The trio had all taken a quick nap. They were still recovering from the battle. Piper was concerned about Levi. He was new to this world, and she knew that killing and death were not as natural to that world as it was here. Internally, she wondered how he’d handled it.
“I remember my first kill,” Piper said as the group was packing up. “It shook me to my core. Being from a family of assassins you would think that it would be easy.”
“Was it not?” Levi asked.
“No,” Piper said. “I was a teenager. My dad sent Kai and me out to retrieve some green boar’s milk. They live in the forest on the eastern side of the city walls. The Ice Valley is the northern entrance. Entering the forest was incredible. It was my first time actually viewing it with magical senses, as I had finally reached the age where I was a magic user. The lush green let off a subtle mana; that’s how we hunted. The green boar only ate foliage that was magical.
Kai and I were searching for a couple of hours, when we were ambushed. A ranger and two hunters attacked us. They thought we were both non magic users because we were tracking without magic. It was a way not to scare the boar off.” She trailed off, thinking about the memory. “It was that day that I learned I needed to be stronger in this world; people will do whatever it takes to take advantage of others. Kai and I easily killed the three; he sat back and watched me kill one of the hunters solo. When we got home, my dad was SO proud.”
“I had a similar experience. I was out with my magic trainer when I was about Piper’s age,” Anna said. “We were attacked by a lowly robber. He had held a sword to my throat as I walked past a tree. He must not have known that all the princesses are magic users or perhaps he thought that I was like my sister. I conjured an orb of ice, and it went straight through his torso. Like Kai, my trainer sat back and watched what I would do. My father was ecstatic, my mother was angry.”
“Why are you both telling me this?” Levi asked.
“You killed some people since being here,” Piper said. “I’m not saying that they weren’t deserving to die, because they were. I just know that killing on your world is not common.”
“No,” Levi said. “Killing is common. Getting away or being praised for killing is not. What gets me is how easy it is to kill someone. The bandit, my first kill, was 2-stars ahead of me and yet I killed him. I don’t regret it one bit, he would have killed me. I don’t regret killing these asshole barbarians, either. My worry is that I will let this power and ability to kill get to my head. I was so angry when my dad was killed. I wanted nothing but revenge for that damned idiot who hit him. But I couldn’t. They never found him.”
“Good,” Piper said.
“What?” Levi asked, face twisting in anger.
“Levi, revenge will not bring your father back. Killing for revenge is a dangerous task.”
“But you both just told me stories of killing.”
“Yes,” Anna said. “As self-defense, they attacked us, so we put them in the ground. Going out of your way to kill someone is a lot different.”
“That’s why I didn’t want to be an assassin,” Piper added. “We get contracts to be the arbiter of revenge. I don’t want that life. I don’t want to kill people because someone else told me to. If I decide to take the life of another being, like today, then it’ll be because of my choice. These barbarians raped and killed these villagers. Then they attacked us, they had to die. That was my choice, and it’s a choice I would make 10 out 10 times.”
“Just so,” Anna said. I agree with Piper. I am not passive like my sisters. I like battling, conquering dungeons, and killing monsters. My father believes that because I chose the life of adventuring, I will follow his steps to becoming a ruler. He is mistaken. What we did today this is what I want to do. Whether it's monsters, creatures, beasts, or barbarians, I want to protect people. That means putting people or things in the ground. I will do it without question.”
Levi didn’t say anything for a moment. He sat silently contemplating the words that his two friends had just imparted to him. Levi didn’t want revenge because he knew he was powerless before. But now, he wasn’t. The stronger he grew, something inside of him was growing as well. A seed of revenge was growing in his heart, planting roots and spreading. Wanting him to find a way home, track down his dad’s killer, and get revenge. Levi hadn’t realized how much it had grown until now. He shook his head. That was not who Levi was. Then again, he didn’t know who he was.
He had spent so much of his adult life striving for nothing, having no goals, achieving nothing. He was just existing. He did feel good, however, doing what he did today. The killing was rough, but he was also killing by proxy. That was a lot easier to handle than the bandit.
“I did enjoy helping those people. That felt nice,” he finally said. “I’m with you, Anna. If that’s what adventuring is like, then let’s do it. I would love to see a dungeon that sends out proper monsters into the world, and we have to stop them.”
“We will soon,” Anna said.
“Thanks, y’all, I didn’t realize how strong that feeling of revenge was growing internally. Seriously thanks.”
Piper leaned in and kissed him on the cheek. “You did a good thing here. You should be proud of how much you helped these villagers. You went above and beyond.”
“I’ve never been good at accepting praise,” Levi said awkwardly.
“Well,” Piper said, laughing. “If you provide meals like you just did, you better get used to it.”
“I guess,” he said.
All packed they went into the village to find Gertrude. The villagers were surrounding their heroes. There was a chorus of gratitude’s and unwanted touching. Levi hated this, there was too much attention on him. He wanted to run away and let Anna and Piper deal with the crowd. He didn’t, he took a deep breath and kept walking through the crowd.
“Alright,” Gertrude’s voice said over the crowd. “Give em some space!” The villagers all listened and created a small circle around the trio. Next to Gertrude was a teenager. He was Levi’s height, had dark olive skin, braided dreads that went past his shoulders and a neat short beard. His physique was slightly more built than Levi. He looked just like the rest of the villagers. He wore a simple olive tunic with a belt that brandished a sword in a scabbard. “This is Victor.”
Victor gave a respectful bow to the three magic users in front of him. His dark eyes were giving a respectful yet assessing look. “Thank you for allowing me to join you on your journey.” His voice impossibly deep for a sixteen-year-old.
“Sure thing,” Levi said. “I’m Levi, that’s Piper and Anna.” Levi said pointing to each of his companions. “Are you all set?”
“Pleasure to meet you, I am.” he responded.
Levi gave a short nod to Gertrude and jumped onto Anza. There were three other drones waiting for the others to join the ride. Victor looked at the mimic and got on without hesitation. They departed from the small village and headed toward the gates of Arcross.
“So,” Anna said. “Victor, do you have an idea which guild you would like to join?”
“Yes ma’am,” he said respectfully. “I would like to be a summoner like Mr. Levi.”
“Are you okay with being a student on your own?” Anna asked.
“Yes ma’am. I will do what it takes to be a great helper for my village.”
“Very noble.”
“Where do we even purchase essences?” Levi asked.
“There is a trades hall on the other side of the guild district, we should go anyways, it’ll be good for you to check it out,” Piper said.
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“Cool,” Levi responded. The rest of the trip the girls talked to Victor who would reply respectfully. He never asked questions, only answered and only when he was spoken too. Levi spent the time reading the many notifications he had been ignoring for some time.
Enemies Defeated: Barbarian Warrior x4
2 Star x4
Loot: Barbarian Sword x2
Loot: 1000 copper coins
Loot: Wolf Mane
Loot: Saber Tooth Tiger Claw
Loot: Saber Tooth Tiger pelt
Barbarian Commander
3-star
Loot: Health Potion x4
Loot: Silver pieces x200, Copper Pieces x2000
Loot: Abyssal Anaconda Skin
Barbarian Leader
3-star
Loot: Familiar Essence
Loot: Magic Essence
Loot: Sword of the damned
Status: Progression Made
Plus 75 to Wisdom
Plus 41 to Vitality
Plus 25 to Stamina
Plus 7 to Speed
Plus 15 to Strength
Attributes Total: 833
Strength 90
Stamina 90
Speed 78
Vitality 150
Wisdom 425
Objective Secret 2 - Completed
You have discovered the letter from M. Veluvius. The letter is shrouded in mystery by discovering the letter you have learned that everything is not what it seems.
Reward: Summoner’s Robe - Triadic Kingdom
“Triadic Kingdom,” Levi said without noticing.
“Huh?” Piper asked.
“I got robes from the Triadic Kingdom, what is that?”
“It’s a kingdom of sky islands on the other side of the world. I’ve never been but I heard it was quite pretty.” Piper responded.
“Sky islands,” Levi said with wonderment. “Let’s go there!”
“We’d need a way to fly,” Anna said. “But I would like to visit there too.”
“Maybe I can get a flying familiar, that would be SICK!”
“We’d need a ship, Levi,” Anna said, chuckling. “That journey would be far too strenuous for a familiar.”
“A flying ship?” Levi said. “Wow! I can’t wait to see it.” The trio crossed the bridge, riding the drones. Once they got through the gates, they all dismounted the mimics and began walking. Anna led the party to the trades hall. The trades hall was like an indoor bazaar, lots of stalls, lots of noise and a lot of people. Pushing their way through the crowd they found someone who was selling a magic essence.
“Welcome, welcome, young adventurers! Are you interested in buy this magic essence?” the vendor said.
“We are,” Anna responded.
“Wonderful!” he exclaimed. “I have it for a steal of 7 platinum coins.”
“Seven?” Victor said aghast. That’s much more than I have. We were told a week ago it would be four platinum coins.”
“That was the price a week ago friend; magic users have come and purchased some so my stock is low.” He blatantly lied.
“How much are you buying an essence for?” Levi asked.
“I would buy one for 3 platinum coins, a bargain of a deal.” the vendor said.
“That seems like a total rip off,” Levi said.
“I cannot have someone scamming me, sir. What if you bought a magic essence from me a week ago for the four coins and I turned around and bought another for that same price what would I gain? Nothing,” he argued.
“That does make sense,” Victor conceded.
“Making sense doesn’t make it okay,” Anna shot back. “Come on, Victor let’s go.”
“Wait,” the vendor said. “I can sell for 6 platinum coins, is that better? I cannot go much lower than that!”
“No,” this time Levi spoke up. “You seem shady; I’d rather pay more money to those with integrity than give discounted money to those who are shady.”
“That is a stance you can take,” the vendor said, his tone harsh. This is not your money. What do you say? Do you want to be a magic user?” The vendor asked Victor directly. He pulled out the magic essence to entice Victor. It was a cube that radiated mana. It was light blue and shined brightly.
“I trust these people to make the best decision for me. Thank you, sir, but no thank you,” Victor said before they walked out. The party had spent the better part of two hours looking for another vendor who was selling a magic essence. Desperate, Victor wanted to go back to the original vendor and see if he could strike a deal to cover the coins he had currently. Victor was desperate to be a magic user.
“How many coins do you have?” Levi asked.
“I have 7 platinum coins,” Victor replied. “Remember, this is the lump sum of my entire village. I would like not to have spent it all.”
“Right,” Levi said. “Plus, you’ll need to save some for the guilds. I’ll tell you what,” Levi stopped walking. “I’ll sell this to you for three platinum coins because you need the money more than I do currently.”
“You have a magic essence?” Victor asked.
“You actually have one? I thought you were just talking nonsense. When did you get that?” Piper asked.
“I got it as a loot from the barbarian leader. It’s outrageous but I’m not complaining,” Levi said.
“Wow,” Anna said. “Were you going to sell it?”
“Not at all,” Levi said. “I was testing his character. What do you say Victor? One magic essence for three platinum coins?”
“That seems extremely generous,” Victor said. “I am not sure I can take it… you have done more than enough for me and my people.”
“And yet I keep offering you more. Tell me, Victor, what kind of person are you?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you a person who walks through life cautiously, not taking advantage of the gifts life gives you? Are you a person who steps in front of monsters to protect the one less powerful? Are you a person who takes opportunities that life gives and squanders it? Or are you a person who takes opportunities that life gives you and becomes a better person? I’ve been the former, I’ve been the person who squandered the opportunity. I’m trying to do better. I’m trying to right those wrongs. I’ve been given a second chance; this is your chance to do something to BE something better. Learn from my past mistakes and take advantage.”
Levi paused his rant and stopped to allow the young man to sit and think. Piper smiled. These past two days had shown something that Piper had always wondered. Who was the man behind the mask? Levi was strong, sure, but more so, his familiars were strong. Levi had to rely heavily on his companions to carry him through. That was obvious to everyone. What Piper had been wondering was who was Levi Winters? What kind of man do you have to be to warrant such a deep bond with such powerful entities? The crystal wisps, the mimic, the smoke spirit, and now an Avatar of the Void. They all had to have seen something to accept the familiar bond.
That was hidden from Anna and Levi, but the cracks were starting to show. Levi was kind. He was hurt by his past but was coming to terms that it was his fault and he had to live with it. He could never change how things were, but he could change how he was now. To Piper Levi was compassionate. He was someone who genuinely wanted to make an impact in the world. Whether it was from helping along this young man or feeding an entire village for no more reason than because he thought it was the right thing to do. But besides the compassion, the deep meaning to his goodness was the fact that he didn’t want to relive and make the same mistakes he had made previously. It was a path of vindication.
What Levi didn’t know and what Piper had learned: vindication can only happen when guilt and shame are no longer present. When the battle is inside, Levi has grown a lot, right in front of Piper’s eyes, no less. But he still had a lot to grow and learn. That would come in due time she was sure of it. Moments, especially ones like today, will hopefully cause deeper reflection in understanding his past and forgiving himself for the mistakes he has made. She and Anna would do what they could, but it was largely up to Levi.
Leaving her train of thinking, she looked at the young man deep in contemplation. She watched as he pulled three small coins that shimmered in the sunshine.
“Okay,” Victor said. “Deal.” Levi took out the magic essence and handed it to Victor, who in turn, gave Levi the coins. Levi took a coin and handed one to each Piper and Anna.
“What is this for?” Anna asked.
“Your cut from the loot from the barbarian boss,” Levi said.
“I didn’t fight in that battle,” Anna said. “Take it back.”
“No take backsy sorry,” Levi said. “I don’t make the rules.” He shrugged and walked off towards the guild district.
“What,” Anna said. “You most certainly do!! Get back here!” Levi had sprinted off laughing like a child. Victor looked after them in confusion; Piper smiled and waved him on. They started running through the city.