After a good night's rest, Zack wakes up feeling warm and at peace. until he looks over and sees Belle snuggling him in bed. He turns bright red internally screaming. Trying not to wake her up because she looks so cute when she is asleep.
"Belle wakes up, we got to go soon. Everyone's probably waiting."
"Ughh just 5 more mins I'm comfy."
"Fine 5 more minutes. That's it I'm not sure I could take much more than that."
They get up feeling chipper and closer to each other. As they head downstairs the rest of the party is eating breakfast already.
"Zack my boy how did you sleep?"
"Very well guntar thank you, I feel much better still a little soar."
"Well, I'm glad your Mobil now we best eat and be on our way father jack was here to see if you were up yet about 20 minutes ago."
" I see well I'll head over after I eat quickly thank you."
The group has a filling breakfast and decides to head out to their prospective guilds to report and receive anything new they might have coming their way! They decided to walk to the center of the market before dispersing.
The marketplace is pretty quiet which is pretty weird for this place. Usually, it's bustling at all hours of day and night. Even the merchants aren't here.
"Where is everyone it's like a ghost town?" Said a curious Kyra.
"Look out there, I see a crowd what's going on? Said belle.
They run over and make their way thru the crowd. They hear a deep almost manic voice delivering some sort of speech. They look and it's a tall man with stark white hair, blue eyes, and pale blue skin. He had tattered wings with a scythe on his back. He was wearing some sort of military uniform.
"WARRIORS OF ALL CREEDS, RACES, and genders. I am commander grey, many of you know me and my squad. We are part of the brigade a section of the king's army. We protect the bowl where you reside and conquer lands thru the portal. And ensure trade is secure with the other remaining kingdoms. I am here today to see if any among you are worthy of joining these ranks beside me!
While he is giving this speech Belle notices his mannerisms and facial expression aren't matching the speech or the eagerness he is trying to convey. His eyes are forced open wide, they look hollow and filled with pain. He has bags under his eye you can only see for a second when he relaxes his face in between sentences.
He steps down from the podium and swiftly starts to walk towards the exit to the mine. Zack runs towards him the group follows. Zack runs up to the commander and loudly bows his head and existences his hands " PLEASE SIR DHAKE MY HAND!"
He spooked the commander who without a millisecond of hesitation drew his scythe and swung it at Zack his eyes fully blacked out it was only stopped another in the same uniform, a half-giant that grabbed the blade with his hand. The man steps in front of Zack and steps toward the commander.
"Sir it's Gremmley we're home sir your okay? You're making a scene sir."
The commander's eyes regain color. He pauses for a moment and pushes Gremmely aside.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.
"Hahaha very nice resolve my boy you are worthy come and join my ranks we would be honored to have you join us! You passed the test." He then shakes Zack's hand eagerly trying to relieve the tension. Zack seemingly does not notice what's going on and is awestruck.
The commander bows and continues to exit the mine.
Greeley looks to Zack. " seriously you should stop by I can tell you have heart kid."
He then follows the commander with two others.
Zack looks back to the group who look mortified. " can you believe it guys I passed the test they want me to join!!!"
"Yeah....." they all say in doubtful unison.
After that disturbing scene, they all disperse to report their guilds.
Zack goes to see father jack, he changes into his robe and meets father jack in the temple for three days of mediation and a ceremony at the end. In this ceremony, he received a pendant. It is the shape of a bear, father jack said it is a symbol of redemption. And that's how he should carry himself seeing redeeming qualities in all.
Kyra went with Gorgyle to their guild. Kyra worked on training firke, her master domain trained her with the bow enhancing her already sharp skill. She also picked up two new spells from her master.
Gorgyle trained in poisons and disguise kits. Sharpening his assassin tactics. He also trained with Kyra and firke to enhance is hand to hand combat skill.
Belle learns how to levitate a shirt while trading with Claire. By using her arcane energy and pushing it through her feet she can levitate while her hands are free to use.
After the three days of training, they meet up at the tavern to discuss and brag about what they learned. And the fact that they all ranked up they are now obsidian ranked according to their guilds.
Who knew almost dying so much would pay off" Gorgyle said clutching a full bag of coins.
"I hear that I bought some new gear and some armor for Firke"
Firke rubs his head into kyras leg and let's out a little bark of happiness!
"so what do we do now?" Another round with the portal?? Sais belle
Zack jumps in "Well I've been thinking why not see what the brigade is about? They pay well we get to go out of the bowl without being horrible underpowered. And besides after the giant fiasco, I'm kinda tapped out of the random feature."
Well, I have no objections there my father will be pleased to hear it. Said Kyra
Belle: I'm in I'll go with you got nothing better to do!
Guntar: I've got to keep my eyes on you, so count me in my boy. Besides I've got some old friends there!
They all look to Gorgyle awaiting a reply.
Gorygyle: ...... fine but only because I don't feel like making new friends.
They all toast there drinks and celebrate the new direction their heading for. They get a good night's rest and decide to head off in the morning.
Morning comes like any other. They have breakfast chat and are on there way. They exit the mine going back out into the world.
It's brighter then they remember they have not come out in some time grinding away in the mine and portal.
Guntar: we can take the lift on the other side of town the brigade base is located up in the mountain.
Zack: sounds good let's be on our way.
As they make their way through town Gorgyle has his hood up and is trying hard not to be noticed.
Zack: hey are you okay, Are you cold or something??
Gorgyle: sh don't talk to me until we are out of town.
They crop through the market place then through the housing district, at this point, the gargoyles head is on a swivel. He is completely fixated on his surroundings. As they make it through town and leave Gorgyle takes his hood off and takes a big sigh.
The whole party has stopped and is staring holes through him.
Gorgyle: what? Do you need something?
Zack: what's going on you were acting strange.
Gorgyle: well if you must know I might owe some money to some people you don't wanna owe money to and I left a career path you don't just walk away from alright. Can we just keep going?
Zack: you are our friend no harm will come to you with us around but you haft to trust us.
Gorgyle:... thanks I'll try.
They make their way over to the lift. There are two heavily armored soldiers standing guard. They are arokokras,( eagle people ).
Guard 1: HALT THERE WHAT BUSINESS DO YOU HAVE WITH THE BRIGADE?
Guntar: hello my friends they are recruits told by Gremmely and commander grey to come and apply. I was part of the 3rd squadron many years ago.
Guard 2: where is your proof?
Guntar dogs in his pouch and pulls out an old dusty pendant. He blows off the dust and flashes it to them.
Guard 1: I'm so sorry sir head right up thank you for your service.
Guntar: right this way pups.
They climb on the lift and the guards pull the lever that activates the lift system. They start to slowly accent the side of the mountain. And half way up it stops and at a sizable dent in the wall with a building built into the wall.
They go in and it is busy people running with maps and other paperwork back and forth to the different rooms to to the left and right.
Ahead of them is a desk with a tiefling sitting there overlooking a sizable stack of paperwork. She looks up and them. She has faded red skin, horns on her red dark brown almost black eyes. She is wearing reading glasses that seem a bit too small and just barely fit her face.
She takes off them and looks at them. I take it your group my husband had an episode in front of??
Zack: you're married to commander grey?
Tiana: yes I know a tiefling and Casimir an odd couple considering our lineage. Is that a problem?
Zack: no not at all I don't care about that I just think it's cool he has a wife! I bet your super strong too!!
Tiana: I like you, kid. She sais flashing a devilish smile. Anyway so are you here to sign up??
Belle: we all are we would be happy to help out.
Tiana: good we could use it, basic training
begins now fill these papers out over there, bring it back when your done.