“Close your eyes Hattie, the potion will link our eyes with yours. We will be able to see what you see. Do not focus on anything except your status screen. Do not open your eyes or look at us. You won't notice the difference but seeing through your own eyes as well as anothers is... Disturbing. Am I understand?” Ordered Nestor.
“Yes sir. Eyes closed, don’t open them. Status window open.” Answered Hattie, repeating his instructions. She covered her eyes with her palms, a physical reminder of his instructions.
Name: Hattie Theia
Class: Oracle (divine, unaffiliated)
Rank: 1
HP 100/100
MP 100/100
Strength: 12
Agility: 24
Intelligence: 24
Talents:
-Curiosity: (unique) +10% XP from all that you witness.
-Divine Sight: (Class unique) level (Rank)
-Divine Foresight level 1
-Divine Discernment level 1
Spells:
-Protection level 1
-Heal (minor) level 0
-Bless level 0
Kendra read the status window out loud once, then read it again. Reiterating the things she did not understand to the Divine Swordsman and her Guildmaster.
“Class is Oracle, divine, unaffiliated. Whatever that means. Minor heal and bless are level zero… I’m too tired to guess at what that means. Or how a level one has three spells and four talents! Is this some kind of joke Konrad?” Grumbled Kendra, sounding not at all entertained.
“Hattie, ask the screen for a description of the oracle class.” Asked Nestor.
A few seconds later, new lines of text appeared beneath the class line, defining what an oracle was.
‘Oracle, more commonly known as the mouthpiece of a god. A prophet or seer who can use their powers to find truth in all things. Known for finding facts that are more confusing than lies. Current number of extant Oracles = 4’
“I have seen many strange things in my years on this earth, but never all at once. Nor within a single being. The oracle class would be enough to draw the king’s attention, but what sort of prophet does not speak for the gods? How can she not be affiliated with a god?” Postulated Nestor.
Kendra was quiet for a long moment, silently rereading the stats.
“If she spoke for all of them… Or if she was so new that none of the gods could claim her.” Mused Kendra.
Hattie Gulped. “Claimed? What do you mean by that Lady Kendra?” Asked Hattie.
“Depends on the god, hades would want your body and soul, though he might grant immortality. Hera would require you to join with one of her sons and raise a family. Offering a god mother in law in return for your fidelity. Hephaestus, well, I doubt the cripple would want a woman at all.” Answered Kendra quickly.
Hattie paled at the mention of Hades’ desires. A fact Kendra failed to notice. At the mention of Hera coercing her into marriage Hattie hid her face in her knees once more. As Kendra finished speaking Konrad nudged her gently, nodding to Hattie.
“Oh! Do not fear the gods. I have not heard any of them speak in over a decade, nor have any of the other diviners. This is only speculation dear. No way for us to know before you do.” Offered Kendra, biting the bottom of her lip.
If not for the potion of shared sight she would have comforted the girl. Konrad noticed her yearning and gave Nestor a meaningful glance. Frowning as he realized the man's eyes were closed. He cleared his throat in an attempt to get Nestor's attention.
“Hattie, give me your hand. The potion makes moving a bit too tricky for my old bones.” Said Nestor, extending his hand blindly.
She peeked over her knees and took his offered hand, seeing the meaning behind his words.
“Thanks grandpa.” She whispered.
Nestor smiled. “As long as I draw breath you will be protected. And when I die I hope you will be present so that curiosity trait can give you my experience. A final parting gift for my dearest granddaughter.” Promised Quade.
“Chiron's coins Nestor! Is that how you comfort a girl?” Said Konrad, mouth agape at his comrade.
To all their surprise it was Hattie’s turn to laugh.
“Grandpa is always grim. He used to read me dungeon stories before bedtime.” She said.
“Ghost stories before bedtime Nestor?” Asked Konrad, one eyebrow reaching the ceiling.
Hattie interjected, “Honestly, they aren't scary when grandpa is telling them. After all, I knew he would survive because he was reading the story to me.” Answered Hattie with a sly grin. “Mom would get so mad at you.”
“Indeed she did. Gave me an earful on more than one occasion.”
“And you always answered her the same way,” began Hattie, changing her voice to sound deeper. “High King Agamemnon offered me ten thousand gold coins to read these stories to his son! You should be grateful that I'm doing this for free!” She finished.
Nestor chuckled politely. Konrad just rubbed his brow.
“Alright, enough of gods and futures. Konrad, help me sit down.” Ordered Kendra.
Konrad stood and slid his chair behind her, gently pushing the seat into the back of her knees. His hand found hers and helped to lower her, guiding her as carefully as one might hold an infant.
“It’s late. Let’s finish this appraisal. That curiosity talent could get us all killed.” Said Kendra, guiding the conversation back on topic.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.
Nestor grumbled his agreement on the unusual talent. Experience, more commonly referred to as XP, was generally earned in combat. Taking a life of any form transfers a significant portion of the being’s accumulated XP to it’s conqueror. Though there were other ways to level up. Any activity with applications to your class would provide a measure of XP.
For example, a low level warrior could do a hundred push ups every day for a year to gain a level, or they could butcher fifty chickens and gain a similar amount of XP. As one increased their level, the amount of XP required to reach the next level increased dramatically. Making skills that increase XP gains exceptionally valuable. If a talent became valuable enough then it became viable to steal the talent via rare dungeon artifacts. To his knowledge there were three such artifacts on the continent, one in the possession of the high king and the others hidden amongst the elves.
Nestor worried his lip. Gaining any amount of XP from simply watching was unheard of. “Curiosity” was a talent so legendary that it made all adventurers present question everything they knew. Her observation of knights training could elevate her to the level cap, reaching level 100 faster than any other being in existence.
It must have a hidden drawback. Zeus has never granted a talent this potent. So why give humanity a free ticket to evolution now? Thought Nestor.
Hattie squirmed in the silence. Uncertainty pricking her mind until she risked a peek. Needing to know that she was not alone in the darkness. A glance to her right showed her grandfather, slowly stroking his beard.
His face shone in the dark, illuminated by a rainbow of magical auras emanating from his equipment. Kendra’s spine went rigid as her eyes were overwhelmed by their shared sight and Nestor clapped his hands together.
“Eyes closed!” He snapped.
Kendra gasped for air, vainly hiding her face as she tried to shut out the disorientation of seeing herself through another’s eyes.
“Sorry!” Cried Hattie, pinching her eyes shut once more.
“By the gods. Child-no, your name is Hattie... Can you always see those auras?” Gasped Kendra, dots of sweat appearing on her forehead.
Nestor said nothing. Taking a sip of whiskey to wet his whistle.
“Not always… Since my birthday everything… uhm, looks different. I see lights that weren’t there before… And lights in places that don’t make sense.” Whispered Hattie.
Kendra’s frown softened.
“One of our diviners couldn’t control her powers either. Nestor, end this potion, I do not wish to see any more surprises tonight. We will register her as a level twenty Diviner with passive talents. That ought to be close enough to the truth to avoid unwanted attention. I’ll start her training tomorrow morning.” Finished Kendra.
“Ahem, we aren’t done.” Said Nestor, clearing his throat to catch their attention.
Konrad ran a free hand through his hair, taking a deep breath to steady his fraying nerves. Kendra pulled his arm around her, using his muscles as a blanket.
“Oh joy, what other nightmare are you going to whisper in my ear before bed.” He groaned.
Nestor smiled, “Come now, you know me! I always save the good news for a rainy day.” He chided.
“Go on Hattie. Show us the thing.”
“Eugh. Stop making it sound weird grandpa.” Cried Hattie.
“Ha, we are all friends here. Konrad might not look it, but he is a big ol’ softie.” Teased Nestor.
“Fine… Here it is.” Said Hattie, bringing memories of her dream into their shared vision.
They were standing on a dirt path. Terraces of crops stretched out above and below them, lining the mountainside they seemed to be standing on. Directly in front of them stood twin marble doors with a faint blue aura surrounding them. A status window appeared over the doors, displaying the stats.
Name: “Jean-luc Delance”
Class: Dungeon
Rank: 1
HP -/-
MP 1,000,000/1,000,000
Strength: -/-
Agility: -/-
Intelligence: 75
Talents: -/-
Spells:
Curse of Stubbed toe
“A brand new dungeon!” Exclaimed Kendra.
“A brand new, level ONE dungeon.” Corrected Nestor, emphasizing the level.
Konrad stood up straight, spine sharpening at the dungeon’s level.
“Are you sure?” He said eagerly.
Nestor chuckled, knowing why his friend was so intent on the level. A level one dungeon would have a plethora of weak monsters that respawned quickly. Making it an excellent place for low leveled humans to get a headstart on leveling. Konrad had once jokingly called low level dungeons “Noble farms”, since the wealthy nobles would often pay for adventurers to level up their children within the dungeons. Holding down goblins for the novices to land the killing blow.
“Close your mouth before you drool on me.” Said Kendra, not needing to see Konrad’s face to know what he was thinking.
“Babe, it’s a level one dungeon! We should send the whole guild- aahhh” he began, voice choking into a groan as he remembered his current roster.
“Yes dear an excellent idea! We can send the receptionist, our cook, oh! Don’t forget the accountants, which leaves us with the two backstabbers to round out the party. That should be a very effective scouting force.” Mocked Kendra, freeing one of her hands to rub her eyes.
Hattie heard Nestor stand and mutter a few words, ending the incantation with a soft clap of his hands. The sensation of an eggshell shattering resonated through her body. Filling her with an odd tingling. She risked a peek, glancing towards the diviner across from her. Kendra gave her a pained smile and stood, unaffected by Hattie’s gaze.
Nestor nodded severely. “My days of dungeoneering are coming to a close. I will go, Hattie will come with me. As for your guild, give me the backstabbers. My heart might be weak but the heaven’s blade has not dulled. We will slay the unfaithful, just as we did for you Konrad. Let me teach her the hard lessons while I am able.” Offered Nestor.
A look passed between Kendra and Konrad, fear shining in Kendra’s eyes. She shook her head, silently refusing the request. While Konrad’s jaw tightened, clenching and unclenching before he spoke.
“I have two rotten eggs. Last survivor types. A berserker who’s survived four party wipes, and an archer who is always the first to run. I… Don’t like the idea of sending them out with a level one. It’s too risky, no matter her class. No by the shades of Tartarus, sending her along is more risky because of her class. Are you sure you want to start with the darkest lesson?” Asked Konrad.
Nestor nodded his head once. “I understand, but we are doing this Konrad. Zeus would not create a talent like hers without a reason. We can only assume that humanities’ time is short. The Leviathans are here and we must find the weapons to slay them. This “Curiosity” talent might be the key to her evolution. Besides, I have this.” Chuckled Nestor, withdrawing a golden amulet from his shirt pocket.
“Is that what she wants Nestor? Or are you trying to make her succeed where you failed?” Whispered Konrad.
“Our desires are meaningless. This is what humanity needs.” Answered Nestor, offering the amulet to Hattie.
Three jewels shone in the candle light, each reflecting a power within themselves. A soft blue sapphire shone from the peak, with a brilliant red ruby set into the amulet on it’s right hand side. Leaving a space in their magical triangle for a twinkling green emerald. Nestor handed the amulet to Hattie. Kendra’s eyes went wide as she used her own appraisal on the item, as did Konrad. His facial scars twisting in an ugly grin.
“Happy birthday love. Test that divine sight of yours on this.” Said Nestor, depositing the amulet into her outstretched hands.
Hattie gave him a quizzical look. Not understanding what the item was or why the others had reacted so strongly. To her unaided eyes the amulet was magical, but no stronger than a simple necklace of mild recovery. A useful trinket that many low level adventurers would possess. Tapping into her talents she activated her Divine Sight. Revealing the amulet for the named relic that it was.
“Third Chances”
Rarity: Artifact, Unique
Sapphire: Charged
Ruby: Charged
Emerald: Charged
This necklace has multiple effects, once per day it can refill your MP. Once per charged sapphire this item will cover the MP cost of a spell and restore up to 50% of your maximum MP. Once per charged ruby it will absorb a lethal blow and can restore up to 50% of your maximum HP. Once per charged emerald this necklace can be used to teleport via recall to a predetermined location.
She froze as she read. Unable to process the legendary item meer inches from her face. Her jaw opened. Then closed. Working silently as she struggled to find the words. Nestor beat her to the punch, picking up the necklace by the chain and slipping it over her orange locks.
“I gave this to your mother on her sixteenth birthday. She returned it shortly after her retirement, asking me to pass it on to someone in need. For that reason alone I can think of no one who needs this more than you. Set it to recall here. That way I can sleep soundly knowing you are safe.” Said Nestor.
Hattie’s hands curled around the artifact, clenching it with all her feeble strength. A treasure from her grandfather and her mother, a lone token of her mother’s existence. Tears ran freely down her cheeks.