Chapter 6- A good second class

Morphues faded in and out of consciences.

“He’s still alive.”

“Get a healer. Reyna’s mother is down by the gate.”

“Why is she here?”

“She must have been in town.”

…

“Mother, he saved my life. I think he got marked."

“You mean he was marked by a god?”

“Yes”

“Let’s get him to a church so he can recover. Keep your voice down, don’t let anyone touch or examine him. Any normal person would have been crushed by that amount of weight. He needs to recover.”

Reyna and her mother carried him to the church so he could be treated properly.

Reyna’s mother began to take off his leather chest piece when she spotted a strange book tattoo.

Reyna’s mother gasped.

“Mother, what is it.”

“He can’t stay here, we need to go back home with him now.”

‘What about father? Where is he?”

“Don’t worry about him for the moment. He can take care of himself.”

Morpheus shot upright, gasping. He remembered what had happened before he awoke.

“Mother, he’s awake!"

The lady rushed out of the house to see him.

“Easy there chimera, I’m Sophia and this is my daughter Reyna.” The lady said.

Morpheus looked at both of them. Reyna had brunette colour hair coming down to her shoulders and sparkling blue eyes. Her mother also a human, looked similar, the only difference seemed to be age.

“Where am I?” Morpheus asked.

“I took you back to our house outside of the capital because of the mark on your collar bone.”

Sophia said.

Morphues remembered Loki’s tatoo. “Oh, yeah that.”

“We won’t ask you any questions for now, even though it is very curious to see why such a powerful god of shadows would himself, imprint a chimera with a translation mark.”

“Thank you, did you save my life?”

“No your own body did that, I just made sure no one else saw that mark. Let alone the ones on your wrist that Reyna saw.” “You would have been an unconscious wonder.”

The lady carried on after a pause. “We didn’t look at the ones on your wrist but it would be best for you to look at them by yourself.” “I want answers after though. And thank you for saving my daughters life, it was very heroic to sacrifice yourself.”

“Isn’t that what anybody would do?”

“No definatetly not, people would sellout whole cities for their lives.” “Now I’ll leave a mirror and we’ll go back inside for a few minutes while you get your bearings.”

Reyna hugger Morpheus, which was unexpected and she said. “Thank you” and gave him a peck on the cheek.

The lady brought out a mirror for him, then they headed inside.

Morpheus felt relieved he wasn’t dead, he looked around and he was in a garden with birds flying around everywhere. He saw a pond with flowers of all colours of the rainbow around it.

It was a fantasy forest alright, from what Morpheus could tell. And he was sitting up from a bed made out leaves and vines.

He then remebered all of his notifications from before.

Amazing! you have slain (Orc, Level 83). For killing an enemy 50 levels above your own you have been awarded additional experience. Experience shared.

Amazing! you have slain (Shadow Wolf Adult, Level 53). For killing an enemy 20 levels above your own you have been awarded additional experience. Experience shared.

….

You have levelled up Archer (Level 12)

You have levelled up Marksmanship (Level 11)

You have levelled up Arcane Restoration (Level 11)

You have levelled up Arcane Restoration (Level 12)

You have levelled up Arcane Restoration (Level 13)

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (32) (1 stat point available)

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (33) (2 stat points available)

‘Congratulations’ you have levelled up Level (34) (3 stat points available)

‘Congratulations’ you have been awarded the Title ‘Saviour’. Due to sacrificing yourself to save 4 others you have been awarded this title. +10 Vitality, +5 Agility, +5 Intelligence.

You have been marked by the God of Strength, Hercules. You have been awarded this mark because you supported a falling tower and over extended your limits of strength. +15 Strength, +10 Endurance.

You have been marked by the God of Life and Death, Isis. You have been awarded this mark because you sacrificed your life to save 4 others. Not out of greed or pity but for the pure essence of life itself. +10 Vitality, +10 Wisdom.

You have been awarded with another secondary class: Heart of Sparta.

Heart of Sparta: Your heart pumps with the true blood of Sparta. You have gone beyond what any Spartan warrior would do. You have shed blood for those you wish to save. Like a true spartan warrior you gain a 20% increase to strength, dexterity and agility when you are exposing your chest and torso. 40% increased healing. 30% increased resistance to physical and magical attacks. +15 Strength, +15 Endurance, +10 Constitution, +10 Intelligence, +10 Vitality.

Requirments:

-30 Vitality

-20 Strength

-20 Endurance

-20 Intelligence

-Title ‘Born to Kill Giants’

-Spartan Blood

-Mark from a Greek god.

Without debating his other options. He physically pointed at the class with his finger to accept. He put his remaining points into luck as he thought that it would be best since he did not need to upgrade his other stats at the moment. A sudden rush of power filled his body.

Name: Morpheus Nvos (14 Years Old)

Titles: Friend of Loki, Challenger II, Born to Kill Giants, Saviour.

Marks: Hercules, Isis.

Origin: Unknown

Race: Chimera (Elf/Human/Troll)

Primary Class: None

Secondary Classes: Heart of Sparta, None

Sub Classes: None, None, None

General Skills and Spells:

Life-form Identification Level (6)

Object Identification Level (5)

Spark Level (2)

Archery Level (12)

Marksmanship Level (11)

Dagger Arts Level (5)

Butchering Level (1)

Arcane Restoration Level (13)

Mana Sight Level (6)

Resistances

Pain Resistance Level (8)

Fear Resistance Level (4)

Status

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

Health:2400/3120

Stamina:4100/4215

Mana:1450/1600

Stats

Strength: 56

Vitality: 56

Constitution: 30

Endurance: 45

Agility: 46

Dexterity: 20

Wisdom: 30

Intelligence: 36

Charisma: 23

Luck: 14

The young chimera had never felt more euphoric than right now. He was doing a Loki grin in the mirror when another notification popped up.

Heart of Sparta: 4 Skill slots. (5 skills available)

Spartan’s Essence

-Increase your body’s resistance to magical and physical damage by 10%. Costs mana per second that buff is active. Percentage of buff is increased with level and mana cost is reduced.

Arcane Restoration upgrades to Arcane Rebirth

-You have full control over where you heal your body. Healing skill is increased by 20%. Costs mana depending on size of wound. Percentage increases with level and mana cost is reduced.

Passive-Spartans Sense

-You can sense anyone within a 10 metre radius. The more you level this skill the larger radius you can sense.

Arcane Strike

Infuse your weapon with arcane magic. Costs mana per second skill is active. Cost of mana is reduced with level increase. Damage increases with level increase.

Arcane Step

You can teleport anywhere within a 2 metre radius. Cost of skill depends on distance. The more you level this skill the further distance you can teleport and mana cost is reduced.

Arcane bolt

Fire a projectile of arcane magic from your hand. The more you level this skill the cost of mana is reduced and the damage is increased.

‘Holy fuck’ Morpheus thought. ‘I can teleport’. It was very obvious which two he would disregard. ‘Spartans sense’ seemed weak and didn’t want to become a mage of sorts. He could already smell things form metres away and sense mana within his eyesight. Before he agreed to the skill classes he wondered if he could sort out all his useless skills. Butchering and spark he wasn’t going to level up. Object identification and life from identification he didn’t see the point yet. He knew they were useful but the questions marks gave a justification of their power in which morgues already knew what to expect.

‘Useless skills’:

-Butchering Level (1)

-Spark Level (2)

-Lifeform Identification Level (6)

-Object Identification Level (5)

‘That’s better, now for my class skills’

Class Skills Heart of Sparta Level (1)

-Arcane Rebirth Level (13)

-Arcane Step Level (1)

-Spartan’s Essence Level (1)

-Arcane Strike Level (1)

He felt glad he was able to reach this stage he hadn’t been in Arios for long but it already felt like his new home.

‘The tatoos!’ The young chimera thought ripping off his clothes.

He saw that he had tatoos on both his forearms. They seemed identical in nature. On the top of his forearms two giant lions. ‘Nemian Lion!’ Morpheus recalled the great feats that Hercules had to accomplish and the tatoo let off a slightly golden light. ‘Thank you, Hercules for your strength’. The tattoos died down. On the bottom of his forearms seemed to be a story of his Hercules’ life. It was truly a magnificent tattoo.

He got up and checked himself in the mirror. Over he left peck was a beautiful angel with a halo and wings. The wingspan covered his whole left peck. He hadn’t known much of Isis but he thought she was a god worth worshipping. The tattoo glowed the same as the other one and died down. He felt truly honoured by the gods. He took out his comfortable clothes and put them on.

Morphues walked up to the house and knocked on the door. The young girl called out to her mother who hurriedly followed her call. He sat back down on his vine bed and they sat down on two wooden chairs.

“I’d first like to say thank you for taking me here, you seem like good people.” Morphues said.

“I’d like to tell you about my tattoo but I may anger the person who told me to keep it a secret.” He said.

The tattoo on his collar bone glowed with shadow magic, comforting him.

“I think he said it’s fine.” Morpheus said taking a breather.

“Before I tell you, are you able to swear an oath to the system that you won’t speak of this to anyone?”

The lady thought for a second. “Can I tell my husband if we all take the oath?" She asked.

Morphues nodded.

“I swear by the gods I will not spread the tales the chimera will tell me. Only to those who know of his tales.” The lady said and Reyna followed.

A notification popped.

‘Sophia and Reyna have sworn by the gods they will not speak of your tales. Only to those who know of your tales.’

This is an oath to the gods that they will not mistrust your tales with anyone. Failure to do so will result in punishment. You can break this oath with them at any time.

“That sounds pretty serious. You sure you want to do this?" He asked.

Sophia nodded and smiled. “It’s not everyday you meet a chimera with a gift from a god is it?”

Morphues had agreed that it was most probably not normal. “How did you know?” Morphues asked.

“My subclass is enchanting related. I can sense the power of something when I touch it. When my hand scraped across your tattoo, I could feel a slither of extremely powerful shadow magic.”

“Yes it was Loki who gave me this gift.” Morpheus said.

Sophia chuckled thinking it was some kind of joke. “And why would Loki do such a thing?” She joked. Sophia then realised Morpheus wasn’t joking and her jaw dropped. “You’re not lying are you?”

“Indeed I am not.”

“This is completely insane, why did I bring you back to my house!” She proclaimed.

“Mother calm down he isn’t exactly causing chaos right now he has a good heart and can see the garden.” Reyna said.

“Trust me I’m not evil, he sent me here.” Morphues said.

“Brilliant Loki transported an apostle of his from Asgard or wherever the fuck your from.” Sophia could barely contain her anger.

“Calm down and listen to me.” Morpheus said, beginning to lose his temper.

Eventually the lady calmed down.

“I’m not evil, I'm from a planet called Earth.”

“I’ve never heard of that place in all of the gods' land.”

“I think it’s in a different realm. My planet is ancient, millions of years old. We were seen as a lost cause from Odin and the majority of the gods left our planet.”

And so Morpheus described his adventure from when Loki knocked on his door to where he is now.

“Can you swear by the gods you are telling the truth and mean no harmful intentions.”

Morpheus had nothing to lose at this point.

“I, Morpheus Nvos. Swear by the gods that I’m telling the truth and I mean no harm.”

He saw the notification pop up but disregarded it “Now you believe me, I know it’s a lot to take in.”

She was processing the information and was about to speak when Reyna chimed in after being quiet for so long. “I believe you Morphues, I’d like to apologise on my mother’s behalf for her being rude. She thought it was a small Demi-god of darkness that had marked you, not actually the god of shadows himself.” She said smiling.

“What was his level, did you look at him?” The young brunette was eager to ask him some questions.

“Morpheus, whatever you do, don't tell anyone about this. You are very lucky we found you.” Sophia said.

“Why?”

“Because people would tear off your skin for that tattoo. Maybe no one in Ervos but the smaller kingdoms would pay a heavy price for you.”

“Oh, Loki told me not to tell anyone, I assume that was the reason.”

“Yes it definitely was, a true god. A powerful god, Son of Odin has hand-marked a gift on your body. This would make even the empire raise an eyebrow.”

“Is there any way I can hide it?” Morpheus asked.

“No not really, you being a chimera is probably the best camouflage. Chimeras are artificially created and can be seen as impure, so no one would double check your tattoos unless they had my class or something similar.”

“What about my new marks.”

“You got more than one?” The lady almost fainted.

“Show me now.”

So Morpheus took off his top and he showed her his new tattoos.

“By Zeus, are those marks from Hercules? And what about the one across your peck?”

“Isis.” Morphues Calmly spoke.

“A true miracle has befitted me to be in the presence of a double marked.” Sophia spoke humbly.

“Ok...Try to relax for a bit while I make some food for us three, my husband will be back soon. He is probably just sorting out the leftovers from the horde.” Sophia said.

Then it was just him and Reyna, he felt terribly uncomfortable being with a pretty girl well out of his league.

“Soooo...You didn’t answer my question?”

“Oh Loki was over five-thousand. Five omega signs.”

“That’s sooo cool, he must be so strong, imagine all the monsters he could kill.”

“I think he’s a monster to the monsters.” Morpheus said.

Reyna giggled and kept staring at him.

Nervously, Morphues asked “What’s wrong?”

“I just haven’t seen such a beautiful chimera before.” “My dad worked with a few but they all were beast-kin and not my type really.”

Morphues was lost for words. Was this stunning chick flirting with him, what was he supposed to do.

“Sorry, you seem to be a lovely girl but I’m a lot older than you.”

“Why would that matter? Plus I’m twenty and you look younger than me. Looks and personality are key to any relationship.” “My mum is a hundred years older than my dad.”

“I heard that young lady!”

She laughed again and said “I understand if you’re not interested in me but I’d like to be friends and maybe go on some quests if you’re up for it?”

(Battle-Mage, Level 43)

“Thanks but I'm at such a lower level than you.”

“You must have some sort of advantage, you know being made and stuff.”

“I have no idea. What’s your strength stat?” Morpheus asked.

“How rude.” The girl laughed. “You must never ask a girl her strength strat.”

“Oh I’m sorry I didn’t mean to off..”

“It’s 21, the strength training my pops has been teaching me has paid off.” The young lady as I should call her flexed her muscles. The ‘girl’ wasn’t a girl just because she looked younger than Morpheus in his previous life. He knew that he needed to act and behave like any other normal chimera in their teenage years.

“What’s yours?” Reyna asked. Snapping him out of his day dreaming.

“Oh….Yeah.” Morpheus then pulled up his strength stat.

“Omg have you just levelled that?”

“No only someone without a head on their shoulders would do that.”

“Then what are your other stats like?”

“How rude of you to ask about my stats.” Morpheus sternly jokes.

“You can’t pull that one on me you know, show me.” Reyna said, he listened and pulled his stats up again.

“I can’t believe it, these are almost as strong as mothers. Did you get these from the marks?”

“Yes mainly those, titles and my new class. Did you say you can train stats?”

“Well duh.”

He was about to fire off some banter when a large bear-kin man walked into the garden. The man strolled over to him and suddenly swept him into a hug, crushing a few of his ribs. To Morphues’s surprise, he burst into tears.

“Thank you so much for saving my daughter, I heard she was under the tower that fell. I spent ages searching through the rubble trying to find her.”

“It’s fine, it was the right thing to do.”

The man was covered in blood that covered his chain mail armour. It certainly wasn’t the most appeasing look but at least the man wasn’t as aggressive as his wife.

“You know pops you can hug me, you know to check if I’m ok?”

“Why would I, you found yourself in a situation where you couldn’t do anything and this boy saved your life. I should increase your training and send you out of the house for a week.” The big bear man growled.

“Yeah yeah.” Reyna said.

“Anyway..” the man said as he turned back to Morpheus.

“Sophia told me I had to check with you about your tales?”

“Ah, I don’t really like telling the story as people become aggressive. If you swear the oath then it would be best for Reyna to tell you.”

“Ha, funny lad you are. Speak like you’re a grown up. Anyway, my name's Brevair.”

“I am. And the names Morpheus.” He was beginning to get sick of him being treated like a kid.

Brevair looked stunned and then the sudden remembrance of the tales he had been told about the chimera.

“My apologies, how old are you then?”

“Twenty five.” Morpheus said. The man burst out laughing.

“Still a kid to me boy. I'm over two hundred and my wife is…”

A vine appeared around his mouth.

“That’s enough you old bear, now dinners ready. Morpheus would you like to join us?”

“I would very much like it.”