…then he dropped us all to the front of the dungeon and teleported away. I haven’t seen him since, and like me that day, you were chosen. Sorath said contemptuously

That doesn’t tell me much, Swain said disappointed. Can you tell me more about what a hero is? If I have to take that title I at least need to know more. Why does it seem like a bad thing? What benefits would I get?

Sorath, half listening, replied. We have a long time to discuss heroes, the necklace you put on made sure of that. Its pendant allows you to call on a guide, which as you can see is me. He shoots his hands from his sides in a “ta da” motion. First things first, we have to get you out of here, this space was not made for long term use. It will be synching with normal time any moment now and your body is still lying prone in an alley.

Wait… Swain called desperately, what is happening to me? How do I do this? How do I access the system? What do I do now?

Don’t worry tiny, I will be here to guide you the entire way. I’ll see you in the real world in 3..2..1

Reality became fuzzy like a swirling river, Swain's eyes could not hold on to the increasingly distorted image of Sorath’s construct which waved as she was pulled into blackness. Although she remained conscious through the experience she was unable to see. There was a feeling of being pulled uncontrollably downstream by a strong current. Swain felt panic as no direction came. It felt as if hours had passed although she was unsure as Sorath had mentioned time synching meaning time had to be slower in the holding space they were in.

Abruptly Swain was awoken, she took a deep breath as color returned revealing the muted blackness of the alleyway. Her hand touched a slick and sticky substance she immediately realized was her own blood. It was slowly being washed away by rain that was starting to fall. As she sat up she wiped the blood on her pants and touched the area she had been stabbed by Trival. The moment replayed in Swain’s mind as she ran her fingers over the hole in her clothing, poking her finger through it and to smooth skin. This left her marveling at the full healing she received. Even the potions she had witnessed being administered did not mend this thoroughly. The healers she had connections with were mostly C and B-rank. She decided then that she needed to know what those life tokens were and how she could access them. The resolve to face Trival after her near death experience had waned since he not only had his own private army in the street kids he employed but also his own beasts. Deep down she understood it was more than that, she was afraid and you don’t shake that off in a day. She had been beaten over the years but due to her age that was mostly a warning. As bad as the slums had gotten there was still restraint when it came to outright killing kids. That didn’t mean it did not happen, it was just not done easily or without thought. Trival it seems was a different beast and she was not ready to deal with him, maybe in the future but not now.

Standing Swain looked around frantically for Sorath, silently hoping his appearance was not a fever dream or temporary instance. When her eyes moved to the beginning of the alley she saw her mentor but unlike in the space they were in before here he was covered in a muted golden glow. She squinted double checking what she assumed she saw, the rain seemed to flow through him as if Sorath weren’t actually there. She made her way to him grateful that he was not just a figure of her imagination. Taking a deep breath, having not realized she had been holding it before as she searched for the man who was the only father she had ever known. She ran to him as joy welled in her chest, stopping short only when she noticed the man attempting to move a pebble with his left foot. It didn’t move as his padded brown boot passed through it, this brought even more reality to the situation as she watched again as the droplets of rain passed through his ethereal body leaving it dry as a bone.

Construct, I have to remember that. Swain mumbled under her breath

What was that? Sorath asked half heartedly.

He seemed to be in deep thought as his eyebrows furrowed with his face having the same expression she remembered so clearly. Sorath only made that face when something bothered him. She almost chuckled remembering how he thought he was keeping his concerns from her. She could read him like a book, Swain had studied his face since he had taken her in. Back then she was afraid he would leave or become enraged at her, Swain's abandonment issues ran deep and no one had cared for her as he did. Because she knew him as well as she did, Swain could see the moment a realization came upon him.

Ah tiny.. he said as he sucked his teeth.. You know how I said I would guide you the entire way?

Yeah, she said as a knot developed in her stomach.

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Well.. Sorath dragged out… I didn’t realize that the jewel in the necklace you claimed reverted back to level zero the moment you put it on.

And!! Swain said silently urging him to speed up his thoughts, what does that mean?

Her heart was beating faster, knowing she would be on her own again and dreading it. She didn’t want to lose him again. All at once that day almost four years ago began to replay in her mind. Swain's spiraling thoughts were thankfully cut short as Sorath continued speaking.

So at level zero there is apparently a daily time limit. Meaning we can only speak for a limited amount of time per day. It looks like we have five minutes daily. Also we actually should have stayed longer in the in-between space. Who could have thought?

He said this while rubbing the back of his head. His face held an embarrassed expression and a forced timid grin.

That space was set as a tutorial which you will never get again. I was actually supposed to explain your system connection as well as all the hero stuff. I was also given a set of instructions for that jewel of yours. I promise you it's all interesting stuff. Sorath said

Swain’s face went from worried to increasingly irritated.

My fault… Sorath said shrinking into himself

What. happens. now?? Swain pressed Sorath through clenched teeth

Well, let’s start with how to call on me…. Sorath began to say as he blinked out of existence with a small pop.

Swain caught herself on the wall as a range of emotions raged inside of her. Fear that she would never know how to access the power of the pendant. Anger at the wasted opportunity to learn more. Sadness at only getting a glimpse of her mentor and uncertainty over her next steps. The only thing she did know was that she could not stay in the alley. If Trival returned to gloat or loot her she would be dead. She began to search for alternate escape options as traffic began to pick up on the streets beyond the alley. It was moving into prime time for the seedier clientele in the area.

Swain was pulled out of her musing as a new system message boomed in her head.

“Quest: Defeat Trival Merkman”

“Years ago Trival Merkman of the Verion kingdom gained possession of the weapon of the lost hero’ and has been using it to gain influence in his criminal organization. With the awakening of a new hero, Trival’s continued ascension paves the way for the rise of a new villain. Defeat Trival and take possession of the artifact before this can happen.”

“Reward: To be determined”

“Time limit: 21 days, 3 hours”

Numbers began to count down in his vision. The number of days were marked in black while the hours were marked in red. The image disappeared as quickly as it had appeared, leaving Swain blinking and rubbing her eyes.

Not waiting any longer Swain began to run, fear coursing down her spine. What was this? A quest? What was a quest? she thought, no one had ever mentioned a quest. She racked her brain searching her memories for everything she had been told or overheard while scouting.

“Faster”, she said as her legs pumped, pushing her body past its physical limitations. Swain had no idea where she would go but knew she needed to create as much space between herself and Trival and as possible.

What did Sorath get her into? Take down Trival on her own? Even though she hated him with every fiber of her being she knew there was no way it was possible in her current state. Trival had been connected to the system for years and . She needed answers and Sorath couldn’t give them so she would have to find other ways.

“I can’t go anymore,” she said to no one in particular,

Swain bent with her hands on her knees barely noticing the bustling crowd as they parted around her exhausted frame. She gulped for air after thirty minutes of running at full speed. If she had been stealthy getting here she definitely wasn’t now. Onlookers gave her surprised and annoyed looks as she forced herself to move forward pushing her way through those that didn’t move. Trival almost killed her. He did so even with her stealthy precautions, that beast of his tracks even the most well hidden person. Now the system wants her to take him down when all she wanted to do was get away from the capital. Swain's plan was to get connected to the system and then get a useful ability, followed directly by getting out of the capital. There were enough caravans out of the kingdom that she should be out of the reach of that thug in a matter of weeks.

Hours of travel running when she could led her to the doorstep of Shiven the healer, her client before this mess with Trival began. Leaning against the door she suddenly found herself falling as it opened exposing the humble clay building. She could barely keep her eyes open as the clothed table Shiven used to place the injured went from being on the far wall to in front of her eyes. She felt herself being gently placed on the table as she let go of consciousness.