CHAPTER THREE - THE ELF
Corin plummeted through the air with a shriek, the river and its killer inhabitants approaching rapidly.
The world went brown as he plunged into the murky waters with a resounding splash. The sounds of the jungle were suddenly small and distant. Corin tasted silt and the faint tang of iron as water rushed into his mouth–still agape from screaming. Somewhere in the panic he lost his sword.
He kicked up to the surface, coughing and spluttering as he emerged. Corin treaded water, spying the riverbank; the goal was in sight. Between Corin and the bank several large dark shadows played under the surface of the water. Corin swore under his breath. With no sword and waterlogged clothes getting heavier by the second, his chances were not looking optimistic.
He brought up the display that had flickered briefly before he fell, scanning it for anything useful. [Razor-beak Scimitar] (rare). A day of survival had familiarized Corin with the display system well. He hadn’t had the time to go over everything yet–what with all the running and the fighting–but navigating it with his mind no longer required all of his focus. He highlighted the scimitar in his mind and the next moment it was forming in his hand; the dance of colorful lights fading to reveal a short curved blade of razor-sharp black-steel set into an ornate silver hilt.
[Razor-beak Scimitar] (rare).
If it bleeds, you can kill it.
* [Raven’s Flight] (active): Gain [Flight] for 1 minute. Cooldown: 1 hour.
* [Lacerating Edge] (passive): 20% chance to inflict the [Bleed] condition. [Bleed] can be applied multiple times.
* Requirements: 10 [Strength], 15 [Speed], 15 [Focus].
Corin’s lips twisted into a grin. Thrusting his newly acquired scimitar into the air he shouted, “Give me wings!”
[Raven’s Flight] has been activated. Time remaining: 01:00.
A pair of jet-black feathery wings sprung forth from Corin’s shoulder blades. The water undulated as his wings came to life. Each flap a deep whooshing sound as they dragged him from the water.
Hovering a foot above the river, wings at a slow rhythmic beat, he surveyed the murky water. There was no sign of the scaly dragon-like monsters. He chuckled. His angelic visage must have scared them away.
Corin willed his wings to carry him to the riverbank. He took off with a burst of speed, gliding over the surface of the river, the riverbank fast approaching when an eruption of water caught him off guard.
In a blur the long tooth-filled maw of a river monster sprang from the water. Corin caught a whiff of its gamy breath as he soared overhead, and watched in horror as the beast’s powerful tail propelled the rest of its green scaly mass into the air. Corin caught an updraft and heard a thunderous popping sound as jaws snapped beneath his feet. Had he been any lower, Corin fancied he would have arrived at the riverbank missing a leg.
The fat and not-entirely-flightless river dragon crashed below the surface and wheeled on Corin, its bark-like spines cutting trails in the water. Corin pleaded with his wings to beat harder but the beast was gaining on him. At this rate Corin wasn’t going to clear the river before the monster's next leap. He spun in the air, turning to face the oncoming threat. He hovered at what he hoped was the monster’s apex, scimitar at the ready.
The beast’s snout parted the river as it launched itself for a second time. Frothing white water cascaded off its body as it rose. Corin spotted what he was looking for. He dove under the beast’s rising jaws, slicing a deep gash across its soft white underbelly. Corin was reminded of a summer spent gutting a fish at Hakim’s family’s island as his blade cut through the monster’s belly like fabric. A stream of blood and pink entrails splattered Corin as he passed.
Condition: [Bleed] has been applied.
[Bleed]: A target inflicted with this condition will lose blood at an increased rate. The rate of blood loss increases by 10% each time the [Bleed] condition is applied up to a maximum of 50%.
[Raven’s Flight] Time remaining: 00:20.
The wounded river dragon hissed as its jaws clamped on air. Corin circled back and made a reaching slash as its massive body fell back to the river. He landed a glancing blow against the tough hide on the monster’s neck. He watched it thrash in pain on the river’s surface, a dark pool spreading like ink about its torso.
Not wanting to run into any of its friends, Corin sped for the riverbank, his wings blinking out of existence as he entered the treeline at a running stumble, ending in a tangle of twisting vines.
“Nailed it.”
Corin let his body slump into the natural binds as he caught his breath. The last minute had easily been the most exhilarating minute of his life thus far. The academy’s magical dueling tournament didn’t even come close despite Corin’s infamous win over Hakim in the semi-finals.
You have defeated a [Jungle Crocodile].
* [Endurance] has increased by 2.
* [Focus] has increased by 1.
* You have received: 20 fate.
* You have received: [Crocodile Hide Gloves] (uncommon).
You have completed: [Optional Task] Defeat Monstrosities.
* Monstrosities defeated (10/10).
* All [Statistics] have increased by 2.
* You have received: 50 fate.
* You have received: [Ability]: [Natural Selection] (epic).
Corin rolled over and tossed about until he was in a comfortable reclining position amongst the vines. He placed his scimitar across his lap and began inspecting the display. Endurance and focus had increased after the crocodile bled out and completing the optional task gave Corin a flat increase across the board. He quickly summoned the inventory page, eager to inspect his new gloves.
[Crocodile Hide Gloves] (uncommon).
Fashionable, flexible and resilient. Made from the tough hide of the [Jungle Crocodile].
* Light armor.
* [Resistance]: These gloves are resistant to slashing and piercing attacks.
* Requirements: None.
Corin had a smug look on his face as the gloves phased into reality on his hands. They were a snug fit with a soft leather interior. Dark-green scales ran down the backs of the gloves, blending in with the jungle floor.
“Perfect, I was getting quite tired of all the stings and cuts hacking through this place.” Corin said, admiring his garments. Getting back to business, Corin pulled up the ‘Abilities’ panel, one he had yet to investigate.
[Abilities].
[Class Abilities].
* No class assigned.
[Ascendant Abilities].
* [Natural Selection] (epic).
Corin focused on his new ability.
[Natural Selection].
* Rarity: Epic.
* Type: Growth.
* [Natural Selection] (passive): Ascendant’s statistics improve at an increased rate. The greater the challenge, the greater the increase.
* [Natural Selection] (active): Triggering this ability will double the power of a chosen [Statistic] for 02:00 minutes. When this ability ends all [Statistics] decrease by 50% for 01:00:00 hour. Cooldown: 12:00:00 hours.
Corin started tapping on the hilt of his scimitar. His first ability. It had taken a while to get accustomed to the magic system of the tower but after a day in the jungle it felt like he had to adapt and roll with it or he would end up in the belly of some hungry monster. He read over the ability. It was strong, that was certain. The issue was its drawbacks. Using the active part of the ability seemed risky.
Corin hadn’t yet grown fully comfortable with the weird, expanding sensation he felt every time his statistics went up but he had a good grasp on what most of them influenced. Strength, speed and endurance were the most obvious. Corin’s muscles visibly filled out more of his gray-tunic than when he had first entered the jungle, and his movements–from running to swinging his sword–had all gotten faster. He also tired less easily and felt his body recover quicker after each exertion. Vitality, spirit and focus felt more elusive. He understood conceptually that vitality probably meant he could take harder hits but it was hard to sense any real change in his physiology. Spirit remained a complete mystery, despite it being one of his better statistics. Finally, Focus seemed to influence Corin’s precision and perception. His eyesight felt sharper and all of his senses felt heightened during intense moments.
It would be great if someone could sit me down and explain all this jargon. I bet Hakim’s studied the life out of these terms by now, he’ll know what's what.
"Come on Cor, time to get out of here.”
With a long cat-like stretch Corin ambled up and out of his nest of vines. He pulled up the main task.
[Floor Task] Escape the jungle.
Search for an exit. Beware: Slippery when wet
* Progress: 90%
* Reward: 500 fate.
* Reward: [Item].
Ninety percent? Was he really that close? With renewed vigor Corin trudged into the jungle, scimitar in hand; swatting away grasping green tendrils as he went.
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Corin guessed it was about mid-afternoon when he stumbled into the clearing. A ring of twisting and knotted trees cast long creeping shadows across the muddy pit and Corin almost missed the door standing silent in their shade. It was an exact replica of the door that had brought him to this accursed jungle in the first place. It's painted black wood and brass doorknob mocking him from the center of the glade. Not eager for what lay beyond, but not willing to spend a moment longer in the jungle of horrors, he crept up to the door and gave it a tap with the end of his scimitar. Nothing happened. He looked around, expecting a trap. When none presented itself he swung the door open and stepped into the black void awaiting him.
You have completed: [Floor Task] Escape the jungle.
Congratulations, you have completed the first task of the [black] trial.
* All [Statistics] have increased by 4.
* You have received: 500 fate.
* You have received: [Item]: [Boots of the Shadow Panther] (rare).
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Alize fled down the stone corridor, wooden staff clutched in her bandaged hands. She heard the clacking of a hundred legs echoing in pursuit. Pain swelled in her chest as she gasped for air. Her thighs burned with every stride. Her eyes flicked up to the weird floating blue rectangle. Mana: 0. She still couldn’t wrap her head around what was happening. And why did this abominable tower insist on quantifying everything? Where was the nature? The harmony? No, it was all one great-big-terrible nightmare. A nightmare Alize wished she could escape. Right now she wanted nothing more than to return to her forest, curl up in her bed and listen to the birdsong. So why was she sprinting through a maze with a giant poison-pincered centipede nipping at her heels? Alize wanted to cry.
Hearing a scuttling noise above, she swung her staff overhead, catching the massive bug by its sickle-shaped pincers as it fell. The centipede went tumbling down the corridor as Alize regained her balance. She took off down a branching pathway, hoping the monster would lose her scent.
She had taken barely six strides when a tall man emerged from the stonewall on her right and directly into her path. His big sea-green eyes went wide as Alize crashed into him. The wind was knocked out of her as they tumbled into a tangled heap on the cold stone floor. She heard the clatter of steel on stone and a wheezing groan as the man slid his way out from under her.
“Well, that was an unexpected welcome.” He said with a soft smile. His long golden hair catching reflections of the corridor's orange torchlight. It cascaded over broad shoulders like a waterfall of flames, framing a sharp angular face.
The man coughed and Alize realized she had been staring. She felt the tips of her pointed ears go red hot. The man made his way to his feet.
“Forgive me, my lady. I did not mean to startle you.” He said, offering her a hand in a smooth flowing motion. Alize eyed the green gloved hand in front of her. Why was there another person in the tower? And how did he come out of a wall?
“Oh, where are my manners? Please, forgive me.” He said, slipping off the glove.
He offered his hand again. Alize narrowed her eyes as she accepted the offer.
“You’re a strange man.” She said,
“And you’re an elf, if I’m not mistaken.” He replied.
“An elf? Oh this funny blue tablet said I was an elf. I’m actually a Draelin.”
“Draelin? Never heard of them. Have you heard of Yaron?” He asked.
Alize shook her head, what strange words this man used.
“How did you walk through that wall?” She asked, pointing at the spot where he had emerged.
“Wall? No, I came through that door.” He said, turning around. His eyes went wide and he let out a laugh.
“Ah, it vanished again. I apologize, one moment I was in a jungle, and now I am here. Where is here, exactly?” He asked.
“I’m not sure, I went through a green door and ended up in this maze.” She replied, frowning.
“Well, not to worry. I’m sure that with the two of us we’ll find a way out.” He said, his gaze meeting Alize’s.There was something reassuring about his gaze, the forest green of his eyes reminded her of home and he smelt of the river after rainfall.
“You want to work together?” She asked.
“Well, we are here now, and this place has proved awfully dangerous, wouldn’t you agree?” He said, smiling.
Alize nodded, finding it hard to argue with the charming young man, and besides, he didn’t seem like the bad sort.
Standing up now, Alize was able to fully appreciate his height. She didn’t even come up to his shoulders, and Alize wasn’t short, at least in human terms. Despite his peculiar words it was obvious he was acting with a certain level of etiquette that suggested to Alize a noble background. She had never met a prince but she imagined they all cut a similar tall, blonde, regal figure. The man was mumbling to himself while she stared.
Alize cut in, “Are you a prince?”
“Who me? No, I am best friends with a prince. Its funny you should mention actually–”
“I knew it, I knew you were a noble.” She said, grinning.
“I’m sorry to disappoint my dear, but I am of a common birth.” He replied, with a mock frown.
Alize pouted.
“Cheer up, I told you I’m friends with a prince, didn't I? That’s actually why I’m here.” He said.
Despite the smile plastered on his handsome face, Alize could see loneliness written in his eyes.
“Anyway, how did a beautiful Draelin like yourself end up in this miserable tower?” He asked.
Alize opened her mouth to reply when they heard a screech echo from behind.
“Run!” Alize shouted, pulling the stranger by the hand as she bolted.
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Corin scooped up his scimitar as the naive elf girl dragged him down the torch-lit stone passage, he glanced over his shoulder but couldn’t see anything in the gloom beyond. It was shocking to find another person so soon, Corin had considered taking his leave at the first opportunity. He could end up in all sorts of trouble if she proved a liability, or worse, some twisted conjuration of the tower. He had heard stories of beautiful women luring adventurers to their deaths.
His fears had been abated as they spoke and an idea had formed. She could prove useful in a pinch. At best she could prove invaluable as a distraction and ally, and at worst he was confident he could beat her in a fight if it came to that. He had turned on the charm typically reserved for academy balls and dinner with Hakim’s family. He wasn’t going to trust her, but she didn’t need to know that.
As they fled through the maze he pulled up his display. He had been so caught up in his chance encounter that he had forgotten to equip his new boots and read his new tasks.
He opened the inventory and mentally selected his new footwear.
[Boots of the Shadow Panther] (rare).
Move in silence, strike from the shadows.
* Light armor.
* [Shadow Ambush] (active): This ability can only be triggered while standing in a shadow. Unleash a silent dashing attack. [Strength] and [Speed] are increased by 50% for 10 seconds. Cooldown: 5 minutes.
* [Silent Steps] (passive): Reduces the sound of the wearer’s footsteps by 50%, reduces sound by 100% when moving in shadows.
* Requirements: 15 [Speed], 15 [Focus].
His feet were clouded in a dissipating haze of black smoke. In place of his leather boots were a pair of sleek, black shoes that blended in among the shadows. He felt lighter and the echoing clap of his boots on the smooth stones was replaced with a muffled tap, as if he were treading upon a thick rug. It was hard to get used to at first, every so often he would run through a shadow and the sound would cut out completely.
Alize threw him a curious glance as her ears perked up at the peculiar rhythm but she was breathing too heavily to say anything as they sprinted away from the blood-curdling cries at their rear.
Pleased with his stealthy footwear, Corin read on.
New [Floor Task] Escape the Maze.
Navigate the labyrinth and find the second door.
* Progress: 0%.
* Reward: 500 fate.
* Reward: [Item].
New [Optional Task] Help the Elf.
Help your new companion find their way out of the maze safely.
* Progress: 0%.
* Reward: 100 fate.
* Reward: [Ability].
Two tasks, a floor task and an optional task, just like the jungle. He wondered why they both had essentially the same objective. Wouldn’t they naturally resolve at the same point? He wasn’t going to complain, helping her was only going to help him more.
Corin took in his elven companion. Her chocolate brown hair bounced as she ran, twitching ears running to sharp points. She was wearing a simple white robe that was tattered and splattered with a strange purple liquid. There was a delicate floral scent about her and Corin wanted to know how a young lady like her ended up in this dark twisted tower. Her wooden staff, which she carried in the hand not clamped around Corin’s wrist, also raised some questions.
She turned her head, catching him staring. Her bright blue eyes dazzled like sapphires with curiosity.
“I never… got your… name.” She said through ragged breaths.
“Corin, and I never got yours.” He replied, flashing a grin.
“Oh, it’s Alize, and it's… a pleasure… to meet you… Corin.” She said between breaths.
“Alize, a beautiful name, rolls off the tongue. And the pleasure is all mine.” He said, long strides, new boots and recently improved endurance making the run feel like a light jaunt.
“Watch out!” Corin shouted.
He dug in his heels as Alize turned back to see the end of the passage fast approaching. They skidded to a halt. The worn stone passage was a dead end.
Another shrill cry came from where they had entered the corridor. It sounded close and it made Corin’s toes curl. Alize squeezed his hand as he drew his black scimitar, placing himself between her and the origin of the noise.
“It’s probably the giant bug that’s been following me.” Alize said.
“Tell me, are you any good with that stick?” Corin asked, keeping his eyes on the darkness.
“I’m a spellweaver, but I’m out of mana.” She replied.
Spellweaver? That sounded useful indeed, he was glad he had kept her around.
“Mana? How can you tell you’re out? I haven’t felt my mana source since entering this place.” Corin said, lowering into a fighting stance.
“This blue panel keeps telling me things. It says my Mana is at 0…” Alize said.
“And you had that mana displayed from the beginning?” Corin said, frowning.
“No, it only appeared after I found this staff and received an ‘ability’ called Nature’s spellbook.”
“I see–” Corin said, cutting off when he heard clacking, like nails on a desk, from above.
Corin peered up to see a set of pincers wider than his head. Then it was upon them, dropping from the ceiling, 3-feet of shiny black carapace and hundreds of wiggling limbs, all ending in dagger-like points.
Corin flung himself forward, tucking into a fast roll to avoid the falling monster.
He heard Alize shriek as he sprung to his feet and launched at the oversized critter. She was keeping it at bay with wide clumsy swings of her staff. She was clearly a mage, Corin smirked.
He drove his scimitar into the bug’s tail, a splurt of purple liquid hissed as it made contact with his shirt.
“Don’t let it bite you, they’re coated in a natural poison!” Alize said, swatting the creature’s head away from her legs.
“Duly noted.” Corin said with a grimace, heaving the beast down the corridor with a savage yank of his sword.
There was a sickening crunch as the scimitar broke free of its tail and the giant centipede went sailing down the passage, landing with a clatter before renewing its pursuit.
Corin charged headlong, scimitar almost scraping the stone floor as he held it in both hands. The centipede reared its ugly black and purple head, and spat a purple globule at Corin’s eyes.
He swung up just in time for the scimitar to catch most of the sticky liquid, small flecks burning where it made contact with his face and neck.
“Corin! Help!” Alize screamed while Corin wiped his face.
The slippery bug had gone right under his legs and was lunging at the more vulnerable meal.
Seeing his chance to win her trust he sprinted back, his increased speed making it easy to close such a narrow distance.
The bug scuttled up the wall and flung itself at Alize, pincers trained on her neck. Throwing himself in the way, his scimitar caught the pincers as they bit down with a clang. They went to the floor wrestling, hundreds of tiny legs poking pin sized holes down Corin’s torso.
With one hand on the scimitar, he drove the other hard into the pommel, giving it a twist as it cracked through the creature’s armored shell. There was a wet crunch and the giant bug went limp on the floor.
You have defeated a [Mana-Draining Centipede].
* [Natural Selection]: [Vitality] has increased by 1.
* You have received: 10 fate.
* You have received: 1x [minor mana potion].
Corin rolled off the lifeless bug. His shirt was stained through in the purple poison and it gave off a sickly-sweet aroma, like fermented grapes.
Corin felt a fiery itch all over and his eyes started to sting.
Alize gave the bug a testing poke with her staff before coming over.
“Are you alright? I told you to watch the poison.” She said as she kneeled next to Corin.
You have been inflicted with [Mana-draining Toxin]
“I’ve had worse,” Corin replied with a groan, “You can’t cast any healing spells, can you?”
“Actually, as a matter of fact, I can.” She said,
“Wonderful news. Here, use this.” Corin said, holding out his hand as a small vial of blue liquid materialized in a shimmer of color on his hand.
It was time to see if she was useful after all.
“What is it?” Alize asked, picking up the vial and inspecting its contents.
“Mana potion, allegedly.” He replied.
“Are you sure it's not poison? What if you’re trying to trick me?” Alize asked, squinting..
Oh, you wouldn’t know if I wanted to trick you.
“I’m the one lying here covered in poisonous goo!” Corin said, putting on an air of exasperation.
“You make a fair point, and to tell you the truth, the tower told me it was a mana-potion from the moment I picked it up.” She said, laughing.
“Of course it did,” Corin said, slapping his forehead, “now can you please heal me.”
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Alize looked between Corin and the small blue mana potion in her hand. She had never drunk a mana potion before, or any potion for that matter. The natural magic flowing through her home in the Draelinwood had always provided more than enough mana to channel.
The Draelin lived as a part of the natural ecosystem, harvesting plants, animals, and magic while ensuring their protection and growth. As such, the thought of using distilled mana in a potion made her sick. She furrowed her brows. This man she had just met had been willing to risk his life to save hers, it was only right she returned the favor.
She uncorked the vial and tipped it back. It was icy cold and possessed a flavor she could only describe as a poor imitation of mint. Alize shivered as it went down her throat.
You have consumed a [minor mana-potion].
* [Mana] will regenerate at a rate of 10 [Mana] per second.
* Duration: 10 seconds.
Alize watched as her mana counted up from 0 to 100; half of her total. She held her staff out above Corin.
“You may feel a slight tingling sensation.” She warned him.
Alize used her ability ‘nature’s spellbook’ to summon a floating tome. It was bound in dark-green leather with a deep-orange, five pointed leaf set into the cover.
The book hung suspended in the air as if held aloft by an invisible hand. With a thought Alize had the book flipping through its pages until she found the spell she wanted.
The spellbook’s writing looked like a crude copy of Draelin to Alize. The magic thankfully didn’t require verbalisation.
She cast Nature’s healing. An aura of deep green hues radiated from the end of her staff, vine-like tendrils unfurled from the light and enveloped Corin’s body. The seeking green light flowed over the patches of burning purple toxin and sought out other cuts and scrapes, which Alize now noticed he seemed to be littered with.
Whatever he had been through before running into her mustn’t have been pretty she thought, reaching down with her free hand to brush a strand of golden hair out of his eyes. He looked up at her with big green eyes and smiled warmly as the green vines receded from his body, leaving it dirty but free of scrapes and poison.
“Thank you, I feel much better already.” He said.
“Well you did save me from that bug, and I’ll expect a proper introduction to this prince of yours as repayment.” She said with a grin.
“Of course, I’m sure Hakim will be pleased to make your acquaintance.” He replied, sitting up and inspecting his limbs.
“We should press on, I don’t want to wait here for its friends to find us,” he said, gesturing at the dead centipede, “come on, you can tell me all about the Draelin as we walk.”
Alize extended a hand and helped Corin to his feet, “Lead the way tough guy.”