“Mr. Lance, This is a damn good sandwich.” Seth said with a mouthful as they sat in a cabin three cars up on the train.
“Yes sir. This is the best thing we have eaten in weeks.” Atiya exclaimed. She was on her fourth. A mound of crumbs were spread all over her clothes
“I am glad you like them.” Lance said. He was sitting at the table across from the five watching as they sat and ate. They were alone in the car as the train continued to travel down the tracks.
“Seth sit still please.” Fiz said standing on the chair behind him. He had wires and cords connected to Glitch as he diagnosed his Matrices many problems
“How do you know how to work on matrices? Seth asked “I tried to get him fixed many times and no one would agree to even look at him for me.”
“Matrices are very similar to dungeon cores. My Dad and I used to do maintenance on ours. Her name was Gloria. Super nice lady. Gnomes like to live near dungeons you see. The back and forth of ambient that we excrete and radial mana she creates is similar to how trees breathe in what we breathe out. Just works. Anyway, she taught me everything I know.”
“How old are you Fiz?” Atiya asked
“Age is relative to the individual. Gnomes can live to be nearly five hundred. We mature much slower however and are not considered adults until we reach about fifty. I am a half gnome and just turned forty-two last year. I’m practically a young adult like yous people.” Fiz said “Here, What is Glitch saying now?”
“What happened to Glitch to make him so..well..Glitchy?” Carl asked
“His name is not actually Glitch. It used to be Kelvin. He was bonded to my Grandfather, Chester Ravensword. Chester used to be the Marquess of Region II about three Marquess ago. He was the last of the Ravensword to hold the position. My Father Sylvester, was not magically adept so he could not inherit Kelvin. Chester continued to live for a long time and he was involved in numerous magical experiments and let me tell you, he loved the smoking grass. There was an accident sometime after I was born. I do not know what happened but a spell backfired on him. Kelvin was hurt. Grandpa’s body undertook severe degeneration and his mind faded away. He developed dementia and for about seven years, he wandered the grounds of his estate just mumbling and talking to someone. He was asked about it once by my father. Chester said he was talking to his matrix “Glitch” and that became his new name. After his death, the artificers tried to study Glitch and figure out what went wrong. They did all sorts of tests on him before giving up. Glitch was supposed to be passed down to the next magically adept in the family which would have been my older brother, Kyle, but they feared for his sanity. It did not matter because Glitch did not respond to Kyle whenever he presented. Matrices have a say in who they bond. Kyle ended up getting a new Matrix. The best that money could buy. I think his matrix’s name is Keith. My parents spent all the money they could to get Keith. The hope was that Kyle could become the next Marquess. They were not expecting both son’s to be adept. I was presented multiple options but Glitch was the only one that responded. At first, we could at the very least get through the basics. His speech did not work and we functioned mainly through the status screens and written symbols. I had to learn how to control mana without his help and even though I leveled up, I could not use all of the allotted attribute points. I tried to go the tank route for a bit, but when the war started, they moved me to ]healer. They had plenty of tanks to fight and not enough healers with water and light affinities. A level thirty- five with more than half of his allotted points locked out was not desirable by the uppers” Seth explained
“So what are you doing and how are you able to fix him when all of the artificers in the world were unable to?” Grace asked
Fiz Connected another wire to the matrix and coursed more electricity through it. He brought up some sort of status screen only he could see and selected a few options.
“I got tired of doing maintenance on my old dungeon core the “old way”. I got to tinkering and made this little box here.” he said, showing them a small metallic box with lights, wires, and what seemed to be three buttons.
“That looks sort of like a matrix.” Carl said.
“I used some spare matrix parts in making it. Took me some time to sneak into this lab near my home. They had a ton of spare parts. A little tinkering her and there and I was able to streamline the normal maintenance of my dungeon core. Similar principles apply here I think.” Fiz explained “Seth try messing with it now.”
Seth focused on his bond with his matrix and tried to pull up the popup screen.
Matrix “Glitch”
Reboot initiation was paused (Low Mana)
Reboot Initiation has resumed
Recovery mode initiated
Recovery progress: 35%...
Vocal Recovery paused due to Low mana
Vocal Recovery Reinitiated.
Vocal Recovery Completed 100%
Stats, inventory, and rewards available
*Advisory*
Matrix Core damaged
Please Replaced Matrix Core
Limited Function due to damaged Matrix Core
Seth Ravensword
Matrix “Glitch” Level 37
6 / 111 Available Attribute Points
Strength 35
Defense 35
Health 25
Agility 35
Intelligence 25
Affinity: Water & Light
Class Archetype:
Tank Level 15 - Stage Increase available
Healer Level 22 - Stage Increase available
Magic Skills
Heal
Cleanse
Light burst
Light Barrier
Water Blast
Vapor Shield
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
Abilities
Shield Bash
Light Dash
Scan
Horizontal strike
Vertical slash
Graduation Compound Alpha
Rewards Not Yet Collected:
Battle Gear Set Mk. 2
Water Guardian's Shield
Water Guardian's Sword
Wand of the Light Maker
Ring of the Light Maker
Participation Regalian War -
1 year
Rewards:
Gridarnia Medal of Service
Promotion - Corporal
Status - Retired/ Reserve
Inventory:
Battle Gear Set x1
Short sword x1
Buckler shield x1
Water Dagger x2
Collapsible Bow x1
Quiver of Arrows x250
New Connections:
Carl (Matrix - Sheen) - Ally
Fiz - Ally
Atiya - Ally
Grace - Ally
Lance - N/A
“Master Seth.”
“Don’t speak buddy. Recover.” Seth thought. He did not want to run out of mana and Glitch lose his base abilities.
Carl brought up his status screen and turned it to show Seth. The two plus Fiz were able to see each other's screens. The two girls just kept eating and did not pay them any attention. Seth studied Carl’s stats and compared them to his own.
Carl Stricklin
Matrix Level 28
9/84 Available Attribute Points
Strength 20
Defense 13
Health 22
Agility 30
Intelligence 40
Affinity: Void & Dark
Class Archetype:
Ranger Level 30
Rogue Level 10
Magic Skills
Stealth
Shadow Arms
Cone of Darkness
Summon Dark Familiar
Summon Beast Familiar
Abilities
Volley of Arrows (B&A)
Piercing Shot (B&A)
Vertical Step (B&A)
Imbue Arrow (B&A)
Double Strike (Dagger)
Execute (Dagger)
Graduate Compound Beta
Civilian
No Military Status
New Connections:
Seth (Glitch) - Ally
Fiz - Ally
Atiya - Ally
Grace - Sister
Lance - Neutral
Inventory:
Ranger Gear Set x1
Short Sword x 3
Dagger x 5
Ranger’s Superior Bow x1
Quiver of Arrows x500
“You have a lot more skills than I do” Seth noted.
“You should be able to learn more with your level. Did they not teach you how?” Carl asked
“They did, but I was unable to actually use the system interface at Alpha. The skills I know were all learned from skill books I bought from the Compound Store.” Seth explained
“Those skill books would have been really expensive, how did you manage that?” Carl asked
“Lot’s of tournament winnings. I had a decent team and we did okay. The grand masters also took pity on me and instead of granting the normal system rewards, they gave me books”
Carl showed Seth how to get to his skill page. Carl explained that the options were lower than what he would have had if he was near a compound, but that his level, class and elemental affinities provided him with a base selection of skills and abilities to choose from. Seth looked at his options
Skill & Ability Menu - Locked
*Advisory*
This function is not available due to damaged Matrix Core
Please Replace Matrix Core to Continue
“Fiz, Do you know what a matrix core is? It shows that mine is damaged.” Seth asked
“I have never heard of it. It makes sense that a matrix would have a core. Dungeons have cores.” Fiz said.
“A matrix core is a stone or gem imbued with a certain kind of energy or mana usually through a special ritual performed by a Master Artificer” Lance said, looking up from cleaning his dagger with a rag.
“What kind of stone or gem?” Atiya asked
“It varies. Mr. Fizzle, I think your skills will be of much use when we reach the line. Try not to die before we get there.” Lance said
“If we can find one, we may be able to permanently fix Glitch.” Fiz said excitedly.
“Hmm.” Lance said solemnly. He was quiet for a bit and then stood up.
“Alright everyone. Are you ready to go?” Lance asked
“Go where?” Atiya asked
“To the rest of the train of course!.” Lance said smiling. He then jumped up onto the table and bent down low to speak.
“Getting the ticket was just the start. You must now make it to the front of the train. You have, hmmm” He paused to look at his watch “two and a half hours.. Oh dear. Yup. Two and a half hours to get as far as you can.” Lance said looking at the five
“What happens if we do not make it to the end before the train stops?” Carl asked
“Well, you die I suppose. Lance said calmly
There was a look of terror on everyone's face.
“Just kidding!!” There are twenty-seven more cars. This one for the new ticket holders to learn the rules and the two behind for storage. Seth, we have confiscated your glider by the way. You five will need to get to at least car number twenty to not be instantly killed by really powerful gas that makes you laugh uncontrollably while your insides slowly melt into goo. Those will be shot out of these vents here.” Lance said pointing to the multiple vents around the walls of the cabin.
“Cars twenty to sixteen will let you in the club, but you will essentially become someone's bitch for the first year. Fifteen to ten will still make you someone's bitch but they will have to be nice to you. Nine to the trains lead the engine and you will be treated like the king of hell…not really. You will still be someone’s personal slave for a bit but they will be absolutely forced to be nice!!” Lance finished finally before smiling real wide.
“There isn’t a difference between one and twenty is there? Fiz asked, narrowing his eyes.
“Not in the slightest.” he said before walking to the front and opening the door. “Remember, Twenty and down and you won’t turn into a dead laughing clown. Good Luck!” He said shut the door closed behind him.
The five looked at each other but did not move. The door cracked open and Lance peeked out at them
“Also, I need to add. This cart is going to fill up with gas in less than thirty seconds so…yeah…Don’t die” He said and then was gone.
Seth looked at the vents and saw a purple looking vapor slowly trinkle in. He pointed at it and quickly got out of his seat.
“Let’s Go!!” he yelled, grabbing Atiya by her arm and rushing to the front door.
Fiz jumped on to Carl’s back and Grace brought up the rear. The five opened the door jumping across the connectors and forced their way into the next car. Purple Vapor following filling the car behind them.