A bang and a crash. John startled awake. He saw four men dressed in black, faces hidden behind shadows. He bolted to the window, only for one of them to wrap a shadowy tendril around his leg and yank him to the floor.
Cracking the back of his head, his vision went black for a few seconds. He tried to sit up and shake the groggy feeling that flooded his mind. He found himself bound by the shadow like ropes.
The lead figure walked towards John. A distorted voice crawled its way into John's ears. “Your home is disgusting, as are you. Don't worry we shall rid the slums of trash.” with that the figure flourished his hand a simple looking burlap sack appeared in his palm. It was roughly placed over his head and he felt himself lifted.
They moved swiftly, taking sharp lefts and rights heading a unknown direction. John tried to think how he ended up in this situation. He didn't gamble, didn't touch alcohol, no family as he was a orphan. He mostly held odd jobs with a lot of begging in the streets. His head wasn't fully together, that fall seemed to do more harm then he realized.
John recalled hearing rumors of others disappearing without much of a trace, maybe a broken door or window, seldom both. He was under the impression those where criminals, and debtors. John felt himself far from perfect, never able to awaken a useful ability, as many the others had been able to, but he never stole, nor held resentment to those who did and rose to prominence.
John had given up trying to find out why he was taken, he doubted anyone would look for him.
Within a underground lab a young man with black hair and crystalline blue eyes sat behind a large wooden desk, papers strewn about and a tea long since cold. Three rapid taps came from the door.
“Come in.”
The door opened silently. He raised his eye's to meet who disturbed him. It was his assistant Alessa. She gave a slight bow, something completely unnecessary, but he hadn't been able to break that habit of hers.
“Lord, the Shadow Seekers have returned with a new harvest.” She spoke in her usually flat voice.
“I see. Have them prepare the Revelation Stone.”
Alessa bowed once more and backed out from the room. He sat behind his desk. 'She is so rigid.'
John was roughly thrown to the floor once more, but luckily for him this time, he did not smash his head against the cold hard tiles of this rather large room. The men wrapped in shadows ripped the sack off his head and he could feel the resentment through their masked faces.
The shadowy men left and John saw there was more than just four, but it looked like hundreds, that's a lot for just one beggar. As soon as he had this thought he heard the cries of many, mainly asking where they were and crying for their parents. 'No way, they brought kids too?'
Up above John he heard the clatter of foot steps looking up he saw the scale of this room. It was massive, larger than the eastern market, which could comfortably hold thousands. This was even more bizarre then he could of imagined. He thought organ harvesting or maybe sold into slavery in the outer kingdoms, where the Empire's hold isn't as powerful as near the capital.
The man came to the center of walkway above and stepped towards the railing. He cleared his throat and began his speech.
“Congratulations, although you are all wretches in the mud, the Empire and it's benevolence has decided to give you all a opportunity. This strange system shook our world to the core not 'twenty' years ago. It allowed common folk to become Landless Nobles!”
“Cut the shit!”
The figure up above glared at the one interrupting his speech. John looked around and noticed most people were up on their feet now. He saw the man to his left glaring back at the young noble. He spat on the floor.
“You abduct us, call us swine, and expect gratitude? Why shou-”
Before that man could finish his sentence a dark spear dripping with shadows pierced the back of his head. Blood and brain matter painted the ground and those around him. His body slumped. The crowd panicked. Not John, he felt fear and danger, but his Calm Mind skill kept him in charge of his body. John turned his attention back to the noble above.
John saw the man next to the noble fade back into the shadows. They really are all about the theatrics, John wiped away the errant thought and continued to gaze at noble. In return the noble noticed his.
Readjusting his composure and straightening his white coat. The noble spoke once more. “Yes your swine! But yet we are here to give you a chance at redemption! I vow this on my name Baxton Ovaris!”
The crowd fell silent, they realized the mistake of the foolish man. That was no ordinary noble, that was the Grand Duke! Brother to the Emperor! They all fell to their knees and begged for forgiveness. John joined in, wanting to survive this ordeal if at all possible.
“Excellent, you all know your place!” His eye's smiled he ever did enjoy the power.
“Rise, and behind you all is a door, head there and enter we shall take count of your talents!”
John realized hes at the back of the line now. He watched as Baxton left the walkway, followed by a straight faced woman, with immaculate dark hair. She was beautiful to him. Definitely not of the Empire. John shook himself from his thoughts and looked at the slumped body before swallowing and turning around.
Around three hours passed, he was about halfway to the door. He couldn't really call it a line, more a crowd of people. Like water trying to flow between two stones. “Excuse me.” John turned to his right and met eyes with a Sandy haired woman, or girl in this case maybe fifteen. She looked meek and sickly. Her eyes were maybe green, they held a resilience, one needed for those who lived in the slums of the capital. She didn't look familiar but the slums and by extension the capital were massive. The slums themselves could of fit a capital of a regular kingdom.
“Do you have anything to eat?”
John shook his head. “No, I was sleeping when they came.”
She let out a sigh. “I thought so, I usually have hardtack in my pockets, you know just in case.”
John knew most residents in the slums usually moved night to night. Stealing from other or offering services. Her spirits were too high to be of the former. 'The Great Empire. My ass.' John didn't like his country, nor those in charge but what could he do with a Calm Mind skill and Knife skill better suited to cooking than fighting not to mention the ten other useless skills he had.
She turned and moved on before John could ask her anything. He doubted she would know where they were or why they were here.
John mulled over his life a moment, thinking of his time in the orphanage, how the system came when he was ten. The only skill he was given at that time was Calm Mind. Considering he always controlled himself well even when he could first walk and talk it made sense to him. The knife skill he got one afternoon whilst serving in the orphanage kitchen, cutting carrots past their prime.
He thought of the rift's that appeared. Only ever containing a handful of 'Monsters' mostly wolves or other such beasts and occasionally one with monsters called 'Goblins' he hated goblins. He only ever attempted one such rift, and it contained those things.
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“Come on John!” It was his best friend Jeremy, the only one who ever approached John and shared a meal, no matter how lackluster it was, with him. Them and three others, also friends of Jeremy rushed towards the rift. It's faint blue glow looked like a jagged crack in a wall, but was floating in a open field. Jeremy found it whilst out looking for rabbits for some meat. It was the only time they got meat.
Jeremy jumped in followed by the other three Jack, Ryan, and Cole. John collected his nerves and leapt into the rift himself. Once inside they found themselves in the same field, but in the distance there was smoke. Jeremy whispered. “I heard rifts have a clear condition, and upon doing so treasures and even skills can be rewarded.” John turned back to the rift entrance. It remained so long as you didn't venture too far inward.
“John focus.” Jeremy snapped. Drawing his attention back forward. “Sorry Jerm.” Jeremy rolled his eyes. “Remember Olivia?” All the boys nodded, how could they not? “I heard shes a Landless Noble now!” Jeremy had to reign in his excitement his 'whisper' was closer to a shout. “Shes a Knight-Captain at only seven-teen. We have a real opportunity to leave this place. So I need you to focus John.” Whilst Focus Mind helped in a lot of ways, it wasn't running one-hundred percent of the time.
John took a deep breath and readied himself, gripping the old kitchen knife. Jeremy faced the direction the smoke rose from. “I hate to say it, but if its smoke, I doubt we will be fighting beasts.” Most rifts were simple, go in slay five or so beasts, and leave with a shiny new skill. Jeremy let out a sigh. “The chances of finding a rift are slim to none, this is the only one I ever seen in the five years since the 'System' came.”
John let out a sigh. “OK Jerm, I say we sneak ahead and see exactly what we are dealing with.” Jeremy beamed at this.
“Now that is what I'm talking about!” Jeremy nearly blowing their cover again.
They slowly crept to the direction the smoke was rising, upon getting closer John could make out what look to be crude tents, and a make-shift cage. Definitely some form of intelligence. John saw the source of smoke, it was in the center and above it a large crude pot.
They huddled themselves. Ryan spoke. “Someone should go in and check it out.” “OK I'll go.” replied Jeremy. John shook his head. “No, it should be me, besides you got caught by Mr. Leary going into the kitchen for a late night snack.” They all snickered. “Fine oh great one, show me how its down.” Jeremy feigned a curt bow. John laughed himself. Focus Mind engaged and he stepped forward.
John steadily closed in on the camp. He felt like it took thirty minutes to get there, but that was probably more nerves, than a accurate representation of time. He first decided to peak into a tent, its rough hide smelled terrible and when he peaked inside he almost gagged from the smell contained within. But it was empty.
He made his way to each tent, five in total and the last one nearest the campfire. They were all empty, how strange. He crept toward the campfire and the pot on-top, he grabbed hold the ladle and stirred almost instantly losing lunch when a skull floated up. Focus Mind went into overdrive to keep his composure, but he felt himself waver, and skin broke out into a cold sweat.
He dropped the ladle which clanged, and the cage rattled. He snapped towards the cage and inside was a man. His lips where white, and clothing ragged, breathing uneven. “What?” John muttered allowed not knowing he did so. The man's eyes shot open and shot directly toward John. “Get me out!” he screamed. “Before those things return!”
John was dumbstruck for a moment but saw the rope was secured by rope, or he hoped it was. Using his kitchen knife he carved away at it, till it finally gave way. The man knocked John over and bolted past him off into the field. By time he got on his feet Jeremy and the others arrived.
“Who was that?”
I don't know Jerm.”
“Where did he go?”
I don't know Jerm.”
“Where are the monsters?”
“Jerm, I know as much as you do. Though that man was terrified I have a feeling its because of the pot over there.”
John pointed.
Cole walked over and stirred it finding what John knew. He screamed and lost his lunch.
Jeremy tapped his chin, “OK group up outside the camp. We will have to wait on these things to return.”
Night fell, the boys were on edge. In the distance, the same direction the man ran, a torch was seen. Then three more. “Did he have friends?” asked Jack. Jeremy shook his head. “The rifts only let in one group at a time, and only reopens for more if they fail. I'm not sure why we were let in if it there was people in here.” As far as orphans went, Jeremy was the most knowledgeable on the workings of rifts, which wasn't much. Well Olivia was his sister after all.
They sat in contemplation watching as the lights grew closer.
Fifteen minutes later they arrived at the campground. John saw them for the first time goblins, gray-skinned and gaunt more teeth then mouth and yellow puss colored eyes and short dagger-like ears. They stopped at the center of camp and sniffed the air. Making odd clicks and screeches.
“Are they.” Jeremy paused to listen more. “Are they talking?”
This was by far the worst situation for them. Their skills were at best for taking down a small group of mindless beasts, but something intelligent, something that could communicate. Not good.
Jeremy made a snap decision. “We got to do this now, I don't know what they are saying, nor if they can detect us. I'll make a distraction. You all go for the one up front.” With this Jeremy dashed out of the shrubs they were hidden in.
John saw his best friend sprinting, and he couldn't stomach the thought of losing him. “Jack, Cole you to go right, Ryan we go left.” John dashed out too, as soon as he step foot from the bushes he heard Jeremy shout.
'Dammit, he knows hes the fastest, if they all turn to him its over.' John inhaled best he could and let out his own shout. This seemed to confuse the goblins. Not as smart as they feared. Their target turned to John.
John dashed towards the goblin and pulled the knife from his belt. Hopefully Knife Skills are enough.
The goblin glared at John and let out a hollow screech and threw its torch at John, he managed to sidestep the rather clumsy throw and the two met a second later. John realized he didn't think this through so well.
They rolled on the ground in a tumbled mess. He could hear the others beginning their battles. The goblin he collided with regained its composure quickly and began to slash its claws at John's face and body. They weren't deep but were painful and burst the capillaries in John's face, causing him to bleed quiet a gruesome amount.
John maintained the grip on his knife and began to slash at the goblin, he heard a scream, but it wasn't the goblin getting a stab in the shoulder, it was Cole. He couldn't take his eyes off the goblin in front of him. He yanked the blade out and tried again. This time the goblin caught it with its hand. It pierced through. It didn't seem to notice.
It tried to claw more, but the knife kept its right hand at bay but the left got a few more scrapes. John grunted and heaved the knife back, rolled from being on his back to on-top the goblin and lunged the blade both hands down. It pierced the skull and the goblin fell limp.
Heaving heavy breaths and wiping blood from his eyes he looked. Jack killed his goblin and Jeremy was finishing off his. Ryan was not in good shape and on the losing end of his struggle. Cole however, was dead. Guts strewn about and the goblin as if a feral animal kept digging into them, making a sound as if in ecstasy.
John was angered and pulled his knife from the skull of his foe, a sucking sound was made when it came free. He learned Focus Mind could be overwritten. While John was only truly close with Jeremy, Cole was a ally, and a friend of a friend. He stepped purposefully behind the goblin, allowing the rage to fill him and stabbed at the base of the neck of the feral goblin, instantly severing the spine. He let out a deep sigh, letting the anger flow out of him.
“Sorry Cole.”
Jeremy and Jack finished off the last goblin for Ryan, whom quickly fell gasping for air.
“Cole, I'm sorry. This is all my fault, if this was any other rift we-”
To his surprise it was Jack who stopped him, Cole's older brother.
“No, we knew the risks, we were just as desperate as you. But I need a moment to bury him.”
It wasn't know if the realm of the rift existed outside, since it overlapped with real locations, and seemed to create unique scenarios. Bodies however, even if they were from the outside, couldn't leave, this was learned from the many letters from Olivia, and one of the things Jeremy shared with us.
Twenty minutes passed, John managed to get the bleeding to slow and nearly stop. He got the skill First-Aid as a treat. He accepted that fact seeing as he could only get nine more, he learned you had to be careful with what you do as sometimes you can get a random skill. John didn't say it but he had more skill slots then most whom who spoke to. Most had three, the unlucky one. He heard of one cursed orphan that got Cleaning, as their one and only skill. He felt pity for the poor soul, one could expand slots but that took great luck or money, but usually both.
Cole was sent off with a prayer, and the group stood in the center of camp, the rewards should come soon no? John started to ask Jeremy when a loud roar was heard. Something was flung at them, it fell short, and slid to stop before their feet. John instantly recognized the malnourished man.
“Jeremy!”
Jack was in a panic that thing was three times the size of the goblins. And they looked to the leader for guidance.
“I'll lure its attention.” Jeremy reaffirmed.
This has to be the last creature to clear the rift.
They were still tired, and injured but John gripped his knife as did the rest.
Jeremy dashed to the over-sized goblin.
He leapt at its head and brandishing his own knife plunged it into it's eye. Blinding its left side. John was in awe of Jeremy, who seemed to have a proper battle sense. He didn't know of the skill slots he had but imagine one had to do with that. 'I wonder if he picked it up whilst sparing' their spares were amateurish at best.
“John, knee!”
John rushed towards the knee at Jeremy's command, a quick slice up the back side, it wasn't much but it did cause it to stumble.
The goblin instantly righted it self, and grabbed the giant cooking pot, its contents spilled on to the already dead campfire. He hurled it towards Ryan, who wasn't fully recovered, Ryan tried to dodge it but it hit him square in the chest. The crunch of bone was heard.
John once again felt the surge of anger, and found himself disregarding Focus Mind, far easier this time.
Jack rushed towards the goblins left side, Jeremy having already pulled his knife and leapt back.
Jack poised himself to strike at the left elbow, but the goblin seemed to have noticed and it's good eye snapped to him. It's arm shot out like a snake and grasped his neck.
It slowly squeezed as if enjoying this. John had to stop this, losing another friend would devastate Jeremy, not to mention himself, they were all he had. He didn't realize how close they truly were.
“Jeremy!” John let him know of his intentions.
Jeremy lunged towards the back of the knee John Sliced moments ago and dug his own blade into it.
The goblin fell to one knee, it's grip remained tight on Jacks neck. John leapt towards its neck. Don't fail me now Knife Skills. John cut into the goblins neck.
It fell still.
A last gutter growl erupted, it was truly enraged, but against John's hope, it used Jack as a make-shift weapon and tried to swipe at John with him. John tried to intervene if he could. He's too weak, Jack exploded only his head remaining. The goblin hurled it towards John. John was dumbstruck and it struck him dead center.
Jeremy roared with anger and finished cutting through the neck and the goblins head fell to the ground.
A screen appeared before John's eyes the first time he seen it since the 'System' first came.
John felt a bump from behind. He startled back to the present.
“Move it asshole, your next.”
John glared but relented, and stepped through the doorway.