by A F Kay
The boulders around the entrance made it difficult to walk, and Ruwen paid extra attention to where he stepped. He entered the tunnel, and the wind stopped gnawing on his body. Big D had continued down, and Ruwen followed. The Pit Boss attached a brightly glowing shaker to the rock wall every ten feet.
The air felt dense and heavy, and it smelled like dirt. The tunnel walls and ceiling were smooth but had sharp angles as if the ground had split, leaving fractures in the stone. Even so, the tunnel maintained a consistent diameter of ten feet. They continued down for a few minutes until the tunnel ended.
Big D held a shaker over her head, and walking in a bubble of light, moved along the right wall. She stopped and shook the shaker vigorously for a few seconds until it grew intensely bright. Big D took another few steps, and a large clear crystal, probably quartz, appeared on the wall. The crystal grew up the wall like a vein, disappearing into the darkness.
The Pit Boss attached the bright shaker to the crystal, and light shot upward through the quartz. As the light traced through the spiderweb of quartz that lined the walls and ceiling, the entire cavern slowly lit up until it appeared like dusk
“Wow,” Ruwen said.
Big D walked back over to him. “There is something similar on every level.”
“Clever,” Ruwen said.
“It’s a good dungeon, even if it’s just a baby,” Big D said. She stepped closer to the tunnel entrance and spoke to the incoming Ascendants. “Step to the side to make room. We’ll start the lesson and then send you off.”
Now that the cavern was lit, Ruwen could see the true scope of the room. The ceiling at its highest point might have been seventy feet tall, while the width had to be at least a few hundred feet. The room had pools of water, clumps of grass, and boulders of varying sizes. Over twenty tunnels, their dark entrances leading to unknown places, lined the room. Most interestingly to Ruwen, yellow Resource dots had appeared on his map.
When all the Ascendants entered the cavern, Ruwen noticed that none of the Class leaders or helpers had followed. He hoped Hamma and Sift got to wait in the tunnel entrance or maybe walk back to camp.
Big D looked around at all of them. “Today will serve two purposes. First, it should give you an appreciation of the capabilities of your fellow Classes. Second, it will help guide your future choices as you decide on your Sub Class, and if you continue to level, your eventual Specialization.”
Ruwen had been through six levels of Blapy, and he completely agreed with Big D’s first point. Adding Hamma to the group this last time had given Ruwen a new appreciation of the Order class. And not just because of the healing. Hamma had brought other things like buffs and stuns that made her contribution even more impactful than he’d expected.
But, Ruwen struggled to understand how the second item could be relevant. He had made it all the way to level six thanks to Blapy and a generous amount of quests. There were still four levels ahead of him until he could sub-Class and then another ten levels after that before he could Specialize.
The first five levels alone had ten Energy-based spells and ten Mana-based ones. You would have to reach level fifteen before you could even sample every single spell. By then, it was already too late to change your Sub Class.
Big D continued. “You are all fortunate. Everyone here is benefiting from a convergence of events. The council wishes to alleviate Class unrest by forcing the newer generations to work together. I hope this long-term plan bears fruit, and it is why I agreed to chaperone all of you, even though I believe we don’t have that much time. Enough politics, though. The smarter among you are wondering how my second point, guidance on your spell paths, could be possible. Perhaps you are dreading a long line of adults telling you boring stories or some other horrific experience.”
Ruwen hadn’t thought of that, and his stomach sank. He hated listening to most adults. Their experiences rarely provided much practical value.
“I am sparing you that,” Big D said with a smile. “My only condition when taking this responsibility was that we could use a divine treasure.”
Murmured conversations immediately sprang up from all the groups.
“Why have we never heard of these treasures?” Slib asked.
“That is the convergence I spoke of earlier. For the first time, we have an Ascendant capable of transporting them,” Big D said and pointed at Ruwen.
Everyone stared at Ruwen, and he tried to keep his heart from racing. He didn’t like being the center of attention.
“What makes him so special?” Slib asked, contempt clear in his voice.
Big D looked at Ruwen. “Special is the wrong word. Capable is the right one. Ruwen is capable of carrying more burdens than the rest of us.”
Slib snorted. “My family’s appahs can do the same. Maybe this Worker can live in our stables with them. The truly capable can launch spells of fire and ice and chaos.”
“Then we agree,” Big D said.
Ruwen’s anger at Slib’s comments turned into confusion. Slib looked confused as well, and the bully’s brow furrowed. What did Big D mean by that? Workers didn’t get any offensive spells that Ruwen knew of. How did having a Void Band change that? Ruwen thought about what Bliz had taught him. About how the crew chief seemed to have everything in his Inventory. Was Big D implying Ruwen could store spells with his Void Band?
“Enough questions,” Big D said into the silence. “Shortly, each of you will receive a special necklace. You will return it to me on your way out.”
Big D faced Ruwen. “The Order box, please.”
Ruwen opened his Void Band, retrieved the box with the heart symbol on its top, and handed it to Big D.
“Order, form a line,” Big D said.
The nine Order Class Ascendants walked over to Big D and formed a line as she’d requested. Big D opened the box, and Ruwen saw the rustic necklaces for the second time. It seemed impossible that this simple-looking jewelry was divine in nature. Ruwen didn’t even know something like this existed before now.
Big D handed out the first necklace, and the Order Ascendant gasped. The next eight did the same, and Ruwen’s curiosity felt like an inferno in his mind.
Big D closed the Order box and handed it to Ruwen. “Observer, please.”
Ruwen placed the Order box back in his Inventory and retrieved the Observer one. The process repeated itself until only the Workers were left. Big D handed out nine of the Worker necklaces and removed the final one from the box before carefully closing it.
Big D handed Ruwen the Worker box, and he opened his Void Band long enough to store the now empty box.
Big D smiled as she handed him the final necklace. “Last but not least.”
It took all of Ruwen’s control not to snatch the necklace from Big D. His curiosity had only been inflamed by the shocked expressions on every previous recipient.
His hand touched the necklace, and Ruwen immediately opened the notification.
Tring!
You have discovered a blessing from Uru…
Name: Hands of Uru
Quality: Divine
Durability: Indestructible
Weight: 0.85 lbs.
Effect (Passive): Temporarily learn all Energy spells through level five.
Effect (Passive): Temporarily learn all Mana spells through level five.
Effect (Passive): Temporarily learn all abilities through level five.
Effect (Passive): +100 Mana
Effect (Passive): +100 Energy
Restriction: Must be level ten or less.
Restriction: Must be Worker Class.
Restriction: Must be inside Uru’s Blessing.
Description: Knowledge is the light that reveals your path.
Just like everyone else, Ruwen gasped.
Oh, that is nice, Rami said.
I thought you were indexing.
I am. Not much can pull me out of a build, but divine artifacts are one. Uru feels like sunshine and smells like the sea. She’s my favorite.<
br />
You’ve met the gods?
Some of them. And I have memories of the others that Mom shared.
Big D snapped him out of his shock. “Put them on, and then listen for your name. I’m going to give you your group assignments.”
The Order Class Ascendants each got a number one through nine, and they stood in a line. The Mages were added next, and one went to each of the first five groups. Ruwen noticed Slib was placed in Group One. Big D cycled through the Fighters, Merchants, and Observers. Last came the Workers, and Ruwen’s name was finally called.
“Ruwen, Group One,” Big D said.
Ruwen and Slib groaned at the same time. What might have been a pleasant experience had just turned miserable.
Chapter 48
Big D went to each Order Ascendant and gave them a ring. “These rings will allow you to form a group. You can’t do that on your own yet, and the dungeon is too weak to do it for you. Touch the ring to each person in your party.” Big D raised her voice. “Okay, form your groups and pick one of the first nine tunnels starting on the left. The tunnels lead to more challenging content the further clockwise you go. Today each group will do one tunnel. Clear it and return here. Do not venture into any tunnels past nine, understand?”
There was a chorus of agreement, and Big D nodded.
“Tunnel nine is taken!” Slib yelled as he strode toward the tunnel entrance. “Group One, get over here!”
Ruwen didn’t like Slib making decisions for the group, but he had to admit it would have been the tunnel he’d have chosen as well. He looked back out at the cavern and hoped he’d get the chance to harvest some of the resources there. Maybe he’d come back later. The dungeon and camp were only ten minutes from each other.
Ruwen gently put the necklace on. His whole body flushed, and the base of his neck grew ice-cold for a moment. He waited for others to join Slib before moving toward tunnel nine. Ruwen wanted to minimize his interaction with the Mage, and the others would act as a buffer.
He slowly walked toward his group, opened his Profile, and selected the Spells tab. The only Energy spells he’d known before were Scrub and Harden. Now, many spells filled the view, and he glanced at the eight new Energy-based spells he’d temporarily learned.
Spell: Hurry Up
Effect: Adds +2 to Dexterity
Spell: Strong Back
Effect: Adds +2 Strength
Spell: Sharpen
Effect: Remove a fraction of an object’s edge.
Spell: Kindling
Effect: Condense the air near your hand into a small blade.
Spell: Dash
Effect: Increase your top speed by 20%.
Spell: Dig
Effect: Remove material and place it nearby. The denser the material or the faster the removal the higher the Energy cost.
Spell: Calm
Effect: Increases Persuasion by 30% and adds +2 Charisma allowing the Worker to calm animals and people.
Spell: Melt
Effect: Decrease the density of Inorganic substances.
“Hurry up, Book Face,” Slib said.
The last to arrive at tunnel nine, Ruwen closed all the views as he approached the group.
“I see you haven’t added any points to Intelligence yet,” Ruwen replied.
Slib frowned, clenched his hands, and took a step toward Ruwen.
A tall young man stepped between them. “You two know each other?”
Ruwen relaxed, realizing he’d automatically tensed for a fight. “Not really. We just spent some time together in school.”
The young man placed a hand on Ruwen’s shoulder, and five portraits appeared on the right side of Ruwen’s vision. Ruwen realized the tall young man was the Order Ascendant, and he’d just activated the party function of the ring he’d been given.
“I’m Vamor. Let’s save the fighting for the dungeon.”
“Sound’s good to me,” Ruwen said.
Vamor turned to look at Slib, who still clenched his hands.
“My family had to cancel a vacation to the coast because of this turd,” Slib said.
“I want to be here just as much as you do,” Ruwen said.
“Whatever, I can see it on your face. You’re happy to stick it to your betters,” Slib said.
“Better at what? Sniffing your own butt?” Ruwen asked.
Sage, the Observer Ascendant, smiled, and Wilken, the Fighter, laughed. Slib’s face turned a deep red.
“Don’t you dare talk to me like that you piece of –” Slib said.
Vamor raised his hands. “Enough. Save it for camp. Here, we need to focus. Understand?”
Ruwen nodded, and Slib remained silent, staring with hatred at Ruwen.
The Merchant Ascendant, Yaja, spoke up. “The others have already started. We should go.”
Without a word, Slib turned and strode down the tunnel. Vamor ran to get in front of him, and the rest followed. Ruwen took up the last position and entered the tunnel.
The floor, ceiling, and walls all appeared to have melted at some point. And the layered appearance made Ruwen uncomfortable. He hoped whatever had melted the rock wasn’t near. The lighted crystal from the main cavern had tendrils that ran along the walls of the downward-sloping tunnel and provided enough light to walk safely.
Ruwen navigated to his Spells tab again and looked at the Mana based spells he now had access to. He already had Campfire, Retrieve, and Massage, but the other seven were new.
Spell: Mend Tool
Effect: Temporarily binds broken objects together.
Spell: Sick Day
Effect: Increase all Resistances by 10%.
Spell: Numb
Effect: Decrease sensations by 10%.
Spell: Second Wind
Effect: Reduce food, water, and sleep requirements by 10%.
Spell: Grasp Crate
Effect: Increase the roughness of your hands by 10%.
Spell: Jump
Effect: Increase the distance jumped by 20%.
Spell: Lunch Box
Effect: Create food and water for one person.
Ruwen tried to keep himself from getting depressed. It wasn’t that the Worker spells were all terrible, they were just practical, and not very suited for combat. He’d already come to terms with his Class, so he didn’t dwell on what could have been, but he couldn’t stop himself from feeling a little disappointed in what this amazing necklace provided.
The tunnel leveled out and then ended in darkness. Vamor activated the pin he’d gotten from Big D at the mine, and part of the room beyond the tunnel became visible. It looked like a combination of rocks and shrubs.
“Let’s take a moment to go through all our new capabilities,” Vamor said. “It will help us be more efficient once we enter.”
Ruwen nodded in agreement. Vamor’s suggestion made practical sense, and the Order Ascendant reminded Ruwen of Hamma. That probably meant Vamor’s Wisdom was higher than average, too.
Ruwen only had one tab left to look at, and he opened his Abilities tab. The first five levels had twelve total abilities, two of which, Hey You and Detect Temperature, he’d already taken. He scanned the ten new ones.
Ability: Owl Eyes
Effect: Magnify ambient light by 10%.
Ability: Sing
Effect: Increase Haste by 2% and Endurance by 10%.
Ability: Glow
Effect: Body emits soft light to aid sight in dark areas.
Ability: Knots
Effect: Movement of secured objects is reduced by 10%.
Ability: Brawl
Effect: Increase Unarmed Combat damage by 20%.
Ability: Third Hand
Effect: Pin object in place, giving the Worker time to use his hands.
Ability: Waiter
Effect: No penalty for using non-dominant hand.
Ability: Vigor
Effect: All attributes increased by 10%.
Ability: Store
Effect: 10% reservoir of Health, Energ
y, and Mana.
Ability: Backbone
Effect: Increase Max Encumbrance by 50%.
Two new icons appeared next to Ruwen’s Detect Temperature. A pair of eyes for Owl Eyes, and a lantern, for Glow. Third Hand relied on the Worker’s focus, and the rest were passive. He had worked hard to become ambidextrous, so Waiter was a waste. Backbone was as well, since his Void Band would ensure he never had to worry about Encumbrance.
But Brawl would be great. Ruwen’s Step training, combined with the spell Scrub, made for a potent combination that he intended to continue pursuing. Even if some of the spells weren’t the best, the opportunity to test them out was fantastic. Tonight, once he was alone, he would put on the Observer necklace and experiment with his Root Class.
Buffs appeared as the other Classes activated their group spells. The only one Ruwen had, Sing, required just that, singing, and Ruwen had a terrible voice. He decided they could do without that buff. Light filled the tunnel as Slib cast a Fireball into the room beyond and then immediately followed it with a Lightning Bolt cast with the other hand. Ruwen gritted his teeth and forced the jealousy down.
“Any ideas on how to light that room?” Vamor asked.
No one spoke up, so Ruwen finally did. “In the room above, there was a crystal that held a shaker. It distributed the light. Maybe there is something similar here.”
“How about I just set the room on fire,” Slib said with a flame hovering in his palm.
“I can look,” Sage said. “I can see okay in the dark.”
