Every stone shined a pearly white and each, both large and small fit together seamlessly. More than two stories tall, the entrance was larger than the dining hall at the orphanage. Through the open doors a bell pull could be seen. Its purpose clear to all who heard it ring so many years ago. Everything within eyesight was perfect as if the church itself was repelling the very dirt around it. This building was plainly built using a skill. Many skills and spells in fact. It was beautiful but terrifying.
Maybe not terrifying for everyone, but to Toby, who could vaguely see people coming and going from the church, it was. The daze he was in most likely caused by him refusing to come near this building and deal with his feelings for ten years. How could he walk back into a place tied so closely to his pain. The last time he had seen his dad was right there on the steps. The last time his family had been whole was inside those doors.
"Tobias, Tobias" A gentle tone and a hand on his shoulder broke through his fog. Toby's focus pulled from painful memories and the building in front of him, he was able to clearly see the middle-aged man standing before him. Somewhere in his fifties with grey hair and beard, five and a half foot tall on a good day, a thin kind face, and wearing an expensive clean white robe. "There you are Tobias. I know today can't be easy. Many of your friends and peers have struggled to walk through these doors the last few years and I can only imagine how much harder it can be for you on the anniversary of such a tragic day. But please follow me and I will do my best to help you too. Once you step inside, we can help you feel the true blessings of Lodes, The God of Light. Come, we will lift the burden from your heart and then we can join the others at the Gods Stone."
"The Gods Stone?" Toby asked before he could stop himself.
The man gazed at Toby with a knowing look. "Yes, the Gods Stone. It is how we of the faith refer to what you call the class stone. My name is Father Gregory, I am the Keeper of this church and Priest of the Supreme God of Light, Lodes. He who grants us the strength to both heal and defend others. Now come, everyone else is already here and waiting. We don't want to be late, do we?"
Late? Toby took a moment to look around. This time focusing on the sky above. It was no longer sunrise. He must have been standing in front of the church for at least an hour. Not for the first time he found the hours had escaped him do to his focus on the past. Before getting caught up in thoughts and feelings again Toby felt himself take a step forward, and then another. Looking to his right he saw Father Gregory walking with him, silently guiding him with his hand never having left his shoulder. But Father Gregory's wasn't the only guiding hand he felt, Toby could feel that same comforting hand on his other shoulder as well. Glancing to his left he abruptly stopped, causing Father Gregory to stumble at the unexpected change. There was no one there, no guiding presence, but instead it was his mark. His mark wasn't guiding him like Father Gregory had been. It was being drawn toward the church.
"I'm sorry Father, I thought I saw something. It's fine now, should we continue?" Unsure of what else to do Toby began to walk forward again. This time he did so with his head up and shoulders back. The last thing he wanted was to draw attention to the mark on his shoulder. The people at the orphanage thought it was just a birth mark or a souvenir from that day, but someone here might know what is really was. What would it mean for him if others knew about his mark? He wasn't ready to find out.
If Father Gregory was fazed at all by Toby's change in demeanor, he didn't show it. He fell back into step with him and once again placed that reassuring hand on his shoulder. Letting his newfound confidence guide him Toby took no time at all to make it up the steps and into the church. Toby wasn't sure where to go next, so he relinquished himself to Father Gregory's guidance. They walked right to the middle of the room, a large metal shield held aloft by a stone hand coming right out of the ground. Embossed on the shield was a shining star and nothing else. That plain metal shield with its single star seemed to carry with is an immense weight.
"This shield is the symbol of my God. It is not as grand as the ones you may see in the larger cities or the capitol. It is only made from pure steel with a touch of paint applied using a craftsman's magic. There is no gold, silver, or mithril here. But I believe it speaks true to Lodes' expectations for us. To be a stout defender and healing light for any in need of our help." For a humble man, the pride in Father Gregory's voice was clear. He was truly a believer in both his God and mission in life. "If ever you are in need of help you need only ask, and I will do my best to provide. Now come we must get you to the Gods Stone. The others are waiting."
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Toby found himself being led to the far back of the church where a less auspicious door stood open. Murmuring could be heard from the other side when one voice rose up above the others. "Dad are we really going to be stuck waiting here all day? I mean what is taking them so long?" Toby knew that voice and he cringed remembering they shared a birthday. Father Gregory gently nudged him into the room first and then made his own way through the small crowd and up to the Class Stone.
"Naturally, another urchin who doesn't seem to know the importance of time. Some of us have important business to attend to. Do you have a reason for making your betters wait?" A large burly bear of a man said. Making his way toward Toby he was brought up short by a pointed cough behind him.
Father Gregory hadn't moved, and he didn't raise his voice, but he made himself and his feelings known. "Guards Captain Bahil please stand down. I meant no disrespect by being late, but I felt it prudent I give young Tobias here a tour of the church." Extra emphasis was placed on the word church.
"My apologies Father." Bahil snapped to attention, answering Father Gregory with sincerity. The respect for him and the church on full display.
"Dad why is an orphan being allowed to be here why I receive my class. Make him leave." That spoiled voice rang out above all else again. There was no question being asked. Only a demand.
"Jasum Dirsk, you will show respect for all in my church or find yourself removed from my presence." All kindness was gone from Father Gregory's voice. "Smith Dirsk I ask that young Jasum follow the edicts of Lobes, or he may find himself the first to not receive a class in the history of Koerin."
Toby just stood there watching as the man who was obviously Smith Dirsk placed a large hand on his son's shoulders. That hand may have been the only thing stopping Jasum, who was red and vibrating with anger.
"Let us begin. Lodes, God of Light, and Torchbearer to the Alliance of five, watch over these two young men as they receive your blessings. Jasum Dirsk please step forward and place your right hand on the God's Stone." Jasum stepped forward touched the stone and within only a few seconds he stepped away with a large smile on his face.
Toby barely had the chance to think something went wrong before Father Gregory started to speak again. "Congratulations, let us welcome Mage Jasum, level 5. Jasum, you have been blessed with an uncommon class. It comes with a responsibility to protect. Please carry this burden and prove you are worthy of the Blessings of Irtuna, Goddess of magic."
As applause and congratulations started Toby's stomach twisted. He already had a class, but he still couldn't help but be afraid. He wasn't afraid of the stone or the ceremony, but of what would come next. What would happen next?
"Tobias Guardson please step forward and place your right hand on the God's Stone."
Toby placed his right hand on the stone and the world went black.
A resounding yet gentle voice spoke. "Class Arcane Knight found. Presented class Knight unlocked. Level up, Level up, Level up...... Level up. Level 11 reached. Attributes earned: 11 Strength, 11 Intelligence, 11 Wisdom, 11 Unallocated."
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Status
Name: Tobias Guardson
Race: Human
Age: 15
Class: Arcane Knight (Hidden) expand
Class: Knight
Level: 11
Experience (XP): 48,200/210,000
Health: 300/300
Mana: 1600/1600
Attributes:
Strength: 26
Agility: 11
Endurance: 12
Perception: 13
Intelligence: 26
Wisdom: 26
Luck: 18 (Locked)
Spells: Heal 2 / Arcane Haste 1
General Skills: Expand
Combat Skills: Expand
Armor Stats:
Weapon Stats:
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