Chapter 8

Bo was true to his word, his place was not far, but the path was not an easy one as it required they traverse a series of switchbacks and ford some small fast moving creeks that disappeared into holes in the land.

After arriving at his home the party was able to get some much needed rest. All four men rapidly grew comfortable with one another. Bo immediately took on a father figure-like role for the other three providing input as they would go about their morning routines.

It was through those simple comments and pieces of advice that Bo revealed his vast knowledge of various things from obscure martial arts to monster lore and even the workings of divine magic.

When Bo offered to mentor the three as adventurers, all agreed wholeheartedly. The days turned into weeks as each man set to improving their specific skill set and adding new abilities as well.

Errrkkkk was able to learn a powerful chi ability that allowed him to draw on the sun to multiply the energy he put into it. Riakon spent his time reading the multitude of bestiaries in Bo’s library. In the reading he picked up the framework of a spell that made tracking down one's prey all, but certain.

Roden spent his time a little differently. He dedicated himself to embodying the role in this world. He needed to become Roden and it was then he decided he would never share that he didn't come from this world. This game was his life and he was not going to metagame by treating it like a game as strange as the concept was in his current situation.

Day after day he would meditate and practice his castings. One morning, after a couple weeks of training, he was meditating and he felt a surge of energy flood through him. His fingers began to tingle and his whole body felt like it was vibrating. There was a faint glow about him and as it faded he knew he had leveled up.

Once more he was taken to that dark place in his mind, that place of spell selection and character creation. This time the dark path was familiar and welcomed. Roden had returned here repeatedly over the course of his trying testing out many of the spells to get a better grasp of what was at his disposal.

As a cleric he had the luxury of being able to change his spells daily during his meditations. However, this time he was arriving after a fresh level up that came with some next level domain spells.

His new Fire domain spell was a nerdy dream come true. That spell was Flame Blade. A spell beautiful in its simplicity, it allowed him to extend his hand out to the side manifesting a pillar of flame three feet in length, about six inches of which rested in his hand serving as the handle.

Roden couldn’t wait to get out of here to try out this beauty so he quickly moved over to his Adventure domain spell, Instant Destination. With the knowledge of the spell coursing through him Roden couldn’t contain himself

“I can fucking teleport!!!!” he shouted throwing his hands in the air.

Sure it was an Initiate level spell, but who doesn’t want to teleport? His mind racing with the possibilities.

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With both of those tucked away, he continued down the path to the wisps of next level spells. Over time he would undoubtedly study each of them to their fullest, but currently he was looking for an old trusty. When he found it a big grin spread across his face.

The spell was subsumed by his Adventure domain and molded into its new form, Hero’s Armament. The spell was altered in a way Roden did not imagine. The original spell let the caster remotely control a weapon constructed of divine magic.

His new spell had that feature but required the weapon to remain within fifteen feet of him. He still had to direct it to attack, but it followed him on its own instead of requiring Roden to consciously move it.

The other change made the first make all the more sense. He had the option to take a hold of the weapon, increasing the damage. With this new knowledge Roden was lost in daydreams of whirling around with his two glowing blades like Anakin in episode two, he hoped he could manage it without losing a hand.

Coming out of his meditation Roden immediately set to casting Flame Blade. The flames erupted in his hand, his fingers closing over the hilt of fire. Inspecting the conjured blade Roden noticed it had the faint shape of a double edged hunting sword with a short crossguard.

He waved it about briefly getting used to the weight or lack thereof. This sword was nearly weightless, but still offered enough resistance that he behaved like a regular sword.

He took a couple practice swings, the flames making the typical whoosh as it cut through the air. He tried placing his feet in different configurations to better facilitate his new weapon, but nothing felt quite right. By the time the spell's duration ended. Roden’s enthusiasm over his new spell had diminished quite extensively.

Bo’s voice rang out from behind him “ What the hell was that?”

“Uuuhhh, it was my new spell. I’m trying to get used to it.”

“Yeah poorly. You ain't doing it right.”

“Yeah that was pretty obvious to me too, but I haven’t spent much time with flaming swords so.”

“Nah you shithead, that spell should be doing all that work for you.”

“Come again?”

“That spell you just cast ain’t used by folks who usually have a lot of weapons training. So built into the spell’s matrix is a work around.”

“I still don’t get it.”

“Just cast the damn spell and focus.”

Shrugging, Roden went to cast the spell, a blade of flame appearing in his hand.

“Now focus on the magic in the sword.”

Roden closed his eyes and focused intently on the sword. He could feel something like the sword had an opinion or intent that he just couldn’t translate. When Roden opened his eyes to ask Bo what to do next, he saw Bo right in front of him swinging a staff made of wood at his head. Instinctually Roden danced backwards and dropped into a guard stance, his right foot forward and his weapon between himself and his attacker.

Before he could say anything Bo rushed him, this time Roden lunged forward, his back leg extending and he brought the point of his blade up under Bo’s swing, piercing his shoulder through. Surprised at his movement he let go of the handle causing the flames to abruptly vanish. Bo dropped to the ground clutching his shoulder in pain.

“Holy shit! holy shit!”

“Quit your bitching and heal this already.”

A quick cast of Triage and Bo was back on his feet a little scorched, but no worse for wear.

In the coming weeks, Roden kept practicing his new spells becoming more familiar with their idiosyncrasies. When each member of the party had completed their individual training it came time to say goodbye to Bo. The four men shook hands warmly and Bo handed over a small flat stone the size of a smartphone.

“If yall ever need to get a hold of me, you just tap that there stone and say what you need to say. I’ll receive your message on this one” He said, holding up an identical stone.

“The same to you, cacaw.”

“If you ever need us, just say the word and we will be there.” Riakon’s voice heavy with the grief of leaving.

“We’ll see you round Bo.”

Bo nodded and the men walked off down the path. As the party walked out of sight Bo shook his head to himself.

“Fucking shitheads.” his grief stricken voice matched by eyes straining mightily to contain the impulse to shed a tear. For Bo knew those men are setting out into the thick of a dangerous world with minds set on making it better than they found it. No nobler path has ever been sought and no path has led more good men to their death or worse. He had hope for those boys. “fucking shitheads.”