How? Swain said with pleading eyes

I thought you were dead, the.. the system said you are dead, how are you here?

Sorath averted his eyes and stood silent for a long, seemingly endless, moment. His mouth opens and closes multiple times as he looks to be trying to find the words.

I am not here, he finally says

Moments later he glides through the void space like an apparition. Flowing through the empty space until he was in front of her he engulfed her in an embrace that held for a brief moment before he passed through her. In a blink he was back at his starting location shifting his feet in the way he normally did when he felt guilty about something. As good as he was at hiding things from his marks he was equally bad at keeping the truth from her.

I am not him… not really

Swain held her tongue not wanting to miss anything. Up until this point she was unable to get satisfactory answers. For all his faults Sorath never lied to her, if this was him in any form she needed to know everything.

I am a construct of him given all of his memories up until the point of his passing. So for me it has only been a few moments since we saw each other. According to the system it has been a number of years for you. I am truly sorry for that.

What do you mean? How? Swain blurted out, not able to hold it in.

Well the short story, tiny, is that piece of jewelry you’re wearing had something to do with it. He said

Swain looked down, not having realized the beautiful gold and emerald necklace had reappeared. It shone brighter than before bringing attention to the gems

Sorath continued, it seems to be a combination of the power of the pendant along with your thinking of our last time lately and what I can only assume were my last wishes

Swain gave her mentor a perplexed look, not knowing what to say, she had so many questions but didn’t know how long they had together. Seeing her expression Sorath took control of the conversation.

To understand where you are now I need to explain a few things. I have to tell you about my life as a “hero”

Sepatal Kingdom? - Dungeon of the Endless (A- Rank) - Sorath Pindragoon (410 years ago)

Sorath startles awake, looking around in a panic at the red brick walls and cluttered space filled with open chests ranging from ornate to mundane. He had been dragged out of his sleep by the growling of the beasts roaming two feet from where he lay his head. Taking the space in an alarm sounded in his head as he realized he fell asleep ten feet from the snarling beasts that stood on four legs. They stood as a mix between a lion and fierce dragon. The Critchen hunted in packs of five which meant if this one found his team the others were not far behind. This one was juvenile based on the size of its mane. Sorath could tell by the thin, short mane that flashed blue and then red.

Even a juvenile Critchen could tear apart an A - Rank adventurer so four or five meant a challenge was ahead of them. The beast lurched at the raven haired beauty asleep next to his bed mat. Her hair laid strewn across her pale face. Sorath looked at her with love in his eyes as her light snoring was interrupted at the commotion seconds before she turned to the other side clutching their gray blanket and continued her sleep as if nothing was happening. He knew he loved her even if she could sleep through a cataclysm. He turned back to watch as the Critchen continued attempting to roughly throw itself into the barrier that kept them protected in this safe zone.

That seems interesting

A voice caused him to jump slightly, he leaned forward pretending to look closer in order to hide his reaction.

You see what I do then? He said

Sorath turned to see a man with short black hair, clean shaven and dressed as one would expect from royalty. He stood in silver armor with a golden dragon etched in the breastplate. He had a golden cloak that flowed behind him. The problem was all of his equipment looked as if this was the first time it was worn. No scratches , no scuffs and it continually squeaked when the man walked. The man took his glasses off of his face and cleaned them on his cloak moving dangerously close to the barrier.

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Yes, yes, VERY interesting. He said in a dignified voice. It seems this safe area is shrinking by.. Hmm.. the hour maybe, or maybe half hour. And these Critchen, did you notice their variation? This one seems to have some sort of elemental affinity.

He grew more excited as he removed his glasses again straining his eyes to examine the beast closer.

Careful Roman, Sorath said. I don’t need Kyreb to place a bounty on my head because their soon to be king died while examining the strength of a Critchens teeth.

But did you see the small ridges here and here under its scales? Roman pointed to the leather seeming paws of the beast. Stay still, I want to check your element.. Sorath do you think we found a blue fire Critchen? This would be a rare find, just imagine what the scribes would say. Topren would be so jealous, that Maglicore would be an afterthough when we return to the menagerie with this. I could study this specimen for years, what breakthroughs would this bring? I would just need approval from the head scribe, which should be a non issue with this. I wonder if there is an evolution as it grows…

He became more excitable as he continued the conversation with himself.

Urrch…

Roman almost choked as he was dragged back from the barrier. Only then had he noticed that the Critchen had stopped throwing itself at the barrier and instead held a crouch position readying for a strike. Falling to the ground he shook his head clearing it.

Astounding, he said, this one has a mesmerizing ability. It draws you in as a precursor to an attack. I have to write this down, what a find, what a find.

Roman began tossing chests away from his bed roll searching for something.

Trying to sleep over here, a gruff, groggy, frustrated voice sounded from the other end of the room. Roman I don’t care if you are days away from your coronation, if you don’t keep it down I can’t be responsible for where my hammer falls. Do kings need legs?

He is just excited as always, let him be Tromell, who knows when he will get to do this again. In two weeks he will be swimming in bureaucracy with no time for us little people. Besides, isn't this your watch? Sorath said

I was just checking for underground tunnels, you wouldn’t want to be ambushed in your sleep would you?

An enormous figure rises from the ground looking to be 2 sizes wider than the slim Roman and a size wider than Sorath. Adjusting to standing at full height, Tromell's eight foot frame dwarfed everyone in their party. A big grin covered his unkempt black beard that seemed to swallow his tan face.

That beard had to be a way to make up for his balding head. Sorath thought for the thousandth time.

Tromells hair had long ago begun to betray him as it stood woolen and shoulder length in the back but balding on top. Kessler, Sorath's wife, had given her adopted brother numerous hints to cut it all off. That unspoken advice fell on deaf ears.

Ouch you big beast man.. a woman’s voice sounded

Out of a stack of furs emerged their four foot rogue Sigwin. She used all the weight her plump frame allowed to push the giant. He barely noticed but moved his feet nonetheless. Cygwin had short blonde hair and wore a dark green uniform with a red spider insignia. That stood as the banner of her small kingdom Secknid. They were known for infiltration and being taken as a recruit there meant you were the best of the best.

Don’t sleep cloaked Cygwin, Tromell argued

How else am I supposed to practice? Cygwin said. When I return I need to nail this cloaking ability or I need to repeat the first year. Do you know how much they charge to repeat.. It's double the cost. Who’s going to pay for that? I already owe Sorath for this semester.

Don’t pull me into this, Sorath said. And keep your voices down. You know how Kessler is without her full night of sleep. Tromell you can take Cygwin’s watch also I have a feeling you may be the most rested of us all.

A soft thump sounds as Cygwin sneaks a punch to Tromells thigh. She then falls roughly into her bed of furs as Tromell shoves her slightly back.

Ah ha, said Roman holding up a brown satchel from which he pulls out a large tome. He sat next to Sorath’s bed roll just as he began to lay back down and began to write.

You do know you are going to be a king not a scribe? Once you take the crown that path will be closed to you. Sorath said as he closed his eyes to sleep

Roman writes furiously as unseen to his friends tears rolled down his cheeks.