The Endagon knew how to celebrate. That should’ve been clear from the music he’d heard on their first day there, and the decorations they’d seen when they’d first come to the village. But seeing the halls as the Endagon celebrated, being in the same room with the musicians, and feeling the excitement from everyone else was a completely different experience.
He’d been at one or two big parties before and they’d always been chaotic and noisy. And while this was even nosier and more chaotic than the others, it was a totally different vibe.
It felt fun. The kind of fun you saw extras having in music videos with parties in them. But it was real, happening right in front of him.
It was almost enough to wipe away the anxiety he felt, knowing the timer till the end of the tutorial was ticking.
“Tutorial check” he whispered to himself.
[Tutorial objective: Survive]
[Time left: 0 hrs 12 mins 26 secs]
He double checked the weight within in the back of his mind, feeling the power of magic within the sleeves he wore.
He let out another breath and felt at the folds of his clothes, then glanced to the others at his feet. The twins Markus and Jakob sat either side of him, along with the bags they'd been given of their now washed clothes.
He looked back to the crowd, spotting Ryan, Kana and Elena dancing with the others in the hall, both with carapace necklaces wrapped around their necks.
Meanwhile Sierra spoke to Lady Avanessa at the front of the hall, all smiles.
He bit his lip and tapped his foot against the ground looking around. The atmosphere was brilliant, but he still couldn’t rid himself of the sinking feeling within his gut. That swirling of doubt and uneasiness. He rubbed his sweat stained palms against the silk of his baggy trousers, feeling the slight tremor within his hands.
He didn’t know how the others could be so calm, couldn’t understand how they weren’t completely freaking out. Or maybe they were, maybe they were choosing to enjoy this small bit of happiness they'd been given, because worrying about what was to come wouldn’t change their future. He didn’t know. And even if he did, he doubted it’d bring any comfort, or still his unrest.
This anxiety wasn't anything new. He’d always been someone who worried about things. It’s why he’d been so surprised at the lack of fear at his cancer diagnosis. Or maybe it wasn’t surprising at all. Maybe the lack of uncertainty, the unchanging nature of what would happen to him resigned all the horrible emotions to just disappointment.
But then why was he so worried now?
Because now, maybe, just maybe… there’s a chance.
He clenched his fists again, his breathing growing slightly heavier.
[What the fuck are you looking at?] Markus sneered at his brother, interrupting Caleb’s thoughts. Jakob quickly turned away, looking to the floor with slightly wet eyes.
Markus continued glaring at him regardless, as Caleb glanced between the two. The twins’ atmosphere was in complete contrast to everything around them. The pure hate Markus kept spewing at his brother was just depressing to watch. Caleb wanted to say something, but didn't know if he could handle Markus' ire.
Suddenly a loud clanging came from within the chamber. Caleb’s eyes darted up with panic only to spot Lady Avanessa, swords raised as she clanged them together again, looking out over the crowd. The music died and the crowd steadily grew silent, the loud chatter replaced by only curious murmurs.
The lady let her swords fall to her sides, disappearing as she clasped her hands together the markings within her soft leather sleeves and the topaz stone in her forehead flickering with that golden orange light.
[Hail all!] she cried.
[All hail!] all the Endagon said, the cry reverberating through the chamber.
Caleb glanced around the room, seeing the expressions of the people throughout the room. He hadn’t been entirely unaware of it, but now he could definitely see it, the almost reverent respect they held for their leader. He looked back to her as she regarded the room with a satisfied smile.
[Today marks a brilliant day in our people’s history. No longer are we left helpless, lying in wait for our descendants to die of thirst. While nothing has happened yet, whilst nothing is promised, we have hope. And that is thanks to the chosen, whose presence graces us even now.]
She looked around the room to each of them, her gaze filled with respect. Finally, her eyes stopped on Caleb’s, and a hint of sadness tinged her face as she smiled at him. He offered a smile back and Avanessa nodded. [Even if you’re unable to provide a gift from the arbiters, you have given us more than you could ever imagine. I’m glad you were here and wish you luck on future endeavours].
There was a moment of silence as Caleb stared back at the Lady, surprised by the sincerity in her words. Then she turned to everyone else the sadness vanishing from her expression as she grinned.
[Here, here!] she roared raising a fist.
[Here, here!] everyone shouted in unison. Caleb looked to the crowd, watching as they all cheered loudly, the music resuming. He felt a mixture of emotions at the sight, a surprising amount of gratefulness and pride. These people were happy, in part because of him. He'd saved them in a way. Realising that eased him somewhat.
He smiled slightly to himself and looked out to the crowd. His smiled faded, replaced by a slight frown as he watched the others all start to make their way through the crowds towards the front. He looked back to the podium and spotted that the Lady had stepped down and was gesturing for him to make his way over.
“Guys? I think we have to go” he said to the twins. They glanced to him and then to Avanessa. Markus hopped up without a word and Jakob followed behind quickly. Caleb simply shrugged and picked up the bag of clothes, then made his way through the crowd as the others all joined him.
Avanessa continued gesturing for them to follow before stepping out the room. They followed her out into the large hallway and then across to a large door where Nessaiea stood waiting with a few of the reverends. They stood, holding full backpacks made of a similar material as the sleeves.
The offerings, he thought.
Avanessa turned to them and smiled warmly, gesturing for the Reverends to hand them out.
[We’ve prepared food and extra armament sleeves] she said as the Reverends stepped forward, giving everyone a bag.
[We hope the offering is sufficient] Nessaiea added.
“It’s great” Sierra said, glancing into her bag. “There’s a ton of fruit and stuff in here. Thank you.”
[The pleasure’s ours] Avanessa responded. [Now… I guess this is farewell. We’ll leave you be]
[Leave us be?] Elena asked confused.
[The room to your left is for you. We usually allow those who partake in rituals such as this, to be left alone during the time of them.] Nessaiea said.
Stolen novel; please report.
[Oh, w-]
Without a word Markus barged the door open and stomped into the room, interrupting Elena. Jakob spared an awkward glance at everyone else and then followed silently.
[S-sorry.] Elena said, before offering a polite smile to Avanessa, Nessaiea and the Reverends. [And thanks for rescuing us]
She quickly followed into the room as mutters of bickering between the brothers slipped through the ajar door.
“Thanks. It was a bit mental but… yeah it was really mental. But we’re all ok. So... uh... thanks” Ryan said.
“Yeah, we’re seriously grateful” Caleb said.
“Hopefully one day you guys get your water. Maybe even as soon as we’re gone” Sierra said. The reverends all chuckled slightly and Sierra gave them all a final nod, Ryan following behind with a thumbs up.
[Thank you for having us] Kana said with a polite bow, before slipping inside. Caleb nodded and then made to follow her through before pausing, halfway through the doorway. He turned back to see the reverends, the seer and their leader, had already started back towards the party.
“L-lady Avanessa” he called out. She paused, glancing back at him.
“Thank you… for the runes and stuff.” he said.
[Wear them well] she said, offering a smile. He nodded, a finality in the action, then stepped into the room closing the door softly behind himself. The others all looked to him and then amongst themselves and atmosphere of anxiety starting to seep into the room.
[T-tutorial check] Jakob muttered. His eyes widened slightly, and he gulped.
[How much time?] Elena asked.
[T-thirty seconds] he mumbled, his breaths shaky. Everyone stayed silent, a few sharing glances but most looking to the floor.
“We’ve got this guys” Sierra said.
[Yeah, we’ll be ok] Kana said. Caleb glanced to them and Ryan, and they all shared a nod.
[Tutorial Alert: Tutorial completed]
[Congratulations]
Before any of them could completely register the message, a portal appeared beneath the groups feet and they were all pulled into it. Caleb’s heart dropped as he fell into nothingness, the others fading from view but their presence still clear in his mind.
A sudden wave of air rushed past him as his surroundings warped, transforming into a near endless sea of darkness dotted with sparks of golden yellow.
But then the presence of the others disappeared and so too did the golden sparks. The darkness remained in its entirety as the others completely faded away. Caleb tried to call out but he had no voice. Only the weight of the magic in his mind, and something more, something deeper.
What's going on? Am I dead?
Then, within the darkness, more sparks of the golden yellow appeared. Like rain, the sparks flew forward toward him. He tried to pull away, to shield himself, but it was impossible. Then they struck him.
It was instant agony, the weight of it overbearing. But then as the pain grew and grew, a euphoria began to sprout from it. And from the twistedness, from the horror, came life. The weight of the magic in his mind changed.
It took on colour, texture, taste, smell, sound. It became a part of him, an innate part of him. A new aspect to his form, as integral a part of him as any other.
[Complete mana connection formed]
As soon as the feeling settled in, the darkness around him too colour and shape.
Stars glittered all around him and he felt himself in his metaphysical entirety, his body shining brightly with golden yellow light. He could see something within himself, a root of a different power. Something beyond the magic. As he looked at it, it grew spreading throughout him, weaving itself into his essence. Then it grew hot and pain overwhelmed him again.
[Record unlocked]
He felt it now a connection to something beyond, higher, within the stars that surrounded him.
The arbiters.
[Congratulations on your completion of the tutorial]
[Now that you have received a record you must choose a name]
Uh... Caleb. Caleb Martin Souza
[Name confirmed]
[Now that you have received a record you must select a primary skill]
[Alert: This is a life changing decision. Please take careful time to consider which skill you select as once confirmed a skill cannot be changed]
[Would you like to select a primary skill now?]
No way.
[Selection suspended]
[Alert: If you do not select a primary skill within the first phase of the trial, you will have one automatically selected for you based on synchronicity]
[Alert: If you have any questions regarding how your record operates, please find the necessary information located within your record]
That seems… stupid.
[Please wait while we analyse tutorial data]
[Pending]
[Pending]
[You have placed within the 2nd tier of 20]
[Congratulations on your performance]
[Based on your performance you have received the title: Mindful Watcher]
[Based on your efforts and innate capability you have received 2 free stat points]
[You were located in the southern Endagon caves for the majority of the tutorial. How was your experience with this group?]
The people, Endagon were good. 10/10. Well, 8/10, they were nice at the end but a bit stand-offish at first. But no, 10/10 really. They probably deserve magic, so they don’t die out in twenty generations or so. That seems like a bit much. Plus, nice fruit. Weird, but nice.
[We’re glad to hear your feedback]
[You will now be sent to your first phase on R67-C12-D]
[Good luck and use your record wisely]
Suddenly the lights around him winked out, and he felt the weight of his physical body return to him. He cried out as the feeling of falling returned and then heard the sound of the others shouting too.
Light opened up beneath them and they all cried out before hitting the ground.
Caleb opened his eyes and found his cheek pressed against the wet bark of a tree. The sound of rain beating against the floor echoed around him and thunder boomed in the distance. He pulled himself away from the tree and looked around.
He was in a rainforest, the sky above almost black with storm clouds. Sierra, Ryan and Kana had been dumped down next to him, and Elena lay a few feet away with the twins.
But beyond them were more people. Another group of four teens all dressed in strange, dark winter clothes, and a single girl, still in her regular clothes drenched in blood and a sword in hand. Before he could say anything, a huge screen appeared in front of his face.
[Caleb Martin Souza]
Lv 0
Title: Mindful Watcher
-
Primary skill – N/A
-
Speed – 0.18
Strength – 0.15
Stamina – 2.02
Constitution – 0.63
Mana - 2
Finesse – 1.12
-
Free stat points: 2
-
[Alert: The beholder is currently suffering from Cancer, grade 5.]
He stared at it wide eyed as the rain continued to poor down on him and the others.
“Woah”