Awareness slowly trickled back into my unconscious mind. It felt like I had been oblivious, roaming an unending field of darkness, for an untold number of days. The oppression pressing down on my thoughts was finally beginning to lift. At first, it was like an ocean’s worth of water crushing me from all directions, with bits of consciousness slipping past at the pace of a trickling tap. No matter how hard I tried, my eyelids felt glued shut. All nearby sound, something I was only now beginning to hear, was too muffled to comprehend. It was as if everything my ears could detect were behind a mile of sound-dampening fabric.
The feeling of being completely drained was overwhelming. I feared never regaining the strength to move so much as a finger. My thoughts moved at a sludge pace, coherent ideas splattering against hard surfaces. One thing breached the molasses wolfing at my consciousness though. It was a soft feminine voice.
It was Stella. I knew her name and her voice was achingly distant yet ever-tugging at the dim recesses of my mind. She was calling my name, but… what was my name?
Though her words had no meaning I could hold on to, the intent was clear, even in my addled state. Stella was calling me back from the extreme depths overwhelming my awareness—bit by bit, flashes of images from recent events sliced at the edge of my consciousness. There had been a fierce battle and great loss.
I lost the memory as another wave of blackness crashed over me.
“Xaz,” the voice called out again an untold time later. “Xaz…”
That was me, my name! Like attempting to lift a hundred-pound weight holding my eyes shut, I tried with all my might to force them open. There, was a flash of red and a black shape hovering close to my face. It was Stella, her long snout and ebony face creased with worry, with apprehension. Yet, as my eyes slowly peeled open, those emotions turned to relief, to joy. My lips moved to speak, though all I could do was burble a few incoherent sounds.
“That’s it,” my friend’s void gently called out, hoping against hope to pull me through a fathomless depth and back into awareness. “You’re okay, Xaz. Come back to us.”
The feeling of cold, unyielding, jagged force pressed into my back. It sapped at my body’s warmth. It was hard stone. My thoughts aligned enough for me to recall the last few moments of desperate struggle against dwarven foes, and the despair of the life of a noble friend passing into an unending night of his own.
“Stella,” I mumbled, finally able to move my lips and breathe enough to form a single word. Darkness threatened to pull me back, as if I had spent a lifetime locked away in a dungeon not willing to let me go. I centered myself, my thoughts demanding me to be released. The icy fingers of oblivion retreated.
I only had a single concern, a question needing to be answered. “Is Tallos… alive?”
Stella responded and hope was rekindled. “Tallos is alive.”
A long breath escaped my lips as a wave of relief flooded through me. My friend had survived. My distressed attempt had succeeded, somehow. Whatever I did in those last few seconds, before blackness took hold, had been enough.
Long moments passed before I could keep my eyes open. Stella had been saying something, but I had not been able to concentrate enough to comprehend her words. Her worried face softened as my gaze focused on her once more. “It’s okay,” she said. “Take your time getting your bearings. When you’re ready, I’ll let you know what’s happened.”
“How long have I been out,” I asked, my words seeming to be dripping with hardening maple syrup.
“You’ve been out for half a day,” Stella replied. “Tallos is still unconscious though.”
Half a day, I supposed it wasn’t too bad, all things considered. From my perspective, it felt far longer so hearing it was 12 hours or so I could deal with. Tallos’ condition concerned me, though Stella had no apprehension when she relayed the information so I didn’t press the matter. Strength was slowly filling my limbs and I was able to begin moving my fingers and toes, albeit with great effort. Something in the corner of my vision was blinking, attempting to grab my attention, though I didn’t have the mental fortitude to pull up anything yet.
Stella’s calm expression dominated my vision as she hovered close to my face. It was as if she was trying to peer into my eyes to verify how alert I was. She realized that I realized how close she was, so smiled lightheartedly before floating a short distance away. An armored skeletal body at the edge of my vision had me turning my head in its direction. Ripley was standing there, sword hanging from her belt sheath and her kite shield resting across her back. She had been reconstituted while I had been out of it, her thick corded bands of dark energy hinting underneath her plate armor. Her gaze moved across the room, back and forth, ever wary of potential threats.
No, we were not in a room, I realized. We were in a cave passageway, a red glow glinting off roughly hewn rocky surfaces. My mind tried to comprehend the meaning of the wavering flickers of ruby-tinted light. Where we last were, the elite dwarven room, there had not been any magma fissures. The last time we saw hints of the flowing lava was back in the gigantic mushroom cavern and the tunnels leading up to it. I propped myself to my elbows and sought to make sense of my surroundings.
Lowki came into view as I turned my head back and forth, looking for any clues to where we were. The large panther, his barbed tentacles undulating around him lazily, was facing the opposite tunnel Ripley’s raptor-like gaze guarded. Looking back to my skeletal minion, I noticed Tallos’ unmoving form at her feet, resting against the cave wall. His eyes were closed and his chest inflated at regular intervals.
Stella had followed my gaze and spoke up. “Ripley has been carrying the two of you over her shoulder since we left the dwarf command room. When we noticed you were coming around, she laid you both on the floor.”
“Why did we leave,” I asked, my grogginess fully dispelled, though I still struggled to command my lower torso to move properly. Slowly, but surely, I would be walking upright in no time. “I thought we defeated them all?”
“We did. All three were dispatched, though when you didn’t wake right away, we worried about reinforcements showing up,” she replied, her eyes downcast, with a concerned look across her canine features. “When Ripley was re-summoned, I had her check out the only other door in the room. We needed to know where it led. It opened to one of the travel node rooms and nothing else. The silvern was pitch black, so we knew the teleportation couldn’t be used. Sadly, we had no idea how long it would be down, but it posed a risk if it turned back on before you woke. I thought it was too much of a risk to leave it alone while you and Tallos were down.”
She shuffled her feet side to side in the air before sitting down. Nothing was underneath her but air which always amazed me.
“You did the right thing,” I said in an attempt to relieve the tension. She was worried I might be upset with what she did. “We knew more dwarves were going to show up and it would have been too much of a risk to leave it there while only you, Ripley, and Lowki were around.”
At the thought of Lowki, I turned his way again. The last I saw him, his back legs had been horribly wounded and he had to drag himself across carpeting to finish off the dwarf wizard. Looking at him now though, Lowki looked to be a full health. Not so much as a drop of blood stained his dark fur.
Glancing at the party window, Lowki’s health pool was completely full, and not a single debuff was indicated there. Before passing out, he certainly had some broken, or even shattered, legs. “I’m glad you’re looking better, Lowki,” I said to the magnificent cat. “Thanks for helping finish off that bastard of a wizard.”
Lowki grinned razor-sharp alabaster teeth in response. Had I not known the panther so well, it may have been intimidating, but I found it endearing. I returned my attention to Stella as I sought more information as to what she and Ripley did after finding another node room. “So, did you do like we talked about? Did you set off those explosive ballista bolt things?”
“We did,” Stella replied, confidence once more returning to her previously uncertain face. “Even though you were unconscious, I still had access to your inventory. With my guidance, Ripley wrapped the travel node column with a good amount of the stuff and we rigged up a simple fuse. We were plenty far away when it detonated.”
Stella continued without missing a beat, “And, before you ask, we looted everything we could from the three dwarves, even those crates lining part of the room. We can look at what we picked up later, but for now, we should reactivate the transport node just over there and get back to the city. Something about what Buram said worries me. It was as if he wasn’t concerned when we lied about destroying the node connecting to the silver mine under Mammoth. If you recall, he said something about having more than one node as an avenue to use against the city.”
You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.
“Yeah, I remember that,” I said with a large exhale. “Maybe he was bluffing like we were, but we shouldn’t tarry any longer. We need to get back and warn the city. You and Ripley did the right thing. Thank you.”
My thoughts returned to Tallos. He didn’t so much as twitch a muscle since I noticed him. “Any idea when he’ll wake up?”
“He has a comatose debuff,” Stella replied as she shifted in the air. My eyes shot to the party interface one more and confirmed a debuff was beside his nameplate. Stella’s apprehensive expression returned as continued. “There’s no timer on it so we have no way of knowing when he’ll wake.”
“Will he?” I asked, my words etched heavy with dread. If I only saved his life to leave him in a vegetative state… I couldn’t bear the thought.
“I believe he will, it will simply take some time,” Stella replied before turning her gaze back to me. “What you did back there… nothing like that, to my knowledge, should be possible in starter worlds. It could be something available in later words, but it's unheard of. I’m glad Tallos is alive, don’t get me wrong, but what you did shouldn’t have worked.”
Stella waved a paw in the air and a notification I had only partially seen before passing out reappeared.
Congratulations! New Spell Unlocked: [Revivification]!
[Revivification]. Calling upon every available drop of magical strength, the caster is able to return the recently deceased target to life. The power necessary to cast this spell goes well beyond any normal spell casting. Once used, the caster will have the ability to cast spells locked out a period of twenty-four hours as the caster’s core replenishes itself. Additionally, casting this spell will cause the caster to fall into a comatose state for twelve hours as a result of their core being completely drained. Cost: 100% of the caster’s available mana, minimum 5,000 mana. Cast Time: 60 seconds. Cool down: 7 days. Every five spell levels reduces the comatose state by 1 hour and forty-three minutes, and spell lock-out time by 3 hours.
Note - The likelihood of the recently deceased returning to life through the use of this spell decreases as more time passes from the moment of death, starting at a 100% if cast within the first minute, and decreasing by 15% each additional minute thereafter.
“Well, that explains a few things,” I said after reading the message several times over. “No spells for twenty-four hours hurts, but I won’t be complaining since it brought Tallos back. This spell leaves me and whoever it’s used on in a very vulnerable state for a significantly long time, so it’s not something to be used unless we’re in a completely safe area.”
“I doubt we’ll find ourselves someone ‘completely safe’ if the need arises to use this spell,” Stella said as she floated over to check on our elven friend’s condition. Tallos was breathing slowly as if merely sleeping. “It also needs to be used as quickly as possible, otherwise the odds of it working plummet with each passing minute. Still, I’m glad the System responded to your… Well, whatever you did. Tallos wouldn’t be here otherwise. I had thought we had lost him forever, but you brought him back.”
“Let’s actually get us somewhere safe,” I said, eyeing the tunnel around us. We were in the wide lava tubes back from when we first teleported to this area many hours ago. The flickering glow washing the area in red seemed contradictory to the oppressive heat once more wafting around us. The subway-like tunnel we rested in was stiflingly hot, causing sweat to run profusely down my skin.
“Can I even activate the first node if I don’t have access to my spells?” I asked as returned to my full height. A thin layer of blackish residue clung to my clothes, so I worked to brush myself off. I was a bit wobbly at first, but with each second my sense of balance grew stronger.
“You can,” Stella replied as she looked to Ripley before nodding at her. Our tall friend bent low and picked up the unconscious Tallos, gently guiding his limp body to lay over her shoulder. “It only requires mana to activate, which you have plenty of thanks to your normal regeneration.”
“Let’s get out of here then,” I said before leading our group down the short side passage to the densely packed node room. Walking into the spherical room, as expected, we found it blazing with silvery light which marked it ready for use. The previously overbearing heat vanished as if it never existed. Without waiting another moment, I placed a hand on the glowing pillar and willed it to activate.
Would you like to activate this travel junction at the cost of 1,851 mana? Yes/No.
Note – When used, this junction cannot be activated again for six hours as the conduit recharges.
Selecting ‘yes,’ a rush of magic flowed out from my core, through my palm, and into the silver column. The only difference this time was a slight bit of pain that shot through me, though I attributed it to not having access to spells. Still, as fast as a blinking eye, I found myself standing in a nearly identical room. I was back in the silver mine under the city of Mammoth.
Pausing a moment, I cringed while waiting for a slight tremor of the earth, or a hint of an explosion, which could signify an attack on the city far over our heads. Hoping against hope, I strained my ears. Thankfully, nothing but the soft hum from the silvern around me could be detected. Perhaps we were too deep to hear anything, I mused internally. Hopefully, the dwarven leader had been overplaying his hand and there was no other way for them to attack the city.
Stella journeyed with me through the silvern node riding atop my shoulder and Ripley, Tallos slung over her shoulder, appeared a moment later. Lowki appeared another after that to crouch beside us. We all shared a look, silently confirming everyone was ready to carry on. We exited the small chamber, returning to the silvery-lit tunnels. Using my map interface, I guided us along the correct path back to the surface.
No one spoke so after several minutes we trudged on. Finally, I allowed the blinking notifications to appear in my vision. We had some time before we reached the surface so maybe I had gained another level which could help if there was a whirlwind of a battle raging miles above our heads.
Experience Awarded: Silvern Priest of Gias (Level 30)
Experience Awarded: Stonehammer Battlelord (Level 30 – Elite Boss)
Experience Awarded: Brimstone Magus (Level 30)
Quest Update – “Mystery in the Mines.”
Objective One: Secure the release of Mage Marrek. COMPLETED.
Objective Two: Investigate the local silver mine and identify the cause of villager Corm’s demise. COMPLETED
Objective Three: Eliminate the Subversive Silvern Dwarf threat posed to strike against the citizens of Mammoth. 46 of 46. COMPLETED.
Objective Four: (Revealed) Finish off the remaining Silvern Dwarf leadership. 3 of 3. COMPLETED
Objective Five: (Uncovered) Eliminate the Silvern Dwarf’s ability to wage a surprise raid against the city of Mammoth. Destroy Silvern Travel Node, 1 of 1. COMPLETED
Rewards: Variable. Experience, at least one rare magical item, and a significant increase in reputation.
Calculating rewards, please stand by…
Notice! Quest rewards have been increased for having a party size substantially smaller and an average of 7 levels lower than the enemy force.
You have earned 22,500 experience (Base 15,000).
Congratulations! You have earned an additional quest reward, plus 25 to all attributes.
Dexterity Threshold Reached (50). Benefits: Plus 14% increased accuracy with all ranged attacks (including spells), skills, and abilities (up from 10%). Plus 7% chance to score a critical hit, attack speed, and ability to dodge incoming attacks (up from 5%).
Constitution Threshold Reached (100). Effect(s): Each new point into Constitution now grants 35 health (up from 30).
Intelligence Threshold Reached (250). Benefits: Each new point into intelligence now grants 50 mana (up from 35).
Charisma Threshold Reached (100). Benefits: Non-hostile creatures and people are 20% more likely to offer a hidden quest or divulge additional information during interactions (up from 15%). You are also 20% more likely to persuade someone during those conversations (up from 15%)
Congratulations! You have earned an ‘Epic’ reward appropriate to your skills and/or class. This item has automatically been added to your inventory.
Your reputation with the city, Mammoth, has substantially increased for eliminating the dire threat the Silvern Dwarves represented.
Level Up! You have earned enough experience to advance to level 23. Tier 3 class characteristic attributes have been applied. You have 7 attribute points to distribute. Fight well, Hunter!
As a Wraith, please know you will be able to choose a new skill or spell when you reach level 24, level 26, and level 28. When level 30 is achieved, your tier 4 class will become available.
Notice! Skill and Spell increase messages have been condensed.
Skill: [Axes] has increased to level 18. Spell: [Lesser Boil Blood] has increased to level 17. Spell: [Lesser Soul Leech] has increased to level 16. Spell: [Lesser Necrotic Aura] (Pet) has increased to 15. Skill: [Dual Cast] has increased to level 15. Spell: [Lesser Arrested Affliction] has increased to level 15. Spell: [Lesser Fireball] has increased to level 14. Spell: [Chained Lightning] has increased to level 14. Spell: [Undeath] has increased to level 13. Skill: [Quick Cast] has increased to level 13. Spell: [Lesser Ignite Bones] has increased to level 13. Spell: [Lesser Poisoned Breath] has increased to level 12. Spell: [Lesser Wyvern Sting] has increased to level 12. Skill: [Roaring Sweep] has increased to level 12. Skill: [Firearms] has increased to level 11. Spell: [Lesser Cure Poison, Corruption, and Disease] has increased to level 8. Spell: [Lesser Invoke Terror] has increased to level 8. Spell: [Shadows of the Void] has increased to level 8. Skill: [Channeling] has increased to level 8.
It took me several long minutes to get through all the System notifications. The changes were massive, further enhancing both my survivability and abilities. Nearly every single skill and spell had jumped several levels each.
What caught my attention most of all, however, was the ‘epic’ item awarded. The only other epic items I had were my incredible axe, Frostrend, and my remarkable flintlock pistol. With trepidation and high hopes, I peered into my inventory screen and sorted the items by rarity. There it was.
“Wait. What?” I asked, my voice laced with bewilderment. “Is this a... mask?”
Stella chuckled for what felt like the first time, in a very long time.