The next day he awoke early, full of energy; he wanted to unpack his alchemy set but realized he did not have a table to do anything with!
He never thought much about how sparse his room was before he was always adventuring …
He just had his bed, a small shelf for books, a chest where he stored things, and an end table well beside the small desk that would not be good enough for alchemy…
He needed another table to spread out his goods; his room was big enough; he just never cared to stay or had a need to place more items. Maybe the desk could work for now.
But it would end up being an area more for writing than doing experiments. He needed both; upon further thought, he sighed; he also needed money…
It was all fun times; he thought nothing of making money, but now? He needed it. He wondered in passing if his dad had been saving anything for him thus far; he was probably spending it too, not even noticing, just like a child; he scowled at himself.
Despite him getting up early, it seemed the family started the workday earlier; Mom was still home, and Nina stopped by to visit, but Len and Dad already left for work…
Nina was happy to see him and asked how he had been. He told her of his apprenticeship in alchemy, but now he was struggling for new items like a table and maybe a bigger desk. Nina insisted she buy them for him, to which he panicked and said, “No.” She did not understand.
“Are we not family?”
“It’s not like that… Closing his eyes, thinking, “This is something I want to earn to prove I’m not a kid,“ Nina pouted, ears drooping a bit.
“How can I help you, kiddo, if you don’t let me?” Mom interrupted before the back-and-forth could continue.
“You do have some money saved from your father. Why don’t you both go see him and see what he says before you plan what you need?” They both nodded and said
“Ok."
Neither one of them felt satisfied with the outcome, yet they still set off on a new adventure. He forgot how excited Nina could be…
It was weird seeing her joy over wanting to buy him items… as if they were new things for her.
As they went, it seemed she could not wait to ask random questions, “What kind of potions can you make, things for sleep? What about hunger? Maybe more energy!”
He denied the last one quickly.
“NO, you would run laps in the forest and carry me away while doing it…”
She laughed in joy before replying, "That would be amazing!"
"You have to do it.” He couldn’t help but laugh at that, picturing her small form carrying him, running through town, probably even yelling, Move! I have to go! As she flew by everyone…
It was a crazy thought she would probably make true if he wasn’t careful…
She hugged him. “Don’t forget me when you’re famous, kiddo; your big sister will miss you…"
"Although I’ll probably visit every day even if you leave for the city!”
“I’m sure you would,” he pushed her away with a smile. “I won’t forget you’re always nice to me… Maybe a little much, but I do care about you.”
She beamed at that.
“With me, you'll always be safe; don’t forget I’m strong!” She puffed out her chest and made a pose…
“ I won’t,” he replied, then remembered he had never once seen her use the magic, so warily he asked, “Hey, Nina, um… Can I ask about your magic?” She got quiet for a second and relented.
“Long as you keep it secret, ask away; I trust you, little brother.” He smiled sadly at that; he wasn’t sure why it was such a burden. Well, he knew what she said, but he couldn’t understand it.
“Um…. You say you’re strong, and I believe you, but I never see your magic, much less a level-four power, so it’s hard for me to believe you’re that strong…
She laughed nervously at that, but it came out sounding more bitter than happy while looking at her hand. “I guess I can see that… From your view, I’m just a foxkin you accepted as your sister, nothing more, right?"
He felt a bit ashamed at those words, as that was true; she brushed his hair. “That’s good…"
"That makes me happy."
"That’s how I want you to see me, not… as a strong object to be used as a weapon or a pawn to marry away, or even if I ruled, it be as a slave…"
Still slowly brushing his hair, she confessed her fears…
He did not realize this was where the words would take them. He thought back to when she said magic was a burden, and he said she was wrong indeed; a child’s logic….
He rubbed her back. “It’s ok, that’s enough. As he watched her, she had tears in her eyes. He wasn’t sure how much he hurt her, but he was hoping this would make things right.
She looked around. There were people in the distance walking, but they minded their own business, unaware of the events that had just transpired.
She held him close and presented her hand; empty from nothing, her hand became stone, shocking him…
It was even more shocking as she moved the hand of the stone like it was a glove. “Amazing,” and he could not stop himself from touching the stone; it was so thick and solid, yet she could move as easily as he breathed…
Slowly it turned back as he watched the stone fade back into flesh.
“Around level two,” she said, ” stone or any element really… still is rigid and hard to control and needs a lot of practice, but at three? You do have power and options even with no practice…”
“But level four? You are the closest to the element without being the element; it is you, and you are it."
"It’s not hard to use it, almost too easy. It’s why people fear level four…”
“They can hurt others on a whim and require no effort,” he shivered at that last part.
“I heard they’re level five?” absorbed in the moment,
“Just legends, kiddo… Maybe in old times level five walked among us, but anyone with that power would break the world and reshape it on a whim.”
It was hard for him to picture or believe; he stuck out his hand, nothing, not even a small feeling of power. It was a bit depressing that he had the same level of power, but it did not flow freely in him…
Both were lost in the moment. Nina recovered first, wiping away even the remnants of any tears. “Let go, kiddo; we want that table for potions, right?"
"We can’t change the world crying about the past.” He nodded at that; it made sense he wanted to move forward, so he had to be like Nina, always trying, lest he lose sight of his goals.
The rest of the trip was mostly quiet.
Nina still poked and teased him, but it was more subdued and less joyful. When at the shop, Leena was surprised to see them both, but happy all the same; she hugged them and asked.
“Why were you here so early? It was a nice surprise but different. Are you looking for work?" He flinched at that, and both his sisters laughed, knowing his true thoughts.
“Is Dad here? I need a bigger desk and table for alchemy.” Len thought for a bit…
“He was getting ready for a shipment, but I’m sure we can order those for you, although it takes about a week.”
“A week!” He groaned.
“Yes,” Len replied, “Things take time…” he belatedly realized
“Um… the cost?” Len laughed.
“I have money, don’t worry, I never spend it, so I will get it for you.”
“Thanks, Len.” He felt relieved. Nina shouted at that.
“THAT’S NOT FAIR! ..."
"I offered the same, and you said, NO!” ear flat, tail swishing. Why was she so mad he was saying yes to his sister? He realized his mistake but wasn’t sure how to explain…
He did not think twice and was drawing a blank. Len saved him once more with a gentle statement. “Maybe he wanted you to help buy him herbs to do the alchemy since he knew I had money for the desk and table.”
“YES, THAT IS IT” He grasped what he could to try to smooth things over. “I trust you both, but I can’t do alchemy without herbs, so I was afraid to ask you, I swear!” Nina glared a bit longer, but then her ears perkedp, and her tail stopped.
“Ok, I understand you see me as your second sister, so I can’t be jealous when you won’t pick me for help…” Leena smiled and said
“It’s not a competition where family; we all help in different ways."
“THAT’S RIGHT,“ he shouted before calming down and sighing.
“I planned to give freely many of my potions, so I didn’t want any money to help till I was sure I was making something worth selling … "
"I mean, I would never charge family; it’s not right for me to take money you earn for my whims."
Nina started wagging her tail. “I’m still mad at you, so you better make me something good that is mine.” He nodded, happy this was resolved.
“I’m thankful for the potion you already made, brother; those can be hard to come by, so having more in reserve lets us live easier. That was enough for me and Mom, I’m sure.” He was thoughtful…
“Maybe I can do more, but I need time and supplies; till then, I’ll wait for you two to help me.” He wanted to find Dad and asked if Nina wanted to go; she said no, Len needed help, and she wanted to make sure they got the herbs added in the next supplies.
When roaming the back, he heard his dad speaking, “The guildhall is already making a building? But there's no dungeon."
“I know, Justin, but they want to expand first and then inform people as it happens versus trying to play catch-up.” Said an unknown voice, followed by a sigh from his dad, before he heard his voice once more.
“Listen, Victor, you know I trust you; you have been leading this town fine so far, but we need to be mindful of how we expand."
"I'm already swamped in work trying to oversee supplies, trades, and routes…” the other voice spoke again.
"and I’m trying to send more labor your way. Everyone is busy with building or supplies.”
He was not able to handle not knowing who was talking, so he stepped out the door.
He saw a wagon nearby being loaded by people and his dad standing next to a little man smaller than him. Maybe a kid?
No, it was a gnome...
He heard stories from his sister; they were little people, but seeing one in person was different. His dad’s back was to him, but the gnome was facing him.
“O, you did not tell me your son was working here; it’s been a while; I would’ve said hi…” His dad, not knowing he was behind, turned around.
“Son? He frowned. “What are you doing here?”
“ Sorry, Dad, I need something and was hoping you could get it, um…."
"Who is he?” The gnome was shocked.
“You don’t remember me?"
"I bounced you on my knee when you were three! Heavy thing you were…"
"We even ran around the shop… Think it was when you were four? I often meet with your dad here, and your sister even does deliveries for me!"
" And you say you don’t remember! " He exclaimed.
“I’m sorry I did not leave the house much till recently, and I… don’t remember you,” he confessed nervously. He watched as the gnome went from a shocked look to a stern face.
“Is this how you raise your kids, Thorn-blade?"
"To not even know those that help raise them?" The gnome said coldly.
“It’s not like… " Dad said, “He just sheltered, and like most kids, only remembers those they see the most."
"He was a baby when you were around. We had both been busy, so he never really saw you to remember better.”
The gnome deflated, “I suppose the way things are going, I do fear we are drifting apart… "
"That’s why I keep pushing for you to become an official part of the council… You already do it unofficially, so sit in it and enjoy the pay.”
His dad shrugged. “I’ll consider it, but I want to do this delivery sometime today.”
“Yes, yes…” the gnome said, waving his hand, dismissing his dad, then focused on him. “Come here, boy, give your uncle a hug. It has been too long.”
“UNCLE!” He was shocked and couldn’t help himself; the gnome jerked back at the shouting and then got upset.
“You really don’t remember me? ….” He felt ashamed that this was someone important, but he had no memories. ” His dad spoke up.
“He had been with me for fifteen years, give or take a few, as a close friend. We were in the same adventuring party back in the day, and he was there when your mom was pregnant and helped us move here when we needed a place to stay beyond the city.
As if summoned by the noise, Nina and his sister Len show up.
“Is everything okay, Wolf? I heard you yelling".
"O, uncle, what are you doing here…" Leena replied casually to the gnome.
“It's good to see you, niece,” the gnome beamed at her. “At least little Len remembers me. My poor heart couldn’t handle both of you forgetting me.”
“What?! How could we forget you?” She was confused.
“He did,” Uncle replied sourly, pointing at Wolf.
“Wolf!” Len said disapprovingly, “How do you not remember Uncle?!”
“ I never see him,“ he protested, “and how could I forget that?” He pointed to the gnome as if he were an oddity…
Everyone was stunned and silent at those words. His dad, a moment later, was trying to hold back a laugh but looked stern at him.
“Wolf, that’s rude.“ The gnome got a dark glint in his eye.
“O, see me as just a short nobody, do you?" He was scared as he saw that look, fearing the worst… “You do know I’m a master of wind magic.” He was confused about what that was supposed to mean. The gnome pulled up both his hands and said.
“Come to uncle” with a manic grin,
Against his will, he was pulled forward by an unknown wind before he could scream in terror. He started bursting out laughing as little hands tickled his body, and he was forced to the floor. “Not so big now, are you?” the gnome proudly climbed on him as he kept tickling him.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry! He gasped out between laughs. It was an odd torture being afraid and laughing all while it was being done because a little man was overwhelming you…
The gnome relented and helped him up, then embraced him. “Even if you never remember me, boy, I’ll always love you like my son.” He felt saddened at that.
“Sorry, uncle,” he regretted his outburst from before.
“It's ok, my boy, I blame your father, not you.”
“ Hey,” his dad said, “we have been busy, and I’m sure we mentioned you before; maybe Wolf just doesn’t listen.” He flinched at those words as they did ring some truth…
Len held him in comfort now while Nina just grinned, having watched it all unfold, then broke the silence, “So it all worked out? And everything is ok?
Her tail passively wagging,
“Everything’s fine,” his dad said. “Victor was just overseeing a shipment and asking me about a guild’s plans, nothing to concern yourself over.” Both sisters just nodded, but he was lost.
“What guild plan?” Nina was unsure and curious.
Victor looked at his dad, and his dad just shrugged his shoulders and said, ” It is not a secret, and even if it was, news would spread.” Victor nodded before explaining in detail.
“There's a dungeon growing, and adventure parties will come; they will need to be regulated, and what they find will be bought and sold. A guild hall helps with that.”
“They also keep a balance with the church since the church does many things that are free but focuses on the poor with their efforts; the guild hall is for those with money needing things done or to sell with.”
He nodded; he knew some of that, but more info was always good. He started at Victor, unsure what to do; though he was told they were close, he felt distant. Victor saw the look.
“It's ok, my boy, I’ll make more of an effort to visit the family so you can’t forget me again, but… if you do… He shifted his hands, and Wolf was pulled a little forward before the wind stopped, and Victor said
“I’ll get you in my grasp and make you remember, he said with a smile. As he felt exasperated at the turn of events, he nodded and slowly backed up till he was behind his sitter, Len, and she smiled while shielding him with Nina and Dad amused but just observing.
Victor was also amused. “Ok, Justin, you’re busy, I’m busy; I’ll talk more another time.” He turned to the kids, “Stay safe, kids; things are changing.” As he was leaving, Len shouted to him.
“Bye, uncle!” With him still wary, his sister turned to him with a smile, then a frown…
“ Hmmm, maybe you were too young, but Uncle was over a lot in the beginning. It was just as more people entered town and trade improved; he had to stay in office more; that’s why he asked Dad to help with overseeing trades to free him up a bit.”
He nodded; it made sense, but there was still too much all at once. “Well,” his dad said from behind them, ” you’re causing a ruckus and pestering your sister."
“SISTERS!” Nina shouted, Dad, looking confused. “Sorry for yelling; I was made his second sister. So I like to be included,” Nina clarified, and Dad approved.
“Right, I forgot… sisters."
"You’re stopping them from working, so what did you need?” He was about to speak when Len went first.
“Dad Wolf asked me to help him with a few items: a bigger desk to do research and study and a long table to do alchemy. He can’t work without them.”
“AND herbs!” Nina chimed in, “ I said I would get those to help his craft.”
Dad was torn; he needed the space for trade goods.
“I suppose I can see about getting another wagon; maybe Nebo can help with this delivery since it won’t fit everything in one trip,” he sighed. “Maybe I can add a few gifts for your mother on the side…"
“The house can use a few things; I’ve just been putting it off." He looked at his son. “Was that everything?”
“Yeah, Dad, thank you!“ He was happy things were going his way.
“Well, if that all work hasn’t stopped unless you want help, we've got things to do.” He felt guilty; he always was offloading the work and agreed to help today.
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Both sisters were happy to have him and made a game out of it, with each taking turns working and playing on the side. Dad did not like it at first but knew everyone needed time to relax, so he was happy in the end that the work was going smoothly and people were happy.
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The day ended with everyone happy and Wolf worn down; he could not figure out how they had so much energy…
Dinner was pleasant with the family, and he called it an early night, hoping to read to pass the time. He looked at his books and thought about trying the dungeon one since people kept saying it was coming.
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The Dungeons and What They Bring by the Church
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First, understand that although dungeons have long since been conquered in cities, new dungeons present unknown factors, as well as ancient dungeons being unknown depths.
What we do know so far is that dungeons tend to follow a pattern, and we believe that is by design of the gods.
Dungeons curse the weak in magic living in the area: it is debated if it is a test for us to help each other or a test they want the weak to overcome.
It is agreed the weak are not being punished; the current theory is magic that alters the world. They cannot handle the change, so it weakens them.
They can be cured, and since this writing, nobody has died from the curse, just suffered weakness.
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Weak monster and few spawns: At the beginning of a dungeon, they are very rare to appear, and you must travel deeper to see even one monster.
Do note that the deeper you go and the lower the level, the more and faster monsters that exist and are no longer weak after a certain point.
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Monster spawn: to add to the first part. Monsters don’t breed in dungeons; there is a belief they can in the wild, but the understanding all agree to as of now is they are born of magic why they just spawn and drop mana crystals.
It is also theorized why wild monsters crave mana or magic above everything else: the lack of dungeon mana to sustain them, so they hunt for more.
Dungeon depths: So far, the current theory is more doors leading deeper can spawn-like monsters, but it is unknown what allows those worlds in dungeons to exist.
It is also agreed anything beyond the first level is a threat, and the deeper you go. You should never take dungeons lightly.
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Rewards: The gods are fickle; you cannot skin dungeon monsters nor harvest their parts; they always fade and can leave a mana crystal.
That said, the gods balance this with an abundance of rare resources to gather, mine, or cut as trees can exist inside.
There have been reports of old dungeons having loot such as armor, weapons, books, etc.; however, it is unknown if it was lost treasure from the old adventure of the past or rewards from the gods.
As of now, no new known dungeons have gear loot, trinkets, or books; only minor crystals. But we cannot say in time. If things could change.
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Mana crystals: These are key in many things. including magic gear refining, magic glass, or items of a magic nature, or purifying areas are just a few; they can also be consumed to power your magic.
Yes, a level zero can become a level five in time, but the number of crystals would be staggering, and the higher your level, the stronger the crystal needed, so the god of balance already saw the greed of man and stopped it.
Thus, it can help understand the sheer variety of uses for mana crystals, and the slow respawn of monsters keeps it from being an endless supply of empowering new mages who wish to gain magic or strengthen their own.
Dungeons are not bound by our laws of nature: it is very important to note that dungeons are set and follow some rules; they are not just random caves; they can be a sunny plain never to see night.
It could even be an endless snowing winter or a dark graveyard, never to know the warmth of a day, an endless forest, a desert, and their rare reports of lava and endless water floors exist.
The gods are not cruel; they can be left and their safe areas, but as always, never assume. as new places are reported, and we update when we can see guild books for more info.
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Monsters have their own magic: this was often debated, but none could agree why, but the key importance is they can do things humans and beastkin cannot: lighting, illusion, curse, and poison, to name a few.
Monsters can use those gifts to varying degrees. Some focus on strengthening their body or their allies. There have been attempts to capture and steal that magic, but it is forbidden knowledge.
At this point, it is best not to try to pursue that power as it leads to corruption and the god’s disapproval. If they wanted us to have those gifts, they would make it known.
Finally, note that dungeons do offer endless wealth and growth to any who pursue them. Some floors can be safe and only offer a bounty of rare things to gather.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ548UgVNKIp
But never assume you are safe in a dungeon; they are a test from the gods, and what is inside is the reward. Never forget the balance is between risk and reward.
He closed the book that had a lot of info, and still, he had a lot of questions: why can’t we work with the monsters? Are they all mindless beasts? Why do they get magic we don’t? Can we not learn it? Why are we bound to one magic type when balance exists? Why can’t the gods agree to give more types to others?
He was a bit tired, and these were just random thoughts. He was also wondering how Teva was doing; he missed her…
which made him think about Coby. He knew he was hunting, but he never really knew how he hunted. That was part of growing up—not always knowing what was happening….
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He let those idle thoughts fade as he slept; tomorrow would be a new day.121Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ77Vv4ZuEuO
