Eventually, all of the friends returned to the house. TJ had stated that the town was still in an uproar over the portal and had to place a permanent guard rota to ensure no one approached it.
“I do not think it would matter if anyone did approach it,” Kyto said.
“Why?” TJ asked.
“It said it can only be used by Enlightened.”
“I still do not trust that it may not harm others.”
“Fair point. Although the Dungeon portal allowed the others to use it with no side problems.”
“I just do not trust anything this System is doing.”
“Food is ready,” Tabs called from the kitchen.
Everyone gathered in the kitchen to eat. Even the cubs and Tiddles joined them. The conversations around the table discussed the various Dungeon elements, and Pouncer kept asking Tiddles to retell his stories of some of his battles.
“I can not believe you have just got back and need to go again tomorrow,” Elizabeth said.
“I know, but we can not chance another incursion, so we must at least go through it. The township lost too many during the first one, and we do not plan on being gone for long. We will see where it takes us, look around and then come back again.” Kyto replied.
“We need to decide what skills and improvements we want to use before we go,” Tiddles stated.
Kyto had not even considered his level increases since his return to the house. He had been so happy to see Tabs again and spend time with them all. Just sitting in the kitchen eating a meal was a fantastic feeling. “I suppose we should,” he replied.
“No time like the present,” Tiddles said, standing and stretching his massive form.
They moved into the lounge area, leaving the others to finish their meals.
“Have you decided on what to do yet?” Tiddles asked.
“Not yet. First, I think we both need to level up.”
Kyto pulled up their combined summary.
Experience
Kyto
Tiddles
Total
384065
386830
Next Level
275000
275000
Level
29
29
Individual Quest
Total
175536
1018
Level
8
10
Arcane Knowledge
Earned
85
90
Spent
68
74
Available
15
16
“I have gone up another individual quest level,” Kyto said.
“Great,” Tiddles replied, glazed as he reviewed his details.
Would you like to increase your level to 30? Yes/No
Kyto accepted yes.
Congratulations on reaching level 30. The following bonuses have been awarded. +1 to each of your core statistics, +5 arcane knowledge points.
He felt his body shift slightly as he accepted the increase.
Would you like to increase your level to 31? Yes/No
Kyto accepted yes.
Congratulations on reaching level 31. The following bonuses have been awarded. +1 to each of your core statistics, +7 arcane knowledge points.
Kyto suddenly felt lightheaded. “Urgh.”
“What is wrong?” Tiddles asked.
“I think jumping two levels made my body complain a little,” he replied, slightly nauseous. He sent some strands to his stomach to soothe the sensation.
“Oh. Nice. Level 31 granted seven extra arcane knowledge points rather than five,” he said.
“Just doing mine now,” Tiddles replied.
“I have seventeen skill points available now with the individual quest and then the three I had not yet spent.”
“I have nineteen,” Tiddles replied, grinning.
“What should we go for, and we also have the boon to select?”
“Just looking now.”
“I will level up my Tier 4 skill, Advanced Healing. Looking at the details, it will be my best option.”
“I thought you wanted the burst one?”
“Yes. That was in the Dungeon. We are going alone tomorrow, and considering that the Vilorse was a Tier 3 creature, if we run into one of those, I want the extra healing ability.”
“Ah. Good point. I will Take Flaming Claws to Level 4 and then get Elemental Blast Tier 4.”
“That sounds great.”
Kyto increased his skills.
Would you like to increase Advanced Heal - Tier 4 to Level 1 for a cost of 4 arcane knowledge? Yes/No
Kyto accepted Yes.
Congratulations, your knowledge of life has improved your healing efficiency by 50%, resulting in a 20% mana cost reduction.
Would you like to increase Advanced Heal - Tier 4 to Level 2 for a cost of 8 arcane knowledge? Yes/No
Kyto accepted Yes.
Congratulations, your knowledge of life has improved your healing efficiency by 75%, resulting in a 30% mana cost reduction.
“That is me done. The additional bonuses should help in combat,” He said, checking his character sheet with his new skills.
Name:
Kyto
Title:
Enlightened
Species:
Homosapien
Sub-species:
Risen
Age:
21
Profession:
Chosen
Class:
Wielder
Figures:
Total points
73
Acrobatics
16
Brawling
13
Charm
13
Defence
12
Endurance
14*
Free thinking
19
Elite Skill:
Actualisation
Active
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Specialisation:
Arcane Knowledge
92
97
Tier
Name
Cost
Level
Tier 1
Mana Manipulation
15
5
Tier 2
Wielder Support
20
4
Tier 3
Siphon
9
2
Heal
30
4
Familiar
3
1
Shield
3
1
Tier 4
Advanced Heal
12
2
Level
31
Experience
36565 of 75000
Tiddles began on his skill upgrades.
Would you like to learn Flaming Claws - Tier 3 to Level 4 for a cost of 12 arcane knowledge? Yes/No
Tiddles selected yes.
Congratulations, your Flaming Claws activation costs 20 mana and 20 elemental sparks. Flaming Claws duration will last for 40 seconds. Duration will increase with level upgrades. +80% damage to lifeforms susceptible to fire damage. +50% damage to other lifeforms unless fire elemental when extra damage bonuses have no effect.
Tiddles was excited about his next upgrade, selecting Elemental Blast at Tier 4.
Would you like to learn Elemental Blast - Tier 4 to Level 1 for a cost of 4 arcane knowledge? Yes/No
Tiddles selected yes.
Congratulations, your Elemental Blast releases your inner core. Depending upon your core pool size will depend upon the blast radius. Your blast radius is affected by skill level and damage by core pool size. All caught within the blast radius will receive 250% damage of your released core. At level 1, your blast radius is 5 metres. Warning – this skill requires a one-hour cooldown. Cooldown reduces with level increase.
“Wow,” he said.
“What?” Kyto asked.
“This Elemental Blast is crazy. It creates a blast from my body with a radius of 5 metres at level 1 and damages everything within it depending upon the amount of core I have.”
“That sounds amazing. That would have helped with the Invasion.”
“Yeah. We will have to try it before we go through the portal.”
“I agree.”
“One downside is it has a one-hour cooldown between uses. I think I will increase my core size to support it.”
Would you like to learn Elemental Growth - Tier 4 to Level 1 for a cost of 4 arcane knowledge? Yes/No
Tiddles selected yes.
Congratulations, your Elemental Growth increases your core pool size by 50%.
He checked his skillsheet.
Name:
Tiddles
Title:
Enlightened
Species:
Wild One
Sub-species:
Beast
Age:
2
Profession:
Chosen
Class:
Melee
Figures:
Total points
116
Acrobatics
21
Brawling
21
Charm
15
Defence
18
Endurance
26
Free thinking
15
Specialisation:
Arcane Knowledge
95
102
Tier
Name
Cost
Level
Tier 1
Elemental Fire
15
5
Stealth
10
4
Tier 2
Elemental Combat
20
4
Elemental Support
12
3
Shadow Meld
2
1
Tier 3
Flaming Bite
3
1
Flaming Claws
30
4
Elemental Armour
3
1
Tier 4
Elemental Blast
4
1
Elemental Growth
4
1
Level
31
Experience
36830 of 75000
“Ok. I am all done.” Tiddles said.
“What did your core size go up by?”
“50%,” Tiddles replied, grinning again.
“Did your mana pool increase as well?”
Tiddles checked. “No. Just my elemental core.”
“Well, we have another choice now. Which boon do we want?”
“I had forgotten about that in the excitement. I could have got the pool size increase from that.”
Kyto reviewed the three options they had been given.
Due to completing the dungeon, you have been offered one boon of your choosing. Please select from the following options:
Permanently increase your pool size by 50%.
Permanently increase one core statistic by five points.
Permanently increase one skill by one level.
“I think mine must increase my mana pool size by 50%. I ran out so many times in the Dungeon.”
“I am considering doing the same.”
Both selected the Permanent pool size increase. “My mana pool is now 3000,” Kyto said.
“My elemental core has increased from 1000, with the 50% additional, to 1500, and then with another 50%, it is now 2250.”
“That is a huge increase.”
“I know and am now interested in trying this Elemental Blast skill,” he said, grinning again.
“Well, not in here, we don’t. Let us head outside.”
They walked back through to the kitchen. “You just levelled again, didn’t you?” Tabs said.
“Yes. Why?” Kyto asked.
“You do realise you are both getting taller with each increase.”
“What?” Kyto turned, looking at Tabs.
“Every level that you increase. You are growing slightly.”
“I had not noticed.”
“Lars, can you stand next to Kyto for a minute.” Lars stood doing as he was asked, and now that he was standing next to him, he could tell that he had grown slightly. It was not a significant amount, but his height had increased. He was also bulking out with each increase, noticing his jacket was tighter around his chest. ‘I wonder’, he triggered the Ring of Self Repair being bathed in a brilliant light. Those who had not seen it before wondered what initially happened until Sniffer told them. Once the light faded, Kyto felt that his clothing had all adjusted slightly to his new size.
“That is better,” he said.
“You kept that secret, didn’t you?” Tabs said.
“I had completely forgotten about it until now. We all used it before we came back from the Dungeon.”
“Where are you going anyway?” Brandon asked.
“Outside. Tiddles has a new skill to try.” Kyto replied.
“Oh. I need to come see what it is.” Brandon replied.
The rest of the friends followed them onto the pristine lawn at the back of the property. Kyto pushed Mana into Tiddles.
“Wow. That is what it looks like.” Crystal said, open-mouthed.
“What?” Kyto asked, frowning.
“We can see you push mana,” she replied.
“Oh!”
“That looks really strange,” Elizabeth stated.
“I had no idea that the upgrade had allowed you all to see it. Maybe something to do with the display change.” Kyto said.
“It is pretty mesmerising,” Tabs said.
Once Tiddles was full, he moved away from the group.
“So, what is this skill?” Sniffer asked.
“You will see,” Tiddles replied, grinning.
He ensured he was at least ten metres from anyone, triggering his skill. He felt the pulse inside his body and a mild vibration before his core pool emptied, and a fire ring blasted from his body. The faces of all those watching were a picture as he turned and looked at them smiling. The ground where he had been stood and for the 5 metres around him was all scorched and blackened. A small bush he had not realised he was so close to began to burn, and Kyto went over to put it out.
“That was amazing. I wish you had had that in the Dungeon. Those skeletons would have been destroyed in a flash,” Sniffer managed to say eventually.
“We all felt the blast as well, but it just vanished instantaneously,” Brandon said.
“It has an hour cooldown, though, so it is a last-resort skill. It did not require any mana to use the skill,” Tiddles replied.
"That is great to know," Kyto replied.
They all returned inside and moved through to the lounge area. Since their arrival back in town, it had been a few hours catching up and discussing everything that had happened. Elizabeth had been so grateful that Sniffer could not go with them in the portal. Lars and TJ were not happy and wanted to.
“For this next quest, we have no choice but to do it alone. I suppose it depends on where the portal sends us. If it is close, maybe when we come back through, we can plan for you to travel there.” Kyto said.
“That sounds like a great idea,” Lars said. His voice had improved over the last few hours, and he was now forming his words much more clearly.
“I hope we can try and bring the rest of you along somehow. It will be chaos with just the two of us alone,” Kyto replied.
“My concern is that we have no idea where the portal leads. What if it is further North across the lakes? We will need winter clothing to venture there. Never mind how long it would take for us to meet up with you both,” Tabs said.
“I suppose I better pack for all conditions then,” Kyto replied.
“How long until the portal closes?” Crystal asked.
“We have 17 hours left,” Kyto replied.
“Well, we have time to get everything sorted before you go through, but as you said yourself, you are only going to go through and then coming back, so if you forget something, it should not be too much of an issue,” Crystal added.
“We should go into town and get what you need anyway,” Tabs said.
“Jacquie is the best for clothes in the township,” Elizabeth said.
“Well, we might as well go now, then. If she is still open, it is starting to get late,” Kyto said.
They had not been paying much attention to the time of day, but it was starting to get with the sun beginning to dip in the sky. “She will be open in the morning. So we can go there first thing.” Tabs said.
“Will you be okay looking after the terrors for me?” Tiddles asked Elizabeth and Sniffer.
“Of course. We will all look after them,” Elizabeth said to him, smiling.
“I am on duty in an hour. I better go and get ready. I cannot turn up dressed like this,” Lars said, still wearing the clothes he had for the Dungeon.
“What, they have not even given you any time off after what you have done for the town?” Tabs stated.
“Unfortunately not. I am also heading in to cover the night shift at the barracks,” TJ added.
“That is ridiculous. You have all just come back,” Elizabeth said.
“Nothing is normal with what is occurring now,” TJ replied.
“I am going to get ready. I cannot wait to see Pops tonight,” Lars said, smiling.
“I would love to be there to see his face,” Kyto laughed.
“I think I will not say anything for a while initially.”
“He will probably shit himself,” TJ added.
“Who was the craftsman you mentioned about making the dagger?” Lars asked.
“Francis. He works behind the blacksmiths. He does not usually make weapons but is the best in the town when crafting handles or similar,” TJ replied.
“I will head in early and see if he is still open. The sooner I can get this beauty made into a dagger, the better,” he said, pulling the gleaming white tooth from his pack.
“Where did Brandon go?” Sniffer said, realising he was no longer in the lounge with the rest of them.
“No idea. I did not even see him go,” Elizabeth said.
“Brandon?” Sniffer called.
There was no response.
“I hope he is not causing trouble.”
“What do you mean?” Elizabeth asked.
“Did he not tell you about the pocket watch he got?”
“No?”
“Ah. In that case, you need to be careful if you ever see him with it in his hand.”
“Why?” Elizabeth asked, confused.
“It stops time. Or does something to time that gives him ten seconds to do whatever he wants without anyone knowing.”
“So he could do anything in that ten seconds?”
“He can not attack anyone apparently but can cause problems,” Sniffer said, grumbling. “He stole my belt and made my trousers fall down.”
“I wish I had been there to see that,” Elizabeth chuckled.
Kyto had moved out of the lounge and was sat with Tabs on the rear porch area. They sat in a swinging chair that creaked whenever it swung and had wrapped up under a blanket to fight off the cold of the night as it drew in. “I wish you did not have to go so soon,” Tabs said, snuggling into him.
“So do I,” he said, turning and looking at her.
“I only hope whatever is happening is happening for a reason.”
“What do you mean a reason?”
“There has to be something at the end of all this and the changes.”
“Such as?”
“No idea. That is the problem. The whole time you were away in the Dungeon, I have been trying to work out why and what all this was for. I do not understand any of it. Why were you selected out of all the Risen? Why was Tiddles selected? There must be something behind it.”
“I had completely forgotten!” Kyto said, sitting up suddenly.
“What?” Tabs asked.
“When we were in the dungeon, I had my birthday.”
“Really! Happy Birthday.” Tabs said, smiling.
“No. No. I mean, we had our birthday.”
“Sorry?”
“Tiddles’s birthday is the same as mine. I had not even thought about it again until now.”
“Now that is strange.”
“Yes. I was going to find out if anyone in the township has a birthday on the same day. To see if there was a relationship between our birthdays and being Enlightened.”
“I can find out and ask tomorrow while you are in the portal before you come back through.”
“That would be great. We only plan on going through to check initially and then will return once we have looked around. It has to lead somewhere the system wants us to go after all.”
“I just hope it is nowhere dangerous.”
“Anything will be better than the dungeon, to be honest. That place was horrendous.”
Tabs cuddled back into Kyto as he relaxed again. As the sun disappeared, replaced by a bright moon reflecting off the lake's surface, they made their way inside and upstairs. Getting ready for bed, they settled down, cuddling under the blankets. "I have missed this," Kyto said.
"So have I," Tabs replied, turning to kiss him.
They held their passionate kiss for a while before breaking. Kyto stared deep into Tab's eyes, smiling.
"What?" she said, feeling slightly unnerved by his stare.
"When this is all over. Do you think we should get married?"