“This is boring.” Brook whined from the top of the wall near to where Autumn and I sat together enjoying the warm sun and a cool breeze ruffling our fur. “I’m a fox in a magical world with dragons and skills, and yet we’re just sitting here! Where is the exciting magic? Where are the epic battles and training montages?”
“We’ve not even been here two days.” I said. “Relax. You sound like you’re twelve.”
She let out a deep sigh. “I just want to meet a dragon or something.”
“Assuming you could find one.”
“Carmen!” Brook yelled over her shoulder. “Are there any dragons around?”
“There are some in the mountains. They aren’t called ‘Horns of the Dragon’ for nothing!” Carmen called back.
“See?” Brook gave me a smirk. “I’m going to introduce myself to one and learn some proper magic.”
“Or you’ll just get eaten alive.” I said.
“I bet Dragons are lonely and just want someone to talk to.” My sister said. “You’ll be jealous when I have a dragon friend.”
I rolled my eyes, deciding not to justify that with a response.
From our vantage point atop the wall, we were able to see the several other plateaus rising above the nearby forests, each dotted with the crumbling remains of the ancient city. Far to the north, dramatic peaks jutted out above the sea of rolling foothills. Smoke rose from a distant valley to linger amongst the peaks before drifting east with the wind. I wondered what caused it.
“What about the ramp up to the plateau?” Autumn asked me after Brook had gotten bored and scurried off, leaving us sitting alone atop the wall. “Do you think a dragon could have broken and burnt the stone? Maybe they destroyed the city.”
I shrugged. “If that were the case, Rain probably would have said so. It doesn’t really explain the rest of the empire.”
“It’s also strange that most of the buildings in the city seem to have been made from the same enchanted stone. It seems odd to spend resources on that. I wonder if it was necessary to protect the dwellings from something.”
“Like dragonfire?” I asked.
“Maybe.”
“What do you think about paths?” I asked, changing the subject. “Have you made a decision?”
Autumn shook her head. “No, but it seems like you have an idea.”
“I was just thinking about Dean, Gretchen, and the others.” I said. “I don’t know how soon this expedition plans to return to civilization, but we have half a continent between us and the nearest city.”
“You want to take a combat path.”
“Is there any other way to gain levels and experience quickly enough?”
“I’m sure we have time.” Autumn said, glancing out over the endless sea of rolling green hills. “Don’t mold your entire self around a single promise.”
“I know.” I said. But I refuse to be left behind while the rest of you run off exploring the world. That wasn’t the only problem though.
“I feel like Earth and Rain are pushing this on us too quickly. How can I decide my life in a day?” I continued.
“Your path can be changed later.” Autumn pointed out. “But I know what you mean.”
**********
At my sister’s insistence we left the wall to wander the ruins with Carmen and to check in with the other groups investigating the rubble for signs of magic. None of the mages found or sensed working magic, but Rain was adamant about excavating the rubble sooner rather than later.
While touring the top of the plateau, we found ourselves next to the last group examining a rune-covered stone obelisk that rose some thirty feet above the ground near the top of the ramp. It had a twin nearby, but this one had been knocked over long ago and was now half buried in the earth. Melwyn, the elven mage, was busy sketching it while chatting to Beth and another from the expedition.
“Thorn mentioned four fundamental magics earlier. What did she mean?” I asked Carmen. Some time later. We stood next to Melwyn, Beth, and another expedition member while they examined a rune-covered stone pillar rising some thirty feet from the ground near the top of the stairs.
“Inscription, ritual magic, casted magic, and skills.” Carmen explained. “Inscription solely utilizes runes to direct magic. Casted magic requires the user to channel magic to get the desired effect. Ritual magic is a combination of both casting and inscription. Skills are different from the other three in that they are sourced from your path or species, and just work without any practice, or setup.”
The healer waved his hand in example and the familiar orb of light appeared above his hand.
“This is casted magic. It’s something anyone can learn if they have the right affinity for the spell.”
“What do you think is the most useful?” I asked.
Carmen shrugged. “They all have their uses. Skills are granted by paths and are the fastest to use, but do only one thing. Casting is more versatile but is still limited in complexity and efficiency. Ritual magics give powerful, complex, effects, but are often time consuming to set up and require a mage to direct them. Inscriptions can produce lasting repeatable effects without a mage’s input, but require even more setup and are limited in efficiency and scope by the materials used and skill of the inscriptionist.”
“Do you have any you would recommend?” I asked.
Carmen shrugged. “Depends what you want to accomplish, but if you plan on learning magic, you should focus on one of the three. Path skills will come naturally depending on what you choose.”
**********
Twenty minutes later the thirteen of us walked down the broken ramp with notebooks safely stored in leather pouches. Autumn’s arms were full of the metal fixtures she’d pilfered from the inside of the tower. The group dispersed once we returned to camp, and Rain asked us to grab the others and join him back in the command tent.
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Autumn and I retreated through the camp to first dump our pile of metal next to Kar’ktar’s makeshift ‘forge’, a hastily constructed furnace built from the familiar stone blocks. We found both Karl and the smith deep in discussion nearby. Kar’ktar paused in his conversation when we arrived and grabbed one of the fixtures. His eyes went from bored to deep interest.
“It’s a silver-adamantium alloy” He mused. “Heavy on the silver, but once I make a proper forge to separate the metal, I could make something out of it.”
“Is it not useful now?” Autumn asked.
“It’s workable, but about as strong as steel as it is now, so I wouldn’t use it for weapons. The alloy is excellent for conducting mana though. Is there any more of this?”
“We left about half of it in the ruins, and I bet there is more still buried.”
“Hmmm, well bring me what you find.” The smith said. I’ll see what I can do.
**********
After grabbing the others, we rejoined Brook at the command tent where Earth and Rain awaited us. Earth was the first to address the group.
“As we discussed this morning, it’s time for everyone to give me an idea of what sort of path you wish to pursue. That way we can direct your attributes and start you on the skills needed to unlock that path. It’s not a sure thing you will get what you want, but we can at least put you on the right track.”
“Karl, You first.” Earth pointed at the flame-scaled sanask.
“I’m going to pursue smithing as my primary path.” Karl said. “Kar’ktar convinced me easily enough.”
“Sensible choice. You’ll start training with him tomorrow then.” Earth nodded and turned to the older vul’heli. “Badger?”
“I’m not sure yet.” He said. “I’m too old for labor, I’m not much of a scholar, and I’ve spent most of my life in accounting.”
“Did you like what you did, or rather do in the other world?” Earth asked.
“I didn’t hate it.” Badger admitted
“You won’t be trapped in a camp like this forever. The ‘heli need people like that. Your experience will be useful. I suggest you go after the ‘scribe’ path. It’s intelligence-dexterity focused with many free points to do with as you will.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“You may think about it, but you will be training towards it until you change your mind.” Earth corrected. “You don’t have the time to waste.”
Next came Mirrin, who to no one’s surprise declared that she was going to continue pursuing martial arts.
“Fine.” Earth said. “Next, Rose?”
“I’m interested in cooking, but Mara terrifies me.” She admitted, “So I’m not sure.”
“Cooking is sensible. You will work with Mara starting tomorrow.”
“But I said-”
“Mara is all bark. You’ll get along fine.” Earth said, turning to Brook.
“I’m going to be a mage!” My sister declared.
“Combat or Professional?” Earth asked.
“There is a difference?” My sister asked, her ears perking up.
“Combat mage paths are skill-focused and have more balanced attributes. Professional mage paths specialized more heavily in mental attributes and require a more thorough training in spellcasting, ritual magic, or inscription to be effective.” Earth explained. “They also gain experience differently”
“Combat then.” Brook said
“You have a light affinity, correct?”
“And earth.” Brook said.
“You’ll work with Carmen then.” Earth said, turning to Autumn and me. “Autumn?”
Autumn glanced at me and hesitated. “I was thinking of trying for a scout or Ranger path.” She said, turning back to Earth. “Preferably combat focused. I would like a chance to explore this world once I’m strong enough.”
“Very well. You’ll work with Wind then.”
Lastly was me. While I had been hesitating about a direction to pursue before, Autumn’s choice set my mind without further hesitation. I refused to be left behind while she explored this new world. Thus when Earth turned her head to me to ask my thoughts I stated my choice clearly.
“Combat focused mage path.” I said.
“Why combat?” Earth asked. The simple question through me for a loop.
“You didn’t ask the others why.” I pointed out.
“Brook Mirrin and Autumn have the personality and talent to survive the Heartwood as a low-leveled combat path. I am not convinced have that talent, nor do you strike me as much of a fighter.”
Ouch. I stared down at the ground, an ugly feeling welling within my gut. Was this life going to be like my last? Was I doomed to fall behind wallowing in my mediocrity while the others pushed ever forward?
No. This world would be different. It didn’t matter what she thought. I was someone greater than the sum of my attributes. I had to be stronger than that to follow Autumn. I lifted my chin and stared Earth in the eyes.
“I wish to see the world with Autumn.” I said. “That means I need the power and skills to walk beside her. I cannot do that while spending all my life studying magic from books and scrolls.”
“Traveling doesn’t mean you need a primary combat class.” Earth sighed. “You can carry books with you or choose any number of paths trainable on the road. Even an adventurer spends much of their lives at home, wherever that may be.”
“Just because I can, doesn’t mean I would want to.” I said. “I’m not going to play second fiddle to Autumn just because you don’t think I’m talented enough. You’ve known me for less than a day.”
Earth put her thumb and forefinger on her snout and took a deep breath. “I think you’re a bit too young to choose your entire life path because of a lady, cute as she is.”
I opened my mouth and then closed it, glancing between Autumn and Earth. That wasn’t what it was about at all. I could almost feel the embarrassment radiating off Autumn. If my face wasn’t covered in fur it too would be a deep crimson.
“Everyone but River and Autumn out of the tent!” Earth ordered. “I have nothing more to say to you tonight.”
Brook sent me a very amused look that sent my cheeks burning even hotter. She left with the others while Earth pointed to several log chairs beside the makeshift table. Autumn and I sat down.
“It’s not what you think.” I said.
“I know.” Earth responded, much to my surprise. “That’s why we need to talk alone.”
Rain rummaged through a pack beside the table and brought out a metal disk carved with runes and a clear quartz crystal embedded in its center. He tapped a corner with his finger and the runes began to glow with an inner light. The sounds of the camp disappeared.
“It’s a sound ward so that we can discuss things away from prying ears.” Rain explained, turning to us with a serious expression.
“We know you two have a sould soulbond.” He continued. “We felt it during the ceremony last night.” Autumn and I looked at each other. Not in surprise, but acknowledgement. We hadn’t talked about it, but we knew. She was the only person who really made sense.
“A soulbond is a tangible link between two souls.” Earth explained. “It’s formed when two individuals share a great trauma. It’s why you two feel such a strong connection to each other.”
Trauma? I felt like I would have remembered some ‘great trauma’ in my life. I never even had the system or magic until we were whisked away to Realgar.
“So it’s not something more… um… intimate?” Autumn asked. The uncertainty in her voice left me confused.
“Quite the opposite.” Earth said. “For reasons unknown, lovers will almost never forge a soulbond during similar events. That’s not to say that such a thing can’t bloom later.”
Earth sighed before continuing. “My point is to not mistake that connection for love. You are different people. You are different species. You will likely find a different path through life.” Earth gave us a sad smile. “I also have a soulbond, and she is half a continent away with her own life and her own family.”
“You said different species. What about you and Rain?” Autumn said, crossing her arms.
“Rain and I are mated yes, and I do love him, but our joining is one of sacrifice and tradition.” Earth explained. “Each tribe is led by a mated vul’heli and sek’heli pair. Since vul’heli and sek’heli are different species we cannot have children, and thus we sacrifice the joy of a family and the continuation of our bloodline in service to our tribe.”
Earth looked at each of us in turn. “You must consider ten years from now or twenty. What will you do when the other takes a mate and settles down? Inserting yourself into that relationship over a soulbond is unfair to the other. Your lives will part ways naturally.”
In my mind I imagined that possibility. Autumn was happy; A sek’heli mate, kittens running around at her feet. I watched them from afar. Alone.
“The other topic is one I said before: One of talent.” Earth continued. I closed my eyes, not wanting to hear it. I knew what she would say.
“A base attribute total of 65 before any levels is almost unheard of. Only one in a hundred thousand achieve those attributes. While not set in stone, there is a strong correlation between your base attributes and the path you receive. Some people go so far as to think that those with high enough base attributes are noticed and marked by the gods.”
“Marked by the gods?” I said. “That seems…”
“Such a thing was said to be common during the last Fusing, but there is a way to be sure.” Earth turned to Autumn. “Autumn, do you have a mark listed under your general abilities?”
Autumn glanced from Earth to me looking very uncomfortable. “I do.” She said at last. “It says ‘Mark of Celestial.’”
Earth sucked in a deep breath. “You are destined for great things, Autumn. Celestial is one of the great goddesses and the creator of the Sek’heli. It is a great honor to be marked.”
“And River.” Earth said, turning back to me. “You do not have a mark, correct?”
I shook my head, a knot forming in the throat. I knew what she would say.
“River, I say this with the greatest intentions. When you choose your path in life, take a moment and think of her. It is essential that you do not hold her back. Let her be what she’s destined to be.”
I shrank back from her words. Was it that simple? Was I simply not good enough? No matter how hard I tried or what I dreamed of, was I destined to fail because of my attributes? Was I destined to be nothing because I wasn’t marked by some god? Was I destined to be a peasant in a world of swords and sorcery?
“That’s a load of crap.” Autumn said, anger laced within her words. “‘Following our destiny? Talent? Gods? This world may work that way, but there is no way I’m going to leave River behind just because of whatever bullshit promises of power you just said.”
She grabbed my hand and lifted me to my feet. “Let’s go.” She said, dragging me from the tent and into the growing dusk.
Autumn could say these things, but was she right? Who was I to hold her back? My thoughts folded inwards. I felt numb.
What could someone like me do?