Elena and her companions, refreshed and dressed in their everyday attire, made their way downstairs for breakfast. She wore a simple yet elegant tunic with fitted trousers, while Zara and Liora opted for casual dresses that allowed ease of movement. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and sizzling bacon permeated the air, drawing them to the table where Gareth and Agatha had already laid out a hearty spread.

Adrian, Darian, and the others were already seated, eagerly partaking in their meals. Adrian looked up and gave Elena a warm smile as she approached. "Morning, Elena," he greeted, causing Zara to stifle a giggle. Elena rolled her eyes good-naturedly and took a seat between her friends.

"Morning, everyone," Elena replied, reaching for a cup of coffee. "Ready for a busy day?"

Darian nodded enthusiastically, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Definitely. We've got a lot to prepare for our trip. Three weeks out of the city, heading to local towns and fighting monsters. It's going to be intense."

Liora glanced around the table, her expression a mix of anticipation and concern. "It's a big responsibility, but I think we're ready. We trained hard for this."

Adrian, still looking curious, leaned forward. "By the way, what took you girls so long? We've been waiting for 20 minutes."

Zara smirked and shot a glance at Elena. "Oh, we were just having some quality girl time, you know. It's important to bond," she said with a playful wink.

Elena felt her cheeks warm slightly, but quickly regained her composure. "Yeah, just making sure we're all on the same page for the trip," she added, trying to deflect the attention.

Liora reached into her bag and pulled out a small book and pen. "So, important things to discuss. We're not formally a team, and we won't be able to form a team until after finals. That's assuming we wish to continue to be a team, and that we all pass. But regardless, until that happens, there's the small matter of finances. Adrian, so far you've been helping out with shortfalls, but now there are two new members."

Elena rummaged in her bag and produced a shard to show them. "I mean, I should be able to cover myself. I might also have a few extra coins to help out some, depending on the need."

Zara, not wanting to be outdone, also pulled out a few coins. "I mean, I've got myself covered."

Liora shook her head. "No, I think we'll be fine as far as individual gear is concerned. However, we do generally set aside a small portion of rewards for group needs." She motioned to herself, Darian, and Adrian. "We made a deal that any member who leaves for whatever reason gets to pull out their cut of the group treasure. So if we have 5 shards in the group loot, and for instance you need to leave," she motioned to Elena, "then you get your shard and we split ways. It also means that if we need to purchase potions for the group, we use it out of the party funds. I'll leave it up to you if you want to contribute or not starting off. But I will be keeping excellent records of all of this."

Elena shrugged and looked at Zara. "How much did you three put in?"

Liora flipped back in her book to the beginning. She motioned to Darian and herself. "We each put in two shards. Adrian put in three."

Elena went to her inventory and pulled out three shards. "Here you go then." Zara likewise added three of her own to the pile. Liora added those to her bag and then closed it.

Zara eyed the bag suspiciously. "Hey, not that I mind you holding it, but how do you know it won't get stolen?"

Liora glanced around the mostly empty tavern and tossed the bag to Zara. She turned the bag inside out, and nothing fell out. Liora explained, "It's one of my things. I have an inventory item that helps keep items secure. If you need something held for you, I don't mind. Do keep this in mind though. If I die, you won't be able to retrieve whatever is in there." Zara tossed it back to her.

Liora reached into her bag and pulled out another book. "Something else to keep in mind. We're going to be going out and accepting contracts for work. We should probably keep in mind what we can do and what we can't do. I'd like to break down what your actual powers are and what their limitations are. Also, we should probably plan our route once we start. Oh, and transportation. The three of us were planning on getting a few skystriders. But-"

Elena raised her hand, confusion evident on her face. "Sorry, a what now?"

Darian looked up from his food, equally perplexed. "A skystrider...?"

Now it was Elena's turn to look confused.

Zara looked almost incredulous. "Oh, come on. Everyone's heard of a skystrider before, twinkletoes."

Adrian, who was in the middle of taking a drink, almost spit it out. "Twinkletoes?"

Zara looked at Elena and laughed. She then made a paddling motion with her hands. "You know, a skystrider? About 2 meters tall, maybe 3 long. Good for crossing long distances?" Elena just shook her head.

Zara looked almost incredulous. "Oh, honey. You're killing me here. A skystrider? The thing everyone and their grandmother uses to get around? About as tall as Darian's ego and twice as useful? Ring any bells, Twinkletoes?"

Elena once again shook her head.

Zara shrugged. "Eh, you'll see one when you see one."

As Elena's confusion about skystriders persisted, Adrian's eyes lit up with understanding. "Wait a second, I know you’ve seen them before," he said, reaching into his satchel. He pulled out his compendium, its screen flickering to life at his touch.

Adrian's fingers danced across the surface, navigating through various categories with practiced ease. "Ah, here we go," he said triumphantly, turning the device towards Elena. "This is a skystrider."

Elena leaned in, her eyes widening at the image on the screen. The creature displayed was unlike anything she'd ever seen before. It had the body of a horse, but that's where the familiarity ended. Its head was that of a large bird, reminiscent of a chicken, with a sharp beak and intelligent eyes. A spiral horn protruded from its forehead, not unlike a unicorn's, but with an iridescent sheen that seemed to shift colors as Elena tilted her head.

The skystrider's neck was covered in sleek feathers that gradually merged into a lustrous coat along its body. Its tail was long and flowing, more reminiscent of a phoenix than a horse. But most striking were its wings – large, powerful appendages that looked capable of carrying the creature and a rider across vast distances.

"They're a hybrid species," Adrian explained, his voice taking on a scholarly tone. "Created centuries ago by combining the traits of cockatrices, unicorns, and a dash of phoenix magic. They're intelligent, loyal, and can cover incredible distances in a short time. And if you’re a threat to the master they’re incredibly violent."

Elena stared at the image, a mix of awe and disbelief on her face. "And people... ride these?" Visions of her flailing about on the back of one mid flight and getting thrown off made her a little queasy. She wasn’t afraid of heights, but falling from several kilometers was still scary.

Adrian nodded, a smile playing on his lips. "They're the preferred mode of transportation for many adventurers and merchants. Faster than unicorns, more manageable than dragons."

Elena shook her head, a wry smile forming. "Just when I think I'm getting used to this world, something like this comes along. A cockatrice-unicorn hybrid. What's next, fish that breathe fire?"

Adrian chuckled, his fingers moving across the compendium's screen once more. "Funny you should mention that," he said, turning the device back to Elena. "Meet the Flamefin."

Elena's jaw dropped as she saw the image of a sleek, red-scaled fish with what looked like small flames flickering from its gills. "You've got to be kidding me," she muttered, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Not at all," Adrian replied with a grin. "They're quite rare, but they do exist. Some high-end restaurants even serve them. It's quite the spectacle when they're prepared tableside."

Elena couldn't help but laugh. "Of course they do. Why am I even surprised anymore?"

Liora continued, "Anyways. What I was going to say is that since we're a group of five, perhaps an Ironclad would be better."

The group turned in unison and looked at Elena, who still looked a bit dumbfounded. She felt her face grow warm as they stared at her. "Guys, don't look at me like that."

Darian spoke first. "Oh, you have to have seen those before. They're all over the city. Six wheels on the ground, one person inside controlling it. Can sit up to eight passengers."

Elena snapped her fingers, the color returning to her normal blue. "Oh, you mean those odd minivans!"

Darian looked at Elena skeptically. "That's a silly name for it."

Elena crossed her arms defensively. "I mean, so is Ironside. They aren't ships."

Adrian took this moment to interject himself into the conversation. "Elena, I got the impression that your world doesn't have magic. How do mini vans move?"

"The... engine?" Elena responded slowly, uncertainty creeping into her voice. "Wait, how do yours move?"

"The…control rod?" Adrian replied questioningly.

Zara steered the conversation back to what she considered the important topic at hand. "Can we go back to how you've never heard of a skystrider?"

After finishing their breakfast, the group gathered their belongings and headed out into the bustling marketplace. The streets were alive with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares, children playing, and the general hum of city life. Stalls lined the streets, filled with everything from fresh produce to intricate trinkets and powerful potions.

Zara led the way, her keen eyes scanning the stalls for useful items. "First, we need to make sure we have enough supplies. Potions, rations, anything we might need for three weeks," she said, taking charge with her usual confidence. Darian added his own list. "Also, any precautionary items you might need to get. Extra leather straps if you wear armor, whetstones for weapons, etc."

Elena followed closely, her thoughts already on the upcoming trip. "I need to swing by and grab my armor. If I'm not mistaken, it should have been ready the other day."

Zara put her arm on Elena's shoulder. "Oh, my girl is getting her first armor. They grow up so fast!" She wiped a non-existent tear from her eye. "Today it's a set of leathers, but six years from now we'll be scolding her as she's sneaking out the door with a slick set of full-plate wondering where we went wrong all this time."

Elena elbowed Zara in the ribs. "Give me some credit here. I'd be more likely to have my eye on the emo armor. All those sexy black curves and that hint of all the naughty shadows you're likely to find yourself in." As she joked with Zara, Elena felt a twinge of nostalgia. ‘God, I miss my old goth phase. Wonder what my high school friends would think if they could see me now.’

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

Zara barked out a laugh and gave a high five to Elena. "You said it, sister!" Elena assumed that Zara didn't know all the words, but the context was there.

Liora cleared her throat. "So look, I say we head out separately and-"

Elena pointed a finger in the air and spoke in an imperious tone. "Never split the party."

Liora looked over at her and raised an eyebrow. "I think we'll be fine."

Elena shook her head. "Look, if it's one thing I've learned from my extensive years on earth, it's never split the party. It's a gaming adage."

Zara stood near Elena and put a hand on her hip. "Don't worry. I'll keep you safe."

Elena nodded approvingly. "But in all seriousness, where do you want to meet up afterwards?"

Darian and Adrian both suggested the Silver Chalice for dinner. The rest of the group agreed and headed out. Zara put her arm in Elena's and asked, "Where to?"

"The Resilient Raiment," Elena replied.

A few minutes later, Elena and Zara wandered into the shop. Like last time, Thar'zul stood at his desk, putting some finishing touches on a piece of leather. His smooth and melodic voice once again sang out from the man. "Just a moment."

Zara started walking about the shop, admiring the handiwork and flipping over a few bags. After he finished his piece, Thar'zul looked up, and a big smile replaced his previously plastered-on one.

"Sister! It's good to see you again!" He looked super excited to show off his work. "Come, come! And bring your friend if you wish."

Not taking no for an answer, he quickly ushered Elena back to the mirrors again. He handed her the armor pieces, his eyes gleaming with excitement.

"Now, sister, let me tell you about this special set," Thar'Zul began, his melodic voice filled with pride. "This chest piece here, it's got a little trick to it. When you're in a tight spot, it'll help take the edge off any hits you might take. And these arm guards? They'll make you feel light as a feather when you move."

He passed her the gauntlets next. "These beauties will help your magic along, make it flow smoother, you might say. And the whole set together? It's got a bit of healing magic woven in. Nothing major, mind you, but it'll help you bounce back a little quicker."

Thar'Zul's fingers traced the intricate patterns on the armor. "Oh, and one more thing. When the shadows grow long, this armor might just help you blend right in. Handy for when you need to be a bit... discreet."

He stepped back, beaming at Elena. "It's not often I get to work on a piece like this. Go on, try it on. Let's see how it suits you."

He then pointed towards a secluded part of the shop with a curtain separating it from the rest of the shop. Elena called out for Zara, who went back with her. Elena deposited her trousers and tunic in her inventory and started donning pieces of armor. Elena looked inside each piece and saw it was lined with a silk insert. The rich purple colors couldn't really be seen through the armor. It was a masterful blend of functionality and artistry, tailored to fit her perfectly.

As she began to put on the armor, Elena marveled at how different it was from anything she'd worn before. In her old world, armor was something you saw in museums or movies, not something you actually wore. It looked bulky, and cumbersome. She wondered how her past self would react to seeing her now, gearing up for battle in a fantasy world.

As she donned each piece, Zara helped cinch it in place. She stared back at the leather scale mail armor and couldn't tell whether to be more in awe or grateful for his fine craftsmanship. It was tailored to fit her perfectly, accentuating her feminine curves while also covering nearly every inch of her body.

The breastplate was the centerpiece, made from overlapping black scales that looked almost like the scales of a dragon. Each scale was meticulously cut and shaped, providing excellent protection while allowing a full range of movement. The areas like the armpits that weren't covered in scales were protected by a black chainmail that was eerily silent as it moved. Both the scales and chain were attached to a supple leather base that molded to her form. It almost looked elegant.

The pauldrons covered her shoulders and upper arms and featured some of the larger neck scales that flared out slightly to deflect blows away from her body. They were connected to the breastplate by straps, ensuring a customized fit. Elena flexed her arms and barely felt the armor at all. There wasn't just freedom of movement. It was like she wasn't wearing armor to restrict her in the first place. She marveled at the sensation. ‘This can't be just skilled craftsmanship. There's got to be some magic involved here. Is this what it feels like to wear enchanted armor?’

The arm guards extended down from the pauldrons to her wrists and were made of smaller, more flexible scales. The black chain protected her elbows. And yet when she bent her wrist, the scales moved with them, providing protection without hindering mobility. She pulled the straps tighter, ensuring it was snugly fastened to herself. Next, she pulled on the gauntlets, which were as impressive as everything else. Crafted with toughened leather, the fingertips and knuckles were reinforced. The palms were left bare, allowing for better grip and dexterity. The leather scales extended just past her wrists, once again mixing protection and limiting the restrictions in movement.

Looking down at the greaves and boots, Elena marveled at the craftsmanship. The greaves protected her shins and knees with larger scales. The boots were made from sturdy black leather, reinforced along the front and sides. The thick soles provided traction and stability, making her feel grounded and ready for anything.

As Elena donned the final piece of the armor, a subtle glow began to emanate from the scales. At first, it was just a faint glimmer, but as the armor fully encased her body, the glow intensified, revealing an intricate pattern of runes that spanned across the entire set. These runes, hidden within the individual scales, became apparent only once the armor was fully assembled.

The rune, a complex and beautiful design, stretched across the breastplate, down the pauldrons, and along the arm guards, greaves, and boots. It was an elaborate web of lines and symbols, woven together in a way that seemed almost organic. The central symbol, located over her heart, pulsed with a soft, silvery light, as if it held some deep, ancient power.

The pattern began with a series of interconnected circles and spirals, each one containing smaller runes that glowed faintly. These smaller runes seemed to hum with energy, resonating with each other to create a harmonious flow of magic. From the central symbol, delicate tendrils of light extended outward, following the seams of the armor and wrapping around her limbs in intricate, swirling patterns.

Along the edges of the armor, the runes formed angular designs that interlocked perfectly with the adjacent scales. These angular patterns added a sense of strength and solidity to the otherwise fluid and graceful design. The silver stitching that lined the edges of the armor now appeared to be part of the rune, enhancing its visibility and adding a touch of elegance to its mystical aura.

As Elena moved, the runes shifted and flowed with her, the light dancing across the black leather scales. It was as if the armor had come to life, its magic activated by the unity of its components. The rune's power felt protective and empowering, and she could sense that it was more than just a decoration—it was an enchantment that would aid her in battle, enhancing her abilities and providing an extra layer of defense.

Standing there, fully armored and glowing with the light of the ancient runes, Elena identified the armor on her.

Information Name: Ebonwoven Aegis Rarity: Rare Minimum tier: Initiate (scaling) Description: A black leather scale armor composed of overlapping scales made from a golthorr, reinforced with delicate silver stitching. Enchantments: Runic, Dark, Life Note: Bind to learn more

Elena looked a bit bewildered at the rarity and she started to bind the armor to her. It greedily drank up her mana, and as much as she gave it, it wanted more and more. She almost bottomed out her mana and felt the familiar headache that came from such high expenditures of mana. Finally, the armor appeared satisfied with its owner's payment.

Elena inspected the armor again.

Information Name: Ebonwoven Aegis Rarity: Epic Minimum tier: Initiate (scaling) Description: The Ebonwoven Aegis is a masterpiece of magical craftsmanship, created by the renowned leatherworker Thar'zun. This black leather scale armor is a blend of superior protection and intricate beauty. Composed of overlapping scales made from toughened black leather, it is reinforced with delicate silver stitching that forms an intricate web of runes when the armor is fully assembled. The armor provides excellent defense while allowing for a full range of movement, making it ideal for skilled warriors who need both agility and protection. Enchantments: Runic Shielding, Enhanced Agility, Arcane Resonance, Healing Aura, Shadow Meld. Abilities upgrade at each new tier. Abilities Runic Shielding:

* Description: The runes create an invisible barrier that absorbs a portion of incoming damage, whether physical or magical. This barrier regenerates over time when not under attack.

* Effect: Absorbs 20% of all damage. Maximum absorbed damage: 50% current HP. Damage in excess of the maximum absorbed damage will overflow to normal HP. Barrier regenerates 5% of its maximum capacity every 10 seconds when not damaged.

Enhanced Agility:

* Description: The intricate runes along the joints and seams of the armor increase the wearer's agility and flexibility, allowing for quicker movements and more fluid combat maneuvers.

* Effect: Increases movement speed by 10%.

Arcane Resonance:

* Description: The armor resonates with the wearer’s magical abilities and Aura, amplifying spell potency and reducing casting time.

* Effect: Increases spell conversions by 20% where applicable and reduces spell casting time by 10%.

Healing Aura:

* Description: The central symbol over the heart emits a gentle healing aura that gradually restores the wearer's health and equipment over time.

* Effect: Regenerates 2% of maximum health every 30 seconds. Armor will repair itself over time. Armor will restore itself from destroyed to a pristine condition over the course of 12 hours. All abilities aside from the self-repair function of Healing Aura will cease to function when armor is in a destroyed condition and will resume when the armor is pristine again.

Shadow Meld:

* Description: The armor can blend into shadows, making the wearer less visible to enemies, useful for stealth maneuvers or evading detection.

* Effect: Grants temporary invisibility when in low-light environments or shadows.

Elena's jaw dropped. Her legs felt weak, and if it weren't for Zara there to hold her up, she would have hit the floor. Zara looked at her and pressed a hand to her head. "You ok, Twinkletoes? You look pale as a ghost and you're sweating."

Elena stammered for a few moments before calling out to Thar'zun. It took her a few tries. "Thar'zun. What did you give me?"

He just smiled. "Honestly, sister, I was working on the armor, and got inspired. I used a bit of unicorn hair, put in a few shards of dragonweed, and there was this excellent sale on Moonweave thread and nightshade essence."

Elena took a few moments to wet her lips and explained the armor to Zara. The more she explained, the more jealous Zara looked. When all was done, Zara looked over at Thar'zun, who continued to just smile. "So. Who do I have to fuck to get something like that?"

Elena felt a mix of emotions wash over her. Shock at the power of the armor she now wore. Gratitude towards Thar'zun for his incredible craftsmanship. And a touch of guilt at receiving such a magnificent gift when her companions had nothing comparable.

She turned to Thar'zun, her voice still shaky. "This... this is too much. I can't possibly accept this. The cost alone must be-"

Thar'zun held up a hand, cutting her off. "Sister, please. It was my pleasure to create this for you. Consider it an investment in your future successes."

Elena glanced at Zara, who was still eyeing the armor with undisguised envy. "But what about my friends? It doesn't seem fair that I should have such an advantage."

Thar'zun's smile widened. "Ah, but that's the beauty of it. Your strength is their strength. In protecting yourself, you protect them. And who knows? Perhaps their own unique talents will lead them to equally impressive gear in time."

Zara nodded, seeming to accept this logic. "He's right, Twinkletoes. Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. Besides," she added with a grin, "now I know who to hide behind when the shit hits the fan."

Elena couldn't help but laugh at that, feeling some of the tension leave her body. She looked down at the armor again, marveling at how it seemed to pulse with energy. It was more than just protection; it was a tool, a weapon, and a responsibility all in one.

"Thank you, Thar'zun," she said finally, her voice filled with sincerity. "I promise I'll use it well."

The craftsman nodded, his eyes twinkling. "I have no doubt you will, sister. Now, why don't you take it for a proper test run? I'm sure your friends are eager to see what you can do with it."

Elena nodded, suddenly excited at the prospect of trying out her new armor. She turned to Zara. "What do you say? Want to find a training ground and see what this thing can really do?"

Zara's eyes lit up with mischief. "Oh, you're on, Twinkletoes. Just don't cry when I still manage to knock you on your ass, fancy armor and all."