His words made me pause. What purpose would a mentor serve? Training or guidance? Before I could ask, the liaison continued. "As you were sleeping and we were unable to rouse you, you are the last to choose. Under normal circumstances, this could be a disadvantage. However, your unique title has left you with many volunteers, you are very lucky."
"Title? What, did I unknowingly win the 'Most Likely to Get Kidnapped to Another Dimension' award? Do I get a plaque for that, or is it just the undying confusion?"
His only response was a cryptic smile. "You will see it when your HUD is activated after you select your class," he replied. The finality in his tone told me it was not a topic open for discussion.
As the room fell into an expectant silence, the liaison began to introduce the potential mentors. With each introduction, a portfolio was placed in front of me, detailing their class, stats, and their skills. I was reminded of a show my girlfriend watched on Earth. “Do you have any roses?” I asked with a grin I only had to force a little. “No? Okay, I guess I can just nod solemnly."
The first portfolio was titled Brutus 'The Wall'. A hulking figure stared back at me from the page. His features were like chiseled stone. His class was labeled as Warrior, a master of protection. With his extensive knowledge of defense strategies and battlefield tactics, he could offer invaluable advice on surviving the deadly games of the arena.
Next was Elyria. The image showed a woman with an ethereal grace, her eyes filled with an ancient wisdom. She was a Bard, a master of manipulating magic through song. Her skills could provide insights into the arcane aspects of the system, giving me an edge in controlling the mystical energies that seemed to pervade this world.
Thane was next, his portfolio showed a man of lean muscle, his face marked by countless scars. As a Rogue, he specialized in swift, devastating attacks. His experience as a veteran gladiator could provide me with a deep understanding of the finesse required in combat, teaching me to strike quickly and retreat before retaliation.
The fourth option was Aurora. Her image depicted a serene woman surrounded by an aura of warm light. As a Druid, she had the power to harness the energies of nature and the sun. Her knowledge could provide a well-rounded understanding of the many aspects of this world, teaching me to heal, harm, and manipulate the environment to my advantage.
The last portfolio introduced Korrok. His image was a different from the others. A figure of raw power and intimidating presence, he was an Abyssal Marauder. His understanding of the abyss and its brutal forces could offer me an insight into the raw power of this world, giving me the knowledge needed to wield such a force effectively.
Each mentor presented a different path, a unique perspective on the world I was forced into. It was a choice that could potentially shape my destiny in the games to come. And I knew I had to make this decision carefully for my girlfriend, our child, and the hope of a future we could call our own.
I felt my brows furrow as I considered my options, each portfolio promised a unique path. It was a decision weighted with implications I was not yet equipped to comprehend, the ramifications of my choice echoing far beyond my understanding. I know what Freud would say, which one looks most like his mum. That won’t help…
Brutus, the Warrior, held appeal in his strength and resilience. In a world as ruthless as this one, having an unyielding force as a guide could prove advantageous. However, his focus on defense also suggested a reactive rather than proactive strategy. Would I be always defending, rather than striking out on my own? I pondered choosing him aloud, "Brutus 'The Wall'? Sounds like he's compensating for something. Freud would have had questions about his relationship with his mother."
Thane, the Rogue, promised agility and swift attacks. His way of fighting appealed to me, the finesse of his combat style matching my own dexterity. Yet, the scars marring his visage hinted at the dangers of such a path. How many times had he danced too close to the edge of defeat? The other downside was he seemed more like a hit-first, ask-questions, never sort of guy. I’m not sure I need that energy in my life. With all the negative energy I feel already due to my new life situation, might lead me down a bad path…
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Aurora, the Druid, offered a balanced approach with her knowledge of both offensive and defensive magics. Her ability to harness the power of nature and the sun could prove beneficial in unexpected ways. But her class also seemed to require a deep understanding of magic, a domain I was a stranger to. On the downside, I was raised a certain way, and a Druid that doesn’t shape shift just ain’t right. Hard pass then.
Two names stood out from the rest, each for their distinct reasons.
Korrok, the Abyssal Marauder, intrigued me. The raw power he commanded, his command over the elements and his vast experience, all hinted at a wealth of knowledge waiting to be unearthed. The brutality he embodied, however, gave me pause. Was I ready to embrace such savagery? Was I prepared for the potential cost of such power? Also I did not like the sound of the abyss. We did not have that on Earth, I’m not sure how much I could psychoanalyze an abyss, ‘tell me about your mother?’ That’s not a conversation that would go well for anybody.
Elyria, the bard, offered a different allure. Every game I'd played in the past had bards who knew their world inside out. Their songs and stories were not just entertainment but carried the wisdom of ages, the lore of their world. Elyria's expertise could help me decipher the arcane aspects of this place. Yet, her class seemed to depend heavily on charisma, a trait I was confident of but not certain could be my leading attribute in a deadly combat scenario. Plus, she played the guitar and the lute. The lute? Hmm that’s a plus I guess, although nothing says 'fear me' like a serenade… Unless it's 'The Rains of Castamere.' Then you run.
As the weight of the decision bore down on me, I looked up at the liaison, hoping for a hint of guidance in his impassive face. "Before I make a choice that lands me in more trouble, how about you spill the beans on Korrok and Elyria? Preferably, stuff not covered in the brochure err, tablet. Can you provide that?"
The liaison responded quickly, "Oh, we can do better than that," and Korrok entered soon after. As the liaison spun the tale of Korrok, my eyes couldn't help but be drawn to the figure before me. The hardened warrior was like a living monument, his stony exterior etched with the struggle of survival, the fight against an unforgiving world. His race literally was called Stone Dwarf, and it showed.
His muscles rippled beneath the rough stone-like skin, speaking of a raw, primal power that seemed almost at odds with the calm wisdom gleaming in his obsidian eyes. The sense of intimidation was strong, yes, but it was interlaced with a kind of solemn respect. Here was a man who had stared into the maw of the Abyss and emerged stronger.
As the story unfolded, I found myself leaning in, my earlier anxiety temporarily forgotten. The tale of Korrok was one of survival against all odds, of a strength borne of necessity, and a heart that never succumbed to the harshness of its environment. His home, Stalog, was a testament to resilience, a parable of endurance carved into the desert sands.
The Abyss. The chaotic realm that had offered Korrok his power, that had made him an Abyssal Marauder. The thought sent a shiver down my spine. I was no stranger to the concept of chaos, but to harness it into raw power was something else entirely. The risk was immense, the control it required must be immense. Yet, Korrok had not only accepted this power but seemed to wield it with a sense of honor and purpose.
His dream, a vision of a green Stalog, was both poignant and inspiring. The idea that this rugged warrior yearned for the laughter of children, for a world where survival was not the sole purpose of existence, struck a chord within me. It was a goal I could empathize with, a vision I found myself unexpectedly sharing.
The journey ahead promised to be full of challenges, but as I looked at Korrok, I couldn't help but feel a spark of determination ignite within me. His spirit, his unwavering resolve, they echoed the strength I aspired to possess. The tremors of the Abyss, the beacon in the dark, they were signs of a path I might walk, should I choose him as my mentor.
Yet, there was still one more mentor to meet. Elyria. With a final look at the stoic Korrok, I turned back to the liaison, my gaze steady. "I understand Korrok better now," I said, my voice echoing in the silence that had fallen over the room. "Tell me about Elyria the Bard."
Elyria's arrival shifted the room's atmosphere palpably. The somber, powerful aura of Korrok had dissolved, replaced by a melody of light, life, and laughter personified in the woman standing before me.