Isaac woke up feeling like his head had been used as a blacksmith's hammer. There was a slight ringing in his ears that seemed to come from nowhere and everywhere at once. He groaned in pain as he realized that someone was pounding on his door. The noise reverberated off the walls, assaulting Isaac with what felt like physical blows. "Time to wake up yer highness! We've got a raid to plan!" Isaac could practically hear Evan's grinning as he continued to yell and pound on the door. I swear i'm going to kill that man, Isaac thought as he buried his head under his pillow.

* * *

Evan hadn't gotten a wink of sleep since the Tower had sent out a call-to-arms to the entire floor. Thirty hours had passed since the announcement, but soldiers, crafters, healers, and merchants from all over the floor had flocked to Aether through the Tower's Teleportation Portals over-night. Dozens of leaders from towns and kingdoms across the first floor had already arrived, and even more had sent word that they were on their way. He had never seen anything like it. Going to be more bloody work to organize everyone than destroying the actual bloody dungeon fer Tower's sake.

He made his way through the underground tunnels beneath Aether. It had become impossible to move above ground at any reasonable speed. Every single bit of space had been filled with make-shift merchant stalls or crafting huts. The number of people that had arrived had quickly exceeded the capacity of their small town and dozens of temporary longhouses and solider barracks had begun to appear outside of the walls. And of course, with their arrival came the unrelenting assault of questions and demands. Questions about the dungeon, its monsters and their levels, and demands to meet the raid leader.

Evan sighed to himself as he climbed the stairs of The Dirty Dwarf. Ryan, the guard on duty, gave him a nod when he noticed him. "Kids still sleeping somehow," Ryan said as he pointed a thumb at the door behind him. Evan gave the guard a quick grin before walking up to the door, "won't be fer long". He cracked his knuckles. Let's hope that the boy is ready to accept the responsibility that he has been entrusted with.

* * *

Fifteen minutes later, Evan, Isaac, and his group of guards were sitting down at a table on the first floor of The Dirty Dwarf waiting for Mary to bring them breakfast. Isaac's head still felt like it was going to explode and he had to cup his hands over his ears to drown out the worst of the noise. Evan cleared his throat, "listen lad, the next few weeks are going to be tough. You're going to be expected to make some decisions, and many of them will cost lives. There is a reason the Tower has chosen you, even if no one else knows it. Even if you don't know it."

"Two days ago I got my face caved in by some noble. Yesterday, I nearly got my ass bitten off by a wolf. I know absolutely nothing about commanding armies and even less about raiding dungeons. I think it's pretty safe to say that i'm in way over my head. I'm not afraid of leading. But how can I lead people to their deaths knowing that I can't protect them?" Isaac picked at his breakfast as he spoke, not wanting to make eye contact with any of the men that surrounded him. Several moments passed. Then one-by-one, Evan, Ryan, Simmons, Jason, and Yerrick stood and took a knee. General Evan spoke, a tear running down the corner of his eye as his gruff voice pierced the shroud of indecision that clouded Isaac's mind. "Aye, that there might be the reason that you were chosen lad. Others would have led and cared little about the cost of the ultimate victory. In the Tower, death is cheap. You may not be strong enough today or tomorrow. But it be clear as rain to me and the men here that one day, there will be little that can stop you, whether that be inside or outside the Tower". Evan removed the blade from its sheath and held it in both of his palms. He bowed his head. The others followed his example. "I, Evan Shadowblade, beg the Tower to dissolve my duty to the Royal Crown in pursuit of a higher purpose. I offer my sword, my life, and my soul to Isaac King and to his goals. To fight at his side, and to guide him to the best of my abilities. I do hereby offer my fealty to you". Isaac's eyes widened as he read the screen that appeared before him.

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Evan Shadowblade has begged the Tower to dissolve his duty to the Royal crown of the first Floor. The Tower has agreed!

Evan Shadowblade has offered you his sword and his life, binding himself to you until the day he draws his last breath.

You have gained an oath-bound companion!

While citizens born within the Tower are not allowed to leave, this restriction does not apply to oath-bound companions.

One-by-one the rest of the guards repeated the oath. Isaac saw their eyes light up in surprise as they read an invisible screen.

* * *

Evan could hardly believe what he was reading. His hands shook as he re-read the screen in front of him for the sixth time.

The Tower has agreed to allow you to dissolve your duty to the Royal crown!

You are now oath-bound to Isaac King! As you are now oath-bound to an Outsider, you are allowed to leave the Tower as you please. Even the gods cannot stand between you and your oath!

You are now oath-bound to a Raid Leader! His trials are now your trials. His strength is now your strength.

You have acquired a new title!

Title: With This Power, I Keep My Oath (gives access to the Oathkeeper class)

You have gained access to a new class!

Class: Oathkeeper

Oathkeepers are the ancient guardians of god-kings. They are masters of stealth, blades, bows, and magic. Driven to uphold their oaths, even gods fall at their feet.

Your previous class has been erased. All class and skill points have been refunded.

* * *

The guards had been so overwhelmed by their sudden change in class that they had completely forgotten that Isaac existed for almost an hour. It wasn't until one of the Citymaster's red-robed lackeys had come by looking for Evan that they finally settled down. Evan cleared his throat, obviously embarrassed that he had completely forgotten the reason he had come here in the first place. "Right, so Citymaster Zian has set up a meeting with the leaders that have shown up so far. They have been demanding to meet you. Just remember lad, these are powerful people. Leaders of nations and towns that are triple the size of Aether. All of them will be bringing thousands of men, some ten times that number, over the next few weeks. In the Tower, the strong thrive". He looked over at Ryan, a wild glint in his eye, "impress me".

Ryan stepped forward, beckoning everyone closer. His eyes were full of excitement, and his body let out an aura of power that hadn't existed before. "Hold onto your meal boys!" Ryan closed his eyes and clasped his hands together. "Lanuae Magicae Nobis!"

The space surrounding Isaac and the guards seemed to distort for a moment. The air grew warm and heavy, and Isaac could feel a pull, much like the one that he had felt when he had first entered the portal to the Tower, but much less powerful. Isaac blinked his eyes and in that single moment, they were no longer standing inside The Dirty Dwarf. Ryan laughed maniacally as they took a moment to look around and found that they were standing in the middle of the circular room at the Citymaster's house that Isaac had been in previously.

"Wait, what the hell?!" Isaac looked over at Ryan, who was now sitting on the floor covered in sweat. Evan jumped in overzealous excitement, which looked hilarious given that the man was as large as a bear and could barely get off the ground. "Alright lads, i'll lead Isaac in. You three get Ryan over to a healer". Ryan shook his head, "i'm fine, just tired, that wiped out most of my mana-", but Evan just waved him off, "healer. now". Simmons grabbed Ryan by the shoulders and lifted him up, "don't worry boss, we got him". Evan gave a quick nod and turned to look at Isaac. "Ready lad?"

"No, but this is my trial". Evan stopped and looked at him, a fire that Isaac hadn't noticed before burning deep in his eyes. "No lad, not anymore. This is our trial now".

A dozen heads turned to look at them as they walked through the door. Citymaster Zian got up from his throne as he saw them enter, and clasped his hands together like he was thanking the heavens. "Ladies and gentlemen, this is Isaac King. Your raid leader".