (Alexios) Pierce
Race: Human
Class: Not Yet Assigned
Level: 14
Health Points (HP): 220
Mana Points (MP): 180
Stamina: 200
Attributes:
* Strength: 10
* Dexterity: 12
* Endurance: 16
* Intelligence: 18
* Charisma: 8
Free Points: 4
Followers: 0
“What the hell …?” Alex muttered, rubbing his eyes as if that would make the text disappear, before staring at the text floating in front of him. His name, his stats—it was like something out of a video game, an RPG. But this wasn’t a game. It was real, wasn’t it?
Hermes watched him closely, clearly enjoying Alex’s confusion. "This is only the beginning, Alex. Soon, the world you once knew will feel like a distant dream."
Alex shook his head, still not entirely convinced. "This ... this doesn’t make any sense. Why me?"
Hermes smiled cryptically. "Because, Alex, you are destined for more than you know.
As Hermes' cryptic faded from his face so did his actual form. His edges blurred, and before Alex could say another word, the god vanished completely. The last thing left of him was the echo of his words, "You are destined for more than you know."
Alex stood there, his heart still pounding, trying to make sense of what had just happened. Every fiber of his being told him to chalk it all up to a weird dream. But something about this seemed to real to just be a figment of his imagination. Whether it was real or not, he had to go along with it for now. He had no other choice.
Just as Alex took a deep breath to steady himself, another message blinked into view, floating in the space before his eyes.
Class Selection Ready
The words hung there, pulsing gently as if they were waiting for him to respond. Alex stared at the screen, his thoughts still racing, but he nodded slowly. He didn't know what to expect next, but going along with it seemed better than standing there in stunned silence.
As if triggered by his nodding, the message blinked away, replaced by a new one, much more detailed. It was a large, transparent screen, divided into seven sections. Each section displayed a class, complete with a name, description, abilities, strengths, weaknesses, stat bonuses, preferred weapons, and suggested traits or skills. It was overwhelming at first glance, but with each moment that passed, he found himself more intrigued. If this was all real—and it certainly felt like it—then his choice here would have serious impact on what happened going forward.
He sighed, his hand moving to rub his temples. “Alright, let’s see what we’ve got …”
Hoplite (Warrior Class)
Role: Tank/Frontline Fighter
Description: The Hoplite is a heavily armored Greek soldier who excels in spear and shield combat, trained to hold the front lines in phalanx formation. Masters of defensive strategies, Hoplites absorb damage while protecting their allies, making them an indomitable presence on the battlefield. With a strong sense of duty and teamwork, they rally their comrades in moments of desperation.
Abilities:
* Phalanx Wall: Creates a defensive barrier that reduces incoming damage for the party, effect is increased if other hoplites in party.
* Spear Thrust: A powerful melee attack that can pierce through enemies in a straight line.
* Shield Bash: Knocks enemies back and stuns them, interrupting their attacks.
* Rally Cry: Boosts the defense of nearby allies and regenerates a portion of health over time.
Strengths:
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
* High defense
* Strong melee combat
* Excels at protecting weaker allies
Weaknesses:
* Slow movement
* Limited ranged options
Stat Bonuses:
* +3 Strength
* +2 Endurance
Preferred Weapons (Bonuses):
* Spears & Shields: Increased defense and critical hit chance.
Suggested Traits/Skills:
* Shield Mastery: Increases the effectiveness of defensive abilities.
* Tactical Discipline: Enhances group coordination and formations.
Pankratiast (Brawler Class)
Role: Melee DPS/Brawler
Description: The Pankratiast is a master of pankration, the ancient Greek martial art combining wrestling and boxing. With powerful unarmed strikes and brutal grappling techniques, Pankratiasts dominate enemies in close-quarters combat. Their agility and relentless attack style make them dangerous brawlers, although they rely on getting in close to deal damage.
Abilities:
* Grapple: Grabs an enemy, dealing damage over time and preventing them from acting.
* Flurry of Blows: A rapid series of punches that deal damage and stun the target.
* Counterstrike: Evades an attack and counters with a powerful punch.
* Submission Hold: Reduces an enemy's attack power by locking them in a painful hold.
Strengths:
* High single-target damage
* Excellent mobility and evasion
Weaknesses:
* Vulnerable to ranged attacks
* Requires being in melee range to be effective
Stat Bonuses:
* +4 Dexterity
* +2 Strength
Preferred Weapons (Bonuses):
* Fists/Knuckles: Increased attack speed and precision.
Suggested Traits/Skills:
* Agility Training: Enhances movement speed and dodge chance.
* Martial Prowess: Boosts the effectiveness of unarmed attacks.
Oracle (Support/Magic Class)
Role: Healer/Support
Description: The Oracle serves as a conduit between the mortal world and the divine, drawing upon the power of the gods to heal, predict future events, and support allies. With the ability to foresee danger and offer divine protection, the Oracle is a crucial support figure in any group. Their abilities can sway the flow of battle, ensuring that their allies remain strong and their enemies are weakened.
Abilities:
* Divine Insight: Foresees an enemy's next move, giving allies a temporary boost to dodge or block.
* Healing Light: Channels divine energy to restore health to a single ally or group over time.
* Vision of Fate: Temporarily increases the critical hit chance and accuracy of an ally.
* Wrath of Apollo: Calls down a beam of light that damages and blinds enemies in an area.
Strengths:
* Powerful healing
* Buffs for the team
* Some crowd control
Weaknesses:
* Low defense
* Vulnerable to direct attacks
* Needs protection from allies
Stat Bonuses:
* +4 Intelligence
* +50 Mana Points
Preferred Weapons (Bonuses):
* Staves/Wands: Increases healing and casting speed.
Suggested Traits/Skills:
* Divine Favor: Boosts the effectiveness of healing abilities.
* Prophetic Wisdom: Reduces cooldowns on support abilities.
Myrmidon (Assassin Class)
Role: Stealth/DPS
Description: The Myrmidon is a swift and deadly assassin, skilled in stealth, ambushes, and precise strikes. Inspired by the legendary warriors who fought alongside Achilles, Myrmidons are experts in taking out high-priority targets with deadly efficiency. They rely on speed and cunning to outmaneuver enemies, disappearing into the shadows before striking again.
Abilities:
* Shadow Strike: A stealth attack that deals massive damage to a single target, with bonus effects if undetected.
* Poison Blade: Coats weapons with poison, dealing damage over time to enemies.
* Fade into Shadow: Allows the Myrmidon to become invisible for a short period, evading attacks or setting up an ambush.
* Achilles' Fury: A powerful attack that increases in damage the lower the Myrmidon’s health.
Strengths:
* High burst damage
* Stealth capabilities
* Excels at eliminating high-priority targets
Weaknesses:
* Low health and armor
* Requires careful positioning and timing
Stat Bonuses:
* +4 Dexterity
* +1 Endurance
Preferred Weapons (Bonuses):
* Daggers: Increased critical hit chance and stealth damage.
Suggested Traits/Skills:
* Stealth Mastery: Increases the duration of stealth abilities.
* Poison Expertise: Boosts the effectiveness of poison-based attacks.
Mystic (Elemental Mage Class)
Role: Magic DPS/Elemental Control
Description: Mystics are powerful magic users who channel the forces of nature to control the battlefield. By wielding the elemental powers of fire, water, earth, and air, they can shape the tide of battle with devastating spells. Mystics excel at long-range combat, but their reliance on mana makes them vulnerable when pressed in close quarters.
Abilities:
* Flame Burst: Launches a fireball that explodes on impact, dealing area-of-effect fire damage.
* Quake: Causes the earth to shake, knocking down enemies and dealing earth damage in a radius.
* Wind’s Grace: Increases the movement speed of the Mystic and nearby allies.
* Tidal Wave: Summons a wave of water that sweeps across the battlefield, pushing back enemies and dealing water damage.
Strengths:
* High elemental damage
* Strong area-of-effect spells
* Battlefield control
Weaknesses:
* Low physical defense
* Long spell cooldowns
* Requires mana management
Stat Bonuses:
* +4 Intelligence
* +50 Mana Points
Preferred Weapons (Bonuses):
* Staves/Wands: Boosts spell power and mana regeneration.
Suggested Traits/Skills:
* Elemental Mastery: Increases damage with fire, earth, air, or water spells.
* Mana Conservation: Reduces the mana cost of spells.
Amazon (Ranged Fighter Class)
Role: Ranged DPS/Archer
Description: The Amazon is a deadly archer who excels at hitting targets from a distance. Inspired by the legendary warrior women, Amazons are masters of precision and agility, using bows, spears, and javelins to deal damage while staying out of harm's way. They are also adept at using traps to control the battlefield.
Abilities:
* Piercing Shot: Fires an arrow that penetrates multiple enemies in a straight line.
* Javelin Toss: Throws a javelin with deadly accuracy, dealing high single-target damage.
* Camouflage: Blends into the environment, increasing evasion and reducing enemy detection.
* Trap Snare: Sets a trap that immobilizes enemies who trigger it.
Strengths:
* High ranged damage
* Excellent at kiting enemies
* Versatile with traps and ranged tools
Weaknesses:
* Vulnerable in close combat
* Low armor
* Relies on maintaining distance
Stat Bonuses:
* +3 Dexterity
* +2 Endurance
Preferred Weapons (Bonuses):
* Bows/Javelins: Increases attack speed and accuracy.
Suggested Traits/Skills:
* Sharpshooter: Increases accuracy and critical hit chance with ranged weapons.
* Trap Mastery: Enhances the effectiveness of traps.
Philosopher (Tactician Class)
Role: Support/Tactician
Description: Philosophers are wise tacticians who use their knowledge of strategy and logic to manipulate the battlefield. While not traditional fighters, Philosophers can inspire their allies, weaken enemies, and use their deep understanding of battle to control the flow of combat. They rely on their wit and wisdom rather than brute strength.
Abilities:
* Inspire Courage: Boosts the attack power and morale of nearby allies.
* Debate of Wits: Engages an enemy in a verbal duel, lowering their combat effectiveness or stunning them briefly.
* Strategic Command: Allows the player to reposition allies on the battlefield, granting them bonuses for flanking or positioning.
* Call to Reason: Temporarily halts the battle, forcing enemies to cease attacks for a short duration, allowing for recovery or repositioning.
Strengths:
* Buffs and debuffs
* Battlefield control
* Manipulation of enemy behavior
Weaknesses:
* Minimal direct combat ability
* Low health
* Reliant on allies for protection
Stat Bonuses:
* +4 Intelligence
* +2 Charisma
Preferred Weapons (Bonuses):
* Books/Scrolls: Increases the effectiveness of support abilities.
Suggested Traits/Skills:
* Tactical Genius: Enhances the potency of tactical abilities.
Debuff Mastery: Increases the duration and power of debuffs.
He blinked, reading it again just to make sure he understood. He scanned the seven options again, weighing each carefully.
Hoplite was a powerhouse of defense, and the idea of being an indomitable force had an appeal. But the more Alex thought about it, the more he realized it didn’t suit his style. He wasn’t the kind of person who liked to rely on brute strength and tanking damage. The thought of slow movement worried him. Being a sitting target in the heat of a fight? Not ideal.
Pankratiast, with its devastating melee abilities, had also piqued his interest at first. The idea of being a martial artist, ducking and weaving through the chaos of a fight, seemed thrilling. But the reliance on hand-to-hand combat made him pause. What if he was in a situation with more than one enemy or he wanted to use a sword or a weapon that wasn't his fists? Losing a bonus for not sticking to pure melee combat seemed too limiting. He crossed it off his list.
Philosopher was a tempting option, too. The tactician role, using intelligence and strategy to win fights, fit with how Alex liked to think. But as much as he enjoyed planning and outsmarting opponents, the idea of relying entirely on others for protection didn’t sit well with him, especially as he wasn’t sure if he was likely to meet others and what he would have to do in order for them to join him. He wanted to be able to fight for himself, not just guide others from the backline. He discounted Oracle for similar reasons. Support was great but Alex didn’t want to spend all his time healing and buffing others while avoiding direct confrontation, especially if he was unable to avoid it.
That left three options: Myrmidon, Mystic, and Amazon.
He stared at the Mystic class for a long moment. Elemental magic was powerful, versatile, and had the potential to easily win fights. The idea of shaping fire, water, earth, and air was exhilarating. But he knew from years of gaming that mages were often fragile early on. It would probably take time before he could wield that power effectively, and he didn’t want to feel helpless at the start or die especially since he didn’t know what that would mean. Alex sighed, scratching Mystic from the list.
Only two remained.
Myrmidon, the shadowy assassin, and Amazon, the agile archer. Both appealed to him for different reasons.
The Myrmidon was all about stealth, speed, and precision. He could imagine sneaking up on enemies, striking before they even realized he was there, and slipping away into the shadows. It sounded thrilling, and he knew it could be a highly effective way to approach combat. But there was a downside—low health and armor. If things went wrong, they could go very wrong. Myrmidons relied on perfect execution and timing, something that could be unforgiving. However, he felt that with items the weaknesses could likely be overcome.
On the other hand, Amazon offered a different approach. Long-range combat had its perks, keeping him at a distance while still dealing damage. The Amazon’s agility and use of traps appealed to his tactical side. It seemed like a balanced choice: high damage, mobility, and the ability to avoid direct hits. But there was something about the Amazon that felt … safe. Almost too safe. Would he feel limited by relying on ranged attacks? And what if someone got close, how much of a disadvantage would he be at?
Alex weighed both choices carefully, running the pros and cons through his mind again and again. The Myrmidon seemed risky, but it also had a kind of excitement and challenge that spoke to him. The Amazon was solid, versatile, and probably easier to handle early on.
But the more he thought about it, the more the idea of one of the options resonated with him. It felt right. And even though it was risky, there was a certain thrill in the idea of taking on that challenge.
His mind was made up.
With a final glance at the two options that he narrowed down his list to, he hesitated for just a moment, wondering if he was making the right choice.
But after a second, Alex nodded and reached out, pressing his finger against the glowing symbol in front of him. The second his finger touched the screen, it flickered and changed, the other options fading away as his class was confirmed.
A soft chime echoed through the air, followed by a message that appeared in front of him:
Class Selected