Fas had just shaken his head in an almost exasperated expression, sighing once SJ had relayed the details about the wyvern's.
"You really are unbelievable. In my five hundred years, I have never met someone like you," Fas said.
His comment was genuine, not belittling, not derogatory, just a simple expression relating to her uniqueness. SJ's status as an anomaly was even more apparent as events continued to unfold.
"Let's head over to the town. I think focusing on the north is better for now. We can head to the forest northeast of town and then head in from there," SJ said.
"I guess there is a clearing I can land in to transform?" Fas asked.
SJ opened her map and checked the area. Close to the waterfall that fell, filling the lake from the higher peaks, there was open ground. The waterfall was where she had escaped from the spider's lair, and she shuddered at the recollection.
"Yes. By the waterfall. It's only a short distance to town from there, and we can stay in the forest."
"Okay," Fas replied as he transformed.
It didn't take them long to fly over the lake, staying high and out of sight of any beings looking out from the town; all they would see were dots in the sky, assuming they were birds. They doubted they could even make her out. Fas had flown so high. The last thing they wished to do was allow the town to see a dragon flying in their general direction.
SJ couldn't help but glance towards the waterfall as she waited for Fas to finish transforming, expecting a giant spider to erupt from it suddenly. Not that a level seven spider would now even be a threat to her.
They set off at a pace, swiftly moving through the forest, triggering shadow step to speed their progress as they approached the town. SJ directed them towards the church hall, which was on the north-eastern edge, where they paused.
"I think the gnolls are mainly staying near the Hogling Arms. The draconians at the Wandering Ogre," SJ said. "I want to focus on the gnolls, if you agree?"
"They should be our primary focus, if we can cause them enough problems, it may destabilise them, and well... I can't do anything against the draconians," he smiled weakly.
It frustrated SJ that he was unable to attack those of his kind or lineage. "I'm sure Bob would understand under the circumstances," SJ said.
Fas didn't reply, but SJ noticed his fists clench.
"Okay. Let's go," SJ said as she shrank.
"Before we do, we should do this properly this time," Fas said as her display triggered.
You have been invited to join a party by Fas. Do you accept?
SJ didn't hesitate as her display changed, now showing a status bar for Fas underneath her own. SJ wasn't aware of any benefits that a party brought apart from being able to see each other's details.
'Can I get skills that boost parties?' SJ thought.
"No. Rogues or assassins aren't usually group-based in their activities. Other classes can provide party boosts, but not yours," Dave said.
That made sense to SJ as they headed into the town.
The benefits of the gnolls moving into the town were clear; the shadows the buildings created were perfect for Fas to jump easily between locations while SJ flew overhead. They had their clips active, and SJ was feeding information to Fas, being his eyes. It didn't take her long to spot their first target.
Two gnolls were resting in the rear of one of the buildings close to the Hogling Arms. It was a trader's shop and had a low stone wall around the yard at its rear. The building's rear was covered in shadow, giving Fas the perfect opportunity to Shadow Step.
"I'll take the one with his back to the barrel," Fas whispered. He was currently crouched behind the wall.
"Okay," SJ said as she flew down from her overwatch position, skimming low across the street before popping up over the wall. Both the gnolls appeared asleep, their eyes closed, and as she approached her target, Fas appeared in the shadows by his. He was carrying his evil-looking rock hammers; their spikes seemed to absorb the surrounding light, similar to her claws.
SJ looked at Fas and nodded as she approached and hit her target, growing. Fas attacked his target at the same time.
Neither of their targets even had the time or chance to react as their bodies slumped to the ground. SJ shrank again as Fas disappeared into the building's shadow. And so their streak of terror had begun.
They spent the next four hours moving about the town. Fas on the streets was equivalent to a lethal shadow as he picked off targets that SJ believed weren't even an option. SJ had had her fill of kills as well, and between them, they had notched up over twenty dead enemies. The sun had started to set as they withdrew back towards the forest. Their collaboration with SJ being the eyes and Fas on the streets had been insurmountable, even once the alarm was raised and troops began combing the area.
"I think we rest and wait until the middle of the night to go again," Fas said. He was now sitting in the forest in a small clearing at the base of the eastern mountains. He was cleaning his hammers meticulously after the afternoon's activities. His eyes fixated.
SJ had already cleaned her claws and sat eating one of the remaining desert rations. The coppery scent of their enemy hung in the air, SJ believing she could taste it while she ate. She had given some food to Fas to eat as well, and would have to ensure that they collected some more when needed.
"I agree," SJ said. She opened her display and checked her notifications. She had seen the entry to say that her level had increased again and had now reached level 29, with the twelve further enemies she had dispatched. She wouldn't have achieved the experience she had needed without the bonuses granted for critical kills and her reputation bonus of 100%.
"I'm level 29," SJ told Fas. "I need to turn off auto levelling again while we continue. I daren't reach level 30 due to the issues that would come along with it."
"Why?" Dave answered her comment to Fas. "If you reach level 30, that would mean that troops who can enter and support you could be up to level 60. That would give you a huge advantage. Also, with the continuing push and the number of kills you may still get, why waste the bonuses that it will give you once you do?"
'What does 30 give me?' SJ asked. Since she had believed it would have taken her weeks, if not months, to even reach level 30 without the system glitch and bonus experience, she hadn't even given it a thought.
"Level 30 opens up specific skill alignments. You can preset skill triggers which activate on cooldown, so you don't have to do them yourself," Dave said.
"Oh!" SJ said in surprise and aloud.
"What's wrong?" Fas said.
"Nothing. Dave... erm, my AI has informed me at level 30, you get auto triggers for your skills."
"Yes, that's right. If you have combat-focused skills, you can set them to trigger on cooldown. It's not something I have used often, but I have occasionally when in a longer fight situation. You can preconfigure different combinations."
"That could be really helpful. Especially since I have previously forgotten to activate certain skills," SJ said, flushing.
"We all do in the heat of the moment," Fas replied reassuringly.
"Dave mentioned that I should consider going straight to level 30. I would normally now hold off and wait, especially as I know my levelling affects the borders opening, but he mentioned that it would mean we could bring in stronger allies to assist us."
"It's a good thought, but I thought you said that troops were already on their way? If they are, is it advisable to wait for more to arrive at a higher level? Having seen how the troops are behaving, I can't see them remaining as organised as they currently appear."
As they had been fighting in the town, they had witnessed several of the draconian riders, who were, in all intents and purposes, overseeing the gnolls. Their commanding voices cut through the streets above the barks of the gnolls as they dictated their movements.
"Do you think we are doing enough damage to them?"
"In this environment, it's perfect for our skills. On the plains, we never could have achieved what we have here."
"That's true." SJ had to agree that the confines of the town were their ultimate weapon. The forest areas would be the same. SJ suddenly had a thought and withdrew her communication stone to Cristy.
"Hi, SJ," Cristy said on answering.
"Hi. Are you near Alice?"
"Yes. She's right here; we are just eating. Hold on."
"SJ?" Alice's voice cut through.
"Hi Alice. Can I ask a favour?"
"What do you need?" Alice sounded tired.
"Do you think you could add reputation gains for Fas?"
Alice didn't reply for a moment. "I can try. I don't usually do it; it's normally something Zigferd oversees from the interface. Give me a minute."
On Alice mentioning Zigferd by name, a chill ran up her spine, and she wondered how Harietta was getting on with her scouting mission. There were so many things going on that SJ hadn't clarified who Harietta would speak to and assumed she would return to the valley to inform Fran. SJ wished she had given it more forethought and provided a meeting place on the plateau for them to meet. It would be too late now, though.
There was silence for several moments before her voice returned. "Sorry, I can't. The interface won't allow me to, as the town is currently under occupation. The town rights are still ours as we have a representation in the town, but we are locked out of making certain changes."
"Damn, that's frustrating," SJ said.
"Yes. Sorry, I can't help."
"Umm..." Dave said thoughtfully.
"Thanks for checking. How are you getting on?" SJ asked.
Alice sighed. "As well as we can. I have Kibble keeping me company. He and Reg do get on well," she chuckled.
SJ wasn't going to mention Zigferd, knowing how much he meant to her. "Darren's doing well. They are going to start moving to he north side of the lake and make their way around towards the crags. They may have even set off by now. I know they were just waiting to scout the river before they did so."
"They are heading to the crags?"
"That's the plan. Why?"
"There is a force of about forty there, with three of those lizards. We don't have the forces here to combat them."
"How many of the guards are in the valley with you?"
"No more than a fifty."
The news that there were only fifty guards in the valley beyond the crags filled SJ with panic. There were forty at the mine, fifty in the valley, which meant that the remaining guards had either been killed or captured.
"I can't believe there are so few," SJ said.
"Many left with their families once we entered the valley. I couldn't keep them here indefinitely."
"Are none of the others willing to fight?"
"Yes. But they aren't combatants. Many of them haven't lifted a weapon in anger for a long time. Even when the hobs attacked us, we only ever had a fixed number who were really skilled enough. Most Amathereans don't experience the levels of violence that we have for our town level."
SJ could understand the predicament; after all, most focused on professions and not classes. The town had been an everyday starter town with closed borders and access until she had arrived, and the guilt still sat heavily on her shoulders. She knew it was a pointless feeling, considering that the system would have implemented the change anyway without consideration, through another Legionnaire, but it didn't stop her reflecting on 'What if?'. She sighed heavily.
"Right, we are going to get some rest and then head back into town," SJ said.
"Sorry? What are you doing in town?"
"My calling," SJ replied. "Let me know as soon as Fran gets any updates from Harietta, please?"
"I will, and be safe," Alice said, ending the call.
SJ opened her display, accepting her level increase.
Congratulations on reaching Level 29
You have been awarded the following:
+2 Dexterity
+3 free points to distribute as you wish
+1 skill point
SJ's lowest basic attribute was still strength, so she added the three points to it, taking it up to a base of 17. This again increased her inventory capacity by one further slot. As things stood, she could currently add a further six bags of holding inside her inventory. She wanted it to reach 20 as a minimum, which she would hopefully be able to do next level. Then, with her additional skill point, she assigned it to her new Void Grasp skill, taking it to level 3. That meant that it would now hold an opponent for a minimum of 4 seconds.
SJ was considering the immeasurable gains the dissolution attempt had granted her within a few hours. Her anomaly status was at last paying dividends as she looked over her sheet.
Legionnaire 25007077
Name: SJ
Age: 27
Race: Fae
Class: Assassin
Alignment: Neutral
⇢Level: 29
Experience: 3185 of 59000
Hit Points: 177 of 177 (186)
Mana Points: 179
Armour Class: 86 (32)(54)
Damage: 106-108 (18-20) (13)(55)(20)
Attributes:
Strength: 22 (5)(17)
Dexterity: 64 (9)(55)
Intelligence: 32 (2)(30)
Wisdom: 29 (9)(20)
Constitution: 30
Charisma: 29 (9)(20)
Resistances:
Arcane Resistance 10%
Cold Resistance 10%
Magic Resistance 10%
Poison Resistance 10%
Skills
Racial:
Night Vision – you have improved vision in poor light conditions.
Flight – when in miniature fae form, you can learn to fly. Flying is not available in humanoid form.
Shapeshift – the ability to switch between fae forms.
Linguist - you can understand all sentient beings above a basic level of intellect when they communicate.
Class:
Martial Arts –
Kata Level 10
Unarmed combat - Incapacitation Level 6 / Elimination Level 4
Armed combat - Melee Claws Level 5 / Ranged Darts Level 3
Puncture
Clawed Avenger Level 5
Subterfuge –
Identification Level 10
Advanced Identification Level 5
Charm level 2
Shroud Level 10
Phantom Shroud
Shadow Discipline –
Shadow Step Level 5
Void Grasp Level 3
Profession:
Tailor Skilled Level 8
Perks - Sure Stitch
Profession Specialisation - 0 of 1 available points 1
Symbiosis:
Dragon Sense – your senses, touch, hearing, smell, and sight are heightened.
Precognition – foreknowledge due to increased perception will allow you to evade a killing blow. (24hr cooldown)
Divine lightning – your blood is combined with that of a blue dragon, increasing healing speed while out of combat.
Malware: Waiver (Sandboxed)
Inventory: 86 slots (8 x 10 Bags of Holding) (2) (+4 strength) (10 special)
Relationships:
Guardian - Carlito
Followers - Brian, Charlotte, Terence
Companions - Kibble
As soon as the conflict in Killic was sorted, she would have to look into improving her equipment again and work on her tailoring skill. There was still an outstanding specialisation to select. She thought of Nexis as she reviewed her details. His disembodied voice suddenly spoke, startling her and making Fas draw his hammers, which he had just returned to his inventory.
"What happened?" Nexis said.
"Don't do that!" SJ hissed angrily. "At least warn us before you talk when we are hiding in a forest."
"And how am I supposed to warn you?" Nexis chuckled.
SJ grumbled. "Fair point."
"Again, what happened?"
"About what?"
"With you, the last time I saw you was when you were level 22, and I returned to see what's going on and find you are now level 29." Nexis was speaking openly in front of Fas, who, after returning his hammers to his inventory again, just sat listening.
"A lot," SJ replied. "And where have you been? I thought you were always watching?"
"That's difficult to explain," Nexis said, his voice carrying uncertainty. "Anyway, explain what's happened."
SJ spent several minutes telling Nexis what had happened to them since they left for the desert. It was only once she finished speaking that Nexis spoke again.
"So it was you. I thought it may have been, but was unable to clarify. You have been 'out of service', I believe that's the term you use."
"No different to me," Dave said. "I expect that when I lost connection to you, and I was having difficulties due to the dissolution attempt, it affected the gods as well. I doubt that even a god is aware of the process the system attempted to implement, sorry sub-system."
"Until now?" SJ asked, surprised.
"No. You reappeared before, but I was rather busy; there has been some disturbing news. Rather disconcerting for a god." Nexis said.
"What news?" SJ asked.
"This being you have discovered. None of my siblings can read her. We have no sight of her either; she could be anywhere, and we wouldn't know. Well, not at least until she begins to adjust manafields. The amendments to the lay lines are noticeable. Everything follows a pattern, and she is disturbing it. I had been following her when she did, and your companion here. It was only when she reached the mines and I discovered you were there that I was able to establish a new link. Unless my siblings have been doing similar, I doubt they even know where you are now, either."
"That's not a bad thing," SJ said. "I don't enjoy being the plaything of the gods."
"My dear SJ. You aren't a plaything. You're special, as I have always stated, and this being's sudden appearance has just confirmed my previous thoughts."
SJ flexed her fingers nervously as he spoke. She hated being classed as special or an anomaly. That is what she believed had brought her many of her troubles already.
"Are you able to update me?" SJ asked.
"On what exactly?"
"Everything. I meant to ask before, and it slipped my mind. If the others are already aware of your presence, can you not speak to them?"
"I could. Why?"
"This is a big ask, but could you act as a communication pathway?"
"Sorry?" Nexis sounded taken aback.
"I'll ask again, can you act as a communication pathway. You would only be passing on information between certain members; you wouldn't be involved directly."
"Umm, interesting idea. Let me check... no, it's the simple answer, it's deemed as interference still, giving an advantage to one side over the other."
"This is ridiculous. What's the point in you being a god if you can't perform godly acts?" SJ fumed.
"I can still perform godly acts; there are just certain restrictions," Nexis said before falling silent.
"You are also quite openly talking in front of Fas, who isn't under oath," SJ said.
"I am aware, and he doesn't need to be. He is your guardian; there is no requirement for an oath. His trust can't be broken by anything, not even a god."
SJ noticed Fas's shoulders relax slightly after Nexis's confirmation.
"So, could I become a guardian?"
"No. Only those who are directly named by greats can truly provide the leverage of a guardianship. I thought Fas explained this to you before."
"In part, yes. But I just wished for confirmation."
Dusk had arrived, and the light was starting to fade quickly now. "I need to get some rest before we head back into the town. If you have finished questioning me for now?" SJ asked, her frustration building once more.
"I will be watching," Nexis replied as his voice faded.
