From the Beginning
Page 6
“Chief Targith last I heard along with their little shrine in the east became part Impton which is somewhat of a haphazard excuse for its own little kingdom. After they took the city of Darrin about a hundred years ago with no Adventurers to keep em in check they made their own little kingdom of the coastal city.” Gareth said matter-of-factly before downing his own drink.
A bit surprised Dante shook his head “The more I know the more I realize I have no clue about this world” ignoring a bit of shuffling behind him as someone rushed out the door.
Leo went to pour Dante another but stopped when Dante shook his head “Probably fer the best that ya keep your wits about ya if yer heading out that way.”
With a shrug Dante offered Leo his hand “Thought I would come say my goodbyes before picking up some potions and a few accessories if any are available at the auction house.”
Grasping the hand firmly and giving it a friendly shake Leo responded “It has been meh pleasure to host one of the Adventurers in meh establishment. Try not to die too often now.” Chuckling as he released Dante’s hand.
Taking the initiative Gareth stepped forward taking Dante’s still outstretched hand and pulling him into a bear hug “As the oaf said, don’t go dying. But also make sure you give em Hell boy.” Releasing Dante after another tight hug and pointing to the door “Now get to it before the sun sets, and we have to go gather yer bones from the wolves that like to prowl around at night.”
Deciding that it was best to follow the orders of the old Sergeant Dante headed out stopping briefly as he looked back seeing the smiling faces of his friends before closing the door and heading to the alchemy store across the way. Ali the alchemist was ready for him to his surprise with twenty of each type of potions. Bundles of health, mana, and stamina potions were waiting for him on the counter as he walked in.
“Didn’t really get to chat with you but you seem like a good lad” Ali said as her wrinkled face molded into a smile. “Take these free of charge for the help you have offered this town.” Pushing the bundles towards him.
Not wanting to seem ungrateful Dante raised a hand “If everyone keeps giving me free stuff how am I ever going to learn the value of the amazing items you are all showering me with? Could I ask the value of these and at least make a donation for you to make use of however you like equal to the cost of this?”
She squinted at him then her smile broadened before she announced “2,000 gold for the lot Mr. Chivalry.”
Not to surprisingly a prompt popped up in front of him:
20 health, mana, and stamina potions
Total: 2,000 gold
1,502,400 in inventory Use Funds?
5,326,042 in storage Use Funds?
Selecting to take funds from his inventory he felt himself become slightly lighter.
“Thanks for the potions' ma’am” Dante said as he scooped them into the magical space of his inventory.
A less than toothy grin was planted on her face as she waved him out the door. Stepping out he noticed he only had a few hours of daylight left and headed towards the storage keeper as it was his next stop.
Seeing him approach the storage keeper waved him over “Here ya are leav’n us?”
“It would seem my path leads elsewhere, but there were a few small things to settle before I head out.” with a friendly smile Dante responded.
“That would explain the boy's actions” the storage keeper said stroking his chin before returning his friendly smile to his face “By the by names Samuel, not sure if I had gotten the chance to greet ya properly so figured now is as good a time as any.” With an outstretched hand the storage keeper waited for Dante to answer the friendly gesture.
Taking the hand and giving it a firm and friendly shake Dante shook his head “It would seem I am only just really getting to know everyone just as I am about to leave. Can’t help what we can’t help. Now down to the important part.” Detailing to Samuel his plans for his funds. Taking two million and eight hundred thousand in the form of gold bars to reduce the weight and two thousand in gold coin with the rest to be transferred to Shay and Mariann with a quickly jotted note.
Hoping he had not forgotten anything Dante went directly to the eastern gate where he found not only the two standard guards but also an oddly geared Terrance waiting for him. Looking him over Dante realized he had not been using his inspection abilities to read the details of NPC’s and now could see all the basic information of the guard.
Terrance Walsh: Warrior
Level:22.00
Attack Power:102
Defense Power:242
Health:1562/1562
Stamina:733/733
Attack Speed +2
Casting Speed +1
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +4
On his back was a simple shield and sword while the armor was mostly plate with bits of leather in between to hold it together and padded clothing underneath to help prevent the plates from pinching. At least a few inches taller the blonde man stood there with a helm under his left arm and an expectant smile on his masculine stubbly face. Dante shook his head walking past the man not saying anything leaving Terrance standing there crestfallen.
Stopping about twenty feet from the men behind him Dante turned around “Are you coming or are you just gonna stand there waiting for that armor to rust?” To which Terrance threw a fist in the air and whooped before running up to Dante who was now walking east again. As they walked Dante began laying down the rules of his agreement to allow Terrance to join him.
Dante Alexander: Knight Mage
Level: 21.46
Attack Power:114
Defense Power:236
Health:1264/1264
Mana:492/492
Stamina:353/353
Attack Speed +4
Casting Speed +4
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +4
Gear:
Main Hand
+14 Blade of Chaos
Off Hand
+14 Short Sword of Chaos
Helm
+14 Hidden Circlet of Chaos
Armor
+18 Leather Breastplate of Chaos +250 HP
Gloves
+14 Leather Gloves of Chaos
Shoes
+14 Leather Shoes of Chaos
L Earring slot Empty
R Earring slot Empty
L Ring slot Empty
R Ring slot Empty
Necklace slot Empty
Belt slot Empty
Skills:
Basic Attack
Swift Strike
Cascading Blades
Scatter Blades
Chaotic Shield
Hidden Power
Cycle of Fate
Chaos Hold
Shadows of Chaos
Intertwined Fates
Chaos Dash
Plight of Chaos
Companions:
Terrance Walsh: Warrior
Level:22.00
Attack Power:102
Defense Power:242
Health:1562/1562
Stamina:733/733
Attack Speed +2
Casting Speed +1
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +4
Chapter Ten
“Now repeat it back for the last time” Dante ordered Terrance.
Clearing his throat “Rule one if it looks like I might die I run whether you are with me or not, rule two if facing a legendary beast I should stay back and only interfere with other monsters that might attack while you are dealing with the legendary beast. Finally, rule three do not draw extra monsters in unless told to do so.” A little annoyed but still giddy from excitement about Dante letting him join in Terrance recited the rules for the umpteenth time as they continued to walk down the road.
“Good,” Dante nodded “I was a bit surprised by the fact that I was allowed to add you to my party but I also do not know how that will affect you or if you will come back like I do so it
is best not to risk your life unnecessarily. I could also tell that you would not take no for an answer, so I knew I had little choice.” letting out a chortle as he said that.
Reddening a little Terrance only nodded assent to the accusation because he had indeed been planning to follow Dante regardless of Dante’s choice in bringing him along or not. Not wanting to admit this though he decided to change the subject “You seem to know the general area, but we will need to head off the road and further north through the imps wooded lands if we are going to head more directly into their kingdom.”
Knowing he was right about his earlier assumption Dante allowed Terrance to alter the conversation to something more productive. “Yeah, my knowledge is a bit outdated. A few hundred years to be exact but with the tidbits of information and a sturdy companion I might just make it to my goal before I stumble into too much trouble.”
With a hearty laugh Terrance looked off into the woods keeping an eye out for bandits or monsters that might try to ambush them. In the distance animals could be heard, bird calls and chittering as the creatures of the day made way to those of the night. Orange and red was the sky as they continued down the road watching and waiting, expecting the worst as they wandered further and further from the town.
Before long, they came upon an almost hidden fork in the road. On the left the road went in a more northeastern direction while on the right the road seemed almost faint as if not having been used for a very long time and headed direct east towards what Dante knew to be the coast of these lands. Knowing the general direction Dante nodded to Terrance to put on his helm and ready himself as they quietly cut their way through the less trodden path.
Deciding it was best to only spend a few more hours traveling as the light of day finally faded overhead they made camp once they could no longer safely see the hidden path around them. Terrence gathered dry wood as Dante dug out and surrounded a small pit with rocks to safely hide their fire from any possible prying eyes. They made quick work of it as the cold of night set in and Terrance brought out rations for them to share with Dante who was now smiling sheepishly having forgotten to get food for the road.
“Not very prepared for and Adventurer are you?” Terrance asked with a slight laugh.
Chuckling Dante shrugged “Before I came to this world there was not a lot of real adventure to be had. Just the boring jobs of…” stopping a moment to think of something comparable in this world before continuing “clerks and everyone in a hurry up and wait. Not a care for others but only for the wealth and growth of themselves. I would take the good and bad of this world over my old one…” not sure what else to say he sat there in silence as he munched on the rations staring up at the stars peeking through the tree canopy overhead.
“I felt much the same” Terrance began, “before you came to our town I felt like I was wasting away. Every once in a while the beasts of the forest would wander to close to town, and we would have to deal with them but there was nothing driving me forward.” Noticing Dante’s full attention was on him Terrance looked around speaking a bit quieter “To say I was surprised at your arrival would be an understatement. Having been raised in a small town all my life since my parents had to move out here from Serlonia to get away from the new queens insane proclamations.”
Dante’s interest was piqued “New queens proclamations?”
Terrance nodded “She began turning beggars into slaves and before my parents left she was doing the same with all who oppose her. Rumors state that she is beginning to show signs of dark magic. None of us knows for sure, and since these lands though still under her rule are far away from her main domain, we get little news of what has been going on in that part of the world.”
There was an inkling in the back of Dante’s mind that told him that when he was done with the Imp Chief he would most likely have to head out that way as soon as possible. Something about the story seemed to bring up memories of something he had seen or read in the game's plethora of lore when he had played Kingdoms Reborn. Unsure at the moment of what it might be he let it go and waited to see if Terrance would continue.
When it became evident that the young warrior was done Dante spoke “I think I will take the first shift, get some rest and around midnight I will wake you up for your turn.”
Taking a bedroll out of his inventory Terrance agreed and was soon fast asleep leaving Dante alone with his thoughts. The moon was shining bright overhead when Dante first heard the howls carried on the chilly night air. Further east something or something’s were moving around in the forest moving ever closer.
Figuring it was about time to wake him anyways Dante quietly shook Terrance from his slumber with a hand over his mouth and a finger held to his lips signaling silence. “Seems we are being hunted” he said in a hushed tone “Be ready to grab your helmet and weapons the moment I give the signal.”
With the hand removed from his face Terrance looked at him quizzically “What signal?” he asked quietly as he saw Dante disappear before his eyes chuckling at the old joke found in both books and movies alike.
“Oh you’ll know” Dante’s disembodied voice whispered a moment later before the bushes nearby rustled signaling that the hunters were almost ready to pounce on what they suspected were unknowing prey.
Another rustle came before there was suddenly an explosion of light and the yelp of an injured beast as Dante struck out with Cascading Blades followed by Cycle of Fate and finishing with Plight of Chaos finishing off the large wolves before Terrance was able to strike.
“Welp…” Dante said rather perplexed “Guess I could have handled it on my own but since you're up.” He walked over and gave a friendly shove to Terrance and laid down in the bedroll “I guess it is your turn to keep watch. If you want the loot go for it I’ll pass for now.”
Unsure what else to do Terrance looted the seven beasts noting their names as they vanished:
Battle Worg
Level:12
Health: 0/273
“Guess we are on the right path then…” Terrance said under his breath before taking a seat on the ground across from Dante looking over at him in awe from time to time as he waited for the dawn to come not sure of what the days to come might bring.
Dante Alexander: Knight Mage
Level: 21.81
Attack Power:114
Defense Power:236
Health:1264/1264
Mana:492/492
Stamina:353/353
Attack Speed +4
Casting Speed +4
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +4
Gear:
Main Hand
+14 Blade of Chaos
Off Hand
+14 Short Sword of Chaos
Helm
+14 Hidden Circlet of Chaos
Armor
+18 Leather Breastplate of Chaos +250 HP
Gloves
+14 Leather Gloves of Chaos
Shoes
+14 Leather Shoes of Chaos
L Earring slot Empty
R Earring slot Empty
L Ring slot Empty
R Ring slot Empty
Necklace slot Empty
Belt slot Empty
Skills:
Basic Attack
Swift Strike
Cascading Blades
Scatter Blades
Chaotic Shield
Hidden Power
Cycle of Fate
Chaos Hold
Shadows of Chaos
Intertwined Fates
Chaos Dash
Plight of Chaos
Companions:
Terrance Walsh: Warrior
Level:22.00
Attack Power:102
Defense Power:242
Health:1562/1562
Stamina:733/733
Attack Speed +2
Casting Speed +1
Critical Hit +4
Movement Speed +4
Chapter Eleven
Roaring could be heard as Dante w
oke to see Terrance killing off the last two beasts he was facing. It seemed that they were more of what they had faced the night before. Almost like mutated wolves crossed with a hyena. Under normal circumstances he would have been cowering in fear but with the nine beasts lying around the camp dead and Terrance seeming to have everything handled he rolled into a sitting position.
Seeing his companion stir Terrance decided to make light of the situation “You could sleep through a war! Been dealing with these things for at least the past twenty minutes and of course you wake just as I finish em off.” Chuckling as he cleaned his sword off on the patchy fur of the beast.
“Well” batting his lashes at Terrance Dante replied “You could always come over here and wake me up with your mighty sword.”
Standing there mouth agape and cheeks reddening Terrance was speechless until Dante burst out in laughter. It was several minutes to the distress of Terrance before Dante could speak “Dude you gotta relax and not be so uptight. Think rule number four should be to take it easy while we adventure. Otherwise, you’re gonna drive me crazy really fast. No one likes a stiff personality after all.”
Mumbling under his breath about not being stiff Terrance quickly looted the monsters while Dante put out the fire. After which he stepped behind a tree to relieve himself before he rolled up the bedroll and handed to Terrance ruffling his hair and chuckling. Finally Dante unsheathed his swords and headed down the road leaving his companion to catch up after stowing away the bedroll in his inventory.